Atop the pink crystal mountain peak, a flash of green light suddenly flickered. On the Bird-Watching Cliff, the tall figure of an eight-armed Six-Armed Heavenly Corpse King abruptly appeared.
He stood there shirtless, his bulging muscles full of power like galloping stallions, and his shock of white hair was as dazzling as snow.
This was none other than Fang Yuan.
He was already an Immortal Zombie; the side effects of the Six-Armed Heavenly Corpse King Killer Move were irreversible, and even the Yin Yang Rebirth Gu was powerless to change it.
An Immortal Zombie body felt no pain or sensation, had no sense of taste, and knew no fatigue; its physical toughness was only slightly weaker than that of a desolate beast.
But at this moment, because Fang Yuan had activated the Ten Thousand Me killer move for too long and had suffered excessive depletion within the wisdom light of the wisdom gu, his soul was heavily injured, and his thoughts were completely exhausted.
Therefore, as soon as he released the people and other immortal gu from his immortal aperture, his body fell stiffly to the ground with a "thud," falling into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, within the Immortal Crane Sect of Central Continent, a group of immortals sat in a circle discussing matters. The topic was directed straight at Fox Immortal Blessed Land, intending to crusade against the Gu Yue Clan and seize ownership of Soul Searching Mountain.
The Immortal Crane Sect was once one of the Ten Great Ancient Sects. Although it had declined, it had a glorious past with countless Rank Eight Gu Immortals presiding over it.
Times had changed, and today's Immortal Crane Sect had long since lost its former glory. The Grand Elder only had a Rank Seven cultivation, making it the only Sect among the Ten Great Ancient Sects that no longer had a Rank Eight Gu Immortal.
In contrast, Sects like the Primal Lotus Sect and Spring Path Sect still had multiple Rank Eight Gu Immortals presiding within them.
Especially Spring Path Sect, as the strongest among the Ten Great Ancient Sects, it even possessed a true "Number One Person below Rank Eight" — Feng Jiu Ge.
In the original work, Feng Jiu Ge once joined forces with Fang Yuan to battle Wu Yong and his Rank Eight immortal gu house, Clear Jade Dripping Wind Tiny Bamboo Building.
What kind of figure was Wu Yong? He could be called the number one person in Southern Border at that time. During the Fate War, he used an Immortal Path Killer Move, "Farewell Friend Wind," nearly killing Prince Feng Xian, who was also Rank Eight, on the spot.
And Feng Jiu Ge was equally formidable. Although he had only been at Rank Eight for a short time, he had already created world-shaking Killer Moves like Destiny Song and Heaven and Earth Song. His strength was enough to rival Pseudo-Venerable level existences like Thin Green and Duke Long.
With such a figure backing Spring Path Sect, the pressure on the Immortal Crane Sect was imaginable. Because of this, everyone in the Immortal Crane Sect was determined to revitalize the Sect, awe the four directions, and live up to the expectations of their ancestors and Juniors.
And seizing Soul Searching Mountain was precisely the key step for the Immortal Crane Sect's rise!
Ultimately, after deliberation among the Grand Elders, the Immortal Crane Sect decided on the candidates—choosing to send out the Rank Six Gu Immortal He Fengyang and another Rank Six Gu Immortal, Fierce Thunder Villain.
The current Fierce Thunder Villain had successfully refined the rank six immortal gu, Lightning Deity Child.
This immortal gu shared a similar purpose with the blood god child in Fang Yuan's hands, being able to create lightning path Clones, each of which possessed full rank six combat strength.
In this life, Fierce Thunder Villain had already created a total of nine lightning path Clones. Coupled with the fact that he himself was a lightning path Gu Immortal rather than a weak Servitude Path Gu Immortal, his close-combat ability was also formidable, making him a top-tier elite among rank sixes.
Just then, a clear and melodious song drifted in from the sky.
The Grand Elders of the Immortal Crane Sect came out upon hearing the sound, only to see a handsome man in the sky wearing red and white robes. He was playing a bamboo flute and arriving on clouds and mist, his robes fluttering as if a banished immortal had descended to the world.
"It's Feng Jiu Ge!"
Fierce Thunder Villain's expression instantly darkened. Feng Jiu Ge's strength was too terrifying; even some Rank Eight old monsters among the Ten Great Ancient Sects might not be his match.
Feng Jiu Ge was the current number one person at Rank Seven, able to battle Rank Eight Gu Immortals with a Rank Seven cultivation. His hair was tied with seven zither strings, and the pads of his fingers had grown thick calluses from playing the zither for a long time.
The Grand Elder hurriedly stepped forward to bow, his tone extremely respectful:
"Brother Feng Jiu Ge, have you been well? I wonder if your visit today is regarding our crusade against Fox Immortal Blessed Land?"
The Immortal Crane Sect absolutely dared not offend such a figure, so the entire Sect was currently being incomparably respectful.
"Hahaha, your Sect is crusading against Fox Immortal Blessed Land; I, Feng, should not interfere. Today I'm just passing by to ask for a cup of tea. I wonder which expert your Sect plans to send this time?"
Feng Jiu Ge descended from the sky, casually picked up a teacup from an empty seat, and tilted his head back to drain it in one gulp. The emerald-green tea flowed down his throat into his stomach with a free and easy movement, showing his uninhibited nature.
Seeing this, the Immortal Crane Sect's Grand Elder flicked his fingers, and nine cups of hot tea condensed out of thin air, floating gently onto a Nine Palaces style wooden tray. The cross-shaped dividers in the tray separated the nine cups of tea, and each cup's color and aroma were different.
"Old brother, this must be the Nine Palaces Tea that your Sect's Ancestral Master loved most? Indeed, the tea fragrance is elegant and well-deserved of its reputation." Feng Jiu Ge smiled and hung the bamboo flute back at his waist.
The Immortal Crane Sect's Grand Elder smiled upon hearing this and asked, "Does Brother Feng Jiu Ge also understand the Dao of Tea?"
"Hehe, I know a little bit."
"Then do you know how this Nine Palaces Tea is refined?"
"I would like to hear the details; I am all ears."
The Grand Elder stroked his beard and said, "These nine cups of tea are brewed from the immortal materials of nine ancient desolate beasts. They are the specialties of our Sect: the Nine Palaces Crane, Cinnabar Fire Crane, Leaf Bamboo Crane, Iron Beak Crane, Profound Water Crane, Black Water Crane, Flying Dust Crane, Wind Thunder Crane, and the Rosy Light Crane."
"There is also a specific way to drink this Nine Palaces Tea. Brother, you first drink this cup of Wind Thunder Tea, then the Rosy Light Tea... finally, you taste this cup of Nine Palaces Tea. By drinking in such a sequence, you can taste the true flavor within."
Feng Jiu Ge followed the instructions, tasting them cup by cup. He felt a surge of clear Qi pass straight from his throat to his Baihui acupoint, and all the apertures in his body became clear. He couldn't help but praise:
"One word—refreshing! As expected of the Nine Palaces Tea, it truly leaves an endless aftertaste!"
He then cupped his hands and smiled, "Old brother, since I have drunk your fine tea, I should naturally give something in return."
After saying that, an immortal gu flew out from his sleeve and fell straight into Fierce Thunder Villain's hand:
"This is the Rank Seven 'My Own Way' immortal gu. I'll lend it to you to help you conquer Fox Immortal Blessed Land."
The use of this immortal gu was extraordinary; it allowed a Gu Immortal to not be suppressed within a blessed land and freely use mortal Gu. For He Fengyang and Fierce Thunder Villain, it was like adding wings to a tiger, increasing the chances of success for this trip by at least forty percent.
However, they did not know that they had already underestimated their opponent. Not to mention that Fang Yuan's side still had six Gu Immortals, the combination of Fang Yuan and Yuan Fang alone was enough to ensure victory, let alone the fact that Hei Lou Lan of the Great Strength True Martial Body was also in Fox Immortal Blessed Land.
Meanwhile, in Fox Immortal Blessed Land, inside Soul-Shaking Palace.
Fang Yuan slowly opened his eyes, and what met his gaze was an exquisite little girl. she had fox ears and a fluffy fox tail, and her large, watery eyes were looking at him timidly.
Little Fox Immortal blinked, her voice soft and sweet: "Ma... Master, you're awake..."
Fang Yuan slowly sat up. He saw that Soul-Shaking Palace was still magnificent, but his heart felt empty, and a sharp headache struck—this was the aftereffect of soul damage.
"Master, you have to cheer up! Although you're very ugly now, you will definitely have a chance to change back!" Little Fox Immortal's voice was soft, carrying a hint of crying.
It turned out that the side effects of the Six-Armed Heavenly Corpse King Killer Move had completely turned Fang Yuan into an ugly eight-armed Immortal Zombie. Fang Yuan remained silent, expressionless, with only a pair of zombie eyes glinting with cold light.
Seeing Fang Yuan's silent state, Little Fox Immortal thought he was grieving. Fang Yuan reached out a giant zombie hand toward Little Fox Immortal's small head. Little Fox Immortal instinctively wanted to retreat but ultimately allowed Fang Yuan's giant zombie hand to pat her head.
Fang Yuan patted very gently, and Little Fox Immortal let him. Finally, she could no longer hold it in and began to sob:
"Ma... Master... although your hand is ice-cold, I... I still like it very much."
A Earth Spirit never lies; Little Fox Immortal's words came from the heart. She was truly sad for Fang Yuan.
"Little Fox Immortal, where are Old Bai and the others?" Fang Yuan spoke, his voice as raspy as a whetstone.
"Master, you mean Great White Cloud Life. He has already been here several times, and he cried every time."
"How long have I been asleep? What about the wisdom gu?"
"Master, you have already slept for three days and three nights. As for the wisdom gu, it flew into a Stone Man nest. The Stone Men are all very afraid of it and don't dare get close. You are really amazing! You were actually able to catch the wisdom gu."
Fang Yuan's face showed neither joy nor sorrow, but he had already wiped the moisture from the corners of his eyes. He said to Little Fox Immortal, "Take me to see Old Bai and the others."
"Okay, Master!" Little Fox Immortal led the way excitedly. Just then, Great White Cloud Life knocked on the door of Soul-Shaking Palace again, calling out with a sob:
"Junior Brother! Junior Brother! Is Junior Brother there?"
The next moment, the palace doors swung open, revealing a white-haired, white-bearded old man outside. His nose was red and his eyes were a bit swollen, clearly having just cried. But now, Great White Cloud Life's face lit up with joy; his Junior Brother, his benefactor, was still alive.
However, seeing his Junior Brother's Immortal Zombie appearance—neither human nor ghost—his red nose twitched again, his heart filled with regret and shame. Fang Yuan sat on the bed that once belonged to White Fox Immortal, his crimson eyes looking at Great White Cloud Life as he laughed loudly:
"Old Bai, you're here."
"Junior Brother! Senior Brother has failed you!!!"
"Hehe, having this heart of yours is enough. Besides, am I not still alive and well?" Fang Yuan said, then lowered his head slightly and let out a sigh:
"It's a pity. Now that I have become an Immortal Zombie, my Physical Body is dead. Alas! My cultivation can no longer progress from now on!!!"
"It's all Senior Brother's fault, all Senior Brother's doing! If only I had stayed on the scene, if only I had left later, if only I had summoned the courage. If I had my Man as Before immortal gu, I would definitely have been able to save you, Junior Brother!"
Saying that, Great White Cloud Life was stricken with grief and regretfully tried to reach out to slap his own face, but his hand was caught by Fang Yuan's giant zombie hand:
"Old Bai, you don't need to be like this. Even if Man as Before were there, it would have been useless at that time."
Great White Cloud Life's eyes were filled with hot tears as he choked out, "Junior Brother, stop trying to comfort me. Junior Brother! I, Great White Cloud Life, will even risk my life to help you get rid of this Immortal Zombie body."
Fang Yuan shook his head with a bitter smile. He had once used Gu Yue Chi Shan as an experimental subject, wanting to refine the blood god child while also finding a way to escape the Immortal Zombie state. Unfortunately, in the end, even though Chi Shan died, Fang Yuan made no Breakthroughs. So he said:
"Old Bai, I created this Killer Move myself; how could I not know its power? However, a drop of kindness should be repaid with a surging spring, let alone the debt of saving a life. I helped you find the Longevity Gu and gave you fifteen years of life, which is a life-saving grace; you must repay me well."
After hearing this, Great White Cloud Life stopped crying, extended his right hand, and made a firm vow:
"I, Great White Cloud Life, swear by eternal heaven that I will repay the kindness of my Junior Brother Fang Yuan in this life!"
Fang Yuan laughed loudly. "Old Bai, we destroyed Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's King Court Blessed Land; he wishes he could kill us right now. Swearing by eternal heaven shows a lack of sincerity."
Great White Cloud Life was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond.
After laughing, Fang Yuan's expression became relatively serious. "However, Old Bai, I really do have important matters to discuss with you. This matter is very important and requires your help."
Hearing this, Great White Cloud Life's expression also became serious, as if he were all ears. But Fang Yuan's words left him stunned:
"Old Bai, my combat strength is stronger than yours, and you only entered the Sect a few decades before me. I have shown you kindness; from now on, I will be the Senior Brother and you will be the Junior Brother."
After hearing this, Great White Cloud Life felt it was quite endearing; to have such a Junior Brother was the luck of three lifetimes. He then said to Fang Yuan with a chuckle:
"Junior Brother, I can't decide on this matter. Seniority is something only Master can decide, so I am still the Senior Brother, hehehe."
Fang Yuan feigned dissatisfaction and said:
"Hmph, anyway, I won't call you Senior Brother... Old Bai, don't get cocky. I've turned into an Immortal Zombie, so my cultivation is temporarily inferior to yours. One day, I will catch up to you. At that time, I will be the Senior Brother."
Just then, Yuan Fang also walked into Soul-Shaking Palace; he had heard what Fang Yuan and Great White Cloud Life had just said.
He knew Fang Yuan's character well and naturally knew these were just his disguises. He felt an indescribable disgust in his heart, but it was also understandable.
Before his Transmigration, among all the supporting characters in the book, Yuan Fang liked Great White Cloud Life most, followed by Bai Ning Bing, and then Gu Yue Qing Shu.
Thinking about how in the original work, Great White Cloud Life eventually died at the hands of the Junior Brother he cared about most, his soul ending at Reverse Flow River, he couldn't help but feel a wave of regret and sadness.
Just then, Great White Cloud Life suddenly asked, "Junior Martial Uncle Yuan Fang, what is the situation outside now?"
Yuan Fang said in a deep voice:
"Immortal Crane Sect has just sent Fierce Thunder Villain and He Fengyang to crusade against us; they are almost here. I have already sent Fang Zheng to guard the wisdom gu and Qing Shu to guard Gu Yue Village; they should be on their way here now. As for Hei Lou Lan's side, I have ordered her and Lin Hong to set up beast groups on Soul Searching Mountain and wait in full battle array."
As soon as he finished speaking, Little Fox Immortal suddenly looked panicked and said urgently:
"Master! They have already broken into the blessed land! I don't know what method they used, but I can't suppress the Gu insects on them!"
"Let's go! We're going to meet the enemy!" At Fang Yuan's command, he activated the human path Killer Move "Familiar Face," instantly restoring his original appearance. He then turned into four streaks of light along with Great White Cloud Life, Yuan Fang, and Little Fox Immortal, flying out of Soul-Shaking Palace.