Bathed in the ethereal glow of the moonlight, the cascading waterfall emanated a delicate luminescence that cast a captivating illumination upon the surrounding landscape. The veils of mist that enveloped the area imbued the scene with an otherworldly allure, bestowing upon it a mystical ambiance.

Following his refining session, Fang Yuan gracefully emerged from the hidden cave, displaying remarkable poise as he navigated the forceful water pressure and deftly maneuvered past the obstructive boulder. With unwavering determination, he finally emerged from the depths of Qing Mao Mountain, stepping into the realm beyond its confining embrace.

His path led him to the bustling Gu Yue Village, as he traversed the eastern gate. Despite the late hour, the commercial district's thoroughfares remained teeming with life, animated by the presence of pedestrians and industrious merchants engaged in their nocturnal pursuits. In this vibrant setting, Fang Yuan pressed onward, his destination set upon the illustrious Fang mansion.

Arriving at the grand residence, he was received by the head stewardess, who exemplified utmost professionalism. With a graceful bow, she extended her greetings, "This humble servant humbly welcomes the esteemed young master. Master and Mistress eagerly anticipate your presence in the opulent dining room, where young master Fang Zheng awaits as well. They are eagerly awaiting for your arrival."

Fang Yuan nodded in acknowledgment and gestured for the head stewardess to lead the way. He followed her as she guided him to the designated destination, and she graciously opened the door to the dining room.

Upon entering, Fang Yuan noticed that the room was dimly lit, casting shadows over the faces of his Aunt and Uncle, making it difficult to discern their expressions. With a jar of wine in his hands, Fang Yuan's Uncle, Gu Yue Dong Tu, furrowed his eyebrows. He spoke, his voice tinged with a mix of concern and pride, "In the blink of an eye, both of you have turned fifteen years old. With your exceptional talents awakening, your aunt and I couldn't be prouder. As a token of our support, we present each of you with six pieces of primeval stones. Refining your Gu consumes a substantial amount of primeval essence, and these stones will help replenish it."

As he finished speaking, servants approached and handed Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng small bags containing the primeval stones.

Fang Yuan silently accepted his bag, while Fang Zheng eagerly opened his and discovered six oval-shaped, greyish-white primeval stones inside. Gratitude filled his face as he stood up, facing his aunt and uncle. "Thank you, Aunt and Uncle. Your nephew truly needs these primeval stones to replenish my primeval essence! You have raised and cared for us until this day, and this gratitude is etched deeply in my heart. I will never forget it!"

Uncle smiled and nodded, while Aunt waved her hands and warmly urged them to sit down. "Please, sit down! Although you are not our biological children, we have raised you as our own. It brings us immense pride to see you both thrive. We don't have children of our own, and sometimes we can't help but think that if you both were truly our own, it would be the greatest joy."

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Her words carried profound meaning. Fang Zheng didn't fully grasp it, but Fang Yuan furrowed his brow slightly.

Uncle interjected, saying, "I have discussed this with your aunt. We have considered adopting both of you to form a genuine, real family. Fang Zheng, I wonder if you would be willing?"

Fang Zheng was momentarily stunned, but a joyful smile quickly spread across his face as he responded, "To be honest, ever since my parents passed away, I have longed for a family of my own. To have the opportunity to become a family with Aunt and Uncle... It's truly a dream come true!"

Aunt's expression softened, and she chuckled, "Then you are our good son. Perhaps it's time to stop calling us Aunt and Uncle."

"Father, mother," Fang Zheng exclaimed, a sense of realization dawning upon him.

Aunt and Uncle laughed heartily. "What a good son you are! It's been worthwhile for us to raise you as our own since you were five years old. We have cared for you for a whole decade," Aunt wiped away her tears.

Uncle turned his gaze to the silent Fang Yuan and spoke gently, "Fang Yuan, what about you?"

Fang Yuan shook his head without uttering a word.

"Big brother," Gu Yue Fang Zheng was about to offer advice, but his Uncle, maintaining his composed tone, intervened, "If that's the case, Fang Yuan, my nephew, we won't force you. Since you are already fifteen years old, it's time for you to start becoming independent. This way, you can also easily carry on the Fang bloodline. As a gesture of support, I have prepared 200 primeval stones for you as financial assistance."

However, Fang Yuan remained resolute in his decision and shook his head once again. Fang Zheng looked puzzled, while Uncle's expression showed a hint of concern. Aunt's face also clouded over, reflecting her disappointment.

"Aunt and Uncle, if there are no further matters to discuss, I shall bid you farewell," Fang Yuan declared firmly, leaving no room for further persuasion. Without waiting for a response, he turned and departed, leaving behind a heavy atmosphere in the room

Fang Zheng, feeling a sense of responsibility, stood up from his seat and pleaded, "Father, Mother, Big brother may not be thinking clearly. Allow me to have a word with him and offer my guidance."

Uncle waved his hand, sighing deliberately, "Alas, this matter cannot be forced. Your willingness alone brings me immense contentment as your father. Servants, take good care of young master Fang Zheng and attend to him attentively."

"Then I shall take my leave as well," Fang Zheng respectfully retreated from the room, leaving the living room engulfed in a heavy silence.

Under the radiant glow of the moon, its ethereal light illuminated the dining room, casting a serene ambiance. In the midst of this tranquil scene, Uncle's voice broke the silence with a chilling tone. "It seems that Fang Yuan has seen through our scheme."

Among the regulations of the esteemed Gu Yue clan, it was explicitly stated that the eldest son, upon reaching the age of 16, would possess the qualifications to inherit the family's wealth. With Fang Yuan's parents having passed away, leaving behind a substantial fortune, it fell under the care and control of Aunt and Uncle. This inheritance far surpassed the mere sum of 200 essence stones. If Fang Yuan had agreed to be adopted by them, he would forfeit his right to inherit this vast fortune. On the other hand, if Fang Yuan chose to assert his independence at the age of 15, it would also violate the clan's established rules.

"Fortunately, we succeeded in winning over Fang Zheng. His A-grade talent is certainly a cause for celebration," Uncle sighed with a mixture of relief and delight.

"But husband, can't you deal with Fang Yuan as a high-level cultivator?" Aunt inquired, hopeful for a solution that would serve their interests.

"You foolish woman! Have you lost your wits along with your hair? Do you think I, as an elder, can simply oppress a young cultivator without consequences? Let alone the fact that he possesses A-grade talent, he would be protected by the elders," Uncle scolded, his tone laced with frustration.

A cunning plan began to take shape in Uncle's mind. "The only option we have is to gift the servant Shen Cui to Fang Yuan. I know Fang Zheng harbors affection for her, like a love-struck fool. It will create a rift between the brothers," he explained.

"Husband, you truly possess a remarkable strategy! What a clever plan!" Aunt exclaimed, her face lit up with excitement at the prospect of their scheme unfolding.