Chapter 2346 – Fragments (4)

Fang Yuan sat cross-legged within a hollowed stone chamber, buried deep beneath a remote tributary of Reverse Flow River. Around him, walls of defensive formations flickered faintly, shielding this secluded space from the investigative senses of the outside world. The battlefield above had long since fallen silent, but the surroundings were now filled with mist.

Suspended before him were two Gu worms.

One was a moth with a scorched left wing, its body shaped like an hourglass. The other resembled a hardened cocoon wrapped in flickering light, its form partially crystalline. These were the two fragments of Memory Eclipse Gu.

Now, they hovered side by side.

Fang Yuan's gaze was unwavering.

"The resonance is increasing."

He activated a refinement formation. Streaks of materials floated beside the Gu worms as he began the refinement. The fragments pulsed in response. The left wing quivered; the thorax released soft vibrations.

Without a sound, they drew closer.

Suddenly, a pulse of resistance surged outward. Fang Yuan's expression remained calm. He suppressed the chaotic dao marks instantly, ensuring the process continued without deviation.

Moments later, the fragments merged.

The resulting Gu worm hovered before him. It looked like a half-formed moth. It had one completed wing, a refined thorax, and a partially formed right wing still looked crippled. Despite its incomplete state, the Gu worm's aura had transformed.

Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes.

"The dao marks have changed."

Before fusion, Memory Eclipse Gu had exhibited soul path and time path dao marks. But now, refinement path marks had emerged, forming a layered pattern along the thorax. Even more peculiar, some marks resisted classification entirely – neither belonging to any orthodox path, nor chaotic enough to resemble variant path marks.

"Unknown dao marks. No, they can be partially defined."

He watched carefully.

This change was significant. Most Gu worms displayed a dominant path, with only rare exceptions blending dao marks harmoniously. Memory Eclipse Gu, however, seemed to actively resist definition.

"Red Lotus made this Gu in order to erase his legacy," Fang Yuan thought. "But if its path cannot be defined, then what kind of logic governs its power?"

He reached out with a tendril of will.

The Gu worm trembled slightly in his palm. Its aura seeped into the will, but instead of interacting with the Gu worm, the will simply faded; forgotten, as though it had never been conjured.

The memory of the will's existence was gone. Even Fang Yuan had to pause to remember whether he had summoned it just now.

"So that's the drawback."

It did not harm the user directly. Instead, it severed context and connection. Anything lightly bound to memory or meaning could be silently erased.

He lowered the Gu worm into a sealing formation.

"I can withstand this. But I must remain alert. If the third fragment is obtained too hastily, the erosion may deepen."

Fang Yuan's eyes flickered with thought.

The two fragments had been retrieved under different circumstances. One during a quiet investigation, the other amid a chaotic clash of Venerables. Yet both had ultimately fallen into his hands. He had exerted strength, but so had the others. Compared to their defenses and persistence, the acquisition felt… smooth.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Too smooth."

A sliver of doubt emerged, but he did not dwell on it. Even if this was part of someone else's plan, it made no difference now. He had the Gu worm. He would master it.

He turned his gaze to the projection on the opposite wall. Dozens of investigative methods were still processing. Within moments, one image pulsed.

A region filled with blackened roots and scorched boulders. Much of the terrain had melted into glassy stone, hinting at lingering fire path traces. Above, the sky was choked with black clouds that never moved, casting a permanent shadow.

This was Ashen Grotto — a lifeless zone situated between Central Continent and Southern Border. Even desolate beasts avoided this place, as the environment lacked survivability and remained without any signs of life throughout the years.

But now, a faint resonance was detected – one that matched the vibration pattern from Memory Eclipse Gu.

"The third fragment is there."

Fang Yuan stood up slowly.

The battle was only beginning. He had taken two steps. The remaining path would be more treacherous. Star Constellation was no longer staying passive. Giant Sun had suffered losses, yet still stalked forward. Red Lotus and Spectral Soul moved in the shadows.

"Their eyes will all be on the next fragment."

Fang Yuan walked into the mist and vanished.