Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1299: The Gathering Disperses

That sixth-transformation immortal had been concealing both his aura and appearance, so no one had managed to glean his origin. Normally, hiding like that meant one lacked confidence in their background. A late reveal like that only invited scorn, not deterrence.

At that moment, there were still several other sixth transformation immortals nearby who had also cloaked their features, and it appeared they had formed a temporary alliance.

Fang Chen's gaze swept toward them.

He thought, Wang Chongsong deliberately spread the news about the Immortal Register earlier, likely having already guessed that this group of sixth transformation immortals would be stirred into action.

As expected, their sudden cooperation was enough to shift the balance of what had been a three-way struggle, now becoming a true four-sided contest.

This development brought real pressure to Immortal Longfu, Yan Tong, and Li Shanzi. With a fourth faction entering the fray, the competition only grew more intense.

Yet in the end, when Li Shanzi called out a bid of fifteen thousand immortal crystals and six taels of Immortal Marrow, the remaining three sides all fell silent, ceasing their offers.

Yan Tong chuckled wryly. "Daoist Li came far too prepared this time. You brought as many as six tales of Immortal Marrow?"

Immortal Longfu's face darkened somewhat. If the bidding were based only on crystals, the Ten Directions Immortal Sect could still press higher. But when it came to Immortal Marrow, they couldn't match Li Shanzi's six taels.

Bitter regret gnawed at him. The additional purchase condition of requiring Immortal Marrow had been suggested by the Ten Directions Immortal Sect themselves.

They had hoisted the stone only to smash their own foot.

Li Shanzi sneered. "I myself only prepared three taels. But Senior Taixu has always been farsighted, preparing plenty in advance."

All eyes turned toward Immortal Taixu, each thoughtful.

Most suspected that, with the Enlightenment God Palace successfully claiming the Ancient Immortal Golden Body, the Immortal Register sealed within it would almost certainly be bestowed upon Taixu himself.

In fact, from the very moment Ji Gang had accompanied Li Shanzi, many had surmised that Immortal Taixu was not some unaffiliated rogue cultivator. His ties to the Upper Three Realms' Enlightenment God Palace were undoubtedly close and deep.

Immortal Longfu finally inclined his head with a formal clasp of hands. "For Daoist Li to pay such a staggering price for the Golden Body, my Ten Directions Immortal Sect has no more to say. Allow me to offer early congratulations."

Fortunately, a substantial portion of the profits from this auction still flowed back to the Ten Directions Immortal Sect. Tallying it all up, the Golden Body had sold for far more than they had originally expected.

The Ten Directions Immortal Sect had not truly lost much. Six taels of Immortal Marrow, fifteen thousand immortal crystals—this was an amount of wealth that even Immortal Longfu could hardly imagine.

Jidu Kongyuan and his three companions finally let out a sigh of relief. Hosting this Immortal Exchange had been crushingly stressful, but at last, things seemed about to conclude.

Just as Jidu Kongyuan was preparing to bring the gavel down, however, a figure stepped up beside Yan Tong, causing his expression to shift. He suddenly called out a price even higher than Li Shanzi's!

"Sixteen thousand immortal crystals, seven taels of Immortal Marrow!" Yan Tong's voice boomed through the air, shocking everyone present.

All eyes turned to the mysterious cultivator at his side. It was only after this figure appeared that Yan Tong dared to offer such a staggering bid.

Immortal Longfu looked somewhat surprised, but his mood was calm now, simply watching with the mindset of a spectator. Since the Ten Directions Immortal Sect could no longer retain the Immortal Register, a higher price was naturally all the better.

Li Shanzi fell into silence.

At his side, Ji Gang's expression grew exceedingly sour.

After a few breaths, Li Shanzi exhaled slowly and forced a small laugh. "As expected of the Taiyi Immortal Sect. I concede."

Yan Tong smiled faintly, but his face bore no pride, only pain at the massive cost.

Before long, Jidu Kongyuan's hammer fell, sealing the outcome. The Ancient Immortal Golden Body passed into Yan Tong's hands.

All present watched as he handed over a mountain of immortal crystals to Jidu Kongyuan. Then, he produced a crystal-clear vial containing a faint, reddish, slightly murky liquid.

This was immortal marrow.

The mysterious cultivator at his side also brought forth a smaller crystal vial. To the eyes of the crowd, Yan Tong's vial held about five taels, while the other vial contained two taels.

With the transaction concluded, Yan Tong and his group smiled faintly toward Li Shanzi and then promptly departed.

Li Shanzi said nothing, his face calm and indifferent. Immortal Taixu, too, revealed no emotions, unreadable as stone. They likewise turned around and left.

At this point, the Immortal Exchange was meant to be concluded. Yet many secretly suspected that once it ended, some of the sixth transformation immortals gathered might make a move to fight over the Golden Body.

Thus, before the proceedings fully closed, countless cultivators wore grim expressions, taut with vigilance. They were ready to flee at the first sign of battle.

Half a day later, the restriction over Daotai Mountain dissolved, and the attending immortals immediately scattered in flight.

But the clash many had awaited did not occur. Li Shanzi of God Enlightenment Palace did not seek trouble with Yan Tong of the Taiyi Immortal Sect. On the surface, the territory around Daotai Mountain remained tranquil and undisturbed.

Fang Chen's divine soul flickered across the sky. He had just seen Yan Tong and his group travel to Guangqing Sect, where Wang Chongsong resided.

As expected, the mysterious cultivator who had just supplied Yan Tong with two taels of Immortal Marrow was none other than Wang Chongsong himself. However, Yan Tong's group did not linger long, staying no more than the burning of a single stick of incense before departing.

Meanwhile, Lin Bao was shooting Wang Chongsong curious looks. "Senior Brother, two taels of Immortal Marrow is no small thing. What terms did that sixth transformation immortal from the Taiyi Sect promise you?"

All along their journey, the two had seemed to be conversing by sound transmission, leaving Lin Bao completely ignorant of what had been discussed.

Wang Chongsong replied with a smile, "Nothing much. Now, it's time to discuss your matter. We can leave the Nanqing Constellation at any time. When do you plan to go?"

"Mhm..." Lin Bao rubbed his chin. "Before I leave, there's one last thing. At the Immortal Exchange, I encountered a fellow who was purchasing immortal souls at very high prices. I've accumulated quite a number of immortal souls over the years, and I plan to exchange them all for Yin Lifespan Coins."

Lin Bao chuckled slyly, eyes gleaming.

Wang Chongsong nodded slowly. "Be cautious in your dealings. Don't let yourself be cheated. The cultivators of the Nanqing Constellation are anything but simple. Finish your matter first. Once you're done, come find me."

"Of course, of course."

Lin Bao bobbed his head eagerly, grinning.

Seeing that, Fang Chen was already certain—Lin Bao had definitely taken the bait. He was one of the many fish Fang Chen had hooked over the past days.

Everything from here would naturally fall into place. He and Lin Bao had already agreed to meet on the fifth day after the end of the Immortal Exchange.

Leaving Guangqing Sect, Fang Chen's divine soul returned to Daotai Mountain's territory.

At that moment, Immortal Xingyu stood before the gate of an inn, as though waiting for someone. Before long, Grand Desolate Immortal stepped out. His complexion was slightly pale, and the instant his gaze fell upon Xingyu, he spoke faintly, "You are more clingy than a vengeful ghost."

He sighed. "If I said again that Xi Zian wasn't killed by me, would you believe it?"

Immortal Xingyu smiled. "No."

The next moment, the two surged into the clouds at once, vanishing toward the distant sky. Only the occasional thunderous rumble overhead bore witness to the fact that they were locked in a fierce duel.

At the inn's entrance, Lady Suya stared coldly at Jidu Kongyuan. "Market Lord Ji, is this the explanation you are offering to my Ji Family?"

"There is truly no proof that points to Grand Desolate Immortal as the culprit."

Jidu Kongyuan clasped his hands, then turned and strode away.

The other presiding Immortal Sovereigns acted the same. None of them truly placed Lady Suya in their eyes. For them, the exchange had concluded. Whatever happened afterward no longer had anything to do with them.

Fang Chen had originally intended to observe where Lady Suya would settle as the faint trail of his divine soul shadowed her quietly. But, midway along her path, she abruptly produced a Great Transference Immortal Talisman and crushed it.