Chapter 257 - 256: Middle Stage of Fifth Grade
Chapter 257: Chapter 256: Middle Stage of Fifth Grade
Liangshui City, the Fang Mansion.
Today, the Fang Family was adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations. Guests were as numerous as clouds, creating an unprecedentedly lively scene.
The vermilion-lacquered main gates were thrown open, and the street before them was bustling with carriages and horses. The leaders of major families and merchant guilds from Liangshui City and several surrounding cities had all come personally with lavish gifts to offer their congratulations.
The reason was simple: news that the Fang Family’s Qilin’er, Fang Han, had ascended to the Qingyang County Celestial Pride List had swept through Liangshui City and the surrounding regions like a hurricane!
The Celestial Pride List!
That was the supreme ranking that gathered the one hundred most top-level talents of Qingyang County’s younger generation.
To be ranked among them meant Fang Han had reached the pinnacle of his generation in Qingyang County. His future was limitless.
The Fang Family had produced a true dragon!
Inside the Fang Family’s main hall, every seat was filled with distinguished guests. The air rang with ceaseless laughter and cheerful conversation.
The Patriarch, Fang Lingyuan, was dressed in a brand-new brocade robe and sat in the seat of honor. His face was radiant with irrepressible excitement and pride as he frequently raised his cup to toast the guests.
Several Elders, also glowing with delight, moved among the guests, entertaining them.
At the main table, Fang Han’s parents, Fang Zheng and Lin Wan, had become the center of everyone’s attention.
The two were dressed in magnificent robes custom-made by the family and had been specially seated at the head table by Fang Lingyuan.
Seated around them were all the prominent leaders of various powers from Liangshui City and the surrounding areas. In the past, Mr. and Mrs. Fang Zheng rarely had the chance to even get close to such figures.
But at this moment, these important people were all taking the initiative to toast them, their words filled with warmth and flattery.
"Brother Fang, Madam Lin, congratulations! To have given birth to such a Qilin’er is truly a blessing for the Fang Family and a fortune for Liangshui City!"
"Young Master Han is a heaven-sent genius! Now that he’s on the Celestial Pride List, he’s destined to become a great figure and bring glory to your family name!"
"You two have raised your son so well. It’s truly admirable. I toast you both!"
Fang Zheng and Lin Wan had never experienced such a grand occasion. At first, they were somewhat at a loss, feeling overwhelmed by the attention.
But amid the chorus of congratulations, whether sincere or feigned, an indescribable sense of honor and pride welled up within them. They gradually relaxed, their faces flushed with a happy, proud glow.
Especially when they heard everyone praising their son, Fang Han, they felt that all their past hardships and expectations had been worthwhile.
His little sister, Fang Ying, wore a beautiful dress and sat obediently beside her parents. Her big, dark eyes were filled with curiosity and excitement as she watched the bustling scene around her.
A group of Fang Han’s relatives were also seated at a table right next to the main one.
They too received warm greetings and compliments from the surrounding guests. Every one of them was beaming, their backs straightened with pride, their conversations inevitably touched with the high spirits of sharing in the glory.
The entire Fang Mansion was immersed in an ocean of celebration and glory.
...
Qingxuan Sect, True Inheritance Courtyard, Villa Thirty-Five.
The uproar caused by Fang Han’s ascent to the list had not affected him in the slightest.
In the early morning, tendrils of sandalwood incense curled up within the Quiet Chamber.
Fang Han sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion in the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture, his mind focused and serene. The Profound Wind Technique circulated slowly within him.
Inside the newly opened Qichong Acupoint, his Inner Qi had already filled it to over ninety-five percent capacity, the feeling of swelling and fullness extremely pronounced.
As another surge of pure, powerful Inner Qi was generated from the circulation cycle and rushed in—
BUZZ!
The Qichong Acupoint trembled slightly, having reached its absolute limit.
The overflowing Inner Qi spontaneously and violently charged toward the next barrier—the Shaohai Acupoint!
BOOM!
The torrent of Inner Qi slammed into an invisible yet incredibly tough barrier, letting out a muffled roar.
He had hit the bottleneck of the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade!
Fang Han’s mind remained as still as an ancient well. He continued to circulate the Profound Wind Technique, guiding the immense Inner Qi in his body like a tireless tide.
Wave after wave, he steadily and persistently washed over the barrier.
Under the power of Fang Han’s terrifying Root Bone Talent, this barrier, which would take an ordinary Early Stage of Fifth Grade Martial Artist a vast amount of time and resources to even attempt to break, no longer seemed insurmountable.
The bottleneck trembled violently, sending out ripples.
Half an hour later.
CRACK!
A clear cracking sound echoed from deep within his body.
The bottleneck to the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade was broken!
The immense Inner Qi, which had been accumulating for a long time, instantly crushed all obstacles and, with unprecedented glee, flooded madly into the newly opened Shaohai Acupoint.
In that instant, the aura around Fang Han’s body surged dramatically!
Including the Shaohai Acupoint, the fourteen opened acupoints now formed a more complex and massive system for circulating Inner Qi.
The speed and volume of his rushing Inner Qi increased sharply. Its color deepened to a near-inky black, and its texture grew as viscous as mercury. The sense of power it generated during circulation far surpassed that of the Early Stage of Fifth Grade.
And with the opening of the Shaohai Acupoint, a new Divine Treasure—"Insight"—was also unlocked.
Fang Han felt a slight coolness between his brows, as if a third eye had quietly opened. His perception of the outside world instantly became incomparably clear and sharp.
The falling of a dust mote in the corner of the Quiet Chamber, the rolling of a dewdrop on a bamboo leaf outside the window, even the faint footsteps of a maid in the far distance...
Many subtle movements that he previously had to concentrate to perceive were now naturally presented to his mind’s eye, clear down to the smallest detail.
The "Insight" Divine Treasure greatly enhanced a Martial Artist’s Perception Ability. It was a huge help for anticipating an enemy’s moves in combat and for Introspection during cultivation.
’Middle Stage of Fifth Grade, done!’
Fang Han slowly ceased his cultivation and opened his eyes. A glint of deep cyan light swirled in their depths before quickly disappearing.
Feeling the transformed, more powerful and pure Inner Qi within him, as well as the sharp perception that allowed him to see his surroundings with perfect clarity, Fang Han was in a pleasant mood.
A breakthrough in cultivation was always a joyous occasion.
He pushed open the door to the Quiet Chamber. The morning sun streamed in, bringing a touch of warmth.
The maid, Qiu Lan, was already waiting outside. Seeing Fang Han emerge, she quickly bowed in greeting.
"Senior Brother, breakfast is ready."
"Mm."
Fang Han nodded slightly and walked into the dining room.
A lavish breakfast was already laid out on the table. The Blood Rice porridge was steaming, and several side dishes looked exquisite and delicious.
Fang Han sat down and had just picked up his chopsticks.
When Qiu Lan came over, holding a large stack of beautifully crafted calling cards and invitations of various styles. She placed them gently on the small table next to Fang Han and said respectfully:
"Senior Brother, these are the various invitations and calling cards we’ve received recently. Many of them included messages stating that their respective powers... are interested in pledging allegiance to you."
Fang Han’s gaze swept over the thick stack of cards, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He wasn’t surprised that powers wanted to align with him.
Every True Disciple of the Qingxuan Sect, especially a True Inheritor on the Celestial Pride List, had numerous subordinate powers backing them. These powers provided wealth, intelligence, and various resources, while the True Disciple offered protection and a degree of influence within the Sect.
It was a mutually beneficial relationship.
Now that he had ascended the Celestial Pride List, his status was different, so it was natural that powers would come to him.
’But... this is quite a large number.’
’Previously, because of Chu Feng, many powers didn’t dare get close and chose to wait and see. Now that I’m on the list, it seems they’re done waiting.’
The thoughts flashed through Fang Han’s mind, and he understood instantly.
The reason he previously only had one subordinate power, the Xu Family of Baiyun City, was partly because he hadn’t been a True Inheritor for long.
Another reason was his poor relationship with Chu Feng, a Celestial Pride True Inheritance. Now that he was on the Celestial Pride List himself, his status was no lower than Chu Feng’s, so naturally, many powers would want to pledge their allegiance.
He was certainly happy to have powers sending money his way. The system panel was a money-devouring beast that could never have too much wealth.
However, if he had to contact, screen, and investigate these dozens, or even hundreds, of powers, it would inevitably consume a huge amount of his time and energy, severely affecting his cultivation.
’My foundation, in the end, is my own strength.’
His gaze swept over Qiu Lan, who stood respectfully to the side, her eyes filled with awe and a hint of anticipation. An idea formed in Fang Han’s mind.
He put down his chopsticks and looked at Qiu Lan. His tone was calm but carried a trace of seriousness.
"Qiu Lan."
"Senior Brother."
Qiu Lan answered at once.
"These calling cards and invitations concern the matter of subordinate powers. It’s all trivial and complicated, and I need to focus on my cultivation. I don’t have the time to handle them one by one."
Fang Han said slowly.
"Are you willing to manage these affairs for me? You can make initial contact, screen them, and compile a list with brief summaries of the powers that have clean backgrounds, acceptable reputations, and sincere intentions. Present it to me, and I will make the final decision."
Hearing this, Qiu Lan’s delicate body trembled slightly, and her eyes instantly lit up with an incredible, joyous light.
’Managing a True Inheritor Senior Brother’s subordinate powers?’
’This is undoubtedly a position of great trust and authority!’
If she did it well, her status would be completely different. She would even gain access to levels she could never have imagined before.
"I... I am willing! I will do my utmost to assist you, Senior Brother, and I will absolutely not betray your trust!"
Qiu Lan was so excited her voice trembled. She quickly bowed and accepted, her pretty face flushing red with excitement.
"Good."
Fang Han nodded slightly.
"I’ll leave this matter to you then. Remember, be cautious above all. Quality over quantity. If there’s anything you’re unsure of, you can report to me at any time."
"Yes! I understand!"
Qiu Lan responded solemnly, having already resolved in her heart to handle this matter beautifully.
Having delegated the tedious tasks, Fang Han felt a weight lift from his mind.
He quickly finished his breakfast, then rose and walked toward the familiar clearing in the bamboo forest within his courtyard.
For the next while, he once again immersed himself completely in his cultivation.
His Swordsmanship Talent, improved by the Sword-shaped Grass and under the terrifying boost of a 128-fold Swordsmanship Talent Amplification, produced astonishing results.
Fang Han could clearly feel that his comprehension speed of the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting had reached an unprecedented level.
Even the most obscure secrets of the sword techniques now became clear with just a slight turn of his thoughts.
His cultivation felt as if aided by a divine hand, progressing at a tremendous pace.
In just a few days, the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting, which had been a considerable distance from "Minor Achievement," was now within reach of that level.
One morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting dappled spots of light.
In the clearing, Fang Han’s figure moved like wind and lightning. The Flowing Wind Sword transformed into streaks of cyan lightning, weaving through the air with commanding power.
As he executed the sword techniques, a terrifyingly sharp aura emanated from him. His ability to evoke and control the "Wind Momentum" grew ever more exquisite and microscopic.
Suddenly, he felt a spark of insight, a stroke of inspiration.
SHIIING—
The Flowing Wind Sword let out a clear, piercing cry. The Sword Momentum suddenly changed, shifting from complex to simple, condensing a thousand movements into a single form!
He thrust his sword. The move seemed ordinary, yet it appeared to stir all the wind between heaven and earth!
As the sword tip passed, the air let out a faint but extremely sharp tearing sound, and a transparent ripple, almost invisible to the naked eye, spread outward.
Wherever it passed, the green stone slabs on the ground were silently plowed open, leaving behind a deep gash as smooth as a mirror.