Xiao Qixing and the others strolled along the streets.
The great battle had only just ended. The once bustling, vibrant streets were now utterly desolate, with hardly a soul in sight. Those who could be seen were mostly wounded.
"Fang Dichang calls himself part of the Righteous Path of the Western Desert! He slaughtered the innocent and caused so many casualties. For him to die like that — he got off far too easily," Chen Dajiang said through gritted teeth.
Ying Shengji sighed and agreed, "Indeed. This place was once so full of life."
"Heh heh heh. You two are quite amusing," Wei Wushang laughed. "This is nothing more than a mural world — a killing move created by Yuan Lian Immortal Venerable. The people here don't truly exist. No matter how many fall, give it a few years and everything will return to how it was."
"True enough. More than worrying about that, I'm far more curious what kind of rewards our sects will be giving us this time!" Gu Ting said.
Xiao Qixing's eyes lit up instantly: "We used our mortal bodies to slay an Immortal, and we eliminated a hidden threat within the City of God Emperor. With such an immense contribution, I'd wager not only the sects but even the Heavenly Court itself will bestow rewards upon us! Hahaha!"
Xiao Qixing laughed heartily, brimming with pride.
In this campaign to quell the Bean God Soldier crisis and eliminate Fang Dichang, his performance had been the finest and his contribution the greatest.
When it came time to award merits, he would surely claim first place!
In the very alleyway the group passed through, two beggars sat cross-legged in a corner, coldly surveying everything around them.
The words and mannerisms of these ten great ancient sects' Gu seedlings naturally did not escape the beggars' notice.
"This time, it truly was all thanks to you, Brother Shen," one of the beggars transmitted secretly.
Shen Shang, looking every bit the beggar, smiled: "Should I address you as Immortal Friend Fang Yuan, or Immortal Friend Fang Dichang?"
The beggar beside him responded: "I am merely a clone. Strictly speaking, I can't even be called a clone anymore — just a residual strand of will. So there is no need to call me Fang Yuan. As for Fang Dichang, he is dead — killed by self-detonation. I am now nameless and formless, nothing more than a wretched beggar."
A sharp gleam flashed in Shen Shang's eyes: "Immortal Friend is far too modest. Even without my help, you would have long since planned to escape through death."
The beggar nodded, not denying it: "My original plan was to use the Bean God Soldiers to seize control of the mural world — that would have been ideal. But the likelihood of success was not high. Before considering victory, one must prepare for defeat, so naturally I prepared a thorough contingency. The self-detonation caused my physical body and soul to vanish completely, but this strand of will was preserved in secret."
After a pause, Fang Yuan's will continued: "I truly must thank you for your assistance. If I had relied solely on my own methods, the chances of being detected by Yuan Lian's will would have been very high. But with you covering for me, the situation was entirely different. Immortal Friend Shen Shang, your attainment in the Human Path deepens with each passing day."
Shen Shang chuckled: "Quite right. Ever since the Battle of Destiny, when I cracked the Venerable's Human Path killing move, my progress in the Human Path has improved considerably. Now, coming to this mural world — spending every day pretending to be a beggar, observing carefully, focusing on comprehension — I've reaped abundant rewards. Being a beggar has its own unique advantages. Beggars stand at the very bottom of society, looking up and observing all the facets of the mortal world — experiencing both kindness and cruelty, feeling hunger and cold."
Having said this much, Shen Shang shifted the topic: "So, what does Immortal Friend intend to do next? Leave this place, or continue staying?"
Fang Yuan's will did not hesitate: "I cannot leave this place. Even though only a strand of will remains of me, I have merely escaped Yuan Lian's notice temporarily — I have no means of departure. And you, Immortal Friend Shen Shang?"
Shen Shang also shook his head: "I haven't found a way out either. I've already secretly investigated those Gu seedlings from the ten great ancient sects of the Central Continent. They can enter and leave because they have Yuan Lian's permission. But I believe that as long as I continue to lie low and keep studying, accumulating attainment in the Human Path, a qualitative breakthrough will eventually come. When that time arrives, I'll be able to find a way to leave this place."
Fang Yuan's will gave Shen Shang a long, deep look. He could clearly tell that Shen Shang was thoroughly enjoying himself here.
But thinking about it, this was hardly surprising.
Yuan Lian Immortal Venerable's ambition was truly grand — he had created an entire world dedicated to developing the Human Path.
In this place, the Human Path held supreme status, while all other paths served only as supplements. The Human Path thrived above all else, while the rest had withered to insignificance.
At the same time, this world followed mortal rules. The gap between immortals and mortals was minimal — far more conducive to the development of the Human Path.
Furthermore, it was completely isolated from the outside world. Anyone who entered was cut off from the Five Regions, unable to even communicate with the Treasure Yellow Heaven. This prevented intelligence leaks and information contamination, creating this secluded paradise for the Human Path.
Shen Shang specialized in the Human Path. Coming to this place was like a glutton encountering the most exquisite delicacy — he was in his element, and had even grown deeply attached.
The vessel Fang Yuan's will currently inhabited was one of Shen Shang's beggar Gu worms.
Before him lay only two paths. One was to wait for his main body's rescue; the other was to temporarily cultivate alongside Shen Shang and use his strength to break free.
All intelligence regarding the Bean God Soldier crisis, from beginning to end, had been consolidated in Qin Dingling's hands.
"Fang Dichang died by self-detonation?" Qin Dingling's brow furrowed slightly.