Immortal of the Nine Realms

Xia Ji explained, ”In the Upper Three Realms, there are not many factions capable of issuing invitations. Ordinary factions don’t have the qualifications to offer invitations, because the Gates of the Immortal Realm are in the hands of only a few. Also, invitations are targeted. Even if you stumble upon one, you may not be able to use it.

”It’s said that while the Upper Three Realms are rich in resources, much more than the Six Lower Realms, the competition there is incomparably fiercer. Even factions controlling the Gates of the Immortal Realm could vanish overnight.

”According to information our department has received, the conditions for entering and leaving the Upper Three Realms are extremely strict. If one chooses to enter, under normal circumstances, they might never be able to return to the Lower Six Realms for the rest of their life.”

He continued, ”This time, the Nanqing Constellation is about to host a Dao Conference. There are rumors that invitations will be for sale, and at the same time, there may also be immortal herbs put up for sale during the conference.”

Fang Chen’s eyes narrowed. ”Nanqing Constellation?”

In the Ancient Desolate Realm, in ancient times, there had been 79 regions called constellations. By the present day, only 13 remained.

The lands of the constellations were extremely unique, flourishing in immortal arts beyond imagination. Not only did they contain remnants of extremely ancient immortal palaces, but also many old inheritances.

Any Daoist sect in these lands paid homage to the Three Divine Beasts, and some among them even mastered Heavenly Abhorrence Techniques.

In addition, there were ferocious beasts and exotic creatures that existed only in ancient records and legends, which could occasionally be sighted in these constellations.

The Lesser Underworld had countless ghost cities corresponding to regions in the human world, but none in the Upper Three Realms. Even in the Lower Six Realms, there were many areas it could not reach, and the thirteen Constellations were among them.

This time, the Hidden Guard Division’s information had come indirectly—from cultivators who had received invitations to the Nanqing Constellation to attend the Dao Conference, and news of it had thus been uncovered.

”Fang Da, the value of the invitation is something we cannot yet determine. If you intend to go to the Nanqing Constellation, you’ll probably need to bring enough immortal crystals; otherwise, you might make the trip for nothing,” Xia Ji reminded him.

Fang Chen’s current immortal crystal supply mainly came from Creation Star.

Yu Tingzhai was the Myriad Immortal Palace’ powerhouse there. After the fall of the Nine Immortals Mountain, not only was the balance of power in Prison Wind reshuffled, but Longyuan, Sihui, and Minghu also re-divided their territories due to the Spirit God Sect’s retreat.

The Yin Holy Sect’s annual share of immortal crystals thus multiplied. After deducting the expenses of the sect and the cultivation needs of Yu Tingzhai, there was an annual surplus of 30 immortal crystals.

This seemingly small surplus was not to be underestimated. For a second-transformation Immortal like Elder Xun, one immortal crystal could sustain his cultivation for an entire year.

As for the surplus, Elder Xun took a share, the old flood dragon took his own, and Fang Chen kept the rest.

Over decades, Fang Chen had amassed nearly 1,500 immortal crystals, though his stock of high-grade spirit stones had almost run out.

Xia Ji’s reminder stemmed from his ignorance of the amount of immortal crystals Fang Chen had actually amassed.

Under his command, the Hidden Guard Division had done business with various factions for years, its largest client being the Killing Spiritual Division.

Even so, their usual profits consisted of mid or low grade spirit stones—rarely high-grade. As for immortal crystals, not a single one had ever been earned. No matter how many intelligence reports the Hidden Dragon Division sold, their combined value still wouldn’t equal a single immortal crystal.

Moreover, running the Hidden Dragon Division wasn’t free. Whether wandering souls or Yin Walkers, they all needed salaries.

They had also consumed a large amount of Yin Lifespan Coins, effectively trading them for spirit stones. If the accounts were tallied, the Hidden Guard Division might not have even begun to profit; it was perhaps even operating at a loss.

Still, Xia Ji was confident. As long as the Hidden Dragon Division continued to grow, profits would come. Business would only get better, and immortal crystals would eventually flow in.

Not to mention, Xia Ji knew that the true purpose of the division was strategic, not monetary. Even if it burned through funds, it had to keep expanding.

”Immortal crystals won’t be a problem,” Fang Chen said. ”Where does Daoist Friend Qingque plan to hold the meeting? In the Floating Pagoda Realm?”

Xia Ji smiled. ”No, not this time. Coincidentally, it will be held in the Nanqing Constellation. If you plan to go, you can knock down the two matters at once.”

He explained, ”I think he arranged it this way because of the special nature of the Nanqing Constellation. There, the Yellow Springs Road could not be opened, and ordinary people couldn’t carry out a soul crossing ritual. So even if someone plotted something using the Floating Pagoda Realm, news could not be sent to the Nanqing Constellation immediately. It’s a case of once bitten, twice shy.”

Fang Chen said, ”In that case, you can look deeper into what happened in the Nanqing Constellation in the past, why the Yellow Springs Road can’t be opened.”

He paused, then asked, ”When does the Dao Conference begin?”

”This conference is significant, so preparations will take a long time. After all, cultivators from all sides will need time to reach the Nanqing Constellation. It’s tentatively scheduled for thirty years from now, while Daoist Friend Qingque’s meeting is set for 20 years from now.”

One was 30 years away, the other 20. Whether he made it to the earlier one didn’t really matter.

The former’s timeframe was not tight, and he could use the Lesser Underworld to reach near the Nanqing Constellation and then set out, saving a lot of time.

Fang Chen fell into thought. There are only two things to watch out for. The Nanqing Constellation cannot be reached via the Underworld, so my advantage won’t apply. Without routing my soul through the Underworld, I’ll have no divine abilities, so I’ll need to bring a top expert. As for the second... that depends on luck.

The second point was the third calamity he faced. He was at the grand completion stage of the Fusion Realm, and the third calamity was bound to occur during this stage, but no one could predict exactly when it would strike.

***

Floating Pagoda Realm, Myriad Immortal City.

The Myriad Immortal Palace’s high-level figures had gathered almost in full, seated around a huge round table with Immortal Xingyu at the head.

The palace had once had three Guardian True Immortals. Later, with Yu Tingzhai, it became four.

Now, with Xie Zian dead, it was three again.

Aside from Yu Tingzhai, one of the other two was Wang Nongcao, Immortal Kumu, known in the Palace as Daoist Mu. The other was Wan Shouque, known outside as Immortal Yinque.

Both wore dark expressions, occasionally glancing at Yu Tingzhai. Seeing him sitting with eyes downcast and silent, the corners of their mouths curled in cold smiles.

Besides the three Guardian True Immortals, there were ten third-transformation Immortals and thirty second-transformation Immortals present.

As for those in the first transformation, they stood quietly around the hall, behind their respective faction leaders. Only a few without attachments to any faction stood in neutrality.

Immortal Xingyu’s gaze was cold as she swept it over them for a long moment before speaking slowly, ”These years, the Myriad Immortal Palace has lost quite a few people.”

The crowd exchanged glances. Though their faces were impassive, their eyes grew a shade more grave.