The Fang Family's main base.
On the sickbed, "Fang Dizhang" lay with a face still somewhat pale.
A young-looking Sixth Transformation Gu Immortal stood beside the bed — none other than Fang Yun.
Fang Yun was Fang Dizhang's adopted son. He was indeed quite young, with handsome features and eyes like stars. At this moment, his face was full of concern as he bowed respectfully: "Father, you've suffered such a serious injury — you must rest and recover properly. If there's anything your son can do for you, please don't hesitate to command me."
Fang Yun had no idea that the father before him had already been replaced — it was a clone of Fang Yuan.
In a sense, Fang Yuan could be considered Fang Yun's patricidal enemy. Fang Yun was unknowingly acknowledging a thief as his father.
Fang Dizhang coughed twice and weakly waved his hand: "Yun'er, you can stop putting on an act. Does your father not know your true nature? Come, sit down. Don't be so formal."
Upon hearing this, Fang Yun's expression immediately relaxed. He shrugged, raised an eyebrow, and sat down by the bed with a grin: "Father, you really scared me. I didn't expect you to pull something this big this time — it was far too risky! And poor Senior Suan Bu Jin actually lost his life."
At this point, a look of sorrow crossed Fang Yun's face.
Fang Yuan had once disguised himself as Suan Bu Jin and saved Fang Yun's life. Fang Yun had always been grateful for this and held Suan Bu Jin in great respect.
This time, when Fang Dizhang had laid out his plan, he had not informed Fang Yun of the truth. The forces used to eliminate Suan Bu Jin had been limited to the Fang Family's Supreme Grand Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder.
This plan didn't need many people involved, especially not Fang Yun.
Suan Bu Jin had frequent contact with Fang Yun in normal times. As a Wisdom Path Gu Immortal, if Fang Yun had known the truth, his temperament and composure were such that he would easily give the game away.
Fang Dizhang was a Grand Master of the Wisdom Path, and even such fine details were thoroughly accounted for.
In all fairness, if it had been any other Gu Immortal, they might very well have fallen into Fang Dizhang's trap. Even Fang Yuan himself, had he not had the prior premonition that led him to enhance his Karma Divine Tree Killing Move beforehand, would have found the situation thorny.
Fang Dizhang hadn't made any errors — he had tried his best to overestimate Suan Bu Jin. But the moment he learned Suan Bu Jin's true identity, he understood in an instant: he had still drastically underestimated Fang Yuan.
Truth be told, it wasn't just Fang Dizhang. Zi Wei Fairy, the Wisdom Path powerhouse of the Heavenly Court, had also underestimated Fang Yuan. In fact, the entire Five Regions Gu Immortal world had drastically underestimated him — they still believed Fang Yuan was only at the Seventh Transformation level.
In reality, Fang Yuan had long since reached the Eighth Transformation. Moreover, using his Qi Sea Old Ancestor identity, he had deceived Lord Long and swindled away a portion of the Primordial Qi Path True Transmission.
Meanwhile, Fang Dizhang was merely at the Seventh Transformation. The Gu formations and Gu houses he relied on had been thoroughly understood by Fang Yuan. At the same time, the Bean God Palace had become Fang Yuan's ally.
Fang Dizhang had originally treated Suan Bu Jin as a crocodile to deal with, never imagining that beneath the crocodile's hide was a fierce dragon.
And so, he fell. Fell too hard — with one misstep, there was no chance of recovery.
"Yun'er, come — extend your hand." Fang Dizhang said.
Fang Yun was puzzled but didn't want to disobey his father's command. He obediently extended his hand.
As a result, Fang Dizhang placed three Immortal Gu into his palm.
"Father, what are you doing?" Fang Yun was greatly surprised.
"I plan to pass the Wisdom Path inheritance to you," Fang Dizhang said.
Fang Yun froze: "But Father, I cultivate the Cloud Path, not the Wisdom Path. And didn't you previously approve of me cultivating the Cloud Path?"
Fang Dizhang nodded: "I allowed you to focus on the Cloud Path before because your temperament is restless and free-spirited — a natural fit for the Cloud Path. But the Cloud Path is only a minor school of thought. Ultimately, it cannot compare with the Wisdom Path."
"The most important thing is that after this incident, I've been reflecting these past days. The death of Senior Suan Bu Jin was the best warning I could have received. I need to find a Wisdom Path successor for the family — in case something happens to me, there will be a younger generation to step up."
"Father, don't talk about 'something happening to you,'" Fang Yun said.
"Destiny is unpredictable — what accident can't happen? Life is full of surprises. Lying here seriously wounded was something I never anticipated. Besides, given our Fang Family's current situation, you know it as well as I do. I must plan for the family's future," Fang Dizhang said earnestly.
Fang Yun nodded, a rare look of solemnity crossing his face: "Father, you're right. Then your son will switch to cultivating the Wisdom Path."
Fang Dizhang smiled and nodded, then shook his head: "You're my son — I know you're not suited for the Wisdom Path. The Cloud Path is the best fit for you. When I plan for the family, I won't overlook you. So my arrangement is this: I'll give you the Wisdom Path inheritance, but you don't need to switch. After all, you've already built a foundation in the Cloud Path — changing would be quite troublesome and the losses would be significant."
"For now, you only need to master this Wisdom Path inheritance. If in the future the situation becomes dire and you need to make the sacrifice, then you can switch. And if the day comes when I've passed on, you should select a suitable successor and pass this Wisdom Path inheritance down to them. Understood?"
"Father, your arrangements are brilliant! I understand!" Fang Yun said with a smile. Hearing that he wouldn't have to switch to the Wisdom Path, he felt instantly relieved.
"Go on, you brat — your father needs to rest. These three Wisdom Path Immortal Gu — take them and get a feel for them. Among them is Senior Suan Bu Jin's Miscellaneous Thoughts Immortal Gu. Though he's dead, I must preserve his inheritance," Fang Dizhang said while waving his hand.
"Your son takes his leave." Fang Yun hurried out, gently closing the door behind him.
In the room, only Fang Yuan's clone remained alone.