Chapter 1085: United Front and Shifting Alliances

This rumor was not something only Shentu Cang had heard of. Those who had held high positions in the Underworld for many years had naturally heard it as well. However, the Underworld of that time was different from the present day. Some ancient cities recorded in old texts could no longer be found.

“Monarch Fang, can the souls of the Soul Slaying Division truly walk the Mortal Realm?” Shentu Cang looked at Fang Chen, eyes burning with excitement. “If so, this subordinate is willing to serve as a humble soldier of the Soul Slaying Division, to slay Spirit God Sect cultivators on your behalf.”

“This isn’t right...”

Everyone secretly glanced at Shentu Cang. The way he was speaking now seemed like complete submission, which did not match their understanding of him at all.

Unless... there was something about Monarch Fang that had genuinely convinced Shentu Cang to submit.

Qi Tianran’s eyes narrowed, and he cupped his fist. “Monarch Fang, since the Spirit God Sect dares to target us, I too am willing to lead the charge and confront their cultivators in the Mortal Realm.”

“I have my own plans for the Soul Slaying Division,” said Fang Chen with a light smile. “I’m merely informing you all so that none of you interfere with its operations.”

Fang Chen then glanced at Du Yunxu, who nodded and called softly toward the doorway.

“Come in.”

Everyone peered outside, and a look of surprise soon appeared on their faces. A tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man in a blue robe slowly entered the hall.

This man had a sharp, predatory gaze. His aura was weak, so weak, in fact, that to the gathered Yin Monarchs, he seemed no stronger than a bug or a shadow.

But none of them dared to underestimate him. Anyone allowed into this hall today was no ordinary person.

The man stopped in front of the Yin Monarchs. Only Jiang Yushu visibly reacted when he saw the man’s face.

The man looked at Fang Chen and bowed with grace and calm dignity. “Marshal Xiao, Day Walker Soldier of Baiyue City, greets Monarch Fang and all present.”

“A Day Walker Soldier?”

Everyone looked astonished. This man was merely a low-ranked Day Walker soldier—what was he doing here?

“Marshal Xiao will serve as the first Monarch of the Soul Slaying Division,” announced Fang Chen with a smile. “If any of you are free, feel free to connect with him. The Soul Slaying Division is newly formed and lacks roots. It will need much of your support.”

At that moment, You Fang spoke up. “Monarch Fang... to appoint a mere Day Walker Soldier as a Division head, I’m afraid not everyone will be convinced.”

Everyone exchanged glances. Even if they shared similar thoughts, none dared to voice them. It was clear Fang Chen wasn’t here to ask for their opinion. He was merely informing them of what had already been decided.

“Which party? Name one.” Fang Chen looked at You Fang. “Didn’t I just say that we shouldn’t judge based on cultivation alone? Did Monarch You not listen?”

Marshal Xiao glanced at You Fang, then lowered his gaze and stood silently to the side without defending himself.

The more he behaved this way, the more Qi Tianran and the others felt this man was not to be underestimated.

The Monarch of the Soul Capturing Division interjected, “It seems... Monarch Fang is absolutely right. There are indeed many wandering souls in the Underworld with great talent, but because of limited cultivation, they cannot rise to high positions and serve the Underworld properly. That’s a waste of talent.”

He cupped his fist and suggested, “Monarch Fang, I am currently unoccupied. Why not let me oversee talent recruitment?”

“The Nether Guards Division can handle that too,” Qiu Jing responded quickly.

Seeing the Soul Capturing Monarch scowling at him, Qiu Jing smiled and said, “The Nether Guards Division has ample manpower. This task would be much more efficient in our hands than in the Soul Capturing Division’s.”

“Recruiting talent... should be overseen by the Judgment Division.” Jiang Yushu spoke slowly, smiling. “I’ve only been here a few years and don’t have the seniority of you all. But since the Judgment Division upholds justice, when selecting personnel, skill comes second. Character must come first. If someone lacks integrity and turns traitor at a critical moment, that would be disastrous.”

The Judges of the Judgment Division all voiced their agreement.

Although Jiang Yushu’s cultivation was not high, with their support, his position remained secure.

Once Jiang Yushu spoke, Qiu Jing and the Soul Capturing Monarch fell silent. Given his special status, it would be inappropriate to compete with him for control.

Seeing no one raise objections to Fang Chen’s appointment, You Fang looked somewhat dejected.

Just then, several more figures entered the hall.

They were the former Minister of War Ye Dongming, former Minister of Rites Tao Mingsheng, and others from Grand Xia. Bai Lingyue and Bai Qingming were also among them.

“From now on, you will assist Marshal Xiao in establishing the Soul Slaying Division,” Fang Chen declared.

Ye Dongming and the others glanced at Marshal Xiao, their expressions somewhat strange. They had been old enemies in life, and now, in death, fate had brought them together.

Marshal Xiao smiled and cupped his fist. “Let’s support each other well going forward.”

“You’re too polite,” Ye Dongming replied calmly.

After the meeting concluded and everyone dispersed, news of the discussions quickly spread through the capital.

When the various factions learned that the Day and Night Walkers had been merged into the Underworld Division, they were secretly astonished.

Furthermore, they grew curios about the newly founded Soul Slaying Division.

First came the Yin Walker Division, now the Soul Slaying Division. This meant many new official positions had opened up. Ambitious souls were already reaching out to contacts to inquire further.

***

At the Thousand Dao Tower, Fang Chen didn’t rush off to collect the reward Sun Maotian had promised. Instead, he gave Sun Susu a high-grade spirit stone and asked her to exchange it for mid-grade stones.

Sun Susu, being a true disciple of the Thousand Dao Tower and the ancestor of the Sun Clan, could still access resources despite her clan’s decline. Producing a few high-grade spirit stones was no issue.

That single high-grade stone was exchanged for around forty thousand mid-grade spirit stones. It was enough for Fang Chen to enter the Three Thousand Dao Realm eighty times.

Thereafter, for each trip, Fang Chen would spend a day in the Thousand Dao Tower.

One month passed.

Fang Chen entered the Three Thousand Dao Realm fifteen times in total, accumulating a hundred and fifty years inside. His cultivation smoothly advanced from early to mid-stage Soul Splitting

However, his other nine soul clones remained stuck at the early stage.

Noticing the imbalance, Fang Chen decided to stop entering the Dao Realm so frequently. If his main body ran out of lifespan before his soul clones reached completion, he would never achieve fusion and would die in vain. It would be a laughable end.

Now he understood why most cultivators were reluctant to refine too many soul clones.

During his patrols, Fang Chen gradually pieced together the bigger picture.

He frequently saw cultivators arriving at the Thousand Dao Tower and handing Blood Spirit Pills to Daoist Yun Ding.

He even saw Immortal Monarch Xiaoyao purchasing a batch of Blood Spirit Divine Pills from Yun Ding. And he was just one of several such buyers Fang Chen had seen recently.

The Spirit God Sect wasn’t just using the pills to raise its followers’ cultivation. It was also trading them for valuable cultivation materials.

Over time, more and more parties became entangled in this web of interest, silently reinforcing the Spirit God Sect’s growing influence.