A mid-grade fortune, and a low-mid-grade fortune.
He had finally received two fortunes at once, yet the better of the two was merely mid-grade.
Fang Yang was a little surprised.
'And this mid-grade fortune requires me to reject Sen Hui?'
'This shouldn't be happening. It really shouldn't,' Fang Yang thought, thoroughly confused.
Although Fang Yang hadn't intentionally tried to cultivate his relationship with Sen Hui these past few days, he couldn't stop her from apparently filling in the blanks herself.
Sen Hui had insisted on getting closer to him, acting in what she believed was his best interest. As a result, to any outsider, their relationship already appeared quite intimate.
Following that line of thought, there was no way Sen Hui would ever harm him.
'So... does this mean Sen Hui has feelings for me, but the Sen Clan—especially that Great-Aunt Saint she always mentions—harbors ill intentions toward me!?'
'What a pity. I thought I could ascend to the heavens in a single step.'
'But then again, if everything really went that smoothly, Sen Hui would essentially lose herself and become my vassal.'
'Sen Hui changing herself for me, humbling herself before her elders... that's definitely not something the Sen Clan wants to see.'
His thoughts flashed like lightning, swift and sharp.
At this thought, Fang Yang let out a nearly inaudible sigh.
As time went on, the Eight Banner Army under Sen Yue was gradually drawn into the fires of war. The intensity of the battles escalated, becoming more and more perilous and grim.
Even the ever-stable Thunder Punishment Banner was about to join the war and enter the massive fray.
Just then, the Saint backing Sen Hui and Sen Wei made a move to pull them out of this chaotic, war-torn trial.
Coincidentally, Sen Hui wanted to bring Fang Yang back to her clan's lands with her. She even hoped to have Fang Yang take her Great-Aunt Saint as his master to continue his studies in the Pill Master's arts, living out her dream of a simple, happy life.
To say Fang Yang didn't desire such a life would be an absolute lie.
But unfortunately, it was poison!
"Thank you for your help, but there's no way I'm going back."
Fang Yang's expression was resolute. "An eagle's wings are not broken by the storm, and a wolf pack does not fear the long night. My path and yours are ultimately different."
Hearing this, the light in Sen Hui's eyes dimmed, and she pressed her lips together tightly.
She wanted to say more, but she knew that nothing she said would change Fang Yang's mind.
Just then, Fang Yang recalled his Second Uncle's advice from the letter: get on good terms with Sen Hui as much as possible.
So, following the classic "reject a request, then offer compensation" strategy, he immediately softened his voice. "After the war is over, I'll come find you to study the Pill Master's arts. I just hope you won't look down on me then."
"I won't! I'll never look down on you, not ever!" Perhaps because it was the first time she had seen such vulnerability on Fang Yang's face, Sen Hui's response was firm and decisive.
With just that one move, Fang Yang made Sen Hui's expression brighten, becoming radiant once more.
Sen Hui, her thoughts unknown, smiled as the corners of her lips curved up. She slowly took an item from her storage pouch.
It was a guqin, a Yimu Guqin that she had played since she was a little girl. Although it wasn't a tiered artifact, it was imbued with her heartfelt sentiment.
"Practice your musical healing arts well. I'll be checking up on you in the future. If you get tired, write to me, and I'll take you home!"
Sen Hui left, departing with a carefree air.
Meanwhile, Fang Yang gently caressed the Yimu Guqin, his expression gradually returning to one of calm.
'This Sen Hui... she doesn't actually think I like her, does she? Heh...'
...
The majestic, snow-capped mountain peak still soared into the clouds.
And the fairyland-like Cyan Lotus Palace remained as tranquil as ever.
Sen Wei sat quietly in the lakeside pavilion, flanked by a group of respectful maids.
When Sen Wei saw Sen Hui return with only Qing Que'Er, a light flashed in her phoenix eyes.
'Fang Yang didn't come back with my little sister?'
This was somewhat beyond Sen Wei's expectations. According to her predictions, Fang Yang should have been the type to seize the opportunity and climb the ladder.
Proud Eagles, Tyrant Crocodiles... in Sen Wei's eyes, they were all nothing more than rather cruel and bloodthirsty wild dogs.
Fawning over the powerful is their basic instinct. How could they possibly change overnight?
"Interesting. Truly interesting." Suddenly, Sen Wei found herself somewhat interested in Fang Yang.
"Sister," Sen Hui greeted her sullenly, then sat down across from Sen Wei.
The scene immediately fell silent, leaving only the sound of fish swimming in the pond.
After an unknown amount of time, the snow-capped mountain peak began to rumble and shake as if the very earth was moving.
Yet Sen Wei, Sen Hui, and the others were accustomed to it, showing no signs of fear.
It turned out that a Saint was using their Divine Techniques, plucking the stars and seizing the moon, taking away the entire snow-capped peak along with them.
In the blink of an eye, the place was empty.
And this Saint who had used their Divine Techniques was none other than the Saint from the Sen Clan whom Sen Hui called Great-Aunt—Saint Fan Liu.
When Saint Fan Liu noticed that Fang Yang was not in the Cyan Lotus Palace, her gaze suddenly turned icy cold.
She was displeased that Fang Yang was trying to take her, Saint Fan Liu, as his master through Sen Hui.
But she was also displeased that Fang Yang was *not* trying to take her as his master through Sen Hui.
When it came to Fang Yang becoming her disciple, she was displeased if he tried, and displeased if he didn't.
'Ah, Xiaohui, you're still no match for Wei'Er.'
'It's one thing for you to be infatuated with Fang Yang, but how can you not even have him wrapped around your finger?'
'One who is without desire is unyielding. Let your Great-Aunt lend you a hand...'
For a Saint to make a move against a mere Mortal Practitioner was far too shameful.
However, an image of the Carp Eagle Blessed Land—something the Fang Clan regarded as dearly as their lives and dignity—flashed through Saint Fan Liu's mind.
Originally, the next calamity for the Carp Eagle Blessed Land was at least a hundred years away.
But if, due to her 'careless' oversight, the Carp Eagle Blessed Land were to attract a Cloud-Thunder Calamity Beast, thus accelerating the arrival of its tribulation... well, that would be perfectly reasonable, wouldn't it?
Even if she were to be held accountable, it would only be a small, willful exercise of her power!
"Hee hee..." Saint Fan Liu's eyes crinkled into smiling crescents, a truly lovely sight.
'Fang Yang, if you want to protect the Carp Eagle Blessed Land, you'd better obediently submit to Xiaohui's arrangements.'
...
DRIP, DROP, DRIP, DROP...
The rain fell in a dense sheet, pattering against the mountain pavilion with a unique rhythm.
In the pond before the pavilion, the surface rippled as it was struck by raindrops. Beneath the water, fish swam about happily.
But in the sky above, thick, heavy clouds obscured the view, making it difficult to see clearly.
"Uncle Qi, are you sure you don't want me dead, making me condense the [Thunder Gathering Skill] into my Lifebound Skill here?"
His cousin, Fang Xuan, dared not take a single step outside the pavilion, terrified of being struck by the lightning in the sky.
Fang Yang, however, sat in the center of the pavilion, simultaneously polishing his aperture's water membrane and solidifying the wings of his Fire Eagle Illusion.
He was not far from the advanced stage of Tier One.
Once he solidified the Fire Eagle Illusion's wings to three-quarters of their full form, he would be able to break through his aperture's water membrane in one go.
"The rain... it's falling harder now," Fang Yang said softly, suddenly opening his eyes.
"Yes, it is falling harder," Seventh Uncle Fang said meaningfully.
They were speaking of the chaotic and unclear situation of the Xuan-Yu War.
Although Sen Yue was the strongest, it didn't mean he was guaranteed to become the final victor of the Changkong Clan!
The uncle and nephew's exchange left Fang Xuan looking completely baffled.
But soon, Fang Xuan was grabbed by Seventh Uncle Fang and tossed out into the rain.
"Shedding a little more sweat and blood now is better than losing your life later. Don't be afraid, I am here to protect your Path!"
Seeing Fang Xuan about to run away in fear, Seventh Uncle Fang immediately bellowed angrily.
Geniuses have their own cultivation path, and the mediocre have theirs.
As long as one is willing to keep walking the path of cultivation, the distinction between genius and mediocrity fades as one's cultivation deepens.
There are no geniuses, no mediocrities—only great talents, vital talents!
"HISS~" Fang Xuan's body trembled, but he forced himself to endure the fear and stand beneath the thunderstorm.
Meanwhile, Fang Yang stopped his cultivation and turned to feed his White Feathered Eagle. He had to ensure the White Feathered Eagle was strong enough to carry him in flight.
Although he was far behind the front lines and had the protection of Uncle Qi, his safety was mostly guaranteed.
But when it came to life-saving measures, one could never have too many.