Eight days passed in the blink of an eye.
The youths of the Changkong clan and others who had recently undergone Enlightenment were all heading off to train under the banners of the eight great 'Dao Seeds'.
Under the watchful eyes of their elders, Fang Yang, Fang Xuan, and the other disciples of the Fang Clan slowly boarded the Flying Boat belonging to the 'Dao Seed' Changkong Sen Yue.
"Fang Yang is here."
"Which one is Fang Yang?"
"The one with the slender build and handsome face, as aloof and proud as a celestial eagle!"
"He has quite the look. Truly extraordinary."
"Hmph. So what if he's extraordinary? He's just a pretty boy who knows how to please women and lives off them. A real man is defined by his fists and his muscles."
"What's wrong with pleasing women? Are you just jealous? Don't go! You stop right there and explain yourself. Stop! Don't you dare run away!"
"So aloof. Is that the arrogance of a genius? Sigh... If only I could awaken a Spirit Body too."
"..."
The moment Fang Yang appeared, he caused a small commotion on the deck of the Flying Boat.
Youth after youth took the initiative to greet Fang Yang. There were even a few girls whose eyes rippled with emotion, their gazes fixed on him.
His cousin, Fang Xuan, who stood to the side, took it all in. He was deeply envious and became even more determined to distinguish himself in the Thunder Punishment Banner.
Fang Yang, however, remained calm and composed amidst the attention. "Let's go inside," he said calmly. "There's no need to stand out here on the deck."
The disciples of the Fang Clan followed Fang Yang, a large crowd of them heading into the Flying Boat's cabin.
Led by Fang Yang, the Fang Clan disciples occupied the southeastern corner, sat down, and quietly awaited the Flying Boat's departure.
Before long, another commotion erupted on the deck. It turned out the disciples of the Zhang clan, led by Zhang Ye, had arrived.
"I heard Zhang Ye also awakened a Spirit Body after the Enlightenment Ceremony—the Molten Crocodile Spirit Body! It's a Grade B Spirit Body, just like Fang Yang's!"
"Hiss... What an unimaginably terrifying feat. It looks like the rivalry between the Zhang and Fang clans in our generation will be a showdown between Zhang Ye and Fang Yang."
"Damn it, those guys..."
The murmurs grew louder.
Fang Yang sat quietly to one side, his eyes narrowed as he looked out the window at Zhang Ye.
Zhang Ye was tall, powerfully built, and exuded a domineering aura that could swallow mountains and rivers. He stood firm as a bear, poised like a crocodile.
Just as Fang Yang was sizing up Zhang Ye, Zhang Ye suddenly felt a chill and whipped his head around to look at Fang Yang.
Their gazes met. In the empty space between them, it was as if a Fire Eagle and a Molten Crocodile were clashing in a fierce struggle.
Before Zhang Ye could react further, another uproar came from behind.
This time, the commotion was even louder than before.
Because the disciples of the Sen clan had arrived!
Forced to react, Zhang Ye put aside his other thoughts and led the Zhang clan disciples into the Flying Boat's cabin, occupying the northwestern corner.
"Sen Wei is so beautiful. If only I had her looks."
"She possesses the Cyan Lotus Saint Body, and Lord Sen Yue, whom we serve, is her biological older brother..."
"Compared to her, Fang Yang and Zhang Ye are nothing. She's a truly terrifying prodigy!"
"..."
Everyone whispered among themselves, their gazes fixed on the Sen clan disciples led by Sen Wei.
As soon as this group from the Sen clan arrived, they effortlessly occupied the prime central area, as if it was their natural birthright.
'Sen Wei...'
Fang Yang glanced at her before withdrawing his gaze and closing his eyes to rest.
To be honest, seeing this aloof and cold girl, who was like a celestial maiden under the moonlight, once again, Fang Yang couldn't help but feel a few ripples in his heart.
It wasn't romantic affection, but because of the fortunate encounter that day.
His leap from 'utterly unremarkable mediocrity' to 'somewhat famous genius' was, to some extent, because he'd picked up what Sen Wei had left behind.
It was like they said: whoever married Sen Wei would save themselves three lifetimes of struggle!
Inside the Flying Boat's cabin.
The central area.
Surrounded by the disciples of the Sen clan, Sen Wei sat in the best spot, like the moon surrounded by stars.
She was like an empress, high and mighty, looking down upon all living things as her gaze swept across the room.
None of the youths present dared to meet her gaze; all of them lowered their heads in silence.
When her survey reached the southeastern corner, her eyes suddenly lit up, for she had spotted Fang Yang resting with his eyes closed!
It was a naked, probing gaze—the look of a Hunter sizing up its prey, the delight of discovering a fun new toy, her playful nature stirred!
'Sister is picking out her toys again. I wonder who's going to suffer this time. Wait, is that Fang Yang? Sigh... I wish him luck...' Sen Hui sighed inwardly from the side, but didn't dare say more.
Sen Hui was Sen Wei's half-sister, born to a concubine. She had lived in Sen Wei's shadow since childhood, like a lowly, inferior product.
In truth, Sen Hui was also a genius. She possessed a Grade A Spirit Body—the Yimu Spirit Body—and her potential was even greater than Fang Yang's.
But with the peerless jade of Sen Wei before them, basically no one ever noticed Sen Hui's existence.
And this time, due to certain considerations, Sen Hui had not chosen to join the Thunder Punishment Banner, but had opted for the Cangmu Banner instead.
"RUMBLE—"
At some point, the Flying Boat had taken off. It broke through the clouds, scattering cherry blossoms as it left the Changkong clan's territory and set off for a distant destination.
...
「Three days later.」
The Flying Boat slowly descended, for they had arrived at the Thunder Punishment Banner.
Fang Yang stood by the window with an indifferent expression, silently watching his cousin Fang Xuan and the others disembark with great excitement.
Basically, more than half of the youths on the Flying Boat had chosen the Thunder Punishment Banner.
Once they left, a lot of space suddenly opened up.
At that moment, Sen Hui was a little surprised to see that Fang Yang had not gotten off the Flying Boat.
Everyone knew how vast the difference was between the Thunder Punishment Banner and the Cangmu Banner!
But in the next instant, she suddenly felt a surge of happiness. After eight years, she finally got to see her sister thwarted. It was such a rare sight.
At this thought, she nearly lost control of her expression and almost burst out laughing.
"RUMBLE—"
Before long, the Flying Boat resumed its journey, heading off into the distance.
"Brother Yang, just you wait! The next time we meet, I'll definitely blow you away!"
Fang Xuan raised his head, watching the Flying Boat depart until it gradually shrank to a small black dot and vanished from sight.
Fang Xuan was incredibly envious of the special treatment Fang Yang had received these past few days. He too wanted to become a prodigy like that, one who could command the wind and summon the rain!
「One hour later.」
The sky was gloomy, and a torrential rain was pouring down.
In the martial arts arena, Fang Xuan was defeated miserably. He collapsed at Zhang Ye's feet like a stray dog, utterly devastated.
'I couldn't even take a single one of Zhang Ye's moves?!'
Fang Xuan stared blankly in disbelief.
Below the stage, the gazes of several dozen youths were fixed on Fang Xuan, filled with disappointment, ridicule, and contempt.
It was safe to say that after this one battle, Fang Xuan had completely lost face in front of Sen Wei and the other young prodigies.
A bitter look unconsciously crossed Fang Xuan's lips. His composure shattered, he couldn't help but take a step back.
This reaction only elicited more derisive laughter from the crowd below.
"Only a Spirit Body can fight a Spirit Body. It would have been better to let Fang Yang handle this."
"Sigh. We knew the Fang Clan was in decline, but I didn't expect the gap to be even wider than we imagined."
"With the enhancement of the Molten Crocodile's phantom, Zhang Ye gained immense strength. It's normal that Fang Xuan couldn't beat him. But his performance was just pathetic!"
"..."
The flood of discussion washed over Fang Xuan, causing his face to turn pale and flush with shame. It was incredibly humiliating.
Pain coiled around Fang Xuan's heart like a venomous snake, making it hard for him to breathe. He felt as if he were about to suffocate!
On the other side of the stage, Zhang Ye slowly retracted the Molten Crocodile's phantom. He seemed rather uninterested, not particularly pleased with his victory.
Of course. His target had never been Fang Xuan, but Fang Yang.
However, all his various plans had come to nothing because Fang Yang had joined the Cangmu Banner.
At this moment, Zhang Ye gazed at the sky and thought, 'Was it an accident or a coincidence? Or could it be that you, Fang Yang, truly carry the last vestiges of the Fang Clan's fortune? The next Carp Eagle Martial Saint?'
At this thought, Zhang Ye let out a soft chuckle, finding it all very interesting.
Because if Fang Yang could become a Martial Saint, then he, Zhang Ye, definitely could too!
A surge of heroic ambition welled up in Zhang Ye's chest.
...
「Meanwhile.」
The Flying Boat was still soaring through the clouds, roaming the sky.
A day later, with a rumble, the Flying Boat slowly descended, landing in the Desolate Wilderness Mountain Range.
In the Desolate Wilderness Mountain Range, apes cried and tigers roared. Strange beasts ran rampant, and all kinds of raptors circled overhead, creating a prehistoric scene.
This was the current garrison of the Cangmu Banner!
Fang Yang followed the main group and soon entered the garrison. After going through inspections and other procedures, it wasn't long before he saw one of his clan's elders—his Second Uncle, Fang River.
What surprised Fang Yang, however, was that Sen Hui was also following behind him to pay respects to Second Uncle Fang.
"Second Uncle."
"Senior... Senior Fang River."
"Ah Yang, Xiaohui, from now on, you two just follow me. Don't worry, the work at the pharmacy hall isn't difficult."
Second Uncle Fang welcomed them with a smile.
This elder was one of the people who had watched Fang Yang grow up, and they shared a rather close relationship.
"Although I wasn't in the clan lands, I heard about your situations.
Xiaohui, you have the Yimu Spirit Body, so this Spirit Plant should be suitable for you.
Ah Yang, you have the Fire Eagle Spirit Body, so this soon-to-hatch White Feathered Eagle beast egg is perfect for you!"
Second Uncle lightly tapped his sleeve, and two objects instantly floated into the air.
One was a jade-green sapling, enveloped in a fluorescent glow, looking quite extraordinary.
The other was a red-and-white beast egg. Its shell was covered in stripes, within which a fiery light faintly glowed.
In an instant, Fang Yang's eyes lit up as a thought surfaced in his mind: 'This must be the Tier Two opportunity mentioned in my premonition. Not bad at all.'
Although the White Feathered Eagle was only a Tier Two beast and a lesser species of the Fire Eagle, when fully grown, it could rival a Tier Three Fierce Beast.
If it had a fortunate encounter and its bloodline reverted to that of a Fire Eagle, it might even reach the realm of a Tier Four beast!
And if Fang Yang wasn't mistaken, this White Feathered Eagle beast egg was, in all likelihood, something the clan had specifically collected for him.
It was to help him delve deeper into the mysteries of his Fire Eagle Spirit Body, master its transformations, and strive to one day replicate the glorious feats of his ancestor, Fang Nian.
And this was the treatment reserved for a genius disciple!
"A gift from an elder cannot be refused. Thank you for the treasure, Second Uncle." Fang Yang accepted the beast egg.
"Thank you, Senior Fang River." On the other side, Sen Hui also joyfully accepted the Spirit Plant.
"Ah Yang, Xiaohui, you'll be spending the coming days together, so why don't you introduce yourselves?" Second Uncle said, his eyes crinkling into a smile.
"Hello, I am Fang Yang of the Fang Clan..."
"H-Hello, I am Sen Hui of the Sen clan..."
Fang Yang took the initiative to greet Sen Hui, but she shyly lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.
With this step, their relationship could be considered a preliminary acquaintance—a nodding acquaintance.
What surprised Fang Yang, however, was that Sen Hui was actually Sen Wei's younger sister?!
It was a bit jarring because he sensed a subtle inferiority complex in Sen Hui, which was the complete opposite of Sen Wei's overbearing arrogance.
One must know that even though Sen Hui was only Sen Wei's half-sister from a concubine, that was still quite an impressive status. Sen Hui had every reason to be proud, not to mention she herself was a genius.
If marrying Sen Wei was equivalent to saving three lifetimes of struggle, then would marrying Sen Hui equate to saving one?
So, based on all this, Fang Yang found it hard to understand where Sen Hui's insecurity came from. Surely it couldn't be because of her sister, Sen Wei?
All sorts of thoughts flowed through Fang Yang's mind.
But Fang Yang was not one to meddle in others' affairs. In fact, one could even say he had a somewhat cold disposition.
In an instant, he burned these stray thoughts to ashes.
After all, when a hawk soars through the sky, it relies on its own two wings!