Volume One, Chapter 14: Cast Out from Home

Leiyuan’s right arm throbbed with unbearable pain, yet he knew it was not injured. Clearly, his opponent’s control over strength had reached an extraordinary level.

Leiyuan forced himself to stand, his gaze steady and cold as he locked onto Fang Tao’s face, his voice low and firm. “Who are you? Why are you here?”

Fang Tao looked puzzled. “This isn’t some secret base—why shouldn’t I be here?”

Leiyuan widened his eyes, staring intently at Fang Tao, ready for any sudden attack.

At that moment, the elder Lei Ting’s eyes flickered. He gave Fang Tao a slight nod, stepped forward, and spoke kindly, “I am Lei Ting. May I know your name, young friend?”

“Fang Tao,” he replied simply.

Though caught off guard by the unprovoked assault, seeing Lei Ting’s distinguished demeanor and sincere attitude gradually extinguished the fire of anger in Fang Tao’s heart.

“Leiyuan was rude just now. I apologize on his behalf,” Lei Ting said with a deep bow, his face full of earnestness.

“Grandfather, you…” Leiyuan began, but hesitated, as if wanting to say something.

“Silence!” Lei Ting interrupted sternly.

Fang Tao smiled faintly. “It’s nothing. He didn’t hurt me.”

With that, he turned to leave.

“Please wait!” Lei Ting called out hastily.

Fang Tao had just taken a step when Lei Ting stopped him, quickly approaching with a hopeful expression. “Is there something else, young friend?”

From his chest, Lei Ting produced a golden card and respectfully handed it to Fang Tao. “Would you be willing to make a friend?”

There was a trace of entreaty in his tone.

Leiyuan and Lei Jingyao were dumbfounded. They had never seen their grandfather so humbly beseech a young man for friendship.

In Chunan Province, the Lei family shone like a brilliant star. Many noble families coveted ties with them.

“Make a friend?” Fang Tao was somewhat surprised but answered plainly, “No interest.”

Those three words stunned the grandfather and grandchildren instantly.

---

This was likely the first time they had heard anyone so calmly refuse the Lei family’s goodwill.

In Shen City, a bustling metropolis, those whom Lei Ting sought as friends were few and all held high status.

Yet now, Fang Tao coldly declined such a rare honor with a simple “No interest.” If word of this spread, it would surely cause a sensation throughout the city.

“What do you mean by that? Stop right there!” Lei Jingyao stomped angrily, shouting after Fang Tao as he strode away.

Though she had found her grandfather’s approach somewhat rash, Fang Tao’s disdainful attitude toward him ignited her own fury.

But it was as if Fang Tao hadn’t heard, continuing on.

Suddenly, he stopped and turned back to Lei Ting. “Elder Lei, I suggest you stop practicing that cultivation method. It’s dangerous and could cost you your life.”

Lei Ting’s complexion changed drastically. He sighed softly. “You see through my ailment, young friend. You are indeed extraordinary. This is partly why I came to Shen City…”

“To seek an audience with Master Tianqing?” Fang Tao asked curiously, eyes filled with doubt. “But I’ve heard he passed away three years ago.”

In that transcendent realm, masters existed on a plane as lofty as eagles soaring above the clouds—beyond ordinary mortals’ comprehension.

“Tianqing saved my life,” Lei Ting said slowly, shaking his head. “Years ago, I was gravely wounded, near death. It was he who extended a helping hand, giving me a second chance…”

Fang Tao’s eyes flickered with suspicion. He noticed the old scars on Lei Ting’s body—though present, they did not seem incurable.

After all, their own master, Tianqing, possessed the skill to erase such wounds completely.

Why then were these hidden dangers left behind? Fang Tao pondered silently as he took a few steps forward, accepting the golden card and slipping it casually into his pocket. “These injuries might not necessarily require the master’s healing.”

Lei Ting was momentarily stunned, then smiled bitterly. “Mr. Fang, I’ve sought out every renowned doctor to no avail. I fear only Tianqing can solve this.”

He coughed lightly, as if weary from his condition.

Fang Tao said no more and quietly turned, continuing along the winding mountain path.

Lei Jingyao watched his retreating figure, her anger burning. “Grandfather, how dare that man be so arrogant, completely disregarding our Lei family!”

Lei Ting sighed helplessly. “Your brother was defeated by a single strike—that alone proves his exceptional nature. Sometimes, arrogance stems from genuine pride.”

He shook his head. “It’s a pity our Lei family is not destined to form an unbreakable bond with such a master…”

With that, he waved his hand and spoke in a low voice, “Let’s descend.”

---

At the foot of the mountain, Lei Jingyao suggested, “Grandfather, since Master Tianqing has passed away, why don’t we return to the provincial capital?”

“No, there’s an auction. Since we’re in Shen City, we might as well take a look,” Lei Ting said with a hint of disdain. “Though the Ye family leads Shen City, are they worthy of my personal visit? After all, I am the head of the Fenglei Hall.”

His thoughts drifted. “Who would have guessed that the seemingly ordinary fortune teller, Master Tianqing, was actually the Fifth Lord of Wuxuan Sect.”

“The news of the Fifth Lord has faded like smoke. After faking his death, where did Master Tianqing go? To whom did he pass on his legacy…” Lei Ting murmured to himself.

---

At the mountaintop, Fang Tao sat quietly on the Arhat Rock, his outward calm belying the storm within.

Recalling the three years spent with the Wang family, his heart was a tumult of conflicting emotions.

His master had sacrificed his life for the Wang family’s fate, ultimately transcending to another realm. The scene weighed heavily on him, filling him with sorrow.

“Master, you gave so much for the Wang family… was it truly worth it?” he murmured, fingers tracing the jade pendant in his hand as he opened the manual left by his master, the “Wuxuan Jade Purification Technique.”

Immersed in cultivation, Fang Tao lost himself, oblivious to all else.

As the last rays of sunset faded, he rose slowly, feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

Gazing toward Shen City in the distance, he smiled bitterly—grieving his master’s sacrifice, yet mocking his own present predicament.

For three years, he had reluctantly honored his master’s last wish, joining the Wang family and dedicating himself to assisting Wang Rong, hoping to elevate the family to the top ranks.

Yet his efforts ended in exile.

Along the way, he bore the scornful labels of “freeloader” and “incompetent,” all so ironic and laughable.

Watching the brilliant evening glow, he sneered and strode down the mountain.

Returning to Tang Group, as expected, Tang Xinyi was still waiting. Fang Tao joined her as they headed toward the auction.