Chapter 355

Three days after ancient bronze skin Gu, Li Xian delivers essence iron bone Gu. It is a rank four Gu like a thin black bone with round, smooth ends, and reverse-refining it yields iron bone Gu. Its black light hardens Fang Yuan’s skeleton, already pitch black and firm from iron bone Gu, many times more than iron bone Gu does but in much more time. He uses it beside ancient bronze skin Gu, and uses nine eyes liquor worm to refine bright gold primeval essence for cleansing his aperture. More than a month after leaving King Quan Inheritance, he is almost finished with ancient bronze skin Gu but far from completely mastering essence iron bone Gu. ^{ch. 355}

Universe path Gu, like third watch Gu and Spring Autumn Cicada, work on time. Using one would speed him up, but he refuses, since it would speed Spring Autumn Cicada’s recovery, his death warrant. San Cha mountain’s blessed land already runs three times faster than outside, and the cicada has recovered some in King Quan Inheritance, so he keeps to bitter cultivation. ^{ch. 355}

An unfamiliar voice calls him out. He finds Elder Yi Huo, very handsome, with sharp eyes, a high bridged nose and long red hair like fire. Yi Huo is a very famous fire path Gu Master called Blazing Inferno, at rank four peak stage. He is one of Shang clan’s five great elders under Shang Yan Fei, ranked above light swordsman Wei Yang, and the most popular of them, publicly the likeliest to reach rank five. Fang Yuan invites him inside. ^{ch. 355}

Yi Huo has come to invite Fang Yuan to join Shang clan. Bai Ning Bing has been trapped by Tie clan’s four old-timers for about two months, and Yi Huo promises to rescue her at once if the two of them join. Fang Yuan remembers that in his previous life Yi Huo suppressed Wu Shen Tong and Yi Chong, defeated Kong Ri Tian and Long Qing Tian, and ruled San Cha mountain for a time. Driven anxious by Yi Huo’s dominance, Long Qing Tian then poisoned him with blue halo Gu, forcing him back to Shang clan city for treatment by Doctor Su Shou. A recruitment visit is beyond Fang Yuan’s expectation. ^{ch. 355}

Yi Huo says the invitation is his own thought. When Fang Yuan scoffs at his talk of external elders, Yi Huo reveals that the clan leader has promised him a surname for great achievements here. He will become Shang Huo, a true elder able to recommend talent. Fang Yuan shows surprise, falls into thought, and says the matter needs proper consideration. ^{ch. 355}

Yi Huo grants three days, then three more when Fang Yuan again says he really needs to think. At the next visit Fang Yuan says he prefers the freedom of the demonic path, and Yi Huo is furious. Yi Huo warns that the four old-timers are not easy opponents and that Sky Tiger Xue San Si, whom Fang Yuan killed, was the goddaughter of Century Boy. Century Boy, a thorny demonic path figure and wood path Gu Master at rank four upper stage, is watching Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan shows hesitation and asks for ten days, which Yi Huo grants. ^{ch. 355}

Whether Bai Ning Bing lives is not especially important to Fang Yuan. The poison vow Gu is destroyed, he has reached rank four initial stage, and saving her depends on his will. Yet without her he would become a lone force, which would definitely hurt his plans at San Cha mountain. He decides not to rush, since he no longer needs bone flesh unity Gu and she can draw attention while he surpasses her. With so many eyes watching, Tie clan’s four old foxes absolutely will not move in for the kill. ^{ch. 355}

Ten days later Fang Yuan says that being free is best, and Yi Huo asks if he is playing with him. Fang Yuan answers that three kings inheritance is the most important matter and little time remains before it opens again. Yi Huo suppresses his anger and leaves the cave. ^{ch. 355}