Fang Chen and the blood paper figure both realized at the same time that Empress Ci's methods were far more ruthless than they had imagined.
"Both of you understand the principle that kindness does not rule... don't you?" The empress smiled shyly. "Everything I do is for our own good."
She continued, "We are not the only ones eyeing the inheritance of Monarch Yan. When you gathered your last bit of strength and entered the Lesser Underworld, we all guessed that you wanted to use the Yellow Spring Road to reach the mortal realm and find a suitable candidate to inherit Monarch Yan's inheritance. But as time passed, some of these beings grew complacent. Unlike me, who has been watching closely all this time."
The blood paper figure nodded slightly. He turned his attention toward Fang Chen and said, "Young Master Fang, it's about time. These Yin Soldiers haven't been formally bestowed with life. They drain your energy every moment they exist."
Fang Chen's thoughts stirred. In an instant, the 10,000 Yin Soldiers dissipated, merging into a chaotic force made of causality and Yin energy and blending back into the world.
At that moment, dark clouds began to roll in from the horizon.
Empress Ci's expression changed slightly. She quickly waved her hand, and both Fang Chen and the blood paper figure were ushered into the sedan.
Seeing this, the blood paper figure hurriedly pulled Ji Liang into the sedan too. He completely ignored the two Nascent Soul Realms cultivators from the Morning Star Dao Sect and Innate Dao Sect.
With a single step, the bridal procession disappeared outside the desolate temple.
This dragon's head was mostly white bone, and its eye sockets contained two purple ghostly flames.
As if realizing it had arrived too late, the dragon head opened its mouth in anger and spewed out a burst of purple flames. In an instant, the desolate temple was reduced to ashes.
A booming voice echoed from the dragon's mouth. "Find that demon woman for me!"
From within the rolling dark clouds, a figure emerged. Holding a Heavenly Halberd and covered in dragon-scale armor, the figure was over 10 feet tall and appeared as majestic as a mountain. The skin was pale with hints of black veins running through it.
The blood-red sedan had appeared quite small from the outside, but it was surprisingly spacious and not cramped, resembling a hidden cave.
The blood paper figure wore a serious expression. He asked, "Empress, who is behind that rolling dark cloud?"
His cultivation was comparable to that of a Profound Immortal, but the appearance of the dark clouds had sent a shiver through him. This indicated that the owner of the dark cloud was extremely powerful, likely on par with the empress.
"A true dragon," Empress Ci replied lightly. "It had a high cultivation when it was alive, but it's only a soul now. It now calls itself the Taiyin Dragon King. It seems he's also eyeing Monarch Yan's inheritance. Fortunately, I discovered you first. If you had encountered it, your souls would have scattered.
"This guy is domineering and won't believe in you or cooperate with you. He will only seek someone else to inherit Monarch Yan's inheritance. There are many dragon bloodline families in the mortal realm who are willing to follow his command."
True dragon? Dragon bloodline families?
Fang Chen seemed to be deep in thought. After a few moments of silence, he suddenly asked, "Empress, is the Floating Pagoda Bridge the only way to the Floating Pagoda Realm?"
The Empress glanced at Fang Chen and smiled. "Future Monarch Yan, it seems you've already guessed. The Floating Pagoda Bridge is the main entrance between the Greater Underworld and the Lesser Underworld. However, besides the main gate, there are also some side entrances, but only a few know about them. Moreover, these side entrances are so small that only the wandering souls of the Lesser Underworld can freely pass through.
"I use one of these side entrances to stay in contact with certain beings from the Lesser Underworld. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known that you all had arrived in the Greater Underworld." She paused, then added, "Don't ask me who they are. I made a promise not to reveal their whereabouts. But from now on, we are all allies, and at certain times, I'll have them help you in the Lesser Underworld."
Fang Chen nodded lightly. "I won't ask about that. However, there is one thing I'd like to inquire about. Would you be able to enlighten me on something?"
"Go ahead, ask," the empress said with a smile.
"Is your cultivation comparable to that of a First Rate Sect Leader in the mortal realm? Are there beings as powerful as immortals in the Greater Underworld?" Fang Chen asked seriously.
"This is a question I can answer for you," the blood paper figure said.
The empress smiled. "It seems the future Monarch Yan is new to cultivation. Many things are still unclear to you."
The blood paper figure turned to Fang Chen and spoke slowly, "Young Master Fang, you should know that those First Rate Sect Leaders in the mortal realm are those who failed to ascend and had no choice but to become Loose Immortals when their lifespans neared their end."
the blood paper figure said solemnly, "The Immortal Realm does not recognize Loose Immortals. They are nameless and powerless within it. Though their path is somewhat similar to that of True Immortals, in reality, it is like starting on a spiritual path halfway through, which is fundamentally different from those with noble origins or complete lineages, such as a high monk who has reached enlightenment.
"In the past, only cultivators who didn't wish to ascend to the Immortal Realm would choose this path. But now, since the Immortal Gate is tightly shut and no cultivators can reach it, this has become their only choice. A Loose Immortal's power is far inferior to that of a True Immortal.
"However, rumors say that if one can become a Nine Tribulation Loose Immortal, they'll undergo a transformation and forge a True Immortal body in the mortal, becoming a significant figure in the Immortal Realm."
Fang Chen looked surprised. "So you're saying... the path of a First Rate Sect Leader could, if pursued to the end, lead them to become major figures in the Immortal Realm, much stronger than an Immortal who just ascended?"
The blood paper figure nodded slowly. "Indeed. But this path is exceedingly difficult, and the conditions are very harsh. However, the Nine Realms of the Mortal Realm are vast and boundless. They are not smaller than the Immortal Realm or the Greater Underworld. Some Loose Immortals must have reached the final step, attempting to transform into True Immortals. These Loose Immortals are already as strong as some Immortals in the Immortal Realm.
"You can think of the empress as being similar to a First Rate Sect Leader. In the Great Underworld, there are Yin Demons even more powerful than her, some of whom are like the Nine Tribulation Loose Immortals of the Mortal Realm, not weaker than Immortals."
Fang Chen finally understood. He had initially thought that the strength and foundation of the Greater Underworld far surpassed that of the Mortal Realm.
However, from the blood paper figure's words, it seemed there were many powerful existences in the Nine Realms of the mortal realm who were not weaker than Immortals. However, these powerful beings may not be in Ancient Desolate City, the Central Continent Empire, or places like the Celestial Heaven or the Northern Dipper.
"The mortal realm is not weaker than the Immortal Realm and the Greater Underworld. This is quite surprising," Fang Chen murmured to himself.
Empress Ci smiled faintly and explained, "Throughout history, the Three Realms have always maintained a kind of balance. Don't think that the Immortal Realm is superior. The mortal realm once had an emperor who could command Ghost Gods with the decree of Heaven."
Fang Chen was greatly surprised to hear that. "Is that true?"
The blood paper figure looked slightly awkward. "That's just a legend. It cannot be taken as truth."
Empress Ci smiled and nodded. "Indeed, it's just a legend. That era is too far from us. We don't even know what exactly happened between the Immortal Realm and the Greater Underworld. Why did Monarch Yan die in battle? Why did the gates of the Immortal Realm close from that point on? Why did so many immortals die before their lifespans ended and linger in the Greater Underworld?
"They had it much worse than us, the Yin Demons. They should have reincarnated, but the Reincarnation Division has long disappeared. They were left helpless here. Having lost their former cultivation and abilities, they only have two choices. Either turn into Yin Demons and never reincarnate, or quietly wait for the chance to reincarnate. But during this time, they cannot reveal their identities for fear of being devoured by Yin Demons. They can only struggle in silence and sink into despair."