Chapter 128: Chapter 127: The Source of Hostility

"I am Lei Lie, the team leader. Everyone is here. Let’s move out."

Just then, a steady voice spoke up.

The speaker was a tall, dark-skinned young man, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. His features were resolute, and his aura was profound, far surpassing everyone else present. He was, in fact, a Seventh Grade Martial Artist.

He didn’t say much, but he possessed a naturally convincing air.

"Yes, Senior Brother Lei."

Everyone answered in unison. Even the disciple named Chu reined in some of his arrogance when facing Lei Lie.

Without further delay, the group used their Body Techniques and sped toward the Spirit Iron Mine.

Lei Lie took the lead. His steps were heavy, thudding on the ground, but his speed was not slow.

Fang Han and the others followed close behind.

Several hours later, the familiar, deep-green mountains came into view once more.

The mine was as busy as ever, but security was clearly much tighter. The patrolling teams of disciples were well-organized.

Lei Lie led Fang Han and the others through the handover process with the guard team that was about to be relieved.

The procedures were handled meticulously, with every record clear and precise.

Fang Han was assigned a stone house next to a few other team members. It was slightly more spacious and tidy than the temporary one he had stayed in as an escort disciple on his last visit.

After dropping off his luggage, he quickly familiarized himself with the patrol routes and shift schedule.

Life settled into a routine.

Each day, Fang Han and his fellow disciples took turns on patrol, inspecting the fences and watchtowers, and keeping an eye on any activity inside and outside the mine.

He spent nearly all his remaining time on Cultivation.

Although the mine was noisy, the stone house he had chosen was in a relatively secluded spot, so he wasn’t disturbed too much.

In the morning, he practiced the Xunfeng Technique, and his Inner Qi grew steadily.

In the forenoon, he practiced the Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship. His Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship was steadily progressing toward the Mastery Realm; he wasn’t far from reaching Mastery.

He had a feeling that he would be able to elevate this Swordsmanship to Mastery during his time guarding the Spirit Iron Mine.

In the afternoon, he practiced the Wind Shadow Step. His Wind Shadow Step was steadily advancing toward Minor Achievement.

As a Middle Grade Stepping Technique with extremely high cultivation difficulty, it was indeed quite challenging to practice. However, with his Stepping Talent amplified by a factor of sixteen, his progress was relatively smooth.

If he wasn’t mistaken, once he cultivated this Step Technique to Minor Achievement, its speed would surpass the Startled Swan Step at the Perfection Realm.

’Chu Chong...’

The peaceful and fulfilling days passed one by one.

The only thing that made Fang Han slightly uncomfortable was the hostile gaze from that disciple in the team.

Whether they were passing each other on patrol or happened to meet in the dining hall, the other’s cold glare always felt like a thorn in his side, and it was becoming less and less concealed.

A few times, Fang Han even noticed the other person seemingly observing his Cultivation, intentionally or not.

He had already found out that this disciple’s name was Chu Chong, which made him think of the True Inheritor, Chu Feng.

He suspected Chu Chong and Chu Feng were relatives. Only a disciple with such a connection would still harbor ill will toward him after the True Inheritor Wang Miao had clearly stood up for him.

「...」

In the early morning at the Spirit Iron Mine, the air was still laced with a slight chill. The faint sound of chiseling already echoed from the distant mine shafts, heralding the start of a new day’s labor.

In a relatively secluded clearing near the edge of the mine, Fang Han slowly practiced the Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship.

In his hand, the Cyan Blade Sword transformed into streaks of pale cyan lightning. The wind from the blade whistled, carrying a tearing intent.

His mind was focused as he carefully comprehended the subtle changes in his Inner Qi during the transitions between Sword Techniques, searching for the opportunity to break through to the Mastery Realm. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Blessed by his sixteen-fold Swordsmanship Talent, his progress with the Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship was quite fast. He had already touched the barrier between Minor Achievement and Mastery.

He had a hunch that his breakthrough was imminent.

’There it is again!’

The faint, almost imperceptible feeling of being watched, clinging to him like a festering wound, broke Fang Han’s focused state of Cultivation.

Fang Han didn’t need to turn around to know the source of the gaze: the very same Chu Chong who held obvious animosity toward him.

Today, the prying gaze wasn’t hidden in a corner as usual. Instead, it carried a sense of drawing steadily closer.

Fang Han’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. With a flick of his wrist, the Cyan Blade Sword traced a perfect arc as he brought it to a resting position.

He turned around, his gaze calm as he watched Chu Chong walk straight toward him.

"Junior Brother Fang, you’re... quite diligent in practicing your Swordsmanship."

Chu Chong’s face wore a deliberately crafted, arrogant expression befitting a ’senior brother’. His pace was unhurried as he stopped about ten feet from Fang Han.

He crossed his arms, looking Fang Han up and down, his voice carrying a condescending, critical tone.

"However, I’m afraid just practicing in a vacuum like this, swinging at thin air, won’t let you truly grasp the essence of Swordsmanship."

"And what brilliant insight might Senior Brother Chu have?"

Fang Han asked coolly, looking at Chu Chong.

’He already understood. Chu Chong couldn’t hold back any longer and was about to make a move.’

’After several days of observation, he must think he’s figured me out and is certain of his victory.’

"The way of Swordsmanship is all about real combat! Without experiencing life-or-death battles, without feeling the pressure of an opponent, no matter how flashy your Swordsmanship is, it’s nothing more than a castle in the sky—it will shatter at the first touch."

"If you want to master Swordsmanship, you have to fight people, you have to temper yourself under pressure. You can’t get good just by burying your head in practice."

Chu Chong continued, speaking in a ’guiding’ tone.

His subtext was none other than: You, Fang Han, are just a fledgling who only knows how to practice with a sword. You lack real combat experience and are nothing to be afraid of.

Just as Fang Han had guessed, he and Chu Feng were kinsmen. It was only through this connection that he had been able to join the Qingxuan Sect.

As for Fang Han, this ’thorn’ who had displeased Chu Feng, Chu Chong naturally held deep animosity. He had long been looking for a chance to teach him a lesson and vent Chu Feng’s frustration.

"Senior Brother Chu is absolutely right."

’Fang Han sneered inwardly, but his face remained calm. Chu Chong’s provocation was playing right into his hands.’

Being watched by that cold gaze during his Cultivation these past few days had truly been vexing.

Although the clearing wasn’t his exclusive property, ordinary disciples would respectfully find another spot if they saw someone already practicing there.

Only this Chu Chong had repeatedly spied on him from nearby, disturbing his peace.

He had been vexed about not having a suitable reason to teach the guy a lesson. Now that his opponent had delivered himself to his doorstep, it saved him the trouble.

He spoke faintly, his gaze fixed on Chu Chong.

"Cultivation truly cannot be done in a vacuum. Since Senior Brother Chu has such insight, you must be rich in combat experience. I wonder if you would be willing to give your junior brother some pointers? It would be a good chance for me to personally experience what this ’tempering under pressure’ is all about."

"Oh? Since Junior Brother Fang has made such a request, it would seem unreasonable for me to refuse. Very well, let this senior brother see just what you, the seventh-ranked of the Sub-Branch, are really made of!"

Chu Chong clearly hadn’t expected Fang Han to issue a challenge so directly. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by even greater excitement and a sinister glint.

He had come here to provoke him in the first place, so Fang Han’s ’cooperation’ was exactly what he wanted. He accepted immediately, with almost no hesitation.

The commotion here had long since attracted the attention of other disciples at the mine who weren’t on duty.

Soon, five or six people walked over, including the team captain, Lei Lie.

They were no fools. Everyone had sensed the subtle atmosphere between Chu Chong and Fang Han over the past few days.

Seeing the two of them facing off now, with the tension thickening in their words, they knew a conflict was inevitable and weren’t particularly surprised.

Lei Lie stood at the front of the crowd, his arms crossed. His burly frame was like an iron tower, and he watched the two in the center with a calm expression.

He did not immediately step in to stop them.

With so many Sect Disciples, conflicts were inevitable. Resolving them through sparring was a common practice within the Sect.

It helped maintain the disciples’ competitive spirit, and the Sect’s upper echelons were happy to see it.

"Since you both wish to spar, keep it to a friendly exchange."

"I will watch from the side. If either of you is unable to pull back in time and is about to cause serious injury, I will intervene."

Lei Lie’s voice was steady as his gaze swept over Fang Han and Chu Chong.

"Remember, the purpose of a spar is to learn and improve, not to be aggressive or malicious. Don’t harm your relationship, and more importantly, don’t let it affect the upcoming patrol duties."

"Rest assured, Senior Brother Lei, I know my limits."

Chu Chong cupped his hands at Lei Lie, his tone respectful. But when he turned to Fang Han, his eyes instantly grew sharp.

"I understand."

Fang Han also gave Lei Lie a slight bow with cupped hands.

The two of them took their stances.

Fang Han angled his Cyan Blade Sword toward the ground, a pale cyan Inner Qi flowing along the blade.

Chu Chong, meanwhile, drew a five-foot-long, entirely black short spear from his back. Its tip glinted coldly, exuding a sense of weight.

"Be careful, Junior Brother Fang!"

Chu Chong said sinisterly.

The instant his words fell, he pushed off with his feet and charged forward. The short spear in his hand was like a venomous dragon emerging from its lair, carrying a vicious gust of wind as it stabbed straight for Fang Han’s chest.

The spear wasn’t fast, but its Momentum was immense and heavy. He clearly intended to overwhelm skill with sheer power.

Fang Han’s eyes narrowed; he didn’t dare be careless.

He unleashed his Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship, his sword flashing like lightning to meet the short spear.

He didn’t choose to meet force with force. Instead, he used the agility and speed of his Swordsmanship, attempting to use Skill Overcomes Force.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Sparks flew as sword and spear clashed.

Chu Chong’s Spear Technique was heavy and powerful. Each strike contained potent Inner Qi, making Fang Han’s arm go slightly numb and his own Inner Qi fluctuate.

Although Fang Han’s Sword Techniques were exquisite, he seemed constrained by the absolute gap in Inner Qi. He often needed several sword strikes to neutralize the might of a single one of his opponent’s spear thrusts.

After more than a dozen exchanges, Fang Han was forced back several steps by a heavy, powerful sweep from Chu Chong before he could stabilize himself.

"Junior Brother Fang? Now do you see that practicing with your head in the sand is useless?"

"I see that your title as seventh-ranked of the Sub-Branch is quite inflated! Against an opponent with rich combat experience, you’re utterly defenseless!"

Seeing this, Chu Chong’s face lit up with a triumphant expression as he mocked him.

The reason he dared to provoke Fang Han was that after several days of observation, he had confirmed that although Fang Han’s Swordsmanship was exquisite, his Cultivation was his fatal flaw.

With his own Middle Stage of Eighth Grade Cultivation, combined with his current Spear Technique, he was more than capable of suppressing his opponent.

Seeing Fang Han being suppressed by him now, he became even more certain.

"Whether the Sub-Branch rankings are inflated or not, I don’t think you, Senior Brother, are qualified to judge!"

Facing Chu Chong’s mockery, Fang Han’s expression was as calm as ever, his eyes still tranquil.

The reason he had dared to accept the challenge was, naturally, because he had an ace up his sleeve.

While Chu Chong had been secretly observing him, had he not also been paying attention to Chu Chong?

He had discovered that although Chu Chong’s Cultivation had reached the Middle Stage of Eighth Grade, the Spear Technique he used was merely a Low Grade Spear Technique, and his level of comprehension wasn’t high—only around the Mastery stage.

Furthermore, the Transformations in his techniques were somewhat rigid, and he relied too heavily on strength.

Against such an opponent, the Perfection Realm Startled Swan Step would be his trump card. For this very reason, he had never once publicly used the Perfection Realm Startled Swan Step since arriving at the Spirit Iron Mine.