Spring breezes caressed every corner of the Tianwu Continent, chasing away the last traces of winter's chill. In a lavish chamber of the Zheng residence within the imperial city of the Ling Kingdom, Gao Han sat cross-legged in silent meditation. Following days of relentless battle and cultivation, he sensed he was on the cusp of a breakthrough. He had taken his leave abruptly from the Zheng hall to devote himself entirely to advancing his strength.
Inner qi surged wildly through his meridians, converging at last in his dantian before drawing in spiritual energy from the air to be refined anew. This frenzied cycle repeated endlessly, a ceaseless tide of power.
Gao Han gradually felt his dantian nearing its limit; the mid-stage of the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation lay but a hair's breadth away, waiting to be pierced. Yet he did not rush to break through, instead calming his mind to solidify his foundation.
Half an hour passed, when suddenly Gao Han's body unleashed a ravenous hunger, devouring spiritual energy from the air like a primordial beast. The energy surrounding the chamber was all but stripped bare. In that instant, his cultivation broke through to the mid-stage of the Ninth Layer, and as he continued absorbing energy, his power climbed steadily until it reached the peak of the Ninth Layer. At last, he ceased his absorption and slowly opened his tightly shut eyes.
A flash of piercing white light glinted in his deep, dark pupils before fading away, as if it had never been there at all—and Gao Han himself remained unaware of it.
Fully awake now, he pushed off the bed with a light spring of his legs and landed softly on the floor. He took stock of his new realm and strength, letting out a faint sigh. "Ever since my physique mutated, my dantian demands ever greater amounts of energy. Under normal circumstances, I should have advanced straight to the peak just now. My craving for frigid energy has also grown more intense. With winter passed, my cultivation speed has slowed considerably. I wish it could be winter forever."
Gao Han steadied his emotions. Having just broken through, he was vulnerable to deviation if he allowed himself to dwell on gains and losses; his realm was not yet fully stabilized, and violent fluctuations of the heart invited inner demons.
"I must solidify my current cultivation, then see how much the Cold Mountain Palm and Soul-Breaking Sword Art have progressed." Paying no mind to the dusty floor, he sat cross-legged once more to consolidate his newfound power.
Another half-day passed before Gao Han fully acclimated to his strength. He pushed open the door and stepped outside; he was staying in Zheng Kong's courtyard.
The courtyard had two stories, with Gao Han occupying the upper level. When Zheng Kong had first brought him here, Gao Han had marveled at the luxury of noble clan life. Even as the young master of the Gao clan, he had possessed no more than two small chambers—an inner and outer room. Zheng Kong's courtyard, by contrast, boasted eight spacious rooms on the ground floor alone, each twice the size of his old quarters.
In the courtyard below, Zheng Kong wielded his staff, twirling it in a blur of motion until the eye could scarcely follow, a solid black orb of movement. He leaped high into the air and roared, "Heavenward Strike!" The staff crashed downward with a deafening crack, slamming into the stone-paved path. Cracks spiderwebbed across the ground, leaving a foot-deep gouge at its center—a testament to the technique's fearsome power.
Watching from the second floor, Gao Han's lips curved into a faint smile. He flipped over the railing and landed soundlessly on the ground, leaving only two faint footprints. His hands clasped behind his back, he said, "Zheng Kong, shall we spar?"
Zheng Kong spun around at the sound of his voice, then burst into laughter. "Brother Han, don't tease me. I'm no fool—fighting you would be nothing but getting beaten."
Gao Han held up his hands before him. "I won't use a weapon. How about that?"
Zheng Kong shook his head furiously, backing away and shouting, "Help! I'm being bullied! Someone save me!"
His cries were melodramatic, like a helpless maiden set upon by a brute. Gao Han broke into a cold sweat and pressed a hand to his forehead in exasperation. Before he could speak, a clear, hearty voice accompanied the arrival of a handsome young man.
Though slighter in build than Zheng Kong, he was still far sturdier than Gao Han, his powerful frame encased in silver armor that clinked softly as he moved. His features bore a resemblance to both Zheng Yunqing and Zheng Kong. "Who dares bully my fearless little brother? Quite the feat."
He stepped into the courtyard with a warm smile. The roguish glint in Zheng Kong's eyes vanished at once, replaced by a cloying grin.
"Big Brother! Heh, what brings you here today? Father sent you to investigate the massacre of the villages near Chixia City, didn't he? Was it truly bandits?"
This was Zheng Ling, Zheng Kong's elder brother and the eldest grandson of the Zheng clan—and Zheng Kong was clearly terrified of him.
Zheng Ling shook his head, his gaze locking onto Gao Han with a fierce, eager light. "I returned home to hear Father say you'd brought a prodigy to the clan. I rushed over at once. I am a warrior at heart, and I cannot help but rejoice at meeting a fellow expert. I wish to duel your friend. Would you mind, little brother?"
Though his words were addressed to Zheng Kong, his eyes never left Gao Han. Gao Han understood his meaning perfectly and laughed openly. "I was just thinking the same thing."
Thrilled to have his challenge accepted, Zheng Ling said, "Excellent. I shall borrow your courtyard." He cupped his fists in salute. "Zheng Ling of the Zheng clan, First Layer of True Essence!"
Gao Han returned the gesture. "Gao Han, Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation!"
"Prepare yourself!"
In an instant, Zheng Ling's right hand clenched into a fist, surging forward with unyielding momentum. Gao Han met him head-on, channeling inner qi into his right palm and clashing against the incoming strike. Fist met palm, and shockwaves rippled outward.
Zheng Ling felt a frigid current of inner qi pour into his body from Gao Han's palm. His heart jolted. "Father was right—this boy possesses an Ice Constitution!" Yet as a True Essence expert, his true qi far surpassed ordinary inner qi. A subtle tremor of his body expelled the cold energy at once.
Aware of the nature of Gao Han's power now, Zheng Ling dropped his guard no longer. He wreathed his left palm in true qi and struck toward Gao Han's chest. Gao Han lifted his left knee to block the fierce blow, countering with the Ice Peak Roar from his left hand.
A biting chill swept toward Zheng Ling's right arm. He crouched swiftly and swept his left leg outward in a wide arc. Gao Han flipped sideways through the air, his fingers forming a sword shape to unleash the Soul-Breaking River Surge, slashing toward Zheng Ling's arm. The frigid inner qi sliced through the air like a sharp blade. Zheng Ling shifted his stance abruptly, halting his sweeping leg and planting himself firmly in a horse stance. His fists, wreathed in true qi, shot upward in a defiant upward strike.
Gao Han's sword fingers grazed Zheng Ling's fists, leaving faint trails of blood. The force of the blow sent Gao Han spinning through the air, landing and staggering back three steps, leaving clear footprints etched into the ground.
The moment Gao Han touched down, Zheng Ling unleashed a powerful punch from afar. A dense wave of true qi formed a violent fist force hurtling toward him.
Gao Han recognized the strike's weight. He channeled all his inner qi into his sword fingers and unleashed the Soul-Breaking River Surge once more, slashing at the incoming force. The fist power collided with his fingers, pausing for a heartbeat before shattering into nothingness, sending Gao Han reeling back five steps.
Gao Han looked up at Zheng Ling in astonishment. "Dual layered force?"
Zheng Ling was equally shocked. "You truly are a peerless prodigy. That was the Zheng clan's top-tier Mortal art, mastered only to its second layer. Even with my trump card, I still cannot defeat you—though I have held back seventy percent of my strength."
Gao Han frowned. "Explain."
"I have not fought at full power. Victory would still be mine."
Gao Han shook his head slightly. "Before tonight, you would have been right. But now…"
A surge of aura erupted from him, revealing he stood at the mid-peak of the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation.
"I too have held back my full power. The victor is yet to be decided."
Zheng Ling stared in disbelief. Hiding one's strength in battle was one thing; suppressing one's cultivation realm was another, requiring constant expenditure of energy. In a true fight, Gao Han would hold the upper hand. The realization stunned him—he was no ordinary First Layer True Essence warrior, his clan arts allowing him to fight two peers of equal cultivation to a standstill. Yet he had been outmatched by a sixteen-year-old boy, one realm beneath him.
Zheng Kong let out a shrill cry of disbelief. "You can't be serious! You've broken through in less than half a month? From early peak Ninth Layer straight to mid-peak? This is outrageous!" He was cut short by a sharp kick from Gao Han.
Zheng Ling calmed his roiling emotions, his jaw-dropped astonishment melting into a warm smile. "Brother Gao, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Name it."
"The matter is of great importance. Come to the main hall to discuss it with my father."
The three walked through long corridors until they reached the Zheng clan's main hall.
"Nephew Gao, please be seated. Are you comfortable here?" Zheng Yunqing greeted him with a smile from the main seat as they entered. Zheng Ling gestured for servants to bring breakfast.
As they ate and conversed, Zheng Yunqing turned to serious matters.
"Nephew, the Zheng clan needs your help." His tone was grave and direct.
"Uncle Zheng, whatever I can do, simply ask."
Zheng Ling took up the tale. "Several days ago, Father sent me to investigate a massacre in a village near Chixia City. Nearly a hundred villagers were slain. We initially suspected bandits, but upon investigation, we found no blade wounds on any of the bodies. Every victim died from claw or bite marks. We believe demonic beasts are responsible."
Gao Han frowned in confusion. "The fate of a single village would seem of little consequence to the upper clans. Why not leave it to local forces?"
"Dozens of nearby villages have suffered the same fate, all near the Eternal Plain Valley. We reported this to the Lu clan, who issued a decree: each of the four great clans, plus the imperial family, shall send one True Essence warrior and six Ninth Layer Qi Condensation disciples to investigate the valley. If signs of a beast tide emerge, we must return at once to rally experts and defend Chixia City," Zheng Yunqing explained.
Zheng Kong piped up. "Why go to all this trouble? Just send a few scouts!"
Gao Han pondered for a moment. "You suspect a treasure has emerged in the Eternal Plain Valley."
Zheng Yunqing smiled at last. "You are both wise and bold, Nephew Gao. The valley has long been famous for its medicinal herbs. If the demonic beasts' unrest is not a tide, it is likely a rare elixir has appeared, drawing beasts from miles around. Any herb that can tempt beasts from ten li away is no ordinary treasure. We cannot claim it alone, so the clans have agreed to explore it together."
Gao Han nodded in understanding. "You wish me to join because my strength rivals a True Essence warrior, giving our party two such experts."
"Indeed. Will you accompany us?"
"I will. In return, I ask for four hundred thousand taels in banknotes." Their alliance was mutually beneficial; he would not serve without reward.
Zheng Yunqing laughed heartily. "Done. Prepare yourself—we depart at dawn."
Gao Han and Zheng Kong left the hall and headed back to the courtyard. Gao Han had his own motives for accepting the task: he owed his new ally his aid, he desperately needed silver for a spiritual weapon, and the Eternal Plain Valley's rare herbs could speed his cultivation. His foundation was already unshakable from years of medicine-free training, so external aid would only benefit him.
As they neared the courtyard, a graceful figure blocked their path. "Halt! Your life is forfeit!"
A spear descended toward Zheng Kong. Lost in thought, Gao Han started at the shout, his sword still sheathed as he flicked it forward in a sharp thrust.
"Brother Han, stop!" Zheng Kong shouted desperately, swinging his staff to intercept, but he could not match Gao Han's speed with the Phantom Stride. The girl stood frozen, as if stunned.
Gao Han heard Zheng Kong's cry and realized she was no enemy, pulling his strike back at once. Though he sheathed his sword, his momentum could not be halted entirely.
He stopped mere inches from her face, so close a gust of wind would have made their lips meet. Gao Han stared down into her clear, bright eyes; for all his power, he was still a young man unacquainted with intimacy, and he froze in flustered surprise.
A high-pitched scream pierced the air. "Pervert!"
A blur of movement, and a sharp slap landed across Gao Han's left cheek, leaving five clear finger marks.
Gao Han could have dodged easily, but he had been stunned and taken the blow full force. His face turned icy, murderous intent flaring in his eyes. While he bore some fault, they had not touched, and he had held back his strike in time to save her life. He could not abide such a reckless, unprovoked attack.
Zheng Kong knew disaster loomed. Gao Han was mild-mannered, but he would fight to the death against humiliation or harm—a man who drew his sword at the slightest offense. And the young lady had done both.
"Xiao Yan! Mind your manners! This is a misunderstanding!" he exclaimed hastily. "Brother Gao is an honored guest of the Zheng clan. This is my cousin, Situ Yan, the precious jewel of the Situ clan. Introductions, everyone!"
He sighed in exasperation as the two continued to glare daggers at each other. Situ Yan, intimidated by Gao Han's cold fury, began to snivel.
Situ Yan was breathtakingly beautiful, with fair, flawless skin, bright eyes, and a slender, curvaceous figure. Most men would be captivated by her at first glance—but not Gao Han. To him, people were first allies or enemies, then men or women, beautiful or ugly. Even Zheng Kong feared he had marked his cousin as a foe.
Gao Han's hand tightened around his sword hilt. Should he draw his blade, Situ Yan would die instantly, and Zheng Kong stood no chance of stopping him.