After several months, the blessed land once again became full of vitality, with resource points that generated a considerable amount of income and wealth. With that, Fang Tian's period of organizing the blessed land and rebuilding its resource points after the earthly calamity finally came to an end.
He had purchased hundreds of Beggar Moth Gu to store primeval essence, along with several storage-type Gu worms, and prepared to leave the Southern Border. With a Rank Five middle-stage cultivation, very few things in the mortal world could threaten him.
However, in the eyes of Immortal Gu Masters, he was as insignificant as an ant.
"Master won't leave me again, right!? Master, we have rebuilt the blessed land, so why leave like this? You could stay and cultivate until you become a Rank Five peak-stage Gu Master. In that case, you would not be completely helpless before Immortal Gu Masters. Look, here is the entire Strength Path inheritance, along with my own achievements built over the years—you can cultivate it!"
The land spirit pleaded in every possible way, but Fang Tian had already made up his mind to depart.
"Land spirit, do not worry. I am only leaving for a few years. When I return, I will prepare for my immortal ascension—at that time even the heavenly tribulations will not be difficult to overcome… Also, I will leave behind the Wood Path inheritance along with methods for nurturing plants and managing resource points. That will ensure the continuation of everything we have built."
Fang Tian patted the land spirit's muscular shoulder and comforted it.
"If that is Master's will, then I can only wait."
Fang Tian nodded and checked his aperture, where many Gu worms were stored. Whether they were from Wood Path or other paths, his aperture also contained quite a number of Rank Five storage Gu. Inside these Gu worms were Gu food, refinement materials, and primeval stones.
Across various parts of his body were large numbers of Beggar Moth Gu, used to store his primeval essence. In general, Fang Tian had prepared himself thoroughly and possessed advantages that no ordinary Rank Five peak Gu Master had. Even if he faced several Rank Five Gu Masters, he was confident in defeating them—though not necessarily killing them.
"Land spirit, send me out of the blessed land, and try to place me as far away as possible from Mount Tie Li."
"Farewell, Master! Return safely!"
Fang Tian's vision gradually turned white before he was expelled from the blessed land. When the light faded and he could distinguish his surroundings, he immediately activated a movement-type Gu worm, transforming into a wooden root that burrowed into the earth.
He moved at incredible speed through the roots of trees and did not emerge again until he had traveled five hundred li. This speed was extremely high even for Rank Five peak Gu Masters. Of course, this ability was not absolute. It required tree roots to dive deep into the earth and move between them for travel.
If there were no tree roots, this ability would become useless. However, in the Southern Border, which was filled with forests, this ability was nearly absolute. But in the Eastern Sea, where trees were rare, the Western Desert, where trees were barely seen, and the Northern Plains, which stretched endlessly as grasslands, this ability was nearly worthless.
After all, there was never the strongest Gu worm—only the strongest Gu Master.
"But this is good. I have moved far enough north, though I still have a long journey before reaching the regional wall… Let's see, the closest regional wall to me is the Western Desert regional wall. The second closest is the Central Continent regional wall."
Fang Tian stopped where he was and took out a cotton-like Gu worm that resembled a golden cloud. This Gu worm was Rank Four and belonged to Cloud Path. Fang Tian poured a bit of his dark purple primeval essence into it. The golden cloud immediately expanded in his hand to several meters and became a soft cloud one could sit upon and fly.
Fang Tian jumped onto the golden cloud and relaxed within its soft folds, dividing his attention between controlling the cloud's flight and activating a large number of Bright Thought Gu to think.
"The Western Desert regional wall is closer to me, and traveling through the Western Desert is relatively easy. However, the climate there is unpleasant, and if I remember correctly, dangerous sandstorms appear from time to time. I might also encounter some arrogant clans there… Still, it is better than Central Continent. After all, Central Continent is ruled by the Ten Great Ancient Sects, which govern it with an iron grip. And as an otherworldly demon, it would probably not be safe for me to go there."
The golden cloud flew at a decent speed and high above the ground. With the Rank Five aura emanating from Fang Tian, beast groups avoided him instinctively. After all, even beasts possessed survival instincts. Fang Tian deliberately did not conceal his cultivation and allowed his aura to remain exposed to deal with troublesome beasts.
However, that aura attracted the attention of a Rank Five Gu Master cultivating on a remote mountain.
"Kheheh! Fellow Daoist, could you stop for a moment!"
A loud voice interrupted Fang Tian's thoughts. He immediately straightened his posture and looked toward the Rank Five Gu Master floating in the air before him.
This Gu Master had bluish-green skin, a hunched back, and bone protrusions outlining parts of his body, making him look like a broken puppet that had never been repaired. He wore a ragged red robe, giving him the appearance of a beggar, while a foul odor emanated from him.
Moreover, his nose was in a miserable state—its flesh had rotted away until the bones were exposed, while streams of poisonous mucus flowed from it. With his messy black hair, his appearance was unpleasant to behold.
However, Fang Tian did not focus on his disgusting appearance but rather on his cultivation level.
"Hoho, a Rank Five upper-stage Gu Master. What do I owe this brother for being stopped like this?"
The Gu Master sniffed the mucus and drew it back into his nose before speaking in a grating voice.
"Fellow Daoist… you passed over my territory. All Rank Five Gu Masters know this mountain belongs to me, so I merely ask the younger brother for a small toll for passing over my land."
Fang Tian laughed at this Gu Master's face, causing the Rank Five upper-stage Gu Master to frown and scowl.
But Fang Tian's next question surprised him.
"Fellow Daoist—or should I say brother—I am somewhat ignorant, so tell me, what is your name?"
"I am Nian Du Mo! The Lord of the—"
Nian Du Mo was interrupted before he could finish his sentence as Fang Tian launched his attack.
Killer Move — Roots Growing from the Sky!
The sky across an entire square kilometer turned gray… No, the sky was not gray—it was simply filled with countless gray vines.
"So many! This killer move definitely uses a Rank Five Gu as its core, and it consumes a large number of thoughts. He must be focusing on offense rather than defense."
Nian Du Mo dodged swiftly within the sea of gray vines chasing him and charged toward Fang Tian while activating one of his Gu worms.
"Poison Mucus Gu!"
Streams of mucus poured from Nian Du Mo's nose. This mucus was transparent and looked like water, but the stench coming from it was revolting. When the streams of mucus struck the vines, they dissolved them instantly. The vines had no ability to resist the poisonous mucus.
Nian Du Mo laughed and rushed toward Fang Tian, who was now floating in the air with two wooden wings behind him. When Nian Du Mo came within one hundred meters of Fang Tian, his heart sank as Fang Tian activated another killer move.
Killer Move — Sharp Bamboo Staff!
A long piece of bamboo formed in the air with a dangerous aura and shot toward Nian Du Mo, piercing through his chest and impaling him into the ground. A shockwave spread for several kilometers around them from the strike, causing the surrounding beasts to flee.
Nian Du Mo did not die immediately. He struggled for a moment, attempting to escape the long bamboo pinning him to the ground, but it was useless. The bamboo was extremely sturdy and stable like a mountain. Even Rank Five Poison Mucus Gu could not dissolve it.
"How does he possess so many Rank Five Gu worms!? I spent ten years just to obtain Poison Mucus Gu, yet this bastard owns so many! This is unfair!"
Nian Du Mo died feeling both resentment and jealousy toward Fang Tian.
"This disgusting fool was truly stupid… When I revealed a dangerous killer move at the beginning, he should have retreated. Instead, he clung to his useless pride and died because of it."
Fang Tian sighed, returned to his golden cloud, and continued his journey.