In the deepest part of the palace, a figure sat upright on a black jade throne.
It was a tall man, his body completely covered by a black robe with dark gold patterns, and he wore a gold mask on his face.
The mask was exquisitely crafted, with fine, hair-like blood-red lines outlining the eyebrows and eyes, giving it an indescribable eerie quality.
He was the leader of the Dark Sacred Cult. No one knew his real name, nor had anyone seen his true face beneath the mask.
Inside the hall, the female grandmaster codenamed Blood Butterfly stood with her head bowed.
The red dress gleamed with a dull luster under the glow of the pearl, and a silver mask concealed her face, revealing only a pair of cold eyes.
"Master."
Her voice was hoarse, carrying a suppressed respect.
"My subordinate organization that developed in Qingyang Prefecture... the Iron River Gang, has been exposed."
On the black jade seat, the cult leader made no move, only the deep, pool-like eyes in the mask's eye sockets turned slightly, landing on Blood Butterfly.
"Explain."
Just one word, spoken softly, yet carrying a mountain-like solemnity.
"When Qi Zhen, the Iron River Gang, was secretly capturing experts who were affiliated with the Seven Sects to cultivate sacred arts, he was discovered by a True Disciple disciple of the Azure Profound Sect, and was ultimately exposed."
" The Seven Sects then joined forces and uprooted the Iron River Gang in a single day. My sect's plan to infiltrate Qingyang Prefecture..."
Blood Butterfly paused for a moment, then said.
"... It failed."
A brief, deathly silence fell over the hall.
The glow of the Night-Luminescent Pearl fell upon the golden mask, shimmering with a cold luster.
After a long silence, the cult leader finally spoke, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger:
Where is Yan Wuji?
He slightly raised his chin, and the light in the eye sockets of his mask flickered, as if he were recalling something.
"I still remember this person. He has broken through to become a Grandmaster. Grandmasters are considered core members of the sect. Did he escape when the Iron River Gang was destroyed?"
"Reporting to the Master, Yan Wuji... is dead."
Blood Butterfly paused for a moment, then spoke.
"When the Iron River Gang was besieged by the Seven Sects, Yan Wuji managed to escape, but the Seven Sects did not give up the pursuit."
"A few days ago, the Seven Sects found him and surrounded him in the mountains north of Qingyang Prefecture."
"Dead?"
The cult leader's voice remained calm, but the air in the hall seemed to freeze for a moment.
It wasn't a deliberately released pressure, but rather a deeper chill rising from the depths of the soul.
The Blood Butterfly lowered its head, not daring to speak.
Why didn't you offer help?
The cult leader spoke, his voice low, even calm, as if he were asking about a trivial matter.
But Blood Butterfly knew that the calmer the leader appeared, the more dangerous he was.
"My subordinates attempted a rescue, but it failed."
Blood Butterfly said in a deep voice.
"For this, I even fought against the Seven Sects grandmasters. I was surrounded and attacked by them, and suffered some minor injuries, so I had to retreat."
She raised her right hand and slightly lifted a corner of her red dress over her right shoulder.
There was a bandaged wound there.
The cult leader didn't speak, but leaned back on the black jade seat and gently tapped the armrest twice with his right index finger.
"Tap, tap."
The dull sounds echoed in the empty hall, each one seeming to strike the heart of the Blood Butterfly.
" Seven Sects..."
After a long silence, the cult leader slowly uttered these two words.
His voice remained calm, but a cold glint flashed in his deep, pool-like eyes, like a icy blade suddenly gleaming from the depths of water.
"Even with the rapid progress of the Saintly Technique, cultivating a Grandmaster is not easy... and a Grandmaster died just like that, at the hands of the Seven Sects."
The Blood Butterfly lowered its head and remained silent.
She knew that the cult leader had already decided to kill her.
The killing intent did not emanate outwards, nor did it cause the slightest ripple in the air within the hall. However, having followed the sect leader for many years, she knew all too well what this tranquility meant.
"Master."
She spoke tentatively, her voice tinged with hesitation.
"Should we deal with the Seven Sects...?"
No rush.
The cult leader raised his left hand, stopping Blood Butterfly from speaking.
The hand was long and fair, with distinct knuckles, and looked no different from an ordinary man's hand. But Blood Butterfly knew that this hand had easily crushed the throat of more than one grandmaster.
"The Holy Church is currently in a period of dormancy and it is not advisable for it to make any significant disturbances."
The cult leader spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable decisiveness.
"If we were to take action to wipe out the Seven Sects at this time, it would inevitably cause a stir throughout the world, which would be detrimental to the Holy Sect's grand plan."
He paused, his deep eyes narrowing slightly.
"Let's make a note of this debt for now."
He raised his eyes and his gaze fell on the Blood Butterfly.
"The day the Holy Church truly emerges will be the day the Seven Sects are destroyed."
Blood Butterfly's heart skipped a beat, and she respectfully said, "Your Master is wise."
Silence fell upon the hall once more.
The glow of the Night-Luminescent Pearl fell on the black jade base, illuminating the figure wearing a golden mask in a way that was both clear and blurry, like a dormant demon god waiting for the day he would awaken.
Azure Profound Sect.
Fang Han's life returned to its previous rhythm.
Every day, he cultivates his Internal Qi with the < Azure Profound Art > in the early morning, practices the < Void-Sundering Sword Manual > in the morning, and cultivates the < Black Tortoise True Art > and < Wind God Step > in the afternoon.
In addition, I would set aside some time each night to practice < Nether Guide > and Shadowveil, but I no longer devoted most of my energy to < Nether Guide > as I had before.
Ultimately, secret techniques are merely supplementary; what truly determines how far one can go on the path of martial arts is one's own strength.
Time slipped away quietly in the daily practice.
Before we knew it, it was already December.
The weather suddenly turned cold, and the mountain wind carried a biting chill, howling like a sob as it swept through the trees.
Although the bamboo grove in the True Transmission Courtyard was still green, it shivered in the cold wind.
Qui Lan and the Maid in the courtyard all changed into thicker clothes.
Fang Han was still wearing a thin blue robe.
With his current cultivation level at the Second Grade Mid-Stage, his qi and blood are as abundant as a furnace, making him impervious to heat and cold.
Even the cold wind of deep winter feels no different from a summer breeze on your face.
afternoon.
The Cultivation Ground in the backyard.
Fang Han in the center of the open space and took out a jade bottle from his bosom.
Uncork the bottle and pour out the last Vajra Pill.
The pill was the size of a longan, pure gold in color, and shimmered with a warm luster. A fiery and domineering aura emanated from Danyao surface, as if it were about to ignite the surrounding cold air.
"The last one."
Fang Han muttered to himself, then put the Danyao into his mouth.
The Danyao melted instantly upon entering the mouth, and a scorching, magma-like aura surged from the throat into the abdomen, then exploded with a deafening roar.
The scalding medicinal power, like a wild horse unleashed, surged through the meridians to every part of the body, seeping into every muscle, every bone, and every fascia.
"Buzz--"
Fang Han calmed his mind, and his internal Internal Qi moved accordingly.
The cultivation method of the < Black Tortoise True Art > flowed through his mind, and his body twisted slightly, assuming an extremely strange posture.
The muscles were tense, and the bones made a faint cracking sound.
The scorching medicinal power was refined and absorbed bit by bit, seeping into the muscles, bones, and skin.
He could clearly feel his body being solidified layer by layer.
My skin is gradually becoming fairer, not a pale white, but a healthy white, with a radiant glow.
The muscle fibers are becoming more resilient, each fiber resembling finely forged iron, containing astonishing power.
The jade-like luster on the surface of the bone grew brighter and brighter, and the increase in density brought about a subtle and continuous hum, like countless tiny hammers striking an anvil.
More than an hour later, around dusk.
Fang Han slowly finished his practice, and the tense muscles around his body gradually relaxed, restoring his contorted posture to normal.
He exhaled a long breath of stale air, the breath lingering and not dissipating, drawing a white trail in the cold air before slowly dissipating several feet away.
"You've improved another step."
Fang Han sensed the changes in his body, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
With the aid of Vajra Pill in his daily cultivation, his progress in the < Black Tortoise True Art > far exceeded expectations.
Compared to when he had just reached the Minor Accomplishment, his physical strength has now made great progress, and the lustrous sheen under his skin is almost solidified.
"In a few more months at most, I should be able to break through to the Proficiency Realm level."
Fang Han made a prediction in his mind.
The cultivation of Horizontal Training techniques is often slow, and each advancement in a realm takes a very long time. However, the improvement brought by each advancement in a realm is enormous.
If he can Proficiency Realm the Black Tortoise True Art, he will break through the "essence" barrier among the three barriers of essence, qi, and spirit. At that time, his physical defense will reach a level that is difficult to injure below the level of a grandmaster.
That means that even when facing First Grade martial artist who Break Three Passes, he can withstand the attack with his physical body without suffering serious injury.
This will be a life-saving trump card and the foundation for future breakthroughs to the Grandmaster Realm. This is why only sects with Grandmaster Martial Art can produce Grandmasters.
The daytime training was over, Fang Han stepped out of the Cultivation Ground.
Remembering that he had already used up the Vajra Pill he had exchanged from the Sect Treasury, he summoned a Servant.
"Call Qui Lan over."
"Yes, senior brother."
The Servant bowed and quickly left.
Before long, Qui Lan came from under the eaves.
She wore a light blue, thick skirt with a white fur trim around the neckline, her hands tucked into her sleeves, and she moved with a light and quick step.
"Senior brother, you were looking for me?"
She walked closer, bowed, and asked.
Fang Han took out his Identity Token from his pocket and handed it over.
"Take my token to the Sect Treasury and exchange it for fifteen bottles of Vajra Pill."
Qui Lan accepted the token with both hands and replied:
"Yes, senior brother."
Fang Han nodded slightly and added another instruction:
Go quickly and return quickly.
"I see."
Qui Lan bowed respectfully, turned and quickly walked out of the courtyard, her footsteps soon disappearing into the cold wind.
After watching Qui Lan leave, Fang Han withdrew his gaze.
If you want to break through to the Proficiency Realm of the Black Tortoise True Art within a few months, you cannot skimp on the Vajra Pill.
Half an hour later, footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard gate.
Qui Lan strode into the courtyard, handing over her Identity Token and a Cloth Pouch with both hands.
"Senior brother, the token and the Danyao."
Fang Han reached out and took it, first putting away the token, then opening the Cloth Pouch and glancing at the fifteen jade bottles neatly arranged inside.
Each jade bottle is engraved with the three characters " Vajra Pill " (金刚丹), and it feels warm to the touch, with a faint warmth emanating from its surface.
After confirming that everything was correct, he retied the bag.
"You've worked hard, go and rest."
Fang Han said.
"Yes, senior brother."
Qui Lan bowed and withdrew.
Of the four Major Merit, only three remain.
Fang Han whispered to himself, feeling a little emotional in his heart.
The achievements seem numerous, but the money spent on them feels like it doesn't last long.
Fifteen bottles of Vajra Pill would be a Major Merit.
Under normal Major Merit, even a Upper Third Grade martial artist might not earn a great merit in half a year.
"If it weren't for the fact that the sect was going through a turbulent time, I wouldn't have been able to accumulate so many merits."
Fang Han shook his head.
First, they discovered that Qi Zhen was practicing demonic arts, then they tracked down Yan Wuji and successfully found him, allowing the Seven Sects to join forces to kill him. They were credited with Major Merit on both occasions.
In addition to the merits accumulated from previous missions such as eliminating the Black Crow Bandits and killing You Xin, he has accumulated his current wealth.
But such opportunities are unlikely to come often.
With the destruction of the Iron River Gang and the death of Yan Wuji, Qingyang Prefecture has temporarily returned to peace.
In the days to come, it's unlikely we'll encounter another mission where we can earn such a Major Merit in a single attempt.
"But it's alright."
A faint smile appeared on Fang Han's lips.
Having no missions means you can devote yourself entirely to cultivation.