"What? Fang Han really killed the Ghost Emperor?"
"He slew the Moon-Stalker and the Star-Extinguisher as well?"
"This is outrageous… even a Tenth-Level Divine Ability expert who can defy fate—dead in his hands? Two Golden Core masters slain back-to-back? Who in the world can still oppose him?"
"No wonder he once said he'd challenge Hua Tiandu within ten years. What's it been—two, three years? And he's already reached this level? At this rate, he might really kill Hua Tiandu by then! Sure, Hua Tiandu is stronger than the Ghost Emperor, but Fang Han killed a man whose 'Heaven–Earth Manifestation' self-detonation couldn't even scare him. Who knows what kind of terrifying trump cards he has?"
"Exactly. Hua Tiandu could defeat the Ghost Emperor, but kill him? Impossible."
"The sect was planning a large-scale crusade against the Forty Sea Pirates… and Fang Han wipes half of them out in one trip. This is unbelievable."
"We used to think Hua Tiandu was the guaranteed future Sect Master of Yuhua. Now… I'm not so sure."
A few elders whispered in the Heavenly Palace, shaken.
"I—I used to plan on dealing with him…"
Elder Jin Rilie wiped cold sweat from his forehead. As the father of Jin Shitai, he'd once considered using his influence to make trouble for Fang Han. Now, the idea terrified him. He was only at the Fifth-Level Divine Ability—and Fang Han could crush him with a single finger.
"Good thing Hua Tiandu is away at the Taiyi Sect, borrowing artifacts to break into the Longevity Realm. Otherwise, the two might be fighting to the death right now."
Although Fang Han had invited the true disciples to visit Reincarnation Peak, most were too stunned to respond. It wasn't that they didn't want to befriend him—everyone simply needed time to process what they had just witnessed. Their minds buzzed. Even the elders felt shaken.
Fang Han had put on such a dramatic display for a reason: to shock the entire sect, suppress Meng Shaobai's rising momentum, and establish unquestionable prestige. When the Taiyi Gate eventually tried to pressure the Yuhua Sect, they wouldn't dare abandon him as a disposable pawn.
He had already set the Evolving Moon Sword Array and the Giant Spirit Array on Reincarnation Peak, shattered the Demon God's severed hand with his Life Talisman, and prepared to refine pills.
But this was still not enough.
"Green Emperor—Root of All Life!"
He pointed upward. A burst of emerald lightning shot from his Life Talisman and spread across the entire peak. Thunder cracked—and then emerald rain poured down.
The effect was immediate. Spiritual trees, herb patches, and medicine fields revived with explosive vitality. Ginseng, lingzhi, snow lotus, black fungus, gastrodia, polygonatum—herbs that were barely two or three years old suddenly pulsed with life.
Under the green rain, they swelled like living creatures. Ginseng roots thickened to the size of an arm, breathing like newborn infants. One by one, they erupted with soft pops–each undergoing metamorphosis.
Thin wisps of white mist rose from each root, swirling and forming translucent child-sized spirits that ran joyfully around their physical bodies, radiating potent medicinal qi.
"They're evolving! That ginseng just grew a spirit form!"
A disciple watching from outside cried out.
"To think the Green Emperor Wood Sovereign Art can force herbs with only two or three years of age to evolve into spirits… This is insane!"
Spirit herbs and spirit trees were rare even among true disciples. A herb could only "awaken" after hundreds or thousands of years, naturally accumulating immense medicinal force. Once awakened, it formed a spirit body—but could not stray far from its physical form unless it transcended tribulation, becoming a wood-spirit demon capable of walking the world.
In mundane lands, ancient trees occasionally awakened after absorbing earth-vein qi—like peach-tree spirits who turned into alluring women at night to drain the vitality of young men. Most were slain or captured by wandering cultivators to refine into artifacts.
But ginseng, lingzhi, lotus—these were priceless. After awakening, their medicinal essence multiplied, capable of enhancing cultivation, extending lifespan, even saving a life in crisis.
Yet now, herbs not even three years old were awakening everywhere across Reincarnation Peak.
Bamboo, sandalwood, nanmu, redwood, peachwood—trees all over the peak sprouted faint human-shaped spirits.
The entire peak glowed with vitality. Encased within the Evolving Moon and Giant Spirit Formations, none of this qi leaked outward—so the spiritual essence condensed into dazzling brilliance.
Disciples watching trembled. Anyone who could train inside this environment would progress at terrifying speed.
Moments ago, Reincarnation Peak was barren. Now it was a paradise.
The true power of the Green Emperor Art wasn't offense or defense—it was creation. Awakening life, transforming spirit wood, forging medicine fields, strengthening the body, refining elixirs.
When he finished transforming the peak, Fang Han lifted his gaze toward Meng Shaobai's mountain.
"Is he… challenging Meng Shaobai?"
"Let's watch. Two tigers can't share one mountain."
Many disciples and elders sensed the tension. Rumors had long spread that Fang Han and Meng Shaobai had clashed during a trade in the Great Xuan Empire.
A harsh laugh suddenly burst from Meng Shaobai's mountain, his sword qi spearing into the sky.
"Hahahahaha! Fang Han! Enjoy your spotlight while it lasts. One month from now, I'll complete my Heaven–Earth Manifestation and step into the Ninth-Level Divine Ability. Then I'll test whether your fifty-five-divine-ability Life Talisman is truly as untouchable as you think!"
"What? He can break into the Ninth Level in just one month?"
"Divine Ability Nine—the threshold of reincarnation! Even if killed, one can seize a new body and return! A true qualitative leap!"
"Heaven–Earth Manifestation is terrifying. If Meng Shaobai dares announce it publicly, he must be absolutely certain. Failing in front of the entire sect would be humiliating."
"And yet… even a ninth-level manifestation expert isn't necessarily Fang Han's match. He killed the Ghost Emperor!"
"You underestimate Meng Shaobai. Haven't you seen his recent cultivation? His breathing alone shakes the sky. If he completes his manifestation, he might rival Hua Tiandu."
Whispers spread like wildfire.
Fang Han spoke clearly, his voice carrying across the mountains:
"Very well. I'll wait one month. Let's see how powerful your Demon Fetus Parasite Technique is—how far merging with a Kunpeng egg has twisted you into a half-beast monster."
"No more pointless talk. In one month, we settle it with our hands."
Meng Shaobai's tone turned cold. His sword qi vanished as he returned to silent cultivation.
Fang Han's lips curled into a cold smile.
As light withdrew, he descended into his pill room.
The momentum he'd wanted—he had achieved. After he crushed Meng Shaobai a month from now, the elders and disciples would flock toward him. Especially the elders, who now sensed that he might one day contest Hua Tiandu for the Sect Master's seat—they would want to plant a seed of goodwill early.
In the politics of the sect, true disciples were princes. Elders were nobles and ministers. Every choice affected the balance of power. And when a future ruler emerged…
Everyone chose a side.