My cultivation level increases by one year every day!

"I've discussed it with the elders of the family, and your birthday will be coming up in a while."

Fang Zhongwu slowly began, "Our family has just been officially recognized, so we can hold a grand banquet to welcome guests from all directions."

"The family's promotion is something to celebrate, but it's not all because of my father."

Fang Yuan looked troubled and said, "My birthday isn't a big deal, so let's not celebrate it together."

He's already in the spotlight enough; he really doesn't want to be too high-profile.

"You are the future heir of the Fang family, and you are also the Marquis of Xiaoyao, personally appointed by Emperor Hongtai. How can that not be important?" Fang Zhongwu disagreed.

Fang Yuan looked at his cheap father, who seemed to be in the middle of something, and felt something was off.

"Dad, you're not thinking of using this opportunity to let me get to know more people so that it will be easier for me to take over the family business in the future, are you?"

Having his thoughts read, Fang Zhongwu remained calm and collected, retorting, "Do I look like that kind of person?"

"picture."

Fang Yuan nodded very seriously.

"No, you've already broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Looking across the Great Zhou Dynasty, you're quite capable of becoming a powerful figure. Expanding your network is definitely the right thing to do," Fang Zhongwu said confidently.

Fang Yuan didn't dwell on it; his father's desire to retire wasn't something that had been going on for just a day or two.

But this is far too obvious!

"Father, when did you achieve the Golden Core stage?"

Fang Yuan finally asked the question that had been lingering in his mind.

A Golden Core True Monarch is capable of dominating a country; in a major sect, he would be a truly important figure.

"It's probably been more than twenty years."

Fang Yuan was stunned for a moment, then his expression turned horrified.

The invincible swordsman of the Qingyun Sect condensed his golden core at the age of sixty-two, traversing hundreds of kingdoms and leaving behind countless legends.

His father was only a hundred years old when he broke through to the next level more than twenty years ago. He was no weaker than this Sword Master, and was even stronger!

"I haven't fought that Sword Master before," Fang Zhongwu said calmly, his tone full of confidence, "but I shouldn't be weaker than him."

Fang Yuan was secretly delighted. With such a powerful father, he could now focus on his cultivation.

My true father!

"With Father's talent, how did he end up returning to the Great Zhou Dynasty and taking over the family business?"

Fang Yuan clearly remembered that a large part of the reason why the Fang brothers were at odds with him was the relationship between their fathers.

Back then, Fang Zhongwu's sudden return directly caused the most popular elder to lose his chance to become the family head.

"If it weren't for you, I should be living happily ever after with your mother now."

Fang Zhongwu looked at Fang Yuan quietly, his eyes seemingly speaking volumes about the boundless love of a father.

Fang Yuan was helpless.

While I was moved, there was also a touch of bitterness.

So you two are truly in love, and I'm just an accident.

"My mother's family must be very powerful. It's already amazing that you've managed to hold on until now."

Fang Yuan glanced at his adoptive father with considerable concern, already able to imagine the situation given their unequal social standing.

He has endured countless hardships and sacrifices to get to where he is today.

"The path of cultivating immortality is inherently about contending with the heavens and fighting against the earth, going against the will of heaven; it is by no means easy."

Fang Zhongwu sighed with emotion, "Your mother and I both hoped that you would have more talent, but at the same time, we didn't want that."

"This path is far too difficult. Wouldn't it be better to live a mediocre life, enjoying wealth and luxury?"

Fang Yuan nodded slightly.

But having been reborn into this magnificent and dazzling world, one must not fail to reach the highest peak and witness the breathtaking scenery.

Isn't that a huge pity?

"Fortunately, your talent is even greater and better than I imagined."

Fang Zhongwu thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "However, now that you've awakened the Nine Tribulations Green Lotus, that ancient family might come looking for you."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan's expression turned solemn.

The ancient family that my cheap father mentioned is probably the family my mother belongs to.

Is his peaceful life about to come to an end?

"Father, what should we do? We can't just sit here and take the beating, can we?" Fang Yuan asked.

Fang Zhongwu looked at Fang Yuan with great confusion, "What nonsense is this? Why did I get beaten up?"

"This ancient family will definitely not allow you to be with my mother. Wouldn't they try to kill us?"

Fang Zhongwu's expression darkened with shock as he asked, "You have your mother's blood in your veins, you're half a member of their clan, how could they kill you?"

"Although you didn't grow up there, there is still some blood relation between us."

"I said they might come looking for you because of your talent. Even in ancient families, the Nine Tribulations Green Lotus is extremely rare."

Fang Yuan was even more puzzled.

This script doesn't match up!

A genius from a fallen family and a young lady from an ancient noble family—their relationship would certainly not be tolerated by the ancient noble family.

They were pursued and killed all the way, and fled.

That makes sense.

His true father, along with him, retreated to Qinghai City within the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"You're overthinking it. Your mother's family has a long and powerful lineage, but they don't object to us being together."

Fang Zhongwu pondered for a moment and then revealed the truth, "Perhaps some clansmen object, but your maternal grandparents' lineage is the one in charge of the family, and the opinions of the other clansmen cannot influence them."

"Then my mother hasn't come to see me all these years?" Fang Yuan was very surprised.

Fang Zhongwu seemed to have thought of something, a hint of tenderness appearing in his eyes, and he sighed:

"After your mother gave birth to you, she was very weak. I tried everything I could, but I couldn't help her recover. In the end, I had to send her back to her family."

"And how do you know she didn't come to see you?"

Fang Yuan quickly realized what was going on and said, "She came, but I didn't know."

Fang Zhongwu nodded slightly and said, "Your mother has outstanding talent and is a key student being cultivated by the ancient aristocratic family."

"These past ten years have been a crucial period for her cultivation; she has been in seclusion and has had very few opportunities to speak with me."

Fang Yuan was somewhat moved and couldn't help but ask, "Since the ancient aristocratic family doesn't object, you can go see her on your own initiative!"

"Not for now."

Fang Zhongwu shook his head, his eyes filled with determination, and explained the reason.

"Although your maternal grandparents don't object, I haven't married your mother yet. If I did, it wouldn't be proper for us to get married."

"As you know, the scions of large families, especially the most outstanding talents, have a very complicated process when they want to get married, and they have to consider all aspects."

Fang Yuan nodded in agreement.

Families with a long and distinguished history place great importance on etiquette, as evidenced by the elaborate rituals performed by the Fang family during their ancestral worship ceremonies.

Not to mention, the ancient families that Fang Zhongwu mentioned certainly had even more rules and regulations.

"Before you were born, the ancient family had already begun preparing for the wedding, but your mother and I eloped for my sake."

Fang Zhongwu smiled, his face beaming with happiness as he recalled the past.

"Runaway bride?"