Fang Tong clutched the first-transformation immortal herb in his hand and quietly observed from the side. Big Brother really seems... incredibly impressive.

Xian Yueguan chatted enthusiastically with Fang Chen for a few moments. He then exchanged a few words with Nanming Ruyue and Li Shanzi before turning and leaving the reception hall. He tore through the air and departed. From beginning to end, he never acknowledged Ji Sheng, nor did he interact with the other core disciples of the Enlightenment God Palace.

Fang Chen silently assessed Xian Yueguan. He looks quite easygoing, and he seems to have some connection with Senior Sister. But deep down, he's very proud. Ordinary people don't catch his eye.

Of course, that might also be a deliberately crafted facade. Anyone who had reached the sixth transformation and become the third-ranked core disciple of the Taiyi Immortal Sect was not someone who could be seen through after one or two encounters.

Is he a demon?

Fang Chen placed a question mark in his mind over Xian Yueguan. It was impossible to determine that the demon race had originally planned to target the Enlightenment God Palace first. From ancient times until now, they had always been laying out plans. Rulai Monastery's Shao Guangyin was like this. The Killing Spiritual Division was also like that. So it was entirely possible that the Taiyi Immortal Sect had already been targeted by the demon race long before the Enlightenment God Palace.

"The Taiyi Immortal Sect does business on a massive scale. They're weaker than the Enlightenment God Palace in terms of expansion, but when it comes to gathering resources, they're probably stronger. If a real war breaks out, it's all about logistics, so they would be even more likely to be targeted."

Little Immortal Honglian walked up beside Fang Chen and asked softly, "Daoist Fang, what are you thinking about now? I've noticed that you've been spacing out a lot these past few days."

This should be my sister-in-law... Fang Tong thought to himself.

"I was thinking about what the Greater Immortal Realm looks like," Fang Chen answered with a smile.

Before Little Immortal Honglian could respond, Li Shanzi let out a sigh and said, "Ninth Brother, curiosity kills the cat. You're curious about the Greater Immortal Realm. Be careful you don't suffer if you head over. I think it's better to persuade Third Senior Sister not to go to such a dangerous place. Isn't it fine to just stroll around the Lesser Immortal Realm?"

Nanming Ruyue shook her head. "Ninth Brother won't be able to persuade her unless Senior Sister is present."

The group chatted as they walked out of the reception hall.

Along the way, Fang Chen noticed Ji Tianjun seemingly avoiding his gaze on purpose, so he walked over with Little Immortal Honglian. He asked, "Daoist Ji, have you really finished that History Immortal book you gave me last time?"

"What History Immortal Book?" Ji Sheng asked, puzzled.

Fang Chen smiled. "I was asking Daoist Ji Tianjun."

When Little Immortal Honglian heard the words, her face turned rigid with shock. Then, a chilling, icy gaze swept over Ji Tianjun before she quickly concealed it.

Ji Tianjun remained calm. After glancing at Little Immortal Honglian out of the corner of his eye, he coughed lightly. "I did flip through a few pages before."

Fang Chen nodded. "Oh, I see. Then I'll take a look after I return to the Enlightenment God Palace,"

After the two left, Ji Sheng asked curiously, "Cousin, what is this History Immortal Book he mentioned? Why have I never heard of it?"

"It was just a little trinket I happened to obtain, an old book," Ji Tianjun forced a smile. "I saw that Core Disciple Fang was reading in our family's library, so I thought he liked books and casually gave him one. I didn't expect that Core Disciple Fang wasn't quite as fond of reading as I had imagined."

"Oh."

Ji Sheng nodded and lost interest, asking no further questions.

The smile on Ji Tianjun's face gradually faded, replaced by a flash of shock and anger.

He actually brought it up at this moment! He's trying to ruin me!

***

That night.

Ji Tianjun was cultivating in his room, while Fang Chen's soul was quietly staring at him.

Before long, there was a knock at the door. Ji Tianjun opened it to see Little Immortal Honglian standing outside, her face seemingly wrapped in frost, a faint chill radiating from her. She walked straight into the room. As Ji Tianjun closed the door and was about to explain, a slap landed squarely on his face.

Smack!

Ji Tianjun's head swayed slightly from the blow. He whimpered in a low voice, "Your Highness... why...?"

"The History Immortal Book?" Little Immortal Honglian said coldly. "You knew very well that anyone who reads that book is dragged into that era of rise and fall, almost unable to escape. Why did you give it to Core Disciple Fang? Have you forgotten that he is also one of our people? Only his memories have yet to awaken?"

Ji Tianjun didn't know how to explain himself. Now that the matter was exposed, he couldn't come up with any reasonable excuse.

Fang Chen was surprised. So that's how the History Immortal's book works? Anyone who reads the book is dragged into that era's rise and fall? That's the danger Mirror of the Universe was talking about?

"Why aren't you speaking anymore?" Little Immortal Honglian continued coldly. "What did Core Disciple Fang do to offend you, that you would go to such lengths trying to kill him?"

She slapped him again. Still not satisfied, she raised her hand and delivered over a dozen more slaps.

A trace of anger finally surfaced in Ji Tianjun's eyes. He couldn't endure it anymore and shouted in a low voice, "Your Highness! You are of Abyss of Demons origins, of noble lineage. How can you be with a cultivator whose memories haven't awakened yet? As long as he hasn't awakened, he is a human cultivator! Those not of our kind are bound to harbor different hearts!"

In that instant, Little Immortal Honglian seemed to understand Ji Tianjun's thoughts, letting out a cold laugh. "What? With your status, you think you're worthy of being with someone of Abyss of Demons origins like me?"

Exposed, Ji Tianjun's expression shifted repeatedly before he finally said in a low voice, "Better than a human cultivator who hasn't awakened his memories."

"Don't ever harbor such thoughts again, and don't think about targeting Core Disciple Fang," Little Immortal Honglian said with a faint smile. "You'd better calculate carefully. If they return to the Enlightenment God Palace and discover that the History Immortal Book you gave him is meant to kill him... where do you think you can hide? And will this matter implicate other members of our race?"

Her smile widened. "Just worry about yourself."

"Your Highness, rest assured, they won't return to the Enlightenment God Palace," Ji Tianjun said coldly.

Only after speaking did he seem to realize he had misspoken. He immediately cupped his hands. "It's late. Please return."

Little Immortal Honglian looked at him deeply, then turned and left.

After she departed, Ji Tianjun's face twisted with rage as he clenched his fists. Immortal essence surged violently around him as he struggled to suppress the inferno of fury within. A low roar escaped his throat. "Bitch... bitch... bitch!"

It was clear that the slaps had already bred hatred toward Little Immortal Honglian in his heart.

Little Immortal Honglian did not return to her own quarters. Instead, she went to Fang Chen's quarters.

She knocked lightly on the door and called out, "Daoist Fang, have you rested yet?"

A few breaths later, the door opened. Fang Chen smiled warmly. "Daoist Hong, it's late, what's the matter?"

Little Immortal Honglian walked straight inside. After Fang Chen closed the door, she hesitated for a long while before speaking softly. "I have a bad feeling about this trip. It seems dangerous. Why don't you and I ask Third Senior Sister to stay behind and not go to the Greater Immortal Realm?"

After a pause, she looked at Fang Chen with a hint of expectation. "You stay with me and wander around the Lesser Immortal Realm instead, just the two of us. How about that?"