Elder Hua’s arrival sent a fresh wave of excitement through the crowd.

His reputation simply preceded him.

In the current army, the four Pavilion Elders—known as "Flower, Bird, Fish, and Insect"—formed the very backbone of Sen Yue’s forces.

They were the pillars holding up the heavens, the white jade beams that allowed Sen Yue to cultivate in peace and single-mindedly pursue the Dao.

It was thanks to them that Sen Yue’s army could assimilate newly conquered territories with such speed.

In short, Elder Hua’s power was immense.

If not for their connection to Fang Yang, these guests would likely have gone their entire lives without ever earning the right to even lay eyes on Elder Hua!

But...

A storm was raging in Fang Yang’s heart. He even felt a chill creep over his body.

’This is too much.’

’Far too much.’

’Everything has its limits.’

’Going overboard is worse than not doing enough.’

"Since you’ve accepted the gift, I’ll take my leave. Don’t see me out, don’t see me out," Elder Hua said, waving his hand with a chuckle.

As everyone watched, Elder Hua’s figure dissolved into a shower of glowing petals, vanishing in an instant. This, however, did nothing to diminish the festive atmosphere.

The dark clouds in the sky grew heavier, obscuring the constellations and leaving only a faint sprinkling of starlight.

A cool night breeze rustled past, causing Fang Yang’s snow-white robes to sway gently.

...

"For Fang Yang to become a Commander’s Order at such a young age is truly incredible."

"I heard even Elder Hua attended Fang Yang’s celebratory banquet. It’s hard to believe."

"Bah! Even as the champion of the First Realm, there’s no way he could make a name for himself this fast. He must have powerful backing."

"Dad, you’re over a hundred years old and still just a Second-level Official. You can’t even compare to Fang Yang. You’re so useless!"

"..."

In the aftermath, word of the banquet spread, sparking widespread discussion.

Regardless of how people viewed his ascent, everyone understood one thing: Fang Yang had likely become a force to be reckoned with.

As for the disciples of the Fang clan and the members of the White Feathered Eagle tribe, they all shared in the glory, their morale soaring.

"Le Shiyu, what right do you have to cut ties with me?" Qing Mang’s face was beet-red. His hands clutched a thin sheet of paper, his entire body trembling with rage.

SLAM! He slapped the letter down on the stone table, which instantly shattered.

"ARGHHH—"

The more Qing Mang thought about it, the more suffocated he felt. Unable to contain himself any longer, he tilted his head back and let out a furious roar.

The roar echoed throughout the palace, followed by the thunderous crash of things breaking. It was a scene of utter chaos.

At the same time, in a humble stone house.

Zhang Le sighed with envy. "Power in your grasp, beauties fawning over you... What a blissful life."

"Blissful? Heh, I wouldn’t be so sure." Zhang Ye shook his head with a light laugh.

Unlike his cousin’s envy, Zhang Ye perceived a profound chill beneath the surface.

’Fame, fortune, and the deep affection of a beautiful woman—what an incredible boon, right?’

’Faced with such easily attainable temptations, even an observer like myself is tempted. How could Fang Yang, the one at the center of it all, not be?’

’With such generous treatment, what’s so bad about being a lapdog for the Sen family?’

’But if he does that, can he still be considered a soaring Flying Eagle?’

’Once he willingly submits, can he still become a Saint?’

’Even if he does become a Saint, can he truly surpass his ancestor, Fang Nian?’

’Difficult. Very difficult. Extremely difficult.’

’If Fang Yang really goes down this path, the best-case scenario is that he ends up repeating Fang Nian’s fate.’

’Fang Yang would have to burn himself out, giving his all for Sen Hui, Sen Wei, and Sen Yue—toiling for them until his dying day.’

"To be loyal to others is to betray yourself. I know that you will ultimately be loyal to yourself, Fang Yang, but the torrents of this corrupt world are not so easily escaped." Zhang Ye smiled faintly.

’This next period is the perfect opportunity for me to catch up to Fang Yang!’

...

「White Feathered Eagle Encampment. Commander’s Camp.」

Fang Yang sat on a meditation cushion, silently mulling over the unexpected turns the banquet had taken.

’Le Shiyu, Chen Yuan, Hong Qishang, and even Elder Hua!’

But in the end, he let out a soft breath and pushed the thoughts aside.

’The human heart is as deep as the ocean, as vast as an abyss. No matter how clever you are, it’s impossible to predict another’s every move with perfect accuracy.’

’This is, after all, a world where ultimate power is vested in the individual.’

’All I need to do is keep getting stronger, until I can transcend it all!’

A moment later, Fang Yang took out a letter. It was from Sen Hui.

"...I’m a Tier Three Alchemy Master now! Don’t you forget to study your alchemy skills, okay? I’ve inscribed all my insights onto a jade slip for you. I hope it helps."

"...That Cyan and Red Pill Furnace... although it’s only Tier Three, it seems to have a tiny connection to the Carp Eagle legacy, so just take it, hehe."

"...And finally, congratulations again on becoming a Commander’s Order! I’ve been taking very good care of the Silverflower Fire Tree. When you get back, I hope we can watch it bloom together. I’m so looking forward to it..."

Fang Yang caressed the paper, sensing the aura within it. He could almost picture Sen Hui’s joyful expression as she wrote the letter.

Gradually, his heart began to stir, and a honey-sweet feeling bloomed within him.

It was a peculiar feeling. Fang Yang lowered his gaze, silently savoring it.

He found the corners of his mouth turning up in an unconscious smile.

More surprising still, the image of Sen Hui’s charming, pretty face was seared into his mind, her smile radiant.

’A very unique feeling,’ Fang Yang’s eyes flickered. ’It’s almost intoxicating.’

After savoring it for a moment, he gently pushed the feeling down, as if nothing had happened at all.

His rationality restored, he picked up his brush and penned a reply to Sen Hui.

「A quarter-hour later.」

Fang Yang read it over one last time. After confirming there were no major errors, he put the letter away.

Then, he began to pat the massive storage pouch at his waist.

As the guest of honor at the celebratory banquet, Fang Yang had reaped a significant harvest.

First, there were the congratulatory gifts from the less-acquainted guests.

Among these, a Six-winged Flying Fish from the Ten Thousand Birds Race Leader was particularly valuable.

Second, there was the bolstered morale of the White Feathered Eagle tribe.

Fang Yang was confident that with their morale soaring, the White Feathered Eagle tribe would achieve even greater deeds, strengthen their clan, and in turn, cause his Fire Eagle Illusion to grow even stronger.

’Oh, right. Hong Qishang is also going to personally form an eagle squadron for the White Feathered Eagles.’

’In that case, the White Feathered Eagle tribe’s combat power will increase yet again!’

Third, there was the Cyan and Red Pill Furnace and the inherited alchemy insights from Sen Hui.

With these two items, Fang Yang was certain he could quickly raise his alchemy skills and become a Tier One Alchemy Master.

’Sen Yue told me to focus more on my skills as a Pill Master, and now even Sen Hui is saying the same. But where am I supposed to find the time?’

’Besides, this all feels a bit surreal. How did Sen Hui even come to like me...’

To this day, Fang Yang still couldn’t understand it.

If it had been Lu Yao who liked him, he would have understood.

Lu Yao lacked a sense of security, and the qualities he projected perfectly fulfilled her fantasies.

’Besides, that wouldn’t have been true affection. It would just be Lu Yao’s primal need to find a safe harbor.’

But Sen Hui was no Lu Yao!

’With her family background, she shouldn’t be lacking a sense of security.’

Fang Yang had originally assumed that his connection with Sen Hui would fade with time.

Instead, their bond had only grown stronger.

After pondering it to no avail, Fang Yang decided not to dwell on it.

’A young woman’s heart is as fickle as spring weather—sunny one moment, overcast the next.’

’It’s best if I just focus on myself.’

「One hour later.」

Fang Yang sorted through his newly acquired cultivation resources.

Some he gave to the Small Frost Horse to absorb, helping it grow faster.

Others he gave to his White Feathered Eagle to consume, increasing its combat strength.

As for the more precious medicinal herbs, Fang Yang entrusted his Second Uncle to refine them into suitable pills.

「Two days later.」

RUMBLE—

Within Fang Yang’s Void Acupoint True Essence Sea, the Fire Eagle Illusion beat its wings. Its claws were as sharp as tempered steel.

After absorbing a portion of the resources, the solidity of the Fire Eagle Illusion’s claws had increased from 7% to 10%.

The claws were now one step closer to reaching 25% solidity.

Furthermore, Fang Yang’s foundation was incredibly stable.

Fang Yang could even feel that he could now easily execute the [Celestial Eagle Cross Spear] killing move without needing his White Feathered Eagle at all!

This was the difference between Tier One Peak and Tier Two Elementary. For a prodigy like Fang Yang, the gap of a single major realm represented an immense disparity in power!

A cause for celebration, indeed.