Chapter 258 - 257: Nine Swords of Sky Splitting, Minor Achievement
Chapter 258: Chapter 257: Nine Swords of Sky Splitting, Minor Achievement
"Forty percent Wind Momentum."
Fang Han could clearly feel that his ability to draw upon and control Wind Momentum had surged from the previous thirty percent to a full forty percent!
Though it was only a ten-percent increase, its power had undergone a qualitative leap from its previous level, multiplying several times over.
"The Nine Swords of Sky Splitting, Minor Achievement!"
Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword and stood tall, his eyes erupting with a brilliant light.
He felt the sharp Sword Momentum from the Flowing Wind Sword in his hand, which seemed capable of tearing through the void, and his heart filled with joy.
Not long after his Cultivation broke through, his Swordsmanship had broken through as well.
The reason for such a quick breakthrough was that his Swordsmanship Talent, improved by the Sword-shaped Grass, was now stronger than his Root Bone Talent under the 128-fold Swordsmanship Talent Amplification.
’My Root Bone Talent is lagging behind. The next time I save up ten million silver, I’ll unlock the Level 7 Amplification for my Root Bone Talent. I wonder when I’ll ever be able to scrape together ten million silver!’
Fang Han couldn’t help but frown at the thought of the ten million silver needed to unlock the Level 7 Amplification.
Ten million silver was by no means a small sum.
He had already plundered nearly all the easy targets among Chu Feng’s subordinate forces. The rest had either scattered and fled or gone into hiding.
Acquiring such vast wealth as easily as before would no longer be a simple matter.
’I wonder if it’s true what the Sect Leader said... that getting on the Celestial Pride List grants you a blessing of fortune...’
Fang Han recalled the Sect Leader’s words about this "fortune."
If being on the Celestial Pride List truly granted him a blessing of fortune, it would surely help him accumulate wealth and gather the ten million silver sooner.
’I have to get out more. No wonder those few on the Celestial Pride List are always away from the Sect.’
Fang Han was lost in thought.
Even with a blessing of fortune, if he stayed cooped up in the Sect all the time, it would likely be difficult to find any opportunities.
To find such opportunities, it was best to travel outside.
Thinking back, those few from the Sect who were on the Celestial Pride List spent most of the year away.
He had originally assumed they had accepted long-term Sect missions, but now it seemed they were likely traveling abroad in search of their own opportunities.
Not long after the idea of traveling to find opportunities and accumulate wealth took root in Fang Han’s mind...
The next day, the sound of his maid Qiu Lan’s footsteps and her respectful voice came from outside the Quiet Chamber.
"Senior Brother, Steward Zhao from the Sect Leader’s Hall is here to see you. He says a Sect assignment has been issued."
"A Sect assignment?"
Fang Han’s heart stirred. He had just been thinking about leaving, and now an assignment had arrived.
’Could this be a manifestation of the "fortune" the Sect Leader spoke of?’
He collected his thoughts and said in a deep voice, "Please have Steward Zhao wait in the living room. I will be there shortly."
After tidying his robes, Fang Han strode into the living room.
Steward Zhao was already waiting. Upon seeing Fang Han, his face immediately broke into a warm smile as he cupped his fist.
"True Inheritor Fang, the Sect Leader has ordered for a True Inheritor to be sent to the Commandery City to attend the birthday celebration for Patriarch Zhang Yuanshan of the Zhang Family."
"Attend the Zhang Family Patriarch’s birthday celebration?"
Fang Han was slightly surprised.
He had heard of the Commandery City Zhang Family. It was one of the most prominent families in Qingyang County, with deep and intricate influence, and had long-standing relations with the Qingxuan Sect.
The Zhang Family Patriarch, Zhang Yuanshan, possessed profound Cultivation, and his birthday celebration was definitely a major event in the county.
"Precisely."
Steward Zhao nodded.
"The delegation for the celebration will be led by Master Shen Moyan of the Inheritance Hall himself. Besides you, True Inheritor Luo Bingyun and True Inheritor Qin Hao will also be attending."
"Hall Master Shen Moyan? True Inheritor Luo Bingyun and True Inheritor Qin Hao?"
Information about these three individuals quickly flashed through Fang Han’s mind.
Shen Moyan was the Hall Master of the Inheritance Hall, a man of high status and great authority, and more importantly, a First Grade Martial Artist.
Luo Bingyun and Qin Hao were both veteran True Inheritors with formidable strength, both ranking within the top fifteen on the main list.
"When do we depart?" Fang Han asked.
"In two days, at Chen hour. We’ll gather at the sect gate to depart," Steward Zhao replied.
"True Inheritor Fang, you’ll need to prepare for the journey, so I won’t disturb you any longer."
"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhao."
After seeing Steward Zhao off, a strange light flickered in Fang Han’s eyes.
He had just been considering going out, and a Sect assignment arrived, sending him to a bustling place like the Commandery City to participate in a birthday banquet attended by all sorts of powers... The coincidence felt a little too convenient.
’Perhaps this is an opportunity.’
He didn’t dwell on it further and began to make his preparations.
「Two days passed in the blink of an eye.」
At Chen hour, before the imposing gates of the Qingxuan Sect.
Fang Han arrived with a steady gait, dressed in a Silver-Striped Cyan Robe, the Flowing Wind Sword hanging from his waist, and a cloth-wrapped bundle in his hand.
When he arrived, several figures were already waiting.
Two of them, dressed in the same Silver-Striped Cyan Robes as him, were particularly eye-catching.
The one on the left was tall and slender, her eyes as clear as a cold pool, her aura chilly and aloof. It was the thirteenth True Inheritor, Luo Bingyun.
She stood there quietly, her body seemingly radiating a "do not approach" chill.
The one on the right was a robust and powerfully built young man with a resolute face and an aura as solid as a mountain. A sharp light glinted in his eyes as they opened and closed, and he carried an indomitable, domineering air. This was the twelfth True Inheritor, Qin Hao.
Sensing Fang Han’s arrival, the two of them turned their gazes toward him in unison.
Luo Bingyun’s cold eyes lingered on Fang Han for a moment, a flicker of surprise and curiosity flashing in their depths.
Although she had heard of this newly-ascended prodigy and knew he was young, seeing Fang Han’s face—still carrying a hint of youthfulness yet already as serene as an abyss—she couldn’t help but be stirred.
To reach the Celestial Pride List at such a young age was truly rare.
Qin Hao’s gaze was more direct. Filled with scrutiny and unconcealed curiosity, he looked Fang Han up and down, the corners of his mouth curling into a slight, battle-hungry arc.
He had a straightforward personality and revered strength. Toward this junior brother who had come from behind to squeeze his way onto the Celestial Pride List, he felt both admiration and a desire to test his mettle.
"You must be Senior Brother Fang Han, right? You’re as young as they say!"
Qin Hao was the first to speak, his voice booming like a great bell, his tone hearty.
Luo Bingyun also gave a slight nod, her cool voice like pearls falling onto a jade plate. "Senior Brother Fang."
"Junior Sister Luo, Junior Brother Qin." Fang Han’s expression was calm as he returned the gesture with a cupped fist, neither servile nor overbearing.
Because his rank among the True Inheritors was higher than theirs, they called him Senior Brother despite him being younger.
The three exchanged brief pleasantries. The atmosphere wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t awkward either.
Luo Bingyun was a woman of few words, and although Qin Hao was talkative, he didn’t try to converse much after seeing how concise Fang Han’s speech was.
More than anything, there was a subtle atmosphere of mutual appraisal among fellow True Inheritors.
A moment later, a vast and profound aura, as deep as an abyss and as steady as a mountain, swept in from the distance, instantly blanketing the area before the gate.
A middle-aged man with a gaunt face and eyes as warm and gentle as jade approached with unhurried steps.
His pace seemed slow, yet each step covered several yards, bringing him before them in the blink of an eye. It was the Inheritance Hall’s Master, Shen Moyan.
His aura was restrained, as if he had merged with the heavens and the earth, yet Fang Han, Luo Bingyun, and Qin Hao all felt an instantaneous, formless pressure, as if they were facing an insurmountable, towering mountain.
"Greetings, Master Shen!"
The three didn’t dare to be disrespectful and bowed in unison, their expressions reverent.
Faced with a magnate who presided over an entire hall and whose Cultivation was at least in the First Grade Realm, even proud and arrogant True Disciples had to show sufficient reverence.
Moreover, this Master Shen was a powerful figure ranked thirty-seventh on the Qingyang County Martial Artist Ranking!
"Mm, everyone’s here."
Shen Moyan’s gaze swept over the three of them, finally landing on Fang Han as he spoke with a smile.
"Fang Han, your ascension to the Celestial Pride List has brought glory to our Qingxuan Sect. This trip to the Commandery City, where powers from all sides will gather and young prodigies will be numerous, is the perfect opportunity to display the might of our Qingxuan Sect."
"This disciple will certainly do his best and not disappoint the Sect or the Hall Master," Fang Han replied respectfully.
"Then let’s all get in the carriage," Shen Moyan said, nodding in satisfaction.
A massive carriage was already waiting, pulled not by ordinary steeds, but by an exceptionally majestic Demon Beast.
The beast resembled an elk but was larger and more robust, its entire body covered in glossy, cyan-brown fur as smooth as satin.
A single horn, as warm and lustrous as jade, grew from its forehead. It was a Demon Beast renowned for its stamina and speed—the Cyan-hoofed Deer.
The carriage was spacious, its interior simple yet elegant. It was furnished with several cattail cushions made from a special material that helped to focus the mind and calm one’s qi.
Shen Moyan entered the carriage first and sat on the cushion at the head position.
Fang Han and the other two followed, entering one by one and taking their seats on the cushions below him.
The servant disciple driving the carriage tugged the reins. The Cyan-hoofed Deer let out a clear cry and pulled the carriage forward, speeding toward the Commandery City. Its speed was incredible, yet the ride was so smooth that the bumps were nearly imperceptible.
Inside the carriage, Shen Moyan closed his eyes to rest, his aura faint and barely perceptible.
Without any hesitation, Fang Han closed his eyes, assumed the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture, and began to slowly circulate the Profound Wind Technique, seizing every second to cultivate.
The journey would be long, and he naturally couldn’t afford to waste the time.
When Luo Bingyun and Qin Hao saw that Fang Han had already entered a meditative state as soon as he got on the carriage, his aura condensing as he clearly entered a state of deep Cultivation, a flash of surprise couldn’t help but cross their eyes.
Luo Bingyun’s cold eyes flickered. ’No wonder he’s achieved so much,’ she thought. ’His diligence far surpasses that of ordinary people.’
Qin Hao, on the other hand, grinned. ’This kid is interesting!’ he thought. ’He’s talented and still works this hard. No wonder he’s climbing the ranks so fast! I can’t fall too far behind!’
The two exchanged a look, each seeing a new solemnity in the other’s eyes. Without further delay, they too collected their thoughts and began to meditate and regulate their breathing.
The carriage instantly fell silent, with only the blurred light and shadows of the scenery rushing past the window and the faint fluctuations of Inner Qi circulating around the three of them.
At the same time as the Qingxuan Sect’s delegation set out, numerous other powers within Qingyang County who had received invitations from the Zhang Family also dispatched their own celebratory parties, converging on the Commandery City from all directions.
Among these delegations were many young geniuses, carefully nurtured by their respective families and sects.
Many among them had long been eyeing positions on the Celestial Pride List, believing their own strength to be no less than those at the bottom of the rankings.
Fang Han, the little-known Qingxuan Sect disciple who had just made the list, naturally became the focus of many people’s attention, and even... a target to be stepped on in their own climb to the top.
"Fang Han of the Qingxuan Sect? Hmph, he’ll definitely be at the Zhang Family’s birthday banquet! When the time comes, I’d like to see just what makes him qualified to be on the Celestial Pride List!"
"We’re both at the Early Stage of Fifth Grade, so on what basis can he ascend to the Celestial Pride List while I can’t? I will defeat him in public and let the world know who is more qualified to be on that list!"
Similar thoughts sprouted and spread among the many delegations heading toward the Commandery City.
Many hot-blooded young geniuses were rubbing their palms together, their eyes burning with battle lust and defiance.
And among them, the ones with the most obvious—and most justified—hostility was, of course, the delegation from the Netherworld Pavilion.