"You people from the Taiyi Sect are rich and powerful—so only you get to feast on meat, and the rest of us can't even sip the broth?" Fang Han laughed coldly. "Our Feather Transformation Sect has its own rules. As long as a disciple does not harm the innocent, even cultivating demonic arts or using demonic artifacts is not forbidden. Righteousness or evil lies in the heart, not the tool! But you of the Taiyi Sect—three thousand years ago you caused the Calamity of Linglong, slaughtered countless innocents, and left the immortal path broken while demons rose to power. Shall we speak of that? I am a true disciple of the Feather Transformation Sect. Do you now presume to meddle in our sect's affairs?"
His words were sharp as blades.
"You dare say that again?" Yao Dian's eyes turned to ice, killing intent flashing through his gaze.
The Calamity of Linglong—those words were taboo in the Taiyi Sect. The defection of the female disciple Linglong three thousand years ago, her founding of the Linglong Blessed Land, and her rise as one of the Ten Immortal Lords—these were wounds the Taiyi Sect never healed from. For Fang Han to tear them open was to slap the great sect across the face.
But Fang Han wasn't done. He had seen enough of their arrogance, their air of divine superiority, as if only the Taiyi Sect represented heaven's will. His words were deliberate—each one stabbing deep.
Yes, the Taiyi Sect's disciples refused to use demonic weapons. That was their right. But to forbid all others from using them? That was tyranny.
And Fang Han saw through it—envy, jealousy, and fear. Fear that the Five Hells King Cauldron would strengthen the Feather Transformation Sect, fear that their rivals would grow.
Better to destroy it than let another prosper.
"You say our sect rules don't matter?" Fang Han sneered. "You think the Taiyi Sect's law binds heaven and earth? Do you plan to unify all immortal sects under your banner?"
"I said no such thing," Yao Dian replied evenly, though his tone had cooled to frost. He exchanged a brief glance with Xia You and Yu Fen before continuing. "But since the Five Hells King was slain by our Senior Brother Kunyang eight hundred years ago, it is right that the cauldron be returned to us for proper disposal. You have slain the pirate lord of Doom Island and gained much—those spoils you may keep."
"Oh? So now you want Doom Island's treasures too?" Fang Han's lips curved into a dangerous smile.
"Many of those treasures are demonic in nature," Zhang Wei interjected, voice dripping with self-importance. "They must all be destroyed. But if you surrender the Five Hells King Cauldron voluntarily, showing your sincerity in keeping the immortal path pure, we can overlook the lesser relics. The Taiyi Sect is not petty."
"Not petty?" Fang Han's tone darkened to a growl. "You really do think the immortal world belongs to you alone."
His aura flared. "Very well. Let's see whether your Taiyi Sect's so-called heavenly techniques truly surpass my Feather Transformation Sect's!"
"What? Fang Han, are you mad?" Long Xuan hissed through a voice transmission. "You can't fight them! Not the Taiyi Sect!"
"Why not?" Fang Han's voice was calm, cold as steel. "There's no rule forbidding us from fighting other sects."
"There is now!" Long Xuan's mental voice was tense. "Senior Brother Hua Tiandu decreed that our disciples must 'endure humiliation, bide time, and avoid conflict with the Taiyi Sect.' Anyone who disobeyed was harshly punished. It's why our disciples bow their heads whenever we meet them. That's why they act so high and mighty!"
Fang Han's face twisted with fury. His voice thundered like a bell shaking the heavens:
"Hua Tiandu—you are a sinner of our sect!"
"You dare insult your own senior brother?" Yao Dian's expression darkened. "Then allow me to teach you a lesson in his stead. If you can withstand a single sword from me, I'll let you leave unharmed. If not, I'll bind you and personally deliver you to Hua Tiandu's feet!"
He raised his hand, and a sword appeared—brilliant, sharp, radiant as lightning. The air hummed as if heaven itself bent to his will. His confidence filled the world; in that instant, he was the world.
"Be careful!" Yan's voice roared in Fang Han's mind. "His aura—he's entered the Yin-Yang Realm! The fourth stage of divine power. You're no match for him!"
"What? The Yin-Yang Realm?" Fang Han's eyes widened.
Yao Dian's lips curled into a faint, confident smile. His sword flashed, a streak of annihilation—a line of death. The slash tore through Long Xuan's cold mist, shattered the chill aura, and sliced straight toward Fang Han's brow. The killing intent locked on his spirit; his limbs refused to move. In that instant, he was a fish laid upon the chopping block.
Such sword power could shake the heavens.
Fang Han's mind sharpened like a blade. The difference between them was vast—two entire realms apart. Experience, skill, power—Taiyi Sect had it all.
But fear? That he did not have.
"The Celestial Wood Divine Needle!"
With a roar, he gathered the essence of the Wood Emperor within him, condensing it into a brilliant emerald spike that shot forward like lightning, aimed straight for Yao Dian's heart.
"Hmph."
Yao Dian's sneer was cold as winter. His body blazed with white qi that formed a celestial lion, which opened its jaws and swallowed the divine needle whole. His sword did not pause—it pierced through Fang Han's protective qi and reached for his flesh.
One more inch—and Fang Han's skull would split.
Then—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The world rang like iron upon iron.
Fang Han vanished, replaced by a massive cauldron—the Five Hells King Cauldron. Sparks flew as the sword struck its surface, ringing through the night like a temple bell.
Yao Dian's eyes widened slightly.
"You… actually refined the Five Hells King Cauldron."