CHAPTER 151: 151- SEALED PACT [2]

The hall was in chaos yet without any of the sound.

Every elder sat frozen, shock etched deep into their faces.

Fang Yuan let out a slow, weary sigh. He had known this response was inevitable.

At least the clan’s safety was assured for now. His own safety... well, that was another matter entirely.

He straightened his back, his calm voice cutting through the tense air.

"Alright, Elders. I apologize for the abrupt summons. As compensation, I’ll provide each of you with a personal cultivation cave. Of course, it comes along with your own minor resource well to make it complete."

"Oh, that’s what it’s called? I thought it was a Spirit Well," Fang Chen muttered under his breath.

"So did I," grumbled Fang Joshua, the elder who currently managed the treasury and also the cultivation caves in the eastern ravine.

Fang Yuan continued without missing a beat. "First, I’d like to address what Matriarch Fang has said earlier. She is my wife. It was a hasty marriage... but a vow is a vow. I want you to show her the same respect you show me."

The elders exchanged quick glances, then rose as one, offering their formal bows.

"Greetings, Matriarch Fang Zhaoyue."

Lin Zhaoyue, no, Fang Zhaoyue could barely contain herself.

The words rang in her ears like a victory fanfare. Sharing his name...! Her body trembled in barely contained excitement.

The next step toward becoming truly one with Fang Yuan was complete, one in name.

All that was left... was to be one in bed.

Fang Yuan’s tone shifted, cool and deliberate.

"With that out of the way... I’d like to share some important news i recently got told. Fang Tian did not kidnap the Third Princess."

"He didn’t?" Fang Mei rose abruptly. Her voice carried no outrage, only a fragile, almost desperate hope.

"No. He did not."

She exhaled heavily, relief pouring from her in an almost physical wave, and sank back into her seat.

Fang Chen hurried to her side, lowering himself beside her with a heavy thump.

"Daughter..." he murmured, his eyes soft as he watched over her.

Fang Yuan’s lips curved faintly.

He then swept his gaze through the hall before he spoke, his tone calm yet edged with gravity.

"Fang Tian is currently being framed by the Crown Prince... and is now on the run."

The words had barely left his lips when Fang Jingyi shot to her feet, her chair scraping harshly against the floor.

"What are you waiting for?" she demanded, voice trembling with urgency.

"He’s your brother! Are you just going to sit there and do nothing?"

Fang Yuan smiled faintly, a calm at odds with her agitation. "I trust my brother to survive this calamity."

"B–but—"

Her protest faltered, but the storm in her eyes didn’t. She had raised both Fang Yuan and Fang Tian as her own sons. Her concern was carved deep into her every movement.

Fang Yuan’s voice softened. "Don’t worry, Aunt Jingyi."

The title, used in the midst of a formal council was rare.

It made her blink, if only for a heartbeat.

"I have already given my younger brother an artifact that can block any Nascent Soul attack for a period of time," Fang Yuan continued.

"And if he ever truly needs help, he promised me he would send a letter or come in person."

But she didn’t look any more reassured.

He leaned forward slightly, his tone steady but laced with quiet certainty. "Aunt Jingyi, Fang Tian is at the Golden Core realm. The people the kingdom has sent after him are also only at the Golden Core realm. If he is in danger, he will come here.

And if, by some desperate chance, the kingdom mobilizes a Nascent Soul realm master to hunt him... we will know immediately. Every Nascent Soul in their ranks is already bound to their duties they cannot abandon without alerting us."

His words fell like a measured promise, but the flicker in Fang Jingyi’s eyes made it clear, her heart would not rest until Fang Tian walked through the clan gates again.

Fang Yuan let out a slow sigh, tinged not with frustration, but with quiet amusement as he turned his gaze toward his uncle instead.

"First, I want to congratulate Uncle for reaching the Golden Core realm. You are now our clan’s second Golden Core master."

Fang Chen inclined his head, pride gleaming in his eyes.

Turning to the elders, Fang Yuan continued, "I want the clan to keep running at full swing. Let the junior cultivators use the cultivation caves in the eastern ravine."

The elders exchanged glances, clearly unhappy, but none voiced dissent.

Elder Fang Sun finally spoke, "If you say so, Clan Head. The juniors are what shape our clan."

His words were agreeable, but his gaze flicked toward Fang Mei, Fang Bo, Fang Yang, and Fang Ruì—the teenage "elders" of the clan.

Fang Yuan understood the hint immediately. He sighed.

"I’ll provide every elder with Golden Core pills."

Several throats audibly gulped.

Then Fang Yuan turned to Fang Ruì. "I want you to check in on Elder Yin. Can you do that, Elder Ruì?"

The little girl nodded gently.

Looks like the kidnapping has taken a toll on her, Fang Yuan thought.

Fang Yuan next turned to Fang Long.

"Elder Long, I want you to head to SeaHeat City. Find a girl named Du Xiao and bring her back to the clan."

The old man inclined his head in acknowledgment, already stepping forward to depart—

"Wait."

The single word from Fang Yuan halted him mid-stride. Elder Long turned back, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

Fang Yuan’s gaze slid to the side. "Elder Bo," he called.

The chubby young elder straightened in surprise.

"I want you to accompany Elder Long on this mission. Are you willing?"

"Yes, Clan Head! I’m willing!" Fang Bo practically bounced in place, his round cheeks flushed with excitement.

Fang Yuan gave a slow, approving nod before turning back to Elder Long.

"Elder Long, I want you to use this opportunity to train our young elder. You may take along four willing clan disciples of your choosing to train as well."

Fang Bo piped up again, eyes shining, "Clan Head, do we get merit points for this?"