43 The Plan for Spreading the Bad Reputation Begins, Heroes Save Beauties to Gain Fame

South Border

Fang Yuan and Bai Ningbing had been trekking for a while, and the closer they got to the Three-Pronged Mountain, the more they encountered demonic Gu Masters.

When facing obstructing demonic Gu Masters, there was only one word: "Kill."

Even if they weren't causing trouble, Fang Yuan wouldn't spare them.

Both were rank-four Gu Masters, but they concealed their cultivation with concealment Gu, unknowingly slaughtering countless people along the way.

Their fame as the "Black and White Twin Devils" and the "Beast King" spread quickly.

The Three-Pronged Mountain's Three Kings' inheritance had already made waves in the South Border for several months, attracting countless figures vying to show their faces.

"Kill. Only by killing can one establish a reputation. Only by frightening these people to the core can we ensure they won't easily provoke us," Fang Yuan's strategy was clear.

Fang Yuan knew well: when traveling, reputation is crucial.

By building a bloody reputation, he would greatly benefit his future plans.

For Fang Yuan, every stage of development required a corresponding strategy.

When weak, one must be low-key, working in secret, enduring and waiting for the right moment. When strong, one should spread their name, take action when needed, and make others fear and respect them.

Sometimes, a reputation is a more powerful weapon than strength itself.

Good deeds rarely get noticed, but bad ones spread far and wide.

By the time one arrives, their name precedes them.

Now, everyone knew that there were two rising stars in the demonic path—both rank-four geniuses—who were making their way to the Three-Pronged Mountain, killing at every turn. They were figures not to be taken lightly.

This infamous reputation kept many Gu Masters at bay, allowing Fang Yuan and Bai Ningbing to travel smoothly without trouble.

And this was just the first step in Fang Yuan's plan.

"There are many Gu in the Three Kings' inheritance that I need. As long as I obtain them, my power Gu worms will be greatly enhanced, providing tremendous help in my quest to reach rank-five and dominate the world," Fang Yuan thought.

"Calculating the time, the Fox Immortal's blessed land in Central Continent should be opening soon. White Fox Immortal is a rank-six Gu Immortal, and her inheritance is much more complete and powerful than the Three Kings' inheritance. Too bad I'm not in Central Continent... Even if I were, I'm not a disciple of the top ten sects, so I can't participate in the Heavenly Ladder competition. What a pity..."

Fang Yuan glanced toward the Central Continent, then continued walking.

Bai Ningbing walked silently beside him, wearing a snow-white robe that fluttered like silver, her blue eyes cold and deep.

"The Medicine Master freed me from the poison oath's shackles, and I've contacted the Tie family. This time, with Tie Ruonan's support, we've set up a trap. Let's see how you break it," Bai Ningbing said.

"It's been a long time since I was revived on Qingmao Mountain. From that moment, I started thinking about how to return to my male form. A true man must be able to bend and stretch. As long as I get the Yang Gu, even if I'm used for a while, what does it matter?" Bai Ningbing continued.

"You are the one who gave me hope of obtaining the Yang Gu, only to take it away again. I, Bai Ningbing, am no ordinary woman. How could I be someone else's subordinate?"

"From the moment I chose Ice Crystal Gu as my life Gu, I quietly laid the groundwork. Finally, the opportunity has arrived. Fang Yuan! Thank you for the wonderful years you've brought me. The Three-Pronged Mountain will be the place of your end."

"But Fang Yuan has Gu worms that can foresee the future. Will this trap succeed?"

...

Central Continent

On the sea of clouds, the wind howled.

Thousands of flying cranes flapped their wings in unison.

Qi Tian, Fang Zheng, and other elite disciples from the Crane Sect stood on or sat on the backs of the flying cranes, heading toward the Heavenly Ladder Mountain.

"Fang Zheng, you've made great progress recently. You have a natural talent for controlling cranes. When we get to the Heavenly Ladder Mountain, you'll surely shine!" Qi Tian said.

As he spoke, he used a Gu worm. Despite the howling winds around them, his voice reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Senior Qi Tian, you flatter me. The top ten sects in the Central Continent are all deep-rooted. I'm sure there are many talented people among them. Among us, the only one who can truly rival the top disciples is probably you. I might only make it to the second tier. Thank you for your guidance," Fang Zheng replied respectfully.

"You don't need to thank me. Looking after fellow disciples is natural, and your rapid progress is due to your own efforts. It's no wonder the Sect Leader sent you out as an elite disciple so soon."

"Yes! Fang Zheng, your hard work and dedication have inspired us all."

"Fang Zheng, your progress is amazing. You're naturally gifted at controlling cranes. Before, you just lacked practice, but with time, you'll definitely surpass Sun Yuanhua," other elite disciples added, sincerely praising him.

Fang Zheng smiled faintly. With the guidance of the Crane Lord's soul and a huge flock of cranes supporting him, it was no wonder he made such progress.

But he truly admired Qi Tian. From the Crane Lord's perspective, Qi Tian's talent was one of the best he had ever seen.

During this time, Fang Zheng had privately asked Qi Tian about Fang Yuan. He learned that Qi Tian was also from the South Border and had visited Qingmao Mountain, where he met Fang Yuan briefly.

This connection made Fang Zheng feel closer to Qi Tian. It made sense—Fang Zheng was young, his family destroyed, and leaving his homeland; encountering a fellow Southerner in a foreign land certainly felt like a stroke of luck.

"Brother, do you see this? I now have a teacher who guides me, and so many loving senior brothers. My strength has greatly improved! The next time we meet, I won't lose to you again!"

"I'll avenge my family, my uncle and aunt, my clan leader, Lord Qing Shu, and Shen Cui!"

Fang Zheng secretly encouraged himself. This goal had been his driving force for the past two years.

...

After some time, the Iron-feather and Iron-beak flying cranes began calling out.

Qi Tian, Fang Zheng, and the others understood immediately.

"Alright. The time has come, we'll land and feed the cranes," Qi Tian said, stamping his foot. Under his control, the Iron-feather crane flock began descending through the clouds.

Fang Zheng followed closely behind, guiding the Iron-beak crane flock.

Soon, they were surrounded by a sea of white mist.

Quickly, the mist cleared as the group descended with the cranes, landing on the lush, green ground.

The cranes needed food, and the larger the flock, the more food was required. Luckily, the Iron-feather and Iron-beak cranes could eat anything—even small stones—so they were easy to feed.

Qi Tian and Fang Zheng had two enormous flocks of cranes, but it was a bit of a hassle. Every so often, they had to fly to the ground to feed them.

"Hey, there's a battle down below!" One of the elite disciples called out.

Everyone soon noticed an unusual scene below.

Four demonic Gu Masters surrounded three female Gu Masters, slowly closing in on them.

"Ugh, it's those four perverts." An elite disciple said with disgust.

They were the infamous perverts from the original story, and Qi Tian thought to himself, "Should I seize this opportunity?"

He knew how important reputation was. If you were in the demonic path, you just needed to kill to build a fearsome name. But the righteous path was different—creating a good reputation was crucial.

"Save the day, do good deeds for as long as possible," Qi Tian thought. With his current identity, he couldn't just stand by and watch.

Although saving the beautiful Bixia Fairy would make him some enemies, Qi Tian wasn't concerned.

Why? Because he had the strength to handle it!

With his peak four-turn cultivation, Qi Tian was one of the top disciples in the major sects. With twenty thousand flying cranes, excellent Gu worms, and hundreds of years of battle experience, he was nearly invincible among rank-four Gu Masters.

Only a few, like Feng Jinhuang, Xiao Qixing, and Ying Shengji, could stand up to him.

So, Qi Tian didn't have to worry.

These four perverts had been lurking in the Central Continent, all with rank-four cultivation. Together, they could even challenge rank-five Gu Masters.

"Look, it's Bixia Fairy from the Tianlian Sect!" An elite disciple called out with sharp eyes.

"Humph, demons must be eradicated!" After a moment of thought, Qi Tian decided to rescue the beauty and gain a righteous reputation in Central Continent. He cried out, and with a mighty flap of his wings, his crane flock charged down.

"Hehehe, Bixia Fairy, today you cannot escape!"

"I didn't expect such good luck today. I'll get to enjoy Bixia Fairy's favor. Even if I get injured, it'll be worth it."

The four perverts grinned as they moved closer to the three female Gu Masters from Tianlian Sect.

"Curse them," Bixia Fairy gritted her teeth, heavily injured, and unable to break free.

Just as she was about to give up hope and end her life, the sound of a thousand cranes echoed through the air.

"Who is it?" the four perverts called in unison, looking up.

"Elite disciple of the Crane Sect, Qi Tian!" Qi Tian stood tall on the back of the Iron-feather Crane King and shouted.

He stood proudly on the crane's back, looking down on the four perverts, then pointed at them.

Behind him, nearly twenty thousand Iron-feather cranes soared down like arrows, charging at the four perverts.

"My god, so many cranes!"

"It's the elite disciple from the top ten sect, the Crane Sect..."

"Bad news, we're injured. We're no match for them, retreat!"

The four perverts, realizing the situation, quickly turned and fled, disappearing from sight.

"These demonic scum, they may not do anything else, but they sure run fast," the elite disciples laughed.

"Are you alright?" Qi Tian stepped down from the crane's back and walked to Bixia Fairy.

"I... I'm fine... Thank you, Qi Tian, for saving me!" Bixia Fairy looked at Qi Tian with flushed cheeks, her eyes full of admiration.

She had thought she would perish, but instead, a hero had come to save her.

Qi Tian's heroic rescue left a lasting impression on Bixia Fairy.