Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Ding's eyes flickered, and a faint, knowing smile appeared on his face. "Oh? So you're saying you are a subordinate of Wang Chongsong's subordinate? Wang Chongsong hasn't been idle all these years. A guy who came from a unique background within the Wang Family, yet was unappreciated and viewed as a thorn in the side by many, has managed to kill over a hundred Wang Family clansmen in just over two hundred short years.

"He forced a cleanup of a batch of inside traitors who were colluding with the Flame Race. Now, all factions hold him in quite high regard. Half Saint Wang and Saint Luoxue also value him immensely, even handing over control of the Inspection Division to him."

Fang Chen's mind stirred. It seemed that during this period, Wang Chongsong had already begun to stand out in the Wang Family. Back then at North Wind Ridge, was that when he first started showing his true colors?

Fang Ding asked with a faint smile, "Since you are one of Wang Chongsong's people and came to Chaoxian Tower at this specific time, does it mean that one of our Fang Clan's Xie Zhi cultivators has fallen into his hands? Did he send you here because he wanted you to test the waters, or simply to use you as bait?"

Fang Chen thought about it and answered honestly, "I do not know, but I expect it is a bit of both."

"Bullshit! I only wanted him to test the waters. This kid's brain is just as dull as yours."

In the distance, Wang Chongsong couldn't help but glare at Chen Feifei upon seeing this scene.

Chen Feifei immediately wore an innocent expression.

Fang Ding sized Fang Chen up from head to toe. "Given your status, whether used as bait or to test the waters, it is a bit too low. Under normal circumstances, Wang Chongsong shouldn't have sent you here. You must have some other special circumstances about you."

"Perhaps because I am also a member of the Fang Clan," said Fang Chen.

"A member of the Fang Clan?"

Fang Ding's face darkened, and he immediately grabbed Fang Chen's arm. A blood-red glow surged from his palm and poured into Fang Chen's body. The next moment, a circle of red, totem-like patterns appeared on Fang Chen's wrist.

Seeing that scene, a faint smile surfaced in Wang Chongsong's eyes. Everything was within his calculations.

Chen Feifei was startled. Fortunately, Wang Chongsong had already informed him of Fang Chen's true origin and background beforehand, so he was not too shocked.

"You really do possess our bloodline." Fang Ding looked at Fang Chen with surprise. "What is going on here? Are you a Xie Zhi cultivator, or...?"

"Senior, this is not the place to talk."

Fang Ding nodded. "Mm, follow me."

He led Fang Chen downstairs.

Wang Chongsong kept his eyes fixed on the two of them, only to find that after they walked down the stairs, they vanished without a trace.

Seeing that, Chen Feifei immediately grew anxious. "Heir, they..."

"It is fine. Just wait for him to return."

Wang Chongsong smiled, brimming with confidence.

***

Fang Chen felt as though he had stepped into a dense fog. When his vision suddenly cleared, he found himself at the Xie Zhi Division. It looked almost the same as when he had joined the Xie Zhi Division in the Nine Realms. The only difference was that the people walking around here did not wear bronze ghost masks.

At that moment, a group of young men and women walked over with beaming smiles, sizing up Fang Chen with great curiosity. "Uncle Fang Ding, who is this? Could it be that another Fang Clan disciple from the Mortal Realm has awakened a divine ability?"

Fang Chen noticed that the group's cultivation was not low. The weakest among them possessed a fifth-transformation strength comparable to his own, while the higher ones were already at the seventh-transformation realm, equivalent to the Ancient Immortals of the Nine Realms era.

"Why so curious? Shoo, shoo."

Fang Ding waved his hand to dismiss them, then led Fang Chen all the way to a reception hall.

"It is very safe here. Even if people from the Inspection Division are tailing you, they won't be able to hear our conversation."

Fang Ding said with a smile, "Since Wang Chongsong knows your true origin and followed you all the way here, it means he wants to have a proper chat with the Xie Zhi Division. But before that, I need to know your origin."

Fang Chen briefly recounted his experiences over the years. "I am missing a portion of my memories. From the moment my memories began, I was with the Hechuan Fang Clan of the Great Zhou."

"Hechuan Fang Clan of the Great Zhou... is indeed one of the branches of our Fang Clan's bloodline."

Fang Ding nodded. "As of right now, the only thing that can be confirmed is that there is nothing wrong with your bloodline. However, regarding your true background and origin, based on what you have said, we have no way to verify it."

He paused for a moment, sizing up Fang Chen for a while. "You took up a position in the Luoxue Alliance for the sole purpose of finding an opportunity to join up with us?"

Fang Chen nodded. "Exactly."

"Then we shall ignore the Wang Family's side for now. Once news of Half Saint Fang spreads completely throughout the Nether Ruins, I believe they will send someone of higher status to negotiate with us," Fang Ding said. "Wang Chongsong alone is not enough, he can only be considered a rising star among the younger generation."

"Come with me."

Fang Chen stood up again, following Fang Ding through one corridor after another and passing several courtyards before finally arriving at a somewhat solemn and majestic grand hall. In front of the grand hall stood a pitch-black stone tablet, completely devoid of any characters.

At the same time, several figures broke through the air and landed directly in front of Fang Chen and Fang Ding. They apprised Fang Chen, and one of them spoke to Fang Ding, "Fang Ding, I heard you brought the inspector sent by the Wang Family to this place? Why?"

Fang Chen subtly observed these newcomers. Their auras belonged to the ninth transformation. If these individuals could go to the Nine Realms, they could easily turn around the current predicament of the human race there.

Fang Ding smiled. "You have all arrived just in time. This little fellow is also a member of our Fang Clan. Something went wrong with his mind, and he cannot recall some of his memories clearly. I plan to check his bloodline purity. If it isn't low, he can stay in the Xie Zhi Division."

"He is a member of the Fang Clan?"

The group looked at one another, examining Fang Chen with somewhat peculiar expressions. They then pulled Fang Ding aside to discuss in low voices. As for the contents of their discussion, they intentionally blocked it so Fang Chen could not hear.

Once the discussion ended, Fang Ding walked up to Fang Chen and said with a faint smile, "The few of us have just discussed it. Since many people are currently eyeing the Fang Clan like tigers watching their prey, it is impossible to trace your lineage back to its source in a short time. Even if your bloodline purity passes the test later, you cannot stay in the Xie Zhi Division. Do you have any objections?"

Fang Chen's expression shifted slightly. "Then would I be allowed to read the Saint Canon here?"

It was indeed a bit of a pity that he could not stay in the Xie Zhi Division, but it was perfectly normal. His background could not withstand scrutiny, and it was absolutely impossible to trace its roots. If the Fang Clan truly kept him in the Xie Zhi Division, they would certainly have placed him under supervision.

"The Sacred Canon? It is highly precious to the divinity users below, but to us, it is not worth much. If you pass the test, I will take you to read through the Saint Canon once."

Fang Ding nodded straightforwardly, then gestured for Fang Chen to stand in front of the black stone tablet.

"Drip a drop of your essence blood onto it."

Fang Chen pierced his fingertip with immortal essence, and a perfectly round drop of essence blood instantly flew out, landing on the black stone tablet. In an instant, a blood-red pillar of light erupted from the black stone tablet, shooting straight into the sky.

The expressions of Fang Ding and the others went rigid with shock, eyes snapping open.

At the same time, nearly all the Fang Clan members within the Xie Zhi Division witnessed this pillar of light. After recovering from their daze, they immediately began rushing toward the area.