Seeing that Fang Yuan's words had actually managed to persuade Xuehu Laozu, both the Central Continent side and the Eternal Life Heaven side couldn't help but change their expressions slightly.
Xuehu Laozu was the foremost Eighth Transformation Demonic Path cultivator in the Northern Plains today. If he went all out, he would certainly have the ability to take Fang Yuan away right from under the noses of Mao Li Qiu the Dog-tail Life-extending Sable, Bi Chentian, and Wei Lingyang.
However, what Xuehu Laozu did next was present Fang Yuan with exceedingly harsh alliance conditions.
The joy in Fang Yuan's heart instantly dissipated. If he agreed to such terms, he wouldn't be an equal ally of Xuehu Laozu at all — merely his servant!
"Xuehu Laozu, this kind of alliance... are you joking?" Fang Yuan's expression turned ugly.
And so Xuehu Laozu actually laughed: "Of course I'm not joking!"
"Liu Guanyi, weren't you the one analyzing everything so eloquently just now? Among everyone present, only you and I are both of the Demonic Path — natural allies."
"You killed Yelü Qunxing, killed the Liu family's Gu Immortal, and plundered the Liu family's resources. Did you think you could surrender to Eternal Life Heaven?"
"Or leave your homeland to go to Central Continent? To become a lapdog of the Ten Great Ancient Sects and the Heavenly Court?"
"Only I am your best option."
At this point, he paused and looked at Ying Wuxie beside him: "You must understand, I have my own difficulties. I already had prior arrangements with these people. But it seems you and them still have enmity between you. I can't very well offend another Eighth Transformation cultivator just for a Reverse Flow River and a single Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal, can I?"
Ying Wuxie's heart skipped a beat.
On the surface, Xuehu Laozu was pressuring Fang Yuan to submit, but in reality he was also probing the Shadow Sect, testing True Lord Zishan's situation.
After all, everyone had already witnessed Zishan Zhenjun's madness.
If Zishan Zhenjun was truly mad and uncontrollable, perhaps Xuehu Laozu would turn on them as well. After all, killing an irrational Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal — the spoils would be enough to tempt Xuehu Laozu.
Not to mention that Xuehu Laozu had just failed his Gu refinement, his Great Snow Mountain blessed land had been destroyed, and all his previous investments had gone down the drain.
Fang Yuan's face was dark as water.
Xuehu Laozu was a Demonic Path titan, not someone easily fooled.
His earlier words had indeed moved Xuehu Laozu.
But Xuehu Laozu had his own cunning and calculations, and he actually turned Fang Yuan's words right back against him.
Xuehu Laozu's words might still have contained elements of guesswork and probing.
But Fang Yuan knew perfectly well that he could never cooperate with Mao Li Qiu or Wei Lingyang.
Eternal Life Heaven was naturally protective of its own. Fang Yuan had killed Yelü Qunxing, offending the Golden Family, and had now also crushed Ma Hongyun to death. Surrendering to Eternal Life Heaven would be seeking death.
On the other hand, Central Continent was even less of an option.
Though he now had Wisdom Path methods for protection, they weren't foolproof. He usually kept a low profile, relying either on his Immortal Aperture to isolate himself from the outside, or on that Super Gu Formation in the Southern Border to avoid detection by Central Continent's Gu Immortals.
If he set foot in Central Continent, he would surely be quickly sensed by the Heavenly Court's Gu Immortal, Fairy Ziwei. At that point, his true identity would be exposed and he would immediately be brought to justice. After all, his name had always hung on the Demon Extermination Ranking.
As for the Shadow Sect — because of the Supreme Immortal Embryo Gu — that was even more out of the question.
So among everyone present, only Xuehu Laozu was someone Fang Yuan could rely on.
But now, Xuehu Laozu had made it clear: he would help Fang Yuan, but Fang Yuan had to agree to these alliance terms. And if Fang Yuan agreed, it would be tantamount to signing away his life, serving Xuehu Laozu.
"If you agree, I can guarantee your safety. If you don't agree, I'll attack the Reverse Flow River, and today you will die here — don't even consider alternatives." Xuehu Laozu was supremely domineering, staring intently at Fang Yuan and forcing him to make a quick decision.
Fang Yuan's face was full of hesitation and struggle: "Give me some time to think!"
"I'll only give you three breaths." Xuehu Laozu's expression was cold, cold air constantly streaming from his nostrils. He gave Fang Yuan only three breaths' time.
How utterly harsh!
Fang Yuan laughed freely, thinking to himself that he couldn't deceive Xuehu Laozu after all, couldn't stall for time, and finally dropped the pretense: "Then I'll have to test the old ancestor's skills."
"Hahaha." Xuehu Laozu threw his head back and laughed, his smile ferocious. "I knew it — someone who could become the Lord of the Reverse Flow River would never so easily bow to another! So I'll beat you into submission, make you kneel and beg for mercy!"
Xuehu Laozu seemed delighted by the prospect of a fight, still apparently not intending to kill Fang Yuan.
But who knew if this was just another ploy?
Xuehu Laozu struck. A cold tide swept in, wave after wave, relentless, its might overwhelming.
The Reverse Flow River surged, continuously reversing Xuehu's attacks, depleting its own waters in the process.
Fang Yuan stood like a rock. It would still be a long while before the assault reached him personally. But in this situation, his defeat was inevitable — he could only take blows passively, with no means of counterattack.
"I have to find a way out of this predicament, escape with my life."
A smile appeared on Fang Yuan's face as he addressed the Central Continent side: "Central Continent Gu Immortals, as guests who've traveled so far, when better to leave than now? Are you waiting for the Northern Plains Gu Immortals to unite and deal with you?"
Wei Lingyang and Bi Chentian's hearts lurched.
Zhao Lianyun shrieked: "Murderer! You should worry more about yourself! I won't leave until I see you die right before my eyes!"
The remaining Central Continent Gu Immortals remained silent, their gazes turning toward the two Eighth Transformation Gu Immortals.