Yan Wuji turned around, his murky eyes landing on Qi Zhen's face.
"Personally take action?"
His voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.
"Given Fang Han's current strength, there are very few people in Qingyang Prefecture who could kill him."
He walked back to the stone bench and slowly sat down.
"Given the previous conflict, if this boy dies outside, the first suspect the Azure Profound Sect will be our Iron River Gang."
Qi Zhen opened his mouth, as if to say something, but was interrupted by Yan Wuji raising his hand.
"Moreover--"
Yan Wuji's voice held a newfound certainty.
" Fang Han's growth rate is indeed very fast, but no matter how fast he grows, he can't outpace those of us who cultivate sacred techniques."
He raised his eyes and his gaze fell on Qi Zhen's face.
"This boy poses no threat. We need not worry about him. Let's fight the Azure Profound Sect to the death right now."
He paused, his voice lowering slightly.
What we need most right now is time to grow.
Qi Zhen fell silent.
The Supreme Elder's words are indeed reasonable.
He had personally experienced the profound mysteries of the sacred art.
That domineering method of devouring essence and converting cultivation power allowed his cultivation level to skyrocket from the Early First Grade to the First Grade Late Stage in just a few months.
This speed is far beyond what can be achieved through methodical cultivation.
No matter how extraordinary Fang Han was, he was ultimately just cultivating step by step.
It's only a matter of time before I surpass Fang Han after cultivating this sacred skill.
" The Supreme Elder is absolutely right."
Qi Zhen cupped his hands in greeting, his voice carrying a hint of relief.
However, the lingering unease in his heart did not completely dissipate.
Fang Han's figure standing with his sword in hand amidst the ruins of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion that day, his calm, serene eyes, and his overwhelming composure—
It still lingers in his mind to this day.
But the Supreme Elder had already made his decision, and further persuasion would be useless.
"Although the attack on the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was unsuccessful, it did provide insight into the attitude of the Azure Profound Sect."
Yan Wuji picked up the Teacup beside him, took a small sip, and put it down.
He raised his eyes and his gaze fell on Qi Zhen's face.
" The Azure Profound Sect's strong reaction shows that the bottom line of the Seven Sects is that they will not tolerate any forces associated with them."
His voice was calm, carrying a sense of worldly wisdom and composure.
"The next step is to avoid any forces associated with the Seven Sects."
"I see."
Qi Zhen bowed in response.
He turned and walked out of the secret room.
The heavy stone door slowly closed behind him, sealing the candlelight and the aged figure together in the secret chamber.
Two days later, in the afternoon, the continuous outline of Azure Profound Mountain appeared at the edge of the field of vision.
At the foot of the mountain, a group of people were already waiting.
It was Lan Yuexin and the others who received the message.
Lan Yuexin was wearing a light blue dress, her long hair flowing smoothly down her back. Several Maid and Guard from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion followed behind her, craning their necks to look towards the official road.
Upon seeing the group come into view, Lan Yuexin's bright eyes lit up, and she quickly stepped forward to greet them.
"Father."
She walked up to Lan Daoxing and asked with concern in her voice.
How are your injuries?
"He's out of danger."
Lan Daoxing waved his hand, a smile appearing on his refined face.
"We were able to escape safely thanks to Fang Han Han's timely arrival and defeat of Qi Zhen; otherwise, I fear I would not have seen you again."
Lan Yuexin turned around, her gaze falling on Fang Han, her bright eyes filled with gratitude.
She bowed slightly, her voice soft yet sincere:
" Fang Han, I will Yuexin remember your life-saving grace."
"Miss Yuexin, there's no need for that."
Fang Han shook his head slightly.
" The Hundred Treasures Pavilion has chosen to ally with our Azure Profound Sect, so it is our duty to lend a helping hand."
Lan Daoxing's gaze swept between Fang Han and his daughter, the smile on his lips deepening, but he didn't say anything more.
He turned to Lan Yuexin and instructed her:
"I will rest at the branch office in the city for the night, and will go up the mountain to pay my respects to Sect Leader Chen early tomorrow morning. Please make the arrangements."
"Yes, Father."
Lan Yuexin responded and stepped aside to lead the way.
Lan Daoxing cupped his hands in greeting to Chen Wanjun and the others, then followed Lan Yuexin toward Azure Profound City.
The figure in light blue walked beside her father, her hair ornaments swaying slightly, her skirt fluttering gently, and she would occasionally turn her head to whisper a few words to him.
Fang Han watched the father and daughter leave, then turned around and, together with Chen Wanjun and the other three, passed through the mountain gate and walked along the bluestone path to the mountain peak.
The majestic outline of the Sect Master's Hall appeared even more somber under the afternoon sun.
When the disciples guarding the temple gate saw the five people approaching, they quickly bowed and greeted them. One of them hurried inside to announce their arrival, and a moment later returned, gesturing with his hand.
Chen Tianyuan in the large chair at the head of the table, waiting for the arrival of the five people.
"Disciple Fang Han greets Sect Master."
Fang Han stepped forward and bowed.
Chen Wanjun, Han Qing, Chen Tie, Jin Han also bowed in turn.
"No need for formalities, please sit."
Chen Tianyuan waved his hand, gesturing for the five to sit down.
Fang Han sat down on the pear wood chair at the lower end, while Chen Wanjun and the other three sat on either side.
Chen Tianyuan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, put it down, and his gaze fell on Fang Han. His voice was calm:
"Regarding the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, I have received a message via carrier pigeon informing me that you have successfully rescued it. Hundred Treasures Pavilion Fang Han, please explain the details further."
Fang Han straightened up and recounted the events of the past few days in detail.
From the moment I arrived at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, which was under siege by the Iron River Gang, to my fight with Qi Zhen and his injury, to the Iron River Gang's retreat, and then to these past few days guarding Hundred Treasures Pavilion to prevent them from making a comeback.
His narration was concise and clear, without embellishment or omission of key points.
When Fang Han recounted his fight with Qi Zhen and how he injured the Iron River Gang leader, First Grade Late Stage Rank expert, Chen Tianyuan paused slightly in his teacup.
In those warm eyes, the look of relief grew even stronger, and there was even a hint of undisguised surprise.
" Qi Zhen, First Grade Late Stage cultivator, is no match for you."
Chen Tianyuan put down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, and spoke with a touch of emotion.
" Fang Han, your growth rate is even faster than I imagined."
"Sect Master is too kind."
Fang Han shook his head slightly.
Chen Tianyuan's gaze swept over the five people, and after a moment of silence, he slowly spoke:
"For this rescue of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, each of you five will receive a Major Merit."
Although Fang Han made the greatest contribution, they were all on the same mission, so no favoritism was shown, and both were rewarded equally.
Fang Han had no objection to this. The five of them were carrying out the mission together as a whole, so there was no need to worry about who contributed more or less.
"Six Major Merit!"
A slight thought stirred within him.
With one Major Merit, plus the five Major Merit he had accumulated before, he now has six Major Merit merits again.
Six Major Merit are an extremely large amount of merit even for the Elder of the sect.
"Thank you, Sect Master."
The five men stood up in unison, cupped their hands in gratitude, and expressed their thanks.
Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly and said nothing more.
The five people left the Sect Master's Hall and returned to their respective residences.
The following morning, a thin mist enveloped Azure Profound Mountain like a veil.
Fang Han finished cultivating his Internal Qi and pushed open the door to the Quiet Room.
The bamboo grove in the courtyard rustled in the breeze, and a few yellowed bamboo leaves swirled and fell, spreading a thin layer on the ground.
Qui Lan was setting out breakfast in the Side Hall with two Maid when she heard 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 consisted of a bowl of Blood Rice Porridge, a dish of pickled vegetables, and a steamer of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).
He picked up his chopsticks and ate slowly.
After having breakfast, Fang Han put down his chopsticks and got up to walk towards the Cultivation Ground in the backyard.
The unease that had been lingering in his heart kept him from relaxing for a moment, and he threw himself into cultivation the day after returning to the sect.
In the Cultivation Ground in the backyard, the obsidian floor gleamed with a deep luster in the morning light.
Fang Han stood still in the center of the open space, closed his eyes and concentrated, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
In his mind, the sword techniques of the < Void-Sundering Sword Manual > slowly flowed through his mind.
Everything was clearly presented, like a scroll unfolding before one's eyes.
"Clang--"
The Cloudsplitter Sword was drawn.
The Dark Cyan blade shimmered with a restrained luster in the morning light, and the air seemed to freeze slightly where the blade pointed.
A sword thrust out.
This sword strike was neither fast nor slow, just a simple straight thrust, but with the enhancement of Sword Intent, it appeared simple yet was anything but.
The sword tip sliced through the air, producing a barely perceptible tearing sound. A faint, transparent ripple spread out from where the sword's edge had passed, lingering there.
Fang Han sheathed his sword, then drew it again.
The second sword strike was a fraction faster than the first.
The third strike was even faster.
Fourth sword, fifth sword, sixth sword--
Sword light crisscrossed the Cultivation Ground, appearing like a sudden thunderclap, sharp and incomparable, chilling to the bone.
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.
"We are extremely close to the next realm."
Fang Han sheathed his sword and stood there, slowly exhaling a breath of stale air.
He could clearly feel that the threshold to the realm of the Mastery Realm had become so thin that it was just a thin sheet of paper.
Given his cultivation speed, he should have broken through a few days ago.
However, the mission to rescue Hundred Treasures Pavilion was delayed for quite some time, which is why no breakthrough was made.
He shook his head, suppressing these thoughts, and drew his sword again.
One hour.
Two hours.
Fang Han practiced tirelessly, each sword strike more fluid and graceful than the last.
Sweat dripped from his forehead, soaking the back of his blue robe, which clung tightly to his body.
But his eyes were surprisingly bright.
A few days later, on the morning.
Fang Han in the center of the open space, closing his eyes and concentrating.
In the past few days, he has devoted all the time he could spare to practicing Sword Technique.
Every morning, without fail, he cultivates the Azure Profound Art. After breakfast, he plunges into the Cultivation Ground.
His entire being was immersed in the world of swordsmanship.
The variations in sword techniques, the methods of circulating Internal Qi, and the fusion of the Wind Concept with the Sword Intent—
Everything appeared clearly in his mind, like the sun breaking through the clouds.
He could sense that the threshold to the Mastery Realm had become so thin that it was almost non-existent.
It's like a thin film stretched to its limit; just a little more force and it will break.