’Romantic tribulations are difficult to overcome, but since you have no special talents, Qing Rushang alone can’t support your path to eternal life.’

’It’s just a dream anyway, so I might as well explore more possibilities.’

Upon entering the first-person perspective again, Fang Yang decisively switched his strategy for navigating the dream.

While maintaining his close relationship with Qing Rushang, he gradually became a master of time management, building good friendships with one woman after another.

To his surprise, his ancestor Fang Nian’s dream actually evolved in this way!

In other words, this was something his ancestor Fang Nian had actually experienced.

’Seriously, don’t get involved with those major clans,’ Fang Yang thought, his brow twitching in slight exasperation.

He saw that his ancestor Fang Nian had been audacious enough to proactively pursue a young lady from the Sen clan named Sen Yuanyuan!

At that moment, Fang Yang finally understood the meaning of the phrase "the ignorant know no fear."

[On the Vast Sun Festival, five women invited him to admire the moon and flowers.]

[Fang Nian refused them all, using his recovery from an illness as an excuse. Unexpectedly, the five women set out to visit him one after another...]

The Vast Sun Festival was established to commemorate the first Tier Nine Great Cultivator—Saint Emperor Vast Sun!

Saint Emperor Vast Sun was the leader of the Three Venerables of the Immemorial Era and the foremost of all Saint Venerables. The era in which He was active was far more ancient than that of the Thunder Saint Venerable.

According to legend, the Tier Eight and Tier Nine levels of this world’s cultivation system were both pioneered by Saint Emperor Vast Sun.

What was strange, however, was that for such a great figure worthy of being remembered by all living beings, almost no one knew His true name, let alone dared to speak it aloud.

Once, a Great Power who was knowledgeable about the past attempted to speak Saint Emperor Vast Sun’s true name aloud and was instantly annihilated by a backlash from the world’s immense power.

Thus, a theory quietly circulated: this ineffable, great figure was very likely still in the world, having lived through endless ages!

’Saint Emperor Vast Sun.’

The few short phrases recorded in the ancient texts were enough to fill Fang Yang with a sense of longing.

But now, Fang Yang was staring in astonishment at a little girl in the Dream World.

This little girl was the younger sister of the young lady from the Sen clan whom his ancestor Fang Nian had pursued!

’Sen Suiliu. In the real world, she is one of the surviving Saints of the present-day Sen clan. Her title is—Saint Fan Liu!’

In an instant, Fang Yang understood a great many things.

So the Saint from the Sen clan who looked upon him, Fang Yang, with extreme displeasure was none other than Saint Fan Liu!

’So I, ’Carp Eagle the Second,’ have to take the fall for my ancestor Fang Nian’s mess. This is completely unfair.’

[Time passed, and their lives diverged.]

[This year, at seventeen, two years after his Enlightenment, Fang Nian finally stepped into the Tier Two realm.]

[That same year, due to an unforeseen change in her cultivation path, Qing Rushang had to travel to the Daoist Mansion of Eternal Life to pursue the Dao and temper herself.]

[With their separation imminent, Qing Rushang was still reluctant to leave Fang Nian, her heart full of lingering attachment and worry.]

[After Qing Rushang’s departure, Fang Nian shifted his focus and dedicated all his efforts to pursuing Sen Yuanyuan...]

...

The moon set and the sun rose.

The sun fell and the moon emerged.

While Fang Yang was exploring the bloodline dream, a full day and night had passed in the real world.

When Fang Yang slowly opened his eyes and returned to reality, he felt somewhat disoriented.

However, in just a fraction of a second, his eyes regained their clarity.

Under the watchful eyes of Second Uncle Fang and Seventh Uncle Fang, Fang Yang closed his eyes once more.

This time, he was not entering the bloodline dream, but observing the changes within his own body.

In truth, it would be very difficult for him to enter the bloodline dream again.

Such an opportunity was a matter of serendipity, not something one could seek out.

’This [Carp Eagle Divine Feather] Spiritual Object... I’ve actually refined one-fifth of it.’

’I can feel that under the light of the [Carp Eagle Divine Feather], I can master the various Secret Techniques of the Carp Eagle heritage at an accelerated pace!’

’Wait, this trace of Dao rhythm... it’s the Carp Eagle Transformation. So this is the Tier Three opportunity.’

’With this trace of Dao rhythm, I only need to cultivate diligently from now on to fully master the Carp Eagle Transformation and replicate the might of my ancestor, Fang Nian.’

Thoughts flashed through Fang Yang’s mind.

He suddenly realized that he had grown a great deal.

If he were to obtain another thunder-attribute essence, such as a Thunder Carp essence, he would be able to upgrade his Spirit Body from Grade B to Grade A! 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

At that point, among his peers in the Changkong clan, his position as the number one person beneath Sen Wei would become even more secure!

In the future, as long as Sen Wei didn’t make a move, Fang Yang would truly be invincible.

’Hmph. A true man is born between heaven and earth; how can I be content to remain subservient to another for long?’

’No, fame and fortune are not what I desire. Whether I’m first or second doesn’t matter. I just want to achieve a perfect-grade Spirit Body.’

’That scoundrel Fang Nian was unable to ascend to Tier Eight and was forced to perish under the tribulation of Tier Seven. I can’t follow in his footsteps.’

After a good while, Fang Yang, having composed himself, opened his eyes. Suddenly, a flash of electricity sparked in the dark room.

Sparks born from the void!

"Congratulations. You’ve finally reached the Tier Two realm, and your Spirit Body has transformed considerably. You can truly be called a prodigy."

"I am young and ignorant, and must still rely on the protection and guidance of my two uncles."

For a moment, the atmosphere inside the tent was harmonious.

Immediately after, Second Uncle Fang smiled and nodded. "Since you’ve regained your composure so quickly, I’ll tell you what the clan elders wished to inform you of..."

Within thirty years, the Fang Clan must produce a Dao Seed. Only then can they reclaim the Carp Eagle Blessed Land.

Otherwise, the Carp Eagle Blessed Land will either be taken by a clan with another surname or be carved up and devoured by newly ascended Saints.

Either outcome would only serve to further demonstrate the Fang Clan’s incompetence.

It would be enough to make the Fang Clan lose all face once more, becoming the laughingstock of the Changkong clan.

If that happened, who knows how many elders of the Fang Clan would die filled with regret, unable to rest in peace.

Most directly, the Fang Clan would fall into an even greater decline than before—a decline worse than the one before Fang Nian became a Saint.

"Uncles, rest assured. If Uncle Haozhi and Sister Min cannot bear this burden, then I will certainly step forward," Fang Yang replied, his voice resonant and decisive.

He was the prodigy of the Fang clan.

But at the same time, he was also a demon from beyond the heavens.

’If I get the chance, I’ll definitely reclaim the Carp Eagle Blessed Land.’

’If there’s no chance, I won’t force it. I’ll just do my best.’

’Besides, out of caution regarding that scoundrel Fang Nian, if I do become a ’Dao Seed’ within thirty years, it’s best I don’t become the master of the Carp Eagle Blessed Land.’

’That scoundrel Fang Nian definitely left a contingency plan in the Carp Eagle Blessed Land. It could very well be some resurrection plot involving a remnant soul possessing one of his descendants.’

’Given Fang Nian’s temperament, he is more than capable of doing something like that.’

’After all, putting myself in his shoes, if it were me, I’d do the same. I would be absolutely unwilling to die just like that.’

’What’s more, choosing to take back the Carp Eagle Blessed Land doesn’t mean I have to become its master!’

’What the Fang clan elders want is simply for the Carp Eagle Blessed Land to return to them, even if it ends up being destroyed in their hands.’

’Most importantly, once I become a Dao Seed, I will naturally become a Saint and can then establish a new Carp Eagle Blessed Land.’

’And if I fail?’

’If even I fail, then there’s nothing more to be said. We can all just sink into decline together.’

...

The moon was bright, the stars were sparse.

Southward the crows and magpies flew.

「The Changkong Clan, within the largest palace in the forbidden grounds.」

’Xiaohui has become much more lively and cheerful. This Fang Yang is indeed somewhat useful.’

The sole Tier Eight Great Saint of the Changkong clan slowly withdrew his gaze from Sen Hui.

Ever since Fang Yang had gifted the [Silver Flower Fiery Tree] to Sen Hui, she seemed to have found something to hold dear, and was now constantly full of vitality and optimism.

Sen Hui was no longer as timid as she once was. She had become brighter, more cheerful, and much more lively.

’Fang Yang and Fang Nian are, after all, different.’

’At the very least, the current Fang Yang is not yet so mired in sin. He can still be guided.’

After sensing the change in Sen Hui, the Tier Eight Great Saint made a mental note of Fang Yang’s name.

After a moment of contemplation, he lightly waved his sleeve.

In an instant, he arrived at the Carp Eagle Blessed Land, completely undetected.

He let out a soft breath, which drifted like a gentle breeze, sweeping across the entire Carp Eagle Blessed Land in an instant.

"AH—"

A bloodcurdling scream echoed from some unknown corner before fading into nothing, like smoke dissipating in the air.

"Carp Eagle, this wisp of your malevolent will does not belong to this era. It is time you returned to the Yellow Springs."

"This world, in the end, belongs to the children..."