The contrast was too stark for anyone not to take notice.
Even Fang Yuan's ordinary appearance had earned praise from Wei Yang when he first appeared. Bai Ning Bing's beauty, on the other hand, was absolutely stunning.
Soon after, Bai Ning Bing also received a Zi Jing Token.
During the family banquet, everyone clinked glasses and made merry on the surface, but underneath, undercurrents ran deep.
In large clans, the young masters were always locked in open strife and veiled struggles. It was because large clans had the foundational strength to withstand their squabbles.
Ordinary families, like Gu Yue Village and Bai Family Village, focused on grooming a single successor. It wasn't a fertility issue; they actively avoided the internal conflicts among heirs that could lead to the clan's decline.
Fang Yuan showed a warm and straightforward side. These young masters were the local powers in Shang Liang Shan, and befriending them would be highly beneficial for his life there over the next two or three years.
He frankly spoke about his past, admitting that he was once the young clan leader of the Gu Yue clan. Bai Ning Bing's status was similar.
Instantly, the distance between him and the group of young masters shrank.
During the feast, someone naturally asked about the reason Qing Mao Mountain had become a frozen wasteland, but Fang Yuan did not explain.
He merely said the past was too painful to recall, putting on a pained expression. Now that he had the Zi Jing Token in his possession, no one dared to press him.
Some young masters took the initiative to toast Bai Ning Bing, but she remained indifferent, continuing to act as she pleased.
If it had been before, the young masters would have surely been secretly furious. But now that Bai Ning Bing had revealed her true appearance, many found it impossible to be angry with her.
They only felt that this girl was as beautiful as a celestial maiden, an ice goddess, and this personality of hers perfectly matched her aura.
The family banquet lasted another half hour before it ended.
"Can I still call you Brother Heitu?" As they were parting ways, Shang Xin Ci's beautiful eyes sparkled as she stared at Fang Yuan.
"You can call me whatever you like," Fang Yuan said with a gentle smile.
Shang Xin Ci blinked and said softly, "I'm happy that Brother Heitu's injuries have healed, but it still feels like there's some distance between us. Brother Heitu now has the Zi Jing Token, so you can freely enter the second inner city. Are you staying at Nan Qiu Yuan?"
Shang Xin Ci's words were rambling. Deep down, she felt very close to Fang Yuan. There was so much she wanted to say.
In this unfamiliar environment, people instinctively seek a sense of security from those they know.
Fang Yuan understood her psychological state and volunteered, "I'm staying at Nan Qiu Yuan. Feel free to come by if you have time. Shang Clan City is huge; we can explore it together."
Shang Xin Ci's eyes lit up immediately, and she nodded happily.
Xiao Die was also on the side, shouting happily, "I've been cooped up at home these past few days; I'm almost bored to death!"
Fang Yuan had now returned to his original appearance, and Xiao Die didn't find it scary anymore when she looked at him.
Afterwards, Shang Yan Fei led Shang Xin Ci away first.
Without their presence, the young masters felt less restrained, and their true colors began to show.
Many people extended invitations to Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing. Fang Yuan didn't refuse, simply saying he would be sure to visit when he had the time.
These were all just polite formalities.
After the gathering completely dispersed, the two returned to Nan Qiu Yuan.
"You're feeling pretty pleased with yourself, aren't you?" Bai Ning Bing took the initiative to approach Fang Yuan, a cold sneer in her voice.
"Pleased with what?"
"Hmph, you know perfectly well what I'm talking about. Do I really have to spell it out? We're in Shang Clan City. Some things are better left unsaid. Saying them does no one any good."
Fang Yuan smiled but said nothing.
Bai Ning Bing stared intently at Fang Yuan. "I have to admit, I underestimated you. Very clever. Even though I want to tear you limb from limb, I have to respect your methods."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "Let's not play games. What exactly do I have to do to get you to give me the Yang Gu?"
"Heh." Fang Yuan chuckled softly. Bai Ning Bing coming to him on her own already showed she was flustered. The matter with Shang Xin Ci must have hit her hard. This was undoubtedly an opportunity.
Since she wanted to lay her cards on the table, he would do just that.
"We're both smart people," Fang Yuan said. "If our positions were reversed, what would you do?"
Bai Ning Bing immediately let out a cold snort, her eyes narrowing into slits, as sharp as knives. "I'm warning you, don't push me too far! Worse comes to worst, we'll both go down fighting. Let's see who comes out on top!"
Fang Yuan burst into laughter. "You're not wrong. I've been thinking it over these past few days. We both hold leverage over each other. In this situation, why should we fight and let a third party profit?"
Bai Ning Bing remained silent.
"How about this," Fang Yuan continued. "You act as my bodyguard until I reach the peak of Rank Five, and I'll return the Yang Gu to you."
"Bah!" Bai Ning Bing curled her lip and then sneered. "Do you take me for a fool like Shang Yazhi? Peak of Rank Five? You've got some nerve to even suggest it!"
It was agreed upon as Rank Three before. This bastard Fang Yuan was indeed going back on his word!
Although Bai Ning Bing had braced herself for this, seeing Fang Yuan's "shameless" smile made a belly full of anger surge within her.
"Bai Ning Bing, don't be ungrateful. I saved your life. Without me using the Yin Gu on you, your soul would have returned to Qing Mao Mountain long ago." Fang Yuan's expression darkened.
Bai Ning Bing refused to back down, immediately retorting, "Hmph! If I hadn't stopped Gu Yue Yi Dai back then, you would have died before me!"