"Brother, you're leaving somewhere?" Fang Zheng asked, seeing Fang Yuan's preparations.
"Indeed, there is something that I need to look into," Fang Yuan said. "It's a secret mission, so I need you to keep the fact that I'm gone on the down-low for now. How is your cultivation going?"
"I think I might be at Rank 2 Middle Stage in a few weeks," Fang Zheng said.
"Good, let me supplement your primeval essence once before I go," Fang Yuan said. He needed a large group of primeval stones himself in order to make the Hundred Li Earthwolf Spider work, but it was not that much of an issue to supplement Fang Zheng's primeval aperture as the gap between three minor realms and a major realm meant that his primeval essence was worth sixteen times as much as Fang Zheng's.
If he had the Seven Fragrances Liquor Worm, he would be able to double his own primeval essence supply. However, refining that with Fang Zheng's help was an issue given how inexperienced Fang Zheng was. Fang Yuan could've simply taken the Four Flavors Liquor Worm back, but that would damage Fang Zheng and also affect his cultivation, something that he did not want. Also, disregarding the low probability of success he simply did not have the time or resources to attempt to do so right now.
As it was, Fang Yuan was now fully confident in being able to explore around the area of Qing Mao mountain now that he had reached Rank 3. If it had been normal times he would've packed his bags and already left the mountain to go look for a nearby inheritance he knew that existed, but given everything that was happening he intended to return after this trip was over. He would also need a method to convince Fang Zheng to leave the mountain- whether willingly or not.
Fang Yuan left early next morning.
The location of the inheritance had been engraved into his brain so thoroughly that he felt that even if he wanted to, he couldn't forget it.
It was hard to find a clearing suitable enough to leave away from prying eyes- so he made one by sending a small pack of Lightning Wolves to their graves.
He took out the Hundred Li Earth Wolf Spider- it was the size of a large horse, and had a natural dip in its body near its head for the gu master controlling it to sit comfortably.
The only issue was that some people would have trouble riding a huge spider simply because of their own squeamishness, but Fang Yuan had none of these issues as he injected his primeval essence into the spider and it burrowed deep underground.
To Fang Yuan, the darkness underground instead felt like he was wearing infrared goggles. There was not much of interest other than small insects or mammals underground. The Earthwolf Spider was also not blind and moved through the earth to avoid obstacles. Two or three times it abruptly changed course- Fang Yuan was not sure why, but it was likely to avoid some obstacle or waking up some creature that could be dangerous to it.
Fang Yuan let it navigate on its own, concentrating on replenishing his own primeval essence with primeval stones constantly. Despite this, twice during their journey he had exhausted too much of this and the spider had to surface once it found somewhere safe so that Fang Yuan could rest and replenish some of his primeval essence without expending it.
The journey normally should've taken them until sunset, but because Fang Yuan lacked Rank 4 primeval essence the moon was high in the sky and it was nearing midnight by the time they reached their location.
They were near the foot of Qing Mao mountain right now. The chilly night air assaulted them as Fang Yuan put the spider back in his primeval aperture. He couldn't see any life forms even with his Pit Viper Gu except far out in the distance.
Even in his former life, he had not heard of there being an inheritance in this area. What that meant was that it was likely that the inheritance was carefully hidden so that no one had found it yet- possibly there was a Blessed Land or Grotto-Heaven located in this area.
As he was wondering how it would be that he would try to discover the entrance should that be the case, the Spring Autumn Cicada in his aperture began humming as if it were reacting to something.
The next instant, a hole appeared in the middle of the air and opened up to a place where the sun was shining brightly as if it was high noon, in stark contrast to the ongoing night in the outside world.
It was the entrance to a Blessed Land, just like he'd thought. Either that, or a Grotto-Heaven where time was synched up so that it was daytime and not night right now.
Either way, there was only one direction to go if he wanted to find out what was in this inheritance- forward!
Fang Yuan stepped into the place, his eyes taking a moment to adjust to the light. The gap he had come in through closed up behind him, and the Spring Autumn Cicada which had earlier been humming now quieted down.
He was also able to feel all of his gu worms as if he could use them- meaning that this place was not suppressing the mortal gu that he had. That was good- meaning that the one who controlled this Blessed Land did not want to interfere with his usage of gu worms and was likely quite friendly.
Judging by its size, it was not enough to be a proper Grotto-Heaven, as a matter of fact now that Fang Yuan's eyes had adjusted to the bright light and could take a better look around it was rather small at only around 4,000 square kilometers. It had likely belonged to a Rank 6 Gu Immortal at one point before it had landed on the ground. Fang Yuan did not know of any Gu Immortal who had died in the area- but the affairs of immortals were so far removed from that of ordinary people that he could not rely on his knowledge of Qing Mao mountain.
From the looks of it, it seemed to be suited towards rearing Earth Path resources. It also had not seemingly opened up randomly for Fang Yuan as there was a path leading down from where he was standing to a table with two chairs, though there was nothing on the table and no one sitting on either of the chairs.
Fang Yuan couldn't detect anything with his Pit Viper Gu or his normal vision, so he went down the path towards the table.
As he was about to reach it, a figure materialized in front of him.
At first glance, one might mistake him for the Flower Wine Monk given his shaved head, but that could not be further from the identity of this man. Fang Yuan had seen images of him all around the Southern Border in reverence, and when he had been in the Eastern Sea even the mermaids had held him in high regard and erected statues of him in various cities.
Above all though, was the kind and gentle expression on his face he was known for which contrasted harshly with the look of scorn the Flower Wine Monk possessed.
Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable!
Of course, this was not the actual person, but a will manifested of Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable. In other words, it was a portion of his thoughts that had taken his form and could exist independently even if his actual body had already perished.
The will gestured to one of the chairs. "Gu Yue Fang Yuan, please take a seat, I've been expecting you."