Chapter 1589: A Dangerous Trip

The people around hadn't been able to see through Fang Chen's cultivation until Chen Enxue pointed it out. They had only vaguely sensed that his aura was more defined than before, never imagining he had already reached the third transformation.

"Old Ninth, have you really advanced to the third transformation?" Li Shanzi asked in shock.

Ji Sheng found it hard to believe, and Ji Tianjun was equally shocked. Everyone stared intently at Fang Chen, waiting for his response.

With a sigh, Fang Chen nodded. "Your eyes are just as sharp as ever, Third Senior Sister. I had a stroke of luck. Since becoming a core disciple, my resources and foundation have been far more abundant than before. Coupled with a bit of good fortune, I managed to reach the third transformation not long ago."

"If I remember correctly, Old Ninth, you advanced to the second transformation while on the way to Great Thunder Sound? How many years has it been since then? I never expected you to hit the third transformation so soon. I thought you'd spend at least four or five hundred years refining your foundation," said Nanming Ruyue with a sigh of admiration.

He raised his cup. "Come, let me offer a toast to you, congratulating you on this advancement."

The others followed suit, raising their cups in congratulation.

Meanwhile, Ji Sheng could only manage a forced smile, clearly distracted during the toasts. He was still only a second-transformation immortal, an entire realm below Fang Chen. Even in terms of Immortal Formation Techniques, he was a step behind, despite having joined the Enlightenment God Palace far earlier. Ji Sheng still remembered that when he first met Fang Chen, the man hadn't even reached the Immortal Realm yet.

Once the congratulations ended, the conversation shifted back to the Minor Immortal Realm. Nanming Ruyue and Li Shanzi both mentioned they had no pressing matters and expressed their desire to visit the Minor Immortal Realm, offering to help stand up for the Ji family.

Chen Enxue naturally didn't refuse. The more core disciples that went, the better. It could be treated as a leisurely excursion.

Looking at the other core disciples, Chen Enxue said, "Does anyone else want to come? Constant cultivation isn't the only way to live. You need to go out and clear your head occasionally."

In the end, quite a few people volunteered, and the group was finalized at about twenty members, including ranked core disciples like Chen Enxue, Nanming Ruyue, Li Shanzi, and Fang Chen.

Fang Chen kept a close eye on Ji Sheng's reactions. Initially, Ji Sheng seemed helpless, and that feeling persisted until the very end. However, Ji Tianjun was different. At first, he showed a clear flash of resistance, but then seemed to recall something that made the smile return to his face. After that, he was welcoming of the idea of so many core disciples heading to the Minor Immortal Realm.

This trip for Third Senior Sister is fraught with danger. She might already be targeted, perhaps just like Eldest Senior Sister was,

Fang Chen thought.

Fang Chen looked at Chen Enxue and casually said, "Third Senior Sister, should we invite Eldest Senior Sister to come along as well?"

Chen Enxue's face darkened instantly at the mention of Xie Aman. She lashed, "Don't you dare call her. If you invite her, I'll beat you up every single time I see you from now on."

Fang Chen gave a dry laugh. "Alright, alright, I won't call her then."

Chen Enxue's smile returned. "That's more like it. Besides, why would a trivial matter like this require her intervention? My presence is more than enough. My prestige carries weight no matter where I go."

The crowd quickly voiced their agreement, and the atmosphere became harmonious once more.

"By the way, Core Disciple Fang, remember to invite Junior Sister Hong when you get back. Isn't she your Dao Companion? If you don't bring her along, I'm afraid she might hold a grudge against me later," added Ji Sheng suddenly.

Fang Chen smiled and nodded. "Sure, I'll ask her if she's interested."

After chatting for a while, the group agreed to reconvene in fifty years at this very spot before going their separate ways.

Upon leaving the Enlightenment God Palace, Fang Chen did not return to Renzu Mountain in the Dongsheng Empire. Instead, he headed to the cultivation abode of Little Immortal Honglian. Hearing of Fang Chen's visit, she was quite pleased and came out to host him personally.

Fang Chen said casually, "Daoist Hong, in fifty years, Third Senior Sister and the others are heading to the Minor Immortal Realm. Word is they're going to support Core Disciple Ji's family, who have run into some trouble there. Third Senior Sister invited me, so I came to see if you'd like to join us. I've heard of the Minor Immortal Realm for a long time but have never seen it; I'm quite curious."

Little Immortal Honglian was in the middle of steeping tea, but her hands visibly faltered at his words. She replied with feigned nonchalance, "What's the point of going to a place like that? I think it's better if you stay. When you have free time, you can instruct me on Formation Techniques."

Fang Chen stole a glance at her.

She doesn't want me to go.

He smiled and replied, "I've already agreed. Why don't you come with me? Treat it as a chance to relax. Third Senior Sister says that constant cultivation wanes the spirit and is detrimental to progress."

Little Immortal Honglian remarked solemnly, "It seems Third Senior Sister hasn't given up on her designs for you."

After a long pause, she nodded. "Very well. I will go with you when the time comes."

After chatting for half a day, Fang Chen rose to take his leave. He now had a clearer understanding of her attitude. She likely knew that true demons existed in the Minor Immortal Realm, which was why she didn't want him to go. This indirectly confirmed his suspicion: there were true demons targeting Chen Enxue.

First, they targeted Xie A'man, then it was Chen Enxue's turn.

As for the ninth-transformation immortal of the Enlightenment God Palace... I can likely rule out the possibility of them being a true demon. But I can't be sure if they are a ninth transformation Demon Immortal...

Lost in thought, Fang Chen arrived at Peach Blossom Village in the Dongsheng Empire. He stepped into the tavern and called out to Li Dazui, "Warm up a pot of wine and bring a plate of beans."

"Coming right up!"

Li Dazui called out his response, but then something felt off. He scrutinized Fang Chen, his eyes gradually filling with astonishment.

Compared to more than a decade ago, Li Dazui's hair had turned significantly whiter, and his face was etched with the weariness of age. Yet that man appeared exactly the same as before. Even his long robe seemed identical to the one he had worn years ago!

Shock rippled through Li Dazui's heart as his mind raced through the bizarre tales told by storytellers and the strange myths he had read in books.

Fang Chen sat in the same spot he always frequented. Looking across the way, he could see a bustling tofu shop. A young girl with skin as fair as snow stood with her hands on her hips, scolding several customers who were trying to cut the line. Far from being angry, the customers erupted into a chorus of boisterous laughter.

Watching that scene, Fang Chen felt his memories drift back to his years in the Grand Xia. Back then, the newly famous Fairy Yu of the Grand Xia capital would similarly berate rowdy young nobles from her riverboat. The two girls shared identical features, seemingly unaffected by their biological parentage.

As the situation in front of the shop grew increasingly rowdy, Li Meiyan stepped out to restore order. She had aged noticeably. A decade manifested most vividly in a woman who has crossed into her thirties.

Even after Li Meiyan took over, the young girl continued to fire back at the diners who teased her. Halfway through, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the tavern across the street watching her.

A look of confusion crossed the girl's face. "Eh? Is that Uncle Fang? No... the age doesn't seem right..."

She whispered something to Li Meiyan and then began jogging toward the tavern.