In his hands lay a jade-bound scripture — a true manual of the Yuhua Sect's divine arts.
Fang Han's heart pounded as he lifted it, only to see the title inscribed upon the cover: "Springwind Wood Spirit Technique."
He blinked. Instinct told him this was not one of the aggressive, destructive powers like Violet Lightning Shadow Blade, Heavenly Frost Profound Qi, or Great Freedom Golden Sword Qi. It felt… gentle — a supporting art, not a killing one.
"The Springwind Wood Spirit Technique," said the Transmission Elder, "is a minor art derived from our sect's Heavenly Wood Scripture. It draws upon the vitality of plants and trees to refine Wood Spirit Qi — a force that can heal, nourish, and invigorate. It strengthens the body, extends life, and is indispensable in alchemy.
"Our sect's disciples are many, but our pills are few. Once you master this technique, you'll use it to refine Wood Spirit Pills — one hundred every month — and submit them to the sect's Celestial Treasury. When a year has passed and your Wood Spirit Qi has matured, you will be permitted to learn the true Heavenly Wood Scripture."
Seeing Fang Han's faint disappointment, the Transmission Elder smiled slightly.
"This year of service will test your heart. The sect has cultivated you and bestowed power upon you; as a true disciple, you must also contribute. All true disciples begin this way.
"That is the difference between the righteous path and the demonic: in the Demon Sects, the strong devour the weak. In our Yuhua Sect, the strong protect the weak. Power brings not privilege — but duty."
The Heavenly Punishment Elder, the youthful-looking man beside him, added calmly,
"Behind this technique you will find the method for refining the Wood Spirit Pill. Remember — one hundred pills per month. If you neglect this duty, you will forfeit your right to learn future divine arts. I oversee the sect's laws. True disciples are held to the highest standard. Disobey… and even the Heavenly Punishment Platform will not spare you."
"Yes, Elder."
Fang Han bowed deeply. He had half a mind to ask for a more aggressive art — perhaps the Instant Kill Technique from the Great Freedom Golden Sword Qi — but the tone of both elders left no room for negotiation. He accepted the jade book reverently and withdrew.
After he left, the Transmission Elder turned and asked softly, "Well? What do you think?"
"I should be asking you that," replied the youthful Heavenly Punishment Elder.
"He's cultivated the Yama Vajra Body — a divine art of the Netherworld Sect," the Transmission Elder said, his white brows twitching. "I wonder if Fang Qingxue taught it to him. The rumor that the Netherworld Diagram has reappeared — in her hands — might not be false."
The young elder smiled faintly.
"Then she has her own destiny. She and Hua Tiandu will both dazzle the heavens at the Grand Celestial Assembly. When Hua Tiandu gained the inheritance of Panwu Immortal, he immediately rose above all others — and brought great glory to our Yuhua Sect."
"But the remnants of the Netherworld Sect still hide across the realms," said the Transmission Elder. "Many are thousand-year-old demons with profound cultivation. That diagram is the Netherworld Emperor's decree — whoever wields it could unite the sect and restore the power of the Demon Dao. If word spreads, Yuhua Sect will know no peace, and Fang Qingxue's journeys will be perilous. You should speak to her, warn her."
The young elder shook his head.
"Qingxue is proud and solitary. If I try to restrain her, it might only drive her toward the Demonic Path. The Innate Demon Sect would gladly take her in. And though their Demon Marshal is of no concern, his father — the ancient devil Ying Xiantian — is not someone to provoke lightly.
"For now, Qingxue's loyalty to our sect remains strong. The Supreme Patriarch has already spoken with her many times. Best to let it be. True disciples are not children; as long as they don't harm the sect, we should not tighten the leash. Suppression only breeds rebellion."
"Perhaps you're right," the Transmission Elder said. "Still, this Fang Han… now that he's entered the Mystical Power Realm and carries a life-and-death pact with Hua Tiandu, we should temper his spirit. Ten years from now, he cannot possibly defeat Hua Tiandu. That boy advances daily — in ten years, he may even step into the Longevity Realm. Even I might not best him then. When the time comes, you'll need to intervene and resolve the matter."
"Of course," the Heavenly Punishment Elder said calmly, taking his seat again.
When Fang Han stepped out of the Heavenly Yuhua Palace, he suddenly felt a ripple through his skin — a faint stirring.
Yan had awakened from his state of great extinction.
"These two elders are formidable," the ancient dragon spirit muttered within. "Even I nearly failed to hide from them. Especially that Heavenly Punishment Elder — his depth is unfathomable…"
"Yan," Fang Han murmured, "this Springwind Wood Spirit Technique doesn't seem very powerful. Should I even bother learning it?" He passed the jade book into his spiritual consciousness.
"Hmph," Yan scoffed. "It's merely a minor art of the Heavenly Wood Scripture — useful for alchemy and healing, not for combat. The sect wants you to toil for them. To defeat Hua Tiandu, every breath of time matters — how can you waste a whole year refining pills?"
"Then what should I do?"
"Learn it anyway."
"What? Didn't you just say not to waste time?"
"The Springwind Wood Spirit Technique is of the wood element," Yan said coldly. "Once you've condensed its true qi, you can advance straight into the Heavenly Wood Scripture. And that art—" his tone deepened, "—that art rivals even Fang Qingxue's Violet Lightning Shadow Blade."
"But they said I'd have to wait a year before being taught that scripture."
"I can teach it."
Fang Han froze. "You… know the Heavenly Wood Scripture?"
"I know more," Yan replied, voice echoing faintly in the depths of his soul. "The Heavenly Wood Scripture descends from a far older art — the Azure Emperor's Wood Sovereign Art. What Yuhua Sect holds is only a fragment. But I… I know the complete version."
Fang Han's eyes blazed. "The Azure Emperor's Wood Sovereign Art! Then what am I afraid of?"
"Exactly," Yan said with a sneer. "I withheld divine techniques before, fearing the sect might discover you. But now that they've officially granted you this Wood Spirit technique, you can cultivate freely under their noses. The qi is the same — they'll never suspect.
"Dong Lingxiao cultivates the Heavenly Wood Scripture. But once you've mastered the Azure Emperor's Wood Sovereign Art, your mana will surpass his — in both purity and might."
Fang Han's lips curled into a grin. "Then let's go to Jialan Peak. I suspect Senior Sister Jialan has more rewards waiting for me…"
"Fine," Yan growled, "but first — feed me that Golden Light Flame Mirror."