Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1464: Standing With Vigor

"This time, Senior Sister started preparing early."

"Seems like the expedition teams from these Expedition Stars received the news many years ago."

"No wonder they could arrive so promptly."

Many core disciples were whispering among themselves in the Enlightenment God Palace, but none of them moved. Their names were not on the roster for the Ancient Forbidden Zone No. 97. In total, only about a hundred core disciples had been selected. At the head was the senior sister, followed by the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth.

They immediately began choosing their accompanying expedition teams. The rest of the core disciples quietly waited for their turn after the initial selection. When forming an expedition team, it was important not only to select the strongest cultivators but to maintain balance. If only the top experts were chosen, the remaining core disciples would have no teams left to join.

So, even among the senior sister's selections, there were teams like the Nine Realms Expedition Team from back in the day.

In the Qingming, the Immortal Boats from Expedition Star No. 432 lined up in one corner. Pairs of eyes burned with longing and desire as they watched the Black Dragon Ships soaring through the air.

"One day, we'll be just like those core disciples. Right now, we're just pawns. The core disciples are like generals. If one day I could become a general's messenger, I'd be satisfied," murmured a cultivator from the Profound King Expedition Team.

He didn't realize his words might upset Wang Xuan.

Another cultivator responded, "Learn to walk before you run. You're not even a first-transformation immortal yet, and you want to be a messenger for the generals?"

"No need to be a first-transformation immortal. A few years ago, didn't the immortal boat from Expedition Star No. 432 have a batch of lucky fellows?" said one cultivator.

The second cultivator raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you remember?"

"Oh! You mean the Nine Realms Expedition Team!"

The group suddenly understood, and many of them couldn't help but feel envious. A few cultivators looked a bit downcast, their eyes filled with regret.

"Indeed, the Nine Realms Expedition Team had exceptional luck. One of their members obtained a Formation Heart in the Formless Purgatory and immediately became a core disciple. The rest all soared with her."

"I wonder if that person will be part of this expedition."

"Probably not. After all, she's a newly promoted core disciple."

Suddenly, someone turned to look at the regretful cultivators and said, "Wait... I remember now! Weren't you guys part of the Nine Realms Expedition Team too?"

"Yeah, you're from the Langgui Constellation, right? You came together with the Nine Realms Expedition Team to Expedition Star."

The group exchanged looks before letting out a long sigh. Deep down, they couldn't help but resent Wang Xuan and Xu Qian, who were standing not far away. If it weren't for the misunderstandings that arose from their recruitment, they would never have left the Nine Realms Expedition Team.

However, at least they had managed to join the Profound King Expedition Team, so their prospects were bright.

"Senior Brother, do you think Master will join the expedition with the core disciples this time?" asked Xu Qian, looking at Wang Xuan with anticipation.

If Lin Dong were on their team, their safety would be significantly increased.

"Maybe," replied Wang Xuan with a faint sigh.

He shifted his gaze away from the Black Dragon Boat, hiding deep envy and jealousy. He looked at Xu Qian and said, "The competition on Enlightenment Star is fierce. Anyone allowed to go is the pinnacle of our generation. Perhaps Master hasn't found a team willing to accept him yet."

Xu Qian nodded. "That makes sense..."

She then brightened, shouting, "A Black Dragon Boat is heading our way!"

Wang Xuan's voice rang out, rallying the group. "Form up! Show energy and spirit! Let the core disciples see how well we're doing!"

Everyone immediately stood up straight, shoulders back, and chest out.

Indeed, a few Black Dragon Boats were approaching, though some had already stopped to make selections. Only one ship continued directly toward the lineup in front of Expedition Star No. 432.

On Expedition Star No. 432, over a thousand Immortal Boats and tens of thousands of cultivators stood tall, as though waiting for an inspection by their leaders.

No one wished to be left out. This expedition carried immense risks, but it also promised boundless opportunities. The last time they went to the Formless Purgatory, they had tasted the rewards. Now, another chance to enter the core of a forbidden zone had arrived. How could they miss it?

The Black Dragon Boat, led by Fang Chen, came into view. Standing on his side were Ji Gang, Huang Wujie, Elder Qin, Lin Dong, Lin Yuan, Meng Qingling, Yu Wuxia, Yu Tiange, and Nanming Shaoze.

Originally, Fang Chen had planned to bring along Fang Xuanyang and Fang Renjian, but after thinking about it, he decided against it.

Fang Renjian had already met Senior Sister in the Formless Purgatory at the Yuan Magnetic Five Elements Mountain. If they were recognized, explaining their presence might become complicated, so it was better to leave them at Enlightenment Star to stay with Fang Tianzun and assist with his cultivation and protection.

Lin Dong said with a smile, "Core Disciple Fang, the cultivators from Expedition Star No. 432 are looking quite energetic."

He felt immense pride. Having brought two core disciples, returning now among old companions from Expedition Star No. 432 felt like coming home in glory.

"The cultivators from Expedition Star No. 432 aren't very high-level. We can only select a portion. The rest will need to be from teams with fourth- or fifth-transformation immortals in charge," reminded Ji Gang.

Lin Dong quickly nodded. "Of course."

At the time, Li Shanzi had also been in a similar situation. When he came to Expedition Star No. 432, he never intended to rely on them as the main force, only as support.

As the Black Dragon Boat drew closer, Wang Xuan and the others gradually began to make out the figures on board. They braced themselves and displayed even greater spirit.

Then, Xu Qian spotted Lin Dong.

"Master!?" exclaimed Xu Qian, delighted.

Being most familiar with him, she recognized him instantly.

"Great! Master has already settled on Enlightenment Star. After this, we might have a chance to enter Enlightenment Star ourselves!" said Wang Xuan, equally happy.

However, as the Black Dragon Boat drew closer, Wang Xuan and the others spotted Fang Chen's figure as well, and their expressions shifted to confusion. They didn't dare to think too deeply about it, because by now the Black Dragon Ship was right in front of them.

"Everyone, listen up," called out Lin Dong. "Core Disciple Fang's expedition team, the Nine Realms Expedition Team, plans to select..."

Lin Dong glanced at Fang Chen.

Fang Chen thought for a moment and then decisively said, "Seven hundred."

He was currently able to control a fleet of 1,500 Immortal Boats with the Black Dragon Formation. Selecting 700 from here and then going to other places to pick another 800 would be the best approach. There were many expedition teams coming this time, so he wasn't worried about finding enough candidates.

"Very well, seven hundred teams!"

For a moment, the expedition cultivators from Expedition Star No. 432 froze, their breath stalling.

The shock on Wang Xuan's face slowly melted into disbelief.

Xu Qian stood there in complete shock, as if struck by a heavy blow. Lin Dong's words were like a hammer, striking her directly on the crown of her head, and for a moment, her thoughts seemed to short-circuit.

Someone exclaimed in disbelief, "No... isn't it supposed to be Core Disciple Hong? How could it be him?"

The few cultivators from the Nine Realms Expedition Team, who had originally come from Expedition Star No. 432, were now in a state of complete confusion, their minds blank.

Meanwhile, Lin Dong had already started calling out names. "Profound King Expedition Team..."