Chapter 10
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Chapter 10: You Are Your Own Backbone!
Destroy the Fang family!
Xiao Feng hurriedly shook his head, “Grand Elder, we cannot be rash about this matter. Although the Fang family has declined over the years, they still have some connections. Moreover, the higher-ups surely still remember the contributions that Fang Yu, the Fang family ancestor, made to the Guanxuan Universe. Therefore, everyone has allowed the Fang family to gradually decline, and even actively marginalized them, but if we were to truly destroy them, I’m afraid…”
Xiao Qun asked with a gloomy face, “But what if the Fang family insists on supporting that bastard?”
Xiao Feng narrowed his eyes, “Then they would be seeking their own destruction.”
Xiao Qun nodded, “Anyway, we need to prepare for the worst. I’ll go negotiate first, and if negotiations fail, then we fight.”
With that, he got up and left.
Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy.
The Guanxuan Hall was completely surrounded by the Guanxuan Guards. Not only that, but nearly a thousand Qingzhou Boundary Guardians were also protecting the skies above the entire Guanxuan Academy.
For them, regardless of what grudges Ye Tianming had with any family, he couldn’t die now. Because if Ye Tianming were to die now, all of them would be immediately dismissed and held accountable for life.
They couldn’t bear such responsibility.
Inside the Guanxuan Hall.
Ye Tianming and Fang Xiao sat facing each other. Fang Xiao looked at Ye Tianming with curiosity in his eyes, as he hadn’t expected this young man to successfully navigate the Guanxuan Path.
Ye Tianming asked, “Elder Fang, how will this matter be resolved in the end?”
Fang Xiao said, “I know you’re worried, but don’t overthink it. Qingzhou has entered a self-investigation process, and those who have broken the law won’t escape.”
Ye Tianming, however, was still concerned.
Seeing the worry in Ye Tianming’s eyes, Fang Xiao’s smile gradually disappeared, “Young man, you mean…”
Ye Tianming said, “Elder, can you tell me about this Xiao family?”
His biggest problem now was that he knew too little about these prominent families and sects above him. Having too little information would affect his judgment.
Fang Xiao said solemnly, “The Xiao family ancestors once had a close relationship with the Guanxuan Sword Master. After the establishment of the Guanxuan Universe, the Xiao family gained many implicit benefits because of this relationship… Of course, the Xiao family ancestors were very good and made many contributions during the early days of the Guanxuan Universe. But as the older generation disappeared and the new generation took over, the world gradually changed.”
Ye Tianming asked curiously, “Elder, if the Xiao family has such connections, why haven’t they become a first-class family?”
Fang Xiao smiled, “Becoming a first-class family isn’t that simple. You should know that when my Fang family ancestor was alive, he had considerable power, but we still weren’t a first-class family.”
Ye Tianming was puzzled, “Why is that?”
Fang Xiao explained, “To become a first-class family, you must have sufficient strength. For example, does the family have top-tier Circle-Breaking realm experts? But in the entire Guanxuan Universe, let alone top-tier Circle-Breaking realm experts, even those who reach the Circle-Breaking realm are actually very, very rare. Or, someone in the family has immense power in the Guanxuan Universe, such as the Chief Minister of the Inner Cabinet, the Master of the Literary Academy, an Elder of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, and so on…”
Ye Tianming said softly, “I understand.”
Fang Xiao continued, “Although the Xiao family is a second-class family, they have extensive connections and are related by marriage to many families in the Guanxuan realm.”
As he said this, his brow furrowed deeply.
Ye Tianming said, “The Xiao family certainly won’t sit idly by. They will definitely use all their relationships and connections to resolve this matter.”
“Impossible!”
Fang Xiao immediately said, “They cannot resolve this matter. The Guanxuan Path was created by the Guanxuan Sword Master to prevent great injustices from occurring in the academy. Neither the Outer Cabinet nor the Inner Cabinet would dare to not take this matter seriously.”
Ye Tianming said, “They naturally wouldn’t dare to confront the Outer and Inner Cabinets, and they can’t resolve issues with them, but they can resolve me.”
Fang Xiao was slightly stunned, then angrily said, “Do they dare to kill you?”
Ye Tianming said, “They don’t dare to kill me now, but they have many ways to threaten me. For instance, I have family, right? As long as I don’t say that the Xiao family tried to take my spot, can the Guanxuan realm deal with the Xiao family then?”
Fang Xiao’s expression turned grim.
Ye Tianming continued, “They not only want to resolve me but should also want to resolve you, Elder.”
Fang Xiao looked at Ye Tianming, “Because I’m helping you?”
Ye Tianming nodded, “Currently, their biggest problem isn’t me, but you, Elder. Because as long as the Fang family no longer supports me, they can manipulate me at will. But if the Fang family firmly supports me in this matter, then this issue cannot be resolved. Therefore, they need to deal with you first, or even your entire Fang family…”
As he said this, he suddenly stopped and looked at Fang Xiao. Seeing Fang Xiao’s very calm expression, he was first stunned, then said, “Elder has actually already thought of this.”
Only now did he realize that the elder before him was actually quite astute beneath his rough exterior.
Fang Xiao looked at him meaningfully, “It’s not surprising that I could think of this. What surprises me is that at such a young age, your thoughts are so deep… You don’t seem like a sixteen-year-old youth.”
Ye Tianming shook his head slightly, “I just happened to read more books, so I tend to think more deeply about things.”
Fang Xiao nodded and sighed, “Reading is good!”
As he spoke, he slowly stood up and turned to look outside the hall, “The Xiao family and that Elder Yu won’t sit idly by. Those elders who are helping the Xiao family compete for your special recruitment spot won’t sit idly by either. They will now band tightly together to find ways to deal with you, or rather, to deal with my Fang family.”
Ye Tianming remained silent.
Fang Xiao turned to look at Ye Tianming and said, “Young man, what do you think they will do next?”
Ye Tianming said, “If I were them, I would first pressure the Fang family to remove you, Elder, and then send someone to talk to me alone.”
“Talk?”
Fang Xiao sneered, “You mean directly threaten you, right?”
Ye Tianming remained silent.
Just as Fang Xiao was about to speak, the young man called Fang Lian suddenly walked quickly into the hall. Fang Lian approached Fang Xiao and said in a low voice, “Second Uncle, the clan leader wants you to return to the clan immediately… immediately.”
Fang Xiao laughed and looked at Ye Tianming, “Young man, your guess is quite accurate.”
Ye Tianming bowed slightly to Fang Xiao, “Elder, let me handle this matter myself from now on.”
He really didn’t want to implicate this elder anymore. The other party was a decent person, and if he continued to manage his affairs, the outcome would certainly not be good.
Fang Xiao looked at Ye Tianming, “How will you handle it?”
Ye Tianming remained silent.
Fang Xiao continued, “You know very well that if they threaten you, you have no other choice, just as you said, you still have family. And you know even more clearly that once this matter passes, the Xiao family and Elder Yu won’t let you go, and at that time, they can manipulate you at will. For you right now, no matter which way you go, it’s a dead end.”
Ye Tianming smiled bitterly, “There’s no way around it. The world is so dark, I can only accept my fate.”
Fang Xiao said, “There is still a way.”
Ye Tianming looked at Fang Xiao, who stared at him, “The Xiao family is powerful and has many connections, but they cannot cover the sky with one hand in the Guanxuan realm. The only way now is to have the Inspection Bureau intervene, to have an Inspector come to your side. Only they can stand up to the Xiao family.”
Ye Tianming shook his head, “I don’t even know which way the door to the Inspection Bureau opens.”
Fang Xiao said, “I know.”
Ye Tianming was shocked, “Elder…”
Fang Lian hurriedly said, “Second Uncle, the clan leader wants you to return quickly. This matter, our Fang family…”
Fang Xiao raised his hand to stop Fang Lian. He stared at Ye Tianming, “I’ve already written a confidential memorial about your situation. When I came in here just now, I had someone deliver it to the Inspection Bureau. When someone appeals to them, they must handle it. This was personally stipulated by the Guanxuan Sword Master back then. Regarding the Inspection Bureau, you can rest assured, they won’t collude with the Xiao family, absolutely not.”
Ye Tianming asked, “What if they also collude?”
Fang Xiao said softly, “Then our Guanxuan Universe… truly has no hope left.”
Ye Tianming looked at Fang Xiao and said tremblingly, “Elder, you and I are strangers. Is doing all this… worth it?”
Both he and Fang Xiao knew that by doing this, Fang Xiao was completely offending the Xiao family and the Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy’s Council of Elders.
Fang Xiao would not have a good outcome.
Fang Xiao smiled, “My Fang family ancestor was originally just a son from an ordinary family, but later, by coincidence, he met the Guanxuan Sword Master. From then on, my Fang family rose to prominence, with everyone benefiting. Because of the Guanxuan Sword Master, we have enjoyed many resources in this universe, which actually makes us feel guilty. If we don’t act with a ‘clear conscience,’ how can my Fang family face our ancestors, face the Guanxuan Sword Master, face the people of this world?”
As he spoke, he looked at Ye Tianming, “Young man, don’t feel guilty. I’m doing this not because you’re Ye Tianming. I would do the same for anyone else.”
With that, he turned and left. But when he reached the door, he suddenly stopped again, “Young man, in our Guanxuan Universe, without a backer, your future days will be difficult. You now have talent and a future, and you will have many opportunities. If you encounter such opportunities, don’t miss them. You must have someone above protecting you, so that you can go further… This is the way our world is now.”
With that, he quickly disappeared at the entrance of the great hall with Fang Lian.
In the hall, only Ye Tianming remained.
A backer?
Ye Tianming smiled self-mockingly and thought, “Tower Ancestor, do I have a backer?”
The small tower said meaningfully, “Your backer is yourself.”
Ye Tianming fell silent. He had originally hoped to rely on this Tower Ancestor, but now it seemed there was no chance.
Not long after Fang Xiao left, an old man walked into the Guanxuan Hall. The old man wore a benevolent smile, “Young Master Ye, we know about your situation. Actually, this is just a misunderstanding!”
Small Tower: “…”
“A misunderstanding?”
Ye Tianming looked at the old man before him and smiled, “May I ask who you are, Elder?”
The old man smiled, “I am the Vice Principal of the academy.”
Ye Tianming said, “Oh…”
The old man sighed softly, “Young Master Ye, we have already investigated the ins and outs of this matter, and it is indeed a huge misunderstanding. According to our knowledge, the Xiao family originally wanted to exchange twenty ‘Divine Tribulation Pills’ and two hundred thousand spirit crystals for your special recruitment spot, but Xiao Nu remembered incorrectly and said ‘Qi-Inducing Pills’… Ah, it’s all a misunderstanding.”
Divine Tribulation Pills!
Those were heavenly-grade pills that could help people pass tribulations and reach the Great Tribulation Realm. Their value far exceeded that of ‘Qi-Inducing Pills’.
Ye Tianming looked at the old man, “Do you think I’m stupid?”
The smile disappeared from the old man’s face, “Young Master Ye, your path is still long. Making too many enemies now is not a good thing. I’m saying this for your own good…”
Ye Tianming looked directly at the old man, “If I don’t pursue this matter, will the Xiao family leave me alone in the future?”
The old man was somewhat surprised. Damn, this guy wasn’t easy to fool.
Ye Tianming stared intently at the old man, “I demand severe punishment for the Xiao family and all related personnel.”
The old man’s face immediately turned cold, “Young Master Ye, the Xiao family is now willing to humble themselves and offer you a toast, but if you fail to see reality and think you can do whatever you want, then you…”
Ye Tianming suddenly drew his sword and placed it across his own neck. The sword cut half an inch deep, and fresh blood flowed. He stared at the old man, “If I cannot get justice, I will die right here in this Guanxuan Hall!”
“Young Master Ye!”
The Guanxuan Guard Commander Zhou Qing rushed in. His face was pale as he exclaimed in horror, “Young Master Ye, please don’t be impulsive. Rest assured, I guarantee with my life that no one can threaten you…”