"What is Fei Long doing?" Shang Qing Qing asked calmly, seated on a lotus. She directed her question to the man standing before her.
That man was none other than Shang Yan Fei.
With his head bowed in respect, Shang Yan Fei began his report. "It's been a week since he completed the transaction with us, and since then..."
"He's been going from shop to shop in the inner cities—starting from the First Inner City and moving onward—buying nearly every Gu Worm available, regardless of its rank."
Shang Qing Qing raised an eyebrow. "Gu Worms? What kind?"
Still keeping his head lowered, Shang Yan Fei answered, "They're all Strength Path Gu Worms—ones that enhance physical power. But what's unusual is that he's not just buying high-rank ones like Rank 4 or Rank 3. He's purchasing Rank 1 and Rank 2 Gu Worms as well."
"He's already spent close to a million primeval stones on them. Along with that, he's also buying food for the worms, supplementary materials, and other related resources."
"Currently, he's in the Outer City of the Shang Clan, acquiring Gu Worms from different paths. I believe he'll be leaving the city in a few hours."
Shang Qing Qing gave a small nod. "You may go."
Still bowing, Shang Yan Fei respectfully backed out of the blessed land.
Opening her eyes slowly, Shang Qing Qing murmured, "Strength Path Gu Worms?"
She pondered for a moment, then shook her head and resumed her cultivation. She couldn't think of any reason that would require such a vast number of Gu Worms—unless, perhaps, a Gu Immortal from Fei Long's clan had instructed him to make the purchases. That possibility didn't concern her much.
After all, she was only a Rank 6 Gu Immortal. Fei Long had indirectly implied that his clan possessed a Rank 8 Draconic Beast—meaning they likely had one or more Rank 8 Gu Immortals backing them.
It wasn't worth provoking such a force over something so trivial.
She still valued her life—and with that, she returned to her cultivation.
...
"Here—pack them up!" Inside the shop, a bronze-masked young man slid a pile of primeval stones across the counter at the beaming shopkeeper.
With a delighted grin, the shopkeeper presented a tray brimming with Gu Worms.
Effortlessly flicking his sleeve, the masked figure made the entire assortment of worms vanish from the tray.
He rose, turned, and strode toward the massive gate marking the exit of Shang Clan territory.
The shopkeeper watched silently, then discreetly retrieved a glimmering transmission orb. Speaking softly, he said, "Elder, the young man you mentioned has departed from Shang Liang Mountain."
The orb responded with a brief "Understood!" before its glow faded.
That masked young man turned out to be none other than Fang Yuan.
...
After traveling a few kilometers, Fang Yuan suddenly vanished without a trace.
Moments later, several figures in black masks emerged from the shadows, arriving at the spot where he had disappeared.
"Wait, where did he go?" one of them muttered in confusion.
"Damn it, our source said he's carrying a load of primeval stones—and even a treasure gifted by a Gu Immortal," said a young woman, her voice edged with frustration.
"Great, and who's going to explain this to the boss?" a masked man snapped.
"Let's move. He couldn't have gone far!" Without hesitation, the group rushed forward, searching frantically for any sign of him.
But after they disappeared into the distance, Fang Yuan silently reappeared at the very spot where he had vanished.
He had used the Invisible Steps Gu—a movement Gu that not only rendered him invisible but allowed him to cover great distances in an instant.
Watching the masked figures run off in the wrong direction, Fang Yuan shook his head slightly, then vanished once more into the air.
....
"Wu Ran, you are now the hero of our clan," declared a young woman seated regally on the throne, her gaze resting on a vial filled with golden liquid.
Wu Ran—formerly known as Li Ran—bowed respectfully before her.
The woman on the throne was none other than Empress Wu Ji.
After briefly studying Wu Ran, her eyes returned to the vial. "Even though the legendary Gu Worm of our clan was lost, what you've brought back holds immense value."
"I never imagined you would stumble upon an immortal inheritance on the outskirts of Shang Liang Mountain."
Wu Ran bowed again and replied, "Empress, I was on my way to rendezvous with the clan's members when a spatial crack suddenly opened in front of me. Upon stepping through, I realized I had entered the Grotto Heaven of a Gu Immortal from the Late Antiquity Era."
"The Grotto Heaven was decayed and unstable with time, but by sheer luck, I managed to find my way in."
"As I've mentioned before, Empress, the heavenly spirit had one condition: nothing from within could be revealed outside."
"It was only after completing the inheritance that I returned with this golden liquid. Aside from entering and leaving, I remember nothing of the trials or even the location."
Wu Ji waved a dismissive hand. "That's quite alright."
"Gu Immortals always leave behind strange conditions and barriers. That you succeeded is a matter of fate."
"From now on, you and your family may live here within the clan's inner territory."
Wu Ran lowered his head. "Thank you, Empress."
Wu Ji then looked at the vial again. "So, this golden liquid… it can truly create 500 A-grade Gu Masters?"
Wu Ran nodded.
A bright smile lit up Wu Ji's face as she exclaimed, "Excellent! Excellent!"
"You will be rewarded with a million primeval stones, and from today, you are appointed as our clan's External Elder."
"You may leave."
With a polite bow, Wu Ran turned and exited the hall.
But once he was outside, his expression darkened, sorrow flickering in his eyes—only to be quickly masked by a forced, cheerful smile.
....