"Gu Han?"
The person in charge of the Miteer Station, who was also a Three-Star Dou Master, was present at the scene.
Hearing Lin Hu's words, he inquired: "Captain Lin, are you referring to that Cloud Mist Sect disciple Gu Han from the Xiao Family in Wu Tan City, who presided over the engagement ceremony for the Xiao Family's third young master and the Nalan Family's young lady?"
"Exactly." Though Lin Hu appeared rough and boisterous, he was actually meticulous beneath the surface. He smiled and nodded: "As you all know, although our Qinghe Town belongs to Black Flame City, it's actually closer to Wu Tan City."
"When the Xiao and Nalan Families formed their alliance through marriage, I represented the Tiger Fang Mercenary Group to offer congratulations. I saw this Young Lord Gu Han from a distance back then. He was already a Five-Star Fighter at the time, and reportedly not even fifteen years old yet."
"After two months, both his demeanor and clothing have changed, so I didn't recognize him immediately. It wasn't until he made his move and revealed the emblem representing his status as a Cloud Mist Sect disciple on his sleeve that I realized."
"A Cloud Mist Sect disciple, so young with such cultivation, and with such outstanding appearance - it would be hard not to recognize him."
"Moreover, that Young Lord Gu also possesses a Flight Fighting Skill."
Gasp!
Many people were hearing about Gu Han for the first time, and immediately began discussing animatedly.
Being a Five-Star Fighter before fifteen was already terrifying enough for them, but still within the range of ordinary geniuses.
But being a Nine-Star Fighter before fifteen, and seemingly having advanced four stars within just two months - this exceeded their comprehension.
"I can attest to these matters." The Miteer Station manager chimed in: "Young Lord Gu Han is a Violet Gold Card honored guest of our Miteer Family, personally certified by Family Head Ya Fei."
"The Cloud Mist Sect is about to hold the Outer Sect Disciple Competition, and Young Lord Gu Han has a high chance of taking first place," someone remarked.
"Wrong, he's definitely going to take first place," Lin Hu immediately corrected. "Since it's Young Lord Gu Han in person, then Liu Suifeng must have been slain by him."
"As the Cloud Mist Sect's top genius, it's inevitable that he masters multiple Mystic-Rank Cultivation Method Fighting Skills. Having the ability to kill enemies above his level is perfectly normal."
Normal?
For ordinary people, they wouldn't dare claim they could win even when fighting someone of the same level.
But for geniuses, crossing levels to kill opponents was indeed "normal."
"Do you realize how foolish you were just now?" Lin Hu looked at Tang Shan, whose face had long turned deathly pale.
"Th-thank you, Captain Lin." Tang Shan clasped his fists in gratitude, his heart filled with lingering fear.
Forget about the high probability that he wasn't Gu Han's match.
Even if he managed to defeat him by some fluke, his life would have reached its end.
Without the Cloud Mist Sect needing to lift a finger, likely the Xiao Family, Nalan Family, and Miteer Family would have killed him.
"Young Lord Gu Han was too lenient with you, otherwise he wouldn't have wasted words with you at all," Lin Hu warned sternly. "Be grateful."
"Absolutely." Tang Shan nodded tremulously, resolving to no longer bother with that troublemaker brother of his who had nearly gotten him killed.
Meanwhile, the severely injured, unconscious, and completely bald Tang Shan in the background:...
"A Nine-Star Fighter, crossing levels to kill Seven-Star Dou Master Liu Suifeng. With such a talented disciple, the Cloud Mist Sect will likely produce another Dou Emperor Expert in ten years," someone marveled.
"I've heard that in the Chu Yun Empire, Mu Lan Empire, and Luo Yan Empire, several geniuses have emerged in recent years, all breaking through to Dou Grand Master before eighteen. I think Young Lord Gu Han can do the same."
"How can we address the young lord by his full name? I think we should refer to him as Cold Sword Young Lord."
"Since most Cloud Mist Sect disciples use swords, and Young Master Gu Han also uses a sword, I think 'Cold Sword Young Lord' would be more fitting."
"Good idea."
Gu Han was unaware of what happened later in Qinghe Town.
Using his Flight Fighting Skill, he soon arrived at Black Flame City and reached the Cloud Mist Sect's local branch before dawn.
Liu Suifeng had a bounty on his head from the empire, with many women he had harmed or their families contributing funds, totaling fifty thousand gold coins.
Additionally, all spoils would belong to the one who eliminated him.
"Take the body to the city lord's mansion to claim the bounty and advance me fifty thousand gold coins."
After presenting the Sect Leader Token, Gu Han met with the outer sect steward stationed there, a Nine-Star Dou Fighter, and stated his purpose.
This steward had heard of Gu Han's name and knew this disciple possessed even greater talent than the Young Sect Master, so he naturally didn't dare neglect him and didn't ask further questions.
Gu Han left immediately after obtaining the money, heading for his destination - Qingshan Town.
By the time he arrived, day was breaking and Qingshan Town already had many pedestrians.
The Miteer family also had a relay station here, where Gu Han used his purple-gold card to check in.
Seeing Gu Han had come so close to Wu Tan City, Ling Ying hesitated briefly before flying back to Wu Tan City.
"Brother, why have you returned?"
Ling Xiao spotted Ling Ying the moment he flew into the Xiao Family compound, her eyes showing some tension.
"Don't worry, young friend Gu Han is fine." Guessing his sister's thoughts, the corner of Ling Ying's mouth twitched beneath his mask.
She hasn't even taken him as a disciple yet, and she's already so concerned?
"Young friend Gu Han is in Qingshan Town, not far from Wu Tan City, so I came back to report to the young lady about recent observations," Ling Ying explained.
"Couldn't you just have written a letter?" Ling Xiao said with clear disdain in her eyes.
Ling Ying: "..."
"Elder Ling has arrived, please come inside."
Gu Xun'er's ethereal voice sounded from the room below.
The two immediately descended to the doorway, entered, and bowed in greeting.
"No need for such formality." Xun Er sat gracefully at the dining table, sipping soup made from some spiritual ingredient, and asked with a gentle smile: "Elder Ling, you must have encountered something worth reporting in person?"
"Young lady is most perceptive." Ling Ying immediately offered flattery.
"Are you saying I'm stupid then?" Ling Xiao crossed her arms.
"I didn't say that."
"But that's what you meant."
"You just love to overthink things."
"You're clearly implying it indirectly."
"How did I end up with a sister like you."
"See? You are criticizing me, and I haven't even started complaining about how unreliable you are as a brother."
Ling Ying: "..."
"Aunt Ling." Xun Er signaled for Ling Xiao to restrain herself.
"Hmph!" Ling Xiao turned her head away.
Ling Ying breathed a sigh of relief and began reporting on Gu Han's recent activities, focusing mainly on what had happened before dawn.
"Suspected to have mastered the second seal of the Heavenly Cold Seal?"
"Used Soul Power Sound Transmission to startle a Seven-Star Dou Fighter?"
"His Aura Concealment Method is so powerful that even you couldn't sense him, brother? If not for being able to see him, you would have thought he disappeared?"
Ling Xiao was greatly astonished, especially by the last point, as she knew her brother was an expert in aura concealment.
"Indeed, when young friend Gu Han ambushed that female snake-person, she only reacted at the very moment the attack landed." Ling Ying confirmed with a nod.
"It seems he is even more outstanding than we initially determined." Xun Er smiled faintly.
"As expected of someone I've taken a liking to as a potential disciple." Ling Xiao's tone carried regret.
Xun Er rested her chin on her hand in thought for a moment before suddenly speaking, "Qingqing-jie, what do you think of Gu Han?"
In the next instant, a figure abruptly appeared beside Xun Er.
Though veiled, her peerless beauty remained unmistakable.
"Greetings, Lady Qingqing." Ling Ying and Ling Xiao immediately bowed respectfully.
She was the niece of Xun Er's mother, ten years Xun Er's senior, yet already a peak nine-star Dou Ancestor powerhouse.
"Quite remarkable, but not worth your particular attention," Gu Qingqing spoke, her voice ethereal.
"Is that so." Xun Er smiled radiantly. "Then I'll sweeten the deal—I'll gift Gu Han an Earth-Rank Low-Level Fighting Skill."
Gu Qingqing: ?
Ling Ying and Ling Xiao: "..."
Meanwhile, in Green Mountain Town.
Having completed his meditation, Gu Han prepared to enter the Black Tortoise Mystic Realm.
But just then, he sensed sudden turmoil erupting within the mystic realm.
When he focused his perception inside, he happened to witness a scene that nearly made him spit blood.
"What is this?"
"Bad luck on my part?"
With a thought, Gu Han returned to the Black Tortoise Mystic Realm, standing before the Violet Nether Flame Serpent as he drew his sword, contemplating whether to strike her down.
"To think you'd take advantage like this."