In the quiet room, the fragrance of tea filled the air.
Beside the vermilion window lattice sat a woman.
She wore a brocade leather skirt typical of Northern Plains women, embroidered with purple-red buds and silver edges. On her head was a sapphire blue silk ribbon with a pure white pearl at its center.
With lowered eyes, thick lashes, and a soft breath, her hands were whiter than snow as she focused on brewing tea.
The quiet room was small, with only her present. But on the tea table were cups for four people.
Suddenly, a dense green light appeared in the room.
After the light faded, the figure of an old man emerged.
The old man was tall, with an ancient and extraordinary appearance, his white hair like snow and his face deeply wrinkled. His eyes, weathered and resilient, held the wisdom accumulated over the years.
Seeing the old man, the woman brewing tea looked up and said with a light, interested smile, “You must be Tai Bai Yun Sheng.”
The old man was indeed Tai Bai Yun Sheng. He swept his gaze around quickly, then bowed to the woman and said, “This junior greets Senior Li Shan Xianzi.”
The woman smiled and nodded. She was a prominent figure among the Northern Plains Gu Immortals, a Rank Seven Gu Immortal—Li Shan Xianzi.
She looked young and beautiful, but her actual age was much greater than Tai Bai Yun Sheng's.
After confirming the surroundings were safe, Tai Bai Yun Sheng opened his immortal aperture, and two figures leaped out.
One turned into Hei Lou Lan, and the other was an eight-armed zombie immortal, two zhang tall, with a green face and fangs—it was Gu Yue Fang Yuan.
“Aunt, I'm back.” Hei Lou Lan sat down next to Li Shan Xianzi. Her expression was still cold, but her eyes revealed a hint of affection.
Li Shan Xianzi first looked gently at Hei Lou Lan, sighed, then turned her gaze to Fang Yuan and Bai: “My relationship with Xiao Lan has always been kept secret; even outsiders don't know we know each other. Today she revealed it herself, showing that she genuinely wants to cooperate with you two. Especially you, Fang Yuan. She's mentioned you many times in recent days. You've caused quite a stir, even collapsing the Eighty-Eight True Yang Building.”
Fang Yuan laughed hoarsely, his voice like a zombie: “You flatter me, immortal. Things got to this point, but it wasn't my intention. To be honest, I've always had doubts about Hei Lou Lan's cooperation proposal. But I didn't expect that your relationship with her was so close. This is for the best. With your Immortal Gu Mountain Oath, our alliance will be solid.”
Not long ago, in the Fox Immortal Blessed Land, Hei Lou Lan had revealed her revenge secret. Then she told Fang Yuan about her relationship with Li Shan Xianzi.
Fang Yuan was both surprised and not surprised.
Hei Lou Lan was under the strict watch of the Gu Immortal of Black City; it would have been nearly impossible for her to achieve what she had on her own. Apart from her own efforts, there must have been external help.
“Please sit. This is freshly brewed snow oil tea,” Li Shan Xianzi said, gesturing for Fang Yuan and Bai to sit.
Fang Yuan waved his hand, declining: “Let's swear the oath and form the alliance first. The tea can wait.”
“Nephew Fang is decisive and efficient.” Li Shan Xianzi praised lightly, then summoned an Immortal Gu.
This Immortal Gu was a stout grub-like insect, larger than an adult palm. Its body was like gray stone, with a pair of huge pincers on its head. Its back was rough like a rocky mountain, and its leg joints had spots like moss.
Li Shan Xianzi explained at the right moment: “This is a Rank Six Information Path Immortal Gu, as famous as the Sea Vow Gu. If you choose a high mountain to swear by, as long as that mountain stands, the oath cannot be broken. Nephew Fang, which mountain would you like to choose?”
Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, pointed out the window, and said hoarsely with a smile: “What better place is there than this mountain?”
Tai Bai Yun Sheng was puzzled and asked, “What mountain is this?”
“This mountain is called Great Snow Mountain,” Li Shan Xianzi said with a smile.
“Great Snow Mountain… I've heard that name somewhere. Wait, could this be the headquarters of the Northern Plains demon Gu Immortals—the Great Snow Mountain Blessed Land?!” Tai Bai Yun Sheng exclaimed in shock.
“Where else did you think it was?” Hei Lou Lan sneered coldly.
Fang Yuan then introduced to Tai Bai Yun Sheng: “Immortals and mortals are different. Old Bai, you've just advanced. I've only mentioned a few things about the Northern Plains Gu Immortal world. This Li Shan Xianzi is the master of the third peak of the Great Snow Mountain Blessed Land; you can also call her the Third Chief.”
“Third… Chief.” Tai Bai Yun Sheng stared at Li Shan Xianzi, never expecting such a gentle and quiet woman to be a demon Gu Immortal, and the third leader of the largest demon den in the Northern Plains!
“Cough, cough, cough.” Dong Fang Chang Fan lay on a sickbed, coughing continuously. With each cough, his already pale face grew more ashen.
“Milord…” Beside the bed stood a handsome young man, his face full of sorrow.
He was dressed in white, with a face like jade, deep eyes, and a calm and composed mature aura. He was Dong Fang Yu Liang.
“Don't be sad, Liang'er. Cough. Life, old age, sickness, and death are the principles of heaven.” Dong Fang Chang Fan said, pausing to catch his breath. Regaining a bit of strength, he continued: “Your talent is even better than mine. Among the entire clan, you are the one I value the most. The heavy responsibility of reviving the Dong Fang clan can only be borne by you. I, Dong Fang Chang Fan, will not be mistaken.”
“Grand Elder!” Dong Fang Yu Liang's eyes reddened, and he choked with tears.