Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 1689: Heavily Guarded

Fang Chen glanced at the star map. They were already far enough away from Enlightenment Star. Even if Xie Aman and the others discovered that Little Immortal Honglian was missing, they would not immediately be able to spare the effort to pursue her.

"Senior Sister and the others have already retrieved the Grand Limitless Divine Mirror. All awakened demons can no longer conceal themselves," said Fang Chen, glancing at Little Immortal Honglian. "Junior Sister, you should have somewhere to go. Leave quickly."

"Why?"

Little Immortal Honglian finally confirmed that Fang Chen knew her identity. Her expression was complicated. There was confusion, hesitation, and even a faint trace of hope.

"First of all, I am not an awakened demon," explained Fang Chen.

The faint hope in her eyes instantly vanished.

"Secondly, you are of the Royal Demon lineage. Your perspective on the conflict between humans and demons is not so extreme. I believe you and I could become friends. Perhaps in the future, the demon race and the human race may even join hands."

"Just because I am a Royal Demon, you deliberately sent me away before the Grand Limitless Divine Mirror returned to the Enlightenment God Palace?" she muttered to herself.

Then a key point struck her, and she looked at Fang Chen with a grave expression. "Daoist Fang, there is something I don't understand. If you know I am of the royal lineage, then Senior Sister and the others would also know. How could they possibly allow you to send me away? The royal lineage still belongs to the demon race. Even if they didn't kill me, they would at least keep me on Enlightenment Star. They would never allow me to leave freely."

Fang Chen smiled and shook his head. "Senior Sister and the others do not know. Before the Grand Limitless Divine Mirror returns, only I know. That's why we weren't stopped when we left."

She was visibly shaken. "Only you knew...? So... you didn't seek their approval? You released me privately? Why?! Aren't you afraid of being implicated?"

Fang Chen smiled faintly. "I do have my selfish motives. When I went to the Lesser Immortal Realm back then, you sensed the danger, didn't you? You also advised me not to go."

She fell silent for a moment, and then said, "So... you already knew at that time. And you knew I warned you because I was aware that the Lesser Immortal Realm... was dangerous."

She revealed a bitter smile. "Ji Tianjun was played by you without even realizing it. Everyone was kept in the dark."

Fang Chen shook his head. "Ji Tianjun and I are old acquaintances. That wasn't the only time I played him. Even if he knows now, it's too late."

Her expression shifted again. "Then when you first came to seize the mountain..."

Fang Chen nodded. "More or less. I suspected you were of the demon race at that time."

"And when you said you wanted to become Dao Companions with me. That was to toy with me?" she questioned, staring at him sternly.

Fang Chen laughed. "Toy with you is an extreme way of putting it. I had no such intention. I just wanted to extract more information about the demon race from you."

"You're quite frank." A faint smile appeared on her face. She sighed softly. "They've probably all been captured. Even if some escape, they won't be able to leave Enlightenment Star. Sooner or later, they'll be caught."

She paused, then said quietly, "Daoist Fang, I'm leaving. I hope we will have the chance to meet again."

With that, she summoned her Black Dragon Boat.

"Fellow Daoist Hong, I hope that you can consider the bigger picture. The human and demon races do not necessarily have to fight to mutual destruction. Right now, in the Nine Mortal Realms, the Demonic Beasts and the Fallen Immortals are the truly troublesome threats," Fang Chen reminded her.

She stood in thought for a moment and then nodded. "I also do not wish to see turmoil erupt again in the Nine Realms. We will seriously consider what you've said. I believe it won't be long before we reach a conclusion."

Fang Chen cupped his fist. "Then... safe travels."

She gazed deeply at him once more before spiritual energy surged around her. The Black Dragon Vessel shot into the depths of the Qingming like a meteor. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

***

After seeing her off, Fang Chen immediately returned to Enlightenment Star.

The atmosphere there was strange. Cultivators were stationed everywhere. It felt as though there was a sentry every three steps and a guard post every five.

On his way to the Enlightenment God Palace, Fang Chen was questioned more than a hundred times. Most of the interrogators were veteran external cultivators of the Enlightenment God Palace.

When they learned he was a core disciple, they did not display their usual respect. Instead, there was a trace of wariness in their eyes. That meant Xie Aman and the others had already discovered that several core disciples were awakened demons.

A few must have escaped.

Just before reaching Enlightenment God Palace, Hundred Battle Immortal Sovereign and Ji Gang arrived together. The aura of two sixth-transformation immortals was immensely powerful. Before they even reached him, a terrifying pressure filled the air.

"Core Disciple Fang, Senior Sister and the others are waiting for you in the Enlightenment God Palace," said Ji Gang, his expression strange.

Hundred Battle Immortal Sovereign said nothing. His face was calm, giving no hint of his thoughts.

"I roughly know what has happened. Who has been implicated?" Fang Chen asked casually.

Ji Gang was about to answer, but Hundred Battle Immortal Sovereign cut him off and cupped his fists toward Fang Chen. "Core Disciple Fang, you will learn about the demonic corruption once you arrive at the palace. It is not convenient for us to discuss such matters here, lest the news spread."

Demonic corruption?

Fang Chen nodded. Clearly, this was the explanation Xie Aman and the others had chosen to silence public speculation. The truth could not be revealed. It would trigger severe backlash from the forbidden art.

***

Enlightenment God Palace.

The moment Fang Chen stepped inside, he felt a cool aura sweep across him.

Ji Gang and Hundred Battle Immortal Sovereign had been watching closely. Seeing that nothing unusual appeared on Fang Chen, they both seemed to relax.

Hundred Battle Immortal Sovereign's usual smile returned. "Core Disciple Fang, forgive us earlier. We could not determine whether you had fallen into demonic corruption."

Fang Chen smiled. "And now?"

Hundred Battle Immortal Sovereign smiled. "Those corrupted cannot conceal themselves here. The Grand Limitless Divine Mirror will cause demonic qi to manifest. Core Disciple Fang is clearly like us, uncorrupted."

That aura just now... was the Grand Limitless Divine Mirror examining me?

Fang Chen pondered as he followed the two toward the Elders' Hall.

Whenever major events occurred in Enlightenment God Palace, the Elders' Hall served as the central command. All orders were issued from there.

As soon as he stepped inside, roughly a hundred pairs of eyes fell upon him. Some belonged to core disciples. Others belonged to elders.

Fang Chen noticed that the rarely seen Second Senior Brother was present.

Third Senior Brother was absent.

Fourth Senior Brother was absent.

Sixth Senior Brother was absent.

Seventh Senior Brother was also absent.

Third Senior Sister became a Ghost Immortal, so she isn't here. But if the others are not in the Elders' Hall now, then...

He suppressed his thoughts and walked calmly to stand before Xie Aman. "Senior Sister."

"Where is Little Immortal Honglian? Where did you send her?" Xie Aman asked flatly.

Fang Chen sighed to himself. He had anticipated this moment before returning.

The eyes of everyone in the hall sharpened slightly, waiting for his answer.