Immortal of the Nine Realms

Elder Qin’s face was livid with anger when another third-transformation immortal walked over, looking excited. ”Old Qin, exchange a fourth-transformation immortal herb for me! I’m about to break through to Immortal Sovereign!”

Lin Dong’s excitement was evident on his face, and he didn’t even try to hide it. Since the trip to the Formless Purgatory, he had finally accumulated enough merit to exchange for a fourth-transformation immortal herb.

Fourth-transformation immortals, known as Immortal Sovereigns in the Nine Mortal Realms, were powerful for a reason. Once an immortal broke through to the fourth transformation, they experienced a qualitative metamorphosis.

Now that Lin Dong was about to become a fourth-transformation immortal, he was confident he could pull favors and join a core disciple’s team.

That was far more promising than staying on Expedition Star Number No. 432!

”You’ve accumulated enough merits, Old Lin?” said Elder Qin, his face dark. ”Not an easy feat. But if you want a fourth-transformation herb, you’ll have to wait a bit.”

Lin Dong was stunned. ”What’s going on?”

The second-transformation immortal explained, ”A junior is planning to exchange for twenty peak-grade spirit stones, which has really angered Elder Qin.”

He then cast a jealous glance at Lin Dong. Old-timers really had it good. He was already about to become a fourth-transformation immortal, while he himself was still far from that.

”What’s the big deal, Old Qin? Who cares who exchanges for what? It’s none of your business. You’re really worrying over nothing,” scoffed Lin Dong.

However, he quickly recalled something and exclaimed in shock, ”Twenty peak-grade spirit stones? I remember those things cost thirty merit points each, right? Someone is actually exchanging for those useless things?”

”Isn’t that why I’m angry? Everything in the Hall of Merits is earned through hard work. Of course, I want to see everyone exchange for what they need, so they can improve their cultivation and continue to strengthen the Enlightenment God Palace.”

Elder Qin’s face turned deathly pale. ”Someone wants to exchange for twenty peak-grade spirit stones? What is this nonsense!? This is a waste!”

”Wait... who is it exactly? Don’t offend anyone easily. Twenty peak-grade spirit stones require six hundred merit points. How many people on Enlightenment Star could afford that? Let alone using it for those useless stones,” mused Lin Dong. ”Could it be a core disciple? If so, you shouldn’t care, and definitely don’t show that kind of expression. Be careful not to get into trouble.”

”It’s not a core disciple. If it were, I wouldn’t even furrow my brows. Do core disciples even need to worry about this kind of merit?”

Elder Qin finally calmed down, his mood settling a bit. ”It’s just a junior. During the Formless Purgatory expedition, he got lucky and obtained a bunch of immortal herbs and immortal crystals—about 1600 immortal crystals in total—and also gained several hundred merit points.

”Last time, he exchanged for a first-transformation immortal herb and successfully advanced to the first transformation. Among the external disciples, he’s considered a promising young talent. Who would have thought he would get caught up in this kind of obsession?”

The more Lin Dong listened, the more something felt off. He seemed to have thought of something and suddenly exclaimed, ”Wait a second, is he surnamed Fang?”

Elder Qin frowned. ”Hm? How do you know?”

Lin Dong was furious. ”That’s a disciple I accepted outside the sect! Where is he now? Take me to see him! How can he waste such an opportunity like this!?”

Everyone was shocked. They didn’t expect the person in question to be Lin Dong’s disciple.

”Follow me,” said Elder Qin, sneering. ”You’re such a good master, investing in a disciple just because you thought he had a promising future? You didn’t teach him anything useful and are only thinking of yourself all the time.”

With that, he led the group toward Fang Chen’s room.

The second-transformation immortal, who was also planning to exchange for a third-transformation immortal herb, followed with a curious expression.

Fang Chen had been waiting in the room for quite some time. When no one came, he stood up and planned to go out and take a look. As soon as he stood up, the door opened, and a group of people entered in a line.

”Master?”

Fang Chen was surprised to see Lin Dong following behind Elder Qin.

Lin Dong’s face was as dark as a storm cloud. Seeing that Elder Qin remained silent, he spoke coldly, ”I was here to exchange for a fourth-transformation immortal herb when I heard you’re planning to exchange for peak-grade spirit stones? What were you thinking? What do you need those for?”

”To study the ancient spiritual energy within them,” replied Fang Chen.

Lin Dong was furious. ”You! These things are nothing but distractions! If you want to study them, just buy a few to play with outside. Why waste merit points on them? Do you even know what six hundred merit points represent?!”

”It represents a third-transformation immortal herb!”

”Don’t make these elders worry about you,” chimed in the second-transformation immortal. ”You have so many merit points, so don’t waste them. Save them. When you break through to the second transformation, won’t you need an immortal herb? Don’t you need one for the third transformation as well?”

Elder Qin spoke in a flat tone, ”Did you hear your master’s words? Do you still want to exchange for the peak–grade spirit stones?”

Fang Chen paused for a moment, deep in thought, before slowly nodding. ”Yes, I want to exchange them.”

”...”

The atmosphere became a bit tense.

Elder Qin turned to Lin Dong and smiled. ”You’ve really taught a great disciple.”

”I...”

Lin Dong didn’t know what to say. Merit points belonged to others, and he had no right to restrict what others wanted to exchange. But six hundred merit points for twenty peak grade spirit stones? That was an incredibly wasteful decision.

He was about to try and persuade Fang Chen again when someone approached.

”Elder Qin, are you all here?”

The newcomer was Ji Tianjun. He smiled. ”I’m thinking of exchanging for something...”

His gaze swept the room, and suddenly, he pretended to be surprised as he looked at Fang Chen.

Fang Chen smiled and nodded. ”Daoist Ji.”

This guy is doing this on purpose....

”Core Disciple Fang?” Elder Qin looked at Ji Tianjun in confusion. ”What are you talking about?”

He recognized Ji Tianjun as the older cousin of Ji Sheng, and also a member of Ji Sheng’s expedition team.

On Enlightenment Star, many external disciples had no assigned expedition team. They were here for one simple reason: good talent and a steady hand. So, they were brought in to handle some odd tasks. Having a team to belong to, especially one led by a core disciple, meant higher status, and you would naturally be regarded with more respect.

”You all might not have heard yet, but not long ago, Core Disciple Fang successfully passed the assessment and became a core disciple,” Ji Tianjun continued with a smile.

”Once his Black Dragon ship is completed, they will formally announce it.”

Lin Dong was stunned into silence. The second transformation-immortal beside him opened his mouth, then closed it again, not daring to speak.

Elder Qin took a while to process the information, then looked at Fang Chen in disbelief. ”You... you’re a core disciple now?”

Fang Chen replied, ”Yes, but the Black Dragon Boat isn’t ready yet.”

”But... the merit points needed or the assessment.... How did you...?”

Fang Chen smiled. ”I was present during the senior sister’s matter not long ago, and I earned some merit points by following her.”

Elder Qin instantly understood, his expression becoming strangely awkward.

Lin Dong finally snapped out of his daze, though he still couldn’t quite believe it. A disciple he had casually taken on outside the sect had become a core disciple in such a short amount of time? At this rate, why would he need to join an expedition team? He could just have his disciple work for him!

Thinking about that, Lin Dong suddenly punched Elder Qin on the shoulder.

”Old Qin, I told you, you’re worrying over nothing! What Core Disciple Fang wants to exchange for is none of your business!”