Fang Yuan, are you stealing again?

Almost at the same time, on the other side.

"Father, Mother, that's basically how things happened," Fang Zheng said respectfully, standing straight.

In the hall, Fang Yuan's uncle, Gu Yue Dong Tu, and aunt sat on wide-backed chairs, both frowning.

His aunt gritted her teeth, indignant on Fang Zheng's behalf while also feeling a bit of schadenfreude. "That brat Fang Yuan, it's one thing for him to extort others, but I never thought he wouldn't spare his own brother. How could he be so heartless and unrighteous! But with such a grave mistake this time, he'll probably be expelled from the academy soon."

"Alright, you should say less," his uncle sighed, then said to Fang Zheng, "You lost primeval stones, but it was only one. It's not a big deal. Go to the accounting office and get another one. You're not needed here anymore, go down and cultivate properly. With your A-grade aptitude, becoming the first intermediate Gu Master is very possible. Don't waste your talent; your mother and I are both looking forward to you being the first."

"Yes, Father, Mother, this child takes his leave." Fang Zheng retreated with a heavy heart.

He secretly pondered, Brother blocked the academy gate today and robbed all the students. The negative impact is so severe, he'll likely be expelled. At that time, should I plead for him?

Two voices warred in his mind.

One voice said, No need to plead. He even robbed his own brother's primeval stones. Even if he's expelled, it's his own fault. Heaven's wrath can be survived, but self-inflicted ruin is unpardonable!

The other voice said, He's your own brother, with a similar face. Blood is thicker than water. Fine, even if you don't acknowledge him, you should still plead. If you don't, how will outsiders see you? They'll probably think you're heartless and unrighteous.

Watching Fang Zheng leave the hall, his aunt couldn't hold back her joy. "Master, we cut off Fang Yuan's living expenses. That brat couldn't stand it and made a huge mistake this time! He dared to block the academy gate and fight publicly, and extort others. This is a provocation to the Academy Elders. I think his expulsion is practically certain."

His uncle, however, shook his head. "You're thinking too simply. Fang Yuan won't be expelled; he might not even be punished."

"Why?" his aunt asked, greatly puzzled.

His uncle sneered, "Fighting is encouraged, as long as there are no severe consequences. Were any students killed in this fight? No."

His aunt was a little unconvinced. "How do you know there weren't? Fights always have accidents."

His uncle closed his eyes and leaned back against the chair. "You woman, you're just naive. Do you really think the Academy Elders are just for show? When did the guards intervene? They only acted at the very end, which means the situation was always under control. If someone was seriously injured, they would have rushed out long ago, not waited until the end."

"You're not a Gu Master, so you don't understand. The academy doesn't prohibit fights between students; in fact, it encourages them. The more they fight, the better it is for their combat skills. Some students even forge strong friendships through fighting. The elders won't pursue these matters. It's already the norm. If anyone tries to protect their own, they break this rule."

His aunt was stunned and unconvinced. "Then Fang Yuan extorted such a large sum of primeval stones, and nothing will happen? They'll just let him off like that? With such a large sum of primeval stones, it will greatly help his cultivation."

His uncle opened his eyes, his face filled with gloom. "What else can we do? Are you asking me to go and personally snatch Fang Yuan's primeval stones? However, this matter is not without its uses. Fang Yuan even robbed and extorted his own brother, Fang Zheng. This is his mistake. Fang Zheng has A-grade aptitude and will eventually be stronger than him. We'll use this incident to sow discord and provoke Fang Zheng. Let Fang Zheng completely distance himself from Fang Yuan and be used by us!"

Three days passed.

The uproar over Fang Yuan's robbery and extortion did not spread or escalate. Instead, it began to gradually subside.

No elders broke the rules to personally trouble Fang Yuan, and the Academy Elders naturally turned a blind eye.

Although during this period, two or three youths, resentful of having their primeval stones forcibly taken, challenged Fang Yuan again.

But after Fang Yuan easily defeated them, everyone realized that if they didn't diligently practice their martial arts, they wouldn't be able to defeat Fang Yuan.

Among these youths, a trend of diligently practicing basic martial arts began.

The martial arts instructor was overjoyed. He had never seen a batch of students with such enthusiasm and dedication for basic martial arts. Before, when he taught, the students were always listless and yawning. Now, they were energetic and constantly seeking guidance.

The Academy Elders specifically inquired about his situation.

The martial arts instructor reported with excitement, "The students have shown unexpected enthusiasm; the change is too great. However, one student named Fang Yuan is still as lazy as ever."

The Academy Elder smiled and patted his shoulder. "The student you're talking about is the source of everyone else's transformation."

The martial arts instructor was surprised and confused.

Of course, the changes didn't stop there.

After this incident, Fang Yuan undoubtedly became the public enemy of all students, viewed with hostility and isolation by everyone.

No one spoke to him anymore; no one greeted him.

The youths were all determined to diligently practice their basic martial arts in private. Encouraged and instructed by their elders behind the scenes, they had decided to personally reclaim their honor.

Beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were surging.

Another four days passed.

The Academy Elders distributed primeval stone subsidies again, and it was time for Fang Yuan to act again.

"Fang Yuan, robbing us once isn't enough, you want to rob our primeval stones again?!" The students, blocked by Fang Yuan at the entrance once more, were shocked and enraged.

Fang Yuan stood in the center of the gate, hands behind his back, his expression cold, his tone indifferent. "One primeval stone per person, and you can avoid physical suffering."

"Fang Yuan, you're going too far! I challenge you!" Gu Yue Mo Bei roared, stepping forward to fight.

"Oh?" Fang Yuan's eyebrows slightly rose.

Mo Bei charged forward with his fists. After a few rounds, he collapsed on the ground.

"Mo Bei, you're too useless, watch me!" Gu Yue Chi Cheng roared and rushed towards Fang Yuan.

The roles reversed, and he followed in Mo Bei's footsteps.

Fang Yuan's combat experience was tens of thousands of times greater than theirs. Although he had just begun cultivating, every bit of his strength was used precisely.

This group of youths was just starting. If they had swarmed him, they might have caused him a little trouble. But challenging him one by one was even easier than the first robbery.

A quarter of an hour later, he leisurely departed with a bulging money bag. He left behind a group of youths, some lying unconscious, others groaning and howling while clutching their stomachs or groins.

"Brothers, come clean up the mess," the guards called out, rushing forward.