章 27: Never Enough Benefits

...

Lang Ya Land Spirit's gaze lingered on the Moving Perspective Cup Gu in Fang Yuan's hand. "You even know about this Gu…"

Fang Yuan smirked. "After all, I am Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's inheritor."

Lang Ya Land Spirit nodded, acknowledging the truth. "It must have come from his inheritance."

Without wasting time, Fang Yuan sent Connecting Heaven Gu and Divine Sense Gu with the Moving Perspective Cup Gu and an instruction letter, to Little Hu's land spirit. Once done, he examined the damaged Moving Perspective Cup Gu—it was only a Rank 5 mortal Gu, and using a Rank 6 Divine Travel Immortal Gu had placed too much strain on it.

Over the past few days, Fang Yuan had spent his time re-refining the Moving Perspective Cup Gu. Though it had returned to Rank 5, it was still only a mortal Gu. Fang Yuan knew that, like all mortal Gu, it had its limits.

After sending out a few mortal Gu, the Moving Perspective Cup Gu had finally reached its breaking point. With its energy exhausted, the Gu's fragile form began to crack. Fang Yuan inspected it one last time, understanding that it was now beyond repair.

"It's destroyed," Fang Yuan thought calmly. There was no hint of frustration in his expression. "I won't need it anymore anyway"

"I want to oversee the Gu refinement personally," Fang Yuan said, looking at the land spirit exuding confidence. "I'll give you warnings if anything goes wrong to ensure the success of refining Second Aperture Gu."

"What?!" Lang Ya Land Spirit's fury was palpable. His eyes flared with indignation as he glared at Fang Yuan. "You, giving me pointers in Gu refinement? Do you even know who I am? Hmph!"

Fang Yuan only smiled calmly. "Didn't you witness my skills during the earlier refinements? My abilities speak for themselves. Besides, the agreement clearly states that I'm allowed to observe the entire refinement process."

Lang Ya Land Spirit begrudgingly remembered the long-standing deal made with Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable. Long Hair Ancestor had once failed to refine an important Immortal Gu, Escape space Gu for the Demon Venerable, and in return for the failure, had agreed to refine nine Gu worms, be they mortal or immortal, at no cost. Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable had used six of those chances already, and the remaining three were sealed in his inheritance for a fated person to claim.

Finally, after a long pause, Lang Ya Land Spirit grumbled, "Very well, that was part of the agreement. And I can't deny your wisdom path attainment is indeed quite high for a mortal."

With a wave of his hand, Lang Ya Land Spirit teleported them to an enormous hall.

The room was vast, at least 5 Km in diameter, filled with various Gu refinement tools: green copper cauldrons, red steel furnaces, rainbow water tanks, and even cave houses.

"This is my Earth-grade Room C, the Gu refinement hall," Lang Ya Land Spirit introduced.

With another wave, thousands of hairy men appeared, all teleported in with stunned expressions. However, upon seeing Lang Ya Land Spirit, they immediately knelt, shouting, "The hairy men greet Lang Ya Old Immortal!"

The land spirit's face softened with affection. "Children, you may rise."

He handed out the materials for the Gu refinement. "Today, we're refining an Immortal Gu. Use the recipe I provided."

The hairy men were experts at Gu refinement, and despite their initial excitement, they quickly regained their composure and diligently started the process. They handed over their half-finished products to the elder hairy men for inspection, refining and improving as needed.

Lang Ya Land Spirit, satisfied after multiple trials, finally created the half-done version of Second Aperture Gu. It was of far higher quality than the false Second Aperture Gu Fang Yuan already had.

At this moment, Lang Ya Land Spirit glanced at Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan grinned. "You owe me a Rank 6 Immortal Gu."

Lang Ya Land Spirit frowned. "No, Divine Travel Gu has issues and isn't worth that much."

Fang Yuan smirked. "The agreement says you must bear the cost. But how about this: for now, you owe me the price of Divine Travel Gu."

With a resigned expression, Lang Ya Land Spirit agreed. "…Fine."

Muttering curses under his breath, Lang Ya Land Spirit teleported over more Gu worms and rare materials, precious items meant to increase the success rate of Gu refinement.

"A.I. Chip, simulate and alert me if anything goes wrong," Fang Yuan mentally commanded, as he activated Clear Mind Gu, restoring clarity and sharpness to his thoughts.

He took out four top-quality wines he had prepared earlier and began drinking them as the refinement process began. Divine Travel Gu transformed into flowing light, mixing with the other materials. The light expanded and contracted rhythmically, the entire process gradually reaching a critical juncture.

Fang Yuan observed closely, taking another gulp of wine. "The Immortal Gu hasn't disappeared yet… I'll continue."

After some time, the lump of light shrank and stabilized, forming the Second Aperture Gu.

As the moment of success arrived, Fang Yuan's body suddenly shook. Inside him, refinement began on its own. Dao marks formed, and in an instant, another Gu emerged—Divine Travel Gu!

Fang Yuan stood up, completely sober, laughing heartily.

Lang Ya Land Spirit glared at him with gritted teeth. "You humans are all devious and scheming! I should've known, especially with you being a wisdom path master."

"Kid, I'll remember this!" Lang Ya Land Spirit growled as he handed the Second Aperture Gu to Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan paid no mind to the land spirit's anger. He simply admired the two Immortal Gu in his possession: Second Aperture Gu and Divine Travel Gu.

He smiled coldly, eyes gleaming with ambition. "But these benefits still aren't enough."

Lang Ya Land Spirit squirmed under Fang Yuan's gaze as he stared at him warmly, plotting his next move.

...

Lang Ya Land Spirit felt uneasy under Fang Yuan's intense gaze. "You already have the Immortal Gu, why not leave now if you don't want to use your other two chances?" The land spirit was eager to see him go.

But Fang Yuan merely smiled and pulled out Divine Travel Gu, waving it teasingly in front of Lang Ya Land Spirit. "You don't want this Immortal Gu?"

Lang Ya Land Spirit's eyebrows shot up. "What, are you planning to sell it?"

Fang Yuan smirked, still holding the Divine Travel Gu. "Of course. But I also have something else." He revealed a semi-finished Second Aperture Gu that he had personally refined.

The land spirit's eyes widened with a mixture of joy and greed. With both the Divine Travel Gu and this semi-finished product, he could complete the rare Second Aperture Gu. The temptation was hard to resist.

"What do you want for them?" The land spirit asked, trying to hide his eagerness.

Fang Yuan's smile grew wider. "Just like before, you'll owe me the price of this Divine Travel Gu. And if you have anything of little value to you but great value to me, you'll sell it to me at a friendly price."

The land spirit relaxed, his posture becoming haughty. "Fine, we'll do it like that. And what about the semi-finished Second Aperture Gu?"

"I've poured all my mental and physical effort into creating this," Fang Yuan replied with a faux look of heartbreak. "I'll sell it to you cheap, just because we're such good friends."

The land spirit's expression twisted, but he couldn't resist asking: "And what do you want in return?"

"I want all the Gu recipes you have for a certain path," Fang Yuan said, his voice calm but his eyes gleaming with ambition. "And in exchange, I'll give you the recipes I showed you when I first came here."

Lang Ya land spirit smiled, "Hehe, do you think you can deceive me again? I won't give you any immortal recipes or my refinement path recipes."

Fang Yuan replied, "No need to worry, I want your recipes for the Path of___"

The land spirit hesitated. "Even though that seems like a high price for them…"

"Lang Ya Land Spirit, you're expanding your collection, and this Second Aperture Gu has already saved you plenty of resources," Fang Yuan smoothly reasoned.

After a moment, the land spirit sighed and handed over a massive set of Gu recipes. "Fine. These are the recipes from rank one to rank five for the path you wanted."

Fang Yuan beamed. "Such an important transaction!"

"Now get out," the land spirit grumbled, impatient to be rid of him.

But Fang Yuan's smile remained. "No hurry. I still have one more transaction I think you'll be very interested in."

"Oh?" The land spirit's curiosity was piqued. "And what might that be?"

Fang Yuan's voice lowered conspiratorially. "Information. Specifically, the time when I will use the Second Aperture Gu."

The land spirit's face twisted with anger. "You're despicable! Have you no shame?!"

Fang Yuan laughed heartily. "Do you want it or not?"

The land spirit glared. "How do you want to sell it?"

Fang Yuan's eyes gleamed with sharpness. "An exchange of information. I want to know everything about the Eighty-Eight True Yang Building in the Imperial Court blessed land."

The land spirit's expression shifted from shock to suspicion. "How do you know about that?!"

Fang Yuan's smile widened. "I've deduced many things about Giant Sun Immortal Venerable."

The land spirit couldn't help but sigh. "You've deduced this much already... Fine, let's exchange."

He summoned a rank four East Window Gu, a ladybug-like Gu with a square-shaped carapace designed to store information. "This is the information you asked for. Now it's your turn."

Fang Yuan grinned. "I'll send you the news before I use the Second Aperture Gu."

The land spirit's eyes narrowed. "How do I know you won't delay or cheat me again? I can destroy this East Window Gu with just a thought."

Fang Yuan feigned frustration. "You don't trust me?"

"Of course not!" The land spirit sneered. "You're the inheritor of Demon Venerable, after all. You're crafty and a master schemer. If you leave here, how could I chase you down if you extort me again?"

"Then what do you propose?" Fang Yuan asked impatiently.

"Simple. Use the Second Aperture Gu here and now. Then I'll be at ease," the land spirit said smugly.

Fang Yuan made a show of reluctance. "But I'm only a rank five Gu Master. I don't have immortal essence to use it…"

"Hand it over. I'll activate it for you!"

Seeing no way out, Fang Yuan sadly handed the Gu over. The land spirit infused it with immortal essence and tossed it back to him.

The Second Aperture Gu transformed into a bean-sized green light and burrowed into Fang Yuan's body. His whole body shook violently as the green light moved toward his navel before being rejected. It hopped to the center of his chest and exploded, forming a new aperture that appeared both real and ethereal.

Fang Yuan smiled. "Second aperture, complete. I'll take my leave now."

Only after Fang Yuan had left did the land spirit exhale in relief. "That brat... I have to be more careful with him in the future. Fortunately, I was cautious today and made him use second aperture Gu on the spot, otherwise I might have been blackmailed by him again!"

The land spirit stroked his beard and chuckled. "Wait… something doesn't feel right…"

He froze, realization dawning on him. "I wasted my immortal essence to activate that Gu!"

"Damn that schemer!"