Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Third Place, Exceptional Reward
In the courtyard of the Martial Arts Stele, the Jade Stele flowed with a lustrous light.
Fang Han’s arrival was like a stone tossed into a calm lake, instantly drawing the attention of all the Inner Hall Descendants who were either cultivating or passing by.
Gaze after gaze focused on him, filled with a mix of complex emotions—curiosity, awe, and even a hint of numb premonition.
"Fang Han is here again..."
"This ti... I wonder what rank he’ll reach?"
Low murmurs spread through the crowd. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the steady figure walking toward the Jade Stele.
Fang Han seed oblivious to the stares, his mind serene.
He reached out, his fingertip touching the cold, smooth surface of the stele. With a steady hand, he wrote the two words, "Fang Han".
Imdiately after, his gaze sharpened. The powerful vital energy of his Middle Stage of Bone Refining cultivation erupted without reservation, pouring into the Fine Iron Longsword he had taken from the weapon rack.
He pushed his Qingfeng Swordsmanship, which had reached the Great Success Realm, to its absolute limit. The gleam of his sword was no longer a simple flash but a condensed, fine white line that seed capable of slicing through space itself.
With a deafening shriek, it struck the center of the Martial Arts Stele.
HUMMM—!!!
The Jade Stele erupted in a brilliant light and trembled violently. A long, deep hum resonated, and the entire courtyard seed to quake under its power.
Everyone’s hearts leaped into their throats, their eyes glued to the stele’s surface.
The number after the na "Fang Han" began to jump wildly.
Four... three... Finally, as the light faded, the number stabilized—at third place!
"Third!"
"This ti... he only moved up one spot?"
The courtyard fell silent for a mont, then a collective sigh of relief swept through it.
Many subconsciously patted their chests, as if the hearts that had been hanging in suspense had finally settled back into place.
Heaven knows how much psychological pressure they had been under, watching Fang Han’s rank skyrocket like a firework every ti he took the test.
For him to "only" advance a single spot this ti gave them a strange sense of comfort. ’At least this is a bit more normal,’ they thought.
However, before they could fully exhale, an even more terrifying thought shot through their minds.
"Wait! How long did it take him to get from the Early Stage of Bone Refining to the Middle-stage?"
"A... a month? It only took him one month!"
"The Bone Refining Realm... advancing one Minor Realm in a month?!"
"A monster! He’s a real monster!"
After a brief silence ca even sharper gasps and cries of disbelief.
Looking at the na ranked third on the stele and recalling his incredible breakthrough speed, the way everyone looked at Fang Han completely changed.
It was the way one would look at a non-human entity, a gaze mixed with shock, awe, and a profound sense of powerlessness.
This level of Talent was simply beyond their comprehension.
The news swept through the entire Inner Hall like a hurricane.
"Third place?!"
Fang Hao, who was training hard in his Martial Arts Room, heard the news from a hastily reporting servant. His fist slamd into the half-man-high, sturdy Wooden Man Stake with a dull THUD.
The Wooden Man Stake shook violently, a clear Fist Seal left upon its surface.
He withdrew his fist and stood tall. A deeply complex, bitter smile appeared on his bronze-colored face as he shook his head and muttered softly.
"Middle Stage of Bone Refining... one month... Fang Han, oh, Fang Han, you truly are..."
He wanted to say more, but he found that any words seed pale and powerless in the face of such cultivation speed.
In the end, it all turned into a long sigh, filled with helplessness, emotion, and a sense of loss.
「anwhile, in two other private Martial Arts Rooms.」
"Fang Hao was surpassed?!"
Fang Xue, as cold and aloof as snow, slowly sheathed her sword.
Listening to the faint commotion from outside, a faint ripple crossed her icy-lake-like eyes, and her fingers tightened slightly around her sword’s hilt.
And in the deepest chamber, the number one Martial Arts Room, Fang Hong slowly opened his eyes, a flash of lightning seemingly streaking through their depths before vanishing.
The mountain-like aura around him fluctuated for a mont before returning to its usual placid state.
But his slightly pursed lips revealed that his inner thoughts were anything but calm.
The pressure brought by the na Fang Han had now clearly settled upon the shoulders of this mber of the Five Heroes of Liangshui.
「Deep within the Inner Hall, in a Quiet Chamber.」
"Middle Stage of Bone Refining?! Is this true?!"
When Elder Fang Yuan heard the report from his trusted Tutor, he couldn’t help but lose his composure, despite having long anticipated Fang Han’s astonishing talent. The teacup in his hand trembled, spilling a few drops of clear tea.
The Tutor’s face was also filled with shock as he nodded affirmatively.
"It is absolutely true. His result on the Martial Arts Stele is now third, and many disciples saw it with their own eyes."
"And according to our calculations, it truly did only take him about a month to break through to the Middle Stage of Bone Refining!"
"Good! Good! Good!"
Elder Fang Yuan said "good" three tis in a row, his face flushing with excitent.
He shot to his feet and paced around the Quiet Chamber, his eyes burning as if he had made a decision.
’With such Talent, such speed, how can he be treated according to convention? Family rules are rigid, but people are flexible!’
He stopped abruptly and declared,
"I’m going to see the Patriarch right now!"
With that, Elder Fang Yuan straightened his robes and strode away with the speed of the wind, heading directly for Songtao Pavilion, where the Patriarch, Fang Lingyuan, resided.
Inside Songtao Pavilion, Fang Lingyuan was reviewing scrolls on family affairs.
Seeing Elder Yuan arrive in such a hurry without being announced, he set down his Vermilion Brush and asked,
"What is it?"
"Patriarch, Fang Han has broken through to the Middle Stage of Bone Refining, and his rank on the Martial Arts Stele has risen to third!"
Elder Fang Yuan got straight to the point, his voice filled with irrepressible excitent.
"Furthermore, it only took him one month to get from the Early Stage of Bone Refining to the Middle-stage!"
"Oh?"
A terrifyingly sharp glint burst forth in Fang Lingyuan’s eyes before slowly receding, his expression returning to calm. However, the slight way he leaned forward betrayed his inner turmoil.
"One month... to break through a Minor Realm in the Bone Refining Realm... This boy truly redefines what’s possible, ti and ti again."
He pondered for a mont before looking at Fang Yuan.
"Elder, you didn’t co here just to tell
this, did you?"
"You are perceptive, Patriarch."
Elder Fang Yuan cupped his hands and said in a solemn tone, "Fang Han’s Talent is extraordinary. He is the future hope of our Fang Family. The divine speed of his progress far surpasses his peers."
"Although he currently occupies an Inner Hall Class A Martial Arts Room, his residence is still an ordinary courtyard in a side wing. It no longer matches his status or Talent."
"This old man requests that the Patriarch make an exception and bestow a fine courtyard upon Fang Han. This will provide him with a better living environnt, allowing him to focus on the Martial Dao without distractions and grow even faster!"
Fang Lingyuan’s fingers unconsciously tapped on the desk, making a soft TAP, TAP, TAP.
The family had a rule: only those who were promoted to Elder or had rendered Great rit to the family could be granted a fine courtyard.
Although Fang Han’s Talent was astonishing, he was still young and had not yet perford any truly significant deeds for the clan.
However...
Fang Lingyuan’s gaze grew profound.
He thought of Fang Han’s terrifying cultivation speed, of the possibility of Fang Han joining "that place," and of the opportunity for the Fang Family’s prosperity for the next hundred years...
’Rules are rigid!’
"Approved."
After a mont of silence, Fang Lingyuan spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful.
"Fang Han’s Talent is worthy of the family’s full support. In extraordinary tis, one must take extraordinary asures. Precedent can be broken!"
"Grant him Tingyu Pavilion. Make all the necessary arrangents imdiately so he can move in as soon as possible."
"On his behalf, I thank you, Patriarch!"
A brilliant smile instantly blossod on Elder Fang Yuan’s face as he gave a deep bow.
"The Patriarch is wise! With a Qilin’er like this in our Fang Family, we are destined for greatness!"
He was thrilled, as if he could already see Fang Han growing at a rapid pace and eventually representing the Fang Family on a much grander stage.
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