Immortal of the Nine Realms

That evening, Old Sheng hosted a banquet in honor of Fang Chen and the others. The other two sixth-transformation immortals were absent, as they were not in the Great Victory Dynasty and thus could not attend.

Fang Chen was impressed by the grandeur of the Great Victory Dynasty. There were over two hundred immortals in attendance, ranging from first to second transformation, creating an imposing and lively atmosphere.

”Daoist Fang, Daoist Hong, and Daoist Ji, why don’t you all stay a few more days?” asked Old Sheng with enthusiasm after raising a glass to Fang Chen. ”It would be my honor to host you properly.”

Fang Chen replied with a smile, ”I would love to stay longer.”

Fang Chen’s words were sincere. If not for his journey to Ancient Forbidden Zone No. 97, he would have loved to stay here longer to see Fang Xiaotian and Fang Xiaohua grow.

”But the Enlightenment God Palace has urgent matters. I only passed through here on my way, and my fellow seniors are waiting for me outside Qingming. After this drink, I must take my leave.”

Old Sheng was slightly taken aback. He lifted his head, and his gaze pierced through layers of void as he activated some kind of divine gaze.

Suddenly, and within the vast expanse of the void, tens of thousands of immortal boats silently hovered. Among them were several that he recognized. The Black Dragon Boat that he had caught a glimpse of before.

Hiss.

Old Sheng couldn’t help but gasp in shock as he tried to calm his pounding heart. The smile on his face grew even more radiant.

To have so many immortal boats waiting outside in the Qingming indicated that the person before him held a very high position in the Enlightenment God Palace. His status was no doubt extraordinary.

Normally, he would never have had the opportunity to interact with someone of such stature. He had once wanted to join the palace as an external cultivator, but his lacking aptitude barred him from even that.

Now, after all these years of hard cultivation, he had finally reached the sixth transformation. However, his ambitions were slowly dissipating because reaching the seventh transformation seemed hopeless.

Even in his current stage, every step had become painfully difficult. He had to rely on immortal crystals to maintain his cultivation and prolong his lifespan. Lately, he had realized his lifespan was depleting faster and faster. He feared that in just a few more years, he would have to sit back and await his final moments.

After three rounds of drinks, Fang Chen and the others stood to take their leave. Old Sheng, still full of respect, personally escorted them to the Candle Dragon Boat.

”Core Disciple Fang!” Old Sheng’s eyes were slightly red, tears glimmering within them. ”I feel regret that we met so late! If only we could drink and talk together for another ten thousand years.”

The emotion in his voice moved many people.

Elder Qin cursed inwardly, ”No wonder he’s a sixth-transformation immortal. None of them are simple person. All of them are cunning old foxes.”

Even he had almost been touched by those words.

”There’s no feast that never ends. When my business is done, I’ll pass by this place again.”

Fang Chen smiled and clasped his hands. ”Brother, we’ll meet again next time.”

Hearing the word ”brother,” Old Sheng couldn’t hold back the words buried deep in his heart.

”Fang... Brother Fang... is there any chance I could become an Enlightenment God Palace Cultivator and follow you?”

”Third Ancestor!?”

The immortals of the Great Victory Dynasty were all stunned. They didn’t speak, but their hearts tightened. If the Third Ancestor left, it would not bode well for the dynasty.

But if he truly became a member of the Enlightenment God Palace’s Core Disciple Expedition Team, then perhaps the hope of becoming an Ancient Immortal would shine upon them! Even if he could not ascend, by virtue of that identity alone, the dynasty would still share in the glory.

”Lord, we normally do not accept sixth-transformation immortals like Daoist Sheng Ning into the Enlightenment God Palace,” said Ji Gang quietly, reminding both Fang Chen and Sheng Ning.

”If accepted, he would qualify to queue for the Ancient Immortal Registry. Because of this rule, the Elders’ Council’s review is extremely strict. Their view is simple. Quality over quantity.”

Sheng Ning gave a bitter smile and spoke before Fang Chen could answer.

”Core Disciple Fang, I only spoke on impulse. This really puts you in a difficult position. Forget I said it.”

”When you call me brother, it actually sounds more pleasing to the ear.” Fang Chen smiled. ”Thank you, Brother, for your generous hospitality and for helping me obtain the Hundred-Blood Dragon Gall. As for the Enlightenment God Palace’s cultivator identity, when this matter is over, I’ll ask the higher-ups and try to win it for you.”

Old Sheng’s mouth fell open slightly as joy surged in his heart. After bidding farewell several times, he watched as the Candle Dragon Boat disappeared into the stars. He returned with his followers to the grand hall where Fang Chen had been entertained. It was now tidied up.

Overcome with excitement, he paced back and forth in the hall, muttering to himself again and again, ”Heaven-sent immortal fate... heaven-sent immortal fate indeed...”

”Th-third Ancestor,” a middle-aged man in purple couldn’t help but call out.

He was none other than the current emperor of the dynasty, a fourth-transformation immortal. But from start to finish, he was permitted only a secondary seat, without even the qualification to converse with Fang Chen.

”Since that Core Disciple Fang was so approachable, why did you still charge him one hundred immortal crystals before?”

Old Sheng waved his hand. ”You don’t understand. You’re far too young. I naturally wanted to give the Hundred-Blood Dragon Gall to Brother Fang, but he explicitly told me to name a price, which showed he did not want to owe me a favor because of it. He also did not want outsiders to think the Enlightenment God Palace was using its power to bully others. So I had no choice but to ask for one hundred immortal crystals.

”As for why one hundred? If it could make Brother Fang come in person, how could this spiritual material be simple? I didn’t know it was valuable before, but how could I not understand its importance now? And since Brother Fang personally came, he naturally prepared enough immortal crystals. One hundred immortal crystals is the perfect amount. It ensures he carries enough immortal crystals to complete the transaction. If I name too high a price, I might inadvertently embarrass him. Thus, he got the dragon gall without owing me anything. Naturally, he’d be happy.”

He looked around with a smile at the younger generation gathered around him.

”When I saw that Brother Fang did not want to owe favors, I knew he was someone worth befriending. What kind of person is unwilling to owe a favor? Naturally, someone who values feelings deeply.”

Everyone suddenly understood. After thinking for a while, they all nodded.

”Brother Fang does not have that aloof arrogance common to great figures, so I befriended him sincerely, spoke my mind at the banquet, and hid nothing. In the end, I also revealed my hopes. Brother Fang naturally understood. Despite knowing this was a difficult matter, he still promised to try to help. Perhaps when Brother Fang returns to Drunken Fate Star again, I will be setting out to follow him on an expedition to the void.”

Old Sheng could not contain his joy. ”This is my own fortuitous encounter! If there is a chance to advance to Ancient Immortal, I will be able to live another lifetime!”

As he spoke, he reached out and beckoned to the fifth-transformation white-robed from earlier. ”How is the matter I asked you to investigate?”

”It has been clarified. The siblings living in that courtyard are called Fang Xiaotian and Fang Xiaohua. I now sense the auras of eight first-transformation immortals within their courtyard, and each one is extremely extraordinary, surely outstanding among those of the same realm.”

”They must be related by blood to Brother Fang. From now on, while you oversee the capital, your focus is to be on these two. You must not allow the slightest mishap to befall them. Remember, not the slightest.”

Old Sheng’s gaze became sharp. In that moment, he once again became the Third Ancestor everyone knew. The one who showed no mercy to enemies and would exterminate them down to the last.