Fang Han had no idea that back in the Yuhua Heavenly Palace, the elders had been holding meeting after meeting—every single one of them centered on him. Among those elders, one of the Longevity-secret masters, Ruyi Zi, was especially hostile, thanks to Hua Tiandu's influence.
If Fang Han knew, he'd already be plotting how to bury Ruyi Zi ten times over.
In the past, merely hearing the title "Longevity-realm giant" would've made him tread lightly. But after everything he had been through, his courage had grown along with his shrewdness. The bolder he became, the more precise his calculations. He didn't claim to control every variable—but he ensured one thing: he would never be the one at a disadvantage.
Crush every enemy without mercy. Win over every ally without hesitation.
That was his creed.
While the Heavenly Palace debated, Fang Han cultivated in peace—studying the Sealing-God Catalog, exploring the interplay between the Five Emperor Demonic Powers and his internal organs, gathering starlight, and stabilizing his Life Talisman.
For now, his path was clear: deepen his cultivation, polish the Life Talisman, harden his body, refine his essence—push talisman toward its metamorphosis into a golden core.
The Nebula Baby, after studying the Infinite Stars Codex, advanced rapidly. Despite his laziness, he was now reaching toward the Heaven-Human Realm, preparing to condense formation-essence and become a true "real person." Once he stepped into the fifth realm, he could refine a golden core—and boast about it all the way back to the sect.
Princess Hong Yi, having entered the supernatural realm, was cultivating diligently as well. Fang Han refined a robe for her from the Blackwater Python King's hide.
Crane Fairy continued stockpiling essence, waiting for her moment to summon heavenly lightning and shed her beast-form to become human.
That day, as Fang Han meditated, a ripple stirred beyond the mountain-guardian array. With a sweep of his hand, he parted the two great formations around Reincarnation Peak. A flash of lightning cut through the air as a graceful figure stepped into the alchemy chamber—
Fang Qingxue.
"Senior Sister, please sit." Fang Han stood at once. He no longer feared her, but given their intertwined interests—opposing Hua Tiandu together—she was an ally he valued highly.
"I came for a cup of Forgetting-Love Water," Fang Qingxue said calmly, eyes quietly measuring him. "And congratulations on reaching the Sixth Realm, the Return-to-One stage. Power gathers quickly at that level."
"You flatter me. And senior sister's advancement is even more shocking—you've already formed your golden core." Fang Han flicked his sleeve, sending a large mass of golden Forgetting-Love Water drifting into her treasure pouch. "You must be cleansing impurities from your core?"
"Exactly. My core formed too quickly. It's full of flaws. With Forgetting-Love Water, I can save decades of tempering with thunder and fire." She paused, then added, "Ten days from now you duel Meng Shaobai. Don't underestimate him. Even I cannot guarantee victory against him. You are stronger than me in raw force and have many treasures—but suppressing him completely won't be easy. I won't take your water for free. Here—this is the exchange."
She flicked a black pill to him.
It looked like a lump of midnight cloud, with countless snake-like lightning currents coiling within it. Even holding it made the whole chamber hum with thunder.
"The Thunder-Bone Relic."
"A treasure of the ancient Thunder Emperor," Qingxue said. "A heaven-grade pill. Equal to the Nine-Aperture Golden Core or Yin-Yang Longevity Pill. Swallows it, and your bones will transform into thunder-bones—able to commune with the lightning of the heavens. More than fair for the Forgetting-Love Water."
Yan let out an astonished howl:
"Good stuff! This thing washes the marrow and forges celestial lightning bones! No wonder she progresses so fast—she has this kind of medicine! Honestly, the Forgetting-Love Water shouldn't be worth so much, but since the Yellow Springs Emperor monopolized it, the market is insane!"
Fang Han kept a stable expression as he stored the relic.
"If senior sister needs more pills, I have many Nascent Infant Pills for trade—materials or treasures accepted. I offer very generous prices."
Qingxue nodded. "The Mountain-River Ranking competition is coming. The sect is offering significant rewards. Besides another Yin-Yang Longevity Pill, the first place winner gets a superior treasure—the Three-Dragon Whip. You want your people to win it, don't you? Here's my proposal. I'll use my lightning-body-refinement art to strengthen Princess Hong Yi so she can take first place. I'll also help Crane Fairy gain a human body, and even refine the Nebula Baby's physique. In return—one million Nascent Infant Pills. And you'll bring a Blue-Emperor Wood-Rain to my Purple Lightning Peak to evolve all my herb fields into spirit-essence."
It was a fair trade—mutually profitable.
Fang Han considered.
Then: "Do you still have more Thunder-Bone Relics? I'll buy another for one million pills."
If Nebula Baby took one, his breakthrough would be guaranteed.
Qingxue shook her head. "I don't have many. They're too valuable. If not for the Forgetting-Love Water, I wouldn't have taken even one out."
Fang Han didn't push. "Four months from now, senior sister may come collect the million pills. For now—please help my companions refine their bodies."
He really wished he had more pieces of the World Tree. The flow of celestial energy still wasn't enough; his expenditures kept exploding. Being rich in the cultivation world was exhausting.
"Fine. I'll take them now. See you in four months."
A lightning sigil shone above her head. With a single pull, Nebula Baby, Princess Hong Yi, and Crane Fairy were sucked into it.
A crack of thunder—Fang Qingxue vanished.
Yan sighed, "That lightning sigil is terrifying. Even the Sun-Moon-Five-Star Bracelet couldn't resist."
Fang Han weighed the Thunder-Bone Relic in his hand, excitement simmering.
What would happen when his already monstrous body fused with thunder-bones?
He swallowed the pill.
Boom—!
Sparks exploded from every pore. Lightning surged over him in sheets. The stone floor beneath charred black, then melted.
The pill's power was overwhelming—far fiercer than the Nine-Aperture Golden Core.
If it had been anyone else, they would've been vaporized instantly.
But Fang Han only gritted his teeth and laughed:
"Such violent medicine—excellent!"