Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1238: Inevitable Death

Yu Tingzhai gazed deeply at Song Zhili for a long moment with an unreadable expression. A subtle sneer tugged at the corner of his lips as he suddenly let out a soft laugh. He joked, "If Daoist Xu had even half your skill, perhaps the Spirit God Sect wouldn't suffer such humiliation at the hands of the Killing Spiritual Division."

Song Zhili responded humbly, "Brother Yu, you're kidding. Daoist Xu is still in his early years. His talents, however, have already been recognized by the upper echelons of the sect. I'm nowhere as good as him."

Eyes glinting faintly, Song Zhili spoke. "Actually, I've come to ask for your help, Brother Yu. If you could lend me your hand, the Spirit God Sect will surely remember it. You will have nothing to worry about when you oversee this realm."

The smile vanished from Yu Tingzhai's face. He snorted, "You threaten me the moment you arrive, and now you want my help? Do you think I've forgotten the grudge between the Spirit God Sect and Myriad Immortal Palace?"

Song Zhili frowned. He had feigned ignorance in hopes of testing Yu Tingzhai's disposition. It was clear that the man's refusal to support the Spirit God Sect these years had stemmed from that old incident.

"That matter..." Song Zhili sighed. "Brother Yu, that matter... to put it plainly, it has nothing to do with you. It's factional fights above us. If those of us below make a slip, we might offend both sides."

He cupped his hands solemnly and pleaded, "I am here today to appeal to Brother Yu. Consider the grace once extended by Thousand Dao Tower to the Yin Holy Sect. Aid me this once, and you will have repaid it in full. In return, the Grand Desolate Immortal will not forget your contribution."

He paused, then added subtly, "Of course, if you refuse, I will be duty-bound to report that as well. The Grand Desolate Immortal will remember your silence."

Yu Tingzhai snorted, "So now I have no choice but to help, lest a fifth-transformation immortal disturb me nightly? How difficult that must be to sleep..."

Song Zhili smiled faintly and said, "Well, this is a small matter to you, Brother Yu. I only ask that you follow us to Tuxiong Star and speak to the old flood dragon residing there. Convince him to return to Longyuan and continue his cultivation. The old flood dragon's presence hinders our plans. With him gone, we can act freely."

Yu Tingzhai leaned back, his arms folded within his wide sleeves. He questioned, "The Heavenly Sword Division once worked for your sect, and look where they end up now."

Song Zhili's face darkened and retorted, "Worked for us? They decided to turn to the Killing Spiritual Division. Do you not know that had it not been for us, those sword cultivators would never have found footing on Chaotic Star?"

Yu Tingzhai dismissed his words and said, "No more bullshit. You want me to drive away the old flood dragon. Is that all?"

Song Zhili nodded and warned, "He may resist though, so Xu Changshi and I will accompany you. With two third-transformation realm cultivators and one fourth-transformation realm cultivator against a third transformation realm on lightning tribulation, we have a good chance."

Yu Tingzhai rose and announced, "Choose a time. I can leave whenever. Now get out."

With that, he turned and left, not looking back.

Song Zhili chuckled then turned to Yan Haoran, who followed beside him as they departed the pavilion.

Behind them, the gloomy walls of the Yin Holy Sect faded into mist.

"Master is truly formidable," whispered Yan Haoran, glancing back. "Just a few words needed to get a fourth-transformation realm cultivator to listen."

Song Zhili said arrogantly, "You just have to know how to pressure him. Xu Changshi's negligence is what gave the Grand Desolate Immortal reason to intervene. Had he taken this place seriously, I wouldn't have had the chance to return."

He smiled slightly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he glanced into the distant horizon.

This return had largely resolved the Frost Water Immortal Flame issue; it would no longer tie him. He may not gain benefits from the Little Immortal Realm, but if he could hitch himself to the Great Desolate Immortal Venerable, he'd have backing in the Spirit God Sect. The Heavenly Saint Sect would no longer be bullied by Xu Changshi and his allies anymore.

He ordered, "This is only the beginning. Once Yu Tingzhai drives off the old flood dragon, gather every self-proclaimed Immortal King on Tuxiong Star and kill them all."

Yan Haoran paled and exclaimed, "All of them?! Master, wouldn't that incur too much karma? Hasn't the sect always taught us to remain unaffected and pure during difficult situations?"

"It's just a small karma," replied Song Zhili flatly. "There's a senior in the sect who is skilled in the Severance Karmic Technique. I'll speak on your behalf and have him perform the rite."

Still, Yan Haoran hesitated. He mumbled, "But... must we act so harshly? Once the old flood dragon leaves, we can slowly suppress the others instead..."

Song Zhili said coldly, "We must be swift, decisive and act fast. I know that is the Grand Desolate Immortal's will."

He looked into the distance again and added, "Furthermore, this matter has dragged on for too long. The faster I succeed, the more useless Xu Changshi looks. He will be too ashamed to stay in this realm then."

In the council hall of Jiangguang City, Xu Changshi's laughter was laced with fury.

"Song Zhili dares call me useless? Fine. If he steps foot on Tuxiong Star, he is dead!"

At the table, Yu Tingzhai glanced sideways at him and reminded, "He was sent by the Grand Desolate Immortal. If he dies so fast, the Grand Desolate Immortal will not sit still. He may even descend in person."

Yan Haoran nodded solemnly and agreed, "Master mustn't die now. We need a way to ensure he fails. Perhaps...."

He looked cautiously at Fang Chen and suggested, "I can arrange for the Master to enter the Underworld. If the lord decrees him a title—"

Xu Changshi's face turned to frost and rejected, "No. Song Zhili is unworthy of being an Underworld True God."

The grudge between the Xu family and the Heavenly Saint Sect was too deep. Once, the Xu family had produced a sixth-transformation immortal. Had he not fallen to Wang Chongsong's sword, he might have reached the seventh transformation and become a name that echoed through all Nine Mortal Realms.

That one loss had broken the family. They had poured all their resources into nurturing that immortal only to watch him fall. Since then, the family has not recovered.

Yan Haoran, unaware of the details, merely frowned. He defended, "I only sought a practical solution. I simply thought it the simplest and safest countermeasure."

Suddenly, Fang Chen interrupted, "Actually, we might as well kill him."

The room fell silent.

Yu Tingzhai raised a brow, then slowly nodded in agreement.

Xu Changshi's eyes flickered and asked, "What's your plan?"

Fang Chen smiled. "Daoist Yu is from the Myriad Immortal Palace. If he kills Song Zhili in righteous fury after being threatened, no one can fault him when it reaches above. From there, it would become a matter between Immortal Xingyue and the Grand Desolate Immortal. Since the Grand Desolate Immortal was acting for personal reasons, Song Zhili's death won't be talked about."

Yan Haoran let out a bitter breath. His master, Song Zhili's, fate has been sealed. Perhaps it would've been better if he had never returned at all.