The Devil King? No, Please Call Me The Immortal King Xiaoyao.

"Then it's settled, Bai Ningbing."

Inside the valley, Yi Xin casually brushed away Bai Ningbing's hand, who was looking around like a curious child and trying to touch everything.

"Hehe," Bai Ningbing didn't seem embarrassed. He asked Yi Xin again, "Are you so sure you will succeed?"

Yi Xin's expression turned resolute. "Humans can conquer nature. I have done my best, and even if I fail, I won't regret it. If you believe in me, you should handle your affairs well."

Bai Ningbing laughed loudly. "Hahahaha, who would have thought that you, Gu Yue Yi Xin, are the most insane and demonic one!"

"Just so-so, I'm still a bit behind you, Bai Ningbing."

...

"Fang Yuan! Don't run, let's kill each other!"

In the forest, two figures were engaged in a fierce chase.

One had white hair and white clothes, with a crazed expression, it was Bai Ningbing.

The other had black hair and black clothes, with a cold expression, it was Gu Yue Fang Yuan.

His eyes were icy as he stared at Bai Ningbing. "If you want to kill me, then come."

But as soon as he said that, he turned and jumped down from a high point in the forest.

Bai Ningbing's laughter stopped abruptly, turning into angry frustration. "Don't you run!"

He immediately took off, chasing after Fang Yuan relentlessly.

Fang Yuan sneered silently, heading straight for the valley.

In the valley, a small team was clearing out a wolf pack. They were not in good condition, clearly losing to the wolves. When they saw someone approaching, they shouted excitedly, "Reinforcements are here!"

But when they saw who it was, they realized something was wrong. Fang Yuan was covered in white jade light, desperately resisting the electric wolves, not fighting back, only focusing on moving forward.

Behind him, Bai Ningbing was full of fighting spirit, a sharp ice blade chasing after Fang Yuan, both of them charging forward, with many electric wolves being killed in the process.

"You!"

A Gu Master in the team was about to ask what was going on, but Fang Yuan grabbed him and threw him directly at Bai Ningbing. Bai Ningbing didn't hesitate, slicing the person in half with a sword.

The other Gu Masters were horrified, completely confused. But while they were stunned, Fang Yuan immediately used them all as meat shields.

With several "Defense Descent" activations, Fang Yuan quickly created a large distance between himself and Bai Ningbing.

Even so, Bai Ningbing was still chasing relentlessly. Even Fang Yuan couldn't understand what madness had gripped Bai Ningbing.

He had initially managed to calm him down with words, but then he immediately went crazy, insisting on a life-or-death duel.

The two chased and fled, encountering several Gu Master teams along the way, but unfortunately, they were all too weak and became "speed bumps" in their chase.

Until a team appeared, giving Fang Yuan hope of escaping.

"Brother Qing Shu, has Yi Xin still not come?" Fang Zheng asked Gu Yue Qing Shu.

Gu Yue Qing Shu could only give a helpless smile upon hearing this question. "There's no helping it. Yi Xin has subdued the Devouring River Toad, and his strength is unmatched. Moreover, the Devouring River Toad needs him to control it, otherwise, if it goes berserk, it would be a devastating blow to Qing Mao Mountain."

"Besides, didn't he also carry out a mission? You saw it too, he single-handedly annihilated several thousand beasts in one night. His battle merits are inexhaustible, so naturally, there's no need for him to come out with us."

Fang Zheng was a little frustrated after hearing this. "Compared to Yi Xin, I feel like I'm not even a Grade A. My cultivation and strength are far too lacking."

Gu Yue Qing Shu gently patted his shoulder. "Fang Zheng, don't underestimate yourself. You are still young and have Grade A aptitude. You may not be able to reach Yi Xin's level in the future. Remember, accumulate strength before unleashing it."

Fang Zheng looked up at Qing Shu, and when his eyes met Qing Shu's gentle, jade-like eyes, he nodded in agreement. "I understand. Please rest assured, Brother Qing Shu."

"That's good..." Qing Shu was saying when a scouting Gu Master in the team suddenly spoke, "Not far ahead, there is a Gu Master running at high speed."

Everyone's expression changed.

The healing Gu Master, Gu Yue Yao Hong, said with a solemn expression, "It must be a team that was scattered by the wolf pack. Let's go and rescue them quickly."

They quickly approached the person, and when they reached the central area of the valley, they saw the person clearly.

A black-clothed figure suddenly turned a corner and appeared before them.

Fang Zheng was shocked. "Brother!"

The others in the team were also puzzled. Gu Yue Qing Shu asked directly, "Fang Yuan, what happened?"

Fang Yuan shouted, "Help! Bai Ningbing is crazy, he's killing people indiscriminately!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Ningbing, covered in blood, suddenly rushed out, laughing maniacally. "Come and kill me, Fang Yuan!"

Everyone was shocked, and Gu Yue Qing Shu's expression became even more grave.

Fang Yuan immediately seized the opportunity and rushed into Qing Shu's team.

"Damn it!" The healing Gu Master, Gu Yue Yao Hong, cursed Fang Yuan, "If you rush in, Bai Ningbing will come after us."

As she said, Bai Ningbing shot out an ice blade without saying a word, directly towards the crowd.

Gu Yue Qing Shu's eyes narrowed.

Green Vine Gu!

Immediately, green vines emerged from his palm, instantly turning into a shield, blocking the ice blade.

"What are you doing, Bai Ningbing!"

"We have an agreement."

Gu Yue Qing Shu questioned.

But Bai Ningbing didn't seem to hear him at all, and continued to fire ice blades. The green vine shield that Gu Yue Qing Shu had hastily erected was immediately destroyed, almost falling apart.

"You!"

Gu Yue Qing Shu's anger flared up.

Fang Yuan also took the opportunity to fan the flames. "Senior Qing Shu, this Bai Ningbing has been killing our clan's Gu Masters all the way. I think the Bai family wants to openly break the agreement and dominate Qing Mao Mountain."

Gu Yue Qing Shu immediately retorted, "Don't talk nonsense. Whether or not there is a breach of contract will be decided by the clan leader. This Bai Ningbing is mentally unstable. You guys leave, I'll hold him back."

As soon as he finished speaking, an ice blade pierced through the shield and slashed towards Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan was shocked and immediately dodged, but his dodge exposed Gu Yue Yao Hong behind him. Gu Yue Yao Hong didn't expect Fang Yuan to react so quickly, and it was too late for her to dodge.

The ice blade instantly cut her in half.

"Yao Hong!" Qing Shu's eyes were bloodshot at this sight.

"Sister Yao Hong..." Fang Zheng was splattered with blood and was terrified.

Gu Yue Qing Shu no longer hesitated, and instantly stretched out several vines, wrapping around the waists of the others, and then threw them onto the hillside, shouting, "Run!"

Fang Yuan immediately got up, grabbed Fang Zheng's collar, turned and ran.

Fang Zheng shouted in grief, "Brother Qing Shu!"

The result of the battle was undoubtedly clear. Bai Ningbing's strength was the strongest among the Rank 3, except for Yi Xin. Gu Yue Qing Shu was naturally not his opponent.

But Bai Ningbing didn't intend to kill him. He only wanted to find Fang Yuan, but Gu Yue Qing Shu kept blocking him.

In his anxiety, Bai Ningbing released his full strength, making it difficult for Gu Yue Qing Shu to parry.

If Bai Ningbing was crazy, then Gu Yue Qing Shu was no better.

Seeing that he was unable to stop him, he directly and frantically activated the Wood Charm Gu.

This Wood Charm Gu had great drawbacks. The longer it was used, the more the person would turn into a dead tree.

But to protect his clansmen, Gu Yue Qing Shu didn't care about sacrificing himself.

"Everything has a price." He told himself.

Thus, a fierce battle unfolded.

Green vines and ice blades entangled, ice cones and pine needles shot at each other!

One side was the Northern Dark Ice Soul Body, with extremely fast True Yuan recovery speed. The other side was the Wood Charm Tree Spirit body, with natural Yuan Qi at its disposal.

Their battle lasted a long time.

This was an unnecessary battle, but unfortunately, both sides felt it was necessary.

One started fighting, from not wanting to fight to wanting to fight.

One didn't want to fight, but had to fight.

"Boom!"

With a loud bang, Gu Yue Qing Shu was blasted into the ice.

"It's over..." Bai Ningbing sighed with lingering excitement.

Gu Yue Qing Shu was covered in ice thorns, with a sharp blade piercing through his heart.

Bai Ningbing looked at Gu Yue Qing Shu and murmured, "I really don't understand what you were thinking, insisting on stopping me. Are your clansmen that important to you?"

"But I still thank you for providing me with such a wonderful battle. Gu Yue Qing Shu, you died well and have been remembered by me."

But before he finished speaking, Gu Yue Qing Shu stood up as if he had risen from the dead.

"What!"

In Bai Ningbing's surprised gaze, Gu Yue Qing Shu was changing.

His body began to grow larger, and his Rank 2 Gu Master uniform was quickly torn apart.

His hair turned into green vines, with green vine leaves the size of palms hanging on them.

His fingers were completely transformed into tough wood, and his arms and legs turned into thick branches, retaining the general shape of his hands and feet.

He stood up, but his face was no longer the same. His original delicate and gentle face had completely transformed into the face of a tree spirit with a pointed nose and huge eyes.

He was three meters tall, with a sturdy body, and thick brown bark like armor, covered with large green leaves and vines.

Bai Ningbing looked at his transformation in shock. Compared to the current Gu Yue Qing Shu, he was like a child at the feet of an adult.

Seeing his appearance, Bai Ningbing exclaimed, "Wood Charm Gu! If you use it like this, you will eventually turn into a dead tree. Is it really necessary to do this?"

"Bai Ningbing, you are very dangerous." Gu Yue Qing Shu now had a look of killing intent. "A person like you living in Qing Mao Mountain will definitely bring disaster to the Gu Yue clan. I will now completely eliminate this danger!"

As soon as he finished speaking, hundreds of green ancient vines, like giant pythons, attacked Bai Ningbing.

"For the family? How foolish!" Bai Ningbing retreated in shock.

Another fierce battle unfolded.

But this time, both sides had the intention of killing each other.

While Fang Zheng was leading the elders to arrive, the battle between the two had already entered a fever pitch.

Under the powerful combat power of Gu Yue Qing Shu's tree transformation, Bai Ningbing's pressure increased sharply. As long as he made a slight mistake, he would be killed by Gu Yue Qing Shu on the spot.

But he was a genius after all. Under the stimulation of death, he squeezed out all his potential, and his dodging movements became more and more crisp and concise.

For a time, Gu Yue Qing Shu couldn't take him down. Just as Gu Yue Qing Shu wanted to activate more tree vines, his consciousness began to falter and intermittently.

"Not good, the Wood Charm Gu has eroded to the limit!"

"Damn it, this Bai Ningbing is still not dead!"

He roused his last bit of will, and a wooden vine quickly rushed towards Bai Ningbing's heart.

Bai Ningbing was shocked, and he immediately raised his right hand. Suddenly, his right hand exploded directly.

In an instant, clouds and mist rose, and intense cold air spread wildly around.

Crackling...

Frost slowed down the attack of the wooden vine, but the speed of the wooden vine was extremely fast and unimaginable. Although the speed was reduced, it still quickly came to Bai Ningbing's face.

Bai Ningbing reacted immediately.

"Puchi!"

Bai Ningbing's chest was immediately pierced by the wooden vine.

"Ningbing!"

A cry came, and everyone who came was wearing Bai family village clothes.

They immediately took action, directly cutting off the wooden vine and bringing Bai Ningbing into the team.

But just as they came down from the hillside, another group of people came from a distance.

The leader was Fang Zheng, the Gu Yue clan had arrived.

"Brother Qing Shu!" Seeing the unrecognizable Gu Yue Qing Shu, Fang Zheng couldn't accept it. He wanted to rush over, but was stopped by the elder beside him.

The elder's eyes were stern, staring at the Gu Master team of Bai family village.

Two days later, Yi Xin received the invitation to Gu Yue Qing Shu's funeral.

Bai family village and Gu Yue village ultimately did not start a war. Now that the beast tide has not subsided, if the two families have a large-scale conflict, then the entire Qing Mao Mountain will be trampled by the beast tide.

After weighing the pros and cons, they could only give up, but because of this incident, the entire alliance seemed not as united as before.

At Gu Yue Qing Shu's funeral, Fang Zheng cried very sadly, but Fang Yuan did not come to attend, not knowing what he was doing.

Yi Xin looked at the stone tablet engraved with "Grave of Gu Yue Qing Shu" and couldn't help but be a little dazed, but he was not saddened by Gu Yue Qing Shu's death. On the contrary, he was very fortunate and emotional.

"Unexpectedly, I changed some things, but your ending is still the same."

"However, your death is very good for me. You are dead, the younger generation of the Gu Yue clan can only rely on me, so that I can better realize my plan."

"Heh, this world is so gray and unreasonable."

"Senior Qing Shu, don't worry, the name of Gu Yue will surely resound throughout the five regions and two heavens in the future, and the world will remember our Gu Yue clan."

After Gu Yue Qing Shu's death, many things happened, especially Fang Yuan, he felt uneasy every day.

Of course, he was not feeling guilty about Gu Yue Qing Shu, but felt a crisis, a life-threatening pressure, as if a pair of hands had firmly grasped him in his palm.

But he didn't have time to think, because many people began to target him, first of all Fang Zheng, he believed that Fang Yuan killed Qing Shu.

He roared at Fang Yuan: "If you hadn't attracted Bai Ningbing, Brother Qing Shu would not have died!"

Then there was Gu Yue Yao Ji, because Fang Yuan had taken the wine worm from her before, she had always held a grudge, and then Fang Yuan had provoked her granddaughter Gu Yue Yao Le.

Adding the two together, Gu Yue Yao Ji often came to find Fang Yuan's trouble.

There was also the extremely dangerous Bai Ningbing. Fang Yuan's pressure during this period was unprecedentedly great. He urgently needed a breakthrough, and that was to advance to Rank 3.

Only by advancing to the third rank can I contend against Gu Yue Ya Ji and seize the time to fully explore the Flower Wine inheritance.

Moreover, I've always had a faint feeling that Gu Yue Yi Xin is no simple character and couldn't possibly just be an ordinary grade-A talent.

However, Gu Yue Yi Xin didn't interact much with people in the past. I never saw him antagonize anyone in the clan. Besides being ahead of others in cultivation, he was usually an invisible person. Now, his strength is already at the high stage of the third rank, and he spends most of his time in the back mountain, accompanied by the fifth-rank Devouring River Toad.

Fang Yuan no longer feels he has the ability to test him. Only by quickly advancing to the third rank and leaving Qing Mao Mountain is what truly matters.

Too many bad things have happened recently within Qing Mao Mountain.

Especially within the Gu Yue clan, because of Gu Yue Qing Shu's death, the seeds of power struggles have begun to sprout.

But unfortunately, Gu Yue Yi Xin, who is at the center of the power struggle, is as calm as water. This fire is always on the verge of burning but never ignites. Amidst this oppressive atmosphere, a bombshell news arrived, providing fuel for this fire.

What exactly is it?

It's Fang Yuan,

Advancing to the third rank!