RUMBLE—
Even as it sank into the True Essence Sea, the Fire Eagle Illusion still flapped its wings and soared, churning the True Essence Sea and turning it upside down.
Vast Fierce Flames spread rapidly from beneath its wings, the light of the fire soaring to the heavens. Even the white membrane of light on the walls of the aperture began to creak.
Within the span of a few breaths, the surface of the True Essence Sea dropped at a rate visible to the naked eye.
Fifteen percent, twenty-seven percent, thirty-three percent.
The indistinct cluster of light abruptly condensed, forming the nascent shape of a Pill Cauldron.
Meanwhile, the Tier One Cyan Flame Spear began to make sounds of cracking and shattering.
CRACK, CRACK, CRACK.
As Fang Yang grabbed one Yuan Stone after another, the cluster of light grew clearer and clearer.
An unknown amount of time passed.
Within the nearly depleted True Essence Sea, a fiery red, four-legged Pill Cauldron bobbed up and down. It looked as if it were cast from Fierce Flame, engraved with dense Dao patterns of Fire Eagles. The eagles struck at the vast sky, their Fierce Flames setting the heavens ablaze.
"My Lifebound Skill, the [Flame Skill], is complete!"
Fang Yang laughed heartily and opened his eyes.
By now, it was noon, with the sun high in the sky.
He pushed open the window, and light streamed into the room. Beneath his bed lay a mountain of dust from the Yuan Stones and powder from the Cyan Flame Spear.
Fang Yang lightly activated the Technique. Instantly, the Fierce Flame Pill Cauldron inside him rumbled.
WHOOSH~
A ball of Fierce Flame slowly formed before Fang Yang. At his command, the Fierce Flame engulfed the pile of dust.
The blazing firelight illuminated Fang Yang's face, making him look even more demonic and strange.
At that moment, Fang Yang stared into the flames, suddenly feeling how empty his storage pouch was.
After this one night, he had less than twenty Yuan Stones left in his storage pouch. It was as if he was back to square one overnight.
At this moment, Fang Yang felt that no matter how many Yuan Stones he had, it would never be enough.
'Right now, the number of Yuan Stones I can get from the clan elders each month is only thirty.'
'It's far more than what my younger cousin Fang Xuan and the others get, but it's still not enough.'
'I really wish the clan elders would open the floodgates for me, but alas, that's impossible.'
Fang Yang lowered his head in thought.
Within the family, the various branches basically kept tight control over the Yuan Stones given to their own disciples.
This was mainly a form of training, meant to preserve that "ferocious spirit" in the hearts of their disciples, so they would not forget the fundamental nature of the struggle for the Great Dao.
'But I'm different from Fang Xuan and the others. I'm all alone.'
'If I can reach the Tier Two realm sooner, I'll be able to claim my inheritance back from the clan elders. By then, my difficulties will be alleviated.'
Fang Yang gently activated the Fierce Flame Pill Cauldron, keeping the flame contained within a fixed area so it wouldn't touch anything else.
To reclaim this inheritance, Fang Yang had to reach the Tier Two realm.
The inheritance included two restaurants and a winery.
Thinking about it carefully, if Fang Yang received this inheritance, even without the help of the elders, he could accumulate enough resources through his own efforts to reach the Tier Two realm, and even charge toward Tier Three!
At this moment, Fang Yang was filled with motivation.
Then, exhausted from the long night, he took care of a few chores before climbing into bed and falling fast asleep.
Go to the medicine hall to review his lessons?
He'd think about it after he woke up!
Meanwhile, in Hall Jia-Thirteen of the medicine hall.
Sen Hui paced back and forth at the entrance of the hall. She would occasionally stand on her tiptoes to peek inside, muttering to herself all the while.
Although she wore the standard green robes of a medicine hall disciple, the outfit failed to suppress her pure and refined beauty. Instead, it only served to accentuate her cute and playful charm.
At this moment, her bright eyes, set in her fair, pretty face, were staring intently ahead.
After a good while, she tilted her head and asked Lingfang, "Sister Lingfang, is Fang Yang... not coming?"
There was a hint of disbelief in Sen Hui's voice.
To Sen Hui, skipping a class was a huge deal!
She couldn't believe Fang Yang was actually bold enough to skip class.
"Maybe Fang Yang has something on today," Lingfang replied, also a bit unsure.
In that instant, Sen Hui froze on the spot, as if struck by an ice spell.
'If Fang Yang doesn't show up, weren't all those harsh words I thought up last night for nothing?'
'And if I say them to him another day, won't that just make me seem petty?'
The more she thought about it, the more frustrated Sen Hui became.
Her resentment toward Fang Yang grew even stronger.
She had seen all kinds of geniuses growing up, so what was one more?
But a "bad egg" like Fang Yang was a real eye-opener for her.
"Hmph." Sen Hui kicked the threshold in frustration.
...
Different choices lead to different destinies.
In the Cangmu Banner, Fang Yang lived a relaxed and pleasant life.
But in the Thunder Punishment Banner, Fang Xuan was living in utter misery!
Ever since the battle on the martial stage, Zhang Ye had stopped causing trouble for Fang Xuan.
But things didn't get any better for Fang Xuan.
On the contrary, no matter what he did, he would be obstructed by his peers!
Even the youths of the Fang Clan didn't dare to help Fang Xuan openly.
It could only be said that without Fang Yang as their backbone, their situation was not very good.
「One month later.」
A letter arrived at the Cangmu Banner from the Thunder Punishment Banner.
It was a letter from Fang Xuan, asking for help!
[My brother Fang Yang, seeing this letter is like seeing you... Every time I recall your counsel that day, I, your younger brother, am filled with regret... I hope you will help me...]
The main content of the letter explained Fang Xuan's predicament and his remorse, and in the end, asked Fang Yang for a way to break the deadlock.
After all, this was a conflict among the younger generation, and it was truly difficult for the older generation to intervene openly.
In Hall Jia-Thirteen, Fang Yang held the letter and stared at it coldly.
A moment later, he put the letter down, took out a brush and paper, and began to write a reply.
[You useless thing, you've completely disgraced our Fang Clan. Hurry up and get your ass back to the Cangmu Banner...
If you don't have the strength, don't try to act tough...
Everything the clan elders taught you, you've really thrown it to the dogs...
Or what, has your vital Yang been drained? Can't even control your own mind? To say such things...]
Fang Yang's brush flew across the paper like a dragon, pouring out his feelings directly.
After he stopped writing, he looked over the contents and froze for a moment.
To say such things to a fifteen-year-old boy... it felt a bit too harsh.
In the end, Fang Yang expressionlessly crumpled the letter into a ball and tossed it into the air.
"SCREECH~"
The next moment, the White Feathered Eagle screeched and flapped its wings.
A Fireball shot out from between its wings, striking the paper and burning it to ash.
After being matured with a Secret Technique for just over a month, the White Feathered Eagle had grown from the size of a small chick to the size of a wheel. It was a truly exaggerated growth.
Unfortunately, it was still just a normal beast and had not yet become a Fierce Beast—the stage where it could cultivate by absorbing and expelling Primordial Qi on its own.
Once it became a Fierce Beast, it would have the strength of at least Tier One!
[A young man should ride forth, cracking his whip, why bother with being strong or weak for the moment?...
You are a piece of fine jade; now is the time you need to be diligently carved and polished...
Heaven gave me talent, and it must be put to use. There's no need to care too much about the opinions of others. As long as you can defeat Zhang Ye in the future, this whole affair will become a celebrated story...]
This time, Fang Yang did not scold him as he had before.
He seemed to have transformed into a benevolent Pill Master, his words gentle and persuasive.
Meanwhile, Second Uncle Fang gazed at Fang Yang as he took up his brush and wrote, a look of astonishment on his face.
'There are sparks of Fierce Flame in Ah Yang's movements. He's... he's already condensed the [Flame Skill] into his first Lifebound Skill!'
'No, not just that. His eagle-rearing skills are also extraordinary. And what's even more commendable is that he has now learned to control his emotions and think from the perspective of a leader.'
'When Ancestor Fang Nian was Ah Yang's age, I fear he was only at this level. I feel like I'm seeing a radiant pearl, shining with immortal light, about to illuminate thousands of mountains and rivers...'
A light flashed in Second Uncle Fang's eyes.
Gradually, an idea began to form in his mind.
He decided he would spare no expense, even calling in favors, to make arrangements for Fang Yang, just so he could have a better environment to grow.
The current Fang Yang was completely worthy of such an investment!
「Three days later.」
Second Uncle Fang summoned Fang Yang and said:
"Ah Yang, in one month, the Flying Fish Cloud Sea Hunting will begin in the Blessed Land of the Ten Thousand Birds Tribe.
I plan to recommend you to participate as an Eagle Tamer. Do you have the confidence?"
'Participate in the Flying Fish Cloud Sea Hunting as an Eagle Tamer?'
While Fang Yang was still thinking, the ball of light in his mind flashed, and words appeared:
[Flying Fish Cloud Sea, a Blessed Land Wondrous Realm. The paths of the Dao diverge; fortune and disaster are difficult to predict.]
Then, four fortunes flew out of the ball of light and presented themselves one by one in Fang Yang's consciousness:
[Highest Fortune: Enter the eastern end of the Cloud Sea. At the crack of dawn, you can obtain a Tier Three opportunity. Greatly auspicious.]
[High-Mid Fortune: Enter the western end of the Cloud Sea. Flying Fish appear intermittently. You can obtain a Tier Two opportunity. Auspicious.]
[High-Mid Fortune: Enter the southern end of the Cloud Sea. Flying Fish surge forth. You can obtain a Tier Two opportunity. Auspicious.]
[Mid-Mid Fortune: Enter the northern end of the Cloud Sea. Flying Fish surge forth. At the center of the storm, everyone will compete. You can snatch a Tier Three opportunity from the fire, but a tall tree attracts the wind, hiding future troubles. Neutral.]