Immortal of the Nine Realms

Outside Black Phoenix Mountain, an Immortal Boat quietly arrived without anyone noticing.

As soon as the boat appeared, it was extremely prominent. Its fiery aura, capable of burning everything in its path, stirred the hearts of all the cultivators nearby.

One after another, figures stepped out of their caves, their expressions complicated as they gazed at the Immortal Boat in the sky.

”Little Immortal Honglian has finally come.”

”I can’t stand the control of the Qingyu Immortal Sect any longer. They are too greedy. My cave’s rent used to be just one mid-grade spirit stone per month. Since they took over, it’s gone up to two!”

”Heh, that’s nothing. I heard that the tribute from the markets has increased by thirty percent every year. Imagine how much that adds up to. It’s unimaginable.”

”The Qingyu Immortal Sect is far too greedy. They only care about squeezing rootless, wandering cultivators like us.”

”It would be better if Little Immortal Honglian took over. I hope she succeeds in reclaiming the mountain.”

On the Immortal Boat, Little Immortal Honglian was deep in thought.

A Fusion Realm cultivator walked over to her side and respectfully said, ”Elder Hong, shall we begin reclaiming the mountain now?”

Little Immortal Honglian lightly nodded. ”Mhm.”

The Fusion Realm cultivator immediately shouted toward Black Phoenix Mountain, ”Little Immortal Honglian has come to reclaim the mountain!”

The booming voice instantly echoed throughout the entire Black Phoenix Mountain.

Fang Chen walked out of his secluded cave.

He had already passed his nine lightning tribulations and reached the grand completion of the Dao Union Realm. If he wished, he could ascend into the Tribulation Realm at any moment.

But from what he heard from Zhang Chen, the requirement for recruitment into the Enlightenment God Palace differed depending on whether one was in the Dao Union Realm or the Tribulation Realm. Their assessments were not the same.

Fang Chen’s goal was to investigate the secrets of the Enlightenment God Palace, and, along the way, uncover Wang Chongsong’s whereabouts. He also wished to learn what the man had experienced there years ago.

Entering the Enlightenment God Palace as a Dao Union Realm cultivator would not attract too much attention. If Wang Chongsong still had his spies in the Enlightenment God Palace, or if someone from his lineage was cultivating there, his lower cultivation would reduce the risk of exposure.

That guy was as slippery as an eel, hard to catch. Fang Chen had to exercise the utmost caution. He aimed to strike decisively, extracting vital information from him.

At that moment, Hua Yunfeng walked out of the bamboo pavilion, with Lin Congyun following closely behind him, not bothering to hide their relationship one bit.

”Daoist Fang, looks like Little Immortal Honglian is already here,” said Hua Yunfeng. ”Do you have a way to keep hold of Black Phoenix Mountain?”

Looking at the Immortal Boat suspended in the air and sensing Little Immortal Honglian’s terrifying aura, Hua Yunfeng couldn’t help but sigh.

It seemed Little Immortal Honglian had grown stronger in these five years. He wondered how many lightning tribulations she had gone through.

Thankfully, in these five years, his own cultivation had progressed as well. If they fought again, he might not be so powerless anymore.

”Daoist Hong’s cultivation has improved quite a bit. I will try my best,” Fang Chen said calmly as he looked at the flying vessel.

Hua Yunfeng smiled and said, ”No worries. Even if Black Phoenix Mountain is taken away today, I will find a way to reclaim it five years later. Fang Daoist, don’t feel too pressured.”

His eyes then shifted as he noticed another Immortal Boat approaching. Standing atop it were the guardians of various spiritual mountains from the Qingyu Sect, all Dao Union Realm cultivators.

Except for a few, nearly everyone had arrived.

”It’s Little Immortal Honglian. She’s really here.”

”Good thing we arrived in time, or we would have missed the mountain-seizing battle.”

”Actually... maybe it’s better if we didn’t come. At least we wouldn’t be here to watch us lose dignity.”

”No matter how we feel, this concerns the interests of our Qingyu Immortal Sect. As the guardians of the spiritual mountains and elders of the sect, we cannot just sit by and do nothing about such a major event.”

The Immortal Boat landed on the peak of Black Phoenix Mountain, and the Dao Union Realm cultivators disembarked. After exchanging greetings with Hua Yunfeng, they stood to the side, waiting for the mountain-seizing battle to begin.

Only Zhang Chen approached Fang Chen, curiosity evident in his eyes. ”Fang Daoist, how are your chances looking?”

”At least twenty or thirty percent,” Fang Chen replied casually.

”Twenty or thirty percent? Aren’t you confident...” Zhang Chen muttered to himself.

He didn’t take Fang Chen’s words seriously. Little Immortal Honglian possessed a unique constitution. Even at a similar cultivation level, a ten percent chance against her would already be high. For Fang Chen to say he had a twenty or thirty percent chance of victory, Zhang Chen couldn’t help but feel he didn’t have a grasp of the situation.

As soon as Little Immortal Honglian stepped off the Immortal Boat, more cultivators from the Qingyu Sect rushed to the peak. Their expressions were complicated.

Over the past five years at Black Phoenix Mountain, they had received far more benefits than they had at Qingyu Immortal Sect.

Moreover, they had a guardian who wasn’t very involved. If they had a choice, they would prefer Fang Chen to continue guarding Black Phoenix Mountain.

Unfortunately, they knew that the last time Black Phoenix Mountain was reclaimed, it was due to Little Immortal Honglian’s overconfidence, and Fang Chen had taken advantage of a special escape technique to win. This time, she would not make the same mistake.

The chances of Qingyu Immortal Sect winning this time were almost zero. Once Black Phoenix Mountain changed owners, they would have to pack their things and return to the sect in disgrace.

Floating in the sky, Little Immortal Honglian smiled faintly at Fang Chen and said, ”Last time, I said that if you can reach the summit, it will be considered your victory. What do you propose we do this time?”

Fang Chen thought for a moment, then suggested, ”Why not do it the same way as before? If you can reach the mountain peak, you win?”

Little Immortal Honglian froze, then a smile slowly spread across her face. A flicker of appreciation appeared in her eyes.

Little Immortal Honglian’s disciples secretly sneered. It sounded nice, but wasn’t this just a way to end the battle gracefully?

Still, they admired Fang Chen’s quick wit. No matter who the winner was, the conclusion would look respectable.

Hua Yunfeng curled his lips, almost clicking his tongue in regret. Interesting. Maybe he spent the last five years thinking about how to deal with her in the mountain-seizing battle, which is why he hasn’t had the time to manage Black Phoenix Mountain.

Little Immortal Honglian would easily reach the top; she almost certainly wouldn’t face much resistance along the way.

It was unfortunate he wouldn’t get a chance to witness Fang Chen make a fool of himself today.

Daoist Fang really chose the best method, Zhang Chen thought to himself.

The various cultivators of Black Phoenix Mountain couldn’t help but whisper among themselves, contempt in their eyes.

”Alright, then. Just like five years ago. If I can reach the mountain peak, I win. So...” Little Immortal Honglian gently nodded, signaling her agreement. ”Be careful, Daoist.”

In the next moment, she transformed into a burst of fire, charging straight towards the peak.

The intense flames burned fiercely, and in that instant, Little Immortal Honglian seemed to turn into a fiery phoenix.

Hua Yunfeng and the others immediately drew the same conclusion.

There was no competition. Anyone standing in her path would be reduced to ash.