Chapter 05 - (Title at the end of the chapter)

From this chapter onwards Grump will help me as editor. I truly appreciate his work!

«．．．☾ ．．．»

Although currently, Xia Qingyue, is a disciple of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace, one of the most reputed sects within the Blue Wind Empire, the money that's currently at stake, moved her a bit.

She was sure that her father, with all of his connections, could trade with all of the Profound Sky Continent.

'Father has connections with someone from the Black Moon Merchant Guild, and this item, other than rich mortals, could certainly also grasp the interest of many cultivators.'

For this reason, even while practising the Frozen Heart Art, , sealing some of her emotions, Fang Yuan's answer surprised her.

The revenue he refused could certainly bring in hundred of thousands of purple profound coins.

She then recalled his nonchalant attitude while looking at her, not long ago.

Xia Qingyue, ever since her childhood, had always managed to understand others' intentions instinctively.

'This man...'

But with him, it was different. Usually, Xia Qingyue could somewhat feel if someone is truthful or not with her, but this time she could not.

The young man before her eyes was unreadable.

'...who is he?'

On the other hand, Xia Hongyi wore a complicated smile.

'He got greedy since I acknowledge his past actions? Well, I can't blame him, the young man deser-'

As he was in thought, Fang Yuan added.

"Senior Xia, for the revenue of this invention of mine, take a part of it and the rest please give all of it to uncle Wu."

"W-WHAT?!"

The two adult men exclaimed in shock. While Xia Qingyue was even more shocked and perplexed as she continued to gaze at the young man.

"Yes, for this junior inventions are only a hobby.

Besides, giving my future gains to uncle Wu could be seen as filial piety. He always looked after me and raised me like family."

Hearing that Ying Wu was moved and he began to think about his brother, Ying Yue's father, and his sworn brother, Fang Yuan's one.

'Ai, brothers, I'm sure you would be thrilled by seeing them. They grow so fast...'

Meanwhile, his nephew went on adding.

"My main goal in life is something else, and so I would like to ask if Senior Xia could help me with a matter.

It goes without saying, it doesn't involve money."

Xia Hongyi was still in shock, not because he was about to close the best deal of his career but because of the young man standing before his eyes.

'He didn't even flinch to refuse such wealth, and apparently, he sees what he created as a mere hobby. I knew he wasn't simple!

This youngster is also a loyal character, not forgetting to repay those who raised him.

If my Qingyue'er didn't have a destiny with the profound way and I didn't made a promise to my brother Xiao Ying...'

Lord Xia then took a dignified but warm predisposition towards him.

"If it's something in this one's ability, I'll try to fulfil it."

Fang Yuan smiled at that, maintaining a calm behaviour.

In contrast, his uncle at Lord Xia's side was so moved that he seemed about to cry.

Yuanba was gazing at him with enormous respect, his sister too, her eyes flickering with a particular light as she tried to further discern Fang Yuan's character.

And Ying Yue, well... As always, she had stars in her eyes while staring at him.

'Good grief... Was my performance that good?

I'm indeed grateful to uncle Wu, over the years, he has always proved to be a person of good value.'

It's no coincidence he wasn't surprised that uncle Wu didn't try to jeopardize his achievements, like the common family troupe would usually do in most of the xianxia novels of his past life.

'And it's true that I want to make connections and establish a good impression on the Xia clan's members, but this doesn't mean that I would also readily deprive myself of such possible wealth.'

"I demand two letters of recommendations to the New Moon Profound Palace, applicable for the next two years, from Senior Xia."

The room suddenly went silent. Who doesn't know of such a profound palace?

It's located in Moon City and set up by the Blue Wind Imperial Family!

'If I didn't stake something of such value, how could I demand something like this?

Of course, I already know that it's unlikely to be applicable, since he has already arranged a place for Yuanba, but his connections may be capable of helping me get a more advantageous position, once I am there.'

As Fang Yuan had such a thought, he shocked his head inwardly.

'If not for the presence of Cang Yue, which is fundamental for one of my plans, I wouldn't even put such a place in my eyes. Still, with this scheme, Xia Hongyi will feel incredibly indebted to me.

So right now, I will not only receive benefits, but I'm pretty convinced that I was able to make Lord Xia develop ridiculous respect for me. He will also try to repay this kindness at any cost to be at peace with himself.

This middle-aged businessman is such type of man.'

While all the present were taken back by his demand, Ying Yue was beaming a lovely smile in his direction. Even if she already knew what he would have demanded beforehand since Fang Yuan told her, she was still giddy with happiness and feeling over the moon.

'Big brother always thinks about us together!'

Uncle Wu was at a loss, his mouth agape, gazing from Fang Yuan to Ying Yue.

Whereas Xia Yuanba already viewed his new brother as someone exceptional.

'This Senior brother is truly inspiring!'

His sister instead shook her head. Her Master told her more than once about young genius like her generation after generation will die before making a name for themselves due to their lack of judgment.

How could Fang Yuan ever succeed when he was only at the fourth level of Elementary Profound Realm at fifteen?

Xia Hongyi, seeing his daughter's actions, understood that the young man's cultivation level wasn't up to standards. He was worried that Fang Yuan was trying to bite more than he could chew, so he instantly tried to dissuade him while wearing a wryly smile.

"This... You know there is a required minimum level? How do you think to be able to enter such a place?"

What he just said might seem a little hypocritical from him, as he had used his connections to make his son enter through the backdoor. But currently, he also could not think of any method to help him. As he had already used his connections.

'The minimum requirement to join the palace is to be at the Nascent Profound Realm. I already prepared a place for Xia Yuanba, who already doesn't meet the requirements...

I don't think Sinkong Han could accept two more people who also don't meet the requirements.'

Hearing him, Fang Yuan started to laugh, and involuntarily emitted his will to the surroundings.

Even if he practiced the Nine Transformations of Demonic and Divine for a small period of time, the technique already started to solidify his conviction, the path he wanted to embark, the will to stand at the apex in such a kind of oppressive aura.

It was similar to the feeling a predator will give off when hunting his prey, killing intent, but it was even more savage.

"Senior Xia, you don't have to worry about the tiny details. You will soon be surprised to hear about my achievements. Regardless, I can already tell you with certainty that..."

His deep dark eyes flashed with a dominating light, the abyss that seemed to be inside them started to stir.

"I will stand at the apex."

'And I will reach it at any cost and gain immortality.'

Xia Hongyi found himself speechless. For some strange reason, he couldn't refute the young man's bold statements.

Even Xia Qingyue, who had previously considered him thoughtless, didn't know what to think.

The young man before her eyes, has managed to break through the walls that surrounded her heart and blocked all her emotions, created by her practice of the Frozen Heart Art. Her heart was stirred restless upon the invasion of her emotions.

'T-This feeling... How is it possible? How can he have such a drive and knows about... Maybe he really might create a miracle and reach...'

Hearing him refer to the apex, she misunderstood that as him referring to the place where her most important person is at.

'...The God Realm.'

Lost in thought, Xia Qingyue didn't notice that her drive to reach the god realm and his drive to reach the apex, sprouted a feeling of mutual closeness in her to him.

Meanwhile, her father managed to regain his bearings and reply while looking at the young man.

"Unfortunately, I don't think I can manage to guarantee your request... As I had already requested a recommendation some time ago."

Fang Yuan said nothing more and nodded. He already knew about it.

"I will talk about it with my connections, but I believe that at most, I only be able to guarantee you a privileged treatment.

Moreover, I will try to let you have the possibility to take the entrance exam without having to pass it at the regular annual date set by the New Moon Palace."

Xia Hongyi started to scratch his beard while thinking.

"However, that won't do. Even if you said you wanted to give us the gains of your invention, my Xia clan will give you a share of the profit, and also..."

He brought out from one of his pockets a shiny violet card, presenting it to Fang Yuan.

"I will give you this too. It's a part of the earnings we've had in the last years, thanks to your insights."

It was a violet Profound Currency Card. Inspecting it, the young man smiled at himself since he found inside five hundred purple profound coins.

'Not bad.'

Knowing where to find the best riches of this world Fang Yuan was calm and composed, but if his uncle Ying Wu, would have see such wealth, he would have had a heart attack.

"This junior thanks Senior Xia for his kindness."

Hearing that he didn't refuse, Xia Hongyi breathed a sigh of relief and then smiled warmly at both him and Yig Yue.

"You know what? You both can call me Uncle Xia. Let's have a toast for our meeting!"

He then called the steward, who was waiting outside the door to bring something to drink.

Like that, Fang Yuan came to lay the foundations for his future schemes.

« ．．．☾ One year later, the day of Xia Qingyue's marriage ☾ ．．．»

A figure raced from shadow to shadow early in the morning of Floating Cloud City.

He arrived at an enormous manor, in the whole city only that of the Xia's could contend in majesty.

There were many sculptures near the walls, all of them were donned in red decorations, and had a pair of characters engraved on them, their meaning was 'Xiao Clan'.

There were two middle-aged guards guarding the main entrance, but they didn't notice the presence of the shadow, its movements were that like a tiger, silently and stealthily approaching its target.

Then the figure proceeded to climb over the wall and enter the manor.

Once inside the manor, the figure directly moved towards a particular section of it.

It arrived near its target's door, but suddenly it stopped in its tracks, hearing a girl's charming voice coming out from it.

"Rest here for a while, and I'll go and tell your grandpa that you're awake. Today is your day! When you fainted, your grandfather almost went crazy and personally went to find Doctor Situ for you."

The girl was in such a rush that she did not notice the abnormality of the young man she was talking to.

She hurried out, closing the door behind her.

The door, however, didn't close since the figure used this opportunity to enter the room.

As it was entering, sunlight from the windows hit on it, revealing its appearance.

He was a tall man wearing pitch-black clothes that couldn't hide his fit and muscular body.

His face could be considered handsome but fierce, yet he seemed to possess a calm and elegant demeanour.

He had waist-length hair that was dark as obsidian. His raven eyes expressed utmost self-confidence and unshakable willpower that demonstrated his ability to kill people without remorse. A person like him would always be seen as the most frightening of existence.

He gazed at the young man lying on the bed, who had his eyes closed and couldn't even feel his presence, like looking at an ant.

'Well, nothing personal, you know?'

The dark-clothed man then lunged like lightning at him with his left hand aiming at the unlucky fellow's head.

Title: 'Let the body hit the floor!'

Alternative titles: 'Good grief... Is it so easy to fool them?', 'Nothing personal, you know?