Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Qi Zhen was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes flashed with understanding.

"Supreme Elder, you mean...?"

Yan Wuji didn’t answer immediately. He just picked up the teacup beside him, took a light sip, and set it down.

"Our Tiejiang Gang has risen, annexing several factions one after another. The Seven Sects have yet to take a clear stance. This is a perfect opportunity to test the Qingxuan Sect’s attitude."

His voice was calm, yet it held a composure that came from a deep understanding of the world.

"If the Qingxuan Sect’s reaction is mild, then the plan can proceed."

He raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Qi Zhen’s face.

"But if the Qingxuan Sect reacts strongly, it will mean the Seven Sects’ tolerance for our Tiejiang Gang has reached its limit. We can then prepare our response in advance."

Qi Zhen fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Your considerations are thorough, Supreme Elder. I understand."

He paused, then asked again.

"Then when do we make our move?"

"The sooner, the better," Yan Wuji said.

"Before the Hundred Treasures Pavilion officially affiliates with the Qingxuan Sect, we will uproot them completely."

Qi Zhen cupped his fists. "Yes, I will go make the arrangements at once."

Yan Wuji nodded slightly and said no more.

Qi Zhen bowed, turned, and exited the secret chamber.

The heavy stone door slowly closed behind him, sealing the candlelight and the aged figure within the secret chamber.

...

「The next morning.」

A thin mist veiled Qingxuan Mountain like a light gauze, the flying eaves of the mountain halls appearing and disappearing within it.

Fang Han had just finished his morning Inner Qi Cultivation and was eating breakfast in a side hall when a flurry of hurried footsteps was heard outside the courtyard gate.

Qiu Lan walked quickly into the side hall and bowed.

"Senior Brother, a disciple from the Sect Leader’s Hall requests an audience. He says the Sect Leader has urgent business and asks that you go to the Sect Leader’s Hall immediately."

Fang Han put down his chopsticks, his brows knitting slightly.

’A summons from the Sect Leader, and with the word ’immediately’ no less. His tone is different from usual. Something urgent must have happened.’

He didn’t ask any questions. He simply nodded, set down his bowl and chopsticks, and walked out of the courtyard.

Outside the courtyard gate, a disciple from the Sect Leader’s Hall stood with his head bowed. Seeing Fang Han emerge, he quickly bowed in greeting and gestured to the side.

"Senior Brother Fang, please follow me."

Fang Han nodded slightly and followed the disciple toward the mountain’s peak.

Morning light filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves of the ancient trees, casting dappled shadows on the mountain path.

Fang Han’s pace was unhurried, but his mind was racing. ’What could be so urgent that the Sect Leader would summon me like this?’

The imposing silhouette of the Sect Leader’s Hall soon appeared at the end of his vision.

The disciples on duty in front of the hall saw Fang Han approaching and quickly stepped aside to clear a path. They had been notified in advance to let him pass.

Fang Han stepped into the hall.

The hall was brightly lit, and the scent of sandalwood smoke drifted through the air.

Chen Tianyuan was seated on the large chair at the head of the hall. His expression was grave, his brow furrowed with a rare solemnity.

On the pearwood chairs lining both sides of the hall, three people were already seated.

Fang Han’s gaze swept over them, and he felt a slight chill in his heart.

On the foremost chair to the left sat Chen Wanjun, the Vice Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall. He wore a deep-cyan Elder Robe, his face was lean, and his eyes shone as brightly as the morning star.

Across from him sat an old man with graying hair. He was thin and had a stern, old-fashioned face. It was the Second-Grade Elder Han Qing, the one who guarded the Sect Treasure Vault year-round.

’For even him to be mobilized shows how serious this matter is.’

Below Han Qing was a middle-aged man with a square face, thick brows, and tiger-like eyes. He was dressed in a deep-cyan Elder Robe, a long saber hanging at his waist. This was the Second-Grade Elder Chen Tie.

’One First-Grade Martial Artist and two Second-Grade Martial Artists—such a lineup is anything but ordinary.’

"Disciple Fang Han pays his respects to the Sect Leader."

Fang Han took a few steps forward and bowed.

"No need for formalities. Sit."

Chen Tianyuan waved his hand, gesturing for Fang Han to take a seat.

Fang Han sat down on an empty pearwood chair, his gaze lingering on Chen Tianyuan’s face for a moment.

’The Sect Leader’s expression is still composed, but beneath that composure, he’s clearly suppressing some unusual emotion.’

’It’s not anger, nor is it worry, but something deeper—a solemnity like the calm before a storm.’

Just then, the sound of steady footsteps came from outside the hall.

A figure strode in.

It was an old woman with white hair pulled back into a neat bun, held in place with a simple silver hairpin.

Her face was thin with slightly prominent cheekbones. She wore a deep-cyan Elder Robe with a sheathed Short Sword hanging from her waist.

It was none other than the stern and difficult-to-approach Second-Grade Elder, Jin Han.

"Paying respects to the Sect Leader."

Jin Han walked closer and bowed, her voice hoarse but steady.

"No need for formalities. Sit."

Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly.

Jin Han sat in the empty chair across from Fang Han, her back ramrod straight, her gaze fixed forward.

At this point, including Fang Han, there were five people present, each at least a Second-Grade Martial Artist.

Chen Tianyuan’s gaze swept over the five people present, his scholarly face gradually turning serious.

"I have summoned you today because I have an urgent mission for you."

His voice wasn’t loud, but it reached every person’s ears clearly.

The five of them grew solemn, quietly waiting for him to continue.

"The Hundred Treasures Pavilion intends to affiliate with our Qingxuan Sect. You should all have heard about this," Chen Tianyuan began slowly.

Fang Han nodded slightly. He was certainly aware of it; just a few days ago, he had personally acted as the messenger, relaying the message to the Sect Leader.

Chen Wanjun and the others also nodded. This matter was no longer a secret among the Sect’s upper echelon.

"However—"

Chen Tianyuan’s tone suddenly shifted, his voice dropping.

"We just received intelligence that the Tiejiang Gang plans to destroy the Hundred Treasures Pavilion before it can affiliate with our Qingxuan Sect."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell deathly silent.

Fang Han’s pupils contracted slightly as a surge of shock and anger rose from the bottom of his heart.

He knew the Tiejiang Gang had been expanding and annexing surrounding factions recently.

But he never expected them to be so audacious. They knew the Hundred Treasures Pavilion had already chosen to ally with the Qingxuan Sect, yet they still dared to make a move against them.

"The Tiejiang Gang has some nerve!"

Chen Wanjun shot upright, a flash of anger in his star-bright eyes.

"The Hundred Treasures Pavilion has already chosen to affiliate with us, yet the Tiejiang Gang still insists on acting. This is a provocation against our Qingxuan Sect!"

A chill also appeared on Han Qing’s stern face. He spoke slowly, his hoarse voice filled with suppressed fury.

"The Tiejiang Gang may have produced a Grandmaster, but to act in such a manner is simply too outrageous."

Chen Tie’s fingers tightened on the armrest, and a muscle twitched on his square face.

"Sect Leader, the Tiejiang Gang’s actions clearly show they have no respect for our Qingxuan Sect."

Jin Han remained silent, but a cold glint flashed through her stern eyes.

Fang Han suppressed his shock and anger, raised his head to meet Chen Tianyuan’s gaze, and asked.

"Sect Leader, did you summon the five of us because you want us to rush to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s aid?"

"That’s right. I summoned the five of you to go and rescue them," Chen Tianyuan said, his voice low.

He stood up, walked to the window with his hands clasped behind his back, and gazed at the dissipating morning mist for a moment.

"The five of you will depart immediately for the Commandery City to rescue the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. You must not let the Tiejiang Gang succeed."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the five, his voice growing more solemn.

"The Tiejiang Gang initiated this provocation. If you encounter their members, do not hold back."

He paused, his voice turning colder.

"The Qingxuan Sect is unwilling to clash rashly with the Tiejiang Gang and let the other Six Sects benefit, but that doesn’t mean we are afraid of trouble."

"Yes!"

The five responded in unison and stood up.

Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly and said no more.

The five turned and strode out of the hall.

Outside the Sect Leader’s Hall, the morning light had fully spread, dyeing the distant mountains a warm gold.

Without delay, the five activated their Body Techniques and sped down the mountain path toward the sect gate.

WHOOSH!

Fang Han activated his Wind God Step, and his green-robed figure transformed into a barely perceptible streak of light, his speed astonishingly fast.

Chen Wanjun followed close behind. Even using his Body Technique at full power, the First-Grade Martial Artist was still a step slower than Fang Han.

Han Qing, Chen Tie, and Jin Han fell to the rear. Their speed was much slower, and despite their best efforts, they were left further and further behind by Fang Han and Chen Wanjun.

After traveling some distance, Chen Wanjun’s brows furrowed slightly.

He slowed down to let Han Qing’s group of three catch up, his voice tinged with urgency.

"At this pace, I’m afraid we won’t make it in time to save the Hundred Treasures Pavilion."

He paused, then continued.

"I’ll go on ahead to the Commandery City. You three follow behind."

Hearing this, Fang Han turned his head to meet Chen Wanjun’s gaze.

"Vice Hall Master Chen, this disciple has cultivated the Wind God Step to the Mastery Realm. In terms of speed, I am likely faster than the average First-Grade Martial Artist."

He paused before saying.

"Why don’t you let this disciple go on ahead to the rescue?"

Chen Wanjun was slightly taken aback. He had already noticed that Fang Han’s speed was indeed a fraction faster than his own.

But he didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"The Tiejiang Gang is bound to have First Grade experts on this mission. If you run into a First-Grade Martial Artist, you’ll be all alone—"

"Don’t worry, Vice Hall Master Chen."

Fang Han interrupted Chen Wanjun, his voice still steady.

"This disciple’s current strength is not inferior to a First-Grade Martial Artist; in fact, I may even be stronger than an average one."

He paused, then continued, to add weight to his words.

"Meng Zhao, the First-Grade Elder from the Red Flame Sect, died at my hands."

At these words, Chen Wanjun’s pupils contracted slightly.

Han Qing, Chen Tie, and Jin Han also faltered in their steps, turning to stare at Fang Han, their eyes filled with unconcealable astonishment.

They had, of course, heard about the death of Meng Zhao, the First-Grade Elder of the Red Flame Sect.

The Red Flame Sect had first suspected Longquan Manor, then the Tiejiang Gang, even clashing with the Tiejiang Gang over it.

But they never imagined that Meng Zhao had actually died at the hands of Fang Han.

"Is this true?"

Chen Wanjun asked in a low voice, a hint of disbelief in his tone.

"This disciple would not dare to make such a claim lightly."

Fang Han met Chen Wanjun’s gaze.

Chen Wanjun was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

’If Fang Han can really kill a First-Grade Martial Artist, then his strength is far from being simply ’not inferior to a First-Grade Martial Artist’.’

’With such strength, even if he couldn’t defeat the Tiejiang Gang’s experts, he should have no trouble escaping.’

"Alright."

Chen Wanjun nodded.

"You go on ahead, then. Be extremely careful. If the situation is impossible, prioritize your own safety."

"This disciple understands."

Fang Han cupped his hands in response.

He said no more. The Inner Qi from the Cyan Profound Technique within him surged and circulated at an unprecedented speed, pouring entirely into his legs.

WHOOSH!

Activating his Wind God Step to its absolute limit, his green-robed figure suddenly accelerated like a cyan bolt of lightning, leaving Chen Wanjun and the other three far behind.

The morning wind howled past his ears, and the scenery on both sides blurred into streaks of color as it rushed backward.

Fang Han’s gaze fell forward, in the direction of the Commandery City.

’I hope... I can still make it in time.’