Chapter 64: Fang Jianting’s Passing

While Fang Yun was focused on cultivating the vines, he returned to the mountain one day and found Fang Lin waiting there anxiously.

With the same worried expression and pacing back and forth, Fang Yun immediately knew that something significant might have happened in the Fang family.

Could it be that the pirates who had left earlier had returned with reinforcements?

But the Black Widow wouldn't be that foolish, would she?

After all, he was still here; even though Fang Yun currently didn't have strong offensive capabilities, he was still a being that transcended dimensions for mortals.

With such doubts in mind, Fang Yun approached.

"Elder, has something happened?"

Seeing Fang Yun return, Fang Lin sighed in relief and then, with a sorrowful expression, said, "Patriarch, the ancestor's time has come; he wishes to see you one last time!"

Fang Yun was taken aback; he thought of various possibilities but hadn't expected it to be that Fang Jianting's lifespan had come to an end!

Thinking of the emotions the old man had shown him, even if it was more about his role in the Fang family, it still warmed Fang Yun's heart.

Now that he knew the old man was about to leave, he felt a twinge of sadness.

Nodding without speaking, Fang Yun started heading down the mountain first.

With the support of magic power, his lightness skill was much faster than ordinary techniques.

Before long, he arrived at the town entrance on the island.

Fang Zhou had been waiting there for some time.

Upon seeing Fang Yun arrive, Fang Zhou quickly guided him toward a courtyard at the back of the town.

Upon arriving at the front of the courtyard, Fang Yun found that many people had already gathered there, including other elders from the family and various relatives from the Fang clan.

It seemed that Fang Jianting had lived to be over a hundred years old, earning significant respect within the Fang family.

When the crowd saw Fang Yun arrive, they immediately parted to make way for him.

Fang Yun didn't have time to chat with everyone and directly followed Fang Zhou into the courtyard, entering a room.

Inside the room, on a bed, Fang Jianting lay there, his breath faint, as if he could depart at any moment.

Fang Yun approached his bedside, preventing those nearby from waking Fang Jianting.

He stood by for a while, observing.

Fang Jianting seemed to sense his presence; after a soft cough, he slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing Fang Yun's figure, he suddenly appeared more spirited and struggled to sit up.

Fang Yun hurriedly stepped forward to support him, saying, "Ancestor, I'm here. Please don't get agitated; just lie down and rest!"

Though he said this, Fang Yun could tell that Fang Jianting was already in the twilight of his life.

There was no chance for recovery.

"Cough, cough, Patriarch, I know my own body; I don't have much time left.

However, having lived this long and witnessing five generations of the Fang family, I am content!

There are just a few things I'm worried about; I hope you can promise me!"

Fang Yun nodded, "Ancestor, please say, and I will certainly agree!"

Fang Jianting continued, "I know that your departure from Spiritual Water Island is inevitable; I won't insist that you stay on the island.

That would be unfair to you!

With your talent, as long as no unforeseen circumstances occur after leaving the island, you will surely achieve even greater accomplishments in the future.

My request is simple; I hope that after you leave the island, you will not forget that you are always the Patriarch of the Fang family!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Yun slowly nodded.

He understood that Fang Jianting was worried that after he left the Fang family, he might forget this mundane family once he became successful.

For Fang Yun, if he truly achieved a higher cultivation level in the future, helping this mortal family wouldn't be too difficult if circumstances permitted.

Though he might not be able to accomplish everything else, nurturing a few cultivators for this family wouldn't pose any problem.

Seeing Fang Yun agree to his request, Fang Jianting nodded in relief.

"Patriarch, it's good that you agreed.

Call in the other elders; I have some matters to entrust to them!"

Fang Yun glanced at him, nodded lightly, and then stepped outside.

The matters to be discussed were likely about family inheritance, but they were no longer of much concern to him.

After calling the other elders into the room, Fang Yun waited outside for a while.

Before long, the sound of weeping could be heard from within.

Fang Jianting, who had dedicated his life to the Fang family, had ultimately passed away.

Fang Yun sighed with a touch of melancholy; while death is a natural part of life, witnessing someone die right in front of him, especially someone he was familiar with, impacted him far more than killing many pirates had.

It deepened his desire for cultivation.

In the following days, a grand funeral was held for Fang Jianting.

These matters were naturally organized by the elders, with Fang Yun merely serving as a figurehead to maintain appearances.

After a week of busyness, the funeral concluded, and the Fang family seemed to return to its previous quiet life.

Fang Yun returned to the mountain and spent more time teaching Fang Kangseng, hoping he could quickly advance to the first level of Qi Refining.

Only then would Fang Yun be able to leave Spiritual Water Island and pursue higher realms.

A month later, Fang Yun entered the canyon.

The vines he had previously grafted there were now ready for selection.

Perhaps due to the two attributes, the vitality of these branches was stronger than before.

Thus, the success rate of this grafting was much higher than the last time.

Among all the vines, Fang Yun selected one with hard, sharp thorns, sturdier branches, and longer lengths.

This particular vine exhibited more vitality than the others and grew better, which was why he chose it.

After selecting this vine, Fang Yun took it out of the canyon.

There were too many vines planted in the canyon; if he didn't want to uproot them, it wouldn't be a good idea to leave this vine there.

He brought it back to the mountain and planted it in the area next to the previous Vine Field.

Fang Yun excavated the remaining soil from the spiritual field and piled it next to the vine.

Then, using Earth Power and Spiritual Rain techniques, he gathered enough energy and spiritual qi to ensure the vine's growth.

After preparing everything, Fang Yun began to slowly infuse the vine with life essence.

The life essence was gradually directed into the vine, causing it to grow continuously.

The vine's surface transformed from a light brown to a dark brown and then gradually to a pitch-black color.

At the same time, the spikes on the surface slowly elongated, curving and becoming increasingly hard.

Meanwhile, the length of the vine gradually increased.