Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1420: A Clown

Within his cave dwelling, Fang Chen's aura was undergoing a profound metamorphosis. Every thread of spiritual energy within him began to shift. It refined itself into true immortal essence at a pace visible to the naked eye. This was a metamorphosis, like a cocoon splitting open to reveal a butterfly.

It wasn't only his spiritual energy that was transforming, too. The change ran deeper than that. His flesh, his bones, every fiber of his being was being reforged.

Around him, Fang Renjian, Fang Tianzun, and Fang Xuanyang were drawn into orbit by the rising tide of his breakthrough.

The Primordial Immortal Eyes and Radiant Divine Eyes flickered alternately within Fang Chen's pupils. At times, his form appeared normal. At others, he manifested three heads and six arms, and was both divine yet terrifying. The countless immortal techniques he had cultivated surged to life one after another beyond his control, each echoing through his veins.

Fang Chen did not resist. He was instead immersed in it, savoring every moment. With each breath, his strength grew by bounds, his presence swelling like a rising sun.

Days passed, then months, until half a year slipped by quietly.

Outside, Jiang Chen and a handful of first-transformation immortals kept watch. When the aura within shifted and reached the final stage, Jiang Chen's eyes gleamed with a razor edge.

"At this point," he murmured, "success is all but certain... Though if a single mishap were to occur, he'd lose it all and fall back to the start."

It wasn't a serious setback. One could simply take another immortal herb and attempt again. However, it would rob him of years, perhaps centuries, wasting both his effort and precious herbs.

Jiang Chen said lightly, "You've all been standing guard here for months. Why not stretch your limbs? Go patrol Hundred-Thousand Mountains. Check for any disturbances. As the appointed people in charge of this land, we must protect its living beings."

The first-transformation immortals exchanged uneasy looks. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

One hesitated, lowering his voice, "But... Core Disciple Hong ordered us to remain here. If we abandon our post—"

"What are you afraid of?" Jiang Chen interrupted coolly. "I'm a third-transformation immortal. You're merely a first transformation. With me here, do you really think you need to do anything?"

His gaze sharpened. "Or do you suspect I intend to harm him?"

"N-no, of course not!"

The first transformation immortals bowed hastily in shame.

It was true. Fang Chen was only attempting a first transformation ascension. Jiang Chen had no reason to harm him.

Reluctant to offend him further, they departed.

As soon as they were gone, Jiang Chen's lips curved faintly. He strode to the sealed cave and pressed his palm to the warding barrier.

Boom!

The backlash came instantly. A violent surge of force erupted, hurling Jiang Chen through the air. He crashed and tumbled a hundred yards away as blood trailed from his lips.

His pale face twisted with disbelief.

What?! How is the barrier this strong?! How could it injure a third-transformation immortal like me?! Fang Chen is only at the Ascension Realm! How could he possibly lay such restrictions?!

Even a hundred layers of common restrictions should have shattered like paper before his touch.

Gritting his teeth, Jiang Chen charged again and met the same fate. He was instantly flung back, his robes in tatters.

His face darkened to iron. "This isn't his work! These restrictions must have been laid down by a third transformation—no, a fourth transformation immortal! But who?!"

Unbeknownst to him, every move he made was being watched. High above, a colossal Black Dragon Ship drifted silently through the void, cloaked in its own power. Upon its deck stood the Senior Sister, hands clasped behind her back, her eyes cold as she looked down at Jiang Chen as one might regard a clown performing a foolish act.

Beside her, Little Immortal Honglian spoke softly. "Senior Sister, this man placed by Elder Jiang by my side has never possessed a good heart. These years, he's treated my old comrades harshly. I endured it for Elder Jiang's sake, but this..."

Her tone cooled. "To tamper with someone's ascension—this crosses the line. If he disrupts Daoist Fang's breakthrough, Daoist Fang will waste centuries, even ruining the herb he had paid for with merit points."

The Senior Sister nodded. "Agreed. He's violated the rules. I've already sent word of this scene to Elder Jiang. Once he sees it, he'll order Jiang Chen to withdraw."

She paused, smiling faintly as she glanced at Little Immortal Honglian. "You do know why Elder Jiang placed him beside you, don't you? His temperament may be lacking, but his potential to ascend as a core disciple is high. Elder Jiang hoped to match you two together. And you saw through him. You knew he'd try to break the rules. That's why you allowed him to stay by Fang Chen's side. You wanted to slip, didn't you?"

Little Immortal Honglian's eyes lowered. "I knew I couldn't hide it from you, Senior Sister. But I wasn't certain he'd attempt to do it. If he had behaved, I would not have minded keeping him in my team."

Senior Sister's lips curved. "This Fang Chen you're fond of is quite impressive. That barrier of his isn't easy to breach. The person who laid it down is likely to have a high cultivation as well. Was this your work?"

"..."

Little Immortal Honglian was silent. Truthfully, she herself didn't understand how Fang Chen had laid it. But she didn't deny it either.

"When his ascension is complete, you'll both accompany me to Langgui Constellation. After that, we'll make a short trip to the Lower Six Realms."

Little Immortal Honglian blinked in surprise. "Lower Six Realms? Why there?"

Senior Sister replied calmly, "It's something personal and has nothing to do with the Enlightenment God Palace. If you'd rather not come, I can take him alone. My other team members will remain here."

"No need." Immortal Honglian smiled slightly. "We'll go. I've never seen the Lower Six Realms. I'm curious."

As they spoke, Jiang Chen launched another assault on the cave, only to be met with another failure.

After the third attempt, he finally adjusted his robes, smoothed his hair, and restored his calm expression, pretending as if nothing had happened.

***

Months passed.

Lin Yuan and Yu Wuxia returned from rotation to find Fang Chen in the middle of breaking through, with Jiang Chen standing guard, a smug smile on his face. Their expressions turned dark.

Jiang Chen asked with a lazy smile, "Do you not trust me to stand guard here?"

Yu Wuxia replied smoothly, "Of course not. With you here, our captain is perfectly safe."

Jiang Chen's smile didn't fade. "In that case, why don't you get lost?"

There was a pause.

Lin Yuan's expression twisted. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He roared, "Jiang Chen, you damned little bastard! Don't you go too far! If you keep this up, I'll go straight to Core Disciple Hong and report you myself!"

Jiang Chen froze. It was as if he hadn't expected the outburst, and for a moment, he was completely caught off guard.