Chapter 1559: We Might Lose

Since the last time tens of millions of sword immortals charged into the Immortal Demonic Sea, not a single person had returned to the Void Immortal Sword Sect for several consecutive years. This vast sword sect was left with nothing but its sect-protecting grand formation and a handful of cultivators from the Lower Four Realms. For them to notice Fang Chen's presence would have been extremely difficult.

Thus, Fang Chen's past few years at the Void Immortal Sword Sect with Xin Zong had actually been quite leisurely.

***

Several days later, five figures arrived together outside the Void Immortal Sword Sect.

Fang Chen casually opened the formation and let them in.

Xin Zong was brewing tea for Fang Chen. When the five first-transformation immortals entered and saw the scene, they were shocked.

One of them glanced at Fang Chen a few times, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Daoist Fang?"

Fang Chen smiled and nodded, taking it as a greeting.

This cultivator was not an acquaintance, but they had met once before. Back when Fang Chen went to Hidden Dragon Island on Yuxu Star and saw Huang Qingque for the first time, that person had been among the Killing Spiritual Division cultivators present.

That Killing Spiritual Division cultivator's gaze kept shifting between Fang Chen and Xin Zong, confusion visible in his eyes.

"Have you all made your preparations?" Xin Zong asked calmly.

The five exchanged glances, then spoke in unison.

"We are fully prepared. For the great cause of our race, we willingly offer our lives as sacrifices!"

Excitement surged in Xin Zong's eyes. He encouraged, "Rest assured. Though you will die, there will still be chances for reincarnation in the future. Perhaps then, you will see our clan flower bloom across the Nine Mortal Realms."

"Then begin the Soul Crossing Ritual," Fang Chen said flatly.

Xin Zong's fiery enthusiasm was doused instantly, and he said coolly, "Do you have Soul Guiding Lanterns on you? Enter the Underworld."

"Enter the Underworld?"

The five had no doubts. They did not know how to perform the technique themselves and could only follow Xin Zong's instructions.

Moments later, on the Yellow Springs Road, the five gnashed their teeth at Xin Zong and started hurling insults.

"I didn't want to either, but I had a decree forced upon me. I had no choice," Xin Zong explained helplessly. "You have also received a decree by the lord. You've gained longevity. This is actually a good thing."

The Killing Spiritual Division cultivator spat at him.

"We endured countless hardships just to reach this place, and by sheer luck, we awakened our past-life memories. It would've been one thing if we didn't sacrifice ourselves for our race, but you even dragged us into this!"

"If you're unwilling, you may end yourselves," Fang Chen said indifferently.

The five stared at one another. Then, one of them suddenly attacked Fang Chen. The instant the intention formed and he moved, all his yin energy eroded in an instant, and he turned into a wisp of clear vapor that dissipated, utterly annihilated.

Xin Zong was shaken. If he had acted the same way back then, he would have met the same end.

He didn't mock the man's actions as childish. On the contrary, deep down, he felt a trace of envy for that decisiveness.

But it's a pity... dust to dust, earth to earth. Once the soul is scattered, there's no chance to ever see this world again. Right... why should I struggle to survive? Just to see our clan's flowers bloom across the Nine Mortal Realms!

Thinking that way, his heart felt a little less distressed.

***

Fang Chen brought the remaining four to Jiangguang City and questioned them again about matters on the demons' side.

Since they had arrived in different eras, piecing together their differing information was still somewhat useful.

"You don't need to return to the living world for now. Stay here," said Fang Chen.

He gave Xin Zong one last glance before turning and leaving Jiangguang City.

***

A few days later, the Hidden Guard Division of the Lesser Underworld began mobilizing extensively, dispatching one hidden guard after another to the Mortal Realm.

The Day Walker lineage and the Night Walker lineage also did not stay idle. After receiving the news, they coordinated with the Hidden Guard Division and began pouring into the Mortal Realm.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

***

Enlightenment Star, Dongsheng Empire, Renzu Mountain.

As soon as Fang Zhixue jumped out of the World Gourd, she was stunned by the dense spiritual energy of Renzu Mountain.

"So much spiritual energy here!" she cried in surprise.

She had stayed in the Three Thousand Dao Sect and also in Azure Mountain within the Daotai Mountain of the Southern Clear Star Constellation. Compared to this place, the spiritual energy in those two locations was like an ant compared to a towering tree.

"Sis, this is Big Brother's Dao Domain," Fang Xiaohua said with a grin. "Let's go play with Sister Little Sword."

Fang Zhixue looked at Fang Chen, eyes full of anticipation. "Brother, then we're going?"

Fang Chen smiled and nodded. He reminded, "Mm. Don't wander too far. You're not registered yet. Don't cause misunderstandings with people around here. Once I'm done with my business, I'll take you to register."

Fang Xiaotian had wanted to stay behind, but Fang Zhixue grabbed him and dragged him along. He could only wave helplessly at Fang Chen.

Watching the three carefree figures, Fang Chen felt a faint twinge of envy. He smiled, shook his head, and once again entered the Underworld, arriving at the Enlightenment Underworld Realm, Reincarnation Division.

Upon seeing Fang Chen, a happy smile spread on Pei Tu's face. He quickly pulled Fang Chen into conversation.

"Oh? Junior Brother Fang, you came at just the right time. I was afraid I wouldn't see you before leaving. I'm about to take up a post at the central office. The position of Registration Division Chief will be handed over to you. I'll have to trouble you with it. It's tiring, but it's fulfilling."

Fang Chen could tell Pei Tu was genuinely happy. Clearly, the post of chief in the Reincarnation Division had troubled him quite a bit.

Fang Chen smiled and cupped his hands. "Congratulations, Senior Brother Pei."

"Congratulations to both of us! I've always known you were extraordinary, Junior Brother Fang! Just the fact that you comprehended two Formation Immortal Arts in such a short time is extremely rare, even by the standards of the Enlightenment God Palace! Once you've polished your credentials here, your official rank in the Enlightenment Underworld Realm is bound to rise.

Pei Tu wore a warm smile. "In a few years, you might even be transferred to the central office. Senior Sister values you highly, after all. At that point, you may well become my superior, so I'll need you to take care of me."

Pei Tu continued to chat with Fang Chen for a while. Although Fang Chen felt some urgency inside, he did not show it.

After Pei Tu left, Fang Chen went straight to the Chief of the Reincarnation Division's office.

Wang Chongsong glanced at Fang Chen. He set aside several ledgers in his hands and said. "You're here? I told you to hurry back, yet you delayed for several years."

"I ran into something," replied Fang Chen, sighing. "Is it convenient to talk here?"

Wang Chongsong's expression shifted slightly. He casually set up a restrictive formation.

"Now you can speak. Even those two eighth-transformation Ghost Immortals wouldn't be able to overhear us."

"I encountered a cultivator on Tuxiong Star who had awakened his past-life memories. His name is Xin Zong."

Fang Chen recounted everything that had happened on Tuxiong Star.

Wang Chongsong's expression was a storm of shifting emotions. When he heard about that experimental technique, his face turned extremely grim.

"How could he move... so quickly?"

Wang Chongsong paced around in the room. The usual calm composure he always carried was now replaced with visible agitation.

"That experimental method... may not succeed," said Fang Chen.

"Have you any idea who the Saint Son is?" Wang Chongsong stopped in his tracks and sneered coldly. "If he's begun experimenting openly, it means he's already carried out countless private trials long ago! Who knows how many demon clansmen in the Nine Mortal Realms he has already awakened!"

Wang Chongsong fell silent for a moment. He quietly said, "We may... already be losing."