"Oh? There's such a thing. It seems this person has had their own share of encounters. But I said I would let him go, and I will. Are you asking me to go back on my word?" Fang Yuan's expression shifted slightly as he turned to regard Fang Yun and Fang Leng, his gaze striking like cold lightning.
Fang Yun locked eyes with Fang Yuan for a mere instant and felt that gaze — sharp beyond compare, as though piercing straight into his heart. He hastily averted his eyes, not daring to meet Fang Yuan's stare.
At the same time, a thought struck him: "This benefactor I've run into is terribly overbearing. He's not easy to deal with at all."
Fang Leng, on the other hand, felt a surge of reassurance: "Good. This man keeps his word. Even when faced with an Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu — such a tremendous temptation — he still holds firm. One could say he's supremely arrogant. But it's precisely that arrogance that gives us a chance to survive."
With this thought, Fang Leng struggled to his feet. "I am Fang Leng. This is my clansman Fang Yun. We thank Senior for the kindness of saving our lives."
"Mm." Fang Yuan gave an indifferent nod, then suddenly extended both hands.
An invisible force erupted forth, drawing Fang Leng and Fang Yun into Fang Yuan's grasp.
Fang Leng's heart lurched, but he forced himself to remain calm. Fang Yun, however, cried out in alarm, his face going pale with panic.
But in the very next moment, the two realized that Fang Yuan was freeing them from their restraints, and they relaxed at once.
The Old Ghost of Defeated Armies' methods were nothing novel to Fang Yuan. He quickly analyzed them thoroughly, then reached out and undid them.
The restraints binding Fang Yun and Fang Leng were naturally Immortal path methods, but Fang Yuan himself possessed a killer move such as "Purple Thought Insight and Agile Star Gleam," so naturally the task was effortless — done with ease.
Fang Leng and Fang Yun quickly regained their freedom.
The two thanked him again, though their emotions continued to churn. Both thought: "This man is terribly overbearing. He saved us, yes, but he never once asked for our consent — he simply acted on his own."
What they didn't know was that all of this was deliberate on Fang Yuan's part. He had successfully etched a deep impression of his arrogance and domineering nature into the hearts of the two Fang family Gu Immortals.
"You may call me Suan Bu Jin." Fang Yuan spoke, introducing himself of his own accord.
But in the very next sentence, he showed them the door. "I primarily cultivate the wisdom path and inherited Zheng Jingshen's legacy, which is why I saved you today. You may leave now."
"Huh?" Fang Yun was taken aback.
"Senior's kindness in saving us — this junior will always keep it in his heart. When we return, we will surely report this to our clan. Senior, will you still be in the Blue Ghost Desert in the coming days?" Fang Leng tugged at Fang Yun's sleeve and asked respectfully.
"These soul beasts are of great use to me. I did not save you seeking any return. Go on, go." Fang Yuan waved his hand, his expression cold, a trace of impatience showing in his eyes.
Fang Leng and Fang Yun dared not linger. They bowed in unison, then turned and flew away.
Moments later, both vanished beyond the horizon.
"I didn't expect the Old Ghost of Defeated Armies to actually have an Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu as well. I wonder what kind of Gu it is. How did those two Fang family Gu Immortals learn of it? Could it be that the Old Ghost of Defeated Armies used it in front of them?" Fang Yuan mused.
The Old Ghost of Defeated Armies was only at the Seventh Transformation, yet he could wield an Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu. This meant either he possessed some special method, or this Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu was similar to Attitude Gu — an exceptional specimen.
Either way, Fang Yuan was sorely tempted.
"However..."
"There's no rush to go after the Old Ghost of Defeated Armies just yet."
Fang Yuan lowered his eyelids slightly, and a sense of awareness arose within him, guiding him toward the Old Ghost of Defeated Armies' location.
True to his nature, Fang Yuan had planted a tracking method on the Old Ghost of Defeated Armies the moment he first acted. Though he had ostensibly let the Old Ghost go, he secretly maintained surveillance over his every movement.
In the past, Fang Yuan would never have possessed such methods. But during this recent period, he had settled down and devoted himself wholeheartedly to intensive cultivation and honing his techniques. His arsenal of abilities was vastly different from before.
"Cousin, do you think our benefactor might know that the Old Ghost of Defeated Armies has that Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu, and that's why he hurried to send us away so he could go after him himself?" As they flew, Fang Yun suddenly asked.
Fang Leng pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Based on my understanding of Senior Suan Bu Jin, I don't believe that's the case."
Fang Yun couldn't help but laugh. "From the way you talk, one would think you were on familiar terms with the Senior. Weren't you sent away by him, same as me, the very first time you met?"
Fang Leng glanced at him. "An Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu is indeed of great consequence, but this Senior's temperament is extremely proud and aloof. I don't think I've misjudged him. Besides, we never explicitly told him what the Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu was. If the Senior truly intended to go after the Old Ghost of Defeated Armies, wouldn't he have subtly probed us for details — what kind of Gu it was, what its powers might be?"
Hearing this, Fang Yun slapped his forehead. "Cousin's analysis is sound. It seems this Senior truly has no intention of chasing down the Old Ghost of Defeated Armies. What a shame! That old ghost tormented us something fierce — I was counting on the Senior to deal with him."
Fang Leng shook his head. "That Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu — the Soul Beast Order — can command all soul beasts. If the Senior were to lead his soul beast army to confront the Old Ghost, he'd suffer enormous losses. Let's return first and report this to the family, so the Supreme Elders can decide what to do."
The Blue Ghost Desert lay near Fang family territory. After flying for a while, Fang Yun and Fang Leng arrived at an Immortal Formation.
Through this formation, they traversed an immense distance, arriving directly back at the family's main base.
Fang Yun and Fang Leng then parted ways. Fang Leng went to report to the Supreme Grand Elder, while Fang Yun returned to the Supreme Second Elder, Fang Dichang, to relay the matter.