The six True Masters of the Taiyi Sect arrived together.
Zhenren Dafang, Zhenren Kunyuan, Zhenren Changchun, Zhenren Kanli, Zhenren Luming, and Zhenren Fushou—each a renowned figure who had shaken the cultivation world a full century ago. All six were cultivators of the fifth Divine Ability stage, the Heaven-Human Realm. With their extended lifespan of eight hundred years and the rich resources provided by their sect, each stood a real chance of reaching the Golden Core Realm someday.
Against a top-tier demon like Seven-Leaf Demon Lord, any one of them would be slightly inferior, but not by much. And together? Even Seven-Leaf would flee without a second thought.
Fang Han's earlier victory had come from sheer luck and the sudden strike of Yama. If Seven-Leaf had known what was coming, the outcome might have been entirely different.
Now these six Heaven-Human experts had joined forces against Fang Han.
Their six flying swords struck first—whirling in a deadly spiral, slicing toward him faster than lightning.
A chilling wave of danger washed over Fang Han. He raised the Blood Skyblade, unleashing a streak of blood-red light that clashed with the incoming blades.
The air rang with metallic detonations—ripples shot outward, sparks flaring like a storm of meteors.
Six sharp cracks echoed.
All six flying swords were knocked back.
Each one now bore a grain-sized chip—tiny, but unmistakable. The Blood Skyblade had wounded them.
But Fang Han paid for it. The impact sent him tumbling through the air, chest tight, blood surging in his veins. A breath of qi refused to gather—he almost crashed to the ground.
"Damn it! That demonic sword truly lives up to its name!"
"My flying sword—refined for sixty full years—damaged in a single exchange! Restoring it will take three years at least, not to mention heavenly materials!"
The six were furious—and greedy. What was a single Yuhua Sect disciple, even a core one, compared to a treasure like the Blood Skyblade? With such a sword in their hands, their future would be limitless.
They no longer relied on their flying swords.
Instead, they gathered their gang-qi and struck with their palms.
Boom!
Heaven and earth trembled.
Six great formations descended at once, sealing all space around Fang Han—above, below, front, back, left, right. A complete kill-box. No matter how he twisted, he could not slip free.
They knew precisely what they were doing. If Fang Han managed to retreat into the Five Hells King Cauldron, capturing him would be nearly impossible.
"He's finished."
"A pity—the Blood Skyblade and the Five Hells King Cauldron will fall into Taiyi's hands…"
"The Taiyi Sect grows more arrogant every year. Rumor says that at the Immortal Dao Assembly in three years, they intend to form a sect-wide enforcement corps to discipline disciples of all sects under their doctrine. Soon, none of us will survive their tyranny."
Watching from afar, disciples of other sects were filled with indignation. Taiyi was too domineering—killing a true disciple of one of the Ten Great Dao Sects like it was nothing.
But none believed Fang Han could escape.
"World Tree—lend me your power!"
At that critical instant, Fang Han activated the World Tree within his brow. A surge of pure primordial energy poured into him, snapping his mind and body back into full strength.
He darted forward, body serpentine like a carp slipping through waves—and at the very last moment broke through the encirclement.
He landed atop the Five Hells King Cauldron, steadier than a mountain.
The cauldron surged with crimson light, wrapping him protectively.
Gasps erupted across the battlefield.
"How did he escape?!"
"He was drained moments ago—how is his mana full again?!"
Even the six True Masters were stunned.
But they would not stop.
They exchanged one fierce look.
"Heaven-Reaching Formation—merge!"
The six formations locked together, transforming into a massive hexagonal array that descended over the cauldron like a sealing sky.
"This formation was crafted to suppress the Demon Commander himself," Fushou snarled. "Consider it an honor to die beneath it!"
In truth, during their pursuit of the Demon Commander over the sea, the six had been injured repeatedly. In response, they forged this combined formation—six bodies, one will, their qi unified. Together, they were the equivalent of a Golden Core Realm cultivator.
The pressure on Fang Han multiplied again.
He prepared to retreat into the cauldron—
When the sky split open.
A bolt of lightning thick as a water barrel tore out of the Void Passage, dragging runic chains and swirling formations behind it. Tiny thunderbird spirits, no larger than a thumb, fluttered through the bolt, chanting an ancient hymn.
This was not lightning.
It was divine judgment.
A thunder that no mortal technique could withstand.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Heaven-Reaching Formation shattered instantly.
From the collapsing passage descended a woman—long hair flowing like a waterfall, white robes pure as snow, wrapped in crackling electric light. Cold, regal, untouchable.
Fang Qingxue.
Fang Han's heart lurched.
Relief.
And discomfort.
Relief—because with her here, the Taiyi Sect could no longer overwhelm him. Fang Qingxue was fearless, ruthless, and capable of taking on entire sects alone.
Discomfort—because he had stirred up countless massive incidents. If she connected the dots, she might suspect something about the Yellow Springs Diagram.
"Fang Han, it's you."
Fang Qingxue's eyes swept over him. "Very good. Very good."
"You've done our Fang family proud—challenging Hua Tiandu, killing the Water Gu Heavenly Demon, defending my Lightning Palace, slaying Seven-Leaf Demon Lord, taking the Blood Skyblade, daring to oppose Taiyi disciples—and now fighting them head-on. For these deeds, our Yuhua Sect will reward you handsomely."
"Senior Sister flatters me," Fang Han said awkwardly. He recalled the cauldron and blade to his side and called out, "Long Xuan—come greet Senior Sister."
Long Xuan stepped out of the cauldron and bowed.
"Sister Fang."
Fang Han took the opportunity to probe. "Senior Sister, what realm have you reached? In the Minor Immortal World… have you formed a Golden Core seed? After all, you're believed to be the reincarnation of the Ancient Lightning Mother—your cultivation shouldn't be like that of ordinary mortals."
"Lightning Mother reincarnation…" Qingxue murmured. "I will tell you the truth eventually. But before that—you will tell me something."
She drifted close—closer than she had ever stood to him. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"I worked painstakingly to kill someone and seize a treasure. And yet you acquired it before I could. Tell me—do you have the Yellow Springs Diagram?"
Fang Han's expression froze.
"I… don't know what you're talking about," he said, feigning confusion, though his mind raced. The moment she approached, his spiritual senses had been overwhelmed. Even the Five Hells King Cauldron's baleful aura failed to block her presence.
Her power felt deeper than the Demon Commander. Even deeper than Seven-Leaf.
"I knew you wouldn't admit it." Her tone was soft, almost playful. "But we have time. And after all… you're family. Our interests align."
Her breath brushed against his ear—unexpectedly gentle.
Fang Han's heart jumped.
Quickly, he shifted the topic. "Senior Sister… the Demon Commander has helped you many times, even though he walks the demonic path. Taiyi is hunting him now. What will you do?"
"Taiyi must be humbled," Fang Qingxue said lightly. "Their arrogance is a blight on the Immortal Dao."
Then she smiled—cool and confident.
"You wanted to know my cultivation? I'm a hair away from forming a Daoist Golden Core. But even Golden Core cultivators are no match for me."
She raised her hand. Lightning coiled around her fingers.
"I possess the Raiden Imperial Edict—the Ancient Immortal Thunder Scripture. A complete Dao artifact. Unlike the Yellow Springs Diagram, which is damaged."
She let that hang in the air.
Even a tenth-stage powerhouse would hesitate to kill her.
"Senior Sister's power is boundless. Achieving Daoist Golden Core will only be a matter of time," Fang Han replied carefully.
"Relax. I won't do anything to you," she said with a faint smile. "Our Yuhua Sect needs someone like you—someone ruthless enough to fight and kill without hesitation. And the ten-year duel between you and Hua Tiandu… I will support you fully."
"Is that so?" Fang Han couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Hua Tiandu has the legacy of Panwu Immortal Venerable. He possesses a Dao artifact as well. Once he steps into the Longevity Realm, no one will restrict him."
"He also stole the Seven Fiends Gourd I gave you," Qingxue said coldly. "He has no respect for me—or for the sect."
"We'll deal with him later." Her tone suddenly sharpened. "For now… let's teach the Taiyi Sect a lesson."
She swept her eyes across the six True Masters—who had gone pale.
"Let me see," she said softly, "just how strong you've become."