Fang Han

The next morning, Fang Yu left his room early and headed for the courtyard where the Fang Family head resided.

He needed to ask when Fang Qingxue would return before deciding whether to stay in the Fang Family to cultivate.

After all, the difference in the flow of time between the two worlds was enormous—nearly a year.

With such a vast time difference, even if the spiritual energy of the Mortal World was somewhat lacking, the abundance of time, coupled with the Heaven-Palm Bottle, would be enough to advance his cultivation further.

However, he could not stay for too long. Otherwise, once his vitality began to decline, he would have no choice but to rely on heaven-grade pills to break through into the Mystical Ability Realm.

For example, Fang Zetao, the current head of the Fang Family, was an expert at the tenth level of the physical body. Yet he could forget about breaking through into the Mystical Ability Realm in this lifetime. He was too old; neither his vitality nor his spirit was sufficient anymore.

More importantly, without a cultivation technique like the Origin Spirit Art that enhanced spiritual strength, one naturally could not break through into the Mystical Ability Realm. Forcing oneself to consume heaven-grade pills would instead cause the body to collapse from being unable to withstand the medicinal power.

This was also the main reason Fang Qingxue had not given her father, Fang Zetao, any heaven-grade pills.

The Fang Family was enormous. The inner residence alone covered more than a thousand mu.

Thus, Fang Yu strode for nearly half an hour before arriving at Fang Zetao's courtyard. Only after a servant announced him was he allowed to enter the main hall and meet Fang Zetao.

Fang Zetao was a broad-shouldered, thick-built middle-aged man with an imposing presence and a pair of jade-green eyes.

As someone in the Divine Transformation Realm, the pressure from Fang Zetao's jade-green eyes alone was immense enough to make Fang Yu's heart stop for a moment.

Mainly because he felt guilty, worried that Fang Zetao might notice something amiss.

Fortunately, Fang Zetao did not detect anything unusual.

"Oh? Yu'er, you've broken through to the sixth level of the physical body, the Breath Realm."

Before Fang Yu could step forward to pay his respects, Fang Zetao's tiger-like eyes gleamed. A hint of delight appeared on his naturally imposing face as he spoke.

Though his voice was not loud, it rang like a great bell, shaking the mind and soul. An ordinary person would likely have been frightened out of their wits and collapsed to the ground in disgrace.

Fang Yu, however, was not affected much. He merely showed a respectful expression and said,

"Yes. I happened to break through last night. I came mainly to ask when Eldest Sister will return home. It has been years since we last met, and I truly miss her."

"When will your eldest sister return? Heh, I suppose you've received some news already! I had wanted to give you and Qingwei a surprise. That's right, your eldest sister will return in the next few days. She is currently handling an important matter. If she succeeds, the Fang Family will also gain tremendous benefits."

Fang Zetao laughed as he spoke.

"Really?"

Fang Yu feigned delight and pressed further.

Naturally, he knew exactly what this so-called important matter was.

"Of course. And your eldest sister has already broken through into the Mystical Ability Realm. She was even personally named a true disciple by the supreme headmaster of the Ascension Immortal Sect."

Seeing this, Fang Zetao's face was filled with smiles.

"Mm, I know. But exactly how long until Eldest Sister returns?"

Fang Yu continued asking.

"Just a few days. She has already entered Dragon Deepwater Province."

After thinking for a moment, Fang Zetao answered without suspicion.

"Thank you, Father. I understand. I will not disturb you any longer."

Only then did Fang Yu feel relieved. It was only a few days, and he could afford to wait. He could also gather more Nine Yang Sacred Water in the meantime. When the time came, he would be able to exchange it with Fang Qingxue for even more things.

"Mm! Cultivate diligently. When your eldest sister returns, perhaps she can bring you and Qingwei into the Ascension Immortal Sect."

Fang Zetao nodded with a smile.

"I understand!"

Fang Yu respectfully bowed before withdrawing from the main hall.

The moment he stepped out through the courtyard gates, a graceful figure hurried over. It was a pretty maid with a trace of arrogance in her features.

Fang Yu recognized her at once. She was Fang Qingwei's most favored personal maid.

"This servant greets Young Master. Today, Second Miss will be going hunting with the young masters and ladies of the Zhao Family, Li Family, and several other families. She instructed this servant to invite Young Master along. Would Young Master be interested in joining them?"

As soon as the maid reached Fang Yu, she curtsied and respectfully explained her purpose.

Fang Yu raised a brow. A classic scene surfaced in his mind, and he chuckled.

"Of course I'm interested. Where is Second Sister?"

"Second Miss and the young masters and ladies from the other residences have already gone to the horse grounds to fetch Thousand-Mile Snow."

Upon hearing Fang Yu's question, the maid lowered her eyes and replied respectfully.

Fang Yu immediately said,

"Then let us hurry over. We shouldn't keep Second Sister waiting."

The first step to clinging to a powerful thigh: gaining favor.

The Mortal World was not particularly powerful. Therefore, if he wanted to step into the Heavenly Sovereign Realm or even become an Immortal King in the future, now was the best time.

Fang Han might be a petty man, but he had always believed in repaying grudges and returning kindness.

A guaranteed Heavenly Sovereign—who wouldn't want that?

Fang Yu certainly did!

"Give him ten lashes. Make sure he remembers this lesson."

At the carriage, Fang Qingwei, cold and proud in temperament, sat on horseback and lightly waved a hand as she gave the order.

"Yes!" As soon as she spoke, a maid beside her immediately grabbed a riding whip and viciously struck Fang Han's body.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Just as the fifth lash fell, there was a bang, and the whip was caught by a nimble figure, swift as a thousand-mile horse.

The figure was Fang Yu, who had arrived just in time. He did not look at the thin and frail Fang Han behind him. Instead, he merely glanced at the maid who had been looking so pleased with herself.

The maid immediately released the whip, then fell to her knees with a thud. She said nothing, her entire body trembling.

Whatever the reason, once Fang Yu, the Fang Family's only young master, had intervened, it became a grave offense. Begging Fang Qingwei for mercy would be courting death. Keeping silent was the best choice.

Who did not know that Fang Zetao had only this one son? Moreover, both Fang Qingxue and Fang Qingwei doted on him immensely. Though she was highly valued by Fang Qingwei, how could she compare to even a single hair on her mistress's own younger brother?

"Little Brother, what are you doing?"

Fang Qingwei froze at the sight. Her willow brows furrowed slightly as she asked in confusion.

"Nothing. I simply think Fang Han has taken good care of Thousand-Mile Snow for you, Sister. It is only a minor matter, and punishing him like this seems somewhat inappropriate. He has already been beaten, so let it go."

Under Fang Qingwei's gaze, Fang Yu felt somewhat guilty as he explained.

"Since you've spoken, I won't say anything more. His reward will be waived as well. Rules are rules."

Fang Qingwei's brows relaxed, and her tone softened considerably.

"Of course. Sister is right."

Fang Yu did not argue. He merely took out a bottle of topical medicine from his robes and tossed it behind him to Fang Han without turning back.

"This is topical medicine for injuries. Go back and have someone apply it for you. You'll recover in three days at most. But don't let it happen again."

"Yes, thank you, Young Master!"

Fang Han did not pick it up immediately. Instead, he endured the pain and respectfully gave his thanks.

(Is anyone reading? I didn't get a message today. So sad. Can this get signed?)