Chapter 172: 172. Smart kids should do more homework

As time continued to pass amidst the readers’ relentless debates about the green hat, the anniversary celebration of the Heavenly Sword Sect quickly approached.

The construction of the four statues of the Sect Masters was also completed.

Fang Zhou heard from Yu Qing that there would be many lively activities at the celebration, such as fireworks, lanterns, and performances. The entire Heavenly Sword Sect was now preparing for the event.

The Cloud Sea Gang had completed the engineering project for the Heavenly Sword Sect, creating both the statues and the venue for the celebration.

The day after the project was handed over, the Sect Master would come early to inspect her statue.

This was insider information that Fang Zhou got from Yu Qing, meaning he could go and admire the Sect Master, who was notoriously reclusive and rarely left Heavenly Sword Peak. Even members of the Heavenly Sword Sect found it difficult to catch a glimpse of her.

On the night the project was handed over, Fang Zhou released Lan Shao from the gourd, summoned the Xuanyuan Sword, and left Moon Viewing Peak carrying her on his back.

Lan Shao now feared Fang Zhou less and less while becoming increasingly lively and restless, squirming around on his back.

After becoming invisible, they quietly arrived at Yujian Peak, where Fang Zhou immediately saw the completed statue.

The statue was about six zhang tall, pure white, and purportedly modeled entirely after the Sect Master. Just one look left Fang Zhou astounded.

He wondered if it had been flattered or beautified. If the Sect Master really looked like this, she would be an unparalleled beauty, rivaling Ling Xiaoyue.

Around the statue was the venue for the celebration, just as quiet as before, with no guards in sight.

He couldn’t tell if it was carelessness or just normal thinking on the Heavenly Sword Sect’s part, not expecting someone to come and sabotage the statue at night.

Although Fang Zhou had switched the materials of the statue and the venue with inferior ones, it wouldn’t necessarily deteriorate immediately and could potentially last one or two years without issue.

So tonight, Fang Zhou was here to push things forward and ensure these issues would surface soon.

He controlled the Xuanyuan Sword, flew to the statue, and lightly tapped its neck area.

The force from Fang Zhou’s hand instantly caused internal cracks in the statue.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Fang Zhou’s control over his strength had grown to the next level, making it easy to create this damaged-yet-not-ruined situation.

After tapping the statue’s neck and other vulnerable joints, Fang Zhou flew away from Yujian Peak and headed towards Xuanjian Peak and Thunder Sword Peak.

Midway, Lan Shao suddenly asked, “Who are you trying to frame?”

Fang Zhou was startled, not expecting Lan Shao to recognize his intentions: “How did you figure that out?”

Lan Shao wrinkled her nose: “Isn’t it obvious?”

Fang Zhou asked a few more questions, with Lan Shao responding clearly and thoughtfully each time.

Fang Zhou was slightly surprised, realizing Lan Shao’s intelligence surpassed that of her sisters. Could it be that her poor combat ability was due to having taken her sisters’ intelligence?

“Why didn’t you help your sisters back at Lanruo Temple?”

Fang Zhou was curious; if Lan Shao had always been this smart, why did she watch her sisters get trapped one by one without stepping in?

Hearing Fang Zhou bring this up, Lan Shao pouted: “They wouldn’t listen to me anyway, so what’s the point of saying anything?”

Well, he couldn’t argue with that.

Fang Zhou pondered that perhaps when they returned, he could have Cheng Xing teach Lan Shao to read and write. Given her poor combat abilities, grooming her into a clerical role seemed promising; after all, smart kids should be given more homework.

Otherwise, relying on Cheng Xing alone was too taxing; Fang Zhou barely had time to build a relationship with her.

Feeling quite pleased with herself, Lan Shao had no idea what awaited her upon their return.

After replicating his actions at Xuanjian Peak and Thunder Sword Peak, Fang Zhou quietly returned to Moon Viewing Peak.

The next day, Yu Qing came early to Moon Viewing Peak to invite Fang Zhou to Yujian Peak to watch the Sect Master.

Today, the Sect Master would come to inspect her statue, a rare opportunity to admire her.

Having entered the mountain at a young age, even Yu Qing hadn’t seen the Sect Master many times.

Although Fang Zhou didn’t know why the Sect Master’s face was worth seeing, he agreed happily.

They arrived at the statue on Yujian Peak, where a large crowd had gathered. Many disciples had come together spontaneously to catch a glimpse of the Sect Master.

Seeing the excited faces of the disciples, Fang Zhou found this situation quite familiar.

Calling it “star-chasing” didn’t seem right, since the Sect Master hadn’t accomplished any deeds. She had reportedly stayed reclusive on Heavenly Sword Peak ever since becoming Sect Master, making it unlikely for regular disciples to idolize her.

Even True Master Yu Jian, who hadn’t appeared for a long time, showed up, forcing Yu Qing to leave Fang Zhou’s side to offer greetings. Hundreds of disciples bowed to True Master Yu Jian, creating an impressive scene.

Fang Zhou stood alone, immediately standing out.

True Master Yu Jian cast a gentle smile toward Fang Zhou.

Not long after, people from Heavenly Sword Peak arrived in a grand procession.

Leading them was a stunning young girl in luxurious robes, whose appearance was identical to the statue.

This girl was likely the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Qin Yunzhu.

Next to Qin Yunzhu was a mature, cold, and gorgeous woman, slightly less beautiful than her.

With Qin Yunzhu’s appearance, Yujian Peak fell silent as all the disciples gazed at her with respect and curiosity.

Fang Zhou immediately understood; Qin Yunzhu was seen as a mascot by the disciples, a rare and precious mascot like a national treasure.

No wonder Yu Qing insisted on bringing him along to watch.

“Welcome, Sect Master.”

True Master Yu Jian saluted Qin Yunzhu, and all the disciples and deacon elders on Yujian Peak followed suit.

Again, Fang Zhou stood out among the crowd.

The eyes of Qin Yunzhu and her entourage instinctively focused on Fang Zhou.

Fang Zhou slowly pulled out a paper fan from his sleeve and with a snap, opened it to cover his face.

What are you looking at? Haven’t you seen a handsome guy before?

Qin Yunzhu gave Fang Zhou a few glances with an unreadable expression before saying to True Master Yu Jian, “No need for formality, True Master. I’m just here to take a look and will leave shortly.”

No matter how casually they might act in private, both the Sect Master and the True Master had to maintain etiquette and decorum in public.

Qin Yunzhu and True Master Yu Jian exchanged some casual words while others stood quietly aside. Those accompanying Qin Yunzhu for the inspections today were responsible for the usual sect affairs.

Yan Gulan was also among them, her gaze falling coldly on Fang Zhou.

Yan Gulan was already aware of Fang Zhou’s extortion of Zhou Chaosiang in Yunshan City.

Such seemingly petty acts would have once made Yan Gulan think Fang Zhou was acting childish, but after the failed forced demolition, she dared not underestimate him.

Although Yan Gulan couldn’t understand Fang Zhou’s actions, she decided to temporarily lay low and prepare countermeasures.

Once the fuss died down, Yan Gulan planned to show Fang Zhou whose territory the Heavenly Sword Sect really was.

As Yan Gulan pondered, Fang Zhou suddenly lowered his paper fan and gave her a smile.

This made Yan Gulan pause, growing even more uncertain about Fang Zhou’s intentions.