Immortal of the Nine Realms

Hundred Battle Immortal Sovereign brought Fang Chen to the open square before the Life Lamp Hall. Xie Aman and several elders had been waiting there for some time.

The so-called examination was simple, nothing elaborate or ceremonial. It merely determined whether the candidate could successfully form a contract with a Formation Heart.

Besides Xie Aman, several core disciples who had received word also came to observe, including which were Li Shanzi, Ji Sheng, and Nanming Ruyue. They had all met Fang Chen before, so when they learned he was applying for the Core Disciple Examination, they naturally wished to witness it.

At the edge of the square stood Lin Yuan, Yu Wuxia, and Hong Lianxian, quietly watching. When they saw Fang Chen arrive, excitement flickered in their eyes.

”I knew the captain was a dragon among men,” Lin Yuan said, grinning from ear to ear. ”Look how fast, he’s already qualified for a Core Disciple Assessment!”

”Just think of Jiang Chen,” he added. ”His background is stronger and his cultivation higher, yet he’s never applied even once.”

”Enough, don’t let anyone overhear, or you’ll offend the wrong person,” Yu Wuxia warned softly.

Jiang Chen had an Elder backing him and a wide web of connections. No one could be sure which core disciples here might side with him. They were only ordinary cultivators of the Palace; getting caught up in such grudges could mean instant death.

”I’m not afraid,” Lin Yuan muttered coldly. ”If he dared to do it, I dare to say it.” But he immediately closed his mouth, because he saw Jiang Chen and his group arriving at the site.

Normally, only core disciples were allowed near this area, but that day was an exception. Letting non-core disciples observe the assessment would benefit their understanding, so the restriction had been lifted.

”This examination will consume 5,000 merit points,” Xie Aman said, her gaze landing softly on Fang Chen. ”With that many merit points, you could’ve cultivated comfortably up to a fifth-transformation immortal. So, I’ll ask one last time, do you truly wish to proceed with the Core Disciple Assessment now?”

”I do,” Fang Chen replied without hesitation.

It wasn’t a real choice to ponder. Since the chance had come, there was no reason to refuse. Even aside from the privileges of being a core disciple, he was deeply curious about the mysterious Formation Heart itself. He wanted to understand it up close, to see why Wang Chongsong had been able to use one to unravel the Langgui Constellation’s seal and open the Yellow Springs Road.

Xie Aman nodded slightly, satisfied. ”Very well.”

Then she turned toward Elder Chen. ”He’s confirmed his decision. You may deduct the merit from his token, Elder Chen.”

Elder Chen extended his hand, and Fang Chen’s jade token floated into his grasp. After removing 5,000 merit points, he returned the token.

The token’s balance of merit points returned to the original 850.

”From our experience,” Elder Chen said with a calm smile, ”the lower your cultivation, the harder it is to bond with a Formation Heart. We usually recommend waiting until you’re at least a second-transformation immortal before attempting the contract. But since you’ve made your choice, we won’t dissuade you. You should understand what failure means: the Enlightenment God Palace will lose a Formation Heart, and you will lose your 5,000 merit points.”

Fang Chen bowed slightly. ”I understand, Elder.”

”5,000 merit points...”

”I can’t believe it’s real...”

The cultivators watching from afar exchanged envious, jealous glances, some even tinged with greed.

Five thousand merit points was no small sum. For them, earning even a few dozen or a hundred points was already a monumental task. Five thousand was the kind of number they could only dream of. Without reaching the fourth transformation, it was nearly impossible.

”I’m not too late, am I?” A woman suddenly arrived, descending from the sky with a group of explorers behind her.

”Third Senior Sister is here too?”

The crowd stirred.

”Nope, you’re not late,” Xie Aman said with a faint, knowing smile. ”Just in time.”

Third Senior Sister gave her a thin, insincere grin. ”Speaking of which, I still haven’t congratulated Senior Sister for exposing Second Senior Brother’s little conspiracy.”

”Enough,” Elder Chen said coldly. ”That matter remains unproven. Second Brother has already been reassigned to serve in the Enlightenment Underworld Realm, which is punishment enough. Don’t bring it up again.”

”Of course, of course,” Third Senior Sister said breezily. ”I only meant to praise Senior Sister’s skill, just one short trip, and you managed to drag Second Brother down with you.”

Nearby cultivators exchanged awkward looks. They could only listen to such talk, not comment. Still, hearing that even the esteemed Second Senior Brother had fallen because of their Senior Sister filled them with quiet dread.

”If he hadn’t been standing too close to the shore, I’d have never had the chance,” Senior Sister said flatly, fixing her gaze on the Third Sister. ”Tell me, Junior Sister, does this matter truly have nothing to do with you?”

The Third Senior Sister’s expression flickered before she snorted coldly. ”Naturally, it does not.”

She fell silent after that.

Soon after, the Fourth, Sixth, and Seventh Senior Brothers and Sisters also arrived in succession.

When their Seventh Senior Sister appeared, she immediately stood behind their Senior Sister. Her demeanor was serene and quiet. If it weren’t for the introduction, no one would ever guess she ranked seventh among the core disciples of the Enlightenment God Palace.

Before long, nearly seventy to eighty percent of the Palace’s cultivators had gathered. They whispered among themselves, eyes constantly darting toward Fang Chen, full of envy, awe, and curiosity.

”We may begin,” Elder Chen finally said with a faint smile.

He produced a jade box and slowly opened it. Inside, a green Formation Heart radiated soft luminescence, casting shimmering light over the square.

Jiang Chen gulped, his gaze locked on it. That was his long-cherished dream, and yet, before he could even qualify for the test, the junior nobody had stolen the opportunity.

”We mined this Formation Heart from the Formless Purgatory,” Elder Chen said.

With a wave of his hand, the jade box floated up as if lifted by an unseen breeze and came to rest before Fang Chen.

”Use your blood essence to form the contract. Immerse yourself in it, feel its mysteries.”

Fang Chen examined the Formation Heart closely but did not rush to begin.

It doesn’t seem any different from the one the Little Immortal Honglian bonded with... he thought.

He couldn’t immediately sense whether there was any difference in its aura. If it were the same, then even someone who was a Demon in their previous lives could form a contract with a regular Formation Heart. If, however, its aura was truly different, then it would confirm his suspicions about Little Immortal Honglian’s Formation Heart being tampered with. After all, she had specifically sought it out in the Formless Purgatory, already knowing where it was buried, proof that someone among the core disciples or elders had, like her, awakened memories of their past lives.

”Is he scared?” someone whispered.

”No, just nervous. Who wouldn’t be? This test could decide his entire future.”

”Indeed. If he fails, he loses 5,000 merit points. If he succeeds, he becomes one of the exalted few.”

As Fang Chen remained motionless, many assumed fear held him back.

”Fellow Daoist Li Si,” Jiang Chen said, smirking faintly, ”what do you think, does he have the courage to succeed?”

”He’s frightened, clearly,” Li Si replied with a light nod. ”If he can’t even steady his heart, his odds of success are near zero.”

Jiang Chen’s grin widened further.

But at that moment, Fang Chen slit his finger, and a drop of blood essence fell upon the Formation Heart.