RI: The One and Only Great Love (Old Version)

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After many ups and downs, Fang Yuan finally obtained the Change Form Immortal Gu.

"Alliance Leader, every time I watch you refine, I'm amazed by your skill. Truly worthy of being the legendary Long Hair Ancestor's Land Spirit," Fang Yuan said with genuine admiration.

He marveled at the remarkable attainment of the Long Hair Ancestor, one of the only three individuals in history to reach Supreme Grandmaster Attainment in the refinement path. "If not for the restrictions of fate, they could have become Venerables in their time," Fang Yuan thought of the legendry three, the Three Olds.

"Hehehe." Lang Ya laughed, clearly pleased by the praise. The thought of having someone like Fang Yuan in the Hairy Men Alliance delighted him, especially since Fang Yuan was a lone immortal with immense potential. The prospect of gaining Fang Yuan's loyalty—or even the possibility that Fang Yuan might one day become a Hairy Man himself—made Lang Ya's excitement grow.

"Welcome to the Hairy Men Alliance, Fang Yuan," Lang Ya declared, his voice warm and filled with genuine pride. "I assure you, you will never regret this decision."

The Hairy Men around them cheered in agreement, their faces alight with joy, as if welcoming Fang Yuan into their family. They were already treating him as one of their own.

Fang Yuan, however, remained composed. His thoughts churned with calculations and schemes, but his outward smile radiated warmth and sincerity. "They need to know who Fang Yuan truly is," he mused. "I must plant the seeds of my image now, as the future Great Love Immortal Venerable."

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"I am honored to join this Alliance," Fang Yuan began, his voice steady and filled with conviction. "Together, with you—the incredible Hairy Men race—we can reshape this world."

His words carried a magnetic force, drawing everyone's attention.

"I've always respected every race, always hated witnessing their suffering. To watch Hairy Men, or any race, treated like slaves—no, I cannot stand it. No one, no child, should be born a slave. No one should die as one, their life filled with darkness and despair. No one should die without ever seeing the light of freedom."

A hushed silence fell over the gathering as Fang Yuan's words sank in. The Hairy Men around him felt the weight of his message.

"Did any of you ever imagine himself in this fate?" Fang Yuan's voice softened, but the intensity of his gaze pierced through them and the pain in his words was undeniable.

"Do any of you want to live in a future where you were born to serve, to be enslaved, to have no hope of a better life?"

"Did you want to live and die as tools for others, your dignity stripped away, your hopes crushed?"

A deep sadness seemed to ripple through the crowd, their shoulders drooping under the weight of shared pain.

"But it doesn't have to be this way," Fang Yuan declared, his voice rising with determination. "I have a dream—a promise I made to myself—no matter the cost, I would change this cruel world."

"A world where all beings live with dignity, where slavery is abolished, and peace reigns. Some of you may believe that revenge is the answer, that enslaving others would make things right. But would that truly make us different from our oppressors? No. We must rise above such hatred."

"No one should have to live in chains, whether they are Hairy Men or any other race."

He paused, his tone growing resolute. "I, Fang Yuan, will become a Venerable, and I will ensure that all races are treated equally. No one should fear losing their family or their freedom. No one should live in chains, trembling at the whims of the strong. This alliance is the first step toward a world where war and slavery no longer exist. A world where all beings, regardless of race, can live freely and equally."

The Hairy Men looked at each other in shock, their expressions a mixture of awe and disbelief as Fang Yuan continued.

"This alliance is not just a gathering of like-minded people. It is the first step toward true peace—where all beings live freely, with equal rights, where no one has to fear that one day a stronger Gu Master will come to steal everything from them."

"No more war. No more slavery. No more fear. All for the world's peace."

Fang Yuan's words lingered like a powerful promise, heavy with meaning and conviction. The room was utterly silent, the weight of his vow settling over the Hairy Men like a solemn decree.

Then, at last, the silence shattered. The Hairy Men, their hearts ablaze with newfound hope, erupted into cheers. They roared Fang Yuan's vow—"world peace!"—in unison, their voices echoing with unbridled passion. The phrase world's peace resonated deeply within them, a vision so incredible it left their spirits soaring.

For the first time, they dared to dream of a world where they were free—not only from the chains of slavery but from the paralyzing grip of fear itself.

Fang Yuan wasn't lying—he truly intended to pursue this vision. Coming from the modern world, his perspective was vastly different from that of the Hairy Men. To them, his ideals seemed revolutionary, almost utopian. By the standards of this world, his heart could even be called the most kind.

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Fang Yuan's expression remained calm, but inside, he felt a flicker of satisfaction. "They're moved by my words," he thought, "but they don't see the truth behind them."

"Most living beings cling to their so-called dignity, but dignity means nothing without freedom," Fang Yuan mused inwardly. "If I simply rename slavery, redefine its terms, and ensure they work harder while believing they are free—won't that create a world far more efficient and orderly? A world entirely under my control."

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he signaled to Lang Ya before retreating. The Hairy Men continued to cheer, their voices full of hope for the future Fang Yuan had promised.

Lang Ya watched him go, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. "Can such a future truly be possible?" he wondered, the question lingering even as he turned back to his people.

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Later, Lang Ya visited Fang Yuan in his quarters.

Lang Ya seemed hesitant, but his calm tone masked his conflicted feelings. "The alliance agreement is simple. If the blessed land is attacked, you come to defend it. And, of course, no harming alliance members. Everything else is minor," he explained casually.

"I see..." Fang Yuan replied thoughtfully, his mind already evaluating how best to navigate these terms.

The Hairy Men Alliance operated on straightforward principles. Members earned alliance points through contributions, which they could use to exchange resources or commission tasks. To Fang Yuan, it seemed less like an organization and more like a loose gathering aimed at fostering unity among the Alliance members.

"This setup suits me perfectly," Fang Yuan thought. "I have countless mortal Gu that need refining. I can post tasks and let the Hairy Men handle it. But first, there's a matter to address."

"Alliance Leader," Fang Yuan said, lowering his voice, "I need your help with something—something that must remain a secret between us."

Lang Ya raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Oh? What is it?"

Fang Yuan's expression grew serious. "This cannot leave this room. Not even the other Hairy Man immortals can know. Can I trust you?"

(A/N: Not even the readers.)

Lang Ya chuckled, though he sensed the gravity of Fang Yuan's request. "Of course! You have my word."

The two delved into a private discussion. Fang Yuan made full use of his new status as an alliance member, as well as the compensation Lang Ya had previously promised due to the failed refinement attempt, which had been disrupted by an unknown Hairy Man's attack.

Despite his careful negotiation, Fang Yuan still ended up owing a large sum of alliance points to Lang Ya by the end of their talks.

Even so, Fang Yuan ended up with many benefits. For anyone else, Lang Ya would never have offered such favorable terms.

However, Fang Yuan's immense value to the alliance made these concessions worthwhile. Lang Ya saw it as a strategic investment in Fang Yuan's potential contributions.

To secure the agreement, Fang Yuan gave Lang Ya his word: if he couldn't repay the debt within a year, he would offer his Immortal Gu worms as compensation.

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As Fang Yuan found himself alone, his thoughts grew sharp and focused. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as a glimmer of resolve burned in his eyes.

"This is only the beginning," he mused, his voice low but steady. "The one and only Great Love Immortal Venerable's legacy starts now."

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(Next Chapter should be the last before finally entering Imperial Court Blessed Land.)