Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 1654: Wait Until That Day Comes

"You are referring to one of the Heavenly Abhorrence Techniques—the Skin Peeling Technique," mused Fang Chen.Since techniques like the Heavenly Sniping Art existed—which relied on karma to lock onto enemies—it wasn't surprising that the Saint Son would possess a similar tracking method.

Wang Chongsong nodded. "Correct, that's the one."

"Old Wang, what are the odds that the Saint Son has bone destinies just like yours scattered within the Enlightenment God Palace?" asked Fang Chen.

"Bone destinies aren't something just anyone could have. Besides, that individual is incredibly arrogant. He would never deign to use such a method," sneered Wang Chongsong. "Could you imagine a dignified Saint Son taking orders from others at the Enlightenment God Palace? He couldn't stomach it.

"However, the fact that he sought you out this time proves he has noticed something. I can't rule out the possibility that he holds an identity within the Enlightenment God Palace. If his appearance at the Linglong Constellation wasn't a coincidence, it means he must have come into contact with you at some point. Any ideas?"

Fang Chen shook his head. "I've interacted with quite a few people in the Enlightenment God Palace. Back when I went to the Great Thunder Sound, I encountered countless core disciples and external cultivators."

Asking him to sift through those people to find the Saint Son's identity was difficult.

"Doesn't matter. As long as he can't find me," said Wang Chongsong with a cold laugh. "Him contacting you serves as a wake-up call for me. I'll have to be even more cautious in the future to avoid being sensed by him."

Suddenly, Fang Chen asked, "Old Wang, do you know about the Little Immortal Honglian?"

Wang Chongsong nodded. "I do. She's from the Saint Demon Race. For now, don't go against her. Their stance is somewhat unique. At critical moments, they might even lend us a hand."

"Alright then. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Fang Chen turned to go.

"Wait," Wang Chongsong called out suddenly.

Fang Chen paused and looked back. "Is there something else?"

"With your current status, you could cultivate in peace if you ignore all this mess. Have you ever considered... just letting it all go?" asked Wang Chongsong seriously.

"Old Wang, are you testing me?" Fang Chen laughed. "My grandfather is an Anomaly, my master is an Anomaly, and now even my parents are Anomalies. You know exactly why they are called that. How should I let it go?"

"I'm just afraid that one day, you'll become an Anomaly too," snorted Wang Chongsong. "Being an Anomaly is no fun. You might spend several hundred years forgetting everything, reduced to a beggar scavenging for food on the streets, bullied by people, and chased by dogs."

"We'll worry about that when the day comes."

Fang Chen waved his hand and left, closing the heavy door behind him.

Once Fang Chen was gone, a figure materialised behind Wang Chongsong. "Master, can this boy actually succeed?"

"Hard to say. But at the very least, he suits my taste."

Having said his piece, Wang Chongsong buried his head back into the official documents on his desk. The figure behind him remained silent for a few breaths before retreating and vanishing into the shadows.

***

Returning to the teahouse, Fang Chen collected Little Yu and headed toward the exit of the Enlightenment Underworld Realm. Along the way, they crossed paths with Ji Gang and chatted for a bit.

"Sir, it seems you've friends everywhere and are doing quite well for yourself in both the living world and the Underworld. That gentleman just now clearly holds a high status in the Enlightenment Underworld Realm—I often saw people bowing to him on the street," remarked Fairy Yu as she sped through the air with Fang Chen.

"The Enlightenment God Palace has only a thousand or so core disciples. Among those thousand, only ten have comprehended an Immortal Technique, granting them the highest status," said Fang Chen with a smile.

Fairy Yu's eyes lit up. "You must be one of them, Sir!"

Fang Chen did not deny. A few years later, the two of them arrived at the banks of the Forgotten River. In the blink of an eye, they reached the Lesser Underworld.

Fang Chen warned, "Don't be alarmed by what you are about to see."

Confused, Fairy Yu watched as the skin on Fang Chen's scalp began to tear, revealing vivid red flesh. A green-colored qi swirled around him like a sharp blade, literally flaying the human skin from his body. Fairy Yu covered her mouth, her wide eyes filled with shock and terror.

Soon, the Skin Peeling Technique was done, and the stripped karma was absorbed by the Monarch Yan Armor. Since this karma belonged to him, it didn't cause any mutations due to karmic clutter. Moments later, Fang Chen returned to normal. His skin and hair regrew, leaving him looking exactly as he did before.

Fairy Yu spoke tentatively, still shaken. "Sir... just now..."

Fang Chen simply shook his head with a smile and led her toward the imperial capital.

At that same moment, in a far-off place, a fat man who was busy devouring a meal suddenly put down his chopsticks. A faint smile flickered in his eyes before he returned to his food, ignoring everything else.

***

The Underworld, Imperial Capital.

Fang Chen took Fairy Yu to find Xia Ji. The three of them sat in the backyard drinking tea and chatting. Xia Ji was initially surprised by the change in Fairy Yu. Upon learning she had already undergone one reincarnation, his expression turned strange. He glanced at Fang Chen as if he wanted to say something but held back in the end. He suppressed his thoughts and began recounting some of Fairy Yu's past embarrassing moments.

"So I used to be so pitiful.... I had no parents, and it was Sir who picked me up?"

Fairy Yu looked at Fang Chen with a look of mock self-pity.

"It wasn't just your 'Sir.' I was there too!" Xia Ji rolled his eyes. "If I hadn't dragged Big Brother Fang out to buy buns, would we have ever run into a little glutton like you?"

Fairy Yu huffed. "Who are you calling a glutton? I'm not, and besides, I don't even like buns. I like broad beans."

"Broad beans? Why?" asked Xia Ji in confusion.

Fairy Yu stuck her tongue out at Xia Ji. "Because Sir likes eating them."

"What an ungrateful brat," muttered Xia Ji.

Fairy Yu didn't care at all and immediately fired back. Fang Chen watched the two of them bicker in silence. It felt as if time had wound back hundreds of years to when they were all young. Back then, they would find some spoiled noble heirs to beat up in their spare time, study military books, or discuss the mysteries of heaven and earth. And of course, everyone loved listening to his stories—stories of the distant stars on the other side of the cosmos.

"I'm going to take her around for a bit. You get back to work," interjected Fang Chen, rising as he saw the time was right to leave.

Xia Ji glanced at Fairy Yu and asked, "Is she about to reincarnate?"

Fang Chen nodded with a smile. "Mmm. I plan to let her jump the queue."

"Brother Xia, I'll forget you again soon, but don't worry. After I die next time, Sir will bring me back to see you. Then he'll tell me about how I sat here arguing with you today," chirped Fairy Yu.

Xia Ji nodded with a smile. "Alright. I'll wait for your next visit then."

Fang Chen took Fairy Yu to visit other places and met up with some old acquaintances. Finally, he brought her back to the Enlightenment Underworld Realm and personally handled her reincarnation procedures.

"Sir, counting this coming life, you've accompanied me for two lifetimes already. You can't give up halfway. If you can't find me right away, you have to keep looking. I won't hide from you," said Fairy Yu.

Though she wore a smile and appeared brave as she approached the queue, there was a deep, lingering worry in the depths of her eyes.

"No matter where you are, I will find you," Fang Chen promised with a nod.

Relieved, Fairy Yu joined the line of wandering souls preparing for reincarnation.