83 RI

Tai Bai Yun Sheng was tall with a strangely ancient appearance. The hair near his temples had turned white and his face was filled with deep wrinkles.

He was already over eighty but his eyes were not dim and blurred, instead had a gentle look that seemed to pity the fate of mankind along with a calmness that had seen through the secular world.

Since he was seven, he had been determined to travel the northern plains to help common people.

His life was full of turmoil, as he was frequently toyed by fate. He became an enslaved Gu Master after his tribe was annihilated, then he was betrayed by his wife and became a captive of variant men. Then in a fortuitous encounter, he obtained a time path Gu Immortal's inheritance and was rescued by his brothers when he was at the verge of death...

Now, he had already become a living legend.

Although he was a loner, he was publicly accepted as a great righteous path Gu Master. His benevolence reputation had entered the depths of northern plains' people, the level of his prestige far surpassing people like Chang Shan Yin, Hei Lou Lan and Liu Wen Wu.

Right as Hei Lou Lan was at his wit's end considering the battle situation and had the thought of retreating, Tai Bai Yun Sheng came to the camp by himself, holding a letter in his hand.

Hei Lou Lan read the letter and immediately realized the reason.

Back then, Hei tribe's supreme elder Hei Bai took a fancy to Tai Bai Yun Sheng, guiding and rescuing him many times. Now that Hei tribe army had fallen into a predicament, Hei Bai who had been secretly observing all along sent a letter to Tai Bai Yun Sheng to provide assistance.

Hei Lou Lan knew the ability of Tai Bai Yun Sheng and was thus overjoyed. He arranged a banquet that night to serve Tai Bai Yun Sheng.

On the second day, the sky had just become bright; Hei Lou Lan impatiently arranged his army formation and requested Tai Bai Yun Sheng to make his move.

Under everyone's expectant gaze, Tai Bai Yun Sheng slowly walked to the front and looked at the tall mountain in front of him.

Gu tribe was specialized in earth path and were long famous for it in northern plains. Piling stones to form a mountain, this would be an unimaginable and impossible tactics in Earth. But in this world, this mountain formed in about ten days proved nothing was impossible.

The alliance leader Gu Guo Long looked at the foot of the mountain from the summit.

When a white clothed, white hair old man walked in front of the formation, the Gu Masters around him roared in laughter and made disdainful comments, but Gu Guo Long, however, had a bad feeling in his heart.

He was well aware this mountain that they had formed by piling stones was built on many foundations constructed by his tribe's earth path Gu Masters. Other tribes might find it hard to imitate, but it was not like there were no ways to break through it.

After being defeated repeatedly for several rounds by Hei tribe army, Gu Guo Long's military force had suffered damage and his ambition of vying for supremacy had dimmed down. He pondered over this and had decided to side with Liu tribe.

Liu tribe's Liu Wen Wu was wise and benevolent, treating his people leniently and being strict to himself; his reputation was much better than Hei Lou Lan's. Several days ago, Gu Guo Long had secretly sent a letter to Liu Wen Wu express his intent to side with Liu tribe.

"Lord Liu Wen Wu has already replied and agreed to my tribe's request to seek refuge, and is leading his army to reinforce us. As long as I defend for seven more days, this predicament before us will part like clouds and allow me to see the clear sky." @@novelbin@@

Just as Gu Guo Long was inwardly encouraging himself, Tai Bai Yun Sheng slowly extended his hands.

His large palms were covered with callus and wrinkles, just like an old tree bark.

He slowly transferred his primeval essence, a weak silver light blossomed forth from his hands. The silver light was weak at first but soon turned brighter and brighter, and in a few seconds, the silver light was so dazzling that people could not look at it directly.

"Mountain as before." Tai Bai Yun Sheng slowly chanted, his voice resonating in the air.

On the summit, Gu Guo Long heard this voice and a shocked expression appeared on his face: "Oh no, he is Tai Bai Yun Sheng!"

At the very same moment, silver light burst out, transforming into a straight light pillar that directly rammed into the mountain peak.

Countless Gu Masters saw the situation turning awry and immediately activated their defense Gu or attacked to intercept the light pillar.

But the silver light disregarded all interception and shone on the mountain peak.

Both humans and beasts were unscathed, but the mountain stones below Gu tribe - regardless of how enormous or thick they were - under the silver light, were like snow under scorching sun, as they turned into nothingness in a visible speed, seemingly like they had never even existed!

As Gu tribe army lost the support under their feet, they started falling down one after another. It was a crushing defeat, countless died as they crashed down to the ground from a height of five hundred to six hundred feet.

Even if Gu tribe masters were stupid, they would become aware of their crisis at this moment.

They exclaimed in shock one after another.

"Such strength, this is Lord Tai Bai Yun Sheng's mountain as before!"

"Heaven, why is old sir Tai Bai helping Tyrant Hei Lou Lan?"

"Lord Tai Bai Yun Sheng helped us restore our tribe's spirit spring back then, he is our tribe's benefactor. Now, we need to fight with him?"

The mountain was the source of Gu tribe's army's confidence and now it was loudly crumbling apart. But even more than that was Tai Bai Yun Sheng's prestige that shook their will to battle.

"Hahaha, Tai Bai Yun Sheng is indeed worthy of his name; once he moves, it will be out of the ordinary." Hei Lou Lan laughed wildly as he looked at this scene from the main tent.

Even he had not expected there to be such a hidden expert in the tribe.

But each super tribes' supreme elders would occasionally fancy someone from demonic and righteous path's mortal Gu Masters, they would then select these seeds to cultivate.

In case these seeds were able to become Gu Immortals, they would often be taken in by the super tribes and become their external supreme elder.

This was one of the tactics the super tribes used to preserve their position and develop themselves.

Clearly, Tai Bai Yun Sheng was a seed the rank six Gu Immortal Hei Bai thought highly of and believed he had hopes of advancing to Gu Immortal realm.

Seeing the sorry figure of the enemy army, Hei tribe army's morale surged; many started laughing loudly and there were even more who shouted of slaughtering everyone in the enemy faction even the old and the young.

The Gu Master experts in the main tent were also excited with only Fang Yuan having a calm expression. Tai Bai Yun Sheng's appearance was already within his expectation.

In his previous life's five hundred years of memories, Tai Bai Yun Sheng had joined Hei tribe army from this point onwards and provided an enormous assistance to Hei Lou Lan.

Hei Lou Lan being able to become the winner in the end was mostly because of Tai Bai Yun Sheng.

But Tai Bai Yun Sheng had a benevolent character and during the expedition, he became deeply aware of Hei Lou Lan's savage and brutal nature. Thus, when he entered Imperial Court blessed land and advanced to Gu Immortal, he did not agree to Hei Bai's request to become Hei tribe's external supreme elder.

"Kill! Kill these bastards, they actually dared to pile stones into a mountain to make a stand!" Hei Lou Lan excitedly shouted.

Tai Bai Yun Sheng who was at the front of the troops, heard Hei Lou Lan's words and frowned; he heaved a deep sigh and did not continue to attack, instead transmitted his voice to Hei Lou Lan to persuade him: "Alliance leader, heaven care for every living thing, why the need to kill? Throughout history, the struggle for Imperial court has always been accompanied by blood dying the land and disastrous deaths. Since alliance leader wants to enter the Imperial Court, it might be better to take in Gu tribe army, I am willing to persuade them on your behalf!"

Gu tribe piled up stones to form into a mountain and used it to contend against Hei tribe, but against Tai Bai Yun Sheng, this mountain they created instead became a fatal trap to themselves.

The current situation was Hei tribe army tightly surrounding Gu tribe army.

If Tai Bai Yun Sheng just made a casual move, he could reduce Gu tribe by over half. Gu tribe would naturally not sit and wait for their death, but when the mountain was completely collapsed, they would have almost no battle strength left and their final charge would contain no threat.

However, Tai Bai Yun Sheng did not do this.

Hei Lou Lan's eyes flashed with an ominous glint, although his heart raged with killing intent, he needed to think about Tai Bai Yun Sheng's face.

Tai Bai Yun Sheng was not an ordinary Gu Master.

He was one of the extremely rare time path Gu Masters, and had rank five peak stage cultivation. His prestige in northern plains was like the sun in daytime, his influence was spread throughout the entire region.

Hei Lou Lan thought to himself before replying: "Then I shall listen to old sir, but it is too dangerous for old sir to go up the mountain alone. I will send six rank four experts to escort old sir!"

Tai Bai Yun Sheng nodded his head and climbed up the mountain under heavy protection.

He had great prestige and his benevolent reputation had spread into the depths of people; as he climbed up the mountain, the enemy troops spontaneously parted way to reveal a passage in middle.

"I did not think I would meet benefactor at such a time." Gu Guo Long laughed bitterly as he went forward and greeted.

Back then, Gu tribe's spirit spring had dried up and they were pushed aside by several large tribes. It was very dangerous for them to migrate and thus they requested Tai Bai Yun Sheng to help them. Tai Bai Yun Sheng helped them without taking any fees and became a benefactor to everyone in Gu tribe.

Under Tai Bai Yun Sheng's persuasion, although Gu Guo Long admired Liu Wen Wu - circumstances are more powerful than individuals - he had no choice but to lower his head.

Tai Bai Yun Sheng had only been on the mountain for a quarter of an hour before he descended.

When he climbed up, there were six people with him. When he descended, there were over a hundred thousand!

Evidently, Tai Bai Yun Sheng's persuasion was successful; Gu tribe army pledged allegiance to Hei Lou Lan, thus Hei tribe army's military strength increased sharply.

Tai Bai Yun Sheng changed the battle situation by himself. And with his deep prestige, he saved over a hundred thousand lives and also established great merits for Hei tribe.

On the very first day Tai Bai Yun Sheng came to Hei tribe army, he reached the top position in battle merit list. And exactly opposite to him was Fang Yuan.

Wolf King Chang Shan Yin's name was listed at the last on the battle merit list, in scarlet red color and was negative, forming a stark contrast with Tai Bai Yun Sheng's battle merit.

That very night, Hei Lou Lan sent command for a celebratory banquet and also a welcoming reception for Tai Bai Yun Sheng.

The moon was bright and stars were few; as bonfire raged high.

It was a festive scene with cheerful sounds resounding throughout the place and beautiful young girls in northern plains' clothings embroidered with gold, silver and precious jewels, danced around the bonfire.

Hei Lou Lan repeatedly toasted towards Tai Bai Yun Sheng and praised: "With old sir assisting us, all defense lines are useless!"

Tai Bai Yun Sheng had two rank five Gu that were recognized by all northern plains' people.

One was 'mountain as before' and another was 'river as before', both were time path Gu worms.

The former could restore earth, hills, mountains, mounds and valleys to their original appearance; and the latter could restore rivers, lakes, streams, springs and waterfalls back to their original appearance.

Gu Guo Long created the mountain on a land that was originally a flat grassland. Thus, under the effect of mountain as before Gu, it returned to its original form.

Gu tribe's spirit spring had been restored to its original state by river as before Gu, being able to create primeval stones again.

In the battles between great armies, defense lines needed to be created and this usually relied on earth path Gu worms to create long and tall defense walls. These defense walls would be restored to flat grassland under the effect of mountain as before Gu. Thus Hei Lou Lan's words 'all defense lines are useless' had deep reasoning behind them!

-x-X-x-

Northern plains calendar, middle of June.

It should have been summer, but the aura of ten year blizzard had already thickened. The sky would often be gloomy and cold wind blew with increasing condensed frost aura.

And the struggle for Imperial Court that covered northern plains was advancing forward like a wildfire.

At Mirror lake, Ma tribe army and Song tribe had started their battle. Ma tribe's dominance was huge and they broke through two of Song tribe's defense lines in a row.

Song tribe alliance leader Song Qing Yin led the army to counterattack and ambushed Ma tribe, causing them to give up a defense line.

But soon after, Ma tribe's enslavement master Ma Zun moved and mobilized his trump card pegasus group, surrounding and killing Song Qing Yin in the air. Song tribe army became a headless dragon, and after an internal discord caused by Ma tribe secretly, they finally crumbled apart.

Ma tribe annexed most of the tribes while some remnants managed to escape to all directions.

In this battle, one of the few flying masters of northern plains, rank five initial stage Water Fairy Song Qing Yin died and became a stepping stone for enslavement path master Ma Zun's fame.

The strength Ma Zun displayed shocked the people. Faintly, people were already calling him northern plains' number one enslavement path master.

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Meng Qiu.

Nu Er Tu's battle with Jiang Bao Ya.

Nu Er Tu was originally not an enslavement path Gu Master and had switched to it midway. But the leopard group he led was unexpectedly able to overpower and defeat the veteran enslavement path master Jiang Bao Ya.

Just because of this battle achievement, Nu Er Tu rose to the ranks of enslavement path masters of northern plains; and together with Jiang Bao Ya, Yang Po Ying, Ma Zun and Chang Shan Yin, were called five beast kings.

However, although Nu Er Tu managed to become famous, the price he had to pay was very high.

Jiang Bao Ya's counterattack had inflicted disastrous damaged to Nu Er Tu's troops. Despite annexing the remnants of the enemy after the battle along with the war reparations, Nu Er Tu's army's momentum was hindered.

Rat King Jiang Bao Ya managed to escape with his life and gathered the remnant army. His original rat group of over six hundred thousand, now had less than three hundred thousand left.

But even as a defeated general, many large forces still showed interest towards him and over ten forces had already sent him an invitation letter.

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Du Jiao.

Ye Lui Sang was empowered by the Immortal Gu and with his formidable rank five peak stage fire path strength, he suppressed all the heroes and swept through the last obstacle, succeeding in dominating Du Jiao region.

However, just as Ye Lui army was spreading towards all directions like an unstoppable wildfire, they were pincer attacked by alliance of seven armies.

Each of the seven armies had at least over a hundred thousand troops. Although none were super tribes, they had famous Gu Master experts.

The alliance of seven armies created an aggressive momentum. Ye Lui army who had just gotten a head start and were about to continue with great momentum, fell into a perilous situation.

At the same time, Hei tribe army was also confronted by a great enemy and did not have any time to relax.

Liu tribe, Liu Wen Wu personally led his army and was pressing closer to Hei tribe every passing day!

Previously, Gu Guo Long had seeked helped from Liu Wen Wu; Liu Wen Wu was quite excited at reading the letter, knowing this was a rare opportunity. As long as Gu Guo Long's side could hold on, Liu tribe army could pincer attack Hei tribe from behind and gain the upper hand, causing Hei tribe to land in a passive situation.

But the result was that the situation changed way too fast. Liu tribe army was just halfway on their way when they heard the report of Gu tribe's defeat and submitting to Hei tribe. And the crucial character that made this possible was Tai Bai Yun Sheng.

Liu Wen Wu was shocked at this report.

A legendary character like Tai Bai Yun Sheng had actually taken the initiative to come out and help Hei Lou Lan. Obtaining this person was like adding a huge army to Hei Lou Lan's forces.

Liu Wen Wu soon realized this was the behind-the-scenes move of Hei tribe's Gu Immortal.

According to the rule Ancestor Giant Sun set, Gu Immortals could provide some help to mortals in the struggle for Imperial Court. Naturally, this type of help had its restrictions, at least the Gu Immortals absolutely could not move personally.

Whether it was the Immortal Gu on Ye Lui Sang or Tai Bai Yun Sheng who assisted Hei Lou Lan after receiving the letter, they were both Gu Immortals' pawn pieces.

Liu Wen Wu naturally also had the privilege to request help from the Gu Immortal supporting him.

Hei Lou Lan obtained Tai Bai Yun Sheng's assistance who in Liu Wen Wu's opinion was much more terrifying than Wolf King Chang Shan Yin!

Tai Bai Yun Sheng's reputation was extremely high, whether it was righteous path or demonic path, many had received his grace. If just a small portion of these people had the heart to repay gratitude, the force they could gather would be very terrifying.

Besides, once Hei tribe expanded, those scattered demonic Gu Masters who had been watching from the sidelines would see the hopes of entering the Imperial Court in Hei tribe, and would side with them of their own initiative.

And Tai Bai Yun Sheng's existence would cause them to be even more inclined to choose Hei Lou Lan.

With this, Hei tribe would continue to be stronger. And as time passed, they would throw all the other competitors behind.

"Hei Lou Lan defeated Dong Fang Yu Liang and obtained a super tribe's war reparations, this by itself is a great profit. By contrast, we might have defeated several allied armies, but they were all an alliance of large tribes, so the war reparations we received are lower than Hei tribe's. Now, Hei tribe has Tai Bai Yun Sheng, a living signboard with him, if we give him time to expand, it will be very difficult to deal with him later."

Liu Wen Wu contemplated for a while before resolutely sending a command. Liu tribe army continued along their original plan, pushing on towards Hei tribe.

Hei Lou Lan laughed heartily at this news: "Come, come!".

He then sent the command to set up defense lines around the area.

After constructing the first defense line properly, the large army slowly moved towards Liu tribe army. At every thousand li of distance, they would stop and garrison for several days to construct another defense line.

Twelve days later, Hei tribe army moved on from their fourth defense line and travelled five hundred li before coming face to face with Liu tribe army.

The two army parted a way for the experts challenging stage.

Hei tribe's expert Hao Ji Liu charged forward, not giving precedence to others.

Liu Wen Wu saw this and sent Pei Yan Fei.

Hao Ji Liu was at rank four upper stage and Pei Yan Fei was also the same. The two exchanged twenty moves, the situation was still neck and neck.

Hao Ji Liu's offense surged higher and higher, causing people's hearts to shake. While Pei Yan Fei used sharp and precise attacks, moving back and forth within the attacks, and sweeping everything before him.

As the battle continued on, both of their primeval essence were running low.

Gu Masters were not good at prolonged battled and once their primeval essence was exhausted, their battle strength would sharply fall.

"This cannot go on!" The two had similar thoughts at the same time.

Waterfall Gu!

Hao Ji Liu took the lead and pushed forward his palms; a giant waterfall fell from the air and crashed towards Pei Yan Fei with a rumbling sound.

Pei Yan Fei did not face it head on, instead using his movement Gu to soar to the sky, evading the waterfall.

Rank four golden coat Gu!

Rank four swallow wings Gu!

Rank four rainbow transformation Gu!

Killer move — Golden Rainbow Strike!

Pei Yan Fei staked it all, using his signature killer move.

At that instant, he turned into a golden rainbow and made an arc through the air as fast as lightning, cutting open the waterfall before bursting through Hao Ji Liu!

However, Hao Ji Liu turned into water after being burst; it was not his real body.

Water image Gu!

Hao Ji Liu had fought for a long time and already had the intel on Pei Yan Fei, and knew Pei Yan Fei did not have powerful detective Gu. Thus, when he sent the waterfall, he took the advantage of the giant current blocking Pei Yan Fei's line of sight to quietly use his water image Gu while his real body hid inside the waterfall. His actions were extremely secretive and most of the Gu Masters from both sides had been deceived.

Pei Yan Fei burst through the water image and immediately had warning signals going off in his heart. Without holding back, he transferred all his remaining primeval essence into his swallow wings Gu.

The two pairs of swallow wings on his back rapidly flapped and took him away from the battlefield.

Hao Ji Liu stood on the spot, his whole body soaked in water. Even though he won the battle, he was not happy. The enemy's killer move had astonishing power, this time he used water image Gu to deceive him, but what about the next time?

"Big brother, let me go out!" Pei Yan Fei returned in defeat, causing Mo Shi Kuang to fume with anger and impatiently requested to be sent to battle.

Liu Wen Wu had a smile on his face, but he did not agree.

"Third brother, no need to fret. You came forward in the previous battle, it is my turn now." An extremely tall and thin Gu Master with robust and shiny bald head stood out and patted Mo Shi Kuang's shoulder.

"Second brother!" Mo Shi Kuang helplessly shouted.

This person's name was Ouyang Bi Sang, a demonic Gu Master. In their early years, by chance encounter, he met Liu Wen Wu and Mo Shi Kuang in an inheritance site. The three combined their strength to tackle the obstacles and obtained the inheritance, and because they felt affinity with each other, they became sworn brothers.

"I am Ouyang Bi Sang, who wants to come spar with me?" Ouyang Bi Sang slowly walked towards the front of the troops and shouted in a soft voice.

Soon after, he looked at Hao Ji Liu: "If Water Demon wants to fight with me, you might as well get some rest first to recover your primeval essence."

Water Demon snickered but did not agree to the provocation: "No need to hurry, there will be many chances later on."

After saying that, he returned to the camp.

With the struggle for Imperial Court advancing to this stage, the intel on experts of every forces was widely spread.

Ouyang Bi Sang was Mo Shi Kuang's second brother, just this status alone made him someone who could not be underestimated. His performance was extremely glorious during the several large battles before.

He was a transformation path expert and the Gu Masters of this path possessed at least one killer move. With a cultivation of rank four peak stage, he was same as Mo Shi Kuang, possessing the battle strength comparable to a rank five Gu Master!

During his first battle, he had killed the enemy side's rank five alliance leader. A dazzling battle achievement like crossing realms to fight was something many people would look up to their whole lives.

Facing such an expert, Water Demon Hao Ji Liu might have small chance at victory even if he was at his peak stage. Let alone now, when his energy was already exhausted in the battle with Pei Yan Fei. A Gu Master's state did not just depend on the amount of primeval essence in their aperture.

Seeing Ouyang Bi Sang coming forward, Hei Lou Lan felt a slight headache.

In contrast to Liu Wen Wu, he currently found that he lacked fierce generals beside him.

After taking in Gu tribe army, Hei tribe army now had three rank five Gu Masters - Hei Lou Lan, Tai Bai Yun Sheng and the just recently subdued Gu Guo Long.

Hei Lou Lan could not easily move because of his status as the alliance leader. Tai Bai Yun Sheng was a healing Gu Master and was not good at fighting. Gu Guo Long was a rank five earth path Gu Master but the other was at rank four peak stage; it would not conform to the rule of battle if he was sent out, and they would only be sneered upon.

He then looked at his rank four Gu Masters - Wolf King Chang Shan Yin, Water Demon Hao Ji Liu, Shadow Sword Expert Bian Si Xuan, Little Fox Commander Tang Miao Ming and Sole Blade Pan Ping.

Chang Shan Yin and Tang Miao Ming were enslavement path Gu Masters, so they could be excluded. Water Demon Hao Ji Liu had already went up, so Hei Lou Lan only had two choices left.

His gaze moved between Pan Ping and Bian Si Xuan.

Pan Ping knew he was not Ouyang Bi Sang's match by just relying on his trump card, so he looked uncomfortable. While Bian Si Xuan's face was covered with a black veil, revealing her cold and clear gaze.

Hei Lou Lan turned around towards Bian Si Xuan: "For this challenge, I will have to trouble Shadow Sword Expert to make a move."

"I can only ensure that I won't lose my life, but I can't guarantee a victory." Bian Si Xuan coldly replied.

Hei Lou Lan gave a hollow laugh, although he was alliance leader and Bian Si Xuan had taken the poison vow, Hei Lou Lan could not forcibly make Bian Si Xuan fight to the death.

-x-X-x-

Bian Si Xuan moved to the front of the troop and without saying much, quickly started the fight with Ouyang Bi Sang.

The battle between the two attracted the close attention of countless people.

If considering reputation, Shadow Sword Expert could throw Ouyang Bi Sang several streets away. But if considering cultivation and strength, Ouyang Bi Sang was a rank four peak stage Gu Master who was able to cross a great realm and kill a rank five expert, while Shadow Sword Expert was only at rank four upper stage.

Shadow Sword Expert's Gu worms complemented each other very well and there was no shortcomings. At the same time, she placed high importance on her movement ability.

Her figure turned into shadows and continuously circled around Ouyang Bi Sang, attacking with multiple sword shadows from time to time.

Ouyang Bi Sang stayed stationary on the spot as he defended, his body unmoving like the rocks on the shores of the sea.

The battle went on for a while, when this sworn brother of Liu Wen Wu slowly felt impatient: "If you are only of this standard, then go die!"

He gave a low shout, as great changes appeared over his whole body.

His teeth quickly grew longer and sharper like swords, and his two pairs of canine teeth protruded out of his mouth like fangs.

Green hair started growing out of his bald head. Not only on his head, the green hair grew all over his body.

His body made creaking noises and his blood flow instantly slowed down greatly. The originally tall and skinny body became even more thin, but the aura of danger coming from him grew thicker by ten times!

His eyes were no longer human eyes, but had transformed into a pair of eerie and cold green eyes, giving off a glossy jade light.

Rank five, asura zombie Gu!

This Gu was classified under the most classic zombie series of transformation path.

The series of zombie Gu were spread widely throughout the five regions. From rank two roaming zombie Gu to rank three hairy zombie Gu to rank four hopping zombie Gu till the rank five flying zombie Gu.

There were five great flying zombie Gu in the world - asura zombie, heavenly demon zombie, blood wight, nightmare zombie and plague zombie.

Many Gu Masters who did not have much lifespan left and had no lifespan Gu to increase their life, would often choose to turn into zombies to prolong their life, transforming into a monster that was neither human nor ghost.

Fang Yuan had already seen blood wight Gu before. At Qing Mao mountain, Gu Yue first generation ancestor had turned into blood wight to change his fate in defiance of heaven, but his plan was thwarted by Divine Investigator Tie Xue Leng and others.

This asura zombie Gu that Ouyang Bi Sang was using was a formidable Gu that was equally famous as blood wight Gu!

Clank clank clank...

Bian Si Xuan's sword shadows cut at Ouyang Bi Sang's body, but they actually produced sparks on contact, unable to injure his skin by even a fraction, only cutting several green hair.

Overlapping shadow Gu!

Bian Si Xuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light, multiple sword shadows overlaid on top of one another to transform into an abysmally dark and extremely condensed sword.

"Now this is something!" Green light blossomed in Ouyang Bi Sang's pupils as he looked at this sword shadow attack; he was not afraid, but instead was happy.

He stretched his right hand in a form of a claw and grabbed at the sword shadow like he was grabbing a rabbit.

"This!" Bian Si Xuan revealed shock, the sword shadow in her hand could not go an inch further.

"Gagaga..." Ouyang Bi Sang laughed in a haggard and unpleasant tone as he clenched his claw-shaped right palm.

Puff.

A soft sound echoed.

He actually forcibly burst apart the sword shadow. Bian Si Xuan quickly retreated, the shattered sword shadow burst into many sharp pieces that ruthlessly struck at Ouyang Bi Sang, inflicting several deep wounds on his body, and slashed apart the four fingers on his right hand and almost cut apart the whole right fist.

Bian Si Xuan had bitterly accumulated battle merits from several small battles before and exchanged them for overlapping shadow Gu from Hei tribe supply camp.

Under its effect, the multiple sword shadows' offense could merge and could match the offensive prowess of a rank five attack Gu!

Ouyang Bi Sang was slashed at by the sword shadow, but he did not feel any pain. He had transformed into a zombie which caused the feeling of pain to almost disappear. At the same time, large amounts of eerie green blood flowed out of the wounds.

The wounds were so deep that one could see the bone, but they healed within just few seconds of time. New hair grew on top of it and covered it.

His broken fingers also grew again and it looked like it did not take any effort.

Bian Si Xuan's complexion turned pale white at this sight.

Ouyang Bi Sang looked hot-headed when he forcibly grabbed the sword shadow, but it was actually a psychological tactic. After he transformed into asura zombie, his defense and recovery ability were raised by several folds. Bian Si Xuan's strongest attack could not affect him in any way.

This unavoidably weakened Bian Si Xuan's will to battle severely.

Gu Master's battle strength did not only rely on the amount of primeval essence in their aperture, it also depended on their determination and mental state.

"I am an assassin, an expert at movement and infiltrating secretly. These challenges between the two army are done out in the open and facing someone head-on is not my usual style..." Ouyang Bi Sang's performance greatly weakened the battle intent in Bian Si Xuan's heart.

In the next several rounds, she kept on attacking while moving around Ouyang Bi Sang, but it was clear her attacking frequency had decreased by a lot compared to before, and she was dodging most of the time.

After exchanging ten more moves, Bian Si Xuan shouted and quickly pulled open a distance from Ouyang Bi Sang, retreating towards Hei tribe camp.

At this sight, Liu tribe army's morale rose again, while Hei tribe's morale shook and the higher ups did not have good expressions.

"Bian Si Xuan lost..."

"Is Ouyang Bi Sang really so strong? His killer move is asura transformation, having killed a rank five expert with this killer move. Now, he has only used asura zombie Gu, not even using his full strength but was still able to defeat Shadow Sword Expert!"

"Shadow Sword Expert did not have a strong will to fight, but by continuously attacking while moving around, she has exhausted a considerable amount of Ouyang Bi Sang's primeval essence. We can send another person to fight with him!"

The discussions settled and Hei tribe army sent Pan Ping to battle.

But within only a short period of time, Pan Ping seemed unable to stall further and panickedly unsheathed the scimitar on his waist and used sole blade Gu.

A cold light flashed but it was in vain.

Sole blade Gu could ignore defense but it did not work always and had a certain probability. Moreover, once this rank four sole blade Gu was activated, it needed eight hours of rest before it could be used again.

Ouyang Bi Sang got quite a shock. Despite having read relevant intel, sole blade Gu's speed was way faster than what he imagined, making him unable to react in time!

"I can't leave him alive!" Ouyang Bi Sang's killing intent surged as he pounced towards Pan Ping.

Pan Ping already knew the situation was bad the moment he saw his attack did not succeed, so he hurriedly retreated. Ouyang Bi Sang pursued him closely, Hei tribe quickly sent three rank four experts to block Ouyang Bi Sang and rescue Pan Ping.

The three rank four experts surrounded Ouyang Bi Sang and attacked fiercely. Ouyang Bi Sang was about to use his killer move — Asura Transformation, when Mo Shi Kuang who was unable to endure anymore charged out of the main tent and shouted: "Second brother, I will lend you a hand!!"

Ouyang Bi Sang, alone, put Hei tribe army under great pressure, now adding Mo Shi Kuang on top of that and the situation turned way worse.

"Third brother, no need to interfere, what is the use even if there are more people? Look at my asura transformation!" Ouyang Bi Sang furiously roared under the three rank four experts' violent attacks, and used his killer move.

His aura suddenly increased sharply, his body grew bigger, becoming a giant of over ten feet.

The muscles in his whole body inflated like a balloon and quickly transforming into absurd rock-like bulging muscles. And under his pair of arms, two new pairs of arms grew out.

His body was completely dark-green. HIs feet ripped apart the leather boots and stepped on the grassland, creating a deep crater.

The protruding fangs turned dark brown and a third vertical eye opened from the center of his forehead!

Howl!

Ouyang Bi Sang roared, the berserk sound shaking the whole battlefield.

The three Hei tribe's Gu Masters felt their momentum slowed down.

Ouyang Bi Sang waved his fist like swatting a fly, sending one flying far away.

The other two attacked violently, golden blades striking rapidly like thunder, but Ouyang Bi Sang took it forcibly; his enormous body not even budging.

"Die!" He attacked with all six hands - punching, swatting, grabbing, holding - with extremely fierce power. And all his hands moved smoothly, not hindering each other in the slightest.

The two rank four could not take it head on, and started retreating.

Ouyang Bi Sang was not satisfied, his every punch produced a sonic boom with power that caused people to pale.

One rank four Gu Master lasted only a short while under this crazed offense and was smashed into blood paste; while another Gu Master was grabbed by Ouyang Bi Sang.

"Don't kill me, don't kil—!" @@novelbin@@

His pleadings came to an end abruptly, blood started flowing rapidly out of his seven facial orifices, his ribs were crushed and his body started deflating - Ouyang Bi Sang had crushed him to death with two hands.

"So violent!" Cunning Gentleman Sun Shi Han involuntarily cried out.

Hei Lou Lan's expressed turned extremely unsightly, and Tai Bai Yun Sheng also had a solemn expression.

Liu tribe's army started cheering loudly while Hei tribe's Gu Masters were in disorder, their morale falling down to the abyss.

Liu Wen Wu laughed at this sight before waving his hand: "Commence the battle! All troops, charge!"

Immediately, Liu tribe army rushed forward like a flood with the gates opened, bringing a momentum that wanted to drown the world! Mo Shi Kuang, Pei Yan Fei and others were leading.

Hei Lou Lan gnashed his teeth and also sent the command for the army to prepare to receive the attack.

The large battle unfolded with all kinds of shouts and cries resounding through the battlefield.

During the intense battle, Liu tribe's several great experts rampaged everywhere, causing Hei Lou Lan and the higher-ups to fall into disadvantage at the very start.

But at the low level, Hei tribe was actually winning. Under Fang Yuan's control, the wolf group started wildly slaughtering Liu tribe's Gu Masters, while Liu tribe army's Gu Masters had no choice but to waste their precious primeval essence against the encroaching wolves. Thus, even if the wolves died, they died after contributing greatly.

Liu tribe's Gu Masters experts sensed this unfavorably situation and started searching for Fang Yuan.

However, Fang Yuan used the same old trick, hiding in some corner of the battlefield. He now already had three rank four lurking soul coat Gu, and with the concealment from these Gu, as long as he did not use over eighty percent of his strength, his soul fluctuations would be concealed.

This large battle continued from the early morning to evening.

The setting sun shone like blood as it shone down on the grassland that was covered with corpses and blood.

There was no winner in this battle.

Liu tribe suffered disastrous losses in their military forces because of the wolf group. After the Liu tribe's Gu Master experts were not able to find Fang Yuan's location, they all concentrated in attacking Hei tribe's Gu Master experts.

Hei tribe's Gu Master experts thus suffered serious damage. Mo Shi Kuang and Ouyang Bi Sang were difficult to restrain, and almost all the Hei tribe Gu Masters were too terrified to confront them.

Hei tribe's battle intent was dissipating and was barely able to hold on. When the night fell, the night wolves became fierce and Liu Wen Wu, not wanting the lower ranked Gu Master casualties to increase, also had the thought of retreating.

The first battle ended up in a draw with their killing intent gradually calming down as the night progressed. Both sides retreated behind their defense lines to rest and prepare.

-x-X-x-

Hei tribe's main tent. The atmosphere here was stifling, almost everyone including Hei Lou Lan was injured.

The lofty and grand Gu Master experts looked very miserable at this moment.

"Liu tribe's offense was too fierce. Liu Wen Wu, Luo Bo Jun and Nie Ya Qing are rank five experts, Mo Shi Kuang and Ouyang Bi Sang are rank four peak stage experts with battle strength of rank five. Furthermore, there are other strong experts like Pei Yan Fei and Chang Biao... Such quality of experts were rarely seen in the past ten struggles for Imperial Court." Cunning Gentleman Sun Shi Han sighed.

Rank four Gu Masters were already rare; each was the head of small or mid-sized forces or elders of large-sized forces.

And with the high demand of aptitude, rank five was even rarer. Even a super force would only have two-three rank five Gu Masters openly.

Actually, when comparing, Hei tribe was stronger in higher ranked forces.

Hei Lou Lan, Tai Bai Yun Sheng and Gu Guo Long were rank five experts. And there were over twenty rank four experts including Chang Shan Yin, Tang Miao Ming, Hao Ji Liu, Bian Si Xuan and Pan Ping.

However, even between same ranked Gu Masters, there was a difference in their battle strength. Gu Masters were a force that surpassed group battles, their individual strength could surpass the accumulation of a group. For example, just Fang Yuan alone could slaughter small or mid-sized tribes. In today's battle, Ouyang Bi Sang, alone, had slaughtered five rank four Gu Masters and twelve rank three elders.

It was not that Hei tribe was weak but that Liu tribe's higher ranked battle strength was too strong!

Especially in this battle, Liu tribe had slaughtered many of Hei tribe's higher ranked Gu Masters, cutting down rank four Gu Masters to almost half, causing the gap to further increase.

The way to deal with the enormous dominance of Liu tribe was a problem Hei tribe had to quickly come up with a solution for.

"If I had some time, I could annex several large armies, and with old sir's prestige, subdue some experts, maybe we could contend against Liu tribe's higher ranked strength then." Hei Lou Lan sighed, hating Liu Wen Wu for choosing this time to attack, not giving him any space to develop.

Tai Bai Yun Sheng immediately realized the deep intent behind Hei Lou Lan's words: "I once rescued Gao Yang and Zhu Zai, and they had said they would repay the favor. I can write them a letter, and maybe they will come over."

Everyone's spirits rose.

Gao Yang and Zhu Zai were called the twin demons of demonic path in northern plains, they always worked together, having great teamwork with each other. These two were both rank four peak stage experts and had once killed a rank five expert by combining their strength!

The pressure on Hei Lou Lan eased: "If I can get Gao Yang and Zhu Zai's help, it can slightly make up for the gap between the two armies. But the events of the battle concerns everyone's life, and we cannot hope for others' mood in repaying the favor. In today's battle, it was thanks to Wolf King that we were able to exterminate large numbers of low ranked enemy Gu Masters, causing an enormous loss to Liu tribe. If it were not for Liu Wen Wu feeling hesitation, how could he have retreated so easily?"

Everyone's gaze landed on Fang Yuan, wanting to hear his thoughts.

Fang Yuan had a tranquil expression, not having a trace of injury on his body. He had been hiding while commanding the wolf group in the battle, but he was the one who gained the most battle merits.

Most of the ones in the main tent were inwardly infuriated at this, having envious and jealous feelings. But due to the situation, they did not dare to flare up.

After the battle, Fang Yuan had been looking through his memories, trying to excavate the information on how Hei Lou Lan had prevailed over Liu Wen Wu, but even after a long time of racking up his brain, he did not get any results.

There was way too much information in the memories of his five hundred years of past life, and much was forgotten. And from the look of it, this enormous problem that was troubling everyone was no more than just a minor detail in the long river of history in his past life.

Feeling everyone's gaze, Fang Yuan raised his eyelids and lightly said: "Liu tribe has enslavement path Gu Masters but their strongest expert is only Bei Cao Chuan whose grass soldier troops is of no importance. Now, both the enemy and us have our strengths. We are like two giants stabbing each other with spears. Liu tribe is strong in terms of higher ranked Gu Masters, while I can slaughter many of their low ranked Gu Masters with my wolf group. Thus, it resulted in the draw today."

"The way to victory is restraining the enemy's advantage as well as strengthening our advantage. And restraining the enemy's Gu Master experts is not an impossible thing, as long as I can have a group of strong wolves as trump cards, I can restrain them. But with this, I will have to use all my strength and the rank four lurking soul coat Gu on me will no longer be able to conceal my soul fluctuations, and thus I will become the enemy's target."

Fang Yuan's words caused everyone's eyes to brighten.

"Trump card wolf group..." Hei Lou Lan lowered his head and mumbled.

The current five great enslavement masters of northern plains were called the five beast kings. Among them, Horse King Ma Zun has mutated pegasus group. Eagle King Yang Po Ying has mutated thunder eagle group. Rat King Jiang Bao Ya has mutated mountain drilling rat group. And the newly advanced enslavement master Leopard King Nu Er Tu controlled glimpse leopard group. Only Wolf King Chang Shan Yin did not have a mutated beast group.

Every mature mutated beast possessed the battle strength of rank four Gu Masters. Once a group of mutated beasts formed, they would be more terrifying than the same amount of Gu Masters. After all, beast group would charge dauntlessly under the enslavement path Gu Master's control. As Gu Masters had all kinds of self benefits to think about, even if they were under poison vow, they could not be made to fight to the death.

If they had a group of mutated beasts, there was a huge chance of killing rank five experts.

After all, even rank five Gu Masters were mortals in the end, with limited primeval essence and there were times when their strength was exhausted.

However, making a mutated beast group was too time-consuming of a process and would exhaust enormous energy and resources.

To look for a group of mutated wolf group for Fang Yuan in this short period of time, there was only one way - requesting help from Hei tribe's Gu Immortals.

The people in the main tent, even if they did not know the existence of treasure yellow heaven, they were aware of the huge power of Gu Immortals.

In the history of northern plains, there were several examples where Gu Immortals organized mutated beast group to provide assistance to their respective force.

"Mutated beast group is indeed a way out, I will give it a try first." Hei Lou Lan pondered for a while before saying vaguely.

But everyone clearly knew the meaning behind Hei Lou Lan's words was to request help from the Gu Immortal behind him.

This immediately caused a new change in the gaze everyone looked at Fang Yuan.

How could this Wolf King Chang Shan Yin have such good luck? Making a Gu Immortal help him to organize a mutated wolf group. If he had to do this himself, he might not even be able to accomplish it in twenty to thirty years! Why don't we get such benefits?

Everyone felt envious and jealous.

Ultimately, it was the identity of Chang Shan Yin that Fang Yuan carried; an enslavement master was an existence that could turn tides around. Hei tribe was fighting Liu tribe, it was indeed wise to put heavy importance on Fang Yuan and give more resources to him.

"If I remember right, even if there is a mutated beast group, Lord Wolf King's battle merits is ranked number one from the bottom, the last place in the battle merits list, right?" Cunning Gentleman was filled with jealousy, 'kindly' reminding as if he had suddenly recalled it.

"Of course, I can't receive a mutated wolf group for nothing!" Fang Yuan righteously nodded, "Our rules cannot be broken, I will use battle merits to exchange for it. Of course, my battle merits are insufficient right now, so I can only borrow a bit more. This is something that cannot be helped!"

Everyone was speechless.

Many people shouted inwardly at the same time:

'Do you feel no shame speaking such words?'

'Do you still want your face, you already borrowed one million and three hundred thousand battle merits before and you still want to borrow more?!'

'In the entire Hei tribe army, only you have borrowed battle merits! Don't you feel guilt holding that rank five amplify effect Gu?' @@novelbin@@

In fact, Fang Yuan not only did not feel any guilt, instead he said with a 'not satisfied' voice: "Just a mutated beast group won't do, I still require rank five lurking soul coat Gu. Unfortunately, refining a rank five Gu has a success rate that is too low. I have collected three rank four Gu, but I don't dare to fuse them to rank five."

Hei Lou Lan gnashed his teeth, the number of times he could request help from the tribe was limited, the more he asked for help, the less the tribe's evaluation of him would be. But there was no other way, he could only nod at Fang Yuan in order to defeat Liu Wen Wu: "I will do something about it."

Just as Hei Lou Lan and his group were strategizing, Liu Wen Wu and his group were also planning on how to battle Hei tribe.

"In Hei tribe army, Wolf King Chang Shan Yin is the biggest problem. It was because of him that my army suffered disastrous losses in today's battle, with at least thirty thousand Gu Masters dying in the wolves' mouths. Sigh, this number is truly making my heart bleed, everyone came forward to side with me because they believed in me. But it is because of my incompetence, we had to suffer such heavy casualties!"

In the main tent, Liu Wen Wu shed tears and sighed.

"Big brother, how is it your fault? We can only blame those Gu Masters for being useless!" Mo Shi Kuang almost jumped up as he hurriedly retorted.

"Wolf King Chang Shan Yin might have huge reputation, but he is not a true hero." Ouyang Bi Sang, however, loftily snorted, his tone contained disdain, "The grand Wolf King was actually sneakily hiding in some corner like a rat, it really makes people look down upon him."

"But, such a Wolf King is the most troublesome!" Liu Wen Wu sighed inwardly while opening his weeping eyes and asked the group, "Do any of you have a good method to deal with Wolf King?"

Mo Shi Kuang and Ouyang Bi Sang stopped speaking.

They were experts at fighting, things like strategizing were not their strong points.

"I have a plan." Bei Cao Chuan stood up and said confidently, "Wolf King Chang Shan Yin was originally Chang tribe's tribesman. Although he spoke of taking revenge, the blood-ties he has with Chang tribe is unmistakable and cannot be severed. The current Chang tribe leader Lord Chang Biao was once Chang Shan Yin's best friend. After Chang Shan Yin disappeared, Chang Biao married his wife and raised his three year old son who is currently Chang tribe's young tribe leader Chang Ji You. We might as well try to use this to deal with Wolf King, who knows if it might be effective?"

"Hmm...this idea is not bad!" Liu Wen Wu's eyes gleamed.

...

After the discussion ended, Fang Yuan returned to his large lizard house Gu.

The problem of refining rank five lurking soul coat Gu had been hurting his head recently. If he could borrow Hei tribe's Gu Immortal's power to organize a mutated beast group and also refine rank five lurking soul coat Gu, it would be the best.

Fang Yuan felt there was a huge chance for this to succeed. Although he could not remember all the minor details of this time's struggle for Imperial Court, but he knew clearly Hei Lou Lan was able to enter Imperial Court and the support of the Gu Immortal behind Hei Lou Lan was inseparable from this.

"The two sides will at least rest and reorganize for three days. In this time, Hei tribe's Gu Immortals will have received Hei Lou Lan's letter for assistance. Before this, I need to prepare..."

Thinking of his great plan, the corners of Fang Yuan's lips involuntarily curled up into a smile.

-x-X-x-

Xiao Hun blessed land.

This place was always covered in dense dark clouds and female-shaped trees grew on the ground.

These trees were very peculiar; the tree trunk was curved and branches wrapped around each other like a girl's naked body. The trees were in all kinds of enchanting postures.

Female-shaped trees grew all over the place, becoming a forest.

In the deepest part of the forest was the tallest female-shaped tree with a height of one thousand feet and roots that extended for a range of ten thousand li.

This female-shaped tree king, however, did not look seductive, instead giving off pure and holy aura.

The tree king's trunk was ramrod straight, giving a highly spirited feeling. Its two enormous branches formed into hands that covered the chest. The side branches from them formed into two well-developed and large palms that lifted a green treehouse.

Red vermillion fruits grew all over the treehouse with reddish-brown rattan twining around them, making the fruits look like hearts.

Two Gu Immortals were sitting inside this treehouse, both in black clothes.

On the left was an ordinary looking man who was called 'Hei tribe stoneman' during his young age, he was awkward at conversing but was smart and careful inside; he was Hei Bai.

On the right side, however, was a handsome man who was radiating with vigor, having eyes that seemed to shine, and appeared confident and at ease; he was Hei tribe's supreme elder Hei Cheng, Hei Lou Lan's father and a famous handsome man as well as the male lead in Su Xian's night elopement.

"Say, you just returned from Ni Yu blessed land, did you see Dong Fang Chang Fan? How is he?" Hei Cheng asked leisurely while taking a sip of tea.

Hei Bai nodded: "Senior Dong Fang isn't looking for lifespan Gu, there is not much of his lifespan left, he can probably only live for two-three years more. But his vision is broad and has magnanimous conduct, already seeing through the trouble of life and death and only wants to wholeheartedly nurture his successor Dong Fang Yu Liang now."

"Magnanimous conduct, broad vision?" Hei Cheng scoffed, shaking his head in disdain, "Brother, you saw wrong. Dong Fang Chang Fan is a genuine petty person, he schemed against the northern plains and is extremely insidious and so is hated by all the Gu Immortals. If it was not so, he could have already bought lifespan Gu, why would he have fallen into this state? I have been secretly investigating over these years and have discovered he had a hand in my wife Su Xian Er's death!"

Hei Cheng revealed this secret information, causing Hei Bai to be extremely startled.

"What? There was such a thing?" Hei Bai exclaimed in shock.

Su Xian Er was Hei Cheng's wife. Over two hundred years back, Su Xian Er was no more than a daughter of a concubine in Su tribe; and while she poured wine for Lord Hei Cheng back then in the banquet, Hei Cheng immediately fell in love at first sight.

In that banquet, Hei Cheng was poisoned by Su tribe leader, his strength fell to the bottom and he was hunted down.

After Su Xian Er accidentally learned of it, she resolutely rushed out of the tribe in the dead of night to rescue Hei Cheng whom she had only met once.

At that time, Su Xian Er only had rank one cultivation, and ferocious beasts roamed the night grassland that were beyond her ability to contend.

But under the play of fate, she was able to find the unconscious Hei Cheng.

Hei Cheng was thus saved and managed to live. He had then asked Su Xian Er with suspicion: "I was plotted against by your tribe leader and you are a Su tribesman, why would you save an enemy of your tribe?"

Su Xian Er had answered: "Lord has a noble spirit, this humble girl fell in love at first sight. Su tribe leader is short-sighted and plotted against lord under the persuasion of some petty people, but he never considered the result of offending Hei tribe. If he was allowed to have his way, Su tribe is destined to become a sacrificial pawn between two super tribes. People say lord repays a favor received by a hundred times. This humble girl saved lord today and only hopes lord can give me a place to stay. It is just and proper for lord to take revenge against Su tribe, but I hope lord can be merciful and leave behind a trace of bloodline for Su tribe."

The moonlight shone on the jade-like beauty with slender and fair hands.

Hei Cheng was overwhelmed at this sight, he tightly held Su Xian Er's hand and swore: "Your love is as deep as the sea, I, Hei Cheng, am not a cruel person, how could I not repay you? From today onwards, you will be my only wife! I will not care for any other beauties, no matter how beautiful they are. In this life, I will never betray you!"

Su Xian Er saving Hei Cheng was akin to betraying the tribe. Hei Cheng was very grateful and interlinked with her as husband and wife.

From that day onwards, the two helped each other, loving and respecting each other their whole life. Hundred years later, both became Gu Immortals, becoming a story that spread far and wide in northern plains. And Su Xian's night elopement was also spread wide, encouraging countless women to bravely take the initiative to love.

Hei Bai's mood became solemn: "Could it be over twenty years ago sister-in-law did not die because of the blessed land's earthly calamity?" @@novelbin@@

Hei Cheng scoffed: "There was indeed an earthly calamity, but the earthly calamity was influenced by people. Don't forget brother, old ancestor Giant Sun Immortal Venerable has such methods. Dong Fang tribe has entered Imperial Court many times as a tribe with Huang Jin bloodline, they might have received an inheritance relevant to such methods from Eighty-Eight True Yang Building. Sigh, I only have a little evidence, it is not enough to prove Dong Fang Chang Fan as the main culprit."

Hei Bai remained dazed for quite a while before sighing: "You really can't judge people by appearance."

Hei Cheng patted his shoulder and comforted in a gentle voice: "Brother, you have become a Gu Immortal for less than ten years. Gu Immortals' circle might not be big, but the treacherous conspiracies inside it are much deeper than between mortals."

Hei Bai was just about to speak, when his expression blanked: "Hei Lou Lan has send a letter."

Hei Cheng nodded, and with a shift of his mind, loosened the defense over Xiao Hun blessed land by a little; the space opened up and in flew a butterfly.

Hei Bai stretched his right hand; this butterfly fluttered and gently landed on his palm.

This was rank five butterfly letter Gu.

Hei Bai closed his eyes and concentrated on the butterfly letter Gu from Hei Lou Lan, containing his request.

"What is it, did that disappointing child of mine ask you for help again?" When Hei Bai opened his eyes, Hei Cheng snorted and asked with a displeased tone.

Hei Bai forced a smile: "Brother, Hei Lou Lan is you and sister-in-law Su Xian Er's son. Although sister-in-law suffered and fell seriously ill when giving birth to Hei Lou Lan, leading to her strength being greatly diminished and thus passing away in the earthly calamity several years later, the child is still innocent, you should not disregard him because of it. You even gave him to the twenty-seventh concubine Fairy Jiang Yu to adopt and did not allow him to light an incense to pay respects to his own mother."

Hei Cheng snorted with dissatisfaction, but did not argue.

Hei Bai sighed: "This is your family affair and it is truly not my place to meddle. But I have given a lot of thoughts to big brother's actions; you sent Hei Lou Lan to be adopted by the childless Fairy Jiang Yu in order to preserve Hei Lou Lan's life though her Immortal Gu Dark Limit. Hei Lou Lan has the ten extreme physique — Great Strength True Martial. To stimulate his spirit, you gave him a condition that as long as he advanced to Gu Immortal, he could light the incense for his mother. Little brother deeply admire your actions, but big brother, your way of doing things will only deepen the misunderstandings between father and son, it is not a good method looking at the long term drawbacks."

Hei Cheng heaved a sigh, not replying Hei Bai, but instead asked: "What did that child mention in the request?"

Hei Bai clapped his palm and smiled: "Look big brother, you showed indifference but you still care about nephew's safety in your heart. Nephew hopes we can prepare a mutated wolf group and also a rank five lurking soul coat Gu."

"Hmph, this kid is truly insolent! Lurking soul coat Gu is okay, but our Hei tribe does not have mutated wolf group."

"Right now, our Hei tribe is battling Liu tribe, Liu tribe's current generation tribe leader Liu Wen Wu is not someone who can be underestimated. Back then, the inheritance of Harmony Immortal fell in his hand. He has two sworn brothers, both are fierce warriors and can match ten thousand soldiers. However, nephew Lou Lan also has a great general under him - Wolf King Chang Shan Yin. This time's request is because he has placed his hopes on Chang Shan Yin." Hei Bai explained.

Hei Cheng mumbled: "Rank five lurking soul coat Gu is no issue, I have one with me. But mutated wolf group would have to be purchased from treasure yellow heaven. I will have to request brother for this."

Hei Bai quickly shook his hand: "Brother, you don't have to be so polite. I still need to rely on nephew to enter Imperial Court and find Immortal Gu Wooden Chicken in Eighty-Eight True Yang Building."

Hei Cheng heaved a long sigh and said with an exhausted voice: "Great Strength True Martial physique needs a strength path Immortal Gu to advance to Gu Immortal realm. Unfortunately, Immortal Gu are very difficult to find, our Hei tribe also does not have any strength path Immortal Gu. Success and failure is decided by heaven, we can only try our best. We have already done all we can, now everything will depend on Hei Lou Lan's efforts and luck."

'Parents are truly constantly worrying about their children.' Hei Bai sighed inwardly and said his farewell to Hei Cheng.

After he returned to his Ku Mu blessed land, he immediately connected to treasure yellow heaven and started buying mutated wolves.

Wolf emperors could be considered as a strength of blessed land, it was very hard to find Gu Immortals selling them. But mutated wolves were only equivalent to rank four and were much easier to find.

Hei Bai was not worried, mutated beasts were not rare and precious goods and as long as one had sufficient immortal essence stones, they could buy a large group of them.

Of course, spending a lot to buy the mutated wolf group was a loss to Hei Bai. But he was planning for a Immortal Gu in Eighty-Eight True Yang Building, and it was right for him to invest in the early stages.

Imperial Court blessed land was the work of Giant Sun Immortal Venerable, and unless one reached rank nine, no Gu Immortals could enter inside!

After the news of buying mutated wolf group in high price was spread, Hei Bai soon received a divine sense from someone called 'Fox Immortal'.

'Fox Immortal' had over a hundred mutated wolves and quoted a rather high price for them, they were clearly taking advantage of Hei Bai's difficulty.

Hei Bai had already anticipated such a situation, it was only that he had not expected this 'Fox Immortal' to move so quickly at the chance. He gnashed his teeth and bought this group of mutated wolves.

The one selling this group of mutated wolves was none other than Little Hu Immortal who had received Fang Yuan's instructions.

Previously, they had resold Immortal Gu recipes and earned dozen or so immortal essence stones; Fang Yuan had then instructed Little Hu Immortal to purchase purple crystal relic Gu and also look for any wolf groups sold cheaply at treasure yellow heaven, and buy them.

Thus, Hu Immortal blessed land had accumulated over a hundred mutated wolves; among them were blood forest wolf, berserk wolf, shark fin wolf, white-eyes wolf and others.

Now, by reselling these mutated wolves at high price to Hei Bai, they had profited quite a bit.

As for Fang Yuan, he was calmly resting in the camp, waiting for Hei tribe's assistance.

-x-X-x-

It was difficult to move through the muddy swamp, but Ma tribe's army was in high spirits.

The happiness of annexing Dou tribe army as well as the excitement of a decisive victory could still be seen on everyone's faces.

Ma Ying Jie was riding a horse and as he looked at the generals and soldiers around him with satisfaction, as an investigative Gu Master brought him the latest battle reports.

He opened up the documents and read:

"Hei tribe and Liu tribe has begun to fight. The first battle resulted in a draw, and currently, both are garrisoned opposite each other. The situation is in a stalemate."

"Ye Lui army was ambushed at night by the seven army alliance. Ye Lui Sang was very powerful and defeated six rank five experts one after another, but he was only one person and was unable to save the situation. Currently, Ye Lui tribe's remnant army is fleeing towards Qing An region."

"Rat King Jiang Bao Ya has accepted Yang tribe's invitation and has officially entered Yang tribe's alliance."

"Nu Er Tu army has not resumed their expedition, instead resting and capturing huge numbers of leopard groups."

...

These battle reports caused Ma Ying Jie to smile with joy: 'Hei Lou Lan and Liu Wen Wu are popular candidates to win this time's Imperial Court contest. I did not think these two would confront each other this early, it will be good if they both suffer. Since Ye Lui Sang obtained Immortal Gu, he is a one-man army. But for Ye Lui tribe to be suddenly attacked by the seven armies, Snowy Mountain most likely has influence behind it.'

Ma tribe, to advance to a super tribe, had secretly joined hands with demonic path Gu Immortals who were coveting after Eighty-Eight True Yang Building. Ma Ying Jie was Ma tribe's young tribe leader and thus was aware of the undertable deals of the tribes.

Northern plains was like a huge chessboard while the Gu Immortals were the chess players.

Besides righteous path Gu Masters, demonic path Gu Immortals also had their own pawns whom they supported. And as the tribes with Huang Jin bloodline were willing to join hands with demonic path Gu Immortals in order to have a better survival chance. If they lost in the struggle for Imperial Court, these tribes would often enter the blessed lands of the demonic path Gu Immortals to escape from the blizzard disaster.

Immortal Gu were rare.

Ye Lui tribe's supreme elder had entrusted an Immortal Gu to Ye Lui Sang; it was equivalent to placing a bet in this game. @@novelbin@@

According to the rules set by Giant Sun Immortal Venerable, as long as Immortal Gu were snatched by mortals in the struggle for Imperial Court, the Gu Immortals cannot take them back.

Such a huge bet had its corresponding risk.

It was because of the Immortal Gu on Ye Lui Sang that caused him to be the target of Gu Immortals. Thus they incited seven armies to ambush Ye Lui army.

"Rat King has joined Yang tribe which means an alliance of Rat King and Eagle King Yang Po Ying, causing this underdog Yang tribe to become a new contender to win the struggle for Imperial Court. But Yang tribe's foundations are far inferior to our Ma tribe and Rat King was also already crippled, they aren't of much threat to us."

"Although Nu Er Tu is called Leopard King, his leopard group has been inflicted heavy losses. However, he has been capturing wild leopard groups by himself without asking for help from the Gu Immortal behind him, this is a bit strange..."

"But overall, my Ma tribe's situation is still much better. Our next opponents are weaker than us. As long as we keep on winning, continue to devour other tribes and expand, our hopes of entering Imperial Court will become bigger and bigger!"

Ma Ying Jie could not help clenching his fists at this, his eyes letting out a fierce light. The ambitions and goals of a man were pushing him to establish great feats and accomplishments.

And at the same time, within the high spirited army was a little girl, who was weeping in a carriage.

"Lady Xiao Yun, don't keep on grieving, your father's death was a heart rending event, but you need to eat, if not you will faint from hunger." Beside the little girl, the anxious Fei Cai was comforting her in a clumsy way.

This weeping little girl was none other than Zhao Lian Yun.

Her father, Zhao tribe's leader, had sacrificed his life in the previous large battle.

Losing the protection of the father who loved her dearly, Zhao Lian Yun immediately felt her world toppling. On the very night of her father's death, her stepmother remarried the new Zhao tribe leader, and Zhao Lian Yun's position took a sharp dive.

"There will always be deaths in war, this is normal. My father was also killed by others." Fei Cai continued to persuade Zhao Lian Yun when he saw she was still crying.

Zhao Lian Yun suddenly raised her head while sobbing, looking at Fei Cai with an insoluble hatred in her tear-filled eyes, and kicked him: "You idiot, you don't even know how to comfort people!"

The sorrow in her heart was not fake. Although she inexplicably arrived in this world and it had not been long since her arrival, her father's love towards her was filled with sincerity. She was very grateful for this genuine love and her dependence on him had slowly grown into true affection.

But now, her father had died in the battlefield, making her alone and helpless.

"Missy, you were hiding here, you really caused much trouble for me! Quick, follow me, your mother is calling you." At this time, the curtain of the carriage was lifted open by the old caretaker who then grabbed Zhao Lian Yun's small arm.

Zhao Lian Yun struggled and shouted: "My mother is dead, she is not my mother! I won't go!"

"This is not up to you!" The old caretaker scoffed and tried to forcibly drag Zhao Lian Yun out of the carriage.

When she had been serving Zhao Lian Yun, she was teased and pranked by Zhao Lian Yun time and again. Now, as she looked at Zhao Lian Yun's miserable state, the old caretaker felt the pleasure of taking revenge.

"Let go of Lady Xiao Yun!" Fei Cai shouted and punched the old caretaker.

The old caretaker fell out of the carriage from this heavy punch. She stood up and touched her eye that had become purple from the bruise. She screamed in a shrill voice: "You hit me, a slave dared to hit a civilian? Who gave you such big guts!! I will report you, you are going to die. You will be skinned alive and your corpse will be hung up in the sunlight till it dries up!"

The old caretaker was extremely furious, and with her unkempt hair and sinister gaze, she looked like a hopping old hen.

However, her scream had indeed attracted the surrounding people.

Fei Cai clenched his fists and furiously stared at the old caretaker while firmly protecting Zhao Lian Yun behind him.

Zhao Lian Yun pushed aside Fei Cai's arm and stood on the carriage, her fair face still had tear stains, she looked at the old caretaker and scoffed: "What was it? You want to punish Fei Cai? Alright! Report him, but according to the rules, you need to first inform his master to demand compensation. Since it is so, go look for young tribe leader. Fei Cai is Lord Ma Ying Jie's slave leader!"

"What?!" The old caretaker cried out in shock, her screams abruptly stopped and the anger in her heart dissipated like a tide, only leaving behind an extreme terror.

This rash stupid kid was actually lord Ma Ying Jie personal slave? Moreover, he was lord Ma Ying Jie's slave leader who was in charge of his everyday life?

One needed to look at the owner before beating the dog.

The old caretaker might be a civilian with a status higher than that of a slave, but it was a different matter when Fei Cai was Ma Ying Jie's slave leader.

If she truly reported recklessly, she might instead be sacrificed by Zhao tribe!

After the shock, the old caretaker who had lost her face greatly looked gloomy. She rigidly stared at Zhao Lian Yun: "Little girl, even young tribe leader Ma Ying Jie's slave leader cannot protect you. You are a person of Zhao tribe, even after your death, you will be our Zhao tribe's ghost. Your mother is our Zhao tribe's current tribe lady. Listen to me properly, tribe lady has already arranged your marriage to Wei tribe's eldest young master! Now behave properly!"

"What?!" Zhao Lian Yun involuntarily cried out.

"Marrying to Wei tribe's eldest young master is your blessing." The old caretaker sinisterly smiled.

Zhao Lian Yun's whole body shook and fell down on the wooden board of the carriage.

"Lady Xiao Yun!" Fei Cai quickly supported her.

The old caretaker felt incomparable pleasure at this sight and left with immense satisfaction. She still needed report to Zhao tribe's tribe lady.

Zhao Lian Yun was expressionlessly, this immense shock left her in a dazed state filled with despair, allowing Fei Cai to hold her in the carriage. For three days, she curled up at a corner of the carriage, without moving or speaking.

Fei Cai's persuasion was of no use, and could only helplessly feed her.

Zhao Lian Yun was like a wooden puppet, letting Fei Cai control her.

Fei Cai also could not accompany her all the time, and every time Ma Ying Jie summoned him, he would immediately leave.

This sudden change of events and this ice-cold reality shattered the foolish pride Zhao Lian Yun had as a transmigrator.

She suddenly had a profound realization: 'A transmigrator is nothing special. Why did I think I could whip up a storm in this world after being so ordinary in my previous world?'

Moreover, women were discriminated in northern plains and were treated as goods to be used for political marriage. Northern plains' women could only adhere to men and could not refuse a man's forceful marriage. This was a rule set by Giant Sun Immortal Venerable.

Previously, when she heard of Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's deeds, she felt like she was listening to a story, listening to a legend of a hero. But now, she was personally experiencing the torment caused by Giant Sun Immortal Venerable.

"Women are like clothes while brothers are like our hands and feet." This was the favorite catchphrase of Giant Sun Immortal Venerable, he pulled apart the status of man and woman to an extremely unfair level. Now he had become the most detestable person in Zhao Lian Yun's heart!

"No wonder Su Xian's night elopement story pierced so deep into people's hearts, causing northern plains' women to eagerly imitate it. Rather than passively suffering fate's arrangement, it is better to take the initiative to chase after one's happiness. But this carries unknown risks!"

As she thought of this, Zhao Lian Yun's awareness of the vile living environment deepened by another layer.

"Wei tribe's eldest young master is a famous trash. He is fat like a pig with pockmarks all over his face and only at rank one peak stage but is extremely lecherous and very fickle-hearted. It is because of his incompetence, Wei tribe's young tribe leader position went to his younger brother."

"I won't marry that pig even if I die! But what should I do? I am only a mortal, and since I haven't reached thirteen, I cannot awaken my aperture and cannot cultivate. It is also possible that I don't have any cultivation aptitude. And the person who killed my father is Dou E, a rank five Gu Master who has sided with Ma tribe now and is now a higher-up of the alliance!"

"Who can I rely on? What path should I take?"

Bewilderment, hesitation and fear filled Zhao Lian Yun's heart.

In the early morning of the fourth day, Fei Cai lifted up the carriage curtain and entered with food and clean water. The light of the dawn followed the curtain opening and shone on Zhao Lian Yun's face.

Zhao Lian Yun woke up, slowly opening her swollen eyes.

"You brought food?" She grabbed the food from Fei Cai's hand and began to devour it.

"Lady Xiao Yun, are you okay?" Fei Cai was happy at this change.

"Yes, I have thought it through, it is better to rely on myself. Although I have been bound by the wedding betrothment, it can only be implemented when I am sixteen. I still have time!" Zhao Lian Yun's gaze shone like fire.

"Ah, Lady Xiao Yun, you don't accept the betrothal?" Fei Cai was startled; in his impression, northern plains could only accept their fate when their marriage was decided.

Zhao Lian Yun rolled her eyes and spoke in a righteous tone: "Hmph, I am not an ordinary person, I absolutely won't compromise! But I cannot go to the tribe now and can only live here for some time, and rely on you Fei Cai."

"No problem." Fei Cai patted his chest, laughing foolishly.

Zhao Lian Yun's heart warmed and her tone turned softer: "Fei Cai, your father also died in battlefield?"

"Yes, he died. I was heartbroken during that time. But death is normal in northern plains. Father died in battle, he died a glorious death." Fei Cai said with a smile.

'As expected, winner takes it all! Under the dazzling and splendid throne lies a path of bones.' Zhao Lian Yun sighed, before cursing, 'What a scam, I crossed over to this world and have yet to mature but my fate has already been decided by others, I can't even begin to feel anger!'

...

A letter was placed in front of Fang Yuan.

This special letter was openly sent by the enemy and was now brought over by Cunning Gentleman Sun Shi Han.

Fang Yuan opened it and read; this letter was personally written by Chang Biao, reminiscing the past and how they were on opposite sides now. He was inviting Wolf King to have a discussion before the battle and reminisce about the old times. And at that time, he could let Chang Ji You meet his father.

"Great ploy." Fang Yuan scoffed and placed down the letter.

At this time, Sun Shi Han smiled: "The mutated wolf group and rank five lurking soul coat gu have both arrived. But the higher-ups of the alliance are hesitating because of this letter. They are hoping Lord Wolf King would battle against your kin in the name of righteousness, to prove your innocence. Otherwise, I'm afraid this mutated wolf group..."