Chapter 1528: Renzu Mountain of the Dongsheng Empire

"First, let us discuss the harvest from within the Buddhist Kingdom," said Elder Hou with a smile. "Since it was your Eldest Senior Sister’s beads that allowed you to enter the Buddhist Kingdom, she undeniably holds the primary merit.”

He turned his gaze toward Fang Chen. “However, Old Ninth has also made a significant contribution. He was the one who got the path for Heaven Surpassing Yin Buddha from the Ghost Mother. Having secured this pathway, our Enlightenment God Palace holds a massive bargaining chip that will generate a steady stream of revenue for a very long time."

Everyone turned their gaze toward Fang Chen and Xie Aman, having already guessed that these two would be the biggest beneficiaries this time.

Elder Hou declared, "For her merit, Eldest Senior Sister shall receive 3,000 merit points. In addition, for single-handedly holding back Shao Guangyin during the previous struggle, she is to be awarded another 1,000 points. She earns 4,000 merit points in total. Do any of you have objections?"

The elders present shook their heads; none objected. Although granting 4,000 merit points at once was a substantial expenditure for the Enlightenment God Palace, the value they had acquired was far greater.

"Since there are no objections, it is settled."

Elder Hou took Xie Aman’s identity jade token, and with a surge of immortal essence, the numbers within began to climb steadily. Once the full 4,000 points were added, he returned the token to her.

Elder Hou’s gaze returned to Fang Chen. "As for Old Ninth, his merits from the journey to the Buddhist Kingdom shall be exchanged for three Formation Hearts."

"What!?"

"Three Formation Hearts!?"

The Elders in the hall were stunned. Only a few had known about this in advance and remained calm, though their expressions were still quite complex. Granting three Formation Hearts at once was a rarity within the Enlightenment God Palace, perhaps even unprecedented.

Chen Enxue and the others looked at Fang Chen with shock and wonder. They had assumed Xie Aman would walk away with the most, but it turned out to be Old Nine. However, they couldn’t ascertain whether an incomplete Immortal Path was truly worth three Formation Hearts.

For a moment, various speculations swirled in everyone's minds.

Elder Hou continued, "Does anyone have an objection?"

"I do," one Elder said after a moment of deliberation. "Giving merit points is fine, but why give Formation Hearts? Our supply is limited, and many disciples are already lining up to form a contract. Furthermore, I fear the merit he earned isn't quite worth three Formation Hearts, is it?"

I didn't expect it to be three

Formation

Hearts. It seems a complete Immortal Path holds immense value in the eyes of the Palace Master...

Fang Chen thought to himself.

Back when Fang Chen had yet to reveal he held information on the ninth transformation as well, the Palace Master had been unwilling to part with a Formation Heart at all. Yet, the moment that was on the table, he had received not one, but three Formation Hearts.

Though insignificant in the grand scope of the Upper Three Realms, it was still better than nothing. At the very least, three more territories could now have their seals removed.

As soon as one Elder raised an objection, others stepped forward to echo the sentiment. Most argued that such a reward was excessive and lacked fairness.

"He has also performed certain... unspeakable services. Therefore, this reward was personally decreed by the Palace Master. We are simply following the formal process here to inform you all, lest there be backroom gossip that affects the stability of our situation," Elder Hou explained.

"So it was decreed by the Palace Master. In that case, I have no further objections," said the Elder who had first spoken out, nodding with a smile.

The others nodded in agreement as well. They had already guessed that there were underlying reasons involved that were not convenient to state openly.

"Very well." Elder Hou smiled. "During the struggle, Old Ninth comprehended Formation Immortal Arts and turned the tide of battle, which indirectly allowed our Enlightenment God Palace to secure the immortal path. Therefore, he is also awarded 1,000 merit points. Do any of you have objections?"

"None."

The resolution passed quickly. The crowd watched as Elder Hou personally delivered the three Formation Hearts into Fang Chen's hands and injected 1,000 merit points into his identity jade token. Fang Chen's merit balance instantly skyrocketed from 250 to 1,250.

The points, however, were not the crucial part. The fact that he now possessed three Formation Hearts was. Stowing away the Formation Hearts, which emitted a brilliant green glow, Fang Chen stood quietly to the side without another word.

Chen Enxue and the others pursed their lips in envy before they began receiving their own harvests. Their merits were far lower, or at least seemed meager compared to those of Fang Chen and Xie Aman. Li Shanzi, for instance, only received 500 merit points this time, though this didn't include certain spiritual materials he had handed over. Once those were processed, his total would likely exceed 1,000. However, a portion of that would have to be distributed to his expedition team members, leaving him with relatively little for himself.

If that was the case for the core disciples, it was naturally even harder for ordinary external cultivators to acquire merits.

Once the business there concluded, the group dispersed. Fang Chen was held back by Elder Chen, who offered him a round of praise and took the opportunity to introduce him to the other Elders one by one so they could become acquainted.

"I recall you don't have a Dao Domain yet. Since you follow the Path of Human Immortal, go to Renzu Mountain in the Dongsheng Empire. Immersing yourself in the fire and smoke of the mortal world will be highly beneficial for your specific cultivation path," advised Elder Chen.

Renzu Mountain of the Dongsheng Empire?

Fang Chen nodded. "I am grateful for your guidance."

"Renzu Mountain has been vacant for many years. Many core disciples find it too noisy and are unwilling to go there. If you also fear the clamor, I can offer you a few other Dao Domains to choose from," said Elder Chen.

Fang Chen replied, "The mundane world is an ideal place to temper one's heart. I do not fear the noise."

Elder Chen nodded approvingly. "Very well."

After Fang Chen left, one of the Elders remarked out of the blue, "Why is Old Ninth following the Path of Human Immortal?"

"The Human Immortal Path is mediocre. It's a bit of a pity for him to walk it."

"It's not necessarily a pity. He has already mastered two Formation Immortal Arts. Once he is promoted to an Ancient Immortal, he might master three or even four. His combat power will still be top-tier. As for the eight transformations onwards... it doesn't really matter," someone noted.

Elder Chen sighed softly. "We didn't know his talent was this extraordinary back then. Had we known, we would have guided him toward a more promising immortal path."

"From what I know, there is a Pool of Transformation over in the Major Immortal Realm..."

"Only the Palace Master can go to such a place and return unscathed, right? Unless the Palace Master intends to pass his seat to him, the Pool of Transformation is nothing more than a pipe dream."

***

Under Ji Gang’s guidance, Fang Xiaotian and the others had successfully completed their registration.

Old Sheng suppressed his excitement. Only when the registration was finalized did he truly feel at peace. His fate had been completely transformed. No longer would he be stuck in a small corner like Drunken Fate Star. The more he learned about the Enlightenment God Palace, the more confident he became.

Although his cultivation was merely average among those in the sixth transformation, he now understood Fang Chen’s standing among the core disciples.

To be able to perform two Formation Immortal Arts... even the other core disciples are clicking their tongues in wonder and looking on with envy. Following Brother Fang will undoubtedly lead to a limitless future!

Before long, Fang Chen returned and met up with the group. On his way, he happened to run into Little Immortal Honglian and decided to travel together.

Fang Chen said, "My Dao Domain is at Renzu Mountain in the Dongsheng Empire. Before we head there, follow me to the Hall of Merits to exchange for some cultivation resources."

With that, he led the large group toward the Hall of Merits in a grand procession.