《Transmigrated Scoundrel's Exchange System》 Chapter 1 Han Cai ?Han Cai at the age of 10, was a young boy with a head full of thick, ck hair that reached his ears. His eyes were a deep, dark brown, and they sparkled with a hint of mischief. His face was round and cherubic, with a small nose and full lips. He had a small build, but he was sturdy and well-built for his age. As Han Cai stood on the hill, overlooking the town of Eagle Trail, he was dressed in the finest clothes his family could afford. His young master clothes were made of the finest silk, adorned with intricate embroidery of gold and silver thread. The colors were vibrant, a mix of red, blue and green that made him stand out in the white winterndscape. The view from the hill was breathtaking. The ground was covered in a thick nket of snow, and the trees were adorned with icicles that sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. The sky was a deep blue, and the clouds were a mix of white and gray. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden light over thend. ************************************************** In his past life, Han Cai went by the name of "Hubert Watts." He was a millennial nerd who spent the majority of his days on the inte, hidden behind the anonymity of a screen. He was a loner, with few friends and little social interaction outside of online forums and chat rooms. Hubert had always been interested in science fiction and fantasy and spent much of his time reading and writing about these topics on the inte. He was particrly fond of Marvel and Dcics and spent hours each day reading and discussing them on various forums. However, Hubert''s love for these genres was not limited to reading and discussing them. He also spent a lot of time creatingic book characters and even wrote fantasy books. He even tried Wuxia novels. Hubert''s online persona was that of a bitter and cynical inte troll. Despite his negative behavior, Hubert found sce in the virtual world and the attention it brought him. But as he grew older, he realized that his actions and behavior had caused him to be increasingly isted in the real world. He spent his days alone, with no real connections or rtionships. In the end, Hubert''s past life was filled with regret and loneliness, and he was grateful for the opportunity to start anew in a world where he could pursue his passions without the negative aspects of his inte persona holding him back. He promised he would be a better man in the new world, but honestly, he knew he was a Scoundrel in his past life. He will be the one in this life too. But he promised himself that he would try his best to fake it and would not put much effort into making it. ************************************************** As Han Cai admired the view, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of sadness. He knew that this would be thest time he would see this beautiful winterndscape. He would be leaving with his father to the Sky Soaring sect, where he would begin his life as cultivator. ? In that moment, Han Cai was filled with a sense of longing for the life he was leaving behind. He would miss the simple beauty of this ce and the people he had grown up with. But as he looked out at the town, he knew that he had to let go and embrace the future thaty ahead of him.. Han Cai''s father, Han Dai, was a well-known merchant in Eagle Trail Town, and he had used his wealth and connections to secure Han Cai a spot under one of the elders in the sect. Growing up in Eagle Trail Town, Han Cai had seen the dangers of this world firsthand. The country Han Cai was born in was called Yin country. Life for the poor citizens of Yin country was a constant struggle. The harsh and unforgiving climate of the region, characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers, makes it difficult for them to grow crops and raise livestock. Many of these citizens lived in small, isted viges scattered throughout the countryside, where they subsist on a diet of meager grains and root vegetables. The poor citizens of Yin country were also gued by ack of resources and opportunities. Many of them are unable to afford the tools and equipment necessary to properly farm theirnd, which means that their crops often fail. In addition, there are few job opportunities avable to them, and many are forced to work asborers or servants for the wealthy elite. Education is also out of reach for many of the poor citizens of Yin country. Schools are few and far between, and many children are unable to attend because their families can''t afford the fees. This leaves them illiterate and unable to read or write, which further limits their opportunities in life. If that was not enough, life for the poor citizens of Yin country is not without its dangers. Many of them live in constant fear of bandits and thieves, who prey on the weak and defenseless. In addition, the poor citizens are often at the mercy of the powerful noble families, who control much of thend and resources in the region. These families often extort money and resources from the poor citizens, leaving them with even less than they had before. Han Cai had seen people getting killed in the streets because they offended some martial artists. Despite the outside world being dangerous, Han Cai had a very good life, as he was born into a wealthy merchant family. He had ess to anything he wanted, and he was always safe, and protected by guards at all times. His family was one of the wealthiest in the town, and no one dared to offend them. Han Cai''s ns for his future were different from what his father wanted for him. His father believed that if Han Cai was lucky, he could be a powerful cultivator, and their family could be a legacy family, just like many big cultivator families. But Han Cai believed that he could achieve everything he wanted from thefort of his home, thanks to his unique transmigration cheat. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Besides my passion for writing, I am a full-time corporate employee trying to make ends meet. It gets hectic sometimes. I do not have a proofreader as I cannot afford it. If you find any spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or any sentence that does not make sense, please leave ament in that paragraph so I can fix it and help readers have the best experience. Chapter 2 System ?He looked at his system panel [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 10] [Life Span: 40 Years] ?Strength: 1 ?Perception: 1 ?Agility: null ?Speed: 1 ?Constitution: 1 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 [Exchange Points: 820 (1/day)] [System Update:? (Collect 1000 Exchange points to unlock)] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] Han Cai''s system was a cheat that called itself the Exchange Points System, which allowed him to exchange points for various things, such as increasing his stats, making something out of nothing, and more. He had been experimenting with the system for the past 10 years and had a basic understanding of how it worked. The system required you to have a minimum of 100 points before you could make an equal exchange; that did not mean every exchange would cost 100 points or more. Han Cai nned to save up to 1000 points to unlock the System Update attribute and explore it further. So far, he learned from thest few exchanges that the system could give him anything he wished for as long as it was an equal exchange. Even bringing a basket of fruits out of thin air, which cost him just 2 points, or getting diet coke from his past world for him to drink cost him 102 points for some reason. He figured most probably the things that don''t exist in this world. If he wished to exchange those things, it would cost more points. The best use of exchange points for Han Cai was to use them to increase his stats. That''s how he brought most of his stats to 1, which meant at ten years of age, his strength was on the level of an adult man. Increasing each stat cost him around 100 to 150 points, and he increased his intelligence the most. Now that he was ten years old, the system was collecting 1 point every day. Han Cai had nned to save 1000 points to unlock the locked System Update attribute and explore it further. He had intended to collect the points in thefort of his home, then exchange them to boost his stats, and, when he was strong enough, to explore this world and join a sect to learn cultivation. However, his father had other ns, and he sent Han Cai to the Sky Soaring Sect as an outer sect disciple. ? Han Cai understood his father''s effort to get him a spot in the sect. He had to bribe officials and the mayor of Cloud Mountain City, a major city near the Sky Soaring Sect. The mayor was a rtive of an elder of the sect, and Han Cai''s father had almost gone broke collecting the bribe money of 15,000 gold coins. One gold coin was enough for a farmer to live a yearfortably. Han Cai did not have any brothers or sisters. When Han Cai was born, his mother died at a young age. Han Dai, who was Han Cai''s father, raised him. Despite his initial reluctance, Han Cai decided to make the most of this opportunity and put all his effort into learning and growing in the sect. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 3 Cloud Mountain City ?The journey from Eagle Trail Town to Cloud Mountain City was a long and treacherous one that usually took travelers around three months. However, Han Cai and his father managed to cover the distance in just two and a half months, thanks to Han Dai''s resourcefulness. As one of the business pirs of the Han household, Han Cai''s father was a busy man who had to return to Eagle Trail Town as soon as possible to attend to his business. The family business heavily depended on him, and although his brothers could manage it, they were not as business-savvy as he was. Therefore, they decided to travel quickly and with minimal stops. They traveled in arge carriage and rarely stayed in inns at night, instead sleeping in the carriage. They only stopped to eat or change horses. This allowed them to cover more ground each day, but it also made the journey more tiring and ufortable. To ensure their safety, they were apanied by four guards from the Han household, who were trained in martial arts. These guards were experienced fighters who could protect them from any potential dangers on the road. The guards were also able to help with the carriage and the horses, making the journey more efficient. The journey was not without its challenges, however. They had to navigate through rough terrain, including mountains and valleys, and had to contend with harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain and snow. They also had to be cautious of bandits and other dangers that lurked on the road. Despite these challenges, Han Cai''s father was determined to reach Cloud Mountain City as quickly as possible, and they pushed on. Finally, after two and a half months of traveling, they arrived at Cloud Mountain City on a sunny summer day. Cloud Mountain City was located in the North of Yin country, which was mostly known for its cold weather. The city would mostly experience cold weather most of the year, with only two months of sunny days like this. Cloud Mountain City, a bustling metropolis located in the Yin country, was known for its proximity to the Sky Soaring Sect. The city was considered medium-sized in the world of Xianxia, but its poption of around one million was quitergepared to modern cities. This was due to the fact that many people moved to the city to be closer to the sect and to take advantage of the opportunities it offered. The city itself was quite spacious, with wide streets and tall buildings. The architecture was a blend of traditional and modern styles, with many buildings featuring intricate carvings and sculptures. The city was surrounded by lush greenery, with parks and gardens dotted throughout. The city was also surrounded by mountains, which provided a picturesque backdrop to the urbanndscape. One of the main features of Cloud Mountain City was the Sky Soaring Sect, which loomedrge over the city. The sect was a powerful force in the city, both politically and culturally. Many of the city''s residents were sect members or had a connection to the sect in some way. The sect also yed a major role in the city''s economy, as many businesses and industries were based on the sect and its teachings. The city was also home to arge number of merchants and traders. The city''s markets and bazaars are always bustling with activity, as merchants sell everything from herbs and spices to weapons and armor. The city was also known for its artisans, who create intricate and beautiful works of art, from pottery to jewelry. Cloud Mountain City also had a rich cultural scene, with many festivals and events held throughout the year. The most notable of these was the annual Sky Soaring Sect tournament, which attracted thousands of visitors from all over the world. The tournament was a showcase of martial arts and spiritual cultivation, and was a chance for the best disciples from various factions topete against one another. The city also had a strong sense ofmunity and was a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds. Many of the citizens are from different regions or countries, but they alle together to make the city a vibrant and diverse ce. Carriage brought Han Cai and his father near an inn. His father booked two rooms in the inn, one for himself and Han. Second room was for the guards to rest. His father told Han Cai to go get rest in the room he was going to meet the mayor immediately . When Han Cai got to the room first he had a long shower and then he crashed on the bed. For a 10 year old who had lived in thefort of a luxury home for most of his life to have a rough journey of 2 and half months in a carriage was very burdening for his body. He was d that he had a system during the journey when he felt that he could not take it anymore he increased his constitution by 0.5 which cost him 75 points so he can loosen the burden on his body. Still Han Cai felt his whole body was sore. When Han Cai woke up, it was already evening. His father was still not back from Mayor''s office. Han Cai had newfound respect for his father now his father had same rough two and half months journey with him but instead of getting some rest he went directly to settle all the details with the mayor. That''s one hard-working responsible man. Han Cai''s father was a chubby sly, looking businessman. Who would believe such a fat sly looking man would be so much hard working. Han Cai was sure even in his earlier life, when he was not 10 years old he couldn''t be as hard working andmitted as his father. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Besides my passion for writing, I am a full-time corporate employee trying to make ends meet. It gets hectic sometimes. I do not have a proofreader as I cannot afford it. If you find any spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or any sentence that does not make sense, please leave ament in that paragraph so I can fix it and help readers have the best experience. If possible, please show support by adding the book to your library, giving stones,ments, and adding reviews. Thank you. Chapter 4 Medallion Chapter 4 Medallion Han Cai got out of his room and knocked on one of the guards'' rooms. One of the guards opened the room. The guard asked, " Is everything ok, Young master?" Han Cai replied " Yes, It is all good. It is just that I am hungry." The guard understood " It is ok young master. You go get some rest. I will go down and bring you some food." Han Cai nodded and went back to his room. It''s not that he couldn''t go down and order food himself. It is just that 10 years old in the new city Han cai did not want to get in any situation. Ever since his past life, Han Cai was a firm believer of Murphy''sw "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." So unless it was necessary, he would not even leave his room in the new city. After an hour, the guard came back with food. Han Cai ate his fill and went back to sleep. He was still very tired. Next day in the morning Han Cai woke up. He saw his father was back and was busy writing something. Han Cai sat up and his father noticed him waking up. Han Dai " Did you sleep well? You will be leaving for the SKY SOARING SECT in two days ." Han Dai fished out a wooden medallion from his pocket and gave it to Han Cai. "This is the outer sect medallion for the Sky Soaring sect. It cost us 15000 gold coins. Keep it safe and With this medallion you will be official outer sect disciple of Sky Soaring Sect" Han Cai looked at the medallion it was made of wood his name Han Cai carved into it, When Han Dai saw his son take the medallion and put it in his pocket, he smiled and said, " I know you are not happy about it, but you are the youngest and smartest of all your cousins. If you do not seed in the sect, then as a businessman, I am sure none of your cousins would ever seed. With this medallion, you can be an outer sect disciple in the sect for the next 5 years even if you are not able to cultivate, try to build some rtionships with other disciples that will help you have a better future no matter what. You should know there was also the option of buying ess to a sect as workers that cost only 5000 gold coins, but those who bought workers'' badges were not allowed to cultivate unless they contributed enough to the sect. So your treatment will be betterpared to others who will be going with you." Hearing this, Han Cai was shocked by the 5000 gold coins. Do you have to pay to get to work for them asborers what kind of logic is that? His father understood what he was thinking so Han Dai spoke" Don''t be so shocked if with 5000 gold coins you get a opportunity to be an immortal, who wouldn''t want to pay for that." Han Cai understood most of the families will not spend more than 5000 gold coins but his father did not want him to join the sect as a worker so he exhausted all his years of ie to make sure Han Cai gets an outer sect medallion. His father continued" After two days the outer sect elder of the sect wille to the cloud mountain city. He will be taking you and other new disciples to the sect." Chapter 5 Ready For Sect ?Han Cai''s father took out a bag and gave it to him. He checked inside the bag,, and there was a yellow-colored uniform. Han Cai assumed it was an outer sect uniform. Besides the uniform, there were 100 gold coins in the bag. His father told him to keep those coins safe and use them for emergencies. His father also started exining his roles and duties in the sect. Han cai nodded and did not say anything else. He knew his father wanted the best for him. Obviously, he was not happy; at home, he had servants doing his bidding, but here he was, an outer sect disciple who would have to do the bidding as a servant for the sect. He just had to make sure that he does not get in any trouble. He consoled himself That he still has his cheat. He looked at his status window [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 10] [Life Span: 40 Years] ?Strength: 1 ?Perception: 1 ?Agility: null ?Speed: 1 ?Constitution: .1.5 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 [Exchange Points: 780 (1/day)] [System Update : ? (Collect 1000 points to unlock)] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] In mid-journey, he had to spend 75 points on the constitution. But he made some of the points back During the journey to the cloud mountain City. For the next two days, Han Cai''s father took him around the city. He introduced him to some of the merchant union friends. If any need arises, Han Cai coulde to them in the future. They also roamed around the city and shopped for Han Cai. Two dayster, they were standing outside cloud mountain city. Han Cai was wearing the yellow uniform given to him by his father and was carrying a sack on his back that contained all the necessities he needed. Many other people had gathered near the area where they were standing, and most were the kids gathering with their rtives. Unlike Han Cai, Many of the kids were wearing gray uniforms. Han Cai thought to himself they must be the workers whose families had paid five thousand gold coins to get them a spot as workers in the sect. They all looked around between 10 to 16 years old. Han Cai mused himself, tsk tsk.... look at these childborers. Then he felt gloomy as he remembered he himself would be one of the childborers too. A bit more glorified worker as he was going as a yellow-robedborer, unlikeborers in gray. By afternoon everyone who was going to the sect had gathered in that area. Around twenty disciples were going to the sect this time. Besides Han Cai, only two more disciples were dressed in yellow uniforms; the remaining others wore gray. The kids waited nervously. After what felt like forever, they saw five big carriagesing toward them. The Carriages were being pulled by massive bull size muscled horses. On the Carriage, there was a crane with clouds drawn on it. There was a middle-aged man in orange clothes sitting in the front of the first carriage, while there were yellow-robed teenagers sitting in the third and fourth carriages. When the carriage came closer to them, it stopped, and the orange-dressed middle-aged man got down from the carriage. The man announced, " My name is Hong Guo from the soaring Sky sect. I will be taking the selected disciples to the sect. Please get in the first two carriages. It will take us around one day to reach sky-soaring mountains." ************************************************** Author''s Note: Besides my passion of writing I am full time corporate employee trying make ends meet. it get''s hectic sometimes. I Do not have any proof reader as I could not afford it. If you find any spelling mistake, grammatical error or any sentence that does not make sense. Please leave ament in that para so I can fix it and help readers have best experience. If possible, please show support by adding the book to your library, giving stones,ments and adding reviews. Thank You. Chapter 6 To The Sect ?Hearing the words from elder, all the disciples nodded excitedly Han Cai''s father moved forward, came near Hong Guo, handed him a pouch and pointed at Han Cai "This is my son elder hong, please take good care of him". Han Dai knew even though the elder was a cultivator still he was at lower realm and he traveled a lot doing the sect''s work in the yin kingdom so he would always ept money offerings. Mayor had told him specifically on how to please the elder. It would make the life of Han Cai a little easier in the sect. Hong Guo nodded and took the pouch. Han Cai knew the pouch contained another 100 gold coins. He knows his father is not leaving any stone unturned to make sure his son is treated well. Seeing Cai''s father''s actions, Some rtives of other disciples also moved forward and offered pouch to Hong Guo. The elder epted all the pouches and nodded to them. Han Cai knew none of them might have offered a good sum of hundred gold coins like his father did. After giving the pouch to the elder, Han Dai told Han Cai to get into the carriage. Han Cai saw the two yellow-robed disciples get into the first carriage; he followed them and got on the first carriage. Once all new disciples were settled in the two carriages. The elder got back on the first carriage and asked the coachman to move forward. The carriage continued its journey all day. In the next morning, they reached the soaring mountain range. Han Cai could see a massive mountain range ahead with lush greenery. The air felt twice as freshpared to his home in the eagle trail town. When they reached at the bottom of one of the hills in the mountain range, they saw a massive gate with a Crane and clouds carved on it. Below it was written Soaring Sky Sect. There were few guards at the gate, they were dressed in ck and red uniforms. When they saw an elder in the carriage, they allowed the carriages to pass through the gates. Passing through gates, the carriages continued upwards. Han Cai and other disciples could see many disciples working, and walking around in the mountain range. Most just like them looked like teenagers. There were very few who looked around the age of 20. Some were cleaning; some were carrying herbs and doing odd jobs. In the beginning, most of the disciples they saw had worn gray robes. As they moved forward, they started seeing more yellow robes of disciples wandering around. The carriage kept moving for a few hours and finally stopped in front of a building. On the building there was a wooden board sign carved Outer Sect Hall on it. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 7 Sky Soaring Sect ?The Sky Soaring Sect, located in the beautiful mountainous region of the cold North of Yin country, is a ce of serene beauty and spiritual cultivation. Known for its snow-capped peaks and long, harsh winters, the sect was a haven for those seeking to deepen their understanding of martial arts and inner cultivation. During the summer months, the snow melts and thendscape transforms into a lush, green paradise. The peaks were surrounded by fields of wildflowers and the mountain streams are filled with crystal clear water. The sky was deep blue, and the sun shines brightly, casting a warm glow over the entire sect. The outer sect, which was located at the base of the main peak, was bustling with activity as the disciples of the sect go about their daily training and cultivation. The outer sectwas divided into several smaller factions, each with their own living quarters and training grounds. Each faction was led by an elder who was responsible for the spiritual guidance and cultivation of their disciples. The disciples, dressed in traditional yellow or gray martial arts attire, can be seen practicing their forms and techniques in the open training grounds. The sound of swords shing and fists striking can be heard echoing through the mountains as the disciples hone their skills. The living quarters of the outer sect are simple but functional, consisting of small wooden cabins and tents. The disciples live in close quarters. The air was filled with the scent of cooking fires and the chatter of the disciples as they share meals and stories. The gardens are full of vegetables and fruits that are grown by the disciples as part of their daily training to be self-sufficient. The outer sect also has arge medicinal herb garden where the disciples learn about the medicinal properties of different herbs and how to use them for healing. The disciples are taught to use the herbs for both themselves and for the sect members and surrounding vigers. The summer months are also a time for the outer sect to hold variouspetitions and tournaments. These events are an opportunity for the disciples to showcase their skills and for the elders to identify and nurture the most promising talents. Thepetitions are held in a spirit of friendlypetition and are a chance for the disciples to bond and learn from one another. Elder Hong Guo got down from the carriage and asked all the disciples to get down from the carriage too. All the disciples, including those who were yellow robed got down from carriages, they all looked at the outer sect hall building in front of them expectantly. This was the beginning of a new life for them. Unlike them Han Cai was not very excited; he thought now his rough life had begun he had to leave thefort of home, but he couldn''t be more wrong. Elder Guo moved inside the building and the disciples followed behind him. When they entered the building they saw there was an elderly man sitting on the desk reading something while there were some yellow robed disciples working. Elder Guo led them near the sitting elder in the hall. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Besides my passion of writing I am full time corporate employee trying make ends meet. it get''s hectic sometimes. I Do not have any proof reader as I could not afford it. If you find any spelling mistake, grammatical error or any sentence that does not make sense. Please leave ament in that para so I can fix it and help readers have best experience. If possible, please show support by adding the book to your library, giving stones,ments and adding reviews. Thank You. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 8 Finding Quarters ?When they got closer. Elder Guo cupped his hands and said " Greetings Elder Zhou, these are new family disciples sent to the sect." He took out a pouch and gave it to elder Zhou Hong Guo pointed to Han Cai and said " You can send him under any reliable faction, better send him under Elder Ji or Elder Yanlin." Hong Guo pointed at the other two yellow robed disciples " Those two you can assign them as you fit." For the remaining disciples he did not say anything. Elder Zhou nodded and took the pouch from elder Hong. After giving the pouch, elder Hong bid goodbye to elder Zhou and left with the carriages. In his mind Han Cai thanked his father again for special treatment. Seems those hundred extra coins that his father handed over to the elder did have some effect. Elder Zhou called one of the yellow robed disciples who was working in the outer sect hall and asked him to bring something. The Disciple nodded and went back. Elder Zhou signaled Han Cai toe near. When Han Cai reached near the elder , Elder Zhou spoke "Your father spent a lot of gold to make sure that you get the best treatment in the sect. Even though it is an outer sect you will not be treated badly. Just make sure to cultivate diligently. You are young so you have a whole life ahead, do not mess it up. " While the elder was talking to Han Cai, The disciple that the elder ordered to bring something came back with a wooden box that looked like a briefcase. When Elder Zhou saw the disciple he nodded at him. The disciple went ahead, gave the box to Han Cai. Elder Zhou spoke again " These are cultivation materials for the outer sect disciples. Take a look at them when you are in your quarters. Han Cai nodded and took the box. Elder Zhou took out a pouch and spoke again " Take him to elder Ji abode and give elder ji this pouch." The outer sect disciple who brought the cultivation material for Han Cai nodded and took the pouch. Han Cai wondered how they divided the fifteen thousand gold his father''s life saving between them. For a sect with immortals living in it, bribery was quite rampant here. He took a look at other kids who came with him, they were looking at him. You could feel a hint of jealousy in their eyes for the treatment he was receiving. But none of them spoke a word. Han Cai felt pity for them and thanked his father. The Sect Hall disciple signaled Han Cai to follow him Han kai nodded. Han Kai followed the disciple to Elder Ji''s abode. They walked for a while, Han Cai was exhausted even with 1.5 constitution he was still not able to keep up with this outer sect disciple. While they were walking the Disciple spoke " You are lucky that your family cares so much and is ready to spend so much spirit stones just to get you in the outer sect properly." Han Cai asked "Spirit Stones?" Didn''t his father pay in Gold coins? When the disciple saw Han Cai confused, he smiled and said " The gold your family paid is converted into spirit stones; one spirit stone costs around 100 gold coins; elders have no use of gold inside the sect. But spirit stones are different they are very precious for cultivators; each outer sect disciple receives one spirit stone per month. The outer sect elders receive five spirit stones per month. They are a very raremodity in the sect." Han Cai asked " Where can I buy spirit stones for gold" The Disciple spoke " If you have gold you can convert them into spirit stones at the outer sect hall but you should not right now. You already have been given one spirit stone in the box as your monthly quota." Han Cai thought so his father gifted 150 spirit stones to these elders in the outer sect, no wonder they are so nice. Then he recalled that five thousand gold coins should be taken by the mayor as that is what they charged everyone to get in the sect. Remaining ten thousand must have been converted into spirit stones and divided between these three elders. Since elder Hong and Elder Zhou did not need to do much work they might not have taken many spirit stones most of the bribery should have been sent to elder Ji in that pouch disciple is carrying. He had to say that even though these elders ept bribes they were quite upstanding when they epted the bribe they delivered the treatment that they promised. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 9 Elder Jis Faction ?Elder Ji''s abode was on the opposite side of the mountain. After walking for an hour they finally reached his abode. When they neared the abode Han Cai saw many yellow robed disciples around the abode some were cleaning some were watering the nts some were walking leisurely. There were many houses around Han Cai assumed these must be abodes of the disciples who are in elder Ji''s faction. They moved forward and reached the house in the center. There was a yellow robed disciple sitting in front of the abode. The Outer sect hall disciple went to him, handed him the pouch and pointed towards Han Cai. The disciple sitting outside nodded and went inside to inform the elder. Han Cai thought the elder would invite them inside but after an incense of time passed the disciple walked out of the abode. He nodded at the outer sect disciple and the outer sect disciple who brought Han Cai turned around and left. The disciple who was sitting in front of the elder''s house motioned Han Cai to follow him. and spoke with Han Cai " The elder informed me to tell you. You can stay in quarter number 97. Everyone here in elder Ji''s faction pays two spirit stones to enjoy their freedom or they will have to work to make up for it. Since your family had paid sixty spirit stones. Twenty Spirit stones as fee for joining elder Ji''s faction and with the remaining forty spirit stones. You can live freely for twenty months with no chores. After twenty months you will have to contribute two spirit stones to the elder on a monthly basis or you have to move away from the elder''s quarter to live with other outer sect disciples. Also You may not disturb the elder for anything in future. Elders in outers sect aren''t allowed to ept any personal disciples but they do provide guidance in cultivation. If you need guidance from an elder or want to join his lecture for cultivation you will have to submit five spirit stones in advance for every lecture session." They walked for a while. While walking the disciple asked "Do you have any questions for me?" Han Cai thought for a moment and then asked "What about food?" The disciple nodded and said "you can go to outer sect hall mess to eat your meals, as you are in elder Ji''s faction you can just ask the mess hall to deliver it to your abode. If you want I will inform the mess hall they will send your meals through gray robed disciples. Those gray robes handle daily chores such as this they will deliver it for you. there is bath house nearby, As time passed you will get the general idea of things if you are confused about anything you can ask the gray robes they will help you" Han Cai nodded and spoke." Thank you senior!" Once they reached the quarter number 97 the disciple went back to his duties and Han Cai went inside his quarter. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 10 New Quarters ?The inside of the quarter was very simple; His quarter number was 97, Han Cai wandered so there were more than 90 disciples in elder Ji''s faction. The Elder must be making really good money There was a bed in the center of the room. Han Cai crashed on it and slept till evening. In the evening there was a knock on the Door which woke Han Cai up. Han Cai opened the door and saw there was a gray robed disciple holding a tray of food. Han Cai took the tray from him and closed the door. There were fresh vegetables , Meat and some rice. The food looked really good. He enjoyed the heartfelt meal. Once he was done with the meal. He had some time to rx and think things through. Today was quite an eventful day for someone who is very firm believer of Murphy''sw everything was quite smooth sailing for him today. When Han Cai came to the sect he had assumed the worse. He thought he will be working as servant in the sect, or cleaning potty for some elders but turned out he got gray robes serving him here just like his servants as in home. Thefort was a bit less but he was at leastfortable for twenty months. Han Cai decided to check out the outer sect box that was given to him by the outer sect hall disciple. Han Cai opened the box. The box contained two extra sets of yellow robes, one cultivation manual , one skill manual , one gray colored stone and a sword. Han Cai put the sword and clothes to the side. First he checked the stone he was sure this must be the spirit stone that cost hundred gold coins for one. It looked like chalk stone, a bit more gray. He could not believe this small stone alone would cost 100 gold coins. He kept the stone by the side and opened the cultivation manual. The cultivation method in manual was called sky soaring manual. It was written If you practice it to the end you could reach the golden core realm and extend your life to a 600 years. When Han Cai saw a 600 years he felt motivated as the system showed his life expectancy in this world was only 40 years. He would very much love to live for 600 years. But when he turned the page he saw this cultivation manual only mentioned cultivation methods only for Qi Condensation level. He was not demotivated as he read on he saw Once he reached QI condensation level 9 his life expectancy will be around 150 years which was not bad. Besides that Han Cai had a system so he was pretty sure he could live longer. In this level he had to gather Qi spirit from the outside to his dantian. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Besides my passion of writing I am full time corporate employee trying make ends meet. it get''s hectic sometimes. I Do not have any proof reader as I could not afford it. If you find any spelling mistake, grammatical error or any sentence that does not make sense. Please leave ament in that para so I can fix it and help readers have best experience. If possible, please show support by adding the book to your library, giving stones,ments and adding reviews. Thank You. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 11 Skill Book ?The skill in the skill book was called Crane sword style. This sword style had eight levels. If you practiced it to level three you could fight a foundation realm cultivator at QI condensation stage. This sword style and Soaring sky cultivation werepatible. All the outer sect disciples of the sect are supposed to practice it. Han Cai was not worried about cultivation or the skill he knew he had, all he had to do was collect enough points and make an equal exchange he was sure that system would help him cultivate and learn the skill without any difficulty. Earlier Han Cai wanted to save points till they reach one thousand before he could unlock System Update, but now he felt to give cultivation manual a try . The temptation was too strong for him to not to give it a try. He checked his status window [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 10] [Life Span: 40 Years] ?Strength: 1 ?Perception: 1 ?Agility: null ?Speed: 1 ?Constitution: .1.5 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 [Exchange Points: 781 (1/day)] [System Update : ? (Collect 1000 points to unlock)] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] Han Cai decided to initiate thew of equal exchange. [Initiatingw of Equal exchange] [What would the host like to exchange the points with?] Han Cai spoke in his mind "Use sky soaring cultivation method help me reach Qi condensation level 1" [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [ Law of the Equal Exchange Failed] [ 4,219 more points needed toplete the exchange] Han Cai was not surprised. If cultivation was that simple this world would have been filled with cultivators. But now he knew the number needed to start cultivation. He experimented a bit asked the system to get him to the Qi condensation realm directly without Sky Soaring technique; the system mentioned he needed nine thousand plus points toplete the exchange. So the system could get him directly to the Qi cultivation realm even without any technique as long as he had enough points. But having the technique was very useful as it halved the requirement of points. He tried exchange for crane sword skill and the system showed he needed thirteen hundred points more to train that sword skill to level ones. Which meant the cultivation technique to Qi Condensation level 1 cost five thousand points while crane sword skill cost two thousand skill points and he was sure as levels increased the number of points requirement will increase too. Han Cai started to n ; he will collect a thousand points to Update the system. Once the System is Updated will start saving points to get started with cultivation. After confirming his thoughts Han Cai went back to bed. Chapter 12 7 Months ?In the blink of an eye it has been more than 7 months since Han Cai came to Sky Soaring Sect. He lived very peacefully in the sect but it was very boring for him in the beginning as he had no one he knew or talked to. But soon he found a solution to that problem. The yellow robed outer sect disciples never paid attention to gray robed workers in the sect but Han Cai was different; he treated them with respect because of this they chatted and spent time with Han Cai and also told him a lot about the sect. It was not that he had no rtionship with yellow robed disciples but most of them from either very rich backgrounds or they were talented yellow robes who joined the sect through tests and there was a lot of attention on those disciples. There was always some friction between disciples with rich background who paid their way in the sect and the disciples who joined sect through their talents by passing the test. Han Cai paid his way in to the sect too but it was his father''s life saving unlike other rich kids whos family could pay their way to inner sect to if inner sect took bribes. The reason for friction between rich background disciples and the disciple''s with talent mostly were female disciples. Han Cai stayed as far as possible from female disciples, Even if he wanted to get close to any it would have been difficult for him. the outer sect peak for female disciples faction was far from where Han Cai lived so he really had very few interactions with them. Only time he could see female disciples was when he went to Outer Sect Hall to get his monthly allowance of one spirit stone. All in all he could not afford to offend the rich yellow robes nor the talented one''s who joined the sect through tests without paying any bribes. because of that besides greeting yellow robed disciples time to time he kept his distance from most of them. But he chatted freely with gray robes; this helped Han Cai settle down in the sect easier. ? When he talked with gray robe disciples he learnt that in general it takes around three to five years for an yellow robed outer sect disciple to reach level one of qi condensation level so it is not strange even after seven months he still hasn''t been able to cultivate. But he also learnt that they start sensing Spirit Qi in the air from second month, it has been seven months for Han Cai but he still could not feel anything but air. After three years of trying to cultivate, if yellow robed outer disciples do not reach to qi condensation level one then they are demoted to gray robed disciple. They will stay in the sect as a gray robe disciple for five years. In those five years if they are still not able to cultivate then they will be kicked out of the sect. For gray robed disciples they had to work for five years in sect and contribute to the sect. After five years they will be given an opportunity to cultivate a soaring sky cultivation manual. They are supposed to cultivate while taking care of their daily chores. If they reach qi cultivation realm first stage within three years since they started cultivating they will be promoted to yellow robed outer sect disciple. But if they are not able to reach qi cultivation in three years then they have to leave the sect. Out of a thousand only one gray robe was able to seed besides that most did not have any hope to cultivate. Still they tried their best thinking they would be one in thousands of gray robes. When Han Cai learnt that he felt life was really hard for these people they spent most of their precious teenage yearsboring for the sect only to get kicked outter. He could only sigh it is not like he could change their life. Even if he had power to change things in this sect, what could he change if the sect needed gray robes or who would deliver his meals.Han Cai knew he was selfish andzy to the core so he had no regrets having the thoughts that seemed best for his self interest. And as he saw it, It was the decision of the gray robes family members to make their own choices. They wanted a chance to be immortal and they had to pay a price for that. Didn''t his father send him even knowing he might never be a cultivator hoping he would seed. For yellow robes it was a bit different, out of 100 at least 20 would seed in cultivating as they did not have many chores to handle they spend all day and night trying to cultivate because of that many yellow robes seeded in reaching at least qi condensation stage. For thest 7 months Han Cai''s daily schedule was to wake up Spend all day trying to cultivate or practice sword skill. and fail miserably in both. In the first two months he would also go out in the evening and take a walk around the outer sect. But after two months the weather started getting cold and by the third month it started snowing and Han Cai had to stop with his evening walks. After that he would spend most of the time in his Quarter trying to cultivate or practice sword skills. Since this was his eighth month in the sect 7 more spirit stones but he could not use them still because of his zero growth in cultivation. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 13 System Update ?Han Cai looked at his status panel. He had been waiting for points to reach one thousand for more than seven months now. [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 10] [Life Span: 40 Years] ?Strength: 1 ?Perception: 1 ?Agility: null ?Speed: 1 ?Constitution: .1.5 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 [Exchange Points: 1000 (1/day)] [System Update : ? (Collect 1000 points to unlock)] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] After such a long patient wait finally the points had reached one thousand. Han Cai clicked on the System Update. [Initiating System Updateˇ­] [Initiating System Updateˇ­] [Initiating System Updateˇ­] [Initiating System Updateˇ­] [System Update Complete] [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 10] [Life Span: 40 Years] ?Strength: 1 ?Perception: 1 ?Agility: null ?Speed: 1 ?Constitution: .1.5 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 [Exchange Points: 0 (1/day)] [Extract Exchange Points : Choose new source *] [Storage Space : Empty ] [System Update : ? (Collect 10000 points to unlock)] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] Han cai noticed the new feature Extract Exchange Points. He clicked on Extract Exchange Points options. [Extract Exchange Points : Choose additional points extraction source *] [New Source Options] [Air] [Water] [Fire] [Earth] Han Cai fell into deep thought. Does this mean besides mooching off energy from him, this system will extract energy from Air or Water? Which one should I select? After contemting for an hour he finally made his choice and clicked. His system interface showed up again [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 10] [Life Span: 40 Years] ?Strength: 1 ?Perception: 1 ?Agility: null ?Speed: 1 ?Constitution: .1.5 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 [Exchange Points: 0 (1/day)] [Extract Exchange Points : 0 (source EARTH)] [Storage Space : Empty ] [System Update : ? (Collect 10000 points to unlock)] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] That''s right Han Cai selected earth. Actually he was in a dilemma between earth and wind which one to select. As Han Cai understood, the system worked in some kind of energy mechanism where it used the energy it received to convert that into points and depending on the number of points the system had, the system would use those to give him things of equivalent exchange. Going with this thought process Han Cao had one very important factor while making this choice. Han Cai clicked on Extract Exchange Points. Now it was a moment of truth for him if earth was the right choice. [Extracting Points..] [Extracting Points..] [Extracting Points..] [Extracting Points..] [Points Extraction Complete] Han Cai looked at his panel again [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 10] [Life Span: 40 Years] ?Strength: 1 ?Perception: 1 ?Agility: null ?Speed: 1 ?Constitution: .1.5 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 [Exchange Points: 0 (1/day)] [Extract Exchange Points : 1000 (source EARTH)] [Storage Space : Empty ] [System Update : ? (Collect 10000 points to unlock)] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] Seeing his status panel Han Cai was delighted his guess was right. He looked at his hand which was holding gray chalk powder. The main reason Han Cai selected earth was spirit stones. They were stones part of earth and they were filled with Qi and Spiritual energy. Since the system uses energy for giving out points then spiritual energy from spirit stones can be used by the system. He was amazed to see that one spirit stone gave one thousand exchange points. It took him almost a year to collect a thousand points and one small spirit stone was able to give that much energy. And these were low grade spirit stones. Imagine how much energy a high grade spirit stone will give. Han Cai had 7 more spirit stones which meant he could begin his cultivation Journey. Chapter 14 New Feature ?There was one more new feature in the system that was a small one cubic meter storage space. This was a pleasant surprise to Han Cai. It meant if he found something important and wanted to hide it from everyone he could easily store it in system storage. Han Cai started nning, to cultivate the Sky Soaring technique to the first level he needed five thousand points and to learn crane sword style he needed two thousand points. He had one thousand exchange points from spirit stone and seven more spirit stones. So he could get eight thousand points in total. This meant he would be able to reach first stage of qi cultivation and first level of crane sword style simultaneously. Han Cai decided to extract exchange points from 6 more spirit stones. Total number of exchange points system showed 7000. Han cai did not immediately start to cultivate; he waited for the day to pass. Because he did not want any distractions when he went through it. Gray robe disciples who used toe to chat with him mighte when they bring his food and he did not want to get distracted as he was not sure how much time the process might take so decided to exchange the points for cultivation at night. In the meantime he experimented with earth extraction more. If he wasying on ground or sitting on bare ground he could actually extract one exchange point every hour just by sitting orying on ground. What did it mean? He would be able to extract at least 10 - 20 exchange points on a daily basis just by sleeping on the floor or sitting on it. Didn''t that mean if he had selected wind for extraction he might have been extracting 24 points every day. As you did not need toy down in the air to touch it. Still Han Cai was not regretful as he needed points urgently to begin his cultivation journey and keep himself from getting demoted to gray robed disciple. As it has been more than 7 months and he still could not feel spirit qi in the air he was sure that his talent in cultivation was zero and if he did not have system it was guaranteed that he would be demoted to gray robes after 3 years and 5 years after that he would get kicked out of the sect. Time passed and it was night time again. Han Cai Looked at his status panel [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 10] [Life Span: 40 Years] ?Strength: 1 ?Perception: 1 ?Agility: null ?Speed: 1 ?Constitution: .1.5 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 [Exchange Points: 0 (1/day)] [Extract Exchange Points : 7002 (source EARTH)] [Storage Space : Empty ] [System Update : ? (Collect 10000 points to unlock)] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] Han Cai looked at status panel andmanded system "Initiatew of Equal exchange system" [Initiatingw of Equal exchange] [What would the host like to exchange the points with?] Han Cai spoke in his mind "Use sky soaring cultivation method help me reach Qi condensation level 1" [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [ Law of the Equal Exchange Seeded] [5000 points deducted toplete the exchange] Chapter 15 Cultivation ?With that message, Han Cai felt a vortex opening in his dantian. It was a very unique feeling he felt like he would swallow all the air around him. Slowly a warm feeling started flowing in his body to his dantian. He could feel the warm spirit energy around him now. The energy that went to his dantian slowly left his dantian and started flowing around all over his body. Everywhere it went in his body he would feel a tingling feeling. Knowledge of cultivation started flooding in his mind; he understood the ins and outs of cultivation of sky soaring technique level 1. The process of absorbing spirit qi in his dantian and revolving around his body continued for a few hours. Once the process was done he looked at his body all of his coated in ck gooey stuff was all over his body. It smelled really bad. Han Cai looked at himself and thought, So these are the legendary Impurities mentioned everywhere. Han cai immediately went to the bath house . Even though it was snowing outside he was amazed to see he did not feel that much cold, must be the spirit around his body keeping him warm. After cleaning himself up, Han Cai came back to his quarters. He sat down and enjoyed the feeling of spirit all around him. It was an amazing feeling. If he did not have the system he was sure he would never have experienced this feeling in this life. He also felt stronger and more agile. He called out status panel [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 10] [Life Span: 80 Years] ?Strength: 11 ?Perception: 11 ?Agility: 8 ?Speed: 8 ?Constitution: 11.5 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 ?Cultivation: Qi Condensation level 1 (Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) [Exchange Points: 0 (10/day)] [Extract Exchange Points : 2002 (source EARTH)] [Storage Space : Empty ] [System Update : ? (Collect 10000 points to unlock)] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] All of his stats had increased. Han Cai, mused his strength was 11 which meant he could fight 11 adult mortal men, alone while he was just ten years old. His lifespan doubled. There was new attribute cultivation added to the panel. Seeing massive growth in stats he felt very good. There were only two stats that did not increase; they were intelligence and charm. But he was not disappointed as long as he had enough points he could bring them to 11. But charm was not much of a necessity for him, at the moment he was not trying to impress anyone he just wanted afortable easy life so he decided not to boost his charm. For intelligence he will save some points in future. Next Han Cai had his eyes on the crane sword manual. To reach crane style level 1 in general it took students two to three years. Han Cai sighed nothing was easy for those outer sect disciples while sighing he was gloating inside too but he did not show in his face. He was afraid heaven might notice his gloating on other people''s luck and give him bad luck. Han Cai after he migrated to this world, firm believer of Murphy''sw so even if he was alone he would keep his best behavior. Chapter 16 Crane Sword Art ?Han Cai decided not to learn the Crane sword art the same night instead he spent all night sitting on bed trying to cultivate. This time he was sessful in cultivating there not much growth in his cultivation but when he was done with it in the morning he felt refreshed. Another legendry fact check that he read a lot was verified by him him that cultivators do not need much sleep cultivation can rx their body and mind which in general sleep is supposed to do. In the daytime he decided not to cultivate actively. Instead he kept the daily schedule as it was from thest seven months. It was not that he was afraid of gray robe disciples who would tell everyone that he reached Qi condensation level 1 if they saw him cultivating while bringing him food. It is just that he did not see any advantage in doing it. He would rather act as sheep and swallow a tiger when needed than act as tiger and get swallowed by a dragon. He spent all dayying on the floor trying to extract points. Only during breakfast, lunch and dinner did he get to eat and make small talk with gray robed disciples.When the night arrived Han Cai sat up in his bed. The crane sword manual was in front of him. Han Cai looked at status pane andmanded system "Initiatew of Equal exchange system" [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [ Law of the Equal Exchange Seeded] When Han Cai learnt sword crane style. The knowledge of Crane sword style level one flooded in his mind. The Qi inside his dantian stirred and started rotating in his body it started to reshape muscles in his body. His doubts were cleared energy can actually change it''s property example the Qi in dantian was reshaping his muscles and forming new muscles. Which basically meant energy was directly being converted into muscle. The process was veryplex and hard to describe but it was very intriguing. After sometime his dantian felt a little empty but it started swallowing spirit qi from outside crazily to get more spirit qi ,the more spirit Qi it swallowed the more it expanded. He felt his cultivation increase. He just started cultivating yesterday and today he was already halfway to Qi condensation level 2. This was an unexpected surprise for him. He looked at status panel again [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 10] [Life Span: 80 Years] ?Strength: 12 ?Perception: 12 ?Agility: 9 ?Speed: 9 ?Constitution: 12 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 ?Cultivation: Qi Condensation level 1 (Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 1) [Exchange Points: 0 (10/day)] [Extract Exchange Points : 12 (source EARTH)] [Storage Space : Spirit Stone (1) Gold Coins (100) ] [System Update : ? (Collect 10000 points to unlock)] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] His all attributes had increased by 1. Now he had strength of 12 adult men but he was sure that if he had a sword in his hand he could hurt more than 30 men without a sweat. After checking out the panel. Han Cai stood up and picked the sword that was given by the sect. He started practicing crane sword style. His muscles moved , the sword and him were in rhythm with each other. The sword in his hand felt like an extension of him. He could use it to attack or defend fluently. When Han Cai tested the crane sword technique, the Qi in his dantian transformed into a sword Qi, and When he attacked, the qi emerged from his sword in a shape of a crane. The sword Qi struck the wall of his quarter. Trying to practice the sword, Han Cai almost damaged the walls of his quarter, and he decided not to overdo it. After practicing for a while. He sat down on the floor and started cultivating also extracting points. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Besides my passion of writing I am full time corporate employee trying make ends meet. it get''s hectic sometimes. I do not have any proof reader as I could not afford it. If you find any spelling mistake, grammatical error or any sentence that does not make sense. Please leave ament in that para so I can fix it and help readers have best experience. If possible, please show support by adding the book to your library, giving stones,ments and adding reviews. Thank You. Chapter 17 Spirit Stone Problems ?By the morning before breakfast arrived Han Cai already was done with cultivation and also extracted 8 exchange points. It felt good watching the exchange points grow so fast. Besides the spirit stones If he Squeezed his schedule tight he should be able to gain 900 exchange points in a month. To reach his cultivation to Qi condensation level 2, he needed 6000 exchange points. The number was not very high because of crane sword skill he broke through mid level of first level of qi condensation level. To get the crane sword skill to level 2 he needed 4000 exchange points. So in total he needed ten thousand exchange points to get to the next level. System upgrade needed ten thousand exchange points too. Han Cai started calcting he might be able to get 900 exchange points per month just by extracting through external sources . The sect will give him one spirit stone per month which converts into one thousand exchange points so he should be able to level up the system in 6 months first. Thinking about months needed to for update reminded him he had around 13 more months under the tutge of elder ji after that he would have to give him two spirit stones per month or he had to change quarters and live as general outer sect disciples. Two spirit stones were worth two thousand exchange points. Han Cai was not sure that he could give that up so easily. Instead he needed to find some way to earn more spirit stones. Han Cai nned that by the end of the 20th month, he should be able to get the system updated and also his skills to level 2. After that he will leave elder Ji''s tutge and go out and try to live in general outer disciple quarters while finding more ways to earn spirit stones. Thinking about methods to earn more spirit stones. Han Cai chatted with gray robed outer sect disciples who brought his meals to figure out how many spirit stones they earn. He was stumped to know that the sect does not pay outer disciples in spirit stones but in gold coins. And gray robed disciples were not allowed to use gold to buy spirit stones in the outer sect hall. they had to get promoted to yellow robed disciple to buy that. If the sect allowed all gray robed disciples to buy spirit stones even if all buy only one the sect would run out of spirit stones in a month. As there were more than ten thousand gray robed disciples in the sect. Also for yellow robed disciples were not allowed to buy more than 10 spirit stones per month. If they wanted to buy 10 spirit stones it would cost them one 1000 gold coins which is a huge sum for most of them except for some who had ultra rich family background. Han Cai''s father already spent all his life saving trying to get him into the sect so he could not expect any gold coins from his family. They sent him to a sect so he could support his family in future and not make them poorer. Besides using gold coin to buy spirit stone there was another method for yellow robed disciples to earn spirit stones that was by taking missions. But only yellow robed outer sect disciples who have sessfully cultivated qi to level one at least were allowed to take sect missions from mission hall or you would have to do sect chores instead even if you are yellow robed disciple if you wanted to earn. The chores would pay a better amount of gold coins then what gray robes are paid. There was also another way to earn spirit stones that was to participate in the outer sect arena. Every summer after new disciples are expected there will be an outer sect arena tournament where outer sect yellow robed disciples will participate. The first ce would receive staggering 500 spirit stones, a foundation establishment pill, two new techniques . If elders liked your talent they could refer you to inner sect, to join inner sect either you had to be very talented to catch attention of inner sect elders or reach foundation establishment realm before age of 40 or if you are older than 40 then you can stay in the outer sect as elder. Elder Hong, Elder Ji most of the elders were at the foundation establishment realm. They could not join the inner sect because they reached the foundation establishment realm after the age of 40. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 18 Plans To Earn Spirit Stones ?To outer sect gray robes Han Cai was just a ten year old kid who was interested about what goes in sect and wanted to learn more about sect. They themself were mostly teenagers not very old. Han Cai had good manners so most of the gray robe disciples who delivered meals had a good impression of him. in the beginning they were a bit jealous of him because he was a 10 year old yellow robe while they had to serve him and bring his meals, but seeing his kind behavior they epted him as friend. They assumed Han Cai must be from a rich and educated background as all yellow robed disciples who bought their way to the sect were rich kids but none were humble. Han kai was thinking what he should do to get more spirit stones. As he could see there were two methods. The first was to go to sect hall and inform them he reached qi condensation level 1 and start taking in missions. If he did that he would be noticed by everyone for sure he had just joined the sect 7 months ago and is already at Qi cultivation level 1. It might have a positive effect that he might receive more support from the sect or might have a negative effect since the sect would see him like a prodigy that might put him in unnecessary spotlight which could get him in some trouble. Even if he wanted to disclose his cultivation he first had to get his crane sword skill to level 4, then even at level one cultivation with the help of technique he could fight a cultivator of the foundation realm. Second method was to earn a lot of gold coins and then use those gold coins to buy 10 spirit stones per month and earn a lucrative amount of exchange points. But either way he had to go out and find some way to earn some spirit stones. After thinking for a while Han Cai decided to go ahead with the first method but he will wait until 20 months have passed. Then he will go to the sect hall, register his cultivation level and start taking missions. Spending only One and half years to get to Qi condensation level was something very talented disciples could do as most disciples took 3 to 5 years to reach level one of qi condensation level, but it was not that amazing that they would consider him as a monster. He had around 12 months in his hands. He should be able to collect around 23 thousand exchange points. With those points he could update the system and get his cultivation and Sword skill to level 2. He decided that he will increase his fighting power first instead of his cultivation. So in the uing 12 months he would try to get his sword skill to level 3 instead of increasing his cultivation. Han Cai knew, before registering him as a cultivator, the outer sect hall will measure his cultivation if it shows level 2 of qi condensation, he will get more attention than he needed as reaching level 2 of qi condensation level in one and half years will be too shocking. For general disciples it will take around 7 - 8 years to reach qi cultivation level 2 if they start from no cultivation. ? But there was no tool in outer sect hall that could measure his skills . They will see his sword skill at the level he would like to show them. Upgrading his sword skills will give him great advantage. If he reached level four of crane sword skill he could hurt a foundations establishment realm cultivator. At level 3 even if he could not hurt them at least he could engage them for a while, that was good enough for him. From what he saw increasing sword skills also improved his cultivation so maybe he might be able to reach level 2 of Qi condensation just by upgrading his sword skill level that will save him a good amount of exchange points. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 19 19 Months ?Time flowed continuously. Winter passed, summer came then summer passed and winter was back. It has been 19 months since Han Cai joined the Soaring Sky sect. Winter in the Sky Soaring Sect was a time of cold, snowy weather and long nights. The sect was located in the cold North of Yin country, and the winters are harsh and unforgiving. The peaks of the mountains were covered in a thick nket of snow, and the air was crisp and icy. The temperature often dropped well below freezing, making it difficult for the sect members to move around and conduct their daily activities. ? During this time, the sect member took extra precautions to stay warm and protect themselves from the elements. They wore thick, insted clothing and heavy boots to keep out the cold. The living quarters were heated with fireces and heated stones to keep the disciples warm. Despite the harsh weather, the winter was also a time of great beauty. The snow-covered peaks and valleys are a sight to behold, and the disciples would take time to appreciate the natural beauty around them. The night sky was also particrly striking, with the stars shining brightly against the dark sky. Winter was also a time of increased focus on cultivation and martial arts. The disciples spend more time training and studying, as the cold weather makes it difficult to venture outside. Overall, winter in the Sky Soaring Sect was a time of harsh weather and increased focus on cultivation, but also a time of great natural beauty. The sect members must take extra precautions to stay warm and protect themselves from the elements, but they also take time to appreciate the natural beauty around them and focus on their spiritual growth. When Han Cai joined the sect he was very worried, but his father nned it all for him so he could have a fewfortable years in the sect and settle himself down. And that was what Han Cai did: he nned and made proper use of exchange points to enhance his strength. Han Cai was 11 years old now and he had be ustomed to living in the sect. But it was time for him to move away from elder Ji''s abode. This was hisst month in Ji faction. after this month either he had to pay 2 spirit stone to stay under umbre called elder Ji and live a carefree life in outer sect or move out and try to survive the unstable outer sect on his own. Han Cai had nothing against elder Ji. Elder Ji did take most of the chunk of the bribe that he his father payed. But after taking the bribe elder Ji did keep his word and gave him a safefortable life in the outer sect. Han Cai knew even if he had 2 extra spirit stones there was no way he would be wasting them on elder Ji''s faction he would convert that in exchange points to make himself stronger. So Han Cai had to move away from Elder Ji''s faction. Han Cai looked at his status panel asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 20 New Feature ?Han Cai looked at status panel again [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 11] [Life Span: 80 Years] ?Strength: 14 ?Perception: 14 ?Agility: 11 ?Speed: 11 ?Constitution: 14 ?Intelligence: 5 ?Charm: 1 ?Cultivation: Qi Condensation level 1 (Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 3) [Exchange Points: 22(11/day)] [Extract Exchange Points : 4068(source EARTH,WIND)] [Storage Space : Spirit Stone (1) Gold Coins (100) ] [System Update : ? (Collect 100000 points to unlock)] [Scan] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] Except his cultivation and charm there was growth in all of his stats. He intentionally did not increase cultivation or charm. The less he was noticed by the people the more peaceful his life will be. It was not that his cultivation did not increase at all, every time he broke through a level in sword skill his dantian needed more spirit qi so it absorbed more spirit Qi in surrounding this process made his dantian expand in other words upgrading skill helped his cultivation too. And he was sure once he breaks through level 4 of sword skill he will reach level 2 in cultivation without using the system. But to break through level 4 of crane sword style he needed sixteen thousand exchange points. For the first six months sincest winter he collected ten thousand exchange points. He used those points to update the system. Once his system was updated He received one more source for exchange points. Now the system would extract 1 point every hour literally from air. System gave him one more nice surprise. There was a new scan feature. This feature was basically using exchange points to scan the stats of any person or thing. He wasted a few 100 exchange points on many disciples to check out their stat. He used it on random things, even scanning his attack power and the system would always give their description. He scanned his sword [Object: Sword] ?Attack: 1 ?Defense: 1 ?Sharpness: 1 ?Special Characteristic: None When He Scanned his attack power when he shed sword [Offensive Art: Crane Sword Style level 3] ?Power: 75 ?Pration: 95 Special Characteristic: Pration and power can be increased by adding more sword qi in the attack. Scanning his sword cost him 1 exchange point. He even scanned the elder of Outer hall when he went to collect the monthly allowance. When he asked system to scan the results he got was [Name: Zhou Yusheng] [Age: 75] [Life Span: 170 Years] ?Strength: 125 ?Perception: 30 ?Agility: 120 ?Speed: 120 ?Constitution: 130 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 1 ?Cultivation: Foundation Establishment level 2 (Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 2) , Turtle Strength Maniption (Level 1) vajra Saber art (Level 1) Swift Deer movement technique (Level 1) ˇ­. Other Details : Outer sect elder of Host. Bored! Scanning the elder cost him 50 exchange points. There were a lot of skills listed under the elder Zhou''s name. The constitution of the elder was around 150. His attack power was shown at 75 to hurt the elder if he wanted to attack he had sh with full power twice. He also knew the elder will not just sit there and have him attack twice. In "other details" the scan told Han Cai what was going in sect elders mind. The old man was just bored. It was an amazing gift from the system for him; he could always gauge the strength of his opponents and he could decide either to run or fight. He could even read their emotions. Han Cai also thought about legendary opportunities that were mentioned in books in his past life where everyone treats a weapon as trash and turns out to be a mythical weapon. Maybe he wille across such an opportunity. One can always dream. But he was sure he lucked out getting the system. or he wouldn''t be this bad at cultivation. Without system there is no hope for his cultivation. Chapter 21 Walking Through Snow ?Han Cai left his quarters with his sword on his back and walked towards the Outer sect hall. It was snowing and not many disciples were out except the ones who had to take care of chores. As he walked through the snow, He enjoyed the view. The snow was thick and heavy, and it crunched beneath his feet as he walked. He looked around at the snow-covered peaks and valleys, and he couldn''t help but think about the stark contrast between the winter''s harshness and its beauty. Han Cai walked leisurely as he took in the view of white snow falling everywhere. He could see the gray robes suffering trying to clean the snow. Picking up herbs. You could feel their shivering hands as they tried to finish their work. But unlike them Han Cai felt this snow was beautiful. This gloomy winter afternoon felt marvelous to him. Suddenly the realization dawned on him, this world is beautiful to the strong while dangerous for the weak. As he walked, he thought about his own life and cultivation. He knew if he did not have the cheat system at some point in future he would have turned into one of those gray robes. If he did not have his cultivation, He would be struggling, living in the cold, corner quarters provided by the Ji faction, and he would need to resort to doing chores to earn gold coins. If he was not a Qi Cultivator, without system he would just be an ordinary 11 year old kid from a rich family , he would be shivering right now and cursing life and whole world. His father spent all his life saving trying to make sure that his son bes a cultivator. But he would have ended up a gray robe. Han Cai deeply thanked god for the system. Moving further Han Cai could see stark contrast between thefortable and luxurious living quarters of the rich and powerful yellow robes, and the simple and austere living quarters of the gray robes. He wondered how the winter could be so harsh for the poor, yet so beautiful for the rich. He thought about how the rich and powerful had the means to protect themselves from the cold, with warm clothing and heated living quarters, while the poor had to struggle to survive. He felt a deep sense of injustice but no empathy for those who were struggling. Han Cai knew he had very selfish personality. Still He used this opportunity make it a lesson for himself. He vowed to work harder to improve his own cultivation, so that even if he could not help those in need at least he could help himself. Han Cai continued to walk through the snow, contemting life and cultivation, and the harsh beauty of the winter. Han Cai finally reached in front of the outer sect hall. He went inside and the elder Zhou was sitting at the same ce when he came for the first time. There were some yellow robes working around in the hall. Han Cai came near elder bowed and spoke " Greetings elder" asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 22 Surprising The Elder ?Elder Zhou raised his head and looked at him, and his eyes seemed half sleepy. Seeing the elder not saying anything, Han Cai continued, "I wanted to register my cultivation so I can begin with the sect mission." The sleepy elder looked more awake now. Han Cai noticed the elder used his Qi spirit sense trying to probe Han Cai''s cultivation. Han Cai moved the spirit Qi around in his body so elder can get clear understanding of his cultivation. Elder Zhou nodded. Elder was not surprised that Han Cai got his cultivation to level 1 in a year and half because elder Zhou did not remember him. He called one of the outer sect disciples. He Asked him to bring the cultivation stone. The disciple came with a white colored shiny looking stone. The elder invited Han Cai to add some Qi to the stone. Han Cai did as he was asked, and the stone showed a tiny thread line. Which meant Han Cai was officially a level 1 Qi Condensation outer sect disciple. After that, Another outer hall disciple came with a leather book and noted Han Cai''s details. Now that Han Cai was a Qi cultivator, the treatment of the yellow-robed disciple was different. He introduced himself to Han Cai his name was Kong Dandan. Before this, no yellow robe disciple ever cared to introduce himself to Han Cai. Kong Dandan asked Han Cai for all of his details. His name, his family details, and when he joined the sect. Another new realization dawned on Han Cai. Up until now, the sect had not kept any details of him. Unless you reach level 1 of Qi condensation, the sect doesn''t count you as their disciple. You are just freebor staying in a sect for five to ten years. When the elder learned that Han Cai reached Qi Condensation level 1 in just one and a half years, he was shocked. It was surprising for him to see an 11-year-old qi condensation cultivator, the talented disciples, in general, took two to three years to get to level 1, so they were mainly in the age group of 13 to 14, very few at the age of 12 reach level 1. while Han Cai, 11 years old, reached just Qi condensation level 1 in just one and a half years. Just as Han Cai thought, even though they don''t care about outer sect disciples much, they pay attention to talented disciples. When Han Cai gave his details, elder Zhou remembered Han Cai and how he had told him not to waste his father''s effort and cultivate diligently. While the elder was thinking, the Kong Dandan asked If Han Cai had yet practiced the Crane sword style. Han Cai nodded and spoke, "Level 1 Crane Technique". The yellow-robed disciple asked him to demonstrate it, and Han Cai took out the sword, made spirit qi in his dantian move, and shed gently. There was a sword Qi in the shape of a crane the sword. Elder Zhou''s eyes went wide; in one and a half, this disciple not only cultivated to level Qi condensation level cultivated crane sword technique to level 1 at the same time. This kid was an inner-sect talent; he had no business staying in the outer sect. He felt regretful that he sent Han Cai to Elder Ji''s faction. Now Elder Ji''s faction will have one genius inner sect of talented disciples in his faction to brag about. While elder Zhou was wondering why he let the inner-sect talent go to Ji faction , Kong Dandan asked if Han Cai had joined any faction in the outer sect. Because a faction name needed to be added to the outer sect hall registration book, Han Cai told him he had not joined any faction in the sect. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 23 Poaching Han Cai ?When elder Zhou heard that Han Cai was not in any faction, he raised an eyebrow. "Weren''t you in elder Ji''s faction?" Han Cai replied, "Yes, Elder, but Ie from a humble background. Can not afford to stay quarters of Ji faction." Elder Zhou understood what Han Cai meant: He could not afford two spirit stones per month, which all the disciples in the Ji faction had to pay. Elder Zhou nodded and asked, "Does elder Ji knows that you have reached level 1 of Qi condensation and crane sword technique". Han Cai responded, "No, Elder, I did not get an opportunity to report to elder ji yet." Elder Zhou had a broad smile on his face. He put a thoughtful expression on his face and said, "How about this you can join my faction. You will not have to pay for any spirit stones or do any chores. If you have any doubts about your cultivation, you cane to ask me any time without any worry." The Elder stopped speaking; Then he saw Han Cai was not interested. Han Cai was thinking about How he should reject the Elder. Seeing Han Cai not interested, Elder decided to up the offer. Han Cai was inner sect talent, and he had to have this talent in his faction before anyone found out. Elder Zhou''s faction was one of the new factions in the outer sect, and they had no backing from the Inner Sect. It was god sent opportunity for him to have inner sect-level talent in his faction. Elder continued, "Also, we will add you as one of the disciples working for the outer disciple hall. It will be just on paper; you don''t have to do anything in the hall; cultivate and improve your cultivation. You will get paid an extra spirit stone in your monthly allowance". Han Cai was stumped as he did not expect Elder Zhou to recruit him into his faction out of the blue with such a lucrative offer. Now his ns will have to change. He will not need to take any missions, and he can cultivate peacefully under the protection of Elder Zhou. Plus, he will be getting an extra spirit stone. He had tried his best to hide his cultivation so no one thought he was a genius or something. Did the Elder notice something? He recalled the elder reaction changed when he mentioned the sword technique, and realization dawned on him that to cultivate the skill, one needs to cultivate Qi Condensation level one first, so He was still an outstanding genius in the eyes of the Elder. Han Cai felt shame; He thought he was smart enough. How could he make such an obvious mistake? Cultivating the Qi condensation level one took him one and a half years. That is not genius but cultivating sword technique to level one within a few months of reaching cultivation level one was genius. If Han Cai rejected his good intentions, the Elder might feel offended. The one extra Elder is giving him leverage; he probably thinks of Han Cai as an investment. Han Cai thought for a while, then bowed, "I will be in your care, elder." Elder Zhou almostughed out loud. He could not believe he could poach such an inner sect-level talent under elder Ji''s nose. If Han Cai participates in the outer sect battle arena with his level 1 sword skill, he would be in the top 100 outer sect disciples. But that was not the most critical part; the most crucial factor was that he woulde in the top ten regarding sword talent. Most capable outer sect disciples who mastered the sword technique were at least 15 years old. For the skilled disciples, Even if they joined the sect at the age of 10, which was the minimum age requirement for entering the Sky Soaring Sect. It would take those disciples 2 to 3 years to get their cultivation to reach Qi condensation level 1. Only when their cultivation reached Qi condensation level could they practice crane sword style. Mastering the sword style takes them another two to three years. Elder Zhou spoke, "But make sure to participate in the outer sectpetition in summer, and it will help you in your cultivation" asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 24 Zhou Faction ?Han Cai had always been aware of the potential dangers of showcasing his talents, but He knew sooner orter he would have to participate in an outer sect tournament to get into the inner sect. What he never expected was that elder Zhou would ask him so soon. As he sat in front of Elder Zhou, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease. He was only 11 years old and hade from a humble background, and He was not worried about getting hurt in apetition but causing trouble for his family was a genuine concern for him. What if he defeated some young master, and that young master used his family to get back at Han Cai. Han Cai pretended to be scared and spoke, "Elder, I am still young, and I am afraid of getting hurt in thepetition. Also, Ie from a very humble background, and if any senior brothers get offended, it might implicate my family." But Elder Zhou had assured him that as long as he was part of the Zhou faction, no one would harm him in the outer sectpetition. And if he performed well, Elder Zhou would ensure his family received all the support and help they needed. Elder started to inquire about Han Cai''s family. When Han Cai told him he was from eagle trail town, it took three months to reach eagle trail town. Anyone who is offended by Han Cai in the tournament would take three months to get eagle trail town. Elder knew Long before that Han Cai would be epted as an inner sect disciple after the tournament. With the inner sect''s support, no one will try to bother his family. Elder told him not to worry and just to console Han Cai. He said, "After the tournament, I will personally go out and make sure no one troubles your family. My Zhou family is strong in cloud mountain city, and they will take care of it. Don''t worry." Han Cai was not sure why this Elder was being so kind to him. Nothing was free in this world. This Elder is probably betting on Han Cai''s talent to impress the sect in the future. Still, Elder''s promise to help Han Cai seemed sincere. Han Cai nodded and bowed again. "I thank elder Zhou. I will do my best in the outer sectpetition." If he had an elder''s protection and His family was safe, what did he have to worry about? Hearing Han Cai''s response elder''s eyes twinkled with happiness. Kong Dandan standing at the side was stumped. He considered himself talented too. He was 17 years old this year. He was at level 2 Qi condensation and level 1 in crane sword technique, but it had taken him four years to reach Qi condensation level 1 and Level 1 in sword technique. He got too many surprises in a few breaths. First, this eleven-year-old kid learned the crane sword technique in one and a half years. This meant he reached Qi condensation level 1 in a year and took six months to master the sword skill. Then the Elder offered him to join his faction and even offered him free extra spirit stones monthly to support his family. That was too biased. After the registration process of Han Cai''s cultivation waspleted. Elder asks Kong Dandan to take Han Cai to his faction quarters and give him quarter number two. Which meant his quarter would be very close to the Elder''s abode. Han Cai said he would have to return to his old abode to bring his things back. Elder Zhou told him not to worry about it. He asked Han Cai to go to his new residence, and Zhoud faction''s gray robes will deliver all his things to his new abode. As they walked to his new quarters, Han Cai couldn''t help but notice the look of envy and resentment on Kong Dandan''s face. He knew that Kong Dandan was also a talented cultivator, and the fact that Han Cai had been offered such preferential treatment must have been difficult for him to ept. But Han Cai didn''t let it bother him; he knew that showing his talents at the right time could benefit him. As they walked, Han Cai thought about what had happened just now. Showing talents could be dangerous, but showing them at the right time could be very fruitful. He did not have to do any missions or chores and will earn an extra spirit stone every month. Han Cai, a nerd and recluse from the past, does not crave the adventures of missions, nor does he find any pleasure in doing any chores. He liked cultivation because you sit in one ce and grow stronger. He was Lazy to his core. Now the only thing he had to consider was outer sectpetition. He was not worried about it. Han Cai''s sword technique was level 3, and he could fight an elder at this skill level. He decided as long as he was in the outer sect, he would show his value to Elder Zhou so he could live peacefully without any worries. He did not have to go out to try to get missions done. With just showing his skills, if he could get support for his family, then why not use that path? asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 25 Source Of The Rumours ?As Kong Dandan settled down with his fellow disciples in his abode, the atmosphere was lively and rxed. They were all enjoying some low-quality spirit wine, chatting, and catching up with each other''s lives. As they discussed various topics, Kong Dandan couldn''t help but bring up the day''s events. "It was a really good idea to join Elder Zhou''s faction," he eximed. "He poached a genius inner sect level talented disciple right under Elder Ji''s nose. When Elder Ji finds out, he might cough blood." The other disciples listened intently, their curiosity piqued. One of them asked, "What happened? Who is this disciple that Elder Zhou poached?" Kong Dandan went on to exin the events of the day, starting from how he had met Han Cai, the eleven-year-old prodigy who had reached level 1 in Qi Condensation and sword technique in just a year and a half. He shared how Han Cai had caught the attention of Elder Zhou and how he had convinced Han Cai to join his faction. As Kong Dandan spoke, the other disciples listened in shock and amazement. Most of them had been in the Sect for more than five years and still had not mastered the sword technique. They couldn''t believe that a mere eleven-year-old had achieved something they had yet to aplish. They were all impressed by Han Cai''s talent and wondered what future he would have in the Sect "Elder Zhou must have seen something special in Han Cai," said one of the disciples. "After the tournament, he would probably enter the inner sect." Another disciple asked, " I''ve heard of some prodigies before but never one who reached Qi condensation and sword technique level one in a year and a half." ? Kong Dandan nodded and said, "There are many prodigies like him, but all are in inner sects. He''s extremely talented. He reached level 1 in Qi Condensation and sword technique in just a year and a half. I am at level one of sword technique, but his understanding of the technique is more in-depth than mine. He''s already very close to reaching level 2 in sword technique. It''s no wonder why Elder Zhou was so interested in him, his genius is of the inner sect level." "Yeah, and think about the benefits for our faction," added another. "With a genius like Han Cai, when he goes to the inner Sect, the Sect will award elder Zhou handsomely and might even help him with the core condensation pill. If elder Zhou reaches core condensation, our faction will be even stronger and more respected in the Sect." Another disciple asked, "But You said the elder might use his elder token to get in him in the fight for the top 100 positions directly. Why did Elder Zhou choose him over us? We''ve been in the Sect for much longer and have worked hard to get where we are now." Kong Dandan sighed and said, "It''s not that Elder Zhou doesn''t value us; it''s just that this disciple is truly a rare gem. He''s the kind of talent thates around once in a generation of outer sect, and it''s only natural that Elder Zhou would want to use his token on a disciple who can get him the most benefits from the Sect." One of the disciples asked, "But what about us? Will we be left behind?" Kong Dandan shook his head and said, "You are sixteen now, just reached Qi condensation level 1. What are your chances of entering the inner Sect? Elder Zhou still values us and our contributions to the faction. When he enters the inner Sect, The inner peak elder who epts Han Cai will reward elder Zhou. I am sure the reward they will give will benefit the whole faction. Every talented disciple is the Sect''s future pir, and the Sect appreciates the people who bring such disciples." Another disciple asked, "So he will directlypete with the top 100 disciples outer sect tournament? " Kong Dandan nodded and said, "Yes, he willpete directly with the top 100 in the tournament. And I feel he''s going to make quite a ssh. He''s already shown his incredible talent is of inner Sect level, so I can only imagine what he''ll be able to aplish in the outer Sect tournament." The conversation continued as they discussed the implications of Han Cai joining their faction and its potential benefits. Slowly, rumors started traveling around in the outer sect, iming Elder Zhou had poached a talented genius disciple from Elder Ji. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 26 Rumours ?Slowly, rumors started traveling around in the outer sect, iming Elder Zhou had poached a talented genius disciple from Elder Ji. But when someone asked who the disciple was, no one knew. The curious elders started asking around, but no one seemed to have any information about the mysterious new disciple who had caught the attention of an elder. Elder Zhou, upon hearing the rumors, was furious. He called Kong Dandan to his chambers and scolded him for allowing the rumors to spread. There were supposed to be only two people who knew about elder Zhou poaching Han Cai, and now the Whole outer sect had heard about it. He warned Kong Dandan not to disclose Han Cai''s name anymore and to keep his identity a secret. Kong Dandan, being a loyal disciple, listened to his elder''s instructions and never discussed the topic again with anyone. However, the rumors continued spreading, and the other elders grew increasingly curious. They were intrigued by the idea of a new talented disciple joining their sect, and they all wanted to know who this mysterious figure was. Some of them even started to investigate on their own, trying to uncover the identity of the new disciple. Seeing the growing curiosity among the other elders, Elder Zhou decided to keep Han Cai''s identity a secret for as long as possible. It was his luck that Han Cai stayed in his quarters all the time and the boy preferred seclusion. Elder Zhou visited Han Cai frequently to guide him in his Cultivation and prepare him for the uing tournament in the next six months. As Han Cai was selfish, he had initially only epted the elder''s guidance for his benefit. However, as Han Cai saw the elder''s attention and care for him, he realized that Han Cai himself was not just selfish but vain too. As he discovered, He liked being valued and enjoyed receiving attention from the elder like he was the precious ring the elder was Gollum. Han Cai thought that if he revealed his crane sword technique to the second level to the elder, it would make him more valuable in the elder''s eyes. Han Cai decided he would give a double shock to the elder as he knew the moment he upgraded his sword technique to level four, he would break through Qi condensation level two. His dantian will absorb more energy topensate for the level-four sword technique. Techniques and Cultivation were both co-dependents, so when he upgraded one, the other would see some changes too. Every time he upgraded his sword technique, his Cultivation improved too. His Cultivation of Qi Condensation level one was at the threshold one more push, and he will break through. That is why Han Cai was sure that when he upgraded his sword technique to level four, he would break through level two of Qi condensation. As the months passed, rumors in the sect began to grow. They were particrly strong when Elder Zhou went to the discipline hall to request that Han Cai, his faction''s disciple, be allowed to fight directly in the top hundred of the outer sect tournament. Every elder had the opportunity to use their elder token to directly ce their most talented disciple in the top hundred without facing thousands of other outer sect disciples at the beginning of the tournament. One day, when the elder visited Han Cai, he asked him to spar with him to gauge his strength. The elder instructed Han Cai to attack him with all his power. As Han Cai attacked, the elder felt a shiver down his spine. In only five months, Han Cai had reached the second level of Qi condensation and the second level of crane sword technique. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 27 Ecstatic Elder Zhou ?One day, when the elder Zhou visited Han Cai, he asked him to spar with him to gauge his strength. The elder instructed Han Cai to attack him with all his power. When Han Cai attacked, he used the sword Qi of the level two crane sword technique. Elder also noticed his level two cultivation. When the elder visited him a few months ago, Han Cai was at level one sword technique and level one Qi condensation. In reality, Han Cai had already reached level four. With help of spirit stones when he had enough exchange points ,Han Cai immediately upgraded his sword technique to level four. With that, he did break through Qi condensation level two at the same time. But Han Cai did not have any technique that could help him hide his cultivation. Han Cai decided not to reveal his actual sword technique level to the elder. He was aware that the elder was only at level two and was worried that if he showed his sword technique to be above level two, the elder might get jealous of him. Han Cai did not want to hurt the old man''s ego or cause him any mental demons. He wanted to maintain a good rtionship with the elder and show him his true strength at the right time. To Elder Zhou, this was an incredible achievement. When Elder Zhou saw that Han Cai had reached the second level of Qi condensation and the second level of Crane''s sword technique in just five months, he was astounded. He knew that this meant that Han Cai was not just an inner sect-level talent but had the potential to be a core disciple of the sect. To reach level two in sword technique and Qi condensation , what did it mean? This kid was the real genius that the sect always wanted. The number of core disciples in the sect were only five. It was not that the sect did not wish to have more core disciples, but the disciples had to have an unprecedented genius to be core disciples. This kid in front of him was an unparalleled genius. For others, it took them years to go from level one Qi condensation to level two. This kid did it in five months; if that was not enough, the kid also reached level two Crane sword technique. It was very rare for outer sect disciples to have the potential to be core disciples. The core disciples were the elite group of disciples who were groomed to be future leaders of the sect. They were given special resources and opportunities to cultivate and improve their skills. Elder Zhou knew that if he could bring a core disciple-level talent to the inner sect, it would be a huge aplishment, and the sect would reward him greatly. Not only would it bring prestige to his faction, but it would also secure his faction''s future in the sect and provide support for his family. Elder Zhou was ecstatic at Han Cai''s progress and began to guide him with even more care and attention. He knew that with Han Cai''s talent, he would be able to receive a core condensation pill from the sect in the future. He also knew that Han Cai would achieve great things for himself, so in the future, he and his faction might also receive appreciation from Han Cai. With this golden hatchling, he could rise through the ranks of the outer sect. While elder Zhou was letting his imagination run wild with ns, in Ji faction quarters, Elder Ji, a white-haired elder, sat quietly in a locked room inside the outer sect elder''s abode. As the morning sun began to pour in through one of the pavilions, he opened his eyes and walked out of the room to take in the view of the sun in the pavilion. He looked around; he saw a yellow-robed disciple cleaning up fallen leaves in the pavilion. Elder Ji sat down in the pavilion and asked the yellow-robed disciple to bring him some warm tea. The yellow-robed disciple quickly left to fetch the tea for the elder. The scene was tranquil and peaceful, with the sound of the leaves rustling and the morning sun casting a warm glow on the abode. The white-haired elder took a moment to enjoy the serenity before continuing on with his day. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 28 Furious Elder Ji ?When the disciple returned with tea, there was another disciple with him. As the two disciples entered the pavilion, they both bowed respectfully to the elder. The first disciple immediately set to work preparing tea for the elder while the second disciple stood by his side. The elder, sitting in the pavilion, observed the standing disciple. He recognized this particr disciple as one of the prized members of his faction. The elder was well aware of the talents and abilities of his disciples and held great pride in the aplishments of his prized disciples. He was curious to hear about the progress of this particr disciple and how he was doing in his cultivation journey. The elder was keen to know about this young man''s aplishments, as he represented the best of his faction. Elder Ji: Fan Zixin, how are things in the outer sect? How is your cultivation? Will you get a good ce in the outer sectpetition this year? Fan Zixin: Yes elder, this time I should be able to get in the top 10. My cultivation has reached level 4 of the Qi Condensation and Saber technique to level 1. Elder Ji: (smiling and nodding) That''s excellent news. I''m happy that our faction will gain some recognition. There are more than 50 elders in the outer sect; each is trying their best to show that their faction is the best. The more fame our faction has, the more disciples will be willing to join us. Elder Ji: (noticing that Fan Zixin is hesitating to say something) Speak your mind. Fan Zixin: There is a rumor in the outer sect that Elder Zhou poached an inner sect-level talent from our Ji faction. The disciple mastered the sword technique and cultivated to level 1 of Qi condensation in just one and a half years. Elder Ji asked: When did this happen? Fan Zixin: 5 months ago. Elder Ji: (shocked) Is it true? Or just a rumor? If it were just a rumor, you wouldn''t have mentioned it. Who is this disciple? How could Elder Zhou take him away if he was registered with my faction? Why didn''t you inform me about such talent? Fan Zixin: We checked, and it is true. His name is Han Cai. He joined the sect one and a half years ago when he was ten. He was very reclusive and did not talk much with anyone except some gray robe disciples. Elder Ji growled: Why are you telling me thiste? Fan Zixin: When rumors began, we were not sure. Then they gradually died down, but when elder Zhou contacted discipline hall elder Miao that he wanted to use his elder token to get his faction''s disciple Han Cai directly into the top 100, elder Miao agreed. The rumors began to spread again because disciples of Discipline hall had been discussing it. We had to verify first if the rumors were true. Elder Ji: Are you sure that Han Cai was in my faction? Fan Zixin: We did a thorough investigation. His father paid our faction 60 spirit stones so he could live safely in the outer sect for the first year. When he joined, He had no cultivation He did not seemed to have much talent in cultivation. He registered at the outer sect hall to take on some missions and earn spirit stones. Fan Zixin continued : To take missions, he had to show his cultivation and technique to the outer sect hall for verification. As elder Zhou controls the outer hall, he was the first to figure out his talent. So when he was being registered in the outer sect disciples ledger book, elder Zhou got the outer hall disciples to add Han Cai''s name in his Zhou faction, not Ji faction. We confirmed with gray robe disciples that after Han Cai went to register, he did not return to his quarters. In the evening, elder Zhou sent some gray robes to take away all his things to quarter secretly. Elder Zhou will be using his elder token to get him to participate in thepetition directly for the top 100, and He will not need to go through fighting tests of 1000. Elder Ji was angry and shocked when he heard the news of Elder Zhou taking Han Cai, an inner-sect-level talent, away from his faction. The thought of letting a highly skilled disciple slip away from his grasp made his face turn red with anger. He couldn''t help but wonder what the other elders in the sect would think of him if they found out about this incident. He knew that having an inner sect-level talented disciple would bring significant contributions to the sect, and he would be rewarded greatly for it. He also knew that no elder would use their token to push a disciple directly into the top 100 of thepetition if they were unsure of the disciple''s talent and strength. Feeling a surge of anger, Elder Ji grabbed the teacup in his hand and smashed it. Afterward, he stood up from his seat and ran towards the outer sect hall with Fan Zixin following him hurriedly. He wanted to rectify the situation and get his faction''s disciple back before it was toote. Chapter 29 The Argument ?Outer Hall Elder Ji walks into the outer sect hall with a red face. Elder Zhou looked at elder Ji and spoke, "Old Ji, what brings you to the outer sect hall this early morning." Elder Ji was fuming. He tried to calm himself and Sat down near elder Zhou and Spoke, "I know you took a disciple from my faction. Old Zhou, we have been friends for a very long time. If you take a disciple from my faction without asking me, how will it look in the eyes of other disciples and elders." Elder Zhou creased his brows and feigned innocence. "What are you talking about? Old ji. I have so many disciples in my faction, and why would I try to steal a disciple from your faction?" Elder Ji was furious when he saw this old bastard acting all innocent. Elder Ji spoke loudly, trying to shame elder Zhou, "Don''t act ignorant I know you stole my faction''s talented disciple Han Cai when he came to register here so he could take an outer sect mission." When a foundation establishment cultivator speaks loudly, his voice can be heard far and wide. The disciples who were visiting the outer sect hall or working in the hall froze, Hearing the loud voice and wondering what was happening. An angry outer sect elder yelled in the outer sect hall, that was not a good thing. Elders in the outer sect always presented themselves as a gentle and kind elder. What did elder Zhou do to irk him so much? Seeing elder Ji yelling at him in front of all the disciples and trying to shame him so openly. Elder Zhou lost his cool too. It was one thing toe and talk it out privately, and elder Zhou knew he was not in right as he tantly stole a disciple from another faction. But trying to shame him in public like that, He could not ept it. Elder Zhou became furious. He yelled back at elder Ji, "What are you talking about? From the beginning, Han Cai has been a disciple of my Zhou faction. You can check his registration in outer sect books, and he registered in my faction from the moment he started cultivation." Elder Ji was so angry that He felt like he might vomit blood. He thought If he shamed elder Zhou loudly, elder Zhou would back down for fear of losing face. But it seems that Han Cai is more talented than he expected, so old Zhou does not mind losing face. Elder Ji gave up all pretenses, stood up, and growled loudly, "Old Zhou, don''t push me. You think No one knows that he stayed in my faction''s quarters for one and half years. Do you think all the outer sect disciples are blind? My faction took care of him for one and a half years. We Guided him in his cultivation and techniques. We gave him food and shelter, and You stole him so tantly. Have you no Shame." Hearing that, now it was elder Zhou who wanted to Vomit blood. He had asked for all the details from Han Cai, Including if elder Ji ever gave him any guidance in cultivation. Han Cai informed him he had yet to meet elder Ji. Elder Zhou knew how things worked in elder Ji''s faction; unless a disciple paid spirit stones, Elder Ji wouldn''t even look at them. To speak like he guided Han Cai in his cultivation, elder Ji had no shame. Elder Zhou stood up and growled, "You bastard, how dare you talk about shame with me. That kid came from a low-ie family, and his father had to sell his family heirloom to collect spirit stones for his cultivation. Because abodes in my faction did not have any heating and seeing the kid is young. I did not want him to suffer in the cold. I sent him to the opposite mountain, so he could live in the warmth and cultivate peacefully. But you sent him to the cold corner quarter and even snatched all his sixty spirit stones." All the elders took bribes when they epted disciples in their faction, and that is how the economy in the outer sect worked. But by calling the bribe money a robbery, elder Zhou had touched on a taboo topic. Elder Ji indeed had taken a bribe, but he did not rob Han Cai. He was just a corrupted elder, but so were many other elders in the outer sect. How were they supposed to support their faction without spirit stones? asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 30 The Brawl ?Elder Ji felt warm blood rushing through his throat; His body tightened veins popped out near his forehead. He could not take it anymore. He jumped toward elder Zhou. "You bastard, you dare to call me a thief." Elder Zhou did not hold back. When elder Ji came to hit him, he threw a punch and yelled loudly, "Yes, you thief, you stole spirit stones from a disciple of my faction. Return the spirit stones now!" Things escted out of hand very quickly. Two elders in front of the outer sect hall started brawling and yelling and cursing at each other. None of them was ready to back down, and both tried to tear each other to pieces. The disciples, be they yellow-robed or gray-robed, were frozen stiff. They never imagined two elders would go crazy and brutally attack each other in front of the outer sect hall. ************************************* After an incense of time passed, almost 20 of the outer sect elders and hundreds of yellow-robed and gray-robed disciples gathered in front of the Outer sect hall. Outer-Sect elders who gathered hearing themotion stopped elder Ji and Elder Zhou from tearing each other into pieces. Elder Ji and Elder Zhou were still hurling curses at each other, calling each other thieves. Elder Ji kept yelling elder Zhou stole his faction''s disciples while elder Zhou kept cursing elder Ji that he stole his faction''s disciple''s money. The other elders kept shaking their heads. It shouldn''t have escted to this level. It was understandable these elders never had any disciple from their faction ever join the inner sect. Compared to other factions, Ji and Zhou factions were rtively new. They only had elders at the foundation establishment level, and even the past family members of the Ji and Zhou families always were outer sect disciples and elders. None of them has ever been epted into the inner sect. They were frustrated that not a single inner sect disciple or elder was from their faction. For the first time, they came across a golden goose with the talent to join the inner sect. There was no way they would let go of such an opportunity. Still, they shouldn''t have tried to tear each other apart. Han Cai was not an inner sect disciple yet, why were they on each other throats, trying to tear each other in pieces over a disciple who was not even in the inner sect? The problem here was that elder Ji came in too strong because he thought elder Zhou wouldn''t want so much trouble over just one talented disciple, and he would give up on the disciple to avoid further mess. The natural process of things should have been that elder Ji came in too strong because elder Zhou was in the wrong here. It was elder Ji''s faction that gave Han Cai a safe roof in the sect for one and half years, so elder Zhou should have been the one to take a step back and send Han Cai back to Ji''s faction. But instead, Elder Zhou candidly talked about spirit stones taken from Han Cai. Everyone knew all the elders epted bribes, which was an open secret, but it was not something any elder ever spoke about loudly. If it were five months ago, elder Zhou would have taken a step back and let Han Cai return to Ji''s faction. But the problem was Han Cai had shown his talent, which was on par with the core disciples of the sect. Even if elder Zhou had to lose all his face, he wouldn''t be able to let go of a disciple who might be a core disciple in the future. If Han Cai was just an inner sect-level talent, elder Zhou might have just agreed to elder Ji to avoid the hassle. Elder Miao, the elder of the discipline hall in the outer sect, was the elder with the most authority in the outer sect. At present, Elder Miao is sitting in the outer sect hall. Opposite him were sitting Elder Zhou and Elder Ji. Around both elders were sitting twenty different outer sect elders. Everyone had a solemn expression on their face. Elder Miao spoke, "Ji and Zhou, you both have been in a sect for a long time, and you have been elders in the outer sect for decades. How could you behave in such an inappropriate way Just over a disciple." asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 31 Settlement ?Elder Ji showed a pained face and spoke, "Elder Miao, you have known me for a long time. You know that I always maintain a sense of propriety. But this time, elder Zhou crossed the line and stole a disciple from the Ji faction. The Disciple came to the Outer sect hall to register so he could take missions and earn spirit stones, but elder Zhou registered him in his faction, stealing a talented disciple right under my nose. Elder Hong is also here. He can verify that the Disciple named Han Cai was sent to my faction, not to elder Zhou''s faction." Elder Hong was sitting by the side and gave a confused look. Why was his name mentioned in this mess? He had forgotten about Han Cai, as there was nothing special to remember about the kid at that time. Seeing his confusion, Elder Ji mentioned, "The ten years old who came from your hong family through the mayor of the cloud mountain city." Finally, elder Hong remembered. He still did not have much memory of Han Cai, but he remembered Han Cai''s chubby father giving him a pouch of 100 gold coins. Elder Hong was startled by the fact that this kid who came through his family was so talented that both elders would tear each other apart over him. Maybe, He should take this kid in his hong family faction. Elder Hong spoke, "Yes, this kid is from myˇ­." Before Elder Hong couldplete the sentence, Elder Zhou and Elder Ji stared daggers at him like they were expressing we have done our investigation. You were just a delivery guy; got nothing to do with him. You better not try to steal this talent. Seeing the furious eyes of two elders, he changed his sentence midway. "Yes, this kid is from myˇ­ mountain cloud city area, where I was visiting at the time". Elder Miao thought for a while and said, "Let''s call the kid here to get this resolved .." Before Elder Miao couldplete his sentence, Elder Zhou interrupted him with an upright face, "That kid is from my Zhou faction, and no one can change that. I will fight everyone here if anyone tries to disturb his cultivation. But I can see How elder Ji suffered because of this misunderstanding. I am ready to give up my responsibilities in the outer sect hall to elder JI. It has been a long time since I wanted to cultivate in seclusion." All the elders present, including elder Miao, were stunned. Their Jaws dropped. One had to know how much effort elder Zhou put into getting the sect hall responsibility; it was his biggest cash cow. He gave up on his highest source of ie just for a disciple. What kind of earth-shaking talent this Disciple had that elder Zhou was ready to give up Outer sect hall. Seeing the Lucrative offer of the outer sect hall, finally, the elder ji caved in and decided not to pursue Han Cai''s matter. With the intervention of elder Miao of the discipline hall, the matter was settled. Soon all the Elders and Disciples scattered away. When they went to their cave abode, all outer sect elders who were present during the debacle asked their faction''s disciples to investigate all about Han Cai. Slowly the whole outer sect was abuzz with the name Han Cai, a 10-year-old boy who mastered level one of cultivation and sword in just one and half years. Now he is eleven years old and will be participating in the outer sect tournament from the Zhou faction. Elder Zhou was so impressed with the talent that he gave up his outer sect hall duties to spend time guiding Han Cai in his cultivation. All the outer sect disciples, be they the ones from rich backgrounds who bribed elders to join the sect or the ones who entered the sect through test because of their talent, wanted to know who this Han Cai was. Elder Zhou was worried that someone would pay gray robes to try to disturb Han Cai''s cultivation or tell him about the whole ordeal. He forbade anyone froming near Han Cai''s quarter. Only Kong Dandan was allowed to deliver Han Cai''s meal. Even an elder warned even Kong Dandan not to run his mouth around Han Cai. Other Zhou faction disciples were trying to understand why the elder gave so much special treatment to Han Cai. Why did he sacrifice so much for this kid? Maybe this kid is some royal prince or someone like that, who came to the sect to hide from enemies. Or perhaps he was the elder''s illegal grandson. When the elder Zhou gave up his responsibility of the outer sect hall, his ie of spirit stones was reduced, but he told Kong Dandan to take two spirit stones from him and give it to Han Cai. Make sure to tell Han Cai not to go to the Outer sect hall until the tournament begins. When other disciples tried to ask the elder what was so special about Han Cai, the elder only said they would know when the outer sect tournament began. Once the tournament starts next month and Han kai participates in it as a Zhou faction disciple, Elder Zhou will not have to worry about any other outer sect elder trying to poach him. There was only one month left until the outer sect tournament. So all Zhou faction disciples decided to wait patiently to understand what makes Han Cai so unique. It was not only him waiting. Every other elder was curious about Han Cai too, and they wanted to see this exceptional talent that made the elder give up the outer sect hall. Chapter 32 Inner Sect ?The Inner Sect hall of the Sky Soaring Sect was a grand and imposing structure located deep within the sect''s mountain stronghold. The hall was built with ancient stone and was adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures that depict the sect''s history and achievements. The hall''s walls were adorned with banners and tapestries bearing the symbols of the sect and the various lineages within it. At the center of the hall was a throne, where the sect master sat. To everyone in the sect, the sect master is a powerful and revered figure responsible for leading and guiding the sect. It is said that he was highly skilled in fighting techniques and cultivation and was respected and revered by all the sect members. It was also known that the sect master was a wise andpassionate leader who is dedicated to the well-being of his disciples and the advancement of the sect. Currently, the sect master was sitting on his throne. He was a middle-aged man. He had long dark ck hair and a gentle-looking face, He was surrounded by the inner sect elders. The inner sect elders of the sky soaring sect were also highly experienced and aplished cultivators responsible for the day-to-day management of the sect. They were discussing how the test to select new disciples should be. Some elders suggested making the test harder, while others suggested making it easier so that more people could join the sect. The sect master listened carefully to all the suggestions before giving his opinion. He believed that the test should be just difficult enough to select the most talented and dedicated disciples while also being essible to a wide range of potential candidates. The hall was filled with the sound of the elders'' voices as they continued to debate and discuss the best course of action. The Discussion slowly shifted from tests to uing outer sectpetition. When the topic shifted to the outer sect, the sect master sitting in the center looked toward elder Miao. He said, "Elder Miao, I heard there were some irregrities in the outer sect recently." Elder Miao understood what the sect master was asking about. Obviously, it was the legendary brawl between two sect elders. Elder Miao, Stood up, bowed to the sect master, and Spoke, "reporting to sect master that there was a misunderstanding between two elders regarding a discipleˇ­." After that, elder Miao told the sect master what had urred between elder Ji and elder Zhou honestly, how they fought over disciple. Sect Master creased his eyebrow and spoke, "A ten-year-old who mastered level 1 Qi condensation and Crane sword technique is indeed a talent. He is worthy of being an inner sect disciple in the the sky-soaring sect, but two elders behaving unruly in front of all outer sect just over a disciple. Aren''t they being too greedy?" Elder Miao Sighed, He was hesitant to say what he was about to say. He did not want to disclose everything in front of all inner hall elders, but if he did not speak up, all outer outer-sect elders would lose face in front of the sect master and inner sect peak elders. "Reporting to Sect Master Han Cai''s Talent is not that simple. He has heaven-defying Talent, and Elder Zhou gave up his responsibility to our sect hall so that he could nurture Han Cai''. Hearing this curiosity of all the elders and sect master was piqued when they heard the key-word Heaven defying Talent. One of the inner sect elders spoke, "What is so heaven-defying about reaching level 1 qi condensation and crane sword style in one and half years? Many of the inner sect disciples have achieved this" asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 33 Skills Revealed ?Elder Miao shook his head. "If it were just that, I wouldn''t call him heaven-defying Talent. The Kid''s name is Han Cai. He joined our sect two years ago. His father used all his life savings and sold his family heirloom to get him into our sect directly. When Elder Zhou and Elder Ji behaved unruly in front of the outer sect disciples, I had to take the matter seriously as a discipline hall elder and investigate it thoroughly, as this disciple caused two outer sect elders to fight without worrying about consequences. So after the event, I discreetly went to check on the disciple who was the reason for this whole event. I visited his quarters secretly multiple times. During one of my visits, I saw him sparring with elder Zhou. The strength he was using to fight was not level 1 qi condensation level, but actually, he was at level 2 of qi condensation level, and when he attacked, his Sword sent out two cranes made out of sword qi which meant he was not at level 1 of sword technique but at least level 2. Elder Miao continued, "He joined the outer sect at age ten and began his cultivation journey. Thest time he reported his cultivation to the sect hall, he was eleven years old and showed cultivation of level one of Qi condensation and level one crane sword technique. This summer, Han Cai will be twelve now, and in less than two years, he reached 2nd level of Qi condensation and the second level of crane sword technique. Five months ago, he was at level 1 of Qi condensation and the Crane Sword technique. Outer sect elder Zhou verified his cultivation himself in front of the outer sect disciples, so this could not be faked. This means in five months, He went from level 1 to level 2 in Cultivation and sword technique." Elder Miao was silent for a while, then spoke again, "But if this were the reason, I still wouldn''t call him a heaven-defying Talentˇ­." After saying this much, older Miao stopped speaking. He was still determining if he should talk further. The whole hall was silent. For the moment, all elders, even the sect master, were in deep thought about a disciple who could improve his cultivation by a level in five months was indeed a genius talent. Every genius was a very precious resource for the sect as they were the future powerhouses of the sect. There were no more than five disciples with such Talent in the sky-soaring sect; they were all core disciples of the sect. The silence prevailed for a few more breaths of time. Then another elder spoke, "Then what is the reason you called him Heaven-defying talent, elder Miao." Elder Miao hesitated but finally spoke, "When I saw him sparring with elder outer sect elder Zhou. Because Elder Zhou''s cultivation and skill levels are low, he might not have noticed, but I was able to notice something peculiar. He was not showing his full strength to elder Zhou while sparring, especially in sword technique it was like he was ying with elder Zhou, Han Cai''s sword technique is far superior to elder Zhou''s. But that is not the end of it. I am at level 3 of the sword crane technique, and his techniques were better than mine." This one of the inner sect elders sitting close to the sect master spoke, "So you are saying his crane sword technique is at level 4?" Elder Miao nodded. The hall went silent again. The inner sect''s elders, even the sect master, were quiet, but their eyes were glowing. 11-year-old level 4 sword master in crane technique, Most cultivators in the sect take more than 100 years to reach level 4 of the sword technique. He mastered it in 2 years. Who was he? Dao child of Sword? This was too unbelievable. After a long silence, the sect master coughed to break the awkward silence, and he spoke, "Elder Miao, this time, I would like to preside in outer sect tournaments too." asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 34 Five Months Growth ?[Name: Han Cai] [Age: 12] [Life Span: 90 Years] ?Strength: 25 ?Perception: 35 ?Agility: 22 ?Speed: 22 ?Constitution: 25 ?Intelligence: 10 ?Charm: 10 ?Cultivation: Qi Condensation level 2 (Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 4) [Exchange Points: 872 (20/day)] [Extract Exchange Points : 8076(source EARTH,WIND)] [Storage Space : Spirit Stone (1) Gold Coins (100) ] [System Update : ? (Collect 100000 points to unlock)] [Scan] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] Han Cai looked at his status panel. He was satisfied with his growth in thest five months. The two spirit stones of monthly allowance helped him a lot. When he leveled up his sword technique to level 4, his cultivation automatically reached level 2. There was growth in his stats, at the age of 11, he had the strength of more than twenty men. With every level up in his cultivation, his strength increased by 10. While leveling up, technique boosted his stats by 1. There was a qualitative change in his sword technique. When he reached level 4, he could use the sword more freely, and the amount of qi needed to release the sword qi decreased massively. His attack power was around 145 now, with a pration strength of 175. He could kill a foundation establishment-level cultivator if he attacked with all his strength. Now he needed 12,000 exchange points to get his cultivation to Qi condensation level 3, and he needed a whopping 32,000 exchange points to get his sword technique to level 5. After Han Cai leveled upst month, the exchange points collected by the system from him increased to 20 from 11. He was still collecting around 44 points through earth and wind sources. This time he also improved his intelligence and charm. An increase in intelligence helped him a lot; he almost had eidetic memory now. Because of an increase in intelligence, his perception went above 35, and he could perceive everything happening outside his quarters sitting inside. For any other cultivator, when their cultivation rose, their perception grew slowly, but Han Cai''s perception would multiply because of his high-level intelligence. After leveling up intelligence to 10, when he tried to level it up, the system told him it would cost a thousand points, so Han Cai decided to stop at level 10. Han Cai also finally leveled up his charm. Han Cai looked very elegant with ck hair, Jade white skin, and an elegant face. There was charisma all around him. He looked like a young immortal. Earlier, he was not interested because he wanted to keep a low profile. When he showed his skills to elder Zhou, he saw how much benefits he received from him just because he showed some talent. Now that his ns have changed, he had decided to participate in a tournament. He wanted everyone to have an excellent impression of him. He wanted everyone to perceive him as the male version of cold beauty, an elegant and mysterious young man. Han Cai had given it a deep thought after his ns of doing missions and building strength had to be changed when elder Zhou brought him up in his faction. The spirit stones were very useful for him but then again they were very useful to any cultivator. Han Cai wanted to be excluded from doing missions but keep earning spirit stones; The best method was to woo the sect elders, make them think he was the most precious disciple for the sect, and get them to invest in him. Han Cai was honest with himself; he knew he had a veryzy personality and preferred the recluse lifestyle. He also knew there might be many times when the situation might not be under his control; at such times, people might have a favorable impression because of his charm, which could save him some hassles. Considering this, Han Cai also decided to increase his charm to 10. Above level 10, the charm also needed around a thousand exchange points, so he halted it at 10. Chapter 35 Preparation For Tournament ?While Han Cai was in his thoughts, there was a knock on his door. He got up and opened the door and saw Kong Dandan standing, and Kong Dan had brought him his meal "Brother Han here is your meal." Mostly Kong Dandan would leave the meals in front of the door of Han Cai''s quarters. Unless there was anything necessary to discuss, he would only interact with Han Cai as he knew elder Zhou had gambled a lot on Han Cai. Kong Dandan had be very respectful to Han Cai. One time when visiting elder Zhou, he saw Han Cai sparring with elder Zhou. He could not fathom Han Cai''s sword skills since he was at level 1 for crane sword technique, and he was sure Han Cai was level 2 or above. Kong Dandan realized why the elder was betting so much on Han Cai. This kid was only 11 years old and already level 2 in sword technique; he would wipe the floor with outer sect disciples when the tournament started. He was not sure why but now, when he looked at Han Cai and found him very pleasing to the eye, he sometimes even felt reverence toward Han Cai. Han Cai gave a charming smile and weed him to the house. They both sat down, for Han Cai, elder Zhou, and Kong Dandan were test subjects for his charm as he had not interacted with anyone except these two in thest few months. He noticed, after his charmed increased, their treatment towards him became more respectful. Han Cai said, "Thank you, brother Kong. How is everything going on in the sect". Han Cai was still unaware of the legendary brawl as he had been cultivating or practicing sword skills in quarters. Besides his daily meals, Kong Dandan delivered his monthly allowance of spirit stones. Kong Dandan smiled and said, "The top 1000 outer sectpetition has ended. I was able to get the 48th spot." Han Cai spoke, "Congrattions to brother Kong." Kong Dandan nodded. "Brother Han elder asked me to inform you that the day after tomorrow, the contests for the top 100 will begin, where 50 top disciples chosen by elders by their elder token and the top 50 disciples from the tournament willpete with each other. The top 50 for thest tournament are also called general ormon factions. As you will join the tournament through your elder''s token, You will be considered the special faction or, as themon faction calls the special faction, the rich brats faction." Han Cai nodded. Kon Dandan continued, "Elder Zhou told me he woulde personally to take you to the arena. This time inner sect disciples, inner sect peak elders, and even sect master will be presiding at the arena." This was new news to Han Cai. Even the sect master will be presiding? Sect masters taking an interest in outer sect tournaments will be interesting. He had to change his ns since the sect master would be presiding over the tournament. This was a good opportunity he had to impress the sect master, which should make his life easier in the sect perpetually. This was a vital piece of news. Han Cai thanked him sincerely, "Thank you for informing me, brother Kong I will be prepared." Kong Dandan thought when he mentioned sect master Han Cai might be a bit nervous. But after giving Kong Dandan a smile in the beginning, Han Cai kept a cold, aloof attitude during the whole conversation. For some reason, Kong Dandan admired him more. After thinking, sometimes Han Cai asked, "Brother Kong, is there any regtion where an outer sect disciple has to wear outer sect robes during the tournament?" Kong Dandan needed rification why he would ask about what outer sect disciples wear during the tournament. Kong Dandan shook his head. "No, as long as you have your outer sect token with you. You don''t need to wear outer sect robes to participate in the tournament; there are no such regtions." Han Cai nodded and took out 100 gold coins from his pocket. He took out the gold coins from system storage, but he put his hand in his pocket to pretend he was taking them out from his pocket. Taking out gold coins, he spoke, "Brother Kong, I have been wearing these outer sect robes. I do not have anything nice to wear in the tournament. I like White and ck colors if I could trouble brother to get me some good white and ck colored robes and shoes. I will be very thankful." Kong Dandan was bbergasted; many thoughts ran through his mind. Here, everyone was worried about thepetition. He was thinking about what to wear. Brother Han is wealthy, taking out 100 gold coins just for clothes. ck was fine But white clothes? Wouldn''t they be ruined with blood stains or get ripped in fights? Why waste gold coins like that? But he decided not to question whatever was going through Han Cai''s mind. Han Cai could guess what Kong Dandan was thinking. But he did not care. He was not going to start teaching Kong Dandan the great Dao of marketing and why the presentation was the most important factor in marketing oneself. Kong Dandan "It is alright, brother. I will get them for you by tomorrow, but 100 gold coins are too much. Best robes in nearby cities would only cost around 5 to 10 gold coins." Han Cai shook his head. "Brother Kong, I don''t want clothes but also two swords with a white and ck sheath and hilt." Kong Dandan did not know what to say. He just nodded and spoke, "you can rely on me, brother Han." After saying that, Kong Dan left. Han Cai thought that having Kong Dandan was very useful and he should get some reliable subordinates for himself in the future. Chapter 36 To The Arena ?Kong Dandan turned out to be reliable and delivered the clothes and swords to Han Cai the next day. However, he also returned the 100 gold coins to Han Cai when the elder found out that he had only wanted clothes and swords. The elder had given him the gold coins for the swords and clothes and asked him to return them to Han Cai. Han Cai thought the elder had treated him well and decided he should make sure to repay his debt at some point. When Kong Dandan was delivering the swords, Han Cai spoke with him. Han Cai: "Kong Dandan, are you participating in the outer sect tournament with me?" Kong Dandan: "Yes, I''ll be participating. But to be honest, I don''t have much expectations. The special faction disciples are incredibly strong, so if I could get a ce in the top 80, I should be satisfied." Han Cai: "How will our ranking in the tournament help the Zhou faction?" Kong Dandan: "Well, you see, Han Cai, the elders of the outer sect only receive a monthly allowance of 5 spirit stones. If we want our allowance increased, we need disciples of our faction to perform well. For example, if I were toe in the top 80, I would personally receive twenty spirit stones per month. Meanwhile, Elder Zhou would receive double of that, forty spirit stones per month. The sect expects Elder Zhou to raise more talented disciples." Han Cai: "I see, so our performance in the tournament will directly impact the resources avable for our faction." Kong Dandan: "Exactly. That''s why it''s important for us to do our best. It''s not just about personal gain but also about helping our faction and elders." After chatting with Han Cai for a while, Kong Dandan left his quarters. [Object: Sword] ?Attack: 10 ?Defence: 5 ?Sharpness: 15 Special Characteristic: Allows channeling spirit Qi through the weapon. Han Cai scanned the swords and saw that they were low-quality spirit weapons. One had a white sheath and white hilt, while the other had a ck sheath and ck hilt. Han Cai was satisfied with the swords. On the second day, Han Cai cultivated all night, and in the morning, he bathed and dressed in all-white dao robes and shoes to prepare himself for the tournament. His ck hair was tied in a bun with white cloth and stick; he looked like a holy child of some religious sect. He kept the outer sect medallion inside his pocket and put his ck sword and clothes in storage. After some time, there was a knock on his door. Han Cai opened the door and saw Elder Zhou standing outside his quarters. When the elder Zhou saw Han Cai dressed all in white, he was mesmerized for a second. The elder nodded and said "we should get going. The tournament will begin sometime." Han Cai agreed and followed elder Zhou. When they got out, he saw Kong Dandan and a few other disciples waiting for him and Elder Zhou. They did not say anything and followed elder Zhou and Han Cai. They walked for a while. The arena for the tournament was on the mountain of the discipline hall. As they walked, Han Cai enjoyed the morning summer sun. He was worried about his white clothes getting dirty, so he covered them with ayer of Qi to prevent any stains. After a few hours of walking, they reached the arena. There was a lot ofmotion around the arena. Many gray-robed, yellow-robed, and red-robed disciples could be seen around. Red robes were inner sect disciples. Since it was announced that the tournament would be presided over by the sect master, many inner sect disciples came too. The discipline hall also had ck and red-robed guards around, maintaining the decorum. Chapter 37 In The Arena ?To avoid the crowd, Elder Zhou took Han Cai inside the arena from the back of the mountain. Despite this, Han Cai was still noticed by many disciples. He walked in the center with Elder Zhou in front, surrounded by yellow-robed disciples of the Zhou faction. He appeared as an unreachable immortal child, walking around protected by bodyguards. The disciples began whispering, "So this is Han Cai." Elder Zhou had bet a lot on this "golden goose" of his, so he didn''t want any mishaps to happen. He had brought yellow-robed disciples of the Zhou faction to ensure peace. Nothing happened, and they reached the arena peacefully. Elder Zhou asked all yellow-robed disciples to go to the arena and sit with other outer sect disciples. Kong Dandan, who was also going to participate in themon faction, went towards themon faction disciples. Elder Zhou took Han Cai to the elder section, where many elders were sitting. The arena was quiterge, and there were ten fighting tforms set up inside. So, ten consecutive battles couldmence at once. The seating arrangement in the arena was divided into four parts: the south of the arena was for the elders of the outer sect, the north was for the inner sect elders and sect master, the east was for outer sect disciples, and the west was for inner sect disciples. Outer sect disciples were dressed in yellow and gray, while inner sect disciples were dressed in red and blue. When the elder and Han Cai entered the section, many elders noticed them. They all looked at Han Cai, but no one said anything. Elder Miao of the discipline hall was sitting in the center of all the elders, with some other elders of the discipline hall sitting around him. When elder Miao saw elder Zhou and Han Cai, he stood up and signaled for Elder Zhou toe and sit on a chair beside him. Elder Zhou nodded and walked to the center of all the elders, where Elder Miao was sitting, and Han Cai followed him quietly. When they reached Elder Miao''s side, Elder Zhou greeted him, then pointed towards Han Cai and said, "Elder, this is Han Cai, a disciple of my Zhou faction." Han Cai came forward and bowed, "Greetings, Elder Miao." Elder Miao had noticed Han Cai entering the arena long ago. He smiled, and his eyes glowed as he said, "Come,e, sit beside me. I have heard a lot about you." Han Cai nodded and sat beside Elder Miao, and Elder Zhou sat beside Han Cai. Most elders noticed how Elder Miao asked Han Cai to sit beside him. This was a bit out of the norm, many elders brought their faction''s disciples for this tournament, but all the disciples were standing behind the sitting elders. No disciple was sitting beside any elder. These disciples standing behind the elders of their respective factions, were going to participate in the tournament Even Elder Ji, sitting a little bit far from them, and Fan Zixin, standing behind him, also noticed Han Cai. To elder Ji, Han Cai indeed looked very special, but he consoled himself, as he had the outer sect hall now, so he was not much at a loss. This time, female outer sect elders were present too. Some of them brought female disciples of their factions. Han Cai thought male to female ratio in the sect was despairingly low. No wonder all the disciples, be it amon faction or special faction, were always thirsty. . Slowly, the arena was filled on all sides. All outer sect elders, inner sect elders, outer sect, and inner sect disciples were present. Thest to arrive was the sect master. Han Cai had never seen a sect master before. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 38 Tournament Begins ?Slowly, the arena was filled on all sides. All outer sect elders, inner sect elders, and outer sect and inner sect disciples were present. Thest to arrive was the sect master. Han Cai had never seen the sect master before. The sect master of the Sky Soaring Sect was a middle-aged man with a refined appearance. He had a gentle-looking face with a well-defined jawline and a strong yet soft chin. His skin was smooth and unblemished, with a hint of a tan, suggesting he spent a fair amount of time outdoors. His hair was dark and styled in a traditional manner, with the front locksbed back, and the sides pulled behind his ears. He had a well-proportioned nose and full lips, giving him a very distinguished look. He was of average height, around 5''8", and had a lean build. He carried himself with poise and grace, exuding a sense of calm and authority. His eyes were sharp, and his gaze was steady.. He wore traditional golden sect robes made of high-quality silk, adorned with intricate embroidery. He had a simple jade pendant hanging from his neck, symbolizing his position as the sect master. Overall, the sect master of the Sky Soaring Sect was a man of great presence whomanded respect with his refined appearance and dignified bearing. Cai nodded his head in approval internally; this is how a refined sect master should look. There were two other elders who walked in beside the sect master. Han Cai saw a crowd gasping when they saw the two elders. Han Cai thought, were those elders someone important? He considered scanning them but then gave up on the idea. Exchange points were too precious for him. Unless it was someone who was his enemy, he decided he would not waste exchange points. Instead, he would ask Kong Dandan about themter. After the sect master and two elders sat in the center of the inner sect elders on the north of the arena, Elder Miao got up from his seat and walked towards the center of the arena. The other discipline hall elders sitting around him also got up and followed him into the arena. When Elder Miao reached the center of the arena, he announced loudly, "Wee to all Sect elders and disciples to the final stage of the outer sect tournament." He began announcing the rules of the tournament. The rules were quite simple: The tournament would be three days long. On the first day, ten disciples would upy the ten tforms. Anyone of the remaining 90 could challenge them. The two would battle, and the winner would upy the tform after the battle. The winner would also get a break for 30 minutes after the challenge to rest. Winning each fight would give 10 points, and losing each fight would cost -10 points. The top 10 ranking desciples will be selected from those who could upy the tform the longest until the second day. The one who acquired tform number one longest would receive 1000 points; the disciple who acquired the second tform for longest would receive 900 points. Same way points were granted to the tenth tform, where the disciple who acquired thest tform would receive 100 points. On the second day, there would be only three tforms, and the top 10 would have topete for them. On the third day, there would be only one tform, and the top 3 wouldpete to upy it. The one who upied the tform the longest on the 3rd day would be given the first rank. For the remaining disciples, the ranking would be given to them by the number of points they acquired during the 3-day battle. During these three days, they were not allowed to leave the arena. For cultivators, three days without sleep was not much of a problem. The prizes were also announced. The first ce would receive 500 spirit stones, and His/Her allowance will be increased to hundred spirit stones per month. They will also receive a foundation establishment pill and two new fighting technique manuals from the outer sect library. The second ce would receive 250 spirit stones, and His/Her allowance will be increased to fifty spirit stones per month. They will also receive A Qi Condensation pill and one new technique manual from the outer sect library. The third ce would receive 200 spirit stones. The remaining top 10 would receive 100 spirit stones. Because of such a lucrative prize, sect elders knew every disciple would strive hard to get the first rank. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 39 Han Cai Enters The Arena ?After announcing the rules of the arena, Elder Miao announced again, "All the participants may enter the arena." The fifty disciples around the elders began to walk through the arena. Additionally, from the east side, fifty yellow-dressed outer sect disciples who were in the top 50 of themon faction moved towards the arena. As the disciples around the elders entered the arena, Han Cai got up and followedst. When Han Cai started to walk in, Elder Zhou nodded at him and smiled. Soon, all the disciples who were participating were inside the arena. Once all the disciples were inside the arena, two elders of the outer sect discipline hall went to the south and east and closed the arena doors. Meanwhile, ten elders from the discipline hall went on the ten tforms, while 10 elders stood below each tform to make sure that no multiple disciples would jump or challenge the disciple on the tform or distract them. Elder Miao announced that the ten disciples who wanted to acquire the tform first could go ahead now. For some time, no one moved, but soon one outer sect disciple from themon faction''s top 50 moved, and a few others followed suit. Following his lead, other disciples from themon faction moved. Shortly, all ten tforms were acquired by them. Han Cai thought he would wait until the end when all the disciples had fought all day and would tire each other out, before he should take the tform. But then he realized that the same thing was in the minds of almost all the disciples, that they would wait until the end to take the tform. After seeing that no one had moved, Han Cai finally made his move. Han Cai thought to himself, "Let''s get done with it." Dressed in white from top to bottom, carrying a white sword, he was very eye-catching, but since he was in the back, keeping a low profile, no one noticed as everyone''s attention was on the ten students standing on the tform. Han Cai walked gracefully, and by the time people noticed, he was already standing in front of the elder of the discipline hall who was standing below tform 1. Han Cai bowed, took out his outer disciple medallion, showed it to the elder, and spoke, "Elder, I would like to challenge tform 1." The sect master, sitting in the center of the inner sect elders on the north of the arena, noticed Han Cai as he walked gracefully towards the tform. He observed Han Cai''s white-dressed attire and the white sword he carried, which made him stand out amongst the other disciples. The sect master was impressed by Han Cai''s confidence and grace as he approached the tform. Han Cai radiated a peaceful aura and had a determined look on his face. He also noticed Han Cai''s low-profile approach and thought that Han Cai was indeed special. As Han Cai challenged the disciple on tform 1, the sect master watched intently, waiting to see Han Cai''s skill and strategy in the fight. The sect master could sense that this was a disciple with great potential. When Han Cai stepped onto the tform, all of the elders looked at him curiously. The outer sect elders thought, "So this is the disciple Elder Zhou fought for." The inner sect elders thought, "This must be the heaven-defying talent Elder Miao was talking about." The elder beside the sect master spoke, "Is this the kid?" ? The sect master nodded. He had just told them that there was a talent in the outer sect they shoulde and see for themselves, but he had yet to give them any other information that Elder Miao had told him. He wanted to verify it with his own eyes before believing it. Then, the second elder beside the sect master spoke, "This kid has covered all his clothes with Qi. Is he worried that his clothes will get dirty during a fight? Isn''t it unwise to waste Qi before the fight?" asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 40 The First Battle ?The Discipline hall elder announced loudly, "Han Cai challenging Ma Yanlin" and allowed Han Cai to get on the tform. As Han Cai stepped onto the tform, everyone''s eyes were drawn to the white-robed, magical-looking boy. Han Cai stood in the center of the tform, and the opponent who was upying the tform moved forward to stand opposite him. The Discipline hall elder, who was acting as the referee, gave them the signal to begin. Neither Han Cai nor his opponent spoke. As soon as the referee gave the signal, Han Cai pulled out his sword and shed toward his opponent. A sword qi in the form of four cranes moved toward his opponent and crashed into him. Before the opponent could react, he had cuts all over his body, and blood was pouring out of him. He fell to the ground, injured badly. Han Cai knew the opponent would not die, but he would need weeks to recover. Everything happened in a matter of seconds. The crane sword technique was simple yet unique, and the level of the sword technique could be determined by the number of cranes formed by the sword qi in each strike. The four cranes in the first sh were Han Cai''s announcement to everyone that he was at level 4 in sword technique. That was also why he injured his opponent so badly, not to show off but to avoid further hassle. Lazy Han Cai just wanted to avoid nuisance, so he tried to give challengers a scare of their life, and At the same time, he also wanted to Impress the sect master to catch his eye. Han Cai expected soon some outer sect elder woulde rushing saying, "Junior, You Dare!" He was ready to use the 4th-level sword technique as he was certain no outer sect elder had practiced the sword technique to level 4, and He was sure elder Zhou would fight for him, if that happened. But Just like before, his expectations were not met; this sect was different. As Han Cai shed, the whole arena grew silent. All the outer sect elders stood up from their seats, but not because of the reason that Han Cai expected. The elders were more mature. They understood talent. They were shocked even elder Zhou was shocked as Han Cai had only shown him the power of a level 2 sword technique. The Discipline hall elder, who was the referee, had his mouth hung open too. He forgot to speak up for a while. When the Elder did not announce the winner for some time, Han Cai turned and looked at the Elder who was standing as the referee, and bowed. Finally, the Elder realized he was standing there. He came out of his stupor and announced, "Challenge for tform one, Han Cai wins." Many outer sect disciples did not even see how Han Cai won so fast, but the 98 other contestants saw it clearly, as well as the outer sect elders, inner sect disciples, and inner sect elders. The Elder beside the sect master spoke, "You did not speak wrong. That is indeed a good talent." The sect master shook his head and spoke with a glow in his eyes, "Elder, you do not understand. He might look the age of an inner sect disciple, but he is just 12. He joined the sect two years ago, and he had never practiced cultivation before. In 2 years, he reached level 2 of qi condensation and level 4 of the crane sword technique. He did not receive guidance in cultivation from any elder. One of the elders finally noticed this kid''s talent, and he tried to guide him in technique, but this kid already had better knowledge of the technique than that Elder had." Both elders were shocked, "Leveling sword technique twice in a year without any guidance from anyone. Is he Dao child of some sword deity?" The sect master shook his head, "When we heard of his talent, we got some outer sect families to do a check on his background. His father is a small merchant in a remote town called Eagle Trail Town. Beforeing here, he was just an ordinary child in the family." The second Elder by the side of the sect master responded, "Such a good talent in cultivation and a heavenly talent in the sword. Our ancestors haven''t forsaken us yet." asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 41 Thoughts Of The Elders ?The inner sect elders were carefully plotting and strategizing in their minds as they watched Han Cai''s impressive disy of skill and talent on the tform. They knew that with such a prodigious talent in sword fighting, the sect would only allow him to remain in the outer sect for a short time. They knew they needed to act fast and devise a n to attract and recruit him to join their inner sect peak, where he would have ess to even more advanced training and resources to hone his skills. One of the elders, Elder Ling of the inner sect discipline hall, who was particrly skilled in sword fighting himself, saw Han Cai''s technique and knew that he would be a valuable asset to their peak. He began to devise a n to approach Han Cai and offer him a position within their inner sect peak. He knew that he would need to be subtle and tactful in his approach. Another elder, Meirong of the treasure hall, specialized in cultivating and mentoring young talents, saw Han Cai''s potential and knew he would be a valuable addition to the inner sect. She began to think about ways to entice Han Cai to join their peak by offering him ess to treasures, advanced training, and resources that were not avable in the outer sect. She knew that Han Cai had already surpassed many of the elders in the outer sect in terms of skill and knowledge and that he would be able to achieve even greater heights with the proper guidance and training. None of them knew that the sect master was also thinking something simr. He understood Han Cai''s talent better than other elders, as his cultivation was above all the elders. He knew he would need to be careful in handling this talented child. He realized that Han Cai might be a valuable asset to the sect and that he would need to be careful to ensure that another sect did not poach him. Sect master began to think about ways to keep Han Cai within the sect and ensure that he continued to progress and grow as a cultivator. Sect master was happy that he did not invite the elder of the dark hall who had equal cultivation to him. Or the sect master would have to give him this genius child of the sword. But since that elder was not present, no one else could condemn or stop him from taking this disciple under his umbre. While The elders of the inner sect were plotting how to get this talented Dao child of sword join their peaks. The hearts of the outer sect elders were in turmoil. When Han Cai effortlessly released four cranes of sword Qi in a single strike, they realized the implications of this. A level 4 sword technique. One of the elders muttered, "Level 4 in sword technique. With such talent, he will be epted as a core disciple at least." The elders understood the purpose of the yearly tournaments in the sect, which was to identify and nurture talented disciples for the future of the sect. Han Cai''s exceptional talent was a rare find, and it was no wonder why Elder Zhou and Elder Ji had fought over him. The sect would reward Elder Zhou heavily for bringing such a talented disciple to the sect. The thought of giving up on such talent made most of the outer sect elders look at Elder Ji, who was shocked and wide-eyed. Elder Ji had given up on Han Cai for a few extra spirit stones in the outer sect hall. However, now he was certain that Han Cai would be epted as a core disciple in the sect. He wanted this disciple of his faction back. Elder Ji was sure that he would be appreciated and rewarded for bringing such a talented disciple to the sect. Talent, such as Han Cai, were pirs of the sect, and The sect would pay any price to retain talent like Han Cai. The sect might even have rewarded him with materials of core formation pill. A core formation was the dream of all outer sect elders, but they knew that their talent tapped out in building a foundation establishment. Elder Ji knew he would only reach the core formation realm if he received some outside assistance. The opportunity was almost in his grasp; he was sure if he did not act soon that old bastard Zhou would be rewarded very heavily; he also would receive favor and backing from the inner hall elder whose peak Han Cai would join. What did it mean to have backing from the inner sect? This means you will be revered in the outer sect no one will offend you. Take a look at the elder Miao. He received backing in the inner sect now, he is the leader of the discipline hall, and no one dares to offend him. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 42 Gossiping Elders ?Elder ji was not the only one filled with regret. Elder Hong Sitting beside him, also had a shocked and regretful face. He brought this kid to the sect. He should have sent him to his hong faction. Elder Yanlin, one of the other outer sect elders, sat on the other side of Elder Ji. Five months prior, the four of them, Elder Ji, Elder Hong, Elder Zhou, and Elder Yanlin, used to be close friends. However, their friendship had grown distant due to a fight between Elder Zhou and Ji. Elder Yanlin spoke," " So he is that Han Cai, Old Zhou gave up the outer hall for. He is indeed a genius. Old Hong, You have met this disciple, right?" Elder Hong shook his head and replied, "I brought him from Cloud Mountain City two years ago. His father asked me to take care of him, so I referred him to either Old Ji''s faction or yours. I didn''t expect Old Zhou to see his talent and keep him in his faction." Elder Ji growled, "What are you talking about? Old Zhou didn''t notice a thing. The kid joined my faction, and I took care of him for a year and a half. He wanted to take on a mission to earn spirit stones, so he went to the Outer Hall, and that bastard Zhou poached my faction''s disciple." Elder Yanlin asked, "So, he joined the sect two years ago and spent a year and a half in your faction?" Elder Ji nodded in agreement. Elder Yanlin was envious, as Elder Zhou had taken advantage of his position as the elder responsible for the outer sect hall to im a disciple that someone else had taken care of. "He stayed in your faction for most of his time in the sect. Just because he was listed in the outer hall book doesn''t make him part of Zhou''s faction. How can you let Zhou get away with this? If it were a disciple of my faction, I would never let him get away with it." Elder Ji looked at Elder Zhou, who was sitting in the center with a smile on his face, entirely concentrated on the arena. As other elders passed by to congratte him on having such a talented disciple in his faction, they all knew that with the kid going to the inner sect, Elder Zhou would also gain an inner sect backer. Elder Zhou thanked them all with a smile, but the sight made Elder Ji want to vomit. While the outer sect elders were gossiping, the tform referee had already announced the match winner, Han Cai. Han Cai was given a 30-minute break before he could be challenged, and he sat on the first tform with his eyes closed. A few contestants from the special faction followed Han Cai''s lead and challenged the other nine tforms. With this tournament begun in full swing. The disciples kept challenging the tforms, and each tform''s upant changed throughout the day. Han Cai remainedfortably on tform number one, and no one dared to challenge him. In the afternoon, two disciples, One from the Elder Faction and the Other from the Common Faction, attempted to challenge Han Cai, but he easily defeated them and sent them back to the infirmary. In the evening, a few more disciples tried to challenge him, thinking that he might be tired, but they were all defeated and sent back to the infirmary. After that, no one dared challenge Han Cai, as the disciples knew that they would be out of thepetition once they went to the infirmary. It was better to aim for the second ce than to end up in the infirmary with no position. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 43 Kong Dandans Dilemma ?Night fell, and the disciples continued their attempts to capture the tforms. By midnight, they had all fought at least twice or thrice and looked exhausted after each battle. The disciples from the elder''s side, the special faction, had a slight advantage as they had invested more in their cultivation. It was close to midnight of the first day, and the disciples were exhausted but still determined to capture a tform or earn more points. The arena was now quiet, with only a few disciples who had trained in Qi staying back and most of the gray robe onlookers having left. Han Cai meditated quietly, but after a while, he felt bored as no one challenged him at night. He scanned the arena, and he noticed all the elders of the inner Sect looking at him with glitter in their eyes. Han Cai mused and spoke to himself, "Kid, your future seems bright!" He decided to scan some of the disciples who had acquired other tforms. The second tform was acquired by a disciple named Shihong, the third by Bohai, and the fourth by a female disciple named Liqin. They were all at Level 2 cultivation and Level 1 sword technique, but there was still a power difference between them. Shihong could easily beat Bohai. These disciples chose their tform level based on their strengths. As Han Cai looked around the arena, he noticed Kong Dandan sitting in a corner, trying to regte his breathing, and He also noticed Fan Zixin, who he had seen during his time in Elder Ji''s faction. He decided to speak with Kong Dandan, who was sitting in a corner. Han Cai walked to the corner of the tform and spoke loudly, "Brother Kong". Kong Dan, sitting in the corner trying to regte his breathing, was startled. He opened his eyes and looked around and saw Han Cai calling him. Since the arena was very quiet, Han Cai''s voice was heard everywhere in and around the arena. Everyone looked at him to see what he was up to. Kong Dandan knew in general if Han Cai needed anything, he would call for him but that was during his stay in quarters. Kong Dandan couldn''t believe this kid would make him do chores in the middle of the tournament. But this guy was super talented. Kong Dandan couldn''t ignore the call. Especially now, everyone was looking at him. Kong Dandan got up and walked near tform one. Then he spoke, "How can I help you, brother Han?" Han Cai replied, "Brother Kong, I feel thirsty. Do you have the spirit wine you shared a few days ago?" Kong Dandan almost fell onto the ground. Is this guy for real? He is shamelessly asking me for the spirit wine I need to regain my Qi. He did have some of the spirit wine, which could help him recover qi. Kong Dandan nodded, took out a leather pouch with wine, and walked near the tform. The elder of the disciple hall allowed him toe near as no one was challenging Han Cai, and he was standing there bored anyways. Kong Dandan handed the pouch to Han Cai half-heartedly. Han Cai took a sip from the pouch. Kong Dandan grieved Han Cai was talented and did not need to recover his spirit as he was not being challenged at all, but Kong Dandan needed to recover his spirit. Kong Dandan thought all geniuses were selfish, and they never consideredmon folks, but if he decided not to give wine to Han Cai, the elder Zhou would punish himter. Han Cai handed the spirit wine pocuh back to Kong Dandan and spoke "Brother Kong, thank you for this. Could you pleasee on the tform and challenge me?" Kong Dandan almost fell onto the ground again. Is this guy for real? He is shamelessly asking me to fight him. Doesn''t he understand the disparity of power between us? Kong Dandan spoke, "Brother Han, How can I dare? I am weak. I will not be able to survive a single swing from your sword." Han Cai shook his head and spoke, "Brother Kong, I have been sitting here quietly all day, and I am bored. I promise not to hurt you, brother Kong. Pleasee and spar with me." Kong Dandan cursed in his mind. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS KID? You are bored, so you want me to waste my already almost depleted spirit Qi? Do you have no consideration for others? Kong Dandan did not know what to say, so he stood quietly like a statue considering how to decline Han Cai without offending this dumb genius. But Han Cai spoke again, "Brother Kong, please, as a favor,e and challenge me!" Now Kong Dandan was in a big predicament, and he could not ignore a favor from the genius future inner sect disciple. Kong Dandan was caught in a dilemma, thinking should he ept? Unknowingly he looked towards the sitting area of the outer sect elder''s sitting area. Since the whole arena was silent when Han Cai spoke, everyone''s attention was on Han Cai and Kong Dandan. This debacle of spirit wine really intrigued them. The sect master and Inner sect hall elders smiled when they heard Han Cai was bored. This kid really was a child. He did not understand the importance of thispetition for other disciples. But who could me him? He was so talented that not even inner sect disciples would dare challenge him easily. When Kong Dandan unknowingly looked at the elder''s sitting area, He saw elder Zhou nodding and signaling, which meant, " do whatever Han Cai asks you to do." . Kong Dandan sighed. He went to the elder standing below the tform and took out his medallion. Spoke, "Elder, I would like to challenge tform 1." Elder looked at him and said, "Are you sure?" Elder had heard Han Cai''s promise not to hurt Kong Dandan, but that was not the problem. The problem was Kong Dandan would be wasting his most precious spirit Qi which he needed for battle. What did it mean? It meant Kong Dandan''s journey in the tournament would stop here. But seeing Kong dandan nodding his head, he announced loudly, "Kong Dandan challenging Han Cai." Kong Dandan got on stage, and the referee elder gave them a sign to begin. The moment when the battle between them was about to begin, Han Cai spoke, "I concede." Chapter 44 Repaying Zhou Faction ?Han Cai walked down from the tform after conceding. Everyone was stunned. Han Cai and Kong Dandan were colluding so openly. But it was not against the rules to help someone. It was just all the disciples were so exhausted trying to capture a tform or defend themselves that they never had time or strength to help anyone. Han Cai walked down from the tform and walked towards the second tform and informed the elder that he wanted to challenge the second tform. Elder announced Han Cai vs Shihong. When Han Cai got on the tform, Shihong conceded he did not wish to go to the infirmary. So Shihong left the second tform and rested for 30 minutes. Then He Challenged the third tform and defeated Bohai. Bohai rested for thirty minutes and challenged the fourth tform Liqin. And The cycle continued until the 9th tform disciple acquired the 10th tform. The 10th tform disciple was frustrated. With so much effort, he had acquired the tenth tform, but now he was ousted. His face was red from anger; The disciple who was on the tenth tform cursed Kong Dandan in his mind, and He felt it was Kong Dandan''s fault that he was ousted from the tenth tform. That disciple did not dare to me Han Cai. Han Cai was way out of his league, and as this world was ruled by the strong. Strong can never be med for anything they do as they are strong, and they have the right to do what they like. So the fault alwaysy in people who were weak and did not know their ce. For example, here, Kong Dandan had not done anything wrong. It was Han Cai who asked him toe on the tform and gave him a spot. So it was the fault of Han Cai for disrupting the whole situation making the second tform disciple move to the third, and so on. If the disciple wanted to me someone, He should have med Han Cai or the ninth tform disciple who ousted him to take his spot on the tenth tform. The disciple who was ousted from the tenth tform stared hatefully at Kong Dandan. Kong Dandan was standing nervously on tform one. He did not know what to do. Things changed so fast, Han Cai asked him toe spar with him. When he thought it was all over for him in the tournament, Han Cai gave him the first tform and took the second tform for himself. He looked at Han Cai, who was sitting peacefully on the second tform now. Han Cai''s thought process was very simple, and the Zhou faction had done a lot for him, be it with swords or his stay and clothes. They took good care of him, and unlike the Ji faction, the Zhou faction did not ask him to pay anything. Han Cai knew the Zhou faction wanted to indebt him for their services. When Han Cai noticed how the elders of the inner sect were looking at him, he knew he would be entering the inner sect soon. He did not need to carry unnecessary karma when he could pay the Zhou faction back in the tournament, so he decided to help Kong Dandan. If Kong Dandanes in the top ten, his monthly allowance will skyrocket, and elder Zhou will earn double that allowance. Not to mention Han Cai from the Zhou faction will be in the top ten too, so elder Zhou will be earning a lot of spirit stones for the uing year. While Han Cai was in his thoughts, the disciple who was ousted from the tenth tform could not take it anymore. He went ahead and challenged Kong Dandan on the first tform. Kong Dandan knew he was not a match for any of the top ten, so Kong Dandan conceded immediately. He had spent more than 4 hours on the first tform, so his ranking points were going to be very stable. He was very satisfied and grateful for Han Cai''s support. Kong Dandan conceded and Came down from the tform. When Han Cai saw this, he called out to Kong Dandan again. Kong Dandan now Revered Han Cai, so he immediately went below the second tform. Han Cai again asked for spirit wine. He took a sip of the spirit wine and asked Kong Dandan to challenge him again. Kong Dandan agreed, and Han Cai conceded again. Kong Dandan acquired the second tform now. Han Cai walked to the first tform and stood below it in front of the elder of the discipline hall, quietly waiting for 30 minutes to pass. When 30 minutes passed, Han Cai rechallenged the first tform. When He got on the tform, the referee gave them a sign to begin as usual. Before the opponent could say, "I concede", Han Cai had already shed his sword. The disciple was sent to the infirmary. After this incident, no one tried to challenge tforms one or two. Outer sect elder Zhn, whose faction this disciple belonged to, almost spit out blood. Elder Zhou, on the other, had glee on his face. His faction''s two disciples were on number one and two. Elder Ji, Elder Hong, and Elder Yanlin were speechless. Would the Zhou''s faction take this year''s tournament first and second? What kind of Dogshit luck was that. Kong Dandan had spent so much time on the first tform. Now second tform, he was earning a lot of points every hour. Even if Kong Dandan did note second, he would surely be in the top ten. Out of nowhere, elder Ji spoke, "I can''t let Zhou take away a disciple of my faction that easily If he thinks he can do it just by leaving the responsibilities of the outer sect hall. He is gravely mistaken." asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 45 End of The Tournament Chapter 45 End of The Tournament It was now the morning of the second day. On the tournament''s first day, Han Cai and Kong Dandan were in the top 10, Han Cai being number one. When the second-day tournament began, the discipline hall elders removed seven tforms and kept only 3. The leading nine disciplespeted for thest two tforms while Han Cai sat on the first. No one tried topete for the first tform with Han Cai. Han Cai did not try to help Kong Dandan again because he did not want to overdo it. Shihong took the second tform and fought a tough battle with Bohai, and Bohai got injured in that battle and had to be sent to the infirmary. Shihong was nervous that Han Cai would decide to help Kong Dandan, then he would have to go for the third tform, but Han Cai did not move neither did Kong Dandan. Kong Dandan just sat in the corner; He knew his limitations, so he did not try to challenge these talented beasts. He decided to sit in the corner of the arena and rest. The second-daypetition ended just like the first day. Thest two positions were taken by Shihong and Liqin. On the third day, the winner of the tournament was basically decided as the discipline hall elders took away the remaining two tforms and left only one. No one tried to upy it except Han Cai. Han Cai sat there on the first tform cultivating. He wanted to yawn but did not want to ruin the cold, aloof persona that he had built, so he kept his yawn in control. All the participants sat around in the arena, quietly cultivating. On the fourth day, the outer sect tournament finally ended. Elder Miao stood in the center of the Arena and Announced the results on the fourth day. The First ce, without any surprises, was taken by Han Cai, Second ce was given to Shihong, Liqin received third ce, and Fourth ce surprisingly went to Kong Dandan. After the announcement Sect master and two elders beside him entered the arena. The remaining inner sect elders followed suit. The outer sect elders also entered the arena from the south of the arena. When the outer elders reached the center, they bowed and greeted the sect master. With a big smile, Elder Zhou slyly walked toward Han Cai and stood beside him. He did not notice that the elder Ji also came and stood near Han Cai. Elder Miao announced the sect master himself would distribute prizes. Sect master went to the center of the arena and nodded at elder Miao. Then he said, "I am very pleased with the outer sect disciple''s performance in this tournament. You all have worked hard, and you should know the sect rewards everyone who works hard. Do not be disappointed if you do not win the first prize. Keep trying to improve your cultivation." While the Sect master was speaking, Han Cai thought the sect master must have charm stat around ten too. Too bad I can''t scan him, or I would have known. Han Cai checked that scanning the sect master cost around a hundred thousand exchange points, which was too much. After speaking, the sect master turned towards Han Cai and smiled. "For the first ce, seeing your great performance, the elders of the Inner sect and I are very pleased. We have decided to award you with not 500 but 1000 spirit stones. The alchemy hall of the inner sect will provide you with a foundation establishment pill." Chapter 46 Becoming A Core Disciple ?When Han Cai heard about the prizes, he was happy that he would receive 1000 spirit stones but what about the techniques? Is the sect nning to exchange spirit stones for techniques? Sect master appeared to understand Han Cai''s thoughts. He Spoke again before Han Cai would respond, "As for the reward of techniques, You are truly a prodigy among your peers to have achieved such mastery at such a young age. Your potential is undeniable, and I would like to offer you the opportunity to be this old man''s disciple. As this old man''s disciple, you will be the 6th core disciple of the sect. You can enter the inner core library of the sect, where you can select cultivation and skill techniques freely as you like. For guidance rted to cultivation, you can directlye to this old man for any help." Inner sect elders coughed. They were still considering pulling Han Cai into their halls, and the sect master directly asked Han Cai to be his disciple. All their strategies were for naught. None of them could directly speak up against the sect master except the elder of the dark hall, who was not present. They could only watch helplessly, trying to take Han Cai away. They respected the sect master a lot, not just because of his cultivation but also because the sect master was known for his kind and gentle personality. During thest few years, Han Cai''s imagination sometimes ran wild when he would cultivate alone in quarters. In one of his fantasies, he imagined when he epted a master, It would be some cold beauty fairy with unlimited cultivation who would fall in love with himter. But so far, whatever he nned in this world, nothing worked out as he thought it would, but he made the best of every situation as much as possible, so he was not disappointed. The offer from the sect master was excellent, and he was sure He would receive the best treatment in the sect as the sect master''s disciple. There was no reason for Han Cai to refuse. Elder Zhou, standing beside han cai, was pleased beyond control. If Han Cai bes the sect master''s disciple, he will be able to grab onto the fattest thigh in the sect. Elder Ji near Han Cai almost got his eyes popped out when the sect master offered Han Cai to be his disciple. Han Cai bowed and spoke, "I am deeply honored and grateful for your offer to be your disciple. I ept wholeheartedly and pledge to follow your guidance and teachings to the best of my abilities." Hearing Han Cai''s response, the Sect master''s face twitched a little. He was not prepared to see Han Cai, a 12-year-old child responding so formally. Still, heughed and nodded. He was delighted to acquire such a young and talented disciple for himself. The Sect master spoke, "Come stand beside me. From now on, you are my second personal disciple." Han Cai nodded, walked towards the sect master, and stood behind him. When Han Cai stood behind the sect master, Elder Zhou, who was standing beside Han Cai all the time and watched Han Cai walk away, he couldn''t let go of such a good opportunity. He knew he would never get an audience with the sect master like this again. He immediately bowed and spoke, "On behalf of the Zhou faction and Zhou family, I would like to express our gratitude to the Sect master for epting Han Cai as your personal disciple. Your guidance and teachings will undoubtedly help Han Cai to reach new heights in his cultivation, and we are honored to have the distinguished sect master take our zhou family disciple under his wing." Elder Ji, who was standing nearby, nearly leapt in surprise. He had nned to create a scene once Han Cai received his award and returned to the outer sect, in an effort to bring Han Cai back before an inner sect elder took him away. However, things had taken an unexpected turn as the sect master had epted Han Cai as his own disciple. This presented a new challenge for Elder Ji, if he did not act, the sect master would assume that Han Cai belonged to the Zhou faction within the outer sect and would therefore favor the Zhou faction. Elder Ji could not allow this to happen, as a favor from the sect master was not something he would let slip by. Despite his repeated losses to the Zhou faction, he could not let this opportunity slip away.. Elder Ji determined it was now or never. "I would like to express my gratitude to you, Sect Master, for epting Han Cai as your personal disciple. It is a true testament to the hard work and dedication the Han Cai and Ji faction put in over the past year and a half. I would also like to address the inappropriate behavior of the elder from the Zhou faction, who seems to have forgotten that Han Cai is not only a member of the Ji faction but also a member of the Ji family. Elder hong brought him from cloud mountain city to my faction, and We promised his father to take care of him. Calling him from the Zhou faction is inappropriate and disrespectful. I thank you, Sect master, for recognizing Han Cai''s potential and providing him with the guidance he needs to reach even greater heights. " asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 47 Greedy Elders ?While elder Ji was at it, he decided to drag elder Hong into it because elder Hong was the most significant proof that Han Cai was from his faction. Sect master was going to thank the Zhou faction for giving him such a talented disciple. But now, not only the sect master but everyone else also frowned. Elder Zhou had a vein popped up on his forehead. What''s this old bastard doing? He had already given him Outer sect hall responsibility, so he still couldn''t let this go. Elder Zhou couldn''t let elder Ji ruin his ns so close to fruition. He spoke up, "Sect Master, I must object to Elder Ji''s ims. I did not act inappropriately and I find it offensive that I am being used of being disrespectful. Han Cai was temporarily ced in the Ji faction''s quarters due to theck of heat in the Zhou faction''s quarters during winter. I could not be careless with the health of an outer sect disciple, but when I sent Han Cai to the Ji faction, he was ced in a cold room instead of being given proper warmth. The Ji faction also took possession of 60 spirit stones that Han Cai''s father had saved his whole life to acquire, leaving Han Cai with no choice but to earn them back through missions. This is why I decided not to allow any of my Zhou faction''s disciples to stay in the Ji faction''s quarters." Hearing these two elders, Han Cai was bbergasted. He did not leave his quarters in thest six months. He was not aware of the legendary brawl that happened in front of the outer sect hall. Finally, he understood why elder Zhou treated him so well. The faction from which disciples join the inner sect must receive some kind of support. Because of this, they both were passionately trying to tell the sect master that Han Cai is their faction''s disciple. Han Cai decided not to speak up and watch how things panned out. Who was Han Cai? A man-boy who was very shallow. He liked being appreciated, and this scene where two elders squabbled over him made him feel very good. Besides that, he had to maintain his cold, aloof persona. But the Sect master had a serious expression. It was one thing to bicker with each other. They were bickering in front of the whole sect, and One of them stole 60 spirit stones from one of the most talented disciples of the sect, who was now his personal disciple. Those Spirit stones were his father''s life-saving? What would this new talented disciple think of the sect that steals spirit stones from him? If the sect wronged Han Cai, this would reflect poorly on the sect, as well as the Sect Master himself, who was responsible for managing the sect properly. The Sect Master himself was an upright person and would never approve of bribes, but he couldn''t control everything in the sect. Elder Zhou''s statement implicated all the outer sect elders who took bribes, and the Sect Master''s expression became unhappy. While the sect master was frowning, all the outer sect elders facepalmed. With just this sentence, in a moment of anger, elder Zhou doomed all the elders who took bribes. Elder Ji again felt like tearing elder Zhou into pieces. He was able to deal with this usation in the past because all the outer sect elders knew each other and did not pursue it. But now it became a grave charge of stealing from the sect master''s personal disciple. Now it will not be just outer sect elders reprimanding him. It became the sect master''s problem, who was an upright person. He might ask the inner sect discipline hall to take action. If found guilty, this could lead to discipline hall punishing him. They might destroy his cultivation. Core disciples are not something an outer sect elder can mess around with. After his brawl with elder Zhou, Elder Ji asked his faction disciples to go to cloud mountain city to get all details about Han Cai. He decided to bring everything to light. He spoke, shivering in anger, "Elder Zhou, your usations are baseless and unjust. Han Cai''s father had contributed 15,000 gold coins to the sect, which were then converted into spirit stones. It is not only false but also deeply insulting for you to suggest that my faction took Han Cai''s spirit stones. In reality, it was you and Elder Hong who took the spirit stones from Han Cai''s father and then gave my faction 80 spirit stones, not 60. I thought you were giving them to me for safekeeping for Han Cai until he was older. Those spirit stones are still kept safely in my quarters and we intended to give them to him after the tournament. No one in my faction took any spirit stones from Han Cai with any ill intentions. All we did was take care of him and provide him with food and shelter during his stay in our quarters. Your usations are merely an attempt to shift the me and tarnish my faction''s reputation. I demand an immediate apology." Sect master had a crease on his forehead. He turned and looked at elder Miao with an unhappy expression, and His Voice thundered, "THAT IS ENOUGH! Are we taking a gifted disciple''s father''s life savings in the name of contribution to the sect? Elder Miao, has our outer sect fallen this low? Is this the path of cultivation our sect follows? Is this what we are teaching our future generations? What face do you leave me with in front of my personal disciple?" Han Cai thought, wow! Karma is a real bitch. These two greedy elders really got bitten by it. Han Cai shivered. Will Karma bite him, too, because he owes them? Then he thought, no, these two were just too greedy. Only some people can be just temperate enough like Han Cai was. He praised himself in his mind. Han Cai thought, not counting myself, I have already helped the Zhou faction to get the fourth position, and the old Zhou should have a constant flow of spirit stones. As for the Ji faction, my 80 spirit stones are with them anyways. I have paid my debt. While Han Cai was taking inventory, so no karma came and bit him back. By the side, elder Miao was sweating. A few breaths ago, there was a happy atmosphere. Everything went well. In the tournament, he organized the sect found a new core disciple. But these two greedy bastards couldn''t find a better time to open their mouths and ruin it for everyone. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 48 Cave Abode ?After the debacle between the two elders, the sect master did not stay very long and asked elder Miao to give rewards. And He brought Han Cai with him as Han Cai followed the Sect Master through the winding path leading to the Inner Sect. They reached the edge of a cliff overlooking the Inner Sect, the Sect Master turned to him and smiled, saying, "Are you ready?" Han Cai nodded, and the Sect Master gathered qi around him. Han Cai could feel the energy building up; before he knew it, they were lifting off the ground. He felt a surge of exhration as they soared through the air, the wind whipping through his hair. He could see the Inner sect below, the beautiful and grand buildings, and the various disciples training and cultivating. Han Cai couldn''t help but feel awestruck by the beauty surrounding him. The summer sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the entire sect. The lush greenndscape was dotted with colorful flowers, and the mountain streams were sparkling with crystal clear water. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming nts and the sound of birds singing. The Inner Sect was a stark contrast to the Outer Sect, where Han Cai had spent most of his time training. The Inner Sect was a ce of serene beauty and spiritual cultivation, and it was reserved for the most advanced disciples and the sect leaders. The Inner Sect was divided into several smaller courtyards. Each Inner sect disciple had their own living quarters, training grounds, and gardens. The courtyards were surrounded by high walls, making it a peaceful and secluded ce. The disciples were dressed in red or blue martial arts attire. Han Cai noticed that unlike the outer sect, where training was intense and focused on physical strength and techniques, the training was more focused on spiritual cultivation, mental discipline, and inner peace. But these inner sect disciple''s quarters had nothing to do with Han Cai. Because, unlike inner sect disciples, the Core disciples received their own cave abode. The cave abodes of the core disciples in the Inner Sect of the Sky Soaring Sect are luxurious and spacious living quarters carved out of the mountain. Each core disciple is given their own cave abode, one per mountain, which is a sign of their prestige and high standing in the sect. The Sect master led Han Cai through the winding paths of the Inner Sect, pointing out variousndmarks and important locations along the way. As they flew, the Sect master spoke of the history and traditions of the Sky Soaring Sect and the expectations and responsibilities of being a core disciple. Han Cai listened attentively, taking in every word and trying to absorb as much information as possible. As they flew, the Sect Master also exined how he was using his qi to control their flight and how Han Cai, too, could learn to fly using qi with time and practice. Han Cai was amazed at how effortlessly the Sect Master moved through the air, and he couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe and inspiration. As they reached the peak of the mountain where Han Cai''s cave abode was located, the Sect Master gradually slowed their descent. Han Cai felt a sense of weightlessness as theynded softly on the ground in front of his cave abode. Finally, they arrived at the entrance of Han Cai''s cave abode. As Han Cai approached his cave abode, he couldn''t help but be in awe of the intricate carvings and sculptures that adorned the exterior. The entrance was a grand archway made of white marble and adorned with intricate patterns of dragons and swans. The archway was nked by two stone pirs that were etched with images of powerful cultivators and immortal beings. The door of the cave was made of dark wood, with arge brass knocker in the shape of a lion''s head. The area around the cave abode had a serene and tranquil atmosphere. The interiors are well-lit and spacious, withfortable beds, fine silk linens, and elegant furnishings. The air is filled with the sweet scent of incense and the soft sound of music. The cave abode was also equipped with various amenities to support the disciples in their cultivation and training. They have ess to study rooms and meditation chambers. Some caves may have a small garden and terrace where the disciples can practice their gardening skills and enjoy the natural surroundings. The cave abode also had private hot spring pools and saunas heated by geothermal energy, which is beneficial for the disciples to rx after training and maintain their health. Overall, Han Cai''s cave abode in the Inner Sect was a luxurious andfortable living quarter designed to support him in his spiritual cultivation and training. This abode was a symbol of prestige and honor. Han Cai couldn''t wait to see what the inside of the cave abode looked like and what secrets it held. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 49 Inside Cave Abode ?The Sect master gestured for Han Cai to enter, and Han Cai stepped inside, his eyes wide with wonder and amazement. The Sect master smiled and said, "This is your new home. I know that you had to face a lot of challenges in the outer sect but don''t worry. Nothing as such will happen again. This abode belonged to one of the ancestors of our sect, It is a great honor to be given a cave abode in the Inner Sect, and I know you will make the most of this opportunity. Remember, your training and cultivation are of the utmost importance, and I expect you to work hard and strive for greatness." Han Cai Noticed some formations around the cave abode. The Sect master exined that a defense formation surrounds his cave abode, and he called it the "Dragon''s Breath Formation." This formation is made up of multipleyers of protection that are activated by an array of spiritual stones embedded in the walls of the cave abode. The formation is designed to detect and repel any intruders or hostile forces that attempt to enter the cave abode without permission. The firstyer of the formation is a spiritual barrier that acts as a barrier to prevent any physical intrusion. The barrier can be adjusted to allow authorized personnel entry while keeping intruders out. The secondyer is a spiritual sensor that can detect any spiritual fluctuations within a certain radius of the cave abode. This sensor is able to detect any cultivators or spiritual beasts that may be approaching the cave abode. The thirdyer is a spiritual rm that will trigger if any unauthorized personnel or hostile forces are detected by the sensor. The fourthyer of the formation is a powerful array of spiritual stones that are capable of creating a powerful st of spiritual energy that can repel any intruders. The energy st can be adjusted to be as powerful as needed to repel any threat to the cave abode. The fifth and finalyer is a powerful concealment charm that can hide the cave abode from view and make it difficult to locate. The Dragon''s Breath formation is constantly active, and it is designed to protect the cave abode and the core disciple residing in it, and it''s all controlled by a control stone located inside the cave. It''s not only the outer defense, but it also has an inner defense mechanism that can be activated with the control stone. If any harm is directed toward the inner core disciple, the array will automatically inform the Sect master and elders about the danger. The sect master advised Han Cai to always keep the control stone with him and not reveal the control stone''s location to anyone. After exining details about the cave abode to Han Cai, sect master gave Han Cai a Jade medallion; this was the inner core disciple medallion. The Jade Medallion is a small, circr disc made of jade, a precious stone known for its healing properties. The medallion is intricately carved with the symbol of the Sky Soaring Sect, a majestic crane soaring toward the sky. The symbol is surrounded by intricate patterns and symbols, each representing a different aspect of the sect''s teachings and beliefs. The medallion was not only a symbol of Han Cai''s status as a core disciple of the sect but also served as a tool for cultivation. The jade used to make the medallion is imbued with spiritual energy, and when worn close to the body, it can help to nourish and strengthen the cultivator''s own spiritual energy. The medallion also serves as a form of identification, allowing Han Cai ess to restricted areas of the sect and proving his identity to other disciples and elders. The inner core medallion was also connected with the sect''s main array, so wherever Han Cai was in the sect, the elders or sect master could always track and find him if he faced any danger. . He told Han Cai that his spirit stones reward would arrive by evening, as the foundation establishment pill would arrive in 2-3 days. After receiving the spirit stone rewards in the evening, he can go to the Library to select a good cultivation method and also he could select some good skill techniques. Once he was done with techniques sect master told Han Cai to visit him in the inner sect hall, and he would introduce Han Cai to his senior sister. Hearing their senior sister, Han Cai, let his imagination run wild. Then he realized he was thinking like a simp. Han Cai thought it must be a trap by heaven testing his Dao heart by giving him a senior sister. How clich¨¦, He needed to keep as much distance as possible. After exining everything to Han Cai, the sect master left. When Han Cai first entered his cave abode, he was amazed by the luxurious and elegant design. He spent the first few hours exploring every inch of the cave, taking in the intricate carvings and sculptures that adorned the walls. He marveled at thefortable bed and fine silk linens, feeling a sense of pride and aplishment for being awarded such prestigious living quarters. There were also some external quarters for disciples who served core disciples; basically, they were servant''s quarters. The sect master had asked Han Cai if he liked any outer sect disciples to serve him. The first thing Han Cai thought of was Kong Dandan. Butter, he decided to bring the gray robes that used to serve him in the Ji faction. He is reasoning was simple, Kong Dandan would respect him for giving him an opportunity in the inner sect, but gray robes who have no future in the sect get to live in the inner sect they will worship him for the rest of their lives. After exploring his cave abode, Han Cai decided to make use of the amenities that were avable to him. He first visited the study rooms, where he spent hours pouring over books and scrolls, studying the sect''s history and History of Yin Country. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 50 Fear ?In his study, Han Cai learned about the history of the sky-soaring sect. It would be wrong to call Han Cai a curious person. Because of hiszy personality, Han Cai preferred to pay attention only to things that could help him in living afortable life. But now that he was a core disciple of the sect, the sect had a lot of expectations from him. Han Cai waszy, but he was cautious too. Seeing a protection array and so many defense mechanisms set up by the sect to protect core disciples must mean only one thing. There were enemies of the sect who wanted to hurt core disciples, which made sense because there was no way an influential organization such as sky-soaring might not have any enemies. Because of this, Han Cai needed to understand this world''s ways and power structure. Han Cai started reading the history of the sect. The Sky Soaring Sect was founded over a thousand years ago by a group of powerful cultivators who sought to escape the politics and power struggles of therger sects in the central regions of the Daxing continent. The Yin country was located in the north of Daxin continent. The leader of the group that founded the sky-soaring sect was a man known as the immortal Master Lu. They decided to establish their own sect in the northern region of Yin country, and known for its cold and snowy climate. They set up a small base in these beautiful mountainous regions of the cold north and began to attract like-minded cultivators to their cause. Over time, the sect grew in strength and influence, bing one of the most powerful sects in the northern region. The Sky Soaring Sect''s mainpetitor sects in the northern Yin country were the Frost Peak Sect, the Heavenly Thunder Sect, the Divine Wind Sect, and the Starfall Sect. The Frost Peak Sect is known for its mastery of ice-elemental techniques and has a strong presence in the snowy regions of the north. The Heavenly Thunder Sect is famous for its lightning-elemental techniques and has a reputation for being fiercelypetitive. The Divine Wind Sect is known for its wind-elemental techniques and is known to have many powerful flying cultivators. Lastly, the Starfall Sect is known for its mastery of earth and space-elemental techniques and is considered the most mysterious of the four sects. Han Cai was not afraid of these sects but seeing northern region mentioned so many times. Han Cai felt goosebumps all over his body for some reason. Han Cai was born in one of the northernmost remote town of Yin country. Yin country was one of the northernmost countries in the Daxin continent. He could not find any details about other continents in these books, but from what Han Cai gathered, he had a hunch Daxin continent must be the northernmost continent. What did this all mean? Was he born in the remote north of remoter north? Was it just a coincidence that he was born northernmost remote area of this cultivation world? Han Cai''s murphy''sw belief pushed forward. His high perception told him it was not that simple, manymon people were indeed born in the northernmost area of yin country, but Han Cai was not just amon person. He had a system. Because of his perception, Han Cai felt a vague danger. He did not know what it was, but he felt afraid for some reason. It was not a simple fear. This fear was like something that would suffocate him just thinking about it. Han Cai asked the system if it could use exchange points to rify why his perception was giving him a feeling of vague danger. The system gave him a short answer, not enough exchange points.. When Han Cai tried to ask how many exchange points hecked system gave him a number that was more than a quintillion. Han Cai got tired of counting zeroes and finally gave up. Han Cai decided not to overthink it. He also resolved to boost his intelligence stat as fast as possible so he could understand this fear he felt just now. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 51 The Royal Family ?He also learned the history of Yin country. The royal family of Yin country is called the Frost Dragon Dynasty. They have ruled over thend for centuries, and their power and influence was unmatched in the northern regions. The capital of Yin country, where the royal family resides, is the grand city of Frosthold. Frosthold is a sprawling metropolis surrounded by high walls and protected by a powerful army. The pce of the Frost Dragon Dynasty is located at the heart of the city, a grand and imposing structure made of gleaming white marble. The pce is home to the King and Queen, as well as their many children and courtiers. ? The Frost Dragon Dynasty is a powerful force in the northern regions, and their rule is absolute. The sects that arepeting with the soaring sky sect are under their control, and the sects must follow theirmands. They control the trade routes and resources of thend, and their army is the strongest in the region. They also have powerful cultivators and experts in their court, who are responsible for protecting the royal family and maintaining order in the kingdom. The Emperor and Empress of the Frost Dragon Dynasty are respected and revered by the people of Yin country, and their rule is seen as just and fair. They are known for their wisdom andpassion, and they work tirelessly to improve the lives of their subjects. Reading this, Han Cai rolled his eyes, but he continued reading. The royal family has many children, most of whom are groomed for leadership roles within the kingdom, and they are trained in martial arts, politics, and diplomacy from a young age. Besides the royal family, there were some big cultivation families in Yin country. The Li family is one of the oldest and most powerful cultivator families in Yin country. They have a long history of producing powerful cultivators, and they have a strong reputation for their expertise in the sword arts. They are known for their strict training methods and their fierce loyalty to the royal family. The Wang family is one of the wealthiest cultivator families in Yin country. They have a vastwork of businesses and connections, and they are known for their business acumen and strategic thinking. They are also known for their mastery of the alchemic arts, and they are considered to be one of the leading alchemists in the country. The Cui family is one of the most respected cultivator families in Yin country. They have a long history of producing powerful cultivators and are known for their strict adherence to the traditional cultivation arts. They are known for their mastery of martial arts and are considered to be one of the leading martial arts experts in the country. The Zhou family is a rtively new cultivator family in Yin country, but they have quickly risen to prominence due to their mastery of the spiritual arts. They are known for their ability tomune with the spirits and to harness their power for cultivation. They are considered to be one of the leading spiritualists in the country. The Yang family is one of the most mysterious cultivator families in Yin country. They are known for their mastery of the hidden arts and are considered to be one of the leading experts in stealth and espionage. They are known for their ability to infiltrate and gather information from rival sects and families. They are considered to be one of the most powerful and feared families in the country. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 52 To The Library ?After reading about the history of Sect and Yin country, Han Cai went to the meditation chamber and sat in silence, focusing on his breathing and clearing his mind. After a full day of meditation, Han Cai wanted to rx and unwind. He made use of the private hot spring pools and sauna, letting the warm water and steam soothe his muscles and ease the tension in his mind. He moaned in delight, who would have thought he would have a jacuzzi in this life? He felt rejuvenated and refreshed after his rxing soak, and he knew that he would use the jacuzzi frequently. After his soak in the jacuzzi, Han Cai decided to take a walk on the small garden terrace of his cave abode, where he spent some time admiring the natural surroundings, enjoying the fresh air and the peacefulness of the surrounding mountains. Han Cai''s first day in his cave abode was spent exploring his luxurious living quarters, meditating, and rxing. He made use of all the amenities that were avable to him, and he felt a sense of satisfaction and pleasure for being awarded such afortable abode. He knew with suchfort he would not be leaving his abode much, and he was determined to make the most of it. In the evening, a disciple from the inner sect brought Han Cai his rewards in the form of spirit stones and presented him with a purple robe, which was the attire of the core disciples in the sect. . The inner sect disciple also brought two of the gray robes who used to serve Han Cai when he was in the Ji faction, and Han Cai settled those gray robes in outside quarters. Upon returning to his cave dwelling, Han Cai counted the spirit stones he received in reward and found that there were a total of 1250 stones in the pouch. He realized that One thousand spirit stones should be the reward from the tournament, 100 should be his allowance as a core disciple, and the remaining 150 should be the sect returning the bribe money from his father to the elders of the outer sect. Deciding not to exchange this wealth in exchange points yet, Han Cai headed to the library to pick up a new cultivation method. His current Sky Soaring Technique could only take him to level 9 of golden core, he aimed to find a new method that could bring him to at least the Immortal level. When Han Cai left his cave abode, he was greeted by the cool evening breeze that blew through the mountains. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun set behind the peaks. The air was crisp and refreshing, and Han Cai took a deep breath, feeling invigorated by the fresh mountain air. Walking down the path toward the inner core library, Han Cai couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty of the inner sect. The path was lined with lush greenery and colorful flowers, and the sound of running water from nearby streams filled the air. The path was also lit bynterns hanging from the trees, casting a warm glow on the surroundings. Han Cai couldn''t help but feel a sense of serenity and peace as he walked through the inner sect. Han Cai thought this world really was beautiful. Not even Switzend in his past life couldpare to the beauty of just a random sect in this world. When he reached the inner core library, Han Cai was greeted by the sight of the grand building. The library was a massive structure made of white marble and ck granite, with intricate carvings and sculptures decorating the fa?ade. Two statues of fierce-looking lions guarded the entrance, and the doors were made of solid teak wood. A garden with beautiful flowers and trees and a pond with colorful koi fish surrounded the building. Han Cai walked up the steps to the library, and as he entered, he was struck by the grandeur of the interior. The library was huge, with high ceilings and grand arches. The floors were made of polished marble, and the walls were adorned with paintings and tapestries. The bookshelves were made of dark wood and were filled with ancient texts and scrolls. The air was filled with the musty scent of old books and the soft sound of pages turning. Han Cai felt a sense of wonder and excitement as he looked around, enthusiastic about exploring the vast collection of knowledge that the library held. Looking at the grand structure of the library, Han Cai thought the sect''s founders, indeed, were immortals. No mortals could build a structure like that. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 53 Exploring Library ?As Han Cai entered the inner core library with the help of his Jade medallion, he was greeted by the same elder who had visited the outer sect tournament with the Sect Master. The elder nodded at Han Cai and greeted him warmly, expressing his pleasure at seeing him in the inner core library. Elder Guang, "Han Cai. Wee to inner sect. I watched your performance in the tournament, and I was thoroughly impressed." Han Cai bowed "Greetings, Elder Guang. Thank you for your kind words. I am honored to be in the inner sect." Elder Guang nodded at Han Cai''s respectful behavior. Elder Guang, "This core library of the Sky Soaring Sect has a rich history, and it has been home to some of the most outstanding cultivators in the history of our sect and only the most talented and dedicated disciples are allowed ess". Han Cai bowed and spoke, "I am humbled to be given this opportunity." Elder Guang nodded and smiled. Elder Guang "On the fifth floor, you will find a variety of the best cultivation manuals. If you are looking for techniques, you can find them on the fourth floor. And, if you are interested in any other weapons besides sword, you can find skill manuals and a list of weapons avable in the sect''s weapons treasury on the third floor." Han Cai spoke, "Thank you for the guidance, Elder Guang". Elder Guang "However, I must caution you. There are many cultivation manuals brought by our immortal ancestors from the central continent that are beyond your reach. Don''t get greedy, and choose a manual that is suited for you. Remember, slow and steady progress is better than rushing ahead and making mistakes". Han Cai nodded, showing his respect. He gave the elder a formal bow. As Han Cai reached the 5th floor, he was amazed by the vast collection of cultivation manuals and texts that the Sky Soaring Sect had gathered over the centuries. He started to carefully go through each manual, taking his time to understand the content and the techniques outlined within them. He came across many manuals that were focused on cultivating various elemental energies such as earth, fire, water, and wind. These manuals promised to increase the strength and control of the cultivator over their respective element. However, most of these manuals only covered cultivation techniques up to the soul formation realm and were not able to take the cultivator further. Han Cai had read in his study that once a cultivator reaches to foundation establishment. He gets affinity to certain elements; the cultivator could use that element''s Qi to grow their cultivation faster. Han Cai could cultivate any of these techniques since he had the system, but what Han Cai wanted was a technique that could help him reach the immortal realm. Han Cai was not being greedy. He had something that no cultivator had if he did not use his cheat to cultivate the best technique, he would be the biggest idiot in the history of this cultivation world. Han Cai soon stumbled upon two immortal-level cultivation manuals ced at the library''s very end. The First manual was called the Starbody Refinement Method. This manual focused on refining the cultivator''s soul and body, making them more resilient and agile to a level that they could make mountains disappear in one punch. Through the Starlight Refinement Method you are supposed to absorb the energy from stars. It was a highly regarded manual for its emphasis on body refinement. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 54 New Cultivation Technique ?The second one was the Celestial Ascension Technique. On the first page of this cultivation manual was written how this technique could take one''s cultivation beyond the immortal realm and transform you into celestial. Han Cai was thrilled at this discovery, as he had been dreaming about reaching the immortal realm. This manual was unique because it also covered the cultivation of space elements, which was rare and highly coveted by cultivators. But no one in the sky-soaring sect was able to cultivate this technique, the reason being this Celestial Ascension Technique required space element energy called celestial energy. This type of energy is said to be present in the universe and can be harnessed by cultivators to enhance their cultivation. The technique teaches the cultivator how to absorb and cultivate celestial energy in order to break through to higher realms. The final stage of this technique is to have a celestial body where all the qi in his body will transform into all-epassing celestial energy. Han Cai used to exchange points to get more details about celestial energy from System. System responded [Celestial energy is the energy of the space element and is considered to be the most all-epassing energy. It is the source of all element energies and is considered to be the foundation for the existence of everything in the world. Cultivating in celestial energy host will have the ability to harness the power of celestial energy to cultivate and enhance your skills, not just those rted to space. This is because celestial energy is the source of all other energies, and as a result, you can use it to practice different element skills as well. It is important to note that celestial energy is not just limited to the space element but is in fact, the foundation for all elements. As a cultivator, understanding and harnessing the power of celestial energy is crucial in order to achieve greater levels of strength and mastery over your skills.] Han Cai did not take long to decide. He chose the "Celestial Ascension Technique." The reason was, If he reached foundation establishment through this technique, through celestial energy he would have an affinity to space elements. Han Cai, a nerd from his past life, had read many books to know that, of all the elements, space and time elements were the coolest, and now he had the opportunity to cultivate and have talent in one. He held the Celestial Ascension Technique manual and started reading it. On the second and third pages of the manual were written details about the method to cultivate this technique. Celestial Ascension Technique was a cultivation technique that focused on cultivating and harnessing the celestial energy within the body to ascend to higher realms of cultivation. It was a technique that was known to be very challenging and demanding but also extremely rewarding. The technique is divided into several levels, each level corresponding to a different realm of cultivation. The initial levels focus on building a strong foundation, while the higher levels focus on breakthroughs to the next realm. The technique is known for its emphasis on bnce and harmony between the body and the spirit. It requires the cultivator to focus on both their physical and mental well-being and to cultivate both in a bnced manner. The technique also ces a great emphasis on the cultivation of celestial qi, which transforms the life force energy within the body. The cultivator must learn to control and manipte their celestial qi in order to ascend to higher realms. The technique also included various meditations, visualization exercises, and breathing techniques to help the cultivator achieve a peaceful and harmonious state of mind. This was something essential for breaking through to higher realms, as the mind and spirit must be in a state of bnce and harmony in order to achieve breakthroughs. As Han Cai continued to study this manual, he noticed that thest pages of the Celestial Ascension Technique were ruined and unreadable. The method to get the celestial body was lost in those pages. But Han Cai did not feel disheartened, as he knew that with his exchange system, he could get the cultivation technique up to the immortal realm. He knew that with the system, he would receive theplete technique. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 55 Sword And QiGong Technique ?After selecting the cultivation manual, Han Cai went to the fourth floor to choose some good skills. He went through almost all the skill manuals on the fourth floor. Matching the floor number, he selected four skill techniques . He was not greedy, but he knew one should diversify their portfolio when making an investment, and only idiots would put all their eggs in one basket. The first skill manual Han Cai chose called " Cold Precision Sword Technique." a highly advanced sword technique that emphasizes speed, precision, and deadly, icy energy. This technique is divided into five levels, each one unlocking new abilities and mastery over the sword. Mostly cultivators who cultivated frigid Qi of ice element practiced this sword technique. Han Cai had to select this skill reluctantly because there was no sword technique for the space element. Han Cai checked with the System, and System showed he could learn it. It was just that skill would be more expensive than general sword techniques. This sword matched the cold old aloof persona that he was nning to project on this world. Level 1: The practitioner learns to wield their sword with lightning-fast precision, striking their opponents with deadly uracy. They also learn to imbue their sword strikes with cold energy that can freeze their opponents, slowing them down and making them more vulnerable to attacks. Level 2: The practitioner''s swordy bes even faster and more precise as they learn to move with the fluidity and grace of a winter breeze. Their cold energy also bes more powerful, allowing them to freeze entire areas and create deadly ice sculptures. Level 3: The practitioner''s swordy reaches new heights as they learn to harness the power of the elements to strike their opponents with devastating force. They can summon gusts of freezing wind, create blizzards, and even summon ice storms to engulf their opponents. Level 4: The practitioner''s swordy bes almost supernatural as they learn to manipte freezing Qi close to absolute zero with their sword. They can move at incredible speeds, appearing and disappearing in the blink of an eye, and can even create powerful illusions to confuse and mislead their opponents. Level 5: The practitioner reaches the pinnacle of the Cold Precision Sword Technique, bing a true master of the sword. Their swordy bes so fast and precise that it appears as though they are wielding multiple swords at once, and their cold energy bes so powerful that it can freeze entire armies in their tracks by releasing the power of absolutes. They be a force to be reckoned with, feared by all who stand in their way. It was mentioned that only one cultivator in the sect''s history was able to cultivate this technique to level two. The second skill manual he chose was the Flying and QiGong technique, named the "Cloud Soaring Technique." Just like Crane''s sword and sky soaring, this was one of the core techniques of the Sky soaring sect. This technique allowed the user to harness their qi to levitate and fly, providing them with greater mobility and agility in battle. It also allowed the user to move at incredible speeds, making it difficult for opponents to keep up. The technique also includes methods to increase the user''s endurance and stamina, allowing them to fly for extended periods of time. This technique was divided into four levels. Level 1: At the first level, the cultivator learns how to harness their qi to levitate and fly a few feet off the ground. They are able to fly at slow speeds and maneuver around obstacles with ease. This level is considered the basic foundation of the technique and was a prerequisite for learning the higher levels. Level 2: The second level allowed the cultivator to fly at faster speeds and greater heights. They are able to fly for longer periods of time and cover greater distances. This level is considered the intermediate stage of the technique and was a prerequisite for learning the third level. Level 3: The third level was where the cultivator learns how to control the airflow around them to increase their speed and maneuverability. They are able to fly at extremely fast speeds and make sharp turns and maneuvers. This level is considered the advanced stage of the technique and is a prerequisite for learning the fourth level. Level 4: The fourth level was the master level of the Cloud Soaring Technique. At this level, the cultivator hasplete mastery over their qi and can fly at incredible speeds and heights. They are able to fly through the clouds and even reach the upper atmosphere. This level is only achieved by the most talented and dedicated cultivators and is considered the pinnacle of the technique. Overall, the Cloud Soaring Technique was a powerful and versatile flying qigong technique that allowed the cultivator to fly with great speed and maneuverability. Once mastered to level two, Han Cai should be able to fly in the sky just like his master. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 56 Concealment And Escape Technique ?The third skill manual he chose is the Concealment technique, which he named the "Invisibility Technique." This technique allowed the user to blend into their surroundings, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye. The technique also included methods to mask the user''s aura, making it even harder for opponents to sense their presence. This technique is divided into five levels, each with its own unique abilities and benefits. Level 1: At the first level, the cultivator is able to conceal their presence and hide their aura, making them difficult to detect by those with weaker cultivations. This level can also be used to hide in shadows and blend into the background. Level 2: At the second level, the cultivator is able to conceal their physical form, making them invisible to the naked eye. This level is useful for sneaking past guards or avoiding detection in enemy territory. Level 3: At the third level, the cultivator is able to conceal their voice and footsteps, making it difficult for others to track them. This level is useful for infiltration and reconnaissance missions. Level 4: At the fourth level, the cultivator is able to conceal their scent, making them difficult to track by beasts or cultivators with heightened senses. This level is useful for hunting or avoiding detection in the wild. Level 5: At the fifth level, the cultivator is able to conceal their entire being, including their presence, physical form, voice, footsteps, and scent. This level is useful for assassination or infiltrating heavily guarded areas. With this level, cultivators can even conceal their cultivation base. Reading the description of the fifth level invisible technique, Han Cai had an evil smile on his face. The fourth manual Han Cai chose was something to save his life. It was called the element escape technique. It was a highly advanced and versatile skill manual that allowed cultivators to escape through different elements such as earth, water, fire, and air. The skill manual is divided into different levels, each unlocking new abilities and capabilities. At level one, practitioners of the Element Escape Technique can use it to escape through the earth. This means they can move underground and even hide in the earth. This ability is particrly useful for evading pursuit or hiding during battle. ? At level two, practitioners can escape through the water. They can swim through rivers,kes, and even oceans and can even control the water to conceal their movements. This level also enables the user to control water to a certain extent. At level three, practitioners can escape through the fire, and they can move through mes, and even manipte fire to conceal their movements or create a diversion. At level four, practitioners can escape through the air. They can fly and control the wind, making it difficult for enemies to detect or track them. Overall, the Element Escape Technique was a powerful and versatile skill manual that could greatly enhance his ability to evade pursuit, escape danger, and conceal his movements. It''s a perfect skill for Han Cai as it would increase his chances of survival and sess. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 57 Weapons List ?As Han Cai entered the third floor of the core library, he started going through the list of the vast collection of weapons that the Sky Soaring Sect had umted over the centuries. The weapons were listed in arge tome, and the manuals for their use were kept in separate volumes next to them. Han Cai approached the tome and began scanning through the list. The weapons listed were a mix of refined weapons and spirit weapons, with the majority being thetter. Refined weapons were weapons that were made from special metals and were usually imbued with a small amount of spiritual energy to enhance their strength. Spirit weapons, on the other hand, were weapons that contained the spirit of a beast or a cultivator. These weapons were much stronger than refined weapons and had their own unique abilities. There were only three earth-rank weapons in the sect''s treasury, which were considered great value. The first of these weapons that piqued Han Cai''s interest was a silver flute. ording to the manual, this flute was the weapon of Fairy Chang, one of the founders of the sect who hade with Immortal Master Lu. The flute was said to be incredibly powerful and had its own spirit. To be allowed to use the flute, one had to either be epted by the flute spirit or one had to forcibly make the flute submit. However, to make the flute submit, one had to have a cultivation level of immortal, just like Fairy Chang. The manual also mentioned that the silver flute had the ability to control wind and sound and was a formidable weapon in the hands of its wielder. The only disadvantage of the flute was that it required a great deal of spiritual energy to use effectively. The other two earth-rank weapons in the Sky Soaring sect are a set of twin daggers and a ck-iron battle-axe. The twin daggers, known as the Shadow Dance des, are said to be incredibly nimble and precise. They were created by a master cksmith who infused them with his understanding of the principles of shadows and speed. When wielded together, the daggers can create illusions and allow their user to move with incredible speed and grace. The ck-iron battle-axe, called the Thunderous Strike, is a heavy weapon that is capable of causing massive damage. It was crafted from ck iron that was said to have been struck by lightning, imbuing it with the power of thunder. The battle-axe is most effective when used to unleash devastating blows and can create shockwaves that can knock enemies off their feet. Both of these weapons have been passed down through the generations and are considered highly prized possessions by the members of the Sky Soaring sect. They are not easily obtainable, and it is rumored that one must be at least of nascent soul cultivation level and have proven themselves worthy before they are allowed to wield these weapons. Overall, Han Cai was impressed by the weapons listed in the treasury and the manuals for their use. He spent the rest of the day going through the list and studying the manuals, soaking in as much information as he could. He had already determined the right weapon for him, and now he was nning how to get his hands on it. After going through all the listed weapons, Han Cai decided to leave the library. Han Cai was satisfied with his recent choices regarding his skills and cultivation techniques. He had spent five long days in the library researching and finally settled on the perfectbination. As he stepped outside the library, he was greeted by the same elder who had been there when he first arrived. Han Cai respectfully bowed to the elder, who noticed the Celestial Ascension Technique manual in his hand. The elder seemed to consider saying something but ultimately decided against it, instead shaking his head in disapproval. Han Cai caught the elder''s expression and understood his concern. The Celestial Ascension Technique was known to be extremely difficult to cultivate, requiring celestial energy that no one had yet been able to harness. Despite this, Han Cai chose to proceed with the technique, as it was customary to inform the sect of any manuals taken from the library. He registered the manual and headed back to his cave abode. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 58 Learning Celestial Ascension Technique ?Han Cai looked at his status panel. [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 12] [Life Span: 90 Years] ?Strength: 25 ?Perception: 35 ?Agility: 22 ?Speed: 22 ?Constitution: 25 ?Intelligence: 10 ?Charm: 10 ?Cultivation: Qi Condensation level 2 (Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 4) [Exchange Points: 1052 (20/day)] [Extract Exchange Points : 8200(source EARTH,WIND)] [Storage Space: Spirit Stone (1253) Gold Coins (100)... ] [System Update: ? (Collect 100000 points to unlock)] [Scan] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] Han cai had around 1250 spirit stones. That Converted to a whopping 1.2 million exchange points. But He had too many skills to level up now. First, he separated 250 spirit stones. He wanted to convert 150 gold coins and return them to his father. The remaining 100 he kept separate in case he needed any for emergencies. For the remaining 1000 spirit stones, he decided to convert them into exchange points. He had a whopping 1 million exchange points now. He thought he could even update the system too. But when he started learning the skills, he realized how delusional he was. He assumed these techniques would cost just as much as outer sect techniques, maybe double, but he couldn''t be more wrong. First, he decided to learn the Celestial Ascension Technique. When he asked system, he found out that for this cultivation technique, he had to start learning it from level 1 as it required celestial energy, not spirit Qi. No wonder not many people were able to cultivate it. Most core disciples who entered the core library would be at the foundation establishment, which meant it would be very difficult for them to recultivate it from Qi condensation level one. Han Cai initiated an equal exchange with the system. The cost required to reach level 1 Qi condensation in the celestial Ascension technique was massive. One hundred thousand exchange points. It was more than twenty times the cost of the Sky Soaring Cultivation technique cost at level 1. Han Cai did not feel bad; this showed how unique this technique was. When he initiated the exchange, knowledge of the technique flooded his mind, which also included various meditations, visualization exercises, and breathing techniques. A new energy besides Spirit Qi started flowing into his Dantian and started moving through his body. It felt like this energy was being embedded in his body on a molecr level; he felt like ants were crawling in every pore in his body. The process continued for an Incense Stick of Time. After it was over, Han Cai decided not to stop; he kept leveling up his cultivation until he reached level 3. As he was already level 2, he wanted to see some growth in his cultivation. He looked at his status panel. [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 12] [Life Span: 200 Years] ?Strength: 35 ?Perception: 50 ?Agility: 40 ?Speed: 40 ?Constitution: 50 ?Intelligence: 10 ?Charm: 10 ?Cultivation: Qi Condensation level 3 (Celestial Ascension Technique, Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 4) [Exchange Points: 1052 (40/day)] [Extract Exchange Points : 300,000(source EARTH,WIND,Space)] [Storage Space: Spirit Stone (253) Gold Coins (100).... ] [System Update: (Update System?)] [Scan] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] Looking at the panel, he was very satisfied with this technique. His life span increased by 100+ years. His stats saw massive growth, especially agility, speed, and constitution; he guessed the celestial energy''s space element was the cause. The number of exchange points he was earning doubled, and there was a new element of space in the source to extract exchange points. Han Cai had to spend around 700,000 exchange points to reach level 3 of qi condensation in the Celestial Ascension Technique. He was sure it would cost more than a million for him to reach level 4. So he stopped improving cultivation and decided to update his skills. The first skill Han Cai began with was the Cold Precision Sword Technique. As the sword was going to be his main attacking method, he kept this technique as a priority one. He asked the system to initiate learning the sword technique. The system informed him the sword technique level one would cost around 80,000 exchange points. It was less than the celestial cultivation technique, but there was a massive disparity between this skill''s cost and the crane sword skill. [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [Intitatingˇ­] [5000 points deducted to Collect Frigid Yin Qi] [5000 points deducted to Collect Frigid Yin Qi] [5000 points deducted to Collect Frigid Yin Qi] [5000 points deducted to Collect Frigid Yin Qi] [5000 points deducted to Collect Frigid Yin Qi] [55000 points deducted to learn Cold Precision Sword Technique] [ Law of the Equal Exchange Seeded] Chapter 59 New Skills ?Cold energy passed through Han Cai''s pores and entered his dantian. His Dantian expanded. Han Cai realized that to learn thi skill, one needed frigid Yin Qi. Even though he lived in a cold region, this was still expensive. How much would it cost if he tried to cultivate it in some hot desert area? He saw in his panel there was one more new source for extracting exchange points; it was frigid yin qi. Han Cai got up from the ground, picked up his ck sword, and sliced it. Cold sword qi flew out through the sword and attacked the nearby pir in the training room. There was a deep cut in the pir, and you could see ice forming around the pir. Han Cai felt very satisfied this skill was worth 80,000 exchange points. After learning the sword technique, Han Cai sat down again and started learning other skills. Flying the QiGong technique cost him 25,000 exchange points. Han Cai stood up and gathered Qi around him, and He started levitating from the ground. Finally, he could fly not very far, but he will never have to worry about the fear of heights. He could even jump down from the highest mountain and not die. This skill was the cheapestpared to other techniques he had learned so far. After learning this, Han Cai spent 45,000 points to learn the concealment technique. Then he spent 90,000 more points on this technique, and as it said in the manual, he was able to turn it invisible to the naked eye. But the cultivators stronger than him would still be able to sense him. After learning his core fighting techniques, it was time for Han Cai to learn escape technique. This technique could save his life at the right moment. He nned to level this technique to 2 too, but when he asked the system to learn this technique for level 1, this technique''s cost was 50,000 exchange points; this technique was not the most expensive technique but a very unique skill for him. Once he learned this technique, Han Cai, sitting on the ground in his abode''s training ground, disappeared and reappeared in another corner of the training ground after five minutes. He looked at the ground where he used earth escape. The ground still looked the same, with no changes. There was no sign that he had escaped through that ground. It was not just a simple skill but a magic technique. This was amazing. He looked at his status panel. [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 12] [Life Span: 200 Years] ?Strength: 40 ?Perception: 50 ?Agility: 60 ?Speed: 60 ?Constitution: 70 ?Intelligence: 10 ?Charm: 10 ?Cultivation: Qi Condensation level 3 (Celestial Ascension Technique, Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 4) ?Skills: Cold Precision Sword Technique (Level 1) ?Skills: Qigong Cloud Soaring Technique (Level 1) ?Skills: Invisibility Technique (Level 2) ?Skills: element escape technique (Level 1) [Exchange Points: 1052 (40/day)] [Extract Exchange Points: 10,000 (source EARTH, WIND, SPACE, FRIGID)] [Storage Space: Spirit Stone (253) Gold Coins (100)... ] [System Update:? (Collect 100000 points to unlock)] [Scan] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] With Frigid Qi in his body, his constitution and stats increased again. There was a new source for exchange points, frigid energy. Han Cai understood that as long as he could use any energy, it would be a source of exchange points too. His nerd brain calcted for a while through the earth, he would be able to extract 20 points. Through wind, space, and frigid, he would be able to extract 72 exchange points daily. 40 points was given to him directly by system as it mooches energy of him, so the total points he will be able to earn on a daily basis would be around 132 exchange points. But they were peanuts. The massive amount of one million exchange points disappeared like smoke. Han Cai sighed; Cultivation really was a massive ck hole of resources. He had only ten thousand exchange points left from the million. Han Cai looked at 100 spirit stones he kept separate in case he needed any for any emergencies. Han Cai did not want to use them, but he wanted to update the system. Who knew what special feature system might unlock this time? Han Cai convinced himself money left in the bank was useless and would be better if he invested in something so that money could contribute to his growth. Han Cai converted those spirit stones into exchange points and began to upgrade the system. ************************************************** Author''s Note: I have added an auxiliary chapter exining cultivation levels and weapon levels. I am trying my best to bring new chapters as soon as possible while doing a full-time corporate job. If possible, please show support by adding the book to your library, giving stones, and adding reviews andments. I will be releasing two extra chapters today, thanking loyal readers for your support. Chapter 60 New System Feature ?[Initiating System Updateˇ­] [Initiating System Updateˇ­] [Initiating System Updateˇ­] [Initiating System Updateˇ­] [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 12] [Life Span: 200 Years] ?Strength: 40 ?Perception: 50 ?Agility: 60 ?Speed: 60 ?Constitution: 70 ?Intelligence: 10 ?Charm: 10 ?Cultivation: Qi Condensation level 3 (Celestial Ascension Technique, Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 4) ?Skills: Cold Precision Sword Technique (Level 1) ?Skills: Qigong Cloud Soaring Technique (Level 1) ?Skills: Invisibility Technique (Level 2) ?Skills: element escape technique (Level 1) [Exchange Points: 1052 (40/day)] [Extract Exchange Points: 10,000 (source EARTH, WIND, SPACE, FRIGID), WATER] [Storage Space: Spirit Stone (153) Gold Coins (100)... ] [System Update:? (Collect 1000000 points to unlock)] [Scan] [Upgrade] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] After the system updated the new source of exchange points, water was added to extract exchange points. Besides that system had one new feature, which was an upgrade feature. This upgrade feature could unlock the hidden potential of weapons and techniques, making them even more powerful. However, upgrading came with a cost, as it required arge number of exchange points and also increased the difficulty of cultivating the upgraded techniques. Additionally, the sess rate of upgrading was not guaranteed, and there was a risk of failure, which could result in the loss of exchange points and the weapon or technique being damaged. Han Cai had to be careful in deciding what to upgrade, as he had to weigh the benefits against the risks and costs involved. The upgrade feature also allowed Han Cai tobine different techniques and weapons to create unique and powerfulbinations, increasing his overall strength. With the upgrade feature, Han Cai could also reverse the upgrades made to his techniques and weapons, allowing him to experiment and make changes as needed. Overall, this feature was a powerful tool for Han Cai to improve his abilities and be stronger, but it also required careful consideration and nning to make the most of it. Han Cai gave this new feature a try. [Object: Sword] [Type: Refined Weapon] ?Attack: 90 ?Defence: 50 ?Sharpness: 95 Special Characteristic: Allows channeling spirit Qi through the weapon. Han Cai had to tap into his savings again as this feature was too tempting. He used ten spirit stones. With 10,000 exchange points, he turned his normal white basic sword into a refined weapon. He had to imprint it with his Spirit Qi to use it. If he was a foundation establishment cultivator, He could move the sword using just spirit Qi and make the sword attack in the distance just bymanding it with Qi without even moving his body or hands. After updating skills and systems, Han Cai felt the need to rx and unwind again. He made use of the private hot spring pool and sauna, settling for the whole day. The next day in the morning, an Inner core disciple visited Han Cai and informed him that the sect master asked him to visit the inner sect hall. Han Cai left his cave abode; as usual, he took in the beauty of the Inner Sect during his walk. Being an indoor person walking outside without feeling tired was a new experience forzy Han Cai. Not feeling out of breath, looking at the clear sky where the sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the mountaintops, was a feeling that really pleased him. Han Cai walked along the cobblestone paths, passing by other Inner Sect disciples who were also on their way to various ces. He passed by several cultivation fields, where disciples were practicing their techniques, and some were even sparring with each other. Chapter 61 Senior Sister Xiaoyun ?As Han Cai approached the Inner Sect hall, he could see the elegant structure looming ahead. The hall was a massive building made of white marble, with intricate carvings adorning its walls. Han Cai walked up the steps and entered the hall, where he was greeted by the sight of the Sect master sitting on a throne in the center of the hall, deep in thought. Near him was a young girl standing dressed in purple, talking excitedly. Han Cai immediately guessed this was his senior sister. She was quite beautiful and looked cold. A perfect example of Jade beauty. Han Cai mused ''Is this love at first sight? If we get married whole sect will celebrate''. Han Cai realized he was being a simp, he immediately shook away the demonic thoughts from his mind. Besides Han Cai, there were five other core disciples in the Sect. Each of them had their own unique traits. The senior sister in front of him was Xiaoyun, the number one core disciple who was a master of the sword. Han Cai walked up to the Sect master and greeted him with a bow. The Sect master looked up and acknowledged Han Cai''s presence. The sect master introduced Han Cai to his senior sister. Sect Master " Han Cai, I would like to introduce you to your senior sister, Xiaoyun." Han Cai (bows) "Greetings, Senior Sister Xiaoyun." Xiaoyun (nods her head) "Greeting, Junior brother." Sect Master, with some pride on his face, spoke, " Xiaoyun is one of our Sect''s strongest core disciples. She has defeated many disciples of rival sects in various tournaments, giving our Sect a lot of face." Han Cai pretended to be impressed " Really? That is quite an aplishment. I hope I can grow as strong as senior sister in future." Xiaoyun smiled. "Thank you, junior brother. I have been training hard for many years." Sect Master spoke again, "As your senior sister, Xiaoyun will be your mentor for your training whenever I am not avable here in the Sect. She can also guide you and help you improve in your cultivation journey." Han Cai pretending to be excited. "Thank you, Master. I am grateful for this opportunity. I will do my best to learn and improve under Your and Senior Sister Xiaoyun''s guidance." Xiaoyun nodded, " I will do my best to help you." Han Cai scanned his senior sister. It did not cost much as the senior sister was just at the foundation establishment realm. [Name: Xiaoyun Si] [Age: 18] [Life Span: 200 Years] ?Strength: 90 ?Perception: 40 ?Agility: 100 ?Speed: 110 ?Constitution: 80 ?Intelligence: 3 ?Charm: 8 ?Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Level 1 (North Spirit Technique) ?Skills: Star sword technique (Level 3), Cloud Soaring Qingon (Level 2), Concealment technique (Level 2), Break Step Movement technique (Level 1) ˇ­. Other Details: Core Disciple inner sect. A deep grudge against the host. Han Cai was taken aback; here he was, nning their wedding. And She has a deep resentment against him. Deep grudge was on red, so it was going to end with one of their deaths. Whenever Han Cai scanned people, it would be favorable green or unfavorable yellow. It was first time someone went red on him. Han Cai thought in his mind, "F*ck you too, b*tch." Han Cai felt that he should keep away as far as possible from her. Suddenly Sect Master''s gentle voice became stern. "Han Cai, I have heard that you have chosen to cultivate the Celestial Ascension Technique." Han Cai nodded. "Yes, Master." Sect Master spoke, " I must say, that is a difficult technique to cultivate. I have seen many disciples try it but fail, and many lost their cultivation heart. Have you considered choosing another method?" Han Cai spoke, " Master, I have to report something to you in private." Sect Master looked at him in doubt and then looked at Xiaoyun, shaking his head " Han Cai, Xiaoyun is your senior sister. You two are like family, and whatever you want to speak. You may speak freely." Han Cai insisted, "Master, I have a very personal request I wanted to discuss with you in private." Sect Master still tried to convince Han Cai, " You can trust Xioyun as much as you trust me, Han Cai; go ahead! Tell us what request you have" Han Cai sighed. He looked at the sect master with a straight face " I have some pain in my groin area with spotted red marks. I don''t think senior sister would like to hear about that master." Sect master almost had a coughing fit. His face turned red. He thought Han Cai would have some requests about cultivation or training. He thought it was good opportunity to guide and teach both disciples together making them form a bond of senior and junior. ************************************************** Author''s Note: From tomorrow there will be only one chapter update daily basis the number of words per chapter will increase. I am really thankful to everyone for supporting me and keeping me motivated. Your positivements keep me motivated. I want to thank everyone who is supporting my book here. Please continue your support by adding the book to your library, giving stones, and adding reviews andments. Chapter 62 Two Requests ?Finally sect master asked Xiaoyun to leave. Han Cai''s question had caught them off guard. The kind-hearted Master did not hold it against Han Cai speaking such awful words shamelessly in front of him and Xiaoyun. In the eyes of the Sect master Han Cai was just twelve, just growing up and learning about his body. The sect master thought it was his negligence. Han Cai was just 12, and he considered Han Cai too mature, forgetting that Han Cai was just a recluse child whose father left him in the sect very young age. A twelve years old boy with the spirit Qi nourishing the body, it was given that the child will have some ufortable feelings with the changes in the body. As Han Cai''s Master, it was his duty to make his disciple understand how Yin and Yang worked in harmony. Sect master coughed again to get over the awkward silence. He spoke, " Han Cai, as we grow, we can have some natural changes to the body. The Qi nourishes your body and helps you grow. If the pain makes you ufortable, you can go to the medicine hall and ask elder in medicine hall to take a look." Han Cai " Thank you for your guidance, Master. Also, I wanted to inform the Master that you have nothing to worry about regarding the Celestial Ascension Technique. I have been diligent in my cultivation and have made good progress with this technique. It suits me very well." Sect Master sighed and thanked Han Cai for changing the ufortable topic, but his voice became stern again " It is not that I doubt your talent, Han Cai. The Celestial Ascension Technique is one of the most difficult techniques to cultivate. For normal cultivation techniques, you just need to bring Spirit Qi to your dantian, but in this technique, you also need different energy, not just spirit qi. I suggest you choose another method." Han Cai shook his head. He understood the sect master''s concern. So instead of saying anything, He moved the celestial energy in his dantian around his body. Sect master noticed this energy. If watching Han Cai using the sword crane technique level 4 was an electric shock to the sect master, then this time whole tribtion thunder came down raining on the sect master. When Han Cai shocked everyone in the outer sect tournament, the sect master considered Han Cai a sword genius. But at this moment, the sect master realized Han Cai was not just a sword genius. But a cultivation genius. Sect master''s throat felt dry. As a nascent soul cultivator, he could feel that strong energying from Han Cai''s body. This energy could swallow the sect master''s nascent soul energy. This was celestial energy, pure space energy. Space is all-epassing. His disciple is cultivating one of the greatest Dao of the universe. Seeing the sect master''s shocked face, Han Cai savored the moment. He realized he had this weird obsession where he wanted to see the shocked faces of people admiring him in amazement. He also savored the moment when he shamelessly talked about his groin, giving sect master shock therapy. But at the time, there was no amazement on the sect master''s face, whereas this time, it was shock multiplied by amazement. After having fun watching the sect master''s shock, this time, it was Han Cai who coughed, and as he was not done shocking his Master. He spoke, "Master, I understand your concern. But I assure you that I have already cultivated this technique to level 3, and it suits me very well." Blood drained from the sect master''s face. Level 3? Wasn''t Han Cai level two a week ago? His talented disciple was actually a monster-level talent. Will his tiny sect be enough to feed this dragon? Seeing the intended effect reached, Han Can knew the time was right. He had to strike while the iron was hot. He bowed respectfully and spoke, "Master, this disciple had two requests." Han Cai''s words brought sect master out of his stupor. He felt he did not even have the stamina to cough. This was too much to take, even for a nascent soul cultivator like him. The Sect Master nodded his head and signaled Han Cai to speak. Han Cai spoke, "Master, my first request is also my deepest concern. My family, especially my father, spent all his life savings trying to get me into the sect. The spirit stone I earned in the tournament I wanted to convert some of them into gold coins and send them back to my father. Also, I read about howpetitive the sects are now I am the core disciple of the sect. Could my family be in danger? What if anyone in the sect that has a deep grudge against me decides to harm my family? " Thunderstruck Sect Master finally felt coloring back to his face he smiled and had a pleased expression. Not forgetting one''s filial piety is one of the most important values, which shows his disciple''s great character. Han Cai as a core disciple could ask anything. If He wanted spirit stones, skills, or weapons. Instead, his first request was about his mortal family. This meant the dragon he was raising would be loyal to the sect in the future. When he starts flying, he will not just give up the sect when he bes too strong for the sect. Sect Master spoke, "Han Cai. You do not have to worry about that. You are a core disciple of the sect. Also, my personal disciple, your family, is now our responsibility. Sect We will take care of them." Understanding the meaning of the sect master''s words. Han Cai understood sect would also take care of his father''s financial problems. This meant he could keep the 143 spirit stones in his savings ount and use it in the future. Han Cai gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Sect Master. I am grateful for the sect''s generosity." Sect Master spoke, " What''s your second request?" Han Cai "Master, while I was in the core library, I read about earth weapons. I have never seen any earth weapon before, and I wanted to see what fairy chang''s earth weapon looked like?" Sect master nodded in understanding. Every time disciples went to the core library and read about earth weapons, it was natural they would be curious as these weapons were the strongest weapons of the sect. The sect master spoke, " The earth weapons are the most precious weapons of the sect, and they are not easily taken out. That being said, I will try to convince the treasury elder to let you have a look. I am sure elder will give me some face." Han Cai thanked the sect master again. After that, Han Cai left the inner hall and went back to his cave abode to cultivate. Chapter 63 Xiaoyuns Anger ?After Han Cai left, the sect Master took out a ck-colored medallion, inserted his spirit Qi into it, and spoke, "Convene the core elder''s meeting. The situation is urgent." After leaving the sect hall, Xiaoyun went back to her cave abode. She couldn''t believe it, and she had apetition now. She had always been the sect master''s favorite disciple, the one he doted on andvished attention on. She had worked hard to earn that position, and now it seemed the sect master doted on Han Cai more. Even though the sect master showed a proud, content face and spoke many good things about her while introducing her to Han Cai, she quickly noticed how careful the sect master was with Han Cai. The sect master always treated her like his most precious disciple, but when the sect master spoke to Han Cai, it was not a master speaking to his disciple but more like a father speaking to his son. Her master had a new favorite, a new core disciple named Han Cai. Xiaoyun belonged to a rich and strong n in Yin country. Although the n was not as strong as the cultivation families, they recognized Xiaoyun''s talent and went to great lengths to get her admitted into the Sky Soaring Sect. The goal of the family was to elevate their status and be one of the top cultivation families in Yin country through the Sky Soaring Sect. The family elders saw Xiaoyun''s position as a disciple of the Sect Master as a great opportunity to achieve this goal. They had high hopes for Xiaoyun to be the Sect Master of the Sky Soaring Sect and help the family reach their aspirations. With a lot of responsibility resting on her shoulders, Xiaoyun was determined to live up to the expectations of her family. Everything was going as expected. Xiaoyun never had, even a small setback in her life. But the anomaly named Han Cai happened out of nowhere. Xiaoyun was filled with a mix of emotions, anger, jealousy, and betrayal. She considered herself the princess of the sect, and everyone was below her. Her ego could not take it. She couldn''t understand why her master would do this to her. She had always been loyal to him, followed his teachings, and always been the sect''s top disciple. She had always thought that her master loved her like his own daughter, but seeing Han Cai''s treatment, she realized the master always treated her as his disciple. She had never seen master use a stern voice with anyone. For the first time, she saw the master trying to use a stern voice for that kid like a father was trying to discipline his son. When Han Cai used such shameless words in front of the sect master, instead of chiding Han Cai, the sect master sent her away just because that kid asked him to. Xiaoyun couldn''t help but feel that Han Cai was taking away everything she had worked so hard for. She couldn''t stand the thought of him receiving special treatment from her master or being given resources that should have been hers. She couldn''t stand the thought of her master praising him and not her. She tried to calm herself down, but she couldn''t shake off the feeling of anger. She knew that she could not confront her master about this and find out the truth. Even if she did, she was afraid of his answer. She didn''t want to hear that she was not good enough as the new kid. After She calmed herself, Xiaoyun started thinking. It was all because of this new kid. If she could get rid of him, things would go back to how they were. While she was thinking about how to get rid of Han Cai, an inner sect disciple entered her cave abode. She was called Mei. She was a follower of Xiaoyun. "Mei," Xiaoyun said with a gloomy face, "I need you to find out everything you can about our new core disciple, Han Cai. I need to know his weaknesses, his strengths, and anything else that could be used against him." Mei, who was loyal to Xiaoyun and wanted to please her, nodded obediently. "Of course, Xiaoyun. I''ll do my best to find out everything I can about him." Xiaoyun nodded approvingly. "Good. And once you have that information, I need you to use it to seduce him. I want him to bepletely under your control." Mei''s eyes widened in surprise. "Seduce him? Are you sure that''s necessary? Isn''t he just a kid?" Xiaoyun''s expression hardened. "Yes, I''m sure. He may be talented, but he''s still a country bumpkin and boy who doesn''t know the ways of the inner sect. I need to make sure that he doesn''t get too powerful and threaten my position as Sect Master''s favorite disciple." Mei nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. She knew that Xiaoyun was fierce and ambitious, and she didn''t want to get on her bad side. "I''ll do as you say, Xiaoyun. I''ll gather information on Han Cai and use it to seduce him." With Mei on the task, Xiaoyun was confident that she would be able to bring Han Cai down and secure her position as the favorite of the Sect Master. She knew that the inner sect was a cutthroat world, and she was determined toe out on top. ************************************************** Author''s Note: I have added an auxiliary chapter exining cultivation levels and weapon levels. If possible, please show support by adding the book to your library, giving stones, and adding reviews andments. I will be releasing extra chapter if we get 400 power stones. Chapter 64 Elder Dongmei ?In the evening Inner sect hall, the sect master was sitting on the throne. Around him were seated nine elders. The two elders who visited the outer sect tournament with the sect master were also in this group. These nine elders were the real strength of the Sky Soaring Sect. They made all the decisions of the sect. They were also known as core elders. Six elders present were responsible for the inner sect Discipline hall, Pill hall, Treasure Hall, Weapons hall, Beast Hall, and martial Hall. The two elders who visited the outer sect tournament of the sect were the sect protectors. Thest elder was the most senior in this group. He was known as elder Dongmei, and he was the most respected and senior elder of the sect. He sat closest to the sect master, almost at an equal position, a dark hood covering his head, leaving only his mouth and chin visible. He had a stern expression on his face, and his eyes were sharp and alert. Elder Dongmei looked at the sect master and spoke, "Zhu Xin, what''s so important that you had to call the core elders meeting?" Sect master spoke, "As you all know, I recently epted a new personal disciple named Han Cai. I epted him because I found him very talented in sword technique. He was able to learn crane sword style to level 4 in two years while cultivating Qi condensation to level 2 simultaneously, and he is just 12 years old. Also, when I saw him supporting his friend in the outer sect arena even though he did not need to, I really admired his character." Elder Dongmei nodded. "That''s a very good seed." Sect master continued, "A few days ago, when I brought him to the inner sect, I told him he could go to the inner core library and select a better cultivation method and skills of his liking. Elder Guang informed me that Han Cai selected Celestial Ascension Technique for cultivation and four other skill techniques." All the elders shook their heads in disapproval. They knew this cultivation technique, and all of them were talented disciples of the sky-soaring sect in the past. They had tried this technique in greediness at one point or another but failed miserably. Some even lost their cultivation heart because of failure, and it took them years to recover their temperaments. Sect master continued, "I was displeased with his choice as you know that technique is impossible to cultivate. I thought he would make smart choices. Selecting four skills at once will also hamper his cultivation. I called him to the inner hall and guide him to change his mind regarding the cultivation technique." After that Sect master sighed Eldest Dongmei spoke, "Zhu Xin, I have known you since you were a kid. He is just 12 years old. You need to have patience in guiding him. You have to wait for him to fail a few times before he might mature." This is what almost every ambitious disciple goes through. They needed some setbacks to understand their limitations. Whenever a talented disciple joins the sect, they think they will cover the sky with one hand. After facing some setbacks, they realize there is a limit to their talent, and the sky is vaster than they could imagine. Elder Dongmei understood this, so he did not find anything out of the norm. Sect master shook his head and spoke, "This is what I thought too. So I told him to change his cultivation method. But it turned out I was the one wrong here. It appears that this technique is verypatible with him. Han Cai has cultivated the Celestial Ascension Technique. He was able to manipte celestial qi in his dantian. If that was not surprising enough, He has cultivated it to level 3 Qi condensation. A week ago he was level 2 qi condensation which means this technique is verypatible with him." Hearing this, all the elders felt a shiver down their spine. Elder Dongmei had goosebumps. He stood up from his chair. There was an expression of disbelief on his face. You could see he was trying to cope with what he heard. It took Elder Dongmei some time to calm down and sit back in his chair. Sect master continued, "I even considered if he was some Immortal reborn. But if he was reborn immortal, therger sects in the central continent would have taken him away long ago. They can easily divine the birth of immortals." Elder Dongmei nodded. Everyone sat there in deep thought for a while Finally, Elder Dongmei spoke, "It means his affinity is with the space element." When elder Dongmei said this, all the elders sitting had a look that conveyed this could not be real. Even Elder Dongmei could not believe that he spoke these words. The elder of the treasure hall voiced the doubt of all sitting elders "Doesn''t element affinity awakens only when one reaches foundation establishment?" ************************************************** Author''s Note: I will be releasing an extra chapter today. Thank you for being so supportive. Please continue giving power stones and adding the book to your library. Seeing the growth of the book motivates me to work harder for the readers. Chapter 65 Elder Dongmeis Concerns ?Elder Dongmei nodded. "It is indeed true in general, affinity to elements awakens only after reaching foundation establishment, but people with an affinity to time and space are different; they are one in a million they are celestial talents. So they can not be judged by normalmon sense, and if it is true, this exins why he reached level 3 of Qi condensation through celestial ascension technique in a week." The elder of discipline hall, who had been silent so far, spoke, "If those old bastards of Starfall sects hear that we have a disciple who has an affinity with Space elements, they will do everything in their power to steal him. They might even attack us." Sect master creased his eyebrows. He did not speak anything, and was in deep contemtion. Having such a talented disciple is a blessing to the sect but could bring cmity to the sect too. Elder Dongmei understood their concerns and spoke, "Tell me about the character of this brat. You said you liked his character." Sect master nodded and spoke, "I went to the outer sect arena especially to see his talent this time. He joined the sect two years ago. For the first one and a half years, he did not even leave his quarters. The two things he did were to eat and cultivate. He did not make any friends or enemies. When he was finallycking spiritual stones, he decided to go and take a sect mission. But one of the elders in the outer sect noticed his talent and helped him with his need for spirit stones. I am guessing in return for helping him, that elder must have asked him to take part in the outer sect tournament to improve his faction''s reputation. So Han Cai participated and won the championship. In the tournament, He also helped the disciple of that faction. Today when I asked him if he needed anything for himself, he did not request anything for himself but asked me to help his family. He was worried about his family". Elder Dongmei spoke, "Why is he worried about his family?" Sect master spoke, "His father used his all life savings to bribe elders to get him into the outer sect. He is worried about his family''s condition. When he learned about how our rtionship with other sects was, he was worried if they might harm his family knowing he is a core disciple." Out of nowhere, elder Dongmei stood up again and said, spoke angrily, " THEY DARE! THEY DARE TO TAKE BRIBES FROM DISCIPLE OF MY HALL. THIS OLD MAN HASN''T SHOWN HIS FANGS IN A VERY LONG TIME. IT SEEMS THE WHOLE SECT NEEDS A REMINDER OF THIS OLD MAN''S WRATH" Every elder and even sect master looked at elder Dongmei in surprise. What is this old man talking about? Han Cai was a disciple of the sect master. When did the sect master send Han Cai to be a disciple of elder Dongmei''s hall? Didn''t elder Dongmei have a rule never to ept the core disciples in his hall? Elder Dongmei realized he had spoken his thoughts out loud. He coughed, sat back, and nodded his face in approval "A filial child. Good temperament" All elders rolled their eyes. You are the most senior here and don''t even have control over your words? but they agreed with elder Dongmei''sment about Han Cai being a filial child. After that, the hall became silent again. Fairy Su of Pill Hall broke the silence. "If we guide him right, he might change the power structure of Yin country in the future." Elder Dongmei looked at fairy Su and snickered, " Littel Su, your pill hall already has a core disciple. We don''t need to guide him. This old man is alone enough. Keep your guidance away from my disciple." Sect Master Coughed looked at elder Dongmei and spoke, " Uncle master Han Cai is my disciple. But as a senior, every elder who could help him in the cultivation should assist him. It will be a blessing for my disciple." Elder Dongmei shook his head. "How many cultivators with affinity to space do you know? They are too rare. When he grows, he might change the power structure of the whole continent. I can not risk it. I have waited more than a hundred years for a disciple worth nurturing; instead of sending him to me, you kept him as your disciple?" Fairy Su spoke, " Elder Dongmei, you can not me the sect master like that. He had sent many talented disciples to the dark hall in the past. You epted them all. Sect master had only one disciple so far. It was only right for him to ept a disciple of Han Cai''s caliber as his personal disciple." Elder Dongmei was furious; He spoke loudly, " WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? HOW ARE GOATS COMPARED TO DRAGONS? DO NOT FORGET MY DARK HALL IS THE BACKBONE OF THE SECT. IF ZHU XIN WANTS, I WILL SEND BACK ALL DISCIPLES HE HAS SENT TO ME. HOW CAN YOU COMPARE GOOD FOR NOTHINGS TO A CELESTIAL TALENT" When elder Dongemei yelled, all the elders shivered. Sect Master coughed again and spoke, " Uncle Master fairy Su did not mean to anger you. Uncle master Han Cai is still your grand disciple. I am sure he will be very grateful to receive your guidance." Elder Dongmei sighed and sat back down. He looked at the Elder of the inner discipline hall and asked, "What else do we know about his family?" Elder of the discipline hall spoke, "When the sect master took him in as a disciple, we checked his family. Their background is clean; they are a merchant family in eagle town. They have been in that town for thest hundred years. His father is a well-known merchant in that town. While making a trade to Cloud mountain city, he was able to build a rtionship with the mayor and using the mayor''s connection. He sent his son here. Han Cai is the first cultivator in their family." Elder Dongmei nodded. "He is young, and his family is his weakness. Others might try to use it against him." The sect master and all elders agreed with elder Dongmei. No one spoke up as they did not want this old bastard to loose his cool and make their life difficult. Elder Dongmei continued, "If I do this right, it might be one biggest blessings to our sect since the immortal master Lu founded our sect. But if you mess this up, it can bring cmity to our sect." All core elders rolled their eyes. So If it goes right, that is because of you, but if something goes wrong, it''s our fault? Can you be more shameless? He looked at the sect master and asked, "Zhu Xin, so how do you n to handle this?" ************************************************** Author''s Note: Supplementary Chapter. Thank you for being so supportive. I will rerelease another Supplementary chapter if we collect 300 power stones by tomorrow. Please continue giving power stones and adding the book to your library. Seeing the growth of the book motivates me to work harder for the readers. Chapter 66 Overestimating The Array ?The sect master spoke, "He is my disciple, Me and the sect are already tied to him by Karma. I can not forsake him. We will wait till he reaches the foundation establishment. Then, I will make him Dao child of the sect. I will require all your approval on this." Sect master continued, "About the matters rted to his family, we will give them a town near the sect or move them to any city near the sect. Everyone he met during his stay in the outer sect needs to be vetted for spies. We will need the discipline hall''s help with this. It''s a good thing we figured out his talent in Dao of space early. I don''t think any of them noticed his space affinity. Even I did not know about it until he showed celestial Qi to me. That being said, the implications of this are too severe, so we will have to be careful. Currently, only nine of us know about his affinity; we will keep it that way. We will exempt him from sect chores for now." Fairy Su of Pill Hall said, "He doesn''t have to go out to do chores. He coulde to our pill hall .." Elder Dongmei cut her off in the middle and said, "You mentioned the mayor of cloud mountain city. If I recall correctly, he is a rtive of Hong in my dark hall. I need to punish him for taking bribes from my grand disciple''s family. I will let dark hall take care of matters rted to his family and friends. About the chores for his training and missions, better send him to my dark hall where he earns some battle experience without anyone noticing him. Disciples of my dark hall do not have a face as they do not exist, so even if he kills someone with space talent, no one will be able to trace it back to my grand disciple." Fairy Su spoke, " But is it alright to make him a killer of the dark hall? What if he deviates from the righteous path of cultivation? " Elder Dongmei harrumphed " So what do you want to do? Make him a fairy in pill hall? As for his deviation in the path, this old man will not let that happen. I will personally assign his missions." The moment the elder Dongmei heard about Han Cai''s talent, he had to have this talent in his dark hall. Every disciple he found so far was disappointing. He had lived a long life and seen many disciples pass by, including core disciples. If everything that sect master said was true, this disciple was sent specially for his Dark Hall. He was worried about the legacy of his dark hall. So What if Han Cai was a disciple of the sect master? That did not mean he had to be sect master. He would not let this ideal talent go to any other hall. All other hall elders rolled their eyes. Look at him poaching a talent right in front of their eyes. But no one would speak up against elder Dongmei. He was the most senior here, and He had no restraints. If he lost his cool, they all would suffer. At that time, the elder Dongmei spoke again, "You said he chose four skills. Which four skills did he choose?" The Sect master looked at elder Guang. Elder Guang told them all the skill techniques Han Cai had. When all elders heard his choices, they all thought the same thing this kid was ambitious. Elder Dongmei thought for a while, then spoke, "Bring that kid here. I want to see him." Sect master nodded. Even though he said Han Cai is talented, all the elders will be more sure when they see him one time. The Sect master looked at the Elder of the discipline hall. "Elder Ling, I will have trouble with you bringing Han Cai to the sect hall." Elder Ling of the Inner Sect discipline hall nodded and went out. It waste evening, and Han Cai was sitting in a meditation room. He was not cultivating. He was contemting his life like he was a sage. Han Cai thought his life would be very long, and he should pursue some arts and hobbies. He was thinking about learning to y a musical instrument. There was a perfect instrument waiting for him in the sect. But how does he convince Sect Master to give it to him? The sect will ask for a really big contribution from him to get the flute. Han Cai was okay with contributing as long he could do it sitting in his cave abode without any danger. But it was a pipe dream to get that flute. He might have to kill some elders of the enemy sect just to be considered good enough for that earth weapon that''s just courting unnecessary death. Should he steal it from the sect? Han Cai shook his head. That''s not right. He has a great thing going on here. He shouldn''t ruin it just for his greediness. While Han Cai was lost in his thoughts, he heard somemotion outside. When he walked out, he saw elder Lin of the inner discipline hall in front of his abode. Han Cai thought, why is the Elder of the Inner Discipline hall here? Did I break any rules? I was just thinking about stealing the earth-level weapon. Did the f**king abode array notice my thoughts? And It decided to inform the discipline hall about my n to steal the earth-grade treasure. Doubtful, Han Cai went to Elder Lin and bowed, greeting him. Elder Lin nodded and told Han Cai that the sect master wanted him toe to the inner hall. Han Cai sighed in relief. It was preposterous to think array could know his thoughts about stealing the earth-grade treasure , but how could he be sure this was a weird, mysterious world? He could not make the mistake of underestimating anyone. Han Cai nodded. Before he could say anything else, Elder Lin carried Han Cai in the air with him and flew towards the inner hall. ************************************************** Author''s Note: I will be releasing an extra chapter today. Thank you for being so supportive. Please continue giving power stones and adding the book to your library. Seeing the growth of the book motivates me to work harder for the readers. Chapter 67 Palpatine In Cultivation World ?*Palpatine was Scheming, powerful, and evil to the core Sith lord in star wars; Also known as Darth Sidious, who restored the Sith and destroyed the Jedi Order. *Anakin Skywalker had the potential to be one of the most powerful Jedi ever and was believed by some to be the prophesied Chosen One. Palpatine corrupted him. Later he was known as Darth Vader. * Padm¨¦ Amid was a courageous, hopeful leader, serving as Queen and then Senator of Naboo. Her secret, forbidden marriage to Jedi Anakin Skywalker would prove to have dire consequences for the gxy. ************************************************** When they reached the inner hall, Han Cai saw his master sitting on the same old throne, but there were nine elders around him. He knew almost all of the elders except one old man who was dressed in a ck robe and sitting closest to the sect master, a dark hood covering his head, leaving only his mouth and chin visible. When Han Cai saw the elder, he almost blurted out, "Palpatine* is that you?" Han Cai went forward, bowed, and greeted the sect master. Sect master nodded and spoke, "Han Cai, you already know all the elders here except elder Dongmei. He is my uncle master, the elder of the dark hall, and Also your grand uncle master." Han Cai looked curiously at smiling Palpatine. He almost had a shiver run down his spine. Palpatine, who manages the dark hall? Are you trying to send me to the dark side? I might be a scoundrel, but I will never give up the path of the Jedi, Han Cai vowed. And grand uncle master? Talk about a long-distance rtionship with the Sith lord. Thinking these amusing thoughts, Han Cai turned towards elder Dongmei and bowed. Elder Dongmei spoke, "Dark hall is a secret hall of our sect. Every sect keeps some secret halls." Han Cai understood there must be assassinations and stuff happening in the dark hall. Palpatine, who is a cultivator in this world, manages a dark hall that kills people. This world is going to be royally and properly f***ed. Han Cai let his imagination run wild, but he did not speak up. Elder Dongmei looked at Han Cai, Head to Toe. He found this child pleasing to the eye. He spoke, "I heard you learned Celestial Ascension Technique to level 3. Show it to me." Han Cai nodded and moved the celestial energy around his body. All the elders shivered simultaneously. They all talked about how it could bring cmity and checked the pros and cons of celestial talent in the sect. But in their heart, they all knew their sect was blessed to have such a talent, and that talent was such a young clean te. Noticing celestial Qi. Everyone was pleased, but they all kept serious faces. Elder Dongmei thought for a while and said, "I heard you took four skills from the sect library. Were you able to learn any of those? " Han Cai nodded. "Yes, Qigong technique." Another wave of shock passed through the elders. But they calmed themself down. Han Cai thought these guys must havee here to probe his talent and value. Han Cai decided to tell them about the Qingong skill because it waspatible with the sect''s core cultivation technique. If he can cultivate the Celestial Ascension Cultivation, how could he not manage to learn Qingong? Besides, the moment he entered, he knew Palpatine had a lot of power. He must woo the Sith lord to have an easy life. Elder Dongmei thought for a while and then spoke, "Show me the skill." Han Cai nodded, and then he floated in the air. Elder Dongmei and All elders Jaws almost hit the floor. Not just cultivation, this kid really learned Qingong in 7 days. Elder Dongmei spoke, "You cane down now." Then Cai floated down in the same spot. Elder Dongmei had a wide smile on his face, which looked very ugly to Han Cai. But unlike Han Cai, The more elder looked at Han Cai, the more he found him very pleasing to the eyes. Elder Dongmei nodded. "We heard your concern about your family. Dark hall will take care of that, and In the future, you will be working for dark hall." Anakin*..... cough....Han Cai froze, Palpatine indeed was bringing him to the dark side. What does that make him? Is he the future Darth Vader? Will he really have to give up his upright Jedi path? So I will meet Padm¨¦* too? Han Cai promised himself always to stay away from queens and princesses. But still, Palpatine was going to take care of his family. He had to show gratitude. Han Cai sighed. For the love of his family, he will have to give in to the dark side. Han Cai bowed. "Thank you, granduncle master." Elder Dongmei smiled and spoke again, "You can call me uncle master. Since you are meeting this old man for the first time. I did not bring you any gifts. Is there anything that you need or want?" Han Cai really wanted to see the earth-level weapons, especially the flute. It was a great opportunity. Han Cai felt Palpatine really understood Anakin''s heart, asking the right question at the right time. This must be fate. Han Cai spoke, "Uncle master, while I was in the core library, I read about earth weapons. I have never seen any earth weapon before, and I wanted to see what fairy Chang''s earth-grade weapon looked like" Hearing this innocent request, all the elders smiled. All disciples were curious about an earth-level weapon, and this was a very innocent request of the kid. Despite that, they knew earth weapons could not be taken out that easily. But unlike them, elder Dongmei took his request seriously and gave it some thought. Elder Dongmei looked at the Sect master, then he looked at the elder of the treasury hall and spoke, ". The flute should be in our treasury, right? Let us bring it to the sect hall." Sect master did not know what to say. All the elders were staggered. They cursed in their mind, this old bastard. That flute was an earth-grade treasure of the sect. Han Cai was a naive child who was curious about the weapon, but it was not a toy. It was an earth-grade treasure. If they said no now, Han cai would think that elder Dongmei is a good elder while they are bad elders. The elder or treasury responded, "Uncle Master, It is indeed in treasury, but bringing earth-grade weapons just like that wouldn''t be right." Elder Dongmei snapped, "Is the treasure more precious than my word to my grand disciple? This is the first time, as elders of the sect, we are meeting him. How can we not fulfill such an innocent wish?." The elders cursed again. You are the one meeting him for the first time. We have already met him. Elder DongMei tantly made them viins in front of Han Cai. At the same time, he himself kept the appearance of a kind old grandpa. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Supplementary Chapter. Thank you for being so supportive! I will rerelease another Supplementary chapter if we collect 500 power stones by tomorrow. Chapter 68 The Silver Whisperer ?After some reluctance, the treasure hall elder finally left, and he came back with a long golden box. When he opened the box, there was a silver-colored flute. The flute was an exquisite work of art. It was crafted from a rare silver metal that shimmered in the light, giving off an ethereal glow. The flute''s body was adorned with intricate engravings of mystical beasts and celestial beings, giving it an otherworldly appearance. The mouthpiece was made of jade, which felt cool and smooth. This flute was mesmerizing. For some reason, Han Cai''s perception told him to scan the weapon immediately. Ever since he had read about this damn flute, his perception had been telling him to see it. Now he finally saw it. His perception was forcing him to scan it. There was this vague feeling that If he didn''t scan the flute, He would regret it for a long time. Han Cai hurriedly converted the stones in his savings storage to exchange points and used a scan feature on the flute. Scanning the flute cost him 55000 exchange points. Han Cai had no regrets. If he could not trust his perception, who else would he trust? When the scanning showed results, Han Cai immediately understood why his perception tingled. [Object: Flute] ?Attributes: Earth Grade Treasure (Divine Treasure) [Special Characteristic: The Silver Whisperer is a treasure of the true venerable Xiao. It is said that He was particrly fond of ying the flute and would often spend hours in seclusion, ying beautiful melodies that echoed through the mountains. The flute is made of pure mystic spirit silver and is adorned with intricate engravings of celestial beings and beasts. The flute''s body is smooth and polished, and it feels cool to the touch. A very small amount of celestial Qi of resonance is imbued in it, making it one of the strongest treasure . When yed, the flute can produce a melodic sound that can soothe the mind and calm the soul. The flute also has the ability to purify the environment and dispel negative energy. It is said that when yed with the intent of harm, the flute gives out a miserable tune. It can weaken the enemy''s spiritual energy, give them mental demons, Hurt their mind, and make them more vulnerable. The user can gain control over the heart and minds of listeners. Because It has been forcefully subdued too many times, the flute''s consciousness has be feeble and very weak. Its value has fallen from divine-grade treasure to earth-grade treasure. To heal the flute, keep it in your dantian and nourish it with celestial Qi. The recovery of the flute spirit will speed up if you y the heart of world song every morning with it. An alternative method to Subdue the Flute is to call it by Its true name. The flute will respond, and it has been craving to be called by Its true Name for thousands of years.] The first thing that came to Han Cai''s mind was what the hell was Celestial Qi of resonance and why there was no mention of fairy Chang in the description. But soon, he got distracted by the alternative method to subdue the flute. Han Cai asked the system if he called the flute by its true name. Wouldn''t all elders hear it? He also felt that he would be in danger if he said it loud. That ghastly feeling of fear passed through him. The system charged him one exchange point and responded that Han Cai had two choices: cultivating a mental technique or increasing intelligence to 11. He will be able to use spirit sense or mental energy tomunicate with the flute''s spirit Han Cai hurriedly asked what the F***k was spirit sense. The system charged him ten exchange points and shared information about Spirit sense. Spirit sense referred to the cultivation based on the power of one''s mind. It was an ability to use one''s mind to manipte spiritual energy. This could include techniques such as projecting their mental energy to influence the surroundings ormunicating with spiritual entities. To cultivate spirit sense or mental energy, one must first reach a certain level of cultivation and then practice various techniques and mental exercises to improve their spiritual sensitivity and control through the mind. For Han Cai increasing his intelligence to 11 will break the mental barrier allowing him to use spirit sense that only higher-level cultivators could use. Han Cai immediately used one thousand exchange points and increased intelligence to 11. The moment he increased his intelligence to 11, there was a qualitative change of mind. He felt a rush of rity and sharpness wash over him. He could feel his thoughts bing clearer and more organized as if a fog had been lifted from his mind. With this newfound intelligence, Han Cai was now able to use mental energy to sense the world around him. He could feel the pulse of spiritual energy around him more clearly, and he could use his thoughts to reach out and grasp this energy, manipting it to his will. This newfound ability to use mental energy allowed Han Cai to perceive the world in a new and exciting way. He could sense the movements and emotions of those around him, and he could use this information to make decisions in real time. He felt a deep connection to the spiritual energy around him as if he was one with the world itself. While Han Cai was relishing this feeling, the elders noticed the change in Han Cai too. Especially elder Dongmei and Sect master, who had the highest cultivation here. When the elder from the treasure hall brought the flute, They noticed Han Cai''s mesmerized expression. Before they could say something, they noticed changes in Han Cai. It was like he broke some barrier and came out of a cocoon. Soon other elders noticed it too. From their perspective, it felt like Han Cai saw the flute he had an epiphany. All of them stayed quiet. They even controlled their breathing, and they were afraid that they might disturb this disciple''s epiphany. They watched nervously. Suddenly Han Cai moved. Han Cai walked towards the flute. He sent a tiny strand of mental energy toward the flute. Sending this tiny strand of mental energy was very straining on his mind, but Han Cai persisted. When it reached the flute, Han Cai could feel the flute repelling his mental energy, trying to warn him not toe close, but Han Cai gently spoke through his mental energy, "Silver Whisperer, are you ok?". The flute suddenly radiated with a brilliant light, and it floated towards Han Cai on its own. Han Cai then directed his mental energy toward the flying flute. Flute allowed him to leave a mental imprint on it. After Han Cai imprinted the flute, the flute started to shrink in size until it was the size of a needle. Han Cai raised his hand, and the needle-sized flute effortlessly drilled into his finger, flowing through his veins and entering his dantian. Although it seemed to take a significant amount of time, the process was over before the elders could even realize what had happened. By the time they processed it, the earth-grade treasure of the sect was taken away right in front of their eyes. ************************************************** Author''s Note: I will be releasing an extra chapter today as we reached 500 power stones. Thank you for being so supportive. Please continue giving power stones and adding the book to your library. Seeing the growth of the book motivates me to work harder for the readers. Chapter 69 Elders Notice Frigid Qi ?Han Cai imprinted the flute with mental energy. The moment he seeded, he felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him. He tried to bow to Elder Dongmei in gratitude for giving him the opportunity to see the flute, but before he could even utter a word, Han Cai lost consciousness. He was about to fall to the ground, unconscious. Sect Master and Elder Dongmei reacted quickly, flying towards Han Cai in a race to catch him. Elder Dongmei was faster, reaching Han Cai first and catching him before he could hit the ground. Holding Han Cai in his arms, Elder Dongmei checked his pulse, sighing in relief as he felt a steady QI. But suddenly, he frowned, a look of concern etched on his face. Slowly, his frown turned into a look of glee as he realized something. Sect master by the side, seeing elder Dongmei''s reaction, was confused. So were the remaining elders. They did not know what to say. Who was this kid who subdued earth rank treasure just like that? Did he break through mental cultivation? Doesn''t that happen in the soul formation realm? What is the f*** going on here? It was one thing to give them one shock but did this kid Han Cai intend to make them have Dao Heart attack? The more they thought, the more shocked they were. The flute of immortal that no one was able to subdue. This kid did it in an instant and broke through in mental cultivation? After a long silence, Sect Master spoke, "Uncle Master, How is he?" Elder Dongmei spoke "Zhu Xin. I have no words. Besides celestial energy, he has frigid Qi in his body. You told me he selected Cold Precision Sword Technique in the core library. He must have had mastered Cold Precision Sword Technique to certain level. " Sect master''s eye lit up. Fairy Su from pill hall asked, " He fainted because of the frigid Qi?" Sect master almostughed out loud. While elder Dongmei looked at fairy Su as if he was asking are you really an elder of my sect. But seeing the same confused look of confusion on all the elders. Elder Dongmei sighed and spoke, " No, he has strained his mental energy too much trying to subdue the treasure. That is why he fainted. He is alright. He will recover in a day or two." Elders were more confused; Elder from the martial hall spoke, " Uncle master. Did he break through in mental cultivation? Doesn''t that happen in the soul formation realm?" Elder Dongmei shook his head and spoke." I mentioned before He is celestial talent in a real sense. The things that apply to normal cultivators do not apply to him." Elder of treasure Hall sect " Uncle master, you mentioned frigid Qi? What does frigid Qi have to do with his fainting and Fairy Chang''s flute?" Elder Dongmei had a disappointed look in his eyes, were elders of his sect this na?ve? If that is the truth, then his sect is really doomed. Sect Master spoke, " What Elder meant is Han Cai can cultivate frigid Qi too. Most probably because of celestial energy, he can cultivate other energies too. This is good news for us as we can announce that he is a cultivator of frigid Qi, not celestial Qi, so other sects will consider him a talent but will not go over and beyond." Realization dawned on all the elders. What was their biggest concern regarding Han Cai? When enemy sects find out, they have celestial talent in their sect; they will leave no stone unturned in trying to capture Han Cai. But if they learn Han Cai is a cultivator of frigid Qi. They might be tempted but not tempted enough to try to attack the sky-soaring sect. ************************************************** When Han Cai woke up, it was the next day morning. He realized he was in his cave abode. He looked around and saw the sect master, elder Dongmei; all the other elders were present, crowding his room. Sect Master and Elder Dongmei were sitting while others were standing quietly. Han Cai thought, did they all wait all night for me to wake up? Don''t they understand the concept of privacy, watching me sleep like old perverts? But after some thinking, Han Cai felt it was reasonable; he stole their earth-grade treasure under their noses. He was lucky they did not beat the shit out of him. Han Cai was also angry at himself for being so impatient. These elders did not have bad intentions, but what if he fainted somewhere dangerous? He would be on their mercy. Without even realizing it, he had be greedy for treasure, which is how you get killed in a world like this. Han Cai promised himself to let this be a lesson. From now on, he will never let his greed get the best of him unless he is fully prepared. Han Cai sat up on his bed and Bowed. He spoke, "I apologize for the inconvenience this disciple caused the elders; While looking at the treasure, this disciple had an epiphany and broke through his mental cultivation. This disciple had no intention to take away the sect''s treasure." Seeing Han Cai wake up sect master and elder Dongmei smiled. You could see the relief on the faces of other elders too. Finally, the sect master spoke, "Han Cai, how were you able to subdue the treasure?" ************************************************** Author''s Note: Supplementary Chapter. Thank you for being so supportive! I will rerelease another Supplementary chapter if we collect 615 power stones by tomorrow. Please leave a review for the book. It helps the book as the more ratings it receives, the more people consider it for reading. Thank you. Chapter 70 Pacifying The Elders ?Han Cai thought for a while, then spoke, "master, the flute told me its consciousness was hurt. It was very weak. It told me it needed to recuperate. It asked me to look for a song that would help it recover," Han Cai spoke it with a straight face. Actually, the flute didmunicate with him and told him it was hurt and needed to recuperate, but it was only that. Han Cai told them about the song, so they would give it to him if the Sect had this heart of the world song that was needed to help the flute. Sect master asked, "What Song?" Han Cai replied, "The Flute said the song name was.." Before Han Caipleted his sentence, he felt the fear again, that dreadful suffocating fear. If he spoke the song''s name loud, he would be f***ed. Han Cai immediately stopped. He got himself together and spoke again, "Forgive me, master, for some reason, I am not able to recall the name of the song flute told me its consciousness is very weak, will not be able tomunicate with me for a while." Sect master and Elder Dongmei noticed how Han Cai shivered and changed the topic. They guessed there must be some secret rted to this earth-grade weapon. Probably fairy chang left some message for the wielder. They decided not to push the subject. They were just pleased that Han Cai was fine. If the flute was an earth-grade treasure, then for them, Han Cai was their celestial-grade treasure. Fairy Su of the pill hall said, "So this earth-grade treasure is damaged?" Han Cai nodded. Treasure hall elder''s eyes glowed, and he spoke, "So, Now you canmunicate with spirits of treasures?" Han Cai thought, are you nuts? I fainted, trying to talk to one. Han Cai shook his head and said, "I don''t know. This was my first time talking to a treasure spirit". The elder of treasure hall probed, "What did you do that made the flute spirit decide tomunicate with you." Han Cai thought for a while, then answered, "Instead, trying to subdue and imprint. I asked it if it was doing ok." The Elders thought, Could it be that simple? The elder of the treasure hall asked, "why did you not try to subdue it forcefully?" Han Cai answered, "Forgive me, elder, but my cultivation is only Qi condensation level. How could I dare to subdue earth-grade treasure forcefully beside its flute, not a spear? Why should we force it." Curious, the elder of the treasure hall asked, "why did you ask if it was doing ok? " Han Cai was getting irritated by this naggy elder, but he decided to bear it, he had just taken away earth-grade treasure with no effort. It was only reasonable that they would try to get as many details on how it happened. Han Cai responded, "isn''t itmon courtesy to ask how you are doing when we meet someone." Elder Domeiughed out loud. Even though the Han Cai approach was very different, it was so simple. Elder Dongmei responded, "It is a good learning moment for us elders. You don''t need to have a forceful approach, sometimes asking nicely could help too." The Sect master nodded. He got up, bowed to all elders, and said, "I thank all the elders for gifting my disciple such a precious treasure." His intentions were very clear. Now, this treasure belongs to my disciple. Just let it go. All the elders smiled and nodded. Now the treasure was already gone. There was no need to cry about spilled milk. So they rather act magnanimously. The elder of the martial hall probed, "Han Cai, your cultivation and martial growth undoubtedly very fast. If you don''t mind, what do you think is the reason for your elerated growth? Maybe it could help the disciples of my martial hall too. What do you think might be the reason for it." Han Cai thought about it seriously. These guys gave him such a nice treasure. He should answer sincerely and try to gain more benefits from them. Making an honest face as much as possible, he spoke, "It''s the spirit stones. For some reason, I am able to absorb Qi in spirit stones, and whenever I absorb it, my cultivation and technique both improve without any trouble. The more I have, the faster my cultivation grows." All the elders almost fell down. What the heck was that? When anyone uses spirit stone and absorbs it, their cultivation grows. It was only natural; obviously, the more they had, the faster their cultivation will grow. What is this kid talking about? Elder Dongmei guffawed out loud hearing this and spoke, "You numb nuts, are you really Elders of my Sect? He means that his cultivation will keep growing as long as he has spirit stones. Unlike you ipetent bunch, he does not need to worry about bottlenecks. If I give you all my spirit stones, can you guarantee you will break through the next level?" The realization dawned on all the elders. Unlike them, this was a celestial talent he might never see a bottleneck in his whole life. Elder Dongmei looked at Han Cai with a wide smile. "Am I right, Han Cai?" ************************************************** Author''s Note: Thank you for being so supportive! I will rerelease Supplementary chapter if we collect 700 power stones by tomorrow. Please leave a review for the book. It helps the book as the more ratings it receives, the more people consider it for reading. Thank you. Chapter 71 Increase In Allowance ?Han Cai nodded. "Yes, Uncle Master, as long as I have enough spirit stones, I can continuously improve my cultivation." The elder of the martial hall was not ready to give up yet. He asked, "Could you show us how you are able to absorb qi of spirit qi in spirit stones and how it helps you grow cultivation without any bottlenecks?" Han Cai did not mind. The system absorbed spirit stones through him only and converted them into exchange points. He just had to pretend and then increase his cultivation level using the exchange points. But at that time sect master coughed, and Elder Dongmei spoke up, "This is enough! Han Cai, you don''t have to show anything to anyone. But I want to ask If the Sect provides you more spirit stones, you can grow your cultivation faster?" Han Cai nodded. Elder Dongmei asked, "What is your allowance right now?" Han Cai responded, "I receive 100 spirit stones allowance from master." Elder Dongmei nodded, looked at the sect master, and said, "Zhu Xin, why are you such a scrooge? Giving such talented disciple only 100 spirit stones." This time not just elders. Even the sect master rolled his eyes. To look magnanimous in front of Han Cai, elder Dongmei would say anything, and now he made the sect master look bad in his disciple''s eyes. Sect Master Coughed tried to save his face "Master Uncle Han Cai joined the inner sect recently, so we have not finalized his allowance properly." Elder Dongmei shook his head and spoke again, "Since Han Cai would be working for my dark hall in the future, my dark hall will take care of his allowance. From now on, Han Cai, your monthly allowance will be 500 stones." All the elders rolled their eyes. He is speaking like he is paying those spirit stones personally from his pocket. The spirit stones in the dark halle from the sect. So basically, Sect will be paying Han Cai''s allowance, and dark Hall will be taking the credit alone. Han Cai''s eyes twinkled. Palpatine looked very pleasing to Han Cai now. Elder Dongmei spoke, "But you can not getcent. I will give you one year. After one year, you will have to start taking missions from my dark hall. Whenever I meet you, I better see some growth in your cultivation, or your allowance will be deducted." Then elder Dongmei thought something and Spoke again, "Before your personal missions begin, sometimes you will follow dark hall elders or me to our missions to broaden your understanding of dark hall" In his mind, Han Cai cursed, "Shit, Palpatine is in a hurry to turn me into a Vader?" Han Cai Bowed, "I will not disappoint you, Uncle grandmaster." The Sect master, who was worried that elder Dongmei might make him look bad again, spoke hurriedly, "Uncle Master, we should leave. Let Han Cai get some rest". All elders in the room left one by one. After they came out of the abode sect master spoke, "Uncle master, isn''t it too soon for Han Cai to take dark hall missions? If something goes wrong?" Elder Dongmei responded, "Don''t worry, I will assign his missions personally myself, And Dark will allocate some protectors; they will follow him secretly and protect him." Sect master nodded and thanked the elder Dongmei. With this, a whole night-long core elders meeting which started in the sect hall ended in Han Cai''s abode. ************************************************** Two Weeks had passed since Xioyun asked Mei to get details about Han Cai. Xiaoyun''s cave abode. Mei was standing nervously in front of Xiaoyun. Mei Spoke, "I tried all the methods. Han Cai stays cooped in his cave abode. He never left except on the first day, but the inner sect disciples under me who were watching his cave abode never saw when he returned. The next day in the morning, they saw some core elders leaving Han Cai''s cave abode. After the core elders left, The disciples watching his cave abode were driven away by dark hall disciples. Now dark hall protects his cave abode. No inner sect disciple is allowed nearby except for the gray robes that serve him. I tried visiting him directly, but he told his servant gray robes that he would be in closed-door cultivation and no visitors are allowed." Xiaoyun frowned. Core elders visit his cave abode, and the dark hall protects him. Why is the sect giving this kid so much attention? It was one thing for the sect master to dote on this kid as his master. But now the whole sect cares about him? What was going on? Before, she was the most precious disciple of the sect, but she never received protection from the dark hall. The core elders did not visit her either. She needed to eradicate this hatchling before things got out of her hand. Xiaoyun spoke, "So you are saying you were not able to find out anything about him?" Nervous Mei shook her head hurriedly and spoke. "Of Course Not, Xiaoyun. Even though He did note, his gray robes came out a lot to get his meals from the inner sect mess hall. Some of the disciples under me have be good friends with them. The pathetic gray robes would never give up an opportunity to make some connections in the inner sect. But they did not know much either. Han Cai doesn''t allow them inside the cave abode. The good thing is dark hall doesn''t care much about those gray robes, so they can be used in anyways we like. My subordinates asked them all about Han Cai. He likes music andes to the terrace to y flute in the morning. He also talks to gray robes, asking them if anything new is going on in the sect, but besides that, he stays holed in the cave abode. Some days he goes out for walks out of the cave abode. There is no specific timing. From what I heard, the outer sect elders will bring his family to Cloud Mountain City. I thought his family could be used as a weakness, but I heard besides outer sect elders, the dark hall disciples would be watching over his family too. As you know, dark hall disciples can not be bribed, so his family can not be used to our advantage." ************************************************** Author''s Note: Thank you for being so supportive! I will rerelease the Supplementary chapter if we collect 800 power stones by tomorrow. Please leave a review for the book. It helps the book as the more ratings it receives, the more people consider it for reading. Thank you. Chapter 72 Inner Core Disciple Qiang ?Xiaoyun nodded. "It is not much, but you have done very well. Keep his subordinates on a leash and ask them to keep spying on him. I want them to bepletely under your control." Mei nodded. "What do you n next." Xiaoyun spoke, "Don''t worry about it. I will take care of it. I know what I need to do next." After talking with Mei, Xiaoyun left her cave abode and went to the cave abode of another core disciple Qiang. Besides Han Cai and Xiaoyun, there were four other core disciples in the sect. Each of them had their own unique traits. There was Zhi, a man who was known for his mastery of the spear. Niu, a young girl who was a master of the bow. Feng, a man who was a master of physical strength, and finally, there was Qiang, a man who was known for his mastery of the saber. Each of the core disciples had their own unique personality and strengths. Among these disciples, Qiang was the wisest and most wicked one. All core disciples acknowledged that Qiang was the smartest of the bunch. His saber skills were also unmatched. He was a master of pill making too. He was the most precious disciple of the pill hall. Qiang came out of his cave abode and Weed Xiaoyun. Qiang was short but had an imposing figure. He had sharp features, with a pointed nose and a chiseled jawline. His hair was jet ck and styled in a messy yet stylish fashion. His eyes were a piercing shade of dark brown, and they seemed to prate anyone who looked into them. He had a confident and slightly wicked smirk that yed on his lips, adding to his air of intelligence and mischief. Qiang was dressed in his inner core robe, which was a deep shade of purple. The sleeves of the robe billowed out, giving him a dramatic appearance as he moved. As Qiang emerged from his cave abode, he weed Xiaoyun with a nod of his head. "Sister Xiaoyun, it''s good to see you," he said, his voice gentle and soothing. He then gestured for Xiaoyun to follow him, and they began to walk down the path leading away from the cave abode. Inside Qiang''s cave abode, he served Xiaoyun some tea and said, "It has been a while since sister Xiaoyun visited me. This must be important." Xiaoyun nodded, "Do you remember the favor I did for you? Or did you forget the sixth?" Qiang, the wisest of all core disciples, had one weakness. Long before Han Cai entered the scene, In Sky soaring sect, excluding the present core disciples, there was one more core disciple named Lanfen. Qiang and Lanfen joined the inner sect almost simultaneously and fell in love with Xiaoyun at the same time. Theypeted fiercely over her. They both wanted Xiaoyun as their dao partner, so theypeted. As theypeted slowly, they started to have a deep grudge against each other. The grudge went too deep to the point they wanted to kill each other. And one day, when Lanfen went out for a sect mission, Qiang used his family''s connection to inform frost peak sect''s dire hall about Lanfen''s location. The dire hall used this opportunity to intercept and kill disciple Lanfen. After the death of the 6th disciple, Qiang was free to pursue Xiaoun. Xiaoun knew about the fiercepetition between Qiang and Lanfen. So when Lanfen died, she knew it had something to do with Qiang. She allowed Qiang to keep pursuing her, leading him to think she might soon ept his love, and at the same time, kept probing him until she finally found how Qiang had used an inner sect hall of Frost Peak Sect to get Lanfen killed through his family''s connections. This knowledge gave her the freedom to ckmail Qian and use him as herckey. The love-smitten Qiang did not even try to fight back Qiang replied, "Of Course not, sister xia. Please tell me, what can I do for you?" Xiaoun nodded and said, "My master epted a new disciple Han Cai. I find him disgraceful. I need you to get rid of him. It should note back to you or me." Qiang had his eyes wide open. She talked about killing an inner core disciple like it was cutting vegetables in the kitchen. Qiang did not know what to say. "Sister Xiaoun , thisˇ­" Xiaoun cut him off. "If you can not achieve it, you can forget about me. Also, Sect elders are still trying to find out who in our sect informed frost peak sect about our sect''s core disciple going out on a mission." Qiang perspired and spoke, "Sister Xia, please do not worry. I will take care of it. Please give me more details about him." Xiaoun nodded approvingly at his response and started telling him everything Mei had informed her. Qiang listened to everything quietly and nodded. After telling him everything, Xiaoun decided to leave, but before leaving, she spoke, "Do it soon, He is bumpkin, but he is more talented than you and me. Sect will certainly protect him more if he is allowed to grow." Qiang nodded. After Xiaoun left, Qiang sat in deep thought. He had to get rid of this kid, and soon. He started thinking of methods he could use that shouldn''t trace back to him. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Supplementary chapter! This chapter is for GifrGod and Roll_No_2 for supporting my book as readers from the start. You can give gifts to my book now if you like. Please leave a review for the book. It helps the book as the more ratings it receives, the more people consider it for reading. Thank you. Chapter 73 [Bonus ]Yongnian ?After Contemting for a long time, Qiang decided to use his chess piece in the outer sect. Elder Yongnian was a well-known elder in the outer sect, renowned for his expertise in poison and weapons. Although many people were aware of his poison and weapons expertise, very few knew about his dark and hical activities. Yongnian came from a humble background, but he stumbled upon a cultivation technique called the Yin Death Cultivation Technique which involved using poison Qi and corpse Qi to improve cultivation. He was a hard worker and cultivated diligently, which helped him to rise up the ranks and be an outer sect elder when he reached the foundation establishment realm. Like other outer sect elders, he started his own faction, the Yonginian Faction. Yongnian''s cultivation technique was incredibly demanding, and when he finally reached the foundation establishment realm, he discovered that the corpse Qi in his dantian started to evolve into death Qi. This was a purer version of corpse Qi, and he knew that if he continued to cultivate death Qi, he would be able to refine the bodies of dead cultivators and use them to do his bidding. However, the process to convert spiritual Qi in his body into poison yin Qi or corpse yin Qi and then converting that corpse yin Qi into death Qi was long and arduous. To speed up the process, he needed to absorb corpse Qi directly from outside and convert it into death Qi. The problem was that the only source of quality corpse Qi was from recently deceased cultivators. Absorbing corpse Qi in this way was frowned upon as it involved defiling the bodies of the dead, and many sects considered it to be part of the demonic path. To solve this issue, Yongnian came up with a long-term solution. In his faction, he mostly recruited young female disciples and raised them with patience. When these female disciples grew up, they were very loyal to him and would go out and seduce other cultivators, poison them, and bring back fresh bodies for Yongnian to experiment on. However, somehow his secret was discovered by Qiang, one of the inner core disciples. From that day on, Yongnian became one of Qiang''sckeys in the outer sect. Qiang visited Elder Yongnian in his quarters. Elder Yongnian lived in a small, isted quarter within the outer sect, which was a reflection of his enigmatic personality. He rarely ventured out of his quarters and spent most of his time studying and researching poisons. When Yongnian saw Qiang, he knew he was in trouble. Every time Qiang demanded something, It made Yongnian''s life difficult. In terms of appearance, Elder Yongnian was a middle-aged man with a thin build. He had a gaunt face and sharp, piercing eyes that seemed to look right through you. He wore a long, outer core robe that signified his status as an elder. Qiang got straight to the point. Qiang "Elder Yongnian, I have a mission for you." Elder Yongnian "What mission?" Qiang "I need you to get rid of Han Cai." Elder Yongnian "Han Cai?" Qiang "Yes, Han Cai, the new inner core disciple. Personal disciple of the sect master." The Yongnian felt like his soul had left his body when he heard the mission. Elder Yongnian "Get rid of Han Cai? Sect master''s disciple? That''s asking for death. Why would you ask me to do something like that?" Qiang "I have my reasons. And I need it done quickly, within a matter of days." Elder Yongnian "I don''t think I can do that. I wouldn''t dare to touch an inner-sect disciple. You are asking me to kill core disciple. The sect will never let it go." Qiang spoke firmly, "You will do it, or I''ll inform the discipline hall about your heinous acts." Elder Yongnian shivered. "You Can''t!" If the sect found out about his vile experiments, it would not be just reputation and position in the sect, but the discipline hall would chop off his head. Qiang "Elder Yongnian, I understand your hesitation in killing Han Cai. But I promise you, once he''s dead, I''ll make sure you don''t face any consequences." Elder Yongnian "What do you mean? How can you guarantee that I won''t face any consequences?" Qiang "My n will take care of you. You won''t have to worry about anything, and you can just leave the sect and hide in my n''s city. We''ll provide you with all the cultivation resources you need, and you can cultivate without any worries." Elder Yongnian" Once he dies, you think they will let me leave the sect? " Qiang "Don''t worry about that. I have manyckeys in the outer sect. No one will know of your departure. You will leave a day before he dies. I''ll make sure that everything is taken care of. My n will provide dead bodies too ." Elder Yongnian "I don''t know... It''s a big risk. What if something goes wrong?" Qiang "Nothing will go wrong, and I have a n. But you need to make sure that the poison is untraceable." Elder Yongnian felt defeated. He sighed and spoke, "Alright, I''ll do it. But I need a stem of a gork nt to make the poison. It''s only found in ck ape forest and will take a year to get." Qiang "Try to get it as soon as possible if you need spirit stones, feel free to ask. Hire some cultivators with flying beasts and use them to get it sooner. I''ll expect results soon. And remember, if you fail, I''ll make sure you suffer worse than death." Yongnian nodded in defeat. Qiang was pleased with the Yongnian''s cooperation and left the cave abode with a smile on his face. ************************************************** Author''s Note: This bonus chapter is for reader HelloHello1. I appreciate your gifts and support. Please leave a review for the book. It helps the book as the more ratings it receives, the more people consider it for reading. Thank you. Chapter 74 Life Of Ji And Zhou ?After Han Cai left for the inner sect, Elder Zhou and Elder Ji were initially living in fear for the first week. They were waiting for the sect to announce their punishment for their shameful behavior in the outer sect tournament. The other outer sect elders shook their heads in disappointment whenever they discussed these two. Everyone knew that in a few days, the discipline hall woulde and take these elders away, and their factions would suffer heavy sanctions too. Some were even ready to pounce on the resources of these two factions once these elders were punished. On the 10th day after the tournament, Elder Li from the inner discipline hall called for a meeting with all the outer sect elders. When everyone arrived, Elder Li announced something very unexpected. The sect had decided to award Ji and Zhou''s faction for giving the sect a core disciple. That core disciple had shown an affinity to frigid Qi, and when he reaches foundation establishment, he will be able to cultivate the unique frigid Qi. The sect master was very pleased with these two elders and their factions for giving him such a talented disciple. So he asked the inner sect to reward these two elders properly. The sect increased their monthly spirit stone ie, and every disciple in their faction, even gray robes, were awarded with spirit stones. The sect was not stingy when it came to rewards. Besides the spirit stones, they gave their faction better resources, quarters, and more power to their ns in cities owned by the sect. The sect''s decision was even though they did it in greed. They did give the sect a talented disciple. Even If Elder Ji did take a bribe, Han Cai had a peaceful life in his faction. He did not suffer. If Elder Ji''s faction did not keep their word, and if they had made Han Cai suffer, then his cultivation would not have had a chance to bloom, and Han Cai might have hated the Sky Soaring Sect. However, Elder Ji''s faction kept their word, and they gave proper amodation and peaceful life to Han Cai. Discipline hall elder had visited Han Cai and asked about his opinion on the sect rewarding Ji''s faction. Han Cai agreed and said he was very grateful to Ji''s faction for giving him a roof and taking care of him. When asked about Zhou''s faction, Han Cai gave the same opinion. If the sect was rewarding them, then he was very thankful to the sect for helping his past faction. Since Han Cai considered these two factions as his past factions, the sect had to make sure that they were treated well. ording to Han Cai, If it was not for Elder Zhou, he might still be in the outer sect doing sect missions. The sect considered Han Cai''s words very seriously and agreed that if Elder Zhou had not found out about Han Cai''s talent, Han Cai might be in some outer sect doing sect missions, and what if he died in some danger? So the sect rewarded Zhou''s faction well too. But Elder Ji and Zhou were only rewarded with spirit stones and other resources. They did not receive the core formation pill that they wanted. The reason was their greedy and shameful behavior in the outer sect arena in front of the sect master and inner sect elders. However, overall, Elder Zhou and Elder Ji earned a lot. Their faction was well known in the outer sect, and many outer sect disciples wanted to join their faction since they were the past faction of an inner core disciple. When they thought everything was going there way a new trouble came looking for them. One day Elder Ji and Zhou were sitting together in front of the outer sect hall, enjoying some tea and discussing the recent addition of talented disciples to their factions. They were probably feeling content and rxed, thinking that everything was going smoothly. However, their peaceful moment was interrupted by elder Hong Guo, who asked them toe with him to the discipline hall. The two elders followed him, probably wondering what was going on. When they arrived at the discipline hall, they saw a new inner sect elder they had never met before, but they recognized him as elder Hong Jia, the patriarch of the Hong family and uncle of elder Hong Guo. From what they had heard from elder Hong Guo, elder Hong Jia was a strict and upright person who worked in a hidden hall of the sect, and people rarely saw his face. He was probably a mysterious figure with a lot of influence in the sect. Elder Hong Jia was an old man with a tall and imposing figure. He had a sharp gaze and a stern expression that was intimidating to those around him. His features were chiseled and angr, giving him a rugged appearance. He had a strong jawline, high cheekbones, and a prominent nose. His hair was ck and kept short, with a few strands falling across his forehead. He was dressed in a ck robe, which added to his already intimidating presence. His hands wererge and calloused, with the veins standing out prominently. Elder Hong Guo stepped forward and said, "Elders, let me introduce you to my uncle, Senior Hong Jia. He is one of the most respected elders in our sect and the patriarch of the Hong family." Elder Ji and Elder Zhou both bowed respectfully to Senior Hong Jia. "It''s an honor to meet you, Senior Hong Jia," they said. Senior Hong Jia nodded at them but didn''t say anything. His expression was stern and his eyes were cold, which made both elders feel uneasy. Elder Hong Guo, sensing the tension in the air, cleared his throat and said, "Uncle, why have you summoned these two elders here?" Elder Hong Jia''s face turned red with anger. He growled, His voice was deep and resonant, and he spoke in amanding tone, " It''s not just two of them it includes you too. I can''t believe that you three would stoop so low as to take bribes from Han Cai''s father! You have brought shame upon this sect, and If you behave like this in the future, it will not be tolerated. You will be leaving with me to cloud mountain city and then leaving with Hong family members to bring Han Cai''s family from Eagle trail town with you. When they arrive here, it will be your duty to serve his family for the next 20 years as punishment for your actions!" asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 75 The Hong Household ?The Mayor Hong of cloud mountain city had a veryfortable life. His grand uncle was one of the inner sect elders of the Sky soaring sect. Because of this, he had a lot of power in this city. There were other families of elders in the city, too, but they did not have any power conflicts, and their positions were divided by sect. It was afternoon, and the Mayor had just had his afternoon meal. He was getting ready to have a nap when he heard somemotion outside. Soon a servant came running and bowed. Mayor Hong spoke, "What''s the matter?" The servant, out of breath, spoke slowly, "Master, your Granduncle patriarch, with some outer sect elders, is here. He ordered a family meeting." Mayor thought that if grand uncle Jia had toe to the city, there must be a very important reason for it. He hurried to the hall and told the servant to inform everyone in the family toe to the hall immediately. It was now evening in cloud mountain city. At the hong family hall, all the family members and elders had gathered. Elder Hong Jia sat at the head of the hall, with the outer sect elders of the Sky Soaring Sect quietly seated behind him. Elder Ji, Elder Zhou, and Elder Hong Guo were among those outer sect elders. Meanwhile, family elders from the Hong family upied seats on either side of the hall, with the younger generation of the Hong family standing around the room. In total, the hall was filled with more than a hundred people. Elder Hong Jia looked around the family in disappointment, his eyes stopped at Mayor Hong, and he spoke, "Minger do you know Han Cai?" Mayor Hong looked confused for a minute. Before, Elder Jia continued, "He is the son of Han Dai, who you took bribes from, to get his son into the sect." Mayor remembered the fat merchant who paid heavily to get his son into the sect. Mayor Hong started sweating. He spoke, "Yes, grand uncle, I remember his father." Elder Hong Jia spoke, "Han Cai is very talented, and He is a disciple of the sect master. Even my grand Master Dongmei dotes on Han Cai too. Do you know your mistakes?" Mayor Hong''s back was drenched in sweat as he looked at elder Hong Guo. Seeing the Mayor look at him, elder Hong Guo shivered. Cursing, don''t drag me into this mess. I have already been yelled at a lot. All the family members had confused looks in their eyes about what was going on. Seeing Mayor looking at elder Hong Guo, Elder Jia turned around, looked at three outer sect elders, and Spoke, "Guo, you did not tell Minger about it?" Elder Hong Guo''s face became white as a sheet. So did the faces of elder Ji and elder Zhou. Elder Hong Guo spoke in a feeble voice, "Uncle, I did not have the opportunity yet." Elder Ji spoke, "You have the opportunity now. Go ahead and tell Minger what his mistakes are." Elder Guo nodded, sweating, and spoke to Mayor Hong, "Minger, you took a bribe from the father of a talented disciple of the sect master of sky soaring sect for your personal gain. You brought shame to yourself and Hong Family". Mayor Hong felt all his blood going dry. Did he offend the sect master? Mayor Hong bowed and started crying. He spoke in a fearful tone," I did not mean to offend the sect master. I will return all the gold coins his father paid and give them businesses in our cloud mountain city. I will make it right grand uncle. Please forgive me". Elder Hong Jia shook his head. " You still don''t get it. It is not the sect master who is offended by you. As I said, Han Cai is doted on by my grandmaster, and I never get to have an audience with my grandmaster. For the first time, I was called by him and scolded in front of the whole sect. Not only did you bring shame to yourself, but you brought shame to the whole hong family and me. DO YOU KNOW YOUR MISTAKES, MINGER?" at this point, the elder was yelling. He continued, " You dare to say that you will give his family some businesses in cloud mountain city? Are those businesses yours to give him? If he wants, he can have the whole cloud mountain city and throw you out. He only needs to mention it once, and our Hong family will be done for." Hong family members started trembling in fear. They finally realized the gravity of the situation. Everyone knew how upright Patriarch was. Because of him, the sect trusted his family with Cloud Mountain city. Getting yelled at by his grandmaster because of his family''s shameful acts. Patriarch had the right to be furious. They felt very regretful as Patriarch, who was an upright person, had to suffer because of their misdeeds and greediness. This could really hurt them. If He lost the trust he had built, why would the sect let his family manage the city? Mayor Hong dropped to his knees, bowed, and spoke with tears all over his face, "I know my mistakes. Please punish me, grand uncle." Elder Hong Jia''s voice softened. "Good thing Han Cai doesn''t bear any grudges with our family. If he had any grudge because of you stifling his father out of his life savings, The whole Hong Family would have suffered, including me. But when he was asked by inner sect discipline hall elders how the sect should treat our family, he said it was because of the Hong family he was able to join the sect, so the Hong family has his gratitude." The hall was silent, and everyone was trying to digest the implications of elder hong''s words. They just escaped a cmity. After a while, Patrirach spoke again," Seeing that Han Cai has no grudges against our family, the grandmaster has asked me to make this right. Since Han Cai is a core disciple now, his family is the responsibility of the sect. So the sect has decided that His family should move to the cloud mountain city. The sect has assigned me and the hong family this responsibility." Patriarch sighed and continued, "You will take all the responsible elders and martial artists from the Hong family and depart towards their town immediately. Bring them safely back to Cloud mountain city and settle them here. Take care of their amodation and finances too. Also, make sure they are treated respectfully, especially his father. Han Cai is most attached to his father. Even if you can''t bring every one of Han household, make sure to bring his father with respect. Guo, Ji, and Zhou, you will go with him, do not dare mess this up. Because of my position in the sect, I can not visit their town openly, but I will be watching your every move. I hope you will not disappoint me anymore." Elder Guo, Elder Ji, Elder Zhou, Mayor Hong, and Family members bowed together and said, "We receive your orders." Patriarch Hong nodded and left the hall. Finally, all family members sighed in relief. Chapter 76 Date With Darkness ?Three months passed Han Cai would start his day early, rising with the first light of dawn. He would begin by practicing his sword technique, moving through the forms with precision and grace. As the sun rose higher in the sky, he would shift his focus to his cultivation technique, the Celestial Ascension Technique. He would sit in meditation, visualizing the flow of Qi within his body and working to refine it further. As the day went on, he would take breaks to explore the surrounding area, marveling at the beauty of the autumnndscape. He would often be found sitting on a rock outcropping, looking out at the distant mountains, lost in thought. In the evening, he would return to his cave abode and continue his cultivation, focusing on honing his skills and techniques. During this time, Han Cai made steady progress in his cultivation. He sessfully cultivated the Celestial Ascension Technique to level 4 and his sword technique to level 2. If he burst all his Qi in one attack, he could injure a core condensation level cultivator. He did not have much of exchange points left after upgrading the two, but it was just enough to upgrade a skill. Han Cai decided to upgrade the escape technique to level two now he could escape through the water. Today, Han Cai sat on his terrace, sipping his tea and enjoying the view of the serenendscape in front of him. As he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, he felt a strange sensation that someone was near him. He quickly opened his eyes and looked around, but there was no one there. Just then, a person materialized out of nowhere behind him. The person was dressed in all ck, covered from head to toe. He looked as if he was not a person but a shadow. Before Han Cai could turn around to see who the person was, the shadow gently tapped the back of Han Cai''s neck, and Han Cai lost consciousness. The shadow held Han Cai in his arms, and they both disappeared from the abode. Han Cai slowly regained consciousness, he realized that he was in a different ce. He was no longer in his abode but instead was sitting in a chair on a street corner of some city. Looking around, he saw that he was in the midst of a crowded and dirty street, surrounded by rundown buildings and poverty-stricken people. The street was narrow and littered with garbage, and the air was thick with the stench of sewage and rotting food. The buildings were dpidated, with cracked walls and boarded-up windows. People were everywhere, walking aimlessly or huddled together in groups, and many of them were dressed in ragged, tattered clothing. Sitting beside him was an old man, smoking a cigarette and watching the passersby with a disinterested expression. He was dressed in shabby clothes, and his face was lined with wrinkles that spoke of a long and difficult life. Han Cai noticed that he, too, was now dressed in simrly poor and rugged clothing, and his face was covered in some kind of paste that made him look dark and impoverished. He felt a sense of disorientation. As he looked around, he saw people who were sick, injured, or hungry, and he could sense the desperation and hopelessness that pervaded this ce. Old Man noticed Han Cai wake up, and He spoke, " Don''t worry. You won''t get hurt. I am on a mission for dark hall. Just follow me around and watch." Suddenly the old man got up and started walking. He gestured for Han Cai to follow him, and Han Cai followed behind quietly. Han Cai did not know who this old man was, but this guy was not simple. He must be some pro assassin or spy of the dark hall. Following the old man, Han Cai walked through the poor street they were in. The air was filled with the stench of garbage and sewage, and the sound of rats scurrying in the alleyways made his skin crawl. He saw the faces of the people he passed, and they were all filled with misery and pain. There was an old woman huddled in a doorway, her eyes sunken and her skin stretched tightly over her bones. A young girl with matted hair begged for coins on the street corner, her hands shaking and her clothes ragged. As They walked deeper into the poor area, they heard amotion up ahead. When they arrived at the scene, they saw a man lying motionless on the ground. His body contorted in pain. Blood flowed from his chest, and a group of people surrounded him, screaming and shouting. Han Cai watched as a young man, no older than himself, staggered away from the scene, a knife in one hand and some food in another hand. His eyes were wild, and his breathing was ragged as he ran off into the distance. The crowd dispersed, leaving the dying man alone on the ground. The scene reminded Han Cai of the character of Raskolnikov in "Crime and Punishment," who was driven to murder because of his desperation and poverty. Han Cai saw the same desperation in the eyes of the young man who had just taken a life. He realized that poverty and desperation could drive even the best of people to do unthinkable things. For some reason, Han Cai did not feel sympathy for the man or disgust toward the boy. The situation was obvious. The man tried to snatch the food from the boy, and the boy tore him a new hole. He shook his head. It did not mean the man was in the wrong. Say if it was Han Cai who was desperately hungry, what would he have done? He may have tried to snatch food from the kid too. And Kid had the right to defend and fight the man to protect himself and his food. Han Cai was reminded of the quote, "There Are No Bad People, Just Bad Circumstances." This was a f**ked up thing to see in the street when he should be sitting in his abode enjoying Jacuzzi in peace. In his mind, he was cursing all the generations of Palpatine. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 77 Date With Darkness 2 ?Han Cai saw an old man looking at him, paying attention to Han Cai''s expressions. " Is this old man testing me? Should I show some sympathy?" Thought Han Cai. But then Han Cai shook his head. This was too f**cked up. He did not have the mood to act here. Han Cai realized that even if he was not pretending, why did he not feel sympathy for this man or the kid? Did he have no empathy? No, that was not true. He empathized with both of them. Then what was the problem? Suddenly it dawned on him. It was his intelligence. Since his intelligence had grown a lot, he had started to look at things objectively and analyze their bottom line. He even recalled the book of a writer from his past and connected it with the present situation, and even madeparisons. In the past, Han Cai was a nerd, but he was not wise; he would not recall a book he read years ago and make a philosophical connection between life and the book. When he saw suffering, his first thoughts were not that he felt bad for them but to analyze the situation and give an objective, in-depth analysis of cause and effect, trying to figure out the veracity of facts. Han Cai sighed. When we begin to understand the truth of things, emotions start taking a back seat. As Han Cai and the old man continued their walk through the poverty-stricken city, he witnessed many criminal activities taking ce right before his eyes. He saw groups of young boys robbing and attacking innocent passersby on the street corners. Women were forced to sell their bodies to make ends meet, and men were gambling away theirst coins in the dark corners of the alleyways. In one particr street, Han Cai saw a group of men huddled around a woman who was screaming and crying. As they got closer, he saw that they were trying to take her away, but she was fighting back with all her might. Han Cai noticed a man holding a knife in his hand, and he realized that they were trying to kidnap her. The old man whispered to Han Cai to keep walking and not get involved, as the woman was probably a prostitute who owed her clients money. Han Cai was not going to interfere anyways. In this city, it seemed like no one was safe, and thew of the jungle was in full effect. As Han Cai and the old man continued to walk through the poor streets, the old man suddenly stopped in front of a narrow and dimly lit alley. The alley was littered with garbage, and a putrid smell emanated from the piles of waste. The walls were covered in grime, and the few streetlights that were present flickered dimly, casting eerie shadows along the walls. As Han Cai peered into the alley, he saw three children ying a game. They were running and giggling,pletely engrossed in their activity. These children looked younger than him, and Han Cai could not help but smile at the pure joy radiating from their faces. The game they were ying involved a small ball and a series ofplicated hand and foot movements. The children took turns throwing the ball and trying to execute the correct sequence of movements, all while chanting a catchy rhyme. Han Cai had never seen this game before, but he was immediately intrigued by it. Seeing Han Cai intrigued by the game. The old man turned to Han Cai and gestured for him to go and y the game with the children. Han Cai hesitated, unsure of whether he should intrude on their game. But the old man insisted, saying that it was important to experience joy amidst the pain and suffering that surrounded them. Han Cai slowly walked towards the children and introduced himself. The two boys were older than him, while the girl was younger. They weed him with open arms, showing him the rules of the game and teaching him the rhymes. Han Cai found himselfpletely engrossed in the game,ughing and ying with the children as if he was one of them. For a brief moment, Han Cai felt a sense of relief and happiness that he had not experienced in a long time. He forgot about the darkness and despair that had consumed life and allowed himself to simply enjoy the moment. He felt a newfound appreciation for the small moments of joy and happiness that could be found even in the darkest of ces. However, as the game progressed, Han Cai realized that the old man was nowhere to be found. He searched for him in the surrounding area through his perception, and he realized the old man was still there, hiding in the shadow. Suddenly, Han Cai had an ominous feeling, as if something bad was about to happen. He looked around, but everything appeared normal; then he saw five men walking toward him and the kids. These men looked like martial artists, and their expressionless faces hinted that they were not here to y. As the men walked closer, Han Cai scanned them. They were not cultivators, which meant that if he had to, he could easily kill them. However, Han Cai noticed that the old man was still present and was hiding quietly in the shadows. Han Cai decided not to act rashly and waited to see what would happen next. The five men made their way to the children who were ying with Han Cai. The kids were frightened, and Han Cai, pretending to be scared too, watched as the men approached them. Four of the strong men walked forward and each picked up a kid. The children tried to run away, but the strong men were too fast, and Han Cai was also caught. The children began crying and screaming, but the strong men ignored them and took them to a remote corner. There, the men tied the kids'' hands and legs with ropes, including Han Cai. They then gagged their mouths and blindfolded them. After that, the strongmen threw them into a carriage. Han Cai''s senses allowed him to see everything clearly, even after his eyes were covered. He saw that there were more children like them tied and blindfolded in the carriage. As the carriage started moving, Han Cai noticed the old man stealthily following it. Note: There are some dark, tragic moments depicted in next chapter. If you do not like tragic, dark situations, please skip the next chapter. Chapter 78 Trauma ?Note: There are some dark, tragic moments depicted in this chapter. If you do not like tragic, dark situations, please skip this chapter. ************************************************* The carriage slowly passed through many streets, picking up a few more children before it reached the wealthy side of the city. Han Cai wondered what the old man''s mission was and why he was involved in this kidnapping of innocent children. The carriage rattled along the streets for hours, moving past various city districts, both affluent and impoverished. Eventually, it came to a stop in front of a grand mansion. The gates of the mansion slowly creaked open, and the carriage pulled through, circling around to the back of the building beforeing to a stop. The mansion was situated on a vast plot ofnd, surrounded by a high wall that looked like it was made of stone. The wall was about twelve feet high and hadrge, ornate gates that were wide open. Beyond the wall was a sprawling garden, filled with lush greenery, and colorful flowers. The garden had several winding pathways that led to different areas of the estate. The mansion itself was a grand sight, with its majestic architecture, towering columns, and intricate carvings. The building was made of white marble, which glistened in the sunlight. The roof was tiled with dark te, and several chimneys rose up from it. Large windows with ornate frames dotted the walls, allowing natural light to flood into the rooms. The mansion had arge courtyard, which was paved with smooth stones. In the centre of the courtyard was a sparkling fountain, which shot water high up into the air, before cascading down into arge basin. The basin was filled with colourful fish, which swam aroundzily. The entrance to the mansion was through arge, wooden door, which had been intricately carved with various designs. The gate opened, and the carriage moved around the mansion before stopping behind it. The children were taken out and brought inside the mansion through the back door. The strong men carried them to the cer, which was damp, dark, and dirty. The walls were made of grey, rough stones, and there were rats scurrying around the floor. For hours, the kids were trapped in the dark cer, unable to see or hear anything beyond the dank walls. Finally, the cer door creaked open, and a group of strong men carrying arge bucket filled with murky liquid walked in. Han Cai scanned the liquid and realized it was some sort of sleeping solution. The strong men used adle to make every child drink it after removing their gags. However, when they gave it to Han Cai, his celestial Qi purified the liquid before it even reached his stomach. The other children drank the liquid and were knocked out cold. Han Cai was the only one left awake, and he noticed the old man was outside the cer, hiding in the dark corner and observing everything quietly. After some time, several women entered the cer carrying a basket filled with colorful dresses. They untied the children''s hands and legs, removed their tattered poor clothes, and dressed them in the dresses they had brought. Han Cai was also dressed in a colorful dress by the women. After the women left, the old man slowly came to the cer, opened the door, and gestured for Han Cai to follow him. Han Cai nodded and took off his binds and gags, and followed the old man. Once they got out of the cer, the old man put his hand on Han Cai''s shoulder, and they both disappeared. They reappeared in the same dark corner outside the cer, and the old man''s Qi covered Han Cai, making him assimte into the darkness. If anyone tried to look in the corner, they would not be able to see Han Cai or the old man. Han Cai and the old man continued to wait in the dark corner as they watched. Soon some guards of the mansion came to the cer, and they carried the children out of the cer one by one and took them to a hall. Old Man followed the guards taking Han Cai with him. When they reached close to the hall. The old man stopped. He kept a safe distance from the hall and hid in a corner. The two of them remained there for hours, waiting patiently as the night grew darker. As it gotte into the night, they heard noisesing from the hall. First, it was the sound of men and womenughing and talking, and then, after a few hours, the noises of children could be heard. The children who had been knocked out cold were now waking up and crying, not knowing what was happening to them.Later, they heard the sound of one child crying loudly in pain, but then the child went quiet. After that, one by one, the remaining children yelped, and then their voices went quiet as well. The old man did not move, and neither did he let Han Cai move. They quietly waited, listening to everything that was happening in the hall. Han Cai was feeling depressed. Should he go save the children? Why was the old man not moving? He knew he was a scoundrel, but what was going on here was downright pure evilˇŞkidnapping and hurting children. This was beyond messed up. Suddenly, the old man asked Han Cai to wait where he was and disappeared. Han Cai was left alone in the dark corner, unsure of what was going on. After the old man disappeared, Han Cai waited for what felt like an eternity before he heard the noise again. The men and women in the hall were yelling and crying loudly. The noise persisted for a while, and Han Cai could hear the guards'' footsteps running towards the hall, followed by the sound of fighting. The people in the hall continued to cry and curse, and Han Cai waited patiently for the noise to quiet down. Finally, after what seemed like a long time, everything went silent. Han Cai saw the backdoor of the hall open, and the old man signaled that it was safe toe out now. Han Cai followed the old man into the hall and saw a bloody mess. There were dead bodies of men and women everywhere, including many guards. In the center of the hall was a big dining table, and all the lifeless bodies of the abducted childreny on it. As Han Cai walked near the table, he noticed the lifeless bodies of the children who yed with him with during the day. Their necks were slit precisely, but what disturbed Han Cai most was that their eye sockets were empty. Someone had scooped out their eyes. At the end of the dining table, there was a man wearing a white robe sitting at the main seat. In front of him was a te on which many eyeballs were ced. The man was drugged. He had half of his eyes open as if he was trying to make sense of what was going on, but he could not apprehend what was going on. Seeing This traumatized Han Cai beyondprehension. He felt like vomiting. Han Cai was fuming. Chapter 79 First Kill ?He felt angry. Angry at this man for being a F***ked up piece of sh*t eating eyeballs. He felt angry at the old man of the dark hall for waiting and not trying to save the children. He felt angry at Dongmei for making him go through this sh*t. But the angriest was Han Cai in this World. This messed up mother-effin tragedy-filled, good-for-nothing world. This did not need to happen. It was unnecessary. Couldn''t this bastard have a normal meal? What kind of messed up fetish was this? But this world was filled with messed up dumb f**ks like these. Han Cai disappeared where he was standing from and reappeared in front of the man sitting in the corner. Han covered his hands with celestial Qi and shoved them right into the eyes of a woozy man. The man yelped, trying to get away. when the man tried to get Han Cai''s hands away. Han Cai realized this man was a golden core cultivator. Because he was drugged, he was not able to fight back, or this man would have kicked Han Cai''s butt to oblivion. Han Cai did not let the man go away. He dug his hands deeper into the man''s eyes. When his hands were deep enough, he scooped the man''s eyes and froze them using freezing Qi. The man was on the floor now, yelping, trying to move, but the drug was making it hard for him to move. Han Cai covered his hands with the freezing sword Qi and sliced the man''s neck. Qi passed through as if it was a knife in butter, and the neck was separated from the body. After ending man''s life, Han Cai came back to his senses. He noticed the old man was standing at some distance, looking at Han Cai with approval in his eyes. Behind the old man, there were five more people standing quietly. They were all dressed in ck from Head to Toe. Breaking the silence, the old man spoke and told Han Cai that he could not have saved the kids, even if he had wanted to, as the target was a golden core realm cultivator who would have escaped if he sensed anything suspicious. ************************************************* Han Cai was back on his terrace, sipping his tea. When they returned to the sect, the old man told Han Cai not to mention it to anyone. The dark hall missions were confidential. What he had witnessed, It had shaken him to his core. This world was unfathomable. Even in his past life, he had seen cruelty but not something this sick. He had seen the worst of humanity - cruelty, greed, and aplete disregard for human life. And as he sat there, he couldn''t help but wonder: how could this world be so cruel? For Han Cai, this wasn''t a new question. He had seen his fair share of hardships and injustices throughout his previous life and present life. Growing up in a remote town, he had learned early on that the world was a harsh and unforgiving ce. But thistest mission had pushed him to his limits. He realized he couldn''t simply vent his anger and frustration. He knew that if he wanted to survive in this cruel world, he needed to be just as cruel as the people he was fighting against. He needed to be ruthless and upromising, willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals. And as he thought about it more, he realized that this was the only way to survive. Han Cai closed his eyes and sighed. Han Cai''s perception rmed him again. Someone has entered his cave abode. Han Cai cursed. He needed to stop drinking tea on the terrace. Maybe this ce is bad luck. He quickly opened his eyes and looked around, this time he knew the old man who had arrived. It was none other than Palpatine, aka elder Dongmei. Palpatine walked in as if it was his cave abode. He looked around the terrace and nodded in approval. And spoke, "It is indeed a good ce to enjoy a warm cup of tea." Han Cai looked at the old man, but he did not get up and bow. He was still traumatized by the stuff he saw. He was just a run-of-the-mill, selfish scoundrel. Now he realized maybe he needed to be crueler. He will start by stopping pretending to be nice to this old man. Elder Dongmei noticed Han Cai was not speaking anything. He came and sat opposite Han Cai. Han Cai still did not say anything. Elder Dongmei coughed. He was waiting for Han Cai to serve him tea. But Han Cai ignored Palpatine and kept sipping his tea. Elder Dongmei sighed and poured himself a cup of tea, and spoke, "I am sorry for what you have seen. We could not save those children, but with that guy gone. We have saved many children in the future." He continued, "You resent me? Don''t you?" Han Cai did not pretend and nodded. Elder Dongmei asked, "What do you think I should have done, so you did not have to resent me?" Han Cai did not speak. But he cursed in mind, "You could have left me the f*ck alone to cultivate in peace. I know the world is filled with maniacs. That Doesn''t mean I need to witness it." Elder Dongmei continued, "If you close your eyes and pretend that evil in this world does not exist, does it really mean that evil in the world stopped existing? One has to take responsibility to end the evil." Han Cai finally spoke in a sarcastic tone, "So you are saying you are not evil? But you are doing righteous thing and killing those who evil?" Han Cai''s intentions were clear don''t give me you are a righteous hero, bull crap. Elder Dongmei was tongue-tied for a while. This child was not as naive as he expected. Elder Dongmei coughed, "Since you are wise enough to understand I am not a righteous person, but my hall did end that evil man, why do you think we did that?" Han Cai spoke, "Because he was hurting the interests of the sect?" Elder Dongmei nodded. "He could eat as many eyeballs as he wanted to. We do not care if it does not hurt our interests. There are many evil people who are worse than him living in this world, but we do not try to kill them all. I did not intend to make you suffer through this, but I did want you to see what kind of harsh things dark hall disciples witness." Elder Dongmei continued, "That man killed the patriarch of one of the vassal families of our sect, which was an important source of ie to our sect. He had backing from the Li family and was always heavily protected. This was the only time when he went to indulge. The Cultivation world is very harsh, and you mustpete for resources. Even you need spirit stones to improve your cultivation, don''t you? The dark hall has the most important responsibility in the sect. It is to ensure no one can threaten the sect''s interest." Han Cai looked at him nkly, Han Cai did not speak, but that look said everything. The meaning was clear: "Do I look like I give a damn?" Han Cai spoke, "Does master know about all this?" This was the only doubt Han Cai had as much as he knew his master. His master was a kind-hearted man, and Han Cai could literally feel the innocence, honesty, and uprightness of his master. How did his master cope with this buls**t? Chapter 80 The Plot ?Elder Dongmei nodded his head. "Your master has a pure heart. But He understands what dark hall does and why it is important for the sect. He does not approve of it, but he understands it is a necessity for the sect. It is not that you won''t face such darkness in other halls or in other sects." Dongmei continued, "But in our dark hall, we chase the darkness instead the darkness chasing us." Han Cai looked at Palpatine. Palpatine really can quote well. Then Han Cai shook his head and spoke, "I will be honest with you, elder. I understand what dark hall is doing. I understand thew of the world in which the strong prey on the weak, so one has to be strong and fight for their interest. I agree with your perspective of actively fighting for your own interests and conquering the darkness instead of waiting for it to catch up to you." Elder Dongmei just looked at Han Cai wide-eyed. This kid really was wise. He understood everything the Elder wanted to convey. Han Cai spoke, "But Elder, I have no qualms with killing or fighting with good or evil I do not mind it, but what I mind is when my interests are being affected. I am young, and my cultivation is very low. What I need right now is to work hard and cultivate not witnessing things like these?" What Han Cai wanted to convey was simple. Leave me alone. I am young. Let me be in peace for now. Elder Dongmei nodded. He stood up and was about to leave. Then he thought something and spoke to Han Cai, "There is someone who wants to kill you in the sect. In general dark hall should take care of it. But I will give you a chance. If you can take care of people who want to kill you, I will exempt you from going on such harsh missions for one year." Elder Dongmei continued, "Don''t worry about the consequences of handling those people. No matter who they are, my dark hall will protect you. But if you are not able to handle them, you cane to me. I will take care of it for you, but you have to follow my instructions and go to the missions I send you to do." Elder Dongmei expected Han Cai would be shocked and ask more about people who wanted to kill him. But it was like Han Cai did not care. He did not look up or give affirmation. He Just kept sipping tea peacefully and ignored the elder Dongmei. Elder Dongmei thought Han Cai was too traumatized seeing what he saw. He decided to leave Han Cai alone. But when Elder Dongmei turned around He heard Han Cai''s voice "2 years, I want two years." Elder Dongmei gave Han Cai a curious look. He thought something for a while then nodded and left Han Cai''s cave abode. The reason why Han Cai was not surprised when elder Dongmei told him that some people in the sect wanted him dead because. He already knew about it. How did Han Cai figure it out? Han Cai stayed updated on inner sect happenings through his gray robes. He made sure to scan his gray robes frequently to confirm they were not having malicious thoughts about him. He did not trust anyone in this world, that''s what great Daoist Murphy and hisw from hisst life had taught him. But nothing strange popped up until the second month they worshipped Han Cai. But in the third month, things changed. When scanned, the system showed the gray robes were bored doing most of the chores in his abode, and their sentiments toward him were unfavorable. The moment he saw unfavorable, he knew something was up. Earlier, they used to enjoy serving him and earning gold coins. Not everyone could get the opportunity to work for core disciples. Now they were bored doing it? Why did that happen? Han Cai''s high perception warned him, or in Han Cai''s words, his spider senses tingled. Han Cai did not ask them what was wrong. He decided to use the perfect method to figure it out, which was the system. He asked the system to exchange information for points. First, he asked, "why the gray robes had an unfavorable impression of him." System answered, "It was because they were in love." Han Cai almost fell down when he read this. What''s being in love go to do with him? Was he c**k blocking them, or was he trying to steal their women? Why were these numb nuts hating him? Hold up, where did these simps meet girls to fall in love with? He asked the system again: "what''s one thing got to do with another?" System informed him, "When gray robes went to the outer sect to brag about life in the inner sect to their past subordinates and friends. They met these girls. Slowly they were seduced and fell in love with these girls. These girls kept saying negative things about Han Cai to the gray robes. Because the girls deeply seduced them. They started having an unfavorable impression of Han Cai." So these simps were whipped, and those b****es were basically badmouthing him? Han Cai asked the system, "why those girls were badmouthing him?" System answered again, "because the outer sect elder instructed those girls to badmouth Han Cai to the gray robes and create an unfavorable impression of him." Han Cai thought, "the plot thickens!!" He continued asking the system in return for exchange points. It was not expensive. It cost him only around ten exchange points per question. Han Cai asked, "why did the outer sect elder instruct them to badmouth him?" The system gave a new response "Because the elder wanted to kill Han Cai." Han Cai froze, "hold up! That escted quickly." He asked the system to stop sharing information step by step and line by line. He asked the system to get enough exchange points and share the whole information from where the plot to kill him began and who wanted to kill him, and why they wanted to kill him. He asked the system to give him all the details. ************************************************** Author''s Note: I have updated the chapters ording to their numbers. If you can, feel free to gift the book a castle on march one. If not castle, any gift of 500 coins above would help the book; this would give the book exposure to multiple audiences, as golden tickets decide how much exposure the book should receive. Thank you Chapter 81 The Plot 2 ?Soon the whole plot was disclosed by the system. It cost around five thousand exchange points. It was cheap because the people involved in this plot were only foundation establishment-level cultivators. Han Cai did not know how the system got the whole plot. Did it calcte? or divine it? Or something in between? But itid out the whole plot for him. His senior sister hated him, so she went to another core disciple and ckmailed him into killing Han Cai. "That b**ch really was a snowke and can''t even take a small amount ofpetition," thought Han Cai. That disciple she went to was another inner core disciple name Qiang. Qiang had actually killed another core disciple, and he was in love with his senior sister. "Another simp!" Han Cai gave anotherment. Then Han Cai read how the simp core disciple went to the outer sect elder to get him to make a poison that was untraceable. That elder was nning to use gray robes to poison Han Cai, so he sent two girls to seduce gray robes to make them hate Han Cai. Once gray robes poisoned him, they were supposed to escape with the girls out of the sect. When they got out of the sect, the elder nned to kill them all and escape the sect with the help of a core disciple. But that was not it. There were more twists in this story, like a clich¨¦ betrayal plot. The simp core disciple nned to kill the elder too. Once, the elder poisoned Han Cai and killed the gray robes and female disciples. Qiang nned to get rid of the poison elder with the help of his family. And make it look as if this elder colluded with demon sects who wanted to hurt the sky-soaring sect by killing a core disciple. The poison elder agreed to the demon sect''s demands so he could get more dead bodies to cultivate death Qi. It was likeyer afteryer. They each nned to finish each other off. This was the most cliche, and generic plot Han Cai could ever expect; he felt like vomiting. Then he thought these people had no other choice. He rarely left the cave abode and rarely met anyone. If they wanted to hurt him, that was the only path left. Killing everyone off after the deed was done. "Keep No loose ends. That was a good idea, though. " thought Han Cai. Han Cai felt bad for the gray robes. Poor fes joined the sect to be immortals, he tried to give them a good life, but they became pawns for someone else. Now anyone could guess what their ending would be. Their only fault was they were too simple-minded. They were Frogs dreaming of swan meat. When they saw an opportunity to eat the swan meat, they let go of whatever wisdom was left in them. Han Cai contemted he should learn from these gray robes and never lose sight of his reality no matter how many swans meat he was offered in the future. Han Cai''s attention went to the words death Qi. This really intrigued him. Han Cai asked the system what death Qi was. System Responded with information in return for exchange points. [Death Qi is a type of energy that is associated with death and decay. It is considered to be a negative energy and is often associated with evil and dark practices. Death Qi is believed to be present in ces where death and decay have urred, such as graveyards, battlefields, and areas where violent crimes have taken ce. Cultivating in Death Qi involves harnessing the power of this negative energy to enhance one''s skills inbat and other dark practices. Practitioners of Death Qi are believed to be able to manipte the energy to cause harm to their enemies, induce illness and disease, bring about death, and even control their souls and body after their death. However, cultivating in Death Qi is not without its dangers. Practitioners must be careful not to let the energy consume them, as it can lead to madness and even death. Additionally, the use of Death Qi is often considered taboo and can lead to social ostracism or even persecution. Despite its negative connotations, some believe that Death Qi can also be used for good. For example, it can be used to cleanse areas of negative energy and bring about new beginnings. Additionally, some believe that by facing and embracing the concept of death, one can better appreciate and live life to the fullest. Death Qi is a powerful and dangerous energy that requires careful cultivation and understanding. Its use can lead to great power but also great risk. As with any type of energy, it is important to approach it with respect and caution.] Reading the part where it said, "even control their soul and body after their death," Han Cai felt this was dark but super cool. Wouldn''t this be like the power of a necromancer? If he can, he should catch this elder and force him to tell all secrets about this death Qi. After understanding death QI, Han Cai returned to the plot. "They want to use Poison, huh? What a stereotype plot." thought Han Cai. Even if he did not know the plot, He wouldn''t have died as Han Cai was the epitome of paranoia. He scanned his food every day. He was not dumb enough to swallow anything that came from people he did not know. But bying up with such an unoriginal plot, they had no respect for his intelligence at all. Did he overestimate the people in this world? No, that was a dangerous thought to have. Han Cai pushed that thought away. He knew why these people resorted to Poison because, for them, Han Cai was just a twelve years old kid. They did not know he was a scoundrel who was a follower of good old Murphy. Han Cai contemted the best solution would be to inform master or ask elder Dongmei. But he did not want to have any direct contact with these people. Han Cai wanted a solution where they all should suffer, but it should not trace back to him that he was the one who made them suffer. Most importantly he did not want to owe it to Palpatine and do messed up dark hall missions to satisfy that old ba***ard. He wanted the two years of freedom that he asked for. The dark hall missions were not only sick but also too dangerous he might have to face core formation level cultivators if any idents happened he was not ready for that. Besides, what''s the use of improving his intelligence if he had to depend on others to solve his problems? But needed to be careful about it. He did not know their background or what repercussions would be if he directly tried to face these people. Han Cai contemted what he should do for a while and then disappeared from sight. Chapter 82 Life Of Han It has been more than two years since Han Cai''s father dropped his son. After spending so much money bribing the sect, he had to work twice as hard to make up for it. But the business was back on track. Today when Han Dai woke up, he heard from a servant informed that his mother had called a family meeting. Han Dai''s mother was also the matriarch of the Han household. She rarely participated in any family business. But when she ordered, everyone responded immediately. Family hall of Han household. There were more than fifty members in the Han household. They were all present in the hall where the Matriarch sat on the main seat while elders who were Han Dai''s uncles sat around her. Han Dai sat a bit far. The young generation of Han Family Han Cai''s cousins stood around their parents. When everyone joined the hall, it was quiet for a while, then the Matriarch spoke in a soft, loving voice,"Daier, did you receive any letter from Caier about the sect he joined?" Han Dai and Han family members were a little confused. Han Dai''s mother, who managed the family after his father''s death, was very strict with family members to make sure they did not get conceited because of the booming business. Why was she being so gentle right now? She was still staring at Han Dai. Han Dai got out of his stupor and spoke, "No, mother, I haven''t heard from him yet. But I had made arrangements for him so that he was not treated badly. Why, you ask?" Lady Jin, the Matriarch, smiled. All the family members almost fell down to the floor. What was going on? She never smiles. One of the elders couldn''t take it, and he spoke, dy Jin what is going on? Do you have news?" Lady Jin gave another charming smile and spoke, "Yes, I received a letter from the patriarch of the Hong family. His grand-nephew is the Mayor of Cloud Mountain City. He is also an elder of the inner sect of the Sky soaring sect." Family members were wide-eyed. An elder from the inner sect sent a letter to the Matriarch! How powerful was an elder of the inner sect? His one word could destroy their whole town. Lady Jin spoke this time. She had a serious face. "What I am going to say is very important. And no one is allowed to speak about it outside the family." Everyone nodded seriously. Lady Jin continued, the smile on her face was back, "Heaven has eyes. Han Cai, My grandson, has been epted by the sect master of the Sky Soaring sect as his personal disciple. He has be a core disciple of the sect. And the sect master dotes on him very much and treats him as his own son." Everyone in the Han Family looked agape. Personal disciple of the sect master, no wonder the inner sect elder sent a letter. Sky soaring controlled half of the northern region of Yin country. Han Dai''s eyes twinkled as his son was chosen as a disciple of the sect master. Han Dai was overwhelmed with pride and joy when he received the news that his son, Han Cai, had been chosen by the sect master of Sky Soaring Sect to be his personal disciple. As a father, he had always dreamed of seeing his son seed in life, and this was a moment that he had been waiting for. Han Dai had worked hard to establish a rtionship with the mayor and gain his favor so Han Cai could enter the sect. He had done everything in his power to ensure that his son had the best possible chance of sess, and seeing his hard work pay off in this way was a moment of immense satisfaction for him. As he sat down, Han Dai couldn''t help but smile as he thought about his son''s aplishment. He had always known that Han Cai was talented and hardworking, but to be chosen as the personal disciple of the sect master was an achievement that he could hardly have imagined. Seeing Han Dai''s cheerful chubby face,dy Jin smiled. He was her son, after all, and the one who got epted was her grandson. No one was as happy as her. One of the other family elders spoke, "Lady Jin. Isn''t this very good news? We should celebrate and feed the whole town. Why are we trying to keep it a secret?" Lady Jin spoke, "You do not understand the implications of it. Han Cai is now a personal disciple of the sect master. The sect master dotes on him a lot. It is also mentioned in the letter that Han Cai has a Heaven-defying talent in cultivation. What do you think enemies of the sky-soaring sect will do when they want to hurt the sect? They will try to hurt Han Cai as he is a disciple the sect master dotes on. If they are not able to hurt him, who will they hurt? Han Cai''s family." Hearing this, everyone in the family sweated. Lady Jin spoke again, "But you don''t have to worry about it for long. Caier, that filial child, when the sect master asked what he wanted, he requested that the sect should take care of his family. He was worried about his father and family. So sect master promised him he would take care of Caier''s family." All the elders nodded at one after other and whispered "Good Child" "Very Filial'' One of the elders spoke to Han Dai, "Daier, you have qilin of a Son." Han Dai bowed happily. He was so happy that he might cry. His son really made it. His son is going to be immortal. He did not say it, but even after settling everything, he worried about how Han Cai would be treated in the sect. Lady Jin Continued, "Reason the sect master agreed to take care of our family was that he is afraid Caier might lose his cultivation heart if anything happens to Caier''s family. So the sect master asked all the elders of the sect for help. The sect elders decided to move our Han Family to Cloud mountain city. The sect will help us settle down, even take care of our residences and expenses, and also help us set up new trading channels and businesses in cloud mountain city. The mayor of Cloud Mountain city, Outer sect elders of Sky Soaring Sect, and Hong family members will be visiting our town soon. They left Cloud Mountain City a few months ago. They will stay here with us until all the Han Family members are safely moved to the cloud mountain city." Everyone went into deep thought moving the whole family to a new city was a very big decision. ************************************************** Author''s Note: This Chapter was supposed to be chapter 82 because of some problems with serializing, it was released early. I apologize to readers if it caused any confusion. Chapter 83 Life Of Han 2 Everyone went into deep thought moving the whole family to a new city was a very big decision. One of the elders spoke, "Moving the family to a new city is a big move. We have been an eagle trail town for over a hundred years." Another elder spoke, "That is very true. Our roots are here, and there are ten branch families under us here too." The third elder spoke, "We can take the trade channels that the sect is offering and set up cloud mountain city, but we should not move." Lady Jin shook Her head. "You old coots can never see the big picture, and what happens when tomorrow, enemies of the sect who are strong cultivatorse looking for Caier''s family? Would you be able to stop them? Besides, You all are frogs in a well. With the help of the sect, our family can be a big merchant family in yin country, not the merchant family of a single eagle trail town. Not to mention anyone from the Han Family who wants to Join the sect with Caier''s help will be able to join the sect in the future. We can have more cultivators in our family." All the elders started contemting again. Lady Jin spoke in a stern voice again, "I don''t care what you all decide. I have made my decision that I will be moving to cloud mountain city, so my grandson does not have to worry about his grandmother and can cultivate peacefully in the sect. As for branch families, we can move them in the future when our family gains some roots in the cloud mountain city." The family members mumbled in their minds "Your grandson? Have you even talked to him properly anytime when he was here? Old hag just wants to move to a big city to gain more money and power." Lady Jin continued, "You all can decide yourself if you want to stay or move. We still have a few days before sect elders and the Hong family arrive." With this, the Han Family''s gathering ended. A few days Later Eagle trail town was bustling today. A caravan of more than a thousand people hade to their town. This caravan was not just an average caravan. Those thousand people had brought around two thousand carriages. These carriages were being pulled by bull size muscled horses. Half of the caravan consisted of muscled fighters who camped all around the city. The caravan carriages had Hong written on them. Around fifty carriages from caravans entered the town and went straight to the Han household. Everyone was curious about where this caravan was from and did the Han Family manage to partner with some big family. Seeing the number of martial artists in the caravan, it felt more like they partnered with some big martial family. All the main families of eagle trail town were worried as Han Family was one of the biggest families in town and their directpetition. Fifty Carriages came to a halt in front of the Cai household. Inside the first three carriages of the caravan were the three outer sect elders of the Sky Soaring Sect. Elder Ji, Elder Zhou, and Elder Hong Guo. Inside the fourth Carriage was the mayor of Cloud Mountain City, Mayor Hong. When the Carriage reached the gate of the Han household, the gate opened, and all the core family members of the Han household came out to wee the elders and mayor Hong. In the front was the matriarch of the Han Family, and behind her were the elders of the Han Family. Behind the elders were Han Dai, his brothers, and his Cousins. Before Lady Jin could say the wee mayor of Cloud Mountain city walked forward bowed and spoke "greetings matriarch, I am Ming, mayor of cloud mountain city" Then he pointed at elders. "These are outer sect elders of our sect, Elder Ji, Elder Hong, and Elder Zhou." The elders greeteddy Jin very respectfully. Lady Jin greeted the elders, and She invited everyone to the family hall. In The hall of Han, everyone was sitting now. Han Dai stood with his brothers in the corner of the hall respectfully; Han Family elders served tea to the guests. Suddenly the mayor turned and looked towards the crowd and asked with concern on his face, "Is Han Dai not here?" The chubby face of Han Dai, Came out from the crowd and bowed to the mayor. Mayor moved forward and hugged Han Dai like they were long-lost friends. Mayor said, "Han Dai, my friend, this old man was wrong. When you came to my city, I did not treat you well. I hope you were not offended. I havee here to make things right." Han Dai shook his "What are you saying, mayor Hong? You got my son in the sect because which He was able to cultivate. I am eternally grateful to you." Elder Zhou, who was standing behind, immediately came forward and shook Han Dai''s hand with both hands. "So you are Han Dai. Now I see where Han Cai''s talentes from. He always talked about you, When he used to train with me. Qilin''s son has a Qilin father. When I heard the sect was sending people to Han Cai''s family town, I had toe to meet his father. Brother Dai, When you move to Cloud Mountain city, you might need help settling down. My Zhou family is very well known in the city. We have a lot of martial warriors. You cane to me directly anytime you need any helpˇ­." Elder Zhou wanted to talk more, but elder Ji being elder Ji, couldn''t help it. He Jumped and took Han Dai''s hands from elder Zhou''s hands and started shaking them and spoke " I see where Han Cai gets his ferocious charm from, a Dragon son''s dragon father. When Han Cai entered the sect, he stayed in my faction''s quarters. He always mentioned you with my faction''s disciples. Brother Dai, now that you are moving to cloud mountain city, my Ji family is well-known in the city too. We handle a lot of businesses in the city. If you need any help, please make sure toe to me, brother.." Chapter 84 Scandal Han Dai''s chubby face was red from being called Qilin and Dragon the same day that also from sect elders who were cultivators he was just a mortal man. Elder Hong was speechless. He wanted to curry favor with the father of the sect master''s disciple too, but these shameless bastards already called him Qilin and Dragon. What should he call him? the heavenly emperor? Still elder Hong Guo moved forward and shook Han Dai''s hand " Brother Dai I hope you remember me. I was the one to take our Han Cai to the sect. Brother Dai you will be d to know that our patriarch, who is an inner sect elder, told me that uncle master of the sect master who is most respected in the sect, dotes on our Han Cai very much. I am ashamed of my behavior at that time brother. I apologies to brother if I offended you in anyways'' Han Dai hurriedly shook his head " You are a jesting elder, You took my son to the sect You have my gratitude, elder" Han Dai bowed. Elder Hong Guo hurriedly stopped him " Brother Dai do not shorten my life. I do not deserve your bow. To make up for our faults, besides the sect supporting you to settle down in Cloud Mountain City, our Hong Family has collected 1 million gold coins to contribute to Brother Dai''s businesses." Elder Guo took out a golden token. Wang was written on one side of the token and On the other side of the token was written Dai. Elder Guo stuffed the token in His Hands and said "This is Wang bank token only you can use it. There are 1 million gold coins in the ount. You can take it out using the token anytime" Then he pped his hands and four yellow-dressed young men carrying swords entered the room. He pointed at yellow-dressed young men and spoke, " Brother, these are outer sect disciples of the Hong faction. They are Qi cultivators with good sword technique. From now on, they will be following you. You can use them as per your needs." Forget about the Han Dai and Han Family, even elder Ji and Zhou, except mayor Hong had their mouth agape. Now elder Ji and Zhou were speechless. They called Han Dai Qilin and Dragon but elder Hong brought massive material gifts. The Han Family matriarch and elders were shell-shocked. One million gold coins. What did that mean? The whole Han Family''s yearly ie was 1500 gold coins. It would have taken them 500+ years to earn that much amount, and the elder of the Hong family just gifted it to Han Dai. They were just frogs in a well. They were so short-sighted having doubts about moving to the city. If that was not enough, they brought QI cultivators to do Han Dai''s bidding. If he wanted, he could get them to wipe out all the big families in the town, and no one will squeak. Han Dai was shocked, But these gifts were too much, so he tried to reject " Elder this.." Elder Hong Guo stopped him " It is the intention of the Grandmaster of our patriarch. Grandmaster is the most senior elder of the sect. Even Han Cai''s master, Sect Master, never rejects the grand master''s intention. Grand Master dotes on Han Cai very much. If you do not ept, my Hong family will be in trouble, we sincerely urge you to ept it, brother Dai." Seeing how sincere elder Hong was, Han Dai epted the token. Soon the news spread to the whole town. One Of the Han Family members, in a drunken stupor, told his friends in a bar bragging about how the son of the Han Family was selected as a core disciple of the sky soaring sect; he was so talented, that sect decided to help his family, Sect also sent Qi cultivators to guard the family. Big families sent some people to snoop around the house. But the people who came to snoop around disappeared without any trace. After meeting the elders, Han Dai went back to his room to rest. Today the things were too much to take. 2 yellow-robed disciples followed him and stayed in front of his door. Before he could have some time to rx, Han Family members kept knocking on his door, trying to please him. A monthter, Four hundred members of the Han Family and three hundred families of branch families, and hundred families of guards of the Han Family left eagle trail town with the caravan to Cloud Mountain City. The sect had allocated the whole town near cloud mountain city for the Han Family; they renamed the town Eagle Cai town. ************************************************** It was winter in sky soaring sect. Th sky-soaring sect was very peaceful. You could see the disciples cultivating peacefully in their cave abode. If you notice carefully, There was a disciple sitting in the meditation room of his cave abode, but he was not cultivating but enjoying something. About three months ago, Qiang started hearing an ominous sound buzzing in his mind. Before Qiang could not figure out where this music wasing from, it would stop after ying for sometime. But after a few days, he would hear it again. In the beginning, Qiang hated this sound buzzing in his head. He asked his servants if they heard any sound the servants informed him they did not hear anything. Qiang thought about going to his master to ask about it, but he decided to wait until his n of killing Han Cai was concluded. From the day his n to kill Han Cai had begun, he told everyone that he was going for closed-door cultivation as at the time Han Cai died, he would be in closed-door cultivation, no one should be able to trace anything back to him or even think that it was connected to him. His abode array would be proof of it that he never left his abode. It would be impossible for anyone to connect him to the death of Han Cai, and no one will doubt him. As for Yonginan, his family had hired demon sect cultivators to finish him off when the job was done. Everything was going ording to n. He stayed in the cave abode cultivated peacefully, But now he would keep hearing this ominous sound time to time while he cultivated. After hearing this sound for a month, there was a change in his thought process, this ominous sound that he despised. Slowly, Qiang started to like this sound. It reached to a level where this music, which sounded ominous to him at the start, now felt like a sweet melody. This continued for months. Nowadays, he would forget about cultivation and wait for music to y in his mind. He was addicted. He would stay up all night, sitting in his abode, waiting for the music to start. After a while, the circumstances became moreplicated. On the days when music did not y, Qiang would feel ufortable, irritated, and angry for no reason. But when music came back, he would feel warm, peaceful, andforted. Like some beautiful fairy was holding him in her bosom, singing for him. Sometimes at rare moments, the music would talk to Qiang and suggest that he should do random things. First, it suggested Qiang go eat some random food, and the second time it suggested Qiang shave his hair. Soon the music started giving Qiang daily missions to do very random things every day. Qiang, lost in the music''s warmth, would do anything it asked him to do. Slowly the music''s requests turned weird, as one time it asked him to dance naked. Another time it asked Qiang to p all his servants for no reason, and Qiang obediently did what was asked, without giving it any second thoughts. At this point, the only thing in the world that mattered to Qiang was this music; he did not care about cultivating, eating, or sleeping. He would impatiently wait every morning for the music to y. Just like this time passed on, the music deeply prated his mind. Today Xiaoyun came to Qiang''s cave abode to ask for an update on the progress of his n. She already knew how he was going to get rid of Han Cai. He had told her everything from a poisonous elder to making gray robes hate Han Cai. The reason she came today was to vent her anger. Today, the sect master called her and Han Cai again to check their cultivation growth and guide them. Her cultivation was the same as in the past, and that is how cultivation worked. It took years to grow in general, but Han Cai was different, and his cultivation had increased. But before revealing his cultivation Han Cai again asked the Sect master that He wanted to consult with him alone, and the sect master agreed immediately to this. It made Xioyun very angry. Her master was doing that kid''s bidding. She was furious. To make matters worse during the time she was there, all the attention of the sect master stayed on Han Cai. She was upset, so she came here to vent her anger on Qiang. When she came in front of the Cave abode, Qiang came out to wee her as usual. They went and sat in the garden of his cave abode. Qiang served her tea. Xiaoyun picked up the tea, took a sip, and spoke coldly, "It has been more than seven months now. Has the poison still not arrived? Are you not evenpetent enough to get a small poison? Do I have to bring brother Lanfen''s death to the sect master''s attention?" Qiang replied smiling, "Senior sister, It is not easy to acquire a gork nt. It has to be brought from the ape forest and costs thousand spirit stones. Please be patient ." Xiaoyun replied, "I don''t know, and I don''t care. I will give you one more ....." Before she could finish her sentence, she felt her eyes going blurry. She looked at Qiang in shock. Did he poison her? Then she felt hot in her neither region. She was shocked did the b**tard give him an aphrodisiac? Before she could say something, Qiang, who was sitting and smiling. There was a drastic change in his gentle, smiling, peaceful face. Before Xiaoyun could realize what was going on, Qiang''s eyes had turned red, and his face had an ugly expression. With all his strength, he jumped on Xiaoyun and punched her stomach and tore her cloth. Pain assaulted Xiaoyun. Blood rushed from her stomach to her mouth. The b**tard had punched her with all his strength. Before he could tear more of her clothes, she kicked him with all her strength. On a normal day, he was no match for her, but she was losing her mind right now. Out of nowhere, the peaceful situation in the garden had taken an extreme turn. The two respectable core disciples of sky soaring sect went at each other full of madness. The battle was not respectful at all; he was punching her and trying to tear off her clothes, and she was kicking, Scratching, and biting, doing everything she could to hurt him. When a core disciple gets any type of physical damage or feels aggression around him or her in their cave abode, the core disciple''s abode array automatically sends an rm to sect formation, informing all the elders and sect master of the sect instantly. The array of Qiang''s cave abode sent an rm to every elder and sect master, informing them that Qiang was in danger for some reason. Soon another rm was sent to them, informing them that Xiaoyun was in danger in Qiang''s cave abode. All the sect elders and sect master hurried towards Qiang''s cave abode. Chapter 85 The Plot Revealed And shortly, all the sect elders and the sect master gathered around Qiang''s cave abode. Qiang had done something to the cave abode formation. It did not listen to the sect master or the elder''smand and did not let them in. Soon Elder Dongmei arrived too. Since the formation was not letting them in and a core disciple was in danger, they did not waste any breath fixing the formation. Elder Dongmei and Sect master concentrated their Qi and attacked the formation of the abode with all their strength. Dong! Dong! Heavy noise of formation being attacked could be heard all over the sect. Many inner sect disciples and other core disciples gathered to see themotion. When they arrived, they were informed by inner sect elders that the Qing''s abode''s formations rm rang, which meant Qiang was being attacked by someone inside. After attacking for fifteen minutes, they finally broke the formation. The moment formation broke, the sect master and elder Dongmei rushed in. After entering the cave abode heard noises of cursing, yelling, and fighting could be heard in the garden. They immediately rushed towards the garden. Behind them were inner sect elders, hall elders, core disciples, and inner sect disciples following hastily. Trying to figure out what was going on, did the sect get attacked? Who was this daring enemy to attack the core disciple of the sect in broad daylight? But they were filled with disbelief when they reached the garden and saw what was going on. Qiang and Xiayon were hitting, kicking, biting, and cursing each other, there was blood all over their body, and their clothes were tattered. Xiayon was almost naked. She was crying, trying to hit, kick, or bite Quiang. Qiang kept rolling from one ce to other to avoid her attacks. He looked like a demon. His face was all bloody. His eyes were red. He kept trying to Jump on Xiayon, punch her, and tear her clothes to have his way with her. Sect master and elder Dongmei jumped in and separated them forcefully. Xiayon was out of breath, and she kept crying while the sect master held her. Sect master took out his robe to cover her. He was furious and turned to look at the culprit. Qiang was held forcefully by the elder Dongmei. Qiang''s eyes were red. He was yelling with all his might, adding Qi to his voice. Since the formation was broken, half of the inner sect could hear his voice. Qiang Kept yelling, "B**ch, you made me kill brother Lanfen. I loved you, but now you want me to Kill Han Cai?" He kept yelling again and again. Elder Dongmei smacked the back of Qiang''s head, and he went limp and became unconscious. The elders and disciples watching this were speechless, even inner core disciples. This was a bizarre situation. The sect master growled loudly, "What are you all looking at? Everyone go back to their quarters." Han Cai, who was in his cave abode sipping tea, heard themotion but did not leave his cave abode. He kept enjoying his tea peacefully. There was a shiny silver flute beside him on the cushion glowing with celestial energy. ************************************************** The Sect Hall. The sect master was sitting in the center with many elders around him. This was a sect meeting Sect Master had called. Not just core elders but all the elders of the inner hall, even some of the outer hall elders, were present. Elder Miao of the outer sect was present too; he was standing behind Elder Lin, the elder of the inner Discipline hall. Elder Dongmei was sitting close to the sect master. This was something new for normal inner-sect elders and outer-sect elders. They had never seen elder Dongmei joining any sect meetings before. To them, elder Dongmei was the grandmaster of the sect. He was sect''s most revered and mysterious person. Hall was silent. Everyone had solemn expressions on their faces. The core disciples were pirs of their sect. Situations such as this could shake the foundation of the sect. Sect master spoke, "Elder Lin, please go ahead with your report." Elder Lin nodded, got up from his chair, bowed to the sect master, and began speaking, "After the Incident in Inner core disciple Qiang''s abode. Disciple Qiang was injured heavily and was unconscious for two days. After he woke up, the discipline hall interrogated him about the statements that he had made during the Incident. Disciple Qiang said he was not in the right mind. What he said was nonsense, and this was all a mistake. But because the statements made by Disciple Qiang were very grave, the discipline hall had to follow due process. With permission from the sect master, discipline Hall decided to interrogate Disciple Qiang under the influence of Spiritual Frozen Cord incense. And Disciple Qiang gave us all the truth." After saying that much, the elder Lin sighed. Other elders whispered when they heard about Frozen Cord incense. It was like a truth serum; unless someone had a very strong mind, even cultivators could not escape its influence. Elder Lin spoke, "It all began when Disciple Lanfen joined as an inner core disciple in the martial hall. Disciple Lanfen and Disciple Qiang of pill hall both wanted disciple Xiaoyun, who is a personal disciple of the sect master, as their Dao partners, so theypeted." Elder Lin Continued, " As theypeted gradually, they started to have a deep grudge against each other. The grudge went too deep to the point they wanted to kill each other. And one day, when disciple Lanfen went out for sect missions, disciple Qing used his family''s connection to inform frost peak sect''s dire hall about disciple Lan''s location. The dire hall used this opportunity to intercept and kill disciple Lanfen. When disciple Lanfen died, disciple Qiang confessed to disciple Xiaoyan about him being the reason for the death of Disciple Lanfen. When disciple Xiaoyun learned about this, she used this to leverage the situation to ckmail disciple Qiang." Elder Lin sighed again. His heart was heavy; these disciples were the sect''s future, and the sect did everything in its power to nurture them. Is this how they n to pay back the sect? Martial hall elder was furious his hall''s disciple was killed not in a respectful battle fighting for sect, but over a girl. The pill hall elders had grave expressions on their faces. Qiang was the core disciple of their hall, a future core elder of their hall, so they treated him like a young prince . They could argue and fight with other halls to save him if it was any other offense. But he hadmitted the biggest sin in the sect, killing another core disciple. It would be very difficult for them to save him now. Elder Lin continued, "When the sect master epted Disciple Han Cai as his personal disciple. Disciple Xiaoyun was very unhappy about it. So she went to disciple Qiang and ckmailed him asking him to kill Disciple Han. Disciple Qiang agreed, and He contacted the poison elder of the outer sect, elder Yongnian. Disciple Qiang had dirt on elder Yongnian. Elder Yongnian has killed many young outer sect disciples and cultivators to fulfill his poison experiments. Fearing the consequences if the sect found out about his activities, Elder Yongnian agreed to poison Disciple Han. For that, he used two female disciples from his faction to seduce the gray robe disciples who served under the core disciple Han. They nned to poison disciple Han using a gork stem so it will be untraceable. A few days before the Incident, disciple Qing had Qi deviation. He was mentally unstable because of that. He was not able to control his carnal desires when the disciple Xiaoyun visited him. He used aphrodisiac to have his way with her, and disciple Xiaoyun fought back." Sect master and core elders had an ugly expression on their faces; These fools nned to poison one in a million talent with space affinity for personal satisfaction. Fairy Su of pill hall was sweating buckets. Qiang was her personal disciple. If she spoke up for Qiang now, elder Dongmei might tear her into pieces. After saying his piece, Elder Lin bowed and went back to his seat. The mood in the hall was depressing. No one wanted to speak. The two powerhouses'' sect master and elder Domei were quiet for a long time. Finally, Elder Dongmei shook his head and spoke furiously, "Trying to kill a disciple of myˇ­." Then Elder Dongmei noticed many inner sect elders and outer sect elders around him couldn''t, Many of them were not aware about dark hall he could not mention his hall openly like this, so he went quiet and then spoke again, "UNFORGIVEABLE!" He was angry that they had the guts to try to conspire and poison disciple of his hall, especially Han Cai, who was the apple of his eye. He knew about this poison n long ago, but he specifically came to show his stand today, He was nning to fix this problem from root. So anyone who nned to conspire against Han Cai or any disciple of his dark hall in the future they should think twice. Chapter 86 Crime And Punishment All the core elders rolled their eyes. They noticed the minor detail. Elder Dongmei did not say anything about the core disciple who had died in the past. He was angry because they tried to poison Han Cai. They thought in their mind "You don''t even care that the disciple of the martial hall died, and you are upset because they tried to poison Han Cai." Elder Dongmei continued his fit, "It is a shame. A new disciple joins our outer sect, and we take bribes from his family. Hees to the inner sect, and we try to poison him. Have we no shame? Are we so corrupted and gued, are we humans or beasts? If you all do not take it as a lesson, then there will be a day when the whole sect will have no redemption. The kid stays in his abode all day trying to cultivate. He has such a good temperament, for heaven''s sake. Just leave the kid alone. I will be personally taking care of that outer sect elder, the two gray robes, and those two girls who decided to harm him. From now they will be his ves for life. If I hear anyone try to harm my grand nephew''s disciple Han Cai, I WILL GOUGE YOUR EYES OUT." His voice was thundering at the end. Elder Dongmei looked at the Elder of the beast hall. "Little Hao, prepare for eternal beast ve marks." Everyone gasped, it was a bit too much making ves out of disciples and elder of the same sect. It was a kind of taboo punishment, and this was done to worse criminals. Elder Dongmei was showing his stand to all elders, He was telling them to inform their factions and peaks, and tell every disciple not to mess with his grand-nephew. He wanted to demonstrate Han Cai was his reverse scale. Some of the elders even considered if Han Cai was his real blood-rted grandson. After hollering his bit, Elder Dongmei got up and left the hall. Did not wait for the sect master to say anything. The Sect master understood why Elder Dongmei left. Elder Dongmei knew Xiaoyun was the sect''s master''s Disciple. No matter how harsh they were, every master had a soft spot for their own Disciple. In case the sect master makes a biased decision when the discipline hall announces her punishment, he might question him if he still stayed in the hall, so elder Dongmei left. No one was surprised when elder Dongmei left. This senior grandmaster of the sect was very moody. Elder Dongmei rarely joined sect hall gatherings, but when he did, they knew they were in trouble. So when he left, everyone sighed in relief. After elder Dongmei left Sect master spoke, "I am ashamed. I did not teach my disciple well. Everything that happened is because of my ipetence. I don''t know how I am going to face our ancestors." Sect master got up from the throne and bowed, "I apologize to everyone for my ipetence." All core elders stood up, bowed altogether, and spoke loudly, "Sect master, it is not your fault. It is our fault as elders of the sect. We apologize for our ipetence." Sect master went back to his throne and started speaking with a sad face, "Elder Lin, please tell me what the punishment discipline hall has decided for the two disciples in the incident." Elder Lin nodded and announced, "Disciple Qing betrayed the sect by conspiring with the rival sect. This scheme of his led to the death of the sky-soaring sect''s core disciple Lanfen, and he also plotted to kill Disciple Han. He is charged with criminal conspiracy, treason, and murder. His punishment is to have his cultivation be destroyed and work as a gray robe for the sect for the rest of his mortal life." Elder Lin continued, "For Disciple Xiaoyun to know about Disciple Qing''s betrayal and not to report and to conspire to Kill disciple Han, She is charged with essory to treason and criminal conspiracy. Her punishment is to be decided by her master." No matter what, she was a disciple of the sect master. Even if the sect master asked them to punish her, they did not have the right to judge her. A pill hall elder heard this and got up and bowed. "As Qiang is a disciple of the pill hall. Pill Hall wishes to be one to judge the punishment of Qiang." No matter what, pill hall had invested way too much in this core disciple. The pill hall would suffer massive losses if Qiang''s cultivation was destroyed. Without cultivation, He was as good as dead. They will lose the future pir of their hall. Even if he conspired, he did not conspire against the sect. It was a fight between core disciples. This punishment was not just punishing Qiang, but it would also hurt the pill hall. An Elder of the martial hall thundered, "Are you out of your mind? I will murder him with my own hands if the disciplinary hall doesn''t punish him." Pill Hall Elder Yelled back, "He is a disciple of Pill Hall. His punishments will be met by pill hall. He is a core disciple, and the sect has invested a lot in him. Killing him would be a waste of the sect''s resources." The Elder of the martial hall hollered, "Disciple of my martial hall was also core disciple sect had invested in him too, and at least he had better character than him. If this spawn is left with cultivation, he will destroy the sect for personal benefit. I urge sect master that his punishment is met immediately." Elder of Pill Hall Spoke, "Even if he conspired. He did not conspire against the sect. It was a fight between core disciples." The Elder of the martial hall yelled again, " What kind of nonsense are you talking? So tomorrow, if he conspires to kill the sect master by conspiring with another sect. Will it be a fight between the sect master and core disciple? It will not be considered betrayal?" Sect master spoke, "That is enough. The decision has been made. Discipline hall elder, make sure that punishment is carried out. As for Xiaoyun, she is my Disciple, and I dote on her, but her actions could have very severe implications for the sect, which can not be ignored. Her punishment will be that her cultivation will be restricted for 40 years; she will also serve as gray robe mortal for 40 years." With this the depressing hall meeting came to an end. The next day Elder Dongmei visited Han Cai''s abode. Following him was one old man. Behind the old man stood four gray robes. The old man and four gray robes were chained, walking with a limp. Elder Dongmei gave Han Cai the ck color medallion and spoke, " This is a control medallion. You can use it to control the old guy and these four. Imprint the medallion with your Qi. You will be able to control them. The beast ve mark on their body is connected to the medallion. If they have any thoughts of betraying you or hurting you, the medallion will inform you. If You feel threatened anyway, immediately end their lives." Elder Dongmei spoke again, " Now you don''t have to worry about having no reliable subordinates. I will leave you alone for two years as promised but make sure not to getcent." Han Cai nodded, took the medallion from elder Dongmei, and imprinted it with celestial Qi. What Elder said was indeed true. Through the medallion, he could feel every thought of these four standing in front of him. None of them had any hate for him. They were all afraid, very afraid of how Han Cai would treat them. After that elder Dongmei left, Han Cai asked his ves to go pick quarters for themselves outside his cave abode while he kept the medallion in the system storage. ************************************************* Time continued to flow, It has been more than a year since Han Cai Joined the inner sect. After the scandal, And elder Dongmei''s threat, things started to cool down. Sect quieted down a lot. Han Cai had new subordinates now. The infamous poison elder was his official subordinate. When Han Cai found out that gray-robes betrayed him after being seduced, he understood the human mind was a fickle thing, and seeing how messed up this world was, Han Cai decided to ask the system if there was a way to add a feature so that he could control his subordinates without worrying about them betraying him when they get seduced, or they think of betraying him for some other reason. The system actually had many options. Neither Han Cai nor the system had to get creative about it, and because this world had many methods to have full control over subordinates. They were very expensive for Han Cai. The two cheapest options Han Cai could find were the eternal beast ve mark method which elder Dongmei used on Yongnian and other gray robes. This method would mark subordinates with a beast mark, and they will be controlled through a medallion. But if you lose the medallion or someone steals it, you might lose the ve. Besides the ve mark, the Second method was blood contract. Chapter 87 Letters From The Family To Han Cai, the blood contract sounded demonic. Han Cai liked to represent himself as pure-hearted person. As a pure person, he liked pure-sounding techniques and methods. In general, most of the techniques or methods rted to blood were considered demonic in this world. Han Cai asked the system if there was any better version and cheaper contract method like a blood contract but not cheap and demonic sounding like a blood contract or beast ve mark so he could have a clear conscious while making someone his ve. The final option system gave him was something called a soul contract. This contract was a bit more expensive, but it directly binds the soul of the person to your soul. To Han Cai, it sounded a bit more ssypared to the beast ve mark and blood contract. Soul contracts already exist in this world. It was not essible in the northern region but was mostly used in central regions. There was one problem with the soul contract it would burden the soul of the person who is initiating the contract. One or two were fine, but if they wanted to have a soul contract with many, then their soul would suffer unless they cultivated their soul and increased its strength. If Han Cai signed a soul contract with Yongnian, then in the future, he might not be able to contract more subordinates through a soul contract unless he reached a nascent soul. It was not that Han Cai nned to sign many soul contracts, but he was not ready to burden his soul. This was unnecessary since he had the ultimate cheat. Han Cai decided to use an improved version of the soul contract. It was simr to a soul contract, but it worked through the system. System enved-cough-contracted and controlled the souls of the people. Since they were binded with the system not his soul there would not be any burden on him. The only difference was instead of controlling or killing them directly, Han Cai had to use the system to control or kill them. Han Cai asked the system to name this contract as a "subordinate contract." How could a pure and innocent-hearted person like Han Cai could use a demonic word such as "ve"? Contracting through the system had more advantages. Han Cai could use the system to improve their cultivation or stats too. The contract was not cheap but neither expensive. Its cost was around Han Cai''s month''s allowance. The contract had only one rule: the person had to sign it with free will. It meant you could not beat the shit out of them and Force them to sign the contract with you. You could actually do that, but if there was any resistance, then the contract would not work. They had to ept the contract wholeheartedly. Han Cai knew, The concept of doing it willingly, this was just an illusion of freedom as you could kidnap their parents and ask them to agree to the contract. If they agreed wholeheartedly to the contract, because they wanted to save their parents, the contract would be valid. Even though they were being ckmailed and forced here, they chose and agreed, so they did it willingly. If you beat them and they do not agree. Then keep beating them until they decide to agree wholeheartedly and willingly to ept the contract. But if the system finds any unwillingness from their soul, the contract will not be valid. With Yonginan, there was another loophole. He was already a ve by beast mark. So it was very easy for Han Cai to make him agree to sign a contract with him through the system. The process of contracting was simple. Han Cai had to ask them if they agreed to be his Subordinates. Once they agree, the system will scan them and see if the person who agrees to the contract is actually willing. If the person is willing, the system will send its energy and imprint the soul of the person, and the contract will be formed. Han Cai also noticed a minor detail when the contract process began. The energy used by the system seemed to be a higher type of energy, better than celestial energy. Han Cai thought about asking the system about this energy, but then the old fear came crawling into his spine, telling him he shouldn''t bite more than he could chew, and Han Cai immediately gave up on that idea. Han Cai asked Yonginan if he agreed to be his subordinate, and Yonginan nodded obediently. Han Cai directed the system toward Yongnian and initiated the contract by spending 500k exchange points. The process was very quick Yongnian shivered for a second, and then everything was back to normal. Han Cai immediately felt a kind of connection built with Yongnian; he knew the contract was a sess. Han Cai felt bad for Yongnian a bit. Yongnian body and soul were both his ve-cough-subordinates. What a luck this poor old man had. Han Cai checked the system panel. [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 13] [Life Span: 300 Years] ?Strength: 55 ?Perception: 90 ?Agility: 65 ?Speed: 65 ?Constitution: 75 ?Intelligence: 11 ?Charm: 10 ?Cultivation: Qi Condensation level 4 (Celestial Ascension Technique, Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 4) ?Skills: Cold Precision Sword Technique (Level 2) ?Skills: Qigong Cloud Soaring Technique (Level 1) ?Skills: Invisibility Technique (Level 2) ?Skills: element escape technique (Level 1) [Exchange Points: 13,400(45/day)] [Extract Exchange Points: 45,00,000 (source EARTH, WIND, SPACE, FRIGID)] [Storage Space: Spirit Stone (100) Gold Coins (100)... ] [Subordinate: Yongnian] [System Update:? (Initiate System Update?)] [Scan] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] Han Cai saw new feature[Subordinate: Yongnian] was mentioned in the panel. When Han Cai clicked on it. It showed [Name: Yonginan] [Age: 45] [Life Span: 150 Years] ?Strength: 270 ?Perception: 65 ?Agility: 260 ?Speed: 260 ?Constitution:280 ?Intelligence: 2 ?Charm: 5 ?Cultivation: Foundation establishment level 3 (Yin Death Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Poison body (Level 2), miasma breath (level 2), Break Step Movement technique (Level 1), Star dagger technique ˇ­. Other Details: subordinate of Han Cai, an Expert in poison. Now Han Cai did not have to scan Yonginan to see his stats. Also he could use exchange points to increase his cultivation or skill levels. After the subordinate issue was fixed, Han Cai looked at the massive amount of exchange points he had savedst ten months. If Han Cai wanted, he could update the system or get his cultivation level five Qi condensation, but Han Cai did neither. He kept saving spirit stones and earning exchange points. Han Cai knew two years'' time was too short for him to improve his cultivation, where he could do messed up missions given by dark hall without worrying about death, so Han Cai contemted. If or when Han Cai began the dark hall missions, he wanted to be sure that he would be safe. But dark hall missions always came with dangers. Even core condensation cultivators found it difficult. It would surely be more difficult for Han Cai, who was just at Qi condensation. To solve this problem, Han Cai needed a massive amount of exchange points to increase his cultivation to a safe level. To solve this problem, Han Cai started doing what he felt he was an expert in, procrastinating and nning. When he started thinking of the n, he asked himself, What did he want to achieve? The answer was higher cultivation and skill levels so he will not die in the dark hall mission. Han Cai knew he would not be able to wiggle his way out of the dark hall missions no matter how much he impressed the sect master or elder Dongmei. Because in their messed up minds, he was a clean te and a soft iron that needed molding into a sharp sword. Next Question Han Cai asked himself how to get his cultivation and skills to a safe level where he could take dark hall missions without worrying about dying. The answer was again obvious use his cheat to upgrade his cultivation and skills. But that required a massive amount of exchange points, and those exchange points needed a massive amount of spirit stones. With him cultivating celestial ascension technique, five hundred spirit stones were no more than peanuts. Finally, the biggest question and problem Han Cainded on was "How to earn a shit load of spirit stones." Where could he earn more spirit stones? There were many options. The fastest way was robbing rich cultivators, but any cultivator who had a massive amount of spirit stones would have powerful cultivation. Even if the cultivator was not powerful and a recluse like Han Cai, where would he find rich sheep to shear so easily? He will have to go out and roam the whole continent for it. The second option was businesses. Han Cai could ask for his family''s help, but they were not done settling down. Han Cai had received news from his master and elder Dongmei that his family was shifted to cloud mountain city and a town near the sect. A few days after Han Cai''s family moved to the town and cloud mountain city. Han Cai received a letter from his father. The letter mentioned how happy he was that his son became a cultivator. The letter also talked about how well they were treated by the sect. He mentioned in the letter then Han Cai did not need to worry about the family anymore. There were cultivators protecting the family. ************************************************** Thanks for the support and gifts. It helps the book reach out to more like-minded readers who enjoy a book where the main character does not prefer courting death unnecessarily. One of the readers told me that Han Cai is too dependent on the system. It is more about how you look at it. If the main character is a sword master and uses the sword to fight and carve a ce for himself in the world, then will you me him for being too dependent on the sword? Chapter 88 The Main Source Han Cai''s father made it a point to write him a letter every month after that. Han Dai would describe how the Han family was doing after their relocation in the letters. Eagle Cai Town was renamed after the town where general family members were relocated. The majority of Han Cai''s distant rtives, including guards and their families, were relocated to that town. His father, uncles, cousins, and grandmother, as well as his immediate family, were relocated to Cloud Mountain City. Han Cai discovered that life in Eagle Cai Town wasfortable and prosperous for the general family members. The town was well-kept, and the sect provided plenty of resources to the residents. The Han Family''smercial enterprises had begun to thrive in town, with merchants and traders travelling from all over Yin country to do business with them. The Han Family''s reputation as merchants was rapidly growing. Life in Cloud Mountain City was even more luxurious for the Han Family''s primary members. The sect had given them a magnificent mansion on a hill overlooking the city. The mansion wasrge and spacious, with a lovely garden and pond. The Han Family lived a life of luxury andfort, taking advantage of the best that the city had to offer. The Han Family''smercial business in Cloud Mountain City was also thriving. The sect hadvished them with gold coins. The Han merchant family was astute. They had made investments in a wide range of industries, including real estate, trade, and manufacturing. They expanded their business into a variety of industries, including agriculture, mining, and real estate. They had also opened a few shops and restaurants in the city, which were doing exceptionally well. Everyone in the city regarded the Han family with respect because mayor Hong had personally announced that the Han family was an official merchant family under the sky-soaring sect. Harming the family''s business is equivalent to harming the sect''s business. As a result, many merchants and traders sought the Cai family''s approval in order to do business with them. Han Cai was relieved that he had almost fulfilled his karma with the Han family. He was extremely helpful to them this time. But he had another problem: the sect had left him in a lot of debt. As well as he knew elder Dongmei, he had to pay it back in full sooner orter. The old man was the epitome of Palpatine. Han Cai did not respond to his father''s letters at initially, leading Han Dai to believe Han Cai was angry with him for sending him to the sect alone at such a young age. But he couldn''t be more way off the mark. In hisst life, Han Cai, the great procrastinator, was toozy to text. In this life, how could he sit patiently and write a letter? But, seeing his father''s concern, Han Cai wrote back, finally exining that he was cultivating in seclusion and thus couldn''t respond to the letters. Instead of sending the letter through sect, Han Cai had his butler Yongnian deliver it to his father at the Han family household in Cloud Mountain City. Returning to his requirement for arge number of spirit stones. Han Cai considered using family businesses with his father''s assistance to earn a shitload of gold coins and then converting those gold coins into spirit stones. But after some thought, he realised his family''s entire business couldn''t help him. A shitload of gold coins would be useless to him. Because there was a limit to how many spirit stones gold coins could purchase. His gluttonous ckhole of celestial technique required a f** spirit stones. Even f**kton of spirit stones may be insignificant to his celestial ascension technique. Even if all of his family members, guards, and guard families sold their kidneys, they would be unable to contribute even 5% of therge number of spirit stones required by Han Cai. In the cloud mountain city, his family''s business was just starting out. It was not a good idea to burden them. He needed to give the family businesses time if he wanted money from them. He was confident in his father''s abilities. Thepany should thrive. However, Han Cai did not have the time. He only had two years. Instead of focusing on minor sources, Han Cai decided to broaden his thought process. Why not consider the bigger picture and the primary source? What was the most important source? Where did everyone get their spirit stones? The answer was spirit stone mines. The spirit stone mines, that''s right. Spirit stone mines supplied spirit stones to every sect and cultivator. Han Cai had read about spirit stone mines before. Spirit stone mines were rare and valuable ces where concentrated spirit energy waspressed over time, resulting in the formation of solid spirit stones. These mines can be ssified into three types based on their size and the number of spirit stones they can provide. Small spirit stone mines held a hundred thousand to a million or more spirit stones. These mines were difficult to find because they were discovered in areas where the spirit energy was rtively thick but unused. A small spirit stone mine would take thousands to tens of thousands of years to form. Small mines can be found in a variety of environments, including forests, mountains, valleys, and caves. Medium-sized spirit stone mines had between 100 million and 900 million spirit stones. There was a significant difference between medium-sized and small mines. These mines were more difficult to locate, and a medium-sized mine could take hundreds of thousands of years to form. Medium-sized mines are typically located in more dangerous terrain, such as deep within mountains, beneath the sea, or in extremely harsh environments. Large spirit stone mines contained one billion or more spirit stones. These mines were extremely rare and nearly impossible to find by chance. Arge-scale mine took hundreds of thousands to millions of years to form. They were usually found in the most dangerous, remote, and difficult terrains, such as deep within volcanoes or on isted inds. The spirit stones are embedded within the surrounding rocks and minerals in all types of mines. They were usually extracted by mining the rocks and then extracting the spirit stones using various techniques. Many cultivators used to look for these mines as a source of wealth and power. They''d spend years wandering through forests and mountains looking for telltale signs of a mine''s presence, like strange rock formations and dense concentrations of spirit energy. Once a mine was discovered, they would spend months or even years mining the spirit stones from it. It was not an easy task to mine spirit stones. The stones were frequently embedded deep within the earth and required considerable physical and spiritual energy to extract. To mine the stones, many cultivators had to use specialised techniques and equipment, and they frequently had to work in hazardous conditions deep underground. Han Cai, on the other hand, didn''t have to worry about finding the mines or mining the spirit stones. None of them posed a genuine challenge to him. He possessed the cheat system and the problem solver. Han Cai decided to wait instead of using spirit stones or exchange points to increase his cultivation because he could do anything as long as he had enough exchange points. "System, scan the area as far as you can in 3 million exchange points and find all the unexplored spirit stone mines," Han Cai said as he sat in his meditation room. The spiritual energy in this world was very dense, and Han Cai suspected that there were many spirit stone mines that no one knew about. The system obeyed hismands, keeping the sky-soaring sect at the centre. It began scanning, the system charged ten exchange points per mile, and it scanned 300,000 miles of the area surrounding the sky-soaring sect. The system discovered twelve small mines and one medium-sized mine for Han Cai. They had never been explored. Han Cai had not anticipated discovering an unexplored medium-sized spirit stone mine. He could explore the small mines with some effort, but the medium-sized mines were always in dangerous terrain. What did the discovery of unexplored medium-sizeds mean? It indicated that no one has been in that area for a hundred thousand years, or that if someone did explore it, they would only survive if they had extremely high cultivation. Han Cai was neither greedy nor stupid to consider exploring a medium-sized mine unless he had the necessary power. He could, however, start exploring small mines and using the spirit stones in those mines to gain exchange points directly. However, in order to explore the mines discovered by the system, Han Cai would have to leave the sect. As the dark hall was always watching his cave abode, the question of how he would leave the sect arose. He could feel dark hall people following him whenever he left his cave abode. They would follow him if he escaped to the spirit mine. After much deliberation, Han Cai decided it was time to repay the sect for all of their assistance to him and his family. Even if he is unable to repay the entire amount, he should make an effort to reduce the debt. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Some readers mentioned he is bing too overpowered. All I can say about this is, You will have to wait and see his true enemies. It will make sense, then. Special thanks to reader Pandabunny for providing the book with a castle. Your contributions increase the book''s exposure, which motivates me to work harder. Please continue to give gifts of any kind. Your support means the world to me and allows me to continue pursuing my passion for writing. Thank you again. Chapter 89 Informing The Sect First, Han Cai wrote a letter. Then he called one of his gray-robed subordinates. He handed the letter to him and asked him to go to Cloud Mountain City and give this letter to Yongnian, who was with his father. After the first gray robe left with the letter Han Cai called the second gray-robed subordiante and asked him to go to the sect hall to inform disciples working there to notify his master that he would be visiting him tomorrow, he wanted to discuss something urgent. The next day, Han Cai visited the sect hall. When he entered, he saw that, besides his master,Elder Dongmei was also present. Han Cai was not surprised that the moment he sent gray robes to inform the sect master that he had something urgent to discuss, the dark hall might have reported to Palpatine. They were both sipping tea. How much tea do people consume in this world? Han Cai thought so. Proudly ignoring the fact, he spent most of his days in his cave abode, sipping tea and sleeping in a Jacuzzi. Han Cai went ahead and bowed to the sect master and elder Dongmei. They both nodded, then the sect master asked, "Han Cai, what happened? You asked to meet me urgently." Han Cai nodded and spoke, "Master, I have been facing challenges with my cultivation. I finally found the solution, but I need your help." Hearing this, elder Dongmei''s ears perked up. Dark Hall would always inform him about Han Cai''s activities, and he knew Han Cai had made no growth in cultivation in thest ten months. Elder Dongmei was worried that he was the cause of it. He let this child experience the harsh realities of the world too soon. Only after that incident did Han Cai''s cultivation stop growing. Elder Dongmei assumed that because of that traumatic situation, maybe Han Cai''s cultivation journey got stuck at a bottleneck. Or maybe he lost his Dao heart from seeing suffering. In the beginning, he thought it was a good thing for a child to experience some setbacks, but when he saw there was no growth month after month, he started to get worried. He had promised Han Cai he would leave him alone for two years, so he did not say anything. But yesterday, when the dark hall alerted him that Han Cai had something urgent to discuss with sect master, elder Dongmei couldn''t help it. He immediately came to the sect hall the next day. He was nning to probe and find out why Han Cai''s cultivation had halted. But Han Cai brought up this topic himself. Elder Dongmei couldn''t help it, and he blurted, "What''s the challenge you are facing with your cultivation? We will help any way we can." Han Cai spoke, "Elder, When my cultivation reached level four of Qi condensation, I thought I could cultivate celestial energy with the same speed. I used all the spirit stones provided to me by the sect every month. But then I realised celestial energy requires much more spirit Qi than I expected. The problem was that there were not enough spirit stones, which led to a bottleneck." Elder Dongmei sighed in relief. So it was just spirit stones. He was worried about it for no reason. Elder Dongmei spoke again: "Don''t worry, Han Cai. Our dark hall will take care of you. How many spirit stones do you need?" Han Cai gave a thoughtful look and spoke, "Sixty thousand spirit stones." Hearing this sect master almost spilled his tea, and elder Dongmei almost had a coughing fit. Han Cai looked at elder Dongmei with an amusing smile. Palpatine had shot himself in the foot. The sect master finally calmed his nerves and spoke: " Han Cai, that is too many spirit stones. Are you sure you need that many spirit stones to break through level 5 qi condensation?" Han Cai shook his head and spoke, "Master, not level five Qi condensation but foundation establishment. Because of this bottleneck caused by ack of spirit stones, my cultivation foundation has been greatly strengthened. Once I have enough spirit stones, I will be able to reach the foundation establishment directly." Sect master and Elder Dongmei contemted Han Cai''s words seriously. It was not that the sect treasury did not have sixty thousand spirit stones; in reality, the sect treasury had more than enough, but giving sixty thousand spirit stones at once would be a big setback for the sect''s economy. But this was the sect''s celestial talent. They were raising a dragon that indeedes with a cost. Finally, the sect master spoke: "Han Cai, it is not that we are not ready to help you with spirit stones, but sixty thousand stones are too much, even for me, the sect master. If we take that many spirit stones out at once, it will hamper many businesses and activities of the sect." Han Cai shook his head and said," Master, you misunderstood. I do not want to burden the sect with my spirit stone needs. I have finally found a solution to my bottleneck." This time elder Dongmei spoke: "What do you mean?" Han Cai continued, "Uncle Mathers, I could not burden the sect or dark hall with such a heavy price. That is why I did note to ask you or Master for thest few months, even though I understood the cause of my bottleneck. But recently, I found another solution." They gave Han Cai a curious look, and the sect master spoke, "What is the solution that you have found?" Han Cai raised his hand. The silver whisperer flew out from his fingertips and started floating around Han Cai. Looking at Han Cai''s actions, Elder Dongmei asked, "Fairy Chang''s earthen treasure is the solution?" Han Cai nodded and spoke, "When I was cultivating recently, the spirit of the flute interacted with me. I informed the treasurer about the difficulties I was facing. When I told it about the problem of a shortage of spirit stones, the flute spirit informed me that fairy Chang had found a medium spirit stone mine long ago. The mine is located 100,000 miles west of our sect, near the Green River Mountains. The flute spirit told me that this mine was located in treacherous terrain. Fairy Chang did not inform the sect at the time because there were many greedy spies in our sect; nevertheless, I would suggest that unclemaster send someone to check it out. The flute spirit warned me, "If someone below the core condensation realm visits this mine, they might not return alive." Han Cai had already asked about dangers near this mine from the system. Even if he was not nning to explore a medium-sized mine, it was not like he was not curious. Hearing this, the sect master and elder Dongmei were stunned for some time. This was massive news. After some time, their eyes lit up. This child really liked giving them surprises. If the sect could find a medium-sized mine, then it would benefit the sect greatly. It was a very significant thing for the sect. The impact of such a discovery would be tremendous and far-reaching. The 100 million spirit stones found in the mine could provide the sect with a huge influx of resources. The spirit stones can be used to cultivate, refine pills, and make magical artefacts. This will increase the strength of the sect and allow it topete with other powerful sects in the region. With ess to 100 million spirit stones, the sect can increase allowances for all disciples and elders, which can greatly enhance their cultivation. They can use spirit stones to break through faster and reach higher levels of cultivation. An increase in the allowance for sect disciples and elders will attract talented cultivators from around the region. Cultivators are always on the lookout for opportunities to improve their cultivation, and the spirit stones will be a powerful attraction for them. This could change the status of the sect in Yin country. Elder Dongmei spoke first, "A medium-sized mine, you say? If it is true, then it is the most excellent news I have heard in months. It will not only solve your problems, but a lot of the sect''s problems will be solved too." The sect master interjected, "If it is true, this is a very rare opportunity for our sect. Medium-sized spirit stone mines are not easy toe by. If we can locate it and extract the spirit stones, it will significantly increase our sect''s power." Elder Dongmei nodded in agreement, "Indeed, the spirit stones from a medium-sized mine can be used to improve our cultivation techniques, refine our weapons, and strengthen our defensive formations. We must explore this mine at all costs!" The sect master added excitedly, "We should prepare for this exploration carefully. It will not be an easy task. We will need to assemble a team of skilled cultivators, make the necessary arrangements for supplies, and equip ourselves with the best tools for extraction." Elder Dongmei shook his head and said, "No need. We have a lot of spies in our sect. Fairy Chang''s concerns were legit. Core elders and my dark hall elders should handle this personally. It would be better if only a few people knew about it. Once the mining starts, people who are sent to the mine will have their senses blocked before they reach the location, so they cannot find the mine. We will need a strong illusion array so they cannot identify the mine''s location when they return." Han Cai watched these two excited kids amusingly n to find the mine and extract spirit stones. He was not a kind or good person; he rarely cared about anyone, but seeing these two so excited did make him feel good for some reason. ************************************************** Author''s Note: To participate in WSA, I am working on one more book. Please take a look at it and let me know your thoughts. Chapter 90 Foundation Establishment Sect master immediately nodded. Finally, it was decided that this task had to be handled by dark hall and the core elder, or if news of this leaked, there would be a massive battle between the sects for the spirit stone mine. After giving away the information about the Mine, Han Cai left the sect hall and went back to his cave abode. Days passed by everything looked calm in the sect. But for some reason, the core elders and elders of the dark were rarely seen in the sect. After a month, the Sect Master and Elder Dongmei visited Han Cai''s cave abode. Coincidentally Han Cai was again having tea in his garden. Han Cai thought maybe it was his destiny to be disturbed during tea time in the garden. This time Han Cai was not rude. He bowed to them. Gestured to them to have tea, and they both nodded in approval. Especially elder Dongmei, who had experienced rudeness from Han Cai when he visited himst time. Both elder Dongmei and Sect master sat down. Han Cai served them tea. Elder Dongmei spoke, "Han Cai, we checked out the medium size spirit stone mine actually does exist. You were right. You have made a great contribution to the sect." Sect master had a very pleased expression on his face. His Disciple contributed greatly to the sect. He was very right to ept Han Cai as his disciple. Han Cai being celestial talent, the sect master knew that he might not be able to guide him in his cultivation journey a lot, but he wanted to support his disciple as much he could. After the episode with Xiaoyun, the sect master was left with only Han Cai, and he felt a great deal of anxiety about whether or not he would repeat the same mistakes with Han Cai that he had done with Xiaoyun. He med himself, believing that it was his actions that led to Xiaoyun developing these characteristics. Perhaps he didn''t treat her well enough. Due of his reservations, the Sect master experienced a sense offort when he witnessed the care and concern that elder Dongmei showed towards Han Cai. Elder Dongmei will be there for Han Cai to encourage and guide him regardless of whether or not he makes mistakes. The sect master ced a high value on elder Dongmei''s advice. Regardless of how difficult a person elder Dongmei was. His disciples never betrayed him, and he had hundreds of them over the course of hundreds of years. All of his disciples still feared and respected him, and they were the sect''s backbone. That demonstrated that, despite his unconventional personality, elder Dongmei had seen the world and knew how to handle disciples and guide them on the right path. The sect master agreed with elder Dongmei''s words and spoke, "Uncle master is correct. You have made a significant contribution to the sect. Do you want any other rewards besides the spirit stones?" Han Cai raised his head. "This Disciple received numerous rewards from the sect without even contributing anything to it, whether it was the earth-grade treasure or assisting my family. I owe a great deal to the sect. I''m just d I was able to contribute to the sect ". Elder Dongmei and Sect Master both liked Han Cai''s response. "Even though it will take some time before we can mine the medium-sized mine," Elder Dongmei said, "I have decided that I will provide you with the spirit stones you need in advance so you can cultivate without any problems." The sect master almost rolled his eyes . Elder Dongmei was at it again, taking all the credit without blinking. Elder Dongmei spoke as he made the decision alone, but it was the sect''s decision to reward Han Cai with the spirit stones in advance because he had contributed so much. The Sect Master raised his voice. "I was careless as your master. I had no idea you didn''t have any storage treasure. Aside from the spirit stones, I''ll make sure you get a storage ring from the sect." Unlike elder Dongmei, who took all the credit without doing any work, the Sect master decided to give Han Cai a storage ring, a very valuable item. Its price was nearly equal to the number of spirit stones Han Cai desired. But the sect master felt it was his fault because he had given Xioyun a storage ring but not Han Cai, who had contributed so much to the sect. It was only natural that he also gave Han Cai a storage ring. Han Cai had storage space, so he was not really much interested in the ring but seeing the sincerity of his master. He bowed and showed gratitude. Elder Dongmei seeing that the sect master one-uped him, coughed and spoke, "Yes- Yes, it is only right that we should reward you storage ring too." After informing Han Cai about his rewards, the Sect Master and Elder Dongmei left. Han Cai was happy he made a good amount of spirit stones this time and even gave back to the sect something in return. Overall, n one could be considered sessful now it was time to implement n two. A week after, Sect master and elder Dongmei informed Han Cai about his reward. The reward arrived. Han Cai received a massive Sum of 60,000 spirit stones in a storage ring. Han Cai converted those 60,000 spirit stones into 600 million exchange points. He spent 500 million exchange points and requested that the system create a new skill technique for him. This was the first time Han Cai would use the system to create a skill technique rather than learning it. Han Cai had a lot of faith in this skill technique, and he had already discussed all of the details with the system in the previous few months. That''s how he knew how much a skill like that would cost. Han Cai believed with this skill, the chances of him dying in any dangerous situation will reduce by fifty percent, and that is why he did not mind spending the massive amount of five hundred million exchange points. He named the skill Celestial Clone Technique. Just like the name, this skill was not simple. The technique allowed Han Cai to create a perfect clone of himself that was equal in power and skill. The clone should be indistinguishable from the real Han Cai and could use all of his skills and abilities, including his cultivation techniques and martial arts. For inspiration, he referred to a certain famous jutsu in certain ninja anime he had seen in his past life. The clone wouldst for 30 minutes and could be used for a variety of purposes, such as scouting, fighting, or performing tasks that required two people. Once the clone had served its purpose or its time had expired, it would disappear without leaving a trace. The technique required a significant amount of spirit energy to create and maintain the clone, which made it a costly skill to use. It gave him an edge over his opponents and allowed him to take on challenges that he would have otherwise been unable to ovee. It also opened up new possibilities for exploration and discovery, as Han Cai could send his clone to scout out new areas and gather information without putting himself in danger. He could send the clone to check out the mines in dangerous areas while he stayed in the safe vicinity. From the remaining 100 million, he used 75.4 million exchange points to get his cultivation to reach the foundation established in one go. He felt a powerful surge of energy within his body. He had heard stories of this momentous asion, but nothing could have prepared him for the actual experience. As he sat cross-legged, he felt the celestial Qi in his dantian start to turn from its gaseous state into a liquid. It was as if tiny droplets of water were forming and gathering together, swirling and pulsing with power. Finally, the droplets coalesced into a single drop, and Han Cai knew that he had reached the foundation establishment level. The liquid content in his dantian was extremely dense andpressed, filled with immense celestial energy. Han Cai felt as if he could take on hundreds of mortal people at once, and tens of Qi condensation-level cultivators would be no match for him. He felt invigorated as if a new world had opened up before him. Han Cai marveled at the power he now possessed, feeling as if he could do anything. He stood up. His movements were fluid and effortless. He flew out of his cave abode and tested his newfound strength by punching a nearby tree. The tree shattered into pieces with just one blow, and Han Cai knew that his power was now on apletely different level. As he walked away from the shattered tree, he knew that dark hall disciples would be informing elder Dongmei about him reaching the foundation establishment. He didn''t put in a lot of effort or make any sacrifices beyond nning, but he still felt like he had endured a lot of hardship to get here. He felt nning how to better his cultivation every day in his Jacuzzi had taken a toll on him, but now he was beginning to see the benefits. After improving his cultivation, the next skill technique Han Cai wanted to use was also something that could improve his chances of survival in the outside world. He used 12.6 million exchange points to level up his invisibility technique to level 5. Why invisibility but not other skills? Because the invisibility technique was another very important factor in his uing ns. Now at the fifth level of invisibility technique, besides being invisible to the naked eye, Han Cai was able to conceal his entire being, including his presence, physical form, voice, footsteps, and scent. The feeling of bingpletely invisible made Han Cai feel like he had stopped existing. He could move around freely without fear of being detected, and it gave him a sense of power that he had never experienced before. However, Han Cai was surprised when he found that the abode array could still detect his presence despite being invisible. He knew that the abode array was a powerful tool used by the Sky Soaring Sect to detect any intruders or enemies. The fact that it could still detect his presence meant that he had to work on improving his invisibility technique even further. But for now, Han Cai was very pleased with his achievement just in a day. There was still much work to be done. He was ready for the next stage of his ns thaty ahead. Han Cai waited for a few days. Then one night Han Cai used exchange points to scan if any dark hall elder was nearby, the system informed them there was one elder, and a few dark hall disciples were on the lookout near his cave abode. Ever since he gave the sect the location of the medium-sized mine, the dark hall elders were very busy, but still, elder Dongmei left one elder to be on the lookout near his cave abode. Since the intention of the elder was to protect Han Cai, Han Cai could not protest. Good thing he was prepared. Han Cai used the clone technique, and celestial energy rapidly depleted from his Dantian. Soon there was another Han Cai appeared right in front of him. This clone was not just a copy of the original Han Cai but also had the same abilities and powers. It was an ideal decoy. Han Cai spent some exchange points and asked the system to refill his dantian with celestial energy. For 100 exchange points, Han Cai recovered all the celestial energy. When Han Cai recovered the celestial energy, he used the invisibility technique on himself, and his real body disappeared without a trace. Only the clone remained. Han Cai''s clone left the cave abode. The dark hall elder, who was on the lookout, followed the clone. Using Qing gong Han Cai''s clone flew all the way to the abode of his master. Han Cai knew the sect master would be in his abode right now. The majority of the Sky Soaring Sect''s members considered the Sect Master''s residence to be a ce of mystery and awe. It had amanding view of the entire region and was situated on the sect''s highest peak. The abode was at the top of a tall, steep cliff, and was only reachable by a winding, narrow path that was patrolled by the sect''s most aplished disciples. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Check out my second book Arcane Immortal. Let me know your thoughts. Thank You Chapter 91 Camping Retreat The cave abode of the sect master was carved out of the mountain itself, and it had an imposing and mysterious aura. The entrance was marked by two towering stone pirs engraved with intricate patterns and symbols that glowed with a faint light in the dark. Only a handful of people had ever been allowed to enter the Sect Master''s abode, and even then, it was only on rare and important asions. The abode was said to be filled with treasures and relics that the Sect Masters of the past who lived here had umted over the centuries, as well as ancient texts and secret techniques. The interior of the abode was shrouded in darkness, and the only light came from torches that flickered on the walls. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the silence was broken only by the faint sound of chanting and the asional rustling of robes. The main hall of the abode was a massive chamber with high ceilings and walls lined with shelves that held countless scrolls and books. At the center of the room was arge stone tform, upon which the Sect Master would sit during important ceremonies and meetings. There were also smaller chambers that branched off from the main hall, each one dedicated to a different aspect of the Sect Master''s lifestyle and practices. One room was filled with herbs and medicinal nts, while another was devoted to the art of divination and fortune-telling. Han Cai did not know his Master was interested in alchemy and divination too. Sect master brought Han Cai to the hall in his abode, and they sat down. Then the sect master inquired," This is the first time you are visiting my cave abode. Must be something urgent?" Han Cai''s clone bowed and spoke, "Master, while cultivating, I had an epiphany. I will be going out for a few months. I ask Master not to worry as this disciple feels there is a lucky chance waiting for him outside the sect." His recluse disciple wanted to go out of the sect. This was intriguing news for the sect master. The sect master spoke, "If you think it is important for you to leave, then you should, but just make sure to stay safe; as the sect has started mining the medium-sized spirit stones mine, Many people have noticed core elders'' disappearances in the past months, and they are getting curious. We have to be very careful." Han Cai spoke, "I will be a careful master." Sect master continued, "If you sense any danger, run immediately. Insert spirit qi in your medallion once every day, so the sect will know you are fine". Han Cai nodded and spoke, "Master, I will take my leave now." Sect Master nodded and spoke, "Go on." After bidding goodbye to the sect master, Han Cai immediately went down the mountain. The sect master did not mind Han Cai leaving, as the dark hall elder was always following and protecting him. Thinking he had no reason to worry sect master gave Han Cai his approval. Han Cai''s clone went down the mountain and used the earth escape technique to leave the sect. When the elder of the dark hall elder noticed Han Cai using the earth escape technique to leave the sect, he also used the earth escape technique and followed han cai. But after he followed Han Cai for 15 minutes, suddenly Han Cai disappeared. The dark hall elder spent hours looking for Han Cai but could not find him. The reason was simple thirty minutes were up, so the clone disappeared while the dark hall elder was looking for the clone. Han Cai had been preparing for this moment for a long time. He had reached the foundation establishment, refined his skills, and gathered enough information about unexplored spirit stone mines. It was time to set out on his own and see what he was capable of. He packed his things in storage space. While the clone was busy informing the sect master about Han Cai leaving. Han Cai had already left the cave abode using invisibility just after his clone left with the elder of a dark hall. After getting out of the sect, Han Cai wanted to take his time, enjoy the scenery, and savor the freedom that came with being outside the sect. As he walked, he felt the cool breeze of the mountains, smelled the fresh scent of the trees, and heard the sounds of nature. He felt alive and free. Han Cai thoughting outside was not that bad. Han Cai took out the map from storage, looked at certain marked locations, and started flying toward cloud mountain city. Han Cai flew all night and only stopped to recover spirit Qi from time to time. When morning arrived, Han Cai reached the outskirts of Cloud Mountain City. There, he saw a familiar face. It was Yonginan. When Yonginan saw Han Cai. He came forward and bowed. Han Cai nodded and took out the map again started nning their journey again. Once Han Cai had memorized the path for their journey. They set off together, and Han Cai moved using Qinggong while Yonginan used some movement technique. Han Cai led the way, using his knowledge of the area and the information he had gathered to navigate through the wilderness. They moved for days, climbing hills, crossing streams, and navigating through dense forests. They only stopped to recover spirit Qi. Finally, they arrived at the first small unexplored spirit stone mine. It was hidden in a small valley, surrounded by rocky cliffs and dense vegetation. Han Cai asked Yonginan to stay outside of the valley and to keep a lookout. When Han Cai went inside to look for the mine, He already knew exactly where to look, and he quickly found a spot where he could feel the concentrated spirit energy. Han Cai approached the small spirit stone mine; He saw a small cave entrance that seemed to have been naturally formed. The entrance was barely wide enough for a single person to enter and looked dark and ominous. However, Han Cai had been looking forward to this moment for a long time, and his excitement overpowered any fear he may have felt. As he stepped inside, he was met withplete darkness. Han Cai extended his arm and activated his celestial energy to create a faint light that illuminated their surroundings. The cave was narrow, and the walls were rough and jagged, with various rock formations jutting out. The floor was uneven and covered with small rocks and pebbles. As he walked deeper into the cave, he saw that the walls were sparkling with tiny, colorful crystals. Han Cai reached out to touch them and realized they were spirit stones. They were gray and had a rough texture, but each stone was worth thousand exchange points. The sight of them made Han Cai feel overjoyed. He knew that every spirit stone counted and would bring him closer to his goals. The air in the cave was thick and humid, and Han Cai could feel the energy pulsating around him. He took a deep breath and felt the energy enter his body, filling him with a sense of vitality and strength. He knew that this was the power of the spirit stones, and he couldn''t wait to collect as many as he could. Han Cai asked the system to start extracting. In general, Han Cai would keep the spirit stones in his storage or in his hands to extract the energy. Here, he could do neither. But that was not much challenge for the system as long as he was close enough. All the spirit stones'' energy in the vicinity was extracted by the system. Han Cai spent all day walking within the spirit stone mine and extracting exchange points. By the time Han Cai was done extracting energy, he had more than a billion exchange points. Without waiting to go out of Mine, Han Cai used those exchange points to improve his cultivation to level two of the foundation establishment. His cultivation was almost close enough to Yonginan now, as Yonginan was already at level three of the foundation establishment. Han Cai emerged from the small spirit stone mine, he found that the sun had already set, and it was getting dark. He looked around and saw that the forest was turning into a beautiful painting of the night sky. The stars were shining brightly, and the moon was casting its ethereal glow over the surroundings. Yonginan was waiting for him outside the mine, and he had managed to catch a couple of animals for their dinner. As foundation establishment cultivators, they did not need to eat or sleep frequently, but still, they couldn''t go on without eating for very long. The animals Yonginan had caught were lower-level spirit beasts, so besides the meal, they provided some spirit Qi too. Yonginan had already started a fire and was preparing the food. Han Cai could smell the aroma of roasting meat, and his stomach grumbled in anticipation. As He sat down to eat, Han Cai felt a sense of peace and contentment. The forest was alive with the sounds of insects and animals, and the night was filled with a sense of tranquility. Yonginan had cooked the meat to perfection, and the taste was divine. Han Cai felt grateful for having Yonginan as his servant. After the contract, Yonginan''s loyalty to him was at a hundred percent. It was good to have someone serve you. Han Cai praised himself for being so farsighted. If he hade alone, he would be toozy to hunt and cook. He might have just used exchange points to get some food from the system. But here, Yonginan was helping him have a perfect weekend camping retreat experience. Chapter 92 Uncovering New Scheme Han Cai and Yonginan continued their journey through the forest and mountains for the next few months. They visited several spirit stone mines, and Han Cai drained them to improve his cultivation. With each new mine, Han Cai''s power grew, his control over the celestial energy became more refined, and more celestial Qi drops were formed in his Dantian. After increasing his cultivation, Han Cai would use his remaining exchange points to ask the system to scan and find more small spirit stone mines. By now, he had location data of more than hundreds of small spirit stone mines in millions of miles area around him. He even found two more locations of medium-grade spirit stone mines. Han Cai had already asked the system to do the maths and give him the number he needed to reach level nine of the foundation establishment. The system provided him with detailed numbers. Han Cai almost had a heart attack when he saw the number of exchange points needed to reach level nine. [Level 1 Foundation Establishment: 315.2 million exchange points Level 2 Foundation Establishment: 630.4 million exchange points Level 3 Foundation Establishment: 1.26 billion exchange points Level 4 Foundation Establishment: 2.52 billion exchange points Level 5 Foundation Establishment: 5.04 billion exchange points Level 6 Foundation Establishment: 10.08 billion exchange points Level 7 Foundation Establishment: 20.16 billion exchange points Level 8 Foundation Establishment: 40.32 billion exchange points Level 9 Foundation Establishment: 80.64 billion exchange points] When he asked how much It would cost to reach the core formation realm system gave him a number of 183 billion exchange points. Han Cai almost felt like giving up. He had assumed that the exchange points requirement, in general, would be double ofst, but now he realized that was not the case. When there was a qualitative jump in cultivation, then there was going to be a qualitative jump in the numbers too. But He decided to persist. It was hard, but that is how cultivation is supposed to be, and it was important to improve his cultivation to save his life. Apart from the spirit stone mines, Han Cai and Yonginan came across several spirit beasts on their journey. They saw a variety of creatures, some of which were docile, and some were ferocious. Han Cai and Yonginan made sure to keep their distance from the more dangerous creatures, but they enjoyed observing them from a safe distance. Han Cai already knew that the levels of spirit beasts depended on their bloodline and age. He had done his research. He knew that in a million miles areas of the sky-soaring sect, the most powerful spirit beasts were 500 to 700 years old elite beasts. It would take the strength of a nascent soul to tame or kill those beasts. Han Cai was not ready to face them, but those beasts rarely came out, and Han Cai used system scan frequently. He didn''te across such elite beasts. Han Cai and Yonginan were traveling through the mountain forest at full speed when suddenly Han Cai''s perception tingled, indicating that something was amiss. Han Cai immediately stopped and signaled for Yonginan to stop as well. He knew that his perception was one of his greatest strengths, and he did not want to ignore it. Han Cai then asked the system to scan the area and check if there were any humans present. The system charged ten exchange points per mile and gave data on the hundred-mile area. It notified him that it could not find any anomalies in the area it scanned. Despite this, Han Cai was not satisfied, and he asked the system to expand the scan area to 500 miles and find out if there was anything out of the norm. The system followed Han Cai''s instructions and charged ten exchange points per mile, scanning the area of five hundred miles with Han Cai at the center. At a distance of 350 miles, the system found a group of people who appeared to be cultivators discussing something. Han Cai sensed that these people were the reason for his perception warning him. He asked the system to use exchange points to give him all the details about these people. The system followed Han Cai''s instructions and used exchange points to provide him with the details. But this time, the system charged him more. The system informed Han Cai that there were four men sitting in a circle discussing something. The first two men were members of the Cui family; the first one was a 45-year-old core condensation level cultivator, and the second one was a 23-year-old foundations establishment level cultivator. The third person in the group was the leader of a famous local bandit group, and this bandit leader was a Qi condensation level 6 cultivator. The bandit leader''s group was called the ck Wind Bandits, and their leader''s name was ck Wind Yan. The outer sect elder of the Sky Soaring Sect was named Elder Liu. Thest person sitting was a foundation establishment level elder of the outer sect of the Sky Soaring Sect elder Pan. Han Cai was not surprised when his senses tingled. He hade across another treacherous plot, and it seemed like he was getting used to it. Han Cai was familiar with the Cui family, which had a long history of producing powerful cultivators and was known for their strict adherence to traditional cultivation arts. He knew that they were one of the leading martial arts experts in the country, and it was obvious that there was something fishy going on here since the Cui family had no rtionship with Sky Soaring Sect. He immediately asked the system to give him all the details of what those people were discussing. After charging a hefty sum of exchange points, the system provided Han Cai with all the details. Han Cai''s theory was true, but there was a small twist to it. The system informed Han Cai that the Cui family had recently noticed the Wang family, one of the leading cultivator families who had a goodmercial partnership with Sky Soaring Sect, had sent more merchants and resources to the sect in thest few months. These changes were minor and hard to notice for other sects and families, but the Cui family and Wang family had a very sour rtionship recently. The Wang family had caused a lot of damage to the Cui family in a recent business transaction. Therefore, the Cui family paid attention to any and every activity of the Wang family because they wanted to hurt them. Noticing the Wang family''s activities towards Sky Soaring Sect, Cui family elders sent two members to find out what was going on. By bribing a hefty amount of spirit stones and using connections, they built a rtionship with the outer sect elder Pan of Sky Soaring Sect. They made Elder Pan spy for them to find out what was going on. Elder Pan soon gave them a report that, recently, Sky Soaring Sect had be very strict with security. The inner core elders of the sect would keep disappearing for months on hidden missions that no one was allowed to know about except the sect master and core elders of the inner sect. When Elder Pan reported to the Cui family members, they started specting about what was going on in the Sky Soaring Sect. With an increase in trading and investing in resources, along with the disappearance of only core elders, they finally concluded that the Sky Soaring Sect had found a medium-sized spirit stone mine. It was evident to them that the sect wouldn''t make all core elders work for a small mine. Han Cai was taken aback by this revtion. He realized that he could never underestimate the intelligence of the people in this world. Even though the Sky Soaring Sect had kept the discovery of the mine a secret, the news had still leaked out. Despite the shocking discovery, Han Cai couldn''t help but feel sympathy toward his Sect. Every time he encountered an elder from the outer sect, he would witness them betraying the sect or being involved in some shady dealings. The outer sect was infested with such elders, including his butler, who was the most notorious of them all. As Han Cai continued reading, he sighed at the new n of the Cui family members. They had put their previous n to hurt the Wang family on the back burner and now wanted to partner up with other families to snatch the medium-sized mine from the Sky Soaring Sect. However, they needed concrete proof to partner with other families or even to inform their main family about the discovery of the mine. Only core elders of the Sky Soaring Sect could provide concrete proof. However, reaching out to the core elders of the sect seemed to be a daunting task. The majority of them were unreachable to the outside world, and even if they managed to secure an audience with them, they were unlikely to admit to the discovery of the mine. It was clear that the Cui family needed to find an alternative approach. After much contemtion, they turned to elder Pan for help. He exined to them that core elders had primarily three weaknesses: their personal disciples, family members, and the sect itself. By leveraging these weaknesses, they could potentially persuade the core elders to leave the sect and help them with concrete proof of the existence of medium-grade mine willingly. The Cui family started toe up with a n that would exploit the core elders'' vulnerabilities and make them agree to help. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Check out my second book Arcane Immortal. Let me know your thoughts. http://wbnv.in/a/6bhWLnR Thank You Chapter 93 Element Escape Upgrade The system continued to provide Han Cai with up-to-date information regarding the clever strategy that had been hatched by members of the Cui family in order to get the core elders of the Sky Soaring Sect to divulge the location of the medium-grade mine. They came to the conclusion that Elder Pan would be the best person to assist them in kidnapping one of the sect''s inner core disciples. However, the majority of these disciples were always protected or only rarely left the inner sect. During the time when they were discussing how to put the n into action, Elder Pan offered information that was helpful. He informed them that one of the highest-ranking outer sect disciples, Liqin, was very close to an inner core disciple, Niu. So, if they wanted Niu to leave the sect, they had to use Liqin. The Cui family members were overjoyed and immediately began nning. They gathered all of the information about Liqin by using Elder Pan''s connections in the outer sect. They discovered she came from a small martial family, and her father ran a small dojo in a town near the Sky Soaring Sect. When Liqin''s father was about to close his dojo one day, two cultivators appeared out of nowhere, knocked him out, and carried him away. Two dayster, Liqin found a letter in her quarters, and upon opening it, her eyes turned red. She immediately left her quarters and ran towards the forest outside of the sect. When Liqin arrived at the address mentioned in the letter, she discovered her father tied to a tree and unconscious. Suddenly, two cultivators in ck with their faces hidden appeared in front of her. The cultivators instructed Liqin to persuade Niu to leave the sect within two months, or she would never see her father again. Liqin was terrified and worried about her father, so she agreed to their demands right away. Niu, a youngdy from the inner sect who was a core disciple, had developed affection for Liqin and frequently invited her to her cave dwelling for some lighthearted fun. During one of Liqin''s visits, she brought up the idea of embarking on a mission for the sect to track down and eliminate some bandits. After some initial hesitation, Niu ultimately gave in to Liqin''s insistence and agreed to her proposal. However, when Niu went to inform her master about the mission, she found out that the elder of the weapon''s hall was away on a secret sect mission. Niu then informed the other elders of the weapon hall about her nned mission with Liqin. As inner sect elders of the weapon hall were unaware of spirit stone mines, they thought it was normal for core disciples to go on missions asionally. As a result, they agreed to let Niu go on the mission but assigned a few outer sect elders to protect her in case of trouble. When the outer sect elders who were tasked with protecting Niu told the other outer sect elders of their mission, some of the other outer sect elders saw it as an opportunity for their disciples to build rtionship with the inner core disciple. As a result, the elders of other top disciples pulled some strings and sent their own faction''s disciples to join Niu and Liqin on the mission. A number of well-known disciples from the outer sect, including Shihong, Fan Zixin, Bohai, Kong Dandan, and others, joined the mission. Han Cai read the list of names and sighed. He couldn''t believe that the elders were willing to risk sending all of the talented outer sect disciples to the Cui family''s Jaws just to have their factions make friends with the core disciple Niu. This kind of greed would eventually lead to the downfall of the sect. He couldn''t believe that he had stumbled upon this kind of situation. The fact that he had found out about the plot didn''t seem to him to be a coincidence. Han Cai wondered if Karma was real; if it was, then his stumbling upon such a situation was not just an unlucky chance. It''s possible that the heavens were trying to tell him that he needed to do more for the sect and that his payment of a medium-sized mine wasn''t enough to cover it. Han Cai let out a sigh and went back to reading about the plot hatched by the Cui family. Liqin had already informed the Cui family members about their uing mission. She had shared that Niu, her, some other outer sect disciples, and foundation establishment-level outer sect elders would be leaving the sect in three month''s time. In addition to that, she informed them that the objective of the group was to track down the infamous ck Wind bandits. As soon as the Cui family and Elder Pan found out about this, they arranged a meeting with the head of the ck Wind bandits, who was known as ck Wind Yan. It was clear that the group had already settled on the n. ording to the n, the ck Wind bandits would lure the Inner core disciple deep into the forest. Members of the Cui family would ambush them once they had gotten far enough in the forest. The core condensation Cui family member would take care of the foundation establishment elders, while the foundation establishment cultivator of the Cui family would handle the Qi condensation level disciples. On the other hand, ck Wind Yan and the other bandits in the group would focus on Niu. Elder Pan would stay in the back and provide support if required. Han Cai was faced with a difficult decision. Should he use his exchange points to get amunication talisman to inform elder Dongmei or the sect master about the impending danger, or should he take matters into his own hands ande up with a n himself? He spent a lot of time contemting his options. He knew that he had to help. At the same time, he wondered if the sect already had a n in ce and how dark hall could have let such a situation pass them by when they had discovered the poisoning scheme. Then he remembered that the dark hall was currently upied by medium-sized spirit mine. Han Cai was aware of the fact that he did not possess the strength necessary to defeat the core condensation level cultivator as well as the ck Wind bandits on his own. He required a n in order to protect himself and achieve his goals sessfully. Both Han Cai and Yonginan decided to remain in the same location for two days. Yonginan would prepare spirit meals for Han Cai while he worked on a n. Han Cai''s mind eventually formed a n. He realised that if he followed the n correctly, he could not only escape unscathed, but also earn a substantial amount of exchange points. However, in order to be implemented, just like his other ns, this n also required a significant amount of exchange points. So, Han Cai and Yonginan embarked on a journey to smaller spirit mines to gather more exchange points. Han Cai would go inside the mines while Yonginan waited outside. Once the mine was depleted, they would immediately continue their journey without stopping, except for short breaks when they were out of Qi. Han Cai pushed himself to the limit, absorbing more than ten spirit mines dry by the end of the fourth week and saving over a billion exchange points in the process. Han Cai put those billion points to good use by developing an innovative new skill technique. Han Cai looked at the system panel. [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 13] [Life Span: 450 Years] ?Strength: 300 ?Perception: 500 ?Agility: 350 ?Speed: 350 ?Constitution: 400 ?Intelligence: 11 ?Charm: 10 ?Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Level 2 (Celestial Ascension Technique, Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 4) ?Skills: Cold Precision Sword Technique (Level 2) ?Skills: Qigong Cloud Soaring Technique (Level 1) ?Skills: Invisibility Technique (Level 5) ?Skills: space escape technique (Level 1) (Collect 100 billion exchange points to upgrade) ?Skills: Clone (Level 1) (Collect 10 billion exchange points to upgrade) [Exchange Points: 5,400(350/day)] [Extract Exchange Points: 5,00,000 (source EARTH, WIND, SPACE, FRIGID)] [Storage Space: Spirit Stones (200) Gold Coins (100)... ] [Subordinate: Yongnian] [System Update:? (Initiate System Update?)] [Scan] [Initiate Law of Equal Exchange?] After reaching the foundation establishment, he had all his stats boosted up. His daily ie of exchange points had increased a lot too. But that was still peanutspared to his needs. Han Cai examined new skill techniques he had developed using a system. He paid one billion exchange points for this skill technique. This technique would have been more expensive if Han Cai did not have the element escape technique, as it was the foundation of this technique. First, he had to level up the element escape technique and then use the system''s upgrade feature to level up the skilled technique itself. He could still use element escape instead of space escape if he wanted, but there were differences between heaven and earth in this technique and the element escape technique. Han Cai had an affinity for space elements as a result of the celestial technique, so he wanted the system to create an escape technique that could not be blocked or stopped by anyone, including immortals. Chapter 94 Medium Sized Mine Then Han Cai asked the system to help him create this technique step by step. System and Han Cai began to develop the Space Escape Technique together. The technique involved the maniption of space to create a temporary pocket dimension that could transport him to another location. Han Cai could visualise a destination in his mind and create a small portal that would transport him there instantly. To create this portal, Han Cai had to gather celestial Qi from his dantian or use exchange points from the system and focus it on a specific point. Then he would use celestial Qi to manipte the spatialws to break the fabric of space, which created a small portal. This portal could transport him to any location he could visualize, as long as it was within a certain distance. The detailed process sounded long. If Han Cai used the skill, he would disappear in a fraction of a second. As long as he had celestial Qi in his dantian and a destination in his mind, he could disappear instantly. The space escape technique had some limitations. His current cultivation level limited the distance that Han Cai could travel, and he couldn''t transport any living being with him except for himself. Also, it required a significant amount of Qi, and Han Cai couldn''t use it too frequently, or else he would exhaust his Qi reserves. Despite its limitations, the Space Escape Technique was the biggest lifesaver for Han Cai. He could use it to escape dangerous situations or quickly travel to different locations without being detected. With this technique and the clone technique, Han Cai was eighty percent confident ining out alive from any sticky situation. There were two months left before inner core disciple Niu would leave the sect on a mission to her doom. Han Cai started working on the next stage of his n. Han Cai spent a considerable amount of exchange points and asked the system to help him with the location where disciple Niu would be in two months when she began the mission. The system did some calctions and gave Han Cai the exact locations where inner core disciple Niu and outer sect elders would be passing by after two months. Han Cai also asked the system to give him the precise location of the elders of the Cui family and the bandits after two months. The system did the same thing when charging exchange points. It calcted again. Seeing how precise the system was, maybe in the future he could begin a business of divining the future for cultivators with a hundred percent sess. Han Cai shook his head and came back to reality. Han Cai asked Yonginan to go to a specific location and wait for him. What he nned to do was dangerous, and unlike him, Yonginan did not have a space escape technique forget about space escape he did not even have a normal escape technique. Han Cai also asked the system to remind himter so he could add some escape techniques to his subordinate Yonginan. Having a subordinate was a very useful thing, and Han Cai wanted to make the most use of him. Once Yonginan left, Han Cai started moving through the forest at breakneck speed. For the first week, he visited a few more small spirit stone mines and absorbed them dry. After a week of absorbing enough exchange points, Han Cai decided to move towards his next destination. This time, he was not going towards a small mine, but towards a medium-sized mine. Han Cai moved through space instead of flying, as the medium-sized spirit stone mine was very far from where Han Cai was. The system kept refilling his dantian whenever it went empty. After a month of continuous travel deep in the forest, Han Cai was in front of treacherous mountains. Beyond these mountains was the medium-sized spirit stone mine. Han Cai did not move forward. He stayed far from the mountain range, and another Han Cai walked out beside him. The second Han Cai disappeared using invisibility. Han Cai''s clone approached the treacherous mountain range. He couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease. The mountain range was known for its rugged terrain, treacherous cliffs, and unpredictable weather patterns. It was home to all sorts of dangerous beasts and monsters, making it a difficult ce for any cultivator to navigate. The clone had to be careful as he made his way through the mountain range. He had to dodge falling rocks and avoid getting caught in treacherous rock slides. The path was narrow, steep, and dark, and the clone had to use his qi control to maintain his bnce and prevent himself from falling off the cliff. As he approached the medium-sized spirit stone mine, the clone noticed that it was located in a cave deep inside the mountain. The entrance to the cave was guarded by several fierce beasts that looked like they were bred for battle. The clone knew that he had to be careful not to alert them, or else he would be in for a difficult fight. Using invisibility control, the clone moved stealthily towards the cave entrance. He observed the beasts for a while, trying to identify their weak spots. Once he had a n in mind, he took a deep breath and charged towards the entrance, hoping to catch them off guard. The beasts noticed the clone at thest minute and sprang into action. They charged towards him with ferocious intent, but the clone was too quick for them. He dodged their attacks with ease and continued moving towards the medium-sized mine. Suddenly, a shadow swiped towards Han Cai''s clone. The clone hurriedly used the escape technique. The clone narrowly escaped death by a hair''s breadth. As Han Cai''s clone looked up, he saw a massive creature looming over him. The beast was a giant panther with pitch-ck fur that blended in with the surrounding darkness. Its eyes shone a bright green, reflecting the light from the moon above. Han Cai''s clone noticed that the Panther''s body was incredibly muscr, indicating that it was a fierce predator. The panther''s head was adorned with two pointy ears, and its jaws were wide enough to swallow a human whole. Its teeth were long and sharp, glinting menacingly in the dim light. The Panther''s ws were even more fearsome, each one as long as a human arm and razor-sharp. Its paw pads were soft and silent, allowing it to move with stealth and grace despite its massive size. As Han Cai''s clone observed the Panther more closely, he noticed the patterns on its fur. They were intricate and beautiful, like an artist had painted them by hand. The patterns formed a unique design that seemed to tell a story. Han Cai''s clone wondered how such a magnificent beast ended up in this mountain range. Then he realised he was asking a stupid question. The clone quickly became aware that this was not an average panther. It was an elite beast, not just 700 years old but over a thousand years old. Its age was evident from the wisdom in its eyes, as if it had experienced many decades. This elite beast was a testament to the power of nature and a symbol of the bnce between life and death in the world of cultivation. When the Panther tried to attack again, the clone disappeared, and it never existed. Outside the mountain, Han Cai''s main body shivered, that Panther was really dangerous. No wonder only nascent soul cultivators could fight an elite beast such as that. The reason why this elite beast was here was most probably because of the thick spirit energy provided by a medium-sized mine. Han Cai waited for a day and sent his clone again. This time, the clone used space escape and directly appeared at the location where it had disappearedst time while facing the Panther. The clone made some progress this time. When he was closer to the entrance of the cave, the Panther attacked once more, and the clone vanished again. This continued for a few days. The clone would use space escape to arrive at the location where it had disappeared and move towards the entrance of a medium-sized mine. When the Panther would attack, the clone would ultimately disappear. Finally, on the seventh day, Han Cai''s clone was able to enter the medium-sized spirit mine. This mine was a bit differentpared to the small spirit stone mine. The walls and ceiling of mine were rough and uneven, with jagged rocks protruding at odd angles. The air was thick with dust and the scent of earth, and Han Cai''s clone had to shield his eyes from the swirling particles to avoid irritation. The mine wasrge, as it contained several veins of spirit stone embedded in the rocky walls. The floor of the mine was uneven and rocky, with loose stones and boulders scattered about. Han Cai''s clone had to be careful with each step, as he didn''t want to cause a cave-in or trigger stones to fall down. The walls were also pockmarked with holes and crevices, some of which seemed to lead deeper into the mountain. The entrance to mine was very small. The elite beast could not enter there. Han Cai made his clone check every corner of the mine for danger. After finding out that it was safe inside, Han Cai made his clone disappear, and his real body appeared inside the mine. Chapter 95 Shadow Panther A man with golden hair stood tall in the pagoda, and his eyes closed in deep meditation as he meditated about something. His face was chiseled and defined, with sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline. His golden hair was swept back from his forehead, revealing a high, noble brow. The man''s eyes were closed, but if they were open, they would be a piercing shade of blue, full of wisdom and power. Every inch of his body seemed to radiate an otherworldly aura, making him seemrger than life. His skin was a radiant gold color, almost as if he was crafted from the very metal itself. His robes were a deep golden color, trimmed with gold thread and intricate designs. The man''s fingers were long and slender, adorned with rings of pure gold. Suddenly, the man''s eyes snapped open, revealing a pair of golden orbs. He spoke in a deep,manding voice, "There is an anomaly." His voice was powerful and resonant, filling the pagoda with its intensity. As he spoke, the air around him seemed to shimmer and twist as if the very fabric of reality was warping to his will, and a figure appeared before him, dressed in all red. The figure was cloaked in a long, flowing robe that covered his entire body, leaving only his piercing red eyes visible. His face was hidden behind a mask, but his presence alone was enough to send shivers down the spines of those who saw him. The man with the golden hair spoke again, "Red, go to the north. There has been an anomaly." The figure in red nodded and disappeared without a sound. The man with the golden hair chuckled to himself as he closed his eyes and went back into meditation. "What have you nned for me this time?" he murmured, a sly grin ying across his features. Despite his seemingly infinite power, there was a sense of restlessness and boredom that seemed to underpin his every action. It was as if he was always seeking something more, something that would challenge him. ************************************************** Han Cai absorbed the spirit stones in the medium-sized mine greedily. His exchange points kept rising by million, 1 billion, 2 billion, 5 billion, 10 billion, 50 billion, 100 billion , and 200 billion .. After 250 billion, the exchange points ie started to slow down. The beast outside mine felt the spirit Qi thinning, and they started to get restless. The panther was the one who was most restless. Han Cai Immediately used exchange points and directly broke through the core formation level. Han Cai felt a rush of exhration coursing through his veins as he broke through. He could feel the Celestial Liquid Qi in his Dantian solidifying, transforming into a more potent and stable form of energy. The sensation was both electrifying and terrifying, as he felt a surge of power that he had never experienced before. Han Cai sat down and meditated, Even though the beast outside was going crazy trying to get inside the cave, Han Cai was calm because he knew he could leave whenever he wanted. He felt a deep sense of satisfaction and aplishment as he focused on the transformation taking ce in his body. All of the preparation, practise, and sacrifice had finally paid off. He hadn''t done much aside from camping, eating, and sucking all the mines dry. Still, that was a lot of effort and sacrifice forzy Han Cai. He was now one step closer to realising his ambition of bing a powerful cultivator. As he felt strong. Han Cai was ecstatic. For a brief moment, he imagined himself fighting and defeating Superman. He realized right away that he was getting ahead of himself byparing himself to the greatest sage under heaven. He began lecturing himself to bring himself back to reality. This level of power was still insufficient. The more power you had, the more cautious you had to be. He also reminded himself that just because he was powerful now didn''t mean he could becent or take unnecessary risks, because the stakes would be high. It was the rule of the world that as you grew stronger, you drew stronger enemies. Han Cai reminded himself that bing a powerful cultivator was more than just gaining strength and power. It was also about developing the wisdom, discipline, and humility required to wield that power responsibly and withpassion. Then his final thoughts on lecturing himself were man I really cane up with a lot of bullsh*t while i reflect and even try to fool myself in pretending to be upright. Han Cai looked outside, where the Panther was growling, waiting for Han Cai toe out so it could tear him apart in pieces. It was furious that the medium-sized mine it had guarded for thousands of years had now been sucked dry. Han Cai smiled smugly. He noticed he still had a lot of exchange points, he began improving his sword technique as well. The second level of sword technique only cost him 160,000 exchange points. The third level cost him 3,20,000 exchange points, but when he tried to upgrade to level four, he was asked for a billion. Han Cai realized at level four that he could use absolute zero; this was a qualitative leap, and it''s possible that''s why the price skyrocketed. Han Cai still upgraded the skill to level four, but when he went to upgrade it to level five, the system directly asked for 100 billion exchange points instead of asking for double thest amount. Han Cai gave up. Level four was good enough at this level, he could fight a nascent soul cultivator. Han Cai looked at the panther, with an evil grin. Han Cai came out of the mine. Beasts tried to pounce on him the moment he appeared. Han Cai immediately released celestial Qi, causing the beasts in the area to flee in fear and panic. Celestial Qi was more domineering energy than regr spirit Qi energy. They were terrified of it instinctively. The panther, on the other hand, stood firm, growling at Han Cai while keeping a wary eye on his celestial Qi. Han Cai gave the panther a smug expression, which enraged it. Han Cai scanned the beast for 100,000 exchange points. [Name: Shadow Panther] [Age: 1200 Years] [Life Span: 7000 years] ?Strength: 1300 ?Perception: 750 ?Agility: 1450 ?Speed: 1400 ?Constitution: 2000 ?Intelligence: 10 ?Charm: 25 ?Level: Elite beast ?Skills: Shadow Blend (Level 3), Shadow Pounce (Level 2), Shadow Bind (Level 2), Shadow Meld (Level 1), Yin Shadow Steps (Level 1), Shadow Illusion Technique (Level 1), Shadow Burst (Level 2)... This was an extremely powerful beast. Han Cai would be shattered with a single swipe from it. Han Cai also noted that this beast had an IQ of 10, indicating that it was extremely intelligent. Its charm was out of this world. This was an incredible beast. The massive amount of shadow skills implied the beast was not to be trifled with not unless Han Cai wanted to transmigrate again. Han Cai had no such ns. He hade prepared. How could he not? When he received such arge amount of exchange points from the mine. After giving a cheeky smile, Han Cai vanished from sight. The panther realized Han Cai was attempting to get out of the valley. It immediately pounced on him, and it was determined not to let him get away. Shadow Step was a technique utilised by the panther that allowed it to move quickly and silently through shadows, making it difficult for Han Cai to follow the movements of the panther. However, Han Cai, who was now a Core Formation cultivator, was able to easily avoid the attack of the panther by disappearing and then reappearing behind it. Because of Han Cai''s heightened perception, the panther immediately turned around and attempted to use its Shadow w technique; however, Han Cai was able to avoid being attacked in advance, and he vanished once more. The panther became even more enraged at Han Cai''s taunting after he reappeared at a certain safe distance from it, and Han Cai maintained that distance between them. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Check out my second book Arcane Immortal. Let me know your thoughts. Thank You Chapter 96 New Subordinate The Panther used its Shadow Illusion technique to create multiple illusions of itself, confusing Han Cai and making it hard for him to know which was the real target. Despite the multiple panthers attacking him, Han Cai could not be fooled; He kept disappearing and reappearing. The panther was bing increasingly annoyed by Han Cai''s antics, so it used its Shadow Bind technique to ensnare him in a web of shadow energy, so limiting his mobility and leaving him open to attack. But, Han Cai''s dexterity proved to be too much for the panther, and he vanished once more before shadow energy coulde into contact with him. The panther was too furious right now. It wanted to tear Han Cai apart. It used all it''s spirit Qi and used Shadow Burst. A technique that releases a burst of shadow energy, momentarily blinding Han Cai and giving the panther an opportunity to strike. This time Han Cai was hurt. But before the panther could celebrate its victory, Han Cai vanished like smoke, and the panther was left speechless. It was perplexed as to why the human did not bleed but instead transformed into smoke, which only served to strengthen its resolve to eliminate Han Cai. Suddenly out of nowhere, the freezing spirit Qi came from all directions. The panther''s entire body was swiftly bathed in the freezing energy, and every inch of it was frozen solid, with the exception of its face. The panther let out a loud howl as it struggled to extricate itself from the ice that was slowly entering its skin and freezing its blood. The panther''s yelp could be heard for quite some distance. Han Cai appeared again at some distance from the panther. He had a gloating smile on his face. How could Han Cai possibly enter the fight without a strategy? As soon as he saw the panther''s stats, he knew he could not meet it head-on. As a result, Han Cai decided to let his clone distract the Panther. At the appropriate moment, Han Caiunched a stealth strike using the absolute zero level 4 skill of the cold precision technique. After absorbing the spirit Qi from the medium-sized mine, Han Cai''s first n was to leave, rescue the sect''s disciples when they were kidnapped, and then receive a great deal of praise from the sect. However, after meeting the Panther, Han Cai now had a far better strategy in mind. The longer he observed this beast, the more he found it to be aesthetically attractive. The beast had charm of 25. It was obvious anyone who looked at it would be mesmerized. Han Cai felt if he could tame it, He would look incredibly cool. As a result, he decided to alter his n. The subordinate contract required the opposite party to agree to the contract willingly. Han Cai was not worried about that at all. Unlike humans, beasts were simple creatures. They could not keep any malice hidden; if they hated you, they would not pretend they would try to tear you apart, and if they could not, they would submit to you. No matter how smart they were, as long as you were stronger than them, they would submit to you, given you provided them enough motivation. Han Cai had plenty of methods to motivate the beast. Han Cai made his way toward the panther as casually as if he were out for a stroll in the park. He smiled another smug smile at the panther before continuing. Han Cai extended his hand. In his hand, the silver whisperer appeared. Han Cai approached the beast and spoke to it. " Will you submit to me, or should I motivate you?" Panther ignored Han Cai''s words and continued to yell. Han Cai yed a soft tune on his flute; the panther merely red at him with its piercing eyes, unimpressed. Han Cai continued to y, hoping to connect with the beast on a deeper level. However, the panther remained aloof and unresponsive. Growing frustrated, Han Cai decided to take more drastic measures. He didn''t say anything else as he walked behind the panther, flute in hand. Han Cai released some freezing Qi from the beast''s back. The Panther''s front and back were now free, but the rest of its body and legs were frozen in absolute zero. With a mischievous glint in his eye, Han Cai coated his silver whisperer in celestial qi and aimed it right between the panther''s legs. He then let out a mighty blow, causing a bellowing sound that echoed all over the treacherous mountain range. Bells rang, and eggs cracked. Han Cai murmured, " Talk about going nuts!" In his past life, he always wondered, when he saw funny videos, if animals felt the same pain as humans did when their family jewels were hurt. But now, his curiosity hade to a conclusion. Han Cai had a sage moment and enlightenment at the same time. He thought philosophically, be it human or beast. When the jewels are attacked, we all surrender. A slogan came into his mind: " Divided by species, but united by pain in Deez...." While Han Cai had an epiphany, the panther was in agony; its voice hadpletely disappeared. It tried to growl and yelp in protest, but the pain was too much for it to even let out a sound. Han Cai couldn''t help but chuckle at the sight of the mighty beast reduced to such a state. But he wasn''t done yet. Han Cai approached the panther with a confident swagger and repeated his question in a taunting tone, "Will you submit to me, or should I punish you more?" The big, growling elite beast had turned into a purring cat. It whimpered and showed submission to Han Cai. Han Cai knew that he had won. He had sessfully tamed the beast with his unusual tactics and his trusty silver whisperer. Han Cai asked the system to send the subordinate contract to the beast. The system followed his instructions. There was no resistance from the beast the contract was signed smoothly. Han Cai had a new subordinate now. It was not human but more powerful than any human he knew maybe except elder Dongmei and Sect master. Han Cai spoke, "I will name you cky!" Han Cai Opened the system panel again Han Cai looked at the system panel. [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 13] [Life Span: 900 Years] ?Strength: 600 ?Perception: 850 ?Agility: 650 ?Speed: 650 ? ?Constitution: 700 ?Intelligence: 11 ?Charm: 10 ?Cultivation: Core Formation (Celestial Ascension Technique, Soaring Sky Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Crane Sword Style (Level 4) ?Skills: Cold Precision Sword Technique (Level 4 ) ?Skills: Qigong Cloud Soaring Technique (Level 3) ?Skills: Invisibility Technique (Level 5) ?Skills: space escape technique (Level 1) (Collect 100 billion exchange points to upgrade) ?Skills: Clone (Level 1) (Collect 10 billion exchange points to upgrade) [Exchange Points: 5,400(350/day)] [Extract Exchange Points: 65 Billion (source EARTH, WIND, SPACE, FRIGID)] [Storage Space: Spirit Stones (200) Gold Coins (100)... ] [Subordinate: Yongnian] [Subordinate: cky] [System Update:? (Initiate System Update?)] [Scan] [Initiate the Law of Equal Exchange?] There was a new subordinate added to the system. Han Cai had 65 billion exchange points; it looked like a lot, but even this much was not enough. His cultivation was a massive ck hole. He decided that once he went back to the sect, he would n how to go ahead and distribute the remaining exchange points. Chapter 97 Ambush Han Cai released the glorious ck panther from absolute zero. They rested for a day. The next day, Han Cai rode on cky''s back, and they started their return journey towards his first subordinate. Riding an elite beast was a whole new experience for Han Cai. On the back of cky, he felt a thrill of excitement coursing through him. The wind rushed past him as the cky sprinted through the forest, leaping over obstacles and darting through trees with effortless grace. To Han Cai, it felt better than riding in a sports car would feel. Not that he had ridden any sports cars in his past life. But who was going to stop him from having an imagination? Han Cai felt that riding the car, no matter how fun it is, might not make him feel the same sense of freedom and exhration. And the best part was thatzy Han Cai did not have to spend any celestial Qi or do any work; he just rode peacefully. He couldn''t help but let out a cheer of joy as he clung to the panther''s back. He feltpletely at ease riding on its back. It was as if he and the panther were one, moving together in perfect synchronization. He could feel the muscles of the beast rippling beneath him and the warmth of its fur. Despite the speed of the panther, it took three weeks for Han Cai to meet Yongnian again. Yongnian almost relieved his bowels when he saw the big panther walking towards him, but only when he saw Han Cai signaling on the back of the Panther did he calm down. After reaching their designated location, they camped for a week. Han Cai was in a positive mood, enjoying the camping life. Yongnian roasted delicious meals for him, and Han Cai felt content. However, out of nowhere, Han Cai felt an ominous feeling creeping up on him, and his expression changed drastically. Han Cai attempted to use his enhanced perception. When he used his perception, the smile on his face vanished, his face went nk, and his eyes became devoid of emotion. Yongnian and cky, both noticed the change and became alert. Yongnian approached Han Cai and asked if everything was alright. Han Cai responded, "It''s all fine," but there was no aloofness in his voice or actions, as he pretended in general. The teasing look in his eyes turned serious, and his voice was devoid of emotion as if he had just witnessed something terrible. The change in his demeanor left Yongnian and cky puzzled. A week passed, but there was no change in Han Cai. During this time, inner core disciple Niu had left the Sky-Soaring Sect toplete the mission of eradicating the bandits. Some outer sect elders and outer sect disciples apanied her on this mission, including well-known disciples such as Liqin, Shihong, Fan Zixin, Bohai, Kong Dandan, and others. They traveled on strong, muscled horses provided by the sect and journeyed rapidly towards the area where the ck wind bandits were active. After traveling for one and a half months, they finally reached the location where the bandits were reported to be. Once they reached the location, they spent days traveling and looking for the bandits, but they could not find any. One day, one of the outer sect disciples finally noticed a man lying on the ground, knocked out. The man was wearing ck robes and silver-colored bottoms. This was the usual attire of ck wind bandits. The group immediately caught the bandit and tied him up. When the bandit woke up, he was shocked to see Sky-Soaring Sect disciples. They started interrogating him to find out where their whole bandit camp was, how many bandits were in their gang, and the whereabouts of their leader. The outer sect elders did not interfere in the disciples'' activities, as the mission had to bepleted by the disciples themselves. The bandit was very afraid, and he spilled all the details. He told them that their bandit gang had camped beyond two mountain ranges in the Red Forest Valley, where their leader was also present. A few days ago, the leader had be displeased with him and knocked him out. When he woke up, he was here. So he did not understand how he was here tied up right now or how he got caught. After receiving all the details from the bandit, they tied him to a tree. They believed this was just an unlucky bandit who was removed from the gang for ipetence. However, this also meant they had to move fast. If the bandit camp moved, it would take them a long time to find it again. They traveled for a day and a night and finally reached the Red Forest area where the bandits had camped. When they spied to see if the camp was still there, they found out that it was indeed still there. The group immediately started to n to attack the camp, aiming to get the mission done by the evening. When they were nning to attack the camp, one of the outer sect elders spoke, "Something is not right. The camp is too quiet." Soon, other elders and disciples noticed it too. The bandit camp was indeed very quiet; it was eerily quiet. Before they could figure out what was going on, they heard aughing sound. When they looked, they saw a man sitting on a ck horse, looking at them andughing. It was none other than ck Wind Yan, the leader of the ck Wind Bandits. One of the outer sect disciples trying to act heroic in front of Niu spoke with a proud face, "ck Wind Bandits, today we Sky Soaring Sect havee here to end your banditry." The leader of the ck Wind Banditsughed out loud and spoke, "You fools, is your sect filled with only idiots? Look around you." When they looked around, they realized they were surrounded by bandits. Another outer sect elder spoke: "Something seems fishy; this bandit already knew that we wereing. Let us elders handle it." The leader of the ck Wind Bandits confirmed their suspicion: "We have been expecting you. Sky Soaring Sect, it seems you are not as smart as we thought. Attack us if you dare. You will regret it." One of the elders spoke again: "Disciples huddle together and protect each other." While disciples huddled together to watch each other''s back, the elders prepared to attack, but suddenly, two people dressed in ck appeared out of nowhere and blocked their path. The elders were taken aback when one of the ck-d men released his spirit QI, causing them all to shiver. One elder couldn''t help but exim in shock, "Core formation level?" The man who had released his spirit QI spoke, trying to diffuse the situation. "We don''t want to hurt you. If you surrender willingly, you will be captured but will not suffer. But if you decide to battle, many of you will die today." The outer sect elders were unsure of how to proceed. Should they take their chances, attack the bandits, and risk fighting against the man at the core formation level? Or try to escape? One elder spoke up, trying to understand the situation. "Senior, has the Sky Soaring Sect offended you in some way? Why are you supporting these bandits?" The man in ck spoke calmly, "We are not your enemies. We are simply here to ensure the safety of the people and to prevent any unnecessary violence." One of the outer sect disciples spoke up, "How can we trust you?" "You''re dressed like them, and you''re clearly working with them." The second man in ck spoke: "We understand your skepticism, but we have no reason to lie. We are not here to harm anyone, only to prevent harm from being done. Why would a cultivator of our level work for bandits like these?" The elders whispered amongst themselves, unsure of what to do. Finally, one of them stepped forward and said, "We are willing to surrender peacefully. What are your terms?" The man in ck responded, "Drop your weapons." "You will all be taken into custody and questioned about your intentions here. If we find that you truly had no ill will, you will be released unharmed. If we find that you had malicious intent and purpose, you will be punished ordingly." One of the disciples spoke," What malicious intent? We came on a secret mission to clear these despicable bandits who harm innocent people." The First Man in the ck spoke, "If that was your intention, then you do not have to worry about it; we will let you go after we confirm it with your sect. But we can not let you harm the bandits, as they are working for us. I will give you an incense of time to surrender; if you do not, I will not be merciful." The elders hesitated for a moment, as half of the things about this man in ck did not make senseˇŞwhat malicious intent? What Questioning? First, he wanted the safety of people. Now he says bandits are working for him. If he had doubts, he should have asked for sect medallions, but the man wanted them to surrender first. Something was not right, but they noticed they did not have many options here. It was not like they could fight a core formation level cultivator with their foundation establishment strength. They dropped their weapons and nodded in agreement. The Moment the elders dropped their weapons, Cui family''s elder pounced. His n was to kill some elders to send as proof to put fear in the core elders of the sky-soaring sect. There were too many people in this crowd for him to manage, so he nned to kill most of them. ? The bandits roared and attacked too. Seeing him attack, all the elders and the disciples of the Sky Soaring Sect shivered. When the attack was just inches away from them. The attackers, which included the core formation cultivator, foundation establishment cultivator, and bandits, all came to a halt. The elders and disciples of the sky-soaring sect were all perplexed. The man was in front of them, inches away from their throats, but it felt like he was a fish caught in a; he was not able to move. ************************************************** Author''s Note: Check out my second book Arcane Immortal. Let me know your thoughts. http://wbnv.in/a/6bhWLnR Thank You Chapter 98 Saved Suddenly they heard a thundering roar. Most of the students and bandits almost soiled themselves; it was the sound of an angry beast. The elders and cui family members started sweating profusely. After the roar, a voice boomed, " Your Cui family dares to attack the people of my Sky Soaring Sect. " "ARE YOU TIRED OF YOUR LIFE?" The Cui family members were shocked. How did he know they were from the Cui family? Shortly, they saw a massive ck panther walking out of the woods and moving toward them. Everyone''s mind wondered; to ride such a beast, the cultivator riding it must be very powerful. When the panther was close enough, they saw a young man dressed in white standing on the back of the beast gracefully. Kong Dandan was the first to realize this. He spoke loudly, " Brother Han Cai!" All the outer sect disciples and elders murmured, " Han Cai?!" Their eyes popped out. Didn''t he be the sect master''s disciple like a year ago? When Panther arrived near them, they were amazed. The ck panther was mesmerizing. The muscr body was covered in glossy ck fur that shone like obsidian in the sunlight. Its piercing green eyes glinted in the sunlight, and its razor-sharp ws were visible even from a distance. The panther moved gracefully, each stride effortless and fluid as if it were gliding on air; they could feel shadow Qiing out of the Panther. But it wasn''t just Panther that drew the attention of the crowd. Han Cai, who was riding on the panther''s back, was also the picture of beauty with his sharp features and wless skin. His hair was a striking shade of ck and cascaded down his back in waves. The white Daoist robe he wore added to his aura of purity and righteousness. When the panther was close enough, the realization dawned on them this beast was actually an elite beast. They felt a chill run down their back. The Cui Family members were sweating buckets. No one had told them that the sky-soaring sect had a beast as sect protector. They misunderstood that the beast was the sect protector watching over the sect''s disciples. Or how could this little kid ride an elite beast that not even nascent soul cultivators could subdue? The outer sect elders and disciples misunderstood that this beast must belong to the sect master, who had asked it to watch over Han Cai. The disciples and elders watched in amazement as Han Cai dismounted from the panther''s back, his every move was graceful and fluid. They had heard rumors of his beauty and strength, but seeing him in person was an entirely different experience. As he stepped forward, his presencemanded respect and admiration. Han Cai walked towards the elders of the Sky Soaring Sect. Made a cupping sign and said, " Greetings elders, is everyone alright? I was passing by, when I heard themotion." One of the elders from the group came out of a stupor and spoke, " Core disciple Han Cai, you came at the right time. These people nned to ambush core disciple and us Niu today. If you hadn''te, we would have been in great danger". Han Cai shook his head. He wanted to yell at these greedy, dumb idiots for walking into an ambush so easily and even crying like victims. Guidelines in the sect mission hall clearly mentioned that when you are out in the wild, always stay prepared in case you get ambushed. Han Cai had watched them for a long time; they moved in the forest like they were in a park. Han Cai did move like a walker in the park too, but he had his perception and system radar. Han Cai turned to Cui family members and spoke, " Are you wondering how I know you are from the Cui family?" The Cui family members gave him a confused look on their faces and said, "Yes, that''s what we want to know." Han Cai shook his head and said, "Come out!" One shadow binding Qi pulled out an old man hidden in the shadows. Elder Pan, bound by shadow Qi, was pulled out into the light. Han Cai spoke: " you people really think our sky soaring sect is filled with fools, and we will not know what you people are doing? You wanted to kidnap our core disciple. Now your family will be paying for you." Han Cai flew on the back of the Panther again, looking at the elders and disciples of the Sky Soaring Sect, and spoke, " Follow behind the beast." All the disciples were awestruck, be it by the beast or Han Cai. They felt reverence for this disciple of their sect; they felt respect, gratitude, and even pride that their sect had such a young immortal as a disciple. Han Cai did not invite anyone to ride on the back of the beast; no oneined about that. They were lucky enough to have an opportunity to see an elite beast. Not even the sect master rode an elite beast; how could they dare? When Panther moved again, the shadow Qi that bound all of the attackers, whether they were Cui family members, elder Pan, or bandits, pulled them all behind the beast as it moved. Even if they tried, they couldn''t escape; they were dragged like a rope dragging a prisoner tied to a carriage. How could they resist an elite beast with the strength of a nascent soul? Soon after, the group began to move forward, led by Han Cai on the panther. Behind him were bound prisoners bound by the Binding of Shadow Qi. Behind them were sky-soaring sect disciples and elders. The group began their journey back to the sect, and the atmosphere was quiet. Han Cai remained silent throughout the entire journey. In the beginning, it caused a sense of unease among the group, but soon they got used to it. One thing that did not change was their awe and admiration for him. The journey was long and tiring, as they had to navigate through treacherous terrain and harsh weather conditions. They encountered few natural obstacles along the way, but with such a majestic beast, they did not have to do much as the panther took care of any disturbance that came their way, keeping them at ease. Their journey would get interrupted by asional skirmishes with rogue cultivators, unlucky bandits, or beasts. Thest time they traveled, they traveled quickly and took a safe route, so they did not have to deal with them, avoiding unnecessary interruptions. But now that Han Cai was leading the group, instead of taking the long, safe route, he took them through the shortest route. He was carrying a lot of baggage, and they moved extremely slowly. He wanted to get to the sect as soon as possible, so he could be done with these extra pieces of baggage. Instead of worrying about any attack or ambush, the group enjoyed this carefree journey and looked forward to bandits and wild animals ambushing them. When rogue cultivators tried to ambush them, and the big, mighty panther would roar at those rogue cultivators, they thoroughly enjoyed seeing the true fear in the eyes of those cultivators. As for the beasts, most of the lucky ones who sensed the panther from a distance scurried away immediately, while some who were unlucky enough not to run away became meals for the group on the journey. Despite Han Cai''s silence, the group felt a sense of security under his protection. As they did not dare even look at the elite beast, all their admiration and reverence were directed toward Han Cai. Han Cai had be their silent guardian, watching over them with his sharp eyes and sharp senses to make sure they made it through the dangerous terrain safely. As they traveled, the group discussed the recent events that had unfolded. They talked about how Han Cai had saved them and how he had captured the core formation cultivator with such ease. They spoke about his mysterious aura and how he seemed to possess otherworldly powers. Han Cai had devoted fanboys and fan-elders now. The group''s morale improved as they moved closer to the sect. After what seemed like an eternity, they arrived at the entrance to the sect. ************************************************** Two monthster The sky-soaring sect was in an uproar. You could see disciples and elders huddled together, talking and whispering about something. No matter where they met, their topic of discussion would be core disciple Han Cai. It all started in the morning when the elite beast entered the sect''s outer area. The sect''s array rmed everyone in the sect. The sect went on the highest alert, every elder and disciple panicking. Receiving the rm, the core elders who were present in the sect at that moment, elder Dongmei, and the sect master flew towards the area where the beast was spotted by the array. When they reached the area, they saw a majestic massive Panther moving towards them. It was an elite beast; you could see shadow Qi floating around it. When they were nning to attack, they noticed a young man dressed in white sitting on the back of a panther, meditating. ************************************************** Author''s Note: The uing two chapters are only a thousand words each, as it is the end of Volume two. The New Volume." enigma of the north," will begin after chapter 100. If you think he is overpowered now, You are in for a surprise ;) But keep in mind Yin country is the northernmost minor country in the corner of the northern continent. His Journey is Long, and he appreciates you as hispanion on this Journey. :) Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 99 Legend Of Han Cai 1 Many elders and disciples from both the inner and outer sects began to arrive soon after. Everyone was intrigued by a loud roar they heard. When they saw elders and sect master flying toward the area, they moved as well. They were curious if the sect had been attacked by a spirit beast. The sect array mechanism was designed in such a way that when anyone with a very powerful spirit Qi arrived, it would notify everyone and raise the rm, allowing everyone to flee to safety or prepare for battle. But it wasn''t just the array rm that surprised everyone. When Han Cai was close to the sect array, he made his beast roar loudly. This time It was not his vanity and shallowness that wanted to awe more people. In the beginning, he did want to show off to the whole sect as he had worked hard to make elite beast his subordinate, and He had just saved the sect core disciple and outer sect elders. But now his reasons were different. He just wanted to get over it. When the beast roared, instead of him going to exin everything to the sect, everyone came looking for an exnation from him. When the beast came closer, and Elders finally noticed see Han Cai sitting on its back. Han Cai saw the sect master and elder Dongmei. He flew gracefully from back of the panther and floated towards them. Elder Dongmei and Sect master did not know what to make out of this situation. Han Cai left the sect a few days ago to look for lucky chances. By some method, he was able to lose the dark hall elder and disciples who were protecting him. They were worried about him at first, but Han Cai, on a daily basis, would inject some celestial QI in the medallion, informing the sect that he was safe and well. And today, out of nowhere, he appeared sitting on an elite beast. Han Cai approached the sect master and elder Dongmei. Standing behind them were core elders and inner sect elders. Han Cai bowed to the sect master and elder Dongmei one by one and spoke " Greetings master. Greetings Uncle Master" Han Cai had grown; he looked more charming, dressed in all white. But for some reason, sect master and elder Dongmei frowned. There was no childish look on Han Cai''s face which he always used to have; he looked too mature. His eyes were emotionless, like he had juste back after murdering a million people. The sect master spoke, " Han Cai, what is going on?'' Han Cai responded, " Master, Uncle Master Dongmei informed me about the plot of the Cui family. With the help of robbers and elder Pan of the Outer sect, the Cui family nned to ambush our core disciple Neu and the outer sect elders. I was able to capture them all." He lied without batting an eye. Elder Dongmei almost fell on the ground. When did I inform you about this? He thought Han Cai was joking but seeing those emotionless eyes of Han Cai. He became serious. A Realization dawned on him; his Dark hall had been too busy with the medium size mine they had neglected the sect. The Cui family actually nned something like this, but why did they n this? Did they find out about the mine? While elder Dongmei was in his thoughts, Han Cai pped. The mesmerizing beast who was standing at some distance moved closer. The inner sect and outer elders who were standing behind the sect master and elder Dongmei moved a few steps backward, seeing the massive beast move. Soon Panther Came and stood near Han Cai, then a shadow Qi like a rope, pulled some people from behind at threw them in front of Han Cai. The elders, Palpatine, and the sect master finally noticed the Cui family members, who were dressed in ck their face masks were removed by Han Cai long ago. Behind Cui family members they also noticed the core disciple, Outer sect elders, and outer sect disciples. Han Cai took two medallions and gave them to Elder Dongmei and the sect master, saying that they were proof that the Cui family was plotting to hurt the sect. The elders'' expressions grew solemn as they realized the gravity of the situation and the potential threat posed by the Cui family. After exining everything to them, Han Cai nned to leave. Seeing he was about to leave beast hall elder standing behind couldn''t hold it in and spoke, " Han Cai, what about the beast?" Instead of responding to the elder of the beast hall, Han Cai spoke to elder Dongmei, "I apologize, uncle master, for revealing to everyone our sect protector beast that you assigned to me, but the situation was dire. This disciple is embarrassed and begs uncle master''s forgiveness." He was basically telling Dongmei, You handle it. Hearing Han Cai, Elder Dongmei almost had a seizure. When did I assign you an elite beast? Even I myself can not tame such a beast. But he understood what Han Cai was trying to achieve. Elder Dongmei coughed and said, "It is alright as long as you know your mistakes." It dawned on all the other elders around that it was elder Dongmei who had tamed this beast and sent it with Han Cai to protect him. They had a newfound respect for Elder Dongmei. They never expected the grand master to be this powerful. Han Cai nodded and turned to the sect master, saying, " Master, I have been traveling for a long time. This disciple is very tired. I would like to be excused so I can get some rest." The sect master, still perplexed, nodded. Han Cai turned to cky and spoke, "Go! Patrol near sect." The panther nodded in understanding and gave a loud roar. Everyone''s heart in the sky soaring sect shook; some wet trousers could be noticed in the outer sect disciples as they heard the ferocious sound. ************************************************** Author''s Note You can find me on discord Daoist Drumstick#7766 If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 100 Legend Of Han Cai 2 cky quickly disappeared into the dense forest. Han Cai also disappeared, leaving the whole sect in a state of awe and admiration for the panther''s strength and intelligence. They were amazed that they had such an amazing, elite beast watching their sect. With such a powerful beast protecting their sect, they did not have to worry about the protection of the sect for a long time. The Sky Soaring Sect was a ce where the talk of the town always revolved around cultivation, spirit stones, and missions. However, what they loved most was gossiping. For the past few weeks, the topic of discussion in the sect had shifted to a young man named Han Cai, who had recently returned to the sect afterpleting a mission that had put his name on the map. Disciples and elders alike huddled together, whispering about the handsome young man who had managed to foil the ns of the Cui family with the guidance of Grandmaster Dongmei. They talked about how he had been able to control the sect protector beast. Many spected that he must have been born with a natural affinity for animals, which was a rare talent indeed. The outer sect elders and disciples that Han Cai had saved were singing his praises as if he was an immortal who hade down from heaven to earth. They talked about how he had taken on the Cui family and the bandits with ease and how he had emerged victorious. It wasn''t just the fact that he had saved the core disciple that made Han Cai a legend in the sect. It was the way he entered the sect on the beast that was imprinted in the mind of everyone. Many elders and disciples who had not paid attention to the outer sect tournament only knew that he was a new disciple of the sect master and were now curious about Han Cai. They spoke of him in hushed tones, wondering where he hade from and what his true potential was. Some even went so far as to say that he could one day be the sect''s greatest cultivator. However, there were some who were jealous of Han Cai''s newfound fame. They couldn''t ept that a young man who had only just joined the sect had aplished so much in such a short time. They whispered behind his back, spreading rumors about how he had used underhanded tactics to achieve his sess. But the majority of the sect''s members ignored these rumors. They knew that Han Cai was a talented cultivator who had aplished something great, and they were proud of him. But the disciples Han Cai had saved, and some who had been mesmerized by him couldn''t take it when their new idol was maligned, so they started spreading Han Cai''s legend more actively. As legend continued to grow, things got out of hand very quickly as some exaggerated stories and legends began to spread throughout the Sky Soaring Sect. Some of these stories were so ridiculous that even Sect Master and Elder Dongmei couldn''t help but shake their head at them. One of the most oundish stories was that Han Cai was actually the son of the heavens, sent down to earth to protect the world. ording to this legend, when Han Cai was just five years old, he was already able to lift mountains and split rivers with his bare hands. This story was often told by the younger disciples, who looked up to Han Cai with a mixture of awe and adoration. Another story that was widely circted in the sect was that when Han Cai was born, a group of powerful beasts descended from the heavens to bless his town. ording to this legend, Qilins and dragons could be seen riding on a rainbow in the sky above Han Cai''s birthce, bestowing their blessings on the newborn child. This story was often told by the more superstitious disciples, who believed that Han Cai''s birth was a sign of great fortune and prosperity for the sect. When they thought they had heard everything, they almost lost it when they heard about the rumors spreading out of the sect. This new rumor was spreading around in Cloud Mountain City and nearby cities of the sect. Rumour was that of Han Cai''s battle against a group of powerful demons that had descended upon the Sky Soaring Sect. ording to the story, these demons were unlike any that the sect had ever seen before. They were massive and fierce, with eyes that glowed like hot coals and teeth that were as sharp as razors. They had descended upon the sect in the dead of night, tearing down walls and unleashing chaos upon the disciples, who had been caught off guard. The elders had quickly assembled to deal with the threat, but even they had been overwhelmed by the sheer power of the demons. It seemed as though all hope was lost until Han Cai arrived on the scene. When Han Cai arrived, everyone was in awe of him, for he looked like a god among men, his eyes zing with an otherworldly light. With a wave of his hand, he had sent a bolt of lightning arcing toward the demons, and they had recoiled in fear. With a fierce battle cry, Han Caiunched himself toward the demons, his fists mming into their bodies with incredible force. It was said that with each blow, the ground trembled, and the air crackled with energy. The demons had fought back with all their might, but they were no match for Han Cai''s strength and skill. He moved with lightning-fast speed, dodging their attacks and striking back with a fury that had left the demons reeling. As the battle raged on, everyone watched in awe and amazement, for they had never seen anything like it. Han Cai had fought with the ferocity of a wild animal, his eyes glowing with a fierce intensity that had left no doubt as to his power. In the end, the demons had been defeated, their bodies lying in twisted heaps on the ground. Han Cai had stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion, his eyes zing with triumph. The disciples had cheered his name, hoisting him up onto their shoulders and carrying him back to the sect, where he had been hailed as a hero. And thus, the legend of Han Cai grew, with people throughout the cities and towns telling and retelling the story of his great victory over the demons and the incredible power that he possessed. Han Cai ended up bing a legend in the sect and cities near it, and his story was told and retold countless times. However, they all helped to cement his status as a hero and a figure of great admiration and respect among the sect and outside sect. ************************************************** Author''s Note: 100th chapter. New Volume from tomorrow. Finally, we have a proofreader, so my burden should lessen a bit. He starts from chapter 105. In case you find any errors, do let me know so we can give him a hard time. Thank You Chapter 101 3 Years Later (Part One) [Volume 3 - Enigma of the North] A young man stood on the terrace of a cave abode, the crisp morning air biting at his skin. Dressed in a pristine white robe, his figure was a perfect blend of the nket of snow that covered thend. He held a flute to his lips, and as he yed, the sweet sound of the instrument danced through the air. As the notes of the flute filled the silence, the young man closed his eyes, lost in the melody. The flute sang of the beauty of the winter forest, the gentle flutter of snowkes, and the serene tranquility of the snowyndscape. The notes were soft and melodic yet carried a hint of sorrow as if the flute was mourning the passing of the seasons. The sound of the flute echoed through the valley, reaching the ears of anyone nearby. Birds chirped in response to the music, adding their own melody to the symphony of nature. The young man continued to y, his fingers dancing over the holes of the flute with practiced ease. From the terrace of the cave abode, Han Cai could see a beautiful winterndscape while lost in the tunes of his flute. The winter forest was a stunning and ethereal sight to behold. The snow that had umted everywhere created a pristine and otherworldly scene, with an endless nket of white that stretched as far as the eye could see. The trees, now covered in snow, had be enchanting sculptures, standing tall and proud in the winterndscape. The snow-dusted tree branches and evergreens were even more striking, as their needles stood out in deep green against the white background, creating a perfect contrast of colors. As Han Cai continued to gaze at the winter forest, he was mesmerized by the stillness and peacefulness that surrounded him. The falling snow created a unique and tranquil atmosphere that made him forget about the outside world. He was in awe of the beauty that nature had provided him, and for that moment, he felt a sense of connection to something greater than himself. The winter forest, covered in snow, had be a sanctuary, a ce of refuge, and a source of inspiration. It has been more than three years since Han Cai joined the Inner Sect. Han Cai was 16 years old now. He had be a young man with a charming and mesmerizing appearance. He stood at the height of 5 feet 8 inches and had a slim but toned physique. His skin looked like cold, creamy jade--smooth and unblemished. He had a handsome face with defined cheekbones, a sharp jawline, and a straight nose. His eyes were deep, dark brown, and are often described as soulful and captivating. He had perfectly shaped eyebrows that framed his eyes. His hair was jet ck and fell in loose waves, reaching just above his shoulders. It was always well-groomed and shining. His lips were full and lush, and they had a natural rosy tint to them. His physical appearance was striking, and he exuded an aura of coldness and confidence, giving him a serious, cold, and aloof look. He looked at the status panel [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 16] [Life Span: 2100 Years] ?Strength: 1150 ?Perception : 4000 ?Agility : 1200 ?Speed : 1200 ?Constitution : 1400 ?Intelligence : 50 ?Charm : 50 ?Cultivation : Golden Core Level 3 [Early Stage (Celestial Ascension Technique)] ?Skills : Cold Precision Sword Technique (Level 5) ?Skills : Invisible Ethereal Technique (Level 1) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) ?Skills : Sever Space Technique (Level 2) (Collect 200 trading points to upgrade.) ?Skills : Space Escape Technique (Level 2) (Collect 200 trading points to upgrade.) ?Skills : Clone (Level 2) (Collect 200 trading points to upgrade) ?Skills : Transformation (Level 1) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) ?Skills : ..... [Total Trading Points : 50 (source Earth, Wind, Space, Frigid, Fire..)] [Storage Space: Spirit Stones (5000), Gold Coins (100)... ] [Subordinate: Yongnian, cky, Xiaoyun, Birdie, Silver.....] [System Update : ?(Collect 1,000 trading points to unlock.)] [Scan] [Summon] [Upgrade] [Survey] [Teleport] [Witness] [Security] [Initiate the Law of Equal Exchange?] Han Cai looked at the status panel; he had grown a lot. He was officially the strongest person in the Sky Soaring Sect. If he wanted, he could fight elder Dongmei and the sect master, both of whom were at the nascent stage of soul cultivation at the same time. The most noticeable change in his status panel was the conversion of exchange points to trading points. Essentially, the points collected and required to be spent for cultivation began to reach trillions. Han Cai, the math savant that he was (s)*, felt like his brain would short-circuit if he kept counting. Han Cai was having a hard time going through these massive numbers; hence, he asked the system if the currency could be changed to some higher-value currency, and vi, now he had trading points. One trading point was equal to a billion exchange points. So one billion low-quality spirit stones were basically one trading point. ? A year after his first camping trip, Han Cai joined the dark hall. During the Dark Hall missions, he would keep scanning for the mines, and if he found any, he would suck them dry. At this point, he had lost count of how many points he had spent to reach the golden core, but he was sure the number was somewhere around close to a hundred trillion exchange points if converted back into exchange points. Now that he was in the golden core realm, also known as the elemental core, instead of the elemental core, Han Cai''s core had transformed into the celestial core. This gave a great boost to his space affinity, which also led to a cost reduction in the upgrade of his space techniques. Han Cai experimented and created a few more space techniques; one of his favorites was sever space, where he could slice through space to cut his opponent. Han Cai''s space control had be much more refined, and his ability to manipte the space around him had greatly increased. His affinity was reaching a level where he could notice ripples in space when he used space technique, or he could even create minor disturbances in space if anyone tried to teleport in front of him. For now, he could sense that he was creating fluctuations in the space around him as he was at a basic level, but he was confident that when he got a celestial body, he could move through space as if fish in water without creating a single ripple. All of his statistics had surpassed the thousand mark. He increased his intelligence and charm to fifty points. Because of his high intelligence, his perception surpassed four thousand. His spirit sense had grown so strong as a result of his fifty Intelligence that he had begun to see into the future. If someone tried to attack him, his spirit sense and perception would tell him how they would attack, from what angle they would move, and what their weakness would be before they even moved. It was as if his perception had its own intelligence and wasmunicating with him. Fifty intelligence stat also provided him with an eidetic memory. His reliance on the system to create skills decreased significantly. He also began to delve into thews of this world. He could now see the hazyw patterns that governed the flow of this world, which aided in his understanding of the world''sws. His fifty charm was also very powerful. He was getting to the point where he could manipte people''s emotions with a single word. if it were mortals, he could charm them into jumping off the cliff with just a word, and they would do so without hesitation. He didn''t have the same effect on cultivators, but he was confident that if he leveled up his charm to a hundred, even cultivators would be powerless against him. After stats came to the skills Han Cai had many favorite superheroes. Kitty Pryde, aka Shadowcat, from the X-Men, was one of the superheroes whose abilities he greatly admired. He desired to transform tangible and intangible passing through objects without hindrance, just like she did. The system informed him that it would cost forty trade points. But then he received an option from the system to upgrade his invisibility technique. After the upgrade, the invisible technique would be Invisible Ethereal Technique, and besides being invisible, he could turn ethereal and pass through everything; the upgrade cost was only fifteen trade points. Han Cai immediately updated it. The system worked in a very linear way; when it created a skill for him, it would give him thirty minutes of time at level one. So he could turn ethereal for thirty minutes before the celestial Qi in his body ran out. This skill of turning ethereal was also rted to his space affinity. If it were not for celestial QI giving him space affinity, he might not have been able to turn ethereal even for ten minutes. The second ability that Han Cai desired was also influenced by X-men. He desired Mystique''s life-saving ability, which allowed her to alter her appearance by changing her face and physical characteristics. He paid twenty trading points for the skill. The time limit for this skill was the same as his first skill. Even though he could only transform for half an hour at a time, he was content with that. Chapter 102 3 Years Later (Part 2) With these skills and the cloning technique, Han Cai was now the perfect escape artist. He also upgraded his cloning technique to level 2, so his clone could exist for a day without disappearing. Toplete most of the missions, he would just go to the area where the mission required him to go then he would send the clone to finish the mission. The space escape also was leveled up. Some limitations of the space escape technique were removed. With his current cultivation level, Han Cai could travel around 5 miles in one jump, and he could also transport living beings with him. The skill still required a significant amount of Qi, and Han Cai couldn''t use it too frequently. Besides the skills, Han Cai also updated the system and added some new features. In thest three years, he updated the system five times. And each time he upgraded the system, he unlocked a new feature. The summon feature appeared after the 4th system update and was a proper pay-to-win feature. Through this feature, he could summon a cultivator or beast that could fight for him or do chores for him. But this feature had some limitations; The highest level cultivator or beasts that he could summon could not be more than two levels above his level. Since his cultivation was at the golden core, he could summon up to a soul formation level cultivator. If he summoned a cultivator of his level, it would cost him 1% of one trading point per minute; if he summoned a cultivator one level above his cultivation, that would cost him 10% of one trading point, but if he summoned a cultivator two levels above him that would cost him one trading points per minute. So it was proper to pay to win in the cultivation world. This was not the only pay-to-win feature he unlocked; Vision allowed him to pay per view. Han Cai could pay the system and view the live broadcast of five miles of the area near the location he or his clone were or had passed through. For locations he and his clone had visited in the past, the time limit was one day; after one day, the vision would refresh and show him a live broadcast of the next location he was in or had been through. It was basically as if he installed CCTV cameras in locations wherever he passed through, but the cameras would stop working for that specific location after a day. Teleport was another handy pay-to-win feature. He could set up three teleport points at a time and use them to instantly transport himself from one point to another, and there was no distance limit as long as he had enough trading points. He could teleport from anywhere to the designated teleport point. This could save him a lot of time and effort when traveling long distances or escaping dangerous situations. Han Cai also unlocked a new defense feature. This feature provided protection. When Han Cai activates it, the system creates a special energy shield that epasses the entire area, which resembles a translucent dome. The shield would scan everyone who tries to enter the area and detects any malice or threatening intentions. If it identifies any such person, it activates a powerful mechanism that prevents the unwanted crowd from entering, regardless of their cultivation level. It was like a better version of the sect''s array. The sect''s array could be broken by anyone who was a nascent soul or above. This defense was unbreakable as long as Han Cai provided the system with enough trading points. In case of an attack, the shield would charge a different amount of points depending on the strength of the attacker. If it was a small cultivator, it would cost only a few points to deter their attacks, but if a powerful cultivator attacked, the system would consume a massive amount of points every minute to deter the attack. The energy shield appeared imprable and invisible to the naked eye, but when attacked, you can notice a vibrant blue hue, indicating that it is fully activated and ready to defend the designated area. Thest seal feature would allow Han Cai to create a powerful seal that locks down a target or an entire area. Once sealed, the target would be unable to use any cultivation techniques or escape techniques, making them vulnerable to attack. The seal could be made tost for as long as Han Cai kept supplying the points; just like the security, the seal also had a different price range depending on the strength of the cultivator. While Han Cai was lost in the view on the terrace, someone came up on the terrace; it was none other than his loyal butler Yongnian. Han Cai did not turn around to look at him. Yongnian spoke: "Someone from the dark hall came. The sect master and elder Dongmei are expecting you in the sect master''s abode this afternoon." After speaking, Yongnian left. Now dark hall elders and disciples had stopped appearing directly inside his cave abode. Even though Dark Hall had ess to all the formations in the sect, they could enter any abode without permission. But they did not try to enter Han Cai''s abode without his permission any longer. That was because one time, when Han Cai was meditating peacefully, a dark hall elder appeared right into the meditation room to give him some news. Han Cai disliked the intrusion, so without any mercy, he thrashed the golden core dark hall elder. He sealed him and kept beating him for hours. After that, on a few more asions, whenever members of the dark hall entered his abode directly without permission, trying to act mysteriously, he would thrash them without giving them a reason. Soon they got the message loud and clear so as not to disturb him or enter his cave abode without his permission. From that point forward, if Dark Hall Elders or disciples had to visit Han Cai, , they woulde to the entrance of his cave abode, and Yongnian would inform Han Cai. No one was allowed to meet or see Han Cai directly. Only four people were allowed to interact with him in the whole sect. After the first escapade to absorb the spirit stone mines dry, which gave him an amazing payout, he was already strong enough that he could fight a nascent soul cultivator. It was not difficult for him to thrash the core formation and golden core elders of Dark Hall. The foundation establishment disciples of Dark Hall were not even worth mentioning. Many core elders noticed the dark-hall disciples or elders visiting the sect''s core infirmary. Slowly, rumors spread in inner-core circles about dark hall members who were ustomed to entering any abode being pounded by Core Disciple Han when they attempted to enter his abode without his permission. When the sect''s core elders heard about this, they were confused. Was Han Cai already this powerful, or was he using the earth-grade treasure? In their eyes, Han Cai''s cultivation showed at the foundation establishment level. But Elder Dongmei and Sect Master had realized long ago that Han Cai had already be too powerful; if he wanted to fight them, maybe they could not beat him. , but they still did not expect he would thrash the members of the Dark Hall so mercilessly for their intrusion. Elder Dongmei, who was ustomed to entering Han Cai''s abode directly without any announcement or permission, had sweat forming on his head. He understood Han Cai more than others did. He knew Han Cai was killing the chickens to scare the monkey. He decided that he would no longer visit Han Cai''s abode. Instead, he would send dark hall members to bring Han Cai to the dark hall. This was the only way he could save some face for himself. One of the most significant events in the history of the sect took ce on this day: because a core disciple, Han Cai, taught manners to a great grand elder and other members dark hall. This situation had never urred before. The great grandmaster of the sect, Elder Dongmei, was genuinely terrified of Han Cai''s skills. He didn''t disy it. But He was aware that, like him, Han Cai was prone to losing his temper and that, if that happened, serious troubley ahead. He knew that Han Cai had developed into a more potent assassin than he had been. The sect''s current situation was that the entire sect was terrified of elder Dongmei, and elder Dongmei was terrified of Han Cai. But that didn''t mean Elder Dongmei stopped doting on Han Cai. The sect master understood why elder Dongmei feared Han Cai. The child was just 16 and had be a cold-blooded killer. After a year of Han Cai''s camping retreat, Elder Dongmei started giving him missions to kill bandits, capture rogue cultivators, raid demon sects, and many other missions. He wanted Han Cai to be the sharpest saber of the sect. Elder had noticed that there had been a drastic change in Han Cai''s mindset since he went out alone for the first time and came back having captured Cui Family members. In the beginning, elder Dongmei thought Han Cai had witnessed ore across some bad situations on his journey and would need to get over them. But even after a year, nothing changed; Han Cai had be more private. He would not speak a single word to anyone unless it were necessary, and when he did speak, he would not speak more than a word or a sentence. Slowly, elder Dongmei realized the child Han Cai he used to know, the one who would give him a teasing smile or show a smug face, had totally disappeared. There only existed a cold, emotionless Han Cai, and Elder Dongmei knew that Han Cai was not pretending to be cold. Because, on his missions, he killed his targets without any remorse or regret. There were times when he missed that smug kid in Han Cai. As this Han Cai was too terrifying to even for him. Elder Dongmei wondered what kind of circumstances Han Cai had undergone to be so detached from his emotions and whether it was worth sacrificing his humanity for the sake of being a sessful assassin. He assumed Han Cai had changed himself to be a sessful dark hall assassin. Despite his concerns, he knew it was not his ce to interfere with Han Cai''s decisions, and he could only hope Han Cai would get over whatever was bothering him. ************************************************** Author''s Note I made one error in thest chapter regarding the value of trade points One trade point is equal to one million low-grade spirit stones, not one billion. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 103 The Butler And The Maid One more thing elder Dongmei noticed was Han Cai''s greed; he would rob his every mission target ruthlessly. Aside from sucking up as many spirit stone mines as he could find, every time Han Cai killed or did missions, he would also take away the spirit stones or any valuable possessions his targets had. He will send his subordinates with the robbed possessions to his family so they can trade those possessions. Elder Dongmei easily noticed the possessions of targets being traded by Han Family members. Elder Dongmei thought robbing the targets was not a good idea when the sect was already providing him with so many resources. Thinking about punishing Han Cai, Elder Dongmei decided to increase the levels of his missions; each month, Elder Dongmei would give Han Cai a mission with a little bit more difficulty, which Han Cai wouldplete without any challenges. With his cultivation and skills, he was always too powerful for his targets, and before they could realize what was going on, they would be dead. But when Elder Dongmei gave Han Cai difficult missions, he was also worried that Han Cai would get seriously injured. Elder Dongmie tried to send core formation level and golden core level protectors to protect Han Cai secretly during the missions, but Han Cai would disappear after taking the missions, and none of the protectors were able to find him. This concerned Elder Dongmei more. After a simr situation urred during three missions, he called Han Cai and told him that he wanted to assign him protectors, but Han Cai would disappear when the mission was given, and even the golden core elders were not able to find him. Which was not good because his protectors should always know where he was in case he got into any trouble. Han Cai only said that he did not need protectors; it was his targets that needed protection. Elder Dongmei did not believe him. He thought Han Cai was being an overconfident brat who did not know the consequences of his actions and would understand them only when he got attacked or ambushed. But Elder Dongmei was not ready for such a risk; the sect had invested a lot in this golden goose of theirs. While Elder was thinking about how to convince Han Cai to keep protectors with him, suddenly, a hand tapped his shoulders. When elder Dongmei turned around, he saw it was Han Cai tapping his shoulder. Elder Dongmei almost lost it. He moved his gaze to where Han Cai was standing, but there was no one there. Elder Dongmei was perplexed because Han Cai was in front of his eyes when his shoulder was tapped. It meant Han Cai was both in front of him and behind him at the same time. Worse, even his spirit sense couldn''t tell when Han Cai vanished from the front and reappeared behind him. After calming down, Elder realized that what Han Cai said was true and that he did not need protection anymore; it was his targets who needed protection. Soon the sect master also found out how his disciple was ying with Elder, and he wanted to scold Han Cai for his behavior, but he also felt proud that his disciple was so skilled and powerful that he could outsmart even the most experienced Elder Dongmei. Han Cai''s abode. After ying the flute, Han Cai entered the garden from the terrace of his cave abode. The flute flew into his body and into his dantian through his fingers. The flute was slowly healing as Han Cai yed it every morning. He wanted to recover this incredible treasure that had be a part of him as soon as possible. Han Cai noticed Yongnian clearing snow in the garden. Yongnian, who used to be an outer sect poison elder of the sect, was now a proper butler at Han Cai''s quarters. Bing Han Cai''s subordinate did not mean that Yongnian had be a man without thoughts or emotions. In the beginning, even though he was loyal to Han Cai, heined a lot in his mind, and he especially cursed the day when core disciple Qiang came to him, asking him to make poison to kill Han Cai. After that, his life was turned upside down. His biggest pet peeve with this situation was that he did not evenmit the offense and was serving time for it, as he was still waiting for the poison; it had not arrived, and he had not even started concocting when the elders of the discipline hall apprehended him and his faction disciples. He and his faction''s disciples were interrogated under the influence of some incense, and after that, some ck-clothed people, who heter found out belonged to the dark hall, came and branded them with beast ve marks, and the control medallion was given to inner core disciple Han Cai. Whenever he cleaned the garden with a broom in his hands, he would shake his head in disappointment at how low the mighty poison elder of the outer sect had fallen. But as he served Han Cai, he realized that his boss was nothing like normal core disciples. Han Cai never called him his ve but his subordinate. Soon Yongnian realized that bing subordinate to Han Cai was the best thing that ever happened to him. He found out that Han Cai was very mysterious. The more he came to understand Han Cai, the more unfathomable he felt Han Cai was. Han Cai even helped him improve his cultivation. As time passed, Yongnian started to have a deep reverence for his boss. Without even realizing it, the outer sect poison Elder Yongnian hadpletely transformed into Butler Yongnian. When he cleaned the garden, he did so diligently. Aftering to the garden, Han Cai sat down. A gray-robed maid soon brought tea into the garden for Han Cai. While Han Can sipped his tea, she looked intently at him like she wanted to speak to him. You could see infatuation in her eyes. Han Cai knew how his charm affected the girls, so he ignored her and drank his tea quietly. The maid was none other than Xiaoyun. Han Cai had no intention of keeping her. But to the sect master, she was still his disciple. The sect master was worried. If she was left in the outer sect as a grey robe, knowing how rotten the outer sect elders were, if something happened, there would be another scandal. When Xiaoyun''s punishment was decided that she would serve as a gray robe, the sect master found out that he had only two choices: either keep Xiaoyun with him or send her to serve Han Cai. He was worried that if he saw her again, because of his love for his disciple, he might forgive her, which was against sect rules and his morals. Hence The sect master personally visited Han Cai and asked Han Cai to take Xiaoyun into his abode as a maid for forty years. Han Cai asked him if he was sure, and He also mentioned that the next time the sect master sees Xioayun, it would be her dead body if Xiaoyun tried anything funny. It was better for the sect master to send her to the outer sect or throw her out of the sect. The sect master was aware that Han Cai had turned ruthless for some reason, but he felt it was still better to send her to Han Cai''s abode instead outer sect. He knew how careful his disciple was and how much Han Cai respected him. Even if Han Cai was saying he would kill Xiaoyun sect master was sure his disciple would not kill her, and most he would do is knock her out before she tried anything funny. The kind-hearted sect master truly believed that as she was Han Cai''s senior sister, there was no way Han Cai would wrong him or her even if she was serving the punishment as maid. To convince Han Cai, the sect master tried to exin that there was no way she could conspire against him because all the servants in his cave abode had ve marks, and they could not betray him. Even if she did not have the ve mark, she could not leave his cave abode to collude against him; she had to go outside his cave abode to conspire, and her movements and cultivation were restricted. And now that Han Cai was strong, there was no way she could hurt him. She was just a mere mortal right now, while he was one of the strongest cultivators in the whole sect. Besides, Dark Hall and discipline hall kept watch on the movements of his servants all day, and even the food brought to Han Cai was checked. So there was no way she could do anything to harm him. Han Cai still rejected the sect master. He was not interested in such drama. But the sect master kept whining about how he had only two disciples; they were his family, one of whom had gone astray. If they do not help each other, he will feel like a failure as a master. He tried to emotionally ckmail Han Cai into taking care of Xiaoyun. But Han Cai did not budge. At the end, the sect master actually got up and was nning to bow to Han Cai and beg him, even though he was Han Cai''s master. No matter how cold-hearted Han Cai had be in thest few years, he owed his master a lot, and he could not let him beg his own disciple. Finally, Han Cai gave in. No matter what the sect master was his master, everything he had now was because of the sect master. So to avoid more drama from his master, he epted Xiaoyun. But Han Cai was not nning to entertain the girl; if he sees any signs that she is going astray, he will just end her and move on. And that is how, besides Yongnian the Butler, tea maid Xiaoyun joined Han''s abode. ************************************************** Author''s Note A lot of questions about his personality change. If it is permanent? Without spoiling much, I can only say that it is not. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 104 Curious Case Of Xiaoyun Xiaoyun had a nightmare three years ago; she had never been treated that way. She,ing from a good family background, was always treated like a princess, and when she came to the sect, the sect master took her as his disciple, doted on her, and she became the princess of the sect. She looked down on everyone in the sect except her master. And one day, that dreadful nightmare urred. After her shameful experience in Qiang''s abode, the sect master took her away. She was unconscious for three days. When she woke up, she was shell-shocked for a week. Two female disciples of the discipline hall were taking care of her. Mei, herckey, was nowhere to be seen. For some reason, Xiaoyun was not able to feel spirit qi in her body. After almost a week had passed, the discipline hall elder came to visit her. First, he asked if she was alright. And Xiaoyun nodded, informing him that she was alright, but she did not speak. She felt too ashamed to speak as she remembered the condition she was in when the sect master came to Qiang''s abode; she had only a vague memory of it, but she remembered. When the elder of Discipline Hall was sure she was doing okay, he told her about her punishment. She learned that her cultivation had been restricted and that she would serve as a grey-robed disciple for forty years; if she did not agree, she would be sent to the sect punishment hall and kept in a dungeon for all her life. After hearing about her punishment, realization dawned on her. Why she was not able to feel the spirit qi in her body. After announcing the punishment, the elder of the discipline hall left. She initially resisted and was unwilling to wear the grey robe. Her defiance was taken very seriously by the discipline hall. She was sent to the punishment hall''s dungeon. She was kept in a moldy and dark cave in solitary. She felt very ashamed and kept crying day and night. She suffered in that dark cave for five months. After five months of being in the dark cave, the elder of the discipline hall came back and asked her if she was ready to ept her punishment. She hurriedly nodded, crying. Elder told her that she would be sent to Han Cai''s abode, where she would serve as a grey robe. She had to do all the chores she was asked to do, and if she disturbed Han Cai''s cultivation or acted in any inappropriate way, she would be sent back here and kept in this dark cave for all of her mortal life. After she agreed, she was given a grey robe and fresh water to clean up properly. Subsequently, when she was ready, she was brought to Han Cai''s cave abode by disciples of the discipline hall. When she came to Han Cai''s abode, she was informed by Yongnian that her duties were to serve tea to Han Cai every morning. The next day, when she brought tea to Han Cai, she thought he would gloat or try to take advantage of her, but Han Cai did not even look at her. Initially, she hated Han Cai, cursed him, and in her mind, she told herself the reason for all her suffering was him. As time passed, her hatred towards Han Cai mellowed slowly as she realized Han Cai really did not care at all about her; to him, she did not even exist. Sometimes, once in a blue moon, he will raise his head and give her a look, but when he looked at her, there were no emotions in his eyes; it was like he was looking at a lifeless object. After that, he would go back to drinking his tea and ignore her existence. As time passed, She found that Han Cai looked really charming sitting alone in the garden sipping his tea. He was the true definition of a young immortal. She started to like it when Han Cai would spare his attention and look at her. Slowly, just like Yongnian, there was a transformation in her. Her attitude towards Han Cai started to change. She felt that Han Cai was unfathomable and mysterious. And every day, he would look more charming to herpared to the day before. Once in a blue moon, when he would spare her a look, she would feel her heart beating very fast. From the cold princess of the Sky Soaring Sect, she had turned into a maid who liked dressing up every day. Waiting for Han Cai to look at her, she would think maybe today is the day. On the days Han Cai looked at her, she would be cheerful all day. For the remaining days, she would be moping around, trying to find a reason or chore to do in front of Han Cai. She craved his attention deeply. Han Cai made her deliver tea and looked at her once in a while because she was not his subordinate. He would look up so he could scan her and make sure he always knew what was in her mind. Now that she was mortal, it cost him nothing to scan her. Han Cai had decided he would kill her before the forty years were over; he was just waiting for her to give him a reason. But instead of doing something that could harm him, which could give him a reason to end her. The direct opposite happened: her favorability towards him changed at the end of the first year. First, it changed from a grudge to be unfavorable one. Then, from unfavorable, it changed to favorable. Following that, from favorability, it changed to infatuation, and by the third year, it showed she was in love with him. Han Cai did not mind her being infatuated or in love with him. He knew the reason, which was his charm, stat. Han Cai had no interest in her. But seeing the love mentioned by System, Han Cai sent her a subordinate contract. She epted the contract, and Han Cai had one more subordinate, a permanent tea maid. Today Xiaoyun stood there waiting for Han Cai to spare her some attention. But Han Cai did not look up. After enjoying his tea in the garden, Han Cai went to his private chambers. No one was allowed to enter his private chambers, meditation room, or training room. Han Cai changed his clothes. When Han Cai joined the dark hall of the Sky Soaring sect, he was given aplete set of assassin''s attire. The outfit was all ck, covering him from head to toe. The fabric was made of a special material that would help him blend into the shadows, making it nearly impossible for anyone to spot him in the dark. The first thing that stood out about his attire was the mask on his face. The mask was made of a lightweight yet durable material that covered the entirety of his face, hiding his identity from anyone who may cross his path. The mask had slits for his eyes, allowing him to see without obstruction. [Object: ck Mask] ?Concealment: 150 ?Durability: 100 ?Spirit Qi Absorption: 50 Special Characteristic: Conceals identity and enhances concealment abilities when activated with spirit qi. When Han Cai received the mask, he upgraded its level a bit. The second thing that stood out was the ck sword on his back. The sword was one of the spirit swords that he had upgraded. The sword could cut through flesh and bone with ease, making it the perfect weapon for an assassin. The sword was also lightweight, making it easy for Han Cai to wield it with precision and speed. The outfit was intended to be functional and efficient. The attire was designed to make him as stealthy and lethal as possible, allowing him toplete his missions with ease and efficiency. The all-ck attire also represented the darkness and secrecy that surrounded the dark hall and its mission. Han Cai had upgraded most of his outfits to a higher level so that when he used the ethereal technique, his clothes, and essories would vanish with him. After Han Cai got into his dark hall uniform, he disappeared from his spot. When Han Cai reappeared, he was in the hall of the sect master''s abode. Elder Dongmei was there too. The sect master and elder Dongmei were ying a game of go. Han Cai''s sudden appearance startled them, but they calmed themselves down soon, as Han Cai had been doing this a lot recently. He would appear out of thin air whenever they asked to meet him. Elder Dongmei felt Han Cai was giving him a taste of his own medicine, while the sect master could only sigh. His disciple had be more powerful than him. Sometimes, he even thought about retiring since he had such a strong disciple. He felt as if he had be an old man just in three years. He felt like a father whose son grew up way too fast to keep up with him. When Han Cai appeared, he just cupped his hands, but he did not bow to them. It felt as if He had given up on formalities. After Han Cai greeted them, Elder Dongmei spoke," This time, your mission is a bit tricky; this is a very important mission; if you fail, a sect will lose a lot, so don''t take it lightly. Your earlier missions were mostly training, but for this mission, the sect will be depending on you. If you are not sure, I will send others, but none of them has stealth or power like you. They are the most important factor in this mission. " Chapter 105 New Mission When elder Dongmei told Han Cai about the mission. Han Cai nodded but did not speak. Palpatine threw a jade slip at Han Cai. Han Cai caught it and inserted spirit qi into it. Elder let him understand the contents of the mission. Han Cai was done learning the contents of the jade slip. Elder threw three ck talismans, a pouch, and one green jade at Han Cai and said, " Be careful. The yang family is no less powerful than the royal family, maybe more. That city is one of their headquarters. If you sense any danger, run immediately. As usual, insert spirit qi in your medallion once a day, so the sect will know where you are. About five Darkhall elders will go there too, and they will stay on standby nearby; they will not interfere with your mission. But if you need help, insert spirit qi into your medallion three times, and the elders will immediatelye to your aid. I know no one can catch you, but still keep them. They are for saving your life; one can teleport you 1,000 kilometers randomly. The second one causes a very massive explosion. The third one is for missionpletion. When the mission ispleted, burn it, and the sect will know. Make sure to get some proof of missionpletion. Show that proof to five elders at the rendezvous point. The sect can only take immediate action if all six talismans are lit. The pouch contains small packets of every poison our sect uses. Your target''s cultivation is of the golden core, so he is no threat to you, but there will be a nascent-souls protecting him. The jade contains the location of your target too. `` Han Cai listened quietly. When the elder was done speaking, Han Cai nodded. When he was about to leave, elder Dongmei spoke: "If you finish the mission early, don''t roam around. After youe back, you have to do some errands for your master too". Han Cai gave his master a curious look. His master was the most mellow fellow in this world. What would he want him to do? The sect master spoke," It is nothing serious. The Cui family, do you remember them? You had captured their members; they had to pay our sect a hefty sum. They and the Wang family have sorted out their differences. They will be making a friendly visit to the sect. As my disciple, it would be great if you could join me in weing them". Han Cai nodded. Elder Dongmei anticipated that Han Cai would hesitate once he learned that he would have to deal with nascent souls. However, when he saw the emotionless, don''t care attitude in Han Cai''s eyes, he felt disappointed and breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. He did not understand Han Cai''s temperament anymore, but so far, his missionpletion rate was 100%. Han Cai hadpleted 42 missions under the elder''s guidance, and not a single time had he been caught. After finding out Han Cai was as strong as him, the elder kept increasing the mission levels. Han Cai neverined or said no. Han Cai had already killed a few golden core cultivators, but this was the first time he was sending him to face nascent soul cultivators, but he knew no nascent soul could catch Han Cai no matter how hard they tried, so the elder was not worried about it. Han Cai was again about to leave, but the elder stopped him again. " Once the mission ispleted, don''t waste time trying to rob him. Sect will reward you enough." ording to Elder, Han Cai was a perfect dark hall killer, but he had one weakness. Whenever he went, he cleaned out the target after killing him. Robbing your target''s treasures was not unheard of, but Han Cai sometimes took it to another level. One time the target given to Han Cai was a very rich cultivator. When Han Cai was given the mission, he was specifically told that the cultivator''s death should be by a thin slice of the neck. That was supposed to be a mystery murder so that it could put fear in the hearts of allies of that cultivator. This mission was given to the sect by an outside party. Darkhall rarely took any missions from outside unless it was asked by someone important. This outside party was one of the political leaders of Yin country who had a history with the sky soaring sect, and he knew about the dark hall. He personally asked elder Dongmei to take care of this problem for him. The target was a very rich cultivator who had been to various continents and had very mysterious, powerful treasures. No matter how he was attacked, no one was able to hurt or kill the target so far. So the mission was given to the best assassin of the dark hall Han Cai. Elder knew that with his space affinity, Han Cai should be able to do it. If Han Cai couldn''t do it, no one in the dark hall would be able to do it. Han Cai took the mission andpleted it. When Han Cai returned from the mission, he did not bring any proof, but everyone knew the mission waspleted as the mission objective was achieved overwhelmingly. There was fear in the hearts of not just the allies of the cultivator, but there was fear in the hearts of the party that had hired them toplete this mission. It turned out that when they found the body of the rich cultivator, he was buck naked, his throat was slit, and there was a sword impaling him between his buttocks. The mysterious murder case had turned into a political perversion of murder. Things blew out of proportion; his allies were nning to leave the Yin country; it was one thing to murder them, but to shame them this way was really scary; anyone who saw the dead body or heard the news clenched their buttocks instantly. The good thing was no one knew besides the outside party who hired Dark Hall and elder Dongmei that this mission was done by Han Cai. Han Cai did not intentionally n to hurt the cultivator in his sensitive regions. It was just that when Han Cai was about to attack, he scanned his target, and it turned out that the rich cultivator had very strong defenses that not even a nascent soul could break. When Han Cai looked for the treasure on the man''s body so he could break it, it turned out that this rich pervert had hidden the defense treasure in a dark, remote area of his body. No assassin in their right mind would attack you at that certain location on their first attack. And once the attack is defended by the treasure, the cultivator would have a chance to run. Han Cai used his cutting-through-space technique and shed directly, destroying the treasure before slitting the man''s throat. Han Cai took out one of the extra swords he had and shoved it into the man''s buttocks so to hide his space technique. If anyone looked at the dead man, they would think that someone first prated the man''s buttocks using this sword to destroy the defensive treasure and then sliced his throat. Unless there was a user of space technique with a high affinity to space elements, no one would guess how the man was really killed. Since the value of everything the man owned was very high, Han Cai robbed him of everything, including his clothes. This gave the elder a headache because he had to answer their employer Han Cai did not even try to exin himself. He just motioned that the mission wasplete. Elder could only sigh. He did not know if Han Cai was bing an assassin or thief. But still, he decided to overlook it because no one was able to catch him, and he had no proof that Han Cai was the one who robbed the dead target. Even the elder did not know where did Han Cai hide those treasures and spirit stones which he robbed of his targets. To Dark Hall, Han Cai had be a notorious robber of targets. Even in group missions, Han Cai would rob the targets after killing them. When they came back to the sect, all of the dark hallpanionsined about Han Cai wasting time robbing the targets even after the mission waspleted. Many dark hall elders checked Han Cai following elder Dongmei''s order to find proof that Han Cai was robbing his targets after killing them, but so far, no one has been able to find any single clue. During the group missions, Many thought Han Cai was hiding all the robbed treasures and spirit stones in his storage ring. But the elder Dongmei knew Han Cai used the storage ring only to keep things that were rted to the mission, like talismans, swords, or the head of the target. He had personally checked Han Cai''s storage ring once, giving theme excuse that he wanted to make sure Han Cai''s storage ring was functioning properly. His main goal was to catch Han Cai off guard with stolen spirit stones from dead targets because he wanted to reprimand Han Cai for piging targets. But no proof was ever found. When elder Dongmei asked if Han Cai robbed the spirit stones from the target, Han Cai would neither ept nor reject; he treated the elder as air, and the elder finally gave up. Chapter 106 Han Dai Elder Dongmei knew he could not treat Han Cai as a child anymore; the kid had be more powerful than him, and if that was not enough, he had be an emotionless killer and thief too, but the kid never disrespected him or the sect master. Elder Dongmei would brag in front of the core elders and shame them whenever he got the opportunity that the child he raised was more powerful than all of their disciples'' strengthsbined. No core elder was ready to believe that Han Cai was that strong until Han Cai beat up dark hall elders. After that, the core elders had sweat forming on their heads. The dark hall elders that Han Cai beat up were all golden core, and the core elders of the sect were also golden core. This meant that Han Cai was not only stronger than their disciples, but he was stronger than them too. Han Cai ignored the elder''s warning about robbing his targets. Han Cai tried to leave for the third time, and the elder tried to stop him again. He spoke with a teasing smile, "You will be gone for a long time. Do you have any Dao partners you want me to inform about your disappearance?" Han Cai shook his head, and before the elder could say anything else, he disappeared from the spot he was on. When Han Cai left, a shadow appeared behind the elder Dongmei and sect master; this was the third nascent soul elder of the Sky Soaring Sect. Before Han Cai started cleaning golden core targets for the dark hall, such missions were this elder''s responsibility. But he was out of a job now, as Han Cai had taken over all the difficult missions of Dark Hall andpleted them better than this elder. He asked, "Are you sure you want to send him on such a difficult mission? He is good, but he is still a kid." Elder Dongmei shook his head, "Hispletion rate is 100% when he disappears. Even I can''t track him, nor can you, if he decides to escape. No one can catch him." Elder Continued, "Some setbacks will be good if he fails, but I know he will not. Even if he fails, I am sure he will be able to run away; space talent is nothing tough about. " The Shadow behind elder Dongmei sighed. ************************************************** Han Family Cloud Mountain City The Han family, led by matriarch Lady Jin, shifted to Cloud Mountain City three years ago from Eagle Trail Town. The Han family''smercial business had boomed over thest three years. They had invested in a variety of businesses, including real estate, trade, and manufacturing. They diversified their business into several different sectors, such as agriculture, mining, and real estate. They had also established a few shops and restaurants in the city, which were doing very well. Everyone in the city respected the Han family because of Han Cai, the jewel of the Sky Soaring Sect. This led to many merchants and traders seeking the Han family''s favor in order to conduct business with them. Their businesses had be so sessful that they had be one of the most powerful and respected families in northern Yin. This was due to their association with Han Cai, who was considered the ace of the Sky Soaring Sect. Because of their fame, they were given preferential treatment, and their stores were always crowded with customers. This further enhanced the reputation of the Han family. They were on track to be one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Yin country. The Han family''s mansion was located on a hilltop in the city, which provided a beautiful view of the city. It was a grand, five-story building with arge courtyard and a garden. The mansion was surrounded by tall walls and had a guardhouse at the entrance. The interior of the mansion was beautifully decorated with fine furniture, elegant artwork, and expensive silk tapestries. The decoration was elegant, with intricate carvings and paintings adorning the walls. The furniture was made of the finest materials, and the floors were made of marble. The family had also employed several servants to take care of the household chores. The matriarch, Lady Jin, lived on the top floor of the mansion, while the other family members lived on the lower floors. In thest three years, Han Dai''s life in cloud mountain city has undergone a significant change too. He was the father of the esteemed Han Cai, the prot¨¦g¨¦ of the Sky Soaring Sect, and was treated with the utmost respect and admiration by the citizens of the city. To family members, He was regarded as the Han family patriarch. Han Dai''s authority and influence had grown exponentially. His word carried weight, and his opinions were highly valued by the members of the family, as well as by the other merchants and traders in the city. He was often sought after for advice and guidance, and his reputation as a wise and fair businessman had spread far and wide. Besides his personal influence, his business interests had also grown significantly. The Han family''smercial ventures had flourished under his leadership, and their trading and manufacturing operations had expanded to cover a wide range of goods and services. The Han family''s stores and shops were highly regarded by the citizens of the city and were considered to be some of the best ces to buy quality goods at fair prices. This made Han Dai very happy. The more the business grew, the more grew the size of his belly. But what really pleased Han Dai most were Han Cai''s visits. The first time he saw Han Cai, he hugged his son and cried for hours. How could he not? His son had be so charming and handsome that he looked like an immortal from heaven. He missed his son every day. Han Cai knew about this, so Han Cai would visit him quietly every two to three months, and they would have meals together and chat for a while. Han Cai had told him not to tell anyone about his meeting with Han Dai because it could be dangerous. So no one in the family knew that his son visited him frequently to check if his father was doing alright. Every time Han Cai visited him, he would bring arge number of gold coins, spirit stones, and expensive treasures for Han Dai to use and invest in more markets. This was the real reason the Han family grew so fast and became one of the biggest merchants in the city. Han Cai had told Han Dai to take all the credit for it. Han Dai had started making business connections all over Yin country and even outside of Yin. Today was a cold morning. Han Dai had just woken up, but he did not feel like leaving the warmth of bed. He wanted to sleep more peacefully, his chubby body rolling all over therge bed. He was thinking about what excuse he should give today so he could sleep more in case his mother sent servants to wake him up. Ever since they left Eagle Trail town, Han Dai felt that the whole family had be too dependent on him. They would keep bothering him day and night, either because they wanted some approval for trading or opening a store or because they wanted to buy a house for themselves, or because they wanted their children to be epted in the sect. They will keeping and disturbing his peace, trying to make a request. They kept trying to disturb him for one reason or another; their requests were always rted to some kind of approval from the sect, as no business or new trading could be done in Cloud Mountain City unless it was approved by the sect, and the only connection to the sect was Han Dai, as he had disciples of the Sky Soaring Sect serving him. If Han Dai asked for something to be done, those disciples would not even go to the sect to get approval; they would just do it themselves. In Cloud Mountain City, Han Dai wielded more power than the mayor. But Han Dai did not desire power. Just like his son, he wanted to make more gold coins and sleep more peacefully without being disturbed. There were some hups; some merchant families did not take the growth of the Han household well. Some even tried to hamper their businesses, but they never did it openly. Han Dai med his kind heart for this, as he was too kind, and people would take advantage of him. He was nning toin about this to Han Cai when he met him because this time, the family creating trouble for the Han family was a respected inner sect elder''s family. So the disciples serving Han Dai couldn''t do anything. Han Dai, lost in his thoughts on his bed, was thinking about his problems. He felt itchy. He sighed and decided that after waking up, he should go bathe first. Yesterday, when he came back from his long trip after making a sessful trade deal, he did not bathe but instead crashed directly on the bed because he was too tired. When Han Dai went to scratch the morning itch in his spirit nuts, he heard a "Cough!" Han Dai froze. When he looked for the source of the sound, he saw Han Cai, dressed in all ck, sitting in a chair in his room. Han Dai immediately pulled his hand away from his gonads and sat up. He felt awkward because, while he was happy to see his son, he was caught doing some private" things. Han Cai, on the other hand, looked unfazed and simply said, "You are a cultivator now." "Do you really need this much sleep?" "And scratching your balls like a mortal, that''s very cultivator-like." Chapter 107 The Mission Begins Being scolded by his son, Han Dai felt embarrassed. But he knew Han Cai was right. He was a cultivator now; there was Qi in his dantian, and he could go days without sleeping. All the impurities in his body were removed. There was no reason for him to feel itchy. But How could he exin to Han Cai that old habits die hard? Even if there was no itch, he felt it in his mind. Han Cai had turned his father into a cultivator with his resources and pills. Han Dai''s talent in cultivation was worse than Han Cai, but with the power of equal exchange, it was not difficult for him to get pills that made up for Han Dai''sck of talent. They were just a little more expensive. Han Dai was already at the foundation establishment. Han Cai changed the topic," Have you begun what we had nned? How far have they reached?" Han Dai spoke yawning: " They crossed the Jinyu inds." Han Cai nodded and said, "Ask them to use the teleportation medallions I gave; they can use as many as they like. If they need more, ask them to contact you. I will give them more, but they need to move faster. " Han Dai tried to exin, "Caie''r, the sea is very vast; it covers millions of miles, maybe more, and even if they use the medallions you gave, they will end up somewhere in the sea. How can they use those medallions in the sea? You know how dangerous it is already as how many strong beasts are in the sea." "And there are Earth immortals and ascension realm cultivators on that ship. You have no idea how much it costs them to get on the ship. Even if you are strong, you can not show up before the earth immortals and Ascension Realm cultivators." Han Cai shook his head and spoke, "You underestimate me, be it earther immortals or ascension Realm or even golden immortal cultivators; they can''t catch me if I decide to escape." Han Cai thought something and spoke, "What about the ind? Did they find the ind that I wanted?" Han Dai nodded. "Yes, they did; they added the formation as you asked. It is empty; only beasts live on it." Han Cai looked at his hand, and a talisman appeared in it. He walked towards his father and stood in front of him. Han Cai spoke, " Show me your arms." Han Dai obediently raised his right arm. Han Cai spoke, "Not that arm... you were using it to scratch your...raise the other arm and pull your sleeves." Han Dai coughed and raised his left arm, pulling his sleeves up. Han Cai brought the talisman near Han Dai''s left arm; when it touched Han Dai''s arm, it turned translucent and melted into the skin, entering Han Dai''s body. Han Cai nodded in satisfaction. He turned and looked at the side of the bed where Han Daiy; more than one hundred talismans just like the one used appeared beside Han Dai, and Han Cai spoke," Use those special talismans on the family members you think are most valuable to the family." Han Dai gave him a curious look and asked," What do those talismans do?" Han Cai looked at the other corner of the room, and thousands of talismans appeared in the corner, but these talismans differed from earlier ones. Han Cai pointed at a hundred talismans on the bed and spoke, "You don''t need to know. Just make sure to use those only on the members you trust most. It is a very grave matter. Think of it as if the person does not have the talisman imbued in their body, they would die soon." Han Dai''s sweat formed on his head, "What are you talking about? Is it rted to why you sent some members out of the continent?" Han Cai looked at his father and spoke," I will be honest with you. Even if the whole family dies, I might not feel any sorrow. I only care about family because of you. So I am doing this. Tell the others who you deem not very valuable that they need to spread their wings in six months, leave Yin country, and trade in other countries." Pointing at thousands of talismans lying in the corner of the room, he said, "Those are general talismans, Make sure to put those talismans on the members you think are not very valuable. I know it will be a difficult decision for you, but it is important. It is a matter of life and death. If you don''t do it right, the whole family will die, and the reason will be you. I can save you, but I can not save each of them. Why do you think I have been robbing a lot of cultivators to bring you so many precious things? So everyone can have enough capital when they begin their new life. Also, . Prepare the core members to leave Cloud Mountain City; the family should move to the Jinyu Inds as soon as possible, but this move needs to be secret. If any spies find out about it, the whole family will suffer. All the stores and businesses should be cared for by vassal families or hired hands. After a year, if I find a Cai family member near the Sky Soaring Sect or Cloud Mountain City, I will kill them myself to save them from future suffering. " Han Dai was now very nervous; all the sleep in his eyes had disappeared. Seeing that Han Cai was about to leave, he spoke again: "Cai''r, some inner sect older families have been creating trouble for our family; at first, they only disturbed our stores, but now." "They even tried to kidnap and molest young women in our family." Han Cai spoke," I have to leave for a mission. When Ie back, I will take care of it." Han Dai nodded, thinking he should be pleased that Han Cai would solve the family''s problem, but what Han Cai had told him had left him uneasy and worried about the family''s safety. He hoped that Han Cai could handle the situation without any harming to anyone in their family. After ruining his father''s morning beauty sleep, Han Cai disappeared. ************************************************** The city of Ravenfall is one of the primary headquarters of the Yang family. It is located deep within the mountains, hidden from view, and essible only through paths known only to the Yang family and their closest allies. The city is surrounded by high walls and heavily guarded gates, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to enter without permission. The exterior of Ravenfall is heavily fortified, with high walls made of solid stone and guarded by elite warriors of the Yang family. The gates were made of iron and reinforced with spirit energy, making them nearly imprable. The walls were lined with sharpened stakes and guarded by archers and crossbowmen, ensuring that any would-be invaders would be met with a deadly hail of arrows. The interior of Ravenfall was just as impressive. The city was built on multiple levels, with the upper levels reserved for the Yang family and their closest allies and the lower levels for themon citizens. The streets were lined with shops and businesses, many owned and operated by the Yang family. The buildings were made of stone and wood and were designed to blend in with the natural surroundings, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to spot the city from a distance. The security in Ravenfall was exceptionally tight. The Yang family had awork of spies and informants throughout the city, and any outsiders who entered the city were closely watched and monitored. The city was also patrolled by heavily armed guards who were trained in the hidden arts and could move through the city unnoticed. For anyone from Dark Hall, infiltrating Ravenfall would be a nearly impossible task. The Yang family members were highly skilled in the art of stealth and deception. So they had fortified the city in such a way that no one could infiltrate it through stealth or deception. When infiltrating any city or location, the dark hall members relied on stealth and deception. Here, they''d have to work extra hard just to get into the city unnoticed. Even then, it would be a difficult and dangerous task, as the Yang family was not known for showing mercy to those who dared to oppose them. The mission was to enter the city, find the target, and kill him. The target''s name was Liu Jie, leader of a vassal sect known as the "Golden Dawn Sect." The Golden Dawn Sect used to be loyal to the Sky Soaring Sect. But Liu Jie recently became greedy, and he had recently be a thorn in the side of the Sky Soaring Sect. Han Cai had recently found a seventh medium-grade mine of spirit stones for the Sky Soaring Sect, and it was in the eastern region, north of Yin country. Now that Han Cai had some other purer sources for trade points. He had given some of the mines he found to the sect. Just like his family, he wanted the sect to strengthen itself and be prepared for the unexpected. But the sect had limited manpower to mine all these medium-sized mines. The location of this new mine was close to the Golden Dawn Sect. So the Sky Soaring Sect decided to take the help of the Golden Dawn Sect in mining the spirit stones, and because of this, they took Liu Jie and the elders of the golden dawn sect to the location of the medium-sized mine. Chapter 108 In Ravenfall The sect was very careful bringing Liu Jie to the location; they had cut off his senses when traveling, so he would not get an idea of where the exact location was as this location was in rough terrain, and it would be tough to find in the map of Yin country. But the sect gave him his senses back when they reached the location, so he and other elders of the golden dawn sect could help Sky Soaring Sect mine the spirit stones. Even if he was not sure about the location, Liu Zie imprinted the location in his mind. When the first batch of spirit stones was mined, Liu Jie was brought back to his sect; he first used his connections to contact the royal family and inform them there was a medium-grade mine east of Yin country; in return, he wanted 30% of the mine. The east of Yin country was veryrge, so it would be like finding a needle in a haystack. But still, a medium-grade spirit stone mine would boost the strength of any sect or family. The royal family could not ignore it, and they agreed. That is how Liu Jie, his target of this mission, betrayed Sky Soaring Sect. Since Liu Jie had betrayed the sect, he knew the sect wouldn''t let it go easily. He knew that Sky Soaring Sect would try to get rid of him at any cost. The royal family''s power was limited in this area; they could not protect him. So with the help of the royal family, he contacted the Yang family and asked for their protection. The Yang family to the royal family was what Dark Hall was for sky soaring sect. The Yang family was going to be paid by the royal family for protecting him, and they also were also supposed to receive some shares from the mine when the royal family takes over the mine. Han Cai had found this mine for the sect and did not appreciate someone trying to steal it. Han Cai traveled hundreds of miles underground first. He did not need to use ground escape if he wanted. He could just fly freely. As much as he knew he might be one of the most powerful cultivators in Yin country. But he still kept his past habits of always following the safety guidelines he had created for himself. He divided his travel into two parts: flying at night and traveling underground during the day. With his cultivation and the new flying technique he had created, he could travel above the clouds at a speed of a thousand kilometers per hour. He was given nine months toplete this mission. Out of those nine months, he was supposed to travel for four months and take five months to infiltrate the city andplete the mission. As for his return, he could take as much time as he wanted. The sect did not give him any time limit on that. In ten days, he had reached a town near Ravenfall city. Now he had to find a way to infiltrate the city. Han Cai decided to do some tests first. I n the night, he went underground and got as close as he could to the Raven City wall before his high perception warned him that if he went any further, he would trip the rm of the underground formation. Han Cai did not move forward. After some time, another Han Cai separated from him. Second Han Cai used the ethereal invisibility skill. His presence, physical form, voice, footsteps, and scent everything about himˇŞdisappeared. Han Cai was alone again. Han Cai''s clone walked towards the wall. When he was near the first formation, he used the space escape technique, disappeared from that spot, and reappeared around ten miles away inside the formation. Since the clone was ethereal, no one was rmed. Whenever Han Cai used space and ethereal techniques together, he would experience something new. He could see every particle of his body actually moving through some other ne that did not exist in the real physical world. It was like he was in the real world, but at the same time, it was not the real world, more like a parallel world that he had entered. Han Cai wanted to understand this ne he had entered more, but there were too many things on his mind, so he had to set up priorities. He nned that one day when he had enough time and peace of mind, he would explore this ne and understand itsplexities with the help of the system. After charging him some trade points, the system had already told him that this ne was called the celestial ne, a ne formed by a massive amount of celestial Qi. After cleanly passing through twenty formations, Han Cai''s clone was above the wall. Han Cai''s perception told him soon someone woulde to his clone''s location. The clone waited a while to see who wasing after the person nearby disappeared. Even though there. After some time, an old man wearing green walked around where Han Cai''s clone had disappeared with confused, suspicious eyes like he felt something but was not sure what he felt. Han Cai left the underground area and came back to the town. He did not try to test the security of the city again. He waited patiently. While he waited, he kept watching on all the caravans and people who entered and left the city. A week after his experiment, a caravan of merchants left the city gate. There were brown-robed guards protecting the caravan when the caravan was far from the city. Han Cai followed the caravan. He continued following the caravan for weeks. One day when the caravan was passing through a jungle. Two caravan guards went into the jungle to hunt for some food. While they were walking, two lights shed. Before they could understand what happened, two heads rolled. Han Cai appeared near one rolled head, and a second Han Cai appeared on the opposite side near another rolled head. Both Han Cai got to work; they robbed both guards, buck naked, and left. Three days after robbing the guards, Han Cai returned to the town nearest Ravenfall City. He did not stay in the town for very long. On the same night, Han Cai left the town and approached the Ravenfall city wall. When his perception informed him he was close enough, another Han Cai walked out. Han Cai took out the Yang family''s guard robes from the system storage. The clone put on the robe. After the clone was dressed, they both separated and moved in the opposite direction from each other. When it was ten minutes, they both stopped, used ethereal invisibility, transformation skill and moved toward the city wall. They crossed each formation by teleporting using escape techniques. They finally reached the wall. Han Cai flew toward the wall, but Han Cai''s clone internationally tripped the formation by canceling the ethereal invisibility skill. Strong trapping mechanisms activated around him. Clone''s body was frozen stiff and could not move for some reason. Soon the clone could see people flying toward his location, and when the clone''s perception warned him that people were close enough, the clone disappeared. The robes of the Yang family guards the clone was wearing fell to the ground. Soon, two old men came flying to the location where Han Cai''s clone disappeared. After some more time, more than fifty people were at that location. There was no sign of the man whom Han Cai had seen when he was testing the city''s defense array. From the two old men who arrived, the First man spoke, "Someone tried to infiltrate using the guard''s clothes." The second old man nodded. Spoke: "He tripped the rm. So escaped?" The old man looked at raven city past the city wall and spoke, "did he really escape?" The second old man spoke, "Do you sense something?" The first man shook his head. Suddenly a third voice spoke. "He did not move towards the wall. He got trapped here and tried to escape but was frozen for some time; after that, he disappeared." It was the old man wearing green who Han Cai had seen when testing the defense array of the city. The second old man spoke, "Teleportation Talisman?" The man in green shook his head and spoke, "It''s some mysterious art. He just disappeared, like, stopped existing." He had a smile on his face. "I didn''t think such a remote north would have cultivators with skills like this. Whoever it was had already entered the city; this here was bait, I am sure." The first two old men stayed silent for a while. After a while, the second old man started giving orders to the fifty people who were at the location to "check the whole city perimeter and ask the guards to stay alert. Also, alert the guards inside the city to check for any irregrities." The fifty people bowed in unison. After that, one of the fifty picked up the Yang family''s guard''s clothes, and everyone left. Han Cai was moving quietly through Ravenfall City. He arrived in front of a building after moving around for 40 minutes. He went to the back of the building and crept up to the fourth floor in silence. Han Cai took out a small piece of parchment and ced it beneath the window. After cing it below, he knocked on the window three times, slowly and repeatedly. After that, he vanished. A man soon opened the window. Han Cai was still present but invisible, so the man did not notice him. The man looked around and saw the parchment. He reached out and picked it up, and After picking up the parchment, he went back into the room. But when the man left the window, he did not close the window. After waiting for ten minutes, Han Cai entered the room man was in through the window. He closed the window after entering. Once inside, Han Cai looked around. He saw a man in his 40s standing quietly and looking at him. The man spoke, "What does rabbit want?" Han Cai responded, " Meat, not grass." Man nodded, then he said, "Wait here! I will get some tea." Han Cai nodded. Went to sit in a nearby chair. Soon the man came back with tea and sat on the opposite chair. He served Han Cai tea and made himself some tea. The man sipped the tea and asked, "How can I help?" Han Cai responded, "Liu Jie, leader of the Golden Dawn Sect." The man nodded. He finished his tea, and then he left. When the man left, Han Cai Checked this room with his perception. Making sure nothing was wrong, he paid for the system and asked to scan the whole room. Once the system found no irregrities, Han Cai took off his mask. Below the mask, he was still wearing a ck mask of thin cloth that was open around the mouth. Han Cai sat peacefully and started sipping tea. Chapter 109 The Man In Green Two weeks had passed since Han Cai arrived at Ravenfall city, and every night the man who had opened window woulde, bringing tea and food. But he would not sit with Han Cai. He would keep the tea and food on the doorstep, knock three times, and then leave. One day when the man brought the food and tea, He did not leave after knocking on the door. Han Cai opened the door and saw the man standing with a tray in his hand. Han Cai nodded and went inside and sat on a chair. The man followed. He kept the tray on the table and sat down on the opposite chair. He made tea for Han Cai and himself and started sipping. While sipping tea, he spoke. "The area where Liu Jie is being kept is located deep within a mansion, in the upper levels reserved for the Yang family. The mansion is heavily guarded by cultivators and equipped with advanced security measures to detect any intruders. One of the biggest challenges would be the numerousyers of security. The area is surrounded by powerful formations and arrays that are designed to detect any movement or fluctuations in spiritual energy. You have to be extremely careful when moving through this area, as any mistake could result in being detected by the guards. Another challenge you would face is two skilled nascent soul cultivators that guard the area as it is a stronghold of the Yang family. You already know that the Yang family is known for their mastery of the hidden arts, and those two are highly trained in stealth and espionage. One of them has a unique sensing technique, and no assassin has been able to escape his grasp as long as he is in the area. One of the two nascent soul cultivators always stays in the mansion where Liu Jie is. In addition to the physical security measures, you will have to pass through the psychological chasm array of the mansion. It makes you fall into an eerie and unsettling atmosphere, losing your sense of self." The man took out a parchment kept on the table. It was a map of the area. Han Cai shook his head and said, "I am already aware of all of it." "What I want to know about is the third powerful cultivator in the city who is pretending to be a nascent soul." The man has a surprised look in his eyes. "Third man, who is pretending to be Nascent Soul? But I am sure there are only two." Han Cai thought something," Leave this city tonight. Whatever you hear, nevere back; go directly to the sect." The man nodded, finished his tea, got up, and left. Han Cai fell into deep thought. This challenge was tricky. This mission was supposed to be of B+ difficulty, but now it was S+. Morning came, and Han Cai spent all day still contemting how to finish this mission and kill Liu Jie. In the night, Han Cai sneaked out of the window. ************************************************** A weekter, Han Cai was sitting in a cabin with five chairs around him. This cabin was situated in a remote valley. The valley was one day''s distance from Ravenfall City. Han Cai was sipping tea again. He took out the missionpletion token and lit it up. Thirty minutester, the cabin door was opened from outside, and five people dressed in ck with masks entered the cabin. They were five backup elders of Darkhall. They all looked at Han Cai, nodded, and sat on empty chairs. Han Cai took out his storage ring and inserted some Qi into it. Soon there was a head in his hand, and in his other hand was a token. He rolled the head and token on the ground. The five elders checked the token. When they were about to touch the head to check it, Han Cai stopped them. Han Cai spoke," Confirm from a distance. Don''t touch it, or you will be in trouble." They had masks on so that no expression could be seen, but if their expression could be seen, you would notice that they were shocked. They looked from the distance the head belonged Liu Jie, Han Cai''s target. One of the elders spoke," Yang family did something with the target''s corpse?" Han Cai shook his head and spoke," It is not the Yang family, but you don''t have to worry about it. After confirming the mission, you need to run as soon as possible, or no one will be able to protect you." Sweat formed on the forehead of dark hall elders. They knew How strong Han Cai was, so they took his warning seriously. Han Cai waited for them toe out of their thoughts. Seeing they were taking too much time, he coughed, and they finally got out of their stupor. They nodded at Han Cai and then took out the missionpletion talisman. They lit up five missionpletion talismans. When all the talismans were lit, Han Cai got up, picked up the head, and was ready to leave. One of the masked elders couldn''t help but ask, " How did youplete the mission?" Han Cai answered, "Money." After that, Han Cai disappeared. He soared above the clouds; the cold winter wind whipped through his hair and against his face, but he didn''t mind. The moon was full and bright, casting a silver glow over the clouds and thendscape below. Han Cai felt a sense of peace wash over him as he flew. Soon, he noticed someone blocking his path in the clouds. It was the man in green. The man had a teasing smile on his face as if he had found a new toy. Seeing Han Cai fly closer to him, the man spoke, " I thought I would not be able to find you. You are good at running." The man continued in a curious tone," I wanted to ask about the family those attackers mentioned. Does it really exist? Who were those attackers? And what are you doing in remote northern Yin? From your techniques, I am sure you are not really from the Sky Soaring Sect." Han Cai took off his mask, his charming face was revealed, and he looked at the man with his deep eyes. The Man was taken aback seeing this Kid was such a beautiful young man. Han Cai spoke, " How did you track me?" The manughed: " You hid your tracks well, but it seems you are not very experienced. You did everything right, but you made the mistake that all rookies make. You hid your every movement, but you were so obsessed with hiding your traces that you did not stop to think that the target that you were carrying might be marked and could be traced." Han Cai spoke, "Why do you want to help the Yang family?" "You are not from the North; why are you here?" The man was startled andughed: "Seems I made a wrong judgment. You really are from the north, aren''t you? You and your family must have had some very lucky chances to be so powerful at such a young age; the prophecy was true then." Han Cai replied, "What are you talking about?" The man chuckled, "Haven''t you heard that some great divination masters have divined that the North will be one of the most prosperous continents in the uing ten thousand years? Rumor has it that a hidden treasure left by a venerate from the past will resurface in the north, and from that treasure, a new venerate will be born to rule the entire north. Hearing this, many cultivators from all over the continent are flocking here to try their luck." Han Cai probed, "So you are in the north to get lucky chances?" "What were you doing in Raven City with the Yang family?" The man moved his hand. A golden turtle appeared in his hand. He spoke, "I am just a tourist visiting the North, trying to understand what this fortune of the North rumor is about. I was not interested in helping the Yang family, but I am interested in finding out about the lucky chances and treasures you have." The man continued showing the golden turtle, "This is a irvoyant turtle; it can detect fortune and misfortune and alert me. A few days ago, it started acting up, and I am guessing this was when you infiltrated the city. It predicted the fortune and told me I was going toe across some event. I generally avoid situations where I am not sure if it is fortune or misfortune and wait in the dark. But seeing that your target was only a golden core, I immediately marked him, and when your family attacked, I noticed the highest level cultivator was soul formation. Having a hidden family with a soul-formation cultivator that no one in this country has heard about means only one thing. Your family is the one that found that rumored treasure. This is why I decided to catch you mid-journey, as I was not sure if your family has anyone more powerful or if soul formation is strongest in your family. It would be best for you to give up all the treasures and tell me about your lucky chances. I know your cultivation is not foundation establishment, but you are not a nascent soul either; I can vaguely sense you are somewhere in the middle. No matter how much you try to hide it, my cultivation is at least three levels higher than yours. You can''t escape me, so tell me the truth. Were you able to uncover the legacy of Venerate?" Han Caiughed. Hisugh was not pretentious or evil. It was an honestugh. He seemed to be genuinely happy and carefree at that moment, which was a refreshing change from his usually serious demeanor. Han Cai spoke, "Do you know we both are idiots?" Chapter 110 Therapy The man was startled and He abruptly realized something: He had answered every question this kid had asked him as if this kid had control over him. He spilled all the beans to this kid without holding back; he even told him about his irvoyant turtle, which was his deepest secret. The man became alert, wondering what was going on. He soon realized that there was a special charm to this kid, as if whatever this young man asked him, he would answer. Man became more alert; was it some enchanting technique? Han Cai continued, "It all started when I got kidnapped for that cursed mission. I witnessed things that I was not ready to witness. Have you felt that sinking feeling in your heart? Multiply that feeling by a thousand, and I tried to cope with it. How do you cope with something like that? Those children were innocent, and then their dead bodies were on the dining room table with eyes on the te. I thought that my high intelligence would prepare me for it, but I was wrong. I was afraid to go to sleep, but weirdly enough, I did not feel any sorrow for killing the man. Onlyter did I realize that witnessing something like that had almost broken my mind. That gave me freaking PTSD, and there is no therapy in this damn world, but I did not give up; I decided to heal myself. Slowly, I was getting over it. I also worked on improving my cultivation. But when I reached core formation, my perception enhanced. With that came the damn fear, but it was not the same asst time''s chilling feeling. This fear was worse. It felt as if this fear was going to swallow me whole. Then I felt death. Death of everyone I know, and worse, my death. No matter how strong I became, I felt my helplessness. It told me no matter what I do, the future that awaits me is death, a very painful one, and they will not spare anyone; no one will be left to cry for me. Even after so many advantages in this life, I will die. I made a desperate decision. I decided to give up on empathy and emotions in order to avoid making mistakes, which I tend to make a lot of, no matter how hard I try not to. As you said, no matter how careful or prepared I was, you still found me. You taught me something new today. No matter how much intelligence I get, this world is too overwhelming for me not to make mistakes. There will always be something new that will find a way to screw up my grand ns. How the f*** was I supposed to know that you were hiding a magic turtle in your a**? But you see, When I visited my old man and saw him enjoying the little things. I realized something. I do not need everything to be perfect. All I need is to be stronger; I don''t need to be Mr. Perfect and smart. As long as I seed, all I need to do is outwit someone who is trying to hurt me. It doesn''t have to be perfect. I just have to make fewer mistakes. Today when I flew in this beautiful moonlight. I began to feel a sense of lightness. For thest few years, I had been too focused on my worries, never truly taking the time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. But today, as I flew, knowing that I would be facing the strongest enemy I have ever met so far, I realized I was overprepared. I realized that you bunch will always underestimate me. I realized that I had lost the bnce and peace of mind letting the fear swallow me. I realized that I had to spend more time appreciating the world around me. I started contemting: was I taking things too much for granted? In myst life, soaring to the sky like this could only be done in my dreams. Right now, I am flying through the skies, and if I wanted, I could beat up thousands of people at once. But here I was; instead of enjoying it, I was moping about the future in fear of giving up on all the pleasures I held dear. It is true that I could not be careless, but that does not mean I have to lose my true self doing it. I could not be carefree and kind like my master. But I am allowed to enjoy little things in life like my father. Let''s take you as an example. Let us look at how dumb you are. Calling you dumb is an insult to dumb. You are a high-level cultivator with a golden turtle that can show you your fortune. Instead of being content with what you have, You made a decision to chase me because you wanted my lucky chances. The turtle alerted you, but you did not stop to think maybe it was alerting you about your misfortune. You are greedy and too full of yourself. And the idiots like you are the reason I can not live a peaceful life, the reason I had to give up on empathy and pleasures. But Now I realize that you bunch are not worth it. I don''t need to be Heisenberg all the time. Only when I meet someone like you, a bunch deserving of Heisenberg, you''ll receive him. Do you know why I am telling you all this? Because I needed to vent. It has been pent up for way too long. I had no one to talk to. It''s not like I don''t have people in my life, but I can not tell them anything. I can not tell them my true thoughts; I have to keep everything inside. Slowly it has been poisoning me. I can vent only to someone stupid like you. You are not just stupid. You are a M**effin twat of donkey ass. Calling you a donkey is an insult to a donkey. You are a greedy worm caught in a donkey''s b*tt hair. When your mom went to sh*t, you were born.... " The man stood there, stunned and speechless, as Han Cai''s curses echoed in his ears. The man was a respected cultivator. He had heard mortals use offensive slurs a few times. But it was the first time someone used so many offensive slurs in one sentence to describe him, his family, and his ancestors. What was even more startling was that the foul mouth belonged to a cultivator. Even if cultivators hated or wanted to kill each other, they never used such offensive slurs to address each other. As what you speak represents your DAO heart and mind, how can a foul-mouthed person''s Dao heart be pure enough to cultivate in peace? This was very new for this cultivator. "Are you a human or a beast?" the man in green raged. "How can a cultivator have such a foul mouth? Are you tired of living? I will grant you your wish once you tell me the location of the treasure of the Venerate." Han Cai did not respond to the man but instead murmured, "Seal!" The man was sealed instantly, and the system was charging half a trade point every minute to seal him. This cost meant the man was in the Spirit Embryo Realm. When the system sealed the man, it also sealed his cultivation. The anger on his face had disappeared, and it was reced by panic. Han Cai attacked with all his strength. Before the man could understand what was going on, his head was severed from his body. Han Cai murmured, "Thank you for therapy, System absorb!" The dead body of the cultivator disappeared as if it had never existed. The only things that remained were his possessions. Han Cai kept all of the man''s possession in his storage. Among his possessions, there was a beast bag. That night, Han Cai nned to have golden turtle soup for dinner. But after some thought, He kept the turtle in the beast bag. Carrying it with him. Soon he was back in the air, flying through the clouds towards the sect. He could see small viges and towns scattered throughout thendscape, the lights from their homes twinkling like stars. He flew for days, reveling in the freedom of being above the clouds. All the pent-up frustration he had kept in was released today. If he wanted, he could just teleport back to the sect as he had used the system''s feature and set up a teleport point in the sect. But he decided to fly. Han Cai was so grateful to the old man in the Spirit Embryo Realm for his excellent therapy. Han Cai pondered. He''d been on a lot of missions. Why hadn''t he gotten therapy before? What made the old man so unique? He realized that in the past, whenever any mission was assigned to him, he wouldplete it effortlessly because he was always too strong for his targets. This was the first time, despite meticulous nning, he made a mistake by failing to consider that the enemy would mark his target in order to track him. In three years for the first time, he realized that no matter how much nning one does,plications can always arise. Initially, he felt disappointed in himself for making such a grave error. But he noticed errors that the Spirit Embryo Realm Cultivator made. First, he did not keep his guard up against Han Cai, considering Han Cai too weak to worry. Because of this, Han Cai used his level fifty charm to get all the answers he needed from the man. Second, the man knew his turtle would alert him to fortune and misfortune alike. The man considered it a fortune. This made Han Cai understand that no matter how strong or smart you are, you can never be perfect with zero errors. So all he had to work on was not being perfect but making sure he made fewer errors than whoever he was against. After flying for around ten days, Han Cai reached the sect. Chapter 111 Return Of The Jedi It was morning time now, and Xiaoyun got out of bed. She mindlessly got out of her room. Now that she was subordinate to Han Cai, she did not need to live in the servant''s quarter. She and Yongnian were given rooms in Han Cai''s quarter. While she was mindlessly walking around, wondering when Han Cai would be back, She saw all the other grey robes gathered around. There were six girls who served as maids. They were all from the Yongnian faction and did Yongnian''s dirty work in the outer sect in the past. Looking at them Xaioyun felt pleased. None of them were allowed to meet or serve Han Cai; only Xiaoyun was allowed. But soon, she became gloomy again when she realized Han Cai was not there. Other maids mostly did the cleaning, taking care of herbs, and other chores. When Xiaoyun came out, girls looked at her hatefully. Xiaoyun might have be a grey robe, but from the very start, she still looked down on other grey robes. She was very proud that only she could serve Han Cai. On the opposite side, nine grey-robed boys came out; among those boys were the two who served Han Cai from the very start. But because they were manipted and were nning to poison Han Cai, they received the ve mark too. All the grey-robed boys looked at the maids excitedly, and the maids looked at them excitedly too. But they did not say anything to each other. Looking at them, you would imagine there was romance in the air. Han Cai was a virgin in this life and in his past life too. A bitter one at that, he was not going to let this bunch who wanted him dead enjoy the pleasures of life when he had given up on all the pleasures of life himself, so he had forbidden boys and girls from having any interaction. He had ordered Yongnian to punish them if he witnessed any type of activity between them. To maids and servants, the forbidden fruits looked more delicious. But because they had ve brands, they couldn''t disobey his orders, even if Yongnian wasn''t looking. They had to suffer every day just to look at each other excitedly in the morning. Yongnian arrived soon after. He had already reached the core formation level. Unlike Han Cai''s ck hole technique, the trade points required to improve Yongnian''s cultivation were far less expensive, despite the fact that what Yongnian was cultivating was the mysterious death Qi. When Yongnian came, all the servants and maids stood in the queue. Bowed to him, only Xiaoyun did not care. Who will reprimand her? Yongnian couldn''t hurt her; they were both Han Cai''s subordinates by contract. Even though they were both loyal to Han Cai, they both hated each other. Yongnian believed he was Han Cai''s first subordinate, and that is why it was he who was superior to Xiaoyun. When Xiaoyun came to Han Cai''s quarters, she was very docile and did everything that was asked of her. But ever since she became Han Cai''s subordinate, she has stopped listening to Yongnian. She would even look down on him. She would do everything to grab the attention of Han Cai and not do any chores that Yongnian asked her to do. Yongnian wanted to do nothing more than poison her with his death Qi. But he couldn''t; just like him, she was subordinate to Han Cai too. Xiaoyun''s logic was simple. Before she got punished, she was an inner-core disciple. She and her boss have the same master. It meant she was closest to Han Cai, which, ording to her, made her superior to Yongnian. So instead of taking orders from Yongnian whenever he came, she would order him around, which would make Yongnian furious. When Han Cai made her his subordinate, he knew Xiaoyun''s personality would not change. Take away her beauty from her, and she is a perfect Karen, an insufferable bi**h. But he knew this insufferable bi**h could be very useful to him. As someday, she would be a Karen to his enemies. Yongnian ignored Xiaoyun when he came to the servants'' quarters. He smiled and spoke to other servants and maids, saying, " Everyone, today is a happy day. Young master hase back from his mission sessfully." When Han Cai left, they were notified by Yongnian that Han Cai was gone on a mission. Since they were marked as ves, it was very convenient for Han Cai not to have to hide it from them. None could disclose it even if they wanted to. When Xiaoyun heard this, her face glowed. Yongnian turned to her and spoke rudely, "Young Master will be needing his morning tea." Xiaoyun almost jumped. She immediately hurried towards the kitchen, but Yongnian chided her again. " You should make yourself presentable first." She realized she had just woken up, and her hair was messy. She almost went in front of Han Cai. With this look, she felt embarrassed and ran back to her room hurriedly. Soon, maid Xiaoyun brought tea for Han Cai. She came fully prepared, with delicate features and a petite figure. Her long, silky ck hair was falling in loose waves down her back, and her almond-shaped eyes were a deep brown that sparkled with a hint of mischief. Her skin was smooth and porcin-like, with a natural blush that highlighted her high cheekbones. Her lips are full and plump, and she has a small nose and delicate jawline. Her features were ssically beautiful, with a hint of Eastern charm. Her delicate curves were entuated by her traditional maid clothing, which consisted of a long, flowing robe that fell to her ankles. She gracefully walked towards Han Cai, holding a tray of tea in her hands. Her movements were fluid and elegant; every step was like a dance. She kept the tea set down and poured Han Cai. After serving him tea, she stood a little farther away, waiting for Han Cai to look up. When the tea arrived, Han Cai looked up at Xiaoyun. He noticed how prepared she was today; She was trying to beat him in his own game of charm. If he did not know her true nature, he might really have fallen for her charms. He clicked on the subordinate tab through the system. It showed in deeply in love with the host. Han Cai contemted that he should treasure his subordinates, be they a Karen or a poisoning psychopath; they were his subordinates now. While contemting, Han Cai was still looking at Xiaoyun. Her face started to turn red. Han Cai had never looked at her this long. Han Cai suddenly asked, "Xiaoyun, Join me for tea." Butler Yongnian, who was cleaning a pond a little further away from them, almost fell into it after hearing this. Han Cai noticed Yonginan''s reaction too. He spoke to Yongnian, "Yongnian, join us for tea." Yongnian was going to say," How can I, young master.." But Han Cai stopped him, saying, " Don''t start with formal bull-crap; let''s enjoy morning tea together." Yongnian and Xiaoyun came and sat opposite Han Cai and served themselves tea. From time to time, whenever they looked at each other, you could see an electric spark. Xiaoyun was especially angry because she was going to have alone time during tea with Han Cai, which this old man ruined. After finishing tea with his subordinates, Han Cai got up. Left for the meditation room. He had earned some trade points from a Spirit Embroyo Realm cultivator. He needed to make wise use of that money. ************************************************** A few weeks after Han Cai returned from his mission in Raven City, A piece of new news started making rounds throughout the whole Yin country. The ruling elite of Yin was stunned by the news. In any influential group or family in the country, you would hear rumors about it. The news was that one of the main cities of the Yang family, Ravenfall, was attacked. A mansion on the upper level of the city that was under the control of the Yang family was ravaged. It was not a normal assassination attack, but it was a full-scale war. The battle cries were heard even hundreds of miles away from the city. The Yang family had many enemies, but no one had dared to attack them in such a bold manner before. The family was now in a state of shock and panic as they scrambled to figure out who could have orchestrated such an attack and how they could retaliate. It all began twenty days ago; one soul formation cultivator, three nascent soul cultivators, thirty golden core, and fifty core formation cultivators attacked the Yang family''s stronghold in Raven City. They chose one mansion specifically to ravage. While attacking, all of them yelled, " Feel our wrath for offending our young master and our Jedi family!" Before the Yang family could understand what was going on, they were attacked with the full force of the other party. No one knew how the attacking party entered the defenses of the city or mansion. There were two nascent soul cultivators in that mansion who fought back, trying to defend themselves, But they could only upy three nascent souls who had attacked; the soul formation level cultivator attacked and entered the mansion with ease. The guards of the mansion were upied by golden core and core formation-level attackers. When the situation turned dire, one of the esteemed guests from the Yang family, who was at the Spirit Embryo Realm visiting the city, took action. He fought and defeated the cultivator at the level of soul formation. He also helped the nascent souls of the Yang family in defeating the three from the attacker''s side. But before they could capture the attackers, all of the attackers yelled in unison, " Don''t offend our young master ever again, or our JEDI FAMILY WILL RETURN," and all of them disappeared. By the time they disappeared, not only the mansion but also the upper level of the city was in ruins. Chapter 112 Questions For a young master of a family to send one soul formation and three nascent soul cultivators, this was unheard of. Nascent soul cultivators were peak cultivators in every sect; only a very few cultivator sects and families had soul formation cultivators, and they were the sect''sst resort. It has been a while since a nascent- soul-level battle happened in Yin country. So you can imagine their surprise of everyone when they heard there was a soul formation that attacked the city, and even more surprising was there was a Spirit Embryo Realm in the city helping the Yang family. Most cultivators in Yin country never came into contact with someone at the soul formation level, so meeting an expert from the spirit embryo realm was out of the question. The fact that the Spirit Embryo Realm expert was helping the Yang family was a cause for concern as it implied that the Yang family had some powerful backing. ? The cultivators in Yin country were now on high alert, there was mass confusion among them regarding the event that transpired. Every major power in Yin country had started asking the same question: What was the cause of all of it? Why had a soul formation level cultivator specifically attacked that mansion of the Yang family household? Then came the question of what were two nascent souls of the Yang family were doing in that mansion. What was the spirit embryo realm cultivator doing in that city? They dug deep, and soon they found some of the answers. It turned out that Liu Jie, leader of the Golden Dawn Sect, was taking asylum in the Yang family''s territory, specifically in the mansion that got attacked. Liu Jie and the Golden Dawn sect were vassals of the Sky Soaring sect. Recently, the Sky Soaring Sect found the location of a medium-sized spirit stone mine. Liu Jie was actually aware of the location and decided to give it to other families. So Sky Soaring Sect wanted to kill him. Concerned about his safety, he hired the Yang family for protection. When this went to the public, new questions started bothering them: Did it mean the Sky Soaring Sect''s three nascent souls attacked the Yang stronghold? But didn''t the Sky Soaring Sect only have Nascent Soul Cultivators? Where did the soul formation cultivatore from? What was this Jedi family? Were they affiliated with the Sky Soaring Sect? When they dug deep again, their spies found answers to these questions, too; the two nascent soul elders of the Yang family who fought with the three nascent soul attackers had confirmed that the attackers were not nascent souls of the Sky Soaring Sect. Everyone knew who the nascent souls of the Sky Soaring Sect were. If those three attackers were nascent souls of the Sky Soaring Sect, then chances were that they were hidden elders of the Sky Soaring Sect. If they belonged to the Sky Soaring sect, then it meant the Sky Soaring sect had a soul formation realm cultivator too. But it was highly unlikely because if the Sky Soaring Sect had three more nascent souls and a soul formation level cultivator, then why would it not show its power to get more resources for their sect? Why would the Sky Soaring Sect spend so much time negotiating with every sect and family for trades when they could simply show their might and take whatever they wanted? There were no more than ten soul formation cultivators in Yin country. Except for those ten, no one would have challenged the Sky Soaring Sect, but here even Liu Jie from a vassal sect dared to betray them. When they thought they were at the end of this puzzle, they received some new information that made them want to ask more questions. After the battle, the two nascent soul elders of the Yang family went to check on Liu Jie. They found his headless body on the floor and that his head had disappeared. And five days after the attack on Ravenfall. The Sky Soaring Sect attacked the Golden Dawn Sect and cleaned out most of the elders of the Golden Dawn Sect. Every major family and sect heard the news of Liu Jie two to three weekster. But Sky Soaring sect attacked the next week of his death. It meant the Sky Soaring sect was aware that Liu Jie died? This meant they knew about what transpired as soon as the event transpired. Maybe they had spies waiting in the city who took action to kill Liu Jie when the Yang family was attacked. But even then, it would have been very difficult for the golden core or nascent soul to break through the defenses of Yang''s and kill the target. They started wondering, was Liu Jie coteral damage or the target? If this was done just to kill Liu Jie, then the culprit was Sky Soaring Sect, but why would the sect send a soul formation level cultivator and three nascent souls to attack a golden core realm cultivator, Not to mention there were many golden core and core formation cultivators who attacked too. Everyone began to believe the Sky Soaring Sect was not the culprit of the attack, but maybe they just took advantage of the situation. When they thought confusion regarding the event was finally over, they received the most disturbing news that shook them to their core. It also cemented their belief that Sky Soaring Sect was not the main culprit. The Spirit Embryo Realm cultivator that chased after the attackers had gone missing. If he chased, it was assuring that no nascent soul or soul formation level cultivator could run away from him. But instead of capturing the culprits, he himself disappeared. A battle at level Spirit Embryo Realm would alert everyone in the vicinity. There should have been some news. But there was no news of him after he chased after the attackers. It meant only one thing he was caught or killed, as Yang and the Royal family both were searching for him desperately. Turned out that the Spirit Embryo Realm cultivator was a rtive of the royal concubine. To catch or kill a Spirit Embryo Realm meant the attackers had the backing of someone with the power level of earth immortal. Only an Earth Immortal level power could catch or kill Spirit Embryo Realm cultivator without making a noise. There was no way that Sky Soaring Sect had an earth immortal. If there were no more than ten soul formation level cultivators in Yin country, then the number of earth immortals in the country was no greater than five. Should the Sky Soaring Sect have an earth immortal, they couldpete with big shots like the Starfall Sect, the Lin Family, and the Royal Family instead of making the manypromises they have made over thest few hundred years. The conclusion every major power in Yin Country reached was that the Jedi family was the culprit. Sky Soaring Sect had nothing to do with the attack, but they might have taken advantage of the situation to finish Liu Jie. The Jedi family, who had the backing of earth immortal, had a vendetta against the Yang family because they offended the Jedi family''s young master. The young master was visiting Yin country because of recent rumors about the treasures left by Venerate. There was no reason for a soul formation level cultivator or Nascent Soul Level cultivator to lie and yell, "Feel our wrath for offending our young master and our Jedi family!." Since the Sky Soaring Sect knew where Liu Jie was staying when the Yang mansion was attacked, they sneaked in and used the opportunity to finish off their target. ************************************************** Elder Dongmei was sitting on the throne of Darkhall, reading the reports, and Liu Jie''s head was in front of him. Elder said, " So what''s the conclusion?" The Shadow behind the elder spoke: " Everyone thinks this was not us. But the Royals, Yangs, and others believe that it was done by us partnering with some young master whom Yang Family offended." Elder Dongmei said, " Where is that brat?" "Back to his cave abode," said the shadow. Elder Sighed " I never thought he would really pull this off; do you think it was a co-incident ?" The shadow shook his head. "No, it sounds too coincidental. Now the royals think we have been hiding our power because we partnered with some hidden strong family or sect to share the benefits of the spirit stone mines. The increase in our wealth was noticed by all of them. ording to them, we took this opportunity to show our power so anyone would think twice before trying to do anything against our sect." Elder Dongmei spoke thoughtfully " Did they find anything connecting us to the assassination?" Shadow spoke: "Nothing; it was 100% just like his earlier missions." Elder did not know what to say. He asked, "Spirit Embryo Realm, what about him?" Shadow replied, "He was supposed to be chasing the perpetrator." Sweat formed on elder Dongmei''s head. If the Spirit Embryo Realm attacked their sect, the whole Yin nation would know that they were perpetrators. Elder Dongmei was not worried about the defense of the sect as they had recently acquired a lot of resources and improved the array of the sect to a level where no one in Yin country could endanger their sect anymore. The array could take attacks from immortals. So he was not worried about the sect''s safety from Spirit Embryo Realm. But if he really was going to attack, he should have attacked by now. Elder Dongmei spoke said, " Tell Zhu Xin to meet me in the sect hall. Bring that brat to sect hall too." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 113 DAO Of Cardiac Arrest The shadow nodded and disappeared. Han Cai was cultivating peacefully in his cave abode. Yongnian came near cultivation chamber and bowed outside of the chamber. Han Cai, with his perception, noticed Yongnian outside of the chamber and came out. He nodded to Yongnian, then disappeared. In a few moments, Han Cai was in front of the gate of his cave abode, and he saw a dark-d elder waiting patiently in the front. Han Cai asked, "To Sect Hall?" The man dressed in dark hall clothes nodded. Inside the sect hall, Elder Dongmei and the Sect Master were sitting quietly. Han Cai went near them and bowed. They were taken aback. Han Cai had stopped bowing to them long ago, but today he was showing so much respect. What was going on? Still, they both nodded. Then Elder Dongmei looked at him and asked, " Was it a coincidence?" Han Cai shook his head "no." Then the elder spoke again, "How?" Han Cai replied, "Money." Elder Spoke, "How much?" Han Cai answered, "Five billion." The elder and sect master both had their eyes widened. Seeing Elder Dongmei''s expression, Han Cai felt that the elder was having an epiphany in Dao of cardiac arrest. The sect master was equally shocked. The amount was beyond their wildest expectations, and they couldn''t believe their ears. The silence in the room was only broken by the sound of Elder Dongmei gasping for air. Elder calmed himself and asked, "Who?" Han Cai shook his head and said, "Can''t say?" Elder creased his forehead and asked, "Are they from the enemy country?" Han Cai shook his head and said, "No, idea, probably a hidden family. I saved their young master by lucky chance." The sect master and elder were not surprised about it being a hidden family. The Starfall sect, which came out a few hundred years ago, used to be a hidden sect. There might be many more hidden sects or families. Elder spoke: "Where did you get your five billion spirit stones from?" Han Cai looked at him deeply and answered, "missions." Elder Dongmei gave another shocked look," Are you saying you earned five billion from missions I assigned to you?" Han Cai noticed that Elder Dongmei was having a second epiphany in Dao of cardiac arrest. Elder Dongmei thought this kid was not good for his health. When Han Cai said it was through missions, he was implying that he obtained the five billion spirit stones by robbing the targets he killed or that the dark hall gave him the five billion. Elder could tell Han Cai was lying; there was no way he could have earned five billion spirit stones by robbing the targets. The dark hall could not have given him this many spirit stones. Elder Dongmei personally assigned his missions, so Han Cai couldn''t have meant he earned those five billion spirit stones through Dark Hall rewards. Elder Dongmei saw this as a golden opportunity. Han Cai had just admitted to robbing mission targets. He could never find a good reason to chastise Han Cai before because there was never any evidence of him robbing his targets. Elder Dongmei wanted to use this opportunity. It was his lucky chance, worth five billion spirit stones, to teach Han Cai a lesson. He rarely got an opportunity to yell at Han Cai. No matter if Han Cai really earned five billion spirit stones by robbing his targets or if he was just lying. It was a good opportunity. He started chiding Han Cai, saying, " Mission was supposed to be done quietly, not by making such a loud noise for the whole world to hear. You rob your targets; don''t you feel shame? How can I show my face to the outside world? The Kid I raised became a robber. Do you like seeing this old man suffer.... " Elder Dongmei''s rant went on for a while. Finally, the sect master had to cough three times to stop Elder and go back to the point. The moment Elder calmed down, Han Cai added fuel to the fire and spoke, " mission was supposed to be difficult, not impossible." Han Cai spoke only one sentence, but for some reason, Elder Dongmei felt Han Cai was telling him, "You expect me to get past two nascent souls in the same room and kill the targetˇŞnot even rob them? You are a senile old man. Go retire." Elder Dongmei almost coughed up blood. The sect master had to mediate again, and he offered tea to Elder Dongmei so he could calm down. This time sect master spoke, "Han Cai, now the entire Yin country thinks that our Sky Soaring Sect is in partnership with those three nascent soul elders and the soul formation." He implied that the major powers of Yin country would now consider the Sky Soaring Sect as dangerouspetition because it had shown the power of the soul formation realm. They thought either the Sky Soaring Sect had brought a new soul-formation cultivator into their ranks or they had partnered with a hidden family that had a soul-formation cultivator, which was not good for the sect as people would be weary of them. Sects stronger than them might start bothering them. Han Cai shook his head and said, "Sect is not, but I am!" Elder Dongmei and the sect master''s eyes lit up. They understood what Han Cai was saying: if the sect was in need, through Han Cai, those nascent souls and soul formation cultivators woulde to aid the sect. But the next sentence from Han Cai burst their bubble. " They charge one hundred billion spirit stones to support any sect. They will not assist for more than thirty minutes," said Han Cai. The elder and sect master had way too many questions. How could a soul formation level cultivator work as a hired thug? How could they charge so much for thirty minutes, like a prostitute? Then the elder thought of another question. Elder Dongmei asked, " How did they do it for you in five billion spirit stones?" "Discount for friends," said Han Cai with a serious face. "Zhu Xin is your master and the sect master, too", the elder pointed out, even if Han Cai did not care about elder Dongmei. He should consider his master, who was also the sect master, should receive the same discount. Since they are all in the same sect, why can''t they receive the discount for friends? Han Cai shook his head and said, " My master is my master, not theirs. They are my friends, not my master''s. If necessityes in the future and powerful enemy attacks that we need the help of soul formation, let''s save some spirit stones for the rainy season. Send the hundred billion spirit stones to my cave abode; I will keep them safe." The sect master and Dark Hall elder had a weird look in their eyes; How they thought they were raising a dragon, but it turned out they were raising a greedy dragon. He was haggling with them as if they were talking about vegetables in the market. Elder did not know what to say. Han Cai always had answers to his questions. But this kid being able to hire soul formation for his personal mission is indeed an impressive fit. The sect master asked, "When hired, how much time do they take to arrive?" "Immediately, teleportation talisman," Han Cai spoke. The sect master and elder''s eyes glittered again. A soul formation could change the whole battle even if they do it just for thirty minutes." Elder Dongmei asked," What about the Spirit Embryo Realm? He was chasing you, right?" Han Cai thought for a while and answered, "He is dead." Sect Master and Elder Dongmei gasped together. Elder Dongmei asked, "How?" Han Cai shook his head and said," Your cultivation is too low to know about these things." Elder Dongmei felt like blood was rushing in his mouth because of anger. He spoke, "I am your grand uncle master and nascent soul cultivator. What do you mean my cultivation is too low?" Han Cai gave him a look that said you know exactly what I mean. The sect master shook his head. It was the sect master who spoke this time," Han Cai, The Spirit Embroyo Realm is noughing matter. Were you really the one that he was chasing?" Han Cai spoke sincerely," Yes, master and I killed him." Elder Dongmei spit out the tea he was sipping and asked, "Who did you kill?" Han Cai gave him a look that said, Do you have any hearing problems? Who were we talking about? Sect master spoke in all seriousness," Do you mean to say you really killed the spirit Embryo Realm cultivator?" Han Cai just shrugged and nodded. Sect Master and Elder Dongmei''s eyes went wide. Elder Dongmei''s enlightenment on DAO of Cardiac arrest went from 25% to 50%. Sect Hall stayed eerily silent for a while. After a while, elder Dongmei calmed down and spoke. " How did you kill him? I told you to run if you got into danger. Do you think it is a child''s game we are ying here? People get killed before they even realize it. If you do not care about my teachings at all, at least you should have some concerns about your master and your family. What if something happens to you? What will your family do? You have done a lot for our sect. We can not say that you have not paid back the sect, but we both know how much the sect is dependent on you in the future. I am very disappointed in you for being so reckless.... ". Elder Dongmei went on another angry rant, trying to make Han Cai understand the consequences of his actions. Han Cai was a bit moved by this old Man''s consideration. But he knew no matter what he said, these both would never believe him unless he gave them some proof. ************************************************** Those who are still wondering where the Jedi Family came from, check out chapter 102. Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 114 Guests Han Cai, annoyed by elders chiding decided to show him some proof. Han Cai used the seal feature on both Elder Dongmei and Sect master. They both were sealed instantly. They both stopped feeling QI in their body. They both felt as if they had be mortals again. Elder Dongmei, who was continuing his rant, went silent. When he stopped feeling his spirit Qi, his enlightenment on DAO of Cardiac arrest reached 85%. Han Cai walked forward and came close to them. He looked at Elder Dongmei deep in his eyes and spoke. " You should realize by now. No, you clearly don''t know who you''re talking to, so let me clue you in. I was not in danger, Uncle Master. I was THE DANGER. A guy opens his door and gets killed, and you think that of me? NO, I AM THE ONE WHO KNOCKS." * After that, Han Cai went back to his original position and stood quietly. Feeling QI back in their body, both sect master and elder Dongmei sighed in relief. They realized Han Cai was far ahead of them in terms of power. He actually might have killed the Spirit Embryo Realm. They actually had no right to preach about dangers to him. They did not know what to say. If Han Cai wanted, he could finish them off. He really did not have any need to show them any proof or respect, but he still went back and stood in a respectful stance showing his respect to them. This showed that they raised him right. They all stayed silent for a while, Seeing no one was speaking, Han Cai spoke, "I have two things to ask." The elder nodded and said, " Go on." "Dark Hall owes me five billion spirit stones," Han Cai said. He specifically mentioned the dark hall, not a sect. Han Cai noticed that Elder Dongmei''s epiphany in the Dao of the cardiac arrest reached 100%. It was a critical hit. But it did not end there; it seemed after reaching 100%. The epiphany in the Dao of the cardiac arrest evolved into enlightenment in the Dao of seizure. Sect master asked after a while: " What''s the second thing?" He was still shaken by Han Cai''s show of power. His Disciple was officially more powerful than him. Han Cai spoke: " Some Inner Sect elders are creating trouble for my family in cloud mountain city." Elder Dongmei, who just recovered from his enlightenment, nodded and spoke," It will be taken care of." Han Cai was about to leave When the sect master spoke. "What about the Cui family visit?" Han Cai spoke: " We are going very fast; we should slow down a little. If this continued, we would stand out, which we shouldn''t." Hearing this, the sect master and Elder Dongmei red at Han Cai. Their eyes conveyed," You are the one to speak. The whole country of Yin is in turmoil because of your actions.." After enlightening Elder Dongmei and Sect Master in DAO of Cardiac Arrest, Han Cai left. p¨¤§ád¨˘-¨ľ?¦Í¨ş¦É.§ă¨®§® ************************************************** To people in the sect, Han Cai was a very private person and an enigma. His personality was cold and aloof. Han Cai rarely came out of his abode; he only went out of his abode when important guests visited the sect. As the only disciple of the sect master, he would have to go to greet the guests, but when Han Cai walked behind the sect master, he would steal the limelight even from the sect master, who was known for his own charms. Han Cai rarely spoke to anyone except for the elder Dongmei and the sect master. For a normal disciple seeing Han Cai was like seeing a unicorn. It was more difficult to see Han Cai than the sect master. Unless you were an important guest of the sect, you could forget about seeing the most beautiful genius of the sect. It was not just Xiaoyun who craved Han Cai''s attention, all the disciples craved to see him too. Today, Cui and the Wang family were visiting Sky Soaring Sect. The members of the families included the patriarchs, some elders, and some other young generations. When they arrived at the gate of the inner sect hall, the sect master personally went to wee them with some core elders and Han Cai. Han Cai followed behind his master, wearing a white-colored mask. The sect master weed all of the guests to the sect hall and offered them refreshments. The families sat down, and the sect master began to talk to them. "We are honored to have you all here with us today," he said, bowing. "Our Sky Soaring Sect is looking forward to your support in the future." After Han Cai gave the sect ess to numerous medium-sized mines, the Sky Soaring sect was now regarded as a wealthy sect. The sect used many spirit stones to strengthen itself. For example, the Sect array that a nascent soul cultivator could destroy. It could now withstand an attack from even earth or golden immortals. All the disciples of the sect received foundation establishment pills. Elders received core formation and golden core pills. Even the gray robes were getting cultivation materials. But these resources were very expensive, and Sky Soaring Sect had arge number of disciples who needed these supplies. As a result, the sect had to spend more money. The Wang family had previously been able to meet the majority of the sect''s needs on its own, but as the sect''s consumption of supplies increased, more merchant families were now required to meet the sect''s needs. When the elders of the Cui family were caught, instead of handling them, the sky-soaring sect gave them to the Wang family to handle. Using those elders as leverage wang family was able to mend its rtionship with the Cui family. In the northern area of Yin country Sky Soaring sect shared power with these two families on equal grounds. Sky Soaring Sect had a good rtionship with the wang family, but now the need of resources made the sect build a rtionship with the Cui family too. The Cui family patriarch spoke," It is our luck to have an opportunity to partner with your sect. Sky Soaring Sect has been very generous with us Cui family even after some of our eldersmitted some grave errors." He then introduced one of the young men standing behind him as his son. "This is my son, Cui Wei, He is already in the core formation, and he will be participating in the royal capital tournament," he said, gesturing towards the young man standing behind him. Cui Wei was a 24-year-old tall and well-built young man with sharp features. His eyes shone with a bright light that showed his determination to cultivate. The Wang family patriarch then introduced his son. "This is my son, Wang Jie. He will also be participating," he said, gesturing towards the other young man who was standing behind the Wang family Patriarch. Wang Jie was a twenty-six-year-old handsome young man with a sharp jawline and piercing blue eyes. He was also at the Core Formation Realm, and his posture showed his confidence and pride. The Sect master smiled and said, "It is good to have talented young cultivators in the family." Sect master''s eyes glinted with pride. He pointed towards Han Cai and spoke, "this is Han Cai, my personal disciple. He just turned 16. He is also a core formation level cultivator. Since he is too young, I decided not to let him participate in the royal capital tournament." Han Cai bowed to the guests. The Patriarch of the Cui family spoke, "So the rumors were true. The Sky Soaring Sect has found a heavenly talent that could challenge even the Li family''s young generation." The Wang family Patriarch refuted," That is untrue Li family''s youngest is twenty years old, and he reached core formation recently. The sect master''s disciple is only sixteen and reached core formation. I think talent such as this, even royals, do not have it." Sect master''s prideful smile widened, and he maintained his appearance and spoke," Do not praise him so much it might get to his head. He has a lot to learn from his seniors from Cui and Wang family." This was Sect Master''s new hobby showing off his disciple. Sect Master was a simple man. He did not have many pleasures in his life. Finally, he found something that gave him a lot of pleasure. He was also looking forward to tomorrow when Han Cai would take off his mask. The elders of the sect sitting behind the sect master rolled their eyes. There was an expected reaction of jealousy on the faces of the Cui and Wang family generation. Sect master continued," Even though Han Cai will not be participating in friendly spars tomorrow, our other core disciples are very talented too." Next Day, It was the Day of the friendly tournament in the Sky Soaring Sect, and everyone was excited to witness the spectacle. The outer sect, inner sect, and core elders had gathered in the grand arena to watch the disciples showcase their skills against the young generation of guest families. The total number of people counted together in the sect was more than sixty thousand, which made it quite a big hubbub. In the north of the arena, some seating arrangements were ced for the sect master, core elders, and distinguished guests to sit. As the disciples and elders arrived at the arena, it slowly started to get filled brim. Soon the guests arrived too and sat on their respective seats. The young generation of the Cui and Wang family went stood near the arena as they were going to participate in this friendly spar. On the opposite side stood the core disciples and inner sect disciples of Sky Soaring Sect waiting for the same. ************************************************** * For Reference, search "I am the danger by Daoist Walter White." Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 115 Friendly Spar Soon, the Sect master arrived with some core elders and Han Cai following behind him. Unlike yesterday, Han Cai was not wearing any mask; he was again dressed in white, and everyone could see his face. As he entered the arena, everyone was mesmerized by his beauty and charm. He was the epitome of grace and elegance. His hair was as ck as a raven''s wing, and his eyes were a deep, rich brown. He had high cheekbones and a chiseled jawline, which made him look like a prince from a fairy tale. His tall stature and broad shoulders made him look even more imposing. The whole arena went silent as every disciple stared at Han Cai. The level of charm he exuded was nothing to scoff at. After the Sect master sat on his seat beside the guests, he coughed to get everyone''s attention. Finally, everyone got out of their stupor, and the arena went straight into an uproar as all disciples were talking about the royalty of their sect. Seeing Han Cai was rarer than seeing the sect master or the sect''s grand master. The Sect master looked at the elder of the Discipline hall and spoke, "Let the spars begin." One of the elders of the inner sect discipline hall went to the arena and announced the rules of the spar. It was basically defeating your opponent without killing them. As it was a friendly spar, if they killed someone, it would defeat the whole purpose of the event. With the announcement of the elder of the discipline hall, the spars began, and the atmosphere was lively. In the beginning, the spars were mellow, and they consisted of matches between inner sect disciples and members of the Cui and Wang family. Some battles were won by inner sect disciples, while others were won by the Cui and Wang family. As the afternoon approached, the spar became more intense as battles began between core disciples of the Sky Soaring Sect and core members of the Cui and Wang family. When Wang Jie entered the arena, he fought against core disciple Zhi and defeated him easily. After Wang Jie, Cui Wei entered the arena and fought against core disciple Feng. He defeated Feng easily and then challenged the other two new core disciples of the sect and defeated them as well. After defeating them, Cui Wei was still not satisfied. He went towards where the sect masters and patriarchs of the Cui and Wang family were seated and spoke, "I wish to spar with core disciple Han Cai." The Cui family patriarch looked at the sect master, feeling very proud that his son had taken down three core disciples of the Sky Soaring Sect. The sect master did not speak but instead turned and looked at Han Cai. Han Cai sighed; he had seen this young master''s momenting from miles away. He nodded and gracefully walked towards the arena. When he was inside the arena, the referee, an inner sect disciple hall elder, checked if both parties were ready. When he was sure, he announced, "Let the spar begin!" The moment the announcement was made, freezing Qi covered Han Cai''s whole body, and then he disappeared. The next moment, Cui Wei fell to the ground and lost consciousness. Everyone was agape. The Cui family and Wang family patriarchs stood up from their seats, trying to understand how Han Cai had attacked with that freezing Qi escape technique. The sect master did not show any reaction and just sat there quietly with a proud smile on his face. The crowd of disciples was silent. It was not the first time they saw Han Cai end his opponent in one move. Seconds passed and turned into minutes. The Cui and Wang family waited for Han Cai to reappear, but Han Cai did not reappear. Then they noticed that many disciples of the Sky Soaring Sect were giggling or whispering as if some internal joke had taken ce, which only the Sky Soaring Sect disciples understood. When they looked at the referee in the arena, he had an amusing smile on his face as he announced Han Cai as the winner. The Cui family and Wang family members were more confused. Was he not going to wait for Han Cai toe back? Where did Han Cai go? They looked towards the sect master, wondering if he might have the answer. When they turned around, they saw Han Cai standing behind the sect master as if he had never left his spot, watching the arena battle with them from the very start. Beads of sweat formed in Cui and Wang family members. Especially the Patriarchs of the Cui and Wang families had their mouths agape. Han Cai might have seemed talented to other family members, but they understood it was not that simple. They could not figure out how Han Cai knocked out Cui Wei. They never sensed it when Han Cai came back and stood behind his master. They never felt him leaving the arena. Even if Han Cai was at a golden core, being a level above that, they should have noticed energy fluctuations, or with their nascent soul spirit sense, they could sense everything and anything all over the arena. But they felt nothing with Han Cai. Also, When Han Cai used freezing QI, they felt fear for some reason, as if it was not natural freezing Qi but superior spirit Qi. Both Patriarchs had seen a lot of worlds, had traveled to many countries, they had seen many talents. But there has never been a day when they could not see through and track the movements of core formation or golden core cultivator and feel fear from them. This only meant two things either Han Cai was already at the nascent soul or that freezing Qi he practiced was some unfathomable superior Spirit QI that they had never seen or heard about. If first was true, then a sixteen a year old nascent, what did it imply? This kid is going to be a golden immortal at the least and live for a minimum of fifty thousand years. He might outlive all their generations and be the future powerhouse that the whole Yin Country would feel fear of. He was already strong enough to stand on equal grounds with them. For them, it took hundreds of years to reach a nascent soul, while this kid achieved it at the age of sixteen. They knew all about the history of Han Cai as their spies kept them updated on everything about all the major powers of Yin Country. They especially got all the information before deciding to visit Sky Soaring Sect. So how could they not have done their research on the Quilin Disciple of the Sky Soaring Sect? If the cause of Han Cai''s power was unfathomable superior QI, not that he was a nascent soul, then it was more concerning for them as it meant the Kid''s cultivation future was unlimited. He might not stop at golden immortal but go beyond that to be a venerate or maybe even a sovereign. This meant Han Cai would not just outlive their family''s generation, but he might outlive the who Yin country. That was very thought-provoking for these two. This kid might change the future of the whole continent. They knew that when this Kid came to power, they would be the first ones to be affected. The north of Yin country''s power was divided between Wang, Cui, and Sky Soaring Sect. Now that Sky Soaring Sect had so much of wealth and Such heaven-defying divine talent, the power structure would change either they had to be very close to Sky Soaring Sect or leave north of Yin and settle in some other area of Yin. Because they knew they could not afford to offend this kid. Unlike his master, this kid was not mellow or kind. He knocked out the opponent the second he entered the arena without a single thought. What would he do if some family offended him or came in his way? Would he waste time negotiating? The Chances are He would wipe out the family that even caused him minor concern, and seeing his strength, in the future, not even Soul Formation ancestors would be able to stand against him. They did not entertain the thought of killing Han Cai as he was already too much strong. They were sure they could not defeat him. How would the assassins with lower cultivation fair against him? The assassination missions could be sessful only until the golden core once the cultivator reached the nascent soul; it was very difficult to kill them by any method. Worse came to worse. They could shed their body and escape with the nascent soul ande backter with vengeance. The hassle was not worth making an enemy out of a nascent soul cultivator. That is why even though Sky Soaring Sect only had nascent soul-level power at present, they enjoyed peace. But both Patriarchs understood that Sky Soaring Sect would be stronger or equal in power to Li or the Royal family in the future. Chapter 116 The Royal Palace The royal pce of the Frost Dragon Dynasty, located in the grand city of Frosthold, was a majestic and grandiose structure that exuded opulence and wealth. The pce was made of white marble and was adorned with intricate carvings and gold leaf embellishments. The pce was surrounded by arge moat filled with shimmering blue water, and it was guarded by a formidable army of soldiers dressed in white and blue armor. As one enters the pce, they are greeted by a grand entrance hall adorned with crystal chandeliers and lined with marble columns. The floors are made of polished white marble, and the walls are adorned with intricate frescoes depicting scenes from the history of the Frost Dragon Dynasty. Beyond the entrance hall lies the throne room, a grand chamber where the king and queen hold court and hold meetings with their advisors. The throne room was lined with tall marble columns, and the floors were made of gleaming white marble. The throne itself was a magnificent golden seat adorned with precious gems and surrounded by a group of ornately dressed guards. The pce also housed a variety of other luxurious amenities, such as a grand ballroom, a library filled with ancient texts and scrolls, a beautiful garden filled with exotic flowers and nts, and a variety of luxurious guest rooms for visiting dignitaries. The pce was also home to a variety of powerful defensive measures such as traps, secret passages, and awork of underground tunnels. These defenses are meant to protect the royal family and the pce from any potential invaders or assassins. The royal pce of the Frost Dragon Dynasty was a stunning and impressive structure that showcased the wealth and power of the ruling dynasty of the Yin country. Emperor Yao of the Frost Dragon Dynasty sat on his throne in the throne room of the grand pce of Frosthold. He was a tall man, standing at 6''2" with a broad chest and strong arms. He had a regal bearing, with a straight back and held head, exuding an air of authority. His face was chiseled and handsome, with a strong jawline and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through everything. His hair was a dark brown, neatly styled, and kept in ce with a golden crown. He wore avish golden robe adorned with intricate patterns and precious gems,pleting the look of a powerful and wealthy ruler. ording to his courtiers, Emperor Yao was known to be a wise and just ruler but also a ruthless one when it came to protecting his kingdom and dynasty. He was feared by many but also respected for his ability to lead his people to prosperity and strength. Some of the courtiers could be seen sitting below the throne tform and discussing. The Emperor suddenly asked, "So what''s the news about the Sky Soaring Sect having a lot of wealth?" The prime minister of Yin Kingdom spoke, saying, "We sent many people, but no one was able to find more details after Liu Jie''s death. It seems that the Sky Soaring Sect has be more careful; they might be using their hidden hall for activities rted to the mines. But it is confirmed that they have found more than just one medium-sized mine. Which is the cause of their growing strength and newfound wealth". The Emperor asked, "Is there any report on who the hidden family they partnered with is?". The prime minister shook his head and said, "We don''t know, but we are guessing that some young master of a hidden strong family from another country was visiting our grand nation to try his luck ever since rumors have spread and many outsiders and strong cultivators are visiting north Yin. Our spies could not recognize those cultivators who attacked the Yang stronghold." The Emperor had a disapproving look in his eyes. "Are they trying to get a foothold in my Yin kingdom? Are old coots of the Sky Soaring Sect gone crazy? Partnering with other countries'' cultivation families." The prime minister spoke: "Your Majesty, we don''t know if there is really some power from another country or if they are hidden elders of the Sky Soaring Sect, but the general opinion is that the Yang family has offended that young master. The Sky Soaring Sect took advantage of an opportunity. Both do not seem to have any partnership; This is what our spies in the Sky Soaring Sect told us. But I think there is more to the story than this." Hearing Sky Soaring Sect found many medium-sized mines minister of war decided to participate in the conversation. The minister of war spoke up," Your highness is the ruler of Yin country. How dare they hide the spirit stone mines? Your Highness: We should destroy the Sky Soaring Gate Sect to remind everyone about the power of the royal family." The prime minister shook his head. "Minister of War, you want to attack the sky-soaring sect. Will you personally take the army and face them alone? That sect was founded by immortals, and with their recent wealth, they have upgraded their sect array to the point that even earth immortals will have difficulty breaking through. Let''s not forget that they have many beast protectors, some of whom have the strength of soul formation. It would be easier for us to attack and capture another nation than try to destroy the sky-soaring sect. Even if they partnered with that family, we could not attack them. Do you remember our recent guest," Emperor spoke, "Is there any update on our guest''s whereabouts?" The prime minister answered, "I was nning to report to your majesty once I had clear information, but from servants, we found out that he went to chase after the killer of Liu Jie. But it has been a month already, and there is no news of him. Since he was an elder of concubine Lan''s family, Her family sent an inquiry just yesterday asking about why his soul me disappeared from the ancestor halls. Since the concubine was unsure what was going on, she sent me a messenger to ask about what was going on. I immediately sent some cultivators to find out more, but from the looks of it, the elder got into a battle with someone stronger than him and died in battle." The Emperor spoke: "Batte at Spirit Embryo Realm would alert everyone in the vicinity that there should have been some news." The prime minister answered, "Which is why I have reason to believe that the Jedi family that was mentioned must have an earth immortal in their family. The elder was chasing those members of the Jedi family. He was caught and killed by the Earth Immortal. Which makes sense, that family must have more than one earth immortal, or how could a young master of a family be able to order around a soul formation level cultivator to attack the Yang Family? So even if Sky Soaring Sect has partnered with that family, we can not attack them as they will have the protection of that Earth Immortal family." The prime minister looked at the minister of war and spoke, "If you decide to go to war with the Sky Soaring Sect by yourself, I hope you are prepared to face the Earth Immortal." The minister of war felt sweat on his back. Go on war himself and face an Earth Immortal? Did this prime minister want him dead? He felt this prime minister certainly wanted to get rid of him. But he calmed himself down and said, "So what, they have earth immortals protecting them. Our royal family has earth immortal, too; I don''t think we have any reason to worry." The prime minister almost facepalmed, "So you want to send our royal family''s patriarch to fight a sect in Yin Country just based on your suspicion about a few medium-sized mines? Do you know the consequence of the battle for that level? What if the immortals of enemy countries used the opportunity to attack the royal patriarch at that time? Will you protect our countryter?" Cultivation at the level of Earth Immortal was to deter other countries, and the prime minister was sure the patriarch of the royal family wouldn''t make a move unless the kingdom was attacked by another earth immortal level power. The Minister of War sweated. He finally shut up and did not try to argue. The Emperor looked at his minister and said, "So what do you suggest? What should we do?" The prime minister said, " Your majesty, we have had good rtions with the Sky Soaring Sect for thousands of years. It is not a good idea to sour that rtionship over a few medium-sized spirit stone mines. If they indeed have hidden elders or if they have partnered with hidden families, then it is not bad news for us. This means if another country attacks tomorrow, the Sky Soaring Society would be able to provide us with better support.'' The Emperor showed concern, "What if they try to take over the kingdom tomorrow?" The prime minister spoke. "Your majesty, Sky Soaring Sect had immortals in the past too; some moved on, and some left for journeys; just like our patriarch, they do not care much about kingdoms or the mortal world. If it is a coup that Sky Soaring Sect wanted, they had many opportunities in the past. From their history, I am sure that all they want to do is coexist peacefully." The prime minister thought for a while, " Even if they partnered with that family which is not from our Yin country, I don''t think they n anything other than trade rtions. Our spies have noticed many traders connected to Sky Soaring Sect. Setting up businesses. The sect is trying to make the most of its newfound wealth. Now that they are wealthy and can afford powerful protectors, we should give the Sky Soaring Sect better lucrative trading offers and strengthen our rtionship with them." ************************************************** I am looking for a proofreader. If you are interested, feel free to message me on discord Daoist Drumstick#7766 Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 117 Emperors Decision The prime minister continued, "The elders of the Sky Soaring Sect are wise; we have lived in harmony for a thousand years. I know they will not want to fight the royal family or weaken the Yin country, but I am sure they really have found many medium-sized mines. That is why it will be a good idea for us to strengthen our rtionship with the Sky Soaring Sect because as their wealth increases, their power and strength will increase too. Even if they don''t have Earth immortals, they still have the power of around seven nascent souls, which is nothing to scoff about." The minister of war spoke, "Seven Nascent souls? Thest time I heard, They only had three. How did they get seven?" The emperor gave him a curious look too. The prime minister spoke. "Your Majesty, I heard that the sky-soaring sect''s past immortals had left behind some hidden beasts with the power of a nascent soul to protect the sect secretly. A few years ago, when the Cui family tried to capture one of the Core disciples of the sect, who was out on a sect mission. But instead of them capturing the core disciple, the members of the Cui family were caught by the beast. It is said that the beast that caught them can defeat even a soul formation cultivator, as recently, one nascent soul entered near Sky Soaring Sect''s vicinity by mistake and was badly beaten by the beast." The prime minister continued, "If we think about it, they have an array formation that could not be broken even by an earth immortal. They have confirmed seven nascent souls protecting their sect, of which one has the power of soul formation, and they even might have connections with some hidden family who have the power of earth immortal. From this, we can conclude that they are no weaker than the Li family anymore, and the royal family can not afford anotherpetition, as Sky Soaring Sect is a neutral sect. We should try to strengthen our rtionship with them." The Emperor listened to the prime minister and found his suggestions right. He contemted and spoke, "What do you suggest? How do we strengthen our rtionship with the Sky Soaring Sect?" The prime minister thought and spoke, "Your majesty, I have heard that the disciple of the sect master of the Sky Soaring sect is very talented and handsome. In the north of Yin, they even call him the most beautiful man in the whole of Yin." The Emperor thought, "So you suggest we strengthen our rtionship with the sect through marriage?" The Prime Minister nodded and said, " If what the people in the north say is right, then he would be the perfect match for Princess." "Which princess would you suggest the prime minister", asked Emperor. Prime Minister answered," Even if he is most good-looking, other princesses might not agree, except princess Ying." The Emperor shook his head. "The elder was connected to Concubine Lan''s family, which she will never allow after finding out. I am sure she will be going toin about this to my mother. Which can be a big problem." Emperor felt a headacheing; his mother doted on concubine Lan so she would certainly make a fuss. The Emperor continued, "But what you mentioned is true; Yingr is mellow in naturepared to others. Her cultivation talent is not very good. I need to find the right partner for Yingr. Is Sky Soaring Sect participating in the royal tournament this year?" The prime minister shook his head, "They don''t have any eligible core disciples. Except for the sect master''s disciple, who is only sixteen, it is said he is very talented, and the Qi he cultivates is freezing QI; he is already in core formation at such a young age." The Emperor nodded. "That is indeed a talent. Let us invite them to the tournament as royal guest, even if they are not participating. I will personally meet the sect master and try to build a rtionship with the Sky Soaring Sect." The emperor continued, "Since there are a lot of outside cultivators visiting. There are many talented people visiting the north right now. Let us make this royal tournament grand. The winner will be awarded a minor grotto-world and heaven-grade weapon. If Princess finds a winner to her liking, the winner will have the opportunity to be a royal son-inw." Emperor felt very pleased foring up with such an idea to recruit new talent in the royal n. Prime Minister and Minister of war were both shocked. Each of those prizes would make the cultivators really go crazy. Even earth immortals wouldn''t be able to control the temptation when they hear about the grotto world and heaven-grade weapon. The minister of the treasury spoke," Your majesty, giving away grotto heaven, isn''t it a bit too much for just a tournament?" The emperorughed and spoke," That''s why I added the term marrying Yingr. If they are powerful enough to win the tournament, then it means they are worth joining the royal n to be nurtured. And once they marry into the royal n, the treasures will not leave the royal n." Prime Miniter showed his concern," What if the winner of the tournament is not of the princess''s liking?" Emperor scoffed," Unlike her mother, Yingr''s nature is mellow. She will not reject whatever her father asks of her. But if she does not agree, the winner can choose someone else to marry from royal n. Worsees to worst. We will have to snatch it back after the tournament." ************************************************** Millions of miles away from Yin Country The sun rose high above the clear blue ocean, casting a warm glow over the vast expanse of water that stretched out for millions of miles in every direction. An ind that stood amidst this ocean was a remote paradise, untouched by human hands and home to only a few spirit beasts. Despite its istion, the ind was a ce of immense beauty, a tropical paradise of pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters that shimmered in the sunlight. One of these beaches was particrly stunning, a long stretch of white sand that curved around the edge of the ind, its bright blue waterspping gently at the shore. At the edge of this beach, there stood a solitary figure reclining on a deck chair and sipping a refreshing drink. The figure was none other than Han Cai. He opened his eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the scent of the salty sea air. As Han Cai looked out across the ocean. The gentle sound of the wavespping at the shore, the warm sun on his skin, and the cool breeze that blew in from the sea allbined to create a sense of rxation. He took another sip of his drink, closing his eyes and letting out a contented sigh. He murmured," This is life." Standing behind Han Cai, holding a tray of drinks, was his loyal servant Yongnian. He waited patiently for his master to finish his drink before offering him another. Just as Han Cai was about to reach for his drink, a chubby hand appeared out of nowhere and picked it up. It was none other than Han Dai, Han Cai''s merchant father. He grinned mischievously and took a sip of the drink, enjoying the cool, refreshing taste. Han Dai, the portly merchant with a love of the finer things in life, spoke, " Han Cai, Why not teleport other members too? Why to make them travel all the way? The journey to here is difficult, you know?" he eximed, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I didn''t expect that the ocean could be so beautiful !" Han Cai smiled, though somewhat less enthusiastically than his father. This fat man was hisughing Buddha, but the man''s constant chatter and insatiable appetite for good food and drink could be a little overwhelming at times. "I am not a carriage. I have brought most of the core members, haven''t I? Whatever resources you need, this ind has plenty; when the time is right, I will find a few more locations, so You don''t have to stay forever on the ind," he replied. Han Dai plopped himself down on a nearby chair, his bulk causing it to creak and groan beneath him. "Yeah, but this many are not enough to maintain the whole ind, and then we need supplies and everything," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "Anyway, I thought I''de and enjoy a little time in the sun and maybe catch up with my favorite son while I''m at it!" Han Cai rolled his eyes. "I''m your only son, fat man." Han Dai chuckled, taking a hearty sip of the Pi?a Cda that he had taken from Yongnian. "That''s true, that''s true. But you''re still my favorite, you know." Han Cai smiled, shaking his head. He couldn''t help but feel some fondness for his father, despite his ws. Han Cai spoke: "This will be our future headquarters. So all those that I have not brought settle in the Jinyu Inds. Remember, only use themunication talisman for work. If you want to leave the ind. The only way to leave is by asking me." Han Dai asked, "What if you are busy and the ind gets attacked?" "It will not be attacked easily," Han Cai said. "I have found this ind with a lot of effort. Do you know how much money I have spent on building the defense array on this ind? The array could take an attack even from heaven immortal". Han Dai was still unsatisfied," What if family members get bored?" Han Cai answered, "I have brought cultivation materials, haven''t I? Do you wish to die while I live forever?" Han Daiughed: "Of course not. I will be cultivating diligently. I was asking about other members." Han Cai spoke: "If they want, I can take them back, but they will never be able toe back here the moment they leave. No one knows the location of this ind except me. Enjoy the Sun and Sea for the time being. I will find a few more safe cities where our family can grow." Han Dai asked, "What about other inds that you made our family members find out about with so much effort." Han Cai answered, "That is none of your concern. Cultivate; don''t just sleep pretending to cultivate. Even if I don''te, Yongnian will visit from time to time to watch over everything." Their conversation continued for a long time. Han Dai kept pestering Han Cai with one question after another, which Han Cai answered patiently. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 118 Concubine Lan Because of therge number of cultivators entering the country to try their luck at finding the treasure left by past Venerate, the country of Yin was experiencing unrest and turmoil. With the royal family''s recent announcement, the entire country went into another frenzy. The royal family of Yin country made an announcement that they would be hosting a royal tournament in the summer in the royal capital. This announcement created a massive buzz among the people of Yin country and cultivators who were visiting the country. The prize for the royal tournament was a small grotto world and a heaven-grade weapon, which was considered a highly valuable and rare reward for any cultivator. A grotto world was a unique space that cultivators could use to improve their cultivation skills and abilities. These spaces are highly sought after by cultivators, and obtaining one is seen as a significant achievement. In addition, a heaven-grade weapon is also a highly prized possession among cultivators. These weapons are made from rare materials and are imbued with powerful spiritual energy that can greatly enhance a cultivator''s strength and abilities. The announcement of the tournament also included a unique opportunity for the winner. Not only would they be awarded the coveted prizes of a small grotto world and a heaven-grade weapon, but they would also have the chance to court the princess of the royal family and potentially be the son-inw of the royal family. This was an unprecedented opportunity for any cultivator, as it could potentially lead to significant social and political benefits. The rules of participation for the tournament were simple, which made it essible to a wide range of cultivators. To participate, one had to be at least at the foundation establishment level, which was considered a basic requirement for any serious cultivator. Additionally, they had to be under the age of 30, which ensured that the tournament was only open to young and promising cultivators who had not yet reached their peak. These rules made the tournament highlypetitive, as only the most talented and dedicated cultivators could participate. The prizes offered by the royal family in the tournament were highly coveted by every cultivator family and sect. The opportunity to win a small grotto world and a heaven-grade weapon was a significant prize that could greatly benefit not just the winner, but their whole n or sect could profit from something like that. This led to a lot of interest and excitement surrounding the tournament as cultivators from all over the country eagerly prepared topete. Besides the prize of seeing therge number of cultivators participating, many cultivator families and sects saw this as an opportunity to showcase their talent and gain recognition, which would attract more talented cultivators to join them. While the entire nation was preparing for the tournament. One corner of the Royal Pce is experiencing a different type of turmoil. The courtyard assigned to Concubine Lan is called "The Garden of Lilies." It was arge, spacious courtyard with a lush garden filled with a variety of beautiful flowers, including lilies, which were her favorites. The garden was surrounded by a tall, white stone wall, and there was a small pond in the center with a fountain that sprayed water into the air. The courtyard was also lined with tall, green trees, providing shade and a serene atmosphere. Concubine Lan was a beautiful woman with long, ck hair that cascaded down her back. She had a gentle and kind face, but her eyes were full of worry and sadness. She was sitting in the garden with her daughter, Princess Ying, and her maids around them. They were all dressed in elegant, traditional maid attire. Princess Ying was a beautiful youngdy with long ck hair that fell in loose waves around her shoulders. She has a delicate, oval-shaped face with high cheekbones, and her eyes are a bright and sparkling brown. She had a small, pert nose and full, red lips. Her skin was smooth and fair, and she had a lithe and slender figure. Concubine Lan was unhappy after hearing the news that the Emperor was trying to marry their only daughter. She is worried that the princess might not be treated well. One of the maids tried to persuade the concubine and the princess, saying that the princess would have to marry the suitor only if she liked him. In addition, the suitor for the princess will be the tournament champion, making him the most talented young cultivator in all of Yin. Despite the maid''s words, Concubine Lan was still dissatisfied. Even if the tournament champion was talented and handsome, she thought it was very selfish of the emperor to use their daughter to entice talents to join the royal family. Why did he have to pick Yinger when the emperor had so many other daughters? Did the emperor think she was a pushover? Concubine Lan, in an upset mood, asked the maid, "Did the prime minister give any update about the elder in my family?" Maid answered, "The Minister said that it seems the elder came across some trouble during his journey." Concubine Lan harrumphed, "give me the whole detail. What have you found out?" Maid shared everything she knew with Concubine Lan. "The elder wasst seen in Ravenfall city, which was the Yang family''s stronghold. The stronghold was attacked, and the attackers mentioned they were from some family called the Jedi family. The strongest cultivator from the attacker''s side was a soul formation level cultivator. They said their young master was offended by the Yang family, so they were nning to destroy the Yang household. Seeing the strongest cultivator from the attacker''s side was only at soul formation. The elder interfered and defeated them. After the attackers were defeated, they ran away, but before running away, they killed one of the cultivators the Yang family was protecting, and it turned out the cultivator they were protecting was actually on the instructions of the royal family. The elder chased the attackers to get to the bottom of it; after that, there was no news from the elder." Concubine Lan asked, "Why did the royal family ask the Yang family to protect that cultivator, and who was targeting that cultivator?" The maid hesitated and then replied, "That cultivator was from a vassal sect of the Sky Soaring Sect. The Sky Soaring Sect had found a medium-sized mine. That cultivator was going to give the location of that mine to the royal family in exchange for 30% of the spirit stones in the mine. So the Sky Soaring Sect wanted him dead. It is said that since the Yang family had offended the young master of the Jedi family, the Sky Soaring Sect partnered with the Jedi family and attacked that stronghold while the Jedi family cultivators were attacking the elders of the Yang family. The Sky Soaring Sect cultivators killed the traitor. But Sky Soaring Sect denied any participation in that event, but no one believes them." Concubine Lan asked, "Does the emperor know this? Why is he not taking any action against the Sky Soaring Sect?" Maid responded, "ording to courtiers, the emperor has decided to strengthen the rtionship with the Sky Soaring Sect since they have be a powerful sect that could challenge the Li family in the future. The emperor wants to use the Sky Soaring Sect to reduce the strength of the Lin family. He has officially sent an invitation to the Sect Master of the Sky Soaring Sect to be the royal guest for the uing royal tournament even though Sky Soaring Sect is not participating in the tournament." Concubine Lan was furious, "So the elder of my family is missing, and the sect which caused this, instead of punishing them, the emperor is inviting them as a royal guest so he can strengthen the rtionship with Sky Soaring Sect." The maid hesitated again and nodded. Concubine Lan Stood up furious, "I am Visiting empress mother immediately. Inform mother about my visit." The mother of the Emperor was an old and wise woman. She had ruled the empire alongside her son for many years and was well respected by all. Her courtyard within the pce was grand and elegant, with lush gardens and sparkling fountains. Concubine Lan decided toin about this to her. Concubine Lan had entered the Royal Family and married the emperor because of her. Concubine Lan''s family and the empress mother''s family were very close as they were both originally from Shang country and married to Yin royal family to strengthen political rtionships between the two countries. Concubine Lan visited Empress Mother, bowing deeply before her. Princess Ying, beside her, greeted the Empress politely. Empress asked about their well-being, and Concubine Lan took the opportunity to express her concerns. "Empress, I have heard rumors that the emperor ns to marry my daughter, Princess Ying, to whoever wins the tournament. I have a feeling the Emperor regards me as a pushover. Also, an elder of my family who was visiting the north is missing and probably dead as his soul me in Ancestors Hall is extinguished. The culprit is the Sky Soaring Sect. But the Emperor, instead of punishing and questioning them, is inviting them as royal guests to the royal capital to witness the royal tournament. He wants to strengthen his rtionship with the Sky Soaring Sect. I feel my family has no value in the eyes of the emperor." The Empress Mother listened patiently, nodding along. She reassured Concubine Lan, "Do not worry, my dear. I know my son; once he makes up his mind, it is difficult to change his decision. But that sect will answer for its actions. Once they are in the capital, It will be easy to punish them. If theye to the capital, I will make sure they answer for their deeds, and they will leave the capital in shame. You have my word." Concubine Lan felt relieved and grateful to the empress. She knew that the empress had always doted on her and would do whatever it took to fulfill her wishes. She thanked the Empress and left the courtyard with a calm mind. Chapter 119 The Red Pill While the original Han Cai was basking in the sun on the beach. Another Han Cai was sitting in the hall of the sect master''s abode. Opposite him was the holy trinity of the sect: Elder Dongmei, Sect Master, and Elder Wan. Elder Dongmei and the Sect Master were the nascent souls of the sect in the public, while elder Wan was a hidden nascent soul of the sect. He was a disciple of Elder Dongmei and a member of Dark Hall who used to take on the difficult missions of the sect. After Han Cai became powerful, most of the missions were taken care of by Han Cai, while elder Wan worked in the mines that Han Cai had found to strengthen the sect. Elder Dongmei spoke, "Now you are strong enough, and you have already shown enough loyalty to the sect." Sect Master finished elder Dongmei''s sentence, "We are thinking of unanimously announcing you as the Holy Son of our sect." Han Cai looked at elder Dongmei and asked, "What are the advantages of being the Holy Son?" Sect Master answered, "The sect will be in your care in the future." Han Cai asked, "So basically, I will control the whole sect?" The sect master nodded. Han spoke again, "I can already control the sect right now. What''s so special about it?". Elder Dongmei and the sect master shook their heads. While elder Wan sighed. First, this kid became an emotionless killer; now, he was so cocky. Are teenagers supposed to go through so many phases? Even though this kid gets cocky by day, they can''t do anything about him. He never brought them any trouble. It''s just that these days he just liked to rile them up with his words. Elder Dongmei couldn''t hold it and spoke, "You sound cockier today; want me to spank you?" Han Cai gave him a smug smile and said, "You can try and see who spanks who." Elder Dongmei sighed and looked at elder Wan, saying, " See, I should have spanked him while I had the chance. The new generation has no respect for this old man." Elder Wan answered. "Master, Han Cai is just teasing you. He will never disrespect you. We both know that." The sect master chided Han Cai, "Han Cai, you can''t use such words with Uncle Master. We have traditions to follow; disrespecting your elders is not a good thing." Han Cai immediately replied, "I apologize, master. I got carried away with my words and insulted Uncle Master in your presence." Elder Dongmei''s mouth twitched. The kid was basically saying he was not sorry about insulting Elder Dongmei, but he was sorry that he did it in the presence of the sect master. And instead of apologizing to him, he was apologizing to the sect master. Elder Dongmei spoke with aining voice, "Why are you so biased towards your master? Have I not doted enough on you?" Han Cai answered, "You have thousands of disciples under you. My master has only me. Besides, you forgot about what you made me witness; that thing scarred my consciousness for a long time. I am not nning to let it go. I will be biased for the next million years." Elder Dongmei sighed, "A nascent soul can live a long life, but it is not more than five thousand years." implying he might not live for million years. Han Cai gave him another look and spoke. "I reached close to your cultivation in three years. Do you think I will let you die? I have had some lucky chances. Let me show you." p¦Á§ád¦Á-¨ľ?¦Í¨ş|ˇ¤§ă¨®§® Han Cai turned to the sect master and asked, "Master, do you trust me?" The sect master got confused by Han Cai''s question, but he still answered, "Of course I do. You are my disciple; who will I trust if I do not trust you." Han Cai spoke, "The Jedi family gave me a method to help others in cultivation. I will be helping you, but this process requires you to have faith in me, and you will have to sign a contract with me. After that, you can not betray me ." Sect Master nodded, saying," I don''t mind." curious what his disciple was up to now? Suddenly, Han Cai disappeared, and when he reappeared, there was a red pill in his hand. Han Cai spoke. "Master, you must open your soul to me and trust me with your full heart." The sect master nodded. He trusted Han Cai fully. He had faith in his disciple. Elder Dongmei and Elder Wan watched with confused looks in their eyes. Han Cai moved forward. He brought the pill close to the sect master and said, "Swallow this pill, master. When you hear the voice, follow its guidance." The Sect Master nodded and took the pill from Han Cai, and swallowed it. Elder Dongmei spoke, "Zhu Xin, this?". Sect master gave him a confident look, "I trust my disciple." The sect master sat in a meditation position. Han Cai sighed. His master really trusted him too much, and even without asking questions, he swallowed the ''The Red Pill'' * now his master will be a virgin forever. While Han Cai was musing, the sect master''s consciousness started feeling hazy. He felt he had lost control of his body. Slowly, a voice sounded in his mind. [Do you agree to sign a "FELLOWSHIP OF THE RED PILL"** contract with your disciple Han Cai?] [The rules of contracting are: 1. You can not disclose anything about this contract to anyone. 2. You can never betray Han Cai. 3. If Han Cai demands something from Sincerely, you have to ept his demands. 4. If you demand something sincerely from Han Cai, he has the choice to reject your demands. In exchange for your signing this contract, Han Cai will help you improve your cultivation as long as you follow the rules of the contract. But if you break the rules of the contract, Han Cai has full freedom to decide your punishment, from taking away your cultivation that he granted you to destroying your soul] The sect master was taken aback after reading the terms. Especially the third point, where he could not reject Han Cai but Han Cai had the right to reject him. His disciple was really smart, too smart for him. He sighed and decided to trust his disciple. The sect master spoke in his consciousness, [I do] Soon, the sect master felt an unknown energy entering his body and imprinting something on his nascent soul. After which, the sect master felt a surge of energy all over his body; the energy channeled through his body and entered his nascent soul. His nascent soul started developing. His cultivation, which had been stagnant for so long, started improving again. In his mind, he found that he had learned a new cultivation technique that was of an immortal level. Slowly, his nascent soul transformed into the size of an adult, and the sect master finally broke through. He was in the soul formation realm now. Han Cai groaned. He had to spend a lot of money assisting the master''s breakthrough and teaching him the cultivation method. Now he needed to find some evil cultivators or a sizable mine to turn them into trading points to earn back his lost dough. For a while, Han Caimented losing trading points. After breaking through, the sect master''s body released spirit Qi of the soul formation level. Elder Dongmei and Elder Wan were agape. They did not have any words. The soul formation level they wanted to reach so badly, just by one red pill, this kid helped his master breakthrough in a matter of minutes. After Sect, Master opened his eye. Han Cai Bowed and spoke, "I am sorry for my transgression, master. I just wanted to protect my interests while helping you." The sect master spoke, "It is fine. I trust you." Elder Dongmei couldn''t help it: "Zhu Xin, you broke through?" Sect Master answered, "Yes, uncle master. Thanks to Han Cai, I am a soul formation level cultivator now." Elder Wan asked, "How?" Elder Dongmei also gave the Sect Master a curious look. The sect master looked helplessly at Han Cai as the terms of the contract mentioned that he could not disclose anything about it to anyone. Seeing the sect master look at him, Han Cai coughed and said, "It is the pill. That pill is called THE RED PILL. It can help you with your cultivation, but there is a price to pay." Elder Dongmei asked curiously, "What''s the price?" Han Cai answered as if he were preaching to Dao," Once you swallow the red pill, the world will never be the same. You have to follow thews of the Grand Dao of Chad. You are not allowed to be seduced by any woman." Elder Wan gave a doubtful look, "Grand Dao of Chad?". He looked at elder Dongmei and spoke, "Master, I have never heard of this grand Dao. What kind of Dao is this?" Elder Dongmei coughed, "There are many Daos in the world that we don''t know about. The world is vast." Elder Wan looked at Han Cai, "About not being seduced by women?" he asked, "does it mean we have to give up our manhood?" The sect master coughed and looked at Han Cai, and said, "Han Cai, this is serious." Han Cai sighed, went back to his seat, sat down, and spoke, "I know what you mean, master, but both elders are not yet ready to swallow the pill." ************************************************** * For Reference, search "THE RED PILL (Men''s rights) and THE RED PILL MEME (Matrix)." ** Those who know, they know. Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 120 To The Capital The truth was Han Cai had not nned to spend more trade points, and helping the sect master cost him more than he had expected. p¦Á§ád¦Á-¨ľ?¦Í¨ş|ˇ¤§ă¨®§® Han Cai needed to find a way to increase the strength of the Sky Soaring sect. No matter how much power he got and no matter how many clones he had in the future, he could not watch over everything. The best solution was to strengthen his allies, which included the sect and his family. Elder Dongmei sighed and said, "Good! Good! We will not pry into your secrets. You indeed have the right to be a bit cockier. But I am your Uncle Grand Master; don''t be too biased; can you get more of those red pills? My cultivation has been stale for a very long time. If my cultivation does not improve, I will die very soon." Elder Dongmei decided to y the sympathy card. This time it was the sect master who spoke, "Uncle master, don''t say something like that. If Han Cai''s intentions were not to help you both, he would not have helped me in front of you. But to receive the help, there is indeed a price to it. I trust him because he is my disciple. But to get through this method, you will need to have full trust in him. Not just for today but in the future too." The Sect Master looked earnestly at Elder Dongmei and Elder Wan and said, "Please give some thought to my words. After you have made a decision, Han Cai will help you, I assure you." Han Cai nodded. Elder Dongmei and Elder Wan nodded to the sect master''s words too. The sect master turned to Han Cai and said, "Now,ing back to the Holy Son of the sect. You don''t have any doubts or objections, do you? It is important that we are all in agreement regarding this matter." Han Cai spoke, "I think it is unnecessary; why do we need to do it? I have already shown you that as long as I am alive, I will keep helping you with your cultivation, which means you will have a very long life. It''s possible that I won''t ever need to assume control of the sect from you." The sect master was helpless, but what Han Cai said was true. He earlier thought the nascent soul was the end of the path for his cultivation. He wanted to announce Han Cai as the holy son of the sect and, in the future, give him the helm of the sect. But just like always, Han Cai surprised him. Elder Dongmei spoke, "Now that you are in the soul formation realm, it is indeed unnecessary to start nning your retirement this soon." He continued, "Let''s discuss the royal capital. What should we do about it? Earlier, when you were a nascent soul, I had my concerns about you visiting as a guest, but now that you have be a Soul Formation, the concerns are unnecessary." Han Cai responded, "Aren''t you being too confident? The royal family has an earth immortal. Do you think if things go wrong, Master will be able to escape?" Elder Dongmei started contemting. The sect master spoke, "But the Emperor himself has sent an invitation. I cannot deny it. Why do you feel there will be trouble?" Han Cai shrugged, "Did you forget? I killed someone who belonged to the royal family. They don''t know it''s me who killed him, but I am sure that they know it is connected to our sect. They will certainly create some trouble for you." Sect Master frowned. Han Cai continued, "You don''t need to worry about it. Since this problem was created by me, I will be the one to solve it; if you want to go to the royal capital, then so be it." ************************************************** Frost hold Capital was a grand city known for its majestic beauty and grandeur. The city was surrounded by massive walls built to protect it from any outside threats. Arge envoy was moving towards the city from the north, making its way down south. The middle of the envoy consisted of luxurious carriages fit for a king. The carriages were adorned with beautiful silk curtains embroidered with gold and silver threads. The wheels were made of the finest wood and were embellished with intricate carvings. The carriages were pulled by sleek ck horses that were strong and powerful. The carriages were being protected by hundreds of martial artists, most of them dressed in orange. They walked alongside the carriages, their eyes trained on the surroundings, alert for any signs of danger. As the envoy moved forward, they soon arrived in front of arge gate connected to the massive wall of the city. The gate was the main entrance to the city, and it was heavily guarded. There were long lines of caravans and carriages lined up, waiting to enter the city. Soon, one of the coachmen from the envoy got down from his carriage and walked towards the gate. He showed a red medallion to the soldiers at the gate, which implied that the visitors in the carriages were royal guests. The guards nodded and blew a whistle. Soon, 20 guards riding muscr horses came towards them. When the royal guards came near, they gave the coachman an inquisitive look. The coachman showed the red medallion to the guard. The guards nodded and came out of the gate and went near where all the envoy carriages were waiting. As they approached the carriage, the leading royal guard spoke loudly, "We royal guards wee exalted guests to the capital." The guard turned to the coachman and said, "Follow us. There is another gateway for royal guests to enter the city." The coachman nodded and got back to his coach, and the envoy started moving again, following the royal guards. Soon, they arrived at the entrance of another gate guarded by strong-looking guards. There was no crowd. Only the guards were at the gate. As the envoy following the royal guard came near the gate, the gate was automatically opened, and they entered. Inside was the grand capital of Yin Country, Frosthold. The city was bustling with people from different walks of life, from merchants selling their wares to schrs discussing thetest advancements in martial arts. The streets were clean and well-paved, with numerous shops, restaurants, and inns. People were dressed in bright, colorful clothing, and their faces were weing, with a hint of curiosity about the royal guests that had arrived in the city. As the envoy kept moving through the capital, the royal guards kept clearing the path for them. They passed by severalndmarks, including the grand pce, the imperial gardens, and the famous martial arts school, where young disciples could be seen practicing their skills. Soon, they arrived in front of a very luxurious mansion protected by the royal guards themselves. The mansion was grand and impressive, with tall columns and ornate decorations. The garden surrounding the mansion was well-maintained, with colorful flowers and tall trees. When the carriage stopped in front of the main house of the mansion, two people got out of the most luxurious carriage. It was none other than the sect master of the Sky Soaring Sect and his disciple, Han Cai. From another carriage, Yongnian stepped out. When they got down from the carriage, one of the orange-d martial artists came nearby and spoke, "Should we stay near the mansion?" Neither Han Cai nor the Sect Master said anything; they just entered the mansion. Yongnian turned to the guy and said, "Leave some to serve. The remaining all send them to roam in the capital, hire more martial artists, and stay aware of everything happening in the capital. Update me about it every second day." Han Cai and the Sect Master entered the mansion, which was even more luxurious on the inside. The halls were lined with expensive artwork and fine furniture, and servants were everywhere, tending to different chores. Yongnian followed behind them and started instructing servants and maids in the household. Han Cai and the Sect Master sat down in the hall. A servant came and served them some tea. The sect master spoke: "You will be attending most of the banquets and meets. I will attend only the final tournament." Han Cai spoke: "I will take care of it, master." The Sect Master spoke, "The journey has been very tiring. I think I will retire for the day and get some rest." After saying that, the Sect Master got up and left. Han Cai also went to his room in the new mansion to rest. When he reached his room, Han Cai closed the door and said, "Come out." A slender figure appeared out of nothingness. She removed her mask, and it was none other than Xiaoyun. Beforeing to the capital, Han Cai taught some of his techniques to his subordinates. He knew he could not be everywhere at all times. Right now, the only loyal subordinates who could do his bidding and were worth investing in were Xiaoyun and Yongnian. He nned to nurture them diligently. Xiaoyun was a talented core disciple, so helping her in her cultivation was also far easier for Han Cai once he removed the seal from her Dantian. Han Cai decided not to inform the sect master or sect about this. ording to the sect and Sect Master Xiaoyun was still serving as a maid in Han Cai''s abode. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 121 Preparation For Banquet Han Cai sat down on a chair, while Xiaoyun satfortably on his bed. Han Cai asked, "How was it? Is there anything new?" Xiaoyun answered, "No, most of the city is talking about the royal tournament. The emperor has offered very generous rewards." Han Cai asked, "Is there anything else?" Xiaoyun spoke: "The Royal Castle has Earth Immortals, so I did not try to get nearby." Han Cai shook his head and said, "If you use ethereal invisibility, they will not notice you. But we don''t need to offend them, so leave it at that. Just keep watch around the city and inform me if you find anything." Xiaoyun nodded, and then she disappeared. Han Cai sighed and rose from his chair. Hey down on the bed and opened his system panel. [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 16] [Life Span: 2100 Years] ?Strength: 1150 ?Perception: 4000 ?Agility: 1200 ?Speed: 1200 ?Constitution: 1400 ?Intelligence: 50 ?Charm: 50 ?Cultivation: Golden Core Level 3 [Mid Stage (Celestial Ascension Technique)] ?Skills: Cold Precision Sword Technique (Level 5) ?Skills: Invisible Ethereal Technique (Level 1) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) ?Skills: Sever Space Technique (Level 2) (Collect 200 trading points to upgrade.) ?Skills: Space Escape Technique (Level 2) (Collect 200 trading points to upgrade.) ?Skills: Clone (Level 2) (Collect 200 trading points to upgrade) ?Skills: Transformation (Level 1) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) p¦Á§ád¦Á §«?¦Í¨ş|,§ă¨°§® ?Skills: ..... [Total Trading Points: 500 (source Earth, Wind, Space, Frigid, Fire..)] [Storage Space: Spirit Stones (5000), Gold Coins (100)... ] [Fellowship: Zhu Xin, Han Dai, Shi Dongmei, .....] [Subordinate: Yongnian, cky, Xiaoyun, Birdie, Silver.....] [System Update: ?(Collect 1,000 trading points to unlock.)] [Scan] [Summon] [Upgrade] [Survey] [Teleport] [Witness] [Security] [Initiate the Law of Equal Exchange?] Han Cai clicked on Yongnian''s stat [Name: Yonginan] [Age: 47] [Life Span: 350 Years] ?Strength: 435 ?Perception: 90 ?Agility: 390 ?Speed:390 ?Constitution:450 ?Intelligence: 4 ?Charm: 5 ?Cultivation: Core Formation Level 4 (Yin Death Cultivation Technique) ?Skills: Poison body (Level 3), Invisible Ethereal Technique (Level 1), Clone Technique (Level 1) miasma breath (Level 4), Break Step Movement Technique (Level 1), Star Dagger Technique... Other Details: subordinate of Han Cai, an expert in death QI. Han Cai clicked at Xiaoyun''s stats. [Name: Xiaoyun Si] [Age: 21] [Life Span: 400 Years] ?Strength: 550 ?Perception: 150 ?Agility: 450 ?Speed: 450 ?Constitution: 590 ?Intelligence: 7 ?Charm: 8 ?Cultivation: Core Formation Level (North Spirit Technique) ?Skills: Star Sword Technique (Level 3), Invisible Ethereal Technique (Level 1), Cloud Soaring Qingon (Level 2), Clone Technique (Level 1) ... Other Details: subordinate of Han Cai, In love with the Host. Han Cai clicked on Sect Master''s stat [Name: Zhu Xin] [Age: 83] [Life Span: 1200 Years] ?Strength: 1050 ?Perception: 400 ?Agility: 1150 ?Speed: 1150 ?Constitution: 1450 ?Intelligence: 9 ?Charm: 10 ?Cultivation: Soul Formation Level (Heavenly Flow Technique) ?Skills: Heavenly Palm (Level 4), Illusory Mist Step (Level 3), Dragon''s Roar Technique (Level 2), ... Other Details: Sect master of Sky Soaring Sect. Teacher of Host. Han Cai felt relieved when he saw the trading points. He Cai had long realized that cultivators provided far more trading points than spirit stone mines. The spirit stones in the mines were tainted with impurities. The energy system obtained from cultivators was pure and filtered, and those cultivators had worked diligently for years to produce this pure QI. The system took into ount more than just the value of energy in the cultivator''s body; it assigned trading points based on the cultivator''s overall worth, including the skills they had cultivated and knowledge they had gained; everything was used by the system and delegated an equal value of trading points. The most important reason he received arge number of trading points from cultivators was because of their souls. When the system converted souls into trading points, it was very generous. The higher the rank of the cultivator''s soul, the higher the number of trading points he received. Han Cai used to think a soul of being would be priceless, but it seemed the system could add a price tag on anything and everything. A week has passed since Han Cai and the sect master came to the capital. Today, Cui and Wang''s family members came to visit the mansion they were staying in. With the patriarchs of both families came Wang Jie and Cui Wei too. When they came in front of the mansion, Yongnian went to wee them. After they entered the mansion, they were surprised that the only people who came from the sect were the Sect Master and Han Cai. The sect master greeted them and offered them a seat. Yongnian served them some tea. The Sect Master looked at Wang Jie and Cui Wei and spoke: "I hear the rewards for the tournament offered by the Emperor are very generous this time; you guys might face some difficult battles in the uing tournament." The Patriarch of the Wang family nodded and spoke. " The Li family wants to show off the talents of their family, so they are sending their best talents. The Yang family wants to win back its face, so it is nning to send its strongest talents too. Since the emperor has offered such generous rewards, even royal princes n to participate in this tournament." Sect Master asked, "What about other sects? Are they nning to participate?" Cui family patriarch answered, "Except for the Sky Soaring Sect, all other sects, including the Frost Peak Sect, the Heavenly Thunder Sect, the Divine Wind Sect, and the Starfall Sect, are participating. There are countless numbers of outsiders participating who came looking for new opportunities in the north." Wang Family Patriarch added, "If Sky Soaring Sect was participating, I am sure your sect would be taking first ce in this tournament. I don''t think there will be anyone who might be as talented as the sect master''s disciple." The Cui family patriarch nodded too. They had seen Han Cai in action; they knew Han Cai was too powerful; they might not be able to fight him, as during the friendly spar, they could not keep up with Han Cai''s movements. "Do not praise him too much, lest it goes to his head," the sect master said, shaking his head. Sect Master continued, "This is Han Cai''s first time visiting the capital; it will be a great opportunity for him." The patriarch of the Cui family nodded and spoke to Han Cai, saying, "If you feel bored, Cui Wei can show you around the capital. Our Cui family has a lot of entertainment businesses here too. I think you might enjoy them." The patriarch of the Wang family spoke too: "Yes, yes, our Wang family has a lot of good entertainment businesses, too, and we also have trading and auction houses too. Wang Jie can show you around the capital too." There was a reason that these two were so concerned about Han Cai''s entertainment. In the northernmost part of Yin, there were three powers Sky Soaring Sect, Wang Family, and Cui Family. But now, the sky-soaring sect had be their biggest customer. They first thought the Sky Soaring Sect hade across a medium-grade mine, and slowly that mine would dry up, then the sect would go back to being as they were in the past. But soon, they realized the sect was doing the opposite on a monthly basis. With demand exceeding supply, the amount their family used to make tripled. Now the ie from Sky Soaring Sect made up for the majority of their family''s ie, and they had to hire more workers to keep up with the demand, leading to the expansion of their mining operations. They were grateful for the sect''s patronage. They realized Sky Soaring Sect, and they were not in the same League anymore. The Sky Soaring Sect was literally soaring in the sky while they were still on the ground. Seeing how talented Han Cai was, they knew their sect''s power would only increase in the future. They also knew that Han Cai was going to be the leader of the Sky Soaring Sect in the future. Not to mention, he was powerful enough to fight the patriarchs of both families. Because of this, both wanted their sons to be close to Han Cai. The Sect Master responded instead of Han Cai, "No, no, he will get spoiled. It is better for him to stay and cultivate instead." The Cui family patriarch spoke, "In three days, the Emperor will be throwing a weing banquet. I hope the sect master will be joining us at that banquet." The sect master shook his head and said, "Han Cai will be attending the banquet on my behalf. Please take care of him during the banquet, as this is his first time in the capital." The Eyes of the Patriarch of the Cui family and Wang Family glowed. They immediately spoke, "Of course! Of course! We are family. You don''t have to request such things, sect master." The sect master smiled and said, "I am d to hear that. We should always support each other." After having some more friendly chats, the Cui and Wang family patriarchs left with their sons. Three dayster, the royal castle was filled with excitement and hubbub. All the leading cultivator families were going to visit the royal banquet today. The entire castle was bustling with activity as the servants and the royal chefs prepared for the grand event. The castle was decorated with flowers and exquisite ornaments, and the dining hall was being prepared for the guests. ************************************************** I am looking for a proof reader if you are interested feel free to message me on discord Daoist Drumstick#7766 Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 122 The Royal Banquet In the Royal kitchen, the head chef was supervising the preparation of a sumptuous feast. The aroma of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and simmering soup wafted through the halls, tantalizing the senses of all who passed by. The chefs worked diligently, ensuring that every dish was prepared to perfection. In the banquet hall, the royal decorators were putting the finishing touches on the decorations. The hall was adorned with gold and silver ornaments, and the tables were covered with the finest linens. The chairs were lined up in perfect order, each with a pristine white cushion. As the guests started to arrive, the castle gates were opened wide, and the royal guards greeted them with a bow. The cultivators and their families, dressed in their finest robes, made their way to the pce, where they were greeted by the eunuchs, who brought them to the banquet hall. Aroundte evening, a royal carriage arrived in front of the mansion where Han Cai and the sect master were staying. Han Cai stepped out of his residence. He was dressed in a long, flowing robe made of shimmering blue silk. The intricate patterns embroidered with golden thread glinted under the moonlight. The robe itself was adorned with jade sps and buttons, and the cor was trimmed with sable fur. Underneath the robe, he wore a fitted ck tunic made of fine silk that hugged his slender frame. The sleeves of the tunic were embroidered with intricate silver thread, and they fell just short of his wrists. Han Cai''s trousers were also made of fine silk, this time in a deep ck color. The trousers were slim-fitted and tailored to perfection, allowing him to move with grace and ease. They were tucked into ck boots made of soft leather, which were adorned with silver buckles. Around his waist, Han Cai wore a golden sash that matched the golden embroidery on his robe. His hair was neatly arranged in a topknot and held in ce with a jade hairpin. His skin was fair and smooth, and his features were chiseled and handsome. As he climbed into the royal carriage, he exuded an air of confidence and refinement that befitted his status as a cultivator. Han Cai got into the carriage. His Butler, Yongnian, sat beside the coachman in the carriage. Yongnian was wearing a ck Changshan made of high-quality silk. The changshan was embroidered with intricate golden patterns and had a white silk cor. He had a matching ck silk sash tied around his waist, and his ck pants were tucked into his ck boots. Yongnian also wore a ck and gold tasseled hat on his head. The hat had a small red button at the top and two long tassels hanging down the sides. As the royal carriage carrying Han Cai moved through the streets toward the royal pce, he could see that the entire city was bustling with activity. The streets were filled with people. The air was thick with the aroma of various foods being prepared everywhere; it was as if the whole capital was going to celebrate the banquet. The noise level was deafening as people were talking excitedly, shouting at one another, and discussing the grandeur of the banquet. The noise was asionally interrupted by the sound of fireworks going off, adding to the festive atmosphere of the city. As the carriage moved closer to the royal pce, Han Cai could see that the streets were lined with beautifulnterns, illuminating the pathway. The pce gates were open, and there were royal guards stationed all around the pce grounds, keeping an eye on the crowds. , Han Cai could see that the pce was even more beautiful than he had imagined. The courtyard was filled with beautiful flowers, and the walls were adorned with beautiful murals depicting scenes from the history of the country. The pce buildings themselves were made of beautiful, ornately-carved wood with golden embellishments that sparkled in the light of thenterns. Han Cai arrivedte to the banquet. By the time he reached the banquet, he saw a vast number of carriages passing through the gates of the royal pce. Soon, the carriage brought him in front of the pce. Han Cai got down, and so did Yongnian. They walked towards the entrance. One of the eunuchs standing in front of the pce hall came forward and bowed to Han Cai. Yongnian came forward and showed the royal guest medallion to the eunuch. Eunuch bowed and gestured for them to follow him. Han Cai nodded and followed behind the eunuch. Soon they arrived in the grand banquet hall of the royal pce. The grand banquet hall of the royal pce was massive, with high ceilings and ornate decorations covering every inch of the walls. The hall was divided into two parts, the outer banquet hall and the inner banquet hall. The outer banquet hall was where the guests could meet and interact and enjoy spirits and delicacies. The hall was filled with round tables, with guests sitting around them, chatting,ughing, and enjoying the food and drinks. The inner banquet hall was where everyone would sit when the emperor arrived with the empress. But at the moment, the emperor had not arrived, so everyone was in the outer hall. There were more than two thousand people attending the banquet, representing various cultivation families, aristocratic families, and leading sects in Yin country. There were many elderly men, young men, and women, some beautiful girls, and some young men proudly moving around, trying to impress the beautiful young women and princesses at the banquet. Besides them, there were princes and princesses of the royal family who were also attending the banquet. The atmosphere was lively, and the guests were dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry. Han Cai found a quiet corner and sat down. Soon a servant brought some spirits and served them to him. Han Cai sipped the wine; it was actually a high-quality spirit wine. The royals were quite extravagant to serve such high-quality wine to thousands of people, but it did make sense; they had been ruling the country for thousands of years; they must have earned a tidy sum of money. No one noticed Han Cai in the corner; it was deliberate; he wanted to observe the royal banquet without drawing too much attention, so she had concealed his presence to a certain level and reduced his charm to twenty. He didn''t want to be noticed, but he also didn''t want to look like a peasant; unless you looked very closely, you wouldn''t notice him. Han Cai enjoyed the view of proud, pretentious people moving around, showing off as if they themselves were emperors. He was sure there would have been some nice young master fights to witness if it were not for the fact that they were in the royal pce. Han Cai was judging people left and right while enjoying his spirit wine. Out of nowhere, two people came and sat near him. It was none other than Cui Wei and Wang Jie. Han Cai had to admire these two, with the banquet hall filled with beauties and princesses and him hiding his presence, but they still put in enough effort to find him. When they sat near Han Cai, those two were quiet and very respectful toward him. Han Cai understood why these two were behaving this way. Their old fox parents knew what was important. Even if they did not win the tournament, with the riches of the Sky Soaring Sect, both families were now set to make massive profits and gain a lot of power. Finally, Wang Jie was the first to speak, "Brother Han, would you like me to introduce you to anyone? I know most of the people here." Cui Wei was very direct with his approach. He spoke: "Brother Han, if you like any beauties, just let me know. I am friends with even the princesses of the royal family." Han Cai was curious and asked," Why don''t I see any other guests who are not from Yin." Everywhere he saw, all the guests in the banquet were from Yin country, be they cultivators or aristocrats, or nobles. He was curious about other countries besides Yin country, and he had heard many countries had sent their envoys this time. Wang Jie spoke," This is an internal aristocrats and nobles banquet. There will be another public banquet in a few days, where envoys and ambassadors of other countries will join." Han Cai nodded and spoke, "Tell me about the people here who are most powerful and who might have a chance to win the tournament." If Han Cai wanted, he could scan them and get their details. But since there was no warning from his spider senses, he decided not to waste money. Both Cui Wei and Wang Jie started giving them details about all the powerful families and sects that would be participating. From the Frost Peak Sect, there were two core formation realm disciples: a girl named Ling Fei, who was walking proudly with her elder, and a boy named Yu Jian. The elder they were following was Elder Huiqing. He was a nascent soul cultivator and a core elder of the Frost Peak Sect. He was roaming around in the banquet hall, asionally talking to other elders of frost peak. There was also a golden core realm disciple from the Heavenly Thunder Sect named Lei Yang, who was drinking spirit wine with his fellow disciples. Sitting beside him was Elder Jiang, a core elder of the Heavenly Thunder Sect, who was sitting quietly and observing the banquet hall. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 123 The Guests Of Banquet Feng Xiang was a core disciple of the Divine Wind Sect. He was a young man in his early twenties and had a handsome appearance. He was walking around proudly with his elder and showing off the treasure sword. He also had a few sses of spirit wine and was trying to impress a beautiful core disciple of the Frost Peak Sect. Keeping watch over him was Elder Wu, who was chatting with other guests and asionally giving advice to disciples. The core elder of the Star Fall Sect is named Master Qing. Unlike another core elder of the various sects, he was actually Soul Formation Realm. He was sitting at a table with Prince Wei and other high-ranking officials, discussing various political and martial matters concerning the country. There were a few extra disciples from each sect who were not participating in the tournament but had promising futures and hade to gain more exposure and experience. There were a few golden core realm elders from each sect who were there to support the core elders and disciples and to observe the promising disciples. They were sitting or standing together in a group, asionally chatting and exchanging views on cultivation. After informing about the sect, Duo started telling Han Cai about the two leading cultivation families who were attending the banquet beside Cui and Wang. Zhou''s family had brought two of their most talented members to participate in the tournament: Zhou Yu and Zhou Mei. Zhou Yu was a young man at the peak of the Core Formation realm with exceptional sword skills. In the banquet, he was seen talking with other young cultivators, discussing the uing tournament, and exchanging insights on cultivation techniques. Zhou Mei was a young woman in thete Core Formation realm with strong spiritual power and an impressive talent for alchemy. She was seen sitting with a group of female cultivators from various sects, sipping on spirit wine and sharing stories about their cultivation journeys. The patriarch of the Zhou family, Zhou Jian, was a middle-aged man in the Nascent Soul realm. He was a respected figure in the cultivation world, known for his strategic mind and his skill in battle formations. In the banquet, he was mingling with other Nascent Soul elders, discussing politics and cultivation matters. The Yang family also had brought two promising young members to participate in the tournament. Yang Feng, a young man in thete Core Formation realm, was known for his exceptional control over elemental powers, particrly lightning. He was considered a prodigy within the Yang family, and he had a confident and charismatic aura that drew attention wherever he went. Yang Huan, a young woman in the mid-Core Formation realm, was a talented healer and had a natural affinity for life energy. She looked gentle andpassionate person. The Li family had brought two talented members as well: Li Shuo and Li Xin. Li Shuo was a young man in the mid-Core Formation realm with exceptional physical strength and speed. In the banquet, he was seen testing his strength with other young cultivators, challenging them to arm-wrestling matches. Li Xin was a young woman in the early Core Formation realm with a talent for musical instruments and an enchanting voice. She was seen performing for a group of guests, singing a traditional song that showcased the beauty of the cultivation world. The patriarch of the Li family, Li Ming, was a middle-aged man in the Soul Formation realm. He was a shrewd businessman and a skilled negotiator known for his ability to strike deals and forge alliances. In the banquet, he was seen talking with other Soul Formation elders and discussing trade andmerce matters. Han Cai concluded that the highest level cultivators that were visiting this banquet came from the Li family and Starfall sect and were in soul formation, to a soul formation to visit a banquet that was unheard of for him. More than those powerful families, sects, and aristocrats, Han Cai was interested in the royal family. The family that was responsible for this country No matter what, he was born in this country, so it could be told that it was his mothend, even though he did not feel any attachment to it. Still, he was interested in knowing about the royals that he had read so much about. Seeing Han Cai''s curiosity about royals, Cui Wei and Wang Jie started telling him about the prince and princess who were present at the banquet. They informed him that the emperor had many sons and daughters with the queen and his concubines. The eldest son, Prince Jiahao, was a strong and ambitious young man who was determined to seed his father as emperor. He was fiercelypetitive and often shed with his siblings over winning the favor of their father. He was highly intelligent and skilled in both politics and martial arts, making him a formidable rival to his siblings. Han Cai noticed the prince, who roamed around the banquet as if he owned the ce. He had powerful nobility and aristocrats flocking around him. The prince was making an active effort to interact with as many people as possible. The second son, Prince Min, was a charming and charismatic young man who was popr among the courtiers andmoners alike. He was known for his ability to win the hearts of others and was often used by his father to win over allies and gain support. He was also a skilled warrior, but his focus was on diplomacy and strategy. Han Cai noticed that what they told him about Prince Min was true. Most of the courtiers were flocking around him. He was standing near the ministers of Yin. The third son, Prince Zhen, was known for his military prowess and was themander of the royal army. He was a skilled warrior and was respected by the soldiers under hismand. He was currently leading the kingdom''s efforts to expand its territory and strengthen its borders. This prince interacted mostly with leaders of various sects of the Yin kingdom. From the look on his face, it was obvious that he had no interest in politics or in trying to please the aristocrats of the kingdom. The fourth son, Prince Tian, was known for his wit and charm. He was often seen at court events and was popr among the kingdom''s noble families. He was also a skilled diplomat and was often sent on missions to smooth over rtions with other countries. The prince was mostly interacting with guests who were here from neighboring kingdoms. Many young women could be seen flocking around him because of his charms. Without using his perception or system, Han Cai knew Prince Tian was a yer. The Fifth Son, Prince Wei, was a quiet and reserved young man who kept to himself. He was deeply interested in the study of alchemy and cultivation and spent most of his time cultivating, even when he was in the royal pce. He was highly intelligent and had a deep understanding of the cultivation arts, but he was not as interested in politics as his brothers. He was a core disciple of the Starfall Sect. He was going to participate in the tournament on behalf of the Starfall Sect. The fifth prince was mostly hanging around with his sect elders and disciples. He kept a low profilepared to other princes. The eldest daughter, Princess Xian, was a beautiful and elegant young woman who was highly skilled in court etiquette and protocol. She is often used by her father to represent the royal family at official ceremonies and events. It was said that she was also a skilled painter and musician and often entertained her father and family members with her talents. Han Cai noticed the princess sitting around with many other young females and other princesses of the royal family interacting with her. Seeing her, Han Cai was sure that her artistic talents were nothing but jackshit. This must be all fake news that the Emperor might have spread because she might be the daddy''s favorite princess. The second daughter, Princess Mei, was a kind andpassionate young woman who was deeply interested in charitable works and helping the less fortunate. She often visited the poor and sick in the city and is beloved by themon people for her generosity and kindness. He saw the third princess sitting quietly. All kinds of people came to greet her. He thought it was another sham of marketing. She was not in charity; most probably, she was more shallow than her elder sister, so she decided to get fame through kindness. The third daughter, Princess Ying, is the daughter of Concubine Lan, a beautiful and ambitious woman who was determined to secure a powerful position for her daughter. It was said that Princess Ying was young and naive but had a sharp mind and a quick wit.please visit Princess Ying looked a bit more originalpared to her other sisters. But with one look Han Cai was sure there was no way she was na?ve. She was better at pretending than her other sisters. The youngest daughter, Princess Ley, was also known for her sharp mind and is being trained in the ways of politics and diplomacy. She was often seen assisting her father in court and is expected to y a key role in the kingdom''s politics in the future. This princess was the most original of them all, not because she was not as pretentious as her sisters but because she did not speak much like her other sisters. ************************************************* Author''s Note As some readers were getting confused about cultivation levels, below are updated cultivation levels. Cultivation Levels* QI condensation level 1 to 9 - This is the first level of cultivation where the cultivator starts to cultivate Qi and nourish their body. Qi enters the dantian, which is the main energy center of the body, and begins to cultivate and grow. Foundation establishment level 1 to 9 - At this level, the cultivator''s Qi starts to turn into liquid, and high-quality Qi drops help the cultivator find out which elements they have the best affinity with. This is important as the cultivator''s elemental affinity will determine which elemental skills they are best suited to cultivate. Core formation level 1 to 9 - At this level, the liquid drops of Qi in the cultivator''s bodypress together tightly, forming a core. This core is the foundation of the cultivator''s elemental control and power. Golden Core level 1 to 9 - Also known as the elemental core, the Spirit Qi corebines with elemental Qi to form an elemental Core. At this level, the cultivator''s control over their chosen element increases, allowing them to perform more powerful techniques. Nascent soul level 1 to 9 - At this level, the elemental core cracks, and a young Nascent soules out. At this stage, the cultivator could survive for a short period of time without a physical body, but the Nascent soul is very weak and should not be kept out of the body for long periods of time. Soul formation level 1 to 9 - At this level, the Nascent soul bes the size of an adult and can travel outside of the body even in harsh conditions. Soul Severing Realm level 1 to 9 : At this level, the cultivator severs their soul from their physical body and enters a state of being beyond life and death. Spirit Embryo Realm level 1 to 9: At this level, the cultivator forms a spirit embryo and begins to cultivate the spirit body. Spirit Body Realm level 1 to 9: At this level, the cultivator''s spirit body starts to take shape, and they begin to gain spiritual power and abilities. Ascension Realm - Earth Immortal: At this level, the cultivator''s spirit body is fully developed, and He/She sheds their mortal body, ascends to be an Earth Immortal and gains control over the spiritual Qi in his body, and starts pursuing higher level essence with better cultivation method. Higher Qi Affinity Realm - Affinity Immortal: At this level, the cultivatores into contact with higher levels of Spirit Essence. For example, Han Cai''s essence is Celestial Qi. In this stage, cultivators have the opportunity to connect with various types of higher-level Qi, such as: Primordial Qi, Heavenly Thunder Qi, Infernal me Qi, Abyssal Qi, Radiant Qi, Ethereal Qi, Darkness Qi, Sacred Qi, Temporal Time Qi ETC.. Spiritual Ascendance Realm - Spirit Immortal: At this level, the cultivator is able to cultivate with higher-level Qi and transform their spirit through higher-level Qi. This enables them to unlock new spiritual powers and techniques, elevating theirbat prowess and understanding of the world around them. Yin-Yang Bnce Realm - Harmony Immortal: In this realm, the cultivator''s spirit bes harmonized and stabilized with higher-level Qi. This bnce grants them enhanced control over their chosen elements, as well as the ability to use their energy in more efficient and effective ways. Void Comprehension Realm - Void Immortal: At this level, the cultivator integrates higher-level Qi with their body, allowing them to move through the void without harm. This mastery of the void grants them unparalleled mobility, enabling them to traverse vast distances in an instant and evade attacks with ease. Fusion Realm - Fusion Immortal: In the Fusion Realm, the spirit and body of the cultivator fuse together, creating a powerful, unified being. This fusion enhances the cultivator''s abilities, granting them greater control over their higher-level Qi and allowing them to unleash devastating attacks on their enemies. Supreme Harmony Realm - Supreme Immortal: At the pinnacle of cultivation, the spirit, soul, and body of the cultivator harmonize with higher-level Qi. This perfect harmony grants them unfathomable power, allowing them to transcend the limitations of mortal beings and be true immortals. Their mastery of higher-level Qi enables them to reshape reality itself, bending the world to their will and achieving the ultimate goal of their cultivation journey. *As Han Cai grows, we will witness further levels of cultivation. They will be updated ordingly. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 124 Banquet I Just like Han Cai, others were also curious about the participants in the tournament. When they started looking around and talking about the participants, their eyes also moved toward the Wang and Cui families. They found the two promising Young masters of the Wang and Cui families were not at the table where they were supposed to be.. They searched the banquet hall and soon found that Wang and Cui, two young masters, were sitting closely near a young man. But when they looked at the young man, they were surprised that how did they not notice him? He might be one of the most good-looking young men in the banquet. The charm at twenty was still nothing to scoff at. His skin was fair and smooth, without a single blemish. His features were chiseled and handsome, with high cheekbones and a straight nose. His lips were full and perfectly shaped, and his eyes were almond-shaped and framed by long, thickshes. When he looked at someone, his gaze was intense, almost hypnotic. They couldn''t help but stare at him. His wless beauty was something that mesmerized everyone around him. It wasn''t just his attire that caught people''s attention but also his captivating aura. He exuded the aura of a young immortal, and it was as if they were looking at the most beautiful thing in the world. Whenever he sipped spirit wine, he moved with grace and ease, his every gesture imbued with an effortless charm that made it hard for people to take their eyes off him. He had a smile that could light up a room and a chuckle that was infectious. When the young man spoke to the young masters of the Wang and Cui families, the young masters seemed to be hanging on his every word. His presence was maic, and it was clear that he was the center of their attention and reverence at the banquet. While they talked, they looked at him as if he was the most important person in the world and that they were interacting with the emperor himself. Slowly, Han Cai started to garner some attention at the banquet. Even those who didn''t know Wang and the Cui family''s young masters couldn''t help but be drawn to him, captivated by his beauty and charm. Be it nobles or courtiers or aristocrats or elders, or core disciples of various sects; they were getting curious about him as time passed by. Some Guests of the royals also started inquiring about this mesmerizing young kid. When people started asking questions, the royals also noticed this charming young immortal. As the banquet continued, soon many people slowly started flocking around Han Cai; they woulde up and address the young masters of Wang and Cui families, hoping they would get introductions to Han Cai. But Han Cai would remain quiet and would not try to participate in any interaction whenever someone came to address the young masters of the Cui and Wang families. Time passed, and Some young women could be seen flocking around the area where Han Cai and two young masters were sitting. These young women could see that Han Cai was not only incredibly good-looking but also powerful enough to gain the respect of the young masters of two of the top five cultivation families in Yin country. They all wanted to know who he was. Some thought he might be a prince from some royal n of another country; others thought he might be the holy son of some sect from the central continent. But this made them more curious as only people of Yin were invited to this internal private banquet.please visit They were all trying to make a good impression on him and hoped that he woulde to interact with them. Seeing Han Cai not paying attention, the young women started putting in more effort. Without even knowing it, they startedpeting with each other to see who would attract the attention of this young man first. Thepetition between these young women started to be very fierce as each one tried to outshine the others. Theyughed and chatted around Han Cai, trying to show off their wit and charm. They also tried to impress him by talking loudly to people nearby about their talents, whether it was singing, dancing, or ying a musical instrument. It was not that Han Cai was not interested in women. But they were not what he was looking for. He had no ns of dying as a virgin again or living as a virgin forever in this life too. As much as he understood women, he knew there were many types of them in Yin country, but most of these women he knew were either low-key Karens or Spirit Stone Diggers. One of the disadvantages of high intelligence. Even if he tried, he could not have any romantic thoughts about these women as he could see through their veil of fakeness. Although Han Cai himself had Ph.D. in DAO of being shallow, he wanted someone who did not care about him because of vanity. If past life Han Cai came in front of these women, they might not even look at him. The most important part was that now that his life was going to be long, he was not in a hurry to find a Dao partner. A right Dao partner was very important for any cultivator, especially for him, who had a lot of secrets even if he could not tell her all his secrets. Just like his father, elder dongmei, or sect master, he should not have to pretend to be someone else in front of her. Han Cai was looking for a Dao partner who would not judge him when she realized he was azy, good-for-nothing scoundrel who enjoyed making memes out of people and hated being productive. But it was not that he had no leads. He already had already asked the system if there was a perfect match for him. The system gave him vague information as it asked for a massive amount of trading points to give him proper details, but what the system told him was good enough for him for the time being. There existed a continent called Vermilion Phoenix Continent in the southwest of the Daxing continent. In that continent, there is a well-known sect named Azure Dragon Sect. His perfect match was supposedly a disciple there. But this continent was a hundred million miles away from the Daxing continent. ************************************************* Author''s Note Releasing the bonus chapter today as we reached 900+ power stones. I have faith in readers that we will make it to 1000. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 125 Banquet II Back at the banquet, hearing themotion made the royals more curious about this new young master, who stood out in the middle of all the good-looking aristocrats and families of Yin country. They started asking courtiers by their sides for information about Han Cai. Who was this guy, and why was he receiving so much respect from two young masters of top prominent families in Yin country? As the other princes were attempting to learn more about Han Cai, one of the princes took a more direct approach. That was none other than Tian, Prince. He headed right towards Han Cai and the two young masters. Prince Tian was a young man in his early twenties with a tall and lean build. He had sharp facial features, a prominent nose, and thin lips. His dark hair was styled in a sleek, swept-back look, and his almond-shaped eyes were a deep brown color. Despite his royal status, Prince Tian''s appearance was not particrly strikingpared to the other young men at the banquet. His looks were decent, but he couldn''tpare to the mesmerizing beauty of Han Cai. Nheless, he walked with confidence and a certain air of authority, making it clear that he was used tomanding attention. When Prince Tian reached their table, both Cui Wei and Wang Jie got up and went forward to greet the prince. Prince Tian gave Han Cai a curious look as to why the third person did not greet him and realized Han Cai was not looking at him and was busy saying something to his attendant behind him. Han Cai was actually telling Yongnian that he should try the spirit wine too. It was free, and the royal family was very generous, so he should take advantage of the situation. In truth, Han Cai was not interested in interacting with the royal prince; to avoid such situations, he had brought Yongnian. But just like the other two young masters, Prince Tian was persistent and did not leave after greeting the two young masters. Han Cai had no choice but to turn around and show interest in the conversation going on between two young masters and Prince Tian. Prince Tian asked them if they were prepared for the tournament or if they needed his assistance in anything. Seeing Han Cai turn around, Prince Tian looked at him. Noticing Prince Tian''s look. Wang Zhen was the first to speak, "Forgive us, prince, for not introducing you to our brother. This is Brother Han Cai. He is a disciple of the Sect Master of the Sky Soaring Sect; he is only sixteen but has already reached core formation cultivation. Brother Han is the most talented among us, the young generation. Calling him heaven-defying talent would be an understatement." Then he turned to Han Cai and spoke, "Brother Han, Your Highness is Prince Tian. His highness is the fourth prince of our Yin and also a cultivator of the golden core realm. He is also one of the pirs of our yin country. His highness handles most diplomatic works for our country." Han Cai greeted Prince Tian. When the prince heard that Han Cai was only sixteen and had reached the core formation, his eyes lit up. This was a real talent. From the way that the two young masters respected Han Cai, prince Tian had a clear understanding of how talented and important Han Cai was. Prince Tian spoke, "A sixteen-year-old core formation cultivatorˇŞthat is very amazing, brother Han. Is this your first time in the royal capital?" The two young masters noticed Prince Tian calling Han Cai brother, but when he addressed them, he used their names. The message they were attempting tomunicate to Prince Tian, was heard loud and clear by Prince. Han Cai also understood the message. They told the prince that Han Cai was a talent like no other they could afford to offend the prince but not Han Cai. Their parents were very clear about how important Han Cai was.please visit There were four more princes, and chances were the first prince would be the next emperor, so even if they offended him, the fourth prince couldn''t do much to hurt them. But Han Cai was only a disciple of sect master Sky Soaring Sect, the sole heir of the sect, and he had talent that was heaven-defying. Han Cai was their priority. This was why they gave introductions to Han Cai first. In general, in social meetings in Yin country, the person with more respect is introduced first so the other party does not offend the first party. They were asking the prince to give Han Cai enough respect, even if he was a prince. None of the princes of the royal family were idiots. Hearing their words, the fourth prince, being a good diplomat, understood their message loud and clear. When the prince asked If it was his first time in the royal capital, instead of answering, Han Cai just nodded and did not speak. Cui Wei felt Han Cai''s not speaking might offend the prince. Cui Wei spoke instead of Han Cai, "I hope your highness doesn''t misunderstand brother Han. Brother Han is a man of few words. He is also new to the capital; it is his first time at a royal banquet ." Prince Tian shook his head, showing he did not mind. He spoke again with sincerity, "Since brother Han is our guest, as a host, I feel ufortable having brother Han sit in a corner like this. Why not, brother Han join me at my table? Until Father Emperor arrives." Both young masters looked at Han Cai, waiting as if it were his call. Seeing that the prince was being sincere, Han Cai nodded. The prince gestured for them to follow him. Han Cai nodded and followed the prince. Both young masters waited for Han Cai to move forward, then they followed behind him, and behind them was Yongnian, who followed quietly. The situation seemed as if Prince Tian was Han Cai''s first attendant, clearing a path for him while his three attendants followed behind him. Soon they arrived at the table where Prince was sitting. The prince made his attendants arrange three more chairs beside him and made Han Cai sit beside him. Han Cai sat quietly there and got back to sipping wine. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 126 Banquet III Prince Tian had a bright smile on his face. He kept interacting with Han Cai, but seeing that Han Cai was more interested in sipping wine than chatting, the prince stopped bothering him and started interacting with young masters and other people of his faction. Prince had taken the words of two young masters very seriously. He had decided he would slowly reel Han Cai into his faction. Han Cai felt bad for the Prince. This prince was a sincere person; it seemed he wanted to make Han Cai join his faction. Han Cai respected this prince''s ambition, but he knew thatter when this prince found out about what Han Cai had nned, this prince might hate him. Han Cai sighed. It was not his fault. He had to do what he had to do. This world was survival of the fittest. This world did not appreciate the sincerity. He had to make tough decisions to survive in a world that rewards cunning and ruthlessness, and he couldn''t afford to let his conscience get in the way. Unfortunately, sincerity is often seen as a weakness rather than a strength in this cutthroat environment. Han Cai consoled himself if everything goes right no one would get seriously hurt by it. Prince Tian''s actions were noticed by everyone. This made everyone even more curious about who this Han Cai was because even Prince Tian respectfully got him to sit beside him. The mystery was getting so thick that they could cut it with a knife The whispers and spections about Han Cai''s identity spread like fire among the guests, and some even began to wonder if he was a person of great importance or power. Despite the intrigue, Han Cai remainedposed and unfazed by the attention he was receiving. Most curious were the other princes, except for the fifth, who was not much interested in politics. Thepetition between the four princes was very intense to attract as much attention as possible from their emperor father and get chosen for the position of royal heir. They wanted every advantage they could get. Han Cai was being served by two young masters of the top two cultivation families, and then Prince Tian made an effort to invite him to his table. This made the rm bells go off in the minds of the other three princes. While other princes were trying to figure out Han Cai''s identity, the courtiers made the announcement that everyone should enter the inner banquet hall because the emperor was about to arrive. Everyone moved towards the inner banquet hall. The hall was a grand disy of opulence and extravagance. It was as spacious as the outer banquet hall, but the seating arrangements were far morevish. The guests were seated on elegant chairs and ornate benches, and the tables in front of them were covered with luxurious cloths woven from silk and gold threads. The tableware was made of the finest porcin, decorated with intricate patterns, and adorned with precious stones. The guests were served an array of sumptuous dishes that tantalized their taste buds and exquisite wine that was fit for a king. The aroma of the food and wine filled the air, and the guests couldn''t help but feel grateful for the chance to be part of such a grand banquet. On one side of the hall, there were sitting arrangements made for the nobles, aristocrats, and courtiers. The chairs and benches were cushioned with the softest velvet, and the tables in front of them were adorned with golden candbras and crystal vases filled with fresh flowers.please visit On the other side of the hall, there was a separate sitting arrangement for the sects, cultivation families, and guests of the royal family. The chairs and benches were just asvish, but they were decorated with symbols and motifs that were meaningful to the guests. The highest tform in the hall was where the emperor was going to sit. The tform was raised several feet off the ground, and it was adorned with golden pirs and intricate carvings. The emperor''s throne was made of solid gold and studded with precious stones. The sight of the throne alone was enough to make the guests feel awestruck. Below the emperor''s tform, there was a second tform where the prince and princess were going to sit. The tform was decorated with silver pirs and fine tapestries that were embroidered with intricate designs. And finally, below the prince and princess''s tform, there was a sitting arrangement for everyone else. The chairs and benches were stillvish, but they were slightly simpler than those on the other tforms. However, the guests were still grateful for the chance to be part of the grand banquet. Since the Sky Soaring sect was the guest of the emperor and did not participate in the tournament, they were given a sitting arrangement very close to the emperor''s tform. Their chairs and benches were adorned with the royal family''s symbol. Han Cai made his way to the assigned sitting area of the Sky Soaring Sect, his eyes scanning the room as he took in the surroundings. There were beautifully decorated tables adorned with an array of dishes and wines that were enough to make anyone''s mouth water. The aroma of the food was intoxicating, and Han Cai couldn''t wait to try everything. The dishes were served on silver tes and the wine was poured from crystal sses. The food was a true reflection of the royal family''s wealth and grandeur. There were dishes of sulent roasted meats, exotic fruits, and vegetables cooked in rare spices that Han Cai had never tasted before. The desserts were just asvish, with golden tarts filled with sweet cream and topped with sulent fruits. As Han Cai indulged in the feast, he couldn''t help but be impressed by the show of wealth by the royal family. It was clear that no expense was spared in preparing for this grand banquet. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 127 The Emperor As he was lost in thought, an announcement was made that the emperor was about to enter the room. Everyone who was seated rose in respect, and Han Cai followed suit. He stood tall and waited patiently for the emperor to make his grand entrance. The doors opened, and Emperor Yao walked in, followed by the empress, the prime minister, and other ministers. Han Cai''s eyes fell on the emperor, taking in his physical features and the details of his attire. Emperor Yao was an imposing figure, with a height of almost 6 feet and 5 inches and a muscr build that could intimidate even the strongest of warriors. With broad shoulders and a regal demeanor. His face was strong, with chiseled features, a sharp jawline, and piercing eyes that seemed to take in everything around him. Emperor Yao was dressed in an ornate robe made of the finest silk. The robe was embroidered with intricate designs of gold and silver threads that shimmered in the light. His headdress was a tall hat made of ck silk, adorned with a red ruby on top. The emperor''s outfit was a true testament to the grandeur and opulence of the royal family. When Han Cai scanned the emperor his Jaw dropped. [Name: Yao] [Age: 650] [Life Span: 9000 Years] ?Strength: 2150 ?Perception: 1100 ?Agility: 2450 ?Speed: 2450 ?Constitution: 3350 ?Intelligence: 18 ?Charm: 20 ?Cultivation: Spirit body Realm (Heavenly flow Technique) ?Skills: Heavenly Palm (Level 9), Illusory Mist Step (Level 8), Dragon''s Roar Technique (Level 7), Celestial Aura (Level 10), Divine Thunder (Level 9), Heavenly Sword (Level 8), ... Seeing the emperor''s age of around 650 years, Han Cai was impressed; Emperor was officially the oldest person Han Cai had met so far. This was a testament to his impressive longevity. Emperor Yao was far stronger than Elder Dongmei and the Sect Master. with a strength level of 2150. His perception was also impressive, with a score of 1100. His agility and speed were equally impressive, with scores of 3450 each, making him a formidable opponent in battle. Emperor Yao''s constitution was also impressive, with a score of 3350. This meant that he had a greater ability to withstand damage and a higher resistance to illness and other ailments. But more than all this, what surprised Han Cai most was that Emperor Yao was very close to the ascension Realm, which basically meant the Emperor himself was about to be earth immortal. Seeing this gave Han Cai goosebumps. He nearly scanned an Earth Immortal as the emperor was almost there. The system had warned him to tread with caution whenever dealing with anyone above the ascension realm as they began having some understanding of thews of this world. Luckily, the Emperor was not in the ascension realm yet. Far away from being above it. But didn''t everyone say that the Emperor''s cultivation was a nascent soul? The emperor has been hiding very deeply. He must be pretending to be Han Cai analyzed some of the skills of the emperor as he was probably the most powerful man in the whole country. The techniques and skills that the emperor had learned were beyond anything Han Cai had ever witnessed; except himself, there was no one in Yin country who might have abilities such as the emperor. Emperor Yao had mastered the Heavenly Flow Technique, a cultivation technique that allowed him to harness the power of the heavens and the earth. This technique was so advanced that it allowed him to manipte the energy around him, allowing him to control every element except time and space. In addition to this, Emperor Yao had also mastered several powerful skills, including the Dragon''s Roar Technique, which allowed him to unleash a devastating roar that could shatter mountains and devastate his enemies. He had also mastered the illusory Mist Step, which allowed him to move at incredible speeds and disappear from sight. Emperor Yao''s most powerful skill, however, was the Heavenly Palm, a technique that allowed him to unleash a st of energy that was capable of destroying entire armies. This technique was so powerful that it was said to be able to level mountains and split the heavens themselves. Han Cai smirked, imagining the emperor as a bald monk using Buddha''s palm. Emperor, who was walking towards his throne, suddenly stopped. He turned and looked at where Han Cai was standing. When he looked, he saw a very good-looking young man smirking at him. Calling the young man good-looking was an understatement; the young man might be the most beautiful being he had ever seen. The Emperor turned and walked toward Han Cai. The ministers and empress followed him. When the emperor reached Han Cai''s table, he stared deeply into the eyes of the young man. The smirk on Han Cai''s face disappeared. Han Cai, without any fear, stared back at the Emperor. The staring continued; the whole court was curious about what was going on. Who was this young man, and why did the Emperor stop and go towards his table? The two young masters of the Cui and Wang families sweated buckets. If Han Cai insulted any princes, it was fine; they could handle it, but this was the emperor. It will be big trouble if Han Cai offends the emperor. They hurriedly walked towards Han Cai''s table from the side and stood beside his table, and bowed to the emperor. Emperor did not even look at them and kept staring at Han Cai. Prince Tian, on the side, also became curious as to why his father was interested in this talent which he was nning to bring into his faction. But unlike Cui and Wang''s Family''s young masters, he did not move. He was worried that he might upset his father. Finally, the Emperor broke the silence. He cupped his hand and spoke, "May I know which nation or cultivation family Young Daoist ising from?" The prime minister standing beside the emperor looked at the Cui and Wang young masters beside the table. He coughed and spoke, "Your Majesty, this is Sky Soaring Sect''s sitting area, so Junior must be from Sky Soaring Sect." Han Cai looked at the prime minister, nodded, and then bowed to the emperor and spoke, "Your Majesty, this junior is the core disciple of Sky Soaring Sect. My master was caught up in some urgent errands, so he sent me to greet majesty at the banquet." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 128 Beginning Of The Banquet Hearing Sky Soaring Sect, Emperor had a crease form on his forehead, but he soon controlled his facial muscles, "Blessed is the sect to have such a talented disciple at such a young age. I will be looking forward to your achievements in the tournament." Han Cai shook his head and spoke, "I apologize to your majesty, but I am too young to join the tournament. My master had forbidden me from joining the tournament." The Emperor thought something and sighed, then nodded and spoke, "Prime Minister." "Han Cai and His Master are guests of Our Royal Family. Please make sure that they are treated well." Prime Minister bowed and spoke, "Yes, your majesty." After that, the emperor turned and walked towards the throne and sat down. As the emperor took his seat on the highest tform, He spoke briefly, thanking everyone for attending the banquet and wishing them all a prosperous year ahead. The empress and the prime minister also gave speeches, and then the feast began. The courtiers and guests started to eat and drink. Han Cai''s back was drenched in sweat. Not because he feared the emperor but because this was first time someone noticed when they were scanned by the system. Han Cai sat down and inquired about the system. How did the emperor find out about scanning? it was obvious only when he scanned the emperor noticed him. The system gave him the response that it was a simple case of cause and effect. The system basically used energy to bend thews of this world when it aplished something that was not feasible in this world. The royal family''s defense array was one of the best types of defense array. It was able to notice when thew was manipted in the royal pce, and the emperor was notified about it immediately. This is why the emperor might have noticed the fluctuations in thews when the system used energy to bend thews of this world to get the details about Emperor. Han Cai asked the system if there was a way to hide the fluctuations inws when he scans someone, or he would never be able to scan anyone powerful again as the fluctuation inw will always alert them. The system responded that it could hide the fluctuations, but then the cost of scanning might double. Han Cai sighed in relief. As long as you were rich, there was always going to be a solution to every problem. The royal banquet had begun in full swing, with entertainers taking the center stage one after the other. The disy of music and dance was a breathtaking spectacle, creating an atmosphere of enchantment and joy. New exquisite dishes were being served continuously, providing the guests with a culinary experience like no other. The aroma of the food filled the banquet hall, tantalizing the senses of everyone present. Most of the leaders of sects and families were more interested in getting the attention of the emperor than indulging in the festivities. They knew that the emperor''s favor could bring great benefits to their sects and families, so they were eager to make asting impression. The emperor, however, seemed to have his attention focused on a particr disciple from the Sky Soaring Sect. This did not go unnoticed by the other sects, especially the Frost Peak Sect. The Sky Soaring Sect and Frost Peak Sect were directpetitors, with both having cultivators with the highest cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage. Seeing that the emperor was only paying attention to the Sky Soaring Sect''s Han Cai, the Frost Peak elder, Elder Huiqing, became concerned. He knew that he had to do something to ensure that his sect did not lose out to their rival. Elder Huiqing got up from his seat and addressed the emperor loudly, "Your Majesty, thank you for hosting such a grand banquet. On behalf of the Frost Peak Sect, I would like to introduce two of our core disciples who havee to pay their respects to you." He gestured toward a young girl named Fei and a boy named Yu Jian. "These two are geniuses of our sect. Fei is a master with the bow and arrow, and Yu Jian is a master of sword art. In honor of Your Majesty, they wish to disy their art at this banquet." The emperor, intrigued by the proposition, granted permission for the two disciples to showcase their talents. The center of the banquet hall was cleared for Fei and Yu Jian to perform. Fei was up first. She took her bow and arrow and had her eyes blindfolded. One of the outer sect elders of the Frost Peak Sect moved to the opposite corner of the hall and threw arge number of paper pieces into the air. As the paper pieces scattered in the air, Fei released her arrow. It was imbued with her Qi, and as it flew toward the papers, it prated every single piece with astonishing precision. It was as if she was controlling the arrow through her Qi, like a flying sword. The crowd burst into apuse at the incredible disy of skill. Next up was Yu Jian. He took center stage with his sword, and as the music began, he performed an exquisite sword dance. His movements were fluid and graceful, demonstrating a mastery of the sword that left the audience in awe. The dance was both mesmerizing and powerful, highlighting Yu Jian''s incredible talent. As the dance concluded, the banquet hall erupted in apuse once more. The emperor''s gaze shifted toward the Frost Peak Sect''s talented disciples, and Elder Huiqing felt a sense of aplishment. He had sessfully drawn the emperor''s attention toward his sect. As the Frost Peak Sect sessfully garnered the attention of the emperor and the audience, the elders of other sects and families perked up, realizing that they too needed to showcase their disciples'' talents to remain in the emperor''s favor. Elder Jiang of the Heavenly Thunder Sect rose to his feet and introduced his sect''s core disciple, Lei, who was talented in thunder arts. He respectfully requested the emperor''s permission for Lei to demonstrate his abilities. The emperor, intrigued by the variety of talents on disy, nodded and allowed it. ************************************************* Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 129 Poetic Sage Han Seeing Frost Peak getting the attention of the emperor. Elder Jiang of the Heavenly Thunder Sect rose to his feet and introduced his sect''s core disciple, Lei, who was talented in thunder arts. He respectfully requested the emperor''s permission for Lei to demonstrate his abilities. The emperor, intrigued by the variety of talents on disy, nodded and allowed it. Lei stepped forward and focused his Qi. He created a miniature storm of electricity in the palm of his hand, captivating the audience with crackling sparks that danced around his fingers. As the intensity increased, Lei directed the thunderous energy into a beautifully intricate yet controlled disy of lightning bolts that illuminated the hall with an ethereal glow. Though the performance was not overwhelmingly powerful, it was both enthralling and enticing, showcasing Lei''s mastery of thunder arts at the Golden Core stage. Following Lei''s performance, Elder Wu of the Divine Wind Sect introduced his sect''s core disciple, Feng, who excelled in wind arts. With the emperor''s approval, Feng took center stage and began his demonstration. He gathered the Qi in his surroundings, creating a gentle breeze that gradually intensified. The audience watched in awe as Feng manipted the wind to form intricate patterns and shapes, twirling and swirling through the air like a graceful dance. The performance, while not overwhelmingly powerful, was delicate and mesmerizing, highlighting Feng''s mastery of wind arts at the Golden Core stage. Just as the apuse for Feng''s performance subsided, the core elder of the Starfall Sect, Elder Qing, stood up. Everyone knew that their sect''s most talented disciple was Prince Wei, and Elder Qing respectfully asked the emperor for permission to have the prince showcase his skills. The emperor agreed, and all eyes turned to Prince Wei as he stepped into the center of the banquet hall. With a deep breath, Prince Wei channeled his Qi and suddenly vanished from where he stood, only to reappear at the other side of the hall. The audience erupted in apuse and excited murmurs, for they had just witnessed a rare disy of spatial talent. It was the first time many had seen someone use such an ability. Both the emperor and Elder Qing wore proud smiles, as Prince Wei had outdone all the other disciples thus far. Not wanting to be outshone, the elder of the Li family rose to his feet and asked the emperor for permission to showcase the talents of his family members participating in the tournament. The emperor granted permission, and Li Shuo, the young master of the Li family, stepped forward. The elder of the Li family produced a strength-testing dummy and ced it in front of Li Shuo. The audience gasped as they recognized the dummy as an Earth-grade testing apparatus. Once the dummy was in ce, the elder returned to his table. Li Shuo focused his energy and delivered a powerful punch to the dummy. The disy revealed that Li Shuo''s strength was an astounding 1400, a level unheard of even among Nascent Soul cultivators. The audience gasped at the incredible feat of strength. After Li Shuo''s disy, Li Xin, a young woman from the Li family, entered the center of the banquet hall. The elder asked the emperor for permission to use the assistance of Golden Core royal guards in their demonstration. Intrigued, the emperor allowed it, and soon Li Xin found herself surrounded by the royal guards. Li Xin, d in a stunning outfit that entuated her elegance, confidently asked all of the Golden Core royal guards to attack her simultaneously. Without any hesitation, the guardsunched their attacks. However, before their strikes couldnd, Li Xin dodged each one with incredible speed and precision, counterattacking with swift kicks. It seemed as if she could peer into the future, knowing exactly where each attack wouldnd. She easily defeated all the Golden Core royal guards, leaving the audience in awe. Seeing Li Xin''s talent, the audience gasped once again. To be able to glimpse the future meant she possessed a time-rted element, which was even rarer than space. People began murmuring about the extraordinary talents they had witnessed that night--first space, and now time. These were two incredibly rare talents, and they both belonged to the Yin country. Following Li Xin''s performance, other major cultivation families, including the Cui and Wang families, showcased their members'' talents. However, none of them could match the level of the Li family or the Starfall Sect. Slowly but surely, representatives from every major sect and n disyed their talents in an attempt to garner as much attention as possible. Finally, it seemed that everyone had taken their turn. Han Cai, who had been sitting off to the side, thoroughly enjoyed the talent show while sipping his spirit wine. He couldn''t remember thest time he had been this entertained--it reminded him of watching Netflix before he transmigrated to this world. Lost in his thoughts, Han Cai suddenly realized that the entire banquet had gone quiet. He looked around and noticed that everyone was staring at him. It dawned on him that every major sect and n had showcased their talents or arts, except for the Sky Soaring Sect. Now, it was his turn. Han Cai sighed, rose to his feet, and cleared his throat before addressing the emperor. "Your Majesty," he began, "unlike the seniors of various sects and ns, this junior is not exceptionally talented. However, I do possess some knowledge of poetry. If Your Majesty allows, I would like to entertain you with a poem I wrote myself." Intrigued, the emperor nodded his approval. Han Cai stepped into the center of the banquet hall, his elegant attire shimmering under the light, making him appear as a young immortal about to recite poetry. Many of the girls in attendance felt their hearts flutter at the sight of him. He introduced his poem, exining that it was about celestial bodies and had been inspired by the grandness of the Dao and the world. Han Cai began reciting his poem slowly, imbuing each word and syble with Qi. His melodious voice filled the hall: "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the zing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Then the traveler in the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark; He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye Till the sun is in the sky. As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveler in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star." After reciting the poem, Han Cai returned to his table and resumed sipping his spirit wine. The audience was mesmerized by his poetry and presentation, and whispers of "twinkle, twinkle" echoed throughout the banquet hall. ************************************************** As I was getting a lot of pen requests. Instead of releasing one 1500-word chapter, I decided to release two 1000-word chapters. Thank you for all your support andments. They really keep me motivated to write more. Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 130 End Of The Banquet The banquet came to a close, with everyone reciting the poem recited by Han Cai. As they looked towards the sky, people murmured lines like, "as your bright tiny spark, lights the traveler in the dark." Even the emperor was heard reciting a few lines of the poem, "when zing sun is gone when nothing shines upon." After the banquet, many sought to find Han Cai and interact with this schr cultivator, but he had vanished. Unbeknownst to them, he had snuck out of the banquet and returned to his mansion to rest with his butler, Yongnian. Meanwhile, in the royal pce, Emperor Yao was seen walking toward the back of the pce. This area was restricted, and no one was allowed to enter except for the emperor. Hidden abodes were scattered throughout the area, and the emperor walked into the one located in the center. Upon entering, he bowed at the door. A gruff voice from inside said, e in." The emperor walked in to find an old man sitting in a meditative posture, eyes closed. This man was none other than the past emperor, Liang, and also Emperor Yao''s father. Emperor Liang''s features were aged and worn, but his eyes still sparkled with wisdom and authority, and he exuded a sense of calm and power. Past Emperor Liang asked, "What brings you here?" Emperor Yao answered, "I just came across a disciple of the Sky Soaring Sect. His cultivation might not be higher than core formation, but I felt he was able to manipte thew somehow." Liang frowned, "This shouldn''t be possible. Are you sure he manipted thews himself?" Emperor Yao nodded and recounted everything that had urred during the banquet. After some thought, Liang asked, "Will he be joining the next banquet? I will need to see him and his master too." Emperor Yao answered, "The next banquet was supposed to be in a week when other nation''s guests will be joining. His master is in the city, but I don''t think his master will be joining." Past Emperor Liang spoke, "Throw the banquet sooner; make it grander. Tell them I aming out of seclusion and wanted to meet my subjects, and after hearing about so many talents in the tournament, I wanted to meet all the talents. Since I am joining the banquet personally, they all will have to give me face, so his master would certainly join." Emperor Yao hesitated and spoke, "If his master joins, Mother might create problems for him during the banquet." "Why would she create problems for him?" "A spirit embryo elder from my concubine Lan''s family was visiting the Yin. He disappeared without any clue, and his soul me in the ancestor hall of their family was extinguished." The past emperor frowned and asked, "Tell me everything in detail." Emperor Yao told Emperor Liang all the details, including the events at Ravenfall city, the involvement of the Sky Soaring Sect and the Jedi family, and the disappearance of the elder. After hearing this, past Emperor Liang''s frown deepened. "They have a disciple that can maniptews, and they were able to kill a cultivator of spirit embryo realm. It is very suspicious." After some more thinking, past Emperor Liang spoke again, "Let your mother create problems for them in the banquet. Invite her to sit with me." Present Emperor Yao asked, "Is it wise to offend them if we do not know the whole details?" Past Emperor Liang answered, "It is not you that is offending them but your mother. You can just send your mother away. We will just try to test their reaction and how they take it. If they have the backing of immortals, they will not sit back. But if they don''t have any backing, they will just apologize to her. You can always mend the rtionship since it is not you who will be creating trouble for them. As long as it is verbal and no one dies, I don''t think they will hold it against the royal family." Emperor Yao considered his father''s words and agreed to the n. He decided to organize the grand banquet, inviting the disciple and his master from the Sky Soaring Sect, as well as his mother, to test their reactions. The next day after the tournament, the whole capital of Yin country was abuzz. Everywhere one went, people were talking about the events of the day before. Some people were discussing the talented prince who had the talent in very rare spatial techniques, while others talked about how the future of the Li family was bright with two talented young members. Many also talked about the poetry recited by the disciple of the Sky Soaring Sect. Many people could be heard reciting it; schrs were writing it down, pleasure ces had escorts singing and dancing to the poem, and many musicians were trying to create music for it. When Han Cai came out of his room, Yongnian informed him that every aristocratic and noble family had invited him to a banquet in their homes. Han Cai was not particrly interested in visiting anyone, but then he saw that there were invitations from the princes of the royal family too. Prince Tian had sent a special invitation for a young cultivators'' meeting he was arranging, which was going to ur two dayster. Han Cai considered this invite while walking back to his room. He went back to his room to get some updates from his other subordinate, Xiaoyun. Xiaoyun told him how the capital was abuzz with his poem. Han Cai mused, "So the prince is inviting me because of my schrly talent? Or is it because he wants me to be part of his faction? Seems he really liked my poetry. Since my poetry is being appreciated so much, maybe next time I should recite ''Humpty Dumpty'' to wow them." Then he gave up on the idea; he shouldn''t show off his literary genius to the world so much, as it might attract unnecessary attention. After thinking about it for a while, Han Cai decided he would ept Prince Tian''s invitation; he might get some entertainment there. Two dayster, Han Cai was ready to visit the royal pce again, but this time he was wearing schrly clothes. ************************************************* Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 131 Young Cultivators Meet Han Cai looked charming in his schrly attire, which consisted of a flowing, jade-green robe adorned with intricate patterns of silver thread. The robe featured wide sleeves and a high cor, giving Han Cai a dignified and elegant appearance. A dark jade belt cinched his waist, and his hair was tied up neatly with a matching jade hairpin. In this xianxia world, his outfit exuded both refinement and an air of cultivation prowess. A new royal carriage brought Yongnian and Han Cai back to the pce, but this time, instead of entering from the main gate, they entered from the side gate. The carriage directly dropped them in front of Prince Tian''s courtyard. Prince Tian''s courtyard was expansive and luxurious, with various chambers, gardens, and pools to amodate the many schrs and young cultivators joining the meet. The courtyard was adorned with blooming flowers, lush greenery, and sparkling fountains, creating a serene atmosphere for the gathering. When Han Cai entered the courtyard, one of Prince Tian''s maids brought him to a garden that was connected to the courtyard. In the middle of the garden, there was arge pavilion where many cultivators and schrs could be seen sitting and roaming around, interacting while sipping tea and wine served by servants. Following the maid, when Han Cai reached the pavilion, Prince Tian himself came out to wee him. Prince Tian led Han Cai into the pavilion, where he was greeted by a group of beautiful fairies sitting together and interacting with one another. Han Cai sighed in relief, thinking to himself, "At least this is not a total sausage fest. There are some breads in the house, too." Prince Tian made Han Cai sit beside him and started praising his poetry. Han Cai merely nodded but did not engage in conversation. Prince Tian already knew that Han Cai was not much of a talker, so he didn''t bother him and focused on interacting with his other guests. Han Cai realized that he had arrived early, as many people were still pouring into the event. At first, only random cultivators and schrs were present, but soon enough, the major aristocratic families and sects began to arrive. The young masters and youngdies of aristocratic and noble families were the first to arrive, followed by the outer kingdom guests who were visiting the Yin country for various reasons and had been invited by the royal family as guests. The core members of major sects and cultivation families arrived next. Han Cai noticed many of the talents that had disyed their abilities during the banquet. Prince Tian personally weed all of these distinguished guests. Thest to arrive were the royal princes and princesses. Once all the guests had arrived, the meet and greet of young schrs and cultivators went into full swing. The two young masters of the Wang and Cui families also attended the event. They came and sat beside Han Cai but did not disturb him. At the beginning of the meet and greet, the atmosphere was civil and proper. However, as time went on, it slowly devolved into a chaotic disy of young cultivators trying to impress the princesses and youngdies of major sects and cultivation families. The charming and confident young men were attempting various tactics to win the favor of these women, showcasing their knowledge, reciting poetry, or sharing tales of their exploits. The scene resembled a group of simps, eager to please and enamored by the beauty and status of their targets. Amidst the chaos, Han Cai remained an observer, watching from the sidelines as the event unfolded. He was not interested in participating in the antics of the other young cultivators. Instead, he focused on understanding the dynamics of the various groups and the rtionships between them. Han Cai did not know any of them, so the Young master of the Wang family took the responsibility of informing Han Cai of the names of these hot-blooded young youths. Han Cai had a lot of expectations from this meet as He had note across any young master scenario in this world, so he was looking forward to this fortuitous event where all the young hot-blooded young masters were going toe. A group of young disciples named Zhang Hao, Lin Bao, and Xiao Yu gathered around the beautiful youngdy of the Li family, trying to impress her with their artistic skills. Zhang Hao demonstrated his calligraphy skills, gracefully painting elegant characters on a piece of silk. Lin Bao yed a melodious tune on a zither, the enchanting notes echoing throughout the pavilion. Xiao Yu showed off his painting skills, creating a stunningndscape that seemed toe to life on the canvas. Theirpetitive nature soon turned into a heated argument over whose talent was the most impressive. Han Cai observed the scene from a distance, amused by their antics. As the first scenario concluded, the second scenario began. Several young cultivators, including Wu Chen and Fang Lei, sought to catch the attention of Princess Xian by showcasing their cultivation abilities. They performed various techniques, demonstrating their control over elements like fire, water, and wind. However, as they tried to outdo one another, theirpetition escted, resulting in minor shes and injuries. The royal princes, rmed by the chaos, intervened to restore order. After a brief period of calm, Another scenario unfolded. Several young cultivators, including Li Jian and Sun Ming, presentedvish gifts to Princess Ley, the fourth princess, in an attempt to impress her. Li Jian offered a rare spirit beast, its exotic features captivating the crowd. Sun Ming gifted a precious gemstone, its radiant light illuminating the pavilion. As each tried to outshine the others, tensions rose, and they began using one another of bribery and dishonesty. The princesses, enjoying the attention, encouraged the cultivators to pursue them further. The situation only calmed down when exquisite food and wine were served for tasting. Prince Tian personally announced the various spirit foods and spirit wines they were serving, exining their unique properties and origins to the audience. During the prince''s exnation, amotion arose as the next scenario began. A group of young cultivators tried to impress the third princess, Ying, with their poetry recitals. As the situation started to get out of hand, Prince Tian tried to calm the audience by saying that the greatest poet, Han Cai, was sitting beside him. Han Cai cursed the prince in his mind as he was having such a good time watching the various young masters'' antics. Why did the prince have to put him in the limelight? ************************************************* Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 132 Young Master Galore As Prince Tian mentioned Han Cai, he cursed the prince in his head. Nheless, Han Cai stood from his seat and bowed politely, unleashing his charm to full level fifty charm to maximize the impact of what He was about to say. He spoke, "I do not deserve praise from the prince. This Junior has weak cultivation and my knowledge of art is very limited. If someone should be praised, it should be Senior Li Shuo. I aspire to be as strong as Senior in the future." Han Cai praised the strength of the Li family''s young master for a while. Hearing Han Cai''s words, the Li family''s brother and sister smiled, but other major family and sect members frowned. They had all participated in showcasing their talents at the banquet, yet Han Cai praised only the Li family''s young master. Han Cai made his words sound very objective and without any bias as if he were an outsider and not a participant in the tournament. It sounded like most of the audience members who had witnessed their talents yesterday were most impressed by the Li family''s young master. He was merely informing them of the facts. Due to Han Cai''s bewitching charm, hisments had a greater impact, and each young master became agitated. Prince Wei, in particr, felt most irritated. As a member of the royal family and a participant on behalf of the Skyfall Sect, he was supposed to be the most appreciated talent, wowing everyone. Instead, Han Cai''s words put Li Shuo in the spotlight, stealing the attention that should have been rightfully his. The atmosphere in the pavilion shifted as everyone''s eyes moved between Han Cai and Prince Wei. The tension was palpable, and the air was thick with anticipation as if waiting for a spark to ignite the brewing conflict. But Han Cai, ever the skilled poet, remained calm andposed as if he had merely stated an innocent observation. He maintained a neutral expression, not giving any indication that his words were meant to provoke anyone. After the food tasting was done, Han Cai excused himself from the pavilion and took a leisurely stroll around the garden. A few young masters tried to disturb his stroll, but his bodyguards, the Wang and Cui family young masters, stopped them and sent them on their way. However, the peaceful stroll was interrupted when a new situation arose. Feng Xiang, a core disciple of the Divine Wind Sect, couldn''t take it anymore when Han Cai praised the young master of the Li family. Out of all the talented participants, he was the least talked about during the talent show at the banquet. He loudly started talking with other young masters, iming that having strength was no talent and that one simply needed to eat a lot of meat. He continued to insult the talent of the young master of the Li family, calling his strength crude and iming that hecked any artistic or intellectual prowess. Hearing all these words regarding his talent, Li Shuo couldn''t take it and loudly challenged Feng Xiang, "If you really think strength is no talent, then why don''t we battle it out and see what talent is better?" Feng Xiang fell silent, knowing that he couldn''t defeat Li Shuo. However, Prince Wei, who was nearby, stepped forward and said, "Yes, I will take your challenge. Let us see if you are the most talented one here." Prince Tian, as a fourth prince, had no power to stop the battle between Prince Wei and Li Shuo. He could only sigh as a crowd gathered around them, some cheering for Li Shuo and others for Prince Wei. The battle between Prince Wei and Li Shuo was a sight to behold. Both were elite cultivators from their respective factions, and their techniques reflected their prowess. Although they were both at the core formation stage, the battle was not overly destructive, as they both aimed to prove their strength without causing excessive damage to their surroundings. The two fighters exchanged blows, with Prince Wei expertly wielding his royal sword, which left streaks of golden light in the air. Li Shuo, on the other hand, relied on his powerful physique and martial arts techniques, delivering devastating punches and kicks that shook the ground beneath them. Their unique abilities were on full disy, but neither side managed to gain an advantage over the other. As the battle continued, an unexpected development took ce. While Li Shuo was defending against Prince Wei''s relentless assault, a wind de struck him in the back. The sudden attack came from none other than Feng Xiang, who had been seeking an opportunity to undermine Li Shuo''s efforts. The young master of the Li family moaned in pain; although he was powerful, he could not withstand such a surprise attack unscathed. Seeing her brother hurt by a sneak attack, Li Xin lost her cool and charged at Feng Xiang with fury in her eyes. Her movements were swift and precise, and Feng Xiang found himself unable to defend against her relentless barrage. It appeared as though Li Xin might kill him then and there, but the young master and youngdy of the Zhou family intervened just in time. Having an alliance with the Divine Wind Sect, they could not stand by and watch Feng Xiang, one of their sect''s core disciples, perish before them. With the Zhou family''s interference, the situation escted even further. The core disciples of the Frost Peak Sect, allied with the Li family, joined the fray to support both Li Xin and Li Shuo. As they bolstered Li Shuo''s defenses against Prince Wei, the young masters of the Yang family, who had a history of doing the royal family''s dirty work, leaped into the battle to back up Prince Wei. Yang family had a lot of enemies since they did dirty work for the royal family over the years. They had offended many families and sects. The entrance of the Yang family''s young masters was met with disdain by many other young cultivators from various families and sects. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 133 Royal-Rumble Aftermath Young masters whose families have been enemies with Yangs wasted no time in jumping into the fight themselves. In a matter of minutes, the entire schrs'' meeting had devolved into an all-out royal rumble. Fights broke out everywhere, with cultivators showcasing their techniques and attempting to best their opponents. Prince Tian''s courtyard was in shambles, and he could only stare in disbelief at the chaos that had erupted at his gathering. The once-peaceful schrs'' meeting had transformed into a full-scale war between young masters, with alliances and rivalries fueling the relentless conflict. From a safe distance, Han Cai observed the mayhem, sipping wine and enjoying the spectacle. Every now and then, a disciple from a sect or a young cultivator from a noble family would approach him, seeking to draw him into the fray. However, the young masters of the Wang and Cui families, who served as Han Cai''s bodyguards, were always quick to repel any would-be attackers. Their strength was not to be underestimated, as they nned to challenge Prince Wei and Li Shuo in the uing tournament. Although they were slightly weaker than those two, they still outssed 95% of the other young cultivators present at the schrs'' meet. The schrs'' meet-turned-royal-rumble eventually came to an end when the royal guard intervened, stopping the battle before it could escte any further. Han Cai returned to his mansion, very pleased with what he had achieved during the schrs'' meeting. He was thoroughly entertained by all the schrs and cultivators who participated in the chaotic event. He had the opportunity to witness every young master moment he could imagine. While Han Cai was feeling pleased, the atmosphere in one of the courtyards in the royal pce, where the empress''s mother resided, was quite the opposite. In the courtyard, one could see the empress''s mother sitting with Concubine Lan, who appeared visibly distressed. Concubine Lan spoke with a frown, "It is confirmed; the elder from my family is dead. Somehow, even his soul disappeared." The empress''s mother nced at a eunuch standing nearby, who then spoke up, "The Sky Soaring Sect is staying in the Marquis mansion. Only the sect master and his disciple are visiting as royal guests. The sect master spends most of his time in his room, rarelying out. Banquets and meets are attended by his disciple." The empress''s mother asked, "Tell me about his disciple; is he as talented as they say?" The eunuch nodded, "He is indeed young and talented. At the age of sixteen, he reached the core formation level. He is actually more talented in poetry." The eunuch then recited the poetry that Han Cai had shared during the banquet, impressing those who heard it. Empress''s mother inquired further, "Did he also participate in that brawl that happened at Prince Tian''s ce?" The eunuch shook his head, "He is talented but not strong enough to face the prince and Lin family, young masters, or any other talents of the tournament. However, he was protected by the Wang and Cui family''s young masters. They seem to have a close rtionship; they stay around him all the time whenever he is out. It appears that the Sky Soaring Sect has paid them a hefty sum to protect him." The eunuch continued, "Since Emperor Father will being out of seclusion, the sect master of Sky Soaring Sect will also be attending the banquet. Emperor Father has asked that Empress Mother should join him at the banquet." Empress Mother smiled and looked at Concubine Lan, saying, "See, since I will be joining the banquet, I will make sure to get some answers out of them. You don''t need to worry. If they are the ones behind the death of your elder, neither of them will leave the royal capital. You have my word." Concubine Lan''s eyes filled with gratitude as she bowed her head in respect. "Thank you, Empress Mother. Your support means a great deal to my family and me." The citizens of Frost Hold eagerly anticipated the numerous activities that would take ce during the uing tournament. They expected to be entertained by the various events andpetitions, but even before the tournament began, they were bombarded with one news story after another. First, the news of the banquet, where all participants showcased their talents, sent the entire Frost Hold into an uproar. They were particrly excited about the talented Li family members and the prince with his spatial techniques. Then there was the famous poet of the Sky Soaring Sect, whose poetry was the talk of the town. Before the citizens could finish discussing the banquet, a new story emerged. It was about schrs and cultivators meet arranged by Prince Tian for the young cultivators visiting Frost Hold for the tournament. What was supposed to be a schrly gathering turned into a full-scale brawl among the younger generation. During this event, those who shined the most were the Li family''s young participants, the royal prince, and the core disciple of the Divine Wind Sect. As news of their exploits spread, fan clubs began forming for each of the participants who had distinguished themselves during the battle royale. Thanks to the numerous witnesses, servants, and maids present at the event, no detail was hidden from the public. One way or another, everyone found out what was going on, and they discussed these juicy details with great interest. Although Han Cai was the catalyst for the brawl, his role in the event faded into the background as the focus shifted to the more prominent participants. As the excitement over the royal rumble had yet to subside, another piece of news emerged that sent the citizens of Frost Hold into a frenzy. The patriarch of the royal family, thest emperor, was going toe out of seclusion. In celebration of this momentous asion, the royal family nned to throw another grand banquet, and this time, even the general public was invited to attend. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 134 The Second Banquet The city buzzed with anticipation as people eagerly looked forward to the second grand banquet. Rumors and spections circted among the citizens about what might happen at the banquet, and the excitement only grew as the day drew nearer. Shops and businesses in Frost Hold took advantage of the excitement by offering special deals and promotions rted to the tournament and the various participants. They soldmemorative items featuring the faces of the young masters who had shined during the battle royale, as well as books and scrolls containing the poetry of Han Cai, the famous poet of the Sky Soaring Sect. The day of the grand banquet finally arrived, and the streets of Frost Hold were filled with throngs of people making their way to the royal pce. The air was thick with excitement, as everyone wanted to witness the historical event and be part of the celebration. The royal pce was decked out invish decorations, and the banquet hall was set up to amodate arge number of guests. The atmosphere was lively, with musicians ying festive tunes and entertainers performing acrobatics and dances to keep the guests amused. As Han Cai apanied the Sky Soaring Sect Master to the grand banquet, he couldn''t help but marvel at the grandeur of the event. The royal pce had gone above and beyond, transforming the outer grounds into a massive banquet hall that could amodate hundreds of thousands, if not million, of guests. The northern end of the banquet hall featured a raised tform where the royal family, guests of the royal family, top powerful families of Yin, top powerful sects of Yin, and royal envoys from other kingdoms were seated. The royal family upied the center seats, while the guests and envoys were arranged on both sides. Below the massive tform, luxurious seating arrangements were provided for nobles, aristocrats, and courtiers. Outside the perimeter of these luxurious seating arrangements, a vast ground was set up with seating for the general public to join the banquet. Soon, all the seats were filled, and Han Cai found himself seated beside his Master on the massive tform close to the royal family. Wang''s family''s young master was actually sitting beside Han Cai, informing him about all the envoys from various countries who were visiting the banquet today. From the Shang country, the envoy was a middle-aged man with a sharp gaze and an air of authority. He had a neatly trimmed beard and wore a luxurious robe adorned with intricate patterns of dragons and phoenixes, signifying the power and prestige of the Shang country. The envoy from the Qi country was a tall and imposing woman with an aura of grace and poise. Her dark hair was pulled back in an elegant updo, and she wore a flowing silk gown in the Qi country''s traditional colors, which seemed to flow like water as she moved. Representing the Wu country was a wise-looking, elderly man with a long white beard that reached his waist. His eyes sparkled with intelligence, and he wore a simple yet sophisticated robe embroidered with the symbols of the Wu country. His presencemanded respect, and it was evident that he was well-versed in the ways of diplomacy. The Xuan country''s envoy was a striking young man with a confident smile and an athletic build. His piercing eyes revealed his determination and ambition, while his attire disyed the Xuan country''s rich cultural heritage with borate patterns of mythical creatures and vibrant colors. Lastly, the envoy from Feng country was a beautiful woman with a mysterious aura that captivated everyone around her. Her long, flowing hair was like a cloud around her face, and her gown seemed to shimmer like the wind, reflecting the Feng country''s affinity for the elements. She carried herself with an air of mystique that drew people in, making her presence impossible to ignore. As Han Cai took in the diverse array of envoys, he realized the significance of this grand banquet. It was not just a celebration of the patriarch''s return but also a testament to the Yin country''s influence and power in the region. The guests at the grand banquet took their seats. It became apparent that this time there would be no mingling among the attendees. Instead, everyone waited anxiously for the arrival of the royal patriarch, the emperor, and their family. Soon, the announcement was made, signaling the arrival of the royal patriarch. The banquet buzzed with anticipation as everyone stood to show their respect. The royal patriarch entered the hall, his features aged and worn but still radiating wisdom and authority. His eyes sparkled with an inner fire, and he exuded a sense of calm and power. Apanying the royal patriarch walked the mother of the emperor; her regal bearing and gentle demeanor were a perfectplement to the patriarch''s presence. Following them were the emperor and empress, their regal countenance unmistakable. Behind them, the siblings of the emperor walked with quiet dignity, followed by the young princes and princesses of the royal family, their youthful energy adding a touch of liveliness to the procession. As the royal patriarch and his entourage made their way to the tform, Han Cai felt the urge to scan him but quickly dismissed the thought. Remembering the cost of such an action, he decided it was not worth the risk, as his instincts told him there was nothing to fear at the moment. The royal patriarch took his seat upon the central throne, with the empress''s mother sitting beside him. Below their thrones, the emperor and empress took their seats, and the princes and princesses upied their designated ces. With a wave of his hand, the royal patriarch proimed, "Let the grand banquetmence." This time, the quality of the food and spirit wine served surpassed even the previous banquet. Han Cai reveled in the exquisite vors and aromas that graced his pte. An array of sumptuous dishes filled the tables, from sulent roasted meats to delicate steamed dumplings filled with an assortment of savory and sweet fillings. Exotic seafood dishes showcased the bounty of the seas, while an assortment of vegetarian dishes catered to those with more delicate tastes. ************************************************** As I was getting a lot of pen requests. Instead of releasing one 1500 word chapter, I decided to release two thousand words chapters. Thank you for all your support andments. They really keep me motivated to write more. Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 135 The Royal Rebuke As the banquet continued, the guests indulged in the magnificent feastid before them, marveling at the culinary mastery on disy. Conversations andughter filled the air as the attendees enjoyed their time together, celebrating the royal patriarch''s return and the power and influence of the Yin country. The night seemed destined to be one filled with merriment and unforgettable memories. The royal patriarch addressed the audience, his voice carrying across the banquet hall with ease. "I heard there are many talents joining the tournament this time. Our guest envoys and I would certainly like to see the skill and talents of the new generation." The envoys of various countries nodded in agreement with the patriarch emperor''s statement, eager to witness the prowess of the young talents. And so, the talent show began once again, with the gifted youths showcasing their skills for the royal patriarch and the envoys from other nations. As the performances unfolded, Han Cai found himself growing increasingly bored. He had seen all of these talents before and felt as if he were rewatching a TV show he had already seen. Instead of paying attention to the talent show, he decided to indulge in the delicious food that surrounded him. As the talent show continued, the young performers took their turns once again, impressing the royal patriarch and the envoys with their extraordinary skills. Fei demonstrated her remarkable archery abilities, Yu Jian performed his exquisite sword dance, Lei showcased his mastery of thunder arts, Feng captivated the audience with his wind arts, and Prince Wei awed everyone with his rare spatial talent. Soon, most of the talent show was over, and everyone''s gaze turned toward Han Cai. It was his turn to showcase his talent. Knowing the drill, Han Cai rose from his seat and walked to the center of the tform. He bowed respectfully to the emperor and then began to consider which piece of poetry he should recite this time. From his vast treasure trove of knowledge, Han Cai was torn between three ssic poems: Humpty Dumpty, Baa Baa ck Sheep, and Jack and Jill. As he contemted his choice, the entire banquet hall fell silent, waiting for him to begin. Finally, Han Cai made his decision. Clearing his throat, he was about to recite the poem he had chosen when he was suddenly interrupted by a voice. The voice belonged to none other than the mother empress. "So you are the spawn of that Sky Soaring Sect?" she bellowed. Han Cai was taken aback by the sudden outburst of the olddy. Soon, he realized why she was so angry; it must have been because of the deceased cultivator in green who had be his trading points. The empress''s mother continued her tirade, "Your Sky Soaring Sect had the gall to partner with another family and hurt an elder from my Shang? You ungrateful bunch! We let you stay in the Yin country; you should be thankful for that. Today, I need answers from your sect. If you cannot give me answers, heads will roll today. I will make sure your Sky Soaring Sect ceases to exist." The entire banquet went quiet. People started muttering, be it the guests, aristocrats, cultivator families, or the general audience outside the perimeter. Many sects, besides the Sky Soaring Sect, had amused smiles on their faces. They were sure that today would mark the end of the Sky Soaring Sect. The empress''s mother had announced it publicly; if the emperor did not agree to her demands, the whole royal family would lose face. The Cui and Wang families, who were aligned with the Sky Soaring Sect, sweated buckets. The moment the royal family took action, they would be in big trouble. Not only would they lose their biggest sponsor, but they would also be punished by the royal family. The Frost Peak Sect and the Divine Wind Sect were the happiest, as the Sky Soaring Sect was their mainpetitor. Now they would get to divide the whole area of the Sky Soaring Sect between themselves. Mother Empress continued her rant, "You pathetic bunch think that just because you got some medium-sized mine, you can disrespect the royal family''s rule. Today, this mother will teach you all what happens if anyone disrespects the royal family. I will make sure every elder of the sect is killed, and all the disciples of the sect are branded as traitors to Yin." The sect master, who was sitting by the side, had his face turn white. He got up and bowed before speaking, "Your Majesty, this..." Before he couldplete his sentence, the empress interrupted him, "You are the sect master of the Sky Soaring Sect. No wonder an idiot sect has an idiot for a sect master. How could a weak fool like you be a sect master? You must be the most ipetent sect master in the history of the cultivation world! Did the Sky Soaring Sect run out of talent, or did they lose a bet to end up with a disgrace like you leading them? Your mere presence tarnishes the reputation of the sect. You''re like a walking cmity, a pitiful excuse for a cultivator. Your ineptitude is legendary. I''m genuinely surprised that you haven''t managed to destroy your own sect with your sheer ipetence. It''s amazing how you even manage to breathe, let alone lead a sect. No wonder your sect is doomed with a clueless buffoon like you at the helm." She continued her rant, insulting the sect master and the Sky Soaring Sect. Suddenly, a voice thundered, "SHUT THE HELL UP, YOU OLD HAG." The whole banquet froze as if the whole space were sealed. No one was able to move or speak. Han Cai, standing in the center of the banquet, moved forward. He walked slowly as if he was strolling through a park. He spoke, "Do you know the problem with old hags like you? Do you think you own this world? I understand your anger, but how dare you try to insult the master in front of his disciple. " ************************************************** p¦Á§ád¦Á`no¦Í?1`§ăo§® Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 136 The Road Less Traveled Han Cai sneered as he continued, "You sit on your high throne, filled with delusions of grandeur, yet you reek of hypocrisy and arrogance. You''re like a withered flower, desperately clinging to yourst vestiges of power and beauty, but everyone can see that you''re decaying inside. Your petty insults reveal your own insecurities, and your bitterness only highlights your jealousy of those who have true strength and wisdom. You dare to insult my master, yet you''re nothing more than a sad, bitter old hag desperately trying to remain relevant in a world that has outgrown you. Your words have no weight, and your time is long past. You''re just a pathetic relic of a bygone era." While speaking, Han Cai reached the right in front of where the royal princesses were sitting. His figure slowly elevated in the air, catching the attention of everyone present. The emperor, sitting below, had his eyes wide open as if he could not believe what was going on. He could not move, he could not speak, and he could not feel the Qi in his body. The same reaction could be seen on the faces of his father, every royal prince, and all the other guests. Elder Huiqing from the Frost Peak Sect looked at Han Cai with a mixture of shock and fear. He had never expected such a bold move from the young disciple. Elder Jiang of the Heavenly Thunder Sect and Elder Wu of the Divine Wind Sect were also taken aback, sharing concerned nces. They knew that if Han Cai dared to confront the empress''s mother, it meant that the Sky Soaring Sect was not to be underestimated. There was no way a disciple from Sky Soaring Sect could seal everyone. He must be using some divine treasure. Other Cultivation families, including the most powerful Li family, couldn''t hide their astonishment either. As their family had a vested interest in the Sky Soaring Sect''s fate, the sect masters of both the Cui and Wang families had anxious expressions, not knowing what to make out of this situation. Han Cai floated slowly and stopped right in front of the empress''s mother. He spoke with a voice full of authority, "An old hag like you shouldn''t have such a foul mouth. This time, it''s just a warning, but next time I hear anything against my master, I will rip your tongue out." Following Han Cai''s final words, an echoing, thunderous p reverberated throughout the entire banquet hall and the royal pce. The sound was so powerful that it seemed to shake the very foundations of the building, leaving everyone present in a state of stunned silence. The empress''s mother, the target of the mighty strike, was sent barreling through the air, her body twisting and turning uncontrobly like a leaf caught in a violent gust of wind. The force of the blow was such that it seemed to defy thews of nature, leaving onlookers in awe and terror. As she finally collided with a solid wall, the impact sent a shudder through the structure, dust, and debris falling from the point of contact. Han Cai flew back to the center of the banquet tform. Clearing his throat, he began to recite his poem: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better im, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equallyy In leaves no step had trodden ck. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should evere back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and IˇŞ I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. After he was done reciting the poem, Han Cai spoke, " You see, I had two choices one was to be a better person and let the hold hag insult my master leave quietly. If we wanted to leave, no one would stop us. But I decided to take the road less traveled. Why? Because I had this choice. If I did not take this road, I would not feel serenity. Peace of mind is very important to me." Han Cai continued," The action taken by today is my personal action. They do not represent my sect. That being said, I am standing here if I want to massacre everyone in this banquet. No one can stop me. Should any of you decide to retaliate against the Sky Soaring Sect, be aware that the consequences will be dire. We possess strength and abilities that you have yet to witness, and we will not hesitate to use them to defend ourselves. If you choose the path of revenge, you may unknowingly bring about your own destruction, as well as the downfall of your families and sects. I urge you to consider the potential oue of your actions and weigh the cost of vengeance against the value of peace and mutual respect. Bear in mind that your choices today will shape the future for us all.stly, If my sect is not wee here, we don''t mind leaving. But we want all the medium-grade spirit stones returned that were robbed from our mansion. " The sight of the once-powerful empress''s mother lying crumpled against the wall served as a stark reminder of the consequences that could befall those who dared to challenge the Sky Soaring Sect and their fierce disciple, Han Cai. p¦Ánd¦Á`no¦Í?1~§ăo§® Han Cai turned to his master and spoke, "Master, you should leave. This banquet of peasants is not worth your attention. I will stay; I still feel hungry." The sect master nodded, and with a swift motion, he flew into the sky and disappeared. The entire banquet hall remained in stunned silence, unable to process the events that had just unfolded. Each sect and family was now left to wonder what the future held for them and how the bnce of power would shift in the days toe. And at the center of it all was Han Cai, a young disciple from the Sky Soaring Sect, who had just defied the empress''s mother and demonstrated the strength thaty hidden within him. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 137 Reckoning People in the banquet were not sure about the exact means by which he had managed to seal the space around them ˇŞbe it through the use of a treasure or some other techniqueˇŞbut it was now evident that the Sky Soaring Sect possessed the power to confront the royal family. After the sect master left and Han Cai sat back down to enjoy his spirit quietly, the seal on the audience was lifted. Everyone was quiet and shocked. The patriarch emperor, who had been sitting calmly on his throne, had his eyes wide with shock. As he saw his own empress being pped and Han Cai returning to his seat as if nothing had happened, he felt a chill down his spine. He had never imagined that the Sky Soaring Sect would have the strength to openly defy the royal family. The emperor began to second-guess his choice to belittle the sect, and he understood that they might have formidable treasures concealed within their sect, or they must have coborated with some strong covert organization or family. He wanted to see how the Sky Soaring Sect would react, but the Empress Mother went too far. The reaction they showed that day was unforgettable and would stay with him for millennia. That powerful p left its mark not just on the Empress Mother but on the entire royal family. The consequences of underestimating someone so strong would be a reminder for him for a very long time. As things happened, he realized the seriousness of their mistake and how this event would affect the royal family''s future interactions with others. The Empress Mother, who had just experienced the sting of Han Cai''s p, could hardly believe what had happened. The humiliation and pain from being sent crashing into the wall left her seething with anger. She came to the realization that her emotional outburst had revealed a vulnerability within the royal family, making them appear weaker than ever before. Watching Han Cai calmly sipping his wine after disrespecting her in such a public manner only served to intensify her fury and heighten her sense of disbelief. Elder Huiqing of the Frost Peak Sect was stunned. He felt terror like he''d never felt before when he witnessed Han Cai smack the Empress Mother. He had previously believed that the Sky Soaring Sect was on the point of extinction, but now the tables had turned, and he recognized that if Sky Soaring wanted to make a move someday, Frost Peak Sect would be the first stop. Elder Jiang of the Heavenly Thunder Sect noticed a chilly perspiration on his brow. He had been ecstatic at the prospect of the Sky Soaring Sect''s destruction, but he now realized that he had severely underestimated their might. The anxiety that possessed him made him wonder how the power equations in the Entire nation would evolve. Elder Wu of the Divine Wind Sect shared a concerned nce with Elder Jiang. He had also underestimated the Sky Soaring Sect''s power and was now left to wonder how this would impact the future of the Yin country. The fear that Han Cai had instilled in him was like nothing he had ever experienced before. The other cultivator families, including the Li family, were amazed by what had transpired. They had initially been expecting that the fate of the Sky Soaring Sect was sealed, but now they knew that the sect had a hidden strength. They realized that the royal family might not be the most powerful force in the Yin country anymore, and they could feel a shift in the bnce of power. The sect masters of the Wang and Cui families were now anxious and overjoyed at the same time. They had been fearful for their future, but Han Cai''s disy of power had shown them that the Sky Soaring Sect could subdue even the royal patriarch. This revtion bolstered their confidence in their alliance with the sect and made them believe that they had chosen the right side. But they were also anxious about how the royal family will react. The young masters who had been present at the royal brawl, previously under the impression that Han Cai was weak and merely shielded by the Cui and Wang families, now found themselves experiencing a potent mix of awe and terror. They had once mocked him during their earlier encounter, but the reality of Han Cai''s power now stood fully revealed, forcing them to confront their own ignorance and arrogance. In retrospect, it became clear that Han Cai''s decision to abstain from participating in the royal brawl had nothing to do with his perceived weakness. Rather, it was a testament to the fact that the young masters were simply not worth his attention. His recent disy of prowess, in which he effortlessly subdued the Royal PatriarchˇŞan Earth Immortal no lessˇŞconfirmed that Han Cai possessed immense strength and capability. The young masters could not help but shudder at the thought of what might happen if they were to find themselves at odds with Han Cai. It was now evident that if he so desired, he could easily crush them like insignificant insects beneath his feet. The once-proud and confident group now faced a humbling and sobering new perspective on their ce in the world, as well as the true might of Han Cai. The aristocrats and nobles who were present at the banquet, besides the exclusive guests sitting near the royal family, were all shocked by the turn of events. None of them had paid much attention to the Sky Soaring Sect during the tournament, as the sect was not participating. They didn''t have many thoughts about the sect, but today, things have changed drastically. For a while, they didn''t know how to make heads or tails of the situation. First, out of nowhere, the empress''s mother got angry and threatened to murder the master and disciple at the banquet. The next moment, every guest was frozen still for some reason, and then the disciple of the Sky Soaring Sect nonchntly flew to the empress''s mother and pped her. While the aristocrats were getting out of their stupor, the general public was eerily quiet. Their Empress Mother had been pped publicly. The royal family, whom they worshipped like gods in heaven, could do nothing. All their beliefs and reverence, built by the royal family over thousands of years, were shaken to their core with just one p. ************************************************** Supplementary chapter, because You guys are awesome, we reached 1000 power stones. Thank You asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 138 End Of Banquet The empress''s mother finally got up, with a red bump on her head from crashing into the wall and a red cheek from the p. When she stood up, she couldn''t contain her anger and shame. She yelled with all her strength, "Royal guards! Kill that guy! I want his head right now!" The royal guards, who could move now, immediately jumped into action. But before they could move towards Han Cai, they were stopped by a thundering voice, "STOP!" The voice belonged to none other than the royal patriarch. The guards immediately halted their movements. The royal patriarch turned to Han Cai and spoke, "Young friend, it is our fault that we insulted such a young and talented cultivator and his master. I apologize on behalf of my wife." Han Cai nodded and replied, "It is fine. Please make sure to find the culprits who robbed one million medium-grade spirit stones that we had brought to the capital. Also, our heaven-grade treasure is missing. I hope the royal family canpensate my sect for the loss." All of the audience, including the emperor, felt like coughing blood. They all knew there was no robbery, and Han Cai was just tantly asking for that amount because he wanted the royal family to pay for offending him. Many also noticed how Han Cai''s greed grew; first, he had mentioned only medium-grade spirit stones, but now he was asking for a heaven-grade weapon as well. The royal patriarch responded, "Certainly, the royal family will make sure topensate you, young friend." Han Cai nodded and said, "I enjoyed the banquet and the food. I thank the royal family for your wee, but as my master has left, I will leave too." After speaking, Han Cai disappeared. The sudden disappearance of Han Cai left everyone in shock and amazement. They realized that this was a disy of spatial talent, a skill that was incredibly rare and powerful. From what they had witnessed, it appeared that this disciple of the Sky Soaring Sect was far more adept in spatialws than the royal prince. The prince had garnered a great deal of attention when he showcased his affinity with spatial abilities, but Han Cai''s skill seemed to surpass even that. Whispers filled the room as people discussed the extraordinary abilities that had just been demonstrated. The guests couldn''t help butpare Han Cai''s mastery over spatialws with the royal prince''s known prowess. As the audience continued to discuss the implications of this revtion, they also realized that no one from the Sky Soaring Sect remained at the banquet. At some point after the sect master''s departure, the servant who had apanied Han Cai seemed to have vanished without a trace. The banquet hall, filled with a thousand-word silence, was left to contemte the ramifications of the events that had unfolded. The Sky Soaring Sect''s power had been demonstrated, and the royal family''s authority had been shaken. While people in the banquet were gossiping about Sky Soaring Sect. The sect master was flying through the sky at breakneck speed when he suddenly stopped. At a certain distance, he saw a man approaching him. The man had an imposing figure, standing tall at over six and a half feet. He had a well-built physique, with broad shoulders and a muscr frame that spoke of years of intense training and cultivation. His skin had a healthy, sun-kissedplexion, revealing the time he had spent under the sun during his arduous cultivation sessions. His facial features were sharp and defined, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline that exuded authority. His deep-set, piercing eyes were the color of obsidian, and they seemed to possess a mysterious depth as if they held countless secrets. His eyebrows were thick and straight, adding to his intense gaze. A thin, slightly crooked nose sat in the middle of his face, giving him a somewhat intimidating appearance. The man''s hair was long, jet-ck, and tied in a neat high ponytail, which swayed gently behind him as he moved. Streaks of silver were beginning to show at his temples, a testament to his age and the wisdom he had gained over the years. A neatly trimmed beard framed his face, adding a touch of ruggedness to his otherwise refined appearance. Adorning his body was an elegant set of dark robes embroidered with the emblem of the Starfall Sect - a falling star surrounded by a swirl of cosmic energy. The robes were made of high-quality silk, and they flowed gracefully around his body as he moved, giving him an air of regality. Despite his age, the man had a youthful vitality that radiated from his very core. His aura was that of an experienced warrior and a powerful cultivator, and those who encountered him could not help but feel a sense of awe and respect. The man spoke, "I am Xuefeng Zhaoren, Sect Master of Star Fall Sect. I need you to follow me. Don''t think about running, or your whole sect will suffer." Hearing that He was from Sect Master of Starfall Sect. Sect Master gave him a deep look and then disappeared with a sigh. Sect master of Star Fall Sect shook his disappointedly and Flew back towards the royal capital. In the royal capital, the grand banquet hade to an abrupt end soon after Han Cai''s mysterious disappearance. The royal patriarch was the first to leave without bidding farewell to any of his guests. One by one, the other royal family members followed suit, leaving the banquet hall eerily empty. The courtiers, sensing the gravity of the situation, announced the end of the banquet and hastily ushered the remaining guests out of the pce. Inside the royal pce, all the members of the royal family and some high-ranking ministers came together for an urgent meeting. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 139 The Royal Theft The royal patriarch sat on the highest throne, with the emperor seated on a slightly lower throne below him. The royal family members were arranged on one side of the throne room, including the royal empress mother, the royal empress, concubine Lan, Prince Tian, and the other princes, concubines, and princesses. Opposite them sat the ministers, all of them wearing grave expressions. A tense silence hung in the air as the royal patriarch finally spoke, his voice thundering throughout the room. "Thousands of years of reputation, built on the blood and sweat of our ancestors, trashed publicly in a single day. Who will take responsibility for this humiliation?" No one dared to respond, their faces pale with fear. The royal patriarch''s disappointed gazended on the empress''s mother. "You were supposed to test them, not make enemies out of them and cause our entire family to lose face in front of everyone!" His voice grew angrier as he continued, "Do you know how much this will affect the royal family''s reputation? The whole world isughing at us right now! The Lin''s will seize this opportunity to defame us even more." The royal empress mother, her eyes brimming with tears, could no longer hold her tongue. "He pped your wife in public! And instead of avenging me and making him and his sect suffer, you are yelling at your own wife in front of the whole family and courtiers!" The royal patriarch growled, his voice low and grim. "If I could do something, do you think I wouldn''t have stopped him? He possessed some treasure that allowed him to control thews of space. No one below the level of a Void Immortal would be able to attack or kill him." The revtion was met with gasps from the courtiers and royal family members alike. The air in the throne room grew even heavier as everyone in attendance realized just how grave the situation was. The once-proud royal family had been humiliated by a single individual, and the consequences of this disgraceful event would be felt for years toe. While everyone in the throne room was trying to make sense of the royal patriarch''s words, a suddenmotion erupted outside. The royal patriarch''s fury intensified as he yelled, "Who dares to make such a ruckus?" A guard hurriedly entered the room, bowed, and spoke, "Your Majesty, it is the Minister of the Treasury. He says he has something urgent to report to Your Highness." The royal patriarch growled, "What is so urgent that he has to disturb our royal meeting? Why was he not present in this important meeting? Send him in!" The royal guard nodded and left. Soon after, the Minister of the Treasury entered the room, his face red and covered in sweat. He was clearly out of breath. "Forgive me, Your Majesty," he gasped, "but I had to report something urgent." The royal patriarch''s impatience grew. "What was so important that you had to disturb the royal meeting?" The Minister of the Treasury coughed, trying to catch his breath, and finally managed to speak, "Your Majesty... the royal treasury..." The patriarch, losing patience, interrupted, "The royal treasury, what?" The minister''s voice trembled as he revealed the shocking news, "The royal treasury... has been robbed." Everyone in the room was stunned, their mouths agape in disbelief. The royal patriarch almost vomited blood from the shock. First, Sky Soaring Sect, and now this? He was furious. "Who dares to rob the royal treasury?" he roared. The Minister of the Treasury was terrified of the royal patriarch''s wrath, his voice shaking as he continued, "We have no idea who or how it was done. Your Majesty, but everything is missing." The emperor, who had been sitting quietly until now, suddenly stood up, his face etched with concern. "What do you mean, ''everything''?" he demanded. The Minister of the Treasury responded, "Your Majesty, they robbed everything: grotto worlds, heaven-grade weapons, medium-grade spirit stones, cultivation manuals... They didn''t even leave the lower-grade spirit stones behind." The atmosphere in the throne room turned even grimmer. The royal family was already reeling from Han Cai''s actions, and now they had suffered an additional blow with the theft of the royal treasury. The room was filled with shock, disbelief, and a growing sense of dread as the royal family and their ministers grappled with the reality that their kingdom''s security had been breached in such a brazen manner. The throne room was eerily quiet after the shocking revtion of the royal treasury being robbed. Finally, the emperor turned to his wise prime minister and spoke, "Do you think this has anything to do with the Sky Soaring Sect?" The prime minister stood up, bowed, and responded, "Yes, Your Majesty. It is very likely that the Sky Soaring Sect is behind this, given the insult they suffered during the banquet. The young disciple mentioned that the royal family owes him." The Minister of War, who had been quiet until now, could not hold back any longer. He stood up and spoke furiously, "Your Majesty, they dare to rob the royal treasury! This is out of line; that sect needs to learn a lesson." The prime minister shook his head and turned to the Minister of War, saying, "So, you will be the one to attack the Sky Soaring Sect? Have you forgotten? Unless one is a Void Immortal, even His Majesty the patriarch cannot hurt them." The Minister of War wiped the sweat from his brow but retorted, "It is just a treasure protecting them. We just need to get rid of that treasure, and then they will be vulnerable." The prime minister shook his head, looking at the Minister of War as if he were an idiot. "We don''t know if it''s a treasure or something else, and even if it is a treasure, who will snatch it from them? Are there any Golden Immortals at your disposal? And even if we were to take their treasure, who knows if they have other treasures besides that?" The Minister of War was about to speak, but the royal patriarch stopped him and asked the prime minister, "What do you suggest we should do?" ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 140 Back To The Sect The prime minister turned to the royal patriarch, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, assuming it is Sky Soaring Sect, we were the ones who offended them first, so they have the moral high ground. I am not sure if they will return the treasures to us, but if we do not mend our rtionship with them, they will continue to grow more powerful with the royal treasures and mines they have found. Sooner orter, this might affect our power when they be strong enough." The prime minister continued, "The best course of action here would be to mend our rtionship with the Sky Soaring Sect to avoid further misunderstandings. We have thousands of years of legacy and power; the damage is not irrecoverable." The emperor and the royal patriarch gave the prime minister''s words deep thought. The royal patriarch finally spoke, "You are right, prime minister. How should we go about this?" The prime minister replied, "The actions we took this time were very severe, so we need to show them enough sincerity. Because of this, I need to personally visit the Sky Soaring Sect and mend our rtionship. At the same time, I have heard that Your Highness, Prince Tian, had a very good rtionship with Disciple Han Cai. It would be wise if the prince joins me on this journey to the Sky Soaring Sect." Prince Tian was shocked to hear his name mentioned, but when he saw the emperor and patriarch looking at him, he hurriedly nodded in agreement. Before the Royal Patriarch could say anything, the Empress Mother couldn''t control herself any longer. As she stood up in indignation, Concubine Lan followed suit, standing in solidarity. The Empress Mother spoke with a voice filled with contempt, "Why not just give them the whole Yin Country while you''re at it? First, they killed Lan''s family elder. They should have been the ones to make amends. Instead, when we inquired about the death of the elder, they insulted and assaulted me in front of the whole of Yin. Now they might have even robbed our royal treasury, and you want to make amends with them? What will the people of Yin think? That we, the royal family, are a pathetic and weak bunch who give in whenever someone tries to bully us?" The Royal Patriarch and the Emperor went into deep contemtion. Although the Empress Mother had gone overboard during the banquet, her words held some truth. The Sky Soaring Sect had been undermining the royal family continuously, and if they gave in now, anyone would think the royal family could be easily bullied. As they were contemting, they suddenly heard a voice, "What she said is indeed true. It makes you look weak. What are you afraid of? You have the support of my sect. Even if they have a heaven-grade treasure, can they face both my sect and the royal family?" Everyone in the room turned to look at the source of the voice. They saw a man entering the throne room. It was none other than the Sect Master of the Starfall Sect. His unexpected arrival caused a stir among the royal family members and ministers present. The Royal Patriarch and Emperor got up from their thrones to wee the Sect Master of Starfall Sect. After weing the guest, the royal patriarch said, "Let me think about this. We will make a decision within a month. Everyone else can leave. "With that, the royal family and their ministers began to the leave the throne room. The only people remaining were the Royal Patriarch, the Emperor, and the sect master of the Starfall Sect. Back in Sky Soaring Sect The Sect Master had just returned to the Sky Soaring Sect. After arriving at the entrance of the sect, he flew towards his abode. Upon entering the abode, one would notice another sect master sitting outside, reading something. The sitting sect master looked up and said, "How did it go?" The newly arrived sect master transformed his physical features, and it was soon revealed that it was Han Cai. He said, "The royal family was very kind and generous." Han Cai moved his hand, and two objects appeared. The sect master looked closely at them; they were two heaven-grade, circr artifacts containing grotto worlds. The artifacts were covered in intricate designs and emitted a powerful aura, reflecting their extraordinary nature. Seeing one small and one medium-sized grotto world in front of him, the sect master was shocked. Grotto worlds were very important resources. These worlds were created by some very high-level cultivators, and they wereplete worlds in their own right, with mountains, spirit rivers, and spirit beasts. They could sustain the living, and the whole Sky Soaring Sect could fit into one grotto world. They took spirit Qi from the outside world and purified it, resulting in the Qi in the grotto world being of much higher quality. The cultivation speed within the grotto world was much faster, and they provided a safe environment for cultivating without disturbance. But the sect master was not yet done being shocked, Han Cai subsequently brought out hundreds of storage rings. Upon closer inspection, each ring was an earth-ranked storage ring. When the sect master picked one up to check its contents, he found millions of medium-grade spirit stones inside. Some of the rings also contained immortal level cultivation methods and grand array formation designs. Just when the sect master thought this was it, Han Cai moved his hand again, and a series of weapons appeared in front of him. The sect master checked the weapons and found that two were heaven-ranked weapons while five were earth-ranked weapons. The seven weapons included a sword named Heavenly Edge, a saber called Moonlit sh, a bow known as the Star Piercer, a spear titled the Heavenly Reaper, a staff dubbed the Sr Ecliptic, a pair of daggers named the Twin Shadows, and a whip called the Comet Lash. ************************************************** Supplementary chapter, because You guys are awesome, we reached 1000 power stones. Thank You Chapter 141 Tension Rises The sect master was beyond astonished by the wealth Han Cai had brought back from his trip to the royal family. The addition of the grotto worlds would significantly enhance the sect''s strength and resources, and the weapons would undoubtedly be invaluable to their top disciples. The spirit stones were an immense fortune, enough to support the sect''s operations for years toe. The sect master''s forehead was drenched in sweat as he anxiously asked, "Did you rob the royal treasury?" Han Cai shook his head and said, "The Royal treasury was robbed but not by me." Han Cai looked to the side, the sect master followed his sight and saw that there was no one there, but soon out of nowhere, a silhouette appeared. It was none other than Xiaoyun. Han Cai was a man who prided himself on his cultured demeanor and refined tastes. He had a deep appreciation for the traditions and customs of the world in which he lived. This appreciation was so strong, in fact, that he had developed a set of personal rules that he followed with unwavering devotion. These rules guided him through this life and helped him navigate theplex and often treacherous world of cultivation. One such rule that Han Cai adhered to was the "Rob the Young Master Rule." This rule dictated that if a young master were to offend him without cause or provocation, he would take it upon himself to teach them a lesson. This lesson would typically involve giving the offending young master a sound thrashing and relieving them of their treasures in the process. Han Cai believed that this rule was an essential tool for maintaining a sense of bnce and justice in a world where young masters often acted with unchecked arrogance and entitlement. However, in the case of the royal family, Han Cai recognized that they were far beyond the status of a mere young master. Despite this, he couldn''t help but feel that the spirit of the "Rob the Young Master Rule" still applied to the situation at hand. The royal family had offended him and his sect, and as such, he believed that they were deserving of a simr punishment. After he showed the Sect Master the treasures, Han Cai said, "This much money can be a distraction, so I will keep the treasures with me. I am leaving the grand array of designs and a few million medium-grade stones with you. The Sect needs to build the grand array that should cover Sect and all nearby cities in the Sect. This needs to be done within a month. If more spirit stones are needed, feel free to ask." After saying that, Han Cai moved his hands and all the treasures disappeared. Leaving only a few earth-grade storage rings. The Sect Master was distracted by the appearance of Xiaoyun. No matter what she had done in the past, she was his disciple too. Han Cai said, "I will let you two catch up." After finishing what he had to say, Han Cai left. In the months following the incident with the royal family, the Sky Soaring Sect found itself in a state of heightened vignce. The sect''s leadership had issued a decree, calling for all elders and disciples who were currently away from the sect to return as soon as possible. Additionally, a strict lockdown was imposed on all cities in the vicinity of the sect. Any and all entering and exiting were heavily restricted, with each individual undergoing thorough vetting before being granted passage. This sudden change in policy had far-reaching consequences, especially for the traders and merchants who relied on the free movement of goods and people for their livelihoods. The sense of urgency within the Sky Soaring Sect was further emphasized by their decision to construct a colossal new defense array. This impressive feat of engineering stretched over a thousand kilometers, enveloping not only the sect itself but also every city within its sphere of influence. The primary focus of the array was to ensure the sect''s protection, and it was extended all the way to the distant Cloud Mountain City. In an effort to consolidate their power and maintain a unified front, the sect ordered the families of its members who resided outside its boundaries to return and settle in the region between the Sky Soaring Sect and Cloud Mountain City. Despite the challenges and hardships that the lockdown presented, the Sky Soaring Sect was able to weather the storm, thanks in arge part to the immense wealth and resources that Han Cai had brought back with him. The sect was able to provide for and support the cities and towns affected by the lockdown, ensuring that the people under their protection did not suffer unduly. In addition, the sect made sure to keep their allies, the Cui and Wang families, informed of the situation and advised them to remain vignt and exercise caution in the uncertain times thaty ahead. Within the Sky Soaring Sect and the cities that fell under its influence, a sense of confusion and uncertainty prevailed. The people were unaware of the reasons behind the sect''s sudden and stringent measures. While the majorityplied with the sect''s directives without question, there were a few dissenting voices among the elders and disciples. These individuals chose to disregard the orders, convinced that the sect''s leadership was overreacting and that there was no real cause for concern. This prevailing sense of uncertainty and confusion was abruptly shattered when word began to spread that the highly anticipated Royal Tournament had been canceled. The news quickly spread like wildfire across the entire Yin country, reaching even the most remote corners of thend. People from all walks of life were left wondering why such a significant event had been called off so abruptly. As more information began to trickle in, it became apparent that the royal family had suffered a massive theft, losing all the rewards intended for the tournament. In a shocking twist, the Sky Soaring Sect was revealed as the perpetrator, which only served to raise even more questions in people''s minds. They could not fathom why the Sky Soaring Sect would go to such lengths to rob the royal capital. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 142 Meeting With the truth finallying to light, the rationale behind the Sky Soaring Sect''s increased security measures began to make sense. Word of the royal empress''s mother insulting the sect, and the sect''s subsequent act of retaliation, spread far and wide, causing a great schism in public opinion. There were those who believed that the Sky Soaring Sect had been justified in their actions, arguing that the royal empress''s mother had brought this upon herself through her disrespectful behavior. On the other hand, there were also many who sympathized with the royal family, maintaining that the Sky Soaring Sect had crossed a line by stealing from the royal treasury and causing the cancetion of the prestigious Royal Tournament. The entire nation held its breath as they eagerly awaited the royal family''s reaction to the shocking incident. The air was thick with tension and anticipation as people from all walks of life engaged in heated debates and discussions about the unfolding events. The streets, teahouses, and markets were abuzz with conversations, as everyone tried to predict what course of action the royal family would take in response to the Sky Soaring Sect''s bold move. The future seemed uncertain, and the delicate bnce of power within the Yin country appeared to hang precariously in the bnce, ready to tip in favor of either side. In the face of such unprecedented events, people found themselves questioning their loyalties and reassessing their allegiances. The actions of the Sky Soaring Sect had left the nation deeply divided, with some individuals supporting the sect''s actions as a justified response to the royal empress''s mother''s disrespectful behavior. These individuals believed that the Sky Soaring Sect was well within their rights to retaliate and send a clear message to the royal family about the consequences of their actions. However, there were also many who staunchly stood behind the royal family, arguing that the Sky Soaring Sect had gone too far in their quest for vengeance. They contended that stealing from the royal treasury and canceling the highly anticipated Royal Tournament were extreme measures that were not only uncalled for but also detrimental to the well-being of the entire country. They maintained that the Sky Soaring Sect had overstepped their bounds and that their actions threatened the very foundations of the nation. As Yin country found itself embroiled in this conflict, the lines between friend and foe blurred, and once-solid alliances began to waver under the weight of these extraordinary circumstances. As the days passed, it became clear that the situation would not be resolved quickly or quietly. The people of Yin country braced themselves for the inevitable conflict between the powerful Sky Soaring Sect and the once-unshakable royal family. The tension continued to build, and whispers of war circted throughout thend. The stakes were high, and the consequences of the impending confrontation would undoubtedly shape the course of history in Yin country. As Yin country was engulfed in uncertainty and spection, a ndestine meeting was underway within the hidden confines of the royal pce. The gathering took ce in the secluded abode of the royal patriarch, a location shrouded in secrecy and only essible to the emperor himself. The enigmatic chamber, tucked away in the depths of the pce, was a ce where momentous decisions were made, and the destiny of the empire was often shaped. The atmosphere within the dimly lit hall of the royal patriarch''s abode was tense and charged with anticipation, as four influential figures sat together in a circle, deeply engrossed in a critical discussion. These individuals held immense power and sway over Yin country; they were the royal patriarch, the emperor himself, the patriarch of the influential Yang family, and the sect master of the Starfall Sect. Each of them understood the gravity of the situation and the implications of their decisions on the fate of the nation. The sect master of the Starfall Sect was a particrly formidable presence within the group. His tall, muscr frame and neatly trimmed beard lent him an air of authority and power that was impossible to ignore. His eyes held a piercing gaze that seemed to bore through anyone who dared to meet them, exuding an unmistakable sense of dominance andmand. It was evident that the sect master was a man of great influence and not one to be taken lightly in theplex and treacherous world of power and politics. The emperor, with a furrowed brow and an air of hesitation in his voice, questioned the decision they were about to make. "Are we sure we want to do this?" His words betrayed his uncertainty and worry, as he looked around the circle, seeking validation and reassurance from the other powerful individuals present. The sect master of the Starfall Sect, however, appeared unfazed by the emperor''s concerns. With a confident tone and unwavering resolve, he responded to the emperor''s question. "What do you have to worry about? We are doing this to keep you in power," he said, trying to ay the emperor''s fears. He continued, "The organization I belong to does not ept failures. Sky Soaring Sect is an unstable factor, and as far as I know, they are not supported by any powerful organization." In an attempt to further alleviate the emperor''s apprehension, the sect master borated on the information he had gathered about the organization. "Most probably, their current strength is rted to the rumors of lucky chances, which makes us even more curious," he exined, emphasizing that the organization was not a formidable threat. "None of their past immortals were powerful enough to face my Starfall sect; there is no cause for concern," he concluded, urging the emperor to trust in their collective wisdom and strength. The emperor listened attentively to the sect master''s words, trying to weigh the risks and benefits of their decision. He understood the need to maintain power and stability, but the uncertainty surrounding the organization in question still gnawed at him. As the discussion continued, he couldn''t help but feel a lingering unease, wondering if they were underestimating their opponents and if their actions could potentially backfire. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 143 The Royal Alliance The Secret Meeting in the royal pce continued. The royal patriarch added, "Then let us get it done. It is about time. The whole country has been waiting for us to take action." The Yang family patriarch spoke for the first time, "Their defense array cannot be broken even by an Earth Immortal. As long as they have spirit stones, they are unbeatable within their sect." The sect master of the Starfall Sect responded, "There are a million ways to kill prey. How long can they depend on those spirit stones? They will have toe out eventually. Besides, we have people inside the cities to create a ruckus." The four continued to discuss and n, their voices hushed and serious as they weighed the risks and rewards of their decisions. The meeting went on throughout the night, with each participant carefully considering every aspect of the situation. They knew that the consequences of their actions would reverberate throughout the empire, and they needed to ensure that their n was wless. As dawn broke, the four individuals left the royal patriarch''s abode, each heading to their designated locations to set their ns in motion. They were determined to maintain the bnce of power in Yin country, and they were prepared to do whatever it took to achieve their goals. With the fate of the empire hanging in the bnce, the wheels of a vast and intricate conspiracy were set in motion. As the four powerful figures embarked on their ndestine mission, the future of Yin country and its people was about to be irrevocably altered. The stage was set for a conflict that would shake the foundations of the empire and determine the destiny of all who lived within its borders. A few days had passed since the ndestine meeting in the royal pce, and the entire country was once again in an uproar. This time, the reason was different. The distant cities, towns, and vassal sects and families connected to the Sky Soaring Sect were under attack. The royal family officially announced that the Sky Soaring Sect had taken away the royal treasury and insulted the empress''s mother. As a result, they demanded the sect master and his disciple be handed over to the royal family, or they would take strict action against the Sky Soaring Sect. Soon, the Starfall Sect announced their support for the royal family, condemning the Sky Soaring Sect''s actions. Following their lead, the Yang family, Frost Peak Sect, and Divine Wind Sect also voiced their support for the royal family. The two cultivation families and three sects formed an alliance together, calling it the Royal Alliance. They showed their support for the royal family by attacking every vassal city, family, or sect controlled by the Sky Soaring Sect in their respective areas. The Cui and Wang families were also attacked that same day. Despite having taken numerous precautions in advance, the damage they suffered was severe and unbearable. The Sky Soaring Sect had moved most of the vassal families and sects near the sect area inside the new,rge defense array, but the damage they were receiving was still iprehensible. There were also some unstable elements within the cities that had been closed off by the Sky Soaring Sect and were protected by the defense array. Many people suddenly attacked the guards or the city and sect elders who were watching over the arrays of the cities. However, with the support of the new grand array deployed in every major city, they were able to suppress these unstable elements. Even though the sect had called most of the elders and disciples who had gone outside the sect''s defense area back, many still had not returned. They were attacked and killed. Some of the elders and disciples were unable to bring their families back in time, and their families were attacked and killed, and their resources looted. The situation became dire. It was evening in Sky Soaring Sect. Han Cai was on the terrace of his abode, ying the flute. While he was in a deep trance ying the flute, Yongnian came to the terrace and stood at some distance, waiting for Han Cai to finish. When Han Cai finished ying the flute, he turned to Yongnian and asked, "Where?" "The sect hall," answered Yongnian. Han Cai nodded and flew towards the sect hall. When he arrived, the hall was packed with outer sect elders, inner sect elders, core elders, and even core disciples. He also saw the patriarchs of the Cui and Wang families, his master, and Elder Dongmei, along with the young masters of the Cui and Wang families standing close to their parents. Everyone''s expressions were grim. Each of them had lost loved ones to the Royal Alliance''s cruelty, which spared no one, not even women and children. Han Cai sighed and walked into the hall. As he entered, even the elders who had been murmuring among themselves fell silent. The hall was eerily quiet. Han Cai went to the center of the hall and bowed to the sect master and Elder Dongmei. The sect master said, "Han Cai, the royal family has formed the Royal Alliance with the Starfall Sect, Yang family, Divine Wind Sect, and Frost Peak Sect. They have started attacking all the cities that are not protected by the grand defense array, causing significant damage to the Cui and Wang families. We are running out of options. You had asked the sect not to disturb you unless the situation was dire. The grand defense array is the only thing protecting us for now. But we cannot go out anymore to get spirit stones, and the moment we run out of spirit stones, they will try to destroy our very existence." Han Cai nodded and replied, "I don''t think we will run out of spirit stones anytime soon. All the major cities we own are protected by the grand defense array, and even a Void Immortal cannot trespass." Elder Dongmei spoke up, "Han Cai, this is serious. More than half of the Wang and Cui families have been destroyed because of their alliance with us." Han Cai looked at Elder Dongmei and retorted, "What did you think? That it was going to be a walk in the park? I told you all to be prepared for the consequences in advance. If you were not prepared, is it my fault?" The core elder of the Pill Hall said, "This is unfair. For the actions of one disciple, why should the whole sect suffer?" ************************************************** There were some errors in past chapters; I apologies to readers for that. Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 144 Pacifying The Sect Han Cai turned to the core elder of the Pill Hall and said, "That is indeed true. So do you want to hand me and my master over to the royal family and protect the sect?" The fairy of the Pill Hall fell silent, not knowing how to respond. However, a few inner sect and outer sect elders spoke up, "What the fairy said is right; this is unfair." Han Cai surveyed the hall, taking in the tense atmosphere and the worried faces of his fellow sect members. He knew that the situation was dire and even though the sect was not on the brink of destruction. They were all worried. He needed to pacify them. Seeing the concerned faces of people in the sect, Han Cai tried a political approach. "I understand your concerns," Han Cai said, his voice steady and calm. "But we must remember that we are a family, and we must stand united in the face of adversity. I will do everything in my power to protect our sect and our people, but I need your trust, cooperation, and support." The sect members exchanged nces, and although uncertainty still lingered, they nodded in agreement. Han Cai observed the inner sect and some outer sect elders as they continued toin. He had been patient for long enough. Suddenly, he turned to the inner sect elders who wereining and yelled loudly, "GET OVER HERE!." Two inner sect elders found the space around them shrinking. Before they could understand what was happening, they were standing right in front of Han Cai. The other sect members looked on in shock, curious to see what would happen next. Han Cai spoke calmly, "You two, tell me about the organization that approached you." The two elders broke out in a cold sweat and replied nervously, "What are you talking about? We don''t know anything." In response, Han Cai released his full charm. For a moment, he looked like a god descended from heaven. Everyone in the hall, especially the two elders were mesmerized. Charming cultivators three levels higher than himself was not difficult for Han Cai, so these two were peace of cake. He continued, "A few months ago, you two tried to create trouble for my family by attempting to kidnap young women of the Han family. When Elder Dongmei confronted you, both of you feigned ignorance and said you were not aware of your family''s actions. What was the true reason you ordered your family to create problems for my family?" Both elders, still under the spell of Han Cai''s charm, answered together, "To lure you out of the sect." Han Cai turned to one of the two elders and said, "You, tell me in detail what the reason was. Give me all the details." The first inner sect elder answered, "We were asked to lure you out of the sect somehow. Since you don''t interact with anyone much, we had no choice but to use your family. We nned to have some members of our family harass your family''s women. We hoped that when you heard the news, you would go to find them. Those members were moved to a forest outside the Cloud Mountain City, where an ambush was waiting for you. But we miscalcted; you never left the sect." Han Cai sighed, "This bunch, they always underestimate me everywhere." He then turned to the second elder and asked, "Who ordered you to do such a thing, and why?" The second elder replied, "It was the orders of the sect master of the Starfall Sect. Since you joined, there have been a lot of anomalies in the sect that did not exist before ¨C be it medium-sized mines or strong elite beasts. For a thousand years, the Sky Soaring Sect was quiet and slowly degrading, but after the Sky Soaring Sect Master took you in as his talented disciple, the sect experienced one fortuitous encounter after another. They were not sure you were the cause, but they decided to capture you since you were the most important disciple of the sect. They thought they would get all the answers from you." Han Cai unintentionally nced at the Cui family patriarch. The patriarch almost blushed, as their members also had a simr n in the past to find details about the spirit stone mine of the Sky Soaring Sect. Shaking his head, Han Cai thought, ''Couldn''t these peoplee up with something original?'' He reduced his charm back to normal and looked at the inner sect discipline hall elder. The elder and a few other discipline hall members moved forward, came to the center, and took the two elders away with them. After the culprits were taken away. Han Cai bowed again. This time he gave the bow to everyone in the sect. Han Cai addressed the remaining sect members, "When you grow and experience fortuitous encounters, when you be strong, no matter how much you hide, if you want to live a good life, someone will notice sooner orter. They will want your fortuitous encounters and everything you own. I will be honest with you, everything with royals was started by me because it benefits me. I apologize to everyone who has suffered because of this problem that I created. When I joined the sect, my goal was to be an Immortal. Today I am one of the strongest disciples in the sect. But I am still not an Immortal. I have never expected the world to be fair to me, so I apologize to you all, but I am going to be unfair to you. This war with the royals is good for my cultivation, and it was inevitable." He continued, "What we did in the capital just sped things up. It was going to happen sooner orter." He fell silent for a while, and an eerie silence filled the hall. Everyone was waiting for Han Cai to speak again. After some thought, Han Cai broke the silence saying, " I know many of you are afraid and worried, and many have also lost loved ones, which should not have happened. But the sect had already informed everyone, and everyone was given time to move their families near the sect or out of the kingdom. The sect was even ready to pay for it, but some of you did not take the sect''s advice seriously, so it''s not on me. Don''t try to put that guilt on me because it won''t work." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 145 Against The Royal Alliance Han Cai continued, "Coming back to your fears and concerns ¨C I should be afraid too, but do I look afraid right now? I smacked the Mother Empress in the capital in front of the patriarch of the royal family, who is an Earth Immortal. After that, I enjoyed wine at the banquet before leaving. If they could hurt or harm me, they would have done so there. An Earth Immortal could not do anything to me. So, for those who want to hand me and my master over to them, do give it a try, but understand the consequences of your actions. As for those who are afraid, if you''re worried about getting hurt, then leave the sect if you do not have faith in it. I can only say that this struggle will benefit the whole sect. No one is asking you to go out and fight for the sect. You just have to stay in the sect and cultivate. I will personally take care of everything and end this war." Han Cai then turned to the Cui and Wang family patriarchs, "My apologies to the Cui and Wang families who suffered the most. We did warn you about the uing bacsh of my actions, but unlike our sect, you did not have a grand array to protect yourselves. To make up for that, I will ensure the Cui and Wang families are treated well in the future when we are done with what is about to be done." The Cui and Wang family patriarchs were left wondering what Han Cai was going to do. However, Han Cai did not exin anything further to anyone. He simply turned around and left the hall, leaving everyone to ponder his words and what the future held for the Sky Soaring Sect and its allies. Two weeks passed since Han Cai pacified the members of the Sky Soaring Sect in the sect hall. In the east of Yin Kingdom, there was a well-known city called Azurewind City. This enchanting city was famous for its magnificent architecture, showcasing a unique blend of traditional and modern styles that captured the hearts of visitors. Azurewind City was also known for its bustling markets, where people could find a vast array of goods and services. The lively atmosphere of the markets attracted traders and buyers from far and wide, making it a hub ofmerce and exchange. The city was home to numerous skilled artisans who dedicated their lives to perfecting their crafts. These talented individuals produced exquisite handicrafts that were sought after by collectors and enthusiasts from all corners of the kingdom. The picturesquendscapes surrounding the city only added to its charm. Azurewind City was nestled amidst lush greenery and pristinekes, offering its residents and visitors a sense of serenity and a connection with nature. Most importantly, just like Cloud Mountain City was controlled by the Sky Soaring Sect, Azurewind City was under the jurisdiction of the Divine Wind Sect. This powerful sect yed a crucial role in maintaining order and ensuring the prosperity of the city. Through their effective governance, the Divine Wind Sect gained the respect and admiration of Azurewind City''s citizens, fostering a sense of loyalty and pride among them. One fateful night, everything seemed normal in Azurewind City, with half of the poption fast asleep, unaware of the events that were about to unfold. The moon cast its gentle light over the peaceful city, creating a calm and serene atmosphere. However, upon closer inspection, it was apparent that most of the cultivator guards, responsible for protecting the city and its inhabitants, had mysteriously disappeared overnight. The mansion of the Lord of Azurewind City was eerily silent, its usual air of grandeur reced by an unsettling stillness. There were no sounds emanating from within the walls, as if not a single person lived there. This strange and disquieting atmosphere foreshadowed a series of events that would shake the foundations of Azurewind City and leave its citizens questioning their safety and their future. Located in the northwest of Yin Kingdom, therey another well-known city called Snowstone City. This remarkable city was renowned for its cold climate, which nketed the region in a crisp, refreshing chill. The majestic snow-capped mountains that surrounded Snowstone City served as a breathtaking backdrop, drawing nature lovers and adventurers alike. In addition to its stunning natural beauty, the city was famous for its soothing hot springs, where visitors could rx and rejuvenate in the steaming waters. Snowstone City was also a hub for schrs and philosophers, attracting intellectuals from all corners of the kingdom. Its streets were filled with the exchange of ideas, as people from various backgrounds engaged in lively discussions and debates. The city''s atmosphere was charged with a spirit of curiosity and discovery, making it a haven for those who sought knowledge and wisdom. Most importantly, just as Cloud Mountain City was controlled by the Sky Soaring Sect, Snowstone City was under the governance of the Frost Peak Sect. With wisdom and foresight, the Frost Peak Sect guided the city''s growth and development, ensuring its continued prosperity. Under their rule, Snowstone City flourished, bing a shining example of progress and stability. However, on one fateful night, an eerie calm settled over Snowstone City. The bustling streets and lively conversations that usually filled the air were reced by an unsettling silence. Unlike Azurewind City, where the guards had mysteriously vanished, the guards in Snowstone City were present but lifeless. Their corpsesy on the ground, dry and devoid of vitality, as if someone or something had drained the life from them. A simr scene unfolded in the mayor of Snowstone City''s mansion. Every member, cultivator, and guard within the mansiony lifeless on the floor, their bodies as dry as corpses. The once-vibrant halls were now filled with an ominous stillness ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 146 Terror As dawn broke the following day, news of the horrifying events in both Azurewind City and Snowstone City rapidly spread throughout the Yin Kingdom. The shocking revtions sent waves of panic and disbelief coursing through the popce, throwing the entire country into an uproar. In Azurewind City, the guards and city lord had mysteriously disappeared without a trace, while in Snowstone City, lifeless and desated corpses littered the streets, their vitality drained away as if by some malevolent force. The once-peaceful kingdom was now gripped by a pervasive sense of dread, as people from all walks of life found themselves questioning what could have possibly caused such devastating and mysterious incidents. Fear and uncertainty spread like wildfire, fueled by countless whispered rumors and theories. The inhabitants of the Yin Kingdom found themselves unable to shake off the unsettling feeling that their world had been upended overnight. As the news continued to travel far and wide, the collective anxiety of the people only intensified, casting a dark shadow over the once-thriving nation. Unbeknownst to the people of the Yin Kingdom, the tragic events that unfolded in Azurewind City and Snowstone City were just the beginning of a terrifying new chapter in their history. In the aftermath of the attacks on Azure Wind and Snowstone City, the assaults only grew in frequency and intensity. Each night, two new cities or towns would fall prey to the mysterious assants, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Guards, officials, and mayors were systematically massacred, and everyst resource in the cities'' treasuries plundered. It quickly became apparent that these targeted assaults were focused on areas under the control of either the Frost Peak Sect or the Divine Wind Sect. Before long, the campaign of terror expanded to include cities owned by the Yang family, the Royal family, and the Starfall Sect. As these powerful groups struggled to formte a response, the assants pressed their advantage, striking against the vassal sects and families allied with the Royal Alliance. The evidence was mounting that the Sky Soaring Sect was behind the orchestrated attacks. Within a month, over twenty sects, cities, and towns had been brutally decimated and left utterly devastated. The atmosphere across the Yin Country had be one of palpable fear and anxiety. The scale and ferocity of the attacks were unprecedented, leaving citizens in a constant state of unease. The most vulnerable were the vassal families, sects, and city lords who had aligned themselves with the Royal Alliance. They lived in the suffocating grip of constant dread, acutely aware that they could be the next target, and that their homes and loved ones could be attacked and destroyed without warning. They could not sleep soundly, and anxiety weighed heavily upon their hearts. In the east of Yin Kingdom, there was a well-known city called Moonlight Haven. This city was a vassal city of the Starfall Sect. Moonlight Haven was famous for its vibrant night markets, grand temples, and beautiful gardens illuminated by the silvery glow of the moon. The city was a hub for schrs, traders, and artisans who brought wealth and culture to its streets. It was nighttime in Moonlight Haven, and half of the poption was sleeping. Everything looked normal, but if you looked closely, you would see that the guards of the city were on high alert. Ever since the news of attacks on various vassal towns and sects of the Starfall Sect was heard by the people of these cities, they all slept with one eye open, worried that they could be the next target. However, the guards and people of Moonlight Haven were rtively less worried as this city was one of the essential trading hubs that supported the Starfall Sect, so the sect had sent a Nascent Soul level cultivator to protect the city. Two guards standing on the wall surrounding the city were alert, looking around to ensure everything was normal. Suddenly, out of nowhere, gray-colored Qi appeared behind them, and before they could realize what was going on, the gray Qi swallowed them. When the gray Qi disappeared, there were two dry corpses on the ground with no vitality in them. Soon, the same thing happened to other guards on the wall and those protecting the main gate of the city. Gray Qi woulde out of nowhere, swallow them, and when the Qi left, there would be dried corpses with no vitality. Guards on the city wall kept falling like flies. One of the guard leaders on a watchtower of the city noticed this and immediately raised the rm. The Nascent Soul cultivator from the city lord''s mansion flew out with him, followed by twenty Golden Core cultivators. They flew towards the rm, and when they reached the tower, they saw the dried-up corpse of the guard who had rung the rm. They all became alert and started looking for clues, but suddenly their medallions rang, indicating that the city lord''s mansion was under attack. When they reached the mansion, they realized that everyone in the city lord''s mansion had be a dried corpse. The Nascent Soul cultivator of the Starfall Sect was furious. He took out a treasure. This treasure could help him find the enemy, and the treasure showed that the enemy was standing right behind him. When the Nascent Soul cultivator turned around, he saw gray Qi swallowing a Golden Core cultivator behind him. The Nascent Soul cultivator of the Starfall Sect yelled, "Attack!" Everyone, Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators alike, attacked the gray Qi that was swallowing the Golden Core cultivator together. Some used arrows; others unleashed wind attacks and a few shed sword Qi at the mysterious gray Qi. Despite their efforts, the gray Qi did not stop. It swallowed the Golden Core cultivator, and when the gray Qi finally disappeared, they saw the dismantled, dried-up corpse of the Golden Core cultivator. All the attacks they had unleashed had not hurt the gray Qi that swallowed the Golden Core cultivator, but the attacks had struck the corpse of the Golden Core cultivator, who had been swallowed by the gray Qi. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 147 Fury And Fear The Nascent Soul cultivator''s anger reached its boiling point as he helplessly watched the gray Qi engulf the remaining Golden Core cultivators one by one. With each passing moment, the gruesome sight of more dismembered, dried-up corpses only served to fuel his rage. But as his fury burned hotter, it gradually began to give way to a chilling sensation of fear. He had never encountered anything like this before, and he realized he had no idea how tobat this unseen enemy. As thest of the Golden Core cultivators sumbed to their grisly fate, the gray Qi emerged once more. This time, however, it did not attack the Nascent Soul cultivator. Instead, it coalesced into the form of an elderly man dressed in a gray robe. The old man''s identity soon became clear: it was none other than Yongnian. With a sneer in his voice, Yongnian addressed the Nascent Soul cultivator, his words dripping with disdain. "I will allow you to leave. Take this message back to the Starfall Sect: cease your attacks on the Sky Soaring Sect immediately, or face dire consequences." The Nascent Soul cultivator''s fear began to morph into a renewed fury as he listened to Yongnian''s condescending tone. Clenching his sword tightly, he unleashed a powerful sh imbued with fiery sword Qi, directing it straight at Yongnian. As the attack reached Yongnian, it seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever. Instead, it harmlessly passed through his body as if he were an incorporeal being. Undeterred, the Nascent Soul cultivator continued to sh his sword at Yongnian, but each subsequent attack met the same fate. Desperate, he resorted to other techniques, such as unleashing a fiery breath and casting a me seal, but none of these had any impact on Yongnian either. As Yongnian steadily approached the Nascent Soul cultivator, he spoke once more, his voice calm but firm. "I will give you another chance to leave and ry my message to the Starfall Sect elders: cease your attacks on the Sky Soaring Sect''s vassals." The Nascent Soul cultivator, faced with the futility of his attacks, was ovee with fear. In a bid to put some distance between them, he leaped several paces away from Yongnian. Summoning his courage, the Nascent Soul cultivator of the Starfall Sect replied, "I apologize for any offense I may have caused, senior. I will convey your message to the sect and urge them to halt their attacks." Yongnian nodded in response, simply stating, "Go." As the Nascent Soul cultivator turned to leave, he prepared to take flight. However, just as he was about to soar into the sky, the gray Qi materialized out of nowhere, assailing him with a relentless assault. The cultivator struggled to fend off the gray Qi as it drained his vitality, but his resistance proved futile. Ultimately, he could no longer fight back, and his entire essence was absorbed. Even when the cultivator''s nascent soul attempted to escape, the gray Qi would not permit it, ensuring the cultivator''splete and utter defeat. The gray Qi finally spat out the dried corpse of the Nascent Soul cultivator of the Starfall Sect but kept his nascent soul trapped. Yongnian moved his hands and a small container appeared in his hand; Yongnian brought the container near the nascent soul of the cultivator and container sucked it in. After the nascent soul was captured. Yongnian reabsorbed the gray Qi he had released. Yongnian, havingpleted his sinister task, gazed at the desated corpse of the Nascent Soul cultivator from the Starfall Sect. A wicked smile crept across his face, as if he was pleased with his handiwork. Then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, Yongnian vanished without a trace. The following day, the entire nation was informed of the harrowing events that had unfolded in Moonlight Haven. This revtion sent shockwaves throughout the kingdom, as it marked the first instance of a Nascent Soul cultivator being killed in the ongoing conflict. The implications were chilling: not even cities guarded by powerful Nascent Soul cultivators could consider themselves safe from these devastating attacks. The Starfall Sect''s outrage knew no bounds. This brazen act of violence was the first time someone had dared to murder a Nascent Soul elder from their ranks. In retaliation, the Starfall Sect issued an official deration, naming the Sky Soaring Sect as their mortal enemy and vowing to annihte them entirely. Despite their vehement promation, the Starfall Sect found themselves uncertain about how to proceed. The Royal Alliance was quickly running out of viable options. What had initially begun as one city under attack soon every escted to three and, eventually, a staggering four cities being targeted daily basis. The Royal Alliance found itself stretched thin, struggling to keep pace with the mounting assaults on their territories. The Royal Alliance found itself in a dire predicament, as they were rapidly depleting their ranks of elders and core elders to protect their cities and towns. After several more weeks, they had no other option but to cease deploying Nascent Soul cultivators for defense when the fifth Nascent Soul cultivator met a tragic end while attempting to protect a city. Desperation grew for the members of the Royal Alliance as they continued to suffer devastating losses in resources and personnel. The citizens of Yin Country were gripped by escting fear, realizing that the once-safe haven they had known was now under relentless attack. The vassal families, sects, and city lords that had allied with the Royal Alliance were all too aware of the suffocating pressure and the ever-present dread of bing the next target. Countless meetings were convened by the Starfall Sect and the other Royal Alliance members to deliberate on potential strategies to counter the mounting crisis. They recognized that the loss of their Nascent Soul cultivators and cities at this rming rate was unsustainable. Despite their concerted efforts, they were unable to devise a solution, as the enigmatic assant remained elusive and seemingly untouchable. Amidst the deteriorating situation, dissent began to emerge within the ranks of the Royal Alliance. Some members started to question the wisdom of perpetuating the conflict with the Sky Soaring Sect, fearing that this path would only result in mutual annihtion. Nevertheless, the leadership of the Royal Alliance, the Starfall sect, remained steadfast in their resolve, determined to destroy the Sky Soaring Sect at all costs. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 148 Desperate Royal Alliance The Royal Alliance decided to adopt a different strategy. Instead of sending Nascent Soul cultivators to protect the cities, they focused on gathering intelligence about the mysterious attacker and the Sky Soaring Sect''s movements. They hoped that by understanding the enemy better, they could devise a more effective n to counter their attacks. Meanwhile, the citizens of Yin country were growing increasingly restless and dissatisfied with the Royal Alliance''s inability to protect them. The once prosperous nation was now crumbling under the weight of fear, and the people were beginning to lose faith in their leaders. Some individuals even began to secretly support the Sky Soaring Sect, hoping that they would be able to bring an end to the chaos and restore peace to the country. In the midst of the ongoing turmoil and uncertainty, another secret meeting convened in the hidden abode of the royal patriarch, located deep within the pce grounds. Inside the dimly lit hall, six individuals sat with somber expressions on their faces, each a formidable figure in their own right, wielding considerable power and influence. The gathering included the royal patriarch, the emperor of Yin Country, the patriarch of the Yang family, and the sect master of the Starfall Sect. They were apanied by the sect masters of the Frost Peak and Divine Wind sects, whose territories had been the primary targets of the relentless onught. Their sects'' proximity to the Sky Soaring Sect made them particrly vulnerable, as they were the closest of all the families to the enemy. Breaking the silence, the sect master of the Frost Peak Sect voiced the collective concern: "This cannot go on. If this continues, all our cities will be robbed and left defenseless, devoid of lords or guards." As the others nodded in agreement, the weight of their predicament seemed to hang even heavier in the air. The sect master of the Divine Wind Sect chimed in, stating, "The Sky Soaring Sect is too powerful for us to handle. Unless the royal patriarch or Starfall Sect''s Earth Immortal takes action, we will lose all the cities." All eyes turned toward the royal patriarch, who remained silent before shifting to the sect master of the Starfall Sect. After a moment, the Starfall Sect''s sect master spoke up, "It is true we underestimated them, but do not worry. We have engaged the services of a high-level diviner from Xuan Country. He has foreseen which cities will be attacked in the future, allowing us to station nascent souls there to ambush the assants. Admittedly, they turned out to be stronger than our nascent souls, but this time, one of our sect''s ancestorsˇŞan Earth ImmortalˇŞwill safeguard the next city as divined by the Xuan Country seer. We will be prepared this time. " The members of the meeting exchanged nces, feeling a mix of hope and apprehension. The fact that an Earth Immortal would take part in the uing battle was a significant boost to their confidence, but the situation remained dire. The emperor of Yin country nodded solemnly, "We must protect our people and ournds. We cannot afford to lose more cities and resources to the Sky Soaring Sect." The others agreed with the emperor''s sentiment, and their determination to protect their country and people grew stronger. Patriarch Yang clenched his fists, "We have lost too many of our family members and loyal followers in this conflict. We must end this soon and make the Sky Soaring Sect pay for their atrocities." The others shared his desire for retribution and the hope that the uing battle would bring an end to the suffering they had endured. The atmosphere in the abode was tense, with each person present feeling the weight of their responsibilities and the lives at stake. They knew that the uing battle would be crucial in determining the oue of this war between the sects and families. The sect master of Frost Peak spoke again, "We must also consider the possibility of their sect having some hidden elders and Jedi family participating in the battle. Their strength is unknown, but we must be prepared for the worst." The sect master of Divine Wind nodded, "Agreed. We must not underestimate Sky Soaring Sect. We should be prepared for any surprises they may have in store for us." The royal patriarch finally spoke, his voice grave and filled with wisdom, "Indeed, we must be cautious. But we must also be decisive. We cannot allow fear to dictate our actions." The emperor added, "We should also make sure our defenses are well-prepared in case of any unexpected counterattacks. We must not give the Sky Soaring Sect any chance to infiltrate our core territories." The sect master of Starfall sect reassured everyone, "Our diviner has been working tirelessly to gather as much information as possible. We will have a better understanding of their movements and ns, which will aid us in the uing battle. Also, the other two Earth Immortal ancestors of our Starfall sect will be taking action personally. Even if the Sky Soaring Sect is protected by an array, that doesn''t mean their allies are too." The meeting continued, with each person contributing their thoughts and strategies for the crucial battle thaty ahead. There was a sense of unity and determination among them as they resolved to defend theirnd, their people, and their honor. As the meeting concluded, the royal patriarch stood up, his gaze sweeping across the room, "This war has brought great suffering to our country, but we will not allow it to continue any longer. Together, we will stand strong and reim what belongs to us." With that, the six of them dispersed, returning to their respective sects and families to prepare for the uing battle. The tension in the air was palpable, as everyone knew that the fate of Yin country rested on their shoulders. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 149 Doomed Cities Of Cui And Wang In the following days, the sects and families made their final preparations, sending their strongest cultivators and guards to the cities predicted to soon be under attack. One Earth Immortal from the Starfall sect took up his position in the next city, his presence an immense reassurance to those around him. The remaining two left the Starfall sect and their whereabouts were unknown. The people of Yin country held their breath, praying for a swift and decisive victory in the uing confrontation. They had suffered countless attacks and losses, and they longed for peace and stability to return to theirnds. As the day of the anticipated battle drew near, the atmosphere in the cities was tense yet filled with hope. They knew that this battle could be the turning point in the struggle against the Sky Soaring Sect. All eyes were on the brave cultivators and guards who were risking their lives to defend their people and their homes. With the stage set and both sides ready, the final confrontation between the Royal Alliance and the Sky Soaring Sect was about to begin. The future of Yin country hung in the bnce, and everyone involved knew the importance of the battle toe. As the hours ticked down, the tension grew, and the people of Yin country watched with bated breath. The cities'' defenses were reinforced, and the cultivators and guards stood at the ready, prepared to face whatever challenge the Sky Soaring Sect would bring. In the boundless northern Yin, the mighty Cui and Wang families stood as pirs of power and authority. Their Wang and Cui cities were vast and filled with opulence, and their influence reached far and wide. Yet, fate had other ns for these two illustrious families. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the cities, an ominous presence loomed in the shadows. Two Earth Immortal cultivators, their faces shrouded in darkness and their auras concealed, prepared to unleash their devastating power on the Cui and Wang families, along with their vassal families. Without any warning, the two Earth Immortals of the Starfall sect struck simultaneously, their movements as swift as lightning and as fierce as a raging tempest. The city guards, caught off guard, were ughtered within moments, their blood painting the city walls in a gruesome disy of the cultivators'' power. Panic spread like wildfire among the citizens of the Wang and Cui family stronghold. as they realized the terror that had befallen their cities. The Wang and Cui family members, along with their vassal families and mortals of the city, desperately tried to mount a defense, but their efforts were futile in the face of the Earth Immortals'' overwhelming might. Young and old fell one by one, their life force snuffed out like candles in a hurricane. The Earth Immortals showed no mercy, their expressions cold and unfeeling as they moved through the cities, destroying everything and everyone in their path. Most of the Cui and Wang family elders and cultivators had already taken refuge in Sky Soaring Sect. The few Cui and Wang family elders, their faces contorted with fear and anguish, attempted to negotiate with the Earth Immortals. They offered unimaginable wealth, power, and even their unwavering loyalty, but the Earth Immortals were unmoved. Their sole objective was the utter annihtion of the two families and their vassals. As the night wore on, the cities burned, consumed by raging fires that seemed to mirror the Earth Immortals'' relentless fury. The cultivators reveled in the destruction they wrought, showing nopassion or mercy as they hunted down everyst member of the Cui and Wang families. When the first light of dawn broke through the darkness, the once-proud cities of the Cui and Wang familiesy in ruins, their streets littered with corpses and the remnants of their once-great legacies. The survivors, battered and broken, were left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, the nightmare of that fateful night forever etched in their memories. The Earth Immortals vanished as silently as they hade, their dreadful missionplete. In their wake, the devastated cities stood as a chilling testament to their terrible power and the ruthlessness with which they had carried out their task. The destruction of the Cui and Wang families sent ripples throughout the cultivators and populous of Yin. As the dreadful news reached the Sky Soaring Sect, the atmosphere within the sect turned somber and heavy. The patriarchs of the Cui and Wang families, who had brought their most valuable people and core members to the Sky Soaring Sect as guests, were devastated by the catastrophe that had befallen their families. In their guest abodes, the two patriarchs felt their legs go weak upon hearing the dreadful news. The worst-case scenario they had feared hade true. It took hours for them to regain theirposure, and when they finally did, they knew they needed answers. One after the other, they flew towards the sect hall to confront the Sky Soaring Sect''s leadership. The first to arrive was the patriarch of the Cui family, followed by the patriarch of the Wang family. In the sect hall, the sect master and Elder Dongmei sat with grim expressions on their faces, having already received the news of the destruction. As the two patriarchs entered, the sect master got up, weed them, and offered them tea. The patriarchs remained silent, their eyes filled with misery and sorrow. Seeing the two patriarchs in such a state, the sect master tried to console them with pacifying words, but his efforts seemed to fall on deaf ears. Elder Dongmei excused himself from the hall and went to call Han Cai. As Elder Dongmei approached Han Cai''s abode, Han Cai emerged and followed the elder to the sect hall without a word. Upon entering the hall, Han Cai saw the patriarchs of the Cui and Wang families, their eyes lifeless and full of despair. The air was thick with their misery, and it was evident that the weight of their losses was unbearable. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 150 Peace Before The Storm Elder Dongmei returned to his throne, while Han Cai bowed to everyone present. The sect master was the first to speak, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Han Cai, have you heard? Two Earth Immortals attacked the Cui and Wang''s family cities, destroying them and massacring the innocent." Han Cai nodded solemnly, "Yes, Master, I have heard." The sect master continued, "It was eptable when the battle was between cultivators, but now, innocents are involved. Why are you doing this? Why did you make enemies of the Royals and everyone? Why bring suffering to everyone?" Han Cai sighed and replied "Master, you know me well. Do you think I wanted this? You have seen me grow up and know that all I desire is to y the flute in my abode and enjoy peaceful days. I long for nothing more than a tranquil life. But as you know, I came across many opportunities and learned many truths. If I had a choice, I would never have left the sect and would have cultivated in peace. But to achieve that peaceful life, I need to do this." Turning to the Cui and Wang family patriarchs, Han Cai said, "When we started this struggle, I misjudged the Starfall Sect. I thought that as this was a battle between cultivators, they would not harm the innocents and mortals. But I was wrong. My mistake cost many lives, and I am ashamed of it." Han Cai turned back to the sect master and said, "I know I cannot make up for what has happened, Master, but I will end this struggle today." After saying that, Han Cai left. ************************************************** Situated in the southern region of Yin country, the Starfall Sect upied a breathtaking location amidst verdant forests and majestic mountains that seemed to reach for the heavens themselves. This renowned sect, with its impressive size covering over 1,000 miles in length, proudly disyed its wealth and power through an array of awe-inspiring buildings and structures that adorned thendscape. The central hall, a grandiose pce skillfully crafted from white jade and decorated with a myriad of precious stones, stood tall and proud, representing the unyielding authority and influence of the sect. An intricatework of buildings and residences surrounded the central hall, providingfortable amodation for the sect''s diversemunity of disciples, elders, and servants. As one explored the vast expanse of the Starfall Sect, they would discover numerous well-equipped training halls, expansive libraries filled with ancient knowledge, and dedicated pens housing a variety of spiritual beasts. Each of these facilities was designed to cater to the unique needs and requirements of the cultivators who called the sect their home. To guarantee the safety and well-being of everyone residing within its domain, the sect was fortified by an incredibly powerful array, engineered to withstand even the most devastating of attacksunched by a formidable Void Immortal. As the sun began its descent towards the horizon, casting warm hues across the sky, the daily routines of the Starfall Sect''s disciples and elders transitioned into their evening activities. Within the outer sect, dedicated disciples immersed themselves in diligent practice, honing their cultivation techniques with unwavering focus. Simultaneously, others dedicated their time to refining their weapons and concocting potent pills to aid in their cultivation journey. As the evening unfolded, some disciples could be seen enjoying leisurely strolls around the sect''s picturesque grounds, engaging in light-hearted conversations with friends and fellow cultivators. In their role as mentors, the outer sect elders diligently supervised the progress of their disciples, offering invaluable guidance and wisdom to facilitate their growth and development. The atmosphere of the Starfall sect buzzed with the hum of conversation as elders and disciples alike exchanged thoughts on sect affairs and imparted their knowledge to the eager younger generation, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collective growth. In contrast, the inner sect disciples were deeply engrossed in more sophisticated cultivation practices, sharpening their skills and striving to master formidable techniques that set them apart from their peers. In their quest for enlightenment, they were often found poring over ancient texts, attempting to unravel the mysteries of the universe and deepen their understanding of the Dao ¨C the underlying principle governing the cosmos. Within the sect, the inner sect elders convened for crucial meetings, discussing strategies and formting ns to counter the ongoing threat posed by the Sky Soaring Sect. In addition to their strategizing, these elders bore the responsibility of nurturing and mentoring the next generation of sect elders and leaders. Their guidance and support aimed to help these future leaders reach their full potential and prepare them to tackle the formidable challenges thaty ahead in their path. The Core sect disciples, representing the most gifted and talented members of the Starfall Sect, secluded themselves in their private cultivation chambers. Their sole focus was to break through to higher realms of power, solidifying their ce as the pride of the sect and the torchbearers of its enduring legacy. Tasked with the smooth functioning and management of the sect''s affairs, the Core sect elders dedicated themselves to a multitude of responsibilities. Among their duties was the refining of the sect''s treasures and weapons, ensuring that the sect''s arsenal remained stocked with the most potent and powerful items to face any challenge. The palpable strain of the ongoing battle with the Sky Soaring Sect weighed heavily on the entire sect, with elders and disciples alike whispering about the potential conclusion of the conflict that very day. Their anticipation stemmed from the knowledge that their ancestor, an Earth Immortal, had personally left the sect to take action. This formidable figure was currently safeguarding the city that was expected to be attacked, based on intelligence provided by a diviner from Xuan country. As twilight enveloped the horizon, casting shadows over the Starfall Sect, a figure materialized high above the vast expanse of the sect''s grounds. This handsome young man was none other than Han Cai himself. His gaze swept over the sprawling sect below, taking in the magnificent architecture, serene gardens, and bustling training grounds that characterized the rival sect. For a fleeting moment, he permitted himself to appreciate the captivating beauty of the Starfall Sect, despite their enmity. ************************************************** Supplementary chapter, because You guys are awesome, we reached 1000 power stones. Thank You Chapter 151 The Fall Of Starfall Sect Looking at the mesmerizing Starfall Sect, with a sigh, Han Cai spoke softly, "Tengai Shinsei." In an instant, a ck spot appeared in the sky, hurtling towards the Starfall Sect at a terrifying speed. The ck spot, a massive meteor with a diameter of 700 meters, was being hurled toward the surface at thousands of miles per second, defying gravity and seemingly manipting thews of the world to increase its speed. As the meteor''s shadow loomed over the sect, the disciples and elders looked up in horror, realizing the impending catastrophe. The ming meteor crashed into the sect''s protective array, which, despite its ability to withstand a Void Immortal''s attack, crumbled under the immense pressure and kic force of the meteor. In the blink of an eye, the once impregnable array shattered, leaving the sect defenseless against the apocalyptic impact. With a deafening boom, the meteor collided with the ground, sending shockwaves throughout the entire sect. Buildings crumbled to dust, and the ground itself seemed to tear apart as the massive meteor tore through thendscape. The once lush forests surrounding the sect were set aze, the inferno consuming everything in its path. The majestic mountains that had stood tall for centuries were reduced to rubble, and the rivers that flowed through the sect''s territory were redirected, leaving gaping chasms in their wake. In the aftermath of the devastating meteor strike, thendscape of the Starfall Sect had been irrevocably transformed. Once a bustling and thriving sect adorned with picturesque gardens, crystal-clearkes, and awe-inspiring buildings, it had now been reduced to a colossal, smoldering crater. This crater now housed the fragmented remnants of the sect''s former glory. The scale of the destruction was immense and beyondprehension, with the entire sect being wiped from existence in a matter of a few heart-wrenching moments. Countless disciples and elders who had previously considered the Starfall Sect their sanctuary met their end either instantly or through a drawn-out, agonizing demise caused by the meteor''s catastrophic impact. The few fortunate survivors who had managed to escape the initial strike were left to wander aimlessly through the ruins, grieving the loss of their friends, family, and the life they had known within the once-magnificent sect. In the face of such immense tragedy, the survivors were left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and forge a new path forward. Han Cai flew close to the sect and spoke again, "System absorb." The news of the Starfall Sect''s destruction spread like wildfire throughout Yin Country, leaving everyone in a state of utter disbelief. It wasmon knowledge that the ongoing conflict between the Starfall and Sky Soaring Sects would inevitably lead to destruction on a massive scale, but no one could have predicted the oue that hade to pass. The consensus had been that the Sky Soaring Sect, being the weaker of the two, would ultimately face annihtion. The reality that the Starfall Sect, the most powerful and influential sect in the entire country, had been wiped off the map in a mere day was something that no one had ever imagined possible. As word spread, there was no rioting or protests, no public outcry or chaotic unrest. Instead, a profound and haunting silence settled over thend. People from all walks of life were left speechless and dumbfounded when they heard the news about theplete destruction of the Starfall Sect and the dramatic alteration of thendscape where it had once stood. The sheer magnitude of the event was too much for most to process orprehend. For over a thousand years, Yin Country had been a bastion of peace and stability. That peace had been shattered in an instant when the Empress Mother insulted one of the weakest sects in the nation. And now, the strongest sect in Yin Country, a sect that had long been a cornerstone of the nation''s power and stability, was gone. In the days that followed the cataclysmic event, an announcement came from the Sky Soaring Sect that would change everything. They issued an ultimatum, giving the Royal Family one month to dissolve the Royal Alliance, or else they would face the destruction of the royal capital. The Sky Soaring Sect even went as far as to urge innocent civilians living in the royal capital to evacuate as soon as possible, as the sect would not be held responsible for any casualties or destruction that might ensue. Upon hearing this announcement from the Sky Soaring Sect, public opinion about the sect began to shift dramatically. Prior to this, they had been seen as the viins who had dared to p the Empress Mother and offend the royal family. However, now the people''s perception of the Sky Soaring Sect had undergone a significant transformation, and it was unclear what changed the perception of people if it was because the sect cared about mortals or because the sect proved that It was more powerful than any sect in the country. People worshipped royals because they were the strongest to the general public. They were like unfathomable gods, but now, a sect that could p royals in their banquets and destroy one of the strongest sects in the Yin came along. The power and Kindness of sky soaring sect had a rippling effect on the people of the Yin. All this made people rethink their opinion of the Sky Soaring Sect. Now they were being perceived as a sect that cared about the well-being and safety of the general public, putting them in a more favorable light. In the aftermath of the Starfall Sect''s destruction, another meeting was being convened in the royal pce''s forbidden backyard. The attendees were the same influential figures who had gathered previously: the Royal Patriarch, the Emperor, the Patriarch of the Yang Family, the Sect Master of the Frost Peak Sect, the Sect Master of the Divine Wind Sect, and the gloomy Sect Master of the now-obliterated Starfall Sect. Luckily he was not present in Starfall Sect when a meteor struck as he was busy setting an ambush with earth immortal ancestor for Sky Soaring Sect in one of the cities where the diviner had predicted that the next attack woulde. The atmosphere in the meeting was tense and heavy, with no one uttering a word for a long time. Each person was deep in thought, contemting the gravity of the situation they now faced. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 152 Prime Minister Liang Zhen Finally, the Sect Master of the Divine Wind Sect broke the silence, saying, "The Sect Master of Frost Peak and I have reached a decision. We n to surrender to the Sky Soaring Sect. We simply cannot face this level of battle. Only Void Immortals could emerge unscathed from such an attack, and we do not possess that level of power." Upon hearing this, the Royal Patriarch nodded solemnly. He did not me the two sect masters for choosing to submit to the Sky Soaring Sect after witnessing their overwhelming power. He knew that even he was not capable of confronting them. The Emperor, too, understood that the Divine Wind Sect''s Sect Master and the Frost Peak Sect Master had no other options. Theycked the support of an Earth Immortal, while the Sky Soaring Sect had demonstrated the might of a Void Immortal. Only beings of such caliber or higher could cause destruction on such a monumental scale. In truth, even the Royal Patriarch and the Emperor were considering surrendering. The grim reality was that they did not have much choice in the matter. If they refused to surrender and the Sky Soaring Sectunched an assault, they would be utterly doomed. However, the Sect Master of the Starfall Sect was not willing to ept defeat so easily. His entire sect had been destroyed ¨C the product of his hard work, his home, and the lives of countless disciples and elders were snuffed out. He was consumed by rage and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance. With a steely resolve, the Sect Master of the Starfall Sect spoke up, "You all are cowards; you give up in fear. I have already sent the word out ¨C I will not rest until the Sky Soaring Sect is annihted. I will make them suffer, and whoever surrenders will suffer alongside them." Upon hearing this deration, the Frost Peak Sect Master and the Divine Wind Sect Master were gripped by fear. The Immortals of the Starfall Sect were indeed still alive, and unlike the Sky Soaring Sect, their sects did not possess a grand array capable of protecting them from Earth Immortals. The prospect of facing the wrath of the Starfall Sect''s remaining forces was a chilling thought. While the Frost Peak and Divine Wind Sect''s masters were hung up on the threat by the Starfall Sect''s Sect Master, the Royal Patriarch and the Emperor were more concerned about his first statement that he had sent the word out. The Royal Patriarch asked, "Are you sure about this?" The Sect Master of the Starfall Sect nodded and said, "Yes, I am certain." The atmosphere in the meeting became tense as everyone weighed their options. Surrendering to the Sky Soaring Sect seemed like the only logical choice, but the Sect Master of the Starfall Sect''s determination made them uneasy. The possibility of retaliation from the Starfall Sect''s remaining Earth Immortals could not be ignored. In the midst of the intense discussion, a voice suddenly rang out, clear and assertive, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a knife. "You will do no such thing." The unexpected interruption sent shockwaves through the room as everyone exchanged nces, wondering who had dared to intrude on their private gathering. The assembled group was taken aback, as the forbidden area of the royal pce was strictly off-limits, and no one was permitted to enter or eavesdrop on their conversation. The question of who had trespassed into the restricted area and listened in on their discussion weighed heavily on their minds. As they tried to make sense of the situation, a figure confidently strode into the hall. To their astonishment, it was none other than the Prime Minister of Yin, Liang Zhen. Unfazed by the stunned expressions around him, Liang Zhen reiterated his earlier statement, "The Daxing Treaty is explicit on this matter: no external organization can interfere in the internal affairs of a nation''s power directly. The treaty is binding, and we must adhere to it." Liang Zhen then gestured behind him, and two individuals with their faces concealed entered the hall. They were gripping a bruised and battered man whose hands were bound tightly. Without missing a beat, the Prime Minister continued, "The messenger you dispatched was apprehended by my men. All the Immortals of your Starfall Sect have managed to escape. It''s high time that you flee as well, or I cannot guarantee your safety." The unexpected turn of events left everyone present reeling, particrly the Sect Masters of the Frost Peak and Divine Wind Sects. Even the Emperor was bbergasted to learn that his trusted Prime Minister was, in fact, a member of one of those enigmatic and powerful organizations that held sway behind the scenes. The Sect Master of the Starfall Sect, however, remained defiant in the face of Liang Zhen''s revtions. He refused to believe the Prime Minister''s words and challenged him boldly, "And why should I ce my trust in you? On whose authority do you presume tomand me?" The atmosphere in the room grew even more tense as everyone awaited Liang Zhen''s response to the Sect Master''s pointed question. In response to the Sect Master''s challenge, the Prime Minister of Yin calmly reached into his robes and produced a medallion. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it towards the Sect Master of the Starfall Sect, who caught it with practiced ease. The Sect Master scrutinized the medallion closely, taking note of every detail. As he gazed upon the simple artifact adorned with a faintly etched lotus at its center, he released a deep, weary sigh, clearly recognizing its significance. The Sect Master of the Starfall Sect couldn''t help but let out a bitterugh. He addressed the Prime Minister, his voice tinged with anger and frustration, "So you n to use this opportunity to seize control of Yin? I may have temporarily lost my grip on power, but rest assured. My organization will return with a vengeance. I trust that your organization is prepared for the inevitable confrontation. This is far from over. I will have my revenge, one way or another." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 153 The Royals Surrender Having made his position abundantly clear, the Sect Master of the Starfall Sect callously flung the medallion onto the table, rose from his seat, and strode out of the room without uttering another word. The atmosphere was thick with tension and unspoken thoughts as the remaining individuals processed the implications of what had just transpired. Liang Zhen, the Prime Minister of Yin, turned his attention to the Royal Patriarch and addressed him with an air of authority, "This war is now unnecessary. I will personally visit the Sky Soaring Sect as the Royal Envoy. You must formally announce that this entire situation was a misunderstanding orchestrated by the Starfall Sect. The true culprit was the Starfall Sect, coborating with an enemy nation to sow chaos and instability within Yin. I believe I don''t have to exin to you that Yin is now under the control of the Sky Soaring Sect. You can keep the pretense of being the ruler of the Country just like before." The Royal Patriarch, who had been absorbed in studying the medallion thaty on the table, was jolted back to the present by the Prime Minister''smanding tone. He nodded his assent, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. Next, the Prime Minister directed his gaze towards the Sect Masters of the Frost Peak and Divine Wind Sects, his voice firm and resolute. "Both of you will apany me to the Sky Soaring Sect and offer your apologies for your actions." With his instructions delivered, Prime Minister Liang Zhen strode forward, retrieved his medallion, and departed the chamber. The remaining participants exchanged uneasy nces, acutely aware that the dramatic change of events that had unfolded marked the beginning of a new chapter for Yin Country. In the aftermath of the Starfall Sect''s destruction, the people of Yin were left in a state of uncertainty and confusion, wondering if the Royal Family would choose to fight back and attempt to restore their damaged reputation. However, an unexpected announcement from the Royal Family took everyone by surprise. In a formal deration, they announced their unwavering support for the Sky Soaring Sect and proimed that the recent events were all a misunderstanding created by the malicious actions of the Starfall Sect. It was revealed that the true culprit behind the turmoil was none other than the Starfall Sect itself, which had been secretly coborating with an enemy nation in a nefarious plot to create instability in Yin. The public''s initial reaction to the Royal Family''s announcement was one of shock and disbelief. But surprisingly, they soon came to ept the Royal Family''s words and began to view the situation in a new light. Everywhere, people started admiring the Sky Soaring Sect, seeing them as the heroes who had saved Yin from the treachery of the Starfall Sect. Inns, taverns, and public spaces were filled with lively conversations about how everything suddenly made sense. If the Sky Soaring Sect were truly the evil force that the Starfall Sect had portrayed them to be, they wouldn''t have cared about the general public. However, they had chosen not to attack the Royal Capital, as they didn''t want to endanger the lives of innocent mortals. Instead, they had made a conscious effort to inform the whole of Yin publicly about the truth. That is how general opinion in Yin underwent a drastic transformation, with the Sky Soaring Sect now being seen as the valiant heroes who had fought for the people of Yin when everyone else was blinded by the Starfall Sect''s deceitful schemes. As for the cultivator families and other sects that held power in Yin, they surmised that the Royal Family, having experienced firsthand the destruction of the Starfall Sect, had grown fearful and decided to make amends with the formidable Sky Soaring Sect. This act of reconciliation was seen as a strategic move by the Royal Family, aimed at ensuring their continued survival and maintaining the delicate bnce of power within Yin. But they all knew, just like Starfall Sect, Sky Soaring Sect would be the new ruler of Yin. They knew since the royal family surrendered, they would have to wise up and ept Sky Soaring Sect as the new leader. In the wake of the Royal Family''s announcement, the Sky Soaring Sect swiftly came forward to corroborate their statement. They confirmed that the Starfall Sect had indeed been the mastermind behind the efforts to destabilize Yin. In addition to this revtion, the Sky Soaring Sect dered that they would be opening their gates once more to wee new members into their ranks. As the news spread like wildfire throughout Yin, the people found themselves caught up in a whirlwind of excitement. With the Sky Soaring Sect now officially recognized as the most powerful sect following the annihtion of the Starfall Sect and as the valiant protectors of the people, joining their ranks had be an aspiration for many. The sect''s newfound prominence had transformed it into a symbol of strength and hope, making it an irresistible draw for countless individuals across Yin. As the dreadful struggle that had long gued Yin Country drew to a close, a newfound sense of peace and tranquility began to take hold. Joyful celebrations spilled into the streets, with people expressing their gratitude for the resolution of the conflict that had threatened to tear their nation apart. The air was filled with a palpable sense of relief as the shadow of the Starfall Sect''s treachery was finally lifted, and the people of Yin could look forward to a brighter future. However, amid the widespread jubtion, not everyone was in a celebratory mood. Secluded within their respective courtyards, both the Empress Mother and Concubine Lan found themselves consumed by anger and frustration. Unable toe to terms with the Royal Family''s alliance with the Sky Soaring Sect, the Empress Mother vented her fury by punishing her servants without cause, using them as a means to release her pent-up emotions. The humiliation she had suffered at the hands of the Sky Soaring Sect remained a bitter pill to swallow, and epting the new reality in which her family had submitted itself to those who had caused her such disgrace proved a difficult challenge. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 154 The Royal Envoy In her own courtyard, Concubine Lan found herself engulfed by fury as well. Her once refined and serene living quarters nowy in a state of chaos, with shards of porcin and the remnants of broken furniture strewn haphazardly across the floor. Ovee by anger, she had violently demolished everything within reach, her heart heavy with bitterness and resentment. The rise of the Sky Soaring Sect spelled not only the demise of the Starfall Sect but also heralded the erosion of her own power and influence within the Royal Family, a reality that was difficult to ept. While the rest of Yin Country reveled in the newfound peace and prosperity, the Empress Mother and Concubine Lan found themselves mired in feelings of anger and bitterness. The sense that they had been outmaneuvered and exploited by the cunningness of the Sky Soaring Sect gnawed at them incessantly. The humiliation they had been subjected to remained an open wound, festering deep within their hearts and fueling their desire for retribution. For the time being, they were forced to conceal their true emotions behind the closed doors of their respective chambers, patiently waiting for the day when the opportunity to exact vengeance would present itself. In the capricious world of power and politics, they recognized that nothing was ever truly permanent. With this knowledge, they clung to the hope that, eventually, their moment to retaliate woulde, allowing them to reim the power and influence that had been so cruelly wrested from their grasp. Monthster, Prince Tian, the Prime minister, the sect master of Frost Peak, and the sect master of Divine Wind sect arrived at Sky Soaring sect. They brought along arge envoy bearing many gifts, and because of this, it took them months to arrive at Sky Soaring Sect. The royal family and sect masters in the envoy made sure to make a grand disy of this visit to save some face and not to look very weak. They also wanted to show enough respect to Sky Soaring Sect, making it clear to the people that the royal family would be doing the bidding of the Sky Soaring sect. When the convoy traveled through thend, the people who caught sight of the procession could not help but stop and stare in awe. The hundreds of carriages were not only functional but also served as a dazzling disy of wealth and power. The gold and silver trimmings on the carriages shimmered in the sunlight, drawing attention to the intricate designs and craftsmanship. People marveled at the spacious interiors, imagining the luxurious experience of traveling in such style andfort. Each carriage was fitted with a small table, allowing passengers to indulge invish meals or engage in various activities during their journey. The windows could be opened to allow a gentle breeze to waft through the carriage, ensuring that the upants remained cool and refreshed. The attention to detail was remarkable, and the carriages seemed to be the epitome of opulence and grandeur. Today they were at the gates of the Sky Soaring sect. The carriage procession continued passing through until it reached the Inner sect guest hall. They finally stopped at the Inner sect guest hall. Many people came out to check out the royal envoy that hade to the Sky Soaring Sect. As the convoy came to a halt in front of the Inner Sect guest hall, Prince Tian and his entourage gracefully descended from their carriages. Their arrival was a momentous asion, and the atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement. The members of the Sky Soaring Sect had been eagerly awaiting their esteemed guests, and as they disembarked from their carriages, they could feel the weight of the moment. Upon their arrival, the doors of the Inner guest hall swung open, and a procession of Inner sect elders emerged to wee Prince Tian and his party. Dressed in their finest robes, they radiated an air of dignity and grace, befitting their status within the sect. The elders exchanged respectful greetings with the prince as they ushered him and his entourage toward the hall. As the gate opened once more, the sect master himself appeared, with the legendary Han Cai standing just behind him. Han Cai''s presence immediately captured everyone''s attention, and they found themselves captivated by his ethereal beauty. Whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd, as they marveled at the disciple who had defied the empress''s mother and lived to tell the tale. The Inner sect elders parted, making way for the sect master to step forward and address the prince. With a warm smile, the sect master greeted Prince Tian, saying, "We of the Sky Soaring Sect wee Prince Tian and his esteemed guests to our humble sect." The elders and Han Cai followed suit, paying their respects to the prince and his entourage. Having exchanged pleasantries, the sect master led the way into the guest hall, followed by the Inner sect elders, Han Cai, Prince Tian, and other guests. The prince had mixed feelings towards Han Cai. Initially, he had seen Han Cai as a talented individual who could bolster his faction''s strength and standing within the royal family. His n had been to bring Han Cai into his circle and groom him to be one of his most trusted and capable allies. However, as the events unfolded, the prince realized that Han Cai was no ordinary person. In fact, he had turned out to be a powerhouse, someone whose influence reached far beyond what the prince had ever imagined. Han Cai had not only managed to conquer an entire country but also was about to join the Shadow Lotus, a mysterious and powerful organization. Now, even the prince''s royal family would have to be cautious in dealing with him and cater to his wishes. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 155 Rumors About Enigma On the one hand, the prince felt a sense of awe and admiration for Han Cai''s power, acknowledging that his talents and abilities were truly extraordinary. On the other hand, he couldn''t help but feel a pang of disappointment and frustration; not only had the initial n to bring Han Cai into his faction be a distant dream, but Han Cai was also the culprit for all the tragedies in the royal family. Be it pping the mother empress or robbing the treasury. The prime minister had already informed him about this and advised him to be on his best behavior when he met Han Cai. The bnce of power had shifted, and the prince had toe to terms with the fact that Han Cai was now someone he would have to treat as a superior. The sect hall was elegantly furnished, with seating arrangements on both sides. The Inner sect elders upied one side, while the opposite side was reserved for the prince and his advisors. Sect Master spoke, "Everyone, I have an important update for you all. The envoys from the Cui and Wang families have already arrived at our sect." Elders of the Sky Soaring Sect rolled their eyes, including Han Cai. When did the Cui and Wang families leave? They had been guests of the Sky Soaring Sect ever since the struggle began. The Prime Minister responded, "That''s good news, Sect Master. We must wee them warmly." He spoke as if he were part of the Sky Soaring Sect, not the royal envoy. The Sect Master continued, "Indeed. As for the envoys from the other families and sects, they are expected to arrive soon." The Prime Minister responded, "Excellent. The sooner they arrive, the sooner we will be able to stabilize the Sky Soaring Sect''s position as the leader." Sect Master nodded and spoke, "Once everyone is here, we willmence the first official meeting to discuss our strategies and coborations moving forward. Let us prepare ourselves and make a good impression on our esteemed guests." Following the sect master''s announcement, the atmosphere in the guest hall shifted to one of casual conversations as the attendees engaged in small talk. While they awaited the arrival of the other envoys, the guests were led to their amodations, which had been meticulously prepared in advance, ensuring afortable and luxurious stay for the esteemed visitors during their time at Sky Soaring Sect. Soon other envoys from the Li family, Zhou family, Yang family, and the Divine Thunder Sect arrived at Sky Soaring Sect. The arrival of other envoys from various prominent families and sects, such as the Li, Zhou, and Yang families, as well as the Divine Thunder Sect, marked a turning point for the Sky Soaring Sect. Each envoy arrived with great fanfare, bearingvish gifts and further elevating the status of the sect. The sect''s rise to prominence could no longer be denied; they had solidified their position as the strongest faction in Yin country. Their fame had reached unprecedented heights in Yin country, with every person, be it cultivators or mortals, having heard about the sect. This widespread recognition was primarily due to a series of recent events that showcased the sect''s might and fearlessness. These events captured the attention of both the cultivation world and the general poption, leading to discussions and debates about the sect''s actions. Firstly, the destruction of the Yang family stronghold made headlines across the country as the Sky Soaring Sect demonstrated its capability to take on powerful factions. Secondly, the incident involving the pping of the empress''s mother shocked everyone, as it was a direct affront to the royal family, something that had never been seen before. This audacious act was followed by the sect robbing the royal treasury, another tant defiance of the royal family''s authority. The Sky Soaring Sect continued to make the news when it brought about the destruction of various cities belonging to the Frost Peak Sect and the Divine Wind Sect. The sect''s ability to wreak havoc on multiple factions simultaneously showcased its immense power. The destruction of Starfall Sect''s cities and the death of its nascent soul cultivator further reinforced the sect''s unstoppable momentum. But the biggest impact was made when Sky Soaring Sect wiped out the Starfall Sect sending shockwaves throughout the entirety of Yin country, as the sect single-handedly eliminated a powerful rival. Moreover, the sect''s open challenge to the royal family, followed by the royal family epting Sky Soaring Sect''s terms, demonstrated the sect''s unwavering power and the extent of its influence. These events had turned the Sky Soaring Sect into a household name in Yin country, with both cultivators and mortals discussing and analyzing the sect''s actions. The sect had be a symbol of power and defiance, leaving asting impression on everyone who heard its name. As the Sky Soaring Sect gained notoriety and recognition throughout Yin country, the name Han Cai became synonymous with the sect. Initially an enigma within the sect itself, Han Cai''s exploits soon became the things of legends, catapulting him to the status of the enigma of the entirety of Yin country. Han Cai''s ascent to fame began with his astonishing disy of prowess during the capture of Cui''s family members. His extraordinary abilities and strength captured the imagination of both cultivators and mortals in cities near Sky Soaring Sect as they marveled at the young man who could single-handedly capture elders of one of the leading cultivation families. His actions in the incident involving the empress''s mother cemented his reputation as a fearless and bold individual who dared to challenge the highest authority in thend. This incident piqued the curiosity of the entire nation as people scrambled to learn more about the young man who had defied the royal family. The events that transpired within Yin country, from the robbery of the royal treasury to the destruction of the Starfall Sect, remained shrouded in mystery. While there was no concrete evidence that linked Han Cai to these incidents, most people spected that he must have yed a significant role. Rumors had been swirling around Han Cai ever since he dered his intention to take care of everything himself, alone, during the inner sect meeting. ************************************************** Supplementary chapter, because You guys are awesome, we reached 1000 power stones. Thank You Chapter 156 Enigma Of Yin There were outer sect elders and spies from rival families and sects present at the meeting, and they wasted no time in informing their respective organizations about Han Cai''s bold im. Soon this news reached the general public too. As word spread, people began to connect the dots, and soon it becamemon knowledge that Han Cai was more powerful than the leaders and elders of the Sky Soaring Sect. The whispers within cultivators grew louder and more insistent, fueled by abination of fear, awe, and curiosity about the young man who had single-handedly caused such upheaval in the region. At the same time, the dramatic events that had transpired piqued the interest of themon people. Many were intrigued by the mysterious Han Cai, who had seeminglye out of nowhere to shake up the established order. People saw him as a mysterious young man who was unfathomable. As Han Cai''s name spread far and wide, his actions and their consequences became the subject of lively debate and spection. Han Cai became the most talked about Cultivator within Yin. The reason for this belief was the fact that, prior to Han Cai''s rise to prominence, the Sky Soaring Sect did not possess cultivators powerful enough to subdue an Earth Immortal. The destruction of the Starfall Sect and the robbery of the royal treasury were considered feats that could only be aplished by someone with extraordinary power and capabilities. Han Cai''s reputation as the most talented and powerful young man in the entirety of Yin country who could subdue an earth immortal patriarch emperor in a royal banquet led many to connect the dots and attribute these astonishing events to him. The Sky Soaring Sect did not refute Han Cai''s involvement in the royal treasury heist, the devastation of cities belonging to rival sects, and the annihtion of the Starfall Sect. Their silence was interpreted as an affirmation of the rumors, highlighting Han Cai''s remarkable abilities. As more events unfolded, tales of his feats spread, and his reputation as the enigma of Yin country continued to grow. As the Sky Soaring Sect gained renown, Han Cai''s name became synonymous with the sect''s strength and defiance. Both cultivators and ordinary people discussed his amazing aplishments and pondered his potential, with many believing him to be the most gifted and powerful youth in all of Yin country. Whenever conversations about the cultivation world or exceptional individuals urred, Han Cai''s name was inevitably mentioned. His rapid rise to fame changed his status from the mystery of the Sky Soaring Sect to the enigma of Yin country, captivating the interest of the entire nation. While the whole of Yin was talking about him, Han Cai was sipping tea in his garden again, looking at his status panel: [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 17] [Life Span: 2100 Years] ?Strength: 1150 ?Perception: 4000 ?Agility: 1200 ?Speed: 1200 ?Constitution: 1400 ?Intelligence: 50 ?Charm: 50 ?Cultivation: Golden Core Level 3 [Mid Stage (Celestial Ascension Technique)] ?Skills: Cold Precision Sword Technique (Level 5) ?Skills: Invisible Ethereal Technique (Level 1) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) ?Skills: Sever Space Technique (Level 2) (Collect 200 trading points to upgrade.) ?Skills: Space Escape Technique (Level 2) (Collect 200 trading points to upgrade.) ?Skills: Clone (Level 2) (Collect 200 trading points to upgrade) ?Skills: Transformation (Level 1) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) ?Skills: ..... [Total Trading Points: 1,49,000 (source Earth, Wind, Space, Frigid, Fire..)] [Storage Space: Spirit Stones (5000), Gold Coins (100)... ] [Fellowship: Zhu Xin, Han Dai, Shi Dongmei, .....] [Subordinate: Yongnian, cky, Xiaoyun, Birdie, Silver.....] [System Update: ?(Collect 1,0000 trading points to unlock.)] [Scan] [Summon] [Upgrade] [Survey] [Teleport] [Witness] [Security] [Initiate the Law of Equal Exchange?] He had collected a massive amount of trading points during this struggle with the royal family. He did not use any of those points besides updating the system, and when the system updated this time, the system increased the size of his storage space. Now his storage space was the size of a room. Besides updating the system, Han Cai did not use spend trading points on anything else. He knew the importance of the money he had, but it became even more valuable when he sealed the earth-immortal at the banquet. The cost of the sealing was huge. No one knew how stressed he was as he saw his trading points decreasing every minute. Luckily, he had saved a good amount of points, like in a savings ount, or he would have faced big trouble. Han Cai sat leisurely in the garden, sipping tea while browsing through his system panel, contemting his next course of action. The soft rustling of leaves and the gentle humming of birds provided a tranquil atmosphere for him to think in. But soon, there was another sound. Yongnian entered the garden, drawing Han Cai''s attention to him. With a solemn expression, His butler informed Han Cai, "Prime Minister of Yin wishes to meet with you." Han Cai nodded and instructed Yongnian to bring the Prime Minister to the garden. Yongnian bowed and left, returning shortly with the Prime Minister in tow. Han Cai had seen the man before, but the Prime Minister''s ordinary features and unremarkable attire made him easily forgettable. It was clear that he used some techniques to blend in and avoid attracting attention. Han Cai offered the Prime Minister a seat in the garden, which he epted with a nod. Yongnian served him some spirit tea before retreating to a respectful distance. "Allow me to reintroduce myself," the Prime Minister began, "I am Liang Zhen. Apart from being the Prime Minister of Yin, I am also a member of an organization called Shadow Lotus." Prime minister continued," You must have many questions about my organization and me?" Han Cai shook his head and spoke," Nope." Han Cai''s abrupt reply almost caught the prime minister off guard. He thought he would awe Han Cai telling him about his organization, but he noticed that Han Cai didn''t seem surprised by this revtion. Curious, the prime minister asked, "So you already knew about the different organizations in the Daxing continent?" Han Cai responded, "I had my guesses." Liang Zhen nodded, understanding. "Then you must know why I am here." "To recruit me?" Han Cai ventured. The Prime Minister confirmed his suspicion with a nod. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 157 Hidden Organizations Of Daxing Han Cai pressed further, "What''s in it for me? Why should I not join other organizations?" Liang Zhen shook his head. "They will not understand your value. If you join our organization, you will have full control of Yin. The Crimson Serpents used to control Yin through the Starfall Sect, but since you destroyed them, they have lost their grip. The Starfall Sect Master was furious and sent a messenger to the Crimson Serpents, asking them to send a Void Immortal to destroy your sect. We apprehended the messenger, and as of now, Yin is not controlled by any organization. Should you ept our offer, Yin will be the first country under the control of Shadow Lotus." Han Cai wasn''t easily swayed. "It sounds like your organization will profit a lot from me. Why should I join you? I could start my own organization and rule Yin myself." Liang Zhen countered, "How will you protect yourself and others when those organizations starting in? Our organization''s leader is a recently advanced Spirit Harmony Immortal* and might be a Law Immortal in the future. We have some Fusion and Void Immortals as well. We can protect you and Yin against such threats." "But if you have such powerful leaders and members, why didn''t you directly attack the Starfall Sect, destroy it, and take control of Yin?" Han Cai inquired. The Prime Minister exined, "All the top organizations in Daxing have a treaty called the Daxing Treaty. It dictates that no organization can directly interfere with the ruling of a country. But that doesn''t mean they don''t do it. They rule countries through proxies by finding a local power, empowering them, and helping them take control. If any organization is found out directly interfering with a country, they will be attacked by the other organizationsbined." Han Cai questioned further, "When you control a country, what exactly do you want from it?" "Resources," the Prime Minister replied. "Just like any organization, we need resources to strengthen our members. Until now, most of Yin''s resources went to the Crimson Serpents. Now that their supply has stopped, they will react soon." Han Cai appeared thoughtful for a moment before asking, "Tell me more about these hidden organizations you speak of." The Prime Minister moved his hands, and a scroll appeared in his hand. He handed the scroll to Han Cai, sealed with a lotus wax insignia. "Within this scroll, you will find details of several powerful organizations that operate in secret, much like our own. They pull strings from the shadows, manipting events to their advantage and influencing the course of history." As Han Cai unrolled the scroll, his eyes went through the names and details of these ndestine groups. The first organization mentioned was The Crimson Serpents. The most powerful hidden organization in Daxing, the Crimson Serpents, held control over Yin, Xuan, and another country. They maintained their influence through proxies, such as the Starfall Sect and various royal families. Law Immortal Zhu Tianming, their leader, had an iron grip on power and ensured that the organization''s activities were carried out with precision and efficiency. The Crimson Serpents were known for their ruthless tactics and willingness to do whatever it took to maintain their authority. They had a vastwork of spies and informants, allowing them to keep tabs on every aspect of the countries under their control, making it almost impossible for any opposing force to gain traction. The second organization mentioned was The Silent Ravens. A secretive organization, the Silent Ravens controlled the Shang and Wu countries. They were renowned for their stealth and ability to manipte political situations from behind the scenes. Spirit Harmony Realm cultivator Hua Yufeng, their leader, ced a high value on secrecy and subterfuge, using cunning and guile to maintain the organization''s grip on power. The Silent Ravens specialized in espionage and covert operations, with their members skilled in remaining unseen and undetected. They infiltrated various factions and levels of society, ensuring that they were always one step ahead of any potential threats. The third organization mentioned was Iron Talon. Focused on physical might and military power, the Iron Talon controlled the Qi and Feng countries. Spirit Harmony Realm cultivator Guan Yuwen, their leader, was a master strategist and relentless warrior. Under hismand, the organization was known for its formidable fighting force,prised of skilled and battle-hardened warriors. The Iron Talons took pride in their military prowess, investing heavily in the training and equipment of their soldiers. This dedication to martial strength allowed them to swiftly and decisively crush any opposition, securing their dominance over thends under their control. The fourth organization mentioned was Aurelian Dragons. As the second most powerful organization, the Aurelian Dragons held sway over the Xuanjing and Zhen countries. Their recently advanced Law Immortal leader, Silver Emperor Xue Zhenwu, was infamous for his ruthless ambition and insatiable desire for conquest. The organization''s members were known to be fiercely loyal and disciplined, with a hierarchical structure that rewarded those who proved their worth through strength and cunning. The Aurelian Dragons had their sights set on expanding their territory, constantly seeking opportunities to annex neighboringnds or destabilize rival organizations. Thest on the list was Shadow Lotus. The weakest of the secret organizations, the Shadow Lotus, had no control over any countries. Instead, they focused on survival and consolidating their strength. Recently advance Spirit Harmony Realm leader Yun Qinghong made it a priority to foster growth and expansion within the organization. While theycked the resources and influence of their more powerful counterparts, the Shadow Lotus had a keen understanding of their limitations and used this knowledge to their advantage. They operated primarily in the shadows, relying on subterfuge and guile to further their objectives. The members of the Shadow Lotus were patient and calcting, biding their time as they slowly but surely increased their strength and influence, always waiting for the opportune moment to strike. After reading through the information, Han Cai weighed the information carefully. He was not very keen on joining Shadow Lotus, the weakest of bunch, but he knew if he did not join any, then the whole Yin would suffer. He had to appreciate the fact this prime minister was sincere and wise. ************************************************** * I have updated the Auxiliary chapter with new cultivation levels. Also, there is a small change in the levels; the Supreme Harmony Realm has been changed to Spirit Harmony Realm. Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 158 Shadow Lotus Han Cai raised an eyebrow as he asked the Prime Minister, "So once I join your organization, what will be my duties?" The Prime Minister responded, "As a member of any organization, you will be allowed to take on missions." Han Cai wasn''t satisfied with this answer, "I am already giving you control of a country. Why do I need to do missions for you?" The Prime Minister exined, "The leader of our group became the leader not only because of his cultivation but, most importantly, due to his contribution to the organization. As long as you contribute enough to the organization, you can use the people within the organization for your needs as you see fit. Ites with a lot of perks." Saying that, the Prime Minister took out another scroll and handed it to Han Cai. Han Cai read through the scroll, which contained details and the hierarchy of the Shadow Lotus organization. The top of the ranks mentioned was supreme leader. The highest level in the organization, currently held by Yun Qinghong. The Supreme Leader oversees the entire organization, makes key decisions, and sets the overall strategy for growth and expansion. After the supreme leader came to the High Council. Comprised of a select group of trusted advisors and top-ranking members, the High Council assisted the Supreme Leader in decision-making and helped to enforce the organization''s policies and objectives. They are responsible for managing the various divisions within the Shadow Lotus. Third came Division Leaders. Each division within the organization focused on a specific area of expertise, such as intelligence gathering,bat, recruitment, or resource management. Division Leaders are responsible for the operations of their respective divisions and report directly to the High Council. Fourth came Elite Members. These were highly skilled and experienced members of the organization who had proven their loyalty and capabilities. They are assigned to critical missions or tasks and often hold positions of authority within their respective divisions. Fifth came the Senior Members. Senior Members have demonstrated theirmitment to the organization and have acquired a certain level of skill and knowledge. They are entrusted with more responsibilities and often serve as mentors to junior members. Sixth came the Junior Members. These were the new or less experienced members of the organization who were still learning the ropes and developing their skills. They were assigned to lower-risk tasks and missions and were guided by senior members. Seventh came the Initiates. These are individuals who had been identified as potential recruits for the Shadow Lotus. They undergo a rigorous selection and training process to determine if they had the qualities necessary to join the organization. Last came Informants and Support Network. This group consisted of individuals who were not official members of the organization but provided valuable information, resources, or assistance to the Shadow Lotus. They could be spies, merchants, or local contacts who aid the organization in various ways. The Prime Minister continued, "As you are the first person to provide our organization with a country, you will be given a seat on the High Council. You will be just below the leader. You will already have a lot of power, but the council members are divided into levels too. You will be a fifth-level council member. Our current leader was once a level one council member, and when our previous leader passed away, he became our new leader." Curious about the Prime Minister''s position within the organization, Han Cai inquired, "What''s your level in the organization?" The Prime Minister replied, "I am one of the elite members, and if you ept joining our organization, as I am the one bringing you in, I will be promoted to division leader for country management, and I will be answering and reporting to you." Han Cai then asked, "What kind of missions do High Council members take?" The Prime Minister answered, "The missions taken by High Council members are mostly to try to undermine other organizations at a high level and secure more resources for our organization. They work on a national level. Since you are already bringing a nation to the table, you have essentiallypleted the mission." Han Cai wasn''t fully convinced, "I am the only one who has brought a nation to the organization. Shouldn''t I get a level one seat on the council?" The Prime Minister shook his head and said, "Your contribution is the highest the organization could get, but you are still new. Others started as initiates and spent hundreds of years in the organization. To get a level one seat, you need the trust and vote of every council member." This revtion made Han Cai consider his position and the potential benefits of joining the Shadow Lotus organization. It was evident that bing a High Council member would give him significant power and influence, but it would also require a considerable amount of work to gain the trust of the other council members. He pondered the Prime Minister''s words as he looked around the garden, the gentle breeze rustling the leaves on the trees. The prospect of joining an organization that had the backing of powerful cultivators was undoubtedly tempting, especially when faced with the inevitable bacsh from the Crimson Serpents. Han Cai narrowed his eyes, considering the implications of joining the Shadow Lotus. "Let''s get into details. As a High Council member, how many cultivators can I control, and who will do my bidding?" The Prime Minister replied, "You will have twenty Nascent Soul cultivators, ten Soul Formation level cultivators, five Soul Severing Realm cultivators, three Spirit Embryo Realm cultivators, two Spirit Body Realm cultivators, and one Earth Immortal cultivator who will be doing your bidding. Besides that, a void immortal will be assigned to Yin. He will be one of the council members to make sure everything stays stable in Yin." Han Cai nodded thoughtfully, considering the resources that would be at his disposal. "Prime Minister, Yin is yours. Go ahead. But I will be joining your organization after three years I need some rest." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 159 Dante, Vergil And Khaleesi A look of glee appeared on the Prime Minister''s face. He reached into his robe and produced a small, ornate medallion. The medallion bore the emblem of the Shadow Lotus, a blooming lotus flower shrouded in shadows. The Prime Minister handed Han Cai the medallion. "Even if you are joiningter, this medallion is proof that you are a High Council member of the Shadow Lotus. Once you imprint it with your spiritual energy, it will allow you to contact every member who will be serving you. Additionally, you can contact other members when you need assistance or information. We have operatives embedded in each of the countries controlled by other organizations, and we can provide valuable intelligence." Han Cai nodded, understanding the significance of the medallion. "Just like you were embedded in Yin," hemented. The Prime Minister nodded in affirmation. Han Cai took the medallion and examined it closely. The intricate craftsmanship and the aura of mystique that it exuded left no doubt about its significance. This small object represented the power and influence of a High Council member of the Shadow Lotus. It was a symbol of the organization''s trust in him and the resources they were willing to invest in his sess. After Initiating Han Cai in his organization, the Prime Minister left. ************************************************** Millions of miles away from Yin. Han Cai was enjoying a rxing day at the beach, taking in the warmth of the sun and the gentle ocean breeze. Hey on afortable deck chair with a drink in his hand, simply basking in the tranquil ambiance of the beach. Beside him on another chair, the portly merchant, his father, also had a cooling drink in his hand. Unlike before, this time, the beach was developed. There were small houses around the beach, hammocks tied to trees, and servants running around doing chores. Han Cai turned to his father and asked, "How many people have we recruited so far?" Han Dai answered, "Give or take, more than ten thousand are working for our family." "Have they signed the contracts?" Han Cai asked. His father nodded and said, "We got very few rejections. When ites to riches, people don''t mind selling their loyalty." Han Cai nodded. He knew he could not contract every single person, so he created a pyramid scheme. For example, he had contracted a fellowship with his father and some core members of the family. Then, his family members and father contracted other members, the other members contracted the outer members, and the cycle continued. Contracts were made through talismans generated by a system, giving Han Cai assurance that there would be no betrayal. Han Dai asked," Have you Joined that organization?" Han Cai nodded," I have nothing to lose from Joining them, but we do not depend on them." Han Cai took out a few storage rings and threw them to Han Dai, who caught them by surprise. He realized they were all earth-grade storage rings. Han Cai told him, "You''ve had enough time to settle down. Now start making money. Use these to start businesses in Shang, Wu, Qi, Feng, Xuanjing, and Zhen countries. Do not use the Han name; use other names. No one should suspect that the Han family owns these businesses. I have added the teleportation circle on the ind. Now that you are at the Golden Core stage, you can move around, but be safe. Use the transformation technique that I taught you." Han Dai nodded and asked, "How are things in Yin?" Han Cai replied, "We almost own Yin now, but things are moreplicated. The sect will handle matters rted to Yin. Han Cai took out two more rings and gave them to Han Dai, saying, "From the ten thousand, select the best two thousand in cultivation and give them the talismans in the rings. If they ept the talismans, they will see drastic growth in cultivation, and they will get to learn some of our techniques too. Use them to create two separate organizations; we will call them Dante and Vergil organizations." Han Cai paused and then spoke again, "Yongnian and Xiaoyun." Out of nowhere, Yongnian and Xiaoyun appeared in front of them. Han Cai continued, "People in Dante will report to Yongnian, while people in Vergil will answer to Xiaoyun." Han Cai gave a deep look at his father, then took out another storage ring and gave it to him, saying, "Use the talismans, gold, and spirit stones in this ring to cultivate the thousand most talented members in the business. Create a new business family and name it Khaleesi." Han Cai turned to Yongnian and Xiaoyun and said, "Dante and Vergil''s duty will be to protect the interests of Khaleesi. Dante members will train in Death Qi, while Vergil members will cultivate in Shadow Qi. We have six years before hell breaks loose. Prepare well" Yongnian and Xiaoyun both bowed, nodded, and disappeared. Han Dai asked," I thought royals and Starfall sect were the threat. That is why you moved the family. Now that you have control over Yin, why would you worry about hell breaking loose." Han Cai shook his head," I was never worried about the royals or the Starfall sect. They could never hurt me. Honestly, I am not even worried about these organizations. Except for their leaders, none are a threat to us. You don''t need to worry about it. Let''s work on what we nned." Han Cai and his father went back to discuss further details about their future business ns. They strategized and refined their ns, making sure that everything was ounted for and that the organizations would function efficiently. As evening arrived, Han Cai bid his father farewell and returned to the Sky Soaring Sect. Now that he had control of Yin, he had more confidence that his ns would seed and that the three his organizations ¨C Dante, Vergil, and Khaleesi were going to be the future of the Daxing continent. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 160 New Subordinates Back at the sect, Han Cai went to meet the Holy Trinity of the sect. Upon reaching the sect hall, he noticed that besides Elder Dongmei, the Sect Master, and Elder Wan, the patriarchs of the Cui and Wang families were also present. Behind the patriarchs stood their sons, Han Cai''s bodyguards from the royal capital. Han Cai entered the hall, greeted everyone, and took a seat. As the official strongest person in the entire Yin, he no longer had to stand in the sect hall. However, he still maintained his respect for his master and Elder Dongmei. The Sect Master spoke, "Han Cai, now that all the families and sects have epted us and our strength. Things have started to calm down. It is time we help the Cui and Wang families too." Han Cai nodded and said, "I have something better to offer. Master, show them your cultivation." The Sect Master agreed and revealed his Soul Formation cultivation, leaving the Cui and Wang patriarchs shocked. Han Cai turned to the Cui and Wang patriarchs and said, "The rumors about Yin that the diviners spoke of are true. I obtained the treasures left by the Venerate. I can help you both reach Soul Formation and beyond, but as I mentioned before, you will have to sign a contract with me, which means for the uing thousand years, the Cui and Wang families will be vassal families to my sect. You will not be treated poorly orck resources; Yin will be yours to trade. However, you must follow one simple rule: never betray the sect. If you agree, I can help you reach Soul Formation today, and your sons will reach Nascent Soul today. Or we can keep the alliance as it is; I will pay back for all the damage the Cui and Wang families suffered. You can rebuild the family cities, but our rtionship will be as good trading partners as before, and We may decide not to involve you in our future initiatives.." The Cui family patriarch spoke, "We had already considered this when you asked us the first time. We both are ready to be vassals of the Sky Soaring Sect. But we have only one request: that you keep our sons with you, consider them as your own subordinates, and guide them in the future." Han Cai nodded, and four red pills appeared in his hands. With a gesture, the pills flew toward the Cui and Wang family patriarchs and their sons. Without hesitation, they took the pills and swallowed them. Han Cai announced, "Wee to the Fellowship of the Red Pill." After swallowing the pills, one by one, the patriarchs of the Cui and Wang families broke through to Soul Formation while the young masters reached the Nascent Soul stage. Helping others was far more affordable for Han Cai, as their cultivation was not a ck hole for trade points. All four of them were shocked, first by the terms of the contract and then by the surge of Qi in their bodies, causing them to break through. Their mouths were left agape in astonishment. Han Cai looked at Cui Wei and Wang Jie and said, "Find better amodations in the inner sect. From now on, you both are disciples of the Sky Soaring Sect." Turning to Elder Dongmei with an amusing smile, he continued, "Elder Dongmei will be your master." Elder Dongmei choked on his tea, surprised by Han Cai''s sudden decision to assign him, disciples, as if he were selling cabbages. Cui Wei and Wang Jie went forward and kowtowed to Elder Dongmei, who had no choice but to ept them. Now that they were disciples of the Sky Soaring Sect, they could live freely in the sect instead of being mere guests. Afterward, Han Cai spoke to the elder, Cui family patriarchs, and the sect master, "We have three years to stabilize Yin, so please take care of consolidating your cultivation and the sect''s presence here. Do some house cleaning. Clean the sect of unwanted spies and elders who still do things by taking bribes. After three years, I will be exploring other countries. We have offended some powerful organizations, and we need to be prepared for that. Use Yin''s resources to strengthen the array further and do whatever is needed. Only disturb me if you face any threat from Earth Immortals or above." He then turned to the Cui and Wang family young masters and said, "For the uing year, I will be training the two of you." With those words, Han Cai left the meeting. ************************************************** Life in Sky Soaring Sect became peaceful again, and time flew like a fleeting dream. Three years went by, and not much had changed since thest three years, except for Sky Soaring Sect consolidating its power in Yin country and weing a few powerful guests. These guests included twenty Nascent Soul cultivators, ten Soul Formation experts, five Soul Severing Realm masters, three Spirit Embryo Realm experts, two Spirit Body Realm masters, one Earth Immortal, and one Void immortal. These individuals were members of the Shadow Lotus, guards of Yin from now on. These guests were settled in separate cities within Yin to watch over the nation, ensuring no outside organization interfered with Yin''s future. Except for the void immortal, others answered only to Han Cai, keeping their distance from everything else. Their duty also included dividing Yin''s resources properly into three parts: one part went to Sky Soaring Sect, another to their organization, and thest part was given to the remaining cultivation families and sects. The sects and families were unhappy about the arrangement, but what could they do? They had already tried warring against Sky Soaring Sect, and they had lost miserably with the total annihtion of the Starfall Sect. Han Cai was in his abode, making the two young masters of the Cui and Wang families , try the new drink that he had invented, While Han Cai enjoyed the new hot beverage, there was despair on the faces of Cui and Wang''s young masters, which was a reasonable response to a drink that Han Cai called spirit coffee, but members of Sky Soaring Sect had given it another name they called it Devil''s Dew. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 161 Devils Dew As a former coffee addict, Han Cai dearly missed coffee. Now that he had some free time, he decided to cultivate coffee nts. Han Cai first took the help of system to produce spirit coffee beans, and then he had Yongnian nt them all around his residence. He personally watched over the growth of these spirit coffee nts. When the nts were ready, he harvested the berries, pulped them, extracted the beans, roasted them, and prepared the powder. Not everyone could appreciate the strong, bitter taste of ck coffee without any milk or sugar, but this coffee that Han Cai had developed was high-quality spirit coffee. Its intense bitterness was on another level. As a cultivator, Han Cai had no choice but to create this spirit coffee, as regr coffee wouldn''t suffice. While Han Cai enjoyed his morning coffee, the young masters despaired over this demonic drink. Yongnian arrived in the garden, and both young masters sighed in relief, hoping he would give them a reason to leave so they wouldn''t have to keep trying this devilish brew. Han Cai asked, "Yongnian, has the prime minister arrived?" Yongnian bowed to Han Cai and nodded. Han Cai spoke again, "Come, have coffee with us. When the prime ministeres, we will leave." Yongnian, who rarely showed any emotions, flinched. He wanted to escape but couldn''t find any excuse. He sighed and sat down, exchanging despairing looks with the two young masters. Their peaceful coffee session was interrupted when a flying treasure ship arrived at the gates of the sect. Everyone in the Sky Soaring Sect was amazed as they saw the flying treasure ship for the first time. The flying treasure ship was a magnificent creation with intricate carvings and powerful arrays etched into its surface. It was a marvel of engineering and array mastery, and the sect members couldn''t help but be awed by its presence. The flying treasure shipnded right in front of the gates of the Sky Soaring Sect, and from it emerged the former prime minister of Yin. When the prime minister emerged from the treasure ship, a few elders went to wee him and brought him to Han Cai''s residence. Upon reaching Han Cai''s residence, two gray-robed cultivators acting as gatekeepers weed the prime minister. These gray-robed cultivators were different from the Sky Soaring Sect''s gray robes. The prime minister noticed that these two cultivators had a golden core cultivation. He shook his head, thinking that only the legendary Han Cai would have golden core cultivators as gatekeepers. One of the gatekeepers brought the prime minister to the garden where Han Cai and his subordinates were enjoying the spirit coffee. Han Cai weed the prime minister and the sect elders, offering them seats and telling them they were just enjoying some spirit coffee. Hearing the name of spirit coffee, the prime minister looked curious, while the faces of the Sky Soaring Sect elders turned pale. They quickly made excuses, iming they had work to do, and left immediately. The prime minister was surprised by their hasty departure. He sat down, and Yongnian got up and served the spirit coffee to the prime minister. The moment the prime minister tasted the spirit coffee, he understood the reason for the elders'' hasty departure. Han Cai boasted," I personally created this wonderful beverage. What do you think?" The prime minister, not knowing what to say, exchanged despairing looks with Han Cai''s subordinates, who reciprocated with simr expressions. The prime minister just nodded and tried to finish the coffee. Seeing prime minister was not in the mood to talk much, Han Cai let him enjoy coffee in peace. After a peaceful yet somewhat despairing coffee session, Han Cai, the young masters of the Cui and Wang families, Yongnian, and Prime Minister Liang Zhen prepared to embark on their journey to the headquarters of the Shadow Lotus organization. They climbed aboard the magnificent treasure ship, a masterpiece of engineering and cultivation designed to transport them to their destination with both speed andfort. The ship''s hull was constructed from rare materials, and infused with powerful formations that enabled it to achieve astounding speeds. The gentle hum of the ship''s engine was barely perceptible as it lifted off the ground and soared into the sky. Inside the treasure ship, Han Cai felt as if he were aboard a luxurious cruise liner. The vessel was spacious and opulently decorated, with borate carvings and glittering gemstones adorning the walls. The furniture was made from the finest materials, and every detail had been crafted to provide the utmostfort to its passengers. As the treasure ship traversed the skies, Han Cai marveled at its velocity and decided that he must possess one of these magnificent ships for himself. The vessel moved so quickly that thendscape below seemed to merge together, forming a breathtaking tapestry of colors and shapes. Despite its incredible speed, the ship''s movements were remarkably smooth, with barely a hint of turbulence. Throughout the journey, Han Cai indulged in a variety of leisure activities on board. However, hispanions despaired, as each time they met with Han Cai, they were expected to partake in the spirit coffee ritual, even while aboard the ship. The treasure ship boasted numerous recreational areas, including a grand dining hall where they savored exquisite cuisine prepared by none other than the prime minister himself. After dinner, when Han Cai suggested enjoying another round of spirit coffee, hispanions hastily excused themselves to the meditation rooms, opting to cultivate in seclusion for the remainder of the voyage. As the days passed, Han Cai grew increasingly ustomed to the luxurious lifestyle aboard the treasure ship awaiting arrival at the Shadow Lotus organization''s headquarters. After months of traveling on the treasure ship, Han Cai, the Cui and Wang families'' young masters, Yongnian, and Prime Minister Liang Zhen finally arrived at the stronghold of Shadow Lotus''s main branch. The stronghold was located in a mountainous region known as the Lotus Shrouded Domain, situated to the north of Feng country. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 162 Shadow Lotus Stronghold The Lotus Shrouded Domain was not under the control of any country. Instead, it was an autonomous territory governed by Shadow Lotus. Thendscape was dominated by majestic, snow-capped peaks, steep cliffs, and lush forests that nketed thend in an air of mystique. The region was abundant with natural resources and spiritual energy, making it an ideal location for cultivation and the establishment of a powerful organization. The stronghold itself was an awe-inspiring city called the Lotus Eclipse Citadel. It was nestled between the towering mountains, blending seamlessly into thendscape as if it was an extension of nature itself. The city was protected by numerous arrays and formations, making it nearly impregnable to outsiders. The structures within the city were built with an elegant yet imposing architectural style that incorporated the lotus motif, reflecting the identity and power of the Shadow Lotus organization. City''s Its outer walls were made of a unique, dark stone that seemed to absorb light, making the city appear to blend seamlessly into the surrounding mountains. The entrance was guarded by a massive gate adorned with intricate lotus carvings, symbolizing the power of the Shadow Lotus organization. The defensive measures employed at the citadel were unparalleled, with numerous arrays and formations woven into the very fabric of the city''s walls and structures. These defenses were designed to not only repel physical attacks but also to neutralize any spiritual or elemental assaults. They could take attacks even from aw immortal. The city was patrolled by elite guards, known as the Lotus Sentinels, who were skilled in bothbat and espionage, making them a formidable force. Inside the city, the streets were paved with cobblestones and lined with elegant buildings constructed from the same dark stone as the outer walls. The buildings housed various facilities, such as cultivation chambers, weapon shops, and even auction houses, catering to the diverse needs of the city''s residents. The atmosphere within the city was solemn yet vibrant as cultivators and members of the Shadow Lotus organization went about their daily tasks. Upon entering the city, Prime Minister Liang Zhen led Han Cai and hispanions to the main building, the headquarters of the Shadow Lotus organization. The headquarter was a magnificent building designed to reflect the organization''s power and influence. It stood at the heart of the city, rising like a lotus from the shadows of the surrounding mountains. The exterior was adorned with intricate patterns and carvings, while the main entrance was nked by statues of lotus flowers in full bloom. Inside the headquarters, the grand hall was lit by ethereal, floating stones that cast a soft, serene glow throughout the space. The walls were lined with priceless artifacts and ancient scrolls, showcasing the organization''s vast knowledge and resources. The air within the headquarters was heavy with a sense of history and power as if the very stones themselves held the secrets of the Shadow Lotus organization. The Prime Minister guided Han Cai and hispanions to the living quarters reserved for the High Council members of the Shadow Lotus organization. He advised Han Cai to rest and prepare himself for the initiation ceremony that would take ce the following day. The next day, Leaving his subordinates behind, Han Cai arrived at the main hall in the headquarters of the Shadow Lotus, where he was introduced to the three High Council members and the leader of the organization, Supreme Harmony Realm leader Yun Qinghong. The fourth council member was not present as he was staying in Yin, fulfilling his duty as its protector. The council members were an eclectic group of individuals, each possessing their own unique characteristics: Council Member Liang Fei, a tall, slender man with sharp, hawk-like features, was d in a dark silk robe adorned with silver lotus embroidery. Council Member Wu Xia, a woman with an air of elegance and grace, wore a flowing gown embroidered with golden lotuses. Her long, raven hair was neatly tied back, revealing her delicate facial features. Council Member Zhang Feng, a burly man with a thick beard, was dressed in sturdy, dark armor entuated with lotus motifs. His fierce eyes seemed to pierce through everything they observed. The leader of the Shadow Lotus organization, Supreme Harmony Realm leader Yun Qinghong, was an enigmatic figure. He appeared to be a man in his fifties with a neatly-trimmed beard and deep, piercing eyes that seemed to hold a vast ocean of knowledge. He was dressed in an elegant, dark robe embroidered with silver lotus patterns, which symbolized his status as the leader of the organization. A sense of authority and wisdom emanated from him, making it clear that he was a man of great power and influence. The initiation ceremony began with a solemn address by Yun Qinghong, who spoke of the organization''s history and its mission to protect the bnce of power in the Daxing continent. He emphasized the importance of loyalty and dedication to the cause, reminding everyone present that the Shadow Lotus did not tolerate betrayal or weakness. The organization did not demand much from members except they should not betray it and support the organization whenever they could. Yun Qinghong then invited Han Cai to step forward and take the oath of allegiance to the Shadow Lotus organization. With a steady voice, Han Cai recited the oath, pledging that as long as he was a member of the organization, he would not betray it. He vowed that he would try to uphold its principles, maintain its secrets, and support its interests. Upon thepletion of the oath, Yun Qinghong congratted Han Cai on his sessful initiation and formally weed him into the Shadow Lotus organization. The high council members and apuded, acknowledging Han Cai as fellow council member beginning of his journey within the ranks of the Shadow Lotus. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 163 Shadow Lotuss Concern As the ceremony came to an end, Han Cai was now an official member of the Shadow Lotus organization, and with this new affiliation came great responsibility and opportunity. Not that he nned to take any responsibility. He did n to use the opportunities. Following the initiation ceremony, everyone in the room took their seats. The leader, Yun Qinghong, sat in the main center chair, with the other council members seated on both sides. There were only four council members and one leader. Han Cai sat on the third chair on the left, as he was the fifth council member. Yun Qinghong began addressing the group, "Today is a great day for our organization and us, as we have a new member and a new nation to support us with resources. However, this also brings new challenges. As you all know, the Crimson Serpents used to control resources in Yin, but now that resource is cut off, they won''t sit back. They wille at us heavily. But there is also an opportunity here. Ever since Xue Zhenwu of the Aurelian Dragons advanced and became a Law Immortal, they have been causing trouble for the Crimson Serpents. Because of this, Zhu Tianming has been busy trying to regain control over the situation. But the moment the Crimson Serpents contain the Aurelian Dragons ore to some peace deal with them, we will have to face their challenge. We need a method by which the Crimson Serpents and Aurelian Dragons cannot coexist peacefully." The council members went into deep thought, considering how to address this issue. The third council member suggested, "Why don''t we use our spies in both organizations to stir up trouble and create problems between the two?" Han Cai mused, "No Shit, Sherlock." The second council member responded, "None of our spies hold high-ranking positions in either organization. We would have used that method to solve this problem if they did." They remained silent for a while, pondering their options. Finally, the first council member said, "I heard that the Aurelian Dragons and Crimson Serpents arepeting aggressively for the Mystic Sky Country. They are both trying to gain control over the royal family, but neither has seeded yet, as the royal family''s patriarch himself is a Spirit Harmony Immortal. So, they both have sent strong cultivators to this country. I heard this country has the richest resources when ites to cultivation materials like Medium-grade Spirit Stones, Eternal Jade, and Spirit Nectar. It can provide more resources than the two countries that the Crimson Serpent ownsbined. If we want to try something, we should try there." Han Cai was surprised to hear this, as the first council member had done his homework. Han Cai coughed and said, "His name is Azure Messenger." All the council members and the leader looked at Han Cai curiously. The first council member felt irritated for being interrupted. There was a rule among council members that when a higher-ranking member spoke, lower-ranking members should listen and not interrupt. But since Han Cai was new and did not know these rules, he let it slide and asked, "What do you mean?" Han Cai answered, "In Mystic Sky Country, the Aurelian Dragons n to send someone called Azure Messenger. He is the most important man of the Silver King, the leader of the Aurelian Dragons. The Silver King ns to show off his fangs, so he has directly nned to send Azure Messenger. In this Mystic Sky Country, the Crimson Serpents might not stand a chance. All their resources are tied up, and their two Spirit Harmony Immortals are busy protecting the two countries that they own. Chances are, Azure Messenger wille in full force and make the Crimson Serpents give up on Mystic Sky Country. Since they don''t have anyone powerfuling there, the Crimson Serpents will have topromise." The first council member inquired, "How do you know about this?" Han Cai bragged, "I believe you already might have my details from Liang Zhen. I am very resourceful." Indeed, they already knew how Han Cai had single-handedly taken over an entire country, destroying the most powerful sect in Yin. Liang Zhen had given a detailed report on how Yin was captured, and this was the first country Shadow Lotus was able to take control of, so they took Han Cai''s words seriously. The leader of Shadow Lotus asked, "Han Cai, what is your suggestion on what we should do?" Han Cai answered, "We don''t need to create problems for the Aurelian Dragons or the Crimson Serpents. What we need to do is support the royal family of Mystic Sky Country." The second council member questioned, "Why should we do that?" Han Cai exined, "The battle that is going to happen in that country once Azure Messenger arrives will be at the level of a Spirit Harmony Immortal. The royal family''s Spirit Harmony Immortal can fight him off, but the royal family cannot take attacks from both the Aurelian Dragons and the Crimson Serpents alone once they decide to make apromise and divide the country between themselves. We need to give them some support so that the struggle between the Aurelian Dragons and Crimson Serpents continues. But there is a problem." The first council member asked, "What''s the problem?" Han Cai replied, "Don''t take this the wrong way, but except for the leader or myself, anyone from the Council who goes to the country will end up dead. Azure Messenger is ruthless, and his cultivation is at the Spirit Harmony level. Except for the leader and myself, no one will be able to escape him." The third council member questioned, "If we cannot escape him, how are you sure that you can escape him?" Suddenly, a voice came from behind the leader, "Because I can." They turned to look at the source of the voice and found it was Han Cai, standing behind the leader. They turned to look at the fifth chair and saw Han Cai was no longer there. Everyone was shocked. This was Han Cai''s favorite technique when it came to showcasing his strength. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 164 JadeSky City The council members had not held Han Cai in high regard, as they believed he was just a young, talented kid who had gotten lucky in conquering a country. But now, their opinion of him had changed. None of them could sense when Han Cai had moved behind the leader. Even the leader, who was not yet a Law Immortal, was shocked. He had felt fluctuations in thews of the world that he himself could not manipte, yet Han Cai, at such a low cultivation level, was able to manipte them. Han Cai walked back to his chair from behind the leader''s seat, sat down, and said, "But I amzy. I have already given the organization a country. I don''t think I need to contribute more for now. However, I am conflicted. I know if the struggle between the Aurelian Dragons and Crimson Serpents ends, the Crimson Serpent wille for my Yin. So honestly, I am looking for motivation." After seeing Han Cai manipte thews, the leader''s authoritative voice became gentler, "You are now part of our organization. Don''t think of yourself as an outsider. How about this: the resources that our organization is receiving from Yin, fifty percent of these resources will be allocated to you alone, and our organization will make do with the remaining fifty percent." Han Cai responded with a smile, "I feel motivated now." Two monthster. Han Cai, the Wang and Cui young masters, and Han Cai''s father approached the majestic gates of the royal capital of the Mystic Sky Kingdom, Jadesky City. They had used their transformation skills to alter their appearances, seamlessly blending in as wealthy merchants from the far-off Jianyu Inds. Jadesky City was awe-inspiring, with magnificent architecture that reached to the heavens. Massive skyscrapers adorned with intricate carvings and shimmering gemstones stood proudly alongside lush, sprawling gardens, reflecting the Mystic Sky Kingdom''s immense wealth and power. Merchants from across the continent gathered in the city to trade rare and exotic goods, while cultivators honed their skills in prestigious academies. Han Cai meticulously nned their arrival to leave an indelible impression on the people of Jadesky City. To announce their arrival, they had nned a grand processionplete with fanfare and colourful banners. A luxurious caravan, a breathtaking spectacle of luxury, was at the heart of the procession. Magnificent horses with ornate harnesses pulled magnificent carriages. Their gleaming metal iys and polished wood iys reflected the sunlight. The caravan was loaded with exotic goods from the Jianyu Inds, enhancing the team''s reputation as powerful merchants. The bustling streets came to a halt as the luxurious parade entered the city, and whispers about the wealthy neers spread among the awestruck crowd. People from all walks of life stopped to watch the procession and specte about the reason for their visit. The procession moved through Jadesky City''s streets, disying the neers'' wealth and power to the city''s residents. As they passed, onlookers gazed in awe at the caravan, cementing the team''s reputation as powerful merchants from the Jianyu Inds. When the team arrived in Jadesky City, they went straight to their first destination: a luxurious mansion purchased by Yongnian ahead of their arrival. This magnificent residence, known as the "Jade Serenity Mansion," was located in a prestigious district, surrounded by influential figures'' homes and bustling markets. The mansion itself was an architectural masterpiece, with elegant designs and opulent furnishings that reflected the upants'' wealth and status. The mansion''s entrance hall featured marble floors, intricate carvings, and a magnificent crystal chandelier that cast a warm, golden glow throughout the space. The walls were adorned with exquisite paintings and tapestries, and the plush furnishings disyed the highest level of craftsmanship. The mansion also had a tranquil courtyard garden with a koi pond and vibrant, fragrant flowers, providing a peaceful oasis in the midst of the bustling city. Once settled in the Jade Serenity Mansion, Han Cai called for a meeting with his team in a private,vishly decorated chamber. He outlined their objectives and assigned tasks to each member, emphasizing the importance of establishing a strong foothold within Jadesky City. Han Cai directed his team to acquire prime real estate in strategic locations throughout Jadesky City, such asmercial buildings, residential properties, and entertainment venues. These acquisitions would not only serve as a foundation for their various businesses, but would also strengthen their position as influential merchants. Yongnian, who had arrived in Jadesky City earlier, was given the crucial responsibility of recruiting skilled and loyal workers for their various enterprises. He was to seek out individuals who not only possessed the necessary expertise but also demonstrated unwavering loyalty and discretion. This would ensure that their cover remained intact and that their mission could proceed smoothly. With their tasks assigned, the team members dispersed throughout Jadesky City to carry out their ns. They were ever mindful of the importance of maintaining their cover and gathering vital information about the royal family and the politicalndscape of the Mystic Sky Kingdom as they worked diligently to acquire properties and establish businesses Han Cai and his father, Han Dai, decided to take a leisurely ride through the city in an opulent carriage to further solidify their image as wealthy merchants. Six magnificent horses pulled the carriage, their coats glossy and well-kept, their manes and tails braided with silk ribbons and gem-encrusted ornaments. The sight of the extravagantly dressed father and son duo leisurely perched in their luxurious carriage drew the attention of bothmoners and the city''s elite. People came to a halt, casting curious nces and whispering amongst themselves about the identity of these wealthy neers. As they made their way through the city, Han Cai and Han Dai arrived at Jadesky City''s most prestigious inn, the Haven Inn. This magnificent establishment was nestled in the heart of the city''s most affluent district, catering to its wealthy patrons'' whims and desires. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 165 Khaleesi Auction House Han Dai approached the innkeeper, a stout man with a bushy mustache and a self-assured demeanor. Han Dai took a confident stride towards the innkeeper, who stood behind a polished wooden counter adorned with intricate carvings. Han Dai spoke with authority, clearing his throat to get the man''s attention. "Greetings, I am Gandalf Khaleesi, and this is my son Frodo Khaleesi. We have a proposition for you. We wish to purchase the Haven Inn," he announced, maintaining unwavering eye contact with the innkeeper. The innkeeper, taken aback by the new customers'' names and the boldness of the request, chuckled nervously. "You must be joking, sir. The Haven Inn is the pride of Jadesky City. We can not simply sell it to anyone whoes asking." Han Dai''s expression remained serious. "I assure you, we are quite serious about our intentions. To prove it, allow me to show you something." With a flick of his wrist, Han Dai summoned a massive amount of gold coins, filling the room with their resplendent glow. The innkeeper''s eyes widened in shock, his earlier skepticism reced by a newfound respect for Han Dai and his son. "Very well," the innkeeper stammered, suddenly eager to cooperate. "I will contact the owner of the Haven Inn immediately." The owner of the Inn was one of the ministers of the royal court. When he heard some rich guests had arrived at his inn and filled the hall of the inn with gold, he hurried to the establishment. When the minister arrived at the inn, his gaze immediately fell upon the veritable mountain of gold coins piled high and gleaming in the candlelight. He could barely contain his astonishment, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and disbelief. "Gentlemen," the minister began, his voice wavering, "I must admit, I have never seen such a disy of wealth in my life. This is a truly extraordinary offer." Han Dai smiled, sensing the minister''s eagerness. "Indeed, we are quite serious about our desire to purchase the Haven Inn. This gold is yours, should you agree to sell it to us." The minister took a deep breath, pondering the life-changing implications of the decision before him. Finally, he extended his hand to Han Dai. "Very well, I ept your offer. The Haven Inn is yours." With a firm handshake, the deal was sealed, and Han Cai and his team had secured the perfect base of operations for their mission in the heart of Jadesky City. Rumors and gossip about the wealthy merchants from the Jianyu Inds buying the prestigious Haven Inn, now reestablished as the Khaleesi Inn, quickly spread like wildfire throughout Jadesky City, further reinforcing their cover. With each passing day, more and more people talked about the mysterious neers, their extravagant lifestyles, and their seemingly limitless wealth. Han Cai meticulously oversaw the development of their businesses and properties, ensuring that they established a strong foothold within the city. Each enterprise was carefully chosen toplement its cover and create awork of influence throughout the capital. Yongnian, with his keen eye for talent, was sessful in recruiting a skilled workforce for their various enterprises. He carefully selected individuals who were not onlypetent in their respective fields but also loyal and discreet, ensuring that their cover would remain intact. The team members worked diligently, maintaining their guise as influential merchants while also gathering crucial information about the royal family and the politicalndscape of the Mystic Sky Kingdom. One of the businesses they established was an auction house strategically located just opposite the Khaleesi Inn. They named it the Khaleesi Auction House. The building itself was a testament to their wealth and taste, with its imposing architecture andvish interior design. Every detail was carefully considered, from the ornate chandeliers that hung from the ceiling to the plush velvet seating that lined the auction hall. Han Cai was determined to make the Khaleesi Auction House the talk of Jadesky City, using various methods to promote the grand opening and pique the interest of the city''s elite. First, Han Caimissioned the finest calligraphers in the city to create exquisite invitations and promotional materials for the event. These skilled artisans used their brushes to craft elegant and intricate designs that exuded sophistication and hinted at the luxurious items that would be avable at the auction. The invitations were then hand-delivered to the most influential members of Jadesky City''s nobility, ensuring that the event would be attended by the city''s wealthiest and most powerful individuals. In addition to the beautifully crafted invitations, Han Cai also enlisted the help of the city''s most renowned storytellers. These talented individuals were known for their ability to captivate their audiences with vivid tales and enchanting narratives. Han Cai tasked them with spreading the word of the auction throughout the city, sharing stories of the rare and precious treasures that would be auctioned, particrly the Earth-grade weapons, which was said to possess incredible power and unmatched craftsmanship. The storytellers began their work, visiting the bustling markets, teahouses, and taverns of Jadesky City. Their rich voices rose above the din of the crowds, weaving tales of the Earth-grade weapons and other priceless artifacts that would be up for grabs at the Khaleesi Auction House. These tales sparked the imagination of their listeners, leaving them eager to attend the auction and witness these extraordinary treasures for themselves. As news of the auction spread, the citizens of Jadesky City couldn''t help but be swept up in the excitement. Whispers of the Khaleesi Auction House''s grand opening echoed throughout the city, and anticipation for the event reached a fever pitch. Even the city''s elite, who were often jaded by the wealth and luxury that surrounded them, found themselves intrigued by the Earth-grade weapons and the other rare items that would be avable at the auction. With this nning and masterful promotion, Han Cai sessfully made the Khaleesi Auction House the center of attention in Jadesky City. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 166 First Auction In the days leading up to the grand opening of the Khaleesi Auction House, Jadesky City was abuzz with anticipation and excitement. The city''s elite were captivated by the thought of the rare and precious treasures that would be avable at the auction, and the mysterious wealthy merchants from the Jianyu Inds only served to heighten their curiosity. As the event drew nearer, conversations among the nobles and aristocrats of Jadesky City were dominated by spection about the Earth-grade weapon and the other priceless items that would be auctioned. Stories and rumors about the origins and powers of these treasures spread like wildfire, with each tale more fantastic and intriguing than thest. The city''s most influential figures eagerly discussed the uing auction, sharing their ns to attend and their hopes of securing one of the coveted items for themselves. The grand opening of the Khaleesi Auction House became the most anticipated event of the season, drawing the attention of not only the wealthy and powerful of Jadesky City but also that of nobles, aristocrats, and influential figures from all corners of the Mystic Sky Kingdom. They traveled from near and far to attend the auction, their carriages and entourages filling the streets around the Khaleesi Inn and the Khaleesi Auction House. This widespread enthusiasm and attention were precisely what Han Cai and his team had hoped for. The grand opening of the Khaleesi Auction House provided them with a unique opportunity to make connections with the most powerful individuals in the kingdom, helping to further their mission of infiltrating and manipting the highest echelons of power. Unbeknownst to the city''s elite, the grand opening was just the first step in Han Cai and his team''s intricate n to sway the fortunes of the Mystic Sky Kingdom. As the attendees gathered in the luxurious confines of the Khaleesi Auction House, eagerly awaiting their chance to bid on the legendary treasures that would soon be unveiled, Han Cai and his team prepared to enact the next phase of their carefully crafted strategy. On the day of the auction, the Khaleesi Auction House was a hub of activity and excitement. Nobles and aristocrats from all over Jadesky City arrived, eager to participate in the bidding for the legendary treasures. Among the attendees, Han Cai paid particr attention to the esteemed representatives of the Huang n and the Shen n. These two families held considerable influence within the Mystic Sky Kingdom and had powerful allies in the form of the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons, respectively. The Huang n, the second most powerful family in the Mystic Sky Kingdom, was represented by their esteemed elder, Lord Huang. A seasoned warrior and a cunning strategist, Lord Feng had guided the Huang n to new heights of power and prosperity. His presence at the auction was a testament to the significance of the Earth-grade weapon, a treasure that could potentially alter the bnce of power within the kingdom. The Shen n, the third most powerful family, was represented by Lady Yue . As an aplished cultivator and a skilled diplomat, Lady Yue yed a crucial role in maintaining the Shen n''s influence within the kingdom. Her attendance at the auction further demonstrated the allure of the Earth-grade weapon and the other priceless treasures that would be avable for bidding. As the auctionmenced, Han Cai and Han Dai used their charm and wit to engage with these influential figures, forging connections that would prove invaluable for his team''s mission. With Lord Feng and Lady Yue among the attendees, the auction took on an even greater air of prestige and importance. The rivalry between the Huang n and the Shen n was well-known, and their representatives'' presence at the event hinted at the intensepetition that was likely to unfold during the bidding process. During the auction, the Khaleesi Auction House presented a series of rare materials, each one rarer and more valuable than thest. The atmosphere in the auction house was charged with excitement and tension as the lots were revealed one by one. When the bidding began, Huang n and Shen npeted for every item raising the bids so high that they did not give a chance to others to bid at all. The first item was Dragon Scale Essence, a vital ingredient in forging powerful weapons and armor, was known for its incredible durability and resistance to elemental forces. Bidding had started at a hundred thousand spirit stones, and the aristocrats in attendance immediately beganpeting for this rare material. Lord Feng of the Huang n, supported by the Crimson Serpents, and Lady Yue of the Shen n, backed by the Aurelian Dragons, engaged in a fierce bidding war, neither willing to back down. It was finally sold to Lady Yue of the Shen n. The Second item, Phoenix Tears was not really a tear of a phoenix but a miraculous elixir capable of healing even the gravest of injuries and restoring vitality to the brink of death. The bidding for this life-saving treasure had begun at two hundred thousand spirit stones, with both the Huang n and the Shen n determined to secure the elixir for their own purposes. The price rapidly soared as the two families relentlessly outbid one another. Finally, Huang n was able to acquire this elixir. Thunderp Stones were potent energy sources capable of enhancing a cultivator''s power and imbuing weapons with the force of lightning. The bidding for these powerful stones had started at four hundred thousand spirit stones, and the rivalry between the Huang n and the Shen n continued unabated, both sides eager to im the stones for their own cultivation purposes. Huang n won this bid too. The secondst item was Skyward Wood, a rare and ancient timber with extraordinary properties, which was used in crafting exceptional artifacts and spiritual tools. The bidding for this precious resource hadmenced at three hundred thousand spirit stones, and once again, the Huang n and the Shen n locked horns in a spirited battle, each seeking to add the legendary Skyward Wood to their arsenal. But this item was secured by another family who outbid both Huang and Shen ns. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 167 A Year Later The final item of the auction was Earthquake Hammer, an earth-grade weapon with immense power, forged from abination of rare metals and infused with the essence of the earth element. This mighty weapon is renowned for its ability to shatter the ground and topple structures with a single strike. Bidding for the Earthquake Hammer began at one hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones, capturing the attention of the influential figures present. Lord Feng of the Huang n, , and Lady Yue of the Shen n found themselves locked in a relentless bidding war, each vying to acquire this formidable weapon. The final bidding price reached one million spirit stones. Lady Yue of the Shen n was able to acquire this earth-grade weapon. As the final gavel fell, the auction came to a close, with the Huang n and the Shen n each iming their hard-won prizes. The intense bidding wars between the two families had made the event unforgettable, and the auction had been an astounding sess on multiple levels. First and foremost, the reputation of the Khaleesi Auction House had been bolstered exponentially. Word of the rare and valuable items sold at the auction, as well as the fiercepetition between the Huang n and the Shen n, would spread throughout Jadesky City and beyond, drawing more attention and business to the auction house. Furthermore, the event provided Han Cai and his team with invaluable connections among Jadesky City''s elite. As the hosts of such a prestigious and sessful auction, they had gained the respect and trust of influential figures in the city, giving them greater ess to the inner circles of power. This would prove invaluable as they continued their mission to infiltrate and manipte the highest echelons of the Mystic Sky Kingdom. The auction had also given Han Cai and his team a unique opportunity to observe the dynamics between the various factions within Jadesky City. The rivalry between the Huang n and the Shen n, as well as their respective backers, the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons, was now clear to them. As the attendees filed out of the Khaleesi Auction House, their pockets lighter and their armsden with treasures, Han Cai and his team took stock of their aplishments. They had taken a significant step forward in their mission, and the seeds they had nted during the auction would soon bear fruit. Little did the attendees know that the true purpose of the event had been far more than just the exchange of rare items; it had been the beginning of a grand scheme that would change the course of the Mystic Sky Kingdom''s future. Months passed, and the Khaleesi Auction House quickly established itself as a cornerstone of Jadesky City''s vibrant social scene. Each meticulously nned event was a veritable showcase of opulence and grandeur, attracting the wealthy and influential residents of the city and beyond. Under the expert guidance of Han Cai and his team, the auction house earned a reputation for offering an unmatched selection of rare and valuable materials, setting it apart from itspetitors and solidifying its status as the premier auction house in the Mystic Sky Kingdom. Month after month, the anticipation and excitement surrounding the Khaleesi Auction House''s events continued to grow. Lavish disys of exquisite treasures and Earth-grade materials captivated the imaginations of bidders and spectators alike, with each auction surpassing thest in terms of both scale and spectacle. From enchanting jewels and precious metals to ancient artifacts imbued with mystic power, the selection of items avable for bidding was truly unparalleled. As word of the Khaleesi Auction House''s extraordinary events spread throughout the Mystic Sky Kingdom, bidders and collectors from all corners of the country began to make the journey to Jadesky City. The auction house''s reputation for luxury and exclusivity transcended borders, drawing in a diverse array of nobles, aristocrats, and other powerful figures, each vying for a chance to acquire the treasures on offer. As the Khaleesi Auction House''s fame grew, so too did the fortunes of Han Cai, Han Dai, and their team. Their reputation as purveyors of Earth-grade treasures and unparalleled luxury afforded them a level of prestige and influence within Jadesky City''s high society that was difficult to overstate. And as their influence grew, so too did their ability to gather intelligence and further their ultimate goals within the Mystic Sky Kingdom Han Cai, Han Dai, and their crew have made great progress in their goal to infiltrate the Mystic Sky Kingdom over the course of a year. They had established a firm basis for their power within the upper echelons of society as affluent merchants and proprietors of the famed Khaleesi Auction House and Inn. Their sess was dependent on the ties they carefully developed with significant figures in the country. The auction house had built friendly rtionships with both the powerful Huang n and the powerful Shen n. It was no easy task to navigate theplicated web of power rtions inside the royal family and court, but Han Cai and Han Dai proved themselves more thanpetent. Their natural charm and quick wit enabled them to build connections with numerous key members of the court, pulling them into their inner circle and gaining significant insights into the kingdom''s political environment. This knowledge was critical to their objective since it allowed them to better grasp the Mystic Sky Kingdom''s main actors'' strengths, weaknesses, and motives. Han Cai and Han Dai had managed to convert their Khaleesi Inn into a renowned establishment known across the kingdom for its elegance and splendor, in addition to their attempts to create contacts inside the court. Many visitors visiting Jadesky City for the auctions decided to stay at the Khaleesi Inn, enhancing its reputation and adding to its expanding prominence. The sess of the inn not only served to legitimize their presence in the city, but it also supplied a consistent source of cash that allowed them to finance their activities and keep their cover. At this point, the Khaleesi brand had established itself as one of the most trustworthy and dependable in the magical Sky Kingdom. Over the time, there were subtle changes in the rules of the Khaleesi auction house. Previously, the Khaleesi auction house would deliver the item as soon as the bidding waspleted, but there had been minor alterations in the regtions, for example. Instead of just delivering the item to the bidder and performing an exchange, the bidder had to pay first, and the house would check to see if the bidder had paid the required amount. Only then would the item be delivered to the bidder. But since the Khaleesi had be a very reliable brand, no one questioned them. Although infiltration was Han Cai and Han Dai''s major goal, they realized that their attempts to position themselves as renowned merchants and entrepreneurs were delivering unanticipated rewards. The Khaleesi Inn and Auction House, which had begun as a front for their covert operations, had grown into a sessful business with huge revenues. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 168 News Of Divine Weapon For Han Cai and Han Dai, business was booming. Rich people from all over the Mystic Sky Kingdom came to the Khaleesi Inn because of its reputation for luxury and opulence. They were more than happy to pay more for the inn''s unbeatable rooms and excellent service. In the same way, collectors and experts were drawn to the Auction House. They eagerly took part in the auctions, which drove up the prices of the rare and expensive things for sale. Han Cai and Han Dai got a lot of money from their two businesses. This gave them a strong financial base that let them reach their goals and aims in the kingdom. These profits were sent back to the family to be used to invest in family businesses in other countries. The Han family had already established their roots all over the continent, enabling them to expand theirwork of contacts, gather intelligence more efficiently, and bolster their influence within the continent. As their businesses grew, so too did their ess to the inner circles of the royal family, the court, and the powerful families all over the continent. As the Khaleesi Auction House approached its one-year anniversary, Han Cai and his team set the stage for a celebration that would leave an indelible mark on the Mystic Sky Kingdom''s history. They announced that in three months, a Divine-grade weapon would be auctioned off, an unprecedented event that would draw potential buyers from every corner of the kingdom. A Divine-grade weapon, a symbol of immense power and prestige, held the unparalleled ability to kill Immortals and deter other countries. Han Cai decided to promote the event with unwavering excitement and careful attention to every detail, just like he had done when the Khaleesi Auction House first opened. To create promotional materials that would captivate the attention of the entire kingdom, Han Cai enlisted the help of skilled calligraphers, talented storytellers, and renowned artists. These individuals crafted stunning invitations, captivating tales, and breathtaking visuals that effectively conveyed the awe-inspiring nature of the Divine-grade weapon that was about to be auctioned off. Through theirbined efforts, news of the highly anticipated auction spread rapidly, reaching every corner of the Mystic Sky Kingdom. As the news spread across thend, it sent shockwaves through all of the kingdom. The Crimson Serpents, the Aurelian Dragons, and even the royal family couldn''t stop thinking about getting their hands on such a powerful weapon. The auction created a level of excitement and expectation that had never been seen before. Everyone with the power wanted to go to the auction and try to get the coveted Divine-grade weapon. The atmosphere throughout the kingdom was electrifying, as whispers of the Divine-grade weapon auction filled every corner, from the bustling markets to the hushed halls of power. Nobles, aristocrats, and influential figures from all walks of life set their sights on securing an invitation to the event, hoping to witness the historic moment firsthand and possibly walk away with the ultimate prize. The Huang family''s main hall was abuzz with energy and anticipation as the elders huddled together in animated conversation. They were sitting in the luxurious hall filled with magnificent tapestries and artworks while the warm glow ofnterns lit the faces of these powerful people, their emotions abination of joy and anxiety. The announcement of the Divine-grade weapon sale had clearly sent shockwaves across the Mystic Sky Kingdom, including the Huang family. Elder Zhaoyuan, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, held court in the center of the hall, his voicemanding attention as he spoke of the auction. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he proimed, "The Divine-grade weapon has the potential to shift the bnce of power within the kingdom and beyond." The other elders nodded in agreement, murmuring amongst themselves as they weighed the possibilities. Many of them knew that the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons, two of the most powerful factions within the kingdom, would certainly take an interest in this auction. "We must act swiftly and decisively," urged Elder Liang, another respected figure within the Huang family. "If we manage to secure the Divine-grade weapon, it could tip the scales in our favor, affecting not just our family but the entire kingdom." Another elder spoke," I don''t think we can afford it. It is better to inform the crimson serpents and earn their favor." This suggestion received nods from all the elders in the hall. They knew when it came to bidding war for the divine-grade weapon. They did not think they could outbid the royal family, so it was better if they informed crimson dragons. After the family meeting, Elder Zhaoyuan knew that he needed to inform Zhang Feng, the Void Immortal leader of the Crimson Serpents in the Mystic Sky Kingdom, about the Divine-grade weapon auction. He was fully aware of the implications this weapon could have on the bnce of power, and if anyone should acquire the divine-grade weapon, the organization should be their powerful ally, not anyone else. As he left the Huang household, Elder Zhaoyuan donned a simple yet elegant cloak, concealing his identity as he ventured through the bustling streets of the city. The journey to Zhang Feng''s residence was rtively short, but he moved with haste, knowing that time was of the essence. Upon arriving at the residence, he was granted entry by the guards, who recognized him as a trusted emissary of the Huang family. Elder Zhaoyuan strode through the ornate corridors, his steps echoing on the marble floors, until he reached the opulent hall where Zhang Feng and his advisors were gathered. As Elder Zhaoyuan entered the hall, he couldn''t help but notice the intimidating presence of the powerful immortals assembled there. He locked eyes with Zhang Feng, who sat in a position of authority, his subordinates nking him on both sides. There was Xu Wei, the Affinity Immortal strategist, whose keen intellect was evident in his sharp gaze; Chen Rui, the Spirit Immortal warrior, whose imposing stature betrayed his prowess in battle; Bai Lin, the Earth Immortal and intelligence expert, whose eyes held a knowing gleam; and Liu Jing, Earth Immortal, and diplomat, whose calm demeanor belied a shrewd mind. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 169 Divine Auctions Impact Taking a deep breath, Elder Zhaoyuan stepped forward and addressed Zhang Feng with respect, "Esteemed leader, I bring news of an auction that has the potential to change the bnce of power within our kingdom." Zhang Feng''s interest was immediately piqued, and he leaned forward, urging Elder Zhaoyuan to continue. As the elder ryed the details of the auction and the Divine-grade weapon, Zhang Feng''s eyes narrowed. He felt the news could not be true. Who is their right mind auction divine grade weapon? But Huang''s family elder kept assuring him and told him how the owners of the Khaleesi auction house were most trustworthy merchants in the kingdom. They had sold many earth-grade weapons so far. Zhang Feng nodded and spoke. "Tell me everything you know about the Khaleesi Auction House and the merchants behind this auction," hemanded.. Elder Zhaoyuan nodded and began to share the information he had gathered. "The Khaleesi Auction House is a rtively new establishment in Jadesky City, but it has already made a name for itself by auctioning off rare and valuable materials, including Earth-grade treasures. The owners, Gandalf Khaleesi and Frodo Khaleesi are said to be wealthy merchants who have rapidly gained influence within the kingdom." Xu Wei, the strategist, chimed in, "We should send someone to investigate the auction house and its owners further. It''s crucial to understand their motives and connections." Zhang Feng agreed. "Bai Lin, I want you to gather more intelligence on Gandalf Khaleesi and Frodo Khaleesi, as well as any potentialpetitors in the auction. We must be fully prepared." Lady Yue, a graceful and influential figure in the Shen n, was well aware of the importance of the information she had received. She knew that the Divine-grade weapon auction could drastically change the bnce of power in the Mystic Sky Kingdom, and it was crucial for her to inform Wu Xian, the Void Immortal leader of the Aurelian Dragons. d in her elegant silk robes adorned with intricate embroidery, Lady Yue set out to meet Wu Xian. Navigating the grand halls of the Shen n''s estate, Lady Yue''s footsteps were light and quiet, her presence barely disturbing the air as she moved. She eventually arrived at the ornate doors leading to the meeting chamber where Wu Xian and his trusted advisors were gathered. The guards stationed at the entrance, recognizing her importance, bowed respectfully and allowed her to enter the chamber. As Lady Yue stepped into the chamber, she could feel the weight of the powerful immortals'' gazes upon her. Wu Xian, seated in a position of authority, was nked by his skilled subordinates. On his right was Zhen Yuan, the Affinity Immortal strategist whose calcting eyes missed no detail; Tang Ming, the Spirit Immortal warrior, whose battle-hardened presence seemed to fill the room; and Yu Hua, the Earth Immortal intelligence expert, whose discreet demeanor belied his vast knowledge. On Wu Xian''s left was Sun Li, the Earth Immortal diplomat, whose warm smile and diplomatic grace maintained rtions with the Shen n. Composing herself, Lady Yue approached Wu Xian with a respectful bow. "Esteemed leader, I havee to inform you of a most intriguing auction that has captured the attention of the Mystic Sky Kingdom. The prize being auctioned is none other than a Divine-grade weapon." Upon hearing her words, Wu Xian''s expression turned serious, understanding the gravity of the situation. He leaned forward, urging Lady Yue to share more details. As she recounted the information she had gathered, Wu Xian''s eyes narrowed, assessing the potential consequences of such a powerful weapon being acquired by their rivals. Once Lady Yue had shared all that she knew, Wu Xian wasted no time in formting a n. "Lady Yue, I would like you to gather more information about the Khaleesi Auction House and the merchants responsible for this auction." Turning to Yu Hua, he added, "Yu Hua, return to our headquarters and inform the Aurelian Dragons of this development. We must ensure we are well-prepared for the auction." The Divine-grade weapon''s potential to shift the bnce of power not just in the Mystic Sky Kingdom but the whole continent was not lost on either the Crimson Serpents or the Aurelian Dragons. Both factions understood the immense significance of this auction and were determined to secure the weapon for themselves. The Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons wasted no time in mobilizing their forces. They began devising intricate ns and strategies to secure the coveted weapon during the auction. As the auction date approached, both organizations shifted their focus to gathering crucial intelligence. Their efforts targeted the Khaleesi Auction House, as well as Frodo Kahleesi and Gandalf Khaleesi (, the enigmatic merchants responsible for the auction. They meticulously studied the backgrounds and connections of these merchants, attempting to discern any weaknesses or opportunities that could be exploited. Furthermore, the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons were vignt in monitoring any potentialpetitors who might also seek to obtain divine-grade weapon. They analyzed the intentions and capabilities of other factions, hoping to predict their moves and stay one step ahead in the race for the ultimate prize. Zhang Feng and Wu Xian, the leaders of the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons, respectively, held multiple strategy sessions with their trusted advisors, Xu Wei and Zhen Yuan. They meticulously scrutinized every detail and considered every possible scenario, ensuring their organizations were well-prepared for the challenges thaty ahead. The two factions left nothing to chance, knowing that even the smallest oversight could cost them dearly. A divine-grade weapon was of too much importance. Realizing the immense importance of the Divine-grade weapon and unwilling to leave anything to chance, both the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons began to consider more extreme measures. As the auction day drew nearer and the tension between the factions grew, they began to contemte the possibility of robbing the Khaleesi Auction House if the auction did not go in their favor. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 170 A Royal Audience Determined not to let the Divine-grade weapon slip through their fingers, Zhang Feng and Wu Xian contacted their respective headquarters, requesting reinforcements. They knew that if they were to take such drastic action, they would need additional manpower and resources to ensure the sess of their n. The leaders emphasized the significance of the Divine-grade weapon and the potential advantage it could provide their organization, convincing their headquarters to send skilled cultivators to aid in their quest. As the reinforcements arrived, both factions began to prepare contingency ns detailing every aspect of their potential heist. They studied theyout of the Khaleesi Auction House, identified escape routes, and analyzed potential security measures. They also considered the timing of their attack, aiming to catch their rivals off guard and minimize the risk of interference from other factions. Despite their meticulous nning, the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons remained cautious, knowing that their rival faction was also vying for the Divine-grade weapon. They maintained their intelligence-gathering efforts, hoping to stay ahead of theirpetitors and anticipate any moves they might make. While the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons were busy preparing for the auction, Han Dai, as the owner of the Khaleesi Auction House, had other ns in mind. He was on his way to the royal court of the Mystic Sky Kingdom, bearing gifts for the emperor and his family. Upon arriving at the royal pce, Han Dai was asked to wait outside until he was summoned. Patiently, he stood outside the majestic pce, his eyes taking in the impressive architecture and opulence that surrounded him. The intricate designs and decorations etched into the stone walls and the sheer size of the pce left him in awe. The air around the pce was filled with a sense of importance and respect for the power it represented. Inside the royal court, the atmosphere was one of grandeur and solemnity. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and the hall was illuminated by the soft, warm glow of flickering candles. High, vaulted ceilings gave the court a sense of both spaciousness and authority. The emperor of the Mystic Sky Kingdom sat on his throne, a powerful figure who exuded wisdom and authority. His features were sharp, his eyes piercing, and his beard, a symbol of his age and experience, reached down to his chest. His regal attire disyed his status and reinforced the weight of his position. Beside him, Crown Prince Tianyu sat on a slightly lower throne, attentively observing the proceedings. As the heir to the throne, he was being groomed to someday rule the kingdom, and his presence in the court was an essential part of his education. The prince was a younger version of his father, sharing many of the emperor''s striking features but with an air of eagerness and curiosity that came with his youth. Numerous ministers filled the court, their robes denoting their rank and importance within the kingdom. They sat in rows ording to their status, each one waiting for their turn to address the emperor. But the three most important advisors to the emperor sat closest to him: Minister Huang Lei, Minister Shen Hao, and Minister Liao Jun. These three individuals held significant power in the kingdom, shaping policies and decisions that would impact the lives of millions. Their wisdom and experience were invaluable assets to the emperor, and their positions at his side were a testament to their influence within the royal court. As the court session continued, Minister Liao Jun spoke, "Your Majesty, today you are scheduled to meet the owner of the Khaleesi Auction House." The emperor''s interest was piqued. "Is it true that they are auctioning a Divine-grade weapon?" Minister Liao Jun nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. That is the reason he requested an audience with you." The emperor considered this for a moment before speaking, "The court will end for today. Only my three advisors shall remain." Hearing this, the other ministers and courtiers filed out of the hall, leaving the emperor, the crown prince, and the three ministers alone. After the courtiers had left, the emperor instructed his ministers to invite the Khaleesi Auction House owner inside. When Han Dai entered, he saw the emperor, the crown prince, and the three ministers waiting for him. He approached them, bowed, and offered his greetings. Behind Han Dai, three servants entered, each carrying a beautifully wrapped gift box. The servants stepped forward and ced the gifts in front of the emperor. Han Dai spoke, "Your Majesty, as this humble servant is meeting you for the first time, I have brought some gifts for you. I hope Your Majesty does not mind." The emperor nodded in acknowledgment, and one of the guards stepped forward to pick up one of the gift boxes and brought it to the crown prince. As the crown prince opened the box, the room filled with gasps of astonishment. Insidey the highest grade of spirit jade, a precious and rare cultivation material. Crown Prince Tianyu signaled for another guard to open the second gift box. This one contained the highest quality of spirit nectar, another highly sought-after cultivation material. The third box revealed a treasure trove of medium-grade spirit stones. The emperor, clearly pleased with the gifts, said, "Merchant Khaleesi, I am delighted with your offerings, but they are far too precious. What requests do you have of me?" Han Dai spoke, "Your Majesty, I have concerns about the potential for trouble at the uing auction. The presence of a Divine-grade weapon could attract unwanted attention and even attempts to steal it." Emperor became furious, "What insolence! How dare someone even think of robbing a respected merchant in my kingdom!" Crown Prince Tianyu spoke, "Father, we cannot allow such an act to take ce. It would harm our kingdom''s reputation." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot tooˇŞ If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 171 The Auction House Under Royal Protection The emperor was furious at the thought of someone daring to rob a respected merchant in his kingdom. He looked at Crown Prince Tianyu and ordered him to ensure that the auction house was well protected with the support of the royal guards. Crown Prince agreed, pledging to take care of the matter personally. The emperor was not merely being generous; the gifts that Han Dai had brought were exactly what the Spirit Harmony Immortal ancestors of the royal family needed. These gifts would significantly aid the ancestors in their cultivation. Gold and money could be ignored, but cultivation materials as precious as these could not be overlooked. Han Dai thanked the emperor, bowed, and took his leave. The following day, the Khaleesi Auction House found itself under the protection of royal guards. Even the Khaleesi Inn received the protection of the royal family. Zhang Feng, the Void Immortal leader of the Crimson Serpents in the Mystic Sky Kingdom, and Wu Xian, the Void Immortal leader of the Aurelian Dragons in the Mystic Sky Kingdom, were both informed by Huang and Shen family members about the royal family''s protection of the Khaleesi Auction House. The news traveled quickly through the intricatework of spies and informants employed by both factions, reaching their leaders in a matter of hours. This information significantly altered the strategdscape, forcing them to reassess their ns to rob the auction house and weigh the consequences of their actions. Upon learning of the royal family''s involvement in the security of the Khaleesi Auction House, both Zhang Feng and Wu Xian held emergency meetings with their respective advisors. They discussed the implications of the royal family''s protection and the potential repercussions of any hostile actions they might take against the auction house. While both factions had initially entertained the idea of attempting to steal the divine-grade weapon, this new development raised the stakes significantly, forcing them to reconsider their approach. With this new development, neither faction could risk attempting to rob the auction house. Doing so would make an enemy of the royal family prematurely, which was not a desirable oue. The bnce of power within the Mystic Sky Kingdom was delicate, and both factions were acutely aware of the need to maintain a facade of loyalty and subservience to the ruling dynasty. They were still vying for control of the royal family and could not afford to turn them into adversaries until they had exhausted all other options. Thus, they had no choice but to participate in the auction and bid for the divine-grade weapon. This change in strategy required a shift in focus and resources as both factions began to amass wealth and influence to ensure their sess in the auction. While both factions prepared for the auction, the emperor had the gifts delivered to the Spirit Harmony Immortal ancestor of the royal family. In his message to the ancestor, the emperor made it clear that gifts were from merchants of the kingdom who wanted the protection of the royal family during the auction of Divine-grade weapon. Han Cai''s father was busy gaining favors from the royal family after settling the auction house, and Han Cai focused on another project. Every midnight, Han Cai would go to the highest floor of the inn, settle down in a room, and have Yonginan stand guard at the door to ensure no disturbances urred. Once settled, Han Cai brought out his precious silver flute, which now had a divine glow. As soon as he had enough trading points, Han Cai took care of his flute, restoring it to its original state as a divine weapon. He scanned his flute: Object: Silver Whisperer ? Attributes: Divine Grade Treasure [Special Characteristic: Silver Whisperer is a divine-grade treasure with a rich history. Once belonging to the True Venerable Xiao, the flute was crafted from pure mystic spirit silver and is adorned with intricate engravings of celestial beings and beasts. Its smooth, polished surface feels cool to the touch, and it is imbued with a small amount of celestial Qi of resonance, making it an incredibly powerful weapon. As a divine weapon, it is not limited to thews of the world. The flute can be used in various ways. When yed, the Silver Whisperer produces melodious sounds that can soothe the mind, calm the soul, and purify the environment, dispelling negative energy. However, when yed with the intent to harm, the flute emits a sorrowful tune that weakens the enemy''s spiritual energy, inflicts mental demons, creates illusions, and can even destroy their minds and cultivation. The Silver Whisperer can also grant the user control over the hearts and minds of listeners. The flute''s sound can shatter donations. It can also shatter or damage other spirits of weapons through its sound. The user can control who hears its soundˇŞcontracted with Han Cai. Whoever wants to subdue the flute will have to kill Han Cai to be the flute''s master.] After Scanning, his beautiful precious Han Cai began ying his flute. Surprisingly no one in Jade Sky City or Mystic Sky Kingdom heard the sound of flute. But far away from Mystic Sky, in the northeast of Wu Country, nestled among towering peaks and surrounded by lush, verdant forests, there existed a very famous sect known as the Divine Mountain Sect. The sect''s majestic construction andmanding appearance, perched atop one of the tallest hills, were testaments to its prominent rank. This illustrious sect was known for generating extraordinary cultivators who were admired for their knowledge of numerous cultivation techniques as well as theirbat skills. The Divine Mountain Sect had enormous power in the region, and its followers were sought after by great ns and groups across the realm. It was within the hallowed halls of the Divine Mountain Sect that the renowned Grand Diviner Xiong resided. His fame and aplishments were legendary, as he had not only made significant contributions to the sect but he had also advised numerous rulers and prominent figures across Wu Country. Grand Diviner Xiong was the most respected diviner in the whole of Wu Country, and some even considered him the best diviner in the entire Daxing Continent. His predictions were known for their uracy and insight, making him an invaluable resource to those who sought his guidance. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 172 Haunting Of The Grand Diviner The Grand Diviner was a middle-aged man with a tall, slender build and long, flowing white hair that cascaded down his back like a waterfall of silk. His refined face, with its high cheekbones and elegant features, exuded an air of wisdom and authority. His deep-set, wise eyes seemed to see through the very fabric of reality, speaking of his years of experience in divination and his unparalleled understanding of the secrets hidden within the cosmos. Grand Diviner Xiong had dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge and the mastery of the esoteric arts, honing his skills as a diviner to the point where he could urately predict events years before they unfolded. His keen intellect, coupled with his unyielding determination, had allowed him to ascend to the pinnacle of his profession. As a result, he had be a figure of great reverence within the Divine Mountain Sect and beyond; his name was synonymous with wisdom and foresight. Despite his many aplishments, in the eyes of people, Grand Diviner Xiong remained humble and grounded, always seeking to better himself and further his understanding of the universe. His dedication to his craft and his ceaseless quest for knowledge had earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, and his reputation as a wise and benevolent figure was well-deserved. A few years ago, the grand diviner felt a surge of fortune. He sensed a massive amount of fortune and karma from the world flowing towards the north. He grew curious but was unable to pinpoint the source of the fortune. He did, however, determine that the fortune and karma were primarily flowing towards Yin Country. Seeing this massive amount of fortune, greed awakened in his heart, and he decided to steal the fortune from its owner. With this much fortune, he was confident that he would be able to receive the baptism ofws and transcend the immortal realm, bing a transcendent. The problem was that he was unsure about the location of the owner of the fortune. So, the grand diviner started a rumor ¨C a rumor of a venerate leaving all his treasures in Yin. He was certain that with so many cultivators flocking to Yin, he would be able to discover the identity of the fortune''s owner. After a few years, the grand diviner learned the name of a prodigal child in Yin Country, who was called Han Cai. Upon hearing about the achievements of this child, he was convinced that Han Cai was the owner of the massive amount of fortune. The grand diviner began devising a n to deceive this child and rob him of all the worldly fortune. Nestled within the heart of the Divine Mountain Sect, the cultivation chamber of Grand Diviner Xiong was a sanctuary for him to delve deep into the mysteries of the universe. The chamber was dimly lit, filled with the soft, flickering glow of candles that cast dancing shadows on the walls. A heavy silence hung in the air, an atmosphere of profound contemtion that seemed to resonate with the very essence of the cosmos. The walls of the chamber were adorned with intricate murals depicting divine beings, celestial beasts, and ancient symbols that bore witness to the sect''s long and storied history, as well as the vast knowledge that had been amassed by previous generations of cultivators. In general, within this sacred space, Grand Diviner Xiong would be absorbed in his cultivation, his mind traversing the depths of reality in an attempt to decipher the secrets thaty hidden beneath the surface. His body would remain motionless, his breathing steady and measured, as he allowed his consciousness to extend beyond the physical realm. As he explored the vast expanse of the universe, he sought to unravel the threads of fate and discern the patterns that governed the world. However, at this moment, Grand Diviner Xiong''s normally calm andposed visage was marred by perspiration and a contorted expression of annoyance. For months, something had been guing his mind, gnawing at the edges of his consciousness and disrupting his cultivation. Despite his vast knowledge and unparalleled skills in divination, he had been unable to pinpoint the source of his unease, and the growing frustration had begun to take its toll on his mental state. The once serene atmosphere of the cultivation chamber had been disrupted by this unseen force, leaving Grand Diviner Xiong restless and on edge. The weight of his concerns bore down on him, threatening to overwhelm him as he searched tirelessly for a solution. The chamber, which had once been a refuge for him, now seemed to close in around him as the suffocating presence of the unknown loomed ever heavier in his mind. Desperate to regain his peace and unravel the mystery that haunts him, Grand Diviner Xiong redoubled his efforts, channeling every ounce of his formidable willpower into his cultivation. He knew that he must persevere and ovee this obstacle if he was to continue on his path and maintain his position as the foremost diviner in thend. As the shadows lengthened and the candles burned low, Grand Diviner Xiong continued his tireless vigil, refusing to let the darkness that encroached upon him im victory. The haunting face of the creature first appeared to Grand Diviner Xiong several months ago during a particrly deep and profound cultivation session. It was a face that burned itself into his memory, refusing to release its grip on his consciousness. The face was incredibly striking, with a stark whiteplexion that stood out in stark contrast to the sunken, hollow eyes that seemed to bore into his very soul. The eyes were a piercing, unnatural shade of yellow, adding an otherworldly and terrifying aura to the face. Dark ck circles surrounded the eyes, serving only to enhance the sense of menace that radiated from the unsettling gaze. The gaunt, skeletal facial features were entuated by thin, arched eyebrows and prominent high cheekbones, giving the face an eerie, ghastly appearance. The mouth was another unnerving aspect of the face, marked by a sinister, wide grin that revealed rows of sharp, discolored teeth. Often, the mouth was smeared with blood, further heightening the overall horror of the creature''s visage. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 173 Day Of The Auction As the terrifying face would slowly recede into the darkness, Grand Diviner Xiong could make out the creature''s body. It had a humanoid form, draped in ck and white garments that seemed to both conceal and reveal its true nature. The ck habit and veil shrouded its head and body, contrasting sharply with the white wimple and cor that framed the face. This juxtaposition of light and dark created an unsettling and ominous appearance, sending shivers down the Grand Diviner''s spine. The habit was often tattered and filthy, serving as a testament to the creature''s demonic nature and the corruption that seemed to emanate from it. As the creature revealed itself, its elongated and skeletal hands came into view, with long, bony fingers tipped with sharp, ckened nails. These hands appeared to be capable of inflicting great pain and suffering, further emphasizing the malevolence of the being. The creature seemed to exist within a miasma of darkness and decay, its very presence causing an unsettling chill to pervade the air. Its supernatural abilities, such as levitation and teleportation, only served to heighten the otherworldly terror it invoked in those who beheld it. Over the months that followed, this monstrous being continued to torment Grand Diviner Xiong, disrupting his cultivation and haunting his every waking moment. Despite his immense skills in divination, he was unable to uncover the source of the creature or determine its true purpose. As his patience wore thin and his frustration mounted, the Grand Diviner dedicated himself even more fervently to the task of unraveling the mystery of this sinister apparition. If anyone from Han Cai''s past life saw this creature, they would immediately realize it was The Nun from the Conjuring movies. This creature would torment the Grand Diviner all night, and then it would disappear. The Grand Diviner would spend all day trying to figure out what the creature was and who sent it, but he could never find the source. He was losing patience. Every night, the creature would disturb him, preventing him from cultivating or doing anything productive. The constant harassment took a toll on Grand Diviner Xiong''s mental state, and his cultivation progress had slowed significantly. He desperately searched for answers, consulting ancient texts and seeking guidance from other diviners, but to no avail. While the grand diviner of the divine mountain sect was being tormented. The city of Jadesky was abuzz with excitement as the much-awaited auction day approached. In anticipation of the high-profile event, Wu Xian of the Aurelian Dragons made preparations to wee a new guest at the Shen Guest House. This esteemed guest was none other than the Azure Messenger, an extraordinary cultivator of the Spirit Harmony Realm. The Azure Messenger was a striking figure, standing tall and lean with sharp, angr facial features. His eyes seemed capable of prating the very soul of anyone they fell upon. His long, flowing azure hair shimmered like a star-filled night sky, and his cultivation aura exuded an unmistakable air of elegance and power. Simultaneously, at the Huang Guest House, Zhang Feng was busy weing his own esteemed guest, a cultivator whose skill and cultivation level matched that of the Azure Messenger. This impressive individual was named Xue Lian, a formidable cultivator who was well-respected in his own right. As the day of the auction drew closer, Wu Xian and Zhang Feng exchanged crucial information about the uing auction, which featured a Divine-grade weapon, an item that had captured the interest of powerful factions from all corners of the kingdom. The Crimson Serpents had not initially intended to send a cultivator of the Spirit Harmony Realm to the Mystic Sky Auction. However, the avability of a divine-grade weapon at the auction forced them to change their ns. They understood that if they failed to send a powerful representative, they could lose the weapon to an opposing faction, who might then wield it against them. Thus, the Crimson Serpents found themselves with no choice but to ensure they had a strong contender to secure the precious weapon for their cause. As the Auction drew near, the Khaleesi Auction House announced that it would not take ce in the capital, but rather in a town three hundred kilometers away. The Khaleesi merchants had purchased the entire town and renamed it Khaleesi Town, reconstructing it entirely for their anniversary auction. People were awed and impressed by the wealth that the Khaleesi Auction House disyed, and some even began to wonder if the Khaleesi merchants were richer than the royal family. As the much-anticipated day of the auction approached, aristocrats and nobles from various cities across the kingdom gathered in Khaleesi Town to participate in the grand event. The Khaleesi merchants were very generous, providing every guest withplimentary luxurious amodations and spirit food. The town was positively humming with excitement, and the majestic auction building, specifically erected for this exceptional asion, proudly towered at the center of the town. As evening fell on the day of the auction, a steady stream of guests began pouring into the expansive venue. The first arrivals consisted of general aristocrats and nobles, eagerly anticipating the spectacr items up for bid. Soon after, members of the influential Shen and Huang families made their entrance. The Aurelian Dragons, cunningly disguised as the prestigious Azure family, attended the auction alongside the Azure Messenger and other key members of their faction. Simrly, the Crimson Serpents, adopting the guise of the wealthy Crimson family, also joined the event, apanied by their Spirit Harmony cultivator and various members of their powerful faction. Finally, the members of the royal family arrived in style, led by none other than Crown Prince himself. The auction house had truly pulled out all the stops for this extraordinary event, with the grand building designed tofortably amodate over ten thousand guests. Luxurious rooms were reserved for VIP guests, such as the royals, as well as the Azure and Crimson families, who had shelled out a considerable sum for their exclusive and opulent amodations. In contrast, the general audience found their ces in the seating area below, eagerly awaiting themencement of the auction. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 174 The Auction Begins A stunning and poised young woman took her ce at the auction podium, ready to announce the various items that would be up for bidding during the event. The auction kicked off with a dazzling array of high-quality items, sparking fiercepetition among the attendees. Bids soared from every direction, with even the distinguished members of the royal family, Huang and Shen families, eagerly joining in the fray. The Azure and Crimson family members stayed quiet and waited for thest auction item. Atst, the moment everyone had been eagerly anticipating arrivedˇŞthe auction of the Divine-grade treasure. As the magnificent Treasure was unveiled, the eyes of all present shone with unbridled desire. The Divine grade treasure was an exquisite and visually striking flute crafted from pure mystic spirit silver. The silver material gave the flute a luminescent sheen, capturing light and reflecting it with a gentle, shimmering glow. The smooth, polished surface looked cold, hinting at the innate power concealed within this divine-grade treasure. Intricate engravings of celestial beings and beasts adorned the flute''s body, each one meticulously detailed and artistically rendered. These designs showcased the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into creating the flute, elevating it from a mere instrument to a true work of art. The flute''s slender, elongated form was perfectly bnced, allowing it to restfortably in the auctioneer''s hands as she held the flute to present it for everyone to see. Each hole was precisely ced and expertly carved, ensuring the flute produced the purest and most harmonious tones. The mouthpiece was shaped to fit the lipsfortably, allowing for optimal control over the airflow and resulting in a clear, vibrant sound. The flute''s physical features were a testament to its divine-grade status, with every aspect of its design carefully considered to create a powerful and beautiful treasure that was both functional and awe-inspiring. Unexpectedly, the auctioneer announced a sudden change in the proceedings. Citing security concerns, it was dered that the Divine-grade treasure''s auction would be relocated to a separate hall. To participate in the bidding for this coveted item, guests would be required to pay an entrance fee of one hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones. This fee would be reimbursed if their bid proved unsessful. The announcement triggered a tumultuous uproar among the attendees, their protests andints falling on deaf ears as the unyielding auctioneer made her exit from the stage. The auction house servants diligently went from one VIP room to another, collecting the considerable entrance fees. A majority of the visitors found themselves unable to afford the steep fee and were subsequently asked to leave. Nevertheless, a select few families with Immortal n members had the resources to pay the hefty price. Alongside the Azure and Crimson families and the Royal family, an additional four families managed to gather the required one hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones. Once the payments were verified, the servants escorted the VIPs to a new, more exclusive hall. Here, they were each assigned a private room connected to the central hall. These specially designed rooms allowed the VIPs to observe the auction proceedings while remaining concealed from the other guests. With all VIPsfortably settled in their respective rooms, the Divine-grade treasure was once again brought into the hall, and the auctioneer made her way back to the podium. Auctioneer: "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you this exceptional Diviner-grade treasure, a weapon like no other. Its remarkable features and extraordinary capabilities make it a highly sought-after item. Observe the intricate craftsmanship and the powerful aura it exudes. This is a true masterpiece!" The Crown prince sitting in one of the Vip rooms could not help but exim, "What a magnificent Treasure! It''s definitely worth a fortune." The members of the Royal family agreed with the prince on this. The auctioneer girl continued, "We shall nowmence the bidding for this incredible Divine-grade treasure. The starting bid is set at one million medium-grade spirit stones. Let thepetition begin!" Crown prince said, "I will bid one million and a hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones!" One of the other aristocrats'' family members said: "I''ll raise it to one million, one hundred and fifty thousand!" Auctioneer: "The bid is at one million, one hundred and fifty thousand medium-grade spirit stones. Any other takers? " A voice came from the Crimson Serpent faction, "Two million medium-grade spirit stones!" The Azure Messenger was losing his patience, and he spoke, "Five million medium-grade spirit stones!" He was going directly for five million to end the bidding war One of the royal advisors couldn''t help but be shocked, "Did he just say five million medium-grade spirit stones? That''s insane!" A voice came from the room of the Crimson Serpent faction, " Six million!" The Royal prince said, "We''ll raise it to six million and five hundred thousand." The Azure Messenger was out of patience now, and he said," "Enough! Ten million medium-grade spirit stones!" Hearing ten million medium-grade spirit stones, all auctions quieted down, But the Crimson Serpents were not ready to give up. A voice came from the Crimson Serpent faction, "12 million!" The Azure Messenger, without waiting for the Auctioneer to speak, responded, " Twenty million medium-grade spirit stones!" Auctioneer: "We have a bid of Twenty million medium-grade spirit stones. Going once, going twice... Sold to the Azure family! Congrattions!" A servant made their way to the Azure Messenger''s room to collect the payment for the Divine-grade treasure. Carefully handling the storage rings containing the substantial sum of a massive sum of twenty million medium-grade spirit stones, the servant assured the Azure Messenger that he would return shortly with the precious item. The transaction was swiftlypleted, and the servant departed to retrieve the treasure. Not long after, the servant returned to the room, carrying a box that was believed to contain the highly sought-after Divine-grade treasure. The atmosphere in the room grew tense with anticipation. The Azure Messenger prepared toy his eyes on the magnificent item that had been the cause of such fiercepetition. As the Azure Messenger lifted the lid, he expected to find the glorious treasure that had captured the attention of the entire kingdom. However, the contents of the box left him utterly shocked and bewildered. Instead of the Divine-grade treasure, a medalliony nestled within the velvet lining. The medallion bore the image of a red serpent, its sinuous body coiled in a striking pose. Confusion and disbelief washed over the Azure Messenger as he stared at the unexpected object in the box. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 175 Battle Of Immortals The Azure Messenger''s eyes burned with fury as he stared at the servant, utterly confused and outraged by the apparent deception. The servant gave a smug smile, and then, suddenly, his face distorted as a tattoo of a crimson snake appeared on his neck. In an instant, the servant disappeared, leaving behind nothing but shock and anger. Realization dawned on the Azure Messenger that he had been yed, and his anger soared to new heights. As a cultivator of the Spirit Harmony Realm, his fury caused the very room to vibrate with destructive energy. The building quaked under the immense power emanating from him, and the room could no longer withstand the pressure. It exploded in a deafening st, sending shockwaves throughout the entire structure. The other cultivators in the auction house felt the earth-shattering force, especially Xue Lian of crimson serpents, who was in an adjoining room. He quickly used his Qi to protect his subordinates as the violent tremors threatened to bring the building down on top of them. In the Royal faction, an elderly man stepped forward to protect the Crown Prince. As the old man released his Qi, everyone realized that he was none other than the ancestor of the Royal faction of the Mystic Sky Kingdom. Xue Lian and the Royal Ancestor instructed their subordinates to evacuate immediately. The Crown Prince, his advisors, and the members of the Crimson Serpents all hurried out of their respective rooms room and made their escape. On the other side, other guests of the auction also rushed to leave the building. The only people who remained in the auction house were those with cultivation levels of Earth Immortal and above. With the rooms no longer shielded by their Qi, the Ancestor and Xue Lian burst through the ceiling and flew directly out of the building. The moment they emerged, an overwhelming surge of Azure Qi swallowed the entire structure. The Azure Messenger followed, fuming with rage, with the members of the Aurelian Dragons close behind him. Behind Xue Lian stood the Immortals of the Crimson Serpents. The Royal Ancestor stood alone, his gaze fixed on the two Spirit Harmony Realm Immortals. He slowly drifted away, knowing that a fierce sh between these powerful cultivators was inevitable. It was fortunate that the auction had been held away from the capital; otherwise, the fallout from their confrontation would have caused significant damage to the city. As the Azure Messenger and Xue Lian locked eyes, they released their full power, the air crackling with tension and energy. The Azure Messenger spoke, his voice filled with venom, "We''ve had enough of your treachery, Crimson Serpents. Today, you will lose members." Xue Lian scoffed, unimpressed. "You can try, but it will be you who loses." Without another word, the Azure Messenger charged toward the Crimson Serpents at breakneck speed, the Immortals of the Aurelian Dragons following close behind. Prepared for the onught, the Crimson Serpentsunched themselves into the fray. A devastating battle ensued between the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons. The immense power of the Spirit Harmony Realm cultivators shook the very earth, tearing through thendscape and transforming the terrain. Trees were uprooted, and the ground split open as if the world itself was being torn apart. The noise of their fierce struggle reverberated for thousands of miles, instilling awe and terror in anyone who heard it. The Azure Messenger and Xue Lian shed in the sky, their weapons meeting in a dazzling disy of sparks and energy. Each blow seemed to contain the force of a thousand storms, and the sheer power behind their attacks was enough to shatter mountains. The two Spirit Harmony Realm cultivators were locked in a brutal dance of destruction, neither willing to concede an inch to the other. As they traded blows, their respective factions engaged in fiercebat all around them. Swords met with deafening ngs, and Qi techniques were unleashed, tearing through the air like deadly storms. The battlefield was a cacophony of chaos and destruction, a testament to the sheer might of these warring factions. The Immortals of the Crimson Serpents fought with ferocity and determination, their eyes zing with the desire for victory. Each strike theynded on their enemies was imbued with the full force of their cultivation, seeking to eradicate the Aurelian Dragons from the face of the earth. The Aurelian Dragons were no less fierce in their counterattacks, their azure-colored Qi swirling around them like an imprable barrier. They met the strikes of the Crimson Serpents head-on, refusing to be bested by their opponents. Their indomitable will was evident in every motion as they pushed back against the relentless assault of the Crimson Serpents. In the midst of this earth-shattering conflict, the Azure Messenger and Xue Lian continued to trade blows, neither willing to give an inch. They were locked in a deadly struggle, their powers seemingly evenly matched. The very air around them seemed to crackle with the intensity of theirbat as they sought to overpower one another and emerge victorious. But as the battle raged on, the destruction it brought began to take its toll on the surroundingndscape. The once lush and vibrant area was now a deste wastnd, scarred and devastated by the titanic forces unleashed by the warring factions. Mountains crumbled to dust, rivers evaporated, and great chasms formed in the earth, leaving behind a testament to the destructive power of these formidable cultivators. As the battle reached its climax, the Azure Messenger and Xue Lian both mustered every ounce of their power for one final, decisive strike. With a deafening roar, they charged at each other, their weapons meeting in a blinding sh of light that seemed to illuminate the entire world. The impact of their sh sent shockwaves rippling outwards, leveling everything in their path. For a moment, it seemed as though time itself had stopped, the entire world holding its breath in anticipation of the oue. And then, with a final, cataclysmic explosion, the two Spirit Harmony Realm cultivators were sent hurtling backward, their weapons shattered, and their bodies battered and bruised. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 176 Aftermath The remaining members of the Crimson Serpents and Aurelian Dragons stared at the devastation around them, their eyes wide with shock and awe. The battlefield was unrecognizable, a testament to the power and fury of the Spirit Harmony Realm cultivators. The once beautifulndscape had been transformed into a deste wastnd, a haunting reminder of the destruction that had unfolded. As the dust settled and the shock of the battle began to fade, both the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons realized that the conflict hade to an end. Exhausted, battered, and bruised, they surveyed the carnage around them, the price of their bitter rivalry etched into the very earth. While they were trying to cope with the destruction, they suddenly felt as though space was sealed around them, and their cultivation was sealed too. Before they couldprehend what was happening, one after another, heads rolled. The royal ancestor who stood at a further distance looked with his mouth agape, and before he could understand what had urred, his cultivation was sealed, and he lost consciousness. When the royal ancestor woke up, he found himself lying on the ground. The devastation caused by the battle was still evident, but there were no bodies or rolling heads which he had seen before losing consciousness. The ancestor felt a deep sense of fear and immediately flew towards the royal castle, vowing to never leave the capital again. The morning after the epic battle, an eerie silence had fallen over the Mystic Sky Kingdom. People were still reeling from the shock of the devastating battle that had taken ce in a distant location far from the capital. Even though it had happened far away, the sounds ofbat had reached many cities within the kingdom, and the popce was left wondering what had happened. The royal family announced that a battle between immortals over a divine-grade treasure had urred, which could have been catastrophic. However, the royal ancestor intervened just in time and stopped the battle. While attempting to stop the battle between immortals, the ancestor was injured and will be recuperating in seclusion for the next hundred years, during which time he will not meet with anyone. During this chaotic period, the disappearance of the owners and staff of the Khaleesi Inn and Khaleesi Auction House wentrgely unnoticed. It was onlyter, when the situation began to settle down, that the locals realized the once-famous auction house had mysteriously vanished, leaving behind an empty building that had be andmark in the Royal Capital. People assumed that most of the patrons had lost their lives in the catastrophic battle between the immortals. Months passed, and while the people of the Mystic Sky Kingdom struggled toe to terms with the aftermath of the earth-shattering battle, a secret meeting was taking ce in the headquarters of the Shadow Lotus organization. Present at this meeting were all council members, the leader of Shadow Lotus and Han Cai. The third council member spoke up, questioning Han Cai about his actions. "You said you would support the Royal family, but instead, you caused a massive battle between the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons." Han Cai replied coolly, "Isn''t this what you all wanted?" The council member responded, "Initially, yes. But inciting them to such a level was not expected. If the Royal family''s Ancestor hadn''t interfered, this battle might have destroyed half the country. Our agenda was to support the Royal family, wasn''t it? Why did you change your mind and incite such arge-scale battle?" Han Cai simply said, "ns change." The leader of Shadow Lotus voiced his concerns, "Han Cai, we nned to support the Royal family. Now that their ancestor is injured, if the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons decide to team up and capture the kingdom, dividing it amongst themselves, all your hard work will be for nothing." Han Cai shook his head. "I wanted to follow our initial n, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, we had to change our ns. Nevertheless, both factions have vited the Daxing Treaty." The leader of Shadow Lotus shook his head in disbelief. "If either the Crimson Serpents or the Aurelian Dragons alone had vited the treaty, we could hold it against one of them and team up with another powerful faction. But since both of them have vited the treaty, who will hold them ountable?" Han Cai replied confidently, "You will." The leader of Shadow Lotus looked at Han Cai curiously. "What do you mean?" Han Cai exined, "Neither the Azure Messenger nor Xue Lian returned to their organizations. They have all been wiped out. While the Royal family''s Ancestor only lost their senses for a short time, he was not injured. He was just afraid because someone had killed all the immortals of Crimson Serpents and Aurelian Dragons in front of his eyes. Ask your spies, or I know you have a great rtionship with the Iron Talons and the Silent Ravens. You can check with them about this news." The leader of Shadow Lotus was shocked. "Who wiped them out? We do keep good diplomatic rtionships with the Iron Talons and Silent Ravens." Han Cai responded, "I don''t have much time to waste, so I''ll get to the point. I''m going to give you the Daxing Continent, but I need a promise from you in return." The leader of Shadow Lotus gave Han Cai a confused look. "What do you mean?" Han Cai continued, "You have already seen my abilities. I am not even at the Nascent Soul stage, but I can manipte thews of this world. I made two Spirit Harmony Realm cultivators break the Daxing Treaty. From my actions, you know that when I promise you something, I am not jesting." Han Cai then made his offer. "So, I''m making you an offer that you can''t refuse. I will give you the Daxing Continent to rule for the next ten thousand years, but in return, what I want from you is to support and protect my Sky Soaring Sect and my family for the same duration. You and the council members must take a Dao oath to uphold this promise." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 177 Peace Talks The council members and their leader were bewildered by Han Cai''s proposal. They couldn''t understand why he was making such a demand. The first council member," Han Cai, I know that you are new and very talented, but you are being very disrespectful to the leader and fellow council members." Han Cai sighed, knowing he didn''t want to waste any more time. He murmured," Seal!" He immobilized the council members and the leader, presenting them with an ultimatum. "You have one night to consider your options. After that, I will not grant you another opportunity. If you don''t agree, the Shadow Lotus will be destroyed, just like the others. Currently, you don''t have any Qi in your bodies; if I wanted to, I could end your lives right here. But trust me when I say that I admire you for your noble cause: maintaining the bnce of power in Daxing, which is not a bad objective. You don''t demand much from your members besides support and loyalty. I would have enjoyed remaining in your organization and engaging in more games, but the truth is, I''m running out of time. You may not be the ideal choice, but you will suffice. All you need to do is take a Dao oath to watch over my sect and family. You all will be the ancestors of my family and sect. When I return, I expect to find my family and sect safe, or the entire Daxing continent will have to answer to me." After saying his peace, Han Cai disappeared. The council members and the leader sat there, drenched in a cold sweat. They wondered what kind of demon they had unwittingly invited into their organization. Once Han Cai had left, they immediately contacted their spies to verify the information he had provided about the Azure Messenger and Xue Lian. They soon learned that it was indeed true. Without any further hesitation, the council members and the leader of Shadow Lotus took the sacred Dao oath and signed a contract with Han Cai. The contract stated that Han Cai would eliminate all other organizations in the Daxing Continent, and in return, they would watch over the Sky Soaring Sect and the Han Family for the next ten thousand years, serving as their protectors and ancestors. Over the next few months, the Daxing continent was engulfed in chaos as the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons engaged in fierce battles, relentlessly seeking revenge for their respective losses of a Spirit Harmony Realm Immortal. Neither faction was willing to back down or offer any concessions to the other, which only further fueled their animosity. As the conflict escted, both factionsunched brutal attacks on each other''s strongholds, cities, and territories, causing widespread devastation and leaving behind a trail of destruction in their wake. Their continuous battles left no corner of the Daxing continent untouched, and the scale of the conflict became increasingly rming. Caught in the crossfire, the cities and resources of other organizations suffered immense coteral damage. Their once-thriving cities were reduced to rubble, and the disruption to their economies threatened their very survival. The Shadow Lotus, Silent Ravens, and Iron Talons, who were also affected by this ongoing strife, could no longer bear the consequences of the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons'' unrestrained aggression. Realizing that the situation had grown untenable and that the entire Daxing continent was at risk of being plunged into a state of irreversible chaos, the leaders of the Shadow Cloud, Silent Ravens, and Iron Talons decided to take matters into their own hands. They recognized that the only way to restore peace and stability to the continent was to intervene and initiate peace talks between the warring factions. United in their cause, these three organizations reached out to the Crimson Serpents and the Aurelian Dragons, urging them to cease hostilities ande to the negotiating table. Their ultimate goal was to broker a truce and establish a foundation forsting peace, which would not only benefit the warring factions themselves but also bring much-needed relief to the entire Daxing continent. The meeting location was chosen within the territory of the Iron Talons. Iron Talons were the neutral organization that had no affiliation or enmity with either of the feuding groups. The city where the meeting would take ce was emptied of its regr inhabitants, leaving only members of the Iron Talons behind. The meeting was scheduled for the first day of summer. As summer approached, representatives from various organizations began arriving in the city. Soon, the once-empty streets teemed with members of different factions. The first to arrive was Guan Yuwen, a Spirit Harmony Realm cultivator from the Iron Talons, tasked with ensuring the sess of the peace talks. Next to arrive was Hua Yufeng, leader of the Silent Ravens and a Spirit Harmony Realm cultivator. The third to arrive was Law Immortal Zhu Tianming of the Crimson Serpents. Fourth to arrive was Yun Qinghong from shadow lotus. The final arrival was the Silver Emperor, Xue Zhenwu, of the Aurelian Dragons. The meeting was scheduled for thete evening in the main building of the city. As morning dawned, Yun Qinghong sat in his room, gazing at the sky through the window. With a sigh, he rolled up his sleeve, revealing red symbols etched into his skin. He spoke," system to remove the protective talismans that hid me from divinations". Slowly, the symbols vanished from his skin one by one, leaving only a few remaining. Grand Diviner Xiong, who had been tormented for days, suddenly regained his ability to sense thews. As the heavenly secrets revealed themselves to him, his anger boiled over. Without hesitation, he flew towards the city where the source of his torment was located, as shown by the heavenly secrets. Meanwhile, several million miles away from the city, a mysterious figure d in a long, flowing robe stood in the sky. The figure''s face was hidden behind a mask, revealing only his piercing red eyes. His mere presence was enough to send shivers down the spines of those who caught a glimpse of him. The red figure turned towards the city where the peace talks were to be held and began flying in that direction. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 178 Farewell In the midst of a grand meeting attended by Daxing''s most influential figures, Han Cai made his way to the Sky Soaring Sect''s hall. Inside, the sect master, Elder Dongmei, and Han Dai, the portly merchant, sat quietly, unsure why Han Cai had summoned them so suddenly. Elder Dongmei sighed, reminiscing about the days when he used to summon Han Cai. But now the tables had turned. Upon entering the hall, Han Cai respectfully bowed to the Sect Master, Elder Dongmei, and his father, Han Dai. Both Elder Dongmei and the sect master acknowledged him with a nod, while Han Dai felt somewhat awkward since his son had never bowed to him before. Han Cai then took a seat nearby. He sat there in silence, deep in thought. Sensing that something was amiss, the sect master noticed Han Cai''s unusually solemn mood and asked, "Han Cai?" Suddenly, Han Cai raised his hand, conjuring a wine pot, four sses, a table, and four chairs arranged as in a drinking inn. He gestured for everyone to join him. Not sure what was happening, the Sect Master, Elder Dongmei, and Han Dai nodded and took their respective seats. Han Cai upied the fourth chair. With a more respectful demeanor than usual, Han Cai announced, "We are going to have wine today," which struck the others as odd. Concerned, Elder Dongmei inquired, "Han Cai, is everything okay?" Han Cai nodded and poured drinks for everyone. Han Dai was the first to pick up his ss, followed by Elder Dongmei and the sect master. Lifting his own drink, Han Cai dered, "The first drink is for my father, who brought me into this world and taught me to appreciate luxury and live life to the fullest." As the others watched him down his drink, they waited for him to continue. Pouring a second round, Han Cai raised his ss to his master, saying, "This is for my Master, who taught me values and righteousness, and showed me that even if the world is evil, it doesn''t mean I have to be. He taught me to find kindness in despair and peace in suffering." After toasting his master, Han Cai drank the second ss. For the third drink, Han Cai proimed, "This is for my Uncle Master, a man I could look up to, a true man who understood his responsibilities and never shied away from them, no matter how difficult. Here''s to being a real man." Then Han Cai downed the third drink. Han Dai coughed, realizing that Han Cai had just indirectly told him and the sect master that they were not real men, unlike Elder Dongmei. He didn''t interrupt Han Cai, however. Elder Dongmei''s face lit up with a smile upon hearing the toast, and he happily drank the beverage Han Cai had poured for him. Pouring a fourth drink, Han Cai stated, "This is for me. I survived a world that should have been unsurvivable, and I found a way to escape what should have been impossible." He then gulped down his fourth drink and fell silent. Unable to contain his curiosity, the sect master asked, "Han Cai, what is going on?" Han Cai replied, "I have an enemy." Puzzled, Elder Dongmei questioned, "What kind of enemy?" Han Cai exined, "Do you remember how many cultivators kepting to Yin because of some treasure left by Venerate in the past?" All three of them nodded, indicating they remembered. Han Cai continued, "That treasure is me. Essentially, my fortune is the treasure." As he spoke, their confusion only deepened. Han Dai said, "Han Cai, I''m not that smart. Could you exin what you''re trying to tell us?" Han Cai responded, "Don''t you find it surprising that at such a young age, I have achieved so much? Even heaven-defying talents shouldn''t have been able to aplish what I have." The three of them nodded in agreement; indeed, even heaven-defying geniuses paled inparison to Han Cai. Han Cai continued, "When I was born, I received my talents from someone else. They also gave me the massive amount of good fortune that they had acquired over millions of years, they were essentially blessed by the heavens and everything was given to me. So rumors were true. But this gift came with a price. When they gifted me their talents and fortune, they also transferred the debt of karma they owed, and their enemies became my enemies. Those enemies are too powerful for me to handle. Even if I can fight a Law Immortal, I am nothing but an insect to them if they decide to squash me. They are too powerful for any of us to handle." Sweating, Han Dai asked, " What do you n to do?" Han Cai gave him amusing smile and spoke," I going to keep the gifts they gave me but I am going to get rid of the debt that they transferred to me." Sect Master asked, " So what should we do?" Han Cai responded, "For now, move the Sky Soaring Sect to the ind. The sect here will be just the outer sect. Move the core and inner sect elders and disciples to the ind, and have any new inner sect disciples sign the contract." Han Cai took out a crystal and ced it on the table, instructing them to have those who wished to sign the contract send their Qi into the crystal. As long as the crystal glowed green, the contract would be signed, and they would be eligible to move to the ind. After showing them how contract crystal works Han Cai spoke, "After tonight, the owner of Daxing will be the Shadow Lotus. They will provide you with resources and protection when you are outside the ind,". The sect master asked, "Han Cai, what are you nning to do?" Han Cai replied, "When I was born, the person who helped me gain my talents left too much Karma on me. Because of this, their enemies can sense my existence even if I hide from thews of the world. They will keep trying to find me. I need to cleanse myself of that Karma, so I will have to leave for a long time. I cannot return until I''ve cleansed myself of all the karma associated with those people." Han Dai inquired, "How long will you be gone?" Han Cai responded, " A thousand years maybe but Since the teleportation circle is on the ind I might return sooner". All three of them had looks of disbelief on their faces when Han Cai said he would be gone for thousand years. Before anyone could say more, all three of them felt a surge of energy within their bodies. Simultaneously, they broke through their cultivation, reaching the Void Immortal Realm. Wide-eyed, they tried to process the sudden change. Han Cai reassured them, "With this much cultivation, you should be able to live long enough in case I don''t return quickly. When Ie back, you better top sect and merchants of Daxing " With that, Han Cai stood up, bowed to the three of them once more, and disappeared. The three individuals left in the hall, now Void Immortals, were left to ponder the consequences of Han Cai''s revtion. With heavy hearts, they prepared to follow Han Cai''s instructions, moving the Sky Soaring Sect to the ind and adjusting to life under the protection of the Shadow Lotus. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1000 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 179 Golden Immortal Yongnian While Han Cai bid farewell to his sect. Yun Qinghong, in Iron Talon''s city, murmured, "Yongnian." A gray mist appeared behind him and transformed him into a person. The person was none other than Yongnian. Yun Qinghong spoke, "You ready?" Yongnian nodded. Han Cai, who had transformed into Yun Qinghong, spoke to the system, "System, begin." Suddenly, Yongnian, who was standing beside Han Cai, felt a surge of pure death Qi. His cultivation started breaking through. Before, if Yongnian wanted to increase his cultivation, he needed the dead bodies of cultivators to enhance his cultivation. But Han Cai had helped him improve his cultivation technique. Now, his cultivation, instead of being the Yin Death cultivation technique, was called the Pure Death Cultivation Technique. He could absorb Qi from dead cultivators and the vitality of people and turn it into Death Qi to enhance his cultivation. During the battle with the Starfall Sect, killing a few Nascent Soul cultivators and absorbing their vitality, Yongnian had already reached the Nascent Soul cultivation realm. Now that he was receiving pure death Qi, his cultivation soared from Nascent Soul to the Soul Formation realm, then Soul Severing Realm, then Spirit Embryo Realm, then Spirit Body Realm. Reaching Ascension Realm, Yongnian transformed into an Earth Immortal, but the flow of Qi did not stop. His cultivation continued growing. Soon, he reached Affinity Immortal, then Spirit Immortal. The growth continued as Yongnian broke through Harmony Immortal and then Void Immortal, then Fusion Immortal, then Spirit Harmony Immortal, then Law Immortal. The flow of Qi still did not stop. Only when Yongnian reached the Minor Law Understanding Realm and became a Golden Immortal did his breakthrough cease. Han Cai looked at his system panel; he had only a hundred thousand trading points left. After the mass killing of cultivators during the struggle with the Royal Alliance and then killing many Immortals during the auction, he had saved a massive amount of trading points, but they were all spent now. Han Cai felt bad about losing all his savings, but on the bright side, now Yongnian was the strongest person Han Cai knew. While Han Cai was brooding about losing trade points, Yongnian was caught up deep in understanding thews of death. Now he was a Golden Immortal, and he cultivated an enhanced version of the death technique. He wasprehending thews of death. Han Cai looked outside; it was already afternoon. He raised his hand, and his special treasure came out ¨C the Divine Flute. Han Cai pointed the flute toward Yongnian, and the flute entered Yongnian''s body without any struggle. Yongnian was still caught up in an epiphany, understanding the deathws. Han Cai summoned a pot of wine and a ss and started drinking alone,menting how difficult his life was. In all honesty, he knew he had never suffered in this life, but he wanted a reason to be sad so he could enjoy the wine as a sad drinker. The afternoon went by, evening came, and then night fell. Yongnian was stillprehending the deathws when there was a knock on the door. Han Cai moved his hand, and Yongnian turned into a mist of gray Qi and disappeared. Han Cai, disguised as Yun Qinghong, got up and walked out of his room. There was a servant standing at the door, who spoke in a respectful manner, bowing, "The meeting will begin; your presence is expected." Yun Qinghong nodded and told the servant, "Lead the way." After following the servant through the building, they walked slowly and arrived in front of the main building of Iron Talon''s meeting hall. The servant opened the gate. Yun Qinghong entered and followed another servant inside. Soon, they were in front of arge door. The servant knocked, and the door was opened. Inside was a massive hall, and there were five chairs ced in a circle with a table in the middle. Two people were already present inside the hall: the leader of Iron Talon''s, Guan Yuwen, and the leader of Silent Ravens, Hua Yufeng. Yun Qinghong went inside and sat down on one of the chairs while the servant left. All three waited quietly, not speaking. After a while, the leader of Crimson Serpents, Law Immortal Zhu Tianming, arrived, followed by Silver Emperor Xue Zhenwu. Upon the Silver Emperor''s arrival, Law Immortal Zhu Tianming stared daggers at him but stayed quiet. Once all the members were present, the leader of Iron Talon''s, Guan Yuwen, spoke, "The reason for this meeting, as we are all aware, is the struggle between the Crimson Serpents and Aurelian Dragons. Each organization looks after its own interests, but we never cross the line and damage the whole Daxing Continent. At present, the struggle between your two organizations is putting a lot of strain on Daxing, which is not good for anyone here. Let us find a way to resolve this problem." The leader of Silent Ravens nodded in approval, as did Yun Qinghong. The leader of Crimson Serpents, Law Immortal Zhu Tianming, said, "It is not that the Crimson Serpents do not want peace, but we lost five cultivators whose lives should have been longer than the life of that country we were trying to acquire. It''s all because he sent his crazy messenger who could not take the loss in the bidding war." Silver Emperor Xue Zhenwu scoffed and said, "We don''t know what happened in that auction. All I found out from the royal family was that my faction had won the bid for the divine weapon, but seeing the divine weapon, the greed of the Crimson Serpents came out. They murdered all the members of Aurelian Dragons in the auction and stole the divine weapon. I am not here to make amends or have peace talks. I am going to end the Crimson Serpents today." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 180 Angry Grand Diviner Xiong Silver Emperor looked at the leaders of Shadow Lotus, Iron Talon, and Silent Ravens and said, "Either you are with me or against me." Hearing this, the leader of Crimson Serpents fumed, "You think a new Law Immortal can take me on? I have been a Law Immortal before you had grown teeth." The Silver Emperor nodded and said, "And still, you are only a Law Immortal. I caught up to you in just a few thousand years. What does it say, old man?" The situation became tense, everyone was alert, and it felt as if a war would break out at any moment. But before things could escte, a voice resounded, "Come out, or I will massacre the whole city of yours!" The atmosphere was thick with tension as confusion spread through the hall. The leaders exchanged uneasy nces, unsure of what was happening, while Yun Qinghong remained the only one who had an inkling of the truth. In an instant, they all vanished from the hall and reappeared in the sky above the city. There, floating menacingly, was the old man they had heard so much about but never met - the powerful Grand Diviner Xiong. "Come out!" Grand Diviner Xiong bellowed, his voice booming through the air. "Whoever sent that creature to me, reveal yourself or face the consequences. I will not hesitate to massacre everyone here." The leaders gasped in shock, realizing the gravity of the situation. Grand Diviner Xiong was a Law Immortal, and his reputation as the great Grand Diviner of Wu was well-deserved. They knew that he had the power to carry out his threats. Guan Yuwen, the leader of Iron Talons, stepped forward and spoke with a mixture of respect and confusion. "Leader of Iron Talons, Guan Yuwen, greets Grand Diviner Xiong. I assure you, we have no knowledge of what you are talking about." But Grand Diviner Xiong scoffed at his words. "I know one of you is responsible for that creature disrupting my cultivation. If you do note forward, I will make good on my promise to massacre everyone here." Law Immortal Zhu Tianming and Silver Emperor Xue Zhenwu could no longer contain their anger at Grand Diviner Xiong''s usations. "Being a Grand Diviner doesn''t grant you the authority to insult the leaders of the Daxing Treaty," Law Immortal Zhu Tianming retorted. "You''d do well to watch your mouth before I lose all the respect I have for you." Grand Diviner Xiong''s eyes narrowed, and he replied, "Ah, so you are all in this together. That exins why I couldn''t pinpoint the culprit." With those words, Grand Diviner Xiong released his Qi, the energy building up around him. As the huge amount of energy started to focus, his body started to shine brightly, which meant an attack wasing. Realizing the danger, all the leaders braced themselves for the imminent battle, each preparing their own defenses to counter the Grand Diviner''s wrath. The air crackled with energy and anticipation as they faced off against the fearsome Grand Diviner Xiong. Before Grand Diviner Xiong couldunch his attack, a mysterious figure appeared in the sky. d in a long, flowing robe, the figure''s face was hidden behind a mask, revealing only his piercing red eyes. His mere presence sent shivers down the spines of everyone present, including the formidable leaders of the various factions. The figure looked at them, and fear gripped their hearts. Even Han Cai, disguised as Yun Qinghong, was sweating profusely. The figure slowly approached Grand Diviner Xiong, who seemed to be powerless to resist or even move. The mysterious figure touched the Grand Diviner, and an ominous red Qi enveloped him. Han Cai had witnessed many types of Qi, with the most ominous being the death Qi, but this red Qi felt as if it was the embodiment of evil itself. But before the red figure could do anything further, Grand Diviner Xiong let out a defiant cry. A glowing Qi erupted around his body, fighting back against the red Qi that was trying to control him. Seeing this, all the leaders of the various organizations didn''t hesitate. They could feel that this figure was here to kill them all, and theyunched a barrage of attacks. One after another, the leaders unleashed their most powerful techniques against the red figure. Guan Yuwen of the Iron Talons summoned a massive, razor-sharp wind that tore through the sky. Hua Yufeng of the Silent Ravens manifested countless ethereal des that flew towards the figure at incredible speeds. Law Immortal Zhu Tianming of the Crimson Serpents called forth a torrent of poisonous mes, while Silver Emperor Xue Zhenwu of the Aurelian Dragons conjured a blizzard of ice and lightning. The red figure took the relentless onught without flinching. As the attacks subsided, the leaders saw that the figure was not hurt at all. Undeterred, they pressed their assault once again with even greater determination, unleashing their full power. Meanwhile, Yun Qinghong, who was actually Han Cai, descended to the ground. With a wave of his hand, ten rocks began to levitate around him. To the untrained eye, these rocks appeared ordinary, but in reality, they were undergoing a rapid transformation. Han Cai manipted the ten rocks, and they began to undergo a remarkable change. At first, the changes seemed subtle, as the rocks merely levitated off the ground. But what transpired next was a masterful disy of control over the fundamental forces of nature. Drawing upon his profound understanding of spatialws, Han Cai initiated a process that would concentrate the mass and density of the rocks to previously unimaginable levels. He channeled his Qi into the rocks, instigating changes at the atomic level. The individual atoms within the rocks started to break down, and their subatomic particlespressed together, initiating a copse of the atomic structure. As the rocks'' density and mass increased exponentially, so did the force of gravity around them. Han Cai continued to manipte the rocks, ensuring that their mass waspressed into an increasingly smaller space. The gravitational pull around each rock intensified to the point that even light could not escape its grasp. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 181 Frightening Gray Qi Simultaneously, Han Cai elerated the rocks'' motion, imbuing them with tremendous kic energy. The rocks spun at velocities approaching the speed of light, creating a powerful centrifugal force that counteracted their gravitational copse. Soon ten rocks started to disappear. The delicate bnce between gravity and centrifugal force enabled what was left of the rocks to maintain their stability. As the rocks reached their critical threshold, the very fabric of spacetime began to warp around them. The immense gravitational force created a curvature in spacetime so severe that it tore holes in reality. These tears manifested as ten miniature ck holes, their event horizons shimmering ominously in the chaotic battlefield. The ten miniature ck holes, despite their size, held immense power, capable of swallowing Law Immortals whole. With a wave of his hand, Han Cai caused the ck holes to disappear and reappear behind the mysterious red figure. At first, no one paid much attention to the ck holes, but soon, they all realized the gravity of the situation. The ck holes began to suck in everything around them, including the attacks and Qi of thebatants. No one was immune to the pull; even their bodies felt the relentless drag of the ck holes. As the ck holes continued to swallow Qi and attacks, the system informed Han Cai that his trading points were being depleted at a rate of a thousand per second. Though the ck holes restrained the red figure, he proved to be stronger than they were, preventing them from fully incapacitating him. Han Cai used the clone technique. He flew towards the sky alongside another Yun Qinghong, and they bothunched a powerful spatial severing attack. The assault cut the red figure into multiple pieces, but before anyone could celebrate, they realized that the red figure had not lost any vitality. Two severed hands of the red figure flew rapidly toward the two Yun Qinghongs, piercing both of them. As the hands withdrew from their bodies, they held two hearts, which were subsequently crushed. The moment the hands touched Yun Qinghong, aka Han Cai, the red figure seemed to sense something. He had found the anomaly he had been searching for in this world. The hands transformed into mysterious red figures, while the other body parts of the original red figure also transformed intoplete beings. Seeing Yun Qinghong brutally attacked, the leaders of the various organizations tried to retaliate, but they couldn''t bypass the ten ck holes, as all their attacks were absorbed. Multiple red figures, born from severed body parts of mysterious red figure, struggled against the ck holes, but they managed to move slowly with restrictions. Two attacked Han Cai while the remaining red figures, born from the body parts of the original, attacked the leaders of the different organizations. Han Cai faced a brutal onught from two red figures, while the other leaders also found themselves in grave situations as they were defenseless because of floating ck holes. Just like Han Cai, each leader was facing two red figures. Amidst the chaos and devastation, a gray Qi silently seeped out from behind Grand Diviner Xiong, swallowing him whole before he could even realize what was happening. The battlefield had be a maelstrom of violence and destruction, with the fates of the various leaders hanging in the bnce as they battled against the relentless, enigmatic red figures. The city below was destroyed, and many cultivators below earth immortal died while subordinates above earth immortal hurried to the battle. Seeing their leader caught in battle, they tried to defend and fight against the red figure without caring about their defenses. But the ckhole restrained them too. While everyone fought against multiple red figures, after swallowing Grand Diviner Xiong, the gray Qi reappeared, engulfing two of the mysterious red figures and Law Immortal Zhu Tianming and subordinate immortals who were supporting him. Sensing the sudden absence of their opponent, the remaining red figures became alert and turned towards the spot where Law Immortal Zhu Tianming had been, only to find no one there, not even his clones. Realizing the unexpected situation, all the red figures retreated. They transformed into Qi, converging at the center andbining together to form a single mysterious red figure. As the red figure reassembled, Silver Emperor Xue Zhenwu and his subordinates had mysteriously disappeared. Cautiously, the red figure surveyed the three remaining leaders and their subordinates. Suddenly, the gray Qi reappeared and swallowed the leader of the Iron Talons and his subordinates. The red figure attempted to strike, but his movements were limited by the ten ck holes. Before his attack reached the gray Qi, the Iron Talons leader, his subordinates, and the gray Qi had vanished. After the disappearance of Iron Talon''s leader, only Han Cai, the mysterious red figure and the leader of the Silent Ravens with his subordinates, remained. In the blink of an eye, the leader of the Silent Ravens was also swallowed by the gray Qi, leaving Han Cai and the mysterious red figure as thest ones standing. As they stared at each other, Han Caiughed and transformed into his original appearance. Both Han Cai and his clone unleashed powerful attacks. This time the attack incorporated spatialws into their strikes. The red figure became cautious as he fended off the attacks, but Han Cai relentlessly threw spatial shes one after another. The red figure created a circr defense of red Qi around himself, but the spatialws within the shes cut through his defenses. Left with no other choice, the red figure attacked Han Cai, with two additional red figures appearing beside him, each wielding a red sword formed by their red Qi. Han Cai couldn''t help butugh at the irony; the Sith had gotten to him, but he was going to die like a true Jedi. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 182 Death In the final moments, as the three red figures lunged toward Han Cai, he didn''t try to defend himself. He allowed the swords to pierce him, giving the mysterious red figure a wide smile as their eyes met up close. Suddenly, multiple spatial shes erupted from Han Cai''s body, slicing all three mysterious red figures. This time, the attacks contained spatialws, preventing the red figure from reassembling himself. Before the mysterious red figure could find a solution to this predicament, the gray Qi appeared again, swallowing the pieces of the red figure one by one. As the final vestiges of the mysterious figure disappeared into the gray Qi, an eerie silence fell over the battlefield, the once chaotic scene now eerily quiet and void of its formerbatants. Only Han Cai remained, severely injured and with only a few breaths left in him. The gray Qi materialized, standing at a distance from Han Cai and bowed. Han Cai spoke weakly, "Did youprehend thew? You should be a Heaven Immortal now." Yongnian nodded. Han Cai spoke," Go clear out the remaining. We don''t want them to create trouble in the future." Yongnian nodded and disappeared. After a few hours, he reappeared. Han Cai asked," Cleared?". Yongnian nodded. Han Cai continued, "I will be relying on you in the future, Yongnian." Yongnian bowed and nodded once more. Han Cai gave a deep smile and then took hisst breath. His bodyy there, lifeless. Yongnian carefully approached Han Cai''s body, and a dead Qi emerged, surrounding it. Slowly, a white, ethereal form began to emerge from Han Cai''s lifeless body. It was his soul, shimmering and glistening like the finest silk in the sunlight. It rose gently, vibrating with otherworldly energy. If one looked closely, one would see golden, blue, and purple markings intricately engraved upon the soul. Yongnian wrapped gray Qi protectively around the soul as he moved his hands, conjuring a massive, coffin-sized box. He tenderly ced Han Cai''s body inside the box and, with another wave of his hands, made both the box and Han Cai''s body disappear. Having safely put away the body, Yongnian transformed back into a gray Qi and moved with breakneck speed. ************************************************** Billions of miles away from Daxing, a man with golden hair stood tall in a pagoda; his eyes closed in deep meditation. His face was chiseled and defined, with sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline. His golden hair swept back from his forehead, revealing a high, noble brow. The man''s eyes were closed, but if they were open, they would be a piercing shade of blue, full of wisdom and power. Every inch of his body seemed to radiate an otherworldly aura, making him seemrger than life. His skin was a radiant gold color, almost as if he was crafted from the very metal itself. His robes were a deep golden color, trimmed with gold thread and intricate designs. The man''s fingers were long and slender, adorned with rings of pure gold. Suddenly, the man''s eyes snapped open, revealing a pair of golden orbs. He spoke in a deep,manding voice, "The anomaly disappeared. So did Red?" The man moved his hands, trying to understand where Red had disappeared to, but to no avail. Disappointment filled his eyes as he spoke, "Someone absorbed his soul, but he managed to end the anomaly." The man gave an innocent smile and said, "How will you take revenge on me now?" With that, he closed his eyes and returned to his cultivation. ************************************************** Meanwhile, billions of miles away, the gray Qi flew for days, finally arriving at a remote corner of the Daxing Continent. As it arrived, sudden fluctuations could be felt in the fabric of reality. It was as if the very fabric was torn by thews of death, opening a path. The gray Qi flew into this path. The path was ominous and gray, shrouded in an eerie mist. The surroundings were a twisted, distortedndscape, with gnarled trees and twisted vines reaching out like skeletal hands. Strange, otherworldly creatures lurked in the shadows, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light. The air was heavy, filled with the oppressive weight of sorrow and despair. The gray Qi flew for days, then months, continuing along the path. Atst, the end of the path came into view. When the gray Qi emerged, it found itself in an eerie, quiet world. This ominousnd was shrouded in darkness, with a perpetual twilight casting long, sinister shadows across the destendscape. The sky above was a swirling mass of ck clouds, asionally pierced by eerie shes of lightning that illuminated the barrennd below. The ground was a cracked, deste wastnd devoid of any life or vegetation. In the distance, jagged mountain peaks loomed menacingly, their dark forms barely visible through the thick, rolling fog that enveloped the entire realm. At the heart of this ominous world flowed a river, ck and viscous like tar, its slow-moving waters carrying whispers of lost souls and forgotten dreams. Along its banks stood ancient, crumbling structures, a testament to a time long gone and a civilization forgotten by history. Yongnian, in his gray Qi form, carefully navigated this hauntingnd, his gray Qi swirling around Han Cai''s soul, protecting it from the malignant energies that pervaded the air. The gray Qi continued to fly; the river felt close and far at the same time. After years of flying, the gray Qi finally arrived near the mysterious river. The gray floated above the river, and from within the gray Qi emerged a soul, still protected by ayer of gray Qi. After the soul came out, the gray Qi started transforming, and it transformed into Yongnian once more. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 183 Enigma Of North With great care, he held Han Cai''s soul in his hands as he floated above the river. Slowly, Yongnian reached down towards the river, his hands covered in gray Qi, and scooped some of the water from the river into his palm. Another gray third arm materialized from Yongnian''s body. This arm had ten fingers, and upon closer inspection, each finger was made up of tiny needle-shaped threads of Qi. Each thread was ten times thinner than a strand of hair. The threads extended from the fingers and dipped into the water in his palm, each carrying a minuscule amount of water on their pointed tips. These threads then carefully moved towards the soul in his other hand. Upon reaching the soul, the threads deftly bypassed the gray Qi protection and prated the soul with precision. They began to drip the tiny amounts of river water onto the soul, targeting only the purple markings and avoiding the golden or blue ones. Each time the threads made contact with the purple markings, the soul quivered. The process was precise and surgical; not a single golden marking was affected, and the river water would disappear after removing the purple markings. Some form of protection within the soul prevented the river water from making direct contact with it. Gradually, all the purple markings on the soul were removed. The moment thest of the markings was removed, Yongnian transformed back into gray Qi and moved the soul back inside in protection of gray Qi. He flew at breakneck speed again towards a new location, not the same one from which he had entered this world. After a long journey, the gray Qi arrived at a new destination. Once again, there was a tear in space, and a path opened for the gray Qi to pass through. While Yongnian entered the Path. In a vast, ominous-looking castle deep within this world, a massive beingy asleep. This being had an imposing and terrifying appearance, with a muscr, chiseled body covered in thick, ck scales. Its head was adorned with a crown of twisted, jagged horns that seemed to absorb the dim light surrounding it. Its eyes were closed, but when opened, they would reveal a piercing, blood-red gaze that could strike fear into the hearts of even the most courageous. Despite its fearsome appearance, the being exuded an air of regal authority and immense power. The being opened its eyes and spoke curiously, "Someone tried to steal river water and escaped?" Since the person had already escaped, the being decided to dismiss the matter and returned to its slumber. While Yongnian took Han Cai''s soul through a new path. The Sky Soaring Sect began its transformation. Over time, the outer sect on the maind continued to thrive in Yin, with new outer sect disciples. People unaware of the true power and legacy Sky Soaring had long moved and concealed on an ind. The core and inner sect members who had relocated to the ind continued to train and grow, safeguarding the sect''s legacy and progressing their cultivation. The ruler of the Ind, Xiaoyun, Han Cai''s senior sister and subordinate, made sure that Han Cai''s rules were implemented on the ind. In the aftermath of Han Cai''s departure, the once-thriving Daxing Continent was plunged into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty for a while. The Battle of Leaders had decimated the leadership and most powerful Immortals of numerous organizations, leaving the continent without direction and vulnerable to strife. The remnants of these organizations struggled to regain their footing in a world forever changed, and the escting tensions between them threatened to cast the entire Daxing Continent into even greater turmoil. In the midst of this disorder, Shadow Lotus, the sole surviving organization, saw a unique opportunity unfold before them. Resolute and swift, they embarked on a mission to consolidate their power and restore order to the continent. They began by annexing the territories previously governed by the fallen organizations, swiftly and methodically establishing their dominance over the regions. As shadow lotus acquired the continent, stability and peace began to return in Daxing. With their newfound power, Shadow Lotus handled the countries they acquired gently, bringing them under control without much resistance. Upon acquiring a country, they shared four rules: 1. The country could never betray Shadow Lotus. 2. The country would support Shadow Lotus''s cause to bring stability to Daxing as much as possible. 3. The country could never offend or attack the Sky Soaring Sect of Yin, the sect of Han Cai. Any wrongdoing by the sect''s disciples or elders would only be punished by the leaders of the Sky Soaring Sect and the leaders of Shadow Lotus. 4. The country could never offend or attack the Han Family of Yin, the family of Han Cai, the enigma of Yin. People understood the first two rules, but thest two left them puzzled. They wondered why Shadow Lotus ced such importance on Han Cai, his sect, and his family. Eager to uncover the truth, they sent people to learn more about Han Cai''s background and achievements. Through their investigations, they discovered numerous stories about Han Cai: how he had pped the empress in front of the emperor at just sixteen years old and how he had destroyed the strongest sect in Yin and taken control of the country. While these aplishments were impressive, they didn''t fully exin why Han Cai held such importance to Shadow Lotus. As Han Cai had left no instructions to keep his name hidden, the leaders of Shadow Lotus were open about his contribution to the organization. Shadow Lotus members spoke of Han Cai with such reverence that it seemed like they were worshipping a deity. They imed that everything Shadow Lotus had achieved was due to Han Cai, as he had single-handedly ended the millennia-long struggle between the organizations in Daxing, bringing Shadow Lotus to the top. When asked how Han Cai had aplished this, the Shadow Lotus members could only answer that they did not know. However, the respect and admiration in their eyes made it clear just how important Han Cai was to the organization. Rumors and stories about Han Cai spread throughout Daxing, and as time passed, Shadow Lotus solidified its position as the number one organization managing the peace of Daxing. Under their four rules, Han Cai became a legend in Daxing. As his legend spread through every country in Daxing, the enigma of Yin, a young boy who had started as a minor outer sect disciple of a small sect, became the enigma of the entire north. As the years passed and his story continued to be passed down from generation to generation, Han Cai''s name was forever etched into the annals of history, a symbol of hope and perseverance in a world that had once been known for cold winters and suffering. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 184 Rebirth In a far-flung corner of the world, separated from the Daxing Continent by more than a hundred million miles,y the Vermilion Phoenix Continent. Within this vastnd, there was a nation called the Azure Dragon Kingdom, where a city known as Yan City stood proudly. The city was under the rule of the Yan family, one of the most powerful and influential families within the region. On this particr day, the Yan family weed a new member into their midst. The youngest elder''s third son''s second wife had given birth to a child. Given the size of the Yan family and their many connections, the birth of a new child wasn''t seen as a significant event. However, for the mother and a certain young warrior assigned to guard the house, this moment held a special significance. The young warrior had joined the Yan family nine months prior, using bribes and maniption to secure the position of guarding the second mistress. When the news of the child''s birth reached his ears, a rare smile spread across his face, and he let out a sigh of relief. The following day, the father of the child, Yan Huan, visited his wife and their newborn. When the mother expressed her desire to name the child Kai, Yan Huan was puzzled by her choice. She exined that she felt her child would grow up to be victorious, thus the name. While he understood her wishes, he couldn''t help but shake his head. Every mother wanted their child to be the most sessful, but thepetitive nature of the Yan family meant that the road ahead would be filled with challenges. Nevertheless, he agreed to the name. Han Cai had escaped the massive amount of karma he owed in his previous life in exchange for a system, the gift that was given to him by someone for a price. This price, granted to him by an unknown benefactor, had made him responsible for half the karma of this whole world. There were more than trillions of people in this world, and the future Han Cai was supposed to be responsible for them as his benefactor owed these people and this world debt. However, Han Cai was not one to easily ept responsibility. He had discovered a loophole and used his valuable subordinate, Yongnian, who now had a good understanding of thews of death, to free himself from the debt he owed. In his previous life, Han Cai had used the system without realizing the strings attached. The person who granted him the system intended for him to act as their proxy, assisting the world in exchange for a debt owed to them. However, Han Cai managed to escape this debt by ending his life, and his reincarnated self didn''t owe any debt to that person. This didn''t mean he was free to use the system without paying a price. The system was, as it imed, an equal exchange system. Han Cai thought the equal exchange only applied within the system, but it turned out that every time he used the exchange system, he would owe an equal amount of karmic debt to the unknown benefactor, who had umted billions of years of karma owed to half the world. This person was no longer in this world, but the grand Dao they practiced still existed. So every time Han Cai used the system, the grand Dao, which ruled the universe, would transfer an equal amount of karmic debt onto Han Cai''s soul. Han Cai realized this when he was about to turn a nascent soul. If Han Cai had be nascent, it would have been twice difficult and painful for him to get rid of the debt from his soul body. The more Han Cai used the system, the more he would stand out as an anomaly to practitioners of grand daos, regardless of how well he hid. In his previous life, Han Cai had used the system heavily, but not enough for the karmic debt to be deeply embedded in his soul. Even though he did not n to use the system much in this life, Han Cai made preparations to ensure that his future would be as smooth as possible. Before his death, he had already used the system to determine where he should be reborn in order to receive the best cultivation body. One of the locations provided by the system was the son of the Yan family''s third son''s second mistress. And so, Han Cai was reborn into the Yan family. Although Han Cai lost most of his cultivation during his rebirth, he managed to retain his spatial talent, frost talent, and skill techniques within his soul. He had paid a heavy price to acquire these abilities and had no intention of letting them go. So, he made the system etch these techniques onto his soul, making them permanently his personal innate techniques. The first thing he did after being reborn was to check his status panel, [Name: Han Cai] [Age: 1 Day] [Life Span: 70 Years ] ?Strength: 0.1 ?Perception: 4 ?Agility: 0.1 ?Speed: 0.1 ?Constitution: 0.1 ?Intelligence: 5 ?Charm: 9 ?Cultivation: None ?Innate Skill: Invisible Ethereal Technique (Level 1)(Dormant) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) ?Innate Skill Space Escape Technique (Level 2) (Dormant) (Collect 200 trading points to upgrade.) ?Innate Skill: Clone (Level 2) (Dormant)(Collect 200 trading points to upgrade) ?Innate Skill: Transformation (Level 1) (Dormant) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) ?Innate Skill: Array Grandmaster (Level 1) (Dormant) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) ?Innate Skill: Talisman Grandmaster (Level 1) (Dormant) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) ?Innate Skill: Alchemy Grandmaster (Level 1) (Dormant) (Collect 1000 trading points to upgrade) ?Innate Affinity: Space, Frigid, Fire [Total Trading Points: 700 (source Earth, Wind, Space, Frigid, Fire..)] [Storage Space: Medium grade Spirit Stones (10 Million), Gold Coins (1 million)... ] [Fellowship: Zhu Xin, Han Dai, Shi Dongmei, .....] [Subordinate: Yongnian, cky, Xiaoyun, Birdie, Silver.....] [System Update: (Collect 10,000 trading points to unlock.)] [Scan] [Summon] [Upgrade] [Survey] [Teleport] [Witness] [Security] [Initiate the Law of Equal Exchange?] Seeing that he had lost all his cultivation, he sighed, but he also celebrated the fact that he had saved his four most important skills, three extra innate skills he had added at thest minute. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 185 Yan Family Han Cai brought the space and frigid elements affinity from hisst life while the me affinity he received from the present family. He had also saved ten million medium-grade stones from twenty that he earned in the auction so he does not start poor in this life. Han Cai had decided not to rely on the system for a long time, at least until he could find a loophole to eliminate the debt he would incur whenever he used the system. This debt would only arise when he used the equal exchange function, and he had already paid for his past exchanges through immense suffering. Every drop of river water that touched his soul felt like millions of knives stabbing him at once, causing him unimaginable pain. This harrowing experience left a deep trauma in Han Cai''s heart, and he wasn''t ready to face such agony again. At times, he even considered ordering Yongnian to abandon his soul in the underworld. No matter how well-prepared one might be, the pain of the soul would be unbearable even for deities, he was sure. The body Han Cai had acquired in this life was perfect for cultivation since he had already brought along his frigid and spatial affinities. He felt ready to cultivate in this life even if he did not have any fire-rted techniques. Han Cai nned to depend on himself more. He wanted to avoid situations where he might have to seal Immortals or alter the destiny of the continent. Because to Handle such situations, he would require the system. As time passed, Han Cai grew up in the Yan family, cared for by maids during his early years. His mother was with him for the first few months, after which the maids took over most of his care. His father visited him only when he intended to cultivate Yin and Yang with his mother. Han Cai had noints, as this arrangement provided him with ample time to be alone and cultivate. By the second year since his birth, he reached Qi Condensation Level One, and by the third year, he advanced to Qi Condensation Level Two. Han Cai practiced the Celestial Ascension Technique. This time, because he had an affinity with element cultivation, the cultivation was smoother. Han Cai used the talismans he brought from hisst life to hide his cultivation so no one would notice. He would also cultivate a technique called the frigid world technique for his frigid affinity. Han Cai did not n to disclose his spatial affinity in this life either. This continent was rtively warm, so there wasn''t much frigid Qi avable. However, Han Cai had no issues, as he used celestial Qi to convert it into frigid Qi, ensuring a steady supply for his cultivation. Yongnian, now acting as a guard under the name Zhen Long, made sure to watch over young Han Cai at all times. Han Cai continued to grow and cultivate, preparing himself again from scratch and He wanted to avoid the dangerous consequences of the system at any cost and best way to do that was be over prepared. As a child, Han Cai was extremely obedient and charming. The maids loved taking care of him, considering him a beautiful and obedient child. When Han Cai turned four, on the exact date of his birthday, he was given a new courtyard with maids to take care of him and a guard for his protection. The Yan family preferred their children to be independent as soon as possible. Han Cai was surprised to find that his personal guard from now on was going to be Zhen Long. He didn''t know that Yongnian was so resourceful. Zhen Long was originally a guard in his mother''s courtyard, also watching Han Cai as Han Cai stayed in his mother''s courtyard for the past four years. The n was for Yongnian to kill the guard and use transformation to be the new personal guard of Han Cai, but since Zhen Long had been watching Han Cai from the start, his mother decided to assign Zhen Long as Han Cai''s personal guard. It wasn''t difficult for Yongnian, who was a Heaven Immortal, to manipte his way into bing Han Cai''s personal guard, as Han Cai''s mother was only a Foundation Establishment level cultivator. When Han Cai turned Five, it was time for him to go to the ancestry hall of the Yan family. The Yan family had a tradition that when a child turned five, they would bring the child to the ancestor''s hall, where with the help of the family treasure and affinity testing arrays, the elders of the family would check the child''s affinity and cultivation talents. If the child seemed promising, they would invest in their future. Twenty days after his fifth birthday, Zhen Long came to bring Han Cai to the ancestry hall of the Yan family. The maids dressed chubby little Han Cai in beautiful traditional clothes. The five-year-old looked adorable in his new attire, with his cheeks flushed. Zhen Long brought Han Cai to a carriage. Yan Bo Household was at some distance from the main Yan building and ancestral hall. Han Cai''s grandfather was the youngest elder of the Yan family. His grandfather''s household was called Yan Bo Household. Though this household belonged to Han Cai''s father, he kept the name Yan Bo household to please his father. The Yan family was a veryrge family with a long history. Yan Bo''s father was the younger cousin of the patriarch of the Yan family. Yan Bo had seven children and more than twenty brothers, each of whom had many children of their own. Each of them needed their own household and courtyard. More than half of the people in Yan City were from the Yan lineage. The family was sorge that they needed their own city. The carriage moved swiftly towards the ancestors'' hall through various streets. They finally arrived at arge household where the ancestral hall of the Yan family was situated. They got down from the carriage, and Han Cai followed Zhen Long to the ancestor''s hall. They moved through multiple n buildings, one after another. After walking for a long time, they arrived in front of arge building with a sign that read "Ancestry Hall." Zhen Long entered the hall, followed by Han Cai. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 186 The Talent Test After entering, Zhen Long went and stood at the side while Han Cai looked around the hall. It was a grand hall with high ceilings, intricately carved pirs, and beautiful murals adorning the walls. In the center of the hall, arge crystal, half the size of a football, was suspended on a tform in the air. Yongnian had already told Han Cai about it; this was a heaven-grade treasure connected to an array of the Yan family that checked the affinity of the seeds of the family. Since the Yan family was veryrge, many children were born every year, and their talents needed to be checked. The ceremony of checking the affinity and cultivation of talent was conducted by the family once every year months. So, besides Han Cai, thirty more kids are present today. There weren''t more than twelve five years old, but besides five years old, there were some six and seven years old too who had not awakened any affinityst few tests. Many family elders were present, as checking the talents of future seeds was a crucial family matter, and the family took these things very seriously. Most of these elders came to see the affinity of their grandchildren, while some were there on behalf of the family to record all the details about the children in n Ledger. Han Cai noticed his father, mother, and even his grandfather present. Even though his grandfather was the youngest elder, he was an old man. Yan Bo had a tall stature, a long white beard, and a stern yet wise expression on his face. Beside his mother sat another woman, who Han Cai realized might be his first mother. Yongnian had told him that his brother from another mother was going to check his cultivation talent today, too. Unlike Daxing, where one could only discover a cultivator''s elemental affinity after they reached the Foundation Establishment stage, here they could determine a child''s affinity when they were just four or five years old. They had special arrays and methods for identifying the elemental affinities of their young seeds, and every family had their own techniques. However, most families and sects used some kind of treasure connected to an affinity array to determine a child''s affinity. When Han Cai''s mother saw him entering, she smiled at him. Han Cai stood out from most of the children, as all the children were acting unruly, some crying and others scared. Only Han Cai and a few others stood quietly, waiting for this meaningless farce, at least for him, to start. They waited for some more time as a few more children arrived. After all the children arrived, one of the elders got up and announced, "All the children, line up." Some children obediently lined up, like Han Cai, while many others started crying upon hearing the elder''s orders. The parents whose children did not line up had to get up and make them line up. Han Cai''s brother, named Yan Chen, did not line up either, so his first mother had to get up and make him stand in front of Han Cai. Han Cai stayed quiet as, slowly, all the children lined up, and the testing of the children began. Han Cai''s brother was in the seventh position, while Han Cai was eighth. When their talents were checked, out of the six ahead of them, four had an affinity with the me element, one with the wind element, and they all had mortal-grade cultivation talent, which meant mediocre talent. With every resource of the n, the maximum they may reach was the Nascent Soul. The heavenly treasure''s spirit would announce the results loudly for everyone to hear. When Han Cai''s brother, Yan Chen, got on the tform, an elder guided him and asked him to touch the crystal. When he touched it, a red glow emanated from the crystal, and a sound came, "Fire affinity and Earth-grade talent." Immediately, all the elders started making noises, and so did the family members. Earth-grade talent meant that it was a good seed; in the future, his brother would be able to reach the level of an Earth Immortal if he cultivated diligently. An Earth Immortal was a valuable resource and powerhouse anywhere, so all the elders appreciated such seed. Some family elders congratted Yan Bo and Yan Huan, Han Cai''s father, and grandfather, on having such a good seed. Yan Huan and Yan Bo had smiles on their faces, feeling proud for bearing such a talented son and having an Earth-grade talented grandson. Han Cai''s mother congratted the first mother. While his father, first mother, and grandfather were celebrating, the elder asked Han Cai to step on the tform and touch the crystal. When Han Cai touched the crystal, the treasure released a small amount of Qi. This Qi was not spirit Qi, celestial Qi, or any other Qi; this was some other Qi. The Qi entered Han Cai''s body and moved through it before returning to the treasure. The spirit of the treasure spoke again, "Frigid and me affinity. Heaven Grade Talent, Heaven grade physique." Han Cai was not surprised that Treasure did not find his spatial affinity. Not even divine grade treasure could find out his spatial affinity with all efforts he had put into hiding his spatial talent. When the announcement was made, every elder and person in the hall was busy talking about the Earth-grade talent that Han Cai''s brother had. The moment the announcement was made, the whole hall went silent. In every generation of testing, one or two members would always have Earth-grade talent. So earth grad talent was rare to have but still not very rare. In the Yan family, Heaven-grade talent was quite rare; maybe one or two Heaven-grade talents would be born in the Yan family every ten years. Heaven-grade talent was confirmation that the seed would be a future core elder of the n. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 1500 power stones, I will release a supplementary chapter. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 187 Pleased Grandpa Yan Bo The present patriarch had Heaven-grade talent. While his great-grandfather Yan Rui was just earth-grade talent but his great-grandfather, with his hard work and lucky chances, managed to get the seat of core elder, evenpeted with Yan Xun for the position of Patriarch. Hearing Heaven-grade talent, all the elders went quiet, wondering if they had misheard. Even though it was not as rare as once in a hundred years, a Heaven-grade talent being born every five or ten years was still rare. But surprisingly, in thest three years, two more Heaven-grade talents were born in the Yan family. Han Cai became the third Heaven-grade talent to be born in just four years. This was surprising for the family to have three Heaven-grade talents in only four years. A senior elder out of nowhere arrived at the ancestors'' hall. This elder was the third brother of the patriarch. He was a core elder and responsible for the ancestor hall, so protecting the n''s ancestry hall was his duty. The Core Elder, named Yan Jing, came directly to Han Cai and the treasure and said, "Put your hands on the treasure again." Han Cai nodded and did as he was told. The Qi entered Han Cai''s body again, moved through it, and returned to the treasure. The spirit of the treasure spoke again, "Frigid and me affinity. Heaven Grade Talent, Heaven grade physique." The elder asked Han Cai to repeat the process one more time. Soon, all the family members realized something when they heard the announcement thrice. They understood that Han Cai was not just a Heaven-grade talent but also had an affinity for dual elements, and one of them was a rare one at that. Additionally, he had a Heavenly physique, making Han Cai a very rare seed. After three times of talent testing, Han Cai was allowed to walk down from the tform. The remaining kids checked their talents too, but except for one, all of them had Mortal grade talents. Han Cai walked back near Zhen Long and stood quietly, waiting for the ceremony to end. Most of the people in the hall couldn''t help but keep looking at Han Cai. His grandfather and father had wide grins on their faces while his mother was smiling happily. After all the testing was done, everyone started leaving the hall. Han Cai''s mother and father hurriedly walked over to him, taking their positions near their precious child. It was awkward for Han Cai to see so much affection from his parents out of nowhere, but he had to y the role of a child quietly. His first mother also came, bringing his brother Yan Chen with her, and stood near them. All the elders and family members gave the Bo household members a few more looks before leaving. After all, Yan Bo household was the star of the ceremony today. Soon, his grandfather also came over. He gave a deep look at Han Cai, his grandchild. He had many grandchildren, but none of them ever had heavenly talent, and he himself did not have heavenly talent. He never imagined his own grandchild would have such talent. With a smile, the grandfather said, "Both of my grandchildren will ride with me today." Han Cai thought to himself, ''Isn''t this too clich¨¦ happy family moment? A day ago, he doubted if his grandfather even knew his name. Today, he wants him to ride in his carriage.'' After speaking, his grandfather walked forward, and Han Cai''s parents followed behind him, holding Han Cai''s hands and bringing him along. The first mother also followed Han Cai''s father, who was showing affection to her when it was announced that his brother had earth-grade talent. But now Han Cai''s father was showing double the affection to his second wife. The grandfather got into the carriage, followed by Han Cai and his brother. Both children sat quietly with their grandfather. The carriage moved through the streets, and eventually, the grandfather stopped by a bakery to buy his grandsons some sweets. Their coachman returned with a bag full of freshly baked sweets, their delicious aroma filling the carriage. Grandfather took the sweets from the coachman and handed some to each of his grandsons, watching as their eyes lit up with delight. As they nibbled on their treats, the carriage continued its journey through the streets. Han Cai savored the pastries quietly on their return journey. They arrived at Yan Bo''s household. This time, Han Cai was entering the main building of Yan Bo''s household, not just the side building that his father named Yan Bo household too. When they arrived at home, their grandfather was in a very good mood. He announced that the family would be eating together tonight. After the announcement, their grandfather went back to his courtyard while Zhen Long brought Han Cai to his courtyard. Han Cai''s mother had already asked the maids to prepare him for the feast tonight while she went to prepare herself. There was some time before the feast, so Han Cai went to his room and started cultivating. This time, he was going to cultivate on his own without the help of the system. So, the process of cultivation growth wasn''t like a click of a button. He had to meditate quietly, let go of all thoughts, and feel the celestial Qi. The celestial Qi did not exist in this world but in the parallel ne that Han Cai had entered a few times when he used ethereal invisibility with the escape technique. He would be transported to that different ne. Han Cai had a good understanding of that ne to a certain extent. It was like how, in the Marvel universe, there were multiple universes. That ne was most probably Earth 616 of this world when it came to celestial Qi. The source of this higher Qi was this ne. Han Cai was sure that anyone who wanted to cultivate spatial abilities needed to build a connection with that dimension, ne, or universe, whatever it was. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 188 Family Feast Han Cai personally named that ne Celestial ne 616. Every avable celestial Qi in this world came from Celestial ne 616. Han Cai had already prepared well for this. He had built a connection with Celestial ne 616 by increasing his spatial affinity to a very high level over time in his past life, so he would not have a difficult time cultivating in this life. Han Cai cultivated quietly in his room, feeling the celestial Qi moving through his body. He was still not able to use his abilities, such as clone or ethereal invisibility, or any other techniques. But he had no regrets about not being able to use his techniques. He had prepared enough with a powerful bodyguard and no karma debt. No cultivator of the Grand Dao could see traces of him. He was no longer a transmigrator. So even if there were small clues about him being a transmigrator left somewhere, they were all erased. Han Cai had no regrets about what transpired during the talent testing ceremony, either. He had no ns of staying low-key in the family, but he did not n to get into a situation as he had in the past, where he would have to seal the whole royal family or kill Immortals. But in general, the cons of being low-key outweighed the pros. First, he deeply understood the debt of karma. Now, he would have some debt of karma from this family too. Him being talented meant they would all be treated well. Second, as a talented younger generation of the family, they would leave him alone and give him his freedom too. As for jealous members trying to kill him, he had a Heaven Immortal watching his back. Yongnian could smack the patriarch of the family into oblivion if it came to that. Han Cai cultivated peacefully until the sun started going down in the west. The maids came and knocked on his door to prepare him for dinner with his grandfather. In the evening, cute little Han Cai, all dressed up, left with his mother, Zhen Long, following close behind them. When they entered the dining hall, many of Yan Bo''s household members were already present. The dining hall wasrge, able to fit a hundred people easily, and Yan Bo had sired seven children from two wives. Han Cai''s first grandmother was not present today. Each of Yan Bo''s children had their own children, so the family was big, having around sixty to seventy members. This was just one elder Yan family; Han Cai felt his grandfather could build his own vige with this many family members. In the dining hall Yan Bo was sitting in the center seat; beside him was their grandmother. Also sitting at their table was his first brother. When Han Cai saw his first brother, the only thought he had was that his father really was a busy man, getting two wives pregnant in the same year. Doesn''t he need to cultivate? His father was sitting closest to their grandfather, and beside his father was sitting his first mother and Yan Che''s sister, Han Cai''s half-sister Yan Ning. Han Cai noticed his first uncle and second uncles were sitting at the table after his father''s table, and after them were sitting other uncles with their wives. On the opposite side were sitting second wives and concubines. Since his father''s table was closest, this meant his father''s position was elevated in the family from today onwards. He did deserve it, though. The man had worked hard, impregnating two wives in one year to give two talented seeds to the family. That must have required really hard work and dedication. Not to mention, beside his mother and second mother, his father had some concubines too. Han Cai sighed; his father really was a harem seeker. When Han Cai entered with his mother, their grandfather said, "Yan Kai, you will sit with me. Come here." Han Cai''s mother nodded and sent Han Cai to his grandfather. Han Cai went and sat beside his grandfather, while on the other side of their grandfather were sitting his grandmother and his brother Yan Che. His father had a few kids from concubines too. It was not just Han Cai, Yan Che, and Yan Ning that were his sole children. But besides them, in his half brothers and sisters there was only one other brother who had Earth-grade talent. That brother was from a concubine, was 11 years old, and was going to apply for a sect next year. He was sitting with his mother at the opposite side quietly. A few of his uncles had also sired Earth-grade talents too. When his cousins'' talents were revealed, they had the opportunity to sit with their grandfather too. They all were nurtured well by the family. To the family, these were the elite younger generation of Yan Bo''s household, and the whole household would put in the effort to nurture them. It was the same story for every elder''s household of the Yan family. When Han Cai went and sat beside his grandfather, his mother walked towards the opposite side to the seat where concubines and second wives sat. But his grandfather spoke again, saying, "Liying, you sit with us too." Hearing this, everyone was surprised. Kids whose talents were revealed would get to sit with their grandfather; that was part of the family tradition. But if the adults were seated near the grandfather, this meant that the adult was being given more power in the family. Asking Han Cai''s mother to sit with them meant that their grandfather was implying that from now on, after their grandmother, Han Cai''s mother would be second in the hierarchy, even above his father. Han Cai''s mother was perplexed, but she nodded and came to sit beside Han Cai. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 189 Surprising The Grandpa The grandfather said, "I have sired seven kids. None of the seven disappointed me, giving us good seeds, but today''s asion is very special to the family because Yan Huan not only gave our household an Earth-grade talent but also sired a Heaven-grade talent." The grandfather continued, "We must make sure to nurture our younger generation. The more they grow, the better they will be. I don''t need to exin that the better our young talented members perform in the n, the better our family''s treatment by the n, and the more resources we will receive from the n. So, let us celebrate today." With the grandfather''s speech, the feast began. Unlike Daxing, where the seasons were cold, the Vermilion Phoenix Continent was in a warm temperate zone. Life thrived here, so the food came in many varieties. The food quality wasn''t as if it was a royal family feast, but it was not bad either. Han Cai enjoyed the food wholeheartedly. Suddenly, their grandfather spoke to Han Cai''s father, "From tomorrow on, send them both to my courtyard. I will be training them in cultivation personally." Hearing their grandfather''s words, Han Cai''s mother gave a wide smile. While other family members nodded, Han Cai''s grandfather would train the talented young seeds himself ¨C that was another tradition. Han Cai being a Heaven-grade talent, it was obvious that the grandfather would train him. The family celebrated the two new talents, and the banquet came to an endte at night. Everyone returned, and Han Cai went back to his quarters and went back to cultivating diligently. Tomorrow, he nned to shock his grandpa by reaching level one Qi condensation in a day. Han Cai did not have enough Qi to use ethereal invisibility, so he had used a talisman that he had created in hisst life through the system to hide his cultivation. The next day, when morning came, there was a knock on Han Cai''s door. Han Cai opened the door to see his mother. His mother told him, "From today on, you will be training with your grandfather. Cultivate diligently." Han Cai nodded and followed Zhen Long to his grandfather''s courtyard. They arrived at the main hall of the grandfather''s courtyard, and Han Cai entered while Zhen Long stood outside. The hall was mostly empty, and there were cushions on the floor. Han Cai saw some of his cousins sitting on the cushions. There was a cushion ced in the center where his grandfather was sitting. When his grandfather saw Han Cai, he gave a wide smile and motioned for Han Cai toe and sit right in front of him. Han Cai nodded, moved forward, and sat on the cushion right in front of his grandfather. Soon, Han Cai''s other brothers and cousins arrived too. All of them were mortal-grade talents. All the cushions were filled with his brothers; there were around nine young seeds sitting in the hall ready to receive guidance from grandfather Yan Bo. Yan Bo made Yan Che sit in front of him too, just like Han Cai. Han Cai thought that if all these nine became strong nascent soul cultivators, the Yan Bo household would be a force to be reckoned with. But the truth was, even with Earth-grade talent, rarely would all reach the Earth Immortal level, let alone with mortal-grade talents. Some would die in different struggles, be it in the family or the sect they joined, while some would not be able to get enough resources for one reason or another. It would be rare if, out of the nine here, even two reached the nascent soul stage. When everyone arrived, their grandfather turned to Han Cai and his brother and said, "Today, you will be learning the Yan family''s special cultivation technique." Their grandfather took out two parchments. The parchments had the name ¨C Yan Family Spirit Flow Technique ¨C written on them, and there were images on the parchments of how to make Qi flow through your body to the dantian. Their grandfather also took out two lower-grade spirit stones, gave them to Han Cai and Yan Che, and said, "Hold the stone in your hand, try to absorb the Qi in the stone, and follow the image in the parchment. Try to make the Qi reach your dantian." Han Cai and Yan Che nodded. They took the stone, looked carefully at the parchment, then closed their eyes and tried to absorb the Qi in the spirit stone, attempting to move it through their dantian. Yan Che was actually trying, while Han Cai was pretending. Their grandfather waited patiently. Thirty minutes passed, and both Han Cai and Yan Che kept trying. Their grandfather was about to start guiding the other younger generation, but suddenly he felt something. He turned to Han Cai in surprise, his eyes widened. In front of him, this young grandson of his had broken through to level one of the Qi Condensation realm. Removing the effect of the talisman did not cost much to the system, so Han Cai could still use it for these minor things. His grandfather stayed wide-eyed for a while before a big smile appeared on his face. Han Cai opened his eyes, and the spirit stone in his hand had turned to dust. Han Cai gave an innocent look to his grandfather, pretending he was not sure what was going on. Han Cai''s grandfather stayed speechless for a while before he coughed and said, "Great job, Yan Kai! You are a cultivator now." Yan Bo had no words to exin this; he had never trained a Heaven-grade talent before, so he was not sure how to react to such a situation. He decided to consult his father about this. Yan Bo''s father, Yan Rui, was an experienced cultivator and had seen many talents grow in front of him. Yan Bo was sure his father would give right guidance when it came to how to train a heaven-grade talent. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 190 Yan Rui When they were younger, Yan Ruipeted against the patriarch, Yan Xun, for the position of patriarch, but Yan Xun was more talented than Han Cai''s great-grandfather, so Yan Rui had to settle for being a core elder in the family. Yan Bo continued, "Let us end our session today. Everyone, go train in your courtyards, and do not ck off. I will check your progress tomorrow." All the kids nodded and left, as did Han Cai. Han Cai went back to his quarters and began cultivating seriously. This time he was not pretending as he did during training sessions with Grandfather. When celestial Qi flowed through Celestial ne 616 and moved into his body, the feeling was invigorating. Han Cai, who depended too much on the system, had never experienced this feeling of cultivation. It felt as if every pore in his body was thirsty, and celestial Qi was water; his body and dantian kept absorbing celestial Qi rapidly. This feeling was very addictive; Han Cai felt as if he could continue doing it forever. This pleasure of cultivating was the silver lining brought about by the suffering he had to endure to remove the debts he owed. While Han Cai was enjoying the pleasures of cultivating, Yan Bo had just arrived in front of his father''s abode, and he had already informed the servant of the Rui household that he needed to meet his father urgently. Soon, Core elder Yan Rui asked Yan Bo toe inside. When Yan Bo entered, his father was sitting on a cushion alone, reading some details rted to the family business. Core elder Yan Rui asked, "What happened to you? Why are you in such a hurry to meet with me today?" The talent test was done just the day before, so not everyone was aware of the results yet, including Core elder Yan Rui. Having a heavenly talent in the family was rare but not heaven-defying rare, so it was not the news that could break the peace of the Yan family. Yan Bo replied, "Father, you are not aware, but one of my sons sired a Heaven-grade talent with a Heaven-grade physique and dual element affinity." Yan Rui gave him a curious and surprised look and spoke, "Which two elements?" Yan Bo replied, "me and Frigid. He has an affinity with both Yin and Yang." Yan Rui gave a smile, "This is good. With frigid, he might be able to counter most of the me technique cultivators of our continent." Yan Rui thought for a while, then continued, "Boer, you make me proud. Tell me about this seed. Is the urgent message rted to the seed?" Yan Bo nodded and answered, "Father, we did the talent test yesterday. Today, I decided to train him personally. When he came in the morning, I gave him the family cultivation technique to cultivate. I thought in a year, he should make some progress, but he broke through to level one Qi Condensation in thirty minutes." Yan Bo continued, "I have never trained a heaven-grade seed before, so I am not sure how to train him." Hearing that Han Cai broke through in thirty minutes, even his great-grandfather was shocked. He spoke, "Bring the child to me." Han Cai had just had a fulfilling meal. He was sitting in his abode, preparing to go back to cultivating. The moment he entered the world of deep cultivation, there was a knock on his door, which irritated him. Han Cai still opened the door to find out that Zhen Long was at the door, and standing behind him was his grandfather Yan Bo. Seeing Han Cai, his grandfather smiled and spoke, "Come with Grandpa; we are going to meet your great-grandfather." Han Cai nodded and followed his grandfather. His grandfather brought him to another carriage. They got in, and the carriage started moving. His grandfather made sure to stop the carriage to buy him some pastries before they reached his great-grandfather. Han Cai had noints about eating warm, sweet, fluffy pastries. When they arrived at Yan Rui''s household, Yan Bo took Han Cai directly to visit his father. When they entered the hall, Han Cai saw his great-grandfather sitting on a cushion, reading something. Seeing them enter, Great-Grandfather Yan Rui stopped his reading and motioned them toe and sit. Yan Bo sat down on one cushion below the tform Yan Rui was sitting on, while Han Cai sat on another. Yan Rui gave Han Cai a deep look from head to toe and nodded. Yan Rui spoke, "Come near, Grandpa; let me see your progress." Han Cai walked forward and stood in front of Yan Rui. Yan Rui held Han Cai''s hand and sent a small amount of spirit Qi through Han Cai. After checking Han Cai''s cultivation, Yan Rui nodded and spoke, "Indeed, level one Qi condensation." Yan Rui was pleased, too; this was the best kind of seed he could hope that his family had. Yan Rui spoke to Yan Bo, "Move Yan Kai to the Rui household. He will be training under me." Yan Bo was surprised; his father was going to train his grandkid. His father had never trained any of his great-grandkids before. Nevertheless, Yan Bo was pleased - an Earth Immortal, his father training his grandkid - what more could he ask for? Yan Rui had twenty-three sons, Yan Rui personally trained each of his children, but he never trained any grandchildren or great-grandchildren. He kept himself busy cultivating and handling core family matters. But today, his father made an exception for his grandkid. Yan Rui spoke, "I understand your surprise, but none of my sons bore a heaven-grade talent, nor did their grandkids have one. Today, we have a seed and a chance to get one of our children to enter the Azure Dragon Sect." Yan Bo understood why his father decided to teach Han Cai himself. He wanted his grandkid to enter the Azure Dragon Sect. Unlike Yin, where multiple sects were in the country ruled by the royal family, here, the Azure Dragon Sect ruled the kingdom. There was a royal family here too, but they were vassals of the Azure Dragon Sect. There were many sects and martial schools too, but all of them abided by the rules of the Azure Dragon Sect. Hearing that his grandkid had a chance to enter the Azure Dragon Sect, Yan Bo became even more pleased. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 191 Rui Household Yan Bo spoke, "I will make sure that he is moved to Rui''s household." Yan Rui nodded and said, "You can leave now; arrange for his courtyard. He will stay with me from now on." Yan Bo bowed and left. Yan Rui looked at Han Cai and said, "Sit." Then he took out a jade and gave it to Han Cai. He said, "Your affinity is for ice and fire, so you need to cultivate techniques rted to both. This jade was obtained from one of the mysterious realms when our family visited it. Try to find if it contains any good techniques. It is said that only users with cold Qi can reveal the technique in the jade. In case you fail, do not be worried." Han Cai nodded, took the jade, sent some frigid Qi into it, and the jade revealed a technique. Han Cai was surprised; this was actually a good technique called Instant Freeze. Using this technique, you could freeze your enemies instantly. In a past life, when Han Cai used to freeze his enemies, he would cover them with freezing Qi, then freeze them. The process was fast but not as instant as it was mentioned in the jade. Besides the technique, there was a seal on the jade, which meant there might be more techniques hidden in the jade, but for now, Han Cai did not try to pry into it. When he came to this new continent, he had brought his spatial techniques but no freezing techniques, so this was a good technique for him to learn. Han Cai, after going through the technique, looked at his great-grandfather and said, "Grandpa, this technique is called Instant Freeze. It can freeze enemies instantly. It ispatible with me." Han Cai''s great-grandfather had a wide smile on his face. Not that no one had tried to pry into the jade before Han Cai, but most of the Yan family members had an affinity for me, while the remaining had wind. No one in the Yan n was born with an affinity to any type of cold Qi, so none of them could learn or find out what technique was in the jade. Yan Rui said, "Great! Learn this technique. From now on, I will be teaching you. If you need anything, let your grandpa know." Han Cai nodded and said, "Grandpa, also please let Zhen Long stay with me." Yan Rui asked, "Who is Zhen Long?" Han Cai answered, "He is my guard." Yan Rui nodded. It was not unusual for children to get attached to their guards who protected them, so he understood. In the evening of that same day, Han Cai was moved to Rui''s household, and he was given his own courtyard to stay with his great-grandfather. The same day at night, after moving to his new courtyard in his great-grandfather''s household, Han Cai was holding the jade again. He wanted to break the seal to see if there were any frigid Qi-rted techniques in the jade, but he wanted to make sure there was nothing dangerous in the jade, so he called Yongnian. Han Cai used frigid Qi and entered the jade again. This time, he directed Qi towards the seal and broke it. When the seal was broken, cold energy seeped out, and slowly a person materialized. The person was an old man. The moment he materialized, he said, "Congrattions, kid, on finding my legacy. I will help you be the strongest Yin Qi cultivator in the world." Han Cai stayed wide-eyed for a while. The reason being, he had actually bumped into a portable grandpa. Han Cai sighed, wondering how many grandpas he was going to bump into in a day. Han Cai felt that too many old men and too few beauties were not good for his Dao heart. Looking back at the floating grandpa in the room, Han Cai sighed again. He was not sure how fortunes or misfortunes worked right now. From trial and error, he knew about the debt of karma for sure. Han Cai felt his fortune was maxed out when he received the system. As for the fortunes of the person who gave him the system, Han Cai believed that person gave him not just karma debt but all his fortunes, too, but not directly. His current theory was that the person hadbined all the billions of years of fortune and their understanding of Dao to create the system or use some treasure to get the system. Han Cai believed that when he used the system, he would not attract the Karma debt alone, but he would also attract the fortune of half of the world. Han Cai figured that is how old man grand diviner Xiong found out about him. Now, seeing the portable grandpa, he had two running theories in his mind. First, even though he got rid of karma debt, the fortune still remained. He randomly selected a jade, and it turned into a portable grandpa. Earlier, the karma debt of the system bnced out the fortune he received from the person, so Han Cai did note across any lucky chances in his past life. Now there was no debt and only fortune; a random jade turned into a portable grandpa. The second theory was that even though he improved his cultivation and talent in this life, his luck remained terrible. This grandpa was sealed inside, and the technique was bait. This grandpa would act as a nice grandpa and then take over the body of the victim. Han Cai''s final conclusion was that he needed to cultivate and enjoy life of the freedom he had received, not to randomly procrastinate, thinking about things that he did not need to care about. Coming to the final conclusion, Han Cai said, "Thank you, old grandpa, but I don''t need your help at the moment. When I need you, I will call you." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 192 Return Of Blacky ? The old man was shocked; the kid did not need his legacy? Before the old man could say anything more, gray Qi swallowed him, and the room became quiet again. Han Cai went back to cultivating. After cultivating all night, in the morning, when Han Cai opened his eyes, he saw a ck cat sitting in his room''s corner. It was an adorable, small feline with silky, pitch-ck fur that looked soft to the touch. Its eyes were a gentle shade of green, reminiscent of the original beast''s eyes but with a friendlier, more inviting glow. The cat''s body was petite and lean, with just the right amount of muscle for an agile and yful creature. Its whiskers twitched yfully, and it had an endearing, curious expression that made it impossible not to smile at the sight of it. Han Cai smiled and said, "So you can travel in the shadow dimension now, cky?" The ck cat tilted its head and gave Han Cai a soft meow as if confirming his words. The cat jumped on his shoulders, starting to show affection to Han Cai. Han Cai said, "I am more of a dog person. You should know that." Hearing this, the cat growled, jumped into the shadow, and disappeared. Han Caiughed and said, "Come back. I was joking." The cat reappeared and started showing him affection again. Han Cai had given cky two duties: one was to protect the sect, and the second was to be a void shadow beast. These beasts could travel through the void and shadow dimensions, arriving at any destination they liked. They were very rare, and it was even rarer to tame one, but Han Cai had given cky enough support and resources that it was just a matter of time before it became a void shadow beast, which was equal to being a void immortal. Balcky was rarer than any shadow beast because it had the spatial abilities and skills of Han Cai from past life too. Han Cai got up and went out into the courtyard, calling out to the maids. One maid came and bowed. Han Cai said, "Bring me a bowl of hot water and three cups." The maid nodded and came back with a bowl of hot water and three cups. Han Cai asked the maid to leave. When the maid left, Han Cai took out his spirit coffee from the system storage and mixed it in hot water. Once the coffee was ready, he went to call Yongnian to have coffee with him and cky, but Yongnian was nowhere to be found. Han Cai had no choice but to serve only two cups, saying, "cky, try some spirit coffee." Han Cai took a sip. Now that he was a Qi Condensation cultivator, the coffee hit a whole other level. He felt like he had drunk twenty Red Bulls at once. cky noticed Han Cai''s expression and warily came close to the coffee cup, using its tongue to taste the coffee. When Han Cai saw cky drinking the ck coffee, he felt he had achieved something that morning. He wasn''t sure what it was that he had achieved, but he had achieved something. cky, after one taste of the ck coffee, disappeared into the shadow dimension. Han Cai sighed. Coffee was an acquired taste, and these people didn''t even try to put in the effort to understand the beauty in the taste of ck coffee. Today, Great Grandpa was not going to train him, so Han Cai was free. Great Grandpa had scheduled for Han Cai to meet him once every week to show his progress. If he had any questions, he could go to Great Grandpa anytime, but for Han Cai''s general guidance, it would be once every week. His grandfather wanted to see how Han Cai fared and, ordingly, would train his great-grandkid. Han Cai spent all day wondering what exactly he had achieved when he made cky drink ck coffee. To someone outside seeing him contemte like that, they might think that he was enlightening himself in the grand Dao. The day passed, and the night came. Han Cai could not figure it out; this Dao was too difficult for him. Giving up, he went back to cultivating. Life for Han Cai in Yan Rui''s household was mundane. He would cultivate all day and night, and slowly, his cultivation kept increasing. He was now a level four Qi Condensation cultivator. After a few months of staying with Great-grandfather Rui, Han Cai revealed to him his second level of Qi condensation cultivation. Great-grandfather Rui was beyond pleased with his progress. Han Cai didn''t have much to do; the more he cultivated, the more he felt connected to Celestial ne 616. Unlike other cultivators, as their cultivation grew, it became difficult for them to raise their cultivation. However, it kept bing easier and easier for Han Cai. The two reasons for this were his talent, affinity, and bonding with Celestial ne 616. In hisst life, he was always in a hurry, so he could not take the time to understand the Celestial ne. But now that he had all the time in the world and the enemies of his benefactor were not chasing him, he spent time cultivating and bonding with Celestial ne 616. The ne would respond to Han Cai''s requests as if it had its own consciousness. Perhaps because of his affinity, it felt that the ne weed him as if he was a child of that ne. While cultivating, Han Cai''s body would be ethereal, moving from this world to Celestial ne 616. He did not even use the ethereal invisibility technique. However, the ethereal invisibility technique was one of the causes for it, as it had be an innate ability of Han Cai. By the age of six, Han Cai had already reached level five of Qi condensation. When he reached level five of Qi condensation, he went to inform his great-grandfather Yan Rui about him reaching level three of Qi condensation. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 193 History Of Yan Clan ? Great Grandpa Rui had provided Han Cai with two cultivation techniques, one for me Qi and another for freezing Qi, but they both were lower-grade techniques than what Han Cai had, so Han Cai only pretended that he was cultivating those techniques while he cultivated the Celestial Ascension Cultivation Technique and converted it into frigid Qi and me Qi with the Frigid World Cultivation Technique and another cultivation technique called Crimson Spirit Technique. He did not have to put extra effort into these two cultivation techniques as he was already cultivating far superior Qi and cultivation technique. Yan Rui did not have frigid Qi-rted fighting skill techniques, but he gave Han Cai fighting skill techniques for me Qi. But Han Cai was notcking in fighting techniques for frigid Qi either because he had the portable grandpa, who was a prisoner of Yongnian, to help him there. One day, Han Cai went to Great Grandpa''s house. Great Grandpa was not present, so Han Cai sat down and started meditating on a technique he was trying to learn. This new technique was given to him by Portable Grandpa. It was called the Sword Blizzard Technique. It was his strongest technique, where one formed thousands of swords in the air to attack the enemy. Since Han Cai had only mastered level one of this technique, so he could summon one sword right now and was trying to summon a second one. The moment he tried the technique, a sword made of ice formed around him and started revolving around Han Cai. Han Cai continued meditating on the technique, trying to summon a second sword. Time passed, and slowly, a second sword was formed. Now, two swords revolved around Han Cai. This pleased Han Cai a lot. He had mastered theplete first level of the Sword Blizzard Technique. In hisst life, all the techniques came through cheats; there was no hard work involved, so when he used the skills, it was like money received from his parents, not his hard-earned money. Han Cai did not understand the value of achieving something in cultivation through one''s hard work. But now he had to work for it. He realized how fulfilling it was when you practiced and seeded in something. He had to work on the techniques day and night to improve them. It was a lot of work forzy Han Cai, but the euphoria he felt after doing the work and achieving a result was unparalleled. Han Cai opened his eyes with two swords revolving around him. He noticed his Great grandfather standing at the door, watching him practice the technique. Han Cai unsummoned the technique, as the Qi in his dantian had almost depleted anyways. Yan Rui asked, "Where did you learn this technique?" Han Cai answered honestly, "There were a few more techniques in the Jade that you gave me, Great Grandpa. This is one of them." Great Grandpa Rui nodded and said, "It is a very good offensive technique. Can you summon more swords?" Han Cai nodded, "Yes when I achieve a higher level in the technique, I can summon hundreds of them." Yan Rui was surprised and said, "That''s a formidable technique. You will need it; most of the people you will meet will have a me affinity, so you are a direct counter to them, and they are a direct counter to your frigid techniques, but you have a me to support you too, so you will always have an edge with whoever youpeted." Han Cai nodded. Great-grandpa Rui came inside the hall and sat on his cushion, looking at Han Cai for a while. It would be an understatement to say he was pleased with this great-grandson of his. Yan Rui exined, "Usually, we don''t allow children as young as six to participate in n tournaments. Participants must be at least eight years old and no older than twelve. This is to give them an opportunity to join a respectable sect by the age of twelve. However, since your talent is exceptional and your aim is not just to join any sect, but specifically the Azure Dragon Sect, we''ll make an exception for you." Han Cai nodded, showing that he understood what his great-grandpa was saying. Yan Rui continued, "But luckily for our n, two more Heaven-grade talents were born in our n besides you in the period ofst five years. So you will bepeting with your cousin brother and sister to join the Azure Dragon Sect." Han Cai listened quietly. Yan Rui continued, "It is time that you understand the history of our family. Our ancestor was the founder of Yan City and the Yan family. He was a farmer''s son. With some lucky chances, he became a talented cultivator. He went to the Azure Dragon sect, took the outer sect test, and became the outer sect disciple of the Azure Dragon sect. Later He became an elder in the Azure Dragon Sect. After serving the sect for a thousand years, he left the sect to start his own cultivation family, as his cultivation was not growing anymore. He had grand ambitions; he wanted our family to be the biggest cultivation family that could even rival the sect someday ¨C a son of a farmer that could rival the grand sect. That was his dream. The truth was he had suffered a lot in his journey to be a cultivator, which led to a lot of inner demons, and he could not pursue the path of cultivation peacefully. The Yan family ancestor that everyone shows reverence to was my grandfather too. My grandfather had three children, and those children had multiple children, including me. So, you can say I am the third generation of our Yan family, while you are the sixth. As time passed, our family flourished, but as the family flourished, the number of members kept growing. With the growth in the number of family members, there was a lot of strain on resources. Because of this, our family started to participate in many cultivation trades and businesses to meet the demands. Still, our family is doing rtively betterpared to many families. We have around twenty-six thousand family members, while more than thirty thousand outer members. " ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 194 Clan Tournament ? After informing Han Cai about the family, Yan Rui took some breaths and continued speaking, "At present, including me, our family has around twenty-four core elders. We have our own households, and our children have their own households. Someday, you will have your own household." Han Cai mused in his mind, "I doubt that. I already have my own continent ¨C not have, but almost had it." But he did not say anything and listened to his great-grandfather. Yan Rui continued, "You have to participate in the n tournaments so that you can receive more resources. That''s how resources are decided in our n. The more resources you receive, the easier the cultivation journey will be for you until you go to join the sect." Han Cai mused again silently, "I have more than a million medium-grade spirit stones in my storage. How many more resources could the family give me?" Yan Rui continued, "So start preparing with the mindset that you will be participating in the tournaments of the family. The two Heaven-grade talents are born from the lineage of two other core elders, so they will be yourpetition. They both have a me affinity, so you need to work more on your frigid attack techniques. They both have reached level three of Qi condensation cultivation, even though they are older than you, so you are not far from them when ites to cultivation. But they might be ahead of you in skills." After learning about the n from his great-grandpa, Han Cai went back to his courtyard to focus on cultivating and practicing new techniques. A few dayster, his great-grandfather informed him that the next n''s yearly tournament would take ce in nine months. Han Cai nodded in understanding. As promised, Yan Rui would meet Han Cai every week to help him with his cultivation. Yan Rui had now long realized that he wasn''t of much help to Han Cai in freezing Qi cultivation due to hisck of understanding of how the cold Qis work. However, he was able to help Han Cai with his techniques and cultivation rted to me Qi. He would encourage Han Cai and tell him stories about the n. Han Cai would reciprocate to entertain the old man, so Yan Rui would feel as if he was contributing to his growth. From time to time, Han Cai would ask random cultivation questions that were neither too difficult nor too simple, such as "How can I bnce the flow of Qi between my meridians for maximum efficiency during cultivation?" To which old man Rui would happily exin the process of it to Han Cai. When alone in his courtyard, Han Cai would cultivate diligently. His affinity worked miracles, but his cultivation was still slowerpared to his past life. Han Cai learned a few me techniques, such as Scorching Chains and Meteor Strikes. He also made progress in two techniques he was mastering: Instant Freeze and Sword Blizzard Technique. Both Frigid Qi skills had reached level two. He could now summon four ice swords and freeze anyone within a 20-meter distance, given the cultivators were equal to or below his cultivation level. Besides that, Han Cai spent time practicing arrays. Even though his innate skills were dormant, the affinity was there. To awaken the dormant skill, Han Cai had to reach higher cultivation or practice continuously. He could already create normal defense arrays that could keep out Foundation Establishment cultivators. Time continued to pass, and soon it was time for his first n tournament. Han Cai had nothing to worry about, but the same could not be said for his great-grandfather, who was sweating buckets. Yan Rui nned to sit close to the tournament to protect Han Cai if any problems arose. The day of the tournament was selected as the first day of spring. After the tournament, the top-ranking younger generation would receive special resources from the n, such as spirit stones, elixirs, and cultivation manuals. The location for the tournament was settled on the main arena of the Yan family household. The arena wasrge enough for all the members of the Yan family to visit and watch the battle between the younger generation. Most of the younger generation participating in the tournament were between the ages of eight to twelve, with Han Cai being the youngest at only seven. The news of a third Heaven Grade talent being born in the n was known by most people. Since Han Cai did not go out much, people didn''t have much of an impression of the child. They only knew that the third Heaven Grade talent was born in the Rui household and had an affinity for frigid Qi. A Heaven Grade talent being born in the n was celebrated by many, but a few frowned as well. This included some who were not on friendly terms with Yan Rui, especially the two core elders whose lineage had given birth to the other two Heaven Grade talents. When the day of the tournament arrived, Han Cai wore a crimson and white Yan Family robe and went with his great-grandfather to the arena. Upon their arrival, they noticed there was a lot of hustle and bustle in the arena. Many family elders and core elders had arrived. Since Yan Rui was a core elder himself, he received a seat near the patriarch. The patriarch was not present for the younger ones'' tournament today, but his seat was always kept at the center. Han Cai stood near his great-grandfather. Many younger generation members were present. Han Cai did not count, but there were more than a thousand people. However, the participants in the tournament were not more than 17. The reason is, in this tournament, only Earth Grade or above talents were allowed to participate. Every year, the n would have separate tournaments for Mortal talents, but the talents participating today were the cream of the crop ¨C future elders, core elders of the n, and maybe even the future patriarch. Because of this, many younger generation members were brought to watch the tournament. Han Cai''s grandfather and father came to see Han Cai participate, but they were seated away from the core section, where only core elders were allowed. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 195 Wiping The Floor The two core elders, Yan Liren and Yan Qiao, had also brought their great-grandson Yan Fei and granddaughter Yan Yue. Yan Fei and Yan Yue were the other two Heaven Grade talents who were going to participate in the tournament today. In the center of the arena, an elder named Yan Baocheng entered. He was going to watch over all the battles between the younger ones and give results. With this, the battle in the arena began. The first six battles were between two Earth-Grade talents. The seventh battle was between ten-year-old Yan Fei and an eleven-year-old Earth-Grade talent. The battle was one-sided. Yan Fei used a technique called Burning de to injure his opponent. Yan Baocheng had to interfere before the opponent got seriously injured. The eighth battle was between nine-year-old Yan Yue and another ten-year-old Earth Grade talent. Yan Yue used a technique called Ember Steps and Phoenix Dive, where she covered herself in fiery Qi, delivering a powerful strike. Han Cai was surprised. These younger generation members were actually talented. He realized that Heaven Grade talent was nothing to scoff at. After the eighth battle, participants were allowed to rest. Han Cai got a free pass to the next round as he was the youngest and seventeenth participant. But in the next round, he had to participate while someone else rested. After resting for an hour, the next round of the tournament began. The first battle of the tournament was between two Earth-Grade talents. When the second battle was announced, it was Han Cai against an Earth-Grade talent. Great-grandfather Rui told Han Cai, "Go and fight. Don''t be afraid when he attacks. If you get into danger, don''t worry. I wille to protect you." Han Cai nodded and went onto the tform, standing opposite the Earth-Grade talent. All the family members were curious about the Heaven Grade talent in the family with an affinity to me and the rare frigid Qi. Yan Baocheng announced and asked them to begin the battle. Han Cai only knew four techniques at the moment, but they were formidable. He did not initiate the attack and waited for his opponent to make the first move. His opponent was holding a hammer as his weapon, so Han Cai knew the opponent would being near him to attack, and he waited. Soon, the opponent moved toward Han Cai. The moment the opponent reached within a thirty-meter distance, Han Cai used Scorching Chains and bound his opponent''s legs. The Earth Grade talent fell face-first on the ground. When the opponent fell on the ground, Han Cai was kind enough to summon ming fireballs and send them toward his opponent. Elder Yan Baocheng interfered and saved the opponent. After that, Yan Baocheng announced Han Cai as the winner. Han Cai went and stood near Yan Rui, who had a wide smile on his face, as did Han Cai''s father and grandfather. Han Cai had level one proficiency in me skills, the same as his opponent, who was an Earth Grade Talent with level one proficiency. The reason Han Cai won was that he was literally battling a ten-year-old, while himself if both his livesbined were counted, would be fifty years old or above. And he had fought plenty of battles in hisst life while these younger ones were just starting their journey for the first time. Many family members and core elders apuded Han Cai''s talent. In the next two battles, both Heaven Grade talents fought against two Earth Grade talents. By the end of the second round, four members remained: three Heaven Grade talents and one Earth Grade talent. The participants were allowed to rest for another few hours before the semi-final round began. The first battle was between Han Cai and another Earth Grade talent, which Han Cai won easily. Since he was the youngest Heaven Grade talent, he got to face the Earth Grade talent as he was considered weaker than both Heaven Grade talents. The next battle was between Yan Fei and Yan Yue. They both battled for a long time and finally, Yan Yue defeated Yan Fei. Her Amber Steps technique had reached level two, which was why she was able to defeat him. After the battle, they took another rest for an hour before the next round began. This time, it was Han Cai versus Yan Yue. The moment the battle began, Yan Yue used Amber Steps and moved towards Han Cai. Han Cai used Scorching Chains, but she was able to escape that because Han Cai''s Scorching Chains were only level one. As soon as Yan Yue came within twenty meters of him, he unleashed his Instant Freeze technique, which immediately encased her feet in a thickyer of ice, effectively immobilizing her. Caught off guard by these unexpected frozen feet, Yan Yue lost her bnce and fell face down, unable to break free from the ice. With his opponent now at a significant disadvantage, Han Cai seized the opportunity to press his attack further. He quickly conjured arge fireball, its intense heat contrasting sharply with the frigid ice that bound Yan Yue''s feet. Before she could muster a defense or attempt to break free from the ice, Han Caiunched the fireball toward her, giving her little to no time to react. Yan Baocheng had to interfere again, and he announced Han Cai as the winner. The family members of the Yan household had always assumed that even though Han Cai had dual element affinity, he would cultivate only one as he would face difficulties cultivating frigid Qi due to the warm climate of the continent they inhabited. They believed that the predominantly warm weather would pose a significant challenge for someone trying to master techniques rted to frigid Qi, which usually thrived in colder environments. This belief was based on the understanding that the cultivation of frigid Qi and rted techniques often required a cold environment to reach their full potential. However, they were taken aback when they discovered that Han Cai had not only managed to cultivate frigid Qi but had also mastered a technique rted to it. They were as shocked as Yan Yue, whoy t on the ground like a mop that Han Cai had used to wipe the floor. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 196 Poisoning ? When the day came to an end and Han Cai emerged as the winner of the tournament, his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father could not have been prouder. Their faces were beaming with happiness as they escorted Han Cai back to his courtyard. Yan Rui, Han Cai''s great-grandfather, decided to throw a small banquet to celebrate Han Cai''s victory. He invited his twenty-three sons to the celebration. He did not ask his sons to bring their families, as that would mean having to amodate thousands of members in the household. As the banquet began, Yan Rui made Han Cai sit beside him while Han Cai''s grandfather, Yan Bo, sat at the table nearest to Yan Rui. Throughout the banquet, Yan Rui praised Yan Bo for having a Heaven-grade talent in his family, rewarding him with thirty percent of the Rui household''s resources. The remaining seventy percent would be divided among the other twenty-two sons. Yan Rui also scolded his other sons for not producing a Heaven-grade talent like Yan Bo, making it clear that he had high expectations for Han Cai. None of the other sonsined, though, as they understood it was Yan Bo''s good fortune to have such a talented descendant. They could only look on with envy. While the atmosphere was jubnt in Yan Rui''s household, things were not as pleasant in Yan Qiao''s household. The importance of resources in the world of cultivation could not be overstated. Resources yed a crucial role in determining the potential and growth of a cultivator, shaping their future achievements and standing in the world. For Yan Qiao, his great-grandson Yan Fei''s future was of paramount importance, and he dreamed of seeing him join the Azure Dragon Sect just as much as Yan Rui did for Yan Kai. However, with Han Cai''s stunning performance and the subsequent reduction of resources, Yan Qiao''s dream for Yan Fei seemed increasingly impossible to realize. He had never experienced much luck in his life, and the birth of a heaven-grade talent in his family had made him feel incredibly fortunate. He became obsessed with the idea of getting Yan Fei into the Azure Dragon Sect to secure his family''s future and glory. His great-grandson Yan Fei had ced third in the tournament, which meant fewer resources for his cultivation. This, in turn, would widen the gap between Yan Fei, Yan Yue, and Yan Kai, making it harder for him to catch up. This might lead to his great-grandson failing the Azure Dragon Sect''s test, shattering Yan Qiao''s dreams for his future. Yan Qiao was feeling desperate, and after much thought, he made a decision. He took out a special pouch from his household treasury that contained a special powder. He did not want to harm Han Cai, but he felt like he had no choice. He believed that it was the only way to secure his family''s future and ensure Yan Fei''s sess in joining the Azure Dragon Sect. The thought of using such underhanded means weighed heavily on Yan Qiao''s conscience, but he rationalized it as a necessary evil. He believed that sometimes, sacrifices had to be made for the greater good, and in this case, that meant securing the future of his family and giving his great-grandson a fighting chance in thepetitive world of cultivation. The following day, Yan Rui and Yan Liren received an invitation from Yan Qiao to visit his household for tea. It was an opportunity for the great-grandfathers of the three Heaven grade talents to meet and discuss the future of their families and the n. Yan Rui and Yan Liren epted the invitation without any suspicions. Upon arriving at Yan Qiao''s household, the great-grandfathers sat together and discussed how to nurture their children and prepare them for their roles as the future pirs of the n. Meanwhile, the young ones were seated in a separate hall so they could get to know each other. Han Cai sat quietly as Yan Yue and Yan Fei engaged in conversation, discussing the tournament as if they were adults. Han Cai found their attempts at acting like grown-ups to be amusing. A servant brought tea for the young ones and served them. When Han Cai picked up his cup, he felt a slight tingling sensation from his perception, but it was not as strong as it had been in his past life, which made sense since his perception was dramatically reduced. While he was wondering about tingling perception at the same time, he noticed an invisible grayish Qi passing over his cup. This made him realize that there was something wrong with tea, but he knew that his bodyguard had taken care of the problem. He rxed and drank the tea, noticing the curious nces from Yan Yue and Yan Fei as he finished it. It dawned on him that these two youngsters were in on the n of whatever was done to tea, which made sense ¨C their great-grandfathers must have warned them not to identally drink or touch Han Cai''s tea. Han Cai sighed, feeling that this was a philosophical moment. The two great-grandfathers weren''t just trying to poison him; they were poisoning their own children by involving them in the plot. He wondered if, in the future, these nine and ten-year-olds would believe that poisoning someone was the right thing to do. However, he also understood that in this ruthless world, survival was what mattered most, and those who managed to survive were considered righteous and victorious. Though Han Cai had no idea what kind of poison was in the tea or how it would work, he knew that Yan Fei was in for a bad time, as his bodyguard had removed the poison from Han Cai''s tea and ced it in Yan Fei''s. Before Yongnian became his subordinate, He was a poison elder. Now with the cultivation of heaven immortal, it was not difficult for him to extract the poison and ce it somewhere else. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 197 Enraged Yan Qiao ? After finishing his tea, Han Cai stood up and announced, "I am not feeling well. I will leave." Yan Yue and Yan Fei exchanged knowing looks and nodded their heads. Han Cai left the hall and approached his great-grandfather, saying, "Great-grandpa, I am not feeling well. Can we go?" Yan Liren nced at Yan Qiao with curiosity ¨C the poison wasn''t supposed to work so quickly. Seeing Han Cai unwell, Yan Rui grew worried and checked his condition by sending his Qi into Han Cai''s body. He found that Han Cai was perfectly fine, so he assumed that perhaps his great-grandson was just ufortable in thepany of the other children. Deciding to take him home, Yan Rui asked, "Did those two bully you?" Han Cai shook his head, replying, "No, I just don''t like them." Yan Rui was puzzled by his words but epted them, and they returned home. Back in his courtyard, Han Cai sat peacefully as his bodyguard, Zhen Long, appeared. Han Cai asked, "What kind of poison was it?" Zhen Long replied, "I don''t know the name, but it is supposed to work after thirty days." "Death or cultivation?" Han Cai inquired. "Cultivation. It would have crippled your cultivation permanently," Zhen Long answered. Han Cai was shocked at the savagery of his own n members, who were not very different from the toxic outer sect elders of the Sky Soaring Sect. Han Cai smiled at his bodyguard and said, "You did well today. I''ll treat you to spirit coffee." Upon hearing this, his bodyguard disappeared, and a ck cat that had been sleeping in the corner of the courtyard vanished as well. Life returned to normal after the tea incident. Havinge out on top in the tournament, Han Cai began receiving a significant amount of resources from the n. For now, he simply stored these resources away and continued cultivating. Yan Qiao and Yan Liren waited patiently for news. When thirty days had passed, they were ready to hear the news, but none came from the Rui household. On the thirty-first day, Yan Fei approached Yan Qiao with a pained expression, saying, "Grandpa, I am not able to cultivate. I feel sick." Seeing his grandson''s pain, Yan Qiao checked Yan Fei''s body and discovered that his Dantian was poisoned and that he was crippled. Yan Qiao''s heart almost stopped beating. He checked his great-grandson five more times, but the result remained the same. Furious, Yan Qiao called for the servant who had served the tea and asked if he had served it to Yan Fei. The servant shook his head, but Yan Qiao was too furious to listen. In one p, he turned the servant into a bloody paste while Yan Fei lost consciousness. Carrying Yan Fei, Yan Qiao flew to Yan Zhiyuan''s household. Yan Zhiyuan was the best medicine core elder in the Yan family. After examining Yan Fei, he told Yan Qiao that his grandson had been poisoned with Hushroot Blossom, and there was no antidote. Yan Fei''s cultivation was crippled for good. He will stay in aa for a month or two after that. He will live a mortal life. Yan Qiao initially thought that Yan Rui was responsible, but he soon realized that Yan Rui couldn''t have known unless someone else had informed him. Only three people knew about the poison beside Yan Qiao and his great-grandson: Yan Liren, his granddaughter, and the servant. He ruled out the servant as a reliable ve even though he had killed the servant. He knew the servant couldn''t betray him and concluded that the culprits must be Yan Liren and his granddaughter. Enraged, Yan Qiao left Yan Zhiyuan''s household and flew towards Yan Liren''s home, leaving Yan Fei in Yan Zhiyuan''s care. Upon arriving in front of Yan Liren''s house, his voice thundered, and the entire Yan City heard him. "Yan Liren! You dare poison my grandson! COME OUT!" Yan Liren had expected a dramatic battle between core elders, but he thought it would be between Yan Qiao and Yan Rui. Why was Yan Qiao outside his house? Yan Liren emerged from his home, flew into the air, and asked, "Yan Qiao, what happened? What are you talking about?" Yan Qiao''s fury intensified. "Stop acting! It was only you and your vile granddaughter who poisoned my grandson with Hushroot Blossom! My grandson has lost his cultivation. I will make sure your granddaughter loses hers too!" Hearing this, Yan Liren also became furious. He telepathically replied, "It was your poison n! It was you who did everything! Now you threaten my granddaughter?" Yan Liren released his Qi, ready to attack the one threatening the future of his household. Yan Qiao did the same, but before they could attack each other, a thundering voice interrupted them. "Both of you, stop!" They turned to see that it was the patriarch of the Yan family, Yan Xun. Both Yan Liren and Yan Qiao stopped their impending fight, and soon many other core elders of the Yan family arrived, including Yan Rui. The Yan family patriarch, Yan Xun, called for an urgent n meeting of all the core n elders, including Yan Rui. All twenty-four core elders sat in the meeting, including Elder Yan Zhiyuan, who had checked Yan Fei. Yan Liren and Yan Rui were also present. Finally, the patriarch spoke, "Elder Qiao, going to another elder''s household and disturbing the peace of the whole city is not how we do things. What happened between you two that you had to create such a ruckus?" Yan Qiao spoke up, saying, "Patriarch, you don''t know what Yan Liren and Yan Rui did. They poisoned my grandchild, Yan Fen, with Hushroot Blossom. This poison crippled his cultivation. The Heaven-grade talent of our household was ruined by them. I ask you to punish the culprits." Hearing that a Heaven-grade talent of the Yan family had been poisoned and had his cultivation crippled, the patriarch''s face became serious. So did the faces of all the elders present, including Yan Rui, especially because Yan Qiao used him and Yan Liren of the poisoning. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 198 Miserable Trader Shi ? The patriarch said, "This is a very serious offense - poisoning a Heaven-grade talent of the Yan family. It is also a very serious usation, Elder Qiao. Why do you think your great-grandson was poisoned by Elder Rui and Elder Liren? Why would they do that to their own family members?" Yan Qiao replied, "Patriarch, if you don''t trust me, you can ask Elder Zhiyuan. He examined my grandson himself. My great-grandson was poisoned by a Hushroot Blossom. This poison works thirty days after eating it. Thirty days ago, I invited Elder Rui and Elder Liren to my house to help our Yan family''s top talents get closer to each other. But while I was busy, someone managed to poison my grandson." The patriarch looked at Elder Zhiyuan and asked, "Elder Zhiyuan, is this true?" Yan Zhiyuan replied, "Patriarch Yan Fei was indeed poisoned by Hushroot Blossom, but there is no proof that it was done by Yan Rui and Yan Liren." The patriarch felt a headacheing on. Poisoning a Heaven-grade talent of the family was a serious offense, and the used poisoners were two elders who were great-grandparents of the other two Heaven-grade talents. The situation was tooplicated. Yan Liren had enough of the usations and spoke up, "Patriarch, I had nothing to do with it. My granddaughter and I visited Yan Qiao''s household at his invitation. The children sat separately, and I was with Yan Qiao and Yan Rui the entire time. How could I have poisoned the child? A Heaven-grade talent of the family is very important to the family, not just their household, I would never do such a vile thing that could harm the family. I had nothing to do with it." Yan Rui also said, "Patriarch, just like Yan Liren, I was away from the children too, and my great-grandchild was not feeling well that day either, so I left earlier. I don''t know what transpired after that, but I have no reason to poison the child. My great-grandchild came first in the tournament; he is receiving the best resources from the family. I have no reason to harm others" The patriarch fell silent for a long time. After thinking for a while, he said, "Bring the children here. Let me ask them." Both Yan Rui and Yan Liren nodded and left to bring their great-grandchildren. Soon, Han Cai and Yan Yue were standing in front of the Patriarch of the Yan family. The patriarch gave a deep look at these two Heaven-grade talents of the Yan family. The patriarch spoke with the two children, "You two are one of our family''s most talented youngsters. I want you to tell me what happened that day." Yan Yue, a nine-year-old girl, stood nervously in front of the elders and the patriarch. Her grandfather had told her to put the me on Yan Kai, saying that he had put the powder in Yan Fei''s tea when Yan Fei wasn''t looking. While little Yan Yue was mustering the courage to speak, Han Cai looked at the patriarch with innocent, seven-year-old puppy eyes and said, "Great-grandpa brought me to meet with my sister and brother. The servant brought tea, but the tea smelled bad. It was red. I did not want to drink, but sister Yan Yue kept forcing me, so I wanted to leave. When I was ready to leave, sister Yan Yue asked Brother Yan Fei to give the tea a try. " All the elders froze, including the patriarch. Was Yan Yu Yan Liren became furious, "Preposterous! Little spawn, you dare make up stories?" Yan Qiao didn''t believe Han Cai at first, but after hearing about the red tea, which was the color of Hushroot Blossom, he realized that maybe Han Cai was telling the truth. Maybe even Yan Liren had nned to take both Heaven-grade talents in the family so all the resources could go to his great-granddaughter. Being yelled at, little Han Cai started crying. Seeing his great-grandchild being yelled at, Yan Rui became furious too. He got up and yelled at Yan Liren, "Why are you taking your anger out on my grandchild? What kind of vile things have you taught or made your children do? Leave me and my great-grandchild alone from your conspiracies!" Yan Qiao said, "Patriarch, I was right. Yan Rui''s great-grandchild saw it with his own eyes. The children must have been ying around, but this Yan Liren must have asked the little girl to do this heinous work while the children were ying." The patriarch intervened and said, "That''s enough!" He looked at the sobbing Han Cai and said, "Little Yan Kai, stop crying. No one will yell at you." The patriarch then looked at Yan Yue and asked, "Little Yue, did this really happen?" The frightened nine-year-old shook her head with tears in her eyes. The patriarch felt another headacheing when suddenly there was a ruckus outside the main hall. He became furious, wondering who was creating such a disturbance outside their household. But before he could speak, one of the leading guards came in, bowed, and said, "Patriarch, Trader Shi wishes to say something about what happened to Yan Fei." Trader Shi was one of the traders who worked for the Yan family. The patriarch and the elders became even more curious about what he had to say about the poisoning of Yan Fei. Trader Shi entered the room, looking miserable. He had a ck eye, and his clothes were tattered. Just like the two young children, he was also crying. The patriarch asked Trader Shi, "What happened to you? What do you have to say about what happened in our family?" Trader Shi was one of the respected traders who worked for the Yan family. Seeing him like this, no one knew what to make of the situation. Trader Shi bowed, crying, and said, "Forgive me, Patriarch. It was me who gave Hushroot Blossom to Elder Qiao and Elder Liren. I found it during my journey to Verdant City. I gave it as a gift to both elders, not knowing it would be used to poison the great-grandchild of Elder Qiao. I had no harmful intentions toward the Yan family. Please believe me, Patriarch." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 199 Uncovering The Truth ? The situation became messier than before. The patriarch turned to Yan Qiao and Yan Liren and asked, "Elder Qiao and Elder Liren, what is this about?" The trader was a very reliable member of the family, and he must have had ledgers and records of all the trades, so there was no reason to lie. Besides, things had escted out of hand, and he knew the patriarch would take serious action if he lied. Elder Qiao answered, "Patriarch, what the trader said is true. He did give me Hushroot Blossom, but that powder disappeared from my treasury. Please help me find the culprit." The patriarch had no choice. He said, "We will go to the Ancestor''s Hall, and the Heavenly Treasure will give us the truth." In general, most issues within the family were resolved during n meetings, where members could discuss and debate various matters openly. When Yan Qiao decided to poison Han Cai, he knew that a n meeting would be convened to address the issue. However, rarely did the n resort to using their ancestral hall''s Heaven-grade treasure to find out the truth. Such a powerful artifact was meant to be used only in dire situations, and invoking its power was not a decision to be taken lightly. The situation had beplicated due to the involvement of Trader Shi, an outsider who was a respected trader. This added ayer ofplexity that made it difficult for the patriarch to resolve the issue through the usual n meetings. With the stakes higher than ever, the patriarch had no choice but to use the Heaven-grade treasure to resolve the matter. Using the family treasure in this way was ast resort, and it was considered disrespectful to the treasure spirit. However, they had no other option. All the elders nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. Elder Qiao and Elder Liren, both Earth Immortals, sweated nervously as they knew heaven-grade family treasure would see through their lies. They were well aware of the gap between their cultivation levels and the power of the Heaven-grade treasure, which added to their apprehension. Soon, all the elders reached the Ancestor''s Hall. Yan Rui brought Han Cai, while Yan Liren brought Yan Yue. In the Ancestor''s Hall, the Heaven-grade treasure could not only find the talents of the younger generation but also read through the truth and lies of cultivators. They all stood in the hall, waiting for who would go first. Before the patriarch could speak, Yan Rui said, "I will go first." Elder Yan Jing, who managed the Ancestor''s Hall, nodded and weed Yan Rui to the tform. Yan Rui ced his hand on a crystal, and the crystal glowed. Elder Yan Jing asked, "Yan Rui, did you try poisoning Yan Fei?" Yan Rui, keeping his hand on the treasure, spoke solemnly, "No." A voice came from the treasure, just like before when it announced the talents of the young seeds. The voice spoke, "Truth." Yan Jing asked again, "Do you know who poisoned Yan Fei?" Yan Rui responded, "No." The voice of the treasure spirit spoke again, "Truth." Yan Jing asked once more, "Were you in any other way aware of this poisoning affair?" Hearing the third question, Yan Liren and Yan Qiao both sweated profusely. Yan Rui responded, "No." The voice echoed through the hall, solemn and powerful. "Truth." Yan Jing nodded at Yan Rui, and Yan Rui stepped down from the tform. With this, Yan Rui was absolved of all the poison-rted usations that Qiao had leveled against him. Yan Jing nced at Yan Qiao and Yan Liren, his gaze silently inquiring which of them would go first. However, neither Yan Qiao nor Yan Liren showed any willingness to move. Finally, the Patriarch spoke up, addressing the two elders. "Elder Qiao, Elder Liren..." His intentions were clear ¨C he was asking one of them to step onto the tform. Elder Qiao was the first to respond. "Patriarch, I have no reason to poison my own great-grandson. Elder Liren should go first." The Patriarch nodded and turned to Elder Liren. But before he could ask Elder Liren to proceed, Elder Liren spoke up. "Patriarch, what if Elder Qiao took Hushroot Blossom powder intending to poison someone else but identally ended up poisoning his own great-grandchild instead? Elder Qiao should go on the tform first." Both Elder Qiao and Elder Liren understood that whoever went first would bear the brunt of the consequences because the treasure would reveal their lie. The other one would use this lie to me everything on their counterpart and try to avoid the test of truth by the treasure. Hearing the excuses these two were making, it became apparent that neither of them was ready to go on the tform, but bickering in the ancestry hall was disrespectful to their ancestry hall and their family treasure. The Patriarch had enough, He announced. "Since Qiao''s grandson is the victim, Elder Liren will go first." With no choice left, as the Patriarch had asked him directly, Yan Liren went onto the tform and stood in front of the treasure. cing his hand on the treasure, it glowed again. Elder Yan Jing asked the crucial question. "Yan Liren, did you try poisoning Yan Fei?" Yan Liren replied firmly, "No." Once again, the voice of the treasure spirit resonated throughout the hall. "Truth." Yan Jing asked again, "Do you know who poisoned Yan Fei?" Yan Liren, sweating profusely, responded, "No." But the treasure spirit spoke again, "Truth." Yan Jing asked the third question, "Were you in any other way aware of this poison affair?" Yan Liren stayed silent for a while. Yan Jing asked the question again, "Were you in any other way aware of this poison affair?" Yan Liren sighed and spoke, "Yes." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 200 Conspiracy Resolved ? The treasure spirit responded, "Truth." All the elders and the patriarch stared at Yan Liren with a mixture of surprise, anger, and disbelief. They had never expected that he, as one of the n''s elders, would know about the poisoning plot and not take any action to prevent it. As an elder, he was responsible for protecting and nurturing the younger generation of the n, and the fact that he knew about the poisoning of a Heaven-grade talent without intervening was a significant breach of his duties. The looks on their faces reflected their disappointment and outrage, as well as suspicion, as they wondered just how deep his involvement in this scheme might have been. They could not help but question Yan Liren''s loyalty to the n and hismitment to its future prosperity. Yan Liren removed his hands from the treasure, turned to the patriarch, and said, "Patriarch, let me exin. It was Yan Qiao''s n to poison Yan Kai so our great-grandchildren could receive more resources. But the poison was switched somehow, and Yan Fei got poisoned. It was Yan Qiao''s idea; I had nothing to do with it." Hearing this, Yan Rui was furious. These two old men wanted to poison his great-grandchild! All the elders and the patriarch had frowns on their faces too. The patriarch turned to Yan Qiao and spoke in a strict voice, "Is this true?" Yan Qiao sighed and nodded, "It is true, but one of these two brats is the culprit for poisoning my great-grandchild." Yan Rui fumed, "You dare!" He released his Earth Immortal Qi. Yan Rui''s anger had no bounds as he realized the extent to which Yan Qiao and Yan Liren had almost ruined his household''s Heaven-grade talent. They had invited him for tea under the guise of goodwill, but their true intention was to poison Han Cai. He felt more and more furious as he understood the potential consequences of their actions. If they had seeded and Han Cai had been poisoned, all his hopes of having a Rui household member enter the Azure Dragon Sect would have been shattered. All his dreams, ns, and efforts would have been for nothing. Yan Rui seethed with rage towards these two old men, who had nearly destroyed everything he had been working towards. He wanted them to suffer for their actions, so he released his Earth Immortal Qi and prepared to unleash his fury upon the Qiao and Liren households. Yan Rui was ready to tear down everything they held dear, making them pay for their treachery. The patriarch, recognizing Yan Rui''s vtile state, knew that Yan Rui would be an unstoppable force of destruction if he did not intervene. With the fate of the entire Yan City hanging in the bnce, the patriarch quickly stepped in to address the situation. "Yan Qiao and Yan Liren, you both conspired against a child of the Yan family, putting our n''s future at risk. From now on, you both are removed from your positions as core elders of the family. If any other vile activities such as this are discovered in the future, you will both be banished from this family. All core businesses of the Qiao and Liren households will be given to the Rui household aspensation for your actions." With the patriarch''s stern decision, Yan Rui''s wrath was momentarily quelled. After saying this, the patriarch ordered, "Everyone, leave now." With that, the debacle ended, with the Rui household profiting the most, while the Liren and Qiao households suffered a significant loss. The only remaining mystery was the identity of the person who severely beat Trader Shi, forcing him to visit the family halls and escte the matter. This ultimately led to the patriarch having to use the family treasure to uncover the truth. Time continued to pass, and the Rui household became a renowned household in the Yan Family, thanks to the presence of one of the most talented seeds of the family and the sessful businesses they acquired from the Qiao and Liren households. Han Cai was now eight years old and had reached level seven of Qi condensation. Life for him was quiet and peaceful. He cultivated most days without any hassle, and once a week, he would chat with his grandpa. His freezing techniques reached level three, and his me techniques reached level three as well. He didn''t try to learn more techniques; four were enough for him for now. In his free time, he would practice arrays theory or study talismans to get the hang of them, as they wereparatively cheaper than alchemy. He didn''t n to start learning alchemy yet. The tournament was held again this year, and Han Cai defeated hispetition once more,ing out on top and cleaning the floor of the tournament hall with his cousins and rtives. Just like before, everything was fine for the first month after the tournament. But the next month, one day, while Han Cai was cultivating peacefully, a maid brought a meal for him and left it at the door. When Han Cai went to get the food, his perception tingled againˇŞthe food was poisoned. Han Cai asked Zhen Long, "Who is it?" Yongnian replied, "Your first mother." Yongnian was a Heaven Immortal sitting in the courtyard; he could see and know everything happening in the whole city. Han Cai was surprised, "Why is she trying to poison me?" Yongnian answered, "It''s not her, really. It''s the Ren family. They promised her child a bright future as long as she does the job for them." Han Cai asked curiously, "Why does the Ren family want me dead?" Yongnian said, "npetition." Han Cai nodded and asked, "How did they convince her, and when did she add the poison?" Yongnian answered, "Your first brother is not really your brother. Your first motheres from a family that is a distant rtive of the Ren family; she was in love with one of her own n members and is still in love with him. That ren family member joined as a guard for your first mother. Your father''s household is really Lax in hiring guards. I was able to manipte my way in bing your guard without any effort" ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 201 Cycle Of Poisoning ? Han Cai''s heart ached, not because of his first mother''s story but because he didn''t have popcorn for such an amazing story. Such an unfair world this was! Hearing about a drama without any popcorn that''s just pure suffering for Han Cai. Yongnian continued, "When she married in Yan family, she did because her family wanted her to. She''s not much more than their pawn. The day before yesterday, she came to deliver soup. That day with the soup, she also brought this poison, which she stealthily put in the herbs that were going to be cooked for you in the future." Han Cai sighed, thinking his father was busy making babies while considering himself the top dog. It turned out his father was cuckolded in this one. Poor man. Han Cai asked, "Death or cultivation? What was she after." Yongnian answered, "Death." Han Cai sighed, "Fair enough. These people have no idea how diabolical I am, do they? She should know better than to poison the piper." The next day, when food for Han Cai''s first brother was about to be delivered, a ck cat appeared out of nowhere from the shadows. The cat raised its paws, and a pouch appeared in the air. The pouch slowly opened, and red powder trickled down from it into the food. After that, the cat with the pouch disappeared. Han Cai went back to his cultivation life as if nothing had happened. Thirty dayster, crying noises could be hearding from Han Cai''s father Yan Huan''s household. The household physician of Yan Bo''s house verified that Han Cai''s first brother was poisoned by Hushroot Blossom poison. His brother, an Earth-grade talent, lost his cultivation. When Yan Rui heard about Hushroot Blossom again, he flew to the Qiao and Liren households, thinking that since they couldn''t target Han Cai, they were now targeting his brother. Yan Rui created a big ruckus, and the patriarch had to interfere. Both elders were brought before the treasure. This time, they said they had no hand in it, and only then did Yan Rui calm down. However, he became concerned that someone else was targeting his family using the methods of these two old bastards. Han Cai felt a little bad for his na?ve grandfather. But he was not gonna go easy on anyone who would try to harm him. This was his first rule. A few dayster, someone tried to poison Han Cai again. Han Cai asked, "Who was it this time?" Yongnian replied, "Yan Wenchang, his father is core elder Yan Minghui. He handles the resources of many courtyards of the Yan family." Han Cai asked, "Which family got to him?" Yongnian replied, "Xie family." Han Cai nodded and said, "cky, go make them pay the piper." Thirty dayster, Yan Minghui was flying around furiously. Hushroot Blossom had poisoned a young one in his family; the child was the grandson of Yan Wenchang. A few months passed, and there was another poison attempt on Han Cai. This time it was not from an outside force but from inside jealousy. Lady Yan Huiying was the mother of a ten-year-old Earth-ranked talent who was the most promising talent in the family after Han Cai and Yan Yue. Han Cai asked Yongnian for the reason, and Yongnian told him, "Since all the talents are getting poisoned, she wanted to use the opportunity to poison you so her son will receive more resources. At the same time, she is from the core elder Shaoqing''s household. Now that your great-grandfather Rui''s household has taken over the core businesses of the Qiao and Liren households, the resources of Yan Yue have been reduced a lot, so the only hurdle is you. Also, the Rui household is bing equally influential as the Shaoqing household, maybe more, because the Rui household has a Heaven-grade talent. So wanted to solve the problem for her son and Shaoqing household at the same time." Han Cai nodded and said, "When will these people learn? Welp, they should pay the piper." Thirty dayster, Yan Shaoqing was flying around furiously, cursing and trying to find out who poisoned his Earth-grade talent great-grandkid. After Yan Shaoqing''s great-grandson was poisoned, the number of poison attempts on Han Cai surprisingly went up. No one knew who was really behind these poisonings, so many people thought an outsider was trying to hurt the Yan family''s future. Anyone who had a bone to pick with Rui household used this chance to target Han Cai, who was the most talented young seed in the family. But Han Cai wasn''t the only one being targeted. Other talented young people in the family also faced poison attempts. Yan Yue was even poisoned once. Luckily the poison was not hushroot blossom, which made her great-grandfather go to Verdant City quickly to get an antidote. The family''s leaders were very worried because one or two young people were poisoned every month. This chaos made the Yan family very suspicious and confused, and every family elder tried to protect their own talented young seeds. Enemies of the different families used this chance to target those they had problems with, making things even worse. The family was now stuck in a cycle of poison attempts, and they were trying hard to find out who the real culprits were so they could bring peace and trust back to the family. " The patriarch and core elders didn''t know what to do, as they had no suspects to question. Finally, they made a drastic decision: the patriarch went to Verdant City and returned with a few hundred high-grade Poison Purging Pills. These special pills were very expensive and high quality. Once consumed, they would protect the young seeds from poison for a year. If any poison entered their bodies, the pill would purge it if it wasn''t too potent. If the poison was too strong, the pill would make the user feel sick, alerting them to the poisoning so they could get help as soon as possible. All the Earth-grade talents and above were given the pill and asked to eat them immediately. If i they felt sick, they were to inform the core elders of their family immediately. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 202 To Verdant City ? After that, poison cases started to reduce. One or two cases still happened, but the victims informed the elders in their household in advance. The elders informed the core elders and a few culprits were caught. It was an internal feud between families; the poison they used was not Hushroot Blossom. Still, the patriarch banished the culprits from the family. After the punishment, poison incidents were reduced significantly. Poison attempts on Han Cai disappeared too. Time passed, and Han Cai was nine years old now. The springtime tournament happened again. Han Cai, who was a level eight Qi condensation cultivator, wiped the floor with hispetition. His frigid skills and me skills were still at level 3. From level three to level four was a qualitative jump in the skills, so they needed time. Han Cai felt that if he needed to reach level four, he might need to reach the foundation establishment first. His connection with Celestial ne 616 strengthened, and the more it strengthened, the faster his cultivation grew. Han Cai believed the best thing he could do before shifting to a new life was to increase his spatial affinity and make it his innate ability. Now, the whole Yan family had epted that Han Cai was the top talent of the Yan n when it came to talents below the age of twelve. While everyone in Rui''s family was proud, many other households were jealous, but they all knew this was one of the top future core elders of Yan family. Even the patriarch of the family paid special attention to Han Cai. He was an official future pir of the family. Han Cai had no time to care what other thoughts he kept working on his growth. He already had some mastery in arrays theory and talismans theory, which he did in his spare time. Now, as a nine-year-old, Han Cai decided it was time he began with alchemy too. He needed pills. As this time, he wanted to do everything on his own without getting help from the system as much as possible. That''s why he became a grandmaster in all three before making them his innate ability. Han Cai went to his great-grandpa and said, "Grandpa, I want to try alchemy. So I will be going to the market to get some materials." Yan Rui shook his head and said, "If you really want to learn alchemy, we will need to go to Verdant City; they are known for herbs and alchemy. Wait for a month, and I will take you." Han Cai shook his head, "Grandpa, it''s okay. I will go myself." Yan Rui was not ready to allow Han Cai to leave alone, but Han Cai persisted. Eventually, Yan Rui gave in. Han Cai had always been an obedient child who never made any demands, and this was the first time he had been so persistent about something. Yan Rui decided to let Han Cai follow his wish. He wasn''t surprised that Han Cai wanted to try alchemy, as he had seen him diligently reading alchemy books at home. If Han Cai could learn alchemy, it would benefit the entire Yan family. Yan Rui didn''t try to stop him, especially since Han Cai''s cultivation growth hadn''t been hindered by his interest in alchemy, arrays, or talismans. But Yan Rui made Han Cai take many Foundation Establishment level guards from the family. Also, Two elders of golden core and one elder of the Nascent Soul level were selected to go with Han Cai to Verdant City. As they prepared for the journey, Han Cai''s great-grandpa Yan Rui gave him a stern warning, "Be careful and stay close to the guards and the elders. Do not take any unnecessary risks." Han Cai nodded in agreement and reassured his great-grandpa, "Don''t worry, Grandpa. I''ll be cautious and won''t take any risks." Verdant City was around two thousand miles from Yan City, which sounded very far, but with strong horses and beasts, the journey wouldn''t take more than three weeks. However, since Han Cai was nning to travel in a luxurious carriage of the Yan family, this journey might take longer than usual. A few dayster, Han Cai, along with Zhen Long, a few Foundation Establishment level guards, two golden core, and a Nascent Soul elder named Yan Fucheng, left the Rui Household to go to Verdant City. When Han Cai left Yan City, he was surprised by the level of greenery this continent had. Daxing was a cold continent, and there were trees and greenery in Daxing too, but it was nothingpared to the beauty of the greenery the forests in this continent had. Their journey was smooth for the first week, covering more than seven hundred miles. The horses everyone was riding on and the horses that pulled the carriage were spirit beasts, specially nurtured by the Yan family for the use of n members. They were very fast and agile, covering more than a hundred miles just in a day. After a week into their journey, they stopped by a town called Willow Town. This town had a poption of around six thousand people. When the procession was close to Willow Town, Elder Yan Fucheng went ahead and booked an inn, especially for them. Han Cai was the young master of the Yan family, one of the most talented ones at that. The n was going to make sure he received all thefort he wanted. When the procession entered the town, everyone looked at the massive horses and luxurious carriage. They understood some big shot of the city was traveling in the carriage. The carriage stopped in front of Willow Inn, the best inn in the town. Han Cai got down from the carriage and went into the inn. The elder had made the people clear the inn just for Han Cai. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 203 Hassle In Night ? Han Cai mused that he was living the life of a proper young master. Then he frowned, wondering if he would be getting face-pped soon. Han Cai sighed, his imagination was his own enemy. He had to assume the worst of everything, but then again, how would he be the Holy Son of the Murphy Sect if he did not see the worst and expect the worst? After entering the inn, Han Cai ordered a fulfilling meal and enjoyed it in peace. Elder Yan Fucheng was acting like a guard, taking his duties too seriously. He was the most trusted subordinate of Yan Rui and knew how important Yan Cai was to Yan Rui, so he did not wish to make any mistakes. Han Cai enjoyed the fulfilling meal alone. It was not spirit food or any special food, but there was a pleasure on its own when you ate simple food during your journey. Han Cai felt this should be what''s called soul food. After his soul food, Han Cai went to his room to get some rest. He was not nning to cultivate; he wanted to sleep. During this journey, he nned to live his life as a normal young master. Han Cai closed his eyes and went to sleep, but in the middle of the night, his sleep was disturbed by noises. Han Cai woke up, rubbing his eyes, and asked, "What''s going on?" Yongnian appeared out of nowhere and said, "Two Nascent Souls attacked. Yan Fucheng is fighting them alone." Han Cai yawned and said, "Knock everyone else out to sleep except the attackers. Question the attackers, and find out what family they are from. Once found out, cky, go rob their family. We need money; we are going shopping." After saying what he had to say, Han Cai went back to sleep. Just like the Yan Family had their Yan City, a few thousand miles away from Yan City was Ren City, owned by the Ren family. The Ren family was one of the mostpetitive families of the Yan family. Both families always tried to undermine each other. It was not just the Ren family whopeted with the Yan family. There were the Xie family, the Ma family, and a few other families as well. All these families were within a distance of a few thousand miles from each other. This area they belonged to was called the verdant province. Verdant City was the capital city of the Verdant province. This distance between cities sounded far, but for a cultivator''s family with more than twenty thousand members, it was not much. Because of this, they always had topete for trade or resources with each other, which led to many conflicts. Over the time of a few thousand years, many members had died and suffered on both sides. They conspired and tried every method to weaken each other. Han Cai had been on the radar of all these families since they found out there was a Heaven-grade talent born with dual elemental affinity, and at eight years old, he was the champion of the younger family tournament. All of them had marked Han Cai long ago, but since Han Cai never left Yan City, none of them ever had the opportunity to harm him directly; they used poisons, but nothing happened to this talented seed of the Yan Family. Ren family spies had found out a few weeks ago through servants that Yan Kai was going to Verdant City with a Nascent Soul and golden core guards. The Ren family had a special bone to pick with the Yan family, as one of their Heaven-grade talents had died in conflicts for resources a few years back. They had been looking for an opportunity for a long time. When the Ren family found out Han Cai was traveling by carriage, they sent two Nascent Soul cultivators to Willow Town, as most of the carriages from Yan City passed through Willow Town and stayed there for a day anytime anyone from Yan was going to Verdant City. Today, by misfortune, the Ren family did not realize what kind of diabolical beast they had provoked. In the main treasury hall of the Ren family, a shadow appeared out of nowhere without rming any array formation. The cat raised its paw, and an exquisite earth-grade storage ring appeared in its tiny arm. The cat moved its paws, and all the treasures in the main treasury disappeared. The cat moved and disappeared, reappearing in the inn, in the room in willow town where Han Cai was sleeping. The cat yawned andy down in the corner of the inn. After the cat disappeared, gray Qi appeared in Ren City. The Qi moved and reached the Patriarch of the Ren family, who was deep in meditation and did not notice the gray Qi around him at all. The gray Qi wrapped around the neck of the Ren family patriarch and swallowed the exquisite treasure, a red jade pendant that he was wearing. After swallowing the ne, the gray Qi disappeared. Patriarch Ren, who was deep in cultivation, suddenly opened his eyes and looked at his neck. He found that the Ren family''s heirloom, a Heaven-grade defense treasure, had disappeared, and his connection with the treasure was also destroyed. Patriarch Ren frowned. He got out of his courtyard and looked around but could not find anyone or anything. While the Ren family patriarch was worried about his treasure, Han Cai slept peacefully in the inn. When morning came, Han Cai went downstairs and demanded breakfast. The inn owner, who had recently woken up, had a surprised look on his face. Last night, he had been awakened by some noise but was knocked out for some reason, only waking up in the morning. The owner of the inn was not alone; the whole town had been awakened by some noisest night but had been knocked out. When they woke up, it was morning. Han Cai asked Yongnian to knock out people in the area where the battle was happening; Yongnian took the liberty to knock out the entire town. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 204 Arriving To Verdant City ? Everyone was surprised about what transpiredst night. But no one was as surprised as Yan Fucheng and the golden-core guards. Last night, two Nascent Souls attacked, and Yan Fucheng fought the two in the sky while the guards stood below, protecting the inn. But before the battle could get serious, they were all knocked out, and when they woke up, they were sleeping inside the inn on the floor. Yan Fucheng got up, looked around, and saw Han Cai sitting, demanding food from the inn owner. He looked around to see if the Nascent Souls who attacked were present, but there was no one. Soon, the food arrived, and Han Cai ate a fulfilling meal. After enjoying his food to the fullest, Han Cai said, "I hope everyone is well rested. We will leave in some time; prepare the carriage." All the guards were still in shock. Zhen Long, who was sitting in the corner, got up and coughed. The guards realized they were sitting on the floor, looking too dumb. They immediately got up and looked at Yan Fucheng. Yan Fucheng nodded. Seeing their superior nod, the guards did not question anything and quietly left the inn to prepare for the journey. Han Cai went back to his room. cky came and gave Han Cai the Earth-grade storage ring. After giving the ring, cky jumped on Han Cai''s shoulders. Han Cai moved, trying to push cky away from his shoulders. While Han Cai and cky were jumping around, Yongnian appeared; in his hands, there was an exquisite red jade pendant. Yongnian said, "It''s called Dragon''s Breath. It can generate a protective barrier around its wearer. It''s a Heaven-grade treasure taken from the patriarch of the Ren family. I have subdued the spirit so you can imprint it, and it will protect you." Han Cai gave a curious look at Yongnian, "You went to Ren City too?" Yongnian nodded and said, "cky asked me to. It said it would not be able to steal from the patriarch as it would alert him, so when it came back, I went for a while." Han Cai nodded, took the pendant, and imprinted it. Han Cai was too weak to control this treasure, but the good thing was that Yongnian had already tamed it, so there was not much problem. After imprinting the treasure, Han Cai found out that what Yongnian said was true; the treasure informed Han Cai of its name and what it could do. After giving Han Cai the treasure, Yongnian left, and sometimeter, Yan Fucheng came to inform him that the carriage was ready to leave. Han Cai nodded and followed him. Yan Fucheng gave a curious look to the ck cat on Han Cai''s shoulder but did not say anything. In the carriage, Han Cai checked what cky had robbed from the Ren family. There were more than fifty million lower-grade spirit stones in storage devices, a hundred thousand medium-grade stones, three thousand higher-grade spirit stones, a set of five Elemental swords, and a beautifully crafted pill bottle that had Earth-grade pills in it. There were many other things too, but these were the most useful items in the treasury of the Ren family. The journey that followed for Han Cai and the procession was rtively smooth, with only a few minor hups along the way. asionally, they encountered beasts that would try to block their path, but these were quickly dealt with by the warriors traveling with them. The route they took was frequently traveled by traders, merchants, and cultivators, and as such, it was not particrly dangerous. Many mortals took note of the luxurious procession passing through, but for the cultivators and merchants, it was nothing out of the ordinary. The procession continued on their journey for several more weeks, and by the end of the month, they arrived at the bustling Verdant City. As a major hub for trade and cultivation in the area, Verdant City was an impressive city. The city was alive with activity, with the streets lined with various shops and businesses catering to the needs of cultivators, traders, and merchants alike. It was a ce where people from all walks of life converged to engage inmerce and seek opportunities for advancement. When Han Cai and the procession arrived in Verdant City, they did not attract the same level of attention they had received in Willow Town. In a ce like Verdant City, where luxurious groups were amon sight, the procession blended in with the bustling crowd. Han Cai marveled at the city''s size and splendor, noting that it was twice asrge as the Royal Capital of Yin and twice as luxurious as well. It was a testament to the thriving nature of the Vermilion Phoenix Continent. After entering the city, the group made their way through the streets in search of an inn where they could settle down for the day. Han Cai instructed Yan Fucheng to gather information about the city, as he nned to do some shopping the following day. Yan Fucheng informed Han Cai that he was familiar with Verdant City and knew the locations of the best alchemy shops, auction houses, weapon smiths, and other stores. He also mentioned that most of the city''s top businesses were owned by the Azure Dragon Sect or their vassal sects and ns. After a day of rest, Han Cai embarked on a shopping trip through Verdant City, apanied by cky on his shoulder, Zhen Long, and Yan Fucheng. Their first stop was the Azure Dragon Alchemy Store, renowned for its high-quality alchemy materials. Upon arriving at the massive store, which reminded Han Cai of shopping malls from his past life, they entered while the remaining guards stayed outside. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 205 Shopping ? Inside the store, a beautiful woman dressed in traditional clothing weed them. Han Cai inquired about the location of the best cauldrons and alchemy materials, to which the woman replied that they could be found on the fifth floor of the store. However, entry to the fifth floor required a minimum spend of one million spirit stones. Han Cai nodded and turned to Yongnian, who handed the woman an Earth-grade storage ring containing more than fifty million lower spirit stones taken from the Ren family. The woman''s eyes widened as she examined the storage ring, and her smile grew broader. Yan Fucheng, standing nearby, also looked surprised at the sight of the Earth-grade storage ring. With the necessary spirit stones in hand, Han Cai and hispanions were granted ess to the fifth floor. Yan Fucheng couldn''t believe his master, Yan Rui, had been so generous as to give his great-grandson over a million spirit stones and an Earth-grade storage ring. Even he, a Nascent Soul cultivator, didn''t have such luxuries. Nevertheless, he kept quiet, understanding that Han Cai was the future of their n, and it made sense for the n to spoil him. With a wide smile, thedy led Han Cai, Yongnian, and Yan Fucheng to the fifth floor, where they were brought into a special room and seated. A short whileter, several girls entered and served them beverages. As they enjoyed their drinks, an old man entered the room and introduced himself as Lan Xue, asking how he could assist them. Hearing the name, Yan Fucheng''s eyes widened. This person was from one of the Azure Dragon Sect''s vassal ns, who often used the name Lan. Han Cai requested the best alchemy materials avable. He looked at Yongnian, who took out a parchment listing all the materials they needed. The list included an alchemy cauldron, mortar and pestles, pill manuals, herbs, ores, beast cores, refining tools, jade bottles, alchemist robes, and various other materials. Seeing the list, the old man nodded and gave Han Cai a deep look. The list was borate, and a few items mentioned were ones only proper alchemists would ask for, such as special fuel minerals for creating specific pills. Lan Xue left the room and returned with various quality alchemy materials. Han Cai discussed each material with the old man, having done his homework beforeing to the store. Even though his grandmaster''s innate ability wasn''t active yet, it still made him more knowledgeable than the average cultivator. He asked about every detail of each material, discussing the pros and cons of each. ¦Ń¦Á§ád¦Á---n?¦Ía| §ăom Lan Xue was genuinely surprised by the young kid''s understanding of alchemy and assumed that an elder alchemist must be teaching him. Yan Fucheng, on the other hand, knew that nobody in the Yan household had such extensive knowledge of alchemy. They traded pills and alchemy materials, but those pills were created by other alchemy families, and they merely acted as distributors. So he was surprised beyond belief. Han Cai didn''t like the alchemy cauldron they had on offer, as it was just a normal pill furnace. He wanted a high-quality alchemy cauldron. He asked, "Don''t you have any quality Earth-grade alchemy cauldron?" Both Lan Xue and Yan Fucheng looked at Han Cai with wide eyes, wondering who this kid was to ask for an Earth-grade Cauldron. The old man replied, "No, we don''t sell Earth-grade materials, but the auction house sometimes sells Earth-grade treasures. If you want, I can get you entrance to the auction house. As long as you pay one thousand lower-grade spirit stones, I can secure you a seat." Han Cai liked the life of luxury, so when informed about the auction house, the first thing he inquired about was the cost of a VIP room at the auction house. Lan Xue informed him it would be around a hundred thousand lower-grade spirit stones. Han Cai nodded, and Yongnian produced another storage ring, this time a regr one. The old man took the ring, checked it, and nodded in approval. The old man said, "Please wait for a minute. I will go and transfer the stones and bring the ring back." Han Cai nodded. Sometimeter, the old man returned, handing the ring back to Yongnian and giving him a jade slip, saying, "Show this slip at the auction house, and you will receive the VIP room." Yongnian took the ring and jade slip. After gaining ess to the auction house, Han Cai continued buying materials at the Azure Dragon store, purchasing everything else he needed. Everything he bought was of the highest quality; by the time he was done, he had spent more than twenty million lower-grade spirit stones. When Han Cai was about to leave, the old man took out an azure jade with a dragon carved on it, saying, "Seeing how proficient you are in alchemy, you might have a chance in our sect test for the Azure Dragon Sect. When you reach the sect, show this jade, and they might give you special consideration." Han Cai nodded, took the jade, and left the store. The auction was going to be held two weeks from now, so Han Cai had two weeks to spend in Verdant City. He nned to continue shopping, gathering materials for array formations and talismans. Over the uing days, he went on a shopping spree for a variety of materials, buying Array Diagrams, Formation gs, inscription ink, focusing lenses, formation soils, and every other material he could find. He almost cleaned out half of the stores he entered while buying these materials. After finishing with the array of materials, Han Cai began shopping for talisman materials such as Talisman papers, special ink, beast blood, brushes, and every other talisman creation material he found. Yan Fucheng, on the other hand, was having enlightenment in Dao of heart attack seeing how much the young master was spending. It made sense to him when Han Cai showed interest in alchemy, but going all out on even array and talisman resources was surprising. By the time Han Cai was done shopping, two more days were left for the auction. He nned to rest and enjoy the food of Verdant City. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 206 The Auction ? Han Cai and his entourage arrived at one of the well-known restaurants in the city. The restaurant had three floors, and Han Cai, the rich young master, went to the third floor, which was the most expensive part of the restaurant, to enjoy the meals. Han Cai ordered the most expensive meals in the restaurant for himself, cky, Yongnian and Yan Fucheng. Yan Fucheng kept getting surprised at how rich his master was to give his grandson so much money. Han Cai had made him sit and enjoy the food as well, but Yan Fucheng felt the young man was wasting a lot of money, as the dishes here cost a thousand lower-grade spirit stones per dish. The chef was the most well-known chef in Verdant City, so the price made sense, but to Yan Fucheng, it seemed like a waste of spirit stones. Little did he know that Han Cai was spending the Ren family''s money. While they were enjoying the meal, Han Cai overheard two people in the restaurant talking about the uing auction. One of the men said, "This time, they are auctioning another Azure Spirit Flower after eight years." Han Cai''s ears perked up upon hearing the flower''s name. He knew that this flower could only be found in the Azure Dragon Sect, so it must havee from the sect. Han Cai knew that after reincarnating, he might not be able to awaken all his abilities, even after reaching higher cultivation levels. The Azure Spirit Flower was one of the materials needed to create the Awakening pill. The Awakening Pill was a very rare pill that only the extremely wealthy could afford. It was created by a level five alchemist and could help someone with Mortal-grade talent awaken their full potential. The pill actually helped awaken the potential inside you. Han Cai had eight potentials sleeping inside him, and the Azure Spirit Flower was not enough material. Moreover, he was not an alchemist yet, so there was no way he could create the Awakening Pill. While eating, Han Cai went into deep thought, contemting the possibility of awakening one of his abilities. His theory was that one of his abilities should awaken when he reached the Foundation Establishment stage, but that was wishful thinking. He knew that the quality of his abilities was of the highest grade, above Divine-grade talents, so it might take a while for them to awaken. Han Cai started thinking about how he could get the pill. The Awakening Pill could only be made by a level six alchemist, and any level six alchemist in the Azure Dragon Kingdom would probably work under a grandmaster alchemist. Moreover, the grandmaster alchemist would likely be a member of the Azure Dragon Sect and have a very high cultivation level. This meant that it would be almost impossible for Han Cai to steal the Awakening Pill unless he joined the Azure Dragon Sect. The pill''s rarity and the high level of protection around it ensured that stealing the pill would be an extremely difficult task. Han Cai sighed, wishing he had let Yongnian learn alchemy as well, which could have solved his problem. Yongnian did know alchemy, but it was poison alchemy. He knew how to create extremely potent poisons. Before bing Han Cai''s subordinate, Yongnian, the poison elder, had been well-known in the outer sect of the Sky Soaring Sect. However, after joining Han Cai, he gave up poison arts and focused mainly on death Qi. Poison arts were used for killing people, while death Qi represented death itself. So it was no brainer for him or Han Cai what he should have cultivated. Since Han Cai could not steal the pill, the next best thing was to steal the materials and slowly try to master pill creation. With a Heaven Immortal by his side, he could make Yongnian use his Heaven Immortal cultivation to help him with pill creation, as higher-grade pills required high-grade cultivation. Han Cai had faith in cky, who would get him all the materials for creating the pill. However, the problem was that he had made a rule for himself never to steal from someone or bother someone who did not steal or try to harm him. This country was vast, and he believed cky should be able to find all the materials in some forests and mountains. There was no need to steal them. After enjoying a heartfelt meal, Han Cai and his entourage went back to the inn and waited for the auction. The auction was held at the Azure Auction House, a building double the size of the Azure Dragon Store. The auction was about to begin in the evening, so Han Cai and his entourage arrived early. Another beautiful woman weed them to the auction house. When Yongnian showed the jade slip, thedy became more respectful, understanding that they were VIPs. She took them to one of the VIP rooms on the highest floor. The VIP rooms were very luxurious, and Han Cai found that the Khaleesi Auction House''s VIP room paled inparison. From the room, they could see the massive auction hall and the many seats arranged in it. Han Cai satfortably, waiting for the auction to start. When evening arrived, the auction hall started to fill up with cultivators and aristocrats acquiring seats. Once the hall was filled, the auction finally began. The initial items were minor cultivation materials, and people seated below mostly bid on them while the VIP rooms remained quiet. As high-quality cultivation materials and techniques were auctioned, many people in the VIP rooms began to participate. Han Cai, however, did not need any of the materials, so he stayed quiet. The auction continued, and just as Han Cai was starting to get bored, one item caught his attention: Thunder Iron. This material was extremely useful for creating an array that could deliver a thundering smite to anyone who entered it. Thunder Iron was created by the constant fall of thunderbolts over thousands of years. Han Cai immediately bid double the price and won the auction. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 207 Acquiring The Flower ? The next item that caught his attention was Heavenly Silk. It was a rare fabric that could be used repeatedly for talismans. When talismans are created on talisman paper, the paper can only be used once. Since Han Cai nned to practice talismans for a long time, this material was perfect for him. Without wasting talisman papers, he could continuously try different talismans on the Heavenly Silk. The biddingpetition for Heavenly Silk was less intense than that for Thunder Iron, and Han Cai easily won the auction. After that, Han Cai did not find any material that could interest him until the Azure Spirit Flower was brought out. This flower was not just a precious alchemy material, but it had many other uses too. However, those were not the reason why people bought the flowers; mostly, rich people liked to buy these flowers because of their unique feature that they would not wither for hundreds of years. The flower, only found in the Azure Dragon Sect, was a status symbol for any n who had it. The moment the flower came up for auction, the starting bidding price was set at one hundred thousand lower-grade spirit stones. Only one or two people below in the general public area bid on it. To Han Cai''s surprise, everyone in the VIP room was bidding for the flower. Han Cai joined the fray, and slowly the bid kept rising. When the bid reached 2.5 million lower-grade spirit stones, only a few VIP rooms kept bidding. Han Cai continued to bid, too; when the bid reached five million lower-grade spirit stones, only three VIPs were bidding ¨C Han Cai being one of the three. Last time the flower was sold in the same auction for two million. This time people were being morepetitive. Han Cai gave Yongnian a curious look. Yongnian spoke, "It is a contest between the Young Master of the Hu family, Hu Lei, and the Young Master of the Qi family, Qi Ming. Both want to impress a youngdy named Pei Yao from the Pei family, who has shown a desire for the flower." Han Cai understood why they were bidding so much. The Hu family, the Qi family, and the Pei family were overlords of the area. They had family members who were outer sect disciples in the Azure Dragon sect ¨C since their family members were in the Sect. They were given the freedom to trade in the major cities of the Azure Dragon Kingdom. Only ns of members of the sect were allowed to do business or own businesses in cities such as Verdant City. The Yan, Xu, Ren, Ma, and other ns were nopetition to these three; these nspeted against each other. Specially Hu and Qi ns. They did notpete with the Pei n because the Pei n was known for its two talented daughters. One of them was in Azure Dragon Sect, while the other was soon going to Join the sect. So it made sense that two young masters would try their best to impress the youngdy of the Pei family. Han Cai felt bad for these young men because, due to his involvement, neither of them would win any favor from the youngdy of the Pei family. This flower was the beginning of his journey to awakening his dormant abilities. Han Cai continued outbidding the young masters. When the bid reached seven million, the bidding from both ns started toe in with dy ¨C earlier, they were raising the bid as soon as another bid was made. These young men could not afford more than seven million spirit stones; it was obvious both the Qi and Hu families wanted their Young Master to impress the youngdy, which would strengthen their bond with the Pei family. The moment one of the young masters married the youngdy, two families would be inws, while the third would be at a disadvantage. Finally, when Han Cai bid eight million, both young masters stopped bidding. When the bid was made, Han Cai turned to Yan Fucheng and said, "Go to the inn and prepare the carriage; we leave tonight. I am bored with this city." Yan Fucheng was reluctant to leave, but seeing Han Cai adamant, he left to prepare for their exit from the city. Soon, the Azure Dragon Auction House delivered the beautiful Azure Flower to Han Cai. After the auction of the flower, thest auction was for an Earth-grade material ¨C not a cauldron, but an Earth-grade brush. This brush could be used by Han Cai for both array formations and talismans. Han Cai had to have it, so another bidding war began. This time, the bidding went for sixty million spirit stones. Han Cai won that bid too, and the exquisite brush was delivered to him. When the attendant brought the brush in an exquisite jade box, Han Cai carefully inspected it. The craftsmanship was extraordinary, and he could feel the powerful energy emanating from the brush. He knew that it would significantly improve his array of formations and talisman creations. Han Cai asked the attendant, "Do you know which family I am from?" The attendant shook her head. Han Cai asked, "You don''t keep the names of the guests on a list? Or whose assigned to which rooms?" The attendant shook her head and said, "The rooms are assigned randomly. The only thing we know is you bought a VIP pass for our auction house from somewhere. The rooms are assigned randomly, as sometimes bidding gets intense, and people try to find details about the buyer. Because of that, our house doesn''t keep any details." Han Cai looked at Yongnian. Yongnian nodded, which meant she was telling the truth. Han Cai replied, "Good to know." Just after Han Cai spoke, an invisible gray Qi covered him and cky. Han Cai, cky, and Yongnian disappeared from the auction house. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. p¦Ánd¦Á---no¦Í?1,§ăo§® If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 208 Return ? Outside the auction house, the young Masters of the Hu and Qi families stood near the entrance of the VIP gate, scrutinizing every person that came out. If the person was not from a very powerful background, they would be sending their followers to rob the person. While Young Masters scrutinized the guests of the auction house. Han Cai, Yongnian, and cky directly reappeared at the inn. After dropping Han Cai off in his room, Yongnian went out to call Yan Fucheng. Soon, Yan Fucheng came and informed Han Cai that the carriage was ready. Han Cai nodded, and he left the inn with cky and got into the carriage. The carriage moved swiftly with guards around it, and in no time, they were out of Verdant City, moving back towards Yan City. The return journey for them was uneventful; they did not find any trouble on the way and arrived back at Yan City in a month''s time. After returning, Han Cai went back to his abode. Now that he had all the materials, he nned to practice all three arts. Han Cai gave a few tasks to cky. The first task was to find an alchemist who was not a good person and steal his cauldron. Han Cai was breaking hisw here of not bothering someone that did not bother him, but he needed a good cauldron. e¦Áglesnovel`c,om The second task he gave cky was to find the remaining materials for the Awakening pill but not steal them; he wanted cky to search the forest area instead. While cky left to finish his tasks, Han Cai got himself busy with his daily cultivating, creating formations, and talismans. Han Cai had been practicing them for a while now, but he had not created aplete array or talisman yet; they were just for practice and theory. But since he got all the materials needed, he nned to create a real array all by himself. When Han Cai was preparing to start with his first array, a servant came and informed him that his great-grandpa was calling for him. Han Cai reached his great-grandpa''s courtyard; he saw Yan Fucheng standing outside. Han Cai understood what this was about. Han Cai entered the main hall, where his great-grandpa Rui was sitting on a cushion, as usual, busy reading something. When Han Cai entered, Yan Rui took his eyes off the paper and looked at him. Yan Rui''s expression was serious. He motioned for Han Cai toe and sit. Han Cai went and sat quietly in front of Great-grandpa Rui. Old man Rui spoke, "I got all the details about your journey. I want you to be honest with me and tell me where did you get this many spirit stones?" Han Cai gave an innocent look to Yan Rui and said, "It was you who gave them to me, Grandpa." Instead of calling him great-grandpa. Han Cai called him Grandpa affectionately. Yan Rui''s expression became confused, "When did I give you this many spirit stones?" Han Cai replied, "You didn''t give me the spirit stones directly, Grandpa, but you gave me the jade to learn that Frigid Qi technique. That Grandpa inside the jade gave me all the spirit stones, and he''s teaching me array, alchemy, and talisman creation too." Yan Rui got even more confused, "There was a Grandpa in the jade?" Han Cai nodded and took out the jade that his grandpa had given him. Han Cai spoke, "Grandpa,e out. My great-grandpa wants to meet you." Soon, the jade shook, and an old man emerged from it. In a very awkward position in spirit form, he floated in the air, with Frigid Qi swirling around him. If someone looked carefully, they would notice there was Death Qi hidden within the Frigid Qi. Han Cai said, "Jade Grandpa, this is my great-grandpa Rui. He wanted to know about the spirit stones you gave me." The old man, Yao, from the jade, looked at Yan Rui warily. But seeing that Yan Rui was only an Earth Immortal, he sighed and showed a proud-looking face. Old man Yao spoke to Yan Rui in a proud voice, "Young one, I gave those spirit stones. I am a hundred thousand years older than you. I promised your grandson my legacy; I will make him an Alchemy Grandmaster in the future. But understand this: I had many powerful enemies in my past, so I need to keep my existence secret." Yan Rui''s mouth was agape. There was actually another grandpa in the jade. Before he could say something, Old Man Yao spoke again, "Since you are meeting me for the first time, here is a gift for you. Your great-grandkid will have my cultivation legacy. All my treasures and rewards will go to him, so you don''t need to worry about his resources." Saying that Old Yao moved his hands, and out of nowhere, a storage ring appeared in front of Yan Rui. Yan Rui checked the ring, and there were a thousand medium-grade spirit stones inside. Yan Rui was speechless. After having his say, Old Man Yao returned to the jade, while Old Man Yan Rui stayed shocked for a long time. Han Cai spoke, "Grandpa, see! It was you who gave them to me. I will be learning array creation and alchemy with the help of Jade Grandpa." Old man Rui nodded, looking at his excited great-grandson. He had his own concerns. What if Old Man Yao was helping Han Cai for some ulterior motive? Perhaps he wanted to make Han Cai an expert cultivator and then take over his body. But Yan Rui decided not to take any action for now. First, he would see how things go, and if he sensed any problems, he would take the jade away from Han Cai. No matter how many spirit stones the old man gave, Yan Rui knew there were no free meals in the world. Yan Rui asked Han Cai about his cultivation progress, and Han Cai showed him that he was progressing well. After seeing Han Cai''s progress, Yan Rui allowed him to go back to his courtyard. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 209 Array And Talisman ? Now that things were resolved, Han Cai went back to learning array formations. First, he spent a few days reading and memorizing every part of the array as if he were back in school. When he felt ready, he began preparations to create the array. The array he nned to create was called the Whispering Wind Array. The Whispering Wind Array was a basic defensive array that used the power of the wind to create a subtle barrier around a designated area. The barrier, while not visibly noticeable, was capable of detecting and alerting the user of any intrusions or disturbances within the protected zone. The array was particrly effective against stealthy or undetected approaches, as the barrier generated a gentle, whisper-like sound when disturbed, alerting the user to the presence of intruders. Han Cai started by organizing the materials he needed: a quality array drawing brush, array diagrams, formation gs, inscription ink, beast blood, focusing lenses, formation soils, and other necessary items. Han Cai did not n to use an Earth-grade treasure. With his low cultivation, even if he wanted to use an Earth-grade brush, he could not. Han Cai then took the brush and dipped it in the inscription ink mixed with a small amount of beast blood. Thisbination allowed for a stronger and more stable connection between the spiritual energy and the array. This brush was not as good as an Earth-grade one, but it was still of great quality. With the brush in hand, he meticulously drew the formation patterns on the formation gs, following the array diagrams he had studied earlier. The quality of the brush allowed for smoother and more precise strokes, resulting in a more effective array. Still, it took him five weeks before the diagrams on each formation g wereplete. Once the formation patterns were drawn on the gs, Han Cai carefully ced the gs at each corner of his courtyard. He then used the focusing lenses to channel the spiritual energy from the surrounding environment into the formation gs, activating the array. Next, Han Cai sprinkled formation soil around the area to further strengthen the array''s connection to the earth and enhance its stability. With all the materials in ce, the Whispering Wind Array began to take shape. As the array activated, an invisible barrier formed around his courtyard, powered by the wind''s subtle energy. Han Cai tested the effectiveness of the array by trying to approach it stealthily. As he neared the barrier, a soft whisper-like sound emerged, confirming the array''s sessful creation. Han Cai was very pleased with his first array creation. He was experiencing a moment of euphoria for achieving something on his own. Suddenly, he felt something move inside him. For some reason, his knowledge about arrays improved, and the Whispering Wind Array that had looked soplex to him suddenly felt too easy. Han Cai understood that this was his innate ability''s reaction to his growth. This proved his theory was right; he had to grind continuously if he wanted his innate abilities to awaken. After sessfully creating the array, Han Cai began preparing for talisman creation. First, he started practicing the talismans on heavenly silk. He would keep making mistakes, but he continued trying. After two months of consistent practice, Han Cai felt he was ready to create his first talisman. Just like with the array, he spent a few days memorizing every detail of the talisman. After he hadmitted all the information to memory, he began talisman creation. The talisman he nned to create was called the "Soothing Moonlight Talisman." This talisman was designed to provide a calming effect on the user''s mind, helping them maintain mental rity and focus during cultivation or other high-stress situations. The Soothing Moonlight Talisman was shaped like a crescent moon, and when activated, it emitted a gentle, silvery light that enveloped the user, soothing their mind and easing any tension or anxiety. By using this talisman, cultivators could achieve deeper states of meditation and elerate their progress in cultivation. The talisman was particrly useful for those who faced difficulties in calming their thoughts or who were prone to distractions. Additionally, it could be used in everyday life to help individuals manage stress and maintain a clear, focused mind. First, Han Cai chose a high-quality talisman paper that was sturdy yet flexible. The paper had a unique texture, as it was made from a blend of rare nts and had been refined by skilled craftsmen. Next, he mixed the special ink and beast blood to create a potent blend for drawing the talisman. Thebination of the ink''s spiritual properties and the beast''s blood''s innate energy would imbue the talisman with better effects. eaglesnov?1,§ăo§® With everything prepared, Han Cai focused his mind and began to draw the Soothing Moonlight Talisman. He held a quality brush with a steady hand, allowing his spiritual energy to flow through it. The brush moved gracefully across the talisman paper, leaving behind intricate lines and patterns that formed the basis of the talisman''s structure. He was careful to maintain a steady flow of energy, ensuring that the talisman would be bnced and effective. Once the drawing wasplete, Han Cai reviewed his work, checking for any imperfections or inconsistencies. Satisfied with the result, he began the final step of the process: the talisman''s activation. He circted his spiritual energy and channeled it into the talisman, causing it to emit a gentle, silvery light as the Soothing Moonlight Talisman came to life. Han Cai felt satisfied, and he experienced a simr feeling to when he had created the array. Something inside him moved, and now the Soothing Moonlight Talisman felt very easy to him. If he wanted, he could create hundreds of them without worry in the world. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 210 Alchemy ? After practicing the first array and talisman, Han Cai continued to practice more talismans and arrays. He didn''t start alchemy yet, as he didn''t have a good cauldron. After a few months, cky returned. Although it was unable to steal an Earth-grade cauldron, it still managed to bring a high-quality cauldron for Han Cai. cky had stolen this cauldron from a famed alchemist who was known for aphrodisiac pills. cky also brought two of the five materials for making the awakening pill: Golden Sunflower Root and Silver Moon Blossom. Now, Han Cai had three of the five materials for creating the awakening pill. The only two materials hecked were Heavenly Serpent Vine and Starlight Lotus Seed. Han Cai decided to start learning alchemy, but before he began practical work, he made sure to finish the theory and learn the step-by-step process so he wouldn''t end up blowing things up. While Han Cai was learning the theory of alchemy, his great-grandfather called him one day. Han Cai went to meet his great-grandfather. As usual, his great-grandfather was sitting on a cushion, reading something. When he saw Han Caiing, he motioned for him toe and sit with him. Han Cai came and sat in front of Great-Grandpa Rui. Yan Rui told him, "With some effort, I managed to get into the group of elders who will be going to the Azure Dragon Sect." Han Cai looked curious, "Grandpa, is there some special asion in that sect?" Yan Rui nodded, "Your cousin Yan Pengfei will be participating in the Azure Dragon Sect''s tests for entrance." Yan Rui continued, "You might not have met that cousin of yours, as he is already thirteen. n tournaments are for every talent of the n twelve and below. But he is a Heaven-grade talent too." Han Cai asked, "But wasn''t he supposed to apply for the sect''s test at the age of twelve?" Yan Rui nodded and said, "He was, but before you, he was the most talented young generation of the n. The n had a lot of hopes for him. Before he joined the sect, his parents wanted to make sure he was aptly prepared. The age limitation to join the Azure Dragon Sect is between twelve and fourteen, so he is notte. If he joins the sect, the n will profit a lot from it." Yan Rui continued, "I am going to see how the tests work for the sect, so next time when you go for the tests to join the sect, you will be prepared." e¦Áglesn?¦Íel Han Cai nodded and said, "Grandpa, take a look at the test for alchemy too. I want to join the Alchemy Hall of the Azure Dragon Sect." Yan Rui asked, "Have you already started doing alchemy?" Han Cai replied, "I have just learned a little, Great-Grandpa. I n to be an Alchemy Grandmaster in the future." Yan Rui smiled and nodded, "That''s the kind of aspiration one should have. But don''t ignore your cultivation while I am away. Practice diligently. I want to see good progress from you when Ie back." Han Cai nodded in agreement. After that, his great-grandfather provided more guidance regarding me cultivation techniques before sending him away. Returning to his abode, Han Cai went back to studying alchemy theory. The first pill he decided to try making was the Vitality Pill, which was designed to aid cultivators in breaking through bottlenecks in their cultivation. Han Cai began by gathering all the necessary materials, including a variety of herbs, minerals, and other rare ingredients, as well as his newly acquired cauldron. He meticulously sorted and cleaned each ingredient, carefully weighing and measuring the required amounts of each to ensure the proportions were precise. He then ground the herbs and minerals into fine powders using a mortar and pestle. After preparing all the ingredients, Han Cai mixed them ording to a specific order and sequence he had researched. This was a crucial step, as it would directly affect the potency and quality of the pill. He was careful to blend the ingredients evenly, creating a homogenous mixture. Han Cai then prepared his cauldron, ensuring it was clean and ready to use. He ced it on a sturdy, heat-resistant surface and ignited a fire beneath it. He carefully monitored the temperature to keep it at an optimal level. Once the cauldron had reached the desired temperature, Han Cai slowly poured the powdered mixture into it. He continued to monitor the temperature and stirred the mixture gently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom or burning. As the mixture began to heat up and transform, Han Cai used his Qi to control the refining process. However, his spiritual energy was not enough, so he asked Yongnian for help. Yongnian guided the energy flow within the cauldron, ensuring that the ingredients were fully dissolved andbined. Han Cai observed the changes in texture, adjusting the temperature and stirring ordingly. This stage required great focus and patience, as any misstep could ruin the entire batch. Once the refining process wasplete, the mixture had transformed into a thick, viscous liquid. Han Cai carefully poured this liquid into a pill mold, taking care not to spill any of it. He then allowed the liquid to cool and solidify, forming the Vitality Pills. After the pills had cooled and solidified, Han Cai carefully removed them from the mold and inspected each one for quality and consistency. Han Cai looked at the pills he had created with disappointment. The swirling pattern of gray and white on the pill was far from what he had expected. The pills should have had a delicate, swirling pattern of gold and silver, emitting a faint, soothing glow. The scent of the pill should have been reminiscent of a blend of fragrant herbs, evoking a sense of tranquility and harmony. Unfortunately, Han Cai''s creation was nothing like that. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 211 Vitality Pills ? He stored these Vitality Pills in a jade box, which would preserve their potency and freshness. Han Cai realized that the change in the pill must have been due to Yongnian''s death Qi being too potent. Even though Yongnian had controlled it, the pills had been transformed into something else altogether. Despite the unexpected oue, Han Cai felt something move deep within his soul. He could now create Vitality Pills and as many as he wanted because the core knowledge of it was imprinted deep within him due to his talents. Histent abilities allowed him to permanently master skills like arrays, talismans, and pills as long as he created them once. Han Cai understood the mistakes he had made and realized he didn''t need Yongnian''s spirit Qi to make the pill. His previous errors had caused his Qi to dry up, forcing him to ask Yongnian for help. Now, he could create Vitality Pills effortlessly, even with his eyes closed without any help. Han Cai asked cky to catch an animal for experimentation. The next day, cky returned from the forest with an animal that looked like a Hyena, tied in shadow Qi. Han Cai fed the pill to the hyena. As soon as the hyena consumed the pill, its body began to shrink as if someone was sucking up all its vitality. The hyena cried in pain, but the process was too quick. Soon, the entire hyena disappeared, leaving behind a pill with red marks on it. Han Cai felt bad for Hyena, but he consoled himself that He did this for Mufasa. Looking at the vitality pill that ate the Hyena instead of the Hyena eating the pill, Han Cai sighed. He had created the Vitality Pill, but its effects were the direct opposite of what they should have been. However, he wasn''t surprised by this oue. Yongnian was a poisoned elder in the past and is now an Immortal who has almostprehended thews of death Qi. It made sense that such a reaction would ur. Nevertheless, there was growth in his alchemy skills. Determined to be an alchemy master, Han Cai decided to focus on this skill to enter the Azure Dragon Sect. He divided his time into two parts: diligently cultivating all night and learning alchemy during the day. As he became more proficient in concocting the pills, he avoided taking support from Yongnian, as the effects of his Qi were very negative for the whole process. Time passed, and soon it had been more than six months since Yan Rui, Han Cai''s great-grandfather, left for the Azure Dragon Sect to attend his cousin''s testing. Han Cai had reached level nine of Qi condensation, but his skills had not grown much. They were still stuck at level three. One day, while Han Cai was busy concocting pills, a maid from his courtyard informed Zhen Long that Yan Rui had returned and wanted to see Han Cai. For the past six months, Han Cai had not left his courtyard, focusing on cultivating and learning alchemy diligently. Before meeting his great-grandfather, Han Cai made sure to take a shower and clean up the residue of burning herbs from his body. After bathing and wearing fresh new clothes, Han Cai left his courtyard and walked towards Yan Rui''s courtyard. As Han Cai walked toward his great-grandfather''s courtyard, many servants saw him passing by. Each servant who caught sight of him stared wide-eyed for a while. One of the maids who had served Han Cai in the past hadn''t seen him for six months, as he had only interacted with Zhen Long and another maid who served his food. When she saw him, she almost fainted. Han Cai ignored her reaction and continued walking into his great-grandfather''s courtyard. Upon entering, his great-grandfather Yan Rui raised his head to look at him. When Yan Rui saw Han Cai, even he stayed agape for a while. The reason for everyone''s shock at Han Cai''s appearance was that he had overdone his alchemy practice, trying to manage the mes, which had led to him burning his clothes and hair many times. Presently, Han Cai was bald. Even his eyebrows had been burnt to nothingness. It''s not that Han Cai enjoyed looking like this, but he was not nning to stop just because of this minor setback. He had his priorities straight; he was going to try his best to awaken at least one of his abilities. Yan Rui stayed quiet for a long time before he spoke. "So, you have been practicing alchemy diligently? Any progress?" Han Cai nodded and took out a jade bottle. He opened it, and the smell of herbs permeated the air. He took out a Vitality pill from the jade bottle and showed it to Yan Rui. This was a Vitality pill he had created himself. Seeing the Vitality pill, Yan Rui''s smile widened. He took the pill and inspected it carefully. The more he inspected, the more pleased he became. Yan Ruiughed and said, "Great, you actually managed to create a Vitality pill. My household not only brought up a Heaven-grade talent but a future Alchemy Master too." They stayed silent for a while as Yan Rui continued to inspect the pill. Han Cai then asked, "Grandpa, how was the test for Brother Yan Pengfei? Did he get selected?" e¦Áglesnovel`c,om Yan Rui shook his head and replied, "No, he lost to another twelve-year-old in the third round. The elders and the patriarch were very disappointed. They had paid a heavy price to get him ess to the test of the Azure Dragon Sect." Yan Rui''s cheerful mood became somber. "Every few years, we be hopeful that one of our Heaven-grade talents will get an opportunity to enter the Azure Dragon Sect, and they will be as strong as the top three Hui, Qi, and Pei families. And every year, their hopes are destroyed." Han Cai consoled him by saying, "Don''t worry, Great-Grandpa. I will join the Azure Dragon Sect for you." Yan Rui nodded and said, "Tomorrow, I will take you to meet the patriarch. Make sure to dress up properly." Han Cai nodded and left, returning to his courtyard to practice alchemy. The next morning, Han Cai got ready and arrived at his great-grandfather''s courtyard. Yan Rui was waiting for Han Cai when he arrived. Upon seeing him, Yan Rui motioned for Han Cai to follow him. They took a family carriage that brought them to the main household of the Yan family. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 212 Pleased Clan Elders ? When they arrived at the main hall of the Yan family household, Han Cai noticed many elders present, just like thest time when the poison incident happened and he was brought here. This time, however, he did not stand in the center but at the side. Soon, the patriarch arrived and sat at the main seat while the elders sat on both sides. The patriarch asked, "Yan Rui, was there any specific reason that you asked for a n meeting today?" Yan Rui nodded, got up, and said, "As you all know, my great-grandson is a Heaven-grade talent and has an affinity for dual elements. But I wanted to inform the family that his talent is not limited to just that. My great-grandson has been blessed with some lucky chances and has also received exceptional talent in alchemy." Hearing this, all the elders started murmuring. The Yan family had some medicine elders but no Master Alchemist. Hearing this news, they were all surprised. Yan Rui looked at the door and said, "Bring it in!" Soon, a few servants entered the hall, carrying a cauldron and other alchemy materials. Everything was set down at the center of the hall. Yan Rui turned to Han Cai and nodded. All the elders and the patriarch looked at Han Cai, puzzled by the hairless child. Han Cai knew that his great-grandfather had assigned some servants to watch over him and protect him privately. Sometimes the servants would snoop in to check what Han Cai was up to. Yongnian would inform Han Cai about it, but he would ignore them and continue practicing alchemy. His great-grandfather was aware of Han Cai practicing alchemy for the past six months. His servants had also mentioned that Han Cai had lost his hair and created some pills, but they did not tell him what pills he had created or the extent of his hair loss. That is why Yan Rui was shocked to see thepletely hairless little monk Han Cai with Vitality pills. Because of this knowledge, Yan Rui was sure that the pills Han Cai showed him were really created by him. That is why he decided to showcase Han Cai''s talent in front of the n. It was not just blind faith but because he knew his great-grandson had already mastered the creation of Vitality pills. Han Cai walked forward and began the process of concocting the Vitality pill in the Yan family hall. Now that he had be a master in concocting vitality pills, he did not have to go through the past delicate process. Still, He started by carefully selecting the herbs, but after selecting them, instead of grounding the herbs and minerals into fine powders using a mortar and pestle. He directed them into the cauldron. Now that he understood the essence of this pill''s creation, he was able to skip many steps. Then, he skillfully adjusted the me to the perfect temperature, ensuring that each herb was heated evenly. Han Cai disyed a level of control that was rarely seen, even in Master Alchemists. As the herbs began to blend together, Han Cai meticulously controlled the heat, ensuring that the mixture didn''t boil over or burn. The cauldron emitted a pleasant fragrance as the concoction continued to brew. Finally, as the mixture reached the perfect consistency, Han Cai used a pair of tongs to extract the newly formed Vitality pill from the cauldron. That''s right; instead of ck liquid, he was able to transform the liquid into pills in the cauldron itself without any mold. The pill glowed with a faint, soothing light, and the scent of fragrant herbs filled the hall. When the process was done, and the pill was ready, the whole family of elders and the patriarch were agape. A ten-year-old concocting a Vitality pill was unheard of ¨C this was genius. Also, the realization dawned on each of them why the child was hairless. One by one, they all smiled. Having an Alchemist in the family was like winning the lottery. Right now, the Yan family depended on various Alchemists to create pills for them to trade. If they had their own Alchemist, the family''s strength and ie would be multiplied exponentially. Forget about Han Cai''s value in the future; in the present, he became very precious to the n, as every young generation of the family needed Vitality pills to cleanse their meridians. These pills were very expensive, but now they had someone within the family who could concoct them. e¦Áglesn?¦Íel After the process was done, Han Cai took the pills and brought them to his great-grandfather. Yan Rui took the pills and distributed them to the patriarch and other core elders. The patriarch looked at the pill for a long time, then nodded and said, "This pill is indeed a perfect Vitality pill, but for the sake of the family, I have to ask Rui how your great-grandson came across the recipe for it." Yan Rui coughed and answered, "A few days ago, he went to Verdant City because he wanted to see the city. He showed some interest in alchemy, and while he was trying some alchemy, a Master Alchemist noticed his talent, gifted him some recipes, and also gave him guidance for a few months. It was our good luck that the Master saw talent in my great-grandson, or I would have never known that he had Heavenly talent in alchemy too." The patriarch was satisfied with this response. The recipes for each pill were secrets of Alchemists, and if anyone acquired them by illegal means, it could create problems for the family. But since this recipe was not acquired illegally, the patriarch did not question it any further. The patriarch continued, "The Heavens have not forsaken our Yan Family. This is great news for the family. From now on, the n will supply all the resources Yan Kai needs for alchemy. Also, prepare him; he will join us at the Xu family banquet. We will have some great news to share and celebrate with them." After the announcement of the patriarch, all the elders left one by one, as did Yan Rui and Han Cai. All the elders had pleased looks in their eyes, knowing that all their young generation might now be able to receive Vitality pills. All they had to do was please Yan Rui and bring the herbs. Without paying massive sums to Alchemists, they would be able to receive a good number of Vitality pills. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 213 Progress In Alchemy ? Han Cai sat in the carriage with Yan Rui, and they began to return home. As the carriage moved along, Han Cai asked, "Grandpa, What''s the banquet of the Xu family about?" Yan Rui nodded, "The Xu family and our Yan family are very close. They have a Heaven-grade talent too, who participated in the test to join the Azure Dragon Sect. She and Yan Pengfei are almost the same age, with a year''s difference. So both families decided to form an engagement between the two. But in the test, she was selected while your cousin brother Yan Pengfei was not. She is in Azure Dragon Sect now and will be visiting her n next year, so her n ns to throw a banquet." Han Cai said, "Uh oh...I see a broken engagementing." Great-grandpa Yan Rui was shocked for a while and stared at him for some time before he asked, "Why do you say that?" Han Cai was doubly shocked than his great-grandpa. He couldn''t believe he had spoken that out so casually. He only realized it after saying it aloud. Han Cai coughed and said, "Oh, I just assumed since, you know, she joined the best sect in the country, and brother Yan Pengfei will be joining some vassal sect." Grandpa Rui shook his head, "Breaking an engagement is not that easy; there are marriage contracts. It''s true now that the Xu family, who used to be equal to us, will be equal to Hui, Qi, and Pei family, but that''s why marriage contracts are formed so families can not break them easily. The contract was formed with the blessing of the Azure Dragon Sect. The two are spoken for. Now, if they decide to change it, they will have topensate our family." Han Cai nodded and said, "That sounds about right." Yan Rui gave him a curious look and asked, "What does that mean?" Han Cai responded, "Grandpa, do you know that when heat is applied to dried corn kernels, the droplet of water converts to steam, and pressure begins to build? Once the hull can no longer hold the pressure of the steam, the kernel explodes. The starch inside the kernel turns into white fluffy, crunchy stuff we call popcorn." Yan Rui asked again, "Why are you suddenly telling me about corn and kernels?" Han Cai said, "Nothing, I just wanted to eat it. I like food." Yan Rui shook his head; sometimes, he would forget that his great-grandkid was just ten years old. When he was talking about serious family matters, the kid was interested in food. Soon they reached back to the Rui household. Han Cai returned to his courtyard. e¦Áglesn?¦Íel A few days after Han Cai showcased his talents, the Rui household experienced a significant change. Han Cai was one of the top talents of the n, so the Rui household was already receiving a fair amount of praise from the n members. However, the situation changed even more dramatically after Han Cai showed his alchemy talent. Every core elder of the n personally started visiting Yan Rui, making acquaintance with him and forming closer bonds with the old man as much as possible. The reason being they wanted Vitality pills for the young generation of their household. The Vitality pills were too precious; even the elders who did not see eye to eye with Yan Rui came to make amends with him. Han Cai was generous; he would create a few batches of Vitality pills and give them to his great-grandpa, and Yan Rui would give the pills to the elders in return for resources and favors for his Rui household. Even if Yan Rui gave the pills to every core elder, the Yan family was still veryrge, so the core elders gave Vitality pills only to the top talents of their household. This led to many n members visiting Han Cai as well, but Han Cai refused to see them, giving the excuse that he was busy concocting. Seeing that Han Cai was not ready to see them, they went to his grandfather Yan Bo and his father, Yan Huan, to get some pills too. Somedies of the family came to his mother as well, trying to get the pills. Yan Bo, Yan Huan, and even his mother started visiting Han Cai to get the pills. This irritated Han Cai as they would keep disturbing him, so he went to Yan Rui andined that they would keep bothering him. Yan Rui understood his talented great-grandson''s frustration, so he stopped everyone from visiting Han Cai. He assigned Yan Fucheng to stay near Han Cai''s courtyard so no one would bother him. When Yan Rui banned everyone, Yan Huan and Yan Bo both were frustrated. They had promised a lot of pills to other members in return for favors. When they went to ask Yan Rui for the pills, Yan Rui gave them only two bottles. The two bottles were not enough, as they would be used by Bo household''s young ones only. But they had no choice but to ept the situation. As he had mastered Vitality pills, Han Cai created plenty and fluently. The more he created the pills, the more he became an expert at it. Han Cai made up his mind to try his hand at crafting Medium-grade Vitality pills. These particr pills were suitable for consumption by cultivators who had reached the Foundation Establishment and Core Formation stages in their cultivation journey. At the beginning, Han Cai faced several challenges and failed in his attempts to create the Medium-grade Vitality pills. However, he persisted in practicing and refining his techniques. Gradually, his skills improved, and he became more adept at the process. Finally, his hard work paid off as he sessfully produced his very first batch of Medium-grade Vitality pills. After mastering the Vitality pill, Han Cai started trying other different pills, which included: rity Pill, this pill enhanced mental rity, focus, and memory retention for cultivators during their studies and meditation. Body Strengthening Pill, this pill increased physical strength and endurance, aiding cultivators in withstanding harsher training regimens. Qi umtion Pill, this pill boosted the umtion of Qi in the body, allowing for faster cultivation progress. Spirit Cleansing Pill, this pill helped in purifying the spirit, making it easier to sense and absorb spiritual energy from the surroundings. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 214 Fame ? After trying lower grades of different pills, Han Cai spent time mastering medium grades of those pills. When he mastered the medium grades of those pills, he decided it was time to try moreplex pills, such as Elemental Affinity Pill, this pill enhanced a cultivator''s affinity with a specific element, improving their ability to manipte that element during cultivation. Meridian Opening Pill, this pill assisted in opening and expanding meridians, making it easier for Qi to flow through the body. Soul Nurturing Pill, this pill nurtured and strengthened the soul, which in turn helped cultivators to better resist mental and soul-based attacks. Injury Recovery Pill, this pill helped speed up the healing process for external and internal injuries, reducing recovery time for cultivators. Poison Purging Pill, this pill neutralizes various types of poisons and toxins. This was the pill Patriarch had to buy when the poisoning incident frequented in the Yan n. Energy Restoration Pill, this pill helped replenish energy reserves, allowing cultivators to regain their strength after exhausting battles or training sessions. Han Cai pursued the art of alchemy deeply. The more he tried, the more he enjoyed it. He would be entranced in creating pills and would forget time. Sometimes, he would be so caught up that he would concoct for two or three days continuously. When Han Cai informed Yan Rui that he had created Medium-grade Vitality pills and other pills, Yan Rui asked him to show him the pills. When Han Cai showed them to him, Yan Rui stared at each type for a long time before he flew out of the courtyard and immediately went to meet the patriarch. Another Yan Family meeting was convened. Unlike Lower-grade Vitality pills, which could be used by Yan n internally, there was a great demand for Medium-grade Vitality pills all over the country. And what Han Cai delivered was not just one pill but multiple types of them. These pills could turn the situation around for Yan Family''s trading business as a whole. The next day, the Patriarch and core elders visited Han Cai''s courtyard to see him create Medium-grade Vitality pills and other pills batch after batch. It was like watching a miracle happening right in front of them. When Han Cai was done creating the pills without any difficulty, they all stayed wide-eyed before all of them gave wide smiles. The Patriarch asked, "Yan Kai, how many of these can you create in a day?" e¦Áglesn?¦Íel Han Cai thought for a while and answered, "Each batch, I get around ten, so in a day, I create around ten batches. That should be a hundred." Hearing this, all the elders and the Patriarch gave wide smiles. They had heard stories of alchemy geniuses being born in a family, but they never expected their family would be blessed by one. The Patriarch suddenly turned to Yan Rui and said, "Wouldn''t it be better if your household moved to the Yan main family household?" The Patriarch did not want the whole Rui household to move to the Main household building of the Yan Family, but he specifically wanted Han Cai to move. He had realized Han Cai''s talent was heaven-defying and wanted to make sure the child was protected well. Yan Rui shook his head and said, "I have assigned Yan Fucheng to watch his courtyard all day. No one will try anything." The Patriarch nodded and continued, "Let''s assign a few more elders. This young seed is too precious to us." In the uing days, the Yan family partnered with pill stores and alchemy stores to provide pills. When the pills were brought and given to different store owners, they found the pills very potent and sold them at very high prices. The pills started making noise in the tradingmunity in the area near Verdant City. Everyone wanted to know where such high-quality, potent, Medium-grade pills wereing from. Soon they all found out that Yan Family was the one bringing the pills, and people started to inquire where the Yan Family was getting these pills. The Yan Family did not try to hide the news that their family had given birth to a talented Alchemist who could concoct Medium-grade pills. News of this slowly started to spread, and not just traders but different cultivator families also heard of it. This led to many cultivator families visiting the Yan family. The patriarch weed everyone personally and gifted them some pills that Han Cai had concocted. When they tried the pills, they all felt envious that the Yan family had such an amazing talented Alchemist. A Heaven-grade alchemy talent was equal to ten Heaven-grade talents of any n, as the alchemy talent could uplift the whole n with pills. Han Cai''s pills were more potent because he used two types of Qi when concocting them to build harmony in Yin and Yang. The more people visited the Yan family, the more their name spread, and the more the news of the Yan family having birthed a Heavenly Alchemist in their household. The Yan family started profiting immensely from the sale of the pills. The three thousand pills were supposed to bring around three thousand medium-grade spirit stones, as each pill was worth around one medium-grade spirit stone. However, since the potency of the pill was really high, the price was raised to five medium-grade spirit stones per pill. The moment the pills were sent to the store, they would be sold out. Understanding the value of these pills, the family decided not to sell all of them. The Yan Family decided to send only one thousand pills to the stores, while the remaining two thousand pills Han Cai provided were used as gifts and favors to other families to grow the Yan family''s businesses. Time continued to pass, and Han Cai kept bing more proficient in pill concoctions, with his affinity improving a little every day. Finally, after mastering the medium-grade pills, Han Cai decided to try high-grade pills. The resources for high-grade pills were more expensive, but Han Cai did not worry. He had cky, who went out to look for materials and brought them to Han Cai. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 215 Xu Clan Banquet ? Han Cai began the process of concocting High-grade Vitality pills. As usual, he failed at first, but he persisted. After a few months of trial and error, he was able to concoct a high-grade pill. However, Han Cai decided not to tell the family about the pill. He was already standing out too much, and he did not need more hassle. So, he provided the family with three thousand medium-grade pills. He had be so proficient that he could concoct twice the number of medium-grade pills now, but he still kept supplying the family with only three thousand pills while he spent his time mastering the concoction of the remaining high-grade pills. A year passed, and little Han Cai was eleven now. He had mastered many high-grade pills too. His ability did not awaken, but there was some improvement. The Yan family stabilized its position as a supplier of medium-grade, high-potent pills. They used the pills as leverage and built many rtionships, making the best use of the pills to stabilize their roots in the area around Verdant City. During the Spring Tournament, Han Cai did not have to participate anymore, as he was the number one talent of the family. The tournament was for talents to prove themselves, but Han Cai had already proven himself as a heaven-defying talent. Three Nascent Soul elders of the family watched over Han Cai''s courtyard to make sure that the Yan Family''s Qilin child was protected. After Spring came the Banquet of the Xu family, the Xu family threw a big banquet in Verdant City, celebrating the opening of their businesses in verdant city and eptance of their family''s Heaven-grade talent, Xu Qiaolian, into the Azure Dragon Sect. The Yan family, being inws of the Xu family, had to visit the grand banquet. The patriarch brought Yan Pengfei, his parents, his grandparents, Han Cai, Yan Rui, and some core elders of the Yan family with him to Verdant City. The procession wasrge, and they left Yan City in luxurious carriages bearing many gifts. The procession arrived at Verdant City without any hassle. They rented arge mansion for their stay during the banquet. The banquet was supposed to be in two days, so Han Cai used his time to go meet Lan Xue and get more supplies for his alchemy, array, and talismans. Two dayster, the time of the banquet arrived, and the Yan Family members left the mansion for the banquet in luxurious carriages, carrying many gifts. The Xu family had recently bought a big mansion in Verdant City just for this asion. Now that their family member was going to be an outer sect disciple of the Azure Dragon Sect, they would automatically receive rights to own stores and businesses in major cities of the Azure Dragon Kingdom. To own a business in cities such as Verdant City, one of the main requirements was that a member of the family had to be a member of the sect; then only would they get the rights to do business in major cities of the kingdom. Now that the Xu family had a talent that was an outer sect disciple, they could officially begin to do business in Verdant City, just like the Hui, Pei, and Qi families. Various cultivation families were invited to this grand banquet, which included the Ren Family, Ma Family, and many other cultivation families. The big three families of the Verdant area, which included the Hui, Pei, and Qi families, were also going to make an appearance. These families grew in power because they had family members who had entered the Azure Dragon Sect. Now the Xu family was going to join their fray, so they had to be quick and build a good rtionship with the Xu family. Han Cai was not very interested in grand banquets. The food was always good, but he had a history with grand banquets, which he did not like. He nned to keep quiet during the whole banquet and eat. When they arrived at the Xu mansion, servants weed them and brought them to the big banquet hall. There were many families present already, and there was a lot of hustle and bustle around. The Yan Family members sat in the designated location of the banquet, and guests kept on pouring in. When the Ren family patriarch arrived, one could see the somber look on his face. His family was going through a very rough patch; they had been robbed, and even their family heirloom treasure was stolen. This affected their family business a lot, and the family was putting in a lot of effort to make ends meet, as they were very low on funds. After the Ren family, the Ma family, the Guo family, and many other families arrived. Thest to arrive were the Hui, Qi, and Pei families. The young masters of the Hui and Qi families, Hu Lei and Qi Ming, also came with their families. Han Cai noticed both young masters were around the age of fourteen. The youngdy Pei Yao, whom they both were trying to impress, also arrived. Han Cai could see both young masters looking at her as if she were a heaven-grade treasure. When Han Cai saw Pei Yao, He felt good that he stole the flower from the young masters in an auction. Pei Yao was just an eleven-year-old child. He felt bad for kids of cultivation families. None of them had a normal childhood. No wonder most of the cultivators he met were half psychos. This world needed therapy. After all the guests had arrived, the patriarch of the Xu family went and sat at the center seat of the banquet. Near him sat many members of the Xu family. Closest to him was a young thirteen-year-old girl who was none other than Xu Qiaolian, who had just returned from the sect after a year. She was the star of the show, the outer sect disciple of the Azure Dragon Sect. Her fianc¨¦, Yan Pengfei, was sitting quietly some distance from Han Cai. Soon the banquet feast began. The patriarch of the Xu family spoke, "Today is a very auspicious day for us, the Xu n, as we start new businesses in Verdant City. Our n will be looking forward to your support. We also want to use this moment to celebrate the eptance of Xu Qiaolian, my great-grandniece, into the Azure Dragon Sect. I hope everyone enjoys the banquet." As the patriarch finished his speech, the guests apuded, and the banquet officiallymenced. The atmosphere in the hall was lively, with peopleughing, talking, and enjoying the delicious food and wine. Han Cai, as nned, quietly savored the delicacies in front of him, trying to keep a low profile. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 216 Engagement Facade ? From time to time, patriarchs of different families would get up and wish the Xu family wealth and luck. The patriarch of the Yan family wished them too. After almost all the ns were done wishing, the patriarch of the Hui n got up and wished the patriarch of the Xu n. He said, "It is great that another talent from our Verdant area was epted into the sect. Patriarch Xu, I would like to use this moment to strengthen our rtionship. My grandnephew, Hu Jun, is also an outer sect member of the Azure Dragon Sect. Xu Qiaolian and Hu Jun know each other. Why don''t we use this opportunity to transform our friendship into a rtionship by engaging Hu Jun and Xu Qiaolian?" Hearing this, the color drained from the faces of every Yan family member, with Yan Pengfei''s face losing the most color. Han Cai shook his head and thought, "The broken engagement, here ites." Before the Xu family patriarch or anyone from the Yan family could speak up, the patriarch of the Qi family stood up and said, "Patriarch Xu, we wish you all the wealth and prosperity. As you know, our family has always supported your family. It would be better if we could use this opportunity to engage Xu Qiaolian with my great-grandnephew, Qi Jian, who is an outer sect disciple of the Azure Dragon Sect." Hearing this, the Xu family patriarch was not sure what to say. While many other n members started to murmur, they all knew that the Xu n had a marriage contract with the Yan family. But the Hui and Qi families did not care, as the Yan family did not have any members in the Azure Dragon Sect. They could pull some strings, pay some elders, and get the contract annulled. They were also giving a way out for the Xu family. The Xu family patriarch said, "Building rtionships with both of your respected ns would be a blessing for my Xu family, but first, we would like to discuss it internally within the family before we make a decision." Hearing this, the Yan family members frowned. The Xu patriarch was treating them as if they were air, not even giving them any face, directly saying that he would be choosing one of the young ones from the Hu or Qi family for the marriage of Xu Qiaolian while they had a marriage contract with the Yan family. As the Yan family members were frowning, the Pei family patriarch got up and said, "I wish the Xu family wealth and prosperity too, but I have to speak up. Isn''t Xu Qiaolian contracted to be married into the Yan family? A contract marriage is a sacred contract that shouldn''t be broken so easily. Our traditions are the foundations of our families, and they should not be taken lightly." When the Pei family patriarch spoke up, people started murmuring too. The Pei family patriarch did not do it just out of kindness. Pei family''s daughters were known for their talents, and one of the daughters of the Pei family was also a member of the Azure Dragon Sect. Because of this, the Hu and Qi families had been trying to please the Pei family and get them to marry their talented daughters into their families. But now that the Xu family entered the fray with their daughter, the value of the Pei family would be reduced. The Pei family patriarch did not want that to happen, so he did not mind speaking about the subject openly that everyone was thinking. The Xu family patriarch was taken aback for a while, now that the Pei family patriarch spoke up, especially bringing up traditions which every n took very seriously. If the Xu family married their daughter somewhere else, their n would be looked down upon, as they would be seen as a n that did not value traditions. As long as traditions were not spoken of loudly, it was fine, but now everyone was thinking about how important traditions were for their n. The Xu family patriarch had to do damage control. He said, "Our n values traditions more than anything, but as you know, our daughter has been epted into the Azure Dragon Sect. She will be cultivating in the sect and grow, having a long life. While Yan Pengfei, whom she was spoken for, did not manage to pass the Azure Dragon Sect''s disciples test. It is not that we don''t want to follow the traditions, but now our daughter will have a long cultivation journey ahead of her. For her happiness, we have to consider a partner who could apany her for a very long time." A tense silence filled the room as everyone digested the words of the Xu family patriarch. The Yan family members felt a sense of helplessness, knowing that their position was weak without a presence in the Azure Dragon Sect. The Hui and Qi family patriarchs exchanged nces, both determined to secure the engagement for their respective families. What the Xu n patriarch meant was that his daughter might achieve the realm of an Earth Immortal or even beyond since she had joined the Azure Dragon Sect. Inparison, Yan Pengfei, even with his heavenly talent, might only reach the Nascent Soul stage or slightly above. This was because the resources provided by the Azure Dragon Sect to its members were far superior to those of other sects, creating a gap as vast as the difference between heaven and earth. Upon hearing this, the other n members understood the Xu patriarch''s dilemma. However, the patriarch of the Pei family was not so easily fooled. He spoke up, "I have heard that the Yan family has another heaven-grade talent with dual elemental affinities and a heaven-defying talent in alchemy. If Xu Qiaolian cannot marry Yan Pengfei, the contract can be transferred within the family, so n traditions are not broken. He might get epted into the Azure Dragon Sect, given how the sect admires talented alchemists." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 217 Changed Engagement ? What the Pei family patriarch said was true. Marriage contracts within families were transferable from one member to another, as sometimes young generations died during missions or experienced other tragedies. This rule was formed so that the death of one member would not affect the entire n, as a marriage contract between two talented members wasn''t just about the two individuals but affected the whole n. The patriarch of the Xu family thought for a while and then said, "It is indeed true that we have heard the Yan family has a heavenly seed with a heaven-defying talent in alchemy, but we have not seen this seed, so we cannot make a decision about that." The patriarch of the Pei family turned to the patriarch of the Yan family and said, "Patriarch, I believe you have brought the little one with you, haven''t you?" When he said "little one," he looked at Han Cai with a smile. "Mother F****R," was Han Cai''s silent reaction when the patriarch of the Pei family mentioned him. Han Cai immediately understood that the patriarch of the Yan family was in on the n. The moment Yan Pengfei failed, the patriarch was sure that sooner orter, the engagement would be canceled, as a frog cannot fly with a swan. However, to the patriarch''s surprise, the core elder brought him a "swan" in the form of Han Cai and a n formed in his mind. He went and bribed the Pei family patriarch with arge number of high-potency medium-grade pills, asking him to speak for the Yan family whenever the situation of canceling the engagement came up. The situation had indeed arisen much sooner than he had anticipated. Now, everyone was looking at the eleven-year-old bald little boy with no hair and no eyebrows - Han Cai. The patriarch of the Hu family interjected, "People say that the Yan family has a heaven-grade talented Alchemist, but how do we know that it is true?" The patriarch of the Pei family nodded and replied, "It is the truth, but I understand your doubts. Also, having a heaven-grade Alchemist might affect not only the Yan family but our whole Verdant area. It will be the pride of our whole Verdant area if we could produce a Master Alchemist in the future. How about we have the child concoct a pill in front of everyone on this auspicious asion and find out the truth of the matter?" Saying this, he looked at the patriarch of the Yan family, who nodded in agreement. The Pei family patriarch then turned to one of the core elders of his family. The elder flew out and returned shortly, carrying a cauldron and alchemy materials. Han Cai was surprised at how prepared they were. The cauldron and materials were set up at the center of the banquet. Even the patriarchs of the Xu, Qi, and Hui families were curious. If it was really true that the child was a heaven-grade talent in alchemy, then it was not a bad idea to form a rtionship with the Yan family. The patriarch of the Yan family looked at Yan Rui, who nodded and brought Han Cai in front of the cauldron and alchemy materials. Han Cai sighed and got to work. Han Cai began the process of concocting the pills. He carefully measured the ingredients and added them to the cauldron with a practiced hand. The fire beneath the cauldron was perfectly controlled, ensuring that the ingredients were heated at the ideal temperature for optimal fusion. Han Cai seemed to bepletely in his element, expertly stirring the concoction and adjusting the fire as needed. As the process continued, it became clear that Han Cai was a master at concocting pills. He effortlessly made adjustments to the process, ensuring that every step was executed wlessly. Finally, he finished the process and produced a batch of perfectly crafted pills. By the time Han Cai was done, every n member was wide-eyed, including the Xu, Hu, and Qi family patriarchs. Even the Pei family patriarch was surprised at how amazingly talented this child was when it came to concocting pills. Han Cai had demonstrated the skill of a level that was almost close to Master Alchemist. Han Cai handed the pills to his great-grandfather, who in turn passed them to the Yan family patriarch. The patriarch then distributed the pills to the other patriarchs. Some of them were surprised at how potent and perfect the pills were. They realized that the chances of Han Cai being epted into the Azure Dragon Sect were very high. Even if he did not get epted into the sect, the Yan family would continue to grow with such a talented alchemist in their ranks. Many alchemy ns or sects would offer anything to have him join their ranks. Any n Han Cai married into would have an unlimited supply of pills. The behavior of the Xu family patriarch changed from earlier when he had treated the Yan family with disdain to now when the Yan family seemed like valuable allies. If his niece Xu Qiaolian married Han Cai, his n would be the first to receive the pills. They could have stores in Verdant City and be official sellers of the pills. What his grand-niece was bringing to the table for the Yan family outweighed what Yan Pengfei was offering, but now the tables had turned. What Han Cai brought to the table far outweighed what his grand-niece could provide. Xu family patriarch spoke up, "We Xu family follow our traditions diligently, so we have no qualms against our daughter Xu Qiaolian getting engaged to Yan Cai. We will wait for a year until Yan Cai takes the sect test before we announce the engagement. If the Yan patriarch is fine with it." The reason he chose a year was that he wanted to see how things yed out. Han Cai was incredibly talented and would be the envy of all the families of the Yan family, so perhaps they might try to destroy this heaven-grade talent before he even grew up. So, the Xu family patriarch decided to wait it out before making any decision. He did not want to be known as a breaker of family traditions by breaking an engagementter in case Han Cai died. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 218 Ready For Test ? The patriarch of the Yan family nodded in agreement. In the banquet, everyone went back to enjoying themselves and nning how to strengthen their rtionship with Yan family, who had the future Master Alchemist in their ranks. However, only three people at the banquet were displeased. The first one was none other than Han Cai, who wanted to enjoy the food but had been made the center of attention with aplimentary engagment. The second was Yan Pengfei, whose fianc¨¦e had been spoken for by someone else. And the third was Xu Qiaolian, the fianc¨¦e who was looking at the bald, hairless eleven-year-old kid who was supposed to be her future partner. The three of them each had their own thoughts and feelings about the situation, but for now, they all had to y their parts in the ongoing drama of n politics and rtionships. As the banquet continued, the various family patriarchs and members mingled and discussed their ns for the future. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and a sense of change, as everyone knew that the Xu family now owned a business in the verdant city Xu family would need their materials to sell. The banquet continuedte into the night, and many guests were reluctant to leave, enjoying the festive atmosphere and thepany of fellow cultivators. As the event finally came to an end, the Yan family members returned to their rented mansion in Verdant City, satisfied with the oue, while Han Cai was very unsatisfied. Two lives of experience, and he was yed as a fiddle by these old men. You could never underestimate anyone. Once the less-than-pleasing banquet was over, the Yan Family patriarch led the family back to Yan City. Han Cai returned to the Rui household, resuming his daily schedule of making pills and cultivating. Han Cai had already reached level nine of Qi condensation and was now ready to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. All his techniques were stuck at level 3, but his Instant Freeze technique showed signs of breaking through to reach level four. At level four, he would be able to instantly freeze opponents at a distance of two hundred meters, a significant increase from the current forty meters. This was why level four techniques took time to develop, as there was a qualitative jump in power. Han Cai decided to stop other activities and divide his time between alchemy, practicing Instant Freeze, and cultivating. Now that he had created talismans to aid in cultivation, he used them to speed up his progress. Six months after returning from the banquet, Han Cai broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, with the Celestial Qi in his dantian starting to turn liquid. He was very satisfied with his growth since he had reached Foundation Establishment through his own efforts without any use of the system. Han Cai avoided using the system as much as possible as the temptation if it was too high. Two months after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Han Cai achieved a breakthrough in Instant Freeze, reaching level four. To his surprise, his Sword Blizzard technique also broke through to level four the following month, enabling him to summon six swords, twice the number he could at level three. Han Cai then decided to work on improving his me techniques, as Scorching Chain and Meteor Strike were close to breaking through as well. However, before he could achieve these breakthroughs, his great-grandfather called for him. Yan Rui, sitting on a cushion as usual, said, "I will be taking you to the Azure Dragon Sect for the test. The patriarch and some other elders will be joining us too. Take some time to say goodbye to your mother and father." Han Cai nodded and asked, "When do we depart?" Yan Rui replied, "Next month." After a few minutes of silence, Yan Rui coughed and added, "As you know, once you leave, the family will stop receiving pill supplies for six months, and if you get selected, the supply might stop permanently. So, before you leave, it would be great if you could concoct a few extra pills." Han Cai nodded, then left his great-grandfather''s courtyard and returned to his own, where he began concocting pills for the family. Now that he could concoct high-grade pills, medium-grade ones posed little challenge. Han Cai could easily produce more than five hundred medium-grade pills. A sleeping dragon was still a dragon, and his dormant Legendary Grandmaster Alchemist talent, though dormant, still made him better than ordinary alchemists. Han Cai decided to concoct a substantial quantity of medium and lower-grade pills for the n so the n''s pill business does not go cold turkey. As Han Cai busied himself with concocting pills, the entire Yan n found themselves in a dilemma. Since the n''s beginning, only their ancestor had ever joined the Azure Dragon Sect. Each year, n elders and members dreamed of the day when another n member, someone from their household, would join the Azure Dragon Sect, elevating their n''s status to a major family in the Verdant area. However, year after year, their hopes were shattered as their candidates failed. With Han Cai''s test at the Azure Dragon Sect drawing near, the n members were torn. Yan Rui was determined to see Han Cai join the sect, knowing that as soon as he did, the Rui household would be the main household of the Yan Family, and Yan Rui would wield even more power than the patriarch. However, unlike Yan Rui, the rest of the n was not excited about the prospect of Han Cai leaving for the sect''s test. In recent years, Han Cai had be their cash cow. More than money, the pills gave them a lot of leverage and favors from many ns, businesses, and cultivators. Once he left for the test, there would be no pills for six months. Worse still, if Han Cai were selected, they would lose all leverage, with the Rui household reaping most of the benefits as they would get to open stores in the major cities of the Azure Dragon Kingdom on behalf of the n. While the n would profit, the majority would go to the Rui household. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 219 Departure ? Although the Rui household received most of the pills concocted by Han Cai, the resources were provided by the n, and the patriarch divided the pills equally among the elders. However, once Han Cai became an outer sect disciple of the Azure Dragon Sect, the Rui household would no longer answer to anyone, and they would decide who received the businesses in major cities. While the n was caught in this dilemma, Han Cai took some time off to bid farewell to his father, mother, and grandfather. Afterward, he packed his bags, awaiting the day of departure while continuing to concoct pills. A few days before leaving, Han Cai presented his great-grandfather with two storage rings. The first ring contained fifteen thousand medium-grade pills, while the second ring held around twenty thousand lower-grade pills. Yan Rui was thrilled with his great-grandson''s efforts and gave the pills to the patriarch, who distributed them to the elders the following day. This act temporarily quelled the discontent among the elders, who were unhappy about their cash cow leaving for months. For the first time, most of the family members looked forward to the possibility that n members might not be selected in the Azure Dragon sect''s test, allowing their lives to return to how they had been. A few dayster, the Yan Family procession, including Yan Rui, the patriarch, and a few elders, left Yan City in carriages bound for Verdant City. The Azure Dragon Sect was millions of miles away, necessitating the use of a flying beast or a treasure ship for transportation. During the talent testing season, Azure Dragon Sect elders traveled throughout the country with treasure ships or flying beasts to bring talents from every corner of the Azure Dragon Kingdom. One of these elders was expected to arrive in Verdant City to escort the candidates to the Azure Dragon Sect. However, the journey was not free, and everyone had to pay a hefty sum to ride. Due to this cost, the patriarch decided not to bring Yan Yue along for the test. Yan Yue had already attempted the Azure Dragon Sect''s testst year, but unfortunately, she failed. This year was supposed to be her second try, but due to the emergence of the family''s rarest seed, Han Cai, the patriarch, made a difficult decision. Instead of bringing another talent for the test, he chose to bring an additional Earth Immortal elder to ensure Han Cai''s safety and sess in case any mishaps urred during the test. The Yan family arrived at Verdant City punctually, where a massive treasure ship was docked outside the city. This impressive ship would transport them to the Azure Dragon Sect. Rather than entering the city, the Yan family carriages stopped directly in front of the ship. As they disembarked, Han Cai observed several Azure Dragon Sect disciples dressed in light blue robes with white trim working around the ship. They were taking note of the arrivals'' names and collecting payments. Han Cai deduced that these individuals must be outer sect disciples of the Azure Dragon Sect. A middle-aged man stood quietly at a distance, wearing a light blue robe with a subtle green trim, indicating his status as an outer sect elder of the Azure Dragon Sect. When the Yan family patriarch, the elders, and Han Cai approached the disciples, the disciple in charge of registration noted down their names and asked for a payment of five hundred medium-grade spirit stones, one hundred medium-grade stones per person. The patriarch handed over the required spirit stones, which the disciple epted before motioning to another disciple to guide the Yan family members to their rooms. The treasure ship''s amodations were divided into four levels. Level four was the cheapest option, costing lower-grade spirit stones. However, the chambers were congested, with two people sharing each room. Level three was slightly more expensive, providing individual chambers for each person and spirit food as an added benefit. Level two, where the patriarch had secured a luxury room for the family, offered even better amodations. High-quality spirit food was provided, and the travelers were given a luxuriousrge room connected to multiple private chambers. This allowed multiple people to stay together in rtivefort. Level one was the most expensive option, costing a thousand medium-grade spirit stones for five people. In this tier, each person received their own room with multiple chambers. However, these chambers were not merely for amodation; they included meditation rooms, training rooms, and other facilities tailored to the cultivators'' needs. The Yan family followed the disciple to their level two luxury room, grateful for thefortable and well-appointed space. Yan Rui informed Han Cai that during theirst visit, they had taken amodation on level four of the treasure ship. However, since this journey was of utmost importance, with Han Cai participating in the test, the patriarch decided to indulge a little more and secure amodations on level two. The patriarch had a good reason for this decision: he nned not to let Han Cai out of his and the elders'' sight even for a minute during the entire journey. Incidents sometimes urred during travels, where young members were harmed out of jealousy by other ns. The Azure Dragon Sect''s outer elder refrained from interfering in anything unless it involved the treasure ship or the sect''s outer disciples. Following the outer sect disciple, they arrived at the level two amodations, where they were provided with arge room connected to multiple chambers. The patriarch spoke to Han Cai, "Yan Kai, since it is your first time, you can enjoy the journey as you wish." Han Cai nodded and went into one of the chambers. After Han Cai left, the patriarch instructed the three elders to always have two of them keeping an eye on Han Cai, no matter where he was. All three elders, including Yan Rui, nodded in agreement. Even without the patriarch''s instructions, Yan Rui had nned to watch over his precious great-grandson constantly. The chamber Han Cai entered was simple, furnished with a bed and a sitting cushion. After inspecting the room, he stepped out onto the walkway on the second level, facing the entrance of the ship to see who else from Verdant City was going to take the test. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 220 Blue Scales City ? Numerous families arrived, including the Ren, Ma, and Xu families. Han Cai noticed that the Hu, Qi, Pei, and Xu ns had also arrived. The young masters of the Hu and Qi families, Hu Lei and Qi Ming, and the youngdy of the Pei family, Pei Yao, were also going to the sect. Hu Lei and Qi Ming were both fourteen, making this theirst attempt at the sect''s test. This was Pei Yao''s first attempt, while her sister, Pei Xue, was already a disciple of the Azure Dragon Sect. Hu Lei and Qi Ming''s elder cousins, Qi Jian and Hu Jun, were also outer sect disciples, but as this was their third time attempting the sect''s test, people''s expectations for their sess were low. The Xu n was bringing another seed for the tournament, their daughter had already returned to the sect. The Hu, Qi, Pei, and Xu families also opted for level two amodations, while most other families chose level three. Only the Ren family went for level four. Outer sect disciples from the group standing outside led everyone to their amodations, and the process continued for two more days. After everyone had settled in, the patriarch and Great Grandpa Rui went to greet all the ns, especially the Xu n, as they were going to be inws that year if everything worked out. The outer sect elder of the Azure Dragon Sect announced that the ship would soon depart, so everyone needed to return to their amodations. A few hourster, the ship took off and began its journey toward the Azure Dragon Sect. The vessel made several stops in different cities, simr to Verdant City, to pick up more participants. This process continued for three months until the ship was filled to capacity. With all passengers on board, the treasure ship sped towards the Azure Dragon Sect, covering more than fifty thousand miles a day. However, it still took a month to reach the sect''s vast territory, spanning over five hundred thousand miles. The journey continued for another fifteen days before they finally arrived at the Azure Dragon Sect. The shipnded in the outermost area of the sect. near a city called Blue Scales City. This city was one of the main cities within the Azure Dragon Sect. Since the sect covered an enormous area, multiple cities were situated in every corner of the sect. The Azure Dragon Sect, as the ruler of the entire nation, governed the nation through various cities, including the Azure Dragon City, which was the official capital of government. However, Azure Dragon city was not used to bring talents who wanted to take the test in the sect. Instead, cities such as the Blue Scales City and Sapphire Fang City were chosen for this purpose. Once everyone disembarked from the treasure ship, they were led to the Blue Scales City, where the testing would take ce within a week. Talents who seeded in the tests would be sent to the outer sect, while those who failed would return home with their families. Blue Scales City was bustling with activity, with stores and businesses at every corner and numerous inns avable for amodations. Alongside the regr poption, the city was now filled with elders and talented young seeds from various ns, all visiting for the tournament. The patriarch of the Yan family booked arge room at an inn which was near the outer regions of the city, where the uing tests would be conducted. The room had multiple chambers for them to stay in. Before the patriarch left to register Han Cai for the tests, Han Cai handed him an azure jade with a dragon carving on it. This jade had been given to Han Cai by Lan Xu. He told the patriarch that if he presented the jade to those registering the participants for the test, Han Cai would be registered for the Alchemy Hall''s testing rather than the general tests. The patriarch nodded and took the jade with him. When the patriarch returned in the evening, he was very pleased. Upon being asked why he was so happy, he exined that, thanks to the Azure Jade, Han Cai was approved for the special Alchemy Hall test, which was reserved for the most talented seeds in Alchemy. Furthermore, out of the thirty participants in the Alchemy test, five would be directly selected to be members of the Alchemy Hall, bypassing the tedious process of joining the outer sect and then working hard or paying to join any hall. This news delighted the Yan family elders. They knew that the general tests had fiercepetition, with nearly seventy thousand young seeds participating, and only one thousand being selected to join the Azure Dragon Sect. The Alchemy test, on the other hand, had fewer participants and a higher chance of sess. However, they also understood that Alchemy was no easy feat. It was just that they were fortunate to have an Alchemy talent like Han Cai born into their n. They had never encountered a young Alchemist as skilled as Han Cai, who could create medium-grade pills, which further boosted their confidence in him. With the test set to take ce a week from the day of registration, Han Cai and the Yan family elders waited patiently in their inn. None of them left the inn for a week. As the test drew closer, all the elders, including the patriarch and Yan Rui, grew increasingly nervous. The Azure Dragon Sect was their n''s dream, and Han Cai was their best hope. If he didn''t make it, the chances of their family having any members in the sect in the future would be slim, as they knew their Yan n wouldn''t be able to produce any more talented seeds like Han Cai. The more they thought about it, the more nervous they became. A week passed with Han Cai staying leisurely in the hall, while the elders grew more anxious with each passing day. Finally, the day of the test arrived. Early in the morning, the patriarch brought Han Cai and the elders to the testing hall, where the Alchemy Test was going to be held. It was a grand hall, specifically designed for the annual Alchemy Test. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 221 Test Begins ? Soon, the hall was filled with thirty participants, including Han Cai, and the elders of their families. Three Alchemy Hall elders from the Azure Dragon Sect arrived, apanied by around ten disciples. They were all wearing light green robes, which were the official robes for outer sect elders and disciples of the Alchemy Hall. The elders of the Alchemy Hall announced that the test was about to begin, and all the elders who brought their children went to a side elevated tform with seats and sat down. The Azure Dragon Sect allowed the elders of each n to witness the selection process, there was no mystery surrounding how outer sect disciples were chosen, unlike the inner sect tests. Most of the children present were fourteen years old, with some being thirteen. Han Cai was the youngest in the group, a twelve-year-old, hairless monk-looking child. Soon, thirty low tables and floor mats were ced in the center of the hall. One of the elders of the Alchemy Hall announced the rules of the test. The test was divided into several stages, with each stage designed to assess the participants'' Alchemy abilities in different aspects. At each stage, a few participants would be eliminated based on their performance, until only five were left. The elder motioned, and each participant moved quietly and sat on the mats. In the first stage, participants were handed a written exam to assess their understanding of fundamental Alchemy concepts and theories. The participants were given two papers: one containing the questions and the other for writing the answers. As the room fell silent and pens scribbled on paper, Han Cai remained focused and answered the questions steadily. After an hour passed, another elder announced for the participants to stop writing. The outer sect Alchemy hall disciples went to each participant one by one and collected the papers. After the exam papers were collected, they were evaluated by the three elders. Approximately ten participants who scored below the threshold were eliminated. Those participants and their elders were asked to leave. Han Cai had scored just above the minimum requirement, securing his ce in the next stage. As participants and elders began to leave, the Yan family elders saw the disappointment on their faces. Their hearts quivered, as they had been in this situation way too many times to count. Instead of being happy, they were more nervous about Han Cai passing the first phase. For the second stage, the low tables and mats were removed, and higher tables were ced at the center of the hall. In this stage, participants were presented with a variety of Alchemy ingredients and tasked with identifying their properties, uses, and potentialbinations. Han Cai examined each ingredient carefully, recalling their details and noting them on paper. As the participants finished their evaluations, papers were collected again, and another five were eliminated, leaving fifteen remainingpetitors. Han Cai had managed to identify a sufficient number of ingredients, allowing him to advance to the next stage. The third stage required the participants to create a specific pill following a provided recipe. Shifting from theory to practice, Han Cai carefully measured andbined the necessary ingredients, refining his concoction with precision. The participants were given two hours for this task. After the time had psed, each elder of the Alchemy hall went from table to table and inspected the pills created by the participants. As the evaluators inspected the quality and efficacy of the pills produced, another three participants were eliminated due to substandard results. Han Cai''s pill was deemed satisfactory, ensuring his ce in the next round of testing. In the fourth stage, participants were challenged to create a pill using a set of random ingredients without any recipe or guidance. Han Cai relied on his knowledge, experimenting with variousbinations and techniques. After a period of trial and error, he managed to produce a functional pill. This stage proved to be more difficult for other participants. The elders of the Alchemy hall inspected their pills once again, and after inspection, four participants were eliminated. Han Cai passed this stage as well. With this, the participants reached the final stage. Only eight young Alchemists remained, and the atmosphere in the hall grew tense. The Yan family elders held their breath. The elders of the Yan family watched as Han Cai carefully participated in each test. They were supposed to be happy that he made it to the final stage, but right now, all of their hearts were almost ready to pop out of their mouths. If Han Cai turned around and jump- scared them by saying "BOO!", their hearts might really jump out of their bodies. It was as if these elders were the ones taking the test. In thest stage, the remaining eight participants were given a limited amount of time to create as many pills as possible using the provided ingredients. This stage tested their speed and efficiency in Alchemy. Han Cai worked diligently, his hands moving quickly and expertly between the ingredients and the pill furnace. When the timer stopped, the evaluators examined the pills for quality and quantity. After examining all the pills, the elder of the Alchemy hall made the final call. Three more participants were eliminated due to producing either the fewest pills or those of the lowest quality. Only five participants remained, including Han Cai. Though he had not been the most outstanding participant throughout the test, he had proven his Alchemy skills by consistently passing each stage. When the results were announced, it took the Yan family elders some time to realize that Han Cai had passed. Their family had finally produced a seed that joined the Azure Dragon Sect - the sect that everyone in the Azure Dragon Kingdom dreamt of. They were in a trance for a very long time, but it was not only them; some other family elders and participants were also in a trance. Some of the elders were in a trance for another reason: their child had reached the top eight, and when they thought their child had made it, they failed in the final stage. They had a hard time believing it. Slowly, as the elders of the eliminated participants started to leave, the Yan n elders came to their senses. They got down from the tform and stood near Han Cai. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 222 Selection ? One of the elders of the Alchemy Hall spoke, "From now on, you five are members of the Alchemy Hall of the Azure Dragon Sect. You are talented, but that does not mean our sectcks talents. You need to be diligent and continue working hard." Then the elder looked at the elders of the participants and said, "The general testing will be continuing for a month, so you will have to stay in the city for a month. In the meantime, I suggest registering your ns in the city center as members of the Azure Dragon Sect. Since you are members of the Alchemy Hall, your ns will get more freedom rted to trading Alchemy materials." All the present elders nodded, just like children when they were spoken to. The elder of the Alchemy Hall moved his hand, and five light green jade medallions appeared around him. He moved his hand again, and the five medallions flew towards the participants. Each participant, including Han Cai, caught a medallion. The elder said, "This is the n medallion, proof that your n is part of the Azure Dragon Sect. One outer sect disciple and one elder from the family who will be staying in the n will have to imprint it. This medallion is proof that you are a member of the Azure Dragon Sect. Every major array in every major city recognizes this medallion. It has many other functions, but for now, imprint it, and you can explore the remaining benefitster." Han Cai nodded and imprinted the medallion. The Yan family elders felt a wave of relief and pride wash over them as they witnessed this pivotal moment. They had finally aplished their long-held dream of having a member join the Azure Dragon Sect. Yan Rui was in a dilemma because behind Han Cai stood the patriarch, and behind the patriarch stood Yan Rui himself. The Alchemy Hall elder had mentioned that any elder could imprint the medallion, so even the patriarch could do it. Yan Rui would have to move forward, pushing the patriarch to the side if he wanted to get the medallion from Han Cai. Now, he was worried that the patriarch might imprint the medallion with his great-grandchild. If Patriarch imprinted the medallion the whole Yan Family would benefit, but his Rui household''s advantage would be gone. While Yan Rui was lost in thought, Han Cai turned around and spoke to him, "Grandpa, I have imprinted it." Seeing Han Cai speak to Yan Rui, the patriarch, who was standing behind Han Cai, moved to the side, letting Yan Rui imprint the medallion. In reality, the patriarch did want to imprint the medallion, but since Han Cai had called for his great-grandpa he had to move to side, it made sense since Han Cai was closest to his great-grandfather and would look for him. The patriarch could only sigh that his household had no talent like Han Cai, but he was not disappointed. Even if the Rui household profited the most, Han Cai was their seed anyway, and at the end of the day, the Rui household was part of the Yan n. They were brothers, so even if the Rui household profited, the whole n would be profiting massively too. Now it was just a matter of time before they became equal to the Qi, Hu, and Pei families. Just like the Xu family, they would be buying businesses in Verdant City and bing overlords of the area. Seeing the patriarch give way, Yan Rui moved forward, came beside Han Cai, and imprinted the medallion. After imprinting it, he carefully kept it in his storage ring. This little piece of jade was the future of their n and his household. After the process waspleted, the elder spoke, "After a month, there will be another treasure ship arriving. Take the seeds to the treasure ship; the ship bring them to the sect." The elder moved his hand again, and five storage bags appeared in front of him. The storage bags automatically flew to all five new outer sect disciples of the Alchemy Hall of the Azure Dragon Sect. He said, "These are your storage bags. The Alchemy Hall gives them as gifts to new disciples. Inside, you will find your outer sect medallions, robes, and other items. The medallion is proof that you are now an outer sect disciple of the sect. Imprint it and keep it safe until you arrive at the sect. Wear the robes so people will know you are disciples of the Alchemy Hall, and no one will trouble you." Han Cai imprinted the storage bag and took the medallion. It was a green-colored jade medallion. He imprinted it, as did the other children. After everything was done, Han Cai returned to the inn with the patriarch, Great-grandpa Yan Rui, and the other two elders. On the return journey, all of the elders were smiling happily. They were beyond pleased. In just one day, the future of their n had changed. When they arrived at the inn, the patriarch took out special spirit wine that was more than eight hundred years old. He served the wine to all the elders. Han Cai was interested in the wine too, but since he was too young, he was not given any. Instead, he enjoyed the food that the patriarch had ordered specially for the event. That night, the Immortals of the Yan n drank until morning, celebrating their newfound fortune and the bright future thaty ahead for them. As the sun rose, the elders were still in high spirits, discussing their ns for the future and how they would support Han Cai and the n''s growth. They knew that with Han Cai''s talent and the backing of the Azure Dragon Sect, they would be able to expand their influence and secure a better life for the entire Yan n. After celebration was over the patriarch moved the Yan n members to one of the most luxurious inns in the city. This was the inn where the Hu, Qi, Pei, and Xu families were staying. These inns allowed you to stay only if you had family members in the Azure Dragon Sect. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 223 General Tests ? Han Cai was dressed in his light green Alchemy hall robes when they left the luxurious inn. Today, they were going to register the n as a vassal of the Azure Dragon Sect. With this, they would be an official n of the Azure Dragon Country. When they arrived at the city hall, they members working in hall were all officials from core vassal families such as the Lan n. The process was smooth, and now, as a registered n, the Yan n could purchase properties in any of the major cities. The registration process still took the whole day, and Han Cai had to be present because, with the disciple present, the process was smoother, or it might have taken a longer time. In the evening, they arrived back at the luxury inn. The patriarch was in a good mood, so he asked if Han Cai wanted anything. Han Cai shook his head and told him he just wanted good food. All the elders couldn''t help but marvel at their amazing seed. He was studious, talented, a genius, and never demanded anything from the elders. When they arrived at the inn and went to the dining area, they found the Hu, Qi, Pei, and Xu n members seated together, discussing something. Near them, on a separate table, were seated their younger generation who were participating in the general tournament. Seeing the Yan n enter, the patriarchs of all four families were surprised, but then they saw the hairless child in a light green robe. They stayed wide-eyed for a while. The patriarch of the Yan Family went and greeted all the present Patriarchs. The patriarch of the Pei family was the first to speak, "Patriarch, did Yan Cai get selected for the sect?" T he patriarch of the Yan family nodded, smiled proudly, and said, "Yes, he participated in the special Alchemist test. These tests are specifically set up for the most talented Alchemists, and he was one of the five to be selected." Hearing this, all the families present realized no wonder they did not see the Yan family members in the general tournament. This was the first time they had heard about the special Alchemy hall test. Then again, many of them had already expected that such a talented Alchemist would join a respectable sect, if not the Azure Dragon Sect. The patriarch of the Xu family was pleased, feeling he had made the best investment by nning an engagement contract with the Yan n in future. He decided next year when Yan n throws banquet for Han Cai''s selection he will make sure to get the engagement contract signed. The elders made space for the elders of the Yan n to sit with them at their table, while Han Cai sat at the kiddie table with the younger generation. All the young masters from the Hu, Qi, Pei, and Xu ns looked at Han Cai curiously. They knew about him, had seen his talent at the banquet, but what they remembered most was the bald kid with no eyebrows. Now, this bald kid was a member of the Azure Dragon Sect, while they were still struggling in the test. Han Cai sat at the table, and before his arrival, Hu Lei, Qi Ming, and the kid from the Xu n were busy trying to woo Pei Yao. But now that Han Cai hade, he became the center of attention. They were curious about him because he had achieved what they were striving to achieve. Han Cai did not chatter with the other children. Instead, he ordered tons of food and enjoyed it with heartfelt contentment. If it was earlier, Han Cai would have offended the young masters for treating them like air, but now all these kids had respect for him. He was a member of the most powerful sect in the country. After enjoying his food, Han Cai saw the elders still caught up in chatting. He got up and went to his great-grandfather, telling him he was tired and wanted to rest. If it was before, the elders of other families would have frowned upon a child disturbing their conversation in the middle. The child should wait for the elders to finish, but now things were different. Han Cai was the star of the show; everything the Yan n was going to receive was because of him. So they felt it was not wrong for Han Cai to disturb them. Yan Rui nodded and said that Han Cai could go rest. They were discussing business in Verdant City. The Qi, Hu, and Pei families were discussing the same thing with the Xu family: how to share the pie of the Verdant area. But now the Yan Family had joined the fray, and the pie had to be divided into one more part. In one day, the Yan family had earned the respect of all the heavyweights of the Verdant area. The next day their Younger generation was going to participate in general test, so the elders of other families also sent their young seeds to rest following Han Cai''s cue. When the next day arrived, the Yan family had nothing to do, so the patriarch took them to see the tests with the Xu family. The tests were being held at a massive ground outside the city. When they arrived at the venue, the test was about to begin. They found seats to sit down, and the test was taking ce in the massive ground. There were fifty thousand participants present, and twenty thousand had already been eliminated at the first stage. In the first stage, participants were given a written exam to test their understanding of fundamental cultivation concepts, techniques, and theories. Those who scored below a certain threshold were eliminated, reducing the number ofpetitors to fifty thousand. The theory tests could be taken by all the participants at once, but when it came tobat testing, the process was long, which was why they had to spend a month waiting for the test to finish. The second stage was for Endurance and Stamina. This stage tested the participants'' physical endurance and stamina. They were required toplete a series of physically demanding tasks, such as long-distance running, weightlifting, or traversing an obstacle course. Those who failed to finish the tasks within the allotted time or demonstrated insufficient stamina were eliminated. There were more than a thousand outer sect elders testing fifty participants each. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 224 Arriving At Sect ? Seeing the massive crowd, Han Cai came to realize how big the Azure Dragon country was. The Azure Dragon Sect had more than five hundred thousand members alone. Ten percent of that crowd were outer sect elders, which constituted a whopping fifty thousand. The sect was a country in itself. The members of the Sky Soaring Sect might total around fifty to seventy thousand, and here, just the outer sect elders were around fifty thousand. The process of testing continued until the evening. Most of the notable ns'' young generation from the Verdant City area passed the test, except for a few. Still, twenty thousand were eliminated in this round. Now thebat stage was going to start, which would be a month-long process. Han Cai was bored out of his mind. When they went back to the inn, he informed the elders that if they wanted to go watch the test, it was okay, but he was going to stay and cultivate in the inn for the uing month. The patriarch was not ready to let Han Cai stay alone. Two elders immediately asked to stay back and watch over Han Cai. They wanted to leave a good impression on Han Cai so that when he grew up in the Azure Dragon Sect, he would keep their household in his mind. Yan Rui wouldn''t let that happen. His great-grandson''s sess was the result of his blood and sweat, and he was not nning to let anyone leave any impression on Han Cai. He was very pleased when Han Cai called him to imprint the n medallion, even though the sect master was standing closest to Han Cai. With this, he now had equal power in the n as much as the patriarch. He was not nning to let go of the fruit of hisbors. Finally, it was decided that Yan Rui would stay at the inn with Han Cai while the other elders could go visit the test and see which families were doing well and which families'' young talents they needed to watch out for. For the uing days, the tests continued, and children kept getting eliminated. Soon, the Hu and Qi ns'' two young masters, who were trying to enter the sect giving theirst effort, were eliminated too. The Xu family''s young master was eliminated in the next stage, and only Pei Yao of the Pei n remained. It was no lie when people said the Pei n was blessed with two talented fairies. The final test was a test of Adaptability and Resourcefulness. In this stage, participants were ced in various challenging scenarios that required quick thinking, adaptability, and resourcefulness. They had to solve problems, escape traps, or ovee unexpected challenges. Participants who failed to demonstrate the necessary skills and ingenuity were eliminated, leaving only one thousand participants. Pei Yao was one of the thousand. With this, the tournament ended, and this year, the Verdant area contributed two outer sect disciples for the Azure Dragon Sect. After the tournament, the Yan n and Pei n escorted Han Cai and Pei Yao outside Blue Scale City, where a massive treasure ship awaited them. This ship would take the two youngsters to the Azure Dragon Sect, the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. As they prepared to board the ship, the Yan Patriarch spoke, "Next year, we will send a few elders to bring you back since we will be buying some properties in Verdant City. We will throw a grand banquet, too, in celebration of your eptance into the sect." Han Cai nodded in understanding. But in his mind, he decided he would stay in seclusion for five years until the engagement facade ended. He had no n on getting engaged and getting unwanted responsibility. His great-grandfather, Yan Rui, offered some parting words of wisdom, "Take care of yourself while you are in the sect, and be diligent and hardworking." Han Cai nodded once more, bidding farewell to his great-grandfather and the elders before stepping onto the treasure ship. The journey from Blue Scale City to the Azure Dragon Sect took only one day. When the ship arrived at the outer sect. For the first time, Han Cai was impressed. There was no sect in Daixing that could evene close to the beauty of the Azure Dragon sect. Thending dock where their treasure ship gently moored was a grand spectacle in itself. Made from polished obsidian and iid with intricate gold carvings, the dock represented a stately wee to the sect. It wasrge enough to amodate several ships at once, a testament to the frequent visitors the sect received. The dock was nked by a pair of enormous dragon statues, their azure scales shimmering in the morning light, lending credence to the sect''s name. Their eyes, embedded with bright sapphire, seemed to gaze at the neers with an intense scrutiny, as if challenging them to prove their worth. Beyond the dock, a wide pathway paved with cobalt stones, bordered by lush greenery, led to the sect''s main entrance. The path was lined with cherry blossom trees, their petals dancing in the gentle breeze, painting a picturesque scenery that was breathtaking in its beauty. The outer sect itself was magnificent. Majestic buildings of varying heights spread across thendscape as far as the eye could see. The structures, built from a unique amalgamation of blue jade and white marble, radiated an ethereal glow under the sun. Each edifice was adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and symbols, echoing the rich history and profound wisdom of the sect. Towering above all was the central building, a grand structure of resplendent azure and gold, touching the very skies. Its splendor was unmatched, symbolizing the heart and power of the outer sect of Azure Dragon Sect. It was surrounded by nine towering peaks, each housing one of the nine primary halls of the outer sect, adding to the mystical allure of the ce. Waterfalls cascaded down from these peaks, converging into a pristineke that mirrored the azure sky. The sereneke was dotted with lotus flowers, their vibrant colors adding a dash of vibrancy to the tranquil scene. The harmonious blend of water, earth, and sky rendered a sense of bnce and peace, reflecting the principles of cultivation that the sect propagated. The air around the sect was thick with spiritual energy, making the surroundings feel vibrant and alive. It was a realm that seemed to exist in harmony with the heavens, exuding a sense of tranquility and majesty thatmanded respect. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 225 Basic Pill Department ? The sect was a massive, sprawlingplex that housed around five to seven hundred thousand cultivators. The sheer scale of the ce was awe-inspiring, with its towering structures and majestic architecture exuding an air of grandeur and reverence. Upon their arrival, the disciples were informed that they would be assigned to different outer sect halls after they took tests for them. The Azure Dragon Sect had a total of nine public halls in the outer sect, each specializing in a different aspect of cultivation: Martial Arts Hall focused onbat training and physical cultivation, honing the disciples'' martial prowess and battlefield strategies. The emphasis was on the practical application of martial arts techniques and the mastering of various weapon forms. Alchemy Hall Specialized in the study and practice of alchemy, this hall nurtured disciples to concoct potent elixirs and understand the profound mysteries of medicinal herbs. The ambiance resonated with the deep fragrance of different herbs, reflecting the essence of alchemical studies. Divination Hall was for those interested in prophecy, irvoyance, and divination arts. It guided disciples to unravel the threads of fate and predict future events. The hall echoed with whispers of the unseen, an aura of mystery pervading its every corner. Discipline Hall maintained order within the outer sect; this hall taught disciples about the sect''s rules and handled vitions. It was a symbol of authority, ensuring the sect operated smoothly and harmoniously. Talismans Hall specialized in the study and creation of talismans. Disciples were taught to inscribe various talismans that could assist in cultivation, defense, and attack. Scrolls and talismans of various types could be found strewn across the hall. Forging Hall was dedicated to the creation and refinement of weapons and artifacts, this hall taught disciples the intricate process of artifact forging and weapon refinement. The rhythmic sound of hammers striking metal resonated throughout the hall, a symphony of creation and destruction. Administration Hall managed the administrative affairs of the outer sect. This hall prepared disciples for leadership roles within the sect. The hall was a hub of activity, overseeing everything from resource distribution to the sect''s external rtions. Astral Studies Hall was for disciples interested in studying celestial bodies and astral energies. They were taught to harness the power of the stars and celestial phenomena in their cultivation. The hall was often bathed in ethereal light, reflecting the astral energies studied within its confines. Each hall was overseen by more than 7,000 outer sect elders and housed more than 60,000 disciples. The variety and scale of these halls gave a glimpse into theprehensive learning and cultivation opportunities provided by the Azure Dragon Sect. Beyond these nine halls, the sect harbored several other halls, and rumors whispered about hidden halls known only to a select few. However, to the public eye, these nine were the most well-known, each contributing to the splendor and prestige of the Azure Dragon Sect in its own unique way. Han Cai was already assigned to the alchemy hall. The Alchemy Hall was further subdivided into numerous departments, each with its own specific focus and purpose. These included the Elixir Department, the Pill Concoction Department, the Material Processing Department, the Experimental Alchemy Department, the Herbs Department, and the Poison Alchemy Department. Each department was a veritable powerhouse, overseen by a formidable cadre of around 800 to 900 elders. A staggering 7,000 disciples were assigned in each department. Disciples were assigned to these departments based on their individual abilities as determined by the tournament. Han Cai, who performed averagely in all areas, was recognised for having slightly above-average potential in pill concoctions. As a result, he was assigned to the pill concoction department. The day of his arrival was a hive of activity, with new disciples arriving not only from Blue Scale City, but also from a slew of other testing cities. While Blue Scale City had only five disciples, the total number of new disciples joining the Alchemy Hall from all citiesbined was over a hundred. As their ship touched down, an elder from the Alchemy Hall addressed the selected five. "You five, join the group of Alchemy Hall neers. You''ll be registered and dispatched to your respective halls," he instructed. Han Cai and the others nodded in acknowledgment, disembarked from the ship, and joined the waiting group of green-robed neers and some outer sect disciples. Disciples were promptly registered, their names recorded, and were informed about their respective departments and sub-departments. Han Cai, with his mild expertise in pill concoction, was assigned to the sub-department of the Pill Concoction Department, known as the Basic Pill Department. This department was tasked with developing lower-grade pills. This department had around two hundred elders, each presiding over eight to ten disciples. Han Cai was assigned under Elder Du of the Basic Pill Department. Elder Du had recently lost a few disciples and was in need of new disciples to guide them. Han Cai, along with another disciple from the test, was assigned to him. Amodation was provided to the disciples based on their assigned sub-departments. As Han Cai belonged to the sub-department of the Basic Pill Department, he was allotted a ce in the outer sect disciples'' area of the Basic Pill Department. One of the older disciples took the lead, announcing, "All who are assigned to the Basic Pill Department, follow me." Besides Han Cai and the other disciple, Named He Jun was assigned to Elder Du, and two other disciples were assigned to the Basic Pill Concoction Department. All four followed the outer sect disciple. The disciple led Han Cai and hispanions to another treasure ship. This ship was significantly smaller than the previous one, more akin to a ferry than a grand vessel. The group boarded the ferry, joining the throng of green-robed neers from the Alchemy Department. Each of them was under the guidance of a senior outer sect disciple. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 226 Elder Du ? The ferry was designed to transport disciples to their respective locations within the expansive sect. The sect was so vast that moving from one department to another required flying, and in this case, the ferry provided the means of transportation. Once everyone was aboard, the ship bolted with breakneck speed. Two hourster, Han Cai and his fellow disciples arrived at the amodation area of the Basic Pill Department. The Azure Dragon Sect was not only massive but was also the richest sect. Despite its wealth, amodating the half a million outer sect disciples was an expensive affair. Each outer sect disciple of the Alchemy Department, however, was privileged enough to receive their own small courtyard. These courtyards included a room and a patch of soil at the front and back where they could grow their own herbs. Han Cai felt a certain sense of humility wash over him at being an outer sect disciple once again. The feeling was akin to d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Once they were shown their respective courtyards, the senior disciple instructed them to visit their assigned elders the next day, also informing them of the elders'' courtyards'' locations. Han Cai and Ma Jun, the other disciple assigned to Elder Du, nodded in acknowledgment. After providing all necessary details, the senior outer sect disciple took his leave, and Han Cai and He Jun proceeded to their courtyards. The room assigned to Han Cai was a simple one, furnished with a bed and a cushion for meditation. New disciples were expected to practice alchemy under the elders'' guidance and were not provided with an alchemy room. Han Caiy down on his bed and soon fell asleep. When he woke up, it was already evening. Despite being in the foundation establishment stage and capable of going without food for a month, hunger gnawed at him. He ventured out of his courtyard, asking around for directions to the dining hall. Upon reaching the dining hall, he was taken aback by its enormity. The hall could amodate over two thousand disciples at once. He fetched a bowl, noticing that meals had to be collected from servers stationed around the hall. For Han Cai, who had been served by others all his life in this lifetime and the past one, this experience felt new, making him feel like a pampered young master. Many old disciples were present too, but most of them seemed worn out. It felt like they had worked hard all day, concocting basic pills. Regardless, They ignored Han Cai, and Han Cai ignored them. Hunger prevailed. Han Cai approached the servers and was served a meal of spirit rice and some vegetables. They were not the best food he had ever tasted, but they would suffice for the time being. Han Cai retired to his courtyard after dinner. Since he had slept most of the day, he decided he would cultivate in the night. When morning dawned, he and his fellow disciple, He Jun, made their way to Elder Du''s courtyard. In the Azure Dragon Sect, the elders were given a separate courtyard, far removed from the disciples'' quarters. It was a sign of respect and recognition for their achievements. Each elder''s courtyard was expansive, equipped with alchemy rooms, cultivation rooms, and a vast swathe ofnd for growing medicinal herbs. Upon reaching Elder Du''s courtyard, Han Cai and He Jun saw five other disciples already present. The disciples ranged from thirteen to fifteen years of age, except for one who appeared to be around sixteen. This oldest disciple introduced himself as Shu Tao. "All are here now. Enter," Shu Taomanded, before turning to Han Cai and Ma Jun, "Elder Du''s rules are simple. Follow his orders, whatever they may be." Han Cai and Ma Jun nodded in understanding. The group then followed Shu Tao into the courtyard. They walked through a pathway lined with various medicinal herbs and nts, leading them to the main building of the courtyard. Shu Tao entered first, and the rest followed, with Han Cai being thest one in. The interior consisted of arge hall. Shu Tao informed them that Elder Du would be arriving soon and instructed them to sit. All the disciplesplied and took their seats, with Shu Tao positioned at the front. Shortly after, Elder Du entered the room. He was an old man, his face deeply lined with age, but his eyes held a bright, sharp look that belied his physical years. His hair was a snowy white, neatly tied back, and his slender frame was draped in an elegant green robe. His presence carried the aura of a sneaky old man, and Han Cai estimated his cultivation level to be at least the Spirit Body Realm, just a step away from bing an Earth Immortal. This realization exined why Elder Du was one of the elders of the Basic Pill Department, the lowest grade in pill concoction. Yet, it was surprising that he had attained the position of an elder without reaching Earth Immortal status, as most elders of the outer sect were Earth Immortals. The Azure Dragon Sect''s high standards made it clear that they didn''t ept mediocre talents. Despite this, the harsh reality of the cultivation world meant that many disciples never reached the Earth Immortal stage. Injuries, cultivation path deviations, and even death weremonce. In the outer sect alone, while there were more than fifty thousand Earth Immortals, that number was less than ten percent of the sect''s total poption, despite having the nation''s best resources at their disposal. Upon Elder Du''s arrival, all the disciples rose and bowed respectfully. He took his ce at the main seat and turned to Shu Tao, "Tell me about the neers." Shu Tao nodded, "We have two neers, Elder. Their names are He Jun and Yan Kai." Elder Du listened attentively as Shu Tao provided the necessary background information about the neers. "He Jun hails from the He family in Topaz Valley. He has a cousin already enrolled in the sect they do not have much influence. Yan Kai, is the first from the Yan family of the Verdant area to join the sect. He has no rtives within the sect. His family has no influence," Shu Tao informed. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 227 Labourers ? With a nod of acknowledgment, Elder Du set the agenda for the day. "Today, we''ll be concocting some lower-grade fasting pills. The new seeds can observe. Starting tomorrow, you two will also participate in the process." Han Cai and He Jun assented with a nod. The rest of the day was spent in one of therger alchemy halls, where Han Cai and He Jun observed Elder Du and the other disciples engaged in the art of pill concoction. Elder Du concocted the first batch of pills and then asked Han Cai and He Jun to attempt creating the pills. They both tried in session. The pills they were concocting were lower grade fasting pills. These pills, used as food substitutes by many cultivators, were very tiny. Han Cai easily concocted more than ten pills in a single batch. They practiced all day and by evening, Han Cai had sessfully concocted around a hundred fasting pills. When night fell, they were all sent back to their respective courtyards. Han Cai, however, made a quick stop at the dining hall to satiate his hunger before retiring for the night, where he resumed his cultivation. The following day, upon arriving at Elder Du''s courtyard, they were greeted by Shu Tao. "Yesterday, Elder Du demonstrated a pill concoction for you. Starting today, you two will begin creating low-grade fasting pills. He Jun, you are expected to produce three thousand pills by the end of the month. Yan Kai, your quota is five thousand pills per month. At the end of the month, you will be rewarded with ten spirit stones. If you fail to meet your quota, you will be punished. Each missing pill equates to onesh." He Jun was taken aback. What was going on? Han Cai only shook his head. It was all marketing facade, whatever he had heard about the sect. Upon joining the Azure Dragon Sect, they were promised the world. The best sect in the country, the sect that only epted heaven-grade talents, the sect that ensured them a bright future. They were supposed to receive a generous amount of resources and cultivate. But the truth was, much like other sects, the sect didn''t care much about the outer sect disciples. The only advantage of joining the sect was that their families could establish businesses in the major cities of Azure Dragon Country. It wouldn''t be wrong to say that Han Cai was disappointed, but he hadn''t expected much from the beginning, so he wasn''t as surprised as He Jun. The mention ofshes made Han Cai realize the reason behind Elder Du''s earlier inquiry about their backgrounds. The old man had been determining the extent ofbor he could extract from each disciple, and Han Cai, with no influential background to speak of, was assigned the heavier workload. This realization shed light on the fate of Elder Du''s previous disciples. They were likely overworked or sumbed due to punishments. This is why, when all elders were supposed to have eight disciples, Elder Du only had five. Most of the elders might have been just like him. Han Cai pondered his fate as a supposedly weak heaven-grade talent and what would happen to his n after his death. Upon investigation, he discovered that if a disciple died, their n would still retain the right to trade in the major cities for five years. After five years, if no other heaven-grade talent from the n is selected by the sect, the n would lose all its rights to own businesses in the major cities. Since their primary task was to produce fasting pills, the task was rtively straightforward for Han Cai. Each batch yielded around fifteen to twenty pills. He would finish a batch within thirty minutes, and by the end of the day, he was able to produce over four hundred pills. Things were not the same for He Jun. He Jun did not possess the legendary dormant ability that made concocting easier for Han Cai. After concocting three batches, he was almost out of stamina and Qi. Despite this, he persisted and created two more batches of pills. However, by the end of the day, he was only able to concoct fifty pills. Throughout the month, Han Cai and He Jun spent all their waking hours in the alchemy halls, concocting pills from dawn till dusk. The other four disciples faced an even more grueling schedule, concocting pills day and night with only a break every four to five days. Their monthly quota was a staggering ten thousand pills. To reach this quota, they would even work at night. The despair on their faces made it clear that they dreaded theshes. During their breaks, the disciples gathered in the dining hall. Their faces showed a clear sign of suffering as they sat silently around arge wooden table. They stared at their simple meals, barely making a sound apart from the asional scrape of utensils against tes. The scene was far from the lively chatter and lively life that they expected they would be having with fellow disciples when they arrived at Azure Dragon Sect. Han Cai observed these moments day after day, a neutral spectator to their shared despair. He had heard that disparity brought people together. This was a good example of it. These young seeds, all heaven-grade talents, found themselves as coborers. Their hopeful dreams were reced by the harsh reality of their situation. Their experiences were simr, leading to an understanding and mutual respect among them, even in their silence. Shu Tao, however, remained distant from the group. Han Cai thought about why the outer sect disciples didn''t tell their families about their tough situation. He wondered why they kept their struggles a secret. But then, he figured out that some disciples might have actually told their families. However, their families might not know what to do about it. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 228 Stick And Carrot ? Even if the families were aware of the hardships, would they dare to challenge the Azure Dragon Sect, the group that allowed them to trade inrge cities? They were forced to bnce their personal gains with the wellbeing of their young members in the sect. The sect''s membership gave them respect among other ns. Despite their members in the sect working hard, it didn''t affect the family''s reputation. Having a member in the Azure Dragon Sect was an honor. They might have hoped that their members would withstand the tough conditions, survive, and eventually rise to prominent positions within the sect. If they survived and became stronger, they might even be elders of the sect, giving their ns more power and respect. Han Cai spected that the families decided to keep quiet, allowing their members to endure the hard work. It was a risky situation filled with hopes for a better future. The oue was uncertain, but they were willing to take the gamble. A month went by in the pill-makingbor camp. At the end of the month, Elder Du came to check their work. Han Cai had met his goal of five thousand pills. However, He Jun had only managed to make a thousand. The other disciples also reached their individual goals. During this time, Shu Tao didn''t take part in the pill-making. He was supervising the six disciples'' progress and work. Elder Du was surprised that Han Cai had met his goal. Every time new disciples came for the first month, they were expected to fail and be punished so that they would take their work more seriously in the future. He looked at Han Cai, nodded his approval, and then turned his attention to He Jun and Shu Tao. He warned them that just because they had rtives in the outer sect didn''t mean they were safe. If they didn''t meet the expected amount, his leniency would end. Shu Tao nodded at Elder Du''s warning. Suddenly, Elder Du released his Qi, and He Jun, who had been standing, was pushed to the ground. Shu Tao quickly disappeared and came back with a rope to tie up He Jun. Elder Du moved his hand, and a whip appeared. He Jun received five hundredshes from Elder Du in front of the other workers. When the punishment was over, He Jun''s clothes were ripped, and his skin was a patchwork of red and ck, blood seeping from the whip marks. Elder Du looked at the scared disciples, who seemed too weak to even make a sound. He nodded, satisfied. "All of you have met your goals, so tonight, you''ll get spirit food in my courtyard." He then told Shu Tao to assign both of them ten thousand pills for the next month. Han Cai thought about how the old man punished them first and now would reward them. Shu Tao nodded to acknowledge the elder''s order. Elder Du divided the pills into two storage bags, telling Shu Tao to take five thousand to the pill hall and sell the rest separately. Han Cai realized that each elder was only required to submit five thousand pills a month to the Pill Hall. Yet the elder was making each disciple make ten thousand low-grade fasting pills, working non-stop throughout the month. The understanding of Elder Du''s maniption made Han Cai sigh. This world was a ruthless ce, and an innocent person like him suffered at every step due to its greed. He wondered how he had managed to survive so long in such a cruel world. After Shu Tao left, two kids helped He Jun, putting ointment on his wounds to help him recover. In the evening, the disciples gathered again at Elder Du''s ce, this time for a good meal. When Shu Tao came back, he brought arge quantity of spirit food. It turned out that the sect''s ferrymen, who traveled to the cities and back, were also ck-market suppliers and sellers in the outer sect. Shu Tao had bought the spirit food brought by these ferrymen. The food was shared among the children, and both Shu Tao and Elder Du enjoyed spirit wine. "I know you kids feel this is unfair," Elder Du began, his voice softened by the wine. "But this is me teaching you that life is unfair. You can''t learn life''s lessons without suffering. I''m doing this for your own good." Han Cai looked at the old man trying to justify his actions and manipting these young kids. He argued, "But with this workload, we won''t have time to cultivate." Elder Du''s brow furrowed in response to Han Cai''s argument. "You should cultivate in your free time. Do you think the food in the sect is free just because you''ve been epted? From next month, you need to concoct fifteen thousand pills." Han Cai responded quickly, "If the food in the sect isn''t free, then are you paying for my meals, or is the sect?" Elder Du''s temper rose at this cheeky question. But before he could answer, Han Cai continued, "My predecessors. You worked them to death, didn''t you? Why must all of you cultivators act like viins? Can''t you be more normal?" Elder Du was furious. Han Cai was being extremely disrespectful. "Kid, it seems like you want to meet your predecessors. Your weak family won''te to protect you. I can say you died from alchemy poisoning, and no one will question me." Han Cai, undeterred, asked, "How many kids like me die this way every month in the sect? Can you give me a number?" Elder Du was taken aback by the audacity of this boy. Han Cai continued," I am a naive little soul who keeps facing adversity in this world. I don''t mind others suffering, but how could you not care about my suffering? Old man, tell me this I worked my ass off for you. But you are so cruel drinking wine alone, giving it to only the kid that did not do any work. WHERE IS JUSTICE?" ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 229 Elder Dus Change Of Heart ? Elder Du was both surprised and infuriated by the audacity of this kid. It had been a long time since anyone talked to him in this manner. Suddenly, he felt a chill run down his spine. He looked around and noticed, for some reason, all the disciples except Han Cai were deep asleep. He heard Han Cai''s voice, "Don''t eat his soul. The sect might have measures to check if the elder is alive. Also, question him first so we don''t miss anything." It was then Elder Du realized there was an old man standing beside him. He had not noticed when the old man had actually arrived. Elder Du stared curiously at the old man. Before he couldprehend what was happening, a ck cat walked out from his other side. The cat sauntered to the wine pot, poured itself some wine using shadow Qi, and started licking the wine. Han Cai frowned and spoke, "cky, you never take the initiative to drink my high-grade spirit coffee. But you like his cheap wine." Hearing the mention of spirit coffee, Elder Du saw a shiver run down through the ck cat and the old man standing to the side. Han Cai spoke, "To hell with it, I want some wine too." That was thest thing Elder Du heard before he was swallowed by a gray Qi. When Shu Tao, Ma Jun, and the other disciples woke up, they found Elder Du and Han Cai casually sipping wine. They were shocked to see Elder Du allowing Han Cai such close proximity, even sharing his expensive wine. Elder Du addressed them, "Turns out this youngd is the great-grandson of a distant rtive. He''s my great-grand-nephew. From now on, Han Cai will stay in my abode. Show him the same respect as you show me. He is my rtive." The disciples, initially confused, nodded in agreement, including Shu Tao. Han Cai spoke up, "Grandpa, creating so many pills is too much work. Could you reduce it for us? We don''t get time to cultivate, and the punishment ofshes is too cruel. Could you stop that too, please?" Elder Du nodded, "Since you asked, from now on, each disciple will produce two thousand pills. Use the remaining time for your cultivation." The disciples were stunned, including Shu Tao. They were amazed by Han Cai''s luck to be assigned to an elder who was a rtive of his great grandfather. Shu Tao frowned. When he joined three years ago, he had to endure tremendous hardship before Elder Du gave him the lead position. At first, he despised Elder Du, but with time, he had epted that this was life. Now, suddenly, the elder had a change of heart due to his great-grandnephew. Shu Tao felt a pang of resentment, yet he knew that what the elder had said before was true - the world was not fair. It was not his ce to question the elder, so he simply nodded along with the other disciples. Inwardly, they were all grateful to Han Cai for speaking up on their behalf. As night fell, all the disciples left, while Han Cai decided to reside in Elder Du''s abode henceforth. The following day, when the disciples arrived, they found Elder Du and Han Cai already present. The elder made them sit and began going through the theory of alchemy with them. He also shared some new pill recipes. He exined that they would divide their time into three parts: pill making, learning new pill recipes, and cultivating to increase their own cultivation level. This new schedule was easy for He Jun to ept, but for the others, it was difficult toprehend how their lives could change so drastically. However, since it was a positive change, none of themined. They just hoped that it was not temporary. As the days passed, they came to realize that Elder Du had truly changed his mind. Shu Tao was initially dissatisfied, but to alleviate his dissatisfaction, Elder Du began guiding his cultivation and also gave him a new recipe, which eventually won him over. Sometimes, they would notice a ck cat roaming about in Elder Du''s courtyard. When they asked Han Cai about it, he told them it was Elder Du''s pet. All the disciples had grown fond of Han Cai. His presence had significantly eased their lives, and being the rtive of Elder Du, they strived to establish a good rapport with him. Whenever they approached him for a conversation, Han Cai always responded warmly. Shu Tao, who was still reserved, also made some efforts to foster a good rtionship with Han Cai. Han Cai would entertain the children from time to time. But after that, he would get himself busy in Elder Du''s main alchemy room, which had be his personal alchemy room. He resumed his daily routine of cultivation and refining his techniques. His main priorities were to master all three grandmaster-level techniques, then awaken his legendary, otherworldly techniques, and most crucially, to keep elevating his cultivation level. When he started concocting, since he had already concocted fasting pills many times, he could now concoct around a hundred to two hundred pills in a batch. In general, alchemists used fewer materials and created the pills in batches of ten or twenty to maintain the purity of the pills. Large batches required a lot of precision and skill, not to mention very high effort. But Han Cai, with his ability, once he concocted a pill that became part of his innate ability, he could add as much material as he liked and concoct hundreds of pills in a batch without affecting any potency of the pill. Han Cai nned to start learning and concocting new high-grade andplex pills to improve his ability. But Han Cai faced a new challenge now. The resources for the pills. He could concoct hundreds of any pill in a single batch, but those pills needed materials and resources which needed to be bought with spirit stones. He could not use his savings ount spirit stones in his system storage; he needed new sources for ie and a steady flow of spirit stones. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 230 Plans For Income There were three options for Han Cai . One was to take help from the sect to get spirit stones, the second was to use Shu Tao to sell to the merchants, and the third was to use his n. After long contemtion, he decided to try all three options. He could concoct enough to make money anywhere. He then decided to exclude the sect as he wanted to maintain a low profile. This time he wanted to remain undetected until he had awakened his abilities. When the end of the month arrived, the disciples presented the pills they had concocted, which totaled around twelve thousand for each disciple. This time, Shu Tao also had to concoct pills. Elder Du separated five thousand pills and stored them in one bag, while the remaining ones were kept in a second bag. He handed over both bags to Shu Tao, just as he had always done before his change. Upon inspecting the second bag, Shu Tao was taken aback to find it filled with more than sixty thousand pills. Since most of the disciples were concocting only two thousand fasting pills a month, he wondered how Elder Du had managed to provide this many pills. He assumed that Elder Du had himself started concocting fasting pills too. Shu Tao had fostered connections with some outer sect disciples who operated ferries to various cities. These disciples were in charge of delivering the pills to the merchants outside the sect who procured them on a monthly basis. Shu Tao had been concerned that with the current monthly production of approximately fourteen thousand pills, he would run short of supplies to offer the merchants. However, with Elder Du''s extra pills, he could breathe easy knowing that the supplies were sufficient. Through this transaction, Shu Tao earned some spirit stones too. After the pills were distributed, Elder Du dered a day off for all the disciples to unwind and rejoice in their hard work. As Shu Tao left to deliver the pills, Han Cai instructed cky, "Go follow him, and map out the disciples he contacts and the merchants they sell the pills to. We need ie sources." Han Cai had acquired some funds for now through Elder Du, so for the short term he had extra spirit stones to buy materials. But in the long term, the funds of Elder Du were not enough. Still, Elder Du had amassed a considerable amount of spirit stones over a long period, possessing more than two hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones and over ten million lower-grade spirit stones. While Elder Du possessed many treasures and recipes, Han Cai had a superior collection of everything that he had collected in hisst life, so he wasn''t particrly interested in what the elder had. After the month''s meeting was concluded, Han Cai went back to concocting. He was obsessed with elevating his skills to a level where he could concoct an awakening pill. The idea that the awakening pill could awaken his abilities was only a theory, there was no proof that they would indeed awaken his abilities. But still, there was a chance that it might work - even if the chance was only 0.01%, he had to try. His legendary abilities were his lifeline - the sooner they awakened, the easier it would be for him. However, he was still missing two materials - the Heavenly Serpent Vine and the Starlight Lotus Seed. Now that he was a part of the Azure Dragon Sect, he was confident that he could acquire these materials, provided he was willing to pay a substantial price. Upon Shu Tao''s return from delivering the pills, another feast was organized, during which Elder Du announced, "From now on, every disciple will receive 600 lower-grade spirit stones for their work.." This revtion left the disciples stunned. Six hundred spirit stones was a substantial amount, and Elder Du''s generosity left them even more pleased. Even in their n, these talents did not receive more than fifty to a hundred spirit stones. For the first time, they felt as if they belonged to the right sect, the most powerful sect in the country. Elder Du added, "I am giving you so many spirit stones so you can enhance your cultivation. Don''t ck off. If I don''t see growth in your cultivation, the spirit stones will be taken back." The six disciples responded with vigorous nods of agreement. A few dayster, cky returned. He had tailed the ferry men to discover which merchants they sold the pills to. The following day, Han Cai dispatched cky on another mission. This time, it was a long-distance journey. However, since cky travelled through the shadow dimension, distance was a trivial matter for him. Millions of miles away from the sect. After leaving Han Cai, Yan Rui, the Patriarch, and other elders returned to their n. When n members found out Han Cai was selected first, they were initially disappointed. However, the mood shifted to celebration when the patriarch announced that the n had enough money to open businesses in Verdant City. The prospect of the n buying properties in various major cities and starting businesses with traders whocked the rights to operate in those cities lifted their spirits. The favors they received through the pills would now be returned as the Yan n could provide a ce to merchants in Verdant City where they could sell their products and earn better. Every household in Yan n had its own connections with traders and families. Previously, these traders and families only conducted business outside the major cities of the country. But now, with the Yan n''s own stores and businesses, the n would be thergest distributor of their products and services. In return, the Yan n would receive a portion of the profits from the goods that traders and families sold through their stores. This was a risk-free yet profitable business venture for the Yan n, thus leading to a cheerful atmosphere among the members. Yan Rui was sitting in his courtyard, meticulously going over all the n''s ns. Now, the patriarch couldn''t make any decisions rted to the major cities without Yan Rui''s approval. In the same hall, all his sons were seated, participating and offering suggestions. Yan Bo and Yan Han sat closest to him for obvious reasons. In the Yan family, Rui''s household stood to benefit the most, and within Rui''s household, it was Yan Bo''s family that would profit the most. It was a wise move on Yan Rui''s part to have brought Han Cai in Rui Household. Otherwise, Yan Bo might have be the most powerful in the family, surpassing even his father. However, Yan Bocked his father''s wisdom. Not that Yan Rui was the wisest of them all, but training Han Cai had proven to be one of the wisest decisions he had ever made. The entire n now revered him. They believed that it was Yan Rui who had made this possible, training a heaven-grade talent to such an extent that he was epted into the Azure Dragon Sect. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 231 Helping The Clan ? Seeing how Yan Rui trained his household''s seed to such a level that he got epted in the Azure dragon sect. Now, most of the core elders had decided that if a heaven-grade talent was ever born in their household, they would seek guidance from Yan Rui. While Yan Rui and his sons were engrossed in reading, they suddenly sensed something outside the hall. Yan Rui nced at one of his sons, who stood up to investigate. Outside, he found a household guard who had brought a letter. The son took the letter, which bore the seal of the Azure Dragon Sect, and brought it to Yan Rui. His eyes widened at the sight of the seal. He quickly handed the letter over to Yan Rui, who opened it and read its contents. While reading the letter, Yan Rui''s eyes widened momentarily. He then rose to his feet and flew towards the main family hall. Soon, Yan Rui was seated with the Patriarch, who was carefully reading a letter in his hand. After the Patriarch finished reading, Yan Rui confirmed, "It is not fake, as the letter has the stamp of the elder of the Azure Dragon Sect." The Patriarch smiled, "He is so talented, so obviously, the elder would appreciate him. Since the elder wants to help his n by investing in us, I guess we can trade the pills in the Verdant Area." They both had reason to be happy. The letter was from the Azure Dragon Sect, specifically from Han Cai. It informed them that Elder Du was very pleased with Han Cai''s talent, and when Han Cai requested the elder to support his n. The elder agreed and decided to help Han Cai''s n. The letter requested that the family send a few members to set up a store in Sapphire Fang City and other cities. The elder would be supplying medium-grade pills, high-grade pills, and fasting pills for the n to trade. The earnings from these profits would be divided in two. Half the profit would go to Elder Du, while the other half would be kept by the n. This was Elder Du''s way of supporting the n of the talented individual he had taken under his wing. The letter also mentioned that the elder was sending some funds to help them out. While Yan Rui and the Patriarch were in discussion, cky appeared some distance away from the Yan main household. He transformed into Shu Tao and approached the Yan main household. Every subordinate of Han Cai had his legendary skills, including transformation, except for Han Cai, whose legendary skills had be dormant. When Shu Tao arrived in front of the Yan main household, a guard approached and asked for his identity. Shu Tao did not speak. Instead, he took out the Azure Dragon Sect medallion and handed it to the guard. Seeing the medallion, the guard hurriedly went to inform the Patriarch that someone from the Azure Dragon Sect hade to visit. The Patriarch and Yan Rui quickly came out to wee him, but Shu Tao did not enter the household. He waved his hand, revealing an earth-grade storage ring, and threw it at Yan Rui. Without saying a word, he turned around and left. Yan Rui caught the storage ring and sent his spirit Qi inside. There were five million medium-grade spirit stones in the ring and more than ten million lower-grade spirit stones. Yan Rui handed the ring to the Patriarch, who was momentarily shocked. Yan Rui and the Patriarch were taken aback. They were astounded that Han Cai was so talented that the elder would send someone from the sect to deliver letters and spirit stones. What surprised them even more, was the earth-grade ring and the five million medium-grade spirit stones. This elder of the Alchemy Hall must be incredibly wealthy. It was a stroke of luck for their n that the elder was investing in their family due to the talented seed the family had provided. In the following days, the Yan n prepared more spirit stones to buy properties in several more cities within the Azure Dragon Kingdom. Most of the properties were near or within Verdant City, while some were in proximity to the Azure Dragon Sect, as suggested by Elder Du. Since an elder hade forward to help them, they had to take these things seriously. The preparations were borate, involving a multitude of tasks, from surveying potential properties and negotiating prices to setting up the necessary paperwork for the transactions. The members of the Yan n worked tirelessly, their spirits fueled by the extraordinary opportunity that had been presented to them. Simultaneously, Yan Rui and the Patriarch were in frequentmunication, discussing and strategizing on how best to utilize the spirit stones they had been given. They understood that the elder''s gesture was a rare opportunity, and they were determined to make the most of it. Their ns were meticulous and detailed, covering every aspect of the business. This was the future of their n. First, Han Cai had contemted utilizing only merchants to sell his pills, but he realized this wouldn''t suffice when he had his own n that could assist him. He had ns to produce arge number of pills until his grandmaster alchemist ability awoke, and his n could help him distribute these effectively, and they will earn some ie too. He might be a scoundrel, but he never turned back on people who supported him. He used the elder''s name so the n would pay back half of the profits, which he could use for his resources. When it came to procuring resources for the pills, the sect provided two options. You could either use spirit stones to purchase from the sect or umte sect points by undertaking sect missions. Han Cai was going to need a considerable amount of resources from the Pill Hall, but he wasn''t nning on spending his saved money. Instead, he resolved to use the practice pills to earn spirit stones and then use those spirit stones to buy more resources to concoct more pills, thereby continuously enhancing his alchemy skills. Once his alchemy skill was awakened, he would begin creating the Awakening Pill. Hopefully, the pill should help him awaken his abilities. After carrying out his duties, cky returned to sit on Han Cai''s shoulders. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 232 Settling In Pill Business ? Having resolved Elder Du''s issue and helping the n, Han Cai''s life had be simpler. He stayed in Elder Du''s abode, focusing on alchemy during the day and cultivating at night. For more than half a year, everything ran smoothly and quietly. However, at the end of the seventh month, Han Cai had to make Shu Tao sign a forced subordinate contract with Yongnian. Essentially a ve contract, he used the term "forced subordinate contract" to soften its harsh reality of words. When Han Cai decided to start a new life, he knew he would need loyal people, and only subordinate contracts could give him peace of mind. But he had only a few hundred subordinate contracts. He did not n to waste the precious subordinate contract on Shu Tao. He had prepared some general contracts, such as forced subordinate contracts. He decided to make Shu Tao sign that. Subordinate contracts were respectful contracts, while forced contracts were like beast ve contracts. In the future, Han Cai nned to create specific talismans to get subordinates loyal to him, but since he was busy with alchemy, he had to use the contract he had brought from the past. Han Cai had conscious he preferred if he did not have to take drastic actions, but at the same time, the most important thing for him was his own life. He was not going to be a guiding parent to the rebellious kid. The situation unfolded when Elder Du encouraged Shu Tao to concoct pills. At first, Shu Tao epted the elder''s behavior, and for a few months, he worked diligently as he had before. However, when he noticed that the other five disciples were treated equally just the way he was treated, he grew dissatisfied. The fact that they were earning as much as he was and not receiving any punishments irked him. He had endured a lot of chastisement at the beginning of his apprenticeship before being promoted by the elder. Despite his meager earnings in spirit stones, he felt superior because he wasn''t doing menial tasks like the other disciples. As all the disciples began to receive equal treatment, Shu Tao''s discontent grew. Instead of expressing his grievances, he started secretly selling the pills Elder Du provided to earn some extra spirit stones. With time, he became bolder, selling sixty thousand pills and only returning eighteen thousand spirit stones to Elder Du. He imed that the oversupply of pills from other alchemists on the market had forced him to reduce the prices while he pocketed the remaining two thousand spirit stones for himself. When Elder Du informed Han Cai of Shu Tao''s actions, Han Cai felt sorry for the boy. He didn''t want to harm him, but he couldn''t allow Shu Tao''s unpredictable behavior to interfere with his ns. Han Cai suggested to Elder Du to test the boy a few more times and, if he continued stealing, give him a forced subordinate contract instead of taking his life. Han Cai understood that Shu Tao was probably just being a typical rebellious teenager. But in the world of cultivation, such luxury wasn''t affordable. If it had been the old Elder Du, he might have killed the boy. Han Cai wasn''t going to let anyoneplicate his peaceful life. Elder Du tested Shu Tao a few more times by sending him to sell pills, and Shu Tao stole again. Ultimately, Han Cai concluded that the best course of action was to make Shu Tao a forced subordinate. Shu Tao was useful with his connection to the outer sect he could take care of a lot chores for Han. Han Cai had considered making Real Elder Du his subordinate too, but he ultimately decided against it, knowing that the experienced Elder Du was an elder of the Azure Dragon Sect. The sect likely had countermeasures in ce for such situations. He didn''t want to take unnecessary risks. However, with Shu Tao, a sixteen-year-old neer to the sect, felt confident that there would be no issues. After Shu Tao became a forced subordinate of Yongnian, things returned to normal. By this point, the Yan Family had purchased significant properties in several major cities, including Sapphire Fang City. They received a letter from the family saying that everything was set up in Sapphire Fang City and a few other locations. The following day, Elder Du sent Shu Tao to Sapphire Fang City with all the pills Han Cai had been concocting. Han Cai had been working tirelessly for a long time, producing nearly fifteen thousand medium-grade pills monthly and around a hundred high-grade pills per month. The shipment contained over a hundred thousand medium-grade pills, about seven hundred high-grade pills, and around a hundred thousand fasting pills. It was a massive quantity of pills, but they were to be distributed across many distant major cities, ensuring that the market would not be saturated. Shu Tao took the pills and journeyed to Sapphire Fang City. The city was roughly the same distance away as Blue Scales City, so it took him about a day to arrive. Yan Bo , who had been dispatched by Yan Rui, received the delivery. Stunned by the enormous number of pills, Yan Bo returned Elder Du''s earth-grade storage ring to Shu Tao while carefully stowing away the pills. After making the delivery, Shu Tao met with some other merchants and sold them some pills before returning to the sect. Han Cai had produced an enormous quantity of pills that he nned to distribute and build rtionships with other merchants. Yan Bo, holding the enormous quantity of pills, returned to Yan City. The n then distributed the pills to their core elders, instructing them to send the pills to their respective households assigned with the task of managing the stores and businesses in the different cities. With this, the Yan Family officially entered the business of alchemy in the major cities near the Verdant Area and some significant cities near the Azure Dragon Sect. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 233 Longevity Pill ? Time continued to flow, and a year passed since Han Cai joined the Azure Dragon Sect. His constant practice of alchemy led to continuous growth. He experimented with new types of pills, but his progress came to a halt when he decided to attempt high-grade longevity pills. This new challenge proved to be a significant hurdle. The Longevity Pill was a high-level medicinal pill that was often sought after by cultivators, particrly those nearing the end of their lifespan. The pill could even help mortals increase their lifespan. But this pill was the mostplex one Han Cai hade across, besides the Awakening Pill. When consumed, the Longevity Pill increases the cultivator''s lifespan by nourishing their life essence and slowing the process of aging. It does so by reinforcing the cultivator''s life force, repairing and enhancing their meridians and internal organs, and improving their body''s ability to absorb and utilize spiritual energy. The effect of Longevity Pills was more potent for mortals. The effect of the Longevity Pill could vary based on the cultivator''s body constitution, cultivation level, and the quality of the pill. This pill was one of the most sought-out pills for obvious reasons, but the process of creating the pill was more thanplex. The ingredients of the pills were equally expensive; it required a hundred-year-old purple ginseng, hundreds of years old spirit mushrooms, elite beast bone marrow, and many other expensive materials. Han Cai could afford it because business had started to do well. His pills were very potent because of the Yin and Yang harmony, where he used me Qi and freezing Qi both. The Yan n was good at promoting their products, and now they had started to be a brand. Every pill of his brought ten times the ie of what he spent on materials. The Yan n would make sure to send half of the profits on a monthly basis; they would also acquire the best materials,recipes and send them to Han Cai. The Longevity Pill recipe was something they got through one of the business dealings, where one of the important members of the Gao n needed a high-grade Poison Purging Pill. This n used to be one of the biggest ns in the past, as their ancestor was an alchemy master, but after the ancestor passed away, the n was not able to birth high-grade alchemists again. Slowly, the alchemists in the n kept reducing. At one point, the n had no more alchemists, and the n was not doing well financially. So, the Yan n made a deal with the Gao n. The Yan n offered them not just the Poison Purging Pill but many pills that could help in cultivation and even help them financially. In return, the Yan n would get the recipe of the Gao n. When Han Cai received the recipes, he was not impressed until he saw the Longevity Pill recipe. This recipe was a high-grade pill recipe that the master alchemist of the Gao n must have acquired by a lucky chance. Han Cai was very pleased. He decided to send cky to get the ingredients; he also sent Elder Du and asked the Yan n to get the ingredients if they found any. These were very special materials, not easy toe by. One high-grade Longevity Pill could add a hundred years to the life of a cultivator. If Han Cai seeded in creating these pills, each pill would be sold for more than hundreds thousand medium-grade spirit stones. But this was one of the hardest pills to make. Han Cai had failed and wasted almost ten batches of these materials; he did not have the heart to waste any more resources. Today he was sitting in the Alchemy Hall, not making pills, with cky sitting on his bald head. He had burnt the roots of his hair trying to cultivate mes; he did not know when his hair would grow back. Han Cai had decided if it didn''te back even after reaching the Core Formation stage, he would maybe create some pill for hair growth. For now, cky was his toupee. Han Cai was in deep contemtion about how he should seed in making this pill. He pondered why, even though he had talent in cultivation in this life and legendary grandmaster skills lying dormant within him, he hadn''t had an epiphany or enlightenment like many others had. He was grinding and failing with such expensive materials, and even his past life knowledge was not there to assist him. He rarely had any Eureka moments in any of his past lives, and this pill was frustrating him. Suddenly his mind buzzed; Han Cai had a Eureka moment thinking about Eureka moment. Han Cai began to ponder over the concept of alchemy as it was perceived on Earth. Alchemists were not pill concoctors, but they were dedicated to the pursuit of understanding the fundamental principles of the universe. Their goal was to discover the Philosopher''s Stone, a legendary substance that held power to transmute base metals into gold and possibly even bestow immortality. Han Cai considered how, in Earth''s history, the process of alchemical transmutation was a deeply symbolic one, full of spiritual and philosophical implications. Alchemists believed that, much like refining a crude ore into a precious metal, an individual could achieve personal refinement and evolution through a simr process of spiritual alchemy. This enlightenment inspired Han Cai to view his pill concoction art from apletely different perspective. He realized that, instead of merely focusing on the literal creation of pills, he could delve deeper into the essence of the materials he used, their spiritual and elemental qualities. He could explore the rtionships and reactions between different substances at a much more profound level. For instance, he could study the properties of various spirit herbs, their individual affinities with the different elements, and how these affinities could affect the resulting pills. He could also explore the varying effects of different refining techniques, each technique potentially enhancing or altering the qualities of the concocted pill. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 234 Semi-Dormant Array Ability ? Han Cai murmured, "Elder Du." The moment he spoke, Elder Du appeared out of thin air in front of him. Han Cai spoke again, "Go to the library, find me all books and scrolls that mention purple ginseng, spirit mushrooms, beast marrow, and all the materials needed for the Longevity Pill." He spoke once more, "cky, go out and find whatever books and scrolls you can. Bring me everything rted to these materials." cky, sitting on his bald head, yawned and disappeared. Han Cai went back to concocting. He made normal medium-grade pills. Besides wasting his time on making Longevity Pills, he made sure to practice normal medium-grade and high-grade pills. His n had made some good money and hired some low-grade alchemists to create pills, but those pills were only low-level pills. The n heavily depended on him for medium-grade and high-grade pills. These pills were the reason the n was flourishing day by day. Elder Du arrived with all the books on the same day, while cky took a few weeks. Han Cai studied the properties of each ingredient deeply. After understanding their properties, he went deeper and studied their chemistry. Chemistry was his Eureka moment. On Earth, there was an elements table; almost all beings and everything on Earth was made of those elements. He wondered if he could figure out the elements and the chemistry, he might not have to depend on these expensive materials. If you wanted water, you could get it from hydrogen and oxygen, but sometimes if you couldn''t find just hydrogen and oxygen, you could take hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, extract the hydrogen and oxygen from them, and make water from two harmful acids. It was all about understanding the elements. But to do this, he had to set up a modernb as normal alchemy concoction wouldn''t help him. Han Cai was prepared when he decided that he would not use the system in his next life. He had prepared and stored all the knowledge regarding physics, chemistry, math, and other subjects in storage, taking it from the system in case such a requirement arose. He had a grand library of knowledge in one of the Earth-grade rings in system storage. Be it trigonometry or theory of rtivity, he had used exchange points to obtain every knowledge. If he wanted, he could create anything from a normal gun to a nuclear bomb. He did not think he would be setting up a chemistryb in the future, but nevertheless, he was prepared. But before setting up theb, Han Cai had to make sure that no one should be able to find it. This led to him working on arrays first before he could start with alchemy. The array Han Cai decided to create was a form of concealment array, designed to hide theb from prying eyes, even those of Venerate Realm cultivators. He decided to call this the "Veil of Obscurity Array". Creating this array was aplex process that needed careful nning and execution. First, Han Caiid out the design of the array on a parchment, marking key points and channels where the spiritual Qi needed to flow. The array was intricate, filled with countless interconnections and carefully nned nodes. Each line and dot had to be drawn urately, as even a small mistake could render the array useless or worse, backfire on activation. After finishing the design, Han Cai started the process of inscribing the array. He chose a spot in the room where theb was going to be. That spot would serve as the array''s core. He then used Yongnian''s cultivation base to channel Qi through a high-grade spirit stone. Yongnian directed this Qi-charged spirit stone to carve the array''splex pattern onto the floor of theb. The stone, acting as a precise tool, etched the design into the very foundation of the building, imbuing it with potent spiritual energy. Inscribing the array took several months due to theplexity of the design and the level of detail required. This array was so demanding that even Yongnian sweated and had to maintain a steady flow of Qi through the spirit stone during the whole process, ensuring that the inscriptions were carved correctly and uniformly. But still, they failed. However, Han Cai did not give up; they continued trying again and again. Finally, after countless failures, they seeded. Once the array was carved, Han Cai began the activation process. He ced additional high-grade spirit stones at key points around the array, using their energy to ''fuel'' the array. As he channeled his Qi into the array, it began to glow, the carved patterns lighting up and spiraling outwards from the core. Finally, when the array was fully activated, the room disappeared from view, hidden behind a veil of spiritual energy that would mask its existence even from Venerate Realm cultivators. The Veil of Obscurity Array wasplete. Han Cai felt a massive movement inside his soul. When he looked at his abilities, the system showed his array grandmaster ability had moved from dormant to semi-dormant. Han Caiughed out loud; this was a pleasant surprise. This was a perfect example of how this world worked for him. Here he was, working hard to awaken his alchemy ability, and he ended up almost awakening his array grandmaster ability. Even if his array ability was semi-dormant now, there was no change in his ns. Han Cai decided it was now time to set up hisb. Setting up a chemistryb was a task unlike anything Han Cai had done before. The new approach required a blend of his cultivation knowledge and his understanding of earthly chemistry. He decided to begin with beakers, sks, test tubes, and other tools. Han Cai faced another challenge in carving these materials. When he used his me Qi to shape them, he was not getting the precise results he wanted - the materials would break down. He triedbining it with freezing Qi, but it was still not good enough. Han Cai had a hard time believing he could not carve modern world materials; he had potent rich me Qi in his veins. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 235 Setting Up The Lab Finally, Han Cai decided to use Celestial Qi and me Qi. He conjured a special me, which he called the Celestial Spirit me. Using his me Qi and Celestial Qi, he created a me that could maintain a steady temperature for prolonged durations. This me was suitable for getting the work done. The best part was he had total control over this me as his celestial spirit burned this me. But soon he facepalmed himself when he realized why this me worked. The reason was simple. The materials needed a normal me because they were supposed to be built in normal mes; he had been using me Qi and frigid Qi, which were too potent. All the details about the ssware he had read through were processes done in a normal me. How could the highly potent me Qi work in the same way? A normal me would take hours to heat iron, while me Qi would heat the iron instantly. Now that he had total control over the me, he could make the me burn as a normal me. Han Cai couldn''t believe how naive he had been. Nevertheless, he found a better me for concocting too. To create a microscope, he condensed the me to an extremely small point and used it to slowly melt and shape high-quality crystal into lenses, before assembling them with the same ss used to create the beakers and sks. Apart from ssware, Han Cai also needed more advanced tools such as centrifuges and pipettes. To build these, hebined materials from various spirit metals, using his cultivation base to refine and shape them. For centrifuges, he utilized some of the stronger spirit metals, shaping them into thin, circr tes capable of withstanding high rotational speed. To ensure precise measurements, he created pipettes from the same ss as his beakers, but with smaller and more precise measurement markings. In order to perform the intricate work of breaking down the materials to their base elements, Han Cai employed the unique properties of Yongnian''s death Qi. The Qi, known for its decaying properties, was applied carefully to the materials, breaking the molecr bonds without damaging the intrinsic qualities of the elements. This process required great care and precision to extract the pure elements without any impurities. As Yongnian worked on breaking down the materials, Han Cai used a concoction of his own creation to filter out specific elements. By applying different alchemical reagents, he could iste elements based on their reactivity, solubility, and other properties. This blend of cultivation and chemistry opened up a whole new world of possibilities for him. Han Cai felt he was not merely an alchemist or cultivator, but a pioneer on the path of integrating the principles of two vastly different worlds. This new approach had the potential to revolutionize the way pills were concocted. Han Cai imagined himself as if he was the Che Guevara of this world. After theb was set up, Han Cai began the process of finding elements in the materials for the longevity pill. Han Cai took the purple ginseng and started experimenting with it to find the "it" factor, the element that made hundred-year purple ginseng important for creating longevity. Han Cai couldn''t break these materials down to the molecr level, but that didn''t mean he couldn''t. He had Heaven Immortal Yongnian''s death Qi acting as the separator to break each element from the materials. Han Cai warned Yongnian that if any of the materials were destroyed, he would make Yongnian drink spirit coffee every day for the next five years. Yongnian made sure not to let his poison Qi poison the materials, only to decay and separate them, filtering out every element that were in the materials. After long trials and errors they seeded in separating every element thatbined together to form a hundred-year-old spirit ginseng. Once the elements of each material were separated, Han Cai startedbining different elements to find which elements formed what kind of bonds and what worked. Hours turned into days, days into weeks, and weeks into months, and months turned into a year. During this time, his n contacted him about the banquet and his engagement. The n received a response from Elder Du that Han Cai was busy with alchemy and had no time for mortal affairs. Since Elder Du spoke up for him, Yan n contacted Xu n and showed them the letter from Elder Du. They couldn''t do anything now, as Han Cai belonged to the Azure Dragon Sect. Thus, the topic of engagement was kept on hold. The Yan n still threw the banquet as it was a tradition, and when asked about Han Cai, the letter from Elder Du was shown by the proud patriarch about how their scion was being appreciated by an elder of the sect. While the n was busy with the banquet, Han Cai had figured out the elements needed for the Longevity Pill. From the purple ginseng, he found a special element which he named Ginsenosides, to make it sound scientific. These Ginsenosides contained saponins with potent life-extending properties; they had a special type of Ethereal Essence, a rare type of life force that could greatly enhance a cultivator''s vitality. Normal purple ginseng contained it too, but in very low quantities. However, there was a massive amount of purple ginseng avable in the market. All he had to do was buy arge quantity of them, remove the Ginsenosides, and do the math. A hundred-year-old purple ginseng had Ginsenosides worth a thousand normal purple ginsengs, but a hundred-year-old purple ginseng cost around a hundred thousand lower grade spirit stones, while a thousand normal purple ginsengs could be bought for just ten spirit stones. Many sects, ns and alchemy halls kept their farms. This was unbelievable. Now Han Cai began to understand why alchemy was called a method that could turn any normal metal into gold. Simrly, he came across another element in spirit mushrooms which he called Mycelium. As a scientist, he wanted to make them sound veryplicated; after all, how could he be a proud scientist otherwise? ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 236 Alchemy Pioneer ? After figuring out the elements, things became easier for Han Cai. He started extracting the elements inrge quantities; most of them were in liquid form, some even gaseous. After extracting all the elements into various pill bottles, he startedbining the elements, and under high temperature, the pill slowly started to take form. When the pill was finally concocted, Han Cai felt something move inside him again; the movement was massive. The movement was simr to when he created the obscurity array. He checked the system, and his Grandmaster Alchemist ability was not dormant but semi-dormant. A semi-dormant Grandmaster Alchemist ability meant he had the ability of a Level Four Alchemist now. Han Cai was so happy about this achievement that he felt like jumping around. He calmed his nerves and asked cky to take the pills for evaluation to the n; he wanted to know their purity and potency. After this sessful venture and with his Alchemist ability semi-dormant, he decided it was high time he tried the Awakening Pill. He was counting on the pill to awaken his abilities. He already had the materials, but even aftering to the sect, he was able to procure only four sets of these materials. But now, Han Cai had a process with which he could use lower-grade materials as long as he understood them. To begin with the Awakening Pill, Han Cai started by understanding the elements that made the Awakening Pill so special. As months passed, Han Cai was able to filter out elements from each of the needed materials of the Awakening Pill. However, he was now running out of names to give to the elements. Just like the scientists in his first life, he wanted to keep giving the elements veryplex names. Being an avid reader in his past life, he had read many Latin novels. So, he had some knowledge of Latin words, which he used to name some of the elements in the materials. For example, from the Sunflower Root, Han Cai found a distinct element that he decided to call Helianthinin, after the Latin term for sunflower, "Helianthus." Han Cai was very satisfied with his naming ability. This Helianthinin element was a powerful catalyst that enhanced the potency of other elements in the pill and harmonized their effects. It also contained Sun Essence, an energy source that could stimte the awakening of dormant abilities. Normal Sunflower Roots contained these too but in smaller amounts. Luckily, Helianthinin could also be extracted from the much cheaper Golden Sun Daisy, which was abundant in the market. The Silver Moon Blossom carried an element that he named Lunaria, after the Latin name for the moon. Lunaria had an ethereal quality that could soothe and bnce a cultivator''s spirit, essential for awakening dormant abilities. It also had Moon Essence, an energy source thatplemented Sun Essence, creating a perfect bnce. While a mature Silver Moon Blossom was expensive and hard to find, he discovered that themon Moonbeam Lily contained a simr, albeit less potent form of Lunaria, making it a suitable and affordable alternative. The Heavenly Serpent Vine contained an element Han Cai called Serpentinite. This element has properties that could stimte the meridians in the cultivator''s body, aiding in the awakening of hidden abilities. However, these vines were quite rare and, therefore, expensive. Fortunately, he found that themon Green Snake Grass, though requiring arger quantity, could also provide Serpentinite. The Starlight Lotus Seed contained an element that he named Astraline. Astraline had a special type of cosmic energy that could resonate with a cultivator''s spirit, aiding in the awakening process. Even though Starlight Lotus Seeds were quite expensive, Han Cai found that Starlight Dewdrops, amon condensation found on starlit nights, also contained Astraline, albeit in much smaller quantities. Lastly, from the Azure Spirit Flower, Han Cai discovered a new element. But by now he had run out of Latin names so he decided to get creative with names and use whatever random words he could think of that sounded sciencey. He named the material Azurean. It had a unique quality of resonating with spiritual energy, making it a crucial element in the Awakening Pill. Azure Spirit Flowers were quite rare and hence costly. However, Han Cai found that Azure Morning Glories, though less potent, contained Azurean and were a cheaper and more essible alternative. After finding the elements, things became easier for him. This did not mean he seeded in concocting the Awakening Pill, but it did mean he was now able to use as many materials as he wanted for practice. The Awakening Pill was still one of the highest-grade pills. He realized after failing so many times that it would take a long time before he mastered it. In the meantime, he decided to increase the production of high-grade pills and scale up the business. Now that his ability was semi-dormant, he could create high-grade pills as if they were lower-grade fasting pills. The concoction of pills depended on the amount of materials. If you add a very low amount of materials, you might be able to concoct very few pills, but Alchemists, in general, use less material to maintain the purity of their pills. They often create the pills in batches of five or ten, as arge amount of pills in every batch requires a lot of precision and skill, not to mention spirit Qi. Now that he was almost a level four Alchemist, Han Cai did not have to worry about the skills or precision. He could manage a hundred high-grade pills per batch, but the issue was his Qi. He couldn''t use Yongnian''s, as his death Qi would reverse the effects of the pill. Han Cai decided to give cky a try to supply him with Shadow Qi, but with cky''s shadow, the pills were imbued with a shadow element. Han Cai had no choice but to depend on himself for this, but after every batch of concoction, he was running out of Qi to maintain the harmony of the mes and the cool temperature with spirit Qi. His cultivation was too low to provide spirit Qi to concoct thisrge quantity of the pills. The only solution he could think of was to use an array that could supplement Qi for him, so he wouldn''t have to take breaks during pill concoction. Han Cai was already proficient with the zing Sun Array, an array that supplied me Qi, which was essential for his pill concoction. However, for Frigid Qi, he needed to learn a new array, which was not much challenge anymore. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 237 Finding Distributors ? The task of creating an array for freezing Qi turned out to be quite challenging for Han Cai, despite his array ability being semi-dormant now. This cial Moon Array was intricate andplex, involving multipleyers of delicate symbols and an intricate pattern of energy flow. It was designed to gather and concentrate the naturally urring Frigid Qi from the environment, directing it to the cultivator using the array. The issue was that there was very little Frigid Qi on this continent. However, this array was highly potent, so even if there were only trace amounts of freezing Qi in the continent, the array would ensure to gather a substantial amount of Qi for Han Cai''s needs. To master the cial Moon Array, Han Cai began by studying the diagrams and exnations in the ancient texts. He noted the key features, the arrangement of the symbols, and the intended flow of Qi. He then started practicing by drawing the array, beginning with the outermostyer and gradually working his way toward the center. After several weeks of practice, he could draw the array from memory. But drawing the array was merely the first step. The real challengey in activating it and controlling the Frigid Qi. This required a deep understanding of the nature of Frigid Qi and the delicate bnce of energies within the array. Han Cai spent countless hours meditating on the array, immersing himself in its design and the flow of Frigid Qi. He meticulously observed the subtle shifts in the energy flow as he activated and deactivated the array. Through trial and error, he learned to control the intensity of the Frigid Qi, adjusting it to suit his needs. After months of diligent practice, Han Cai finally mastered the cial Moon Array. But he did not stop there. His ultimate goal was tobine the properties of the zing Sun Array and the cial Moon Array to create a custom array that could supply both me Qi and Frigid Qi. He named his custom array the Yin and Yang Array, signifying the harmonious bnce between the hot me Qi and the cold Frigid Qi. The design of the Yin and Yang Array was a fusion of the zing Sun Array and the cial Moon Array,bining the fiery intensity of the sun with the cool tranquility of the moon. Creating the Yin and Yang Array was a challenge, as Han Cai had to ensure that the two energies did not sh and disrupt the array. He had to carefully adjust the proportions and the flow of the two Qis, creating a delicate bnce that allowed the me Qi and the Frigid Qi to coexist harmoniously within the array. After six months of painstaking effort, Han Cai finally seeded in creating the Yin and Yang Array. The array glowed with a soft light that shifted from fiery red to icy blue, a testament to the bnce of me Qi and Frigid Qi within it. With the Yin and Yang Array, Han Cai was now ready to take his pill concoction to the next level. With the array of supplementing Qi, Han Cai began concocting arge number of high-grade pills, including longevity pills. After a month of continuous concoctions without disruption, Han Cai realized he had concocted more than twenty thousand high-grade pills. He could create more because he worked with elements, not whole materials, so every material added to Elder Du''srgest cauldron could be converted into pills. Therge cauldron could contain four to five hundred pills in every batch. If he wanted to create medium-grade pills, he could create ten times that amount, and he could produce around two hundred thousand medium-grade pills. Now the question was, what should he do with these high-grade pills? Unlike medium and low-grade pills that not many people cared about, selling high-grade pills, which cost around a hundred thousand spirit stones, would attract attention especially since most of the high-grade pills were in high demand, such as Longevity pills, Soul-Nurturing pills, and Energy Restoration pills. Pills like these were the most sought-after. The low and medium-grade pills were consumed by everyone between Qi Condensation to Core Formation. There were hundreds of millions of cultivators all around the Azure Dragon Country who were in levels between Qi condensation and core formations, so hundreds of thousands of pills would not make much difference as they were traded by almost any and every small and medium-sized business. But when it came to high-grade pills, only respected businesses traded them in bulk, and when it came to longevity pills, they were too rare even for high-grade businesses to trade in. They were the rarest of raremodities. Han Cai could not let his n sell these pills. If his n sold these pills, they would suffer more than what they would earn. Their strength was not at a level where they could fight off big ns or alchemy ns and protect their interests to avoid being robbed. He could ask for help from the Azure Dragon Sect by giving them a profit, but if the Azure Dragon Sect found out the pills were being created inside the sect, they would want a monopoly and too much attention would be on Han Cai, which could lead to unnecessary trouble. At some point, it could even end up forcing him to use the system to fend off some enemies, which Han Cai wanted to avoid. After some thought, Han Cai decided to use cky. The Ning n, once a prominent figure in the Azure Dragon Country, had a rich history that dated back thousands of years. They were known for their exceptional knowledge of Alchemy and their powerful cultivators, which enabled them to rise to prominence and maintain a high status among the numerous ns. They were four to five times bigger and stronger than most ns. The n''s prosperityrgely came from the Ning Alchemy Stores, a chain of shops spread across the Azure Dragon Country. These stores were the primary source of ie for the Ning n, selling a wide variety of medicinal pills, elixirs, and alchemical ingredients. They were recognized for their high-quality products and fair prices, which attracted cultivators from far and wide. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 238 Ning Clan Meeting ? The Ning n''s rise to power wasrgely due to a level six Master Alchemist. This Master Alchemist not only contributed to the n''s wealth through his profound alchemical skills but also brought prestige and honor to the Ning n. He was able to concoct extraordinary pills, some of which could aid in cultivation breakthroughs or even save lives at critical junctures. However, a few hundred years ago, the Master Alchemist had gone into seclusion for unknown reasons. Just like the Guo n, which was on the decline, the withdrawal of the Master Alchemist was a significant blow to the Ning n. Without his skills, the n''s ability to produce high-grade pills diminished drastically. The quality and range of products in the Ning Alchemy Stores began to decline, and the n''s ie had suffered considerably. The Ning n had to rely on external Alchemists to keep their business running, but these Alchemists couldn''t match the expertise and skill of their Master Alchemist. The n''s reputation took a hit, and their once thriving business began to falter. Despite the challenges, the Ning n managed to persevere. They continued to operate the Ning Alchemy Stores, albeit with a reduced product range and lower quality pills. The n members worked tirelessly to keep their business afloat, hoping for the day their Master Alchemist woulde out of seclusion and restore their former glory. The Ning n patriarch, in his n''s main city known as Ning City, was sitting in his meditation room when suddenly a beautiful woman materialized in front of him. The woman was dressed in all ck, and she looked like a heavenly beauty. The patriarch opened his eyes and looked at the woman for a while. He knew this woman was powerful. To be able to appear in his meditation room without making any noise or without alerting the n array, she must be really powerful. He got up from his meditation cushion and bowed to the woman, saying, "How can I help you, fairy?" The woman moved her hand and a letter and pill bottle appeared. She tossed the items towards Patriarch Ning Jia, who caught them deftly. When he looked back towards the woman, he found that she had disappeared. Patriarch Ning Jia opened the letter and read through it. After reading the letter, his eyes stayed wide for a very long time. After a while, he finally came back to his senses and opened the pill bottle. The smell of medicinal herbs permeated the meditation room. Being in the business of pills, he had seen many types of them. Just looking at the pill, he knew it was the real deal ¨C a high-potent Longevity pill. He sweated profusely, realizing what had just transpired, and hurriedly left his meditation room. Three dayster, an urgent meeting was called in the Ning n. Being four times the size of the Yan n, the Ning n had more than a hundred elders. All the elders of the n were called for this meeting. Many who were away from the city flew hurriedly to arrive at the n''s main city, as the patriarch had called them personally, telling them the meeting was of critically importance. Right now, the hall of the Ning n was filled with all the elders, with the patriarch sitting at the center seat. Seeing thst everyone had arrived, the patriarch said, "You all might be wondering why I called an urgent meeting, but something hase up which is rted to the future of our n. I needed your opinions and suggestions on whether we should go ahead with it." After saying this, he stayed silent for a while before he spoke again, "I was contacted by a hidden Alchemy n. They have a Master Alchemist who can concoct arge amount of high-grade pills such as Longevity pills. The hidden n needs resources to nurture their Master Alchemist. Seeing our decline in business, they offered us a deal. They will supply us with one thousand high-grade pills on a monthly basis. The pills included are Soul-Nurturing, Longevity and many other pills that are in-demand. For each pill, they will charge a hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones in advance, andter, once the pill is sold, we will have to give them thirty percent of the profit. They also mentioned if we can sell those Longevity pills and the other pills, if we need more, they will be able to provide more pills. They are not just partnering with our n but with a few other ns like us, offering them the same. As you all know, pills such as Longevity pills are the most in-demand pills, but the supply of them is controlled by top vassal ns of the Azure Dragon Sect. Only a few are sold in a year, and it might upset the Alchemy Hall of the sect if we get into this business. They might not be pleased, so I need your opinion on it as we will not be the only n who will be selling these pills. The sect cannot concentrate only on us as each high-grade Longevity pill can be sold for a thousand medium-grade spirit stones, seeing how rare they are." Hearing this, all the elders fell deep into thought. Finally, one elder asked, "How many other ns will they be partnering with?" The patriarch replied, "They mentioned around ten." Another elder asked, "How much time do we have to make the decision?" The patriarch answered, "They have given us seven days. After seven days, they will be visiting me. If we agree, we must be prepared with two million medium-grade stones, and they will bring the pills. Also, they will give us the names of the families they have partnered with by the end of the month, so we can meet and n with the other families." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 239 Seclusion ? Hearing that they will receive High-grade pills to sell, everyone''s eyes lit up Another elder asked, "Can they provide other high-grade pills?" The patriarch nodded and said, "But they mentioned in the letter they sent me that they will only be supplying unique and rare pills. Even in the future, if we need any specific pills for our needs, we can share the recipe and ask them. Their Alchemist will give us as many pills as we need." All the elders nodded. Even though sharing recipes was frowned upon, this hidden family already had the recipe for the Longevity pill. No recipe of theirs would be of such high quality as the Longevity pills. And if they wanted a pill, they had to give the recipe. How else would the Alchemist create the pills for them? The n meeting went on for the whole day. Simr meetings were happening in the Sima, Tian, and seven other ns. Finally, all of these ns decided to agree to the trading of the Longevity pills. These pills were too rare to say no to, so the vassal ns of the Azure Dragon Sect and the Alchemy Hall might frown about it, but this business could bring them massive profits, stabilize their declining n, and it was not like they were alone. Ten other ns were going to be doing the same. Besides, the rules of the Azure Dragon Sect were clear. As long as you are not stealing recipes or pills, transactions of any pills are allowed as long as they are legit. Ten dayster, the Ning, Sima, Tian, and seven other ns received the pills, and they all paid two million medium-grade spirit stones each. With these twenty million medium-grade spirit stones that Han Cai earned, he sent five million to the n, specifically to Great Grandpa Yan Rui, with a letter. The letter said to use these stones to strengthen the n. For the remaining stones, he gave five million to Yongnian to strengthen their presence in the outer sect, and the remaining he kept with himself as his pocket money. After finding new business partners, Han Cai now had a steady source of ie. For now, he nned to be in seclusion for a very long time, creating pills and cultivating. Before beginning his seclusion, he overworked day and night, first creating at least a year''s worth of low-grade, medium-grade, and high-grade pills. He gave them to cky and told him not to disturb him for a year. It was not that he nned to stop concocting. In seclusion, he would keep his usual schedule, spending his days concocting while in the evenings, he would spend cultivating. The only thing was he would not leave the seclusion room. This room was arge hall that had a meditation cushion at one corner and arge cauldron at another. With this, his quiet life of cultivation began. He had already reached Foundation Establishment Level Two and was close to breaking through. After reaching Foundation Establishment, his connection to Celestial ne 616 was boosted to another level. Without even trying, with just one thought, he could enter the ne. The ne was now visibly clear to him. Earlier, when he entered the ne, he would just have a vague idea of how the ne looked, but now things were different. He could actually perceive how this ne looked. He did not see the ne through his eyes but through his connection with the ne. If looked at with the naked eye, you would see nothing but emptiness floating in nothingness. However, if you used your connection to the ne, you would see something else. This ne, an ethereal domain of existence, was the cradle of Celestial and Spatial Qi. It was a realm of boundless space, a canvas painted with dazzling hues of cosmic energy. The scenery here was not made up of conventional material matter, but rather, it was a kaleidoscopic tapestry of pure Celestial Qi that gave form to all things in this ne. Above, a sky shimmered with breathtaking nebe and countless stars that pulsated with potent Qi. These celestial bodies were not merely physical entities but concentrations of the purest Celestial Qi. The constetions that adorned the celestial canvas seemed to tell ancient tales of mighty cultivators, celestial beasts, and profound events from epochs long past. The cosmos here felt alive, a sentient, pulsating entity that resonated with the heartbeat of the universe. The ground beneath was an etherealndscape of vast, undting ins made entirely of Celestial Qi. It resembled a mirror of the cosmos above, reflecting the sparkling stardust and the ethereal light of the celestial bodies. Here, mountains were towering formations of condensed Qi, their peaks reaching into the cosmos, and rivers were flowing currents of celestial energy. The flora and fauna of the Celestial ne were formed from Celestial Qi as well. Lush, radiant trees of pure energy sprouted from the ground, their leaves shimmering with a soft, celestial glow. The fruits they bore were not mere nourishment but condensed orbs of Celestial Qi. Majestic beasts roamed this ne, their bodies made of Celestial Qi, exuding an aura of profound power and wisdom. In this ne, the air was not filled with oxygen but with Celestial Qi. Breathing in this environment was akin to directly consuming Celestial Qi, nourishing the body and soul. The Qi here was not static but dynamic, constantly moving, swirling, and reshaping as if it were a living, breathing entity. To Han Cai the ne was an ever-changing realm, mirroring the endless cycle of creation and destruction in the universe. It was a testament to the boundless power and mystery of the cosmos, a ce where the essence of life and time were intricately woven into its very fabric. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 240 Awakening Etheral Invisibility ? His visit to the Celestial ne was a journey into the heart of the cosmos itself, a glimpse into the profound mysteries of existence and the boundless potential of Celestial Qi. He felt as if he could skip thews and begin understanding the Dao itself. In this Celestial ne, He felt tiny, as if he was a speck of dust. Thews did not exist here; nothing existed here except grand Daos. Even a heaven-grade Immortal such as Yongnian would be nothing but a tiny speck of dust in the existence of this massive world. Sometimes he wondered if this was real or a dream. This ne gave him an existential crisis, but it also helped him strengthen his Dao heart. He did not believe in coincidences or lucky chances. ess to this ne was no lucky chance. He also knew that this was not nned by the enemies of his predecessors but this was a n by this ne itself. It was as if this ne wanted to tell him something, but his cultivation was too low to hear what it wanted to tell him. He could feel that this ne was patient. Time held very little value to it. Millions of years were just a second for this ne. Han Cai felt veryfortable here, as if he was in his mother''s arms, being coddled and taken care of. After cultivating all night, when Han Cai returned back to his normal world, he saw his cultivation had grown again. With this process, he was sure he would reach Foundation Establishment Level Three in two months. Time continued to pass, and it had been six months since Han Cai decided to cultivate in seclusion. One day while he was contemting and trying to strengthen his connection with the ethereal ne, suddenly, he felt something move inside of him. This movement was massive, not like the awakening of his alchemy skill or array grandmaster ability. Han Cai sat down and checked his dormant abilities. When he did so, he found that his legendary skill of Ethereal Invisibility was now semi-dormant, and the movement continued, making him feel as if it was about to awaken. He immediately began practicing the Ethereal Invisibility technique. His body would keep turning ethereal and real. He understood. The ne was helping him awaken his life-saving ability. For six months, Han Cai did not stop practicing his skill. Luckily for the Yan family and other businesses, he had partnered with, he had created a massive amount of pills in advance. He let cky transport them on a monthly basis, even if he stayed in seclusion for a long time, so the businesses were not affected by his cultivation. After six months, Han Cai got up from his cushion with a smile on his face. He looked at his hand, and suddenly his hand disappeared and then reappeared. His Ethereal Invisibility technique was back, and this time it was an innate technique, which meant that he did not need to use Qi to activate it. It was as if it was his second nature. His space escape did not awaken, but with this ability awakened, he was satisfied. Having one of his legendary abilities without even trying was massive win for Han Cai. Besides having a Heavenly Grade Treasure protecting his life, a Heaven-Grade bodyguard, and Void Immortal cky watching over him, he had one more defense. He had no enemies at present. This could be considered the best situation for him. While Han Cai was having the best time with his awakened innate ability, things were not so kosher on the outside. After the pills were delivered, the families started selling the high-grade pills immediately. Many people had a hard time believing that a pills such as the Longevity pill was actually for sale. Such super rare pills being sold as general pills were doubted by everyone, but all the families brought in experts to show the validity of these pills. By the second month, everyone knew the pills being sold by the Ning and other ns were the real deal. After that, there were always rows and rows of cultivators who could be seen standing in front of their stores, ready to pay the highest price. Even with ten thousand high-grade pillsing every month, each of them was sold at a massive price of one thousand to three thousand medium-grade spirit stones. There were hundreds of thousands of cultivators in Azure dragon country, and they all wanted high-grade pills. Elder Yun was the head elder of Alchemy Hall of the outer sect. She was responsible for the sect''s business rted to alchemy in the outer sect. Right now, Elder Yun was sitting with Elder Ming of the Elixir Hall. Elder Ming was telling her about how his family had recentlye across ten families selling Longevity pills. Elder Yun had a frown on her face as she listened. Finally, when Elder Ming was done telling her the whole thing, she said, "Are you sure about the potency of the pills? How much truth is there in their im?" Elder Ming nodded and took out a pill bottle, and handed it to Fairy Yun. Fairy Yun took the bottle, opened the pill bottle, and there was only one pill in there. The moment the bottle was opened, a medicinal smell permeated the air, verifying the potency of the pill in the bottle. She looked at the pill and stared at it for a time. After that, she nodded, "This is indeed a high-potency Longevity pill." Sometimeter, Elder Lei of the Pill Concoction Department was also sitting with them. Elder Lei of the Pill Concoction Department had a frown on his face too. He said, "This is not good. This will affect our sect''s business." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 241 Fairy Yues Decision ? Fairy Yue shook her head and said, "You don''t understand. It''s not just about business. An Alchemy n that has a Master Alchemist capable of creating such high-level pills has stayed hidden in our country for so long. This means that they might have a very ancient legacy. If we can get this Master Alchemist to join our sect, along with all those Longevity pills, we could save many lives of elders. Extending their life by a hundred years means they will have a hundred more years to break through. We need to get that Alchemist to join our sect." They contemted for a while, and Elder Lei asked, "Should we shut down those businesses?" Fairy Yue shook her head, "We are not allowed to do that. Any n with the right to sell has the right to sell. We cannot change the rules for our convenience. But we can not overlook this. Our inner sect alchemy hall depends on high-grade pills for business, and we depend on those pills for distribution. If they create difficulty for us, we will have to find a solution. " After some thought, Fairy Yue continued, "Let us start with finding out where they are getting the pills from and acquire the source." Elder Ming asked, "What if they don''t share the source?" Fairy Yue replied, "Then we will have to find another reason to make them close their business." A monthter, all ten patriarchs of the families who were sellers of the Longevity pill were present in Blue Snake City, one of the cities near Azure Dragon Sect. They were visiting here because the sect had called them for something. While they sat in the room discussing the high-grade pills sales and how business was booming, suddenly, the door opened. Fairy Yue of the Alchemy Hall walked in with Elder Lei and Elder Ming behind her. She came and sat in the center chair. All the patriarchs of various families went quiet for a while. They had an idea as to why the sect had called them. The high-quality pills that they had been selling should have been noticed by the sect, which was only natural. Fairy Yue said, "I called you all here because we noticed the sales of high potency quality pills such as Soul Strengthening and Longevity pills being sold at your stores." Fairy Yue continued, "You are all members of the Azure Dragon Kingdom, and your n members are in the sect. None of them are being treated badly. They will receive better treatment if the sect can receive more support from you." It was her indirect way of telling them to give the source of the pills and provide the pills to the sect. They hesitated for a while. One of the patriarchs of the n said, "Elder Yue, it is not that we do not want to share more about our source of the pills, but we know very little about them. All we know is they are a hidden Alchemy family with a talented Alchemist living among them. To nurture that Alchemist, they decided to provide the pills." Fairy Yue thought for a while and asked, "Do you have any way to contact them?" The Patriarch nodded and answered, "They have given us some talismans. If we want to contact them, we just need to burn one of the talismans, and they will arrive." Fairy Yue nodded and said, "Burn one of the talismans. I would like to meet them." The patriarch nodded. They knew sooner orter, this day was going toe. No matter how big the business was, they could not make an enemy out of the Azure Dragon Sect. The patriarch, who was from the Sima n, got up and moved his hand. A talisman appeared in his hand. He moved his finger, and the talisman caught fire. After the talisman burned, the patriarch went back and sat in his seat. After twenty minutes, two women appeared out of nowhere. One was dressed in ck and looked like a heavenly beauty. The second was dressed in all white. She looked more mature and beautiful than the first one. The woman in white looked at Fairy Yue of the Azure Dragon sect and asked, "What does the elder of the Azure Dragon sect require from us?" Fairy Yue asked, "What''s your n''s name, and where are you from?" Thedy in white responded, "Our n is a hidden one. We cannot disclose that information." Fairy Yue thought for a while and then proposed, "You have a talented Master Alchemist in your n. He can join our sect. He will be nurtured better in the sect." Thedy in white shook her head, "No, he cannot leave the n. The n will nurture him." Fairy Yue felt irritated. Thisdy had no respect for her. She said, "Your n is not allowed to trade in major cities unless a member of your n joins the sect." The woman shook her head and spoke again, "We are not interested in trading in major cities. That is why we contacted the patriarchs. If the elder wishes, our n can provide the same amount of pills to the sect." Fairy Yue frowned. The Outer Sect Alchemy Hall was the pinnacle of Alchemy in the Azure Dragon country, and they provided the best quality high-grade pills to the whole kingdom. Now this person was telling them they would provide them with pills. Fairy Yue shook her head and said, "You should talk to your n before making a decision. The consequences of it will be dire if your n doesn''t understand. You won''t be able to sell the pills to anyone in the whole kingdom if you do not receive our approval." The woman in white turned to all the patriarchs and said, "Our n will keep providing pills to any n that still wants us to provide them to you. Anyone who does not want to trade anymore, return our pills and pay the due price." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 242 Obedience Talisman ? After having her say, the woman in white looked at Fairy Yue, gave her a smile, and then disappeared with the woman in ck behind her. Fairy Yue felt irritated and said, "From now on, no n is allowed to sell the pills provided by that mysterious n or the consequences will be dire." The patriarch of the Ning n asked, "We have thousands of their pills with us. We promised to pay them profit from the pills. What should we do with them?" Fairy Yue shook her head and replied, "All the remaining pills will be given to the sect and you are not to contact that n anymore without our approval." The patriarchs of all the ns nodded. After that, Fairy Yue walked out with the two elders following her. Elder Lei asked, "Fairy, why did we not capture them when they arrived?" Fairy Yue shook her head and said, "I could not see through their cultivation. We cannot risk it without understanding their strength. This n seems powerful. We need to understand where they are from and what their strength is before we make any decision." A few dayster, all the pills from various ns were confiscated by the Azure Dragon sect. Even though the sect allowed freedom of trading, if they wanted to stop the families from trading the pills, no family could stop them. Most of the pills were sold by the ns, so the sect could only confiscate around one thousand high-grade pills. In the Basic Pill Concoction Department, Han Cai had juste out of seclusion when Yongnian and cky informed him that his business was going to stop. Han Cai thought for a while and said, "cky, go try the second method. Also, make sure to take an equal amount from each n that we are owed." Then Han Cai looked at Elder Du and said, "Just activate the Qi we have hidden in the pills." Now that Han Cai had be a level four Alchemist, he hade up with a backdoor technique when concocting the high-grade pills. Before concocting the pills, he would have Yongnian separate the elements from the materials. When the elements were separated, Han Cai would purify the elements but he would leave some dormant Death Qi imprinted in the elements. They were so minute that they wouldn''t do any harm unless activated. The preparation seemed to have paid off. Yongnian nodded. The activation did not require much work. He just had to have the thought and his Qi in the pills activated. Han Cai asked, "How are we doing with the outer sect? Call Shu Tao." Soon, Shu Tao was in front of Han Cai in Elder Du''s hall. After signing the contract, Shu Tao understood that Han Cai was the real boss. Shu Tao said, "We have been paying many Administration Hall disciples. We have a list of more than ten thousand disciples who have no backing and are struggling within the sect to make ends meet." Han Cai nodded, "I will acquire the talismans, then begin the next steps. How much have you spent to get these details?" Shu Tao responded, "Around fifty thousand medium-grade spirit stones. That''s what the admin disciples were demanding." Han Cai nodded and turned to Yongnian, "How much did we earn in thest six months?" Yongnian thought for a moment, then responded, "Including the profits from the pills, we made around ny million medium-grade spirit stones, out of which we gave about thirty million to the Yan n." Han Cai nodded, "Gather all the talisman materials. We will begin creating our custom talisman." Han Cai decided to create the "Obedience Talisman," a form of lesser contract talisman that was a weaker version of the more dominant subordinate contracts. This idea had been simmering in his mind for a while, and he felt it was the right time to start implementing it since he couldn''t easily distribute the high-quality contract talismans that he possessed. He had already done his due diligence about the creation and forging of this talisman from his past life. The talisman was intended to ensure the bearer''s loyalty, obedience, and silence. The first step was to design the talisman. Han Cai spent days refining his concept, drawing on his extensive knowledge of talisman-making to design a symbol that could contain the necessary spiritual energy and bind the user to his will. Each brush stroke had to be meticulously drawn, each curve had to hold a specific amount of Qi, and the entire design needed to flow together to serve its purpose harmoniously. Once the design was finalized, Han Cai began the process of imbuing the talismans with energy. This was where his experiment took a unique turn. Instead of using standard spiritual energy, Han Cai incorporated Yongnian''s Death Qi into the talisman. This would not only bind the user to the talisman but also enforce obedience under the threat of life siphoning. The process of incorporating Death Qi into the talisman was moreplex than he had initially thought. The Death Qi was vtile and resisted being controlled. Han Cai''s first few attempts ended in failure, with the Death Qi causing the talisman to crumble or explode, unable to contain the potent force within. After trying Talismans, Arrays, and Pills, Han Cai knew the first attempt would never be sessful but grinding always bore fruits, so he continued. After a few more trials and errors, He discovered that the Qi responded better when he incorporated it into the talisman during the drawing process instead of trying to infuse it afterward. After weeks of tireless effort, Han Cai finally seeded. The Obedience Talisman was ready. It glowed with an ominous light, the Death Qi swirling within it like a storm contained. The rules of the contract were simple: The one imprinted with it must not speak of it, follow any order given, and never betray the owner of the talisman. Breaking any of these rules would trigger the Death Qi, leading to their demise. Han Cai began with the mass production of talismans. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 243 Frustrated Fairy Yue While Han Cai finished the obedience talisman. The outer sect was in turmoil. This urred when the sect confiscated high-grade pills from the ns. The pills were stored securely in the Outer Sect Alchemy Hall. Soon, news spread from the Alchemy Hall that the sect had Longevity pills. High-grade pills were generally concocted in inner sect, and the outer sect sold them in auctions. Pills such as longevity pills were rarely auctioned or given to anyone in the outer sect. The rumors about the pills attracted many elders who were nearing the end of their lifespans. Some elders couldn''t wait and paid a high price to the Alchemy Hall. Ten Longevity pills were given to the elders who were close to the end of their lifespan. The pills should have extended their lives by a hundred years, but the moment they consumed them, their lives were abruptly ended. This created a veryrgemotion among outer sect elders. Fairy Yue, unaware of the situation, was in the Alchemy Hall, trying to figure out the concoction mechanism of these high-grade pills. If she could decipher it, the sect would reward her and most probably send her to the inner sect. So far, she was never able to concoct high-grade pills. This was the first time she came across longevity pills. She wanted to use this opportunity and see if she could figure out what materials were used in the concoction of these pills. Despite her efforts, she was unable to identify a single ingredient used in the pill. Han Cai used elements instead of general materials, making it impossible to determine what materials and techniques were used. While she was busy trying to understand the constitution of the pills, an elder from the Pill Hall came to inform her of a major issue. Ten elders had died after consuming the pills, creating a significant uproar. Fairy Yue was furious that the ns gave her poisonous pills. But the elder of the elixir hall confirmed that they had given the right pills. The pills got poisoned after they were brought in the sect. Fairy Yue was frustrated. She spent so much time trying to figure out materials for the poisonous pills. She swore she would make that hidden n pay. But before that, she had to calm the outer sect elders and suppress the news if the inner sect got wind of this she would be in very big trouble. In the uing days, she visited elders of every hall and gifted themrge amounts of spirit stones. She wanted to bribe them with pills but no elder would ept the outer sect alchemy hall''s pills. She made a considerable effort and paid a hefty price to suppress the news. Each Earth Immortal in the sect was a strength. She had to bribe the Admin Hall to remove their soul imprints from the outer sect''s treasure, so no one will find out the elders were dead. After suppressing the news of the elders'' deaths, Fairy Yue was furious. She roared at the Alchemy Hall elders that from now on, no members and their ns should buy or sell high-grade pills, such as Longevity pills, outside the Azure Dragon sect without the Alchemy Hall''s approval. Most of the alchemy pills and pill-rted businesses were owned by people from the Alchemy Hall. She nned to make the mysterious n surrender to the sect. As the main elder of the Alchemy Hall, she felt challenged and was not going to let this slide. While Fairy Yue announced that no Alchemy Hall members would trade pills rted to the mysterious family and asked them to contact her the moment they tried to reach out to them, cky was already making new business partners. Since the families were not going to sell the pills, cky went to specific underground organizations. These organizations were well known for not epting thew of the Azure Dragon Sect in the Azure Dragon Kingdom. The first organization that cky visited was the Golden Crane Organization, led by Master Crane Jingyu. A cheaper offer was extended to them for the distribution of the pills. The second organization cky visited was Amber Fox Organization, led by Fox Lanying. He gave them the same tempting offer. In this way, cky visited many more organizations in the Azure Dragon Kingdom and offered lower prices than those offered to the families. These organizations were already involved in many illegal activities in the Azure Dragon country, especially Golden Crane and Amber Fox, who belonged to other countries on the Vermillion Phoenix continent and were in Azure Dragon country to spy and create trouble. None of the organizations rejected the offer; everyone wanted high-grade pills, the rarer the better. With this, Han Cai''s business was back on track. The undergroundworks couldn''t openly sell the pills, so the news of pills being sold in the underground markets took time to reach the general public. But within six months, as more people used the pills and informed others about them, things started to pick up pace. Ten thousand pills a month were very low in number but they were cheaperpared to the price of high-grade pills sold in auctions. And as organizations started selling ten thousand high-grade pills every month, cultivators would rather wait for a month than buy pills from azure auction houses which were low-potent pills and had very high prices. Seeing the demand for pills the underground organizations started their own auction houses. Slowly their business kept growing. While Azure Dragon Sect''s Azure auction hall and pill hall saw a drastic drop in ie from high-grade pills. Now, the sect had no way to stop the distribution of these pills. They strictly monitored major cities for any such activities. Han Cai was not creating low-grade pills, so those markets were stable. Fairy Yue kept grinding her teeth, as elders of the inner alchemy hall were visiting her, asking why they have not received the spirit stones for the pills they concocted. The fairy could only say that they will receive they spirit stones soon. She was getting desperate to hunt that n down. While his ie resumed, Han Cai was done with the first batch of Obedience talismans. He spent half of his day concocting while the other half was dedicated to creating talismans. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 244 Yan Clans Strength ? In six months, he had created more than a thousand talismans. After they were ready, he called Shu Tao again. This time, Shu Tao brought a list of over fifty thousand outer sect disciples who did not have any backing and were suffering in the sect, just like Han Cai would have been, If Elder Du had not been consumed. Han Cai said, "Find the thousand most needy ones. Give them a hundred medium-grade spirit stones and tell them they will receive the same amount of spirit stones on a monthly basis as long as they sign a contract with you by imprinting the talisman. Also, exin the rules to them." Shu Tao nodded, took the storage ring, and left. Han Cai had decided that he would take it slow this time. He would use his talents and grow gradually. But that did not mean he wouldn''t be prepared for any unexpected situations. He would have arge number of followers doing his bidding. He didn''t have to worry about expenses, as Alchemy was a very profitable business, offering four to five times the returns on investments. After Shu Tao left with the talismans, Han Cai returned to his schedule. While Han Cai progressed in the sect, his n was growing too. Han Cai had heavily invested in the n, especially the Rui household. He wanted to pay them back and didn''t want them to be his weakness. The rapid growth of the Yan n in thest few years was not hidden from any of the ns. Justst year, the n bought another heaven-grade treasure and hired ten more ns to work for them. The growth of the n surprised not just the normal ns but also the Pei, Hu, Qi, and Xu ns. They all understood that after their seed joined the sect, the Yan n had been on a continuous rise without stopping. Sometimes, the Yan n made some bad business deals. For example, one business they bought in Verdant City was supposed to cost them two hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones, but they paid four hundred thousand for it. They bought a mansion that was supposed to cost only a hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones, but they paid fifteen hundred thousand for it. The Yan n also absorbed many declining martial ns and agreed to pay for their members'' cultivation resources in return. Those ns became official guards, each n having around ten thousand members. Now, the Yan n was bearing the cost of a hundred thousand more guards. If rumors are to be believed, the n had invested in many underground organizations in the Verdant area. The Yan n also surrounded Yan City with a massive wall. It is said that they had purchased the highest-grade defense array in an auction, and now Yan City was imprable. People started to consider Yan n, the strongest n in the Verdant area. The amount of investments they made was always top-notch, and they neverpromised when it came to money. The Hu, Qi, Pei, and Xu ns were beyond surprised. They had their own children in the Azure Dragon sect and they believed that besides the advantage of being able to do business in the major cities, their n never received any of such perks. They could not fathom the drastic effect having an Alchemist in the Azure Dragon sect would have. They decided to use the Ren n, which used to be the enemy of the Yan n, to create trouble for them. One day, when members of the Yan n were deliveringrge batches of quality goods to Verdant City, they were attacked by members of the Ren n, and the materials were robbed. Many of the members of the Yan n who were delivering goods escaped, while some died. They returned back to Yan City and informed the patriarch about the robbery and how the attackers were from the Ren n. The patriarch was furious, but he did not take any immediate action. Instead, he called an elders'' meeting. When the meetingmenced, the patriarch informed everyone about what the Ren n had done. All the elders were furious and wanted to take action. They demanded that the Ren n pay for their transgressions. After all the discussion was done, the patriarch did not make a decision right away. He looked at Yan Rui, as did the other elders. Even though the patriarch was the head of the family, the final decision always depended on him. After all, he was the sponsor of the whole n. Before Han Cai joined the sect, they were making maybe three hundred thousand to four hundred thousand medium-grade spirit stones a month, but now this had grown to millions, and Yan Rui was providing them with more resources each month. After giving it some thought, Yan Rui nodded in agreement. A few dayster, an uproar swept through the verdant area when the city of the Ren n was attacked by more than fifty thousand cultivators. Half of Rui City was destroyed and plundered. Everyone knew who the culprits were; it was an open secret that the Ren n had stolen goods from the Yan n. This act demonstrated to the Hu, Qi, Pei, and Xu ns that the Yan n had surpassed them in power. Understanding this, they saw no reason to hassle the Yan n further. Two weekster, the Hu n patriarch arrived at Yan City with a marriage proposal for Yan Yue, another heaven-grade talent of the Yan n. Another two weekster, the Qi n followed suit. The Yan n responded by saying that the elders would discuss and then give a final answer. The Xu n was the third to arrive, bringing a reminder of Han Cai''s and Xu Qiaolian''s engagement. This put the Yan n in a dilemma, as Elder Du had stipted that Yan Kai would only marry after he became a grandmaster alchemist. Initially, this sounded unbelievable, but considering Han Cai''s talent, it didn''t seem impossible. He was concocting medium-grade pills at the age of ten, after all. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 245 Five Years ? Eventually, Yan Rui decided to be honest and revealed the truth about the conditions set by Han Cai''s elder in the sect. Their options were for their daughter to wait until Han Cai became a grandmaster alchemist or to revert the engagement back to Yan Pengfei and Xu Qiaolian. This made Xu Patraich frown, but he could not do anything. Thest to visit was the Pei n. The Pei patriarch had given a lot of thought and decided that he wanted Han Cai to be engaged to their n''s daughter instead of Xu Qiaolian, as the engagement during the banquet was not confirmed. The Yan n had to give the Pei family the same response they gave to the Xu n. The Pei family patriarch was surprised to hear this, but he resolved that if Han Cai became a grandmaster alchemist, he would do everything in his power to build a rtionship with the Yan n. When you are busy cultivating, the years pass as days. It had been five years since Han Cai had joined the Azure Dragon Sect. Over thest five years, he spent his time cultivating, creating talismans, learning arrays, and concocting pills. By the fourth year, he was sessful in creating the Awakening Pill, but, to his disappointment, the pill did not awaken his abilities. There was some minor movement, but after that, his legendary abilities did not awaken. This did not meanplete failure, as all his three Grandmaster abilities were semi-dormant now. As the abilities became semi-dormant, theyplimented his growth more. His improved Yin and Yang array was a big help in his journey to be better at making pills. He could now make Earth-grade and Spirit-grade pills. Spirit-grade pills were very potent and were usually made by expert alchemists for lower-level cultivators. Because they are so strong and hard to make, they were very sought after. Most groups only give these pills to their most important members because they are so expensive and can''t be given to everyone. Earth-grade pills, on the other hand, are only used by Earth-grade Immortals. These pills are hard to find, and you usually have to ask a level-six Alchemist to make them for you. By being able to make Earth-grade pills, Han Cai had be a level six Alchemist. This was a big aplishment, but it also meant he had three more levels to go to be a Grand Master Alchemist and awaken his grandmaster ability. Thesest three levels were going to be much harder than the first six. However, with how much Han Cai had already grown, it seemed like he was on the right path. With his talisman-making skills bing semi-dormant, Han Cai was able to mass produce obedience talismans. These talismans helped him to gain the loyalty of over half of the outer sect disciples from the list who were in need of a backing faction. In total, around thirty-two thousand outer sect disciples were now under hismand. Although most of these disciples were from the alchemy hall, a significant number were also from other halls. Han Cai utilized Shu Tao to enlist disciples from different halls, who held important positions in the outer sect, to join his obedience faction. Shu Tao did not personally reach out to the disciples. Instead, he used the disciples he had already recruited in the alchemy hall to extend their influence to disciples in the outer sect. They did not immediately recruit any disciple; instead, they would spend a few months assessing the potential recruits. If a disciple seemed to be in genuine trouble or need, they would offer assistance and then present them with the obedience talisman. In the second year, there were only one thousand disciples, but after this first thousand joined, things elerated quickly. With each of these thousand disciples recruiting a new disciple the following month, they soon had two thousand, then four, and so on. This process continued until they reached a total of thirty-two thousand disciples. Han Caipensated these disciples with a hundred medium-grade spirit stones every month. This amounted to an expenditure of about 3.2 million medium-grade spirit stones every month, which was more than ten times the average ie of a typical n in the Azure Dragon Country. However, Han Cai was also generating a significant ie. He was concocting a massive number of high-grade pills to be sold to underground organizations throughout the Azure Dragon Country. He also used the outer sect disciples under his control to find merchants outside the sect. Everything was managed by cky, Yongnian, and Shu Tao. Han Cai had remained secluded for five years, but today, after reaching core formation cultivation, he decided to leave Elder Du''s abode. He felt like he was losing touch with the outside world and decided to take a stroll. As Han Cai approached the dining hall, he noticed arge group of disciples milling about. As they saw Han Cai, they all stopped and bowed. It struck him then that Shu Tao must have prioritized recruiting disciples from the basic pill department. When these disciples had joined, they were at the Qi condensation stage, but with the help of pills and spirit stones provided by Han Cai, most of them had advanced to the foundation establishment stage. Han Cai reminded himself to tell Shu Tao that the disciples should not bow to him publicly. This could potentially endanger his n to stay hidden. He proceeded to the dining hall, where a disciple came forward and asked him what he wanted to eat. Han Cai asked for a serving of whatever was avable, and the disciple promptly brought him his meal. Han Cai couldn''t help but feel a sense of amusement. It felt as though he had returned to the days of being a young master. Now, he didn''t have to walk around the dining hall to get his food, like he had to when he first arrived. Han Cai requested a disciple standing nearby to call for Shu Tao. After a short while, Shu Tao arrived and took a seat across from Han Cai. Han Cai inquired, "So, how many elders are there in need?" Shu Tao replied, "In the basic pills department, there are 50 who are nearing the end of their lifespan, and there are 90 whose cultivation has reached a long-standing bottleneck." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 246 News Of War ? Han Cai queried, "Will you be able to reel them in?" Shu Tao shook his head, "They''re different from the disciples. Elder Du would personally have to take action." Han Cai nodded and asked, "What else is going on in the sect?" Shu Tao shared, "Since war is imminent, the Jade Lotus Dynasty, Lang Nation, Longyi Dynasty, and Shenwei Kingdom will be visiting us as guests. There might be a friendly spar between the disciples of each nation." Surprised, Han Cai questioned, "War? What kind of war?" Shu Tao exined, "Our Azure Dragon Nation and its allies might be going to war against the White Tiger Alliance." Intrigued, Han Cai asked, "What''s the cause of the war?" Shu Tao shrugged, "No one is sure, but most probably resources. Some people mentioned a mystic realm, but no one is certain. Except for the core elders and core members of the allies, no one knows the cause." Han Cai inquired, "When will this war begin?" Shu Tao responded, "Maybe in a hundred years or more, maybe before that. I am not sure about that either." Han Cai asked, "What level of cultivators will battle?" Shu Tao stated, "The battle will be in the mystic realm, so almost all levels of cultivators will participate." Upon hearing about the war, Han Cai frowned. Was his luck so bad that after his reincarnation into a prosperous country, this very nation was now heading towards war? It had been peaceful for thest ten thousand years, so what had urred now that war was on the horizon? While these thoughts gued Han Cai, in a distinct part of the sect, simr things were being discussed. The inner core area of the Azure Dragon Sect had been an expansive territory that stretched across a hundred thousand kilometers, home to only the top 1% of the sect''s cultivators. This number might have seemed negligiblepared to the sect''s total poption of over 700,000. However, being part of this elite group had been a prestigious and coveted position held only by the strongest and mostmitted cultivators. The environment of the inner core had been a paradise for cultivators. The air had been thick with spiritual Qi, forming a dense mist that shimmered with ethereal light, providing a constant source of nourishment for cultivation. This Qi had been so rich and abundant that it imparted a sense of tranquility and serenity to the entire area, making it an ideal ce for meditation and advancement in cultivation. Sprawling gardens of spiritual herbs and ancient trees, brimming with energy, had existed here. The flowers, vibrant and aromatic, bloomed all year round. Deep, crystal-clearkes, imbued with spiritual energy, were also found in the area. The housing facilities had been grand cave abodes designed for optimal absorption of spiritual Qi. Constructed from precious materials and rare spiritual woods, they were inscribed with formations to enhance the flow of Qi. Each abode was surrounded by its private garden, filled with rare herbs and beautiful pavilions for meditation. At the heart of the Inner Core area had been the Azure Dragon Grand Hall, an enormous, imposing structure of unparalleled grandeur and majesty. This was the ce where the sect''s elders and most influential figures resided, a symbol of their authority and status within the sect. A few mountains away from the Grand Hall, nestled within the resplendent Inner Core area, had been the cave abode of the Holy Daughter of the Azure Dragon Sect. This abode, known as the Fairy Lotus Abode, had been a mesmerizing blend of grandeur, opulence, and enchanting feminine charm. Carved into a towering mountain, the Fairy Lotus Abode had been an enormous structure, its entrance adorned with an exquisite archway of azure jade. The archway, sculpted with delicate dragon motifs and veined with streaks of gold, had greeted visitors with an air rich in dense spiritual Qi. Inside the cave, the power and refined aesthetics of the Holy Daughter had been evident. The walls of the cave had shimmered with luminescent pearls and precious gemstones, casting a serene, otherworldly light across the expansive space. The floor, paved with polished moonstones, had reflected the gentle light, creating an illusion of a moonlit path. The main living area boasted plush furnishings crafted from soft silks and velvets in shades of azure and silver, adorned with delicate golden embroidery. The air had carried a faint scent of spirit flowers, lending a soothing, feminine touch to the environment. Despite itsfort, every detail had spoken of the Holy Daughter''s status and power. To the side had been a vast library, home to an extensive collection of ancient scrolls and cultivation manuals, signifying the Holy Daughter''s pursuit of knowledge. Adjacent to the library had been a grand cultivation room, where the spiritual Qi had been at its densest, resonating with the powerful formations inscribed on the walls and floor. Perhaps the most striking feature had been the central garden. Arge skylight had filtered in natural light, illuminating a variety of rare spirit flowers and nts. A small, crystal-clear pond had sat in the middle, with multicolored lotus flowers floating serenely on its surface. A gentle waterfall had cascaded down from the side of the cave, its water infused with spiritual energy, creating a soothing melody that resonated throughout the cave. Despite its grandeur, the Fairy Lotus Abode had been tranquil and harmonious. It wasn''t just the residence of the Holy Daughter but a sanctuary that reflected her personality and status within the Azure Dragon Sect. In the luxurious heart of the Fairy Lotus Abode, the Holy Daughter, Lan Yanmei, was seated majestically at the head of a grand table carved from a single piece of iridescent spirit jade. She was nked on both sides by three of the sect''s inner core disciples: Lan Yn, Wei Biyu, and Bai Qian. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 247 Holy Daughter ? Lan Yanmei was a vision of celestial beauty, her elegance unmatched within the sect. Her long, silken hair, the color of midnight, was adorned with an intricate silver hairpin, a tiny azure dragon coiled around a lustrous pearl. Her eyes, as deep and tranquil as a stillke, were a striking shade of indigo that seemed to hold the secrets of the cosmos within their depths. Her skin was as smooth as porcin, giving off a faint, captivating glow under the luminescent light of the hall. Her lips, soft and delicate, held a gentle curve, making her appear both approachable yet dignified. She was dressed in a flowing robe of the deepest azure, the fabric shimmering with a subtle glow as if woven from moonlight. The robe was embroidered with silver threads forming intricate patterns of dragons and phoenixes, signifying her status as the Holy Daughter. A thin veil of translucent silk hung from her shoulders, adding an air of mystique to her already captivating presence. The hall itself was a grand expanse, adorned with tall pirs of celestial jade that reached up towards the vaulted ceiling. Large hangingnterns of glowing spirit stones dangled from the ceiling, casting a warm,forting light across the hall. The walls were adorned with exquisite tapestries depicting various scenes of mythical beasts and legendary cultivators, each thread infused with a faint trace of spiritual Qi. Lan Yn, Wei Biyu, and Bai Qian sat respectfully, their eyes on Lan Yanmei. Each of them was a beauty in their own right, but in the presence of the Holy Daughter, they were like delicate flowers basking in the radiance of the moon. Despite their distinct personalities and appearances, they all shared the same air of respect and admiration for Lan Yanmei. As they sat in the grand hall, the air was filled with a serene calm, the soft glow of the spirit stonenterns casting long, elegant shadows across the floor. It was a scene of peace and camaraderie, reflecting the harmony and unity within the inner core of the Azure Dragon Sect. Lan Yanmei spoke to Wei Biyu, "Did you ask your master what''s the cause of this war?" Wei Biyu nodded and replied, "Master told me the war was going to happen sooner orter because of the Realm of a Thousand Blossoms. It just came early." Lan Yanmei frowned, "Wasn''t it announced that we would share the resources of the Realm of Thousand Blossoms equally? Why did ite to war?" Wei Biyu shook her head and spoke, "We did decide to share all the resources, but now things are different. Recently in our country, someone used an ancient, long-lost alchemy art that was believed to be extinct. Since the Thousand Blossoms realm is known especially for alchemy, the White Tiger Alliance says that we stole the ancient alchemy form, which should have been shared. Because of this, they want war." Bai Qian by the side frowned, "War over a mere alchemy form?" Wei Biyu corrected her, "It''s not just a mere alchemy form. Master said if a sect has this, it could change the whole cultivation world." Lan Yanmei asked, "What''s so special about this form?" Wei Biyu spoke, "I don''t know much, but Master said that in this method, instead of using materials as normal alchemists do, the alchemist removes specific portions of the material and uses those portions to concoct the pills. These portions are very hard to find and separate from the material, but it is said all materials have those portions and if this technique is used, a normal ginseng can be used to create a more potent pill than a ten-thousand-year-old ginseng. A normal ginseng costs a few golds, not even spirit stones, while a ten-thousand-year-old one costs a hundred thousand spirit stones." All the fairies sitting around went wide-eyed; the implications of this were truly grand. This could change the whole cultivation world. The third female core disciple, Lan Yn, asked, "Why do they think that our sect has this alchemy form or that we took it from the Thousand Blossoms realm?" Wei Biyu furrowed her brow, "That is because someone concocted the pills using the ancient form, and the pills they created were longevity pills and many other high-grade pills. Those pills were only distributed within our country. Because of this, the White Tiger Alliance thinks our sect has taken the form." Lan Yanmei shook her head and stood up, "There''s no use worrying about it. Grandpa will take care of it. We should make sure to support our sect, whatever is needed from us. Let''s visit the Flower Floating Pagoda; new azure flowers have bloomed in the pagoda." Hearing the name of the pagoda, all the girls showed pleased smiles and stood up. One by one, each of them flew towards the Flower Floating Pagoda. It was not only these girls who were concerned about the war; almost the whole sect was discussing it. The losses would be massive; the White Tiger Alliance was equally powerful. Han Cai was sitting on a peak. This peak was an isted peak very far from Elder Du''s abode. Han Cai came to this peak identally while randomly flying around. Later, he found this peak area was called the Blue Mountains area. The scenery from this peak was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Today, he decided to visit the peak. Basking in the sun, he was wondering what to do next. He was looking at the vast majestic valley, pondering why beauty had to be so cruel. While Han Cai was deep in thought, a man suddenly appeared beside him. Han Cai was surprised; his senses did not alert him at all. He turned to see the man was adorned in exquisite azure Daoist robes, reflecting the color of the deepest ocean, radiating an aura of tranquility. The robes were embroidered with intricate golden dragons. The light robe moved softly as the wind blew on the peak. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 248 Tianlong ? The Man''s face, a canvas of time and wisdom, bore strong and defined features that seemed as if they were carefully chiseled by a master craftsman. Deep-set eyes of brilliant azure sparkled with an unfathomable depth of wisdom and a touch of timeless mystique. They were like tranquilkes, revealing no secrets but seemingly housing a world within them. His hair, now a dignified silver, flowed like a silken river down his back, a striking contrast to the azure of his robes. There was a stillness about him that could only be found in those who had seen the ebb and flow of countless years. The way he appeared and stood beside Han Cai had an ease and elegance that could only be born from a lifetime of navigating the intricate paths of cultivation. Han Cai noticed that the man was not looking at him, but at the beautiful valley where Han Cai was gazing. Finally, the man spoke while still staring at the valley, "I am Lan Tianlong." Han Cai did not respond to the man and waited for him to continue. Seeing that Han Cai was not replying, the man spoke again, "It seems you''ve had some lucky chances; it''s been years since I paid attention to the outer sect." The man continued, "Did you know you are the cause of the war with the White Tiger Alliance?" This was the first time the man saw some reaction from Han Cai. Han Cai asked, "What do you mean?" Tianlong responded, "The alchemy technique you use is an ancient one that''s worth destroying many nations for. The technique of extracting unique properties from materials and using a normal tree root to get the effects of spirit roots is a long-lost alchemy art." Han Cai shook his head, "I didn''t have a lucky chance, I''m just a genius in alchemy." Tianlongughed out loud and replied, "That''s even better than a lucky chance. Nevertheless, war is going to happen." Han Cai questioned, "How did you know it was me?" Tianlong chuckled, "You hid your presence very well, but some of the disciples who went out to sell the pills... I just had to follow their movements." Han Cai nodded, realizing that made sense. Tianlong asked, "Who is the man who took over Du? He seems to be a Heaven Immortal." Han Cai confirmed, "He''s my bodyguard." Tianlong was surprised, "That''s interesting. How is a Heaven Immortal protecting a tiny seed like you?" Han Cai shrugged, "We all have our chances." They stayed quiet for a while before the old man spoke again, "So, what are you going to do now that war is going to begin?" Han Cai thought for a while and replied, "Run! What else can I do?" Tianlongughed out loud again. This young man was very intriguing to him. Tianlong asked, "Don''t you have faith in the sect''s strength?" Han Cai shook his head, "Blind faith is foolishness. Since they dered war on the sect, this means they are prepared. They are a millennia-old alliance and if they think they can take you on, they must have some reason." Tianlong nodded and asked, "Do you know the history of our sect?" Han Cai shook his head, "Nope." Tianlong gave an amused smile, "Don''t you feel curious about the history of the sect?" Han Cai shook his head, "Nope." Tianlong felt curious and asked, "Why not?" Han Cai spoke, "The more I know, the more Karma I will owe. I would rather stay ignorant." Tianlongughed out loud again and spoke, "I think you have a misconception about Karma. Anyway, did you receive the legacy of some monk? Is that why you shave all your hair? Or are you the reincarnation of one of those monks?" Han Cai shook his head, "Burnt my hair trying to learn alchemy." Tianlongughed out loud again. After hisughter subsided, he spoke, "Not in our realm but another, there is a continent known as the Spirit Beasts Continent. This continent is ruled by four beasts: Long, Fenghuang, Gui, and Hu. Humans in the continent worshipped these beasts, and pleased by their worship, the beasts blessed the humans with their bloodline. With the bloodline of the beasts, humans began to grow and be stronger. Over the years, these humans with the bloodline of the deity beasts formed four sects: Phoenix Sect, LongTian Sect, Gui Sect, and ShenHu Sect. Tianlong continued, "Azure Dragon Sect was a branch of Long Tian Sect in lower realm." Han Cai spoke, "That is why you gave yourself the name? Why is this continent called vermillion phoenix if all four are equally powerful" Tianlong nodded, "All Four Sects opened branches mortal realm and In the beginning, it was all peaceful, but as time passed, the ancestors who founded the sect left. We members of each sect started growing and bing stronger. The stronger we became, the more greed we had, which led to constant battles. Today, our Azure dragon Sect has reduced to only one nation in this vast continent, while white tiger sect had be White Tiger Alliance but in power they are simr to use, and the Vermillion Phoenix Sect grew most and over the years they became rulers of the continued.." Han Cai asked, "What about Gui Sect?" Tianlong replied, "Their branch is called Emerald Turtle Sect. Just like turtles, they stay quiet and not interact much, but they are the second most strongest in the continent. If someone could challenge the Vermillion Phoenix Sect, it would be them." Han Cai asked, "So, we are fourth strongest in the continent then?" Tianlong replied, "No, we just own a country. Any sect which owns a country might have equal power as us, but we do have plenty of alliances and a rich foundation; no one can fight us in the Azure Dragon Country." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 249 Order From The Sect ? Han Cai thought and spoke, "Why war then? Let them have the Mystic Realm or whatever you are fighting for." Tianlong spoke, "It''s not that simple. They want your alchemy techniques." Han Cai sighed, "We all are allowed to dream." Tianlong smiled and spoke, "Since you are the one who brought the trouble, shouldn''t you help the sect solve this problem?" Han Cai shook his head, "Nope, not my war." Tianlongughed, "What if we decide to give you up to them?" Han Cai replied, "I keep a heaven immortal as bodyguard, and my beast is a void immortal. I personally wouldn''t want trouble, but that doesn''t mean it will be simple." Tianlong nodded, "I believe you. Your talent is too important; the sect wouldn''t give you up even if they knew about you." Han Cai gave the old man a curious look. The old manughed and spoke, "How about this? The sect will pay you the amount that the underworld guys are paying. The sect will pay more for your pills. But in a war such as this, high-grade pills are of no use; the sect needs Earth-grade and above pills. Can you concoct those?" Han Cai considered this for a moment before responding. His next words would y a significant role in determining the direction of his rtionship with the Azure Dragon Sect, and possibly the oue of the looming war. Han Cai nodded, "I can get you Earth-grade pills." Tian Long nodded, "The war would begin soon; Earth-grade level cultivators are one of the most important factors. How many pills can you get?" Han Cai asked, "Don''t you have a Grandmaster Alchemist and level six alchemists in the core of your sect?" TianLong shook his head and said, "You have been in the sect for five years and you still refer to our sect as ''your sect''? But I don''t me you; our sect did not even try to find your talent or support you." Han Cai did not reply. Tian Long continued, "We do have a Grandmaster Alchemist and two level six and seven alchemists too, but they know only the traditional method, which would be very expensive for the sect." Han Cai nodded, "Fair enough." Tian Long asked, "What do you need?" Han Cai shrugged, "Resources." Tian Long asked again, "What does the sect have to do to make you be part of it, and not just a passerby?" Han Cai thought for a while and then said, "A home, maybe." Tianlong took out an azure bell. The bell left his hands flew towards Han Cai. Tianlong spoke," Ring the bell if you need to speak to me. " After saying that Tian Long disappeared. Han Cai stayed at the peak for some more time before he flew back to Elder Du''s abode. Few weekster. Elder Lu Ting of the Administration Hall was having a headache; he just received an order from the inner sect which said he had to give a separate mountain to one of the elders of the Alchemy Hall. The order also mentioned that no questions were to be asked, and all the disciples whom the elder asks to follow him, should follow the elder. It mentioned that the elder would be heading a new department of the Alchemy Hall, to be called Spirit Pill Hall. He flew towards abode of Fairy Yun. Fairy Yun of the Alchemy Hall was busy concocting pills; the sect had ordered them to prepare a massive amount of healing, fasting, and strengthening pills in case war breaks out. When she returned from concocting pills, she saw Elder Lu Ting sitting in the hall, deep in thought. Fairy Yun was surprised to see the head elder of the Admin Hall visiting her. She sat opposite the elder and said, "Wee to my humble abode, Elder. How may I help you?" Elder Lu Ting nodded and said, "The sect has decided that the Alchemy Hall will have one more department: the Spirit Pill Department. They will be creating Spirit-grade and Earth-grade pills." Fairy Yun was surprised. Earth-grade level pills in the outer sect? That was quite shocking to her. Those pills were created only by inner sect alchemists. She herself was a Level Three Alchemy Master and she headed the Alchemy Department, but the best pills she could create were high-grade pills. She still had not seeded in creating Spirit-grade or Earth-grade pills. Elder Lu Ting coughed and took out a ck jade from his pouch. Seeing the ck jade, Fairy Yun was surprised. The jade did not have anything special on it but there was a blue dragon drawn on it. This simple jade meant the order wasing from the highest level in the sect. Elder Lu Ting said, "Elder Du of the Basic Pill Department from your Alchemy Hall will be moving to a new mountain. He will have his own department. That department will only answer to the inner sect." Fairy Yun was shocked for a while; never in her life had she seen a ck Jade ordering from the sect just for an elder. It was very surprising for her. But this also meant she had to ept the order immediately. She nodded in agreement. With this a new department was formed in outer sect alchemy hall of Azure Dragon sect. The Blue Mountains, nestled in the outer reaches of the Azure Dragon Sect, were an enchanting spectacle to behold. They stretched across the horizon, their misty peaks piercing the cerulean sky like the serrated des of ancient swords, silent and imposing. The color from which they derived their name wasn''t a monochrome shade; rather, it was a symphony of blues, ranging from delicate pastels at dawn to deep, majestic hues at twilight. The y of light and shadow on their rugged slopes throughout the day rendered an ever-changing tableau, a testament to the inexhaustible beauty of nature. At sunrise, the first rays of light would dance upon the mountains, setting their ridges ame in a dazzling spectacle of golden hues against the serene blue backdrop. As the day progressed, the sun would cast a radiant azure veil over the rocky terrain, entuating their majesty. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 250 Settling In ? Vegetation clung to Blue rocky terrains, painting the mountain slopes in lush shades of emerald green. Thick forests covered the lower slopes, forming a stark contrast to the bare, blue-gray stone that made up the higher reaches. From afar, the mountain range looked like a canvas of an artist''s masterpiece, nature''s perfect blending of earth, foliage, and sky. Waterfalls cascaded down the sides of the mountains, sparkling like silver threads against the blue. Their distant roars echoed through the valleys, adding a sense of life and movement to the tranquil scenery. The air around the mountains was fresh, imbued with the crisp scent of pine, the earthiness of moist soil, and the sweet fragrance of blooming alpine flowers. At night, the Blue Mountains would wear a cloak of indigo, lit only by the gleaming moon and stars. The sight was profoundly serene, the sky''s vast canvas of twinkling stars mirrored in the crystal-clear mountainkes, while the moon''s silvery light bathed the peaks in a hauntingly beautiful glow. One of the peaks of the Blue Mountains housed the new department of the Alchemy Hall of the Azure Dragon Sect. The department was named Spirit Pill Department. This department was set up by the elder Du of the basic department of the alchemy hall. No one knew how or why this new department came into existence for a while. Soon, the Administration Hall of the sect officially announced that the outer sect''s Alchemy Hall had one more department, the Spirit Pill Department, and that this department would be creating Spirit Pills and Earth-grade pills. This was very big news for the sect; so far, Earth-grade and Spirit-grade pills were developed only by the inner core sect''s Alchemy Department. There was always a shortage of these pills in the sect as the materials they required to concoct were very expensive, and the failure rate to concoct them was very high. Even with many talented alchemists, the inner sect''s Alchemy Hall had to put in a lot of effort, and they couldn''t create more than a few Earth-grade pills. Concocting spirit pills were rtively easier, but the sect had only three high-grade alchemists who could concoct these spirit pills. Now that the outer sect alchemy hall had a department that could concoct spirit-grade pills, everyone was interested in these pills. Spirit-grade pills were desired by cultivators of every level as they could assist any cultivator, be they below or above earth-grade. Tianlong turned out to be making a significant effort, as he gifted Han Cai the entire blue mountain area. The first thing Han Cai did after receiving the mountain was to have Elder Du select five thousand contracted disciples to relocate them to the Blue Mountains. The second thing he did was arrange for the construction of individual houses for each of them. Han Cai imed a separate and quiet mountain for himself. Since the old man was kind enough to offer such a location, he was going to make the most out of it. Once amodations were established, Han Cai set up a grand array called the "Mirage of the Vast Expanse." A masterful deception array, this array elevated his art of array creation to its pinnacle. Primarily designed to disorient and confuse anyone who ventured into its influence, once activated, it should transform the serene environment of the Blue Mountains into an intimidating illusion of an endless desert, a sight far removed from the lush greenery and cool, clean air typical of a mountainous region. From a distance, the array should have been imperceptible to the naked eye, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. However, the moment someone stepped into its radius, they would instantly be engulfed by the desert illusion. The crisp, clean mountain air would be reced by the dry, hot breeze of the desert, and the lush greenery would be exchanged for endless stretches of sand. This illusion was so convincing that one could almost feel the scorching heat of the sun overhead and the warm, shifting sand underfoot. The Blue Mountains would vanish in the blink of an eye, reced by a sprawling desert with undting dunes extending as far as the eye could see. The Mirage of the Vast Expanse was more than just a visual illusion. It also affected one''s sense of direction and perception of time. A person trapped within the array would find themselves lost, with thendscape appearing the same in every direction. The sense of time would distort, making it feel as though they had been wandering for hours, or even days, within the desert. When Han Cai created the array, everything went in the right direction except for one thing: his cultivation was too low to activate such a high-level array. As such, he had to use Yongnian, and Yongnian''s death Qi caused a mutation in the array. The ordinary mirage array had transformed into something else. The moment someone entered the radius of this modified array, they would find themselves standing at the edge of a daunting expanse of a barrenndscape. The warm golden sand of a typical desert was reced by an eerie grey. The sky overhead was no longer the bright, cloudless blue of a desert day. Instead, it was an oppressive, inky ck that seemed to swallow the sunlight, casting an eternal night over the wastnd. The sun was reced by an eerie, spectral moon that hung low in the sky, casting long, distorted shadows over the destendscape. The heat, instead of being a scorching burn, was a cold, lifeless chill that prated to the bone, a stark contrast to the hot wind one would expect in a desert. This illusory wind carried the faint whispers of lost souls, their haunting voices echoing in the perpetual night, further enhancing the atmosphere of destion and despair. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 251 News Of Another Grand Banquet ? In the array the once familiar chirping of insects and asional wildlife sounds were reced by an oppressive silence, broken only by the ghostly whispers carried by the wind. The death Qi mutation turned the "Mirage of the Vast Expanse" array into abyrinth of despair and destion. The perceived threat of death was omnipresent, transforming the simple task of traversing the Blue Mountains into a survival game against one''s deepest fears. But with this mutation, Han Cai officially owned this mountain; no one below the heaven immortal level could enter or leave the array without his permission. With the location secured, he spent the first few days roaming around the beautiful Blue Mountains, enjoying the scenery. After that, he got back to concocting pills, beginning with spirit pills which were most in demand and could be consumed by anyone, be they immortals or cultivators just starting their cultivation journey. The pills were more effective for cultivators with a cultivation level above nascent soul, while the earth-grade pills could only be consumed by cultivators above earth-grade immortals. He already had a list of pills that he wanted to concoct to help the sect if a war broke out: "Battle Fury Pill" This pill could boost a cultivator''s strength and speed temporarily, making them more formidable in battle. However, due to the temporary nature of the boost, it was vital to use these pills strategically. "Mind rity Pill": Wars are not just about physical strength, but also mental agility. This pill could help cultivators maintain rity of mind, enabling them to make strategic decisions quickly in the heat of battle. "Rapid Regeneration Pill" Healing pills are crucial in a war situation. This pill could elerate the healing process, helping cultivators recover quickly from injuries sustained during battle. "Qi Restoration Pill" This pill could rapidly replenish a cultivator''s expended Qi, helping them maintain theirbat effectiveness for longer periods. "Sustenance Pill" In long and protracted battles, this pill could help cultivators maintain their energy levels and dy the onset of fatigue. Han Cai concocted these pills diligently, as he had given his word that he would deliver them. He had to pause all his external businesses for this, but the sect was going topensate him with a hefty sum of spirit stones. He did concoct high-grade pills, too, so he could send some to his n their business shouldn''t just stop. The sect was also going to give his n ess to administrative jobs, so they would be taken care of. The pills his n would sell would be supplied from the alchemy hall, so overall, his n was not incurring any loss. The same could not be said about the underground organization; Han Cai had left them in the cold, but they couldn''t voice anyints. Each day, Han Cai would create five batches of each type of pill, with each batch containing around ten pills. These were earth-grade pills. Besides these, he also concocted spirit pills, which came out to about twenty per batch, allowing him to produce hundreds of spirit pills. The remaining time he spent concocting high-grade pills for his n. One could say that he had a very packed schedule. By the end of the month, he had concocted three hundred of each type of earth-grade pill. He sent the first batch directly to the inner sect. As for the spirit pills, he had concocted around three thousand of them. After making the pills, he felt like resting for a day. When he was concocting pills just for the sake of it, he found it amusing, but now that he was doing it as work, for some reason, he found it dull. Han Cai decided to take a break and go for a stroll. He left his abode and enjoyed the scenery of the Blue Mountains. Even though this view was worth a million, he missed TV. He felt a pang of sadness, wishing he could use his system to exchange points for a television. Then he had a eureka moment: couldn''t he use arrays and spirit Qi to create a visual TV? Han Cai decided that would be his next project. While contemting this, he walked to the hill where the disciples of the Spirit Pill department lived. While he was roaming around, he saw Shu Tao. Shu Tao approached and bowed to Han Cai. Han Cai asked, "How are things?" Shu Tao replied, "Everything is set up; waiting for your orders." Han Cai thought for a moment and then said, "Cultivate for now. Get others to cultivate and try new pill recipes. Now that we are the Spirit Pill Hall, your goal is to get everyone to seed in creating spirit pills. When I need something, I wille to you guys. How are things in the sect?" Shu Tao answered, "Everyone is asking about the new hall. They want spirit pills. Many requests have been sent to the admin hall, even from the inner sect, asking for spirit pills." Han Cai nodded and threw a pouch to Shu Tao. The pouch contained three thousand spirit pills. "For now, I haven''t created many, but these three thousand should be good enough." After giving him the pills, Han Cai asked, "Any news about the war?" Shu Tao nodded and said, "Jade Lotus Dynasty, Lang Nation, Longyi Dynasty, and Shenwei Kingdom, they all have arrived, and the sect will be holding a grand banquet and tournament. A friendly tournament will be held in the outer sect. All the hall leaders and department elders are invited to the banquet. Elder Du is also invited to the grand banquet. Will you be joining Elder Du?" Hearing the term ''Grand Banquet'', a chill ran down Han Cai''s spine, the same chill that cky and Yongnian had felt when Han Cai asked them to try his spirit coffee. Han Cai murmured, "Why can''t it be a normal banquet? Why does it have to be a grand banquet?" Nevertheless, he had to attend this banquet to understand the inner sect and the kingdoms that were going to support the sect. For now, his ns were tied to the sect, and it would be a considerable inconvenience if the sect got destroyed. After returning back to his mountain, Han Cai started thinking about how he could save the sect even though he was not attached to it. It will be a hassle if the sect got destroyed. He had invested plenty of time in this sect. He needed something that could be a game-changer. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 252 Array Transfer Talisman ? Han Cai began contemting what would be the most important factor in the war. The answer he arrived at was, of course, the cultivators. Now he started considering how he could assist them in altering the course of the battle. He was already providing pills that should give them an edge, but the inner sect alchemists were also making pills. His pills wouldn''t change the course of war, they might contribute, but not significantly. After considering the pill options, he couldn''t figure out what else he could do. Then he started to look at things from a new perspective. He was not just a pill master; he also had extensive knowledge in talismans and arrays. If he could create talismans that could help them in battle, then their chances would increase. After long deliberation, Han Cai began working on special custom talisman. After a continuous month of trial and error, he finalized the design of the talisman. Han Cai named this talisman the "Array Transfer Talisman." This was unique talisman that only he could create. As it required knowledge of arrays and talismans both. First, he began by designing the blueprint of the talisman in his mind. He envisaged a small, palm-sized talisman etched withplex array formations that, when activated, would form a protective barrier around the cultivator. This barrier wouldn''t just nullify iing attacks but redirect the energy to the defensive arrays of the sect. Once the design wasplete, Han Cai chose the finest quality jade as the base material for the talisman. Jade, being an excellent energy conductor and stabilizer, was the perfect choice for the creation of such an advanced talisman. He meticulously carved the array formations on the jade with a specially prepared tool, the Array Engraver, made from a mixture of spiritual metals and imbued with his spiritual Qi. Theplexity of the arrays demanded absolute precision and a steady hand. The entire carving process took him several days toplete. Next came the most crucial part - infusing the talisman with spiritual energy. Han Cai used his own celestial Qi to activate the arrays carved on the talisman. It was a delicate process, and any mistake could render the entire talisman useless. As he channeled his Qi into the talisman, the engraved arrays began to shimmer with a soft, ethereal glow. Once the arrays were fully activated, Han Cai continued to infuse the talisman with Qi until it waspletely saturated. He then sealed it with a final array to ensure that the Qi would not leak out until the talisman was activated. When the entire process waspleted, Han Cai held the Array Transfer Talisman in his hand. It was a small jade talisman glowing softly with an array of intricate formations etched into it. He could feel the contained energy humming quietly within the talisman, waiting to be released. The talisman, with its ability to redirect damage to the sect''s defensive array, was a great asset for any cultivator on the battlefield. But since the battlefield was far away, he had to use a carrier that could move, that could connect the talismans to the sect array. Han Cai decided he would use the cultivators of the sect as mobile towers to transfer the damage. Han Cai spoke, "Elder Du." Elder Du appeared in front of him. Han Cai spoke, "I might have found solution take it to Tianlong" After he exined the intricacies of the talisman to Elder Du, Elder Du left to give it to Tianlong.. With this, Han Cai gave the sect some more edge in the battle. He did not know how much it might help, but he was sure this should give some advantage to the sect. After creating the talismans, Han Cai took another break. The time for the grand banquet had also arrived. This was a massive banquet the sect was throwing to wee the guests. Everyone was going to the banquet. The elders of every department were going to greet the guests, while most of the outer sect and inner sect disciples were going to be outside the area. Given the massive size of the sect, this banquet had turned into a massive festival. The sect was going to ensure the guests were pleased by their wee. On the day of the banquet, Elder Du took Han Cai and Shu Tao and they flew towards the banquet area. Multiple mountains of the sect were converted into a festival area. Four mountains surrounding a valley were chosen as the core location for the festival. The four mountains and the center valley formed arge za, named the "Azure za." This za was vast enough to amodate hundreds of thousands of people. Yet, it was not the only impressive feature of this area. In the center of the Azure Sky za was an enormous raised tform known as the "Dais." The dais wasyered in a stair-like fashion with each step adding extra height, leading up to a splendid tform at the top. This was where the guests of honor would be seated, elevated above the crowd and clearly visible to everyone in the za. The elevated position also held symbolic meaning, showing the respect and honor the sect had for its esteemed guests. Surrounding the Dais on the four mountains were concentric circles of seats, each lower than the one before, resembling the shape of an amphitheater. The seats were meticulously designed to provide an unobstructed view of the Dais. This setup ensured that every sect member, no matter where they were seated, had a clear view of the guests. Radiating out from the circle of seats were a series ofrge, floating screens. These screens, made possible by a sophisticated light-array technique, would disy close-up views of the guests and the happenings on the Azure Dais. The za was adorned with vivid, luminescent Azure flowers and draped in streams of silken banners bearing the symbol of the Azure Dragon. These decorations added a sense of grandeur and opulence to the surroundings, reflecting the festive atmosphere. Above the za, a multitude of colorfulnterns floated in the sky, illuminating the area with a soft, warm glow. The light from thesenterns mingled with the natural light of the moon and stars, casting long, dancing shadows across the za. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 253 The Grand Banquet ? Han Cai and Elder Du, just like the other elders, received seats close to the Azure Dais so they could witness the guests arriving directly. Seeing the screens, Han Cai begun to believe that god exists here he was craving to Tv and wondering how he could create array that could give him the television experience and now he found the maybe his fortune was changing. Han Cai reminded himself to make sure to get the details of this array so he could have a TV of his own in his abode. Soon, all the seats started to fill up with elders and some disciples they brought with them. Every elder was invited, and they were allowed to bring one or two of their most talented disciples. Besides that, there were disciples from the admin department serving everyone who was attending. While everyone waited for the guests and core sect elders to arrive, Han Cai and Elder Du waited patiently for the food. Everyone of outer sect paying attention to Elder Du ,Han Cai and Shu Tao, who were wearing deep azure blue robes. Power in the sect was decided by the depth of color in one''s robe. Deep azure meant they had held special position in sect even if they were just in outer sect. Most of the outer sect elders wore light azure robes. Unless the sect assigned them deep azure blue robes, they were not allowed to wear them at any of the sect''s events. People were also curious about Elder Du because he was the one who started concocting spirit pills in the outer sect. Han Cai noticed that most people were staring at Elder Du, but a few eyes were on him, especially two girls who kept staring at him. The first girl was Pei Yao, with one of the elders of the divination hall. Beside her was another girl who had simr features to her. Han Cai guessed that she must be her sister. The two fairies of the Pei n had caught the eye of an elder in the divination department. The second girl staring at him was an outer sect disciple from the admin department, assigned to serve the members of the banquet. The girl was none other than Xu Qiaolian, his almost-fianc¨¦e, whose engagement Han Cai had been dying for a long time. Han Cai, had grown his hair he did not want to stand out as bald monkey specially with his experience in grand banquets he did not want to stand out as much as possible so he concocted hair growth pills which were simple to make and got his hair back. He was looking normal now. He was surprised that these girls could still identify him even after five years had passed. Those two girls had grown too. Han Cai had to ept that they both were very good looking, but he was in no mood to entertain thoughts that would bring him no good. Both girls were surprised to see Han Cai, the once-bald little kid, grown so much. He was good looking and seemed to be well appreciated by the elder who started the spirit pill department in the outer sect. Their families had informed them to keep an eye on the boy, but they had not seen Han Cai since he came to the sect. They had assumed he might have be another alchemy hall disciple, concocting pills for the elders continuously. So, this was a surprise to them, which made them keep looking at him, especially Xu Qiaolian. As just a server here, her supposed future fianc¨¦e was being special disciple appreciated by an elder. After the engagement discussion happened, she despised Han Cai, the bald little kid. Later, her n told her that the engagement would be dyed because the kid was busy learning alchemy. Today, seeing him for the first time in a long time, he had already grown a lot and had be a special disciple of a department head elder. As she stared at Han Cai, she had mixed feelings about him now. She saw Han Cai look at her and thought of smiling, but when Han Cai saw her, it was as if he was looking at a stranger. After looking at her, he looked away as if he did not know her. This infuriated her. While the two girls stared at Han Cai, almost everyone else had arrived at the banquet. After all of the outer and inner sect members had arrived, an announcement was made that the guests were about to arrive. The guests from the Jade Lotus Dynasty, Lang Nation, Longyi Dynasty, and Shenwei Kingdom arrived one after another. The number of people, if counted, was more than a hundred. They were dressed in colorful robes, contrasting the azure-dressed members of the Azure Dragon Sect. Among them, many good-looking young masters could be seen. They appeared very refined, and chances were, they were most likely the princes or holy sons of their respective sects. These guests received seats at the center of the dais, and soon an announcement was made that the sect master and the holy daughter of the sect were about to arrive. Following the announcement, the sect master, sect protectors, and holy daughter of the sect arrived one after the other. Han Cai was seeing sect master Lan Chen for the first time. Sect Master Lan Chen was tall, with a statuesque build thatmanded attention. His posture was upright and dignified, radiating an air of authority and charisma that befit his status. His face was wise yet stern, with a pair of sharp, piercing eyes that seemed to hold a profound depth, mirroring the vast sky itself. His hair, silver like moonlight, was tied back neatly, revealing his high, unlined forehead. His skin was unusually fair, which only entuated his strong facial features. Lan Chen was adorned in the sect master''s attire, the vibrant royal blue robes that shone in the light. The color of the robes was so bright it almost radiated, symbolizing the sky where the azure dragon soars freely. The exquisite golden embroidery formed an intricate pattern of an azure dragon spanning across his chest and back, a mark of his overarching authority and the soul of the Azure Dragon Sect. The dragon, depicted in mid-flight amidst the clouds, represented his ascendancy and the sect''s aspiration for soaring high. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 254 Seeing Her ? Sect Master''s sleeves of the robe were wide and flowing, adding an element of grace to his movements. A wide, golden belt cinched the robe at his waist,plementing his stature. His hands, visible beneath the robe''s sleeves, bore multiple jade rings iid with intricate carvings, reflecting his status and wealth. The Sect Master of the Azure Dragon Sect looked dignified and respectable, but he could not hold a candle to TianLong, who resembled an ancient immortal. After the Sect Master, the holy daughter''s arrival was announced. At the mention of the holy daughter, everyone''s eyes moved towards the entrance. As Lan Yanmei entered the banquet area, the entire sect was captivated by her charm. When she graced the banquet with her entrance, an audible gasp echoed through the grand hall. Her beauty was otherworldly, her presence ethereal; it was as if a celestial being had descended among them. Lan Yanmei moved with grace and elegance, mesmerizing yet subtle. Each step, each movement, was imbued with fluidity, both poised and powerful, each gesture emanating an aura of serenity. The soft, silken echoes of her steps against the grand marble floor resonated in everyone''s hearts, her entrance akin to a gentle melody sweeping across the grand hall. Her midnight-ck hair cascaded down her back, strands glimmering like threads of silk under the soft light. Nestled within her hair was an intricate silver hairpin, the azure dragon entwined around the pearl seemed toe alive under the soft glow, symbolizing her revered status within the sect. Lan Yanmei''s eyes were striking indigo, deep and enigmatic as a midnightke, captivating anyone who dared meet her gaze. They sparkled with a brilliant light, both mystifying and enchanting, drawing everyone in with their allure. The beauty that every poet dreamt about it was her. Her skin was porcin-fair, softly glowing under the luminescent light, as smooth and wless as the finest jade. Her lips were delicate and soft, curled into a serene smile that added warmth to her icy beauty. She was draped in a majestic robe of deep azure, the fabric subtly glimmering as if woven with strands of moonlight. The intricate embroidery of silver dragons and phoenixes adorned her robe, enhancing her elegance and showcasing her status as the holy daughter. A translucent veil of the finest silk flowed from her shoulders, adding a touch of mystique to her radiant presence. Walking behind her were her close friends, Lan Yn, Wei Biyu, and Bai Qian. Although their beauty was also striking, it paled inparison to the radiant charm of the holy daughter. As they moved through the hall, they created a mesmerizing sight, like a constetion of celestial bodies following their radiant sun. Almost everyone ¨C the elders, juniors, and guests ¨C were captivated by the beauty of the Holy Daughter. She came and sat beside the Sect Master at the banquet while her friends took seats behind her. Murmurs could be heard throughout the banquet, everyone was talking about the beauty of the Holy Daughter of the sect. For the first time, Han Cai was also left agape. It was as if thunder had struck him. He had never thought he would fall in love and he was right but.. In his first life on Earth, he had read a book which talked about the main character going to Italy. While visiting, the main character saw a girl and fell for her. The Italian bodyguards of the main character told him that this was called "colpo di fulmine," literally tranted as "struck by lightning," but Italians used this term for someone falling in love at first sight. Han Cai wouldn''t say it was love at first sight, but he did feel like lightning had struck him, and he stared for a long time. However, if one looked closely, it wasn''t the holy daughter that Han Cai was staring at, but rather, one of her friends sitting behind her was the center of his attention. When Han Cai had used the system as a sort of matchmaking tool, the system had told him his perfect match was in the Azure Dragon Sect. He had been curious about his perfect match for a very long time. When he had the option to be reborn, it was one of the reasons he selected the Azure Dragon Kingdom because it was as good a ce as any he wanted to see why his Tinder thought this girl his perfect match. Today, when he saw her, all his curiosity was answered at once. After the arrival of the holy daughter, the sect master announced the beginning of the banquet. The moment the banquet officially began, while everyone enjoyed the feast, the young princes of the guest nations started doing what was expected of them ¨C begun their work to impress the Holy Daughter of the Azure Dragon Sect. From the Jade Lotus Dynasty arrived Prince Jia Xuan, known for his charisma and intelligence. A cultivator in his own right, he was known to be an expert in the art of the sword and was famed for his ability topose poetry. To impress Lan Yanmei, he presented her with a rare lotus flower, made entirely out of precious spirit jade. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, symbolizing his admiration for her beauty and elegance. Jia Xuan also recited a heartfelt poem that he hadposed just for this asion, hoping to captivate her with his eloquence and depth of feeling. Lang Nation''s representative was Prince Lang Feng, a talented cultivator renowned for his musical abilities. He brought with him an ancient zither, known to produce the most soothing melodies. To impress the holy daughter, he yed a beautiful and melodious tune on his zither, hoping that the music would touch her heart. The enchanting melody filled the grand hall, encapsting his sincere intentions and captivating the audience. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 255 For Science Representing the Longyi Dynasty was Prince Longwei, a powerful cultivator with a reputation for bravery and wisdom. Known for his unparalleled skills in martial arts, he prepared a dazzling disy of hisbat prowess. With an air of confidence, he performed an intricate martial dance, filled with powerful movements and swift strikes. This was his way of expressing his admiration for Lan Yanmei, showcasing his strength and agility in an effort to gain her attention. From Shenwei Kingdom came Prince Shen Yue, a handsome and youthful prince known for his exceptional talent in alchemy. To catch the eye of the holy daughter, he decided to prepare a special concoction on the spot. Using rare herbs and precious spirit stones, he concocted an exquisite spirit elixir that shimmered with a captivating glow. This elixir, known to enhance the user''s spiritual sense, was his gift to Lan Yanmei, showcasing his alchemical skills and his thoughtful nature. Han Cai had no interest in these baboons trying to impress the Holy Daughter. What concerned him was the deep attraction he felt from the bottom of his soul towards the friend of the Holy Daughter. Han Cai did not trust anyone, not even himself. When he felt attracted to the girl, he immediately became alert. He wasn''t someone who would fall in love easily. Why did he feel so strongly attracted to her? Han Cai decided to keep as much distance from her as possible. The banquet continued for a while, but Han Cai, having seen what he wanted to see, left while people were still busy admiring the beauty of the Holy Daughter. Han Cai returned to his abode with a frown on his face. Even though everything seemed fine, he felt something wasn''t right. He believed love at first sight was nonsense and no one could convince him otherwise. But being so infatuated with the friend of the Holy Daughter didn''t sit well with him. After the banquet, the sect nned a tournament between Jade Lotus Dynasty, Lang Nation, Longyi Dynasty, and Shenwei Kingdom and their own disciples. While the sect was busy with friendly tournament, Han Cai was preparing to leave the sect for a while. In his abode, after concocting some pills, Han Cai rang a bell. The elegant, ancient-looking man appeared in front of Han Cai. Han Cai spoke, "Can I ask you an honest question?" TianLong nodded, Han Cai spoke "How much does the sect know about my secret?" TianLong shook his head and spoke, "They don''t know anything, except that Elder Du is the one who has mastered the ancient technique and is creating the spirit pill." Han Cai nodded and asked, "Why did you hide my secret?" Tian Long gave Han Cai a curious look, wondering why he was asking such questions. But he still thought about it and spoke, "Since you want to stay hidden, I don''t see any reason for you to be found out. As long as you are helping the sect, you don''t have to be worried." Han Cai nodded and spoke, "I have to go out for a few days. I have prepared enough pills for the inner sect. They will be sent on a monthly basis." Tian Long smiled and nodded, then disappeared. The next day, Han Cai followed Shu Tao and left the Azure Dragon Sect. They took the ferry to Blue Snake City. In Blue Snake City, they stayed for a week. After that, they hired arge roc beast to take them to Verdant City. The beast flew for days. After the beast had covered more than half of the journey, Han Cai asked the man flying the beast to halt. The beast tamernded the beast in the middle of a forest. Han Cai got down from the back of the beast and asked the beast tamer to leave. He was going to make the remaining journey on foot and went into the forest. Deep in the forest, he saw Yongninan and cky waiting for him. Han Cai asked, "What''s the news?" Yongnian spoke, "There are four disciples, Hei Long, Lin Tao, Jiang Xun, and Feng Qiu. They were recently epted by the core elders. Jiang Xun and Feng Qiu have the personalities that meet the criteria; they force themselves on any females they like and kill anyone without any remorse. Jiang Xun is out of the sect right now" Han Cai nodded, "How many high-grade spirit stones will we need?" Yongnian replied, "This will most likely take a month, so no more than five thousand." Han Cai nodded, and all three of them disappeared. When they reappeared, they were in the main city of the Jiang n, where the new core disciple Jiang Xun was supposed to be. The Jiang n was a vassal n of the Azure Dragon Sect, so the talented seeds of the n were directly epted into the inner sect. Jiang Xun, being the most talented seed of the n, was destined to be a core disciple of the sect. After all, he reached the Foundation Establishment stage at the age of fourteen, and five yearster after joining the inner sect, he was ready to break through to the Core Formation realm. His talent caught the eye of core elder Hua, who decided to take Jiang Xun under his wing. In a few days, Jiang Xun was going back to the sect as a core disciple. At present, he was visiting his n to celebrate his entrance into the core of the sect. Tonight, Jiang Xun was out with his young master friends, visiting a pleasure boat to celebrate. After ate night of drinking and being entertained, Jiang Xun chose two beauties and retreated to a private room on the pleasure boat. The moment they entered the room, Jiang Xun, eager as a dog in heat, pushed the two beauties onto the bed and started to remove his robes, ready to get down to business. The two beautiesplied with his requests like tame rabbits. Unbeknownst to them, Han Cai and his tworades were in the same room with Ethereal invisibility active, observing the events unfolding. All three of them watched with wide eyes. Yongnian was the first to break out of this voyeuristic stupor and spoke, "We should begin." Han Cai and cky were still entranced by the view. Han Cai was surprised; it was like watching a live adult film. He coughed," I need to see more for Science." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 256 Sects Treasury ? Seeing them still watching the act, Yongnian had to be the mature one and cover all the participants in Death Qi. When they all were covered by Death Qi, Han Cai and cky finally snapped out of their stupor. Han Cai coughed, and muttered, "That was disgusting. I should visit more of these boats to have a better understanding of the culture of this world." He took pride in being a man of culture in hisst life, and he was surprised that he hadn''t tried to understand the culture of this world earlier. Soon, the Death Qi covering the three people in the room disappeared, and when it did, Jiang Xun had disappeared along with it. The only ones remaining were the two beauties, sleeping quietly. Yongnian transformed into Jiang Xun himself and nestled between the beauties to sleep. Han Cai felt a pang of regret form in his heart - why hadn''t he focused on awakening the transformation ability first? He and cky sat down quietly. In the morning, Young Master Jiang Xun left the pleasure boat with his friends, while the two invisible musketeers followed the young master back to his n. Young Master Jiang Xun stayed in the n for a few more weeks, indulging in many delicacies and beauties during his stay. Han Cai cursed Yongnian daily for having such a grand opportunity. When the time was up, the Young Master bid farewell to his n and left Jiang City on his personal treasure ship. Apanying him were two protectors whom Core Elder Hua had personally assigned. After a month of travelling, they returned to the sect. Core Disciple Jiang flew directly to the Inner core area of the sect. Upon arrival, he visited his master, Core Elder Hua, first to inform him about his return. Core Elder Hua told him that Treasury Elder Bai would take him to the Sect Treasury so he could get his own heaven-grade weapon. Hearing this, Han Cai was surprised - the Azure Dragon Sect was truly generous to their Core disciples, gifting them heaven-grade weapons. Jiang Xun spent a month in his abode cultivating. After a month, Treasury Elder Bai visited him and took him to the sect Treasury. An invisible Han Cai and cky quietly followed them. Han Cai had a lot of faith in his invisibility ability, but he didn''t dare be careless, as he didn''t know the details of the Inner core arrays of the sect. They traversed various mountains and arrived in front of the entrance of a massive, majestic mountain. Elder Bai walked inside the entrance, followed by Jiang Xun, with Han Cai and cky following invisibly. Upon entering, they realized they were standing in a grotto heaven. Han Cai was surprised - a grotto heaven was actually the sect''s treasury, while the mountain was just an illusion. Elder Bai said, "You have one week to gain the eptance of the spirit of a heaven-grade treasure. If you are not able to get them to ept you, then you will have to make do with an earth-grade treasure." Jiang Xun gave Elder Bai a questioning look. Where were the weapons? Elder Bai smiled, and the scenery of the grotto heaven changed. Previously, there were rivers and mountains, but now, there was only a innd as far as the eye could see. At the center of thend was a ck mountain, and stuck in the ground all over the in were arge number of weapons. Elder Bai warned, "Don''t try to enter the ck mountain. Or you will be kicked out of the Treasury." After saying this, he disappeared. After Treasury Elder Bai disappeared, Jiang Xun began looking around for weapons. While Han Cai and cky flew toward the ck mountain at the center, they suspected that since this was a forbidden zone, the thing they were looking for must be inside the ck mountain. After flying for a few hours, they realized they were caught up in array. No matter how much they flew, they were always at the same distance from the mountain. Han Cai recognized this as the "Circr Void Array", an array that manipted space to create the illusion of endless distance. He decided to study the "Circr Void Array". He first examined the surrounding environment, looking for any subtle signs of distortion. This type of array created a loop in the space-time fabric, which could be revealed by a mild warping effect that was often hard to detect with a casual nce. But because of his spatial affinity it was not difficult for him to find spatial footprints. After some observation, he noticed slight disturbances in the spatial flow in certain areas. This was the footprint of the array''s operation, the clue to its working mechanism. He decided to follow the traces, hoping it would lead him to the core of the array. This was a time-consuming process, and he had to move with great care to avoid triggering any possible traps within the array. Next, he studied the energy patterns that powered the array. It was a weave of energy flows, a puzzle that required patience and deep understanding of array mechanisms to unravel. He spent hours meticulously analyzing these patterns, slowly forming an understanding of theiryout and operation. After this, he began to work on countering the array. He decided to use a method known as ''Inverse Energy Infusion''. This involved infusing his own energy in a pattern that was the exact inverse of the array''s energy flow. This way, he aimed to disrupt the array''s operation and create a pathway through it. He nned to use enough energy so that he and cky could walk out without destroying the array. Executing the method with caution, he started infusing his energy. The energy flowed in the opposite direction of the array''s power flow, creating a counteracting effect. He felt resistance, as the array fought back to maintain its operation, but he continued with his infusion. He started to run out of Qi but they had good number of high grade spirit stones. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he felt a sudden shift. The energy resistance from the array had dwindled, indicating that the array was starting to given. With a final push, he fully activated his counteracting energy, and the array finally gave in. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 257 Stealing Sects Divine Grade Treasure ? Having found a solution to the Circr Void Array, they flew again in towards the ck mountain and within an hour, they were in front of the ck mountain. When they arrived, there was another grand array on the mountain. This one was moreplicated and more powerfulpared to the previous one. Han Cai recognized this as the "Nexus Deflection and control Array", a powerful defensive array it was moreplex than the circr void array. . Han Cai sat outside the array and started studying it. The array was so intricate that it was going to take him a long time to understand it fully. A week had passed and Elder Bai returned. He was surprised to see that Jiang Xun had chosen a gray-colored flying sword, the famous Death Sword of the sect. The sword had been bathed in Yin Qi for hundreds and thousands of years before it gained consciousness. The Death Sword selecting Jiang Xun was a surprising development for the elder, but nevertheless, he was pleased that the Azure Dragon Sect would have another talented disciple armed with a heaven-grade weapon to protect himself. Elder Bai then took Jiang Xun out of the Treasury grotto world. Han Cai and cky remained behind. cky was there to help Han Cai escape using the Shadow Domain in case they failed. The Nexus Deflection and control Array was a multidimensional array with numerousyers and sub-arrays intricately linked to each other. Its design was a sophisticated blend of spatial geometry and temporal maniption, meant to simultaneously misdirect, deflect and control any intruders. Han Cai decided if he wanted to break through this array he needed to build it himself. the first step in replicating the array was to understand the structure and pattern of its energy flows. He meticulously analyzed the array, breaking it down into smallerponents, studying theplex interaction of its energy lines, and mapping out the grand blueprint of the array in his mind. Using a clear patch ofnd as his canvas, he started drawing the baseyer of the array. Using his Qi, he carefully traced the fundamental lines,ying the groundwork for the rest of the array. Thisyer primarily consisted of basic geometric figures - circles, triangles, and squares - that were interconnected, forming the foundation upon which theplex structure of the array would be built. After the baseyer, He started crafting the subsequentyers. Eachyer was aplex intery of geometric figures, designed to augment the previousyers and add another level of protection. They were intricately woven into each other, interlinked through aplexwork of Qi lines. As he worked on theyers, Han Cai simultaneously focused on creating the intricate sub-arrays. These sub-arrays were smaller in size but were incrediblyplex. They served as the secondary defense mechanism of the Nexus Deflection Array, each having a unique function like confusing the intruder and then pushing them out and even controlling them within a particr area of the array. It took him several failed attempts to sessfully align the Qi lines of these sub-arrays with the rest of theyers. Each failure was a learning experience, each adjustment a step closer to sess. Finally, after two months of ceaseless attempts, Han Cai managed to sessfully integrate the sub-arrays into therger array. When thest sub-array waspleted, and thest line of Qi was connected, Han Cai could feel a surge of energy circting through thepleted array. The moment he seeded, he felt his array ability awakening. It was no longer semi-dormant - his Array Grandmaster ability was fully awakened now. He was array grandmaster now. No one below transcendent realm could break his arrays. Han Cai went back to the ck mountain and passed through the Nexus Deflection Array easily. When he crossed the array, he realized the ck mountain in front of him was not a mountain, but a giant bell. It was a divine grade treasure, but, as luck would have it, this treasure was being controlled by the massive grand array around it. It was a good thing Han Cai did not break the array, or this divine treasure might have broken free. Now that he was an Array Grandmaster, taking control of this array wasn''t overly difficult for him, but it still took Han Cai two months to gain control of the array that was governing this divine grade treasure. After gaining control of the array, Han Cai didn''t disturb the treasure yet. First, he moved around the bell-shaped mountain and created a custom illusion array, ensuring that anyone who looked at the mountain would see the same, unaltered, mighty giant. Once the illusion array was activated, Han Cai manipted the grand array around the divine treasure. As he activated it, the divine treasure at the center of the array began shrinking. Within a minute, the massive mountain transformed into a tiny ck bell. Han Cai immediately stored the ck bell in his system storage and, with cky, disappeared from the spot. Fifteen minutes after Han Cai vanished, an ancient-looking man materialized in the Treasury grotto heaven. This was none other than Tian Long. He examined his surroundings, searching for something out of ce. After a lengthy inspection, he found nothing amiss. A frown creased his face but, finding no sign of disturbance in the Treasury grotto heaven, he too disappeared. Han Cai and cky reappeared directly in Yan City, specifically in Yan Rui''s courtyard. After leaving Han Cai there, cky disappeared. Yan Rui wasn''t in his courtyard at the time, so Han Cai waited quietly for his great-grandfather. When night fell, Yan Rui returned to his abode and saw Han Cai sitting quietly in the hall, deep in meditation. Yan Rui was taken aback seeing his Qilin great grandson. Han Cai, sensing Yan Rui''s arrival, rose and went to bow to his Great-grandfather. Yan Rui cleared his throat to shake off his surprise, and then sat on his cushion. "Why are you here, is everything ok?" he asked. "Did the sect elder let you visit home? You should have informed me. I could have sent some n elders to bring you back." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 258 Conspiracy ? Han Cai shook his head. "Don''t worry, Grandpa. The sect elder brought me here. I have something important to tell you." Yan Rui nodded, inviting Han Cai to continue. "Not many people know, but our sect and country will be going to war against the White Tiger Sect and their allies," Han Cai stated. Yan Rui frowned. "Where did you hear this?" "The elder told me. I expressed my concerns about the n, so he sent me here with some guidance," Han Cai exined. Yan Rui asked, "What guidance does the elder have for us?" At this, a woman in ck appeared beside Han Cai. "This is Fairy ck," Han Cai introduced her. "She''s an Array Master who will create a Grand Defense Array around Yan City. When the war begins, ensure no n members or important individuals leave Yan City. They''ll receive the necessary pills and supplies within the city. Try to attract people to Yan City with the promise of high-quality pills instead of selling them in other cities. The array is just precaution hopefully nothing will happen." Yan Rui, taken aback by the appearance of the beautiful woman in ck. He rose and bowed to Fairy ck, who responded with a nod but remained silent. After Han Cai finished exining, Yan Rui nodded and said, "Please assure the elder that we will follow his guidance." Han Cai stood and replied, "I will leave with Fairy ck now. You''ll receive the control jade for the new array around Yan City. Make sure to warn the Core members to be careful." Having said that, Han Cai disappeared with Fairy ck. For the next few days, Han Cai worked on creating a massive Grand Array that no one, even in the Azure Dragon Sect, should be able to break. He had no choice; moving this n to another ind wasn''t feasible due to their massive numbers. He didn''t want to take any risks. So this was the best he could do. His rules were simple. It was none of his business if anyone suffered but he didn''t want others to suffer because of his actions. He was sure that no matter how careful he was, he would always make mistakes and get caught. He had to be prepared for such instances, taking into consideration his previous encounters, like the one with the man in blue. Afterpleting the new Defense Array and delivering the control jade to his Great-grandfather, Han Cai returned to the Azure Dragon Sect as if nothing had transpired. He left no traces, ensuring that his actions remained undetected. This way, he could better protect his n, reinforcing their defenses in preparation for the war he''d been warned was imminent. After returning to the sect, Han Cai resumed his normal life as if everything was the same as before. The guests visiting the sect had already left after the banquet. There was a tournament; despite being friendly, the disciples of the Azure Dragon sect came out on top. Today, a meeting was taking ce in the Shang Dynasty, with members from: Jade Lotus Dynasty: Elder Jade Yufei and Elder Lotus Xiang Lang Nation: Elder Lang Huizhong and Elder Lang Peizhi Longyi Dynasty: Elder Longyi Jinhai and Elder Longyi Tianming Shenwei Kingdom: Elder Shenwei Lixue and Elder Shenwei Yuting The meeting was held between these allies of the Azure Dragon sect and two elders from the White Tiger Sect Elder Xue Liang and Elder Feng Baiyu. Elder Huizhong of Lang nation began, "We appreciate your warning about the impending war, but we have been allies of the Azure Dragon sect for more than a millennium. We cannot simply switch sides in their time of need." Elder Xue Liang of the White Tiger sect responded, "We''re not asking you to do anything. We merely want to ensure that you understand the full details of what this war is about." The elder from the Longyi Dynasty queried, "Isn''t it about some ancient art in the Realm of a Thousand Blossoms?" Elder Xue Liang nodded and replied, "That is indeed true, but do you know anything about the art and how the Azure Dragon sect is utilizing it?" The elders from the allies of the Azure Dragon sect remained quiet. Elder Xue Liang continued, "As you know, once we have understood thews and our body is baptized by them, we transcend, and once transcended, we rarely return. However, once a Grandmaster Alchemist in ancient times returned because he had to stay in the mortal world for a longer time toprehend the grand dao he was pursuing. During his stay in the mortal world, he had an epiphany about the Dao of Creation, which he taught to his disciples. One of his disciples, a Grandmaster Alchemist himself, used the teachings of the venerate and created an alchemy art where even a normal ginseng could be used to create a pill more potent than a hundred-year-old ginseng." Elder Yuting of Shenwei Kingdom countered, "But there is no proof that the Azure Dragon sect possesses this art." Elder Feng of the White Tiger sect responded, "Indeed there is! If you wish, you can try to bribe the Outer sect elders and easily ascertain the truth. Recently, the Azure Dragon sect has opened a new Spirit Pill branch in the Outer sect. This branch appears normal, but all the pills they create are sent to the Inner sect and none of the Inner sect gets to consume them either. After some effort, we were able to get our hands on a few pills. You can check them yourself; these pills are not created using a simple method but the ancient art. The Azure Dragon sect already possesses this art. As you know we had an agreement that if ancient arts or treasures were found in the Thousand Blossoms realm, they would disclosed and shared with everyone. They vited the agreement and did not even inform their allies about this art. If you choose to support them, that is fine. With such pills, they will have a significant advantage in the war against us and they might win. Once they win with this art, where they could use ordinary grass to create Immortal pills, they will be unstoppable. They wouldpete Vermillion Phoenix sect and get their Immortals ess to the Transcendent World while we will suffer. If you decide to help our sect, we are prepared to sign aw binding that clearly shows we will share the secret pill art with your sects as well. This will enhance your sects'' strength and free you from the Azure Dragon sect''s suppression." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 259 Meeting Her ? The room was silent as the elders from the Jade Lotus Dynasty, Lang Nation, Longyi Dynasty, and Shenwei Kingdom contemted Elder Xue Liang''s words. The thought of possessing a pill art that could dramatically enhance their sect''s strength was enticing. But, the trust and history they shared with the Azure Dragon sect were not easily dismissed. After a moment of silence, Elder Longyi Jinhai spoke up, "These are grave usations you make against the Azure Dragon sect. If they are indeed true, it changes the dynamics greatly. But we must also be careful not to rush into any hasty decisions based on spection. We need evidence." The elders agreed. While the prospect of an art that could turn grass into pills that rivaled hundred-year-old ginseng was alluring, they needed more than the words of the White Tiger Sect to turn against their longtime ally. The meeting ended with an agreement to investigate the allegations independently. They would reconvene to discuss their findings and decide their next course of action. All the elders knew the weight of their decision; it was not just their sects but the entire mortal world that would feel the ripple effect of this imminent war. It was not a decision to be made lightly. Han Cai had returned to his life in seclusion, cultivating and concocting pills. As time passed, rumors about Spirit pills Hall had spread throughout the sect. Many people were intrigued and sought out the Spirit Pill Department. Everyone one wanted spirit pills with high potency. Spirit pills were pills that could be consumed by anyone be it they are Qi condensation or Soul Formation. But when they came to visit blue mountains of spirit pill department. To their surprise, what weed them was not the expected bustling mountain department but rather a mirage of an endless death desert. This startling Illusionary Array unnerved everyone who attempted to venture into the department, sparking a sense of fear. At first, the unexpected disy deterred many, but as the word spread, the Spirit Pill Department on the Blue Mountain was renamed the Desert Department. It had be an unconventionalndmark and tourist destination for disciples. Whenever they entered the Illusionary Array, they would spend a day in the death desert before being ejected. The thrill-seekers among the disciples saw this as an opportunity to face their fears, train their Dao hearts, or attempt to break through the illusion. The news of the Desert Department''s unique characteristics reached the Inner sect and even the Core of the sect. Even disciples from the Inner sect began visiting, seeking their share of the thrill. Han Cai found himself faced with a peculiar problem. He had created the Illusionary Array intending to deter intruders, but instead, it was having the opposite effect. He was forced to rely on cky to throw the unexpected visitors out of the array. Meanwhile, in the luxurious heart of Fairy Lotus Abode, the Holy Daughter of the Azure Dragon Sect, Lan Yanmei, was seated at her grand table, crafted from a single piece of iridescent Spirit jade. Apanying her were her friends Lan Yn, Wei Biyu, and Bai Qian. As Lan Yanmei sipped her Azure Lotus tea, she pondered, "What should we do next? Should we visit the Flower Floating Pagoda again?" Wei Biyu interjected, "We have already visited the pagoda so many times. I have heard that there is something new in the sect which all the disciples are visiting." The others perked up with curiosity, prompting Lan Yanmei to ask, "What is it?" Wei Biyu exined, "I heard that the Outer sect''s Alchemy Department, known for creating Spirit pills, has a new attraction. The department was gifted a beautiful blue mountain for their operations. But when disciples went to visit, they found aplex array that transported anyone who entered into a vast, deathly desert. It''s said to test your Dao heart, and you must spend a day in the desert before you are allowed to leave." Upon hearing this, Lan Yanmei sprang to her feet, "This is it! We are going to test our Dao hearts in this deathly desert." With shared enthusiasm, the four of them immediately flew towards the Outer sect. News of the Holy Daughter''s visit quickly spread, causing an uproar among the Outer sect disciples. When the four women arrived, arge crowd of disciples was already present around the Blue Mountain, eagerly waiting their turn to test their Dao hearts. Seeing the Holy Daughter arrive, their jaws dropped. Lan Yanmei''s beauty had every disciple present utterly mesmerized. Unlike the waiting disciples, the Holy Daughter and her friends didn''t have to wait. They walked directly towards the array and entered, crowd parted to let Holy Daughter and her friends to enter. Once inside, they were greeted by the vast deathly desert: endless grey sand, an ink-ck sky, and an intense chill. At first, the sight was terrifying, but they eventually grew ustomed to it. They found a suitable sand dune, took out sitting cushions, ced them atop of the dune, and set up a fire in the middle to ward off the chill. They sat, taking in the ominous yet fascinating desert scenery. Han Cai, in his abode, noticed new people entering the array. He didn''t bother to check, but cky came and informed him that it was the fairy he had asked it to watch. Surprised, Han Cai left his concoction and flew towards the array. In the illusion of the vast desert, the four girls were engaged in friendly chatter, enjoying themselves. Suddenly, Lan Yanmei, Wei Biyu, and Bai Qian disappeared one after the other, leaving Lan Yn alone. She frowned, wondering if their sudden disappearance was part of the illusion. She then heard a rustling sound and saw a young man approaching. Han Cai came over, sat on a cushion next to Lan Yn, and simply stared at her. Lan Yn stared at him wide eyed too for some reason. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 260 Chat ? Breaking the silence, Lan Yn asked, "Who are you?" Han Cai responded, "I''m a disciple from the Spirit Pill Department." Lan Yn inquired further, "Where are my friends?" "They are being transported out of the array with other disciples," Han Cai replied. "Do I know you from somewhere?" Lan Yn asked. "Maybe. I attended the guest banquet," Han Cai said. "What''s your name?" Lan Yn pressed. "Yan Cai. And yours?" Han Cai asked. "Lan Yn," she answered. "Did the elder of your department create this array?" "Do you like it?" Han Cai asked, evading the question. Lan Yn nodded and said, "It''s dark but unique. It''s different from any array I''ve ever seen." "If you like it, you can visit anytime. I''ll make sure to show you around," Han Cai offered. He snapped his fingers and the desert scenery instantly transformed. Now they were sitting on a mountain, surrounded by the beauty of blue mountains and lush valleys. Lan Yn was taken aback at first, but she quickly grew to admire the view. "I didn''t know that the Outer sect could be this beautiful, too," she said. Han Cai replied, "It is, but now that you''re here, it''s even more beautiful." Startled by his candidpliment, Lan Yn turned to look at him. However, Han Cai had already risen and was walking away. "Now that you''re free from the array, if you fly east, you''ll find your friends at the entrance," he said, before taking off into the sky. Lan Yn watched the back of this mysterious Outer sect disciple, who had the ability to fly, for a long time. The ability to fly indicated that he was at the Core Formation stage, yet when she tried to sense his cultivation, the boy seemed to be only at the Foundation Establishment stage. When Lan Yn returned to the entrance, she found the Holy Daughter and her friends waiting for her. "Yn, where were you? They said the array would keep us for a day, but it expelled us in just a few hours," Holy Daughter Lan Yanmei inquired. "The disciples... they seem different," Yn replied, with a frown on her face. "What disciples?" Yanmei questioned. "Didn''t the disciples bring you out?" Yn asked. "No, we were directly kicked out from the array," Wei Biyu responded. Yn''s frown deepened. Then she remembered what Han Cai had said at the end and a smile broke out involuntarily on her face. "Yn, what happened?" Yanmei probed, curious at her sudden change of expression. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Yn replied, "No, nothing. We should go back to the Inner sect." Upon returning from his conversation with Lan Yn, Han Cai retreated to his abode to meditate. The girl had stirred his Dao Heart, and he was unsure why he felt so drawn to her. It felt as if the heavens themselves conspired to unite them. Han Cai didn''t typically entertain such notions, but he found himself captivated by her charm. To regain his equilibrium, he meditated on awakening his Dao of Chad, anxious not to mishandle the situation. After a period of serene meditation, he felt recentered, his infatuation with Lan Yn under control. However, before he could even enjoy his newfound tranquility, cky informed him that Lan Yn was waiting outside the array again. Han Cai sighed and took flight to greet her. When he arrived, he saw Lan Yn alone, elegantly dressed in a white gown and sitting on a dune with a bonfire zing in front of her. Against the backdrop of the vast grey desert and the dark sky, she looked like a living painting. Han Cai''s heart stirred once more. He descended andnded on the same dune, conjuring a cushion with a wave of his hand before taking a seat beside her. He looked at her, silently. "What did you mean when you said the view was more beautiful because I was here?" Lan Yn broke the silence. Han Cai shrugged. "Because... I find you exceptionally beautiful." His directness brought a blush to Lan Yn''s cheeks. "Do you say this to every female disciple you meet?" she asked. Han Cai replied, "The Holy Daughter was with you, but no one escorted her. I chose to escort you. What does that say?" Lan Yn swiftly changed the topic. "You''re only at the Foundation Establishment stage, and yet you can fly. Why?" "Because I''m talented and I learned a flying technique," he responded. "Or is it because you''re hiding your cultivation?" Lan Yn countered. "I have nothing to hide from the girl I like," Han Cai reassured her. Lan Yn seemed taken aback by his direct approach. "You''re too young," she responded. "I''m not. We might be around the same age. How old are you?" Han Cai asked, immediately regretting his question. It wasn''t gentlemanly to ask ady her age. To his relief, Lan Yn didn''t seem to mind. "I reached the Ascension Realm three hundred years ago," she replied. Han Cai blurted out in surprise, "Holy Shit, a grandma is going to be my girlfriend!" Realizing his tactlessment, he hastily added, "My bad, I didn''t mean it that way. I reached the Qi Condensation stage seven hundred years ago." Lan Yn smiled, not buying it. "You''re lying." "What makes you think that?" Han Cai asked, feigning innocence. Lan Yn merely pouted. "Regardless, age is just a number. It shouldn''te between lovers, should it?" he countered smoothly. Lan Yn didn''t respond, and Han Cai found himself feeling surprisingly proud. The conversation had shifted in a promising direction, and he wondered if this meant that he might have a chance with the girl who had so captured his interest. Inyman''s terms, he was expecting to getid. Then, he frowned. Was he being a jerk? This girl liked him, yet he was entertaining obscene thoughts. But he reassured himself, thinking that he had been saving his Yang energy for three lives now. With the opportunity finally at hand, he naturally entertained certain thoughts. Han Cai pledged to himself that after releasing his Yang, he would take responsibility for her and care for her well. Before he could ruminate further, Lan Yn rose to her feet and said, "I should go." Han Cai sighed. "Bloody hell, I''m going to get blue-balled tonight." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 261 Ten Years Of Romance ? Nheless, he stood up, removed the illusion array, and let Lan Yn fly away. He returned to his abode, chastising himself, "This is what you get for trying to getid on the second date. I should have waited until at least the third." He headed to his alchemy room and started concocting pills. Afterward, he began to cultivate to calm his overexcited Dao heart. He cultivated and concocted for a week before cky informed him of Lan Yn''s return. Han Cai flew to meet her swiftly; today was their third date, and he might get lucky. When Han Cai returnedte that night, he wasn''t pleased. Even on their third date, they spent the whole day chatting before she left, leaving him frustrated. However, his disappointment was short-lived. He enjoyed hanging out and chatting with her, so it wasn''t entirely unpleasant. Another weekter, she came again, and once more, they spent the day chatting and hanging out. As time went on, their meetings became routine. Lan Yn would visit, they would chat for hours, and then she would leave. Every time, Han Cai thought that this might be his lucky day, only to be disappointed. Yet, he enjoyed herpany and was content with his life. Before he knew it, ten years had passed. He and Lan Yn would frequently meet unless one of them was cultivating in seclusion. They would always inform each other in advance in such cases. Over the course of these ten years, Han Cai and Lan Yn shared more than mere conversations; they shared the tapestry of their lives. They lived in a unique bubble of time, unfazed by the chaos of the outside world, exploring the facets of each other''s souls. Their meetings weren''t merely a way to pass time. Instead, they were a ritual that allowed them to grow closer, to understand each other on a deeper level. Over the years, they began to learn about each other''s preferences, quirks, fears, and dreams. They discussed topics ranging from cultivation techniques and elixir recipes to past adventures and dreams of the future. The understanding between them deepened with each encounter, an invisible thread of connection that continued to strengthen. Lan Yn, with her figure of elegance and grace, often filled the quiet desert nights with her enchanting stories and profound wisdom. And Han Cai, despite his initial advances, started respecting her space and views. They taught each other, learned from each other, and slowly built a bond that was as profound as it was unique. There were nights where they would simply sit together infortable silence, watching the stars in the vast desert sky. In those moments, words seemed unnecessary. Their mere presence was a sce for the other. They would often lose themselves in the peace of the desert night, eachfortable in the other''s presence. In times of seclusion, when one of them would retreat to cultivate, the absence was keenly felt. A feeling of ipleteness would fill the air, only to vanish when they reunited. The excitement of sharing the breakthroughs and the acquired wisdom kept their bond vibrant and alive. Despite theck of physical intimacy, their emotional connection was palpable. It was as if they understood each other without needing to voice their thoughts or feelings. The stolen nces, the fleeting touches, and the unspoken understanding built a silentnguage that only they understood. Their rtionship was not perfect. They had their share of disagreements and misunderstandings, but they always found a way back to each other. The rtionship they had was a strange mix of friendship,panionship, and unspoken love that was slowly beginning to bloom. The ten years of their romance was not merely aboutpanionship, it was about growth. They challenged each other, supported each other, and above all, respected each other. The girl who initially moved Han Cai''s Dao Heart had now be an integral part of his life. While Han Cai was savoring the bliss of romance, the Azure Dragon Sect was in turmoil because war had been dered. The war was supposed to take ce in the Empyrean Mystic Realm. All the sects shared custody of this realm, and since all the resources from this realm had been depleted long ago, most of the wars and battles took ce here. However, never in the Realm''s history had a battle of this magnitude been ted to take ce, where the tworgest sects and their alliances would fight to the death. The Azure Dragon Sect had already started sending arge number of cultivators to the Empyrean Mystic Realm to prepare for the uing war. One night, when Han Cai went to meet Lan Yn, he found her sitting quietly on the dune. He sat beside her, and seeing that she wasn''t going to speak, he asked, "Is everything ok?" Lan Yn shook her head. "I will be going to war with Lan Yanmei." Han Cai gave her a curious look. "So, you don''t want to go to war?" Lan Yn replied, "It''s not that. I do want to go, but I''m worried about the many Cultivators from our sect who will suffer and die in the war." Han Cai nodded. "That''s the nature of wars. What can we do? My suggestion is for you to avoid it." Lan Yn asked, "Why?" Han Cai replied, "It would not be pleasant for me if you die, would it?" Lan Yn frowned. "Most of the guys are promising my friends that they will give their lives to protect them in the war. And here you are, saying that you will feel bad if I die." Han Cai responded without any shame, "They are brave souls with Ascension Realm cultivation. I am just a Foundation Establishment level little boy." Lan Yn gave him an amusing look. "So when ites to war, you''re a little boy, but when ites to other things, you''re a man." Her question was legitimate, as Han Cai had made advances almost every time they met. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 262 Contract With Beloved ? Han Cai shamelessly replied, "I am only human. And if someone should be promising protection, it should be you promising to protect me." Lan Yn shook her head. "Do you want toe with me if I promise to protect you?" Han Cai shook his head. "Nope, good luck with your war." Lan Yn said, "If we lose, then you will suffer. If you are with me, I can protect you. Don''t you care about me at all?" Han Cai shamelessly retorted, "You see, I don''t minding. The thing is, you are not my Dao partner. My cultivation needs Yin and Yang harmony, so if you agree to be my Dao partner, then I can consider it." Lan Yn frowned. "I told you to stop being vulgar with me." Han Cai shook his head and spoke seriously, "I am not being vulgar; it''s a natural thing. ept me as your Dao partner. Sign a marriage contract with me. I will take responsibility for you, and you will take responsibility for me." Lan Yn frowned again. "You don''t trust me, do you? I don''t even know what level your cultivation is at." Han Cai shook his head. "Don''t take it personally. I have a lot of secrets that I can not share. To share them with you, I need to know if you really have feelings for me. Then, I will share every secret with you." Lan Yn was upset. She got up and flew away. Since Han Cai had given her ess to the array, she could freelye and go from the array. Two weekster, Lan Yn returned. She was sitting on the dune, pouting. Han Cai sat beside her and asked, "What brings you here?" Lan Yn was irritated but calmed down and replied, "Next month, I have to leave." Han Cai nodded and wished her well, "Have a safe journey." Lan Yn frowned and flew away. However, the very next night, she came back again, still pouting. Han Cai asked, "What happened now?" Lan Yn was initially angry but then calmed down and said, "I will sign the contract, whatever you want me to do. But then, will you stop being so mean to me?" Han Cai nodded. Lan Yn asked, "What kind of contract do you want me to sign?" Han Cai replied, "Nothing special, just the usual agreement that most lovers make. You ept me as your Dao partner and promise not to have any other Dao partners as long as I''m alive. Also, if we go to war and I die, given my low cultivation level, my n and several others depend on me. If I die, you will take responsibility for my debts." "You''re very demanding, you know that, right?" Lan Yn said. "And I told you, I won''t let you die no matter what. You should have faith in me." Han Cai nodded, "I''ll have faith in you once you sign our marriage contract." Lan Yn looked at him curiously, "A marriage contract? You mentioned a lovers'' contract, and now a marriage contract?" Han Cai nodded, "Of course! Since we''re bing Dao partners, we have to be married. I''m very traditional. You want to make this official, don''t you?" Lan Yn replied, "You''re very unromantic. I don''t know why I bother." Then she sighed and conceded, "We''ll do it your way." Han Cai nodded and a contract materialized in his hand. "This is our marriage certificate. Please sign it." Lan Yn took the contract and read it. It essentially stated that she agreed to be his Dao partner, to marry him, to practice Yin and Yang cultivation with him, not to find another Dao partner until his death, and in the event of his death, she would take care of his n and his debts. Lan Yn nodded and imprinted the contract with her spirit. They were now officially Dao partners. Han Cai tried to kiss her in his excitement, but she delivered a thundering kick to his groin and then gave him a vicious punch. Han Caiy t on the dune, writhing in pain. Lan Yn pouted and said, "We''re leaving in three weeks, so prepare your things. And don''t think you can take advantage of me just because we''re married. You have to wait until I''m ready." After saying that, she flew away, leaving Han Cai on the dune, howling in pain. For the following weeks, he diligently spent time concocting pills. He wanted to leave arge number of them for his n. He could continue concocting the pills for the sect even in the Mystic Realm, but it might be difficult to send the pills to his n from there. Over the past ten years, he had been making pills, so he had several earth-grade storage rings filled to the brim with Spirit and Earth-grade pills. It was more than enough for his n, business partners, and the sect but out of habit, he concocted more of those pills. He had kept his promise. He also gave arge number of Array transfer talismans to Lan Tianlong. His duties wereplete. Now, he wanted to fulfill his duty as a Dao Partner and enjoy a honeymoon in the mystic realm. Even though It was a warring realm and there was a good chance she would reject his advances most of the time, but a guy could hope. After three weeks passed, Han Cai disappeared from his abode, and when he reappeared, he was in front of his beloved''s dwelling. Lan Yn was busy preparing for the war when suddenly, the array in her abode informed her that someone was at her entrance. She was surprised to see him and asked with curiosity, "How did you gain ess to the Inner core?" Han Cai responded, "My love for you gave me the ess key to the Inner core." Lan Yn rolled her eyes and said, "Come in. We leave tomorrow morning." The interior of Lan Yn''s home was very simple. She didn''t live in luxury like other Core disciples. ************************************************** Note: About the romance, many readersined the cringe it was. I agree. Without revealing much, all I can say is that it is not what it seems ;). Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 263 Preparation To Depart ? Han Cai sighed and murmured, "My woman is a peasant." Hearing this, Lan Yn red at him, "What did you say?" Han Cai quickly replied, "Nothing, I was just saying you''re very beautiful." Lan Yn instructed, "Cultivate today. Tomorrow, when the treasure ship leaves with the Core disciples, I will ask an elder to take you with us. Do not create any trouble." Han Cai responded, "You don''t have to." He produced a dark blue jade in his hand, which surprised Lan Yn. "How did you get a Core disciple medallion?" she asked. "I told you I''m a genius. You didn''t believe me, thinking I was bragging. But actually, I am a Core disciple of the sect. I was on a secret mission in the Outer sect to find out why female Core disciples were falling in love with Outer sect disciples." Lan Yn frowned, "Stop with your rubbish. Can''t you speak anything honest?" Han Cai nodded, "Yep, you''re right!" Lan Yn sighed, "Cultivate now. We leave tomorrow." Han Cai replied, "I journeyed so far to be with you. Will you be so cruel as to leave me alone? We are married, and you won''t even serve your husband any wine." Lan Yn creased her brow and said, "Stop with your drama, I''m going to cultivate." After that, she left for her meditation room. Instead of cultivating, Han Cai took out a spirit wine bottle and began to enjoy the wine. The next day, Lan Yn found Han Cai lying on a cushion, snoring blissfully with an empty wine bottle beside him. She stared at his face for a long time, then suddenly kicked him. Han Cai flew and crashed into the wall, waking up. He yelled angrily, "What the hell?" "Serves you right. I asked you to cultivate and you spent the whole night drinking and sleeping. Is that something a cultivator would do?" Lan Yn retorted. Han Cai shot back, "Is kicking your husband while he''s sleeping somethingdylike?" Lan Yn, knowing she couldn''t win this argument, gave up and said, "Get ready, we leave soon." Han Cai shrugged and replied, "I''m always ready." Lan Yn rolled her eyes and left. After some time, Lan Yn came back dressed in the official Core disciple attire of the Azure Dragon Sect. To her surprise, Han Cai was also dressed in the same attire. Leaving Lan Yn''s abode, they flew towards the Holy Daughter Lan Yinmei''s residence. As an Earth Immortal, Lan Yn flew at a speed that Han Cai couldn''t keep up with, and he was left trailing in her wake. By the time Han Cai arrived at the abode of the sect''s Holy Daughter, he was panting. Inside the abode were Lan Yanmei, Wei Biyu, and Bai Qian. Lan Yanmei was notified that someone was outside her abode. As she was about to get up, Lan Yn said, "Let him stay outside." Lan Yanmei, Wei Biyu, and Bai Qian gave Lan Yn curious looks. Lan Yanmei asked, "Who is he?" Unsure of how to exin, Lan Yn simply told them, "He will be with me during the war." Wei Biyu said, "But you are supposed to be with us during the war?" Lan Yn nodded and replied, "And he is going to be with me." Their curiosity grew. At the door, Han Cai started knocking and announced, "Hello, this is Yan Cai, husband of Fairy Lan Yn. I believe she is inside. Could you let me in?" Hearing this, all the girls inside were taken aback. Lan Yn, now furious, flew out and delivered a flying kick to Han Cai, who flew for half a mile. He stabilized himself and yelled, "You dare hit your husband! Don''t you have any shame, woman?" Lan Yn, now even more enraged, flew towards Han Cai again with all her fury, delivering another kick. Han Cai had had enough and yelled, "Just because you are a woman, don''t think I won''t fight back." Hearing this, Lan Yn flew again, kicking him again. Lan Yanmei, Wei Biyu, and Bai Qian hade outside the abode and watched the debacle unfold with wide eyes. They had never seen this side of Lan Yn, who was usually simple and reserved. After thirty minutes, Han Cai was inside the Holy Daughter''s abode, beaten and bruised. He did try to fight back, but Lan Yn was an Earth Immortal, and he stood no chance. He took the beating like a man. She had threatened him that if he spoke during the whole journey, she would beat him until he couldn''t walk. Lan Yn''s friends couldn''t control theirughter as they looked at the bruised and battered Han Cai. After theirughter subsided, they all prepared to leave. Han Cai followed behind the fairies, seeming like a frog chasing after beautiful cranes. He felt no shame about it. They flew to the sect''s Grand Hall, where many other Core disciples had gathered for the journey to the Empyrean Mystic Realm. When Lan Yanmei and her friends arrived, the other Core disciples made way for them to reach the center. Han Cai arrived a bitter. Seeing them standing in the center, he decided to hang in the back. There were around one thousand Core disciples present. The sect had more than five thousand Core disciples. Out of these, four thousand were going to participate in the war. The rest were either too young or had other equally important duties. They were being sent in groups of one thousand in each batch. This was the third batch of Core disciples being sent to the Empyrean Mystic Realm. After all the disciples had arrived, around a hundred Core elders flew in and stood before the disciples. The head elder of the group, Lan Fuyao, announced, "Everyone, be prepared. We will be journeying to the Empyrean Mystic Realm to fight a war for our sect. Make sure to follow discipline and ept orders from your superiors." All the Core disciples bowed together and said in unison, "Yes, Elder!" Soon, a massive treasure ship arrived near the Grand Hall and stayed floating in the sky. ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 264 Journey ? Elder Lan Fuyao instructed, "Everyone, get onboard the ship." The first to fly to the ship was the Holy Daughter, followed by Lan Yn and her friends. When almost all the disciples had flown up onto the ship, Han Cai also took flight towards it. Upon Han Cai''s arrival at the ship, another elder named Lan Yundao, who was overseeing the disciplesing onboard, flew over. He gave Han Cai a curious look and asked, "Who are you?" Han Cai took out a jade medallion that had a ck dragon carved on it. Elder Lan Yundao was surprised but after some thought, he said, "Wait here!" He flew towards Elder Lan Fuyao and spoke to him privately. Elder Lan Fuyao then approached Han Cai and asked, "Show me the medallion." Han Caiplied and showed him the medallion. Lan Fuyao looked shocked for a while but then he nodded and said, "You can find a chamber to rest in the ship. We will let you know when we arrive." Han Cai nodded. Lan Yanmei, Lan Yn, and the other Core disciples noticed Elder Lan Fuyao flying over to Han Cai and speaking to him. This piqued their curiosity. Lan Yanmei asked Lan Yn, "What did the elder want from him?" Lan Yn shook her head and replied, "I have no idea." Before they could discuss more, Elder Lan Fuyao announced that the ship was ready for departure. He asked all the disciples to go to their chambers and wait for their arrival. The ship was massive. Han Cai found an empty chamber and made himselffortable. He nned to enjoy this journey like a pic, so he took out some wine and started to indulge. When night arrived, Han Cai left his chamber and went looking for Lan Yn. Han Cai easily found her chamber as it was the third one on the top floor of the ship. The first chamber belonged to the Holy Daughter. Han Cai knocked and Lan Yn opened the door. She looked at him and asked, "What do you want? You are supposed to cultivate in your chamber until we arrive." Han Cai spoke shamelessly, "What do you think I will wantte at night from my woman?" Lan Yn frowned, wondering what people might think if they heard this. She pulled him into her chamber and closed the door. Han Cai thought that maybe the traveling had done some good to her as she pulled him inside her chamber. Tonight might be the night, but before he could get his hopes up, he received a kick on his nuggets, indicating otherwise. After kicking Han Cai, Lan Yn went and sat on a meditation cushion and said, "We are going to war. We don''t know how many will die and here you are just being selfish, thinking with your perverted thoughts. Leave my chamber and go cultivate." Han Cai made an innocent face and responded, "How can you be so cruel? We might be at war soon. I might die. All I want to do is spend some time with my beloved before I might never see you again." Hearing Han Cai''s pleas, Lan Yn''s voice softened. She said, "Ok, you can stay here, but if you do anything perverted, you will get a beating that you will never forget." Han Cai nodded and pulled out another cushion from his storage ring and a spirit wine bottle. He also pulled out some good spirit food to go with the wine. He was going to make the most of this trip and live life. He started drinking the spirit wine and enjoying the beauty of Lan Yn. Seeing him drinking and not cultivating, Lan Yn frowned, but she decided to give up and went back to meditating. For the uing two weeks, nothing changed. Lan Yn would cultivate and Han Cai would watch her, enjoying his drink and spirit food. In the third week, there was a knock on the door of their chamber. When Lan Yn opened the door, she saw that it was Lan Yanmei and her two other friends. All three girls hadn''t seen her for two weeks, so they came to look for her. When Lan Yn opened the door, they saw Han Cai sitting in her chamber, drinking wine and eating food without a worry in the world. Seeing Han Cai, they all frowned. All the Core disciples were refined and presented themselves as gentlemen, while here Han Cai was drinking wine and eating food without a single care. They waited for Lan Yn to invite them in. Lan Yn didn''t want them to enter her chambers because the ''monkey'' was here, but she couldn''t just keep them outside, so she reluctantly invited them in. She summoned three more cushions for them to sit on. Han Cai, seeing three more beauties, was very pleased. Beauty and wine, what else could he ask for? The women sat on the cushions, none of them knowing what to say upon seeing Han Cai drinking wine and staring at them. Finally, Lan Yanmei couldn''t take it anymore. She asked, "Why are you like this?" Han Cai asked, "What do you mean?" Lan Yn spoke to Yanmei, "Don''t bother with him. He''s a monkey." Han Cai interjected, "Is itdy-like to call your husband a monkey?" Lan Yn rolled her eyes. Lan Yanmei frowned and said, "Why do you behave like one?" Han Cai replied as if he were an old man, "Youngdy, you''re still young and unfamiliar with the ways of the world." Bai Qian decided to speak this time, asking, "What do you mean?" Han Cai exined, "Most of the young men who act like gentlemen in front of you are probably doing so because they want to impress you and get under your robes. Meanwhile, I am alreadymitted to Yn, so I have no reason to try to impress anyone. Because of this, I behave the way I do, but my heart is clean, devoid of any demons. They may act all refined, but their hearts could be malicious." ************************************************** Note: I know a lot of readers are upset because of how the romance panned out. He is not trying to be romantic or get in her robes( He is actually, but not because of reasons you Imagine). He has to because... In the next ten chapters, you will get your answers on why he is acting this way. Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 265 Attack ? Lan Yn cut him off and said, "Yeah, I know just how ''pure'' your heart is... Spare us." Han Cai shook his head andmented, "My woman has no faith in me." Lan Yn turned to Yanmei, saying, "Sister Yanmei, don''t bother with him. He''s a vile monkey." After this, the girls decided to ignore Han Cai and started chatting amongst themselves. Han Cai didn''t mind that; he enjoyed his wine and burped from time to time to disgust them until they finally left. After her friends departed, Lan Yn looked at Han Cai and said, "You are vile, you know that." After saying this, she went to her cushion, sat down, and started meditating. Han Cai asked, "If I am vile, why did you sign a marriage contract with a vile person?" Lan Yn just rolled her eyes and went back to cultivating, leaving Han Cai to drink alone. For another three weeks, their journey continued until Elder Lan Fuyao announced that they would be entering the Mystic Realm, so everyone should stay in their chambers. This announcement reminded Han Cai of a flight announcement the pilot made in his former life when the flight faced any turbulence. All the disciples, including Han Cai, came out of their chambers and stood outside to witness the treasure ship entering the Mystic Realm. At the helm of the ship stood Elder Lan Fuyao, tasked with safely guiding the ship in and out of the Empyrean Mystic Realm. In front of him was a massive array formation, known as the Spatial Navigational Array, which would be activated to open the gateway to the realm. Elder Lan Fuyao began the process by channeling his spiritual energy into the array. The array immediately responded, glowing brightly as it began to connect with the naturalws governing space and time. As more energy was funneled into the array, the light from the formation intensified, illuminating the entire ship. The disciples watched in awe as the array started to generate a powerful force field around the ship, forming a protective barrier against the turbulent energies within the spatial rift. As the force field stabilized, the array formation reached its peak activation. Elder Lan Fuyao then initiated the final step, projecting his will onto the array andmanding it to tear open the fabric of space. The arrayplied, and a crack appeared in the air in front of the ship. The crack slowly widened, forming a portal that resembled a swirling vortex of colors and energy. This was the gateway to the Empyrean Mystic Realm. Elder Lan Fuyao gave themand, and the treasure ship started moving forward, drawn into the portal by an unseen force. The disciples aboard held their breath as the ship was engulfed by the swirling energies of the vortex. As the ship moved deeper into the portal, the chaotic energies outside were neutralized by the force field, preventing any harm to those aboard. The journey through the spatial rift was eerie, with strange, indistinct shapes seemingly flitting by outside the force field. After what felt like an eternity, a bright light shone from the other end of the vortex, signaling the end of the spatial rift. The treasure ship emerged into the Empyrean Mystic Realm. The moment the treasure ship entered the Empyrean Mystic Realm, it was met with a violent shaking as if a gigantic mountain had crashed into it. The cause quickly became apparent: a horde of massive flying beasts, each one the size of a small mountain, was swooping down on the ship. These beasts were known as Void Manticores, possessing not only incredible strength but also formidable mystic abilities. Elder Lan Fuyao, at the helm of the ship, immediately recognized the dire situation they were in. His face paled as he announced, "We are under attack! The ship''s defense array is on cooldown; it just powered us through the void into this realm and won''t be up and running for a while." In response to the impending crisis, some of the Core elders quickly took to the sky, engaging the horde of Void Manticores in a fierce battle. However, their efforts seemed to barely dent the numbers of the massive beasts. Han Cai, standing amid the chaos, had a sudden realization. The Array Transfer Talisman could potentially save them, but without a carrier connecting them to the sect''s defensive array, the talisman was as useful as a stone in a river. As if to confirm his thoughts, Elder Lan Fuyao announced gravely, "These beasts are from the Beast Hall of the White Tiger Alliance. Everyone, run!" Panic set in among the disciples. The ship was already swaying dangerously, with huge gashes appearing in its structure as the Void Manticores relentlessly attacked. There was no doubt that the ship would soon be destroyed. Amidst the chaos, Lan Yn grabbed Han Cai and propelled into the air. They quickly followed Lan Yanmei, Wei Biyu, and Bai Qian towards the east, away from the epicenter of the chaos. Their goal was to put as much distance between themselves and the copsing ship as possible. The sound of splintering wood and rending metal echoed through the air as the ship sumbed to the attack of the Void Manticores. In a colossal explosion of energy, the once mighty treasure ship was reduced to smoldering wreckage, falling out of the sky like a wounded bird. The fleeing group watched the scene from a distance, their hearts heavy with the grim reality of the situation. They had barely arrived in the Empyrean Mystic Realm and they were already fighting for their survival. Han Cai watched the destruction as if he was a neutral party. His only thought was, "This is going to be an adventure." Seeing that the ship was almost destroyed, Lan Yanmei suddenly said, "We should run before the beasts are done destroying the ship. They will chase after us if we do not escape." ************************************************** Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 266 Picnic ? Hearing that, the other three fairies nodded in unison and they all flew away, with Lan Yn carrying Han Cai. They flew continuously for days. Lan Yinmei had sprinkled some unique powder on them which would hide their presence. Seeing the powder, Han Cai thought about why he had not tried to create something like this with his alchemy. He decided that next time he would certainly try it. Their journey was not a smooth one; it was fraught with danger and teetering on the edge of disaster. Packs of elite beasts kept attacking them. But the fairies, being Earth Immortals, cleared them out easily until they faced a pack of elite beasts led by two supreme beasts. These beasts were monstrous, their cultivation levels matching those of Earth Immortals. Being beasts, their natural strength and instinctual cunningness heightened their power, making them formidable opponents even for seasoned cultivators. The two supreme beasts were the most threatening. Standing tall, they towered over thendscape, their monstrous bodies exuding an overwhelming aura of raw power. Their eyes, cold and relentless, glowed with a predatory gleam that sent a chill down the spines of their human adversaries. Faced with this onught, Lan Yn had no choice but to put Han Cai down, trusting in her hastily constructed protective array to safeguard him. Lan Yanmei faced the attacking beasts. Wei Biyu and Bai Qian joined her side, and soon Lan Yn joined them too after dropping Han Cai off. Even though they themselves were Earth Immortals, the battle that ensued was fierce and tumultuous. The four Earth Immortals employed all their skills and techniques, their Qi surging as they fought against the beasts. Powerful array formations were deployed, divine weapons were brandished, and the sky was filled with the light of myriad spells and talismans. Thendscape around them transformed into a battlefield, marred by the scars of their sh. Trees were uprooted, mountains shattered, and the earth trembled under the force of their attacks. Yet, they held their ground, their resolve unwavering. Despite their efforts, the beasts were relentless, their strength seemingly inexhaustible. Yet, the four fairies were not to be underestimated. Through abination of teamwork, strategy, and sheer grit, they managed to slowly whittle down the horde of elite beasts and critically injure the two supreme beasts. The battle raged on for what felt like an eternity until, finally, thest of the beasts fell. However, the victory came at a price. All four of them were badly injured, their bodies bearing the brunt of the brutal battle. Lan Yn, Lan Yinmei, Wei Biyu, and Bai Qian, despite their injuries, could not help but sigh in relief. After getting rid of the beasts, they escaped at full speed with Lan Yn carrying Han Cai. But soon they were ambushed by another horde. The process continued for months. They continuously kept getting ambushed by elite or supreme beasts. They had to give their all to fight. Sometimes they might get ambushed twice or thrice a day. Luckily for them, they had recovery pills which helped them escape. After what seemed like an eternity of nonstop flighting, the ambushes reduced as they went further and further into the realm. Finally, a time came when they stopped getting ambushed, but by now they were all miserable, except Han Cai who enjoyed the journey and the battles. The four fairies had run out of all the Recovery pills and talismans within a month due to the constant battles. Eventually, their group found a potential havenˇŞa hidden valley nestled amidst a range of towering, ancient mountains. The valley was lush and verdant, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, which cast long, shimmering shadows on the lush foliage below. A clear, sparkling river meandered through the valley, its path marked by a line of vibrant trees and bushes. The babbling of the river was a soothing melody, providing a stark contrast to the chaos they had just escaped. The steep, rugged cliffs of the surrounding mountains concealed the valley from sight, providing a natural shield against external threats. Vines and thick foliage clung to these rocky cliffs, making them appear as living walls of green. Their sheer heights and the rugged terrain would make any approach from the outside difficult, if not impossible. The floor of the valley was carpeted with soft, verdant grass that seemed to ripple like waves in the gentle breeze. Scattered throughout the valley were groves of sturdy trees, their branches heavy with fruits and their canopies providing much-needed shade. A variety of flowers bloomed around, adding sshes of vibrant colors to thendscape and filling the air with their delicate fragrance. In the heart of the valley, there was a clear, cidke, its waters reflecting the azure sky and the surrounding mountains like a giant mirror. Theke was fed by a small waterfall cascading down from one of the mountains, the sound of the falling water providing a constant, soothing backdrop. There was a tangible sense of tranquility and harmony in the valley. It was as if they had stumbled upon a sanctuary untouched by the ravages of the outside world, a peaceful oasis hidden away from the chaotic realm they had just left behind. The sheer beauty and serenity of the ce were enough to momentarily ease their anxiety and exhaustion. For Han Cai, this ce seemed to be perfect for his vacation. The group decided to spend the night here. They all plopped down. The two supreme beasts had done a number on them. If they were attacked now, none of them would be able to survive. They all sat on the ground and started channeling Qi. Han Cai found this very boring, so he collected some twigs and lit a fire. Then he took out arge cauldron, added herbs and meat to it, and started cooking. Slowly, the smell of spirit food wafted in the air. The noses of all four fairies twitched. They opened their eyes to see a delicious meal being cooked by Han Cai. Seeing that they had opened their eyes, Han Cai got up and walked towards Wei Biyu. When he was close to her, he threw her a pill and said, "This should help you." ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 267 Revenge Of Monkey ? Wei Biyu''s eyes went wide. It was an Earth Grade Recovery pill. They all had run out of all Earth Grade pills, so seeing an Earth Grade Recovery pill was a reasonable surprise. They never expected Han Cai, a Foundation Establishment level kid, to be carrying such pills. Wei Biyu swallowed Han Cai''s pill and she started recovering at a visibly fast rate. Her recovery was noticed by her three friends too. Han Cai went back to his food. He summoned a te and took some meat out from the cauldron. He summoned arge cushion from his storage ring and sat down on it, cing the te in front of him. He also summoned a wine bottle and a ss. He nned to enjoy the view and location to the fullest. All four girls stared at him. Over the past month, during the whole battle and the ambushes, Han Cai did not make a single sound. It was as if he did not exist at all. Today was the first time he was acting out of the norm. The four girls had not paid serious attention to him until today. What surprised them was that there was not a single injury on him, while they, the Earth Immortals, were injured by the many beast hordes. No matter how many arrays were used, he should have had some injury. Also, his clothes were clean, his skin was pink and healthy, while theirs were tattered and pale. Lan Yanmei said, "Yan Kaiˇ­" Han Cai turned and looked at her, saying, "Yes?" Lan Yanmei asked, "Do you have more Earth Grade Recovery pills?" Han Cai nodded and replied, "Yes." After saying that, he went back to drinking wine and eating meat. All four girls were wide-eyed. This monkey had Earth Grade Recovery pills from the start and he did not even care to share a single pill with them. They had protected him during their entire journey. He did not even have the courtesy to share the pills even now. Lan Yn wanted to get up and kick him, but she had no strength right now. Bai Qian said, "Yan Cai, if you had Recovery pills, why didn''t you tell us?" Han Cai replied thoughtfully, "You never asked." Lan Yanmei frowned and asked, "Why did you give the pills to Wei Biyu?" Han Cai looked at Lan Yanmei as if he was looking at someone stupid, and said, "Because she is injured... Duh..." Hearing this, Lan Yn was furious. She eximed, "You rascal... Aren''t Yanmei, Bai Qian and I injured?" Han Cai shrugged as if it was not his business. Wei Biyu had recovered by now. She was also curious as to why Han Cai hag given her a Recovery pill but not the others. Seeing Han Cai not speak, Bai Qian asked, "Do you like Wei Biyu or something?" She felt pity for Lan Yn who carried and protected him all the time and Han Cai was giving a Recovery pill only to Wei Biyu. Han Cai rolled his eyes and said, "You people have nasty minds. I like Lan Yn, no one else." Lan Yanmei asked, "Then why did you give the pill only to her?" Han Cai replied, "Because I''m a petty person. Only Wei Biyu did not call me a monkey to my face. Except her, all three of you called me a monkey. How can I forgive you? Ady should bicker about someone behind his back. You girls are notdies, insulting me to my face." All four girls facepalmed simultaneously. This idiotˇ­ Wei Biyu then spoke up, "Han Cai, we are still in danger. If you have Recovery pills, you should give them to the others too." Han Cai nodded and said, "If you say so." Saying this, he threw a pill bottle to Wei Biyu. When Wei Biyu opened the bottle, she found twenty Recovery pills inside. She went to each girl and gave them a Recovery pill. Soon, the other three recovered too. The moment Lan Yn recovered, she jumped up, kicked Han Cai, and sent him flying half a mile away. After getting up, Han Cai yelped, "What kind of woman kicks her man? I will remember this. Next time you get injured, don''te asking for pills." Lan Yn rolled her eyes and went back to her seat. Han Cai returned to find all his wine and food spilled. He had to get fresh cooked meat from the cauldron, and then he summoned another wine bottle. Now, he was drinking directly from the bottle. Seeing him back to his eating and drinking, Bai Qian asked, "Why are you not injured?" Han Cai raised his eyes, looked at her, and said, "I''m ustomed to her kicks now." Bai Qian nearly facepalmed again and rified, "I meant, we fought and got ambushed many times. Why are you not injured?" Han Cai responded, "You''re weird, you know that? Why would I be injured? I don''t like being injured. I''m not a masochist." All four of them felt a sudden frustration with him. Lan Yanmei pulled a pin out of her hair and flicked her hand, sending the sharp pin flying towards Han Cai. If he didn''t move, the pin would certainly pierce the arm holding the bottle. But Han Cai didn''t even flinch. As the pin came close, it seemed like it would prate his arm. But, in a swift movement, Han Cai raised the bottle to his lips, the pin missing his arm by a whisker. The four girls were surprised. They didn''t know if he did it intentionally or if it was just luck, but nevertheless, he was not injured. They realized that this Foundation Establishment level kid was not so simple. He was in the Outer sect, but he easily entered the Core disciples'' group for battle. Even the elders didn''t reject him. They were attacked and ambushed many times, but he didn''t sustain a single injury. Moreover, he had batches of Earth Grade pills on him. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 268 Against Yunchi Empire ? After resting for a few days, they began their journey towards the stronghold of the Azure Dragon Sect in the Empyrean Mystic Realm. After flying for several days, they met up with the first batch of Core disciples who were also heading towards the stronghold. Every Core disciple had been given a map of the realm, and their Core Disciple Medallions could guide them on what path to take. So, most of the disciples knew the general direction they had to take before they arrived at the sect''s stronghold. Even though the realm was not asrge as the real world, it was more than a million miles long. It was going to take them a long time before they arrived at the stronghold. Soon, many more batches of disciples and elders from the sect crossed their path. They continued their journey, regrouping with every Core disciple and elder they came across. The Core elders, with cultivation levels of Fusion Immortals, should have had higher chances of survival. However, the beasts of the Azure Dragon Sect made sure to target the elders most. As a result, out of a hundred elders, only thirty had survived. While among the disciples, out of a thousand, only four hundred remained. Now that they were part of arger group, they felt a bit safer. They moved like an army, sending some scouts first, and then the group would move forward. Seeing that the group had increased, Han Cai became a quiet and well-behaved boy, as before. He had no interest in attracting any unnecessary hassle. One day, as they were moving through a forest region, they suddenly heard loud noises. They immediately became alert. When they approached the source of the noise, they saw one of the scout elders battling multiple cultivators from the Yunchi Empire, which was allied with the White Tiger Sect. Seeing the battlemence, other elders hurriedly went to support theirrade. A full-scale war erupted between the Warriors of the Yunchi Empire and the Azure Dragon Sect. The forest trembled as the Azure Sect elders and the Yunchi Empire Warriors collided with an earth-shattering force. Elders from the Azure Sect, with their Fusion Immortal cultivation, unleashed a flurry of spells that carved arcs of power in the air. One of the elders, Elder Liu, with his advanced mastery over water-element spells,unched a series of attacks, sending waves of condensed water crashing towards the Yunchi Warriors. These waves, enhanced with spiritual power, hit with the force of a tidal wave, smashing into the enemy lines and causing havoc. On another front, Elder Huang wielded a grand thunder hammer. Each swing summoned a surge of thunderous energy that exploded upon impact, turning the surrounding area into a field of crackling energy. Simultaneously, Lin Qiao, another disciple, used her skill, Frost Edge,unching sharp projectiles of ice towards her opponents. These icy shards, enhanced with her spiritual power, became lethal weapons capable of piercing through the enemy''s defenses. Despite their lower numbers, the Azure Sect held their ground, employing a mix of offensive and defensive tactics to counter the Yunchi Empire. They used their knowledge of the terrain, the unique abilities of their elders, and the resourcefulness of their disciples to engage the Yunchi Empire. The war was harsh, the enemy relentless, but the Azure Sect fought on, matching the strength of the Yunchi Empire blow for blow. The Yunchi Empire''s Immortals were no less formidable. They wereposed of a variety of Warriors with diverse skill sets, making them a challenging opponent. Among their ranks was General Lu, a well-known figure in the Yunchi Empire. He wielded the skill known as me Fist. Each punch he threw was infused with an intense fire element, turning his fists into a ze that incinerated everything it touched. His attack was intense and swift, often leaving the Azure Sect''s elders no choice but to evade rather than counter his strikes directly. Another powerful Warrior was Elder Feng, renowned for his Earth Maniption technique. He could control the very ground beneath their feet, causing spikes of solid rock to erupt unexpectedly, ensnaring his opponents or disrupting their footing, turning the battlefield to his advantage. On the frontline, the Yunchi Immortals also had Xue Li, a skilled practitioner of the Thousand Illusions Art. Her mastery allowed her to create vivid and lifelike illusions, disorienting her opponents and creating openings for herrades to strike. Another formidable opponent was Zhen Wei, known for his skill, the Iron Body Technique. He was able to turn his body into a fortress, capable of withstanding the strongest physical attacks. He usually charged into the enemy lines, absorbing the brunt of the Azure Sect''s attacks and providing a strong shield for his Yunchirades. Despite their skills and abilities, the Yunchi Empire''s Warriors found themselves embroiled in a grueling war with the Azure Sect. Both sides exhibited remarkable strength and prowess, leaving no room forcency as the war raged on. As the battle between the Azure Dragon Sect and Yunchi Empire''s Warriors persisted, the reason for the former''s alliance leadership became evident. The elders and Core disciples of the Azure Dragon Sect were not merely strong in individual power, but they also possessed Heaven Grade treasures, secret weapons that could tip the scale of any battle. Elder Liu, a renowned figure within the sect, had the Heaven Grade treasure known as the Frostbane Staff. He activated its power, causing the surrounding air temperature to plummet rapidly. The Staff released an icy aura that solidified the air into razor-sharp ice shards. These shards, under Elder Liu''s control, Disciple Zhu, known for his speed and agility, wielded the Galewind Boots. Upon activation, a gusty wind swirled around him, elevating his speed to unfathomable levels. This sudden burst of velocity allowed him to outmaneuver the Yunchi Warriors, striking at their weak points before they could react. On the other hand, Elder Hu, the oldest among them, activated his treasure, the Lifeforge Cauldron. The Cauldron released an energy field that boosted the healing and regeneration capabilities of the Azure Sect members within its range. This support was crucial, as it allowed the Azure Sect''s fighters to recover quickly from their injuries, enabling them to return to the fight with renewed vigor. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 269 Another Ambush ? The most formidable was perhaps Disciple Fang''s Heaven-grade treasure, the Thundercall Lance. This weapon could summon thunder and lightning from the sky, directing it to strike upon Fang''s foes. Each bolt was powerful enough to cripple, if not entirely incapacitate, the Yunchi Empire Warriors it struck. The activation of the Heaven Grade treasures changed the tide of the battle. The Yunchi Warriors, despite their formidable skills and powers, found themselves gradually overwhelmed by the powerful treasures and the proficient usage by the Azure Dragon Sect. This prolonged battle indeed showcased why the Azure Dragon Sect was considered the leader of their alliance. After the battle ended, the battleground fell into an eerie silence, punctuated by the asional groan of a wounded Warrior. The once lush forest was now a twisted ruin of scorched trees and craters, the air heavy with the residual spiritual energy of the powerful treasures that had been wielded in this fierce conflict. Bodies of Yunchi Warriorsy strewn about, their armor torn and marked with deep cuts, an illustration of the devastating power of the Heaven-grade treasures. Those who survived, weakened and barely clinging to consciousness, were captured by Azure Dragon Sect members, their weapons confiscated and spiritual energy temporarily sealed. Out of the original contingents of Yunchi Warriors, only a handful managed to escape unscathed. The rest were either prisoners or casualties of the sh, their once formidable numbers reduced drastically. As for the Azure Dragon Sect, victory came at a steep price. Of the thirty elders who had bravely led the fight, five had fallen in battle, their bodies lying in dignified repose, their spiritual energies depleted. Ten more elders had sustained serious injuries, and their condition was critical. Medical experts from among the disciples rushed to attend to them, casting intricate healing spells in an attempt to stabilize their condition. The disciples didn''t fare any better. Out of the four hundred who had joined the battle, twenty had perished, and another fifty were seriously wounded. The field was filled with medical disciples tending to the injured, the air filled with the soft murmur of healing spells and quiet words offort. In the midst of all this, Lan Yanmei, the Holy Daughter of the sect, and her friends were safe. The elders had forbidden them from participating in the conflict due to their status and importance to the sect. Han Cai, despite his rtively low cultivation level, also remained unscathed, having not participated in thebat. The battle had ended, but its aftermath remained. As the Azure Dragon Sect took stock of their losses and attended to their wounded, the remnants of the battlefield stood as a solemn reminder of the cost of this victory. "Here, take these," Han Cai quietly told Lan Yanmei, passing her ten bottles of Recovery pills. "Help the injured." Lan Yanmei looked at him, then nodded, epting the bottles without further question. She moved among the wounded, distributing the pills. The injured disciples and elders took the pills gratefully, their recovery visibly hastening. Just as everyone was starting to rx, one of the elders on lookout duty shouted, "Visitors approaching!" The camp immediately went on high alert, everyone readying themselves for another possible conflict. Tension hung in the air until the identity of the visitors was revealed. To their collective relief, the visitors were elders from the Shenwei Kingdom, a known ally of the Azure Dragon Sect. The Chief Elder of Shenwei, Elder Minghu, walked up to Elder Lan Yanando, the chief elder of the group from the Azure Dragon Sect. The two leaders engaged in a brief, intense discussion. "We were on a reconnaissance mission when we heard the sound of battle," Elder Minghu exined. "We came as quickly as we could." Elder Lan Yanando nodded, understanding the situation. Together, the two elders devised a n to have everyone leave and return to the stronghold of the Azure Dragon Sect. It was a unanimous decision that both parties would travel together, a sign of mutual protection and support. The arrival of the Shenwei elders was indeed a silver lining, providing a moment of relief and a glimmer of hope in their precarious situation. The united forces of the Azure Dragon Sect and Shenwei Kingdom continued their journey towards the stronghold of the Azure Dragon Sect. After covering hundreds of thousands of miles over the course of several weeks, they decided to rest and set up camp near a river. Despite the temporary halt, the air was rife with tension and vignce. After resting and rejuvenating, the group prepared to leave. However, as they made to break camp, they noticed a strange phenomenon: the Qi in their bodies began to drain away inexplicably. Every cultivator in the vicinity felt their internal energy deplete rapidly, leaving them bereft of their strength and cultivation power. Soon, Elder Lan and the other elders managed to deduce the cause of this abnormal urrence. It was a trap. The Chief Elder of Shenwei, Elder Minghu, had betrayed them and was in league with the White Tiger n. He had led them into a cunning trap, capitalizing on their rest period. An insidious array known as the Qi Dissipation Array was set up in this area, designed to drain cultivators of their Qi, leaving them defenseless. Now, stripped of their cultivation power, the members of the Azure Dragon Sect were as vulnerable as chickens on a chopping block. The treachery of Elder Minghu cast a pall of dread over the group, leaving them in a dire situation. Soon, many red-robed and yellow-robed cultivators began to appear - they were members of the White Tiger Alliance from the Jindao Nation and the Xilong Republic. After them arrived some white-robed men. One look at them and Han Cai could tell that they were the members of the White Tiger Sect. Elder Lan Yundao said, "So it''s Elder Qing." ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release Five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 270 Flower Valley ? Han Cai looked at Lan Yn as if asking who Elder Qing was. Standing beside him, she said, "He is the head elder of the Zhanlue Pavilion, a hidden hall of the White Tiger Sect." Han Cai was pleased to get some context about the situation. Elder Qing asked, "How are you, Yunado? I never thought we would be meeting in this situation. Just surrender, you have nowhere to go." Lan Yunado nodded; they had no choices, they had all lost their cultivation. "We are ready to surrender, but I hope you will let our Holy Daughter leave. I hope you will give this much courtesy to our sect," said Lan Yunado. Elder Qingughed out loud and said, "Do you think we put so much effort just to capture you? The Holy Daughter was our target from the start. You can send one of the disciples back to the sect with our messenger. If the Azure Dragon Sect agrees to share the ancient alchemy form, all of you will be released. If not then we will strip the Holy Daughter of her cultivation and make her serve wine to merchants in the Fragrant Hall." Han Cai cringed at the clich¨¦d evil. Just when they thought it was the end of the line for them, a thundering voice echoed, "You think our Azure Dragon Sect is that naive? That we will let you do whatever you wish to do?" Hearing the voice, Elder Minghu, the Chief Elder of Shenwei, frowned because he knew to whom the voice belonged. Soon many azure-dressed elders appeared in the sky, and in the center of them was Lan Fuyao, the Head Core elder of the Azure Dragon Sect. Han Cai suddenly realized that even if everyone''s cultivation was drained, his array transfer talisman had been activated. Now everyone was protected by the Array Transfer Talisman. There was female elder standing beside Elder Fuyao. He turned to a female elder and said, "Elder Meiying, take the Holy Daughter away with you." Hearing this, Elder Qingughed, "You think we will allow you to do that?" While Elder Qing was speaking, Elder Meiying had already flown towards the Holy Daughter. Many elders dressed in red, white, and yellow robes came forward to stop her, but they were all repelled. Elder Meiying somehow teleported in front of Lan Yanmei, picked her up, and flew away. Han Cai saw that Lan Yn and other friends of Holy Daughter were left behind. He frowned, feeling disappointed in the sect. "Even if the elders didn''t save his soon-to-be-dying girlfriend, they should have saved him. His cultivation was just at the Foundation Establishment in their eyes, yet they ignored him and didn''t try to save him." Being the magnanimous person he was, Han Cai decided not to hold it against the sect. Maybe they didn''t know about his existence, so they didn''t care about him. Seeing Elder Meiying taking away Lan Yanmei, Elder Qing grew furious and tried to chase, but he was stopped by Elder Fuyao. The battlemenced again. The cultivators of the Azure Dragon Sect were prepared this time, but the elders of the White Tiger Sect, Jindao Nation, and Xilong Republic outnumbered them. Nevertheless, the elders of the Azure Dragon Sect had the Array Transfer Talisman to protect them. Half of the Azure Dragon Sect elders focused on the attack, while the other half concentrated on freeing the Core disciples and assisting their escape. No one came to save Han Cai. Even the enemies didn''t care about a Foundation Establishment level cultivator in a battle where Earth Immortals were the weakest disciples. Han Cai felt disappointed. Since no one cared about him, he decided to leave. He flew continuously until he found an idyllic location - a valley filled with flowers, beautiful mountains, and a river. He took out a cushion and cauldron, along with arge amount of spirit meat and vegetables. He also brought out a kettle. First, he set up all the food to cook a stew slowly, while on the side, he put down the kettle, added some spirit coffee and water in it, and let it brew. The sounds of a massive battle echoed in the distance. His Array Transfer Talisman could transfer most of the attacks to the Grand Defense Array of the sect, but it wasn''t invincible. Nevertheless, it had given an edge to the Azure Dragon Sect. Lost in his thoughts, the coffee was soon ready. Han Cai poured himself a cup of coffee and started sipping it, enjoying the view. He wasn''t going to let anything ruin his getaway. While he was marveling at the beauty of the Mystic Realm''s flower valley, he heard a rustling sound. Turning around, he saw her: Lan Yn. She flew towards him, for some reason she appeared even more beautiful than the Holy Daughter Lan Yanmei. Her petite yet curvaceous figure exuded a sense of strength and grace, blending seamlessly with the ethereal beauty of the Mystic Realm. Her skin, as pure and translucent as the finest jade, glowed subtly under the soft light filtering through the valley''s foliage. This glow highlighted her delicate features - high cheekbones, a perfectly shaped nose, and luscious, petal-like lips. Her eyes were the most enchanting, a beautiful blend of sparkling turquoise that mirrored the endless sky and seemed to contain a universe of their own. The intensity of her gaze was softened by her long, thick eyshes, fluttering like butterfly wings. . Her dress, an elegant azure silk garment, entuated her slender waist and fell in soft, flowingyers around her. The dress''s color, reminiscent of the clear azure sky, contrasted stunningly with the colorful backdrop of the flower valley andplemented her ethereal beauty. The garment was embroidered with intricate golden patterns of mythical beasts and celestial symbols, subtly signaling her status and power. Han Cai had never seen her looking this beautiful. He stared at his girlfriend as she came near him, summoned another cushion, and sat down beside him. She asked, "What are you drinking?" Han Cai replied, "It''s called spirit coffee. It''s an Immortal drink left by a Transcendent when he was leaving this world, but only people with an acquired taste can enjoy it." Lan Yn nodded and said, "I will give it a try." ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 271 Asking For Explanation ? Han Cai summoned another cup and poured her some spirit coffee. Lan Yn took a sip and frowned - the spirit coffee was the most ghastly drink she might have ever had. Han Cai enjoyed the expression on her face as she struggled to finish the coffee. Once she was done, he was about to pour her another cup when she stopped him and said, "I have wine, let''s drink that instead." Han Caiughed and replied, "I told you, spirit coffee is an acquired taste." She nodded and brought out an ancient-looking wine pot. "This is a very special wine, the best I''ve ever tasted. I would like to share it with you," she said. Han Cai nodded in agreement. Lan Yn gracefully extended a beautifully adorned wine sk towards Han Cai, pouring a delicate stream of liquid into two ornate cups. Han Cai realized this was no ordinary wine. As soon as it left the sk, the wine released a captivating aroma that swept across the valley, so potent that even the surrounding flowers seemed to sway towards it, as if intoxicated by its scent. The aroma was a delightful blend of sweet and tart, with hints of exotic fruits and a subtle undertone of honey. It filled the air, enveloping them in a sensual haze that was both inviting and enthralling. epting the cup from Lan Yn, Han Cai brought it to his lips and took a small sip. The wine was unlike anything he had ever tasted. Its vor was aplexyering of notes, each one unfolding gradually, allowing him to savor every nuance. At first, there was a delicate sweetness, reminiscent of ripe peaches on a sunny afternoon, followed by a tart punch of citrus that danced on his tongue. Then came a subtle warmth, akin to a gentle sunbeam, which slowly spread throughout his body, leaving him feeling both rxed and energized. With every sip, the wine seemed to get better. It had a velvety texture, like a soft whisper against his pte, leaving a trace of warmth and a lingering hint of honey that enticed him to taste more. The wine was indeed special, not just for its rich and exquisite vors, but for the experience it delivered - an unparalleled indulgence that was both satisfying and deeply memorable. Drinking the wine felt like a journey through a tapestry of delightful tastes, weaving a tale of exotds, sun-kissed fruits, and a hint of the mystical. Even though Han Cai wasn''t a wine connoisseur, he knew the wine he just had was extraordinary - a tribute to the artisan''s skill and a testament to the magical realm''s bounty. The taste lingered on his tongue, a tantalizing reminder of an experience that was truly otherworldly. After Han Cai put down the wine cup, Lan Yn was about to pour him another one. But Han Cai stopped her and suggested, "Let us have some snacks with it." Lan Yn nodded. As Han Cai rose, his steps faltered, and he sat back on the cushion, saying, "The wine got to me." Lan Yn nodded and moved closer to him. Her face was only inches away from Han Cai''s. She whispered, "With this kiss, I absolve any karma we have." As Lan Yn moved closer to Han Cai, their faces were merely inches apart. He could feel the warmth radiating from her, and his heart pounded with an intensity he''d never experienced before. He found himself captivated by her gaze, unable to look away from her mesmerizing eyes. Then, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his. The world seemed to stand still in that moment. The kiss was gentle, yet it packed an intensity that left him breathless. The sensation was an overwhelming rush of emotions - a delicate mix of surprise, delight, and a deep connection that he couldn''t quite put into words. He was consumed by her. The fragrance of her hair, the taste of her lips, the warmth of her body against his - everything was magnified, demanding hisplete attention. His heart pounded in his chest like a wild drum, matching the rhythm of the emotions coursing through him. He felt a spark ignite within him, spreading warmth that radiated outwards from his chest. The entire world outside of this moment seemed to blur and fade away. There was only him, Lan Yn, and the shared sensation of their first kiss. As they slowly pulled away from each other, he found himself in a daze. His mind was a whirl of thoughts, trying to process the significance of what just happened. His lips still tingled with the residual feel of her kiss, a sweet reminder of the intimate connection they had just shared. He was losing consciousness slowly, trying to savor the beautiful kiss and the amazing wine. When she kissed him, the whole Mystic Realm shook. Lan Yn was surprised at first, but then she realized that her actions had caused changes in thews of this world, leading to some movement. Han Cai asked, "Could you tell me who you are?" Lan Yn nodded and responded, "Dao Sovereign of Equality." Han Cai asked, "Why me?" Lan Yn replied, "You have my treasure, don''t you?" Han Cai asked, "What''s its real name?" Lan Yn replied, "You don''t need to know." Han Cai responded, "I feel taken advantage of. I deserve an exnation. If I die without one, I am going to hold it against Heaven and the Grand Dao of Equality as I have been mistreated. This is not an equal exchange." Lan Yn agreed, "You gained a kiss from a Sovereign, the Karma is absolved, but you do deserve an exnation." She replied honestly, "It was called the Orb of Equal Exchange, a Dao weapon - the highest level weapon in any realm." Han Cai asked, "Why give it to me?" She shook her head and said, "I did not give it to you. It found you." Han Cai gave her a confused, blurry look and asked, "What do you mean?" Lan Yn exined, "When I was young, I made some mistakes. I was naive and had very upright morals. I wanted to eliminate the suffering from the world and bring about the Dao of Equality in every realm. My main body couldn''t travel to lower realms, so I divided my soul and sent it there. When I arrived in the lower realms, I was filled with a sense of righteousness, determined to alleviate the suffering of Mortals and Immortals. I moved through many realms and helped many people. When I arrived in this realm, I came across a Transcendent who did not leave this world but reduced his cultivation because he wanted to cultivate the Grand Dao of Life. His name was Qian Lifeng. He told me he would be my follower and would help me. I was naive and believed him." ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 272 Treacherous Girlfriend ? Han Cai asked, "What does that have to do with me?" Lan Yn replied, "Everything! You should know that his understanding of the Life Dao is far from simple, he had alsoprehended the Dao of Karma. He deeply entangled me in this world''s Karma. Despite ruling this realm for thousands of years, the more I attempted to assist the mortals, the more their suffering escted. Eventually, I realized it was his doing." Han Cai asked," If he is cultivating Dao already shouldn''t he transcend to immortal realm already? " Lan Yn shook her head," Life and Karma are something you can learn better in lower realms better which is why he suppressed his cultivation. That was he was able to entangle me very deeply." Han Cai queried, "Why did he do that?" Lan Yn looked at him as if he was an idiot before replying, "Of course, it was for my Dao treasure." Han Cai nodded and asked, "How did it end up with me?" Lan Yn exined, "By the time I understood the situation, I was deeply bound to this world; my very soul was imprisoned in the Karma of this realm. I was indebted to every single being here. I couldn''t escape, and the only solution was for him to assist me. However, he desired my Dao treasure, so I turned to the treasure itself for a solution." Lan Yn continued, "The debt was so immense that no one in this Realm or the Immortal Realm could shoulder it. I instructed the treasure to seek someone from another ne who could take on my debt. The rule was you will slowly take a up all the debt while I free myself unless treasure took away my burden I could not go back. But this required an equal exchange - I had to die and enter the cycle of reincarnation. I paid the price, ended my life, and was reborn many times, entering the cycle of reincarnation repeatedly. I had forgotten my true self until the treasure brought you to this world to repay my debt." Han Cai countered, "How is it an equal exchange? You retrieve your treasure, gain your freedom, while I bear the cost and get nothing out of it and stay stuck in mortal realm forever?." Lan Yn shook her head and exined, "When I leave, the fortunes of this world will be with you, and you will be Immortal here, you can have very sessful life. However, you will be indebted to this world and will be permanently bound to it. You can never visit the higher realm,but as time passes many powerful cultivators will transcend and after few million years you might be ruler of this realm. That is, if your soul survives the separation." Han Cai understood and asked, "Is that why the treasure told me you were my perfect match?" Lan Yn shook her head and rified, "The treasure is tied to your soul, and when it said I am your perfect match, it was actually indicating that I am a perfect match for the treasure, not you. I am the sovereign of the Dao of Equality, and the treasure is the Dao Weapon of Equality." Han Cai queried, "When did you realize I am the treasure holder?" Lan Yn responded, "The moment the treasure brought you to this world, I regained my memories. As for when I found out that you are the treasure holder, it was when you attended the Grand Banquet. I felt your presence. I was as drawn to you as you were to me. When you entered this world, he may have sent Warriors to kill you. I am not surprised you survived, after all, you had the support of my treasure." Han Cai sighed, "I was right, nothing good coulde out of a Grand Banquet. This just proves my point." Lan Yn gave him a curious look as if to ask, "What do you mean?" Han Cai shook his head and inquired, "So what now? Do you want your treasure back?" Lan Yn nodded and stated, "Now it is time for you to go to sleep." She made a flicking gesture with her hand, and Han Cai lost consciousness. Lan Yn moved closer to his unconscious body and made a slight motion with her hands. Han Cai''s soul separated from his body. The soul was a deep purple color - a sign that Han Cai''s soul was deeply tainted by Karma. She made another gesture, and the soul started to wail. There were golden and blue markings on the soul; the golden markings began to connect and transform into threads. These threads started separating from the soul, but it was visibly clear that these golden threads had be part of the soul. After separation, the soul would be crippled if it survived at all. The process continued slowly until all the golden threads were extracted from Han Cai''s soul. Those golden threads converged and transformed into a tiny, glowing orb. Lan Yn moved a step back. Lan Yn''s physical form remained in the same ce while her spirit body emerged. Her mortal body fell to the ground, the Mystic Realm seemed to quiver for some reason. The spirit form of Lan Yn had the same appearance, but her true form was even more stunning. If Han Cai had seen her, he would immediately dere that her charm level was at least five hundred and above. The spirit form of Lan Yn gestured towards the golden orb. It floated towards her, entered her body, and disappeared. Once she regained possession of the treasure, Lan Yn gave a rare smile. The flowers in the area seemed to bloom more brightly in response to her radiant smile. Lan Yn, in her spirit form, moved her hand, and a portal appeared. She nced at the pitiful sight of Han Cai''s soul lying next to his lifeless body. She shook her head and was about to enter the portal when she heard a voice. The voice said, "Damn, you are gorgeous." Lan Yn was shocked for a moment before she queried, "You? How did you...?" ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 273 Dao Treasure ? Another Han Cai was now standing while his purple soul and bodyy motionless on the ground. Lan Yn frowned and questioned, "How did you...?" She nced at Han Cai''s lifeless body and the pitiful soul beside it. Han Cai shook his head and replied, "You can sever your soul and send it to another realm. I can''t sever mine, especially with your Dao treasure with me, I am not saying I did it but I could do that solve the problem couldn''t I?" At first, Lan Yn truly believed that Han Cai had severed his soul, but then she began to have doubts. She probed, "So, you let your second soul get tainted? Nevertheless, I hope you understand that this is how the world works. Not just this world but any world you will visit, the rules are always those of the jungle. Strong survive weak suffer. You might think I betrayed you but I just had to do what I had to do for my survival." Han Cai nodded and responded, "You lied. You were never virtuous or naive. You did not travel to different realms to provide equality to everyone but visited each world because you wanted your dao to spread. The more it proliferated in the lower realms, the stronger you would be in the higher realms." Lan Yn admitted, "It is true. But I also aided the people of the realms. Their lives are better now because of me." Han Cai shook his head, "You can''t know that for sure. You did this for selfish reasons. You''re just another pretentious frog pretending to be a monkey." Lan Yn frowned. What kind of messed up world Han Cai was from where a frog would want to be a monkey why not a swan? She retorted, "You shouldn''t be disrespectful to a sovereign. A tiny ant like you would never get the chance to meet a sovereign like me." Han Caiughed, "Nevertheless, I managed to steal a kiss from a sovereign." Suddenly hisughter ceased, and he looked at Lan Yn warily, "Your real body is female, right? Not that I have anything against men kissing other men, I just don''t want my first kiss to be stolen by a man." Lan Yn frowned, "You are repugnant. Be d that I didn''t rip your soul to pieces for the ghastly way you behaved with me." Han Cai roared withughter, "The problem with cultivators, no matter where or who they are, even you, a sovereign, is that you underestimate a scoundrel like me." Lan Yn frowned and asked, "What do you mean?" Han Cai responded, "Do you know, I''ve been contemting what should be the Dao I should cultivate after I ascend to the Immortal realm." Lan Yn shook her head, "I don''t believe you can sever your soul. But even if you could, both souls would be bound. You cannot leave this realm." Han Cai gave an amusing smile and said, "With the right amount of exchange points, I can acquire whatever I want." Then he paused and asked, "Why did I perceive it as a system while you saw it as a ball?" Lan Yn replied, "A dao treasure appears as you wish to see it, but its function was established by me. As the treasure awakened, you might have received many powers in exchange." Han Cai nodded, this exnation rifies why the system granted him different features at every level. So it was the treasure awakening itself. Han Cai replied, "Nevertheless, your treasure has been a great help to me." Lan Yn frowned but remained silent. Han Cai smirked at Lan Yn, "I could have improved my cultivation and reached the Transcended Realm in one go since you were paying for the debt, but I didn''t want to depend on the system this time in case you render it void in the future. What did you mean when you said I couldn''t leave the lower realm?" Lan Yn did not reply to him but frowned and asked, "How did you..?" She was curious about how he hid his cultivation level so well, she still didn''t know what it was. Han Cai replied, "As I said, your treasure is simply amazing. With the right amount of exchange points me and treasure call them trade points, it can work miracles. s, I didn''t save enough trade points." He continued, "I have two questions. You were very patient with me. What changed, that you had to poison me and seize it away in the Mystic Realm. And second we had a contract. How did you null it? " She frowned and said, "Because I believed that during war you would get injured or use the treasure. But you didn''t, you were very patient. I couldn''t risk letting it stay in your hands. For your second question, the contract was made by the treasure, and I can obviously bypass it. The treasure has been with me for millions of years; it''s like another part of me. Now you tell me, how did you manage to escape my wine? There is no antidote for it in this world." Han Cai smirked, "Do you remember where we first met after the banquet?" Lan Yn nodded and answered, "Yes, in your array..." Suddenly a realization dawned on her, and her eyes widened. Han Cai nodded and said, "I figured since you were too full of yourself, you might have ways to nullify the effects of the contract made by the treasure. But you forgot I am good with arrays. Wait, I never mentioned that to you. Just so you know, I am very good with arrays." Han Cai paused and continued, "You see, even though you are a sovereign. Here in the lower realm, you are just an Earth Immortal. I don''t know if you kept your cultivation at Earth Immortal for some reason, but you shouldn''t have." Han Cai turned around and looked at therge flower valley, then looked towards the distant mountains and mused, "I wonder what Grand Dao I should cultivate. I tell you, this Grand Dao of Illusion looks good to me, if such a Grand Dao exists." Saying that, he snapped his fingers and the scenery changed. They were now in a barrennd, nothing to be seen as far as the eye could see. Han Cai turned and looked at her, then looked at his soul and body lying down. They both disappeared. He looked at Lan Yn and said, "It is not your fault, but the weapon is all about equality. You think the weapon would bring someone who did not have an equal chance to survive you or the attackers sent by your buddy? Ie from a world where there is no cultivation, but humans have an imagination that has no end." Lan Yn asked, "When did you figure it out?" Han Cai replied, "There was a TV show in my previous life, the world I came from. In that show, the main character was working in an advertising agency. One day, a woman asked him about his thoughts on love." Lan Yn frowned, "....." Han Cai continued, "The guy replied to the woman, ''What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons.''" Lan Yn''s frown deepened. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 274 Farewell To Beloved ? He continued, "I saw you, and you saw me. The simplest thing should have been that we both fall in love. Is that what you thought, that I fell in love with you? Actually, I did fall hard for you. Just so you know, I am not an easy man to sleep with, but I kept trying to get in your robes even though I cultivated the grand Dao of Chad. Despite that, my desires for you were so strong, it felt as if I was really in love. This reminded me of nylons." Lan Yn had a hint of anger in her eyes as she asked, "So you knew all along, that''s why you acted like a degenerate with me?" Han Cai shook his head, "No, that is the real me. I am a true degenerate. I have no respect for people. That was just half of my true nature. What people in my world call a scoundrel, that''s me. I am so selfish that I cannot love anyone more than myself, and when I felt something beyond that for you, I knew the nylon seller was here. Which made me believe you were a frog in monkey''s clothing." Lan Yn frowned, trying to decipher the reference he made. Shouldn''t it be ''a wolf in sheep''s clothing''? Suddenly, Lan Yn felt something. Her spirit body hummed and a purple thread pulsated within her spirit body. Han Cai spoke again, "When you thought you were taking the treasure, you were actually taking on my debts that I owed after I used the treasure again. Also, I wanted to make sure the deal was properly sealed when you nted that kiss; we were physically intimate. I thought I could not rely on the system as it was your dao treasure sooner orter you will make it null with your understanding of it, but then I realized that I could not rely on it only for contracts that it created. But if I used it as a medium, you cannot void it. For example, using the treasure and paying an equal price, I asked the system to make the grand Dao of Harmony be the witness to our marriage . If we get intimate, as my woman, you will bear my burden for eternity and never take any other Dao partner. If you ever cheat on me, you will pay the price through your cultivation. Also, half of everything you own, from your knowledge to treasures, will be mine. Which you happily epted when you nted that kiss on me. I worked so hard to get in your robes. Did you think I was just hungry for your body? That kiss you gave me for that I had to pay price bend thews of attraction in the realm that you would not be able to control your urges. Now if you wish to void this contract, you need to be a sovereign of the Grand Dao of Harmony too. You have been here for so long, You are an earth immortal I while me I am just golden core, but you did not try to attack me even after I spoke so much. Didn''t you wonder why because you can not hurt your future husband grand dao will not let you. Also, from now on, the Dao treasure is half mine too. Don''t worry, I will not overuse it as it will again start making me indebted. But for now all the debts have taken away by you when you took them away from my soul. Trust me when I say this these things are most expensive things I ever had to spend trade points on. I already prepared most of the things that I needed. I am sure even if you can''t get rid of our contract, you should be able to find a solution to the karma debt as it is not muchpared to debt you owed in hundred thousands of years while you were in the world. " He continued, "I think I overdid it when I found out that you were the owner and you would be taking away the debt. But seeing how only one purple thread is there, I guess I didn''t overdo it. Anyways, I wish I could keep you here, my beloved, but the thing is I want your spirit body to meet your real body so both of you can wait for me in the Immortal Realm when your husband arrives and also feel his debt. Do not worry about the guy who betrayed you I will make him pay for you my dear. " Han Cai then turned around and flew away. He nned to leave this realm; the pic was over, and his monkey wife had turned out to be a frog. Many things happened in this world for the first time, for example, it was the first time someone from another world came to this world and was born here. For the first time, the Royal Mother of the Yin Royal family was pped. For the first time, the Daixing continent was at peace. For the first time, someone received a kiss from a dao sovereign. And for the first time, a Mystic Realm heard a Dao Sovereign Curse. Lan Yn''s spirit body had entered the portal, "Yan Kai, you bastard, I will make you suffer." Han Cai sighed and said, "I will miss you too, my beloved froggy." Flying towards a certain direction where he was going to meet cky, Han Cai was contemting, "Why did I call her froggy? She''s not that ugly. I must be a sick bastard for sure." After bidding farewell to his beloved, Han Cai didn''t n to dwell in the Mystic Realm. The battle between the Azure Dragon Sect and the White Tiger Alliance seemed to go on for a long time. Han Cai arrived at the stronghold of the Azure Dragon Sect. By showing them his special medallion, he was able to gain entrance to the stronghold. Upon entering the stronghold, Han Cai made it his first task to locate one of the treasure ship ferries. These specialized vessels were known for their regr excursions back to the sect, mainly to gather supplies. They wererge and sturdy, capable of carrying massive loads. Often, they were magically enhanced, allowing them to traverse great distances with remarkable speed and safety, making them the preferred method of transport amongst many. Han Cai''s reputation as a respected cultivator allowed him to easily secure passage on one of these ships. The ship''s crew were more than happy to amodate him, recognizing the honor and added security of having an Immortal of his stature aboard their vessel. His journey back to Blue Mountain was a peaceful one. The treasure ship smoothly navigated through vast open seas, soaring skies, and treacherous mountains, its path guided by experienced navigators and strengthened by powerful protective enchantments. On board, he had the time to rest and meditate, replenishing his spiritual energy while taking in the breathtakingndscapes that passed by. The moment he arrived, before he even could take a breather, Tianlong arrived with his usual Immortal charm and asked, "You went to the Mystic Realm?" ************************************************** Note: Apologies to Privilege Readers. The chapters got misced during drafting. We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 275 To The Central Continent ? Han Cai nodded. Tianlong said, "I hope you understand, but this battle is more than what we expected. All the allies have also sided with them, even the Vermilion Phoenix Sect is showing interest in it. The sect is nning to give away the form." Han Cai shook his head and said, "I don''t wish to be the bad guy here, but I''ve repaid the sect as much as I could. The form isn''t the sect''s to give. I have bigger things to worry about." Tianlong nodded and continued, "I understand, but even though I don''t want to, I have to think of the sect first. If you decide not to give the form, I will have to disclose your identity and tell them about you and your n." Han Cai shook his head and said, "You will do no such thing." Tianlong gave him a curious look, "What makes you think that?" Han Cai replied, "Correct me if I am wrong, but you''re not a human. You never were, were you?" Tianlong''s eyes widened in shock, he asked, "How did you...?" Han Cai shook his head and spoke, "Let me guess, you were some kind of Land spirit or spirit of Grotto Heaven which the ancestors of the sect subdued using a divine bell." Tianlong''s face became even more shocked. Han Cai moved his hands and a simple ck bell appeared. It was the same bell he had stolen from the sect''s treasury Grotto Heaven. Then he summoned a few earth-grade storage rings. Han Cai said, "I know the bell is what controls you and I''ve already subdued it. So, you will do as I say. I thought I would have some fun in this war but I have bigger fish to fry now. Here''s what you''re going to do. I''ve already concocted enough earth-grade pills for you in thest ten years and I will continue to concoct more. I watched the battle. Some of these ring contain upgraded talismans; these talismans don''t need any carrier as long as disciples wear them, all the damage will be redirected to the sect array without any carrier needed. Also, one of the rings contains arge number of maps; these maps are of every high-grade spirit stone mine that is unexplored in the continent. Now, you will notck spirit stones to keep the array active and bear the burden of the war. It will be rough for sure, but slowly wear them out; you will notck pills." Tianlong nodded and asked, "What do you n now?" Han Cai replied, "Don''t worry. I''ll be here." Tianlong nodded and left. After that, Han Cai got up and said, "Yongnian." Elder Du appeared on the mountain. Han Cai looked at him and said, "It''s time we get my first body back in action." Yongnian nodded and summoned a ck coffin. The coffin opened and within it was the first body of Han Cai, looking like a handsome Immortal in a deep sleep. When he said he hadn''t severed his soul, he had lied. Since she was going to take all the debt away, Han Cai had been generous; from upgrading talismans to finding the location of every high-grade spirit stone mine, he used the system as much as he could. However, he didn''t use it to increase his cultivation because, in case she found a loophole in it, he might lose his cultivation. So, he had to depend on himself. He also used the system to divide his soul into two parts. If tomorrow the system decided to undo it, he will still have soul the separated soul would be part of main soul, so this risk he could take. Han Cai moved his hand and a soul appeared in it. Mostly, the soul was something that couldn''t be separated unless you understood thews of this world and could manipte it, but with the system, he didn''t have to worry about it. First, in the war in the Mystic Realm, he collected the souls of all the dead beasts and cultivators and used them to strengthen his soul. Then, with the help of the system, without damaging his soul, he got the system to create a second soul within his soul. He kept them together for the time being as one soul so his girlfriend could take away all the debt from both the souls, If not his other half soul might still have the debtying in it. Han Cai summoned his second soul and sent it towards his first body. The immortal-looking young Han Cai''s first body opened his eyes. Han Cai had experienced this phenomenon many times when seeing himself from his clone body, so it was not that surprising. He had awakened all his abilities now but when reincarnated his charm that was above fifty was lost still it was more than ten he looked like young handsome immortal. The original Han Cai''s body stood up and said, "Yongnian, follow me." Yongnian nodded, and both Han Cai and Yongnian flew away from the sect. Han Cai and Yongnian travelled continuously for months. Han Cai had taken a treasure ship from the treasury of the Azure Dragon Sect. It took them quiet a while before they were out of azure dragon sect area. Han Cai found a secluded mountain and carved a massive cave in it. . When he was done with the cave. He created a hiding array to hide the location of the and set up a massive teleportation formation inside the cave. After creating the teleportation formation, Han Cai and Yongnian stood in the middle of it. The formation activated, and they disappeared from the spot. Deep within the heart of the Central Continent, a sudden ripple in space urred, materializing two figures within its reach. Startled, Han Cai found himself enclosed in what appeared to be a dimly lit room. The surrounding silence reassured him of their solitude. With a sigh of relief, he stepped away from the teleportation array that had brought them there. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 276 Grassland ? After taking a few steps, a wave of dizziness hit him. He staggered, fighting back the nauseous feeling that welled up inside him. Such an overwhelming sense of difort was unexpected for a cultivator, hinting at the sheer distance they had traveled. Surveying his surroundings, Han Cai could barely make out the details of the room. An air of abandonment lingered, emphasized by the pitch-ck darkness and a musty scent. His fingers skimmed over the floor, collecting ayer of undisturbed dust. The room seemed safe, devoid of any imminent threats. Time passed as he waited for his difort to subside. With the room''s support, he gradually regained his footing. His eyes struggled to prate the darkness, identifying the room as a simple cave abode. At its end was a stone door. Surprisingly, the door opened easily under his touch, contrary to his initial thoughts of having to break it open. "Could this be...?" Han Cai muttered, astonishment in his voice. Han Cai got out of the cave followed by Yongnian. Han Cai, when creating the massive teleportation array, had made sure it would transport him to a safe and secluded location, hence their current spot. He began his ascent on the mountain, followed by Yongnian. The path out of the cave abode seemed endless but finally led them to an exit, obstructed by a massive boulder. Yongnian stepped forward, wielding the sword taken from the Azure Dragon Sect to cleave the rock, allowing the fresh air trapped behind it to escape. Inhaling deeply, the smell of grass filled their lungs, suggesting their location within the grasnds. Venturing out, Han Cai shielded his eyes against the ring sun to scrutinize their surroundings. What met his eyes was an expansive stretch of verdant grasnds. Han Cai began to wonder if they had been transported to a different continent altogether. But, dismissing the notion, he reasoned they were probably on some grasnd area of the continent. His gaze swept over the sprawling ins, a sight he had never witnessed. A pang of nostalgia hit him as he remembered seeing some grasnds in Daixing, too, but they were not as massive as this. He thought about his original Han family and his chubby father and home, deciding he would give the old man a visit when his business here was concluded. Looking out over the scene before him, Han Cai lowered his gaze to ponder their location. He stood atop a fairly tall hillside, the base of which connected to an expansive grasnd. Continuous waves of wind rustled the endless expanse of grass below, the sound reminiscent of a gentle tide. Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he took in his surroundings. Despite his best efforts, he could identify no recognizablendmarks. Being so far from the Daixing and Vermillion Phoenix Continent, this unfamiliar territory left him with a sense of adventure. Instead of setting off immediately, Han Cai closed his eyes and slowly released his perception scanning for nearby cultivators. After the time it took to brew a pot of tea, Han Cai retracted his perception, his face reflecting a curious expression. He said, "cky." cky appeared in its original form, a massive ck panther with glowing green eyes. Han Cai said, "Transform into a flying beast, keep the cultivation of an elite beast." cky nodded and transformed into a massive ck raven. Han Cai and Yongnian mounted the transformed cky. cky ascended into the sky. Once they reached a height of about a hundred meters, cky ceased its ascent. From this vantage point, Han Cai surveyed the view before him. His vision was painted with a sea of endless green. The yful dance of the grass under the breeze was an entrancing spectacle. He was hovering above a solitary patch ofnd, about six kilometers wide. The hillside he had emerged from was merely a small protrusion on this ind. Though this ce seemed devoid of immediate threats, it was unsuitable for cultivation. The Spiritual Qi within this area was too sparse. He had intended to concoct pills to fund his journey in this continent, bringing along several herb seeds for this purpose. However, cultivating these spiritual herbs would require an environment with sufficient Spiritual Qi, without which his ns woulde to a standstill. After circumnavigating the mountain, Han Cai confirmed his initial observation: there were no other mountains in the vicinity. Aside from the grass and a few mundane animals, this area was barren of life. Without a word, he patted cky''s back, and the beast began to move. cky flew with speed that would make supersonic flights to shame. Below them the yful dance of the grass under the breeze was an entrancing spectacle. Unsurprisingly, Han Cai wasn''t certain which direction to take. His strategy was to fly in this direction for several days, and if there were no signs of either cultivators ormon folk, he would retrace his steps and take a different path. While this approach was certainly cumbersome, he had no other option in this unfamiliar sea of grasnds, especially without the aid of his system and his girlfriend to shoulder the debt. However, he wasn''t concerned about running out of spiritual power. cky, being a Void beast, could fly for years before it needed any rest. After flying for two weeks he stumbled upon a colossal wagon within half a day''s journey. It wasn''t a special wagon, indicating that the upants were likely mortals. He felt at ease; after all, handling mortals was usually much simpler than dealing with fellow cultivators! However, the sight of the wagon left Han Cai slightly bewildered. Unusually, the wagoncked any horses or oxen to pull it. Instead, at the front, a team of giant, powerful bisons was pulling the vehicle forward with incredible speed. These bison were massive, with sharp horns and teeth that would send chills down anyone''s spine, yet they seemed devoid of any Spiritual Qi, implying they were not demonic beasts by any measure. If that were the case, Han Cai wouldn''t have dared approach the wagon. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 277 Caravan ? Han Cai gazed at the grazing colossal bison in the distance, circling around the herd twice on cky before finally deciding to approach. Those herding the bison had seen Han Cai approaching. With a few loud calls, a crowd of over three hundred gathered, filling the entire breadth of the herd. Once these people saw Han Cai on therge ck raven, they knew it was a spirit beast, and they revealed reverence and started to bow and salute Han Cai. While Han Cai was amazed by the disy, a luxuriously dressed middle-aged man stepped forward from the crowd and nervously said something. He stood by helplessly, as if waiting for Han Cai''smand. Han Cai did not understand theirnguage. With Azure Dragon Country he did not have to worry aboutnguage barrier because he was born there so learnt thenguage fast. He wasn''t able to understand or make sense of a single word of theirnguage. The question of how tomunicate with them gave him a headache. Seeing that Han Cai didn''t reply, the middle-aged man grew panicked and urgently said something. Although Han Cai didn''t understand what he said, he was able to guess what he meant. After some thought, he spoke out in themon tongue used by cultivators, "If there is anyone here that can understand my words, please tell me!" Han Cai then swept his gaze across the crowd. The middle-aged man appeared at a loss. It was quite obvious that he didn''t understand what Han Cai had said. As for the others, they were also left baffled. Han Cai helplessly sighed and started to use words from several differentnguages he knew from Daixing, cycling through them one by one. He had learned thesenguages randomly when his intelligence was at a really high level. With just one look, he had mastered eachnguage. Han Cai saw a reaction from an old man when he used one of thenguages. "Old man, do you understand my words?" Han Cai slowly spoke using one of thenguages. As he didn''t use thenguage often, he was very unfamiliar with it. When the old man heard Han Cai, he hesitated for a moment before walking to the side of the middle-aged man. Also using thenguage, he respectfully replied, "This old man, Liu Baihe, indeed learned this Immortal n''snguage when he was young. Does this Immortal Master have anymands?" Han Cai revealed a slight smile upon seeing that the old man understood thenguage. His figure suddenly shed, and he appeared beside the old man, startling both the old and middle-aged man. Han Cai spoke with a gentle tone, "As you well know, I am not able to speak the local tongue. I only passed by here to ask about a few matters. There is no need to panic!" He had previously swept through the massive herd and found that only mortals were present. Because he found no cultivators, he was able to approach without worry. Han Cai didn''t pay attention to the mutterings of the old and middle-aged man. Instead, he beckoned to cky in the sky, cky flew away carrying Yongnian. After this was done, Han Cai took a sideways nce. Although the mortals on the wagon saw this, they didn''t appear shocked at all and maintained their original reverent expression. They were clearly ustomed to seeing cultivators and their beasts. Otherwise, they wouldn''t have appeared nearly as calm. Also, since these people didn''t seem toe from particrly exceptional backgrounds, it appeared that it wasn''t taboo for the cultivators of thisnd to reveal themselves to mortals. Currently, the old man had tranted Han Cai''s words for the middle-aged man. The middle-aged man was initially shocked before revealing a look of pleasant surprise. He then said a long string of unintelligible words towards Han Cai with an extremely excited expression. Han Cai felt at a loss and couldn''t help but turn his gaze towards the old man. The old man naturally understood what Han Cai meant. He quickly gave Han Cai an exnation, "Great Immortal, this man is Lord Zhu, the master of this caravan. He intends to invite you to reside as a guest at his residence on the Robust Bison teau. He is willing to supply the resources for your cultivation." "Robust Bison teau?" Han Cai rubbed his chin and gave a nomittal response. Seeing that Han Cai wore an indifferent expression, the middle-aged man became even more fervent and uttered another long string of words. This time, he revealed an apologetic smile. Han Cai didn''t need the old man''s trantion to understand why he wanted to invite Han Cai to stay on the Robust Bison teau. Without waiting for the old man to trante, Han Cai bluntly waved his hand and said, "First, tell this caravan''s master that I am new to this noblend and am unfamiliar with the local conventions. Consequently, I am not able to agree to anything. I will decide whether I want to stay on his Robust Bison teau after I am given an exnation. Also, I currently do not understand yournguage. I hope he will allow me to follow this caravan for a few days so that I may learn the localnguage and a few local conventions from you in passing." Not daring to slight Han Cai, the old man hurriedly gave the middle-aged man a trantion. When the middle-aged man heard Han Cai, he revealed obvious disappointment. But still, he respectfully saluted Han Cai and loudly yelled a few words behind him. Suddenly, everyone at the front of the wagon withdrew like a swarm of bees. After giving the old man his reply, he also withdrew. As such, only Han Cai and the old man remained at the wagon''s head. The old man smiled at Han Cai and said, "Immortal Master, Lord Zhu has agreed to your request. In addition, he has given you a luxury wagon. Please follow me." Han Cai agreed, indifferently nodding his head. As such, He followed the old man, Liu Baihe, into the wagon. They passed through many wagons. Whenever a mortal saw Han Cai, they revealed reverent expressions and made way for him. After passing through various wagons, He arrived at aparativelyrge one. Liu Baihe pushed open the door of the wagon without any hesitation and stepped to the side, inviting Han Cai to enter first. Han Cai didn''t bother being polite and entered the wagon taking a look around afterwards. The inside of the wagon was quite decent! Not only was itrge, but it also didn''t feel stuffy at all. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 278 Emerald Wind Grasslands ? But what caused Han Cai to be most curious was a small odd sculpture in a corner of the wagon. The sculpture was exquisitely carved from a single piece of jade and shaped into a perfect representation of a Cloud Serpent, a creature of legend said to control the weather of the grasnds. The serpent coiled on itself, its body covered with intricate scales that shimmered with a radiant green hue. Upon seeing the sculpture, Han Cai revealed great curiosity. When the old man saw Han Cai''s amazement, he respectfully gave Han Cai an exnation, "It seems that Immortal Master hasn''t seen a Jade Cloud Serpent before. It really is an umon rarity. Not only is it a sight to behold, but it is also said to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits when ced inside. It is a seldom seen treasure for grasnd travelers. It is only because our wagon master is such a domineeringly rich man that he was able to acquire four of them." Han Cai faintly smiled but remained silent. How could he not make out that this Liu Baihe was trying to curry favor on the caravan master''s behalf? Han Cai was seated one side while, Liu Baihe reservedly sat on other side, being very respectful.. Han Cai smiled upon seeing his restraint and amiably said, "Mister Liu, there is no need to be so formal. Please seatfortably. There are a few things that I''d like to discuss with you." After a short moment of thought, he straightforwardly asked, "I am a cultivator that came here from anothernd. I was wondering if Mister Liu could give me an introduction to the nearby regions and customs." Liu Baihe pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Since sir immortal came from a foreignnd, then I must first tell you that this ce is the Emerald Wind Grasnds. We are in the southwest quadrant of this area. The three great teaus nearby are the Silver Fox Hollow, Robust Bison teau, and Red Crane Steppe. Naturally, there are also many teaus of smaller sizes with both cultivators and mortals living on each. "We share the same conventions as those of other territories. Every teau has a teau lord, a cultivator with the greatest cultivation technique that is responsible for protecting the teau. If other cultivators wish to settle on the teau and are willing to hold an office, they will be given a set amount of spirit stones from the teau lord every year, but they must obey the teau lord''smands. Naturally, if one were to reside on a teau and was unwilling to hold an office, they would be required to give the teau lord a set amount of spirit stones every year if they wished to remain on the teau." With that said, Liu Baihe paused, revealing an expression of admiration as if he held great longing towards cultivators. Liu Baihe continued, "Mortals that live on these teaus must performbor or pay spirit stones; otherwise, they aren''t allowed to reside on the teau. Because of the Immortal Techniques that were ced on these teaus, there is no need to fear assault from insect tides or spirit beasts. As such, us mortals may live without fear. In addition, the Immortal Masters'' powers are remarkable. Whenever we mortals travel afar, we spare no effort to hire one or two Immortal Masters to apany us. That way if wee across any demonic beast while in the grasnds, we will have a chance at living. Naturally, the Immortal Masters that agree to be hired would beparatively free whenpared to those previously mentioned." "Insect tides?" Han Cai was puzzled upon hearing those words. This was grasnd so it made sense but imagining tides of spiders crawling around all grasnd made his skin crawl. "The previousnd that Immortal Master resided in didn''t have attacks by insect tides?" The old man appeared to be marveled. "I saw no insect tides where I previously cultivated. What are they? Somethingparable torge number of insects?" Han Cai calmly asked without care. Liu Baihe sensed Han Cai''s skepticism but proceeded with an earnest exnation nheless. "There are two main natural hazards in the Emerald Wind Grasnds: insect tides and lightning storms. There are also demonic beast but danger of demonic beast should be issue anywhere. When ites to demonic beast. I''m sure, as an Immortal Master, you have more knowledge about them than I do since you came here riding one. Predominantly, these massive creatures of the grasnds specialize in many demonic techniques and are out of reach for us mortals. Only Immortals can defeat them." "As for the insect tides," he continued, "they are enormous insect waves that hit twice a year, sweeping across the entire Emerald Wind Grasnds. The destruction they leave in their wake is considerable, annihting life and habitats. Were it not for our teau being fortified by Immortal techniques, we mortals would face a certain end. It is also believed that even an Immortal, if engulfed by an insect tide, would find it highly challenging to break free, often resulting in a fatal oue." Fear was visible in Liu Baihe''s eyes as he spoke. Han Cai, maintaining his impassive demeanor, and probed further, "And the lightning storm? What kind of cmity is that?" He aimed to gain a thorough understanding of these two natural hazards to be better equipped should he encounter them. The old man paused before resuming. He was genuinely taken aback that the cultivator before him was oblivious to the realities of the grasnds and the most enigmatic of the two significant natural disasters, the lightning storm. He wondered about Han Cai''s origins. Could it be that he came from a outside of grasnd area? But the location was the Emerald Wind Grasnds, where, except for the adjacent grass territories, there were no considerablend areas.The grasnd area was so massive that for most of the mortals who lived here the whole continent was only grasnd area. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 279 Grassland Customs ? Despite his surprise, Liu Baihe continued to inform Han Cai, careful not to overlook any details. "The lightning storm is the most dreaded and enigmatic natural disaster of the Emerald Wind Grasnds. It''s a sudden tempest that often streaks unpredictably across the grasnds. Any life caught in the storm is doomed. If mortals see it, their fate is sealed. Cultivators are not exempt either. Once they spot it, it''s usually toote for them to escape. Even though this storm is frightful, it only urs in certain areas and never near therger teaus. Therefore, with due caution, it is possible to preserve one''s life. Hence, despite being the most terrifying, this particr natural disaster has imed the fewest lives." A glimmer of relief was evident as the old man concluded his exnation. After listening to Liu Baihe, Han Cai fell deep into contemtion. ''What sort of damned ce is this? ording to his exnation, my n of finding an area to cultivate in seclusion for a while is futile. I risk encountering the insect tides or lightning storm, leading to a grisly end.'' Seeing Han Cai''s apparent thoughtfullness, the old man felt a pang of worry. ''Did I unintentionally upset the Great Immortal?'' As the old man was grappling with his anxiety, Han Cai broke his silence, "That Lord Zhu we met earlier, why does he want me to visit his home at Robust Bison teau? And where is this caravan presently headed?" Han Cai''s gaze was neutral, betraying no emotion. The old man''s heart thumped when he saw Han Cai''s indifferent expression, and he couldn''t help but hesitate. How could Han Cai not see that there was something wrong? He softened his expression, saying, "Mister Liu, be at ease. I am only asking this to understand the present circumstances clearly. After all, I can''t just casually agree to Lord Zhu''s request without knowing anything. If I only have to help with a few minor errands, I wouldn''t mind taking a trip to the Robust Bison teau." Liu Baihe knew that he could no longer stay silent; otherwise, he would greatly offend this Immortal and be certain to face a bitter oue. Thus, after a dry cough, he smiled and spoke while trembling, "This old man begs Immortal Master to not me him. In truth, this matter wasn''t meant to be concealed. It''s just that Immortal Master hadn''t asked." Han Cai rolled his eyes inwardly at these evasive words. Still, the old man tactfully provided an immediate exnation of the situation. Originally, this caravan had just finished making a trip for trade and was en route to return to the Robust Bison teau. As for Lord Zhu, he was not born and raised on Robust Bison teau, but on one of Robust Bison teau''s subsidiary teaus instead. However, after bing prosperous from business, he had recently decided to move to the main teau. The truly lucrative business involved traveling torge, faraway teaus, which only mortals of the Robust Bison teau were capable of doing. Mortals born on the main teau and those born on subsidiary teaus held different statuses. Lord Zhu''s business originally revolved around reselling goods among the subsidiary teaus. Only after moving to the main teau did he take his business a step further. However, after arriving on the main teau, Lord Zhu made an astonishing discovery. The business of long-distance trading between the great teaus wasn''t something one could casually participate in. This business had been previously allocated to a set number of parties. Only few ns on the teau were able to participate in this extremely lucrative business. In addition, these ns were not fixed and unchanging. They were decided in a battle that was held every five years. If a family wants to do business between teaus, they need to hire an Immortal topete in the contest. They can only get a license to trade across therge teaus if their Immortal wins in thispetition. When Lord Zhu learned of this, he was taken aback. Because he had previously only performed short-distance trade, he had never hired any cultivators, as there was no threat from creatures in the nearby areas. As a result, he knew very few cultivators! He originally intended to wait until he had established his business and slowly amassed therge sum required to hire one. The contest for trade was near. He couldn''t possibly have the time to look for a cultivator to hire! Although there were many cultivators at Robust Bison teau, a majority of them were proud and arrogant. Only a pitiful few were willing to enter employment under a mortal, and most of them would only lend their assistance if they had some rtionship beforehand. As for the few cultivators he was somewhat acquainted with, they found it embarrassing to participate in the challenge. Running short on time, Lord Zhu was unable to find any willing cultivators in the Robust Bison teau. Left without any better option, he embarked on a trip to deliver goods back to the teau of his birth. However, Out of nowhere Han Cai, a foreign cultivator, had joined his caravan. Despite previous disheartening failures to find a cultivator, the appearance of Han Cai left Lord Zhu ecstatic. Although he didn''t know the level of Han Cai''s cultivation, it was certainly better than waiting another five years without any progress. Therefore, he attempted to persuade Han Cai to join him at all costs and fight on his behalf. Han Cai was rendered speechless upon hearing this. Initially, the idea of mortals hiring cultivators to traverse the grasnds had seemed unbelievable to him. But learning that cultivators fought on behalf of mortals for the right to conduct trade betweenrge teaus left Han Cai temporarily at a loss for words. It appeared that while the cultivators in this area were aloof, they didn''t consider it beneath them to work for mortals. Instead, it seemed that mortals and cultivators shared aplex rtionship in this region. However, he wasn''t inclined to participate in a battle for Lord Zhu''s trade rights. He wasn''t that desperate forpensation. But he was still somewhat uncertain. With a faint smile, he slowly asked, "Mr. Liu, I am quite inexperienced. I have a question for you." "If there is anything Immortal Master doesn''t understand, please ask! This old man will do his best to answer!" The old man respectfully replied with urgency. "I am confused. If one wanted to transport goods between teaus, why would they entrust ordinary mortals to carry them across the grasnds? Are Immortals unwilling to use their storage rings and other such storage items? Isn''t flying both faster and safer?" In response, Liu Baihe could only offer a smile. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 280 Persistent Merchants ? "Immortal Master jests! While some Immortals indeed possess storage rings, these items are exceedingly valuable. They couldn''t possibly loan them to us mortals for carrying ordinary items. Besides, every transaction between therge teaus involves massive quantities. An Immortal''s storage ring, though marvelous, can only hold so much. And let''s not forget, most Immortals wouldn''t consider such menial tasks as hauling goods worthy of their status!" Liu Baihe offered a detailed exnation to Han Cai. Han Cai, silent, simply nodded and fell into deep thought. After a considerable pause, Han Cai said indifferently, "Lord Zhu wants me to represent him, but I''m afraid I can''tply. My cultivation isn''t at a high enough level; epting this would only bring him shame. Please ry to Lord Zhu that he should seek someone more capable. As for his kindness in offering me a ride to the Robust Bison teau, I canpensate him with a few spirit stones." Han Cai''s words were slow and measured, his tone indifferent. Upon hearing Han Cai''s refusal, the old man''s face visibly nched. Then, with a hint of desperation, he pleaded, "Great Immortal, please help my lord! To venture into this business, Lord Zhu has already invested heavily in this caravan. Our n''s growth will stagnate if this continues. If we don''t secure the trading rights between therge teaus, the Zhu n will certainly face bankruptcy. We, the workers, will lose our jobs and will have to seek different opportunities." "My cultivation level is indeed low. Besides, I do not wish to cause any disputes upon reaching the Robust Bison teau!" Han Cai rebutted, shaking his head resolutely without a hint of emotion. Seeing Han Cai''s firm refusal and strict tone, Liu Baihe didn''t dare press further. He could only muster his courage and engage Han Cai in conversation about local customs and other useful information. An hourter, noticing the old man''s wandering attention, Han Cai suggested he retire for rest and return when his mind was clearer. Liu Baihe, having been feeling fatigued for a while, gratefully epted Han Cai''s consideration and took his leave. Once the old man had respectfully left, Han Cai let out a sigh. Though he had ample wealth and even many pills that could benefit mortals, he had no intention of offering any to the old man. Disying his wealth in this unfamiliar territory could potentially attract unnecessaryplications, even potential mortal danger. He could not use system. Besides he was never the one to do things for kindness. With that thought, Han Cai sat cross-legged, consumed a "Spirit Pill," and began cultivating. He had only been meditating for a brief time when he heard soft footsteps outside his room. Although Han Cai didn''t open the door, he had extended his perception beyond the room earlier and was aware of everything that was happening outside. Liu Baihe had returned, closely followed by a visibly worried Lord Zhu. Han Cai''s brows furrowed. Trouble was knocking at his door. It was clear that Lord Zhu hadn''t given up yet and hade to pester him again. Han Cai was tempted to stop them but decided against it. Being new to this area, he couldn''t afford toe across as too domineering. Without waiting for them to knock, he announced in a gentle tone, "Pleasee in! The door isn''t locked." Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe were taken aback, but quickly understood that the Immortal had invited them in. They hurriedly straightened their attire before respectfully stepping into the room. At this point, Han Cai had risen from his bed and stood with his hands sped behind his back. "Great Immortal, Lord Zhu wishes to personally discuss this matter with you. Could the Great Immortal please grant Lord Zhu this opportunity?" Having interacted with Han Cai previously, Liu Baihe understood that this Immortal was not someone to be trifled with. Hence, he directly stated the purpose of their visit. Han Cai nced at the old man, then smiled indifferently, "He certainly may. But, I suggest you advise Lord Zhu not to set his hopes too high." Liu Baihe looked slightly embarrassed but ryed the message to the middle-aged man nheless. The middle-aged man appeared momentarily taken aback. However, he promptly said something that first surprised Liu Baihe, then caused him to sport a rather odd expression. From the sidelines, Han Cai observed dispassionately, his face impassive. "Great Immortal, our Lord Zhu proposes that, should you agree to assist, the Zhu n will reward you generously with spirit stones, regardless of whether we win or lose. If you do manage to secure the trading rights for the Zhu n, Lord Zhu is willing to act as your guarantor, allowing you, a foreign cultivator, to be an official resident of the Robust Bison teau. Furthermore, the Zhu n would be willing to offer one-third of the trading profits over the next five years to you, even if you choose not to take up an official position on the Robust Bison teau." Upon uttering these words, Liu Baihe''s expression turned dull, seemingly incredulous about Lord Zhu''s offer. Han Cai was slightly taken aback. Stroking his chin, he queried in a baffled tone, "What? One needs a guarantor to reside in the Robust Bison teau? Why didn''t you mention this before?" While Han Cai''s tone remained mild, Liu Baihe felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly exined, "You''ve misunderstood, esteemed Master! On the vast Robust Bison teau, foreign Immortals fall into two distinct categories. The first group consists of temporary dwellers, who don''t hold any significant positions and usually stay for a few years. Their arrival and departure are based purely on their personal preference. The other group, however, includes those supported by influential local ns, granting them the privilege to reside as they please. Thetter group not only enjoys reduced spirit stone tariffs during their stay on the teau but can also follow the appropriate procedures to acquire permanent dwellings. More importantly, they are eligible to hold official positions and participate in the Grand Grasnd Tournament, which takes ce once every decade. Depending on one''s performance in this tournament, they are awardednds corresponding to the density of their Spiritual Qi. I regret not exining this earlier, but finding a guarantor for a foreign cultivator on a vast teau like the Robust Bison teau is aplex task." Eager to avoid any misunderstanding, Liu Baihe exined everything all at once. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 281 Robust Bison Plateau ? Han Cai''s expression turned thoughtful. He asked, "What happens to those cultivators who can''t secure a residence on the Robust Bison teau? Can they not find a ce to cultivate?" The old man replied, "Not at all. Immortals from subsidiary teaus can participate in thepetitions. However, they can only partake in the main teau''s contest to secure ces of cultivation. The reason why the Robust Bison teau is considered the main teau is because it has the richest spirit veins and densest Spiritual Qi in the local grasnd. The other teaus possess significantly inferior spirit veins inparison." With this wealth of information, Han Cai''s expression oscited between thoughtfulness and amusement. These rules were clearly designed to ensure that the cultivators of the main teau maintained a higher cultivation level. All cultivators desire a cultivation area enriched with Spiritual Qi! Whether it''s for nurturing spiritual herbs or personal cultivation, ces with denser Spiritual Qi are always more sought after! Han Cai gave the matter deep thought before raising his head to look at the middle-aged man surnamed Zhu, who wore an expectant expression. Seeing Lord Zhu''s hopeful look, Han Cai sighed and slowly said, "Please provide me with the cultivation levels of the other cultivators who will bepeting. If I believe I can manage them, I will make an exception and fight on your behalf." Han Cai appeared somewhat resigned. Liu Baihe was overjoyed and promptly ryed Han Cai''s request to the middle-aged man, whose mood seemed to brighten a little. Afterwards, Han Cai mused inwardly, "If those cultivators aren''t at the Golden Core level, relying on my cultivation alone, I should be able to win without any issues." If not, he could always send Yongnian to fight the battles. He doubted that anyone at the Earth Immortal level would partake in this mortal activity. Four dayster, a loud cheer reverberated throughout the caravan. They had finally arrived at the Robust Bison teau. Han Cai followed the lead of Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe as they excitedly took care of the formalities on the teau for him. After all, an unfamiliar cultivator to the teau must be registered at the entrance to avoid being mistaken for a malicious intruder. As Han Cai followed the two, he quietly assessed the entrance to teau. He was struck by its grandeur! Neither the quantity nor the size of the merchants and caravans could bepared to any of the cities from the Vermillion Phoenix Continent. This made sense this was a whole teau not just a city. Unexpectedly, there were nine other remarkablyrge caravans simr to Lord Zhu''s caravan already moved towards the entrance. Naturally, smaller caravans were even more numerous. Though Han Cai didn''t count meticulously, he estimated that about a hundred caravans were present at the entrance. As for the crowd of people bustling around the entrance and caravans, it was farrger. As he was gauging the number of mortals, he also detected the faint aura of several cultivators. It seemed these cultivators were responsible for maintaining order at the entrance. While musing on this, Han Cai was led to a room inside the entrance of the city.. The room was simply furnished with just a wooden desk and a chair, upon which sat an old man with wrinkled skin and closed eyes. Upon hearing Han Cai and hispany enter, the elder opened his eyes. A cold light shed as his eyes opened. Han Cai was amused upon witnessing it. This man was surprisingly a Core Formation cultivator, and it appeared his cultivation was on the brink of a breakthrough. The yellow-faced old man ignored Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe, sweeping his gaze directly at Han Cai. After noting that Han Cai was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his expression once again turned disinterested. "If you have business, be quick about it. Otherwise, don''t interrupt my rest," he spokenguidly, revealing some impatience. By now, Han Cai had a basic understanding of the localnguage from Liu Baihe. He could speak most words and carry on a conversation. However, since he hadn''t interacted with the cultivators of thisnd before, he remained silent and merely smiled while Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe conversed with the cultivator. Lord Zhu respectfully addressed him as Elder Chen. He then moved closer to the elder, whispered something in his ear, and pointed at Han Cai, seemingly exining his origins. Afterward, he ced a few spirit stones in Elder Chen''s hand. Upon receiving the spirit stones, Elder Chen''s expression rxed considerably. He then took out an Emerald Amulet and bluntly asked Han Cai, "Your name?" "Han Cai!" Han Cai responded fluently. He wasn''t concerned about how the other party would transcribe his name. A sh of green light enveloped Elder Chen''s hand and the entire amulet. After a moment, the light faded, revealing two strange symbols that Han Cai hadn''t seen before. The old man then tossed the Emerald Amulet towards Han Cai. "Store the amulet safely. If you lose it, you must immediately return here for a recement. Otherwise, you will be punished as a trespasser in the Robust Bison teau. Of course, if you decide to settle hereter, you will no longer need the Emerald Amulet and can return it." After saying this in a raspy voice, he no longer paid any attention to them and closed his eyes again. Lord Zhu tactfully departed at once. Shortly after Han Cai left, Elder Chen opened his eyes once again, muttering to himself with slight bewilderment, "This kid is clearly at the Foundation Establishment stage, but why do I feel wary of him?" The old man then sank into a long period of contemtion. After the inspection at the entrance, Lord Zhu hired a carriage pulled by Bovine Capricorns, swiftly bringing them deeper into the teau along a broad road. Along the way, countless simr vehicles were upied with their own business. However, once the carriage passed through several bustling, small settlements, they encountered far fewer carriages. As they traversed a few smaller trails, pedestrians and carriages became increasingly scarce. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 282 Quartz City ? After hastily traveling for half a day, the carriage finally arrived at a farm that spanned over two acres. The farm was home to many peculiar flora that Han Cai hadn''t seen before. There were nts that resembled wheat and barley, but their foliage was denser, broader, and disyed a deep blue hue. In addition, there were crops simr to lettuce. They exuded a subtle aroma, and although they bore a striking resemnce to lettuce, there were no lettuce nts as tall as an average adult in either the Vermillion Phoenix Continent or Daixing. There was even kale that sprouted tiny purple blossoms. The central continent was truly fertile. Over twenty farmers could be seen in each vegetable field, working in pairs or trios. It was a serene view of the farm. As Han Cai observed the farm with interest, the carriage arrived at the grand entrance of a manor and halted. Han Cai nced around. The manor, surrounded by green fir trees and neighboring a sizable hill, appeared somewhat unusual, but was tastefully done and had a serene environment. Furthermore, the manor was encircled by six-meter-tall and one-meter-thick walls. Many houses within the walls seem to have been built recently. ''So this is the Zhu n!'' Han Cai silently expressed his admiration. But as he carefully inspected the firs, his expression shifted due to a surprising discovery. The trees surrounding the manor faintly exuded the aura of a formation spell, indicating a restriction had been ced here. Although Han Cai didn''t find the formation spell extraordinary, it was still sufficient to trap a low-level cultivator. While Han Cai was growing slightly suspicious, Lord Zhu disembarked from the carriage, apologizing with a smile, "Immortal Han, please rest at the manor! I''ll have some subordinates prepare some of the teau''s Signature Liquor for the Immortal Master!" Han Cai casually scanned the manor''s surroundings and replied with a smile, "No need. I don''t wish to disturb Lord Zhu''s home. I''ll be fine residing over there for the time being. After our affairs have been handled, I will search for a more permanent residence." Han Cai then pointed to a location off to the side. Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe followed Han Cai''s gesture and noticed he was pointing at a small, solitary hill. They were taken aback. However, after seeing their numerous enthusiastic invitations fail, they could only allow this peculiar Immortal to head towards the small hill. They exchanged helpless nces before walking into the manor. Han Cai headed up the sloped path towards the hilltop. Once there, he took a moment to nce down at the Zhu n Manor from above. He noticed Lord Zhu heading towards therge residence at the center of the manor, surrounded by a crowd of men and women. By the time he reached it, most of them had dispersed. Only a few elegantly dressed individuals followed him into the manor. Han Cai smirked slightly before turning around to attend to his own affairs. He started by finding a rtively t piece ofnd at the back of the hill. Then, he swiftly uprooted several of the thicker firs and cut them into pieces. An hourter, he hadpleted a simple wooden house on the hill, furnished with a table, chairs, and a bed. Over the next month, Han Cai remained in his house each day, consuming spirit pills and cultivating celestial Qi. As for Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe, they visited several times to discuss matters pertaining to the great grasnd contest. Afterwards, they would hurriedly leave, not daring to disturb Han Cai''s cultivation. Despite this, Lord Zhu, being a sensible person, sent delicacies up to Han Cai''s home every few days. Han Cai dly epted them without a hint of courtesy. Among these offerings were many exceptionally sweet fruits, much to Han Cai''s delight. Clearly, these were local specialties of the teau, as he had never seen them before. ording to Lord Zhu, none of the cultivators that the participating ns had requested possessed a high level of cultivation. Apart from a few exceptions, a majority of them were only at the sixth or seventhyer of Foundation Establishment. As for the lots determining the fights, so long as Han Cai''s luck wasn''t exceptionally terrible, he wouldn''t have any trouble in the contest. Additionally, Lord Zhu had scoured the nearby grasnds for a few spirit weapons to increase Han Cai''s odds of sess. Han Cai, already the bearer of a Dao weapon, felt bad for this poor man but epted the weapons due to Lord Zhu''s earnest effort. Two dayster, Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe visited Han Cai with anxious expressions. Han Cai wordlessly entered their carriage, drawn by Bovine Capricorns, and they hastily traveled to a location at the center of the teau. Four hourster, they arrived at a city that seemed entirely constructed out of quartz. As they entered the city, they noticed arge number of mortals guarding the city entrance. Anyone leaving the city was ignored, but entrance required one to show an Order Emblem, simr to the one Han Cai possessed. However, when Han Cai was about to enter the city, the guards shook tokens at him several times. After they shone green, they gave Han Cai a respectful salute and only inspected the emblems of Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe. Han Cai sized up the soldiers. Although they didn''t exhibit cultivation fluctuations, they were full of vigor. It seemed they had trained in some elementary martial arts, but what caught his eye most was the token. There was actually such a wondrous item that could differentiate cultivators from mortals. Han Cai couldn''t help but take another look at the token. Upon seeing this, Liu Baihe gave Han Cai an exnation with a smile, "That is a Spirit Token. It allows us mortals to identify who is a cultivator!" "Spirit Token?" Han Cai was somewhat surprised to hear this, but he immediately thought of the palm-sized emerald amulet embedded in the token and faintly nodded, choosing not to say anything further. Han Cai then observed with detachment as the carriage traveled along the white quartz street toward the city center. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 283 Drawing Lots ? There were countless pedestrians on the street,ing and going without pause. The deeper they went into the city, the livelier it became. Most of the people wore white. Those who didn''t were d in dull yellow, faint green, or other mild colors. There was no one wearing any bright colors. In addition, those not d in white were clearly of high status. These well-dressed individuals often had three or four shabbily dressed subordinates closely following them. Because there were far too many people and carriages on the street, their carriage was forced to slow down. After a long journey at a sluggish pace, they finally arrived at a massive za at the city''s center. The za, sprawling across five acres, was teeming with a huge crowd. All Han Cai could see was a sea of ck-haired heads, ceaselessly flowing in all directions. Shops lined the za, each one brimming with customers. At the very center, the shops appeared to be temporary booths. They were exceptionally crowded, filled with fervent chatter, and bustling with unusual amounts of activity. Han Cai estimated that, given the density of the crowd, there were at least several tens of thousands of people in the za. Naturally, it was impossible to continue in the carriage through such a dense crowd. Lord Zhu led the way, disembarking from the carriage and guiding Han Cai and the others towards the Monarch''s Structure at the side of the za. The structure stood over thirty meters tall, towering above the surrounding buildings. The huge gate was guarded by a line of soldiers wielding gleaming long spears, preventing anyone from approaching casually. "This is the Robust Bison teau''s first market day of the fifth month. That''s why there are several times more people here in South Quartz City. Essentially, residents from many viges and towns on the eastern part of the teau alle here to trade for rarities that would normally be hard to obtain." As Lord Zhu was leading the way towards the structure, he turned his head and exined to Han Cai with a faint smile. Lord Zhu stepped forward and spoke with the gate guards. One guard then waved his hand, signifying that they could pass. Lord Zhu hastily called out to Han Cai and Liu Baihe before heading in. Once they passed through the gate, the environment became much more shaded and quiet. In the corridor beyond the gate, several tens of individuals, seemingly of high status, were having hushed conversations in groups of three. When they saw Lord Zhu arrive, they appeared to regard him with hostility. But at that moment, the purple gate at the other end of the corridor swung open, revealing a white-clothed youth of about twenty years old. His appearance was delicate and refined, resembling that of a fragile schr. The youth nced at Han Cai amiably before speaking courteously to Lord Zhu, "Are you Lord Zhu? The others have already arrived. Cultivators participating in the challenge must go further in. As for you, Lord Zhu, please wait outside." From a single nce, Han Cai was certain that the youth''s cultivation was about the same as his current level, the fifthyer of Qi Condensation. Lord Zhu could only give Han Cai an expectant look before stepping aside. Han Cai followed the youth through the gate, which immediately closed behind them. "My surname is Qin, but Fellow Daoist, you can call me Qin Wei. You seem quite unfamiliar. Could it be that you''re new to our Robust Bison teau?" "I am Han Cai. I just arrived herest month!" Having practiced for a month, Han Cai was able to speak the localnguage without issue. "Hehe, how admirable! Daring to journey from your homnd with your current cultivation, Daoist Friend, your courage and insight must be outstanding! I wouldn''t have been able to do it. I''ve never taken a single step off this teau since birth." The youth spoke with admiration. Han Cai faintly smiled but didn''t respond. Han Cai followed the youth, eventually arriving at a circr hall. There were over thirty cultivators there, sitting and standing, each wearing various expressions. A shriveled old man sitting across from the crowd of cultivators spoke briskly, "It seems that everyone has gathered. Let''s start drawing lots! Each fight will be decided in one round. Killing is forbidden and will result in disqualification." He was the only Core Formation cultivator among a room full of Foundation Establishment cultivators. It seemed he was the cultivator in charge. As soon as the youth surnamed Qin entered the hall, he hurried over to stand beside the old man, awaiting his orders. The old man didn''t pay the youth any attention. Instead, he produced a Cerulean Jade Vessel with over twenty tokens in it. "To participate in the challenge, draw a lot. Once the number of challengers matches the number of the incumbent merchant''s representatives, the remaining challengers will be qualified to challenge them." The majority of the crowd fixed their gaze on the Jade Vessel as it was enveloped in ayer of azure light, hiding the tokens within. Naturally, the light repelled perceptions. As for Han Cai, who possessed a powerful perception he would have had no problem forcefully breaking through the azure light. However, doing so would have drawn too much attention. As such, Han Cai could only feign dismay and take his turn drawing lots, just like the others. When Han Cai went up to draw his lot, he was unexpectedly able to see through the azure light. However, all he saw were strange silver characters. This caused him to furrow his brow; he hadpletely forgotten that he still couldn''t read the local writing! Nevertheless, Han Cai impassively drew a lot as if nothing had happened. "Number one!" The old man called out coldly. The two cultivators that drew that lot immediately stepped forward. The old man bluntly said, "You two willpete on the stage over there. There is a formation set up, so there''s no need to fear destruction from cultivation techniques. It will be your victory if you are able to take away their lot. As long as you don''t kill your opponent, I don''t care what methods or tricks you use." ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 284 Participitating In The Tournament ? "Yes, Senior!" The two participants bowed to the old man before walking towards the Raised Dias at the back of the hall. The tform then shed with white light, and the two disappeared without a trace. Shortly after, the two reappeared on the tform, revealing signs of slight fatigue. One of them enthusiastically handed the old man two Cane Rods. The other, looking dejected, walked out of the hall. "Number two!" The old man called out coldly. Because the battles of Foundation Establishment cultivators were straightforward, victory was decided extremely quickly. Battles ended almost as soon as they began. However, Han Cai was baffled to see that, regardless of whether they won or lost, they were exceptionally happy. "Number six!" A cultivator stepped forward as soon as the old man yelled, but his opponent hadn''t revealed himself. "Number six!" The old man called out again with a stern expression. Han Cai suddenly walked out and hastily apologized, "Senior! I apologize! I misread my number. I thought it said nine!" The old man didn''t pay any attention to what Han Cai said and impatiently waved his hand. Han Cai then tactfully ascended to the Raised Dias with his opponent. After a sh of white light, Han Cai and his opponent appeared in a world engulfed by a Lightning Storm. The area, spanning about a hundred meters, was covered by the storm in every direction. The middle-aged cultivator spoke to Han Cai confidently, "Your cultivation is lower than mine by two wholeyers. There''s no need to fight. Fellow Daoist, you should forfeit. Otherwise, I might identally inflict a serious injury upon you!" Seeing that this "expert" was only a seventhyer Foundation Establishment cultivator and hadn''t released a protective barrier like he had, Han Cai gave a faint smile. "What''s so amusing? I only refrained from harming you out of kindness!" When this cultivator noticed that Han Cai didn''t seem perturbed, he couldn''t help but be irate and unt his ''superior'' status even more. Han Cai tapped the ground with his foot, nonchntly saying, "Nothing of concern! I just feel that this contest is going to be simpler than I had anticipated." "What? You dare underestimate me?!" The middle-aged cultivator''s face flushed with anger. He raised his hand, revealing many shimmering items. But before he could act, his vision blurred, then ckened, and he copsed to the floor, clueless about what had urred. Shortly after, Han Cai, with an expression of indifference, carried the unconscious middle-aged man off the raised dias. Upon witnessing this, the other cultivators were bbergasted. There was a clear difference in their cultivation levels, but the victor was Han Cai. This oue was far beyond their conjectures. Even the elderly man, who had appeared grumpy from the beginning, disyed a puzzled look. He shot a meaningful nce at Han Cai. Although he didn''t utter a word, he seemed to understand how Han Cai had made his move. Han Cai chuckled and nonchntly handed over the two talisman to the old man. He then dropped his unconscious adversary to the ground and moved towards the cluster of triumphant cultivators. The elderly gentleman noticed the unconscious middle-aged farmer and gently shook his head, his lips curving into an enigmatic grin. Upon dering the final champion, the elderly gentleman nced at the ten participants who hadn''t yet taken their positions and cleared his throat. He spoke in a cool, detached voice, "We will now begin the challenges, following the order of the numbers. If you feel that your QI is critically low, you may take a break to recover before your challenge. However, all challenges must be finished by today; else, it will be considered as a withdrawal. Moreover, contestants are not allowed to challenge those who have alreadypeted. As for the extra eleventh contestant, they will be allowed to challenge any of the winners after the deration of the ten victors." "Let''s get started!" The first contestant chose the least experienced incumbent and joined him on the tform. Given that his rival''s skill level was only of the sixth tier Foundation Establishment level and his own was of the seventh, he was confident in his victory. But after the time it took to prepare a cup of tea, the sixth tier Foundation Establishment was the first to step down from the tform. The first contestant returned looking rather miserable. Overwhelmed with embarrassment, he quickly left the hall without saying a word. The faces of the remaining contestants expressed a variety of emotions. As for the winner, he casually rejoined the other ten. "Next!"manded the old man, devoid of surprise, as though he had predicted the victory. "Sir, my QI level is low. I need a break!" The second contestant confessed, his cheeks reddening slightly. "Number three!" The old man was indifferent to whether the contestant had really not recovered and announced the next number. The next contestant frowned a little and also decided to avoid the impending battle. The fourth contestant, unwilling to back down, gathered the courage to pick an opponent and mount the tform. However, the result was the same. The fourth contestant suffered serious injuries, causing fear to grip the remaining contestants. Seeing this, the next contestant took advantage of the situation to dy his battles, hoping he could make a better choice after witnessing others'' oues. The old man''s expression flickered briefly before he slowly announced Han Cai''s number, "Number six!" Han Cai stepped forward without a word and pointed to an opponent of the sixth-level Foundation Establishment. His opponent was a muscr man. Seeing Han Cai fearlessly select him, he showed a menacing grin and walked towards the tform. Contrarily, Han Cai moved with deliberate strides as if contemting the impending fight. Before long, Han Cai and the muscr man disappeared into the bright light. All eyes were glued to the tform with bated breath. The old man then shut his eyes as though he was extending his perception. After a short moment, his cheeks twitched slightly. He then opened his eyes, revealing a touch of surprise. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 285 Acquiring The Rights ? With a burst of bright light, a figure appeared on the tform. The participants quickly directed their gaze. The light dimmed to reveal Han Cai. He was entirely unhurt, but he was dragging his opponent whose body was entirely charred. He strolled off the tform as though he hadn''t put in any effort. The contestants were left dumbfounded, and even the incumbent opponents wore expressions of disbelief. As for Qin Wei who stood behind the old man, his mouth hung open. It took him a while to regain hisposure. Han Cai dragged his barely conscious opponent towards the old man and left him there, before sauntering back to his original position. Seeing this, the other contestants couldn''t help but show a hint of respect. Han Cai smirked inwardly. It appeared that strength was the mostpelling argument, no matter where he went. It seemed that Han Cai''s surprise win had sparked hope in the hearts of the remaining challengers, as they promptly chose their opponents without any further hesitation. Yet, their swift decisions only resulted in losses and severe injuries. Those challengers who had dyed their fights were horrified. With theirpetitive spirits utterly shattered, they each decided to withdraw from thepetition. After all, they realized they were outmatched. Only a fool would still choose to fight! Thus, the old man announced that only Han Cai, representing the Zhu n, had sessfully acquired the rights for the main grasnd trade. Afterward, the old man presented a blue jade container to Han Cai and informed him to deliver it to the Zhu n to conclude the deal. Without any further ceremony, the old man dismissed the cultivators, ushering them out of the hall with hismanding voice. Han Cai delivered the blue jade container to Lord Zhu in the hallway. His expressions were quite a spectacle. He went from disbelief, to shock, and finally to unbridled joy. "Cultivator Han, I can''t express my gratitude enough. Rest assured, the Zhu n will surely uphold our agreement with you." By the time he said these words, Han Cai, Lord Zhu, and Liu Baihe were already seated in the carriage, heading back to the Zhu n Estate. As he expressed his gratitude, his hands clutched the jade container tightly as if fearing it would suddenly fly away. It was quite aedic sight. Leaning back in the carriage, Han Cai spoke with a faint smile, "I trust that Lord Zhu wouldn''t forsake those who aid him, particrly when the helper is a cultivator." Lord Zhu and Liu Baihe assured him repeatedly that they wouldn''t dare to do so. Before long, Han Cai returned to his wooden hut on the hill. Han Cai only managed to cultivate for three days before Liu Baihe came to see him. He arrived to inform Han Cai that he could now go to the Sapphire Tri-Crested Massif''s Records Pavilion and obtain a permanent residence in the Robust Bison teau. They would also provide him with a cultivation area. After all, all teau cultivators had their own caves for cultivation. Since he hadn''t participated in the Great Grasnd Contest, his area was likely to have thinner spiritual energy, but it would still be sufficient for cultivation. Han Cai epted the guarantor''s document that the Zhu n had given him and flew towards the center of the Robust Bison teau. On his journey, Han Cai flew over seven towns and dozens of small homesteads before finally catching sight of the Sapphire Tri-Crested Massif that Liu Baihe had mentioned. It was an enormous, sapphire, tri-peaked mountain that pierced through the clouds. The sight was truly awe-inspiring and incredibly majestic. Countless smaller peaks surrounded the enormous mountain. Han Cai could not determine the extent of the mountain at a single nce. He stared nkly at this "Sapphire Crested Massif" while lost in thought. "Hmm? Aren''t you Han Cai, the cultivator?" Han Cai suddenly heard someone call out to him from behind. Startled, Han Cai quickly turned around. The voice seemed familiar. Not far behind him, the soft-spoken and delicate Qin Wei was looking at him with a smile, riding on his wheel magic tool. After a moment of surprise, Han Cai responded with augh, "Ah, it''s Fellow Daoist Qin! What a pleasant surprise!" The young man nced at the Sapphire Peak, then turned his head and asked Han Cai, "Oh, yes. Did Fellow Daoist Han Caie here to deal with some formalities at the Ledger Hall?" Since it wasn''t a secret, Han Cai answered calmly, "Fellow Daoist Qin guessed right. I am here to take care of the paperwork for settling down on this teau and to select a residence for cultivation." Upon hearing Han Cai''s destination, Qin Wei immediately offered a suggestion, "Hehe! I''ve been to the Ledger Hall several times already. How about I guide Fellow Daoist Han Cai there? Considering the size of the Skyblue Mist Peaks, it could be hard to find on your own." Han Cai was somewhat surprised by his enthusiasm, but he expressed his gratitude and agreed. So, the two flew side by side towards therge mountain. Thus, the twopanions journeyed together toward the imposing mountain. As he guided the way, the young man provided Han Cai with a lively description of the mountain range, "On our teau''s Skyblue Mist grasnd, besides the seven primary grasnds, there are an additional seven hundred sixty lesser grasnds. These grasnds are riddled with innumerable mountains and caves, many of which are apt for cultivation." "Naturally, most of the Skyblue Mist Grasnd harborrge spirit veins, but the density of Spiritual Qi fluctuates. Themon belief is thatrger the area, the denser the Spiritual Qi. The thirty Grasnds rich in Spiritual Qi are considered the rewards of the teau''s ten-yearly Great Grasnd Contest. Any cultivator who deems their skills greater than the current lords of these thirty grasnds may challenge them openly. The winner ims the area as their own. The differences among the grasnds are not drastic. It is believed that once a cultivator enters a core Formation, they can im one of these peaks as a cultivation area. But for those at the Foundation Establishment stage, they can only secure the remaining caves." Han Cai shook his head. He was uninterested in living here. But he appreciated the friendly gestures of these grasnd cultivators. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 286 Acquiring Residence ? Han Cai did not n to stay in this area but he had decided he would have a backup abode in this area after he got citizenship. He will continue his journey looking for the powerful cultivator his ex-girlfriend mentioned. Shortly after, Han Cai and Qin Wei reached a rather prominent mountain peak. On top of it, stood a small, antiquated two-story pavilion. The exterior was considerably weathered and the architectural style was obsolete. Hanging on the entrance was a signboard with a missing corner, bearing the skewed inscription "Ledger Hall". Staring nkly, Han Cai found it hard to reconcile what he saw with what he''d expected. He turned to Qin Wei and asked, "Is this really...?" "Regrettably, yes. This indeed is the Eternal Ledger Hall." The young man spread his hands, portraying a sense of resignation. As he prepared to leave, he cautioned Han Cai, "I''m off now. But remember, the elder managing the Ledger Hall has quite an entric temperament!" As Qin Wei disappeared from sight, Han Cai shook his head,nding calmly in front of the pavilion and walked in. Just as he neared the entrance, he heard a somewhat eerie voice, "Come in! The door isn''t locked." Startled by the abrupt deration, Han Cai hesitantly moved towards the pavilion. Inside, Han Cai was dumbfounded. The interior was in stark contrast with the worn-out exterior. It was extravagantly adorned. The floor wasid with glistening, fire-red silk; the walls gleamed with gold and jade, and countless shimmering gems hung from the ceiling. The corners were adorned with various exotic, radiant nts he''d never seen before. Across the room was a peculiar stone bed, radiating an unfamiliar blue light. He couldn''t identify what it was made of, but it was certainly precious. A bedraggled, middle-aged many there, dressed in vibrant, fire-red specter hide, casually holding a massive ivory orb as he looked indifferently at Han Cai. Keeping his surprise in check, Han Cai bowed and respectfully asked, "Greetings Senior. I wish to process the paperwork for residency. Are you the one responsible for such matters?" The middle-aged man sighed lightly, then perked up and asked, "Residency? Do you have a sponsor?" Han Cai nodded. The process for obtaining residency was fairly straightforward. The middle-aged man simply pulled out a gold-embossed book and inscribed Han Cai''s name into it. Han Cai, in turn, swapped the emerald amulet he had received from the Grasnd''s Quay for a sky-blue talisman. The talisman emitted a soft blue glow and was a lower-level talisman. The middle-aged man exined that the talisman carried a minor fireproof and waterproof ability, making it quite useful. Then, the middle-aged man tossed a silver leaf pamphlet towards Han Cai. "Locations radiating a white light are already upied. The ones emitting gray light are avable. Pick one as your cultivation ground! ." He managed to say only a few words before he was interrupted by a persistent cough, implying a severe underlying condition. Han Cai carefully opened the Silverleaf Pamphlet, which revealed a detailed map of the Robust Bison teau. White and gray lights intermingled on the map, emitting an enigmatic glow. The radiant spots were focused at the heart of the grasnd, the Sky-Blue Mist Area. Han Cai realized that the Sky-Blue Mist Area was muchrger than he had anticipated.. Upon examining the areas bathed in white light, Han Cai squinted his eyes. While there were fewer white spotspared to the gray ones, the intensity of the gray light varied greatly, ranging from dazzling to dim. Han Cai didn''t consider the grasnds highlighted by intense light, as the middle-aged man had already exined, "Those without Core Formation cultivation cannot im the areas with high spiritual energy. For other areas, there are no such restrictions, as long as they are marked with gray light." This concurred with what Qin Wei had mentioned earlier, but now only valleys and caves, emitting dull gray lights, remained for selection. After examining the map for a while, he looked up at the middle-aged man and asked, "I have a query, Senior. Are there any constraints on how much space I can use to set up my cultivation abode?" The middle-aged man appeared surprised but responded with a scoff, "You can put any formation spells and restrictions you desire within a radius of a few kilometers, provided you have sufficient space." With a steady voice, Han Cai said, "Then, can I choose this ce? Since it''s marked with gray light, there should be a spirit vein, correct?" He lightly tapped a particr spot on the map, making the gray light turn green. Han Cai then returned the silver-Embossed Book to the middle-aged man. "There!?" The middle-aged man''s pallid face revealed astonishment at the location Han Cai had chosen. The spot was on the outskirts of the Robust Bison teau and was previously glowing with a faint gray light. It was one of the farthest locations. "That''s the Minor Grasnds. Although it''s just about thirty-five kilometers in size, it does possess a short spirit vein a few kilometers long. We established a basic protective spell and set up a tiny settlement there, currently inhabited by a few hundred people... It''s a fact that you won''t face interference from other cultivators if you select that spot, but its concentration of Spiritual Qi is merely two-thirdspared to what you''d find in other grasnds.".The middle-aged man conveyed this with a peculiar smile, tinged with a touch of scorn. Han Cai stayed quiet. He understood that given the middle-aged man''s smirk, this grasnd surely had itsplexities. "There were a few cultivators like you before who preferred to cultivate in seclusion. Yet, invariably, they returned after a couple of years. They''d rather expend a hefty amount of spirit stones to select a new cultivation area than continue on that grasnd. After all, Spiritual Qi density is of paramount importance to cultivators. Besides, whoever chooses this grasnd must also shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding it. The cost of the spirit stone for the grasnd''s defensive formation spells will fall on you. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 287 Minor Grassland 76 ? "Of course, you''d receive a certain amount of spirit stones aspensation from the grasnd''s residents, and there would be no obligation to pay tributes to the teau''s lord. However, I must caution you that thepensation in spirit stones won''t be adequate to maintain the daily functioning of the defensive formation. The grasnd''s spirit stone usage has been managed till now by the Robust Bison teau." The middle-aged mannguidly exined the rule while drumming his fingers on the bedstand. After pondering over it for a while, Han Cai finally voiced in a subdued tone, "If I opt for that small grasnd, would that mean I essentially be its lord?" "Hehe, you could interpret it that way," the middle-aged man responded, taken aback. He had already highlighted the drawbacks of the grasnd. If this young man still desired to pick that grasnd, it was no longer his concern. The middle-aged man scrutinized Han Cai again, sneering inwardly. This young man would soon be spending a fortune in spirit stones and would undoubtedly return with a multitude ofints! The middle-aged man believed that, at most, within a couple of years, this young practitioner would return with aged features and a worn-out look, needing to select a new cultivation space. Why else would the position, as the overseer of a small grasnd, be unimed until now? After pondering a bit more, Han Cai stated without any more hesitation, "Very well, I, as a junior, will opt for the Minor Grasnd!" Upon hearing Han Cai''s resolute decision, the middle-aged practitioner didn''t dawdle. He brought out a golden pen and gently marked the grasnd on the map. The white light of the grasnd instantly turned golden. Next, he searched his robes for a jade tablet on which he inscribed a few characters with his golden pen before tossing it to Han Cai. Looking at the jade tablet, Han Cai noticed two golden characters that looked familiar, like his name inscribed in local symbols. "This jade tablet stands as proof of Minor Grasnd 76 being your cultivation space and holds the names of its residents. Be sure to safeguard it!" The middle-aged man stated indifferently. There were many minor grasnds so each grasnd was named by number. Subsequently, he stowed away the pamphlet and reclined on the stone bed. He gestured Han Cai away with a dismissive wave. Han Cai gave him a brief salute before wisely departing. Upon leaving the Ledger Hall, instead of exploring the Sky-Blue Mist Grasnd or mingling with other cultivators, Han Cai immediately headed back to the Zhu n Estate. The next morning, Han Cai left a note for Lord Zhu on the desk in his room. He then visited the nearest vige to purchase a map of the Robust Bison teau and its surrounding areas, before setting off straight for the Grasnd''s Quay. Liu Baihe had previously informed Han Cai that the teau''srgest city, "Robust Bison City," was situated in the western part of the Robust Bison teau. This city housed a marketce known as the "Sky Capital Market," where practitioners traded goods. Although Han Cai was keen to visit and discover the items the continent''s practitioners owned and understand their cultivation methods, he nned to visit it at some point but not at present. He didn''t choose a cultivation spot at the Sky-Blue Mist Grasnd, preferring the deserted Minor Grasnd 76 with less spirt Qi. This choice was made to avoid hassles. He knew when he would return to this base, it would be only because he might be escaping the continent. Only in an isted grasnd, distant from other cultivators, would he be able to freely create arge teleportation array. Han Cai took off from the Quay, exiting the immense restrictive barrier of the Robust Bison teau. Relying on the map, he set his course directly towards the Minor Grasnd 76. On the map, the grasnd appeared right next to the Robust Bison teau. However, it took a whole day''s journey on cky before he caught sight of it. Afterpleting a circumnavigation of the grasnd, Han Cai identified the entrance to the grasnd''s protective formation, a petite docking area. Gradually, he descended towards it. There were just a handful of individuals at the dock, about a dozen shepherds idling by their small carts. Seeing Han Cai descend from the sky, they hopped off their carts and congregated to greet him. The crowd moved towards Han Cai, saluting him one by one. An exceptionally sturdy man with a darkplexion stepped forward from the group and bowed to Han Cai. Clearly, this man was the chief shepherd, "Humbly, I am Dark Tortoise. My respects to the Immortal Master!" "Is this the Minor Grasnd 76?" Han Cai felt fairly certain but thought it wise to double-check. Dark Tortoise looked puzzled as he replied, "Indeed it is, Mighty Immortal! Has the Immortal Mastere to replenish the spirit stones already? They were just recently reced!" Upon confirming that this indeed was the Minor Grasnd 76, Han Cai breathed a sigh of relief. It was difficult to figure out the right direction in the sea grass. A few times, he felt as if he was lost. With a gentle smile, he addressed the people around him, "I haven''te to rece the spirit stones. From this point forward, I will be the one supplying the spirit stones for the grasnd, as it has be my cultivation ground. You may all refer to me as Immortal Han!" Under the stunned gazes of the shepherds, Han Cai signaled cky, and they soared towards the heart of the grasnd. The sole vige on thispact teau was located at the southern end, near its entrance. To the north was a humble chain of hillocks stretching approximately ten kilometers with just two petite hills. The taller one stood about a kilometer high, while the shorter one was only around four hundred meters tall. The entry of Han Cai into the vige created quite a buzz. An older figure, who identified himself as the vige leader, quickly approached to wee Han Cai. Upon the inspection of the gold symbols on the Emerald Token by the elderly man, the vige chief instantly dered that all vigers were to adhere to themands of the Great Immortal. While Han Cai had no need for the services of regr people, he enquired about what mattered to him most: the overall conditions of this minor grasnd and the number of spirit stones the vigers could contribute to upholding the grasnd''s safeguarding array. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 288 Setting Up Abode ? Discovering that the total contribution was almost negligible, Han Cai felt a wave of disappointment. Did this imply that he was to provide all the spirit stones? The elder had imed that the residents would contribute some spirit disks towards the maintenance of the protective array. It seemed those words were merely tofort him. Their assistance would hardly make a difference. Internally, Han Cai grumbled about the elder but managed to voice a few words of assurance to the old man. He gauged the amount of spirit stones needed andpared it with the old man''s estimate of their input. Han Cai then handed over five year''s supply of spirit stones to the old man to uphold the defense array. He informed the old man that, after five years, he could visit Han Cai''s Immortal cave to collect the required spirit stones for the next five years. Disregarding the old man''s continuous gratitude, Han Cai set off towards the northern part of the grasnd area. Shortly after, Han Cai found himself on cky, hovering over the two hilltops. It was evident that the spirit Qi was more abundant on the taller hill, but the shorter hill was denser and more stable. It was not only more suitable for an Immortal''s cave but had also been the site of a previous cultivator''s dwelling. The present Immortal''s cave was in perfect condition, seemingly ready for immediate move-in. Han Cai took a moment to ponder. First, he steered towards the denser, shorter hilltop and ventured into the deepest, most secluded part of the Immortal''s cave. Next, he struck the earth forcefully.. Half a dayter, the initialyout of an underground tunnel was visible. It was ten meters in diameter and led directly towards the base of the hill. However, when Han Cai''s tunnel had dug a dozen meters beneath the hill''s base, he abruptly changed direction, steering towards the base of the other hill which was over a kilometer away. While Han Cai''s cultivation techniques were extraordinarily precise, having Yongnian''s assistance reduced the time required for this colossal task to one day. Aside from the Prairie Pce and the central hub, the Heavenly Grasnd City, there exist eight peripheral zones and four core regions within the Inner Grasnd Prairies. Each region''s three principal teaus serve as the administrative centers for their respective areas. Collectively, these ces are referred to as the twenty-four Peripheral Grasnd Islets and the twelve Core Grasnd Islets, all of which fall under the authority of the Heavenly Grasnd City. The teau where Han Cai took up residence, known as the Robust Bison teau, is one of the Peripheral Grasnd Islets of Heavenly Grasnd City. With numerous minor teaus under the jurisdiction of these islets, the Prairie Pce wields considerable power. Intriguingly enough, the Prairie Pce adopts two approaches to appointing the lords of these islets. The twelve Core Grasnd Islets are each governed by six individuals handpicked by the two fairy saints. As for the twenty-four Peripheral Grasnd Islets, they select their leaders through a centenary contest held at Heavenly Grasnd City, where the ultimate winners are crowned as teau lords and enjoy the prestige of regional rulership. Hence, the centenarypetition held at Heavenly Grasnd City has earned the name ''Grasnd Selection Gathering.'' Each time it''s convened, the majority of the high-ranking cultivators from the Emerald Wind Grasnds flock to the city. Several cultivators arrive with aspirations of bing an islet lord, others seek to expand theirwork or gain knowledge. Some even see it as an opportunity to barter medicinal pills, materials, cultivation techniques, and other suchmodities. During this period, Heavenly Grasnd City bes a bustling hub. Regardless of the gathering, the city is always a vibrant blend of various personalities. Apart from a no-conflict rule within the cities and spirit stones tax for extended stay, the Prairie Pce allows the city to operate autonomously. This freedom attracts cultivators of all tiers. As long as notorious ouws don''t cause a ruckus, the Prairie Pce doesn''t make efforts to apprehend them. Major merchant families are delighted with this liberal atmosphere and operate permanent outlets within the city. They run their auctions and a multitude of businesses that generate spirit stones. This leads to an influx of unique items from the Emerald Wind Grasnds flowing through Heavenly Grasnd City each year. Additionally, the city has be a hotspot for cultivators due to another reason. The Prairie Pce has established a teleportation formation that provides direct ess to the Outer Grasnd Prairies. Upon constructing a tunnel between the bases of the two hills, Han Cai carved out a new cave inside the taller hill. It was designed simr to his previous cave in the Vermillion Phoenix Continent. This would serve as Han Cai''s space for cultivation and the growth of spiritual flora. With the original cave dwelling serving as a decoy for the real one, Han Cai felt this way his back up base will be safer. After finalizing his Immortal cave, Han Cai installed the first illusion array formation and then a defense formation that even Heaven Immortal would have a hard time passing through. However, after flying around the two hills for a while, he still felt he should have more arrays. . He retrieved the sets of formation setup tools and opted to deploy two of the more formidable formations, namely, the "The Fierce Insect Tides Formation" and the "Illusory Heavensifting Formation". These two formation spells had an extensive range and wouldpletely cover both the hills. Although they weren''t as extraordinary as his original illusion array, they would pose considerable trouble for cultivators below Venerate level. Therefore, Han Cai''s cave dwelling would be entirely shielded from everything below the level of Transcendent Immortal. If you became Transcendent you had to ascend to the Immortal Realm so basically for now no one in the realm could break his array formation. From the sky outside of the formation, the hills were veiled in a misty illuison, making them hard to discern. Han Cai faintly smiled at the sight and slowly descended into the fog, disappearing from view. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 289 To Heavenly Grassland City ? Upon entering his cave, instead of taking the opportunity to rest, Han Cai immediately got to work. He nted some spirit herbs and set up an alchemy room. After that he created a massive teleportation array in case things went sideways he would use it to escape. He also created a talisman that connected him to the array. With this talisman wherever he might be he would be able to teleport back to the cave. After settling down, Han Cai devoted his time to learning more about the grasnd and the continent. Gradually, he gained a general understanding of the grasnd area. The grasnd was vast, but no one knew its exact size. Since no one was bold enough to attempt to explore it in its entirety, the maps only charted a small portion of the grasnd. This fact was acknowledged by all cultivators of the Grasnd. The areas that had been charted were often referred to as the Inner Grasnd region, while the vast, uncharted expanse was known as the Outer Grasnd. Typically, when someone referenced the "Emerald Wind Grasnds", they were implicitly speaking of the explored territories, known as the Inner Grasnd Prairies. The Outer Grasnd Prairies, also known by the ominous name of the Demon Prairies, were home to unfathomablyrge prairie beasts. It was said they were no less powerful than Nascent Soul cultivators, with some even surpassing earth grade and above beasts. Low-grade cultivators who hadn''t ventured to the Outer Grasnd Prairie would be awestruck upon hearing this. Records indicated that in ancient times, prairie beasts ruled supreme in both the inner and outer prairies. Cultivators were confined to small, isted homesteads. After an unknown amount of time, the previous generations of the Emerald Wind Grasnds managed to y the prairie beasts one by one, paving the way for the development of the current Inner Grasnd Prairies. Today, the superpower known as the "Prairie Pce" presided over the entire Emerald Wind Grasnds. This superpower had existed for so long that even ancient records did not document its formation. While the origins of its creation remained uncertain, some believed that it was established by ancient elders who exterminated the prairie beasts. Others suggested that an ancient hero united the Emerald Wind Grasnds, with countless other theories and rumors contesting these beliefs. The current Prairie Pce had built their Heavenly Grasnd City on arge teau at the center of the Emerald Wind Grasnds. Its two lords, known as the two Heavenly Fairy Saints, ruled the Emerald Wind Grasnds from this city. The two Fairy Saints were extremely enigmatic. Rumor had it that they were two sisters from beyond the grasnd who, after settling down, never left the Prairie Pce or revealed themselves in public. As a result, no outsiders had seen their true appearance. It was rumored that the two Fairy Saints had almost reached the Transcended Realm and ascended to the Immortal Realm a few thousand years ago. After all, the Fairy Saints had been famous since nearly ancient times. How could ordinary cultivators live for so long? In exchange for a significant amount of spirit stones, anyone could teleport to several "Beast Meadows" of various dimensions within the Outer Grasnd Prairies. These secluded meadows, developed by earlier generations, were abundant with Spiritual Qi. Once there, cultivators could hunt down various prairie creatures and trade their cores for spirit stones back in Heavenly Grasnd City. The value of spirit stones depended on the grade of the beast whose core was sold. After all, directly journeying to the Outer Grasnd Prairies without using the teleportation formation would not only consume a massive amount of time, but it would also be treacherously risky to wander aimlessly like a disoriented insect. Besides the Prairie Pce, there were other factions of varying power in the Emerald Wind Grasnds, such as the Four Winds Trading Alliance, the Whispering Fiend Tribe, the Tri-Immortal ns, the Evening Dragon Grove, and so on. The Pinnacle Yin Grasnds and the Unified Six Steppes were also significant forces. Deciding on his destination, Heavenly Grasnd City, Han Cai took off into the air, turning into a ck sh of light. The expanse of grass was astonishing. He mused that if he reared millions of cattle, there would be no worry about feeding them and he could be the wealthiest in the realm just by doing that. For a whole year, he and cky continued to fly. Such an extended, demanding journey was a novel experience for Han Cai. He initially tried to enjoy the grasnd, but after months of flying, he felt he should utilize his time better and cultivate. However, as he was riding on cky, a beast, the journey was lessfortable than being on flying treasure ships, which disrupted his focus. Hence, he gave up on attempting to cultivate and concentrated on the flight. After splitting his soul into two, his second soul achieved simr cultivation level as the first. Adapting back to his original body took some time, but he had now reached the Core Formation stage due to his diligence. He assumed this body didn''t possess much cultivation potential, and any progress was a blessing from the system. He didn''t anticipate significant growth in this body''s cultivation. However, he soon realized he couldn''t be more wrong. The talent was inherited from the soul, and when the system granted cultivation, somehow his soul had brought the talent to this body, and his cultivation level was rising in this body as well. After a year of continuous flight, Han Cai surmised that he had neared the Heavenly Grasnd City, judging by the configuration of the deste ins he had crossed. A short whileter, Han Cai''s expression subtly shifted after he faintly spotted a distant ck speck that seemed to growrger. Shortly after, the distant ck speck gradually expanded as he drew nearer, slowly unfolding into an immense dark silhouette. Though he couldn''t see it in detail yet, its striking outline left Han Cai dumbstruck by its astounding grandeur. As Han Cai approached a bit closer, he could vaguely discern what the shadow was. It was a city, a colossal city that covered the whole expanse of the teau. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 290 Entering The City ? What took Han Cai by surprise was that this city was entirely unlike any he had seen before. Rather than spread across a tndscape, a towering teau at the city''s core served as the foundation with buildings arranged in concentric circles around it. The base of the monumental teau housed numerous buildings that extended right to the edge of the teau, leaving no space untouched. This was undoubtedly Meadow City, also known as Heavenly Grasnd City, the most significant city in the Sprinkled Prairies. Viewed from above, the tightly packed buildings appeared minuscule, like ants. The sight left him astounded until he was around twenty kilometers away from the teau, where he had to slow down his steed, cky. Soon, Han Cai was no longer the lone figure in the nearby sky. Flecks of light started appearing,ing and going, all heading towards Meadow City. Han Cai internally sighed, Meadow City''s fame was indeed warranted. Even from a considerable distance, he noticed many cultivators. When he was about ten kilometers away, the number of colored lights darting about increased. He even spotted massive caravans underneath, making their way through the wind and dust. What left him speechless were those cultivators who opted to journey on small vessels or even ride on lesser prairie beasts on the grasnds instead of flying on mystical implements. Shaking his head, Han Cai gathered hisposure and quickened his pace, bing a streak of light. Shortly after, he arrived at the edge of the Divine teau. He now noticed that the teau was encircled by a towering stone wall, about a hundred meters high. Upon closer observation, Han Cai could distinguish more than a dozen gates of various sizes set into the expansive stone walls. While there were entrances meant for mortal caravans and stables for resting prairie beasts, the majority of iing traffic ¨C the lone cultivators ¨C entered the city through the smaller gates. Consequently, Han Cai flew towards one of these small city gates, appearing as a streak of cerulean light. Although it was among the smaller gates, as Han Cai approached it, he realized the gate towered over twenty-four meters tall, leading him to chuckle at himself. In front of Han Cai, there stood a graceful Turquoise-Robed Maiden who seemed to be at the Core Formation stage of cultivation. Beneath the city gate, she was conversing with two Ivory-Garbed Cultivators. After handing over a few spirit stones, she casually put on an Azure Hoop they had given her and strolled into the city. Han Cai calmly approached with Yongnian. "Do you both n to stay temporarily, or do you intend to reside long term? If... Oh! It''s a Senior! Senior, wee to Meadow City! ording to cityws, any cultivator above the Nascent Soul level is granted free long-term residence in the city. Here''s a Recognition Band. Please keep it safe!" The Ivory-Garbed cultivator began speaking with his gaze fixed, but midway through, he noticed Yongnian''s cultivation was beyond hisprehension. Swiftly, he fetched something from his sleeve. After examining Yongnian with a surprised look, he quickly spoke with a respectful tone. "I''m new to Meadow City. What is this band used for?" Yongnian asked in a gruff voice. "The Recognition Band serves as a validation of your status. Temporary residents wear an Azure Hoop, requiring only three spirit stones for entry. The hoop''s spirit lightsts for seven days. Afterward, the wearer must either leave Meadow City or visit the city gates for a new one. Crimson Bands are for those who take up permanent residence. Ordinary cultivators must pay eight hundred spirit stones for it. The Crimson Band''s spirit lightsts indefinitely and identifies its owner once it absorbs their blood essence. Since it shines solely for its owner, there''s no fear of theft," the Ivory-Garbed early Origin Construct cultivator neutrally exined, raising his hand to show a glowing Crimson Band on his finger, simr to the one in his palm. Yongnian nodded quietly, epted the band, and after a brief hesitation, dripped his blood essence on it and fastened it around his wrist. "I also need a Crimson Band! I n on residing in this city for quite some time." Hearing what the guard had said, Han Cai smiled, took out eight hundred spirit stones from his Keeper''s Sack, and handed it over to one of the cultivators. The two Ivory-Garbed cultivators looked somewhat surprised but epted the spirit stones without a word and gave Han Cai a Crimson Band. Han Cai too dripped his blood essence onto the Band, wore it, and entered the city alongside Yongnian. The streets beyond the gate were neither narrow nor wide, amodating either four people walking side by side or two caravans. Chalkstone Structures lined the sides of the streets. From the first nce, it was clear they were Earthly Emporiums, but nothing stood out as noteworthy. The streets appeared devoid of cultivators, with only a handful of mortals shopping and conversing; nothing seemed to pique Han Cai''s interest. After a swift scan, he casually looked up at the sky to see numerous lights darting about, each signifying a cultivator soaring on their Mystic Implements. The fact that the most extensive city in the Sprinkled Prairies had no wind restrictions was going to make things easier for him and Yongnian. Han Cai then fetched his cky, intending to take off, but he was stopped. "Honored cultivators, please hold!" A man from the side of the street called out, emerging from a shop and respectfully bowing. He was a thin man sporting a nted mustache. The duo examined him closely, only to find he was an ordinary mortal devoid of any magical energy fluctuations. Han Cai, slightly taken aback, asked with a mild frown, "What can I help you with? Have we crossed paths before?" The thin man responded with a broad smile, "Hehe! I am Reed Blossom, and I have the pleasure of meeting you, esteemed Cultivators, for the first time." Upon hearing this, Han Cai''s curiosity was piqued. However, before he could respond, Reed Blossom hastily continued, "You are new arrivals in Meadow City, correct? Undoubtedly, you''re not familiar with the city''syout and customs. Being a native, I know this city inside out. If you, honorable Cultivators, need directions or wish to know where to conduct your business, I could be of help. My services would merely cost you two spirit stones." Reed Blossom paused for a moment, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards Han Cai and Yongnian''s hands. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 291 Acquiring Another Cave Abode ? Spotting their Crimson Bands, his eyes lit up with sudden realization. He turned to Han Cai and borated, "Ah, so you esteemed Cultivators n on a long-term stay! The process is straightforward. You see that structure on Fairy Saint Mountain? If you wish to cultivate, you need to rent a building there. I''ve heard from fellow Cultivators that a natural spirit vein runs through Fairy Saint Mountain. The higher the building, the richer the Spiritual Qi. Of course, the cost increases ordingly. If you''d rather not rent and prefer a private cave dwelling instead, the expense will be much greater than renting an ordinary residence! Moreover, whether it''s a building or a cave, there''s a fee due every hundred years. Failure to pay will result in the Prairie Pce reiming the property by force." Han Cai, showing interest, asked, "So, if I have sufficient spirit stones, I could rent a cultivation spot at the highest point?" Reed Blossom shook his head fervently, responding with an embarrassed grin, "Cultivator, you''re kidding, of course. That''s not how it works. Each circle of buildings on Fairy Saint Mountain is deemed ayer, amounting to eighty-oneyers in total. The first fiftyyers are essible to foreign cultivators for rental, provided they have enough spirit stones. Thest thirtyyers are reserved for Prairie Pce elders. The very topyer is home to the two Lord Fairy Saints of the Fairy Saint Pce, off-limits to all others." After a moment''s consideration, Han Cai decisively said, "Alright, lead the way! Securing a residence takes priority over everything else." "Certainly, as per yourmand, Cultivator. You should head towards the mountain base. The structures there handle these matters." As he finished speaking, Yongnian, using his Qi, lifted Han Cai and the man, heading towards the massive mountain in the distance. While the mountain appeared close, it took a brisk quarter-hour flight to reach its base. Guided by Reed Blossom, theynded in front of a grand pavilion. The area buzzed with activity, as various cultivators either touched down or took off, creating a spectacle of light shes. After scanning the surroundings, Han Cai led Yongnian and Reed Blossom into the lofty pavilion. Once inside, Han Cai noticed about a dozen cultivators. Six of them were engaged in discussions with cultivators d in white, each seated separately at stone desks. The white-d cultivators seemed rather deste, with two even pleading pitifully. The scene was quite intriguing, as each cultivator disyed a unique expression. Han Cai observed the scene quietly. "Esteemed Cultivator, there''s an unupied desk over there. Shall we proceed?" Reed Blossom politely suggested after a short while. Han Cai, ncing at the recently vacated stone desk, nodded his approval. However, as Yongnian led the way this time, Reed Blossom looked slightly confused, having assumed Han Cai to be the master. "Respected Senior, do you wish to rent a dwelling on Fairy Saint Mountain? The higher theyer, the steeper the price!" The Prairie Pce cultivator scrutinized Yongnian briefly before speaking respectfully. Apparently, they had a way to discern that Yongnian was a high-level cultivator, which was why Han Cai had asked Yongnian to lead. "I am interested in a cave dwelling. Are there any avable? The higher theyer, the better!" Yongnian stated matter-of-factly. "Cave dwelling? Senior, you are indeed affluent. Allow me to check." The white-d cultivator, taken aback by Yongnian''s authoritative tone, quickly fetched a jade slip to look through. "We have avability! There are three caves on the forty-firstyer, four caves on the forty-thirdyer, and two caves on the forty-seventhyer. Here are the prices, floor ns, and features of each cave dwelling." The white-d cultivator thenid out several jade slips onto the stone table. Yongnian casually picked up the jade slips and scrutinized them using his spiritual sense. Han Cai had thought that, given his ample spirit stones and his rtive wealth among cultivators, he would be able to afford a cave dwelling. However, on seeing the prices, he felt as though he was being daylight robbed. He could still bear the cost, but what about the others? The cost of a cave dwelling on the forty-firstyer was enough to give Han Cai a jolt, let alone one on the forty-seventhyer. Moreover, these prices were for just a hundred years of upancy. The price skyrocketed to an exorbitant three hundred thousand spirit stones, an amount that was truly mind-boggling! Observing Yongnian''s silence, the cultivator seemed to anticipate his thoughts. He cheerfully exined, "Honored Senior, we may not im Fairy Saint Mountain''s spirit vein to be the absolute best in Emerald Wind Grasnd, but it is indisputably within the top five. Cultivating at the base of Fairy Saint Mountain yields significantly faster results than the prime spot at a standard spirit vein. And above the thirtiethyer, cultivation speeds are enhanced by an entire quarter. So, the high cost is entirely justified!" Han Cai merely rolled his eyes in response and asked Yongnian to review the jade slips once more. "This one, please!" Under Han Cai''s direction, Yongnian returned the jade slips, pointing out a particrly impressive cave dwelling on the forty-firstyer. Seeing that Yongnian intended to lease an expensive cave dwelling, the white-clothed cultivator quickly replied with enthusiasm, "Understood, that will be two hundred and fifty thousand seven hundred spirit stones!" Yongnian nodded, handing the cultivator a storage ring. "Here is your authority medallion for the cave dwelling. It grants you free ess to the cave dwelling, but it will be invalidated after a hundred years. Please, guard it with care." After receiving the spirit stones, he produced a yellow medallion and presented it to Yongnian. Yongnian, without a word, received the medallion, turned around, and exited the building. Han Cai and Reed Blossom, who had been holding their breath, followed closely behind him. "Such a staggering price! It cost that many spirit stones just to secure a cultivation spot." Upon stepping out of the pavilion, Han Cai let out a long sigh before murmuring to himself. While he wasn''t short on funds, he disliked unnecessary expenditure. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 292 Eternal Grace Sect ? Reed Blossom peeked at Han Cai and whispered, "Is there any other ce the esteemed Cultivator Masters wish to visit?" The huge amount of spirit stones Han Cai had spent had left him astounded. Even though he had seen other cultivators spendvishly under his guidance, they typically only parted with several tens of spirit stones at most. This was his first encounter with someone who could afford to part with nearly three hundred thousand spirit stones in one go. Suddenly, Reed Blossom regarded Han Cai and Yongnian with renewed respect, buoyed by the hope of a potentiallyrger reward. After all, Han Cai seemed to be quite free with his money. As long as Reed Blossom met his requirements, he was certain he wouldn''t be short-changed. Han Cai, ncing briefly at Reed Blossom, nonchntly instructed, "Lead me to the city''s marketce and brief me about the more prominent stores." Subsequently, Yongnian employed his Qi to transport Han Cai and Reed Blossom towards the marketce in a sh of light. ˇ­ Several hourster, Han Cai was stretched out on a broad wooden bed, his hands cradling his head. Earlier, Reed Blossom had acquainted him with the key locations in Meadow City. After rewarding Reed Blossom, they parted ways, and Han Cai watched him leave with a delighted smile on his face. Following this, Han Cai returned to the cave dwelling on the forty-firstyer that he had secured at a considerable cost. The cave dwelling was exactly as portrayed in the jade talisman. It was tranquil and secluded, boasting a sizable herb garden. What pleased Han Cai the most was the abundance of spiritual Qi and its private nature. Indeed, the spirit vein in the mountain was extraordinary, far surpassing his previous dwelling in the Vermillion Phoenix continent. All these advantages convinced Han Cai that he had made a good investment. The protective spell epassing the cave dwelling was remarkably strong, rivaling the grand array of the Azure Dragon Sect. Nevertheless, Han Cai wasn''t entirelyfortable relying solely on the dwelling''s protective spell. He resolved to rest briefly and then install a few of his own protective formations the next day. Once his dwelling felt secure, he would devise his future ns. With this in mind, Han Cai drifted into a deep sleep. He had been flying relentlessly for the past several months and was genuinely fatigued. Awakening on the second day, Han Cai was soon busy with his tasks. He installed multiple formidable formations outside his cave dwelling and cultivated a variety of spiritual herbs in the vacant garden for future growth. After a trip to the market city to purchase a bulk of alchemical materials, he returned to his dwelling and dedicated a separate room for alchemy. After settling everything, Han Cai took a few more days to rest in his abode. He then sought Reed Blossom again. This time, he aimed to purchase a shop in the city to set up his own alchemy business. To his surprise, he discovered that one couldn''t simply buy a new store in the city without the Fairy Saints'' approval. Another alternative was to buy a shop from a current owner willing to sell, but the price for such transactions was prohibitively high. Han Cai decided to concoct arge quantity of pills for sale, hoping that even with the exorbitant price of the deeds, he could umte enough without tapping into his savings. He started visiting several pill-selling stores to build rtionships with them. His n was straightforward this time around: establish himself permanently in the central continent, focus on cultivation, and gradually learn more about the continent until he could uncover the identity of the individual who sent the red-clothed cultivator to assassinate him. Han Cai was confident this was the same individual who had betrayed his former partner. One day, after finishing a transaction with a minor traveling merchant, a young woman as enchanting as a flower obstructed his path back to his cave dwelling. "Are you Senior Han? Mydy wishes to invite Han Cai to the nearby Green Summit Inn. If you would honor us with your presence? If not, I will face severe punishment from my Mistress." "I''m not interested," Han Cai retorted, barely sparing the young woman a nce. He had quickly discerned that she was a Qi Condensation cultivator practicing a charming technique. If he had been less wise or attentive, he might have found himself in an embarrassing predicament. Upon hearing Han Cai''s refusal, the young woman was taken aback and pleaded urgently, "Senior Han! If you don''t apany me, I will be held ountable." Unmoved by her plea, Han Cai turned away indifferently. Regardless of who she represented, he had no interest in meeting with strangers. "Senior Han, please wait! I, Xiaolian of the Eternal Grace Sect, pay my respects to Senior Han. Please pardon Lifen''s indiscretion. I will ensure she learns from this," a melodic voice appealed as Han Cai took a few steps away. He paused and turned to see a woman with a muslin veil covering her face standing beside the young woman. Her skin was as white as snow and her hair was glossy ck, elegantly piled high on her head. Her clear, bright eyes stared intently at Han Cai. "I don''t know you, miss. If you have something to say, please be brief. I intend to return to my dwelling for cultivation," Han Cai responded curtly. Xiaolian seemed slightly taken aback before replying with a soft smile, "Since Senior Han prefers a straightforward approach, I won''t beat around the bush. Our sect is extremely interested in the rare pills you''ve been selling. We would like to discuss this matter with you. However, this ce is quite crowded. Would it be possible to continue this conversation in a more secluded spot at an inn?" ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 293 Trade ? Han Cai found the suggestion amusing - a private room for their first meeting? Regaining hisposure, he carefully appraised Xiaolian. Seeing a hint of shyness, he responded stiffly, "Alright, lead the way." "Thank you for your understanding, Senior Han. Please, follow me," the veiled woman replied with evident relief, leading the way with graceful strides. The young woman, Lifen, trailed behind with a dejected look. She couldn''t help stealing nces at Han Cai. Each time their eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze, her ears flushing a deep shade of red. Upon observing this, Han Cai disyed a mysterious grin, chuckling to himself internally. The inn was a short distance away, and soon enough, Han Cai found himself stepping into a pavilion marked by a prominent banner that read, "Refreshments." At this time, several individuals were enjoying their tea. A middle-aged man, engrossed in his tea, spotted the two women entering and promptly approached them. "Martial Aunt, your room is prepared! You and your guest may proceed," he dered. "Good, guide us there and stand guard at the door," Xiaolian responded indifferently. "Understood." The middle-aged man led Han Cai and the women to a tastefully decorated room on the second floor. Inside, a man clothed in green calmly brewed a pot of steaming tea. His expression remained unchanged as Han Cai and the others entered the room. "Elder Wei, apologies for keeping you waiting! This is Senior Han Cai, the owner of the Spirit pills we discussed," Xiaolian introduced, addressing the green-clothed old man respectfully. "Ah, so you are Fellow Daoist Han Cai! Please, sit. I have just brewed a pot of spirit tea. Do try it," Elder Wei responded. Han Cai regarded him curiously. The old man seemed ordinary, except for unusually flushed cheeks, which suggested a recent recovery from a severe illness. Han Cai found this puzzling. In a moment, he discerned that the old man was an early golden core cultivator. Han Cai did not object, taking a seat opposite the old man. He watched Elder Wei pour a cup of aromatic tea but did not reach out to take it. This wasn''t meant as a slight to the old man. Han Cai was merely exercising his habitual caution and chose not to ept food or drink in unfamiliar surroundings. Elder Wei showed no sign of offence at Han Cai''s guarded actions. Instead, he smiled faintly, poured himself a cup, and put aside all other concerns for the moment. "Senior Han Cai, we, the representatives of the Eternal Grace Sect, would like to procure all your remaining Spirit pills. Let''s negotiate the price," Xiaolian announced delicately as soon as she had settled herself. Han Cai wasn''t going to easily admit to having more pills, not knowing their true motives. After considering their words, he decided to respond evasively, "Indeed, I previously had a fair number of Spirit pills, but I just sold thest of them. I''m afraid I may disappoint you." Xiaolian reacted to Han Cai''s denial with a sweet smile and gently responded, a trace of amusement in her voice, "It appears Senior Han Cai is trying to mislead us. While we don''t know the exact quantity of your Spirit pills, we''re sure you have a significant stock. Otherwise, you wouldn''t be so diligently approaching small merchants and stores to sell them. Moreover, each transaction was made in minimal quantities, and you always sought a different buyer." "If our sect hadn''t been collecting simr pills, we might have overlooked this unusual activity. Senior, you seem concerned about revealing your wealth! But you can put those worries to rest. Our sect may not be a great power, but we have a positive reputation in the Emerald Wind Grasnd. If Senior sold us all the pills, it would spare us the hassle of buying them from multiple smaller traders!" The woman maintained her pleasant smile andposed demeanor throughout. However, Han Cai scrutinized them once more. The realization that you''ve been under ndestine surveince isn''t aforting thought! Upon observing Han Cai''s curious nce, Lady Xiaolian quickly changed the topic and offered an exnation. "Senior Han Cai, please pardon our earlier impertinence. This matter is of urgency, and we had to use most of our influence in Meadow City to locate you. We hope that Senior will lend us your aid, just this once!" This time, she positioned herself as the weaker party, her words and gaze subtly implying a plea. Han Cai merely nodded, not providing an immediate reply. Instead, he began to absentmindedly tap the table, his expression unchanging. His mind was racing through various scenarios, weighing the benefits and drawbacks at breakneck speed. He was not concerned about these minor yers discovering him, but he didn''t want to draw the attention ofrger forces just yet. He didn''t know why the Eternal Grace Sect required such a massive amount of Spirit pills, but it was clear that they believed he had what they needed. Any further denials on his part would only incite unnecessary animosity. He hadn''t heard of the Eternal Grace Sect before, but judging by Elder Wei''s presence, they were not to be underestimated. Han Cai had no reason to antagonize them. Moreover, he had an excess of Spirit pills. If he continued to sell them piece by piece, it would be a matter of time before he was exposed. Wouldn''t it be better to seize this chance and resolve this issue once and for all? This was Meadow City, after all, with strict rules and regtions. He needn''t worry about any missteps. After another moment of silence, Han Cai calmly confessed, "Given your frankness, I see no reason to hide the truth. I do have some Spirit pills that your sect seeks, though I''m unsure if the quantity will suffice!" At Han Cai''s admission, the two women couldn''t contain their joy. As for the old man, who was leisurely sipping his tea as though he was above worldly matters, he observed Han Cai with a more rxed expression. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 294 Trade II ? "How many do you have?!" Lady Xiaolian asked eagerly, her gaze fixed on Han Cai in anticipation. Han Cai simply smiled and revealed a number that pleasantly surprised her. She had been aware that Han Cai held a significant quantity, but she hadn''t expected it to be of such magnitude. With this revtion, she could finallyplete her mission. "I desire all those pills! Can Senior arrange the trade today?" Lady Xiaolian from the Eternal Grace Sect asked with an unsteady voice, afraid that Han Cai might reconsider. Han Cai was taken aback by the woman''s urgency. Nevertheless, he also believed it would be beneficial to conclude the trade swiftly, reducing the chances for any unexpectedplications. After mulling it over, he replied, "Indeed, we can settle it here today. Lady Xiaolian should go fetch the spirit stones while I retrieve the Spirit pills." His definitive decision aligned with the woman''s intent, making her beam with delight as she nodded her agreement. Without further ado, Han Cai stood up casually and exited the room with a determined pace. Moments after Han Cai was out of sight, Lady Xiaolian''s ebullience slowly dissipated. She abruptly turned to the old man and asked, "Senior Wei, what''s your assessment of his cultivation? Rumor has it he''s at Core Formation. If you were to catch him off guard, could you overpower him? If so, we could save a substantial amount of spirit stones." As she chillingly uttered these words, her once demure demeanor transformed into a grim, menacing aura. "Out of the question! Although he''s rtively new to the Core Formation stage, his cultivation art is extraordinary. His Qi power is remarkably pure, and there''s a faint trace of otherworldly Qi hidden within him. Furthermore, he must have high-level connections with alchemy houses to be able to trade such quantities of pills. We mustn''t underestimate him." Elder Wei shook his head, rejecting the suggestion. With an odd look in her eyes, the woman slowly remarked, "It seems he''s not to be trifled with. Why don''t we consider involving him in our uing mission? If all goes well, we could invest a little to bring him on board. If not, we simply leave him behind." "That''s indeed a sensible strategy! However, judging by our recent discussion, he seems to know when to withdraw despite his youth. He doesn''t seem easy to manipte. Are you considering using your charm?" The old man''s words carried a hint of discontent. Lady Xiaolian cast a sidelong nce at the old man, then broke into a stifled giggle, her eyes shing with teasing delight. "Senior, are you feeling envious? Rest assured, I have no interest in any man but you." She yfully pulled her shawl aside, revealing her captivating face. The old man, who initially looked somewhat unwell, was left speechless at her teasing, his cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red. Seeing this, Lady Xiaolian couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. "Senior, you suffered a severe injury while protecting me. It''s a debt I will never forget!" Lady Xiaolian uttered, her curvaceous figure pivoting around to nestle into the old man''s arms, her delicate, pale hands gently exploring his chest. Lady Xiaolian''s face mirrored deep affection, her eyes moistening on the verge of tears. Her exquisite allure was potent enough to resurrect the lifeless. The old man exhaled as the woman''s hand ventured across his chest in a restless quest for a connection. He reciprocated by pulling her into an equally assertive embrace, their bodies mingling with unspoken intent. The spectacle turned the cheeks of the young woman in the room rosy with embarrassment. She averted her eyes, staring at the floor. "Lifen! Would you mind waiting outside and notifying us upon his return?" Lady Xiaolian murmured, her voice akin to a soft sigh. "Absolutely," the young woman quickly replied, as if she had just been given a reprieve, and hurried out of the room. Yet even before she was entirely out of the room, they continued their flirtatious exchange. "That little girl has blossomed over the past two years. How about we give her a few lessons? It''s a waste to let her charms go unnoticed..." "What nonsense! She''s here because she''s useful, not a ything! You are not to touch her! Could it be that I..." The young woman, who had heard the yful exchange, sighed and exited the room. After departing from the Refreshment Inn, Han Cai did not head straight for his cave dwelling. He took a detour down a side road, disappearing behind a nearby store. He then stood still with his eyes closed, lost in contemtion. Yongnian appeared and informed him about the conversation that had transpired in the inn. Han Cai simply nodded. "The Eternal Grace Sect doesn''t seem to be of much value," Han Cai concluded. On returning to his dwelling, Han Cai entered his secret chamber and retrieved the storage ring holding the Spirit pills. He then beckoned Yongnian to apany him back to the Refreshment Inn for security, a trip that took several hours in total. Luckily, when Han Cai and Yongnian finally arrived back at the Refreshment Inn, Lady Xiaolian''s attendant, a middle-aged man, was eagerly waiting for them. Seeing Han Cai approach, he darted inside, a joyful expression on his face. Han Cai noted the man''s swift retreat to inform Lady Xiaolian, but didn''t seem bothered. He calmly entered the inn, Yongnian following suit. When Han Cai arrived at their designated room, the young woman and the middle-aged man were standing by, showing their respect. "Elder Wei and Lady Xiaolian are awaiting your presence!" The woman said with a cautious, respectful tone. After speaking, she sneakily shot a curious look at Yongnian. Ignoring any need to introduce Yongnian, Han Cai simply nodded and proceeded into the room, with Yongnian right behind him. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 295 News Of Deed ? The young woman hesitated momentarily but didn''t dare to pursue her curiosity about Yongnian any further. Before Han Cai''s arrival, Lady Xiaolian had already veiled her face. As Han Cai stepped in, her eyes sparkled, greeting him with an air of graceful excitement. "Senior Han, you''ve arrived sooner than expected! I thought you might take a bit longer. Ah, who might this gentleman be?" Lady Xiaolian''s smile faltered as she noticed Yongnian. "This is my trusted friend, Yongnian. He expressed interest in our transaction and wanted to join us. I trust Lady Xiaolian doesn''t mind?" Han Cai responded, downying Yongnian''s presence. "Certainly not, please be seated!" Lady Xiaolian scrutinized Yongnian''s stern face and chilly demeanor before greeting them with a warm smile. A wave of relief washed over her. Thankfully, they hadn''t plotted any ill-intended actions, or else they would have roused a formidable adversary considering the seemingly imprable cultivation level of Han Cai''spanion. This encounter only intensified her motivation to bring Han Cai into their fold. "Here are the items as promised. Please, examine them!" Han Cai, always one for directness, took his seat and ced the two storage rings, housing the Spirit pills, on the table. Lady Xiaolian could barely contain her glee at this sight. She thanked Han Cai, picked up the storage rings, and examined them using her spiritual sense. Once done, she passed them on to Elder Wei. The elder epted the rings without a word and proceeded to inspect the items inside. The verification process was lengthy, given the sheer volume of pills. Meanwhile, Lady Xiaolian engaged in light banter with Han Cai, subtly probing about the origins of the pills. Han Cai artfully evaded her inquiry, steering the conversation in a different direction. Once Elder Weipleted his assessment, he conveyed his valuation to Lady Xiaolian privately. After some contemtion, she proposed a price to Han Cai, reducing the initial valuation by a tenth. Han Cai seemed reluctant to ept the offer, causing a ripple of anxiety in Lady Xiaolian. Determined to secure the deal, she finally agreed to increase the price by five percent. On hearing the revised offer, Han Cai consented. Although aware that the price was somewhat underwhelming, the opportunity to offload all these pills at once was an attractive proposition. Seeing Han Cai agree, Lady Xiaolian exhaled in relief and presented him with a storage ring filled with a modest sum of mid-grade spirit stones. With the transactionplete and both parties content, Han Cai prepared to depart. Just then, Lady Xiaolian casually mentioned, "I heard that Senior is looking to acquire a store in Meadow City. I recently came across some information on this matter. Would Senior be interested in hearing about it?" Han Cai nodded, indicating his interest, and turned around to listen. At that moment, Lady Xiaolian gazed at Han Cai with a smile, her eyes shimmering with a mysterious glow. As a master of beguiling arts, Lady Xiaolian sought to subtly influence Han Cai, nting a subconscious seed in his mind. With time, she hoped this would make him subconsciously more amenable to her. As Han Cai locked eyes with her, he felt an overwhelming allure pulling him towards her; it was all-epassing and challenging to resist. A realization struck him like a bolt of lightning, ''Seduction Technique!'' Instantly, Han Cai''s expression hardened into an icy re. The sudden change startled Lady Xiaolian, and her seduction technique lost its grip. Fearing the implications, she tried to avert her gaze, but strangely, her neck and head felt rigid; she couldn''t look away or even utter a word. ''Cultivation bacsh!'' As the understanding dawned on her, she desperately tried to break free from Han Cai''s intimidating stare. "What have you done to Elder Xiaolian?" Elder Wei noticed something was amiss with Lady Xiaolian. His eyes sparkled coldly as he prepared to intervene. But as he moved, Yongnian merely looked at him, and Elder Wei felt his very soul tremble. With the stark contrast in their cultivation levels, any wrong move could result in his demise. Lady Xiaolian''s expression turned into a heart-wrenching plea, silently begging Han Cai for mercy as her attempts to escape proved futile. "Hmmph!" With a contemptuous smirk, Han Cai finally released her from his icy stare. She immediately averted her gaze as though granted a reprieve, but not before coughing up a mouthful of blood, staining her shawl crimson. "Elder Xiaolian, are you...?" Elder Wei''s eyebrows furrowed at the sight, his re seething with rage directed at Han Cai, yet he dared not make a move given Yongnian''s intimidating presence. "Elder Wei, don''t lose your temper! Senior Han has shown leniency. I only experienced a minor Qi bacsh. The small amount of blood is a mercy in itself!" Lady Xiaolian quickly reassured him, wearing a strained smile. Hearing this, Elder Wei''s countenance rxed gradually, regaining its normalposure. "I hadn''t anticipated that Senior was such an adept practitioner of seduction techniques! My attempt was purely impulsive. Please, forgive my imprudence. However, I do have some useful information regarding how to acquire a store deed in Meadow City." As she noticed Han Cai''s stern gaze hadn''t softened, Lady Xiaolian quickly exined, fearing he might investigate her previous actions. Han Cai responded with a nod. Afterwards, Lady Xiaolian retrieved a small jade bottle and ingested a medicinal pill that quickly restored her pallidplexion. She then asserted confidently, "Indeed! I personally handled that deed. It was for a merchant who had invested a significant sum but the deal fell through and he never imed the deed." "Has it been sold to someone else already?" Han Cai peered at Lady Xiaolian, curiositycing his tone. Meanwhile, he warily wondered, ''Could she be intending to use me for her unscrupulous tasks?'' After a moment of deliberation, Lady Xiaolian decided to rify the situation, appearing sincere, "No, the deed was initially to be auctioned in Meadow City. Unfortunately, most of our merchandise was looted during transit. Our sect has identified the thieves'' hideout and is now inviting cultivators to deal with them." ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 296 Agreeing To Request ? "It was stolen?" Han Cai''s gaze hardened with skepticism. "Although Senior might find it hard to believe, the situation is as I''ve described!" Lady Xiaolian confessed with a bitter smile. "Two months back, our sect was engaged in a major transaction. The earnings from it would''ve enabled the Eternal Grace Sect to refrain from business ventures for the next decade. Hence, we gathered a massive number of Spirit Pills and dispatched them, with our Sect Master Hui and most of our experts as escorts. However, we were ambushed by a group of masked cultivators. Six Core Formation and Golden Core cultivators attacked us, their techniques malicious and potent. The rest were adept at coordinated attacks. Our Sect Master was overwhelmed and perished on the spot, and the Storage Rings carrying our merchandise were stolen. The majority of our regr sect disciples also lost their lives. If not for two of our elders who recklessly employed secret techniques at the cost of reducing their cultivation, everyone would''ve been in, leaving no trace of the incident." Lady Xiaolian''s voice was somber, her countenance reflecting her grief. "Could it have been a trap set by the buyer?" Han Cai asked abruptly. "That''s unthinkable! Our buyer was from the Green Prairie Union, a group renowned for their impable reputation. They wouldn''t jeopardize their standing by robbing such a small consignment of goods, given their formidable strength," Lady Xiaolian promptly denied, shaking her head weakly, disying an aura of fragile helplessness. Han Cai observed silently, disying no intention of offering any constion. Seeing Han Cai''s indifference, Lady Xiaolian had no choice but to gently shelve her sorrow and continue, "The deed for the store in Meadow City was held by a sect. However, the sect had fallen into decline, with just a single descendent remaining. Consequently, this sole descendent sold the deed to our Eternal Grace Sect. Our Sect Master had kept the deed with him after a deal with a merchant who intended to purchase it fell through. He nned to auction it in Meadow City. However, we didn''t foresee it being part of the loot." "However, our Sect Master yed a little trick while transporting the pills, goods, and deed which enabled us to promptly track down the thieves'' hideout. Unfortunately, these bandits boast a fair number of Core Formation cultivators. Our sect is incapable of handling them alone. Therefore, this meeting wasn''t merely to purchase your Spirit Pills. We were also tasked with seeking high-level cultivators for help. Your Qi power, Seniors, is rather profound. If you''re willing to lend us a hand, we''d be more than happy to reward you with the Deed of the Meadow City store." Lady Xiaolian carefully articted her motive. Upon hearing this, Han Cai''s facial expression remained impassive, but his eyes danced around as if he was processing something. Observing this, Lady Xiaolian knew Han Cai was contemting the pros and cons. She hurriedly tried to make the deal more appealing, "If Senior feels the reward isn''t enough, our sect is prepared to offer a woman of exceptional beauty as a personal servant." "I''m not interested!" Han Cai tly dismissed her without giving it a second thought, leaving Lady Xiaolian visibly disappointed. Taking a deep breath, Han Cai asked a question that genuinely surprised Lady Xiaolian, "Has the Deed of the Meadow City store been assigned? Can it be transferred to my name? Or maybe, can I assign it to someone else''s name?" "It hasn''t been assigned. The Deed has been carefully preserved by that sect for over a century. You can im ownership without any issue; you just need to imprint it. Could it be Senior wants the deed for someone else?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. Han Cai didn''t respond to her question, rather he lowered his gaze, deep in thought. Just as Elder Wei''s patience began to wane, Han Cai finally made up his mind and stated calmly, "In addition to the Deed of the Meadow City store, we''ll require another item aspensation. After all, Yongnian is participating alongside me." "That''s not a problem. Our sect agrees to these conditions!" Lady Xiaolian readily epted with a bright smile, showing no intention of haggling. "In that case, send someone to my cave dwelling when the timees. Your esteemed sect should know its location." Without waiting for Lady Xiaolian''s response, he nodded his head in farewell and promptly left with Yongnian, not giving her another chance to employ her bewitchment techniques. Han Cai''s abrupt departure left Elder Wei and Lady Xiaolian exchanging puzzled looks. Lady Xiaolian''s eyes disyed a mix of emotions, her expression alternating between rity and shadow. Once back in his cave dwelling, instead of patiently waiting for the Eternal Grace Sect''s summon, he decided to visit a few of his contacts and sought information about the Eternal Grace Sect. To his surprise, they all were aware of this sect, and one even had past dealings with them. ording to the information gathered, the Eternal Grace Sect was deemed decent, known for conducting fair transactions. Intriguingly, their hierarchy had been dominated by women for generations, including the Sect Master. The might of the Eternal Grace Sect was not something to boast about. Apart from the female Sect Master, the sect was supported by two female elders and several contracted auxiliary elders. Among minor sects with members below the Core Formation, they were neither exceptional nor abysmal. Despite their modest power, they were not to be trifled with. This was because the female cultivators of the Eternal Grace Sect were renowned for their striking beauty and refined manners. Powerful individuals often sought their exceptional female cultivators as spiritual partners, offering the sect overt and covert support. However, what caught Han Cai''s attention was their fair reputation coupled with tales of devious plots to eliminate other cultivators. Moreover, the Eternal Grace Sect was infamous for their enchantment techniques, with countless male cultivators falling prey to their charms. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 297 Mission Begins ? With this newfound insight, Han Cai felt he had a better grasp of the Eternal Grace Sect. After much contemtion, he conceded to take up this task, enticed by the Deed of the Meadow City store. Half a monthter, a message transmitted through a talisman flew into Han Cai''s hand. After perusing the message, he serenely led Yongnian out of his dwelling. Upon reaching one of Meadow City''s entrances, a young woman named Lifen was awaiting their arrival anxiously. Spotting Han Cai and Yongnian, she rushed towards them with a smile, "Honored ones! My Mistress has instructed me to guide you to our gathering teau. Our journey willmence thereafter." Han Cai nodded in acknowledgment, using his Qi to levitate the girl along. Yongnian transformed into a beam of yellow light and trailed them. As they journeyed, Lifen directed Han Cai intermittently, her eyes filled with curiosity as they studied Han Cai''s aura. However, each time their eyes met, she shyly averted her gaze. Han Cai spected that Lady Xiaolian had sent her personal attendant to guide them, intending to ensnare him using genuine beauty as her enchantment techniques had proved ineffective. An hourter, theynded on a barren, nameless teau. About a hundred meters from the teau''s peak, aside from Lady Xiaolian and Elder Wei, over a dozen individuals were seen either meditating or whispering among themselves. There were five Core Formation cultivators and the rest were at the advanced stages of Foundation Establishment. It seemed like the Eternal Grace Sect had leveraged a significant amount of their influence to assemble this group. Seeing her attendant arrive alongside Han Cai and Yongnian, Lady Xiaolian couldn''t suppress her delight, hastening towards them with nimble steps. "It is indeed an honor for our Sect that you distinguished Seniors have consented to join us! Allow me to introduce you to the others!" Her eyes shimmered with overwhelming emotion. She proceeded to introduce Han Cai and Yongnian to a Core Formation cultivator by the name of Zhong and four other cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage. Peculiarly, after the introduction, Lady Xiaolian refrained from introducing them to the rest, seemingly attempting to exert her influence. Lady Xiaolian''s gaze drifted towards a striking woman dressed in floral blue attire, prompting Han Cai to follow suit. He observed that the individuals Lady Xiaolian omitted to introduce seemed affiliated with the woman in blue. This woman possessed extended eyebrows, upturned eyes, and a distinguished, slim nose. Her captivating eyes hinted at a hidden ominous aura. It was evident from her bearing that she held significant authority. However, her appearance instilled a yearning for conquest among men. Upon spotting Lady Xiaolian, the woman responded with a coldugh. However, the sight of Han Cai and Yongnian seemed to startle her momentarily. She turned away and began whispering to a middle-aged cultivator behind her, tantly ignoring Lady Xiaolian. "Who might she be?" Han Cai inquired, maintaining aposed expression. Taken aback, Xiaolian reluctantly replied, "That''s Ziyan, the second Core elder of our sect, just behind me." "Hm." Han Cai found himself looking at Ziyan once more, much to Xiaolian''s discontent. His interest in Ziyan wasn''t improper. He simply felt an uncanny familiarity radiating from her grace and demeanor,pelling him to ponder. Upon witnessing this, Lady Xiaolian''s mood soured. She turned towards Yongnian and began a conversation. However, Yongnian, maintaining an impassive expression, remained silent, further disheartening her. ''Ziyan!'' Han Cai eventually deciphered the source of his intrigue. She bore a striking resemnce to a young Katy Perry from his past life. He wondered if Ziyan ever shared Katy''s bold experiences meaning kissing a fairy and liking it. While the appearance of the cultivator named Ziyen diverged from the young Katy Perry, the faint simrity between their faces touched the deepest corners of his heart. Understanding the root of this sense of familiarity, Han Cai took onest look at Ziyan before averting his gaze, soothing the turmoil within his heart. However, since the arrival of Han Cai and Yongnian, neither Xiaolian nor Ziyan seemed eager to embark on their journey. Instead, they intermittently scanned the sky, as if anticipating someone''s arrival. This puzzled Han Cai, but he refrained from probing further. He found a secluded corner along with Yongnian and sat there in silence, awaiting the mission''smencement. The wait extended to nearly a day. Had it not been for the cultivators'' profound patience,ints would have echoed throughout. However, signs of dissatisfaction were still apparent. Under such circumstances, both Xiaolian and Ziyan couldn''t help but reveal a trace of concern, reluctantlying together to converse in hushed tones. Observing this, Han Cai wondered who they were anxiously awaiting, when his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the resonating thunderous sound apanying an Azure streak appearing at the sky''s horizon. As the Azure streak rapidly advanced towards them, the cultivators who had been in a state of meditation rose to their feet, looking at the approaching phenomenon with awe. In the blink of an eye, the Azure streak hovered above them. It was now apparent to Han Cai and the rest that the Azure streak was actually an Azure treasure ship, its diameter spanning roughly twenty meters. The ship was colossal enough to shadow the entire mountaintop. Its sporadic rumbles of thunder and shing lightning rendered it all the more extraordinary. As everyone was engrossed in the spectacle of the Azure Treasure Ship, a woman''s frigid voice echoed from within, "Elder Lightningheart, it''s time for me to disembark. I desire to converse with my senior martial sisters." "Hehe, certainly!" An unusually raspy voice responded with a cackling tone. At the sound of these voices, Xiaolian and Ziyan exchanged uneasy nces. The other cultivators deduced the origins of the Azure Treasure Ship, their faces lighting up with intrigue. As Han Cai grappled with the puzzling scenario, he overheard one of the cultivators mutter, "The Eternal Grace Sect has certainly demonstrated their capability. They''ve sessfully enticed Amber Peak''s entric Lightning Elder!" Han Cai clearly heard this whispered conversation, piquing his curiosity even further. Upon hearing the terms ''Amber Peak'' and ''Lightning Elder'', Han Cai immediately connected the dots regarding the Azure treasure ship''s origins. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 298 Lightning Elder ? Han Cai had seeded in establishing a rapport with a number of Core Formation cultivators during his stay in the Emerald Wind Grasnd. He found these cultivators to be quite vocal about their reverence for a certain figure ¨C the "Amber Peak''s Lightning Elder". This person was no ordinary cultivator; he was a Nascent Soul cultivator who had carved out a legendary status for himself among the lower realm cultivators of Emerald Wind Grasnd. His path to fame had been paved with the unpredictable Scorching Lightning Diabolical Art and a ruthless demeanor that was as intimidating as it wasmendable. Talk was rife about the imminent ascension of the Lightning Elder to the status of an Earth Immortal. Many believed that he was on the brink of making the leap, his formidable aura matching that of legendary figures like Ancestor Qin Peak. The Lightning Elder''s sole reign over Ember Peak was an indisputable fact. His iron-fisted rule had deterred any potential challenge to his authority, solidifying his ce as an illustrious figure. This overwhelming dominance led to spection about the alliances the Elder could be forming. Could it be that the Eternal Grace Sect had managed to persuade him to lend his strength to their cause? Amidst these swirling spections, Han Cai remained unperturbed. With a calm air about him, he lifted his gaze to the Azure Treasure Ship. The Lightning Elder might have been viewed as an invincible entity by the other cultivators, a force of nature to be feared and respected. But to Han Cai, he was a nonentity, not worthy of any particr attention. His attention was firmly affixed to the Azure Treasure Ship, as if the Elder did not merit even a second nce from him. Han Cai mused over the oddities and intricacies of this world, his thoughts like a tranquil stream flowing through thendscape of his consciousness. It was conceivable that once upon a time, back when he was still in Diaxing, when he was still young and beginning his journey of cultivation, this Lightning Elder might have posed a threat to him. Indeed, this man, in the early days of his own journey, could have been a formidable adversary, a formidable force that he would have had to brace himself against. However, things had drastically changed over the course of his cultivation. As Han Cai further embraced his cultivation, his powers grew, and so did his understanding of the world and the beings within it. This so-called formidable force now stood before him as nothing more than a source of amusement. He chuckled softly to himself, a subtle smirk curling on his lips as he thought about the man who was once perceived as a threat. His amusement did not stop at the Lightning Elder; it epassed the entire setup that stood before him. He looked around, taking in the scene of the overly serious cultivators and their rigid hierarchy. With a mere thought, he had the power to disrupt the entire order, to assert his superiority. Yet he chose to hold back, content with observing theedy unfold. Just as these thoughts ebbed in his mind, a woman d in regal emerald robes gracefully disembarked from the Azure Treasure Ship. She moved with a regal elegance that was truly captivating, her lithe figure gliding down like a leaf swaying in the breeze. Her aura, reminiscent of a calmke on a clear day, hinted at a profound depth. The aura that surrounded her wasced with grace, adding an air of sophistication to her demeanor. Her visage, partly concealed by a veil of faint green, was an enigmatic charm. The Veil danced around her face like a nebulous curtain of light, shrouding her features yet doing nothing to hide the hint of nobility that was intrinsic to her being. The Qi moved with her, creating an otherworldly spectacle that left the onlookers entranced. Immediately following her descent, Xiaolian and Ziyan rushed forward to greet her. The duo, who had been observing from the sidelines, made their way towards her. With hurried steps, they navigated the crowd, their gazes fixated on the enigmatic woman descending from the Azure Treasure Ship. They advanced, their expressions eager yetposed, ready to wee the woman who had just stepped onto their terrain. Upon reaching her, Ziyan, her eyebrows furrowed in mild confusion, softly queried, "Junior Martial Sister Wan, why is the Lightning Elder here? Did you invite him?" Her tone carried a touch of surprise,ced with a hint of disappointment. The woman''s brow was creased in a frown, her eyes carrying an echo of confusion. "There was no need for such an effort!" she added, her voice dropping to a whisper, as if sharing a secret. Xiaolian, hearing Ziyan''s words, nodded in agreement, voicing her own thoughts about the presence of the Lightning Elder. "I agree. The Lightning Elder is not someone to be trifled with. Evoking devils is easy, but bidding them goodbye is difficult!" She spoke with a stern, resolute voice, her words underscoring the serious concern she harbored regarding the Elder''s presence. Her stern expression only deepened as she added, "Besides, we already have sufficient manpower at our disposal!" Her statement revealed not just her pragmatic nature, but also a hint of dissatisfaction that echoed Ziyan''s sentiment. The woman garbed in emerald robes responded to the concerns raised by Xiaolian and Ziyan with a nonchnt air, her voice steady and unfazed. "Didn''t you two Senior Sisters also assert that we had enough manpower while transporting the goods?" she questioned, a hint of surprise coloring her words. It was evident that she did not agree with their assessment, her words revealing a difference in perspectives. She remained unfazed by their concerns, her calm demeanor standing as a testament to her self-assured nature. The response of the woman in emerald robes took them by surprise, and it was clear from their expressions that they had not anticipated her question. The change in discoursepelled them to reevaluate their stance, their preconceived notions facing a direct challenge. It wasn''t merely a statement, but a counter that raised questions about their own judgement and decision-making. Yet, the woman stood her ground, her poise unbroken amidst the subtly rising tension. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 299 Convincing ? Despite the unexpected turn in the conversation, the woman in emerald robes maintained her nonchnt demeanor. She seemed unfazed by their disquiet, her calm disposition reflecting an inner strength that was not easily shaken. She held the gaze of her seniors, her eyes revealing nothing but firm resolve. It was clear she had already anticipated their concerns and was ready to counter them with her own viewpoint. Xiaolian, hearing the woman''s words, instantly grasped the underlying implication. "Junior Martial Sister, what do you imply? Does the enemy have other formidable elements?" She queried, her tone urgent, revealing her sudden anxiety. The possibility of unanticipated formidable forces on the enemy side was indeed a cause for concern, forcing them to reassess their strategic preparations. The stakes had suddenly risen, pushing them into a deeper level of strategy. As Xiaolian tried to decipher the implications of the woman''s words, Ziyan was also processing the unexpected revtion. A look of surprise washed over her features, her eyebrows knitting together as she tried to unravel the meaning hidden within the Junior Martial Sister''s words. This sudden twist in the situation required them to rethink their approach, and Ziyan too was keen to understand the implications. Caught off guard by the woman''s revtion, the two Senior Sisters struggled toprehend the implications of her words. The mention of the enemy having other formidable elements presented a new challenge, one that required immediate attention. The women found themselves grappling with the reality of the unexpected scenario, their minds racing to understand the depth of the issue at hand. "I''ve received intel that their hideout is under the surveince of their leader, a Golden Core cultivator. Since the manpower gathered by you, my Senior Sisters, fell short, I ventured to Swan Creek Vale to persuade the Lightning Elder to assist us!" The woman''s voice, steady yet firm, carried the weight of the dire revtion she was sharing. Her revtion was not just a statement, but a bold move that underscored her readiness to take matters into her own hands. The news hit the two senior women like a bolt from the blue, their expressions a mirror reflecting their shock and uncertainty. Their eyes met, sharing a look that silently conveyed their doubts. But they knew better than to question the gravity of the situation openly. Instead, they chose to exchange doubtful nces, their silence a testament to the seriousness of the situation. Despite their initial shock, the women refrained from voicing their doubts. They knew that their junior had gone to great lengths to secure the Lightning Elder''s help. And yet, they were aware that the cost must have been substantial, a fact that could not be overlooked. However, this was not the time to delve into those details. They decided to set aside their doubts for the moment and focus on the task at hand. The discussion about the cost incurred could wait until the mission was aplished. Following her revtion, the woman in emerald robes scanned the crowd of cultivators assembled on the mountaintop. Her eyes, sharp and discerning, swept across the faces before her. Each person, each countenance was closely scrutinized, their strengths and weaknesses assessed. Her gaze, though cool, was intense, reflecting her analytical mind. She seemed satisfied with the crowd of cultivators that had been assembled. "Senior Sisters have managed to summon more Core Formation cultivators than anticipated," she remarked, a note of approval in her voice. It was clear that she considered the number of cultivators present as a significant advantage. "With the addition of the Lightning Elder, we are certain to obliterate those vile cultivators and avenge my mother!" Her voice, cold as ice, was heavy with conviction. The killing intent that seeped into her words was palpable. The fight ahead was personal for her, and she would stop at nothing to ensure her mother''s death was avenged. "Rest assured, we will certainly avenge our Sect Master and settle this score!" Ziyan''s words resonated in the air, her calm demeanor belying the steely determination that echoed in her statement. She stroked her sleek, ebony hair, a gesture ofposure that was both regal and serene. Her eyes, filled with resolve, looked towards the horizon, her mind already strategizing their next move. Ziyan''s statement was not merely a promation of revenge. It was a solemn promise, a pledge of loyalty to their fallen Sect Master. The gravity of her wordsy not only in the determination to avenge their master, but also in the quiet assurance that they would indeed settle the score. Her words rang with a certain degree of finality, a decree of justice that was to be served. Gently running her fingers through her hair, Ziyan let her eyes sweep over the cultivators around her. Her gaze was unyielding, a silent testament to her unwavering resolve. It was clear that the task ahead of them was not an easy one. Yet, Ziyan stood strong, her demeanor reflecting the strength and resilience that would be crucial for their uing mission. "Absolutely. Our Sect Master bestowed great kindness upon us. We will willingly risk our lives to annihte the enemy." Xiaolian voiced her agreement with a solemnity that matched Ziyan''s. Her words bore the weight of the vow they were making, amitment to honor their Sect Master''s legacy. Her agreement was not just an affirmation of Ziyan''s words; it was a pledge of unwavering loyalty to their Sect Master. Xiaolian expressed her willingness to risk their lives, if it meant avenging their fallen master. Her statement was firm, her tone resolute, echoing the same spirit of determination that Ziyan had voiced. In the face of such profound loyalty and determination, Wan felt a wave of deep gratitude wash over her. The gesture of her Senior Sisters had touched her deeply, stirring a sense of respect and admiration within her. She bowed to them in a solemn act of acknowledgment, her head bent in a silent expression of gratitude. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 300 Depart ? "I am deeply indebted to you, my Senior Sisters! Once we''ve avenged my mother, one of you shall assume the Sect Master''s role. I, Wan, have no intention of contesting for that position!" Wan''s voice echoed with a fierce determination, her words reverberating in the silence that had fallen over them. Her deration was resolute, her intention clear: the mission of avenging her mother stood above everything else for her. Upon hearing Wan''s deration, Ziyan''s face reflected aplex array of emotions. Her attractive visage seemed to wrestle with a mixture of surprise, admiration, and perhaps even a hint of uncertainty. It was clear that Wan''s words had stirred something within her, prompting her to reassess her perceptions of the younger woman. She opened her mouth as if to respond, her lips parting slightly as she grappled with her thoughts. But in the end, she chose silence over words. Her gaze remained locked on Wan, her eyes reflecting a silent acknowledgment of Wan''s dedication. This moment of silence marked a tacit eptance of Wan''s decision, an understanding that words failed to express. Meanwhile, a sense of intrigue had been piqued in Han Cai. Having overheard their conversation, he was captivated by the tale of the Verdant Spirit Fairy that had spread among the lower realm cultivators. Stories of her celestial beauty had reached his ears, painting a picture of a woman of unparalleled charm and grace in the Emerald Wind Grasnd. He had heard tales about her beauty, how it was said to be akin to the enchanting allure of stars in the night sky. The legend of the Verdant Spirit Fairy had often been whispered among the cultivators, their words painting a picture of a woman whose beauty rivalled that of celestial beings. He couldn''t help but wonder if the woman he was observing was indeed the fabled Verdant Spirit Fairy. With a trace of surprise etched onto his face, Han Cai watched the woman draped in emerald from afar. His eyes, filled with curiosity and intrigue, observed her closely. The mystery surrounding the Verdant Spirit Fairy and her supposed celestial beauty had sparked a newfound interest in him, prompting him to delve deeper into the rumors he had heard. If one was Katy Perry, the other should be Taylor Swift. At that moment, the trio concluded their discussion, marking the end of their strategic nning. With an air of divine grace, the woman in emerald robes ascended back towards the Azure Treasure Ship. Her movement was as fluid as a river''s current, her ascent a harmonious union of elegance and power. As she took her leave, she seemed to carry with her an aura of resolute determination, a symbol of her resolve to seek revenge. In the aftermath of her departure, Xiaolian and Ziyan sprung into action. Their expressions grave, they immediately set about initiating their carefully devised n. A sense of urgency emanated from them, and the gravity of their task was mirrored in the solemnity of their demeanor. This was a mission that brooked no dy, and they were determined to see it through. Their n in motion, the mountaintop became a flurry of activity. Over a dozen radiant streaks soared into the sky, heading northwards. These were the cultivators, setting off on their mission under the guidance of Xiaolian and Ziyan. As the radiant streaks zipped through the air, the seriousness of their mission became all the more tangible. Han Cai and Yongnian found themselves in the rear center of the formation, flying silently through the night. Amidst the flurry of activity, they maintained their quiet demeanor, focused on their uing task. Their silence, however, was not indicative of ack of interest or engagement, but rather, a reflection of their contemtive nature. Their quiet journey, however, was interrupted by Zhong, another cultivator, who chose to fly beside Han Cai. For reasons unknown to them, he seemed keen on engaging Han Cai in an animated conversation. His words, although seemingly out of ce amidst their silent flight, were filled with curiosity and interest. "What made Fellow Daoist Han decide to assist Xiaolian?" Zhong started, his voice cutting through the silence. "As for me, I had little choice but to help as one of my wives was her direct disciple. Could it be that Fellow Daoist Han also..." In response to Zhong''s inquiry, Han Cai merely offered an indifferent reply. "I am not as fortunate with women as Fellow Daoist Zhong. Xiaolian simply assured me of a reward worthy of my time!" His words carried a sense of detachment, perhaps even a hint of amusement at Zhong''s assumption. Zhong''s response, however, came as a surprise. "What a pity! Brother, the highlight of the Eternal Grace Sect is, of course, their enchanting female disciples, especially those personally mentored by Xiaolian and Ziyan. They are simply..." His words trailed off, leaving the rest to Han Cai''s imagination. This man, with his unabashed pursuit of carnal pleasure, intrigued Han Cai. To him, Zhong appeared as a figure dedicated Man of Culture, a trait that deserved some degree of respect. Despite his apparent frivolity, Zhong disyed a kind of honesty that Han Cai found admirable. Consequently, Han Cai found himself asionally responding to Zhong''sments. His words, though brief, served to entertain Zhong''s thoughts. All the while, they followed the Eternal Grace Sect''s lead, flying towards an undisclosed location. Ultimately, their journey led them to a barren hill, an area seemingly devoid of life. Here, some junior disciples of the Eternal Grace Sect had been stationed. Their task was to keep a vigil over a rogue''sir situated on an obscure hill nearby. They were the watchers, their eyes and ears on the ground, providing crucial information to their seniors. The Verdant Spirit Fairy, having descended from the Azure Treasure Ship, confirmed the situation on the ground. No one had exited the rogue''sir, a fact that served to reassure the group. With this information, she instructed Han Cai and the rest to pause momentarily. Their n was tounch a surprise attack the next morning, catching their enemy off guard. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 301 Attack ? As night fell, tranquility swept over the hill. The stars twinkled in the night sky, their light casting a soft glow on the silentndscape. With the stage set for the surprise attack, the cultivators waited patiently for dawn, their hearts filled with resolve and anticipation. As dawn unfolded, the world awakening to the gentle caress of the morning sun, the cultivators quietly positioned themselves above the rogue cultivators'' den. The soft glow of the morning light washed over them, casting long shadows that danced with the rising sun. From their vantage point, they could oversee the whole area, their eyes sharp and vignt, ready for what was toe. "Is this it?" The Verdant Spirit Fairy questioned, her gaze fixed on the small piece ofnd below. Her eyes, as sharp as a falcon''s, studied the terrain intently. The area she was scrutinizing was quite tiny, spanning a radius of about two kilometers. To her, it looked more akin to arge mound than a den, a far cry from the massiveir she had envisioned. Perplexed, she furrowed her brows, uncertainty creeping into her voice. Could this truly be the den of the rogue cultivators they sought? Her eyes continued to scan the area, her mind racing with questions. Yet, there was something about the ce that set her on edge, a sense of dread that she couldn''t shake off. "Indeed, the brown flying scorpions led us here, and our elders have verified it as well. The rogue cultivators are indeed present here," Xiaolian confirmed, her voice as soft as a whisper. Her words, despite their hushed nature, carried a sense of conviction that left no room for doubt. Upon hearing this, the woman in emerald gave a silent nod of assent. Her doubts, though not entirely dispelled, were pushed to the back of her mind. Now was not the time for skepticism. They had a mission to aplish. Still, she couldn''t shake the feeling of unease that this ce evoked. The mound was disappointingly small, its size belying the threat they believed it housed. Moreover, there was only a rudimentary illusion formation in ce, which seemed virtually ineffective. "Annihte without mercy!" The Verdant Spirit Fairymanded coldly. Her voice, despite its frigid tone, rang out clear and firm, echoing across the vast expanse. She sounded resolute, a woman hell-bent on avenging a grave wrong. Following hermand, entric Lightning Elder''s peculiarughter echoed from his Azure Treasure Ship. Hisugh, a jarring sound that sent shivers down their spines, shattered the stillness of the morning. With striking lightning bolts, he shattered their feeble formation, paving the way for the rest of the cultivators to storm down assertively. The copse of their formation was a clear signal to those below. It was as if a bell had tolled, alerting them to the imminent danger. They were under attack. Several piercing whistles echoed from below, their high-pitched sound tearing through the quiet of the dawn. The mound, once seemingly calm and serene, was now a beehive of activity. Fifty streaks of light erupted into the sky, marking the counter-attack of the rogue cultivators. A substantial number of cultivators shed with their assault. The three Core Formation cultivators at the forefront, taken aback by the sudden appearance of the Eternal Grace Sect, barely had time to react. Before they could muster a suitable defense, Xiaolian sprang into action. "Attack!" She cried out, her voice a sharpmand that echoed across the battlefield. With a swift movement, sheunched a Silver Needle artifact, initiating the attack. Her actions were swift, her movements precise. She was the embodiment of a warrior, relentless and unforgiving. Observing this, the other cultivators promptly followed her cue. One by one, theyunched their attacks, their artifacts slicing through the air. Their determination was evident in their actions, their resolve unshakeable. Suddenly, the sky was a canvas of brilliant shes and deafening shrieks. The once tranquil dawn was now a battlefield, filled with the roar of artifacts and the sh of magic. The air was thick with tension, the stench of battle hanging heavily. Given his motivation, Han Cai found it prudent to stay out of the action. His objective was the Business deed, and getting involved in a full-scale battle was a risk he wasn''t willing to take. As a result, he relegated himself to the sidelines, taking on the role of an observer rather than a participant. Instructing Yongnian to deal with some minor adversaries, he maintained the fa?ade of being involved in thebat. Yongnian, following his instructions, drew out a sword. He cornered five Foundation Establishment cultivators, poised and ready to eliminate them in a single stroke. His actions were swift and ruthless, mirroring the intensity of the battle around them. Meanwhile, Han Cai watched from the sidelines, his mind churning with thoughts. Despite his disinterest in the battle, he couldn''t help but be drawn into the spectacle. The sh of cultivators, the re of magic, and the chaos of the battlefield ¨C it was a sight to behold. Yet, he knew he had a mission to aplish, and he wasn''t about to let the spectacle distract him. As Yongnian threw himself into the fray, deftly parrying and retaliating against his adversaries'' attacks, a peculiar scenario unfolded that caught Han Cai''s attention. These were not ordinary cultivators that they were facing. As if reacting to Yongnian''s formidable prowess, the five Foundation Cultivators underwent an abrupt transformation. Their clothes tore apart, revealing grotesque forms that bore an uncanny resemnce to demons. The air around them seemed to shudder as they underwent this malignant transformation. Han Cai watched this scene unfold with wide-eyed fascination. He hade across such demonic transformations before, but the sight of it never failed to intrigue him. Seeing the five Foundation Cultivators morph into monstrous beings was an amusement he hadn''t anticipated. He found himself so astounded that he felt his eyes almost popping out of their sockets in sheer wonderment. ************************************************** We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure. If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters. If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters. Thank You Chapter 302 New Arrivals ? Yet, despite their intimidating forms and the augment in their cultivation and agility, they posed little threat to Yongnian. He wielded his power with a deftness that left Han Cai in awe. In mere moments, he reduced the demonized cultivators to ashes, their formidable forms disintegrating under his onught. Watching this spectacle, Han Cai''s mind began to whirl with thoughts. He noted that these malignant demon transformations were markedly different from the standard demonic transformations he had learned about. This difference piqued his interest, making him wonder what other surprises awaited them in this battle. The battle raged on, each moment more intense than thest. What surprised Han Cai was the fact that most of the rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators had undergone the same Malignant Demon transformation. They had grouped into small teams and were fighting with a ferocity that was nearly palpable. On another front, the three enemy Core Formation cultivators found themselves cornered. The entric Lightning Elder''s Azure Treasure Ship had them ensnared, their attempts at escape proving futile. Judging by the continuous thunderous sounds echoing from the ship, Han Cai could deduce that they were under significant duress. Amidst the chaos and destruction, an interesting pattern began to emerge. Despite the relentless onught by the cultivators of the Eternal Grace Sect, the enemy forces showed remarkable resilience. Even though the enemy''s Core Formation cultivators and numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators had been reduced to less than half of their original count, the remaining survivors continued to fight undeterred. Their relentless persistence, even in the face of overwhelming odds, left many of the attacking Eternal Grace Sect cultivators profoundly astonished. It was as if they were witnessing the birth of heroes, fighters who refused to give up, no matter what. Suddenly, an intense whistle sliced through the air. The sound was so piercing that it seemed to cause a momentary deafening among the cultivators of the Eternal Grace Sect. The effect was almost immediate. Their expressions transformed, reflecting a mix of surprise and apprehension. Seizing the moment, entric Lightning Elder''s voice rang out from his Azure Treasure Ship. "What are you all waiting for? Finish them off quickly! Trouble is headed our way!" His words, ringing with a sense of urgency, jolted the cultivators out of their stupor. Upon hearing the shrill whistle, a dramatic shift urred among the rogue cultivators. It was as if the whistle had ignited a spark of hope within them. Their morale soared, their resolve hardened, enabling them to momentarily evade defeat. It was an unexpected turn of events that added a new dimension to the ongoing battle. In the very next moment, the tranquil scene underwent a dramatic shift. A multitude of crimson beams descended from the skies, casting an eerie hue over the sprawling grasnds. This sudden change instantly seized the attention of everyone present, leading them to momentarily forget their skirmishes and turn their gaze towards the neers. The Eternal Grace Sect cultivators, engaged in the thick of the battle, found themselves abruptly frozen in ce. Their eyes widened in apprehension as they stared at the new arrivals. They found themselves facing five additional Core Formation cultivators, each exuding a formidable aura that sent a chill down their spines. The impending battle had just escted to a new level, and they could only watch in wary anticipation. The group was helmed by a burly middle-aged man, his reddishplexion standing in stark contrast against the green expanse of the grasnds. Although his facial features were quite ordinary, there was an intimidating air about him that demanded respect. His aura fluctuated noticeably, signaling histe Core Formation stage. The four others apanying him, despite being only early Core Formation cultivators, were no less intimidating. Their eyes bore into the Eternal Grace Sect cultivators with an undisguised fury that reflected their readiness to engage in battle. The middle-aged man, apparently the leader of the group, bellowed, "Who dares to massacre the disciples of our Hidden Evil Sect? We demand blood for blood!" His expression grew increasingly fierce as he surveyed the battlefield and noticed the diminished numbers of his disciples. Han Cai, who had been observing the spectacle, found the scene quite amusing. He couldn''t help but wonder at the absurdity of their sect''s name. ''Hidden Evil'', really? It seemed more like a beacon calling out to their enemies rather than a name intended to strike fear. This unexpected arrival and audacious im by the group took the Eternal Grace Sect cultivators by surprise. They were bbergasted, unable to make sense of why these so-called bandits had appeared unannounced and were hurling self-righteous usations at them. The battlefield was awash with confusion, everyone unsure of how to proceed. Amidst the chaos, a few quick-thinkers in the group shifted their gaze towards Fairy Fern Spirit, Xiaolian, and Fairy Ziyan, seeking guidance. Their eyes reflected a flicker of uncertainty, silently questioning the appropriateness of their next move. Fairy Fern Spirit, renowned for herposure, however, appeared slightly taken aback. Her luminous, attractive eyes flickered with a hint of confusion as she assessed the neers. She seemed to be on the verge of addressing the intruders when a voice suddenly rang out. Elder Wei, who had been apanying Xiaolian closely, shot forward from the crowd. His voice reverberated across the battlefield as he shouted, "Enough of your prattle! Your sins warrant death and beyond!" As if to entuate his point, he swung his arm, releasing a streak of fiery light, three meters long, towards the opponents. The battle had resumed, the stakes higher than ever. The leader of the new arrivals, the middle-aged cultivator, responded to Elder Wei''s attack with a wrathful scowl. His eyes sparked with an iridescent crimson me, a telling indicator of the fierce retaliation that was to follow. With a swift motion, he released a Red Devilish Qi, manifesting into an enormous, forty-meter-tall specter. The sudden release caused a thunderous explosion that reverberated across the battlefield, the sheer force of it causing the ground beneath to tremble. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 303 Middle Aged Cultivator ? The moment the Red Devilish Qi emerged, it rapidly transformed into a terrifying, gigantic, fiery demonic spirit face. The spirit face, burning with an unholy fire, was a sight to behold, its ghastly features exuding an aura of sheer power and dominance. As it took form, the demonic spirit face opened its monstrous mouth wide, revealing an abyss that seemed to consume all light. Without wasting a moment, the demonic spirit face lunged forward fiercely with a speed that belied its size. The gaping mouth of the spirit face engulfed Elder Wei''s attack, causing it to disappear as if it had been swallowed by a ck hole. Unhindered, it advanced towards Elder Wei with an unyielding ferocity, seemingly ready to engulf him next. Caught off guard by the rapid counter-attack, Elder Wei found himself scrambling to retreat. He blurred in and out of sight several times, a disy of his swift movement technique. With a speed much greater than when he had ventured out, he retreated back to the safety of the allied cultivators. As hended amongst them, he bellowed loudly, "Everyone, unite! He is ate Core Formation cultivator. We stand no chance if we fight solo!" Elder Wei''s cautionary words, while stating the obvious, seemed to incite immediate action among the allies. Two Core Formation cultivators and a handful of Foundation Establishment cultivators promptly released their magical treasures, aiming them directly at the advancing spirit face. Their united front was a testament to their understanding of the threat posed by the enemy. However, not everyone was quick to join the fight. The majority watched the ongoing battle with detached skepticism, their hesitation adding ayer of disorder to the scene. The battlefield, once brimming with concerted action, now seemed somewhat chaotic as different parties grappled with their next course of action. Han Cai, ever observant and strategic, watched the unfolding chaos with a sense of caution. The slight twitch in his countenance was the only indication of his internal assessment of the rapidly changing battlefield. Subtly, he began to drift towards the rear of the assembly, pulling Yongnian along with him. His eyes, bright with an insatiable curiosity, flickered across the scene, absorbing the erratic movements and explosive disys of power. Despite hisprehensive knowledge of cultivation, he was unable to anticipate the oue of this unpredictable sh. A sense of foreboding began to take root within Han Cai as he considered the potential repercussions. He felt a slight chill at the possibility of a Venerable Heaven Immortal making an appearance, given the obstinate nature of these new enemies. This chilling thought made him even more eager to distance himself from the epicenter of the conflict. There was a rising sense of urgency within him, a dire need to safeguard his life in the event of a sudden esction. But then he realized highest cultivation of enemies was nothing more than core formation. "No action yet!" came the sternmand from the woman draped in emerald. She seemed to have caught on to the same undercurrent of oddity that had set Han Cai on edge. Her order was directed at the disciples of the Eternal Grace Sect, who, despite her warning, continued their relentless assault on the formidable Spirit face. The sight further solidified Han Cai''s suspicion. There was a knot in his gut, an uneasiness that suggested the situation was moreplex than it appeared. On the other side of the battlefield, the opposing middle-aged cultivator, who was clearly no less sharp-minded, also detected the unusual tension in the air. A fleeting moment of surprise passed over his features before his countenance hardened into one of determination. With a swift gesture, he directed the Spirit head, which responded with a peculiar hiss. This was followed by an onught of Red Devilish orbs spewing from its gaping mouth, each one radiating a malicious aura. The sudden rain of orbs caught the attacking cultivators off guard. The treasures they had released, once steady in their trajectory, were now sent reeling, their movements uncontrolled and erratic under the impact of the orbs. Sensing an opportunity amidst the chaos, the middle-aged cultivator retracted the Spirit head towards him, maintaining an air of cold control in the midst of the pandemonium. The sudden retraction of the Spirit head and the rain of Red Devilish orbs had an immediate effect on the attacking cultivators. They came to a sudden halt, frozen in their tracks, their expressions a mix of confusion and fear. The treasures that they had so confidently released earlier hung in the air, their vibrancy dampened, their momentum lost. They dared not diverge from the group, the sudden shift in the tide leaving them apprehensive about carrying on their offense. In the midst of this startling development, a distinct figure detached herself from the crowd. It was the Fairy Fern Spirit, the woman clothed in radiant emerald. Her luminous eyes surveyed the chaotic scene before her, a frown marring her usually calm features. Stepping forward, she assumed a mediator''s position, standing between the conflicting sides with an air of authority. "Would anyone care to exin the circumstances?" she demanded, her voice resonating in the sudden silence that had fallen over the battlefield. Her question echoed, reaching every pair of ears and prompting them to seek answers. However, the response to her inquiry was far from satisfactory. "And what exactly is going on? We find our disciples in, and you have the audacity to question their master?" retorted the middle-aged man. His voice boomed across thendscape, filled with outrage and indignation. His eyes, which had earlier glowed with a threatening red, were now zing with an uncanny dark green fury. The transformation hinted at a surge of power, making the atmosphere even more charged. Undeterred by his heated re, the emerald-clothed woman coolly held his gaze. There was a steeliness to her demeanor, a determination that was not to be trifled with. Probing further, she raised a crucial question that had been left unanswered, "Was it you who piged our Eternal Grace Sect and assassinated our Sect Master?" Her words hung in the air, echoing the unresolved tension between the two factions. This open confrontation added a newyer ofplexity to the already convoluted situation. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 304 Wei Hou ? The middle-aged man, seemingly the leader of the newly arrived sect, was quick to reply. His voice dripped with righteous indignation as he defended his sect. "Outrageous! Our Hidden Evil School seldom mingles with the outside world. What could possiblypel us to stoop to such disgraceful conduct?" He seemed genuinely offended, and his outburst hung heavily in the air. In the face of his vehement denial, Han Cai couldn''t help but silently scoff at his words. There was a biting irony to them, especially considering the name of the man''s sect - "Hidden Evil". His denial, instead of quelling the tension, added a newyer of uncertainty to the unfolding situation. In response to the middle-aged man''s defense, the emerald-d woman held her peace. Her gaze turned frosty, and she held her tongue, choosing not to counter his words directly. Her silence seemed to reverberate louder than any words she could have uttered. It hung heavy in the air, almost tangible in its intensity. The surrounding crowd, having overheard the heated exchange between the two sect leaders, seemed to piece together a few fragments of the puzzle. Their expressions morphed from confusion to startled realization, their minds racing to make sense of the revtions. Breaking the suspenseful silence, a familiar voice emerged from within the group. It was Xiaolian, the Sect Master of the Eternal Grace Sect. Her expression was grim, her tone solemn, as she uttered an unsettling revtion, "It appears we have been ensnared by someone''s scheme." The weight of her words dropped like a stone into a quiet pond, sending ripples of shock through the assembly. Everyone present felt a chill run down their spine as they realized the gravity of their situation. "Humph! Is it you who fell into a trap, or is it us?" retorted the middle-aged man. His face contorted with bitterness and resentment, his voiceced with an undercurrent of anger. The abrupt loss of his disciples, whom he had painstakingly nurtured over countless years, kindled an intense loathing within him. Each word from his mouth was spat out with an undeniable venom, reflecting the inner turmoil he was experiencing. However, he was not reckless enough to vent his wrath without consideration. The presence of the Core Formation cultivators from the Eternal Grace Sect and the mysterious cultivator within the Azure Treasure Ship held him back. But the restraint did little to quell his rage. It simmered within him, longing for release. Even at the risk of getting entangled further in the nefarious trap, he would have reveled in the chance to inflict severe damage upon them. With a steely gaze devoid of all emotion, the emerald-d woman held her ground, standing tall amidst the escting tension. The emerald-d woman, known as Fairy Fern Spirit, continued to stand firm. Her gaze was like a tranquilke, cid yet unyielding, a stark contrast to the tumultuous situation around her. The serenity she emanated in the face of conflictmanded respect, and her silence spoke volumes about her resolve. Watching the emerald-d woman, Xiaolian stood slightly off to the side, a grimace tugging at the corners of her mouth. A bitter smile lined her face, mirroring the mncholy etched deep in his eyes. She, too, was caught in the web of uncertainty, left to ponder theplexity of the situation. Fairy Fern Spirit, noticing the unease within her ranks, decided to seek rity from those with the experience and wisdom to offer it. "Elder Wei, Elder Tu. Perhaps you can offer us some insight?" she implored, turning her attention towards two figures within their midst. Her voice, though measured, held an undertone of desperation. She knew that every moment they spent in confusion, the enemy could seize the opportunity to strike. Elder Wei and Elder Tu, respected dignitaries of the Eternal Grace Sect, had the wisdom toprehend theplexities of the situation. They were experienced veterans, and their guidance could be instrumental in devising a sound strategy. The words of Fairy Fern Spirit, delivered with an intensity that cut through the tense atmosphere, caused the crowd to shift their focus. Everyone''s gaze converged onto Elder Wei and an old schr, known as Elder Tu. Both of them wore masks of stoicism, their seasoned faces reflecting years of experience and knowledge. The transition of attention, however, did not sit well with Xiaolian and Fairy Ziyan. A creeping sense of dread washed over them, causing their expressions to change swiftly. Xiaolian, in particr, appeared quite perturbed. Her countenance was a battleground of emotions, mirroring the conflict that stirred within her. Just as the crowd began to settle into an uneasy silence, a thunderous roar shattered the momentary calm. "Who dares to secretly monitor from the shadows?!" The sudden outburst came from the entric Lightning Elder, his voice resonating with a fierce intensity. Without waiting for a response, heunched a volley of fire-imbued lightning bolts from his ship. These bolts, imbued with a terrifying force, looked akin to serpents writhing in mid-air. They streaked across the sky and targeted a nondescript corner of the vicinity, causing the crowd to flinch in anticipation. As the fiery lightning bolts attacked, the targeted barren area was shrouded in an eerie darkness. A surge of crimson Qi, unexpected and formidable, emerged from the shadows and shed with the lightning. This Qi, unlike any they had seen before, bore an overwhelming force that swallowed the lightning bolts whole. Amidst the chaos, a figure began to take form within the dark void. As the dust settled, a young man of modest stature appeared, standing nonchntly amidst the wreckage. No sooner had the young man appeared, a voice rang out from the crowd. "It''s Wei Hou from Ancestor Qin''s teau!" This revtion reverberated across the assembly, instantly sending a wave of shock among the onlookers. The members of the Hidden Evil School, who had until now been locked in a tense standoff, redirected their attention to Wei Hou. They red at him with a heightened sense of wariness, realizing that the young man could pose a serious threat. The middle-aged sect leader, uponying his eyes on Wei Hou, seemed to undergo a startling transformation. His stern countenance was swept away by an odd blend of emotions, and beneath the facade of his hardened exterior, a subtle undercurrent of fear was discernible. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 305 Wei Hous Request ? A lopsided grin tugged at Wei Hou''s lips as he acknowledged the revtion of his identity, "Hehe! Kudos to the renowned entric Lightning Elder, for prating through this young master''s covert technique." His tone dripped with sarcasm, masking a well-concealed note of admiration for the entric Lightning Elder''s perceptiveness. His eyes, flickering with a mixture of amusement and arrogance, scanned the assembly of cultivators. His gaze lingered momentarily on some, while he seemed to dismiss others, reflecting the disparity in his regard for them. Eventually, his attention settled on the Azure Treasure Ship, the source of the earlier disy of might. A grunt of dismissal echoed from within the Azure Treasure Ship, shattering the silence that had descended upon the crowd. "Humph!" The response was curt and almost derisive, a clear indication of the entric Lightning Elder''s disdain for Wei Hou''s show of arrogance. The dismissive tone, however, seemed to strike a nerve in Wei Hou. His jovial features clouded over momentarily, reced by a stormy expression that betrayed his irritation. Fairy Ziyan, who had been watching the exchange with a wary eye, chose this moment to voice her suspicion. "Your presence here... I don''t suppose this has the makings of a ploy by Ancestor Qin''s teau?" she ventured, her words filled with doubt. Her voice cut through the palpable tension, prompting a ripple of whispers among the gathered cultivators. Her suspicion of Ancestor Qin''s involvement added anotheryer of intrigue to the unfolding drama. Against everyone''s expectation, Wei Hou responded to Fairy Ziyan''s inquiry with a confession. "Indeed! The mastermind behind all this is none other than yours truly. Your Eternal Grace Sect was raided by my disciples, and your elders were under my directive to pin the me on the Hidden Evil School!" His smirk widened into a triumphant grin as he unveiled his scheme. His gaze roved over the crowd, the pride in his eyes unabashed. His eyes eventually lingered on the emerald-d woman, Fairy Fern Spirit. His gaze was ufortably invasive, causing a wave of difort to pass through the crowd. Fairy Fern Spirit responded to Wei Hou''s audacious stare with a nk expression. Her face was an unreadable mask, betraying no emotion. As she held Wei Hou''s gaze, a subtle shift urred within the crowd. Elder Wei, the aged schr, and the group of cultivators who had previouslyunched their assault against the Spirit face, silently made their way towards Wei Hou. Their actions resulted in a clear demarcation of alliances. The assembly was divided into three factions, with Wei Hou, Fairy Fern Spirit, and the Hidden Evil School at the vertices of an invisible triangle. This marked themencement of a three-way standoff, the oue of which was anything but predictable. The revtion of Wei Hou''s mastermind status, while not entirely unexpected by Fairy Fern Spirit and Fairy Ziyan, seemed to add a starkyer of gravity to their expressions. The subtle change was noticeable; their eyes hardened, and the corners of their mouths tightened slightly. A flicker of apprehension passed through the crowd as onlookers watched the changes sweep over their faces. It was clear that Wei Hou''s confession was a game changer, shifting the power dynamic of the entire encounter. " Elder Wei, Zhong, why would you betray us when we have always treated you with kindness?" Xiaolian cried out, her voice breaking the tense silence. The onlookers could see her face had paled dramatically, her lips tightly pressed together and her eyes wide with shock and betrayal. The sight of Elder Wei and his followers rallying around Wei Hou was a sight she had never imagined she would witness. For years, Xiaolian had tirelesslybored to win Elder Wei''s favor. She had hoped that, with him on her side, she could challenge Fairy Ziyan''s status within the Eternal Grace Sect. She had made sacrifices, willingly and unwaveringly, to secure his loyalty. But now, his abrupt and unexined defection to Wei Hou''s side felt like a cruel betrayal. It left her swirling in a whirlpool of shock, anger, and apprehension. Elder Wei''s face contorted subtly, an indication of the internal struggle he was undergoing. He swallowed hard, his eyes darting nervously between Xiaolian and Wei Hou. "Elder Tan, this wasn''t a path I wanted to tread," he managed to utter, his voice filled with evident difort. He continued, "Our lives, unfortunately, have been ensnared by their plots. We had no other alternative!" His voice trailed off, but the impact of his words hung heavily in the air. His revtion hit Xiaolian like a tidal wave. She staggered slightly, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and disbelief. She opened her mouth to argue, to protest against the actions of Elder Wei and the others. However, before she could utter a word, Fairy Fern Spirit''s frosty voice sliced through the air, "Senior Martial Sister Xiaolian, dialogue won''t yield any benefits at this stage." Her gaze swept over Elder Wei and his defectors beforending on Wei Hou. "The foes were audacious enough to trap us, suggesting a powerful backing. We should prioritize extricating ourselves from this crisis before anything else." In the midst of this tense standoff, Wei Hou''s gaze wandered from one figure to another until it finally settled on the veiled face of the woman d in emerald robes. The corner of his mouth twitched into a suggestive smile as he appreciated her features. He broke the silence, his voice filled with an unapologetic admiration, "Fairy Fern Spirit indeed epitomizes unparalleled beauty. This young master has been an admirer for some time now." His gaze held a certain brazenness that stirred whispers among the onlookers. Without letting his lecherous gaze waver, he extended an outrageous proposition, "Would you consider bing my bride? Though I already have numerous concubines, I have yet to choose my principal wife." The suggestion hung in the air, its audacity sending murmurs of shock through the crowd. Han Cai and the others watched with bated breath, their eyes widened in anticipation of Fairy Fern Spirit''s response. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 306 Ancestor Qins Cunningness ? Against everyone''s expectations, Fairy Fern Spirit responded without any hesitation, "Indeed, that would be eptable!" Her voice, calm and steady, echoed through the stunned silence. The response, devoid of any signs of resentment or anger, sent waves of shock through the crowd. Han Cai and the others were left dumbfounded, their faces reflecting their profound surprise at her unexpected eptance. Following the initial wave of surprise, Wei Hou seemed to regain hisposure. He blinked in surprise, a bemused expression gracing his face, "Is Young Lady Wan being sincere?" His question, tinged with disbelief and confusion, echoed through the silence, prompting the onlookers to hold their breath once more. Fairy Fern Spirit''s reply was as chilling as the frosty wind that swept through the field, "If you annihte all the cultivators responsible for my mother''s demise, I will ept your proposal." The iciness of her tone contrasted sharply with the content of her words, adding an eerie note to the already tense atmosphere. Wei Hou''s initial jubnt expression quickly gave way to a frown at her words. His brows furrowed in deep contemtion as he pondered over the demand. He finally shook his head, a flicker of regret crossing his features, "I cannotply! Many of my grandfather''s confidants were implicated in that incident, and I simplyck the authority to sentence them." His tone reflected a hint of regret and frustration. As if attempting to salvage the situation, he quickly added, "Would Fairy Fern Spirit be amenable to alter her demand?" His question suggested a certain desperation, a wish toe to an agreement that was beneficial for both parties. Wei Hou''s plea for negotiation hung in the air unanswered. His eyes watched Fairy Fern Spirit with anticipation, silently hoping for her to yield and alter her demands. However, in response, Fairy Fern Spirit merelyughed, the sound cold and devoid of any warmth. Ignoring Wei Hou''s presence entirely, she leaned towards Xiaolian, whispering something that only the two of them were privy to. The interaction, seemingly innocuous, yet crucial, escted the tension permeating the atmosphere. As the whispers faded into silence, Wei Hou was left with his question unanswered. His face, usually poised and collected, contorted with an array of raw emotions - indignation, frustration, and a hint of humiliation. It was a spectacle that captured the attention of the onlookers, a testament to his unravelingposure. He took a moment, drawing in a deep breath to curb his rapidly rising rage. Regaining his earlier poise, he redirected his attention towards a cultivator from the Hidden Evil School. "Uncle Hui, it''s been years since our paths crossed. I''m ted to see how prosperous your disciples have be!" Wei Hou''s words, filled with a seeming kinship, seemed to ease the tension slightly. The sudden shift from rage to geniality took the crowd by surprise, sparking a wave of murmurs among them. Wei Hou''s deration of kinship, after such a heated exchange, added anotheryer of intrigue to the unfolding spectacle. Observing this dramatic shift, Han Cai found himself drawing parallels between the unfolding scenario and a theatrical performance. Each character had a role, their actions perfectly timed to add suspense and intrigue to the narrative. Despite the escting tension, he found himself unwilling to leave. His interest was not solely focused on the spectacle at hand, but his gaze was also drawn towards the still uncertain fate of the "Deed to the Store in Meadow City." Caught off guard by Wei Hou''s sudden change in demeanor, the middle-aged man regarded him with a skeptical gaze. He responded with a cold scoff, his expression constantly shifting between surprise, suspicion, and annoyance. "I am fine indeed! Little did I expect your spies to discover me while I was training my disciples." His words reflected his deep-rooted resentment for the young man before him. With a sigh, he added, "Apparently, matters have taken a rather unpleasant turn." His words,ced with sarcasm, conveyed the bitterness he harbored towards the situation they found themselves in. Wei Hou''s eyes were locked onto the middle-aged man, a noticeable gleam of avarice shimmering in them. He chuckled lightly, a sound that echoed ominously through the tense silence. "Hehe! Uncle Hui sure has a sense of humor," he mocked, his wordsced with an undercurrent of derision. He paused momentarily, leaning back and studying the older man''s grim countenance with a deceptively jovial smirk. "Who would spend decades in the Azuremist Grasnd for mere training?" he questioned, his gaze darting to the map clutched in the older man''s grip. He was well aware of the man''s ulterior motives. "Undoubtedly, you had some business with the Azuremist Mystic Realm. Several years ago, a group of your peers ventured there with the damaged Azuregrass Map. Maybe you have it in your possession now." He paused, letting his words sink in, before delivering the final blow. "The emergence of the Azuremist Mystic Realm, which happens once in three thousand years, is soon due. However," his voice lowered, taking on a maniptive tone, "if Uncle chooses to surrender the map willingly, I pledge to plead on your behalf to my Ancestor for your life to be spared." The underhanded proposition, carefully veiled in a veneer of goodwill, seemed to unsettle the middle-aged man. Listening to Wei Hou''s maniption, the middle-aged man was stunned into silence. His eyes narrowed as he digested the proposition and its potential consequences. A myriad of emotions flickered across his face - suspicion, indecision, and trepidation. After a seemingly interminable silence, he mustered enough courage to offer a retort. His voice, cold and firm, cut through Wei Hou''s maniptive charade. "Once, we were his disciples. There''s no way I wouldn''t be aware of Old Devil Ancestor Qin''s cunningness." His words echoed with a chilling finality. "Handing over the map would only result in our ruthless extermination by his sadistic tendencies. Moreover..." he began, only to be abruptly cut off by Wei Hou. With a creased brow, Wei Hou, clearly intrigued by the ominous beginning of the older man''s statement, interjected. "Moreover?" he prompted, leaving an anticipatory silence hanging heavily in the air. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 307 Old Man Qin ? "Do you genuinely believe your single presence is sufficient? Old Miscreant, it''s unnecessary for you to continue your charade. Reveal yourself!" The middle-aged man''s deration, pronounced in a voice that rang with a grave sense of urgency, echoed throughout the air, causing a sudden silence to descend on the assembly. His intense gaze swept across the spectators, each of whom appeared startled by his sudden outburst. Was the Hidden Evil School leader insinuating that a powerhouse was lurking among them? This assertion triggered a ripple of shock among the cultivators present. A wave of shared unease swept over the crowd as they exchanged confused nces. Was it possible that Ancestor Qin was among them? The question hung in the air, a troubling omen that caused the brows of the cultivators to furrow in uncertainty. They quickly turned their gaze to their surroundings, attempting to discern any sign of the supposed powerhouse. Their scan of the surroundings, however, proved fruitless. The area remained eerily quiet, devoid of any anomalies. An unsettling quietude reigned, making their collective rm seem baseless. Confusion was writrge on the faces of the cultivators as they turned their attention back to the middle-aged man and Wei Hou. The leader of the Hidden Evil School had certainly seeded in creating a stir, but his im seemed tock credibility. Taken aback by the sudden usation, Wei Hou struggled to suppress his surprise. His face contorted into an expression of confusion, and he appeared visibly perturbed. "What are you aiming at? How am I not sufficient..." he began to retort, his voice a shaky counterpoint to the surety that had previously marked his words. But his retort was abruptly cut short as an unexpected figure made his entrance onto the field. In the next instant, an elderly man materialized beside Wei Hou, causing a collective gasp to ripple through the crowd. The abrupt appearance of this stranger was startling, to say the least. The old man, with his enigmatic demeanor, scrutinized the middle-aged man with a keen eye, and after what felt like an eternity, a peculiar chuckle escaped his lips. "Impressive, indeed! It''s no wonder you were among the disciples I favored the most," heplimented, the words rolling off his tongue with ease. His eyes glinted with a strange amusement as he continued, "You were capable of seeing through this old man''s guise!" With his revtion, a collective shiver ran down the spines of the assembled individuals. The atmosphere, already tense, now crackled with an addedyer of disbelief and surprise. They were all in the presence of the formidable Ancestor Qin. "You have masked your presence using some nefarious technique, haven''t you, old man?" The usation echoed with bitterness in the middle-aged man''s voice. His piercing gaze was locked onto the newly emerged figure, his eyes reflecting a storm of unspoken emotions. The elderly man''s sudden appearance had set off a whirlwind of suspicion and he intended to unearth the truth. His words, stern and assertive, pierced through the tense silence, bearing the weight of his defiance. The elderly man, whose presence reeked of a sinister aura, addressed him sharply in response. "My dear disciple, do you have the audacity to defy your mentor?" His voice was cold, piercing, seeping into the ears of the onlookers like a bitter wind. The sheer intensity of his words seemed to cause a dull ache in the cultivators'' ears, forcing them to involuntarily step back. The confrontation between the mentor and disciple was evolving into a situation far moreplex and perilous than anyone had anticipated. "Humph! Disciple?" The middle-aged man retorted scornfully. His words cut through the thick silence, the bitterness in his tone ringing clear. "Back then, you tried to annihte us without any chance for exnation. You murdered many and even refined their souls. Did you ever consider us as disciples? Or were we mere pawns in your grand scheme?" His spirit head, symbolizing his spiritual cultivation, began to expand, inting to a more formidable size. His scornful words were a bold deration of his resolve. "Furthermore, you''re merely employing an Evil avatar technique, allowing at most a third of your cultivation power. I harbor no fear towards you!" His defiance was clear and his courage, undeniable. As the confrontation continued to unfold, the gathering of cultivators looked on with bated breath, their expressions running the gamut from awe to fear. The standoff between the mentor and the disciple, the unexpected revtions, and the undercurrent of perilous power were undoubtedly overwhelming. They were spectators to a dangerous game of power and defiance, their own fates hanging in the bnce. Despite the bold defiance of his former disciple, the old man didn''t appear enraged. He responded with an air of apathy, his voice monotone, betraying no trace of emotion. "Indeed. If this were a hundred years prior, your words would hold. Capturing you alive with merely a third of my cultivation might''ve been a daunting task. But today..." His voice trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished. A sarcastic sneer spread across his weathered face, as if he found amusement in the unfolding drama. The seemingly confident spirit of Uncle Hui seemed to waver at this revtion. His face registered disbelief, his spirit head shrinking a fraction. It was as if he was hit by an unseen blow, his previously defiant demeanor faltering. "Could it be... you''ve perfected that Fiendish Art?" His words were a mere whisper, his voice wavering with a trace of horror. His eyes widened, reflecting the horror of his realization. The Fiendish Art was a forbidden technique, one that promised immense power at a great cost. If Ancestor Qin had indeed mastered it, their predicament was far worse than they had anticipated. "Your guess is not wrong," came the response, a statement of admission from the elderly man. His casual tone belied the gravity of his words. "If you choose to surrender without a struggle, I can guarantee a chance of survival. If you choose otherwise... you know the consequences, don''t you?" As he spoke, the old man casually lifted his hand. A sphere of ashen mes burst into existence, casting long, haunting shadows across the scene. The deadly dance of the mes in his palm painted the scene with a sinister pallor, a clear disy of his deadly intent. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 308 Interest In The Flame ? As the flickering ashen me danced in the old man''s palm, Uncle Hui finally said. "Deathfire! So, you''ve finally perfected it," he said, the words seeping out from his mouth like a painful sigh. His face had drained of its usual color, the shock turning him into a ghastly figure. His voice, reduced to a raspy whisper, barely concealed the terror thatced his words. A wave of silence swept over the gathering, as the impact of Uncle Hui''s words began to resonate with everyone present. The Deathfire Art was no ordinary technique; its perfection was synonymous with an unassable supremacy. Following Uncle Hui''s revtion, Ancestor Qin sneered dismissively. It was a sneer filled with arrogance and confidence, highlighting his indifference towards their terror. Turning abruptly towards the members of the Eternal Grace Sect, he began to address them with an air of dominance. "I find myself in high spirits today," he announced, his voice echoing through the gathering. "Thus, I will present you with a chance of survival. Pledge your fidelity to Qin teau, and your lives will carry on uninterrupted." As he concluded his promation, he drew out a set of jade medallions, holding them up for all to see. "However," he continued, "any defiance against my orders will result in your souls being obliterated. As an assurance, I demand each of you to seal a third of your primal soul in these soul medallions before you depart." His icy stare bore into each of them, his ultimatum hanging heavily in the air. The ominous silence that followed Ancestor Qin''s ultimatum was deafening. The assembled cultivators shared anxious nces, each one grappling with the grim reality of their situation. The soul medallions, symbols of their impending servitude, were met with apprehension. Each cultivator seemed rooted in their ce, caught between the fear of retaliation and the reluctance to pledge their souls. The tense silence, suffused with dread and uncertainty, hung heavily in the air. An unwee sense of foreboding was slowly creeping into the minds of all present. In the midst of this tension, entric Lightning Elder, a figure of formidable strength himself, made a covert move. Safely ensconced within his azure treasure ship, he silently released the three captive cultivators from the Hidden Evil sect. His actions were quiet, his intentions unknown to the rest, adding anotheryer of intrigue to the unfolding drama. Ancestor Qin''s patience, however, seemed to be dwindling rapidly. His face, already marred with impatience, suddenly contorted into a mask of fury. "It appears you yearn forplete obliteration of body and soul," he dered, his voiceced with menace. "So be it! Your desires shall be granted!" His pronouncement echoed ominously, shattering the silence, and jolting the cultivators into terrified awareness. Caught off guard by Ancestor Qin''s deration, one of the cultivators made a sudden move. The man, known for his distinct beak-like nose, was standing right behind Fairy Ziyan. With a swift movement, he transformed into a beam of yellow light and soared into the sky. In the blink of an eye, he had distanced himself by a hundred meters. Fairy Ziyan could only watch, stunned, as the cultivator broke away from the group. With a scornful remark, he announced his intentions, "Humph! As I harbor no aspirations to confront the Great Master nor to be dominated, I will take my leave." The final echo of the fleeing cultivator''s deration of defiance was yet to fade when his yellow beam of light shot further into the distance. His remarkable speed was evident, creating an almost tangible sense of awe among those watching. The speed wasn''t merely a reflection of his physical ability, but a manifestation of his desperation to escape the clutches of Ancestor Qin and his ashen mes. His sessful escape would be a beacon of hope for others, a symbol of rebellion against the domineering old man. However, Ancestor Qin had other ns. His eyes, mirroring the ominous gleam of his ashen me, followed the receding streak of yellow light. With an air of disdain, he casually flicked his hand, the one that held his symbol of power - the gray fireball. The ashen me seemed to respond to hismand, morphing into a slender gray streak that disappeared into the distance, chasing after the yellow beam. The abruptness of his act and the nonchnce with which he executed it left the spectators in a state of bewilderment. They watched in silence, the unspoken questions reflected in their wide-eyed gazes. Among the sea of perplexed faces, Han Cai stood out. The young man didn''t look confused; instead, he appeared intrigued by Ancestor Qin''s ashen me. Turning to Yongnian, he voiced his curiosity, asking if the gray fire could be of any use to them. Yongnian, however, dismissed the idea with a shake of his head. He expressed his disinterest in such an inferior me when thousands of superior ones existed. His dismissal carried a tone of superiority, stemming from their elevated status and vast knowledge of diverse spiritual fires. Before the discussion could continue, a harrowing scream echoed through the silence, originating from the yellow streak. The scream, filled with terror and agony, sent chills down the spines of the onlookers. Along with the scream, a metallic clink rang out, signaling a sudden transformation. The yellow streak morphed into a demonic gray me, mirroring the ashen fireball of Ancestor Qin. As the gray me slowly receded, it revealed a pitch-ck throwing knife - a magic treasure. The yellow streak had disappeared, leaving behind only the magical knife and a lingering sense of dread. Despite Yongnian''s dismissal of the ashen me, Han Cai continued to contemte its potential. He considered that while the mes might not be potent now, with time and cultivation, Yongnian might evolve them. Weighing the prospects of seizing the me from Ancestor Qin, he began to see the potential benefits. To the gathered cultivators, the elderly figure was clearly the most powerful, but he hadn''t yet achieved the coveted Earth Immortal status. Referring to himself as ''ancestor'' was unlikely to summon a true Immortal to his defense. The possibility of stealing the me, evolving it, and harnessing its deadly power was bing increasingly appealing to Han Cai. The allure of the me wasn''t merely its potential evolution but also its association with death - a force universally feared, irrespective of its initial weakness. asionally missing content, please report errors in time. Chapter 309 Soul Medallion ? The strategic thoughts continued to brew in Han Cai''s mind, a stark contrast to the apprehension permeating the rest of the assembly. The other cultivators were in the grip of paralyzing fear, each acutely aware of their precarious existence hanging by a thread. That thread was attached to the whims of an overwhelmingly formidable figure. The taste of uncertainty was arid in their mouths, and their throats felt parched. The engulfing fear was tangible, and in its suffocating presence, they awaited their fate. Han Cai, however, was resolute in his approach. He chose not to jump to immediate action but to observe the unfolding spectacle further. His decision to dy action was not a sign ofcency or indecisiveness. Instead, it was an opportunity for him to assess the situation more closely. He admired the audacity of the elder''s tactics. The elder''s methods, akin to Han Cai''s tactics of coercing people into soul contracts, were intriguing. Each region had its unique tools and techniques for subduing subordinates, and the elder''s methodology was an enlightening exposure. Contemting the repercussions of the destruction of a soul medallion, Han Cai felt a cold shiver down his spine. The ramifications were grave. A cultivator who suffered such a fate would lose a part of their soul and would be doomed to a lifetime of torment, if they somehow managed to escape immediate death. What fascinated Han Cai was the elder''s capability. Despite being seemingly at the Spirit Severing realm, the elder possessed soul medallions capable of entrapping a part of the soul, a feat usually attributed to those in the Ascension realm. This incongruity raised spections in Han Cai''s mind about the elder''s true capabilities. He began to entertain the thought that the elder could have been an Earth Immortal or above who had lost his cultivation in the past. Driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the psychology of his peers, Han Cai cast his gaze around, studying hispanions'' reactions. He was interested in decoding the thoughts and decisions of a typical cultivator confronted with such an intimidating situation. His gaze fell upon the Core Formation cultivator Zhong. Sensing Han Cai''s gaze, Zhong turned to meet his eyes. He offered nothing but a bitter smile, a silent testament to his despair, before shaking his head and refocusing his attention on Ancestor Qin. Zhong''s response was a poignant reminder of the hopelessness that had descended upon the gathering, a stark contrast to Han Cai''s strategic calm. Fairy Fern Spirit, positioned at the forefront, maintained an aloof and cold demeanor. However, behind her, strands of white bamboo were strangely entwined and slightly twisted, a spectacle that left Han Cai confued. The other cultivators from the Eternal Grace Sect turned ashen, the shock of the gray me''s power evident on their faces. Despite their calm exterior, their eyes reflected an inescapable fear. Han Cai instinctively licked his dry lips, his attention now directed toward the cultivators of the Hidden Evil School. Having recovered from the initial shock of the gray me''s might, Uncle Hui narrowed his eyes. Upon feeling Han Cai''s gaze, Uncle Hui advised gravely, "Do not incite the old devil''s wrath. With his avatar''s body, he can only refine those mes a few times at most; pushing beyond that would risk the avatar''s body burning out. Currently, our only chance is to unite and take down the old devil." Uncle Hui''s gaze then shifted towards the entric Lightning Elder''s azure treasure ship. He believed that their best chance of countering Ancestor Qin was to join forces with the powerful Late Core Formation entric Lightning Elder. However, the azure treasure ship remained ominously silent, inducing a wave of anxiety among the others. Fairy Fern Spirit, in particr, studied the silent azure ship with an intense, icy stare. Suddenly, Ancestor Qin let out a chillingugh and pped his hands together. Pulling them apart, he manifested two additional gray fireballs. The sight of these? ominous fireballs drastically altered everyone''s countenance as they stared, apprehensively. At that critical juncture, the azure treasure ship began to stir, and a faint, raspy voice belonging to the entric Lightning Elder echoed through the tense air, "Ancestor Qin, are you suggesting that I bow to your rule?" "Certainly! Since my avatar has graced this ce, all who are present must either pledge loyalty to me or embrace death! There will be no exceptions," Ancestor Qin responded nonchntly, his gaze resting on the azure ship. "Well done! Despite your limited avatar form, you dare to challenge the teau Lord! It seems it is time I gauge the true power of your vaunted deathfire!" The entric Lightning Elder''s voice wasced with scorn and outrage, and the azure ship resonated with escting turbulence, apanied by the terrifying sounds of burgeoning thunder. The breakdown of negotiations After all, the entric Lightning Elder''s lightning art was highly esteemed across the Grasnds. It held the potential to subjugate the deadly fire Ancestor Qin wielded. Breaking the tense silence, Fairy Fern Spirit questioned, "Ancestor Qin, are you not fearful of attracting the Prairie Pce''s wrath with your reckless usage of the soul technique? If my understanding is correct, the two Fairy Saints have explicitly forbidden cultivators like you from utilizing such techniques." Mention of the Prairie Pce and the Fairy Saints momentarily flustered Ancestor Qin, his usuallyposed countenance flickering. However, he quickly regained hisposure and responded with a cold chuckle, "It appears you are well-informed, youngdy! Nevertheless, the Prairie Pce''s prohibition is a thing of the past. Do you honestly believe that the Fairy Saints would leave the Meadow City at their whim? Without their direct intervention, the Prairie Pce is powerless in enforcing any restrictions!" His words struck the other cultivators like a bolt from the blue. Only the cultivators from the Hidden Evil Sect and Han Cai seemed unfazed, as though this revtion was not new to them Chapter 310 Ending The Debacle ? Fairy Fern Spirit''s heart sank momentarily, but she quickly rallied, issuing orders with a steely tone to Uncle Hui, "Join forces with the entric Lightning Elder to tackle the old devil. The rest will take care of the turncoats. Once done, we''ll collectively confront the old devil." Taken aback at first, Uncle Hui quickly grasped her intention. He gestured towards his subordinates,manding, "For now, heed her directive. If we fail to ovee the old devil, our survival is in jeopardy." With that, he fixed a frosty stare at Ancestor Qin as the entric Lightning Elder''s azure ship materialized above him in a blur. The Hidden Evil Sect''s Core Formation cultivators exchanged quick nces before aligning themselves silently alongside the Eternal Grace Sect, their cold eyes scanning the defectors. Relieved from the immediate threat of Ancestor Qin''s fearsome deathfire, the Eternal Grace Sect cultivators appeared invigorated. They withdrew their magical instruments and relics, bracing themselves for the imminentbat. Situated towards the rear of the gathering, Han Cai exhibited an unusual demeanor. He seemed to be nonchntly munching on something. Upon closer inspection, one could discern that he held not a weapon, but a bag brimming with popcorn in his grasp. An inexplicable sense of satisfaction overwhelmed him, as if he was a spectator at an impending blockbuster event. Something felt incredibly fitting about this situation to him. He racked his brain to pinpoint the exact reason and then it struck him - the suspense of the scenario was tantalizing. Could Ancestor Qin single-handedly subdue the crowd using the formidable Greater Avatar Technique, or would theparatively weaker cultivators manage to resist and stand their ground? Han Cai savored another handful of popcorn before he noticed a deficiency in his leisurely snack. A frown crossed his face. He had the popcorn, but he missed his Coke to apany it. The effervescent beverage would''ve perfectlyplemented the salty snack. "Attack!" Uncle Huimanded in a hushed tone. He swiftly molded an incantation gesture, causing the spectral head to sh its fangs and charge towards Ancestor Qin with a deafening shriek. Simultaneously, the others unleashed their magical weaponry and prized treasures towards the defectors from the Eternal Grace Sect. Those aligned with Ancestor Qin were not resigned to defeat and retaliated, causing a brilliant light show as they countered the attack. The sky soon became a chaotic canvas of intersecting magical weapons and treasures. Ancestor Qin observed the spectacle impassively before his gaze fell on the spectral head lunging at him. A cold smirk tugged at his lips. Heunched the two grey fireballs he held towards the spectral head. Leaving his palms, the fireballs morphed into grey ropes, each as thick as a thumb. With a swift whoosh, they prated the gaping mouth of the ghostly apparition. Upon witnessing this, Uncle Hui''s visage drained of color, his heart pounding with dread. The spectral head came to a halt mid-air, swelling grotesquely before detonating into countless strands of grey me. A ghastly pallor fell over Uncle Hui''s face, but he quicklyposed himself, taking a deep breath and adopting a determined stance. He muttered an incantation and a ruby emerged from his forehead. This gem was an exquisite red crystal that radiated a chilling crimson aura. As the ruby fully surfaced, Uncle Huimunicated with the entric Lightning Elder in a hushed, grave voice, "Brother Lightning, the old devil''s deathfire can only be tamed by the chill of a Yin magic treasure. I shall wield the Cold Ruby to draw his attention, while you seize the chance to ensnare him with your lightning arts. This strategy will maximize our odds of victory." A muffled grunt of acknowledgement emanated from the azure treasure ship, bolstering Uncle Hui''s resolve. Without a moment''s hesitation, he spat a cloud of blood onto the Cold Ruby, which rapidly absorbed the entirety of the crimson mist. Its white aura fluctuated before morphing into a gargantuan, three-meter-wide red sphere that radiated an intense light. "Old Devil, behold the wrath of my Cold Ruby, refined from the profound deep Grasnd crystal!" Uncle Hui red at Ancestor Qin with an insidious grin, gritting his teeth. He then gestured towards the Cold Ruby, eximing, "Charge!" The red sphere oscited before transforming into a thick, red serpent. With a swift, predatory strike, it lunged at Ancestor Qin. Ancestor Qin briefly registered surprise, quickly reced by a dismissive smirk. With a subtle shrug, eight thick tendrils of grey Qi materialized behind him. The tendrils of grey Qi disyed an uncanny agility as they wafted through the air. Taking on the forms of grotesque demonic creatures, they bore their fearsome fangs and ws,unching an assault on the advancing red serpent. Uncle Hui watched this unexpected turn of events, eyebrows arching in surprise. With a loudmand, his hands started weaving intricate patterns in the air. From his fingertips, multi-hued incantation seals whirred into existence and embedded themselves into the body of the red serpent. Suddenly, the serpent''s eyes illuminated with an eerie green light. Coiling its form, it exhaled a dense stream of frosty Qi. The demonic manifestations of the grey Qi vanished without a trace upon contact with the frigid st. Without any pause, the chilling wave of Qi continued its relentless pursuit of Ancestor Qin. Ancestor Qin''s stoic expression wavered for a moment, showing a hint of surprise. Nevertheless, he maintained hisposure and swung a hand before him. From the earth beneath, a thick wall of grey light erupted with a resounding boom, effectively halting the oing icy Qi. Uncle Hui noticed that Ancestor Qin was entirely preupied with the frosty Qi. Seizing the moment, he swiftly sent a telepathic message to entric Lightning Elder, "Brother Lightning, it''s your cue." "Understood!" The response was swift and without a moment''s hesitation. Soon after Uncle Hui''smand, the azure treasure ship expanded rapidly andmenced a violent rolling motion, releasing booming peals of thunder and cracks of lightning beneath it. "entric Lightning Elder, you..." Uncle Hui''s voice was a mixture of shock and betrayal before he found himself encased within a hundred-meter radius by the azure treasure ship. Amidst the turmoil, the Lightning Elder''s eerieughter echoed. A gargantuan hand materialized from the frigid Qi, seizing the serpent and causing it to disintegrate back into the Cold Ruby. Despite its transformation, the Cold Ruby continued to flicker stubbornly within the giant hand''s grip, as if vehemently resisting its fate. In the thunderous cacophony, Uncle Hui''s livid voice resonated, "Old Devil, Lightning! You treacherous snakes!" His voice bore the heavy weight of bitter resentment and regret. "Ha! Your gullibility is your downfall. Spend some quality time with Lightning for now! I have some other matters to attend to, but I''ll be back to discuss our master-disciple rtions," Ancestor Qin replied dismissively. With his statement hanging in the air, the grey hand faded, revealing Ancestor Qin. Casting a dispassionate nce at the azure treasure ship, Ancestor Qin shifted his attention to the Dark Cold Ruby in his possession. Opening his mouth, he expelled a dull mist of grey Qi over it. The once vibrant Ruby immediately dulled, losing its radiant brilliance. Ancestor Qin seemed pleased with this oue. With a casual flick of his wrist, the Ruby vanished into thin air. This sequence of Lightning Elder''s abrupt betrayal and Ancestor Qin''s swift handling of the Cold Ruby unfolded in mere seconds. Yet, the magnitude of these events left the spectators stunned, robbing them of their imminent victory. Han Cai looked on in awe. The technique of manifesting Qi into beasts andmanding them in battle was a unique skill these Grasnders possessed. A desire kindled within him to master this fascinating art. Moreover, the unexpected betrayal and the intense battle were thrilling spectacles to witness. Fairy Fern Spirit''s face mirrored an even more profound look of disbelief! The cultivators, sensing the shift in the tide, shared a quick, collective nce before packing up their mystic tools and treasures. The encircling traitors were left behind as the cultivators scattered in every direction, each seeking to preserve their own skin. They weren''t fools. With the tables turned, remaining on this battlefield could mean an untimely demise, their bodies bing mere husks. The more experienced Core Formation cultivators were the quickest to react, their seasoned instincts urging them to flee. But to their utter dismay, they were restrained, unable to escape. An unseen force, activated by a mysterious treasure, had them bound in ce. Han Cai watched the spectacle unravel, his countenanceced with a hint of regret. The enjoyment he derived from the chaotic skirmish was undeniable, but he also knew when the amusement had toe to an end. The thought of the cultivators losing their souls left a bitter taste in his mouth, prompting him to intervene. Amidst the confusion, Han Cai''s voice cut through the air like a de, "Enough." Suddenly, a surge of grey death Qi erupted, ensnaring everyone present. The crowd was paralyzed, their bewildered expressions frozen in ce. Even the steadfast Ancestor Qin appeared to be momentarily taken aback. Han Cai admonished the immobilized cultivators, his voice echoing around the eerie silence. "This," he pointed out, "is the bitter fruit of your greed. You''ve lost sight of what truly matters - peace, unity, equilibrium. Instead, you''ve sumbed to your lust for power and wealth. Behold the oue of your folly." He paced leisurely among the helpless cultivators, projecting an aura of a sage who had seen the ways of the world. As he moved, he reached out and struck each cultivator, his strikes resonating through their bodies like a reprimand. It was as though he was chastising them for their transgressions, ying the role of a stern parent reprimanding wayward children. Then, he proceeded to strip them of their treasures and spirit stones, leaving them with nothing more than their robes. "This," he proimed, "is your atonement." There was a certain satisfaction that Han Cai derived from their dismayed reactions. He had grown weary of their misuse of cultivation, their incessant battles, and their thirst for power. Now they were tasting the bitter medicine of their own brew. Having collected their treasures, Han Cai redirected his attention towards Ancestor Qin. The elder cultivator had managed to retain hisposure, but a spark of indignation was discernible in his eyes. "Your puppet show has run its course," Han Cai dered, crossing his arms. "Time for the curtain call." A tense silence followed. Ancestor Qin finally broke the silence, "Who might you be, senior? My apologies if I have unknowingly offended you." The grand melee had abruptly concluded, leaving a sour residue. Some cultivators lowered their heads in shame, while others red at Han Cai, their eyes seething with resentment and loathing. Unmoved by their emotions, Han Caipleted his mission. "I''ll be keeping these," he casually announced, indicating the heap of treasures he''d imed. "Consider it a fair price for tolerating your absurd theatrics." With a dismissive wave, he turned to leave. The death Qi binding the cultivators dissipated, restoring their mobility. However, most remained rooted in their spots, still reeling from the unexpected events. Their eyes followed Han Cai as he disappeared into the horizon. Whether they had learned their lesson or not, only time would reveal. For now, Han Cai was content. He had acquired what he came for and imparted a necessary lesson. A subtle smile yed on his lips as he walked away. He''de anticipating a spectacle and he was not disappointed. As for the popcorn and Coke he had imagined enjoying, he mused, there''s always a next time. ************************************************** Dear Readers, I hope this message finds you well, and you''re all enjoying your journey through the realm of cultivation. Your support and encouragement have been instrumental in bringing these worlds to life, and I cannot thank you enough for your dedication and enthusiasm. However, even in the magical world of storytelling, the mundane can sometimes catch up, and it appears to be one of those times for me. I need to inform you all that I will be taking a short hiatus due to some personalmitments. While it''s never easy to step away, especially when I''m so passionate about the stories I''m creating, this break is necessary to ensure that I continue delivering the high-quality narratives that you havee to expect. Please rest assured that I''ll be back soon, ready to dive back into the worlds we''re exploring together. In the meantime, I would like to extend an invitation to those of you who haven''t yet begun the journey into my newest series, ''Sorcerer''s Shadow.'' I''ve tried to inject this tale with the same elements of magic, adventure, and intrigue. With a fresh, intriguing protagonist and a world rich in magic and politics, it promises to be a tale that will leave you spellbound. For those who have already started ''Sorcerer''s Shadow,'' I appreciate your support immensely and am excited to hear your thoughts, theories, and spections. Your feedback is a guiding beacon that helps me navigate the seas of narrative. Thank you once again for your patience and understanding during this hiatus. It''s you, the readers, who make this cultivation journey worthwhile. I am deeply grateful for each one of you and cannot wait to return to share more stories, experiences, and magical moments. Until then, happy reading! Warmest regards, Drumstick The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!