Although the Netherworld Diagram had yet to evolve the legendary "Bridge of No Return," Fang Han was satisfied with one outcome—Yan's power had grown considerably. The little spirit could now wield more auxiliary magic: disguises, concealment arts, and various minor spells that allowed Fang Han to better mask his identity from those with sharp divine senses.
Even though Fang Han had already revealed his status to Prince Yi, he still wore the illusion of the Sea Mirage Qi Art. Showing his true face in front of a prince was far too risky; a single water-type divine ability could record his features forever. Such evidence would be impossible to erase later. Caution was mandatory.
Three days passed in a flash during his cultivation.
At dawn of the third day, Prince Yi arrived with more than thirty cultivators he had personally recruited. The likes of True Person Xiaoyue, True Person Xianji, True Person Liangshan, and True Person Xihua—who previously treated Fang Han with distant courtesy—now greeted him with complete respect. Strength was one reason, but his connection to one of the Ten Great Immortal Gates was the true deterrent. For loose cultivators, the Ten Gates were towering mountains they dared not even look up at directly.
"Daoist Friend," Prince Yi said warmly the moment he saw Fang Han, "today is the third day—the Treasure Auction at Nine-Cauldron Pavilion. We should head there early. You must obtain Nirvana Pills, and I still need suitable gifts for Madam Linglong's birthday. My rivals will be there too. I'll need you to help me hold the stage—and teach some people a lesson."
"Naturally," Fang Han replied with a smile. "One must deliver when one accepts payment."
He rose, sleeves snapping like thunder. A faint demonic aura shrouded him, laced with pure starlight—neither righteous nor evil—making his origin utterly unreadable.
The entire entourage lifted into the sky, heading toward Nine-Cauldron Pavilion.
The air above the city bustled with cultivators, but when they saw Prince Yi's procession, they all cleared out instantly. Anyone who had lived in Xuanhuang City for even a short time knew this was a prince's grand retinue—something one should avoid provoking at all costs.
Suddenly, a seven-colored rainbow streaked toward them from the distance. Its aura was overwhelming—stronger than Prince Yi's—and atop the rainbow stood forty to fifty cultivators.
"A Golden Core expert!"
"A true ancient prodigy!"
"That's Prince Sa's group! We need to move aside—if we irritate them, disaster will fall instantly."
Lower-level cultivators panicked, descending to the ground to avoid being accidentally obliterated.
During his days in Xuanhuang City, Fang Han had carefully observed the city's scale—it was staggering. Even though Prince Yi's residence and Nine-Cauldron Pavilion were in the same city, they were still thousands of miles apart. The population was just as astonishing: loose cultivators, inner-sect disciples of major sects, martial grandmasters from mortal kingdoms seeking immortality, nobles of the Great Xuan Empire, merchants, hidden demon kings, and even great Asura of Earth and Abyss.
It was the most complex mix of inhabitants he had ever seen.
Yet despite this diversity, the city remained orderly. Hidden guardians of the empire enforced its rules with terrifying power.
"Hahaha! Prince Yi, my twenty-fourth brother!"
A man in imperial yellow robes stood at the front of the seven-colored rainbow, his hawk-like eyes exuding predatory ambition. "I hear you've been recruiting. Planning to bring gifts to Madam Linglong as well? I'm quite curious what you've prepared. Oh, right—ten days from now, Father and the elders will open an ancient relic to test us princes. I wonder if my dear younger brother will be able to find a treasure inside."
Prince Yi smiled politely. "Eighteenth Brother, Azure Ram Patriarch—well met. As for the relic, I am aware. We princes will eventually have to enter it. But rumor has it the relic is extremely dangerous. I only hope you won't fall inside it."
"Heh… hahahaha!"
The shrill laughter came from the old man beside Prince Sa—the Azure Ram Patriarch. His thin frame, goat-beard, and sharp aura made him instantly recognizable as a Golden Core master. "With me protecting Prince Sa, what danger is there? And Sa has reached the sixth level of Divine Ability—Unity Realm! One step from forming a Golden Core. Today, we're here to buy Nirvana Pills. Once he condenses his core, he'll be among the top ten princes!"
His eyes turned venomous.
"Prince Yi, I thought you had obtained some real experts. But it seems you've only gathered a pile of rabble. Xiaoyue! Come over here and join Prince Sa. Otherwise, don't blame my Azure Ram Sect for wiping out your Xiaoyue Mountain!"
A naked threat.
Even in front of Prince Yi, the Azure Ram Patriarch dared to openly poach his subordinates. But as a Golden Core master—something even major sects respected—his arrogance was considered "reasonable."
Xiaoyue's face turned pale. His eyes darted toward Fang Han in silent plea.
"Fang Han," Prince Yi transmitted, "help me regain some face."
"Hmph. A goat demon who stumbled upon some lucky chance dares to parade around instead of hiding away to cultivate? Truly courting death."
Fang Han stepped forward.
He wore a black cloak—born from Abyssal demonic energy—its inky surface speckled with starlight, giving him an aura both sinister and celestial.
"You little wretch—seeking death?"
The Azure Ram Patriarch exploded with fury. Revered for decades, he had never tolerated disrespect from juniors.
Everyone could sense Fang Han hadn't formed a Golden Core. A true Golden Core cultivator radiated a distinct, flawless aura—like a spinning vajra jewel.
"Die!"
The Patriarch flicked his fingers, launching five azure pellets—his signature Azure Spirit Thunder Orbs. Each one could shatter treasures and reduce flesh to pulp.
But—
Fang Han flicked his sleeve.
All five orbs vanished into his robe as if swallowed by the sea.
Before anyone could blink, Fang Han's figure blurred—gone.
A fraction of a millisecond later:
CRACK!
He appeared beside the patriarch and delivered a slap.
The Azure Ram Patriarch's massive frame flew like a rag doll. His protective treasures didn't even have time to activate.
Blood sprayed. Several teeth followed.
"You— you insolent—"
"Who's insolent?"
CRACK!
Another slap. Faster than thought. The patriarch couldn't even dodge. Blood dripped from his nose as stars danced before his eyes.
A Golden Core expert—reduced to this?
The onlookers stared in disbelief.
Roaring in humiliation, the patriarch unleashed his full power. A golden orb rose from his crown—his life-bound Golden Core. Thirteen divine abilities swirled within it, its aura fierce and violent. It expanded protectively around him as he prepared to counterattack.
Useless.
Fang Han appeared beside him again—silent as a shadow.
His left hand burned with abyssal fire, lightning, star-glow, and five-colored light. It tore through the patriarch's layered defenses and seized the Golden Core directly.
The orb trembled, swelling in alarm—but when the Abyssal Qi touched it, its radiance dimmed instantly. It became nothing more than a bead in Fang Han's palm.
He plucked it free.
In the next instant, Fang Han stood calmly beside Prince Yi again, casually rolling the Golden Core between his fingers.
"What a waste," he said. "Only thirteen divine abilities, and six were forced after forming the core. Not even properly refined. Even if it exploded, it wouldn't cause much damage."
Before everyone's stunned eyes, he slipped the Golden Core into his pouch.
"AHHH—!"
The Azure Ram Patriarch screamed as his body plummeted. Without his Golden Core, he couldn't even maintain flight. Only Prince Sa's rainbow saved him from falling to his death.
A Golden Core master—crippled in a heartbeat.
The crowd was struck silent.
"Eighteenth Brother, Prince Sa." Prince Yi spoke at last, face composed though his heart was bursting with delight. "It seems the expert you recruited wasn't very impressive after all."
Inside, Prince Yi was ecstatic.
Fang Han is this powerful? He snatched a Golden Core bare-handed! Without forming a core himself! This… is he an ancient demon god reborn? A natural divine powerhouse?
He could barely contain his excitement.