The gambling match between Fang Yuan and Feng Jinhuang, which had attracted the attention of countless people, came to an end with an outcome far beyond anyone's expectations.
The process had been thoroughly exciting, full of twists and turns.
In the final stage, Fang Yuan had already gained an absolute advantage, but he happened to run into the failure rate of a Fifth Transformation Gu refinement, causing him to fall frustratingly short.
His refinement materials were insufficient for a second attempt, and Feng Jinhuang had collapsed unconscious, her materials equally depleted.
Thus, the gambling match ended in a draw.
After the match concluded, Feng Jinhuang received treatment and swiftly recovered.
Learning of the final outcome, Feng Jinhuang cast a meaningful look at Fang Yuan.
Since it was a draw, according to the rules of the gamble, both parties had two options. The first was to each take back their original stakes. The second was to exchange their respective wagers.
Just as Fang Yuan had predicted, Feng Jinhuang chose the second option.
Fang Yuan considered briefly, then agreed.
Feng Jinhuang first handed an Information Path Gu directly to Fang Yuan. Inside the Gu was recorded the method for an Immortal Zombie to regain a new life.
Then, both parties publicly signed a contract: as the master of the Fox Immortal's Blessed Land—a vassal force of the Immortal Crane Sect—Fang Yuan would establish a Boldness Gu trade with Spirit Affinity Hall. In the time ahead, Fang Yuan would supply Boldness Gu to Spirit Affinity Hall on a priority basis, with even the Immortal Crane Sect having to take a number.
"Lord Fang Yuan, our Lord He Fengyang requests your presence for a meeting." After the match, an Immortal Crane Sect Elder approached Fang Yuan of his own accord, his attitude exceedingly deferential.
"Oh?" Fang Yuan replied, somewhat surprised. "Then lead the way."
At a remote mountain summit, he met with He Fengyang once more.
He Fengyang still cut the figure of a youth—white robes, a black belt. The mountain wind billowed his wide sleeves, and the pair of green-tasseled cords that hung to his waist swayed gently in the breeze.
"This draw wasn't easy to orchestrate, was it?" He Fengyang's eyes were deep and unfathomable as he gazed at Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan smiled. "I had no choice. When you run into the failure probability, all you can do is watch helplessly."
His words carried not the slightest hint of deception.
He Fengyang looked Fang Yuan up and down, then suddenly spoke with great solemnity: "With such exceptional talent in the Refinement Path, it's truly a pity that you fell into the state of an Immortal Zombie. In truth, if you wish to find a method to regain a new life, there's no need to go looking far and wide. My Immortal Crane Sect possesses a wondrous method. I guarantee it can free you from the Immortal Zombie body."
Hearing this, Fang Yuan secretly found it strange—was He Fengyang implying an offer of recruitment?
But thinking about it, even though Fang Yuan was at odds with the Immortal Crane Sect, he apparently had other backers. Regardless, based solely on the Gu refinement mastery Fang Yuan had displayed, it was already enough to tempt the Immortal Crane Sect.
Fang Yuan naturally knew what wondrous method He Fengyang was referring to.
What else could it be?
Obviously, it was the Body Seizing technique.
He Fengyang could never have imagined that, in this regard, Fang Yuan had already begun making preparations.
"If it means losing my freedom, I would rather keep my Immortal Zombie identity," Fang Yuan said.
He Fengyang shook his head. "I didn't invite you here to debate the topic of freedom. Let me get to the point. Your brother has been captured by you. You must hand him over. Otherwise, the consequences are more than you can bear."
"Oh? Is this a threat?" Fang Yuan's tone darkened.
Fang Zheng was his contingency choice for regaining a new life. Even setting aside the Immortal Zombie issue, Fang Zheng was still the ideal candidate for refining into a Blood God Son. How could Fang Yuan possibly let him go?
But He Fengyang nodded. "You can interpret it as a threat if you like, but I'd rather call it a warning. To be blunt, the order to eliminate Fang Zheng came from the Heavenly Court. You may not yet fully grasp the weight behind those two words—just know that in the Central Continent, no faction, no individual can defy the Heavenly Court."
How could Fang Yuan not understand the might of the Heavenly Court?
He possessed memories from his previous life and understood the power and terror of the Heavenly Court even better than He Fengyang did.
"Of course I know the Heavenly Court. But would the Heavenly Court really target Fang Zheng? Would they solemnly order the elimination of a mere mortal? This excuse of yours is rather unconvincing, He Fengyang. How do you expect me to believe it?" Fang Yuan spread his hands.
He Fengyang sighed. "I don't need to convince you. Just know that if Fang Zheng remains alive, the outcome will be the Fox Immortal's Blessed Land being breached and directly absorbed by the Heavenly Court. Neither I nor the Immortal Crane Sect wishes to see that happen. Take your time to consider, but the time left to you is short. If you've made your decision, three days from now—hand Fang Zheng over to me."
Fang Yuan's brows furrowed deeply. This unexpected news had caught him completely off guard. He did not know of the existence of the Fate Gu, nor could he easily connect the Heavenly Court with Fang Zheng.
He fixed his gaze on He Fengyang's face, trying to find the faintest crack in his expression. "Do you take me for a fool? Handing Fang Zheng to you is tantamount to giving you the key to attack the Fox Immortal's Blessed Land!"
"Heh heh heh." He Fengyang threw back his head and laughed. "Fang Yuan, I must say, for an Immortal Zombie, you certainly have quite the scheming mind! There's no need to test me. The truth is, you've already begun to believe what I'm saying. I'm actually more curious than you! But when it comes to the Heavenly Court, curiosity is best kept in check. Three days from now, I will execute Fang Zheng right before your eyes. However, in exchange, you are to bring me Tian He Shangren's soul, complete and unharmed. You should know—he was my subordinate, and a rather capable one at that."
Fang Yuan fell silent.
He Fengyang did not linger. With a flash of light, he vanished from the spot.
Since He Fengyang had departed, Fang Yuan did not stay long either. Using Fixed Immortal Travel, he returned to the Fox Immortal's Blessed Land.
The matter of Fang Zheng—he set it aside for now.
Fang Yuan's first order of business was to carefully study the method that Feng Jinhuang had handed over to him.
"Fairy Lianxiang?" What Fang Yuan had not expected was that this method of breaking free from the zombie body was actually connected to Spirit Affinity Hall's former fairy.