Fang Yuan's aura was only that of a Sixth Transformation Gu Immortal, and before he made his move, there was nothing remarkable about him.
Combined with his two evasions, it was inevitable that the Eastern Sea Gu Immortals felt a measure of contempt.
But the moment he struck, everyone's hearts jolted.
The Eastern Sea immortals were stunned. Their advance faltered, and every one of them reassessed Fang Yuan.
They saw him clad in white robes, his long hair billowing in the fierce wind. He was extraordinarily elegant, handsome and striking, possessing a bearing all his own. At this moment, his face was twisted with fury—like thunder personified, his killing intent condensed like frost, oppressing everyone present.
The Eastern Sea Gu Immortals held the advantage in numbers, yet they fell silent.
As one, they turned their spears upon the Blood Path Demonic Immortal.
The Blood Path Demonic Immortal tried to flee, but it seemed the wounds on his body flared up. His speed dropped sharply, and after only a few exchanges, he was killed by the besieging Gu Immortals.
Judging by this, he was truly at the end of his rope. No wonder he had been willing to give up an inheritance opportunity, hoping to wring even a sliver of survival from Fang Yuan.
After killing the Blood Path Demonic Immortal, one of the Seventh Transformation leaders among the Eastern Sea Gu Immortals, Liu Qingyu, saw his expression shift slightly. He spoke in a deep voice: "The mark is not on him."
Another Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal caught on immediately and turned to Fang Yuan with a sharp shout: "Fellow Immortal, wait!"
Fang Yuan possessed two Seventh Transformation Immortal Gu, which had already altered the impression he left on the crowd. No one shouted recklessly as they had before.
They exchanged glances, then flew together, pressing slowly toward Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan hovered in midair, sneering coldly.
"This Fellow Immortal—" The Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal who had spoken paused. He had gotten halfway through his sentence before suddenly finding it difficult to continue.
The inheritance mark. It was of utmost importance, and now it was missing.
The prime suspect was Fang Yuan.
But if they asked Fang Yuan to submit to a body search, he would certainly refuse. Not to mention inspecting someone else's Immortal Orifice—that itself was a taboo matter.
If Fang Yuan were merely an ordinary Sixth Transformation Gu Immortal, they could have said it regardless, relying on their numbers.
But now Fang Yuan was in possession of two Seventh Transformation Immortal Gu—and that was merely what he had shown.
"Zhou Li, what are you afraid of?" A third Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal swept his long sleeves aside and strode forward.
His expression was cold, his gaze piercing, fixed directly on Fang Yuan. "I am Tang Song, Gu Immortal of the Tang Family of the Eastern Sea. This matter will not be easily settled today. However, I have a method. Simply follow my instructions, and you can prove your innocence."
"Ha ha ha!" Fang Yuan burst into sudden laughter. "Prove my innocence? Why should I prove my innocence?"
Within his laughter, battle intent overflowed.
"It seems all of you think I'm someone who's afraid of a fight." Fang Yuan's voice was low and measured.
The Eastern Sea Gu Immortals' expressions all shifted slightly.
Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes. "How laughable that you've been deceived to your faces and don't even know it. Liu Qingyu, you killed that Blood Path Demonic Immortal with your own hands. You clearly obtained the inheritance mark, yet you frame me. I'll grant you this—at least you have some cunning."
"This…" The crowd's momentum faltered once more.
Many eyes turned to the Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal, Liu Qingyu.
Liu Qingyu looked toward Fang Yuan, fury burning in his eyes. But inwardly he thought: Impressive! This man's words cut like a blade. Clearly only a Sixth Transformation Gu Immortal, yet he possesses two Seventh Transformation Immortal Gu. Just who is he? When did such a figure appear in the Eastern Sea Gu Immortal world? How could I not have known!
At the same time, he called out aloud: "Everyone, do not forget the agreement we made! What kind of person am I, Liu Qingyu? How could I possibly deceive you all?"
Fang Yuan chuckled softly. "What agreement? All I know is that any Path of Trust alliance agreement can be dispelled with Path of Trust methods. What kind of person? All I know is that people change. When great profit is at stake—who truly knows another's heart?"
Every word struck at the core, leaving the Eastern Sea Gu Immortals all the more hesitant.
Liu Qingyu flew into a rage, pointing at Fang Yuan. "I clearly saw him throw the inheritance mark to you!"
"Others saw it too—I destroyed the mark with my own hands," Fang Yuan retorted swiftly.
"Heh heh heh." Liu Qingyu let out an eerie laugh. "There are too many tricks of misdirection in this world. Who's to say you didn't use some method to secretly catch it?"
Fang Yuan tilted his head back and let out a long sigh, his tone tinged with melancholy. "I have been entrusted with a matter by the Supreme Grand Elder and had no wish to invite trouble. But trouble insists on finding me. Very well—let us settle this with a fight."
At the words "Supreme Grand Elder," many Gu Immortals' pupils contracted. They thought: So this man is not alone after all—he's backed by a superforce. No wonder he has two Seventh Transformation Immortal Gu!
In an instant, their wariness deepened further.
Among them, the rogue cultivators in particular—who traveled alone and stood weak and isolated—were naturally unwilling to offend a massive power.
"Wait." At this moment, Tang Song stepped forward once more. "I give you my word, backed by the Tang Family's honor. As long as you cooperate and allow us to inspect you, and the inheritance mark is confirmed not to be on your body, we will let you pass without any obstruction."
The Tang Family was a superforce of the Eastern Sea, holding a status equivalent to one of the Ten Great Ancient Sects of the Central Continent.
"The Tang Family?" Fang Yuan sneered, one eyebrow arching. The brilliantly shimmering Flying Sword Immortal Gu circled around him. "How impressive! Bringing up the Tang Family—do you think my clan would fear you? Ha ha. In that case, let me test your Tang Family's methods!"
Before his words had even faded, Fang Yuan activated his Sword Escape and charged directly at the Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal, Tang Song.
"You!" Tang Song had never expected Fang Yuan to refuse to cooperate. Caught completely off guard, he was overwhelmed by Fang Yuan's barrage of swift attacks and forced onto the defensive.
The remaining Eastern Sea Gu Immortals scattered, standing off to the side to watch the spectacle.