Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1221: Dog-Beating Operation
The grand elder of Nine Immortals Mountain glanced at Fang Chen, then let out a soft sigh and shook his head at the giant crane. "He did everything he could. It was the Myriad Immortal Palace that refused to leave any survivors. Didn't you hear? Even the Heavenly Sword Division was destroyed because of it."
Fang Chen acted as though he hadn't seen the grand elder and the others. He simply wandered slowly through the area, walking around and pausing here and there.
Even Nangong Yuanzhen didn't step forward to speak. He wasn't sure whether any of the souls around him still had spies among them like those from the Immortal Worshipping Palace.
Soon, a Day Walker God arrived and, after greeting the elders of Nine Immortal Mountain, began leading them away.
Because the number of dead people this time was simply too large, the Day Walker God alone couldn't handle it properly. So, the Soul Capturing Division was mobilized. The Underworld Official Division was mobilized, and even the Nether Guard Division sent troops to the mortal realm to maintain order.
Over the course of roughly ten days, all the wandering souls from Nine Immortal Mountain were fully guided into the Yellow Springs.
At that moment, Du Yunxu and the others arrived before Fang Chen.
Qi Tianran cupped his hands and reported. "My lord, everything here has been taken care of. All have been sent into the Yellow Springs. None were missed. However, many among them... likely won't be able to cross the Forgotten River."
"We've done our best. The rest is up to fate," Fang Chen said calmly. "The coordination between your various divisions this time wasn't bad. All those years of hard work haven't gone to waste. Once we return to the Floating Pagoda Realm, we'll hold a meeting in Jiangguang City."
"Yes."
Everyone exchanged glances, then their figures gradually faded into the mist and vanished.
***
Floating Pagoda Realm, Jiangguang City.
In the main hall gathered a bunch of Underworld True Gods. Present were Xu Changshi, Chen Lingding, Yu Tingzhai, and Li Wuwang, along with the many Yin Monarchs of the Lesser Underworld. Among them, the most powerful in cultivation was Yu Tingzhai, who had reached the fourth transformation.
The weakest cultivators were people like Jiang Yushu, Marshall Xiao Lang, and Xia Ji. Their strength couldn't compare to that of the Yin Monarchs here, nor to any of the True Gods. Yet the power and authority they wielded far surpassed even beings like Taiyin, a True God in the Underworld.
Xu Changshi stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Monarch, the Grand Desolate Immortal has issued a death order. My Spirit God Sect must send someone to Tuxiong Star. No matter the cost, we must force the Anomaly on that star into the open."
"I can stall for now," he continued, "but if too much time passes and he grows suspicious, he may pull strings to replace me. When that happens, he'll send one of his most trusted men to Chaotic Star to take my place."
Li Wuwang stood silently in the corner, listening.
Among all from the Heavenly Sword Division, only he had earned the right to attend this meeting. Even someone like Li Changsheng was unqualified and had to wait outside.
By now, Li Wuwang had pieced together Xu Changshi's identity. As the man spoke, Li Wuwang cast a complicated glance in his direction.
He was a third-transformation cultivator of the Spirit God Sect. Yet, he belonged to Fang Chen.
Who would've thought?
Then, from the corner of his eye, he glanced at Yu Tingzhai. The fourth-transformation cultivator from the Yin Holy Sect and the one appointed by the Myriad Immortal Palace to guard the Chaotic Star. He was also Fang Chen's man.
Who could have seen this coming?
And it wasn't just them. Almost every Yin Monarch in the Lesser Underworld was present... was someone who worked for Fang Chen.
Li Wuwang sighed deeply. If those misfortunes of the past hadn't happened, would he be the one standing at the center of this hall today?
But there were no "what ifs" in this world.
Fang Chen was silent for a moment, then said, "The Grand Desolate Immortal has the promise of the Lesser Immortal Realm. He'll take this matter seriously. You can arrange a few planned 'operations.' When the time comes, the Killing Spiritual Division will respond accordingly, improvising as needed.
"In the short term, it won't raise suspicion, nor will it offend him. That figure in the Lesser Immortal Realm and him should both understand that this isn't something to be rushed. We still have time.
"As for the Hidden Guard Division, try to locate the whereabouts of Heavenly Monarch Ji as soon as possible. He is the key."
Everyone's gaze shifted toward Xia Ji.
Xia Ji smiled slightly and cupped his hands. "The Hidden Guard Division has confirmed that the Lesser Immortal Realm does not belong to any of the Nine Mortal Realms. It is likely either a type of pocket world created by an artifact... or an independent realm formed by some kind of immortal technique.
"However, the true immortals from that Lesser Immortal Realm do occasionally enter the Nine Mortal Realms, and they maintain loose connections with various forces here. By following these leads, we have a real chance to pinpoint Heavenly Monarch Ji's movements. However, it will still take time and a bit of luck."
The various Yin Monarchs nodded subtly.
In recent years, the Hidden Guard Division had finally started to show real results. Under Xia Ji's leadership, they had delivered several impressive outcomes, many of which involved direct cooperation from these same Yin Monarchs. Having witnessed the results firsthand, they now recognized Xia Ji's capability.
Yu Tingzhai spoke with a steady voice, "As for the Myriad Immortal Palace, I've already made contact. They've established an underworld city in the Floating Pagoda Realm, named Myriad Immortal. The cultivators of the Myriad Immortal Palace are quite adept at navigating the underworld. In fact, most of the major powers have set up some form of base in the Floating Pagoda Realm."
"One reason is for easier information exchange. The other... is that beyond Yin Lifespan Coins, the Floating Pagoda Realm holds resources they need for their cultivation paths. They didn't say much, but I suspect it involves immortal souls."
"Immortal Xingyu has already recruited me. My official title is now one of the Four Guardian True Immortals of the Myriad Immortal Palace."
"Myself, Xi Zian, Wan Shouque, and Wang Nongcao. Other than us, they have thirteen third-transformation cultivators, forty-six second-transformation cultivators, and one hundred fifty-seven first-transformation cultivators. And those numbers are still growing. The Myriad Immortal Palace is at its peak right now."
Everyone did a quick mental calculation, then quietly gasped.
First transformations were expected; a large faction guarding numerous territories would need many of them.
But thirteen third transformations? And excluding Yu Tingzhai, there were three at the fourth transformation. And then there was their palace master, Immortal Xingyu herself, who was a seasoned fifth transformation powerhouse. Most in her tier wouldn't be able to suppress her, even if matched in cultivation.
Li Wuwang couldn't help but find it slightly amusing.
The Myriad Immortal Palace had destroyed the Nine Immortal Mountain and the Heavenly Sword Division, but clearly hadn't realized that within a few short days, all their internal structure had been laid bare.
Perhaps Xingyu was overconfident. Perhaps everyone in the Myriad Immortal Palace shared her arrogance. Or perhaps they just didn't think these details mattered enough to keep hidden. But what they couldn't imagine was that, here in the Floating Pagoda Realm, a meeting was taking place, and it was specifically aimed at them.
And once this meeting concluded, things would no longer go smoothly for the Myriad Immortal Palace.
"Monarch Xia, work closely with Daoist Yu on verifying the information. Then have the Hidden Guard Division, over the next few decades, investigate every individual. Learn their temperaments, habits, and relationships. Identify their weaknesses and strengths."
Xia Ji nodded.
Fang Chen continued, "The theme of today's meeting... let's call it the Dog-Beating Operation. It won't produce results in the short term. I'm setting the timeframe at fifty years."
"During this period, focus on gathering intelligence. Big or small, no matter how trivial something may seem, nothing is to be overlooked."
He paused, then added, "We can borrow some of the Spirit God Sect's methods and apply them to the Dog Beating Operation. Conflicts and grudges can be fabricated. Accidents can be arranged. Each division should coordinate and plan together. Explore every possibility."
Everyone exchanged glances, understanding his intent instantly.
Li Wuwang slowly let out a long breath.
