Immortal of the Nine Realms

The sudden reversal of the situation in Fire Spirit Valley truly left some rejoicing and others in despair. Those local powerhouses who had been slain alongside them were cultivators who had fully committed themselves to the Fallen Alliance. They had come today with many of their juniors. Now, those juniors stood frozen in shock, as if plunged into an icy abyss. Their entire bodies felt called, and even their breath seemed to carry a chill.

On the other hand, those cultivators who had never truly accepted the Fallen Alliance in their hearts were now overjoyed, excited, and exhilarated.

At that moment, Saintess Yuanyang spoke. ”Wang Ye of the Enlightenment God Palace? Quite impressive. I’d like to know, how did you negotiate with the Motian Division? What kind of terms did you offer to make them stand on your side?”

”What terms would be needed? The Motian Division understands right from wrong,” Fang Chen replied with a smile. ”What you’re doing is wrong, so naturally they help us correct it.”

Both the Great Virtue Heavenly Venerable and Saintess Yuanyang were slightly taken aback.

”Right and wrong?”

The Great Virtue Heavenly Venerable laughed. ”That reasoning doesn’t apply to the Motian Division. To make them turn their blade against us... your Enlightenment God Palace must have offered a price they couldn’t refuse. Isn’t that so?”

Fang Chen stared at him for a moment, then nodded. ”You’re right. We did offer a price they couldn’t refuse.”

The Great Virtue Heavenly Venerable had hoped to glean something from Fang Chen’s expression, to make a correct judgment, but the answer left him uncertain.

Had the Motian Division truly allied with Fangcun Realm and Shenwang Realm? If so, this was a matter of immense importance for the demon race. He would need to send word back immediately. But what if that wasn’t the case? Would it affect future cooperation between both sides?

Forget it. Better to just capture him and question him directly.

The Great Virtue Heavenly Venerable shook his head and looked at Saintess Yuanyang. ”Saintess Yuanyang, ask that person to make a move. Let’s end this quickly. Today’s events have already gone beyond our expectations. We need time to sort things out.”

That one?

The crowd was startled. Did they still have another trump card?

Venerable Yunfu’s expression shifted, his cold gaze sweeping the surroundings.

Fatian was also carefully observing the environment.

Saintess Yuanyang nodded. ”Very well.”

Her gaze landed on the green-robed middle-aged man. ”Senior Daotian, please make your move.”

”Daotian?”

The four Venerables frowned slightly. This name was unfamiliar. He was likely not a cultivator of Taicang Realm.

But in the void, Lin Qiang’s expression changed drastically upon hearing the name.

At that moment, the green-robed man stood up from beneath the tree. He pointed casually at the Great Virtue Heavenly Venerable and Saintess Yuanyang, then smiled at Fang Chen. ”Young man, have your people remove their restraints. I happen to be fasting today, and I cannot commit any killing. Don’t make me break my precepts.”

Yunfu narrowed his eyes, sizing up the man. ”Such arrogance. ’Cannot commit killing’? Do you even realize your situation?”

Fatian suddenly became alert. ”No... something’s off.”

”This man’s aura is not of the Immortal Path, it’s of the Divine Path.”

Yunfu was surprised. ”The Divine Path? Are you sure?”

Zuimeng and Feishe exchanged glances, their eyes growing serious.

The Divine Path was no longer mainstream in the Nine Mortal Realms, but precisely because of that, a Divine Path expert appearing now meant his skills would certainly not be weak.

”I’m sure. I’ve interacted with Divine Path cultivators before. This aura is unmistakable.”

Fatian glanced at Fang Chen. ”My lord, this one may be difficult to deal with. I’ve heard that the Divine Path’s God Decree Ranking has conferred titles upon a group of experts. Those who are conferred enter the Divine Path, and their cultivation rises by half a step.”

He glanced at Saintess Yuanyang. ”This woman is a God Dao Sect cultivator. The expert protecting her must also come from that sect.”

”A half-step increase in cultivation? You mean...”

Yunfu and the others’ expressions were a storm of shifting emotions.

Before this, they had only heard of the God Decree Ranking but didn’t know its details. Now they finally understood what a half-step increase meant.

Fatian stared at the green-robed man and tried his best to recall. ”Daotian... that name sounds familiar. I think he’s some notorious bandit in the Qingming from the Shenwang Realm. This bandit leads an exploration team, roaming ancient forbidden zones year-round, plundering and committing all manner of atrocities. Even his Ancient Immortal Register was stolen.”

The crowd was stunned.

Could this refined-looking man really be such a ruthless figure?

A weakened core disciple from the Shenwang Realm opened his eyes and stared at him. ”Ahem... The Shenwang Realm does indeed have a bandit named Daotian. But he once offended the Ancient Dragon God Palace and was hunted for centuries before disappearing. Never thought this bandit would join the God Dao Sect.”

Daotian nodded. ”Correct. I was hunted by the Ancient Dragon God Palace for centuries. In the end, I had no choice but to seek refuge with the God Dao Sect. They accepted me. I was granted a slot through the God Decree Ranking, and I converted to the Divine Path. Before that, I was already an eighth-transformation Ancient Immortal. After receiving it, my cultivation rose by half a step, which should make me... a half-step ninth transformation-level expert.

He smiled. ”So no matter how bad things are today, I can still turn the tide. Since you all understand this, there’s no need for me to say more. Hand those two over.”

Shock flashed across the crowd’s eyes. ”Ha-half-step ninth-transformation?!”

They had already found the appearance of eighth-transformation immortals astonishing enough, but now there was a half-step ninth transformation! That was a being approaching the very peak of power in the Nine Mortal Realms, someone they might never see in their entire lives!

Lin Qiang gasped. ”Daotian actually joined the God Dao Sect and became a half-step ninth transformation expert?! Shameless!”

”I can kill them before you act. A half-step ninth-transformation is still not a true ninth transformation immortal,” Fatian said calmly.

Hearing him, the Great Virtue Heavenly Venerable and Saintess Yuanyang’s expressions shifted.

Daotian shook his head. ”If they die, it won’t cost me anything. But afterward, I’ll make all of Mingwang Star accompany them in death, including all of you. Why go that far?”

”Destroy Mingwang Star? Not necessarily...” Yunfu cast a strange glance at Fang Chen. ”My lord, perhaps this half-step ninth-transformation expert is our greatest gain today. Killing him would be worth more than ten eighth-transformation Immortals.”

Daotian sighed softly. ”Looks like I won’t be able to keep fasting today.”

”No, please, do continue your fast,” said Fang Chen, taking out the Yin Gourd and giving it a shake.

As soon as Abbess Qing He appeared, her gaze locked onto Daotian, a curious expression on her face. ”Not a ninth transformation, and he’s no eighth-transformation immortal either... Lord Fang, this person’s aura is rather strange.”

The moment Qing He appeared, Daotian’s body went numb, as if struck by lightning. It felt as though he had already stepped into the gates of death.

”Lord Fang, do you want him dead or alive?”

”Alive.”

”Good.”

Then she lightly pointed at Daotian.

”Wait!” Daotian shouted in shock and fury.

Just as he tried to tear through space and escape, he was instantly bound by a strand of yin energy and slammed to the ground with a heavy thud.