With this single act of gifting a sword, everything was suddenly much clearer and everyone understood the reason behind Fang Xing’s behavior. Even the clan master and Head Exalt exchanged glances with slight smiles after that initial confusion.

　　A hint of greed had flashed through the young master’s eyes when she saw the Flying Sword. This kind of lavish and beautiful-looking Flying Sword was something she very much liked and believed suited her status, but when she looked at the gazes of everyone around her, she suddenly understood. A trace of anger abruptly appeared on her face and she subconsciously took a glance around, only to find that the person she had in her heart fortunately wasn’t present. Her younger sister was seated just below her father, however, and she was looking at her with a half-smile that made the young master even angrier. She knew for certain her younger sister would go to that person and tell him a slanted version of the story, and her chest began to rise and fall with anxiety at the thought.

　　“How utterly bold…. How…” the young master began to angrily scold, but she wasn’t sure what to say. Fang Xing hadn’t actually said anything, and although she’d guessed his intent, she couldn’t speak it so directly and say this wild monkey was behaving like a toad trying to get a taste of a swan. To make matters worse, she noticed the expression on her father’s face wasn’t very good at the moment.

　　“Qing’er, Mister Xing is apologizing to you with such a sincere heart,” the Hentian clan master coldly spoke and began to scold her with a displeased look. “What is this you’re showing him?”

　　Filled with anxiousness and anger, the young master pointed towards Fang Xing. “Daddy, this person… he….”

　　“You needn’t say another word,” the clan master sternly replied, “The Head Exalt already told me about the misunderstanding between the two of you, but the blame cannot be put on Mister Xing; who said a girl like you should enjoy dressing like a boy? You’re the one at fault for this misunderstanding! Furthermore, for you to show such cruelty to Mister Xing, wouldn’t that damage the reputation of our Hentian clan if it were to spread? I’d originally intended to punish you later, but since you decided to cause even more trouble, then go to your room! You are not to leave those doors for three months, or else I will break your legs!”

　　This was nothing less than sending her into confinement. Although the young master was filled with anger and frustration, when she met her father’s cold and severe gaze, she didn’t dare say anything and only stomped her foot before walking out of the hall. Before she left, however, she sent a gaze towards Fang Xing to show her dissatisfaction.

　　Fang Xing turned a helpless look towards the clan master. He continued to hold that Flying Sword and ashamedly said, “Clan Master, this….”

　　The clan master showed a bitter smile. “My daughter has been too pampered and doesn’t know how to behave. What a joke it must be to Mister Xing!” With that, he ordered a servant to send the Flying Sword to his daughter’s room before he persuaded Fang Xing to sit down and continue drinking.

　　After seeing how much the clan master had stood on his side, Fang Xing immediately knew he hadn’t offered up his treasures in vain and he began sneering in his heart. He continued with his drinking but was quieter this time around, instead listening to the chatter of everyone around around him. His knowledge of the Guixu Ruins was lacking and he had no umbrella of protection, but at the same time, that young master—Hentian Qing—had angered him so much he wanted to pull off a big job this time and intended to go all out.

　　In the end, both the Shanbao Mountain and the Spirit Essence were given to the Hentian clan and the lavish-looking Flying Sword was accepted as compensation for Hentian Qing’s broken longsword. He was allowed to keep everything else of which there was quite a bit of good stuff, such as the the hundred or so supreme-quality Spirit Stones and several hundred high-quality Spirit Stones that were particularly tempting to others. Spirit Stones were so scarce in the Guixu Ruins that even high-quality ones would attract attention, to say nothing of supreme-quality.

　　Of course, even though Fang Xing was permitted to keep so many treasures, the two he’d given as tribute—the Shanbao Mountain and the Spirit Essence—were enough to shock all the cultivators on their own. Although no one was able to tell what the clan master was thinking, on the surface it looked as though he already viewed Fang Xing as one of the most important Exalts.

　　The banquet lasted until late evening, and it seemed as though both the host and guest greatly enjoyed themselves. That night, Fang Xing slept in a temporary room that had been cleaned out for him, and when the morning of the next day arrived, maids came to help him change and prepare for the day. The clan master then personally arrived and took him to greet the portrait of the Hentian clan’s old ancestor under the watchful eyes of a few important Exalts and elders, making it so he was finally considered part of the Hentian clan.

　　Afterwards, the clan specifically organized for Fang Xing to lodge in the best area on the western side within a small and quiet valley. Four servants and two maids were even sent to assist with his everyday living—service that was considered topnotch for Exalts. During the initial period where he was settling in, a few Exalts and elders would come by and greet him as well, and Fang Xing would nicely greet them back by gifting Spirit Stones and organizing large banquets without being a hint of stinginess.

　　Just like this, Fang Xing managed to befriend a lot of people after two months had passed, and anyone who heard the name “Exalt Xing” would raise their thumb in approval. Of course, whether or not they’d also call him an idiot was something he didn’t have the time to care about right now.

　　The Hentian clan had also sent people to watch over him at first, and although they thought they were very careful, Fang Xing’s senses had surpassed even that of a Golden Core’s and their traces were very obvious to him. He deliberately made an effort so that all of the information that made its way back to the Hentian clan master implied Exalt Xing was definitely an extremely generous and genuine person, someone without any schemes.

　　A month or so later, the clan master—Hentian Cheng—and the Head Exalt began to discuss the matter. “Old Yao, what do you think of the new Exalt Xing’s temperament?”

　　“I’ve kept my eye on him this entire time,” the Head Exalt replied. “This person really doesn’t know any of the Guixu Ruins’ rules, so he really did come from outside. I cannot say when he came in exactly, but after some estimations afterwards, it was most likely around two years ago. Have you forgotten, Clan Master? We did indeed calculate someone entered the Guixu Ruins two years ago. We sent men to seek out this person but they didn’t even find a trace; I believe he was the person who arrived, but he found a place for seclusion so we missed him!”

　　“I sent men to investigate the place he said he went into seclusion, and it does indeed appear someone was living there before; his words should be true,” Clan Master Hentian Cheng continued. “Besides, his behavior towards others has been extremely genuine these past two months, and he doesn’t seem to be aggressive or ambitious….”

　　The Head Exalt smiled. “The ancient rule of the Hentian clan is that whenever a new person enters the Guixu Ruins, their background will be checked to confirm they did indeed come from outside and they’ll be observed for one year. Afterwards, they’ll be rewarded with a marriage proposal, allowing them to produce future generations within the ruins. Only once they have children will they be considered as having truly joined the Hentian clan. It has been like this well into the past, and so he also won’t be an exception; besides, his age is quite young and he is filled with youth and vigor for it, so I feel it can be brought up in advance. Even if just out of consideration for his red dragon, it is best we have him married into our clan as soon as possible to keep him for good!”

　　Hentian Cheng showed a bitter smile. “I understand this. As long as he hasn’t married and has children in the Hentian clan, he cannot truly be considered as having joined us and I wouldn’t be able to give him my full trust. Honestly speaking, when he offered the gifts for the clan, I’d already decided I’d appoint one of the main branches’ daughters to be his wife, but I hadn’t anticipated he’d taken a liking to Qing’er! This matter has become far more complicated as a result!”

　　The Head Exalt was slightly confused at this. “Why is that? Qing’er is not yet married either, and there also aren’t any engagements. Although he is only in Foundation Stage, did you see how old he is? His future is perhaps without limits. Furthermore, even though he’s only in Foundation Stage, the red dragon he has for a servant makes him more useful than even a Golden Core! In my eyes, with his condition, even marrying Qing’er wouldn’t be an issue!”

　　Hentian Cheng bitterly laughed. “That is true, but do you not know of Qing’er’s temperament? Her and Ning’er have both set their hearts on that venerated youth. After Qing’er was forbidden from leaving her room, that Xing Fang showed just how head over heels he is and asked people to send over Spirit Stones and gifts several times, but everything was thrown out by Qing’er. This worries me; how could I wed them like that?”

　　The Head Exalt was slightly taken aback. “Clan Master, there’s something I should let you know by now. That venerated youth is young, but his battle prowess is extremely powerful. His origin is a mystery, yet he has a variety of powerful methods, and although he hasn’t been in the clan for long, there’s already the impression he wants to change everything. Such a person, letting him grow as he wishes is perhaps not a good thing, and it might not be easy to suppress even with the two of us. Why not have another person? Having the two consider the greater picture would be better at balancing the overall situation. Besides… that venerated youth is only one person; did you really intend to let him marry both of your daughters?”

　　Hentian Cheng was a bit speechless when he heard this. He was quiet for a long while, until he finally breathed out a single sentence: “Oh, he wishes he could!”

　　Of course, Fang Xing wasn’t aware that the act he’d put on to purposefully disgust Hentian Qing had inadvertently caused the clan master and Head Exalt to pay extra attention.

　　Fang Xing had put on an act of being extremely generous towards others and had presented himself as tactless and outspoken all this time, but he was able to understand a great deal of secrets surrounding both the Guixu Ruins and the Hentian clan thanks to various people. Now that he had a more detailed understanding of the ruins, he felt far more at peace.

　　Within the courtyard of his quiet valley, the red dragon was currently taking a sweet nap inside a pond just outside. Fang Xing’s head was bowed low as he studied a decree in his hand, which had been sent to him under the instruction of a managing elder of the clan with orders written for him.

　　When a person joins the Hentian clan, they wouldn’t be fed and paid for doing nothing—they’d need to take up various jobs. Whether it was crafting pellets, smithing weapons, or making talismans, everything would be based upon their skillset. Fang Xing didn’t have any such skills, however, and so it was fortunate the managing elder was a nice person; after accepting ten of Fang Xing’s supreme-quality Spirit Stones, he hadn’t forced Fang Xing to do any specific job and had instead given him two paths to choose from: hunting beasts or searching for spirit veins.

　　‘Based on what I’ve heard before, this so-called beast hunting isn’t ordinary; it’s to hunt peril beasts in order to take their bones, skin, and beast cores to use as resources. It is likely the most dangerous job, but if I do choose this, I’ll have my big doggie with me so it’ll be much safer and extremely easy. Still, my reason for entering this place was to seek the mysteries of Dao, so searching for spirit veins might be a bit better….’

　　After thinking it through, he finally came to a conclusion. ‘Based on what this group of bastards said, there’s a secret place in the depths of the Guixu Ruins that is extremely mysterious and dangerous. That Xunlong clan has already worked very hard the past thousands of years yet still hasn’t managed to safely enter inside. If the Taishang Daoists truly left their Dao remaining behind, most likely it is all inside. Thinking like this, I have no other choice but to join the team searching for spirit veins. There’s no reason for the lotus girl to send me to a place that cannot be left, so perhaps the Dao treasure and the method to leave the ruins are all hidden in that place….’