Defying Heaven

...

"Land spirit, during the days I'm gone, follow my instructions," Fang Yuan said in a low, steady voice.

Little Hu Immortal, her eyes brimming with reluctance, responded softly, "Master, I will be waiting for you here. Please return quickly."

Fang Yuan glanced around the blessed land one final time, his mind calculating the time left until the next calamity. "10 months until the next calamity strikes... with the fivefold time flow in the blessed land, that's only two months outside." He sighed, knowing the risk involved. "I hope it will go smoothly."

Turning his attention to his next step, Fang Yuan began preparing to use the killer move: Defying Heaven-Dark Travel.

This was no ordinary move. Defying Heaven-Dark Travel was a Rank 6 Immortal killer move, with the core being the powerful rank 6 Fixed Immortal Travel Gu. Its primary function? To transport the user to any location without emitting any trace—a priceless advantage when stealth and secrecy were required.

After activation, the move enveloped the Immortal Gu first in a dark, mud-like substance that sealed its aura completely. The black mud hardened into stone, encasing the Gu and preventing even the slightest ripple of immortal energy from leaking out. the Gu turning into a black stone sealing the immortal gu.

While the user would be surrounded by black light and then transferred away.

However, the move came at a huge price. Dark Travel required the sacrifice of Lifespan Gu worms each time it was activated.

Lifespan Gu were rare and precious, highly sought after by Gu Masters and Gu Immortals alike. Formed naturally in areas abundant with life, they were one-time use Heaven Path Gu that couldn't be refined. Their rarity made them even more valuable than most Immortal Gu, and many would trade almost anything to obtain them.

But this wasn't the only problem with Dark Travel. The move took time to prepare, and the immense pressure it would on Fang Yuan made it unsuitable for combat. Once activated, there was a three-second delay before the user could actually travel—an eternity in the heat of battle.

Yet, there was a significant benefit that made this move invaluable. Dark Travel could store enough green grape immortal essence beads for three uses, allowing Fang Yuan a mortal to activate the move multiple times before needing to recharge. However, each time the killer move was triggered, the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu would be unsealed, and its immortal aura would inevitably leak, alerting others to its presence.

Weighing the costs and benefits in his mind, Fang Yuan's expression was calm. This move was vital to his plans in the Northern Plains, where stealth would be his greatest ally.

"Success." Fang Yuan smiled, watching as a black light began to swirl around him. The dark, mud-like substance completely enveloped the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu, sealing it entirely.

Then, after three seconds, Fang Yuan vanished without a trace.

...

Northern Plains.

Under the dark night sky, the stars were sparse, and a cold wind blew across the vast land. The moon, bright and sharp, illuminated the crescent-shaped lake, casting its pale glow on the water. The lake itself was massive, spanning 7,500 kilometers in length and 2,500 kilometers in width. The ends of the lake curved into sharp points, while the middle was wide, mimicking the shape of a crescent moon.

Fang Yuan quickly surveyed his surroundings. "I should have arrived at Crescent Lake," he murmured to himself.

"The 500 years memories are so useful."

Crescent Lake, while filled with danger, had specific zones where one could land safely. Fortunately, this was one.

Around the lake lurked many fierce creatures—a large pack of Water Wolves, a herd of Three-Horned Rhinos, a thousand-strong group of Mutated Beasts, and a swarm of gu worms that numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Each of these beasts and wild gu worms had staked out territories around the lake, and as long as their domains weren't invaded, they would not attack.

"The original Fang Yuan avoided this place because of the immortal aura that would leak from the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu. But thanks to the new killer move created by the A.I. Chip, I can travel without detection," Fang Yuan thought, pleased with his progress. The fact that his clothes remained intact after the travel also made his mood better.

"I'm in the eastern side now," he mused, scanning his surroundings cautiously. "According to the memories, I should head this way... but first..." Fang Yuan's gaze shifted to the dark stone in his hand. Within this stone was the sealed Fixed Immortal Travel Gu.

Carefully, he put the stone inside his robe. Even though the Immortal Gu was sealed, it couldn't be placed inside a mortal's aperture. Even in its sealed state, was not something he could take lightly. Carrying it physically was the only option, though it made him cautious of what could be encountered.

...

Fang Yuan began walking along the lakeside, moving toward a stone forest at the far east of Crescent Lake. This forest, like many others around the lake, was composed of stone pillars. Some were grey, others purplish-black, and some were greenish-yellow. Each stood at an exact distance from the other, creating a strange, orderly formation.

However, this particular stone forest was special. From above, the grey-white pillars formed a shape—a vague but unmistakable 'thief' symbol. This stone forest wasn't natural; it was created by Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable himself.

"Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable was the first to invest in me, but even now, his reason remains unknown," Fang Yuan muttered, staring at the thief sign, thinking of the person who was the only otherworldly venerable.

He then moved through the stone forest, his eyes scanning the pillars with purpose.

Suddenly, his gaze fixed on a purple stone pillar. His eyes brightened, and he stepped toward it.

Drawing a dagger, Fang Yuan sliced his palm, letting his fresh blood drip onto the purple pillar. As he smeared the blood over its surface, he uttered the words, "I want."

This was the first step in activating the mysterious Gu worm that Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable had hidden here. Blood was the first requirement, but the second requirement was even simpler—one had to express desire, hence the words, "I want."

The moment Fang Yuan spoke, his body vanished. In an instant, his surroundings changed, and when he regained his senses, he found himself inside a room.

The room was filled with the scent of an alchemy furnace. It was richly decorated with dragon pillars, golden curtains, crane lanterns, and vermillion windows. In the center stood an old man, his appearance sagely. He was thin with white hair, a beard that reached his chest, and a face ruddy like a baby's. He wore a wide robe with sleeves that fluttered in the air, and his expression was one of surprise at Fang Yuan's sudden appearance.

"This should be Lang Ya Land Spirit in the form of 1st obsession." Fang Yuan thought as he observed the old man for a moment.

He then spoke confidently, "Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's inheritor has come to pay respects."

The land spirit stared at him for a while, its gaze analyzing him closely. After a tense silence, the old man finally asked, "What is the secret code?"

Fang Yuan, with a playful smirk, replied, "The secret code you created with the Demon Venerable back then? Hmm… there is no secret code."

The land spirit's expression twisted into a sinister grin. "Hehe, you dare to tease me? Then I shall kill you here and now!"

Fang Yuan, however, remained calm and composed. "No, you cannot harm me," he said, full of confidence. "I am the Demon Venerable's inheritor. You cannot touch me before the agreement of the three Gu is completed."

...

After some time...

Lang Ya land spirit sat at the edge of the bed, his previous imposing presence now completely gone. He brewed tea for Fang Yuan with a smile, his hands trembling slightly with excitement.

"So, you really are Thieving Heaven's inheritor. How incredible!" His voice, once grand and authoritative, now carried a tone of admiration.

"Handsome young lad, is the tea not to your liking? Do you want more?" The land spirit beamed, trying to please him.

This is the legendary Lang Ya land spirit?

The powerful, mysterious image of the land spirit had shattered completely in just a few moments.

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.

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(Why would the mighty Lang Ya land spirit act like this?)

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