"Uh…"
Ye Fan's expression shifted, and he quickly took two steps back. "Sister, I just remembered something urgent at home. I'm afraid I can't stay any longer…"
Without waiting for a response, he turned and hurried out.
"No need to rush."
Su Meiniang called softly, though she made no move to stop him. Watching Ye Fan flee, a playful smile curled at her lips. "Interesting boy… To think he actually gained the Sun Sword's recognition."
The Sun Sword had been left behind in Wanbao Tower by her master long ago.
It was said that only those truly destined could wield it.
Her master never revealed where the sword came from, but Su Meiniang knew it was far more than a mere high-grade Xuan-rank weapon.
—
Ye Fan dashed out of Wanbao Tower, sprinting through the streets.
The golden afterglow of sunset bathed him as he ran, greedily absorbing the sunlight.
"Yo, isn't that Ye Fan? Out already?"
"Tsk tsk… That didn't take long."
"First time's always quick. He probably didn't even get squeezed dry."
"Look at that flustered face—hilarious. But even if he escaped Wanbao Tower, can he really escape Su Meiniang's grasp?"
"Hahaha…"
The few lingering onlookers outside Wanbao Tower burst into laughter.
Ye Fan ignored them and rushed back to the Ye Mansion, heading straight for his courtyard.
He dragged out a lounge chair, lay down comfortably, and activated the Solar Meridian, greedily absorbing the last rays of sunlight.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, his cultivation broke through to the fourth level of the Lingwu Realm.
"Now this is living…"
Ye Fan stretched and sighed. "But my cultivation speed is slowing down."
It was normal—higher realms required exponentially more spiritual power.
But time wasn't on his side.
He had less than a year to reach the seventh level of the Xuanwu Realm.
"Moonlight?"
He looked up at the rising moon, eyes lighting up. "Moonlight is still light… I wonder if it works?"
He activated the Solar Meridian again.
Moonlight poured down like water, but it didn't convert into spiritual power.
Instead, his mind felt clearer—sharper.
A strange urge to study welled up inside him.
"I get it."
Ye Fan pulled out the Sun Sword. "Absorb moonlight to boost comprehension. Practice swordsmanship under the moon—it's twice the result for half the effort!"
Buzz!
Just as he began reviewing martial techniques, the Zhentian Monument deep in his Sea of Consciousness trembled.
Moments later, a mysterious force pulled him into a strange space.
All around him was chaos.
In the void, three glowing characters hovered: Zhentian Realm.
"Is this the world inside the Zhentian Monument?"
Even the Sun God Emperor hadn't fully unraveled its secrets.
Now, Ye Fan would have to explore it on his own.
He quickly noticed that time flowed differently here.
There was no spiritual energy, but martial arts could be practiced without consuming any.
Outside, he absorbed moonlight to enhance comprehension.
Inside, he could train endlessly.
Perfect synergy.
Sword diagrams floated into his consciousness.
Without hesitation, Ye Fan began practicing.
After countless swings, the space suddenly rippled.
The Zhentian Monument forcibly ejected him.
"What's going on? Is there a time limit in the Zhentian Realm?"
Ye Fan frowned, still unsure.
Just then, three black-clad figures burst into his courtyard.
Their murderous intent surged, locking onto him instantly.
"Huh?"
Ye Fan stood up, gripping his sword. He understood now.
The Zhentian Monument had sensed danger—and pulled him out.
"Sleeping out here? Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"
One of the men sneered.
"Duan Tianya sent you, didn't he?"
Ye Fan guessed their identity without fear. "Sleeping out here is chilly, sure. But you three just brought me some warmth. Perfect—I could use some sword practice."
As he spoke, the Sun Sword shimmered with golden light.
"Arrogant fool!"
The three assassins attacked simultaneously, blades flashing.
Each one was a fifth-level Spiritual Martial Realm cultivator.
"Heh."
Ye Fan chuckled. The Sun Sword erupted in radiant light.
Nine Suns Burning Heaven Sword Technique—First Form: Rising Sun!
The sword light burst forth like dawn breaking, tearing through the darkness.
"Ah!"
One assassin screamed as the light pierced his chest.
Ye Fan's sword shifted.
Second Form: Blazing Noon!
The scorching blade engulfed the second assassin like the midday sun.
"No—!"
He didn't even have time to react before being consumed.
"Impossible!"
The last assassin panicked, stunned by Ye Fan's power.
"Still distracted?"
Ye Fan raised an eyebrow and slashed.
Third Form: Blood-Stained Sunset!
A crimson arc swept through the air.
The final assassin's eyes widened in terror—too late to dodge.
Splat!
The sword light flashed, and he collapsed.
"Tch. That's it?"
Ye Fan flicked blood from his blade, disappointed. "I wanted to try the fourth form… Duan Tianya really sent this kind of trash to kill me? How insulting."
The Nine Suns Burning Heaven Sword Technique wasn't the Sun God Emperor's strongest.
But for Ye Fan, it was the most suitable right now.
The first three forms were already equivalent to high-grade Xuan techniques.
The fourth form reached low-grade Earth level.
He had only trained the first four forms—but the fourth wasn't fully mastered yet.
After all, he'd only had a short time.
Two hours outside equaled twenty inside the Zhentian Realm.
Ye Fan sheathed the Sun Sword and turned to deal with the corpses.
Suddenly, a chill crept up his spine.
"Nice sword. Decent technique."
A cold voice echoed from the shadows.
Ye Fan turned—and saw a tall man in black step forward.
He held a pitch-black saber, its blade glinting with eerie light.
"Oh? Another one here to die?"
Ye Fan smirked. "Is this a buy-three-get-one-free deal?"
"You won't be laughing soon."
The man released his aura—ninth-level Spiritual Martial Realm.
"Hmm…"
Ye Fan's eyes narrowed. His expression grew serious.
The man didn't waste words. In a flash, he lunged forward, saber swinging down.
Whoosh!
Ye Fan countered, but was knocked back.
He steadied himself and launched a flurry of sword strikes.
The man blocked each one with ease.
His strength far surpassed the previous three.
"Is that all you've got?"
The man sneered, eyes gleaming with killing intent.
"Don't get cocky."
Ye Fan's face darkened. The Sun Sword flared with crimson light.
The first three forms weren't enough.
Fourth Form: Dying Light!
The sword glowed blood-red, casting a crimson hue across the courtyard.
Its momentum mirrored the setting sun—destructive and final.
But despite its intensity, the attack was slightly unstable.
Bang!
Their blades collided. Ye Fan staggered back, coughing blood.
"Damn…"
He wiped his mouth, frustrated.
The fourth form wasn't fully mastered.
Though powerful, it drained immense spiritual energy.
Had it been daytime, he could've overwhelmed his opponent with solar power.
"Die!"
The man roared and charged again.
Suddenly, the void twisted.
A phantom of the Zhentian Monument appeared before Ye Fan.
"Zhentian Monument?"
Ye Fan blinked, stunned.
It had manifested on its own—to protect him?
Boom!
The man's saber struck the monument.
A shockwave reverberated, numbing his hand.
"This is… a Life Soul?"
The man's pupils contracted in disbelief. "Impossible! Only Earth Martial Realm cultivators can awaken a Life Soul. You're just in the Spiritual Martial Realm—how could you…"