— — — — — —
The aura of another Immortal Gu spread uncontrollably across the battlefield.
Everyone was stunned.
Just seeing an Immortal Gu was already a once-in-a-lifetime event. But witnessing an Immortal Gu being refined in front of them—and then feeling the aura of another immediately after? That was beyond belief.
One moment, they had watched the successful refinement of an Immortal Gu. The next, another was in the process of being refined.
And the one refining it?
The same person who had just completed the first.
A mortal.
A mortal refining an Immortal Gu—then, without pause, refining another.
Their minds reeled.
"Who am I?" "Where am I?" "Why am I even alive?"
"A mortal...?"
"Mortal, my ass! If he's a mortal, then what the hell am I?"
The situation's sheer impossibility left them frozen and unable to think. It felt like only a Rank 9 Wisdom Gu could restore their shattered minds.
Fang Yuan could feel the Immortal Gu refining itself within his aperture.
This was no accident. He had meticulously planned for this, drinking the four top-quality wines in advance—just as described in the Legends of Ren Zu—to ensure he could obtain the Divine Travel Immortal Gu.
Immortal Gu were fragments of the Great Dao, ranked from 6 to 9. Their rarity, power, and value scaled with their rank, and more importantly, they were unique—only one of each could exist in the world at a time.
By using the Divine Travel Gu as a material for refining Fixed Immortal Travel Gu, the Divine Travel Gu had ceased to exist. It was gone from the world, making it possible for Fang Yuan to get it again.
Fang Yuan had wrung every last drop of benefit from this situation.
[Warning. It is almost 5:45 p.m.]
The A.I. Chip's cold alert echoed in his mind.
Without hesitation, Fang Yuan commanded, "Ba Gui, activate the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu using your immortal essence."
Ba Gui sighed. "Using it will let you escape then the blessed land will collapse. Death isn't an issue for me now—I know you'll refine the Second Aperture Gu in the future."
"Goodbye, young man. You are the most remarkable person I have ever known."
Fang Yuan looked around, seeing how everyone was stunned by his actions. Smiling, he recited a poem:
"No roots, no oath, no ties to break— I carve my path, my will won't shake."
"Those who stood beside me, rise— Their names will echo through fate's lies."
"And those who crossed me, dust remain, Forgotten, lost, without a name."
"All scheme against me, yet I stay free— Unbound, unfazed—eternally."
"I'm Fang Yuan."
Immortal essence surged into the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu.
In an instant, jade light engulfed Fang Yuan—and he vanished.
Only his clothes remained, gently drifting down.
— — —
{5:44:55 p.m.}
Central Continent, Tian Ti Mountain.
In Hu Immortal blessed land, on Dang Hun Mountain, the battle for control was nearing its end.
"Fang Zheng, hold on! Victory is within reach!" Lord Sky Crane encouraged.
Fang Zheng's arms and legs were torn, blood flowing down as he surpassed Ying Sheng Ji and Xiao Qi Xing. His body had gone numb from pain, his mind unable to focus on anything but Dang Hun Mountain.
He was the first to ascend and about to win. Only one thought remained: Just a little more.
"I am the great Feng Jin Huang. How could I lose here? I've never lost since I was born, and this time will be no different! Come out, Dream Wings!"
In the next moment, a beautiful pair of wings sprouted from Feng Jin Huang's shoulders.
These wings were ethereal, elegant, and radiant with dazzling light. With a single flap, she effortlessly accelerated upwards.
"This is…"
"The legendary Immortal Gu — Dream Wings!" The Gu Immortals gasped in unison.
Most Immortal Gu required immortal essence, but Dream Wings was different. It consumed the Gu Master's spirit and soul instead.
Though still mortal, Feng Jin Huang forcefully activated Dream Wings, risking severe damage to her soul—amnesia at best, insanity at worst.
(A/N: Insanity is the hidden cheat of this world!)
Under Fang Zheng's shocked gaze, she overtook him, reclaiming the lead.
As she folded her dream wings back, she stood near the cliff's edge, gasping for breath. A deep dizziness overwhelmed her, nearly causing her to faint. She had pushed herself to the limit.
Forcefully using an Immortal Gu had taken everything from her.
"I... lost again!" Fang Zheng muttered, wide-eyed in disbelief and disappointment.
Feng Jin Huang clung to the edge of the peak, just one step away!
"I... I'm about to win!" she thought, her heart pounding as she summoned the last of her strength.
Her amber eyes glowed, and her beautiful figure was bathed in the pink light of the blessed land. It made her look like a young phoenix spreading its wings for the first time—brilliant and magnificent!
Even the Gu Immortals were amazed by the sight.
Fang Zheng looked up at her in awe, and Hu Immortal land spirit stared at her as though in a trance. Everyone awaited her triumph.
She didn't disappoint anyone. Gritting her teeth, Feng Jin Huang was about to take the last step.
But just then—
Swoosh!
A light flashed, and a man appeared at the mountain peak.
He stood completely naked, his youthful, muscular body radiating the aura of a battle-hardened veteran, but with an undeniable grace and beauty.
"FANG YUAN?!!" Fang Zheng gasped, startled enough to slip and fall from the cliff.
The ten Gu Immortals were equally shocked. "Who... who is this naked mortal?!"
Feng Jin Huang, wide-eyed and frozen like a statue, stared at the man who had suddenly appeared at the top of the mountain. Reaching the peak was the condition to claim this blessed land, and now a man had taken what should have been hers.
Her gaze inevitably landed on the large thing between his legs. She had never seen anything like this before.
Fang Yuan scanned his surroundings, checking his aperture to make sure everything was intact.
"Eh? Isn't that... Feng Jin Huang?" he muttered, spotting her below.
"Why is she looking at me like that? And her face is so red," he thought, noticing her gaze.
He followed her line of sight. "Wait... I'm naked? I was cool a moment ago, and now I'm facing social death." Fang Yuan felt a wave of shame.
"Damn, I forgot that this Gu removes all ordinary clothing. I'll use a clothing-type Gu next time!" Fang Yuan thought, his face reddening. Then, he noticed the woman still staring at him without shame.
Seeing Feng Jin Huang still looking, his face darkened. "Does it look good?"
"Huh?" Feng Jin Huang suddenly realized where she was staring. Her face flushed as she quickly closed her eyes. "I... I didn't look."
"Oh, I'll try to believe you."
"I-I really wasn't trying to look! And it's you—"
"Guess what? I don't believe you, perverted woman. You should be ashamed of yourself." Fang Yuan cut her off, giving the dazed Feng Jin Huang a push and kicking her down the peak while she was still trying to explain.
Fang Yuan then turned to face the land spirit.
"Little Hu Immortal."
"Ma… Master…" The little girl's eyes widened in shock. She was the land spirit of this blessed land—Hu Immortal Land Spirit. She had the appearance of a five to six-year-old girl, cute and innocent, with shiny large black eyes and a snow-white fluffy fox tail. It was so soft and adorable that it made people want to play with it.
She hurriedly covered her large, crystal-clear eyes with her small hands, blushing deeply.
Lowering her head, she stomped her foot shyly. "Master, aren't you ashamed? You're so old already, quickly put on some clothes!"
"..."
"Expel everyone from the blessed land and close it," Fang Yuan ordered quickly. He didn't like being stared at like this.
Inwardly, he sighed, "Sigh, it's okay, Fang Yuan. Every great man has a dark history."
"Damn, if you weren't a land spirit, I would have killed you."
"No, wait... I still can't. She's too cute. Damn, she's fluffy like a little fox doll. I've always wanted a fluffy fox as a pet."
"Guess I'll allow this land spirit to do what it wants for now."
"Really... being cute makes everyone forgive you."
The land spirit began executing the command, expelling everyone.
.
.
.