Western Desert.
The Ten Thousand Mines Gobi.
Shi Zhong stared at the intelligence originating from the Shi Clan, his expression indifferent.
"The Fang Clan has failed. It seems Shi Kang has another chance now."
"However, the Fang Clan has only lost two Seventh Transformation Immortal Gu Masters and three Immortal Gu Houses — they still have the strength to fight."
Shi Zhong was a marginal figure sidelined by the Shi Clan, while Shi Kang was the rising star the clan had deliberately nurtured.
On the surface, Shi Zhong paid feigned respect to Shi Kang, but inwardly he felt a mixture of envy and disgust.
"No matter how the battle unfolds or what the outcome is, none of it has anything to do with me."
"I still have to rely on myself."
Shi Zhong gritted his teeth, thinking of how his most recent attempt to refine Wealth Immortal Gu had failed yet again.
The idea of seeking Fang Yuan's help in refining Gu flickered through his mind and vanished.
Shi Zhong clenched his jaw and finally made his decision.
"I suppose I'll have to sell some Wealth Mortal Gu." Shi Zhong had never received any cultivation support, and his secret attempts to refine Wealth Immortal Gu had consumed nearly his entire fortune.
He was now completely destitute — he had to sell something first before he could obtain the immortal materials needed for his next refining attempt.
The only things he could part with were Wealth Mortal Gu.
Though he had failed repeatedly in refining Immortal Gu, he had achieved something with the mortal ones.
He couldn't produce Wealth Immortal Gu, but he had managed to create Wealth Mortal Gu.
Connecting to Treasure Yellow Heaven, Shi Zhong hesitated for a long time before finally selecting over a dozen Wealth Mortal Gu and bringing them into Treasure Yellow Heaven.
The Wealth Mortal Gu clustered together into a ball, forming a mass of treasure light.
The light was abundant, yet these were clearly mortal Gu — this unusual sight immediately drew the attention of other Immortal Gu Masters.
"What kind of Gu is this? Why does it emit such treasure light?" Nur Tu asked.
A little over a year ago, he had successfully advanced to Sixth Transformation Immortal Gu Master. Although he relied on the Northern Plains Nur Family, he was still a fresh Sixth Transformation Immortal Gu Master.
In his spare time, he would connect to Treasure Yellow Heaven, sending his spiritual sense inside to explore and broaden his knowledge.
Nur Tu was a direct descendant of the Immortal Gu Master Nur Chi. He had also participated in the final King's Court Contest.
He excelled at enslaving leopard packs and had once been renowned alongside Chang Shanyin — whom Fang Yuan had impersonated — recognized by the contemporary Gu Masters of Northern Plains as one of the Five Beast Kings.
"These are Wealth Gu," Shi Zhong replied.
Nur Tu was taken aback, growing more curious: "Wealth Gu? Isn't that the legendary Immortal Gu recorded in the *Legend of Human Ancestor*? And these are just your mortal Gu..."
Shi Zhong snorted coldly: "These are mortal Gu formulas that I painstakingly researched and pioneered. These Fifth Transformation Wealth Gu can transform into any Fifth Transformation immortal material."
Nur Tu's heart shook, and he immediately asked: "Any Fifth Transformation immortal material? Can they be used multiple times?"
Shi Zhong's voice dropped: "These are all single-use consumable Gu."
If they weren't, he wouldn't have brought them out to sell.
Shi Zhong had been continuously attempting to refine Wealth Gu at the Immortal level. If he sold too many Wealth Mortal Gu, there was a risk that someone would deduce the Immortal Gu formula.
At that point, Shi Zhong would essentially have cultivated competitors for himself.
If he weren't absolutely pressed for it, Shi Zhong would never sell these Wealth Mortal Gu. Moreover, he was only selling a little over a dozen of them.
Nur Tu thought to himself: "They only transform into any Fifth Transformation immortal material — these Wealth Gu are nothing special, not very practical. As an Immortal Gu Master, what Fifth Transformation materials can't I obtain? But this does involve the legendary Wealth Gu, after all. Buying a few to study or give away as gifts wouldn't be bad."
Nur Tu then inquired about the price, and soon his spiritual sense fluctuated violently: "You're asking this much for a single mortal Gu? Have you gone mad from poverty?"
Shi Zhong replied: "Esteemed immortal friend, at first glance, trading mortal Gu for immortal materials may seem absurd. But think about it — once you have these mortal Gu, there's a chance you could deduce the Immortal Gu formula from them."
"Wealth Immortal Gu — just think about how valuable that is!"
"To be completely honest, these mortal Gu are basically the last of their kind in the world. There are very likely no more than these."
"I only obtained them through a fortunate coincidence."
"The pity is that I myself am utterly unskilled in Gu refinement. If I weren't strapped for cash this time, I wouldn't be selling them."
"How many would you like, immortal friend? If you buy three at once, I can offer you a discount."
Shi Zhong's silver tongue worked its magic, and Nur Tu found himself wavering after hearing all this.
What Shi Zhong said wasn't unreasonable.
But was it truly worth trading a large quantity of immortal materials for the mere hope of deducing an Immortal Gu formula?
Nur Tu was no fool. His thoughts turned, and he said: "Buying two or three Wealth Mortal Gu isn't an issue. But I'd rather know — where did you obtain these, immortal friend?"
Shi Zhong instantly became extremely guarded: "Immortal friend, that question crosses the line. I have no desire to attract any trouble over this. Besides, even if I were to provide you with the information you want, how would you judge whether it's true or false?"
"Fair point." Nur Tu hesitated once again.
Just then, another spiritual sense cut in, brimming with excitement: "Wealth Mortal Gu, you say? I'll take them! How many do you have? Give me everything!"
Shi Zhong responded: "Immortal friend, please be patient and hear my asking price first."