At the mention of "Purple Lightning Peak," the atmosphere in the hall shifted instantly. Faces darkened, whispers rippled among the gathered disciples, and even the royal children of the Da De Dynasty exchanged uneasy glances.
"Purple Lightning Peak… that's where Fang Qingxue, the true disciple, resides," someone murmured. "The day she earned her title, she killed eight outer disciples to establish her authority. Though the elders punished her, none dared to truly discipline her. She's someone you don't cross."
Among those most unsettled were Prince Bao and the inner disciple who had earlier unleashed his flying sword. Prince Bao's face was streaked with a long gash left by Fang Han's strike. Blood still glistened as he pressed a healing jade talisman to the wound, sealing it silently. His eyes burned with venomous hatred — the kind that promised vengeance without end.
The inner disciple's fury flared as he realized his flying sword had been taken. He was ready to attack again, but the name Purple Lightning Peak froze him mid-motion. His expression hardened, and he clenched his fists, torn between rage and fear.
At that tense moment, a calm, elegant female voice broke the silence.
"My junior brother's Lingwind Sword is no ordinary weapon," she said. The speaker was a striking young woman in her early twenties, clearly an inner disciple of high rank. Her willow brows framed intelligent eyes that gleamed with quiet authority, her every movement radiating grace and latent power. "That sword was a reward from the elders for his merit. It's an upper-grade spirit weapon, responsible for slaying countless demons. We hope you'll return it. Otherwise, the upcoming mission will be perilous — demonic forces are strong, and without it, my brother may fall. He acted recklessly just now, but this is a minor dispute. We should stand united in the greater cause. For that, I offer you his apology."
"Senior Sister Mo…" the royal disciples began, embarrassed that she had to intervene on their behalf. But Mo raised her hand, silencing them. Her eyes fixed on Fang Han — a gaze that carried both apology and subtle dominance, as though she could see straight through him.
Fang Han's mind raced.
This woman is strong… Her aura feels almost equal to White Sea Zen Master's. She must have reached the tenth level of body refinement — the Divine Transformation Realm. If she presses for the sword, what should I do? The Flood Dragon's Abyss Diagram is still sealing it. I can't bring it out even if I wanted to. And if I reveal the diagram, I'll die for sure. Besides… a spirit weapon like that? Who would give it up so easily?
In the cultivation hierarchy, magical artifacts were divided into five tiers: artifacts, spirit weapons, treasure weapons, dao weapons, and immortal weapons. Artifacts could be made by anyone in the Spirit Realm, but crafting a spirit weapon required the fifth stage — the Heaven-and-Man Realm — where vast formations were engraved into the item with divine power.
A spirit weapon was every body cultivator's dream — powerful, indestructible, able to strike with the wielder's intent alone. The Lingwind Sword, for example, could slice through armies, glide through water and flame unharmed, and slaughter demons by thought alone.
If a mortal noble possessed such a weapon, they could easily rise to the rank of duke or marquis. For Prince Bao, owning one might even allow him to challenge the crown prince himself.
Such a treasure was priceless. Even within the Yuhua Sect, among tens of thousands of disciples, only a handful of inner elites had access to one. For an outer disciple like Fang Han, it was unthinkable.
"Senior Sister Mo," Fang Han said at last, feigning humility. "I understand the importance of our mission to the Blue Moon Kingdom in the Hanhai Desert — to rid the land of demons and save the people. But the young lady of Purple Lightning Peak lent me this artifact herself. She said it could protect me from flying swords and that I was to help her with an important task. Unfortunately, I don't know how to release the seal on it, so returning your brother's sword right now is beyond me. How about this — I'll return to Purple Lightning Peak tomorrow and ask the lady herself to unseal the weapon. Once that's done, I'll gladly return his sword."
Mo's eyes flashed. "Oh? So Senior Sister Qingxue gave you a spirit weapon personally — and for a task of her own?" she said slowly, studying him. After a thoughtful silence, she finally nodded. "Very well. We'll depart tomorrow for the Hanhai Desert. Prepare yourself."
"My sword!" the inner disciple blurted, his voice edged with fury. "He can't take it—"
"I'll handle it," Mo cut him off coldly, silencing him with a wave.
Fang Han clasped his hands. "Then I'll take my leave. Prince Bao, your strength today left quite an impression."
Prince Bao glared at him. "You'll learn what regret truly means."
Fang Han only laughed. "No need for more enmity. As Senior Sister said — the greater cause comes first. I'll return to Purple Lightning Peak and make preparations."
Once he was safely outside the city, Fang Han summoned the Beast Taming Medallion. Moments later, a giant white crane — the "Crane Fairy" — descended from the sky in a flurry of feathers.
"Fang Han! You've been an outer disciple for twenty days and haven't visited me once," she scolded playfully. "What have you been up to?"
"I got beaten, trained like hell, and then beat the guy back," Fang Han replied with a grin, recounting his duel with Prince Bao. The crane laughed — a bright, girlish giggle.
"He deserved it! Last time I flew out, I met a golden-winged roc twice my size. It almost ate me alive! I need to train harder — one day I'll have my revenge."
"You can cultivate too?" Fang Han asked, surprised as he climbed onto her back.
"Of course! Our physical forms are far stronger than humans'. Yuhua Sect's Crane Longevity Fist was inspired by our movements. I'm currently practicing the Origin Spirit Technique. Lady Qingxue taught it to me herself."
"What? The Origin Spirit Technique? That's an inner disciple-level art!" Fang Han's eyes widened. It was a method that refined the mind, essential for breaking through to the ninth level of body refinement — the Spirit-Linking Stage. Without mental cultivation, the body alone could only go so far. True mastery required awakening the mind.
If he could learn that technique, he could finally transcend his limits.
"Crane Fairy, can you teach me the Origin Spirit Technique?" he asked.
"Sure — but you can't tell anyone! If the sect finds out, they'll roast me into crane soup," she whispered nervously.
Fang Han nodded vigorously. "Not a word. You have my promise."
As they approached Purple Lightning Peak, he dismounted — only to find Fang Qiang waiting outside his quarters.
"Fang Han, you've made quite the name for yourself," she said with a faint smile. "An outer disciple now — not bad."
"Miss Qiang, how did you know I'd return today? Is Lady Qingxue around?" Fang Han asked, always wary of the mysterious maid who seemed to know far more than she let on.
"I saw the Crane Fairy leave and guessed you'd return soon," she replied. "As for the young lady, she's already left for the Hanhai Desert. The elders summoned her — something's happened in the Blue Moon Kingdom."
"I see. Then I'll rest here tonight and depart tomorrow," Fang Han said.
"Good. And Fang Han," she added softly, "if you perform well on this mission and earn an inner disciple's title, the Fang family will remove your servant status and welcome you back as one of their own. When that day comes, don't forget to look after us."
She smiled faintly and walked away, leaving Fang Han deep in thought.
Meanwhile, within the Inner Immortal Court, the inner disciple whose sword had been taken stood before Mo, seething. "Senior Sister Mo, that outer disciple can't possibly have a spirit weapon! I must get my sword back!"
Mo's gaze was calm but sharp. "I suspect that what he carries isn't a Yuhua Sect artifact at all… but a demonic spirit weapon."
"What?! A demonic weapon?"
"Yes," she said. "Rumor has it Fang Qingxue once had dealings with a demonic commander from the Xiantian Demon Sect. Perhaps he gifted her this weapon — and now she's grooming Fang Han as her pawn. If that's true… then this touches the realm of the Demon Sect itself. That's why I held my hand today."
Her eyes darkened. "We'll watch him closely."