Han''s cultivation level made Bai Tian''s mind stir with a thought.


    Could it be that I''ve already been in Black Mountain for several years?


    Is it an illusion?


    Before Han could respond to Bai Tian''s question, Bai Ruoyue eagerly spoke up.


    "Father, you don''t know, little martial brother is a genius! You barely went to Black Mountain, and little martial brother had already broken through..."


    Bai Ruoyue vividly described what had happened over the past few days.


    In just over twenty days, he had advanced in martial arts, his soul leaving his body, punishing the wicked, and upholding justice.


    He single-handedly infiltrated a Devil’s Sky Mother sect stronghold, defeating two warriors at the Zangfu stage, and showcasing various miraculous talents...


    On the surface, Bai Tian remained calm, but deep down, he was deeply shocked, his old thoughts resurfacing.


    Could this really be the disciple I''ve taken in?


    What kind of merit or ability do I have to deserve this?


    Bai Tian began to reflect, comparing the unparalleled geniuses he''d encountered during his travels to Han''s growth.


    As for himself when he was young, compared to Han...


    Bai Tian knew himself well—he couldn''t even come close.


    However, after comparison, Bai Tian realized that he''d never heard of a genius who hadn''t received resources, yet was able to reach the meridian stage in less than a month just through normal cultivation.


    To think that after returning to my hometown, I could receive such a disciple. Could this be fate?


    Is it the heavens that favor me so?


    Others watched Bai Tian, occasionally adding their thoughts.


    It couldn’t just be them who were stunned—his master should be as amazed as they were.


    The master and disciple must share the same heart!


    "Han..." Bai Tian spoke slowly, "You''re exceptional."


    "More than I ever expected."


    "As your master, I feel like I''ve somewhat held back your potential."


    Han shook his head. Bai Tian''s words were too self-deprecating.


    Putting everything aside, without him, how could Han have learned the secret martial arts?


    His strength had been weak before, unable to even wield martial arts, let alone secret techniques.


    Han’s current strength was built on the foundation of secret martial arts.


    What is secret martial arts?


    It refers to the hidden martial arts of major schools and millennium-old families, passed down only to direct descendants or those of noble bloodlines.


    Han didn''t know where Bai Tian had acquired such techniques, but there was no doubt that they had given him an advantage in his cultivation, making him no less capable than anyone else.


    "I will do everything I can to teach you, help you grow," Bai Tian said, patting Han’s shoulder. The Taibai Martial Academy was already within sight.


    To Han and the others’ surprise, the two outsiders who had entered Black Mountain with Bai Tian were also present at the martial academy.


    When Han and the others entered, the elderly Mu Bo, who had been meditating, immediately opened his eyes and locked onto Han, his gaze intense.


    After a deep look at Han, Mu Bo closed his eyes again.


    "Uncle Bai, is everything settled?" The young man Meng Hao asked warmly.


    They had gone to Black Mountain together, and when they entered, Bai Tian was the academy master, but now he was referred to as ''Uncle Bai.''


    "Apologies for making you laugh," Bai Tian nodded.


    "This is Meng Hao from Zixiao City, Master Meng; this is Senior Mu," Bai Tian introduced Han and the others to the two.


    "You''re too kind, Uncle Bai. Just call me Xiao Hao," Meng Hao said cheerfully, pulling out several spirit herbs from thin air.


    "White Sister, a little gift for you."


    "Shen Brother..."


    Meng Hao accurately named everyone and handed them a spirit herb, while Bai Tian motioned to accept them.


    When it came to Han’s turn, Meng Hao’s smile widened even more.


    "Zhou Brother, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you! We almost met earlier, you know."


    Han looked at the enthusiastic, handsome young man in front of him, somewhat puzzled.


    "What do you mean by that?"


    "When Mu Bo and I first arrived in Heiyun Town, we sensed the presence of ghostly energy at night. We thought someone was causing trouble, so we rushed over, but when we arrived, the ghostly presence had already disappeared."


    Meng Hao explained, "The next day, we learned that the person who encountered the ghosts was none other than Uncle Bai’s new disciple. Isn’t that fate?"


    Han was stunned. He hadn''t realized that something like that had happened that night.


    "Well, I suppose it is fate..." Han thought for a moment. This Meng Hao likely had an extraordinary background.


    But when observing his physique, there was no indication of martial arts cultivation.


    Could he be a cultivator?


    Meng Hao, despite being young, was very eloquent. After chatting for a while, he expressed his intention to leave.


    "Uncle Bai, I’m planning to leave Heiyun Town now. Thank you for taking care of me all these days in Black Mountain."


    "And to everyone else, if you ever leave Heiyun Town, make sure to visit Zixiao City. I’ll personally host you all then."


    "Definitely, we’ll visit when the opportunity arises."


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    After their farewells, Meng Hao and his companions left the Taibai Martial Academy.


    "Young Master, that Han has already reached the meridian stage," Mu Bo said to Meng Hao.


    "And he likely also cultivated his soul, and his soul cultivation isn’t weak."


    Meng Hao froze for a moment, recalling his previous encounter with Han. He said incredulously, "When I last saw him, wasn’t he just starting to learn martial arts?"


    "Yes, last time he was a commoner, just with a strong physique and robust vitality, even better than most martial artists," Mu Bo affirmed.


    "Just over twenty days..." Meng Hao fell into silence, not doubting Mu Bo’s judgment.


    "Mu Bo, did you detect any signs of secret techniques or demonic practices on him?"


    "No, his foundation is solid, his vitality burning strong like a furnace—pure and righteous. His power is significant," Mu Bo shook his head.


    "His strength is surely the result of painstaking cultivation. He didn’t take any shortcuts."


    "Whether martial arts or weaponry, just based on his physical body, his foundation is so deep that it''s rare to find anyone on par with him in the same stage. The techniques he''s learning are undoubtedly high-level."


    Hearing this, Meng Hao turned back to look at Taibai Martial Academy.


    "Although Heiyun Town is backed by Black Mountain, how much can a disciple at a martial academy here truly gain? The real treasures of Black Mountain are under the Mountain God’s control."


    "If he were in Yujing or Zixiao City, I wouldn''t be surprised by his achievements, but here, in Heiyun Town..."


    "Which means, he’s entirely relying on his own efforts, with only a few spirit herbs, to cultivate to the meridian stage in just over twenty days..."


    In the more prosperous places, with the most powerful forces and unimaginable resources, Meng Hao could understand why such a person could be cultivated.


    But usually, no force would invest so much into one person—what they sought was inheritance, not just a few years.


    But here, in Heiyun Town, from Bai Tian’s and Meng Hao’s perspectives, Han had access to no resources.


    To them, Han’s progress was all thanks to his innate talent...


    That’s what made it terrifying.


    "Yes, Young Master."


    "Mu Bo, have you heard of anything like this before?"


    Mu Bo hesitated before replying, "There are legends of world-shattering beings who, after reincarnating, can reclaim the power of their past lives and soar forward in their cultivation without any resources."


    "Or perhaps he has awakened some powerful bloodline, though there’s no sign of it—maybe I just can’t detect it."


    Meng Hao thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled.


    "This Zhou Brother is truly interesting."


    "Mu Bo, let’s stay in Heiyun Town a few more days."


    "Understood, Young Master."


    Mu Bo followed Meng Hao’s lead.


    "Master, who is Meng Hao? And what is Zixiao City?" Han asked curiously.


    "Zixiao City..." Bai Tian’s expression turned respectful at the mention of the name.


    "It’s a great city located at the junction of the Three Kingdoms. All three kingdoms respect it, and countless cultivators look up to it."


    "The ruler of Zixiao City is the Meng family, and Meng Hao is the youngest son of the current head of the Meng family."


    "The Meng family... are they very powerful?" Han asked.


    Bai Tian nodded without hesitation, "Of course."


    "They are one of the strongest families in the world today, if not the strongest."


    "The royal families of the Three Kingdoms aren’t even as strong as the Meng family?" Han was astonished. What kind of family was this?


    "In many ways, they fall short," Bai Tian added, meaning there were still some areas where they could be compared.


    "Ah," Bai Ruoyue seemed to have thought of something. "That Zixiao Tianjun... he must be from the Meng family, right?"


    "Zixiao Tianjun is indeed Meng Hao''s father, the current head of the Meng family," Bai Tian said with awe.


    Han grew even more curious. "What kind of person is this Zixiao Tianjun?"


    "There’s a well-known list of world-class experts called the Shanhe Cangsheng Ranking," Bai Tian said solemnly.


    "Among the mountains and rivers, within the mortal souls, in heaven and on earth, the strongest in the world!"


    Han felt a powerful aura stir within him as the words settled.


    The Shanhe Cangsheng List—The World''s Strongest!


    No wonder Bai Tian referred to the Meng family as the most powerful clan.


    "Who decides this Shanhe Cangsheng List? Isn''t anyone questioning it?" Han thought, a bit skeptical.


    After all, who wouldn’t want to claim the title of the world’s strongest? And if there’s a ranking of the strongest, doesn’t that risk offending others? Who’s to say I’m any weaker than anyone else?


    This isn’t just Han being petty; whoever made this list was clearly stirring up trouble.


    "It’s a list created by the three nations of the Great Qi, who joined forces to rank the top ten strongest individuals. Its credibility is unquestionable," Bai Tian explained. "Over the generations, the Shanhe Cangsheng List has earned universal recognition."


    "As for the rankings, they are determined solely by one''s achievements in battle."


    It made sense now that the three nations had been involved in creating the list.


    "So, is there only space for ten individuals on the Shanhe Cangsheng List?"


    "No, the list has only ten because, at present, only ten individuals have reached such a level," Bai Tian said, his tone filled with admiration. "The true immortals of Dao and gods of martial arts, there is no one higher."


    "Legend has it, most of those on the Shanhe Cangsheng List have mastered both the soul and martial arts, but only the Zi Xiao Tian Jun has cultivated both to an unbelievable level."


    Han nodded seriously. "I will strive to reach that level."


    Bai Tian paused for a moment, as if in disbelief at Han’s determination.


    I didn''t mean for you to push yourself so hard... but Han is exactly like this—setting small goals to aim for the Shanhe Cangsheng List, which records the world’s ten strongest!


    Everyone around them couldn''t help but fantasize about one day being among those ten, though deep down, they knew it would be beyond their reach.


    Aside from Bai Ruoyue, none of them had even considered such an aspiration.


    "Master, besides the Zi Xiao Tian Jun, who else is on the Shanhe Cangsheng List?" Han asked curiously.


    "The Head of Xuandu Temple, the current Sage of the Dongzhou Sacred Academy, the leader of the Tianmu Sect you encountered earlier, and the head of the Wanxing Chamber of Commerce. All of them are on the list," Bai Tian answered.


    "The Tianmu Sect leader…" Han mused. No wonder this troublesome sect had been relentlessly hunted by the Great Qi for years but was still alive and well.


    Suddenly, Han recalled a question he’d asked Lu Qingmo earlier. Could she defeat the leader of the Tianmu Sect?


    Looks like Aunt Mo still has room to improve.


    "Do you think the Tianmu Sect leader will come to Heiyun Town?" Han asked, somewhat worried.


    Bai Tian glanced at him with a strange look.


    "Someone like him probably wouldn’t come after you just because of a destroyed base," Bai Tian said. "And as for Heishan, it holds no appeal for him."


    Then, Bai Tian suddenly shook his head. "Things are about to change in Heiyun Town."


    "Father, what happened in Heishan while you were away for so long?" Bai Ruoyue asked anxiously. "We were really worried."


    "We didn’t encounter any real danger," Bai Tian replied with a shake of his head. "That Mu Bo is very strong, and the Mountain God won’t provoke the Meng family. We went straight into the depths of Heishan."


    "And we met the Mountain God."


    "The Mountain God… is dying," Bai Tian added with a touch of sorrow.


    Han had known something was wrong with the Mountain God, but he didn’t realize it was this serious.


    "The Mountain God tried to defy the heavens and push his cultivation further, hoping to transcend and become an immortal," Bai Tian continued. "But in the end, he failed."


    "The consequences of failure are death, and the Mountain God won’t last much longer."


    "If the Mountain God falls, Heiyun Town will never be the same."


    "Heishan is a treasure trove, and many forces covet it. Without the protection of the Mountain God, outsiders will no longer have any reservations."


    "At that point, experts from all over will likely flood in."


    "I also heard from Mu Bo that the Mountain God himself was the target of many powerful individuals," Bai Tian said with a shake of his head. "I’m just telling you all this for awareness; you don’t need to worry too much."


    "I’ve made some progress in Heishan, so Taibai will be unaffected."


    As he spoke, Bai Tian took out some spiritual herbs and precious treasures from his space ring.


    "These are for all of you. Share them as needed."


    When Taibai Martial Arts Hall receives such treasures, Bai Tian distributes them equally among everyone based on their needs. The other two martial arts halls, however, store these resources and distribute them according to each disciple''s performance and talent.


    For those who show exceptional talent, they receive a spiritual herb every month or so. For those whose talent is less impressive, they might only get basic medicinal tonics or baths.


    While the other martial halls operate in a more structured way, Han prefers the more open-handed approach of Taibai.


    However, if Taibai continues to grow, they’ll likely need to adopt a more systematic approach as well.


    "You all stay here at the martial hall, I need to go to the Ghost and Divine Bureau and report to Lu Duguan about the situation in Heishan."


    "Master, I’ll go with you!" Han immediately volunteered.


    "Alright."


    "Little junior brother, I’ve picked out the spiritual herbs for you!" Bai Ruoyue announced enthusiastically.


    "They’re all in my hands now!"


    As they made their way to the peach grove, Bai Tian turned to Han. "Have you met Lu Duguan yet?"


    "I’ve been learning Dao techniques with Aunt Mo for these past few days."


    Bai Tian paused, then nodded slightly. "That’s best. Lu Duguan is from Xuandu Temple, so she can teach you a lot."


    "I’ve certainly learned a lot."


    "Master, are you not familiar with Aunt Mo?" Han asked, puzzled.


    "Not really," Bai Tian answered evasively, and Han didn’t press further.


    When they reached the peach grove, Bai Tian surprisingly announced their arrival and waited for Lu Qingmo’s permission to enter.


    Han raised an eyebrow in confusion, and Bai Tian quickly explained.


    "Other than Ruoyue and the little girl from the Yun family, anyone else who comes here must announce themselves first. No one can enter without permission."


    "Is it that strict?" Han thought to himself. But I can just go straight into Aunt Mo’s place!