At this moment, Lin Yan also received news of his uncle's victory. He played with the Image Gu in his hand, watching the entire battle that Shan Shayuan had recorded and sent over.
He couldn't help but sigh. Shen Kuang, that old bastard, really did have some skill—if it were him, he probably wouldn't last even a single exchange.
At the same time, a trace of gratitude rose in his heart. Shan Shayuan hadn't just shielded him from trouble, he had also deliberately used this battle to show him the future direction of the Family's Flame Path.
Lin Yan quickly understood. The Huang Family's Flame Path and Earth Path each possessed three Rank 5 peak true inheritances, forming a total of six core methods: Flame Demon True Body, Prairie Fire, Flame Extreme Sky Blade, Rock Solid, Iron Bucket Empire, and Sandstorm Burial.
The first three belonged to Flame Path and were mainly focused on offense. Flame Demon True Body provided full-body amplification, barely counting as half a defensive method. Prairie Fire was a large-scale area attack, while Flame Extreme Sky Blade was the strongest single-target strike.
The latter three belonged to Earth Path and were centered on defense. Rock Solid was the ultimate single-target defense, Iron Bucket Empire excelled in group protection, and Sandstorm Burial combined offense and defense, possessing endless variations and even the ability to trap enemies.
Shen Kuang mainly cultivated Flame Demon True Body, though traces of the other two Flame Path killer moves could still be seen within it. Shan Shayuan, on the other hand, focused entirely on Sandstorm Burial.
Of course, whether it was Shen Kuang or Shan Shayuan, their killer moves were still only in the early stages of development, remaining at Rank 3. There was still a long road ahead before they could truly evolve into complete inheritances.
"Speaking of which… it seems I'm walking Shen Kuang's path."
Lin Yan fell into thought. The five crimson flame patterns on his body were only at the Rank 1 level, a shallow beginning. At Rank 2, he would need five Fire Aperture Gu to display initial power. At Rank 3, the Glass Flame Bone Gu would mark true entry into the core of this path. Beyond that… it was still unknown.
This inheritance advanced step by step, naturally forming a complete combat system. It was the result of countless generations of refinement within the Family—rigorous, stable, and deeply grounded.
Lin Yan's thoughts grew heavier. If he tried to create his own Flame Path killer moves from scratch, he would lack the foundation, wasting time and effort for little return. It was far more practical to start from the Family's true inheritance, absorb its experience, and build upon it.
Only then would he have the qualifications to innovate in the future. Otherwise… it would just be a castle built in the air.
At this point, Lin Yan finally understood the combat system he needed to construct. However, He still decided to personally visit Shan Shayuan to express his gratitude. He also planned to hand over the Human Elixir Gu for him to handle.
When he arrived, he saw Shan Shayuan sitting upright on a chair like a general on horseback, his presence imposing even while injured. Beside him, a healing Gu Master was carefully tending to his wounds.
Seeing Lin Yan, Shan Shayuan's eyes brightened, and he laughed, "Peak Rank 2 already? Looks like you haven't been slacking these days."
"Uncle, I've caused you trouble this time." Lin Yan changed the topic and took out the Human Elixir Gu—a pink worm curled like a ginseng fruit—and handed it over. "I'll leave this to you."
Shan Shayuan's expression immediately darkened. He frowned deeply and said flatly, "What are you implying? Do you think your uncle is eyeing your gains? We're family—don't talk like that."
Lin Yan gave a helpless smile. He had already expected this reaction.
"Uncle, if I sell it myself, I won't be able to maximize its value. Why don't you handle it for me? We'll split it fifty-fifty."
Hearing this, Shan Shayuan paused for a moment, then nodded. Between families, there was no need to be overly polite.
"Fine," he said with a grin. "Your uncle will find the best buyer—and make sure those old bastards pay dearly."
Shan Shayuan accepted the Human Elixir Gu, then said, "In another month, when spring arrives, I'll be leaving the Family. Be careful during this time—don't let anyone take advantage of you."
Hearing this, Lin Yan fell silent for a moment. Although his uncle had suppressed this storm, the aftermath would not be small. Shen Kuang held considerable influence and deep connections within the Family.
Shan Shayuan would inevitably be pushed out of the core circle. And relying on others was never as reliable as relying on oneself.
"I need to break through to Rank 3 as soon as possible… and complete my combat system."
Without lingering, Lin Yan bid farewell and headed straight to the Family's Gu house. He traded in three Rank 3 Wood Path Gu and one Green Copper Relic Gu.
Wood Path Gu were not very useful for most Western Desert Gu Masters, but for the Family, they still had value. Oases required Wood Path and Water Path Gu Masters to maintain their environment, so the price was not suppressed. In total, he received twelve thousand primeval stones.
Now, only the White Silver Relic Gu remained in his possession. As for the Human Elixir Gu, it would take time to sell, and Shan Shayuan would handle the transaction.
Even so, Lin Yan was now considered wealthy. He originally intended to purchase Fire Pattern Gu, Fire Aperture Gu, and Glass Flame Bone Gu in one go but the moment he checked the prices, his expression stiffened.
"One Fire Aperture Gu costs 1,500 primeval stones…?"
"And Glass Flame Bone Gu… isn't even for sale?"