"What?" This was the first time Wu Shuai had heard this news, and he couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.
Who didn't know of Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable's reputation for benevolence and compassion? He had devoted his entire life to erasing the tragedy wrought by Spectral Soul, and not a single one of his techniques was offensive in nature. Everything he said and did was meant to guide people toward goodness and bring joy through helping others.
The number of people he had helped was far more than tens of millions — and not just humans, but non-humans and even Primordial Legends as well. He had personally intervened on multiple occasions to repair mountains and rivers, cultivating resource points for the world.
The Mushroom People's Paradise of the Southern Border, the Merfolk Royal Court of the Eastern Sea, and the Azure Dragon Whale had all received Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable's aid.
Even Central Continent's Reincarnation Battlefield had been created by Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable in the past — a battlefield killer move devised because he could not bear to watch Central Continent's Gu Immortals slaughter one another, meant to mediate their disputes.
And Fang Yuan?
Fang Yuan killed without batting an eye, cold and merciless. For his own selfish gain, he had destroyed Fate Gu, casting aside the greater cause of humanity.
To advance his cultivation, he plundered resources wherever he went. Extortion, ambush, treachery, arson, murder, and robbery — he employed every foul method imaginable.
Wherever he set foot, blood and disaster followed.
Now that Spectral Soul had perished, Fang Yuan was the undisputed number one demon in the world!
It was not surprising that Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable had factored Fang Yuan into his plans. The other nine Venerables had done the same. But for Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable to actually want Fang Yuan as his successor, and to have all of Paradise Earth's forces assist Fang Yuan in ascending to Venerable status?
That was simply too inconceivable!
"Has Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable lost his mind?" That was Wu Shuai's first thought upon processing the news.
Then another thought struck him: "Could it be that Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable actually intends to guide the original toward goodness? That would be entirely consistent with his usual approach."
That was right.
Fang Yuan was a demon.
The battle that had just occurred would cause a worldwide sensation once word spread. Fang Yuan's position as the world's foremost demon was now firmly cemented!
If such a demon could be turned from evil to good, that would indeed be a tremendous blessing for the world and all living things.
Wu Shuai was astonished, but Fang Yuan's expression remained flat, betraying no hint of surprise.
Because he had already heard these words when he communicated with Lu Weiyin earlier.
What Fang Yuan recalled at that moment was a scene on Red Lotus Stone Island.
Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable had broken into Stone Lotus Island and spoken with Red Lotus's will. He had indeed declared his intention to claim Fang Yuan as his successor.
To that end, Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable had seized Regret Gu and arranged for it to be placed within the Azure Dragon Whale.
It was precisely because of this that the subsequent events had unfolded — Fang Yuan venturing into the blessed realm of Paradise Earth within the Azure Dragon Whale, retrieving Regret Gu, and liberating Shen Shang.
At that time, the Merit Board had displayed an ultimate mission, seemingly inviting Fang Yuan to take up residence in the blessed realm, accept this mission, and become the master of the Azure Dragon Whale. But Fang Yuan had refused this temptation and resolutely chosen to venture out, participate in the Fate War, and destroy Fate Gu.
After the Fate War, Lu Weiyin had proactively contacted Fang Yuan, offering his support.
These two events were, in truth, part of the same thread.
Fang Yuan had not found it difficult to accept.
"Since my rebirth, I have repeatedly received the true legacies of Venerables. This has been the successive Venerables' support, using me as a chess piece to destroy Fate Gu."
"I originally thought Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable harbored the same intention. I didn't expect him to have a deeper purpose."
Thoughts flickered and collided ceaselessly in Fang Yuan's mind.
This time, he had found himself in a predicament so dire it could be called nine deaths and one life. The most perilous moment had been when the Spectral Soul Giant had used the Heart-Eating killer move on him. Fang Yuan truly had no power to resist and could only risk everything on a single gamble.
At that time, he had forced a cheerful smile, maintained his perfect disguise, and successfully deceived Qi Jue Devil Immortal into making a move, causing the latter to rebel against Spectral Soul. That was how the Heart-Eating killer move had been interrupted, allowing him to survive.
In that instant, more than half of Fang Yuan's body had already been inside the coffin.
And where had the source of this peril lain?
The external catastrophe had been Demon Venerable Spectral Soul's relentless pursuit, seeking to reclaim the Supreme Immortal Venerable Fetus Gu and the various dreams.
The internal crisis had been Red Lotus Demon Venerable's scheme — he had utilized over three thousand Heavenly Dao marks to leave Fang Yuan virtually powerless to fight back.
Fate Gu had been destroyed. Fang Yuan had no more value as a tool. However much support he had received before, he now had to endure an equally devastating backlash!
The Venerables who had once aided Fang Yuan had abandoned him, and their killing intent was resolute.
Yet in the face of such a grand situation, one Venerable had gone against the grain, extending a helping hand at the critical moment and pulling Fang Yuan back from the brink.
What exactly was Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable's deeper intention?
What did he see in Fang Yuan?
On what basis did he believe Fang Yuan could become a Venerable?
To the point of sparing no cost to assist Fang Yuan in achieving Venerable status?
All around was earthy brown, with earth energy surging in rolling waves.
The flying enclave made its way through the vast and magnificent earth veins.
"As far as I know, the Three Venerables Prophecy holds that the next Venerable will be Great Dream Immortal Venerable. Could Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable believe I have the potential to become Great Dream Immortal Venerable?" Fang Yuan's eyes flickered as he broke the silence, probing.
Lu Weiyin replied: "The Three Venerables Prophecy has taken deep root and spread far and wide, but now that Fate Gu has been destroyed, none of it can be taken as certain. It may well still be Great Dream Immortal Venerable who comes next — or it may not. Isn't that right?"
"Fellow Immortal Fang Yuan truly need not ask further. When the time comes, make a journey to the Mushroom People's Paradise, accept Paradise Earth's true meaning, and everything will become clear. When that day comes, I will certainly prepare the guest chamber and welcome you with the utmost respect."