CHAPTER 188: 188-

Lin Zhaoyue’s lips curved into a pout, but her other hand never loosened its grip on his arm, clinging as though she feared he might slip away.

Fang Yuan’s expression softened at the sight, a faint sigh escaping him.

He turned his gaze forward and spoke,"I don’t need to act kind if I want to be kind. And I don’t care to be some ’kind ruler’ or saint."

He took a step forward, pulling her gently along with him.

"The world can burn forever if it wants. I won’t interfere as long as I have a safe haven for myself and my family... that is enough."

Lin Zhaoyue tilted her head, her eyes glinting with dangerous delight.

"Then husband," she asked sweetly, "can I do as I want too?"

Fang Yuan halted mid-step. He turned to look at her, his lips tugging into a faint, indulgent smile.

"Sure."

The answer had barely left his mouth before she slipped free of his arm, skirts flaring as she shot into the air like a streak of light, straight toward the gang of thugs.

Fang Yuan’s eyes widened as realization struck.

"No killing!" he called sharply after her.

Lin Zhaoyue landed with the grace of a predator among prey.

The air around her warped as her aura surged outward, an invisible mountain crashing down on the goons.

They buckled instantly, knees slamming into the dirt, gasping as though the very act of breathing had turned into torture.

Her eyes were cold, her smile serene.

"Bold of you all... to behave like this in Fang territory."

One of the goons, veins bulging against the crushing weight of her presence, forced out a hoarse growl, his voice breaking under the strain:

"Wh–who are you! This... this is White Wolf territory!"

Lin Zhaoyue’s laugh was light, almost musical, but laced with venom.

She leaned closer, her voice soft yet carrying like thunder. "Hah. White Wolf? Do you curs have a single Nascent Soul cultivator who can fight me?"

Her gaze sharpened, every word dripping with lethal promise.

"If not, shut your mouths, and crawl back to whatever hole you came from. This land belongs to my husband. Defy him, and you defy me. And I promise you... I’m far less forgiving."

The thugs trembled, sweat dripping down their temples as her aura pressed heavier, bones creaking under the strain.

One of them collapsed fully, face pressed into the dirt, choking back a sob.

She turned back to the thugs, her aura crushing them flatter still, her voice a razor wrapped in silk.

"Now. Crawl. Crawl away and remember this day. The Fang Clan is not to be touched. Ever."

The gangsters scrambled back like beaten dogs, some tripping over each other, too terrified to even look up.

Lin Zhaoyue walked back to Fang Yuan with unhurried steps, her eyes ignoring the stall owner and bystanders who bowed, thanked, and even wept in relief.

Their gratitude meant nothing to her.

Once she reached his side, she slipped her arm possessively through his again, tilting her head up with a soft smile.

"Husband," she asked sweetly, "what do you think?"

Fang Yuan began walking, his gaze straight ahead,"Unnecessary. That old man likely lives in the slums. What happens when they come for him there? What happens if they kill him? Maybe not just him, maybe his whole family. His grandson, too."

Lin Zhaoyue paused to think, her eyes narrowing briefly before she gave a little shrug.

"Mmn... then it’s a pity we lose a potential taxpayer," she said airily, her tone almost playful.

"But he’s old anyway. The new should replace the old. That’s how the world works, isn’t it?"

Fang Yuan turned to look at her, studying her face for a long moment.

Then, without a word, he shook his head and kept walking.

They traveled in silence until the looming shape of the Eastern Ravine rose before them, bathed in the pale silver of the moon that now sat directly overhead.

At its heart was a vast, empty plot of land, carved deep into the earth like a giant’s bowl.

"Wait here," Fang Yuan said, rising into the air.

Lin Zhaoyue instantly followed, and he glanced at her before adding, with the barest flicker of amusement, "Or... follow me, then. Sure."

He raised his hand, his expression focused, though only he could see the gooden system tab before him.

[Minor Resource Well Reservoir — 10,000 FP]

’Buy’, he thought as he tapped the screen.

A flash of light erupted.

"Boom!"

The ground trembled as the massive hollow basin below them surged with power.

In an instant, crystal-clear water gushed forth as though the heavens themselves had overturned an ocean.

The entire ravine filled, waves lapping against the carved walls until, at last, a vast shimmering pond stretched out beneath the moonlight, radiating spiritual energy so dense it made the air hum.

Lin Zhaoyue’s lips parted, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Is that...? Did you just create a spirit pond?"

Her voice trembled in awe as she stared at him.

Fang Yuan descended into the ravine, landing at the water’s edge.

Up close, it truly looked like a genuine spirit pond, its surface shimmering faintly under the moonlight, rippling with threads of spiritual energy.

"Hmm... now that you mention it," he murmured, thoughtful, "it does look like one..... leaving it exposed will only invite troubles then."

He flicked his wrist, summoning a handful of formation flags from his spatial ring. With a precise motion, he cast them outward.

They landed at calculated points around the pond, sinking into the earth as runes flared briefly.

A subtle hum filled the ravine before the entire area wavered and vanished, swallowed behind a veil of invisibility.

Lin Zhaoyue drifted down beside him, her gaze sweeping the now-hidden pond.

A small smile curved her lips.

"Husband, why not add an illusion formation as well?" she suggested softly.

Fang Yuan turned to her and then gave a single nod.

"I don’t have one on hand," he admitted evenly, "but I’ll make sure to acquire one later."