What was the reaction of the Iron River Gang?
Qui Lan shook her head, carefully recalled what she had just said.
"There's been little reaction. They've abandoned targeting the major powers and instead turned their attention to smaller powers, recently annexing some of them."
Fang Han nodded slightly, and the inexplicable unease he felt because of the Iron River Gang eased a little.
Since the rise of the Iron River Gang, every time this name was mentioned, an indescribable sense of vigilance would arise in his heart.
That feeling was indescribable, without reason or evidence; it was simply an intuition—an instinctive instinct for danger.
Now that the Iron River Gang's efforts to absorb major forces have come to a halt, it can only target smaller and medium-sized forces, slowing down its growth. This is undoubtedly a good thing.
"Keep a close eye on the movements of the Iron River Gang."
Fang Han put down his Teacup and looked out the window at the bamboo grove rustling in the autumn wind.
"Report to me immediately if anything unusual occurs."
"Yes, senior brother."
Qui Lan bowed in response.
Fang Han said no more, picked up his chopsticks, and continued eating.
Qui Lan stood to one side with her hands hanging down, and only the faint sound of bowls and chopsticks clattering remained in the Side Hall.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the bamboo leaves outside the window, casting dappled shadows on the ground, which swayed gently in the breeze.
In the distance, the mountains stretch endlessly, bathed in a soft golden glow on an autumn afternoon, creating a serene and peaceful scene.
Fang Han put down his chopsticks, took the handkerchief Qui Lan handed him to wipe his hands, and got up to walk out of the courtyard.
Although the unease in his heart had lessened, it had not completely disappeared.
The threat posed by the Iron River Gang remains, but it is temporarily dormant.
He cannot let his guard down just because the other party has temporarily restrained himself.
Only by continuously improving our strength can we remain invincible in the storms that may come in the future.
Inside the secret chamber, 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 revealing no expression.
Qi Zhen stood beside him, his hands hanging down, his posture respectful, but there was a hint of suppressed gloom between his brows.
" Supreme Elder "
Qi Zhen spoke, his face grim.
"Most of the major powers within the prefecture have now submitted to the Seven Sects."
He paused, a hint of resentment in his voice.
"It is inconvenient for our Iron River Gang to take action against these forces again, otherwise we might directly clash with the Seven Sects."
Yan Wuji tapped his fingers lightly twice on the armrest of the stone chair, producing a dull thud.
"Our Iron River Gang's actions have ironically benefited the Seven Sects."
His voice was old and flat, devoid of any emotion, but a cold glint flashed in his cloudy eyes.
"I will remember this debt and settle it with the Seven Sects in the future."
Qi Zhen's expression softened slightly, and he said:
" Supreme Elder, now our Iron River Gang can only target small and medium-sized forces. However, the martial artists in those forces are too weak. The improvement brought by absorbing essence through the Holy Technique is limited. Our cultivation speed has obviously slowed down."
Yan Wuji raised his eyes and his gaze fell on Qi Zhen's face.
"If we can't openly attack the major powers, then we'll act covertly and capture their warriors."
Qi Zhen was slightly taken aback, then his brows furrowed slightly, revealing a hint of hesitation.
" Supreme Elder, if we secretly arrest martial artists from various forces, the Seven Sects will likely send people to investigate, and then—"
"Don't worry."
Yan Wuji interrupted Qi Zhen, took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his sleeve, and handed it over.
"This is a secret medicine formula from Grandmaster's Tomb. It can eliminate odors, making it difficult for even top trackers to trace you."
Qi Zhen took the paper, unfolded it, and his eyes swept over the densely packed words on it, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Thank you Supreme Elder!"
He carefully tucked the note into his pocket and bowed respectfully.
Yan Wuji nodded slightly, picked up the Teacup beside him, took a small sip, and put it down.
Go ahead.
Qi Zhen bowed again, then turned and walked out of the secret chamber.
The heavy stone door slowly closed behind him, sealing the candlelight and the aged figure together in the secret chamber.
"Senior brother, a disciple from the treasure vault requests an audience."
Qui Lan's voice rang out from outside the Quiet Room, carrying a hint of solemnity.
Fang Han slowly finished his practice, opened his eyes, and a glint of cyan-gold light flashed in them.
Please ask him to wait in the Living Room.
He stood up, straightened his robes, and went out the door.
Passing through the Corridor and entering the Living Room, a young man dressed in disciple's robes stood with his hands at his sides. Upon hearing footsteps, he quickly bowed in greeting.
"Senior Brother Fang."
Fang Han nodded slightly, sat down in the main seat, and looked at the disciple's face.
" Elder Han sent me to inform my senior brother that the newly arrived Earth Heart Stone Milk have been stored."
The disciple spoke steadily, relaying Han Qing's words verbatim.
Fang Han stirred slightly; he had been waiting for this news for some time.
Thank you.
He stood up and straightened his robes.
"I will go with you to the treasure vault."
The disciple stepped aside to lead the way, and the two of them left the No. 35 Annex one after the other, heading towards the mountain peak along the bluestone path.
In the morning, the mountains were shrouded in a thin mist, and the distant sound of bells could be faintly heard, melodious and lingering.
Fang Han walked ahead, his steps unhurried.
The disciple followed behind him, a few steps behind, not daring to walk alongside him.
The two remained silent for a short while, until the magnificent stone building of the Sect Treasury came into view at the horizon.
The building is built into the mountainside, with half of it embedded in the mountain and the other half exposed.
The disciples on duty stood solemnly before the entrance to the treasure vault.
Elder Han Qing, who was in charge of guarding the area today, stood with his hands behind his back on the stone steps, his long gray hair casually tied up with a wooden hairpin.
His stern face was expressionless, except for a pair of cold, wary eyes.
Their vigilance lessened slightly upon seeing that the visitor was Fang Han.
"Thank you for informing me, Elder Han."
Fang Han walked up the stone steps and bowed respectfully.
"Need not."
Han Qing nodded slightly, his voice hoarse.
His personality has always been aloof, and even though Fang Han is the most talented disciple in the sect in the last few hundred years and has the potential to become a grandmaster, he has no intention of currying favor with him.
The reason for sending someone to inform Fang Han was that he had hardly contributed to the previous missions.
Feeling that they had taken advantage of Fang Han, they sent someone to inform Fang Han Earth Heart Stone Milk had arrived as compensation.
Elder Han.
Fang Han looked at the stern-faced Elder and asked.
"What were the rankings of the sect's new disciples in Beginner stage Seven Sects Competition this year?"
Han Qing's voice was hoarse and flat.
Fourth, it's slightly better than last year.
"Fourth..."
Fang Han repeated the number in a low voice.
Last year, they ranked sixth among the seven sects; this year, they ranked fourth—that's definitely an improvement.
He paused for a moment, then asked.
Did the Iron River Gang participate this time?
Upon hearing this, a faint hint of coldness appeared on Han Qing's stern face.
" The Iron River Gang was interested in participating, but they were rejected by the Seven Sects."
He paused, then continued.
"The competition among the new disciples Beginner stage the Seven Sects is related to the distribution of the Earth Heart Stone Milk. Naturally, the Seven Sects cannot allow the Iron River Gang to participate and take a share of it."
Fang Han nodded slightly, showing no surprise.
Earth Heart Stone Milk is a natural treasure that can improve one's physical constitution; every drop is extremely precious.
The Seven Sects firmly control this competition in order to monopolize this resource.
Although the Iron River Gang has a Grandmaster in charge, the Seven Sects will not back down on this matter.
"How much Earth Heart Stone Milk did the sect receive this year?"
Fang Han asked the question that concerned him most during this trip.
Han Qing's stern eyes fell on Fang Han's face as he spoke.
"Ten drops."
Earth Heart Stone Milk, a rare and precious material that can improve one's physical constitution, is priceless with every drop, even surpassing other types of natural and precious materials that improve one's aptitude.
The new disciples Beginner stage the Seven Sects competed, and the higher the ranking, the more drops they received. The fourth-place winner was already considered fortunate to receive ten drops.
Elder Han.
Fang Han met Han Qing's gaze, his voice steady.
"This disciple wishes to exchange for three drops of Earth Heart Stone Milk."
The reason he exchanged for three drops instead of more wasn't out of reluctance to give back, but because he deduced that the effects of this rare and precious herb would be greatly reduced after taking three drops, making it uneconomical to exchange for more.
"Come with me."
Han Qing didn't ask any further questions, but simply nodded slightly and walked forward.
Fang Han followed Han Qing through the deep passage and arrived at the heavy gate made of black iron.
Han Qing took out an ancient-looking token from his pocket, pressed it into the groove on the side of the gate, and exhaled a little Internal Qi.
"Click--"
With a crisp click of the mechanism, the gate slowly rose.
Behind the door, a massive underground cavern came into view.
The dome soared high, and the four walls were built of bluestone. The Night-Luminescent Pearl embedded in them emitted a cool glow, illuminating the entire cave.
Han Qing didn't linger and walked straight towards the Heavenly Treasures Room.
Fang Han followed behind him, his gaze sweeping over the jade plaques engraved with the words "Weapon Room," " Danyao Room," and "Cultivation Technique Room," finally settling on the five ancient seal characters "Heavenly Treasures Room."
Han Qing took a bunch of keys from his waist, picked out one, Beginner stage, and gently turned it.
"Click."
The stone gate opened with a click.
He pushed open the door and entered, with Fang Han following closely behind.
The stone chamber was brightly lit, with Night-Luminescent Pearl embedded in the walls illuminating the room as if it were daytime.
Against the wall, neatly stacked rosewood shelves were arranged.
On the wooden shelf, jade boxes, wooden cases, and porcelain bottles were arranged in an orderly manner, each with a label indicating the name and origin of the item it contained.
A faint medicinal fragrance, mixed with the unique aroma of wood, filled the air, bringing a sense of tranquility.
Han Qing walked to a row of wooden shelves at the innermost part of the room and stopped.
On this row of wooden shelves, there are a total of 10 small jade bottles, which should be the 10 drops of Earth Heart Stone Milk.
Han Qing reached out and took down three jade bottles, then turned and handed them to Fang Han.
The jade bottle is pure white with a warm and smooth texture. The mouth of the bottle is sealed with cork, and the four characters "Earth Heart Stone Milk" (Earth's Core Stone Milk) are engraved on the body in ancient seal script.
"Three drops of Earth Heart Stone Milk, totaling three Major Merit."
Han Qing's voice was flat, carrying a businesslike attitude.
It wasn't that he deliberately Fang Han; it was simply his personality, and it was precisely because of this personality that he could become the guardian of the treasure trove.
Fang Han took the three jade bottles, took out his Identity Token from his pocket, and handed it over.