SWNOVELXO Chapter 53: Not a Choice
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"I want Dog Shit Luck Gu."
Lang Ya hesitated, eyeing Fang Yuan with a hint of reluctance. Fang Yuan observed him calmly, then added, "I knew you had this Rank 6 Gu, besides you're the one who truly benefits in this deal."
Lang Ya sighed. "You even know I have this Gu."
"Of course. I deduced that you hold the true inheritance of Giant Sun Immortal Venerable," Fang Yuan continued smoothly.
Lang Ya nodded, giving in. "Giant Sun Immortal Venerable had only three true inheritances, all centered on Luck Path: self-luck, all living beings' luck, and heaven and earth luck. I have the self-luck inheritance. The all-living beings' luck inheritance was left in the Imperial Court blessed land, and the heaven and earth luck inheritance is in Longevity Heaven."
"Now, you understand that the Gu you're asking for is part of a true inheritance," Lang Ya said, hoping Fang Yuan might reconsider. "It was also a core Gu of the Venerable himself. You know how rare Luck Path Gu worms are—they're nearly impossible to come by."
Fang Yuan leaned in, his tone calm and persuasive. "Lang Ya, the value you gain here far outweighs the cost. This Green Claw Ghost Winged Lion is no ordinary creature; it's a rare immemorial desolate beast capable of rivaling a Rank 8 immortal. As a powerful guardian, it will protect your blessed land and deter any would-be attackers. You know how many eyes are on you, waiting for a chance."
He added, "I've delivered it to you in its peak state, held securely by a formation. With my assistance, enslaving it will be very easy. A guardian of this strength is precisely what you need now."
Lang Ya paused, considering Fang Yuan's words, then shook his head. "But the Dog Shit Luck Gu has been invaluable to Lang Ya blessed land. It's protected us from countless disasters and dangers—it's not something I can part with so easily."
The Dog Shit Luck Gu was a rare and powerful luck path Gu, invaluable to Lang Ya Blessed Land. It boosted success in various aspects, like increasing the odds of refining Gu worms or triggering manageable calamities that Lang Ya could easily handle. Overall, the effects of this Rank 6 Gu were remarkable, thus Lang Ya had already decided to refuse the trade.
"I understand what you mean," Fang Yuan nodded. "So, as an extra benefit, I'll share the recipe for the Formation Spirit Gu. I can assure you, no one else has refined this Gu since the first was created—what you see now is unique. Besides, you truly need this beast. Your blessed land will face dangerous situations and inevitable attacks in the future, and the strength of this creature will be a decisive asset."
Lang Ya's eyes widened. "What? Can you share any information about these future attackers?"
Fang Yuan shook his head. "Unfortunately, I could only deduce the severe damage awaiting the blessed land. But if I uncover anything more specific, you'll be the first to know."
Lang Ya took a deep breath, reflecting. "You're right. I trust you. It seems I need this Green Claw Ghost Winged Lion more than the Dog Shit Luck Gu."
"Alright, I'll make the trade."
Fang Yuan's smile was subtle. He knew Lang Ya should be satisfied with the deal, as the true advantage lay with him. Trading a Rank 6 Gu for an immemorial desolate beast was a bargain no one could refuse.
Lang Ya Land Spirit had began his preparations, retrieving his Gu worms then activating an immortal killer move with the Rank 7 Beast Enslavement Gu at its core.
Normally only Rank 8 Beast Enslavement Gu can control an immemorial desolate beast but because of the enslavement immortal killer move, Lang Ya could do what Rank 8 does with only Rank 7.
Finally with the help of the formation spirit, Lang Ya smoothly brought the powerful beast under his control.
"Hahaha! Lang Ya blessed land is now even safer and stronger!" Lang Ya laughed, visibly pleased with his new guardian.
"Congratulations, my friend," Fang Yuan said with a sincere expression.
Lang Ya laughed. "Thank you for making this trade with me. Here's the Gu you wanted: Dog Shit Luck Gu."
Fang Yuan accepted the Gu and refined it easily, storing it along with the Formation Flag Gu in his aperture.
"When can you refine the Gu for me, my friend?" Fang Yuan asked, noting Lang Ya's good mood.
"Give me some time to gather the missing materials. Once I have them, I'll begin," Lang Ya promised before leaving to make his preparations.
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A few days later.
Lang Ya had completed all preparations, carefully checking the quality of the immortal materials and ensuring there were no issues.
Maybe due to his agreement with Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable to do his best in refining Gu, or perhaps his friendship with Fang Yuan, he put forth his utmost effort. He even enlisted the help of five hairy man immortals to assist in the refinement.
In the hall, two of these hairy men approached Fang Yuan—a male and a female. The male spoke, "You must be Lord Fang Yuan, the inheritor of Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable."
"Yes, and how should I address you?" Fang Yuan replied with a gentle smile.
"You can call me First Hair, and this is my wife, Second Hair. We are cultivating refinement path and will be aiding in the process," the male hairy man replied.
Fang Yuan recognized them immediately. This couple would have perished during the future attack of the Shadow Sect. First Hair was a Rank 7 refinement immortal, and his wife was Rank 6.
"Then just call me Fang Yuan ,First Hair."
Fang Yuan then engaged in pleasant conversation with them, treating them as equals and showing genuine respect. This approach quickly won the favor of the hairy men, who began seeing Fang Yuan as a friend.
These hairy men had lived under Lang Ya's protection in the blessed land all their lives, leaving them incredibly naïve. Isolated from the world, they were trusting anyone easily, believing almost anything they saw or heard without question.
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Reflecting on Lang Ya's preparations, Fang Yuan was pleased, realizing this would further increase the chance of a successful refinement. Still, he remained cautious, subtly befriending the five hairy man immortals to verify none were undercover trying to harm him for the shadow sect.
He soon learned their names and specializations: First Hair was a refinement path immortal, Second Hair also specialized in refinement, Third Hair cultivated wood path, Fourth Hair pursued qi path, and Fifth Hair cultivated light path.
Fang Yuan, who had already become their close friend, was quietly increasing his influence among the Hairy men, all while thinking how he might protect them in the future. After all, any loss to them or the blessed land would ultimately be a loss for him.
After some time, Lang Ya finally interrupted their happy gathering.
"Fang Yuan, I'm going to use the Refinement Cauldron to further boost the chances. I estimate a sixty percent success rate for Change Form Immortal Gu. And with your Dog Shit Luck Gu, that chance increases even more," Lang Ya announced.
"Hahaha, excellent news! I was already planning to join the refinement," Fang Yuan replied, smiling. He had acquired the Dog Shit Luck Gu before the refinement, precisely to increase his success chance.
The Dog Shit Luck Gu could increase Fang Yuan's own luck, and he had already been using it to make luck in his favor. He knew how heaven-defying high luck could be.
But then Lang Ya added something that made Fang Yuan's expression turn heavy.
"I have inherited my main body's special hairy man nature Gu refinement technique, Heaven and Earth Style. This method leverages the dao marks of heaven and earth to aid the Gu refinement. Calamities and tribulations may arise, but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. With the abundant refinement dao marks in this blessed land and your increased luck, success is nearly guaranteed on the first attempt," Lang Ya said proudly.
Fang Yuan's face fell. He didn't want to use the Hairy Man Heaven and Earth Style, as he knew the risks involved. This technique drew upon the power of heaven and earth itself, effectively harnessing nature's dao marks for the refinement, akin to borrowing the power of the world.
However, this method invited calamities, which meant Heaven's Will could manipulate and plot, conjuring a devastating calamity so that the refinement would fail.
Fang Yuan pondered how he could reject using this method, but Lang Ya's next words left him cornered.
"I'll also be teaching you some of the secrets behind the hairy man nature Gu refinement technique, including valuable refinement methods and several mortal killer moves for Gu refinement," Lang Ya added, smiling at Fang Yuan. "You can pay me later, and I'll lower the price for you. Consider this a gift of gratitude."
Fang Yuan was stunned, realizing how difficult his position had become. Inwardly, he cursed, "Damn you and your gratitude."
Fang Yuan now faced two options: either refuse Lang Ya's offer, risking suspicion from Star Constellation's Will, or accept it, fully aware that it could jeopardize his chances in the Gu refinement.
Refusal would be a dangerous move, signaling to Star Constellation's Will that Fang Yuan knew far more than he should. That could cost him dearly—losing his precious indirect protection from Heaven's Will against the Shadow Sect, along with the hidden support that kept him safe from Central Continent's sects and Heavenly Court's interference.
Worse still, it would ruin his future biggest chance, claiming the heaven-defying power—the Rank 9 Gu—the Sovereign Immortal Fetus Gu, which he knew it would become his ultimate advantage against venerables in the future.
"The real danger is Star Constellation's Will," Fang Yuan reflected. "With the Spring Autumn Cicada Gu in my aperture, every step I take is being watched. If I refuse, Star Constellation's Will and Heaven's Will would abandon me as a pawn. I'd become a target instead, and everything I've worked for would be destroyed."
He sighed, realizing just how trapped he was. "I have no choice. Heaven's Will even holds my life in its hands. With Spring Autumn Cicada Gu filled with Heaven's Will, it could easily kill me if I make the wrong move, even if the Gu succeed and I return in time. Any immortal it sends would easily finish the job."
Fang Yuan's thoughts solidified as he accepted the inevitable. He would have to play along for now. "Soon, very soon, I'll have my freedom and achieve my goals," he reassured himself.
It was not a choice in the first place.
Fang Yuan's thoughts solidified, and he looked at Lang Ya with a deep, knowing smile. "Let's proceed as you suggested, my dear friend."
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