Looking at the old man's image, a flood of thoughts surged through Shang Xinci's mind in an instant.
The mysterious elder possessed formidable strength. His methods of concealing himself within Gu Insects were completely beyond her ability to detect.
His intentions were unclear — he could be harboring goodwill, or he could be bearing malice. He might even be the true culprit behind the counterfeit Gu, or perhaps this was yet another scheme orchestrated by Shang Yazi.
Yet Shang Xinci was more inclined to believe that this mysterious elder had come with good intentions.
Shang Xinci spoke solemnly: "My earlier sigh was because Shang Yazi and the others, in their competition for Immortal opportunities, wish to drag me from the position of clan head. Yet they never consider how much loss and suffering their conspiracies and underhanded schemes bring to others. They even disregard the reputation of the entire Shang clan entirely, all for their own sake."
"But I understand their choice — who wouldn't want to become a Gu Immortal, soaring through the azure skies, plucking stars and grasping the moon? But does becoming a Gu Immortal truly require viewing all living beings as mere ants? Is there not another, gentler way to deal with the weak?"
Upon hearing this, the elder let out a long sigh. "Shang Xinci, oh Shang Xinci. This old man has been dwelling in Shangliang Mountain for many years. I believe your words come entirely from the bottom of your heart. That is precisely why I am helping you!"
Shang Xinci bowed deeply, her face betraying no trace of excitement. "May I ask for the elder's honored name?"
The elder smiled bitterly. "This old man is nothing but a desperate soul who cannot appear in public. I know you have your suspicions about me, but my help is given with genuine goodwill. Someone like you is worth doing something for. You have held the position of clan head for many years — you should know that trusting someone is not about what they say, but what they do."
Shang Xinci nodded. "I humbly ask for the elder's guidance. This junior is all ears."
The elder then said: "I know the origin of the person who created the counterfeit Gu, as well as his whereabouts. His name is Feng Tianyu. Your second brother, Shang Yazi, deliberately befriended him and lured him into action with great profit."
"Feng Tianyu?" Shang Xinci's gaze flickered. "I know of him. He comes from the Righteous Path and was once the young patriarch of a stronghold. He possesses profound mastery in the refinement path — a refinement grandmaster with Fourth Transformation cultivation. Even when he was only at the Third Transformation, he managed to refine a Fifth Transformation Gu Insect. Though it survived for only half a day, it was enough to make Feng Tianyu's reputation soar. Unfortunately, his clan was defeated in a conflict, the stronghold was destroyed, and he went from being a young patriarch to a mere lone cultivator."
As the Shang clan head, Shang Xinci had thorough knowledge of every powerful figure in the Southern Border's Gu Master world.
The elder nodded. "Feng Tianyu's true cultivation has already reached the Fifth Transformation. He merely keeps it secret, still presenting himself as a Fourth Transformation cultivator. I have a method that can bring him to submission, so that from now on he will serve you with unwavering loyalty."
Shang Xinci grew deeply curious.
Feng Tianyu's cultivation had already reached the Fifth Transformation, equal to her own, and as a refinement grandmaster he was highly sought after in the Southern Border. Such a person would receive respectful treatment wherever he went. If he wished to rebuild his clan now, he could certainly restore the Feng family and become a stronghold patriarch — a righteous leader in the Gu Master world.
How could a figure of such caliber be easily subdued?
The elder did not keep her in suspense. He directly imparted the specific method to Shang Xinci.
Shang Xinci's expression shifted slightly. "You want this junior to deceive Feng Tianyu?"
The elder chuckled. "I wouldn't call it deception. After all, you and Fang Yuan are indeed old acquaintances. Of course, strictly speaking, it does constitute a deception. But Shang Xinci — if deceiving one person could save countless others, would you do it? You have no other options at this point, and furthermore, Feng Tianyu is the primary culprit behind the counterfeit Gu crisis."
The smile on the elder's face deepened. "In this world, it is not easy to be a villain, and it is even harder to be a good person. Because a good person must not only defeat villains but also uphold their own moral conscience. Shang Xinci — this old man is merely offering you a method. How you choose to use it depends entirely on your own judgment."
Shang Xinci did not hesitate. "Thank you, Elder. The method is excellent. I have already decided to give it a try."
"Good." The elder laughed heartily. "That is precisely what I admire most about you. You possess a heart of benevolence, yet you are far from pedantic. You understand adaptability and know how to employ various means to contend with evil. In this world, a purely good person is practically committing suicide — they only harm themselves and their friends. But you are not like that. You are a practical, truly effective good person."
The elder concluded: "This Gu Insect contains an Immortal Gu inheritance. I believe this is the path of cultivation best suited for you. You may examine it. Whether to cultivate or not is entirely your own choice."
With those words, the elder's image rapidly faded away.
At the same moment, a single Gu Insect slowly rose from a pile of Gu on the table, hovering in midair, standing out from the rest.
Shang Xinci carefully took it and sent her consciousness in for a quick review.
A moment later, a flash of joy crossed her face, and she murmured: "Benevolence Gu?"
Shangliang Mountain was divided into an outer city and an inner city. The inner city was further subdivided into the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Inner Cities.
The First Inner City served as the political center of the Shang clan and was also a key military stronghold — it was where Shang Xinci resided.
The Second Inner City, also known as the Family City, was reserved exclusively for members of the Shang clan. A token was required for entry and exit.
Feng Tianyu lived in the Third Inner City.
Real estate in the Third Inner City was worth its weight in gold. The entire inner city was constructed using Star Stone. Not only the buildings, but even the streets were paved with slabs carved from Star Stone. As far as the eye could see, starlight stretched in an unbroken expanse, the view crystal clear.
The streets here were sparsely populated, quiet and pleasant — like a palace among the stars.
There were no inns, only gardens.
The rent for even a small garden was thirty Yuan Stones per day. A large garden cost over a hundred per day!
Feng Tianyu lived in a large garden.
He was sipping fine tea, half-reclined on a soft couch, the door thrown wide open, gazing at the courtyard where a cool breeze stirred light rain and bamboo groves swayed in gentle beauty.
"What a splendid mood, Brother Feng." Shang Xinci's voice drifted over, calm and unhurried.
Feng Tianyu's body jolted in shock. He nearly tumbled off the couch.
But in the next instant, he had already composed himself, the Gu Insects within his Empty Orifice poised for battle. He slowly turned around and, upon seeing Shang Xinci, forced himself to remain calm: "So it is the Shang clan head herself who graces me with her presence. What an extraordinary honor. Your methods are truly remarkable — I should note that I have set up at least three layers of Gu formations here. And yet you come and go as silently as if entering an unguarded land. Is there anywhere in this world you cannot reach?"
Feng Tianyu's words carried an oblique jab at Shang Xinci's thief-like methods, but she showed no irritation whatsoever, and fired back: "How could my methods possibly compare with yours, Brother Feng? You caused chaos across the entire Shang clan marketplace. Yesterday, it was precisely because of your counterfeit Gu running rampant and the disturbances at the street corners that I, as the Shang clan head, nearly lost all face."
Feng Tianyu's heart trembled. He had not expected Shang Xinci to have discovered him so quickly.
"How can this be? I was certain the counterfeit Gu left no traces. Could there have been a slip-up on Shang Yazi's end?"
While he pondered, he sat up from his half-reclined position, refusing to admit anything: "The clan head need not frighten me. The crime of manufacturing counterfeit Gu is not one that a small fry like myself could possibly bear."
Shang Xinci chuckled softly, took a few light steps forward to the doorway, and gazed out at the courtyard. With her back to Feng Tianyu, she spoke in an unhurried tone: "Still don't understand, Brother Feng? Once I have made up my mind, even without a shred of evidence, it becomes fact."
Feng Tianyu was inwardly stunned: "This Shang Xinci is famous throughout the land for her benevolence and kindness, but meeting her in person, she turns out to be such a dominating character!"
He felt immense pressure bearing down on him.
Shang Xinci's sudden voice — her reveal of her true presence — had already thrust Feng Tianyu into an extremely passive position.
Because he had been lying on the couch, his posture was poor. He could only maintain full alertness, using words to spar with Shang Xinci while seizing the opportunity to adjust his posture from half-reclined to half-seated.
But Shang Xinci appeared entirely unaware of his maneuvering. She even stepped past Feng Tianyu's side, came to the doorway, and stood facing the courtyard with her back to him — completely indifferent to his furtive movements, and even offering him a perfect opportunity to launch a sneak attack from behind.