"Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable, Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable, and Reckless Savage Demon Venerable?" Fang Yuan's heart jolted.
According to the descriptions of these misty human shaped indigenous people, Fang Yuan quickly matched these three sages with three venerables in history.
All kinds of thoughts flashed like lightning in Fang Yuan's mind: 'These three venerables came here? In the seventh layer, I also saw the dao marks path left by Spectral Soul Demon Venerable, Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable, and Giant Sun Immortal Venerable... that means, at least five venerables have come here."
Fang Yuan realized a little but was even more confused.
When he saw the three venerables' paths in the seventh layer, he had a doubt: Only these three venerables came here? If other venerables came, why are there no paths created by them?
"Now, it looks like that although other venerables come here as well, like Reckless Savage and Genesis Lotus, even if they left behind their paths back then, they might have been destroyed by the passing of time."
Limitless Demon Venerable was a venerable from a million years ago during the Olden Antiquity Era, after him came Reckless Savage and Red Lotus.
In the Medieval Antiquity Era, three hundred thousand years ago. Genesis Lotus, Thieving Heaven, and Giant Sun appeared in succession. Long Hair Ancestor appeared in this era as well. Because he was a hairy man, he lived for a long time and had worked with Thieving Heaven and Giant Sun.
After Medieval Antiquity Era was Late Antiquity Era, one hundred thousand years ago from present. Spectral Soul and Paradise Earth appeared in this era.
After this era was the present age. The Prophecy of Three Venerables stated that Great Dream Immortal Venerable would be born. She would be an unprecedented venerable who would surpass the ten great venerables.
Giant Sun, Spectral Soul, and Paradise Earth left behind their paths in the seventh layer. The paths were actually the traces of them charging in.
They were the most recent three venerables so their dao marks could exist until now.
And the previous venerables, even if they left behind a dao mark path, they were erased because of the passing of time.
Fang Yuan's doubt was resolved but he had even more questions now.
"Why did these venerables come one after the other?"
"Crazed Demon Cave has way too much attraction to these people."
"Did these venerables go to the ninth layer after reaching here?"
"The ninth layer's grand formation should still be working, so if these venerables went to the ninth layer, why didn't they destroy the formation and take away the rank nine derivation Gu?"
"If they did not reach the ninth layer and stopped in the eighth layer, why did they create their Dao fields or worlds?"
Fang Yuan pondered for a while and decided to go take a look at these venerables' worlds.
He was unable to find the path to the ninth layer.
When he was in the seventh layer, he had never imagined the eighth layer would have such a grand scene.
Maybe he could find relevant clues in these venerables' Dao fields or worlds?
Even if there were no relevant clues, even if these venerables did not enter the ninth layer, those worlds could very likely have their inheritances!
Even if there was no true inheritance, as long as there was something left behind, even if it was something insignificant to the venerable, it would be a huge gain to Fang Yuan.
"This is interesting. Do you know where these Dao fields and worlds are?" Fang Yuan asked.
These several human shaped mist shook their heads, expressing they did not know and had only heard of them.
"Sage, we live in this world and have no ability to go out. The outside is too dangerous, we cannot set foot in it."
Fang Yuan frowned: "Then how did you know this information?"
A human shaped mist replied: "Every set interval of time, the disciples or students of these sages will cross the void and interact with the worlds, either making transactions or plundering. We obtained this information from them."
Fang Yuan's pupils shrunk slightly: "These disciples came from each generation's venerable, what is their strength? It should be extraordinary considering they are able to travel through the void into different worlds!"
But shortly after, Fang Yuan realized something wrong as he asked: "Since there are a lot of these disciples, why did you address me as sage the moment you saw me?"
A human shaped mist replied: "Because all sages have an appearance like you, but their disciples are of all kinds of shapes."
Fang Yuan immediately understood: "So it seems there are no humans here, the so-called disciples or students of the sages are probably some other races? Like these human shaped mist people?"
Come to speak of it, this was the first time he had seen these human shaped mists, they were neither wild beasts nor plants, they were not variant humans as well, but they had vague human appearances.
"Sage, please save me!"
"Sage, please make your arrangement and save this world."
Several human shaped mists kowtowed again.
"Sure, sure." Fang Yuan smiled as he attacked suddenly.
"Sage!"
"What are you doing?"
"Ahh—!"
Cries of shock and screams resounded in Fang Yuan's ears for a moment.
In two breaths of time, Fang Yuan captured these human shaped mist. His gaze towards these human shaped mist shone with a captivating coldness.
How could this information gained from just questioning be reliable?
If these human shaped mists wanted to deceive Fang Yuan, it would be too easy for them.
While talking, Fang Yuan had secretly scanned most of the surroundings and immediately made his move at this moment.
He then used soul search methods to inspect them.
But the result was somewhat awkward.
These human shaped mist did not have a soul!
Without a soul, could they still be considered living beings?
Even plants had their own souls.
Fang Yuan was dazed for a moment before realizing: "It seems this small world has no soul path dao marks so the living beings here don't have souls."
This was a new and interesting discovery.
In the five regions and two heavens, all living beings had their own soul because of soul path dao marks.
These human shaped mists, however, did not have any.
It was somewhat difficult to search their memories now.
But these problems were quickly subdued by Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan obtained all the information grasped by these human shaped mists.
From this information, he saw that these human shaped mist did not deceive him. Their existence was monotonous, after they gained sentience, they always stayed here until this world was on the verge of destruction. Even if the sage's disciples had arrived here and transacted with them, it was only once, the time period was too short and thus the nature of these human shaped mists was also quite simple, with unworldly mindsets.
Fang Yuan also discovered these human shaped mists were not an individual entity but were a part of this world. They could not leave this world.
"These human shaped mists are quite similar to land spirits and heavenly spirits." A sudden light of inspiration flashed past Fang Yuan's mind.
Land spirits and heavenly spirits were formed from the fusion of obsession of the Gu Immortal and heavenly power, they also did not have souls, but they were sentient and could undergo transactions.
In fact, not only land spirits and heavenly spirits, Fang Yuan also had the Formation Spirit and Dragon Spirit.
The Formation Spirit was born from formation spirit Gu while the Dragon Spirit was a secret creation of the dragonman race.
"Does this mean these human shaped mists are the embryonic forms of land spirits and heavenly spirits? If I can understand their profundities, can I mass-produce land spirits and heavenly spirits?"
Fang Yuan's gaze brightened as he saw the most valuable gain.
However, after about half a day, he looked at this world's destruction with regret.
He really wanted to comprehend the mysteries of the birth of these human shaped mists, but he did not have enough worlds. He had just begun his research and had made a little gain when this world was destroyed.
"No matter, I can continue to search."
"This kind of world, although rare, still exists."
"If I can find the Dao fields of those venerables, that would be even better!"
Thereupon, Fang Yuan began to travel through the void and searched everywhere for valuable targets.
Puff!
Pang Shan coughed out a mouthful of blood and took a step back.
He was huge, and this one step firmly stamped on the ground, producing a huge sound. If it were ordinary ground, there would be a deep crater, but in this seventh layer, every inch of soil was a quasi-rank nine immortal material, they were extremely solid.
"I didn't find any traces of Fang Yuan." Pang Shan said while wiping off the bloodstains on the corner of his lips.
Not Immortal was silent.
Secret Schemer sighed.
The Three Crazed Demon Eccentrics had gathered together now. They were split before as a precaution against Fang Yuan, but now after the demonic sounds ended, they immediately reunited.
On one hand, they felt even if Fang Yuan was alive, he would be at his last breath and could never be a threat.
On the other hand, they wanted to use their greatest effort to save Fang Yuan.
Gu Immortal's injuries were often very troublesome and difficult to heal.
Not Immortal and Secret Schemer were injured, only Pang Shan had been completely fine but he was also injured now.
It was a bad idea to use investigative killer moves in the seventh layer.
The dao marks here were too concentrated almost like a battlefield killer move. The conflicting dao marks made it hostile to all the paths.
Pang Shan's investigative range was extremely limited because the dao marks that suited his path was only a small portion among all the dao marks here.
"I know what the seventh layer looks like when the demonic sounds start. Brothers, let it be. Fang Yuan's hope is..." Pang Shan slowly shook his head.
"Who could have expected Fang Yuan to die like this." Not Immortal heaved a sigh.
Secret Schemer also felt extreme regret.
They did not have any feeling of having gotten rid of evil, their life goal was simple and similar, they wanted to explore the ninth layer and grasp the derivation formation to thus search for a certain possibility of eternal life.
Fang Yuan's main body did not come out of the eighth layer even after a long time, and his clones were getting nervous.
Fang clan headquarters.
Divine Bean Palace floated in the air, letting out dazzling jade light.
Right now, Fang clan's first supreme elder Fang Gong, third supreme elder Fang Hua Sheng, as well as Fang Leng and Fang Yun were watching the place from far away.
The jade light transformed suddenly, changing into countless lightning spheres that exploded in the surroundings.
Rumble...
A chain of explosions sent soil and rocks flying everywhere and created hurricanes.
After the explosions ended, green grass started growing in the sunken and pit-filled ground while young trees started growing at a visible speed, their roots piercing into the soil as they grew into gigantic trees.
This was Divine Bean Palace's killer move — Myriad Life Spring Lightning!
This killer move was activated smoothly, signifying that Fang Di Chang had control over Divine Bean Palace.
The palace door opened and Fang Yuan's clone Fang Di Chang walked out with a smile.
"Good!" Fang Gong laughed heartily: "Second elder, you have made a huge contribution." Although this was somewhat worrying for the balance of the internal factions of Fang clan, it was undoubtedly very good news for the whole clan.
"With this palace, our Fang clan can breakthrough our predicament and rise up for real!" Fang Yun exclaimed jubilantly.
Fang Di Chang smiled: "With this palace, we can no longer be taken down. But there is no hurry, there are still some areas that can be improved in Divine Bean Palace. The most important divine bean soldiers have to be prepared beforehand."
"No worries, you can take any amount of wood path immortal materials you require from the treasury." Fang Gong laughed once again, his joy was truthfully coming from his heart.
-x-X-x-
This was a barren land with grey-white soil.
The land was dry with many gullies, it had no fertility and not even a blade of grass grew on it.
Fang Di Chang looked at this vast land and scattered yellow jade bean seeds.
Divine Bean Palace stored many bean seeds, it mainly consisted of yellow jade bean seeds, green jade bean seeds, red jade bean seeds, and black jade bean seeds. Besides them, there were also the rather special blue pea seeds and white frost broad bean seeds.
After these bean seeds were planted and cared for a period of time, they grew into all kinds of divine bean soldiers.
Divine Bean Palace's trump card, divine bean soldier, was not an instant killer move, it required a long period of time before they could form into a sizable number with powerful might.
It was because of this that when Chen Yi suppressed Qing Chou back then and used karma divine tree to influence Divine Bean Palace to fight against Fang clan, he was unable to use this move. Chen Yi could only use soul beasts as a replacement.
Fang Di Chang was currently planting yellow jade bean seeds.
This was the most basic type of seed among all the bean seeds. After they were planted, they grew into yellow bean divine soldiers.
Right now, yellow jade bean seeds were already scattered here.
Fang Di Chang activated Divine Bean Palace, gale blew immediately and formless wind condensed into light-green hoes.
The hoes began hoeing the ground.
After a while, Fang Di Chang waved his hand again, rain started to fall from the sky.
The amount of rain needed to be specific, it could not be too much or too little. It mainly had to moisten this dry land.
The land was moistened, yellow jade bean seeds began to experience a mystical change.
But this change was quite slow, Fang Yuan's clone activated another method.
The moment the killer move was activated, the land began flickering with emerald-green waves of light that constantly washed the yellow jade bean seeds in the ground like tides.
When the yellow jade bean seeds absorbed these emerald-green waves, their growth speed rose explosively, they sprouted out of the ground and grew firmly.
"According to this speed, yellow bean divine soldiers will sprout after a day and a night." Fang Yuan's clone nodded, satisfied.
At his will, he suddenly moved back into the main hall of Divine Bean Palace.
He took a glance at the mural on the wall and saw a change.
The mural had been of a dry land, but at this moment, a small portion of the land was filled with bean sprouts.
"This is a method of painting path. Divine Bean Palace contains painting path Immortal Gu, the land in the mural is not illusory. This is such an amazing method."
"Planting bean sprouts in this painting can grow divine bean soldiers. After they are constantly taken care of and mature, these divine bean soldiers will leave the mural and arrive in the main hall."
"The land is extremely barren but it is not a big issue. Not much fertility is required for planting beans, and as beans are planted more often in the future, the fertility of the land in the mural can increase and the soil itself will become a type of an immortal material."
"The expenditure includes water path immortal materials and wood path immortal materials."
The former was used to moisten the soil while the latter could increase the growth speed of the bean seeds.
The immortal materials were all stored inside Divine Bean Palace, Fang Yuan's two killer moves were activated by expending the stored immortal materials.
"This effect is quite good, but the price is also significant. Fortunately, I don't need to worry about this and can report the expenses to Fang clan." Fang Di Chang smiled.
Divine Bean Palace had already become Fang Yuan's possession, Fang clan was kept in the dark and was even helping Fang Yuan in providing resources to cultivate divine bean soldiers.
In the depths of Eastern Sea.
Gu tribe headquarters.
"That will do." Fang Yuan's clone Wu Shuai slowly stopped the killer move, his forehead filled with sweat.
In front of him was another batch of new dragonmen.
But these new dragonmen were not just former beastmen, there were also some mermen.
"Many thanks to Lord Wu Shuai for your help, this is my tribe's gift of thanks, please accept it, senior." A merman Gu Immortal swayed his tail and slowly floated to Wu Shuai, gifting an immortal material with both hands.
This immortal material was a lump of water that emitted a putrid smell. It was restrained to a lump by the merman Gu Immortals' killer move. Although the merman's hands were shaking, this water lump did not move like it was frozen.
"So it is unmoving rotten water. It just so happens that I need it to raise army ants, I will accept it. I appreciate the gift." Wu Shuai accepted it directly.
He wanted to raise arrow ants, which needed unmoving rotten water.
Ever since he started raising army ants, they were expanding with a horrifying speed.
Other than Fang Yuan investing massive amounts of his resources into this, Gu tribe and the mermen had also helped greatly.
Naturally, Fang Yuan's clone did not extort them but obtained the resources from transactions.
Wu Shuai used his killer move to convert beastmen and mermen into new dragonmen as a repayment.
"My strength is increasing rapidly every day, the changes are very obvious."
"Interacting with Gu tribe has proven to be quite good, I even have a connection with the merman race now."
"Adding on the influence of Qi Sea Ancestor, I have an increasingly deep control over Eastern Sea's Gu Immortal world."
Eastern Sea's Merman Imperial Court was a super force with deep foundations.
This was the sole variant human super force in the world, it received Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable's help and was able to develop and continue to exist until now.
Even so, merfolk were under huge pressure from everywhere. Previously, their situation was already unsteady from the suppression of Eastern Sea's human forces. Now that five regions chaotic war was about to start, the wise people among merfolk began to search everywhere for a survival route for their race.
Once the five regions chaotic war starts, the previous fragile balance would definitely collapse.
The merman race's future was bleak, as a variant human race, they would definitely become the first target for human forces!
A portion of the merfolk saw the growth prospect of dragonmen and did not hesitate on changing their identities.
This was because the higher-ups of the Merman Imperial Court had always been helping Gu tribe in secret to conceal their traces. They had learned of the dragonman secret of the past from Gu tribe.
After knowing that fate Gu had revealed that dragonmen reign supreme, a portion of merfolk higher-ups brought up this idea.
This was the reason for the merfolk to convert to dragonmen.
"The Merman Imperial Court has already begun investing everywhere for the survival of their tribe."
"Human forces have also foreseen the chaotic era in the future, they are especially wary against Heavenly Court, I can exploit this wariness."
"Maybe I can persuade the merman race to dispatch some merfolk Gu Immortals to participate in the war when Heavenly Court restores fate Gu."
Wu Shuai's head was filled with such secretive thoughts.
Beast Calamity grotto-heaven.
The situation was extremely dangerous and permitted no delay.
"Little Du, you really want to do this?" Mountain Cliff City Lord worriedly looked at Fang Yuan's clone Zhan Bu Du.
Zhan Bu Du raised his head, his eyes shining brightly and his tone firm: "Yes, master! You are heavily injured, and in this situation, we cannot beat that monster. But if we let it run amok, Mountain Cliff City will be completely destroyed! Who knows how many people will die! I can only take the risk to make a breakthrough, as long as I become a Combat Beast Warrior, I can display the complete strength of the arrowtail eagle and get rid of this detestable monster."
Mountain Cliff City Lord Looked at Zhan Bu Du for a long while, knowing his beloved disciple had already made up his mind and that his persuasion would have no effect. He waved his hand: "Sigh, go then."
Zhan Bu Du did not hesitate, immediately leaving to begin his immortal ascension.
Mountain Cliff City Lord and others watched him nervously, countless ordinary people were kneeling on the ground and praying silently, cheering on Zhan Bu Du. Many Combat Beast Envoys were staking their lives to delay the monster.
What made them joyous was that the giant monster might be tired, its attacks slowed down.
This was actually the secret manipulation of Zhan Bu Du, the current situation was also a plan that had already been determined before.
"I have a portion of my main body's memories and foundation, my immortal ascension is practically a certainty. But I still need to act like I am taking a risk, not only to deceive everyone in Mountain Cliff City but also this grotto-heaven's heavenly spirit!"
The whole process was filled with ups and downs, causing Mountain Cliff City Lord and others to feel their hearts jump. But the outcome was without any mishaps, Zhan Bu Du finally advanced to an immortal, becoming a Combat Beast Warrior!
Zhan Bu Du then showed his mighty prowess as he defeated the monster.
"Wow! Little Du is so powerful!"
"Little Du, you saved the lives of the whole city, we really don't know what to say."
"As expected of our little savior, Little Du."
"Little Du, you might be the youngest Combat Beast Warrior in history."
People surrounded Zhan Bu Du and lifted him up, tossing him into the sky and catching him.
Zhan Bu Du became a hero in the hearts of everyone in the city, he had unmatched reputation right now.
Aside from the crowd, the injured Mountain Cliff City Lord looked at this with satisfaction, a sincere smile showing on his face.
-x-X-x-
The eighth layer of Crazed Demon Cave was much more vast than Fang Yuan's expectations.
After he learned there were venerable Dao fields here, he began searching for a long while but he did not get any good results.
Fang Yuan saw the creation and destruction of many worlds and also entered some large worlds, but was unable to find venerable Dao fields.
But he was not without any gains. These days of searching deepened his understanding of the eighth layer.
"There is no such concept as direction in this void, like up, down, left, or right, so it is both finite and infinite."
"The eighth layer had only been a cave originally, but after Limitless Demon Venerable's arrangements, it became a boundless area."
"Perhaps, I am only moving in a small circle over these days. In fact, I might not be able to find venerable Dao fields without comprehending the arrangements here."
Fang Yuan guessed.
To find his destination in this void, Fang Yuan no doubt needed to raise his phantom path attainment level.
Phantom path was only a minor path, derived from rule path.
However, this minor path had quite an achievement.
Phantom path focused on the illusory and reality, if one could not be hit, they could not lose.
Turning phantom was the signature method of phantom path, when Heaven Overseeing Tower had turned into phantom, it had been extremely secure with no methods able to deal any harm to it besides dream path.
Phantom path also had supreme profundities, just like how one of soul path's supreme profundities was to cultivate a hundred million desolate soul, like Spectral Soul's Three Headed Thousand Arms Demon Soul. Transformation path had two supreme profundities, one was to undergo myriad changes as one willed, the other was to gather the power of all paths into one, like myriad beings assimilation transformation.
Heavenly Court's members offered their own immortal apertures, and whenever they left Heavenly Court, they would be given a phantom aperture for storing immortal essence, Immortal Gu, and other resources.
This phantom aperture was a supreme profundity of phantom path.
And presently, Fang Yuan was in this void where countless worlds were created and destroyed. Obviously, this void was also a supreme profundity of phantom path.
Although phantom path was only a sub-branch of rule path, advancing phantom path attainment level was essentially still rule path true meaning.
But this path held profound depth, just based on Fang Yuan's current rule path great grandmaster attainment level, there was still some distance before he could comprehend this void.
Since he was unable to breakthrough directly, Fang Yuan considered for a while and decided to try from another angle.
He willed it and activated Cooking Luck Pot, blessing himself with luck path might be able to create a breakthrough.
Although Cooking Luck Pot's level was rather low and unable to completely influence the main body's luck, it was still able to change a portion.
At least, Fang Yuan could casually change the luck inside Cooking Luck Pot.
With Cooking Luck Pot, changing his luck was extremely quick and convenient, and Fang Yuan soon completed it.
He inspected his clones' luck.
His time path clone's luck was still the same like before. A miniature River of Time-like luck was flowing gently while glistening beautifully. When inspected carefully, there were traces of black qi forming and accumulating continuously on the surface of the river.
Fang Yuan's dream path clone had the smallest luck, after all, it only had rank five Gu Master cultivation and its aperture was even sealed.
The grandest was clone Wu Shuai's. Wu Shuai was already a peak rank seven Gu Immortal, had obtained Dragon Palace, and was currently cultivating army ants. Right now, Wu Shuai's luck was like a roaming dragon with glistening dragon scales and dragon eyes, and sharp horns and claws. There were waves of light-blue water halo around the dragon luck and the dragon contacted the water, this meant he had obtained external help — Gu tribe and merfolk. And there was a giant dragon pearl in the dragon's mouth. The dragon pearl contained a palace, it was actually a shrunken image of Dragon Palace.
Another dragon pearl with a much smaller size was held by a dragon claw. This dragon pearl contained densely packed ants, representing army ants.
The second biggest luck was of clone Fang Di Chang's.
His luck was rather special, it was like a giant tree, its trunk was not thin but was also not extremely thick. The tree crown was verdant and stacked ingeniously to form Divine Bean Palace's shape. Below the ground, the tree roots were tangled with many of them exposed outside the ground — this implied countless ties of Fang Di Chang and Fang clan, an unbreakable deep connection.
Besides these were Zhan Bu Du's and Li Xiao Bai's luck.
Zhan Bu Du's luck was much bigger than Li Xiao Bai's, it was like a strong eagle spreading its wings to fly high.
Zhan Bu Du had just recently become a rank six Gu Immortal while Li Xiao Bai was still at Gu Master level.
Li Xiao Bai's luck was like a flower in full bloom, there was even a thin layer of nectar in the stamens. This layer of nectar was the result of Li Xiao Bai's hard effort in cultivating in this period of time. Outside the flower luck was a butterfly, white as snow, it flapped its large wings and blew cold wind while softly drifting towards the flower.
"This luck indication..." Fang Yuan's brows slightly furrowed.
"Butterfly usually indicates female, it wants to collect the nectar and is also giving rise to cold wind, which means it is of no benefit to the flower."
"From their size, the butterfly is slightly larger than the flower. The cold wind, however, is vast and powerful, it represents a certain large trend. More importantly, the main element is not the butterfly, the butterfly is only a prologue."
"Li Xiao Bai's situation is currently good, but the future doesn't look that bright. If there is an unexpected mishap and the cold wind descends, the flower will wither. But the butterfly is so close to the flower, which indicates a fortuitous encounter."
Clone Li Xiao Bai was all along trying to conquer Profound Literature grotto-heaven, but this grotto-heaven was different from Beast Calamity grotto-heaven because a rank eight Gu Immortal guarded it, Fang Yuan could not use his strength freely like in Beast Calamity grotto-heaven.
In Beast Calamity grotto-heaven, Fang Yuan was free to use strategies and make all kinds of arrangements. But in Profound Literature grotto-heaven, his hands were tied, and to preserve the greatest result and benefits, he could not use most of his methods.
As such, support in the luck aspect became the biggest help that Fang Yuan's main body could give to Li Xiao Bai.
On the spot, Fang Yuan mobilized Cooking Luck Pot to change Li Xiao Bai's luck.
After a while, Li Xiao Bai's flower luck became beautiful red like peach-blossom in spring — it was peach blossom luck![TL Note: Peach blossom luck is commonly used to describe a relationship or marital affair.]
Transforming luck was not random but followed a certain rule.
For instance, after Li Xiao Bai's luck transformed into peach blossom luck, there was double the efficiency as it ingeniously interacted with the butterfly!
"It will now depend on the clone if he can grasp the opportunity." Fang Yuan continued to move forward.
Luck was only a kind of a variable, when the true opportunity arrives, it still depends on the person themselves, on whether they had the ability to grasp it or not.
"Hmm?" Fang Yuan's brows jumped, he made a joyous discovery not long after modifying his luck.
He saw a giant floating fish, it was traveling in the void while swaying its large tail. Its speed looked slow but it was actually frighteningly fast.
This was the first time Fang Yuan had seen a living being that could roam the void and escape the world.
"This is probably a sage disciple that human shaped mist mentioned." Fang Yuan gave chase.
That grey fish looked like a goldfish. After it saw Fang Yuan, it was extremely shocked and kowtowed quickly: "Yellow Earth Sage's disciple Little Flower pays respects to sage!"
The giant grey fish's size was comparable to a whale but it made a human sound, and it was a young girl's voice.
"Good, good. I have been searching for Yellow Earth Dao field for a long while, lead the way. You will gain benefits as well." Fang Yuan laughed.
But the giant grey fish shook its head: "Sage, it is not that I don't want to help you, but I am unable to find the location of Yellow Earth Dao field."
"What? You were banished?" Fang Yuan frowned.
The giant grey fish shook its head again: "No, no. My cultivation reached a barrier, I bade farewell to my fellow disciples and left Yellow Earth Grand World to travel outside and train myself to make a breakthrough."
As it said this, the giant grey fish's eyes looked at Fang Yuan with hope.
If this sage enlightened it, its barrier would be nothing.
But was Fang Yuan that kind of person? He was not willing to engage in any further talk as he immediately imprisoned this giant grey fish and wantonly searched its memories.
"So it was like this."
"Although these venerable Dao fields exist forever, they are always moving."
The giant grey fish was born in Yellow Earth Dao field, Fang Yuan saw the rich scene of this world from its memories.
Yellow Earth Dao field was vast, not the least bit inferior to even the sovereign immortal aperture. There was a dense amount of earth path dao marks with a good amount of other dao marks as well. Its immortal material treasury was abundant and had many Gu worms including Immortal Gu. There were also all kinds of living beings, although there were no humans, it was truly a land of treasures.
Even Fang Yuan with his current assets coveted this Yellow Earth Dao field.
"If I can obtain the Yellow Earth Dao field and devour it completely, my assets will increase by at least three times!"
Fang Yuan was refining Immortal Gu on a large scale, the expenditure was huge and had already consumed most of his resources. His immortal material reserve had already shrunken to a serious level.
If he could obtain the Yellow Earth Dao field, it would definitely be a huge replenishment, like a skinny guy becoming obese in an instant.
However, it was difficult to reach the Yellow Earth Dao field.
There were all kinds of beings in Yellow Earth Dao field, and when Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable had arranged it back then, he taught everyone with no discrimination.
All these living beings possessed souls, and because Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable had left Gu cultivation method, most of the living beings possessed apertures and had started Gu Master cultivation. The outstanding ones among them even advanced to Gu Immortal level, although the numbers were few.
And there were elites among these Gu Immortals as well. These elites had the ability to leave the world, and when they encountered a barrier and were unable to advance further, they would leave the Dao field and travel everywhere to train themselves.
When they left the Dao field and were in the void, they had no way to find the way back home.
But they did not have to worry, when they have the opportunity and break through their barrier, they would see the Dao field and be able to return smoothly.
This was all the information Fang Yuan obtained from the giant grey fish.
This giant grey fish looked like it was easily captured by Fang Yuan, but it possessed rank seven cultivation and was an elite Gu Immortal in the Yellow Earth Dao field.
Fang Yuan frowned even more tightly.
He deduced even more information.
"When the opportunity comes, they can return to the Dao field naturally — this is a saying passed down in Yellow Earth Dao field. Moreover, in the memories of the giant grey fish, many of its seniors returned like this."
"Looks like Yellow Earth Dao field itself possesses the ability to respond to these beings that have gone outside. Every interval of time, the Gu Immortal elites of Yellow Earth Dao field will go out to train themselves, and when their training is accomplished, the Dao field will pick them up."
Why was this arranged?
There was an answer in the giant grey fish's memories.
This was because Dao fields did not coexist peacefully, there were wars between them.
The living beings nurtured by the Dao fields fought each other and tried to invade each other's Dao field.
"Back then, the venerables probably made this arrangement when they created the Dao fields."
"But what benefits are there in these beings fighting each other? What goal did the venerables have?"
Fang Yuan shook his head.
He might only be able to get the answers when he entered a venerable Dao field.
Fang Yuan's gaze landed on the giant grey fish.
He smiled: "Didn't you want me to enlighten you? Meeting me is your fortune."
The giant grey fish trembled, it stammered but was unable to say anything, it was frightened by Fang Yuan.
Although it had not been long since it came into contact with Fang Yuan, the giant grey fish was deeply aware that the sage before it was extremely terrifying and possessed a cruel and indifferent demonic nature. He was absolutely not a good person like the Yellow Earth Sage!
Running into him was truly its misfortune.
"Alright, even if you don't speak, I know your questions." Fang Yuan had searched all the memories of the giant grey fish and was clear of what its barrier was.
He immediately guided it in concise and easy to understand words.
The giant grey fish's body stopped shaking gradually as it was immersed in Fang Yuan's words, temporarily forgetting its predicament.
"Why is there still no breakthrough?" Fang Yuan frowned, he had spoken till his mouth was dry.
The giant grey fish was still muddled.
Although it had intelligence, it was not equivalent to a human.
Fang Yuan was patient as he continued to teach it. By helping the giant grey fish break through its barrier, he might be able to trigger a response from the Yellow Earth Dao field.
-x-X-x-
Profound Litef
rature grotto-heaven.
A warship with five decks was moving on a large river flowing towards the east.
"The jade river spans across the land, reflecting the red jade heart of people! It is hard to imagine the unrivaled talent of Emperor Gu Wen. He could actually write such a verse when he was just seven years old." Su Qi Han sighed while gazing at the vast river.
She was the current imperial minister's daughter. She was graceful, beautiful, cultured, and elegant. Besides her beauty, she was most praised for her literary talent. Her mind was filled with poems and had a good knowledge of the historical records, putting most men to shame.
"Young miss, wind has started blowing, you need to be careful of catching a cold. How about we return to the room." Her maid urged.
Su Qi Han sighed but still stood behind the ship railings and watched the flowing river.
The maid persisted: "Young miss, are you worried about the journey? Wasn't that thief forced away by you? We have already selected eight of the ten great scholars, can't we just choose the next two casually?"
Su Qi Han shook her head: "You don't understand. Choosing the ten great scholars is not just an imperial edict but also concerns my Su clan's prosperity."
The maid curled her lips: "Young miss, I don't understand these imperial laws but you must take your medicine now."
Su Qi Han smiled bitterly: "What effect can common herbal medicine have on my injuries? It is just to comfort myself, it doesn't matter even if I drink it."
The maid stomped her foot: "Young miss, don't try to deceive me. This herbal medicine has no effect on your injuries, but you've always been weak to the cold since you were a child, if you do not drink this warm medicine, your lungs might get damaged. So, you must drink this medicine."
"Alright, alright, bring it over." Su Qi Han was helpless against her personal maid, she took the bowl and finished it all.
She had just finished drinking when she heard a wild laugh.
Soon after, a figure jumped out of the water and landed on the deck.
"Who is it?"
"That thief again!"
The ship guards moved immediately and surrounded the person.
But this person was very strong, after a chaotic battle, the guards ended up lying on the ground.
"You are not his match, retreat for now." Su Qi Han's expression was solemn as she moved to the front and prepared to fight.
The person had an ugly and ferocious-looking face, he had a large and broad body with his skin having a color of bluish black like a shark, this was the result of using shark skin Gu.
"Miss Su." He greeted with a wide smile, revealing his sharp teeth which made him look even more ferocious.
Su Qi Han smiled coldly: "Shark Bandit, you lost to me not long ago, was that lesson not enough? You still dare to come back!"
Shark Bandit laughed sinisterly: "Lady Su, I am not your match but that was before you drank that medicine. Don't you feel your limbs becoming numb?"
Su Qi Han's expression changed immediately.
"The medicine was tampered with?!" She looked towards her personal maid.
The maid quickly shook her head, her face pale as paper: "Impossible! The medicine had always been in my sight. Young miss, you must believe me."
"The medicine... cough cough, has no issue. Cough, cough... but the herbs have... cough, been tampered with." Right at this moment, an uninvited guest climbed the ship rails and stepped on the deck.
Su Qi Han's brows furrowed tightly, her heart sinking to rock bottom: "Medicine Demon, you are still alive!"
Medicine Demon looked like an elderly man but he was actually only in his twenties. He cultivated poison path and blindly pursued strength, causing him to suffer a backlash which made his whole body aged, internally and externally.
Medicine Demon's eyes showed deep hatred: "All thanks to your elder cousin, I won't live for long. But being able to have a taste of Lady Su's body before I die will be worth it."
Su Qi Han's expression paled as she took a step back: "What drug did you give me?"
She felt her whole body beginning to turn numb.
Medicine Demon laughed loudly: "Naturally — the strongest aphrodisiac! It can make the most chaste girl into the most lewd and obscene slut!"
Before he even finished speaking, Shark Bandit pounced forward.
Boom boom boom!
Sounds of explosions rang as Su Qi Han was forced to retreat again and again.
"Young miss, leave quickly, I will hold them back!" At the crucial moment, the maid stood out and sacrificed herself to stall for time for Su Qi Han.
Su Qi Han fell into deep hesitation.
"Young miss, leave quickly!" The maid activated a forbidden technique, her battle strength rose explosively but the outcome would be her certain death.
Su Qi Han cried as she jumped out and ran across the water: "Shark Bandit, Medicine Demon, I will never forgive you. The Imperial Court will also execute your nine generations!"
In a pavilion by the river.
There were two people.
One was Fang Yuan's clone Li Xiao Bai, the other was his master, Teacher Jiang.
Teacher Jiang gazed at the scene of the river in the night and said to Li Xiao Bai: "Come, write a poem and recite it to me. You have ten steps of time."
The ten steps referred to the time taken by a normal person to walk ten steps.
Li Xiao Bai's talent was not as good as the main body's, but through this period of painstaking effort and training, there was huge progress and he was able to immediately recite two lines.
After a while of thinking, he added another two lines.
Teacher Jiang was silent for a while before shaking his head: "Little Bai, you have made huge progress during this time, but with your talent, you are still lacking to fight for the position of a great scholar."
"Teacher, I know poem composition within ten steps is Emperor Gu Wen's test. Emperor Gu Wen created the scholar selection test, the Imperial Court will choose ten great scholars every twenty years. This poem composition within ten steps is the first test for the scholar selection. I have already passed it, teacher, why do you not recommend me to participate in the selection?" Li Xiao Bai asked in confusion.
Teacher Jiang turned around and looked at his favorite student, speaking with a smile: "Little Bai, you don't know the whole situation. The ten great scholars selection looks like a glorious competition on the surface, but it is in actuality a competition to cultivate future Imperial Court officials."
"Teacher, you are talking about immortal ascension?" Li Xiao Bai was astonished.
Li Xiao Bai was only acting, naturally. In fact, he already knew about everything.
Fang Yuan's heaven form killer move was a powerful method to inspect grotto-heavens, even if Profound Literature grotto-heaven had a rank eight Gu Immortal guarding it, it was helpless against the constant inspection by heaven form from outside the grotto-heaven.
In this Profound Literature grotto-heaven, information path was the main path, every time a Gu Master wrote a great literary piece, they would be rewarded by the grotto-heaven.
Originally, this grotto-heaven was filled with many individual forces, with Gu Immortals establishing independent territories. But later, someone called Emperor Gu Wen appeared. This person's natural aptitude was extremely high and had unsurpassed talent, he became a Gu Immortal at a frightening speed. Later, he made a move against other Gu Immortals, either killing them or making them submit. He created the Imperial Court and put the whole grotto-heaven under his rule.
In his latter years, he created ten great scholars selection to choose the most outstanding talents in the whole world, giving them honor and titles.
The Imperial Court selected suitable people among these scholars and recruited them, giving them resources and raising them to Gu Immortals, before appointing them as officials.
As such, the Imperial Court was the strongest super force in Profound Literature grotto-heaven. Every high ranking official was a Gu Immortal with no exception.
The current emperor naturally was also a Gu Immortal. And the rank eight Gu Immortal guarding this grotto-heaven was the retired emperor from three generations ago.
As it involved the chance of becoming an immortal, the ten great scholar selection looked like a beautiful competition, but the hidden undercurrents reeked with blood.
Every force contended and fought using all kinds of connections and relations, they tried to get the position by hook or by crook.
"Great Scholar Shen who competed against Teacher Jiang was one of the ten great scholars in one of the selections. But his political talent is not outstanding, or maybe, he doesn't have a powerful background, so he is still at rank five peak stage."
"This teacher of mine is also the same. He had once been one of the ten great scholars, but was not recruited to be an official."
"My talent barely meets the standard of the selection. Moreover, I am my teacher's disciple and have his influence, the Imperial Court won't like this, even if I am selected, I probably won't be a high-ranking official. At most, I will only be a junior official who will have to work hard for the Imperial Court and this will delay my cultivation. I have no one to back me up so my cultivation will keep on being delayed my whole life."
"Teacher Jiang and Great Scholar Shen probably saw this future, so they were not willing to become officials and wandered outside the Imperial Court. One opened a private school while the other roamed everywhere."
Li Xiao Bai was clear in his mind.
It could not be said Teacher Jiang and Great Scholar Shen did not have a future. If they could solve the mystery of immortal ascension and successfully pass the tribulation, they would also become Gu Immortals.
But this Profound Literature grotto-heaven was small when compared to the five regions, and had very limited resources. Moreover, the colossal Imperial Court controlled almost all the immortal materials, it was extremely difficult and almost hopeless for people like Teacher Jiang and Great Scholar Shen to become Gu Immortals.
Teacher Jiang invited Li Xiao Bai alone to the riverside and conversed with him to persuade this student to give up on the current ten great scholars selection. He was actually showing deep concern.
He knew Li Xiao Bai's strength was low, although it fulfilled the minimum standard, there was simply no hope.
The ten great scholars selection was a whirlpool which had killed many young scholars. Teacher Jiang had made painstaking efforts to teach and guide Li Xiao Bai, he did not want this student to be implicated and die a miserable death.
However, he did not know Li Xiao Bai was aware of everything, he was even clear of how to become an immortal.
But the show still had to be performed.
Li Xiao Bai asked questions first which was then followed by him expressing his regrets and unwillingness to give up. Finally, he solemnly thanked Teacher Jiang and said he was willing to give up on this selection, and even give up on the future selections.
"This child is worth teaching!" Teacher Jiang felt huge relief and left with a relaxed heart.
Li Xiao Bai moved along the riverside towards the way back home.
"I can become an immortal by myself. But if I rashly undergo immortal ascension at such a fast speed, it will definitely make that rank eight Gu Immortal vigilant. He will definitely investigate and if he finds any clues or even has only a trace of doubt, I will be in a fatal danger."
This was not the outcome Li Xiao Bai and Fang Yuan's main body wanted to see.
Fang Yuan had used soul replacement and secretly arranged this clone, Li Xiao Bai, to save time and let the clone open the way, and even gain control of this Profound Literature grotto-heaven alone.
Although this was only a small move, if it succeeds, it would definitely save a lot of Fang Yuan's time and energy.
Naturally, there was also a backup plan.
When Li Xiao Bai grows to a certain stage, he could cooperate with the main body outside to scheme against the rank eight Gu Immortal.
"But it is too early for that."
"I can be considered as having established my footing because of Teacher Jiang. I studied hard in this period of time and have gained some fame. But this environment is not enough to continue my progress."
"If I can be selected as a great scholar, it will definitely be a springboard for me. Unfortunately, I have no power or background, and only have a teacher. I will definitely not have a good ending if I participate in the selection."
"Actually, joining the Imperial Court is the best cultivation path. The Imperial Court controls most of the immortal materials, even if I become an immortal in the future, it will be hard to achieve anything further without these cultivation resources."
Li Xiao Bai was lamenting inwardly when his steps paused.
He saw a person lying on a bush in the riverside.
"Miss, what's the matter with you?" After confirming the surrounding condition, Li Xiao Bai went to help the girl.
When he carried the unconscious girl to the shore, he shockingly discovered this person was actually Su Qi Han!
"What happened?"
"This Su Qi Han is the current high ranking official Chancellor Su's daughter, and is in charge of this current ten great scholars selection competition. She was actually injured to the point she was unconscious!"
"Chancellor Su is a rank six Gu Immortal, Su Qi Han is also a predetermined future official of the Imperial Court, she definitely has immortal methods to protect her. But she actually fell into such a predicament, this ten great scholars selection's hidden undercurrents are truly too deep."
Inside Profound Literature grotto-heaven, men and women could become immortals without discrimination, both could become officials as well, naturally. Many women were even more talented than men.
A large number of all-girls private schools and institutes were spread all over Profound Literature grotto-heaven.
And the ten great scholars naturally were not only males and also included women.
Just as he was thinking, Su Qi Han woke up with a light sound.
"You saved me?" She looked at Li Xiao Bai with a heated look.
Li Xiao Bai thought: "Why is there something wrong with this gaze?"
He nodded his head and was just about to speak.
Su Qi Han covered his lips and turned around suddenly, pressing Li Xiao Bai to the ground.
"This, what is she trying to do?" Li Xiao Bai's body tensed up, he was a little muddled, what was she playing at?
Su Qi Han sat on his body and began to remove his clothes in a hurry.
Li Xiao Bai was bewildered and said while stammering: "Miss Su, Miss Su, please behave yourself!"
Su Qi Han's movements paused as her eyes narrowed: "You know me?"
Li Xiao Bai gulped his saliva, his forehead filled with cold sweat: "Miss Su, you are selecting the ten great scholars, of course I know you. Miss Su, I am Teacher Jiang's student and had parted with Teacher Jiang just earlier."
Li Xiao Bai was truly afraid, Su Qi Han had rank five peak stage cultivation, he was not her match.
At present, there were only the two of them at the riverside. Su Qi Han was in a strange state, Li Xiao Bai mentioned Teacher Jiang to prevent himself from being harmed.
Su Qi Han took a deep gaze at Li Xiao Bai, an unnatural blush floated on her face as she gave a deep sigh: "It's too late, your teacher is already far away. Right now, within ten li of distance, there is only you and me."
"What are you trying to do? Ah!" Li Xiao Bai was struck gently by Su Qi Han and fell into a daze.
This was absolutely not something he wanted.
According to his plan, he could grow stably. But now, he was like meat on the chopping board, others could do whatever they wanted.
If his secret were to be discovered, that would be extremely bad!
Li Xiao Bai wanted to remain clear-headed, but Su Qi Han's methods were unique. He used all his strength to struggle but could not even budge.
In his dazed state, he felt like he had landed in an icy cave, next, it was like he had fallen into raging waves, moving up and down.
Then, the cave became warmer like a gentle wind had brushed past his face, light rain drizzled as it became more warm and moist.
Finally, he felt like he had turned into a waterfall, with a torrential explosion, he fainted in pleasure.
Who knew how long passed, he woke up slowly.
He was extremely exhausted and a trace of weakness surged in his body.
He quickly inspected the situation and saw his clothes were already torn completely and he was lying inside a cave.
Su Qi Han was in the midst of dressing herself beside him.
"Miss... Miss Su..." Li Xiao Bai barely opened his mouth, he did not even have the strength to speak much.
Su Qi Han continued to put on her clothes without looking at him, her voice was calm: "It has already been three days and three nights since we met."
"Relax, I..." She paused as she was finally unable to hide the turbulence in her heart, her voice even shaking a little: "I will take responsibility."
-x-X-x-
Eastern Sea, Gu tribe headquarters.
A grand banquet had already lasted for several days inside the palace.
At this time, servants served platters of delicious roasted chicken.
These were naturally not ordinary chickens, they were immortal chickens of at least desolate beast level. Moreover the ones that Gu tribe's leader and Fang Yuan's clone enjoyed were ancient desolate chickens.
After staying here for so many days, Wu Shuai had fully realized the beastmen's customs — eating a lot, drinking a lot, bold to the point of being arrogant, and enjoying comfort to the point of being indulgent. If you received the beastmen's acceptance, you were their honored guest, enjoying the best wine and food. If you didn't have their acceptance, you would forever be despised and loathed, even hated.
At the sight of immortal chickens, the beastman Gu Immortals moved their fingers with salivating mouths.
These immortal materials could not be eaten regularly, they were often used as Gu refinement materials, It was never so luxurious as today.
But based on the historical records, when the beastman race was at its height, these immortal materials could be eaten casually by beastman tribes. They had been extravagant and wasteful.
Gu tribe's leader grabbed the millstone-sized roasted chicken.
"Lord Wu Shuai, please look." As he said so, he activated a certain food path killer move.
The killer move activated, Gu tribe's leader opened his mouth and inhaled lightly, directly swallowing the huge roasted chicken.
Gulp, Gu tribe's leader's throat moved up and down as the roasted chicken went down his throat.
His stomach immediately bulged and looked like a pregnant woman.
Gu tribe's leader rubbed his belly and laughed: "This ancient desolate chicken will need half a day more to be completely digested. During this time, my luck is strengthened. This is my tribe's food path killer move — Chicken Dinner."
Wu Shuai nodded his head while praising: "Chicken dinner is such an exceptional ability, to use a food path method to produce luck path effect. From what I see, this luck strengthening emphasizes on the aspect of survival."
Gu tribe's leader said in admiration: "Very insightful, senior, that is exactly the case. Based on historical records, when my tribe's Gu Immortals faced dangerous situations, or a large scale battle royale, this move is the reason they managed to survive."
Wu Shuai nodded as he tore a piece of the chicken and devoured it: "Let me show you an enslavement path killer move."
This banquet was of course not simple, it was an exchange of inheritances between Fang Yuan's clone and Gu tribe.
Gu tribe possessed transformation path and food path inheritances and were willing to exchange a portion of them with Fang Yuan's enslavement path inheritance.
Gu tribe was already preparing to develop dragonmen, dragonmen were born with enslavement path dao marks and thus there was demand for enslavement path inheritances.
Fang Yuan had no reason to reject it.
He could exchange for the inheritances held by Gu tribe with some contents of enslavement path.
Their inheritances were unique, the transformation path inheritance had the essence of the Olden Antiquity Era and the food path inheritance also made Fang Yuan pleasantly surprised.
Food path was originally created by a beastman Gu Immortal.
Gu tribe had been hiding in the depths of Eastern Sea and had gradually developed a rather complete food path inheritance.
The killer move that Gu tribe's leader displayed just now was one of the contents of the inheritance — Chicken Dinner.
Because of their nature, the beastmen made their killer move names extremely simple and crude, but their effects were very practical.
Fang Yuan and Gu tribe's cooperation continued to deepen.
Previously, Fang Yuan helped convert them to dragonman, now, they were exchanging inheritances.
Fang Yuan's clone Wu Shuai performed the enslavement path killer move, the beastman Gu Immortals in the banquet were deeply moved and cheered repeatedly.
Gu tribe's leader clapped and summoned a group of female dragonmen: "Lord, please enjoy the dance."
These dragon women were the female beastmen that had just recently converted, their dance and songs were from the olden era, full of wildness and temptation.
One of the dragon women danced even more flirtatiously.
The dance ended but these dragon women did not leave, instead flocking to Wu Shuai's side.
"Lord Wu Shuai." Gu tribe's leader said with great sincerity: "I noticed you have no servants to serve you, so I am offering these women, I would be deeply honored if you accept them."
Wu Shuai laughed heartily as he pulled that extremely flirtatious dragon lady to his chest: "I won't refuse this good intention. My dragonman race has few people, spreading my seed is also an important task. I shall take this one as my wife while the rest shall be concubines."
Gu tribe's leader was overjoyed as he raised his cup of wine, everyone present also cheered and celebrated the relationship of two races deepening by another layer.
After the banquet, Wu Shuai took these dragon ladies to Dragon Palace and started "working on his responsibilities".
Not long later, Fang Yuan's main body, which was far away in the eighth layer of Crazed Demon Cave, received Wu Shuai's message.
"Marriage with Gu tribe? This is a good thing." His eyes shined with bright light.
Wu Shuai taking in a wife and concubines was naturally an alliance marriage. Intercourse with the girls also made Gu tribe stop worrying. In the future, if they had children, the relationship between the two would deepen even further.
"When the time is ripe, I can use the children to quietly take in Gu tribe."
Gu tribe wanted to cling onto Wu Shuai, little did they imagine, this was all within Fang Yuan's expectation.
Fang Yuan's intention was to take in the whole of Gu tribe.
Fighting and killing was only one of the methods available to a mature person, there were many other ways to deal with things.
Fang Yuan intended to use gentle political tricks to swallow Gu tribe. Although this would consume much more time, it was a tactful method that saved as much foundation of Gu tribe as possible and would give Fang Yuan the greatest benefits.
"Gu tribe's inheritances are truly extraordinary. They are definitely hiding even more outstanding methods. The contents of the inheritances they exchange also had a lot of points worth seeing. Especially the food path inheritance."
Fang Yuan had the original food path inheritance that was left by the beastman Gu Immortal who created food path, it was legitimate and authentic.
And Gu tribe's inheritance, that was developed through many generations of modifications, was also exceptional with many creative methods. For instance, the killer move chicken dinner that could imitate luck path effect.
Just at the first glance, this inheritance gave Fang Yuan many inspirations. Fang Yuan sent a command to his time path clone to try deducing in this aspect.
His main body was sitting on the giant grey fish and was still roaming in the void aimlessly.
The giant grey fish's aura was different from before.
Through Fang Yuan's repeated enlightenment, even though it had limited intelligence, it could achieve a breakthrough. The bottleneck that had been troubling it before no longer existed.
However, Fang Yuan's anticipated matter had yet to appear.
Fang Yuan enlightened the giant grey fish to use it to trigger a response from Yellow Earth Dao field.
But so many days had passed and he had yet to even see a trace of Yellow Earth Dao field.
According to the giant grey fish's words, this was because the timing had yet to arrive.
But Fang Yuan scoffed as he inwardly guessed: "Affinity and timing are just excuses to deceive people. Looks like this Yellow Earth Dao field can act on its own, or maybe there is an autonomous will that saw through my scheme, thus it did not reveal itself."
"Let's see how it goes after I continue exploring for some time."
Several days later.
"Where are you going?" Fang Yuan, who was sitting on the back of the giant grey fish, smiled coldly.
He activated his killer move; a strength path giant hand flew out and grabbed a fat rhinoceros.
"Spare me, sage, spare me!" The rhino begged loudly while struggling but the strength path giant hand held it firmly.
Fang Yuan chuckled and pointed his finger, immediately extracting the soul of the rhino.
Within several breaths of time, he understood all the life experiences of this rhino.
This rhino came from Reckless Savage's Dao field, and just like the giant grey fish, it had also encountered a bottleneck and left its world to find an opportunity to breakthrough.
Unfortunately, it encountered Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan attacked it without saying anything and captured this rank seven rhino easily.
The giant grey fish witnessed the whole process, its heart shaking in fright from Fang Yuan's horrifying strength.
"Running into me is your fortune, let me enlighten you." Fang Yuan gave a malevolent smile.
The rhino's soul was put back in its body. It had learned this time, quickly kneeling and kowtowing to Fang Yuan.
Several days went by again.
"You can leave, remember to cultivate properly." Fang Yuan looked at the giant grey fish and the fat rhino.
The giant fish and the rhino said together with trembling voices: "Goodbye, sage!"
"Try to return as early as possible, I will come back again." Fang Yuan smiled.
The giant fish and the rhino trembled fiercely, only when Fang Yuan completely disappeared from their sight did they stop kowtowing. They glanced at each other, both rejoicing madly at surviving from fatal danger.
Naturally, Fang Yuan's parting words that implied he would come back became a giant shadow that shrouded these two's hearts.
Crazed Demon Cave, seventh layer.
Secret Schemer took a step forward cautiously with a pale face.
This was already near his limits.
"Let's rest for a while." Secret Schemer had no choice but to do this.
He sat down cross-legged and turned into a rock statue to rest.
Not Immortal and Pang Shan rested behind him.
After a while, Secret Schemer opened his rock eyes and stood up.
"Leader, let's return."
"Yes, demonic sounds are irregular and with no set pattern, we cannot predict them now. Moreover, there has been no demonic sound for some time. This location is too risky."
"Yes, wasn't Fang Yuan a lesson for us?"
Not Immortal and Pang Shan reminded.
Secret Schemer sighed and nodded helplessly: "Alright, let's leave."
Fang Yuan's death had made the Three Crazed Demon Eccentrics somewhat downcast.
But just as Secret Schemer was about to turn around, he suddenly opened his eyes and remained still.
"Leader, what's... ah!"
"Fang Yuan, Fang Yuan? Is that you!"
Not Immortal and Pang Shan looked at Fang Yuan walking slowly towards them.
"It's me." Fang Yuan nodded.
"This is great, you didn't die!" Not Immortal shouted.
"But why didn't we see you?" Secret Schemer asked in confusion.
Fang Yuan nodded again: "That is because I went to the eighth layer and received the reminder left by a venerable."
"Eighth layer?!"
"A venerable's reminder?!"
The Three Crazed Demon Eccentrics were shaken.
"Yes, I will tell you in detail later. But in short — Fate must be destroyed to obtain eternal life." Fang Yuan made up a story as he showed a sincere expression.
-x-X-x-
Western Desert.
Fang Yuan was standing proudly on the deck of Myriad Year Flying Warship with his hands behind his back and without hiding his trace.
Myriad Year Flying Warship was like a sharp sword that pierced through the sky towards a light yellow cloud.
"Fang Yuan, you dared to come back!" A woman's shout spread from the light yellow cloud, expressing the anger and hatred of its owner.
The ordinary looking light yellow cloud was actually an immortal formation.
The formation covered a dream realm, inside which Immortal Gu Mutation and Gu Immortal Dancer Hong Yun were trapped.
Immortal Concubine Qing Lan was maintaining the formation.
Immortal Concubine Qing Lan had rank seven cultivation and was a concubine of Thousand Transformations Ancestor.
Back then when Fang Yuan had been traveling in Western Desert and was chased by Feng Jiu Ge, he ran into Dancer Hong Yun and pretended to make an alliance, trading for Zhen Yuan Zi's formation path inheritance.
Fang Yuan's plan was to pretend to leave. Ying Wu Xie had still been in Fairy Cui Bo's body at that time, he detonated a Pure Dream Reality Seeker Physique body and trapped Dancer Hong Yun and Thousand Transformations Ancestor's will.
Unfortunately, when Fang Yuan wanted to clean up the battlefield, Feng Jiu Ge caught up to him and he had to retreat.
Thousand Transformations Ancestor had been plotted against and felt something wrong, immediately sending Night Temptress and Immortal Concubine Qing Lan to inspect it.
After knowing Liu Guan Yi was Fang Yuan and feeling helpless against the dream realm, Thousand Transformations Ancestor could only make Night Temptress and Immortal Concubine Qing Lan construct an immortal formation around the area.
In fact, Dancer Hong Yun, who was trapped, here might be Thousand Transformations Ancestor's concubine, but he did not like her that much. What Thousand Transformations Ancestor was worried about was the mutation Immortal Gu trapped in the dream realm.
This was a rank eight Immortal Gu!
Back then, Thousand Transformations Ancestor inherited a Reckless Savage true inheritance and this mutation Immortal Gu was its core. Without it, Thousand Transformations Ancestor would have a very hard time activating most of the methods and their strength would also be reduced greatly.
Mutation Immortal Gu could not be lost!
Thousand Transformations Ancestor did not have Fang Yuan's methods and could only learn from Southern Border's righteous path, confining the dream realm.
The main culprit behind all this was Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan revealed himself now and attacked the formation, it was no wonder Immortal Concubine Qing Lan could not restrain her fury.
But this famous Western Desert beauty did not attack, instead she activated the formation and chose to defend.
"Fang Yuan might only have rank seven cultivation but he can fight rank eights. He also has Myriad Year Flying Warship which has defeated Heavenly Court before, I cannot resist it by myself! The urgent thing now is to defend and stall for time until husband and others arrive."
Immortal Concubine Qing Lan sent an urgent message for help while controlling the immortal formation with all her strength.
Boom boom boom!
Fang Yuan's attacks erupted on the formation, the endless silver flying swords rained down like a waterfall.
Immortal Concubine Qing Lan clenched her teeth as she activated the yellow cloud and held on firmly.
Under the ferocious attacks, the yellow cloud started disintegrating, its size shrinking continuously. But this disintegrating speed was quite slow.
Myriad Year Flying Warship had four main killer moves; torrential charge, daybreak sword, daybreak torrent, and myriad year hunting.
Every killer move was a rank eight move, but evidently, the immortal formation that formed the yellow cloud was also at rank eight.
"Fortunately, we reinforced the immortal formation, otherwise with the previous rank seven formation, it would be impossible to block Fang Yuan. This is Myriad Year Flying Warship? It is really amazing!" Immortal Concubine Qing Lan was pale as she had to bear a huge pressure because of Fang Yuan's vicious attacks.
She had never imagined Fang Yuan to actually attack this place. There had simply been no warning signs.
The formation rumbled as several Gu Immortals teleported to myriad statue desert.
At the front was Night Temptress, the number one concubine of Thousand Transformations Ancestor, along with several other Gu Immortals who were all Thousand Transformations Ancestor's concubines.
"Where is husband?" Immortal Concubine Qing Lan's expression changed slightly.
Night Temptress said heavily: "It is not time yet for husband to make a move, the situation is much more complex than this. We received the order to help you defend this place."
Immortal Concubine Qing Lan shook her head: "With just us, we are probably not Fang Yuan's match and will not be able to last for long."
A female immortal scoffed: "Qing Lan, what are you afraid of? This formation is a rank eight..."
Boom!
Right at this time, a loud sound spread and almost half the yellow cloud disintegrated instantly.
The female immortals inside the formation were pale.
Night Temptress screamed: "What are you waiting for? Reinforce the formation, quick!"
The female immortals stopped quarrelling as they used all their strength to control the formation and defend against Fang Yuan's attacks.
Fang Yuan was still standing on the deck, his gaze flickering sharply.
Myriad Year Flying Warship had made big contributions. In the River of Time, it had killed Qing Ye and Li Huang who were rank eight experts, especially the latter who had extraordinary strength.
But at that time, Myriad Year Flying Warship occupied an advantage, because all its killer moves were amplified to a horrifying level in the River of Time.
On the contrary, Qing Ye, Li Huang and the rest had been greatly suppressed.
This time, Myriad Year Flying Warship was fighting an aerial battle in Western Desert, and without the environment's amplification, its killer moves only had normal strength.
It was because of this that even when Myriad Year Flying Warship attacked with everything, it was still unable to destroy the yellow cloud.
"This formation isn't simple, it is a transformation path Gu formation with extraordinary defense as well as having the ability to transport Gu Immortals, it is probably a portion of Reckless Savage's true inheritance."
Fang Yuan thought of many things.
His guess was not wrong, this formation was the myriad li adaptation formation of Reckless Savage's true inheritance, it was a genuine rank eight formation.
A Rank eight Immortal Gu House could fight a rank eight immortal formation, both sides were evenly matched.
However, comparing the person controlling the Immortal Gu House and the Gu Immortals guarding the immortal formation, Fang Yuan undoubtedly won by a margin.
"Someone help me quick, I can't hold on for long!"
"Ahh! Fang Yuan is too fierce, I can't endure it."
"Sisters, hold on, I am coming... Damn it, I am about to lose my defensive position as well."
The foothold that these concubines of Thousand Transformations Ancestor had was slipping at an astonishing speed.
Night Temptress's expression was ashen as she exhausted all her strength and coughed out blood, but was also unable to hold on.
Immortal Concubine Qing Lan was soaked with cold sweat. She was unable to understand why she was able to pull Fang Yuan into a deadlock when she had been defending alone, but now when she received huge support, they were failing bit by bit.
The remaining rank six female immortals were sweating madly, their limbs were numb and their fighting strength had already fallen to the lowest point.
Myriad li adaptation formation was indeed a good formation, but it was nothing against Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan had time path quasi-supreme grandmaster attainment, transformation path great grandmaster, formation path grandmaster, wisdom path grandmaster, as well as the light of wisdom and many methods to make deductions.
Daybreak swords could be used as he liked, and every attack was like a probe filled with deep intentions.
Although there was still a large distance from fully understanding the formation, what Fang Yuan needed to do was to destroy and not study, this was much simpler and straightforward.
"Thousand Transformations Ancestor, you are still not making a move? Can your concubines stop me? You are looking down on me too much and thinking too highly of yourself." Fang Yuan sneered and spoke.
But he still didn't see Thousand Transformations Ancestor.
The yellow cloud had already shrunk to a dangerous level, Night Temptress was panic-stricken and said decisively: "Sisters, activate the final method."
"We are using it this early?"
"What choice do we have other than this?"
"It will be too late if we don't use it now!"
The female immortals activated their final trump card, the yellow cloud suddenly emitted golden rays, although only a small portion was left of it, it was extremely firm and blocked all the silver flying swords without even budging.
Fang Yuan smiled coldly, thinking: "This situation is also within my expectation. Using it so quickly, you are truly incapable! If it were others, they might be perplexed, but I have already understood its context, you are just speeding up your deaths by doing this."
While thinking this, Fang Yuan immediately stopped daybreak sword and sent a command to his subordinates inside the warship: "Ram it!"
Myriad Year Flying Warship ferociously collided straight into the golden cloud.
Boom!
First collision; golden cloud shook, the female immortals started bleeding from their seven orifices and were struck with dizziness.
Boom!
Second collision; the golden cloud loosened, the female immortals fell to the ground after suffering such a fierce collision. They were panting hard, their faces were pale as paper and their gazes were somewhat dull and blank.
Boom!
Third collision; Myriad Year Flying Warship directly pierced into the golden cloud, the female immortals could not endure such a backlash and many of them fainted immediately.
The formation was on the verge of collapsing, Fang Yuan retreated inside the warship instead.
"Master, should we capture these female immortals to use them as hostages to negotiate with Thousand Transformations Ancestor in the future?" A variant human Gu Immortal suggested.
Fang Yuan, however, shook his head.
Just as Myriad Year Flying Warship was about to make a fatal move against these female immortals, a female immortal suddenly stood up. Her appearance had changed greatly and shouted: "Fang Yuan, you are going too far!"
"Husband!!" Night Temptress and Immortal Concubine Qing Lan had been barely able to remain conscious, they shouted in surprise and joy.
As it turned out, Thousand Transformations Ancestor had already come over but had disguised his identity and kept it hidden from all the people around him.
He had been patient for a long time and intentionally set up a trap to seize a golden opportunity.
But Fang Yuan simply did not give him the opportunity, he was extremely cautious and did not leave Myriad Year Flying Warship even once. He did not even make a move personally or have the thought to capture these female immortals.
Myriad Year Flying Warship was like a dazzling giant sword as it pierced Thousand Transformations Ancestor.
In the moment of danger, Thousand Transformations Ancestor laughed sinisterly and raised his left arm without dodging.
At the next moment, his left arm expanded rapidly and transformed into a berserk ape's arm, the giant arm was filled with purple-gold dragon scales.
Thousand Transformations Ancestor raised his left arm as Myriad Year Flying Warship smashed into him with a loud sound.
Thousand Transformations Ancestor was thrown back a small step but Myriad Year Flying Warship was sent flying.
Fang Yuan's heart sank slightly.
Thousand Transformations Ancestor was indeed the person who inherited Reckless Savage's true inheritance, his methods were amazing.
He had only defended just now but it revealed many profundities.
He had not transformed his whole body, but only his left arm. The left arm's transformation was also not simple, dragon scales and the berserk ape's arm were used together, multiplying the strength.
Myriad Year Flying Warship was without options against such defense.
But Thousand Transformations Ancestor had not just blocked forcefully, but had used a technique to divert the force of Myriad Year Flying Warship and send it flying.
"Exquisite killer move along with exceptional combat techniques." It was only one exchange of offense and defense, but Fang Yuan was able to learn a lot of information about Thousand Transformations Ancestor.
At the next moment, he turned Myriad Year Flying Warship around and charged towards Thousand Transformations Ancestor again: "Thousand Transformations Ancestor, you finally came out, now die!"
Thousand Transformations Ancestor was furious: "You, a rank seven Gu Immortal, are dreaming of taking my life by relying on an Immortal Gu House? You dare speak such shameless words!"
Fang Yuan scoffed: "Even Heavenly Court's Gu Immortals died from my ship, you will also follow in their footsteps."
It was okay when Heavenly Court was not mentioned, but at the mention of Heavenly Court, Thousand Transformations Ancestor was even more infuriated: "Demonic scoundrel, you think I am afraid of you? You fool, only knowing to conflict with me but not realizing you have already fallen into Heavenly Court's scheme. Heavenly Court's members are probably watching the show secretly."
-x-X-x-