Ding!
[Notification: 10x Cultivation Speed Card (30 Days) has expired.]
Bai Zihan’s eyes slowly opened.
Golden light swirled in his irises for a moment before fading.
His once-silent courtyard now brimmed with a residual, storm-like aura—an aftershock of the past month’s madness.
He exhaled, long and deep.
It felt like an entire lifetime had passed. And yet, at the same time… not even a blink.
“Damn!”
Bai Zihan muttered, rubbing his temples.
“That speed card was crack.”
Going from riding lightning bolts in the heavens to dragging his ass across the dirt again—yeah, that part stung.
His cultivation had skyrocketed. From the Mid Core Condensation Stage to the very brink of Nascent Soul.
His Supreme Dao Bone, paired with the Myriad Breathing Technique and pills worth more than some sects’ entire treasuries, had done the impossible.
He felt like a different person.
More than that—he was a different person.
And yet now… the rush was gone. Like from Flying in the sky to crawling on the ground.
Still, he wasn’t going to complain. Not when the results spoke for themselves.
“System,” he murmured, stretching his arms lazily, “status!”
*************************
[ Host Info ]
Host: Bai Zihan
Age: 16
Cultivation Realm: Golden Core (Late)
Constitution: Supreme Dao Bone
Martial Arts: Nine Shadows Flowing Light Sword (Minor Mastery)
*************************
“…Almost broke through to Nascent Soul,” Bai Zihan muttered with a satisfied smirk.
“Another week and I might’ve done it.”
Having the 10x Cultivation Speed Card, Supreme Dao Bone, and Myriad Breathing Technique was too much of a cheat.
Using them together was like flying through heaven without even trying.
It had already exceeded his expectations—and unexpectedly, he’d reached the Late Stage of the Golden Core Realm.
He’d only hoped to touch the Golden Core Stage, but he’d completely underestimated what the Supreme Dao Bone could do.
It was like strapping jet engines to a horse-drawn carriage. Like going from riding a donkey to piloting a jet.
He came out of his courtyard and looked toward the sky.
It was a sunny afternoon, with birds chirping and spiritual beasts roaring faintly in the distance.
The usual peace.
“Time to check what’s been going on while I was cultivating.”
He was curious to see whether the Shen Clan had responded—or if they were pretending like nothing had happened.
Had the Bai Clan managed to convince Bai Xinyue to return?
He stepped out of the training chamber, robes fluttering in the breeze.
“Should I call for Fang Jinyan or Kong Zhanhong?”
He smirked.
“Let’s just call for both!”
***
It hadn’t even been five minutes since Bai Zihan sent the summons.
Yet both Fang Jinyan and Kong Zhanhong arrived like they’d been camping outside his courtyard, just waiting for the call.
The two young men all but sprinted into the pavilion, robes barely smoothed down, faces wearing wide, practiced smiles.
“Young Master!”
They spoke in unison, nearly tripping over each other in their enthusiasm.
“You’re both quick.”
Kong Zhanghong clasped his fists with a respectful bow, grinning.
“We would’ve arrived sooner, but didn’t want to disturb your cultivation.”
Fang Jinyan added quickly, “Yes! We were outside—er, nearby! Just in case you needed anything!”
Both of them were practically radiating ass-kissing energy, their eagerness so strong it was almost visible in the air.
Kong Zhanhong was even more fired up—now there was competition for his role.
And not just anyone: Senior Brother Fang Jinyan, who was just as eager to kiss Bai Zihan’s ass.
He couldn’t afford to lose. He was set on becoming the greatest bootlicker in sect history.
“Young Master, congratulations on your cultivation! Your aura was radiating from afar—it felt like a Nascent Soul elder had descended! And the way you handled that bastard Shen Liang? Absolutely legendary! Word of your achievement is spreading throughout the Desolate Heaven Empire.”
Kong Zhanhong went on, tone full of awe.
“It’s a pity I wasn’t there to see Shen Liang get crippled. This is my biggest regret!”
Bai Zihan just nodded, then turned to Fang Jinyan, who had been waiting patiently for his turn.
But how could he compete with veterans like Kong Zhanhong?
All he could do was watch as Kong Zhanhong went far and beyond to shovel praise.
“Fang Jinyan,” Bai Zihan said calmly, sipping his tea.
“You did well before. For that…”
He tossed a small pouch forward.
Fang Jinyan caught it mid-air and opened it—his pupils shrank.
“Ten… these are—”
“High-tier Golden Essence Pills,” Bai Zihan cut in, waving a hand.
“Your reward.”
Fang Jinyan immediately knelt and bowed, eyes shining.
“Many thanks, Young Master!”
Kong Zhanhong twitched slightly but didn’t say a word. He wasn’t stupid—he knew he hadn’t earned anything. Yet.
Bai Zihan let the moment hang, then set his cup down with a soft clink.
“Alright. Let’s get to business.”
His voice was calm but commanding. The mood shifted instantly.
“What’s been happening in the sect while I was in seclusion? Give me everything major.”
Kong Zhanhong immediately stepped up, scroll already in hand like he’d been waiting for this moment.
“Yes, Young Master. Here’s the breakdown of recent events.”
Lin Xuan’s Heaven-grade Dao Resonance Mirror result was still dominating all sect discussions. His rise had turned him into the sect’s new golden boy.
Bai Zihan’s own reputation had also surged. Once dismissed as a waste, many were now reevaluating him.
Some still clung to the idea that he was just a better schemer than cultivator—but respect for him had undeniably grown.
Of course, Kong Zhanhong had his own take.
“In my humble opinion, Young Master’s brilliance surpasses even the empire’s Prime Minister! Your strategies are divine. The greatest mind in the world!”
Kong Zhanghong didn’t miss any chance to shower Bai Zihan with compliments.
Next came the matter of Shen Liang. He’d been punished and sent to a reflection cave—but word was, he’d be out soon.
There were already whispers that he planned to leave the Heaven Sword Sect entirely.
Bai Zihan’s eyes narrowed at that last part.
“And the Shen Clan?”
He asked coldly.
This time, Fang Jinyan stepped forward.
“They’re keeping their official stance. No public retaliation. But I’ve heard whispers—Shen Liang’s uncle, Elder Shen, has been meeting privately with Elder He and a few others from the Anti-Sect Leader Faction. They haven’t made any moves yet.”
“Hmm…”
Bai Zihan tapped the rim of his cup.
“So they’re not stupid enough to act openly… yet.”
Which only meant they were definitely scheming something behind the scenes.
There was no way they wouldn’t.
The Shen Clan could either swallow their pride or retaliate.
But retaliation would spell their doom—and Bai Zihan didn’t think they were that dumb, even if Shen Liang was.
They might try to rally allies. The Li Clan, the Zhao Clan, perhaps even neutral forces.
And the Anti-Sect Leader Faction? After losing face and one of their own elders, they were weakened.
If they couldn’t recover from that loss, their ambitions were dead in the water.
Their only shot was to rope in someone powerful from the neutral side… or find a way to make the Sect Leader’s faction lose someone of equal weight.
Either way, they had to act soon.
Otherwise, they would just get crushed by the Sect Leader’s Faction.