A moment later, Fang Yuan succeeded on his second attempt, constructing a Gu formation within the dream realm.
This Gu formation still used the Formation Core Gu as its central nexus. The Earth Path Gu insect hovered motionless above the Formation Core Gu, while the remaining three Gu insects — Flame Path and Wind Path — revolved around the Water Path Gu insect in continuous rotation. The Water Path Gu insect, meanwhile, bounced rapidly within a palm-sized area directly below the Formation Core Gu.
Together, these Gu insects formed a Gu formation that emanated a hazy white glow, enveloping the mountain leopard within.
That was correct.
This was a trapping formation — designed to restrain the mountain leopard, not to protect the Gu Master.
The construction process had not been easy. The mountain leopard kept leaping about, disrupting the formation's assembly. Periodically, Fang Yuan had to halt his arrangement and wait for the leopard to move away from a given position.
This was precisely why Tu Shicheng had left him one cup of tea's time to attempt the formation.
"Hahaha, not bad! You truly deserve to be my — Tu Shicheng's — son! Very well. For the next period, you will continue studying under me. In one month, there will be an even more grueling trial, one that concerns your very life. If you cannot pass it, then you'll just die." Tu Shicheng laughed boisterously, his laughter tinged with a touch of madness.
Fang Yuan's small body stood inside the cage. He glanced at the mountain leopard struggling within the Gu formation, then looked at Tu Shicheng, and let out a quiet sigh.
The second scene of this Formation Path dream realm had been passed.
Next came the third scene.
Fang Yuan followed Tu Shicheng, standing beside a surging, turbulent river.
The river's waters surged eastward, crimson as blood. Fang Yuan immediately understood — this was the Red Dragon River of the Southern Border.
The Southern Border had three great rivers: the Red Dragon River, the Jade Dragon River, and the Yellow Dragon River. All three were massive waterways that cut through the length of the Southern Border.
Looking at this river, a sense of foreboding immediately welled up in Fang Yuan's heart.
Sure enough, the very next moment, he heard Tu Shicheng speak: "I've already lent you all the Gu insects. From here on, you're on your own. If you fail to construct the Gu formation, you already know the consequences."
Fang Yuan was about to answer, hoping to buy some time, but the next instant Tu Shicheng slapped him on the back.
An enormous force surged forward. Fang Yuan had no way to resist and was immediately shoved into the Red Dragon River.
"Damn it!" Fang Yuan cursed inwardly. He plunged into the roaring currents and was immediately swept away, powerless against the river's pull, drifting downstream with the rushing water.
Fang Yuan struggled with all his might. He was merely in a young body, but fortunately he had inherited Fang Yuan's profound swimming skills. After struggling for a while, he managed to break the surface and gasped heavily.
Seizing every available moment, Fang Yuan checked the Gu insects in his possession.
"Damn it again!" Almost immediately, he cursed once more. This time, there weren't the four Earth, Water, Flame, and Wind mortal Gu he had expected — there were a full twelve Gu insects.
How was he supposed to combine them all in such a short time?
The possible combinations were far too numerous, and in such a wretched environment, the hope of success was truly slim.
This time, Fang Yuan did not hesitate. He directly activated his Immortal Gu killer move — Dream Unravel.
Instantly, an answer surfaced in his mind.
The first three steps — how to activate the Gu insects and arrange the formation — became crystal clear in an instant.
"Only the first three steps?" Fang Yuan had no choice but to activate Dream Unravel once more. The fourth step, the fifth step, and the sixth step all emerged.
Accurate, unerring answers.
But there was still some distance before the Gu formation could be completed.
Just as Fang Yuan was about to activate it a third time, the river suddenly changed. A hidden undercurrent vortex seized him and dragged him in.
With a muffled thump, Fang Yuan struck a massive piece of floating timber in the violent whirlpool, hitting his head hard and losing consciousness on the spot.
The next moment, Fang Yuan awoke, returning to reality.
His soul had sustained severe injuries, and stars danced before his eyes.
He hurriedly used Audacity Gu — one, two, in succession he used six of them before finally recovering.
"The third scene was even more difficult. The environment for constructing the formation had become so hostile."
"However..."
"My Formation Path attainment has already risen to the quasi-Master level."
After contemplating this for a moment, Fang Yuan slowly opened his eyes. A flash of joy quickly passed through his pupils.
What was attainment?
Attainment was a Gu Master's unique way of thinking — their emotional experiences, their personal insights into Gu Raising, Gu usage, Gu refinement, and the like, all condensed and distilled into an essential understanding. It represented one's comprehension and realization of the Great Dao of heaven and earth.
Cultivation attainment was divided into five grades: Ordinary, Master, Grandmaster, Great Grandmaster, and Supreme Grandmaster.
Of course, between these grades existed finer distinctions — quasi-Master, quasi-Grandmaster, and quasi-Great Grandmaster.
The Ordinary level of attainment was what most Gu Masters could reach over the course of their entire lives.
The quasi-Master level was already quite rare. Exceptionally talented young Gu Masters or seasoned veterans who had honed their craft over many decades could often achieve it.