The great desert stretched endlessly in all directions, fierce winds whipping up yellow sand that obscured heaven and earth in a swirling haze.
Fang Yuan's figure shot through the sandstorm like a wisp of light smoke.
An oasis of considerable size began to appear on the horizon.
This was the Heavenly Dew Oasis.
Within the oasis lay a vast lake, its waters so plentiful they formed nearly a small sea.
Surrounding the lake stood towering acupuncture trees.
These trees were entirely deep green, shaped like human figures with arms and legs. Their feet plunged deep into the desert sands, drawing moisture and nutrients to sustain their lives. Some extended their arms flat, while others raised them skyward. Some stood with arms bent upward, pinky fingers extended toward their heads as though digging into their nostrils. Others lay sprawled across the ground like lazy vagrants, legs crossed but feet still rooted in the sand, arms folded behind their heads as if gazing at the clouds drifting overhead.
Densely packed acupuncture trees—several million in total—encircled the entire Heavenly Dew Oasis in a solid ring, forming its first line of defense.
The ordinary acupuncture trees were the most numerous, standing one to two zhang tall, resembling motionless little giants.
There were also wild-growth acupuncture trees, several hundred of them, far more massive, reaching five to six zhang in height, exceedingly majestic.
And there were ancient wild-growth acupuncture trees, more than a dozen. Their bodies were mountain-sized, and even lying down they towered above the surrounding forest like cranes among chickens, utterly conspicuous.
Upon reaching the ancient grade, acupuncture trees bloomed year-round. Their petals were snow-white, without the slightest impurity, while the stamens came in various colors—usually pale pink, tender yellow, or powder blue. Each petal served as a seed, constantly scattered by the wind.
Acupuncture trees held tremendous value and were highly practical.
Every needle, every section of trunk, and every root was a Gu material, rich in Fire Path and Wood Path dao marks.
When confronted with powerful enemies, these trees would erupt into motion like giants, swinging their limbs and leaping through the desert, using their terrifying force and razor-sharp needles to surround and slaughter their foes.
During peacetime, they remained still. Occasionally, when they encountered a favored subject, they would slowly extend a needle, gently pierce the subject's skin, and inject a type of sap.
This sap was like spring water but far more valuable—it could enhance other living beings' vitality and foundation, relieve fatigue, alleviate pain, and cure illnesses. Those who regularly received acupuncture treatments often enjoyed robust health, abundant energy, and even extended longevity.
Setting aside the even more valuable lake, the acupuncture tree forest alone around its perimeter represented an enormous fortune, making the Heavenly Dew Oasis a super resource point!
This oasis was renowned throughout the Western Desert—one of the top ten great oases, the crown jewel of the Fang family's assets.
Fang Yuan's Dragon Fish Sea, though also a super resource point, paled in comparison—a candle before the blazing sun.
"The Fang family has been under joint suppression from other Western Desert powers recently. But the resource points they've lost are at most minor or small ones—affected and even changed hands. This sudden attack on the Heavenly Dew Oasis has severely struck at the psychological bottom line of the entire Fang family. Fang Gong's anger is a perfectly natural emotional response."
In the time it took for these thoughts to pass, Fang Yuan arrived above the Heavenly Dew Oasis.
The oasis's grand formation had already been activated to resist a mysterious Gu Immortal.
This Gu Immortal clearly practiced the Soul Path. He wore a black robe, and above his head hovered an ever-present layer of dark clouds. Gray-white resentful spirits swirled around his body and fluttered in every direction.
His movements were bizarre and his killer moves unconventional. Every strike produced mournful, whimpering cries that sent chills down the spine—deeply unsettling!
The Fang family Gu Immortal stationed at the Heavenly Dew Oasis had long since activated the formation.
But the Fang family's formation naturally couldn't compare to the Chi family's. What the Fang family excelled at was Immortal Gu Houses!
On top of that, this Western Desert Soul Path Gu Immortal's attacks were both cunning and vicious. By now he had broken through nearly half the formation and was rampaging within the oasis.
Fang Yuan made no effort to conceal his aura. Arriving at the battlefield, he dove straight toward the Soul Path Gu Immortal.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two clashed, immediately erupting in thunderous detonations. Shockwaves surged, stirring colossal waves across the oasis.
The Fang family Gu Immortal contacted Fang Yuan, requesting coordination, but Fang Yuan's reply was simple: just hold the oasis.
The Fang family Gu Immortal felt uneasy, for the Soul Path Gu Immortal was extremely powerful—his heart pounded with a sense of deep foreboding.
However, Fang Yuan demonstrated an even greater presence.
He possessed numerous Immortal Gu, and though he was playing the role of Suan Bu Jin, merely deploying his Wisdom Path methods produced an intricate, ever-changing array of techniques that left observers dazzled.
The Soul Path Gu Immortal's killer moves were cunning, but Fang Yuan's displayed Wisdom Path killer moves were even more ingenious, brimming with wisdom and magnificence.
After exchanging blows for only a short while, Fang Yuan gradually seized the initiative, then took command of the battle's rhythm.
The Western Desert Soul Path Gu Immortal fought with increasing ferocity, shouting: "Who are you?! The Fang family has no one like you!"
Fang Yuan laughed heartily: "I am Suan Bu Jin of the Wisdom Path, currently serving as the Fang family's Guest Supreme Elder. I've barely joined the family and you leap out to provoke me—clearly you don't take me seriously. Then I'll just take your life!"
Fang Yuan's killing intent blazed forth, beating the Soul Path Gu Immortal into continuous retreat, each moment fraught with peril.
Watching from within the formation, the Fang family Gu Immortal felt a chill in his heart, secretly realizing that this newly joined Supreme Elder was no gentle soul.
Fang Yuan's eyes blazed with sharp light, his expression severe—aloof and arrogant.