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"Patriarch, how is Yuan'er's recovery coming along?"

In the Fang Family's council hall, the head seat was occupied by Patriarch Fang Zhongwu, with elders flanking him on both left and right.

The one who spoke was the Third Elder, his face full of curiosity, as if he truly had no knowledge of Fang Yuan's physical condition.

As the saying goes, a nation must not lack a crown prince; the future torchbearer of a family is equally important.

"Seventh Elder, please share Yuan'er's specific situation with everyone."

Fang Zhongwu's face betrayed neither joy nor anger. He spoke calmly, turning his gaze to the old man seated third on the right.

He was the highest-ranked alchemist in the Fang Family, the actual overseer of the Medicine Hall, and knew Fang Yuan's condition best.

"It's just a minor issue with his dantian. After a period of recuperation, he'll be fine," the Seventh Elder said flatly.

"That's good to hear."

No one pressed further, and many of the elders revealed expressions of relief.

"I have a five-hundred-year-old lingzhi here. The Patriarch can take it to nourish Yuan'er," the Grand Elder said generously, his expression sincere.

But everyone present knew that the Grand Elder and Fang Zhongwu had their conflicts—a matter of historical grudge.

"I also have a spiritual herb here."

"This Heart-Nourishing Pearl can condense qi and soothe the spirit. Let Yuan'er wear it."

Since the Grand Elder had made his move, the other elders followed suit, pulling out some of their treasured possessions.

"Then on Yuan'er's behalf, I thank all the elders for your concern."

Fang Zhongwu smiled and accepted all the gifts.

"In a month, the Flowing Cloud County young generation tournament will be held. Should we adjust our lineup?"

The Third Elder suddenly spoke, and the atmosphere in the council hall grew somewhat tense.

"I think it's too early for that. There's no need to rush adjustments," the Fifth Elder said flatly.

Neither of their words mentioned Fang Yuan, yet everything touched upon him without being explicitly stated.

Sensing the chill in the air, Fang Zhongwu set the tone and said, "We'll discuss this another time."

"Last week, bandits from Green Ridge Stronghold harassed the family's mines multiple times. What are everyone's thoughts..."

Fang Yuan was still unaware of the family council's proceedings.

He was currently lounging leisurely outside his courtyard, basking in the sun and eating fruit fed to him by a maidservant, utterly at ease.

"Young Master, is the pressure of my massage just right?"

A delicate girl in a blue long dress stood behind him, kneading his shoulders, and asked softly.

"Just right."

Fang Yuan had just spat out a fruit pit when he saw a dignified figure striding over, with everyone bowing in greeting as he passed.

"Greetings, Patriarch!"

Fang Yuan looked at his convenient father and tried to stand, but the man pressed a hand down to stop him.

"Your body hasn't fully recovered yet. Resting more is only right."

Fang Zhongwu swept a stern gaze over the surrounding servants. "All of you, withdraw."

"Here, these are gifts from your uncles and elders in the family. They want you to heal well and recover soon."

Fang Zhongwu waved his hand, and before Fang Yuan appeared all sorts of exquisite boxes and jade bottles.

Fang Yuan suddenly smiled. "Is that what the Grand Elder thinks too?"

"You brat, don't worry about what others think. Look at what they do," Fang Zhongwu scolded with a laugh.

Fang Yuan felt rather helpless.

Many years ago, the Grand Elder had been the strong contender to succeed as head of the Fang Family.

But his own father, returning suddenly from outside, shattered the Grand Elder's dream and essentially took his position.

Ever since then, the Grand Elder's offspring, perhaps due to their father's grudge, often came looking for trouble with Fang Yuan.

But they couldn't match Fang Yuan's talent. Despite the age gap, Fang Yuan crushed the younger generation like it was child's play.

No pressure at all!

"At this meeting, some elders did voice a few complaints about you, but don't take it to heart," Fang Zhongwu said.

Though the elders had all expressed concern, bringing up adjustments to the younger generation at an inopportune time was a test.

No one would propose deposing the young master now, but with Fang Yuan's injury uncertain, conflicts would not be few in the future.

Fang Yuan waved his hand.

Wherever there are people, there is the jianghu. Some devote themselves to martial arts, while others covet power and status.

Fang Yuan had always belonged to the former, and that remained true now.

"I know you don't care, but this position represents privileged status and resource allocation." Fang Zhongwu said in a low voice.

Fang Zhongwu knew his son's nature well—he was a complete martial fanatic, pursuing only the martial path.

Fang Yuan chuckled softly, slowly opening his mouth, his words carrying an indescribable dominance.

"As long as I don't want to move, none of the younger generation can shake my position."

He was now, in the truest sense, sitting still while traveling eighty thousand li a day.

Every day, he could add a year's worth of bitter cultivation to his cultivation base; his future progress could only be described as terrifying.

"In a few days, the medicinal herbs to repair your dantian will be ready. For now, focus on healing, and if you need anything, just have someone tell me."

"Father, I have already destroyed my dantian myself."

Fang Yuan's words were startling to the point of death.

"What did you say?!" Fang Zhongwu's face was full of shock. "Destroyed your own dantian?"

"The time this will take in the future—have you considered that it will severely impact your martial path?"

Fang Yuan said seriously, "To go higher and farther, having a stable foundation is essential. You were the one who told me that."

Fang Zhongwu let out a long sigh, but still respected his son's decision.

"But doing this will make your situation difficult from now on."

Having the halo of a genius meant bearing that pressure.

Falling from a height to a low point—such a sudden drop was not something an ordinary person could endure.

"During my trial at Azure Cloud Sect, I obtained a secret technique that can quickly repair my dantian and even return me to my peak."

Fang Yuan pondered for a moment, then revealed some information to his cheap father.

"That's good, then."

Upon hearing this news, Fang Zhongwu did not show excessive surprise; his calmness struck Fang Yuan as somewhat strange.

"In that case, don't tell outsiders about destroying your dantian. Keep to the rhythm of repairing it instead."

Fang Zhongwu thought for a moment, then said.

"As expected of Father, your considerations are thorough." Fang Yuan agreed wholeheartedly.

After seeing off his cheap father, Fang Yuan closed the door and instructed the maidservant to guard outside, allowing no one to disturb him.

"Today's Source Points have updated!"

At the hour of noon.

Fang Yuan noticed the change on his attribute panel and immediately allocated points!

For a moment, centered on Fang Yuan, he seemed to transform into a vortex, continuously absorbing true qi.

[You have cultivated bitterly for one year, successfully solidifying the mist-like true qi within your body. The true qi threads construct a dantian, and your cultivation breaks through to the Houtian realm!]

A moment later.

Fang Yuan looked inward at his body; his abdomen had originally been a hazy mass of mist.

But in an instant, threads of true qi solidified within the mist, intertwining with each other, gradually building a seven-zhang-tall dantian.

This process was fast, taking less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

"I remember that when I first built my dantian, it took a full three days." Fang Yuan recalled.

Returning to the Houtian realm, Fang Yuan's heart was as calm as an ancient well—he was merely walking a path he had already traveled before.