Hui Fengzi was both alarmed and furious.
Though his surrender had been anything but willing — forced upon him by circumstance — he had pledged himself to a Central Continent faction, and so he had no choice but to grit his teeth and carry out their tasks.
The Central Continent Immortal Gu Masters had placed him here and ordered him to guard the Valley of Despair, which meant they had laid numerous restraints upon him. Bound as he was, Hui Fengzi had to step forward and prevent Fang Yuan from seizing the valley — if only for his own safety.
But the moment he caught sight of the figure before him, Hui Fengzi's furious alarm gave way to a violent tremor. He let out a startled cry: "Feng Jiuge!"
Fang Yuan glanced at him with a bland, indifferent expression, his features perfectly composed.
The Central Continent Immortal Gu Masters had already departed the Northern Plains entirely, returning to Central Continent. Naturally, they would have left behind contingencies in the Northern Plains. Someone as shrewd as Fang Yuan would never have overlooked this possibility.
And so, before coming to claim the Valley of Despair, he had assumed the appearance of Feng Jiuge.
"So Central Continent placed Hui Fengzi here to keep watch... It seems the Central Continent's methods are nothing to scoff at — they've even coerced the 'Fastest in the Northern Plains' into defending their interests against his own will. And judging by his expression, he didn't see Feng Jiuge leave just now? Could Feng Jiuge still be somewhere inside the valley? No... that's unlikely. During the Hundred-Day Battle, the Shadow Sect Immortal Gu Masters broke through the encirclement. Feng Jiuge knew this place was dangerous, and his injuries were far too severe. He may have wanted to repay the life-saving debt he owed me, but he was genuinely desperate to escape. Back in the True Inheritance Space, he didn't so much as exchange a single word with me."
One could never be too careful.
On that count, Feng Jiuge had acted with admirable wisdom.
After all, Fang Yuan was not Zhao Lianyun. In the previous life, when Zhao Lianyun appeared, Feng Jiuge had voluntarily spoken up and offered guidance. In this life, when it was Fang Yuan's turn to take the stage, Feng Jiuge had kept his silence entirely.
And that was just as well.
Had Fang Yuan known of Feng Jiuge's presence in advance, he very likely would have struck.
Killing a Feng Jiuge — even if he couldn't obtain his Immortal Gu — would still yield his soul. A soul search alone would be an enormous windfall.
Moreover, capturing Feng Jiuge alive would open the door to either blackmailing Spirit Affinity Hall or brokering a deal with any of the hall's rival forces — a truly massive transaction.
"Feng Jiuge is severely injured. His vigilance is ironclad — he didn't say a single word to me. Perhaps after leaving the Valley of Despair, he noticed Hui Fengzi as well but chose not to acknowledge him. The reasons could be twofold: first, he didn't know Hui Fengzi had surrendered; and second, even if he did know, he would fear the infighting between the Ten Great Ancient Sects. After all, the human heart is fickle, and in his current state, Feng Jiuge simply cannot afford to take any risks."
On the surface, Fang Yuan betrayed nothing, but behind those calm eyes, his thoughts raced like lightning. In the span of mere breaths, countless scenarios and calculations churned through his mind.
"It's real!" Hui Fengzi quietly deployed a verification method to confirm the identity before him, and upon doing so, he let out an enormous sigh of relief.
Feng Jiuge was the leader of the Central Continent Immortal Gu Masters. If he was the one claiming the Valley of Despair, then Hui Fengzi had no grounds whatsoever to oppose him.
"This subordinate greets Lord Feng Jiuge." Hui Fengzi flew forward with perfect deference, his expression one of deep respect, and bowed to Fang Yuan.
"Mm." Fang Yuan nodded. "I am already aware of what has transpired. Stand guard over me while I claim the valley. No outside interference is to be permitted."
It was a brief statement, sparing on words, but it preemptively addressed several matters and would prevent Hui Fengzi from growing suspicious.
"Yes, my lord!" Hui Fengzi hastened to nod.
And so, under Hui Fengzi's devoted protection, Fang Yuan successfully claimed the Valley of Despair.
"The Valley of Despair has been taken, but numerous Blessed Lands within immortal apertures still remain here. You are to continue keeping watch. See that no errors are made." Before departing, Fang Yuan delivered this solemn instruction.
Hui Fengzi harbored not the slightest suspicion and hurriedly agreed.
Fang Yuan departed the area at an unhurried pace.
"Feng Jiuge has broken free — which means Qin Baisheng has fallen." Hui Fengzi watched his retreating figure, marveling inwardly at Feng Jiuge's overwhelming power.
This outcome did not surprise him in the least. He had long known that Qin Baisheng was gravely wounded.
Then a thought struck him: "This is problematic. The Ten Great Ancient Sects of Central Continent keep each other in check, and there is fierce competition among them. Feng Jiuge is but a member of Spirit Affinity Hall. He has claimed the Valley of Despair, and I had no reason to stop him — but I must still relay this intelligence. The other nine sects need to know."
Without hesitation, he promptly activated his Information Path techniques.
Feng Xian Crown Prince received his transmission almost at once.
"Oh? Feng Jiuge is still alive? He not only made it out, but he also claimed the Valley of Despair!" Feng Xian Crown Prince was delighted beyond measure and burst into hearty laughter.
Meanwhile, once Fang Yuan had put sufficient distance between himself and Hui Fengzi, he flew onward at full speed. Once the surroundings were relatively safe, he rendezvoused with Tai Bai Sheng Sheng and the Featherman Immortal Gu Master, Zhou Zhong.
Both had been stationed at a distance by Fang Yuan beforehand, held in reserve for exactly this kind of contingency.
At the same time, he had maintained open lines of communication with Hei Lou Lan and Li Shan Fairy throughout — the moment any crisis arose, they could be summoned for reinforcement.
And with the relationship between Hei Lou Lan and Burning Heaven Demoness factored in, even if an Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu Master were to appear, Fang Yuan would have at least a fighting chance of holding his own.
Of course!