Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 1697: Since Ancient Times, How Many Return from War?

A few days later, the demonized beings of Lone Light Star, under the leadership of Core Disciple Wang of the Grand Wei Study, finally achieved a breakthrough victory. The dozens of sect leaders and elite patriarchs led by Core Disciple Xuan of the Wandao Immortal Sect were all ensnared by the Heavenly Net.

The Lotus Formation no longer had an adequate power source and the cultivators across the various Immortal Boats had completely exhausted their immortal essence.

A single leg of the Eight-Legged Formation pierced through the Lotus Formation, hoisting it into mid-air. With a surge of immortal essence, the Lotus Formation shattered and dispersed, leaving only the central white jade vessel imprisoned by the Eight-Legged Formation .

Surrounded by a host of powerful experts, Core Disciple Wang walked to the prow of his boat, looking down from a height at Core Disciple Xuan and the group of high-level figures from Lone Light Star beside her. ”Core Disciple Xuan, now as soon as a victor is decided over there, this battle can finally end, can’t it?”

Core Disciple Wang glanced toward the horizon with a smile. Two Ancient Immortals were locked in combat. They had been fighting for a long time, yet the outcome remained undecided.

However, to the demon race, this outcome was no longer important. Lone Light Star simply lacked the capability to overturn the current situation.

Core Disciple Wang spoke once more. ”We are currently pushing across every front, sweeping through the Taicang Realm with unstoppable force. Wandao Immortal Sect should be sensible and stop trying to obstruct us.”

Core Disciple Xuan’s brow furrowed. ”Why waste your breath? Do you think we would ever defect to your side?”

”You might not, but perhaps they will?” The corners of Wang’s mouth curled up as his gaze fell upon the surrounding cultivators. ”Everyone, demonized is merely a black label those self-proclaimed righteous cultivators have haphazardly slapped onto us. Our actions are intended only to redefine the rules of the Taicang Realm. It is to redefine the rules of the Nine Realms.”

He bellowed, ”For countless years, apart from Core disciples like us, what chance have ordinary cultivators of the Taicang Realms had to visit the Lower Six Realms? But have you ever considered whether the resources of the Lower Six Realms are truly as scarce as the rumors claim compared to the Upper Three Realms?”

The crowd was stunned. What did those words mean?

Some cultivators fell into deep thought, their expressions suddenly shifting as they looked at Core Disciple Wang in disbelief.

”Have you finally realized it?” said Core Disciple Wang calmly, smile widening. ”That was nothing but a lie to deceive you. The Lower Six Realms have been resting and recuperating for years. There are few high-level experts, and resources are actually incredibly abundant. They prevent you from going there simply because these sects want to keep the Lower Six Realms as their private fish pond. All the fish inside belong to them and you are left with nothing but the bones!”

”Core Disciple Wang has already succumbed to the demons. Do not listen to his nonsense. Have we slaughtered the innocent? We treat mortals with even more care than you do, unwilling to harm those poor souls whose only goal in life is to fill their bellies.”

Core Disciple Wang sneered coldly. ”You call us demonized, but I see you as the ones who have truly fallen. The trend of the world will ultimately rest in our hands! Once we have swept through the Nine Realms, everyone will receive fair treatment.”

Core Disciple Xuan said coldly, ”In ancient times, there was the Nine Realm Immortal Alliance, and they spoke the same words as you. But their true purpose was nothing more than to satisfy their own selfish desires, leading to chaos across the Three Realms.”

The crowd felt a sense of bewilderment, unsure of which side to believe. Many people found their minds wavering slightly because of Core Disciple Wang’s words. Most importantly... they were currently facing two paths—defection or death.

Core Disciple Wang smiled faintly. ”I have laid out the reasoning. Are you all willing to form an alliance with us and plot for greatness together?”

”This...”

A fourth-transformation immortal showed a look of embarrassment. He cast a slightly guilty glance at Core Disciple Xuan before floating over toward Core Disciple Wang’s side.

Seeing that Core Disciple Xuan and the others did not stop him, that immortal immediately breathed a sigh of relief and a flattering smile appeared on his face. As soon as he landed before Core Disciple Wang, he immediately cupped his hands and said:, ”I am willing to defect. You hail from the Grand Wei Study, the very source of reason in the Nine Realms. I am willing to believe in you.”

”Old Di, you are too shameless! Have you forgotten at whose hands your entire clan of a million cultivators ultimately died?” cursed a cultivator loudly.

Old Di murmured to himself, ”A battlefield is a battlefield. Since ancient times, how many have returned from war...?”

Then, he suddenly struck, launching a magical technique at Core Disciple Wang, who was mere inches away.

Everyone was stunned. No one had expected Old Di to make such a move. Looks of hope began to flicker in their eyes.

Regardless of how well he spoke, Core Disciple Wang himself was only a third-transformation immortal. If he were to be assassinated at close range by a fourth-immortal transformation, there was still a high probability of him dying on the spot!

If Core Disciple Wang died, they could make a desperate gamble, sacrificing some of their lifespan, and the Lotus Formation might just turn the tables!

”Wait, something’s wrong.”

Core Disciple Xuan’s brow furrowed slightly. She concluded that Old Di could not succeed. A cultivator of the Grand Wei Study would never allow themselves to be cornered or placed in a dangerous situation!

Sure enough, Core Disciple Wang remained smiling from beginning to end, as if mocking Old Di’s naivety. He did not move, but a figure suddenly appeared by his side, suppressing Old Di on the spot. This figure appeared silently and without a trace, billowing Yin energy surging about him.

”A Ghost Immortal...”

Core Disciple Xuan sighed softly. The existence of Ghost Immortals was very special. She was actually treading the path of a Ghost Immortal, so she knew better than anyone that they were elusive and often went undetected.

Core Disciple Wang looked at Old Di and asked with a faint smile, ”Your surname is Di? You clearly understood my reasoning, so why did you do this?”

”I understand the reasoning, but didn’t I fucking say it?” cursed Old Di loudly. ”Since ancient times, how many have returned from war? My family has been completely wiped out by you lot. Do you think I would defect to you just to survive like a dog!?”

He spat at Core Disciple Wang. ”You keep claiming to pity mortals and say you aren’t demons. Go to Qingniu Province and take a look. That’s my family’s territory. Now, every house is dressed in funeral attire, white banners hang from every door, and nine out of ten households have no sons left. If you hadn’t inexplicably decided to sweep through the Taicang Realms, would Qingniu Province be like this? Would Lone Light Star be like this!? We’ve fought for hundreds of years, goddamn it. Hundreds of years! What’s the point of you taking Lone Light Star now? You’ve destroyed the beautiful mountains and rivers, do you know that?”

”Old Di...”

The cultivators near Core Disciple Xuan sighed. To insult the opponent like that meant certain death.

Core Disciple Wang remained silent for a few breaths. No longer wasting words on Old Di, he gave a look to the sixth-transformation Ghost Immortal. With a gentle squeeze from the Ghost Immortal, Old Di was instantly crushed to pieces, turning into ash that drifted to the ground.

”You could have taken this place much faster. Don’t waste any more time. The Motian Division has our own matters to attend to and cannot follow you everywhere. Wrap up the affairs of the Taicang Realm as quickly as possible,” the sixth transformation Ghost Immortal said with slight dissatisfaction before his figure gradually faded away.

Seeing that, Core Disciple Wang scanned Core Disciple Xuan and the others, stating slowly. ”I shall see you on your way.”

Clearly, he had abandoned the idea of recruitment. Core Disciple Xuan and the others let out a sigh. Just as he was prepared to activate the Immortal Boat Formation, a gargantuan entity flew in from the green void.

It was a Black Dragon!

The terrifying fluctuations of Immortal Essence caused countless people to turn their heads in shock and alarm.