"Time is running out," Bai Haichan said, his voice weakening. Fang Han had been listening, utterly captivated—he had never imagined the world outside could be so vast, so wondrous.
"Yes," Bai Haichan rasped. "I was struck by Fang Qingxue's Purple Lightning Yin Thunder Blade. My lifeforce is nearly gone. That technique is one of the Eight Divine Powers of Yuhua Sect—it harnesses thunder, flame, and the essence of the five elements. Its power is... devastating." He exhaled heavily. "It was only the Nine-Aperture Golden Pill that briefly restored my clarity."
"The Nine-Aperture Golden Pill can heal even such a wound?" Fang Han's eyes flickered with curiosity.
"That pill is the greatest tonic under heaven. Had I taken it before my injuries, I would've ascended to the Divine Ability Realm. But now... it's too late." Bai Haichan shook his head, regret clouding his eyes.
"Master," Fang Han suddenly knelt, bowing low. "Please accept your disciple's obeisance."
Bai Haichan looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "From now on, you are a disciple of the Star Gate. Our sect stands shoulder to shoulder with Yuhua Sect among the Ten Great Daoist Orders. I am one of its disciples. I found the Nine-Aperture Golden Pill and the Jiao-Fu Netherworld Chart on Mount Yellow Springs—had I returned them to the sect, I would have become a true inheritor."
So that's why he didn't take the pill himself, Fang Han realized. He wanted to exchange it for greater favor. In the future, if I ever find such treasure, I'll take it right away. Only what's in your stomach is truly yours.
"Since you are a disciple of Star Gate," Fang Han asked, "why not have me deliver these items to your sect?"
"The Star Gate lies far beyond the borders of the Great Li Empire," Bai Haichan replied. "Could you possibly travel that far? And even if you could, countless disciples there covet these treasures. You'd be robbed before you reached the mountain gates." His eyes gleamed. "Instead, I'll have you infiltrate Yuhua Sect. Gain strength there. When you're ready, steal their sacred scripture—the Ascension Classic—and offer it to our Grandmaster. Then, perhaps, he'll resurrect me through supreme magic. You'll be honored beyond measure."
"I'm just a stable boy," Fang Han said with a bitter smile. "How could I ever catch the eye of Lady Fang Qingxue?"
"The Nine-Aperture Golden Pill will change that," Bai Haichan said firmly. "It will rebuild your body from the marrow out, transforming you into a peerless talent. Fang Qingxue—having reached the third stage of the Divine Ability Realm, the Yuan Gang Stage—will sense your extraordinary potential at a glance."
"The third stage of Divine Ability? Yuan Gang Stage? What does that mean?"
"The Divine Ability Realm, like the mortal body, has ten tiers," Bai Haichan explained. "When one reaches the tenth, one transcends life and death, stepping into the Longevity Realm—immortal, indestructible, reborn from a drop of blood. Those are the true sovereigns of heaven and earth—the masters of the cosmos. Only the leaders of the Ten Great Sects and the Supreme Demon Emperors have attained that level. The rest of us are but ants beneath their feet."
As he spoke, Bai Haichan's breathing grew ragged, his strength fading fast. Suddenly, he struck.
With a sharp rip, his dark nails sliced through Fang Han's clothing and into his flesh.
"Damn it—he's going to cut out my heart!" Fang Han gasped as pain lanced through him.
But instead of killing him, Bai Haichan took the Nine-Aperture Golden Pill and pressed it against the wound. "A pity… my blood no longer flows. This pill will be wasted on me. So—take it."
Before Fang Han could react, Bai Haichan shoved the pill directly into the wound above his heart.
"The Nine-Aperture Golden Pill cannot be swallowed or applied externally," he said. "If you ate it, it would pass through untouched. The only way is this—implant it near the heart. Let your blood circulate around it. Its power will infuse your veins, purify your marrow, and rebuild your body from within. Once complete, your progress in martial arts will soar beyond imagination."
"Ah—!" Fang Han bit back a scream. The pain was excruciating, yet moments later it turned into blissful coolness. The wound sealed itself, leaving only a faint red line.
A refreshing vitality flooded his body. His breath grew fragrant. Black impurities oozed from his pores; when he relieved himself, the stench was vile—but afterward, he felt lighter, cleaner, stronger than ever before.
He bathed in the river, washing away the filth. Each heartbeat pulsed with new strength, as though two hearts now beat in unison—the second forged from pure power.
His mind cleared as if a fog had lifted. Thoughts flowed sharper, faster, deeper.
So it's true—the stronger the body, the keener the mind.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Bai Haichan said weakly. "You've only repaired your flawed foundation. True mastery takes time. But now you have what others lack—you can train without limit. Sit. I'll teach you the Seven Star Fist... and the story of the Jiao-Fu Netherworld Chart."
Fang Han obeyed, sitting cross-legged as his master spoke.
Bai Haichan's voice faded gradually, his breath growing shallow. "Our Star Gate's techniques follow the movements of the constellations... use your body to connect with heaven and earth... nourish your core... reach the Divine Ability Realm... always observe the stars..."
His words trailed off. Then, suddenly, his tone sharpened one last time:
"Remember—go to Yuhua Sect! Steal the Ascension Classic! Offer it to the Grandmaster! Bury my body whole—do not burn it. Someday, when you've achieved greatness, you may ask for one favor: my resurrection. But if my body's destroyed... all is lost. Remember!"
With that final command, Bai Haichan's body went rigid. His breath stopped.
He was dead.