66 Muddying Immortal Gu and Second Aperture Gu

Qi Tian gently stroked the oval-shaped blue sapphire in his hand.

"Star Gate Gu... Finally, it's mine."

Ghostly Shadow once again entered Langya Blessed Land. As expected, the Langya Earth Spirit had successfully refined the Star Gate Gu and added it to its collection.

Since the Earth Spirit only allowed Gu worms to be exchanged for secret recipes, Ghostly Shadow traded a Rank Five secret recipe for the Star Gate Gu.

"Now that I have the Star Gate Gu, it's time to make a trip to Langya Blessed Land," Qi Tian thought.

With a slight expenditure of primeval essence, Fox Immortal activated the Star Gate Gu. The blue sapphire-like Gu floated gently into the air.

A swarm of Starfire Gu danced in the sky, emitting deep blue starlight. Drawn by the Star Gate Gu, the starlight converged to form a circular archway—brilliant as a dream, elegant as an illusion.

Qi Tian summoned a pack of Water Wolves and sent them through the Star Gate Gu to Northern Plains. Once Ghostly Shadow entered the Blessed Land, Qi Tian immediately shut the Star Gate.

The corresponding Star Gate Gu in Northern Plains fell to the ground, guarded at its center by the surrounding Water Wolves.

The entire process lasted less than ten breaths, but twenty-eight Starfire Gu had already perished.

---

Half a day later, the Star Gate Gu reopened, and Qi Tian arrived at Crescent Moon Lake. The ghostly spirit within him, Ghostly Son, remained hidden inside his body.

It was nighttime in Northern Plains. The sky was filled with countless stars, clear and cloudless.

Qi Tian led his wolf pack and rushed toward a stone forest. Using the arrangements left behind by the legendary Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable, he entered Langya Blessed Land.

Inside, an ocean of white clouds stretched endlessly, mist swirling and rising.

Among the clouds stood twelve magnificent pavilions, each adorned with ornate carvings and radiant paintings. Some had cranes soaring gracefully, others had Feathered Men spiraling through the air, some were surrounded by colorful clouds, and others carried the scent of sandalwood drifting through the mist.

"The soil here is as solid as real ground, yet far more fertile than mundane earth. Truly a sight befitting an immortal ancestor!"

It was Qi Tian's first time personally stepping into Langya Blessed Land, and he couldn't help but marvel at its grandeur. Even knowing that this was only the layer above the cloud sea, its luxury surpassed many other Blessed Lands.

---

"Hmm? So this is your true body?" The Earth Spirit's tone was questioning but filled with certainty.

"Indeed, I am Qi Tian." Qi Tian did not conceal his identity and stated his real name.

"You carry the aura of an Immortal Gu," the Earth Spirit narrowed its eyes, scrutinizing Qi Tian.

Ghostly Shadow released a Gu from within, which appeared in Qi Tian's hand.

"Spirit Travel Gu! It's actually Spirit Travel Gu! Do you wish to trade this, my friend?"

Langya Earth Spirit was overjoyed, dancing with excitement, its eyes locked greedily onto the Immortal Gu.

Ghostly Shadow, possessing Dao marks and adept at concealing its aura, had barely managed to suppress the Immortal Gu's presence, allowing them to pass through the Star Gate Gu undetected.

Qi Tian spoke without hesitation: "Immortal Gu are priceless. Naturally, I can only trade Gu for Gu—this is the standard rule of Immortal Gu transactions."

The Earth Spirit's face twitched. "That may be true, but your Spirit Travel Gu is quite impractical. It's merely an emergency escape tool. If you teleport into a volcano or the depths of the earth's core, you'd be seeking death."

Qi Tian never expected to exchange the Spirit Travel Gu for a particularly valuable Immortal Gu—it was all part of bargaining.

"Immortal Gu are unique. If you miss this chance, you won't find another. I know Langya Blessed Land houses quite a collection of Immortal Gu. My Spirit Travel Gu is a Rank Six Immortal Gu. I won't be greedy—just give me another Rank Six Immortal Gu in return."

"Hah! You wish! What use is Spirit Travel Gu to me besides refining it into something else?" The Earth Spirit cursed, listing many reasons.

"Do you want it or not?" Qi Tian dangled the Spirit Travel Gu before the Earth Spirit's eyes.

"I do! I want it more than anything!" The Earth Spirit's expression changed instantly to one of flattery.

Langya Earth Spirit was simple in its emotions—anger and joy were easily visible. Negotiating with it was much easier than dealing with humans.

"Fine, I'll compromise. I only want a consumable Rank Six Immortal Gu. Once I use it, you can refine it again. Isn't that right?" Qi Tian stated his final price.

"Fine, fine! Deal!" The Earth Spirit felt a victorious satisfaction.

With a wave of its hands, it summoned five Immortal Gu.

Qi Tian examined them one by one, finally settling his gaze on a single Gu—Muddying Immortal Gu.

"I'll take this one."

The exchange was swiftly completed. Qi Tian stored the Muddying Immortal Gu, having Ghostly Son swallow it instead of placing it in his aperture.

The Earth Spirit, delighted with its new Immortal Gu, suddenly turned to Qi Tian. "Do you have any other business? If not, please leave!"

Qi Tian chuckled. "Actually, I do. Earth Spirit, I have three chances to request Gu refinement from you, correct?"

The Earth Spirit frowned, eager to gather materials to refine Second Aperture Gu after obtaining Spirit Travel Gu. Being interrupted dampened its excitement.

"Yes, you are the successor of Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable. You have three chances to request Gu refinement. Whether success or failure, refining an Immortal Gu counts as one attempt. If it's a mortal Gu, I will ensure its completion."

Despite its irritation, the Earth Spirit had to explain.

"What Gu do you wish to refine?"

Five-rank Gu were of no concern to Qi Tian. He could refine them himself or purchase them from Treasure Yellow Heaven.

These three opportunities had to be used wisely—just as Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable did in the past—to refine three Immortal Gu.

However, refining Immortal Gu came with difficulties:

1. A secret recipe was required.

2. Success was not guaranteed—failure meant nothing gained.

3. As a mortal, Qi Tian could not fully wield Immortal Gu's power.

But he had already made his decision: he would refine Second Aperture Gu.

He had obtained the recipe from Fang Yuan's soul.

Moreover, by using Spirit Travel Gu in the refinement process, the difficulty was significantly reduced. With Langya Earth Spirit handling it, the success rate was high.

Finally, Second Aperture Gu was a consumable Gu, allowing Gu Masters to gain an additional aperture—perfect for Qi Tian's current stage.

As expected, the Earth Spirit's expression turned odd.

"Second Aperture Gu!?"

It had planned to refine this Gu itself. Yet now, Qi Tian was forcing it to use Spirit Travel Gu for the refinement, ultimately benefiting Qi Tian.

Qi Tian smirked, producing the secret recipe. "I have the recipe. We can start refining now, right?"

The Earth Spirit clenched its teeth. "Humans... You are all cunning and devious! I barely got my hands on Spirit Travel Gu, and now you're forcing me to refine Gu with it! I knew you had ulterior motives!"

Qi Tian laughed. "You're not being tricked by me—you're simply fulfilling Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's past promise. Now, shall we begin?"

The Earth Spirit was furious but had no choice.

Qi Tian, seizing the opportunity, requested to personally observe the refinement process—a rare privilege.

The Earth Spirit reluctantly agreed.

With thousands of elite Hairy Men assisting, the refinement process began...