Chapter 14: Old Man Yan Shi

An old man sat down in a desolate ground, devoid of life, barren of any plants, animals or water. Only dry ground surrounded him, endless and haunting with it's dark purple color and putrid odor that smelled of rotting corpses. But the old man was far more frightening than the earth. His skin was like a worn out sack that wrapped over a weak fleshy body. His wrinkly skin sagged and drooped over his thin bones. His dark black eyes held no sign of life, only an empty feeling of obligation and resentment.

"Fang Yuan is much more capable than we previously imagined. He's an otherworldly demon, perfectly suited for our plans." The voice that spoke aloud was hoarse, like the sound of wind passing through bristle. It creaked and groaned, as if it exhausted everything the old man had in him to open his mouth.

"Fang Yuan? Yes, he's an otherworldly demon. But he's only a rank 6 Gu immortal, a zombie at that. What can he provide that we do not already possess? His refinement path prowess is not necessary. We don't not need such a being around." This voice was much more lively, but also more stubborn and cold. The image of this person reflected that through the Gu he spoke through.

His skin was pale and lifeless, with thin blue viens peeking out from under the collar of his dark red robe. His eyes were blood red, with dark reptilian slits reminiscent of snakes. His teeth were sharp and pointed, almost like the maw of a dragon. But what made his appearance truly vampiric was his ink black hair that moved and shifted as if it was alive.

"Oh don't be so sure. I've found a new refinement path expert in Treasure Yellow Heaven. He claims to be a lone cultivator of Northern Plains. A recluse Gu immortal who only recently came out of seclusion. Doesn't that sound suspicious?"

The vampiric man frowned at the mention of this new Guy immortal. "I've heard of him. He's been asking for strength path materials in exchange for highly developed and well researched immortal Gu recipes. You think that an immortal who only recently ascended is capable of producing such things?"

The demonic old man smiled, showing his black toothless gums. "Fang Yuan is an otherworldly demon who possess the Spring Autumn Cicada. Who is to say that Fang Yuan hasn't already come back in time from the future? Perhaps he knows what will happen at Yi Tian mountain."

"If that truly is the case we must eliminate him. I refuse to let such a large threat live. Otherworldly demons always rise to high places. If Fang Yuan is allowed to live than our plan will be in jeopardy."

"Not necessarily. Fang Yuan cannot defeat us. Even with knowledge from the future he is powerless to stop us. It is much more likely that he was forced to come back in time. The question as to who forced him to reveal his trump card is still unanswered. But the most probable culprit is Heavenly Court."

"You...do you really think we could sway him to our side? Even if Heavenly Court was the cause of his death in the previous timeline would he dare to work with us?"

The old man looked up to the night sky of Sheng Shi blessed land. It appeared lifeless, but a single bright star glowed like a sun in the sky. "The future has always been uncertain. Even Heaven cannot control the future. Whether Fang Yuan joins us or goes against us isn't a matter of fate, it is our choice to decide. Our actions and decisions shape the future, not some predestined fate set for us by other people."

The old man took one last look at the man in the communication Gu. "I hope you make the right decision and help me to get Fang Yuan on our side. At this crucial moment we need all the help we can get. Whether it is as a pawn or a complete member, Fang Yuan must join Shadow Sect."

The vampiric man was reluctant, but he obeyed the request. "Very well. I will make sure to contact Fang Yuan. Should I leave a message with Blood Demon Body Separation for him to find or should I confront him in person?"

"Confronting him in person may be a mistake. I'm afraid he's much stronger than previously imagined. Even you may not be a match for the current Fang Yuan. If he does not agree to join us he may very well fight you to the death."

"What? That is impossible. A mere rank 6 zombie cannot match me in strength. Killer moves alone cannot bridge the gap between ranks."

The old man let out a long dry chuckle. "If you don't heed my warning you'll regret it. Fang Yuan is no longer the same person he used to be. I used Heavenly Secret Gu to spy on him. Apparently he's reached some sort of agreement with Myriad Dragon Dock to refine a new type of lightning path Gu for Vicious Lightning Fiend."

The vampiric man's eyes widened. "Is Fang Yuan colluding with Central Continent forces to hunt me down?"

"That I do not know. But it's always safe to be careful. There are not many of us left. Green, Red, Orange and Yellow died long ago. Azure is still a vacant zombie. Only two of the original members have survived.

"What? Blue is still alive?"

"Yes. Surprisingly it was Fang Yuan that freed him from Star Constellation's scheme. Perhaps this is a sign that we were meant to work together. Regardless, he is still in a state of a half death as an immortal zombie. To be safe we must make sure the core members of Shadow Sect remain alive. Stay safe Song Zi Xing."

"I will. Have no doubt Yan Shi. Throughout all of Central Continent no Gu immortal below rank 8 is stronger than me."

Yan Shi shook his head. "I hope that's true."