"All right, Yuliang, go refine your Gu formation. Only by surviving this final trial can you truly inherit my true self's legacy. As for you, Old Lord Canyang — today you shall lose your head right here." Dongfang Changfan's Star Intent spoke slowly.
Old Lord Canyang took a step back and said coldly and arrogantly, "Hmph. Though I'm outnumbered, you're nothing but a pack of Sixth Transformations, and all you have is a mere wisp of intent — and you think you can take my life? Don't forget, my accomplice is right among you. And outside, Demonic Path Gu Immortals are waiting like wolves and tigers. Your Void Beasts won't hold them off for long."
Though his words were bold, his face was already etched with caution and vigilance.
At his age, having achieved what he had, a careful nature was an indispensable virtue.
Old Lord Canyang's words were also fact — every sentence struck at the Dongfang Tribe's vital points.
It was precisely for this reason that the Dongfang Clan's Gu Immortals, though numerous, did not act rashly.
Dongfang Changfan's Star Intent chuckled. "In the distant past, when Star Constellation Immortal Venerable, the founder of Wisdom Path, passed away, she could calculate a million years into the future. She forced three subsequent Demon Venerables to retreat in failure and preserved the Heavenly Court. I, Dongfang Changfan, am far inferior to Star Constellation Immortal Venerable, but I can still calculate roughly a century ahead. Since I have set up this arrangement, I naturally have my trump cards."
The moment his words fell, an illusory Gu formation materialized within the great hall.
Countless Gu insects swirled and danced like thousands upon thousands of spider silk threads, interweaving to fill the chamber.
Compared to this suddenly appearing grand formation, the Gu formation that Dongfang Yuliang was refining was like an infant at an adult's feet.
Seeing this, Old Lord Canyang's expression darkened immediately. "This is a Void Formation! I didn't expect that you, Dongfang Changfan, possessed such profound attainments in the Void Path — enough to construct a Void Formation!"
An ordinary Gu formation, once exposed, was easily attacked and destroyed.
This was because the Gu insects composing it were all physical entities.
And Gu insects themselves were extremely fragile. Even an Immortal-grade Spring Autumn Cicada, with just a gentle pinch of two fingers from Fang Yuan, would shatter and be destroyed.
But this Void Formation employed a superior method of the Void Path, rendering each of its component Gu insects intangible — without hindering the formation's operation in the slightest.
The reason Void Beasts had been able to hold off Fang Yuan and the other Demonic Path Gu Immortals for so long was precisely that Void Beasts were naturally capable of becoming intangible. Once they did, no technique had any effect.
Star Intent had displayed the Gu formation so openly, without the slightest fear that Old Lord Canyang would attack to destroy it, precisely because the formation was intangible. Old Lord Canyang could only glare at it helplessly, with no recourse.
The Gu formation gradually activated, filling the great hall with piercing arcane light.
"Hahahaha!" Old Lord Canyang suddenly burst into laughter. "If I can't do anything about the Void Formation, then I'll simply kill you all directly!"
"Everyone, be careful!"
"He's charging!"
"Watch for the traitor! Don't let your guard down — this is the battle that determines our clan's survival!"
"That's right. Once we survive this trial, the sky's the limit."
The Dongfang Tribe's Gu Immortals were already in battle formation, fully focused.
"Calm yourselves. For the time being, he won't be able to reach us." Dongfang Changfan's Star Intent remained calm and composed.
The next moment, Old Lord Canyang charged forward, but his movements were extraordinarily slow.
The flames he launched, normally blazing at incredible speed, now crawled as slowly as snails.
"What is this?" Old Lord Canyang quickly realized it wasn't that he had slowed down — rather, the space before him harbored mysteries imperceptible to the naked eye.
What appeared to be a short distance was actually a condensation of space.
"I spent decades and untold effort setting up this arrangement. This great hall appears ordinary, no different from the surrounding chambers. In truth, I gathered the vast majority of Space Path Dao marks from the Void Bat's corpse and concentrated them here. Though Old Lord Canyang and we appear separated by only a few dozen steps, the true distance far exceeds a thousand li." Star Intent spoke slowly.
"Truly worthy of being Lord Dongfang Changfan!" The Dongfang Tribe's Gu Immortals finally relaxed, their eyes lighting up as they gazed at Star Intent with boundless admiration.
Star Intent nodded. "Now comes the crucial part. I'll tell you the truth — the formation revealed here is a grand killing array. With my Wisdom Path Immortal Gu at its core and a Blood Path Immortal Gu as auxiliary, once activated, its power will be immense — enough to shatter the sky and crack the earth. The addition of the Blood Path Immortal Gu in particular makes it devastatingly effective against Gu Immortals. Once the formation is set in motion, it will not only kill Old Lord Canyang but also destroy the Demonic Path Gu Immortals in the skies above. After this battle, our Dongfang Clan will surely make a name across the Northern Plains, commanding wariness from both the Righteous and Demonic Paths and every major power. When this battle is over, move this great formation to the clan's blessed land. If Yuliang passes my inheritance trial, he shall be its first master."
Hearing these words, the Dongfang Tribe's Gu Immortals were galvanized with extraordinary fervor.
In contrast, Old Lord Canyang could not conceal the look of shock and uncertainty on his face.
Star Intent continued, "While my true self was alive, I formed alliances and treaties with the great Righteous Path forces. But in this world, only by truly mastering power yourself can you ensure your own safety. You must all remember this well — never place futile hope in the hands of others."
The Dongfang Clan's Gu Immortals nodded one after another, accepting the lesson.
Dongfang Yikong then spoke urgently, "But Lord Changfan, there is still a traitor within our clan! No matter how many precautions you take against outsiders, a thief from within is impossible to guard against!"
"Don't worry." Star Intent let out a chuckle. "I haven't finished. Everything has its pros and cons, its gains and losses. This Gu formation's power is extraordinary, but it carries a significant drawback. Activating it requires drawing upon the Immortal Aperture's origin from within each Gu Immortal."
"What?" Many of the Dongfang Gu Immortals cried out in shock.
The Immortal Aperture's origin was the foundation and root of the Immortal Aperture itself.
Once it was extracted, the Immortal Aperture painstakingly cultivated over years would regress — its space would shrink, its energy would thin, and all things within would wither.
For a Gu Immortal, to not advance was to regress. When the time came, the Immortal Aperture would face the severe trials of Heavenly Tribulation and Earthly Calamity.
With the Immortal Aperture depleted, the Gu Immortal's strength would weaken, and the slightest misfortune could lead to death by calamity.
With their very lives at stake, the Dongfang Clan's Gu Immortals naturally lost their composure.
But soon, one Gu Immortal stepped forward.
It was Dongfang Wanxiu.
Those in the hall only heard him say, "One must lose before one can gain. Lord Changfan has toiled and schemed to set up this arrangement. For the sake of our Dongfang Clan, what sacrifice is too great for me, Dongfang Wanxiu, to make?"