More than thirty Divine Ability cultivators—three of them at the fifth-level Heavenly Human Realm, one already in the Unified Realm with a forged life-seal talisman—had been knocked unconscious by a single blow from Fang Han.
If it had been one-on-one, Prince Yi wouldn't have been surprised.
But all of them, swept aside like trash, without even the chance to resist?
That was… absurd.
"You… you…" Prince Yi stared at him, tongue-tied. It took him half a minute before he managed to speak.
"Daoist friend, your power is truly unmatched. I ask you to state your true origins. If you intend to help me, I will spare no cost to support you. But if you've come with hidden motives, then I ask you to leave now. I'll even give you a treasure as compensation. A man of your caliber… I cannot hope to control. And even if you wished to use me, you would fail. I am a prince of the Great Xuan Empire—no ancient titan of the Longevity Realm could force me into treacherous schemes."
"Not bad," Fang Han replied calmly. "As expected of someone who has cultivated to the Heavenly Human Realm, and a prince of a great empire besides. You understand the situation. Let me be direct: I only seek to make use of your title and conveniences to purchase a Nirvana Pill. I've had… conflicts with Taiyi Sect. If my identity is exposed, they'll try to hunt me down.
"In truth, however, I am of the immortal path, not the demonic path. My backing is strong. I do not fear Taiyi Sect. But before forming my Golden Core, I'd prefer to avoid unnecessary trouble. If you can help me, I will repay you generously."
Seeing the prince's shaken posture, Fang Han decided there was no point in pretending any further.
And from what he'd observed, Prince Yi wasn't among the most powerful heirs.
If he were, he would have already recruited Golden Core experts.
"Oh? So you're actually from the immortal path? Then this becomes much simpler." Prince Yi exhaled, shoulders relaxing. "Your enmity with Taiyi Sect is troublesome, yes—but the Great Xuan Empire is not their vassal. There is an ancient decree from the immortal world: Taiyi Sect cannot forcibly interfere with imperial family matters. They don't dare violate it openly. As long as you're in my manor, they cannot take you."
"Good. These cultivators still have value—they can serve you."
Fang Han exhaled a mist of green vapor. It scattered like rainfall across the unconscious thirty-some cultivators.
They were all wandering sect cultivators, powerless to cause problems even if offended. Fang Han had only stunned them, not killed them.
The healing mist was a blend of the Azure Emperor's Wood Essence, immortal qi, and water-element healing arts. Not enough to revive the dead, but more than enough to restore their vitality.
As the droplets landed, the cultivators awoke one by one.
The moment they saw Fang Han, they froze—every gaze fixed nervously on his left hand. The pressure radiating from him felt like it could erase them at any second.
After a long silence, Master Xiaoyue finally spoke, voice awkward:
"Senior's divine powers are vast. We are unworthy to serve at your side. We should return to closed-door cultivation, refine our shortcomings, and avoid hindering the Prince. Your Highness, I take my leave."
The others immediately echoed him.
"Your Highness, we take our leave!"
They soared upward, determined to flee from this humiliation.
"Stay."
Fang Han flicked his hand.
A sheet of golden light flashed out, sealing the sky.
The scattered cultivators slammed against invisible walls of luminescent force. Even Master Xiaoyue was forced downward, step by step, until he landed heavily on the ground—face drained of color.
The killing intent woven into the golden barrier was overwhelming. Not even a Golden Core expert could match it.
Now he truly understood—Fang Han was a monster, not a mere prodigy.
Fang Han would not let these people walk away. He had only meant to humble them.
For errands, politics, minor schemes—these scattered cultivators were still useful. If they all left, and he left as well, Prince Yi would become a lone prince with no backing. Useless to Fang Han later.
And Fang Han had already decided:
Prince Yi's faction would become a card he could play in future conflicts.
"Do not despair. Look at this."
Fang Han lifted a bracelet—five stars and sun-and-moon patterns swirling on its surface.
"The Sun-Moon Five-Star Bangle!"
"It's a Dao-tier artifact!"
"You're from the Starfire Sect?"
"That belongs to their young master, Xingyun Baobao! Are you him?"
"The Starfire Sect—one of the Ten Immortal Giants!"
The group erupted.
Even among wandering sects, the Ten Immortal Giants were like imperial legions to a band of mountain brigands.
"I'm not from Starfire Sect," Fang Han said. "Just the senior brother of Xingyun Baobao. From this day forward, we work together to support Prince Yi in ascending the imperial throne. When he succeeds, you will all rise with him—endless pills, treasures, and glory.
"As for today's incident—bury it. Do your tasks as usual. And if some rival prince's Golden Core expert threatens you, tell me. I'll kill them."
He turned to Prince Yi.
"Give me a quiet place. We need to talk. I want to hear who your greatest opponents are. The rest of you—resume your duties."
"Good! Follow me to my study!" Prince Yi said enthusiastically.
The study was lavish—golden floor platforms, jade inlays, secret formations humming beneath the surface. Shelves were lined with rare jade scrolls, even one titled The Many Worlds, a priceless immortal record.
Once seated alone, Prince Yi's expression shifted into solemn understanding.
"If my guess is right," he said quietly, "you are the newly risen prodigy from the Feather Gate—the famed Fang Han."
"Oh? So you see that clearly?" Fang Han's lips curved. He had suspected Prince Yi's intelligence was sharp.
"I noticed when you revealed the Sun-Moon Five-Star Bangle," Prince Yi said. Once Fang Han did not deny it, his heartbeat thundered. "My luck must be heaven-sent—to recruit you. A peerless genius not seen for three thousand years! Better than winning over several Golden Core patriarchs!"
Fang Han smiled faintly.
"So you do have sharp eyes. I waved the artifact on purpose. If you couldn't recognize it, you would not be worthy to compete for the throne. Your information network would be far too behind."
"Then I've passed your test," Prince Yi said, relieved. "You're one of the most renowned talents among the Ten Immortal Sects—second only to the famed Exquisite Immortal Sovereign from three millennia ago. Rumors say you and the Starfire young master accomplished a great deed in the Five Elements Star Region. When I saw the bangle, I understood.
"And yes… your enmity with Taiyi Sect is known. You killed two of their Golden Core experts—Zhao Xuanyi and Song Weiyi."
"You know of that?" Fang Han raised a brow.
"I bought the information last month from the Six Paths Alliance. One hundred million elixirs."
"One hundred million?" Fang Han nearly cursed aloud.
This empire sold pills, artifacts—and news?
And they sold his news?
Disgusting.
"So," he said coldly, "do you still dare let me support you?"
Prince Yi's smile turned razor-sharp.
"Hua Tiandu supports my older brother. Why should I fear having you support me? Among more than a hundred princes, I've reached the Heavenly Human Realm, placing me in the top twenty. The throne is not beyond reach."
His eyes glinted with ambition.
"Now that I know who you are—I trust you. Tell me. If you fully support me, what do you want?"
"What do I want?" Fang Han's smile sharpened.
"First, the Nirvana Pill. But in these next three days… I need Nine Yang Holy Water. A lot of it.
"A tremendous amount, Prince Yi.
Do you understand what I mean?"
His tongue brushed his lips.
His eyes gleamed with calculated hunger.