By the time Bai Zihan’s carriage soared through the clouds, news of his actions at the Mei Clan had already spread like wildfire throughout the Heaven Sword Sect and beyond.
“Did you hear? Bai Zihan reached the Late Golden Core Stage!”
“Not just that—he killed Mo Yichen, the rising star who was said to have defeated three Golden Core Stage cultivators alone!”
“What? Mo Yichen? But he was known as a genius with incredible potential! Even the Sect was looking to recruit him.”
“He wasn’t just killed. Rumor says Bai Zihan practically destroyed the entire Mei Clan in his rampage!”
“It’s because of Mei Rulan, isn’t it? Damn, who told her to offend this devil!”
…
It didn’t take long for the rumors to mutate and evolve, growing wilder with each retelling.
Some were true, while others were just exaggerations like Bai Zihan destroying the Mei Clan.
Although what he did was akin to destroying the Mei Clan, he did show mercy and only half of their clan members had their cultivation crippled.
In any case, people were interested in hearing about Bai Zihan due to his growing infamy.
First, he already had a notorious reputation, with many blaming him for using his status and misconduct.
Then came the incident involving Shen Liang, where he single-handedly crippled one of the Heaven Sword Sect’s geniuses and even got several elders in trouble.
Now, there were rumors of him destroying an entire clan just because one of their members offended him.
Surprisingly, this wasn’t the most shocking part. Given his reputation, such violence was almost expected.
The real shock was the claim that he had reached the Late Golden Core Stage!
Who wouldn’t be stunned if someone who was once considered a waste—believed to be at the Core Formation Stage—suddenly turned out to be at the Late Golden Core Stage?
Even those who knew he was in the Core Condensation Stage were shocked when they heard he had broken through to the Late Golden Core Stage.
***
Bai Xinyue was training as usual when this news reached her ears.
“What?”
Even the always cool and composed Bai Xinyue couldn’t keep her face straight when she heard the news.
“That can’t be right!”
She muttered, remembering Bai Zihan—someone who slacked off at every turn and only seemed to know how to bully others.
And now she was supposed to believe that this same person was at the same cultivation level as her?
Her? Who had spent the last few years solely focusing on her cultivation and nothing else?
“Could it be that my Dao Bone helped him?”
That was the only plausible explanation she could think of.
The Dao Bone that he had stolen from her must have boosted his cultivation, despite the rumors claiming it was ineffective.
She concluded that all of those rumors must have been fabricated by the Bai Clan to cover for Bai Zihan, who had gained her talent to shield him from their enemies.
“Hmph! No matter, I will reclaim what is rightfully mine.”
She wasn’t truly afraid of his strength, even though she was shocked.
It simply made Bai Zihan move on her list from “weakling” to “slightly stronger,” but he still wasn’t considered a major opponent.
***
The wind howled as Bai Zihan’s carriage descended through the clouds, landing gracefully in the spacious landing spot of Heaven Sword Sect.
Before his boots even touched the ground, a figure in Inner Disciple robes stepped forward, his expression caught between respectful and annoyed.
Following him were four other people who were all dressed in Inner Disciple robes.
Bai Zihan raised an eyebrow, not recognizing him.
Well, Heaven Sword Sect was quite vast, and he had only been here for a few months—most of which were spent cultivating.
So it was normal for him not to recognize most of the disciples, even if they were quite famous.
“Junior Brother Bai Zihan, welcome back!”
The disciple cupped his fists, a smile on his face.
“I am Yuan Jie! May I have a few words with you?”
Yuan Jie asked politely. He straightened, his gaze cautiously observing Bai Zihan’s reaction.
Bai Zihan nodded simply because he seemed to be quite polite and also the fact that he had nothing to do.
“Senior Brother Han Zhenwu has heard of your return and wishes to meet with you.”
Bai Zihan raised an eyebrow, looking at Yuan Jie with mild confusion.
(Han Zhenwu? Who the hell is that?)
Bai Zihan thought.
The other disciples nearby seemed to expect him to react with joy at such an opportunity, but to Bai Zihan, this was just another random name.
“Han Zhenwu?”
He said, his tone utterly blank.
“Who?”
For a moment, Yuan Jie’s confident smile cracked, his eyes widening slightly.
“Who…? It’s Senior Brother Han Zhenwu!”
Yuan Jie quickly explained, his voice rising slightly with disbelief.
“Senior Brother Han is one of the top Core Disciples of our Heaven Sword Sect! Known for his exceptional swordsmanship and profound cultivation! He is also the son of Elder Han, one of the esteemed elders of our sect.”
“Oh!”
Bai Zihan’s expression didn’t change.
But he did recognize the name of Elder Han—who is said to be the leader of the Anti-Sect Leader faction.
Yuan Jie was caught between shock and confusion.
(Did this guy really not know who Han Zhenwu was, or was he just pretending?)
“Uh… well, anyway, Senior Brother Han would like to have a word with you. Would you be willing to come with me?”
Yuan Jie continued, trying to maintain his composure.
Bai Zihan leaned lazily against his carriage, a faint, mocking smile tugging at his lips.
“He wants to see me? Then why isn’t he here himself?”
Yuan Jie’s polite smile stiffened.
“Senior Brother Han is busy with his cultivation, so he sent me to invite you—”
“Busy with his cultivation?”
Bai Zihan cut him off, letting out a sarcastic chuckle.
“Busy enough to send a lackey to call for me like a dog?”
Yuan Jie’s face darkened.
“Watch your—!”
The disciple almost lashed out, but then he remembered Han Zhenwu’s strict warning to not offend Bai Zihan.
Bai Zihan leaned forward, his voice low and mocking.
“If your ’Senior Brother’ wants to see me, he can get off his ass and come here himself. I don’t have the hobby of doing favors for nothing.”
“You—!”
Yuan Jie’s face flushed with anger, but he clenched his teeth and took a deep breath, barely maintaining his composure.
“I understand. I will pass your message to Senior Brother Han.”
He forced out, turning and walking away with a stiff back, fists clenched tightly.
Bai Zihan watched him leave, a faint smile playing at his lips.
“Core Disciple? Son of an Elder?” He sneered.
“Why do they all think I’d kiss their ass just because of that?”
He shook his head, his mood already shifting back to indifference.
He didn’t think much about this encounter and made his way towards his courtyard.
