"Hui'er!"
Uncle Huang moved faster. Qi burst from his body, visible to the naked eye. His swift movement left only a shadow. Palm strikes wreathed in qi appeared like flames engulfing both hands.
The two palms clashed. The 6th-stage Martial Master following Han Junpo grinned and pushed harder, forcing Uncle Huang's aged body to retreat.
At least Hui'er was safe from the attack.
The little girl knew staying there would only hinder Uncle Huang. She ran as far from the fight as possible.
"Attacking a tiny child?"
Uncle Huang shoved away the opposing palm strike, his eyes going cold as he turned to Han Junpo.
The Han Clan elder didn't spare a glance at someone of this level. He made a dismissive sound.
"I told you. Call Bai Fanxian out."
Han Junpo waved his hand. The cultivators following him moved, surrounding Uncle Huang and Tang Yeye so they couldn't escape while releasing pressure that made it hard for Hui'er to breathe.
The little girl's face went pale.
Unwillingness filled her. Her powerlessness made her feel so pathetic she wanted to cry.
She closed her eyes as the surrounding cultivators began their attack. Uncle Huang gritted his teeth, determined to use his own body to protect the little girl.
In a blink, all the pressure dissolved.
Hui'er opened her eyes. Her lady stood before her holding a book, looking at the people around with calm eyes.
When the Martial Masters' pressure vanished, no one knew how. They were all startled that Bai Fanxian had broken through their encirclement without anyone noticing.
Bai Fanxian's gaze swept the group once. Every cultivator who met that cold stare felt their skin crawl.
"Does anyone want to explain?"
Bai Fanxian stopped at Han Junpo. One simple question.
Han Junpo had been quite surprised at first. He couldn't see how Bai Fanxian had moved. Analyzing all the data he'd received, though—
Bai Fanxian's power pattern and qi flow when sparring with Huang Zihuan was definitely Martial Master level.
She might be a high-level Martial Master. From his granddaughter's bodyguards' accounts, her pressure had easily suppressed Jin Ling, head of Black Hawk Unit One.
He estimated Bai Fanxian was probably 9th-stage Martial Master.
Or at most stage 10, close to achieving Grandmaster level.
Even that made her a genius among geniuses.
A young woman this age who'd achieved the highest stage of Martial Master was a gem even Han Junpo had to acknowledge.
"Hehe. Truly as strong as reported, Bai Fanxian."
Han Junpo stepped forward. The surrounding Martial Masters parted, opening a path for the Han Clan master.
"..."
Bai Fanxian didn't respond. She stared at Han Junpo. This reception left him nearly unable to continue.
He was the supreme master of cultivators in this region.
Ignored by one young woman?
The old man gritted his teeth. Before he could speak, a young man walked forward.
He was young, dressed in simple cultivation attire. Jet black hair, sharp features. Though his cultivation power reached 9th-stage Martial Master, Bai Fanxian showed no interest.
The moment he saw Bai Fanxian's face, his mouth fell open. He'd seen her picture before traveling here.
The real thing was far more beautiful.
He stared at Bai Fanxian's face and figure, entranced. The young woman was in a thin t-shirt and shorts, which only enhanced her allure.
"Grandfather, is this her?"
The young man asked Han Junpo, his eyes never leaving Bai Fanxian.
"That's right, Longyi. Do you like her?"
Han Junpo nodded with satisfaction.
This young man was his grandson, Han Longyi. From childhood, Han Junpo had trained him personally after discovering his exceptional cultivation talent.
Precious resources and medicine pills flowed to Han Longyi endlessly. Han Junpo had invested in finding countless treasures for his grandson to cultivate. With authority and Grandmaster-level identity backing him, at just age 29, Han Longyi had successfully achieved 9th-stage Martial Master.
Han Longyi's development was the Han Clan's pride. Han Junpo hoped his grandson would achieve Grandmaster level before age 35, breaking all records and bringing glory to the Han Clan.
Then Bai Fanxian's existence had emerged.
Rumors that she'd achieved Grandmaster level spread among cultivators in this city. Han Junpo had been displeased—Bai Fanxian had harmed his granddaughter and stolen fame that should belong to his grandson.
Yet he'd had an idea.
What if Bai Fanxian became the Han Clan's person?
Honor and fame would still be theirs.
He'd called his grandson back from training. At first Han Longyi had been reluctant. The instant he saw Bai Fanxian's photo, though, he'd wanted to find her.
"You're the one who harmed my granddaughter?"
Han Junpo opened the topic.
"Yes."
Bai Fanxian's simple answer left the old man speechless again. He hadn't expected such straightforward admission. Words he'd prepared to press the issue died in his throat.
"Good you admit it."
Han Junpo cleared his throat.
"Then how will you compensate?"
As he asked, the old man released Grandmaster-level cultivator pressure.
"What do you think...?"
Bai Fanxian seemed easier to talk to than expected. Han Junpo thought she must fear the Han Clan's power and authority now.
"The matter's simple. Just marry my grandson and become the Han Clan's person. I'll consider previous matters settled."
Han Junpo watched Bai Fanxian's reaction. The young woman seemed quite surprised at his proposal. She glanced toward Han Longyi.
"Marriage?"
Bai Fanxian pointed at Han Longyi.
"...With this man?"
"That's right. Longyi is already 9th-stage Martial Master. Appearance, cultivation power, age—all most suitable for you."
When Han Junpo spoke of his grandson, pride filled his voice. He didn't think she could refuse.
"What do you say?"
Han Junpo pressed. The cultivators' encirclement tightened. Hui'er behind Uncle Huang looked at her lady.
Han Longyi thought the same. Since beginning cultivation, he'd been through quite a few women. This was the first time he'd wanted one this much.
"Are you still sane?"
Bai Fanxian's attitude changed. While her outer appearance remained the same, the cold and lofty bearing of an empress—another side of her—appeared.
"...What did you say?"
Han Longyi frowned. He hadn't been prepared for refusal. Seeing the young woman resist him, anger began brewing. His eyes narrowed.
The young man's body began trembling. Qi in his body was about to burst out. His grandfather, the clan master, raised his hand to block him.
"You choose to be enemies with the Han Clan?"
"...Enemies?"
Bai Fanxian raised her beautiful eyebrow.
"Do you think you have that qualification?"
Han Longyi, still young and hot-headed, grew furious at her words. He ignored his grandfather's raised hand. The 9th-stage Martial Master's qi burst out. His slim build charged at Bai Fanxian, who stood still.
The wild qi of the Mountain Tiger technique fully displayed itself in this attack. His palm was like a lion's claws, pouncing at Bai Fanxian without holding back.
Though she was a young woman he liked, his pride in the Han Clan ran deeper.
The palm full of power was about to strike Bai Fanxian's face. The young woman raised one hand and caught it. Han Longyi's shock was unbelievable. Han Junpo watching from outside was surprised too.
So she was 10th-stage Martial Master?
Easily handling a 9th-stage Martial Master's surprise attack. If Han Junpo hadn't seen the video recording Bai Fanxian's power with his own eyes, he might think she was already Grandmaster-level.
Bai Fanxian ignored further attacks. She grabbed Han Longyi's arm and flung him toward the 6th-stage Martial Master who'd tried to slap Hui'er.
Both bodies collided with violence far exceeding Han Junpo's expectations. He went to check his grandson, who'd fainted in one attack. As for the 6th-stage Martial Master who'd taken the full impact, his condition was critical—he kept coughing blood.
"What will you do next?"
Bai Fanxian clapped her hands as if dusting them off. The book she'd been holding somehow ended up in Hui'er's arms.
Seeing that, Han Junpo's qi burst forth, piercing the sky. Grandmaster-level pressure gushed from his body until even his allies felt oppressed. Murky brown qi circulated, covering his whole body. His human eyes were replaced by beast eyes.
The ground around the old Grandmaster began trembling. He stared at the young woman with extreme displeasure.
"Don't be too arrogant. You're not Grandmaster level!"
The old man spoke in a low voice. His pressure rushed at Bai Fanxian like a flood.