"So that's why my heart was palpitating earlier." Shang Pu Lao laughed trying to ease the tension.
"This child congratulates lord father." Shang Bi Xi said.
"If you face any problems, tell big brother." Shang Qiu Niu looked at Shang Xin Ci and said.
"This is awesome, I have a new sister. This banquet was worth coming." Shang Chi Wen laughed.
...
"Come, Ci Er, sit here." Shang Yan Fei patted the seat below him, saying.
"Yes." Shang Xin Ci replied, looking deeply at Fang Yuan before she walked over, sitting beside Shang Yan Fei.
Xiao Lan, Xiao Die, these two servants were close behind her.
Seeing this, everyone's expression was strange.
Since they were born, they had never seen father love one of his children to this extent.
Even his illegitimate son Shang Tuo Hai did not receive such treatment!
"Alright, all of you, take a seat." Shang Yan Fei waved his hand, looking towards Fang Yuan once more.
He spoke: "Fei Long, you saved my precious daughter."
"Our family is deeply indebted to you, if you have any requests, you may say it now. As the Shang clan leader, I will do my best to satisfy your needs."
The young masters turned to look at Fang Yuan, with a look of envy.
This was the gratitude of Shang clan leader, a promise by the southern border overlord, his words were as heavy as a mountain!
But Fang Yuan shook his head: "Lord clan leader, the reason I protected her is because she seemed to be in danger, I don't need anything."
As he said so, everyone showed a shocked expression.
Shang Fu Xi quickly reacted, squinting, praising the ingenuity of the answer.
Fang Yuan saved the Shang Yan Fei's daughter, he had to reward them handsomely. If he does not, how would outsiders look at Shang clan? If any Shang clan young master encountered danger in the future, who would help them?
Shang Yan Fei saw Fang Yuan reject the primeval stones, and gave another solution: "You must be under Tie clan's arrest warrant, this should evidently a misunderstanding. I shall explain for you and remove this arrest warrant, what do you think?"
But still Fang Yuan shook his head, without saying anything.
Shang Yan Fei nodded, "Since you are Gu Master, I shall gift a million primeval stones to express my thanks."
Hearing this, many young masters almost drooled.
Although they controlled much of Shang clan's assets, but it was under everyone's supervision and there was a yearly evaluation, they could hardly line their own pockets.
Shang Ya Zi had talent, but was too greedy, causing his business results to be in jeopardy.
Fang Yuan shot a cold glance at Shang Yan Fei and spoke with disdain, "Shang Yan Fei, do I look like a beggar to you?"
As the words fell, his aura surged violently—an overwhelming force erupted from his body, and the entire hall trembled faintly.
Rank 5 Peak Stage.
Shang Yan Fei's eyes widened in disbelief. "Rank 5… Peak Stage?!"
He himself was only a Rank 5 Upper Stage Gu Master. Yet this youth, whom he had treated like a mere junior—perhaps Rank 2 at most—had revealed a cultivation even higher than his own. The realization struck like thunder, utterly shattering his previous assumptions.
It wasn't just him. Everyone in the hall froze in stunned silence.
Wei Yang turned pale on the spot. His legs nearly gave way. He had spoken to this man coldly, arrogantly, and even plotted against him on the clan leader's orders. Now, knowing Fei Long's true strength, fear crept into every corner of his heart.
Fang Yuan swept his cold gaze over Shang Yan Fei and then withdrew his aura. Only then did the people around him finally breathe out in relief. With a casual wave, he retrieved a Primeval Elder Gu from his aperture and tossed it in front of Shang Yan Fei.
"I may have acted improperly earlier," he said indifferently. "Take this—one million primeval stones—as a token of apology."
The hall fell into deeper silence.
Everyone was stunned by his words—not just the audacity of calling that an apology, but also the way he said it, as if throwing away loose change.
Shang Yan Fei stared at the Gu on the table, a mix of emotions flashing through his eyes. Even behind the bronze mask, he could feel the cold, abyss-like gaze directed at him. A shiver ran down his spine.
He let out an awkward laugh. "There's no need for—"
"Is it too little?" Fang Yuan interrupted him, his voice sharp.
"Ten million, then."
Shang Yan Fei was dumbfounded.
Ten million might be a large amount, but to a superpower clan like the Shang Clan, it wasn't entirely unheard of. Still, being offered it so casually in the form of high-grade Gu… it felt surreal.
But Fang Yuan didn't stop there.
"One hundred million."
With that, he waved his sleeve, and one hundred Primeval Elder Gu poured out from the Tusita flower, landing with a soft thud before Shang Yan Fei.
The clan leader's face darkened. His heart clenched. For a brief moment, a flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes.
Fang Yuan smirked, his words striking like a blade. "Now tell me—do I look like a beggar to you?"
Shang Yan Fei calmed himself with great effort. He looked at the Primeval Elder Gu with a mix of shock and envy. As a clan leader, his personal wealth didn't even reach 80 million primeval stones. Yet this young man threw out a hundred million like they were nothing.
No ordinary person could possess such wealth. He had misjudged. Severely.
Around him, the Shang Clan's young masters and elders looked at the Gu with undisguised greed and awe. Even they had never seen such a fortune in one place.
What none of them realized was that only two of the Gu bags contained primeval stones. The rest were empty.
They had all been completely fooled.
Shang Yan Fei cupped his fists, expression solemn. "I apologize. I failed to recognize your esteemed self."
"Please forgive my earlier disrespect."
Truthfully, he hadn't disrespected Fang Yuan outright—he had merely looked down on him, as anyone would when facing someone seemingly weaker. But now that he knew the truth, he wasted no time in correcting his stance.
Fang Yuan gave a slight nod and, with a flick of his sleeve, the Primeval Elder Gu vanished back into his aperture.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he said, "Congratulations on your daughter. Let me offer a small gift."
From within his storage, he drew a Tusita Flower, and with precise control, let ten golden drops of liquid fall into a jade cup.
"This is known as Dragon's Blood, an exclusive Gu refinement material from our clan. Each drop raises a Gu Master's aptitude by one percent."
The hall instantly fell silent again—this time in complete disbelief.
One percent increase in aptitude… per drop?
Even Shang Yan Fei's breath hitched. His expression was a mix of amazement and doubt. He had never heard of such a material before—but then again, in this vast world, strange things did exist.
Fang Yuan didn't let them ponder for long.
"We sell a single drop for one million primeval stones to our clan members. But since you're so joyous about your daughter, I'll gift you ten drops—no charge."
He gently pushed the cup forward.
Shang Yan Fei's hand twitched. He understood the message behind Fang Yuan's words. This wasn't just a gift—it was a threat. A clear, unspoken message: Disrespect me, and I'll trample you again—and you'll still have to smile while I do it.
He didn't know if this "Dragon's Blood" was real. He didn't care. The sheer confidence with which it was presented—and the aura of the man before him—made him hesitant to doubt it.
His pride screamed not to accept. But his rationality forced his hand.
He realized something else in that moment—this man wasn't just strong.
He was shameless, cunning, ruthless, and utterly terrifying.