Outside the temporary residence of the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect, Fang Qingyuan wandered about aimlessly. A seven-year war of expansion, paid for with the lives of over ten thousand Cultivators, had secured a new territory a million square kilometers in size.

The original inhabitant of this land, a Divinity Transformation-level Ancient Beast of the Wilderness—a relatively gentle-natured female elephant—had been jointly slain by Divinity Transformation Cultivators dispatched from the Great Zhou Academy, Qi Yun, and Beast Taming Mountain.

Divinity Transformation Ancient Beasts have incredibly long lifespans, some surviving for well over ten thousand years. Such immense lengths of time leave them rigid and unyielding; they would rather die than surrender. Thus, in wars of expansion, such beasts are usually killed outright.

Over the past seven years, five or six Nascent Soul Level demonic beasts had also been slain. Another two or three, being more clever, saw the way the wind was blowing and surrendered to the Beast Taming Sect.

With that, the land fell under human control. It was vast enough to accommodate more than a dozen newly established Golden Core Sects, as well as even more Foundation Establishment clans and sects.

Lechuan’s proposal was for Fang Qingyuan to shed his identity as a disciple of the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect, head to this newly conquered territory, and carve out a new domain for himself.

The White Mountain Beast Taming Sect was in an awkward position, its future development stymied. Unwilling to see the sect stagnate, Lechuan wanted to make a move in the shadows.

Fang Qingyuan had completed the task given to him perfectly, unearthing all the secrets of the Late-stage Golden Core cultivator, Zhao E Lian. This gave Lechuan hope.

Fang Qingyuan didn’t rush to accept or reject Lechuan’s proposal, stating that he needed time to think it over.

For the first half of his life, he had considered himself incredibly fortunate to be a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect. The status had brought him many advantages.

Back in Tianshan Villa, the status of a Beast Taming Sect disciple had been their most valuable asset. But times had changed. The benefits he once enjoyed by becoming Lechuan’s subordinate now had to be repaid in full.

Of the more than one hundred Cultivators who had followed Lechuan to White Mountain twelve years ago, only seventy-odd remained. Having survived years of brutal fighting, these remaining members were on the cusp of a peaceful life and were naturally unwilling to venture out and struggle all over again.

Therefore, even if Fang Qingyuan agreed, few would be willing to follow him, especially since it meant renouncing their status as disciples of the Beast Taming Sect.

If they didn’t renounce their status as disciples of the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect, any growth would attract all sorts of hostile attention. To truly develop, they couldn’t operate under the Beast Taming Sect’s banner.

’But without the intimidating reputation of the Beast Taming Sect, could I really make it in this newly conquered land?’

’Perhaps I should just refuse Lechuan’s proposal and live a stable life as an ordinary Cultivator in the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect. I could just outlive Ling Ziqing, and even Lechuan. Once they’re dead, won’t the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect be mine for the taking anyway?’

’But if I do that, what’s the point of anything? I have the Immortal Mansion and all these resources, but all I’d do is lay low for a few hundred years, watch everyone around me die of old age, and then consume their legacy. Is that really my ambition?’

Stability on one side, responsibility on the other. For a time, Fang Qingyuan was wracked with indecision.

...

Ultimately, the deciding factor for Fang Qingyuan was his own path of cultivation. If he were to achieve the Golden Core realm within the next century while still a part of the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect, he would surely face suppression from the other White Mountain Sects.

The White Mountain Beast Taming Sect was, after all, in an extremely delicate position. Fang Qingyuan had no desire to reach a point where his every minor action would attract the scrutiny of a pack of Golden Core Cultivators.

’For someone like me who possesses an Immortal Mansion, the benefits of being a disciple of a mere branch sect are insignificant. It would be different if I were a disciple of the Beast Taming General Mountain, but here in the White Mountain Beast Taming Branch, my status has become a shackle.’

Once he understood this, Fang Qingyuan’s heart leaned toward venturing out and establishing his own foundation. Before replying to Lechuan, however, he wanted to visit the Southern Border’s Yuanling Mountain.

Thus, Fang Qingyuan turned his Spiritual Boat and began to fly toward the Southern Border’s Yuanling Mountain.

「Seven days later.」

Fang Qingyuan had crossed nearly half of White Mountain and the Death Swamp, arriving before Yuanling Mountain on the Southern Border.

Gazing at the familiar sight of Yuanling Mountain, Fang Qingyuan recalled the days he spent mining with Jiang Kui and Zhang Yuan, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a small smile.

Fang Qingyuan stood before the mountain and revealed his presence. He soon attracted the attention of several Qi Refining Cultivators.

"Who goes the—? Uncle Qingyuan!"

"Liu Xun, you’ve done well for yourself, kid. Already at Late-stage Qi Refining."

The newcomer was indeed Liu Xun. The child whom Fang Qingyuan had personally tested and discovered to have a Top-grade Gold Spirit Root decades ago was now a Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator. Judging by his competent air, he was more than capable of holding his own.

"Uncle Qingyuan, what brings you here? We haven’t had any news from you in years. We all missed you terribly."

In Fang Qingyuan’s presence, Liu Xun showed his genuine, unguarded side, completely unconcerned with what the other Cultivators under his command might think.

Fang Qingyuan laughed. If there weren’t others present, he would have reached out and ruffled Liu Xun’s hair.

"Where’s Little Wujie? I don’t see him around. Weren’t you two always inseparable?"

At the mention of Qu Wujie, Liu Xun’s expression dimmed for a moment before he brightened up and said cheerfully,

"A Golden Core Cultivator from the Cyan Lotus Sword Sect took a liking to him and brought him back to their sect to train. I wonder how he’s been doing these past few years."

’Qu Wujie was already considered a disciple of the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect, how could he be poached by another sect?’

’Even if the Cyan Lotus Sword Sect was the number one Sword Cultivator sect in this realm, they couldn’t just forcibly take a disciple from another sect.’

But after asking for more details, Liu Xun explained with a sigh of resignation,

"That Golden Core from the Cyan Lotus Sword Sect made a deal with Zhao E Lian. He paid a hefty price to buy Wujie. Even if we objected, we couldn’t go against Zhao E Lian’s decision. What could we do? He’s our Sect Leader."

Hearing this, Fang Qingyuan gained a new appreciation for the depths of Zhao E Lian’s shamelessness. ’To think he’d even sell one of his own disciples.’

’Of course, on the surface, both parties must have made the paperwork airtight. But in reality, it was nothing less than selling a disciple.’

’The only reason the Cyan Lotus Sword Sect would pay such a high price is that they must have recognized Qu Wujie’s innate talent for the Sword Dao.’

Since what was done was done, Fang Qingyuan could only console Liu Xun.

"Wujie is better suited for the Sword Dao anyway. Cultivating the Sword Dao doesn’t depend much on one’s Spirit Root aptitude. The Cyan Lotus Sword Sect is a better fit for him. You should be happy for him."

Liu Xun nodded. Then, lifting his spirits, he led Fang Qingyuan in flight toward the back of the mountain.

"Uncle Zhang Yuan has also reached Foundation Establishment! But he hasn’t dared to leave the mountain recently. He’s afraid someone will corner him."

"Oh? What’s this about? What powerhouse dares to lay siege to Yuanling Mountain’s gates?"

"Not a powerful man, no, but there is a powerful woman. Qingyuan, my dear junior brother, what’s this? Planning to stand up for Zhang Yuan?"

Jiang Kui flew over from a distant peak, her teasing voice revealing Zhang Yuan’s secret before she even arrived. Fang Qingyuan was struck speechless for a moment, then broke into laughter. He had just been ready to defend Yuanling Mountain’s honor, only to find out it was a matter of romantic entanglement.

"What happened? Senior Sister, tell me everything."

Instantly, Fang Qingyuan’s inner gossip was roused. He couldn’t wait to find out which young lady had taken a fancy to Zhang Yuan.

Jiang Kui burst out laughing. Her smile was radiant and alluring, with none of her usual cool detachment. The sight left Liu Xun, who was standing nearby, completely mesmerized.

Casually dismissing Liu Xun, Jiang Kui moved to Fang Qingyuan’s side, her breath fragrant as she spoke:

"It’s a Foundation Establishment Sect from the Qi Yun Territory. They came to participate in the war of expansion, ran into trouble, and got surrounded by demonic beasts. Zhang Yuan led a team to rescue them. One of the Foundation Establishment Female Cultivators from that sect took a liking to him and now wants him to marry into her family as a live-in son-in-law."

’A hero saving a damsel in distress, who then throws herself at him... I never thought Zhang Yuan had it in him.’

’Isn’t he just a little more handsome than me?’ Fang Qingyuan felt a pang of jealousy. But then he looked at Jiang Kui’s dancing, expressive eyes, and a thought suddenly struck him.

’Could I convince Jiang Kui to leave with me?’

’And Zhang Yuan, too. If I could get him to come, it’d be a buy-one-get-one-free deal—I might even get that Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator as a bonus.’

’No, I should just take the entire Yuanling Mountain with me. As a Second-rank, Middle-grade Spiritual Land, Yuanling Mountain isn’t that appealing anymore.’

’Back when I was only at Mid-stage Qi Refining, owning a Second-rank, Middle-grade Spiritual Land seemed like a dream come true. But now, a Tier Two Spirit Land is nothing special.’

’And when I think about the terms Lechuan offered... a third-rank, low-grade Spiritual Land... Compared to that, there’s no way Jiang Kui and Zhang Yuan won’t be tempted.’