"This fog is far from simple. Even Lord Qiu Jiu cannot see through it, and he is a rank five Gu Master."
Li Xian spoke in a flattering tone, yet his words revealed the unease within his heart as well as the concerns of the other demonic path Gu Masters.
"Lord Qiu Jiu, are you certain the immortal treasure lies behind this fog?"
Hu Mei Er asked anxiously. There were many valuable things within the blessed land that would bring her tremendous profits, such as the Eggmans Empress capable of producing Eggmans.
Qiu Jiu looked deeply at Hu Mei Er, making her uncomfortable. She wanted to speak again, but he spoke first.
"Little Hu Mei, you are not a rank five Gu Master, so you cannot sense the aura of the Immortal Gu behind this fog. But unlike you, I am a rank five Gu Master, and I can clearly feel the aura of the Immortal Gu. If Xiao Mang brings the righteous path here, he will sense it as well!"
Although his tone sounded gentle on the surface, he was actually reprimanding her, causing her to shrink back.
Qiu Jiu was only a rank five initial stage Gu Master, yet his influence within the demonic path ran extremely deep. Many demonic path Gu Masters would gladly kill her just to earn a favor from the Killer Ghost Doctor, one of the four great doctors of the Southern Border.
"Enough doubting the matter. We must obtain the immortal treasure before the righteous path discovers this place. We absolutely cannot allow them to obtain it!"
Qiu Jiu encouraged the demonic path, causing their morale to rise.
"Lord Qiu Jiu is right! We cannot let the righteous path obtain the immortal treasure, or their strength will increase even further while we continue being suppressed by them!"
"Attack that fog and disperse it!"
Li Xian, Kong Ri Tian, and Hu Mei Er led three groups of Gu Masters deep into the fog, and soon the sounds of battle and explosions erupted.
The heavenly power suppressing them had weakened. Each of them could now control three to four Gu worms simultaneously. This alone was practically equivalent to restoring their full strength, leaving them almost completely unrestricted.
At the same time, Qiu Jiu secretly sent word to the righteous path that the demonic path had discovered an immortal treasure and was about to obtain it.
Immediately, Xiao Mang led the righteous path and rushed toward the fog-covered hill. The demonic path attacked from one side while the righteous path attacked from the other, and under the intensity of the battles, the fog rapidly dispersed.
"Ah, so many dogs!… Akita Chrysanthemum Dogs, Zombie Dogs, Lightning Symbol Dogs, Heavy Tai Dogs — heavens, there are tens of thousands of dogs!"
A Gu Master cried out in alarm.
The demonic path army retreated after suffering extremely heavy losses. The righteous path suffered even worse casualties, but Qiu Jiu waved his hand, healing the demonic path Gu Masters as he spoke:
"You all owe me your lives after we obtain the immortal treasure!"
"Lord Qiu Jiu, I'll kill ten enemies for your sake!"
"Lord, your generosity and kindness know no bounds! Even ten lives wouldn't be enough to repay the debt I owe you for healing me!"
The conversations of the demonic path reached Tie Ruo Nan's ears, causing her to become furious. Even the four old-timers of the Tie clan could barely suppress their anger.
"These demonic path creatures deserve death!.. They are a plague upon all living beings!"
"Lady Tie Ruo Nan is correct. But there's nothing we can do now that the old clan leader has disappeared. Still, at the very least, we know Fang Yuan is refining an Immortal Gu and has reached a critical moment. If we can obtain the Immortal Gu recipe or even the Immortal Gu itself, it would be a tremendous contribution to the clan and would atone for our failures!"
Tie Ruo Nan gradually calmed down and spoke in a low voice:
"To be honest, I never expected the land spirit to still be alive. This contradicts the old clan leader's speculation. But according to the information we gathered, the land spirit is extremely weak — so weak that it didn't even discover the Fixed Star Gu planted by Fang Zheng."
The four old-timers of the Tie clan nodded, and one of them replied:
"Our opportunity is close. With the demonic path's advantage lying in Killer Ghost Doctor, Xiao Mang will definitely feel pressured and take action personally."
Tie Ruo Nan nodded as well. She had already realized this point and had more or less guessed what Xiao Mang intended to do.
The righteous and demonic forces attacked three times, and each time they were repelled by the dog groups. Even the experts among them suffered severe injuries.
Xiao Mang sensed the growing advantage of the demonic path as the battle continued. Moreover, he had gained nothing since arriving. King Bao Inheritance, King Quan Inheritance, and King Xin Inheritance had all been taken by mysterious individuals. Only that immortal treasure remained.
"I must obtain the immortal treasure no matter the cost! With this immortal treasure, even advancing to rank six won't be impossible, and I'll become clan leader!"
Xiao Mang felt his heart stir, no longer hesitating as he charged forward and activated his killer move.
Extreme Light Gu!
Heaven's Will Gu!
Radiant Spear Gu!
Killer move — Glorious Spear!
A spear less than two meters long and over half a meter wide descended upon the hill.
A terrifying explosion erupted, and the shockwaves destroyed everything in their path. After the attack, the fog completely dispersed from the hill, revealing the bronze hall. The aura of the Immortal Gu became clearer than ever before, and every Gu Master sensed it.
The eyes of the Gu Masters turned red with greed as they charged forward without the slightest regard for self-preservation. In a single moment, they abandoned all restraint and slaughtered the dog groups at astonishing speed!
Despite the losses, not a single person retreated!
Qiu Jiu watched the righteous and demonic path Gu Masters charge forward madly, creating several islands amidst the sea of dogs. Yet Qiu Jiu himself did not move, for he had received orders to leave matters as they were.
Not far away, Xiao Mang lowered his head to rest while preparing another attack. But at the crucial moment, two dog emperors appeared and forced the attackers backward.
"Those are beast emperors — Ba Huang and Ying Ming! They are King Quan's trump cards, and each one is equal to a rank five Gu Master!"
The hearts of both righteous and demonic path Gu Masters sank to rock bottom as they felt the tide crashing toward them, forcing them to retreat.
Xiao Mang and Qiu Jiu immediately moved to stabilize the situation. Xiao Mang headed toward Ying Ming as lights exploded everywhere, fighting evenly against the dog emperor.
"Oh? This dog emperor possesses many wild Gu worms, even a rank five defensive Gu!"
Xiao Mang became more cautious and decided to first understand the beast emperor's methods before bypassing him and heading toward the bronze hall.
Meanwhile, Qiu Jiu was suppressed by Ba Huang, though he managed to hold his ground against it. Because of this, the pressure upon the righteous and demonic path Gu Masters lessened, allowing them to charge all the way to the waist of the hill.
Tie Ruo Nan and the four old-timers of the Tie clan advanced side by side. With calm expressions, they said:
"The land spirit is gradually losing control over the dog groups. It's time for Lord Tie Bai Qi to act."
"Indeed, the time has come."
Tie Ruo Nan agreed with them, and one of the four old-timers immediately sent a message to Tie Bai Qi.
"Lord Tie Bai Qi, the land spirit is losing control over the dog groups. This is an excellent opportunity to act. We are already close to the bronze hall — all you need to do is open a gap for us to pass through!"
"Hehehe… I've been watching the whole time already. My hands were itching to act."
Tie Bai Qi removed his hat, revealing the third eye upon his forehead.
Then he activated his Gu worm, moving the void before him with both hands and forming a black hole.
The black hole continuously spun as white monkeys leaped out from within. In mere moments, a tide of monkeys formed around him. These monkeys arranged themselves into a sturdy formation and charged toward the bronze hall.
"Young Miss, continue forward! I'll hold them back here!"
Tie Bai Qi spoke confidently.
"Elder, we're relying on you. More importantly, for the sake of the clan, we must capture Fang Yuan alive!"
Tie Ruo Nan gritted her teeth and ordered the four old-timers of Tie clan to attack.
"Fang Yuan, I'll capture you and punish you for all your crimes, you demon!"
Hatred erupted within Tie Ruo Nan's heart, granting her strength.
Under the protection of the monkey group, the group reached the bronze hall.
Inside the bronze hall, Fang Yuan sat with his eyes closed, fully focused upon his first aperture. His primeval sea had risen to ninety percent capacity, a sign of his A-grade aptitude.
But Fang Yuan paid no attention to that. Instead, he focused on his crystalline purple primeval essence!
This proved that Fang Yuan had already reached rank five peak stage!
After refining Second Aperture Gu, Fang Yuan became the master of the blessed land, and all the materials within the bronze hall became his property!
Including Golden Relic Gu and Purple Crystal Relic Gu.
Fang Yuan had successfully refined Second Aperture Gu and had practically not failed at any step. Because of this, most of the materials remained intact, including Purple Crystal Relic Gu and numerous other Gu worms.
Fang Yuan did not hold back against himself and used Purple Crystal Relic Gu to push his cultivation directly to rank five peak stage!
But now his aura had already been concealed, revealing only traces of a rank four upper-stage aura.
Outside, Bai Ning Bing guarded him while the sounds of battle erupted and shook the very foundations of the bronze hall.
Suddenly, Bai Ning Bing transmitted:
"Fang Yuan! Tie Ruo Nan and the four old-Elders of the Tie clan have broken into the bronze hall!.."
Fang Yuan shouted nervously, his voice turning hoarse:
"Stop them! I'm at the final step!"
Bai Ning Bing snorted coldly and immediately engaged Tie Ruo Nan and the four old-timers of the Tie clan in intense combat. Yet she instantly fell into a disadvantageous position and was gradually forced back toward the area where Fang Yuan was refining Gu.
Bai Ning Bing shouted:
"Fang Yuan, I can't hold on any longer!.. Fang Yuan, I'm going to self-destruct!"
But Fang Yuan did not respond. Instead, he snorted coldly and shattered the wall of the bronze hall!
Tie Ruo Nan and the four old-timers of the Tie clan appeared before him while fighting Bai Ning Bing. Shock flashed through all their eyes when Fang Yuan suddenly appeared before them.
Tie Ruo Nan screamed with hatred:
"Fang Zheng, you deserve death to atone for your sins!"
Tie Ruo Nan charged at astonishing speed, instantly arriving before Fang Yuan. Behind her, Bai Ning Bing attempted to stop her, but it was completely useless.
However, Fang Yuan snorted in dissatisfaction and activated a killer move.
Golden light shone brilliantly as countless golden particles erupted into the air, gathering into a magnificent gale and forming an enormous golden dragon.
The pupils of Tie Ruo Nan, the four old-Elders, and Bai Ning Bing all contracted as the gigantic golden dragon swept them away with a single claw.
Tie Ruo Nan shattered into pieces, while the bodies of two of the four old-Elders were sliced in half. One of their heads was transformed entirely into gold. The last survivor escaped with grievous injuries.
Even Bai Ning Bing lost an arm and survived only because her body transformed into an ice crystal.
Fang Yuan sneered and shattered the roof of the bronze hall. Golden bone wings emerged from his back as he soared into the sky at incredible speed.
Every Gu Master raised their head toward the figure with golden wings and the immortal aura emanating from him.
All the Gu Masters trembled upon sensing the aura of the Immortal Gu, while greed flashed through their eyes. Countless attacks flew toward the sky, but a golden barrier appeared and protected Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan laughed, and his voice echoed throughout the blessed land.
"Bai Gui, do you remember the third section of chapter two from <> ?"
"Yes, Master, I remember. Are you trying to?!"
Xiao Mang raised his head and looked toward Fang Yuan. He immediately withdrew from his battle against Ying Ming and flew toward the sky and Fang Yuan. Xiao Mang flew higher than Fang Yuan and confronted him with a smile.
Fang Yuan laughed deeply and looked toward Xiao Mang as his voice echoed through the sky once more.
"The light is here! Look!"
Xiao Mang smiled greedily and activated his killer move while staring fixedly at the Immortal Gu upon Fang Yuan's shoulder.
Rank four — Gather Light Gu!
Rank five — Extreme Light Gu!
Rank five — Sun River Gu!
Killer move — Overwhelming Light Current!
A river of light surged forth, shattering everything in its path as it rushed toward the blessed land. The light was incomparably intense, and the waves were ferocious. The entire battlefield turned white, forcing everyone to close their eyes, incapable of resisting the brilliance.
Fang Yuan himself charged directly into the heart of the river of light, causing the Gu Masters capable of seeing to scream in shock.
"What is he doing?!"
"He looks like a golden god submerged in light!"
"Is he insane? Facing Xiao Mang's killer move head-on while only at rank four?! Even rank five Gu Masters wouldn't dare do that!"
"Land spirit, help me!"
Divine Travel, the immortal Gu landed in his hands.
" Heaven Jade Gu!"
Rays of green light burst from his aperture and descended upon his hand, transforming into jade-colored bamboo hollow at its center.
The severely injured Bai Ning Bing stared at Fang Yuan's appearance, shock filling her eyes.
"I need to retreat. Fang Yuan clearly obtained an Immortal Gu. Every force in the Southern Border will hunt me down simply because I'm his companion!"
Bai Ning Bing fled while everyone stared at Fang Yuan with mouths agape.
Fang Yuan roared inwardly and summoned Divine Travel Immortal Gu. Divine Travel immortal Gu flew onto his left arm.
A dark blue light burst from his arm, but Divine Travel immortal Gu devoured both that light and Fixed Star Gu. After devouring Fixed Star Gu, Divine Travel immortal Gu flew into the sky and formed a cocoon.
"You!"
Xiao Mang was shocked by Fang Yuan's perseverance and his ability to withstand the killer move.
"Wait a second… I've seen this scene before!"
Li Xian exclaimed in shock.
"How is this possible? He's refining a Gu worm?!"
Feng Tian Yu stared for a moment, and once he saw clearly, he was utterly shocked.
The profound light of glory illuminated the cocoon as it underwent a radical transformation.
"What is this person trying to do?"
One of the Gu Masters suddenly shouted:
"Ah! I remember now! This scene was recorded in the third section of chapter two of <>!"
"Is he trying to imitate Great Verdant Great Sun?"
"Hehe, who does he think he is? A reincarnation of the Verdant Great Sun?"
"How could this be possible? Does he possess Divine Travel Immortal Gu to refine Fixed Immortal Travel Gu?!"
"Fixed Immortal Travel Gu! Fixed Immortal Travel Gu! I never thought I, Feng Tian Yu, would witness the birth of an Immortal Gu worm!"
Feng Tian Yu knelt upon the ground, overwhelmed with emotion.
Within the blessed land, the few remaining Hairy Men also knelt down reverently.
The faint aura of the Immortal Gu spread outward powerfully, and Xiao Mang sensed that something was wrong. He immediately dispersed his killer move, causing the river of light to gradually shrink.
The aura of the Immortal Gu became unstable.
But Fang Yuan had already anticipated this.
Third Watch Gu!
Third Watch Gu!
Feng Tian Yu shouted loudly, then raised his head. Tears and mucus covered his face when he saw a glimmer of hope. Yet he lowered his head sorrowfully.
"It's useless… the aura of the Immortal Gu is unstable and cannot be controlled, even with time acceleration!"
But Fang Yuan took out a Gu worm resembling a gray stone disc.
Undefeated hundred battles Gu!
Undefeated hundred Battles Gu shot toward the cocoon of light, instantly stabilizing the Immortal Gu aura!
The cocoon opened, revealing an Immortal Gu that resembled a beautiful jade-green butterfly!
At this moment, Fang Yuan successfully refined the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu!