Chapter 116 - Chapter 123: Hegemon Immortal

Central Continent, the Great Love Blessed Land was vast and expansive.Inside the Yuan Fang Hall at this moment, the atmosphere was as heavy as ice, as if even the air had frozen still; only the Gu worms on the bluestone platform emitted a faint metallic luster.Yuan Fang sat cross-legged on a jade mat, with dozens of Relic Gu neatly arranged on the bluestone platform around him.Rank One Bronze Sarira Gu, Rank Two Red Iron Relic Gu, Rank Three Silver Sarira Gu, Rank Four Gold Relic Gu, and even Rank Five Purple Crystal Relic Gu.They were categorized and arranged in an orderly fashion, without the slightest hint of clutter.Relic Gu were precious treasures for a Gu Master's cultivation, capable of rapidly increasing their cultivation level.To Gu Masters with mediocre Aptitude, Relic Gu were a Heaven-Defying shortcut; they were treasures that poor, ordinary Gu Masters could spend their entire lives toiling and risking their lives for, yet still struggle to obtain even one.If such a large quantity and complete range of Relic Gu were to leak out, it would surely cause countless Gu Masters to fight with bloodshot eyes, triggering a bloodbath.But for Yuan Fang, these treasures that others scrambled for were merely common cultivation resources to be used at will, without any need for stinginess.One must know that to the powerful and aloof Gu Immortals, who were as elusive as divine dragons, such Relic Gu were at most ordinary gu materials, far from being enough to tempt them.In Treasure Yellow Heaven, the largest online trading market in the Gu Immortal world of the Five Regions and Two Heavens, Gu worms that could change the fate of an ordinary Mortal Gu Master—such as the Rank One wine worm or Rank One white boar gu—could be sold by the ton, with prices so low they weren't even worth the price of cabbage.The world of difference between Mortals and Gu Immortals could be seen from this.At this moment, Yuan Fang's cultivation in his third aperture was still at Rank One initial stage. With a flick of his finger, three Rank One Bronze Sarira Gu flew into the aperture, slowly dissolving into the primeval essence within the Purple Mansion primeval sea, transforming into cultivation for Yuan Fang's third aperture.In just a few moments, his cultivation crossed the middle and upper stages without any hindrance, coming to a steady halt at Rank One Peak.The effect of Relic Gu was limited to breaking through minor Realms; once Rank One Peak was reached, they no longer provided any improvement.Yuan Fang could only concentrate, discard distracting thoughts, and circulate the primeval essence within his aperture, repeatedly and violently washing against the aperture walls of Rank One Peak.With the assistance of bone flesh reunion gu and other supporting Gu worms, this washing lasted only a few short hours before the primeval essence in the aperture accumulated to the extreme, crashing through the barrier of the aperture walls and successfully stepping into Rank Two initial stage.Yuan Fang raised his hand again, and three Rank Two Red Iron Relic Gu flew precisely into his third aperture. Just like before, his cultivation crossed the middle and upper stages, reaching Rank Two Peak directly.Upon reaching this level, the effect of the Relic Gu failed again, and he had to once more mobilize his primeval essence, using the ordinary methods of Gu Master cultivation to steadily assault the aperture walls of Rank Two Peak.Repeating this cycle: Rank One, Rank Two, Rank Three...The Relic Gu pushed him through the minor Realms all the way, and he would break through the aperture barriers himself upon reaching the Peak. The speed of his cultivation progress was enough to leave any Mortal Gu Master dumbfounded.In just one night, Yuan Fang's cultivation in his third aperture steadily remained at Rank Three Peak.In the third aperture, the Snow Silver Primeval Essence was thick and abundant, filling ninety-nine percent of the Purple Mansion primeval sea's surface, nearly filling the entire aperture; his cultivation was incredibly solid.Just as Yuan Fang broke through to Rank Three Peak, a strange and majestic surge of fluctuations rose within his body.Yuan Fang's originally near-perfect ninety-nine percent primeval sea actually completed its final sliver at this moment, reaching ten percent Perfection. His own Aptitude also broke through its shackles, leaping from A-grade ninety-nine percent to the Ten Extremes Physique.The Ten Extremes Physique is the top cultivation Foundation in the world, a rare existence even across the entire Five Regions and Two Heavens, encountered only once in a century.Years ago, the Prodigy of Bai Family Village on Qing Mao Mountain, Bai Ning Bing, had unknowingly leaped from A-grade aptitude to achieve a Ten Extremes Physique during her daily cultivation—specifically, the Northern Darkness Ice Soul Body, which was extremely suitable for her.Yuan Fang understood in his heart that what he had achieved through this Opportunity was the Great Strength True Martial Body, known for its strength among the Ten Extremes Physiques, and the most suitable for Strength Path cultivation.Subsequently, Yuan Fang followed the cultivation method most suited for the Great Strength True Martial Body, changing the vital immortal gu of his third aperture to the All-Out Effort Immortal Gu.This Gu did not originally belong to him; it was the vital Gu of the second aperture of our Great Love Sect's Supreme Grand Elder, Lord Fang Yuan.Considering the overall layout of the Great Love Sect and his own future cultivation plans, and knowing that Yuan Fang had achieved the Great Strength True Martial Body, Fang Yuan realized that the compatibility of the All-Out Effort Immortal Gu with the Strength Path and the Great Strength True Martial Body far exceeded his own.Fang Yuan took the initiative to give this immortal gu to Yuan Fang to assist him in cultivating the Strength Path.Meanwhile, Fang Yuan made a different replacement, changing the vital Gu of his second aperture to the Rank Seven Golden Hammer Immortal Gu, which was more suitable for the cultivation route of his second aperture.Yuan Fang had not originally decided on a direction for his third aperture's cultivation path; he had thought about cultivating Transformation Path, studying Space Path, or choosing Wood Path, or even seeking other unconventional Immortal Paths without restriction.But now that he had achieved the Great Strength True Martial Body, the one that best suited his Physique, could most rapidly increase his combat power, and compensate for his weaknesses was undoubtedly the incomparably fierce Strength Path.Strength Path cultivation emphasizes a powerful Physical Body and overbearing, unstoppable strength.This cultivation method happened to compensate for his fatal weakness of being unaccustomed to close-quarters combat and having weak physical defense.Yuan Fang was well aware of this and immediately decided on the Strength Path cultivation route for his third aperture.After receiving the boost from the Great Strength True Martial Body, Yuan Fang's cultivation speed reached another level; circulating primeval essence and assaulting aperture walls became twice as efficient.In just a short time, Yuan Fang relied on the Relic Gu and his newly acquired Great Strength True Martial Body to steadily step into Rank Five Peak.Rank Five Peak is already the top-tier combat power and the ultimate existence in the cultivation journey of Mortal Gu Masters.And Rank Five Peak is only one step away from the legendary Gu Immortal Realm. However, for a Gu Master to become a Gu Immortal is as difficult as ascending to heaven.Furthermore, the cultivation methods of Gu Immortals are vastly different from those of Gu Masters, a world of difference. For a Gu Master to become a Gu Immortal, they must shatter their aperture and undergo tribulation, a process filled with dangers where survival is nearly impossible.However, Yuan Fang had already achieved the Gu Immortal Realm; this time was merely to increase the cultivation of his third aperture.Moreover, Yuan Fang already had Rank Seven cultivation, which is considered the backbone among Gu Immortals.As for combat power, although Yuan Fang only had Rank Seven cultivation, he was a figure like Feng Jiu Ge or Qin Bai Sheng, possessing the terrifying power to rival Rank Eight Gu Immortals.Now that he was a Rank Seven Gu Immortal with Rank Eight combat power, ordinary Heavenly Tribulations and Earthly Tribulations were naturally not worth mentioning.Even the famous Faceless Hand or Profound Yin Flying Frost among the ten great disasters only posed a threat to ordinary Gu Masters Undergoing Tribulation or low-rank Gu Immortals.To him, they were simply not worth mentioning.Therefore, the mere Immortal Ascension Tribulation of the Great Strength True Martial Body was as easy as pie for the current Yuan Fang.(Just kidding; in fact, Yuan Fang could do it even without hands.)Subsequently, he changed into an inconspicuous set of ordinary gray clothes, completely restrained his Gu Immortal aura, and hid all of his cultivation and aura. Disguised as an ordinary Gu Master, he quietly slipped into the Northern Icy Plains, preparing to undergo his crucial Immortal Ascension Tribulation here.The Immortal Ascension Tribulation of a Ten Extremes Physique is far more powerful than that of an ordinary Gu Master, but in Yuan Fang's eyes now, it was not a threat.Moreover, the terrain of the Northern Icy Plains is very special; it wasn't naturally formed but was created by Reckless Savage Demon Venerable.Therefore, the ground of the Northern Icy Plains is filled year-round with kuang mans true intent. When a Gu Master undergoes tribulation here, the disaster will be influenced by kuang mans true intent and undergo a mutation; disasters like the Faceless Hand will definitely not appear.Most likely, it would only be a Desolate Beast Tribulation, or the even more dangerous Ancient Desolate Beast Tribulation.Sure enough, before long, calamity clouds rolled and gathered in the sky, the dark layers of clouds pressing extremely low, and the heaven and earth Origin Qi became restless.When the calamity clouds gathered to the extreme, a massive figure accompanied by bursts of cold air crashed down; an Ancient Desolate Beast completely covered in thick ice crystals appeared on the icy plains.This was the notoriously famous Ice and Snow Path Ancient Desolate Beast—Ice Waterfall Divine Ape.This ape was dozens of chang tall, with knotted and tight muscles, every inch containing the brute force to shatter mountains and crack rocks.The ice crystal fur on the Ice Waterfall Divine Ape shimmered with cold light, exuding a shivering chill, and was incredibly hard.Its giant palm slammed onto the ground, and on the vast, hard icy plains, a bottomless giant pit was instantly formed, with ice chips flying everywhere, showing astonishing power.Seeing this, Yuan Fang's lips curled slightly, and with a calm expression, he raised his hand and activated his Rank Seven Sword Path Immortal Killer Move, Giant Sword Art.In the next moment, a sharp giant sword surrounded by fierce Sword Qi appeared out of thin air above Yuan Fang's head. The sword blade continuously absorbed the white lychee immortal essence from Yuan Fang's immortal aperture, rapidly growing larger.The sword blade emitted a faint green light, like a rainbow garment covering it with a layer of light film, brewing an endless and terrifying power.The Sword Qi was biting, causing the surrounding air to turn cold.When the giant sword grew to a certain critical point and its power accumulated to the Peak, Yuan Fang's finger dropped, and the giant sword instantly pierced through the air, carrying a momentum that could crush anything in its path, accurately slashing onto the broad chest of the Ice Waterfall Divine Ape.A piercingly shrill wail echoed across the icy plains. The massive body of the Ice Waterfall Divine Ape simply could not withstand the power of this single sword strike; it exploded on the spot, shattering into a sky full of ice crystals.Immediately after, these ice crystals reconsolidated, transforming into dozens of agile Six-Winged Heavenly Horses with wings that blotted out the sun.These Six-Winged Heavenly Horses all raised their heads and neighed, charging madly toward Yuan Fang.And beyond this group of Six-Winged Heavenly Horses, at the edge of the battlefield, two figures appeared on the Northern Icy Plains, flying rapidly through the air.Of these two, one was an ordinary Mortal Gu Master with cultivation at Rank One Peak, who seemed to practice Strength Path and was the apprentice of the other person.As for the other person, he was recognized at a glance by Yuan Fang's investigative Killer Move, primarily due to the terrifying Strength Path aura emanating from him.A Rank Seven Strength Path Gu Immortal!Hegemon Immortal!!Chu Du!!!Chu Du, a Rank Seven Strength Path Gu Immortal, was not only powerful in battle but also exceptionally talented, having created an entirely new sub-genre of Strength Path.In the Gu World, if Strength Path were to be subdivided, it would fall into three sub-genres: the Beast Strength Phantom genre, the Atmospheric genre, and the Human Strength Jun Strength genre.Among them, the Beast Strength Phantom genre included Gu such as Bear Strength Gu and Flood Dragon Strength Gu, while the Atmospheric genre included those like Wind Strength Gu and Lightning Strength Gu.Fang Yuan's Six-Armed Heavenly Corpse King was a top-tier Strength Path Killer Move of the Atmospheric genre at the Mortal Gu Master stage.Meanwhile, the Human Strength Jun Strength genre was pioneered by the Hegemon Immortal Chu Du standing before him.It could be said that Chu Du alone had changed the dire situation of the declining Strength Path, influencing the landscape of Gu cultivation paths across the Five Regions and Two Heavens.In Fang Yuan's five hundred years of his previous life, after Chu Du died, he was referred to by the world as "The Afterglow of Strength Path."Throughout his life, Chu Du was dedicated to reviving the long-dilapidated Strength Path, attempting to single-handedly hold up the sky for Strength Path. Unfortunately, one person's strength is ultimately limited.Chu Du looked toward the stampeding Six-Winged Heavenly Horse herd, his gaze locked tightly onto Yuan Fang, his heart filled with suspicion:"This person is disguising his aura, but the power he displays is very wrong; he is definitely a Rank Seven Gu Immortal.""As a Rank Seven Gu Immortal, to be able to trigger kuang mans true intent in the Northern Icy Plains and kill an Ice Waterfall Divine Ape with a single sword, his strength is by no means that of an ordinary Rank Seven. He must be hiding a secret method to absorb kuang mans true intent!"Hegemon Immortal Chu Du was himself a Strength Path Gu Immortal and craved kuang mans true intent immensely, having spent his life dedicated to reviving Strength Path. He had intended to observe in secret and wait for an Opportunity to seize the true meaning, but he hadn't expected Yuan Fang's strength to be so formidable.Yuan Fang saw through Chu Du's scheme at a glance and sneered inwardly, though he did not expose him immediately.These Six-Winged Heavenly Horses were all transformed from Ice Waterfall Divine Apes, and their bodies contained a large amount of kuang mans true intent, which could rapidly improve one's Strength Path, Transformation Path, and flying attainment. For a Gu Immortal, their value was obvious.Seeing that Yuan Fang had already noticed him, Chu Du simply stopped hesitating. With a flicker of his body, he flew toward the Six-Winged Heavenly Horse herd, his terrifying Strength Path aura surging as he spoke in a loud voice:"Fellow immortal, what fine methods! I am Chu Du of Northern Plains. Seeing you Undergoing Tribulation, I have come specifically to assist and slay these Six-Winged Heavenly Horses together!"Through Yuan Fang's fighting style, he knew in his heart that his strength was roughly equal to Yuan Fang's.Although Yuan Fang held a slight edge, he was not skilled in close-quarters combat, whereas Chu Du specialized in Strength Path and was invincible in melee.If the two were to fight, it would inevitably result in a stalemate where neither could do anything to the other. Rather than fighting to a mutual loss, it was better to join forces to share the true meaning and then discuss opportunities.Yuan Fang also knew Chu Du's background and was even clearer on the gap in their battle power; his long-range attacks were powerful, but his close combat was far inferior to Chu Du's.If they truly fought, it would only lead to a stalemate, which was meaningless.He gave a faint nod without saying much, and Sword Qi surged around him once more as he attacked the Six-Winged Heavenly Horse herd.Seeing this, Chu Du also immediately activated his Strength Path Killer Move. His fist winds were fierce and powerful, with every punch heavily wounding a Six-Winged Heavenly Horse.One at range and one in melee, the two coordinated with tacit understanding. Neither held back, yet neither could suppress the other.In just a short moment, most of the Six-Winged Heavenly Horses were slain. kuang mans true intent scattered and was absorbed by each of them.After a fierce battle, the heavenly horse herd was entirely wiped out, and kuang mans true intent was fully divided. Both men retracted their moves, their breathing steady and uninjured, still in a deadlocked draw.Chu Du looked at Yuan Fang with eyes full of approval. What he admired was not Yuan Fang's overall strength, but the movement Killer Move, Blood Drift, that Yuan Fang had just utilized. It allowed him to easily evade attacks and prevent others from getting close, leaving Chu Du full of praise."Fellow immortal's strength is formidable, especially that method of stepping and dodging, which is truly exquisite. I, Chu, am impressed!"Chu Du cupped his fists, his tone sincere: "Since fellow immortal can trigger kuang mans true intent, you must have a unique Immortal Path Killer Move. I am willing to trade immortal essence stone and gu materials for it, and I hope you will grant me this."Yuan Fang knew Chu Du's thoughts and also knew that neither could defeat the other, making a hard fight useless. He spoke cordially:"It is not convenient for me to give away this Immortal Path Killer Move. However, before long, I will undergo tribulation here again. At that time, I can invite you to come and share the true meaning. We can establish an alliance and exchange information, so we may look out for each other in the future."Chu Du was overjoyed upon hearing this. He hadn't wanted to make an enemy of Yuan Fang in the first place, and being able to form an alliance and share kuang mans true intent in the future was exactly what he sought, so he readily agreed."Immortal Path Killer Move — Only I Am Supreme!!!"In the next moment, a phantom of a black iron nail shot through the air toward Chu Du. However, Chu Du was already prepared and raised his hand with a defensive Killer Move, easily blocking it."Truly worthy of being the Northern Plains Hegemon Immortal. Let us sign the alliance."The two had no conflict at all, cordially establishing an alliance and leaving behind their contact information.Although Yuan Fang felt that signing the alliance was not very useful, as he had the Self-Cleansing Killer Move to eliminate the alliance agreement.Chu Du also had the Care immortal gu from the Three Eccentrics of Crazed Demon Cave that he could borrow, which could then form the Don't Care Killer Move to ignore alliances.This Care immortal gu was a Law Path immortal gu created by Limitless Demon Venerable and was ranked third on the Ten Great Mysterious Gu List.Meanwhile, Yuan Fang's Self-Cleansing Killer Move was also extraordinary, as it could remove unfavorable dao marks to eliminate alliances.Afterward, Chu Du helped that Rank Five Peak Gu Master undergo tribulation and absorbed another wave of kuang mans true intent before returning to Northern Plains to recuperate. Yuan Fang also left the Northern Icy Plains.At this moment, Northern Plains, Longevity Heaven.Beside the calamity luck altar, Heavenly Lord of Extremity Gai Mei and the other Eight Extremities joined forces to battle the Rank Eight Gu Immortal Five Elements Grandmaster, who had invaded Longevity Heaven.After a desperate fight, Five Elements Grandmaster was ultimately no match for the Eight Extremities of Longevity Heaven and was eventually defeated, surrendering to Longevity Heaven.In Fang Yuan's previous life, Medicine Emperor had already joined Longevity Heaven. But in this life, Medicine Emperor had never appeared in Longevity Heaven.In the previous life, Five Elements Grandmaster had never taken the initiative to attack Longevity Heaven. But in this life, he had broken in.Five Elements Grandmaster had been coveting the Heaven and Earth Luck True Inheritance, which led him to risk a forced assault on Longevity Heaven, but he had ultimately underestimated Longevity Heaven's terrifying strength.However, the words Five Elements Grandmaster said to Gai Mei were true in every sense — Longevity Heaven's control over Northern Plains was no longer what it once was."Sigh, now among the Rank Eight Gu Immortals on the surface of Northern Plains, only Medicine Emperor is a descendant of the Ancestor. The Golden Clans are truly getting worse with each generation."Heavenly Lord of Extremity Gai Mei looked at the bowing Five Elements Grandmaster below the altar and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.Just then, a roar suddenly came from outside the calamity luck altar, immediately drawing the attention of the Longevity Heaven Gu Immortals and pulling Gai Mei's gaze.It turned out that the last Supreme Grand Elder of the Fei Family, Fei Wu, had actually awakened at this moment.Although Fei Wu was only a Rank Seven Gu Immortal and his name sounded like "Trash," his value to Longevity Heaven was immeasurable.With Fei Wu, Longevity Heaven would have a continuous supply of immortal essence stone;With Fei Wu, they could also slightly reverse the declining trend of the Golden Clans.The Longevity Heaven Gu Immortals all showed expressions of relief upon seeing this. Heavenly Lord of Extremity Gai Mei said to Fei Wu:"Now, King Court Blessed Land has been destroyed, and eighty-eight true yang building has fallen into the hands of Shadow Sect. Not long ago, the Dongfang Tribe was completely wiped out by a group of Northern Plains Loose Cultivators. Fei Wu, return to Northern Plains and re-establish the Fei Family; Longevity Heaven will back you up."Gai Mei's pudgy head turned toward Five Elements Grandmaster as he commanded in a deep voice:"Five Elements Grandmaster, from now on, you are a member of Longevity Heaven, though you will still act as a Loose Cultivator to the outside world. In the future, you must pay special attention to the Fei Family and help them rise."Five Elements Grandmaster immediately nodded, indicating his agreement.Seeing his agreement, Gai Mei turned back to the Longevity Heaven immortals and announced loudly:"I have already used my Wisdom Path methods to deduce that variable; his name is Yuan Fang, a Rank Seven Sword Path Gu Immortal and the Second Supreme Elder of Central Continent's Great Love Sect.""And the owner of the heavenly luck gu is a descendant of Ancestor Giant Sun named Ma Hong Yun. He should currently be inside Yuan Fang's immortal aperture.""The key person who was supposed to destroy eighty-eight true yang building is the Supreme Grand Elder of the Great Love Sect, Fang Yuan!"As soon as he finished speaking, a Longevity Heaven Gu Immortal immediately stood up, looking worried:"I remember the current Heavenly Watchtower Master is also a Wisdom Path Great Grandmaster. I'm afraid he has already deduced Ma Hong Yun's location."Gai Mei shook his head, his expression certain: "Absolutely impossible.""Behind Fang Yuan and Yuan Fang, both I and Shadow Sect's Old Man Yan Shi have jointly acted to conceal them. It is fundamentally impossible for the Heavenly Watchtower Master to deduce their true identities.""Otherwise, the Great Love Sect would have been wiped out by the Ten Great Ancient Sects long ago."Gai Mei's tone turned sharp: "Ma Hong Yun possesses the heavenly luck gu, and his future is limitless.""We will either trade with Yuan Fang or directly seize Ma Hong Yun. If there is an Opportunity when Shadow Sect refines that Rank Nine immortal gu, we will strike then to take back Ma Hong Yun!"