Fang Yuan continued: "This Supreme Elder had better have some standing. The most critical thing is that their attitude must be forceful! Because during this period, Wu Yong is very likely to deliberately side with me, declaring that I am his younger brother, in order to reject this proposal. So our candidate must be able to withstand the pressure of an Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal!"
The Qiao Family's Supreme Grand Elder spread his hands: "That's truly too difficult. You must understand, Wu Yong is not merely an Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal — he is also the Supreme Grand Elder of the Wu Family, and he has inherited Wu Duxiu's Immortal Gu."
Fang Yuan didn't even turn his head, still gazing out the window.
His words instantly turned cold and hard: "Don't tell me your Qiao Family doesn't have such a person. If you don't, what ambitions do you even harbor toward the Wu Family? You'd be better off going to bed early and dreaming — that's more realistic. And I, Wu Yihai, will certainly not cooperate with such a family!"
The Qiao Family's Supreme Grand Elder was slightly taken aback, and he couldn't help but size up Fang Yuan once more.
From his vantage point, he could only see Fang Yuan's profile.
Outside the window, the crimson light of the setting sun fell upon Fang Yuan's face, like a layer of blood.
Fang Yuan's expression was resolute as iron, his azure eyes gleaming with brilliance.
"This man... heh, interesting. Truly worthy of being Wu Duxiu's son," the Qiao Family's Supreme Grand Elder remarked inwardly, then answered aloud, "Very well, we'll do as you say."
...
Although Wu Duxiu was dead, her funeral had staged a rather interesting scene.
Wu Duxiu's illegitimate son from the Eastern Sea, Wu Yihai, had appeared, wishing to pay respects to his biological mother.
The various Gu Immortals watched in silence, none speaking up to interject.
After all, this was the Wu Family's internal affair.
Among them, of course, quite a few Gu Immortals perceived certain underlying dynamics.
But when the Wu Family's Third Supreme Elder, Wu Qiao, spoke up, several gazes converged on his face.
Wu Qiao appeared utterly oblivious, wearing an expression of righteous impartiality. After all, he was the Wu Family's Third Supreme Elder!
That the Qiao Family had managed to infiltrate to this extent — even Fang Yuan was somewhat surprised.
Of course, he was involved in the matter and knew more, his judgment clearer. Those who didn't know the full context couldn't determine what Wu Qiao's true stance really was.
Was he acting for the public good and the family's welfare, or had he defected to the Qiao Family?
Although Wu Yong had sensed this possibility, he couldn't be certain either.
Wu Yong spoke: "Very well. Let my younger brother be recognized and returned to the ancestral clan right here at Mother's funeral. Surely Mother's spirit in the heavens, witnessing this, will be greatly comforted."
He actually didn't object at all — he agreed immediately.
Fang Yuan couldn't help but give Wu Yong a long, deep look. This fellow was truly not simple!
The Qiao Family's Supreme Grand Elder was also slightly surprised by Wu Yong's reaction, and immediately raised his assessment of Wu Yong by another level.
Clearly, Wu Yong had realized that he could not prevent Fang Yuan from publicly being recognized and returned to the clan. Rather than stubbornly opposing it and losing his own authority and image, it was better to retreat in order to advance, and allow it to happen.
"Fellow Immortals are all present here as witnesses. Please bring out the Immortal Gu!" Third Supreme Elder Wu Qiao stepped forward of his own accord — for this kind of matter, he needed to personally preside, to prevent Wu Yong and the others from pulling any tricks under extraordinary circumstances.
Soon, the Wu Family brought out the Immortal Gu.
Wu Qiao stood before Fang Yuan, holding an Immortal Gu in his hand, and spoke: "This is the Seventh Transformation Blood Path Immortal Gu, Bloodline. It is a trophy that our Wu Family obtained by slaying a Blood Path demonic Immortal — it can be used to verify your identity, Young Master Second."
The moment these words were spoken, many of the Gu Immortals present rolled their eyes.
The Blood Path was not tolerated in the world, its dangers too great.
But in reality, every righteous faction was secretly researching it, because Blood Path combat power was indeed easy to cultivate quickly.
Obviously, this Bloodline Immortal Gu was certainly a product of the Wu Family's own research — they simply claimed it was a trophy.
"Young Master Second, please drip a single drop of blood!" Wu Qiao continued.
Fang Yuan's heart tightened involuntarily.
It was actually a Seventh Transformation Blood Path Immortal Gu!
This was somewhat beyond his expectations.
And dripping blood was different from verifying his entire body — it was much harder to tamper with.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Fang Yuan complied, dripping a single drop of blood and handing it to Wu Qiao.
Wu Qiao activated the Immortal Gu, aiming it at the drop of blood in his palm. A dark crimson radiance shone forth.
No issues were found.
Fang Yuan immediately let out a great sigh of relief.
"Fortunately, my Blood Capital Immortal Gu has been repaired and incorporated into the Familiar Face Upon Meeting, allowing me to disguise my bloodline. Last time I fooled the arrangements within Black Fan's True Inheritance, and this time I've deceived the Seventh Transformation Blood Path Immortal Gu, Bloodline."
Fortunately, it was only Seventh Transformation. If it had been Eighth Transformation, the deception might not have worked.
On this point, Fang Yuan had been lucky.
Of course, the Wu Family wouldn't normally go through the trouble of refining a Blood Path Immortal Gu up to Eighth Transformation either.
The immortal materials needed to refine an Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu were too horrifying — they could often drain an entire super faction's reserves, and still might not succeed.
But this wasn't over yet.