Battles between martial artists can turn on a dime. A single moment of distraction is all it takes to meet your demise.
Chen Liang had merely spared a split second to unleash a sword aura, yet Lian Yong seized the opening and struck with his ultimate technique, Blazing Sunburst. He moved like the wind, appearing before Chen Liang in an instant, his broadsword descending in a scorching arc that radiated the searing heat of a blazing sun. Chen Liang frantically raised his sword to block. One attacked with careful preparation, the other defended in blind panic—their fates were all but sealed.
The sword in Chen Liang's left hand was sent flying by Lian Yong's strike. The broadsword sliced down along his left arm, severing it cleanly from his shoulder in a geyser of blood.
A howl of agony erupted. The crowd turned to see Zheng Kong grinning hideously, a large bump swelling on his forehead. His smile was so contorted it looked more like a grimace than an expression of joy.
With his left arm severed, Chen Liang's martial path was forever broken. Rumor had it that he had trained exclusively with his left hand because his right meridians had been crippled before he began his cultivation.
With Chen Liang defeated, Lian Yong claimed victory. "Sect disciples truly are in a league of their own. Both are True Essence warriors, and Chen Liang achieved that realm long ago, yet he still fell to Lian Yong."
"Yes, but if Chen Liang hadn't been distracted, the outcome might not have been so tragic." As the crowd murmured, their eyes flicked toward Gao Han and Zheng Kong sitting nearby. Gao Han sighed softly as he sipped his wine, while Zheng Kong stole glances at him, wearing an idiotic grin.
"Sigh… These two fools caused this tragedy. Poor Chen Liang." Though they spoke in hushed tones, Gao Han heard every word clearly.
His expression froze. When did I become a fool? And a moron at that! His gaze finally fell on Zheng Kong's "handsome" appearance, and rage surged within him. This embarrassing coward. Gao Han kicked him hard in the backside, sending Zheng Kong stumbling forward—right into Lian Yong's arms as the victor approached.
Lian Yong should have been overjoyed after defeating Chen Liang, yet this victory felt like a cheap exploit. Arrogant since childhood, he seethed with irritation and marched toward the source of his annoyance: Gao Han and Zheng Kong.
But fate is unpredictable. Before he reached them, one of the men threw himself into his arms with a "smile."
Lian Yong felt a surge of revulsion rise in his throat. "You courting death!" he roared, fuming with rage. He swung his palm to strike, but Gao Han moved like a bolt of lightning, reaching Zheng Kong in an instant. He pulled the young man back and unleashed the seventh form of the Cold Mountain Palm, the Mountain-Toppling Strike.
The two palms collided violently. Gao Han was sent reeling five steps back, while Lian Yong only staggered one. Their difference in strength was instantly clear. "My friend lacks manners; I beg your forgiveness," Gao Han said calmly. "But attacking without provocation seems inappropriate, does it not?"
Lian Yong sized him up from head to toe. "Which sect do you belong to, daring to meddle in the affairs of Firecloud Manor?" He hesitated. Though Gao Han appeared young, his power was formidable, and the frigid aura in his palm strikes made his skin crawl. A martial artist so powerful at such a tender age must hail from a major sect—he dared not act recklessly.
"I am Gao Han, an outer-sect disciple of the Misty Sect," Gao Han replied impassively.
His words barely fell when Lian Yong burst into derisive laughter. "The Misty Sect? A mere Eight-Star Sect, daring to interfere with Firecloud Manor? You must have a death wish!"
Sects were ranked from one to nine stars, with nine being the weakest. The Misty Sect was an Eight-Star Sect, while Firecloud Manor was a Seven-Star Sect—renowned throughout the Cangnan Region. The Qianling Sect was also Eight-Star. Within the Ling Kingdom, there were four major sects and six noble clans: besides the three mentioned, there was also the Pure Lotus Sect. The six clans included the Sword Clan, the Lu Clan, and others.
Gao Han frowned at Lian Yong's arrogance.
Zheng Kong realized his father had misunderstood and feared Gao Han might take offense, so he quickly cut in. "Father, this is Gao Han! Brother Han is not here to submit to the Zheng Clan—he is here as an ally I invited! Brother Han, this is my father, Zheng Yunqing!"
Zheng Yunqing raised an eyebrow. He knew his son was no fool, yet forming an alliance with a mere Ninth Layer Qi Condensation warrior seemed reckless. "Young hero, forgive my bluntness. At your current cultivation level, forming an alliance with the Zheng Clan seems somewhat…"
Gao Han understood. A Ninth Layer Qi Condensation warrior seeking an alliance with a clan equal in status to the Misty Sect was indeed wishful thinking. He needed to demonstrate his potential.
With that, Gao Han stood and struck the teacup on the table with an empty palm strike. The warm tea inside froze solid instantly under the icy onslaught of his inner qi, shattering the cup into fragments.
Zheng Yunqing's eyes narrowed sharply. "What? External projection of inner qi at the Qi Condensation Realm?" This impossible sight stunned him. Yet as a seasoned marshal who had spent decades on the battlefield, his resolve and composure were far beyond ordinary men.
"Remarkable. You do have the qualifications. To achieve external projection of inner qi at the Qi Condensation Realm—you must possess a special cultivation technique or constitution," he deduced in an instant, the mark of a true leader.
Gao Han nodded slightly. "I possess the Lowest Grade Water Constitution."
"Don't mock me!" Zheng Kong exploded at this. "The Lowest Grade? You expect us to believe that? You fought a True Essence warrior to a standstill at Qi Condensation! You single-handedly killed a First-Grade demonic beast—one with a core! And three days ago, you killed three Ninth Layer Qi Condensation experts with a single sword strike! Are you toying with us?" He launched into a tirade, recounting Gao Han's exploits in meticulous detail.
Zheng Yunqing's astonishment grew with each word. Everything Gao Han had accomplished was nothing short of extraordinary—far beyond the capabilities of even the most gifted martial prodigies. If such a man rose to power, the benefits to the Zheng Clan would be immeasurable. And judging by his close bond with his son, he would surely stand with them in their hour of need. Zheng Yunqing was certain: Gao Han possessed not a mere Water Constitution, but a mutated Ice Constitution.
Understanding dawned, and Zheng Yunqing resolved to secure Gao Han's allegiance. "Very well. I shall be bold and call you nephew. From this day forth, you are an Honorary Disciple of the Zheng Clan. You may leave our service at any time. Name your request, and I shall grant it if it lies within our power. In return, we ask only that you save the Zheng Clan ten years from now."
Gao Han looked surprised. "Such an unequal arrangement—should you not consult the clan elders?"
Zheng Yunqing laughed heartily. "The Zheng Clan stands united as one. No one questions the clan leader's decisions."
Gao Han nodded. A family so unified could not help but thrive. "Zheng Kong and I are brothers, so I shall call you Uncle Zheng. Uncle, I need a place to rest. Could you arrange it?"
Zheng Yunqing nodded. "Kong'er, Gao Han shall stay in your courtyard. And nephew, take this token." He handed Gao Han a token identical to Zheng Kong's.
Gao Han accepted it. "Uncle Zheng, I shall take my leave to rest now." He and Zheng Kong exited the hall and headed for Zheng Kong's courtyard. Before departing, Gao Han felt an unsettling prickle—the sensation of being watched. He glanced toward the screen behind Zheng Yunqing, but the feeling vanished as quickly as it came. He shook his head helplessly and followed Zheng Kong outside.
Zheng Yunqing watched them leave, then turned and bowed toward the screen at the back of the hall. "Father, what do you think of my decision?"
An elderly man with slightly graying hair emerged from behind the screen. His build differed vastly from his son's. This was Zheng Mufeng, former clan leader and Zheng Yunqing's father.
A faint smile spread across his weathered face, warming the room like spring breeze. "Excellent work, Qing'er. This young man possesses extraordinary perception—he actually detected my presence. At the very least, he shall rise to become a Spirit Fusion warrior. Treat him well in the years to come. He will not forget it. He is a pure martial artist, and such men always stay true to their principles."
Zheng Yunqing nodded solemnly.