Boom, boom, boom!
A chain of explosions thundered as multicolored light and shadow bloomed like fireworks. Metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wisdom, strength, soul, poison, star, refinement — techniques from every conceivable path were wielded by Fang Yuan with effortless ease.
Beneath this onslaught, the phantom projection of a grand Immortal formation materialized. It was as thick and solid as a fortress, layer upon layer of pale light stacking up like mountains to block every one of Fang Yuan's attacks.
"Ha ha ha! All thunder and no rain — with tricks like these, flashy but useless, you can't shake our formation even a little!" From within the Immortal formation, Yang Sanmu of the Yang clan, a Gu Immortal, jeered loudly.
Fang Yuan was currently in the guise of Yan Di, so the Southern Border Gu Immortals could not identify him.
"Wait — this person's mastery of the Formation Path is probably considerable. He's using all kinds of methods to probe our formation!" Chi Qiu's expression shifted slightly, his voice low and grave.
This Immortal Gu formation had been arranged by the Chi family, and Chi Qiu himself had been assigned to garrison this post. He specialized in the Formation Path, so his words immediately drew the attention of the other Gu Immortals.
Yang Sanmu frowned and lowered his voice to say to Chi Qiu, "So we're just going to sit here in passive defense and let him test us with every move?"
Chi Qiu shook his head slowly. "Our formation is not without means of counterattack, but they can only be deployed once the entire Gu formation has sustained a certain degree of damage. Don't look at me — I can't make the call to launch a counterattack either. As for why the formation was designed this way, I'm sure you all understand. There's no need for me to explain?"
The immortals exchanged glances, all feeling helpless.
It turned out this whole situation traced back to Fang Yuan himself. Fang Yuan had once disguised himself as Wu Yihai and infiltrated the Righteous Path of the Southern Border, only to seize control of an entire Immortal formation at a critical moment, pursuing his own selfish interests before escaping unscathed. The Southern Border Gu Immortals had lost tremendous face, and in their post-battle reflections, they made changes. The Immortal formations deployed by the Chi family could no longer be manipulated by outsiders — they operated autonomously, specifically to prevent a traitor like Fang Yuan from exploiting them.
Yang Sanmu saw that Chi Qiu had no solution, so he turned his gaze to Xia Fan of the Xia clan, a Gu Immortal standing beside him.
Xia Fan cultivated the Wisdom Path. Noticing Yang Sanmu's gaze, he immediately understood and shook his head. "Our opponent has extremely powerful Wisdom Path defenses. Trying to divine his origins through calculation would be incredibly difficult — unless some critical clue surfaces."
Hearing this answer, Yang Sanmu's face darkened once more.
Then he raised his voice again, shouting toward Fang Yuan: "Ha ha ha! What feeble strength you have, you scoundrel. Did you come here specifically to tickle your old brother?"
Yang Sanmu, Chi Qiu, and Xia Fan were all Seventh Transformation cultivators, and they had the protection of an Immortal formation. Facing Fang Yuan — also a Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal — they felt no fear.
Fang Yuan sneered but paid no heed, carrying on as he pleased, continuing to probe the grand formation from every conceivable angle.
"This Immortal formation is even more complex and powerful than I expected!"
Yang Sanmu kept taunting, but Fang Yuan was utterly immune to provocation.
Yang Sanmu frowned. "There's only one Seventh Transformation opponent, while our side is numerous and backed by an Immortal formation. If we cower and refuse to fight, letting a single man besiege us, what kind of face does that give the Righteous Path if word gets out? Is there any Gu Immortal willing to go out and meet this brazen scoundrel? If you can kill him, it would make for quite the tale."
When these words were spoken, nobody moved.
Gu Immortals were almost never the reckless type. Fang Yuan stood alone, seemingly easy to deal with, but precisely because of that, the situation was deeply suspicious. What normal Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal would have the nerve to attack such a heavily fortified Immortal formation all by himself?
The Southern Border immortals pondered — this situation very likely meant an ambush, and none were willing to risk themselves.
Yang Sanmu failed to rouse anyone else, and frustration settled in his chest.
Among all those present, he was the de facto leader. If they avoided battle this time and word got out, the others could deflect all the blame onto him. The one who stood to lose the most in reputation was Yang Sanmu.
"All across the Southern Border right now, the earth veins are surging, and Immortal materials and Immortal Gu frequently emerge from the earth trenches. Yet here I am, trapped in this post, guarding a pile of dreams."
"I originally intended to mobilize and transfer away from here. I spent considerable resources, and success was within reach — but if we avoid this fight and let this man walk away casually, certain people in my clan will have the excuse and evidence they need. My transfer will be delayed indefinitely."