Obligations of the Top Ten

The rewards for ranking in the top ten would not be distributed until the end of the month, but the right to use the Grade A No. 10 Martial Dao Room was swiftly transferred to Fang Han.

Led by a servant, Fang Han arrived at the Grade A No. 10 Martial Dao Room, located within a secluded Courtyard deep in the Inner Hall.

The servant respectfully pushed open the heavy Iron Wood door reinforced with metal, and a faint scent of sandalwood washed over him.

Fang Han stepped inside and swept his gaze across the room.

The space was broad. The bluestone floor had been polished smooth as a mirror, while a row of gleaming weapon racks stood against the walls, stocked with every kind of saber, spear, sword, and halberd.

The four walls and door had clearly been reinforced. Once the door shut, the shouts and footsteps from the Martial Arts Arena outside were almost entirely cut off, leaving only his own steady heartbeat and breathing.

"Good!"

After sending the servant away, satisfaction filled Fang Han's eyes.

He did not intend to deliberately conceal his strength and play the pig to eat the tiger, but having everyone gather to watch whenever he broke through or improved his Sword Art truly affected his state of mind in cultivation.

This private space, free from the disturbance of others, was precisely what he needed most right now.

"Whoosh—!"

He took a Refined Iron Longsword from the weapon rack, calmed his mind and focused his qi, then swiftly immersed himself in the practice of the Breeze Sword Art.

Sword light flashed fiercely, and force surged and receded, leaving faint traces in the air.

Without outsiders affecting him, his concentration clearly improved, and with it came another increase in his cultivation efficiency.

Only after a long while did Fang Han emerge from his focused practice and stop, feeling thoroughly refreshed.

"Tenth on the Martial Dao Stele is only the beginning!"

As he calmed his body, still boiling from the intense exercise, Fang Han murmured to himself.

Tenth place on the Martial Dao Stele was merely a short-term goal. His true goal was to reach an even higher rank among the top ten.

The higher one ranked, after all, the richer the monthly resource rewards became.

Of course, he also knew that those who had remained firmly in the highest ranks of the top ten for years were all true genius descendants of the Inner Hall, such as Fang Hong, Fang Xue, and Fang Hao.

Not only were their realms profound, their martial skills were equally exquisite. Surpassing them would be no easy matter.

Time slipped quietly away amid his focused cultivation.

One day, while Fang Han was honing his Sword Art in the Martial Dao Room, a soft knock came from outside the door.

He sheathed his sword and stood still before opening the door. A Fang Clan servant stood outside.

"Young Master Fang Han, Elder Fang Yuan requests your presence."

The servant spoke respectfully.

"Elder Fang Yuan is looking for me?"

Fang Han found it slightly strange, unsure why the elder wanted to see him.

After straightening his clothes, he followed the servant from the Martial Dao Room, crossed several Courtyards, and arrived at a rather secluded Courtyard.

Elder Fang Yuan stood with his hands behind his back beneath an old tree in the yard. Seeing Fang Han arrive, he revealed a mild smile.

"Fang Han, you're here."

"Elder." Fang Han stepped forward and greeted him respectfully.

"No need for such formality." Elder Fang Yuan waved a hand, his gaze falling on Fang Han with both scrutiny and satisfaction.

"I called you here because there is something I need to tell you."

"Please speak, Elder."

Fang Han's expression turned solemn.

Fang Yuan slowly said:

"In martial cultivation, one must never shut oneself away and build a cart behind closed doors. For ordinary Inner Hall descendants, the Lineage may allow them to focus solely on cultivation and tempering their foundations."

"But for descendants like you, who rank among the top ten and are regarded as the future pillars of the Lineage, you cannot lack the tempering of real combat and slaughter."

He paused, then continued.

"Therefore, the Lineage will periodically arrange certain missions for the top ten descendants. The purpose is to broaden your experience, let you see bloodshed, and temper your will and practical combat ability."

Upon hearing this, Fang Han understood. So becoming one of the top ten came with such an "obligation."

Yet he felt no regret. On the contrary, it suited him perfectly.

He knew well that a martial artist who had never undergone true life-and-death combat would inevitably become faint-hearted and soft-handed when facing an enemy, no matter how high their realm. It would already be good if they could bring out half of their full strength.

This arrangement by the Lineage could truly be called painstaking and well-intentioned.

"This disciple understands."

Fang Han nodded gravely.

Seeing that Fang Han showed no fear of difficulty and instead had a firm gaze, Fang Yuan's approval deepened.

"Very good. There is a mission for you right now."

He said.

"A wanted bandit has recently fled into Liangshui City. He is called Black Rat, and his strength is roughly between the Flesh Refining Realm Peak-Stage and Tendon Refining Early-Stage."

"This man is cunning and skilled at hiding. He once committed robbery and wounded people in a neighboring county. The authorities have offered a reward of fifty taels of silver for his capture."

"The Lineage's informants have already roughly identified his hiding place. It is in an abandoned residence south of the city. Your mission is to go there and capture or kill him."

"Fifty taels as a reward..."

Hearing that number, Fang Han's eyes could not help brightening slightly.

What interested him most now was silver.

Capturing wanted criminals could actually earn such a generous reward. This seemed like a good way to make money.

Unfortunately, such opportunities certainly would not come often. Wanted criminals were not something one could encounter whenever one wished.

"If you complete the mission, the fifty-tael reward will belong to you."

Fang Yuan added.

The Lineage assigned missions to those ranked in the top ten not to earn rewards, so naturally it would not take that money.

With that said, Fang Yuan first took a folded scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Fang Han.

"This contains the address where that bandit is hiding, along with some related information. Keep it safe."

Fang Han accepted the scroll and carefully tucked it into his robes.

Then Fang Yuan took a sheathed longsword from the stone table beside him.

The scabbard was ancient in style and dark azure in color.

"Shing!"

Fang Yuan drew the sword partway from its sheath. Cold light instantly burst forth, and an aura of sharpness spread through the air.

The blade resembled a pool of autumn water, bright enough to serve as a mirror. Faint, intricate patterns covered it, making it clear that it was no ordinary iron.

"Since you specialize in Sword Art, continuing to use a Refined Iron Sword meant for training is no longer suitable. This Azure Edge Sword was forged from hundredfold-tempered refined steel. It can slice through hair blown against its edge and is among the finest lower-grade treasured swords. It is worth several hundred taels of silver."

Fang Yuan sheathed the sword and extended it toward Fang Han.

"This is the weapon the Lineage bestows upon you. I hope you use it well. Do not fail this sword, nor the Lineage's expectations."

Fang Han drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart as he accepted the Azure Edge Sword with both hands.

It felt slightly heavy in his grasp, carrying more weight than the Refined Iron Sword used for practice. It felt exceptionally good in hand, and the hilt fit his palm perfectly, as though it had been made specifically for him.

He gently stroked the cold scabbard and could clearly sense the sharp power contained within.

"Thank you, Elder. Thank you for the Lineage's generous gift. This disciple will certainly give his all to complete the mission and will never disappoint this sword or the Lineage's great expectations!"

Holding the Azure Edge Sword, Fang Han made his promise in a resounding voice.

A good sword could raise the strength of a swordsman to another level.

What swordsman would not want a good sword? The sword before him could truly be said to satisfy him immensely.

Elder Fang Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Go. Be careful in all things. If anything is amiss, prioritize your own safety. You may abandon the mission and return so we can deliberate further."

"Yes!"

Clutching the brand-new Azure Edge Sword, Fang Han turned and strode away.

His eyes gleamed with anticipation for real combat, as well as longing for the fifty-tael reward.