After examining it, she placed the Immortal Gu into her immortal aperture: "Since this matter is done, we might as well go our separate ways and meet again in half a month."
Half a month later would be the agreed date for the auction. The location was Qin Baisheng's Baisheng Blessed Land, still situated in the Crimson Red Reed Marsh.
The two immortals parted ways on the spot, each choosing a direction and flying off swiftly.
Not to mention that Li Shan Fairy took the opportunity to contact Fang Yuan using the Toast-and-Exchange Gu while traveling. Let's just say that after Li Shan Fairy and Qin Baisheng left, another person appeared in the reception hall of the Phoenix Immortal's Grotto-Heaven.
This person wore a robe of red and white, with a tall and upright posture, like a spear or a sword. His sword-like eyebrows extended to his temples, and his eyes contained divine radiance. Beneath a gentle exterior, he exuded an extraordinary confidence and the aura of a ferocious dragon crossing the river.
A faint, tender smile played at the corners of his mouth, charming and dashing yet not losing his soaring dominance. He clasped his hands behind his back, and even when facing the rank eight Phoenix Immortal Prince, he showed no sense of oppression on his face or in his heart, as if they were on equal footing.
But judging from the aura he did not conceal, he was clearly only a rank seven Gu Immortal. Even Qin Baisheng was constantly bowing and scraping before the Phoenix Immortal Prince.
The Phoenix Immortal Prince looked at this person, and his tone and demeanor changed. No longer was there the implicit arrogance he had shown Li Shan Fairy and Qin Baisheng; instead, he was genuinely peaceful and equal.
This rank eight Gu Immortal spoke: "Feng Jiuge, have you truly decided to represent me at this auction?"
The rank seven Gu Immortal in the red-and-white robe nodded with a smile: "Exactly."
The Phoenix Immortal Prince frowned: "You ascended to immortality in Central Continent, so the heaven and earth qi in your immortal aperture world comes from Central Continent. It's slightly different from the Northern Plains. The auction will be unprecedentedly grand, gathering strong Gu Immortals from the Northern Plains, and even rank eight Gu Immortals might attend. If they discover you, it will be troublesome. You must know that the Northern Plains Gu Immortals are burning with anger, intent on finding the mastermind behind the great case of the Imperial Court Blessed Land. Especially since Dongfang Changfan deduced before his death that the culprit who caused the Imperial Court case was not from the Northern Plains but from outside. If your identity as a Central Continent Gu Immortal is discovered at this critical juncture, the consequences could be dire."
When the Phoenix Immortal Prince said this, he did not avoid the two Gu Immortal maids in the hall. The two female Gu Immortals, including the Orchid Sword Master, heard this but showed no change in expression.
Feng Jiuge laughed heartily: "Your Highness, don't worry. Just watch my method."
With that, a flash of light briefly flickered over his body, and his appearance had greatly transformed.
The Phoenix Immortal Prince gave a light exclamation, and the usually cool and composed Orchid Sword Master slightly widened her eyes. The other female Gu Immortal, named Le Yao, even opened her mouth slightly, looking at the female companion she was with every day and then at Feng Jiuge not far away.
It turned out that Feng Jiuge's transformation had made him exactly like the Orchid Sword Master, vivid and lifelike, as if molded from the same template.
"What method is this?" The Phoenix Immortal Prince smiled and praised, "Not only is the appearance flawless, but even the Dao marks are disguised, as if they are genuine sword Dao marks. The aura is also identical to that of a Northern Plains Gu Immortal."
"This is 'Meeting in Recognition'," Feng Jiuge revealed the answer.
"Oh, it's that. No wonder, no wonder." The Phoenix Immortal Prince suddenly understood, then sighed with emotion, "Only the work of Thieving Heaven Venerable can be so subtle and awe-inspiring."
Feng Jiuge nodded: "'Meeting in Unrecognition', 'Meeting in Recognition', and 'Meeting in Acquaintance'—this series of killer moves all originate from Thieving Heaven Venerable. The first is a mortal killer move, insignificant. 'Meeting in Recognition', however, is an immortal killer move, with three Immortal Gu at its core, including two Transformation Immortal Gu. When activated, it naturally makes it hard to distinguish truth from falsehood."
"This killer move was also something I obtained through an opportunity in my early years, but I only got this move. It has a drawback, which is that it requires good acting. If one's acting skills are poor, even the tone of voice can reveal flaws."
"As for the 'Meeting in Acquaintance' killer move, it doesn't have this flaw. Even if the acting is not up to par, it won't seem abrupt or strange to others. It can even influence others' perceptions and psychology. Even if transformed into a person who never existed, others will feel as if they are an old acquaintance or friend."
Feng Jiuge spoke confidently and eloquently.
The immortals then understood why Feng Jiuge didn't change into anyone else but specifically into the Orchid Sword Master. It was because this woman was usually taciturn and cool, with low demands on acting skills, making it easy to disguise.
The Phoenix Immortal Prince nodded repeatedly: "Each of the nine venerables is a person of extraordinary talent and superb methods. With this method, I no longer worry about you being exposed."
Feng Jiuge smiled proudly: "Even if I am exposed, who can stop me from breaking out?"
The Phoenix Immortal Prince recalled the time a few days ago when he had sparred with Feng Jiuge, and couldn't help but laugh, praising, "Indeed, that immortal killer move of yours is exceedingly powerful. Even us rank eight Gu Immortals wouldn't want to face it head-on. Feng Jiuge, you live up to your reputation, truly possessing the ability to roam the world fearlessly."
Feng Jiuge performed a salute and said sincerely, "Compared with Senior Brother and the two Junior Sisters, who specifically ascended to immortalhood in the Northern Plains for the great cause of Spirit Affinity House and have been lying low for centuries, I am truly full of admiration."
But a shadow flickered across the Phoenix Immortal Prince's face. He clenched his fist and said resentfully, "Unfortunately, before I could act, someone used the measures we had set up in advance and snatched the fruit. This must be an internal action by the ten ancient sects of Central Continent. Don't let me find out who it is, otherwise... hmph."
So the grand Phoenix Immortal Prince, one of the five rank eight great experts in the Northern Plains, was actually a spy sent by Spirit Affinity House!
Spirit Affinity House had set a grand scheme.
To deploy the Phoenix Immortal Prince, Spirit Affinity House had undoubtedly sacrificed many interests in Central Continent. If Spirit Affinity House had one more rank eight Gu Immortal guarding Central Continent, it would surely gain more benefits in its competition with the other nine sects.
But Spirit Affinity House was leading the plan to overthrow the Eighty-Eight True Yang Building, and to complete this plan, they did not hesitate to deploy the Phoenix Immortal Prince to the Northern Plains.
In Fang Yuan's previous life, the Phoenix Immortal Prince might have made many contributions and provided countless help to the Central Continent Gu Immortals in destroying the Eighty-Eight True Yang Building. But in Fang Yuan's current life, before the Phoenix Immortal Prince could even show his role, the original plan had already been scrapped.