The sudden shift caught nearly everyone off guard.
Night Fiend Maiden had actually transformed into Ancestor Thousand Transformations. His very first strike shook heaven and earth — on the spot, he slew Heaven's Court's Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal, Wei Feng!
Immediately after, this Ancestor Thousand Transformations swept his left hand open, unfurling the portal of his Immortal Orifice and drawing every unconscious female immortal within the formation inside.
His right hand still clutched Wei Feng's head. At this moment, he clenched hard, and with a sickening squelch, crushed Wei Feng's skull!
Red and white exploded outward like a watermelon squeezed to pulp.
"This is the fate that awaits every last one of you." Ancestor Thousand Transformations spoke through gritted teeth, his expression vicious and cruel, his murderous aura overwhelming.
He too was a man who could endure in silence. It was precisely because of this temperament that, even after Fairy Emerald Wave died, he had not acted personally. Instead, he had dispatched Red Cloud Dancing Maiden to test the enemy.
This trap had been meticulously laid, waiting for someone to take the bait. Now that the trap had sprung, Heaven's Court's Wei Feng paid with his life — cementing Ancestor Thousand Transformations' fearsome reputation.
"What a pity that Fang Yuan didn't take the bait." Ancestor Thousand Transformations cast a regretful glance toward Fang Yuan.
That kid was far too cunning, staying inside the Ten-Thousand-Year Battle Flying Chariot the entire time. Ancestor Thousand Transformations simply could not find any opportunity to strike.
The three Heaven's Court immortals were furious!
The dignified Wei Feng had actually fallen right before their eyes.
After the fury came a wave of cold sweat.
Never mind Wei Feng — even if it were any of them, in that situation, they probably would not have fared any better.
Ancestor Thousand Transformations had been plotting for a long time. When he did not strike, he remained silent, but when he did, it was earth-shattering, giving Wei Feng absolutely no chance to escape.
After the cold sweat subsided, the Heaven's Court Gu Immortals were wracked with confusion. "What exactly is going on? How can there be a second Ancestor Thousand Transformations? Even if he inherited the Wild Barbarian True Inheritance, for a second Eighth Transformation to appear out of thin air — that is far too bizarre, isn't it?"
Fang Yuan piloted the Ten-Thousand-Year Battle Flying Chariot, quietly widening the distance between himself and Ancestor Thousand Transformations, his own expression equally puzzled. "Ancestor, what exactly is going on here?"
The Ancestor Thousand Transformations that Night Fiend Maiden had become let out a cold laugh. "So even a reborn person like yourself doesn't know?"
"Ancestor, you think far too highly of me." Fang Yuan laughed. "If I truly knew every last secret under heaven, I would have long since become a Venerable. Why would I be stuck here?"
Having distanced himself, he went on with praise: "The Ancestor's methods are truly extraordinary — worthy of being the inheritor of the Wild Barbarian True Inheritance. One strike and you claimed the life of a Heaven's Court Eighth Transformation. Far more decisive than this junior could ever be. Truly admirable, truly admirable."
He drove a wedge between the two sides, all the while harboring not a shred of doubt.
"The Ancestor Thousand Transformations that appeared earlier must have been the Myriad Image Palace transformed. The real Night Fiend Maiden is the one currently operating this Immortal Gu House. And the real Ancestor Thousand Transformations has been disguised as Night Fiend Maiden all along, staying by the side of his wives. On one hand to protect them, and on the other to use them as bait to lure others in."
In his previous life five hundred years ago, during the era of the Five Regions' chaotic warfare, the Myriad Image Palace had shown its fearsome power. As a result, Fang Yuan already knew the secrets of this Immortal Gu House inside and out.
Unlike other Immortal Gu Houses, the Myriad Image Palace was unique — it could transform into anything in the world. For every statue formed within the palace, the structure could assume that statue's form, reproducing its various natural talents and methods.
Clearly, there had to be a statue of Ancestor Thousand Transformations himself somewhere inside.
Even though Fang Yuan knew this, he pretended not to know. That way, they won't know that I know. In the future, when you think I'm ignorant of your secret but I actually hold the answer — that becomes an advantage.
Don't underestimate this kind of advantage. When experts clash, it all comes down to these small details.
Where does advantage come from? It is accumulated bit by bit, exactly like this.
Fang Yuan's struggle against Heaven's Court had brought him to this point, in a far better position than he had enjoyed during the same period of his previous life. Was that not precisely because, after being reborn, he had gained advantages step by step, altered the past, and repeatedly built small victories into something greater?
You cannot become fat in a single bite.
"Which of you is the real Ancestor Thousand Transformations?!" Xing Yewang demanded.
"Allow me to enlighten you — I am the true Ancestor Thousand Transformations, and he is my twin brother, Ancestor Ten Thousand Transformations." The real Ancestor Thousand Transformations lied without batting an eye.
The Ancestor Ten Thousand Transformations transformed from the Myriad Image Palace nodded with calm indifference. "Heaven's Court, I trust you did not see this coming? You wanted to deal with my brother, yet you never expected to face two Eighth Transformations! I have always valued seclusion. I had intended to live my entire life in anonymity — but alas, this secret has now been exposed. Still, trading it for the life of an Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal is well worth the cost."
The three Heaven's Court immortals exchanged glances in silence. Regardless of whether Ancestor Thousand Transformations was telling the truth — regardless of what the actual facts were — the balance of power between the two sides had shifted dramatically.
Before, it had been Fang Yuan and Ancestor Thousand Transformations against Heaven's Court's four Eighth Transformations.
Now, Wei Feng was dead, yet an Ancestor Ten Thousand Transformations had appeared. As one side weakened and the other strengthened, the numbers stood at three versus three — both sides fielding three Eighth Transformation Gu Immortals.
Wan Zihong suddenly laughed and spoke. "If I were one of the two, I would have stationed a companion back in the Myriad Image Desert. That way, support could come from either side. But as things stand, both of you have fallen into this predicament, and the Myriad Image Desert sits completely unguarded — allowing our Heaven's Court Gu Immortals to march straight in. Oh, and by the way — I wonder whether you two brought the Myriad Image Palace along? If it was left behind in the Myriad Image Desert, that would be a terrible shame."
Her words served as both threat and probe.
Unfortunately, Fang Yuan already knew the truth: Ancestor Thousand Transformations and Ancestor Ten Thousand Transformations were nothing more than Ancestor Thousand Transformations operating the Myriad Image Palace — how could the two possibly be separated?
Even if Heaven's Court dispatched additional Gu Immortals to raid the Myriad Image Desert, they would find nothing of value left in that old lair.
But Ancestor Thousand Transformations' expression shifted slightly, laced with anger and mockery. "You of Heaven's Court claim to be the orthodox lineage of humanity, the leaders of the Righteous Path — and this is how you conduct yourselves?"
Even Fang Yuan could not help but silently admire that performance.
Ancestor Thousand Transformations could not keep this hidden for long. Although Heaven's Court's Fairy Ziwei was not present in person, she would soon divine the truth.
However, just as Fang Yuan concealed what he knew, Ancestor Thousand Transformations was likewise striving to seize every tiny advantage he could.
Though he had killed Wei Feng, on the grand stage, he still held the weaker position.
Heaven's Court maintained their killer move Heaven-Earth Inversion, firmly holding the initiative. Their remaining strength still exceeded the combined forces of Ancestor Thousand Transformations and Fang Yuan.
Wan Zihong sneered. "Forget it. This time, I will take the main attack. The two of you — assist me with everything you have."
She addressed Xing Yewang and Crown Prince Fengxian.
The latter two nodded, neither raising any objection.
In seniority, Wan Zihong ranked highest. In strength, she was the most powerful female immortal among them.
Immortal Killer Move — Flying Flowers Splashing Blood.
Wan Zihong launched her assault without warning, her aura erupting in full.
Without any obvious movement from her, blood began to erupt from the bodies of both Ancestor Thousand Transformations and Ancestor Ten Thousand Transformations.
The blood danced like flower petals, burrowing outward from their skin and splashing freely into the air.