One month passed after Hei Lou Lan's ascension.
The absolute ice battlefield was already far behind them. Hei Cheng and Xue Song Zi had retreated. Hei Lou Lan had become a strength path Gu Immortal. Steel Body Strength Gu had returned to Fang Ming's hands, and the one-time-use Slave Gu had been lent to him for one month.
During this month, Fang Ming did not waste time.
He studied Slave Gu carefully.
Slave Gu was powerful.
Once used, it could enslave a target and allow the user to control them directly. The control was absolute. With one thought, the slave could be ordered to fight, flee, kill, or even die.
But this strength also came with a burden.
Direct control over a Gu Immortal was not easy. A Gu Immortal had their own soul, will, memories, thoughts, and dao marks. To suppress all of that and control them like a puppet required a high soul foundation. If the user's soul was insufficient, the control would become unstable or difficult to maintain.
Fang Ming did not need puppets.
He needed servants.
So when he used Copy, he modified Slave Gu's direction.
The result was a new Gu.
Obedient Servant Gu.
This Gu did not grant direct puppet-like control. Instead, it modified the target's subconscious, creating absolute loyalty and obedience toward Fang Ming. The target would still think, speak, judge, and act normally. They would still have experience, instincts, and initiative.
But deep in their mind, Fang Ming's orders would become absolute.
This reduced the burden on Fang Ming's soul greatly.
He would lose direct control, but gain something more useful for long-term work: independent servants who could think for themselves while remaining loyal.
Counterfeit Copy produced another variant.
Loyal Servant Gu.
Its effect was close to Obedient Servant Gu, but it had one additional flaw.
The target would not willingly execute an order that directly led to their own death.
Slave Gu and Obedient Servant Gu could force the target to die with one command.
Loyal Servant Gu could not.
If Fang Ming gave such an order, the servant would subconsciously resist, delay, distort, or avoid it.
Aside from that, they would remain loyal.
Fang Ming was not dissatisfied.
Every tool had a use.
A servant who refused to die was still a servant. For trade, infiltration, management, and scouting, Loyal Servant Gu was enough.
Another month passed.
His cooldown reset again.
Fang Ming looked over his immortal aperture.
The five junglefowl formations continued operating. The first and second formations were still trapped in Eastern Sea's price war, their monthly revenue already cut close to fifty immortal essence stones per formation. The third formation continued selling through treasure yellow heaven. The fourth formation supplied Lang Ya blessed land. The fifth formation had begun producing, but still had no stable buyer.
Excess food beasts were accumulating.
This was not ideal.
Fang Ming needed more channels.
He left his aperture.
Purple smoke gathered.
Two breaths later, he vanished.
When Fang Ming appeared again, he was in Lang Ya blessed land.
The blessed land had recovered somewhat since his last visit, but traces of the previous attack still remained. Some cloud buildings were repaired only halfway. Formation marks had been patched. Several beast regions still lacked their former density.
Lang Ya land spirit was still in a poor state. The qi path seal on him had weakened, but had not fully vanished.
Beside him stood Mo Tan Sang.
The Inkman King's expression changed slightly when he saw Fang Ming, then he cupped his fists politely.
"Friend Fang."
Fang Ming returned the greeting. "Inkman King."
Mo Tan Sang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Regarding the food beast samples from last time, Inkman City has verified their quality. The goods are good."
Fang Ming nodded.
Mo Tan Sang continued, "However, Inkman City cannot purchase a full production line's output for now. We already have several existing channels, and changing supply takes time. I must apologize."
His tone was sincere.
He was not afraid like a mortal before an immortal, but he was cautious.
Fang Ming was no ordinary Rank 6 Gu Immortal. He had strange teleportation methods, powerful strength path combat ability, and a background that seemed connected to Thieving Heaven inheritance. Mo Tan Sang did not want to offend him over a failed business deal.
Fang Ming only smiled faintly.
"This is business. If you have a better deal, take it. If I were in your position, I would do the same."
Mo Tan Sang relaxed visibly.
"Friend Fang is broad-minded."
"Not broad-minded," Fang Ming said. "Only practical."
Lang Ya land spirit snorted from the side. "Practical? You came here again. Say it, what do you want this time?"
Fang Ming turned toward him.
"Do you still have those Gu Immortal prisoners from when I was mortal?"
Lang Ya land spirit paused.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Why are you asking about them?"
"They are alive?"
"Of course they are alive," Lang Ya land spirit said. "They are valuable prisoners."
"Sell them to me."
Mo Tan Sang's gaze flickered.
Lang Ya land spirit stared at Fang Ming. "You want to buy Gu Immortal prisoners?"
"Yes."
"Hmph. Do you think Gu Immortals are cabbages? One hundred and fifty immortal essence stones each."
Fang Ming did not immediately bargain.
"What is the state of their immortal apertures?"
Lang Ya land spirit waved his sleeve. "Terrible. They destroyed almost everything before being captured. Their blessed lands are basically empty. No valuable resource points remain."
"Then one hundred and twenty each."
"One hundred and twenty?" Lang Ya land spirit's beard lifted. "Do you think I am selling damaged mortal Gu?"
"Their apertures are empty. Their Gu worms are gone. They are prisoners, not combat-ready Gu Immortal subordinates. I still need to subdue them, equip them, and take risks."
Lang Ya land spirit glared at him.
Fang Ming remained calm.
After a while, Lang Ya land spirit grumbled, "Fine. One hundred and twenty each. But there is a problem."
"They know your blessed land's location."
"Correct. If I sell them to you and they expose this place, what then?"
Fang Ming raised his hand.
Three Gu appeared.
Their auras were similar, yet subtly different.
Lang Ya land spirit's eyes sharpened.
Mo Tan Sang also focused.
Fang Ming said, "Slave Gu and two variants. Obedient Servant Gu. Loyal Servant Gu. Once used, they will not betray me, and they will not expose Lang Ya blessed land."
Lang Ya land spirit leaned forward. "Slavery path variant Gu?"
"Correct."
"There are only three."
"I only need three prisoners."
"Which three?"
"The Hua Hai three immortals. Fairy Qing Suo, Fairy Huang Sha, Fairy Fen Meng."
Lang Ya land spirit thought for a while, then nodded.
"Those three… fine."
The price was settled.
Three prisoners.
Three hundred and sixty immortal essence stones.
But Fang Ming did not end the conversation there.
"I also have another transaction."
Lang Ya land spirit's eyes brightened despite himself. "Oh?"
Fang Ming said calmly, "Do you want to buy another Immortal Gu?"
Mo Tan Sang's expression finally changed.
An Immortal Gu.
A Rank 6 Gu Immortal casually speaking of selling Immortal Gu was not normal.
Even Lang Ya land spirit, who had seen many treasures, became interested.
"What Gu?" he asked immediately.
"Strength path. Copper Muscle Strength Gu."
Lang Ya land spirit stroked his beard. "Strength path Immortal Gu… not bad, not bad. I can use it as collection, trade stock, or research material. But I do not have too many immortal essence stones right now."
Fang Ming looked at him.
Lang Ya land spirit coughed. "I was attacked recently. Repairs cost money. I bought desolate beast guardians from you. There are still formations to restore. I can pay with immortal materials."
"I need immortal essence stones."
"Immortal materials are also wealth!"
"I rarely refine. When I need mortal Gu for killer moves, I buy or arrange them. Immortal materials are not urgent for me."
Lang Ya land spirit's expression became unhappy.
Fang Ming continued, "Let us discuss this privately."
He turned to Mo Tan Sang and cupped his fists. "Inkman King, forgive me. This transaction involves some secrets."
Mo Tan Sang smiled. "Of course. Immortal Gu transactions should be private."
He stepped away without showing offense.
Fang Ming and Lang Ya land spirit moved to the side.
After they were alone, Fang Ming said, "If you lack immortal essence stones, use something else to fill the price."
Lang Ya land spirit's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"
"Familiar Face."
Lang Ya land spirit's expression changed.
"That is Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's immortal killer move."
"I know."
"It is incomplete."
"Because Attitude Gu is missing."
Lang Ya land spirit snorted. "Since you know, you should also know it cannot show its true legendary power."
"That is why I am not offering the price of a complete Thieving Heaven inheritance."
Lang Ya land spirit stared at him for several breaths.
"Two hundred immortal essence stones."
Fang Ming nodded. "Acceptable."
Lang Ya land spirit was slightly surprised. "You are not bargaining?"
"The core Rank 8 Attitude Gu is missing. The price is already low, but not unreasonable."
Lang Ya land spirit muttered, "You are more sensible than that Fang Yuan brat."
Fang Ming said nothing.
The final trade was quickly settled.
Fang Ming sold Copper Muscle Strength Immortal Gu to Lang Ya land spirit for four thousand immortal essence stones.
He purchased the three Hua Hai Immortals for three hundred and sixty immortal essence stones.
He purchased Familiar Face for two hundred immortal essence stones.
Before handing over Copper Muscle Strength Gu, Fang Ming had already used this month's Counterfeit Copy on it.
The original entered Lang Ya land spirit's possession.
The counterfeit remained with Fang Ming.
The transaction was complete.
Fang Ming received a large quantity of immortal essence stones, the inheritance details of Familiar Face, and three sealed Gu Immortal prisoners.
Mo Tan Sang watched from afar as the two returned.
His gaze lingered on Fang Ming.
A Rank 6 Gu Immortal who could sell Immortal Gu, buy Gu Immortal prisoners, and trade for Thieving Heaven inheritance fragments was not simple.
He had already overestimated Fang Ming.
Now he felt he may still have underestimated him.
Fang Ming placed the three sealed fairies into his immortal aperture.
Then purple smoke rose around him.
"Until next time," he said.
Lang Ya land spirit waved impatiently. "Bring food beasts next month. Do not delay."
"I will."
Two breaths later, Fang Ming vanished.
When he reappeared, he was on his remote Eastern Sea island.
The waves were calm.
No one was nearby.
Fang Ming entered his immortal aperture.
The twelve villages had developed further. Roads were becoming clearer. Smoke rose from settlement kitchens. Several young Gu Masters were already patrolling the edges of the junglefowl regions. The fifth formation's excess production had been temporarily stored, but it could not remain like this forever.
Fang Ming did not go to the formations.
He went to an empty region and released the three sealed fairies.
Fairy Qing Suo.
Fairy Huang Sha.
Fairy Fen Meng.
The three Hua Hai Immortals were still affected by Lang Ya land spirit's sealing methods. Their eyes were closed, their auras weak, and their immortal apertures were suppressed.
Fang Ming removed the outer seals carefully.
One by one, they began waking.
Their eyes opened in confusion.
Before they could fully recover, Fang Ming used Obedient Servant Gu.
Fairy Qing Suo trembled.
The Gu entered her body and dissolved into her mind and soul. Her expression struggled for a breath, then softened into obedience.
Next was Loyal Servant Gu.
Fairy Huang Sha's body shook. The effect was slightly weaker, but still stable. Her subconscious resisted only the deepest self-destructive binding, leaving loyalty intact.
For the third fairy, Fang Ming did not use the original Slave Gu.
Instead, he used Copy on Slave Gu again.
The newly produced Gu was modified into another Obedient Servant Gu.
He used it on Fairy Fen Meng.
After several breaths, all three fairies fully woke.
Their eyes cleared.
Then, together, they knelt.
"Master."
Their voices were respectful and calm.
Fang Ming looked at them for a while.
They were not puppets.
Their personalities, memories, and experiences remained. That was exactly what Fang Ming wanted. A puppet could only execute orders. A servant with experience could solve problems.
"Rise."
The three stood.
Fang Ming said, "You will each have one day to rest, organize your thoughts, and list the Gu worms and mortal killer moves you need. After that, you will begin working."
"Yes, master."
Fang Ming left them in a prepared region of his aperture.
One day later, he summoned them again.
The three fairies had already regained composure. Their immortal apertures were poor, and their original resources were almost gone, but their minds were intact. Their cultivation experience remained. Their path knowledge remained. Their memories of Northern Plains immortal circles remained.
Fang Ming gave each of them ten immortal essence stones.
Then he equipped them with mortal Gu and several mortal killer moves based on their needs.
Not enough to make them strong.
Enough to let them operate.
Afterward, he began questioning them.
He asked about their paths, past experiences, old contacts, enemies, blessed lands they had visited, small immortal circles in Northern Plains, trade channels, secret gatherings, resource points, and past adventures.
The three answered without concealment.
Their information was messy, but valuable.
A half-collapsed blessed land they had once discovered.
A small circle of loose immortals that traded without using treasure yellow heaven.
A few old contacts in Northern Plains who bought rare flowers and soul path materials.
A dangerous valley that might contain ancient Gu remnants.
Several mortal forces secretly supported by Gu Immortals.
Routes used by lone immortals to avoid righteous path inspection.
Fang Ming listened silently and recorded everything.
Many opportunities appeared from their words.
But he did not rush.
An opportunity without analysis was a trap wearing treasure's skin.
He would sort through everything later.
For now, the three fairies had more immediate value.
He looked at Fairy Qing Suo.
"You will go to Eastern Sea Zombie Alliance."
Fairy Qing Suo bowed. "Yes, master."
"You will enter as a small merchant. Sell food beasts. Start small. Build trust. Do not expose my name unless necessary. Your purpose is to establish channels and look for long-term buyers."
"Yes."
Fang Ming looked at Fairy Huang Sha.
"You will go to Hai Shi blessed land."
Her eyes moved slightly.
Hai Shi blessed land was the largest lone cultivator market in Eastern Sea. It was not the same as the Trade Merchant Alliance, but it also gathered many buyers and sellers. Righteous path, demonic path, lone cultivators—many traded there.
"You will sell food beasts, gather prices, observe demand, and slowly build credibility."
"Yes, master."
Finally, Fang Ming looked at Fairy Fen Meng.
"I will take you to Central Continent later."
Fairy Fen Meng lowered her head. "What is my task?"
"You will not approach the ten great ancient sects. You will start with small organizations, loose sects, minor trade circles, and outer markets. Sell food beasts quietly. Learn the environment. Build identity."
"Yes."
Fang Ming said, "All three of you have the same basic mission. Sell food beasts as small merchants. Establish trust. Seek long-term agreements. Gather information. Report valuable opportunities. If your tribulation time approaches, contact me immediately. If danger exceeds your ability, retreat first and report."
The three fairies bowed together.
"Yes, master."
Fang Ming continued, "Do not be greedy. Do not try to become famous quickly. A stable identity is more valuable than one large profit."
The three acknowledged the order.
Fang Ming waved his hand, dismissing them temporarily.
After they left, he stood alone above his aperture.
The junglefowl formations continued operating below.
Food beasts cracked from eggs, grew quickly, matured, and entered storage. Villages expanded slowly around the formations. Mortal Gu appeared in the wild. New Gu Masters among the mortals began taking shape.
His world was still crude.
But now he had three Gu Immortal servants.
This changed things.
Fang Ming thought of Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan had sent Tai Bai Yun Sheng into Eastern Sea with Landscape as Before Immortal Gu. That one Immortal Gu gave Tai Bai Yun Sheng value in the eyes of many Gu Immortals, allowing him to create connections quickly.
Fang Ming did not have Landscape as Before.
He could not offer such a miraculous repair service.
For now, he only had food beasts.
Discounted.
Stable.
Useful.
That was enough to begin.
In the future, if he could obtain Landscape as Before, or copy a similar effect, he could equip one of these servants with it. Then their ability to infiltrate forces and gain trust would rise sharply.
But that was later.
For now, the three fairies would solve smaller problems.
They would run errands he did not want to spend time on.
They would open channels in markets he could not personally babysit.
They would gather information.
They would prepare identities.
They would help him reach opportunities that required time and presence.
This was especially important for the future.
Dream path opportunities would not simply fall into his hands. Many required identities, access, local trust, and long preparation. Fang Ming could not be everywhere personally.
But servants could move for him.
Seeds could be planted.
When the right era arrived, those seeds might already have roots.
Fang Ming looked toward the far empty regions of his aperture.
His second aperture still waited.
His enslavement path ascension was the next major step.
The three fairies would help handle trade and information while he prepared.
His food beast business had been under pressure.
Eastern Sea price wars had cut deeply.
Inkman City had not committed.
Fairy Li Shan had not yet found buyers.
But now, Fang Ming had changed the board.
He had money again.
He had servants.
He had Familiar Face.
He had a counterfeit Copper Muscle Strength Gu.
He had a way to expand markets without personally visiting every organization.
Most importantly, he had bought time.
Fang Ming's gaze became calm.
A month ago, Slave Gu was only a borrowed one-time-use Gu.
Now, it had become three servants and a new network.
This was the value of Copy.
Not merely gaining Gu.
But turning one opportunity into many paths forward.