Chapter 1319: Meeting Xiezhi Ning Beiyou Again

The old flood dragon's expression was much the same as that of the white-haired elder and the others, secretly filled with alarm. "Achieving Dao Union with the Forgotten River is actually this formidable? Even bolts of tribulation lightning can be easily dispersed?"

At this moment, he could only admit that Empress Ci and the others had been right. The Forgotten River was truly special.

He thought back to Stone Dragon's analogy for the Forgotten River. If the stars were grains of sand scattered across the vast heavens, then the Forgotten River was a boat drifting among them.

He vaguely remembered how wretched he himself had been in his youth when facing the Nine Tribulations. When the first bolt of lightning was dispersed, Fang Chen felt his spiritual energy become purer, as if the lightning were a key unlocking one of the shackles upon him.

"There are still eight more bolts, and after that, I will enter the Tribulation Realm."

Now that he had achieved Dao Union with the Forgotten River, Fang Chen could vaguely feel that Lightning Tribulations didn't pose the same threat as before. Even the tribulations of the Tribulation Realm might be easily overcome, allowing him to easily reach the Ascension Realm.

Before becoming a Loose Immortal, his path had smoothed out. All it required was now time.

His gaze fell upon Fang Tianzun and Fang Xuanyang. They should now be first-transformation Loose Immortals, or what Tuxiong Star's locals called a First-Rate Sect Leader.

According to the ancients, that was when a cultivator shed their mortality, transformed their spiritual energy into immortal essence, and stepped into the realm of immortals.

Fang Chen had never been able to properly tell the difference between spiritual energy and immortal essence. But now that his avatars had taken that step, he could finally tell the difference—and it was staggering.

Immortal essence, on the surface, was no different from spiritual energy. It also allowed the practitioner to control powers like the five elements.

But what set the two apart was the vigorous lifeforce contained within the immortal essence. This single difference set apart Loose Immortals from those beneath them.

Fang Chen looked at the old flood dragon and said, "They've always said that becoming a Loose Immortal granted one 1000 years of lifespan. But judging by the amount of lifeforce contained within immortal essence, it shouldn't be just that. Is it because the Nine Mortal Realms lack immortal essence to sustain them?"

As a fourth-transformation Immortal, the old flood dragon naturally had the most authoritative answer.

"Correct." The old flood dragon nodded lightly. "It is said that each transformation grants an additional one thousand years of lifespan."

"But that is merely the minimum. If immortal essence replenishes faster than it is consumed, then lifespan will increase accordingly. My own lifespan exceeds ordinary immortals because my race, after ascension, holds immortal essence more than ten times that of those of the same level. Naturally, my lifespan is longer."

"However... the higher your cultivation, the more immortal essence you require. If intake cannot exceed consumption, your lifespan begins to rapidly drain until you eventually die."

The old flood dragon laughed. "Now that I've reached the fourth transformation, my cultivation could be said to have reached its limit. Without cultivating in the Immortal Realm, relying only on a pitiful number of immortal crystals is barely enough to keep me alive a bit longer. To increase my cultivation has become a luxury."

Fang Chen's heart skipped a beat. If even the old flood dragon was in such dire straits, then what about those who had reached the fifth or even sixth transformations? How terrifying must those existences be?

As for the Ancient Immortals above the sixth transformation, he could already imagine why the powers they commanded spanned such vast territories. Without massive powers helping them gather immortal crystals, raising their cultivation would be virtually impossible. They would be lucky just to survive.

Perhaps the existence of the Immortal Registry was precisely to restrict the exhaustion of resources?

How much immortal essence would a seventh transformation Ancient Immortal need each year just to ensure their lifespan didn't drain?

The old flood dragon's words also struck a chord with the white-haired elder and the others. As first-transformation Loose Immortals, from the day their spiritual energy turned into immortal essence, they had already been struggling just to stay alive.

As for reaching the second transformation, they had no thought of it. They simply didn't have the means. Advancement meant more immortal essence. Where would they find enough immortal crystals?

The old flood dragon suddenly gave a low laugh. "Fortunately, now I no longer fear my lifespan running out."

The path of the Underworld True Gods perfectly resolved this fear.

Though it too came with many restrictions, compared to everlasting life, what did such restrictions matter?

Fang Xuanyang's huge body crackled with loud pops before shrinking back to his ten-foot-tall form. Together with Fang Tianzun, he appeared before Fang Chen.

The next moment, both avatars merged back into Fang Chen's body, vanishing.

He Fang Chen had eleven avatars. Three of them were first-transformation Loose Immortals. The rest were at the mid-stage of the Tribulation Realm.

Fang Chen quietly sensed the changes within himself. The transformation was wondrous. He could clearly perceive a boundary separating him from his avatars, yet he could easily draw upon their strength.

That boundary ensured his body did not collapse under the terrifying power of eleven avatars.

The white-haired elder and the others were dumbstruck by what they had seen.

What is this?! These two who had just ascended were merely this man's avatars?! Even avatars could ascend to become Loose Immortals? What kind of perverse method is this?

The white-haired elder suddenly recalled the old flood dragon's earlier words.

Never needing to worry about lifespan again?

These two were definitely great pillars to cling to!

The white-haired elder respectfully cupped his hands. "I am Li Mingye of Yuhua Sect. I am willing to follow the two seniors."

Regardless of anything else, one of these two was an Immortal Sovereign! Ordinarily, such a being wouldn't even spare them a glance. Now that such a rare opportunity was before him, how could he let it slip?

Blood Crocodile and the others came to their senses, cursed the old fox for being cunning, and quickly followed suit. They cupped their hands and eagerly expressed their desire to follow Fang Chen and the old flood dragon.

If they followed such existences, they surely would never lack for immortal crystals again.

"Do you know the soul crossing ritual?" Fang Chen asked casually.

The soul crossing ritual?

The group looked at each other in confusion. Clearly, they had never heard of such a thing.

Under Fang Chen's patient guidance, Li Mingye and the others gradually succeeded in the soul crossing ritual.

An hour later, they returned from the Floating Pagoda Realm, their expressions complicated.

It seemed they truly no longer needed to worry about lifespan. But the way things were developing had far surpassed their expectations.

***

Meanwhile, Fang Chen returned to Tuxiong Star and met with Xia Xuanji.

Fang Chen concluded that Xia Xuanji was also "clean," considering that the old master had arranged for him to stay here.

After that, Fang Chen went back to the southern Fang Manor. The old master was absent, so he handed the Yang Essence to Fang Cangyou, instructing him to deliver it when the old master returned.

Then he went once more to the Desolate Academy, leaving Elder Xun a supply of immortal crystals as well as the Earth Immortal Path's immortal medicine, Houtu.

After finishing everything, he once again entered the Underworld to find Ning Beiyou, who had long been under the surveillance of the Hidden Guard Division.