The Eagle Sect was still new.
Inside Fang Ming's strength path immortal aperture, the first stone stele of the sect stood beside the eagle incubation formation. Mortal Gu crawled across its surface, carving rules into the stone one line at a time.
Contribution exchange.
Eagle distribution.
Forbidden zones.
Sect discipline.
Mission rewards.
Punishments.
Ascension assistance.
Elder obligations.
Bian Si Xuan stood beside Fang Ming, silently reading the rules. She had become the mortal sect master of the Eagle Sect, but the sect had only just been born. Its disciples were inexperienced, its structure was crude, and its future was still uncertain.
Fang Ming looked at the stone stele calmly.
"The villages can keep their clan traditions, but Eagle Sect cannot be ruled by bloodline."
Bian Si Xuan nodded. "I understand."
"If a village clan tries to monopolize sect resources, suppress them. If talented disciples are blocked because of their background, raise them. If someone contributes, reward them. If someone relies on relationships, cut them down."
"Yes, supreme elder."
Fang Ming turned his gaze toward the eagle incubation formation.
The first batch of eagle chicks had already hatched. Their cries were sharp and full of life. Several disciples were feeding them while others used mortal Gu to record their growth, appetite, temperament, and response to commands.
Everything was still crude.
But this was how foundations were made.
At this moment, a letter Gu flew through the air.
Fang Ming raised his hand and caught it.
After reading the contents, his expression did not change much.
The letter was from Fang Yuan.
The words were simple. Fang Yuan invited Fang Ming to Hu Immortal blessed land to discuss a business deal.
Fang Ming held the letter Gu between his fingers.
The timing was interesting.
According to what he knew, Immortal Crane Sect should be making its move soon. Fang Yuan inviting people to Hu Immortal blessed land at this time was unlikely to be pure business.
But that was only Fang Ming's private thought.
He had no intention of saying it.
Fang Yuan had his reasons for sending the invitation. Fang Ming also had his own reasons for accepting.
He did have a deal he wanted to discuss with Fang Yuan.
The alliance also bound them together. If Fang Yuan's blessed land was attacked, Fang Ming could not simply ignore it.
Fang Ming stored the letter Gu and turned to Bian Si Xuan.
"Continue according to the structure I left behind. Do not expand too quickly. Stabilize the first batch of disciples and eagles first."
Bian Si Xuan bowed. "Yes, supreme elder."
Fang Ming left his immortal aperture.
Purple smoke gathered around him.
Two breaths later, he vanished.
When Fang Ming appeared again, he had already entered Hu Immortal blessed land through the opening arranged by Fang Yuan.
The air inside the blessed land was fresh and full of vitality. The sky was clear, the grass was green, and the land gave off the feeling of a small but complete world.
In the distance, Dang Hun Mountain stood quietly.
Its pink crystal-like body reflected faint light, and even from afar, Fang Ming could sense the soul path aura coming from it.
Dang Hun Mountain.
One of Fang Yuan's greatest foundations.
Fang Ming glanced at it once before withdrawing his gaze.
Fang Yuan stood not far away. His immortal zombie body was tall and cold, his expression calm as usual. Tai Bai Yun Sheng stood beside him, looking gentle and peaceful. Hei Lou Lan was also present, her newly ascended immortal aura already more stable than before. Fairy Li Shan sat nearby, her Rank 7 presence restrained but still impossible to ignore.
Fang Ming noticed all of them.
He did not ask why they were here.
Fang Yuan stepped forward. "You came."
Fang Ming nodded. "I received your letter."
"I have something to discuss with you."
"Then speak."
Before Fang Yuan could continue, Little Hu Immortal appeared and whispered something to him.
Fang Yuan's eyes moved slightly.
He did not immediately continue the business discussion. Instead, he waved his hand and gave several quiet instructions.
Soon, several desolate beast auras appeared in the distance.
Fang Ming turned his gaze.
There were multiple desolate beasts hidden within Hu Immortal blessed land, clearly arranged in advance.
Among them was a familiar aura.
A fire fox.
Its body carried deep red flames, and heat distorted the air around it. Fang Ming recognized it quickly. It was one of the desolate fire foxes he had sold to Lang Ya land spirit.
Now it was inside Hu Immortal blessed land.
Borrowed by Fang Yuan.
Fang Ming's thoughts moved, but his face remained calm.
Fang Yuan had contacted Lang Ya land spirit.
More than that, he had reached the point where he could borrow desolate beasts.
This meant their cooperation was not shallow.
Fang Ming did not feel displeased.
Lang Ya land spirit was never his exclusive trade partner. Even before Fang Yuan, Lang Ya had dealings with variant humans like Inkman City. Fang Ming's business with Lang Ya was mainly food beasts, Gu borrowing, and occasional Immortal Gu transactions. Fang Yuan likely had his own value to Lang Ya, such as Gu recipes, deductions, or other knowledge.
Their areas of trade did not fully overlap.
At least for now, this did not damage Fang Ming's interests.
He only adjusted his evaluation of Fang Yuan silently.
Fang Yuan had more preparation than he showed.
The business discussion had not truly begun when Fang Yuan's expression suddenly changed.
His eyes lowered slightly.
A cold smile appeared on his face.
Tai Bai Yun Sheng noticed immediately. "Junior brother?"
Fang Yuan raised his head.
"Immortal Crane Sect has moved."
The atmosphere changed at once.
Hei Lou Lan's gaze sharpened.
Fairy Li Shan's expression became serious.
Fang Ming remained silent.
Fang Yuan continued, "They used Fang Zheng as a bloodline link. Mutual Sense Immortal Gu is involved."
Tai Bai Yun Sheng sighed softly.
"Fang Zheng…"
Fang Yuan's tone was indifferent. "He is being used as a tool."
No one spoke.
Fang Ming's expression remained unchanged. He was not surprised, but he showed no sign of knowing beforehand.
Fang Yuan looked at Little Hu Immortal. "Begin."
Little Hu Immortal nodded quickly. "Yes, master."
The blessed land's arrangements activated.
The desolate beasts moved into position. The fire fox lowered its body, flames rising around its claws. Other beasts spread out silently, waiting for Fang Yuan's command.
Tai Bai Yun Sheng moved to a support position.
Hei Lou Lan stood to one side, her arms crossed, her aura restrained but ready.
Fairy Li Shan remained calm.
Fang Ming also stepped aside.
He did not stand in front.
He did not speak.
This was Fang Yuan's blessed land.
Immortal Crane Sect was Fang Yuan's enemy.
Fang Ming was here as an ally, as support, and as another Gu Immortal present on Fang Yuan's side. That alone had value. There was no need for him to take the lead or expose anything.
Outside Hu Immortal blessed land, on Tian Ti Mountain, space began to tremble.
He Feng Yang sat on a white cloud cushion. Beside him stood Fairy Cang Yu.
In He Feng Yang's hand, Expand Space Immortal Gu released a powerful aura.
Immortal killer move—
Force Intrusion.
Green grape immortal essence was consumed rapidly.
The space before them cracked like glass. A dark opening appeared, revealing the inner scenery of Hu Immortal blessed land.
Fairy Cang Yu smiled faintly and stepped forward first.
The moment she crossed into the blessed land, lightning descended.
A bolt of lightning struck from the sky with ruthless precision.
Fairy Cang Yu's expression changed slightly. A defensive killer move activated around her body, forming layers of protection.
The lightning smashed into her defense.
The outer layer shattered, and Fairy Cang Yu was forced back half a step.
Her smile faded.
He Feng Yang entered after her.
The moment he stepped into Hu Immortal blessed land, he felt the pressure of the blessed land. But Rank 7 One's Own Way Immortal Gu activated, resisting the suppression and allowing his mortal Gu to function normally.
He Feng Yang quickly steadied himself.
Then he looked forward.
Fang Yuan stood at the front.
Behind and beside him were several Gu Immortals.
Tai Bai Yun Sheng.
Hei Lou Lan.
Fairy Li Shan.
And one unfamiliar male Gu Immortal.
He Feng Yang did not recognize Fang Ming.
He did not know Fang Ming's name.
He did not know his path.
He only knew that another Gu Immortal was standing on Fang Yuan's side.
Behind them, several desolate beasts waited silently. A fire fox growled softly, flames licking the ground beneath its paws.
He Feng Yang's expression became heavy.
This was not what he expected.
Immortal Crane Sect had prepared for Fang Yuan.
They had prepared for Hu Immortal blessed land's suppression.
They had borrowed One's Own Way Gu.
They had used Force Intrusion.
But Fang Yuan was not alone.
Fairy Cang Yu's eyes swept across the scene, and her expression also became solemn.
Five Gu Immortals.
Several desolate beasts.
A blessed land prepared for defense.
This was no longer a simple seizure of Hu Immortal blessed land.
Fang Yuan smiled faintly.
"He Feng Yang, you came."
He Feng Yang looked at him coldly. "Fang Yuan."
Fang Yuan's smile did not fade. "Immortal Crane Sect truly values me. You even used Force Intrusion to enter."
He Feng Yang did not answer immediately.
His gaze moved across the Gu Immortals behind Fang Yuan.
Fairy Li Shan was the most troublesome. A Rank 7 Gu Immortal appearing here changed the situation greatly.
Hei Lou Lan was unfamiliar to him, but her aura was clearly that of a newly ascended Gu Immortal.
Tai Bai Yun Sheng had a gentle aura, but he was still an immortal.
As for the last man, He Feng Yang did not know him at all. But unknown did not mean harmless. At minimum, he was another Gu Immortal standing with Fang Yuan.
He Feng Yang's original confidence sank.
He had not expected this lineup.
Fang Yuan said, "If Immortal Crane Sect came to talk, then we can talk."
His voice turned colder.
"If you came to seize Hu Immortal blessed land by force, then you can try."
The desolate beasts shifted.
Lightning flickered faintly in the sky.
Hei Lou Lan's aura stirred.
Fairy Li Shan remained silent, but her presence alone pressed on the scene.
Tai Bai Yun Sheng stood behind Fang Yuan without speaking.
Fang Ming also said nothing.
He only stood with the others.
He Feng Yang was uncertainty.
He did not know who these Gu Immortals were, what paths they cultivated, or what methods they possessed. In battles between Gu Immortals, unknown variables were often the most dangerous.