Immortal of the Nine Realms

The power structure in the Floating Pagoda Realm was rather unusual, with overlords entrenched in various cities. But since vast wastelands separated the cities, a hegemon like Biluo City was very lenient toward the Great Yin Demons under its banner.

Biluo City would not interfere in affairs of places like Dangyin Mountain or Jiangguang City. It only required that those places acknowledge their belonging to Biluo City, accept its command, and recognize it as master.

”So, I only had to shout the slogan of respecting Biluo City as the lord, and they never once interfered in our affairs,” said Dangyin Mountain Lord with a chuckle. ”In all, I’ve only been here twice, this being the second time.”

He added with relief, ”It saved Dangyin Mountain a fair bit of trouble. I remember once a Great Yin Demon passed by—stronger than me by far—and he was about to cause trouble here. But when he heard that Dangyin Mountain belonged to Biluo City, he left in a hurry.”

Fang Chen smiled. ”They chose to trade here precisely to avoid backstabbing each other. From that angle, it’s a careful plan.”

While they chatted, a few Yin Demons were discussing the purchase of immortal souls nearby, complaining that the prices were climbing ever higher.

”I remember two hundred years ago, when I last came to Biluo City to buy immortal souls, two hundred years of Yin Lifespan could buy one. Now it’s already up to two hundred sixty!”

”I came even earlier! It was cheaper still. I hear immortal souls are becoming scarcer, and prices will only rise.”

”Immortal souls do increase our chances of becoming Yin Demons. Alas, I don’t have enough Yin Lifespan.”

”What’s there to fear? Just raid a small power for some.”

”Heh... A few more raids, and my consciousness will regress completely. By then, you lot will probably have to team up to kill me and take my lifespan instead.”

”Nonsense, we’d never do such a thing. Come, we’ll drink! Let’s not speak of unpleasant matters.”

Listening to these Yin Demons, the Dangyin Mountain Lord could not help but sigh. Back in the day, he had cooperated with the Spirit God Sect because its cultivators were well-connected and resourceful. They could obtain cheap immortal souls.

”Here in Biluo City, a complete production chain has formed. The trade in immortal souls flourishes,” said Fang Chen, his gaze drifting through the window to the bustling street outside.

More than half the stores on the street sold immortal souls. But those were retailers; wholesale operated elsewhere.

A single common immortal soul sold for two hundred sixty years of lifespan, a testament to how rare they had become.

Just then, a sudden boom erupted in one part of Biluo City, accompanied by several furious shouts.

”Eh? Someone dares to fight inside Biluo City?”

”Do they have a death wish? If they alarm the city lord, even a Great Yin Demon will be chewed into pieces and swallowed whole.”

Everyone rushed to the windows to see what had happened.

A rare trace of anxiety showed in the eyes of the Dangyin Mountain Lord. But when he saw Fang Chen remain utterly calm, unshaken by the commotion, his own heart steadied.

Meanwhile, in a certain void within Biluo City, a Great Yin Demon with fifth transformation cultivation appeared, his cold gaze sweeping toward the site of the battle.

”A dispute among Yin Walkers... Senior, please show some leniency.” Yu Tingzhai said as he appeared before him, offering a large pouch of Yin Lifespan coins.

The fifth-transformation Great Yin Demon hefted the pouch a few times, then a smile crept onto his cold face. He nodded amiably to Yu Tingzhai. ”You have half an hour. Settle it quickly, or I’ll return.”

Yu Tingzhai clasped his hands with a smile. ”Half an hour is enough.”

Two thousand Yin Lifespan Coins for half an hour. Normally, no one would make such a deal. But for the fifth-transformation Great Yin Demon, it was an easy profit, so he had agreed swiftly.

He came quickly and left just as quickly.

Yu Tingzhai smiled faintly and joined the fight.

About a quarter of an hour later, the commotion subsided.

Fang Chen and the Dangyin Mountain Lord finished the delicacies on their table, wiped their mouths, and rose to leave.

***

”Which one of you was it who traded with me at the Immortal Exchange?”

Under a web of binding restrictions, Lin Bao knelt on the ground, eyes filled with fury as he glared at Yu Tingzhai, Huang Wuji, and the old flood dragon.

Each of the three was terrifying. The weakest of them could fight him to a draw, and the other two could suppress him alone.

Three such powerhouses, all at once?

Before he was subdued, he had even seen one of them bribe a fifth-transformation Great Yin Demon of Biluo City.

Shameless! Despicable!

He was merely a humble immortal soul trader, and yet they treated him that way. It was utter madness!

Seeing no answer from them, Lin Bao sneered. ”If it’s benefits you’re after, I can give you what you want. Just let me live. Others know about this deal too. If I die, the people behind me will hunt you down, no matter the cost.”

The three still gave no reply.

A flicker of panic passed through Lin Bao’s eyes. He began to realize their purpose might not be as simple as robbing him of immortal souls. Now he was bound, and yet they delayed taking action.

”You have someone backing you? Damn it! Was it a fifth-transformation immortal who moved against me?” Lin Bao cursed. ”The immortal souls I hold aren’t worth so many crystals. Is this really necessary?”

Suddenly, the restrictions yawned open, and Fang Chen and the Dangyin Mountain Lord stepped inside.

”Where’s your senior brother? Why hasn’t he come?” Fang Chen asked casually, glancing at Lin Bao.

In that instant, Lin Bao felt a chill crawl down his spine. How could they have known that he had gone to the Nanqing Constellation to find his senior brother?

So they weren’t here for his immortal souls or Yin Lifespan Coins! This wasn’t a robbery at all.

Lin Bao’s eyes locked onto Fang Chen. ”Who are you?”

”No time to waste,” said Fang Chen evenly. ”Reinforce the restrictions. Don’t let any aura leak out.”

He began to trace a Yin Soldier Decree in the void.

Since Lin Bao was a fourth-transformation Immortal, the decree consumed 30,000 years of Yin Lifespan from Monarch Yan’s Seal.

And that was only for a Yin Soldier. If it had been a Daywalker of Nightwalker Decree, the cost would have doubled.

”What... what is this power...?”

Panic flashed in Lin Bao’s eyes. As the decree settled upon him, he instinctively tried to resist.

The old flood dragon stepped forward and slapped him hard, nearly knocking the breath out of him.

”When you crossed the border back then, did you ever consider you’d end up like this?”

Crossed the border?

Lin Bao stared at the Old Flood Dragon in disbelief. ”It was... It was you...”

This man was the master of the Immortal Boat he had once used to block Ma Ji’s assault! He had never imagined they would meet again, and like this!

The old flood dragon grinned. ”That’s right.”

He slapped him a dozen more times.

Lin Bao was beaten half-unconscious, and the power of the decree flowed smoothly into his body, steadily merging with him.