Fang Yuan was gently stroking the fur on the Crimsonhoof Deer, snatching a Three Steps Fragrant Grass Gu before heading back to the village.
In the middle of his journey, he suddenly felt like his mind had collided with someone else's for a brief moment.
"This is... all the way back here!" Fang Yuan muttered, looking into this aperture and seeing that he was still at Rank 4 Initial Stage, though it was being suppressed by Training Weights Gu.
There was one massive difference, however. His vital gu was finally back- the Spring Autumn Cicada was once again near the brink of death from its journey through the River of Time, but this meant that its aura was now greatly suppressed and weakened. His aperture could very easily contain it.
It fluttered lightly in his aperture. He had felt very... odd in its absence, as if a part of him was missing when it had been sealed away. Being his vital gu, perhaps such a feeling was normal? Such a thing had never happened to him before. His vital gu had died in the past, yes, but was rapidly replaced generally speaking.
Naturally, this also meant that he was no longer bound to Qing Mao mountain. He did not need to stick around for the upcoming disasters that were on the horizon, most of which had been plotted out by Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable.
He could take Fang Zheng and flee now, however...
Mission complete successfully!
Save Me Spring Autumn Cicada-chan, You're My Only Hope!
Reward: Rank 4 Yin-Yang Gu (x 1) has been added to your inventory.
The addition of this gu worm only solidified a plan in Fang Yuan's mind regarding what he could do in the future.
Yes, the fighting between Lord Sky Crane and first gen Gu Yue was going to be chaotic- but as Sun Tzu said- 'In the midst of chaos, there is opportunity.'
Fang Yuan would be walking upon a thin tightrope, in danger of being killed by either of them. It was risk, but at the same time, he could reap huge rewards if his gamble paid off.
Those of the demonic faction loved to gamble, though Fang Yuan would not gamble unnecessarily of course. There was also the issue to keep in mind that Genesis Lotus might've even kept this possibility in mind and there was some other kind of trick or trap waiting to keep him contained on the mountain.
He was still on the fence regarding his future course of action, but then resolved himself to stay for now. There were several benefits that he could reap in the meantime, and if push came to shove, retreat was always an option in the future.
The first thing he needed to do was to use the Human Path dao marks that he had accumulated up until now. He had been unsure of committing himself to the Human Path up until now, but upon seeing the power of even one first-class Human Path gu worm, that being Charity Gu, he had changed his mind. Additionally, it did not conflict with other path dao marks, that bit that Genesis Lotus had told him was true.
So there was no downside to doing so! He had accumulated 202 of them right now, though with every passing week he would gain 5 more.
Secret mission complete!
Favored Child of Humanity I
Description: Get 100 Human Path dao marks.
Reward: A set of dream realms.
Would the host like to explore this dream realm right now?
Secret mission complete!
Favored Child of Humanity II
Description: Get 200 Human Path dao marks.
Reward: Rank 5 Integration Gu (x 1)
While there were some secret missions the system told him about, some were completely hidden, which were these two. He had gotten their rewards far too late last time, but now, he was quite interested in knowing what kind of dream realm he had fetched.
Though, that could all be done later.
He now began dashing forward in the direction where he knew that Qing Shu was going to be. As was to be expected, he soon saw the figures materializing on the horizon. Qing Shu and his gang were being chased by Bai Ning Bing.
Last time, Fang Yuan had failed in the mission to prevent Qing Shu from dying during the wolf tide- because Qing Shu had died here.
However, with the benefit of knowing what was to happen in the future, he could act differently now.
"Brother Qing Shu!" Fang Yuan called out, as the man briefly turned his head to look at Fang Yuan.
"Ah, good timing, we were helping a mixed group of clansmen fend off some wolves, but then he descended from a mountain, saying that we were interrupting his fun, and that he had been waiting to see the Gu Masters scream in horror as they were torn apart by the wolves," Qing Shu said through gritted teeth. "He then slaughtered them all himself, regardless of whether they were Bai clansmen or not. Then, he began chasing us."
"Bai Ning Bing, as an elder of the clan don't you have any shame?" Qing Mao asked through gritted teeth. He was carrying Yao Hong in his arms just like last time.
"Shame? No, I don't, if that's what you're asking," Bai Ning Bing said.
"There is no need to bother reasoning with such a demon," Fang Yuan said. "Brother Qing Shu, please retract your use of Wood Charm Gu, it will not be needed in this fight."
"Not needed? You sure are confident in yourself," Bai Ning Bing said, taking out an ice blade. "But for me, this is like losing a single primeval stone and finding a spirit spring instead! I would much rather fight someone like Fang Yuan rather than you all..."
Fang Yuan gave him a slight smile as Qing Shu retracted his vines. He had not used Wood Charm Gu too much- not yet that was.
"I hope you don't regret those words," Fang Yuan said, as he took a cylindrical gu worm out of his aperture, dropping it on the floor.
Immediately, a new aura permeated through the surroundings.
Bai Ning Bing's pupils shrank. "This is...!"
Yellow golden primeval essence began filling Fang Yuan's aperture. He had been cautious during their last fight to an extreme to not reveal his actual cultivation level in public, but it had been revealed anyway. Now that he knew the prophecy of the Ancient Yin Desolate Moon Physique awakening in the clan, there was no need to hide it.
"Fang Yuan- you've reached Rank 4?" Qing Shu asked, completely shocked. He was one of the most prodigal Gu Masters of his generation, and even if he put his full focus behind it, he would only be Rank 3 Middle Stage right now. He had assumed that Fang Yuan got slightly lucky with the aide of the Liquor Worm and so had managed to reach Rank 3 faster than he did thanks to that and a greater access to resources.
But Rank 4?! Even for an A-grade talent, that would be unheard of.
Host, this is base Bai Ning Bing that we're up against. Allow me to give you a little extra help in dealing with him.
Cultivation Blessing Received!
Can advance one mortal gu by one rank. Cannot be used to advance mortal gu to Immortal Gu.
The system gave him the same cultivation blessing, but he had a different target in mind this time.
Qing Mao was speechless as Fang Yuan reached over to him, placing a hand on Yao Hong's back and using Doctor Gu combined with Charity Gu to patch up her injuries. By the use of this combination, he did not need to take Doctor Gu out to heal her like he had to with Teng Ru.
"Ah, could I ask you all to stall for just some time?" Fang Yuan asked, using another primeval stone. Now, Qing Mao was fighting fit, assuming that she still had primeval essence. "I need a bit more time to get some Rank 4 primeval essence and can fight him off..."