Night.

The sun had gone to sleep, and the moon was on duty.

On the Leran Grassland, some of the generals from the Changkong clan stationed here were gathering.

They were attending a bonfire party together to celebrate the arrival of the Commander—Fang Yang. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Aside from a few high-ranking generals like Lin Keyi, the rest were all disciples from the Fang clan.

It’s easier to get things done when you have friends in high places.

Benefiting from their shared bloodline with Fang Yang, these Fang clan disciples had ascended to the command level of the garrison in a single day.

At the very least, they could become a squad leader.

Most of these Fang clan disciples were older than Fang Yang, but none of them dared to pull rank or act like his elder.

Firstly, they were in awe of Fang Yang’s accomplishments.

Secondly, the gazes of Fang River and Fang He, their second and seventh clan uncles, kept them from even trying.

"Ah Yang, I knew you’d be successful since we were kids. I’ll down this pot of wine first. You can drink as you please."

"Ah Yang, I was young and foolish back then and must have offended you. Please be the bigger person and forgive me."

"Ah Yang..."

One after another, the Fang clan disciples came forward, some grateful to Fang Yang, some in awe of him, and some simply afraid.

Facing their gestures, Fang Yang raised his cup, signaling that everything was understood without a word.

Having lost his parents, Fang Yang’s youth had not been particularly wonderful.

Even though the virtuous clan elder had looked after him, the elder couldn’t watch over him every moment, much less leave the clan lands to travel to the front lines and teach someone a lesson.

Fang Yang alone knew the hardships of being an orphan.

This was precisely why, even with the ’Seek Fortune, Avoid Misfortune’ light cluster in his mind, Fang Yang had spared no expense to perfect his posture and maintain his looks, which led to him first hooking up with Chen Ying, and then with Sen Hui.

However, he had actively pursued Chen Ying, while Sen Hui had been a rather unexpected development.

"It’s okay, take your time," Lu Yao said softly.

Before her sat a young girl in a blue and white dress, holding a small knife and tremulously carving a piece of roasted meat.

The scene couldn’t help but remind Lu Yao of herself more than a year ago.

Back then, she too had knelt before Fang Yang, desperate for his favor so that she might one day rise to a high position.

And in the end, she had indeed relied on Fang Yang to ascend to a position her own parents could never have imagined.

But the humiliation of that day still lingered in her heart.

Now, seeing a scene from the past reenacted before her very eyes, Lu Yao felt as if she were dreaming of bygone days, a torrent of emotions washing over her.

Before long, her gaze grew firm, and she looked at Fang Yang with extreme tenderness.

Suddenly, she broke into a radiant smile and said to Fang Yang, "Thank you."

Talented people are like thousand-li horses—not exceedingly rare, but not common either.

But a discerning judge of talent like Bo Le, one who can provide a stage for them to shine, is a true rarity. That was why Lu Yao thanked Fang Yang so sincerely.

And in their time together since, the unique feeling Fang Yang gave her had caused her to gradually fall for him completely.

She was even willing to devote her entire being to him.

When a woman of the grasslands feels it, anything is possible.

After the banquet.

The scene was a mess.

Lu Yao stood before Fang Yang like a personal assistant, reporting intelligence to him piece by piece:

—She identified which Fang clan disciples were promising talents and which were rotten wood that couldn’t be carved.

"Fang Duanhai has the ability of a Centurion and can replace Lin Yaoming."

"Fang Minghua has the ability of a squad leader..."

Fang Yang lowered his eyes, nodding from time to time.

The two clan uncles flanking Fang Yang also couldn’t help but nod in silent agreement with Lu Yao’s assessment.

For the most part, Lu Yao’s words matched their own estimations.

But they would never tell Fang Yang this.

Telling him would defeat the purpose of tempering him.

As for why it was acceptable for Lu Yao to tell Fang Yang? It was because Fang Yang held Lu Yao’s life, death, and honor in his hands!

「The next morning.」

The new duty assignments were announced.

The Fang clan disciples either replaced the Lin clan disciples or took charge of new positions of power.

But without exception, the transitions of power were incredibly smooth, requiring no intervention from Fang Yang at all.

When the deputy general, Lin Keyi, learned of this, she clicked her tongue in amazement.

"Fifth Sister, what are you so happy about? I’ve been completely suppressed by that Fang Duanhai," Lin Yaoming said, grinding his teeth.

"A new ruler brings their own court. What can I do?" Lin Keyi spread her hands. "But... that Lu Yao is certainly formidable, and Fang Yang’s judgment of character is godlike!"

It had only been a single morning.

The army had clearly undergone a major personnel reshuffle, becoming a force bearing Fang Yang’s personal brand.

And yet, despite such a complex reshuffling, the army’s garrison and operations continued to run smoothly.

How could such a change not astonish an expert like Lin Keyi?

...

As the army gradually stabilized, Seventh Uncle Fang set out.

Following Fang Yang’s suggestion, he took the same road back to Luoyun Mountain.

He was going to bring the White Feathered Eagle tribe to help garrison the area.

After all, Fang Yang’s true elite troops and confidants were the White Feathered Eagle tribe.

He had cultivated them bit by bit, after all. Their loyalty was reliable, and their strength was trustworthy.

"HISSS~"

On their first day on the Leran Grassland, everyone had their own business to attend to.

The Electric Python also had to cultivate with Fang Yang, studying killing moves together so they could face Muri Shengkai.

At this moment, Fang Yang was still studying:

—The difference between the Electric Python and the Thunder Carp, and how to smoothly substitute the former for the latter.

Having previously replaced the Fire Eagle with the White Feathered Eagle, Fang Yang knew that the Electric Python could also replace the Thunder Carp and be integrated into the Celestial Eagle Cross Spear killing move.

However, what one learns from paper is always shallow; true knowledge comes from practice.

He had now run into a small hurdle.

Namely, the phantom of the Thunder Carp didn’t seem to get along with the Electric Python!

"HISSS~" The Electric Python hissed again.

While Fang Yang was still contemplating, it slowly moved its body, heading toward the grassy plains above.

There, the sunlight was even more intense!

Although it was a python-type Fierce Beast, it absolutely loved to sunbathe. It loved it very, very much.

...BOOM!

Before long, heaven and earth trembled violently as an utterly terrifying roar shook the world.

The distant sky seemed to crack open, and vast flames shot to the heavens like a reverse ocean tide—a terrifying sight.

There, strange phenomena occurred one after another, the roars were incessant, and the scene was like a living hell.

But the next moment, all fell quiet again, as if nothing had happened.

However, the cracked sky in the distance and the falling meteor-like fireballs indicated that a world-shaking battle had likely just taken place.

And the clash between those two utterly terrifying auras most likely meant that beings of the Saint Realm were fighting!

"Ah Yang!?" Second Uncle Fang’s face was etched with urgency.

He visibly relaxed after seeing that Fang Yang was safe and sound.

At that moment, however, Fang Yang was gazing at the distant sky, utterly shocked.

"Still thinking about it?" Second Uncle Fang said, having calmed down. "That direction is where Wan Chong Ridge is located—"

Halfway through his sentence, Second Uncle Fang looked up sharply, disbelief filling his eyes.

Because before, Fang Yang had chosen not to take the path through Wan Chong Ridge.

And now, a catastrophe had erupted there!

At this very moment, Second Uncle Fang suddenly understood why Lu Yao had been so convinced that Fang Yang could reach the realm of a "Young Venerable."

Sen Yue, Sen Wei, Shengkai, and the others had their own unique fortuitous encounters.

And Fang Yang had his own profound and mysterious great luck!

「Half a day later.」

Night had fallen once more.

The stars were dim, and the dark clouds were thick.

The crack in the distant sky remained open, like an insect’s eye, slowly closing.

That night, Fang Yang was still working on synergy with the Electric Python, striving to prepare for his fight against Shengkai.

Sweat soaked through Fang Yang’s robes, but he still hadn’t figured out how to overcome the hurdle he’d encountered.

Although the Electric Python and the Thunder Carp were both Fierce Beasts of the Thunder Dao School, they still had their differences.

Fang Yang also understood that once he broke through this barrier, the power of his killing move would be even more terrifying than he had imagined.

This was because the Electric Python was more powerful than the Thunder Carp, possessing a trace of the bloodline of the Desolate Beast "Thunder Flood Dragon," capable of filling the sky with lightning!

"Ah Yang." Second Uncle Fang arrived again.

This time, however, the expression on his face was strange—as if he were excited, yet also bewildered.

"Ah Yang, something major has happened."

The strange expression remained on Second Uncle Fang’s face. "There really was a Desolate Beast, the Autumn Cicada, sleeping in Wan Chong Ridge.

"Somehow, it woke up.

"And in an instant, the Autumn Cicada used its innate Cosmic Dao Divine Technique to forcefully erase all of Shengkai’s True Blood of the Vermilion Bird, killing him.

"Right now, the Saints of the Muri clan have gone mad and are frantically hunting down that Autumn Cicada."

"Huh?" Fang Yang was stunned.

In a rare display, Fang Yang’s expression was one of utter shock, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

’He hadn’t even seen what Muri Shengkai looked like, and now he was dead?’

’Wasn’t this just like the Heaven and Earth Alliance’s supreme leader, Chen Haonan, making a grand entrance only to immediately fall flat on his face?’

’Isn’t this a bit ridiculous?’

Second Uncle Fang’s tone softened. "You don’t have to be too surprised. Things like this have happened a few times in the Xuan-Yu War.

"Otherwise, Sen Wei, Sen Hui, and the others wouldn’t have had to return to their clan lands.

"Besides, some people believe that the Autumn Cicada’s awakening was likely the work of another Saint, deliberately setting a trap to kill Shengkai!"

’Is that really how it happened?’

’It must be.’

Fang Yang looked at the ’Seek Fortune, Avoid Misfortune’ light cluster in his mind, feeling a little uncertain.

But he could clearly feel the pressure on his shoulders instantly vanish, his heart overflowing with a profound sense of joy.

The most direct manifestation of this was that his entire being felt light and carefree.

Sen Wei was in seclusion, and Shengkai had fallen.

’Under these circumstances,’ he thought, ’doesn’t this mean that I, Fang Yang, am now poised to become the undisputed leader among my peers in the entire Xuan-Yu War?!’