Chapter 97: Chapter 95: The Moon Waxes and Wanes

Silence filled the Profound Mysterious Study.

For the first time in a long while, the four Pavilion Elders stopped reviewing the scriptures and turned their discussion to Fang Yang.

"Fang Yang can’t be kept in the study any longer. What are your thoughts?"

"I recall he’s also a Tier One Alchemy Master..."

"More than that, he used his White Feathered Eagle to dominate the Guan River Festival. His skills in the Slave Path are impressive—he’s practically a Master of the Slave Path, heh."

"In that case, let’s have him assist Chang Ruhui with the million-strong wolf pack."

Chang Ruhui, a true Master of the Slave Path.

He was an expert at commanding wolf packs. Legend said he could simultaneously control a million wolves, arranging them into battle formations.

Although he wasn’t a Dao Seed, his power was still terrifying.

If Sen Yue hadn’t burst onto the scene, he very likely would have helped Chen Kui unite the Changkong Race and become its monarch.

It was worth mentioning that this Chen Kui was the biological sister of Chen Ying, and also a Dao Seed.

She was the very woman who, on the eve of the Enlightenment Ceremony, had stopped Chen Ying from gifting the Fire Eagle Essence, a Spiritual Object, to Fang Yang!

And so, with the four Pavilion Elders’ decision, Fang Yang’s future was set.

In seven days, Fang Yang would travel to the Taihang Mountains to assist Chang Ruhui, the Master of the Slave Path, in caring for the million-strong wolf pack.

「The Taihang Mountains.」

The howls of wolves echoed through the military camp.

By now, everyone knew that the Minghai Race would be the main target of Sen Yue’s army in the next offensive.

Thanks to Sen Yue’s overwhelming power and the combined forces of the Changkong and Dongfang Races, the prevailing opinion was that the coming war against the Minghai Race would be a swift and crushing victory.

The battle merits were practically there for the taking. It was bound to be a completely one-sided fight!

For example, Li Yang, Cheng Ningjin, and others who had recently been defeated by Fang Yang planned to throw themselves back into the war, hoping to grow stronger and catch up to him.

’Fang Yang, I can lose a thousand times, but you only need to lose once to have your name and reputation utterly destroyed!’

Even Chang Ruhui, the Master of the Slave Path stationed far in the rear, was trying to figure out how he could get back on the battlefield and pick up some easy battle merits.

’They want me to station Fang Yang, this so-called "Executor," in the Taihang Mountains? Isn’t that ridiculous? What can a little kid do?’ Chang Ruhui was a towering man, standing nine feet tall.

Having just received an urgent, confidential report, he couldn’t help but frown.

After a moment’s thought, he set the matter aside.

He turned back to his research, considering which wolf packs would be best to mobilize for the coming war.

The territory of the Minghai Race was almost entirely open ocean.

Conventional, land-based packs, such as the Vermilion Flame Wolves, would certainly be unsuitable for the next great war.

Master of the Slave Path, powerful general, former Dao Seed...

Throughout Sen Yue’s army, all the powerful experts were brimming with confidence.

Most of them were preparing to earn outstanding battle merits for themselves while conquering the Minghai Race.

It wasn’t just them; even Fang Yang was eagerly awaiting the start of the war, hoping that the Thunder Carp Essence, a Spiritual Object, would be posted in the battle merits encampment!

But just as Sen Yue’s army was sharpening its weapons and preparing for battle, a monarch finally appeared among the distant Minghai Race, one who had united the entire people.

This was a stark contrast to the initial, leaderless state of the Dongfang Race.

It was unknown whether the appearance of this Minghai Monarch was a result of Sen Yue deliberately allowing it to happen.

But one thing was certain: the next great war would not be nearly as simple as most people thought!

...

「Seven days later.」

The Commander’s Main Camp, Taihang Mountains.

Chang Ruhui sat on the main seat, looking at Fang Yang with a burgeoning headache.

He was a traditional son of the Golden Clan who followed the ways of the old school, valuing brawny masculinity, self-reliance, and taking what you wanted by force.

To a certain extent, he looked down on pretty boys like Fang Yang, who relied on connections like Sen Hui.

However, given the cautionary tale of Sen You, he had no choice but to treat Fang Yang with at least some respect.

At that moment, Chang Ruhui’s thoughts raced, flashing through his mind:

’This "Executor" title is at least a third-rank official position, just one rank below my own.’

’But he’s too young. Even if he’s as capable as the confidential letter claims, I can’t bear to let him take care of the Black Wing Wolf pack or any of my other valuable packs.’

’Wait, I’ve got it. I’ll just let the kid manage the Vermilion Flame Wolf pack, a clan of a thousand wolves.’

’However, I’ll have to move the Vermilion Flame Wolf Thousand Beasts King and the Hundred Beasts King out of there. I’ll leave a subordinate chieftain behind.’

’That way, even if the kid messes up and ruins all the remaining Vermilion Flame Wolves, I won’t be too heartbroken.’

’...’

Even with Fang Yang’s various impressive accomplishments to his name, the sight of his fair, beardless, and youthful face naturally diminished Chang Ruhui’s trust in him by a good measure.

With a cough, Chang Ruhui drew Fang Yang’s attention.

Then, Chang Ruhui looked at Fang Yang and spoke in a mild tone:

"Since the Pavilion Elders sent you here personally, I naturally have faith in your abilities.

However, the winds of war are gathering, and a great battle seems imminent. My ambition is to achieve great things on the battlefield, and I have other pressing matters to attend to.

Therefore, I cannot allow you to choose a pack at will. Please don’t take offense.

In short, your task is to take care of the nearly one thousand Vermilion Flame Wolves on Luoyun Mountain.

Don’t feel pressured. Just do your best.

Besides, there are already people on Luoyun Mountain taking care of them. You just need to oversee everything..."

Fang Yang listened quietly, not saying a word.

In truth, he had already seen through Chang Ruhui’s intentions.

But this was only natural. No one would be willing to rashly hand over their assets—even a tiny fraction—to an inexperienced youth with no hair on his chin.

Just then, a ball of light suddenly flashed in Fang Yang’s mind, and words materialized:

War is coming. The tide is in our favor, and all rejoice, vying to be first. Yet the moon waxes and wanes, and fortune and disaster are difficult to foretell.

Then, two possible fortunes appeared:

[Upper-Middle Fortune: Go to Luoyun Mountain and cultivate in seclusion. Step outside the coming storm and wait until the moon is full and flawless. You may obtain a Tier Three opportunity. Auspicious.]

[Lower-Middle Fortune: Unwilling to be idle, step into the storm. You will obtain a Tier Two opportunity, but the war is perilous. You will be caught in a maelstrom, beset by hidden dangers. Inauspicious.]

Fang Yang stared at the fortunes, his pupils contracting slightly.

Judging from the first part of the prophecy, war was indeed about to begin.

The tide was indeed in their favor, which was why everyone was so eager to be first, wanting to obtain as many battle merits as possible in the campaign against the Minghai Race.

But then came the part about "the moon waxes and wanes, and fortune and disaster are difficult to foretell"!

Combining that with the words of the Lower-Middle Fortune, Fang Yang instantly understood. ’The Minghai Race is probably a tough nut to crack. The war won’t progress as smoothly as most people think.’

In that instant, Fang Yang couldn’t help but worry about his White Feathered Eagle and Uncle Qi, and about the entire White Feathered Eagle tribe.

Fortunately, the great war against the Minghai Race had not yet begun; it was still brewing.

"Rest assured, Master Chang. I will focus on my duties and my cultivation. I will not interfere with your grand ambitions," Fang Yang replied.

Chang Ruhui had indeed assigned Fang Yang the task of caring for the Vermilion Flame Wolf pack.

But based on Chang Ruhui’s attitude, Fang Yang didn’t pay the pack much mind.

Even if the entire pack of Vermilion Flame Wolves died, he probably wouldn’t be punished severely.

However, given the circumstances, Fang Yang felt he should at least try to ensure the pack wasn’t completely wiped out.

If they really did all die, then the people on Luoyun Mountain who were originally managing the Vermilion Flame Wolves would just have to take the blame.

He was determined to be a man who never let the blame stick to him!

If something went wrong and it wasn’t his fault, he would use every trick in the book to pin the blame on someone else—even Sen Yue herself.

...

「Night.」

All was silent.

A magnificent palace was brightly lit.

Several young disciples of the Sen family were gathered here, discussing important matters.

"The Pavilion Elders have banished Fang Yang to the Taihang Mountains."

"Heh, looks like he won’t be able to join the front lines and quickly rack up battle merits this time."

"Damn it! He actually managed to escape this disaster!"

"He was sent to the rear? That’s a shame. I was hoping to get some revenge for Prince You."

"Hmph, he can run, but his assets can’t. That White Feathered Eagle tribe, and especially that White Feathered Eagle itself, can’t be let off so easily..."

The group chattered among themselves, letting out sinister laughs from time to time.

Among them, Sen Seming was the most sinister and cruel.

He was the one who first proposed targeting the White Feathered Eagle tribe and the White Feathered Eagle itself!

Sen Seming was currently a Tier Three Peak Cultivator of the Transformation Path.

He possessed a B-grade Spirit Body, the Roaring Lion Spirit Body.

His mastery of the Sound Roar Skill was terrifyingly powerful and perfectly suited for dealing with avian Fierce Beasts.

During the coming war, Sen Seming and his cronies planned to fish in troubled waters and stab Fang Yang in the back.

They would ensure that, unlike Sen You’s attempt, no one would detect their foul play and draw the ire of their superiors.

The White Feathered Eagle and its tribe were as good as theirs!