Chapter 1556: Alright, I'll Talk!

Enter the Underworld?

The Immortal Venerable was stunned. He did not respond to Fang Chen's words, still trying to explain himself. "Fellow Daoist, this really is a misunderstanding. I—"

"This is a Soul Guiding Lantern. You should know how to carry out the Soul Crossing Ritual. Go." Fang Chen tossed him a Soul Guiding Lantern. "If you don't enter, then you die. Choose for yourself."

The man fell silent for a few breaths. Seeing that Fang Chen had no intention of listening to any explanations, he finally chose life over death.

Moments later, he successfully entered the Underworld, and in the blink of an eye, Fang Chen brought him onto the Yellow Springs Road.

***

On the Yellow Springs Road, Li Wuwang and the others followed behind Fang Chen. The piercing sword intent radiating from them made the Corrosive Dragon King and the Immortal deeply uneasy. As for Wuxiang, he was now being carried by the neck by a sword cultivator of the Heavenly Sword Division.

It was only now that Wuxiang realized that the Void Immortal Sword Sect was steeped in mystery. It was far beyond what he had seen on the surface. The depth of that mystery was far beyond him.

Unfortunately, it had cost him his life to see it clearly.

The Corrosive Dragon King sighed softly. "Daoist Fang, we haven't seen each other in a long time. Why is it that the moment we meet... you take my life?"

Only then did the Immortal realize that the Corrosive Dragon King and Fang Chen knew each other. He kept signaling with his eyes, urging the Corrosive Dragon King to explain their relationship.

"My hand slipped just now," Fang Chen said with a hint of apology. "But it's fine. The Underworld is quite nice too. If managed properly, you can live much longer than you can in the Mortal Realm."

Your hand slipped?

The Corrosive Dragon King never expected that answer and stood there in a daze.

Li Wuwang and the others glanced at him with schadenfreude.

"I know you both have many questions, but this isn't the place to talk," Fang Chen said. "Once we arrive, we can sit down and talk slowly."

The Corrosive Dragon King and the Immortal Venerable exchanged a glance, then nodded silently.

***

Jiangguang City, Reception Hall.

Fang Chen looked at the Immortal Venerable. "You're a fourth-transformation immortal, aren't you? Where are you from?"

"There are only second transformation Immortals on Tuxiong Star. With your cultivation, you must be from another region, certainly not a native cultivator."

The Immortal Venerable pondered for a moment. "To be honest, I am a cultivator of the Spirit God Sect. I only recently came to Tuxiong Star because of some personal matters."

"Personal matters? Would you mind elaborating?" Fang Chen asked.

The Immortal Venerable gave an awkward smile. "Since they are personal matters... they involve my own privacy and aren't convenient to share. Fellow Daoist, you should be able to see that I had no intention of opposing the Void Immortal Sword Sect. I truly was just passing through. As for the Corrosive Dragon King being killed by you unintentionally, we can let that matter rest..."

The Corrosive Dragon King remained silent.

Fine...

He glanced at the Ghost Infant gnawing on its fingers on Fang Chen's shoulder, and deep fear flashed in his head.

With such an indescribable existence present, even if they wanted to pursue the matter, they lacked the ability. That little thing could effortlessly incapacitate a fourth-transformation immortal. Just how terrifying were its cultivation and methods? It was unimaginable.

"Have either of you heard of the path of the underworld's True Gods?" Fang Chen asked suddenly.

Both the Immortal Venerable and the Corrosive Dragon King felt their scalps prickle instantly.

How could they not have heard of it? Back then, their ancestors had torn through this world and only then obtained the opportunity to plunder the Nine Mortal Realms.

The Underworld's True Gods should have been completely annihilated! Why was he bringing this up?

"The Underworld's True Gods... I seem to have heard of them, but it appears that no one walks that path anymore. Why do you mention it?"

Before he could finish, the Immortal Venerable looked up in shock as an ancient, archaic decree descended upon him. He instinctively tried to resist, only to hear the Ghost Infant's giggling by his ear.

***

Half an hour later.

Xin Zong and the Corrosive Dragon King sat in grave silence, their expressions heavy.

Never had they imagined that merely arriving early at Tuxiong Star to prepare for an experiment would lead them to encounter Monach Yan. Even more absurdly, they had been bestowed decrees and inexplicably became Underworld True Gods.

Fang Chen sent the Ghost Infant away, then looked calmly at the two of them. "Now then, shall we speak honestly?"

Speak honestly?

Both Xin Zong and the Corrosive Dragon King felt a strange force circulating within their bodies, as if compelling them to spill everything they had been hiding in one breath.

How is that fair?!

Struggle appeared on Xin Zong's face as wisps of yin energy began dissipating from his body.

If an Underworld True God disobeyed Monarch Yan's will, they would be erased by the Underworld itself. Their souls would scatter, and they'd never enter reincarnation.

Since Fang Chen began bestowing decrees upon the various Underworld True Gods, he had never encountered such a hard bone as this one.

Fang Chen sighed softly. "Do not defy the will of this realm. If your yin energy is completely erased, you will be thoroughly annihilated, with no chance of reincarnation, and no chance of ever seeing your homeland's cherry blossoms again."

"Cherry blossoms? What are those?" the Corrosive Dragon King blurted out in shock.

But immediately afterward, he sucked in a sharp breath and stared at Fang Chen in terror.

He... knows something!?

Xin Zong gritted his teeth. "What exactly do you know...?"

His yin energy was being worn away inch by inch. He was nearing his limit.

Fang Chen spoke bluntly. "I know you are demons. I know where you come from. And I know what you intend to do. But have you thought it through? Are you really willing to sacrifice yourselves for something so nebulous? Becoming Underworld True Gods means you can cultivate in the Underworld, draw upon the pure karmic power of this realm, and transform it into Yin Lifespan, the very path to Immortality that ordinary cultivators obsess over."

"I've already granted you what you stepped on your path seeking. What comes next is for you to repay me. Do not disappoint me."

Xin Zong and the Corrosive Dragon King exchanged shocked glances.

"He really does know..."

Xin Zong suddenly turned on the Corrosive Dragon King, his voice sharp and urgent. "No, don't say it. This is a grand cause our ancestors upheld for countless years. If we reveal it, how can we face them?"

The Corrosive Dragon King's face darkened, and his yin energy also began eroding.

"Tell me," Fang Chen said with a faint smile, "The details of the experiment you plan to carry out on Tuxiong Star this time, from beginning to end. Leave nothing out. Not a single word."

That sentence became the final straw.

Xin Zong's expression shifted repeatedly. At last, he blurted out, "Fine. I'll talk."

The Corrosive Dragon King stared at him in disbelief.

"Even if we say it, it won't stop our ancestors' great cause. This one alone cannot stop the Saint Son. It won't matter."

Xin Zong said to the Corrosive Dragon King, as if also trying to convince himself.

Fang Chen nodded. "A man who understands the times is a man of talent. I appreciate you. Go on."

"W-where should I start?" Xin Zong asked awkwardly.

"Why not start with your homeland?" Fang Chen suggested. "I know of your existence, but I know nothing about your homeland.

He smiled. "Take your time. We have plenty of it."