Chapter 1686: Nine Reincarnations |
In that brief span of time, the Nine Generation King made his decision.
Though Fang Chen still wore a smile, the Nine Generation King knew that beneath it lay boundless fury. If not, why would he have waited here for him?
What the Nine Generation King could not understand was how Fang Chen had discovered his hidden relationship with Li Zhi. It had always been kept secret. He could only conclude that a First Rate Sect Leader's methods were beyond the comprehension of Immortal Kings.
The Nine Generation King cupped his fist respectfully. "Lord Fang, Li Zhi has committed wrongdoing and must pay the price. I am willing to personally deal with her. I ask that you allow me this opportunity, Lord Fang."
The beautiful woman collapsed onto the ground, her expression vacant.
Madam Lan, however, cast her a glance filled with mockery and faint schadenfreude before lowering her head in feigned sorrow.
The Taiyue Sect master's expression was complicated. He looked at Li Zhi, then at the beautiful woman, but ultimately remained silent.
Li Zhi stared blankly at the Nine Generation King. It was difficult for her to comprehend. Could it be that even her biological father could not protect her? She had only gouged out a pair of eyes and cut off a pair of ears. It wasn't as if she had committed some earth-shattering evil.
At that moment, Abbess Qing He's voice suddenly rang out.
Fang Chen smiled. "If you're sleepy, then sleep."
Abbess Qing He laid her head upon the table and fell into a deep slumber. But everyone could see clearly. Her vitality was gone. She had not fallen asleep.
She was dead.
A faint phantom slowly rose from her body. Her features were delicate, her gaze clear. It was Qing He's appearance in her youth.
Fang Chen and Xia Ji both looked at her, faint smiles on their faces.
Qing He looked at Fang Chen and smiled. "Young Lord Fang, I've become a wandering soul now. No more wandering souls will come looking for my help in the future."
Before Fang Chen could respond, a brilliant beam of light suddenly descended from the void, enveloping Qing He.Her aura began to surge layer upon layer.
Enlightenment Realm… Soul Splitting Realm… Fusion Realm… Dao Union Realm… Tribulation Realm… the Ascension Realm…
Her cultivation leapt past the Middle Three Realms and the Upper Three Realms in an instant, bringing her to become the first transformation. Yet the beam of light did not dissipate. Her cultivation continued to soar.
She went from the first transformation to the second, third, fourth, and all the way to the eight transformation.
Fang Chen's expression turned extremely solemn.
Xia Ji's mouth fell open in shock. "So this… is the power of merit."
Fang Chen gazed at Qing He, who radiated sacred white light, and sighed to himself. He too had once obtained the power of merit. But compared to her, his experience had been insignificant.
Ever since cultivating the Heavenly Abhorrence Technique, he had effectively been blacklisted by merit itself.
After Qing He reached the eighth transformation, the radiance around her gradually began to subside.
Fang Chen thought her advancement had ended there. But a few breaths later, the light suddenly intensified a hundredfold! Her aura stepped into a realm even Fang Chen could no longer perceive.
Fang Chen's expression grew even more grave. "Ninth transformation?! Ninth transformation Ghost Immortal?"
Ordinarily, after death, Qing He should have become a standard wandering soul. To walk the Ghost Immortal Path required a decree. Otherwise, one could only follow the Yin Demon path. Yet the aura emanating from Qing He now was neither that of a Ghost Immortal, nor a Ghost God, nor a Yin Demon. Fang Chen could not comprehend it.
At last, the radiance fully withdrew, and Qing He returned to her ordinary appearance.
Xia Ji realized he could not discern her cultivation at all. He asked softly, "Brother Fang… what is this?"
"Junior Sister Qing He, you advanced to the ninth transformation," said Fang Chen, his expression complex.
Could merit alone truly elevate an ordinary wandering soul directly to the ninth transformation? Was it once truly governed by the Heavenly Dao? And if the Heavenly Dao had been so powerful, how could it have perished during the chaos of the Three Realms?
Fang Chen felt that some crucial pieces were still missing. If he encountered Daoist Yun Que again, perhaps he could seek answers.
"The ninth transformation…" Xia Ji clicked his tongue. "No wonder you asked me to find her. What background does she have, to step straight into the ninth transformation after death…"
"Qing He, how do you feel now?" Fang Chen suddenly asked.
Qing He's eyes remained clear and somewhat dazed. She lowered her head in thought, then shook it. "I don't know how to describe it. It just feels completely different from before."
Fang Chen let out a quiet breath of relief. "That's only natural. Once we finish handling matters here, come with me to the Floating Pagoda Realm."
Her demeanor and tone were unchanged. Her sudden surge in cultivation had not altered her personality.
***
The Nine Generation King and the others had remained silent the entire time. From earlier, they had noticed that Fang Chen and Xia Ji occasionally spoke to empty air. They had also heard the name Qing He mentioned. The Nine Generation King concluded that the two could see the souls wandering the mortal world.
Fang Chen's gaze settled upon him. "Nine Generation King."
The Nine Generation King stepped forward. "Yes."
"You will abdicate," ordered Fang Chen calmly.
The crowd shuddered in disbelief.
Because of this single matter… the Nine Generation King was to abdicate?
Even Madam Lan could no longer maintain her composure. She fell to her knees before Fang Chen and pleaded, "Lord Fang, this matter has nothing to do with His Highness. It was my jealousy in the past. When I discovered that the maid at my side carried His Highness's child, I sent her away to this place, leading to everything that followed. If not for me, Li Zhi would have grown up in the royal manor and would never have committed evil outside! Punish me alone! Do not implicate His Highness."
The crowd exchanged glances, chills running down their spines. They had thought the Taiyue Sect master's wife and Madam Lan shared deep bonds of loyalty. They had not imagined their relationship was so twisted.
They were suddenly hit with realization. Was not Li Zhi's arrogance in Taiyue Sect enabled by Madam Lan's repeated indulgence? Once or twice might have been manageable. But over time, today's outcome had become almost inevitable.
The beautiful woman's expression shifted repeatedly before she glared at Madam Lan with venomous hatred, as though wishing to tear her to pieces. "Sacrificing a pawn to protect the king?"
Fang Chen glanced at Madam Lan and smiled faintly. "Rise. Do not play such petty tricks before me."
Madam Lan stiffened slightly, then rose with her head lowered, daring not to speak further.
"Lord Fang, I understand. Upon returning today, I will announce my abdication," the Nine Generation King replied.
For an Immortal King of foreign lineage like him, abdication meant true abdication. No descendant would inherit his throne. Another Immortal King would replace him.
Fang Chen glanced at Li Zhi and her mother. "As for this mother and daughter, they shall atone down below."
The Nine Generation King lifted a finger. A strand of spiritual energy coiled around both of their necks.
Pfft. Pfft.
Two heads fell to the ground instantly.