Immortal of the Nine Realms

At the Desolate Academy, disciples from the six departments stepped out of their immortal caves and gathered at the same place. They looked up at the huge copper bell hanging high in the sky.

"An Immortal Seedling from the Desolate Academy has died? Who do you think it could be?" asked Hua Miaoqing softly.

Zhao Jiaolong remained silent.

Yu Qingzhi took out the Heaven Profound Mirror and glanced at it. Then, he whispered, "It's Junior Brother Fang."

"It's him?" exclaimed Zhao Jiaolong in shock. "Did he die at the hands of a Celestial Heaven sword cultivator?"

To him, the only possible reason for Fang Chen's demise would be an encounter with a sword cultivator from the Kunlun Sword Sect. Who else would dare to attack him? Moreover, a sword cultivator from the Kunlun Sword Sect named Wu Changzai had died at Fang Chen's hands.

"Junior Brother Fang's soul lamp hasn't yet extinguished, so that could only mean that he has failed to condense his Nascent Soul. It's such a pity considering his talent. I hope the Desolate Academy finds him soon," muttered Yu Qingzhi.

"Junior Brother Yu, where did you get this piece of news from?" asked Zhao Jiaolong puzzledly.

"This matter has caused quite a commotion outside. Everyone is talking about it, so it's easy to find out about it."

In the Hall of Ancient Records, the Era Immortal King quietly approached Elder Xun and whispered, "Hall Master, what do you think of Fang Chen's situation?"

Elder Xun snorted. "What do I think? Since his soul lamp hasn't gone out, there's still a chance. If he dies, I'll have Ouyang Xuanzhen and the others use the soul-crossing ritual to bring him back."

The Era Immortal King was slightly taken aback. "The soul-crossing ritual? Wasn't that technique lost for many years...?"

"It has been rediscovered recently," shared Elder Xun, sneering.

"Is it worth it? I've heard that the price of using the soul-crossing ritual is something most cultivators cannot bear… Even Ouyang Xuanzhen, an Immortal King, probably wouldn't casually use such a technique," said Era Immortal King.

Elder Xun glanced at him and retorted, "This brat borrowed from us one high-grade spirit stone and promised to return three back. Are you planning to pay the academy back the spirit stones in his stead if he dies?"

Era Immortal King staggered back a few steps and stared blankly at Elder Xun. He gasped. "I… Hall Master, how could you lend out a high-grade spirit stone? Even the academy doesn't have many of those."

"Me? Wasn't it you who lent it out?"

Elder Xun smiled crudely, patted Era Immortal King's shoulder, and left the Hall of Ancient Records.

The Era Immortal King's expression darkened. "This old bastard wants me to take the blame," he muttered.

If the other five instructors found out about this, he could hardly imagine the cold treatment he'd face in the coming years.

"This brat, he's really reckless. If he wanted to attempt to form his Nascent Soul, he could've at least informed me first. It would've been hard for him to fail with my protection..." cursed Era Immortal King under his breath.

He hurriedly left the hall.

He was going to send people to find Fang Chen and bring him back, regardless of whether he was dead or alive.

At the Azure Dao Manor, the cultivators of the Three Thousand Dao Sect were not very familiar with the Immortal Seedling death bell. As a result, some of them didn't react immediately. It wasn't until the bell had been ringing for a while that they gradually understood what had happened.

"Everyone, go back to your cultivation. Don't worry about the bell. It'll stop ringing after a while," instructed Li Daoye to Elder Xu and the others.

Once they left, his expression became grim.

This was the Immortal Seedling Death Bell.

Currently, the Three Thousand Dao Sect had only one Immortal Seedling, and that was Fang Chen.

"Brother Li, does the bell tolls mean that an Immortal Seedling has died…?" asked Fang Zhixue worriedly as she entered.

"No, no, don't overthink it," said Li Daoye, casually smiling and waving his hand. "Go back to your cultivation and when your brother comes back, surprise him."

Fang Zhixue was suspicious. However, looking at Li Daoye's relaxed demeanor, she believed him and left.

Once she was gone, Li Daoye confirmed that no one else was around and sat down cross-legged. Soon, a white qi poured out from him and enveloped him.

After about half an hour, the white qi returned to his body.

His face aged a little, and a few strands of his hair turned white. Nevertheless, the smile remained on his face.

"He's alive," mumbled Li Daoye.

In the vast Immortal Demon Sea, the auras of the black and white paper figures were growing weaker with their forms gradually becoming translucent.

It had been several months since Fang Chen left the Three Thousand Dao Realm. During this time, they had not found any suitable islands to rest on.

"How much longer can you last?" asked Fang Chen suddenly.

The white paper figure uttered, "My lord, rest assured. We should be able to last for another three months. We are merely temporarily leaving. Once you recultivate, you will be able to summon us back."

"Recultivate, huh..." mumbled Fang Chen.

He fell silent.

Over the past few months, he had been trying to recultivate the Introduction to the Three Thousand Daos. Without the support of his divine soul, his progress had been stagnant. At his current pace, it would take him at least three years to forge his first immortal vein and reach the first layer of the Qi Refining realm.

He estimated that once he reached the first layer of the Qi Refining realm, his divine soul would return, and the rest of his cultivation would proceed smoothly.

Months passed again.

The paper figures' forms were now nearly transparent, but they still hadn't found a suitable island to rest on.

"If I had known, I would have stayed on that island," mumbled the black paper figure.

Fang Chen smiled faintly and said calmly, "Staying there would have surely led to encounters with cultivators searching for Miao Yan. Put me down. Though my body is weak, with the assistance of Zhu Long, it shouldn't be too difficult to survive in the Immortal Demon Sea."

Hearing its name, a sudden disturbance rippled through the sea. Zhu Long broke through the surface of the water and swam to Fang Chen's side.

The relationship between Zhu Long and Fang Chen wasn't symbiotic, so the dragon hadn't lost its powers despite Fang Chen losing his. However, its power was limited—it was no more than a Qi Refining demonic beast at best.

The paper figures sighed deeply.

In the vast Immortal Demon Sea, even cultivators walking alone would face countless dangers, let alone a mortal. This was essentially a walk of death.

Just then, a crane's cry echoed and a giant crane flew out of the void. Its feathers were all grey-white.

In an instant, the giant crane arrived beneath Fang Chen and caught him gently.

The translucent paper figures frowned upon seeing this.

What was the origin of this giant crane?

"The Division Master of the Killing Spiritual Division ordered me to take you to a place," said the giant crane, speaking in human tongue.

It showed no concern for the paper figures, though it gave Zhu Long an extra glance.

"My lord, it is a grey-feathered immortal crane," whispered the white paper figure.

The Killing Spiritual Division?

Fang Chen was a little surprised. Has the mysterious division master been keeping an eye on me all along?

"Where does the Division Master want me to go?" asked Fang Chen softly.

"The Division Master said that if you can recultivate, you can explore that place. If you can't, you are to spend your remaining days there. Since you have made significant contributions to the Killing Spiritual Division, this is your reward," replied the giant crane.

With a flap of its wings, the giant crane soared into the sky with Fang Chen, moving at lightning speed. Its speed was even faster than the paper figures.