Chapter 1089: The Path of Ghost Gods

"How many registered Yin Walkers under the Yin Walker Division recently have come from Heavenly Demon, Flying Star, or Holy Puppet?" Fang Chen asked with a smile.

This was a mandatory policy of the Yin Walker Division. No matter where a cultivator was from, their origin and background had to be recorded. Even rogue cultivators needed to register their place of cultivation.

Shentu Cang's eyes flickered in surprise. "Monarch, in recent days, the number of Yin Walkers from those three empires has indeed increased noticeably."

"Sort the list and give a copy to Du Yunxu and Jing Xue," Fang Chen ordered.

"Yes, Monarch," Shentu Cang replied.

"I'm planning to visit the Floating Pagoda Realm. Want to come with me?" Fang Chen asked casually.

"The Floating Pagoda Realm?" Shentu Cang's expression shifted slightly. After pondering for a while, he said in a low voice, "Monarch, your life is of utmost importance. If you encounter danger in the Floating Pagoda Realm, the Underworld will fall into chaos."

Currently, only Shentu Cang in the Lesser Underworld knew Fang Chen's true identity.

If the sole Monarch Yan were to perish in the Floating Pagoda Realm, the stability the Underworld had just achieved would surely unravel again. At that point, both the Yin Walker Division and the newly established Soul Slaying Division might cease to function.

"You've been stuck in the Underworld for years, unable to ascend in rank, bound by the laws of this realm," Fang Chen said. "Don't you want to take a step further?"

"If I ascend, I'll have to stay in the Floating Pagoda Realm forever. If that is your command, I will go."

Shentu Cang's expression dimmed, but he didn't object.

Fang Chen laughed. "You think I'm just using this as an excuse to exile you to the Floating Pagoda Realm?"

In Fang Chen opinion, Shentu Cang was far too sensitive. Still, his hesitation made sense. Back then, although Jing Xue and the others could open the bridge to the Floating Pagoda Realm, none of them had chosen to go. Like Shentu Cang, they probably didn't want to remain in that lawless place. It was better to be a rooster's head than a phoenix's tail.

Without someone to guide them, even a first rank Great Yin Demon couldn't enter the Lesser Underworld uninvited.

"I wouldn't dare." Shentu Cang immediately knelt on one knee. "Monarch Yan has his own judgment. This subordinate would never presume to guess your intentions."

Fang Chen sighed lightly. "Stand up. Once you become a first rank Great Yin Demon, you'll still be able to return and serve here. There's trouble brewing in the Mortal Realm, and with your current strength, it's no longer enough."

Shentu Cang was pleased when he heard that. However, he soon realized how even someone Like Fang Chen considered this a serious matter and recognized that it was undoubtedly a major crisis.

Fang Chen had thought long and hard about this. Previously, he hadn't granted Shentu Cang and the others official promotions because he feared it would destabilize the Underworld. But now, Song Zhili was about to simultaneously strike the Central Continent Empire, Celestial Heaven, and Northern Dipper. If this forced Master Yun He to show himself, Fang Chen wasn't sure if his master could handle the True Immortal from the Minor Immortal Realm.

Fang Chen didn't have the strength to stop all of this completely, but slowing it down was well within his reach.

What he needed was a large number of hands, quick, elusive, and invisible. People like Li Wuwang must not be able to track or kill them.

That ruled out ordinary first tribulation Loose Immortals. Only people like Shentu Cang were suitable.

With that thought, Fang Chen suddenly said, "I once heard that an invasion of Yin Demons from the Floating Pagoda Realm led to a tragedy in the Lesser Underworld. You Fang's woman was killed. That's why he hates the Floating Pagoda Realm so deeply."

If that incident was what made You Fang harbor such hatred, then it was somewhat connected to Fang Chen himself. After all, Immortal Xing was one of the Yin Demons who invaded back then, his goal was to carry the Monarch Yan's legacy back to the Mortal Realm.

"That incident... the rumor is only about thirty percent true." Shentu Cang's eyes narrowed. "The truth is... You Fang was seduced by a beauty. Ignoring the laws of our realm, he forcibly opened the bridge to the Floating Pagoda Realm and traveled there with her.

"While there, the woman advanced to a first rank Great Yin Demon and tried to seize power over the Lesser Underworld. That's when You Fang finally came to his senses. He seized an opportunity to escape and returned here, but he's never let go of what happened."

"Not long after, there was indeed a mass incursion of Yin Demons into the Lesser Underworld. Countless Nether Guards were slain in the suppression effort. Wracked with guilt, You Fang's hatred for the Floating Pagoda Realm deepened. He came to believe the Floating Pagoda Realm's very existence threatened the Lesser Underworld."

"If there's one Underworld Monarch who's truly loyal to this realm, You Fang is easily in the top three."

Fang Chen smiled and said, "Then bring him along too."

An hour later, a group of Underworld Monarchs gathered at the banks of the Wangchuan River. The area had long since been cordoned off by Nether Guards. No outsiders could approach.

Thick mist filled the surroundings. Even if someone tried to observe from the capital, they'd see nothing but fog.

You Fang looked uneasy. His gaze swept over Shentu Cang, Jing Xue, Qiu Jing, and the others.

Over a dozen Underworld Monarchs had come, mostly the heads. Some deputies weren't present, like the Left and Right Registrars of the Underworld Department.

Finally, he looked toward Fang Chen. A flicker of doubt crossed his eyes. He and this man had already fallen out, if not openly, then certainly in spirit. Why had he been summoned here today?

"Monarch, where exactly are we going today?" Qi Tianran asked with a greasy grin.

His chubby face folded into several creases as he smiled awkwardly.

"To the Floating Pagoda Realm," Fang Chen replied calmly.

"The Floating Pagoda Realm!?"

Everyone froze. Qi Tianran instinctively took a step back. Then, realizing how that looked, quickly stepped forward again and forced a smile.

"Monarch... you must be joking? The Floating Pagoda Realm is a place of great peril... there's no benefit to us in going there."

You Fang's expression grew darker. His fists clenched, but seeing Qi Tianran speak first, he swallowed his fury and waited quietly for an explanation.

Why were they being dragged into the Floating Pagoda Realm? What was Fang Chen's true intent?

Fang Chen smiled. "You all have served the Underworld faithfully for many years and accumulated plenty of merit and extended your lifespans. With such deep foundations, each of you can ascend to the first rank in the Floating Pagoda Realm."

Everyone was stunned. So that was the reason. But...

Jing Xue spoke softly. "Wouldn't that turn us into Yin Demons? With our current status... going to the Floating Pagoda Realm to become Yin Demons is no different from exile. Monarch Fang... all this time, whatever you've done in the Underworld, we've supported you unconditionally. Surely we don't deserve such an end. If you wish to reclaim our offices, just say the word. I'm willing to resign from my post as Night Walker Monarch."

Even being a drifter in the Underworld was better than being a demon in the lawless Floating Pagoda Realm.

"Who said that advancing to first rank means you must become a Yin Demon? Have you all forgotten? This Underworld follows the Path of Ghost Gods," Fang Chen said coolly.

Ghost Gods!?

Their eyes momentarily clouded with confusion. Then they exchanged glances. Yes, they had heard of the Path of Ghost Gods, but that path's inheritance had long since been severed. No one had walked it for countless years.

It was like how, in the Mortal Realm, no one had become a True Immortal for ages.