Hui Fengzi was both shocked and enraged.
Though he had surrendered unwillingly, it was forced by circumstances. But having pledged allegiance to the Central Continent faction, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and serve Central Continent's interests for the time being.
Since the Central Continent Gu Immortals had placed him here and ordered him to guard Desolation Valley, they naturally had laid many restrictions upon him.
Constrained by others, Hui Fengzi had to step forward to stop Fang Yuan from collecting Desolation Valley, if only for his own safety.
But the moment he saw Fang Yuan, the shocked and furious Hui Fengzi suddenly shuddered all over and cried out in a frightened whisper: "Feng Jiuge!"
Fang Yuan glanced at him casually, his expression perfectly calm.
Since the Central Continent Gu Immortals had all departed the Northern Plains and returned to the Central Continent, they would naturally leave behind contingencies. As shrewd as Fang Yuan was, could he have failed to consider this layer?
Therefore, before coming to collect Desolation Valley, he had already assumed Feng Jiuge's appearance.
"So the Central Continent Gu Immortals arranged for Hui Fengzi to be stationed here... It seems the Central Continent's methods are formidable, forcing even this man — 'the fastest in the Northern Plains' — to defend their interests against his own will. And from his expression, he didn't just see Feng Jiuge leave? Could Feng Jiuge still be in this valley? No, that's unlikely. During the Hundred Day Battle, the Shadow Sect Gu Immortals broke through the siege. Feng Jiuge knew this place was a death trap. His injuries were incredibly severe. Though he said he wished to repay my life-saving debt, he was desperate to escape. In the True Inheritance space, he didn't say a single word to me."
One must never let one's guard down.
In this, Feng Jiuge had been exceedingly wise.
After all, Fang Yuan was not Zhao Lianyun. In the previous life, when Zhao Lianyun appeared, Feng Jiuge had proactively spoken up and given instructions. In this life, when it was Fang Yuan's turn, Feng Jiuge had kept silent.
And rightly so.
Had Fang Yuan known of Feng Jiuge's presence in advance, he very well might have attacked!
Killing Feng Jiuge — even if he couldn't obtain his Immortal Gu, obtaining his soul and performing a soul search would have been an enormous windfall.
Moreover, if he captured Feng Jiuge alive, whether by extorting Lingyuan Zhai or leveraging the enmity between Lingyuan Zhai and Feng Jiuge's other hostile factions, it would have been a massive deal.
"Feng Jiuge was severely injured. He has a deep sense of caution! He didn't say a single word to me. Perhaps after leaving Desolation Valley, he also spotted Hui Fengzi but chose not to acknowledge him. The reasons are twofold: first, he didn't know Hui Fengzi had surrendered, and second, even if he did know, he feared the infighting among the ten ancient sects. After all, human hearts are unpredictable, and in Feng Jiuge's current state, he simply could not afford to take any more risks."
Outwardly, Fang Yuan betrayed nothing, but behind that mask, his mind was racing at lightning speed. In the span of a few breaths, countless thoughts flickered through his mind.
"It's real!" Hui Fengzi covertly employed a minor technique to verify the authenticity, and upon confirmation, he let out a long sigh of relief.
Feng Jiuge was the leader among the Central Continent Gu Immortals. If he was the one collecting Desolation Valley, then Hui Fengzi had no grounds whatsoever to stop him.
"This subordinate greets Lord Feng Jiuge." Hui Fengzi flew over obediently, his face full of reverence, and bowed respectfully before Fang Yuan.
"Mm." Fang Yuan nodded. "I am already aware of what has transpired. Stand guard for me while I collect Desolation Valley — no outside interference is to be permitted."
The words were few, but they preemptively addressed certain matters, preventing Hui Fengzi from harboring further suspicion.
"Yes, my lord!" Hui Fengzi nodded hurriedly.
And so, under Hui Fengzi's dutiful protection, Fang Yuan successfully collected Desolation Valley.
"This Desolation Valley, though collected, still leaves behind numerous Immortal Orifice Blessed Lands. You will continue to stand watch here — see that you do not err." Before departing, Fang Yuan delivered a stern instruction.
Hui Fengzi harbored no suspicion and hurriedly agreed.
Fang Yuan departed 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 strength.
He was not particularly surprised by this outcome.
After all, he already knew that Qin Baisheng had been gravely wounded.
Suddenly, Hui Fengzi thought of something: "No good. The ten ancient sects of the Central Continent keep each other in check, and there is fierce competition within. Feng Jiuge is merely one member of Lingyuan Zhai. He has collected Desolation Valley, and I have no grounds to stop him — but I must relay this intelligence so that the other nine sects are made aware."
At this thought, he did not hesitate and promptly activated his information path techniques.
Crown Prince Fengxian received his transmission almost immediately.
"Oh? Feng Jiuge is still alive? Not only did he break free, he even collected Desolation Valley!" Crown Prince Fengxian was overjoyed and let out a hearty laugh.
Meanwhile, after putting sufficient distance between himself and Hui Fengzi, Fang Yuan flew onward at full speed. Once relatively safe, he rendezvoused with Tai Bai Yunsheng and the Featherman Gu Immortal Zhou Zhong.
These two had long since been stationed in the distance by Fang Yuan, ready to be called upon if needed.
At the same time, he maintained an open line of communication with Hei Loulan and the Fairy Li Shan, ready to summon their support at a moment's notice should any crisis arise.
Furthermore, given the relationship between Hei Loulan and the Demoness Fen Tian, even if an Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal appeared, Fang Yuan would have at least a slim chance of holding his own.
Of course!