My cultivation level increases by one year every day!

"Many disciples still lack life-and-death experience and their combat skills are not high."

Fang Yuan silently observed the performance of his clan disciples, shaking his head from time to time, and occasionally stepping in to save a disciple who was about to die.

Getting injured is not a big deal, but if he dies, he will be a bit incompetent as the young master of the family.

"Man'er's combat skills are quite good."

Fang Man was originally at the eighth level of the Acquired Realm, but after recovering from his serious injury last time, his cultivation level actually advanced further.

In his battle with the demon tiger, he went from being at a disadvantage at the beginning to now almost completely dominating the fight.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the battle gradually subsided.

Several disciples came to Fang Yuan one after another, bowing deeply to express their gratitude for saving their lives.

"We're all brothers, no need to be so formal." Fang Yuan helped everyone up.

Fang Yuan's actions instantly bridged the gap between him and these people, winning over a large number of hearts.

Various labels have been attached to him: unfathomable strength, approachable, humble personality...

"From now on, we of Fanghe will follow the young master's every word and do as he says."

The one who spoke was the offspring of the Eighth Elder, a seventh-level cultivator of the Acquired Realm, making him one of the top geniuses in the Fang family.

"I will disobey any orders given by the young master."

"The young master will surely bring great prosperity to the family..."

Fang Yuan smiled and had Fang Man give some healing pills to the injured disciples, which immediately increased their goodwill towards him.

"Long live the young master!"

After a brief rest, Fang Yuan and the others collected the spoils dropped by the demon tiger and headed towards the mine.

"Young Master!"

The person in charge of the mine was waiting outside the mine early in the morning. When he saw Fang Yuan, he walked over in three steps.

"Deacon Fang Zheng!"

Fang Yuan nodded in return.

The mine was not large; it mainly supplied pig iron to the family and was responsible for forging weapons for sale.

The person in charge is the steward in front of us, who has a cultivation level of the ninth level of the Innate Realm, enough to deter any villains.

There were also two stewards, both at the eighth level of the Innate Realm, and many members of the Fang family, whose cultivation levels were generally at the Acquired Realm.

The rest were mining masters and assistants, totaling more than two hundred people.

"Settle the injured disciples first, then tell me about the bandits from Qinggang Village."

Fang Zheng nodded, demonstrating strong execution skills. He immediately arranged for the clansmen at the mine to settle the disciples in a place to rest.

"We don't have any good tea to serve the young master outside."

Fang Zheng invited Fang Yuan to the wooden house at the highest point, a location offering a panoramic view of the entire mine.

You're too kind.

Fang Yuan picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and the warm tea spread in his mouth, bittersweet and fragrant.

This tea is a spiritual tea, with the effect of calming the mind and focusing the spirit; it is definitely one of Fang Zheng's treasures.

"Qinggangzhai was a bandit stronghold that existed a few years ago, and they usually engaged in robbery and plunder."

"Six months ago, Qinggang Village changed hands. The new leader swept away all the bandit dens, big and small, within a hundred miles and integrated them into one place."

Fang Zheng patiently explained the situation in Qinggangzhai, "They may have become somewhat arrogant, and these days they have started to harass our mining area."

They even stole some of the pig iron we were transporting to the city, and their behavior became increasingly arrogant.

Fang Zheng's tone was full of dissatisfaction. If he didn't have to stay at the mine, he would have gone out to slaughter those bandits long ago.

"How powerful is Qinggang Village?" Fang Yuan asked.

Fang Zheng pondered for a moment and replied, "The chief is the only Foundation Establishment Realm expert, but he doesn't go out easily."

"There are about twenty people at the Innate Realm and about a hundred at the Acquired Realm in the stronghold. The rest are just small fry."

Fang Yuan was somewhat surprised, "A Foundation Establishment cultivator would actually choose to become an outlaw?"

Foundation Establishment cultivators hold a very high status in county towns, and in ordinary families, they are often regarded as patriarchs.

Even if one were to go to one of the three great families, one would be qualified to become a respected elder.

It's truly baffling that such a person would forgo a respectable and glamorous life to choose the life of a bandit leader and risk everything.

Perhaps this person is not a normal person at all.

Otherwise, how could I have offended the Fang family?

Qinggang Village's power may seem formidable, but in the Fang family's eyes, it's nothing special, like children playing house.

"Has anyone come to harass the mine in the last couple of days?"

"Not yet. Their actions are unpredictable; they mostly choose to launch night raids," Fang Zheng said.

"Didn't you try to fight back proactively?"

Fang Zheng looked helpless, with a bitter smile on his lips. "We don't have enough manpower, so we're glad to have you, young master."

There are only three innate experts on this side of the mine, and they cannot be easily mobilized.

When dozens of cultivators at the Acquired Realm encounter bandit leaders, they are met with a one-sided massacre.

"It seems the family will send more stewards over."

Fang Yuan's dozen or so men couldn't change the situation; they were really just here for training.

Just as Fang Yuan had predicted, a group of people dressed as Fang family stewards arrived at the mine in the evening.

into the night.

The stars hung high in the sky, twinkling intermittently.

Fang Yuan found an open space and practiced the Myriad Stars Fist, his internal energy surging powerfully.

About half an hour later, Fang Yuan finished his cultivation and "coincidentally" ran into Fang Zheng.

"Young Master, your accommodations have been arranged. Let me show you around," Fang Zheng said with a smile.

Fang Yuan gave Fang Zheng a meaningful look, but didn't say anything.

The place I stayed was in a very nice environment; the floor was very clean, and the furnishings were simple.

Housing in the mine is very limited, and a single room usually houses more than a dozen helpers.

Even the younger generation, who hold considerable positions in their families, can only sleep in row houses with four people per room when they come here.

Fang Yuan's residence here cannot be called a room; to be precise, it is more like a detached villa on the mountain.

"Am I doing something against the rules?" Fang Yuan asked with a smile.

Fang Zheng quickly waved his hand, "With your status, you can sleep at my place, but I'm afraid it will be inconvenient for the young master."

Worried that he wasn't being considerate enough, Fang Zheng added that if the person wasn't used to sleeping there, they could be moved to another place.

"This is already very good."

Fang Zheng nodded, gave some instructions, and then left.

"This person is someone I'm trying to curry favor with. He's meticulous in his dealings with others, so I'll keep an eye on him in the future; he might be able to be given an important position."

After a long day of travel, Fang Yuan was a little tired and soon lay down on the bed to sleep.

The night was deep, the moon was bright and the stars were few, and occasionally one could hear the chirping of insects in the grass.

Just then.

A gasp broke the silence of the night.

"Enemy attack!"

Immediately following was a noisy commotion.

Fang Yuan opened his eyes slightly, awakened by the noise outside. He immediately got up and pushed open the door.

call out……

The moment the door opened, a flash of cold light appeared.

The gust of wind that was whipped up hit Fang Yuan's face, and an extreme killing intent permeated the darkness.

Fang Yuan reacted quickly, leaning his body slightly backward to dodge the slashing blade, and then using his feet as a fulcrum to support himself.

Who would have thought?

At this moment, another long sword appeared horizontally from the left side.

Fang Yuan snorted coldly, no longer dodging. A faint aura of true energy covered his entire body, and the blade was deflected the moment it touched his body.

Then, two bursts of energy shot from his fingertips and pierced the heart of the man wielding the knife in the shadows.

Thud... Thud...

Two figures fell to the ground with a thud, dying instantly!