Return to Southern Border

— — — — — —  

Hu Blessed Land

"Hahaha, Brother Fang! Welcome to Spirit Affinity House," Xu Hao greeted warmly.

"Glad to join. And I have to say, your timing was perfect, Brother Xu — truly worthy of a wisdom path immortal," Fang Yuan replied with a calm smile.

Earlier, when Xu Hao and his wife had shown up, Feng Jiu Ge immediately realized it had been a setup — and a brilliant one at that.

From the outside, it looked like he had tried to attack Fang Yuan for no reason, while two respected elders stepped in to protect a rising talent.

Even though many of the immortals watching likely saw through it, nobody liked Feng Jiu Ge enough to care. So, they all played along.

Knowing he was cornered, Feng Jiu Ge chose to back off. Attacking would only make things worse, and against a wisdom path expert, who knew how many more traps were hidden?

The other immortals quietly took their leave too, once Fang Yuan formally accepted Xu Hao's offer.

---

"Fang Yuan," Xu Hao began, "from this moment, you'll be considered one of our Supreme Elders in Spirit Affinity House. Next, you'll come with me to complete a simple agreement — nothing too binding, just to ensure loyalty to the sect."

He continued, "And as we discussed, only mortals may enter your Blessed Land freely. Any immortal will need your permission."

"No problem," Fang Yuan nodded. It was exactly what they had agreed on beforehand.

"Good. If everything's settled, let's head out now," Xu Hao said, clearly pleased.

Recruiting Fang Yuan was a major win for the anti-Feng faction — and Fang Yuan had even hinted at having a way to strike the Fengs hard… though he hadn't revealed the details yet.

Still, nothing in the agreement before between them forced him to.

— — —

Hours Later — Hu Blessed Land

Having just returned from the Spirit Affinity House, Fang Yuan was now officially a member of the sect.

Even though the sect had provided him with a residence, he made it clear he'd be living in the Hu Blessed Land. It was his, after all.

Inside, he spent some time adjusting the formation and giving instructions to Little Hu, the Blessed Land's land spirit.

Then, standing in the center of the formation, he murmured, "Time to see her."

With that, he brought out his Fixed Immortal Travel Gu and activated a simple killer move of his own creation — one that used dark path methods to conceal his aura.

A moment later, he vanished.

— — —

Southern Border

Fang Yuan reappeared in the Southern Border, his aura mostly concealed. Of course, if an immortal was nearby, they'd still sense him instantly.

"Let's hope I don't run into any immortals on this trip," he muttered.

With that, he activated a small mobile formation that wrapped around him like a second skin. As he moved, it moved with him — its sole function: to suppress any trace of immortal aura.

"Alright, it should be this way." After confirming the direction, he began walking toward where Shang Xin Ci lived.

---

Southern Border – Shang Clan

Fang Yuan slipped into the city like he owned the place. Using a simple hypnotic killer move on the mortal guards and keeping his aura tightly hidden, he passed through the clan grounds undetected.

Fortunately, none of the Shang Clan immortals lived in this compound. They kept their distance, only stepping in when truly necessary— a fact Fang Yuan had already confirmed.

Still, there was a barrier formation around the city— something like an aura-detection array. A low-tier immortal sensor.

Good thing he'd modified his concealment formation on the fly to make himself appear like a mere mortal. In fact, he wouldn't have noticed the barrier at all if it weren't for the AI chip's warning.

The scan function of the chip was insanely powerful. Well, like everything about it.

...

"Hey! Who are you?! How'd you get in here?" shouted a voice from behind him.

Fang Yuan stopped and smiled. He recognized that voice.

Turning around slowly, he saw a familiar face — Feng Tian Yu, staring at him like he'd seen a god.

"L-L-LORD FAN—!!" Feng Tian Yu started to yell in excitement, ready to scream his name to the heavens.

Before he could finish, Fang Yuan flicked a slime Gu straight into his mouth.

He looked at the guy like he was inspecting a new species of fanatic. If this was how crazed he was now, what would he be like once he found out Fang Yuan was an immortal?

Or worse— when crazy events happen in the future?

"Feng Tian Yu," Fang Yuan said calmly. "I'll deactivate the Gu, but no shouting. Got it?"

Feng Tian Yu nodded rapidly like a bobblehead.

With a sigh, Fang Yuan removed the Gu's effect.

"Lord Fang Yuan! Your humble servant is here, loyally protecting Lady Shang Xin Ci, just as you commanded!" Feng Tian Yu bowed deeply, nearly smashing his forehead into the floor.

A perfect dogeza.

Fang Yuan gave him a brief nod. "I remember my promise. You'll get your shot at becoming immortal."

Feng Tian Yu shook his head fervently. "I serve not for rewards, my lord, but because I believe in you!"

Fang Yuan stared into his eyes, which clearly screamed: Please use me, master.

"..."

"Right. Whatever. Let's go. I need to see Shang Xin Ci."

Feng Tian Yu practically skipped ahead. "Yes, my lord! Please, this way! This way!"

The way he led Fang Yuan felt... off. Like he was escorting a rich customer through a brothel.

Fang Yuan frowned. "Why does it feel like I'm walking into a red-light district?" Then he paused. "No, that's on the old Fang Yuan. I'm a reformed man. A good, pure, virgin man now."

...

After a short walk, they arrived at a quiet room.

"She's inside, my lord," Feng Tian Yu said respectfully, stepping back.

Fang Yuan stared at the door. His throat went dry. For the first time in his two lifetimes, he was about to meet a girl he actually liked.

He couldn't even bring himself to knock.

"Damn it... I really am hopeless," he muttered. "But can you blame me? Where was a girl like her in my previous life?"

He took a deep breath.

"Alright... if I can reach the level of a Venerable (in his dreams), I can handle talking to a girl. Come on, you've fought demon immortals (not really him)."

"I can do it."

With that, he finally stepped forward.

This moment marked Fang Yuan's—formerly Joey's—first step into the uncertain world of love.

But the poor guy had no idea he might really never get the chance to enjoy any of it in the future.

Assuming he even had a future to begin with.

.

.

.