After throwing Hentian Qing back into her courtyard to let her think whatever she wanted, Fang Xing flew back to his own courtyard in high spirits. The only reason anyone had found out about the venerated youth was because of him!

The venerated youth's reputation had been very established within the Hentian clan. Anyone who mentioned him would raise their thumb in approval, and it could even be said almost nobody was optimistic about Fang Xing's chances with the female young master. Everyone believed that when the venerated youth returned, the person who'd become a high-tier Exalt purely because of his red dragon would be forced to reveal his true self, yet it was unexpectedly the venerated youth who wound up revealed.

Of course, Fang Xing couldn't help but to think the venerated youth was fortunate to be a bird-man; things might have been even worse for him if he hadn't managed to fly away...

As for Hentian Qing, Fang Xing had seen through her well in advance. Not only was she spoiled and stubborn, she was also insufferably arrogant and cowardly, all while posing as though she was intelligent despite being incredibly stupid. She was clearly a woman yet preferred to dress like a man, and her temperament was full of contradictions. Fang Xing had never attached much importance to her, and if she didn't have the status of the eldest young mistress of the Hentian clan, he would not bother with her much at all! Now that the big picture seemed to be set in stone, all he needed to do was sit and wait for the results.

Fang Xing carefully thought it through. He'd gifted the Spirit Essence and Shanbao Mountain when he first arrived, and this great "accident" had exposed the venerated youth, who'd been hiding within the Hentian clan for some reason. Within the Hentian clan at least, he'd be seen as someone with great merit, and he'd also used his money to win over the hearts of others and make a great number of "friends" that further solidified his position. The rest was only a matter of time; once the Hentian clan trusted him completely, the marriage would be announced.

However, a very faint trace of discomfort lingered in Fang Xing's mind. He remembered the look the venerated youth sent him when he was escaping, and he also remembered the strange aura the group of old men from the Hentian clan had given off which caused a lot of questions to form in his mind. He was a person who'd been around danger since a young age and had a special sensitivity towards it, and right now he was feeling an indescribable sense of danger.

'Did that red bird do something before it fled?' Fang Xing wondered, but he felt there wasn't anything the bird could truly do to him. Not only did he appear extremely genuine on the surface, even if he did leave some kind of clue behind, it shouldn't be enough to cause anything particularly bad. Besides, he'd already given away all his valuables and those old guys of the Hentian clan certainly wouldn't be interested in the remaining Spirit Stones and pellets. As for the little treasure vault he'd hidden, who would know about it aside from him?

Thinking through it left him reassured, but he still wondered; should he prepare a plan in advance?

—

A few more months passed and Fang Xing's future with the Hentian clan seemed incredibly bright. Now that his competition was gone, everyone believed it was only a matter of time before he became the clan master's son-in-law. No matter age or cultivation level, no matter whether it was an Exalt or someone who grew up within the clan, no one was strong enough to compete against him right now—to say nothing of the fact he had a dragon at his side.

Put simply, the Hentian clansmen already saw him as Hentian Qing's fiance.

Of course, that was only what it seemed like on the surface, and the uneasiness in Fang Xing's heart only increased. He could faintly feel that the clan was watching him much closer now, and although it seemed he was able to wander about freely to make friends all over the place—to call this elder his brother today and drink with that Exalt tomorrow—the truth was there were a few auras guarding against or monitoring him, and someone would always come up to stop him whenever he wanted to leave the gathering spot.

After joining the beast-hunting team, Fang Xing would occasionally leave with some other clansmen to kill low-tier pieril beasts. He wasn't permitted to go very far at first, and someone later told him the red dragon's aura was too vicious and it might startle some powerful peril beasts if he brought it out to hunt, so he should leave it at the clan to avoid causing problems.

Fang Xing came to a realization after this and felt much more assured, and from that point on, the red dragon would remain within the clan whenever he went out with the beast-hunting team. Each time he left, he would return early and always on the same day. Sometimes he would leave on his own without anyone knowing what he intended, but the Hentian clan didn't seem to mind and their surveillance over him actually decreased, their efforts instead focusing on the red dragon to keep it from leaving the clan.

After three more months passed like this, the Head Exalt personally arrived at Fang Xing's courtyard.

"Little Friend Xing, how has it been within the clan during this period of time?" The Head Exalt asked while behaving extremely pleasantly.

Fang Xing rose to his feet as well and smiled. "For the Head Exalt to come here personally, what a rare sight it is..." He understood the thing he'd been concerned about was finally going to occur.

The Head Exalt didn't rush to say anything, and after making some small talk asking how Fang Xing was doing within the clan and chatting about some trivial matters in the Guixu Ruins, he smiled and said, "After that ill-intentioned venerated youth turned into the Vermillion Bird and fled, Little Friend Xing is now the most prominent Exalt within the entire clan. I have great optimism for your future, and I foresee your name will be known within the entire Guixu Ruins!"

'What is this group of people trying to do that even this old thing here is sucking up to me?' Fang Xing cursed to himself while still wearing a smile. "For the old senior to praise me like this, I'm even a bit embarrassed!"

"I naturally would not say such things if you were not capable," the Head Exalt replied. "Looking over the entire Hentian clan and over several dozen Exalts, aren't those with higher cultivation than you all nearly a hundred years older? Aren't those around the same age a million miles away in terms of cultivation? Heh, even if you did not have the red dragon, your talent and battle prowess would be more than enough for you to have your own standing within the Hentian clan!"

Fang Xing laughed. "The head Exalt is being too generous. It was only because I had a few opportunities outside the Guixu Ruins, leading to how I am today."

After a long exchange of fake and empty words, the Head Exalt finally began, "Little Friend Xing, to tell you the truth, I am here today to congratulate you. The thoughts you have towards Qing'er are not a secret within the clan, and I will go straight to the point. The clan master and I along with the grand elders have discussed this and believe with your talent, you are the perfect match for Qing'er. We wish to marry her to you. What are your thoughts on this?"

Fang Xing stood up with fake surprise. "Head Exalt, do you speak the truth?"

The Head Exalt gave a light smile. "I have lived for nearly a thousand years; why would I come to joke about this with you?"

Fang Xing appeared full of joy, yet also hesitant. "But the eldest young miss, she..."

"With the order of the parents and the words of me, the matchmaker, there is no need for you to worry about Qing'er's little temper. Besides, I've been observing and it seems as though ever since that Vermillion bird left, she's not as unwilling as she used to be; I feel she's perhaps beginning to feel the same way as you. She would not refuse this marriage proposal. As long as you are willing, I shall report back to the clan master to have this matter settled!"

The Head Exalt paused for a moment before he continued, "I believe Little Friend Xing wanted to view what is inside the secret pavilion? No one who came from outside the Guixu Ruins is disinterested in the secret pavilion. I was the same back then as well, and truthfully, you will be considered as having officially joined the Hentian clan once you're engaged to Qing'er. I will personally take you inside the secret pavilion to fulfil your desire!"

Fang Xing put on the appearance of great surprise. He excitedly rubbed his hands and repeated, "Great, that's so great.." all while thinking to himself, 'Sh*t, I'm really done for...'

The Head Exalt saw Fang Xing's response and showed a face full of smiles, as though his purpose had been fulfilled. Afterwards, he suddenly brought up another topic and casually added, "However, since you'll be getting engaged to Qing'er, etiquette cannot be ignored. I'd like to speak to you about the betrothal gift. The clan's traditions require the man to enter the forest alone to hunt a peril beast and prove their courage and strength, but there is no need for you to do this!"

"I do, I do. If everyone else does it, how can I be the exception? Head Exalt, please relax, I shall bring my big doggie out to hunt the most powerful peril beast and bring it back for you. Wait for me here; I will be back within an hour!" Fang Xing didn't waste any more time and stood up to head to the door.

The Head Exalt bitterly smiled; how could he not know what Fang Xing was thinking? His hand lightly patted Fang Xing's shoulder before he said, "Little Friend Xing, from what I'm seeing, it seems you've guessed at something. I won't go in circles anymore; right now, I'm acting as the middleman. The engagement between you and Qing'er can be settled at any time, but this betrothal gift, how about using your red dragon in its place?"

Slightly startled, Fang Xing put on a surprised expression and asked, "What do you mean, Respectable Old Senior? Ever since the day I became an Exalt of the Hentian clan, isn't the red dragon already a part of the clan? If for hunting, I will naturally take it out with me since it is able to hunt more than me, and if there are powerful enemies that come to attack, this big doggie would naturally dash out in front without any fear—"

"Little Friend does not agree, then?" The Head Exalt lightly interrupted.

Fang Xing was left speechless. He was unsure how to answer, and his gaze became complicated.