Immortal of the Nine Realms

Formations after formation flooded to the Enlightenment Star. Before reaching the Enlightenment God Palace, the hundreds of thousands of Immortal Boats had already begun to disperse to their respective locations.

”The Hall of Merits is likely going to be incredibly busy for the foreseeable future,” remarked Elder Qin emotionally.

He turned to Fang Chen. ”Core Disciple Fang, I think I’ll head over to the Hall of Merits to lend a hand.”

Fang Chen replied with a nod and a smile, ”Please, go ahead.”

Before departing, Elder Qin said, ”Just give me a word the next time you head out.”

”Old Qin really can’t sit still,” Lin Dong remarked with a sigh of admiration.

He bid his farewells to Fang Chen as well, intending to get a head start on exchanging his rewards to avoid the inevitable queues.

One by one, the cultivators on the Black Dragon Boat departed, until finally, only a few remained, including Fang Xiaotian and the others.

Noticing that Fang Xiaohua and Sheng Wu were still playing with the sugar glider, Fang Chen said, ”Xiaohua, let Daoist Mi Yu head back now.”

The sugar glider wriggled out of her hands and, in an instant, transformed into a tall, elegant, and beautiful woman. She gave Fang Chen a polite bow and then drifted away gracefully.

Fang Xiaohua was struck dumb with shock. She and Sheng Wu stared at each other in disbelief. Fang Xiaotian and the others also finally realized the truth. It seemed this sugar glider wasn’t a spirit pet at all.

Fang Chen said with a faint smile, ”Daoist Mi Yu is a fifth-transformation Immortal. It’s fortunate she has such a good temperament and was willing to play with you.”

Fang Xiaohua’s mouth fell open in astonishment. A fifth transformation Immortal...

Old Sheng couldn’t help but chuckle secretly. From the very beginning, he had sensed that the aura of the sugar glider was formidable. While not quite at his level, it was very close. If they hadn’t been on the Black Dragon Boat, and if it weren’t for Core Disciple Fang presiding over the situation, he would never have dared let Sheng Wu join Fang Xiaohua in teasing an expert like that.

”Brother... I didn’t offend that senior, did I?” asked Fang Xiaohua, feeling suddenly very guilty and nervous.

Fang Chen said, ”Daoist Mi Yu is different from ordinary cultivators. You haven’t offended her. You can go find her to play whenever you’re free. You will be cultivating here for a long time to come.”

”Then we’ll go find Sister Mi Yu with Sister Little Sword later,” Fang Xiaohua said, glancing at Little Sword, who was chomping down on a spiritual treasure nearby.

Hearing her name, Little Sword immediately nodded and said muffledly, ”Okay, together.”

Fang Xiaohua breathed a sigh of relief. With her coming along, she wouldn’t be as scared.

”Old Ninth, Eldest Senior Sister is calling for you. You’ve made significant contributions this time, and the Council of Elders wants to meet you in person.”

Not far away, Fourth Senior Brother stood on his own Immortal Boat, waving to Fang Chen.

Fang Chen instructed, ”Daoist Ji, I’ll have to trouble you to take them to get registered first.”

He then looked at Fang Xiaotian and the others. ”Follow Senior Ji to register your status. Be obedient on the way and don’t cause trouble.”

They all nodded. ”Yes!”

Once Ji Gang led them away, Fang Chen stowed the Black Dragon Boat, took Little Sword, and boarded his Fourth Brother’s boat.

Eyeing Little Sword with curiosity, Fourth Senior Brother said, ”So this is the Yuan Magnetic Five Elements Divine Sword? Its spiritual rhythm is indeed profound.”

While average core disciples might not know that Fang Chen possessed the Yuan Magnetic Five Elements Divine Sword, the ”core of the cores” like them had long been informed by Xie Aman. This was also Xie Aman’s subtle way of warning others. By making it clear she already knew, she effectively quelled the greed in many people’s hearts.

”Little Sword, this is Fourth Senior Brother,” introduced Fang Chen with a smile.

Little Sword immediately swallowed the last piece of the spiritual treasure and bowed to him. ”Greetings, Fourth Senior Brother!”

”Mhm, no need to be formal. I heard from Eldest Senior Sister that you like devouring spiritual treasure?” Fourth Senior Brother took out a treasure and tossed it. ”I happen to have an unused heaven-grade treasure here. It’s yours.”

Little Sword’s eyes lit up. She thanked him repeatedly, suddenly finding the man before her much more likable.

Fourth Senior Brother chuckled and steered the ship, taking Fang Chen toward the Council of Elders.

”Old Ninth, can this spiritual treasure of yours truly strengthen itself by devouring other treasures? It’s currently ranked 300th on the Spiritual Treasure List. I reckon if it’s nurtured in the Enlightenment God Palace for a while, it might climb a few ranks.”

Fang Chen replied calmly, ”She is already a spiritual treasure. Devouring heaven-grade treasures doesn’t provide as much of a boost as you might think. Perhaps only devouring other spiritual treasures would offer a noticeable improvement. Every one of the three hundred items on the Spiritual Treasure List is extraordinary. If she could raise her rank just by eating a few treasures, spiritual treasures wouldn’t be so valuable.”

Fourth Senior Brother nodded. ”That’s true.”

In truth, he didn’t hold the Yuan Magnetic Five Elements Divine Sword in particularly high regard; he only thought it was rather intriguing since it could take human form and was Fang Chen’s personal treasure.

He thought for a moment, then said to Little Sword, ”We have so many core disciples in the Enlightenment God Palace. When you’re free, you should go pay them a visit. Every visit might net you a treasure. If you visit them all, you’ll have enough treasures to feast on for years.”

Little Sword froze for a second, then her eyes started shining with newfound light.

Fang Chen shook his head, chuckling. ”Don’t go disturbing them.”

”Little Chen, I think Fourth Senior Brother is right! When you have time, you should take me to see them,” said Little Sword, her large eyes blinking expectantly.

Fang Chen replied perfunctorily, ”We’ll see.”

Half an hour later, Fourth Senior Brother steered the Immortal Boat and arrived at the hall with Fang Chen.

Fang Chen motioned. ”Little Sword, come.”

Little Sword instantly transformed into a streak of sword light and merged into Fang Chen’s body.

Walking into the hall with Fourth Senior Brother, they found Chen Enxue and the others had already arrived, chatting with the elders inside.

This was the first time Fang Chen had seen so many elders gathered in one place. Among them were Elder Jiang and Elder Chen, whom he had met before. Even Elder Hou, whom he had glimpsed once at the Great Thunder Sound, was present.

Elder Hou seemed to be at the core of the council. He sat in the center, conversing with Xie Aman. As Fang Chen and Fourth Senior Brother arrived, the elders turned their gazes toward them. Some scrutinized. Some were curious. Some were contemplative. Others were appreciative.

Elder Chen stood up and spoke with a beaming smile. ”Core Disciple Fang is here. Now, among the core members of this expedition, everyone is present except for Old Second.”

He was in charge of the Hall of Life Lamps and held a significant status within the council, far above that of ordinary Elders.

Fang Chen bowed with a cupped fist. ”Greetings, Elders.”

”I heard that during the battle for Great Thunder Sound, you comprehended Formation Immortal Techniques and even performed two of them?” A leopard-headed Elder said with curiosity. ”Can you tell us how you comprehended them? As far as I know, it hasn’t been long since you contracted with a Formation Heart.”

”The experience is difficult to put into words,” said Fang Chen with a slight apologetic tone.

Elder Chen chuckled and said to the leopard-headed Elder, ”Even if he could describe it, why should he tell you? Everyone has their own destiny. If you want to use this to guide the juniors in your clan, have them bring some benefits to Fang Chen first.”

The leopard-headed Elder gave an embarrassed smile and nodded, falling silent.

”Since you are all here today, let’s discuss the merits of this mission,” said Elder Hou as he slowly stood up.

At this, even Chen Enxue showed a look of anticipation. The merits this time were bound to be substantial. Only Fang Chen remained calm and composed. His merits wouldn’t be much in numerical terms, as his greatest contribution was to be exchanged for a Formation Heart.

The only question was whether that Formation Heart would find its way into his hands today.