Almost All the Great 10 Sects

— — — — — — —

Southern Border — Shang Clan

"My lady, do you still miss him?" a maid asked gently, her voice full of concern.

"Mm."

This Lady was breathtaking, like a vision from a dream. Her silky black hair tumbled over her shoulders like a flowing river of night.

Her eyes were clear and bright. Her skin was flawless, pale as fresh snow, and her soft pink lips carried a faint, innocent smile that could melt even the coldest heart.

She was Shang Xin Ci— a real beauty.

"Lady Xin Ci, don't worry," the maid said, trying to comfort her. "That lord is definitely fine. I'm sure he'll come to see you soon."

Shang Xin Ci stayed quiet. In the depths of her heart, a familiar figure surfaced—a man she treasured more than anything else in this world. Just one thought filled her mind: If only I could see him now... how wonderful that would be.

The maid's eyes lit up with excitement as she went on, "Word is, he refined two Immortal Gu all by himself! Just a rumor about him is worth more than a Rank 5 Gu Master's fortune now!"

Shang Xin Ci's lips moved again, her voice soft and full of longing. "I hope... he's safe."

Standing nearby, Feng Tian Yu couldn't hold himself back anymore. "Lord Fang Yuan is invincible! He's so amazing, nothing in this world can stop him!"

"You should've seen him refining those two Immortal Gu like it was nothing!"

"I'm telling you, Lord Fang Yuan is gonna be the next Refinement Venerable, no doubt! And if he's not—" Feng Tian Yu threw his hands up dramatically, "—then it must mean the world's already ended!"

He wasn't done yet.

"Honestly, I don't think you guys even get how incredible he is. Let me tell you again exactly how he refined the Immortal Gu, starting from the very beginning—"

The maid interrupted, rolling her eyes. "STOP! We know how great the lord is, alright? Do you have to tell us the same story for, what, the hundredth time?"

Feng Tian Yu was the ultimate fanboy of Fang Yuan right now.

Back at the Three Kings Inheritance, Fang Yuan had asked him to help with refining the Gu, then later sent him to inherit King Xin's Refinement legacy. He even promised Feng Tian Yu a shot at immortality—if he stayed by Shang Xin Ci's side and protected her as a reward.

But honestly? None of that was why Feng Tian Yu turned into such a hardcore fan.

It was witnessing the refining of the Immortal Gu itself that made him completely lose his mind for Fang Yuan.

"Umm... Feng Tian Yu," Shang Xin Ci said softly, "could you tell the story again? I'd really like to hear it."

Even though she had heard it a lot, it was the last connection she had with Fang Yuan.

It was clear that her love for him was pure and deep—a rare and precious thing in a world as ruthless as theirs.

It was the kind of love that defied all reason and logic. If the legendary Rank 9 Love Gu was here at that moment, it would surely resonate with her emotions, recognizing the intensity of her devotion.

Her feelings were unmatched—an impossible, burning light in the darkness of the Gu world.

"Hmph! See? Lady Xin Ci knows how great the story is! Unlike you," Feng Tian Yu said, shooting a smug look at the annoyed maid. "You don't deserve to hear about Lord Fang Yuan's greatness anymore. Get out!"

The maid looked at Shang Xin Ci, getting her permission before finally leaving.

Feng Tian Yu then proudly began telling the story again—this time from the very beginning: how he first met Fang Yuan, how Fang Yuan helped him get King Xin's Refinement inheritance, how Fang Yuan promised him a path to immortality just to protect Shang Xin Ci.

Every time Feng Tian Yu reached that part of the story, Shang Xin Ci would smile shyly and blush, as if somewhere deep in her heart she believed Fang Yuan also cared for her.

As Feng Tian Yu spoke about the immortal refining, Shang Xin Ci turned to gaze out the window, her thoughts drifting far away.

"Where are you now...?" she wondered. "I hope you're safe..."

— — —

A few days later

Almost every immortal in Central Continent had now heard the news about Fang Yuan— about how he refined two Immortal Gu to how the Crane Sect lied that he was one of them.

They even got their hands on Gu that played back the entire scene of Fang Yuan's immortal refining like a recording. How? Through the memories of the mortal spectators who had witnessed it firsthand.

At first, Fang Yuan had just been a mortal, so the immortals hadn't bothered to waste their resources. They didn't want to spend precious immortal materials or buy information through Treasure Yellow Heaven just to investigate an ordinary mortal.

Plus, since the Immortal Crane Sect had announced Fang Yuan was one of their own, everyone simply figured he used a method from the Crane Sect.

As for the Immortal Crane Sect? They were stuck.

They couldn't risk using Treasure Yellow Heaven to clarify things, either. If they tried, the truth would get exposed: that they had lied.

The wisdom path immortals of the other sects were already suspicious, and if that lie got confirmed, the Crane Sect would instantly become the public enemy of the entire Central Continent.

Well, thanks to Fang Yuan, that had basically already happened anyway.

So now, every sect, every immortal, could clearly see Fang Yuan's terrifying potential. A mortal — a Rank 4 mortal — refining not one but two Immortal Gu? Unbelievable.

They had never seen anything like it before.

---

Central Continent — Hu Blessed Land

Today, the Hu Blessed Land was unusually lively. Immortals from all Ten Great Ancient Sects had gathered here.

All of them were here for one reason: to invite Fang Yuan to join their sect.

Only the Immortal Crane Sect was absent.

The other nine sects had already turned against it, demanding compensation and sanctions. The Crane Sect was under heavy pressure now, truly becoming the public enemy after Fang Yuan's statement.

...

"Hmm... This formation of yours is incredible, Sir Fang Yuan," said Zhang Ji from the Black Heaven Temple.

"Indeed," another immortal from the Myriad Dragon Dock agreed. "It seems you're not just a master of refinement, but of formation path as well. Amazing."

Spread across the Blessed Land, a huge, complex formation buzzed with a terrifying aura, making even the immortals feel uneasy.

And nearby, the Green Claw Ghost-Winged Lion lounged casually, radiating pressure.

Fang Yuan just smiled and knew it was time.

He stood up and said with a calm smile, "Thank you all for coming to see me today. I'm truly honored."

"I already know why you're here," he continued. "And I'm open to hearing all offers."

The group fell silent, each waiting for someone else to speak first.

Among the group, Feng Jiu Ge sat quietly, watching Fang Yuan with a complicated expression.

It still felt unreal — not long ago, Fang Yuan had been just a weak mortal. Now, he sat here, getting the attention of all the great powers of Central Continent.

Finally, Feng Jiu Ge broke the silence, frowning slightly. "Fang Yuan, before we get into anything else, you need to explain a few things."

"How exactly did you ascend to immortality? We know for sure you didn't undergo the immortal ascension process here inside the Blessed Land."

"So, how did you leave as a mortal? Sure, using a Fixed Travel Gu with the Land Spirit's help is possible... but after teleporting, how could you hide the immoral aura of the Gu? That kind of energy should've been sensed immediately by nearby immortals. And how did you return here afterward without being caught?"

Feng Jiu Ge's gaze sharpened. "Did you even have a proper immortal ascension? Or were you already an immortal all along, just disguising yourself somehow?"

"Honestly, Fang Yuan... there's so much about you that doesn't add up."

.

.

.

(A/N: Yo, just a small question — would it be better if Fang Yuan had a harem, or should Shang Xin Ci be enough?

Just so you know, Xin Ci will have a big role in the story, and honestly, if I add other women, they probably will be just a number ig.

Right now, I'm leaning toward making it just Xin Ci for the MC, but I wanted to hear your opinions!)