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--- Chapter 286 ---
Han Yuan gently stepped into the air a few times, gliding from one peak to another using Fleeting Stardust, a high-speed movement technique he learned from Venerable Yao.
After a month of practice, he had only scratched the surface of Fleeting Stardust, but it had already significantly increased his speed.
With this basic understanding of Fleeting Stardust, he already surpassed the speed of sound. On top of that, in a limited area, Han Yuan could even create tangible afterimages, though he was currently limited to just a few clones.
He also planned to incorporate the concepts from Fleeting Stardust into his own movement technique, Flying Thunder God Steps, but he hesitated.
"If I improve Flying Thunder God Steps with the concepts I've learned from Fleeting Stardust, I can definitely make it more efficient and faster," Han Yuan mumbled while breathing in the fresh air. "However, that would lead me away from my original path."
"Sigh, my understanding of Fleeting Stardust is still too shallow."
"Rather than improving myself, I might end up hindering my progress," he chuckled, shaking his head helplessly.
Han Yuan recalled Venerable Yao's advice to train at his own pace and take time to contemplate his cultivation journey.
He sighed, "Wisdom of the ancients, I suppose."
After jumping in the air for a few minutes, Han Yuan reached Divine Palm Peak, a name he had given to the mountain because its shape resembled a palm with five fingers pointing skyward. Divine Palm Peak serves as the main base for the Martial Union.
Not only is the concentration of the energy of heaven and earth here exceptionally high, but a massive magnetic ore vein in the mountain also affects gravity, making it suitable for body training.
Naturally, Han Yuan had also sealed the magnetic force with a powerful barrier to prevent people from remaining in the enhanced gravity area for too long. Instead, he concentrated it within the mountain, preparing to carve several Training Rooms for the Martial Union's members in the future.
As soon as Han Yuan landed on Divine Palm Peak, he saw several chosen disciples from the Martial Union's branches getting instructed by Hai Bodong.
Hai Bodong appeared to be bragging and being pretentious as usual, sharing his cultivation experiences.
Han Yuan could hear something along the lines of 'back in my day,' and 'you kids get it easy these days.'
Of course, there is some wisdom in Hai Bodong's story as he explained how to react when facing a 'certain' enemy. Even then, his teaching method, how to put it, is unorthodox.
"Oh, you're here?" Hai Bodong noticed Han Yuan and waved him over.
"We greet the Young Master!" the disciples under Hai Bodong's strict training said in unison.
Han Yuan waved his hand with a smile, "Don't mind me. I'm just here to check for information."
"Is that so?" Hai Bodong narrowed his eyes. "Well, you're in luck. Yafei seems to have received some news from the outside world."
"Kid, don't forget your promise. You'd better not abandon the old for the new," he added with a snort. "My niece needs some quality time, too, you know."
Han Yuan's mouth twitched. "Old Man, you can't blame me for being too busy and charming."
"The girls these days are beyond your understanding."
"Also, I am innocent!" he remarked humbly.
Hai Bodong rolled his eyes, "Yeah, innocent my foot. Go move your thick face somewhere else."
"You're ruining my lesson."
Han Yuan shrugged and walked away, "Alright, alright, I admit defeat. I still respect my elders, after all."
"Wow, Senior Hai is impressive! He actually talks to the Young Master like that," one of the disciples whispered as Han Yuan walked away.
"Is this the advantage of riding your grandniece's coattails to the top?" another disciple said. "As expected, nothing beats inside connections..."
"Wait, isn't this just reverse nepotism? Usually, it's the younger generation who does this, but Senior Hai flipped the script?" A clever-looking disciple rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Pfft, maybe we should call him Nepo Grandpa instead of Nepo Baby, hehe." A female disciple giggled.
Hai Bodong's expression darkened as he chuckled coldly, "Hehehe, you brats! You dare to talk behind my back?"
"From now on, you're all forbidden from using your Dou Qi. Today is leg day, so start running a thousand laps around Divine Palm Peak, or I'll turn you into human ice popsicles!"
"Oh no!" The female disciple regretted her earlier words.
"Senior Hai, this is abuse of power! You can't punish us just for chatting innocently!"
Hai Bodong's demeanor remained unyielding. "Of course, I can. After all, my grandniece is close to that kid, right? What are you going to do about it? Report me?"
"Hehehe... Today, I'll teach you that the world is unfair!"
"So get running, you little brats!"
"Ugh! He isn't even trying to hide it anymore..." the clever-looking disciple muttered in disbelief.
"His skin is so thick you could build a wall with it."
"And you, add another hundred laps!" Hai Bodong pointed at the clever-looking kid.
"Shit..." The clever-looking kid cursed.
Of course, Han Yuan could still listen to this exchange. He merely smiled and even thanked Hai Bodong.
'Ah, the very classic good cop, bad cop strategy. Even though these kids have a heartfelt devotion to the Martial Union and me, they haven't really experienced any upheaval. But thankfully, Senior Hai, you're such a good guy for helping me make them feel agitated for me to soothe their pain and frustration.'
'I almost felt bad for using you like this, Senior Hai.' Han Yuan placed his hands behind his head and started whistling as he strolled to Yafei's place.
He arrived at the house by a river and knocked on the door, "Yafei, are you there?"
"Come in, the door isn't locked!" Yafei's voice responded.
"Okay," Han Yuan entered the house and saw that the decoration was very modest with a lingering floral scent. He entered Yafei's living room and spotted her on the couch, eating some fruit. "I heard you got the news."
Yafei forked sliced dragon fruits into her mouth, "Mm, the outside world is rather chaotic after you killed Han Feng."
"Hu Ying has done her job well. The Earth Tiger Sect has replaced Han Feng's alliance in the Black Corner Region, and while a faction like the Black Emperor Sect is still resisting, the power of Mysterious Demon Puppet Zing is too strong for them."
"Sooner or later, the Black Corner Region will be yours." She smiled at her playfully.
Han Yuan slumped beside Yafei, "Let's change that to ours."
"What a glib tongue, but I didn't dislike it." Yafei forked another dragon fruit and fed it to Han Yuan.
Han Yuan ate the dragon fruit and asked, "How is the news about Jia Nan Academy? Have they sent the caravan to the Jia Ma Empire?"
Yafei rubbed her chin, "Let me see..."
"According to the information the Martial Union gathered in the past month, the Jia Nan Academy should send a caravan to the Jia Ma Empire in a week or two from now."
"That late?" Han Yuan was confused.
Yafei giggled, "Of course, after all, the Black Corner Region was in chaos, so the Jia Nan Academy didn't dare to send their people outside."
"Damn, I was actually sabotaging myself..." Han Yuan smacked his lips in disbelief.
Yafei leaned on Han Yuan's shoulder and said, "So, you're really going to leave for Jia Nan Academy, huh?"
"Doesn't your conscience hurt for leaving a pitiful, beautiful older sister like me alone?"
Han Yuan gazed at Yafei's eyes, seeing nothing but playfulness. "It's not like I wouldn't come back."
"Although I would be studying at Jia Nan Academy, I am there for the Heavenly Flame and some potential recruits, and there will always be holidays."
"Yafei, you're being too dramatic."
Yafei puffed her cheeks, "Hmph, it seems 'Young Master Yuan' wishes to get more girls in the academy."
"Hey, managing you girls is already a headache to me. Don't give me more trouble with this slander." Han Yuan sighed helplessly.
"Slander? Only time would tell!" Yafei wasn't convinced at all. If Han Yuan truly dislikes the idea of a harem, he would definitely kick one of the girls, but here is the neat part: he didn't.
Han Yuan knew Yafei was not convinced and compromised, "Fine, tell me what you want."
"You know what I want," Yafei changed her tone real quick, becoming warm and sultry. She grazed her lips slowly. "Right here."
Han Yuan chuckled, "And here I thought, you're going to ask for more 'dangerous' stuff."
"Yafei, you're cuter than I expected..."
Han Yuan didn't say anything more and then leaned over, pressing his lips against Yafei's. The girl's eyes widened as she suddenly experienced a forceful yet warm sensation wash over her mind.
It felt like forever, as if the world were only for the two of them.
Then, it was over.
However, there is lingering warmth.
Yafei's face flushed as she buried her face in Han Yuan's chest. "H-How come you're so good at this?"
Han Yuan whispered into her ears, "Because..."
"I've imagined myself doing it countless times with you."
"Sigh, I can't help it because I think you're going to taste delicious..."
"And you're... indeed delicious, after all, Yafei~!"
"Y-You little pervert!!" Yafei's heart throbbed. She felt like she was going crazy because of this young man.
"Hehe, I am kidding," Han Yuan laughed playfully.
"Or am I?"