The Battle of Xuan Yu was drawing to a close.

However, one crucial event had yet to unfold: following Sen Yue into the Xuan Yu Blessed Land!

Now, the list of who was qualified to enter the Xuan Yu Blessed Land was being finalized.

But the great clans were all vying in secret, fighting for more spots to enter the Xuan Yu Blessed Land.

Many had learned of Fang Yang’s good relationship with Sen Hui and Sen Yue, and they planned to ask him to put in a good word for them.

Minghai Waves was one such person.

Minghai Waves was the Dao Seed of the Minghai Race. He had once hunted demons in the Yan Shi Great River alongside Sen You.

He was a tall man, clad in a water-blue battle robe, looking like a great shark incarnate.

"I plan to ask Fang Yang for his help. What do you all think?" Minghai Waves asked his subordinates.

An azure sea breeze stirred ripples across the water.

An old man with a tortoise shell on his back, treading upon the waves, mused aloud:

"We’re surely not the only ones who want to ask Fang Yang for help.

Besides, approaching him directly will surely lead to rejection. Our best bet is an indirect approach, one that would make it awkward for him to say no.

For instance, by supporting the White Feathered Eagle Bronze Tribe!"

They were not the only ones with this idea; far from it.

Even Dongfang Mobai had set his sights on Fang Yang.

Fang Yang was simply the perfect person to plead their case.

Under these circumstances, the Beast Rushing Mountain Range, home to the White Feathered Eagle Bronze Tribe, gradually grew more bustling.

White Feathered Eagle Bronze Tribe.

The Command Tent.

Currently, Lu Yao was reporting the situation to Fang Yang.

She said with some hesitation, "Your Eminence, more and more tribes have been seeking us out recently. They’re even offering us extremely favorable terms..."

As she spoke, she handed Fang Yang an account book that clearly detailed the recent changes.

"I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. Since when has our White Feathered Eagle Bronze Tribe become so popular?" she said, her delicate brows furrowed in concern.

Fang Yang said nothing, taking the account book to examine it.

’The Dongfang Race, the Minghai Race... Two Golden Clans are actually showing favor to the White Feathered Eagle Bronze Tribe?’

It wasn’t just Lu Yao who was wary; Fang Yang also sensed that something was amiss.

Just then, a ball of light in Fang Yang’s mind flickered, and words materialized:

[Gifts given through a borrowed hand, with the aim of a higher command. As factions intertwine and vie, fortune and calamity lie side-by-side.]

[Upper-Mid Fortune: Go to the Qinglian Snow Mountain for secluded cultivation. You will obtain one Tier Five opportunity. By avoiding the storm and staying clear of favors and grudges, the outcome will be auspicious.]

[Neutral Fortune: Remain at the White Feathered Eagle Bronze Tribe to cultivate and await the opening of the Xuan Yu Blessed Land. You may obtain several Tier Four opportunities, but you will be unable to refuse obligations, caught in a vortex of schemes with numerous hidden dangers.]

’Gifts given through a borrowed hand... But whose hand is being borrowed? And who is the gift for?’

’And who is the one "aiming for a higher command"?’

A glint in his eye, Fang Yang’s thoughts immediately locked onto Sen Yue!

’ "As factions intertwine and vie, fortune and calamity lie side-by-side..." ’

’ "Avoiding the storm and staying clear of favors and grudges..." ’

’ "Unable to refuse obligations, caught in a vortex..." ’

Some things seem as light as a feather, but once you put them on the scales, they’re as heavy as a mountain and impossible to bear.

’They don’t value the White Feathered Eagle Bronze Tribe, and they certainly don’t value me. They’re after Sen Hui!’

’They want to use me to achieve their own goals.’

’...I’m speechless. Don’t tell me they want me to use pillow talk on her?’

Fang Yang’s thoughts raced.

Once he understood the crux of the matter, he fell silent.

But a moment later, his expression unchanging, he ordered a carriage to be prepared.

He was heading to the Qinglian Snow Mountain for secluded cultivation!

...

The days passed, and the opening of the Xuan Yu Blessed Land drew ever closer.

Meanwhile, the various major figures were all scheming and maneuvering to secure more entry slots for their clansmen.

All was calm on the surface, but a turbulent vortex swirled beneath.

「In a certain region of the Ming Sea.」

Under the watchful eye of the tortoise-shelled old man, Minghai Waves rose to his feet. His body merged with his Dharma Aspect as he soared into the sky, heading straight for the northern Beast Rushing Mountain Range.

The time had come. He felt it was the right moment to ask for Fang Yang’s help.

However, when he arrived at the White Feathered Eagle Bronze Tribe, he learned from Seventh Uncle Fang that Fang Yang was not there.

"What?"

Minghai Waves was stunned. "Fang Yang has already left for secluded cultivation at the Qinglian Snow Mountain?"

Seventh Uncle Fang nodded lightly. "That is correct."

For a moment, Minghai Waves was at a loss. The situation had become thorny.

He truly hadn’t known that Fang Yang was away from the White Feathered Eagle Bronze Tribe. If he had, he wouldn’t have made a special trip. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Minghai Waves looked at Seventh Uncle Fang, unsure of what to say.

’It seemed his plan to secure another hundred slots was about to fall through.’

「One day later.」

Qinglian Snow Mountain.

Wind-driven snow drifted down, dusting Fang Yang’s winter robes.

Fang Yang held a secret letter, his face expressionless. ’Minghai Waves, Jiang Venerable Sword, and even Dongfang Mobai...’

’Hmph. Instead of pleading with Sen Yue directly, they come looking for me.’

’No matter how capable he was, he was just a minor Emissary with no real power.’

’Besides, he was in a position where he had to keep his head down. How could he possibly stick his neck out for them?’

’Given the circumstances, it would be best for him not to leave the Qinglian Snow Mountain until the Xuan Yu Blessed Land opens.’

"Ah Yang, hurry back! It’s time for class!"

Sen Hui’s voice called out from within the palace.

Fang Yang sighed inwardly, put away the letter, and turned to enter the palace.

Perhaps it was due to her Second Uncle’s request, or perhaps it was the simple joy of sharing.

In any case, Sen Hui had now taken it upon herself to be his instructor, intent on teaching him the arts of an Alchemist Doctor.

Fang Yang, for his part, wasn’t particularly interested.

The arts of an Alchemist Doctor had never been his primary field of study.

"Pay attention! Today, we’re making the Lion’s Heart Banquet."

Sen Hui, holding a teacher’s ruler, put on a stern expression with her small, fair face. "What are you looking at me for? Get a move on!"

At her urging, Fang Yang bent over the task of cleaning the heart of the Northern Barbarian Lion, a Ten Thousand Beasts King.

He started by washing it with Primordial Spring Water, then began smearing a prepared Spirit Grass powder onto the heart of the Northern Barbarian Lion, a little at a time.

"...Idiot, that’s wrong! Add the Rain Bee Honey first."

"...Don’t use lightning! Use flames! Use flames!"

"...What’s that weird smell? How can you be so clumsy? Were you slacking off again?"

When it came to the arts of an Alchemist Doctor, Sen Hui became a different person—far more confident, her spirits soaring.

In the face of Fang Yang’s "clumsiness," her greenwood ruler rapped down repeatedly, showing no mercy.

Finally, when Fang Yang presented the finished Lion’s Heart Banquet, she took a bite and shot him a disdainful look.

"Ah Yang, you really are hopeless."

Sen Hui pouted. "Just be my assistant. I’ll cook it myself."

"..." Fang Yang was exasperated.

’He was just a minor Tier Two Pill Master. When it came to high-level medicinal cuisine of Tier Four or even Tier Five, he was naturally out of his depth.’

After some more fuss, Sen Hui managed to produce a new Lion’s Heart Banquet, perfect in color, aroma, and flavor.

Just then, Sen Wei appeared out of nowhere to get a share of the food.

And because Fang Yang was there, Sen Hui didn’t push Sen Wei away as she usually did.

This pleased Sen Wei greatly, and her opinion of Fang Yang rose even higher.