Chapter 13

Destroy the Fang family!

Xiao Feng shook his head hurriedly, "Elder, this matter cannot be rash. Although the Fang family has declined over the years, they still have connections. Moreover, the higher-ups must still remember the contributions of the Fang family's ancestor, Fang Yu, to the Guanxuan Universe. Therefore, everyone allows the Fang family to decline gradually, or even actively marginalizes them, but if we really want to destroy them, it might be..."

Xiao Qun asked with a sullen face, "But what if the Fang family insists on supporting that bastard?"

Xiao Feng narrowed his eyes, "Then they are courting death."

Xiao Qun nodded, "Anyway, we need to prepare for the worst. I'll go and talk first, and if it doesn't work out, we'll fight."

With that, he got up and left.

...

Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy.

The Guanxuan Hall was surrounded by the Guanxuan Guard, and in addition, nearly a thousand Qingzhou Boundary Protectors were guarding the sky above the entire Guanxuan Academy.

For them, no matter what grudges Ye Tianming had with any family, he could not die now. If Ye Tianming were to die, they would all be immediately dismissed and held accountable for life.

They couldn't afford that.

Inside the Guanxuan Hall.

Ye Tianming and Fang Xiao sat facing each other. Fang Xiao looked at Ye Tianming with curiosity, as he hadn't expected this young man to have passed the Guanxuan Path.

Ye Tianming asked, "Senior Fang, how will this matter be handled in the end?"

Fang Xiao said, "I know you're worried, but don't overthink it. Qingzhou has entered a self-inspection procedure, and no one who has violated the law will escape punishment."

Ye Tianming was still somewhat worried.

Seeing the worry in Ye Tianming's eyes, Fang Xiao's smile gradually faded, "Young man, do you mean...?"

Ye Tianming said, "Senior, can you tell me about the Xiao family?"

His biggest problem now was his lack of understanding of the upper-level families and sects. The less information he had, the more it would affect his judgment.

Fang Xiao said solemnly, "The Xiao family's ancestor had a close relationship with the Guanxuan Sword Master. After the Guanxuan Universe was established, the Xiao family received many hidden benefits because of this relationship... Of course, the Xiao family's ancestor made many contributions to the early Guanxuan Universe, but as the old generation disappeared and the new generation took over, the world gradually changed."

Ye Tianming asked curiously, "Senior, if the Xiao family has this relationship, why haven't they become a first-tier family?"

Fang Xiao smiled, "Becoming a first-tier family isn't that simple. When my family's ancestor was around, he had considerable power, but we still weren't a first-tier family."

Ye Tianming was puzzled, "Why is that?"

Fang Xiao explained, "To become a first-tier family, one must have sufficient strength. For example, does the family have top-tier Circle-Breaking Realm experts? But in the entire Guanxuan Universe, not to mention top-tier Circle-Breaking Realm experts, even reaching the Circle-Breaking Realm is extremely rare. Or, does someone in the family have immense power in the Guanxuan Universe, such as the Chief of the Cabinet, the Head of the Literary Academy, or the Elder of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion...?"

Ye Tianming said softly, "I understand."

Fang Xiao continued, "Although the Xiao family is a second-tier family, they have extensive connections and are related to many families in the Guanxuan World through marriage."

As he said this, his brows furrowed deeply.

Ye Tianming said, "The Xiao family won't sit idly by. They will use all their connections and influence to resolve this matter."

"Impossible!"

Fang Xiao immediately said, "They can't resolve this matter. The Guanxuan Path was created by the Guanxuan Sword Master to prevent major injustices in the academy. Neither the Outer Cabinet nor the Inner Cabinet would dare to ignore this matter."

Ye Tianming said, "They naturally won't dare to oppose the Outer Cabinet and the Inner Cabinet, and they can't resolve the matter with them, but they can resolve it with me."

Fang Xiao was slightly stunned and then said angrily, "Do they dare to kill you?"

Ye Tianming said, "They don't dare to kill me now, but they have many ways to threaten me. For example, I have a family, right? If I don't say the Xiao family is trying to take my quota, can the Guanxuan World handle the Xiao family?"

Fang Xiao's expression turned grim.

Ye Tianming continued, "They not only need to resolve the matter with me, but also with you, Senior."

Fang Xiao looked at Ye Tianming, "Because I helped you?"

Ye Tianming nodded, "Their biggest problem now isn't me, but you, Senior. As long as the Fang family no longer supports me, they can manipulate me at will. But if the Fang family stands firmly behind me, this matter won't end. Therefore, they need to resolve the matter with you, and even with the Fang family..."

As he said this, he suddenly stopped and looked at Fang Xiao. Seeing Fang Xiao's calm expression, he was initially stunned and then said, "Senior, you've already thought of this."

At this moment, he realized that this senior was actually very perceptive.

Fang Xiao looked at him meaningfully, "It's not surprising that I thought of this. What surprises me is that you, at such a young age, have such deep thoughts... You don't look like a sixteen-year-old boy."

Ye Tianming shook his head slightly, "I've just been lucky to read more books, so I think more deeply about things."

Fang Xiao nodded and sighed, "Reading is good!"

As he said this, he slowly got up and turned to look outside the hall, "The Xiao family and Elder Yu won't sit idly by. I should say, the elders who are helping the Xiao family to take your special admission quota won't sit idly by either. They will now tightly unite and think of ways to deal with you, or rather, to deal with the Fang family."

Ye Tianming was silent.

Fang Xiao turned to look at Ye Tianming, "Young man, what do you think they will do next?"

Ye Tianming said, "If I were them, I would first put pressure on the Fang family to have you transferred, and then send someone to talk to me alone."

"Talk?"

Fang Xiao sneered, "They will directly threaten you, right?"

Ye Tianming was silent.

Just as Fang Xiao was about to speak, the young man named Fang Lian suddenly walked into the hall quickly. Fang Lian approached Fang Xiao and whispered, "Uncle, the clan leader has asked you to return to the clan immediately... immediately."

Fang Xiao laughed and looked at Ye Tianming, "Young man, your guess is really accurate."

Ye Tianming bowed slightly to Fang Xiao, "Senior, I will handle this matter myself from now on."

He really didn't want to involve this senior anymore. The other party was a good person, and if he continued to get involved, the outcome would not be good.

Fang Xiao looked at Ye Tianming, "How will you handle it?"

Ye Tianming was silent.

Fang Xiao continued, "You know very well that if they threaten you, you have no other choice. As you said, you have a family. And you also know that once this matter is over, the Xiao family and Elder Yu will not let you off. At that time, they can manipulate you at will. For you now, no matter what you do, it's a dead end."

Ye Tianming smiled bitterly, "There's no way out. This world is so dark, I can only accept my fate."

Fang Xiao said, "There is a way out."

Ye Tianming looked at Fang Xiao, who stared at him, "The Xiao family is powerful and has many connections, but they can't control everything in the Guanxuan World. The only way now is to get the Inspection Bureau involved and have an inspector come to your side. Only they can stand up to the Xiao family."

Ye Tianming shook his head, "I don't even know which way the door to the Inspection Bureau opens."

Fang Xiao said, "I know."

Ye Tianming was shocked, "Senior...?"

Fang Lian quickly said, "Uncle, the clan leader wants you to return immediately. This matter, our Fang family...?"

Fang Xiao raised his hand to stop Fang Lian and stared at Ye Tianming, "I have already written a secret report and had it sent to the Inspection Bureau when I entered here. If someone appeals to them, they must handle it. This is a rule set by the Guanxuan Sword Master. You can trust the Inspection Bureau; they won't collude with the Xiao family, they absolutely won't."

Ye Tianming asked, "What if they do?"

Fang Xiao said softly, "Then our Guanxuan Universe... really has no hope at all."

Ye Tianming looked at Fang Xiao and said tremulously, "Senior, we are strangers. Is what you're doing... worth it?"

Both he and Fang Xiao knew that by doing this, Fang Xiao would completely offend the Xiao family and the Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy's elder council.

Fang Xiao wouldn't have a good outcome.

Fang Xiao smiled, "My family's ancestor was originally just a common family's child, but later, due to a stroke of luck, he met the Guanxuan Sword Master. From then on, my family rose to power, and we enjoyed many resources in this universe because of the Guanxuan Sword Master. We already feel guilty. If we act without a clear conscience, how can we face our ancestor, the Guanxuan Sword Master, and the people of this world?"

He looked at Ye Tianming, "Young man, don't feel guilty. I'm doing this not for you, Ye Tianming, but for anyone. I would do the same for anyone else."

With that, he turned and left, but when he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, "Young man, in our Guanxuan Universe, without a patron, your future will be very difficult. You have talent and a future, and you will have many opportunities. If you encounter such an opportunity, don't miss it. You need someone to protect you from above, so you can go further... that's how our world is now."

With that, he followed Fang Lian and quickly disappeared from the hall entrance.

Inside the hall, only Ye Tianming remained.

A patron?

Ye Tianming smiled bitterly and thought, "Grandmaster, do I have a patron?"

The small tower said meaningfully, "Your patron is yourself."

Ye Tianming was silent. He had hoped to rely on the Grandmaster, but it seemed that wasn't possible.

Not long after Fang Xiao left, an old man entered the Guanxuan Hall with a kind smile, "Mr. Ye, we know about your matter. Actually, it's just a misunderstanding!"

The small tower: "......"

"A misunderstanding?"

Ye Tianming looked at the old man and smiled, "May I ask who you are, Senior?"

The old man smiled, "I am the Deputy Head of the Academy."

Ye Tianming said, "Oh...?"

The old man sighed softly, "Mr. Ye, we have thoroughly investigated the matter. It is indeed a major misunderstanding. According to our information, the Xiao family originally intended to exchange your special admission quota for twenty 'Divine Tribulation Pills' and two hundred thousand spirit crystals, but Xiao Nu made a mistake and said 'Qi-Inducing Pills'... Ah, it's all a misunderstanding."

Divine Tribulation Pills!

That is a heavenly-grade pill that can help one transcend tribulations and reach the Great Tribulation Realm. Its value far exceeds that of 'Qi-Inducing Pills.'

Ye Tianming looked at the old man, "Do you think I'm stupid?"

The old man's smile faded, "Mr. Ye, you have a long road ahead. Having too many enemies now is not a good thing. I'm doing this for your own good..."

Ye Tianming stared directly at the old man, "If I don't investigate this matter, will the Xiao family let me go?"

The old man was somewhat surprised. Damn, this guy isn't easy to fool.

Ye Tianming stared intently at the old man, "I demand severe punishment for the Xiao family and all relevant personnel."

The old man's face turned cold, "Mr. Ye, the Xiao family is now willing to apologize and offer you a toast, but if you can't see the reality and think you can do whatever you want, then..."

Suddenly, Ye Tianming drew his sword and placed it at his neck, cutting half an inch deep, blood gushing out. He stared at the old man, "If I don't get justice, I will die right here in the Guanxuan Hall!"

"Mr. Ye!"

The Guanxuan Guard Commander, Zhou Qing, rushed in, his face pale with shock, "Mr. Ye, please don't be impulsive. Rest assured, I guarantee with my head that no one can threaten you..."

...