Chapter 1904: Blocking the Path

The moment the division from the Enlightenment Underworld arrived on the field, the leading Ghost Immortal of the Grand Wei Study promptly shut up.

Whether it was the Ghost Immortals from the Taicang Realm, the Fangcun Realm, or the Shenwang Realm, all of them looked at Xie Aman with wariness.

Among so many peak-tier factions, none had yet begun grooming successors to their ninth-transformation experts. The Enlightenment Divine Palace was the sole exception from which rumors had spread that Xie Aman was the successor personally groomed by the Palace Master.

This single identity, coupled with Xie Aman's already extraordinary methods, was more than enough to render her far more honorable than ordinary eight transformation immortals.

In an instant, the Enlightenment Underworld group made their way to Fang Chen's side.

"Old Nine, our Enlightenment Divine Palace is standing on your side this time. If anyone dares to stretch their hand out, we will cut it off," said Xie Aman with a smile.

"The Eldest said that this time, we must secure the authority that rightfully belongs to you regardless of the cost," Chen Enxue added with a beaming smile. "So whatever cards you have up your sleeve today, make sure to play them all. Let's not hold anything back."

Fang Chen asked, "What exactly is the Palace Master's stance?"

"Rest assured, he stands on your side as well. You are Old Nine of Enlightenment God Palace and the Monarch Yan of the Underworld. What reason could we possibly have to join forces with outsiders to deal with you?" Chen Enxue gave a faint smile, though her gaze shifted and locked onto Elder Heiyu and the others. "You all are human cultivators as well; what reason do you have to let your hearts be bewitched by the Demon Race?"

Elder Heiyu cleared her throat. "Naturally, we would not stand on the same side as the Demon Race, but as for the supreme treasure of the Underworld, we still intend to contend for it."

"Contend for what?" Chen Enxue sneered. "The Underworld already has its Monarch Yan. If you still insist on contending, how is that any different from rebellion? Do not forget the background of the Motian Division. They have been the remnants of the Demonic Beasts Race since ancient times. If you choose to contend, it will only leave an opportunity for them."

"Do not use righteousness to suppress us. If Monarch Fang truly possessed the means, the current situation would not have arisen in the first place," the leading Ghost Immortal of the Moonlight Immortal Palace said softly.

"It seems the cultivators of your Shenwang Realm cannot be reasoned with. So be it." Xie Aman smiled, her eyes falling upon the leading Ghost Immortals of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, the Blood and Flesh Divine Palace and Ten Thousand Star Palace. "What about you three? What is your stance?"

The leading Ghost Immortal of the Ten Thousand Star Palace fell into thought for a moment before answering, "Logically speaking, we of the Fangcun Realm ought to advance and retreat together when it comes to the grand scheme of things. However, this matter is of paramount importance, so we still wish to strive for it."

Leng Buqi sighed inwardly. Personally, he was more inclined to give up on the battlefield of the Underworld and cooperate with the ready-made Monarch Yan before them. But he also understood that no major faction would willingly relinquish an opportunity to control the Underworld, except perhaps a faction like the Enlightenment Divine Palace, which already shared an exceedingly close relationship with Monarch Yan.

The Blood and Flesh Divine Palace and the Taiyi Immortal Sect also manifested identical intentions.

Seeing this, the leading Ghost Immortal of the Grand Wei Study could not help but scoff. "Xie Aman, now that the Eighteen Heavens Prison Tower has emerged, your Human Race can forget about uniting ever again. Everyone harbors selfish motives; who could possibly refuse an opportunity to govern the entire Underworld?"

Xie Aman smiled and replied, "Then let us just wear each other down like this. Nobody moves. Whoever moves first, dies."

The expressions of the crowd changed slightly.

They sized each other up and realized that the current situation was indeed exactly as Xie Aman had described. If anyone dared to make a move first, they would become a public target and be the first to lose their life. Fortunately, the Eighteen Heavens Prison Tower had not yet settled into total tranquility, so no one could say for certain how the subsequent situation would unfold.

The leading Ghost Immortal of the Grand Wei Study smiled and spoke no further.

Xie Aman glanced at the Eighteen Heavens Prison Tower, her expression turning somewhat grave. "Old Nine, how confident are you?"

"It is hard to say." Fang Chen shook his head. "Although a great deal of people from various factions have arrived, there is still a portion that has not yet made an appearance. Some have likely been lurking in ambush nearby for a long time. Their refusal to show themselves clearly indicates an intention to launch a surprise attack. Among them, neither the God Dao Sect nor the Motian Division has shown up."

These two were the most pivotal forces.

The side of the Minor Immortal World disliked traversing the Underworld, and they even forbade their subordinates from doing so. Therefore, the Minor Immortal World possessed virtually no forces to speak of within the Underworld. However, the Minor Immortal Realm did possess a half-step Heavenly Dao powerhouse, True Immortal Gu Jing, who stood on the side of the Demonic Beasts Race. The probability of this individual appearing in the Underworld was at least fifty to sixty percent.

Compared to the Minor Immortal Realm, the God Dao Sect and the Motian Division were certainly going to make an appearance.

"The emergence of the Eighteen Heavens Prison Tower is such a monumental event; how could the factions possibly miss it? Yet up until now, none of their primary figures have arrived on the scene. This is highly unusual," noted Fang Chen.

Chen Enxue and the core disciples of the Enlightenment Divine Palace turned their gazes toward Fang Chen.

"Old Nine, do you mean to say..." Chen Enxue's eyes flickered. "Someone might have intercepted them?"

"That is indeed a possibility." Xie Aman nodded. "The God Decree Ranking from the God Dao Sect, the True Immortal Gu Jing from the Minor Immortal Realm, and the Division Head of the Motian Division. These three are all half-step Heavenly Dao powerhouses born of the Demonic Beasts Race. It could be said that among the Nine Mortal Realms, the strongest force on the surface is actually the Demonic Beasts Race. As for the Demon Race and our Human Race, our strengths are roughly on par, with the former possessing at most a few more ninth transformation immortals than us."

Pausing briefly, she continued, "If we are to block the three half-step Heavenly Dao powerhouses of the Demonic Beasts Race, relying solely on our Human Race is highly improbable."

"Eldest Senior Sister, do you mean to say... the Demon Race has reached a tacit understanding with our Human Race regarding this matter?" someone asked in astonishment.

Xie Aman wore a smile. "Not necessarily, but the possibility exists. It all depends on whether the half-step Heavenly Dao powerhouses of the Demonic Beasts Race can ultimately make it to the scene."

Across a vast and boundless land, two elderly men sat face to face, studying a chessboard before them.

"If I place my piece here, you lose," Fang Zhentian announced after studying the board for a long while.

Yun He smiled and shook his head. "You definitely won't win. You overlooked a move."

"Overlooked a move?"

A contemplative look appeared on Fang Zhentian's face. He then turned his head toward a graceful figure standing not far away. "Little girl, come over and help us two old fogies see who holds the advantage in this match."

Lu Fengshen knit her elegant brows and remained dead silent. Behind her stood dozens of figures, all Ghost Immortals whose auras were deep and unfathomable.

She said indifferently, "Two seniors, even if the two of you join forces, you are far from being my match. What is the point of this?"

Fang Zhentian laughed. "Then how about you don't trade blows with us. Watch us finish a game of chess here, and then obediently head back?"

"That is absolutely impossible. You cannot block me, and the remaining ones cannot block the other two either." Lu Fengshen shook her head lightly. "Whether it is the Demon Race or the Human Race, as of today, you have already suffered defeat. There is no need to make futile resistance anymore. The Nine Realms ought to return to the hands of our Demonic Beasts Race."

Yun He smiled. "Little girl, you are too naive. This is a battle over a race's destiny. Even if only a single human remains today, there is no reason to sit idly by and await doom. Furthermore... we actually have quite a lot of people left."

A boundless gray mist surged forth, and one Yang God after another materialized upon the vast expanses of the Underworld. They stood beside the two old men and silently watched Lu Fengshen.