On January 10, in the main camp.
Fang Qianyuan sat cross-legged on a cushion behind the large desk in his tent, his eyes closed in meditation.
Before him, Wang Ran, Qi Mingshan, Zuoqiutang, and the others all stood respectfully.
They had already returned and reported the results of their battles to him individually. Today, they had gathered here to make those results known to everyone and review them.
Hall Master Wu Qiyang had successfully captured Shi Leiyin and Hong Zhongkun, while Wang Ran had captured Bali, catching Ye'e Shilazheluō in the process.
The others, including Fang Ming, had all failed their respective missions.
Their reports likewise mentioned a mysterious figure who had suddenly appeared, using a secret art to conceal the enemies' movements and help them escape.
"A mysterious figure, shrouded in black mist, like a ghost..."
"Judging by this, you must have encountered the same person, and he does indeed possess Heaven Tier cultivation."
"Only someone at the Heaven Tier could range far and wide through projected manifestations to help others escape."
"Still, this remained within my expectations. I saw only that your missions would fail. I never imagined he would be the reason!"
Fang Qianyuan slowly opened his eyes. Within his pupils shimmered a radiance as deep and boundless as a river of stars. Every subordinate who saw it lowered their head and dropped their gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.
Those pupils seemed to hold the mysteries of infinite space-time, threatening to draw in anyone's mind at a single glance.
Only after a while did that radiance slowly fade. The obscure, unfathomable aura surrounding Fang Qianyuan also subsided, until he seemed no different from rocks, grass, or trees.
"It seems the Eye of the Future is not all-powerful either. The River of Time has infinite tributaries.