"Up ahead lies the Southern Sea continent—the location of Wanhui Seaport."
Three streaks of azure light soared across the ocean. The day was bright, the waves calm, and a faint spring breeze brushed their faces. Fang Han's gaze sharpened as he looked ahead. A vast floating landmass stretched across the sea, bustling with life. He could see cities, markets, and countless people crowding along the coastline. The harbor was packed with ships of every size—sailing in, docking, or unloading cargo. Compared to the inland provinces, this place was ten times as prosperous.
Fang Han had seen his share of ships in Longyuan Province, where the mighty Longyuan River served as a trade artery for the Li Dynasty's capital. He had seen heavy vessels that could carry a hundred thousand catties, even several hundred thousand.
But what he saw now left him utterly stunned.
Towering steel ships—mountains of metal—floated on the waves. People swarmed across their decks like ants. These colossal vessels must have carried a million catties at least, perhaps ten million. The sheer scale was breathtaking.
He could feel the metallic aura even from afar—these ships were forged of pure steel.
"Those are the warships of the Great Xuan Empire, the mightiest nation in the mortal realm," Long Xuan explained. "They trade with Wanhui Seaport every year—exchanging medicinal herbs and treasures from the sea, even spiritual crystals. Those steel vessels can slice through storms and travel ten thousand miles a day."
"Spiritual crystals? They actually sell those?" Fang Han asked in disbelief.
"The Great Xuan Empire is governed by the Taiyi Sect," Long Xuan said coldly. "Their resource veins are endless. Rumor has it Taiyi Sect has even opened cultivation realms on distant stars, mining entire planets for crystal ore. Otherwise, how could they be so arrogant?"
"Arrogant indeed," Fang Han muttered, recalling Yao Dian, Xia You, and Yu Fen—their smug faces and condescending tone. "They act like divine envoys, judging the world as if it belongs to them. But one day, that arrogance will turn the nine great sects against them—and when that happens, the demonic path will strike."
Still, he knew these thoughts were dangerous. To kill a disciple of Taiyi Sect was to court disaster. It would be no different than slaying an imperial envoy—a direct act of rebellion. Even if they provoked him, he would be branded the sinner.
"Taiyi's power isn't just in its disciples," Long Xuan said quietly. "They command enough might to suppress all nine righteous sects—and even the demonic paths dare not act rashly. They have many immortals in the Longevity Realm. And…" her voice dropped, "it's said they possess an immortal artifact."
"An immortal artifact?"
Inside the Netherworld Diagram, Yan, who was refining the Blackwater King Serpent, froze mid-motion. His ancient eyes flickered with something like remembrance, as if dredging up secrets buried for millennia.
Fang Han's pulse quickened. He knew the ranking of treasures—magic tools, spirit artifacts, treasure artifacts, dao artifacts—but "immortal artifact" was beyond comprehension.
Yan's deep, metallic voice echoed in his mind. "Immortal artifacts can destroy continents, shift stars, tear through dimensions, pierce time itself. Possess one, and even Hua Tiandu would die in your hand. Even a master of the Longevity Realm would fall before you. To surpass Hua Tiandu within ten years… it's possible—but only if you acquire such a weapon. Yet that hope is smaller than none. There are many in the Longevity Realm, but immortal artifacts? Few exist. Each time one emerges, the heavens themselves bleed. Immortal Emperors, Demon Monarchs, ancient supremes—all go mad to claim it. Every great war of the past thousand years began with an immortal artifact's appearance."
Fang Han exhaled slowly. "Then that's not something I can dream of. For now, I'll settle for buying the right pills in Wanhui Seaport—strengthen my Yama Golden Body, and push it toward the Earth Treasury Realm."
He increased his speed. The continent grew larger beneath them.
As they neared the harbor, Fang Han saw more cultivators flying in and out—most wearing spirit-grade robes or suspended by talismans of flight. Only a few had true mana cultivation. Fang Han, Long Xuan, and the Demoness each wore a spirit robe that masked their aura, gliding on the wind without revealing their true strength.
"The largest trade house here is the Xuangui Pavilion, owned by Wanhui Immortal Island itself," Long Xuan explained as they descended toward a magnificent palace-like structure at the city's heart. "They sell everything—charms, medicines, rare materials—and you can sell your own treasures there as well."
They landed before the vast gates beneath a plaque carved with three bold characters: Xuangui Pavilion. A massive tortoise statue loomed above, as if ready to take flight.
Before they could step forward, several attendants approached, robes immaculate and eyes sharp. "Honored guests, which sect do you hail from? Here to buy or sell?"
Their cultivation was impressive—each at least at the eighth or ninth level of body refinement, with traces of mana woven through their movements. Even their dust whisks were low-grade spirit artifacts.
"We're True Disciples of the Yuhua Sect," Fang Han replied calmly, releasing a flicker of divine power from his palm.
The disciples' expressions changed instantly. "Ah! True Disciples—guests of honor!"
Two stronger attendants—at the tenth level of body refinement—appeared and bowed deeply. "Please, follow us to the inner hall."
Fang Han nodded, following them through halls filled with soft light and complex formations.
"Oh, by the way," he said casually, "I heard Wanhui Island has placed bounties on sea marauders. I've slain the thirty-eighth—Jueming Island Lord. Here's his head. Can I claim the reward?"
The two guides froze as they took the ice-sealed head. "You killed Jueming Island Lord? We'd heard Taiyi Sect sent three True Disciples to handle him—seems Yuhua Sect was faster!"
"Is that so?" Fang Han's tone was calm, but his mind raced. He pulled out two small bottles, each containing six golden pills. "These are Life-Extension Gold Pills from Jueming Island's trove—excellent for tempering the body. A small gift for my two brothers."
The disciples lit up with joy. "Many thanks, Senior Brother!"
Long Xuan watched silently, saying nothing. She bore grudges against Wanhui Island, but these minor disciples weren't her concern.
"Tell me," Fang Han continued smoothly, "has Taiyi Sect sent anyone here recently?"
"They have," one disciple said. "Yao Dian, Xia You, and Yu Fen arrived earlier. They're upstairs with our elders."
"How long have they been here?"
"Not long. Seems they're waiting for someone." The disciple hesitated, then added excitedly, "Ah—one more thing! You may want to know—the Demon Commander Ying Tianqing of the Innate Demon Sect is also here! He's on the top floor right now, speaking with our Pavilion Master. Word is, he's completed his demonic cultivation and plans to scour the seas for the Forty Bandits. If you encounter him, be cautious!"
"What?"
Fang Han's mind jolted. The Demon Commander… here? And the Taiyi trio too?
A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes—calculating, dangerous.
He smiled faintly. "Enough talk. I'll need seven Mother Water pearls, plus the following materials—eight-hundred-year ginseng, Vajra soil, Flamegold ore, millennia-old turtle essence, silver-scaled pangolin, a Tengr Serpent, and a Yin-Earth Dragonworm. Do you have them?"
The two disciples exchanged a glance. "Such rare materials… most of these are earth-natured. I'd guess Senior Brother cultivates Yuhua Sect's Heavenly Wood Scripture, yes?"
"Don't speculate," the other cut in quickly. "These materials we have—but their price is high. The bounty for Jueming's head won't cover it. Perhaps Senior Brother can offer other goods as payment—ten spirit artifacts would suffice."
Fang Han gestured to the Demoness. She produced ten robes glowing with faint runes—all top-grade spirit artifacts from Jueming's private vault.
The disciples' eyes widened. "Ten spirit robes! That will do nicely. Please wait inside, Senior Brother. We'll deliver the goods and your bounty shortly."
"One more thing," Fang Han said, voice smooth as silk. "When the materials arrive, prepare a secluded alchemy chamber for me. I'll need to refine on-site—and of course, you'll both be rewarded for the favor."
"Of course! Many cultivators rent chambers for closed cultivation. Here in Wanhui, no duels are allowed—by decree of the Island Lord himself. It's the safest place on the seas."
The disciples hurried off with the robes and head, leaving the trio alone.
Long Xuan watched Fang Han's faint smirk and frowned. "What are you plotting? Those Taiyi disciples won't ignore us for long—and now the Demon Commander himself is here."
"I have my plan," Fang Han said, the cold gleam in his eyes deepening. "Once the materials arrive, we'll hide inside the Five-Prison Cauldron and cultivate. You refine your true qi. I'll prepare for what comes next."