Chapter 1588: Departing for the Minor Immortal Realm?

Little Sword observed silently for a while, then commented, "Little Chen, your Sword Domain seems the same as before. It hasn't really changed."

Fang Chen nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "In certain aspects, the Mortal World Sword Domain is far stronger than the Demon Suppression Sword Domain. It didn't fuse with the Demon Suppression Sword Domain but directly overwrote it. Now, my Sword Domain hosts this group of Demon Immortals."

Little Sword laughed. "So in future fights, we can just send them out to do the dirty work!"

Fang Chen doubted this. If he encountered an opponent who forced him to deploy his Sword Domain to win, it meant the enemy was incredibly powerful. In such a scenario, these Demon Immortals might not be useful. They weren't living third-transformation Demon Immortals anymore. As spectral entities bound to the Sword Domain, there was still a fundamental difference between them and living third-transformation immortals.

"The business here is settled. Let's head back."

***

Enlightenment Underworld, Reincarnation Division.

"Where did Old Wang run off to?" muttered Fang Chen to himself.

He had intended to ask Wang Chongsong about that fat man in the purple robe, but he was nowhere to be found in the Reincarnation Division. Consequently, the matter of the purple-robed man had to be shelved for now, and the message Huang Qingque wanted to pass along remained undelivered.

Old Wang doesn't have the foundation to advance to the eighth transformation yet, especially since the eighth-transformation Immortal Herb—Taiyi Lotus—is still in the Ancient Dragon God Palace. I'll check the Enlightenment God Palace. If he's truly not there, something might have gone wrong.

After returning to the Mortal Realm, Fang Chen headed to the Enlightenment God Palace to search for Wang Chongsong. After a thorough search, there was still no sign of him. He even went to ask Ji Gang, who also had no idea where Old Wang had gone.

"Core Disciple Fang, Master likely went out on business. He'll return once he's finished," said Ji Gang.

"Understood. When he returns, let Senior Taixu know, or come find me at Renzu Mountain in the Dongsheng Empire," stated Fang Chen.

Seeing that Fang Chen was about to leave, Ji Gang asked curiously, "Core Disciple Fang, Core Disciple Ji has recently grasped an Immortal Formation Technique. Aren't you going to congratulate him? I heard Core Disciple Chen is hosting a banquet for him to celebrate him becoming the tenth 'true' core of the Enlightenment God Palace."

"Ji Cheng grasped an Immortal Formation Technique? I was wondering why so many core disciples were traveling together just now." Fang Chen was surprised. "But isn't he stationed at Great Thunder Sound? Even if he were returning to the Enlightenment God Palace, it shouldn't be this fast. The journey usually takes many years."

"It seems the Immortal Formation Technique Core Disciple Ji grasped is related to escape and movement. He managed to return from Great Thunder Sound in just over ten years," elaborated Ji Gang with a trace of envy.

Having been to Great Thunder Sound himself, he understood exactly how impressive that feat was. Back then, a single round trip had taken the group two to three hundred years. This meant that Ji Cheng's immortal boat formation had boosted his traveling speed far beyond that of a typical core member.

"I see. Let's head over and celebrate together then," said Fang Chen.

He pulled Ji Gang along as they flew towards the banquet site. He was genuinely curious about what kind of technique Ji Tianjun had passed down to Ji Cheng that allowed him to grasp a Immortal Formation Technique so rapidly.

On the way, Fang Chen and Ji Gang ran into Nanming Ruyue and Li Shanzi.

"Old Ninth, are you also on your way to congratulate Ji Cheng?" asked Li Shanzi with a smile.

"Indeed. Are you two as well?" replied Fang Chen.

"The fact that Old Tenth grasped a Immortal Formation Technique this time has added significantly to the Enlightenment God Palace's foundation. It's a joyous occasion," cheered Nanming Ruyue happily. "Let's go together."

The four traveled together and soon arrived at the banquet. Seeing them, Chen Enxue immediately waved them over with a grin. "Old Fifth, Old Eighth, Old Ninth! Come, come! Come and reacquaint yourselves with Old Tenth."

A large group of core disciples sat near Chen Enxue. Ji Cheng was the star of the show, surrounded by people offering praise and congratulations. When he saw Fang Chen and the other two arrive, a smile flickered in his eyes. Behind him, Ji Tianjun's expression changed. He stole a glance at Fang Chen, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.

Fang Chen noticed him too.

Hmm? At the fourth transformation already? Which path did he take?

Fang Chen noted that Ji Tianjun's aura had reached the fourth-transformation Immortal Sovereign Realm. He remembered that the man had previously tried the path of the Immaculate Immortal Realm and failed, and it seemed his attempt at the path of the Grand World Immortal Realm had also been unsuccessful.

"Old Tenth, congratulations. Do you have any experience or insights you can share with everyone?" asked Nanming Ruyue with a smile once they were seated.

"What experience could I possibly have? It was nothing more than years of accumulated bitter cultivation and a sudden moment of enlightenment," replied Ji Cheng modestly. He then looked towards Fang Chen. "If we're talking about real experience, it has to be Core Disciple Fang. During the battle for the Great Thunder Sound, he grasped two Immortal Formation Techniques at once. That served as quite the inspiration for me."

Following his lead, everyone began chatting about Fang Chen. Once the topic started, it wouldn't stop. Seeing the spotlight shift away from him, Ji Cheng's face darkened slightly, but he couldn't find the right time to speak, so he remained silent.

"By the way, Old Ninth," interjected Chen Enxue suddenly, "we were just discussing matters concerning the Minor Immortal Realm. Have you ever been there?"

The Minor Immortal Realm?

Fang Chen shook his head. "I have only heard rumors about it but never actually been there. I was under the impression that the entrances and exits to the Minor

Immortal Realm are strictly guarded and that ordinary cultivators lack the qualifications to enter."

Nanming Ruyue and Li Shanzi were also taken aback. Chen Enxue wouldn't mention the Minor Immortal Realm without a good reason. Both turned their gazes towards Ji Cheng simultaneously. In this assembly, only Ji Cheng and his elder clan brother, Ji Tianjun, hailed from the Minor Immortal Realm.

"That works out perfectly, then. Go back and pack your things. We set out for the Minor Immortal Realm in about fifty years. You're coming along," instructed Chen Enxue with a grin.

Fang Chen was momentarily stunned. "Departing for the Minor Immortal Realm?"

Nanming Ruyue asked curiously, "Third Senior Sister, what is the purpose of this trip?"

Chen Enxue laughed. "Isn't Old Tenth from there? Since he has grasped an Immortal Formation Technique, he naturally should return home in glory."

Li Shanzi gave a wry smile. "Third Senior Sister, I suspect there are other reasons as well?"

Chen Enxue glanced at Ji Cheng and urged, "Tell them yourself."

"Fifth Senior Brother, Senior Brother Li... the truth is that the Ji family has encountered some trouble back in the Minor Immortal Realm. I wanted to ask Third Senior Sister to come along and mediate the situation," explained Ji Cheng with a bitter smile.

The crowd was shocked.

"Core Disciple Ji, do the cultivators harassing your family not know you are a core member of the Enlightenment God Palace?"

"Is this not a blatant sign of disrespect toward us?"

"What are you all shouting for? So what if he's a core member of the Enlightenment God Palace?" Chen Enxue rolled her eyes, her sharp tone instantly silencing the room. "The Minor Immortal Realm is the Minor Immortal Realm, and the Mortal Realms are the Mortal Realms. There is no overlap between the two. Why should they care about the prestige of the Enlightenment God Palace?"

She paused, then smiled. "Coincidentally... it just so happens I haven't visited the Minor Immortal Realm in many years. Since Old Tenth's family is in trouble, I'll head over to provide him some support."

"Many thanks, Third Senior Sister," said Ji Cheng. He then stole a glance at Fang Chen. "However, your presence alone would surely suffice. Inviting Core Disciple Fang might delay his own cultivation..."

Chen Enxue scoffed. "Delay what? Didn't you see he's already promoted to a third-transformation immortal?"

A third-transformation immortal already!?

The crowd was stunned, a wave of shock rippling through their eyes. Even Ji Gang and Nanming Ruyue couldn't help but stare at Fang Chen with renewed intensity.