Immortal of the Nine Realms

Huang Wuji said nothing. He raised his hand, casting one restrictive formation after another.

Formations stacked upon each other, constructed with lines of sword light filled with killing intent.

Even a fifth-transformation immortal would need effort to break through a formation laid by a fourth-transformation Sword Immortal.

When he finished, Huang Wuji vanished into the World Gourd without another word.

A wisp of Origin Metal Qi hovered before Fang Chen, rippling faintly in the air. He drew a slow breath and inhaled.

The instant the Origin Metal Qi entered his body, it was like water striking oil. His spiritual energy flared, boiling through his meridians. Soon, the spiritual energy within Fang Chen began undergoing a peculiar transformation

Inside him, Little Sword trembled. The energy of the five elements stirred violently, resonating with the change in Fang Chen’s body.

***

Far away in the void, the Black Dragon Boat tore through the clouds. At its prow stood Little Immortal Honglian, her robes fluttering in the wind. Her eyes watched the stars sweep backward, a faint smile touching her lips.

Meng Qingling stood behind her, laughing softly. ”Captain came back alive. You’re happy, aren’t you?”

”You’re happy too.”

”Not the same. I’m just happy he survived.” Meng Qingling tilted her head, teasing. ”But you’re different. We all saw how you guarded his body for these ten years, not letting anyone near it. You didn’t forget your past, even after becoming a core disciple.”

Little Immortal Honglian sighed. ”It’s... impossible between us. But being around him is... pleasant.”

Meng Qingling nodded. ”True. Unless he becomes a core disciple himself, there’s no chance. I asked around. It seems core disciples can’t become Dao Companions with outsiders.”

Little Immortal Honglian gave her a glance but said nothing.

Her idea of ”impossible” was not the same as Meng Qingling’s.

She said suddenly, ”By the way, when we return, we’ll be leaving again.”

”Leaving? Exploration?” Meng Qingling’s eyes brightened.

Little Immortal Honglian nodded slightly. ”I’ve mastered control of the Black Dragon Boat. It’s ready for the forbidden zones. But this time, we’re not going there. Senior Sister sent word that she’s heading to Langgui Constellation and asked if I would go with her. Since it’s about time we went home, I agreed.”

”Back to Langgui Constellation...”

Meng Qingling’s eyes shone. She hadn’t dared hope she’d ever return.

Little Immortal Honglian commanded, ”Faster.”

The crew of more than ten first-transformation immortals pushed their immortal essence to full strength, and the ship roared forward, its speed multiplied severalfold.

Meng Qingling sighed softly.

Even the old Essence Dragon Boat couldn’t compare. And this wasn’t even the boat’s true limit. Once the Formation Heart was complete, its power would soar again.

”Only with something like this...” she murmured, ”...can one truly roam Qingming.”

Before long, the Black Dragon Boat descended upon Hundred-Thousand Mountains.

***

Jiang Chen and the others sensed the boat’s aura and came out to welcome her.

”Core Disciple Hong, your teammate, Fang Chen, has returned,” greeted Jiang Chen with a calm smile.

He spoke with a friendly face, but Meng Qingling saw the intent behind his eyes. She knew what he was thinking. However, Little Immortal Honglian would never look twice at a man like him.

Jiang Chen’s lineage was high, his cultivation strong. He was a third-transformation immortal and was nearly eligible to challenge for core disciple status, but ”nearly” was the point. He hadn’t crossed that line while Little Immortal Honglian had.

She’d already stepped onto the Grand World Immortal Path, a path that few had dared attempt, and had become the first disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace to ascend through it.

The elders themselves had acknowledged her talent.

”I know,” said Little Immortal Honglian coldly.

She didn’t even look at him again and simply walked toward Fang Chen’s cave dwelling with Meng Qingling.

A dozen attendants followed, highlighting her status as a core disciple.

Jiang Chen’s smile stiffened. For years, he’d been used to her indifference, but for some reason, her attitude today caused his chest to burn with anger. However, he chose to bury it, forcing the same mild smile while his eyes got darker and darker.

Soon, they arrived at Fang Chen’s cave dwelling.

The moment Jiang Chen stepped closer, he felt the pulse of a formation.

He chuckled lightly. ”Why bother setting up restrictions in a place like this? Does he think someone will harm him?”

He raised a sleeve, gathering his immortal energy, ready to disperse the restrictions.

”Wait.”

Little Immortal Honglian’s voice cut through the air.

She raised her hand. ”If he set up formations, he’s likely in seclusion. I heard he went to the Merit Hall?”

Meng Qingling nodded. ”Yes, Lin Yuan told me.”

Little Immortal Honglian’s expression softened. ”Then he must’ve redeemed an immortal herb and is preparing to ascend. If not for that accident with the Great Yin Demon, he would’ve reached first transformation long ago. His progress... is even faster than mine.”

Jiang Chen’s face darkened again. He’d heard rumors of Fang Chen’s exploits in the Forbidden Zone No. 157, but refused to dwell on them. However, he had no choice now. The man had advanced from the Dao Union Realm into a first-transformation immortal in barely a decade. That was too fast and unnatural.

Fortunately, he only held a bronze jade plate in the entrance trials. If he’d gained a golden one, he’d already be qualified to challenge for core disciple status without spending a single merit point.

A first transformation immortal nearby peered into the cave. ”Seems like he really is breaking through.”

They didn’t need confirmation as the air was trembling, a surge of nascent immortal essence leaking from within.

”He’s advancing,” whispered someone.

Little Immortal Honglian nodded and continued, ”Don’t disturb him.”

She turned to leave, but before departing, stationed several immortals to guard the cave.

Jiang Chen stepped forward. ”Why not let me stay? If anything happens, I can inform you immediately.”

Little Immortal Honglian glanced at him, her expression calm and distant. ”Fine.”

Then she left without another word. Her tone was as cold as ever.