The wooden chest containing one thousand silver was inconvenient to carry, so he had a servant deliver it to his residence, Tingyu Pavilion.

Calming his excitement, Fang Han focused his mind and began his cultivation for the day.

Lin Ao was strong, but only among the younger generation of Liangshui City. In the grand scheme of Qingyang County, he was nothing special. ’I absolutely can’t let this victory make me proud or complacent.’

However, in the world outside, his actions had already set off a massive stir.

After leaving Songtao Pavilion, Elder Fang Yuan did not immediately go to rest. Instead, he sought out the several Tutors in charge of the Inner Hall’s daily management.

His face beamed with an unconcealable glow as he informed the Tutors of the news: Fang Han had defeated Lin Ao.

And the Tutors, hoping to motivate the Inner Hall Descendants, naturally spread the news throughout the Inner Hall.

The news was like cold water hitting a pan of searing oil; it instantly caused an explosion in the Inner Hall!

"Did you hear? Fang Han... Fang Han defeated Lin Ao!"

"Which Lin Ao? Don’t tell me... *the* Lin Ao from the Lin Family?!"

"Duh! Is there another Lin Ao in Liangshui City? It’s the one known as the number one expert of the younger generation!"

"For real?! Fang Han... actually managed to defeat him?!"

"It’s absolutely true! A Tutor said so himself!"

"Heavens! How long has it been? He hasn’t even been in the Inner Hall for a year, has he? Is... is he even human?!"

"Ever since Lin Ao became number one of the younger generation, haven’t those Lin Family disciples been insufferably arrogant whenever they see us? I bet they can’t act so high and mighty now, can they?"

"Chief Fang Han is incredible!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

After the initial stunned silence and disbelief, the entire Inner Hall training ground erupted.

The faces of all the descendants were filled with utter shock and astonishment, which quickly transformed into wild joy and immense pride.

Fang Han was a disciple of the Fang Family. His victory over Lin Ao meant that the younger generation of the Fang Family had triumphed over the Lin Family!

This shared sense of family honor made everyone flush red with excitement. They chattered animatedly, as if they themselves had defeated Lin Ao.

The oppressive atmosphere that had lingered since Fang Hong’s defeat at Lin Ao’s hands was swept away, replaced by the triumphant elation of holding their heads high once more.

"Fang Han defeated... Lin Ao?"

In a private Martial Arts Room, Fang Xue heard the news.

Her hand, which had been wiping down the blade of her sword, froze. The pupils in her cool, clear eyes constricted slightly, and a look of stunned disbelief flickered across her exquisite face.

Then, the tense line of her lips relaxed almost imperceptibly. She let out a soft, fragrant sigh and murmured to herself.

’To think that even Lin Ao lost to him!’

Her tone was complex, tinged with a sense of relief, as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from her heart.

’Being surpassed by a monster like that... perhaps it’s not so hard to accept after all.’

"Fang Han defeated... Lin Ao?!"

In another Martial Arts Room, upon hearing a servant’s report, Fang Hong’s hands balled into fists so tight his knuckles turned white.

His face first registered utter disbelief, which then melted into bitterness and despair.

But soon, a faint glimmer of relief could be seen through the bitterness.

He slowly unclenched his fists and let out a long, deep sigh. It was a sigh heavy with emotion, but it also seemed to lift a great weight from his shoulders.

’Even Lin Ao, the number one of Liangshui City’s younger generation, lost. Compared to that, what’s the big deal about me losing the top spot in the Inner Hall to Fang Han?’

Unwittingly, Fang Han’s status in the hearts of the Inner Hall’s many descendants had already soared to an unprecedented height.

It had even surpassed the status Fang Hong once held.

Meanwhile, Fang Han, engrossed in his training within the Martial Arts Room, was completely immersed in his cultivation, steadily advancing toward a higher realm.

「In the afternoon」

Fang Han finished his cultivation in the Class A-10 Martial Arts Room, pushed open the heavy wooden doors, and walked out at a leisurely pace.

The moment he set foot on the Inner Hall’s training grounds, he acutely sensed that the atmosphere was completely different from usual.

The Inner Hall Descendants he encountered along the way—whether they were new initiates or senior members, whether they were training or just passing through—all looked at him with an unprecedented reverence and fervor.

Their gazes were no longer those for the top-ranked disciple of the Inner Hall; it was as if they were looking up to a legend who had already reached the summit, a figure they had to strive to catch.

"Chief Fang Han!"

"Greetings, Chief!"

Many descendants who had previously offered only a polite nod or kept a slight distance now actively stopped in their tracks, bowing deeply from afar. Their voices were filled with unconcealed excitement and reverence.

Their attitude was more deferential than ever, even tinged with a cautious, almost timid, respect.

Fang Han was surprised, but he quickly guessed the reason why.

He gave a slight nod in return, not allowing his recent achievements to make him arrogant.

As someone with a maturity that belied his age, he knew full well that arrogance was a fatal flaw.

...

In a bustling district of Liangshui City, inside the Fanghua Restaurant, owned by the Fang Family, evening had fallen, marking the start of the busiest time for business.

Shopkeeper Fang Zheng, dressed in a neat, dark silk robe, stood behind the counter carefully checking the ledgers. He would occasionally glance up to survey the main hall, ensuring everything was running smoothly.

A few familiar, wealthy merchants were sitting at a table by the window, drinking and chatting. Upon seeing Fang Zheng, they all smiled and raised a hand in greeting.

"Shopkeeper Fang, you’re looking even better than usual today!"

"Brother Fang, how have you been? Come join us for a drink!"

"Shopkeeper Fang, business is booming!"

These greetings seemed more sincere and enthusiastic than usual, even carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible... hint of flattery?

Fang Zheng smiled and returned each greeting, but he couldn’t help but wonder.

’The regulars seem unusually polite today. Even some of the customers I barely know are nodding and smiling at me, their eyes holding a strange... kindness?’

He wracked his brain but couldn’t recall any promotion or happy event of his own. This sudden warmth left him completely baffled.

"Brother Fang, my sincerest congratulations! You’ve raised a fine son! Incredible, truly incredible!"

Just then, Boss Li, a cloth merchant with whom he was on good terms, finished his meal with a friend and stood up to settle the bill.

When he reached the counter, he didn’t leave right away. Instead, he leaned in closer, a heartfelt smile on his face.

Fang Zheng was taken aback and even more confused. "Boss Li, what do you mean? What’s the happy occasion?"

Seeing that Fang Zheng genuinely seemed to have no idea, Boss Li’s expression grew even more surprised, and his voice rose unconsciously.

"Brother Fang, you don’t know? The news is all over the city! Your son, Fang Han, defeated that Lin Ao from the Lin Family—the one they call the number one expert of the younger generation—out at the Qingwu Tea Garden!"

"Now the whole city is saying the title of the number one expert of Liangshui City’s younger generation is about to change hands!"

His voice wasn’t loud, but in the relatively quiet main hall, it sounded exceptionally clear.

Instantly, the chatter from the nearby tables ceased. Every eye in the vicinity snapped to focus on Fang Zheng.

Those gazes were filled with amazement, envy, and even a hint of awe.

"What?... Is this true?"

Fang Zheng froze as if struck by an Immobilization Technique, his pupils dilating slightly.

A stunned expression washed over his face, quickly replaced by overwhelming disbelief. His lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.

’My son... defeated *that* Lin Ao? The same Lin Ao who overshadowed the other Four Heroes of Liangshui and was known as the number one expert of the city’s younger generation?’

The news struck him like a clap of thunder, exploding in his mind and making his ears ring.

After a brief moment of blankness, an indescribable thrill and excitement surged up from the depths of his heart.

An unprecedented wave of immense pride completely washed over him.

He took a deep breath. Facing Boss Li, and by extension the attentive gazes all around, he broke into a genuine smile. His voice was steady, but it couldn’t conceal his excitement.

"You’re too kind, Boss Li. It was just a friendly spar between youngsters, nothing to be taken so seriously, nothing at all."

Despite his words, the radiant glow on his face completely betrayed the deep sense of pride and joy he felt.

The entire atmosphere in the restaurant’s main hall seemed to shift with its shopkeeper’s emotions, becoming even more lively and subtly charged.