Just as the winds of change swept across the Northern Plains, the transactions within the Langya Blessed Land also drew to a close.
"You want information about the Eighty-Eight True Yang Building? Hmm... I suppose I could tell you." After a moment's contemplation, the Langya Earth Spirit fixed Fang Yuan with a sharp gaze.
The Langya Earth Spirit's obsession was only concerned with Void Escape Gu, and with Great Dream Immortal Venerable.
Besides, Giant Sun Immortal Venerable had long since passed away, and the Langya Earth Spirit was no longer the Long Hair Ancestor, but rather a different kind of life form entirely.
"However, when that Immortal House Gu was refined, only Giant Sun Immortal Venerable was present as a witness. How did you come to know this secret?" the Langya Earth Spirit asked.
Fang Yuan smiled.
In his five-hundred-year previous life, Ma Hongyun had entered the Eighty-Eight True Yang Building and obtained Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's inheritance.
Later, Ma Hongyun had been defeated in battle and pursued by enemies, stumbling into the Langya Blessed Land by accident, where he gained the opportunity left by the Heavenly Thief Demon Venerable. The Langya Earth Spirit had discerned his background, and during their conversation, revealed this secret.
Ma Hongyun later achieved the status of an Immortal Gu Master, becoming a pillar of the Northern Plains and a great hero who resisted the invasion of the Central Continent.
During a lengthy conversation, he had spoken of this secret, and afterward it had spread far and wide.
Of course, now facing the Langya Earth Spirit's questioning, Fang Yuan could not simply reveal the truth directly.
"I inherited the Heavenly Thief Demon Venerable's legacy, and I have many leads regarding Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's possessions. As for how I know this secret, it was actually the result of a rather ambiguous deduction," Fang Yuan answered, a hint of proud amusement on his lips.
The Langya Earth Spirit studied Fang Yuan's expression, and suddenly a flash of insight struck him. The words tumbled out before he could stop them: "Could it be that you are...?"
"You're correct. This junior does possess some Wisdom Path Gu Master techniques." Fang Yuan lied effortlessly, his expression one of perfect sincerity and earnestness.
The Langya Earth Spirit sighed, and the gaze he turned upon Fang Yuan carried a complex mix of emotions.
The Wisdom Path had ancient origins. Tracing it back to its source, it had been founded three million years ago by a Ninth Transformation powerhouse of extraordinary might.
She was a rare female among the Venerables.
Her title was Star Constellation Immortal Venerable. She presided over the Heavenly Court as the second-generation Immortal King.
Rumor had it that Wisdom Gu had once been in her possession, and it was from this that the Wisdom Path school was established.
Before her death, she had divined the heavenly secrets and calculated events spanning three million years into the future, laying down three grand schemes.
After her death, three great Demon Venerables rose among humanity in succession, each storming the Heavenly Court — only to be ultimately thwarted by these three schemes.
To be able, even after death, to outmaneuver three fellow Transformation-level Gu Venerables — the power of the Wisdom Path was plain to see.
"Boy. To think you can deduce things to this extent — it seems you truly have grasped the essence of the Wisdom Path." Upon learning that Fang Yuan was also a Wisdom Path Gu Master, the Earth Spirit's tone actually softened.
Throughout history, the Wisdom Path had been passed down, but true inheritors were exceedingly rare. Still, no one would ever dare look down on a Wisdom Path Gu Master. Wisdom Path Gu Masters excelled at planning and deduction; many who opposed them died without ever understanding how it had happened.
Moreover, since ancient times, the Refinement Path and the Wisdom Path had never been separate. Gu Masters contemplating heaven and earth, deriving refinement formulas — all of it relied heavily on many Wisdom Path techniques. Many refinement grandmasters and supreme masters, when hitting bottlenecks while devising new formulas, would seek out Wisdom Path Gu Masters for assistance.
The Langya Earth Spirit had found Fang Yuan deeply irritating and cunning, but once he learned that Fang Yuan possessed remarkable Wisdom Path attainments, his attitude eased.
The Langya Earth Spirit loved refining Gu, and naturally he also loved researching and innovating Gu formulas. In this process, he had inevitably encountered many bottlenecks that his own wisdom alone could not overcome.
"Perhaps in the future, I may need to ask him to help deduce formulas?" This thought flickered through the Langya Earth Spirit's mind.
As the saying goes: without desire, one is truly strong.
Since the Langya Earth Spirit now had something he wanted from Fang Yuan, his attitude naturally improved.
He conjured a Fourth Transformation Eastern Window Gu from thin air and held it in his hand.
This Gu was a Fourth Transformation Information Path Gu, shaped like a ladybug, but with a square shell on its back, resembling a window lattice — specially designed for storing information.
The Langya Earth Spirit infused strand after strand of intent into it, and after a moment, released his grip.
The Eastern Window Gu flipped open its window-like shell, beat its wings, and danced through the air in a small circle before obediently flying to Fang Yuan's side.
Fang Yuan extended his intent to give it a brief examination, and a look of delight appeared on his face.
"This is the information you wanted. Now it's your turn," the Langya Earth Spirit reminded him.
Fang Yuan chuckled: "Since the Second Empty Orifice Gu has already taken form, such a fine thing — naturally I'm quite eager to use it. Before I do, I'll send word to you."
"Wait!" The Langya Earth Spirit had learned his lesson this time. "How do I know when you'll actually get around to using it? You're a Wisdom Path Gu Master — deception is second nature to you. You want to scam me a second time? We haven't even completed the handover of this Eastern Window Gu yet. Heh — with a single thought from me, that Eastern Window Gu in your hand will self-destruct."
Fang Yuan frowned: "Don't you trust me?"
Suspicion was plain on the Langya Earth Spirit's face: "Hmph! Just the fact that you're the Heavenly Thief Demon Venerable's successor is enough for me not to trust you. You're a cunning fellow with Wisdom Path techniques to boot. Once you leave the Blessed Land, can I chase after you? What if you deliberately delay and use the chance to extort me?"
"Then what do you propose?" Fang Yuan said impatiently.
"Simple — right now, right in front of me, use the Second Empty Orifice Gu. That way I can rest easy." The Langya Earth Spirit stroked his grizzled beard, feeling rather pleased with himself for having come up with such a good idea.