Fang Yuan sighed with emotion. After so many twists and turns, he had finally achieved the hundred-million human soul.
"Soul-Shaking Mountain and Soul-Losing Valley truly deserve their reputation as sacred grounds for soul cultivators. Combined with the Spectral Soul True Inheritance's world-class soul cultivation methods, my soul foundation has advanced by leaps and bounds."
"But... I've only reached the hundred-million human soul stage now. I still need to keep accumulating—two hundred million, three hundred million, four hundred million... all the way to nine hundred million."
After nine hundred million, the next step would not be a billion, but rather a breakthrough to the Desolate Soul. Once he achieved the Desolate Soul, Fang Yuan could fight desolate-grade soul beasts with his soul alone.
Although Fang Yuan's current combat power could dispatch desolate-grade soul beasts as easily as playing, fighting with soul alone would be a qualitative transformation!
After all, humans were naturally far inferior to other beings when it came to their souls. To be able to make up for this deficiency after birth, catch up, and even surpass them—it spoke volumes about the power of the Spectral Soul True Inheritance.
With the hundred-million human soul achieved, Fang Yuan didn't return immediately. Instead, he stayed behind and continued capturing soul beasts.
Having learned about Old Ghost Baijun and the Fang family, Fang Yuan no longer planned to seek out primordial soul beasts. Although he didn't fear such existences, if they truly clashed, not only would the soul beast army under his command suffer devastating casualties, but his primary techniques would also be exposed.
The Reverse Flow Protective Seal, Ten Thousand Flood Dragons, and other signature killer moves—once exposed, Fang Yuan's identity would inevitably be revealed along with them.
In the Blue Ghost Desert, there were quite a few primordial soul beasts as well. However, under the guidance of the Carefree Auspicious Clouds, Fang Yuan had avoided encountering any of them.
"Of course, it's not just the Carefree Auspicious Clouds. My own fortune has been maintained at a robust level as well. That's why my recent endeavors have been so smooth—almost as if everything I wish for comes true." Fang Yuan understood the reason perfectly well.
Continuing to stay in the Blue Ghost Desert, Fang Yuan didn't act personally. He simply let the soul beast army engage the enemy.
When they encountered soul beasts, he would command the army to swarm them. The fallen had their soul cores extracted, and the survivors were captured to bolster his forces.
Other than commanding the soul beasts—which cost mental energy and Immortal Essence—Fang Yuan made no other investment. On the other hand, the returns were extraordinarily high.
When Gu Immortals acted, they naturally had to weigh input against output. Fang Yuan understood this principle all too well, and he always managed to come out ahead.
This method of hunting soul beasts could be said to represent him pushing his capabilities to their absolute limit, achieving the optimal outcome.
After continuing this cultivation for several dozen days, Fang Yuan's soul foundation rose to two hundred million! His entire soul became more solid, vividly lifelike, with his palms and limbs growing far tougher than before—at the hundred-million human soul stage.
During this period, neither the Fang family, Old Ghost Baijun, nor any primordial soul beasts appeared.
Fang Yuan spent a quiet and peaceful stretch of time.
Speaking of Old Ghost Baijun, Fang Yuan had considered seizing his Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu. However, after applying his Wisdom Path methods to calculate, he discovered the timing wasn't right—and there even seemed to be considerable danger lurking. Moreover, the Fang family was nearby, so even though he knew Old Ghost Baijun's location, Fang Yuan didn't make a move.
"Reaching two hundred million human soul—with this foundation, it should be enough for me to explore the third act of the Dao Tian Dream Realm." At this thought, Fang Yuan found himself overcome with the urge to return.
He gathered the entire soul beast army into his Supreme Immortal Aperture, then concealed his tracks and quietly departed the Blue Ghost Desert.
After spending some time traveling, he arrived once again at the Dao Tian Dream Realm.
Tang Fangming hurried out to greet him.
The look he directed at Fang Yuan was tinged with reverence.
During the days Fang Yuan had been away, thanks to the guidance he'd received, Tang Fangming had made tremendous progress in dream realm exploration and reaped enormous rewards.
After exchanging greetings with Tang Fangming, Fang Yuan followed the previous arrangement. First, he released the Shadow Sect Gu Immortals to participate in operating the Gu Formation. Then he entered the Dao Tian Dream Realm for the third time.
The surrounding environment shifted abruptly.
An oasis in the desert.
Fang Yuan once again became a mere bystander.
"This is it, this is it!" Sha Xiao's voice trembled, thick with excitement.
In the previous two acts, the young Dao Tian had been exiled by his tribe, encountered Sha Xiao, refined a Second Transformation Ambush Gu, claimed first place in the minor competition, and arrived at the tribe's key location—the pond at the center of the oasis—to participate in the Gu selection, which served as the prize for the competition.
Sha Xiao naturally had his own scouting methods. He had placed them on the young Dao Tian, and at this moment he detected the mysterious aura near the pond, knowing he had found the right place. He was overjoyed.
The young Dao Tian, however, felt his heart sink. Sha Xiao getting what he wanted was the last thing he wished to see.
"Quick, throw that sheepskin map into the pond!" Sha Xiao immediately ordered the young Dao Tian, his manner extremely impatient.
The young Dao Tian was bewildered: "Wasn't that sheepskin map taken by you long ago? How would I have it?"
Sha Xiao let out two sinister laughs: "I've long since made thorough preparations. That sheepskin map has already been sewn into your clothing. Good grandson, all you need to do is take off that garment and throw it into the pond!"
The young Dao Tian's heart sank even further. His brow furrowed as he thought: "Sha Xiao, this demonic villain, has been scheming to throw that mysterious sheepskin map into the pond—there must be some enormous conspiracy behind it. How can I do such a thing and help him commit a crime? Although this tribe once exiled me, they still raised me for many years and showed me kindness. I absolutely cannot repay kindness with treachery!"
"Hurry, good grandson, take off your clothes and throw them in!" Sha Xiao shouted. "Don't forget—you have my means planted on you. If you don't comply, I'll make sure you die a quick death."
Facing the threat of death, the young Dao Tian's pupils contracted.