The Ten Elders

"So this is the Foundation Building Realm?"

Fang Yuan abruptly opened his eyes. Deep within his pupils, it seemed as if lightning flashed and intertwined, shooting forth sharp light. His entire aura had become distinctly different.

Before him, a grayish-brown spiritual herb had completely dimmed, its radiance gone.

"My physical constitution is indeed much stronger than before, and my personal strength has also crossed the threshold of ten thousand jin."

Fang Yuan clenched his fist. His current strength was more than ten times greater than before, yet he still felt something was missing.

The Qi Spring had been opened, all true qi had been converted into true essence, his divine sense had coalesced, and his physical body had undergone a transformation...

He had met all the conditions for breaking through to the Foundation Building Realm.

Now, he could be considered a Foundation Establishment True Person.

Fang Yuan pondered deeply, carefully sensing the changes in his body, sinking into contemplation.

"I still can't coordinate all parts of my body. I have the strength, but my degree of control isn't enough."

This was like a factory assembly line—all the equipment had been upgraded, greatly increasing production efficiency, but it hadn't reached its peak because the software hadn't been optimized to be compatible with the new hardware.

"Perhaps I still need some time to adapt."

As Fang Yuan thought this, a phantom green lotus suddenly appeared in his mind—the one that had coalesced from his divine sense during the breakthrough.

That magnificent green lotus now floated above his dantian, occupying half the space alongside the Martial Dao Imprint, both quite domineering.

"I'd better go out first."

Afraid that his father would worry if he took too long, Fang Yuan walked out of the Ancestral Hall.

"Why are there so many people outside?"

The moment Fang Yuan stepped out, he saw a dense crowd gathered near the Ancestral Hall, their gazes all quite "fervent."

"Congratulations to the Young Master on emerging from seclusion!"

Many of the Fang Family elders, as well as the villagers of Fang Family Village, all bowed slightly, offering their greetings with the utmost respect.

For a moment, Fang Yuan felt somewhat flattered.

He still didn't know what a commotion he had caused outside during his time undergoing the Ancestral Hall's baptism, nor how great a stir it had raised.

"You are all my elders, please don't stand on ceremony."

Fang Yuan stepped forward quickly and helped an elderly man to his feet.

Swish... Swish... Swish...

Suddenly, several streaks of light shot across the sky above Fang Family Village, all originating from deep within the village. Each figure was ancient and decrepit.

"We pay our respects to the Ten Elders!"

All the Fang Family clansmen present, except for Fang Zhongwu, showed reverence upon seeing these ten elders, bowing their waists.

Fang Zhongwu gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Fang Yuan had never even heard of these Ten Elders, let alone seen them, but one could never be too polite.

He was about to bow in greeting, but the leading Long-Bearded Elder reached out and stopped him.

"Handsome features, a fine appearance—truly a worthy son of our Fang Family." The Long-Bearded Elder smiled, stroking his beard as he praised.

Fang Yuan was a bit at a loss but still returned the courtesy politely, inwardly shocked by the strength of the Ten Elders.

Even after breaking through to Foundation Building, he still felt immense pressure from these ten elders.

"At the very least, they're at the ninth level of Foundation Building, or even higher," Fang Yuan thought to himself.

The Long-Bearded Elder's strength was the most unfathomable.

Facing him, Fang Yuan felt like a small boat on a vast ocean, at any moment liable to be swallowed by the waves.

"He might very well be a True Lord!"

The Long-Bearded Elder deliberately restrained his aura, making it impossible for Fang Yuan to make an accurate judgment.

"Who dares to spy on my Fang Family's ancestral land?"

Suddenly, the Long-Bearded Elder let out a cold snort, his gaze turning to the right. A thunderclap seemed to streak across the sky, sending a figure flying.

"I beg the elder's forgiveness!"

A breathless, weak voice came from somewhere unknown, and then its presence quickly vanished.

"The imprint in my dantian trembled just now. It seemed to resonate with him."

Fang Yuan tried his best to conceal his shock, his gaze fixed on the Long-Bearded Elder. He wanted to ask something but found it hard to speak.

"The talent you've awakened is no small matter. If you have any confusion, you can ask your father."

The Long-Bearded Elder saw through his thoughts and took out three Talismans, inscribed with profound runes, along with a jade pendant.

"In the future, when you're training outside and encounter life-threatening danger, activate one of these Talismans. It can ensure your safety."

The Long-Bearded Elder gestured to the nine people behind him and said, "This is a gift from the ten of us old-timers."

"This jade pendant was something I obtained in my early years. It has the power to ward off evil and avoid misfortune, and can keep you safe."

"This humble one, Fang Yuan, thanks the elders." Fang Yuan bowed in gratitude.

A courtesy to one's elders must not be refused.

The Long-Bearded Elder nodded slightly, then turned into a streak of light and departed, the other elders following suit.

It was as if they had come solely to deliver gifts to Fang Yuan.

"Everyone, disperse."

Fang Zhongwu's authoritative voice rang out, dismissing the gathered crowd.

"Dad, those ten elders are really generous. They give big gifts the moment they meet me."

Back in the rustic village cottage, with only Fang Zhongwu and Fang Yuan, father and son, the atmosphere became relaxed and casual.

Fang Yuan had already hung the Milk White Jade Pendant around his neck. A cool sensation spread over his entire body, clearing his mind.

"I haven't forgotten. Take it!"

Fang Zhongwu could tell his son was hinting at him, so he immediately took out a Space Ring.

"Thanks, Dad."

Fang Yuan happily slipped the ring onto his finger, showing no intention of returning the Cosmic Pouch.

"To use a Space Ring, you just need to release a wisp of your divine sense into it, and it will recognize you as its master."

A Cosmic Pouch required a drop of blood for ownership, but a Space Ring used divine sense to retrieve items—clearly much safer and more advanced.

The usage methods were similar; a single thought could store or retrieve anything.

"Now that you have a Space Ring, you should still put away the Cosmic Pouch. It's too flashy," Fang Zhongwu advised.

Fang Yuan smiled and agreed, then asked about the Ten Elders.

"The Ten Elders are the ten people who made great contributions to our Fang family and, after retiring, possess the greatest strength and highest seniority."

"They hold supreme authority in the ancestral land. They are the guardians of the Ancestral Hall and also the protectors of our Fang family."

Fang Zhongwu said with emotion, "They are truly reclusive. Even people living in Fang Family Village rarely see them."

"The first time I saw them was on the day I inherited the position of family head."

Fang Yuan knew the elders were powerful, but he hadn't expected their status to be so high.

"You awakened the Martial Dao Imprint, so they think highly of you. Showing themselves openly like this is also a way to support you."

Fang Yuan seized on the key point and asked, "What exactly is the Martial Dao Imprint?"

Fang Zhongwu thought for a moment and explained simply, "You can think of the Martial Dao Imprint as representing extremely high talent."

"In over five thousand years, the number of people in our Fang family who have awakened the Martial Dao Imprint wouldn't exceed the fingers on one hand."

"So rare?" Fang Yuan's eyes widened in surprise.

"Otherwise, why would it alarm the Ten Elders, and even make so many clan members hold you in such high esteem?"

Few in the Fang family truly understood the Martial Dao Imprint. Only a handful of those with high seniority and status knew a thing or two about it.

But most people could judge talent by looking at the pillar of light that shot out from the Ancestral Hall.

In the past thousand years, Fang Yuan was the only one who had made that pillar of light surge over ninety zhang.

"Is that also considered the Martial Dao Imprint?"