Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1280: Gathering of Experts
The long-awaited Immortal Exchange finally officially began. The entire Daotai Mountain was shrouded by a forbidden spell, with only one entrance open. At that moment, many cultivators under the authority of the sect leaders of Shikong Market were stationed at the entrance, responsible for checking entry tickets and registering names.
The Immortal Exchange that the Great Desolate Immortal had once hosted was nothing compared to this, like a trifling novice sorceress compared to a great witch.
Fang Chen didn't rush to enter. Like many cultivators who came for the spectacle, he stood nearby and eavesdropped on the conversations of the various cultivators attending.
Before long, hundreds of notable figures flocked in, one after the other.
Among them were first and second transformation Loose Immortals. These cultivators were usually the center of attention when they appeared in public. But they were not so conspicuous today. Only figures like Zhu Tongshu, the sect leader of Dongsheng Market, attracted relatively heated discussion.
If a fourth-transformation Immortal made an appearance right now, the excitement would multiply severalfold.
Not far away, a cultivator exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, isn't that Xu Guangyuan, the founding ancestor of Guangyuan Hall from Qingyuan Market? He managed to get his hands on a ticket? Guangyuan Hall is that stacked?"
Normally, a first-transformation Loose Immortal wouldn't cause such a stir, but those attending today's Immortal Exchange were all quite prominent, mostly accompanied by their second or third transformation Loose Immortal seniors.
Qingyuan Market was located in the Daotai Mountain territory and was considered a relatively remote area. Among over a thousand spirit mountains, it had never produced a second-transformation Loose Immortal. Only a few dozen first-transformation Immortals presided over there, and the market still hadn't appointed a master of its own.
In a place like this, having Loose Immortals participate in the Immortal Exchange attracted quite a bit of attention.
The one who had spoken was a cultivator at the Ascension Realm, clearly familiar with Xu Guangyuan. Otherwise, he wouldn't have recognized him so quickly.
"Senior Guangyuan didn't come alone; he also brought a junior from his family. Hmm, have you noticed? He is deferring to that old man, walking noticeably further behind him. He is probably the owner of the entry ticket."
Many looked toward the old flood dragon, but the old flood dragon had never officially appeared over the years. No one recognized him. They could only make guesses regarding his identity.
The old flood dragon was accompanied by Li Daoye, and Xu Guangyuan was accompanied by Xu Dongjiang. Neither of these two was a Loose Immortal, but they were excited about the grand occasion today.
"The ancestor truly has foresight in choosing to befriend the Cangyun Sect. Such a powerful faction with deeply entrenched roots excels in social affairs compared to Guangyuan Hall. Of course... it still takes sufficient financial power to confidently give Guangyuan Hall two entry spots without blinking."
The two tickets had cost no small fortune in immortal crystals, yet Cangyun Sect hadn't taken a single crystal in return. This was a clear sign of their satisfaction with Guangyuan Hall's years of loyal cooperation.
Suppressing that thought, Xu Dongjiang glanced discreetly at Li Daoye. This time, Elder Fang did not accompany them; instead, it was the sect leader, Li Daoye. This greatly surprised him and made him suspect that Elder Fang might have made a mistake.
After watching the old flood dragon and the others enter Daotai Mountain, Fang Chen shifted his attention elsewhere.
Of course, he didn't observe with his naked eyes but instead sent out his divine soul in secret to watch.
Over there were Wang Chongsong and Lin Bao. The Guanqing Sect obviously had some reputation in Shikong Market. At this moment, many fourth-transformation immortals of the same rank were standing around Wang Chongsong, chatting and laughing as they prepared to enter.
If a cultivator from the Void Immortal Sword Sect had been here before, who could even have recognized this old ancestor of Guanqing Sect as the former sect leader of Void Immortal Sword Sect? That was Wang Chongsong, who always imitated the old sword immortal's manner and never showed his whole face.
Had Fang Chen not come personally, or not known of Lin Bao's connection to him, finding Wang Chongsong's true identity would have been nearly impossible.
The Hidden Guard Division's influence did not yet reach the Nanning Constellation.
Song Zhili had said before that Wang Chongsong only rose to power after joining the Enlightenment God Palace in the Upper Three Realms.
If Fang Chen could uncover the truth about the Inverse Immortal Demonic Embryo matter here, he wouldn't have to make another long trip to the Enlightenment God Palace.
"Ancestor Wang of Guanqing Sect has also emerged from seclusion. He's a long-time recluse known for his love of tea. He prefers to drink tea alone in the sect rather than deal with worldly matters. Because of this, he has many friends in Shikong Market and no enemies."
"The people around him are big shots in Shikong Market and are all fourth-transformation immortals. One could only look up to them."
The spectators murmured in awe.
Everyone here was an upper three realm cultivator; whether they could become Loose Immortals was unknown, let alone to look up to fourth transformation immortals who even ordinary Loose Immortals respected.
The fourth transformation was a chasm that many third transformations could not cross.
At that moment, the nearby cultivators suddenly stirred, then quickly fell silent as countless eyes focused on a single point.
An old man dressed in a black and red robe had appeared, stepping through the air. Cultivators who were entering immediately made way for him.
Two figures followed the old man. One was a cultivator in his forties in his prime and had an unfathomable aura. Several fourth-transformation immortals in the line showed solemn expressions and did not dare stare. They only gave the faintest of glances before quickly retreating their gaze.
The other figure was someone Fang Chen recognized. It was the palace master of the Myriad Immortal Palace, Immortal Xingyu, a fifth transformation Great Luo Immortal.
Unsurprisingly, the middle-aged man had to have been one of her three senior brothers, while the elder himself could only be one of the few half-step Ancient Immortals in the Nanqing Constellation—Immortal Taixu, a sixth transformation!
Immediately, excitement rippled through the crowd.
"That's Immortal Taixu!"
"Even Immortal Taixu showed up for the exchange? Could it be that some peerless treasure is about to appear?!"
"What a pity. If I had an entry ticket, I might have been able to catch a glimpse of that legendary half-step Ancient Immortal...."
At the same time, a middle-aged man burst out from within Daotai Mountain and headed toward the Immortal Taixu.
The cultivators of Shikong Market all recognized him. It was the Market Lord of Shikong Market, a sixth transformation immortal—Jidu Kongyuan.
Jidu Kongyuan warmly greeted Immortal Taixu and personally escorted him to the Immortal Exchange.
In front of two sixth-transformation immortals, even a fifth-transformation immortal could only salute respectfully and not interrupt.
Immortal Xingyu's gaze was cold and clear, occasionally sweeping over everyone present. Suddenly, she couldn't help but let out a light laugh, pointing to someone in the line.
"To think that the illustrious Grand Desolate Immortal would come here so modestly, suppressing your cultivation to the second transformation. Won't the juniors mock you when they find out?"
In the line, the well-concealed Grand Desolate Immortal heard Immortal Xingyu reveal his identity, and he laughed heartily, cupping his hands in salute. "I've truly made a fool of myself."
For a moment, countless eyes focused on the Grand Desolate Immortal.
The owners of these gazes were of different identities.
In a corner of the crowd, Ji Tiandu glanced at the elegant lady beside him and said, "Sister-in-law, it looks like the Grand Desolate Immortal didn't lie to us. He really has fallen out with Immortal Xingyu."
