— — — — — —
Main Hall
Fang Yuan sat silently, eyes closed, as he absorbed the necessary details from the stored memories in the A.I Chip, carefully piecing together his plan.
The Land Spirit's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Young man, I believe you now. You are indeed from the future. You've killed a dangerous threat to the blessed land."
He sighed. "The Three Kings modified this blessed land, weakening my control over it. But you knew who could be a danger and possess the Spring Autumn Cicada—you trulymust come from the future."
Fang Yuan nodded subtly, his calm demeanor unwavering. He turned to Wang Xiao, issuing precise orders that turned him into an efficient tool.
The first order was clear: kill Long Qing Tian. Wang Xiao would then use the Beast Strength Placenta Gu to absorb the aperture of the fallen, and most importantly, retrieve the Rank 5 Jade Sky Gu.
The Jade Sky Gu was a rare and essential material. It was not only a reason to eliminate Long Qing Tian—who posed a future threat—but also critical to refining the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu, the first step in Fang Yuan's grand plan.
— — —
"Land Spirit, transfer Wang Xiao there next."
In a flash, Wang Xiao appeared before Zhang San San, a Rank 4 Upper Stage Enslavement Path Gu Master from Southern Border.
Before Zhang San San could react, Wang Xiao attacked, killing him swiftly.
Fang Yuan had targeted Zhang San San for his Rank 5 Slavery Gu, a powerful Enslavement Path Gu that could control Rank 5 Gu Masters or lower, forcing them into slavery.
After following Fang Yuan's orders to plunder Zhang San San's aperture, Wang Xiao's Beast Strength Placenta Gu increased in aptitude.
"Bai Gui, transfer the Slavery Gu to me, then move me to this location," Fang Yuan commanded, rising from his seat.
The Land Spirit Bai Gui obeyed, passing the Gu to Fang Yuan and teleporting him instantly.
— — —
Fang Yuan materialized before the Killer Ghost Doctor, Chou Jiu.
"Hmph, Chou Jiu… A Shadow Sect member. I'll use him first and eliminate him when the opportunity arises," Fang Yuan mused silently.
"Eh? It's you! How could you—" Chou Jiu's shock was palpable.
Fang Yuan kicked him, sending him sprawling as pain and confusion washed over his face. With the Land Spirit suppressing his Gu worms, he was powerless.
Remaining calm, Fang Yuan activated the Rank 5 Slavery Gu.
The Gu burst into yellow light that enveloped Chou Jiu.
"Damn it! Rank 5 Slavery Gu! Kill me if you must, but I will not be enslaved!" Chou Jiu roared defiantly.
The light, fueled by Fang Yuan's soul power, was met with fierce resistance. Chou Jiu's soul foundation was formidable.
But Fang Yuan was prepared. Smiling coldly, he spoke.
"Zeng Ah Niu… Don't you want revenge? Su Shou betrayed you and is now thriving with Shang Yan Fei."
Chou Jiu froze, the mention of his true name and that past event cutting deep.
"How… How do you know that?!" His composure shattered.
Seizing the moment, the yellow light pierced through Chou Jiu's defenses.
Moments later, Chou Jiu knelt before Fang Yuan, his expression blank.
"This subordinate greets Master."
Fang Yuan chuckled. "Success."
"I know how infuriating this piece of trash can be, so let's avoid any situations that make me want to kill him. Still, he'll be very useful for my plans," Fang Yuan thought coldly.
Suddenly, Chou Jiu spoke up, his voice trembling with desperation. "Master, I want revenge! Will you help this subordinate?"
He continued without waiting for a response, his words spilling out like a flood. "Su Shou and I swore a love oath before our Blessed Land's sea—a token of our bond. We vowed to protect each other, to stand together no matter what."
"But who could have known?" Chou Jiu's voice broke, his face contorted with anger and pain. "Her heart changed! She broke our oath, wounded me, and defected with that thief Shang Yan Fei!" His voice dropped to a whisper, trembling with raw emotion. "She... she betrayed me, Master."
"..."
"Love oath? That was no oath; it was a fucking Poison Vow Gu you used!" Fang Yuan's foot lashed out, kicking Chou Jiu away with utter disgust.
"Just follow my orders from now on and keep your mouth shut," Fang Yuan spat, his cold gaze cutting through Chou Jiu like a blade.
Chou Jiu knelt on the ground, nodding meekly. He was nothing more than a slave now, yet his mind churned with confusion. How did his master know all his secrets? Even about the Poison Vow Gu?
He couldn't imagine the truth, not even if he had thousands of years to ponder.
— — —
Fang Yuan looked at him with disgust. He knew the truth that Su Shou was the one who helped Bai Ning Bing break free of the Poison Vow Gu—a pact meant to prevent betrayal.
So now, Bai Ning Bing was completely free from any vows, ready to betray Fang Yuan when the opportunity arose.
What was insane was the reason Su Shou had helped: Bai Ning Bing's beauty.
Despite being a man born with the Northern Dark Ice Soul Physique, Bai Ning Bing had reached his limits. His immense talent was a ticking time bomb, ready to explode and kill him. Fang Yuan had intervened, using the Yin Yang Rotation Gu.
This Gu could shift a person's gender—Yin Gu transforming male to female, Yang Gu doing the reverse. It also reduced talent, giving Bai Ning Bing a chance to survive after using Yin Gu on him.
Fang Yuan had offered to give him the Yang Gu under strict conditions, giving him the hope that he would eventually return to being male. But Bai Ning Bing had schemed even then as he didn't trust Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan's eyes flickered with disdain as he addressed Chou Jiu. "You've proven how twisted and petty your heart is. And Su Shou—she's already displayed her ugly, insane nature back in Shang Clan City. The two of you are a perfect pair."
He recalled an incident where Su Shou had shocked everyone. A patient once came to her for help, only to hear her utter something outrageous:
"You ugly beings, your existence stains the beauty of life. You should all just die—that would solve everything. Beautiful things, on the other hand, must be cherished and protected at all costs."
Her words caused an uproar in Shang Clan City. Shang Yan Fei himself had to intervene to calm the storm.
— — —
"Chou Jiu, go to the King Xin Inheritance and retrieve the Undefeated Hundred Battles Gu for me."
"This subordinate will do all he can!" Chou Jiu promised, bowing deeply.
It wouldn't be hard for him. The Blessed Land was weakening, and soon Gu worms would be usable. Chou Jiu only needed to charge forward to claim the Undefeated Hundred Battles Gu.
Fang Yuan had chosen Chou Jiu over Feng Tian Yu because of Chou Jiu's unique identity as a Shadow Sect disciple.
It helped keep the plot stable, making the shadow sect do the same actions, at least until Fang Yuan acquired the Sovereign Immortal Fetus Gu. Additionally, Chou Jiu had something else of great value to Fang Yuan.
Using the Slavery Gu on Feng Tian Yu, however, would harm his loyalty. Feng Tian Yu was destined to become Fang Yuan's number-one admirer, spreading his reputation—something Fang Yuan would desperately need in the future.
Reputation would be a vital tool.
Fang Yuan returned to the hall and resumed refining some of the Gu he would need later.
"A.I. Chip, begin analyzing the best and safest way to refine the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu and get the most benefits."
[Beep! Mission established. Beginning analysis…]
The A.I. Chip's monotone voice echoed in his mind as the results swiftly appeared.
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.
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