"Headmaster, Fang Qingwei is still my younger sister. Turning her into a house cat… it's too shocking. Please, if possible, show her a sliver of mercy."
Fang Qingxue, wild and fearless as she usually was, couldn't help feeling shaken. Watching three inner disciples transformed into a cat and two mice left her unsettled, and for the first time she felt genuine awe—fear, even—toward the Headmaster.
Even Hua Tiandu stared blankly, unable to reconcile what he'd just witnessed: a fluffy cat and two trembling mice that—moments earlier—had been living, breathing humans with potential to enter the Divine Ability Realm.
"It is of no consequence," the Headmaster replied, his voice drifting like a calm breeze as the sphere of pure light shimmered. "This too is a form of cultivation. If they can endure the loneliness of animal form and temper their hearts, reaching the Divine Ability Realm one day will not be difficult. Consider this a warning. If they dare frame others again, it won't be a year or three. It will be a permanent sentence."
"Headmaster," Elder Lieyang said respectfully, suddenly speaking out. He was Jinshitai's father—never fond of Fang Han. "You mentioned saving Fang Han. But the Taiyuan Immortal Mansion is filled with lethal dangers. countless cultivators have perished inside. Ten years ago, the renowned Huoyun Fairy of Linglong Paradise entered and never returned. Even the Linglong Immortal herself could not rescue her—and nearly died in repeated attempts."
His reasoning was not baseless. Many elders nodded in agreement.
"Huoyun Fairy was a seventh-level Divine Ability expert—a Golden Core master," Lieyang continued. "Her status was far above a mere Fang Han. Why should our sect risk further losses for someone so insignificant?"
His argument found support among several elders.
"Enough, Lieyangzi," the Headmaster said suddenly. "Years ago, you begged me for a Yin–Yang Longevity Pill for your son. I gave you one. And what became of it? Your son remains stuck in the True Qi Realm—a hopeless waste. My pill was squandered on someone completely unworthy. If that pill had gone to Qingxue here, she would've reached the Golden Core Realm already."
"Yes… yes… Headmaster chastises me correctly."
Elder Lieyang lowered his head immediately and retreated, not daring another word.
He might challenge the Elder of Heavenly Punishment—but the Headmaster? Never. A single thought could turn him into a mouse as well.
His meager cultivation, a mere fifth-level Heaven-and-Man expert, was nothing compared to the power of someone in the Longevity Secret Realm—let alone the sect master of a great immortal sect.
Yuhuamen's rules were absolute. The Headmaster held life-and-death authority over every elder.
"Headmaster Senior Brother," said the Elder of Artifice, a stern, rigid figure whose rank matched that of the Elder of Heavenly Punishment, "Lieyangzi may be biased, but his words aren't entirely unreasonable. The Taiyuan Immortal Mansion truly is a deathtrap. Not even the Linglong Immortal could retrieve Huoyun Fairy."
The Headmaster remained silent for a long moment, then finally spoke.
"I have my reasons. Since we're being open—Qingxue, you have the Immortal Lightning Seal. You are the reincarnation of the Thunder Mother. But… did you also acquire the supreme treasure of the Yellow Springs Gate? The 'Yellow Springs Diagram'?"
A shock rippled through the hall.
"The Yellow Springs Diagram!"
"It is said the Yellow Springs Emperor spent three thousand years refining it," the Headmaster continued. "He forged it with the sacred Yellow Springs River and Forgetfulness Water. With it, he wished to forge a cycle of karmic retribution—much like Taiyi Sect's dream of defining the heavenly tribulation through merit."
"Qingxue… you already possess a Dao Artifact. If you were to obtain the Yellow Springs Diagram as well… the strength you could command would be unimaginable. Your destiny is extraordinary. Such fortune brings prosperity to our sect."
Whispers filled the hall.
There had long been rumors—but no one dared believe them. Now the Headmaster himself confirmed it.
"Headmaster, I did not obtain the Yellow Springs Diagram," Fang Qingxue said. She paused… then involuntarily thought of Fang Han.
"But perhaps Fang Han did?" the Headmaster finished with a quiet laugh. "That would explain much. His explosive advancement. His mastery of the Yama Golden Body. His brazen confidence in challenging Hua Tiandu in ten years."
The Elder of Heavenly Punishment had long reported Fang Han's cultivation path.
The Headmaster was no fool. He missed nothing.
"It's possible," Qingxue admitted. "But without seeing Fang Han, I cannot confirm it."
"Then you understand," the Headmaster said, turning toward the Elder of Artifice. "This is why we must take the risk."
"For the Yellow Springs Diagram," the Elder of Artifice replied solemnly, "the risk is worth it. That decree is equivalent to a long-lived patriarch. If we can wield it for Yuhuamen's rise… the future is limitless."
More elders joined in agreement, excitement rising.
"The Yellow Springs Gate was once the foremost demonic lineage," the Elder said. "Though scattered, many hidden powerhouses remain. With the diagram, they may return to the world—not as enemies, but as allies."
"The Forgetfulness Water within it is the greatest sacred water. Its alchemical uses are priceless."
"With it, we can subdue demons and refine vast amounts of pills. With pills, we can cultivate tens of thousands of disciples. In five or ten years, our Divine Ability disciples could double."
"That would give us the capital to stand against the Taiyi Sect."
Another elder added, "And the diagram contains countless mystical arts from the Yellow Springs Gate—the Five Emperor Demonic Arts especially. Mastering any one of them makes forming a Golden Core far easier."
Fang Qingxue quickly spoke up.
"Headmaster—if we do rescue Fang Han, I beg you: do not force him to surrender the Yellow Springs Diagram. It is his fate. It cannot be taken by coercion."
"Hmph!" Hua Tiandu said, tone righteous. "If the sect saves his life, what harm is there in him repaying the sect? Should he not contribute?"
Fang Qingxue turned on him sharply.
"Hua Tiandu, you inherited Panwu Immortal Venerable's legacy. Why haven't you contributed your Dao Artifact to the sect? And you plan to gift a thousand Epoch Divine Pills to the Taiyi Sect—why not give them to our disciples?"
"You need not comment further, Tiandu," the Headmaster said mildly. "Your closeness with the Taiyi Sect is understandable. But do not forget—the Taiyi Sect's greed caused the Linglong Calamity. Their attempt to seize a Dao Artifact drove Linglong Immortal to rebellion."
"As for Fang Han—he is a true disciple of Yuhuamen. We are his elders. We have both the duty and the heart to save him."
"What family," the Headmaster asked, "does not risk everything to save a child in danger? And what parents would be angry that their child brings home wealth? Would they rob the child of that fortune?"
"Treat our disciples as our children. That is what an immortal sect should be."
"If Fang Han returns and wishes to contribute the Yellow Springs Diagram, then he will be considered one of our own—and we will shelter him, nurture him, raise him into greatness."
"If he does not wish to contribute it… we will not force him."
"Headmaster embodies the virtue of a true leader!" Fang Qingxue bowed deeply, voice trembling with sincerity. Her respect for him solidified into something unshakable. With such a leader, betrayal of Yuhuamen would be the act of a heartless beast.
"When shall we set out?" the Elder of Heavenly Punishment asked.
"As soon as possible. A single day here is a full year inside the mansion. But we must prepare thoroughly. If we leave recklessly, demonic sects, outer-realm fiends, or beast kings may seize the chance to attack. We will hold council now and plan every contingency."
The meeting began.
Meanwhile—
Inside the Taiyuan Immortal Mansion…
"Yin to Yang… Sun to Moon…"
Within the grand hall, Fang Han continued refining his astral qi. Twin currents—one cold and one warm—spiraled from his palms, shifting into countless forms. Tigers, dragons, serpents, turtles, cranes, celestial lions—flickered one after another, dancing through the air around him.
He had reached the fourth realm—Yin–Yang Realm.
If he could break into the fifth—Heaven-and-Man Realm—he would gain the ability to forge spirit artifacts. With such power, he could reward disciples, build a faction of his own, and stand as a pillar among the true disciples of Yuhuamen.
With the might of a hundred thousand warhorses, the Blood Sky Demonic Blade, the Five-Prisons King Cauldron, and hidden techniques yet unused, he could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Nanwanluo, Donglingxiao, Xijialan, and Beiyaoguang.
The Yin–Yang Realm was wondrous but transitional—only by mastering it could one communicate with Heaven and Man, channel divine arrays, extend lifespan, and refine greater arts without internal conflict.
He cultivated tirelessly.
Time flowed strangely.
Whenever he encountered difficulty, he consulted the mysterious man trapped deep within the mansion.
That man—bored and timeless—answered every question, but never revealed his own origins.
Thus days passed.
Then months.
Then years.
Ten years slipped by like a single breath.
Fang Han's heart remained still as water as he continued forging his path.