"Nephew Fang, please take a look at this longsword."

Zhao Tie pointed to a sheathed longsword on the far left.

The sword had a simple, ancient design. Its Sword Scabbard was a dark cyan, etched with swirling cloud patterns.

The hilt was wrapped in an unknown dark-gold thread, and the guard was inlaid with a deep cyan Gemstone the size of a longan, its luster subdued.

"This sword is called ’Cloud Splitter.’"

Zhao Tie’s voice held a trace of reverence.

"It was forged from a base of Wind Nether Stone fragments, supplemented with Wind Breath Copper and Star Sand. One of our Sect’s Masters of Refining Soldiers spent three months of painstaking effort to create it. It is a Low Grade Magical Soldier!"

"A Low Grade Magical Soldier..."

Fang Han’s gaze was instantly captivated by the "Cloud Splitter."

Even without touching it, he could clearly feel the faint, sharp aura radiating from the blade, as if it could slice through the air with ease.

He also felt a subtle resonance with the Profound Wind Technique’s Inner Qi inside him.

"The greatest difference between a Magical Soldier and a mundane weapon is that it contains Magic Patterns, which can draw upon the Power of Heaven and Earth to amplify its might."

Zhao Tie continued his introduction.

"This ’Cloud Splitter’s’ special property is ’Sharpness.’ For anyone below the Grandmaster Realm, it increases the power of their Sword Qi by a full ten percent!"

"Furthermore, its special materials make it incredibly durable, enough to withstand the force of a typical Grandmaster Level attack without being damaged."

"Increases power by ten percent below the Grandmaster Realm?"

Fang Han’s heart trembled.

At his Level, every bit of improvement was incredibly difficult. That ten percent increase in power could mean the difference between life and death at a critical moment.

And its durability—being able to withstand Grandmaster Level force without breaking—was what he valued most.

His weapon shattering only after the battle was won was a stroke of luck he couldn’t count on happening again.

’I can’t let my weapon break during a fight ever again.’

"How many Contribution Points for this sword?"

Fang Han suppressed the excitement in his heart and asked in a low voice.

"Fifty thousand Contribution Points."

Zhao Tie stated the number slowly, his expression solemn.

’Fifty thousand!’

Even though he was prepared for it, Fang Han’s heart still lurched.

Fifty thousand wasn’t his entire fortune, but after this exchange, he wouldn’t have much left.

He had originally planned to save his Contribution Points to exchange for a few Cultivation Techniques for his family.

’Now, I’m about to spend it all on a single sword. Is it worth it?’

The image of his Flowing Wind Sword shattering flashed through his mind again, and his eyes instantly became resolute.

"I’ll take it."

Fang Han’s voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable finality.

He took out his Identity Token and handed it to Zhao Tie.

A flash of surprise appeared in Steward Zhao Tie’s eyes, quickly replaced by admiration.

Fifty thousand Contribution Points was no small sum, even for a Celestial Pride True Inheritance. He was impressed that Fang Han could part with it so readily.

He took the Token with both hands and skillfully operated the Inheritance Jade Inkstone, deducting fifty thousand Contribution Points.

’Only 10,000 Contribution Points left.’

When the Token was handed back, the number on it had changed from sixty thousand to a glaring ten thousand.

Fang Han silently put the Token away, feeling as if his heart was bleeding.

"True Inheritor Fang, this sword is now yours. I hope that with this Magical Soldier in hand, you will spread the might of our Qingxuan Sect!"

Zhao Tie then solemnly took out the sheathed Cloud Splitting Sword and presented it with both hands.

The moment the sword was in his hand, Fang Han felt a perfect, seamless connection. The Sword Scabbard was smooth and warm to the touch, and the hilt was just the right size, fitting his palm perfectly.

He slowly drew the blade three inches from its scabbard. A terrifyingly sharp aura spread out, its keenness making his skin tingle.

Near the guard, two simple, ancient characters were etched into the blade, reading: Cloud Splitter.

"What a fine sword!"

Fang Han praised it sincerely. The gloom in his heart from spending so many Contribution Points seemed to dissipate by more than half.

With this sword in hand, his strength would increase by at least ten percent!

Hanging the Cloud Splitting Sword at his waist, replacing the spot where his Flowing Wind Sword used to be, Fang Han thanked Steward Zhao Tie and left the Weapon Hall.

Sunlight streamed down, and the Cloud Splitting Sword at his waist shimmered with a subdued yet dangerous light.

Although it had cost a full 50,000 Contribution Points, it was clearly worth it.

As for exchanging for Cultivation Techniques for his family, there were still over two months until the end of the year.

In those two-plus months, even without doing any missions, he would receive a large sum of Contribution Points just from his overall ranking—more than enough to get the Cultivation Techniques for his family.

...

In the Netherworld Pavilion, within Gong Xing’s True Inheritance Villa.

A sharp-featured, middle-aged man sat across from Gong Xing.

This man’s surname was Lu. He was a Steward in the Netherworld Pavilion responsible for external intelligence, and Gong Xing had won him over with a hefty bribe.

"Steward Lu, you’re in such a hurry. Is it because you have news about the matter I asked you to investigate?"

Gong Xing set down his teacup and asked with a slight frown.

He had been feeling uneasy lately, as if a dark cloud was hanging over him.

Steward Lu lowered his voice. "Nephew Gong, I just received a secret report from our informant in the Qingxuan Sect. That Fang Han returned safely to the Qingxuan Sect yesterday, and... it seems he wasn’t injured."

"He’s already back at the Sect?!"

CLANG! Gong Xing’s teacup fell to the table. He didn’t even notice the tea splashing onto his clothes as his face instantly turned deathly pale.

"And he’s completely unharmed?"

"Yes, the information is absolutely reliable."

Steward Lu confirmed.

Gong Xing shot to his feet and began pacing back and forth in the hall, his breathing ragged.

’Fang Han returned safely? Then what about Gou the Third? Did he fail?’

’Gou the Third is at the Late Stage of Fourth Grade. He’s a seasoned expert in assassination. How could he possibly have failed?’

’Or maybe Gou the Third hasn’t even made his move yet?’

He forced himself to calm down, took out a stack of silver notes, and handed them to Steward Lu.

"I understand. Please continue to monitor the situation at the Qingxuan Sect, Steward Lu. Inform me immediately if you hear any news about Fang Han. There will be another reward for you then!"

Steward Lu accepted the silver notes. He had a vague idea of what Gong Xing was up to, but he had no intention of prying.

’Whatever Gong Xing wanted to do was none of his business. He was only providing a bit of intelligence. Even if Gong Xing was exposed, it wouldn’t involve him.’

’I have to go to the Qingyang Black Market!’

After Steward Lu left, Gong Xing could no longer maintain his composure.

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He had to confirm Gou the Third’s situation immediately!

Leaving the Netherworld Pavilion, he hastily changed into an inconspicuous gray robe, put on a conical hat to hide his face, and headed straight for the Qingyang County Black Market.

The black market was as noisy and chaotic as ever, filled with all sorts of illicit dealings.

Gong Xing navigated the familiar paths to the humble shop where Gou the Third usually stayed. Inside, a single lazy shopkeeper was dozing off.

Gong Xing pulled his hat lower, altered his voice, and asked hoarsely, "Is Gou the Third here?"

The shopkeeper lifted an eyelid and glanced at him lazily. "Looking for Master Gou? He took a big job a few days ago, went out, and hasn’t been back since."

"Hasn’t been back since?"

Gong Xing’s heart sank to the pit of his stomach.

"Do you know where he went?"

The shopkeeper waved a hand impatiently. "How would I know Master Gou’s whereabouts? Maybe the job was tricky and he got held up. If you’re looking for him, come back and check in a few days."

’He’s been gone for several days?’

Gong Xing’s unease turned to fear. Suppressing his terror, he hurried away from the shop.

Walking through the filthy, narrow alleys of the black market, Gong Xing felt that the surrounding clamor had become a piercing noise. Every passerby seemed to be looking at him with scrutinizing eyes.

Gou the Third hadn’t returned for days. Combined with the news of Fang Han’s safe return, the conclusion was almost self-evident—

Gou the Third had most likely failed. He might even be dead!

’Two million taels of silver down the drain!’

More importantly, Fang Han was surely on alert now, and the Qingxuan Sect had likely already launched an investigation.

Although Gou the Third didn’t know his specific identity, the Qingxuan Sect’s Tingyu Hall was not to be trifled with.

There was no guarantee they wouldn’t trace the recent unusual flow of funds from the Gong Family.

To raise the money, the Gong Family had secretly sold off several prime assets!

’I can’t just sit here and wait to die!’

A chill shot up from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Gong Xing felt cold all over, as if he had been plunged into an icy cavern.

Hiring an assassin to kill a Celestial Pride True Inheritance of the Qingxuan Sect was a major taboo that crossed the bottom line of the Qingxuan Sect and every other Sect!

Once this was exposed, the Netherworld Pavilion would never protect him—after all, he had also violated one of their major taboos. When that time came, he and the Gong Family would die without a burial place.

’Run! I have to run! I must flee Qingyang County immediately!’

’It’s the only way to survive!’

’No matter how powerful the Qingxuan Sect is, its influence is mainly concentrated within Qingyang County. As long as I escape to another county, or even leave the region of Qingyang County entirely and live under a new identity, there might still be a chance of survival!’

Once this thought took root, it spread like wildfire.

WHOOSH!

Gong Xing could no longer care about anything else. He broke into a sprint, leaving the black market and racing toward the Gong Family Manor.

He had to convince his family as quickly as possible to immediately sell off every asset they could, convert everything to cash, and move the entire clan out of Qingyang County at the fastest possible speed!

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was the first day of the new month.

...

In the Qingxuan Sect, inside Villa No. 35 of the True Inheritance Courtyard.

Fang Han was examining this month’s rewards.

As his rank on the overall list rose to eighth, his resource allotment for the month had also increased significantly.

Steward Zhou Heng from the True Inheritance Courtyard had personally delivered the rewards: nineteen thousand Contribution Points and three bottles of shimmering golden Vajra Pills.

Looking at the number on his Identity Token, now at 29,000, almost 30,000 Contribution Points, and holding the three bottles of precious Elixirs that could significantly strengthen his physique, Fang Han let out a long sigh of relief.

This was undoubtedly a timely infusion of resources, greatly alleviating the "financial deficit" caused by his exchange for the Cloud Splitting Sword.

There were still two months before the end of the year, enough time for him to accumulate sufficient Contribution Points to exchange for the Cultivation Techniques for his family.

「The following day, the second of the month.」

As dawn broke, the Maid Qiu Lan entered the Quiet Chamber with light steps, carrying the latest editions of the *Celestial Pride List* and the *Martial Artist Ranking*, the scent of fresh ink still lingering on them.

Fang Han took the booklets and first opened the *Celestial Pride List*.

’He’s really off the list, just as I thought.’

His gaze swept down from the top. At the ninety-fourth position, the original "Chu Feng (Qingxuan Sect)" had vanished, replaced by another, unfamiliar name.

Chu Feng’s name was nowhere to be found on the entire list.

’Wang Miao, 88th.’

His eyes continued upward, landing on the eighty-eighth position: Wang Miao (Qingxuan Sect).

This senior brother, who had looked out for him, had risen three places to eighty-eighth.

His progress was quite significant.

’Eighty-first.’

Finally, Fang Han’s gaze settled on the eighty-first position. There, clearly printed, was: Fang Han (Qingxuan Sect).

Eighty-first! A full eight-place jump from last month!

Although he had anticipated a significant jump in his Celestial Pride List ranking this time—after all, he had defeated Yin Huang, who was ranked 82nd—seeing the rank with his own eyes still brought a flicker of satisfaction.