CLANG—!

Fist and sword clashed brazenly once more, letting out a colossal bang far deeper and more violent than before!

Qi Force exploded from the point of impact. A visible ripple spread out, kicking up dust three feet into the air.

Both Fang Han and the black-clad youth shuddered, each sliding back several steps to dissipate the immense force and stabilize themselves.

’This person’s strength is on a completely different level from the other four. He’s extremely tricky!’

The arm Fang Han used to hold his sword was slightly numb, and his Cyan Blade Sword trembled incessantly.

The searing, venomous Inner Qi coming from his opponent’s gauntlets was like a maggot burrowing into bone, trying to corrode his meridians. He had to forcibly neutralize it by circulating his Xunfeng Technique.

His gaze was heavy as he stared at his opponent, his heart turning cold.

This black-clad youth was the most difficult opponent of his age he had ever faced.

"Interesting!"

The black-clad youth shook his slightly reddened fists. His eyes, which had held a playful and wicked look, were now astonishingly bright.

Like a hunter who had discovered a rare treasure, he locked his gaze on Fang Han, his eyes surging with undisguised excitement and fighting spirit.

He licked his slightly dry lips, his voice raspy with the excitement of a predator that had found its prey.

"I thought this job would be dreadfully boring. I never expected to meet an opponent like you. You’re more than ten times stronger than those four pieces of trash who couldn’t even make me want to fight!"

He paused, his chin lifted slightly, and announced loudly with the arrogance befitting a genius from a Major Sect,

"I am Mo Yuan, a disciple of the Netherworld Pavilion. You, from the Qingxuan Sect, are worthy of being remembered. State your name!"

His voice was not quiet, and it carried clearly across the entire area.

Not far away, Liu Ye, who had been watching the battle nervously, heard this. Ignoring the insult to her and her companions, her expression changed abruptly as she let out a choked cry.

"Mo Yuan? Is he *the* Mo Yuan who ranked fifth among the Netherworld Pavilion’s new disciples this year? Rumor has it his Fist Technique is vicious and he’s incredibly hard to deal with!"

Sun Ming, Bai Feng, and the others also grew even more solemn.

The Netherworld Pavilion was as famous as the Qingxuan Sect. Ranking fifth among new disciples held significant weight; he was by no means an easy opponent.

Fang Han’s heart stirred as well. ’Fifth among the Netherworld Pavilion’s new disciples... no wonder he’s this strong.’

His expression remained calm as he met Mo Yuan’s burning gaze. He knew there was no point in hiding his identity; with his current ranking in the Sub-Branch, his opponent could easily find out with a little digging.

"Qingxuan Sect, Sub-Branch, Fang Han."

His voice was clear, neither high nor low, yet it possessed a quiet strength of its own.

"Fang Han... Good. I’ll remember you!"

The excitement in Mo Yuan’s eyes intensified, and the intertwining aura of frigid cold and searing heat around him flared up once more.

"The warm-up is over. Now, let me see your true strength!"

"Mo Yuan, although our two Sects have their disagreements, fighting here benefits neither of us. Why not just stop here?"

Fang Han’s brow furrowed slightly. He wasn’t afraid, but his mission was the priority, and he didn’t want any unnecessary complications.

"Stop? I finally meet someone who can fight, and you want me to stop? Fang Han, watch your fist!"

Mo Yuan clearly had no intention of letting it go.

Before his words had even faded, his figure erupted forward again. This time, his speed was greater, his fist’s momentum fiercer.

’Nether Fire Twin Flood Dragons!’

The dark red gauntlets on his fists seemed to come alive. Gloomy flame patterns flowed across them, creating afterimages that looked like two venomous fire flood dragons seeking to devour their prey, striking at Fang Han from above and below.

Before the fists even arrived, the searing, venomous pressure in the air was already making it difficult to breathe.

BZZT—

Fang Han’s eyes turned cold. He knew this battle was unavoidable; his only choice was to fight.

The Late Stage of Ninth Grade Inner Qi in his body surged endlessly. Pushing his Startled Swan Step to its absolute limit, his body swayed like a lotus leaf in the wind, dodging the most ferocious part of the fist strike by a hair’s breadth.

At the same time, his Cyan Blade Sword let out a clear cry as he fully unleashed his Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship, which had reached the Minor Achievement Level.

’Wind Splitting Shadow!’

The glint of his sword was no longer just swift; it now possessed an ultimate focus and penetrating power, as if it could tear the very wind asunder.

The tip of the sword vibrated, transforming into several points of cold starlight that precisely targeted the weak points in Mo Yuan’s Fist Technique and the vital spots on his body.

"Well done!"

Mo Yuan laughed wildly. His fist’s momentum didn’t change as he met attack with attack, refusing to yield an inch.

His Fist Technique was both powerful and treacherous, sometimes wide and sweeping, other times cunning and ruthless. The corrosive power of his Nether Fire Internal Qi constantly tried to interfere with the circulation of Fang Han’s Inner Qi.

The two clashed in fierce battle once again, this time even more dangerous and intense than before! 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

On the field, one could only see a cyan and a black figure rapidly crossing and colliding. The flashes of the sword and shadows of the fists were dazzling.

The clang of metal on metal and the sound of exploding Qi Force were incessant.

The stone slabs on the ground were cracked underfoot and sent flying by the Qi Force, leaving a scene of utter chaos. The onlookers retreated again and again, their faces filled with shock.

Liu Ye, Wang Meng, and the other two gripped their weapons, their palms slick with cold sweat.

They could see that the strength of Fang Han and Mo Yuan far surpassed their own. They were completely unable to intervene in this battle.

’Wind Momentum!’

Fang Han’s mind was highly focused. He integrated the "Wind Momentum" into every transformation of his Swordsmanship, making his Sword Techniques increasingly agile and unpredictable.

He discovered that Mo Yuan’s Inner Qi possessed both searing and frigid properties, making it extremely difficult to deal with. Moreover, his Body Technique was also quite good, always allowing him to narrowly avoid his killing blows.

’He’s even stronger than I expected!’

Mo Yuan, too, was growing more and more surprised as he fought.

He was confident in his exceptional Talent and had rarely met a match among the new disciples of the Netherworld Pavilion.

But he never imagined his opponent’s Swordsmanship would be so exquisite and his Body Technique so slippery. In particular, the "Momentum" contained within the sword could faintly suppress the corrosive effects of his Nether Fire Internal Qi.

CLANG CLANG CLANG—

The intense battle lasted for nearly the time it takes to burn an incense stick. Both of their breathing had become somewhat ragged.

The high-intensity battle was rapidly consuming their Inner Qi and stamina.

’I have to end this and determine a winner as soon as possible!’

Fang Han’s brows knitted together.

Having just entered the Late Stage of Ninth Grade, his reserves of Inner Qi were clearly less than Mo Yuan’s. If the battle of attrition continued, he would likely be defeated.

A winner had to be decided quickly.

In the instant after another fierce exchange, as their figures crossed and separated once again.

A sharp light flashed in Fang Han’s eyes.

’Startled Swan’s Glimpse!’

He tapped his toes forcefully against the ground. A move from his Startled Swan Step erupted, and his speed instantly increased by thirty percent.

His figure cut into Mo Yuan’s center guard like a phantom.

The Cyan Blade Sword transformed into a streak of pale cyan lightning. It no longer sought range, but instead condensed all its power into the very tip of the blade.

SHHNK—!

This strike was so fast it surpassed the limits of the naked eye.

Carrying a decisiveness that could tear through anything, it stabbed straight for Mo Yuan’s left shoulder.

It was not a vital point, but if the strike landed, it would be enough to temporarily rob him of a portion of his combat strength.

Mo Yuan’s pupils shrank. Fang Han’s sudden burst of speed was completely beyond his expectations.

He twisted his body desperately while hastily blocking with his right fist.

PUFF!

The sword tip slashed past. Although the gauntlet blocked most of the force, the sharp edge still tore through the black cloth on Mo Yuan’s shoulder, leaving a three-inch-long gash. Blood instantly gushed out, dyeing his collar red.

Mo Yuan let out a muffled grunt and staggered back several steps. He clutched the wound with his left hand, a look of shock appearing on his face for the first time.

He was extremely confident in his own strength, but he never thought he would be the first to be injured and put at a disadvantage.

"Mo Yuan!"

The other four Netherworld Pavilion disciples were shocked by the sight. They immediately rushed forward to shield Mo Yuan, staring at Fang Han with utmost vigilance. With their weapons drawn, the atmosphere instantly became tense and hostile again.

Mo Yuan stared intently at Fang Han, fighting spirit still swirling in his eyes. It seemed he wanted to continue the battle.

"Mo Yuan, the mission is what’s important!"

A slightly older Netherworld Pavilion disciple urged him in a low, anxious voice.

"We shouldn’t linger here!"

Mo Yuan’s expression flickered. He glanced at the wound on his shoulder, then took a long, hard look at Fang Han, who stood holding his sword, his breathing slightly ragged but his gaze still serene. Finally, he forcibly suppressed the urge to attack.

"Fang Han... I will remember this sword strike from today!"

His voice carried undisguised determination.

"The next time we meet, I will surely repay this!"

After speaking, he wasted no more time and gave his four companions a meaningful look.

The five Netherworld Pavilion disciples retreated swiftly, their movements clean and decisive, and soon vanished into the crowd at the street corner.

Fang Han did not stop them, merely watching silently as they disappeared.

Although he had gained a slight upper hand, if all five of them fought to the death, he had no confidence he could keep them there. On the contrary, it might put Liu Ye and the others in danger.

Besides, during a mission, it was better to have less trouble than more.

He slowly sheathed his sword, calming the roiling Inner Qi within his body.

The battle with Mo Yuan had taken a significant toll, but it had also given him a clearer understanding of his own strength and a new layer of insight into the use of his Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship.

"Fang Han, are you alright?"

Liu Ye and the other three quickly gathered around, asking with concern.

"I’m fine. I just used up a lot of Inner Qi."

Fang Han shook his head, looked at the chaotic marketplace, and said to Liu Ye,

"Senior Sister Liu, could you please communicate with the Xu Family and compensate the owners of these damaged stalls for their losses? I will cover the costs."

"Why should you be the one to pay? We caused this conflict. The two of us will handle the compensation."

Sun Ming and Bai Feng quickly interjected.

Fang Han didn’t refuse. After all, he had only come to save them. Logically and reasonably, there was no reason for him to be the one to pay for damages.

After what had happened, the five of them were no longer in the mood to wander around. With the Xu Family’s help, they settled the compensation matters and returned to the Xu Mansion together.

At the evening banquet, the Xu Family Patriarch, Xu Rong, was effusively enthusiastic, frequently proposing toasts.

Fang Han could feel Xu Rong’s gaze lingering on him several times. Compared to when they first met, there was now a subtle, scrutinizing quality to it.

’He must have heard the details of the earlier battle from the Xu Family servants.’

After the banquet ended, Fang Han returned to the elegant guest room the Xu Family had arranged for him.

He had just sat down to regulate his breathing when a soft knock came from the door.

"Young Master Fang, this old servant, Xu Yan, has come to see you under the Patriarch’s orders."

A respectful voice sounded.

"Come in."

Fang Han opened his eyes, a sense of doubt rising in his heart. He got up and opened the door.

A capable-looking, middle-aged man dressed in a housekeeper’s attire walked in. It was the same housekeeper who had been standing behind Xu Rong at the banquet.

He held what appeared to be an ordinary, dark-colored envelope in his hands.

"Housekeeper Xu, what can I do for you, visiting so late at night?"

Fang Han stood up, his gaze falling with suspicion upon the envelope in Xu Yan’s hands.

Xu Yan’s face was wreathed in a humble smile as he offered the envelope with both hands.

"Young Master Fang, my Patriarch has specifically ordered this old servant to deliver a small token of his appreciation. I sincerely hope you will accept it."