Loner Hong Yu's red immortal material spread into threads, wrapping around the forming aperture foundation.
Fairy Qing Suo's cold qi cooled the outer layer.
Fairy Huang Sha's dust stabilized the shell.
Fairy Fen Meng's fragrance smoke softened the conflict between blood essence and lifespan force.
Their cooperation was unwilling, but under Lang Ya land spirit's command, it became effective.
The refinement chamber brightened.
Fang Ming's expression remained calm, but his gaze did not leave the process for even a breath.
Lang Ya land spirit's hands moved faster.
The forming aperture foundation floated in the center of the refinement chamber like a hollow pearl. It was not fully material, nor was it entirely illusory. It looked like a space that had not yet decided whether it wanted to exist inside or outside the body.
"Gui Wang, dark flame lower by three parts!"
Gui Wang's face twisted, but he obeyed.
"Loner Hong Yu, stretch the red threads. Do not wrap them too tightly!"
Loner Hong Yu's hands trembled slightly before he corrected the flow.
"Qing Suo, freeze the outer layer, not the core!"
Fairy Qing Suo's expression remained cold, but a thin line of sweat appeared on her forehead.
"Huang Sha, stabilize!"
Fairy Huang Sha gritted her teeth and controlled the yellow refinement dust.
"Fen Meng, fragrance smoke into the blood essence. Slowly!"
Fairy Fen Meng's charming face had lost much of its ease. Her eyes were serious, and her movements were careful.
The five Gu Immortals were prisoners, but they were still Gu Immortals. Once forced to cooperate, their foundation showed. Under Lang Ya land spirit's command, the refinement process became more and more stable.
Fang Ming watched silently.
Lang Ya's refinement style was different from Fang Yuan's.
Fang Yuan refined with calculation, risk, and ruthlessness.
Ba Gui refined by relying on inherited arrangements.
Lang Ya refined as if the materials were alive and he merely needed to guide them back to their natural place.
The hollow pearl pulsed.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Each pulse caused the refinement chamber to tremble slightly.
Lang Ya land spirit's eyes shone.
"Good! The aperture base has formed. Now, lifespan force!"
Several lifespan Gu flew forward.
Their auras were ancient and gentle, carrying the weight of years. Under Lang Ya's manipulation, they did not erupt violently like in San Cha Mountain. Instead, the lifespan force was peeled apart into strands, wrapped around the aperture base, and fused layer by layer.
Fang Ming's gaze deepened.
So this was how a true refinement path master handled the same step.
No wild struggle.
No desperate suppression.
Only control.
The hollow pearl gradually changed color. Pale gold appeared on its surface, while faint red lines moved within it like blood vessels.
Lang Ya land spirit laughed.
"Second aperture… second aperture… good, good! The idea is crude, but the concept is excellent. With this old man acting, how could it fail?"
The five captives said nothing.
None of them dared to interrupt.
The aperture base slowly condensed.
The light in the chamber grew stronger.
Fang Ming's mind was completely focused. He felt the process reach its final stage, and deep within his awareness, the hidden copy also approached completion.
There was no sound.
No aura.
No sign.
Only Fang Ming knew.
Lang Ya land spirit lifted both hands.
"Final merge!"
The materials surrounding the aperture base collapsed inward.
Immortal essence moved.
The hollow pearl spun rapidly, then suddenly stopped.
A clear sound rang out.
Like jade striking jade.
The light dispersed.
A Gu worm floated quietly in the center of the chamber.
It looked like a small golden beetle, its shell smooth and round, with scarlet aperture markings flowing across its surface. A faint immortal aura spread from it, causing even the five captive Gu Immortals to stare with burning eyes.
Rank six Immortal Gu.
Second Aperture Gu.
Lang Ya land spirit stretched out his hand, and the Gu landed in his palm.
For a moment, even he became quiet.
Then he smiled broadly.
"Success!"
The five captured Gu Immortals stared at the Gu.
Their eyes could not hide their desire.
A second aperture.
To mortals, it meant a second cultivation path.
To Gu Immortals, it meant something even greater.
A second immortal aperture.
More resources.
More immortal essence.
More foundation.
More possibilities.
Even if there were future calamities to consider, no Gu Immortal could truly ignore this temptation.
Fang Ming looked at the Gu calmly.
At the same time, deep within his awareness, the hidden copy finished.
A second Gu formed.
It was similar to Second Aperture Gu, but dimmer. Its shell was pale silver rather than golden, and the aperture markings on its body were less vivid. Its aura was also weaker, like a shadow of the true Immortal Gu.
Sub-Second Immortal Aperture Gu.
A success.
But not equal.
Fang Ming understood its nature immediately.
It could create a second aperture, but the aptitude would only be D-grade. It would need to be cultivated from Rank one, step by step, until Rank five. Even if the user later succeeded in immortal ascension with it, the resulting immortal aperture would be low grade.
Six days inside for one day outside.
A weak blessed land.
Still, weak did not mean worthless.
It was an inferior road, but it was still a road to a second immortal aperture.
Lang Ya land spirit held the true Second Aperture Gu and looked at it for a long time.
Then he turned toward Fang Ming.
"Boy."
Fang Ming raised his eyes.
Lang Ya land spirit's smile became slightly crafty.
"This Gu is useless to me, but it is precious. If you are willing to give it up, I can exchange something with you."
The five captives immediately looked at Fang Ming.
Gui Wang's eyes narrowed.
Loner Hong Yu's breathing paused.
The Hua Hai three fairies' expressions changed.
Lang Ya pointed casually at them.
"These five. Two Gu Immortals and three fairies. If you give me Second Aperture Gu, I can hand them to you."
The chamber became silent.
The five captives froze.
Then hope erupted in their eyes.
To be handed to Fang Ming was humiliating, but it was still better than remaining Lang Ya land spirit's prisoners. A mortal could be deceived, tempted, controlled, or manipulated. Compared to Lang Ya, Fang Ming looked like a path to survival.
Fairy Fen Meng reacted first.
She lowered her head slightly, her voice soft and trembling.
"Young master Fang Ming, if you save this servant, this servant is willing to follow you."
Fairy Huang Sha bit her lip, then also bowed.
"This servant is willing to serve."
Fairy Qing Suo's face was cold, but even she lowered her gaze.
Gui Wang forced a smile onto his ugly face. "Young master, I am willing to work for you. A Gu Immortal servant is not easy to obtain."
Loner Hong Yu also spoke carefully. "We can swear vows. We can assist you in cultivation, protect you, and help you gather resources."
For a moment, five Gu Immortals looked at Fang Ming with hopeful eyes.
Fang Ming did not answer them.
He did not even look at them for long.
His gaze remained on Lang Ya land spirit.
"Send them away. I want to discuss business with you."
The five captives' expressions froze.
Their hopeful eyes darkened.
Fairy Huang Sha's face turned pale with humiliation.
Fairy Fen Meng's smile stiffened.
Gui Wang's eyes flashed with resentment.
Fang Ming had not hesitated.
Not even for a breath.
In his eyes, they were not worth the true Second Aperture Gu.
Lang Ya land spirit looked disappointed.
"You really do not want them?"
"No."
"Three fairies."
"No."
"Two male Gu Immortals as servants."
"No."
Lang Ya sighed. "Young people these days have no romance."
Fang Ming replied calmly, "I have priorities."
Lang Ya waved his sleeve.
The five captives vanished from the refinement chamber.
Their resentment disappeared with them.
Only Fang Ming and Lang Ya remained.
Lang Ya land spirit stroked his beard while still holding Second Aperture Gu.
"So, what business?"
Fang Ming looked at the Gu.
"Estimate its value."
Lang Ya frowned. "Immortal Gu are unique. They are not cabbages in a market. You cannot simply buy them with immortal essence stones or materials."
"I know. Estimate."
Lang Ya stared at him.
Then he looked back at Second Aperture Gu.
"To me, it is not very useful. I am a land spirit. I do not cultivate like humans. But to Gu Immortals…"
His eyes narrowed.
"This Gu is extremely valuable."
Fang Ming listened quietly.
Lang Ya continued, "A second aperture means a second cultivation foundation. If raised to immortal level, it can mean more resources, more immortal essence, and more room to develop. For a super force that can defend against calamities and manage the extra burden, its value can exceed eight thousand immortal essence stones."
Fang Ming's eyes remained calm.
Lang Ya went on, "For lone cultivators, the value is lower because calamities are difficult to survive, and another immortal aperture is another responsibility. But even then, it could be worth five thousand to six thousand immortal essence stones."
He glanced at Fang Ming.
"Why are you asking?"
Fang Ming smiled.
He took the Second Aperture Gu from Lang Ya's hand.
Lang Ya did not stop him.
The Gu had been refined for Fang Ming.
Fang Ming activated it immediately.
The golden beetle turned into light and entered his body.
A warm force spread through him.
His main aperture remained unchanged.
Rank five peak stage.
But beside it, deep within his body, a second space opened.
Empty.
New.
Weak.
But pure.
A second aperture.
A-grade aptitude.
Rank one initial stage.
Fang Ming closed his eyes briefly.
Two apertures.
Both A-grade foundations.
One stood at Rank five peak.
The other had just begun.
When he opened his eyes again, Lang Ya land spirit was staring at him.
"You used it just like that?"
"Yes."
Lang Ya's beard shook. "Do you know how many immortal essence stones that was worth?"
"I asked because I wanted to know what I was using."
Lang Ya was speechless.
Fang Ming then raised his hand.
A pale silver Gu appeared.
Its shell was dim, and its aperture markings were weaker than the true Second Aperture Gu. But it still carried an immortal aura.
Lang Ya's expression changed instantly.
"What is this?"
"Sub-Second Immortal Aperture Gu."
Lang Ya's eyes widened.
He leaned closer, almost pressing his face to it.
"Another aperture Gu? But weaker… no, the structure is different. It is not the same Gu."
"It is inferior," Fang Ming said.
Lang Ya stared at him. "Explain."
Fang Ming did.
"This Gu creates a second aperture, but the aperture begins with D-grade aptitude. It must be cultivated from Rank one to Rank five. If the user later succeeds in immortal ascension with this aperture, the resulting immortal aperture will be low grade."
"How low?"
"Six days inside for one day outside."
Lang Ya's expression shifted.
"That is far inferior."
"Yes."
"But still valuable," Lang Ya muttered.
"Yes."
Fang Ming continued, "It uses fewer valuable resources than the true Second Aperture Gu, and the result is lower quality. But to Gu Immortals or super forces with resources, even an inferior second immortal aperture is still useful."
Lang Ya stroked his beard.
"More resources, more immortal essence, even if the blessed land is weak… interesting. Very interesting."
His eyes lit up again.
"You created this?"
Fang Ming did not answer directly.
Lang Ya became even more excited.
"Let me examine it."
"No."
Lang Ya froze.
Fang Ming said, "Trade."
The land spirit's face collapsed. "Again with trade."
"You asked me for Second Aperture Gu. I refused. Now I am offering this."
Lang Ya looked at Sub-Second Immortal Aperture Gu again.
His desire was obvious.
"How much?"
"You offer."
Lang Ya rubbed his beard for a long time.
"This is inferior to Second Aperture Gu, but it is still extremely rare. Its value is not just use, but research. Three thousand immortal essence stones."
Fang Ming nodded. "Accepted."
Lang Ya blinked.
"So fast?"
"The price is fair."
Lang Ya suddenly became suspicious. "You are not going to add conditions, are you?"
"I am."
"I knew it!"
Fang Ming said calmly, "I cannot access treasure yellow heaven."
Lang Ya narrowed his eyes.
"So?"
"You will act as my middleman. When I need Gu worms, materials, or resources, you will use treasure yellow heaven to buy them for me. The cost comes from the three thousand immortal essence stones."
Lang Ya thought for a moment.
Then his expression brightened.
"That is all?"
"For now."
Lang Ya laughed. "Good! Very good! I get this unusual Gu, and you remain owing transactions through me. Not bad, not bad."
He looked at Sub-Second Immortal Aperture Gu with shining eyes.
"Teleport Gu, now this… Fang Ming, you are becoming more and more interesting."
Fang Ming handed over the pale silver Gu.
Lang Ya received it carefully, as if holding a treasure.
The trade was complete.
Fang Ming had used the true Second Aperture Gu himself.
He had gained an A-grade second aperture and he had sold the inferior copy for three thousand immortal essence stones worth of future resources, while securing Lang Ya as his gateway to treasure yellow heaven.
Lang Ya land spirit held Sub-Second Immortal Aperture Gu, smiling like an old collector who had found a rare toy.