Chapter 431: 431: Source of power.
Fang Yuan and the others left the workshop together.
"It was fun, but I suppose we’ll have to part ways here for today," Fang Yueyao said with a gentle smile.
Lin Xi nodded as well.
"I should be heading back too. My husband ought to have returned by now."
The moment he heard the word husband, Fang Yuan instinctively turned toward Yueyao.
The last time he had checked, she had mentioned that her husband had already passed away.
He was worried the casual remark might have brought back unpleasant memories.
To his surprise, Fang Yueyao immediately burst into laughter.
"Clan Head, I’m fine."
Seeing his awkward expression, her smile widened.
"Please be a little more comfortable around me."
Lin Xi chuckled from the side.
"I agree. You worry too much."
Fang Yuan looked at the two women before helplessly rubbing his forehead.
Apparently, he had been concerned over nothing.
Since neither of them seemed bothered, he decided not to dwell on it any further.
After exchanging their farewells, the group finally went their separate ways.
Fang Yuan began heading back toward the estate.
Halfway there, however, he suddenly paused.
"...Actually."
A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
Since he was already out, he might as well pay a visit to every artisan in the district.
After all, he had just acquired a large number of artisans to make use of Artisan’s Insight Pills.
And besides, only giving it to Lu Cheng felt like he’s favouring one artisan and ignored the rest.
Giving one to each artisan would undoubtedly accelerate the district’s development as well.
It was a perfectly reasonable, selfless and a very noble decision, if if one asked.
Fang Yuan silently looked toward the distant street where countless statues of himself still stood proudly on display.
"...Ahem."
Naturally, while visiting them, he could also politely request that they remove the statues.
Not that he was going there to get the statues removed, definitely not. How small of a person did you thought the clan head was.
As these thoughts filled his mind, Fang Yuan changed direction and began making his rounds through the artisan district.
Several hours later, the entirety of the Eastern District had been covered.
During those few hours, Fang Yuan had discovered several things worth noting.
First of all, he had changed his appearance before visiting the workshops.
He had absolutely no intention of repeating what happened with Lu Cheng.
The poor artisan had nearly scared himself to death.
As it turned out, that precaution had been necessary.
Every artisan he met was inexplicably proud of the statues.
Not just proud, they were simply fanatical. He can’t help but applause Zhaoyue for being able to do that.
The moment Fang Yuan casually brought up removing them, they looked at him as if they were preparing to throw him out of their workshops.
One particularly bold artisan had even pointed at the door.
"Leave."
"..."
When Fang Yuan mentioned that the order came from the Patriarch herself, however, their attitudes changed instantly.
Even the bold artisan from before suddenly lowered his head and pretended he had never spoken.
Of course, a few of them still attempted to resist.
"Where’s the written order?"
"Do you have proof?"
"How do I know you’re not making things up?"
Those artisans were much more difficult.
Fortunately, revealing a quarter of his cultivation was enough to solve the problem.
After all, very few people enjoyed arguing with someone capable of flattening the entire district.
The second thing he discovered was even stranger.
Every single artisan looked reluctant when he handed them the pill.
Some looked suspicious and even fearful, in fact, one even cried.
Yet after swallowing it, all of them reacted exactly the same way.
They forgot he existed.
The moment enlightenment struck, they immediately rushed toward their workbenches.
One artisan had started drawing blueprints directly onto his own clothes.
Another had run headfirst into a wall because he was too busy thinking.
A third had climbed onto the roof and screamed about how much he love Huiron.
Fang Yuan still wasn’t entirely sure what that one was doing.
In any case, the results were remarkable.
Fortunately, there were only a little over four hundred workshops within the Eastern District.
The task was completed much earlier than expected.
Now all he needed to do was wait.
Wait and see what these artisans ultimately produced.
If the results were powerful enough...
Perhaps he could use the Artisan’s Insight as the Grand price and start hosting a tournament.
The thought intrigued him.
After all, talented artisans were just as valuable as talented cultivators.
And unlike cultivation resources, the cost was laughably low.
One pill cost only 150 Faith Points.
Meanwhile, his daily income now exceeded one hundred thousand Faith Points.
The difference was absurd.
As the thought crossed his mind, Fang Yuan opened his system panel.
———
System Points: 188,400
Faith Points: 600,969
Without a word, he raised his hand and manipulate faith qi. The golden faith energy gathered around his fingertips.
Yet as soon as he did, the numbers immediately began dropping.
-500
-500
-1000
-2000
-500
Fang Yuan’s smile gradually faded as this consumption was horrendous. And this was also simply him manipulating a portion with his hand, imagine if he had been in a fight.
There was no doubt he’d run out of faith points mid fight if he didn’t hoard enough.
A sigh then escaped his lips.
"Do I have to depend on people for my power?"
His gaze became distant.
"If someone were to wipe out the mortals and perhaps the Fang Clan as well."
He slowly clenched his fist.
"Then what would I have left?"
The question lingered in the air.
Faith qi was powerful yet its source was external.
It was strength granted by others and if it could be granted, then it could also be taken away.
For a moment, silence descended and then a familiar voice came from behind him.
"Me, you’ll still have me."
He turned around and there she stood.
Carrying a child comfortably in her arms.
Her black hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall.
Her rosy lips curved into a beautiful and gentle smile.
Her skin was milky white, flawless and smooth as polished jade.
And those eyes, crimson red.
Deep, mesmerizing, and impossible to ignore.
They carried a dangerous beauty, like a sea of roses capable of pulling others in before they even realized they were covered in thorns.
Then another voice suddenly rang out.
"And me too!"
Fang Qingyue immediately raised her hand.
"Papa, you have me too!"
The little girl puffed out her chest proudly.
Only for Lin Zhaoyue to glance down at her.
"Husband was talking about what happens if the Fang Clan is erased."
"Mhm."
"You’re Fang Qingyue."
