"You say that Fang Yuan extorted the students this time? Although he defeated Fang Zheng, Chi Cheng, and Mo Bei, he let them go and didn't take their yuan stones?" Hearing the guard's report, the academy elder showed a slightly surprised expression.
"I wouldn't dare lie to you, sir. That is exactly what happened," the kneeling guard immediately replied.
"Mm." The academy elder neither confirmed nor denied, waving his hand. "I understand. You may leave."
"I take my leave."
After the guard left, the academy elder fell into deep thought.
Originally, he had been concerned about this matter because he was worried that Fang Zheng would receive a reward of thirty yuan stones, only to have Fang Yuan extort them from him. If that happened, the academy's yuan stone reward would be meaningless; they might as well just give them all to Fang Yuan.
Section 73: The Mysterious Red Circle Mark. If Fang Yuan really did that, it would be absolutely unacceptable to the academy. The academy elder had already prepared to severely punish Fang Yuan.
But what he didn't expect was that Fang Yuan not only didn't go after the thirty yuan stones this time, but also voluntarily let Mo Bei, Chi Cheng, and Fang Zheng go.
"Fang Yuan has hundreds of yuan stones on him; perhaps he doesn't care about these thirty. That's understandable. But why would he actively give up extorting Mo Bei, Chi Cheng, and Fang Zheng?"
The academy elder pondered, his furrowed brow gradually relaxing.
He was beginning to understand.
Mo Bei, Chi Cheng, and Fang Zheng – these three could be said to represent the three major factions of the clan. The meaning of Fang Yuan letting them go was clear: he was proactively reaching out to these three factions. This could also be interpreted as a shift in Fang Yuan's mentality, a signal that he wanted to bow to the clan.
"It's understandable. As he continues to cultivate, even with the alcohol bug, Fang Yuan must be more acutely aware of his C-grade talent's limitations. After causing a fuss a few times and venting most of his dissatisfaction and resentment, he is probably feeling quite dejected and depressed now."
"It seems the clan leader was right. After all, Fang Yuan is just a Section 73: The Mysterious Red Circle Mark fifteen-year-old youth. How can he challenge the clan's system? He has now begun to accept reality; when he finds his place, integrating into the clan is inevitable."
Thinking this, the academy elder let out a sigh of relief and couldn't help but feel pleased.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Soon, the mid-year assessment arrived.
"Quick, quick! I've lured the wild boar!" a youth shouted in panic as he ran.
On each of his calves was a circle of pale green whirlwind. These two whirlwinds gave him, young as he was, speed beyond that of ordinary mortals.
However, the wild boar charging behind him was speeding up and getting closer.
The blazing sun shone through the trees, illuminating the boar's two tusks so they gleamed white.
"The boar's coming! Pull the rope tight!" The four youths lying in ambush suddenly yanked the thick hemp rope hidden in the grass, instantly forming a tripwire.
The running youth lightly leaped over the tripwire and continued running.
But the boar that followed was solidly tripped, falling hard on the ground and sliding five or six meters.
"Ouch!" The four youths were also pulled by the rope and fell to the ground like the boar.
"Charge!" The youth who had been running ahead had turned back and shouted.