Fang Yuan skimmed the accounts, gaining a clearer picture of the forces around him, before dismissing Wu An and Miss Bai Tu.
"My Lord, there is a matter... I'm unsure if I should mention it," Wu An hesitated before leaving.
"Speak," Fang Yuan said bluntly.
Wu An reported to Fang Yuan that there were recent rumors that Chi Shang, a Gu Immortal of the Chi family, was coming to inspect the Super Gu Formation.
Fang Yuan immediately understood Wu An's implication and waved him away.
"Qiao Siluo has many suitors, and Chi Shang is the most prominent among them."
"He has never initiated an inspection before. His coming now likely means he intends to cause trouble for me."
However, between Righteous Path Gu Immortals, they wouldn't openly fall out or fight to the death. At most, it would mean a loss of face.
"I can simply sacrifice my reputation and avoid the confrontation," Fang Yuan stroked his chin. "But I also need to prevent my secret from being exposed. After all, this Super Gu Formation was still built under the Chi family's direction. Among the Southern Border's super forces, the Chi family is undoubtedly the preeminent power in the Formation path."
When Fang Yuan looked at ordinary mortal formations, he could grasp them at a glance, seldom encountering anything he couldn't decipher.
But when he looked at the Super Gu Formation he was currently in, it remained unchanged—a dazzling, bewildering spectacle, like an ant facing the vast starry sky.
This Super Gu Formation was personally arranged and deployed by the Chi family's Supreme Grand Elder, a grandmaster of the Formation path!
Chi Shang arrived quickly, almost faster than anyone had anticipated.
A welcoming banquet was inevitable.
Because Chi Shang's trip represented the Chi family, and he also bore the responsibility of inspecting the Super Gu Formation for any defensive loopholes and other issues.
During the banquet, cups clinked and toasts were exchanged. On the surface, it was harmonious, but in reality, undercurrents surged.
Those who understood knew this was never part of Chi Shang's official duties; he had volunteered for it. His pursuit of Qiao Siluo was common knowledge in the Southern Border, but in recent months, rumors had been spreading that Wu Yihai and Qiao Siluo were getting very close.
Chi Shang's purpose this time was self-evident.
Unfortunately, Fang Yuan did not attend this banquet, instead remaining secluded within the Gu Formation, continuing his exploration of the dream realm.
This disappointed many onlookers, who couldn't see the expected drama unfold.
Ba De slowly set down his cup: "Nephew Chi Shang, I have introduced you to all the Gu Immortals present here today. They are all outstanding individuals. Unfortunately, there is one person who has not come today, someone even more remarkable. He was born in the Eastern Sea before joining us in the Southern Border. Recently, he has successively defeated Xia Feikuai and Qushan Laoguai, and serves as the head of the Wu family here."
The Gu Immortals at the banquet stirred internally; everyone knew who Ba De was referring to.
Chi Shang wore a white robe, had a handsome face, deep-set eyes, and a hawkish nose, giving him a somewhat gloomy aura. He was now one hundred and sixty years old.
The Tree Weng Ba De was much older than him. Furthermore, the Chi and Ba families were connected by marriage, so Ba De addressing Chi Shang as "nephew" was not mere formal address.
Hearing this, Chi Shang smiled: "I have also heard the great name of Fellow Immortal Wu Yihai; it is truly like thunder in one's ears. It is a great regret not to meet him today. However, I will be staying here for some time and will be inspecting the various Gu Formations. Surely I will have the chance to meet Fellow Immortal Wu Yihai then."
Chi Shang took the initiative, immediately making it seem that Fang Yuan, who was hiding in the back, appeared somewhat timid in comparison.
After the banquet ended, Wu An and Wu Liao were indignant and jointly requested an audience with Fang Yuan.
They had not enjoyed the meal at all, enduring barbs and even cold sarcasm, and it had nearly come to blows.
"Oh? In that case, then I shall host a banquet here tomorrow and invite Fellow Immortal Chi Shang," Fang Yuan pondered for a moment before saying.
Wu An and Wu Liao exchanged a glance, their spirits lifting immediately. They received Fang Yuan's orders and withdrew.
In the vast palace hall, only Fang Yuan remained once more.
He walked towards the depths of the main hall and gazed at the dream realm.
He had already explored more than half of this Formation-path dream realm.
Using the Dream Decryption killer move, he had conquered the third, fourth, and fifth acts of this dream realm.
The main content of the dream was Tu Shicheng teaching his son to cultivate the Formation path. His teaching methods were extremely brutal and harsh, using life-and-death pressure to ignite the child's potential. Fang Yuan had been tricked many times and was now beyond complaining about it.
The Dream Decryption killer move was indeed highly effective. These acts of the dream realm had posed no obstacle to Fang Yuan, allowing his Formation-path realm to soar once again. He had not only successfully stepped into the Master level but had advanced further to reach the quasi-Grandmaster level.
"However, there is still a considerable distance before truly reaching the Grandmaster level in the Formation path." Fang Yuan had a very clear sense of this.
The later the stage, the harder it was to advance.
"This dream realm still has remnants. Based on its estimated volume, there are at least two more acts!"
"This Tu Shicheng's son was truly formidable. Before his death, his Formation-path realm must have been at least that of a Grandmaster."
"But for the time being, with Chi Shang coming to inspect the various Gu Formations, I should restrain myself and not continue exploring the dream realm."
After all, this Super Gu Formation was built under the Chi family's direction. Fang Yuan still couldn't see through this formation completely. It was best to be cautious.
Fang Yuan knew well that if his ability to effectively explore dream realms were exposed, the impact would be enormous.
When that time came, not only would the Southern Border be shaken, but the other four regions would also likely mobilize their forces and come knocking.
"Fellow Immortal Wu Yihai wishes to host me in a banquet tomorrow?" Looking at Wu An, Chi Shang smiled.
"I thank Fellow Immortal Wu Yihai for his kind offer, however... forgive me, but I have official duties to attend to. It's best to prioritize the matter at hand. After I finish inspecting the Super Gu Formation, I will pay a visit to the Wu family." Chi Shang politely declined Fang Yuan's invitation with a smile.