"What an astonishing rate of inhalation and exhalation! Kunpeng truly deserves its name as an ancient behemoth—perhaps even above celestial dragons. Could it be…? Did Meng Shaobai refine a Kunpeng? Hatch one?"
Fang Han listened to Yan, eyes rolling slightly as a cold smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"That's impossible. Hatching a Kunpeng isn't so easy. Even if he managed to hatch a young Kunpeng, the breathing wouldn't be this overwhelming—unless Meng Shaobai actually cultivated the Demonic Embryo Parasite Art, merging his own life essence with that of the Kunpeng, transforming into neither human nor demon, neither god nor fiend. Only that level of mutation would create such a horrific capacity for drawing in qi."
Yan shook his head. "But the Lifeless Sword Dao specializes purely in killing—no one in that lineage practices the Demonic Embryo Parasite Art. And this art is something only the ancient Heavenly Demons of legend ever possessed."
"I know what's going on."
A flicker of realization crossed Fang Han's eyes. "Don't forget—the Ancient Demon Sovereign of the Five Elements Land. If he didn't know the Demonic Embryo Parasite Art, even ghosts wouldn't believe it. Meng Shaobai also went to the Five Elements Land. I'd say there's a ninety-percent chance that art was passed down by that demon sovereign. He may claim he isn't using Meng Shaobai as a pawn, but he clearly left a few traps in play."
"If Meng Shaobai is parasitizing the Kunpeng, how strong will he become? His aura feels immense."
The Blood Night King spread its spiritual sense across the mountain range.
Indeed—the entire Yuhua Sect mountain system seemed to be stirring around Meng Shaobai's peak. All currents of qi converged toward him every moment, the fluctuations shaking the entire region. Even the Blood Night King couldn't match that level of hunger.
"His power is indeed massive, but to what degree? I can't say. No one has ever seen a parasitized Kunpeng hatchling—no one knows what such a thing becomes."
Yan sneered. "But Fang Han… looks like you've got yourself a rival. Wanting to beat him into a dead dog might be a bit difficult this time?"
"Oh? I'm curious then. Let's see whether my Life Talisman is stronger, or his Lifeless Sword Dao is stronger. I came back this time precisely to humble him."
Fang Han's smile was even colder. In the Five Elements Land, he alone had challenged the Taiyi Sect and instantly slaughtered two Golden Core experts—Song Weiyi and Zhao Xuanyi. The overwhelming victory had cemented an unshakeable sense of invincibility within him.
"So what do we do? Kill our way to his mountain right now and give him a beating? Honestly, that brat irritates me. Last time we were chatting in the clouds, he barged in shouting to kill us. If we don't smack him around properly, I won't feel satisfied."
Xingyun Baobao waved its tiny fists.
"He isn't the priority. The Mountain–River Ranking competition will begin soon. Every inner and outer disciple will return. I'll defeat him on the Heavenly Execution Platform—publicly—even better for crushing his confidence." Fang Han snorted. "For now, we head back to Reincarnation Peak, sort out our gains, refine the Demon God's hand, and arrange my cave mansion."
Compared to killing two Golden Core experts of the Taiyi Sect, his rivalry with Meng Shaobai was trivial. What mattered now was preparing for the future, and reporting everything from the Five Elements Land to Sect Master Feng Baiyu.
He also needed to refine Zhao Xuanyi's Six-Eyed Sealing God Tablet. Fang Han sensed there was more to it—its true power likely wasn't simple. Combined properly with divine powers, it might unleash tremendous force.
Furthermore, Zhao Xuanyi's Golden Core contained a divine art connected to the stele's aura. If he could decipher both through comparison, his strength might leap again.
His immediate goal was clear: advance to the Seventh Level of Divine Ability—Golden Core.
Golden Core was a major threshold. Once formed, his lifespan would rise again. His current two thousand years might instantly soar to five or six thousand—maybe even seven thousand.
And with a Golden Core and nine ghostly primordial spirits refined, defeating Hua Tiandu wouldn't be impossible.
Fang Han quietly slipped back to the alchemy chamber of Reincarnation Peak.
Inside, only the Witch and Princess Hongyi sat cross-legged before the Five-Prisons King Cauldron, cultivating as flames swirled inside. A blackened, fingerless hand floated atop the fire—a chunk of flesh belonging to the Demon God, covered in dark patterns and dense curses.
Fang Han, Fang Qingxue, and Jia Lan had once spent ages trying to refine it, with no success.
But now, with his Life Talisman completed, his power had multiplied tenfold. It was time.
"Why is the Earth Fire this weak?"
Fang Han frowned.
The two women startled at his sudden appearance.
Princess Hongyi stood, her voice flat. "It's all because of Meng Shaobai. Whatever divine art he's cultivating, he's gulping down unimaginable amounts of vitality every moment. The Earth Fire essence has been drained ninety-nine percent. Even the sunfire essence from the heavens has been sucked toward his peak."
"No wonder something felt off the moment I arrived." Fang Han nodded. "Earth Fire essence is essential for every disciple's alchemy and cultivation. Meng Shaobai really cares for no one but himself. For now, ignore him. Once I set up a few arrays around my mountain, no one will dare trespass again."
With a wave, the Yellow Springs Diagram unfurled. A scroll containing a thousand bright moons rose into the air. Eighty-one flying swords shot into the diagram, merging instantly and exploding with swordlight—thousands of lunar wheels surrounded Reincarnation Peak in cycles.
It was the Evolving Moon Sword Formation, taken from the Moon-Thief. One absolute-grade artifact and eighty-one top-grade swords combined into a powerful defensive array.
"Next, the Ten-Thousand-Ghost Banner."
A wave of his hand released endless black smoke—ghostly qi filled the chamber. It was one of the Ghost Emperor's three great treasures, a formation-level artifact set.
But Fang Han wasn't planning to leave it in its original demonic form. Using Yellow Springs Holy Water, he'd cleanse the resentment inside, retain only pure power, then reshape it using divine arts—turning the Ten-Thousand-Ghosts into Ten-Thousand-Spirits, guardians of his mountain.
The Panwu Titan Divine Ability contained methods for crafting divine artifacts—vast and complex. Fang Han hadn't attempted to study them thoroughly, but borrowing a few techniques for refinement was easy enough.
He expelled a breath of celestial qi…
While Fang Han worked, many true disciples across the sect were gossiping.
"Meng Shaobai came back and started cultivating some terrifying divine art. The commotion is ridiculous. He's draining ninety-nine percent of the Earth Fire, sunfire, moon essence, even starforce. What in the world is he doing?"
On the mountain of a Fifth-Level Divine Ability disciple—Heaven-Man Realm—several true disciples of varying levels had gathered alongside a few elders.
The cultivator leading them was a towering man in armor covered in bone spikes—Bai Zhan Zhenren, the "Hundred-Battle Realman". His armor was an ancient treasure, an absolute-grade artifact fused into his flesh. From it he had comprehended the Hundred-Battle Profound Art, making him a powerful contender among the true disciples.
"Bai Zhan, you should have taken the elder path. Why insist on competing for future sect master? Cultivating in the Yuhua Heavenly Palace offers endless resources."
One elder sighed.
"Yes, talent is everywhere now. Fang Qingxue just formed a Golden Core. Meng Shaobai is monstrous. Fang Han went to the Barbarian God Temple in search of the Five Elements Spirit Root. Maybe you should reconsider."
"Heh. Two tigers fight, one must fall. I'll watch from the side. Besides, even you elders can support me. I've cultivated less than sixty years and already reached Heaven-Man Realm—my chances are only growing."
Hundred-Battle Realman smiled coldly. "But I heard Meng Shaobai wants to give Fang Han a 'lesson' when he returns. Who do you think will win?"
"Meng Shaobai seems to have the advantage…" a few disciples muttered.
Just then, light suddenly burst in the distance.
"What's that?!"
True disciples shot into the air.
On Reincarnation Peak, swordlight soared—thousands of moons hung in the sky.
"A grand formation! The sword aura is sharp beyond belief! Has Fang Han returned?"