Core Disciple Cheng was stunned. "What did you just say?"

"I said this is simply wonderful," repeated Fang Chen.

Xu Kun and the others exchanged glances, a trace of disdain flashing in their eyes.

Xu Kun smiled faintly and said, "Daoist Fang, I admit your depth of knowledge regarding Immortal Origin Stones is incredibly thorough, and I truly admire that. I'd love nothing more than to crack open your head and learn everything you know about Immortal Origin Stones. I also admit your comprehension of the Formation Heart far exceeds that of ordinary people. I've been a core disciple of the Enlightenment God Palace for so many years, yet I still cannot achieve the Unity required to perform Formation Immortal Arts.

"But this is the Greater Immortal Realm. You have no expedition team here, so you cannot deploy an Immortal Boat Formation. You don't have Eldest Senior Sister or the others acting as your backers. Right now, no one can help you. At a moment like this, are you still feigning composure just to save face?"

Fang Chen glanced at Xu Kun. "You think I'm a dead man?"

Xu Kun nodded. "No matter how you look at it, you have no chance of winning. Even if the three of us don't act, two fourth transformation Immortal Sovereigns are more than enough to deal with you."

Fang Chen smiled. "Then tell me, why do you want to kill me? My guess is that, just like Ji Tianjun, you're all Shao Guangyin's men, right? You're targeting me because Eldest Senior Sister internally designated me and Fifth Senior Brother to become Xie Zhi cultivators to investigate the demonic calamity? In that case, the demonic calamity really does have something to do with you. This piece of information should be worth quite a bit of merit."

Xu Kun rolled his eyes. "You've already said everything yourself; what's left for us to say?"

"You're of the demon race, aren't you? You've already awakened the memories of your past life."

Xu Kun's pupils dilated. The way he looked at Fang Chen became incredibly serious. The others also had a similar reaction.

Core Disciple Cheng's eyes narrowed further. "You know about the demon race, and you even know about past life memories... Are you like those troublesome Yang Gods? Your cognition hasn't been sealed? No wonder Ji Tianjun wanted Shao Guangyin to kill you. He probably just thought your existence hindered him from using the princess to raise his status. But he stumbled onto the truth by accident. Someone who can break the cognition seal is most likely a pure-blooded Human."

"A pure-blooded Human? I didn't expect us to have such a harvest this time." Xu Kun smirked. "Slaying one, especially in a place like the Greater Immortal Realm, is equivalent to uprooting an unstable factor for our race."

"Core Disciple Fang, you actually don't need to feel too bad. Though you won't survive today, at least you lived long enough to become Dao Companions with someone as noble as Daoist Hong. That alone is enviable," Core Disciple Cheng said. He gestured toward Little Immortal Honglian with feigned surprise. "You probably didn't know this, but she's also a demon."

"I know. I've known about it even before joining the Enlightenment God Palace," shared Fang Chen, smiling.

This time, it was Core Disciple Cheng and his companions' turn to be astonished.

"Your cognition... wasn't restored after joining the Enlightenment God Palace?" asked Core Disciple Cheng, shocked.

Fang Chen's eyes narrowed. "Why would you think that? Does... contracting a Formation Heart provide a chance to break the cognition seal?"

Core Disciple Cheng and the others remained silent. Fang Chen knew he had guessed correctly.

Core Disciple Cheng chuckled. "That kind of information is useless to you, given your situation. But I am curious, how did you know Little Immortal Honglian was a demon?"

"Not only do I know she is a demon, but I also know she comes from the Abyss of Demons and that she is a princess," Fang Chen stated.

"Core Disciple Cheng, I suspect he is the handiwork of some Yang God." Xu Kun sneered. "Even if we expose ourselves this time, it will be worth it."

Core Disciple Cheng nodded. "Indeed. Even at the cost of our identities, it is worth it. If he were allowed to join the Xie Zhi, he would eventually become a nuisance to us. Within the Xie Zhi, our people must occupy at least seventy percent of the positions for things to be truly secure."

Core Disciple Cheng glanced at Little Immortal Honglian and suddenly mocked. "Her Highness thinks she understands you perfectly, but in reality, she knows nothing. If she knew the truth, she would surely be heartbroken."

"Core Disciple Fang, this isn't something a real man would do," Xu Kun remarked, sighing.

Fang Chen smiled. "Don't worry, I won't let her know for now."

Xu Kun gave him a strange look. "After you die, we will naturally inform her of everything. We'll also have her provide cover for us. Only if she believes you're a deceitful man will she think we acted for her sake. Why would you think we would keep secrets for a dead man?"

Fang Chen's smile deepened. "Because the ones dying are you."

The group fell silent for a few breaths before suddenly erupting into collective laughter.

Xu Kun clutched his stomach, laughing uncontrollably. "Core Disciple Fang, if only you were one of ours! I've truly enjoyed our time together. You're really one entertaining fellow!"

He turned to Core Disciple Cheng. "Maybe we should try to recruit him? It's not like pure-blooded Humans haven't defected to our side before. I think with a little polishing, he'd make a great asset."

"He lacks ambition," said Cheng. "He'll never stand with us."

Xu Kun sighed and turned to Fang Chen. "I'm truly sorry, Core Disciple Fang. I tried."

"Before I die, I want to ask you one thing," said Fang Chen.

Xu Kun nodded. "Ask away. We have plenty of time."

Core Disciple Cheng offered no objection either.

"This sudden decision from the higher-ups to establish the Xie Zhi. Is it because you demons suffered some defeat? Did something slip?"

The group exchanged looks, a trace of unease appearing in their eyes.

"Indeed. One lord grew greedy for merit and exposed some traces," Cheng admitted. "But in return, half of the Taicang Realm is already under our race's control."

Taicang Realm?

Fang Chen rarely heard news of that place. Among the Enlightenment God Palace's core disciples, only the Shenwang Realm was truly feared. The Taicang Realm ranked below the Fangcun and Shenwang Realms.

So... after completing their experiments in the Lower Six Realms over the years, the demons have turned to the Taicang Realm for full-scale harvesting?

"I estimate that in another few thousand years, the Taicang Realm will belong to our race. By then, the Fangcun and Shenwang Realm won't have the strength to deal with us anymore," stated Core Disciple Cheng.

"Don't forget, the Nine Mortal Realms are still overseen by the Yang Gods. They may forget many things, but there is one thing they'll never forget," said Fang Chen.

Core Disciple Cheng sneered. "And what is that?"

"To kill every last one of you demon vermin."

Fang Chen swung his sword toward Xu Kun and the other two. A condensed sword intent erupted, sharp enough to rival the finest in the world.

Xu Kun and his companions didn't even have time to react. One strike was all it took. They were instantly slain.

In their place, three wandering souls remained, drifting in a daze of confusion.

Core Disciple Cheng and the other fourth-transformation Immortal Sovereign were dumbfounded. Xu Kun and the others were Enlightenment Core Disciples who had passed rigorous assessments to earn their status. Xu Kun's cultivation was even on par with Core Disciple Fang.

How were they killed in a single blow?

"A sword cultivator! You follow the Sword Immortal Path?!"

The two of them suddenly realized the truth, and their gazes became incredibly grave.