"My lord!" Wu Zhen deactivated the Five-Direction Wind Grand Formation, his expression brimming with excitement.
Just moments ago, he had witnessed Wu Yong's sweeping assault against the Seven Ghosts of the Fierce Gorge — the methods displayed were unheard of, sharp and unstoppable.
Everyone knew the price Wu Yong had paid for using the Infinite Wind killer move during the Battle of Destiny.
What Wu Zhen hadn't expected was that over this recent period, Wu Yong's strength hadn't declined but actually risen! Throughout the entire battle, the Seven Ghosts of the Fierce Gorge had been utterly powerless to resist.
Sensing Wu Zhen's reverent gaze, Wu Yong smiled: "The Seven Ghosts of the Fierce Gorge are Seventh Transformation at most. The reason they're troublesome is because they rarely act all at once. Once you can't catch them all in one go, all previous efforts are wasted."
At this point, Wu Yong's expression darkened slightly: "You heard what the Seven Seven Mystic Soul Bird said just now. Any thoughts?"
Wu Zhen immediately adopted a grave expression and analyzed: "Judging by its words before it fainted, it seems the Seven Ghosts of the Fierce Gorge mobilizing in full force, converging on Corpse Emperor Yu Dingtian, wasn't just our scheme — Lu Weiyin was pulling strings behind the scenes! Lu Weiyin… he was actually able to influence the Seven Ghosts of the Fierce Gorge. Perhaps we can exploit this!"
Wu Yong laughed heartily: "Good, Wu Zhen. You're doing well."
Wu Zhen had already guessed Wu Yong's next move. In Wu Yong's strategy, the first step was to consolidate the Southern Border.
And the biggest obstacle to this step right now was Lu Weiyin.
Lu Weiyin was the current era's successor to Blissful Land in the Southern Border. Because of Blissful Land Immortal Venerable's influence, and his own personal contributions to the Southern Border's Righteous Path, Wu Yong had found it difficult to act against Lu Weiyin.
Who would have thought that during the Fang Yuan pursuit, Lu Weiyin would actually assist Fang Yuan? This gave Wu Yong the perfect justification for a campaign. And now, the fact that the Seven Seven Mystic Soul Bird also had secret ties to Lu Weiyin would further enable Wu Yong to rally the Southern Alliance under the righteous banner of exterminating the Mushroom Man Blissful Land!
"Focus on healing. Our next move is to deploy against Lu Weiyin and exterminate the Mushroom Man Blissful Land!" Wu Yong's eyes glinted with cold light, his fighting spirit overwhelming.
Wu Zhen hesitated for a moment, then spoke: "My lord, isn't the timing a bit rushed? The Qi Tide has only just passed, and numerous inheritances have appeared across the Southern Border. The Corpse Emperor's True Inheritance I obtained is merely one of them. Right now, every major superpower in the Southern Alliance is actively exploring and claiming these inheritances. If we hastily summon them, won't few respond, with the major superpowers paying lip service while acting against us behind the scenes?"
Wu Yong nodded with a smile: "Your concerns are valid. Dealing with Lu Weiyin, eliminating the Mushroom Man Blissful Land — what you've mentioned is one of the difficulties. Beyond that, there are several more. First, Lu Weiyin is extremely deep and calculating, with a mind full of stratagems and unique methods — far from an ordinary opponent. Second, the Mushroom Man Blissful Land has received help from Blissful Land Immortal Venerable, with a foundation as deep as any superpower. Third, since Lu Weiyin helped Fang Yuan escape, dealing with him will very likely mean clashing with Fang Yuan."
"Clashing with Fang Yuan?" Wu Zhen's face turned pale.
The current Fang Yuan was the number one demon lord in the world. Merely hearing the possibility of having to fight him was enough to make even a Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal like Wu Zhen deeply uneasy.
Wu Yong laughed heartily, his voice rising: "But these difficulties are merely difficulties! If we refuse to act because we fear difficulty, then there's almost nothing left to do in this world. A farmer must tend his fields — if he fears drought and flood and refuses to plow, he'll reap nothing. A fisherman must catch fish — if he fears drowning and refuses to cast his nets, his baskets will stay empty. When our Wu family undertakes a task, would we ever shrink back because of such difficulties?"
Wu Zhen's expression turned solemn, and he hastily cupped his fists: "My lord's teachings are wise."
Wu Yong's gaze grew deep as he continued his guidance: "Now is the perfect time to deal with Lu Weiyin. A man of his caliber — the more time he has, the more preparations he'll make, and the harder the Mushroom Man Blissful Land will be to attack. Fang Yuan is on the run, clearly powerless to intervene. If we miss this window and wait for him to recover, any hope of destroying the Mushroom Man Blissful Land will be gone."
"As for those Righteous Path superpowers paying lip service? Hmph, do they think the Southern Alliance is so easy to join? As the Alliance Leader, I've been looking for the right opportunity to bring the entire Southern Alliance into line."
Having heard this guidance, Wu Zhen harbored no further doubts — he was completely convinced by Wu Yong's vision: "Your subordinate is willing to follow my lord into battle across the land, to campaign against the Mushroom Men."
Wu Yong nodded, and before departing, left one last remark: "Heal well. The Wu family's path of conquering the world will need your contribution."
Meanwhile, at the Eastern Sea.
The Xia family's main base.
The atmosphere in the ceremony hall was heavy and tense.
Over a dozen non-human Gu Immortals had loosely formed two opposing factions, facing off against each other.
On the left, led by Ice Crystal Immortal King, with Chaotic Stone Cave Lord, Stinking Egg Cave Lord, and Hairy Monster Cave Lord in attendance.
On the right, led by Xiao Hejian, with Azure Forest Great Sage and Great Wisdom Immortal Mother in support.
And a third faction, composed entirely of human Gu Immortals — Heaven-Piercing Divine Lord, Chen Huaizi, and Colorful Stone Immortal Consort among them.
During the Fang Yuan pursuit, these non-human Gu Immortals had been abandoned by Fang Yuan. After breaking away from Heavenly Court, they had fled back to the Eastern Sea.
Without Wu Shuai to lead them, these Two Heavens Cave Lords had been living in constant anxiety. In recent days, they had been trying to figure out how to resolve the Qi Technique Fruit catastrophe afflicting their respective cave heavens, but had achieved nothing whatsoever.
"Xiao Hejian, Master Wu Shuai has returned. Have you made your preparations? I'd very much like to see how you plan to explain to the Alliance Leader why you repeatedly promoted Cold Ash Fairy Maiden!" Ice Crystal Immortal King struck first.
Xiao Hejian's face was as dark as water. When he had previously promoted Cold Ash Fairy Maiden, it had been to gather Gu Immortals and strengthen his own faction to counter Ice Crystal Immortal King's camp. What he hadn't expected was that Cold Ash Fairy Maiden was actually Demon Venerable Spectral Soul in disguise! Not only that, but Demon Venerable Spectral Soul had struck at the critical moment, pursuing Wu Shuai and Fang Yuan, and destroying the Dragon Palace.
Demon Venerable Spectral Soul had inflicted such enormous losses on the Two Heavens Alliance, and Xiao Hejian naturally bore heavy responsibility.
Facing the accusation, Xiao Hejian's face was ashen as he stared hard at Ice Crystal Immortal King: "How much responsibility I bear isn't for you to decide. Ice Crystal Immortal King, don't forget — you and I are both Vice Alliance Leaders, equal in status! I know full well how serious my offense was, and whatever punishment Alliance Leader Wu Shuai chooses to impose, I will accept it willingly. However, this matter is not solely my responsibility. Were you without fault, Ice Crystal Immortal King? Think about it — who was it that brought Cold Ash Fairy Maiden into our alliance in the first place? Wasn't it you? You not only brought in Demon Venerable Spectral Soul, but also introduced Heavenly Court's mole, Night Wolf Heavenly Lord, into the alliance. Your responsibility is far greater than mine!"
"You!" Ice Crystal Immortal King's face was filled with rage.
Xiao Hejian had already realized the precariousness of his situation after the defeat. His attendance at this meeting had been thoroughly prepared for well in advance.
"Heh. When you think about it, isn't it all the humans who caused trouble? Whether it's Cold Ash Fairy Maiden or Night Wolf Heavenly Lord, they're both humans. Human Gu Immortals simply cannot be trusted!" Great Wisdom Immortal Mother said in an ominous tone.
She was an Ink People Gu Immortal, and her Great Wisdom Cave Heaven had been invaded by Heavenly Court, suffering devastating losses.