The phoenix jelly slid into Han’s mouth… and didn’t melt. He chewed it a few times before finally breaking it down and swallowing. Streams of heat surged through his body, chaotic at first, until they seemed to lock onto something specific. Part of the energy shot straight to his head, diving into his soul’s domain and pouring into the Yang Fire flickering across his spirit.


    “Whoosh!” The Yang Fire flared up, as if doused with fuel, growing stronger and more vibrant.


    On Han’s soul, both Yin and Yang Flames danced, distinct yet harmonious. Meanwhile, another surge of heat raced toward his back. Sensing the shift, Han froze for a second before a memory clicked into place. When he’d refined that drop of phoenix true blood and gained the Phoenix Fire, it hadn’t just stopped there—his back had sprouted a pair of phoenix-wing-like patterns. He’d tried activating them before, but nothing ever happened. Over time, he’d shrugged it off—useless markings, no response, like they weren’t even there.


    But now, with the phoenix jelly’s energy flooding in, his back began to warm. “Mo, can you check what’s happening to my back? This treasure’s power—it’s affecting those wing patterns.”


    “Hm?” Lu Qingmo raised an eyebrow, puzzled at first, then recalled what he meant. Han tugged his shirt halfway down, baring his back. She leaned in, her eyes widening. “The patterns are glowing, and faint flames are rising off them—like they’re coming alive.”


    She reached out, her hand hovering close, and added, “There’s definitely heat coming off it.”


    Then it hit her—something was off. A cultivator unable to “see” their own back? With mental energy at their disposal? She’d been had. With an exasperated huff, she said, “Deal with it yourself. Call me if something goes wrong.” She plopped down nearby, keeping an eye on him from the sidelines.


    “…” Han was speechless. I’m innocent here!


    Once the phoenix jelly’s energy fully absorbed, Han summoned his Yang Fire to check it out. It felt beefier—visibly larger by a good inch, its essence pulsing with vitality. Then he focused on his back, channeling true qi into the wing patterns. As the energy flowed, he sensed something breaking free. Twisting his head, he caught sight of red flames flickering out, chaotic and swirling, trying to take shape but failing to hold.


    After a few attempts, with the flames refusing to solidify, Han shook his head and cut off the qi. It was progress—more than before—but still incomplete. Lu Qingmo’s voice cut in. “If I’m right, once you can fully tap into those wing patterns, you’ll likely sprout a pair of wings. Probably phoenix wings… a simplified version, though. Nothing like the real deal.”


    Han mulled it over. “If that day comes, doesn’t that mean I could fly with my physical body?”


    Flight was a game-changer. From the Day Roaming realm onward, it was a cultivator’s trump card against martial artists. Even if they couldn’t win, they’d just take to the skies—leaving martial artists helpless until they too gained flight. If Han could pull it off with his body alone, he’d have a massive edge in combat and travel at his current stage.


    Lu Qingmo nodded. “Should be doable.”


    Han’s heart leapt, though a weird thought crept in. He wouldn’t grow literal flesh-and-blood phoenix wings—any future manifestation would be energy-based. Still… Fighting spirit turning into wings, huh?


    Four days flew by in a blink. On this day, Taibai Martial Hall buzzed with good news: Bai Ruoyue had hit the peak of the Organ Refinement realm, just one step shy of Bone Forging. She’d reached Organ Refinement Mastery back at the start of the month when Han unlocked the Drifting Wish Bottle cheat. Now, nearing the end of the Longevity Dao Fruit month—almost three months later—she’d maxed it out, thanks to a slew of resources. Going from Mastery to Peak wasn’t as brutal as earlier breakthroughs; it was just a matter of pushing the body’s limits further.


    This meant Bai Ruoyue was on track to hit Bone Forging before twenty, meeting the speed benchmark for a peerless prodigy. Speed, mind you—not strength. In major traditions, breaking into Bone Forging before twenty marked you as elite in martial cultivation. Soul cultivation was a different beast—its early stages progressed faster, so the bar wasn’t the same.


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    Her breakthrough signaled Taibai Martial Hall was about to welcome its first Bone Forging disciple—a big deal. Bai Ruoyue was practically glowing with pride. “Finally, I haven’t let Little Junior Brother catch up to me!”


    That was her crowning glory. This leap kept her ahead of Han for a bit longer. When she’d hit Organ Refinement Mastery, Han was just starting the realm. Over the past three months, she’d watched him rocket through breakthroughs, nearing Mastery himself and closing the gap fast. It’d stressed her out—she couldn’t let him overtake her, not yet. She knew his pace would eventually leave her in the dust; it was only a matter of time. But holding onto her Senior Sister swagger a while longer? That was worth celebrating.


    Thankfully, she’d nailed the final step today. Unless something wild happened, Han wouldn’t surpass her before Bone Forging—she could keep strutting her stuff. “Way out in front!” she crowed.


    Han laughed. “Senior Sister, don’t get too caught up in comparing.”


    “Hmph!” Bai Ruoyue’s eyes sparkled with smug delight. “Little Junior Brother, you’d better show me some respect now. Once I hit Bone Forging, I’ll teach you a lesson or two!” She flexed a fist for emphasis—adorably so.


    Han blinked playfully. “Then how about we celebrate your breakthrough with a spar in the backyard tonight?”


    The implication was crystal clear. Bai Ruoyue’s face flushed, and she shot him a fierce glare. You shameless flirt!


    Truth be told, since Bai Tian’s return, Han hadn’t had a chance—or the time—to “spar” with Bai Ruoyue. The others trickled in soon after. She’d bolted to Han the second she broke through, eager to share the news. Shen Yu wasn’t around, though—she’d gone into Black Mountain with Yun Duo four days ago and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.


    “Senior Sister, you really did it?” Shen Long asked.


    Bai Ruoyue tilted her chin up. “What, you doubt me? Want to test it out?”


    Shen Long waved her off with a grin. “No need—I believe you. You’re amazing, Senior Sister.”


    Bai Tian approached, his eyes gleaming with pride and relief as he looked at her. “Organ Refinement Peak, Bone Forging before twenty—good. Very good. That kind of pace gets noticed anywhere.”


    Han’s mind stirred, glancing at Bai Tian thoughtfully. Maybe Bai Ruoyue’s shine would solidify their master’s resolve to head to the Ling family. It wasn’t just about reuniting the family—over there, she’d get top-tier training. Safety wouldn’t be an issue either; Lu Qingmo had filled Han in on the Ling family’s messy dynamics. Ling Yue wasn’t alone—big clans always had factions and rival voices. Lu Qingmo had even said Bai Ruoyue returning to the Ling family was a solid move.


    Shaking off those thoughts, Han smiled. “Tomorrow’s the Mountain God’s trial, and Senior Sister breaks through today? That’s a great omen. Looks like Taibai Martial Hall’s in for a smooth ride tomorrow.”


    “Exactly!” Bai Ruoyue nodded enthusiastically. “With so many big shots in Black Cloud Town right now, it’s the perfect time for Taibai to make a name for itself.”


    She was still dead-set on putting Taibai on the map. Then her gaze softened as she turned to Han. “Little Junior Brother, thanks for all your help.” Without his game-changing contributions, she’d have hit Organ Refinement Peak at twenty, not now. Han’s impact had sped things up big time, and she knew it.


    Han waved it off. “We’re family—no need for thanks. Good luck tomorrow.”


    The past few days in Black Cloud Town had been calm, a stark shift from the chaos when outsiders first rolled in. Ever since the top traditions and their prodigies showed up, a quiet had settled in. The loudmouths had learned to keep it low-key. Word of Zuo Tianzheng’s death had spread too, stirring up a decent ripple. His cultivation wasn’t sky-high, but his status made him a big deal. A figure like that dying here turned heads—speculation ran wild, everyone itching to know what got him.


    Before the major factions flooded in, Zuo Tianzheng had been a force, making waves. Now? Gone in a flash. The imperial Bai elder and his crew had grilled Suzhen Palace and others who’d ventured into the mountain, digging for answers. Nothing solid turned up. It was like Zuo Tianzheng really had fallen to some wild beast—leaving them stumped. Murder meant revenge, but a beast? How do you settle that score? Killing some dumb animal wouldn’t feel like justice.


    Still, the imperial folks hadn’t given up. They needed a concrete answer, not guesses. Deep down, they couldn’t buy that Zuo Tianzheng and his two companions, with their strength, would go down to a beast. It was too far-fetched.


    Time ticked on, and the night passed. As the sun climbed the sky, a figure soared out of Black Mountain—a soul, solid as stone, radiating an unfathomable majesty that made it hard to look at directly, like gazing on a god. A Yin God Venerable! Emerging from Black Mountain, their allegiance was obvious.


    They streaked into Black Cloud Town, landing at the Yun estate, catching the attention of other powerhouses at their level. Those masters exchanged knowing looks—something big was brewing. Sure enough, a message soon rippled out from the Yun family: Beyond Black Mountain, the Mountain God’s blessings shower all!