Immortal of the Nine Realms

”Immortal Xingyu is actually a disciple of Immortal Taixu’s sect—no wonder Qunxian Palace acts so arrogantly.”

”Grand Wild Immortal is probably in trouble this time. Given his status, he should know Immortal Xingyu’s background.”

Ning Beiyou, wearing a soft smile, shared, ”Immortal Taixu has one founding disciple, two direct disciples, and one last disciple. That founding disciple was lucky to leave for the Upper Three Realms early.

”The two direct disciples are now no weaker than Immortal Xingyu, both fifth-transformation Grand Luo Immortals. They inherited Immortal Taixu’s temperament, acting just as domineering. If Immortal Xingyu decides to make a move on Grand Wild Immortal, it should be quite a show.”

”Just now, Nangui Dao Friend said, if Grand Wild Immortal knew Immortal Xingyu would come to Nanning Constellation, why would he still come here to meet his death? Surely some Spirit God Sect cultivators would appear to help,” said Fang Chen.

Xu Nangui mused, ”Unless forced, those Spirit God Sect immortals would never expose their identity... unless there is something here worth the risk.”

Ning Beiyou frowned. ”You mean something big is about to happen in the Nanning Constellation? Is it related to the Immortal Exchange? But a fourth-transformation immortal herb can’t cause such a stir. After all, the people after such a thing are only third-transformation Loose Immortals—people like us.”

”Let’s wait for Daoist Qingque to arrive and ask him. His intelligence network is better than ours. We can see if the Spirit God Sect has mobilized other experts besides the Grand Desolate Immortal,” said Xu Nangui.

Everyone nodded.

Soon, they dispersed to cultivate in seclusion until the rest arrived.

***

After returning to his chamber, Fang Chen let Fang Tianzun cultivate by himself. His own divine soul wandered around Shikong Market to observe.

If Qingyuan Market was a small, unremarkable force in Nanning Constellation, then Shikong Market was nearly top-tier.

Fang Chen’s divine soul swept across the spirit mountains and noticed that they were guarded by Loose Immortals.

The number of spirit mountains in Shikong Market far exceeded those in Qingyuan Market.

In other words, there were at least two thousand Loose Immortals in Shikong Market.

However, ninety-nine percent of them were first-transformation Loose Immortals. Second transformations were very rare, while third transformations were even scarcer. As for the fourth and fifth transformation Loose Immortals, there were only a few dozen of them.

When Fang Chen passed by the mountain with the richest spiritual energy, he paused briefly. Just for a moment, he sensed an overwhelming aura of destruction engulfing the sky.

The source of this aura was likely the lord of Shikong Market, the sixth-transformation Immortal.

Just a hint of aura going astray during cultivation sent chills down my spine. Against absolute power like that, schemes are nothing but a fragile windowpane that shatters at a single touch, marveled Fang Chen.

If he had such strength, many of his previous troubles could have been solved with a single punch or kick, without the need for endless maneuvering.

The upcoming Immortal Exchange would be presided over by many figures of this level, drawing cultivators from all kinds of factions, Fang Chen mused.

Suppressing the thought, Fang Chen turned to leave, but he stopped again shortly after.

He recognized someone.

Back when they first arrived in Nanning Constellation, they had stumbled upon two fourth-transformation Immortals fighting. One of them had hidden under their Immortal Boat, causing their pursuer to strike at the boat and nearly destroy it.

The person he saw just now was that very person. As for the person who had attacked, he was called ”Ma Ji,” if he recalled correctly.

Now, this fourth-transformation Loose Immortal was sneakily making his way to a spirit mountain.

Soon, the man entered a sect called the Guanqing Sect.

***

In an ancient-style courtyard, an elder brewed tea with great care. After pouring himself a cup, he didn’t rush to taste the tea. He brought it to his nose and gently took a whiff.

”This tea was found in a True Immortal’s cave dwelling. Its fragrance is like one’s youth—light yet enduring.”

The sly fourth-turn Immortal strode in and sat opposite the elder. He rudely snatched the teacup from the elder’s hand and downed the whole cup.

”Senior Brother, my luck is really rotten! I ran into that madman Ma Ji the moment I arrived at the Nanning Constellation. I got heavily punished. Not only did I lose immortal crystals, but I was also imprisoned for half a year. After being released, Ma Ji hunted me for over a decade before I finally shook him off.

”You’re so carefree, just drinking tea and practicing here every day. When will you let your junior brother live such a peaceful life?”

The old man frowned, visibly pained at seeing his precious tea wasted.

After a moment of silence, he said calmly, ”Junior Brother Lin Bao, if you want such a peaceful life, it’s easy. Catch more immortal souls in the Floating Pagoda Realm, and Master will naturally let you enjoy an easy and comfortable life.”

Immortal souls?

Fang Chen’s expression shifted.

Who are these two fourth-transformation Immortals, and why are they capturing immortal souls in the Floating Pagoda Realm?

Yin demons consumed immortal souls for cultivation—but Yin Walkers couldn’t do the same.

”Senior Brother, that’s easier said than done,” replied Lin Bao.

He sighed. ”You’ve been cultivating for many years in the Floating Pagoda Realm and managed to capture over a thousand immortal souls. That’s why you can live so comfortably now. But how long have I been practicing? Less than five hundred years. After all this effort, I’ve only caught a little over four hundred immortal souls. I probably still need almost a thousand more years before I can be as carefree as you.”

The old man’s eyes widened. ”Over four hundred already? Have you ever interrogated their origins? There were many immortal sects in the Immortal Realm, and some of those sects are quite special. Some immortal sects’ disciples can be worth ten souls.”

Fang Chen suspected he had stumbled upon a dark industry chain. The sect behind these two fourth-transformation Immortals might be exploiting immortal souls for some shady business.

”Yes, I caught one immortal soul. He said he came from the Reincarnation Immortal Sect. Senior Brother, I came all the way here just to ask you about this. After all, you stayed in the Floating Pagoda Realm so long and must have interrogated countless immortal souls. Have you ever heard of the Reincarnation Immortal Sect?” asked Lin Bao.

”The Reincarnation Immortal Sect? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it. Probably not very reputable,” replied the elder, shaking his head lightly.

Fang Chen’s gaze sharpened as he scrutinized Lin Bao.

There couldn’t be such a coincidence.

Could Pitu have fallen into this person’s hands?

”Not reputable? But that guy seemed special. He calls himself Pitu; he claims to have once been a prominent figure in the Immortal Realm. I’m treating him well for now. But if he’s worthless, then forget it,” said Lin Bao.

Both Fang Chen’s and the elder’s expressions shifted.

Noticing the old man’s reaction, Fang Chen was taken aback.

Why did he have such a reaction to Senior Brother Pitu’s name?