Two months flew by for Fang Tian, who had been immersed in cultivation to increase his strength until he would be capable of facing most dangers.
His cultivation involved improving his soul using Rank Three and Rank Four Tree Man Soul Gu, and even this only consumed four Gu worms before he fully obtained the Tree Man Soul. After obtaining the Tree Man Soul, he turned his attention toward refining Gu.
Fang Tian possessed a large number of Gu worms, but most of them were supplementary Gu for his killer moves or for use in support and nurturing methods.
Therefore, his core set of Gu worms remained the same, namely: Vine Garden Gu, Wood Origin Gu, Small Buds Gu, Jumping Grass Gu, Seed Swallow Gu, Wood Charm Gu, Willow Arrow Gu, Palm Umbrella Gu, Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus Gu, and Jade Bark Shell Gu. Now that he possessed a resource channel known as Wu Clan, and had also obtained a complete Rank Five Wood Path inheritance, he had many options available to him.
The Rank Five Wood Path inheritance was not outstanding in attack or defense; instead, it focused on nurturing resource points, healing, and support. However, it still contained several good Gu recipes specialized in other aspects.
After some consideration among a set of options that met his requirements, Fang Tian chose to refine his core set of Gu worms to Rank Three, and also refine several Gu worms from the Wood Path inheritance.
"This is not an enjoyable experience at all… refining Rank Three Gu worms is an extremely vexing process!"
He spent an entire month refining and advancing his Gu worms to Rank Three! From this alone, one could tell how difficult Gu refinement was. For example, Vine Garden Gu was destroyed during the refinement process, forcing Fang Tian to start over by refining Twining Vines Gu, then upgrading it back into Vine Garden Gu, and afterward upgrading it into Blood-Drinking Vine Gu.
He also exchanged a huge amount of contribution points to obtain the Rank Three recipe to upgrade Seed Swallow Gu into Grain Crow Gu. Thus, his core set of Gu worms became as follows:
Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus Gu, Wood Origin Gu, Blood-Drinking Vine Gu, Grain Crow Gu, Seven Moving Grasses Gu, Heavy Leaf Gu, Wood Charm Gu, Palm Umbrella Gu, Willow Arrow Gu, Flexible Bamboo Gu, Tree Sense Gu, Diamond Bark Shell Gu.
These were Thirteen core Rank Three Gu worms that formed the essence of his combat style.
In addition, he possessed several other Wood Path Gu worms for storage, environmental nurturing, repair, and regulation. Although combat was important, it could not be sustained for long without Gu worms such as Rice Sack Gu, which provided him with a continuous supply of food. There were also other sets of Gu worms from different paths that he used to diversify his methods.
After upgrading his Gu worms and settling on them, he spent some time using and practicing with them to adapt. Most of his Gu worms did not undergo major changes after refinement, so he did not need much time to adapt; only the newly added Gu worms required some adjustment. After all, he was a Wood Path master, and his use of Gu had transformed from ordinary application into art!
At the end of the two months, he modified his killer moves to match the new ranks of his Gu worms and elevated them to another level of power.
It could be said that he had done everything he could to raise his strength to the utmost so that he would have a chance to compete for the Immortal Gu inheritance. However, deep down, he knew that as an external member of Wu Clan, he would be fortunate if he could keep even a portion of the inheritance for himself.
The mortal members of Wu Clan looked at this competition as if it were something they had decided on themselves. But in truth, this matter was orchestrated by the Gu Immortals of each clan, using mortal Gu Masters as pawns to compete for the Immortal Gu inheritance without harming themselves.
Fang Tian sat cross-legged atop a massive cloud flying through the air. Beside him were dozens of promising Gu Masters from Wu Clan.
At the front of the cloud stood a Rank Five elder from Wu Clan, appearing to be in his thirties, leading a group of Rank Four elders and issuing orders to them. Fang Tian leaned back and fell onto the soft, bed-like cloud, letting out a low laugh.
"Now, after nearly a year and a half, I will collide with Gu Immortals for the first time, albeit indirectly."
He had been sent by Chen Yue to compete for the Immortal Gu inheritance, and he understood what she wanted from him.
"She wants me to give her a share of the Immortal Gu inheritance?… That's fine, but the condition remains that I must obtain it myself, not let someone else obtain it."
As Fang Tian had expected, Chen Yue had imposed the poison Vow Gu on him so that he could not betray the agreement. After all, she had invested a great deal of resources into him and had given him two precious inheritances that she had accumulated throughout her long career as an elder of Wu Clan, and now she expected him to repay her favor.
However, Fang Tian had no intention of obtaining the inheritance himself. Although the agreement stipulated that he must hand over a portion of the inheritance if he obtained it, it did not stipulate that he had to exert his full effort in the competition.
Nor did it say that he could not cooperate with another person, let that person obtain the inheritance, and then divide it afterward.
"Little Fang!… Are you ready? You must put in your best effort to obtain this inheritance and give this poor elder a chance to push her cultivation forward."
Chen Yue returned to Fang Tian's side and spoke in a sorrowful, pitiful tone. Fang Tian suppressed the disdain he felt toward her and replied,
"Don't worry, Elder, I will do my best to obtain the inheritance!"
"What a good boy… don't disappoint me, my little one. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me… and for you as well."
Fang Tian sighed in exhaustion. To be honest, he had begun to grow accustomed to the strange and regard it as no longer strange after communicating with Chen Yue for several weeks. He had also begun to think that Wu Ji's bizarre personality was the result of Chen Yue's upbringing.
"Do you see that Rank Five Gu Master over there?… That is Elder Wu Zhan."
Chen Yue transmitted her voice to him through a Gu worm, causing Fang Tian to startle slightly. However, he nodded at her.
"Wu Zhan is a Rank Five Gu Master and extremely talented, but he does not possess an Immortal Gu inheritance, so he relies on his nephew Wu Fu to obtain the Immortal Gu inheritance. His nephew is also a talented individual, but he cannot compare to you, you little monster… Therefore, once you enter the inheritance space, all investigative methods from the outside world will be isolated. Even Gu Immortals will struggle to obtain vague clues about what is happening inside, and at that time… kill him."
Chen Yue smiled gently, but to someone who had lived and seen many things, it was clear that this smile carried demonic malice.
Fang Tian and Chen Yue maintained eye contact for a moment, until they were interrupted by a loud voice that shook the heavens and earth.
"Wu Clan Gu Masters, prepare yourselves, we have arrived at the competition site!"
Fang Tian rose quickly, checked the Gu worms in his aperture, and then looked at his surroundings.
There was nothing but a vast expanse stretching beyond the limits of sight, and this expanse was formed from all kinds of metals: copper, iron, and steel submerged in mountains, and black gold.
This was Tie Li Mountain, where four of the Southern Border's super clans had gathered to compete for the ancient Strength Path inheritance.