The sight of Han Li standing alone on the arena platform, crushing the Azure Edge Sword between two fingers, seared itself deep into the hearts of everyone watching like a red-hot branding iron. An eerie, deathly silence settled over the training grounds, broken only by the snap of banners in the wind and Li Feiyu's suppressed, labored breaths, flecked with bloody foam.
He had lost.
And it had been a crushing defeat, without the slightest suspense-as effortless as smashing rotten wood!
Li Feiyu slumped at the edge of the platform, his face the color of gold paper, his gaze unfocused. It was not merely the backlash from the destruction of his life-bound artifact, but the defeat and terror rising from the depths of his soul. The cultivation and swordsmanship he had taken such pride in had proved as flimsy as paper before his opponent! Those two effortless fingers seemed to have crushed not only his sword, but all his pride and illusions as well.
"Who else?"
Han Li's calm voice rang out again. It was not loud, yet it carried clearly across the entire training grounds.
Not a sound came from below the platform. The core disciples who had doubted the dark spiritual root, or trusted their own strength enough to consider testing him, all lowered their heads now, afraid to meet the gaze of the blue-robed figure on the platform. Some of the weaker outer disciples even felt an invisible pressure that made breathing difficult.
On the raised dais, Elder Zhao recovered from his shock and drew a deep breath. His voice held a barely perceptible dryness. "Han Li has successfully defended the platform and advances!"
There were no cheers, no applause. Only countless complicated gazes fixed on Han Li. Awe, fear, jealousy, disbelief... all manner of emotions intertwined.
Expressionless, Han Li walked slowly down from the platform. Wherever he went, the crowd parted of its own accord, clearing a broad path as though avoiding some savage beast from primordial times.
The effects of this battle far exceeded his expectations. Not only had he advanced with ease, he had established an unshakable position among the Seven Mysteries Sect's disciples in a single stroke. At least openly, no one blind enough to provoke him would do so again anytime soon.
He sensed several particularly powerful strands of spiritual sense sweep over him from the dais. One belonged to Mo Juren, carrying scrutiny and a trace of barely restrained fervor; another was cold as ice, belonging to the white-robed woman, Nangong Wan. Several others were more obscure and profound, presumably belonging to the Grand Elders.
Han Li sneered inwardly. This was exactly the effect he wanted. The more astonishing his performance, the more reluctant Mo Juren would be to casually ruin such a perfect vessel. He would invest more resources in nurturing Han Li, providing precisely the nourishment Han Li needed to grow rapidly. At the same time, the attention of the sect's upper ranks could serve, to some extent, as a restraint on Mo Juren.
He returned directly to his courtyard in the core disciples' quarters, turning a deaf ear to the turmoil outside.
Yet though the tree wished for stillness, the wind would not cease.
News of Han Li defeating Li Feiyu with a single move seemed to sprout wings, spreading through every corner of the Seven Mysteries Sect at astonishing speed before spilling out into the Southern Heaven Region.
"Have you heard? Someone with a dark spiritual root has appeared in the Seven Mysteries Sect!"
"A dark spiritual root? Is that really true? Isn't that a legendary spiritual root?"
"Absolutely true! The Spirit-Testing Platform turned pitch-black! And the boy is vicious and ruthless. He killed someone during the entrance examination, and at the outer sect tournament, he crippled that Li family genius, Li Feiyu, with just two fingers!"
"Two fingers? Heavens! How powerful must he be?"
"Has the Seven Mysteries Sect found a treasure this time? Or taken in a harbinger of disaster?"
All manner of rumors and discussions raged. For the first time, the name Han Li truly entered the awareness of certain powers in the Southern Heaven Cultivation World.
Deep within the Seven Mysteries Sect's Medicine Hall.
Mo Juren dismissed all the disciples and sat alone in a dim meditation chamber. The gentle smile he had worn earlier was long gone, replaced by a twisted expression mingling excitement, greed, and deep wariness.
"Good! Very good! Such strength, such temperament! This vessel is even more perfect than I anticipated!" he growled under his breath, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement.
But he soon forced himself to calm down, a sinister gleam flashing through his eyes. "This boy is growing too quickly! The dark spiritual root truly is strange and unfathomable! At this rate, he may be able to threaten me in just a few years..."
His original plan had been to boil the frog slowly, gradually bringing Han Li under his control through resources and other means. Once Han Li reached Foundation Establishment, when his soul and body were most closely aligned, Mo Juren would possess him, maximizing both his chances of success and the benefits he would gain.
But now, the potential and danger Han Li had displayed filled him with an intense sense of urgency.
"I must accelerate the plan..." Mo Juren's eyes flickered as he rapidly worked through various possibilities in his mind. "The Meridian-Eroding Powder needs time to take effect, and the tracking mark was inexplicably erased... This boy probably has other secrets. I cannot wait any longer!"
He rose, walked to a concealed corner, and activated a small Communication Formation. Amid flickering light, a blurred phantom appeared.
"The plan has changed. The target's growth has exceeded expectations. I need a Soul-Locking Nail and materials for the Spirit-Refining Formation. Send them as soon as possible," Mo Juren told the phantom in a low voice.
The phantom rippled slightly, and a hoarse voice emerged. "A Soul-Locking Nail? A Spirit-Refining Formation? Old ghost Mo, you mean to forcefully possess him? The risk is too great! Is that vessel worth staking everything on?"
"It is!" Mo Juren declared with iron certainty, madness glittering in his eyes. "A dark spiritual root! Something unseen in ten thousand years! If I succeed, the Nascent Soul stage will be within reach! Even Spirit Transformation... may not be beyond my grasp! What does this little risk amount to?"
"Hmph. Since your mind is made up, the materials will arrive in three days. Do not forget our agreement."
"Rest assured. You will receive everything I promised, down to the last bit."
The communication ended, and the chamber returned to darkness. A savage smile spread across Mo Juren's face.
Han Li, oh, Han Li. If you must blame something, blame your own brilliance! I can no longer wait to savor that perfect body of yours!
Meanwhile, in the secluded valley residence in the Seven Mysteries Sect's rear mountains.
Nangong Wan stood by the window, holding a Communication Jade Slip containing a detailed record of Han Li's performance that day.
"Defeating an opponent with one finger, ruthless and decisive... a dark spiritual root..." she murmured. Beneath her veil, her eyes shifted with a trace of curiosity and scrutiny. "Heavenly South has been peaceful for too long. This boy's appearance may truly stir this pool of stagnant water."
After a moment's thought, spiritual light flashed at her fingertip, and she left a few lines in the jade slip: "Keep him under close observation. Do not approach him for now. Watch Mo Juren's movements and the responses of other powers."
The jade slip transformed into a streak of light and vanished.
Nangong Wan looked toward Han Li's courtyard, a meaningful glint flashing through her beautiful eyes.
"Han Li... I hope you can survive this maelstrom, and... make your life sufficiently remarkable."
Inside his courtyard, Han Li sat cross-legged, seemingly unaware of the surging undercurrents he had stirred outside. Yet in his mind, the system's notifications rang out clearly:
[Ding! The host's formidable reputation has begun to emerge, attracting regional attention. Sources of killing intent have increased: Mo Juren, unknown powers.] [Hidden quest triggered: Demon Name Far and Wide. Quest requirement: spread Han Li's name throughout the Southern Heaven Cultivation World within one year. Quest rewards: a special title and substantial slaughter points, depending on completion.]
Han Li slowly opened his eyes, their depths dark and unfathomable.
"Demon Name Far and Wide? Just what I wanted."
An icy curve formed at the corner of his mouth.
Mo Juren, I have received your killing intent.
As for all you powers, I await your attention.
Before you continue