Chapter 1074: A Single Doubt Arose and Brought Endless Torment

Upon hearing Gan Xiao's words, Clan Leader Jing turned to look at Ye Guan. Ye Guan's gaze remained calm, and he said nothing. He was beginning to understand Clan Leader Jing's intentions.

Fang Yu appeared to have regained his composure, and he became aware of why things were unfolding this way. It was all because of the Academy Master.

Knowing that, a complex light flashed in his eyes.

Gan Xiao also felt complicated as he looked at Fang Yu. This young man had joined the Guanxuan Outer Guards and, in less than half a month, rose from an ordinary guard to become the First Commander. It was unprecedented.

It had taken Gan Xiao a full ten years to rise to the same position from when he first joined the Guanxuan Guards, but the young man had achieved it in just under two weeks.

Soon, Gan Xiao himself would likely be transferred to make room for this rising talent. Perhaps even more remarkable was the transformation of Fang Yu's clan. Normally, it would take a clan from a modest region like Yongzhou many generations to establish themselves in Little Guan City, not to mention the low probability of it ever happening.

They'd need the support of a powerful benefactor or produce a prodigy to do so. The Fang Clan was rising in status so quickly because of a simple conversation and the fact that Fang Yu and the Academy Master once shared a drink. This could be just the beginning.

Once the Academy Master had his eye on someone, even without making any deliberate arrangements, everyone else knew what they had to do.

A powerful, new force would soon emerge.

After Gan Xiao left the hall, an elderly man slowly approached from a distance. On the left side of the elderly man's chest, there was a badge with a small character that read "Immortal."

The elderly man was from the Immortal Treasures Pavilion!

Gan Xiao's face instantly lit up with a smile. "Manager Hong."

There were twelve managers from the Immortal Treasures Pavilion in this city, and each one of them had immense influence. They were second only to the Council of Elders.

Manager Hong was the most powerful of the twelve managers, ranking just below Manager Ao Yun of the Heavenly Dragon Clan, who was groomed by Qin Feng himself.

Qin Feng was the youngest elder in the Council of Elders and was known for his close relationship with the Academy Master.

Upon seeing Gan Xiao, Manager Hong nodded slightly. "Elder Gan, is Lord Fang here?"

Gan Xiao smiled. "He's inside."

Manager Hong smiled back. "I'll catch up with you later."

With that, he proceeded into the hall.

Gan Xiao noticed the invitation in Manager Hong's hand. After a moment, he chuckled and revealed a complex expression. Many people would struggle their entire lives, tirelessly striving for a chance at success, only to find that for some, a single word or glance could change their fate.

A single glance could change the destiny of a whole clan.

Gan Xiao sighed softly and walked away. Now, he would have to prepare for retirement. After all, he was in someone's way.

Manager Hong walked up to Fang Yu and said, "Lord Fang, our Immortal Treasures Pavilion is hosting a banquet tonight. We sincerely hope you can attend."

Fang Yu was slightly stunned. He knew just how powerful Manager Hong was. Just one word from Gan Xiao could ruin the Fang Clan, and one word from Manager Hong could do the same to Gan Xiao.

Fang Yu hadn't expected that such a high-ranking figure would personally deliver an invitation to him.

Seeing Fang Yu's surprise, Manager Hong smiled gently and reassured him, saying, "It's just a simple banquet. Some of the Academy's and the Immortal Treasures Pavilion's talented youths will be there, so it will be a good chance for you to get acquainted with them."

Fang Yu quickly accepted the invitation and replied, "I'll be sure to attend."

Manager Hong smiled and left.

Fang Yu looked down at the invitation, feeling as if he were dreaming.

Everything felt surreal.

Everyone around him suddenly seemed so kind, as if there were no bad people in the world. After a brief pause, he laughed to himself. Life finally felt good.

On that same evening, Fang Yu arrived at the headquarters of the Immortal Treasures. The building itself was named Immortal Treasures, and it was located at the very heart of the bustling Little Guan City.

The massive building spanned hundreds of thousands of square meters and hosted a variety of activities, from commerce and auctions to banquets.

When Fang Yu arrived, an elderly man greeted him immediately, bowing slightly with a smile. "Welcome, Lord Fang. Please follow me."

Fang Yu nodded. "Thank you."

He followed the elderly man into the Immortal Treasures Pavilion. It was his first time here, and the luxurious decor of this place left him in awe. The elderly man then led him to a teleportation array.

When they both stepped into it, they vanished in a flash of blue light.

"Who was that? He could actually use the exclusive passage?"

The exclusive passage was a private teleportation array reserved for the distinguished guests of the Immortal Treasures Building. Access wasn't just a matter of wealth; it also required one to have a high status and deep connections.

"That was Fang Yu, and the Academy Master is his brother."

"Goodness, it was hi?"

"And did you hear? The entire Fang Clan has already moved here, right next to the Nanli Clan."

"The Fang Clan is about to rise."

"That's what it means to have good fortune. If I could have just a drink with the Academy Master..."

"Forget drinks. If the Academy Master just patted my shoulder and said, 'good job, kid, I'd be set for life!

Hahaha!

"

When Fang Yu arrived at the banquet hall, he was dumbstruck by its vastness.

The grand space could accommodate tens of thousands of people, and there was already a massive crowd. There were young men and women with varying backgrounds.

The elderly man led Fang Yu to the first main round table. As soon as Fang Yu walked up to the table, many people turned to look his way.

Table One! To be able to sit there meant one was extraordinary. It was a seat of power and status; it showed that one had been acknowledged even by the Immortal Treasures Pavilion.

There were four individuals at Table One—three boys and one girl. They were all notable figures of their generation. Ye Zhuxin was the young representative of the Ye Clan from Qingzhou, An Yuanjing was the second-in-command of the An Clan from Qingzhou, Dong Liling was the representative of the Undying Clan, and there was also Crown Prince Gu of the Gu Clan.

The Ye Clan of Qingzhou were not on particularly great terms with the Sword Master, but they later extended support to the Academy Master, and it was a favor that the Academy Master had never forgotten.

The Ye Clan also had Ye Yu stationed at the main branch of the Sword Sect.

The Ye Clan advanced rapidly in recent years, and it was rumored that Ye Zhuxin was going to represent Qingzhou in the upcoming Wanzhou Martial Contest.

If she ended up becoming the champion, the Ye Clan's influence would rise even higher.

Although the An Clan of Qingzhou initially opposed the Academy Master, the Academy Master helped remove the Sword Master's sanctions on them.

Given their strong foundations and with An Qinghan's rise, the An Clan also reached new heights.

An Qinghan was the representative of the Guanxuan Academy's Martial Department, and he was also known as the "Martial Goddess of the New Generation."

She shared a good relationship with the Academy Master.

In addition to An Qinghan, quite a few talented people had recently emerged in the An Clan, such as An Yuanjing and An Mujin, who had already attracted the interest of the Main Guanxuan Academy and the Sword Sect.

The future of the An Clan was incredibly promising.

The Undying Clan was prospering at the same rate as the An Clan. They were the Sword Master's maternal clan and were considered direct relatives of the Academy Master. While they hadn't seen the rise of any outstanding talents recently, their status remained unmatched.

The Crown Prince of the Gu Clan was a big shot as well.

Princess Xin of the Gu Clan was once a trusted confidante of the Sword Master.

Since the Academy Master's rise to power, the Gu Clan had been holding substantial power. Princess Xin also had control over the armed forces, making her a truly powerful force.

When Fang Yu took a seat at Table One, everyone was both shocked and intrigued. They couldn't help but wonder about his identity.

Soon, everyone learned more about him. Those attending the banquet were no ordinary people. They could easily investigate anyone's background.

Fang Yu!

Fang Yu's name had spread like wildfire throughout the Guanxuan Universe.

The recent crackdown on the Guanxuan Committee had, in fact, started because of him. He had even shared drinks with the Academy Master, who had referred to him as "Brother."

Of course, there was a possibility that Ye Guan had uttered the word "brother" casually, but no one dared to ignore it.

The truth was that someone like Fang Yu had gotten the attention of the Academy Master, and no one was sure about the deepness of their relationship.

In short, it was better to support him wholeheartedly than not. Ever since that meeting with the Academy Master, Fang Yu and his clan's status had skyrocketed, gaining privileges and special treatment at every turn.

Fang Yu took his seat and felt a bit nervous. The elderly man had already told him about the others at his table. They belonged to top-ranking clans, the absolute elites among the myriad clans.

In the past, he wouldn't have the chance to even speak to these people, but today, he was sitting at the same table as them.

Many people walked up to Fang Yu to give him a toast, and they were figures he could never even dream of talking to until today. They were all eager to raise a glass with him, seeking to become his acquaintance.

This was the true power of status! For the first time ever, Fang Yu felt the thrill that a high enough status could bring.

A moment later, he took the initiative to engage in conversation with the people around him. The talented elites from the prominent families, who were once unreachable people to him, chatted amicably with him.

Gradually, he relaxed and began to integrate into this social circle. Around him, disciples from various clans and noble families approached to converse with him, openly seeking to forge connections.

The waves of well-dressed disciples from noble families and clans flattered him nonstop, and the sight made Fang Yu realize for the first time that having a high enough status and power was a joyous thing.

Late at night, Fang Yu returned to his residence. His neighbors were members of the prestigious Nanli and Dongli Clans. In fact, only the top clans associated with the Guanxuan Academy were living in this neighborhood.

Upon his return, he received a letter from the leader of the Fang Clan, urging him to arrange a date for his wedding with a young lady from the Yue Clan as soon as possible.

Fang Yu was engaged to a young lady from the Yue Clan. However, the Yue Clan was reluctant about the marriage, as they were the top clan in Yongzhou and possessed far superior strength than the Fang Clan.

Over the years, the Yue Clan had expressed their disappointment toward him, and rumors had circulated that they were going to break off the engagement soon.

Thus, Fang Yu never expected that the Yue Clan would urge him to marry their young lady as if they were afraid that he would change his mind.

Sprawled out on his bed with his eyes closed, Fang Yu couldn't sleep at all. The things he once thought would take a lifetime of hard work to accomplish were now within his reach.

The next day at the Guanxuan Guards Hall, First Commander Fang Yu entered his own hall.

Just then, Gan Xiao entered the hall, prompting Fang Yu to rise immediately.

"Elder Gan," Fang Yu said, greeting respectfully.

Gan Xiao smiled. "How was the banquet last night? Did you enjoy it?"

Fang Yu replied, "It went well. I made quite a few new acquaintances."

Gan Xiao nodded and said, "The monthly recruitment assessment for the Guanxuan Guards is approaching. As the First Commander, this is your responsibility. In other words, you'll decide who will pass and who won't pass."

Fang Yu was taken aback. "Elder, is that appropriate? Last time, the Academy Master was furious over this issue and has reformed the Academy—"

Gan Xiao chuckled. "No need to be anxious. Naturally, we will not violate the Guanxuan Laws."

With that, he handed Fang Yu an envelope.

Fang Yu looked at it with curiosity and asked, "What's this?"

Gan Xiao said, "Take a look."

Fang Yu opened the envelope and saw a note with two names—Zhen Yun and Ao Ling.

Fang Yu murmured, "The Zhen Clan and the Heavenly Dragon Clan?"

Gan Xiao nodded and explained, "Zhen Yun is from the Zhen Clan, and Ao Ling is from the Heavenly Dragon Clan. These two elite clans aren't interested in merely joining the Guanxuan Outer Guards; they're aiming for the Inner Guards.

"However, as you already know, entry into the Inner Guards requires starting as one of the Outer Guards. Simply put, they're here to build credentials. Soon enough, they'll be fast-tracked into the Inner Guards, eventually becoming core members, which will help them gain influence over time.

"Those two aren't really core figures in their clans; they're more like third or fourth-tier members. Their skills are average at best, so the Academy or some of the special departments will never accept them.

"They can only join the Guanxuan Guards. This matter is quite simple; you don't have to do much. Just ensure that they will face a slightly weaker opponent in the third round."

Gan Xiao then handed Fang Yu another envelope. "Their opponents have already been selected. These two are among the weaker candidates in this round. All you need to do is stamp it with the Commander's seal."

Fang Yu took the envelope and fell silent, studying it.

Gan Xiao then asked, "Do you know who gifted your family's estate?"

Fang Yu was puzzled. "Wasn't it the Academy?"

Gan Xiao shook his head, smiling faintly. "The Academy would not publicly gift you an estate, so the Heavenly Dragon Clan did it. As for the invitation to the Academy tonight, it was from the Zhen Clan. They're looking to build a connection with you.

"Since no one else is here, I'll be frank. Soon, I'll be retiring, and this position will be yours. If you want to move even higher, you'll need the support of influential people.

"Right now, thanks to the Academy Master's favor, people are more willing to support you if you handle things well. This is the nature of alliances—exchanging favors.

"Once you become part of this network, you'll have access to substantial resources."

Fang Yu looked at Gan Xiao and said, "Elder, this isn't fair to those two candidates."

"The world has always been unfair," Gan Xiao said, dismissing his concerns. "They're just unlucky, that's all."

Fang Yu remained silent.

Gan Xiao continued, "If you want to last at the Academy, you have to understand how to handle people. By simply stamping this document, you could take my position in three months.

"A year later, you could even enter the ranks of the Inner Guards or become a member of the Main Guanxuan Academy's core departments. Your future will be incredibly bright by then.

"Let me tell you something as someone who's been around a long time here—connections and backing are everything in the world. To be blunt, even the Academy Master rose to power largely because of his connections.

"Had it not been for his family's influence, would he have been able to build this much of a legacy at such a young age?"

Fang Yu's hands clenched tightly, but he said nothing.

Gan Xiao added, "The world isn't just about fighting. It's about relationships and alliances. For you, it's as simple as nodding your head and stamping this paper..."

Fang Yu stared at the envelope in front of him, recalling the banquet last night.

He could remember the eager faces of clan members and disciples trying to befriend him, the letters from influential families like the Yue Clan pressing him for marriage, and above all, the thrill that his high status had brought him.

Everything would be decided by just one stamp.

Fang Yu took out his seal and stamped the document.

Gan Xiao smiled with satisfaction.

When Ye Guan saw Fang Yu stamp the document, his right hand trembled slightly. He stood there in a daze for a long time before slowly closing his eyes.

"So you want to establish a brand-new order?" Clan Leader Jing turned and looked at him. "Do you even understand the rules that govern this world? Do you even understand human nature?

"You know nothing. You're just acting out of passion. All thanks to your family, you naively believe that you can change everything. The truth is, you can't change anyone. You can't even change your habit of calling for help."

Clan Leader Jing looked up and muttered softly. "This world has never changed. The dragon slayer will eventually become the evil dragon that he has slain."

Ye Guan's eyes grew dazed. Had he really been wrong all this while?

A single doubt arose and brought endless torment.

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Boom!

The aura of his sword intent and even his Sword Dao realm collapsed.

Clan Leader Jing glanced at him indifferently and turned around to leave.

The young man was no longer worthy of being her rival in the Great Dao.