Chapter 1320: How To Treat Guests

Ning Beiyou's residence sat atop an immortal vein overflowing with dense spiritual energy. Within tens of thousands of miles, apart from him, there were also more than a hundred Loose Immortals.

A maid served Fang Chen fine spiritual tea while also presenting him with precious spiritual fruits.

Ning Beiyou looked at Fang Chen with a smiling face. "I did not expect that after parting in the Nanqing Constellation, we would still have a chance to meet again. I am just curious, Daoist Fang, how did you end up here?"

Fang Chen sighed with emotion. "We were once colleagues. Now that I no longer bear the responsibility of the Killing Spiritual Division, and Xie Zhi has disbanded, I naturally ought to wander around a bit. I did not expect to meet Daoist Ning here. What a delightful coincidence."

Ning Beiyou personally poured Fang Chen a cup of tea, then waved away the maid at his side. Half-serious, half-teasing, he said, "Fang Daoist, the Nine Mortal Realms are so vast. Yet you happen to come here, and happen to run into me. The odds of that are about the same as me 'coincidentally' ascending to an Ancient Immortal.

"Please speak honestly and state your purpose. But if it's about the Killing Spiritual Division, then don't bother. We are now idle people; there's no need to worry about such matters."

"No wonder Daoist Qingque values you, Daoist Ning. Since that is the case, I shall speak frankly." Fang Chen smiled. "There is one matter I wish to discuss with you. It cannot be spoken here. We must go to the Floating Pagoda Realm."

Ning Beiyou chuckled. "What matter cannot be spoken here and requires going to the Floating Pagoda Realm? Daoist Fang, don't tell me you aren't aware of how dangerous the Floating Pagoda Realm is? Have you forgotten the incident when our base was attacked?"

"Of course I have not forgotten," said Fang Chen. "But we aren't affiliated with the Spiritual Killing Division anymore. Who would target us?"

Fang Chen said, "The matter I want to speak with you about does relate somewhat to the Killing Spiritual Division, but I cannot elaborate here. If you're interested in listening, you may head to Biluo City in the Floating Pagoda Realm."

"I will not go. It's too troublesome. And besides, Biluo City is far away," Ning Beiyou flatly refused, then shifted the topic. "Come, let's drink tea and chat about other things."

A few days later, Fang Chen took his leave. Ning Beiyou watched his departing back, deep in thought.

In the days that followed, Fang Chen traveled to various places, meeting with Xu Nangui, Lin Anlan, and other former Xie Zhi cultivators.

After seeing them, Fang Chen did not remain idle either. Together with Yu Tingzhai, he sought out Xie Luo, the patriarch of the Xie Family's second branch, and Xie Feng, the patriarch of the third branch, both of whom had once performed ancestor rites alongside Xie Zian.

They were third-transformation immortals, only a step away from the fourth transformation. They were successively forced by Yu Tingzhai to enter the Underworld, then conferred as Yin Soldiers.

***

Floating Pagoda Realm, Myriad Immortal City.

The senior leadership of the Myriad Immortal Palace convened a meeting, presided over by Immortal Kumu, Wang Nongcao, standing in for Immortal Xingyu.

The main topic of the meeting was the Myriad Immortal Palace's recent conflicts with various factions, which had resulted in heavy casualties. The meeting focused on how to resolve these issues and retaliate with overwhelming force.

Second, the Great Desolate Immortal had already been struck down by Immortal Xingyu and fled badly wounded. He was unlikely to show his face for another one hundred years.

After the meeting, Yu Tingzhai did not leave, but walked over to Immortal Kumu.

Another Guardian, Wan Shouque, glanced their way but did not linger and left directly.

Immortal Kumu smiled. "Daoist Yu, what is it?"

Yu Tingzhai had not been in the Myriad Immortal Palace for many years, though he too was a Guardian True Immortal. But Immortal Kumu never regarded him highly.

Within the Immortal Palace, Yu Tingzhai was like rootless duckweed, with no foundation at all. At times, Immortal Kumu could even order him around. Their relationship was more like a superior and his subordinate.

Still, since the veneer of formality was unbroken, Immortal Kumu would not neglect basic courtesy.

"Daoist Mu, I hear you are skilled in alchemy. I wish to ask you something. Is there a kind of pill that can compel an immortal soul to speak truthfully?" Yu Tingzhai asked.

Immortal Kumu didn't show any reaction to that question. He smiled faintly and answered, "A pill like that does exist. But immortal souls are fragile. They might not withstand the medicinal power. If you want them to confess everything truthfully, why bother with these methods? With your cultivation, a bit of torment is enough to make the soul beg to spill everything."

"Yes, but what if that soul's memories are incomplete?" asked Yu Tingzhai.

Immortal Kumu thought for a moment, then nodded. "If their memories are incomplete, pills won't help. But I do know a technique called the Soul Returning Art. It can be quite effective in this area."

He paused. "Tell you what, I happen to be free. I will go with you. I can't teach you this art, but I can help you by using it myself."

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Immortal Kumu could not help but laugh. "Immortal souls are quite beneficial to us Yin Walkers. Daoist Yu, you should not delve into such matters."

Yu Tingzhai seemed about to refuse his kindness, but the other enthusiastically shifted the topic, chatting about knowledge of immortal souls and strange tales within the Floating Pagoda Realm.

Not long after they left Myriad Immortal City, Wan Shouque suddenly appeared, accompanied by two third-transformation immortals of the Myriad Immortal Palace.

A faint cold light flashed in Wan Shouque's eyes.

When did Wang Nongcao get so close to Yu Tingzhai?

If Yu Tingzhai joined Immortal Kumu's camp, the balance between the three factions would immediately shift.

"Immortal Yinque, shall we follow and see?" one third-transformation Immortal suggested.

"Your cultivation is too low. If you follow, you will surely be discovered." Wan Shouque shook his head lightly. "I will go alone. I am a fourth transformation Immortal. Even if I am discovered, they can do nothing to me."

After walking a long distance, Immortal Kumu grew somewhat impatient and said faintly, "Daoist Yu, why not establish a residence within Myriad Immortal City? Why live in some remote corner? Sometimes you even have to deal with deranged Great Yin Demons. They are nothing but trouble."

"This place of mine was established long ago, and I have grown used to it. If you have urgent matters, perhaps we can do this another time?" Yu Tingzhai said thoughtfully.

Immortal Kumu laughed heartily. "Since we are already here, why wait for another time? We are both Guardian True Immortals of the Myriad Immortal Palace. We ought to help each other. I will help you this time, and next time you will help me. Right?"

"That is true.”

Yu Tingzhai nodded lightly, then fell silent.

A few days later, the two finally arrived at Yu Tingzhai's residence.

Looking around, Immortal Kumu casually asked, "Where is the immortal soul?"

Suddenly, his expression shifted. He sensed countless restrictions descending outside, enclosing the area.

At the same time, Huang Wuji and the old flood dragon stepped out from the shadows.

Together with Yu Tingzhai, Immortal Kumu was surrounded by three fellow fourth-transformation cultivators.

Immortal Kumu's mind raced. He sneered coldly. "Daoist Yu, I have not offended you, have I? Is this how you treat a guest? Many saw me leave Myriad Immortal City with you. If something happens to me, will Immortal Xingyu spare you? Chaotic Star, where you dwell, will surely drown in blood, reduced to nothing but dust!"