After the spar ended, Wei Yang did not remain at the battle stage.
He quickly returned to Shang Yan Fei's study.
"This subordinate greets Lord clan leader."
"There are only the two of us here, no need to be so restrained. Sit." Shang Yan Fei said lightly.
Wei Yang sat down.
Shang Yan Fei placed the document in his hand onto the table, raising his head: "How were they?"
Wei Yang's expression became solemn.
"Reporting to Lord clan leader, Hei Tu and Bai Yun are both rare talents."
"Oh?" Shang Yan Fei's eyes showed a trace of interest.
Wei Yang continued: "Hei Tu's fighting style is direct, but not crude. He advances fiercely, but his mind is not slow. He can adjust to changes quickly, and once he grasps the rhythm, his pressure is very strong."
"As for Bai Yun, she is cold and sharp. Her timing is excellent. During the fight, she constantly searched for this subordinate's weaknesses."
Shang Yan Fei nodded slightly.
"What about their cooperation?"
Wei Yang was silent for a breath before saying: "Dangerous."
Dangerous.
This word was not praise, but it was better than ordinary praise.
Wei Yang continued: "The two of them do not fully trust each other. But once they enter battle, their cooperation is very smooth. One suppresses, the other cuts in. One forces the enemy to move, the other attacks the opening. Their Gu worms are incomplete and cannot form a full set yet, but their combat sense makes up for much of it."
Shang Yan Fei's finger tapped the table lightly.
Tap, tap, tap.
"And Fang Ming?"
"He did not participate."
"He refused?"
"He refused politely." Wei Yang replied: "He said that he was already rank four. If he entered, the spar would lose its meaning. After that, he watched from the side."
Shang Yan Fei smiled faintly: "Only watched?"
Wei Yang shook his head: "He was not watching casually. His attention was very focused. He observed this subordinate's Gu combination, Bai Yun's timing, Hei Tu's decisions, and also the cooperation between the two of them."
After pausing for a moment, Wei Yang added: "This person is cautious and calm. He has strength, but does not rush to show it. He is not a fighting maniac."
"A rank four Gu Master, yet he chose to observe instead of displaying himself." Shang Yan Fei leaned back slightly.
Wei Yang lowered his head: "Yes."
"That is not bad."
Wei Yang understood Shang Yan Fei's meaning.
Young people with strength often had pride.
Especially a rank four Gu Master at such an age. If it were an ordinary youth, after being invited to spar, how could he resist showing his ability?
But Fang Ming did.
This was restraint.
Strength was important, but restraint was also a type of strength.
Shang Yan Fei looked outside the window.
The study became quiet.
After a while, he suddenly said: "Ci Er has kindness, but kindness alone cannot stand in this world."
Wei Yang did not speak, only listening silently.
"A leader cannot rely only on herself. Two fists cannot rival four palms. Even I, before sitting in this position, needed people beside me."
Shang Yan Fei's gaze became deep.
"Ci Er has no foundation in Shang clan. She does not understand the clan's internal structure. She has no manpower, no faction, and no old subordinates. If she wants to stand firm, she needs capable hands."
Wei Yang understood.
"Lord clan leader wants to recruit them for Miss Xin Ci?"
"Not necessarily recruit directly." Shang Yan Fei shook his head. "But if they can be tied to her, guided by her, or at least become friendly with her, it will be useful."
Wei Yang frowned slightly: "Hei Tu and Bai Yun are dangerous."
"Talented people are often dangerous."
"And Fang Ming?"
Shang Yan Fei looked out of the window.
The evening light was like blood, spreading over half the sky.
"Fang Ming is also dangerous."
He paused before continuing: "But he is closer to Ci Er than the other two. He has protected her more than once. If his motives can be understood and controlled, he may be even more useful than Hei Tu and Bai Yun."
Wei Yang cupped his fists: "This subordinate understands. I will continue observing them."
"Good."
…
That evening, Shang Yan Fei held a small clan banquet.
The banquet was not arranged in a grand hall.
Instead, it was held in an old courtyard.
The courtyard was quiet and simple. The trees were old, the stone tables were clean, and the lanterns had already been lit.
But the people present were not simple.
Some of Shang Yan Fei's children were here.
Every one of them represented a business. Every one of them represented a faction. Every one of them could become trouble in the future.
Fang Ming, Fang Yuan, and Bai Ning Bing were also invited.
Fang Ming sat quietly, his expression calm.
Fang Yuan was still using the Hei Tu appearance. He held a wine cup, drinking by himself, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.
Bai Ning Bing sat coldly.
Her blue eyes were calm, occasionally sweeping over Fang Ming and Fang Yuan.
Suddenly, blood-colored light flashed.
Shang Yan Fei appeared.
The courtyard instantly became quiet.
Everyone rose and greeted him.
Shang Yan Fei waved his hand casually, telling them to sit.
After saying a few simple words, his gaze landed on Zhang Xin Ci.
"During the journey, all of you protected Xin Ci. Because of this, I was able to reunite with my daughter."
Daughter.
This single word was like a stone thrown into a calm lake.
Ripples spread instantly.
The young masters' expressions changed.
Some were shocked.
Some immediately lowered their eyes.
Some held their wine cups and concealed the thoughts in their hearts.
Daughter.
A new daughter had appeared.
And Shang Yan Fei was acknowledging her in front of everyone.
This meant that she was not a hidden shame.
She was not some person to be placed in a remote courtyard and forgotten.
She was being brought into the open.
She was a new variable.
Zhang Xin Ci sat beside Shang Yan Fei. Her expression was still gentle, but her posture was slightly stiff.
Xiao Die stood behind her, nervous but also proud.
Fang Ming lowered his eyes and drank his wine.
He had already expected this.
Bai Ning Bing's eyes narrowed slightly.
So that was it.
Zhang Xin Ci was Shang Yan Fei's daughter.
Fang Yuan had protected her.
Fang Ming had approached her even earlier.
Neither of them had acted randomly.
Bai Ning Bing looked at the two men.
Fang Yuan knew something.
Fang Ming also knew something.
Was it a prophecy inheritance?
A future-seeing Gu?
Or some wisdom path method?
The thought made Bai Ning Bing feel a trace of interest.
Very interesting.
Shang Yan Fei raised his cup.
"You protected my daughter. Shang clan will not forget this kindness."
Everyone raised their cups.
The banquet continued.
The young masters smiled and spoke, each of them appearing warm and polite.
But under these smiles, who knew how many thoughts were moving?
Fang Ming did not pay attention to them.
His attention was on Shang Yan Fei.
Blood Handprint Gu.
Blood Robe Gu.
Blood Shadow Escape Gu.
Blood Sense Gu.
Blood Revival Gu.
One after another, the names appeared in Fang Ming's mind.
All of them were tempting.
Too tempting.
Shang Yan Fei's Gu worms were mostly from the blood path, and each one had extraordinary value. If Fang Ming could copy one of them, his strength would rise greatly.
But unfortunately, he could only watch.
His copy chance had already been used on Blood Oath Gu.
Blood Oath Gu was very useful. That gain was not small.
But because of this, he could not take anything else from Shang Yan Fei now.
Opportunity and ability were two different things.
Even if a mountain of treasure was placed in front of him, if he had no hands to take it, he could only look.
After several rounds of wine, Shang Yan Fei spoke again.
"You three escorted Xin Ci through danger. I originally prepared one million primeval stones as thanks."
One million primeval stones!
The expressions of several young masters shifted.
Even for them, this was not a small sum.
Fang Yuan remained calm.
Bai Ning Bing's expression did not change.
Fang Ming placed his cup down.
Shang Yan Fei looked at the three of them and continued: "This reward is not only my personal gratitude. It is also Shang clan's rule. You protected my daughter. If Shang clan does not reward its benefactors, outsiders will laugh at us."
His meaning was very clear.
This reward could not be refused casually.
It was not only gratitude.
It was face.
It was reputation.
It was Shang clan telling the world: those who help Shang clan will not be treated unfairly.
Wei Yang stood nearby. At this moment, he smiled and added: "In Shang clan city, primeval stones are naturally useful. But sometimes, a token is more useful. With a proper token, many doors become easier to open."
Fang Ming glanced at him.
Wei Yang's tone was casual, but the reminder was real.
Shang clan city valued money.
But it valued qualifications even more.
Without qualifications, even with primeval stones, many things could not be bought.
Fang Ming stood up and cupped his fists towards Shang Yan Fei.
"Lord Shang clan leader, primeval stones are naturally useful. But money can be earned again."
He paused, then continued: "In Shang clan city, access is harder to obtain."
The courtyard became slightly quieter.
Some young masters looked at Fang Ming differently.
This person did not ask for raw wealth.
He asked for access.
This meant that he had understood Shang clan city very quickly.
Shang Yan Fei looked at Fang Ming with interest.
"Oh? Then what do you want?"
"If Lord Shang clan leader is willing, this junior would prefer a token over primeval stones."
Shang Yan Fei smiled.
"Good."
He raised his hand.
A token appeared in his palm.
The token was made of special wood. On its front, the words "Shang Clan" were carved. Its surface was smooth and ancient, giving off a faint aura.
At the same time, a token Gu flew out.
It landed on Fang Ming's arm and lightly bit him.
A drop of blood was drawn out.
The token Gu carried the blood back to the token.
Then, with a soft sound, it burst apart.
The blood merged into the wooden token.
Purple light flowed over its surface like water.
Purple Thorn Token!
This time, even the young masters could not completely hide their reactions.
The Purple Thorn Token was not an ordinary token.
In Shang clan city, it represented high authority and Shang clan's recognition.
Even if others stole it, they could not use it. The token had already been connected to Fang Ming's blood. Furthermore, its power was not permanent. After some time, it would need to be renewed by Shang clan.
It was a reward.
It was also a tie.
Fang Ming accepted the token with both hands.
"Many thanks, Lord Shang clan leader."
Shang Yan Fei looked at him deeply.
"Use it well."
Fang Ming lowered his head.
"I will."