Chapter 1332: Passing the Torch

The aura of that Immortal Boat was terrifying. When it appeared, invisible spiritual pressure blanketed a thousand miles around.

The cultivators of Dragon Tiger Temple, including the old temple master, all felt their chests tighten.

Fang Chen recalled that Wei Wuxian had said he came from the Spirit God Sect's Azure Expedition Team, which specialized in exploring unknown territories and ancient forbidden zones within the Nine Mortal Realms.

Aboard this Immortal Boat, he sensed eight distinct auras. There was a first-transformation Loose Immortal among them, as well as two second-transformation Loose Immortals. They were likely Wei Wuxian's teammates.

Soon, eight figures appeared at the front of the Immortal Boat. When the crowd looked up, they could only faintly see half of their bodies. Even so, the terrifying auras swirling around them could be clearly felt.

The old temple master's expression changed drastically. He never imagined Wei Wuxian would have such backup.

So many cultivators on par with him—or even stronger—suddenly arrived. What would happen next? Could this man still hold them back?

Instinctively, he looked toward Fang Chen. It was then that he heard Fang Chen speak.

"Kill them. Leave no survivors."

In an instant, a terrifying sword force swept across the sky, cleaving the Immortal Boat in two.

The eight Loose Immortals, shocked and furious, shouted angrily and charged into the air. But immediately, another sword force descended. Unable to flee in time, all eight were annihilated on the spot, reduced to ashes.

The Immortal Boat's debris crashed down not far away from the Dragon Tiger Mountain, releasing a deafening boom. A massive crater hundreds of meters wide and deep appeared at the crash site.

Huang Wuji strolled leisurely through the void, collected the Pifu Sand left behind by the dead Loose Immortals, then wandered over to the destroyed Immortal Boat. Finally, he walked before Fang Chen and handed him the Pifu Sand, having removed its Soul Imprint.

The old flood dragon never made a move.

He had always felt that, coming to a place like this, bringing either him or Huang Wuji was enough. Bringing both of them together seemed overly cautious.

Just as he expected, throughout the entire affair, they hadn't encountered a single third-transformation immortal; only first and second transformation immortals had appeared. It was far too dull.

The cultivators of the Three Thousand Dao Sect were already used to these kinds of scenes and were unfazed. But the old temple master and the others were so shocked their jaws nearly touched the ground.

"Eight Loose Immortals... some stronger than me... and they died just like that, to two sword strikes?" muttered the old temple master, dazed.

He sucked in a cold breath. He didn't even dare look directly at Huang Wuji, only sneaking glances at him from the corner of his eye.

At that moment, he understood why the disciples of Fang Chen's sect could pass the Three Halls Trial. It wasn't just because they acknowledged the three God Beasts. Their foundations and backgrounds were extraordinary too.

Fang Chen glanced at the pile of Pifu Sand. It was mostly random scraps—just some immortal crystals, less than thirty in total. More of it consisted of assorted minerals, which were probably the true objective of the Azure Expedition Team.

"Senior, within a short time, there shouldn't be any more of these dubious outsiders coming here. Therefore, we'll take our leave first," said Fang Chen, cupping his hands respectfully toward the old temple master.

With that, he used the World Gourd to collect his companions, turned, and stepped into the vast white mist before vanishing.

The Dragon Tiger Temple suddenly felt much emptier.

The old temple master looked at the collapsed stone cave, then at the immortal crystals in his hand, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Master, who exactly... are these people? Just now, they said something about the 'Nine Mortal Realms.' What does that mean?" asked one of the temple's grand elders nervously.

The old temple master glared at him. "How would I know? I've never even left Ziyuan. But those cultivators who were killed just now must have been strong enough to roam Qingming. I have been to Qingming. It's extremely desolate. Even someone like me does not dare travel too far, for fear of losing my way and dying there."

After a pause, he continued, "What they called the Nine Mortal Realms... that must be the true face of this human realm. It is the world beyond Qingming, while we... we can't even get out of Qingming itself."

He suddenly grew angry. "And it's all your fault, none of you could pass the Three Halls Trial! You even keep gossiping about it behind my back, saying it's some kind of sham! A sham?! You think the ancestors had nothing better to do than deceive us after death?!

"And look what happened, the Three Halls Trials are forever gone now! That opportunity has been taken away! How infuriating!"

The temple master angrily scolded the three grand elders.

They looked at one another helplessly, until one weakly pointed toward the fallen Immortal Boat in the distance.

"M-Master... if we could repair that Immortal Boat, wouldn't we be able to travel to Qingming?"

"Eh! That is indeed a fine treasure. Fortunately, that man actually forgot to take it away. Let's go take a look!"

The old temple master's expression shifted, and he immediately flew off toward the crash site.

The three grand elders followed closely behind.

***

Central Continent, the Azure Dao Manor within the Three Thousand Dao Sect.

"This stone pearl contains an immortal realm called the Three Thousand Dao Realm. To use it, you must receive the acknowledgment of the three God Beasts. Now that you've gained their approval, it is naturally yours to use.

"However, the cracks upon it will need some time to heal on their own. Wait until it has fully repaired. Each use will require five hundred mid-grade spirit stones. With your status now, that's nothing."

Fang Chen handed the stone pearl to Xia Ji. That was a decision he had made after careful consideration.

Back and forth, he had already spent far too long within the Three Thousand Dao Realm. After reaching the Dao Union Realm, he had two thousand years of lifespan, but more than half of it had been consumed inside the realm.

If he continued like that, any unforeseen accidents might leave him without enough lifespan to handle the unknown risks

Furthermore, he was heading toward the Upper Three Realms. He had no idea how long it would take to find Wang Chongsong, nor how long it would take to unravel the mysteries of the Enlightenment God Palace and the Ancient Demonic Sect.

He'd rather give the stone pearl to Xia Ji than have it collect dust with him. With the help of the stone pearl, his own talent, and the Underworld's backing, Xia Ji's cultivation could soar in the coming years.

The faster Xia Ji grew, the more beneficial it would be for the Underworld, for the Hidden Guard Division, and even for Fang Chen himself.

Xia Ji sighed softly. "Ten years inside is only one day outside? What a wondrous treasure."

At last, he understood why Fang Chen had insisted on finding the Three Hall Trial grounds since the Hidden Guard Division's founding.

"But remember—you cannot ascend to Loose Immortality within it. It can only be used until the Ascension Realm. Otherwise, it will completely collapse," warned Fang Chen.

He explained, "Once we find a new trial site in the future, and when someone in the sect gains the unified recognition of the three God Beasts, and your cultivation reaches the Ascension stage, pass the pearl on," explained Fang Chen.

Xia Ji nodded. "When that time comes, I will pass it down. This is the passing of the torch of the Three Thousand Dao Sect; you may rest assured."

He paused, then asked with seriousness, "Fang Da, since you've set up so many safeguards—appointing many Underworld Gods before you leave, finding a successor for the stone pearl—does this mean that this trip to the Three Upper Realms will be dangerous?"

His expression was grave.

"Can't we... send someone else in your place?"