Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 968: Mid-Stage Enlightenment Realm

Qi Jian had ventured into the underworld multiple times and was well aware of the hierarchy of Yin officials. The title of Day Walker Monarch was among the most prestigious in the underworld.

Whether it was the Day Walker Gods or the Day Walker Commanders and Generals beneath them, they all fell under the Day Walker Monarch's command.

The authority a figure like that held was terrifying. Even more inconceivable was that a young cultivator from the Mortal Realm held such a lofty position in the underworld.

Qi Jian subtly signaled Qi Ran, but unfortunately, Qi Ran was too dazed to notice. He stood there, blankly frozen in place.

Wang Xuanqing's voice was hoarse, his gaze flickering rapidly. "Day Walker Monarch... Fang Chen..."

It took him several breaths before he forced out a strained laugh. "Surely you jest... How could you possibly be the Day Walker Monarch? A figure of such stature wouldn't come to a remote place like Unreturning City. He should be residing in the grand capital..."

Li Daoye and the others began to grow excited.

"This title must be truly prestigious!"

As expected, given their understanding of Fang Chen, he would never have brought them to such an unfamiliar place unless he was absolutely certain of his advantage.

Qi Tianran strode in with his entourage, his plump face bearing a cold, mocking smile. "Wang Xuanqing, how bold of you! Who gave you the courage to question Monarch Fang's identity? Was it Monarch Jing Xue? If she learns of your reckless behavior in Unreturning City, she will likely deal with you herself."

Wei Yuan drew in a sharp breath, his gaze landing on Liu Xuan behind Qi Tianran. At that moment, everything became clear to him. "Monarch Qi..."

Li Taihe and Wei Yuan hurriedly clasped their fists and bowed deeply. "We pay our respects to you, Monarch Qi!"

Wei Yuan's heart was filled with both shock and gratitude. If not for Qi Tianran's orders, Liu Xuan would not have gone out of his way to warn him, allowing him to avoid this calamity!

Wang Xuanqing stared at Qi Tianran in disbelief, his mind completely blank. "Lord Qi..."

It took several breaths before he finally reacted and rushed forward to pay his respects.

His heart pounded violently in his chest, his thoughts in utter chaos.

How did such a trivial matter draw the personal arrival of an official Monarch?!

Back when the Underworld Official Division had not yet lost its power, Qi Tianran's authority had rivaled that of the current Shen Tucang!

"Kneel and speak," ordered Qi Tianran, his voice cold.

Wang Xuanqing did not dare to protest. He immediately fell to his knees.

Seeing their superior kneel, his subordinates no longer hesitated, kneeling one after the other.

Qi Jian hesitated slightly.

As a Yin Walker, his status was different from those souls who resided in the Underworld. But before he could make up his mind, Qi Ran had already dashed forward, sliding onto his knees before Fang Chen.

"Lord Fang, please forgive my blind ignorance! After my death, I have spent all these years reflecting on myself. It was only because of lingering resentment in my heart that I spoke out of turn!"

Seeing his own son display such a strong will to survive, Qi Jian let out a light sigh. He stepped forward and slowly knelt before Fang Chen. "Please, Lord Fang, grant us your mercy."

"You hold the position of Spirit Lord in the Spirit Blood Sect, don't you?" Fang Chen asked with a faint smile.

Qi Jian's body tensed, a flicker of shock appearing in his eyes.

"Spirit Blood Sect?" Qi Tianran's gaze shifted as he looked toward Fang Chen. "Lord Fang, the Spirit Blood Sect you speak of is—"

"The Spirit God Sect," Fang Chen clarified.

Qi Tianran's expression changed slightly, a hint of understanding flashing across his face. "Ah, the Spirit God Sect... They hold great influence in the Mortal Realm. I have heard of them. Many Yin Walkers are part of their ranks, and even officials from various divisions maintain some ties with them."

"I happen to have a grudge against the Spirit God Sect. I wonder what you think about that, Lord Qi," Fang Chen asked.

Liu Xuan and Zhang Gao exchanged glances before turning their eyes toward Qi Tianran.

Qi Tianran pondered for a few moments before nodding slightly. "Since the Spirit God Sect has offended you, Monarch Fang, then I naturally stand with you. What do you intend to do, Monarch Fang?"

Fang Chen smiled. "I am pleased to hear that, Monarch Qi. You have cultivated in the underworld for many years and hold deep seniority. I trust that your understanding of the Spirit God Sect is not shallow. If you can assist in driving them out of the underworld, I believe the Underworld Official Division can be restored to its former glory even sooner."

Qi Tianran immediately caught the deeper meaning behind Fang Chen's words. His eyes brightened, and he nodded without hesitation. "Rest assured, Lord Fang. I understand what must be done."

Hearing that the two of them planned to cleanse the underworld of the Spirit God Sect, Qi Jian's expression shifted repeatedly, his face growing darker by the moment.

Wei Yuan and Li Taihe exchanged glances, shock evident in their eyes.

How exactly had the Spirit God Sect offended this newly appointed Day Walker Monarch?

Judging by the situation... the underworld was about to undergo a major upheaval.

Both of them were well aware of the Spirit God Sect's influence within the underworld. Many officials across different divisions had, to varying degrees, maintained close ties with them.

If a purge were to begin, the resulting personnel changes would undoubtedly be staggering.

Fang Chen turned his attention to Qi Jian. "Qi Jian, you and I have some history. Would you be willing to share your understanding of the Spirit God Sect's operations within the underworld?"

Qi Jian's expression was complex. He cupped his hands and said, "Lord Fang, please don't misunderstand. I truly have no ties to the Spirit Blood Sect—"

"Toss Qi Ran into the Forgotten River," ordered Fang Chen calmly. "When he's ready to talk, we'll fish him back out."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xuan reached out his hand. Qi Ran was instantly snatched up like a helpless little mouse, his neck caught in Liu Xuan's grip, completely unable to resist.

Immediately, Qi Ran screamed in terror, his voice filled with despair. "Father, save me! Stop opposing Lord Fang! What has the Spirit Blood Sect truly given you? Even after all these years, you're merely in the Dao Union Realm... You haven't even become a Profound Immortal! I've suffered enough over the years! I can't bear the torment of the Forgotten River again!"

Qi Jian looked utterly conflicted. As Liu Xuan carried Qi Ran toward the door, he let out a deep sigh, his strength draining from him

In that instant, he appeared to age several decades. His shoulders slumped, and his voice was heavy with exhaustion. "I'll talk... Just let my son go. He has nothing to do with this."

"Yunxu, I'll leave this matter to you," Fang Chen said.

Du Yunxu nodded lightly and led Qi Jian to the back hall.

Qi Tianran stayed behind to chat with Fang Chen for nearly half an hour before finally bidding farewell with Liu Xuan and leaving.

For the next two days, Fang Chen took Daoist Li and the others around Unreturning City, helping them gradually understand how Yin Walkers could earn Yin Lifespan Coins.

Most of them received their first Yin Walking assignments within those two days. Though the earnings weren't much, the experience left Daoist Li and the others quite excited.

Meanwhile, Du Yunxu had already extracted a great deal of information from Qi Jian and was now handling matters accordingly. That saved Fang Chen the trouble of dealing with it personally.

Before long, valuable intelligence would likely surface from the Era Immortal King and the others. Even if they couldn't eliminate the Spirit Blood Sect completely, purging at least half of its forces in the Central Continent was possible.

Upon returning to the Mortal Realm, Fang Chen entered the Three Thousand Dao Realm and handed the spiritual imprint artifact he had obtained earlier to Little Sword.

As for himself, he ventured out of his body, practicing spells daily. Each time his primordial spirit was drained to a certain extent, he felt noticeable growth.

Compared to the monotonous process of seated meditation, Fang Chen preferred this method.

After roughly seven cycles of entering and exiting the Three Thousand Dao Realm, his primordial spirit grew considerably. He advanced from the early stage of the Enlightenment Realm to the mid stage.

On the other hand, Little Sword, even after 70 years, still struggled to fully refine the spirit imprint artifact.