Fated One.

Having no mood to return to the mountain of paperwork waiting on his desk, Fang Yuan abandoned the tasks he had left undone before the Eastern Ravine incident.

His mind was simply too clouded; irritation, disappointment, and sheer emotional exhaustion weighed heavy on his shoulders.

Instead, he returned to his chamber, discarded his bloodied outer robes, and collapsed onto his bed with a deep, weary sigh.

Cultivating, he thought. Just one night of quiet cultivation… there will be no beasts, nor any shattered cores, and no opportunity leaving beneath my very nose.

Within moments, spiritual energy began to circulate through his meridians.

The steady flow helped clear the bitterness from his heart, layer by layer.

For the first time that day, his breathing eased. His thoughts slowed.

And finally, he slept, untouched by the world, free for the night.

The next morning.

Fang Yuan stirred as the first rays of dawn painted soft gold across the floor of his chamber.

His eyes blinked open, clearer than they had been in days.

His heart felt light again, the gloom of the previous evening washed away like old ink in the rain.

He sat up, stretched, and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

"Alright," he murmured, "new day, new events to explore. It's time to make the best of it."

But the moment he stepped out of his chamber, something felt… off.

There was noise. A lot of it.

The courtyard outside buzzed with life; laughter, music, the clatter of dishes and clamor of celebration.

Fang Yuan paused at the threshold, brow furrowing.

It was festive. Too festive.

He glanced around, taking in the streamers fluttering in the breeze, the servants hustling back and forth with trays of sweet wine and spirit dishes.

What the hell?

This was louder, busier, and far more extravagant than even his birthday banquet had been.

Fang Yuan stood there in silence, watching the chaos unfold around him with increasing confusion.

"…Did I miss something?" he muttered. "An elder's birthday? A sect alliance? Heavens…. My banquet was just yesterday!"

Fang Yuan stepped out into the courtyard, and immediately, a chorus of greetings followed him like an eager tide.

"Family Head!"

"Good morning, Family Head!"

"Congratulations, Family Head!"

The last one made his steps falter.

Congratulations?

He forced a polite smile and gave small nods in return, but his mind was already spinning.

What were they congratulating him for? He hadn't announced any cultivation breakthrough.

And if someone had spread rumors about him getting married again, he was going to start swinging his sword.

He scanned the crowd until—thank the heavens—he spotted a familiar figure across the courtyard.

Aunt Jingyi.

She stood beneath a plum blossom tree, white hair flowing over her shoulder like silk. She was surrounded by a group of younger Fang girls, offering them instructions with the ease of a natural matriarch.

Her delicate fingers moved in graceful gestures as she handed out sashes and decorations.

Fang Yuan made his way over with a purposeful stride.

"Aunt Jingyi," he called as he approached.

She turned with a bright smile, eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Well, if it isn't my adorable junior brother," she beamed.

Fang Yuan stopped mid-step, blinking. "…Aunt, I'm your nephew."

"Oh?" she blinked innocently. "Are you calling me old, then?"

Fang Yuan opened his mouth.

Then shut it.

He stared at her in silent surrender, unsure whether he should laugh it off or run away from the psycho.

Jingyi chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. "You walked right into that one, little Yuan."

"Why is everyone congratulating me?" he asked, deciding to shift the topic before she called him her husband or something equally ridiculous.

Jingyi's smile widened as she leaned in, voice teasing and low.

"Oh? You really don't know?"

"…No," Fang Yuan said flatly.

She gave him a look of exaggerated shock. "You mean no one told you? Hm, maybe I shouldn't ruin the surprise then."

"Aunt."

She giggled, fanning herself with a decorative scroll. "Alright, alright. But you'll owe me tea and snacks later."

Fang Yuan sighed. "Deal. So what happened?"

"After you left the Spirit Stone Mine," she began, stepping gracefully to the side, "a few elders decided to explore deeper. And your brother volunteered to be part of the explorers too, we elders were confused but since he was your brother and he's my cute brother's younger brother, I decided to let him follow us."

She gave him a sidelong look.

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"Well~" she dragged the syllable like a musician tuning a string, "guess what your brilliant younger brother stumbled upon?"

He stared at her with no intentions of guessing.

She huffed. "Tch. You're no fun, little Yuan. This sister's feeling so sad now. Not even a hint of curiosity? Just this cold, unfeeling stare?"

The younger girls nearby fidgeted uncomfortably.

Fang Yuan gave in with a sigh. "Alright… Aunt." He emphasized the word 'aunt' like a jab. "Let me guess. Was it a Hollow Yeklo Grass?"

Fang Jingyi blinked and went still.

Then muttered like a disappointed gambler folding her hand, "…This is why you're still single, little Yuan. You're too illogical. Not even a sense of romance, no wonder no one's ever tried climbing into your bed except me."

Fang Yuan's brain skipped like a broken formation disk.

"I—" he started.

"No, don't defend yourself," she said, holding up a finger. "Just imagine how rare that grass is. I'm more likely to have your child than you are to stumble on something like that!"

His soul briefly left his body.

That comparison… that horrifying comparison.

Fang Yuan stood there in stunned silence, his spiritual awareness flickering like a broken lantern.

It wasn't the shock of hearing it—it was the sheer audacity of how naturally she had said it!d

She carried on as if she hadn't just shattered his mental sea.

"Anyway! That wasn't it," she said brightly. "Your precious younger brother, Fang Tian, discovered something far more useful."

He blinked. "...More useful than Hollow Yeklo Grass?"

Jingyi smiled.

"A Spirit Pond."

Fang Yuan froze.

His mouth opened slightly. Nothing came out.

His thoughts caught in a loop like a broken prayer chant.

Then, finally—

"…A Spirit Pond?"

"Mmhmm~" she said, clearly savoring his reaction.

"Hidden behind the second shaft, masked by natural formations. Honestly, even I wouldn't have found it without a spirit-seeking compass."

"But somehow your brother tripped over a rock and discovered it. Fate is funny like that."

"...And this is what everyone's celebrating?" Fang Yuan asked, voice shrill with rising dread.

"Well, of course!" she said, eyes sparkling. "It's a sign, little Yuan. Our family is bound to truly rise again!"

Fang Yuan's face paled. "But… what about the other families? The royal court? If word gets out, won't they—won't they try and come claim a share of it? They aren't going to let a treasure like this land on our hands alone!"

His concern was raw. Real.

Jingyi's expression softened. She turned to the girls with a dismissive wave.

"Go along, now. I'll be back with you all in a moment. I need to calm down my panicking nephew."

The girls scattered like birds, grateful for the excuse.

Fang Yuan, meanwhile, stared at the sky.

Is this the joke you came up for me today?