As Fang Tian approached the tree carved in the shape of a human, the dead roots began trembling and moving, which made him slightly nervous. He was not overly afraid because he knew this was most likely an Inheritance Land, but he did not know whether this inheritance belonged to a righteous Gu Master or a demonic one.
"I suppose it's worth the risk."
Fang Tian stopped before the wooden statue and began feeling it, trying to trigger any hidden change or mechanism set here. His hands sweated despite the cold surrounding him, but when nothing happened to him or his surroundings, he retreated with disappointment.
"Is this even an Inheritance Land to begin with? Forget it, at least I gained something by awakening my Aperture! And there's even that lotus which is most likely the Heavenly Essence Lotus treasure!"
Fang Tian moved through the Spirit Spring, heading toward the center where a fully bloomed nine-petaled white and blue lotus rested.
He gently lowered his arm and lifted the Heavenly Essence Lotus treasure. As soon as the lotus was lifted from the Spirit Spring, it transformed into a stream of light and entered Fang Tian's body through his intestines, rushing toward his Aperture.
"What?!"
Fang Tian was shocked by this sudden transformation and hurriedly focused on his Aperture, where there was now a connection due to the Heavenly Essence Lotus Gu.
Inside his Aperture, the primeval sea of green-copper color rose, nearly filling his Aperture to 99%! And in the depths of the Primeval Essence rested a beautiful lotus.
"Poor child… Heaven has bestowed you with great talent, yet it is like a shooting star, flashing across the sky only to vanish."
A sweet female voice echoed, sending chills through Fang Tian's body. He quickly turned around to see the source.
"A fatal mistake, young man. If I were still alive, you would have died already from such a foolish reaction… Ah, but now I cannot even touch you, for I am merely a will, while you are living."
Fang Tian's eyes fell on a tall mirror, where a phantom woman's face appeared — fair-skinned, with full red lips and silky green hair cascading down to her waist. Her figure was curvaceous.
Fang Tian's eyes nearly popped out at the sight of this divine beauty. Although he tried to suppress worldly emotions such as lust, joy, fear, and pain in order to survive in this world, he was still a beginner at this and was easily swayed by a woman's beauty.
After several seconds of rude staring, he regained awareness and caution, then spoke:
"Ah, forgive me, my lady… I mean, fairy, may this junior know your honorable name?"
Fang Tian spoke in a submissive tone, lowering himself in an attempt to gauge his position in front of this enchanting woman.
"Do not bother with my name, young man. I died long ago. But now that you have awakened my will, it means you are fated to inherit my inheritance, as kindred spirits…"
As she said this, the phantom woman's figure vanished and instantly appeared before Fang Tian, entering his body. In an instant, his body convulsed as vast amounts of information surged into him.
Fang Tian's body spasmed, cold sweat poured down his skin, and worse, his ears bled and rang. He bit his lips until they bled, twisting in agony within the Spirit Spring.
After what felt like an eternity, he rose with difficulty, staggering toward the wooden human-shaped statue, confusion and shock plastered across his face.
He was overcome with deep sorrow and indescribable gratitude toward this corpse. It was the corpse of a Gu Master named Li Hua, of the Wood Path. She had not lived her life as she wished, in peace or humility. Instead, her extreme talent forced her into cultivation, with the risk of self-detonation looming as death approached. In desperation, she injured her own Aperture during cultivation, lowering her talent.
But this was only a temporary measure. If stopping the
The Ten Extreme Physiques
were so easy, why would they be called extreme in the first place?
Indeed, her Aperture gradually recovered, and her talent grew until it reached 100%. Upon reaching peak stage of Rank 4 cultivation, Li Hua put all her effort into finding a method to restrain her heaven-defying talent, which drew her closer to death with every breath.
She succeeded, but could not rejoice in the achievement. The physique of the Limitless Forest Samsara Physique had taken root in her, transforming most of her body into wood. Thus, she left behind an inheritance that no one could claim, except one who also possessed the Limitless Forest Samsara Physique.
Fang Tian knelt before the wooden statue with gratitude, then stood with determination on his face. Though he was in danger, he was also fully aware of the immense opportunity of one of the ten extreme Physiques!
"This is a gift from heaven. I must make the best use of it!… Now, behind Li Hua's corpse, there are five inheritance halls. I can pass through the first hall now since there is no danger, but the trials begin from the second hall."
As Fang Tian stared at the wall covered in vines, the surface of Li Hua's corpse cracked open, revealing three Gu worms inside.