Lin Yan's situation was becoming increasingly dire. Even before the pursuit began, Flame Sovereign Blessed Land had been unable to absorb enough heaven and earth qi. Now that he could no longer place it upon the ground, it could not replenish either at all. Meanwhile, its rapidly expanded population, numerous resource points, and three great Immortal Gu formations continued consuming vast quantities of resources. He needed to undergo tribulations, enlarge his immortal aperture, and release some of the pressure before the blessed land could no longer endure it.
Behind him, Myriad Earth Flying Sand Castle erupted with overwhelming might, crushing through the soul beast tides obstructing its path. Yet none of the Mo Family Gu Immortals inside showed any joy. After a long silence, one of them finally asked, "Second Supreme Elder, Mo Guang has been captured alive. What should we do?"
Mo Chou's expression was grim. Under his leadership, the Mo Family had already suffered disastrous losses. One Rank Seven Gu Immortal had been killed, another captured, and even after mobilizing Myriad Earth Flying Sand Castle, they had failed to subdue a single Rank Six Gu Immortal. The Green Claw Ghost Winged Lion troubled him even more. Lin Yan had somehow gained control of an immemorial desolate beast through a complete Rank Seven Immortal Gu formation. Even an established Rank Seven Gu Immortal would struggle to possess such resources, much less someone who had undergone Immortal Ascension only two years ago. Mo Chou could not dismiss the possibility that another force was secretly supporting him.
The more he considered it, the more he regretted provoking Lin Yan over an ancient desolate plant. Unfortunately, retreat was no longer an option. If the Mo Family withdrew after losing one Rank Seven Gu Immortal and abandoning another to captivity, they would become a laughingstock throughout Western Desert's righteous path.
"No compromise," Mo Chou ordered coldly. "Continue the pursuit and force him to release Mo Guang!"
Myriad Earth Flying Sand Castle accelerated once more, soon catching up to Lin Yan deep within the Green Ghost Desert. Lin Yan stood atop the Green Claw Ghost Winged Lion, holding the bronze Formation Flag in one hand and Mo Guang in the other. Whenever the Immortal Gu House gathered power for a major attack, he raised Mo Guang directly in its path. The Mo Family Gu Immortals cursed furiously, but they could only weaken or redirect their attacks, giving Lin Yan enough time to counterattack and break away.
The same situation repeated again and again. The Mo Family pursued relentlessly while Lin Yan continued deeper into the desert. Each time Myriad Earth Flying Sand Castle caught up, a fierce battle erupted, but Lin Yan never allowed himself to become trapped. He fought only long enough to create an opening, used Mo Guang to restrain the strongest attacks, then ordered the Green Claw Ghost Winged Lion to escape. What had begun as a pursuit gradually turned into a prolonged contest of endurance.
News of the conflict soon spread throughout Western Desert. Lin Yan had already attracted considerable attention after killing Mo Si, but his latest actions caused an even greater stir. A Rank Six loose immortal had killed one Rank Seven Gu Immortal, captured another alive, and repeatedly fought against the Mo Family's Rank Seven Immortal Gu House without being subdued. Even the super forces that had initially ignored the conflict began watching the Green Ghost Desert.
Naturally, the news also reached the Fang Family.
Within an enormous peach orchard, two Gu Immortals stood beneath the flowering trees. The first was a broad-shouldered old man with a wild white beard—Fang Gong, First Supreme Elder of the Fang Family and a Rank Eight Strength Path great expert. Beside him stood the ordinary-looking Fang Di Chang, whose slightly graying temples made him appear older than his middle-aged features suggested. He was the Fang Family's Second Supreme Elder, a Rank Seven Wisdom Path Gu Immortal with Great Grandmaster attainment.
"Second Supreme Elder, did you discover anything?" Fang Gong asked. "Who exactly is this Lin Yan?"
Fang Di Chang remained silent as countless thoughts collided within his mind. After several breaths, the movements of his thoughts gradually subsided and he opened his eyes.
"Interesting. This Lin Yan is far more complicated than the information suggests."
Fang Gong waited for him to continue.
"He should have obtained Zhen Yuanzi's True Inheritance. Zhen Yuanzi was a Formation Path Gu Immortal who came from the Che Family tens of thousands of years ago. The Green Claw Ghost Winged Lion is most likely controlled by the Rank Seven Immortal Gu formation contained within that inheritance."
Fang Gong's expression shifted slightly. "Zhen Yuanzi? So that is the origin of the formation."
"It explains the formation, but not Lin Yan himself." Fang Di Chang shook his head. "His accumulation of dao marks is far beyond what anyone should possess only two years after Immortal Ascension. Even without the Rank Seven formation, his personal battle strength is already formidable. If neither side relied upon an Immortal Gu House or a method of similar power, the Mo Family Gu Immortals pursuing him might not be his match."
"Oh?" Fang Gong's interest deepened. "Should we intervene?