Fang Yuan! Are you here to rob me again?

Almost simultaneously, on the other side.

"Esteemed father and mother, that's basically how it happened," Fang Zheng stood upright, speaking respectfully.

In the hall, Fang Yuan's uncle, Gu Yue Dong Tu, and his aunt sat in wide-backed chairs, both furrowing their brows.

His aunt gritted her teeth, torn between sympathizing with Fang Zheng and taking a bit of pleasure in the situation. "That Fang Yuan, this little rascal, not content with extorting others, even targets his own younger brother. Such heartlessness! However, with such a significant mistake this time, he's likely to be expelled from the academy soon."

"Enough, hold your tongue," his uncle sighed, then turned to Fang Zheng. "You lost a primeval stone, but it's just one. Go to the account office and get another. This matter is not your concern. Focus on your cultivation. With your A-grade aptitude, becoming the first intermediate Gu Master is highly probable. Don't squander your talent. Both your mother and I look forward to seeing you succeed."

"Yes, father and mother, I take my leave," Fang Zheng departed with a troubled mind.

He pondered silently, "Brother blocked the academy gate today and robbed all the students. This has caused such a negative impact. He's probably going to be expelled. Should I plead for him then?"

Two conflicting voices battled in his mind.

One voice said, "No need to plead. He even robbed your own younger brother's primeval stone. If he gets expelled, it's his own fault. You reap what you sow!"

The other voice countered, "But he's your own brother, with a face so similar and blood thicker than water. Even if you don't recognize him, you should plead for him. If you don't, what will others think of you? They might see you as heartless and disloyal."

Watching Fang Zheng leave the hall, his aunt couldn't contain herself, gleefully saying, "Sir, we've cut off Fang Yuan's living expenses. This little rascal couldn't restrain himself and has made a big mistake this time! Daring to block the academy gate, brawl publicly, and extort others; he's provoking the elders of the academy. I think expulsion is almost certain."

His uncle shook his head. "You're oversimplifying things. Fang Yuan won't be expelled, and he might not face any punishment at all."

"Why?" his aunt asked, puzzled.

His uncle smirked, "Fighting and brawling are encouraged as long as there are no serious consequences. Did any students die in this brawl? No."

His aunt was still skeptical. "How do you know? In brawls like this, accidents happen all the time."

Closing his eyes and leaning back, his uncle replied, "You're naive, my dear. Do you think the academy elders are just for show? When did the guards intervene? They only stepped in at the end, which means they had the situation under control. If anyone had been seriously injured, they would have intervened much sooner. The academy doesn't forbid student conflicts; in fact, they often encourage them. More fights mean better combat skills. Some students even form lasting friendships through such battles. The elders won't pursue this matter. It's standard practice. Anyone who tries to interfere would be seen as breaking this tradition."

His aunt looked dismayed, unwilling to accept it. "So Fang Yuan gets away with robbing such a large sum of primeval stones? Is that how it ends? With so much at stake, it would greatly benefit his cultivation."

Opening his eyes, his uncle's face darkened. "What else can we do? Should I personally go and snatch his primeval stones? However, this incident can still be used. Fang Yuan even extorted his own brother, Fang Zheng. This is his downfall. Fang Zheng has an A-grade aptitude; he will surpass Fang Yuan one day. We can use this to divide and manipulate Fang Zheng. Make him completely distance himself from Fang Yuan and use him to our advantage."

And so, three days passed.

The storm caused by Fang Yuan's extortion and robbery did not spread or escalate but gradually subsided.

No elder disrupted the rules to personally confront Fang Yuan. Naturally, the academy elders turned a blind eye.

During this time, two or three youths, discontented with having their primeval stones forcefully taken, challenged Fang Yuan again.

But after Fang Yuan effortlessly defeated them, everyone realized that without diligent training in basic combat skills, they couldn't win against him.

Among these youths, a wave of fervent practice of basic martial skills surged.

The martial arts instructor was delighted; he had never seen such enthusiasm and dedication towards basic combat skills among his students. Previously, they had been lackluster and yawning during his lessons. Now, their eyes shone with fervor, constantly seeking guidance.

The academy elders specifically came to inquire about the situation.

With excitement in his voice, the martial arts instructor reported, "The students have shown an unexpected passion, a tremendous change. However, there's one named Fang Yuan who remains as lazy as before."

The academy elder chuckled, patting his shoulder. "The student you mentioned is the catalyst for this transformation among the others."

The martial arts instructor looked puzzled and confused.

Of course, the changes were far from over.

After this incident, Fang Yuan undoubtedly became the enemy of all the students, isolated and ostracized by everyone.

No one spoke to him, no one greeted him.

The youths were all fired up, diligently practicing basic combat skills in private. Encouraged and instructed by the elders behind the scenes, they had decided to reclaim their dignity with their own hands.

Beneath the calm surface, hidden currents roiled.

Another four days passed.

The academy elders distributed primeval stones again, and it was time for Fang Yuan to act once more.

"Fang Yuan, one robbery wasn't enough for you? Now you want to rob us of our primeval stones?!" The students confronted Fang Yuan again at the gate, a mix of shock and fury on their faces.

Fang Yuan stood in the middle of the gate, hands behind his back, his expression cold, his tone flat. "One primeval stone each, and you'll be spared from physical suffering."

"Fang Yuan, you've gone too far! I challenge you!" Gu Yue Mo Bei roared in anger, charging forward first.

"Oh?" Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

Mo Bei threw punches, but after a few rounds, he collapsed.

"You're useless, Mo Bei. Watch me!" Gu Yue Chi Cheng shouted and rushed towards Fang Yuan.

After a brief exchange of attacks, Chi Cheng also ended up following Mo Bei's fate.

Fang Yuan's combat experience was incomparably superior to theirs, even though he had just started practicing. Every move and strike was executed with precise efficiency.

If they had all attacked him together, they might have posed a small challenge. But challenging him one by one was even easier than the first time he robbed them.

Fifteen minutes later, he calmly left with a bulging purse. He left behind a scene of young men sprawled on the ground, some unconscious, others clutching their stomachs or groaning in pain.

"Brothers, come clean up the mess," the guards shouted, rushing forward to tend to the fallen students.