’Reach the Inner Qi Realm before the second day of the second month next year... and there will be a tremendous opportunity?’

Fang Han’s heart skipped a beat.

For someone of the Patriarch’s standing to call it a great opportunity, one that could determine the Fang Family’s rise or fall for decades to come, it was hard to imagine just how immense it truly was.

"Patriarch, may I ask... what is this opportunity?"

Fang Han couldn’t help but ask.

"If you can’t break through to the Inner Qi Realm before the second day of the second month, then there’s no point in you knowing. It would only serve as a distraction."

"Your only task right now is to focus completely and do everything in your power to break into the Inner Qi Realm!"

Fang Lingyuan slowly shook his head, his gaze profound.

"Fang Han, the family has placed great hopes in you. This opportunity belongs to the family, but it also belongs to you. It’s worth giving your all to obtain, so you mustn’t grow complacent!"

Elder Fang Yuan added in a solemn voice.

"I understand! I will give it my all and live up to the high hopes of the Patriarch and the Elder!"

Seeing that both the Patriarch and Elder Fang Yuan had put it this way, Fang Han suppressed the questions in his heart. He took a deep breath, his gaze becoming incredibly firm, and cupped his fists solemnly.

"Good!"

Fang Lingyuan’s face broke into a smile.

"Go on. Focus on your cultivation. If you run into any problems, feel free to consult Elder Fang Yuan at any time, or you can come directly to me."

"Thank you, Patriarch!"

Fang Han bowed once more.

On the way back from Songtao Pavilion, Fang Han’s mind was in turmoil, unable to settle for a long time.

The Patriarch’s summons and his words had lit a raging fire in his heart, bringing both pressure and, even more so, boundless motivation.

’Before the second day of the second month, reach the Inner Qi Realm...’

Fang Han murmured to himself, his fists clenching unconsciously.

Sure enough, even after becoming number one in the Inner Hall, this was no time to slack off.

...

In the days that followed, Fang Han devoted himself entirely to his cultivation, never once slacking off.

With the support of the Eightfold Root Bone Talent Amplification, and aided by large quantities of Demon Beast Meat and Qi Blood Pills, his strength grew rapidly each day.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of the month.

That morning, a servant delivered the month’s resources as usual.

When Fang Han opened the two wooden boxes, a flash of pleasant surprise still crossed his eyes, even though he had been mentally prepared.

The first wooden box contained five bottles of Qi Blood Pills—fifty pills in total.

This was a full ten pills more than the reward for second place.

The second wooden box held ten neatly stacked official silver ingots—a total of one hundred taels.

This was a full twenty taels more than second place received, equivalent to a month’s salary for his father, Fang Zheng.

’Combined, this is worth a full one hundred and fifty taels!’

Fang Han took a deep breath.

The combined value of the Qi Blood Pills and silver was one hundred and fifty taels. Compared to the monthly stipend for second place, this was a significant step up.

In terms of the basic stipend alone, it was likely comparable to that of a Steward, a rank just below the Elders.

"System Panel."

Fang Han called up the system panel, and it appeared in his vision.

[Host: Fang Han]

[Root Bone Talent Amplification: 8x (Level 4 Amplification requires 10,000 silver)]

[Swordsmanship Talent Amplification: 4x (Level 3 Amplification requires 1,000 silver)]

[Stepping Talent Amplification: 4x (Level 3 Amplification requires 1,000 silver)]

[Wealth: 632 silver]

"Deposit."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Fang Han deposited the one hundred taels, and the text on the system panel instantly changed.

[Wealth: 732 silver]

’Only two hundred and sixty-eight taels to go...’

A sharp glint flashed in Fang Han’s eyes as he looked at the wealth displayed on the panel.

’At his current rate of income, he could save up a thousand taels in just three more months and unlock the Level 3 Amplification for his Swordsmanship Talent.’

’At that point, his Swordsmanship Talent would reach an eightfold amplification, and his aptitude for swordsmanship would once again be greatly enhanced.’

...

「A few mornings later, in Class A-10 Martial Arts Room.」

"INHALE—EXHALE—"

Fang Han stood firm as a pine, his stance low and solid. His cultivation of the Crane Form was nearing its end.

Empowered by his Eightfold Root Bone Talent, the qi and blood in his body surged like a dragon, emitting a deep and powerful roar. It repeatedly washed over and tempered his bones, pushing him steadily toward the limit of the Late Stage of Bone Refining.

He could clearly feel himself drawing ever closer to the limit of the Late Stage of Bone Refining.

After finishing his Pile Skill, he began practicing his swordsmanship.

When his swordsmanship practice was finished, he began to cultivate the Gale Step.

SWISH, SWISH, SWISH—

The terrifying aptitude granted by his fourfold Stepping Talent Amplification allowed his understanding of this Basic Step Technique to deepen by the day.

His footwork shifted and changed, his figure darting and weaving rapidly around the room.

At first, his figure was discernible, but as his speed increased, the wind he kicked up grew sharper, until he seemed to transform into a blurry, flowing cyan afterimage.

Suddenly, with a flicker of intent, the qi and blood in his body surged into his legs in an unprecedentedly profound way.

HUM!

An extremely faint hum, like the plucking of a string, emanated from the soles of his feet.

The next instant, his speed increased explosively!

As he moved, he left behind a solid, lifelike afterimage that lingered for a full breath’s time before slowly fading.

The air around him compressed to an extreme, emitting a sharp, clear sound like ripping cloth.

’The Gale Step has reached Great Success!’

Fang Han came to an abrupt halt, his body transitioning from extreme motion to absolute stillness. He stood steadily in the center of the Martial Arts Room, a flicker of surprise and joy in his eyes.

Just now, his Gale Step had broken through to the Great Success Realm.

The Great Success Realm was the final realm before Perfection. Needless to say, reaching this realm brought a massive boost in power.

It was more than enough to serve as a major trump card, one that could turn the tables if he ever found himself in a perilous situation.

’A little over a month...’

Fang Han murmured to himself. From Mastery to Great Success, all told, it had only taken a little over a month.

To advance a step technique from the Mastery Level to the Great Success Realm in such a short period was incredible.

If word of this cultivation speed were to get out, it would be enough to leave every Martial Artist in Liangshui City who practiced Body Techniques completely dumbfounded, perhaps even making them question their own lives.

And there was no doubt that he owed this cultivation speed to his fourfold Stepping Talent Amplification!

’Time to test it out!’

With a thought, Fang Han executed the Great Success Gale Step.

Two versions of "him" appeared simultaneously inside the Martial Arts Room, making it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake. The sight was dazzling.

The Gale Step at the Great Success Level not only increased his linear sprinting speed but also elevated his ability to turn, weave, and dodge within small areas to an entirely new realm. His Body Technique could truly be described as "ghostly."

Its speed and the deceptiveness of its directional changes far surpassed what they were before; compared to the Mastery Level, the difference was like night and day.

’With the Great Success Gale Step, combined with my Mastery Level Xunfeng Swordsmanship...’

Fang Han stopped in his tracks, a sharp glint in his eyes.

Although the Gale Step couldn’t enhance his Power of Destruction, it significantly boosted his combat prowess by increasing his movement speed.

He was now certain that his strength had surpassed Fang Hong’s.

As for Lin Ao, the current number one of Liangshui City’s younger generation, he would only know where he stood after they fought.

...

That afternoon, just as Fang Han finished a round of swordsmanship practice, there was a soft knock on the door of the Martial Arts Room.

Standing outside was the attendant who was always by Elder Fang Yuan’s side.

"Young Master Han, Elder Fang Yuan requests your presence."

The attendant said respectfully.

"Alright."

Fang Han’s interest was piqued. He straightened his clothes and followed the attendant to Elder Fang Yuan’s Quiet Chamber.

Sandalwood incense curled through the air in the Quiet Chamber. Elder Fang Yuan sat at a tea table, holding an ancient tome.

Seeing Fang Han enter, he set the book down. A gentle smile touched his lips as he gestured for Fang Han to come and sit down.

"Elder." Fang Han bowed respectfully before sitting down opposite him.

"I’ve summoned you today because I have a task for you. For you, this task is an opportunity to earn some extra monthly income on top of your usual stipend,"

Fang Yuan said seriously.