Fang Yuan returned to the village, much to Bai Ning Bing's relief. Not that he realized this before he burst through the forest, finding that the people in front of him were indeed Bai Clan villagers, and turning around before realizing that Fang Yuan was no longer pursuing him.
When Fang Yuan returned to his village, there was already a commotion. Qing Shu had reported what had happened to the clan head. Even if he hadn't, Fang Yuan's Rank Four aura spoke for itself as he walked down the street.
He walked home and began devising a plan. Although he had something in mind already, he needed to piece together everything and ensure that it went smoothly.
This time around, he no longer had the cultivation power which allowed him to use the Spring Autumn Cicada with guaranteed success. However, the knowledge of the future would prove greatly instrumental in whether or not he would succeed this time.
He wanted to explore the dream realm that he had been given by the system. However, that could end up taking a few days, and in the meantime, there were things that he needed to do.
The very next morning, Fang Yuan walked over to the clan head's pavilion. He spoke to one of the guards. Normally, mortals would be used as guards. However, given that this was the clan head's pavilion, Rank Two Gu Masters stood guard instead. Well, what were Rank Two Gu Masters compared to Fang Yuan anyway?
"Tell the clan head that Elder Fang Yuan would request an audience with him." The guards glanced at each other nervously. The clan head had said that he was busy this morning. However, there was no doubt, especially given the fact that they could feel Fang Yuan's Rank Four aura, that this was quite important. Fang Yuan was led in immediately, but was asked to wait for half an hour before the clan head came in.
"Greetings, Clan Head," Fang Yuan said, cupping his hands.
The clan head returned the gesture. "Fang Yuan, your advancement to Rank Four is... interesting, but at the same time poses many questions."
Fang Yuan nodded. "That is why I came here to report to you. Although I think the clan head is already aware of this going on."
"Oh, and what is that?" the clan head asked. The two of them were alone right now, without anyone to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Fang Yuan pretended to be nervous, shifting slightly before saying, "Clan Head, I must apologize for lying to you. The truth is that I possess a secret which I've been holding in for quite a long time. The reason why I was able to advance to Rank Four was because I possess the Ancient Yin Desolate Moon Physique."
The clan head took a deep breath. He had already assumed that this was likely the case. However, he had not confronted Fang Yuan about it, waiting for the right time to bring the topic up. But right now, Fang Yuan had admitted to it himself.
"There's no need for clan head to tell me about the legend of the Ancient Yin Desolate Moon Physique or the prophecy made by our first generation ancestor. I already know of such."
The clan head raised an eyebrow. "You already know this? How did you find out?"
Fang Yuan gave him a wry smile. "If one wanted to find out, they only needed to look for the clues and piece things together. So long as you asked the right people, you'd be able to find out."
The clan head assumed that one of the other elders who knew about the situation had told Fang Yuan, and Fang Yuan was speaking in this roundabout manner to protect that elder in question. He didn't appreciate this, but also did not want to press Fang Yuan further. "In that case," the clan head said, "you must realize the importance that you must go to the Blood River Graveyard, correct?"
"I won't lie. I am a bit disappointed that you lied to me. I thought that we were closer than that." With that said, the clan head could understand Fang Yuan's situation. He was also willing to forgive everything if Fang Yuan indeed had the Ancient Yin Desolate Moon Physique.
"Once again, I must apologize, Lord Clan Head," Fang Yuan said, "both about keeping the secret from you and about another matter."
"Oh, what matter?" the clan head asked.
"The fact that I have already been to the Blood River Graveyard."
The clan head nearly jumped back in shock. "You have already been there, Fang Yuan? That is forbidden!"
"I know that it is forbidden," Fang Yuan answered. "However, it was the only way to control the downside of the Ancient Yin Desolate Moon Physique. I've already communicated with our first-gen ancestor who lies there."
The clan head took another deep breath. If Fang Yuan had met with the first-generation clan ancestor and already received his blessings, there was little that he could do about it. "Did you really go to the Blood River Graveyard?" he asked.
"Indeed. I saw the massive pool of blood there. I also saw the Blood River Python, which had been tamed by our first-generation Clan Head. I also saw the coffin where his zombie body was placed." The clan head realized that these words left no room for doubt. This meant that indeed, Fang Yuan was telling the truth: he had been to the Blood River Graveyard. If he had been any normal clan member who wandered there, the first-generation Gu Yue likely would have killed him merely for trespassing. The fact that he was still breathing meant that he indeed was the person prophesied.
"Did the first-gen clan head say anything else?" the current clan head asked.
"There was one thing, however..." Fang Yuan said. "I'm not sure that it is something which I should bring up. It is not really that relevant."
"Fang Yuan, I implore you," the clan head said. Before, when Fang Yuan had been a Rank Three Elder, there was still something that he could do to try to suppress Fang Yuan or force him to obey him, granted at the time Fang Yuan was within his camp, so he would not do so openly. However, now, Fang Yuan was not only Rank Four, but also the possessor of the Ancient Yin Desolate Moon Physique. Given that he had to be careful while treading around Fang Yuan.
"The other thing that he said," Fang Yuan began, "was that he wished for me to take over as clan head." The current clan head had expected this. After all, so long as he had a controlled Ancient Desolate Yin Physique, he was worth more than even an A-grade talent. His chance of getting to Rank 5 was nearly 100%, and he could very well end up becoming the first Rank 6 in the clan's history.
However, he was not expecting the next words that came out of Fang Yuan's mouth.
"However, I refused," Fang Yuan said.