Chapter 1688: Daoist Fang, You Already Know?! |
According to intelligence gathered by Xia Ji's Hidden Guard Division, Fang Chen arrived at a certain region within the Five Element Realm. In less than a single day, he purchased the Golden Soul Flower from a Golden Core Realm cultivator for a hundred mid-grade spirit stones. The seller was overjoyed, deeply satisfied with the price Fang Chen had offered.
After returning to Enlightenment God Palace, Fang Chen consumed the Golden Soul Flower at his cultivation ground on Renzu Mountain. He had originally thought that advancing to a fourth transformation Immortal would once again take several hundred years, as before. Unexpectedly, this breakthrough went exceptionally smoothly. During the advancement process, his soul was strengthened yet again.
From beginning to end, it took only five years for his cultivation to completely advance from the third transformation to the fourth, becoming an Immortal Sovereign.
His Nine Heavens Profound Mother Primordial Spirit, which had not grown for a long time, was inexplicably strengthened more than tenfold during this breakthrough.
Fang Chen immediately had a realization. "So that's why fourth transformation Immortals are called Immortal Sovereigns, because this realm further enhances their soul..."
He activated the Radiant Divine Eyes and once more entered that stretch of void. Before him appeared curtain after curtain of heavenly screens. Within each screen lay a bygone era, brilliant and multicolored.
This time, he observed more than thirty-nine such heavenly screens before feeling his soul power begin to falter, at which point the void expelled him.
After leaving his secluded chamber, he happened to run into Little Immortal Honglian, who had come to visit. They chatted for a while before she suddenly remarked with a hint of admiration, "Fellow Daoist Fang, that Yuan Magnetic Five Elements Divine Sword of yours truly is extraordinary."
Fang Chen glanced at her. "Oh?"
I see.
Fang Chen understood at once. When he advanced to the fourth transformation, Little Sword was also strengthened. The boost was likely similar to his own increase in soul power, at least a ten fold increase.
Curious, he inquired further and learned that the sword now ranked 226th.
His heart skipped a beat. When Little Sword entered the Spiritual Treasure Ranking, its power had already been remarkable. Now, after multiple enhancements, and another tenfold strengthening during the breakthrough from the third to the fourth transformation, it still ranked only 226th?
So treasures on the Spiritual Treasure Ranking cannot be truly viewed as roughly equal. Each ranking likely represents a vast difference in power. If Little Sword only ranks 226th, no wonder those top-tier Spiritual Treasures make Senior Sister and the others so wary.
With that thought, Fang Chen suddenly asked, "Junior Sister, I heard you were away from your cultivation ground recently. Did you go to the Ancient Forbidden Zone?"
"If I had gone there, how could I have returned so quickly? I simply accompanied a few core disciples and went out with Fourth Senior Brother."
Little Immortal Honglian smiled and shook her head, then changed the subject. An hour later, she took her leave.
Fang Chen sighed softly. It was almost confirmed that Fourth Senior Brother was likely of the demon race. Perhaps the core disciples who went with him were as well.
Fourth Senior Brother must have been the one who planted that Formation Heart for Little Immortal Honglian back then.
After pondering for a while, Fang Chen transformed into a streak of light and headed toward the Dongsheng Empire.
***
In the years that followed, he sometimes stayed in the Dongsheng Empire with Fairy Yu. Occasionally, he returned to his cultivation ground. He also met Fang Zhixue and the others several times.
Every dozen years or so, he would make time to visit Enlightenment God Palace to see Xie Aman, or go to the Underworld to find Chen Enxue and Wang Chongsheng.
Before he realized it, over 300 years passed quietly. During that time, he had personally sent Fairy Yu into reincarnation four consecutive times. This year, just after sending her once more into reincarnation, he received notice and met Xie Aman and Chen Enxue at the Nether Guards Division.
Xie Aman smiled and said, "In about three years, the Grand Limitless Divine Mirror will return."
The Grand Limitless Divine Mirror is returning?
That meant… the awakened demons hidden within Enlightenment God Palace would have nowhere left to hide. A flicker of understanding crossed Fang Chen's eyes. "It's good that it's coming back. You can finally conduct a thorough purge."
Chen Enxue chuckled. "Just don't know how many bugs we'll have to crush this time."
Xie Aman sneered. "No matter how many, once we finish this purge, we'll head to the Taicang Realm. There have already been sightings of Fallen Immortals there. The Divine Dao Sect is indeed researching the Fallen Immortal path, attempting to gain greater power through it."
"Which factions will be going this time?" Chen Enxue asked curiously. "In any case, I won't be able to go."
"Fangcun Realm, Shenwang Realm, and people like us will all go. The Xie Zhi Division has made it very clear. Any faction that does not go must submit a legitimate reason and undergo review." Xie Aman smiled faintly. "Aside from us, other sects and clans will also send representatives. In our Fangcun Realm alone, about a hundred forces will head to Taicang Realm."
"What about the Lesser Immortal Realm?" Chen Enxue asked.
"The True King Clan, Heavenly Immortal Clan, Corpse Transcending Immortal Clan, Weapon Liberation Immortal Clan, and Earth Immortal Clan will all send people. But their role won't be direct participation, only supervision," explained Xie Aman, her tone laced with mockery.
She continued, "The Lesser Immortal Realm believes the Taicang Realm is too chaotic. They want the disorder resolved quickly, so they'll supervise both sides to prevent excessive fighting that might destroy it entirely."
Chen Enxue grinned. "Still that lofty attitude."
Xie Aman suddenly looked at Fang Chen and said, "Ninth Brother, you've mastered two Formation Immortal Arts. Your role this time will undoubtedly be far greater than that of ordinary core disciples. The tasks assigned to you won't be simple. Prepare yourself."
Fang Chen nodded. He had already prepared himself. The fact that Xie Aman had summoned him specifically to emphasize this meant they already had a clear understanding of the situation in Taicang Realm, perhaps even knowing in advance where he would be sent.
Half an hour later, Fang Chen and Xie Aman departed.
***
Upon returning to Enlightenment Star, Fang Chen did not go back to his cultivation grounds. Instead, he headed to Little Immortal Honglian's Dao Domain.
She seemed pleased by his visit. She led him to a mountain peak, where they brewed tea and discussed the Dao.
They spoke for five days and four nights.
"Junior Sister, shall we go out for a stroll? Staying on Enlightenment Star all the time is rather dull," Fang Chen suddenly suggested.
Little Immortal Honglian readily agreed.
Fang Chen summoned the Black Dragon Boat and took her away from Enlightenment Star.
Meanwhile, core disciples were being recalled one after another. Only those stationed in Ancient Forbidden Zones or in places too distant to return were temporarily unable to comply. The rest were summoned back to Enlightenment Star under various pretexts.
Within the Qingming, Little Immortal Honglian's expression suddenly shifted, as if she had received some message. She instinctively looked toward Fang Chen, who stood before the star map.
Her expression was complicated. "Fellow Daoist Fang… you already knew?"