Returning in Triumph

"Green Ridge Stronghold has been completely wiped out. The Fang family experts are about to return."

"Then this is excellent news."

"Green Ridge Stronghold did countless evil deeds. They deserved to die long ago!"

The news of Green Ridge Stronghold's destruction spread like a hurricane across the land, and many citizens of Clear Sea City took it as a topic of conversation.

"Has it really been that short a time? Was Green Ridge Stronghold really that weak?"

"Yeah, it hasn't even been three days."

Hearing this, someone sneered, "Weak? You've probably never even left the city."

"Green Ridge Stronghold had a Foundation Building Realm true person stationed there, and dozens of Xiantian Realm experts, all taking advantage of the terrain."

"Aside from the three great clans and the Prefecture Lord's residence, no other force has the guts to completely annihilate it."

All kinds of rumors spread within the city, most of them favorable to the Fang family.

For a time, the Fang family's prestige in Clear Sea City rose another notch.

"When the Fang family next recruits outer-surname disciples, I must join!"

Clear Sea City, Wang Clan.

"Are you certain this intelligence is accurate?"

Wang Jingtang sat upright in the main seat, his expression grim, and threw a dossier heavily to the ground.

"He's only seventeen years old, and at the ninth level of Xiantian Realm?"

"This also says that Fang Yuan is already capable of fighting a Foundation Building Realm true person and not losing?"

Wang Jingtang's barrage of questions made the servant's forehead drip with sweat, not daring to breathe too loudly.

"Take a look for yourself. See what's written here." Wang Jingtang's anger flared. "Have the Fifth Elder come in."

As the helm of the Wang Clan, one of the three great clans, Wang Jingtang's authority was deeply ingrained, and few dared to defy him.

"Patriarch, there's no need to be angry. I've read this intelligence, and it does have issues."

The Fifth Elder was in charge of the clan's intelligence division. As he entered the study, he could sense the tense atmosphere and spoke slowly.

"I've verified it. The scouts reported multiple times, and the source of the information all came from the mouths of Fang family members."

Wang Jingtang knew his limits and gradually calmed his emotions.

"You mean, it might be a deliberate deception by the Fang family?"

The Fifth Elder shook his head, his expression grave. "It's not certain yet."

"If we assume Fang Yuan really does have ninth-level Xiantian Realm cultivation, then all the information we received before was false."

The "previous information" the Fifth Elder referred to was naturally the news that Fang Yuan was severely injured, his dantian shattered, and his cultivation had plummeted.

"Trouble yourself a bit more. Verify this through multiple channels."

Wang Jingtang's eyes flickered. He considered whether to use his hidden agents, but after thinking it over, corroborating this information wasn't worth it yet.

"Have Cheng'er come see me." Wang Jingtang ordered the servant.

Wang Cheng was the leading figure of the Wang Clan's younger generation, slightly older, but very strong, with a reputation second only to Fang Yuan.

"Greetings, Father."

Wang Jingtang nodded slightly and asked, "Did you send death warriors to assassinate Fang Yuan?"

Wang Cheng's pupils contracted. He hadn't expected his father to know, and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

"Foolish!"

Wang Jingtang's face turned ashen. He growled in a low voice, "He managed to return alive from the Azure Cloud Sect. Do you think your petty assassination tricks would work?"

"By doing this, you'll only arouse suspicion and make them think of us."

Faced with his father's reprimand, Wang Cheng didn't dare say a word. He could only lower his head in silence.

"Killing one Fang Yuan won't bring down the Fang family. It will only provoke conflict and backfire."

Wang Jingtang's words seemed like a scolding, but they were filled with instruction.

"Don't go out for a while. Stay home and train hard. Prepare for the Prefecture City Grand Competition."

Even though he was grounded, Wang Cheng had no complaints. He nodded in agreement.

At the same time.

The Zhu Family, one of the three great clans.

A largely identical intelligence report was also placed before Zhu Hengping.

"Old Hai, what do you think?"

After reading the report, Zhu Hengping's expression remained calm. He handed it to an old servant beside him.

"It could be true, or it could be false. Hard to say." The old servant replied.

Zhu Hengping tapped his fingers rhythmically against the table, as if lost in thought.

"If it's true, then from now on, the sky over the Prefecture City belongs to the Fang Family."

The old servant pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but the words never left his mouth.

"True or false, it doesn't matter. Our Zhu Family stays neutral. At worst, we'll feel a slight ripple—nothing serious."

With that, Zhu Hengping lifted his gaze to the old servant. "Say what's on your mind. You know me."

"To report to the Family Head, Clear Sea City is too small. Even the Great Zhou Dynasty is too small."

"With the young lady's talent, staying here is wasting it."

"The sky over the Prefecture City—whether the Fang Family or the Wang Clan holds it—has nothing to do with us."

Zhu Hengping thought the same, but could only sigh helplessly. "Jing'er has her own ideas. I can't force her."

The old servant sighed as well.

That day.

News that the Fang Family members returning from Green Ridge Stronghold were heading back to the Prefecture City spread like wildfire.

Many townsfolk poured out on their own, filling the wide thoroughfare with people craning their necks to see.

At the city gate, the Prefect of Clear Sea City personally welcomed them—an official endorsement, pulling out all the stops.

Outside the city, Fang Yuan and the Eleventh Elder walked side by side at the front, keeping a deliberate distance from those behind.

"Yuan'er, revealing your true strength to the public will likely put a target on your back."

Back at Green Ridge Stronghold, the Eleventh Elder had considered gathering the clan to swear them to silence, hiding Fang Yuan's power.

"It's useless. Too many people were there. It can't be hidden—sooner or later, it'll come out."

The three great families had vast resources, each with their own intelligence networks.

Fang Yuan didn't want to court attention, but he saw no need to deliberately play the fool.

Whoever had the bigger fist held the truth.

Besides, proactively spreading the news, laying down a smokescreen, turning passivity into initiative—it might even make others more wary.

"Still, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed you could trade blows with a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator."

Even with external help, it sounded like a fairy tale.

Fang Yuan smiled. At least his years of bitter cultivation counted for something.

"Let's head home first. Look, there are plenty of people waiting for us at the gate."

The Eleventh Elder pointed toward the city gate, a meaningful smile on his face.

"Is that Fang Yuan? Truly elegant and striking—a man of outstanding talent!"

"So young and already at such a level—a dragon among men, peerless and unmatched."

"Thank you, Young Master Fang and Elder, for ridding Clear Sea City of that scourge!"

The townsfolk surged forward, warm and enthusiastic.

Some of them might not know the undercurrents churning within the city.

But the destruction of Green Ridge Stronghold was a boon, worthy of praise and celebration.

"Elder Fang, Young Master Fang."

The Prefect stepped forward with a smile, greeting them with the courtesy of an equal.

"Congratulations on your triumphant return—slaying bandits and smashing their stronghold, keeping our lands safe!"

"As a part of Clear Sea City, the Fang Family only did what was necessary." The Eleventh Elder replied with a smile.

The Prefect's cultivation was modest, but he represented the face of official authority, and behind him might even stand the Prefecture Lord.

The Eleventh Elder did not presume on his status and remained courteous.

"In three days, the Prefectural Office will host a grand banquet to celebrate your achievements. You both must attend!"