As Fang Yuan spoke, he released more Primordial Soul Beasts.
Spectral Demon Venerable moved with terrifying speed, seizing the Primordial Soul Beasts in an instant and swallowing them whole.
Star Constellation Immortal Venerable's eyelid twitched, and Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's expression darkened.
In his earlier speech, Fang Yuan had deliberately emphasized the words "Central Continent" and "Northern Plains" — a naked threat aimed at those two domains.
Star Constellation Immortal Venerable's proposal to besiege Spectral Demon Venerable was, regardless of her true motives, genuinely a sound strategy.
But Fang Yuan had been interfering at every turn, making it clear he intended to disrupt the two Venerables and use this as leverage to extort something from them, compensating for his significant losses this time.
The two Venerables sneered inwardly, yet fully understood Fang Yuan's thinking.
Put yourselves in his shoes — if they were in Fang Yuan's position, they would likely do the same.
After all, Fang Yuan was a newly ascended Venerable, lacking the accumulated reserves the other two had built over their previous lives. His Immortal Essence stores were far insufficient, trailing far behind. In a war against Spectral Demon Venerable, he would bear the greatest risk.
Even if Spectral Demon Venerable were killed, when it came to seizing the spoils, Fang Yuan's meager Immortal Essence reserves would leave him unable to compete with the other two Venerables. Worse, if Spectral Demon Venerable fell and Fang Yuan showed signs of Immortal Essence depletion, the two Venerables would immediately turn on him!
Fighting under such circumstances was extremely disadvantageous for Fang Yuan.
And for the two Venerables?
Star Constellation Immortal Venerable secretly transmitted a message: "Fellow Immortal Giant Sun, the Refining Heaven Demon Venerable is maintaining the Heavenly Aspect Killing Move, consuming enormous amounts of Immortal Essence. Right now he is at his weakest. You should know — he is far more threatening than Spectral Demon Venerable! Why don't we..."
Before Star Constellation Immortal Venerable could finish, Giant Sun Immortal Venerable immediately cut in: "Why don't Fellow Immortal Star Constellation strike first? I'll follow up!"
Star Constellation Immortal Venerable snorted coldly: "Fellow Immortal Giant Sun, that's hardly sincere."
Whoever struck at Fang Yuan first would bear the brunt of his retaliation.
Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's words sounded nice, but would he really follow through after Star Constellation Immortal Venerable made the first move? He would be more than happy to let Star Constellation Immortal Venerable and Refining Heaven Demon Venerable wear each other down.
Star Constellation Immortal Venerable wanted to ally with Giant Sun Immortal Venerable against Fang Yuan. In truth, she feared Fang Yuan far more!
Giant Sun Immortal Venerable also wanted to eliminate Fang Yuan.
Everyone knew Fang Yuan currently had the lowest Immortal Essence reserves of the three.
But just how low were they?
This was what both Venerables wanted to determine.
According to current intelligence, Fang Yuan still retained a portion of his Immortal Essence.
Whichever Venerable tried to take on Fang Yuan alone would pay a tremendous price. And such a cost, in the three-way standoff, was absolutely unacceptable.
Joining forces was the optimal choice.
But neither Giant Sun Immortal Venerable nor Star Constellation Immortal Venerable trusted the other — one could say they had absolutely zero trust between them!
The two Venerables also worried about one thing: if Fang Yuan were pushed to desperation, he might target Central Continent and Northern Plains!
By convention, Gu Immortals had an unspoken agreement not to attack mortals or low-level Gu Masters. It was beneath one's dignity. Venerables, in particular, held themselves above such things.
"But given Fang Yuan's bottom line and principles, this fellow would absolutely do it." On this point, the two Venerables were more unified than ever.
Giant Sun Immortal Venerable was known as the fiercely protective Venerable. How could he bear to watch Fang Yuan slaughter his descendants?
Star Constellation Immortal Venerable was the second-generation Immortal King of Heavenly Court. How could she stand by and watch the great foundation of Central Continent's Ten Great Ancient Sects be destroyed by Fang Yuan? That would make her the sinner of Heavenly Court!
Thus, the two Venerables found themselves constrained — wanting to strike, but fearing the consequences to their own domains.
*Sigh. It seems Fang Yuan can't be dealt with, and Spectral Demon Venerable can't be cornered either.* Star Constellation Immortal Venerable sighed deeply in her heart. *Since that's the case, why waste time here?*
Star Constellation Immortal Venerable was already contemplating withdrawal, and Giant Sun Immortal Venerable likewise.
Giant Sun Immortal Venerable even harbored some resentment toward Star Constellation Immortal Venerable, secretly transmitting: "If I may say so, Fellow Immortal Star Constellation — if you truly wanted to use Spectral Demon Venerable against Fang Yuan, you should have delayed longer. Make him spend even more Immortal Essence maintaining that Heavenly Aspect Killing Move!"
Star Constellation Immortal Venerable snorted coldly: "The two-day fusion process is violent and brief. Right now is its most intense phase, and the hardest period for maintaining the Heavenly Aspect Killing Move. But Fang Yuan is the Dao of Refining Venerable. Given his strength, he is quite capable of maintaining the move while simultaneously fighting Spectral Demon Venerable."
"I didn't expect him to be so decisive — sacrificing the Daytime Heavenly Spirit without hesitation, abandoning this Ninth Transformation Killing Move!" Star Constellation Immortal Venerable's expression showed genuine regret.
She didn't know the truth.
Fang Yuan had actually gone all-out at that moment. Secretly upgrading a Ninth Transformation Immortal Gu had consumed too much of his mental focus. That was why he had quickly abandoned the Heavenly Aspect Killing Move.
Giant Sun Immortal Venerable sighed as well: "Fellow Immortal Star Constellation, don't you understand by now? Fang Yuan may walk the Demonic Path, but he always seeks stability above all. His seemingly reckless actions are, in truth, rooted in extreme caution. Many of his seemingly radical choices are possible only because he uses the Spring Autumn Cicada to rebirth, giving him near-certain confidence in the outcome!"
Star Constellation Immortal Venerable snorted coldly, ceasing her secret exchange with Giant Sun Immortal Venerable, and spoke aloud: "Very well, then. This battle is over. To both of you — we shall meet again!"
With that, she turned and withdrew with decisive efficiency.
Giant Sun Immortal Venerable smiled at Fang Yuan and departed almost simultaneously, putting distance between himself and the battlefield.
Fang Yuan deliberately lingered a step behind. He paused briefly, then began his own retreat — only to be pursued by Spectral Demon Venerable.