"The Earth Emperor Book? I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Linghuan to know even such ancient lore. Your breadth of knowledge is remarkable—few itinerant cultivators reach such depth."
Hua Tiandu listened carefully as the mysterious black-clad man spoke, a faint glimmer of surprise flashing in his eyes.
This "Mr. Linghuan" had been introduced by Fang Qingwei as a wandering cultivator from overseas. His cultivation was indeed impressive—Fivefold Divine Ability, the Heaven-Human Realm. For an unaffiliated cultivator to reach such a level was extraordinary; he must have inherited some long-lost legacy, perhaps a relic from an ancient immortal. Even Hua Tiandu, proud as he was, didn't treat such a figure lightly.
But upon meeting him, Hua Tiandu had quickly realized this man was far from ordinary. His manner of speech was refined, his knowledge profound—far surpassing what any "wandering cultivator" should possess. Many ancient secrets, lost to time, he recited with ease. And he demonstrated mastery over numerous esoteric arts.
Hua Tiandu instantly understood: this man was no simple Heaven-Human expert. There were layers beneath him—hidden methods, hidden depths. But uncovering another's secrets was taboo; any true cultivator kept a few trump cards hidden. So Hua Tiandu did not pry.
"Emperor Yellow Springs forged the Yellow Springs Diagram for a purpose," Linghuan said slowly, his tone warm and intimate, like one confidant warning another. "He hoped that one day it would unite with the Earth Emperor Book to ascend into an immortal artifact. Remember, the Yellow Springs Demon Sect once inherited the Earth Emperor's divine arts—its lineage is a branch of the Earth Emperor's own Dao. You must be cautious, Fellow Daoist Hua. Should Fang Han obtain the Earth Emperor Book, even you may be unable to restrain him."
"I'll be mindful. My thanks, Fellow Daoist Linghuan." Hua Tiandu nodded. "May I ask where you reside overseas? I would gladly visit sometime."
"I wander freely—collecting herbs, refining pills, rarely staying in one place. But you, Hua Daoist, are accomplished and well connected. Should I stumble across any fine treasures, I will certainly come to exchange them for your pills. Now, I shall take my leave."
"Wan Luo, escort Fellow Daoist Linghuan."
Before long, Wan Luo returned, his expression serious. "Senior Brother, that Linghuan is suspicious. Not like a disciple of a demonic sect, nor a righteous sect… but certainly no wandering cultivator. His cultivation is deeper than he lets on. And he traded far too generously. Someone who offers kindness for no reason often intends something worse."
"True…" Hua Tiandu turned the blood-red jade pendant in his hand—Innate Blood-Jade, a treasure so rare one piece could be traded for three lower-grade artifacts in the Great Xuan Empire. "And yet he exchanged it merely for a hundred Foundation-Building Pills?"
"It's rumored that Elder Tiangong also held a piece of Innate Blood-Jade. With the elders forging Fang Han's demonic blade into a Dao-weapon, they likely consumed it. Those three went all-out for Fang Han. It seems the sect is displeased with your dominance, Senior Brother," Wan Luo said.
"The sect wishes to cultivate two pillars among the true disciples. First Fang Qingxue to counterbalance me. Now Fang Han. I understand it's necessary. If I were the elders, I would do the same." Hua Tiandu spoke calmly. "Still, Fang Han alone cannot threaten me. Even with Fang Qingxue, at most they can cause minor fluctuations. Once I step into the Longevity Realm, neither of them will matter. The reclusive Supreme Elders will also emerge when that day comes."
The Longevity Realm—the "Ancient Titans."
Whenever a sect produced a new Longevity master, invitations were sent across the Nine Gates and countless branches of the Dao. A grand feast would be held, honoring the rise of a new giant. Such was tradition.
Once Hua Tiandu entered the Longevity Realm, the whole world would bow. Fang Han and Fang Qingxue would be but footnotes before him. A Longevity titan could fully unleash the might of a Dao-weapon—something no Divine Ability cultivator could ever replicate.
Though Hua Tiandu stood at the Tenth Layer—"Defying Heaven, Changing Fate"—he had not yet succeeded in the "defiance," and thus could not claim the title of Ancient Titan.
Meanwhile, far from Tiandu Peak—
In the wilderness outside Mount Yuhua, "Mr. Linghuan" descended into a barren valley. A dozen black-clad figures knelt immediately.
"Greetings, Divine Lord!"
"Rise."
One stepped forward. "Divine Lord, is Hua Tiandu someone we can draw to our side?"
"It's too early to tell," Linghuan said coldly. "But our clan holds many treasures—enough to tempt him. Especially now that he carries enemies on all sides. Still—Fang Han must not be allowed to live. The Yellow Springs Diagram is crucial for restoring the Earth Emperor Book into an immortal weapon. It is also the greatest obstacle to our clan's return. We must obtain it… at all costs. Gather the Eight Divisions currently in this world. We'll devise a way to seize the Yellow Springs Diagram."
A gust of wind swept the valley. The figures vanished into the wilderness like shadows dissolving in the dusk.
Meanwhile, Fang Han returned to Reincarnation Peak.
The peak was lofty, wreathed in drifting clouds, birds soaring through a sky of boundless blue. A place befitting immortals.
From here, he could see it clearly: the true peaks of the sect formed a vast formation around Yuhua Heavenly Palace. Each was connected to the earth's meridians, forming a grand strategy that would activate whenever catastrophe struck. The true disciples would anchor their respective peaks, channeling heaven and earth to protect the sect.
One hundred and ten true disciples. One hundred and ten peaks. One hundred and ten formation cores.
The more cores, the greater the power.
"No wonder Yuhua Sect ranks among the Ten Heavenly Dao Sects," Fang Han murmured.
But then he noticed something else—each peak radiated a different level of spiritual might. At the center, Tiandu Peak burned the brightest, dazzling in its splendor—clearly Hua Tiandu's. Four others shone nearly as fiercely—Wan Luo, Lingxiao, Jialan, and Yaoguang.
His own peak, by contrast, was dim, lifeless, neglected.
This wouldn't do.
A cultivator's peak was their fortress. A well-fortified cave dwelling could let a Heaven-Human expert survive even a Golden Core attacker.
"Fang Han, you're finally back. That blood-colored sky earlier—no doubt the elders finished forging your Blood-Cangqiong Blade into a Dao-weapon. Congratulations. Even I don't have a Dao-weapon," Jialan's voice floated from behind him.
"Fang Han!" A clear cry echoed from above. A white-gold crane descended gracefully—it was Crane Fairy. She looked stronger than ever, each flap of her wings stirring whirlwinds.
"Crane Fairy, how has your cultivation been?" Fang Han asked warmly.
"Very well! Hongyi and I train every day. Thanks to Sister Jialan's guidance, we've progressed so much. Maybe one day I'll reach the Divine Ability Realm!" Crane Fairy chirped sweetly—no longer needing the Beast Token to speak, having refined her throat bone.
Hongyi leapt lightly from the crane's back. Her aura rippled with the power of spirit—she had reached the peak of the Tenth Layer, Spirit Transformation.
"To step into Divine Ability… I still have far to go," she said quietly.
Jialan sighed. "It's difficult. The Foundation-Building Pill is a human-grade supreme pill, and extremely hard to refine. So many rare ingredients, and pure mental energy. If Hongyi could cultivate with one, stepping into the Divine Ability Realm wouldn't be hard at all."
Ordinary disciples survived on Essence Pills or Fasting Pills—human-grade middle and lower pills. Only inner disciples were supplied with these. The tens of thousands of outer disciples had to eat in the Jade Food Hall like mortals.
"Is that so? I can't refine Foundation-Building Pills," Fang Han said lightly. "But Taiyi Sect's Yuan Infant Pill—I can refine."
As he spoke, a thread of pure energy shot from his brow. It spun at his fingertip, condensing into a glowing pill.
A Yuan Infant Pill.
Translucent. Perfect. A chubby infant sat peacefully at its center.
"You—!"
Jialan's eyes widened. Even Fang Qingxue's usually serene expression broke.
None of them had imagined Fang Han could refine a supreme-grade pill without even using ingredients.
At this rate… how far could he go?