Back then, Han had spared the Moon-Chasing Wolf Clan, wary of meddling with whatever plans the Mountain God might have for the demon clans.


    But the world’s a funny place—turns out the wolves still bit the dust, taken out by their old rivals no less.


    And it tied straight back to Han.


    Wolf Valley’s weakness? His doing. The Light Fox Clan’s power-up? Thanks to him returning their Spirit Union Technique.


    Guess the doomed are doomed.


    Still, he didn’t swing the axe himself. The wolves’ end came from Black Mountain’s internal demon squabbles—linked to him, sure, but not directly his mess. No chance of ticking off the Mountain God.


    Yun Yuannan passing him this intel wasn’t about blame—it stemmed from the royals hitting up the Yun family yesterday over Zuo Tianzheng’s death.


    They were fishing for clues, figuring the Yun clan might know something since Black Mountain was the Mountain God’s turf.


    Too bad the god’s faded—can’t see everything in the mountain anymore, no help to offer.


    But Yun Yuannan’s no fool. Piecing together Han and Lu Qingmo’s chats with him, he’d sniffed out a hunch.


    So yesterday, he’d pinged Black Mountain, telling them to scope out the Light Fox Clan.


    That’s when they found the Moon-Chasing Wolf Clan wiped out.


    The Yun family’s mountain contacts grilled the foxes, getting the full story.


    The Light Fox Clan spilled about Han—but kept mum on him burning lifespan for power.


    Before leaving Fox Valley, Han had asked Hu Tutu to keep that under wraps. If the Yun family ever asked, just say he’d used “some special trick” to juice up temporarily.


    As the guy who’d handed back their core heritage, their forever VIP, Hu Tutu wasn’t about to say no to that small favor.


    No lies either—just vague wording. Lifespan burning? Totally a “special trick.”


    Kept Hu Tutu comfy and Han’s secret safe—win-win all around.


    When that tale trickled out of Black Mountain to Yun Yuannan, a lot went unsaid but understood.


    He’d sent Yunduo with this message, adding he’d already told the Light Fox Clan: if outsiders ask about Han later, just play dumb.


    Black Mountain’s massive, demon clans aplenty. Yun Yuannan only zeroed in on the Light Fox Clan because he knew Han had tangled with them.


    Outsiders? Clueless. Who’d bother with the foxes? If they say “never saw him,” no one’s digging deeper.


    Yun Yuannan’s move screamed one thing: Nephew, chill—I’ve tied up the loose ends in Black Mountain for you. No leaks, no cracks.


    Once Han got the gist, that’s why he called it good news.


    Whatever “special trick” he’d pulled to smash Wolf Valley’s array, if the royals caught wind of that kind of power, he’d rocket to suspect numero uno.


    Strength like that could absolutely take out Zuo Tianzheng in Black Mountain.


    Around Black Cloud Town, Han had already scrubbed every trace—nothing funky to find.


    But the Wolf Valley raid? That was the lone snag.


    Royal bigshots couldn’t waltz into Black Mountain, and those who could wouldn’t cross paths with the Light Fox Clan—so the snag was kinda theoretical.


    Still, a risk lingered.


    If he’d known he’d run into Zuo Tianzheng after Fox Valley, he’d have told Hu Tutu to hush up his whole visit from the jump.


    Too bad he’s no prophet.


    Now, though? Flawless—no weak spots left.


    Locked down tight.


    “The Light Fox Clan moving fast actually bailed me out big time,” Han said with a laugh. “Returning the Spirit Union Technique? Paid off.”


    The foxes could keep his secret; the wolves sure couldn’t.


    Good thing the Moon-Chasing pack was toast—not a single yapper left to spill.


    No stragglers to worry about either—this was clan war, brutal and thorough. The Light Fox Clan didn’t mess around.


    Their wipeout didn’t just blind the royals—it kept the Yun family in the dark about his lifespan trick too.


    Thank the stars the foxes struck before the royals showed up.


    “A sip, a peck—fate’s got its ways,” Lu Qingmo said, smiling faintly. “Maybe this is payback for handing back the Spirit Union Technique clean and quick.”


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    “Call it good karma for a good guy.”


    “Depends who you’re good to,” Han shot back. “Help a decent sort, you get rewarded. Help an ungrateful jerk? Nada—or worse, they bite you back.”


    “Your mouth’s always got something to say,” Lu Qingmo chuckled. “Yun Yuannan’s been solid to you—think they’ll get their reward?”


    “Damn right!” Han didn’t hesitate. “I’ve got every favor logged up here—” he tapped his head—“and I’ll pay it back tenfold, hundredfold, down the line.”


    No need to wait, really—he’d already hooked up the Yun sisters with Fortune Spirit Liquid this month. That’s a jackpot right there.


    But he wasn’t keeping score. If he could help the Yun family later, he would—full stop.


    Anyone who’d been good to him, who he vibed with, he’d never nickel-and-dime. If it’s in his power, he’s in.


    That said, he’s no sucker either.


    Lu Qingmo gave him a loaded look. “Yun Yuannan probably doesn’t care about payback. What he really wants? You joining the family.”


    “…”


    Aunt Mo, quit testing me.


    Han straightened up, all righteous. “I’m family with you forever, Aunt Mo!”


    He’d noticed—she was loosening up lately, tossing out lines she’d have dodged before.


    Good sign!


    “Today at Shen hour, Yunduo’s officially bowing to me as a disciple at the Yun place,” Lu Qingmo said. “You should swing by.”


    “Shen hour? Cool, I’ll drag Senior Sister along.”


    “Works.”


    Han hit the martial hall and pitched it to Bai Ruoyue. She was all in.


    “I knew Yunduo’d go official with Aunt Mo ages ago,” she bragged. “With Aunt Mo’s style, it’s all or nothing. Once she takes someone on, she’s not half-assing it. Nominal disciple? Just a pit stop. As long as Yunduo’s got a clean heart, it was only a matter of time.”


    She puffed up, proud of her foresight.


    “Senior Sister, you’re a real genius,” Han said.


    She squinted. “Why’s that sound like shade?”


    “Shade? Nah, pure praise—big brain!”


    He slid the topic elsewhere. “How’d that candy drop treat you yesterday?”


    Her eyes lit up. “Awesome—cultivation’s picking up speed. Feels like I’m young again!”


    “…You’re still young.”


    Nineteen soon—prime time for a Reverse Fate Pill.


    “Little Junior Brother, where’d you snag that pill? It’s wild—everyone’s raving about it.”


    “Crafted by a seriously epic alchemist,” he said.


    A bit later, He Feng tracked him down. “Someone’s here for you.”


    “Who?”


    “Cui family,” He Feng said. “From what we’ve dug up, it’s the fourth son of their head—Cui Yaozhi.”


    “Clear River Cui Clan?”


    Han nodded, ready to meet him, but he gave He Feng a once-over and grinned. “Brother He, your cultivation’s coming along—Visceral realm’s right around the corner.”


    “Haha, all thanks to you, Little Junior Brother!” He Feng beamed.


    After Su Changan, he’d hit Muscle and Vein peak too—now gunning for Visceral.


    Tai Bai’s seven? Minus Shen Yu, the youngest, the other six were all closing in on Visceral. A Black Cloud Town legend in the making.


    Han stepped into the guest room. A refined, noble-looking young guy stood there— flashed a slight smile when he walked in.


    “Brother Zhou, sorry for dropping by unannounced.”


    “Brother Cui, you’re too polite,” Han said, grinning back. “You showing up? Makes this place shine. Clear River Cui Clan—famous worldwide. I’m honestly flustered you’d come to me.”


    Cui Yaozhi seemed chill, so Han didn’t mind laying on some charm.


    The Cui Clan ruled Qingzhou—folks tagged them “Clear River Cui” since their base was in Clear River County. Too many Cui families out there, even in Qingzhou—adding “Clear River” pinned it down.


    “Brother Cui, sit.”


    They settled in, and Shen Yu slipped in quiet-like with tea.


    No servants at Tai Bai—guests meant disciples handled the grunt work.


    Usually Shen Yu.


    “I’ve been in Black Cloud a few days,” Cui Yaozhi said, that faint smile still on. “All I hear’s your legend, Brother Zhou—mind-blowing stuff.”


    “Seeing you now? Rumors didn’t oversell it. You’re a dragon among men, a bona fide prodigy.”


    “Brother Cui, you’re too kind.”


    The vibe set, they hit it off—trading compliments, chatting cultivation, swapping stories.


    “You here for the Mountain God thing too, Brother Cui?”


    “Part of it,” Cui Yaozhi said, sipping tea and shaking his head with a smile. “Also wanted to check out prodigies from other spots, see the world’s best in action.”


    “Mountain God’s bounty? Nice if I get it, no biggie if I don’t—can’t force it.”


    “Everyone loves treasure, but to me, people outshine any prize by a mile. Meeting you, Brother Zhou? Already a solid haul.”


    “Brother Cui, you’re a wise one.”


    Cui Yaozhi didn’t seem to have an agenda—just here to vibe with Black Cloud’s breakout star.


    No talk of teaming up for the Mountain God trials.


    Not even a hint.


    Sparring? Out of the question.


    All smooth sailing.


    Finally, Cui Yaozhi stood. “Meeting you today, Brother Zhou, I feel like I’ve found a kindred spirit. If you ever hit Qingzhou, swing by Clear River—let me play host.”


    Han teased, “What, I didn’t host you well enough here in Black Cloud?”


    Cui Yaozhi laughed, waving it off. “Not at all—don’t twist my words!”


    “Catch you later, Brother Zhou.”


    “Safe travels, Brother Cui.”


    Han saw him out of Tai Bai. Bai Ruoyue sidled up right after, curious. “What’d that fancy clan kid want?”


    “Just a meet-and-greet—making friends,” Han said. “No business talk.”


    “Pretty laid-back, huh?”


    Han smirked. “Clear River Cui Clan—world-class name, deep enough pockets to let him kick back.”


    “With their foundation, a bust in Black Mountain’s no skin off their nose.”


    Then he sighed. “Man, the gap between people’s wild, though.”


    “Some Heavenly Dragon Sect inner disciples strut around like they own the place—arrogant as hell. Cui Yaozhi, a legit Cui heir, doesn’t even flex half as hard.”


    Different breeds, for sure.


    At the Cui Clan’s temp base, Cui Yaozhi rolled back in. A Yin Spirit elder, Cui Xian, piped up.


    “Yaozhi, how’d it go? That Tai Bai Han as good as the hype?”


    Cui Yaozhi mulled it over, then nodded. “Real presence—steady, confident, brimming with spirit. Didn’t see him fight, but he’s got that prodigy spark.”


    “Your eye’s never off,” Cui Xian said. “Guess it’s legit then.”


    “Worth keeping in touch—could be a wild card. A prodigy popping out of a backwater like this? Bound to surprise us.”


    Top lineages birthing prodigies was par for the course. But a gem from the sticks? That’s something else.


    “Han’s not with Xuandu Temple, right?”


    Another Cui piped up. “Nope—checked hard. No ties beyond Tai Bai Martial Hall.”


    “Interesting,” Cui Xian mused. “What’s Lu Qingmo thinking?”


    “Forget what she’s plotting,” Cui Yaozhi said with a laugh. “Han’s solid—hanging with him’s all upside. No need to pitch joining Cui—just pure friendship works.”


    “Heard he’s tight with the Meng family’s little prince too.”


    “Your call, Yaozhi—handle it how you see fit.”


    He nodded, turning to the other Cui disciples, tone firm. “You heard me—I’m not saying grovel to Han. Cui’s got its pride. But I don’t wanna see any of you flexing your name and acting like hotshots either.”


    “He’s low-born but a top-tier prodigy. No need to kiss up—just don’t be dicks.”


    The crew nodded quick—yes, sir.


    Not like the Cui Clan feared some unripe prodigy.


    A thousand years of legacy, churning out prodigies left and right—no room for fear.


    But no fear didn’t mean disrespect or picking pointless fights.


    Ignore him if you want—fine. But starting beef for no reason? Brain-dead move.


    What’s king in this world?


    Talent.


    A faction lasting a millennium had its own savvy way of playing the game.


    Enemies aplenty, sure—but friends too.


    Cui Xian’s question lingered, though—one plenty of folks shared:


    A wild prodigy like this, mentored by a Xuandu disciple, and he’s not in Xuandu Temple?


    Makes no sense!


    What’s Lu Qingmo up to?


    Not taking him as a disciple—what’s her endgame?