225 RI

In green ghost desert, the sky was always covered with dark clouds and there was barely any sunlight.

A small group of soul beasts were moving in the desert.

Different from the rest, there were three Gu Immortals in this soul beast group.

Two were captives and one was the master of these soul beasts.

"Hehehe, you two lads from Fang clan, have you thought it through?" The Gu Immortal in charge was dressed in a grey robe. He had a sharp nose, thin eyes, and had a goatee. He was sitting on the back of a bull shaped ancient soul beast and was looking at the two Gu Immortal captives beside him with a dark and pleased expression.

Fang Leng and Fang Yun had rank six cultivation, they looked clean and tidy, but in fact, their souls were completely bound by dark grey soul chains and could not even budge.

Fang Leng, who was slightly older, had a square face. He kept quiet and did not reply.

The slightly younger Fang Yun had a handsome appearance, he had a rather lively nature as he replied: "Old Ghost Bai Jun, it is not that we cannot write a letter to the clan for you, but you have bound our souls, we cannot even activate our communication means. How about loosening the chains a little so I can message the clan."

Old Ghost Bai Jun snorted: "You are so sneaky, wanting to deceive this Old Ghost? You only need an instant to escape with your body cloud killer move. It was not easy for me to capture you, you think I can be so easily fooled?"

Fang Yun quickly said: "How could I dare to fool senior? It is just that what I said is the truth. You see, it is like this... ahh!"

Before he finished speaking, Fang Yun's whole body started shaking as he let out a terrifyingly miserable scream.

Old Ghost Bai Jun snickered, while Fang Leng called out furiously: "Stop, don't hurt my junior brother."

Old Ghost Bai Jun was annoyed: "Looks like you guys are accustomed to acting without consequences, you still don't recognize your situation? Hmph, then let me teach you."

He then activated his method, tormenting Fang Leng as well.

Fang Leng grunted, his brows tightly furrowed but he did not utter a sound, except his trembling was growing increasingly intense.

Old Ghost Bai Jun tortured them for a while and only stopped when he saw Fang clan's two immortals turning pale as paper, their bodies shaking and covered in sweat.

He inwardly frowned: "If it were ordinary lone cultivators, I could have killed them without consequences. But these two have quite the background, Fang clan is a super force of Western Desert. If I rashly kill them, Fang clan will definitely be able to find that I am the culprit. Fang clan's second supreme elder Fang Di Chang is a famous wisdom path expert of Western Desert. Also, if Fang clan comes to search green ghost desert, it will hinder master's plan."

"But if I just let them go and master asks me later, he might blame me for being cowardly. The only thing I can do now is capture these two to demand ransom from Fang clan, and then set an agreement. With this, I can satisfy both sides."

Old Ghost Bai Jun thought things through and looked at these two captives again.

Fang Leng and Fang Yun were gasping and sweating, collapsed on the ground because of the torture.

Old Ghost Bai Jun sneered: "Even an iron forged man won't be able to endure my methods. To tell you the truth, I am not afraid of you not giving in! What do you think? Want to try it again?"

Fang Leng said through clenched teeth: "Old ghost, just kill us."

Fang Yun however shouted: "Don't, don't, I will contact the clan, okay?"

Old Ghost Bai Jun looked at Fang Yun's terror-stricken look and laughed: "You should have said so before, then you wouldn't have to suffer so much pain. Do it quickly."

Fang Yun gave a miserable cry: "Senior Old Ghost, I am telling the truth, if you don't loosen your chains a little, junior truly is unable to message the clan."

Old Ghost Bai Jun was furious: "Still making excuses!"

He once again activated his methods, tormenting the two Fang clan Gu Immortals.

After another while of torture, Fang Leng and Fang Yun could not endure it any longer, their bodies collapsed on the soul beast's back like a pile of mud.

"Have you thought it through?" Old Ghost Bai Jun sneered.

Fang Leng did not utter a sound, while Fang Yun said: "Yes, yes. But I wonder if Senior Old Ghost has thought it through?"

"Me? What do I have to think about?" Old Ghost Bai Jun asked in surprise.

"Senior, we are Fang clan's Gu Immortals. Senior is a lone cultivator, if you provoke Fang clan, your life will probably become turbulent, right? How about letting us go and getting on good terms with our Fang clan. Wouldn't that be better?" Fang Yun smiled.

Old Ghost Bai Jun was immediately filled with anger: "Kid, you think I am afraid of your Fang clan? Hmph! If I were afraid of your Fang clan, would I have captured you for ransom?"

"Senior is thinking of making a non-aggression pact with our Fang clan by doing this. Junior admits today's matter is our fault, and we have offended senior. We have committed much offense, but please forgive us, senior." Fang Yun spoke weakly.

"Hmph, now you admit defeat, why did you find trouble with me repeatedly earlier? It is too late for that now!" Old Ghost Bai Jun's voice was firm, but was inwardly shaken.

His intention was already guessed by the two Fang clan Gu Immortals, so it was going to be difficult to force them to give in.

Fang Yun continued to persuade: "Senior can punish me, and I will accept the punishment. Actually, I have a lot of assets in the clan, so long as senior lets us go, we can immediately set a nonaggression agreement, we will take it as this matter did not happen and we will even heavily compensate senior. With this, we also don't need to let the clan know of this scandalous matter as that would truly decrease our prestige in the clan."

Old Ghost Bai Jun scoffed: "You think I was born yesterday? What prestige do you, Fang Yun, have in Fang clan? It is your senior brother Fang Leng who is a talent among rank sixes, and is a possible successor of Fang clan."

Fang Yun's heart sank, he had not expected Old Ghost Bai Jun to have such detailed information on them.

But he still continued: "Wouldn't resolving this privately be better? If we escalate this, it might not have a good ending."

Old Ghost Bai Jun shook his head: "No, what status do you two have? I will discuss with your Fang clan's first supreme elder, and besides getting my compensation, you will not be allowed to take a single step in green ghost desert for the next few hundred years."

Fang Leng and Fang Yun's expressions immediately changed.

Fang Leng said: "Old Ghost Bai Jun, you are still after this green ghost desert? Your appetite is too big, be careful or your stomach might burst."

Old Ghost Bai Jun laughed in a strange tone: "Although I have rank seven cultivation, I am close to rank eight."

Fang Leng shook his head: "So what? Do you dare to undergo the tribulation?"

Old Ghost Bai Jun stroked his goatee: "Of course, I don't. But, not daring now doesn't mean I won't dare in the future."

He hesitated before making up his mind.

"Alright, let me destroy all your hopes, take a look at what Gu this is!"

Fang Yun and Fang Leng immediately raised their heads to look at a ladybird like Gu in Old Ghost Bai Jun's hand.

This Gu was like sapphire, it was the size of small bowl, and its thick carapace was dotted with countless golden star specks. These golden star specks constantly twinkled with various lights, giving a dazzling sense to others.

Fang Yun's and Fang Leng's minds shook fiercely, their eyes could not conceal their panic.

Fang Leng's eyes widened and he was speechless momentarily.

"This is, this is a rank eight Immortal Gu!!" Fang Yun cried out in shock.

Old Ghost Bai Jun said, pleased: "Let me teach you, this rank eight Immortal Gu's name is Soul Beast Token, it can directly allow me to enslave soul beasts. Rank eight Soul Beast Token can enslave immemorial soul beasts and what it requires is not rank eight immortal essence. I can use it now! Do you understand what this means?"

Fang Leng and Fang Yun looked at each other in shock.

The meaning behind this was too big.

With this rank eight Immortal Gu, Old Ghost Bai Jun could go about his plan slowly, he could control an immemorial soul beast, then use it to control a huge soul beast army and even control this whole green ghost desert.

Green ghost desert had an inestimable number of soul beasts. This was a dangerous land to others, but it was a paradise to Old Ghost Bai Jun.

"No wonder you have such an ambition, you want to grasp this place then use an immemorial soul beast to help you smoothly pass your tribulation and become a rank eight great expert!" Fang Leng's voice turned hoarse.

Fang Yun quickly spoke: "But our Fang clan is the nearest super clan to green ghost desert. As long as senior reaches an agreement with our Fang clan, you will have gained the safest cultivation environment."

"Indeed, it is good you know." Old Ghost Bai Jun's eyes flickered sharply: "Actually, I need to thank you two, you came at such a time. One is a direct great-grandson of Fang clan's first supreme elder, while the other is the second supreme elder's adopted son, although both of you are only rank six, you two have sufficient weight to be put into a negotiation."

Fang Leng and Fang Yun were silent.

Fang Leng inwardly thought: "This Old Ghost Bai Jun is indeed a schemer. Everything is different now with this soul beast token Immortal Gu. With an immemorial soul beast beside him, Old Ghost Bai Jun will need to be treated as a quasi-rank eight existence. The clan needs to be very careful when dealing with him. More importantly, with us as captives, Old Ghost Bai Jun indeed has the best chips to talk terms! Sigh, if I knew this, I would not have listened to junior brother's instigation to adventure here."

Just as he was thinking, Fang Leng suddenly heard Fang Yun's shout.

"Senior brother, look over there!" Fang Yun's voice was filled with pleasant surprise.

Fang Leng curiously looked over, seeing the dark clouds above green ghost desert covering the sunlight, but right now, a white cloud was slowly flying under the dense dark clouds, and was gradually nearing them.

Fang Leng was slightly stumped as he suddenly recalled the conversation he had with Fang Yun before leaving.

Fang Leng: "You have such big guts, you actually want to adventure in green ghost desert."

Fang Yun laughed: "Be at ease, senior brother, I had requested father to make deductions on this adventure. He had deduced that this trip will be threatening but not dangerous, we will meet a benefactor along the way and reap huge harvests."

Fang Leng frowned: "Not to mention that few people tread in green ghost desert, even if we meet someone else, how would you know if this person is the benefactor?"

Fang Yun patted Fang Leng's shoulder: "I had asked father, he said that the benefactor will come on a white cloud."

Fang Leng was dazed, before scoffing: "White cloud? Everyone knows, green ghost desert is shrouded by layers of dark clouds, how can there be white cloud?"

Thinking of this conversation, Fang Leng looked at the white cloud and thought: "Could it be the benefactor as told by second supreme elder?"

Old Ghost Bai Jun also stared at the white cloud with a gloomy expression: "This white cloud emits luck path aura, but it is not only luck path, clearly someone has used an immortal killer move. Who is it? Who owns such rare luck path methods?"

-x-X-x-

Rumble...

A vast soul beast army was moving in green ghost desert, raising dust clouds in their way.

And ahead of the soul beast army was a white auspicious cloud flying gently.

The white cloud was Fang Yuan's immortal killer move spontaneous auspicious cloud, Fang Yuan had come to green ghost desert to only search for soul cores, and did not have any precise goals. So over these days, he let spontaneous auspicious cloud lead the way.

The effect was pretty good, as he added some small scale soul beast groups.

As a result, this soul beast army's scale had enlarged further, the numbers were astonishing.

"But this amount is already my limit." Fang Yuan was riding a soul beast, his body moving slightly along with the soul beast's movements.

He felt some regret.

All beings had big or small capabilities, there was some form of limit in terms of capabilities.

Controlling so many soul beasts was Fang Yuan's current upper limit, he could not control any more.

On one hand, controlling these soul beasts depended on his soul foundation, which was at ninety million man soul. On the other hand, Fang Yuan had too few soul path Immortal Gu, they were rank seven Change Soul, and rank six Cleanse Soul.

Change soul Immortal Gu had to be left as a trump card, because it was the core Immortal Gu of switch soul in dream killer move, and could not be used casually. While rank six cleanse soul Immortal Gu was very useful, it was used by Fang Yuan in myriad self, as well as his own soul path cultivation. He was using it as a replacement now, and was just barely able to control these soul beasts, it was being used in many things simultaneously.

In the case of cleanse soul Immortal Gu, it had a lot of different uses, Fang Yuan was able to do different things by raising just this one Gu. It was much better than raising change soul Immortal Gu.

But like this, cleanse soul Immortal Gu could not handle many situations at the same time as a single Gu.

"I need more soul path Immortal Gu, best would be rank seven ones."

Gu refinement was out of the question.

Refining rank seven soul path Immortal Gu was indeed a tempting thought, but Fang Yuan was lacking resources and would not be able to bear the cost of large scale Gu refinement. After all, he had invested in many things in this recent period, and had also refined many Immortal Gu. And in terms of his earnings, there were few, only the dragonfish business was worth anticipating.

"I have a lot of wisdom path Immortal Gu, I can use them as replacements. It is just that the killer moves would have to be modified. After returning to Lang Ya blessed land, I will use the light of wisdom to modify suitable killer moves."

Fang Yuan's expression was calm as he continued to plan.

The Shadow Sect immortals were at the four corners of the beast group, commanding the soul beast army for Fang Yuan, while also scouting their surroundings.

Green ghost desert had countless soul beasts, these soul beasts were an extremely desired resource for Fang Yuan.

"My soul is at ninety million man soul currently, the soul cores harvested in this trip will be enough to advance me to hundred million man soul level."

"But even if I attain hundred million man soul, it is only midway in the soul cultivation records in Spectral Soul true inheritance, it is far from the peak."

Hundred million man soul was the limit of a human soul, after reaching this point, they had reached the peak and could not progress further.

But this situation was before Red Lotus Demon Venerable's period. When Red Lotus Demon Venerable broke fate Gu, this limit was also destroyed.

The human soul could continue to advance, but no one found the way to advance. In fact, it was already amazing for someone to have a million man soul back then.

When Spectral Soul Demon Venerable created soul path, he innovated new ideas with his soul path supreme grandmaster attainment level, and found the way to continue advancing beyond hundred million man soul.

As stated by Spectral Soul's true inheritance, above hundred million man soul was desolate soul!

Hundred million man soul could solidify the human soul, and the soul could directly interfere with the real world and would not simply be an illusory body like before. But even so, hundred million man soul was still fragile.

This was an inherent deficiency of humans.

Man was the spirit of all living beings and had extremely high comprehension, but their physical bodies and souls were far inferior to other beings.

However, once they cross hundred million man soul and step into desolate soul, just their soul alone would have the strength of a desolate level soul beast!

Cultivating the desolate soul further until the limit, that would be hundred million desolate soul.

This level was the peak of soul cultivation, and also the limit that the world could contain.

Fang Yuan had personally witnessed this level before, it was that terrifying giant form of Spectral Soul's main body. As recorded in Spectral Soul true inheritance, it was three headed thousand arms demon soul!

Reaching this level meant possessing quasi-rank nine battle strength, the soul could directly resist calamities and tribulations, defying the heavens and stamping the earth, slaughtering deities and ghosts, shocking the world.

So Fang Yuan had an extremely huge demand for guts Gu.

The soul cores he obtained in this trip to green ghost desert could push him to hundred million man soul level, but what about later?

If Fang Yuan wanted to cultivate his soul to the peak, he definitely required much more and an unceasing supply of soul cores.

"The best scenario is to get control of this desert and become its owner."

Like many Gu Immortals did, controlling an area was to make the natural resources in the area into one's own assets. Battle strength was required to accomplish this.

With Fang Yuan's current strength, he had the qualifications to occupy this region. Especially since this green ghost desert was an unowned land.

But there was a problem in this.

"Once I expose my identity and govern this area, it will be the same as asking Heavenly Court to attack me."

"Reverse flow protection seal cannot be disguised, and myriad dragon is also the same. Then I can only disguise my identity and use rank seven battle strength to fight for this place."

"After I get this place, I could arrange Ying Wu Xie to station here and let him command the soul beast army, supplying me with soul cores."

Among the people he had, Ying Wu Xie was the most suitable choice.

"To do this, I need more soul path Immortal Gu and to also raise Ying Wu Xie's soul foundation."

"The important point is Fang clan."

"This Western Desert super force is the nearest to green ghost desert. If I control this place, Fang clan would be my neighbor and is a barrier that I can't get around."

Getting rid of Fang clan was not realistic.

Fang Yuan's current battle strength could fight rank eight, but winning against a rank eight great expert was difficult. Furthermore, Fang clan not only had a rank eight first supreme elder, this generation's second supreme elder, Fang Di Chang, was a wisdom path great expert who had been renowned in Fang Yuan's first life. Fang Di Chang had an extremely deep wisdom path attainment, possessing wisdom path great grandmaster attainment level, and was also marked in Shadow Sect's information.

So Fang Yuan only had one path before him.

"Disguise as a lone cultivator, get close to the righteous path, then build a good relationship with Fang clan..."

It was not easy to conspire for a resource area, there were many things to be considered. Fortunately, green ghost desert was rather special as most of the Western Desert Gu Immortals and clans lacked methods to develop it. This gave Fang Yuan the best opportunity possible.

However, he did not know that he was not the only one who had an intention to occupy green ghost desert.

"Hmm, there are people ahead?" Fang Yuan's expression suddenly changed, his current investigative methods were no longer like before, he immediately sensed Old Ghost Bai Jun and the rest the moment they entered his investigative range.

"Is the benefactor coming?" Fang Yun was inwardly going crazy with excitement.

Fang Leng also had a look of anticipation.

Old Ghost Bai Jun's gaze was frosty, when he made out some details of the white cloud, he restrained himself and waited for the other side.

Soon, the three Gu Immortals sensed the ground starting to softly tremor.

Then they saw dust clouds surging on the horizon, as one soul beast after another appeared in their sight.

A large amount of soul beasts appeared, causing the three immortals' expression to change.

And when the whole soul beast army was revealed, all three were shaken.

"This!" Old Ghost Bai Jun lost his voice, he had thought his soul beast group was of a large enough scale, but now he discovered that he did not even hold a candle to Fang Yuan's soul beast army.

The Shadow Sect immortals had already entered Fang Yuan's immortal aperture, while Fang Yuan had changed into another appearance.

He looked like a skinny middle-aged man, with long grey hair, a pair of black eyes which seemed to contain vicissitudes of life and ambition. His sight would make anyone feel like this person was absolutely a formidable person!

Right now, Fang Yuan was dressed in a black robe, and his hands were clasped behind his back. He was standing proudly on the back of a soul beast while controlling the soul beast army, an awe-inspiring demonic aura lingering around him.

Old Ghost Bai Jun and the rest were shaken, and subconsciously held their breath.

Fang Leng turned to look at Fang Yun, his gaze filled with doubts — why does your benefactor feel even more demonic than Old Ghost Bai Jun?

Fang Yun rolled his eyes, his meaning was — you are asking me, but who should I ask? Perhaps he is the case of men cannot be judged by their looks, he could be of righteous path?

Fang Yuan had used familiar face to disguise himself, so there was not even a little flaw.

Old Ghost Bai Jun was awed by Fang Yuan's aura, he coughed, then clasped his hands in greeting: "Greetings, I wonder how I should address you?"

Fang Yuan's cold gaze swept past the three immortals, chilling their hearts. He did not reply, he only waved his hand.

Roar—!

The soul beast army started roaring and howling, their voices reverberating everywhere.

Then, the large army, like a surging tide, charged towards Old Ghost Bai Jun's group. Their momentum was like countless horses and soldiers running in the battlefield.

As the saying went, a slightest disagreement of words could result in a fight. But Fang Yuan did not even speak a word, and instead straightforwardly made a move, his intense killing intent causing the three immortals' hearts to sink.

Fang Leng once again looked at Fang Yun, as if shouting: "Are you saying this is not a demon?! Now, your 'benefactor' is about to take our lives!"

Fang Yun innocently looked at Fang Leng, as if replying: "Why blame me? I am innocent too!"

Old Ghost Bai Jun was stunned, before becoming furious.

He thought: "I am trying peaceful measures so as to not to add troubles to master's plan. I did not think this maniac would directly make a killing move without even any greeting! When did this maniac appear in Western Desert? He is simply disregarding me! Alright, I will let you know that not everyone can be so easily bullied!"

At this thought, Old Ghost Bai Jun shouted and flew to the sky like a flash of lightning.

"Come, let's battle!" He opened his arms wide, his sleeves expanded like two black holes from where countless dark currents surged out.

The dark currents moved towards Fang Yuan like black pythons.

Fang Yuan pointed his finger.

Wisdom path immortal killer move — Ignited Thought Flying Rock!

Rumble!

Using offense against offense, the dark currents resisted for a while but could not endure it any longer as they dispersed.

The red meteorites' power was decreased by half, but still continued to smash towards the ground, Old Ghost Bai Jun's soul beast army cried miserably from the bombardment, many were killed instantly or heavily injured.

Old Ghost Bai Jun's pupils shrunk in fright: '"Such power!"

"He is a wisdom path Gu Immortal?" Fang Leng was astonished.

"Don't kill me, we are Fang clan's Gu Immortals, we are Old Ghost Bai Jun's enemies and not friends!" Fang Yun shouted loudly.

-x-X-x-

"Fang clan's Gu Immortals?" Fang Yuan's ears twitched at Fang Yun's shout.

Although he had investigated that the relation between Fang Yun, Fang Leng, and Old Ghost Bai Jun seemed to be rather tense, Fang Yuan had not expected they were hostile towards each other, moreover Fang clan's Gu Immortals seemed to be captives.

The reason Fang Yuan immediately made a move was because he recognized Old Ghost Bai Jun.

This person was a rank seven soul path Gu Immortal, by killing him, Fang Yuan could take the aperture to increase his sovereign immortal aperture's resources and also increase his soul path dao marks. If he could be captured alive, Fang Yuan could give his body to Ying Wu Xie.

After all, Ying Wu Xie was proficient in soul path methods but was using water path Gu Immortal Fairy Cui Bo's body, which did not suit him and limited his capabilities.

To disguise himself and make it more convenient to fight for green ghost desert while also hiding from Heavenly Court and other forces, Fang Yuan did not use his true appearance.

Instantly, thoughts started moving like lightning in Fang Yuan's mind before getting in order.

"Looks like this spontaneous auspicious cloud is pretty good, I had just thought of communicating with Fang clan and building a good relationship, who could have thought it would send me such a good opportunity at the next moment!"

"Of course, this is also because of my high luck."

Fang Yuan had used burning soul bursting luck before coming to green ghost desert. He did not ask Ying Wu Xie to use it, instead personally activating it. Although it expended a lot of his soul foundation, the current Fang Yuan could completely bear it.

"Save the two Fang clan Gu Immortals and take this Old Ghost Bai Jun as a captive!" Fang Yuan's gaze brightened sharply.

He had thought of killing them all, then annexing Old Ghost Bai Jun's soul beast group.

But now, he changed his plan.

"Fang clan? Although I had never interacted with Fang clan, it has some credit in regards to my current cultivation level. Oh well, since you encountered me, I shall save you and repay the kindness." Fang Yuan spoke, although his voice was cold, Fang Leng and Fang Yun felt joyous.

Fang Yun's eyes opened wide, his lips parted in a green, as he repeatedly raised his brows at Fang Leng, as if saying: "Look, he is indeed the benefactor!"

Fang Leng ignored him, as he looked at Fang Yuan and Old Ghost Bai Jun, frowning.

He thought: "This Gu Immortal's origin is mysterious, there is no such person in my memories. If he really wanted to save us, he should have hidden his intention and saved us later. But he intentionally mentioned it, why? Either he does not want to save us and is only intentionally saying it to attract Old Ghost Bai Jun's attention. Or, he truly wants to save us, but his nature is aloof and has complete confidence in himself; he has absolute assurance that he can save us even if he informs the enemy of his intention!"

"You want to save them from me, it will not be easy!" Old Ghost Bai Jun was furious at Fang Yuan's words, a powerful aura burst out from his body as it brushed aside the ignited thought flying rocks and charged towards Fang Yuan.

"Commendable courage, but poor foresight." Fang Yuan sneered, as he flew to the sky and pointed his finger.

In an instant, dozens of strange lights shot at Old Ghost Bai Jun, turning him into a sieve of holes.

Old Ghost Bai Jun did not let out any blood, instead his body gradually turned into nothingness.

"Hahaha, you fell right into my trap!" Old Ghost Bai Jun's true body appeared at another direction. He had used an illusion to lure Fang Yuan's attention, while his true body was hidden.

Old Ghost Bai Jun did not choose to sneak attack Fang Yuan, instead he approached Fang Leng and Fang Yun.

Didn't Fang Yuan say he would save these two? Old Ghost Bai Jun immediately had an idea to use these two as shields.

This was the first time Old Ghost Bai Jun had seen Fang Yuan, but through the exchange earlier as well as the size of Fang Yuan's soul beast army, Old Ghost Bai Jun knew Fang Yuan was powerful, and he was not Fang Yuan's match in a head-on fight.

So he wanted to use Fang Leng and Fang Yun to threaten Fang Yuan, who wanted to save them.

"Crap!" Looking at Old Ghost Bai Jun approaching them rapidly, Fang Yun shouted in dismay.

But right at this moment, a figure appeared before the two immortals from the thin air.

It was the transformed Fang Yuan!

"Old Ghost Bai Jun, who is the one who has fallen into a trap?" The corners of Fang Yuan's lips slightly rose to reveal a demonic smile.

"Oh no!" Old Ghost Bai Jun's mind jolted fiercely as he realized he had fallen into the enemy's trap, and quickly tried to escape.

But it was already too late.

About ten soul beasts suddenly appeared in the air, surrounding Old Ghost Bai Jun.

"Detonate." Fang Yuan commanded with a thought.

Boom boom boom!

The soul beasts self-detonated, the terrifying power of the detonation shocking Fang Leng and Fang Yun.

The air wave that rose from the explosion, formed into a shock wave which spread in all directions.

Dust clouds rose everywhere in the desert, the dark clouds in the sky billowed outwards.

Fang Yuan had intended to use wisdom path methods to capture Old Ghost Bai Jun.

But soon after, he thought about the fact that the wisdom path method originated from Purple Mountain True Monarch. The ignited thought flying rock he had used earlier could be hidden. After Fang Yuan had modified this move, its effect had changed a lot. But if he used other wisdom path methods, it was very likely to be found out by others.

So Fang Yuan gave up wisdom path and used soul path.

His soul path methods were slightly inferior to wisdom path. After all, he only had a few soul path Immortal Gu.

But among them was a soul explosion method, which was an action of mutual destruction and had terrifying might.

Back when Qin Bai Sheng had first fought Feng Jiu Ge, Qin Bai Sheng had yet to recover his original memories and was not Feng Jiu Ge's match. But Feng Jiu Ge was wary of his soul explosion method and did not deal any fatal blows, letting Qin Bai Sheng go.

Even Feng Jiu Ge was wary of soul explosion, Fang Yuan naturally had to grasp this method.

But he would not explode his own soul, at most it would only be for burning soul bursting luck. However, he could use soul beasts, these soul beasts' soul explosions was a little impure and even their soul cores would be destroyed, but the resulting power was truly impressive.

"Cough cough!"

Dust clouds dissipated, Old Ghost Bai Jun was floating in the air; the greater part of his body was gone, his limbs were destroyed with only his left arm remaining, and he looked like he was at the end of his life.

"He is still alive?" Fang Leng exclaimed in surprise.

Fang Yuan sneered, it was good he was alive, he could be captured and his body could be given to Ying Wu Xie.

"But, I can't do that in front of the Fang clan Gu Immortals." All kinds of thoughts jumped around in Fang Yuan's mind. The sovereign immortal body had ample aid to the mind to begin with, now that Fang Yuan had both wisdom path attainment and methods, any issue was clearly and properly analyzed.

Fang Yuan said: "You have some skills in soul cultivation. You are still alive after falling into my trap. Forget it. I, Suan Bu Jin, have a rule, that is to not take things too far and always leave room for peace, since you are still alive, then go. I won't make a move today, now scram."

Old Ghost Bai Jun was panting and his face was pale, he fiercely stared at Fang Yuan.

He had regretted it the moment the soul beasts appeared and surrounded him.

The enemy clearly emitted wisdom path aura, why did he think of playing tricks with such a person? Even if he wanted to plot, he should have planned carefully.

The soul beasts' self-detonation was out of his expectations.

At that instant, Old Ghost Bai Jun's mind was completely blank, with just one thought, that was to defend and preserve his life.

After the explosion, Old Ghost Bai Jun did not even think of the intense pain and only felt extreme joy at being alive.

But after the joy came fear and anger.

He had almost died!

His chest was filled with the fire of this anger, as well as fear towards Fang Yuan's schemes and methods.

"Either you die or I die!" With such a thought, Old Ghost Bai Jun was just about to use rank eight Immortal Gu Soul Beast Token, but Fang Yuan actually let him go.

According to Fang Yuan's nature, he would always wipe out and eradicate the nine generations of his enemies, but today's situation was somewhat special, Fang Yuan was trying to obtain Old Ghost Bai Jun's body and was also mindful of Fang clan, so he chose to let Old Ghost Bai Jun go for the moment.

Old Ghost Bai Jun had been afraid and furious, feeling that he only had a chance of survival if he fought to the end, but he had never expected Fang Yuan to actually spare him!

Old Ghost Bai Jun was immediately confused.

"Is he deceiving me to lower my fighting spirit and make me let go of my vigilance?" Old Ghost Bai Jun had been tricked by Fang Yuan once, so he doubted everything now.

Fang Yuan looked at his expression and knew what he was thinking: "You are still here! I already gave you a chance, are you really looking for your death? Hmph."

Old Ghost Bai Jun forgot his rage, he just stared at Fang Yuan.

At the side, Fang Leng and Fang Yun who were collapsed on the back of the soul beast were also looking at Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan was standing tall like a spear on the back of the soul beast, his hands were clasped behind his back, and his gaze was like cold lightning that arrogantly looked down on the world. He showed absolute confidence that even if he let his enemy go, he would not be afraid of the troubles the enemy might bring him!

Fang Leng lowered his eyes and thought: "This person is full of demonic aura, he is confident and arrogant, but has a bottom line and principle. So he is this kind of person, only such a person could take the initiative to expose his intention of saving us."

Fang Yun, however, was watching with a stupefied expression.

Old Ghost Bai Jun slowly narrowed his eyes which flickered with a gloomy light.

Although his injuries were severe, most of his strength still remained, especially when he still had a huge trump card remaining – rank eight Immortal Gu Soul Beast Token!

But there was a huge price to pay to activate this Gu, Old Ghost Bai Jun did not want to use it lightly. Just now, he wanted to activate it disregarding the costs to have a chance at survival, but Fang Yuan instead let him go.

"No matter if he is truly letting me go, I need to try to escape first and see what he will do."

"If he is just pretending, I will just turn back and stake my life against him. If he is truly letting me go, then I will just escape!"

Old Ghost Bai Jun was extremely wary towards Fang Yuan.

Even if he activated the rank eight Immortal Gu Soul Beast Token, Old Ghost Bai Jun did not have confidence to win against Fang Yuan. And it was also because he had another concern — what if he revealed he had a rank eight Immortal Gu, making Fang Yuan change his mind and attack him to seize the Gu?

All kinds of thoughts lingered in Old Ghost Bai Jun's mind, before he scoffed and left.

He was quite fast, his broken body was like a loose arrow that quickly flew into the dark clouds and disappeared from the immortals' sights.

"Benefactor, you are truly letting him go? He has a rank eight Immortal Gu!" Fang Yun was dazed for a while before crying out in shock.

-x-X-x-

"Oh? There was such a thing. Looks like he had a fortuitous encounter. But since I already said it, I will let him go, do you want me to go against my own words?" Fang Yuan's expression changed slightly as he looked at Fang Yun and Fang Leng with a sharp and cold gaze.

Fang Yun and Fang Leng looked at each other, feeling Fang Yuan's sharp gaze piercing into their hearts. He quickly looked away, not daring to meet Fang Yuan's gaze.

At the same time, he exclaimed inwardly: "This benefactor is so domineering, he is really not easy to interact with."

On the contrary, Fang Leng's mind calmed: "Good, this person is a man of his word, even with such a huge temptation like a rank eight Immortal Gu in front of him, he still stands by his words, he can be said to be extremely conceited. But only like this can the two of us have a chance of survival."

Thinking of this, Fang Leng struggled to get up: "I am Fang Leng and this is my junior brother Fang Yun, we thank senior for saving us."

"Mm." Fang Yuan lightly nodded, before suddenly stretching out his hands.

A formless force burst out, sucking both Fang Leng and Fang Yun to Fang Yuan's hands.

Fang Leng's heart jumped but he restrained himself, while Fang Yun cried out in shock and panic.

But shortly, when the two saw that Fang Yuan was getting rid of their shackles, they put their minds at ease.

To Fang Yuan, Old Ghost Bai Jun's methods were not anything novel. He soon saw through it completely, then started removing it.

A move that could bind Fang Yun and Fang Leng was naturally an immortal method, but Fang Yuan had a killer move like 'purple thought perception starlight' and was able to easily get rid of it.

Fang Leng and Fang Yun soon regained their freedom.

The two gave thanks once again, but their minds were fluctuating as they thought: "This person is so domineering, although he saved us, he never asked us our opinions and immediately made a move."

They could hardly imagine this was all done intentionally by Fang Yuan. He succeeded in ingraining a self-conceited and domineering image in these two Fang clan Gu Immortals' minds.

"You can address me as Suan Bu Jin." Fang Yuan said, introducing himself.

But with his second sentence, Fang Yuan drove them off: "I mainly cultivate wisdom path, and have inherited Zheng Jing Shen's inheritance which is why I saved you two. You can leave now."

"Ah?" Fang Yun was dazed.

"Junior shall deeply remember senior's kindness, and will report it to the clan. Senior, will you remain in green ghost desert?" Fang Leng pulled Fang Yun's sleeve, then respectfully inquired.

"I have a use for these soul beasts, I saved you two not for any benefits, go now." Fang Yuan waved his hand coldly, his gaze revealing a trace of impatience.

Fang Leng and Fang Yun did not dare to disturb him again. Both bowed in respect before flying away.

After a while, the two had disappeared over the horizon.

"I did not expect Old Ghost Bai Jun to have a rank eight Immortal Gu. I wonder what Gu it is, how did those two Fang clan Gu Immortals know of it, did Old Ghost Bai Jun use the Gu in front of them?" Fang Yuan pondered.

Old Ghost Bai Jun only had rank seven cultivation but could use rank eight Immortal Gu, this signified he had some special method, or this rank eight Immortal Gu was a top-tier Gu like attitude Gu.

Regardless of the reason, Fang Yuan was moved.

"But..."

"There is no hurry to find trouble with Old Ghost Bai Jun."

Fang Yuan slightly drooped his eyebrows as he had a sensation in his mind which showed Old Ghost Bai Jun's location.

With his cautious nature, Fang Yuan had already planted an investigative method on Old Ghost Bai Jun the moment he made a move. Although Fang Yuan let Old Ghost Bai Jun go, he actually had a firm grasp on the latter's whereabouts.

In the past, Fang Yuan did not have such methods. But recently, he had whole-heartedly immersed himself in cultivation, he had a lot more methods than before.

"Senior brother, do you think that benefactor knew Old Ghost Bai Jun had a rank eight Immortal Gu, so he wanted to save us quickly before going after Old Ghost Bai Jun?" While flying, Fang Yun suddenly asked.

Fang Leng thought for a moment before shaking his head: "With my understanding of Senior Suan Bu Jin, that should not be the case."

Fang Yun could not hold back his laughter: "From your words, you sound like you are familiar with senior. Aren't you the same as me, meeting senior for the first time before being driven away?"

Fang Leng glanced at Fang Yun: "The rank eight Immortal Gu is indeed a huge matter, but this senior is extremely proud and aloof by nature. I am probably not wrong in this. Furthermore, we did not specifically inform him of what that rank eight Immortal Gu was. If senior truly wanted to go capture Old Ghost Bai Jun, wouldn't he have asked us about what this rank eight Immortal Gu is and what its ability is?"

Fang Yun smacked his forehead: "Your analysis makes sense, looks like senior really is not going to hunt Old Ghost Bai Jun. Sigh! That Old Ghost Bai Jun tormented us so badly, I was hoping senior would put him in his place."

Fang Leng shook his head: "That rank eight Immortal Gu soul beast token can command soul beasts. If senior led his soul beast army to fight, he would probably suffer huge losses. We should first return and inform the clan, let the other supreme elders decide."

Green ghost desert was near Fang clan's territory. After flying for a while, Fang Yun and Fang Leng arrived before an immortal formation.

Using this immortal formation, they teleported a long distance, arriving directly at the clan's headquarters.

Fang Yun and Fang Leng bade farewell. Fang Leng went to report to first supreme elder, while Fang Yun went to report this to second supreme elder Fang Di Chang.

Fang clan's affairs were basically decided by first supreme elder and second supreme elder.

After hearing of this matter, the two elders first placated Fang Leng and Fang Yun, before meeting to discuss this matter.

Second supreme elder asked: "Does first supreme elder know of Zheng Jing Shen?"

First supreme elder slightly nodded: "This person was a legendary lone cultivator tens of thousands of years ago, and had quite some relation with our Fang clan. In his earlier years of cultivation, he had received financial support from our clan, and he even had a love affair with a clan ancestor. Unfortunately, the ancestor died in a battle and Zheng Jing Shen did not join Fang clan."

Second supreme elder immediately came to a realization.

Although super forces paid heavy importance to familial relations and bloodline, they would often take in new blood. Especially if they discover some Gu Immortal seeds, these super forces would often support these seeds with resources.

If these people truly became Gu Immortals, the super force would then recruit them as their members.

Naturally, such situations were rare.

On one hand, they were only giving casual support in the first place as the probability of a mortal becoming an immortal was tiny.

On the other hand, even if they became a Gu Immortal, most of them were geniuses and elites with their own plans, they might not be willing to join a super force.

But even if these people did not want to join, the kindness of the past was enough to build a close relationship.

Just by being able to draw lone immortals to their side, all the previous investment the super force made would be worth it.

Zheng Jing Shen was a remarkable example of this, if not for the accident, he would have joined Fang clan.

Naturally, he would have to marry into Fang clan.

His children would also be surnamed Fang.

"Zheng Jing Shen's matter is rather concealed, many are not even aware of him. This Suan Bu Jin is probably not lying." First supreme elder added.

Second supreme elder slightly frowned: "Nothing can be said before the matter is verified. There is also the possibility of him teaming up with Old Ghost Bai Jun."

First supreme elder's gaze turned heavy: "If that is truly the case, then Suan Bu Jin probably collaborated with Old Ghost Bai Jun to get close to my Fang clan for Qing clan's legacy."

Fang Yuan of course had his scheme by intentionally showing goodwill and saving the two Fang clan Gu Immortals.

But in the discussion between the two Fang clan supreme elders, they had instead grouped him together with Old Ghost Bai Jun and even mentioned Qing clan.

This Qing clan was also a super force, but a long exterminated one.

The one who slaughtered the entire Qing clan was none other than the young Spectral Soul Demon Venerable.

Before Spectral Soul Demon Venerable became a venerable, because of a certain irreconcilable conflict, he fought against the entirety of Qing clan alone.

If Qing clan had known Spectral Soul would become a venerable in the future, they would definitely not dare to go against such a person. Unfortunately, Qing clan belittled Spectral Soul because of their superiority in numbers and assets.

Spectral Soul Demon Venerable grew up step by step, fighting again and again, getting stronger the more he battled. In the end, he arrived at Qing clan's headquarters and fought an intense battle, slaughtering the entirety of Qing clan. Many Qing clan Gu Immortals perished in the battle. The dao marks of Spectral Soul's killer moves, the Gu Immortals' corpses, and the dao marks from the destruction of immortal apertures were all engraved on the battlefield which became the current green ghost desert.

It was called 'green1 ghost', because it referenced 'Qing clan', the former super force.

Although Qing clan was exterminated, it was rumored that Qing clan's first supreme elder, before his death, sealed all the clan resources and buried them in a certain location in green ghost desert, leaving behind an inheritance.

There was only one condition to inherit this inheritance, it was that the inheritor must take revenge for Qing clan by killing Spectral Soul! If Spectral Soul was already dead, then the target of revenge moved to Spectral Soul's family, friends, and disciples.

Regretfully, Spectral Soul became a Demon Venerable, the whole world was not his opponent, and that era groveled at his feet. Qing clan's inheritance became a joke.

Fang clan was the nearest super force to green ghost desert, and thus was much more informed. When Qing clan was exterminated, Fang clan's ancestors began to actively search for the clues to Qing clan's inheritance.

After generations of effort, the fragmented clues were pieced together, becoming increasingly valuable.

Now, in this generation, the clues were already completed, and with a vague responsive method, the clan had begun searching green ghost desert.

First supreme elder sighed: "We don't have enough strength to control green ghost desert, not to mention that we have no methods to restrict soul beasts, the number of Gu Immortals we can mobilize is also few. If not for this, we would have no need to let Fang Leng and Fang Yun take the risk. Who could have expected their adventure would involve people like Old Ghost Bai Jun and Suan Bu Jin."

"I have heard of Old Ghost Bai Jun, and he actually has the rank eight Immortal Gu Soul Beast Token! And that Suan Bu Jin's appearance is too sudden, his origin is covered in mystery and he has powerful methods. Regardless of what the relationship of these two is, they are obstacles that our Fang clan needs to go through to search for Qing clan's inheritance."

Second supreme elder nodded.

Fang clan had many assets and networks, their Gu Immortals needed to defend the territories. But Qing clan's inheritance was tempting, especially when the clues mentioned that Immortal Gu House Divine Bean Palace, which was created by Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable and left in Western Desert! Its value was extremely high and left behind a heavy mark in history.

Fang clan was famous for its Gu houses, Divine Bean Palace had a high importance to them. Their resolve to explore Qing clan's inheritance and obtain Divine Bean Palace was not a matter of a generation or two, but was carried by generations after generations!

-x-X-x-

Green ghost desert.

A battered figure was flying past the surface of the desert.

"Suan Bu Jin! You actually did not chase me, such arrogance! Hmph, I will settle this debt with you sooner or later!!" Old Ghost Bai Jun's expression was distorted and furious as he thought of Fang Yuan.

Three of his limbs had been destroyed in the soul explosion, but they were already recovered now.

It was clear that Old Ghost Bai Jun had powerful healing methods.

Suddenly, his body shook as he coughed out a mouthful of blood.

Old Ghost Bai Jun's face was once again filled with hatred, as he said through clenched teeth: "My soul beasts, it was not easy to gather them, but now they have all been killed. Damn it! The loss this time is too huge, more importantly, the timing is delayed now, what will I do if master blames me?"

At the thought of his master, Old Ghost Bai Jun's body shook involuntarily as fear and panic surged in his heart.

"No, I did not handle the matters properly this time, I will definitely be severely punished by master. What to do? No, I can't let master know. I better conceal this and report after I accumulate another group of soul beasts."

"Sigh, although I am tight on time, as long as I disregard the costs and activate soul beast token, what soul beasts can't I enslave?"

Just as he was thinking this, a female figure suddenly appeared in front of Old Ghost Bai Jun.

"It is you, Eagle Concubine! Why are you here?" Old Ghost Bai Jun immediately panicked when he saw this person.

Eagle Concubine was dressed in a tight black clothing, perfectly displaying her seductive figure. Her face was pale white, as if she had never seen sunlight, not only was there no rosiness, her eyes even shone with a gloomy light.

She sneered: "Old geezer, you still don't understand why I came? You have spoiled master's plan, returning in defeat, master has specially ordered me to bring you back for questioning!"

"What?!" Old Ghost Bai Jun trembled, shock and fear clouding his face.

Sweat dripped down his forehead: "How did master know?"

Eagle Concubine sneered: "You think master handed you a rank eight Immortal Gu without any monitoring means? You are really underestimating master."

"How could I dare to underestimate master! Hmph, Eagle Concubine, don't try to drive a wedge between us!" Old Ghost Bai Jun shouted furiously, "Yes, I admit I didn't handle things properly this time and caused a setback to master's plan. But I will make up for it, there is still time, I can definitely give master a satisfying answer."

Eagle Concubine shook her head: "You still want to make up for your mistake? Hmph, you already have no opportunity. You think I am deceiving you? It was truly master who ordered me to take you back."

"Master personally gave the command?" Old Ghost Bai Jun was deathly pale, as he cautiously asked with a trace of hope.

Eagle Concubine nodded: "You can forget about it, how could I deceive you in this matter? Let's go, don't make me take action, you know master's divine might, just return with me obediently."

"Okay, I will return with you." Old Ghost Bai Jun gave a sad smile as he became dispirited. He did not have any thoughts of rebelling against his master.

The two immortals set off, and after traveling an immense distance, they entered a quicksand pit.

After entering the sandpit, they continued to move down for close to a thousand li before they entered a mysterious space filled with green lights.

The two immortals used their methods familiarly, the green lights immediately changed and a golden staircase appeared from the lights.

In the green lights, the two could not fly, and had to move up the stairs step by step.

After walking nine thousand nine hundred and ninety nine steps, the two arrived in front of a palace door.

This palace was lofty like a mountain, liveliness mixed in its solemnity, its green bricks and golden tiles emitted dense fragrance of plants and trees.

And carved on the plaque on the palace door were three large words — Divine Bean Palace!

It was the Immortal Gu House of Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable that Fang clan had been conspiring to obtain for generations after generations!

The two immortals did not dare to open the door, instead kneeling on the ground, kowtowing with incomparable respect.

The palace door slowly started opening, revealing an extremely spacious hall.

There were dozens of large pillars in the hall, they were thick and sturdy, glittering with bronze radiance.

An enormous soul beast was lying inside the hall, it had a tortoise shell, four tiger paws, dragon tail, snake neck, and a human head.

Seeing this monster, the two Gu Immortals hurriedly bowed and paid respects: "Bai Jun (Eagle Concubine) greets master."

Eagle Concubine was very respectful, while Old Ghost Bai Jun's face was dripping with sweat as his body shook in fear.

That soul beast with disheveled hair had a ferocious expression as it let out an angry howl while staring at Old Ghost Bai Jun.

Old Ghost Bai Jun had never seen his master so furious, he plopped down to the ground and shouted: "Master, please spare me, please spare me!"

But the soul beast paid no heed to his plea, it raised its huge right paw and suddenly grabbed Old Ghost Bai Jun.

Old Ghost Bai Jun's expression distorted from fright: "Master, master, please listen to me, soul beast token Immortal Gu is still with me, I did not lose it. This failure was my mistake, but please give this servant a chance to redeem himself!!"

"This smell, it is him! Right, it is him!!" The soul beast sensed with closed eyes, before suddenly opening its bloodshot eyes.

That long snake neck was stretched out like a pillar due to anger, the scales on it were emitting cold-eerie light.

The hall rang with the soul beast's shout.

Eagle Concubine's face turned pale as she keenly sensed the anger and hatred contained within this shout.

"Spectral Soul Demon Venerable... the enemy who eliminated my clan, I finally have caught you. Although you are dead, there is no mistake with this scent, it is your inheritor or descendant. Hehehe, hahaha!" The soul beast began to laugh madly.

The crazed laughter shook the air, forming airwaves that struck the hall repeatedly.

Eagle Concubine had to retreat repeatedly, this laughter shook her very soul.

Old Ghost Bai Jun, who was held by the tiger claws, was even more shocked, his eyes rolling up. But he could already sense that his master did not bring him back to punish him, it was because of that Suan Bu Jin, who seemed to have a connection to Spectral Soul Demon Venerable!

Suddenly, the whole of Divine Bean Palace erupted with glaring rays of green light.

The green rays pierced through the soul beast's body like countless sharp arrows.

The soul beast's crazed laughter stopped abruptly, as it gave a muffled groan: "This damned Divine Bean Palace!!"

It roared in agitation, and was about to go berserk.

Old Ghost Bai Jun was afraid he would be crushed to death in a moment of carelessness, he quickly shouted: "Master, please calm your raging anger. Please take good care of yourself, taking care of your body is most important!"

The soul beast was persuaded, gradually calming down and mumbled: "Your words are correct, I need to take care of my body. I am going to kill all the inheritors and descendants of Spectral Soul, to take revenge for the hatred from back then!"

At the same time, Heavenly Court.

Countless halls shone with dazzling white light.

Suddenly, green aurora lights shone in the pure white sky.

The aurora lights lasted for a moment before gradually dissipating.

"Heavenly Court's atmospheric changes are never a small matter, this seems to involve Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable." Fairy Zi Wei was in Heavenly Court, she quickly made deductions when she saw this unusual phenomenon.

After a while, she opened her eyes which had a trace of joy: "So it was Divine Bean Palace, which was put in Western Desert by Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable. This Divine Bean Palace is a rank eight Immortal Gu House and has outstanding might. It is about to appear in the world, we can't let it fall into Western Desert's hands."

Fairy Zi Wei slowly closed her eyelids and continued to deduce.

After obtaining the results, she called a Gu Immortal of Central Continent.

This rank eight Gu Immortal was dressed in a green robe, emitting an aura of a scholar. From his appearance, he looked young, but his eyes were deep and wise, he was already some thousands of years old.

"Chen Yi, you are the first supreme elder of Heavenly Lotus Sect, Divine Bean Palace is making an appearance in Western Desert, follow my plan and go subdue it." Fairy Zi Wei instructed.

"Okay." Chen Yi bowed slightly with no changes in his expression.

Fairy Zi Wei nodded: "Do this and you can resign from your position to enter Heavenly Court."

Chen Yi was slightly moved, revealing a trace of joy. He once again bowed, and said in a clear voice: "Then, I shall thank Lady Zi Wei."

Several days later, Western Desert.

Fang Yuan's soul left his body.

He moved the soul and grasped a handful of sand!

"From phantom to solid, interfering with the material world, haha, I have finally reached hundred million man soul!" Fang Yuan was inwardly jubilant.

-x-X-x-

Fang Yuan sighed, he had finally reached hundred million man soul after several setbacks.

"Dang Hun Mountain and Luo Po Valley are indeed the sacred lands of soul cultivation, and adding in the world's top soul cultivation techniques written in Spectral Soul true inheritance, my soul foundation has soared rapidly."

"But... I am only at one hundred million man soul, I will need to continue to accumulate further, two hundred million, three hundred million, four hundred million... until nine hundred million."

After nine hundred million was not one billion, but was a breakthrough to desolate soul. After attaining desolate soul, Fang Yuan's soul would have the strength of a desolate level soul beast.

Although Fang Yuan's current strength could easily play around with desolate beasts, being able to fight them with just his soul would be a qualitative transformation!

After all, a human's soul was inherently weaker than other lifeforms. Being able to make up for this weakness afterwards and even surpass them, that showed the power of Spectral Soul's true inheritance.

Fang Yuan did not return after getting one hundred million man soul, but continued to stay to capture soul beasts.

After knowing Old Ghost Bai Jun and Fang clan, Fang Yuan no longer intended to find an immemorial soul beast. He was not afraid of such an existence, but if it really came to a fight, not only would his soul beast army suffer huge losses, his main methods would also emerge.

Once his trump card killer moves like reverse flow protection seal and myriad dragon were exposed, it would mean Fang Yuan's identity would also be revealed.

There were many immemorial soul beasts in green ghost desert. But under the lead of spontaneous auspicious cloud, Fang Yuan did not encounter any of them.

"Of course it is not only because of spontaneous auspicious cloud, but also because my own luck is being maintained in a powerful state. So my recent endeavors have all been smooth sailing, somewhat like getting everything I want." Fang Yuan was aware of the reason.

Fang Yuan continued to stay in green ghost desert, he did not even have to make a move and could just make his soul beast army fight.

If he encountered soul beasts, he would command his soul beast army to charge at them, he would take out the soul cores of the dead ones, while adding in the remaining captives to replenish any losses.

Besides, Fang Yuan did not have to spend anything to control the soul beasts other than mental energy and immortal essence. And it also had an extremely high return.

When Gu Immortals did things, they would consider investment and returns. Fang Yuan was deeply aware of this, and would always take advantage of it.

This method of hunting soul beasts could exert his abilities to the limit, he could optimize his gains.

Like this, dozens of days passed, Fang Yuan's soul foundation had increased to two hundred million! His soul was even more solid and lifelike, his four limbs became even tougher, much superior to the previous one hundred million man soul.

In this period, whether it be Fang clan, Old Ghost Bai Jun, or immemorial soul beasts, none appeared.

Fang Yuan went through this period peacefully.

Speaking of Old Ghost Bai Jun, Fang Yuan wanted to seize his rank eight Immortal Gu. But when he used his wisdom path methods to deduce, he found that it still was not the time for it, and there were even a lot of risks in trying to do so now. Furthermore, with Fang clan staying at the side, Fang Yuan did not make a move, even though he knew Old Ghost Bai Jun's location.

"Two hundred million man soul should be enough to explore the third stage of Thieving Heaven's dream realm, right?" Fang Yuan was impatient to return.

He stored the soul beast army in his sovereign immortal aperture, and concealed his tracks before quietly leaving green ghost desert.

After spending some time hurrying back, he arrived in front of Thieving Heaven's dream realm once again.

Tang Fang Ming quickly came to welcome him.

His gaze towards Fang Yuan was filled with respect.

Over the period when Fang Yuan left, he had made great progress in exploring the dream realm because of Fang Yuan's guidance, gaining huge harvests.

After greeting Tang Fang Ming, Fang Yuan followed the previous arrangements, he let out the Shadow Sect immortals to control the immortal formation, before entering Thieving Heaven's dream realm.

The surroundings suddenly changed.

An oasis in the desert.

Fang Yuan was once again an observer.

"It is this place, it is this place!" Sha Xiao's voice was trembling from excitement.

In the previous two stages: Thieving Heaven was banished by the clan, encountered Sha Xiao, refined rank two sneak attack Gu, became the champion of the small competition, and came to the clan's important area, which was the pool in the center of the oasis to choose Gu worms as the reward for winning the competition.

Sha Xiao naturally had arranged investigative methods on young Thieving Heaven's body, right now, he sensed an inexplicable aura from near the pool and knew he had found the place.

However, Young Thieving Heaven's heart sank, Sha Xiao getting his wish was not something he wanted to see.

"Quick, throw that sheepskin map into the pool!" Sha Xiao commanded Young Thieving Heaven with a clear impatience.

Young Thieving Heaven was extremely doubtful: "Didn't you take my sheepskin map? How would I have it?"

Sha Xiao laughed darkly: "I have already made all the preparations, I have stitched that sheepskin map in your clothes. My good grandson, you only need to take off that piece of clothing and throw it to the pool!"

Young Thieving Heaven's heart sank further, as he thought inwardly: "This Sha Xiao is a scheming demon, he definitely has a huge plot in throwing that mysterious sheepskin map to the pool. How can I do a thing like helping him commit a crime? Although the clan banished me before, they have after all shown me kindness by raising me for many years. I cannot repay this kindness with ill-intent!"

"Quick, grandson, throw that clothing into the pool." Sha Xiao shouted: "Don't forget that my method is still marked in your body, if you don't do it, I will make sure you die a painful death."

Young Thieving Heaven's pupils immediately shrunk at the threat of death.

He thought of his family and returning home, falling into deep hesitation.

If he did not follow Sha Xiao's words now, he probably was going to truly die. His wish of returning home and reuniting with his family would just become wild wishes.

"Do I give up my moral conduct to return home? No, I can't do this. Sha Xiao might be incomparably strong, but I still have hope, I will fight to the end and will never lower my head to evil! I won't let down my, Ben Jie Sun's, name!"

Young Thieving Heaven's eyes shined brightly.

"Grandpa, this timing might not be suitable. I have yet to choose the Gu, the clan's Gu Masters are observing me from the side. If I rashly throw my clothes into the pool, it will be intercepted by the guards before it can even land in the pool. This pool is our clan's most important water source after all." Young Thieving Heaven inwardly said to Sha Xiao.

Sha Xiao was stunned for a moment, before slowly speaking: "I was impatient grandson, you are right. But you must find an opportunity when others are unaware and finish this task. If you cannot accomplish it, you can go die! If you can complete it, hehe, grandpa will give you unimaginable benefits!"

Sha Xiao threatened as well as enticed, young Thieving Heaven quickly agreed but was not even a little moved inwardly.

The clan's Gu Masters led young Thieving Heaven to the underground cavern: "You are the winner of the competition, go choose your Gu. Remember, you only have fifteen minutes."

Young Thieving Heaven thanked them and walked into the cavern. There were countless square holes in the walls.

The square holes were of all sizes, most of them containing Gu worms.

These rank one Gu worms were of all kinds and shapes, dazzling young Thieving Heaven.

He inwardly exclaimed: "Although I heard there were countless Gu worms in the world, now that I am personally seeing the storage of the clan, I am truly sensing how magical this world is!"

"Eh? There is a door there?"

Young Thieving Heaven pushed open the small door and entered another underground cavern.

This small cavern's size was only about one-third of the previous cavern. There were similar square holes carved in the walls, but the Gu worms in the holes were rank two.

Young Thieving Heaven sighed in his mind as he looked at the Gu worms: "Oh! I have no one to guide me, I simply don't know what Gu worm is better and suits me. Also, that demon Sha Xiao is plotting a huge scheme, what should I do? Ask for help from the clan?"

Young Thieving Heaven shook his head repeatedly in worry.

Sha Xiao had investigative methods which could sense matters around young Thieving Heaven, the moment young Thieving Heaven revealed the secret, he would immediately be killed by Sha Xiao.

"Hmm?" Young Thieving Heaven's expression suddenly changed into that of surprise.

Then, like the person had changed, he began to move around his arms and legs, adapting to the body.

"I am once again in control of young Thieving Heaven's body, but I have some leisure time now unlike the previous urgent situations." Fang Yuan was once again in charge of young Thieving Heaven's actions.

"So I have to resolve young Thieving Heaven's issue again?" Fang Yuan mumbled.

"How to deal with Sha Xiao? From my conjecture, this demon's cultivation is at least rank four, rank five is also very likely." Fang Yuan scanned his surroundings, looking at the large numbers of Gu worms: "It seems the breakthrough for this difficulty lies in the Gu worms here."

Young Thieving Heaven did not recognize these Gu worms, but Fang Yuan had broad experience and vast knowledge. He knew almost all of these Gu worms, even if there were some which he did not recognize, he could roughly guess them through various checks.

"Also, even though Sha Xiao has investigative methods, they clearly stopped working when young Thieving Heaven entered the underground cavern."

"Looks like Sha Xiao's methods can't breach the defense of this underground cavern."

This underground cavern was heavily protected, this was the clan's important area where Gu worms were stored. If it could be easily inspected, it would definitely attract enemies, and the clan would suffer disastrous losses.

"Sha Xiao does not know what I am doing now. So he wanted young Thieving Heaven to take the risk and finish his matter earlier."

"Also, even in the outside world, his investigative methods are probably relying on young Thieving Heaven's senses. As long as I can glean the mysteries of his method, I can deal with it."

Fang Yuan analyzed in his mind.

This third stage had just begun, he was given a test but it was not actually too difficult.

Even if he failed, he could try it again.

At most, his soul would be injured.

Were it before when his soul foundation only was ten million man soul level, he might be worried this injury would be beyond the limit he could endure.

But now that he had two hundred million man soul, he was confident that no matter how much injury he suffered, his soul could not be directly destroyed.

"But!"

"If I follow the dream realm's route, it might be safe, but it would be just that."

"Instead, how about..."

Fang Yuan had a flash of inspiration, he wanted to test his plan and see how much change this dream realm of Thieving Heaven could support!

-x-X-x-

Thieving Heaven's dream realm.

"The Gu worm has been selected. Now, let me take a look." Fang Yuan took a deep breath and controlled young Thieving Heaven's body.

He first activated sneak attack Gu.

Immediately at the activation, a blue baby figure jumped out and pounced towards the front.

In the blink of an eye, the blue baby phantom entered the cavern wall. The whole process was silent as if nothing had happened.

Fang Yuan mentally sighed: "This sneak attack Gu is indeed a top-tier Gu, not only is its power outstanding among rank two, it is silent as well. According to the dream realm, this cavern definitely has defensive methods arranged in it. But sneak attack Gu simply did not touch the defenses. I might as well refine some sneak attack Gu in the future."

Fang Yuan had relied on the dream realm to create sneak attack Gu. In the outside world, Fang Yuan could create the Gu recipe for every mortal rank after some modifications.

Fang Yuan could use the rank two sneak attack Gu recipe to deduce its rank one to rank five recipes, he could even use the light of wisdom to deduce rank six and rank seven sneak attack Immortal Gu recipes!

Because Fang Yuan's current theft path attainment level was already as high as quasi-great grandmaster!

After using the sneak attack Gu, Fang Yuan sped up the process, activating the Gu worms which he had chosen in the cavern.

According to the rewards of the competition, the champion could select three rank one Gu, or one rank two Gu.

Fang Yuan had checked all the rank two Gu in the small cavern, although they were quite good, they were not suitable for his use. Fang Yuan then chose three rank one Gu from the large cavern, immediately refining them and combining them into a killer move.

This killer move was activated, immediately forming a giant rhino strength path phantom.

The rhino strength path phantom moved its limbs and directly charged towards the cavern wall.

This part of the cavern walls had already been internally destroyed by sneak attack Gu's power. Now, as the rhino phantom smashed into it, it immediately collapsed loudly.

Following, large amount of water surged out of the hole.

Although Fang Yuan had been a bystander, he had already observed clearly and found this area of the underground cavern was right next to the oasis pool.

This arrangement made sense.

The pool had a spirit spring, the nearer the storage was to the pool, the denser the primeval energy that could seep into the mud and spread. And to this underground cavern where the clan stored Gu worms, it was greatly beneficial.

There were some disadvantages, but the clan had already arranged defensive methods here, and those that could normally enter here were their own people.

Even young Thieving Heaven was only trusted by the clan because he had lived and grown in the clan for over ten years.

But right now, under Fang Yuan's control, young Thieving Heaven acted opposite and went mad, directly opening a hole in the wall to finish Sha Xiao's task.

Water surged in large amounts, a layer of light membrane suddenly shone on the wall, blocking most of the water.

"What happened?"

"Move quickly, something happened!"

Shocked voices came from outside the cavern, the guards immediately rushed in after sensing something wrong.

"What use is it in discovering now?" Fang Yuan sneered, activating sneak attack Gu along with other two Gu to form a killer move.

The rank two killer move covered him with a layer of blue light, increasing his speed sharply.

Fang Yuan moved quickly towards that membrane of light blocking the water, directly passing through it and entering the pool!

This membrane of light had also been in Fang Yuan's consideration, the clan's defensive methods were only mortal level in the end, and to a Gu Immortal like Fang Yuan, they were filled with flaws.

As for the incoming fierce current, even though it had huge force, Fang Yuan's killer move easily opened a way through it.

By the time the two guards entered, they only saw Fang Yuan's receding figure entering the pool.

"This is a traitor!" One guard shouted furiously with bloodshot eyes: "The clan nurtured and raised you, how could you dare to do this?! Was your conscience eaten by the dogs? Die!"

He immediately attacked.

But the other guard quickly stopped him: "Are you crazy? What would we do if your move kills the Gu worms in the cavern? The important thing is to repair the defense as quickly as possible to reduce the losses. The smaller the losses, the lighter our punishment would be!"

That guard did not want to continue listening to the advice, he shook off his companion's arm.

"You repair the defenses, I will capture this thief!" He threw behind these words, before passing through the light membrane to chase Fang Yuan.

"An enemy?" Fang Yuan's heart tensed.

He was extremely vigilant, immediately sensing the guard entering the water.

But even if he sensed the guard, it was of no use.

Young Thieving Heaven was only rank one with a poor aptitude, having limited primeval essence that was almost finished after Fang Yuan repeatedly activated Gu worms.

Thus, even though Fang Yuan was a Gu Immortal, he had nothing to work with against the rank three guard.

"Thief, how dare you do this! Did you do this because you hated the clan for banishing you, or were you ordered by someone?" The chasing guard could speak even in water.

Fang Yuan held his breath and used all his strength to fight.

But in just two-three moves, he was captured by the guard.

The guard was full of hatred towards Fang Yuan, and seeing him still daring to retaliate, he immediately struck Fang Yuan's chest with his palm.

Fang Yuan's seven orifices started bleeding, the blood spreading in the pool.

"How could your filthy blood pollute my clan's spirit spring?" The rank three guard revealed hatred as he activated a Gu worm to collect all the blood.

"Damn it, I just had to run into a water path rank three Gu Master." Fang Yuan revealed a bitter smile, after being captured, he could not even budge and had to take the palm strike head-on, his soul suffering an unprecedented level of damage.

Fang Yuan endured the pain, after his soul stopped shaking, he carefully inspected it and was astonished.

"So powerful! This one strike cut down my soul foundation by fifty million!"

He thought rapidly, guessing: "There are few water path Gu Masters in Western Desert, was this person specially sent by the dream realm to target me? Fifty million man soul was immediately cut away. If it were anyone else, this one strike might have killed them! Even if it were me previously, with ninety million man soul foundation, over half of my soul would have been destroyed instantly in this situation. And this third stage has just started, the later events definitely look like they will be more problematic!"

Thinking of this, Fang Yuan could not help but rejoice that he had stably accumulated until two hundred million man soul before entering Thieving Heaven's dream realm.

He then continued to speculate: "If I had not rashly charged in and followed the dream realm development, there probably would not have been this kind of attack. But... by doing this, I likely spared myself of many steps in-between. This dream realm change is worth studying."

Fang Yuan explored the dream realm not only for theft path attainment, but also to accumulate experience and make exploring other dream realms more convenient.

Although the action this time was slightly risky, Fang Yuan had gained a lot.

He might be captured, but a flash of inspiration appeared in his mind, giving him new thoughts: "Wait a moment! This fifty million man soul foundation was not random. Other than soul path Gu Immortals, most other Gu Immortals don't even have such level of soul foundation. If other paths' Gu Immortals were to explore this dream realm of Thieving Heaven, what would happen?"

Fang Yuan thought of Tang Fang Ming, more accurately, he thought of the steal dream killer move that Tang Fang Ming created in his first life.

"In my first life, as dream realms continued to be explored, endless numbers of dream path Gu worms as well as dream path killer moves were created to provide targeted help against different dream realms."

"Thieving Heaven's dream realm has a huge demand on soul foundation, which absolutely could not be explored before the chaotic era. If an ordinary person were to explore it, they would need to have enough dream path accumulation. The best case would be to create a killer move related to dream and soul which can neutralize the corrosion of the soul in dream realm, or greatly reduce the corrosion!"

This dream realm of Thieving Heaven came from a Gu Immortal Venerable and was so huge, the difficulty of exploring it was extremely high. During the early and middle periods of the five regions chaotic war, it was simply a graveyard for Gu Immortals.

Fang Yuan was able to explore it by forcibly facing it with his soul foundation.

The most terrifying thing about this dream realm was the intense corrosion of the soul, but Fang Yuan directly crossed this hurdle with his robust soul foundation.

The spirit spring started burbling in the pool like it was boiling.

"What's going on?" The rank three guard was moving to the surface while holding Fang Yuan in one hand, when he saw this situation.

"Sure enough, my action greatly reduced the steps, I have already reached the most crucial juncture of the third stage!" Fang Yuan, however, was jubilant, his gaze shined brightly as he looked at the changes in the pool.