The man who single-handedly established a martial arts dojo and developed Taibai to its current state—Bai Tian—did not rely on anything else but his own strength.

Long Tianchong was no match for Bai Tian, and the difference in their strength was stark.

After being scolded by Long Tianchong, Long Yun left in frustration.

Not long into his walk, he encountered Yang Xing and Xia Mo, both of whom had been defeated by Han.

Long Yun thought for a moment and approached them.

“Yang Xing, Xia Mo, are you two really going to accept this?”

Xia Mo’s face was bitter. “His strength... is too overwhelming. I’m no match for him.”

“If you’re no match for him, then the two of you should team up!” Long Yun said, “That Taibai Han seems to leave town every day. You two can team up and give him a beating.”

“You can go all out, just make sure no one dies.”

Yang Xing and Xia Mo exchanged glances. “We... need to think about it.”

“With his rate of progress, this is your only chance for revenge. Opportunities don’t wait, so make up your mind.”

Long Yun stirred them up before leaving. His hatred for Han, the cause of his and Teng Long Dojo's disgrace, had reached its peak.

In fact, he even hated Bai Ruoyue less, because at least she and he were of equal status. Both were the children of dojo masters, both from the same social tier. It wasn’t such a big deal for her to look down on him.

But Han?

A mere orphan, a country bumpkin, daring to slap his face like that?

What could his position possibly have to do with mine?

...

Elsewhere, Han was unaware of what had transpired. He was focusing on his martial arts training.

Just as Bai Ruoyue had predicted, continuing to train in the method for flesh body refinement after reaching full mastery indeed continued to yield results, further enhancing his physical strength.

The body refinement technique, starting with health cultivation, could show its full effect once the practitioner reached the peak of flesh body development.

“Young Junior Brother, I feel like your 'Pingtian Niumo Lianxing' has changed in some way,” Bai Ruoyue remarked after watching him for a while.

“You noticed too, Senior Sister?” Han smiled, “Last night, when I was training at home, I suddenly felt as though I had transformed into a bull demon. Training the secret technique now feels remarkably smooth. Every move I make feels like the true bull demon itself is performing the technique.”

“Could it be... the 'True Intent' my father mentioned?” Bai Ruoyue murmured.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“True Intent?”

“My father told me that the highest achievement in martial arts is to sense the 'Intent,' such as the Bull Demon’s Intent or the Jiaomo’s Intent,” Bai Ruoyue explained. “If one grasps the True Intent, they can even summon the Intent to fight against opponents.”

She shook her head. “No, this isn’t True Intent, Junior Brother.”

“True Intent doesn’t manifest like this, and my father also said that True Intent can only be grasped by high-level martial artists. Even he hasn’t comprehended True Intent.”

“To comprehend True Intent, one must have a high enough cultivation base to support it.”

“I guess this isn’t True Intent, maybe it’s just a sudden enlightenment,” Han replied.

He hadn’t grasped the Intent—his soul had actually transformed into the true Bull Demon, which was not the same thing Bai Ruoyue was referring to.

“Enlightenment...” Bai Ruoyue sighed. “Junior Brother, not only are you gifted, but your comprehension is also remarkable. You truly are a once-in-a-lifetime talent.”

“You’re amazing too, Senior Sister,” Han replied. “A true empress.”

Bai Ruoyue snorted and put her hands on her hips. “Of course! It’s just that I’m a little inferior to you.”

“Besides, who knows? One day I might break through to the Bone Refining Realm. You’ll have a long way to catch up with me!”

Han smiled as he looked at her pouting and hands-on-hips posture.

She’s so cute.

“Who’s chasing you?”

At that moment, a pleasant voice rang out. Han and Bai Ruoyue turned to see Lu Qingmo arriving.

“Aunt Mo,” they both greeted in unison.

Bai Ruoyue rushed over and hugged Lu Qingmo’s arm.

Han looked on with envy.

“Why have you come to the dojo?” Bai Ruoyue asked.

Lu Qingmo didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she turned to Bai Ruoyue with a slightly serious expression.

“What did you just say? Who is chasing you?”

“Junior Brother!” Bai Ruoyue replied quickly.

Lu Qingmo’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Stop talking nonsense!” she reprimanded. “What do you mean by that?”

Han quickly explained, “Aunt Mo, Senior Sister was talking about chasing in terms of martial arts.”

“Right. Although Junior Brother’s talent surpasses mine, catching up with me won’t be that easy. I’ll be improving too,” Bai Ruoyue added.

Lu Qingmo’s brow relaxed.

“I need to speak with Han about something,” she said.

“I have something to take care of outside today. If you don’t see me tomorrow in Taolin, just head back to the dojo.”

“I’ve already explained the matter of ghost taming and raising spirits to An Lang, and she’s willing to follow you.”

“But remember, don’t use dark arts to nourish the spirits. Don’t go down the wrong path.”

Han received the Yin-Yang Stone Lamp and thanked her.

Bai Ruoyue gave the object a curious glance but didn’t ask about it. Instead, she asked, “Aunt Mo, why do you need to go personally? What about the people in charge of the Ghost and Spirit Affairs Department?”

“The situation in Black Cloud Town has been unstable lately, and there’s been a lot of trouble. The Ghost and Spirit Affairs Department is working around the clock and is too busy to send anyone,” Lu Qingmo explained.

“I’ve found something and need to see it for myself.”

In just a few days, Han and Yun Duo had dealt with two incidents involving cultivators committing evil deeds.

The Ghost and Spirit Affairs Department, being an official organization, would only get busier with the ongoing chaos.

It’s truly an unsettled time, Han thought to himself.

Outsiders were appearing one after another in Black Cloud Town, and there was something about a Tianmu Sect...

Lu Qingmo didn’t stay long before leaving. Whatever she had discovered must have been important.

Once they were alone, Bai Ruoyue asked, “Junior Brother, are you planning to raise spirits?”

“I am considering it. Raising spirits could be an additional helpful ally.”

“Cultivators have it so easy,” Bai Ruoyue said with some envy. “Aunt Mo raises a spirit, and I’ve seen it before. It helps her with chores, and she has a rather leisurely life.”

Han was surprised to hear that Lu Qingmo also raised a spirit, something she had never mentioned to him before.

That evening, Han left the dojo.

When he returned home, he lifted the restrictions placed on the Yin-Yang Stone Lamp by Lu Qingmo and summoned An Lang.

“Master, I leave everything to you now.”

An Lang spoke before curtsying gracefully.

To survive, this beautiful ghost had chosen the path of redemption—the path of light.

Han merely glanced at An Lang’s bowed form before looking away.

Hmph, a true gentleman.

“No need for such formalities. We’re one now.”

In the future, when I subdue an "Immortal King," how will they respond?

What cards can they play?