Fang Yuan watched Bai Ningbing's retreating figure until he disappeared from sight.
"To witness the wonders of the world…" A hint of gravity flickered through the youth's dark eyes. A Bai Ningbing who was no longer lost would be far more dangerous than before.
Life and death no longer troubled him. The closer he drew to death, the more brilliantly his Northern Underworld Ice Soul Body would shine.
"But wanting to pick another day to fight me again, ha." Fang Yuan let out a soft laugh. "You're destined to be disappointed…"
The moment he broke free from the rolling black smoke, Fang Yuan had already decided to leave Qing Mao Mountain immediately.
The battle with Bai Ningbing was interesting, but it brought no profit whatsoever.
Bai Ningbing defined "wonders" as being found in Fang Yuan — that was because he was too young, his vision confined to Qing Mao Mountain.
Fang Yuan was different.
In his grand plan of rebirth, Qing Mao Mountain was merely a starting point.
Anyone with truly grand ambitions must possess a broad mind, refusing to be bogged down by petty grudges with others.
"It's time to leave. The Sly Lightning Bei is more cunning and far harder to deal with than the Lightning Crown Head Wolf. With the current strength of the Bai family and the Guye Clan, they can't hold. Unless a Fifth Transformation powerhouse appears to turn the tide. Or the two families unite."
The Bai family and the Guye Clan had deep-seated grudges tangled between them. Union was the inevitable trend — they would certainly unite. But even united, they would be unable to cooperate sincerely.
Fang Yuan had no faith in their prospects.
"The coming situation on Qing Mao Mountain hinges entirely on the outcome of this crucial battle. If both patriarchs are killed by the Sly Lightning Bei, then Qing Mao Mountain will inevitably become the territory of the lightning wolves. If one patriarch survives, then upon uniting, the other family will be reduced to cannon fodder as a sacrifice. If the Sly Lightning Bei is slain, both families will surely suffer devastating casualties and be forced to recuperate. The clans will reorganize their internal affairs, and I will certainly come under investigation."
Fang Yuan saw through these shifting tides of fate as clearly as staring into a fire.
This was a world of Gu insects, where individual power could override the collective. Thus, the higher a Gu Master's cultivation, the more capable they were of turning the tide.
Whether it was the Bai family, the Guye Clan, or the lightning wolf pack — if any single side produced one more Fourth Transformation expert, they could settle the matter decisively.
But no matter how the situation unfolded, it was disadvantageous to Fang Yuan.
"It really is time to leave. Though I'm still lacking an ideal healing Gu insect, how can everything ever go exactly as one wishes? I'll return to the stockade, retrieve the Heavenly Origin Treasure Lotus, take a healing Gu from the clan treasury, and set off immediately!"
Fang Yuan cast one final glance behind him. Fierce rumbling still echoed through the black smoke.
He turned and headed straight for the Guye Stockade.
He held the status of Elder. He could use that to forcibly open the clan treasury and obtain Yuan Stones and Gu insects.
This was the most turbulent period. Everyone was in a state of panic. It was the perfect opportunity to exploit.
But once this moment passed, regardless of the battle's outcome, the overall situation would be settled. Fang Yuan would find it difficult to fish in troubled waters.
The Lightning Wings Gu couldn't be used for the time being, so Fang Yuan sprinted through the mountain forests on foot.
The wolf tide had washed over everything, paradoxically making the perilous mountain trails safer.
Before long, the Guye Stockade came into view in the distance.
"Hm? Who goes there!" Fang Yuan halted abruptly. Two strangers had appeared before him.
Both were dressed as Gu Masters. One was older and tall in stature. His back was straight, steady as a mountain, deep as an abyss. The most striking thing about him was the bronze mask covering his face.
The mask was ancient, emanating an aura of deep antiquity.
Three openings were cut into it, revealing the wearer's eyes and lips.
His eyes were full of the weight of years, radiating a dignified, righteous aura. His lips were pressed into a thin line, sharp as knife cuts, displaying an iron-willed determination. At the edges of the mask, his hair had gone white at the temples, betraying his advanced age.
The other was a young person, eyebrows straight and sharp as swords, a pair of eyes clear and bright, glinting with keen light whenever they glanced about — like an eagle, like a tiger.
Judging by appearance, this youth was roughly Fang Yuan's age. But their belt was inlaid with a silver plate, on which was engraved the character "Three."
At such an age, already a Third Transformation Gu Master — one could clearly see their cultivation talent!
This was a young genius!
But Fang Yuan's gaze swept past, pausing only briefly on the young person before turning to the older man.
This youth had slightly dark skin, lips pressed together with similar resolve, their entire bearing exuding an efficient, fierce quality that could not be taken lightly.
But the slight swell of their chest, along with telling details at their hands, feet, and throat, immediately revealed to Fang Yuan that this was a young woman.
Fang Yuan never underestimated women, but compared to this spirited, heroic girl, the middle-aged man beside her had a background so significant it demanded attention.
"Tie Xue Leng…" Fang Yuan's heart lurched as he silently identified the man.
He wore a bronze mask, and on the purple crystal plate fixed to his belt was engraved a single character — "Five."
He was a Fifth Transformation Gu Master, the enforcer of law across the land, solving cases with divine skill, the number one tracker in the Southern Border — the divine constable Tie Xue Leng!
He was impartial and selfless, iron-faced and merciless. How many Demonic Path cultivators had he apprehended, how many villains had he beheaded. He was a paragon of the Righteous Path, traversing the Southern Border, solving countless cases, bearing a glorious and fearsome reputation.
"Young brother, allow me to make your acquaintance." Tie Xue Leng cupped his fists in greeting.
He had been famous for a long time and was a Fifth Transformation Gu Master, yet his manner was courteous and approachable.
"I see you are covered in injuries and hurrying along. Has your patriarch and the Elders encountered some trouble?" he continued.
Fang Yuan naturally shifted his expression, showing both anxiety and alarm, laced with suspicion and wariness: "Who are you? How do you know about this? That's right — we were hunting the Lightning Crown Head Wolf and ran into serious trouble. We encountered a Sly Lightning Bei. I was on my way back to call for reinforcements."
"I am Tie Xue Leng, a friend, not an enemy. I've just come from the Guye Stockade. Young brother, there's no need to go back for reinforcements. Under the wolf tide, all humans stand as one — we should advance and retreat together. I, Tie, will naturally contribute what little I can." Tie Xue Leng stepped forward without hesitation.
……
"Damn it! I, Gu Yue Bo, never thought I would die here today!"
"Hmph — even if we die, we won't let this Sly Lightning Bei have it easy."
The Guye Patriarch and the Bai Patriarch were covered in wounds, their True Essence nearly depleted. They could feel the thick, oppressive aura of death closing in.
The dense wolf smoke had dissipated at last. Every single Elder had fallen. Only the two patriarchs remained.
The Sly Lightning Bei was not faring well either. Some of its wounds were deep enough to expose bone. It bared its fangs, retreating behind the army of lightning wolves, its eyes gleaming with cunning light — it had no intention of joining the fray personally.
"Come at me, you coward!" the Bai Patriarch roared.
But the Sly Lightning Bei shrank back even further, then let out a long howl, commanding the ordinary lightning wolves to charge at the two Fourth Transformation Gu Masters.
"Cunning creature… sigh…" Gu Yue Bo and the Bai Patriarch exchanged a look and sighed.