Chapter 1128: It’s Been a While!

Fang Yu was busy with his duties in the Cultural Department. Although it was a relatively idle department, the daily workload was still substantial.

Having been here for several months, he had already adjusted to his role. By now, he had faded into obscurity as if he were a mere afterimage.

Whenever he was mentioned, the people would shake their heads, thinking that he was foolish and inflexible. He had even become a cautionary example cited by the powerful families in Little Guan City. Those families would teach their younger generation, saying, "Don't be like Fang Yu."

One day, an elderly man approached Fang Yu and placed a document in front of him. "Tomorrow, Grand Scholar Qingru will be giving a lecture in the main hall of the Immortal Treasures Pavilion. This is the event schedule, and you'll be working with Yang Yue and the others on this event. Head over there now."

With that, the elderly man turned around and left.

Fang Yu picked up the document and read it before making his way to the Immortal Treasures Pavilion. Soon, he and Yang Yue arrived there.

Yang Yue glanced at Fang Yu and shook his head slightly.

He felt it was such a shame. Fang Yu could have become one of the elite members of the Guanxuan Academy and led his clan to prominence, but he threw away a bright future for the sake of his meaningless ideals.

It was a shame, as life offered only a few changes for one to change one's fate.

Fang Yu's expression remained calm. Upon entering the Immortal Treasures Pavilion, he instinctively walked toward the special teleportation array he had used in the past.

However, an elderly man stepped in front of him, blocking his way. He looked at Fang Yu and said, "This is the exclusive special guest passage. Only special guests of the Immortal Treasures Pavilion may use this teleportation array."

Fang Yu froze, realizing that the last time he was here, he had been led in and had no idea that he had used an exclusive special guest passage. Regaining his composure, he quickly apologized, "I'm sorry..."

Fang Yu glanced at Yang Yue beside him.

Yang Yue shook his head and said, "I have no idea as well. I've never been here before."

Fang Yu looked at the elderly man.

The elderly man pointed at a passageway in the distance and said, "That's the regular entrance."

Fang Yu cupped his hands in thanks. "Much appreciated."

He and Yang Yue turned around to leave, but just then, someone emerged from the exclusive special guest passage.

Fang Yu paused, recognizing the man. He was Manager Hong, the very person who had once delivered the invitation for him to visit the Immortal Treasures Pavilion.

Manager Hong was briefly surprised to see Fang Yu there, but he said nothing and simply turned away. For him, it was not worth expending words on someone who had lost their value.

Fang Yu, however, didn't feel disappointed. He had already experienced enough of people's indifference and hypocrisy. People were acknowledged when they had value and ignored when they had none. It was just the way things were here.

Turning to Yang Yue, Fang Yu said, "Let's go."

Yang Yue nodded, and they headed toward the regular entrance.

Just then, a voice nearby remarked, "That's Fang Yu. I still remember him. He went here through the exclusive special guest passage..."

"Fang Yu? The one who thought he was close to the Academy Master?"

"Yes, how ridiculous! He actually thought that the Academy Master considered him a friend."

"Talk about someone who doesn't know his place."

The voices were loud, and since they were all cultivators, Fang Yu and Yang Yue could clearly hear every word. People passing by began looking at Fang Yu, whispering and gossiping among themselves.

Fang Yu remained expressionless as he and Yang Yue headed toward the regular entrance.

When they reached the entrance, Fang Yu turned back, glancing at those still gossiping about him and muttered, "The path downhill is so noisy... All this chatter is just as grating as the cheers were back then..."

With a shake of his head and a slight smile tugging at his lips, Fang Yu turned around and entered the passage.

The two of them took the regular teleportation array to the main hall. It was a vast hall capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people, and it often hosted large events in Little Guan City.

Fang Yu and Yang Yue started setting up the venue.

The guest speaker, Li Qingru, was a disciple of Shu Lao, one of the Academy's top scholars.

Shu Lao was once the Department Chief of the Confucian Department, a figure so respected that even Academy Chief Qingqiu addressed him as "Master."

Li Qingru was Shu Lao's direct disciple, so the former's lectures were always huge events, attracting prominent figures from across the Academy.

Fang Yu and Yang Yue worked tirelessly through the night to prepare the venue, only finishing late at night.

The next morning, they woke up at dawn to resume preparations.

As soon as the sun rose, guests began arriving in the hall. These guests came from top clans and sects, including the Zhen Clan, the Nalan Clan, the Ye Clan from Qingzhou and Nanzhou, the Gu Clan, the Yue Clan, and even the Sword Sect.

Practically every major clan and sect in the Guanxuan Universe had sent representatives here. Shu Lao's influence was massive, and Li Qingru himself was a rising star with a high likelihood of becoming the next Department Chief of the Confucian Department.

Each seat was carefully assigned according to the status of the attending clans and sects. The attendees in the first row were more important than those in the second row, and mistakes weren't an option, as misplacing someone would mean offending them.

These prominent clans and sects took such arrangements seriously.

Soon, the guests gradually settled into their seats.

Fang Yu and Yang Yue stayed alert in the background, prepared to attend to their needs.

Just then, an elderly scholar slowly walked into the grand hall. He wore a broad, flowing robe that was impeccably clean and tidy, and he was holding a thick, ancient-looking book in his hands.

As soon as he entered, the guests rose and focused on him.

Li Qingru was a great Confucian scholar of this era.

Even though the Guanxuan Universe focused on martial arts, scholars still held a very high status here. Those who didn't think highly of scholars were usually those uneducated.

Li Qingru walked slowly to the podium, where he placed the book down and gave a slight bow to the gathered guests. The guests returned his greeting with respect.

Fang Yu quickly brought a cup of tea over to Li Qingru's side.

Li Qingru looked at him and smiled warmly, saying, "Thank you."

"There's no need to thank me," Fang Yu replied, bowing slightly before stepping back.

Fang Yu and Yang Yue weren't just serving tea for Li Qingru. They were also responsible for attending to guests in the first row.

They were the most esteemed individuals present, so attending to them was not a task that could be entrusted to ordinary attendants.

While pouring tea, Fang Yu noticed that he actually recognized many of the people seated in the front row. The people sitting in the front were the same people who sought to make connections with him in that banquet hosted by the Immortal Treasures Pavilion.

At that time, he was at the height of his influence. Today, however, they still sat proudly in their seats while he could only serve them tea.

Fang Yu didn't let it bother him. He did his job respectfully and methodically. The attendees soon noticed him, and their expressions changed. Back when Fang Yu was still favored, their clans had urged them to establish ties with him at all costs. However, Fang Yu was quickly alienated. Things truly had changed!

After serving tea to everyone, Fang Yu quickly stepped to the sidelines.

Li Qingru began his lecture and focused on several ancient texts.

These texts originated from the Milky Way and other civilizations, so they were somewhat obscure and were written in esoteric language as well. Many in the audience furrowed their brows, struggling to understand the meaning of the phrases.

Fortunately, Li Qingru translated every passage clearly and concisely.

Time passed quickly, and by noon, Li Qingru was done with his lecture. Closing the book in his hand, he looked at the audience with a smile and said, "I know most of you are focused on cultivation. Cultivation requires cultivating the heart, and reading is one of the best ways to nurture one's heart.

"I encourage you to read more in your spare time, as it will aid you in your cultivation."

The crowd responded enthusiastically.

Li Qingru smiled knowingly. He knew that most of the young people here were simply being polite, but it was fine. If even one person took his advice to heart, his efforts would be worthwhile.

He picked up his book and got ready to leave when a voice echoed from the back. "Elder Li, your lecture today has truly enlightened me."

Everyone turned around and was completely stunned.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

A young man was sitting in the corner, and he was none other than Ye Guan.

The Academy Master!

Everyone's faces were filled with disbelief. What was the Academy Master doing here?

Ye Guan rose slowly and walked toward Li Qingru at the podium. As he approached, the seated guests quickly stood and made way for him.

Li Qingru, who was about to bow in greeting, was stopped by Ye Guan. "Elder Li, there's no need for formalities. In terms of seniority, you're still my elder. How can an elder bow to a junior?"

Li Qingru smiled. "I didn't expect that you'll attend, Academy Master."

Ye Guan replied, "Just call me Little Guan."

Li Qingru shook his head. "That would not be appropriate."

"Alright then! Haha." Ye Guan chuckled. "Elder Li, you referenced a few ancient texts earlier. Is it okay if I can have those books?"

Li Qingru shook his head again. "I'm afraid not."

The room was abuzz with shock.

Everyone looked at Li Qingru as if he had two heads.

Li Qingru hurriedly explained, "They're unique copies, but I've already arranged to have them copied. Once it's done, you can send someone from the Academy to retrieve them for you."

Ye Guan nodded. "Alright, that works."

Li Qingru asked, "Academy Master, I assume you didn't come here today just to attend an old man's lecture, did you?"

"You're right. I'm here today to find someone," Ye Guan remarked. Then, he walked over to Fang Yu standing respectfully on the sidelines. With a smile, he greeted, "Brother Fang, it's been a while!"

Fang Yu froze in shock.

The hall fell deathly silent as everyone stared in astonishment at Ye Guan and Fang Yu.