"Over these years, the situation of our Ten Great Ancient Sects has been dire—truly walking on thin ice." Venerable Tiger Demon's anger continued. "It's as if we're sitting atop a volcano. The magma beneath the crater will erupt one day, delivering a devastating blow to our ten sects!"
"What the Third Elder speaks of is the grand situation and great trends of Central Continent. But if the great trends are thus, how can they be changed?" Supreme Second Elder's will sighed.
Venerable Tiger Demon's will spoke again: "The example of Jun Tian Sword Sect is right before our eyes. The group of Gu Immortals in the Fox Immortal Blessed Land could be an outside force, but more likely they're an alliance of loose cultivators from this continent. And those who ambushed He Fengyang today might also be Gu Immortal forces from Central Continent. If that's the case, then it's truly terrifying."
Supreme Second Elder nodded: "Indeed. The force that ambushed He Fengyang clearly doesn't want the Fox Immortal Blessed Land to remain in Fang Yuan's hands. If He Fengyang had died, our Immortal Crane Sect would have been forced to attack the Fox Immortal Blessed Land to defend our reputation. Though it's an obvious frame-up, our Immortal Crane Sect would have had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill."
The dignity maintained by the Ten Great Ancient Sects for a million years must not be violated. If they couldn't even avenge their own Gu Immortal's death, the resulting loss of reputation would cause hearts to waver—everyone would dare to provoke the Immortal Crane Sect. With fires burning on all fronts, the sect would no longer be able to control such vast territories and resources. The more the Immortal Crane Sect appeared strained and showed weakness, the more greedy jackals and wolves it would attract.
This would become a vicious cycle. Once caught in it, escape would be nearly impossible.
The three Supreme Elders of the Immortal Crane Sect were all seasoned veterans—old monsters rich with life experience who had long since calculated this terrifying prospect in their minds.
Not just them—the other nine great sects of Central Continent surely had their own people who understood.
Today's Central Continent was like a growing powder keg—expanding power but limited resources. And the Ten Great Ancient Sects sat right on top of it. One careless spark, and the explosion would reduce them all to dust.
"Tiger Demon. You've taken today's topic and run with it—such a lengthy speech must come with a proposal. Why not speak it plainly?" Supreme Grand Elder cut straight to the point.
Venerable Tiger Demon laughed aloud, then stunned everyone with his words: "My current resolve is to agree to Fang Yuan's conditions—acknowledge the Fox Immortal Blessed Land as a vassal of our sect. Simultaneously, we thoroughly investigate the identities of the Gu Immortals who ambushed He Fengyang. Once we've uncovered this loose cultivator alliance, we join hands with the other nine sects and launch a large-scale Immortal Slaughter campaign!"
"Immortal Slaughter?!" Supreme Second Elder's will exclaimed, eyes blazing with excitement.
Supreme Grand Elder's will, however, closed his eyes and spoke slowly: "Tiger Demon, I won't hide it from you—this proposal of yours was put forward many years ago by Shi Lei, a Gu Immortal of the War Immortal Sect. They even petitioned the Heavenly Court, requesting that it step forward and organize the Ten Great Ancient Sects to execute this grand plan."
"Oh, that Immortal Monkey King? Indeed—though our Ten Great Ancient Sects have undergone name changes throughout history, tracing back to the source, we are all orthodox lineages. The changes have been shifts between branch and main trunk, all with countless ties to the Heavenly Court. A joint Immortal Slaughter by all ten sects is an enormous matter involving countless critical interests. Only the Heavenly Court stepping forward can convince everyone and lead us to victory!" Venerable Tiger Demon agreed enthusiastically.
"But the Heavenly Court rejected this proposal. Moreover, it issued a stern warning to our Ten Great Ancient Sects—targeting other sects and loose Gu Immortals, slaughtering them at will, is strictly forbidden. Those who violate this will be severely punished." Supreme Grand Elder's will said.
"What?" Venerable Tiger Demon cried out in astonishment.
"Why was I never told about this?" Supreme Second Elder muttered in surprise.
Supreme Grand Elder sighed deeply, gazing up at the sky: "The will of the Heavenly Court is the will of Heaven. The will of Heaven cannot be defied, nor can it be fathomed."
……
He Fengyang arrived at the Fox Immortal Blessed Land once more.
Fang Yuan was walking on Soul-Swaying Mountain alongside Immortal Cang Yu, observing the growth of the Gall Gu.
Tai Bai Yunsheng stood at a distance, staring at Immortal Cang Yu.
Meanwhile, the Bewitching Blue Phantom was surrounded by eight Desolate Beasts, each taking turns to attack in a rotating assault.
"You took your time, Brother He." Fang Yuan greeted He Fengyang upon seeing him, his tone light and conversational.
He Fengyang first exchanged a glance with Immortal Cang Yu. Seeing her nod to indicate she was unharmed, he turned to Fang Yuan: "Our sect has agreed to recognize your side as our vassal. The vassal relationship is indefinite and may be dissolved at any time. We will also establish Gall Gu trade at a specific price of one hundred and twenty Gall Gu per Immortal Yuan Stone. This is a Sixth Transformation Immortal Gu Promise."
The Immortal Promise Gu was a Gu of the Trust Path, similar in function to the Mountain Oath Gu and Sea Oath Gu.
Thereupon, He Fengyang activated the Immortal Gu and made his vow.
When it was Fang Yuan's turn, he took the Immortal Gu, inspected it carefully, spent his Green Grape Immortal Essence, and made his vow.
The two vows appeared as twin orbs of gold, exchanged between both parties as proof.
Immortal Cang Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. With the trade established, she was finally safe.
Fang Yuan also relaxed. The situation he had so painstakingly orchestrated had finally come to fruition. A direct confrontation with the Immortal Crane Sect was absolutely unwise—the sect's resources were vast and formidable. If they truly provoked the Immortal Crane Sect, the Fox Immortal Blessed Land would surely be lost. Fang Yuan's finances could not sustain another battle at the Gu Immortal level.
But He Fengyang's next words sent his heart racing: "On my way back, I was ambushed by three Gu Immortals and nearly lost my life. They clearly intended to frame your side. My sect is now conducting a thorough investigation. Has your side perhaps offended some faction?"
"What? Gu Immortals in Central Continent actually dare to ambush Gu Immortals from the Ten Great Sects?" Fang Yuan made no attempt to hide his surprise.
He clearly remembered that such things wouldn't begin until after the chaotic warfare of the Five Regions had been going on for some time.
At that time, all five regions would be engulfed in warfare, the people suffering greatly, with factions fighting each other endlessly.
Even the Heavenly Court's authority would prove useless. Gu Immortals of the Ten Great Sects would be repeatedly ambushed and assassinated—some by retaliation from the other four regions, others by Central Continent's loose cultivator Gu Immortals taking advantage of the chaos.