The moment Thunder Ghost True Lord returned to the battlefield, the expressions of both warring sides changed.
Joy appeared on the faces of Heavenly Court's immortals, while Fang Yuan and his allies' faces darkened.
The two sides had been locked in fierce combat, and now that Heavenly Court had added an Eighth Transformation combatant — a first-rate powerhouse, no less — the impact on the entire war would be nothing short of earth-shattering.
But Thunder Ghost True Lord's report immediately made Fairy Ziwei's expression turn grim: "What? The Zhi Hui Gu wasn't found?"
Although the Zhi Hui Gu had been refined by Star Constellation Immortal Venerable, and the refinement process was recorded in the Star Constellation True Inheritance — something Fairy Ziwei knew well — she had been unaware that the Zhi Hui Gu also possessed the characteristic of seeking out Wisdom Dao environments.
"The Zhi Hui Gu is wild. Did they somehow tame and refine it? Destroy it? Or do they possess some method to counter the Wisdom Halo and relocate the Zhi Hui Gu?"
Thoughts cascaded through Fairy Ziwei's mind, ideas flashing like bolts of lightning.
She stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the Tianposuluo silver giant, then turning toward Fang Yuan. In a low voice she commanded: "Hand over the Zhi Hui Gu, and I will permit you to surrender!"
Heavenly Court's primary objective in this attack was the Ninth Transformation Zhi Hui Gu. Fang Yuan's capture was secondary.
Immortal Gu were unique and nearly impossible to replicate. A Ninth Transformation Immortal Gu stood at the very apex of the pyramid. Across all five regions and the entire world, there were probably fewer than ten Ninth Transformation Gu in existence.
A Ninth Transformation Zhi Hui Gu would be an enormous boon for Heavenly Court — second only to Fate Gu. Setting everything else aside, just for Fairy Ziwei herself: given her current attainment in the Wisdom Dao and with the Star Constellation Chessboard to assist, she was already among the top three Wisdom Dao grandmasters in the world.
If she obtained the Ninth Transformation Zhi Hui Gu and successfully refined it using the Star Constellation Chessboard, she would unquestionably become the supreme Wisdom Dao grandmaster under heaven — one who could penetrate every mystery of the Wisdom Dao, standing firmly at the absolute pinnacle, leaving the runner-up far behind, possessing inconceivable deductive powers.
Even if Fang Yuan possessed the Yan Emperor, or even Eighth Transformation-level Wisdom Dao methods, he could not withstand Fairy Ziwei's deductions. Only Ninth Transformation level could offer any hope.
But how many Ninth Transformation Wisdom Dao methods existed? At the very least, neither the Langya True Inheritance nor the Spectral Soul True Inheritance in Fang Yuan's possession contained any such records!
"Surrender?" The fur tribe Gu Masters were all shaken.
Langya Earth Spirit roared in fury: "Surrender, my ass! In my Langya Blessed Land, there are only fur tribe who die standing — not a single slave who lives on their knees!"
Fang Yuan, however, was curious: "I am a complete Otherworldly Demon. Even for the sake of the Zhi Hui Gu, would your Heavenly Court truly pardon me?"
Fairy Ziwei smiled with pride: "So what if you're a complete Otherworldly Demon? Our Heavenly Court's sages have long known of the Otherworldly Demons' existence, and have even recruited them before — it simply isn't recorded in human history books. Just look at the present: Zhao Lianyun is the perfect example."
"Fang Yuan, Heavenly Court's magnanimity is far greater than you imagine. Even if you are a complete Otherworldly Demon, even if you possess the Spring Autumn Cicada, the Spectral Soul True Inheritance, and more — as long as you repent, shed your demonic ways, return to the righteous path, offer up your Supreme Immortal Aperture, and join Heavenly Court, you will become one of us. By Heavenly Court's rules, you will be treated absolutely equally!"
After these words, Fang Yuan's expression didn't change, only a faint cold smile playing on his lips. But Chen Yi's face was complicated, his eyes filled with shock, suspicion, and jealousy.
Chen Yi absolutely believed Fairy Ziwei's words, because those were indeed Heavenly Court's rules. No matter your origin, as long as you returned to the Righteous Path, joined Heavenly Court, and offered your Immortal Aperture, you became one of them — there would be absolutely no differential treatment.
"But joining Heavenly Court is no easy feat! I, Chen Yi, toiled for most of my life, working diligently, and only because my combat strength met the required standard and I inherited the Yuan Lian True Inheritance was I permitted to join. How many years has Fang Yuan even been cultivating? He kills, burns, and spreads destruction everywhere — and now he simply sets down his butcher's blade, turns from demonic to righteous, and he gets to join Heavenly Court!"
In that instant, Chen Yi felt his composure crack. It seemed deeply unfair, and a wave of grievance welled up in his heart.
Thunder Ghost True Lord, however, remained expressionless. Back then, Heavenly Court had once tried to recruit another person — someone who slaughtered across the world, causing far greater devastation than Fang Yuan ever had.
That person was Spectral Soul Demon Venerable!
Before Spectral Soul Demon Venerable had even reached the Ninth Transformation, Heavenly Court had repeatedly tried to recruit him. Even after he attained the Ninth Transformation, they had made one more attempt.
"Heavenly Court belongs to humanity! Fang Yuan, you are brilliantly gifted. Surviving at the Seventh Transformation while evading Heavenly Court's pursuit for so long is itself proof enough of your qualifications to join. I can vouch for this with my very life. Join Heavenly Court today, and you will not only save your life but be able to continue cultivating — living as a free Gu Immortal." Thunder Ghost True Lord spoke.
"Fang Yuan..." The fur tribe Gu Masters all looked toward Fang Yuan with worry.
Even Gu Master Mao Liu felt the same.