Although it was merely one of Centipede Heaven Monarch's clones, it was still an Eighth Transformation cultivator all the same. The assembled immortals hastily bowed in greeting.
Chu Du was quite satisfied.
Although Centipede Heaven Monarch had not come in person to provide backup, Chu Du knew that Centipede Heaven Monarch possessed a marvelous technique that could instantaneously swap the positions of his clone and his main body. Therefore, with this clone present, it was virtually the same as having Centipede Heaven Monarch himself there.
At such a critical juncture, for Chu Du, Centipede Heaven Monarch was the only one he could truly rely on.
Centipede Heaven Monarch had been paying close attention to the battle between Chu Du and Black Moon Fairy.
After all, Longevity Heaven loomed above them all. With the Golden Tribes circling like wolves, the Centipede and Chu families had huddled together for warmth — when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.
However, he truly did have urgent business at hand at this moment.
The only one who could summon him was, naturally, none other than Longevity Heaven.
At present, Centipede Heaven Monarch was situated within Longevity Heaven itself, standing beside the current Longevity Heaven's Southern Wasteland Immortal — Medicine Emperor.
Seeing Centipede Heaven Monarch momentarily distracted, Medicine Emperor understood perfectly and smiled: "Immortal Friend Centipede, who do you think will be the ultimate winner between Chu Du and Black Moon?"
Centipede Heaven Monarch pulled his thoughts back and answered with a bitter smile: "From my personal standpoint, of course I hope Immortal Friend Chu Du wins overwhelmingly. However, Black Moon Fairy is no ordinary figure — her strength is unfathomable. This will certainly be a clash of dragons and tigers!"
"Lord Centipede speaks truly."
"Both cultivate the Strength Path — one has been renowned for ages while the other rose to fame in short order. They really are evenly matched; only a true bout between them can determine the victor."
"That Black Moon Fairy seems to have inherited Kuang Man's true inheritance, so her attainment in the Strength Path is far from ordinary."
"But if you ask me, Immortal Friend Chu Du still has the greater chance of winning. After all, he's the legendary figure who once forced an entire Liu Family to bow!"
As soon as these words were spoken, a Gu Immortal from the Liu Family let out a cold snort, his expression displeased.
Gathered around Centipede Heaven Monarch and Medicine Emperor at this moment was a large crowd of Gu Immortals, all hailing from various Golden Tribes.
The Gu Immortals debated among themselves for a time, when Five Elements Grand Mage flew over: "Enough. The Grand Formation is ready. Please enter."
Before the assembled immortals, an enormous Grand Formation had already been arranged.
Crimson, ornate patterns were visible everywhere.
The Golden Family Gu Immortals ceased their discussion and filed into the formation one after another, including the Black Family Gu Immortals that Centipede Heaven Monarch had brought along this time.
Soon, only Centipede Heaven Monarch and Medicine Emperor remained at the formation's edge.
Medicine Emperor gazed at the formation, then suddenly spoke: "If Chu Du wins, that would be fine. But if he loses, I'm afraid Black Moon's faction will truly gain momentum. Immortal Friend Centipede, have you been secretly funding Immortal Friend Chu Du?"
Centipede Heaven Monarch shook his head: "To tell you the truth, I once proposed the idea to him, but he refused. He wants to rely solely on his Strength Path attainment to face this great battle. In his heart, this contest of the Strength Path holds extraordinary significance."
Medicine Emperor fell silent, musing to himself with a faint smile: "Chu Du will lose, and he certainly must lose. Hei Loulan received her ancestor's personal cultivation, possesses extraordinary strength, and has the Effort Gu to aid her training. Her cultivation base, killer moves, and everything else are advancing at a rapid pace. On the other hand, all of Chu Du's intelligence has long since been gathered by Hei Loulan. Once Hei Loulan wins this battle, she will become the foremost figure of the Northern Plains Gu Immortal world, and henceforth every move she makes will set the trend for rogue cultivators and demonic immortals alike."
Just then, the sky within Longevity Heaven suddenly shifted, and alarm bells rang out furiously!
This was the prearranged signal!
"Why has it come so early?!" Medicine Emperor's face changed drastically and he cried out, "Quick, activate the Grand Formation!"
No reminder was needed. Five Elements Grand Mage, who was presiding over the formation, had already set it in motion.
The Grand Formation rumbled, crimson light blazing forth.
Within the formation, the Gu Immortals stationed at each formation node trembled involuntarily, their faces twisting in agony as blood was drawn from their bodies in large quantities. Simultaneously, their strength and cultivation bases rapidly depleted.
This Grand Formation was none other than a Blood Path Eighth Transformation Immortal Formation!
The Blood Path Immortal Formation condensed a mysterious, extraordinary power that swiftly vanished from within the formation, transmitted to a secret destination.
At this very moment.
The ninth layer of the Mad Demon Lair. Within the Star Constellation Chessboard Formation.
Star Constellation Immortal Venerable unleashed her lethal strike!
Whoosh.
On the body of the gravely wounded and near-death Giant Sun Immortal Zombie, blood-red flames suddenly ignited.
Within Giant Sun Immortal Zombie's immortal aperture, countless Gu Insects shone brilliantly, swirling and spiraling to form a killer move that drew upon a divine Blood Path authority transmitted from Longevity Heaven!
At its heart, the Kinship Gu served as the primary core, and pressed closely beside it was the Counterfeit Gu. At this moment, the Counterfeit Gu had transformed into the Blood Relation Bone, functioning as the secondary core.
The divine Blood Path authority rapidly spread throughout Giant Sun Immortal Zombie's entire body. The once frigid black blood of the immortal zombie boiled violently, bubbling like water set to a rolling boil.
A trace of golden radiance bloomed from the black blood, then flowed outward like liquid, spreading and expanding. After merely a few breaths, every last drop of blood in Giant Sun Immortal Zombie's body had turned a lustrous gold.
His withered, withered skin — cracked and dark as the bark of a dead tree — rapidly plumped and swelled, regaining a fair and radiant complexion.
Hair sharp as needles sprouted and grew at incredible speed, cascading down to his shoulders.
His pupils, once dull and lifeless, now blazed with piercing brilliance, golden light radiating outward.
His entire frame began to stretch and rise. Where he had once been slightly stooped, he now stood tall and proud, muscles swelling with power, transforming into a nine-foot-tall, powerfully built middle-aged man.
Boom!
A crimson halo violently expanded outward, and in an instant, wind and clouds surged in a tempest.