Immortal of the Nine Realms

However, Jiang Chen quickly recovered from his surprise. He did not make a move. He only watched Lin Yuan—who was cursing at him—silently, his smile widening.

Partway through his tirade, Lin Yuan faltered. Jiang Chen’s expression told him he was brewing something.

Soon, his suppressed curses erupted again.

To hell with it. The masks are already off! I’d like to see what he can actually do to me!

Jiang Chen’s smile stiffened slightly. The cursing had drawn the attention of many first- and second-transformation immortals. They were all Jiang Chen’s men, arranged to work alongside him by Little Immortal Honglian.

Seeing that a mere Tribulation Realm junior dared to point at Jiang Chen’s nose and curse at him, a second-transformation Immortal was enraged. He raised a hand, striking out with a palm.

Violent immortal essence stirred the clouds, surging toward Lin Yuan with tyrannical force.

Yu Wuxia had not expected the man to attack instantly, showing not the slightest concern that killing Lin Yuan outright would draw blame from Little Immortal Honglian.

”Senior Jiang, wait!” Yu Wuxia yelled.

Jiang Chen only stood with his hands behind his back, smiling, his lips moving slightly. ”Do not bother with juniors...”

His voice was neither loud nor soft, clearly a casual remark, not a real order to stop.

The second-transformation immortal’s palm did not pause in the slightest.

On the Black Dragon, Little Immortal Honglian saw this scene and instinctively prepared to activate the boat.

”Wait, that one has broken through,” said the senior sister.

Little Immortal Honglian’s expression shifted. She noticed that the restrictions around Fang Chen’s cave dwelling were silently dissipating.

Soon, a figure stepped out.

Without any visible movements, he appeared between Lin Yuan and the second-transformation immortal.

The second-transformation immortal’s attack had originally been aimed at Lin Yuan. But now, it was pointed directly at Fang Chen.

”He succeeded?”

The crowd’s expression shifted.

The aura Fang Chen was radiating was identical to theirs, which meant he had successfully advanced to the first transformation!

In ancient terms, that was the moment of feathered ascension. He was no longer a mere cultivator, but an immortal.

The second-transformation immortal could have withdrawn his attack at any moment, but seeing that Jiang Chen had made no instruction to do so, he followed through with his attack. In fact, he struck with even more force.

”Hmmm, what to use...” muttered Fang Chen. ”The Fighting Divine Whip will do...”

Fang Chen flicked his sleeve.

In an instant, a sharp force shattered the second-transformation immortal’s attack and landed cleanly upon him.

Snap!

The crisp sound was deafening, making everyone’s eardrums itch.

The second-transformation immortal’s robe turned to ash, leaving him extremely exposed, his eyes still filled with confusion and bewilderment.

Aside from that, he had no other injuries. Not even a red mark appeared on his skin.

Everything happened so quickly that even Yu Wuxia and Lin Yuan, both in the Tribulation Realm, could hardly react. To them, it was as if their vision briefly blurred. When it cleared, the pale, bare body of the second-transformation immortal appeared before their eyes.

”Captain?” Lin Yuan tested cautiously.

”You two, Senior Jiang is a third-transformation immortal. To embarrass him publicly like that, how is he supposed to maintain dignity? Luckily, this second transformation immortal held back and didn’t deliver a killing blow,” Fang Chen scolded with a smile. ”Hurry up and apologize to Senior Jiang. Then this matter will be over.”

Lin Yuan came to his senses and immediately broke into an excited grin. He cupped his hands toward Jiang Chen. ”Senior Jiang is magnanimous. You won’t take offense at the nonsense a junior spouted just now, will you?”

Jiang Chen did not respond. He only looked at the second-transformation immortal, then at Fang Chen, and a cold, sinister light flashed in his eyes.

This man just advanced to the first transformation... yet his combat power already matches a second transformation?

”The rumors were true, he supposedly defeated Nanming Shaoze head-on in the Formless Purgatory, and that one had a golden jade token...”

At this moment, the second transformation immortal finally recovered. Furious and shocked, he quickly put on a new robe and prepared to act again. But just then, a Black Dragon Immortal Boat descended from the sky.

When the crowd saw the figures aboard, they were shocked and hurriedly bowed, not daring to speak further.

This Black Dragon Immortal Boat belonged to the senior sister of the Enlightenment God Palace, and Little Immortal Honglian was aboard as well.

Jiang Chen did not know whether his earlier actions had been seen by the two, and he grew uneasy.

Standing atop the Black Dragon Boat, Senior Sister smiled as she looked at Fang Chen. ”Just advanced to the first transformation, yet you already have such refined control over your immortal essence. You never should have been a mere bronze token holder. You should be a top-tier gold token holder.”

”I’ve seen many who tested average in their assessments but whose talents soared afterward. You need not worry that overly outstanding results would make the Enlightenment God Palace treat you poorly. Even with a purple token, the best outcome is only becoming a core disciple.”

Hearing the implication behind her words, Fang Chen cupped his hands in response. ”I did not hide my strength during the assessment. Getting a bronze token was already extremely difficult.”

”Good, better that you didn’t hide anything. If you had, it would imply you had ulterior motives. Since that’s nearly impossible, that leaves only one explanation. Your brain doesn’t work very well.”

The senior sister laughed lightly. Before Fang Chen could speak, she shifted her gaze to Jiang Chen and said calmly, ”Jiang Chen.”

”Yes!” Jiang Chen answered immediately, posture respectful, though panic flashed in his eyes.

”You attempted to sabotage Fang Chen’s advancement to the first transformation. Do you admit it?” she asked.

”What?!” The first and second transformations around were astounded, lowering their heads in fear.

If Jiang Chen had truly done such a deed under the watchful eyes of the senior sister, he’d face severe consequences.

Jiang Chen trembled. He wanted to explain, but in the end, he could only nod with a defeated expression. ”It was my fault.”

”Shameless,” Lin Yuan spat coldly. ”A third-transformation immortal bullying a junior with such despicable tricks, if you became a core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace, wouldn’t you suppress others everywhere you went? How would future geniuses even rise?”

Little Immortal Honglian shot Lin Yuan a stern glare, making him shut up instantly.

”This matter has already been reported to Elder Jiang. You can explain it to him yourself,” said the senior sister with a smile.

Jiang Chen’s expression changed drastically. In the next second, a short, thin old man with a beard appeared on the Black Dragon Immortal Boat.

Everyone present, including the senior sister, Little Immortal Honglian, and all the immortals, immediately bowed. ”Greetings, Elder Jiang.”

The bearded elder’s face was dark with anger. He nodded slightly toward the two core disciples. ”I’ve seen everything. I will handle this matter, and I guarantee the resolution will satisfy you both.”

With that, he looked at Jiang Chen and said mildly. ”Jiang Chen, do you admit your guilt?”

Jiang Chen felt his strength leave him. He fell to his knees with a heavy thud. ”I... acknowledge my crime....”