"The Young Master lost? How could this be?"
The members of the Fang Family in the Royal City stood as if turned to stone, their faces full of disbelief.
That was a Foundation Establishment True Person!
"The Young Master won!"
While the people of the Royal City Fang Family were dejected and stunned, the members of the Prefecture City Fang Family cheered as one, eager to release all the emotions they had held back for so long.
From the moment the battle began, they had faced every kind of doubt, sneer, and taunt.
Their beloved Young Master, Fang Yuan, whom they were proud of, had been slandered.
Yet they had found it hard to argue back.
The barrier between realms was deeply ingrained in people's minds. It was considered impossible to break through—that was common knowledge.
In the three or four thousand years since the Great Zhou Dynasty was founded, no historical record had ever mentioned anyone who could fight a Foundation Building Realm cultivator while still in the Houtian Realm.
Fang Yuan had created a myth, made history!
His name would surely one day be recorded in the annals of history in bold strokes.
"Heaven has blessed our Fang Family. Our ancestors have watched over us, and we've produced a Qilin Child!"
Some of the native villagers of Fang Family Village had no particular stake in the matter; they only hoped the Fang Family would flourish.
Now, seeing Fang Yuan—so gifted—emerge like a dragon from the clouds, they were all moved to tears of gratitude, bowing deeply toward the ancestral hall.
"Even when facing a powerful opponent from the Royal Capital, you still shine so brilliantly."
Fang Yuan'er's feelings were complicated. He was both happy and disappointed.
He was happy that Fang Yuan's strength was astonishing, and that he had defeated Fang Lian across a realm, winning great honor for their family.
But the stronger Fang Yuan became, the harder it would be for him to catch up, let alone surpass him. It might even be impossible.
"I can't stay in the family and cultivate. I need to venture out, seek opportunities, and gain experience. Only then can I break through to Foundation Establishment sooner."
Watching his elder brother lose had left Fang Xuan's mind blank. He thought back to what he had said at the Prefecture Lord's Mansion, and it seemed all the more laughable now.
"Brother Zhongwu, well played!"
Fang Runan withdrew his gaze and gave Fang Zhongwu a meaningful look as he spoke calmly.
"You're too kind."
Fang Zhongwu replied with a smile, then apologized with feigned regret. "The boy doesn't know his own strength and hurt your son."
"But don't worry, Brother Runan. I have the finest pills here. He'll be back to normal in no time."
Fang Runan gave a cold snort and swept his sleeve as he prepared to return to the ancestral hall. The ancestral rites were not yet over.
"You relied on your Spiritual Weapon. I haven't lost yet. Let's fight again!"
Fang Lian climbed to his feet, his face burning with humiliation as he fixed his gaze on Fang Yuan.
Dragging his badly injured body, he drew a Spiritual Sword, his expression resentful.
He had never suffered such humiliation in his life, nor had he ever lost so miserably.
He refused to become a stepping stone on Fang Yuan's path to fame. He was determined to reclaim his dignity and avenge himself.
"Have you not disgraced yourself enough?"
Fang Runan's gaze turned icy.
His voice rang out like a great bell, booming through Fang Lian's mind and jolting him back to his senses.
"Seventh Brother, take the Young Master to get treated. Fang Xuan, go with him."
Fang Runan knew his son was no longer fit to take part in the ancestral rites, so he gave the order.
"Each one is more disappointing than the last."
In the ancestral hall, Fang Zhongwu first offered the foremost incense stick. Fang Runan followed, then Fang Yuan, who knelt and bowed in solemn tribute.
Watching Fang Yuan, full of vigor, Fang Runan couldn't help thinking of his own sons. He sighed with regret.
Losing to someone stronger was one thing, but they couldn't even keep their tempers in check. Had all their usual composure gone to the dogs?
The ancestral rites came to an end.
The dejected people of the Royal City Fang Family planned to set out for home that afternoon and leave Fang Family Village that very night.
"You've had a tiring journey. You've finally returned to the Ancestral Land, so why not stay another couple of days?"
Fang Zhongwu came out to see them off and warmly invited them to stay.
Fang Runan ignored him and led his group toward the village gate. Suddenly, the sound of an argument reached their ears.
"Today, I'll see for myself which little thief dares to steal my things."
"If you dare obstruct me again, don't blame me for slaughtering your entire village!"
Fang Runan looked at the vast, tightly packed crowd gathered by the village gate and frowned instinctively.
"How dare you make trouble in Fang Family Village? You're asking for death!"
Fang Zheng read the look on Fang Runan's face and sensed his displeasure. He had a bellyful of anger himself and was looking for somewhere to vent it.
He strode forward, steady in his steps. An imposing aura rose around him, shaking the ground beneath his feet.
Fang Zheng had secured the position of Grand Elder, so his cultivation was naturally unfathomable.
Many villagers turned around. When they saw who had arrived, they immediately made way.
"Good. You know to be afraid!"
The young man who had spoken assumed the villagers had moved aside out of fear of him. He strode forward and ran straight into Fang Zheng, whose face was ablaze with anger.
"You?"
Fang Zheng seemed to recognize the man before him, and surprise showed on his face.
"So it's Elder Fang!"
A flicker of surprise crossed the young man's eyes, but he quickly clasped his hands in greeting.
"Young man from the Ye Family, what are you doing here?"
Ye Lingkong didn't answer. Instead, he smiled and asked, "Elder Fang, why are you here?"
Fang Zheng's cheek twitched. He wanted to slap the boy, but managed to hold himself back.
For a moment, an uncanny silence fell over the scene.
Just then, Ye Lingkong happened to spot Fang Runan, who was still in the village. His expression changed, and he bowed from afar.
"This junior Ye Lingkong pays his respects to the Dingguo Duke!"
At the name, several Fang Family elders glanced over.
The Ye Family was one of the top clans in the Royal Capital. Famous generals had emerged from its ranks for generations, making it one of the pillars of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
It was a great clan in no way inferior to the Fang Family.
And Ye Lingkong was the most talented member of his generation. Before turning thirty, he had already reached the Ninth Layer Houtian Realm.
He had once been the most promising prodigy, with the best chance of breaking the long-standing record for Foundation Establishment.
But the Ninth Prince had kept himself hidden in the imperial palace and maintained a low profile. He broke the record first.
Even so, there was no denying that Ye Lingkong was extraordinarily talented.
Before the Ninth Prince emerged, rumors about Ye Lingkong had spread throughout the Royal Capital. He had dominated the younger generation and was, publicly, the best among them.
"This junior lost something here. I came to look for it, and I hope the Duke will allow me to do so."
Ye Lingkong could behave more freely in front of Fang Zheng, but this man was of exalted status. He had to rein himself in and choose his words with care.
"What did you lose?"
"I was training at a Cold Pool in the mountains behind Qixi County when I found a stalk of Yinshe Grass, but a Demon Snake was guarding it."
Ye Lingkong spoke quickly. "I went to great lengths to kill the Demon Snake, but someone got there first and stole the Yinshe Grass."
As he spoke, Ye Lingkong's face filled with anger. His gaze swept over Fang Family Village, searching for the thief.
"Then go and see for yourself who stole your things," Fang Runan said calmly.
Ye Lingkong wanted to, but he couldn't. He quickly said he wouldn't dare.
It wasn't worth risking the Fang Family's enmity over a stalk of Yinshe Grass, especially when he might not get it back anyway.
"I've often heard that the Duke is loyal and devoted to his family, and returns regularly to pay respects to his ancestors. This junior wouldn't dare disturb the Fang Family's ancestral resting place."
Ye Lingkong clasped his hands. "I ask the Duke to forgive my presumption."
Knowing the Fang Family's traditions and seeing so many powerful people gathered there, how could he fail to guess they had come for the ancestral rites?
Fang Runan ignored Ye Lingkong and waved his hand. The eight Demon Tigers at the head of the procession stepped forward, and the convoy began to move.
Ye Lingkong shook his head and prepared to leave as well.
Just then, a voice transmission reached his ear.
His body stilled slightly. He turned to look back at Fang Family Village, his gaze flickering...
Before you continue