The Yang Clan of Kyoto

The discovery that the verdant land within the *Celestial Swan Space* possessed such wondrous effects took Yang Fan by surprise. Purifying the marrow, tempering the bones, and nourishing the soul—these were remarkable results that only rare and precious elixirs in the cultivation world could achieve.

Take marrow purification and bone tempering, for example. To achieve such effects, one would require a mystical pill known as the *Marrow Cleansing Pill*. This elixir greatly enhances the physical constitution of low-level cultivators or even ordinary mortals, allowing the fragile human body to undergo a profound transformation. 

With the aid of the *Marrow Cleansing Pill*, even someone of average aptitude would stand a decent chance of reaching the first realm of cultivation—*Qi Refinement*. However, such pills are not easily obtained. Not only is their refinement complex, but their value is extraordinary. Most would never come across one in their lifetime.

As far as Yang Fan knew, even the prestigious Yang Clan of the Southern Ridge might not be able to produce more than a handful of *Marrow Cleansing Pills*. If a clan could possess a significant number of such pills, they would be capable of creating a vast number of cultivators with ease.

Compared to marrow purification, the nourishment of the soul was an even higher-level effect. As a cultivator ascends through the realms, the importance of the soul becomes ever more pronounced. On this matter, even Yang Fan understood only a fraction, for he had only recently embarked on the path of immortality, having been but a low-level cultivator not long ago.

Beyond marrow purification, soul nourishment, and physical transformation, the mysterious verdant land in the *Celestial Swan Space* held within it a force of life so potent that it could heal Yang Fan's injuries at an astonishing speed.

He had just experienced this firsthand—within moments, his internal wounds had recovered by more than half, a feat that would normally take him half a month of rest to achieve.

"Marrow purification... soul nourishment... rapid healing and recovery..."

Yang Fan's heart surged with joy. All these remarkable effects were mere secondary benefits of the mysterious green land. 

"Big Brother! Big Brother! The *Heavens' Inquiry* is about to begin! Look, the Clan Leader and the elders are already flying over!" 

At that moment, Yang Lei hurriedly called out to him.

Yang Fan nodded, quickly gathering his thoughts and casting his gaze to the sky.

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

Seven or eight figures flew through the air, all of them cultivators of the *Spirit Concentration Stage*.

Only those who had reached the *Spirit Concentration Stage* could possess the ability to fly, though even then, they would need the aid of magical tools or artifacts.

The leader among them was a man of about fifty, broad-shouldered and imposing. His face was solemn, and he exuded an innate authority. He rode upon a gleaming silver crescent blade, slicing through the sky with great momentum.

This man was none other than Yang Hong, the head of the Yang Clan.

"Hm?" Yang Fan's gaze swept over the seven or eight figures, and he noted inwardly, "The Southern Ridge Yang Clan doesn't seem to have so many *Spirit Concentration* cultivators."

Indeed, two of them were unfamiliar faces.

"Greetings, Clan Leader. Greetings, elders."

The Yang Clan disciples gathered near the *Heavens' Platform* bowed respectfully.

Led by Clan Leader Yang Hong, the group descended and entered the shade of the canopy surrounding the *Heavens' Platform*.

"Yang Gongzi, Master Xu, please take your seats."

Once under the canopy, Clan Leader Yang Hong personally invited two individuals to sit, treating them with the utmost deference.

One was a young man in white, his face as fair as jade, and the other was a middle-aged scholar.

The youth in white appeared no older than fifteen or sixteen, yet he had already reached the *Spirit Concentration Stage*. As for the middle-aged scholar by his side, his cultivation was unfathomable, beyond the ability of Yang Fan and the others to discern.

"Hehe, no need for such courtesy, Clan Leader Yang. The Southern Ridge Yang Clan and our Kyoto Yang Clan, if you trace back our lineage, are one and the same," the scholar surnamed Xu said with a light smile, taking a seat alongside the young man in white, directly in the center of the canopy.

It was only after the two guests had seated themselves that the clan elders, including Yang Hong himself, took their places.

"Who are they, that even the Clan Leader treats them as honored guests?" 

"I've heard rumors—they are esteemed guests from the Kyoto Yang Clan."

"*The Kyoto Yang Clan...*"

Yang Fan's gaze fixed upon the two within the canopy—Yang Gongzi and Master Xu—and his breathing quickened.

From his master, Elder Liu, Yang Fan had learned that the Kyoto Yang Clan was one of the enemies of his father. His father's fate remained unknown, but it was highly likely that he had already perished.

Thus, when Yang Fan identified the two men's origins, a sliver of hostility flickered within his heart.

*Exhale...*

Yang Fan let out a slow breath, calming himself and suppressing the enmity rising from within. He understood well that high-level cultivators possessed incredibly keen senses. If he allowed his killing intent to manifest, the two men might easily detect it.

"Disciples of the Southern Ridge Yang Clan, today marks our clan's triennial *Heavens' Inquiry*..." Clan Leader Yang Hong rose to his feet, his voice imbued with spiritual power that resonated across the entire venue, instantly quieting the crowd.

"Today, our Yang Clan Fortress has the honor of hosting two distinguished guests from the Kyoto Yang Clan. They are none other than Yang Gongzi, heir of the Kyoto Yang Clan, and Elder Xu."

At Yang Hong's introduction, Yang Gongzi's lips curled into a faint smile, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with an air of superiority. He saw that none of the Yang Clan disciples below were remotely on par with him—none had reached the *Spirit Concentration Stage*.

Master Xu, by contrast, wore a kind expression and offered a gentle smile to the gathered disciples.

"Now, I have another announcement. During this *Heavens' Inquiry*, any disciple who performs exceptionally well and earns the favor of either Master Xu or Yang Gongzi will have the chance to be directly selected into the Kyoto Yang Clan," Yang Hong declared with a smile.

*What?!*

The crowd erupted into a frenzy. The prospect of joining the Kyoto Yang Clan was more than any of them had dared to dream. The Kyoto Yang Clan was one of the four great cultivation families in the Yu Yang Kingdom. Compared to them, the Southern Ridge Yang Clan was insignificant, a mere drop in the ocean. If a disciple were chosen, it would be a turning point in their life and destiny.

Even Yang Lei, standing beside Yang Fan, showed a hint of eagerness at the opportunity.

"This is a rare chance indeed," he murmured.

On the other side of the crowd, Yang Guang's face gleamed with excitement. His gaze briefly rested on Yang Fan before he thought to himself, "Now that Yang Fan has become a cripple, the obstacle in my path is gone. I am the Southern Ridge Yang Clan's best hope for being selected..."

For a moment, his blood surged with ambition.

"Uncle Yang, I've heard that your Southern Ridge Yang Clan had a once-in-a-century genius. A young man, barely twenty, who had already reached the *Spirit Concentration Stage*. Is this true?"

Just then, Yang Gongzi spoke, his voice calm yet loud enough for the entire audience to hear.

"Well... there was indeed such a person. His name is Yang Fan. He's eighteen this year. But compared to the Young Master, who reached the *Spirit Concentration Stage* at sixteen, his talent pales in comparison," Yang Hong replied, his tone tinged with regret. In his heart, he was already lamenting the fact that he would likely lose such a gifted disciple.

Just last night, he had urged Elder Liu to ensure that Yang Fan would refuse any invitation to join the Kyoto Yang Clan, no matter the cost.

"Haha, excellent!"

Yang Gongzi chuckled lightly and, with a single leap, flew toward the *Heavens' Platform*. Turning to Yang Hong, he called out, "Uncle Yang, please have this genius from your clan come forward and spar with me."

*What?!*

The crowd was instantly thrown into a tumult, only to fall into a deathly silence moments later.