The Central Continent Gu Refinement Conference was proceeding in full swing, but Fang Yuan's faction had already vanished without a trace.
Fang Yuan's order to retreat had been so thorough that it left the Gu Immortals of the five regions under the illusion that his previous wave of destruction and slaughter had been nothing but a mirage.
"What exactly is Fang Yuan doing?"
"The Central Continent Gu Refinement Conference is still ongoing — won't he make a move?"
"You're the Little Demon Venerable, don't let your reputation weaken."
The four great powers of the other regions grumbled inwardly, all of them anxious, hoping Fang Yuan would take action and serve as their vanguard.
But Fang Yuan, who had always been at daggers drawn with Heavenly Court, had unexpectedly retreated into his shell without the slightest movement.
The four regional powers were on the verge of resentment, watching helplessly as the days slipped by one after another. The Central Continent Gu Refinement Conference continued its layered selections, and the elite refinement-path cultivators began competing at ever-higher tiers.
The number of competition venues across Central Continent had shrunk dramatically as a result. At every venue, Heavenly Court had stationed several Central Continent Gu Immortals to stand guard with iron discipline.
It was under these circumstances that Fang Yuan issued his orders once more. Bai Ningbing, Bing Yuan, and the various Gu Immortals from the Beast Calamity Blessed Land moved out one after another.
Central Continent, Xuanwu Mountain Range.
"You've been acting as a accomplice to a tiger, Bai Ningbing — you'll get your retribution eventually!" Stationed here was a female Gu Immortal from Spirit Affinity House. Before she fled, she hurled this parting curse.
Bai Ningbing gave a cold snort. "She sure ran fast."
The Xuanwu Mountain Range was one of Spirit Affinity House's major resource points, covering an enormous area — a well-known treasure trove of immortal materials.
"I need to act quickly before complications arise." Bai Ningbing began her plunder.
Central Continent, Prison Valley.
"This is the place." Steel Charge Warrior surveyed his surroundings.
Accompanying him was Frost Butterfly Warrior. "Open!"
A killer move was activated, and a grand formation materialized before them in an instant.
Transform!
The two Seventh Transformation Gu Immortals from the Beast Calamity Blessed Land showed not a shred of hesitation, immediately deploying their most proficient abilities. One transformed into a giant with a bull's head and a human body, while the other became a small figure draped in butterfly wings, frigid energy radiating from every inch of her form.
Immortal-Grade killer moves were unleashed one after another. The formation held for a brief moment before collapsing with a thunderous crash.
"Nanhua Thorns — the entire valley is filled with immortal materials!" Steel Charge Warrior was ecstatic.
Frost Butterfly Warrior was even more direct — she struck without delay, freezing the Nanhua Thorns solid, then harvested them with frantic speed.
Central Continent, Red River Flats.
The Central Continent Gu Immortals who had rushed to the scene were beside themselves with fury.
They had arrived too late. All they found was a wasteland.
Not a single one of the Red Fire Stones stockpiled in the flats remained.
It was clean beyond belief!
When Fang Yuan did not act, he did not act at all — but when he did, he shook the world once more.
Nearly all of his subordinate Gu Immortals had been dispatched, and even the fur-folk Gu Immortals were no exception.
These individuals had received Fang Yuan's orders not to assault the heavily guarded competition venues of the Gu Refinement Conference head-on, but to strike at the resource points with weaker defenses.
Every time they breached a resource point, this group carried out a ruthlessly thorough plunder. And after the looting, they activated killer moves to deliver annihilating destruction!
In a flash, flames of war blazed across the entirety of Central Continent. Every major resource point was raided and razed.
Each time Fang Yuan succeeded at a location, he publicized the impact of that conquest through the Treasure Yellow Heaven.
The Gu Immortals of all five regions were thrown into an uproar.
"How does Fang Yuan have so many subordinates?!"
"Such a massive number of Gu Immortals far exceeds what any normal superpower could field!"
"Just how much hidden strength does he possess!?"
After the initial shock, jealousy and envy surged through the Gu Immortals' hearts.
Fang Yuan's subordinates varied greatly in combat strength, but even the weakest among them had succeeded. For the sake of the Gu Refinement Conference, Central Continent had left these resource points far too lightly defended.
Many powerful Gu Immortals couldn't help but think: "If even these non-human Gu Immortals could plunder successfully, why couldn't I?"
Even more Gu Immortals of modest strength were seized by wild fantasies: "The strong have gorged themselves on the meat and bones — surely I can at least get a sip of the broth?"
And so, just as had happened in his previous life, the Gu Immortals of the four regions could no longer hold themselves back — the demonic Gu Immortals and rogue cultivators foremost among them.
These were the first to act, launching raids on Central Continent's resource points.
The situation in Central Continent collapsed entirely.
Heavenly Court.
Purple Star Fairy's face was ashen.