Immortal of the Nine Realms

In the Thousand Dao Tower, the Great Desolate Immortal looked at Xu Changshi and sighed lightly. “This time, arranging for Song Zhili to assist you... was my oversight.”

Xu Changshi kept his mouth shut, saying nothing.

“Song Zhili acted too hastily, which led to him offending Yu Tingzhai and being slain on the spot. Originally, this was the Myriad Immortal Palace’s fault. But not long ago, I learned that Xi Zian, one of their fourth-transformation Immortals, was killed while away, at his home for the clan’s ancestral rites.”

The Great Desolate Immortal said in a deep voice, “The exact circumstances are still unclear, but it’s not hard to imagine. If they can’t find the true culprit, the Myriad Immortal Palace will inevitably suspect me. I need to leave and lie low for a while.”

He paused. “Put the matters of the sect aside for now. Don’t make the same mistake as Song Zhili; he was too eager for results, too aggressive, and that led to today’s situation.”

Xu Changshi, who had remained silent, suddenly said, “Lie low? Great Desolate Immortal, since when did the Spirit God Sect fear the likes of the Myriad Immortal Palace? If they want to retaliate over this, we should strike back!”

The Great Desolate Immortal cursed. Strike back, my ass!

As a powerful expert, if he stirred up more trouble and chose to retaliate, perhaps he could salvage a bit of pride—but afterward, he would inevitably be investigated by his peers and held accountable.

The best course of action right now would be to clarify matters with the Myriad Immortal Palace; if they found the real killer, all the better.

As for Song Zhili’s death, he had no intention of pursuing it further.

“Changshi, cultivation is not all about fighting and killing. Often, that’s not the best way to solve problems. The Myriad Immortal Palace is reasonable. They won’t—and don’t dare—vent their anger indiscriminately on you. I’ll handle this matter myself. By the way, I’ve heard there might be a fourth transformation immortal medicine for sale in the Nanqing Constellation. You can inform the elders of your family.”

The Great Desolate Immortal had decided to reveal this information to Xu Changshi after a moment’s thought. That way, the Xu Family would owe him a favor, something he could use in the future.

“A fourth-transformation immortal medicine?” Xu Changshi gasped. He excitedly asked, “Do you know which Immortal Path it’s for?”

“Not exactly, but it seems... it might be the Human Immortal Path.”

Xu Changshi’s excitement faded. “Human Immortal, huh...”

The Human Immortal Path only reached the fourth transformation. What immortal medicine was needed beyond that, no one knew, not even in the Upper Three Realms.

Such an immortal medicine would only interest a desperate third-transformation Immortal nearing the end of his lifespan.

After all, even if one succeeded after taking it, it meant the road ahead was cut off.

“Don’t underestimate the Human Immortal Path. This fourth transformation herb will still draw fierce competition from all sides. I may also make a trip to the Nanqing Constellation. If your elders come too, we can act together.”

After giving his instructions, the Great Desolate Immortal turned and left.

Once he was gone, Xu Changshi sent a sound transmission to Yan Haoran, instructing him to enter the Underworld and inform Fang Chen of this matter.

***

“The Great Desolate Immortal is going to the Nanqing Constellation, Immortal Xingyu is going to the Nanqing Constellation, and Fellow Daoist Qingque is holding his meeting in the Nanqing Constellation. The invitation to the Upper Three Realms isn’t nearly this tempting, and even if that fourth-transformation immortal medicine is for the Human Immortal Path, it still wouldn’t be such a draw.”

Fang Chen looked at Xia Ji. “Old Xia, do you think this is all a coincidence, or is there something we don’t know?”

In the hall, Stone Dragon, Taiyin Dragon King, and the others also turned to Xia Ji.

“At this level, it’s already beyond the jurisdiction of the Hidden Guard Division,” replied Xia Ji. He thought for a moment, then decisively said, “Call Gong Tianxin over and ask him. If that doesn’t work, we can spend the money to buy information from the Immortal Worshipping Palace.”

“I don’t think buying intel from the Immortal Worshipping Palace is shameful.” Stone Dragon nodded. “As long as the information is useful to the lord.”

“It’s definitely not shameful,” said Fang Chen, smiling.

He then glanced outside the hall.

The others noticed that Gong Tianxin had already been brought in.

“Greetings, lord. Greetings, everyone.” Gong Tianxin cupped his hands to greet those present. Here, his cultivation was among the lowest, and his seniority the shallowest, his pride as a first transformation Immortal had no place there.

“Has the Immortal Worshipping Palace sent any recent news about the Nanqing Constellation?” Xia Ji asked.

Gong Tianxin’s expression shifted.

Seeing Fang Chen watching him, he quickly nodded.

“Yes, there is news. The palace has several pieces of extremely valuable information, cheapest at one immortal crystal, the most expensive going for 10 immortal crystals.”

Xia Ji drew in a sharp breath and cursed inwardly.

Damn it.

The Immortal Worshipping Palace truly was a colossal force with deep foundations, selling information for 10 immortal crystals!

That level of intelligence was something the Hidden Guard Division couldn’t hope to obtain without absurd luck.

“Which one is related to the Dao Conference in the Nanqing Constellation?” Fang Chen asked casually.

“That would be the one priced at ten immortal crystals. But I don’t know the details, only after paying the full amount will I receive the jade slip, and it can be opened only once before it destroys itself.”

“How long would it take?” Fang Chen asked.

“Mm... three years, no, two years is enough. Just two years if I go in person.” Gong Tianxin said, feeling a little excited. If he could help sell a piece of intel worth 10 immortal crystals, he would easily fulfill his performance quota and even exceed it.

For the next century, even if he had no amazing results, the mid-level decision-makers in the Immortal Worshipping Palace wouldn’t blame him.

“Alright. When we return to Creation Star, I’ll have someone deliver the immortal crystals to you. Go buy the information and return quickly.” Fang Chen said.

“I will complete the task without fail!”

Gong Tianxin thumped his chest.

...

In the Central Continent Empire, at the Desolate Academy, Fang Chen arrived at the Scripture Hall but found no sign of Elder Xun. With a thought, he went to the secluded chamber where the elder was in seclusion.

After waiting more than ten days, the chamber doors opened, and Elder Xun emerged with a face full of rosy cheer.

“What brings you here? Have you already finished your work?” Elder Xun said with a grin.

He was no longer a newly advanced second transformation Loose Immortal, after years of absorbing immortal crystals, his cultivation had improved greatly, and thanks to the crystals’ special effects, his lifespan had increased considerably.

In spirit, energy, and vitality, he was far stronger than before.

“Elder Xun, I’ve more or less wrapped up those minor matters and can rest for a few years.” Fang Chen smiled. “I wonder, Elder Xun, when you think you might advance to the third transformation? I’ve already prepared a fourth transformation immortal medicine for you, just waiting for you to take it.”

“You’ve already prepared a fourth transformation immortal medicine? Which Immortal Path is it for?” Elder Xun was startled, suppressing his joy as he hurriedly asked.

He had traveled the outside world and seen enough to know a thing or two about Immortal Paths.

“The fourth transformation immortal herb, Houtu, of the Earth Immortal Path.”

“Earth Immortal? I’ve heard that path can reach as high as the fifth transformation, it’s quite a good one. Becoming an Earth Immortal means merging mountain spirit veins into one’s body. While its offensive power is not prominent, it adds years to life, strengthens one’s foundation, and excels at creating land.” Elder Xun showed no disappointment at the path’s lower upper limit, instead, he was satisfied and happy, speaking at length about everything he knew of the Earth Immortal Path.

He didn’t notice the faint change in Fang Chen’s expression as he spoke.

By the time he sensed something was wrong, Fang Chen’s entire body was already shrouded in dense black mist.

The source of the mist was unknown, it seemed to appear from nothing. Even Elder Xun, a second transformation Loose Immortal, had not sensed it immediately.

“The Three Calamities and Nine Calamities!? This is the Demonic Calamity? Impossible, this boy has already endured one Demonic Calamity!”

Elder Xun’s face turned ashen. At once, he waved his hand to lay down a sealing spell, completely isolating Fang Chen from the surroundings.