"Certainly, ancestor," Fang Yuan said. "I will lead you right to where I found the inheritance. However, don't you think that we should deal with Lord Sky Crane first?"
"Fang Yuan... you deceived me...?" the clan head wondered.
He had placed his trust in Fang Yuan absolutely- as Fang Yuan had been the model Gu Yue clansmen up until this point. But there was something entirely different going on. Just how much had Fang Yuan schemed against him, he wondered? How many secrets was Fang Yuan hiding? What was this about an inheritance?
"Hmph! You have a point there," First gen Gu Yue said, glancing up at Lord Sky Crane. "Let me squash this mosquito first, then we can discuss this inheritance that you found."
Fang Yuan hoped that he could draw first gen Gu Yue into the Blessed Land, where his Rank 5 cultivation would be meaningless. There, Fang Yuan could either kill him, or Paradise Earth would deal with him.
However, this required Lord Sky Crane to be dealt with first.
First gen Gu Yue spread his arms. "Join me, my clansmen, and let us rid the world of this righteous hypocrite. Remember the ones who have already fallen as a result of this monster's actions, steal your hearts, and join me for the fight." There were cheers from the Gu Yue clansmen.
"That's right- lets tear this overgrown pigeon's wings off!"
"Ancestor is correct, this man pretends to be righteous but killed so many of our innocent villagers!"
"Fools!" Lord Sky Crane said. "That man over there has the Blood Skull Gu, and is only rearing you all like chickens to be slaughtered in order to benefit himself!"
"Hmph! As if we would listen to him!"
"Trying to slander our righteous ancestor!"
'What these idiots don't realize is that he is telling the truth,' Fang Yuan thought. He had heard of the Blood Skull Gu before, and from the way he had been attacked it was obvious what first gen Gu Yue wanted to do. Thankfully, the carrot hanging in front of him, a potential inheritance, would save Fang Yuan for now.
The current greater enemy was Lord Sky Crane. Once he was dead, Fang Yuan planned to deal with first gen Gu Yue himself, either indirectly in the blessed land, or directly. Although the gap between them was immense, a zombie could not make primeval essence on its own. In that aspect, Fang Yuan had a clear advantage.
First gen Gu Yue launched himself into the air, going for Lord Sky Crane. From behind him, the Blood River Python, a massive snake nearly the size of a subway train back on earth, erupted and trailed behind its master.
The Blood River Python and the Iron Beak Flying Crane King began fighting as their masters separated and launched themselves at each other.
Most Rank 5 Gu Masters did not have a single Rank 5 gu worm to their names, let alone a full set. However, both Lord Sky Crane and first gen Gu Yue were old monsters and could not be judged by those standards, possessing multiple Rank 5 gu worms. Not only that, both were at Rank 5 Peak Stage, the pinnacle of mortal Gu Master cultivation, and had centuries of experience.
The two collided like two meteors meeting in midair. The resultant explosion was almost deafening as they clawed and struck each other. Forget Fang Yuan, even an ordinary Rank 5 Gu Master would be torn to bits if they were caught in the fray.
Right now, all that Fang Yuan and the others could do was deal with the numerous cranes which were still alive. In the scenario that first gen Gu Yue failed, they would serve as further hurdles for them in case they wished to fight Lord Sky Crane.
New main mission unlocked!
Stupid Birds!
Description: Repel Lord Sky Crane
Reward: 4% permanent increase to your aptitude.
New main mission unlocked!
Defender of the Clan
Description: Stop first gen Gu Yue
Reward: The system will gift the host a will created for the host that can last for several years. In addition, this will will have a single bead of Grape Green Immortal Essence associated with it (cannot be used by the host directly as this is considered 'foreign' Immortal Essence)
Did the system really expect that Fang Yuan had the power to change the outcome of any of these fights?
Is this what Genesis Lotus had meant when saying that Fang Yuan had to be stronger to last against what was coming up in the future?
Even if he used the Stone Aperture Gu, he would be no match for either of them.
First gen Gu Yue and Lord Sky Crane separated in the sky.
"Heh- you are just as green as you were before," First gen Gu Yue said. "It looks like being gifted by heaven made you truly soft- if only you improved in the last thousand years."
"Hmph- take this!" Lord Sky Crane said, activating a gu worm which struck first gen Gu Yue in the torso nearly instantly, though it seemed to do no damage to him.
However, everyone on the ground who was a Gu Yue clansmen coughed up a mouthful of blood as they felt dizzy.
"Bloodline Elimination Gu!" Lord Sky Crane said. "Did you think that I wouldn't come prepared when facing a Blood Path Gu Master? Do you think the Ten Great Sects don't have their answers for such a contingency after so many centuries of Blood Path demons wreaking havoc! Allow me to turn your advantage on its head! Tainted Bloodline Gu!"
This gu worm was not directed at first gen Gu Yue, but rather, at several Gu Masters on the ground. However, the moment it made contact with them, the first gen Gu Yue's body suddenly had multiple holes in it as if it was a piece of clothe being eaten by moth worms.
Fang Yuan activated Doctor Gu, recovering from his own injuries nearly immediately. As he thought to use Charity Gu to heal the other clan members- something struck him. Charity Gu could be used on everyone- but could also be used exclusively on clan members.
The latter effect seemed to mimic the aspects of the Blood Path. Being a Human Path master, and a Blood Path grandmaster in terms of attainment, the two aspects began to somewhat merge in his mind.
There was an idea for something there- a mortal killer move, but he did not have the time in the middle of battle to perfect it.
First gen Gu Yue snarled and launched himself at Lord Sky Crane again, trying to find a way to disrupt the attack that was eating away at him. Lord Sky Crane was being pushed back, but he only needed a way to stall for time it seemed. As it was, he had the advantage in a battle of attrition.
At a moment during the fight, first gen Gu Yue no longer had the advantage and it had reached a stalemate. Then, Lord Sky Crane pushed him back, with him eventually breaking free and landing in the village.
"Ahaha, it seems that you are not as strong as you once boasted of," Lord Sky Crane said, gathering his power for a final strike.
First gen Gu Yue then retrieved a gu worm from his aperture, though he didn't activate it, instead throwing it on the ground and slashing at it. "Everyone, help me destroy this!"
Attacks rained in on the ball of blood, until it burst, activating its effect.
First gen Gu Yue and a large portion of the village, including Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing, were suddenly trapped inside of a large barrier tinged with red.
Lord Sky Crane snarled and attempted to barge in, but couldn't.
First gen Gu Yue laughed. "This is my own invention- how will you rate it, junior? I call it the Blood Curtain Skyflower Gu, I was inspired to create it upon seeing the Water Curtain Skyflower. But this barrier's effectiveness is even higher than those! Don't worry though, even though you can't come inside, I can go outside. Let me rest and recover, and then I'll deal with you!"