Two days later, a towering mountain peak abruptly appeared in Fang Yuan's field of vision.
The deep blue peak stood like a lone vulture, its shape bizarre and extraordinary.
Fang Yuan was momentarily surprised, a gleam of joy in his eyes: "This should be Star Vulture Peak. It seems my direction is correct. According to the accounts of the previous life's Gu Immortal Tian Ku Shang Ren, wherever the vulture's gaze points — there lies the Saint Palace!"
The Royal Court Blessed Land held a sacred and exalted position in the hearts of the Northern Plains people, a spiritual symbol. It was also the cradle that had nurtured generations of Northern Plains Gu Immortals.
When Central Continent invaded the Northern Plains, this vital strategic location was among the first targets to be struck.
Through calculated surprise, the Royal Court Blessed Land was breached by the allied Central Continent Gu Immortals. The Saint Palace was mercilessly destroyed, reduced to ruins. The Eighty-Eight Corner True Yang Tower became nothing but an echo, vanishing into the rolling river of history, leaving later generations to sigh with regret.
Tian Ku Shang Ren had been one of the Gu Immortals who participated in the raid on the Royal Court Blessed Land. Fang Yuan's plan was modeled largely on the Central Continent Gu Immortals' raiding tactics.
"Hm? There are people on the summit of Star Vulture Peak." Just as Fang Yuan was about to guide his wolf pack over the peak, he suddenly halted, spotting numerous Gu Masters on the summit — among them, some familiar faces.
A thought struck him, and instead of rushing onward, he directed his wolf pack to land on Star Vulture Peak.
"Pan Ping greets the Wolf King."
"Brother Shanyin, we meet again."
Seeing the Wolf King descend, every Gu Master felt a chill run through their hearts. Two leading Gu Masters stepped forward from the group — one was Pan Ping, who had made his fortune in this round of the Royal Court competition, and the other was Zhu Zai, one of the Demonic Path's twin terrors, personally invited by Tai Bai Yun Sheng.
Pan Ping had already reached the peak of the Fourth Transformation, possessing the Single Blade Gu, his combat power comparable to certain Fifth Transformation Gu Masters.
Zhu Zai, a strength-path Fifth Transformation cultivator skilled in close combat, feared the Single Blade Gu more than most. After entering the Royal Court, he had separated from his partner Gao Yang and rushed toward the Saint Palace, only to clash with Pan Ping along the way.
"Your humble servants pay respects to the Wolf King!" Following Pan Ping and Zhu Zai, the remaining Gu Masters all bowed in greeting, and in an instant, a wave of people dropped to their knees.
The great battle against the Ma family had elevated Fang Yuan's prestige to unimaginable heights, establishing him as the foremost individual of his era. He overshadowed even Hei Loulan and Yelü Sang, who wielded a Fire Path Immortal Gu.
Had it not been for the fact that Chang Shanyin lacked the Golden Bloodline, and that Hei Loulan held the position of alliance leader, there might well have been calls to change the alliance's master.
"Rise, all of you. There's no need to be so formal." Fang Yuan sat atop an Azure Myriad Wolf Emperor, nodding mildly before speaking bluntly, "You've all gathered here — have you discovered some kind of inheritance?"
Everyone silently groaned.
That was exactly what had happened. At first, someone had discovered the inheritance on Star Vulture Peak but lacked the strength to claim it. With no other choice, they called upon other Gu Masters to join forces. The result was several casualties instead.
Unwilling to accept defeat, the discoverers sought help elsewhere. In the end, they attracted both Pan Ping and Zhu Zai in succession.
The two competed against each other for their own interests, causing the situation to deadlock — until Fang Yuan happened upon them.
Now that Fang Yuan had asked directly, Pan Ping and Zhu Zai dared not deceive him. Reluctantly, they took turns explaining the matter.
"Wolf King, it's fortunate you've arrived. This inheritance opens once every seven days — when it does, it releases a pillar of starlight and reveals a Star Gate entrance. Not only is the window extremely short, but swarms of insects also pour out from the Star Gate, blocking our entry." Pan Ping explained with a smile.
"The inheritance will open again in just a little while. Since Lord Chang Shanyin has graced us with his presence, on behalf of all the Gu Masters here, I humbly ask that you preside over this matter fairly." Zhu Zai spoke with an earnest expression.
Pan Ping's mouth twitched as he shot Zhu Zai a look of utter contempt.
"Zhu Zai claims to be a renowned expert of the Demonic Path, yet he's this much of a sycophant!" Pan Ping's heart brimmed with disdain for Zhu Zai.
"The Wolf King may be powerful, but I, Pan Ping, will one day reach his level!" Pan Ping was young and still carried pride in his heart, but he showed none of it. Instead, he lowered his head in a display of deference toward the Wolf King.
As a Demonic Path Gu Master, he understood the reality of the situation all too well, knowing the wisdom of bending when necessary.
Fang Yuan accepted without a shred of modesty, immediately assuming command.
As time gradually passed, everyone indeed saw starlight slowly spreading across the summit.
When the moment arrived, the starlight surged powerfully upward, piercing the heavens. A small door slowly swung open amid the dazzling radiance.
Buzz, buzz, buzz...
Massive swarms of insects surged out like a tide.
The swarms were a riot of colors — vivid and mixed, interspersed with many wild Gu. Though fierce in appearance, they merely circled near the Star Gate and did not charge at the crowd.
Clearly, this was a trial.
After careful observation, Fang Yuan chuckled silently. This insect swarm trial was not difficult to overcome. Even without him, the combined strength of everyone else would have been enough.
But Pan Ping and Zhu Zai had been fighting each other, causing their forces to split. Everyone took sides, and neither was willing to back down — which was why Fang Yuan had the chance to arrive.
Fang Yuan swept his gaze over Pan Ping and Zhu Zai. Both wore grim expressions.
Fang Yuan paid them no mind and issued his orders directly: "When these insect swarms go on the offensive, they're often harder to deal with than beast packs. Follow my arrangements and deployment, and we can minimize losses and handle this with ease."
Everyone hurriedly agreed. Under Fang Yuan's command, they were spun in circles — launching segment-by-segment attacks, luring the insect swarms, and continuously exterminating them.
After a dozen or so breaths of time, the majority of the insect swarms had been lured out, revealing a large gap in their once-tight defensive line.
Pan Ping was elated: "The Wolf King is truly formidable! We were all blinded by a single leaf. In truth, destroying the swarm isn't important — the key is to open a passage. This way, we'll have plenty of time."