"Fang Yuan, we meet again." Feng Jiuge's voice drifted from within the Immortal Gu House, brimming with emotion.
"It has been a long time," Fang Yuan sighed.
After several years, Fang Yuan and Feng Jiuge had crossed paths once more, like old friends reuniting, their tones devoid of any spark of hostility.
Yet they were not truly old friends, and after those words, both fell silent.
For a moment, only the sound of the River of Time could be heard, rolling and surging, rushing ever forward.
Feng Jiuge still remembered the first time he had laid eyes on Fang Yuan. Back then, Fang Yuan had not even attained the status of Gu Immortal—he was merely a mortal, yet he had already obtained the Fox Immortal's blessed land. Now, Fang Yuan's name resounded throughout the world, his cultivation at the peak of the Eighth Transformation. His rate of growth was virtually unheard of in history, shocking to all who beheld it.
Feng Jiuge himself had also achieved the Eighth Transformation. His battle record had grown even more formidable, his strength beyond what it once was. He possessed the Eighth Transformation Life Armor Immortal Gu, understood his role as a Guardian Dao, and enjoyed powerful support from Heavenly Court.
Fang Yuan had once saved Feng Jiuge's life, and Feng Jiuge had repaid the favor. Yet because they stood on opposing sides, Feng Jiuge had pursued Fang Yuan in lethal hunts, only to fail time and again. Their many clashes had given both a deep understanding of each other—they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses intimately. Each feared the other, yet from the very depths of their bones, each admired the other's ability and talent.
"Fang Yuan, you defeated wretch! Last time I let you escape within the River of Time—I never imagined you'd have the nerve to come back and seek death!" A voice broke the brief silence, cutting through the air.
The one who spoke wore radiant azure star armor. His features were rugged and coarse, his build powerful, and the aura of an Eighth Transformation powerhouse radiated from every inch of his body. At that moment, he stood upon the Shark Stream Sled.
Fang Yuan glanced over and recognized him at once—this was the same person who had participated in the last pursuit.
Last time, Fang Yuan had not known his identity, but by now he had investigated thoroughly. This man was another veteran powerhouse revived from the Immortal Tombs of Heavenly Court: Xing Yewang, a long-established Eighth Transformation star-path master.
Fang Yuan swept his gaze across the Heavenly Court's formation.
The Three Xunzi occupied the Jingu Pavilion, their eyes fixed on Fang Yuan as though spitting fire, their faces twisted with hatred. Last time, Fang Yuan had used the Time Flying Blade to kill Xun Guozi, rendering the Four Xunzi's resurrection method invalid. Now only three remained.
The Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal Qing Ye, of the same station as Xing Yewang, commanded the Eternal Vessel, his expression solemn and composed.
Xing Yewang stood upon the Shark Stream Sled, his predatory gaze locked on Fang Yuan.
Feng Jiuge held the Three Autumn Yellow Crane Terrace, his true form concealed.
"Four Time-path Immortal Gu Houses, three Eighth Transformation Gu Immortals, numerous Seventh Transformations led by the Three Xunzi, and this super formation…" Fang Yuan assessed their strength.
Overall, it was still manageable.
After all, Heavenly Court had not reinforced its forces with any obvious additions. It made sense—currently, the Central Continent's earth veins were in constant flux. Aside from maintaining order, Heavenly Court had devoted the bulk of its resources and manpower to repairing the Ninth Transformation Fate Gu.
To Heavenly Court, Fang Yuan was by no means their most important enemy. His existence was not factored into their grand strategy.
This was precisely why the Purple Violet Fairy had once personally tried to recruit Fang Yuan inside the Langya Blessed Land.
Heavenly Court's goal was dominion over the entire world—the grand era of Dream Path, the orthodox supremacy of Human Path.
Such was the vast ambition of Heavenly Court!
And so, their top priority had always been the complete restoration of Fate Gu.
Furthermore, last time Fang Yuan had fled in wretched disarray, barely escaping with his life. Afterward, the Purple Violet Fairy had once again mobilized Heavenly Court's deep reserves, aggressively purchasing Time-path immortal materials and severely disrupting and suppressing Fang Yuan's progress.
Fang Yuan had continued to conceal his movements. Even when the earth vein fluctuations stirred countless immortal Gu and immortal materials to the surface, he had not revealed himself to act.
These cumulative reasons were why Heavenly Court had not sent reinforcements into the River of Time.
"Of course, it's possible other forces are lying in ambush?" Fang Yuan smiled coldly. No matter what happened, as long as the battle continued, Heavenly Court's hidden cards would be forced to reveal themselves one by one.
Roar!
With a thunderous roar, Fang Yuan once again activated the Meeting Familiarity technique, transforming into the Ancient Era Year Monkey.
The Year Monkey's body was mountainous as it charged straight toward the nearest structure—the Three Autumn Yellow Crane Terrace, where Feng Jiuge held his position.
"What a ferocious demon! Let your Grandpa Xing have a go at you!" Xing Yewang piloted the Shark Stream Sled, its speed astonishing, and surged forward to intercept.
Fang Yuan ran across the water's surface and thrust out a finger. The Immortal Gu killer move, Spring Scissors, flew forth.
The Spring Scissors gleamed entirely in emerald green, fluttering with swift, agile grace. It was massive as an elephant in size, yet as it approached the Shark Stream Sled, it suddenly shrank.
Xing Yewang was mildly startled. He was already familiar with the Spring Scissors killer move—since when did it have this kind of transformation?
The shrunken Spring Scissors dove downward with sudden ferocity. Just before reaching the enormous sharks towing the Sled, it expanded once more in an instant.
*Snip.*
A crisp sound rang out. The scissors closed cleanly and decisively, shearing the head clean off one of the great sharks.
*Snip.*
Another crisp sound. A second shark lost its head.
Xing Yewang's face drained of color. He hurriedly halted the Shark Stream Sled, no longer able to concern himself with blocking Fang Yuan. His mind was consumed entirely with how to defend against the Spring Scissors.
With a single move, Fang Yuan had neutralized Xing Yewang. Now swift as the wind, he had already reached the front of the Three Autumn Yellow Crane Terrace.
Inside the Immortal Gu House, Feng Jiuge's expression remained placid as he calmly manipulated its defenses.