Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 1653: Trade-offs

Inside the Reincarnation Division, many external cultivators bowed respectfully upon seeing Fang Chen. He reached the office of the Division Monarch and pushed the door open."You don't even know how to knock? Don't you have manners?" remarked Wang Chongsong, glancing up at Fang Chen.

He returned to organising the official documents on his desk.

Fang Chen closed the door and leaned in. "Old Wang, any discoveries made during your trip to the Lower Six Realms?"

"What could I find? Their methods are incredibly clean. However, I did happen to confirm along the way that a few fellows have already awakened their past-life memories," replied Wang Chongsong.

Fang Chen nodded silently. He then recounted the experiences of his recent journey to Wang Chongsong. After hearing the story, Wang Chongsong's expression grew incredibly heavy.

"The True Immortal Ancient Mirror and the God Decree Ranking have both awakened?"

"It's just a suspicion," opined Fang Chen.

"You are too naive. If it were just a suspicion, why would they mobilise so many elders? Although they have no physical evidence, they are almost certain that this has become a reality."

Wang Chongsong tapped his index finger on the desk, creating a rhythmic thumping sound.

Fang Chen asked, "In that case, can we conclude that the demon race is preparing to make its move?"

"The True Immortal Ancient Mirror and the God Decree Ranking are both spiritual treasures passed down through the demon race for ages. They view themselves as part of the demon race. If the two treasures are awakened, the ninth-transformation immortals who previously controlled them would no longer hold the upper hand and would be enslaved instead."

Wang Chongsong's expression became increasingly grim. "The True Immortal Ancient Mirror is controlled by a ninth-transformation True Immortal of the True King Clans. If that individual is enslaved, it means the entire Minor Immortal Realm has fallen into the hands of the demons. All this peace is merely a facade."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "As for the God Dao Sect... it is a major structured sect controlled by the demon race. To this day, it remains a top-tier power in the Nine Mortal Realms. If the God Decree Ranking has awakened, the God Dao Sect's true strength might exceed our imagination.

"The demons have been dormant until now. The Three Realm Upheaval may have drained the foundations of demons and humans, but I'm afraid... the power the demons currently wield might be stronger than the humans."

Wang Chongsong's expression relaxed slightly. "Actually, the more chaotic the situation becomes, the more advantageous it is for us. If the demon race and the Fallen Immortals join forces, then the current landscape of the Nine Mortal Realms will be...."

"A three-way deadlock," remarked Fang Chen.

Wang Chongsong nodded. "You could say that. This matter is already beyond your capabilities, so don't overthink it. In any case, things can't get much worse than they already are."

"What about the Xie Zhi Division? Have you heard of it? It seems the ninth-transformation powerhouses of various sects have long since laid the groundwork to establish the division," remarked Fang Chen. "Furthermore, a Yang God has already signaled to all parties that the demons are planning a comeback. People are starting to notice them now, especially since their movements in the Taicang Realm were too large to ignore."

"What use is knowing about the demons? As long as they don't know the truth, they can't form a proper counter-strategy," snorted Wang Chongsong coldly. "I bet some people don't believe a word the Yang God says. Malicious actors might even deliberately turn that news into a joke to lower everyone's guard. After all, so many years have passed. How many people in this era have actually faced a demon? How many have witnessed the true horror of the Three Realm Upheaval?"

Fang Chen sighed softly. "True enough."

The image of a Yang God was firmly planted in people's minds as an anomaly—someone whose memory often failed, who did eccentric things, and whose words lacked public credibility.

"As for the Xie Zhi, I know a thing or two. Joining them brings neither inherent benefit nor harm. It all depends on how you use the position to achieve your own goals." Wang Chongsong waved his hand dismissively. "Just focus on your cultivation. Strive to reach the eighth transformation sooner. Only then will you be qualified to even deliberate on these matters."

Seeing his cultivation level being looked down upon yet again, Fang Chen didn't mind at all. His priority was to advance steadily.

"By the way, during my trip to the Linglong Constellation, I encountered a fat man. Like you, he knew how to use a Formation Heart to break seals. After entering the Underworld, he also carried a Yin Gourd," added Fang Chen. "He said his name was Wang Chongsong."

"A fat man?" Wang Chongsong was shocked. He stood up abruptly and stared intently at Fang Chen. "You said he's fat? And he told you he was called Wang Chongsong?"

"Correct." Fang Chen nodded. "Is he a pawn you placed on the chessboard? His methods are impressive. He seems to possess a spiritual treasure similar to the Starry Teleportation Formation. His robe is a spiritual treasure too. He's armed to the teeth from head to toe and looks incredibly wealthy."

"That spiritual treasure you mentioned, the one like the Starry Teleportation Formation... was it a stone gate?" asked Wang Chongsong, his face darkening.

The smile faded from Fang Chen's face. "Yes. Is there a problem with him?"

He could see something was amiss in Wang Chongsong's reaction. It seemed this fat man made Old Wang extremely wary.

"There is a massive problem," replied Wang Chongsong grimly.

Wang Chongsong swept a glance over Fang Chen and laughed in frustration."What is the name of the fiftieth-ranked item on the Spiritual Treasure Ranking?"

"The fiftieth?" Fang Chen mused. "The Ghost Gate. I suspected it might be that one."

"Correct. That's the one. In the past, that spiritual treasure belonged to the Underworld," Wang Chongsong laughed coldly. "But after the Three Realm Upheaval, it appeared in the Abyss of Demons."

"The Abyss of Demons? Are you saying that fat man is a reincarnated demon?"

Fang Chen was genuinely surprised.

"More than just a reincarnated demon. He is the pretentious Saint Son! You, oh you. There is only one reason you're still alive after meeting him. It's because he disdains killing you. He wants to toy with you like a little mouse until you die. All that business about using a Formation Heart to break seals or carrying a Yin Gourd to the Underworld? It was nothing more than a performance he put on to play you."

Wang Chongsong's voice was icy. "I thought you were sharp, yet this time you walked right into his trap and even struck up a conversation?"

Fang Chen remained silent for a long while before slowly asking, "Did he leave any marks on me?"

"He is bound to be a ninth-transformation True Demon by now. Even if he left something on you, I wouldn't be able to see it, and you wouldn't be able to detect it," said Wang Chongsong. "You should actually be happy. At the very least, it means he doesn't intend to kill you yet, which shows you aren't that significant in his eyes. If I had encountered him, do you think I'd still be standing here talking to you?"

"You have many bone destinies anyway. He cannot finish you off completely. At most, he'd destroy one of them. I've destroyed one before too. It's no big deal," countered Fang Chen.

Wang Chongsong was so angry, he laughed. After a moment of silence, he reminded Fang Chen, "For the coming period, you'd better keep a low profile. Since you're Monarch Yan, you must have a method of stripping away karma. Use it on yourself. Once you do, he probably won't be able to find you. But that means he will also be alerted to your uniqueness. The trade-off is yours to make."