From this day on, the title of Black Cloud Town’s top talent changed hands.

White Ruoyue no longer believed anyone could rival Han’s position in the future.

Compared to her junior disciple, everyone else seemed to pale in comparison.

In Black Cloud Town, talents like Yang Xing, who had achieved Minor Perfection in the Flesh realm after four years of training, were already considered elite and could be taken in as disciples by the three major martial arts masters.

White Ruoyue’s achievement of Minor Perfection in the Flesh realm after a year and a half was considered a stunning feat, made possible by a combination of her rare talent, her access to elite martial arts, and the resources available to her as the daughter of Bai Tian.

At the time, this news had caused quite a stir in the martial arts community of Black Cloud Town.

But now, White Ruoyue felt… ordinary.

"Given Junior Brother's foundation, and the fact that he also practices soul cultivation, I’m afraid even those practitioners who’ve just entered the Meridian realm won’t be a match for him," Zhang Yuantao sighed.

"In just twelve days, Junior Brother’s strength has caught up to ours."

"His physical body is no less than that of a Meridian realm practitioner—he simply lacks true Qi," White Ruoyue agreed with Zhang Yuantao’s assessment.

"However, with his physical foundation, his inner breath is already far stronger than that of an average martial artist. Once it converts into true Qi, he’ll surpass his peers."

"And in a few days, Junior Brother may even surpass me," said Shen Yu with a bit of melancholy, realizing that as the Sixth Sister, she had lost much of her prior authority.

The truth was, Han’s strength had already reached the mainstream level of the Taibai disciples. At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if he could defeat Shen Yu.

Han had been quietly contemplating.

What White Ruoyue and the others had analyzed was based on their knowledge of Han, but he hadn’t revealed everything. Some things, for various reasons, had to remain hidden.

"Regardless," White Ruoyue said, "Junior Brother’s breakthrough and enhanced strength are a cause for celebration."

"Oh, right. Junior Brother, what about your sword?" White Ruoyue suddenly asked, curious.

"My sword has indeed surpassed the Hundred-Refinement level. It’s now considered a semi-weapon," Han answered calmly.

"Yesterday, when I was at Yunjiang, I found a stone shaped like a sword. When my sword touched it, a beam of light shot from the stone and fused with my sword. Somehow, the sword’s rank was mysteriously raised."

"Comparing it with the weapon fragments I’ve collected before, it feels like this sword has surpassed the Hundred-Refinement level but hasn't quite reached the level of a weapon yet."

The improvement of the Taibai sword was naturally a result of Han using a sword sharpening stone.

"Yunjiang really seems to be full of opportunities," White Ruoyue remarked.

"Junior Brother finds something every day—this talent is truly enviable."

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Although everyone was curious about the strange stone, they didn't doubt Han’s explanation. Han's daily routines were quite clear: Peach Forest—Martial Arts Hall—Yunjiang—Zhou Family.

If it wasn’t a gift from Lu Qingmo, then it had to have been something found under Yunjiang. There was no cause for suspicion.

It wasn’t like Han was dreaming this up at home, after all!

Han couldn’t help but think how fortunate it was that the fragments of the Water Avoidance Bead had fallen out in such a way—it gave him the perfect excuse to attribute many of his discoveries to Yunjiang without drawing attention.

Even if high-level practitioners went down to explore and found nothing, how would that concern him?

"Senior Sister, now that I’ve reached Major Perfection in the Flesh realm, what’s next for my cultivation?" Han asked.

White Ruoyue smiled, answering, "After reaching Major Perfection, you can start cultivating more advanced techniques for a breakthrough. But there’s no rush."

"Every stage in cultivation has its own effect, whether you’re at Minor or Major Perfection. So, you should continue to refine your body."

"When you’re training the 'Pingtian Niumo' form and feel that your body can’t progress further, that will be the right time to prepare for the Meridian realm."

"Some practitioners rush to break through as soon as they achieve Major Perfection, but that’s a mistake. Without reaching the peak, they won’t go far. Only wild cultivators make such rash moves."

"Your Third Senior Brother has been at Major Perfection in the Meridian realm for several months, and he’s still at that stage."

"Generally speaking, to perfect the Flesh realm, you need to..." White Ruoyue suddenly stopped and shot Han a glance.

"You’re not ordinary. You’ll probably only need a few days."

White Ruoyue had become so accustomed to Han’s breakthroughs occurring on a daily basis that she no longer found it surprising. Her entire perception had been altered by her junior brother’s rapid progress.

Han had never expected there would be such subtleties after reaching Major Perfection. It was easy to see how wild practitioners, unaware of these intricacies, would fall behind as they progressed.

Cultivation truly hid many secrets, making it harder to decipher.

For rogue cultivators, unless they encountered some extraordinary luck, they’d always fall short compared to those with a proper lineage.

"You don’t need to worry about techniques," White Ruoyue continued. "When you’re ready to break through, even if my father hasn’t returned, I’ll teach you the 'Fuhai Jiaomo' technique."

"This secret technique, I actually understand it better than my father."

Han believed her. After all, it was White Ruoyue who had been guiding him when he learned the 'Pingtian Niumo' form.

"Senior Sister, what’s the secret technique for the Internal Organs realm?" Han asked with curiosity. "And what comes after?"

"The secret technique for the Internal Organs realm is called 'Exorcism of the Yuling Tribe.' As for what comes after, I’m not sure. My father never mentioned it."

'Pingtian Niumo,' 'Fuhai Jiaomo,' 'Exorcism of the Yuling Tribe'...

Han smirked internally. "I may not have read much, but I know these sound like the Seven Saints from Journey to the West."

Hmph, Senior Sister doesn’t know what the next secret techniques are, but I already have an idea!

Afterwards, Shen Long sparred with Han once again. After the fight, everyone was certain Han had already reached the strength of a Meridian realm practitioner.

Twelve days, Major Perfection in the Flesh realm, Meridian battle strength, soul manifestation!

To celebrate today’s victory over Tenglong and Han’s latest breakthrough, the group feasted joyously.

…

At the Tenglong Martial Arts Hall.

Long Yun stood before his father, Long Tianchong, telling him about Han’s developments.

Losing three spiritual herbs was nothing compared to hiding such an extraordinary talent.

"In just twelve days, he reached Minor Perfection in the Flesh realm..." Long Tianchong, a tall and burly man of about the same age as Bai Tian, slammed his fist on the desk in disbelief.

"Back in the day, Bai Tian advanced to the Internal Organs realm at nineteen, traveled, and returned with a daughter who advanced at sixteen. Now she’s eighteen and probably near the Bone Refining realm."

"Now Bai Tian has taken on a disciple who’s reached Minor Perfection in twelve days..."

"Crack!" Long Tianchong shattered his desk.

"If this goes on, Black Cloud Town will be under the control of Taibai Martial Arts Hall."

"Father, should we take advantage of Bai Tian’s uncertain fate..." Long Yun started, but was cut off by his father.

"Fool!" Long Tianchong snapped. "Do you think Bai Tian’s dead yet? Haven’t you heard?"

"You can stir up trouble at Taibai, but if I step in, what if Bai Tian isn’t dead?"

Can I tell you, I can't beat Bai Tian's father?

"I hope Bai Tian doesn’t die in Black Mountain."

"Otherwise..."

Long Tianchong paused and said, "We’ll spread the news of that Taibai disciple and apply pressure from others."

Such a talent capable of changing the entire town’s balance—it wasn’t just a matter for Tenglong Martial Arts Hall to handle alone.