Immortal of the Nine Realms

Little Immortal Honglian said with a serious expression, ”You need to quickly assemble an expedition team. Lin Yuan and the others won’t be able to provide you with enough Immortal Essence when using the Immortal Boat Formation Technique.”

Fang Chen asked, ”How much longer do we have before departure?”

”Anywhere from six months to a year,” said Little Immortal Honglian with a bitter smile. ”But the round trip will likely take hundreds of years. The No. 97 Ancient Forbidden Zone—Great Thunder Sound—is even farther away than the Formless Purgatory.”

”Hundreds of years...” Fang Chen muttered.

He wasn’t open to the idea of a long voyage at this moment in time. He feared he might miss the matter regarding Wang Chongsong.

As he was lost in thought, several figures flew overhead.

Little Immortal Honglian glanced at one of them and sighed. ”It seems that Senior Taixu will also be joining the expedition.”

Seeing Wang Chongsong, Fang Chen was surprised. He’s also going? Doesn’t that mean he won’t have time to deal with that spiritual treasure?”

Fang Chen couldn’t help cursing the monks of Rulai Monastery. If they hadn’t attacked Xie Aman, the expedition wouldn’t have been so grandiose.

”I’ll go find some people and try to gather a few more experts for the Immortal Boat,” said Fang Chen.

”I’ll go with you,” replied Little Immortal Honglian.

Her own expedition team members were already fully assembled, so she didn’t need to worry.

”An expedition team should ideally have as many members as possible, but since I am the captain, I have responsibilities to shoulder,” murmured Fang Chen to himself. ”So I can’t be too casual and choose just anyone.”

If he recruited people only to unreasonably dismiss them tomorrow, finding members for the future would become extremely difficult. And without a reliable team, it would be hard to utilize the Immortal Boat Formation Technique to its utmost efficiency.

Little Immortal Honglian nodded. ”If you can recruit sixth-transformation immortals, the number of people needed will decrease dramatically. Having too many members can be problematic.”

The larger a team, the more people there would be to divide the benefits among. So, finding the right balance in the number of team members was important.

At that moment, someone flew over.

”Core Disciple Fang, I’ve heard that you’ve been selected for the expedition. May I join you on this journey?”

It was Ji Gang, the same person Fang Chen had seen in the Enlightenment Underworld not long ago.

Him? Is it Wang Chongsong’s idea?

Ji Gang was a genuine sixth-transformation immortal. His power might not be on the same level as the Hundred Battle Immortal Sovereign’s, but he was still a fully-fledged sixth-transformation immortal. His presence would significantly reduce the number of people Fang Chen needed to recruit.

Little Immortal Honglian was surprised. She hadn’t met Ji Gang before, but anyone who approached them voluntarily couldn’t have a low status. Lately, many had tried to use connections to join Fang Chen’s expedition team, but not a single one was below the second transformation. First-transformation immortals didn’t even dare ask.

”Ah, it’s Daoist Ji. If you are willing to join my expedition team, I would naturally welcome you with open arms,” said Fang Chen with a smile, nodding in acknowledgment.

Little Immortal Honglian asked suddenly, ”May I ask, what is your cultivation level?”

Ji Gang glanced at Little Immortal Honglian, his face showing a faint smile. ”I am a sixth-transformation Great Luo Immortal. I specialize in artifact forging. The Immortal Essence of a Great Luo Immortal is beneficial for repairing magical treasures. If the Black Dragon Boat happens to sustain any damage, I would be able to lend a hand.”

Little Immortal Honglian was slightly stunned. ”Sixth-transformation immortal?”

She never expected that a sixth-transformation immortal would actively seek to join Fang Chen’s expedition team. Thinking back to the last time when Fang Chen successfully formed a contract with the Formation Heart in just over an hour, she soon understood. It seemed that Ji Gang had already received the news.

She couldn’t help but feel a little envious. After all, Ji Gang was a sixth-transformation immortal—and a Great Luo Immortal at that. For an expedition team, someone like that was an integral member.

”Core Disciple Fang, how many members do you currently have in your expedition team?” asked Ji Gang.

”I have one fourth-transformation immortal and one third-transformation immortal. But the third-transformation immortal is actually my master from the Expedition Star,” answered Fang Chen. ”He’s currently waiting on a fourth-transformation immortal herb, so he might not join us on this expedition. I’ll go ask him what he thinks first.”

The three soon arrived at Lin Dong’s residence. When Lin Dong saw Fang Chen and Little Immortal Honglian together, he couldn’t help feeling emotional.

”Star 432 had never produced a core member before. Now, two have emerged, and it happened during my tenure. This is going to be talked about in the Enlightenment God Palace for a few thousand years,” said Lin Dong with a mix of joy and admiration, leading the group into his residence.

Lin Dong’s gaze turned toward Ji Gang. ”Core Disciple Fang, may I ask who this is?”

Fang Chen was rather surprised Lin Dong didn’t know Ji Gang. After all, he had been with the Enlightenment God Palace for so many years.

Ji Gang introduced himself with a slight bow. ”I am called Ji Gang.”

Lin Dong hurriedly stood up and bowed. ”Ji Gang!? So it’s Daoist Ji! My apologies, my apologies!”

He had naturally heard of Ji Gang’s name, but Ji Gang stayed on Enlightenment Star while he spent most of his time on Expedition Star, so they never met. Ji Gang hadn’t even gone to the Formless Purgatory incident previously.

Ji Gang said with a smile, ”No need for formalities, we’ll be teammates from now on.”

Teammates?

Lin Dong suppressed his shock. He didn’t know that Fang Chen had formed a contract with the Formation Heart in just one hour. So, seeing a sixth-transformation immortal willing to follow Fang Chen naturally stirred up a storm of emotions within him.

”Master, I’ve been selected for the expedition team and will be heading to the No. 97 Ancient Forbidden Zone, Great Thunder Sound. I wanted to ask if you plan to stay here and wait for the fourth-transformation immortal herb or come with me on the expedition,” said Fang Chen with a smile.

Lin Dong’s expression turned serious. ”Naturally, I’ll join you on the expedition. An opportunity like this is invaluable for me. I’ll just wait to take the immortal herb when I return.”

He paused for a moment, then said, ”I’ll go ask Old Qin as well. He’s probably getting tired of staying here. A few days ago, he even subtly inquired about your expedition team.”

”Elder Qin? How about we go ask him now?” suggested Fang Chen.

He had a good impression of Elder Qin. The elder valued the interests of the Enlightenment God Palace and often gave guidance to juniors. Compared to other cultivators, he was a bit more grounded.

”Let’s go together. Old Qin will be very happy to hear about this. Two core disciples, plus Daoist Ji. This is quite a big deal.”

***

Hall of Merits.

”Elder Qin, I’ve heard that your cultivation path is a rare one in the Enlightenment God Palace, the Gu Immortal Path. I also heard that you haven’t yet acquired the Dragon Buddha Worm for your fourth transformation immortal herb? I’ve been told that the Dragon Buddha Worm has been spotted in Great Thunder Sound. If you join my expedition team, I’ll take you there,” said a core disciple earnestly while looking at Elder Qin.

Behind him stood several cultivators. Among them was Jiang Chen. He was the highest-ranked cultivator in the group.

The core disciple speaking was only a second-transformation immortal, merely a few hundred years senior to Fang Chen and Little Immortal Honglian.

”Core Disciple Yu, I’ve gotten old, and my bones fail me. I don’t wish to wander. Besides, isn’t Jiang Chen, that genius, already in your team? What would you need an old sack of bones like me for?” Elder Qin chuckled. ”Besides, I am quite well-informed. I heard Jiang Chen left Core Disciple Hong’s expedition team because he was suppressing juniors?”

His smile disappeared, and his expression turned cold. ”Associating with him would shame me. I’d rather not join your team, Core Disciple Yu.”

Jiang Chen’s face darkened.

Core Disciple Yu’s brows furrowed slightly, and the way he looked at Elder Qin soured with displeasure.