Chapter 179: Timeline Test
Half a month passed after the Starry Sky fragment incident, but Central Continent's ten great ancient sects had not calmed down.
The dream realm had vanished from under their eyes, leaving behind only a cleanly cut wound in the earth. Spirit Affinity House had lost a guard, Feng Jin Huang had been forced away by a desolate beast, and the unknown Gu Immortal behind the operation had disappeared without showing even his shadow. To the ten great ancient sects, this was not merely theft. It was humiliation. They had sealed the region, divided the fragment worlds, and set the rules, yet someone had used those very rules to rob them cleanly.
But anger could not replace clues.
The mortal Gu Masters who had entered the fragment world had vanished. Wu Meng had vanished. The teleport traces had been cut off, and the formation marks around the stolen dream realm had collapsed soon after activation. Even when wisdom path Gu Immortals tried to deduce the matter, what they found was scattered, broken, and deliberately misleading. Someone had prepared for their reaction before the operation even began.
Fang Ming had not left anything to chance.
Inside his immortal aperture, Wu Meng and the twenty rank five Gu Masters remained hidden. None of them were allowed to leave for now. Their rewards had already been given, but their freedom was temporarily restricted. This was not punishment. It was protection. Central Continent would search for them, and if any one of them appeared outside too soon, even a small trace could become a thread for deduction.
As for the dream realm, it remained sealed inside a prepared formation.
Fang Ming had not explored it, had not sent a clone into it, and had not even let his will approach it too closely. Star Constellation Immortal Venerable's dream realm was not an ordinary opportunity. To most Gu Immortals, it might seem like a priceless treasure, but to Fang Ming, it looked more like bait placed on a hook. A rank nine venerable's dream was far beyond what he could safely digest at this stage.
He had stolen it, but not for himself.
A good gift should remain untouched.
On this day, Fang Ming sat among the red mountains of Old Lord Can Yang's blessed land. The air carried a faint heat, and streams of fire path energy moved through the earth like hidden veins. Distant cliffs glowed under the blessed land's sky, and the silence around him was broken only by the soft movement of Gu worms inside nearby formations. This place had once belonged to Old Lord Can Yang. Now, it was one of Fang Ming's secure bases.
A Gu worm hovered before him.
Fang Ming sent a short message through it.
"Are you in Hu Immortal blessed land?"
The reply came after a short while.
"I am."
Fang Ming's eyes narrowed slightly. Fang Yuan's answer was simple, as usual. That suited him.
Purple mist rose around Fang Ming's body. Space folded, and his figure vanished from the mountain. When he appeared again, he was already in Hu Immortal blessed land.
Dang Hun Mountain stood in the distance, tall and pink, its strange form giving off a pressure that ordinary people would find difficult to endure. The air here seemed peaceful, but beneath that peace was a deep foundation. Guts Gu business, Fang Yuan's immortal zombie body, the blessed land's defenses, and the many hidden arrangements around the land made this place far from simple.
Fang Yuan soon came to meet him. He was still in his immortal zombie form, tall, ugly, and cold. His greenish-black skin and sharp fangs made him look more like a monster than a man, but his eyes remained calm and deep.
"Fang Ming," Fang Yuan said, studying him. "You came quickly."
Fang Ming smiled. "I asked whether you were here because I was already prepared to come."
"That sounds like you have a deal in mind."
"I do."
The two walked near Dang Hun Mountain, but neither stood too close to it. Fang Ming had no interest in suffering soul damage just to hold a conversation, and Fang Yuan had no need to show off Dang Hun Mountain's power. After a few brief pleasantries, Fang Ming went directly to the point.
"I want Dong Fang Chang Fan's wisdom path inheritance," Fang Ming said. "Especially the parts about defending against wills. I can trade Old Lord Can Yang's inheritance for it."
Fang Yuan's expression did not change, but his gaze sharpened slightly. He looked at Fang Ming quietly for several breaths before answering.
"That is not enough."
Fang Ming did not look surprised. "Because it is wisdom path?"
"Because it is Dong Fang Chang Fan's wisdom path inheritance," Fang Yuan corrected. "A normal inheritance and a wisdom path inheritance are not equal. Dong Fang Chang Fan was not an ordinary wisdom path Gu Immortal either. His inheritance includes deductions, will manipulation, arrangements against enemies, and methods that can be used to support many paths. Old Lord Can Yang's inheritance is valuable, but it is not enough for a direct exchange."
Fang Ming nodded. He had expected this answer. Fang Yuan was not Hei Lou Lan. He would not be moved by urgency, emotion, or friendly words. If the value was not enough, he would say so directly. Fang Ming actually preferred this kind of transaction. Fang Yuan's greed was clear, and clear greed was easier to calculate than hidden righteousness.
"What do you want added?" Fang Ming asked.
Fang Yuan did not answer immediately. His thoughts moved quickly. Old Lord Can Yang's inheritance had value. It involved fire path, Immortal Crane Sect background, and some Central Continent knowledge. But Fang Ming had killed Old Lord Can Yang and gained more than just one inheritance.
After thinking for a moment, Fang Yuan said, "Immortal Crane Sect's crane inheritance."
Fang Ming raised an eyebrow. "You want their crane system?"
"Yes. Raising cranes, controlling cranes, inducing crane mutations, using cranes for profit, materials produced from cranes, and the standard immortal-level knowledge Immortal Crane Sect gives to its Gu Immortals in that area."
Fang Ming looked at Fang Yuan for a moment, then smiled. "You really do not miss chances."
Fang Yuan's tone remained plain. "You killed Old Lord Can Yang. If he carried this knowledge, then it is in your hands. Since you want a wisdom path inheritance, adding this is reasonable."
"It is reasonable," Fang Ming admitted.
The Immortal Crane Sect crane inheritance was not useless to him, but it was not one of his core systems. Fang Ming had eagles, Eagle Nest formations, Control Eagle Immortal Gu, and his own beast management route. The crane inheritance could offer reference value, but it was not irreplaceable. For Fang Yuan, however, every complete system could become fuel. Resources, beasts, production, profit, feeding, and long-term management were all things he could use.
Fang Ming extended his hand. "Then let us trade."
Fang Yuan also raised his hand.
Gu worms moved between them. Information path methods activated, pledges were made, content was checked, and inheritances were exchanged. Neither side trusted the other completely, but neither side needed blind trust. The trade was structured clearly enough that deception would cost more than it was worth.
Fang Yuan received Old Lord Can Yang's inheritance and the Immortal Crane Sect crane system. Fang Ming received Dong Fang Chang Fan's wisdom path inheritance, along with the parts related to wills and will-defense.
When the exchange ended, Fang Yuan inspected part of the inheritance Fang Ming had given him. After confirming there was no obvious issue, he stored it away and looked at Fang Ming again.
"Your need for will-defense seems urgent."
"It is."
Fang Yuan did not press further. Between them, asking too much was pointless. Both had secrets, and both knew the other had secrets. A question that could not receive a real answer was only wasted breath.
Fang Ming turned to leave, but before the purple mist rose, Fang Yuan spoke again.
"Dong Fang Chang Fan's inheritance is not something you can digest in a short time. If you rush to use it, the result may be crude."
Fang Ming paused and glanced back. "Crude is enough for now. Perfect methods are for people with time."
Fang Yuan looked at him silently, then gave a faint smile. "That is true."
Purple mist rose, and Fang Ming vanished from Hu Immortal blessed land.
When he appeared again, he was back among the red mountains and warm wind of Old Lord Can Yang's blessed land. He did not immediately study the inheritance. Instead, he sat on a stone platform and closed his eyes.
The trade was complete.
Fang Yuan had accepted.
That mattered more than the inheritance itself.
Fang Ming's fingers tapped lightly against the stone beneath him. This transaction was not only for wisdom path methods. It was also a test. A crude test, yes, but a useful one.
Fang Ming had always been wary of one thing: Fang Yuan's Spring Autumn Cicada.
If Fang Yuan used Spring Autumn Cicada in the future and returned to the past, then the entire situation would change. Fang Ming had made arrangements with Autumn Tag Along, trying to connect himself to Fang Yuan's rebirth and gain memories when the river of time reversed. But that arrangement was not absolute. It had conditions. Fang Ming had to still be alive, and the Gu or spirit arrangement connected to Autumn Tag Along could not be destroyed.
If Fang Ming died before Fang Yuan returned in time, he would not remember anything. If the arrangement was broken, he would also remain ignorant. A method involving the river of time could never be treated as completely safe, especially when Fang Yuan and Spring Autumn Cicada were involved.
So Fang Ming needed other signs.
This trade was one of them.
If Fang Yuan had already returned from the future, he would likely remember this exchange. He would already know that Fang Ming had traded Old Lord Can Yang's inheritance and the Immortal Crane Sect crane system for Dong Fang Chang Fan's wisdom path inheritance. In that case, Fang Yuan would not accept the same deal so normally. He might refuse, ask for something different, test Fang Ming in return, or pretend while leaving subtle traces in tone, rhythm, or price.
But Fang Yuan had accepted.
His reaction was natural. His bargaining was reasonable. His demand for the crane inheritance fit his current needs and knowledge.
This suggested that this was still the first run. Fang Yuan had not yet used Spring Autumn Cicada to return from the future after Yi Tian Mountain.
It was not absolute proof. Fang Ming did not believe in absolute proof when dealing with Fang Yuan. But combined with his previous arrangements, it was enough to reduce uncertainty.
Only then did Fang Ming open his eyes and turn his attention to Dong Fang Chang Fan's wisdom path inheritance. Streams of information flowed through his mind: deductions, will arrangements, false wills, will defense, methods to interfere with enemies' thoughts, and ways to preserve one's own intent under pressure.
Dong Fang Chang Fan had been a true wisdom path expert. Even if Fang Ming did not have time to digest everything, the inheritance still gave him a direction. The next major conflict would not be simple. Rank eight experts would be involved. Shadow Sect would be involved. Spectral Soul's side would be involved. Even Gu Immortals who did not mainly cultivate wisdom path could still influence, suppress, mislead, or destroy wills at that level.
Fang Ming had Unfathomable Will Immortal Gu, but relying on a single Gu was not enough. One Gu could be targeted, suppressed, bypassed, or overwhelmed. His solution for now would be crude: copy another Unfathomable Will Gu when possible, pair the two together, and build a defensive layer using the simpler parts of Dong Fang Chang Fan's inheritance. He did not need elegance. He needed something that could hold for a short while when the real storm arrived.
For several days, Fang Ming remained in the mountains, studying. Gu worms moved around him as thoughts rose and fell. Wills formed, split, merged, resisted, and collapsed under his control. Some distorted almost instantly, while others survived under layers of protection. The methods were rough, but they improved quickly.
Fang Ming did not seek to become a wisdom path expert overnight. He only needed to avoid being helpless.
When the basic framework was ready, he stopped.
There was another matter to handle.
Lang Ya blessed land.
Through the arranged channel, Fang Ming contacted the Eagle Sect Gu Immortals who had been training there. During this time, they had not been idle. They had used Tyrannical Barbarian Ancient Formation repeatedly against Lang Ya's hairy man Gu Immortals and Heavenly Giant Solor. The training had been exhausting, expensive, and sometimes humiliating for both sides, but it had value.
The Eagle Sect Gu Immortals were no longer completely unfamiliar with ancient battle formation combat. They understood how to connect immortal essence, stabilize formation pressure, move as one battle body through multiple wills, and avoid wasting strength when attacking. They were not masters, but they were usable.
Soon, Fang Ming recalled them.
One by one, the Eagle Sect Gu Immortals appeared before him inside Old Lord Can Yang's blessed land. Fairy Huang Sha, Fairy Qing Suo, Fairy Fen Meng, Bian Si Xuan, and Ju Go stood together. Their auras had grown sharper than before. Training against Lang Ya's hairy men had not turned them into elite combat monsters, but it had polished away some of the stiffness that newly gathered forces usually had.
Ju Go cupped his fists. "Sect master, are we moving?"
"Yes," Fang Ming said. "Luo Po Valley."
The expressions of several immortals changed. Bian Si Xuan reacted the fastest. After all, she was the one who had given Fang Ming information related to Luo Po Valley's location.
"Shadow Sect's old base," she said softly.
"Former base," Fang Ming replied. "The Hundred Days Battle has changed the situation. Shadow Sect's hold has been broken, and Central Continent's main force should have already shifted. But I do not assume the place is empty."
Fairy Huang Sha frowned. "There may still be guards."
"There will likely be guards. If not guards, then observers. If not observers, then information-path arrangements. We are not going there for a stroll."
Fairy Fen Meng glanced at the others. "Then this is why you had us train Tyrannical Barbarian Ancient Formation."
"One of the reasons."
Fang Ming raised his hand, and an image of Luo Po Valley's surroundings formed in front of them. The terrain was rough, surrounded by desolate wilderness and hidden arrangements. The valley itself was one of the secluded domains of heaven and earth, carrying soul path power that had existed since ancient times.
"Our goals are simple," Fang Ming said. "First, I will obtain the Thieving Heaven-related arrangement inside Luo Po Valley. Second, I will take Luo Po Valley itself."
Even though they had expected something large, the Eagle Sect Gu Immortals still felt their hearts shake. Luo Po Valley was not an ordinary resource point. It was a secluded domain of heaven and earth. Even super forces would fight for such a place.
Ju Go asked carefully, "Sect master, if we succeed, how will the valley be handled?"
"Ownership belongs to me," Fang Ming said. "You will be compensated with immortal essence stones. In the future, Eagle Sect Gu Immortals can use Luo Po Valley for cultivation, soul tempering, and sect missions when approved."
No one objected. This was Fang Ming's operation, Fang Ming's information, Fang Ming's formation, and Fang Ming's risk. They were subordinates, not equal partners. Being given compensation and usage rights was already generous.
Bian Si Xuan nodded. "What is our role?"
"If there is a guard outside, you deal with him."
Fang Ming waved his sleeve, and another formation image appeared. "This is the information-blocking battlefield formation borrowed from Lang Ya. It is incomplete, but enough for this operation. Once activated, it will block messages and isolate the battlefield. Inside it, you will use Tyrannical Barbarian Ancient Formation."
Fairy Qing Suo's expression became serious. "Against a rank seven?"
"Most likely."
The atmosphere tightened.
Fang Ming looked over them calmly. "You trained to use an ancient battle formation. This is the first real test. If the target is too strong, your goal is to delay and suppress. If the opportunity appears, kill him."
Ju Go's gaze sharpened. "And if we kill him?"
"Seal his immortal aperture immediately. Do not let it fall apart, and do not greedily search it before it is safe."
Ju Go lowered his head. "Understood."
Fang Ming's gaze moved across all five of them. "Remember this. You are not fighting as five scattered Gu Immortals. If you fight separately, you are weak. If you fight through Tyrannical Barbarian, you are a single battle body. Use the formation. Trust the formation. Do not chase personal merit."
The five Gu Immortals answered together, "Yes, sect master."
Fang Ming nodded.
Purple mist rose, and the group vanished.
When Fang Ming appeared near Luo Po Valley, the air was heavy and cold. This place carried the desolate atmosphere and beneath the wind was a deeper chill, the kind that seemed to brush against the soul itself. Even from a distance, Luo Po Valley gave off a pressure unlike ordinary mountains or valleys.
Fang Ming did not release the Eagle Sect Gu Immortals immediately. He first concealed his aura and scanned the surroundings. There were traces of battle. Old immortal killer move marks had not fully faded, soul path disturbances lingered in the air, and some areas looked calm while carrying hidden danger. The Hundred Days Battle had indeed left scars here.
Then Fang Ming's gaze shifted.
Someone was hidden outside the valley.
Hui Feng Zi.
Fang Ming did not wait for the man to notice them clearly. The broken battlefield formation activated at once. Formation light spread silently through the surroundings. It did not erupt with grand radiance; instead, it folded inward like a curtain being drawn around a section of the world. Information-path signals were swallowed, space trembled faintly, and the outer world became separated from the inner battlefield.
Hui Feng Zi reacted instantly. His expression changed, and his body blurred as he tried to move.
But Fang Ming had already opened his immortal aperture.
The Eagle Sect Gu Immortals appeared.
In the next moment, Tyrannical Barbarian Ancient Formation activated. Silver-brown light surged around the five immortals. Their immortal essence connected, their wills linked, and a huge ancient barbarian figure condensed inside the battlefield. Its body was rough and powerful, with thick arms, armor-like muscles, and a savage pressure that filled the sealed space.
Hui Feng Zi's eyes narrowed sharply. "Who are you people?"
No one answered him.
The ancient barbarian stepped forward and punched.
Hui Feng Zi vanished from his original position, leaving only an afterimage. The punch smashed through the air and caused the battlefield formation to tremble. But before Hui Feng Zi could use the gap to send a message, the formation swallowed the signal completely.
His expression became ugly. "Information-blocking battlefield formation…"
Inside Tyrannical Barbarian, Ju Go's voice sounded through the shared senses. "He is fast."
Bian Si Xuan replied calmly, "Do not chase his body. Control his routes."
Fairy Huang Sha immediately followed, "Force him toward the western edge. The formation there is thicker."
The ancient barbarian moved again. This time, it did not blindly attack. One arm swept out to block Hui Feng Zi's movement path. Another smashed toward the ground, forcing air currents upward. A third movement came slower, but it pressed the battlefield space and limited his escape angle.
Hui Feng Zi was a rank seven expert. His speed was astonishing. Even under pressure, he moved like a gust of wind, slipping through small gaps and avoiding heavy blows again and again. But the battlefield was sealed. He could dodge, but he could not leave. He could send messages, but none escaped.
Fang Ming watched only long enough to confirm that the formation was stable. Then he turned away.
Hui Feng Zi was not his main target.
The Eagle Sect Gu Immortals would handle him.
Fang Ming moved toward Luo Po Valley. Behind him, the sealed battlefield shook as Hui Feng Zi clashed with Tyrannical Barbarian Ancient Formation. In front of him, Luo Po Valley waited silently.
The closer Fang Ming came, the stronger the soul path pressure became. Cold wind passed through the valley, carrying strange sounds that seemed like whispers and cries. Ordinary Gu Masters would not be able to endure this place for long. Even Gu Immortals needed methods to protect their souls if they stayed too deeply inside.
Fang Ming's expression remained calm. He briefly inspected the entrance and surrounding terrain. Luo Po Valley had once been Shadow Sect's base, and even after the Hundred Days Battle, he did not believe all danger had vanished. He checked for obvious remnant formations, information-path traces, soul path traps, and hidden reactions. There were still marks, but no immediate obstruction.
Fang Ming took out a Gu worm.
Open Door Gu.
He did not hesitate for long. The Gu activated, and a light entrance appeared in the air.
Behind him, the distant battlefield formation trembled again, and the muffled roar of Tyrannical Barbarian echoed through the sealed space. Fang Ming looked at the entrance quietly for a moment, then stepped into the light.
The entrance swallowed his figure.
Then the light began to shrink.