"Not many people know about this legend, of course," the clan head said. "I think only two elders know of it in the case that I pass away before I can pass it down. I thought that you might be the one the prophecy foretold of some time ago when I heard you had become an elder, but my suspicions were confirmed when I heard you had become Rank 4."
Fang Yuan nodded. This... was perfect! He could easily avoid scrutiny if there was this kind of preexisting legend going around the village until he was Rank 5, by which time it would no longer matter whether anyone believed him or not.
"I understand why you suppressed your own cultivation using that gu worm earlier as well," the clan head said. "Because the further you advance, the more likely it is that you will detonate. However, there is a second part to the legend as well. As the prophecy foretold, it is said that once someone with this physique is found, they should go to the Blood River Graveyard which is located beneath our clan's spirit spring. There, our clan founder has left a way to mitigate the negative effects of the Ancient Yin Desolate Moon Physique."
The clan head had a gentle smile, but Fang Yuan's mind was racing. While it was one thing to pretend to have the Ancient Yin Desolate Moon Physique, if there indeed was something that could 'solve' a problem that he did not have, he might get into trouble.
"I... am not in any danger of detonating right now," Fang Yuan said. "We can hold this issue off for now..."
The clan head sighed. "So be it if you wish, Fang Yuan, but the time will come when we have to descend. I hope you come with me before it is too late. I know you might not understand the danger of the detonation of the physiques, but it is nothing to scoff at. The entire mountain may very well crumble!"
The clan head didn't know that Bai Ning Bing's detonation had caused the death of everyone on the mountain back in Fang Yuan's previous life. Had someone with the Ancient Yin Desolate Moon Physique been discovered before then? Fang Yuan did not know- he had left the clan shortly after the wolf tide had been dealt with. There was still some time in between when someone like that could pop up, as a matter of fact, were that the case that person could currently be a teenager right now.
For Fang Yuan though, such a smokescreen was greatly welcome for the time being. He only needed to focus on cultivating now, with a 78% aptitude, he had a good chance of reaching Rank 5. The 'breakpoint' for the same was 80%, but with an abundance of primeval stones, it was more than doable.
What Fang Yuan did not know, however, was that the clan head was already taking a stroll down to the Blood River Graveyard right now himself.
If there was a method to save Fang Yuan, he wished to know it. If it required Fang Yuan's presence, then so be it.
But he needed to know the secret regardless...
The Blood River Graveyard was a peculiar place, being located beneath the clan's spirit spring. Blood from the mountain collected there as if drawn by some magnetic force.
Nearby, the clan head could see the Rank 5 Blood River Python Gu. It had been refined by the first generation ancestor, and he knew that it would not hurt him. Not unless it was provoked.
The Blood River Graveyard drained into a large lake which was filled with blood that had been drawn from everywhere in the mountain. Strangely enough it did not clot no matter how much blood there was, but was instead being used to feed various gu worms.
"Ancestor..." the clan head said, walking over a small pathway that was barely wide enough for one person to walk upon. This pathway led to a coffin. The clan head already knew what was inside the coffin, if rumors were to be believed, but he had also been told by the prior clan head to never come down here until the promised time had come. "...the current clan head greets you!"
There was no answer for over a minute, and as the clan head's heart began to race, the coffin lid opened by just the tiniest crack.
A zombified hand reached out, and a monstrous form walked out of the coffin.
Rank 5 Blood Wight Zombie!
It was a zombie created from Rank 5 Blood Wight Gu. By using this gu, one could temporarily transform oneself into a Blood Wight Zombie, which was capable of flight and possessed great strength.
If one used it for too long, much like with the Wood Charm Gu, they ran the risk of transforming into a zombie permanently.
It was clear though that this person had used this effect on purpose. By becoming a zombie, one could theoretically live indefinitely without suffering from the ravages of time. It had its drawbacks, the greatest of which was that one's aperture would become dead and unable to generate primeval essence on its own.
'So the rumors were true, first gen Gu Yue is still alive,' the clan head thought. "Descendant greets his ancestor!"
First gen Gu Yue had a terrifying expression, as one would expect of a monstrosity that was not accepted by either heaven or earth. "You have disturbed my slumber..."
"Descendant apologizes, but there is good reason for the same," the clan head said. First gen Gu Yue did not say anything, but seemed to be waiting for a response. He had been approached by the prior clan heads in the past, usually when the clan was in danger. Depending on his mood, First gen Gu Yue might help. The survival of the clan was necessary for his own plan, after all. "I believe that we have found the one who bears the Ancient Yin Desolate Moon Physique..."
First gen Gu Yue's eyes widened. "Could it be? The time has finally come- after a millennium of waiting... where is this person?"
"They... they did not wish to come down here right now..." the clan head said. "But I fear for their ultimate safety. I heard there was a way to deal with the problem of the physique, so I came down here..."
"Hmm... there is a way, yes," first gen Gu Yue said. "But it requires me to personally meet with this individual."
"Then I will bring him to you next time!"
First gen Gu Yue shook his head. "It looks like there's no need given what's going on up there..."
"I don't follow...?"
All of a sudden, a man's voice echoed throughout the mountain. "Senior brother, junior brother is finally here to meet with you! Won't you come out and greet your junior, ehehe..."
The voice was unknown to the clan head, but first gen Gu Yue had heard it many times before. 'To think that he found me here... Lord Sky Crane, you truly are far too tenacious for your own good...'