Feast

The Prefect led the Fang family up and settled Fang Yuan in the main room, while the other disciples ate and drank in the side room.

The side room here wasn't a lesser space.

The private rooms at Imperial Fragrance Tower were tiered—the top-floor rooms were the best, with wide views.

But when a restaurant does business, it often runs into times with larger crowds.

Thus, the private rooms at Imperial Fragrance Tower were very spacious, with the main room and side room connected yet separated from each other.

In simple terms, it was like the difference between a head table and a side table, just more refined.

"Fang Yuan, it's been a long time."

When Fang Yuan arrived at the table, most people stood to greet him, while only a few remained seated.

The one who spoke was among those few—Chang Qing, the fifth legitimate son of the Prefecture Governor.

Fang Yuan gave a slight nod, his attitude very cold.

Those attending this banquet were basically the most outstanding disciples of the major powers in the Prefecture City, including Wang Cheng of the Wang Clan, Zhu Jing of the Zhu Family, and so on.

"Green Ridge Stronghold has many leaders, all with strength above average. I wonder how many Brother Fang has killed?" Wang Cheng asked.

As these words fell, they immediately tugged at the hearts of everyone at the table.

With so many young prodigies gathered together, it naturally wasn't just for eating and drinking.

But most people's thoughts were still curious about Fang Yuan's true strength.

"A little over ten," Fang Yuan replied flatly.

"Surely Green Ridge Stronghold isn't lacking in Ninth Layer Houtian Realm experts?" Wang Cheng asked deliberately.

Fang Yuan's expression remained calm, and he didn't pick up the thread.

This made the others even more uncertain.

People are often like this.

Even if they know the truth is right in front of them, their subconscious may not believe it, and they'll even hypnotize themselves into denial.

It's like a child prodigy who steadily surpasses his peers, going through high school and university.

It was a straightforward path, but then, out of nowhere, he suddenly decides to pursue a doctorate.

Everyone here is a genius—how can you be this monstrous?

Chang Qing broke the awkward scene, saying casually:

"I've received word that there's a cold pool on Falling Mist Mountain with traces of Yinshe Grass. You all might want to give it a try."

Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing at Chang Qing with a meaningful look.

Yinshe Grass has the effect of condensing the spirit and gathering the soul—it's extremely rare, a top-grade spiritual herb, and exactly what Fang Yuan needed right now.

He deliberately leaked this information—what was his intention?

"That's not fair of you. Falling Mist Mountain is huge, and there are plenty of cold pools," Liu Yun said discontentedly.

"It's in the big mountain behind Qixi County, within a ten-li radius."

"As expected of Young Master Chang Qing, willing to share news of a precious treasure with us," a young woman from a prominent family said.

Chang Qing smiled and glanced at Fang Yuan. "I'm not that broad-minded."

"This news, I mainly wanted to tell Fang Yuan, but since everyone's here, I couldn't very well keep it to myself."

Chang Qing's words were very direct.

For a moment, it was hard to guess his true intentions.

"Fang Yuan, my younger brother has offended you greatly. I hope you two can resolve your conflict."

"Consider this news a greeting gift."

"As long as he doesn't show his face in front of me uninvited, there won't be any conflict," Fang Yuan said flatly.

"We're all under the same city—we'll see each other often. You jest."

His coming here was already giving plenty of face; expecting him to bow his head and go along was a fantasy.

"Some time ago, everyone knows about the Ninth Prince of Azure Cloud Academy breaking through to Foundation Establishment, right?" someone suddenly spoke up.

Wang Cheng's eyes flickered, and he immediately took interest.

"It's said that at the moment of entering Foundation Establishment, he awakened the Royal Family's Heavenly Dragon Bloodline, seemingly protected by dragon qi, with dragon roars unceasing."

Chang Qing's expression turned grave as he nodded. "Foundation Establishment is a major threshold, and also the starting point for measuring talent."

To outsiders in the Prefecture City, the people at this table might seem lofty and untouchable, with talents their peers could never hope to match.

But precisely because they had family backgrounds, they knew that the world's geniuses were countless.

Just the step of Foundation Establishment alone was enough to weed out over ninety percent of "false geniuses."

"The Ninth Prince has truly leaped through the dragon's gate. He'll surely be a key cultivation target for Azure Cloud Academy in the future," a disciple from a prominent family said.

"Not just that!"

Chang Qing shook his head. "I've received word that an elder from the Azure Cloud Sect is about to descend upon the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"He will personally escort the Ninth Prince to the Azure Cloud Sect, admitting him through a special exception!"

At these words, the entire hall erupted in commotion.

Many faces showed a flicker of envy.

To become a disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect was already an honor beyond measure, a status comparable to that of a princess or prince.

But to have an elder of the Azure Cloud Sect personally come to receive him—what kind of face was that?

One had to know that even the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty had to show utmost respect when facing an Azure Cloud Sect elder.

"The Ninth Prince's age... he shouldn't be past forty yet, right?" someone asked uncertainly.

"Thirty-two. He's already broken the dynasty's long-standing Foundation Establishment record."

Chang Qing couldn't help but sigh. He was twenty-five now; in another ten years, he might not even reach Foundation Establishment.

Facing a peerless genius like the Ninth Prince, he could no longer muster much jealousy.

The gap between the two was simply too vast, not even on the same plane.

"Fang Yuan, didn't you also participate in the Azure Cloud Sect's trial?" the Li Family's genius suddenly said.

Whether it was due to low emotional intelligence or intentional provocation, these words instantly chilled the atmosphere in the private room to freezing point.

"It wasn't exactly easy."

Fang Yuan's face showed little expression as he spoke flatly.

Not exactly easy?

Many at the table felt a surge of contempt.

If it were easy, wouldn't everyone be on par with princesses and princes?

"Brother Fang truly has seen great occasions; his words are so carefree," Wang Cheng said with a smile.

"Still better than some who don't even qualify to see great occasions."

Facing the sarcasm, Fang Yuan never let anyone off easy, striking back without mercy.

"You..."

Wang Cheng choked, his fingers trembling within his wide sleeves, unable to speak for a long moment.

The Azure Cloud Sect's trial had age requirements and was divided into different stages.

The track Fang Yuan was on was exclusively for prodigies who had broken through to the Xiantian realm before the age of eighteen.

"Everyone, let's not spoil the mood. Eat and drink freely, don't stand on ceremony with me," Chang Qing stepped in to smooth things over.

Before long, the banquet ended on a sour note.

The major clans in the city only maintained a surface-level harmony, fit for idle chat but never for heartfelt exchange.

As they were leaving, there was a small incident.

Zhu Jing, the heavenly daughter of the Zhu Family, quietly slipped a note to Fang Yuan.

"Young Master, please take the carriage!"

Seeing that Fang Yuan hadn't come with a carriage, the younger generation of the Fang Family voluntarily offered him the best one.

Fang Yuan gave a slight nod. After boarding, he opened the note. There were only two words on it.

Wang Clan!

"The Zhu Family has always kept to themselves. Is she trying to stir the waters, or does she have other intentions?"

Fang Yuan and Zhu Jing had no particular friendship, at most a nodding acquaintance.

"Colluding with Green Ridge Stronghold—both the Wang Clan and the Prefecture Governor are suspects. There are also plenty of people who want me dead."

Fang Yuan shook his head, no longer dwelling on the tangled situation in the city.

His top priority now was to break through to Foundation Establishment.

One force shatters ten thousand methods.

Any scheme or conspiracy would be utterly powerless!