Fang Han had long known that Fang Qingwei had been transformed into a cat by Feng Baiyu's divine ability, yet seeing her now in Crane Fairy's arms still made something twist uncomfortably in his chest. It wasn't the transformation that bothered him—it was the implication. Fang Qingxue had once joked about marrying Qingwei to him. Now she had sent Crane Fairy carrying the cat straight to him. He had no idea what she meant by this, but it didn't feel good.
"Relax," Fang Qingxue said, easily reading his thoughts. "Qingwei is in no way worthy of you right now. You're one of the top contenders for the Sect Master's throne. Among all the true disciples, you've already defeated Meng Shaobai—only Hua Tiandu remains. How could I possibly let Qingwei marry you in her state? She's spoiled and unruly. A little suffering will do her good. Once she turns back into a human, she'll understand the severity of things—and finally take cultivation seriously."
"Is Senior Sister not interested in the Sect Master's throne yourself?" Fang Han asked calmly, but there was a hint of probing in his tone. "You're also a true disciple of Yuhua Sect—your methods are deep and unfathomable. Even though I've defeated Meng Shaobai, defeating you would be far more difficult."
Fang Qingxue was indeed one of his future rivals. Though Fang Han wouldn't lose outright if they clashed today, defeating her would come at a heavy cost.
Meng Shaobai's Kunpeng soul had been powerful, but he lacked treasures and divine artifacts—his combat ability relied almost entirely on his own cultivation.
Fang Qingxue was different.
She wielded the Immortal Thunder Talisman, a top-grade Dao Artifact approaching perfection—a terrifying weapon. Its power eclipsed every treasure Fang Han possessed. Even his Life Seal Talisman—containing fifty-five divine powers and reinforced by the Five Emperors Canopy—was at best comparable to a mid-grade Dao Artifact edging toward the upper tier. If the two talismans collided head-on, Fang Han would unquestionably be at a disadvantage.
Of course, that assumed he was foolish enough to clash talismans. In a real battle, he would use deception, traps, and a thousand bizarre techniques. Even Qingxue might not counter every one of his underhanded, unpredictable methods.
Without the Immortal Thunder Talisman, he would kill her instantly.
"I'm interested, of course," Fang Qingxue said frankly. "The Sect Master's seat holds incomparable power. Compared to it, mortal emperors are insects. Even in the entire Xuanhuang World, a Sect Master is a titan—eternal, unmatched. But to fight for that position, one must at least step into the Longevity Realm. Anything short of that is meaningless. Once I achieve Longevity, I will naturally stand against you."
She made no attempt to hide it—one day, they would clash.
"But didn't you plan to form your own sect? To establish the Thunder Emperor's Cave Heaven?" Fang Han asked lightly.
"Founding a sect is far easier said than done. And no matter how well-built, it would never compare to the deep heritage of Yuhua Sect." Fang Qingxue folded her arms. "I'm only establishing the Thunder Emperor's Cave Heaven to honor his final wishes. I am still a disciple of Yuhua Sect. And with chaos approaching, leaving its protection would be suicide. You and I both know this."
"Fair enough. When we both step into Longevity, we'll decide who claims the throne—your Thunder Emperor arts, or my demonic cultivation." Fang Han laughed.
"The Mountain–River Tournament begins soon," Qingxue said. "Princess Hongyi has already mastered the Violet Thunder Blade. She has a real shot at first place. What a pity Crane Fairy can't join. She's reached the Divine Ability Realm—had she been a sect disciple, she would have earned treasures and pills easily. But alas, she's just a spirit beast, not eligible to compete."
"Who says she isn't a sect disciple?" Fang Han flicked a jade badge toward Crane Fairy. "She is now. A full inner disciple, officially recorded in the registry. I arranged it with the Transmission Elder—pulled a few strings. After all the elders I've been gathering lately, this was nothing. Crane Fairy, even if you'd stayed in your original crane form, I could still guarantee your entry. My voice carries weight in Yuhua Sect now."
His tone carried a faint, unmistakable authority—one that had never existed before.
Even Fang Qingxue paused. It wasn't the jade badge that surprised her—she could've gotten one easily herself. It was Fang Han's bearing. That subtle, natural command. The air of someone accustomed to power, someone already standing half in the shoes of a Sect Master.
This kind of presence marked the early awakening of a future titan.
He was still several realms away from Longevity—but who could predict how fast he would ascend?
The two sat and continued discussing cultivation, techniques, and insights. Both were prodigies of the era. Every exchange sparked new ideas. Hours slipped by without either noticing.
Then—
DONG—DONG—DONG—
A resonant bell pealed through the storm outside, its chime penetrating the roaring winds.
"The Tournament Bell," Qingxue said. "Let's go. I hear this year's inner disciples are exceptional—several have broken into the Divine Ability Realm. Much more impressive than last year's single case. Even the useless servants from your Fang family—Fang Man, Fang Rui, Fang Lie—managed to reach the Divine Ability Realm. How ridiculous. Seems Qingwei's mysterious overseas acquaintances really were capable."
"What?" Fang Han blinked. "Those three? Divine Ability Realm? Inner disciples? Potential true disciples?"
In his eyes, they were barely insects.
"One of Qingwei's overseas friends—Mister Illusory Truth—accepted them as named disciples and taught them some techniques. Somehow, within a year, they advanced." Qingxue's eyes sharpened. "I intend to observe them quietly."
"Mister Illusory Truth… could he be…"
A chill ran up Fang Han's spine.
"A godspawn?"
A terrifying possibility—beings more fearsome than Heavenly Demons. After all, demons were creations of the gods, rebels who escaped millions of years ago.
"You'll watch secretly, then?" Fang Han asked. "Not attending the tournament grounds? I need to be there."
"I know," Qingxue said. "You promised Garan to help her disciples secure the Yin–Yang Longevity Pill and a few treasure artifacts. But the rules forbid interference by true disciples. If you're going to break the rules, you'd better have a flawless plan."
"I do." Fang Han rose in a ripple of five-colored light. "Let's go. I have a feeling something unusual will happen today."
Crane Fairy cheered, practically dancing. "I'm competing! I'll win treasures, I'll win pills—ha ha!"
Nebula Baby floated up giggling, his massive infant-form vibrating with excitement.
Princess Hongyi, far more composed, tightened her grip on her blade. With her cultivation and the Violet Thunder Blade, she had absolute confidence in seizing first place—but Qingxue's warning of "unexpected changes" kept her cautious.
Swoosh.
Fang Han landed atop the elders' platform of the tournament grounds. His status now was equal to the grand elders of the sect—his arrival sent ripples of shock through the crowd.
Hundreds of thousands of disciples filled the Mountain–River Arena of Yuhua Sect's central city—dense as swarming locusts. Fang Han scanned the crowd and immediately sensed several strong inner disciples… and a few whose auras were so concealed even he couldn't fully gauge them.
He narrowed his eyes. Interesting.
"Look! It's Senior Brother Fang Han!"
"That's him—he defeated Meng Shaobai yesterday! If only we could've seen the battle!"
"He's the only one who can rival Senior Brother Hua Tiandu! In seven years, one of them will win the ten-year duel—and the victor will be our future Sect Master!"
"Imagine… our future Sect Master… holding absolute dominion over the sect…"
"Hah. Forget it. We should just pray to reach Divine Ability Realm. Competing for the Sect Master's throne? Impossible."
Voices filled the arena.
And among them—three disciples watched Fang Han with dark, vicious smiles forming at the corner of their lips…