Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Chen noticed that Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia’s expressions fluctuated with the arrival of the newcomer.

Lin Yuan forced a smile and clasped his hands. ”Senior Jiang, we’ve already asked Shangguan for leave. This time, we’re only bringing our captain around to familiarise himself with the surroundings.”

Yu Wuxia quickly chipped in, ”Senior Jiang, this is Fang Chen, the captain of Nine Realms Expedition Team, and Core Disciple Hong’s companion during her initial assessment.”

He flashed Fang Chen a smile and introduced, ”Leader, Senior Jiang is a member of the expedition team led by Core Disciple Hong.”

Then, he transmitted to Fang Chen. ”This man is Jiang Chen. He’s related to one of the elders and was assigned here to oversee everything in Core Disciple Hong’s expedition team. He has been targeting us for years. His temper’s quite bad... I suspect he harbors some improper thoughts towards Core Disciple Hong.

Jiang Chen’s lips curved faintly, his eyes glinting with amusement as he looked Fang Chen up and down. He then turned his attention to Yu Wuxia and taunted, ”A Tribulation Realm cultivator like you transmitting thoughts right in front of me! Hahaha! I literally heard every word you just transmitted, loud and clear.”

Yu Wuxia plastered a fake smile.

Jiang Chen chuckled, then turned to Fang Chen. ”So, you’re the one who led your team into the Floating Pagoda Realm without permission and got trapped for more than ten years? Leave your nasty habits in the Lower Six Realms where they belong. In the Enlightenment God Palace, the first rule of survival is to follow the rules. You were lucky this time, but luck doesn’t last forever.”

Pausing, he added casually, ”If not for Senior Brother Nanming’s plea on your behalf, you and your men would have had to pay the price for your recklessness. But fret not, since you’ve returned safely, Core Disciple Hong will surely be pleased. These two will take you to your quarters. Until Core Disciple Hong returns, you’d best not wander about. This is a core disciple’s Dao Domain, so there are many places you have no right to step foot in.”

The second-transformation immortal behind him stepped forward and said coldly, ”I hope you heard what Senior Brother Jiang said.”

He purposely released his immortal essence to form a spiritual suppression. Caught off guard, Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia’s qi and blood churned violently. They flushed red, and their throats were tainted with the taste of blood.

Within Fang Chen’s body, Little Sword trembled violently and almost burst free. Now that it had reached the Tenth Rank and merged with the Yuan Magnetic Five Elements Mountain, its spiritual will and power had skyrocketed.

Fang Chen suppressed Little Sword with sheer will. If these people discovered that Little Sword was a spiritual treasure, it would cause a lot of trouble.

He clasped his hands politely. ”I understand.”

Jiang Chen mocked, ”Good, as long as you understand. I’m just worried that someone from the Lower Six Realms might not adjust well in Enlightenment Star. I’ve heard that cultivators from those places are simple-minded, always fighting over scraps of land and spiritual stones but never daring to look beyond the small patch beneath their feet. Unlike us, who soar freely through the Qingming.”

It was an obvious provocation. If Fang Chen lost his temper, what would follow was not just mockery, but open humiliation.

Lin Yuan’s eyes flared with anger. He was about to retaliate, but Yu Wuxia quickly stopped him. He then stepped forward with a soft laugh and said, ”You don’t need to worry, Senior Jiang. Our captain has always been respectful and proper. Even before Core Disciple Li, Core Disciple Nanming, and the Chief Core Disciple himself, he never once acted out of turn. When he returned this time, Core Disciple Ji even summoned him to educate him. I believe he understands the rules of the Enlightenment God Palace better than most.”

Jiang Chen’s smile froze for a moment. He gave a dry laugh and nodded. ”Good. Then there’s nothing more to say. You may go.”

”Farewell.”

Fang Chen and the two turned to leave.

Once they were gone, a second-transformation immortal beside Jiang Chen sneered, ”They tried to use core disciples to suppress you? Funny! They think a bit of luck makes them worthy of the core disciples’ attention? Those core disciples may smile on the surface, but their hearts are prouder than any of us. They even resist the orders from the Yuan Council as they wish. Who do they think they are? Just a few ants.”

Jiang Chen’s face darkened. He coldly said, ”You think I don’t know that? We missed the battle of the Forbidden Zone because certain core disciples blocked our way. Even my ancestor’s name held no sway. But that’s fine. Now that I follow a newly risen Core Disciple, merits will come faster. I’ve accumulated merits since childhood. I’m finally close to five thousand. Once I reach it and pass the assessment, I’ll stand among them as an equal.”

The first and second transformation immortals exchanged glances and smiled obsequiously.

Suddenly, Jiang Chen ordered, ”Also, find some excuse and get rid of that Fang Chen. How dare a man from the Lower Six Realms carry the same first name as me? How unpleasant.”

The group silently nodded.

***

Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia’s caves were adjacent, with a third one left empty. This had been prepared for Fang Chen’s use.

”Leader, Jiang Chen is not simple,” shared Yu Wuxia, tidying up the cave with a few techniques. ”He’s an external cultivator like us and not an official core disciple member, but his family background runs deep, likely tied to someone on the Yuan Council.”

Lin Yuan snorted, ”He only bullies us because of his background. If I had his background, I’d have become a fourth-transformation immortal long ago.”

Yu Wuxia shook his head lightly. ”You underestimate him. I made some inquiries in the Enlightenment Underworld Realm. Jiang Chen could’ve already advanced to the fourth or even fifth transformation but he chose not to. He’s been saving up his merits instead of exchanging for immortal herbs and using his earned immortal crystals to sustain his lifespan, just to apply for the Core Disciple Assessment. His ambition runs deep, and his talent isn’t bad. If he gets the chance, he’ll likely succeed.”

Lin Yuan’s expression hardened. He knew Yu Wuxia spoke the truth, yet the memory of years of humiliation burned in his chest. He spurted, ”If our captain becomes a core disciple before he does, he’ll no longer dare to act so arrogantly.”

Yu Wuxia chuckled softly but did not utter a word of rebuttal.

Become a core disciple?Ordinary cultivators could never. Unless Fang Chen encounters a miracle like Core Disciple Hong, that path is nearly impossible.

Turning to Fang Chen, he said, ”Captain, the cave dwelling is ready. Lin Yuan and I must return to our posts. Stay here for now. We’ll visit again when our shift rotation ends.”

”Captain, better stay in the cave,” advised Lin Yuan. ”I fear Jiang Chen might cause trouble while Core Disciple Hong is away.”

”Don’t worry. I can take care of myself,” Fang Chen assured them, smiling.

After the two left, Fang Chen released Huang Wuji and a wisp of Metal Origin Qi from the World Gourd.

He said in a low voice, ”Old Huang, lay down more layers of restrictive formations. I’m ready to ascend to the first transformation.”