The Righteous Path Gu Immortals had barely settled into their seats when the scattered demon faction arrived in force.
Upon a massive gray cloud, Tyrant Immortal Chu Du stood tall at the forefront, with two formations behind him. In one group were Hao Zhen, Chou Laowu, Li Sichun, Wang Daxian, and others. In the other were Centipede Ren, Centipede Ling, along with some familiar faces from the Black Family — the four Grand Elders among them.
The Righteous Path Gu Immortals gazed through the wide-open hall doors.
Their eyes swept across the enemy immortals, and most of them eventually settled on Chu Du.
After a few breaths, a Gu Immortal laughed: "In this battle, our Righteous Path is certain to win. What Chu Sect, what Centipede Family — with this kind of lineup, they dare offend our Golden Clan?"
"Haha, that's exactly right."
"In my view, only Chu Du himself requires some caution."
The immortals chatted and laughed among themselves, and the atmosphere in the grand hall was utterly relaxed.
On the other side, Hao Zhen, Chou Laowu, Centipede Ren, and the others all wore melancholy gazes and worried faces.
One look at the situation told the whole story.
On the Righteous Path side, three Immortal Gu Houses had been deployed.
Zhalei Hall was on the right, Jinxiao Grand Hall in the center, and Shenguang Hall on the left.
But under Chu Du's side, there was only a vast, empty gray cloud. The difference in quality was plain to see.
The Righteous Path immortals were inside the hall, sheltered from wind and sun, with fine wine and delicious food. Chu Du's side, on the other hand, stood out in the elements, watching from a distance.
The Righteous Path Gu Immortals were feasting and chatting merrily, their morale high. On Chu Du's side, the immortals were all silent, not a word spoken.
Only Chu Du remained composed.
He was both wise and brave, with deep cunning. He had long anticipated this scenario before setting out. Without panic, he cast his gaze toward a Gu Immortal beside him.
This immortal was tall and thin, arms crossed, with white eyebrows and white hair, his expression extremely cold and proud.
Chu Du transmitted his voice: "Brother Xue, you have lived in the deep mountains for a long time, honing your abilities through bitter cultivation, and have achieved astonishing accomplishments. Yet your name remains unknown. Now is the moment to make it. I am willing to entrust you with the first battle of the blood contest. After this fight, I believe you will not only become famous throughout the world, but may well leave your name in history."
The white-surnamed immortal's eyes erupted with terrifying brilliance upon hearing this.
"The last time Brother Chu invited me to act, I was refining Gu and couldn't get away. This time, I will make the world know the great name of Xue Wuhen!"
After secretly sending this reply to Chu Du, the white-surnamed immortal shot into the sky, then descended to the space between the two sides.
He still had his arms crossed, remaining silent all the while.
Inside the Jinxiao Grand Hall, the immortals pointed at Xue Wuhen and laughed: "They actually sent a nameless junior to come and die."
Nian'er Pingzhi was about to stand up and fight, but Nian'er Yifang beside him held him back: "Stay calm. The opponent is only at the Sixth Transformation, a nameless nobody. Killing him would do nothing to awe the immortals. Skip this battle."
"Nian'er Pingzhi considered it and realized that was indeed the case, so he stayed put.
"Who will fight? Take the first battle?" On the main seat, Gong Wanting smiled as she asked the assembled immortals.
A young Gu Immortal immediately stepped forward: "I am Yelu Xiaojin, and I am willing to fight!"
Gong Wanting hesitated.
She thought: "Tyrant Immortal Chu Du is no ordinary person. For him to send a nameless nobody as his first fighter — this one must be extraordinary. If our side is slightly careless and loses the first battle, that would be most unpleasant."
And Yelu Xiaojin was also a young junior, accompanying his elders to participate in the blood battle martial contest. Like his opponent, he was unknown and had yet to make a name for himself.
At this moment, a Gu Immortal from the Yelu family, Yelu Huihong, laughed: "This junior of ours, though only at the Sixth Transformation, is a combat genius who often produces miraculous moves in battle. Even our Grand Elder has praised him endlessly!"
Hearing Yelu Huihong's words, Gong Wanting found it difficult to refuse him face, so she agreed: "Then let us witness the valor of the Yelu family's men."
"Yelu Xiaojin accepts the order!" The young Gu Immortal turned and left.
As he passed by the Nian'er family's seats, he swept his golden-gleaming eyes heavily over Nian'er Pingzhi.
"You!" Nian'er Pingzhi was so provoked he nearly jumped up.
But Yelu Xiaojin had already walked out through the hall doors.
Ever since Nian'er Pingzhi had made a name for himself in the Iron Eagle Blessed Land battle, many young Righteous Path Gu Immortals were unconvinced, and Yelu Xiaojin was one of them.
This time, he too wanted to display his divine prowess in the blood battle martial contest and carve out a name for himself!
The first match of the blood battle martial contest was about to begin under the watchful eyes of both sides.
And at the same time, far away in the Southern Border.
"I have told you everything about the White Phase Grotto-Heaven. Once a descendant of the White Phase bloodline becomes a Gu Immortal, this White Phase Immortal Snake can guide you into the White Phase Grotto-Heaven. But within the Grotto-Heaven, dangers are everywhere. Among the Five Phases of Sky Patrol, the White Phase was a Demonic Path Gu Immortal — you must be extremely cautious on this journey. According to intelligence gathered by our Shadow Sect, the White Phase was a man of his word during his lifetime, and he most despised anyone who defied his wishes. He conducted himself with great domineering force. Only Gu Immortals whose combat strength caught his eye could converse and interact with him. When you enter the Grotto-Heaven, do not simply charge ahead stubbornly. A great man knows when to yield and when to stand firm."
Ying Wuxie gave detailed instructions to Bai Ningbing.
The Shadow Sect had long been secretly investigating the Five Phase Wager, wanting to get a hand in it.
But time and opportunity had both caused progress on this plan to crawl forward. The main reason, naturally, was that the entire Shadow Sect had been going all out to refine the Supreme Immortal Fetus Gu.
The Shadow Sect's recruitment of Bai Ningbing also had a two-birds-with-one-stone design. First, to utilize his identity as one who had escaped fate. Second, to prepare for the Shadow Sect's involvement in the Five Phase Wager.
Bai Ningbing snorted coldly: "I know my own measure."
Ying Wuxie was not offended, still smiling: "Good. Go, then."
Bai Ningbing silently took out the White Phase Immortal Snake.
The White Phase Immortal Snake was slender, covered in snow-white scales, with an elegant bearing. Its eyes were like jade, like emerald. On both sides of its head grew a pair of long whiskers, drifting like the ribbons of an immortal's robe.
It was a Fifth Transformation mortal Gu, and it was very fond of Bai Ningbing — likely drawn by the aura of the Northern Dark Ice Soul Body emanating from him.
Bai Ningbing began activating his techniques, summoning the Illusory Orifice.
The Illusory Orifice was hazy and unreal, not truly solid. But once summoned, it would transform from illusory into reality.
This technique was something the Shadow Sect had stolen from the Heavenly Court, learning about fifty to sixty percent of it, with considerable drawbacks.
Because of this, Bai Ningbing did not need to undergo a tribulation to temporarily possess the power of a Gu Immortal. Thus, he was merely a False Immortal.
After having left the Shadow Sect for some time without anyone maintaining his Illusory Orifice, it had already lost much of its effectiveness. Its use was time-limited.
Normally, Bai Ningbing moved about in his mortal body, and therefore appeared female. Once the Illusory Orifice was summoned and he became a temporary False Immortal, the effects of his mortal Gu were suppressed, allowing Bai Ningbing to revert to his male form.
Sometimes male, sometimes female — even Bai Ningbing himself found it rather awkward.
But none of the assembled immortals laughed about it.
Tai Bai Yun Sheng was kind-hearted, and Hei Loulan had a warlord's temperament, so neither cared about such things. Stone Slave was actually quite nervous, since Bai Ningbing's journey would greatly affect the Shadow Sect's subsequent actions.
Bai Ningbing began to emit the aura of a Gu Immortal, and the White Phase Immortal Snake sensed this, its entire body shuddering before it raised its head and let out a long cry.
Its cry was completely different from the hissing of ordinary snakes, carrying a high and majestic aura.
Then the White Phase Immortal Snake voluntarily flew to beneath Bai Ningbing's feet, supporting him, and soared upward into the sky.
Hei Loulan, Ying Wuxie, and the others remained on the spot, heads raised, watching.
They could not go. They were not of the White Phase bloodline — going would only ruin everything. Everything would have to rest on Bai Ningbing alone.
Fortunately, to increase the success rate of Bai Ningbing's journey, Ying Wuxie had previously made a special trip to Jade Pot Mountain to retrieve the Ice Soul Immortal Gu for him to carry.
Only then did Bai Ningbing, in the truest sense, possess the first Immortal Gu of his life.