Fang Zhengyuan stepped further into the inner hall, his thoughts shifting as his gaze fell upon the low table near the wall. With a flick of his wrist, he opened his Spiritbound Storage Pouch, and several items appeared in a neat arrangement.
Two Ordinary Wolf-Hair Talisman Brushes, their bristles smooth and evenly cut.Two bundles of First-Tier Talisman Paper, each stack bound in pale thread.Two sealed boxes of Ordinary Spirit Ink, faint spiritual fluctuations leaking through the seams.
The soft glow of the materials immediately drew attention.
His children gathered instinctively, curiosity lighting their faces.
His gaze shifted first to his eldest son.
Fang Chen stood straighter the moment he noticed, his eyes bright with anticipation. There was confidence there. Behind him, Fang Yulan watched quietly, her expression calm but expectant. Her posture was composed, yet a faint sharpness lingered in her gaze.
Zhengyuan's eyes moved next to his second son, who waited without speaking, hands folded behind his back. He did not step forward. He merely observed.
Finally, his gaze softened as it fell upon his youngest daughter. She tilted her head curiously, hugging her wooden toy, unaware of the quiet tension forming around her.
Fang Zhengyuan studied the talisman tools silently, arranging them neatly on the table. His eyes drifted over his children, noting their curiosity and quiet eagerness.
"These are not toys," he said firmly. "Nor are they prizes to be claimed by birthright."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. Then he continued, his tone calm but deliberate.
"There is a clan-wide competition approaching — the Inner Clan Competition. Among you, the one who performs best in the contest will have first choice of this talisman book Path of Spirit Script Master. The remaining items will be distributed equally."
A subtle ripple passed through the room.
Fang Chen's eyes lit up with pride, his posture stiff with expectation. He leaned slightly forward, already imagining victory.
His younger brother remained composed, hands behind his back, a faint spark of resolve glimmering in his eyes. He did not rush, but his focus was sharp.
The reactions of the mothers were far less obvious — yet telling.
Fang Yulan's lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze fixed firmly on her eldest son. She radiated quiet confidence, fully convinced he would seize the first pick. Mei Ruyan, meanwhile, lowered her eyes, letting her thoughts drift quietly. A faint, private concern stirred within her with a quiet hope that her child would navigate the upcoming competition without strain.
Her youngest daughter, meanwhile, remained blissfully unaware, lost in her own little world, clutching her wooden spirit-beast toy with bright, wandering eyes.
Zhengyuan observed the children and the tools, unaware of the silent stirrings hidden behind.
Even before the contest begins… the stakes are clear.
Lantern light flickered across the hall, casting overlapping shadows that hinted at pride and rivalry, unseen but already present.
Fang Zhengyuan entered the inner hall quietly, the faint hum of lanterns and the distant trickle of the courtyard stream filling the space.
In one of the six side rooms, Sun Lanyue was seated in a meditative posture, practicing the cultivation techniques she had learned under the Sun Clan's guidance. The room was perfectly suited for focused cultivation, its walls engraved with protective formations and soft light reflecting off polished wood.
As Fang Zhengyuan entered, she opened her eyes and greeted him with a soft, composed bow.
"Husband," she said quietly, her voice calm yet carrying a gentle warmth.
Zhengyuan inclined his head in return, his expression steady. "Lanyue."
They lingered for a brief moment, the quiet of the room embracing them. Then, as the evening deepened, they retired for the day. Behind closed doors, the couple shared the intimacy of newlyweds, a tender and careful moment.
The lanterns flickered softly, casting gentle shadows across the side room, leaving the rest of the Fang household in serene stillness.
Fang Clan – Main Hall
The great doors of the Fang Clan's Main Hall closed with a low, echoing thud.
A calm silence settled over the chamber.
At the highest seat sat Fang Jianhong, Clan Leader of the Fang Clan, his posture upright and steady. To either side of him stood the two Grand Elders—Elder Fang Shouyuan and Elder Fang Wenhai—their auras restrained but heavy with experience.
Before them hovered a faintly glowing jade slip.
Moments earlier, a spirit messenger from the He Clan of the North Wall District, Ironcliff Town, had delivered its contents.
Fang Jianhong extended a finger, letting his spiritual sense flow into the jade. His eyes flickered faintly as he read.
"So… they have responded."
Elder Fang Shouyuan leaned forward slightly."And their stance?"
Fang Jianhong exhaled slowly."They admit what we already suspected. The He Clan lacks a stable pill supply. For years, they've relied on rogue cultivators—paying high prices for inconsistent quality."
A flicker of understanding crossed the elders' faces.
"Their strength lies in formations," Fang Jianhong continued. "Not alchemy.
"They request priority purchasing rights for any high-grade pills refined by our clan."
The hall fell into silence.
"That would mean," Elder Fang Shouyuan said slowly, "they gain first access… while our own supply becomes restricted."
"Exactly," Fang Jianhong replied. "Such a condition would quietly bind us."
He lifted his gaze, calm yet sharp.
"However, they also understand their position. They know we can refine pills of a higher grade—ones they can only obtain through wandering cultivators at great cost."
Both elders turned toward him.
"For the refinement process, we require Grade Two, Tier One Spirit Water," Fang Jianhong said evenly. "It is essential for stabilizing higher-level pill refinement."
A brief pause followed.
"The request is reasonable," he added.
Elder Fang Shouyuan exhaled slowly."A fair exchange… yet one that binds both sides."
"Precisely," Fang Jianhong replied. "If they wish to benefit from our alchemy, they must first show sincerity."
The jade slip dimmed as the decision settled.
The silence lingered for a moment longer before Elder Fang Wenhai broke it.
"Since matters with the He Clan are set in motion," he said calmly, "it may be time to address the internal affairs as well."
Fang Jianhong nodded faintly."The inner competition."
"It has been five years," Elder Fang Shouyuan added.
Fang Jianhong folded his hands before him."The Inner Clan Competition shall proceed as scheduled. All disciples under the age of eighteen may participate."
Elder Fang Wenhai inclined his head. "Clan Leader, the guest list is settled. Representatives from the Sun Clan will attend, along with envoys of the Cloudforged Sect, the rogue craftsmen responsible for forging the Skycleaver Wing."
Fang Jianhong remained silent for a moment, then said, "Good. Let them come and see for themselves what the Fang Clan has become."
(Next Morning)
The next morning, the Fang Clan awoke to an unusual stir.
Before the morning mist had fully lifted from the mountain paths, clear bell chimes rang out from the central watchtower—slow, steady, and authoritative. It was the signal used only for clan-wide matters.
Disciples halted their training. Servants paused mid-step. Even elders emerging from meditation lifted their heads.
Soon after, messengers in gray robes moved swiftly through every courtyard and residence, their voices calm yet firm as they delivered the same announcement:
"By order of the Clan Leader, the Inner Clan Competition will commence in seven days.Participants must be under eighteen years of age.The trials will include Combat, Pill Refinement, and Artifact Refinement. Outstanding performers will be rewarded accordingly."
A quiet shock rippled through the clan.
The training grounds, long silent, were soon filled with activity. Stone platforms were reinforced. Formation flags were erected. The Pill Pavilion began preparing auxiliary cauldrons, while the Artifact Hall cleared space for refinement trials. Even the Spirit Herb Garden began reallocating low-grade materials for testing.
This was no small event.The elders used the competition as an opportunity to select promising disciples, carefully observing potential that could shape the clan's future. Likewise, the various family branches watched closely, eager to identify talented youths worthy of special investment and guidance, ensuring the their branch's strength would continue to rise.