Chapter 409: The Ancient War Seal and Gu Yuan's Thoughts

As for these two techniques,

He took out two rolls of beast hide.

The first is the "Ten Thousand Transformations Returning to Origin Formula", which can help you refine pure Immortal Essence and stabilize your foundation; the second is the "Unfading Battle Body", an ancient body‑refining method that aligns well with your path.

What a grand hand.

Gu Yuan evaluated it in his mind.

Whether it be pills, treasure armor, or techniques, they all far exceed what a rookie should receive.

"Why does the Saint Lord… act like this?"

Gu Yuan displayed just the right mix of startled flattery and a hint of caution.

"The Saint Lord values talent; seeing that the young friend comes from a barren background, he specially ordered me to bring these external items to give you extra self‑defense on the True Immortal Battlefield. Of course, he also hopes you will, on that battlefield, bring more honor to my Huntian Sacred Land."

When there is no genuine tribute, it's either treachery or theft.

"The Saint Lord's generosity… I, your junior, feel unworthy," Gu Yuan rose and gave a deep bow.

"Eh, indeed, indeed."

The Vice Saint Lord hurriedly helped him to his feet,

"The Saint Lord said you are one of my Huntian Sacred Land people; the Sacred Land is your home."

He paused, then shifted tone, lowering his voice a few degrees: "To be frank, besides carrying out the Saint Lord's command, I also have personal motives."

"Please, senior, enlighten me."

"Gu, young friend, do you know what the True Immortal Battlefield truly is?"

Gu Yuan shook his head.

"There, called a battlefield, is actually a relic from the ancient era—a breeding ground for poisonous insects!"

The Vice Saint Lord's voice carried an inexplicable fervor,

"Across the myriad heavens and realms, countless races send their top True Immortal Heavenly Pride into it, slashing each other for the chance at destiny!"

"Within, human lives are as cheap as weeds, and True Immortals shed blood, yet it also harbors tremendous opportunities! Some Heavenly Pride, with an Imperial Realm body, can reverse‑march against Immortals and slay genuine True Immortals!"

"Killing enemy‑race True Immortals yields True Immortal Tokens; amassing enough tokens lets one exchange at the battlefield's end for supreme treasures, even… the Immortal King Dao Fruit!"

Immortal King Dao Fruit!

Gu Yuan's breathing quickened slightly at the right moment.

"Rumor has it that deep within the battlefield, some Heavenly Pride, with a Supreme body, can reverse‑slay True Immortals!"

"Commander Gu, your talent is unprecedented in ten thousand ages; if you seize this chance, a leap to the heavens is no empty promise."

After speaking, the Vice Saint Lord quietly watched Gu Yuan, awaiting his response.

"Saint Lord… what do you want?" Gu Yuan asked hoarsely.

"A wise person."

The Vice Saint Lord nodded approvingly, "Ancient War Seal."

"If you can obtain it, the Saint Lord will trade a complete Immortal King Dao Fruit for it."

"The Immortal King Dao Fruit can cleanse your foundation, transforming your chaotic, unorthodox Dao Fruit, so that when you later assault the Immortal King realm, it adds at least thirty percent to your odds."

After speaking, the Vice Saint Lord fell silent, merely waiting for Gu Yuan's answer.

He stared at Gu Yuan intently, as if trying to see through him.

One complete Immortal King Dao Fruit exchanged for one Ancient War Seal of unknown use.

This deal is an irresistible temptation for any True Immortal.

Because the Immortal King Dao Fruit not only helps one comprehend the Immortal King law, but also cleanses one's own Dao Fruit, greatly increasing the chance of breaking through to the Immortal King realm.

It is a truly priceless treasure!

A long while passed.

Gu Yuan finally recovered from his shock, swallowed, and with difficulty nodded, "Senior… are you serious?"

"A gentleman keeps his word!"

"Good!"

Gu Yuan nodded heavily, his face full of excitement and ecstasy,

"If I truly obtain such a chance, I will never forget today's favor, senior!"

"Good, good, good!"

The Vice Saint Lord uttered three 'good' in succession, and his previously grim face finally showed a genuine smile.

He patted Gu Yuan's shoulder, offered a few more words of encouragement, urging him to surely practice the technique, then, satisfied, turned into a wisp of black smoke and vanished from the quiet chamber.

Only after his presence fully faded did Gu Yuan's excitement and ecstasy slowly subside, replaced by an unfathomably deep calm.

Ancient War Seal?

Who is Gu Yuan, after all?

He has always believed in equal exchange, even to the point of plucking a feather from a passing goose.

Trading a priceless Immortal King Dao Fruit for an unorthodox Dao Fruit, and calling it a way to cleanse your foundation?

Just thinking of it shows its value must far exceed that of the Immortal King Dao Fruit.

"It seems the value of this Ancient War Seal is far greater than I imagined, even… for some beings, more important than the Immortal King Dao Fruit."

Gu Yuan's gaze finally settled on those two beast‑hide technique scrolls.

He did not touch them, but his spirit subtly moved, imprinting the contents of the "Ten Thousand Transformations Returning to Origin Formula" onto his Sea of Consciousness.

The technique's profound secrets directly target the Dao's origin; indeed it is a rare top‑tier method that could drive any True Immortal mad.

However, before Gu Yuan's chaotic divine soul, which has merged with the World Tree's essence, any disguise cannot hide.

He saw it.

Within the most core, deepest rule rune of that cultivation technique, a wisp of gray‑black aura is hidden.

That aura is so familiar.

the Eradication Source Power.

Moreover, compared with the scraps left by the Great Yin Divine Court's Hidden Spring, this wisp of aura is countless times purer and more condensed.

It is like a meticulously disguised deadly seed; once a cultivator refines it into their body, it silently takes root in the Dao Fruit, and as the cultivator trains, it continuously draws from its source to grow.

Eventually, at a certain moment, it erupts with a thunderous blast, turning the cultivator and their spirit‑Dao Fruit completely into a puppet of the Eradication Source Power.

What a sinister method.

What a familiar formula.

Gu Yuan's mouth corner lifted into a cold curve.

He determined it almost instantly.

The pills and armor were likely the Saint Lord's handiwork, while this technique was later added by the Vice Saint Lord.

He intends to contaminate himself.

To turn himself into a slave of the Eradication Source Power, just like him.

"Not a bad plan."

For the Vice Saint Lord, this plan is almost a sure profit.

If any other true immortal, even a celestial prodigy like Hun Yuan Xue, obtained this technique, they would likely unwittingly walk the Dao and ultimately be lost for ten thousand eons.

And if they do not cultivate, the Vice Saint Lord will know their scheme has been exposed.

As for the risk…

He could simply say it was provided by the Saint Lord, throwing the pot onto the Saint Lord's head.

However… that is for ordinary people.

For Gu Yuan…

The Eradication Source Power… is the supreme tonic!

Within Gu Yuan's inner world, the towering World Tree seemed to sense the outside delicacy; its branches swayed without wind, emitting a cheerful hum.

A bold, even reckless, plan quickly took shape in Gu Yuan's mind.

The Vice Saint Lord wants to turn him into a puppet?

Then he'll turn the plan onto itself, disguising himself as a successfully corrupted insider, using it as a springboard to approach Now Faction: Zang Tian Ge!