Fang Yun of the South Sea (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)

The Space Ring was a common sight in the Divine Plane, but the original story had also said that it was actually a treasure.

He had thought it was a plot hole in the original world, but only after Fang Yun manifested Clementin's talent and experience did he understand why.

The method for making Space Rings was no secret in the Divine Plane. Most powerful beings who lived there for a long time knew how to make them. But the materials needed to create Space Rings were a special kind that had only appeared after the Divine Plane came into being.

They were relatively rare, and without them, it was naturally impossible to make a Space Ring.

That was why Space Rings still counted as treasures, especially on the Material Plane, where they were even rarer.

However, the Divine Plane had existed for countless years. No matter how rare the materials were, quite a lot had been discovered by now. As a result, Space Rings had become commonplace there, and almost every god-level powerhouse had several.

It was only on the Material Plane that Space Rings were still considered treasures.

So even though Fang Yun was a Highgod, he couldn't make a Space Ring on Blue Star before the material had appeared there.

He had thought it would take some time to get a Space Ring after arriving on the Yulan Continent. He hadn't expected to "pick one up" almost as soon as he got there.

"Please wait..."

Suddenly, Edita called out to Fang Yun, her voice somewhat urgent.

At her words, the students from Wester Academy looked toward the female instructor, unsure why she had suddenly approached this ninth-rank powerhouse.

"Big sister..."

The blue-haired boy, Elite, was puzzled as well.

He admired this ninth-rank powerhouse, but that didn't mean he wanted to get involved with him. After all, this powerful man had just let a Blood-Veined Great Ape kill several people.

"Wait here."

This ring meant a great deal to her and to Wester Academy.

She needed to get it, even if she had to pay a price.

Still, even with Wester Academy backing her, she wasn't sure the man would hand it over.

After all, powerful people had minds of their own.

After reassuring the students, Edita walked toward Fang Yun.

"Hmm?"

Hearing her, Fang Yun looked at the female mage.

Edita stopped in front of him. Her blue eyes were bright and clear. She first performed a flawless noble's curtsy, then said, "Sir, would you be willing to trade me this Ring of Feilan for something of equal value? On behalf of Wester Academy and the Bell Family, I offer you my sincere thanks."

As if worried Fang Yun might misunderstand, Edita added, "I can pay you with something of equal value. Or you can name your price."

She looked up and met Fang Yun's gaze calmly.

The Ring of Feilan?

Some distance away, Elite and the others heard Edita and stared at her in shock.

Wester Academy was the best magic academy in the Rhine Empire. It might not be as famous as Ernst Institute or Welin Academy, but within the Rhine Empire, it had the greatest influence.

After the previous headmaster, Cherifet, disappeared without a trace, the Ring of Feilan—the symbol of his office—had gone missing as well.

Ordinary people might only know that the Ring of Feilan was a symbol of the headmaster's status. But Edita knew it was actually a Space Ring.

It was a treasure Wester, the founder of Wester Academy, had once found in the Necropolis of the Gods.

Though a Space Ring couldn't compare to a divine artifact, it was still an important treasure on the Yulan Continent. And as the symbol of Wester Academy, the Ring of Feilan held great significance.

Every member of Wester Academy had a responsibility to recover it.

"Trade it to you?"

Fang Yun chuckled. "Why should I?"

This woman was certainly bold. Even if he hadn't intervened, the Blood-Veined Great Ape had been there, and he had already shown enough power to rival a ninth-rank powerhouse.

Though he had only just arrived in this world, Fang Yun had read the original story thoroughly. He knew that wanton killing was common, even outside the Divine Plane—on the Yulan Continent or other Material Planes.

If someone else had been in his place, they could have killed them on a whim. It wouldn't have been hard to understand.

This woman seemed pretty confident in her own strength.

"I can trade something of equal value for it," Edita said with a practiced noble's smile.

She knew very well that picking a fight with a powerful stranger here for no reason would be unwise.

But Cherifet had not only been the previous headmaster of Wester Academy; he had also been her mentor when she enrolled.

However, five years ago, Cherifet had disappeared after leaving on a journey. The new headmaster was only a ninth-rank mage.

Wester Academy's influence and standing had both declined considerably.

So when she saw the Ring of Feilan, she naturally wanted to get it back.

"Heh. Do you have another Space Ring? If so, I don't mind trading. It's just a portable warehouse to me."

Fang Yun smiled at Edita, his tone teasing.

Edita's expression stayed the same, but she was quietly surprised. She hadn't expected Fang Yun to know about Space Rings.

Very few people on the Yulan Continent knew that the Ring of Feilan was a Space Ring. Even among newly advanced Saint-level powerhouses, few were aware of it.

She couldn't tell Fang Yun that it was a Space Ring, so she had mentioned the Ring of Feilan by name, hoping he would understand its value and accept more compensation.

She had no intention of taking advantage of a ninth-rank powerhouse.

But she hadn't expected this young man, who seemed to be a ninth-rank powerhouse, to recognize a Space Ring!

She didn't want to take advantage of Fang Yun, but coming up with another Space Ring would be extremely difficult.

"Wester Academy doesn't have another Space Ring, but we'll do our best to find one."

Edita's expression grew more serious.

Since this powerful man knew the truth about the Ring of Feilan, he clearly wasn't an ordinary person. Even so, Wester Academy couldn't simply give up on the ring.

The Ring of Feilan meant too much to the academy.

Besides, it was also a clue—one that might help them discover what had happened to their mentor, Cherifet.

That was of utmost importance, too.

"Find another Space Ring?"

Fang Yun smiled and said casually, "Let's talk after you've found one."

Then he prepared to head deeper into the Sunset Mountain Range. He still had to find a Saint-level Dragon.

"Please wait."

Edita hurriedly called out again.

"Hmm?"

Fang Yun's smile faded. Was this mage planning to use Wester Academy to pressure him?

Seeing his expression, Edita realized his patience was nearly gone. She quickly explained, "Please don't misunderstand. I just wanted to ask where we should go if we find a Space Ring and want to trade it to you."

Fang Yun raised an eyebrow, finding the question rather interesting. After thinking briefly, he replied casually, "I might be in the Holy Union for the next few years."

With that, he said no more and left.

He would definitely go to the Holy Union, but he had no idea how long he would stay.

As for these people, Fang Yun hadn't given them another thought.

"The Holy Union..."

Edita murmured to herself as she watched Fang Yun disappear, wondering if he was from the Holy Union...

The Holy Union and the Rhine Empire had almost no contact. Even when people went on expeditions, they rarely ventured into each other's territory.

After that, Edita simply kept the matter in mind and prepared to return to Wester Academy. She would have to discuss it with the others at the academy.

Even if they did eventually find a Space Ring, traveling to the Holy Union would be a major undertaking.

But no matter how difficult it was, they had to do it. They had to recover the Ring of Feilan.

Deep in the Sunset Mountain Range.

Fang Yun's spiritual energy easily found a Saint-level magical beast: a Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape as tall as a four- or five-story building.

The Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape was an extremely powerful Saint-level magical beast in the original story, and it was famous throughout the Yulan Continent.

But the ape was irritable. Naturally, it was furious when it sensed someone using spiritual energy to observe it.

It was even angrier when it saw that Fang Yun was a human it didn't recognize.

The beasts knew about the super-powerful humans, such as Tulilei of the Far East Prairie. They didn't want to provoke beings like that.

But there weren't many of them.

And this young man wasn't one of them.

"Who are you?"

The Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape's voice boomed like thunder, echoing across the land.

Fang Yun hovered in the air, looking at the creature with some disappointment. After searching for so long, his first Saint-level magical beast wasn't a dragon.

"Human, you dare ignore me, Safidson!"

The Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape stared at Fang Yun with its dark golden eyes, its voice full of anger.

Fang Yun laughed and came back to himself. "You've got quite a temper."

He couldn't be bothered with the hulking beast. After making that remark, he started to fly away. After all, his target was the Dragon Race.

"You dare provoke me, Safidson, and think you can just leave?"

The Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape's voice rang out. It was a Saint-level magical beast. It might not be the ruler of the Sunset Mountain Range, but it was still a local overlord. Someone had probed it with spiritual energy for no reason and offered no explanation. It couldn't just let that go.

If Fang Yun had been one of the very strongest humans, that would have been one thing. But he hadn't even given his name. How could it let him leave just like that?

As it spoke, the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape rose to its feet and reached for Fang Yun with its enormous hand.

"So you want to fight?"

Fang Yun easily dodged the ape's hand, his voice calm.

He believed he was a match for anyone below god-level, but when it came to combat experience, he was still somewhat lacking.

"Human, you provoked the great Safidson of the Sunset Mountain Range, yet you think you can leave?"

The Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape stared at Fang Yun. "You'll pay for your arrogance."

It clenched its fist and swung at Fang Yun again.

The Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape was a magical beast built around strength, much like a human warrior. Its immense power could easily destroy mountains.

Even a Saint-level mage would have to temporarily avoid facing the ape head-on.

But Fang Yun was different.

His true body was Saint-level, but his Light God Clone had become a Highgod, and his true body had been strengthened by the power of a Sovereign. The enhancement was limited, but in terms of pure strength, he might be stronger than an ordinary god.

A Saint-level magical beast was nowhere close. Even the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape, famous for its strength, was no match for him.

The difference was even greater than that between an adult and a child. That was why Fang Yun believed he was stronger than any being below god-level.

Besides, his Saint Domain True Body still had Willpower as a trump card.

"Let's see how strong you are..."

Fang Yun wasn't afraid. Instead, he felt a little excited.

All of his experience came from Clementin. He had barely fought any battles of his own.

This was his first time facing such a powerful opponent head-on.

Fang Yun shot toward the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape's fist, clenched his right hand, and punched the fist in front of him, which was larger than his body.

It was a head-on clash of strength!

There was no technique to speak of.

Insolent fool.

Seeing the tiny human dare to fight it head-on, the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape looked at him with disdain. Even some of the strongest dragons might not be able to beat it in a contest of strength.

But in the next instant, the disdain in its eyes turned to shock and disbelief.

How could this be?

Its fist—and even its whole arm—was flung diagonally backward by a tremendous force, beyond its control.

Its body lurched off balance with it.

Then a piercing pain shot through its fist.

With a thunderous crash, the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape was sent flying into a nearby mountain. Countless rocks and trees were crushed and scattered in disarray.

It was stunned!

The Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape was utterly stunned!

What kind of strength was that?

It had thought that even a peak Saint-level powerhouse couldn't overpower it in strength, let alone knock it back without giving it a chance to resist.

How could this be?

"Who are you?"

Wariness filled the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape's dark golden eyes. Though its voice still boomed like thunder, it no longer sounded as confident as before.

A top-tier Saint-level powerhouse with that kind of strength was rare.

Could it be Tulilei?

Tulilei shouldn't be strong enough to overpower it, but who else could it be?

"Me?"

Fang Yun looked at the strength behind his punch and felt fairly satisfied. "My name is Fang Yun."

"Fang Yun of the South Sea."

Fang Yun added the last part.

The powerful figures of the Yulan Continent were known by name, and their names alone carried weight.

For example, Tulilei of the Far East Prairie, Desri and Hayward of the Chaotic Territory, and even Linley of the Chaotic Territory in the future were all overlords of the Yulan Continent. Even the magical beasts knew their names.

Fang Yun also planned to make his name resound across the Yulan Continent. Every fan of the original story had imagined a scene like this at some point, and Fang Yun was no exception. Now that he had the chance, he certainly wasn't going to miss it.

Since Blue Star's Magic Teleportation Array was in the South Sea region, Fang Yun chose the South Sea as his place of origin.

The strongest beings in the South Sea might not be human, but that wasn't a problem for Fang Yun.

From then on, he could simply beat into submission anyone in the South Sea who refused to obey.

"Fang Yun of the South Sea?"

Hearing the name, the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape looked puzzled. It had never heard of him—or rather, the name was completely unfamiliar.

When had a powerhouse like this appeared in the South Sea?

With that kind of strength, it was impossible for him to have gone unnoticed in the Saint-level ranks.

However, wary of the power Fang Yun had just displayed, the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape didn't ask any further. There was also a note of admiration in its voice. "Fang Yun of the South Sea. I'll remember that. You're stronger than me! Perhaps no one can surpass you in strength."

Magical beasts were said to be hot-tempered, but they were generally straightforward, too.

Fang Yun had crushed the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape in the very area where it was strongest, earning its respect. It didn't matter to it that Fang Yun had injured it.

Fang Yun paid no mind to the ape's praise. Suddenly, he thought of something and looked at it. "Do you know where I can find the Dragon Race in the Sunset Mountain Range? Saint-level dragons?"

The original story had mentioned that there were dragons in the Sunset Mountain Range, but the range was so vast that if he searched on his own, who knew how long it would take?

So he might as well get someone familiar with the area to guide him.

The Saint-level Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape was the perfect choice.

"Saint-level dragons?"

The Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape paused, puzzled. Why was Fang Yun looking for the Dragon Race? Was he planning to take a dragon as a contracted magical beast?

At the thought, the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape shuddered inwardly. That seemed quite possible. With his strength, even a dragon would be no match for him.

Without hesitation, the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape answered, "I do know of a few dragons in the Sunset Mountain Range. The closest to here is Prequet. It's a Saint-level Tyrannosaurus Rex, one of the strongest beings in the entire Sunset Mountain Range. Its strength is immense—especially its physical power, which is terrifying."

If even the Purple-Eyed Golden-Haired Ape thought its power was terrifying, that showed just how strong the Tyrannosaurus Rex was.

"Prequet, the Saint-level Tyrannosaurus Rex?"

Fang Yun nodded, his eyes lighting up. Then he said, "Come on. Take me to meet Prequet."