Chapter 1356: End of the Assessment

"The demonic fiend aura in this area is already at the level of a first-transformation Great Yin Demon, or possibly even second-transformation Great Yin Demon."

As Fang Chen sensed the demonic aura from his surroundings, he observed the illusory mountain before him. Centering around the illusory mountain were powerful demonic fiend auras exuding in all directions.

It seemed these demons had been cultivating here in secret and showed no interest in interfering with the ongoing assessment in the Demonic Fiend Mountain Range.

Fang Chen continued to analyze the mountain before him.

"This mountain seems to exist somewhere between reality and illusion."

Aside from its illusory appearance, he could see black, ancient patterns etched on its surface. They looked like characters, or perhaps runes.

Fang Chen was too familiar with the Underworld, be it the Greater Underworld or the Lesser Underworld. When the mountain turned illusory, it undeniably carried the aura of the Underworld.

"A mountain lying between the Mortal Realm and the Underworld.... This might be the key to the Demonic Fiend Mountain Range. Though I'm not sure if it's the mountain itself or those special runes on its surface that are sealing the Yellow Springs Road."

A glimmer of curiosity flashed in Fang Chen's eyes.

How could someone of Immortal Taixu's caliber fail to notice a mountain like this?

The Langgui Constellation was not some remote backwater like Tuxiong Star. Many powerful cultivators were stationed here. Not to mention Ancient Immortals, even sixth-transformation or fifth-transformation immortals would be intrigued by this mountain's existence.

At that moment, a voice rang in the distance. "Master, did you choose Demonic Fiend Mountain Range as the assessment location because of the Ancient Demonic Sect? Do you think this place has a connection with their sect?"

"This place has always been special," answered another voice. "You've walked the Path of Yin before. Have you noticed that the demonic fiends here are similar to the Great Yin Demons of the Underworld?"

Hearing the conversation, Fang Chen's gaze immediately shifted. In the distance, two figures appeared. After seeing their faces, surprise flashed in his eyes.

One of them was the woman who had once pursued the Crimson Fiend Demonic Sovereign. The other was Immortal Taixu.

However, the woman was referring to Immortal Taixu as her master.

Was she his disciple? Is the woman a junior sister of Immortal Xingyu?

The woman seemed to be lost in thought. "Great Yin Demons?"

"Over the years, I've come here several times without discovering anything. This time, since I happened to be appointed as an assessor, I decided to settle here and take a look again," said Immortal Taixu.

His gaze swept past the illusory mountain without a pause.

Fang Chen noticed an odd peculiarity.

Does he not see the mountain at all?

He was puzzled.

To verify his thoughts, he quietly observed the interaction between Immortal Taixu and the woman. Sure enough, they treated the illusory mountain as if it weren't there. In fact, wherever they walked, they'd always conveniently avoid the mountain, but it never seemed deliberate.

"By the way, how did your pursuit of Crimson Fiend Demonic Sovereign go last time?" asked Immortal Taixu casually.

Fang Chen's attention was piqued as he awaited the woman's response.

The woman sighed and shared, "Crimson Fiend Demonic Sovereign was killed, but it wasn't by my hand. The trail is broken now. These Ancient Demonic Sect leaders are usually very elusive. Who knows when we'll see another one."

"Was there any suspicion regarding the killer?" questioned Immortal Taixu.

The woman gently shook her head. "No, he's just a cultivator from Lower Six Realms."

A faint, complicated expression crossed her face.

Immortal Taixu flashed a grin. "Well, our feud with the Ancient Demonic Sect has lasted for years. Since Crimson Fiend Demonic Sovereign is dead, your junior sister has been avenged. You can now focus on your cultivation in this realm. By the way, when you return home, remember to thank your brother for helping us with the Immortal Register."

The woman smiled back. "You're my master. Since my brother is the direct disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace and you're an honored guest here, it's only right for him to help you."

Her brother?

Could it be Li Shanzi...?

thought Fang Chen.

The two figures soon disappeared into the distance

From their conversation, Fang Chen had gleaned a lot of useful information.

Immortal Taixu wasn't some rogue cultivator. He had a sect of his own, and it wasn't the Enlightenment God Palace, but one that had long been at odds with the Ancient Demonic Sect.

If the Ancient Demonic Sect had ties to the demons, does that imply that Immortal Taixu was one of their own?

No, better not jump to conclusions. Huang Qingque suspects him, as do the upper echelons of the Killing Spiritual Division. The head of the Duanyuan Division died at his hands. The seventh-transformation Ancient Immortal from the Ancient Desolate Realm mysteriously disappeared. Immortal Xingyu, whom he personally taught, treats lives like weeds. These methods seem more in line with the practices of the Spirit God Sect.

If he's a cultivator of the Spirit God Sect, then Immortal Xingyu might not be. Otherwise, she and Grand Desolate Immortal wouldn't have fallen out so badly over some minor provocation.

It's too complicated. Immortal Taixu is already an Ancient Immortal. Even if he has some secrets, with my current cultivation, I'm no match for him. The priority is to find out where Wang Chongsong is.

With these thoughts in mind, Fang Chen shifted his gaze back to the illusory mountain.

Immortal Taixu, being a seventh-transformation Ancient Immortal, was powerful enough to roam most parts of the Nine Mortal Realms. Yet he could not even perceive the illusory mountain with the Demonic Fiend Mountain Range.

This was akin to a cognitive obfuscation technique.

"Am I seeing it due to my special divine soul? Or because I've already broken through this illusion, and from now on, similar techniques won't work on me?" muttered Fang Chen.

After a brief contemplation, Fang Chen decided to leave for now. His current divine soul wasn't in the Yin state, and even if he wanted to probe the truth behind Void Illusion Mountain, it would be difficult. He'd come back after the assessment was over. At that time, he could bring Huang Wuji along to experiment whether ordinary cultivators can see the mountain.

***

Half a month later.

A disheveled Little Immortal Honglian arrived at Fang Chen's seclusion spot. Seeing that Fang Chen had emerged, a look of relief appeared on her face.

Fang Chen scrutinised Little Immortal Honglian. "Daoist Hong, it seems you're lightly injured."

"It's nothing serious. I fought with Meng Qingling when I had the chance—and I won," replied Little Immortal Honglian proudly.

Fang Chen asked in surprise, "Daoist Meng did not use the Thunderfire Seven Immortal Soldier Kill Formation?"

If Meng Qingling had used that formation, Little Immortal Honglian's chances of victory would have been slim.

"She didn't get the chance. Unfortunately, I couldn't take her jade token. Meng Qingling does have some skills," Little Immortal Honglian sighed. "Based on the aura of her jade token, she will also advance to become an Enlightenment cultivator soon. Perhaps we'll be working together in the future."

Fang Chen nodded gently. "With the might of the Thunderfire Seven Immortal Soldier Kill Formation, she certainly has what it takes to become an Enlightenment cultivator."

At that moment, a ripple tremor spread across the shield covering the sky.

"The assessment has ended. All cultivators are to immediately leave the Demonic Fiend Mountain Range."

Hearing the announcement, both of them quickly exchanged a glance before heading straight for the sky.