Immortal of the Nine Realms

A trace of surprise flashed through Fang Chen’s eyes. ”Are these cultivators of the Ancient Dragon God Palace?”

Beneath the rolling, ink-black clouds of Yin energy, enormous dragons whose green scales emitted a deep, spectral glow had assembled into a massive Dragon God Formation, advancing toward the gathered crowd.

The dragon who had just dismissed the Northern Sea Profound Snake as a mere serpent occupied the center of the formation. It was several times larger than even the Profound Snake. Although there was still a large distance separating the two sides, the Ghost Immortals present could already feel the overwhelming spiritual pressure, so oppressive it extinguished any desire to resist.

”This formation seems to work on the same principle that drives Immortal Boat Formations...” muttered Fang Chen, glancing at Xie Aman.

She ought to understand the mysteries within.

”You can tell?” Xie Aman smiled. ”The Immortal Boat Formation was something we human cultivators learned from the Ancient Dragon God Palace. The bloodline of the Ancient Dragon God clan is exceptionally divine. They can cross all barriers to freely borrow the immortal essence within one another’s bodies without a single fraction of loss during the process. Its efficiency is vastly superior to our Human Race’s Immortal Boat Formation.”

Fang Chen came to a realization, but he still felt like something was vaguely strange. These Ancient Dragon God cultivators appeared somewhat familiar, bearing a strong resemblance to Saint Long’s true body back in the Divine Realm.

Perhaps all dragons simply look more or less alike?

Meanwhile, the Dragon God Formation had already drawn near the crowd. The dragon cultivator at its core glanced at the Eighteen Heavens Prison Tower before fixing his gaze on the Northern Sea Profound Snake. The corners of his mouth curled upward, as if he were grinning.

At that moment, the leading Ghost Immortals of the various factions all displayed expressions of shock. In the Mortal Realm, they were elder-tier existences whose understanding of the Ancient Dragon God Palace far exceeded that of ordinary core disciples. Witnessing this specific dragon cultivator manifest, their hearts were filled with absolute astonishment.

Xie Aman had already led her group to fly upward. She cupped her hands in a respectful salute toward the dragon cultivator. ”Xie Aman of the Enlightenment God Palace. We pay respects to the Dragon God.”

The short and tall Ghost Immortals marveled.

”Even the Dragon God of the Ancient Dragon God Palace has arrived?”

Venerable Fatian and the others had naturally heard of this existence’s name as well. After all, within the Shenwang Realm, the Ancient Dragon God Palace was universally acknowledged as number one. It was not merely tied at the top with the likes of Qingkong Mountain. Even within the Taicang and Fangcun Realms, no faction possessed a heritage stronger than theirs. If one truly had to choose a runner-up, the gap between second and first place was vastly greater than normally imagined.

The leading Ghost Immortals of all factions now led their respective cohorts forward to greet, though their hearts harbored immense doubt and uncertainty. Since the Dragon God had arrived personally, where had the ninth-transformation immortals of their own factions gone?

”Although competition exists among us, we are all ultimately cultivators of the Three Realms. Therefore, internal disputes shall be set aside for the time being. Do any of you object?” the Dragon God stated calmly.

Naturally, the crowd harbored no objections. The meaning behind his words was clear: they would unite against external forces. That pointed directly at the first emperor of the Black Sun Empire and the Northern Sea Profound Snake. Perhaps it included the King of Yin Mountain and the contemporary Monarch Yan as well.

The first emperor of the Black Sun Empire smiled faintly. ”Dragon God, you have always remained indifferent to the affairs of the Human Race. Why is it that the ninth-transformation powerhouses of the various factions are nowhere to be seen today, yet you have arrived first?”

”There is no need to put on an act before me. Have you not secretly colluded with the God Dao Sect to invite outsiders into this realm?” the Dragon God stated calmly.

Colluding with the God Dao Sect?!

The crowd instantly erupted into an absolute uproar, pair after pair of razor-sharp eyes locked dead onto the first emperor of the Black Sun Empire. Even the Ghost Immortals of the Taicang Realm were no exception. The Northern Sea Profound Snake remained entirely mute, seemingly not at all surprised by this revelation.

Xie Aman was slightly astonished. She subconsciously glanced at Fang Chen. If even the Dragon God of the Ancient Dragon God Palace was saying this, then the matter was practically confirmed.

”Dragon God, you can eat whatever you want, but you can’t spew whatever comes to mind. I am but a mere Yin Demon who no longer seeks the Immortal Dao of the Mortal Realm. Why would I cooperate with the God Dao Sect? For what purpose?”

The first emperor of the Black Sun Empire maintained a thoroughly tranquil expression. There was even a hint of mockery in his gaze as he looked at the Dragon God, as though he found the accusation utterly ridiculous.

The Dragon God stated indifferently, ”You understand the reason, and so do I. I know exactly what you wish to accomplish. If outsiders arrive within the Nine Realms, only you and those monsters of the God Dao Sect will reap the greatest benefits. Therefore, do not dream of laying a single finger on this Eighteen Heavens Prison Tower.”

”Senior Dragon God, is the first emperor of the Black Sun Empire truly colluding with the God Dao Sect?” a leading Ghost Immortal could not help but ask.

The Dragon God glanced at him but did not respond. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the Northern Sea Profound Snake: ”You could have safely continued your secluded cultivation within the Northern Sea. If you involve yourself in this matter, I fear you will suffer an untimely demise. Should you not reconsider carefully?”

The Northern Sea Profound Snake replied indifferently, ”Dragon God, I merely seek a path toward advancement. If I fail to grasp this opportunity, how long will I have to wait for the next? I hope you will refrain from being so selfish. Blocking someone’s path to advancement is no different from slaughtering their parents. This is a feud that can only be settled by death.”

”Fine. You mentioned a feud settled by death, correct? Then let it be a fight to the death. To think a mere serpent like you has been permitted to live within the Northern Sea for so many years. It is indeed high time I freed up my hands to dispose of you.”

The Dragon God threw his head back and laughed. Immediately, the Dragon God Formation began to flex and shift. It resembled a bow drawn all the way back into the shape of a full moon, the entire formation brimming with an almost tangible sense of ultimate power.

The pupils of the Northern Sea Profound Snake violently contracted. Without the slightest hesitation, it whipped around and fled at maximum speed.

Everyone saw only a flash of green light before the Dragon God Formation immediately surged forward in hot pursuit of the fleeing serpent.

The King of Yin Mountain suddenly raised his head and laughed. ”First emperor of the Black Sun Empire, you had the Northern Sea Profound Snake stand on your side, yet the Dragon God is pursuing him now. Why do you not make a move to rescue him?”

”None of your business. Perhaps this is simply a tribulation the Northern Sea Profound Snake was destined to face in his life.”

”...”

Gazing at the first emperor of the Black Sun Empire, who remained securely guarded at the center of his Twelve Golden Immortals, the crowd found themselves at a loss for words. Right now, both the Northern Sea Profound Snake and the Dragon God Formation had completely vanished past the horizon. Although occasional rumbles of crashing thunder could be heard echoing from afar, the actual situation remained hidden. However, no one believed the Northern Sea Profound Snake would stand a chance against the Dragon God Formation. The terrifying might of a Dragon Formation was something every faction had long since understood thoroughly.

”The playing field seems to have hit a state of balance once more. The Dragon God’s appearance hasn’t just tied down the snake. It has similarly acted as a constraint upon the first emperor of the Black Sun Empire,” reflected Fang Chen as his focus shifted back onto the Eighteen Heavens Prison Tower.

The speed at which it devoured Yin energy was growing slower and slower.

Judging by its current rate, it would probably become completely still in about half a month. When that time arrived, every faction would fight desperately to seize this treasure. Whoever obtained it first would gain genuine authority in the Underworld. If it fell into someone else’s hands, even Fang Chen—the legitimate Monarch Yan of the Underworld—would have no choice but to give way to them. He would be reduced to defending nothing more than this small patch of territory within the Lesser Underworld.

The Old Master and the others should already be handling things on their end. Otherwise, there’s no reason for the God Dao Sect and the Motian Division to not be here yet.

Right at that moment, everyone’s focus suddenly shifted. They turned toward a specific direction. It seemed yet another Yin Demon had arrived.

When Abbess Qinghe clearly saw the newcomer’s face, her eyes suddenly became somewhat bewildered.

Chen Enxue’s expression turned exceptionally strange.

”Isn’t that....”