In recent days, as the Thunder Festival—the New Year—drew closer, the entire Changkong Clan grew lively.

It wasn’t just the Fang Clan’s Residence that was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners; the other residences were as well.

Notably, even the disciples from the various branches who had been sent out for training returned to the clan one after another, hoping to have a good new year, reunite with their families, and enjoy a time of peace and joy.

Fang Clan’s Residence.

The courtyard cottage.

Fang Yang hung up a sign indicating he was in seclusion, warding off the steady stream of visitors.

In truth, he wasn’t in seclusion to cultivate, but was instead meticulously grooming his three battle pets, combing their fur and scales.

Such an act could greatly strengthen the bond between a battle pet and its beast tamer.

In the past, however, Fang Yang had always kept to himself.

At most, he would simply watch from the sidelines as Lu Yao groomed the three battle pets’ fur and scales.

But now, with Lu Yao gone and the Thunder Festival approaching, Fang Yang decided to do it himself.

He first took out a brush and began grooming the White Feathered Eagle’s feathers.

"KREE KREE..."

The White Feathered Eagle obediently lowered its body, squinting in a dopey, happy grin as it let Fang Yang work.

Looking at it now, no one would ever guess this was the same Eagle King that possessed the aura of an Overlord.

Before long, the White Feathered Eagle was completely refreshed, its feathers as flawless as fresh snow, and its spirit high.

Next, Fang Yang brought water from the Spiritual Spring to groom the Small Frost Horse’s coat.

The Small Frost Horse was more playful. Despite being quite timid, it wasn’t the least bit quiet.

It fidgeted about constantly, splashing water everywhere. It even splashed Fang Yang on purpose, wanting to play.

Grooming the Small Frost Horse took longer than it had for the White Feathered Eagle.

As for the Electric Python, it was rather proud.

After letting Fang Yang stroke its head, the Electric Python slid into a pool on its own and summoned other serpents to groom its body for it.

But one thing was the same for all of them: the three battle pets were all visibly happy.

They were all delighted by Fang Yang’s personal attention.

...

「That night.」

Snow drifted in the wind, weighing down the eaves.

Fang Min and Fang Hao strolled up to the courtyard cottage to invite Fang Yang to the Fang Clan Ancestral Hall. They were to discuss the "Hundred Clans Martial Convergence," an event held during the Thunder Festival.

The Hundred Clans Martial Convergence was held once every ten years.

To be specific, on the day of the Thunder Festival, five long paths would appear and remain for one month!

These five long paths corresponded to the five tiers of Mortal Cultivators, from Tier One to Tier Five.

In other words, even if one was a Dao Seed, upon entering the Tier One path, their cultivation level would be suppressed to Tier One Peak.

Each of these long paths was further divided into thirty-six sections, with thirty-six checkpoints in total.

Each checkpoint required a powerful cultivator to act as its guardian.

Those who guarded the checkpoints were known as the Examination Officers of the Hundred Clans Martial Convergence!

Conversely, those who entered the long paths were called Trialists.

As for the Trialists, they would receive different rewards for each checkpoint they passed.

These rewards could be Yuan Stones, Cultivation Techniques, Spirit Plants, and more.

The more checkpoints a Trialist cleared, the more bountiful the rewards!

As for the Examination Officers, they too would receive handsome rewards for guarding their checkpoints and preventing Trialists from passing.

Naturally, the more Trialists an Examination Officer stopped, the better!

It was universally acknowledged that the Examination Officer of the thirty-sixth checkpoint was the strongest expert of their respective tier. As the undisputed champion, they were given the title Marquis of Shiwu.

One special rule was that the Examination Officer of the thirty-sixth checkpoint could be replaced by a Trialist.

If a Marquis of Shiwu at the thirty-sixth checkpoint held their position from the beginning to the end of the event, they would be crowned King.

The First Martial King!

Anyone who earned the title of First Martial King would be allowed to enter the Changkong Clan’s secret treasury and choose one treasure!

"Discuss the Hundred Clans Martial Convergence?"

Fang Yang waved his sleeve. "Alright."

In past years, whenever something happened in the clan, he could only accept the arrangements made for him.

For instance, in the Battle of Xuan-Yu, he had no choice but to passively accept his role.

Now, however, he had the chance to be involved. The Fang Clan elders even had to be mindful of his opinion.

And this was a true reflection of the change in his status and standing.

...

The Fang Clan Ancestral Hall was brightly lit, with coils of incense smoke lingering in the air.

Fang Min and Fang Hao entered the hall first. The crowd of elders merely glanced at them before looking away.

But the moment Fang Yang stepped out of the darkness of the night and into the ancestral hall, the elders, led by Elder De, all rose to their feet to face him.

It was as if Fang Yang was the true pillar of the Fang Clan!

’Had that one Battle of Xuan-Yu truly allowed Fang Yang to prove himself so completely?’

"This..."

Astonishment was written on Fang Min’s and Fang Hao’s faces. They exchanged a look, at a loss for words.

’They knew Fang Yang was formidable, but surely he wasn’t so great that he’d inspire such reverence from all the elders? It hadn’t been this absurd when he first returned. Now, things were getting more and more exaggerated, to the point that it felt surreal.’

If Elder De had known of their confusion, he would have certainly explained that yes, Fang Yang was worthy of their reverence.

As long as the Wenshan Pen remained in Fang Yang’s hands, he could do as he pleased within the Changkong Clan, and even throughout the entire Xuan Domain.

This was the power that came with the recognition of a Great Saint!

"Hm?" Fang Yang narrowed his eyes, not understanding what the group of elders intended.

But he didn’t break his stride, and cautiously followed Elder De’s gesture to take a seat.

Only after he was seated did the other elders take their seats in succession, and the meeting began.

Elder De spoke, "Ah Yang, the Hundred Clans Martial Convergence is about to begin. Do you have any thoughts?"

In an instant, all eyes in the hall focused on Fang Yang.

Fang Yang, however, fixed his gaze on the ball of light from his "Seek Fortune, Avoid Misfortune" ability, which was currently forming text:

[The Thunder Festival is here. For the Hundred Clans Martial Convergence, it is advisable to strive for the top and inadvisable to hide your strength.]

[Upper-Mid Lot: Participate in the Hundred Clans Martial Convergence and become the Tier Three Marquis of Shiwu. You will obtain a Tier Four opportunity with potential for future expansion. Before expansion, there are no risks or negative consequences. Auspicious.]

[Neutral Lot: Do not participate in the Hundred Clans Martial Convergence. There will be minor trouble, but you will emerge unscathed. Nothing gained, nothing lost. Neutral.]

[Lower-Mid Lot: Participate in the Hundred Clans Martial Convergence but perform ordinarily, holding back your true strength. You will be suspected of harboring wolfish ambitions and secretly incur jealousy and hatred. Inauspicious.]

The Hundred Clans Martial Convergence was a tradition of the Changkong Clan.

According to this tradition, each clan and branch had to send five prodigies of different tiers to serve as Examination Officers.

Whether they were selected, and which checkpoint they would guard, was determined through a martial competition. The strongest would prevail.

At that moment, Fang Yang gazed at the fortunes, his eyes slightly narrowed.

The fortunes this time were rather interesting. If he didn’t dominate the other Tier Three cultivators to become the Marquis of Shiwu, his performance would be considered "ordinary."

And performing "ordinarily" would lead others to believe he was intentionally holding back, harboring wolfish ambitions, which would in turn earn him the secret jealousy and hatred of others.

’I see,’ he thought. He understood that ever since he had begun to reveal his true abilities, he had been walking step by step into the eye of a storm.

His association with Sen Hui had led others to believe he had completely sided with the Sen Clan.

In other words, the advice he had once given his cousin Fang Lanxi now applied to him as well.

As a recognized prodigy, he had already been swept into the great struggle between prodigies—a battle of attrition where only the strongest survive, like raising a Poisonous Insect King.

He had to become a Poisonous Insect King like Sen Yue and Sen Wei, and even surpass them!

After a brief analysis, Fang Yang chose the Upper-Mid Lot. He would become the Tier Three Marquis of Shiwu.

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Fang Yang’s expression was calm.

"The title of Tier Three Marquis of Shiwu... it can only be mine."

His voice was soft, but it made everyone’s eyes widen in shock.

Because ever since the great change between heaven and earth, ever since the path of the Great Sun Golden Crow became impassable, no one from the Fang Clan had ever become a Marquis of Shiwu.

Not even Fang Nian, the "Carp Eagle Saint," had ever managed to become a Marquis of Shiwu!