After leaving the main hall, Fang Zhengyuan did not return directly to his residence.
Before heading toward the inner district, Fang Zhengyuan made a brief detour toward the Pill Appraisal Chamber, a quiet hall attached to the clan's internal treasury.
Inside, an elder in grey robes awaited him — Elder Fang Ruiming, one of the clan's designated pill evaluators. His cultivation was unremarkable, but his discernment was sharp, honed by decades of appraisal work.
Fang Zhengyuan placed two jade vials onto the table.
"These are the refined pills from today's batch," he said calmly.
Elder Fang Ruiming carefully unsealed the containers, allowing a trace of spiritual sense to flow within. His brows lifted slightly as he examined the pills' luster and stability.
"Clean refinement. Minimal impurities," he said with a faint nod. "Two Nourishing Qi Tempering Pill, grade one, mid stage qi."
He recorded the results onto a jade slate, then glanced up.
"According to clan regulations, this qualifies for fifty contribution points."
Fang Zhengyuan inclined his head slightly."That will be sufficient."
Contribution points were more than mere currency — they represented trust, standing, and opportunity. Those who accumulated enough could gain access to rare manuals, cultivation chambers, and even clan-backed breakthroughs.
With a light tap of his finger, the jade slate glowed softly — the points transferring into Fang Zhengyuan's personal record.
Only after completing the exchange did Fang Zhengyuan turn and leave the chamber, heading toward the inner district of the clan.
Then, he turned toward the inner streets of the Fang Clan territory.
The clan controlled roughly three hundred mu of cultivated spiritual land. Where rows of medicinal plants swayed gently under formation arrays that regulated moisture and spiritual flow. As he walked, disciples bowed respectfully, recognizing the calm authority he carried as the clan's alchemy master.
His destination lay deeper within the clan grounds — the Clan Storage Hall.
The building stood solid and square, reinforced with formation lines carved into its stone foundation. This was where resources, contribution records, and trade goods were carefully managed.
Inside, the scent of aged wood and faint spiritual energy lingered in the air.
Soon, he arrived before the Clan Storage Hall.
Behind the main counter sat Elder Fang Qinglu, Hall Master of the Internal Affairs Hall. His cultivation was modest, only at the mid-stage of Qi Condensation, but his mind was sharp and precise.
When he saw Fang Zhengyuan approach, he rose respectfully.
"Elder Fang."
Fang Zhengyuan inclined his head slightly."I require several items for talisman practice suitable for an early-stage Qi Talisman Master. Show me what the clan currently has available."
Elder Fang Qinglu nodded and raised his hand. A jade ledger shimmered into existence as several trays of spiritual light floated forward.
"Please examine them."
One by one, the items were displayed clearly:
— Ordinary Wolf Hair Brushes (three pieces):Used for stable inscription work. Each brush costs 20 spirit stones, usable for roughly two hundred talisman carvings.
— One-tier Ordinary Talisman Paper (five stacks):Ten sheets per stack, priced at 1 spirit stone per stack.
— One-tier Ordinary Spirit Ink (two boxes):Each box supports around fifty inscriptions, priced at 1 spirit stone per box.
Finally, a jade-bound manual hovered forward, faint runes flowing across its surface.
— Path of Spirit Script Mastery : A foundational talisman scripture recording practical experiences from early Qi Condensation to late Qi Condensation, including stroke control, spiritual flow alignment, and error correction during inscription.Price: 30 spirit stones.
Fang Zhengyuan studied the items carefully, his eyes lingering slightly on the scripture before nodding.
"These will suffice. Record the expense under my Clan Contribution Points."
Elder Fang Qinglu flicked his fingers, and the jade ledger glowed brighter.
"Your total expenditure amounts to 105 spirit stones.After applying your contributor privileges, your remaining balance stands at 600 contribution points."
With a gentle hum, the items were sealed within protective containers, each stamped with the Fang Clan crest. Fang Zhengyuan stored them neatly inside his Spiritbound Storage Bag, a mid-grade spatial artifact.
"The transaction is complete," Elder Fang Qinglu said respectfully.
Fang Zhengyuan left the Clan Storage Hall and followed the stone path leading back toward the inner residences. The afternoon light filtered gently through the spirit trees, casting faint ripples of qi across the ground.
As he turned a corner, a familiar figure approached from the opposite direction.
The man wore simple robes, yet his presence carried calm authority. His hair was streaked with silver despite his strong build, and his eyes carried both sharpness and warmth.
"Elder Cousin," Fang Zhengyuan greeted, stopping with a respectful bow.
The man laughed lightly."So formal already? You've barely returned and you're already acting like an old man."
This was Fang Zhenluo, his elder cousin by one generation — a man known for both his straightforward nature and sharp tongue.
Fang Zhengyuan smiled faintly. "If I don't behave, you'll start arranging another marriage for me."
Fang Zhenluo burst into laughter."Hah! You still remember that? I was only trying to help. If you'd listened back then, you'd already have five sons running around the courtyard."
Zhengyuan shook his head helplessly. "One household is already noisy enough."
The laughter faded naturally, and Fang Zhenluo's tone shifted.
"Speaking of which, the clan is preparing something interesting," he said. "An Inner Clan Competition. Only those eighteen and under may participate."
Zhengyuan's expression sharpened slightly. "What's the reward?"
Fang Zhenluo's eyes glinted."The top prize is a flying sword — Skycleaver Wing."
Zhengyuan's steps slowed.
"A genuine flight-type artifact?"
"Mm. Not high-grade, but rare enough," Fang Zhenluo nodded. "There will be three paths of competition — combat, pill refinement, and artifact refinement. Each discipline will have its own ranking, but the overall winner takes the sword."
A thoughtful glint passed through Fang Zhengyuan's eyes.
"That's no small incentive."
"Exactly," Fang Zhenluo said with a chuckle.
"And there's more."
He paused, then lowered his voice.
"The young clan leader will also participate."
Zhengyuan's brows lifted slightly."He will?"
"Yes," Fang Zhenluo replied, a faint crease appearing between his brows. "The elders aren't entirely pleased with him lately."
Zhengyuan glanced sideways. "Because of the rumors?"
Fang Zhenluo gave a short nod. "Some say his cultivation advanced too smoothly. Others whisper that his temperament has grown… unsteady. Whether true or not, the elders believe he lacks tempering."
Zhengyuan's gaze sharpened. "So this is meant to test him."
"Exactly," Fang Zhenluo said quietly. "To polish him under pressure. To see whether he can truly bear the weight of leadership."
A brief silence followed.
"If he cannot endure competition among his peers," Fang Zhenluo added, "then how can he command respect when the clan faces real danger?"
Zhengyuan looked toward the inner grounds, where the young generation trained beneath fluttering banners.
"The elders are using the competition as a blade," he murmured. "Either it sharpens him… or it cuts away illusion."
Fang Zhenluo exhaled slowly. "That's why this time, no one will be allowed to hold back."
The wind passed between them, carrying faint echoes of clashing weapons and shouted training calls — as though the future itself had begun to stir.