Creak… Creak… The wind whistled through the forked branches of a sapling in the freezing night. Under the pale moonlight, a Black Raven swooped down and perched on a withered branch. The grating, unpleasant noise of the wind ceased abruptly. Beneath the tree, a thin, diminutive figure huddled in the dirt, shivering violently. He looked […]

They walked from the pitch of night into the gray of dawn. Han Yu felt as if a slow-burning fire had been stoked inside his chest. His legs had turned to jelly, soft and useless; he only kept moving through the sheer, stubborn inertia of instinct. Ahead, the black-robed Old Daoist never faltered. The large

“Here are the two techniques. Go back to your room and cultivate them yourself!” That very day, after handing Han Yu the manuals, the Old Daoist unceremoniously shooed him out the door. Just as the old man had warned, how much Han Yu learned from this point on was entirely up to fate. The Old

“Master Daoist.” Han Yu stood before the old man, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs. The Old Daoist, possessing a face as long and unsightly as a donkey’s, narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “I’ve given you no Blood Food, and I’ve forced you to feed my raven. So tell me—why is your

“Thank you for your mercy, Immortal Child! I shall remember this benevolence as long as I draw breath!” Wei Baoyu, the fourth son of the Nanli Kingdom’s Prime Minister, stole a trembling glance upward before scrambling away with his entourage. Only the Old Daoist, Han Yu, the massive black raven, and eight fine steeds remained

“Reporting to Deacon Fang. Disciple Li Quan, ninety-three years of age.” The white-haired old Daoist spoke with extreme caution, his voice trembling slightly. Deacon Fang’s brow furrowed. “At your age, you still wish to cultivate immortality?” “Please, Deacon, have mercy. This is this disciple’s singular obsession in life,” the old Daoist pleaded softly. “Very well.

After getting acquainted with Zhang Shan, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan, Old Daoist Li learned that private fights were strictly forbidden. He had no choice but to temporarily shelve his plan to teach Han Yu a lesson. Instead, he asked the three about the intricacies of tending spirit fields. Seeing that Old Daoist Li and

“Little brat, do I look fine to you?” Old Daoist Li scoffed, his eyes narrowed in derision. His bony fingers clamped down on Han Yu’s wrist, gripping so tightly it hurt. “So, this is also what an Immortal Master is… this is an Immortal Master… Hah! And here I thought they were something special!” “To

“Finally out here farming, are you? If you’d waited any longer, I would have had to punish you according to the rules!” In the afternoon, Steward Wang, hands clasped behind his back and belly protruding, strode past Han Yu and Old Daoist Li’s spirit fields with a cold sneer. Han Yu and Li exchanged puzzled

In the night, the large raven cawed its acknowledgement and prepared to take flight again. Han Yu suddenly remembered his low cultivation level and the strict sect rules. “Just look for wild spirit herbs and fruits,” he quickly added. “Don’t go causing trouble in other people’s fields or the sect’s Medicine Gardens.” “And from now

As soon as Zhang Shan, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan departed with smiles on their faces, the grin slid right off Old Daoist Li’s face. He sighed heavily, slumping into the chair before the table, his appetite completely gone. “Little Brat, tell me… is a man’s fate carved in stone by the Heavens?” He stared

“Senior Brother Sun, you must be close to breaking through to the third layer of Qi Refining, right?” Han Yu asked as Sun Kang prepared to leave. Sun Kang’s face lit up with anticipation. “If the Spirit Rice holds out… another half year should do it!” He paused, adding, “Oh, right. In a month, our

“Little Brat, you have a long life ahead of you. You can’t understand the fear gnawing at this old Daoist’s heart.” Old Daoist Li, over ninety years old, had clung to existence for the past few years solely by relying on the Blood Refining Art—a Pseudo-Immortal Method—and consuming Blood Food. “How much longer I can

“An opportunity to earn Spirit Stones?” Han Yu looked at him, puzzled. Old Daoist Li leaned in close, his long, mule-like face contorted with conspiracy. He lowered his voice to a raspy whisper. “Those damned beasts are strutting around right under our noses. During the day, we can’t do much without drawing attention. But at

Han Yu returned to his humble stone hut, still catching his breath. Before he could even sit down, two crows—one large, one small—darted into the room like streaks of black lightning. The larger crow landed gracefully in front of him, lowering its glossy black head. It gently opened its sharp beak, and a verdant twig

Han Yu listened to Sun Kang, thinking that Senior Brother Sun was truly a warm-hearted and trustworthy man. “No need for now, Senior Brother Sun. I didn’t see any Spirit-Stealing Rats when I checked the fields today.” “Maybe they’ve moved on,” Sun Kang said. “Let’s hope they don’t come back. With your situation and Li

Han Yu opened the door and froze. Old Man Li’s gray robe was drenched in blood. His face was gaunt, his eyes sunken deep into their sockets, and he looked far more haggard than usual. “Master Daoist, what happened to you?” “I ran into some starving ghosts looking for a payday!” Li Quan snarled, his

Forget it. There was no way to reconcile with that rat-breeder anyway, so offending them further hardly mattered. Han Yu looked at the two crows. “Take this Spirit-Stealing Rat. It’s yours.” The crows burst into a flurry of excited caws within the cramped stone room. The larger crow snatched the rodent in its talons and

The Laborer Disciples stood with their hands at their sides, listening in silence to Steward Wang’s voice, which was thick with habitual irritability. “First matter: reclaiming the spirit fields,” the Steward barked. “In recent months, two more from the Spirit Field Department have met their ends. The first was Wang Fugui. A man with Five

After condensing nine drops of Blood Essence, Han Yu realized that the road ahead for the Blood Refining Art had reached a dead end. Old Man Li had warned him many times that this coagulation method was not an Orthodox Cultivation Path, but merely a Pseudo-Immortal Method. Reaching nine drops confirmed those warnings. The technique

After their routine inspection of the spirit fields, Han Yu and Old Li set off for the Green Grain Market. As they navigated the winding paths through the sprawling fields, Old Li shared his hard-earned wisdom in a voice like grinding gravel. “If we stick to shops run by Wanchun Valley, we can breathe easy,”

Han Yu frowned as the portly, bare-chested man cornered him. “May I ask, Fellow Daoist, what exactly are you selling?” “Everything!” the fat man boasted with a jovial grin. “Just name your price. I’ll do my utmost to find whatever satisfies you. Magical Artifacts, Talismans, pills, cultivation techniques, secret arts, spells—if you want it, just

Seeing Zhong Yue’s playful mockery, Pig Old Three scratched his head sheepishly. However, when he noticed Han Yu wasn’t sneering at him, he puffed out his chest—his plump, hairy torso thrust forward in a sight that was truly an assault on the eyes. “That’s right! I do indeed possess an astonishing secret technique. To this

Hearing a thousand stories could never compare to a single look with one’s own eyes. Han Yu’s trip to the Green Grain Market had torn open the horizon of his world. Seeing the market’s scale and inner workings firsthand made him realize the rigid strata of the cultivation world. Laborer Disciples like himself were confined

Breaking through to the second layer of Qi Refining brought a richer, more robust flow of Spirit Breath through Han Yu’s meridians. He could feel his muscles and sinews tightening, tempered by the increased spiritual pressure. To his surprise, the nine drops of Blood Essence he once thought were his absolute limit had expanded. With

Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting fragmented shadows across the blue-brick floor. A few drops of dark red lamp oil splattered as the flame flickered, making the deep, crag-like wrinkles on Old Daoist Li’s face appear even more sinister. Han Yu listened to the man’s confession while sensing the thick, metallic stench of gore

Inside the stone hut, Old Daoist Li spoke in low, hushed tones, imparting the mnemonic for the Breath Concealment Technique and the subtle tricks of Sound Transmission. Finally, gritting his teeth, he forced a single drop of crimson Blood Essence to manifest at his fingertip and offered it to Han Yu. “The true chapter of

Zhang Shan had returned and left a letter? Han Yu listened to the news, his gaze fixed straight ahead, betraying nothing. He mused that Old Daoist Li’s maneuver was clever—by creating a trail, the old man could swiftly deflect suspicion from himself. It was a solid strategy for a clean break. “Senior Brother Zhang just

As Steward Wang’s roar echoed through the Spirit Field Department, Laborer Disciples trickled out from their stone huts and muddy fields. They gathered in the clearing, their eyes fixed on the purple-robed Deacon and the retinue of high-ranking cultivators. Deacon Lu hovered in mid-air, standing atop his flower-shaped Magical Artifact. His gaze was as sharp

Deacon Lu’s declaration left the gathered disciples completely baffled. An Inner Disciple spoke up, “Deacon Lu, just what is this person’s background?” “The Little Sky Net Sect! That lot of fortune-telling, mumbling mystics,” Deacon Lu scoffed. “The location you all searched—was it clean? Absolutely nothing there?” “Indeed, it was empty.” Deacon Lu let out a

Having pushed his Spirit Breath absorption to its absolute limit for the day, Han Yu felt the familiar wave of weakness wash over his body—the toll of tempering his physique. He immediately began circulating the Blood Refining Technique. As the technique activated, he sensed his Blood Essence slowly consuming itself to replenish his depleted vitality.

Listening to the group’s discussions, Han Yu gained a better understanding of the situation—and an inexplicable sense of urgency. If a full-blown war really erupted between the great sects and Wanchun Valley, what could mere Laborer Disciples like them do? Wouldn’t their lives hang by a thread, entirely at the mercy of others? But then,

Wei Kunyi’s reasoning was certainly novel, but upon reflection, it made perfect sense. Since Old Daoist Li was ignoring this ten-day period—a golden opportunity for Laborer Disciples to cultivate—it would be a shameful waste to let the spiritual energy in his field dissipate into nothingness. Wei Kunyi and Liu Lan arrived at the door of

Last night, the crow flock had feasted on Spirit Insects and Spirit-Stealing Rats throughout the spirit fields. Today, the results were evident: not only were Han Yu’s fields pest-free, but no Laborer Disciple in the entire Spirit Field Department encountered a single problem. On the surface, Han Yu had officially broken through to the first

Steward Wang? Han Yu’s heart sank the moment he heard the name fall from Wei Kunyi’s lips. Was she merely using Steward Wang’s name to intimidate him, or was the Steward genuinely involved? If it was the former, he could handle it. But if it was the latter… wouldn’t that mean Han Yu was doomed

“Twelve years old, Four Spirit Roots, and already at the first level of Qi Refining?” Steward Wang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his massive belly thrust proudly forward as he questioned the boy. “Yes, Steward Wang,” Han Yu replied. To be precise, the passing of winter meant Han Yu was now thirteen.

The day of the harvest brought joy to some and sorrow to others. Han Yu, having ostensibly broken through to the first level of Qi Refining and displayed a respectable talent for spellcasting, found himself treated strictly according to the rules by Steward Wang. He walked away with fifty-one catties of Green Grain Spirit Rice—an

“Lu Yun?” “Li Quan?” Among the six names called, these two struck Ji, Hua, and the other Laborer Disciples as impossibly unlikely. Neither seemed capable of murder. Lu Yun was a lecher reincarnated. Despite possessing Three Spirit Roots and a bright future, he spent his days indulging in bizarre, solitary amusements. He barely cared about

Two Inner Disciples departed for the market to report the Old Daoist’s crimes, while Deacon Lu rushed off to inform the Sect Leader. Steward Wang remained kneeling on the ground, terrified to move a muscle. The other Outer Disciples stood guard, their expressions grim, watching the gathered Laborer Disciples like hawks. The Laborer Disciples were

After examining Lu Yun, Elders Yan and Wen proceeded to check the remaining Laborer Disciples. They conducted a thorough search of every stone hut and spirit field, ensuring no other spies lay hidden. Once satisfied, they took the two exposed traitors and Steward Wang into custody and departed. The other Deacons, along with the visiting

Go to the market? Han Yu had indeed entertained the thought. For one, Spirit Rice provided little benefit to his current cultivation. He needed to exchange it for items that could genuinely aid his practice and enhance his strength. Secondly, the medicinal potency of the Mystic Heart Fruit was waning with repeated use, and it

That Spirit Dog… why did it look so familiar? Before Han Yu could take a closer look, a young girl in crimson robes carrying a medicine basket strode over. She scooped up the white Spirit Dog by the scruff of its neck and stuffed it into her basket. “This little thing is naughty. Please forgive

Crowds swarmed the cobblestone street, surging toward the tavern like a tide to witness the excitement. Han Yu stepped away from the flow and approached a storefront bearing a plaque inscribed with “Hundred Herb Pavilion.” A medicinal fragrance wafted through the half-open doors, mingling with the faint, acrid scent of scorched herbs from alchemical fires.

Stepping out of the Hundred Herb Pavilion, Han Yu saw no sign of Sun Kang or Liu Lan. Since he still had ten Spirit Stones in hand, he decided to check the nearby “Spirit Art Pavilion” for any suitable cultivation techniques. Inside, the shop assistant was distracted by the commotion outside, where the crowd buzzed

“Little Brat?” Han Yu’s eyes widened in surprise as he turned to look at the horse-faced middle-aged man selling flower cakes. “Daoist Master?” “Didn’t I tell you? Call me Fellow Daoist from now on.” Old Daoist Li, his head wrapped in a cloth scarf, casually swept the unsold flower cakes into a Storage Bag. Han

Five Spirit Stones. Two or three catties of Spirit Rice. Three Jade Slips. These items lay quietly within the Storage Bag. Han Yu organized his gains from the day: the Common Spirit Plants Jade Slip, ten Spirit Stones, the unsold Spirit Blood Vine, and fifty catties of Spirit Rice. He also stored the Mystic Heart

Han Yu, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan were fully occupied with their cultivation, harvesting the spirit fields, and sowing the new crop of Green Grain Spirit Rice. They had no intention of visiting the Green Grain Market to join in the festivities, nor were they qualified to witness the combat competition between the Inner and

Han Yu opened his eyes, a genuine smile spreading across his face. More than a year after arriving at Wanchun Valley, he had finally reached the third level of Qi Refining. More importantly, he had transformed his aptitude from Four Spirit Roots to Three Spirit Roots. The subtle extension of his lifespan, the surge in

As Sun Kang and Liu Lan chattered about the recent news, Han Yu noted the worry etched between their brows. Wanchun Valley was their sanctuary. As long as the sect stood, Laborer Disciples like them could cultivate in relative peace. Tending the spirit fields might be humble work, but it was a legitimate path to

After the Sect Leader finished speaking, a heavy silence settled over the great hall. No one dared to break the stillness. Even Elder Yan, who had been shouting in agitation moments ago, held his tongue. After a long pause, the Supreme Elder spoke. “In my opinion, we must still talk with the other four sects.

“Are Rogue Cultivators truly reliable? If they merely take advantage of the situation without exerting any real effort, we are the ones who will suffer!” Elder Bai could not help but voice his concerns after hearing the Sect Leader explain the specifics of the Exceptional Promotion Order. Elder Wen added his own misgivings. “If the

Once Senior Brother Hong concluded his announcement, the disciples at the third layer of Qi Refining rushed forward to register, eager to secure their status as Outer Disciples. Sun Kang gripped Han Yu’s shoulder, his voice lowered. “Junior Brother Han, rest assured. If I have the capacity later, I will do everything I can to

Another twenty days slipped by in a blur. For Han Yu, time felt scarce. Despite his urgency, his Qi Refining progress remained painfully slow. Even with his Three Spirit Roots, advancing from the third to the fourth layer of Qi Refining using the orthodox Green Grain Qi Cultivation Method would take a year or two

Han Yu’s jaw tightened as he processed Zhong Yue’s first few words. This girl had been dangerously loose-lipped back at the Hundred Herb Pavilion, and nothing had changed. Now, with her white Spirit Dog sniffing around him, she was once again loudly proclaiming that he carried spirit herbs. Though she seemed to lack malice—merely urging

“Who did this?” Hong Liang, now an Inner Disciple clad in blue robes thanks to his recent breakthrough to the sixth layer of Qi Refining, glared at the gathered Laborer Disciples. His face was cold, his aura oppressive. Silence hung heavy over the crowd. No one dared to breathe. “I don’t care if it was

Seeing that Jin Qi still remembered him, Han Yu stepped forward with a respectful nod. “Yes, Senior Brother Jin. Back then, you saw I was new and ignorant of the ways here, so you gifted me a jade slip containing the sect’s rules and general knowledge.” “I have not forgotten your kindness, Senior Brother Jin!”

Morning sunlight spilled across the Spirit Field Department of Wanchun Valley, causing the endless rows of green seedlings to sway gently in the breeze. Han Yu, as usual, made his rounds to inspect his spirit field. The Spirit Corroding Powder from yesterday had only appeared briefly; it hadn’t had enough time to cause lasting damage

“There were originally around two to three thousand Laborer Disciples. A few hundred at the third layer of Qi Refining were promoted to the Outer Sect, and a few dozen fled when news of the sect’s crisis broke. Now, roughly two thousand remain.” “Rogue Cultivators who recently joined as Laborer Disciples are barred from this

“Counsel?” Han Yu immediately shook his head. “There’s no need. I don’t plan to tell anyone which technique I intend to exchange for.” Tian Qing’s smile stiffened for a split second before he smoothed it over with a laugh. “So, Senior Brother Han, you are planning to get a new technique before the competition, aren’t

Han Yu wasn’t entirely sure of Hong Liang’s situation, but he had received Wang Hui’s hint loud and clear. That was a start. Perhaps worried that Han Yu was too young to understand the gravity of the message, Wang Hui added, “Junior Brother Han, I see you have great talent for techniques. Your future prospects

The Thousand Illusions Secret Art in Han Yu’s hands originated from a fallen power known as the Thousand Illusions Sect. The opening lines of the scroll were blunt: the sect had been annihilated, leaving its secret arts fragmented and incomplete, waiting for future generations to restore them. Currently, the portion in Han Yu’s possession focused

Outside the Green Grain Market, a Plantain Leaf descended from mid-air. Two thousand-year-old scholar trees loomed ahead. Wang Hui was just about to step into the market when Hong Liang called out to him. “Junior Brother Wang, hold a moment. Let us speak.” Wang Hui smiled. “Speak? What is there to discuss? I can hardly

Not long after, Elder Yan and the two Deacons returned, their faces grim. One look told the Wanchun Valley disciples everything: the Demonic Cultivator had slipped through their fingers. “Is he still alive?” Elder Yan glanced at Wang Hui, who had been laid flat on the ground by rescuers. “There’s still a breath left. His

“What?” Elder Yan, Deacon Lu, the disciples, and Han Yu all stared in astonishment. Deacon Lu and the other Deacon moved to flank Li Tonghai, boxing him in completely. Elder Yan slowly relaxed his grip on the black vine staff, ceasing his relentless assault. Li Tonghai hurriedly glanced down at the spirit sword hovering before

Night fell, and the Spirit Field Department lay silent under the moon’s glow. Silver light bathed the spirit fields and the stone hut, spilling through the window and onto the floor inside. Han Yu sat cross-legged on his stone bed. In the stillness of the night, he pondered the priorities for his upcoming cultivation. The

Stepping into the Technique Pavilion, a wave of cyan light surged toward Han Yu. The light rippled across his body—a clear reaction to his status. The barrier recognized that he was neither an Inner nor an Outer Disciple. Sensing the fluctuation, a youthful voice called out from a nearby room: “Laborer Disciples seeking entry must

“Junior Brother Han, what brings you here?” Hua Qi spotted Han Yu the moment he arrived at the Spirit Field Department’s steward office. He rose from his seat by the window to call out. Inside the office, Hua Qi was accompanied by Ji Yida and the Inner Disciple, Senior Sister Li. At Hua Qi’s question,

Staring at the two phantoms standing before him—identical to him in every detail—Han Yu finally grasped why Tian Qing and Ling Hui had been so insistent that he exchange his merit for illusion-based spells. So, this was the true potency of the Thousand Illusions Secret Art. The fidelity of these doppelgängers was far superior to

As Han Yu stepped onto the arena platform, Zhong Yue, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan all turned their attention toward his ring, rising from their seats to approach. Weaving through the crowd, Zhu San—Pig Third—also turned his head. He gestured toward the platform, addressing the Laborer Disciple he had cornered. “Junior Brother, do you see

This time, Han Yu faced a Laborer Disciple with deeply tanned skin. As soon as the match was announced, the disciple’s eyes sharpened with wariness. He clenched his hands, revealing two talismans—one held in the left, one in the right. Facing a fellow winner of the first round, the opposition was clearly better prepared. Seeing

Where there is a Grand Competition, there are rankings. And where there are rankings, rewards inevitably follow. This was one of the most effective ways to motivate the disciples. Although this event was an exceptional examination to promote Laborer Disciples to the Outer Sect, the fact that so many had fought their way to this

Whose flying sword was this? Han Yu, his opponent Bai Lingyun, and the crowd of disciples below the arena all turned their heads to look. On the spectator stand to the side, Li Tonghai stood with a smile, his fingers forming a sword seal directed straight at Han Yu. He was the one who had

“You wish to go to the Spirit Field Department? You will not stay on the main peak?” The Deacon in charge of the administrative hall looked at Han Yu with mild surprise. “Yes,” Han Yu replied. “Is it possible for the Deacon to arrange this?” “Arranging it is simple enough. In fact, most disciples are

“Junior Brother Han, impressive!” As soon as Han Yu’s plantain leaf touched down at the Spirit Field Department, Hua Qi poked his head out with a wide grin. “Truly impressive! First place in the Grand Competition!” Ji Yida chimed in. Han Yu smiled modestly. “Both Senior Brothers watched the Laborer Disciple Grand Competition. You should

Following the Sect Leader’s command, Elder Yan, Elder Bai, Elder Wen, and five other Elders dared not delay. They rushed back to the main hall of the sect’s primary peak to engage the defensive arrays. The eight Elders transmitted into the sealed core of Wanchun Valley’s earth veins. There, they confirmed that the hub of

“Let’s go.” Dim moonlight scattered across the vast expanse of Wanchun Valley’s Guardian Formation. Suspended high above the array, the Wanchun Valley Sect Leader, wearing a golden crown and a robe embroidered with official seals, stroked his three long strands of beard as he spoke. Beneath his feet, a green jade gourd over ten feet

“You!” The Supreme Elder’s eyes bulged with rage as he glared at Ke Yuan. The green vine in his hand transformed into a blur of lashing shadows, whipping violently toward Ke Yuan’s skull. Ke Yuan had anticipated this. Although both were at the Golden Core stage, the Supreme Elder of Wanchun Valley possessed far greater

Sect Leader Qi of Wanchun Valley shoved a pill into his mouth, not daring to pause for even a heartbeat. As he frantically converted the medicinal energy into mana, he pushed the green jade gourd to its limit, tearing through the sky toward the Spirit Sword Sect, ten thousand miles away. Finally, the faint glimmer

“This is improper!” The moment Ye Guxing finished speaking, the three Golden Core cultivators from the Spirit Beast Sect, Mystic One Sect, and Little Sky Net Sect objected in unison. If they followed this course of action, wouldn’t Wanchun Valley be completely exonerated? Even if they purged those practicing the Demon Blood Sect’s techniques, Wanchun

The morning sun bathed the Spirit Field Department in a warm glow. The slender stalks of Green Grain Spirit Rice stood tall, their fine leaves unfurling with vibrant life. Early-rising Laborer Disciples had already begun their rounds, inspecting the growth of their assigned plots. Han Yu stepped out of the steward’s quarters, his feet automatically

“Sacred Blood?” Ji Yida repeated the phrase subconsciously, his eyes widening in shock. “The Demon Blood Sect!” “Indeed, it is the Demon Blood Sect,” Senior Sister Li murmured. “They never refer to themselves as ‘demonic,’ but rather as ‘Sacred Blood’…” She paused, her voice trailing off. “But why are they here? Why not the Spirit

The formation was breached? Demonic cultivators had infiltrated the Guardian Formation? Ji Yida and Hua Qi felt their hearts tremble. Were they truly going to die here? Han Yu gazed up at the energy barrier overhead, which remained visibly intact. “They are coordinating from the inside and outside!” he warned calmly. “The Saint Blood Perfected

Han Yu felt his heart loosen. Though the fate of Wanchun Valley’s Sect Leader and Supreme Elder remained unknown, the sword cultivators from the Spirit Sword Sect were finally here. Perhaps Wanchun Valley would not be destroyed after all. Following that cold shout, a surge of sword light swept across the sky outside the Guardian

A crow swooped down from a branch, snatching the demonic cultivator’s Storage Bag in its beak. Simultaneously, two Wind Blades sliced through the air, cutting the corpse open once more. Han Yu emerged from the soil beneath the shrubs only after confirming the Storage Bag was secure and the enemy was truly dead. He cast

In the wake of the battle, Wanchun Valley buzzed with activity. Outer Disciples like Zhong Yue and Sun Kang made an initial visit to the Spirit Field Department, followed by Inner Disciples such as Jin Qi and Sheng Yan, who arrived over an hour later. They assessed the structural damage and brought with them the

From the recent demonic cultivator raid, Han Yu had secured a hefty haul: one Major Merit, ten Minor Merits, two cultivation sessions in the Technique Pavilion, a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills, and a token to claim either a pill or a Magical Artifact. His cultivation resources were once again plentiful. Han Yu did not

“Spirit Root Refining Art?” Han Yu stood quietly behind Senior Sister Li and Hua Qi, listening. Yesterday, Pig Third had sold the Spirit Root Refining Art to Bai Lingyun. That transaction had caught Elder Bai’s attention, leading to Pig Third’s immediate punishment. But why did the sect report this technique and ban its practice? “Deacon

Han Yu had anticipated that his Blood Refining would outpace his Qi Refining. With a continuous supply of his own essence blood, the Blood Refining Technique advanced at a frightening pace. Even after he deliberately throttled his speed, it still eclipsed his orthodox cultivation. Demonic Cultivators were infamous for two things: rapid progression and ruthless,

One by one, Outer and Laborer Disciples harvested the Green Grain Spirit Rice from their fields, their faces beaming with joy. Hua Qi and Han Yu stood by, meticulously recording yields and assigning Minor Merits. To encourage the sect’s recovery, the administration had implemented generous policies. Laborer Disciples tending five mu of fields only needed

“Junior Brother Han.” At the Medicine Garden, Han Yu met with Sun Kang, Liu Lan, and Zhong Yue. After the initial greetings, Sun Kang asked how Han Yu had been faring at the Spirit Field Department. “I’ve been cultivating diligently with Qi Gathering Pills,” Han Yu replied. “I’m not far from the third layer of

“The third layer of Qi Refining?” Hua Qi couldn’t hide his astonishment. “Junior Brother Han, you’ve already broken through?” Before Han Yu could explain, Hua Qi answered his own question. “It makes sense. The sect rewarded you with two bottles of Qi Gathering Pills, and you exchanged your contribution points for a piece of Thousand-Year

Night hung heavy over the valley. Han Yu sat cross-legged, gripping two pieces of Thousand-Year Sunkwood Heart. He pushed his daily absorption of Spirit Breath to the absolute limit. Once finished, he replicated and refined two drops of essence blood, making tangible progress in the Blood Refining Art. Afterward, he quietly practiced the Thousand Illusions

What did Consort Yu have to do with him? Han Yu ignored Pig Third’s insinuation and asked, “Are you still planning to visit the market these next few days to purchase your wives and concubines?” Seeing Han Yu’s stern expression despite his youth, Pig Third quickly bowed with an apologetic smile. “Yes, Senior Brother Han.

Senior Sister Li and Hua Qi both startled at Han Yu’s words. “Junior Brother Han, why do you say that?” Han Yu laid out his reasoning point by point. “Senior Sister Li, you weren’t familiar with the Spirit Field Department before, but Senior Brother Hua should remember. When I was a Laborer Disciple there, I

“Han Yu, for your keen observation and alertness in uncovering the enemy’s plot against the Sect, the Sect Leader has decreed a reward of one Major Merit, one protective Magical Artifact, one Keepsake Token, and one bottle of Qi Gathering Pills!” Elder Lü finished speaking and handed Han Yu three items: a green ring, a

Once Pig Third had departed, Han Yu channeled his Spirit Breath into the ring awarded by the sect. He shrank the band down and slipped it onto a finger on his left hand. His gaze then fell upon the Wanchun Valley keepsake token. He sank into deep thought. The sect clearly recognized his talent for

The first floor of the Technique Pavilion housed every spell and secret art available to Qi Refining disciples. After depositing his storage bag at the entrance, Han Yu entered. Any exchange of Jade Slips had to pass through Deacon He and be recorded at the pavilion’s stone tablet, making it impossible to smuggle anything out.

“That is no longer relevant.” Facing the Saint Blood Perfected One’s scolding, Song Wanxiong remained seated cross-legged, his voice indifferent. “In the past, your Demon Blood Sect committed every evil under the sun. Sending you to fight Ye Guxing was merely borrowing a knife to slay a man. Regardless of who lived or died, it

The protective ring bestowed by the sect was classified as a top-grade magical artifact, yet it was only truly effective against threats from the early Qi Refining stage. Its limit was defending against the simultaneous impact of three early-stage spells or two mid-stage spells. Anything beyond that would shatter its defenses. In stark contrast, Han

A new Golden Core cultivator? So soon? Han Yu was surprised, but a theory quickly took shape in his mind. Elder Lu, Senior Sister Li’s master, had previously spoken of nurturing new Golden Core cultivators and freeing the sect from external threats within a few decades. Han Yu now suspected the Elder hadn’t been speaking

“Caw! Caw!” Fresh from their advancement, the two crows fluttered down, nuzzling affectionately against Han Yu’s shoulders. The larger raven now boasted a wingspan of over four chi, while even the smaller one measured three chi in length. Infused with Spiritual Qi, their bodies had transformed; their ebony feathers gleamed with a metallic sheen, and

“Junior Brother Han, did your cultivation yield unexpected fruit yesterday?” The moment Han Yu stepped out of his quarters, he ran into Hua Qi, whose eyes widened in surprise. Han Yu blinked, feigning ignorance. Hua Qi gestured urgently toward the water vat in the courtyard. “Look at yourself. Your face… it’s different.” “Is it?” Han

The moment Zhu Laosan left, Han Yu mobilized his network. He dispatched several crows to tail the man, while others fanned out to monitor the Green Grain Market and the rumored location of the “Small Gathering.” The first day yielded nothing. After completing his rounds at the spirit fields, Han Yu returned to his room,

“Zhu San!” Hearing the shout, Zhu Laosan stood up and approached the door. He didn’t unlatch it immediately, pressing his ear against the wood. “Who is looking for me?” “We need to ask you about the spirit fields.” Zhu Laosan frowned. He was on edge, but a routine inquiry about the fields shouldn’t be dangerous.

“Junior Brother Han, it seems I’m riding your coattails to another reward.” After Senior Brother Jin Qi departed, Senior Sister Li turned to Han Yu with a warm smile. “With these resources, I should reach the ninth layer of Qi Refining within a year.” Her eyes twinkled playfully. “But knowing you, you’ll probably make another

With the Inner and Outer Disciple Grand Competition looming, work at the Medicine Garden slowed down. Taking advantage of the lull, Zhong Yue gathered Sun Kang and Liu Lan, and together they rode a Plantain Leaf artifact to the Spirit Field Department to visit Han Yu. As soon as they landed, Zhong Yue’s Spirit Dog,

Four Outer Disciples of Wanchun Valley, clad in signature green robes with jade pendants swaying at their waists, swept through the bustling Green Grain Market. They passed the reed mat zone where mortals hawked their wares and entered the bamboo shed district reserved for sporadic cultivator trade. Heads turned as they walked. Secretive glances followed

“Fellow Daoist Han, stay your hand!” The round-faced man’s eyes widened in horror. Seeing Han Yu ready to strike without a second thought—and sensing the terrifying density of Spiritual Qi gathering in those talismans, far exceeding normal Qi Refining standards—he hurriedly shouted to stop him. “I am but a simple traveling merchant! I have no

The booming voice rolled across the valley like thunder, drawing the gaze of every disciple in Wanchun Valley. Beyond the shimmering veil of the Guardian Formation, three grey cranes descended from the clouds, their wings beating a slow, majestic rhythm. On the back of each bird stood a figure, imperious and calm. The Spirit Beast

Mo Qianhe finished his grisly presentation and looked up at Qi Wanfa, a serene smile playing on his lips. “Sect Leader Qi… does the Spirit Beast Sect’s gift please you?” “Preposterous!” Qi Wanfa roared, his voice shaking the air. “Your Spirit Beast Sect’s conduct is madness! How are you any different from the bloodthirsty Demon

“This puppet… has potential.” It wasn’t just a tool for running errands or acting as a proxy in dangerous markets. It was a combat asset. Han Yu studied the construct, his mind racing with tactical possibilities. In terms of raw power, its offense and defense mirrored a mid-grade Magical Artifact of the early Qi Refining

Deacon He led the way, stopping before a courtyard Han Yu recognized all too well. This was the residence of Elder Lü, Senior Sister Li’s master. After a servant announced their arrival, Deacon He gestured for Han Yu to follow him inside. The courtyard was crowded. Twelve elderly cultivators with snow-white hair stood in formation—eight

“Excellent!” Elder Lu beamed, his delight practically radiating off him as he reached out to help Han Yu up. ” wonderful, Han Yu! You are a far more pleasant sight than that wretch Lu Yun whom Senior Sister Wen took in!” Standing to the side, Deacon He watched the scene unfold. Seeing that Han Yu

As Elder Yan Ming finished speaking, a grave silence filled the grand hall. No one voiced a single word of opposition. Having just survived a sect-threatening crisis, Wanchun Valley was in a delicate period of rebuilding and accumulating strength. To rashly trust the Spirit Beast Sect, the Mystic One Sect, and the Little Sky Net

After handing Han Yu two bottles of Qi Gathering Pills and a jade slip, Senior Sister Li mentioned the recent arrival of the envoys from the Mystic One Sect and the Little Sky Net Sect. Elder Lü hadn’t shared the specific details with her. He had merely stated that their Sect did not trust these

“Outer Disciple Lu Yun, Deacon’s Office!” As the name echoed across the grounds, heads turned. Snickers rippled through the crowd, some disciples unable to suppress their amusement. Lu Yun was, after all, notorious. On a platform to the right, a young man scratched his head and shambled onto the stage. His robes were disheveled, his

“Junior Brother Han!” Han Yu stepped down from the dueling platform. He saw Senior Sister Li smiling and waving at him, and beyond her, the stunned, ecstatic gazes of Zhong Yue and the others. As he moved through the crowd, stares and murmurs surged toward him like a rising tide. Under the watchful eyes of

“Not bad. Not bad at all.” During the intermission between rounds, Elder Lu called Han Yu over, nodding with evident satisfaction. “Han Yu, for you to reach this stage of the Outer Disciple Grand Competition with only the third layer of Qi Refining is a feat few could achieve.” Han Yu seized the opening. “Master,

As Han Yu stepped down from the arena, leaving a defeated Lu Yun behind him, he had officially secured a spot among the top six Outer Disciples. For Zhong Yue, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan—the friends who had cheered him on from the start—the reality of the moment felt dreamlike, bordering on surreal. They stood

“Outer Sect First!” From the sea of faces beneath the arena, Zhong Yue threw her hand into the air and screamed the title at the top of her lungs. Han Yu stood on the stage, the victory itself feeling somewhat abstract, but Zhong Yue’s piercing shout made him shift his weight in sudden discomfort. To

Han Yu trailed behind Elder Lu, skirting the massive bronze cauldron that dominated the square, until they reached the entrance of the Main Peak’s Great Hall. Just as they arrived, the heavy doors swept open. Sect Leader Qi and Elder Mou emerged, flanked by several deacons and over a dozen elite Inner Disciples. Elder Lu

That the combat standards of Wanchun Valley were mediocre was an open secret. Both Supreme Elder Yin Hong and Deacon Fang Shiyi knew it well. If it were otherwise, Wanchun Valley wouldn’t have been humiliated so thoroughly in the past, nor would the Spirit Beast Sect and the demonic cultivators have viewed them as “meat

“Next time we meet, we will cross swords again!” With that parting challenge to Han Yu, Li Tonghai turned to join his elders. The Spirit Sword Sect delegation, escorted by Sect Leader Qi and the Wanchun Valley elders, departed through the mountain gates. Moments later, the Wanchun Valley leadership returned to the Main Peak. Elder

Early the next morning, Han Yu accompanied Senior Sister Li Yunxia to the Main Peak once again. Today marked the start of the Inner Disciple Grand Competition, and Senior Sister Li had signed up to test her mettle. However, the hierarchy within the Inner Sect was rigid. There were several disciples stuck at the peak

Restrictions were merely hurdles; the door was now open. With the sect’s official permission secured, Han Yu wasted no time. He retrieved the jade slip for the Beast Heart Psychic Pact and began his study. The first step of the Beast Heart Psychic Pact was the inscription of the Contract Seal. For any disciple of

Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range. The Spirit Beast Immortal Sect. A procession of figures walked slowly along a mountain path paved with blood-patterned stones. The path wound its way up the slopes of Crouching Dragon Cliff, a massive crag shaped like a slumbering beast. The red veins in the stone seemed to connect into a

The morning sun crested the horizon, its pale light piercing the cloud layer to wash over the mountain peaks. On the Spirit Field Department’s practice grounds, a crowd of disciples stood along the periphery. They held their breath, focusing with single-minded intensity on the lone figure in the center of the field. Mountain winds whipped

Han Yu listened to Elder Lü’s decree in silence before bowing his head. “I will follow Master’s instructions,” Han Yu said calmly. “I will continue to reside at the Spirit Field Department and commute to the Battle Hall daily. For the time being, I will focus solely on these duties.” Elder Lü nodded in approval.

The morning mist had barely retreated when Han Yu, dressed in his signature green robes, began his walk through the freshly harvested fields. Laborer Disciples approaching from the opposite direction bowed deeply, their voices respectful. “Senior Brother Han.” Even the Outer Disciples echoed the greeting. “Senior Brother Han.” Some of these disciples were older than

The merchant’s voice, sharp with surprise, resonated from the stiff, middle-aged puppet standing before Li Ya. Han Yu’s puppet, clad in black robes, remained motionless. It offered no physical reaction. Realizing his slip, the merchant quickly switched to a private voice transmission. “Yes, yes! Honored Guest! Should we move this discussion? The Green Grain Market?

“As for why these three sects have their fangs bared at Wanchun Valley, I am merely a merchant. I do not sit in the halls of power, so I cannot give you the ‘why’ with certainty.” The traveling merchant’s voice, transmitted through his puppet, echoed in Han Yu’s mind. “But I can tell you this:

A Spirit Beast Sect token and a Spirit Beast Bag. Through the eyes of his puppet, Li Ya, Han Yu examined the items held by the burly cultivator. A flicker of suspicion crossed his mind. “You killed a disciple of the Spirit Beast Sect?” Li Ya asked, his voice flat. “So what if I did?

The two severed halves of the thin cultivator had not yet hit the forest floor when Han Yu’s second killing move detonated. BOOM! A blinding arc of lightning exploded from behind the puppet Li Ya. The energy coalesced into a silver serpent as thick as a rice bowl, lunging straight for the burly cultivator with

Han Yu methodically consolidated the incriminating contraband from the two looted Storage Bags into a single, secure pouch. The collection was dangerous: Wei Xiaoluo’s Spirit Beast Sect Keepsake Token, the Beast Heart Psychic Pact manual, and the grisly inheritance of the Demonic Cultivator—the Blood Refining Art, Blood Droplet, Bloodlust Technique, Blood Mist Technique, and Blood

Deacon Liu concluded his report, confirming two critical facts: a Wanchun Valley Outer Disciple had been murdered by the Spirit Beast Sect, and Han Yu had retaliated by slaughtering two of their disciples and a Demonic Cultivator. Armed with this verification, Elder Lü grabbed the three enemy Storage Bags and the Spirit Beast Bag, practically

Han Yu froze. “We have to be re-examined? Everything?” “Of course,” Elder Lü replied matter-of-factly. “Every inch of your body must be inspected. You won’t even be allowed to bring a Storage Bag inside. If a spy were to sneak in carrying poison or filth, they could defile the Ancestral Tree and the Earth Vein.

“Back so soon? What is it now?” Elder Lü had barely led Han Yu to the entrance of the Great Hall when Sect Leader Qi’s voice drifted out, laced with undisguised impatience. Hadn’t they shown off enough for one day? Elder Lü’s response was grave. “Sect Leader, I believe my disciple, Han Yu, may possess

“First, verify his identity. Second, test for the consumption of Blood Food. Third, use a secret technique to confirm if he truly possesses Universal Comprehension… If he passes these three trials, we can trust Han Yu without reservation.” “Do we are all agree?” Sect Leader Qi looked around at the three Elders as he finished

As soon as Sect Leader Qi departed, Elder Bai clicked his tongue, shaking his head in wonder. “Well, well, Lu Qing. You really managed to snag a prized disciple, didn’t you?” Elder Lu chuckled, stroking his beard. “Just happened to run into him. Pure luck.” Elder Yan, Elder Bai, and Elder Mou were momentarily speechless.

Han Yu lowered the jade slip, his brow furrowed in thought. The manual was undoubtedly genuine. But it was definitely missing something. There was no introduction, no explanation, and most importantly, no specific method of cultivation. Did the Sect Leader overestimate Han Yu’s “Universal Comprehension”? It didn’t matter how talented one was; “Universal Comprehension” didn’t

Silver threads woven from pure Spirit Breath shuttled through his meridians. After several full circulation cycles, Han Yu opened his eyes. The Star Luo Traction Technique was initiated. With a mere thought, the silver threads extended outward like phantom limbs. They coiled around the jade slip in his robes—which was still radiating a fading heat—and

“He… succeeded?” Elder Bai’s expression shifted from confusion to sheer shock, his white beard trembling slightly. “Lu Qing, you must be joking. Even the Sect Leader never mastered that secret technique, yet you claim he did it in a single day—” “Oh? You hadn’t heard?” Elder Lu grinned, his chest puffing out. “Well then, allow

With Han Yu’s access to the Ancestral Tree’s earth vein officially secured, Elder Lu felt a profound sense of satisfaction. However, noticing that Sect Leader Qi and the other Elders were still scrutinizing his disciple with burning intensity, he decided it was time to extract the boy from the spotlight. “Disciple,” Elder Lu said, breaking

Following Elder Lu’s instructions, Han Yu returned to his quarters to cultivate. The three crows, led by the large one, now bore Spirit Beast Tags that granted them unrestricted access to the main peak. However, once Han Yu settled into his meditative trance, the birds grew restless. Bored with the stillness, they took flight, leaving

Silence descended over the Battle Hall, heavy and absolute. Chen Pei stared blankly at the flying sword hovering inches from his neck. His Adam’s apple bobbed convulsively, and fine beads of cold sweat broke out along his temples. Defeated… just like that? It had been less than three years since this kid entered the sect.

Shang Lu instinctively wanted to refuse whatever new gift the Immortal Master was offering. But when he looked up and saw the small, wooden disc etched with the patterns of the Ancestral Tree, his eyes went wide. His gaze locked onto the object, unable to tear away. “Is this… a Sect Entry Token?” “Correct. After

Early the next morning, the moment Han Yu stepped past the threshold of his courtyard gate, he spotted three familiar figures lingering near the entrance. Bai Lingyun, Li Xuan, and Meng Bao—accompanied by his imposing Long-Toothed Tiger—hurried forward the moment they saw him. “Han Yu, my great-grandfather told me you’ve moved to the main peak

In the days that followed, silence descended upon the doubters in the Battle Hall. Not a single voice remained raised in challenge against Han Yu. His routine became clockwork. Every day, he arrived at the hall and selected five disciples for sparring. Most of the time, he simply let the other disciples observe, occasionally offering

Eastern Sea Country. Low-hanging clouds strangled the horizon, pressing the gray sky down against the earth. A damp wind, heavy with the briny stench of the ocean, swept through the dilapidated fishing village. A white-haired man stood motionless on the shore. The gale whipped at his black robes, lifting a corner to reveal the pitch-black

“A discussion?” Ye Guxing’s gaze swept over the four Golden Core cultivators—Daoist Lingxiu, Daoist Lingyin, Qin Ting, and Xiao Wen. His voice was laced with icy mockery. “How exactly do you propose we have this ‘detailed discussion’? And what, pray tell, is there to discuss?” “We wish to discuss our previous cooperation with the Spirit

Song Wanxiong roared as he smashed into the “Qingwan Residence,” but the room was desolate. The furniture was pristine, the bed made, and the windows sealed tight. The silence was deafening—the occupant had clearly fled more than a day ago. A low, bestial growl rumbled deep in Song Wanxiong’s throat. Behind him, his wild red

“Today, this Seat has achieved the Nascent Soul.” Song Wanxiong stood imperious atop a churning tide of blood, his gaze sweeping over Daoist Lingxiu and Daoist Lingyin of the Mystic One Sect, and Qin Ting and Xiao Wen of the Little Sky Net Sect. “Do you still dare to resist?” His voice boomed like thunder.

It had been three days since Sect Leader Qi and Elder Lü led the expeditionary force out of the valley. For Han Yu, life had settled into a tense rhythm. Apart from his daily duties at the Battle Hall, he spent every spare moment cultivating behind closed doors in Elder Lü’s courtyard. Through conversations with

“Go all out? No holding back?” Sect Leader Qi looked at the scar-faced Elder from the Spirit Sword Sect. Seeing her serious expression, he nodded slightly. “Very well.” He turned his gaze to the young man standing nearby. “Han Yu, did you hear that?” “Aside from the forbidden methods, you may use any means at

“Is this… an artifact of the Little Sky Net Sect?” Han Yu stared at the seven-foot-long, silvery-white spindle lying on the table. It hummed with a faint, cold energy. Elder Lü nodded. “Correct. Have you seen something like this before?” “I have,” Han Yu explained. “Back at the Spirit Field Department, Deacon Lu exposed a

“Has a Golden Core cultivator from the Little Sky Net Sect arrived?” Han Yu felt a distinct tremor through the invisible connection. “Is he here to demand the spindle back? Or is there another agenda?” Realizing this was far above his pay grade, Han Yu immediately went to find his Master, Elder Lü. Elder Lü

Dawn broke over the main peak of Wanchun Valley. In the courtyard of Elder Lü’s residence, the old servant Shang Lu led a junior servant in the morning sweep, the rhythmic scratching of bamboo brooms against stone cutting through the quiet morning air. Inside the left wing, Han Yu rose from his meditation mat, stretching

Han Yu stood dutifully behind Elder Lü, listening as Sect Leader Qi conducted the inquiry. The past year had been a whirlwind of shifting tides and bloody pursuits. Ye Guxing, having recovered from his injuries, had traveled to the Donghai Kingdom to hunt down the Saint Blood Perfected One. However, the results were lackluster. The

“A crow and a crane are fighting?” Han Yu found the situation somewhat amusing. “What’s going on?” he asked. As he spoke, he beckoned his trio of birds. The Little Crow and the Flame Crow fluttered down to land on his left shoulder, while the massive Boss Crow perched heavily on his right. It was

Over the past year, the traveling merchant had visited the Green Grain Market several times. However, Han Yu, busy with his cultivation and heavily guarded by the Sect, had never sought him out. Moreover, the merchant had shown no signs of possessing the Qi Refining Spirit Boosting Pill. He simply continued his monotonous requests for

Should he trade with the traveling merchant? Elder Lü pondered the question for a moment before speaking. “Since the Qi Refining Spirit Boosting Pill and the Jade Spirit Berry are genuine aids to your cultivation, there is no harm in the trade itself.” “However,” he added, his tone firm, “you must not appear in person.

After reporting to the Deacon’s Office, Elder Lü escorted Han Yu to the main hall to brief Sect Leader Qi on the encounter with the mysterious traveling merchant. Sect Leader Qi listened intently, asking for every minute detail. He fell silent for a moment, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest of his throne. His

As the morbidly obese, ash-gray figure rose sluggishly from the coffin, a sudden clarity struck Sect Leader Qi, Elder Lü, and Han Yu. The buyer of the Thousand-Year Sunkwood Heart was not waiting in some distant capital; he had traveled all the way to the Green Grain Market. “Who is this person?” Sect Leader Qi

“The Central Heaven Domain is a vast tapestry of power,” the merchant’s avatar began, his tone scholarly. “Countless small sects and clans rise and fall like the tide. Cities, both large and small, are too numerous to list. But if we speak of the true powers—the titans that shape the world—there are the Three Great

Han Yu swallowed the Qi Refining Spirit Boosting Pill. Instantly, the medicinal energy dissolved, transforming into a torrent of pure Spirit Breath that surged through his body. His cultivation base swelled visibly. Han Yu immediately closed his eyes, guiding the erratic energy through a full Circulation Cycle, taming it and merging it into his Dantian.

Two days after his breakthrough, Han Yu focused entirely on consolidation. He spent hours re-mastering his control over his Spirit Breath, drilling until he could release and retract the energy as easily as breathing. In less than a month, relying on the potent Qi Refining Spirit Boosting Pills, he had rocketed directly to the Seventh

Han Yu had barely stepped across the threshold of his residence when a summons arrived. He didn’t even have time to close his door before he was standing in front of Elder Lü. “Disciple,” Elder Lü began, his tone serious. “The Outer Disciple Grand Competition is in two days, and the Inner Sect follows a

Before the echo of the challenge could fade, a sharp buzzing sound vibrated from the horizon. The clouds tore open as a massive flying artifact, shaped like an old-fashioned spinning wheel, descended over the Green Grain Market. Figures drifted down from the spindle, their faces obscured by gauze veils and their bodies draped in robes

Sect Leader Qi made no attempt to mask his suspicion. Standing directly before Qin Ting, the Golden Core powerhouse of the Little Sky Net Sect, Qi openly swept the Spirit Condensing Golden Pill with his Divine Sense. He scrutinized every inch of the medicinal structure. Only when he was absolutely certain the pill was free

“A mere gesture of concern,” Qin Ting chuckled softly, the sound like silk sliding over stone. “Why the tension?” His gaze swept over the Wanchun Valley elders. “This Junior Brother Han your disciples speak of… his name has traveled far. Not only has the Little Sky Net Sect heard of him, but even the rogue

So weak indeed? The insult echoed in the silence. Li Tonghai’s face turned the color of bruised iron, his gaze locked murderously on the figure hovering above him on the silver-white spindle. This wasn’t the stinging frustration of defeat. This was pure, unadulterated shame. Losing to Han Yu had been palatable—Han Yu was a friend,

Under the gaze of thousands, Han Yu unclipped the Spirit Beast Bag at his waist. With a flick of his wrist, over twenty shadows poured out like splashed ink. Caw! Caw! In an instant, the arena was shrouded in darkness. Feathers black as iron blotted out the sun like a storm cloud. The spectators craned

The slender, silvery-white spindle struck the cyan barrier and froze, unable to penetrate a single inch. Lin Lingxiu’s expression went blank. “You… you’re wearing Foundation Establishment Magical Artifact armor?” Han Yu did not dignify that with a response. Instead, he raised his sword and thrust forward. Lin Lingxiu had taken a massive risk charging into

“Well? Will you apologize or not?” Lin Lingxiu did not answer. Broken and humiliated, he only turned his head to look desperately at Qin Ting. Qin Ting’s gaze lingered on Han Yu for a moment before he smiled. A surge of Spiritual Power erupted from his body, extending toward the arena like an invisible hand.

It was impossible to refuse Chen Ying’s genuine goodwill. Han Yu knew that sword cultivators detested empty ceremonies and excessive politeness, so he solemnly accepted the five-foot-long sword with both hands. “Thank you, Senior Sister Chen, for the gift!” “I hope that with this sword, you will make a name for yourself in the Southern

In Haojing, the capital city of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the morning mist still clung to the main streets, yet the markets were already boiling with life. The bluestone roads, polished to a mirror sheen by millions of passing soles, echoed with the rhythm of a waking city. Shouldering poles laden with dew-fresh vegetables brushed

As the sun dipped below the western horizon, Han Yu finished his daily cultivation in Elder Lu’s small courtyard. He sat back, pulling two items from his Storage Bag: the Jade Slip for the Soul Condensing Sword Technique and the High Grade flying sword he had just received. He wasn’t in a rush to learn

Sect Leader Qi’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the figure sprawled on the ground. “Who is this?” Nearby, Elder Bai noticed Bai Shiqi trembling. The boy had only just changed into his inner disciple robes, yet he looked ready to bolt. “Is this man the beggar boss?” Elder Bai asked gently. “Yes,” Bai Shiqi whispered,

After exchanging a few final words with his disciple, Elder Lu departed to return the unchosen Talisman Treasure to Sect Leader Qi. Alone in his quarters, Han Yu held up the item he had just secretly replicated. It was a strip of hide, merely a finger’s length and an inch wide. Yet, its spiritual light

At Bai Lingyun’s words, Han Yu started in surprise, his gaze snapping to the solitary white crane. “Has something happened to Senior Brother Hua?” The crane, possessing a spiritual intelligence, dipped its vermilion crown in a slow, solemn nod. Han Yu’s heart sank. “What happened? Is he… is he still with us?” “Let me ask,”