Chapter 181: Chen Luo
A short period passed after Luo Po Valley was taken.
Old Lord Can Yang's blessed land was quiet again. The red mountains still gave off warm fire path aura, and the air carried a dry heat that made the entire blessed land feel like a furnace sealed beneath the earth. Fang Ming stood near the peak of one mountain, looking at the distant sky of the blessed land while his thoughts moved through several places at once.
Inside his immortal aperture, Luo Po Valley had already been placed in its prepared region. The secluded domain of heaven and earth had not collapsed after the move, and the receiving formation had held. That was all Fang Ming needed for now. Hui Feng Zi's sealed immortal aperture was stored separately, not as Fang Ming's personal possession, but as a secured mission gain waiting to be handled according to Eagle Sect rules. The five Eagle Sect Gu Immortals who had fought him were recovering after their first true battle formation mission. Their immortal essence had been heavily consumed, but their morale was different from before.
A sect that had killed a rank seven Gu Immortal would not think the same way again.
Fang Ming did not disturb them. Their battle had value, but it was only one preparation among many. The true storm had not yet arrived.
Then the news came.
Sword lights roamed across Central Continent.
They crossed mountains, rivers, cities, sect territories, and wilderness without restraint. Mortals only saw terrifying light tearing through the sky and thought the heavens had split apart. Gu Masters felt their hearts tremble and hid beneath roofs, caves, and formations. Gu Immortals understood more, and because they understood more, their expressions became heavier.
Immortal zombie Bo Qing had moved.
Sword Immortal Bo Qing had once stood at the peak beneath the venerables. Even if what moved now was only an immortal zombie body, even if his true soul was gone and the situation behind him was full of hidden arrangements, the name Bo Qing still carried the weight to shake Central Continent. Sword lights passing through the region were not only attacks; they were a signal.
When Fang Ming received the news, his expression did not change much, but his gaze deepened slightly.
The time had arrived.
He had waited through dream realms, trades, thefts, inheritances, formations, teleportation methods, and sect training. He had taken what could be taken before the final stage, and now the world was beginning to move toward Yi Tian Mountain. The quiet period of accumulation was over. From this point onward, every step would be closer to the center of the storm.
Fang Ming closed his eyes briefly. Ghostly Concealment existed around him in a hidden layer, quiet and difficult to sense. It did not make him invincible. It did not erase all traces. But it gave him one more veil beneath the already prepared disguises, formations, and methods. In the coming battle, one more veil could decide whether an observer noticed him or looked past him.
When he opened his eyes again, Fang Ming was no longer thinking as Eagle Sect's sect master.
He was thinking as someone who needed to become a mortal.
Southern Border, Yi Tian Mountain.
The sun had just risen, and thin morning fog drifted between the trees. Yi Tian Mountain was still peaceful from a distance. Birds called within the forest, and the mountain paths were wet with dew. If one did not know the future, this place would look like an ordinary mountain that had not yet been dragged into the center of a great struggle.
But halfway up the mountain, the peace was already being broken.
Yi Tian Village was still being built. Wooden frames stood in uneven rows, some only half-finished. Stone foundations had been dug into the ground, piles of timber were stacked near the side, and several demonic path Gu Masters were ordering weaker Gu Masters and mortal workers around. It was not yet a fortress, not yet a famous demonic base, and not yet the battlefield that would shake Southern Border.
It was only a beginning.
A man walked up the mountain path alone.
He wore simple grey-brown clothes that had been patched twice at the sleeve and once near the shoulder. His face was ordinary, neither handsome nor ugly. His body was neither tall nor short. His eyes did not look especially sharp, and his movements carried the caution of a wandering demonic path Gu Master who had survived by avoiding unnecessary trouble. His aura was rank three, stable but not impressive. There was no famous token on his waist, no unusual weapon on his back, no strange bloodline, no memorable scar, and no bearing that made others look twice.
This man was Chen Luo.
At least, that was who Fang Ming was now.
The identity had been chosen carefully because there was almost nothing worth choosing about it. Chen Luo was not a famous killer, not a fugitive with a dramatic past, not a talented young genius, and not a half-variant human with a body that would attract ridicule or memory. He was only one minor demonic path Gu Master among countless others in Southern Border. He had drifted between small markets, minor conflicts, and poor cultivation grounds. He had committed crimes, but none large enough to become famous. He had enemies, but none strong enough to chase him across regions. He had some ability, but not enough for anyone to call him promising.
That was exactly why Fang Ming used him.
Useful, so he would be kept.
Ordinary, so he would be forgotten.
Before Fang Ming reached the village entrance, a demonic path Gu Master noticed him and stepped forward. This person was also rank three. His clothes were dark, and one of his ears had a bronze ring hanging from it. He looked at Fang Ming for a few breaths before asking, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Fang Ming stopped at a proper distance and cupped his fists. His voice was calm, with a little caution and a little respect, exactly like a wandering demonic cultivator who did not want to offend the wrong person. "My name is Chen Luo. I heard that Lord Xiao Shan established Yi Tian Village here, so I came to join. I do not have much ability, but I am rank three and can still do some work. If the village gives me food, a place to stay, and fair treatment, I am willing to follow orders."
The rank three Gu Master looked him up and down. There was no excitement in his eyes, but there was also no rejection. These days, Yi Tian Village needed people. Xiao Shan's name had begun to spread, and many demonic path Gu Masters were arriving one after another. Some were fierce, some were desperate, some were wanted by righteous clans, and some simply wanted to attach themselves to a rising force before the benefits were divided.
Chen Luo looked like the last kind.
"Fair treatment?" the rank three Gu Master repeated, half amused. "You came to the demonic path and still ask about fairness?"
Fang Ming gave a modest smile. "I am not asking for kindness. I only mean that if I work, I get food. If I fight, I get counted. If I die, then I was unlucky. That much will do."
The Gu Master laughed once. "You speak plainly. Come with me. Whether you can stay or not depends on Leader Xiao."
Fang Ming followed him into Yi Tian Village.
The village was rough and busy. Some people were cutting wood, some were moving stones, some were digging defensive trenches, and some were arguing loudly about where certain structures should be placed. Several demonic Gu Masters sat under a half-built shelter drinking wine and laughing, while others watched the mountain paths with alert eyes. This was not a righteous clan settlement with neat rules and inherited order. It was a demonic gathering held together by Xiao Shan's reputation, shared resentment toward the righteous path, and the expectation of future benefit.
Xiao Shan was standing near a half-built defensive wall, pointing toward several positions while speaking to the people beside him. He was not relaxed. The village had only recently been established, and every wall, trench, and watch point mattered. If the righteous path attacked now, Yi Tian Village would have to rely more on people than structures.
The rank three Gu Master brought Fang Ming forward and said, "Leader, another person came to join us. Rank three. Calls himself Chen Luo."
Xiao Shan turned and looked at Fang Ming.
For a brief moment, Fang Ming could feel more than Xiao Shan's gaze.
Far above, beyond the perception of mortals, Southern Border Gu Immortals were also observing Yi Tian Mountain. Their attention did not fall heavily on Chen Luo, but any new pawn entering the board might still receive a glance. Fang Ming kept his posture natural. His immortal aperture was sealed, his aura was mortal, his disguise was ordinary, and Ghostly Concealment lay hidden beneath the surface like a quiet shadow.
Xiao Shan's gaze swept across him. He saw a rank three demonic Gu Master with ordinary appearance, ordinary aura, and ordinary caution. Not useless, but not important.
"What path do you cultivate?" Xiao Shan asked.
"Earth path mostly, with some strength path methods for close fighting," Fang Ming answered. "I am not skilled enough to be called an expert, but I can hold a position and help with construction."
That answer made Xiao Shan's expression ease slightly. Yi Tian Village needed people who could fight, but it also needed people who could build. A rank three Gu Master who could help with defensive work was useful.
"Why did you come here?" Xiao Shan asked again.
Fang Ming lowered his head slightly. "The righteous path clans keep pressing people like us. Alone, I can only hide from place to place. I heard Lord Xiao dared to stand against them, so I came to see whether there was a place for me here."
The answer was neither too passionate nor too cold. He did not shout loyalty. He did not flatter like a fool. He did not speak of dying for Xiao Shan after one meeting. He sounded like a practical demonic Gu Master who wanted shelter under a stronger banner.
Xiao Shan nodded. "Yi Tian Village accepts those willing to stand with us. Since you are rank three and know some earth path methods, help with the western side first. We are reinforcing the slope there. Do your work properly, and the village will not mistreat you."
Fang Ming cupped his fists. "Thank you, Leader Xiao. I will do my part."
Xiao Shan gave a few more simple instructions, then turned back to the defensive layout. His attention left Chen Luo quickly.
That was good.
Not disgust. Not admiration. Not suspicion. Not interest.
Only ordinary acceptance.
Fang Ming followed another Gu Master toward the western slope. His face showed the relief of someone who had found temporary shelter, but inside, his mind was already spreading beneath the mountain.
Yi Tian Mountain's surface was rough and unfinished, but below it, deeper than the villagers could imagine, Graceful Chaotic Duel Stage existed silently. The rank eight Immortal Gu House suppressed the Great Strength True Martial immortal zombie and contained a vast amount of battle will. Southern Border Gu Immortals wanted to use mortal pawns and battlefield slaughter to refine that battle will bit by bit, turning the Immortal Gu House into the prize of their gambling contest.
They were still looking from outside.
Fang Ming was already inside the board.
He did not rush to touch Graceful Chaotic Duel Stage immediately. The first rule of infiltration was to let the disguise settle. Chen Luo spent the day moving stone, reinforcing earth walls, and following orders from stronger demonic Gu Masters. When asked to help, he helped. When others argued, he avoided speaking too much. When someone mocked his plainness, he smiled and let it pass. When work became heavy, he used only the strength needed to prove his rank three cultivation was real, but not so much that others would praise him.
By evening, several people had already forgotten his name.
That was even better.
Night fell over Yi Tian Mountain. Fires lit up inside the unfinished village, and the mountain wind carried the smell of damp wood, sweat, and simple food. Some demonic Gu Masters drank and boasted. Some sharpened weapons. Some cursed righteous clans. Some spoke of Xiao Shan with admiration, believing they had joined the beginning of something great.
Fang Ming sat near a corner of the western side with a bowl of rough food in his hand. He ate slowly, like everyone else. His posture was relaxed, his expression plain, and his aura remained steady at rank three.
Inside, he began his real work.
His mind sank downward, passing through the mountain, following the faint traces that ordinary Gu Masters could not sense. He did not use overwhelming force. He did not tear open the hidden arrangement. He moved like a thin thread of will slipping into the edge of a vast woven net.
Graceful Chaotic Duel Stage's battle will was not weak. Even before the great battles fully began, the Immortal Gu House already contained a deep foundation of pure battle will. Ordinary Southern Border Gu Immortals had to rely on mortal pawns fighting on the battlefield. Through their pawns, they produced battle will, resonated with the Immortal Gu House, and slowly converted some of the pure battle will into their own.
Fang Ming's method was different.
He was inside Yi Tian Mountain personally. His refinement path attainment allowed him to understand how ownership and transformation could be approached. His formation path attainment allowed him to read the structure surrounding the Immortal Gu House and avoid crude mistakes. His preparations allowed him to begin from a better position than ordinary Gu Immortals who were still treating the situation like a gambling board viewed from a distance.
A faint pressure rose in his mind.
Fang Ming did not resist it directly. He adjusted, guided, divided, and refined.
To outsiders, Chen Luo was only sitting quietly after a day of work. No one thought much of him. A tired rank three Gu Master eating silently at night was not worth attention.
To Fang Ming, this was the true beginning of the Yi Tian Mountain operation.
The next few days passed in a similar rhythm. Yi Tian Village grew slowly. More demonic path Gu Masters arrived, and more righteous path scouts appeared near the mountain. The air around the village became tenser. Xiao Shan's side knew that the righteous path would not allow Yi Tian Village to grow peacefully, and the righteous path knew that if Xiao Shan gathered too many demonic cultivators, the situation would become harder to control.
Then the first clashes began.
At first, they were small. A patrol was ambushed. A righteous path scout was captured. A demonic path Gu Master disappeared near a forest path and was later found dead. Yi Tian Village responded by strengthening guards, while the righteous side sent more people.
Chen Luo participated in two small fights. In the first, he helped block a side path with earth path Gu, slowing a rank two righteous Gu Master long enough for another demonic cultivator to wound him. In the second, he exchanged several moves with a rank three opponent, took a shallow injury on his arm, and retreated at a reasonable time. His performance was neither impressive nor shameful. A few people saw him and judged that he had some use.
No one remembered him deeply.
But every clash produced battle will.
Fang Ming refined quietly.
As the righteous and demonic conflict grew, Yi Tian Mountain changed. The unfinished village became rougher but stronger. Wooden walls were reinforced with earth and stone. Watch points appeared. Wounded Gu Masters cursed under shelters while others argued about revenge. Some people died, and new people came to replace them. The mountain that had seemed peaceful under morning fog began to smell of blood.
Behind the scenes, Southern Border Gu Immortals watched everything.
They did not see the mortals the way mortals saw themselves. The Gu Masters on Yi Tian Mountain had hatred, ambition, loyalty, fear, and hope. Some fought because they admired Xiao Shan. Some fought because the righteous path had destroyed their homes. Some fought because demonic chaos gave them a chance to rise. Some fought because they had nowhere else to go.
But in the eyes of the Gu Immortals above, most of these people were only pawns.
Each battle was a move.
Each death was a cost.
Each burst of battle will was a chance to gain more influence over Graceful Chaotic Duel Stage.
Xiao clan's supreme elder paid especially close attention. His next tribulation was approaching, and the pressure of death was already near his neck. Graceful Chaotic Duel Stage was not merely a treasure to him. It was a possibility of survival, a light seen by someone who had been walking toward a cliff. Because of that, he had invested heavily and could not easily retreat. Xiao Shan was his pawn, but also his hope.
Other Southern Border Gu Immortals had their own thoughts. Some wanted the Immortal Gu House. Some wanted to weaken rivals. Some wanted to gamble for profit. Some did not fully believe they could win, but still refused to stand aside when such a treasure had appeared.
They watched the ants fight and believed themselves to be players.
Inside Yi Tian Village, Fang Ming carried a bundle of timber across the western side and almost laughed.
Mortals were ants. That was true.
But were Gu Immortals not pieces as well?
The Southern Border immortals looked down from behind the curtain, thinking they controlled the board because their pawns fought on the mountain. Yet behind them stood Shadow Sect. Heavenly Court was also watching the world from another layer. And beyond even Shadow Sect and Heavenly Court, the true contest was not between these Southern Border gamblers at all.
It was Spectral Soul against heaven's will.
Layer after layer, pawns looked down on smaller pawns and mistook that higher position for freedom. A mortal Gu Master thought he was fighting for his own fate. A Gu Immortal thought he was gambling with mortal lives. Shadow Sect thought it was arranging the world. Heavenly Court thought it was defending fate. Heaven's will pushed from above, while Spectral Soul struggled from below.
And Fang Ming, disguised as Chen Luo, walked through Yi Tian Village carrying timber like a minor rank three Gu Master.
The thought was amusing.
He lowered the timber beside a half-built wall and wiped sweat from his forehead like a normal mortal. A nearby demonic Gu Master glanced at him and said, "Chen Luo, after this, go help reinforce the lower trench."
Fang Ming nodded naturally. "Understood. I will go after placing these beams."
The Gu Master turned away without another word.
Fang Ming continued working.
At the same time, another thread of his will moved toward Graceful Chaotic Duel Stage.
Multitasking was not a burden to him. He was an enslavement path Gu Immortal. Controlling many beasts, maintaining formations, dividing attention between battlefield movements, subordinate orders, resource management, and killer move timing was already part of his cultivation habit. For Fang Ming, acting as Chen Luo while refining battle will was not like splitting himself in half. It was like breathing while walking.
A mortal task occupied his hands.
The Immortal Gu House occupied his deeper attention.
His face remained ordinary.
His progress did not stop.
More days passed, and the battle waves grew larger. The righteous path sent stronger Gu Masters. The demonic side drew in more fierce names. Some came for Xiao Shan. Some came for profit. Some came only because bloodshed attracted people like them. The names of certain experts began spreading through Yi Tian Village, and whenever one appeared, the morale of one side rose while the other tightened its guard.
Chen Luo's name did not spread.
He guarded a side path during one battle. He helped carry an injured Gu Master during another. Once, he used an earth wall to block flying stones from striking a group of workers, but several others acted at the same time, so no one credited him specially. Another time, he retreated after his assigned group leader gave the order, neither first nor last. He ate with ordinary Gu Masters, rested in ordinary shelters, and never pushed himself forward when rewards or praise were being discussed.
To the village, he slowly became familiar in the most forgettable way.
A person people recognized but did not think about.
That was the perfect mask.
Meanwhile, Fang Ming's refinement of battle will advanced steadily. His speed was far beyond what the Southern Border Gu Immortals expected from any ordinary pawn. He was not simply producing battle will through fighting. He was touching the process at a deeper level, using refinement path understanding to transform, formation path understanding to align, and his own will to occupy small portions without causing obvious disturbance.
The battle will inside Graceful Chaotic Duel Stage was vast. Fang Ming could feel its depth more clearly as he progressed. It was not something that could be swallowed casually in a few nights. A rank eight Immortal Gu House that had suppressed the Great Strength True Martial immortal zombie for so long could not be simple. Even with his advantages, he needed patience.
But patience was not hesitation.
Each small battle helped him.
Each wave of conflict gave him cover.
Each new Gu Master arriving on the mountain made Chen Luo less noticeable.
One evening, after a fierce clash near the lower slope, Yi Tian Village was filled with wounded people. Blood stained the ground near the temporary healing area, and angry voices rose around the fires. Some demonic Gu Masters cursed the righteous path, some demanded revenge, and some boasted that the next battle would be different.
Fang Ming sat near the edge of the crowd, wrapping a bandage around his own shoulder. The wound was shallow, deliberately taken during the fight. It made Chen Luo look like someone who had participated honestly without making him look capable in a way that would attract attention.
A young rank two Gu Master nearby looked at him and asked, "Brother Chen, do you think we can win?"
Fang Ming pulled the bandage tight and gave a tired smile. "That depends on whether more people come to help us and whether the righteous path sends stronger experts. People like us can only follow the situation."
The young Gu Master frowned. "That sounds too passive."
"It is better than pretending we decide everything," Fang Ming said.
The young Gu Master had no answer.
A few people nearby heard the exchange and laughed, but the laughter held no malice. Chen Luo's words sounded like the practical caution of a wandering demonic Gu Master. Not heroic, not cowardly, only realistic.
Fang Ming lowered his eyes and continued tying the bandage.
Deep below, another trace of battle will shifted under his refinement.
Above the mountain, unseen by the mortals, Southern Border Gu Immortals continued watching, calculating, and competing. Their wagers increased as the battlefield expanded. Xiao clan's supreme elder stared at the progress of his pawn with suppressed urgency, while other Gu Immortals adjusted their own arrangements. The mortal war was still in its early stages, but the invisible contest had already become intense.
Fang Ming felt their movements faintly through the changes around Graceful Chaotic Duel Stage.
He did not challenge them openly.
Not yet.
For now, Chen Luo would remain Chen Luo. He would work, fight, eat, rest, and survive like an ordinary rank three demonic Gu Master. He would let Xiao Shan overlook him, let the village forget him, and let the Southern Border Gu Immortals dismiss him as one minor piece among many.
A pawn that no one remembered could sometimes reach places a famous general could not.
Fang Ming looked toward the night sky above Yi Tian Mountain. The stars were dim behind drifting clouds, and the mountain wind carried the smell of blood and wet soil.
The board had opened.
The pawns had begun to move.
And beneath the feet of countless ants, Graceful Chaotic Duel Stage was slowly being touched by a hand that did not belong to any Southern Border gambler.