Chapter 1417: Human Immortal Path

"Whose expedition team was that?"

"It doesn't belong to a core disciple. The profit share would not be so high, and moreover, none of them has reached the first transformation yet."

"Could it be from before they entered Enlightenment Star?"

"I think I've heard something about that. Didn't some lucky fellow from Expedition Star Number 432 discover eight immortal herbs on his first exploration?"

"It's him! I remember now—it's the Nine Realms Expedition Team!"

Recognition rippled through the crowd like wind through reeds.

At last, someone recognised both Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia, who had been with the Enlightenment God Palace for over a decade. Rumors of what happened in Formless Purgatory were also spread like wildfire.

For instance, it was well-known by now that the appointed leader of the Nine Realms Expedition Team hailed from the Lower Six Realms and that he had defeated Nanming Shaoze, the golden token holder.

Over a thousand immortal crystals were an unimaginable figure, enough to stir the hearts of Immortal Sovereigns. Luckily, no one entertained thoughts of greed on the Enlightenment God Palace's Enlightenment Star. The order here was absolute. Those who broke it would be crushed before they could even cry out.

Thus, the onlookers could only gaze with envy as Fang Chen turned toward Elder Qin.

"Elder Qin, I wish to exchange my merits for an immortal herb," said Fang Chen. "Can you recommend a suitable immortal path to me?"

The elder stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing with thought. "You're at the Ascension Realm, and your foundation seems sufficient to consume an immortal herb. As for the Immortal Path, the better the path, the higher the price of a first-transformation herb. I can give you some options to choose from."

He leaned slightly forward and shared more than ten immortal paths with Fang Chen through voice transmission. Then, he said, "But most of these paths' first-transformation herbs are in low supply, and you'll need to get in line to exchange for them. Only the Human Immortal Path's immortal herb is available for exchange now. Though, I should warn you that this path has never produced a seventh-transformation immortal."

Pausing with a grin, Elder Qin assured Fang Chen, "You need not worry for the time being. With your talent and fortune, reaching the fourth or fifth transformation will already be exceptional."

Fang Chen nodded in gratitude. "I will choose the Human Immortal Path then."

Then, he asked carefully, "Can I take the herb with me? I wish to consume it only when I feel my foundation is truly complete."

"Of course," Elder Qin nodded. "The first-transformation Human Immortal Herb is no secret. Many know of it. If you had chosen one of those secret paths that aren't known to the outsider world, you would have been forced to consume the herb right before a core disciple's eyes."

Hearing that, Fang Chen allowed the elder to deduct his merits and finalise the exchange of a first-transformation Human Immortal Herb.

Some watching nearby frowned, feeling it was a waste to spend merit on an immortal herb.

Even Lin Yuan advised softly, "Captain, it's better to save your merits. You can buy the herb directly with immortal crystals instead."

Fang Chen shook his head with a laugh but offered no explanation. He understood Lin Yuan's concern. After accumulating 5,000 merits, one could apply for the Core Disciple Assessment. But how long does he have to take to reach 5,000? Fang Chen had no time to waste. As for being a Core Disciple, he could easily advance like Immortal Honglian by attaining a Formation Heart through immortal crystals.

For ordinary cultivators, such an opportunity might seem impossible without the Enlightenment God Palace. But with Mirror of the Universe, it was only a matter of spending immortal crystals.

A while later, Elder Qin returned with a jade box engraved with runic seals. He instructed, "This box is sealed with restrictions. With your herb inside, no one will be able to sense it. Consider it a small gift from the Hall of Merits."

No one will sense what's within? This is some good stuff.

Fang Chen's eyes flickered with faint approval. "A fine gift indeed."

He accepted the box with both hands and stored it carefully before leaving the Hall of Merits alongside Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia.

As Fang Chen passed by several first-transformation immortals, they approached to greet him. He returned their bows with courtesy, exchanging names. After all, alliances begin with greetings.

As Fang Chen walked towards his meditation chamber, Lin Yuan stopped him quickly and said hurriedly, "Captain, Core Disciple Hong has her own Dao Domain. We should go there instead."

"She already has her own domain?" asked Fang Chen.

Lin Yuan grinned. "Yes, she even acquired a Black Dragon Boat! That boat alone could defy a second or third transformation immortal. Once she completes the Immortal Boat Formation Technique, its power will be even more terrifying."

Fang Chen nodded with mild amusement. "Let's see it for ourselves then."

All core disciples owned their own Dao Domains, scattered across the different regions on Enlightenment Star. Their mission was to suppress disturbances and recruit the next batch of core disciples from the mortal nations.

Immortal Honglian's Dao Domain lay in the southern region of Enlightenment Star, within an area known as Hundred-Thousand Mountains. This mountain was a realm of endless peaks. Within its intersected mountain ranges, mortal kingdoms thrived like stars in the dark.

Through the Starry Teleportation Array, Fang Chen and his companions descended upon the Dao Domain on Hundred-Thousand Mountains.

The Dao Domain encompassed dozens of interconnected mountain ranges, with immortal birds, exotic beasts, cascading waterfalls, and strange rocks everywhere. The spiritual energy in the air was so rich that it was hundreds of times better than the environment of the Qingyu Immortal Sect. Even an Upper Three Realms cultivator would find their cultivation soaring while cultivating here.

As they arrived, Fang Chen's gaze swept across the scene where cultivators were moving to and fro within the domain.

He questioned, "Besides us, are there other cultivators in this realm?"

Lin Yuan's expression turned cold. "Yes. They were assigned by one of the elders of the Enlightenment God Palace. He said that Core Disciple Hong shouldn't rely solely on us and placed several hundred cultivators here. Among them are—"

Before he could finish, a dozen figures broke through the sky and landed before them with oppressive force.

"Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia, shouldn't you be stationed at the Demon Refining Tower? Who allowed you to return without orders?" berated the man at the front.

His aura was majestic, a third-transformation immortal. He was tall, robed in pristine white, and reeking of rich immortal essence. Standing behind him were his followers of first and second transformation immortals. Their eyes glinted with faint mockery as they gazed at the returning duo.