Fang Chen questioned roughly a dozen Yin Demons and even bestowed decrees upon one or two of them as an experiment. He discovered that they belonged to the outermost fringe of the Motian Division. The highest level their intelligence channels could reach was Ghost Dragon.

In fact, they didn't even have the qualifications to meet Immortal Dizang in their daily lives.

Gradually, Fang Chen began to grasp how the Motian Division operated. Each faction revolved around a single supreme expert as its core. Any significant developments were known only to the master, who would then issue instructions downward.

The Motian Division's influence was not confined to the Underworld. In the Nine Mortal Realms, traces of them could also be found. However, their movements were extremely secretive, and they usually acted with great discretion.

Outsiders knew of the Spirit God Sect and the Killing Spiritual Division, but very few had ever heard of the Motian Division. Even if they caught bits and pieces of information, they would not take it seriously.

"They know nothing about Motian Dizang, that peerless Heavenly Demon. That means they don't even realize they're technically the remnants of an ancient Underworld rebel army."

Fang Chen let out a self-mocking smile. Given how chaotic the Underworld had become and how Monarch Yan's rule had long since been overthrown, strictly speaking, these people could hardly even be called rebels anymore.

He lightly waved the Sin Mace in his hand, contemplating how to deal with the Yin Demons of Dizang City.

The nearby Great Yin Demons' gazes followed the motion of the Sin Mace. It was that very weapon that had killed Immortal Dizang, filling them with dread.

Fang Chen tapped the empty ground before him. "Each of you may keep 100 years of Yin Lifespan. Place the rest here."

Hundreds of Great Yin Demons exchanged uncertain glances. One of them questioned, "If we hand over our Yin Lifespan, will we be allowed to leave safely?"

Fang Chen nodded. "Yes."

They did not fully believe him. No one stepped forward.

Seeing their reaction, Ghost Dragon immediately barked, "This is the Young Master granting you a new lease on life. If you don't want to die, hand over your Yin Lifespan now!"

"Lord Ghost Dragon, we don't quite trust him. If you are willing to guarantee it, then we will comply," one of the Great Yin Demons said cautiously.

Ghost Dragon was startled and instinctively glanced at Fang Chen. Seeing that Fang Chen showed no anger, he relaxed slightly. In a low voice, he said, "Young Master, perhaps we should teach them a lesson?"

"Why not simply give them your word?" Fang Chen replied casually.

Ghost Dragon froze for a moment, then declared loudly, "I guarantee it. As long as you hand over your Yin Lifespan, you will be allowed to leave alive!"

"Since Lord Ghost Dragon has spoken, let's comply."

With that, the Yin Demon began condensing lumps of Yin Lifespan.

Because they were only allowed to keep for one hundred years, their complexions turned pale, and they turned translucent. Some handed over several thousand years, others nearly 10,000.

Fang Chen's seal continuously devoured the Yin Lifespan, causing its reserves to skyrocket, surpassing two million.

Ghost Dragon was about to speak when he suddenly stiffened and turned around sharply. "Y-Young Master..."

His expression grew awkward.

Fang Chen nodded. "I know."

He rose to his feet and looked toward the distance. There, Chen Enxue stood expressionless, observing everything.

She let out a soft sigh. "Ninth Brother, what is going on? I feel like I don't recognize you anymore."

Fang Chen sighed helplessly. "Third Senior Sister, I thought you would prioritize the bigger picture and return to the Enlightenment Underworld Realm first. If Immortal Dizang hadn't died, what could you have accomplished by coming back here other than delivering yourself to death?"

Chen Enxue had been ready with a torrent of words, but upon hearing that Immortal Dizang was dead, she turned rigid with shock. "Immortal Dizang is dead!?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Fang Chen gestured toward the nearby Great Yin Demons, whose faces were ashen and whose forms looked malnourished and weakened. "Otherwise, would you be seeing this scene?"

Chen Enxue frowned. "What exactly happened?"

It was at that moment that she suddenly realized that she had been by the Dangyin Mountain Lord and the others. She couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. "Are they meant to deal with me?"

The Dangyin Mountain Lord and the others looked embarrassed. They had sealed Dizang City, yet this woman had slipped unnoticed. They were greatly ashamed by this.

Fang Chen glanced at them, and they quietly withdrew.

Ghost Dragon hurriedly stepped forward. "Fellow Daoist Chen, Immortal Dizang was struck dead by the Young Master with the Sin Mace. This time, he's truly gone. His soul was obliterated!"

Chen Enxue shook her head. "Impossible. He can't possibly wield the Sin Mace. With his cultivation, if he used it, it would devour him alive!"

"Then how did Immortal Dizang die?" Ghost Dragon asked.

Chen Enxue fell silent. She realized that Dizang City had somehow been completely taken over by her Ninth Junior Brother.

But how was that possible? How little time had passed? Even at her peak, seizing Dizang City would have been nearly impossible without the assistance of another eighth-transformation Ghost Immortal.

"So... Can we leave now?" one of the Great Yin Demons asked timidly.

The next instant, the Ancient Tree's vines surged wildly, binding them once more. The remaining Yin Lifespan in their bodies was devoured relentlessly.

"Y-You broke your word!"

They cursed frantically, but it did nothing to stop their inevitable annihilation.

Ghost Dragon froze, disbelief in his eyes.

Soon, the Great Yin Demons were completely consumed by the Ancient Tree, vanishing from the Underworld. Only the few who had received Fang Chen's decrees were spared. They trembled uncontrollably, exchanging terrified glances. In their eyes, the gentle-looking young man before them was even more terrifying than Immortal Dizang had ever been.

It wasn't that Fang Chen hadn't considered using their Yin Lifespan to bestow decrees upon them. But at present, this accumulated Lifespan had greater uses.

Chen Enxue's gaze lingered on the Ancient Tree for several breaths before shifting back to Fang Chen.

She was now certain that he had no connection to the Motian Division. But she couldn't comprehend how any of this had been accomplished.

She suddenly smiled. "Ninth Brother, you're worried the Motian Division will come after you, aren't you?"

Fang Chen nodded. "That's why no one in Dizang City can be left alive. The Motian Division's background is troublesome. If they learn of my existence, I won't have a moment of peace."

"Indeed. You'd spend almost all your time dealing with assassination attempts," Chen Enxue agreed wholeheartedly.

She walked up to him and studied him carefully. "Ninth Brother, let me take a good look at you. For Immortal Dizang to die at your hands... your methods are really shocking."

Fang Chen smiled. "Third Senior Sister, you startled me as well. I had no idea your Ghost Immortal Path had already reached the eighth transformation, rivaling Senior Sister."

A trace of pride crossed Chen Enxue's eyes. "I would've advanced long ago if I hadn't been waiting for this day! You think I'd let Senior Sister show off all by herself?"

After a brief pause, she suddenly wrapped her arms around Fang Chen in a quick embrace, then turned to leave.

"Finish up here and come back soon. I'll keep this secret for you."