Free Web NovelChapter 265: Chapter 264: Flowing Wind Shadowless Step, Perfection
SHIING—
The Flowing Wind Sword slid silently from its sheath. Its dark cyan blade quivered, letting out a low hum.
Fang Han began to practice the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting, move by move, based on the insights in his mind.
The flashes of his sword were swifter and fiercer than before.
His comprehension of "speed and ferocity" had reached a deeper level after testing it against Su Yu’s Flute Technique.
He was no longer limited to the superficial transformations of the Sword Techniques, but was beginning to touch upon the fundamental principles of heaven and earth they contained.
For a time, the courtyard was filled with flying sword shadows and a chilling Sword Qi, yet it all possessed a strange, rhythmic quality.
It was like a summer thunderclap—explosive, swift, and devastatingly powerful, yet it also blended into the world around it.
As he delved deeper into his practice, Fang Han became completely immersed. His mind and Sword Intent merged, and his understanding of the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting deepened at a visible rate.
His Swordsmanship realm at the Minor Achievement Level grew increasingly stable, and he steadily advanced toward an even higher level.
When he finished the final Sword Technique, the Flowing Wind Sword let out a clear, satisfied cry before returning to its sheath.
Fang Han slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his breathing long and steady. A hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
After digesting his experiences, his Swordsmanship had clearly made significant progress. Although he hadn’t broken through to Mastery, its power and application had risen a notch compared to before the battle.
’I’ve digested the insights for my Swordsmanship. Next up is my Body Technique.’
After regulating his breathing for a moment, Fang Han’s gaze sharpened, and he turned his attention to his Body Technique.
It had been over two months since his Flowing Wind Shadowless Step had reached the Great Success Realm.
Compared to his Swordsmanship Talent, which was enhanced by Sword-shaped Grass and had a 128-fold multiplier, his Stepping Talent only had a 64-fold multiplier and no corresponding Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to improve it. His Cultivation progress was indeed much slower.
But a 64-fold multiplier was still nothing to scoff at. After two months of relentless, bitter cultivation, combined with the tempering of actual combat, he was only a paper-thin barrier away from the Realm of Perfection.
And in his battle with Su Yu, facing those all-pervasive soundwave attacks and the unpredictable shadows of her flute, he had pushed his Flowing Wind Shadowless Step to its absolute limit.
Dodging and weaving within inches of danger, he had gained a profound feeling for the concepts of "Transforming Solid into Void" and "Melt into the Wind."
WHOOSH—!
Fang Han took a deep breath. Inner Qi flowed naturally through his body, pouring into the meridians of his legs as the Heart Method Mantra of the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step surfaced clearly in his mind.
He tapped his toes lightly on the ground, and his figure blurred into motion.
At first, he moved a bit slowly, as if savoring and contemplating each of the perilous dodges from his battle. The transitions between his steps carried a unique charm.
Gradually, his speed began to increase. His figure became faster and more blurry.
His footwork was unpredictable, subtly aligning with a certain rhythm of heaven and earth, blending perfectly with the surrounding airflow.
His ability to draw upon and control the Wind Momentum quietly improved.
In his mind, the moments from his fight with Su Yu—where he had used his footwork to evade soundwave attacks and flute shadows by a hair’s breadth—flashed by like a film reel, and everything clicked into place.
Many crucial points that had once seemed obscure were now suddenly clear.
HUMMM—
Suddenly, Fang Han’s figure paused for an instant, then abruptly accelerated!
A faint hum, as if he had become one with the wind, emanated from within his body.
In that instant, the airflow around him seemed to come alive, coiling around his legs as his speed soared!
As he moved, the afterimages he left behind were solid and difficult to distinguish. His aura merged almost perfectly with his surroundings, reducing his presence to a minimum.
With a single step, he seemed to melt into the wind, vanishing without a shadow, without a trace.
A feeling of seamless perfection and effortless control washed over him.
’Flowing Wind Shadowless Step, Perfection!’
Fang Han slowly came to a halt, standing in the courtyard. He felt the unprecedented lightness and explosive power in his legs, and the profound realm of melting into the world and vanishing without a trace whenever he moved.
At the Perfection Level, the speed, agility, and stealth of the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step had taken a qualitative leap compared to the Great Success stage.
His life-saving ability and combat mobility had once again increased dramatically.
As he stopped his Body Technique cultivation, a trace of helplessness appeared on Fang Han’s face amidst his joy.
Achieving Perfection in the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step... was naturally a good thing.
However, his original plan had been to travel abroad after the birthday banquet, not returning to the Sect immediately. He wanted to use the opportunity to seek his fortune and see if he could find any lucky encounters to speed up his accumulation of wealth.
But now that the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step had reached Perfection, there was no room for further advancement.
If he wanted to maintain his advantage in Body Technique, exchanging for a higher-Grade, more profound, top-level Body Technique was now an urgent matter.
’Looks like I have to return to the Sect first after all.’
Fang Han sighed softly, suppressing the impulse to immediately set out and explore.
Cultivation Techniques were fundamental. Increasing his strength was the only true path. His travels in search of opportunities would have to be postponed for a few days.
The Zhang Family’s birthday banquet was over, and the delegations from the various factions began their return journeys one after another.
The group from the Qingxuan Sect, led by Shen Moyan, boarded their carriage, left the bustling Commandery City, and set off on the road home.
The journey was uneventful. Traveling at full speed, they returned safely to the Qingxuan Sect several days later.
At the mountain gate, the group went their separate ways.
Shen Moyan offered a few words of encouragement to the three of them before heading straight to the Sect Leader’s Hall to report.
Luo Bingyun and Qin Hao also bid farewell to Fang Han and returned to their respective residences.
Fang Han returned to Villa No. 35 in the True Inheritance Courtyard. The first thing he did was take out his Identity Token and infuse it with a wisp of Inner Qi to check his Contribution Points.
After receiving this month’s Contribution Point reward at the beginning of the month, his points had reached 29,050. He spent 400 points to exchange for four bottles of True Spirit Pills, bringing his total down to 28,650.
Adding the 3,000-point reward for this Sect assignment, the number on his Token now read—31,650 points.
Over thirty thousand Contribution Points was a huge sum, more than enough to exchange for a top-level Body Technique.
After bathing and changing, washing away the dust of the road and putting on a clean Silver-Striped Cyan Robe, Fang Han felt refreshed and revitalized.
He took out the fine "Cloud Mist Tea" he had carefully selected in the Commandery City, placed it in a Brocade Box, and carried it out of his villa, heading toward the Sub-Branch.
It had been some time since he had become a True Inheritor and moved out of the Sub-Branch. It was time to go back and visit Elder Chen Xuan, who had taken such good care of him in the past.
Walking along the familiar bluestone path, the scenery on both sides was the same, but Fang Han’s state of mind and status were now completely different.
"Senior Brother Fang."
"True Inheritor Fang."
The Sub-Branch disciples he met along the way all showed expressions of awe upon seeing him from a distance. They stopped in their tracks and bowed, their attitudes incredibly respectful.
Unlike the curious, jealous, or distant gazes of the past, now there was only pure reverence and admiration in these disciples’ eyes.
After bowing, many disciples secretly glanced up at Fang Han, their expressions complex and filled with indescribable regret.
Back then, although Fang Han’s performance had been stunning, he had, after all, offended the Celestial Pride True Inheritance, Chu Feng. To avoid getting into trouble, they had kept their distance from him, whether openly or covertly.
Who could have imagined that in just over a year, Fang Han would soar to the heavens, not only becoming a True Inheritor but also ascending to the Celestial Pride List, becoming an existence they could only look up to.
Now, thinking of trying to befriend and curry favor with him, they had already missed the best opportunity. How could they not be filled with regret?
Fang Han was well aware of their gazes and thoughts, but he paid them no mind.
His expression was calm and his pace unhurried. He gave a slight nod to the disciples who bowed to him along the way and didn’t spare them a second glance, continuing straight toward the Inheritance Hall.
When he arrived at the Inheritance Hall, the servant disciple on duty saw Fang Han and hurried forward to bow respectfully.
"Senior Brother Fang, what brings you here? Are you here to see Elder Chen?"
"Yes. Is Elder Chen in the hall?"
Fang Han asked.
"He is, he is! The Elder is tasting tea in the rear courtyard. Senior Brother, please follow me."
The servant disciple quickly stepped aside to lead the way, his attitude eager.
They passed through the front hall and arrived at the rear courtyard.
There, under a vigorous old pine tree, Elder Chen Xuan was sitting on a stone stool, holding a book scroll. On the stone table before him sat a pot of clear tea, its fragrance wafting through the air.
Hearing footsteps, Elder Chen Xuan looked up. When he saw Fang Han, a gentle smile appeared on his placid face.
"Fang Han? What brings you back to the Sub-Branch? Quickly, sit."
He set down his book scroll and pointed to the stone stool opposite him.
"Disciple has returned from his trip and came especially to pay his respects to you, Elder."
Fang Han took a few steps forward, bowed in salute, and placed the Brocade Box he was holding on the stone table.
"I heard that the Elder has a fondness for tea. Disciple happened upon some Cloud Mist Tea in the Commandery City and brought it for you to sample."
"You thoughtful child."
A trace of surprise flashed in Elder Chen Xuan’s eyes, which quickly turned to gratification. He gently opened the Brocade Box, sniffed the tea’s aroma, and nodded in praise.
"The aroma is clear and subtle. It is indeed Top Grade."
He had the servant disciple on duty fetch a tea set and personally brewed two cups of tea, pushing one toward Fang Han.
"Try it. This is this year’s new tea."
Fang Han accepted it with both hands and took a small sip. It was slightly astringent at first, but the aftertaste was sweet and mellow, leaving a lingering fragrance in his mouth.
"Good tea."
"I heard that in the Commandery City, you defeated both Qin Xiaoran of the Netherworld Pavilion and Su Yu of the Tingyu Building, bringing prestige to our Qingxuan Sect. Well done."
Elder Chen Xuan said slowly as he sipped his tea, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
Although Fang Han had only just returned to the Sect, news of his exploits had already spread back.
"It was all thanks to the Sect’s nurturing and the Elder’s past teachings."
Fang Han said humbly.
"Neither arrogant nor impatient. Very good."
Elder Chen Xuan nodded in satisfaction.
"The path of the Martial Dao is long and arduous. You must not lose your way over temporary gains or losses. Although you have now ascended the Celestial Pride List, you must remember that there is always someone better, a heaven beyond the heavens. You must continue to cultivate diligently."
"Disciple will remember the Elder’s teachings."
Fang Han replied solemnly.
The old man and the young man sat under the pine tree, sipping tea and chatting idly. Mostly, Elder Chen Xuan asked about Fang Han’s recent situation, occasionally offering a few pointers on crucial aspects of cultivation. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant.
He didn’t stay too long. After about an hour, Fang Han rose to take his leave.
Elder Chen Xuan personally walked him to the entrance of the hall, watching him leave with eyes full of expectation.
After leaving the Inheritance Hall, Fang Han thought for a moment and turned toward the Disciple Residence area.
Arriving at Xiao Chen’s residence, he happened to see Xiao Chen just as he was walking out.
"Brother Xiao."
Fang Han called out.
Xiao Chen looked up at the sound of his voice. He was startled to see Fang Han, then a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face.
But soon, a subtle trace of restraint mixed in with his surprise.
He hurried forward, cupped his fists in salute, and spoke with a tone of reverence.
"Fang... Senior Brother Fang, what brings you here?"
The Fang Han of today was a True Disciple, ranked on the Celestial Pride List. His status was now as different from Xiao Chen’s as the clouds are from the mud.
Even though they had been on good terms in the past, Xiao Chen couldn’t help but feel a sense of pressure.
