After acting as the mediator, Fang Han stopped paying attention to the matter and continued to focus on his cultivation.
With his current strength, he is unmatched not only among the younger generation, but also among the older generation, very few can defeat him.
However, he was constantly gripped by an indescribable sense of urgency, which kept him from relaxing in the slightest.
That sense of urgency is indescribable, like a very fine thorn stuck deep in your heart. It doesn't hurt, but it's impossible to ignore.
He always felt that something was happening, or was about to happen.
Despite this unease, he never slacked off in his cultivation.
Every morning, without fail, he practiced the Azure Profound Art.
Although the medicinal power of the Earth Spirit Pill is not as overwhelming as that of the Heaven Origin Pill, the increase in Internal Qi is still considerable with the support of a 256-fold Root Bone Talent Amplification.
The azure-gold Internal Qi surged ceaselessly through the meridians, each cycle bringing a subtle yet substantial increase.
This morning I practiced the < Void-Sundering Sword Manual >.
With a surge of Sword Intent, the Cloudsplitter Sword transformed into streaks of pale blue light in his hand, and where the sword's edge passed, the air silently cracked open with fine lines.
The crisscrossing sword marks on the obsidian ground became increasingly dense, varying in depth and thickness, some as thin as a hair, others as wide as an inch.
In the afternoon, he Flesh Refining.
The Grandmaster-level demon meat jerky has been finished; now, the Vajra Pill exchanged from the Sect Treasury will be used to aid cultivation.
The medicinal power of the Vajra Pill surged within his body, flowing into his muscles, bones, and skin along the circulation path of the < Black Tortoise True Art >.
Beneath his skin, a faint Dark Gold luster flowed, and the profound sense of weight and solidity became increasingly apparent with each day of cultivation.
In the evening, he practiced his Body Movement.
After the Proficiency Realm the Wind God Step, his speed became astonishing.
The figure in the green robe moved silently through the Cultivation Ground, like a true gust of wind, turning without hesitation and rising and falling without disturbing a speck of dust.
At night, he contemplated the " Shadowveil ".
After Beginner stage this grandmaster-level Breath Concealment Secret Technique, his breath-concealing ability has far surpassed what it used to be.
But Beginner stage is just the beginning. To truly achieve a level that even a grandmaster cannot detect, one must elevate this secret art to an even higher level.
A few days later, in the morning.
Morning light streamed through the windows of the Side Hall, casting bright shadows on the blue brick floor.
Fang Han sat at the table, with several side dishes and a bowl of steaming Blood Rice in front of him.
Qui Lan stood to the side with her hands at her sides. Fang Han put down his chopsticks, she stepped forward and said softly:
"Senior brother, I went to the Rain Listening Hall this morning and found out some information."
Fang Han Teacup, took a small sip, put it down, and looked up at Qui Lan: "Speak."
Qui Lan said, " The Iron River Gang has absorbed several more forces."
Fang Han paused slightly in the hand Teacup the teacup.
Qui Lan continued:
"One major power and five medium-sized powers. The major power is the Copper Elephant Sect, and the five medium-sized powers are the Flying Cloud Sect, the Clear Wind Sect, the Falling Geese Manor, the Golden Saber Hall, and the Green Bamboo Gang."
Fang Han frowned slightly.
The Copper Elephant Sect is the sect of Han Wei, who ranks thirty-third on the Prodigy Ranking. It is a powerful force on par with the Iron Fist Sect and has considerable influence within the county.
Although the five medium-sized forces are not as powerful as the Iron Palm Gang, they are still established forces with deep roots in their respective regions.
They followed in the footsteps of the Iron Fist Sect so quickly and were wiped out.
Qui Lan continued:
"According to people from the Rain Listening Hall, the Iron River Gang is extremely ruthless; these six factions have almost no survivors."
"No survivors?"
Fang Han's expression hardened slightly.
"Yes."
Qui Lan's voice was low and heavy.
"From top to bottom, regardless of their cultivation level, they were all wiped out. The strongholds of the six forces are now in ruins."
A brief silence fell over the Side Hall.
Fang Han tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table, making a soft tapping sound.
Every time he heard news about the Iron River Gang, his inexplicable unease would intensify.
That unease had no cause, no evidence, it was just an intuition—an instinctive instinct for danger.
He paused for a moment, suppressing the turmoil in his mind, and asked, "Is there anything else?"
Qui Lan said, "There's another matter, which is also related to the Iron River Gang."
Fang Han raised his eyes.
Qui Lan said:
" The Crimson Flame Sect, a top power in East Foothills Prefecture, suspected that the death of its First Grade Elder, Meng Zhao, was related to the Iron River Gang. They sent people to demand an explanation, but the Iron River Gang denied it, and a conflict ensued."
Upon hearing this, Fang Han couldn't help but find it amusing.
The Crimson Flame Sect first suspected that Dragon Spring Manor had killed Meng Zhao, and now they have turned their suspicions to the Iron River Gang.
To doubt the wrong target twice in a row—that's really bad luck.
However, this is not surprising.
The Iron River Gang obtained the Grandmaster's martial arts techniques from the Grandmaster's Tomb in Songquan Prefecture, and thus gave birth to a Grandmaster. They can be said to be the biggest beneficiaries of that chaos.
Meng Zhao, First Grade Elder of the Crimson Flame Sect, died in Songquan Prefecture while searching for the Grandmaster's Tomb. The Iron River Gang's Grandmaster's techniques were obtained from the Grandmaster's Tomb in Songquan Prefecture, so it's understandable that the Crimson Flame Sect suspected the Iron River Gang.
"What was the outcome of the conflict between the two sides?" Fang Han asked.
"People from the Rain Listening Hall say that the Crimson Flame Sect didn't gain any advantage."
Qui Lan said.
"It wasn't Grandmaster Yan Wuji came forward from the Iron River Gang; it was just the gang leader and some Elder, but the Crimson Flame Sect still couldn't get an explanation."
"They actually failed to... gain anything?"
Fang Han's expression grew even more serious.
It's one thing for powerful forces like the Iron Fist Sect and the Copper Elephant Sect to be troubled, but the Crimson Flame Sect a top-tier force. Even with the Iron River Gang's grandmasters not appearing, they still couldn't gain any advantage from the Iron River Gang.
The strength of the Iron River Gang once again exceeded his expectations; it was not just close to the Seven Sects, but already comparable to Seven Sects.
After having breakfast, Fang Han put down his chopsticks and got up to walk towards the Cultivation Ground in the backyard.
The morning light had fully spread, bathing the entire Cultivation Ground in a pale gold hue.
The obsidian floor gleamed with a deep luster under the sunlight, and the crisscrossing sword marks on it were clearly visible.
Fang Han stood still in the center of the open space, closed his eyes and concentrated.
A moment later, he opened his eyes and placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Clang--"
The Cloudsplitter Sword was drawn from its sheath, its Dark Cyan blade gleaming with a restrained luster in the morning light.
He did not rush to draw his sword, but instead closed his eyes and focused his mind, slowly going through the mental techniques of the < Void-Sundering Sword Manual > in his mind.
The sword techniques, Internal Qi circulation methods, and the fusion of Wind Concept with sword moves—all of which were already deeply ingrained in my mind—were clearly presented, like a scroll unfolding before my eyes.
Then he opened his eyes and thrust out a sword imbued with the Wind Sword Intent.
The sword light, as thin as silk, traced a faint, almost imperceptible path in the morning light.
Where the sword tip passed, a fine crack silently appeared in the air, the crack lingering and not dissipating for a long time.
He sheathed his sword, then drew it again.
The second sword, the third sword, the fourth sword.
His sword grew faster and faster, its light crisscrossing across the Cultivation Ground like a sudden clap of thunder, sharp and unparalleled.
The Wind Sword Intent was brought to its fullest extent in his hands, and the sharpness that could tear everything apart made the air in the Cultivation Ground seem to freeze.
On the obsidian ground, new marks have been added to the crisscrossing sword scars.
One hour.
Two hours.
Fang Han practiced tirelessly, each sword strike more fluid and graceful than the last.
"We're not far from the next realm!"
It wasn't until noon that Fang Han sheathed his sword and stood up, slowly exhaling a breath of stale air.
He could clearly feel that his understanding of this Sword Technique was deepening at an astonishing rate.
The threshold to the realm of the Mastery Realm is not far off.
"It's only been a little over a month since I last broke through to the Proficiency Realm."
Even Fang Han himself was somewhat surprised.
The advancement of a master-level Sword Technique is extremely difficult, often taking several years or even more than a decade. Yet, in just over a month, he has already shown signs of another breakthrough.
Such a cultivation speed can only be described as exaggerated.
"It is related to both Sword-Walking Grass and Wind Jade."
The reason he was able to achieve such speed was not only because of the 256-fold Sword Art Talent Amplification, but also because he consumed a total of four Sword-Shaped Grass to improve his Sword Art Talent.
It can be said that among the five talents that provide an increase in System Panel stats, the Sword Art Talent is undoubtedly the strongest.
In addition, the enhanced perception of wind attribute by the Wind Jade resulted in such a rapid cultivation speed.
"At most ten more days."
Fang Han muttered to himself.
He withdrew his gaze, turned, and walked out of the Cultivation Ground.
Behind him, the sunlight shone brightly, casting his figure in a green robe onto the obsidian ground. The shadow was stretched long, intertwining with the crisscrossing sword marks, making it difficult to distinguish.
The night was as dark as ink, deep within a secret chamber at the headquarters of the Iron River Gang.
The candlelight flickered on the bronze lampstand, casting two figures on the rough stone wall, the light and shadow shifting and changing.
Yan Wuji sat on the stone chair at the head of the table, his gray robe gleaming dimly in the firelight.
His ancient face was expressionless, but his cloudy yet deep eyes gleamed faintly in the candlelight.
Qi Zhen stood beside him, his hands hanging at his sides, his posture respectful.
" Supreme Elder "
Qi Zhen spoke, his voice very low, as if afraid of being overheard by outsiders.
"We just received intelligence that the Hundred Treasures Pavilion intends to align itself with the Azure Profound Sect in order to seek protection."
Yan Wuji tapped his fingers lightly twice on the armrest of the stone chair, producing a dull thud.
" The Hundred Treasures Pavilion is indeed decisive. As a major power, it has made such a resolute choice to align itself with them."
His voice was old and flat, echoing softly in the secret room.
Qi Zhen frowned and said:
"We originally planned to target the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, but we didn't expect it to so decisively choose to align itself with the Azure Profound Sect Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Now it's not so easy to make a move."
Yan Wuji raised his eyes, a cold glint flashing briefly in his turbid pupils.
" Hundred Treasures Pavilion has been in business for many years and has amassed tremendous wealth. If it were to align itself with the Azure Profound Sect, Azure Profound Sect would receive tremendous benefits. We cannot allow Hundred Treasures Pavilion to become dependent on the Azure Profound Sect."
His voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.
"It must be eliminated before it attaches itself to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion."
Qi Zhen was slightly taken aback, then his brows furrowed slightly, revealing a hint of hesitation.
" Supreme Elder, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion is now inclined to align itself with the Azure Profound Sect. If we attack the Hundred Treasures Pavilion now, we will surely offend the Azure Profound Sect."
He paused, then lowered his voice even further.
"After all, the Azure Profound Sect is a top-tier force with a Grandmaster at its helm. If they were to antagonize my Iron River Gang over this matter, I'm afraid—"
"What are you afraid of?"
Yan Wuji interrupted Qi Zhen, his cloudy eyes revealing no emotion.
"This is a good opportunity to test the Azure Profound Sect's attitude."