"Your mother? You mean the Star Lord's wife?" Fang Han froze. A chill crept up his spine as he realized how close he had come to courting disaster. Thank the heavens he hadn't tried to swindle Nebula Baby's Five-Element Bracelet—if he had succeeded, the Star Lord's wife and husband would have surely traced it back to him. Not even the Sect Master of Yuhua Gate could shield him then.
As one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, Yuhua Gate valued reputation above all. If word spread that a disciple had deceived the child of the Starry Gate's ruler, it would have brought disgrace to the sect. Fang Han wouldn't just be punished—he might have been executed on the spot.
Killing him would've been as effortless as crushing an ant. Even the Netherworld Emperor himself couldn't have stopped it.
In the immortal world, a true Immortal Lord often took only one Dao companion. But demon lords? They were infamous for their harems of wives and concubines, their countless offspring scattered across realms. Since Nebula Baby's mother was the Star Lord's wife, she was unquestionably one of the most powerful women under heaven. Fang Han's heart thudded nervously. He had never faced such a being before.
He worried she might see through the Netherworld Diagram.
"Don't fret," Yan whispered in his mind. "Now that you've reached the Divine Ability Realm, you can refine the Netherworld Diagram with your own power. I've concealed myself well—unless she's a master of the Longevity Realm, she'll sense nothing. Had you still been below Divine Ability, then yes, you'd have been in real danger."
Even as Yan spoke, chaos erupted around them. Nebula Baby darted from corner to corner, trying to hide, panic written across his round little face. But before he could move again, the air trembled.
A pillar of starry light descended from the heavens, like a silken waterfall of silver fire. It pierced through the crust of the earth, illuminating the ancient fortress below.
Within that radiance, a figure emerged—a woman, youthful and ethereal, her black hair bound with a star-shaped pin, her robes shimmering with constellations. Her face was as serene as moonlight, her presence pure and regal. Even Fang Han, hardened by battle and blood, felt a deep, involuntary reverence stir in his chest.
"Baby, how could you be so naughty again?" Her voice was calm, gentle—but every word carried the authority of heaven. "I was refining pills, and you slipped away to such a dangerous place? Do you know what could have happened?"
The moment her eyes found him, Nebula Baby gave a sheepish laugh, spinning helplessly in the air as his bracelet floated from his wrist back into her palm.
"An external avatar…" Fang Han realized at once. This wasn't her true form—it was a projection, a body made from divine energy, much like the avatars of ancient demon gods.
He stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Junior Fang Han of Yuhua Gate pays respects to the Star Lord's wife."
"Oh?" Her gaze swept over him with calm interest. "A Divine Ability cultivator… from Yuhua Gate, no less." She smiled faintly. "Tell me, young man—how did you know this was only my avatar?"
"I once encountered the external avatar of a demon god beneath the earth," Fang Han replied respectfully. "So I ventured a guess."
"You've seen a demon god's avatar and lived?" she said, surprised. "That's quite rare. Tell me, when did Yuhua Gate begin producing such remarkable disciples?"
"I was fortunate to accompany Senior Sister Fang Qingxue," Fang Han said smoothly.
"Fang Qingxue?" The Star Lord's wife nodded, her expression softening. "Ah yes, the dual cultivator of light and darkness, aided by a demon marshal. Then it makes sense." She tapped her son lightly on the head. "And what trouble did you cause this time?"
"Mom, it was Brother Fang Han who saved me!" Nebula Baby chirped. "A big Asura demon was going to eat me!"
"What?" The Star Lord's wife's eyes sharpened instantly. Her gaze swept across the chamber and fell upon the Demoness. "An Asura?"
"She's already been subdued, my lady," Fang Han said quickly. "She serves me now."
"You subdued a Great Asura?" Her brows lifted, her interest deepening. "Impressive. Yuhua Gate truly breeds prodigies. Your mana is dense and well-tempered—though not yet condensed into true essence, it's only a matter of time. You saved my child; I can't let that go unrewarded. Take this."
A flick of her wrist, and a crystalline sphere appeared in Fang Han's palm. Within the transparent stone swirled a golden pill, glowing softly, miniature constellations orbiting its core. Even from afar, he could feel it drawing in ambient spiritual energy.
"This is a Star Convergence Pill. It will refine your mana and deepen your reserves—an excellent aid to future cultivation."
Fang Han hesitated. "My lady, saving the young master was nothing. I was merely training underground and happened upon him by chance. He lent me his Five-Element Bracelet for practice. I cannot accept such a treasure."
The Star Lord's wife smiled faintly. "What I give, I never take back. And honesty is a rarer treasure than any pill. You have my favor, Fang Han. Be a good friend to my son—and when the Ten Gates Immortal Assembly convenes, I hope to see you shine. I'll remember your name."
With that, her form shimmered, dissolving into motes of starlight that rose and vanished into the heavens.
Fang Han let out a slow breath.
"What a terrifying woman," he muttered. "I've never heard of her before—she must be a rising power of recent millennia. Thankfully, she sent only an avatar. Had it been her true form, she might have seen through everything—the Netherworld Diagram, the Forgetfulness Seals on the Demoness… everything."
Yan's voice murmured approvingly. "Still, her Star Convergence Pill is genuine. It will truly thicken your mana. Your foundation is already sturdier than most golden platforms; take it, and your progress will quicken."
Fang Han frowned. "I don't trust it. Even a gift from heaven might hide a blade. Study it carefully before I take it—make sure there's no hidden scheme."
Yan chuckled. "Cautious and ruthless—you're starting to sound like a true Emperor of the Underworld. Good."
Red Princess Hongyi approached. "Now that the little one's gone, should we return to Yuhua Gate?"
Fang Han nodded. "I had planned to hunt a few more white-haired corpses, maybe clear out another mine and stock up on materials for pill refining. But now, it's too risky. We'll head back. And remember—no one is to speak of my breakthrough. Let them underestimate me. When the Mountain and River Tournament comes, I'll make the heavens quake."
Ten days later, after consolidating his power, Fang Han gathered his companions. The month was ending—time for the sect's Grand Lecture. He packed up his things, brought along the Demoness, and soared through the fissures of the earth, finally emerging beneath the vast sky.
He released the four inner disciples quietly, sending them back to infiltrate Yuhua Gate as his hidden eyes and ears.
Meanwhile, far to the south, a mountain pierced the clouds like a spear of jade.
This was Wanluo Peak.
"Senior Brother Ye, this is it?" Fang Qingwei gazed up at the towering summit, awe flickering in her eyes.
"Yes," Ye Nantian said solemnly. "Wanluo Peak—the domain of Senior Brother Wanluo himself. When you meet him, be cautious. He's powerful beyond measure; don't say anything that might offend him."
"I understand," she said softly. Then, after a pause, she frowned. "By the way, the men you sent to investigate that Fang Han… why haven't they returned yet?"