Immortal of the Nine Realms

The atmosphere on the Rulai Monastery’s side had grown grim. They had just watched one of their core disciples die in battle. Every monk’s eyes now burned like wrathful Vajras, full of killing intent toward Fang Chen. However, since they were the first to strike with killing intent, they dared not speak up. They simply clenched their teeth and resolved to avenge their fallen comrade in the next round.

Several core disciples, hearing Shao Guangyin’s calm instructions, understood how to deal with Fang Chen and eagerly vied for the right to fight.

In the end, they followed the predetermined order, and one core disciple stepped forward, guiding a Thousand Armed Formation slowly toward Fang Chen.

Fang Chen looked at Ji Gang and the others. ”Do we still have enough immortal essence left?”

Ji Gang thought for a moment, then hesitantly answered, ”We can probably manage one more Formation Immortal Art.”

”If we can perform one more Formation Art, it shouldn’t be a problem. But everyone, be prepared, this time...” said Fang Chen, looking at the approaching Rulai Monastery’s core disciple. ”The essence drain might be... considerable.”

The Black Dragon Formation gleamed faintly, immortal energy surging and weaving through every part of it at Fang Chen’s command.

***

”Senior Sister, perhaps we should call him back,” Third Sister said suddenly. ”Now that he’s already grasped a Formation Art, this battle isn’t a total loss for us.”

Nanming Ruyue and the others agreed. By now, the Enlightenment God Palace had clearly lost the overall contest. Admitting defeat wasn’t shameful. As long as they learned from it, they could reclaim everything a hundredfold in the future.

Senior Sister looked toward Fang Chen and called out loudly, ”Ninth Brother, you can come back now! We’ll celebrate your victory when we return!”

Her voice rang through the battlefield.

The onlookers all exhaled in relief.

So, even Xie Aman didn’t think this fight could be won after all.

”Today’s contest proves that the Rulai Monastery truly holds the upper hand. Shao Guangyin is not to be underestimated.” Leng Buqi sighed. ”If it were us in their place, I wonder if our senior brother could have seen through it all.”

The disciples of the Ten Thousand Star Palace exchanged glances, all silently admitting that it would have been difficult. They might have fared even worse than the Enlightenment God Palace.

”Young Lady Xie, are you conceding already?” Shao Guangyin smiled faintly. ”If we’re fighting, let’s finish the last round. What, is the Enlightenment God Palace afraid now?”

”A core disciples of the Rulai Monastery will not die in vain!” the wrathful monks shouted in the distance.

The next core disciple of the Rulai Monastery glared at Fang Chen. ”If you admit defeat, this poor monk will hold you in contempt.”

”Who said I’m admitting defeat?” Fang Chen pointed at him. ”You alone aren’t enough. Call the rest of your comrades. Let’s finish this in one round. Don’t make me waste the trip.”

Everyone froze. Ji Gang and the others’ mouths gaped.

Third Sister was stunned. ”Did I hear that right? What did he just say?!”

”Ninth Brother said... he wants to fight all the remaining Rulai Monastery core disciples alone,” Nanming Ruyue said, her tone incredulous.

”He’s gone mad! He’s even crazier than Senior Sister!” Third Sister laughed in anger. ”He’s courting death. He wins one fight and now thinks he’s untouchable? Does he think his Formation Immortal Art makes him invincible?”

No one argued with her, because they all thought the same. Only Xie Aman wore a contemplative look, as though debating whether to pull Fang Chen back forcibly.

Ye Qingqiu let out a helpless chuckle. ”Since when did that guy start showing off this much...”

The other core disciples followed, chuckling aloud.

From the Taiyi Immortal Sect, Ten Thousand Star Palace, Spirit God Sect, and Killing Spiritual Division came scattered laughter as well.

The core disciples of the Rulai Monastery, feeling mocked, laughed too, but theirs was laughter of fury.

”A nameless nobody dares challenge several of our temple’s core disciples at once?”

”This is the funniest thing I’ve heard in centuries!”

”Honored One, since he’s so boastful, we must show him what awaits arrogance! Otherwise, he’ll think we are a joke.”

Several looked to Shao Guangyin.

At that moment, Fang Chen’s voice rang out again. ”What’s wrong? Is Rulai Monastery afraid?”

Everyone immediately caught the intent behind his words.

He’s deliberately provoking us!

But they all misunderstood, assuming Fang Chen was only using cheap taunts to shame Rulai Monastery into fighting. Shao Guangyin thought the same. He smiled and nodded slightly to his remaining core disciples.

”Go,” he said mildly. ”Show him the power of your combined might. Formation Immortal Arts aren’t invincible. Send him to his next life.”

In an instant, four Thousand Armed Formations surged forward together.

Even from afar, Ji Gang and the others could feel the crushing pressure.

”Has Core Disciple Fang overestimated himself?”

The same thought flashed through Wang Xuan and the others’ minds. Looking at the four formations, they swallowed hard. One mistake now, and they would all die here.

Senior Sister finally made her decision, preparing to end the match. She opened her mouth,

”Fang—”

”Now!” Fang Chen commanded.

Eight Desolation Supreme Sword Scripture, the Sixth Sword!

A terrifying sword aura swept forth.

In an instant, Wang Xuan and the others felt their immortal essence and spiritual energy drain violently, and their faces aged visibly in seconds.

Even Ji Gang, a proud sixth-transformation immortal, was emptied of immortal essence in a single heartbeat. Elder Qin and Lin Dong fared no better.

Mi Yu, who had slept through most of the battle, now erupted in radiant divine light, endlessly channeling essence into the formation. Her energy seemed inexhaustible, keeping the Black Dragon Formation from collapsing.

”What... is that...”

As many core disciples craned their necks instinctively, they saw four Thousand Armed Formations disintegrating.

First, the core disciples’ Immortal Boats split in two, then the entire formations collapsed into chaos.

”Heh, they can still fight! Go, kill them!” ordered Fang Chen, pouring out immortal essence without pause.

As his reserves emptied, they refilled with astonishing speed.

The Black Dragon Formation surged into the scattering fleet like a tiger into a flock of sheep, unstoppable and merciless.

Xie Aman swallowed hard, then broke into a wide, exhilarated smile. Moments later, she threw her head back in laughter. ”HAHAHAHAHAHA!”

Ye Qingqiu and the others stared in shock.

A second Formation Immortal Art?! Was this man a senior core disciple in disguise? How had they received no information about him? Had they been deceived by the Enlightenment God Palace’s false reports?

”Xie Aman... she truly lives up to her name. Everything was within her calculations,” Ye Qingqiu said quietly, her expression complicated.

Xian Yueguan, Leng Buqi, and the others fell into uneasy silence. The core disciples of the Rulai Monastery stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded.

Four of our core disciples, defeated in a single strike?

The enemy could use two Formation Immortal Arts!

”Xie Aman,” Shao Guangyin said at last, for the first time speaking her full name. ”This time... you’ve won.”

With a sharp flick of his sleeve, a vast surge of immortal essence roared forth, forcing back the Black Dragon Formation and covering the retreat of the Rulai Monastery’s shattered fleet.