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After a Few Hours
"Finally, my time has come," Fang Yuan muttered as he stood up, his expression calm but his eyes gleaming with a sharp light. Not far off, Chou Jiu approached hurriedly, his movements betraying the urgency of his success.
"Master, this subordinate has succeeded!" Chou Jiu dropped to his knees, presenting a peculiar Gu he had retrieved from the inheritance.
The Undefeated Hundred Battles Gu—a one-time expendable Gu that could greatly boost refinement success—was now in Fang Yuan's hands. This Gu was exceedingly rare, even in ancient times, and was believed extinct in the current era.
With the Gu secured, Fang Yuan gave Chou Jiu a few more instructions before dismissing him with a wave of his hand. The entire operation had been executed in complete secrecy, ensuring that Bai Ning Bing remained clueless.
Fang Yuan wasn't afraid of Bai Ning Bing—if he wanted, he could have him killed in an instant using the land spirit or his slaves. However, Bai Ning Bing still had value.
Though Fang Yuan hadn't planned every single detail yet, he already knew the precise moment Bai Ning Bing's usefulness would end—and his life along with it.
"Bai Ning Bing, consider yourself lucky," Fang Yuan thought to himself, a faint smirk curling his lips. "You'll bring me great benefits in the future."
"But as for the others? No mercy."
After a moment's reflection, Fang Yuan headed out to meet Bai Ning Bing.
Bai Ning Bing stood in the middle of a massive pack of dog beasts—a full hundred thousand of them. Some were resting, others playing, but all were under the control of slave path Gu worms. Bai Ning Bing now held these Gu, making him the master of the pack.
Fang Yuan approached with a faint smile. "Bai Ning Bing, hand the Gu worms over to the land spirit. I have another task for you."
"What?" Bai Ning Bing's eyes widened in surprise. "Who's going to manage these dogs, then?"
"The land spirit can handle them using the Gu worms. I need you elsewhere, for something far more critical," Fang Yuan said, his tone steady and unyielding.
The land spirit appeared nearby, his face showing hesitation. "I still need to refine the Immortal Gu with you later,"
he said cautiously. "That process will drain my immortal essence. If I also have to manage these dogs and defend against any invaders, it could become too much. It might even lead to failure."
"This will decrease the immortal refinement success rate," the land spirit added, his worry apparent.
Fang Yuan's expression remained steady, his tone calm but firm. "Don't worry. I know what's best. Just follow my orders for now, and you'll get your Gu."
The land spirit hesitated, but after a moment, it nodded reluctantly. Recalling Fang Yuan's unique advantage as someone who had lived through this timeline before.
"There had to be a reason for his decision." Reluctantly, the land spirit accepted the Gu worms from Bai Ning Bing.
"Bai Ning Bing, come with me," Fang Yuan said while walking. "While I refine the Gu, I need you to guard me."
"The refinement process will leave me vulnerable. Any attack during that time could seriously injure me—or worse. Your task is to ensure that no one gets close."
Fang Yuan gave a rare smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You're the only one I can trust with this."
Bai Ning Bing snorted, crossing his arms. "Fine. Whatever you say." But his unease was growing. He knew Fang Yuan too well—this man was an emotionless demon, a master manipulator who always had some hidden agenda.
It wasn't hard for Bai Ning Bing to suspect that Fang Yuan might already be aware of his betrayal.
Still, he followed Fang Yuan into the main hall. Fang Yuan settled into his seat, while Bai Ning Bing stood alert, ready to guard him.
Fang Yuan cast a brief glance at Bai Ning Bing, his thoughts as cold as his calculating smile.
"I'll keep you alive for now. You're my ticket to Bai Xiang Grotto-Heaven. After the refinement, I'll even reward you to keep you loyal—at least until I no longer need you."
Fang Yuan closed his eyes, his mind sharpening as he planned the next steps using his A.I Chip.
"Freezing Heaven Demon Venerable, the Ice Path Venerable... One day, your body will become one of my clones."
"Everything you have will belong to me, Bai Ning Bing. Consider it your punishment."
Closing his eyes, Fang Yuan let his thoughts settle. Now wasn't the time for anything—he simply had to wait for the right moment.
For now, patience was the only action.
.
.
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