"Late Stage of Fourth Grade? An assassination? And poison?"

Elder Zhou Jin’s voice turned frigid, filled with suppressed rage.

"If Yin Huang had been the one to attack, it could be considered a duel between peers. But this other person, using their higher Realm to launch a sneak attack, even resorting to deadly poison—that has completely broken the rules!"

"Rest assured, the Sect will absolutely get justice for you. Do you know this person’s origins? Any distinguishing features?"

Fang Han had expected Elder Zhou Jin’s fury.

Conflicts between disciples of various sects were tacitly allowed, even seen as a form of tempering, but the premise was that they had to be relatively "fair."

Methods like hiring assassins were an absolute bottom line that the sects would not tolerate. Once discovered, such actions would be met with thunderous retaliation.

Otherwise, all the genius disciples of the various sects would have long been assassinated.

"The man had a sallow complexion. On his left cheek, there was a very deep scar running from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth, shaped like a centipede. It was quite gruesome."

Fang Han described, recalling the details.

"He used a jet-black short blade coated in a potent poison. His Body Technique was uncanny; he must specialize in the art of assassination."

’A scar on his face, skilled in assassination with a short blade...’

A cold glint flashed in Elder Zhou Jin’s eyes as he searched his memory for a match.

He pondered for a moment, then called out to someone outside the hall.

A disciple wearing the uniform of the Law Enforcement Hall entered, bowing and awaiting orders.

"Go to Tingyu Hall. Investigate the identity of a Martial Artist at the Late Stage of Fourth Grade with a scar on his face, who is skilled in using a poisoned short blade."

Elder Zhou Jin’s command was concise.

"Yes!" The disciple from the Law Enforcement Hall accepted the order.

The hall fell silent once more, but the atmosphere had grown far more tense than before.

Elder Zhou Jin’s expression was grim, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the armrest as he clearly weighed the implications and consequences of this matter.

"Elder, we’ve found him. The one matching the description should be a freelance assassin active in the commandery’s black market, codenamed ’Gou the Third.’"

"This man is ruthless and vicious, specializing in taking money to take lives. He’s somewhat well-known in the black market."

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the disciple from the Law Enforcement Hall returned and reported respectfully.

"Gou the Third... So it really is him."

Elder Zhou Jin snorted coldly, a chilling killing intent in his eyes.

He looked at Fang Han and asked.

"Nephew Fang, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

"I do not know Gou the Third. Since he makes a living as an assassin, he must have been hired. There has to be a mastermind behind this."

Fang Han already had his suspicions and spoke bluntly.

"Mm, just as I thought."

Elder Zhou Jin nodded.

"Then who do you suspect wants you dead?"

Fang Han pondered for a moment before naming the two suspects he had in mind.

"I’ve considered it. As for those with motive who might take action, the first is Yin Huang, the Celestial Pride True Inheritance from the Netherworld Pavilion whom I fought a few days ago. He is the prime suspect."

"He and I have old grievances. His ambush failed, and he now harbors a grudge. It’s highly likely that he hired an assassin to eliminate me."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"The second is another True Disciple from the Netherworld Pavilion, Gong Xing. My family and his have a conflict over a silver mine."

"After I ascended to the Celestial Pride List, he might have felt threatened or resentful, leading him to take a desperate risk and hire a killer. That is also a possibility."

He didn’t mention the remnants of the Chu Family or Dean Tu of Shen Courtyard, because the former no longer had the capability, and while he had old grievances with the latter, the motive wasn’t strong enough, making it a relatively low possibility.

"Yin Huang... Gong Xing..."

Elder Zhou Jin repeated the two names in a low voice, the sharp glint in his eyes growing more intense.

"The people from the Netherworld Pavilion are getting more and more unruly."

He looked at Fang Han, his tone firm and decisive.

"Nephew Fang, the Sect will not stand by and watch its True Inheritor be targeted like this. We will use all our resources to investigate who Gou the Third has been in contact with recently and find the mastermind."

"Once we find conclusive evidence and confirm the identity of the one who hired him, regardless of their status, the Sect will get justice for you!"

These words were spoken with absolute certainty, filled with protectiveness and the majesty of a Major Sect.

This wasn’t just an assurance for Fang Han personally; it was also a necessary act to uphold the honor of the Qingxuan Sect.

If this matter were to be let go easily, it would only make other powers think the Qingxuan Sect was weak.

"I thank you, Elder! I thank the Sect!"

Fang Han stood up and bowed deeply.

Having the Sect lead the investigation was far more efficient and powerful than looking into it himself.

"Mm, set your mind at ease. The Sect will handle this. Unless it’s necessary, stay within the Sect and focus on your Cultivation to avoid any unforeseen incidents. When there’s news, I will send someone to inform you."

Elder Zhou Jin instructed, his tone softening slightly.

"Yes, I understand."

Fang Han assented.

Everything that needed to be discussed had been covered. The subsequent investigation would not be a quick affair, so he rose to take his leave.

"If the Elder has no other instructions, I will take my leave."

"Go on. Cultivate well, and don’t let this matter disturb your state of mind."

Elder Zhou Jin waved his hand.

Fang Han bowed again before turning and exiting the side hall.

Walking out of the Law Enforcement Hall, warm sunlight bathed his body, dispelling the lingering, grim and murderous aura from within.

With steady steps, Fang Han turned and headed straight for the Weapon Hall, located on the side of the mountain.

Unlike the solemn, deadly atmosphere of the Law Enforcement Hall, even before he got close to the Weapon Hall, he could feel a wave of scorching heat mixed with the crisp sound of metal striking metal wash over him.

The muffled THUMP of massive bellows was like thunder, interspersed with the ROAR of falling forge hammers.

The air was filled with the faint, mixed smell of sulfur, metal dust, and some kind of strange burning wood.

The shattering of the Flowing Wind Sword had been a wake-up call.

For him, a suitable and durable weapon was no different from a second life.

Exchanging it for a longsword of a higher grade, one that could withstand his current power, was now a matter of utmost urgency.

"Greetings, True Inheritor Senior Brother."

At the entrance to the Weapon Hall, the disciples on duty saw Fang Han’s Silver-Striped Cyan Robe and immediately bowed, their eyes filled with awe.

Fang Han nodded slightly and stepped inside.

Inside, a middle-aged man in a Steward’s Robe, who had been directing several servant disciples to arrange weapons, glanced over.

He was slightly startled at first, then his face quickly broke into an enthusiastic smile as he hurried to greet him.

"True Inheritor Fang, what an honor! Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner, forgive me!"

The man had slightly dark skin, large palms, and prominent knuckles, clearly having dealt with forging for many years.

But his eyes were sharp and his smile genuine. He was one of the Stewards of the Weapon Hall, with the surname Zhao and the given name Tie—Zhao Tie.

"Steward, you’re too kind. I’ve come today to exchange for a longsword."

Fang Han returned the gesture with a cupped fist salute, his tone calm.

Steward Zhao Tie stepped aside to clear the path, gesturing with an outstretched hand.

"This way, True Inheritor Fang! You are a future pillar of our Qingxuan Sect. If the quality of your weapon is ordinary, wouldn’t that be a slap in the face to the Weapon Hall?"

"Please follow me to the Inner Hall storeroom. The treasures there are worthy of a True Inheritor like you."

Fang Han followed Zhao Tie through the noisy outer hall.

The outer hall was extremely spacious, displaying hundreds of gleaming weapons. From standard long sabers and sharp swords to exotic hooks, forks, locks, and whips—it had everything.

Many disciples of varying Cultivation levels had stopped here to choose, and the place was bustling with noise.

Zhao Tie, however, led Fang Han straight past these areas and toward a corridor that was heavily guarded by disciples.

At the end of the corridor was a heavy Bronze Gate, inscribed with complex Array patterns that faintly shimmered with spiritual light.

Zhao Tie took out a Token and pressed it into a recess on the door. Light flowed across it, and the gate slid open silently, revealing the quieter and more imposing Inner Hall behind it.

The lighting in the Inner Hall was not as bright as the outer hall, but it had a solemn and weighty atmosphere of its own.

The air was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood and the unique smell of cooled metal.

The four walls were not ordinary brick and stone, but some kind of smooth jade, inlaid with rows of weapon racks of various styles.

There were not many weapons on the racks, but each one emanated a unique energy fluctuation—some searing hot, some ice-cold, some bitingly sharp, and others as heavy as a mountain.

"Please take a look, True Inheritor Fang."

Steward Zhao Tie began his introduction like a connoisseur showing off his collection.

"This ’Azure Sea Sword’ is a masterpiece among Top Grade weapons. It was forged from Cold Pool Profound Iron mixed with Ice Silkworm Silk. When swung, it naturally emits a chilling aura."

"It can slow an opponent’s circulation of qi and blood. Even a Martial Artist who doesn’t cultivate a Yin and Soft Attribute Technique can wield it to great effect."

Fang Han’s gaze swept over the longsword, which was a solid azure blue, like a pool of autumn water. He shook his head slightly.

Although the sword was good, it leaned more toward control and support, which wasn’t a perfect match for his ferocious, sharp, and purely offensive Nine Swords of Sky Splitting style.

Seeing this, Zhao Tie showed no impatience and led Fang Han to another side.

"Then why not take a look at this ’Returning Wind’? It was forged from the precious Star Wind Iron and naturally contains a trace of Wind Momentum. It’s incredibly domineering. Infusing it with Inner Qi can activate the Wind Momentum, and its power is astonishing."

Fang Han picked up the "Returning Wind." It felt slightly heavy in his hand, and the blade was a dark cyan.

He flicked the body of the sword with his fingers, producing a clear, melodious CLANG that lingered in the air.

It was indeed a fine sword. Its quality was far superior to the Flowing Wind, enough to withstand his current bursts of Inner Qi.

But... the image of the Flowing Wind Sword shattering flashed through his mind.

A Top Grade weapon might be enough for now, but if he encountered another powerful enemy, or if his own strength broke through again, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t meet the same fate.

What he wanted was a more long-term guarantee, a weapon he could rely on to cut a path for a long time to come.

"Steward Zhao."

Fang Han put down the "Returning Wind," his gaze shifting to the deeper parts of the storeroom, where the aura was even more obscure and profound.

"Is there... anything that surpasses Top Grade?"

"True Inheritor Fang truly has a discerning eye. Beyond Top Grade lies the realm of ’Magical Soldiers.’ Such weapons are no longer ordinary armaments."

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Steward Zhao Tie’s eyes. The smile on his face vanished, replaced by a trace of solemnity.

"They contain Magic Patterns and can draw upon the Power of Heaven and Earth, unleashing might far beyond ordinary weapons. It’s just... the price is also extremely high."

"No matter. Please lead the way, Steward."

Fang Han’s tone was calm, but he had already made up his mind.

Contribution Points were precious, but his life and long-term combat strength were more important.

Zhao Tie nodded and led Fang Han to a wall as smooth as jade at the innermost part of the Inner Hall.

He once again took out the Token and held it close to the wall. The wall rippled and slowly parted to the sides, revealing the entrance to a secret chamber just wide enough for one person to pass through.

The furnishings inside the secret chamber were extremely simple, with only a dozen or so rosewood racks.

Each rack held only a single weapon.