Central continent, Hu Immortal blessed land.
A tall and large crystal mountain and river, was at the center of the blessed land.
Its name is Dang Hun mountain, pink throughout, emitting the colors of dreams and illusions.
At this moment, the elite disciples from the ten sects were like ants, trying hard to ascend the mountain.
Somewhere near the mountain waist, Bai Ning Bing was full of sweat, his face pale as his fingers gripped the mountain rocks, gasping heavily.
As long as any living beings got close to Dang Hun mountain, they souls will have to endure the pain of vibrating shocks. The higher Bai Ning Bing climbed, the more he felt dizzy, like his soul was being blown away by the wind, he felt like he was about to collapse.
"Tsk tsk, you can't hold on anymore? Then give up. Look how much you've fallen behind the person at the top, how can you possibly win? Why don't you just give up, you have no hope left." Hu Immortal land spirit pouted her tiny pink lips as she appeared before Bai Ning Bing.
Hu Immortal land spirit was like a little girl, snowy white skin glowing with pinkness. Her shiny large black eyes emitted an innocent gaze. What is most attractive is behind her back, where a snow white and pure fox tail grew, it was furry and fluffy, extremely cute and makes one want to play with it.
At this time, Hu Immortal land spirit was sitting in the air, watching Bai Ning Bing as she made fun of him.
Bai Ning Bing was not shocked.
After climbing to this height from the mountain foot, the land spirit had appeared many times, watching his progress every time, and was very playful.
Bai Ning Bing had found the method to deal with her, that is, to ignore her.
As expected, seeing that Bai Ning Bing was silent, Hu Immortal land spirit's mouth pouted even more: "So boring."
Saying so, she vanished, going to find the other elite disciples.
After the Hu Immortal land spirit departed, Bai Ning Bing clenched his teeth even harder.
It had been a week inside the blessed land. Although he had made it into the top five climbers on the mountain, the fact that he was only in fifth place gnawed at him relentlessly.
From his position, Bai Ning Bing was about a mile behind Ying Sheng Ji, who held fourth place.
In third was Xiao Qi Xing, and just ahead of him in second place was the girl who had defeated Bai Ning Bing in battle. Even though he had broken through to Rank 5 during their fight, he still lost. That girl was none other than Feng Jin Huang.
As for the one in first place…
Bai Ning Bing could clearly see the three silhouettes of Ying Sheng Ji, Xiao Qi Xing, and Feng Jin Huang climbing ahead of him. But there was one person whose figure he couldn't even spot — someone who had already ascended far beyond their reach.
That person was none other than Fang Yuan.
He was nowhere to be seen — so far beyond reach that it made Bai Ning Bing painfully recall the sense of powerlessness he'd felt the first time they crossed paths.
...
"I've finally reached the mountain's waist," Fang Yuan panted, his breath heavy and sweat pouring down his face.
The mountain winds howled around him, and a wave of dizziness suddenly struck, making him feel as though he might collapse.
But all the damage — both physical and mental — was immediately absorbed by the Abomination Gu. Although the Gu took on the brunt of the assault, Fang Yuan's body still felt the residual strain. The impact was transferred, not nullified, leaving his body outwardly fine, but inwardly exhausted.
After all, he had already crossed over half of Dang Hun Mountain in just a week, running relentlessly with only brief rests to replenish his primeval essence.
Now, after a three-hour break — even though his primeval essence had recovered within the first hour — Fang Yuan stood once more and began sprinting uphill.
His movements were swift and controlled, yet his speed was astonishing — like he had merged with the wind itself.
...
Outside the Hu Immortal Blessed Land
A group of twenty Gu Immortals stood outside the boundary of the blessed land, their gazes fixed on Fang Yuan's rapid ascent.
"Hmm? That boy…"
"There's something odd—his speed surpasses even our movement Gu!"
"He Feng Yang, didn't you say he has one of the Ten Extreme Physiques?"
"Yes, Elder. But I'm not sure which one exactly."
"I suspect it might be the Great Strength True Martial Physique."
"Those with that physique are indeed known for immense stamina."
"But what about the soul attacks from Dang Hun Mountain?"
"That's the real issue here."
"Could he possess Ren Zu's 10th Daughter Physique—the Central Earth Essence Physique? That would explain his progress. It's said this physique generates Earth Essence, a rank six immortal material, and it's capable of reducing soul damage."
"That sounds plausible."
"Wait—what if it's Ren Zu's 9th Son Physique, the Universe Great Derivation Physique? Legends say those with this physique are not bound by rules and can form their own."
"That could explain it too."
"In that case, this boy, Fang Yuan, must possess either the Central Earth Essence Physique or the Universe Great Derivation Physique."
"I never thought either of those actually existed."
"It's my first time seeing or even hearing of someone who might have either of them."
"It's a shame. My Immortal Gu is specialized in offense—if I used it now, I'd be attacking the Hu Immortal inheritance. And this child might not even take damage."
"I have a soul-protecting Immortal Gu, but my disciples don't have the immortal essence required to activate it. Otherwise, they could outpace the others."
The Gu Immortals continued to evaluate the situation, thinking up various strategies, but none could find a way to deal with the child without risking the Hu Immortal inheritance or harming their own people inside.
In the end, they held back, choosing to observe for now.
If push came to shove, they could always unite to overpower the land spirit and forcefully claim the blessed land and its inheritance for themselves.
...