ALL NOVEL Chapter 48: Imperial Court
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Ten days later, at Crescent Lake.
Fang Yuan continued his dealings in immortal recipes with Lang Ya Sect, exchanging resources for his own use.
"Finally," Fang Yuan said, pleased with the outcomes at Lang Ya Blessed Land. He held the incomplete Change Form Immortal Gu he'd desired for so long. "Now, I can complete it and have Lang Ya refine the Gu for me," he mused. "Perhaps, with the help of the A.I. Chip, I can even improve the recipe further."
He glanced toward a certain location. "Hmm, it seems they're here after all. I'll retrieve what I need and then pay a visit to my foolish disciple."
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On this day, Crescent Lake glistened under the bright sunlight.
Near the lake, the Chai Tribe—a small, struggling tribe—was camped, preparing to resume their journey. In the turbulent climate of the Northern Plains, especially with the ten-year blizzard approaching and the Imperial Court Contest looming, small tribes like Chai's were like fragile boats amidst a raging storm, vulnerable to the chaotic struggles of the powerful.
Their tribe leader, Chai Zhang, rallied his people. "Let's move out! We need to make it to the heroes' assembly!"
But then, a powerful pressure descended upon them, forcing Chai Zhang and all the Gu Masters to the ground, faces pressed to the dirt. They couldn't move, frozen by the sheer force of it.
"If you want to live, don't move," a chilling voice commanded.
The tribe remained still, too afraid to resist, until the oppressive force lifted, and the pressure dissipated.
One of the Chai tribe members shakily asked, "What… what just happened?"
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The figure responsible for this shock was none other than Fang Yuan with his Black Shadow identity.
"Got what I needed," he said, gazing up at the sky. Over the past few days, he'd been spreading memories, carefully crafting identities to support his future plans.
After leaving his Blessed Land, he traveled alongside Hong Yun, establishing himself as a real person and ensuring all necessary preparations, he made before, were in its place.
Fang Yuan had subtly laid the groundwork, planting memories and spreading whispers that painted him as someone who cultivated in silence, a mysterious force quietly growing in the shadows. These small but calculated moves crafted an image of him as a secluded figure.
Fang Yuan observed Hong Yun, who had noticeably aged due to the accelerated time flow within the blessed land. Under Fang Yuan's guidance, Hong Yun had progressed to become a Gu Master.
Recognizing the impact of the time dilation, Fang Yuan later relocated him to a normal time zone, stabilizing his aging process.
Fang Yuan glanced at him again, thinking, "It wasn't intentional, but if I hadn't needed to sustain this false clone, I might've ended up meeting a Hong Yun older than myself when I released him."
Fang Yuan carefully placed Hong Yun in a safe spot outside the blessed land, which helped limit his aging to just a few months. "The time flow in this world is really messed up," Fang Yuan thought, reflecting on how the inconsistency of time was affecting his plans.
"Master," Hong Yun said, his voice uncertain. "I don't like this Gu anymore… Could I choose a different one?"
Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you would be a refinement Gu Master like me? I even suggested you pick something different until I found something more suitable."
"I… I didn't know it would be this boring," Hong Yun admitted, looking a bit sheepish.
"Well, it suits you for now. You've already refined a Rank 2 Gu," Fang Yuan smirked, amused.
Hong Yun flushed, muttering, "I wasn't even trying to succeed…"
Fang Yuan chuckled to himself. "He has remarkable luck, even outshining other refinement Gu Masters. Well, he can pursue whichever path he likes for now. When I acquire a Luck Path inheritance, I'll ensure he has the means to ascend as a Luck Path immortal."
With Fang Yuan's quiet plans to benefit Hong Yun, the boy's luck continued to affect him making his own luck rise.
"Now, it's time to go, Hong Yun," he said, motioning toward their destination. "We're off to meet your uncle—an old friend of mine."
And with that, the two mounted their Traveling Cloud Gu and set off to their next encounter.
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Hei tribe
Hei Lou Lan grinned, his eyes gleaming with ruthless ambition. "With you and that old sir's help, we're bound to emerge victorious!"
Tai Bai nodded in agreement. "My senior brother should arrive today; his letter indicated he was near."
Tai Bai had smoothly integrated himself into the Hei camp using his connections, all under the pretext of repaying past favors to the Hei tribe. He had made a compelling case to gain their trust, showing his need to enter the Imperial Court Blessed Land for a lifespan Gu. Once inside, he spoke of a 'brother' who shared his situation, an equally Rank 5 Peak Gu Master who could also be valuable to Hei Lou Lan.
Hei Lou Lan, intrigued, invited this supposed 'brother' into her ranks. Tai Bai's reputation and his clearly limited lifespan made his story believable, and with Poison Vow Gu as security, Hei Lou Lan felt confident in the loyalty of any new recruits.
Just as Hei Lou Lan and Tai Bai Yun Sheng continued their discussion, a servant entered. "The old lord has arrived."
"Let him in," Hei Lou Lan commanded.
Fang Yuan entered, and his eyes swept over the scene, landing on Hei Lou Lan, who wore a fierce disguise: appearing broad and imposing, with a thick beard, a bulky frame reminiscent of a wild bear, and a set of sharp, uneven white teeth. Her triangular eyes sparkled with a dangerous intensity.
"If I didn't know this was a woman, and a surprisingly beautiful one at that, I'd never suspect this was a disguise." Fang Yuan mused, hiding his thoughts behind a calm façade.
Hei Lou Lan's voice boomed, echoing in the camp. "Welcome, old sir! Ready to make history together?"
Fang Yuan smiled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Of course. Making history sounds… intriguing." Internally, he scoffed, "Tsk, it's me who's creating history—generations will remember what I'm about to achieve."
Hei Lou Lan grinned, intrigued. "So, sir, you're a refinement Gu Master?"
Fang Yuan nodded with a calm expression. "Indeed, it's my primary path, but I also cultivate the Strength path."
Hei Lou Lan raised an eyebrow, surprised. "A secondary path? Impressive. But if I may ask, I've never heard much about you, old sir. And this is the first I've heard that Tai Bai has a senior brother."
Before Fang Yuan could respond, Tai Bai stepped in, his face showing indignation. "What do you mean by that?"
Fang Yuan raised a hand, calming Tai Bai, and answered smoothly, "I've led a quiet life in seclusion, focusing on cultivation. Tai Bai has only helped me when it was absolutely necessary. But you're welcome to verify—there are those who've met me over the years."
Hei Lou Lan softened, the suspicion in her gaze fading or looked like that. "I didn't mean anything by it, old sir. I'm simply grateful someone of your skill has come to join us at the Hei tribe instead of going to one of our rivals. Your presence is truly appreciated."
Fang Yuan cut straight to the point. "I'm here because, like my brother, I need to enter the Imperial Court Blessed Land. My time is… limited." His voice was calm but firm, exuding the gravitas of a man with little time to waste.
Hei Lou Lan's grin grew darker. "Straightforward—I like it. Then let's seal this alliance with the Poison Vow Gu."
Poison Vow Gu was a single-use Gu worm that enforced loyalty. By binding the law of restriction into its effect, it became nearly impossible to break the agreement. Once implanted, if anyone violated the agreement, the Poison Vow Gu would activate immediately, reducing the defector to a puddle of blood in an instant.
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Fang Yuan sat with Hei Lou Lan and Tai Bai, having sealed the Poison Vow and listening intently as Hei Lou Lan outlined the current situation; With Tai Bai's early arrival and involvement, the Hei tribe had launched a large-scale expedition, positioning themselves as one of the more formidable forces.
"I understand the circumstances. I'll do my best," Fang Yuan said, keeping his expression serious. Inside, though, he felt indifferent. The Hei tribe's ambitions didn't concern him; he needed only to access the blessed land. With his knowledge, winning the Imperial Court was merely a stepping stone.
His thoughts shifted as he considered the Zhao tribe. Fang Yuan knew that Zhao Lian Yun could be a valuable pawn, someone he'd want under his control in the future. "How do I get the Zhao tribe to ally with Hei instead of going to the Ma tribe, as in the original plot?"
After a brief moment of contemplation, a plan began to form. "I'll set things in motion," he thought, "and hope the Zhao tribe comes here instead."
Just then, an attendant burst in, his voice filled with urgency. "Leader, the Zhao Tribe has arrived to join us!"
For a moment, Fang Yuan was speechless, genuinely taken aback. "What… how did this even happen so fast?"
"Maybe I should have wished for a venerable inheritance if it's this easy."
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