Chapter 553 - 549: Refusal
Yan Wuji turned around, his murky eyes falling on Qi Zhen’s face.
"Get involved personally?"
His voice remained level, yet it carried an authority that could not be questioned.
"Given the strength Fang Han has shown, there are only a handful of people in all of Qingyang County who could kill him."
He walked back to the stone chair and slowly sat down.
"And after what just happened, if he were to die, the Qingxuan Sect would immediately suspect the Tiejiang Gang."
Qi Zhen opened his mouth as if to speak, but Yan Wuji cut him off with a raised hand.
"Besides—"
There was a newfound certainty in Yan Wuji’s voice.
"Fang Han is certainly growing quickly, but no matter how fast he is, he can’t outpace those of us who are cultivating the Holy Skill."
He raised his eyes, his gaze landing on Qi Zhen’s face.
"He won’t become a threat. There’s no need to start an all-out fight with the Qingxuan Sect over him, not now."
He paused, his voice deepening.
"What we need most right now is time to grow."
Qi Zhen fell silent.
There was truth to the Supreme Elder’s words.
He had experienced the wonders of the Holy Skill firsthand.
That tyrannical method of devouring Essence Qi and converting it into cultivation had allowed his own cultivation to skyrocket. In just a few short months, he had jumped from the Early First Grade to the Late Stage of First Grade.
Such speed was simply incomparable to conventional cultivation.
No matter how much of a prodigy Fang Han was, he was still just cultivating conventionally.
’For me, someone cultivating the Holy Skill, surpassing Fang Han is only a matter of time.’
"The Supreme Elder is absolutely right."
Qi Zhen said with a cupped-fist salute, a hint of relief in his voice.
However, the faint trace of unease in his heart had yet to completely vanish.
The image of Fang Han standing with his sword amidst the ruins of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, his eyes as calm as still water, that air of crushing composure—it all still lingered in his mind, impossible to forget.
But the Supreme Elder had already made his decision. Any further attempts to persuade him would be useless.
"Though the attack on the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was unsuccessful, it allowed us to test the Qingxuan Sect’s position."
Yan Wuji picked up the teacup at his side, took a small sip, and set it down.
He raised his eyes, his gaze landing on Qi Zhen’s face.
"The Qingxuan Sect’s fierce reaction shows that the Seven Sects’ bottom line is this: their affiliated powers are not to be touched."
His voice was level, carrying the calm of one who has seen it all.
"In our future operations, we will avoid any powers connected to the Seven Sects."
"I understand."
Qi Zhen replied with a bow.
He turned and walked out of the secret chamber.
The heavy stone door slowly closed behind him, sealing both the candlelight and the aged figure within.
...
「Two days later, in the afternoon」
The rolling silhouette of Qingxuan Mountain appeared on the horizon.
At the foot of the mountain, a group of people were already waiting.
It was Lan Yuexin and her people, who had received the message.
Lan Yuexin was dressed in an aqua-blue gown, her soft, long hair flowing down her back. Followed by several maids and guards from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, she was craning her neck to look down the main road.
When the party came into view, Lan Yuexin’s bright eyes lit up, and she hurried forward to meet them.
"Father."
She walked up to Lan Daoxing and asked, her voice laced with concern.
"How are your injuries?"
"They’re no longer serious."
Lan Daoxing waved his hand, a smile appearing on his refined face.
"We escaped safely this time all thanks to Young Master Fang Han, who arrived just in time to drive Qi Zhen away. Otherwise, I’m afraid I would not have seen you again."
Lan Yuexin turned to look at Fang Han, her bright eyes welling with gratitude.
She gave a slight bow, her voice soft yet sincere:
"Young Master Fang Han, I am forever in your debt for saving my life."
"There’s no need for that, Miss Yuexin."
Fang Han shook his head slightly.
"The Hundred Treasures Pavilion has chosen to align with the Qingxuan Sect, so it was my duty to help."
Lan Daoxing’s gaze swept between Fang Han and his daughter, the smile on his lips deepening a bit, but he didn’t say anything more.
He turned to Lan Yuexin and instructed:
"I will rest for the night at our branch in the city. I’ll go up the mountain to see Sect Master Chen first thing tomorrow morning. Please make the arrangements."
"Yes, Father."
Lan Yuexin agreed and turned to lead the way.
Lan Daoxing cupped his fists at Chen Wanjun and the others, then followed Lan Yuexin toward Qingxuan City.
The aqua-blue figure walked at her father’s side. Her hair ornaments trembled with her steps, and her skirt swayed gently. From time to time, she would turn her head to whisper to her father.
Fang Han watched the father and daughter depart before turning to join Chen Wanjun and the other three. They passed through the mountain gate and started up the bluestone path toward the summit.
The majestic silhouette of the Sect Leader’s Hall looked even more solemn in the afternoon sun.
The disciple on duty in front of the hall saw the five of them approaching and quickly bowed in salute. One of them hurried inside to announce them and returned a moment later, gesturing for them to enter.
Chen Tianyuan was seated on the large chair at the head of the hall, awaiting their arrival.
"Disciple Fang Han pays his respects, Sect Leader."
Fang Han took a few steps forward and bowed.
Chen Wanjun, Han Qing, Chen Tie, and Jin Han also paid their respects in turn.
"No need for such formality. Sit."
Chen Tianyuan waved his hand, gesturing for the five of them to be seated.
Fang Han sat down on a pearwood chair below, while Chen Wanjun and the other three sat on either side.
Chen Tianyuan picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and set it down. His gaze fell on Fang Han, his voice calm:
"I’ve already received a carrier pigeon about the Hundred Treasures Pavilion matter, so I know you successfully rescued them. Fang Han, tell me the details."
Fang Han sat up straight and recounted the events of the past few days from beginning to end.
He recounted everything: from arriving to find the Hundred Treasures Pavilion under siege by the Tiejiang Gang, to his clash with Qi Zhen that left the latter injured, to the gang’s retreat, and finally, to standing guard over the past few days to prevent a counterattack.
His narration was concise and clear, without embellishment or omission of key details.
When Fang Han spoke of his fight with Qi Zhen, and how he had injured the Late Stage of First Grade Gang Leader of the Tiejiang Gang, Chen Tianyuan’s hand, holding his teacup, paused slightly.
In his warm, gentle eyes, the look of satisfaction deepened, now tinged with an undisguisable hint of surprise.
"To think that Qi Zhen, a Late Stage First Grade master, was no match for you."
Chen Tianyuan set down his teacup and leaned back in his chair, his voice tinged with wonder.
"Fang Han, your growth rate is even faster than I imagined."
"You flatter me, Sect Leader."
Fang Han shook his head slightly.
Chen Tianyuan’s gaze swept over the five of them. He was silent for a moment before he finally spoke slowly:
"For this mission to rescue the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, each of you five will be awarded one Great Merit."
Although Fang Han had clearly contributed the most, they had all undertaken the mission together, so Chen Tianyuan chose not to show favoritism and rewarded them all equally.
Fang Han had no objection to this. The five of them had carried out the mission together and were considered a single unit. There was no need to quibble over who contributed more or less.
’That makes six Great Merits.’
He thought to himself.
The new Great Merit, added to the five he’d accumulated previously, brought his total back to six.
Six Great Merits was a massive sum of commendations, even for a Sect Elder.
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
The five of them rose in unison, cupping their fists in thanks.
Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly and said no more.
The five of them exited the Sect Leader’s Hall and returned to their respective residences.
「The next morning」
A thin mist shrouded Qingxuan Mountain like a delicate veil.
Having finished cultivating his Inner Qi, Fang Han pushed open the door to his Quiet Chamber.
The bamboo grove in the courtyard rustled in the gentle breeze. A few yellowing bamboo leaves twirled down, covering the ground in a thin layer.
Qiu Lan was with two maids, setting out breakfast in the side hall. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, bowed, and said:
"Senior Brother, breakfast is ready."
Fang Han nodded slightly and sat down at the table.
Today’s breakfast was a bowl of Blood Rice porridge, a plate of pickled vegetables, and a steamer of small soup dumplings.
He picked up his chopsticks and ate slowly.
After breakfast, Fang Han put down his bowl and chopsticks and walked towards the Cultivation Field in the backyard.
The persistent unease in his heart gave him no room to relax. On just his second day back in the Sect, he threw himself into his cultivation.
In the backyard Cultivation Field, the obsidian-paved ground gleamed with a deep luster in the morning light.
Fang Han came to a stop in the center of the open space. He closed his eyes, centering himself, and rested his right hand on the hilt of his sword.
The principles of the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique flowed through his mind.
Everything was presented clearly, like a scroll unfurled before his eyes.
SHIIIING—
The Cloud Splitting Sword was unsheathed.
The dark cyan blade shimmered with a subdued light in the morning sun. The very air seemed to thicken where its tip pointed.
He thrust his sword.
The thrust was neither fast nor slow—just a simple, straight jab. But empowered by his Sword Intent, it was anything but simple.
The sword’s tip sliced through the air, creating a nearly inaudible tearing sound. A faint, transparent ripple spread out in the blade’s wake, holding its shape without dissipating.
Fang Han retracted his sword, then struck again.
The second thrust was slightly faster than the first.
The third, faster still.
The fourth, fifth, sixth—
Flashes of the blade crisscrossed the Cultivation Field, sharp and sudden as lightning, their power enough to chill one to the bone.
He brought his Wind Sword Intent into full play. The sheer, cutting sharpness that sought to tear everything asunder seemed to make the very air in the Cultivation Field grow heavy.
New marks were added to the crisscrossing web of sword scars on the obsidian floor.
’I’m so close to the next realm.’
Fang Han drew back his sword and stood still, slowly letting out a long breath.
He could clearly feel it: the barrier to the Great Success Realm was now as thin as rice paper.
Normally, at his rate of cultivation, he should have broken through days ago.
But the mission to rescue the Hundred Treasures Pavilion had delayed him, and that was the only reason he hadn’t yet made the breakthrough.
He shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside and striking out with his sword once more.
An hour passed.
Then another.
Fang Han practiced tirelessly, each thrust more harmonious and fluid than the one before.
Sweat dripped from his temples, and the back of his cyan robe was soaked through, clinging tightly to his body.
But his eyes were astonishingly bright.
...
「A few days later.」
Fang Han stood in the center of the open space, his eyes closed as he centered his mind.
Over the past few days, he had poured every spare moment into cultivating his swordsmanship.
Every morning, without fail, he would cultivate the Cyan Profound Technique. After breakfast, he would head straight for the Cultivation Field.
His entire being was immersed in the world of the Sword Dao.
The transformations of the sword techniques, the methods for circulating Inner Qi, the fusion of the Wind Realm and Sword Momentum—
Everything presented itself clearly in his mind, like parting the clouds to see the sun.
He could feel it: the threshold to the Great Success Realm was so thin it was practically nonexistent.
It was like a membrane stretched to its absolute limit, ready to snap with just one final push.