The twelve Golden Core elders of the Taiyi Sect—supported by dozens of Unity Realm experts and over two hundred Heaven-Man cultivators—moved together like an army of gods. Their joined force was so overwhelming it could make spirits flee and crush immortals. Wherever they passed, five-element beasts and demon kings were instantly pulverized into dust. Their terrifying power rippled outward in waves, and soon even the most aggressive beasts refused to emerge.
These creatures had intelligence. When the enemy's strength reached such an unfathomable level, rushing forward meant nothing but death.
And the cultivators of Taiyi were incredibly fast. They streaked across a thousand miles in the blink of an eye—ghosts and lightning both seemed sluggish in comparison.
"Go! Stay right behind Taiyi—they're clearly after something big!"
The Sword Maniac of the Sun-Moon Sword Sect reacted instantly. With a command, his sect's sword formation surged to full power. Their massive sword-dragon—made of countless flying swords forming its glittering scales—took a single step through the void and crossed a thousand miles, latching tightly onto Taiyi's tail.
They would not lose sight of them. Not here in the heart of the Five Elements Realm.
The other two great sword sects were just as sharp. They immediately followed.
All three sword formations were marvels of swordcraft: each disciple released their lifebound flying sword, combining them to form a gigantic, hundred-yard-long sword-dragon. The disciples hid inside the formation, protected by its gleaming scales.
The dragons were brutally fast and lethally sharp. Even powerful beasts or greater demon kings would be sliced apart. Their only weakness was the drain on the disciples' energy—if a single disciple faltered, cracks would appear in the formation.
But this time, every elite disciple had brought ample spirit jade, crystals, and even pills to constantly replenish their power. There would be no weak links.
Three colossal sword-dragons roared through the sky, blades flashing like storms.
Such was the terror of sword cultivators.
Meanwhile, Fang Han had already reached the exact center of the Five Elements Realm. There he saw a mountain—different from the one guarding the realm's entrance. This one was shaped like a giant open hand, every line and ridge perfectly visible.
And at the center of its palm glimmered a long strip of light—like a hanging scroll.
Fang Han focused his vision. It was indeed a talisman, dozens of yards long, the size of a banner. Six warped characters twisted across it, ancient and unreadable.
"Om ma ni pad me hum?" Yan suddenly pronounced the six characters aloud. His voice echoed like ox bellows, like tiger roars, like a lion breaking the sky.
"What is that supposed to be?"
Fang Han asked cautiously. He didn't rush forward. This realm was full of strange mysteries, and even with a perfected life-bound talisman, recklessness could still lead to disaster.
"This is an ancient Buddhist sigil of suppression," Yan explained. "Its power is immense. Since that old demonic Daoist said you could take it, he wouldn't lie—not at his level. And right now, if we want out, this is the only path."
"In that case… I'll take it."
Fang Han activated his life-bound talisman, scanning the surroundings. No hidden auras. No traps. No restrictive formations.
He prepared to move—
When suddenly, from far away, came the roar of countless winds. Dark silhouettes surged toward him. And behind them—three enormous sword-dragons streaked across the sky.
"Not good! Taiyi and the three sword sects are already here! If they get that talisman first… the consequences would be disastrous."
Fang Han knew they were coming, thanks to the mysterious Daoist's spell, but he hadn't expected them to arrive this fast, nor in such terrifying force. They were clearly aware of the Five Elements Realm's secret and were rushing to seize control.
"That demonic Daoist sent thousands of demon kings after them, and they still slaughtered their way here. Even the great beasts couldn't stop them… I must take the talisman now!"
Without hesitation, Fang Han surged forward. His life-bound talisman blazed above his head as his speed exploded—wind tearing behind him as he shot like a falling star into the giant palm.
In one instant, he reached the talisman.
The scroll-like charm was enormous. The six characters radiated an overwhelming presence. Fang Han extended his hand; his magic power wrapped around the talisman, pulling it free. It fell into his palm—and fused instantly with his energy. It obeyed him.
He sensed no attack power, no traps, no hidden formations. It wasn't a magic treasure. But within it… was a path.
A gateway out of the Five Elements Realm.
"Leave now?" Fang Han hesitated for only a moment. Then he tucked the talisman away and waited calmly for the incoming forces.
His life-bound talisman sank into his mind, hidden. No one could judge the true depth of his power now. They would only see a sixth-realm Unity cultivator. They would not see the fifty-plus divine abilities burning behind his talisman.
If he could leave anytime he liked…
Why not test the strength of his newly forged divine power?
Why not make a name for himself?
Why not gain real combat experience?
"Someone took the talisman before we got here! Who dares challenge Taiyi for control of the Five Elements Realm?!"
Several Taiyi experts cried out as they approached, the first being the eighth-realm tribulation survivors—Wang Tianyi, Zhu Yang, and others.
They were furious.
"Whoever it is—immortal or demon, man or ghost—kill them!"
All twelve Golden Core elders spoke as one.
But before the combined might of four sects descended—
A booming laugh shook the air.
"Hahahaha! So it's the esteemed cultivators of Taiyi, Sun-Moon Sword Sect, Danding Sword Sect, and Tongtian Sword Sect. I am Fang Han of the Yuhua Sect. What a surprise to meet so many fellow Daoists in this realm!"
He shot into the sky, announcing his affiliation loudly.
Taiyi cultivators froze in midair.
"Yuhua Sect? Why would Yuhua appear here? Did their sect master Feng Baiyu come as well?"
The twelve Golden Core elders exchanged glances. They immediately halted their attack and surrounded the hand-shaped mountain instead. The three sword-dragons spiraled outward, forming a second ring of containment.
Hundreds of elite cultivators locked their attention on Fang Han.
"That's Fang Han!"
Realization struck two Taiyi elders—Fortune Master and Providence Master. Their hatred ignited instantly.
In the Taiyuan Immortal Mansion, Fang Han had captured them humiliated them, and nearly destroyed their careers. Since then, they had trained madly every day, dreaming of tearing him to pieces.
"Damn him—he appears everywhere we go!"
Zhao Xuanyi and Song Wei exchanged bitter looks. The last time they encountered Fang Han, he had caused chaos again. And now he was disrupting Taiyi's most critical mission.
"And you are the one with the Yellow Springs Diagram?"
The Sword Maniac of the Sun-Moon Sword Sect stepped forward.
"We've all heard the rumors."
Fang Han smiled. "Yes, that's me. And not alone—I also brought the young master of the Starry Sky Gate. Starcloud, show yourself."
A beam of starlight rose, and Starcloud Baobao appeared beside him.
Wang Tianyi's expression shifted. With Starcloud present, they couldn't simply slaughter Fang Han—killing the son of the Starry Sky Gate's sect master would spark a sect war. And killing Fang Han would certainly enrage the Yuhua Sect. And with the three sword sects watching, they couldn't hide any of it.
"Fang Han," Wang Tianyi said coldly, "whether or not you possess the Yellow Springs Diagram is your own fortune. As long as you remain on the righteous path, Taiyi has no reason to eliminate you. But today—you must hand over that talisman. It belongs to Taiyi."
Fang Han sneered.
"Taiyi's property? As far as I know, the Five Elements Realm doesn't belong to your sect."
His eyes gleamed.
"But don't bother scheming. I can leave at any moment. Still—since we're all fellow cultivators, I'm willing to share the talisman."
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
Fang Han raised a hand—and the talisman unfurled briefly in the wind before he tucked it away again.
"We settle this the proper way. A duel."
His voice thundered.
"One-on-one. Anyone from the four great sects can challenge me. Whoever defeats me—gets the talisman."
Silence.
Then—
"Did he just say—one-on-one?"
"He must be insane!"
"Four great sects brought their elites—Golden Cores, Unity Realm prodigies, tribulation survivors—and he wants single combat?!"
"Arrogant! Unbelievably arrogant!"
Fang Han's declaration sent shockwaves through the entire assembly.
And for the first time—
The cultivators of the four sects couldn't tell whether Fang Han was fearless…
Or completely out of his mind.