Attack Green Ridge Stronghold

Three days later.

"The Spirit Gathering Pill's effects truly are excellent."

Fang Yuan sat cross-legged in his room. The spiritual energy that had initially gathered in his mind was nothing more than a lonely reed, but now it had grown into a patch.

With his talent, refining a single Spirit Gathering Pill took only three days.

Yet one Spirit Gathering Pill was enough to match a full month of bitter cultivation and tempering of the spirit.

"The price of a Spirit Gathering Pill is far more expensive than a Qi Condensation Pill. Ordinarily, only elders can afford it."

The higher the realm of cultivation, the more vast the resources required.

Even with the family's resource allocation, there were limits.

Fortunately, in terms of cultivation advancement, he had the blessing of the Heavenly Origin Earth Realm, steady and solid—faster and better than relying on pills.

"Once I condense my spiritual sense, breaking through to Foundation Building is just around the corner!"

Fang Yuan's eyes flickered. Setting foot in the Foundation Building Realm would mean fully entering the ranks of Flowing Cloud County's top experts, allowing him to act with fewer restraints.

Before long, Xiao Zi suddenly hurried in.

"Reporting to the Young Master, something terrible has happened."

Fang Yuan frowned, signaling Xiao Zi to continue.

"I heard that the bandits from Green Ridge Stronghold have mobilized in full force and attacked our mineral deposits on Falling Mist Mountain."

How bold.

Fang Yuan's anger surged. "What are the casualties?"

"The losses are heavy. The exact numbers are unknown. The Family Head requests that you come see him." Xiao Zi replied truthfully.

Fang Yuan nodded. This concerned the family's dignity—how many years had it been since anyone dared to provoke the Fang Family like this?

When the thunderous wrath descended, Green Ridge Stronghold would be reduced to ashes!

Fang Yuan arrived at the Family Head's study. Several elders were already inside, and he promptly bowed in greeting.

"These Green Ridge Stronghold bandits are far too rampant. Let me go up the mountain myself and finish off these motherless beasts."

The speaker was the Fang Family's Ninth Elder, known for his fiery temper and a tendency to destroy entire families at the slightest provocation. His strength was formidable.

"A mere Green Ridge Stronghold—sending an ordinary elder should be enough," the Second Elder suddenly interjected.

The Fang Family's council elders all had formal titles, from the Grand Elder down to the Seventeenth Elder.

The remaining Foundation Building elders were collectively referred to as ordinary elders.

"We must not be careless. We still don't know who is uniting these scattered bandits. They may not be ordinary," the Seventh Elder said cautiously.

"I think we should send the Eleventh."

The Second Elder turned his gaze to the Eleventh Elder, who had remained silent. He was composed and steady in his actions.

Seeing this, the other elders nodded in agreement.

Fang Zhongwu, seated in the main position, made the final decision. Then he glanced at Fang Yuan, who stood in the corner, and said:

"Fang Yuan, follow the Eleventh Elder and learn from the experience!"

At these words.

Many elders in the study were quite surprised.

"Family Head, this operation is very dangerous. It's better not to let the Young Master take the risk."

"Yes, besides the First Chief being at Foundation Building, there are several bandit leaders at the Ninth Heaven of Innate, and even some who have broken through to the Hundred Orifices Realm."

"I think it's unwise."

Many elders, concerned for Fang Yuan's safety, spoke up to dissuade him.

Fang Zhongwu smiled and shook his head.

"You may not know this yet, but this boy's cultivation has already broken through to the Ninth Heaven of Innate!"

Throughout the entire Fang Estate, only Fang Zhongwu truly knew Fang Yuan's cultivation strength.

The other elders only heard secondhand accounts from disciples or received transmitted messages.

But none of these were accurate.

Because Fang Yuan acted decisively, killing his enemies in a single exchange—instant kills!

The disciples' cultivation levels were too low to gauge his true strength; they only knew he was powerful.

"At this age, reaching the Ninth Heaven of Innate—breaking Clear Sea City's record for the youngest Foundation Building cultivator is within reach!" an elder said excitedly.

No elder doubted the truth of Fang Zhongwu's words. They all turned their expectant gazes to Fang Yuan.

"I say, forget Clear Sea City's record—even the Great Zhou Dynasty's record is worth a shot."

A white-haired elder stroked his beard, his gaze toward Fang Yuan filled with satisfaction.

Currently, the youngest Foundation Building realm record in the Great Zhou Dynasty was thirty-six years old!

"With the Young Master here, our Fang Family is sure to thrive in the future!"

Over the years, the Fang Family had risen from the bottom of the three great clans to their current overwhelming lead.

This was largely due to Fang Zhongwu's efforts.

But the most important factor was still internal unity within the family—there could be scheming and infighting, but it could not hinder the overarching goal of development.

The elders departed one after another, and Fang Zhongwu kept Fang Yuan behind for a private talk.

"Green Ridge Stronghold is a gathering of desperadoes. If we push them to the brink, they'll use every trick to fight back!"

Fang Zhongwu warned, "Living is more important than anything else."

"Unless a Foundation Building realm expert makes a move now, no one in the Xiantian Realm will be my match!"

To put Fang Zhongwu at ease, Fang Yuan made bold claims—though most of it was truth.

"That's as it should be."

Fang Zhongwu did not refute him; instead, his face brimmed with pride.

"How are Fang Man and the others doing now?"

On his way here, Fang Yuan had received news that the mining grounds had been attacked, and Fang Man had been captured, his fate unknown.

"Safe and sound."

The Fang Family had a place where the life tablets of important members were kept, allowing them to know the life status of distant clansmen.

"If anything had happened to Fang Man, the Fifth Elder would have already charged over and left not a single soul alive."

The Fifth Elder was Fang Man's foster father, treating him as his own and fiercely protective.

"No time to waste. I'll go back and prepare now, then set out with the Eleventh Elder."

Returning to his courtyard, Fang Yuan had little to pack. The mining grounds were not his first visit, and his Cosmic Pouch had everything he needed.

His main reason for coming back was to instruct Xiao Zi to keep a closer eye on Miao Yunshang and the movements of the Rain Listening Pavilion.

For this campaign against Green Ridge Stronghold, many disciples were still joining, most of whom had gone last time.

Over a hundred Houtian Realm clansmen, thirty stewards, and one overseeing elder.

Such a lineup was enough to sweep through the great families of any nearby city—it was practically giving Green Ridge Stronghold far too much face.

"I heard Green Ridge Stronghold pissed off the Fang Family. Looks like they're done for this time."

"Just look at this lineup. They could probably scatter the bandits' ashes and even slap their dogs twice."

"Green Ridge Stronghold has harmed countless traveling merchants and killed countless ordinary cultivators. They deserve to die!"

Though the Fang Family had their own reasons, what they were doing was essentially a good deed for the people. The nearby commoners sang their praises.

Soon, the Fang Family's massive procession left the city.

At the same time.

The scout sent ahead to gather information returned.

"Reporting to the Eleventh Elder, no one survived at the mining grounds. No trace of Green Ridge Stronghold bandits has been seen on Falling Mist Mountain."

The Eleventh Elder narrowed his eyes. Beneath his calm expression lay a volcano ready to erupt.

The others' faces were equally grim.

"Scout again. Report again."

On the front lines, having firsthand intelligence was crucial.

"Elder, gathering us all together like this makes us too conspicuous a target. It'll easily alert the Green Ridge Stronghold bandits."

Among the Fang Family members, only Fang Yuan was qualified to speak directly with the elder.

"Yuan'er, what are you thinking? Speak freely."

"We can split into ten teams and surround Green Ridge Stronghold in sequence. That way, we can also avoid letting anyone slip through the net."

The Eleventh Elder pondered for a moment, then quickly agreed with Fang Yuan's idea.