The sky was overcast, a steady drizzle falling.
Fang Yuan flew through the air, wreathed in mist.
"Arriving." With a thought, he lowered his altitude. The mist in his view thinned, revealing the vast, wild earth below.
Southern Border was mountainous, and the land beneath Fang Yuan's feet was no exception – a dense forest of peaks, covered in lush greenery. Amidst this ocean of green, Guanghan Peak stood apart, a single block of pristine white, solitary and distinct, creating a stark contrast with its surroundings.
Atop Guanghan Peak stood a mortal Gu House. At its entrance, the two Xia family Gu Immortals, Xia Feikuai and Xia Zhuomo, had already sensed Fang Yuan's approach.
Fang Yuan was here for negotiations, so he naturally made no effort to conceal his tracks.
It was perfectly normal for the two Xia family Gu Immortals to spot him immediately.
"He's finally here. This Wu Yihai is something else – a journey of two or three days' travel, and he stretched it out for over half a month." Xia Feikuai frowned.
"Well, he's here now. Let's go meet him," Xia Zhuomo said with a smile.
The two parties met in mid-air.
Both sides wore polite smiles and carried themselves with poise, for they were representing two great superpowers.
The two Xia family Gu Immortals sized up Wu Yihai, thinking: "He really does look just like Wu Duxiu."
Fang Yuan, in turn, was appraising the two Gu Immortals. Xia Feikuai was a Seventh Transformation Gu, obviously the leader of the Xia family's side in this negotiation. According to intelligence provided by the Wu family, Xia Feikuai lived up to his name – impatient, decisive, and formidable in combat. Xia Zhuomo, on the other hand, was a Wisdom Path Gu Immortal, whose thoughts were mercurial and who enjoyed contemplation.
Xia Zhuomo's temperament was linked to his childhood experiences, making him instinctively dwell on important matters, considering and reconsidering them incessantly.
Xia Feikuai's personality, however, was the aftereffect of practicing a certain Immortal Gu killer move.
This was their first meeting. During the exchange, the Xia family Gu Immortals led Fang Yuan up to the summit of Guanghan Peak.
"Immortal friend, please, come in. Have some tea." The two Gu Immortals acted the part of perfect hosts, as if asserting their ownership of Guanghan Peak. The contest had already begun, but Fang Yuan remained impassive, as if he hadn't noticed.
He sat down with a smile and began to sip his tea.
"This is fine tea," he praised after a taste.
Xia Zhuomo smiled. "This is our Xia family's Four Seasons Tea, personally refined by our Grand Elder. One sip offers four distinct flavors, transporting one through the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Hence the name."
The Xia family Grand Elder was a formidable Time Path expert. The Four Seasons Tea she refined showcased her profound mastery of the Time Path.
The Xia family Gu Immortals used this tea to assert their prestige, but after Fang Yuan drank it, his smile only broadened.
"Truly excellent tea. I wonder if you two Immortal friends from the Xia family have any to spare? Might this humble one boldly ask for a few portions?" Fang Yuan said with a grin.
The two Xia family Gu Immortals exchanged a glance.
Xia Zhuomo thought: This Wu Yihai really knows how to ask. However, despite being opponents this time, certain decorum must be maintained. Moreover, the political situation was fluid. Today, everyone might unite against the Wu family, but come tomorrow, the Xia family might end up cooperating with them.
Having made up his mind, Xia Zhuomo was about to speak when Xia Feikuai had already replied: "Hey! What's the big deal? We have plenty of this Four Seasons Tea. Since Immortal friend Wu Yihai wants some, just take it."
As he spoke, he produced over ten portions of the tea leaves.
"Then I shall not refuse your kindness," Fang Yuan laughed, accepting the tea.
Xia Feikuai then said, "Let us discuss the matter of Guanghan Peak."