North Plains, Langya Blessed Land.
Boom, boom, boom…
Every footfall of the colossal Ice Thorn Divine Ape rang out like the thunder of a great drum.
Before the Cloud Pavilion, it halted, then suddenly threw back its head and let out a long roar that shook the winds and clouds, carrying far into the distance.
Fang Yuan and the Langya Land Spirit were conversing some distance away. At the sound, both turned their gaze toward it.
"Heh, this little monkey!" The Langya Land Spirit extended his left hand to stroke his beard and burst into hearty laughter.
The Qi Path sealing placed upon him had been reduced from over a dozen layers down to just six, thanks to the efforts of the North Plains Ink Man King. As a result, the Langya Land Spirit's left hand could move freely once more. Only his right hand remained immobile.
Fang Yuan watched with a faint smile as the Cloud Pavilion slowly rose, revealing the cavern beneath the cloud-earth foundation. Mist drifted ethereally, gradually enshrouding the Ice Thorn Divine Ape. The massive, mountain-like creature stepped into the cavern, its towering form gradually vanishing from Fang Yuan's sight.
At last the Cloud Pavilion descended once more, sealing the cavern shut. The Gu Insects buried within hummed to life, and the Ice Thorn Divine Ape sank into slumber.
Not far away, the same scene was playing out before several other Cloud Pavilions.
The difference was that what lay buried beneath their foundations were not the Ice Thorn Divine Ape, but rather the Phoenix Feather Magma Crocodile, the Golden Sand Black Steed, and the other wild beasts.
"Ice Thorn Divine Ape, Phoenix Feather Magma Crocodile, Golden Sand Black Steed, Azure Dragon Vine, Mud Swamp Crab, Momotaro, Iron Crown Eagle, Earth Chief Wild Beast — all eight wild beasts you lent me, I'm returning every one in perfect condition. Actually, letting them out for a stroll every now and then does them good. Keeping them in slumber all the time may save on fodder, but it degrades their combat strength," Fang Yuan said.
The Langya Land Spirit rolled his eyes. "You brat, there's more to that little speech than meets the ear — don't think I can't tell. You're hoping to borrow my wild beasts again in the future, aren't you? To fight your battles? Hmph! These wild beasts are what I painstakingly accumulated over ages. They're the primary defensive force of the Langya Blessed Land. Next time you borrow, there's absolutely no way I'm lending you eight at once!"
Fang Yuan smiled, unfazed, and extended his hand. "Now then, I've returned your wild beasts. Per our agreement, you're to hand over the Jiang Shan Ru Gu and Ren Ru Gu Immortal Gu."
At the mention of these two Gu, the Langya Land Spirit's momentum plummeted at once. He gave an embarrassed laugh. "Well, you see… Fang Little — ah, no, Brother Fang. The Jiang Shan Ru Gu and Ren Ru Gu are truly extraordinary. I haven't finished studying them yet. How about granting me a bit more time?"
Fang Yuan's expression turned cold. "Don't even think about it. Hand them over."
"Brother Fang, no no, Big Brother Fang, you can't be so heartless! You have to understand, with this Qi Path sealing on me, I can barely use my strength, let alone make any real progress on studying them. I've gotten the short end of the stick in this deal!" the Langya Land Spirit protested.
"A deal is a deal — mutual consent. I didn't force you. If you got the worse end, that's your own concern. And now you want to renege? Too late! Hand them over. Don't forget we both swore oaths on the Mountain Alliance Gu. And this involves your friend Mo Tan Sang as well. Anyone who goes back on their word forfeits their life," Fang Yuan said with a cold sneer.
"Land Spirit, please just give him back the Immortal Gu," Mo Tan Sang called out as he hurried over, looking at the Langya Land Spirit with earnest eyes.
The Langya Land Spirit glanced at Mo Tan Sang, and ultimately couldn't withstand those pleading eyes. He stomped his foot in exasperation and, with tremendous reluctance, surrendered the Jiang Shan Ru Gu and the Ren Ru Gu back to Fang Yuan.
"You brat, every single time you come out ahead. Fine, take them, you cunning scoundrel!" the Langya Land Spirit grumbled incessantly.
Fang Yuan let out an unhappy snort. "Come out ahead? What exactly have I gained? I fed all eight of your wild beasts until they were stuffed to the brim. Not a single fierce battle took place — all they did was stretch their legs. I saved you a heap of expenses, and you don't hear me demanding payment."
"Payment? What payment? Didn't I raise your Qing Yun Zhi Shang Immortal Gu as well? I spent a considerable amount of Immortal Essence Stones procuring its fodder. If you want to tally things up, then let's tally properly and see who spent more!" The Langya Land Spirit sprang to his feet and fired back immediately.
Feeding wild beasts was, of course, far simpler and cheaper than raising an Immortal Gu.
On this point Fang Yuan couldn't win the argument. But he held the Langya Land Spirit's weakness in hand, so his composure didn't falter in the slightest. He sneered: "Langya Land Spirit, do you want to keep studying the Jiang Shan Ru Gu and Ren Ru Gu, or not? Do you, or don't you?"
The Langya Land Spirit's face changed at once, and he smiled ingratiatingly. "Of course I do. I dream about it every night."
"That's all I need to know." Fang Yuan patted the Langya Land Spirit on the head. "What's the point of haggling over every little thing? If only you hadn't insisted on keeping my Qing Yun Zhi Shang Immortal Gu as collateral."
"Get lost!" The Langya Land Spirit swatted Fang Yuan's hand away in a fury. "You impudent brat, showing no respect for your elders! I am your senior's senior's senior!"
"Oh?" Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes and held up the two Immortal Gu in his hand.
The Langya Land Spirit's expression instantly shifted, and he began cheerfully patting Fang Yuan's calf. "Fang Yuan, my boy, what can I say? I just find you agreeable. We're sworn friends across the generations, after all!"