Chapter 1730: Defection |
Within Fang Chen's Monarch Yan's Seal, he had enough Yin Lifespan stored to bestow a decree upon several eighth-transformation Ancient Immortals.
After confirming that Venerable Fatian truly intended to defect, and that it wouldn't be a waste of Yin Lifespan, Fang Chen personally wrote out a decree and infused it into Venerable Fatian.
The original Ghost Immortal seal within him was instantly overwritten, leaving not even the slightest trace behind. It was like cotton meeting blazing fire. It was utterly powerless to resist.
Immediately, Fatian felt the difference the new seal had brought. The surging Yin energy of the Underworld now flowed into his body far more rapidly than before.
"Venerable Fatian, the Division Lord will surely learn of your betrayal. Whether you hide in the Mortal Realm or the Underworld, just wait for him to come find you himself."
"Venerable Yunfu, with all sides vying for dominance, the Division Lord hardly has time to care about a mere eighth-transformation Ancient Immortal like me," countered Fatian calmly. "I suggest you care more about yourself. Perhaps one day, you may truly witness the foreign races leave the Nine Mortal Realms, and the Three Realms return to true peace."
"What do foreign races have to do with me? What does peace in the Three Realms have to do with me? The very purpose of our Motian Division is to place the Underworld above all else. If you don't even understand that, then the Division Lord making you a Venerable was truly a misfortune for the Motian Division!" Yunfu roared.
Fatian shook his head and cupped his hands toward Fang Chen. "Monarch Yan, this one is beyond saving. Whether to kill or spare him, it is up to you."
"You are so eager to watch me die?! We've known each other for years, and now you want to die just like that?!" Yunfu was both furious and shocked, staring at Fatian in disbelief.
Fang Chen chuckled. "What, am I supposed to keep you around for the New Year?"
A grave expression appeared on Yunfu's face. After what seemed like deep deliberation, he finally clenched his teeth and made a major decision. "It's not that I can't serve under you… it's just that the Division Lord…"
Fatian was briefly stunned before laughing and shaking his head.
Yunfu pretended not to notice, his gaze fixed on Fang Chen. "Mhm. It's only natural to fear Motian Dizang. After all, he's an old monster who survived the Three Realms Upheaval, known as a peerless expert. Even the previous Monarch Yan couldn't eliminate him. If you betray him, and he comes looking for you in the future, death will be inevitable."
Fang Chen nodded once.
Yunfu looked at him expectantly. "Yes, exactly, you get it, right?"
"But if you don't betray him, you'll die today. So it seems you don't really have a choice," Fang Chen replied.
Yunfu fell silent for a few breaths, then bowed respectfully. "I am willing to serve you with all my strength!"
Fang Chen spent another 600,000 Yin Lifespan to complete Yunfu's decree.
Now that both Venerables had been invested, the next issue was the five hundred thousand ghost soldiers.
Fang Chen looked at the ghost soldiers, whose expressions varied, and asked, "Were these ghost troops assigned to you by Motian Dizang, or did you recruit them yourselves?"
Before Fatian could answer, Yunfu spoke first. "These ghost soldiers are our private forces accumulated over many years. They only obey our commands. Though they carry the title of outer members of the Motian Division, that title depends on us. Now that we have pledged ourselves to the Monarch Yan and left the rebel faction, they naturally follow us in abandoning darkness for light."
Fatian nodded. "That's correct."
Fang Chen swept his gaze over the troops. "What if there are spies amongst them?"
Fatian and Yunfu exchanged a glance before one of them spoke for them both. "There won't be. That one would disdain such methods. With his pride, he wouldn't stoop to that."
"And the seals on them?" Fang Chen asked with a faint smile.
"Seal? Ah, actually, it's more like a contractual method, different from a true seal. Their 'seal' comes from the two of us, so they obey only our commands. Others cannot direct them. Though the method itself does originate from that individual."
Fang Chen nodded. "In that case, there's no issue. Even if there were spies, the ones who would have to face Motian Dizang would be the two of you, not me."
The two exchanged a glance, their expressions turning slightly serious. Still, they clearly had confidence in their own methods and did not dwell on it.
"Monarch Yan, there are still two Venerables above who haven't come down. Shall we go up and switch with them?" asked Yunfu, sounding eager.
Abbess Qinghe watched the scene, momentarily stunned.
"How likely are those two to defect?" Fang Chen asked.
Fatian chuckled. "Probably about as likely as Yunfu."
Yunfu's expression darkened. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Fatian merely smiled without replying.
Fang Chen nodded. "Go."
The two Venerables immediately led their troops back to the Mortal Realm.
***
Above Fire Spirit Valley, the two remaining Venerables saw Fatian and the others return and immediately asked about the situation below.
Yunfu sighed. "It's completely barren. Clearly, no wandering souls have resided there for many years. The scenery is rather interesting, however. You two could go take a look."
"Venerable Zuimeng, Venerable Feishe, you two can take some men down to have a look. We'll stay here and keep watch," Fatian said.
"If it's just barren land, what's the point? Forget it, might as well stay here. Better to finish the task early and leave. We're dignified Venerables, yet we're running errands for two juniors. How laughable," sneered Venerable Feishe.
His gaze pierced layers of void to land on the Great Virtue Heavenly Venerable and Saintess Yuanyang. He then glanced at the cultivators within Fire Spirit Valley, a trace of disdain in his eyes.
Yunfu's expression shifted slightly. "Feishe, since the Yellow Springs Road here has reopened after so many years, we might as well take this opportunity to go down and take a look. It won't take much time."
Venerable Zuimeng smiled faintly. "Whether you go or not, I'm going."
With that, she opened the Yellow Springs Road and led her ghost soldiers into the vast white mist.
Seeing her move, Venerable Feishe hesitated briefly before finally speaking. "Fine, let's go take a look as well."
He waved his hand and followed with his subordinates.
Yunfu finally let out a breath of relief and said to Fatian with a smile. "Good thing they went down. If they hadn't, I would have had to come up with more excuses. That might have exposed us."
After a pause, he complained, "Fatian, even if you wanted to defect to Monarch Yan's side, you didn't have to do it so quickly. Defecting so readily may cause Monarch Yan to look down on us."
Fatian remained silent for a moment, then waved his hand, indicating he didn't want to speak.
***
Lin Qiang frowned slightly, scanning his surroundings with caution."Why does it feel like there's a constant chill in the air here?"
The movement of half a million ghost soldiers had indeed caused some disturbance.
"Sigh… at this point, it seems these fellows are doomed. With the Great Virtue Heavenly Venerable appearing in person, it's clear they're determined to kill Wang Ye of the Enlightenment God Palace…"
Lin Qiang's attention returned to Ji Sheng and the others.
He had long heard that Wang Ye had killed Wang Zhanqi of the Grand Wei Study, and also Yun Xiujie, the son of the God of War of the Black Sun Empire. The former was said to have been on very good terms with the Great Virtue Heavenly Venerable. The latter was also rumored to be his friend. So this time, the Great Virtue Heavenly Venerable's appearance was not merely for official business.
