Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1548: Theres Something I Need Your Help With

A moment of silence persisted as Elder Longxiang gazed at Fang Chen deeply, his thoughts inscrutable. After a while, he said, "Before I set out last time, I was already close to finishing the arrangements. With the merits you earned at Great Thunder Sound, it wouldn't be inappropriate for me to nominate you as the chief of the Registration Division, would it?"

"It wouldn't. But where will Senior Brother Pei Tu be assigned?"

"Naturally, he'll be promoted. He'll surely be pleased. Besides that, the Inspection Chief is also my man. As for the Coffin Sealing Chief, Li Shanzi, I'll make sure he's temporarily unable to serve at the Reincarnation Division. I'll assume his authority for the time being."

"But even if we settle the chiefs, this task can't be completed without a sound. What about the officials below?" Fang Chen frowned. "Just under the chief of the Registration Division alone, there are thirty-three officials. Will they really all turn a blind eye?"

"You really think all these people can be registered?" Elder Longxiang said in surprise.

"Isn't that the case?" Fang Chen was taken aback. "If registration isn't required, then why make so many preparations?"

"Of course, registration is required, but only the key seeds inside need to be registered. The rest can be thrown straight into reincarnation." Elder Longxiang sneered. "For crying out loud, we're smuggling them! Do you really think it can be done openly and aboveboard?"

Fang Chen raised a brow. "If they aren't registered... what are the consequences?"

"Nothing much, really. It just means you won't be able to find where they reincarnate, and you won't be able to designate which region they're reborn into," Elder Longxiang replied calmly. "During this period, make a list yourself of those who need to be registered and handle it personally. You don't need to worry about verification, and you don't need to concern yourself with the Coffin Sealing Division either."

After a pause, he added, "However... there's one thing I need your help with."

Fang Chen's expression sharpened. "What is it?"

"There are two Ghost Immortals stationed at the Reincarnation Gate. As the Chief of the Reincarnation Division, I can't very well send so many unregistered wandering souls right under their noses. This should have been my biggest problem, but since you're here, it's no longer an issue. You'll be responsible for luring them away."

"Ghost Immortals? What cultivation?"

"Not high, just the eighth transformation."

Fang Chen chuckled in disbelief. "Eighth-transformation Ghost Immortals? You want me to lure them away? On what basis do you think I can do that and still get away unscathed?"

"Aren't you on pretty good terms with the Ghost Mother of Self Transformation? Get her to step in. She'll definitely have a way. As for what that way is, you can ask her yourself," said Elder Longxiang, still as calm as before. "Do I really need to spell this out for you?"

Fang Chen frowned. "The Ghost Mother of Self Transformation? If she's willing to step in, it should be feasible. But... her cultivation may not have fully recovered yet. Wouldn't luring away eighth-transformation Ghost Immortals be courting disaster?"

"Someone of her caliber won't be troubled by a mere eighth transformation Ghost Immortal. You just need to bring her over," Elder Longxiang replied flatly. "And if the Ghost Mother of Self Transformation also wants to reincarnate... then she must act this time. If she wants to reincarnate, then nobody reincarnates."

Elder Longxiang waved his hand impatiently. "Don't linger here too long. Hurry back, I'm almost at Enlightenment Star."

Fang Chen knew that he was referring to his body as Immortal Taixu.

Fang Chen nodded. "Alright. I'll give it a try and see if she's willing to help."

The two of them flew back to the Ten Directions Immortal Sect. Fang Chen exchanged a few words with Qin Rui and the others, then activated the Black Dragon Boat and left the area.

"Everyone, it seems you don't welcome this humble monk very much?" Elder Longxiang said with a half-smile.

Qin Rui forced a smile. "How could that be? Please, come in."

Immortal Longfu didn't follow. Instead, he walked at the rear, glancing back from time to time. Suddenly, his expression changed slightly, as if he had finally remembered where he had seen Fang Chen before. "Could it be just a similar appearance? Yes, it must be just a similar appearance. That little fellow was only a cultivator of the Killing Spiritual Division. He had entered Xie Zhi, but at the time, his cultivation was still far from even the first transformation. How could he possibly become a core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace?"

Thinking this, Immortal Longfu chuckled at himself. He had been too suspicious. To think he had suspected that the junior who once came here to buy immortal marrow from him might be that core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace.

***

Tuxiong Star, in Grand Xia.

Fang Cangyue stayed behind in Baiyue City. Fang Zhixue hadn't returned for many years and wanted to stay in Grand Xia for a few days, so Fang Chen left the three of them there and went alone to the Desolate Academy.

***

Central Continent, Desolate Academy, Hall of Ancient Records.

Fang Chen returned after many years. The place looked much the same as ever, sparsely populated. Everyone was cultivating within the Six Departments.

A stooped figure lay leisurely in a rocking chair, utterly at ease.

Fang Chen walked up to the old man. "Old Xun, I'm back."

Xun Guozhu, who had been reclining and lost in his own peaceful thoughts, was startled. He tumbled out of his chair and yelled, "Who's there?!"

He scrambled to look at Fang Chen. Once he realized who it was, he flared up in shame and anger. "You brat, can't you make a sound when you walk?"

Fang Chen smiled bitterly. "I did. I was walking normally."

Xun Guozhu snorted. "If you were walking normally, how could I not hear you?"

He sized Fang Chen up a few times and asked tentatively, "You became a Loose Immortal?"

"Mm."

"How many transformations?"

"The second."

Xun Guozhu froze. "How long has it even been? I feel like I've only been here a short while..."

"Old Xun, several hundred years have passed..."

Xun Guozhu's expression turned strange. "It's been several hundred years, but..."

"You're still at the second transformation? I thought you'd have advanced to the third transformation by now."

Fang Chen noticed that Xun Guozhu's cultivation didn't seem to have improved much over these centuries.

Xun Guozhu coughed awkwardly and sat back down in his chair, speaking calmly. "Well, my talent isn't anything special. The second transformation may be my limit. The Earth Immortal Path immortal herb you gave me last time, I might never get the chance to take it. When I pass away, take it with you. Leaving it here serves no purpose."

"Your lifespan hasn't been exhausted yet. Why say such discouraging things?" Fang Chen shook his head with a smile. "Keep the herb for now. There will be a chance for you to use it. Has Central Continent been peaceful lately?"

"It has been. The Spirit Blood Sect hasn't made any major moves. At most, they do some sneaky little tricks where I can't see them," Xun Guozhu said with a faint smile.

"What happened to that Mister Wen back then?" Fang Chen asked curiously.

Among the seven Instructors of the Desolate Academy, one was Fang Chen himself, and of the remaining six, Li Ji had already gone to the netherworld. The only one left was Mister Wen, a cultivator of the Spirit God Sect.

Fang Chen remembered Xun Guozhu saying at the time that he would handle the matter properly; he just didn't know the outcome.

"Mister Wen of the Achievement Department? He retired and returned home. If you ever enter the Underworld, you might run into him. I even heard recently that a disciple saw him down there. The head of the Alchemy Department has been replaced, and the head of the Achievement Department has also been replaced. The rest haven't changed much. Since you're back, do you want to see them?"

"No need. I don't really have much of a relationship with them," Fang Chen declined politely, then chatted with Xun Guozhu about a few more matters.

"Oh, right, someone very overbearing has come to the Killing Spiritual Division," Xun Guozhu suddenly said. "He barged into the Desolate Academy once, but I chased him off. Lately, he's been pestering the disciples here, trying to force them to join the Killing Spiritual Division. You know this sort of thing can't be forced. Do you want to go and say a few words to him?"