Battles depend on who you're fighting.
If Fang Yuan defeated those Sixth or Seventh Transformation Gu Immortals, no one would bat an eye.
But when his opponent was the historically famous Eighth Transformation powerhouse, Thunder Ghost True Monarch — that was an entirely different story.
Truth be told, Fang Yuan had been in a sorry state during that fight. Yet paradoxically, it was this very battle that firmly established his reputation as the foremost among all Seventh Transformation cultivators in the world, trampling Feng Jiuge underfoot.
This was the battle that made Fang Yuan's name resound across the world!
With just this one fight, even those Eighth Transformation Gu Immortals had to take Fang Yuan — this freak of a Seventh Transformation — seriously.
Of course, all of this was part of Fang Yuan's calculations.
Though the battle ended in his defeat and he withdrew of his own accord, it was not without gains.
The outcome of a battle was not inherently important. What truly mattered were the losses and gains that followed.
Though Fang Yuan lost this battle, his gains were considerable. The value of the three sternum bones lay not in the bones themselves, but in the significance they carried.
Fang Yuan pushed this trophy to its absolute limit, and the entire Five Region Gu Immortal world was shaken. Setting aside the complex emotions of Chu Du, the grim look on Wu Yong's face, and Lu Weiyin's sighs — just when Fang Yuan returned to the Langya Blessed Land, he immediately felt a tremendous difference.
These Variant Human Gu Immortals, including the Langya Earth Spirit, had undergone a dramatic shift in their attitude toward him — one of genuine awe and deepening respect.
With the Heavenly Court watching them like a tiger eyeing its prey, Fang Yuan had become this group's backbone.
After all, the Primordial Stone Dragon was merely a Primordial Desolate Beast. The Ancient Battle Formation Tiansuo Poluo, while possessing Eighth Transformation combat strength, still couldn't match a true Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal.
And now, Fang Yuan had beaten such an Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal soundly — and Thunder Ghost True Monarch was a recognized powerhouse among the Eighth Transformation!
At a time like this, who still cared about Fang Yuan's Seventh Transformation cultivation?
The real proof was right there for all to see!
This was why, when Fang Yuan returned to the Langya Blessed Land, these people had eagerly rushed to greet him.
Fang Yuan's attitude, however, was somewhat reserved. He merely exchanged a few words with the Langya Earth Spirit and Bing Yuan, then gave Xue'er a nod. Xue'er immediately ducked her head in embarrassment, and the Snowman Gu Immortals beamed with delight.
The Variant Human Gu Immortals then proposed holding a welcoming banquet for Fang Yuan, but he declined without hesitation.
"The situation is dire right now, and scrutiny is at its peak. We need to seize the time and weather this crisis — that's the top priority." Fang Yuan's calm remark drew yet another chorus of agreement from the Variant Human Gu Immortals.
Fang Yuan's status had truly changed.
These Variant Human Gu Immortals now treated him as they would an Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal. Where they had previously interacted with him as equals, there were now hints of deference — heads slightly bowed, voices lowered.
First, because Fang Yuan's combat power was fierce enough to thrash Thunder Ghost True Monarch. Second, with a great enemy looming, they had need of him.
"All of you may disperse. I need to speak privately with the Supreme Grand Elder." Fang Yuan dismissed them without ceremony.
He then secretly transmitted his voice to the Langya Earth Spirit: "I am first and foremost the Supreme Grand Elder of the Langya Sect, and only secondly a member of the alliance."
These words, spoken with genuine sincerity, instantly brightened the Langya Earth Spirit's mood. He thought to himself that Fang Yuan hadn't forgotten his roots — he was still one of them. The frustration he'd felt before, from when Fang Yuan had pressured him into handing over the Refinement Path True Meaning, diminished considerably.
The crowd of immortals naturally knew better than to overstay their welcome and dispersed.
The Langya Earth Spirit grabbed Fang Yuan's arm, and they vanished from the spot. In the next instant, the two of them appeared inside the First Cloud City.
"Using your Dao Ke Dao Immortal Gu, we've confirmed that they've indeed planted their traps throughout the Blessed Land. To relocate the Langya Blessed Land, we first need to sever these unfavorable Dao Marks." The Langya Earth Spirit's voice was heavy with worry.
Fang Yuan found this somewhat puzzling. "With your mastery of the Refinement Path, Supreme Grand Elder, refining away these Dao Marks should be your forte, shouldn't it?"
The Langya Earth Spirit sighed in frustration. "Heavenly Court truly lives up to its name. This particular method is extremely unusual. I've exhausted nearly all my techniques, yet I remain powerless against these Dao Marks."
A sharp gleam flashed through Fang Yuan's eyes.
The Heavenly Court was indeed thoroughly prepared, with foundations deeper than one could imagine. Since they had planted this trap, they wouldn't fear discovery, much less being broken. Perhaps Purple Violet Fairy had already factored in the Langya Earth Spirit's abilities as well.
"I wonder if my Self-Cleansing killer move could be effective?" Fang Yuan felt fairly confident in this technique — after all, it was this very move that had allowed him to successfully dismantle the Imperishable Star Mark.
But at this moment, he didn't want to reveal it immediately for testing.
He said to the Langya Earth Spirit, "In that case, let me be direct. Please retrieve the Refinement Path True Meaning for me first. Once I achieve the status of Quasi-Supreme Grandmaster of the Refinement Path, I will certainly be able to resolve this problem."
The Langya Earth Spirit's expression shifted abruptly. This Refinement Path True Meaning was a supreme treasure in his heart. To hand it over now — and to a human Gu Immortal at that — was naturally uncomfortable and deeply painful.
However, he had already agreed beforehand, and the dire situation was staring him in the face. No matter how reluctant he was, he could only nod.
And so, moments later, Fang Yuan finally laid eyes upon the Refinement Path True Meaning from Ancestor Long Mao.