Before stepping into this misty world, Fang Yuan cautiously used the save function to firmly lock this time-space anchor.
At this moment, he had to admit that the pale, death-like face was ridiculously strong. The opponent was truly like a monster—no matter how hard Fang Yuan tried, he couldn't defeat it.
However, the opponent's condition should be similar to Huang Long's, meaning it wouldn't be able to move for a while.
Rather than letting that death-like face continue to enjoy the "demon buffet," it was better for him to intervene and collect these "takeout" offerings.
With that in mind, Fang Yuan immediately changed his plan. This time, he didn't intend to stir up trouble with the death-like face. Instead, he planned to venture deeper into the mist and hunt the wandering demons.
This place was essentially a natural monster farm!
If he used it properly, it could be an inexhaustible treasure trove of benevolence points.
"You stay outside." Fang Yuan turned his head and instructed Ruan Chaohan, "No need to follow me."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ruan Chaohan replied respectfully, understanding that with His Majesty's strength, his presence would only drag him down. If danger arose, His Majesty would likely have to divide his attention to protect him.
Once Ruan Chaohan retreated to a safe distance, Fang Yuan didn't waste any more time. His figure flashed, and he once again entered the thick mist.
This overwhelming fog seemed to be one of the death-like face's divine powers. Through it, it controlled the demons of this world, turning them into mindless creatures that mindlessly approached, only to become its meal.
Compared to Huang Long's tragic state, this death-like face was living quite comfortably…
"Earth Sword, take me to the center of this region!" Fang Yuan whispered.
Instead of spending time and effort hunting the demons still conscious in the mist, it was more efficient to go straight to the cave—where the demons had already become mindless zombies, offering no resistance. There were even demon saints there, making it an ideal place to farm benevolence points!
As long as he didn't provoke that death-like face, this trip would be a guaranteed profit.
The Earth Sword hummed and trembled, about to break through the air, but Fang Yuan suddenly stiffened. A chilling aura like a poisonous snake coiled around his spine.
This aura… he was all too familiar with!
The death-like face!
"Impossible?!" Fang Yuan's pupils shrank sharply, a cold chill sweeping over him.
Last time, he had ventured deep into the cave and almost stood in front of that death-like face, only then did it lock onto his presence. But now—he hadn't even approached the cave, and it had already sensed him?!
Hadn't he already rolled back?
Why was this situation completely different from last time?!
It felt as though… the death-like face had already "recognized" him!
As Fang Yuan was lost in thought, the surroundings suddenly plunged into complete darkness.
The light twisted for a moment, and when he could see again, red names flooded his vision!
Demons, countless demons, were everywhere!
Fang Yuan's hair stood on end as he realized that he had already entered the massive cave. The rock walls were crawling with twisted demons, and right ahead—
That pale, death-like face was "staring" at him with its vacant pupils!
The familiar, terrifying aura surged from its massive mouth once again, and this time, Fang Yuan could clearly feel that the death-like face's energy had completely locked onto him!
"Tsk..." Fang Yuan sighed lightly, a flash of determination in his eyes, "Rollback!"
Humming—
The river of time flowed backward, and the surroundings rapidly retreated like a tidal wave.
"Your Majesty, what did you say? I didn't hear clearly..."
"I was a bit disoriented this time..."
Ruan Chaohan's voice rang in his ears again, but Fang Yuan's expression was unusually serious.
After entering the mist twice, encountering completely different situations—this could only mean one thing.
That death-like face had detected his rollback!
"It seems its divine power… can also reach into the river of time..." Fang Yuan murmured softly, a cold chill rising in his heart. In the midst of it all, he seemed to feel some kind of transcendent, timeless gaze.
He took a deep breath, and strangely enough, he wasn't even surprised.
For an existence like that, having such a world-shaking ability seemed only natural. It was just…
"Even more troublesome than I imagined…"
"Your Majesty, shall we attack now?" Ruan Chaohan's eyes burned with fighting spirit.
Fang Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his sleeves billowing in the wind: "No need."
This boundless sea of bones was clearly the domain of that death-like face. Compared to Summer Kingdom's Huang Long, this fellow, nourished by the "demon buffet," had much greater control over this world.
Since even his rollback had been detected, to rush in now would be like walking into a trap.
"No need?" Ruan Chaohan was surprised. "But we've already..."
"I just deduced the heavenly secrets," Fang Yuan raised a hand, pointing to the mist. His tone was calm and collected, "The demons trapped in this fog are like fish in a barrel. They can't stir up any waves."
With that, Fang Yuan turned and walked away, maintaining his emperor's dignity. After all, he couldn't just admit that there was an unbeatable ancestor inside, could he?
...
As the two entered the Zhenfu Department's office, Ruan Tianhe and the others hurried to greet them, their eyes filled with inquiry.
"Your Majesty, how is the situation?"
Fang Yuan casually brushed off his sleeves: "No problem. That place is a world of its own. As long as we don't step in, the demons inside can't cross over."
His tone was flat, as if he were simply discussing the weather.
The truth was too shocking, so Fang Yuan didn't intend to share it. After all, what good would it do to spread panic?
"Now, let's depart for the capital…"
...
Inside the majestic Summer Kingdom Palace, the atmosphere in the Golden Throne Hall was solemn.
Ever since Fang Yuan ascended to the higher realms, governance of the lower world had been jointly handled by Marquis Chongwu and Queen Longzhen—one overseeing the Eastern Continent, the other the Western Continent. They were both known as Summer Kingdom's "de facto Emperors."
At this moment, these two powerful ministers, along with the local generals and governors from various provinces such as Sang Province, Baiji Province, and others, knelt respectfully in the hall.
And sitting on the Dragon Throne, was none other than—
That imposing figure who gazed down on the world!
Since uniting the Eastern and Western continents, Fang Yuan had abandoned his old golden dragon robe, instead donning the black imperial robes symbolizing supreme power.
"I won't stay long this time…" Fang Yuan looked down at his officials, speaking slowly.
The officials in the hall held their breath, gazing at the Dragon Throne with not only awe but a trace of reverence. To them, this emperor, who could shatter the void, had long transcended the mortal realm and was no different from a true god.
And even though he had ascended, he still returned to manage the affairs of the lower world, which only proved how deeply His Majesty loved this land.
As their thoughts raced, Fang Yuan continued: "I plan to set up a grand formation, using the Eastern and Western continents as its foundation."
"This formation has two uses." Fang Yuan casually waved his hand, and two virtual images of the continents appeared in front of him. "One is for teleportation, so that those within the formation can instantly travel between the Eastern and Western continents."
"The other is for defense—no matter how strong the demon saint-level beings are, they won't be able to cross even half a step."
"Does anyone have any objections?"
Upon hearing this, the hall immediately filled with gasps. The ministers exchanged looks, all reflecting disbelief and shock.
His Majesty spoke so casually, yet the weight of his words was like a thousand-pound burden.
Such a god-like feat… could he be anything but a deity?
"We obey, Your Majesty!"
What more needed to be said? Such a divine act before them left no room for anything but full submission!