「One month later.」

In the Ten Thousand Mountains, a mystical realm within the Thunder Saint Academy, a great flood erupted, suspected to have been caused by a Flood Dragon on the move.

In an instant, the vast mountain range transformed into a boundless ocean.

Because of this, the Thunder Saint Academy issued a series of corresponding assessment missions, available for the Celestial, Earthly, and Human rankings.

Under these circumstances, Xuezhi, Qing Mang, Nanyu, Mo Ran, and Lin Tianxue accepted a group assessment mission together.

They were responsible for suppressing a Water Eye to prevent the current from surging out of control.

If they successfully completed this assessment mission, they would be rewarded with a period of free cultivation time.

"First Innate Technique—Overwhelming Gale!"

Nanyu, wielding a snow-white longsword, brought it down in a fierce, overhead slash.

BOOM! A gale erupted from beneath her blade.

The gale grew larger mid-flight, forming a small tornado that churned the water ahead, scattering it and carving out a large, empty hole.

But in the blink of an eye, water rushed madly back into the empty hole, filling it instantly.

Nanyu’s efforts had been all for naught!

The techniques cast by Mo Ran, Lin Tianxue, and the others were also mercilessly swallowed by the immense waves.

Again and again, day after day.

The string of failures cast a heavy gloom over the small group.

At this rate, they were highly likely to fail the mission, to say nothing of getting their revenge on Black Tower City and Muri Guanglong.

「Fifteen minutes later.」

The group gathered on a mountain peak to rest for a short while.

Nanyu lowered her gaze. Looking at the water that was now within arm’s reach, she couldn’t help but sigh.

She said, "Sigh... at this rate, we’re really going to fail. I want to invite Fang Yang to help us. His age happens to meet the mission requirements, too."

At her words, Qing Mang, Lin Tianxue, and the others exchanged glances.

In the end, all their gazes fell upon Xuezhi.

Xuezhi understood what everyone was thinking. Her expression remained unchanged as she said, "I also think we need to invite Fang Yang to help. But what price are we prepared to offer?"

Hearing this, Mo Ran gritted his teeth. "A Tier Five Spiritual Object if we succeed, and a Tier Four Spiritual Object if we fail."

Hiss...

The others were stunned into silence.

But upon further reflection, they suddenly realized that with Fang Yang’s current status, it would likely take such a precious Spiritual Object just to get his attention.

Besides, whether Fang Yang would even agree to come was another matter entirely!

...

Wind Peng Dojo.

Frost White Stone House.

At this moment, Fang Yang was hunched over his desk, reviewing a data ledger.

The candlelight flickered as his ink brush moved.

After a period of reviewing and making notes, Fang Yang nodded in satisfaction.

The White Feathered Eagles were indeed developing as expected, not held back by their species’ limitations.

He knew Lu Yao was responsible for this, working to expand the White Feathered Eagle’s Bronze Tribe.

Of course, he was even more aware of what Sen Hui had done for him.

Fang Yang understood many things in his heart.

And he would act accordingly to repay Sen Hui.

As time passed, he had long since realized that their lives were becoming increasingly intertwined.

In other words, they would likely rise and fall together.

However, he didn’t feel much resistance to the idea. He had already decided to temporarily take shelter under the great tree that was the Sen family.

Had not even Ming Taizu, Zhu Yuanzhang, needed to take an adoptive father and marry Empress Ma before he became a true dragon among men?

Moreover, Empress Ma’s existence had greatly aided Ming Taizu in his grand cause of unification.

With such a brilliant example before him, Fang Yang naturally knew how to handle his relationship with Sen Hui.

"The data is all normal. Not bad." Fang Yang chuckled and nodded.

Then, he put down his paper and brush, walked out of the Frost White Stone House, and arrived at the Wind Peng Dojo’s training grounds.

On the vast training grounds, Fang Yang continued to practice the *Yimu Divine Thunder Skill Department*.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ...

Before long, dark clouds drifted across the sky one after another, with flashes of lightning faintly visible within.

During this process, the Yimu Sacred Spear glowed faintly, as if responding to the dark clouds in the heavens.

Meanwhile, Fang Yang, sitting cross-legged on the ground with his eyes closed, had immersed his consciousness into his Void Acupoint True Essence Sea.

When he saw that the Cyan Thunder Rune Seed within the Yimu Sacred Spear was still in seed form, he fell into deep thought.

’To restore the Yimu Sacred Spear to a Tier Seven Sacred Artifact, I must transform the Cyan Thunder Rune Seed into a Cyan Thunder Talisman Tree.’

And the *Yimu Divine Thunder Skill Department* was the most effective way to do it!

’The Yimu Sacred Spear, this Sacred Artifact, has barely changed at all, yet my Sea of Thunder technique has improved greatly. I suppose that’s an unexpected gain?’

Staring at the Thunder Cauldron, Fang Yang couldn’t help but laugh wryly.

The Sea of Thunder technique involved two sides of lightning, light and dark, embodying the concept of dualistic evolution.

Previously, the lightning within his Thunder Cauldron had gathered to the scale of a small stream.

Now, however, it had grown from a stream to a river, and was even on its way to becoming a vast ocean!

His feelings were complicated as he thought of this.

Immediately, he pushed aside his extraneous thoughts and continued to condense the lightning, resuming his secluded cultivation.

The process of cultivation was, by its nature, rather dull.

Various Spiritual Objects acted as aids, as catalysts.

It was best if one could refine a Spiritual Object every day. If not, one had to suppress their thoughts and cultivate in silence.

After all, once one reached the Saint realm, it was impossible to have a daily supply of Sacred Materials.

「Three days later.」

A letter arrived in Fang Yang’s hands.

"Mo Ran... Flood Dragon on the move... flood covering the Ten Thousand Mountains... assessment mission..."

He lowered his eyes, silently reviewing the letter.

The letter was from Dongfang Moran, inviting him to come out of seclusion and help them complete their assessment mission to suppress the Water Eye.

If they succeeded, he would be given a Tier Five Spiritual Object. If they failed, he would still receive a Tier Four Spiritual Object as a baseline reward.

Regardless of success or failure, as long as he showed up, he would get a Spiritual Object.

Just as Fang Yang was pondering this, the ball of light in his mind flickered and formed words:

[A Flood Dragon moves, a choice between internal and external. Fortune and disaster lie hidden. It is best to lie in wait, not to struggle forcefully.]

[Mid-Upper Lot: Emerge to assist with the assessment mission. When the dragon’s blood stains the great sun black, a Tier Six opportunity can be obtained at Phoenix Peak. No risk, but karmic entanglement requires caution in the future. Greatly auspicious.]

[Mid-Mid Lot: Do not emerge to assist. Remain at the dojo and observe from the sidelines. No risk, and no reward. Neutral.]

[Mid-Lower Lot: Emerge to assist with the assessment mission. When the dragon’s blood stains the great sun black, a Tier Six opportunity might be obtained at Celestial Dragon Peak. However, heroes will contend, dangers lurk everywhere, death is at every step, and you must risk it all to fight. The outcome is uncertain. Inauspicious.]

At this moment, Fang Yang stared at the fortunes from the ball of light, his thoughts racing.

He quickly made up his mind. He would emerge and help Mo Ran’s group complete their assessment mission.

After that, he would head to Phoenix Peak and lie in wait for that Tier Six opportunity.

The allure of a Tier Six opportunity was too great for him to refuse.

’But the Mid-Lower Lot also mentions a Tier Six opportunity, and it says it’s dangerous even for me. Sister Min definitely can’t go.’

’Uncle Haozhi? Clan Uncle Haozhi’s strength is a bit lacking, too. He’s not even on the Celestial Ranking.’

’So, should I share this information with Sen Wei?’

’If I do share it, how would I explain where the information came from?’

As he thought of this, Fang Yang’s gaze turned toward the Qinglian Dojo, a glimmer in his eyes.