As the Falling Petal Hall slowly descended, petals continuously showered down through the air — a rain of blossoms in every conceivable color, their rich fragrance filling the nostrils.
More importantly, when these petals landed on the sand, they vanished without a trace, like drops of water sinking into a lake.
Then the sand transformed into soil, all within the span of a few breaths.
One by one, green shoots poked through the earth, forming buds that burst into bloom in the blink of an eye.
By the time the Falling Petal Hall gently alighted upon the desert, what had been the Green Ghost Desert was now a boundless sea of flowers — millions upon millions of blossoms competing to display their splendor.
Fang Yuan restrained his soul beast army and held them in place, watching in silence.
The main gate of the Falling Petal Hall opened gently, and three Gu Immortals emerged.
Leading them was Fang Anlei of the Fang Family — a Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal with ordinary features and a slightly plump build, but a warm smile that gave off an intense sense of approachability.
Fang Yuan had long since gathered intelligence on her. He knew this woman frequently served as the Fang Family's emissary, mediating between various factions and powerful individuals, and was rich in experience.
At Fang Anlei's side were two Sixth Transformation Gu Immortals — both familiar faces.
On the left stood a young man with handsome features, eyes bright as stars, his bearing lively and spirited. This was Fang Yun. On the right was another with a composed demeanor, having already cultivated an air of quiet composure — the Fang Family's rising talent, Fang Leng.
"Fang Anlei greets Fellow Immortal."
"Fang Yun and Fang Leng thank Senior for saving our lives!"
The three Gu Immortals stepped forward a few paces and all bowed to Fang Yuan, their attitudes remarkably courteous.
Fang Yuan sat amid his soul beast army in tight, solemn formation, his face expressionless. The savage soul beasts, terrifying in form, remained perfectly still yet still radiated a killing aura.
This stood in absolute contrast to the Fang Family's side — a picture of blossoming flowers, warm smiles, and pleasant affability. Yin and yang, light and dark.
Fang Yuan nodded slightly, his voice cold: "I already told you — I saved you because I wanted to, and never expected any reward. But I can guess what you people of the Righteous Path are thinking."
"Fellow Immortal is most perceptive. I represent the Fang Family today not merely to offer our thanks, but also to discuss a potential cooperation," Fang Anlei said with a smile.
"Oh? Cooperation?" Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.
Fang Anlei took a step back and gestured invitingly: "Tea has already been prepared inside the hall. I invite Fellow Immortal Suan Bu Jin to come inside so we may discuss matters at length."
Immortal Gu Houses were typically powerful on the outside but weak within. There were, however, a rare few that were the opposite — strong within but weak without. The Hei Family's former Immortal Gu House, the Black Prison, was one such example.
The Falling Petal Hall was clearly of the former type. Fang Anlei's invitation for him to enter showed genuine sincerity.
But even if the Falling Petal Hall harbored some manner of trap or ambush, with his current combat strength and cultivation, Fang Yuan feared nothing.
"Very well." Fang Yuan nodded, opened his Immortal Aperture gate, and retracted his entire soul beast army. Then, hands clasped behind his back, he strode into the Falling Petal Hall.
Inside the Falling Petal Hall, furnishings were abundant — all manner of miscellaneous items filled the eye.
At the center stood a large round wooden table, laid out with tea.
Fang Anlei invited Fang Yuan to sit before gracefully taking her own seat.
"Please enjoy the tea, Fellow Immortal. This is our clan's Seven-Li Fragrance Tea," Fang Anlei said with a warm smile.
Fang Yuan glanced over and gave a slight nod.
The tea in the cup looked like a pool of clear water, but when it touched his mouth, it was warm. The taste was about the same — like drinking lukewarm water.
But Seven-Li Fragrance Tea was the Fang Family's signature brew, and naturally it was far more than this superficial impression suggested.
Its true marvel lay in what happened afterward. Anyone who drank it would, over the following time, emit a tea fragrance from within — starting from the mouth and permeating the entire body.
If one drank seven cups, they would exude a rich tea fragrance for seven days and seven nights, the scent carrying for seven li. Drinking more would have no additional effect beyond this, hence the name Seven-Li Fragrance Tea.
Fang Yuan had heard of it in his previous life, but this was his first time experiencing it firsthand. He took only a small sip before stopping, and went straight to the point: "Please explain what your clan has in mind."
Hearing Fang Yuan's cold tone, Fang Anlei thought to herself: "This man is exactly as Fang Yun and Fang Leng described — solitary and proud, haughty and self-assured, speaking even with a superpower as an equal."
Fang Anlei was not offended.
She had encountered many powerful individuals. Some had even stranger temperaments; some were even fond of killing. Fang Yuan was actually quite normal by comparison.
Her smile deepened, and she spoke at length, her words clear and articulate, outlining the Fang Family's proposal for cooperation with Fang Yuan.
"You want me to collect Impermanence Stones?" Fang Yuan tapped the table with a finger, mulling over the terms of this cooperation.
Impermanence Stones were a Sixth Transformation immortal material, and they could indeed be found in the Green Ghost Desert — in considerable quantities.