ect.

"Don't worry, I won’t ask anything inappropriate. I just want to understand what’s inside."

"Yuan Fang always stops me, saying that people die all over the place inside. I had to ask my mother to allow me to come out."

Han looked at the golden-white object Yuan Hua handed over, a bit puzzled.

But this second-generation kid wasn’t as capable as Meng Hao.

"You don’t need to do this," Han said, feeling a bit awkward. "I can share some information, but if my words mislead you and you end up in danger, it would be my fault."

Han didn’t want the Yuan family to blame him if something happened to Yuan Hua. After all, Yuan Hua was just at the Meridian realm.

"Don’t worry, I’ve brought a few guards from the Dirty Organs realm, and my mother allowed me to go into the mountain."

Well, if that’s the case...

Since Yuan Hua was so thoughtful, Han didn’t mind telling him a few less important things.

"Black Mountain is indeed very dangerous right now. Many martial artists have died..."

Han shared some of the reality of the situation, more brutal and truthful than the rumors.

From his perspective, he had seen too many martial artists fall in the corners of Black Mountain, unnoticed.

"Yuan Hua, you really don’t need to take unnecessary risks by entering Black Mountain," Han warned.

Yuan Hua smiled. "Don’t worry, I won’t go too deep."

Han didn’t continue the conversation.

"How about joining us in the mountain?" Yuan Hua asked, an invitation in his tone.

"Don't worry, if there's any gain, you'll share in it."

Han refused politely. "You have no boundaries, Yuan Hua. We’ve just met."

"I wouldn’t even accept your brother’s invitation, let alone yours. What if you're planning to trick me into going in and then take my kidneys?"

"Well then, I’ll not keep you any longer," Yuan Hua said, bidding Han farewell.

"Whenever you visit the county town, come to the Yuan family. We’ll treat you well!"

"There are so many fun things to do in the county town. I guarantee you’ll have a blast," he added with a sly grin.

Han immediately understood Yuan Hua’s implications, and his expression became somewhat subtle.

Damn, I envy these rich young masters. I want to live a life of luxury too!

After Yuan Hua left, Han returned to the martial arts hall. Not long after, someone else came to find him, someone from the county town that Shen Yu didn’t recognize.

Han wondered when he had so many friends in the county town.

As he approached the door, Han ran into a familiar face—Li Wu, the young man who entered the hall with him before.

The girl who had entered with him wasn't by his side.

"Brother Zhou!" Li Wu shouted excitedly. "Do you remember me?"

"Li Wu, son of Li Shu, right?" Han smiled and nodded. Of course, he remembered.

Over a month ago, Li Wu was rebellious, and Han preferred the way he was back then.

But no need to go back to that.

Noticing the sword at Li Wu's waist, Han asked, "How’s your cultivation going? Planning to learn swordsmanship?"

Li Wu nodded excitedly. "I completed the Nourishing Realm a few days ago. Now I’m working towards the Flesh Realm. After that, I’m going to learn the Taibai Sword Technique."

"I’ll definitely break through in four months."

Han had some doubts. Nourishing Realm? Did it take you around a month to finish? I don’t think I ever went through that?

Oh, it must be that I naturally went through that transition stage.

Well, no matter.

Ambitious, but Taibai Sword Technique? You might not have the chance.

Zhang Yuantao and the others entered their realms within a month, even within ten days, and started drawing their first internal breath. For geniuses, it wasn’t difficult.

Though Han thought this, he didn’t want to discourage Li Wu.

"That’s a good goal. You should be able to enter the realm in four months. But there are other martial arts in Taibai. You should choose the one that fits you best, step by step, no need to rush."

He didn’t give Li Wu unrealistic expectations but offered practical encouragement.

Sometimes, setting unrealistic goals only delays people.

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Li Wu nodded vigorously, his expression full of admiration.

Young man, your personality is ever-changing.

After talking to Li Wu, Han stepped out and saw a man he didn’t recognize.

"Taibai Han?"

The man scrutinized Han. "I heard you went from being an ordinary person to reaching the Meridian realm in just twenty days. You’re said to be Black Cloud Town’s greatest prodigy?"

"I don’t believe it. Fight me!"

Han sighed inwardly. Seriously, who cares if you believe it?

So, this was a challenger.

People never seem to get over fame and fortune, unlike him, calm and indifferent.

He’s gotten so many treasures from Black Mountain, but has he boasted about it?

"Leave. I’m not accepting your challenge."

Where do these random people come from, thinking they can challenge him?

Han turned to walk away, but the man rushed forward.

"Don’t walk away. Are you afraid?"

"Yeah, yeah, totally."

Seeing Han remain unfazed, the man, frustrated, quickly took a few steps forward to follow him.

Han didn’t turn around but moved toward Li Wu and borrowed his sword.

"Let me borrow this."

"Whoosh!"

With a swing, the challenger didn't even finish introducing himself before being knocked flying, crashing into the ground, his robe torn and blood seeping out. Han had shown mercy, leaving him with just a light injury.

"The Martial Arts Academy follows the laws of Great Qi. No one is allowed to enter without an invitation or formal entry notice."

Han didn’t even look back, walking into the academy and leaving the fallen challenger behind, along with a crowd of stunned onlookers.

Li Wu, still in a daze, quickly ran to catch up with Han.

"Big Brother Zhou..."

"Nice sword, keep practicing. Thanks."

Han said with a smile, leaving only his back to Li Wu, looking carefree.

Of course, he hadn’t damaged Li Wu’s sword—such a disgraceful thing was something Han would never do.

Li Wu stood frozen for a while, finally snapping out of it.

He looked at the sword in his hand, waved it a few times, then cradled it in his arms like a treasure.

Heh, Big Brother Zhou used my sword, and it defeated a martial artist at the Meridian Realm. He even praised it as a good sword...

Li Wu decided he would treat this sword as his family heirloom and would never trade it for any weapon, even a refined one!

Even if it were a weapon of war...

Well, he might consider it...

Being young and impulsive, Li Wu quickly went to boast about this to the apprentices, garnering a wave of envy.

On Han’s first day at the martial arts school, he met Bai Tian, which made some people feel uneasy, jealous, and provocative.

As Han’s cultivation grew stronger, these thoughts naturally vanished.

How could mere mortals envy the sun’s radiance?

Soon after, Han ran into trouble.

The challenges kept coming, all from people who heard of his fame and sought him out.

In the past few days, martial artists from other places had learned about the situation in Black Cloud Town and realized it wasn’t as weak as it seemed.

Being called the first genius here, the rumors surrounding Han were quite extraordinary, and they thought there must be some truth to them—though perhaps not much.

But it was still worth a try. If they won, they’d gain fame far and wide.

The lure of fame was too great.

Throughout history, how many people could truly see through fame, and how many could ignore profit?

This was what frustrated Han.

After attempts to dissuade the challengers failed, in a fit of anger, Han made a sign and placed it at the door of the martial arts school:

The Taibai Martial Arts School is not accepting visitors for now. Those who intrude will be dealt with by the Great Qi Dynasty.

However, the first genius of Black Cloud Town, moved by your sincere desire for the path, is willing to guide the heroes from all corners.

Any challenger must provide a spirit plant corresponding to their realm or an item of equal value. After defeating my six Taibai disciples, they may receive one teaching session from the first genius of Black Cloud Town.

The first person to visit will receive special treatment and be directly guided by the first genius of Black Cloud Town!

Payment before combat, no credit offered!

—Taibai, Han

Was this arrogant?

Of course it was, to the extreme.

Fighting with you was a senior teaching a junior; it was a way to guide you.

Fighting was also a form of cultivation. Battling a person was quite different from fighting beasts.

If someone was willing to offer a spirit plant, Han would be happy to oblige.

Once the sign went up, visitors were immediately enraged.

"How arrogant! Who does he think he is? One spirit plant for guidance from a Meridian Realm martial artist? And we have to fight his six disciples first?"

"Does he think he's a martial arts grandmaster?!"

"Who even are these Taibai disciples?"

"A sixteen-year-old girl who just broke through to the Meridian Realm a couple of months ago."

"Ugh, what a greedy worm. He’s gone mad for spirit plants!"

"We came here to find treasure, and now he wants to take ours? What kind of world is this!"

Many cursed under their breath, eager to beat Han up, but they didn’t dare to.

Because outside the Taibai Martial Arts School, two guards from the Great Qi’s Second Division stood watch. Though their cultivation wasn’t high—just in the Flesh Realm—Han had invited them, including Lu Qingmo, to stand guard.

Despite their low cultivation, no one dared to act against them in public.

If you ignore the court privately or even attack the court, they can turn a blind eye.

But if you dare interfere with court officials doing their duty in public?

That was a different matter.

The private property of the Great Qi’s citizens was sacred and inviolable!

Many challengers left angrily.

When something comes with a cost, people are no longer so willing to act on impulse.

The Taibai Martial Arts School became peaceful, and no one visited for quite some time.

However, there were still some rich, rational people, as well as passionate young individuals.

One day, a figure in a Daoist robe, holding a long spear, arrived at the entrance of the Taibai School and threw a spirit plant on the ground.

"I am Chen Xiao from the Fengming Daoist Temple in Tianyue County, here to seek guidance!"

The Fengming Daoist Temple was one of the two major temples in the county city and the dominant power in Tianyue County.

The temple’s master taught Daoist techniques, but also trained warriors to protect the Daoists, as cultivators in the early stages were fragile and needed bodyguards.

"Chen Xiao? I’ve heard of him. He’s a rising star from the Fengming Temple, a famous genius, and a disciple of a Washing Marrow Realm expert!"

"Heh, let’s see how Han reacts now. He’s probably just a soft-shelled shrimp!"

"..."

People discussed, and one mentioned Chen Xiao’s background—a disciple of a Washing Marrow Realm martial artist!

Han appeared, took a glance at Chen Xiao, and saw that he was in the Meridian Realm.

"You’re the first to ask for guidance. You can challenge me directly."

"No need to change locations, we can fight right here."

It would be over soon anyway.

Chen Xiao charged with his spear, and Han immediately saw his cultivation—just entering the Meridian Realm.

Han couldn’t help but smile. It had always been him defeating stronger opponents, but now he had the chance to fight a weaker one.

Han didn’t dodge. The Taibai sword remained in its scabbard.

"Wham!"

Han’s sword moved first, striking Chen Xiao’s hand with unmatched power. The spear slipped from his grasp.

"Clang!"

The weapon fell to the ground, and Chen Xiao froze. The onlookers fell silent.

No words were needed—the difference was clear.

Strength and speed, both were inferior.

As a martial artist, if you were inferior in these aspects, what was there to fight for?

Could you possibly cheat?

Han looked at Chen Xiao for a moment, then turned and returned to the martial arts school.

He was puzzled. Anyone accepted as a disciple by a Washing Marrow Realm expert must have some talent.

But why did he feel so... weak?

How could a genius from the county city be outdone by a small-town guy like him?

Was this really it?

But he had to admit, the feeling of defeating someone weaker was quite satisfying.

"Good weapon, good spirit plant."

All these were good, except...

The person was wrong.