The sensation of power was exhilarating. Fang Han reveled in it as the bones of Fang Dafu cracked under his foot, the sound a satisfying reminder of his newfound strength. It wasn't just the petty pleasure of rising above his former station—it was the intoxicating thrill of holding sway over others' fates.
For the first time in years, Fang Han felt truly alive. He had the power to change his destiny, to command and control. But deep down, he knew this was only the beginning. True power, the kind that could put him above everyone else, lay far beyond what he had now. His current strength was still small, still insignificant compared to the mighty forces of the world. The taste of power was sweet, but it only made him crave more. He wanted to grow stronger—much stronger—to enter the realm of divine power, the realm of true immortality.
"Fang Han! What are you doing?! How dare you kill someone here?!"
Fang Man and Fang Rui stepped forward, their expressions changing as they formed a subtle encirclement. They were both skilled fighters; otherwise, they wouldn't have risen to their high positions in the Fang family. But even they knew that Fang Han's current power far exceeded what they had expected.
"What's this? You want to break my bones too?" Fang Han sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Let me tell you both, I have reached the fifth stage of the Body Refining realm—Divine Power. If you're thinking of fighting me, you'd better think twice."
"The fifth stage? Divine Power?" The shock in Fang Man and Fang Rui's eyes was evident. They were both skilled fighters in their own right, but to reach the fifth stage of Body Refining was something only the core disciples of the Fang family could do. The fact that Fang Han had done so meant they were outmatched.
Even though they couldn't believe it, they had no choice but to accept the truth. Fang Han's strength was evident in how easily he had defeated Fang Lie earlier.
"Humph, those who know their place are wise," Fang Han continued, licking his lips. "Since we're all working for the young mistress, I won't break your bones today. But remember, we're on Zidian Peak now. The young mistress will be in seclusion for months at a time. If I wanted, I could throw your bodies down the mountain with just one word."
Fang Man muttered under his breath, "We'll see about that."
"Didn't you all say earlier that you wouldn't follow my orders?" Fang Han's cold gaze swept over the servants who had been mocking him earlier.
"Please, Lord Han, forgive us! We'll do anything you ask—through wind and rain, fire and sword, we will not complain!" The servants who had taunted him earlier dropped to their knees, panic written on their faces.
"From now on, you'll serve me, looking after the spirit beasts for the young mistress," Fang Han said, his voice turning cold as he chose over two hundred servants to work under him. His recent display of power had completely cowed them; no one dared to resist.
With Fang Han now in control of the spirit beast caretakers, he walked over to the battered Fang Lie, who lay on the ground, barely conscious.
"Alright, Fang Han, let's call it a day," a voice interrupted him.
It was Fang Qiang, the mysterious head maid who oversaw all the meals and cleaning in the Zidian Palace. She had been watching the scene unfold but hadn't intervened until now.
"Are you satisfied with your little show of power?" Fang Qiang's calm, measured tone was at odds with the chaos around her. "Fang Lie didn't follow the young mistress's orders and tried to steal your Spirit Beast Token. That's his own fault. You've proven your point. Now, we must get to work."
Fang Han turned to her, intrigued by her mysterious presence. "You seem to know a lot, Fang Qiang."
"I've been in the Fang family for many years," she replied quietly. "The Fang family's ancestor was once a disciple of the Feather Immortal Sect. I've learned a bit over time. The Great Li Dynasty sends tribute to the Feather Immortal Sect every year."
Fang Han raised an eyebrow, curious. "Tribute?"
"It's nothing important," Fang Qiang said, her voice soft but carrying a certain weight. "But it's enough that I've learned a thing or two about the sect's practices."
As they spoke, Fang Han held the Spirit Beast Token in his hands, still stunned by the sensation he had felt when his blood had activated it. His senses had connected with the token in a way that was almost supernatural. Could this mean he was tapping into something far greater?
Fang Qiang's voice brought him back to reality. "What you're holding isn't just an ordinary item, you know. This Spirit Beast Token is a low-tier magical item, activated by your blood. But it's nothing compared to the treasures of the sect."
Fang Han's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"Magical items come in various grades," Fang Qiang explained, her tone patient. "The first level is magical artifacts, which contain a tiny amount of spiritual energy. They can perform basic functions like communication with beasts, controlling elements, or activating simple enchantments. Spiritual artifacts, however, are much more powerful. When activated, they can unleash potent spells and grant extraordinary abilities to the wielder. Then there are treasure artifacts, which are rarer and even more powerful—these can cut through the very air with a thought. The most coveted are dao artifacts, which can evolve on their own and grow more powerful. Lastly, the legendary immortal artifacts—those are said to be able to shape reality itself, but no one has ever seen one."
Fang Han processed this new information with awe. "So this Spirit Beast Token is just a low-tier artifact... but if I could obtain something more powerful—like a spiritual artifact or a dao artifact..."
"Exactly," Fang Qiang nodded. "But be careful. Even with your current strength, you're no match for someone wielding a true spiritual artifact. It's not just about raw power. In the world of cultivation, having the right tools can make all the difference."
Fang Han was struck by the depth of her knowledge. "I see. I'll keep that in mind."
"As for the rest," Fang Qiang continued, her tone serious, "you've made enemies today. Fang Man, Fang Rui—they may not be able to defeat you, but they will certainly try to undermine you. The young mistress is in seclusion, and she won't notice the schemes being laid against you. You need to be careful."
Fang Han's expression darkened. "They've already gone to find Young Master Yu, haven't they?"
Fang Qiang nodded. "Yes. They're seeking him out to report your behavior. Yu is the young master's brother, and although he's an outer disciple, he holds influence. Be careful—this place is full of power struggles. The Feather Immortal Sect is not just a place for cultivation, it's a battleground of ambition."
Fang Han's thoughts raced. He knew that the Feather Immortal Sect was a place where power came at a steep price. He would have to tread carefully.
"Thank you for the warning," Fang Han said, his mind already working on his next steps.
"Just remember," Fang Qiang said as she turned to leave, "your life here is fragile. The stakes are higher than you think. Cultivate carefully, and never let your guard down."
As she disappeared, Fang Han's eyes lingered on the Spirit Beast Token in his hand. "Blood sacrifice... I wonder if I can do the same with the Jiao Fu Huang Quan Map I found. If it's a spiritual artifact—or even a treasure artifact—then maybe I can unlock something even greater..."
His heart raced as he realized the magnitude of what he might have stumbled upon.