Immortal of the Nine Realms

While Huang Qingque was recruiting Fang Chen, Division Head Duan remained silent, quietly standing to the side.

Fang Chen paused for a few breaths, then looked at Huang Qingque’s smiling, eager expression and asked, ”There’s something I’d like to ask Young Master Qingque first.”

Huang Qingque was momentarily taken aback, then nodded with a smile. ”Whatever doubts you have, feel free to ask. Since I’ve decided to invite you into Xie Zhi, as long as it’s not core information, I can tell you.”

”What I want to ask has nothing to do with Xie Zhi. Not long ago, while fleeing, I encountered cultivators from the Immortal Worshipping Sect. From their words, I learned that the Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land on the Chaotic Star has offended a few immortal palaces,” revealed Fang Chen. ”The cultivators from those immortal palaces plan to descend upon the Chaotic Star and destroy Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land.”

”Chaotic Star? Nine Mountain Holy Land... several immortal palaces...”

Huang Qingque seemed to grasp Fang Chen’s intention and immediately shook his head. ”I’ve heard of the Myriad Immortal Palace. They acted extremely and always pursued the total annihilation of their enemies. They have a policy to leave no root behind. If you have ties with Nine Mountain Holy Land, I’d advise you not to get involved. You might draw their ire. They might hold back because you’re with the Killing Spiritual Division, but that doesn’t mean they won’t trip you up in other ways.”

Huang Qingque’s response was exactly as Fang Chen had expected. Still, there was one crucial point he needed to confirm. This point was critical as it would determine how he would treat Huang Qingque going forward.

”There are countless mortals living in Nine Mountain Holy Land,” Fang Chen said solemnly. ”And from what I’ve heard, the Myriad Immortal Palace intends to slaughter them along with the Holy Land. If the Spirit God Sect takes advantage of the chaos, they could easily refine a few second-grade Blood Spirit Pills or even first-grade ones. Don’t you agree?”

Huang Qingque frowned slightly. ”How many mortals are we talking about?”

”Too many to count.”

”In that case, I’ll go with you and see for myself,” said Huang Qingque. He turned to the Division Head Duan. ”Division Head Duan, prepare yourself. We’ll accompany Division Head Fang to Chaotic Star.”

”Understood.”

Chief Duan gave a gentle nod and went to make arrangements for departure.

Huang Qingque looked at Fang Chen with a smile. ”Are you really worried the Spirit God Sect might use this as a chance to refine first-grade pills? Or do you just not want to see these mortals dragged into something they had nothing to do with?

”You’re using this situation to test my resolve, aren’t you? Then let me be clear. I’m someone with my own internal scale to weigh things. If the number of mortals over there isn’t as countless as you claim, then I still won’t get involved.”

Fang Chen asked, ”What if the number is enough?”

”Then I’ll ask someone to negotiate with the Myriad Immortal Palace and have them spare the mortals here. But as for the grudges between cultivators, I won’t interfere.”

Huang Qingque explained, ”The Killing Spiritual Division cannot use its influence to meddle in these vendettas. Doing so would only make us look even worse than the Spirit God Cult in the eyes of other cultivators. That would make our future work much harder.” 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Fang Chen nodded. His goal had already been achieved. If Huang Qingque was being truthful, then the number of lives in Nine Mountain Holy Land was indeed worth him pulling a few strings for.

***

Stepping out of the teleportation array, Huang Qingque took a deep breath of the local spiritual energy, a trace of nostalgia on his face. ”Though the Ancient Desolate Realm is considered one of the Six Lower Realms, I’ve heard it had a glorious past, a long time ago.”

Division Head Duan gave a slight nod. Though usually quiet, this time he spoke a few rare words. ”A long time ago, it was the origin of the Three Qing Supreme Sect.”

Three Qing Supreme Sect?

Fang Chen glanced at Division Head Duan. He knew of the Three Qing Supreme Sect, and so did Empress Ci. Clearly, in the Nine Mortal Realms, this wasn’t exactly a well-kept secret.

Huang Qingque smiled and said, ”My elders occasionally mentioned the Three Qing Supreme Sect. Looking across all the epochs of the Nine Realms, few powers ever existed that could oversee them like that sect did.” ”Nowadays, forget guarding all Nine Realms, even holding just one realm is a struggle for most powers. Sometimes I wonder if the old stories were exaggerated.

”To guard all Nine Realms, the strength required would be unimaginable. According to ancient records, even Monarch Yan and the Emperors of the Immortal Realm were supposedly inferior to the Three Qing Supreme Sect.

”But how could such a powerful sect fall? At that level, they would’ve monopolized all the resources of the Nine Realms. Any threat would’ve been instantly crushed. I can’t think of a single reason they would decline.

”After thinking it over, I feel the stories are likely embellished. There are too many legends, not enough truth. The Three Qing Supreme Sect may never have been as great as the tales say.”

He shook his head and looked at Fang Chen. ”Anyway, let’s not dwell on this. Division Head Fang, lead the way. Let’s take a look at Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land. We’ll consider it a casual visit.”

”This way, Lord Qingque.”

Before long, the three of them arrived at Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land. A giant crane once again spread its wings and soared over. But upon seeing that the one leading was not Fang Chen but an unfamiliar face, its demeanor clearly grew more cautious.

The crane transformed into a gray-robed youth and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting. ”Greetings, Daoist Fang. May I ask who these two are?”

”We’re just here for a look. We don’t intend to enter, so there’s no need to be overly concerned,” said Huang Qingque with a smile, waving his hand casually.

The young man in the gray robe was slightly taken aback. He looked at Huang Qingque, then at the Division Head Duan, and finally stood aside in silence.

They were both Loose Immortals, and powerful ones at that!

Huang Qingque gazed at the nine mountains before them, which seemed to connect to the heavens, and couldn’t help but sigh, ”The Nine Mortal Realms truly are full of breathtaking sights. If I’m not mistaken, these nine mountains aren’t of this realm, but from the Immortal Realm.”

The gray-robed youth’s expression shifted slightly. He had some insight, or perhaps he had heard the rumors of the Nine Immortal Mountains Holy Land.

The one-armed Division Master’s brow furrowed as he looked.

He saw countless living beings—truly countless.

Each mountain was like a world unto itself. The creatures living upon them might never know that they were mere ants dwelling upon the mountains, nor that a flood was about to sweep in and drown their nest, destroying everything.

”You really weren’t wrong. There really are too many people here. They shouldn’t have to share the misfortune of being buried alongside the Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land.”

The gray-robed youth froze, his face darkening. To speak of Nine Immortals Mountain being buried—right in front of him?

”Leave this matter to me. I’ll inform you if there’s any news. However, I can at most ensure the mortals here are safe. As for the cultivators... knowing the temperament of the Myriad Immortal Palace, there likely won’t be any survivors.”

Huang Qingque smiled as he looked at Fang Chen. ”Once I’ve dealt with this, you should have a bit more faith in me. Then perhaps you’ll be willing to join Xie Zhi, won’t you?”

Without waiting for Fang Chen to speak, he left with the Division Head Duan, transforming into a stream of light and vanishing into the horizon.

”Daoist Fang, just who are those two?” The gray-robed youth stepped forward, frowning. ”Why do they speak of the Nine Immortal Mountain Holy Land with such disrespect, even talking of our burial?”

”Is the grand elder present? I want to see him.”

Fang Chen did not answer his questions.