Chapter 1228: Do I Even Have a Choice?

Over the years, most of the sword cultivators of the Void Immortal Sword Sect had been in secluded cultivation. Occasionally, a few would travel outside, but they rarely got into conflict.

It wasn't that they were humble or avoided trouble. On the contrary, other cultivators would deliberately make way upon seeing them. Even if there was an argument, once the name "Void Immortal Sword Sect" was mentioned, people would immediately back down, regardless of who was right or wrong.

As a result, there weren't even enough opportunities for sword questioning, leaving sword cultivators loitering around the Great Expansion Dao Sect, trying to pick a fight.

But it didn't last long. News came from the sect that the Great Expansion Dao Sect had officially become the Great Expansion Dao Palace, an affiliate of the Three Thousand Dao Sect. That announcement immediately dispersed the sword cultivators who had gathered nearby.

It was as if they'd lost all purpose and joy in life. With nothing better to do, they all returned to the sect and immersed themselves once again in sword cultivation. When word spread, sects across the region were all secretly delighted.

After Wang Chongsong's clone died in this realm, and Zhang Ling, the peak master of the Extreme Sword Peak, was exposed as a Spirit Blood Sect, the situation within the Void Immortal Sword Sect had become unstable.

To restore order, Wang Zhenlong had selected a new peak lord to take over as the sect leader. And that new Sect Leader didn't disappoint. Within a short time, he broke through to the Fusion Realm and stepped into the Dao Union Realm.

A middle-aged man stood atop the main peak, hands clasped behind his back, gazing over the flourishing sect. A rare smile formed on his face. "Now, the sect has truly passed through its hardest trial."

Wang Zhenlong had ascended to become an Immortal King, giving the Void Immortal Sword Sect a powerful sword immortal as a guardian.

Furthermore, Sword Leader Fang had become a First Rate Sect Leader. With such a backing, the Void Immortal Sword Sect had leapt into the ranks of top-tier powers.

Meanwhile, in recent years, Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper had allied with the Central Continent to resist the Spirit God Sect. This pushed the Central Continent Empire to the forefront, its prestige subtly surpassing that of the other two.

As for the Void Immortal Sword Sect, whose renown arguably surpassed even the Desolate Academy, it wasn't just surviving anymore. It was flourishing, perhaps even approaching its golden age.

Just recently, several peak lords advanced from the Fusion to the Dao Union Realm. And those in the Soul Splitting Realm had advanced to the Fusion Realm, filling the vacant leadership roles.

Those newly promoted peak lords also relinquished their positions as Elder of Teachings, allowing the former elders to focus solely on cultivation and higher pursuits.

But most crucial of all was that every member of the sect was now a True God of the Underworld. That was a path to longevity that others could only dream of.

Three years ago, one of the Elders of Teachings had died after exhausting their lifespan. But then, they returned as an Underworld True God, resuming their post, freely traversing between the worlds of the living and the dead. Not only had their cultivation not diminished, but it had actually improved due to their prolonged stay in the Underworld.

That was the Ghost God Dao. And for them, it was the closest, most accessible road to true immortality.

"Sect Leader Chen, you really arrived at the best of times," said a burly, bearded sword cultivator standing beside the new Sect Leader.

"Indeed... a very good time," replied Sect Leader Chen with a light smile.

Suddenly, a voice rang out beside them.

"Huh? Master isn't in the sect?"

Both men paused and turned. When they saw who it was, their expressions grew slightly complicated.

"Sword Leader Fang," they said in unison, cupping their fists respectfully.

"He said that he has been feeling restless staying in the sect lately," Sect Leader Chen explained. "So he went off to visit friends in Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper."

The bearded sword cultivator looked curiously at Fang Chen. "Sword Leader Fang, have you come specifically to find him? It's been quite a few years since you last appeared."

Fang Chen replied calmly, "I did want to check in on Master, but I also have another reason for coming today. Do either of you have access to the sect's immortal register?"

The two exchanged surprised glances, then nodded. "We do."

Inside the Sect Leader's Hall, Fang Chen flipped through the thick immortal registry. After a long while, he paused, eyes narrowing slightly as he found a name that stood out.

Sect Leader Chen and the bearded cultivator occasionally glanced at Fang Chen and at the black-robed man he had brought with him. This man was clearly mysterious. They had no idea who he was, but anyone traveling with Fang Chen could not be ordinary.

"This cultivator named Jing Chenghua, has his family always been part of the Void Immortal Sword Sect?" asked Fang Chen, passing the registry to the two of them.

They took a look. The bearded cultivator nodded. "Indeed. His family has been part of the sect for generations. His ancestor joined before I did."

Fang Chen's tone turned odd. "Did he take part in the recent Underworld ceremony?"

The bearded cultivator replied, "He did. He was among those conferred as True Gods."

Now it was Li Wuwang's expression that turned strange. He said nothing, simply raised a hand and sent out a shimmering light. Before the other two could react, a few breaths later, a figure stepped into the Sect Leader's Hall.

Both looked up and saw that it was none other than Jing Chenghua. He was a rather unremarkable cultivator within the sect. Not exceptionally talented, but not terrible either. Just a steady, decent presence. His cultivation had only recently reached the early stage of the Soul Splitting Realm.

Li Wuwang asked bluntly, "You accepted the conferment?"

The man shook his head and replied. "Someone else took part in that. That wasn't me."

Fang Chen scrutinized him. The man seemed to be wearing some sort of advanced concealment artifact. Even Fang Chen couldn't clearly sense his cultivation. At a glance, it aligned roughly with Soul Splitting Realm. But clearly, he hadn't been conferred.

If he had been a third-transformation Loose Immortal, the amount of Yin Lifespan required for conferment would have been massive. If the ritual had failed, it absolutely would've raised alarms.

"There must be another Jing Chenghua, then," concluded Fang Chen.

"Sword Leader Fang, your insight is as sharp as ever." The man cupped his fist with a calm smile. "I am Huang Wuji, Deputy Division Head of the Heavenly Sword Division. Greetings, Sword Leader Fang."

Fang Chen asked casually, "Your surname is Huang? Any relation to the Huang Family of the True Martial Realm?"

Huang Wuji replied, "There is a faint connection, but my branch has long since ceased being part of the main family. Truthfully, the ties were severed years ago."

Fang Chen had only asked offhandedly; he hadn't expected there really to be a link to the powerful Huang Family of True Martial Realm.

"I'm sure you've heard of the agreement between Li Wuwang and I," continued Fang Chen. "Now that he's a god of the underworld, he naturally can't use this immortal medicine anymore."

He gestured slightly. "He said that it can be given to you instead."

Hearing that, Huang Wuji glanced toward Li Wuwang. "Will I need to accept conferment?"

Fang Chen smiled. "No need to look at him. Of course you do."

Just then, both Li Wuwang and Huang Wuji stiffened slightly, turning their gazes toward the outside of the hall. They had both sensed something. A distinct, special ripple of power appeared nearby.

"Who's out there?" asked Li Wuwang with a frown.

"Yu Tingzhai

,

" said Fang Chen lightly, lips curling into a knowing smile.

Li Wuwang was silent for a few breaths, then said, "That wasn't what we agreed to back then."

Fang Chen replied calmly, "Sentimentality has no place in matters like this. The medicine can help him reach the fourth transformation. But if he isn't conferred and one day defects to the Spirit God Sect, or reveals anything about the Underworld to outsiders, that would put all of us at risk."

Fang Chen had known there'd been a flaw in their earlier arrangement the moment he discovered Huang Wuji was hiding within the Void Immortal Sword Sect. Fortunately, the Hidden Guard Division had uncovered many truths over the years, and so far, no word had leaked regarding the conferment process. That alone proved Huang Wuji had kept silent.

"Do I even have a choice?" asked Huang Wuji after a long moment.

"No," replied Fang Chen, shaking his head. "You don't."