"Prince Yi's invitation is naturally something I'm delighted to accept. But I am, after all, a man of the demonic path…"
A faint wisp of abyssal demon-qi seeped from Fang Han's body. "The Great Xuan Empire is under Taiyi Sect's jurisdiction. If some righteous expert takes it upon himself to 'slay demons' on sight, I'd rather avoid unnecessary trouble."
Prince Yi threw his head back and laughed. "My friend jests! Immortal and demonic origins aren't so different. As long as you don't violate the empire's laws—no wanton killing, no disrupting order—you're welcome to travel or reside here. Even the great Demon Emperors of the demonic path come to our markets to trade."
"So that's how it is. Then I stand corrected," Fang Han said, but inwardly gears were already turning.
Buying Nirvana Pills would definitely attract Hua Tiandu's attention. Using Prince Yi as a shield was perfect.
Second, the Great Xuan Empire was deeply tied to Taiyi Sect; getting close to its upper ranks could be a powerful advantage against Hua Tiandu.
Third, the man casually spent eighty million elixirs on a sword array. A walking treasury. Who knew what else he possessed?
In short—this was a connection worth making.
"In that case," Prince Yi said warmly, "come with me to my manor. Nine Cauldrons Pavilion has good items on display, but nothing truly top-tier. The real treasures come out only at the grand auction in three days. My own residence, however… contains a few fine artifacts. If any interest you, I may even gift them."
Generous words—but Fang Han wasn't fooled. The prince was shrewd. Nothing came without a price.
"Please."
Prince Yi stepped forward, and a cloud of white mist lifted beneath his feet, carrying him skyward. It was a fluid fusion of wind and water spell arts—rare and elegant.
Fang Han moved quietly—and vanished.
Prince Yi looked around midair in confusion. "Hm?"
"Prince, no need to worry. I'm right behind you—merely hiding my presence."
Fang Han's voice materialized behind him.
Prince Yi jolted, only now sensing the faint trace of Fang Han's aura.
"A hidden-figure technique this refined… Daoist friend, you're a sixth-layer Divine Ability cultivator—Unity Realm—someone who has already formed their life-seal talisman!"
"You see truly, Prince. I've reached the peak of the Unity Realm, already shaped my pseudo-core. I'm half a step from forming my Golden Core. I came to Xuanhuang City this time specifically to acquire a Nirvana Pill. If the Prince can assist… I will remember it."
Fang Han showed just enough strength to unsettle him—and it worked. The prince stiffened; his attendants exchanged looks of sudden respect.
A fifth-layer Heavenly Human Realm cultivator was worth courting.
A soon-to-be Golden Core expert?
Worth revering.
Prince Yi had no idea Fang Han possessed fifty-five Divine Abilities. Had he known, he might have toppled from the sky.
"A Golden Core soon? Then I was truly blind not to see your potential!"
The prince's tone shifted instantly—respectful, warm. He had invited Fang Han simply because he seemed promising. He hadn't expected to catch a rising giant.
"The Nirvana Pill is a saint-grade medicine," Prince Yi continued. "Many factions covet the one Nine Cauldrons Pavilion will auction. Even my elder brother—the crown prince—needs it to push his power further. With so many royal heirs competing… only overwhelming wealth can secure it. If you truly require it, we must plan carefully."
Even "this prince" had vanished from his self-address. He now spoke to Fang Han as an equal.
"Money is no issue. I can secure it," Fang Han said coldly. "But during the auction, I have enemies present. I don't want them recognizing me. That is where I need your assistance."
"May I ask who these enemies are?"
"That is… inconvenient to say," Fang Han replied.
"No matter. If you wish to conceal your identity, I will bid under my name."
They descended.
Before them rose a colossal palace complex. Three enormous characters loomed over the gate:
Palace of Harmony and Grace.
Hundreds of armored guards lined the walls, every one of them at the ninth level of Body Refining—Spirit-Linking Realm—eyes sharp enough to catch the flicker of a falling leaf. Not a single mortal among them.
As Prince Yi landed, all guards knelt—the force of their salute rumbling across the stone.
Fang Han revealed his form, gauging the massive palace grounds.
"Not bad," he murmured. "Prince, your manor rivals my sect's mountain gates."
"Oh? May I ask which great demonic sect you hail from?" the prince asked cautiously.
"When I condense my Golden Core, I will tell you." Fang Han offered a faint, mysterious smile. "At that time, I may even help you in your… ambitions. And if I recall correctly, you prepare to offer a gift to the Exquisite Blessed Land in half a year? I know both the Floating Cloud Fairy and Lotus Cloud Fairy quite well."
"Is that true?" Prince Yi's eyes lit instantly. He ushered Fang Han through the gates. "I keep a number of cultivated experts within the manor—some wandering cultivators, some sect disciples. There's a banquet today. Would you be willing to join?"
"That won't be necessary. I dislike crowds. I plan to meditate and prepare for my Golden Core breakthrough. Arrange a quiet place for me. If you encounter trouble, I'll assist—as long as your enemy isn't an ancient titan of the Longevity Realm. Anything below that, I can kill."
Fang Han laughed.
The words hit the prince like a thunderbolt.
Even his attendants twitched—barely suppressing laughter.
He must be insane.
Anyone below the Longevity Realm? Even Golden Core and Heaven-Tribulation experts? Absurd!
And then—
A mocking voice rang from the front hall.
"Who is spouting nonsense here? Claiming he can kill anyone beneath the Longevity Realm? Prince, have you brought back a madman?"
More than thirty cultivators strode out—every one a Divine Ability expert.
Ten were qi-refining to the true-qi stage.
Ten more cultivated solid gang-qi.
Several had reached Yin-Yang Realm.
Three were fifth-layer Heavenly Human Realm experts.
And one—one was also Unity Realm, just like Fang Han, life-talisman glowing faintly.
Prince Yi quickly stepped forward. "Esteemed friends, just a joke, nothing more. Allow me to introduce this Daoist friend…"
But before he could finish, the Unity Realm elder—Master Xiaoyue of Little Moon Mountain—pointed at Fang Han sharply.
"Prince, a man this arrogant is dangerous. If he causes an incident, your plans will suffer."
Fang Han slowly raised a brow.
"Rabble," he said.
Then he smiled.
"Prince Yi, you gather these strays and believe you can contend for the throne? I thought you had recruited the Ten Immortal Sects, the Five Demon Clans, the Seven Devil Lineages. But this—this is what you call strength?"
He lifted his left hand.
The Heaven-Shrouding Demon Hand exploded outward—vast as a falling mountain, drenched in rolling demonic might.
The hall shook.
Magic force poured down like a collapsing sky.
More than a dozen true-qi and gang-qi cultivators' artifacts shattered instantly; they collapsed unconscious. Four Yin-Yang Realm experts spat blood, faces turning pale.
"Such demonic power!" the three Heavenly Human experts gasped, unfurling their strongest artifacts.
Master Xiaoyue slapped his forehead, his Heavenly Gate opening. His life-talisman shot forth, shining with twelve Divine Abilities—impressive for a wandering sect master.
Fang Han snorted.
"Fireflies… daring to challenge the moon?"
He clenched.
Crack. Crack. Crack!
The three Heavenly Human experts' artifacts shattered like brittle shells. Xiaoyue's life-talisman was slapped back into his skull; he staggered, nearly vomiting blood.
A heartbeat later—
All thirty cultivators lay sprawled across the floor like stunned dogs.
Even a true Golden Core expert could not have dismantled them so easily.
Prince Yi's face drained of color.
He had thought Fang Han was simply promising—
But this…
This was monstrous.
Fang Han folded his hands behind his back.
"Prince, remove these people. They're useless. When the time is right, I'll introduce you to real experts—those capable of helping you seize the throne of the Great Xuan Empire."
Prince Yi swallowed hard.
For the first time, he truly understood—
He had invited a storm into his palace.