Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1444: Tea Party

On Enlightenment Star, Fang Chen received a total of 5,000 merit points from the Hall of Merit—3,000 from Xie Aman, and 2,000 from the Enlightenment God Palace itself.

He estimated that the Elders' Council's willingness to approve such a generous amount so easily was not only because of their Senior Sister's influence but also due to the Palace's considerable gains from the recent incident. They had obtained an Ancient Immortal spot on the Immortal Register and one Gu Yue Ghost Ship, which was ranked 273rd on the Spiritual Treasure Ranking.

Those two items alone far exceeded the value of 2,000 merit points.

Several figures approached from ahead, led by Yu Tiange, accompanied by a few cultivators wearing bronze tokens at their waists.

"Fellow Daoist Fang."

Fang Chen cupped his hands with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Yu, you're on Enlightenment Star as well? Congratulations, congratulations."

For an ordinary cultivator, arriving on Enlightenment Star was akin to stepping into the heart of power. Opportunities were everywhere. Even if one didn't become a core disciple, there was a high chance of advancing to the second or third transformation in the future.

Yu Tiange looked genuinely happy to see Fang Chen. The companions beside him were also familiar faces. Most of them had traveled through Qingming together with him for several years.

Through conversation, Fang Chen learned that Yu Tiange had been taken under the wing of a core disciple, as had the others with him. They were now all part of that core disciple's expedition team.

"The Fiendish Tiger Expedition Team, right? I think I've heard of them before," Fang Chen said with a smile. "The core disciple leading that team is a third-transformation immortal, quite senior indeed."

"How about Core Disciple Hong's team? Has it been formed yet? What name will it take? It'd be good to recognize each other if we meet again in Qingming," Yu Tiange asked.

The others nearby couldn't hide their envy. They all knew who that referred to, but none had expected her to obtain such an immense fortune during her first expedition to the Formless Purgatory, rising instantly to the rank of core disciple.

"Her expedition team isn't fully formed yet, and the name hasn't been decided," Fang Chen replied. "But it'll likely continue under the title of Nine Realms Expedition Team."

"'Nine Realms—a fine name, grand and ambitious," Yu Tiange said with a smile. "We've met quite a few fellow cultivators here on Enlightenment Star. Some of them will be assigned to serve in the Enlightenment Underworld Realm, occasionally hunting Yin Demons. The more friends we have, the better our paths ahead."

He said, "There happens to be a tea gathering right now. Why don't you come along with us? I've heard the host has cultivated here for many years and knows much about this place."

"It's said that several gold token holder seniors will be there too," another added. "They may not be core disciples, but they're well-connected. Befriending them could be useful for our future."

Seeing Yu Tiange's expectant look, and since Fang Chen had nothing pressing to do while waiting for Xie Aman's summons, he agreed to go along.

He had already informed her that once he collected his merit points, he would apply for the examination, though that process required some preparation time.

Before long, the group arrived at an immortal mountain rich in spiritual energy, where many other cultivators were also heading. Most were at the Tribulation Realm or higher, some were newly ascended, and some were already immortals.

Upon entering the mountain, the group saw a lively gathering. Countless cultivators mingled, chatting with acquaintances or sampling spiritual fruits from ornate tables.

Yu Tiange scanned the crowd and spotted a group of Ascension Realm cultivators. Smiling, he went over to greet them warmly. He seemed particularly familiar with one of them, speaking with easy enthusiasm.

"Fellow Daoist Huang, let me introduce you! This is Fang Chen. You've probably heard of him?" Yu Tiange said cheerfully.

"Fang Chen?"

Those present thought for a moment, finding the name rather familiar. After a few breaths, realization dawned, and they remembered that back in the Formless Purgatory, an exploration team had produced a member who was directly promoted to core disciple. The story had shaken many. Moreover, that team's captain had found numerous immortal herbs, trading them for heaps of immortal crystals and merit. It had made many secretly jealous, believing that the team had simply struck absurd luck, divine fortune beyond reason.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Fang! An honor indeed, an honor!" greeted Huang Sanjin warmly.

The others quickly followed suit.

Once they realized how much more wealthy and influential Fang Chen was compared to themselves, their tone naturally became deferential. After all, even a small favor from someone like him could amount to unimaginable wealth.

After a few polite exchanges, Huang Sanjin suddenly asked curiously, "Fellow Daoist Fang, did you exchange your immortal herbs yet?"

"Oh, right!"

Yu Tiange and the others perked up. They had heard the story as soon as they arrived on Enlightenment Star. With that many crystals and merit, Fang Chen should certainly have exchanged for immortal herbs by now.

"I did," Fang Chen said with a smile. "I chose the Human Immortal Path."

"You've already ascended to the first transformation? Congratulations, truly!" Yu Tiange exclaimed, though there was a trace of loss in his eyes.

Back in the day, his cultivation had been close to, or even slightly higher than, Fang Chen's. Yet now, he was still at the Tribulation Realm, while Fang Chen had already stepped into the first transformation, leaving everyone far behind.

The group's demeanor toward Fang Chen grew even more respectful. However, upon hearing that he had taken the Human Immortal Path, some of them hesitated, as if holding back their words.

After all, the Enlightenment God Palace offered many immortal pathways, and among them, the Human-Immortal Path was known to have the weakest offensive and defensive power. Its only real advantage was that the required immortal herbs were easy to obtain, with minimal waiting time. However, they wisely kept their opinions to themselves, lest they offend Fang Chen.

The group formed a small circle at the gathering, discussing cultivation insights and sharing stories about life on Enlightenment Star.

Huang Sanjin occasionally mentioned details about the Enlightenment Underworld Realm, where he had apparently spent several centuries and learned quite a bit.

As they chatted, Fang Chen noticed a group of third-transformation immortals walking past. Among them was Ji Tianjun, smiling broadly as he conversed with others.

Sensing someone's gaze, Ji Tianjun glanced toward Fang Chen's group. However, seeing that they were only a bunch of juniors, he paid them no further attention.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang Chen has arrived! Let's go greet him!" someone called out.

At once, many attendees turned to welcome Jiang Chen.

Not only was Jiang Chen a fourth-transformation immortal, but he was also rumored to be related to one of the Elders' Council members. Though only an external cultivator, he moved easily among the core disciples and was quite well-known within the Enlightenment God Palace.

"We should go greet him too. It'll be good to build ties with such a senior," Huang Sanjin said, leading the way.

The host of the tea gathering, a fourth transformation Immortal himself, beamed. He said, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, what an honor! I didn't expect you'd grace us with your presence today, your arrival truly brings fragrance to this humble place!"

"Haha, Old Li, you flatter me," Jiang Chen replied cheerfully. "I happened to have some free time today and heard you were hosting a tea gathering, so I came to join the fun, and to meet a few of our newly promoted juniors."