The air above Dang Hun Mountain was tense.
He Feng Yang and Fairy Cang Yu stood opposite Fang Yuan's side, neither advancing nor retreating. The opening behind them had already begun to tremble, but the pressure inside Hu Immortal blessed land had not lessened at all.
Fang Yuan stood at the front, his immortal zombie body tall and cold.
Behind him, several Gu Immortals stood quietly. Their bodies were hidden under layers of concealing light, and their faces were either masked or blurred. Their auras were not weak, but their identities could not be seen clearly.
He Feng Yang's gaze moved across them.
One Rank 7 aura.
Several Rank 6 auras.
And several desolate beasts waiting in the surroundings.
This was not the situation he had prepared for.
At this moment, the unstable space behind him suddenly shook again.
A sharp crackling sound rang out.
A blue figure made of lightning tore through the air and rushed into Hu Immortal blessed land.
It moved extremely quickly, like a living bolt of lightning. Its body was humanoid, but it had no flesh and blood. Its entire form was condensed from blue lightning, and every movement caused sparks to explode in the air.
Fairy Cang Yu's eyes lit up slightly.
"Blue Charm Lightning Shadow."
He Feng Yang also recognized it.
This was the earthly calamity that had once targeted Hu Immortal blessed land. Fang Yuan had previously cut away part of the blessed land and expelled it outside. It had not vanished, but had instead hidden near Tian Ti Mountain.
Now, because of the spatial disturbance, it had rushed back in.
For a brief moment, He Feng Yang felt the pressure on his side lessen.
The Blue Charm Lightning Shadow was not under his control, but its target was clearly Hu Immortal blessed land. As long as it attacked Fang Yuan, it could still become a useful force.
But Fang Yuan did not panic.
He merely raised his eyes and watched it charge toward Dang Hun Mountain.
The Blue Charm Lightning Shadow screamed soundlessly, its body turning into a streak of blue light. It rushed straight toward the mountain peak where Fang Yuan stood.
Dang Hun Mountain trembled.
A formless soul-shaking force spread outward.
The Blue Charm Lightning Shadow's body froze in the air for a moment. The lightning around it flickered violently, as if its body had been struck at its weakest point. It struggled forward, but every time it approached, Dang Hun Mountain's vibration forced it back.
The blue lightning scattered, gathered, and scattered again.
It was fierce, but it could not break through immediately.
He Feng Yang's expression sank slightly.
The sudden advantage had not become decisive.
Fang Yuan looked at him and smiled.
"He Feng Yang, did you think this calamity would help you reverse the situation?"
He Feng Yang did not answer.
Fairy Cang Yu's expression became more cautious.
The Blue Charm Lightning Shadow was still dangerous, but Fang Yuan had clearly accounted for it. It could pressure Dang Hun Mountain, but it could not break Fang Yuan's arrangement in a short time.
At this moment, Fang Yuan gave a light signal.
The desolate beasts in the surroundings moved.
The huge ice spike divine ape took one step forward. Its body was enormous, and its fur was like countless ice cones. Every movement left behind a white frozen trail on the ground.
The phoenix feather lava crocodile opened its mouth slightly, releasing waves of burning heat. Its thick scales looked like cooled lava, while the feathers on its back glowed with dangerous fire.
The golden sand dark stallion lowered its head. Its six legs were like metal pillars, and its golden body shone under the blessed land's light. Only its hooves were pitch black, pressing deep marks into the ground.
The azure dragon vine twisted slowly. Its roots pierced into the earth, while its vine body coiled into the form of a dragon. Its vitality was dense, giving off the feeling that even if it were cut apart, it would regrow again.
The swamp crab shifted its mountain-like body. Its shell was so thick that even looking at it made one feel helpless. Its pincers opened and closed slowly, each movement carrying terrifying force.
The peach wolf crouched quietly. It looked small and harmless, almost like a young pup, but Fairy Cang Yu's investigative methods warned her not to treat it lightly.
Above them, the iron crown eagle circled silently. Its eyes were locked on He Feng Yang and Fairy Cang Yu, and its feathers looked like sharp weapons ready to shoot down at any moment.
The earth chief desolate beast stood at the last side of the encirclement. Its humanoid body, snake tail, bat-like face, and dozens of fleshy whips made it look especially sinister.
The encirclement tightened.
Fairy Cang Yu's fingers moved slightly as she used an investigative method.
A moment later, her face turned pale.
"They are all real."
He Feng Yang's heart sank further.
Illusions could be ignored.
Real desolate beasts could not.
Each one possessed battle strength comparable to a Rank 6 Gu Immortal. Even if desolate beasts lacked the wisdom and killer moves of Gu Immortals, eight of them together were still a terrifying force.
And these beasts were clearly not acting randomly.
They were being controlled.
Fang Ming stood among Fang Yuan's allies, quietly watching the scene through the concealing light around him.
His gaze passed over the desolate beasts.
Earlier, he had already noticed the fire fox that had once passed through his hands. Now, seeing the coordination of the beasts, his thoughts went one step deeper.
Borrowing desolate beasts was one matter.
Controlling them smoothly in a confrontation between Gu Immortals was another.
Fang Yuan's cooperation with Lang Ya land spirit was deeper than a simple exchange.
Fang Ming did not speak.
He only recorded this silently.
This information was enough.
He Feng Yang forcibly calmed himself.
He was an Immortal Crane Sect Gu Immortal. He had not lived this long by being reckless. At this point, charging forward would not show courage; it would show stupidity.
He still had One's Own Way Gu.
He still had Expand Space Immortal Gu.
He still had ways to retreat.
But retreating without gaining anything would be a failure.
He looked toward Fang Yuan and shouted, "Fang Yuan, who are these people?"
Fang Yuan chuckled. "Before asking about my guests, should you not introduce yourselves first?"
He Feng Yang's face stiffened.
Fairy Cang Yu glanced at him, then stepped forward slightly.
"I am Cang Yu, a Rank 6 water path Gu Immortal of Immortal Crane Sect."
He Feng Yang suppressed the frustration in his heart and followed, "He Feng Yang, Rank 6 enslavement path Gu Immortal of Immortal Crane Sect."
Their tone was no longer overbearing.
The situation had already forced them to lower their attitude.
Fang Yuan nodded lightly. "So it is Lord He and Fairy Cang Yu. I am Fang Yuan."
He only introduced himself.
He said nothing about the Gu Immortals behind him.
He Feng Yang understood the meaning.
Fang Yuan was refusing to reveal their identities.
But He Feng Yang could not force him.
The weaker side did not have the right to demand answers.
Fairy Cang Yu looked at the desolate beast encirclement, then at the Blue Charm Lightning Shadow struggling near Dang Hun Mountain. Her expression became cold.
"Fang Yuan, your arrangements exceeded our expectations. Today, your side has indeed controlled the situation."
Her voice was calm, but the words were direct.
He Feng Yang did not refute her.
There was no point.
Fang Yuan smiled. "Fairy is straightforward."
Fairy Cang Yu continued, "But do not think this means Immortal Crane Sect is afraid of you. We came prepared. One's Own Way Gu is enough to resist the blessed land's suppression. The Blue Charm Lightning Shadow is still here. If a fight truly breaks out, even if we cannot take Hu Immortal blessed land, the result will not be pleasant for you either."
Fang Yuan nodded. "That is true."
He Feng Yang frowned.
Fang Yuan agreeing so easily made him feel even more uneasy.
Fang Yuan continued, "Killing Gu Immortals is difficult. I know this. If you two insist on leaving, I may not be able to keep both of you here."
His tone was calm.
"But the price of leaving safely may be another matter."
The desolate beasts shifted again.
The iron crown eagle let out a sharp cry in the sky.
The earth chief's fleshy whips moved slowly, blocking one possible path.
The swamp crab's pincers opened wider.
He Feng Yang's fingers tightened inside his sleeve.
Fang Yuan raised his hand.
Several Immortal Gu auras erupted from his body.
The auras were distinct, mysterious, and powerful. They spread out from Fang Yuan one after another, causing He Feng Yang and Fairy Cang Yu's expressions to change.
"Immortal Gu…"
He Feng Yang stared at Fang Yuan, shock and greed flashing in his eyes at the same time.
Fang Yuan was not merely relying on allies.
He himself had multiple Immortal Gu.
This was beyond Immortal Crane Sect's earlier judgment.
Only a year had passed.
Back then, Fang Yuan was still a mortal who had seized Hu Immortal blessed land through an unexpected opportunity.
Now, he had become an immortal zombie and possessed multiple Immortal Gu.
What force stood behind him?
What opportunities had he obtained?
He Feng Yang's thoughts surged, but he did not dare to act on his greed.
Greed required strength to support it.
Right now, the desolate beasts, the hidden Gu Immortals, the Rank 7 aura, and Dang Hun Mountain were all pressing down on him.
Fang Yuan slowly looked at the two immortals.
"Earlier, you wanted me to understand the circumstances."
He smiled.
"Now, have you understood them?"
He Feng Yang's face darkened.
Fairy Cang Yu fell silent.
The Blue Charm Lightning Shadow shrieked again in the distance, but Dang Hun Mountain's vibration suppressed it once more.
The battlefield had quieted, yet the pressure had only become heavier.
After several breaths, He Feng Yang exhaled slowly.
"What do you want?"
This question meant that the invasion had already failed.
Fang Yuan's smile widened.
"I should be asking you that. Immortal Crane Sect came from far away and forced open my blessed land. Was it only to admire Dang Hun Mountain?"
He Feng Yang's eyelids twitched.
Fairy Cang Yu answered instead, "Dang Hun Mountain and guts Gu."
There was no point in hiding it.
Fang Yuan clapped his hands lightly.
"Good. Since you are here for guts Gu, then we can talk business."
He Feng Yang and Fairy Cang Yu were both startled.
Business?
In this situation?
Fang Yuan extended his palm.
A mortal Gu flew out.
It looked like a large ladybug. Its head was small, while its belly was large and translucent. Inside that belly, there was another Gu worm stored.
The mortal Gu slowly flew toward He Feng Yang.
He Feng Yang did not immediately take it.
His expression became guarded.
Fang Yuan laughed. "Do not worry. It is only a Rank 3 Gu."
He Feng Yang hesitated for a moment before carefully catching it with his method.
The moment he inspected it, his gaze changed.
Inside the Gu's translucent belly was another Gu.
And that Gu's aura was extremely familiar to anyone who knew the value of Dang Hun Mountain.
He Feng Yang's voice became slightly hoarse.
"This is… guts Gu?"
Fairy Cang Yu's eyes widened.
Guts Gu could not be taken away from Dang Hun Mountain.
This was common knowledge.
If guts Gu left Dang Hun Mountain, it would dissipate. This was the very reason the ten great ancient sects wanted the mountain itself. Whoever controlled Dang Hun Mountain controlled guts Gu.
But now, a guts Gu was sealed inside this ordinary-looking storage Gu.
It had not dissipated.
It had been preserved.
The meaning behind this was enormous.
He Feng Yang stared at the Gu in his hand, his breathing becoming slightly heavier.
Fairy Cang Yu could not keep her calm either.
If guts Gu could be transported, then the situation changed completely.
Immortal Crane Sect did not necessarily need to seize Dang Hun Mountain today.
They could cooperate.
They could buy.
They could distribute.
They could gain profit without fighting a dangerous battle inside Fang Yuan's prepared territory.
He Feng Yang's mind moved rapidly.
Treasure yellow heaven.
Central Continent.
Northern Plains.
Eastern Sea.
Southern Border.
If guts Gu could be exported, the market would be terrifying.
This was not merely a resource.
This was a long-term business.
Fang Yuan said, "This Gu is called Airsac Gu."
He Feng Yang looked up. "You created this?"
Fang Yuan smiled without answering directly.
That smile made He Feng Yang's thoughts become even heavier.
Airsac Gu.
A mortal Gu that could store guts Gu and allow it to leave Dang Hun Mountain.
Immortal Crane Sect had researched this before, but failed.
Yet Fang Yuan had succeeded.
Or perhaps the force behind Fang Yuan had succeeded.
He Feng Yang looked at Fang Yuan again, then at the hidden Gu Immortals behind him, then at the eight desolate beasts surrounding them.
His understanding changed.
This was not a lucky mortal holding a blessed land he could not protect.
This was a person who had prepared both strength and profit.
If Immortal Crane Sect insisted on force, they would suffer losses and may still fail to obtain Dang Hun Mountain.
If they negotiated, they could still gain access to guts Gu and preserve face.
The difference was obvious.
Fang Yuan's voice sounded again.
"Since both of you are interested in guts Gu, what do you think of doing this transaction?"
He Feng Yang lowered his gaze to the Airsac Gu in his hand.
His heart wavered.
The Blue Charm Lightning Shadow still struggled in the distance.
The desolate beasts still surrounded them.
The hidden Gu Immortals still stood silently behind Fang Yuan.
But the center of the situation had already changed.
This was no longer a battle over whether Immortal Crane Sect could seize Hu Immortal blessed land.
It had become a negotiation over how much benefit they could obtain from Fang Yuan.
He Feng Yang understood this.
Fairy Cang Yu understood it too.
Fang Yuan's trap had not been arranged merely to fight.
It was arranged to make them sit down and talk.