Courting Death

Gu Fang heard the voice and saw Gu Dao appear. He immediately bowed in salute.

Even though Gu Fang was the son of Clan Chief Gu Yuan, he still had to show the proper respect before Gu Dao, one of the Three Immortals.

"Elder Gu Dao, I believe the pill and medicinal ingredient tests are originally two separate tests. If their time limits are combined, it would be unfair to the others," Gu Fang said slowly after saluting.

The moment Gu Fang's words left his mouth, silence swallowed the previously chattering trial grounds.

Gu Qingyang, Gu Yao, Gu Xing, and the others standing beside Gu Fang all glanced at him when they heard his words.

If this had happened before the earlier assessment, Gu Yao, Gu Xing, and the others would probably have directly argued back or even mocked him.

But now, as "failures," they could not. Whether it was the previous test or this one, Gu Fang had crushed them with absolute strength.

Gu Fang's hard-earned strength was right there. As the victor, whatever Gu Fang said...

He had the right to say it!

They could only suppress the distracting thoughts in their hearts and continue their unfinished tests!

The expressions of the onlookers below varied, but not a single one commented further on Gu Fang's words.

As spectators, they had an even more direct understanding of the gap between the two sides. They were simply not on the same level.

How could someone who could identify pills and medicinal ingredients so skillfully possibly be slow?

Gu Dao frowned and looked Gu Fang over from head to toe. He could tell Gu Fang was sincere. Such confidence and the pursuit of fairness were good things.

But...

As someone with a Divine Grade bloodline, as one of the Ancient Clan's future peak experts, perhaps even someone who would step into that realm, blindly pursuing fairness...

Was not a good thing!

Constant success would breed arrogance.

Growing up constantly in a peaceful environment would leave one unaware that this world had never been fair.

Which expert did not have millions of corpses beneath his feet?

And which expert's path of cultivation had begun from the same starting line as everyone else's?

As these thoughts passed through Gu Dao's mind, his gaze slowly moved away from Gu Fang. A crafty smile gradually appeared on his face!

"Fairness, huh."

After saying that, Gu Dao looked at Gu Fang. "Then watch carefully. See what fairness truly means!"

"My name is Gu Dao. In my capacity as the supervising elder of the cultivation technique inheritance ceremony, I hereby declare the test suspended. Everyone, put down what you are doing!"

At Gu Dao's words, Gu Qingyang and the other testers looked confused, but they still stopped what they were doing as instructed.

Once everyone had stopped, Gu Dao raised his hand again. "In my capacity as the supervising elder of the cultivation technique inheritance ceremony, I hereby exercise my authority to establish provisional rules!"

Gu Fang listened to Gu Dao's words. Though he did not understand what Gu Dao had meant at first, he also knew...

Elder Gu Dao had accepted his suggestion.

But Gu Dao's next words instantly twisted Gu Fang's calm expression.

"For the first portion of this pill and medicinal ingredient test, the pill test time will not be counted, nor will its results be counted. However, once one withdraws from the test, one may not reenter it.

"The provisional rules have been established. I request a ruling from the Clan Chief, the Ancient Clan's Three Immortals, and the other Supreme Elders."

"In the name of Gu Dao, one of the Ancient Clan's Three Immortals, I declare the provisional rules approved!"

"The ruling has concluded. Within the allotted time, twenty-eight Supreme Elders did not express their opinions. Gu Dao, one of the Three Immortals, has approved it. The Clan Chief did not express an opinion.

"According to the lowest level of ruling authority, the provisional rules are approved!"

By this point, Gu Fang wore the expression of an old man on the subway staring at his phone. He had proposed it and approved it himself—how could it possibly fail to pass?

Though Gu Fang grumbled inwardly, he understood that everything complied with the rules. The supervising elder of the cultivation technique inheritance ceremony held the authority to establish provisional rules and could temporarily create such rules.

After establishing temporary rules, however, he had to seek the opinions of the Supreme Elders, the Three Immortals, or the Clan Chief.

According to the rules, only after any one of the Three Immortals or the Clan Chief expressed approval could the opinion period be ended, after which the provisional rules would be judged according to authority weighting!

And the coincidence was that the supervising elder of the cultivation technique inheritance ceremony was Elder Gu Dao, one of the Three Immortals. That was why this bizarre process had occurred!

Everything was compliant, yet it somehow did not feel proper at all!

"What exactly is he trying to do?" Gu Fang muttered to himself.

"What are you all standing around for? Continue your pill tests."

After saying that, Gu Dao shot Gu Fang a sidelong glance and continued, "Remember, the pill test no longer counts toward your results. Make good use of the remaining half-stick of incense!"

Gu Dao's words were calm, but when they fell into the ears of Gu Fang, Gu Qingyang, and the others, they all shuddered.

Gu Qingyang and the others nodded heavily, then stepped into their testing positions together. Golden pillars of light enveloped them.

But this time, Gu Fang could not see their movements at all.

Naturally, they could not see one another either.

Gu Fang stared directly at Gu Dao.

At the same time, Gu Dao turned his gaze toward him. "This is the fairness you wanted. How does it feel?

"What fairness is there in this world?

"Whether it is worth it or not is for you to decide!"

After saying that, Gu Dao's figure vanished into the void.

Gu Fang looked at the spot where Gu Dao had disappeared. His eyes slowly closed, his breathing immediately became long and steady, and his expression turned solemn.

Gu Fang now understood what Gu Dao had meant by his words to Gu Qingyang and the others. The pill results would not be counted, and there was only half a stick of incense left...

He was telling Gu Qingyang and the others that the pill test was no longer important. They did not need to care about it anymore.

They had to make good use of the final half-stick of incense and begin the next medicinal ingredient test early!

Half a stick of incense was equivalent to fifteen minutes in his previous life. Under normal circumstances, that was not enough to complete the medicinal ingredient test, but it was enough to finish most of it!

By the time conversion from his previous life, the fastest record had been sixteen and a half minutes. In other words, once the fifteen minutes were over, he had to finish within one and a half minutes to take first place.

It was not because Gu Fang had any obsession with first place, but because...

Gu Fang's Battle Qi strength was too weak.

With his Battle Qi strength ranked dead last, only by taking first in everything else could he securely charge into the top eight and obtain a slot!

A casual remark had turned a guaranteed victory into something so uncertain, but Gu Fang did not regret his decision. He already knew that regret was useless.

"Clan Chief, do not appear and stop the test!"

The moment Gu Dao tore open a spatial passage, he connected with Gu Yuan's soul and spoke hurriedly. Although Gu Dao's actions had complied with the rules...

As Clan Chief, Gu Yuan could completely overturn that provisional rule and establish a new one!

If Gu Yuan did that, his own embarrassment would be a minor matter. The most important thing was that all his painstaking efforts would be wasted.

As the holder of a Divine Grade bloodline and the Clan Chief's son, Gu Fang's status made it difficult for him to understand the disparities of this world.

Today's cultivation technique inheritance ceremony was a rare opportunity.

"I naturally understand your intentions!"

Gu Yuan replied, "But isn't the price this time a little too great? If he misses this cultivation technique inheritance, Tian'er's growth will be delayed by at least a year!"

As he spoke, Gu Yuan let out a deep sigh. At this moment, he had completely shed the majesty of the Ancient Clan's Clan Chief and had become a father worried about his child's future!

Seeing Gu Yuan like this, the Three Immortals exchanged looks, all wearing helpless expressions.

Finally, Gu Dao stepped forward with a bitter smile. "Clan Chief, surely you understand Divine Grade bloodlines better than the three of us?

"With a fully awakened Divine Grade bloodline, there will be no issue cultivating the Ancient Sage Treasure Codex even without the assistance of the inheritance ceremony!

"Even if there is a delay, it will not be much!"

"Sigh, even if he can cultivate it successfully, who knows what impact this failure will have on Fang'er's future cultivation? Besides, I have too many matters to attend to and cannot spare the time to oversee Fang'er's cultivation.

"If he has to comprehend it himself and something goes wrong...

"Then the future of my Ancient Clan..."

Gu Yuan let out another heavy sigh. Yet as he sighed, his eyes remained fixed on Gu Dao without shifting even once!

Deep within them lay a trace of craftiness.

Meeting Gu Yuan's gaze, Gu Dao's mouth twitched. He then quietly discussed matters with the other two Immortals.

Afterward, he said helplessly, "Clan Chief, the three of us will discuss and handle Tian'er's future cultivation and the instruction of the Ancient Sage Treasure Codex. We absolutely will not delay Fang'er's growth.

"What do you think?"

"Then Fang'er will be in the care of you three!" The moment Gu Yuan heard Gu Dao's words, he immediately withdrew his previous expression and resumed the dignified manner of a Clan Chief, as though none of that had ever happened!

Although Gu Yuan was powerful, with the strength of a Peak Nine-star Battle Saint, he had countless duties as Clan Chief and truly did not have much time to teach Gu Fang.

Other than himself, the strongest members of the Ancient Clan were the Three Immortals before him. But the Three Immortals were powerful and held exalted status.

Even as Clan Chief, he could not force them to teach Fang'er.

So he had taken this opportunity and used this method.

For the sake of his child, what did it matter if he had no shame?

It was not as though they could beat him anyway!

Seeing the Clan Chief act this way, the Three Immortals all shook their heads helplessly, but said nothing more. As far as the three of them were concerned, once they made a decision, it would not easily change.

If they did not wish to teach someone, no one's words would matter. If they wished to teach someone, then likewise, no one's words would matter!

A young holder of a Divine Grade bloodline was something that had never appeared in the history of the Ancient Clan. They also wanted to know just how far Gu Fang could grow in the future.

So even if Gu Yuan had not acted this way, they would have offered to teach Gu Fang!

Then, turning their gazes toward Gu Fang, who stood upright on the testing platform, the three of them simultaneously rummaged through their Storage Rings. One incomparably precious medicinal ingredient after another appeared as though they were roadside weeds.

In no time, they had piled up a huge heap!

They had already begun preparing for Gu Fang's cultivation of the Ancient Sage Treasure Codex. In the eyes of the Three Immortals and Gu Yuan, Gu Fang was already bound to lose.

A gap of fifteen minutes!

It was an uncrossable chasm. Even if Gu Fang had a Divine Grade bloodline, he could not cross such a heavenly divide!

The medicinal ingredient test had not even begun, yet Gu Fang...

Had already lost!

This was the fact observed by Gu Yuan, the Ancient Clan's strongest expert, and the Three Immortals!

"Old Demon Han, looks like this time even the Battle Emperor has sealed your window shut. Want me to help open another one?"

Standing beside Elder Han, Gu Nanhai spoke in a strange tone. "Small hammer, forty. Big hammer, eighty!"

"Get lost!"

Elder Han's Battle Qi erupted, sending Gu Nanhai flying to the side. Clearly, the old man was in an extremely foul mood.

Gu Nanhai staggered after being struck by Elder Han's Battle Qi, but there was not the slightest anger on his face. He knew Old Demon Han's mood was certainly extremely "colorful" right now!

Over this matter with your disciple, I can laugh at you for the rest of your life.

Thinking that, Gu Nanhai rummaged through his Storage Ring. A small jade mirror appeared in his hand, displaying the situations of the various trial participants in a continuous loop.

Activating the power of space, Gu Nanhai covered three steps in one and arrived beside Elder Han, shoving the mirror in front of him.

"Hey, Old Demon, look! This kid is already searching for his second set of pills!

"And this one, the black-and-white-haired fellow, he's already found half of his second set of pills, right?

"Oh my, look at this one. He hasn't moved at all. He isn't even inside the trial area. He definitely won't make it in time!"

The trial area Gu Nanhai referred to at the end was naturally Gu Fang's. His tone carried such maddening frivolity that even someone uninvolved could hear the mockery in it.

But...

Old Demon Han merely rolled his eyes, as though he felt helpless!

Then he snatched the jade mirror and squeezed lightly with his hand, turning it into powder that scattered away. Yet just before it became dust, Elder Han glanced at its contents.

And with that single glance, the old man froze in place. Several seconds later, the irritation on his face vanished.

It was replaced by a smile.

Seeing Elder Han smile, Gu Nanhai frowned and muttered to himself, "Did Old Demon Han go mad after seeing his eldest disciple, for whom he opened a window, about to fail?"

"You're the one who's mad. You Ancient Clan brutes, what do you know about alchemy?"

After saying that, Elder Han waved his hand lightly. The image he had only glanced at earlier appeared before him again. Looking over those "chaotically arranged" medicinal ingredients once more, the old man's smile deepened.

"That brat gave me a scare. This is getting interesting!"

"Let's make a run for it!"

Gu Fang muttered as an image filled with medicinal ingredients appeared in his mind.

Indeed...

Gu Fang could not observe the medicinal ingredients in his current location, but his exceptional soul power had already recorded the locations of the medicinal ingredients during the pill test.

Several dozen seconds later, a faint smile appeared on Gu Fang's face. "There should be enough time!

"Fortunately, I moved some medicinal ingredients out of habit during the pill test. Otherwise, one and a half minutes definitely would not be enough."