Immortal of the Nine Realms

This area wasn’t just packed with Black Dragon Boats. It was also swarming with cultivators from various expedition stars.

Fang Chen and Little Immortal Honglian’s arrival didn’t attract much attention. The two of them quickly pushed their way toward the front of the crowd.

At the center stood a stone hill.

Though called a ”hill,” it was only a few meters tall, looking quite unremarkable. Yet around this small hill stood more than ten figures. They all faced the stone, eyes closed, expressions intoxicated. It was as if they were immersed in a dreamlike trance.

With every breath, visible wisps of white vapor surged from the stone into their nostrils.

The group consisted of both young and old, men and women, all differing in appearance. The only similarity they shared was the remarkably similar aura radiating from them.

Fang Chen’s expression turned grave. ”That’s... the aura of Anomalies.”

The old man had once told him that when Anomalies absorbed lifespan energy, their perception of the outside world was severed. That was their most vulnerable state.

Judging from these people’s behavior, they were likely absorbing lifespan.

Fang Chen’s gaze suddenly froze.

”Li Jingnian?”

Why is the old sword immortal here too?

Li Jingnian had a youthful appearance, a gourd hanging from his waist, and a long sword held in his hand. He was greedily inhaling the life energy with a blissful look.

”Are those... really Anomalies?”

”Most likely. Who else could get into the Formless Purgatory without the Immortal Boat Formation?”

”Then what are they doing?”

”No idea. Don’t ask too much. Just watch. They are always doing bizarre stuff. As long as they’re not hostile, it’s best not to provoke them.”

Nearby cultivators whispered among themselves. Everyone was waiting for the senior sister in command to give instructions.

Fang Chen immediately sent out his spiritual sense, his divine soul leaving his body to search the massive crowd for Ji Tianjun’s presence.

That person had once tried to capture an Anomaly, which meant he might have the means to deal with them. If he was here, he might try something.

Soon, Fang Chen located Ji Tianjun, standing beside Ji Sheng.

”Cousin, see that Anomaly over there? The one in white robes, with a beard nearly touching his feet?” said Ji Sheng, pointing out the target to Ji Tianjun. ”He once walked the Grand World Immortal Path. Before turning into an Anomaly, he was a legendary figure in the Nine Mortal Realms. Now, even the top cultivators of the Upper Three Realms lag behind him by several generations.”

”I brought you here this time to see if we can obtain the inheritance of the Grand World Immortal Path. As long as we can acquire information on the fourth transformation, the Enlightenment God Palace already has the prepared immortal herbs for the fifth, sixth and even seventh transformation.”

A flash of burning desire lit up in Ji Tianjun’s eyes.

”However... this situation is a little beyond what I expected. There are too many core-level cultivators present,” said Ji Sheng, frowning slightly. ”Even with Li Shanzi assisting me, we may not be able to seize the fourth transformation’s information from so many people. If we fail, you should still consider choosing a different Immortal Path and aim to reach the fourth transformation realm as soon as possible. That’s what really matters.”

Ji Tianjun lightly shook his head. ”If it’s not the Grand World Immortal Path, I’d rather wait longer or even rewalk the Immaculate Immortal Path. Although these two paths can only reach the seventh transformation for now, likewise, no one has reached the ninth transformation on either path yet. That’s what I care about most.”

Fang Chen’s expression shifted subtly. The meaning behind Ji Tianjun’s words seemed... unusual.

”Cousin,” Ji Sheng said softly, ”even among us core disciples, not everyone has to walk toward the ninth transformation. Having ambition is good, but....”

He didn’t finish the sentence and only shook his head lightly.

Ji Tianjun suddenly said, ”Right now, these Anomalies appear to have cut off all perception of the outside world. This is the best time to make a move against them.”

”Make a move against them?” Ji Sheng glanced at him and shook his head. ”Why would we? What’s the benefit for us? Even our senior sister wouldn’t allow it. The Enlightenment God Palace has no enmity with the Anomalies. In fact, Anomalies have long left worldly affairs behind. They don’t take our immortal pills, don’t want our immortal crystals, why would we provoke them?”

”Maybe... they could be used for alchemy,” Ji Tianjun coaxed slowly. ”Aren’t you curious why they’re so different? If we capture one alive, we might be able to pry out some secrets.”

Ji Sheng’s expression suddenly darkened. His voice dropped coldly. ”They follow a path entirely different from the Immortal Paths. I’m not curious about them at all. As for using them in alchemy, you couldn’t bear the consequences. Maybe one day, if you encounter an Anomaly out alone, you may choose to act. But you’d best make sure no one else knows. Otherwise, one day while you’re cultivating, you might find a sword silently resting at your throat.”

Ji Tianjun, seeing that his persuasion had failed and may even have stirred Ji Sheng’s displeasure, laughed it off. ”Just kidding. I was just joking.”

Even though he did not press further, his eyes still lingered on the Anomalies, a flash of greed occasionally surfacing.

None of the surrounding Black Dragon Boats made any move. Everyone seemed to be tacitly waiting for the anomalies to awaken.

This wait lasted half a year.

The stone hill had almost completely vanished, all of it converted into pure lifespan energy, divided among the Anomalies present.

When the hill finally dissolved, one by one, the Anomalies opened their eyes. A hint of clarity returned to their gazes. They looked around at the nearby fleet of Black Dragon Boats.

One of them chuckled. ”So many people... They’re from the God Enlightenment Palace.”

Another Anomaly looked confused. ”God Enlightenment Palace? What’s that?”

Then his figure gradually faded, eventually vanishing altogether.

”Please wait, seniors.”

At last, the senior sister stepped out from the Black Dragon Boat. Her figure flickered, appearing directly before the group of Anomalies.

She cupped her hands respectfully toward the white-robed, white-bearded elder and said, ”Senior Lu, it’s been a long time.”

The white-robed elder glanced her up and down, a look of puzzlement in his eyes. ”Do I know you?”

She replied, ”We met three times a few years back. Twice, you recognized me.”

”Oh... seems like my memory’s acting up again. Old problem.” The elder chuckled. ”What do you need?”

She got straight to the point, ”I’ve come to ask about the herb for the Grand World Immortal Path’s fourth transformation.”

Aside from a few cultivators with deeper knowledge of Anomalies, most of the surrounding onlookers were stunned.

She could just... ask like that? And would he just give it?

It felt like someone walking up and asking, ”Can I have your entire fortune?”

To everyone’s surprise, the white-robed elder wasn’t offended at all. Instead, he seemed to fall into contemplation. After several breaths, his expression cleared as if something finally clicked. ”Oh, you want to know what herb is needed for the Grand World Immortal Path’s fourth transformation?”

He suddenly smiled. ”I can’t give it to you. There’s no karmic connection between us.”

With that, he swept his gaze over the crowd. Over ten thousand cultivators were present and yet, among so many, his eyes landed precisely on Fang Chen.

A flash of delight lit up in his eyes. He raised a hand and beckoned. ”You. Come here. You come.”