The Legend of Fangren

In front of the mountain gate, a dozen disciples gathered on the star-gazing platform, their ranks neat and orderly.

A senior elder and three junior elders landed in front of the group.

The head elder, an elderly man, addressed the group, saying, "You are all among the best of this year's new disciples, having already entered the Nourishing Realm and reached the pinnacle of mortal strength. It is time for you to descend the mountain for training."

The procession was divided into three groups, each led by a junior elder.

"I know you all have many questions, but we cultivators will hardly make any progress if we just stay in the mountain gate all day long. Only by going down the mountain to gain experience can we achieve something. Remember, the path of cultivation is long and vast. The sect is just your starting point. Compared with the hundreds or thousands of years to come, this period of time is just a drop in the ocean."

This is why the Dragon River Sect receives so many disciples every year, yet the sect is not overcrowded.

Those who cultivate the Tao endure tribulations and hardships; they are never hothouse flowers.

"Disciple understands!"

The disciples responded in unison, their fighting spirit already high for their journey down the mountain to gain experience.

Only Luohe looked somewhat gloomy.

Although Fangzi was brought back by the elder, she was in a coma. When she went to visit her, she only glanced at her and did not say anything.

Wouldn't this be even more regrettable and lamentable than leaving without saying goodbye? Qu Mei, standing beside her, could almost see the tangible resentment emanating from her.

Oh dear, this journey has brought me some comfort.

"Alright, let's go!" The elder finished counting the number of people and was about to turn around.

Just then, shouts came from inside the mountain gate.

"Elder, wait!"

A young man carrying a backpack jumped out of the mountain gate, leaping more than ten meters and landing beside the line.

"Hmm? A prescription!"

Luo He recognized him at a glance and thought he had come to say goodbye, so she quickly tried to leave the group.

But the elder's stern shout stopped her in her tracks.

"Keep in line!... Where did you come from, kid?"

"Disciple Fang Shi, the eldest disciple of the Heaven and Earth Pavilion."

"Hmm?" The elder raised an eyebrow. "I've heard of you, but I wasn't told you'd be coming down the mountain this time."

"My master told me to join his team, and I have the Heavenly Ring here." Following Qu Yang's instructions, Fang Shi showed the Heavenly Ring.

Upon seeing this, the elder's lips twitched, and he muttered, "That drunkard has learned to stuff people with his stuff. Did you sneak it on him while he was drunk?"

What are you saying?

Fang Shi didn't know his master's reputation in the sect, but the goods were genuine.

He demonstrated how to take and put the item away on the spot, and the Grand Elder nodded: "If you took it secretly, there must still be Elder Qu's profound energy on this ring. Since you can use it, it must be real... You can join the team."

Having received permission, Fang Shi immediately and happily joined the queue, coming to Luo He's side.

Luohe asked him impatiently, "Fangzi, are you really going to come down the mountain with me?"

"Of course, I am the eldest disciple of the Heaven and Earth Pavilion."

"That's great!" Luo He immediately hugged Fang Shi happily. "Now we don't have to be separated anymore."

"Hehehehe~" Fang Shi laughed like an idiot after being hugged by He Zi.

This drew a lot of criticism from those around them, especially from Luohe's group, which consisted of female disciples from Qingxiufang.

Qu Mei stuck out her tongue, feeling very depressed.

Now look what's happened! We'll be getting dirty the whole way. If I'd known this would happen, I would have preferred to comfort Junior Sister Luo instead.

She could only say sourly, "Junior Sister Luo, don't forget me."

"Uh-huh."

Unfortunately, Luohe didn't turn around at all, and Qu Mei stomped her foot in resentment.

I'm so annoyed! What's wrong with you, bro? Why did you shove this guy over here?

The Grand Elder pretended not to see it and shouted, "Go down the mountain."

The group started walking and climbed the mountain steps.

Unlike going up the mountain, this time all disciples, regardless of rank, had to walk.

Fang Shi curiously observed who else he recognized was around him, and found that He Qisheng and He Lin were both there, so he went up to greet them.

"Junior Brother Fang, how have you been?"

"Hey, Junior Brother Fang, how many fruits did you bring this time? Remember to share two with me."

The one speaking first was He Qisheng, while the one speaking more cheerfully behind him was He Lin.

After the three met at the entrance of Yangyuan Academy, they crossed paths several times in the days that followed, simply because Fang Shi was able to grow fresh fire-attribute spiritual fruits of good quality.

Even with He Qisheng and his companion's distinguished status, it would be difficult for them to find the best quality fruit. Therefore, whenever fresh fruit ripened in Fangfang's vegetable garden, they would bring money to buy it.

Over time, the three of them became quite familiar with each other.

In fact, with such abilities, Fang Shi would be sought after by many families in the city even if he went down the mountain. It is not excessive to treat such a capable person with courtesy.

However, besides those who are close to each other, there are also those who are not so close to each other in the team.

For example, on the other side, there were two people who were not looking at Fang Shi with friendly eyes.

"Young Master, isn't that kid surnamed Fang? Why is he here too? Will he go against you?" Zhao Ba whispered beside Feng Zhonghua.

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhonghua scoffed, "Do you still think I underestimated you like I did the other day?"

During the initial test, he was simply underestimating his opponent and lacking understanding, which allowed the opponent to gain the upper hand by chance. Now, however, he has entered the stable stage of the Nourishing Breath Realm, the power of Yin Fire in his fists is flourishing, and he has even learned the Yin Fire Technique.

Therefore, what is there to fear when dealing with those guys who only know how to use their fists and feet?

"Oh my, young master, you've really made rapid progress. I'm so confident to go down the mountain for training this time, all thanks to your good fortune. If that brat doesn't know what's good for him then, we'll definitely teach him a lesson." Zhao Ba flattered everyone, displaying his obsequiousness to the fullest.

Although Feng Zhonghua knew he shouldn't listen to such despicable people, there was still some resentment in his eyes as he looked at Fang Shi.

Even though he had things to do, he was still a teenager, and his competitive spirit was hard to suppress.

"Um?"

Perhaps sensing the gaze, Fang Shi turned around unintentionally.

"Hiss..." Feng Zhonghua quickly looked away, then immediately came back to his senses, anger rising in his heart, and he clenched his fists.

Was he just... scared?!

A sense of shame immediately gripped his heart, and a certain thought in his mind seemed to grow stronger.

"He Qisheng, He Lin, Fang Shi... all of you will be trampled underfoot by me and the Feng family!"

"..."

Fang Shi turned around, wondering what was wrong with that guy.

As darkness fell, he didn't get a clear look at Feng Zhonghua's face, and even if he had, it wouldn't have mattered to him.

They were just defeated opponents.

Even setting aside the fact that the two only met once, surely the young master's family wouldn't have such poor manners?

Unfortunately, he was wrong.

Luo He, who was standing nearby, asked him, "Fang Zi, why didn't you bring any magical artifacts?"

Fang Shi asked in surprise, "You haven't even reached the Qi Gathering Realm yet, so why are you all carrying weapons?"

He had noticed earlier that the disciples who came down the mountain all carried weapons.

"Naturally, it's because we need it."

Qu Mei jumped out from behind and squeezed between the two of them, shamelessly saying, "Mystic weapons are the key to the Qi Gathering Realm. When we disciples reach the Nourishing Breath Realm, our inner energy is full, and we can vaguely perceive the Yin-Mystic Form. We can also use weapons to perform some minor spells, greatly increasing our strength. Of course, we must adapt properly first."

"Then how come some people have special weapons, while others have uniform weapons?" Fang Shi asked again.

"Naturally, it's because some people haven't yet grasped the Yin Profound Form, so they can only make do with the temporary Xuan Weapon Pavilion's Xuan Artifacts for now."

"Oh..." Fang Shi understood.

Master was right after all; Xuanbing Pavilion is indeed a manufacturer of standard parts.

Damn it, ever since he was ambushed by the elder of the Xuanbing Pavilion, he's now on the same side as his master.

(End of this volume, Volume 2: The Beginning of Wood)