Immortal of the Nine Realms

”Wait, by what you’re saying... Division Master Duan died at the hands of Immortal Taixu?” said Xu Nangui with surprise. ”If that’s the case, why hasn’t the Killing Spiritual Division acted against him? Doesn’t this already prove Immortal Taixu is suspicious?”

Ning Beiyou gave a bitter smile and shook his head. ”Things aren’t that simple. For Xie Zhi to stand firm, we need evidence. We cannot convict someone based on speculation. Think of the Division masters we’ve taken down over the years. Which one wasn’t backed by a flawless chain of evidence before we moved against them?”

”That may be true... but sometimes, you have to bend the rules,” Xu Nangui muttered.

Ning Beiyou sighed softly. ”This is the principle on which Xie Zie operates, and also its foundation. This is also the very stance Fellow Daoist Qingque used to show his loyalty and position to the higher-ups. It is absolutely unshakable. Only by doing this will the higher-ups support us and not see us as mere tools.

”This time, Division Master Duan must not have found any evidence linking Immortal Taixu to the Spirit God Sect, nor tying him to the disappearance of the seventh-transformation Ancient Immortal stationed in the Ancient Desolate Realm.”

Ning Beiyou said, ”The higher-ups definitely know that Chief Duanyuan died at Immortal Taixu’s hand. We were already acting beyond our authority by taking on that mission. Daoist Qingque was only a second-transformation expert, yet he brought a group of us—second, third, and fourth transformation immortals—to investigate a half-step Ancient Immortal.

”If such a thing were made public, it would certainly rouse the ire of the other half-step Ancients and even seventh transformation Ancient Immortals in the Division. If widespread anger was stirred, even the high command could not stay aloof.

”So Division Master Duan’s death is also Immortal Taixu’s way of making a statement. And Immortal Dayu’s disbanding Xie Zhi and relieving us of our duties, that is his statement to Taixu.

”Both sides maintain a certain balance. This way, the temporary peace in the Ancient Desolate Realm will remain unbroken.”

Xu Nangui said, ”Immortal Taixu remains a member of the Killing Spiritual Division, and he will continue serving the division.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. ”So, the higher-ups know that Immortal Taixu is suspicious, and we know he is suspicious. But because of the bigger picture, without solid proof, none of us can touch him?”

Ning Beiyou nodded. ”Correct.”

”Then Division Master Duan died in vain,” Xu Nangui said coldly.

Ning Beiyou sighed. ”Not entirely. Daoist Qingque went to the Upper Three Realms. Knowing his temperament, this matter won’t end so simply. Perhaps he can find threads there.”

Xu Nangui was doubtful. ”If no clues were found in the Lower Six Realms, why would there be any in the Upper Three Realms?”

”In the Upper Three Realms, he’ll meet different cultivators,” Ning Beiyou explained. ”He’ll find a way to legitimately return to the Lower Three Realms and continue the investigation. Maybe by then, we won’t have to act as cautiously as we did in the Nanqing Constellation this time.”

”You mean... Daoist Qingque went to the Upper Three Realms to build ties with the division’s high command?”

Xu Nangui’s eyes lit up. ”Yes.”

Ning Beiyou nodded slightly. ”With introductions from me and Immortal Dayu, plus his own background and methods, he will surely make like-minded connections there.”

They were speaking about the affairs between the Killing Spiritual Division and the Spirit God Sect.

But when Fang Chen heard Immortal Taixu was a Killing Spiritual Division cultivator, what he thought of was Immortal Taixu’s connection with the Enlightenment God Palace.

According to Song Zhili, Wang Chongsong visited the Enlightenment God Palace once. Afterwards, he obtained the Taiyi Immortal Path, his cultivation soared, and he perhaps acquired the Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo at that time.

If so, then the Enlightenment God Palace was far from what appeared on the surface.

Could it be linked to the Ancient Demonic Sects? To those demons?

If Taixu was close to the Enlightenment God Palace, might it be related?

The disappearance of the seventh transformation Ancient Immortal stationed in the Ancient Desolate Realm’s Killing Spiritual Division... If it was tied to Immortal Taixu, then there were two possibilities.

One, Taixu was colluding with the Spirit God Sect.

Two, it was entangled with that other matter.

”Daoist Ning, when did the seventh-transformation Ancient Immortal in the Ancient Desolate Realm vanish?” Fang Chen asked.

Ning Beiyou thought for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile. ”No one knows exactly when. Existences of that level can remain in seclusion for hundreds of years.

”His disappearance was only uncovered when the higher-ups discovered that the Spiritual Killing Division of the Ancient Desolate Realm kept falling into a disadvantage against the Spirit God Sect. Upon investigation, they confirmed that the Ancient Immortal had vanished. With no leader, how could the Killing Spiritual Division contend against the Spirit God Sect?

”Now things are different. Our identities are special, and with the Underworld backing us, we no longer need to be timid in clashing with the Spirit God Sect. The Hidden Guard Division will always provide us support.”

Xu Nangui gave a thin smile, his eyes flashing coldly. ”With hands both in the light and shadow, these people will finally have a bitter cup to drink.”

”The three of you shouldn’t be charging into the frontlines. With your identities, it’s better to work from the shadows and proceed step by step,” Fang Chen said.

Xu Nangui blinked. ”Daoist Fang, you didn’t recruit us because of our strength?”

Ning Beiyou chuckled. ”The lord has fourth-transformation immortals by his side. He hardly needs us for our strength.”

Fang Chen nodded. ”What I value is your potential. I believe you can ascend to the fourth transformation, the fifth transformation, or even the sixth transformation. Perhaps, one day, you might even become Ancient Immortals.

”You have talent, you’re intelligent, and your elders will surely nurture you. Your path will be smoother than most. By then, with your cultivation and the connections you built, the influence you wield will far exceed that of frontline soldiers.”

”You think that highly of us, lord?” Xu Nangui muttered bitterly. ”But you should know that many in my family are aligned with the Spirit God Sect, don’t you? They are already suspicious of me. They won’t give me resources. And now that we have lost our positions within the Killing Spiritual Division, we won’t be getting resources from there anymore either.”

Fang Chen smiled. ”At the very least, if you wish to break through to the fourth transformation, I can help secure the immortal medicines you need. And if you wish to walk the True Immortal path, I’ll keep an eye out for these medicines as well, and sell them to you first.”

The three immediately ignored the word ”sell,” their minds stuck instead on the words ”True Immortal.”

Ning Beiyou was surprised. ”You know the True Immortal Path, lord?”

”How many sects in the Upper Three Realms possess the True Immortal Path?” Fang Chen asked.

Ning Beiyou shook his head. ”None. That path has always been held solely by the Lesser Immortal Realm. All knowledge of it is top secret. Even the Immortal Worshipping Palace has nothing on it.”

Fang Chen smiled. ”Then now, apart from the Lesser Immortal Realm, there’s now one more person who knows.”

The three felt a chill in their hearts. Knowing the True Immortal Path was known to him....

Their awe of Monarch Yan’s legacy deepened all the more.