When Fang Yuan openly demanded the Flying Bear Phantom Gu, Hei Loulan's first reaction was to flatly refuse.
This was an Immortal Gu!
Even ordinary Gu Immortals would beg desperately for one without success. No matter how powerful the Wolf King was, he was still a mere mortal — how dare he make such an outrageous demand?!
Moreover, the Flying Bear Phantom Gu was extremely convenient to use.
With just a thought and a casual toss, the Gu could instantly transform into a Flying Bear Phantom to fight.
Though the Flying Bear Phantom's combat power wasn't as terrifying as that of an actual Desolate Beast Flying Bear, it was definitely at the half-immortal level. Possessing one would let someone stand above all mortals.
If Hei Loulan had such an Immortal Gu during the decisive battle of the Royal Court contention...
How could there have been any chance for Fang Yuan to shine!
Fang Yuan's public demand was exceedingly rude. But amid his anger, Hei Loulan also felt it was somehow fitting.
Probably only someone like Chang Shanyin would have the audacity to make such a request openly.
Looking again at the Flying Bear Phantom Gu in his hand, Hei Loulan gradually calmed down.
"Not good. The Flying Bear Phantom was beaten to near-death by us. This Immortal Gu is in extremely poor condition and can't be used anymore — it must rest and recuperate for a period of time."
"When an Immortal Gu is injured, you need an Immortal Gu to heal it. Other than that, the only option is to let it recover on its own. During that time, it needs to be fed without interruption."
"If I remember correctly, this Flying Bear Phantom Gu's food is the flesh and blood of a Desolate Beast Flying Bear. That's going to be difficult! Where would I get such a thing? I'd have to request aid from the clan."
The more Hei Loulan thought about it, the less angry he became.
He possessed the Great Strength True Martial Body, one of the Ten Extreme Constitutions. He needed to possess a Strength Path Immortal Gu in order to ascend to Gu Immortal status and escape the threat of death.
The Flying Bear Phantom Gu wasn't what he truly needed. What he truly yearned for was a Strength Path Immortal Gu.
"My most urgent task right now is to find a Strength Path Immortal Gu. Immortal Gu have always appeared at the final gate of a certain level. To break through that gate, I'll need to rely on everyone's combined strength."
Though Hei Loulan didn't fear Chang Shanyin, if he forcibly kept the Flying Bear Phantom Gu, he would inevitably turn against the Wolf King and create a rift, making it even harder to mobilize the Wolf King's strength.
It would be better to give this Immortal Gu to him in exchange for his strength — a true benefit to Hei Loulan himself.
This way, he could also preserve his reputation, so others wouldn't say he went back on his word.
Hei Loulan's elaborate considerations had actually taken only a fraction of a second.
"Hmph hmph." Sun Shihan sneered. "Lord Wolf King, this is an Immortal Gu — you think you can just take it with a single word? Our Patriarch did promise you fifty percent of the spoils, but that doesn't mean we're obligated to hand over the Immortal Gu."
"It seems the lesson I gave you last time... wasn't enough." Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan's brows arched slightly, his gaze turning frigid. Killing intent poured forth without the slightest concealment, shooting straight toward Sun Shihan.
Sun Shihan's face changed drastically, and he couldn't help but shuffle several steps closer to Hei Loulan.
No one doubted whether Fang Yuan had the courage to strike lethal blows directly.
The Wolf King's savage reputation had long been etched into everyone's hearts.
"Ha ha ha." Hei Loulan threw his head back and laughed, striding forward to stand before Fang Yuan. He slapped his chest. "A true man keeps his word! I previously promised the Wolf King fifty percent, and fifty percent it shall be. Breaking through this gate also relied on Brother Shanyin's brilliant strategy — an additional ten percent reward is only fitting. But the Immortal Gu is one of a kind, its value immeasurable. You can claim at most sixty percent. As for the remaining forty percent, Brother Shanyin, how do you plan to compensate us?"
"Exactly! We put in tremendous effort too!"
"I was gravely wounded, yet I fought on without retreating. Everyone saw it with their own eyes. Lord Water Demon Hao Jiliu even died in battle because of this!"
"I believe Lord Wolf King will certainly give us a fair account."
The crowd chimed in one after another, all directing their remarks at Fang Yuan.
Even if Fang Yuan had the strength, wealth tempted all hearts. With an Immortal Gu about to fall into his hands, those around him naturally felt envy and resentment, so they focused all their attention on him.
Under the gaze of the crowd, Fang Yuan's brows furrowed deeper and deeper until they finally knotted together.
Hei Loulan secretly gloated: "Wolf King, oh Wolf King. No matter how fearsome your reputation or how extraordinary your combat power, you've ultimately fallen into my trap."
Seven days later.
Eighty-Eight Angle True Yang Building, seventh floor, ninetieth gate.
In the labyrinth, the Flying Bear Phantom roared toward the sky.
Its body was riddled with wounds, blood seeped from its mouth, several of its sharp teeth had been broken off, and its right eye was completely blind — the enormous eyeball hung outside the socket like a grape, a thoroughly wretched sight.
And it had only one enemy.