"What?"
"Someone from the Azure Cloud Academy has arrived—a Vice Palace Master!"
"The only one the Azure Cloud Academy would value this highly must be that Qilin Child of the Fang Family."
The Vice Palace Master of the Azure Cloud Academy had personally come to pay a visit to the Fang Family, stirring the entire city. It was sure to be an unsettled night.
The Fang Family was riding high now, and had the potential to surpass all the major forces in Prefecture City in the future.
Fang Yuan's performance had undoubtedly accelerated that process.
The two Clan Heads of the Wang Clan and Zhu Family, both among the Three Great Families, sat in their studies, each pondering their family's future.
"Clan Head, I think we should stop competing with the Fang Family for the weapons contract. What if they find out?"
The Wang Clan's Third Elder was Clan Head Wang Jingtang's trusted aide. Many things that could not see the light of day were left to him to handle.
Wang Jingtang said nothing. He kept rubbing the tip of his wolf-hair brush between his fingers, lost in thought.
His decisions often changed the fate of the family, so he had to be cautious.
After a long while,
Wang Jingtang seemed to have made up his mind.
"There's no turning back once the arrow leaves the bow. If we land that contract, the profits will equal two or three years of the family's net income."
Wang Jingtang glanced at his trusted aide and shook his head. "We secretly supported Green Ridge Stronghold's growth and made promises to the Mad Blood Daoist."
"It seems we didn't leave any evidence, but there's no guarantee the Fang Family won't discover it someday and use it as a pretext for war."
"Once we considered killing Fang Yuan, it was already certain that our two families could never part on good terms."
The Wang Clan's Third Elder understood the pros and cons. He let out a deep sigh.
"The only thing we can do now is work hard to grow stronger and catch up. The Fang Family has backing—why should we have none?"
Wang Jingtang's eyes flickered with sharp light. He picked up his wolf-hair brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote a letter.
"Have someone deliver this letter to the Wangdu Fang Family."
The Wang Clan's Third Elder took it without asking why, nodded, and agreed.
"No matter how the situation in Prefecture City changes from now on, our Zhu Family will remain neutral. We won't wade into these muddy waters."
After Zhu Hengping heard the news, he remained silent for a long while, but still upheld the Zhu Family's guiding principle of peaceful development.
The Grand Elder beside him nodded in agreement on the surface, but couldn't stop worrying inwardly.
Since ancient times, those without a stance had been the ones in the greatest danger.
Once the balance was broken and you found yourself caught in the maelstrom, who could remain untouched?
Apart from the Three Great Families, the Prefecture Lord's Mansion was also bustling, especially after an important figure from the Royal Capital arrived.
"Your Lordship, I plan to visit my teacher in person. What do you think?"
The Flowing Cloud Prefecture Lord asked Ye Lingkong, not to seek his approval, but to see whether he wanted to go along.
Both of them had come from the Azure Cloud Academy. Out of respect for their teacher, they ought to pay him a visit.
Besides, the visitor was the Azure Cloud Academy's First Vice Palace Master, whose status was second only to the Palace Master.
He was a renowned powerhouse throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty, with students scattered far and wide.
"Go straight to the Fang Family?" Ye Lingkong frowned slightly. "Would that be appropriate?"
He said this, but in truth, he very much wanted to go. He wanted to see for himself the Fang Family genius whose fame was soaring.
But his identity was special. He was not only a disciple of the Azure Cloud Academy, but also the heir of Duke Zhenguo's Mansion.
"We're going to see our teacher as his students. What's the problem?" the Flowing Cloud Prefecture Lord said with a smile.
"Then let's go together."
"Mr. He, you've come a long way. Please come inside and join us for a chat!"
An hour earlier, at the Fang Residence's main gate, the Grand Elder had personally come out to welcome He Yunsong, smiling as he ushered him inside.
"I heard your residence has produced a young genius. Is he here now?"
He Yunsong took a sip of tea in the reception hall, then got straight to the reason for his visit.
"Please wait a moment, Mr. He."
The Grand Elder was secretly astonished. The Azure Cloud Academy's information network was truly impressive.
He had only recently learned what had happened at the Ancestral Land, yet the Academy's elder had traveled thousands of miles and come in person.
"Greetings, Grand Elder. And greetings to the senior from the Academy."
Fang Yuan had just returned home and hadn't even had a chance to catch his breath before Fang Zhongwu brought him to the reception hall.
"What a dragon among men, with extraordinary talent!"
He Yunsong wore a warm, kindly expression. The moment he saw Fang Yuan, it was as if he'd stumbled upon a peerless uncut jade, and he immediately praised him.
"You flatter me, Senior."
Fang Yuan replied politely. He could more or less guess why the Azure Cloud Academy had come to the Fang Family.
He had refused their invitation back then. There was even less chance he would go now.
"Even before the Great Zhou Dynasty was established, our Azure Cloud Academy already existed. The Academy is home to many powerhouses, especially when it comes to teaching disciples..."
He Yunsong spoke slowly, emphasizing the Azure Cloud Academy's deep foundations. He even offered Fang Yuan a great many generous terms.
"If you join our Academy, you'll certainly reach Foundation Establishment within three years. Breaking the record will be just around the corner."
The commotion Fang Yuan had caused during the Baptism at the Ancestral Land was known only to people such as those in Fang Family Village. The news had not yet had time to spread.
After all, he and his father had returned in the middle of the night.
"I've already reached Foundation Establishment," Fang Yuan said calmly, cutting off what He Yunsong was about to say.
"What?"
He Yunsong froze, seemingly unable to process it. Only when Fang Yuan deliberately let a trace of his aura show did he come back to his senses.
"Excellent, excellent, excellent."
He Yunsong repeated the word three times. His gaze burned even brighter as he looked at Fang Yuan.
A Foundation Building Realm cultivator this young was a rare sight, even in a great sect.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, he was a whole tier beyond the rest.
How old was he? Seventeen. He was more than a full cycle younger than the latest Foundation Establishment record set by the Ninth Prince!
He Yunsong made up his mind.
No matter the price, he had to bring Fang Yuan back to the Azure Cloud Academy.
"If you join the Academy, I can guarantee that you'll enter the Azure Cloud Sect within a year!" He Yunsong offered a weighty incentive.
The Azure Cloud Academy existed in more than a dozen neighboring dynasties, each a martial arts holy land supported and recognized by its Royal Family.
All these Azure Cloud Academies belonged to the Azure Cloud Sect. Their purpose was to send the finest geniuses from each dynasty to the sect.
He Yunsong's promise carried considerable weight.
Tell me, what cultivator in a dynasty wouldn't want to become a disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect, leap across the social divide, and stand shoulder to shoulder with princes and princesses?
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior." Fang Yuan refused again.
His predecessor had been obsessed with martial arts and had indeed been fixated on the Azure Cloud Sect, but that didn't mean he thought highly of the Azure Cloud Academy.
Otherwise, he would have gone when the Azure Cloud Academy first invited him.
But now Fang Yuan had the Heavenly Origin Earth Realm, and he hadn't encountered any cultivation bottlenecks yet. His guiding principle was to grow in secret, quietly becoming stronger.
There was no need to go to the Azure Cloud Sect and fight tooth and nail for a few scraps of silver.
"Don't be so quick to refuse."
He Yunsong took out the items he had brought. "This is Triple-Transformation Body-Condensing Paste. It can completely repair your Dantian without leaving any hidden problems."
"And this is Green Vine Spirit Root. It can nourish your Divine Sense, strengthen your spiritual awareness, and even increase your life force!"
Clearly, He Yunsong had done his research before coming.
Both the Triple-Transformation Body-Condensing Paste and the Green Vine Spirit Root were said to be things Fang Yuan needed.
Of course, both were extremely precious—valuable enough to make even a Clan Head covet them.
"Thank you, Senior." Fang Yuan still shook his head.
The Azure Cloud Academy's resources were certainly far better than the Fang Family's, but they couldn't possibly pour a great deal of them into him.
And when it came to cultivation, Fang Yuan had the Heavenly Origin Earth Realm. He didn't actually need many resources; what he lacked was usually something extremely rare.
Even if he went to the Azure Cloud Academy, they might not be able to provide it.
Rather than that, why not stay with his family and cultivate quietly for eight or ten years? He could still become the strongest person of his time!
Before you continue