(The upcoming chapters will primarily focus on providing detailed information for those who forgot RI {maybe won't be the last}. However, I am working on several significant alterations and a massive plot twist that I believe will leave everyone—myself included—both excited and extremely happy. Just thinking about writing IT fills me with joy and anticipation)
(Note: you can just go to ch.15 directly)
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The more Fairy Bai Qing spoke, the more her anxiety grew, her eyes gradually reddening with emotion.
Seeing her distress, Feng Jiu Ge immediately rose from his seat, moving to her side and wrapping his arms around her. He gently comforted her, saying, "Don't cry, don't cry, my Qing'er. Isn't your husband still here? Besides, in my opinion, this situation isn't entirely without its benefits."
Bai Qing cast him a doubtful glance. "Oh? What possible good could come from this?"
Feng Jiu Ge sighed softly, his voice steady yet serious. "Feng'er is our pride, but she's also always been our worry. She's too competitive, always pushing herself to be the best. Yes, her talent far exceeds mine, and her comprehension is extraordinary, but what of it? Even if her talent is unmatched, is it greater than all the heroes in the world? Can she really compare to Desolate Ancient Moon?"
He paused, his gaze deepening. "Even Desolate Ancient Moon, Ren Zu's daughter, experienced failure after failure. Feng'er has only ever known victory. She's never tasted true defeat, and that has become her greatest weakness."
"Qing'er," he continued, his tone softening, "you are a Rank Six Gu Immortal, and I am Rank Seven. But even Immortal Venerables and Demon Venerables, with all their power, can only extend their lives. They cannot live forever. We can shield Feng'er for now, but one day, we'll be gone, and she'll have to stand on her own. This setback, as painful as it is, will help her grow."
"Birds must leave the nest to soar. It is only by facing hardship that their wings strengthen enough to conquer the sky. When Feng'er eventually leaves us, we'll know she's truly ready."
Fairy Bai Qing leaned into his chest, wiping her tears away. Her voice softened, though her heart was still heavy. "You're right… Feng'er will leave us one day, and she needs to face more challenges. But this was too much. She lost so much this time. The Hu Immortal Inheritance was snatched from her, and to make matters worse, that Immortal Crane Sect boy humiliated her. As her father, don't you feel you must do something?"
Feng Jiu Ge's expression darkened, and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes. "Immortal Crane Sect has indeed gone too far. Even though they've agreed to compensate us and the other eight major sects, how can I tolerate anyone bullying my daughter? I've already sent a letter. If He Feng Yang doesn't act wisely, I'll visit him personally and settle the score."
Fairy Bai Qing's heart eased, knowing her husband had already taken action. But the worry quickly returned as she looked up at him. "Husband, please don't be reckless. Don't stir up more trouble. Remember what happened the last time you clashed with the top ten sects? Immortal Crane Sect was one of those affected. They know your strength, but there's no need to provoke them again."
Feng Jiu Ge chuckled lightly, patting her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. I won't cause unnecessary trouble."
Yet even as he spoke, a dark glint passed through his eyes. "None of the top ten sects in Central Continent are worthy of challenging me now," he thought, his heart filled with confidence and silent disdain.
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South of the Central Continent
"This Feng Jiu Ge has gone too far!" The supreme first elder's face was flushed with rage as his trembling hands gripped a thin letter. His voice boomed through the room as he slammed it down on the white jade stone table.
The letter radiated an azure-green hue, a sign that it had been sent using the Rank Five Letter-Sending Green Bird Gu. Though the demands within were overbearing, the supreme first elder didn't dare destroy it—Feng Jiu Ge would sense it immediately. Angering him could lead to disastrous consequences.
"This Feng Jiu Ge..." the elder seethed. "He was born into the demonic path. After obtaining a rare opportunity, he cultivated in secret, emerging as a Rank Six Gu Immortal and shaking the world. He challenged countless experts and crushed them all. Even when the ten great sects joined forces, they couldn't stop him."
He paused, eyes narrowing with frustration. "He traveled over ten million miles, devastating us with his surprise attacks. It was chaos—no one could stop him."
The supreme second elder interjected, his tone calm, "Fortunately, Fairy Bai Qing of Spirit Affinity House reformed him with her love, pulling him from the demonic path. Otherwise, Feng Jiu Ge would still be a thorn in our side."
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The first elder's face darkened. "That was then. Now, with Rank Seven cultivation and Spirit Affinity House backing him, his demands have only grown more arrogant. Yet what choice do we have? With his strength and influence, he's untouchable. We must comply, overbearing as he may be."
A tense silence followed, thickening the air in the Shang Qing Pavilion.
Suddenly, a thunderous voice echoed through the hall, shaking the windows.
"He Feng Yang, how could this matter spiral so far out of control under your supervision?" Lei Tan, a Rank Six Gu Immortal, glared furiously at He Feng Yang. "Fang Yuan isn't even our disciple! Why would you risk the entire sect to defend him?"
All eyes turned toward He Feng Yang.
He Feng Yang, appearing as a young man with jade-colored brows extending to his waist, remained calm. A gentle smile played on his lips, seemingly out of place amidst the tension. He looked around slowly before speaking.
"True, Fang Yuan is not our disciple," He Feng Yang said, his voice smooth. "But his brother, Fang Zheng, is. In fact, Fang Zheng is the leader of our current generation of elite disciples."
Lei Tan snickered. "And you think this 'elite disciple's' brother is worth jeopardizing the entire Immortal Crane Sect? Do you even understand how much compensation we owe the nine other sects because of this Fang Yuan?"
He Feng Yang cast a dismissive glance at Lei Tan. "I understand perfectly. Yet even if you multiplied that cost threefold, it wouldn't compare to what we stand to gain from the Hu Immortal Blessed Land. Not to mention the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu and the Divine Travel Gu that was being refined."
The room buzzed with murmurs as the elders exchanged glances, realizing the significance of his words.
Lei Tan's impatience was growing. "What exactly are you suggesting?"
He Feng Yang smiled. It was the supreme third elder who broke the silence with a low chuckle. "I see now. By protecting Fang Yuan, you've removed the competition from the other sects without having to fight. The Hu Immortal Blessed Land now falls squarely into our hands."
Lei Tan's eyes flashed, but he remained silent.
He Feng Yang bowed slightly toward the third elder. "The third elder's insight is sharp as ever. Who would've thought a mere mortal would ascend Dang Hun Mountain, take the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu, and claim the Hu Immortal inheritance right in front of Central Continent's Gu Immortals?"
His voice grew more serious. "That blessed land lies on Tian Ti Mountain, once connected directly to Heavenly Court. Though it now lies in ruins, attacking it would be tantamount to defying Heavenly Court itself. That's why, despite its treasures, none of the sects dared make a direct move."
He turned his gaze to Lei Tan. "Even if we wanted to attack, we would need at least three Rank Six Gu Immortals to breach its defenses. The land spirit and Dang Hun Mountain form an impenetrable barrier. Could you, Lei Tan, scale that mountain alone?"
Lei Tan grunted but offered no retort.
A blessed land's land spirit controlled its resources, and its strength often rivaled that of a Gu Immortal. Worse, it could suppress Gu worms below Rank Six, leaving only Immortal Gu effective in battle. But not all Gu Immortals possessed powerful offensive Immortal Gu, making direct assault a futile gamble. And the cost of immortal essence for such an attack? Astronomical.
Seeing Lei Tan's silence, He Feng Yang continued, "When Fang Yuan seized the inheritance, he immediately ordered the land spirit to seal the blessed land. The other sects suspected he was part of our plan due to his resemblance to Fang Zheng. I could've revealed the truth and reignited the competition, but instead, I allowed their misconception to grow. By claiming Fang Yuan as one of ours, we've shut the other sects out entirely."
He paused to let the weight of his words sink in. "Now, we control the situation."
Lei Tan's frown deepened, but he couldn't deny the logic. "Even so, the Hu Immortal Blessed Land remains sealed. Without an opening, how do you expect us to enter?"
He Feng Yang's eyes gleamed. "Every blessed land faces calamities and tribulations. Hu Immortal perished during her fifth earthly calamity. Based on my calculations, the next calamity is in a year and three months. Fang Yuan, a mere mortal, won't survive without help. When the calamity strikes, the blessed land will weaken—that will be our opportunity."
Lei Tan crossed his arms. "And if a loophole appears, will you dare risk attacking? It's still on Tian Ti Mountain."
"Attacking is the last resort," He Feng Yang replied calmly. "Fang Yuan will seek aid when the calamity approaches. That's when we step in. We'll send Fang Zheng to sway his heart, to draw him toward our sect. With time and cooperation, Fang Yuan will become dependent on us. He may even submit willingly."
His smile darkened. "And if not? There are other means. The Slavery Gu, for instance. Fang Yuan is still a mortal; controlling him would be simple. Once he's ours, the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu and Divine travel Gu will naturally follow."
A ripple of greed passed through the elders as they considered the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu and Divine Travel Immortal Gu.
Lei Tan, though frustrated, could not argue. "You make it sound easy. Let's hope it is."
The supreme third elder, though intrigued, remained cautious. "The Fixed Immortal Travel Gu is powerful, but activating it requires immortal essence. How did a mortal like Fang Yuan know the Hu Immortal Blessed Land so well? His arrival was too perfectly timed. Could this be a ploy from the demonic path?"
He Feng Yang bowed. "Junior is unsure. We only had clues regarding the Blood Sea inheritance. Years ago, when a disciple defected to Southern Border, I sent Lord Sky Crane after him, but he failed. Fang Yuan ultimately acquired the Blood Skull Gu."
His voice darkened. "This Fang Yuan… he annihilated his clan to increase his aptitude. Ruthless beyond measure, yet, until now, just an ant beneath our notice."
The room fell silent.
The supreme grand elder finally spoke. "He Feng Yang, your plan holds promise. You will oversee this matter. If you succeed in securing the Hu Immortal Blessed Land, the sect will reward you handsomely."
He Feng Yang bowed deeply. "Your junior will not disappoint."
The supreme grand elder's voice turned cold. "One more thing—since this task is yours, you will have to hand your One's Own Way Gu. Feng Jiu Ge has demanded it."
One's Own Way was an Immortal Gu that allowed a mortal Gu Worm to operate independently without having heavenly power restriction in the Blessed Land.
He Feng Yang could only accept with a bitter smile, his heart filled with mixed emotions. The loss of his One's Own Way Immortal Gu stung, but in his mind, it was a small price to pay for the grander prize ahead. He envisioned his future—once Fang Yuan was under his control, the Hu Immortal Blessed Land, the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu, Divine Travel Gu and all of the secrets of Fang Yuan would be his.
"Enduring a small loss now for a future filled with glory," he thought to himself. His smile appeared as he imagined the day when all the power, prestige, and treasures would be his, taken from that mere mortal Fang Yuan.
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