Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 1657: The Direction of Investigation

The figure was shrouded in a black robe and wore a bronze ghost mask. The name etched upon it was Blade Carrier.Fang Chen's first impression was that this person was a master of the blade. However, among immortals, experts of the blade were rare. Very few used it as their primary skill.

Fang Chen humbly introduced himself. "I am Eternity Heavenly Sage. Soldier-rank Xie Zhi. "

Blade Carrier nodded coldly. "Mm. Sit."

The voice was raspy and neutral, making it impossible to distinguish gender. However, judging by the frame beneath the black robe, it was undoubtedly a female cultivator.

Fang Chen scanned the room. Aside from the stool beneath Blade Carrier, there wasn't a second seat. Where did she expect him to sit?

With a thought, green vines sprouted from thin air and weaved themselves into a rattan chair. Fang Chen sat down and waited for Blade Carrier to speak.

Blade Carrier asked indifferently, "You call yourself Eternity Heavenly Sage? A grand title. What is your cultivation level?"

"Third transformation," replied Fang Chen.

"A mere third transformation dares to call himself 'Heavenly Sage'?" muttered Blade Carrier under her breath.

She glanced at him and said, "Since you are new, I will explain the rules here."

Fang Chen nodded. "I am all ears."

"First, in the Xie Zhi Division, beyond the superiors of each hall, there are no higher officials. Even if there are, you won't see them. Your task as a Soldier-rank Xie Zhi is to complete the missions we assign or find your own leads and investigate them thoroughly," Blade Carrier stated flatly. "If we deem your investigation useful, we will allocate resources to assist you as appropriate."

"And what's the direction of investigation?" asked Fang Chen softly.

"Did your recruiter not explain it clearly?" Blade Carrier frowned. "It seems your recruiter failed to even introduce the basics."

Before Fang Chen could respond, she elaborated, "The Xie Zhi Division was established for one goal: to investigate the affairs of the Taicang Realm. We've had some success, so the goal has been narrowed down to investigating the demon race."

As expected....

Fang Chen's mind raced. The Xie Zhi Division had already pinpointed the right direction. Perhaps within this organisation, there were people who had broken the cognition veil.

"Have you heard of the strange occurrence in the Lower Six Realms recently?" asked Blade Carrier.

"The descent of the demonic calamity upon the world?"

"Correct. It seems you are well-informed. No wonder you were chosen for this realm." Blade Carrier nodded. "Since you are new, I'll give you a simple task. In the Killing Spiritual Division of the True Martial Realm, there is an individual connected to this matter. Go investigate him.

"Additionally, another newly recruited Soldier-rank Xie Zhi arrived just before you and has already checked the mission details. Find him at the storehouse. The two of you will complete this mission together. As a senior, I'll give you one piece of advice: Do not reveal your true identity. You may leave now."

Fang Chen didn't leave just yet. Instead, he asked, "Superior, what ranks are above the Soldier rank? And what are their functions?"

"It's all about authority and mission allocation. If you rise a few ranks, you can sit in my position. Also, my bronze ghost mask is different from yours." Blade Carrier chuckled. "I can see who you are."

Fang Chen nodded. "I have no more questions. Farewell."

He stood up to leave, but suddenly paused to ask, "Third Senior Sister, how many years have you been in the Xie Zhi Division?"

"Not many years, I—"

Blade Carrier cut herself off and stared at Fang Chen in silence. After a long while, she removed her bronze ghost mask, revealing an exquisite, beautiful face. It was indeed Chen Enxue.

She asked expressionlessly, "How did you guess my identity?"

"When you took a jab at my recruiter," replied Fang Chen, removing his mask too.

Chen Enxue suddenly smiled. "Fine, you guessed correctly. I bet you didn't expect me to be a Xie Zhi, did you?"

"I didn't. Is the Sixth Star Lord of the Heavenly Immortal Clan also a Xie Zhi?" asked Fang Chen.

"Why are you asking that?" Chen Enxue's eyes narrowed. "Don't pry into others. If you're found out, you'll be in trouble."

"I saw someone named 'Ten Thousand Ancient Heavenly Emperor' just now. He looks a bit like him," commented Fang Chen.

Chen Enxue remained silent, but her silence only confirmed Fang Chen's suspicion that the Ten Thousand Ancient Heavenly Emperor was indeed the Sixth Star Lord.

"Third Senior Sister, regarding the mission... can I complete it alone?" asked Fang Chen. "Since it's best not to reveal identities here, going alone is more convenient. I can't bring this mask with me forever."

Chen Enxue didn't respond immediately and put her mask back on. Without wearing his own mask, Fang Chen saw her appearance and physique shift. Now, she looked like a burly, coarse man.

She explained with a smile, "Only fellow Xie Zhi can see each other's masked forms. These bronze masks have extraordinary origins. Even a ninth-transformation immortal would struggle to discern their secrets."

Fang Chen immediately put his mask back on. Sure enough, Chen Enxue shifted back from the burly man to the figure with the bronze mask.

"Third Senior Sister, what do outsiders see when they look at me?" asked Fang Chen curiously.

"It depends on the name you chose for yourself."

Chen Enxue waved her sleeve, and immortal essence condensed into a humanoid silhouette. "Roughly like this."

The silhouette depicted an elderly man with white hair, gold-trimmed purple robes, and wearing a golden crown. His aura was transcendent and ethereal.

Fang Chen finally understood why someone would choose the title "Carefree Scholar."

He asked helplessly, "Can I change this appearance?"

"You can't," Chen Enxue shook her head and laughed. "Blame the boss for not explaining it clearly. Scold her when you get back."

"I wouldn't dare. You do it for me," replied Fang Chen.

"Fine, hurry to the storehouse and find Daoist Que." Chen Enxue dismissed him. "Use this mission to get some practice."

"Third Senior Sister, I saw someone open a bronze door out there. Does it lead back to where we came from, or...?"

If it led back to the original location, it was fine for him—he could use the Forgotten River to travel. But wouldn't other Xie Zhi spend ninety-nine percent of their time just commuting?

"That relates to the authority I mentioned. Your mask allows you to travel freely across the Lower Six Realms, as long as you know the location. My mask allows me to travel freely in the Upper Three Realms. For example, if I want to go to the Taicang Realm now, I can just open the door and walk through."

Fang Chen was shocked. This is way more convenient than the Forgotten River!

He recalled Old Wang saying that even traveling between the Upper Three Realms was difficult.

Chen Enxue smiled faintly. "Why else do you think the Xie Zhi Division can investigate these matters? Without this convenience, there would be no reason for its existence. However, doors could only be opened on official business. You must have the mission documents to activate it."