In Five-Dragon City of the Great Xuan Empire, a striking young man arrived before the Six Paths Alliance trading house.
He wore yellow robes, his hair the same brilliant gold. His features were foreign—deep-set blue eyes, a high nose bridge—clearly not of the Xuanhuang races. A massive two-handed greatsword was strapped across his back, and full armor encased his body. Handsome, imposing, unmistakably exotic.
This man was Fang Han.
Or rather, Fang Han transformed through the Reincarnation Transmigration Art.
The name Life-Stealing Scholar could no longer be used—too many people had already connected it to him. This time, he assumed the identity of a rare offworld noble: Prince Wula, a cultivator from the nearby Wula Star, a world not far from the Xuanhuang Great World. Not just any cultivator, but a prince of the highest status.
With this disguise, no one could possibly link him to Fang Han.
His reason for bypassing the Feathered Immortal Sect and coming directly to the Great Xuan Empire was simple: the Six Paths Alliance. He needed information—precise, reliable intelligence on Yan Shuiyi—so he could find a way to approach her and extract from her the complete final canon of the Panwu Great Strength Art.
A full month of secluded contemplation underground had revealed a fatal flaw in his cultivation.
Other incomplete divine abilities could be discarded if necessary. But the Panwu Great Strength Art governed the structure of his seas of consciousness. Abandoning it would collapse multiple consciousness seas, severely crippling his cultivation—and possibly destroying any hope of ever entering the Longevity Secret Realm.
This was likely one of Hua Tiandu's hidden schemes.
But Fang Han was Fang Han. If there was a trap, there was a way out.
That way led to Yan Shuiyi.
Looking up at the three characters Six Paths Alliance carved into the plaque above the entrance—radiant, pulsing faintly as if absorbing the essence of sun, moon, and stars—Fang Han nodded inwardly.
Five-Dragon City was the second-largest city of the Great Xuan Empire and housed a Six Paths Alliance branch.
He had deliberately avoided Xuanhuang City. Too many factions, too many experts—far too easy to be exposed.
"Fellow Daoist," two Six Paths Alliance disciples stepped forward. Both were at the tenth level of the Physical Body Realm, the Divine Transformation stage. "What brings you to our trading house so early? Are you looking to purchase treasures, pills—or secrets and intelligence?"
They eyed Fang Han's foreign appearance without surprise. Offworld cultivators were nothing unusual to them.
"I am Prince Wula," Fang Han said calmly. "I'm here to buy information. A major transaction. Summon someone who can make decisions."
As he spoke, he released a trace of his aura—just enough.
In an instant, both disciples felt it.
Above Fang Han's crown, blazing golden light surged like a rising sun.
A Golden Core expert—Divine Ability Seventh Layer! A true minor giant of the cultivation world!
The two disciples were shaken. With their experience, they instantly understood that this "Prince Wula" was no ordinary customer.
"Forgive our discourtesy, senior," one said hurriedly. "Please wait. We'll summon our branch overseer immediately."
They ushered Fang Han inside, leading him to a private elegant chamber. Rare spiritual fruits—Vermilion Fruits, Dragon-Serpent Fruits, Nine-Leaf Ganoderma—were promptly served.
"The Six Paths Alliance truly knows how to do business," Fang Han thought as he accepted the hospitality. "But this respect comes simply because I revealed Golden Core cultivation. If I were an ancient giant of the Longevity Realm… the treatment would be on an entirely different level."
After a short while, the chamber door opened.
A Daoist nun in jade-colored robes entered. Her complexion was rosy as peach blossoms, her fingers slender and elegant. As she walked, petals of illusory peach blossoms drifted through the air around her—an anomaly formed from condensed gang qi.
Fang Han's eyes flickered.
Ninth Layer of the Divine Ability Realm—Heaven-and-Earth Dharma Aspect.
And more than that—she wasn't human. She was a peach tree spirit, cultivated and awakened by an unknown expert.
"Are you of the royal bloodline of Wula Star?" she asked gently. "I am Peach Blossom Immortal, overseer of the Six Paths Alliance branch in Five-Dragon City."
As she spoke, she subtly released her aura, testing him.
Yet Fang Han remained completely at ease.
This surprised her.
By all logic, a Golden Core cultivator should show caution before a Ninth Layer expert. That was how the Six Paths Alliance usually established control in negotiations—hospitality first, pressure second.
But Fang Han had already subdued ancient giants. A Heaven-and-Earth Dharma Aspect cultivator meant nothing to him.
"What sort of major business does Prince Wula wish to conduct with our Six Paths Alliance?" Peach Blossom Immortal asked, abandoning the pressure.
"Whether the deal succeeds doesn't matter," Fang Han replied casually. "I only want to test your capabilities. If this works out, there will be far greater business in the future."
He flicked his finger.
A crystal card flew forward.
"This is the deposit. I'm buying a secret."
Peach Blossom Immortal reached out to catch it—but the card continued spinning, slipping from her grasp. Her expression changed instantly. Pink gang qi erupted from her fingers as she unleashed a divine ability—True Wood Entangling Threads—finally subduing the card.
She exhaled slowly, staring at Fang Han with renewed caution.
"Prince Wula possesses terrifying cultivation."
"Please check the amount," Fang Han said lightly, tapping the table.
She glanced at it—and froze.
"One hundred million pills?!"
Even Qiu Xiyu had been stunned by such a sum. Peach Blossom Immortal was no exception.
Fang Han's method had worked. He always preferred overwhelming force.
"During my travels," Fang Han said with a sigh, his tone suddenly filled with emotion, "I once encountered Fairy Yan Shuiyi of the Taiyi Sect. From that moment, I was struck as if by lightning. Five hundred years of longing followed. I returned to Wula Star, cultivated bitterly, mastered several supreme divine abilities, and received powerful artifacts from my royal father. With my strength greatly advanced, I came to the Xuanhuang World for one reason alone—to find Fairy Yan."
He sighed again, deeply.
"Yet Taiyi Sect is impenetrable. And I heard she's already betrothed—to the Feathered Immortal Sect's foremost true disciple, someone named Hua… Hua something. Is it true? Ah… love that spans centuries…"
His performance was flawless.
Even Peach Blossom Immortal was almost moved.
"It is true," she said after a pause. "Yan Shuiyi is betrothed to Hua Tiandu. Both are destined to enter the Longevity Realm. Prince Wula, though your status is noble, I must be frank—your chances are slim. Still, if you have requests, the Six Paths Alliance will do its best."
She did not want to let that crystal card go.
"My request isn't excessive," Fang Han said, waving a hand wearily. "I only hope the Six Paths Alliance can arrange a single meeting. Just once."
"Oh—that's easy," Peach Blossom Immortal said with visible relief.
She had feared Fang Han wanted them to overturn the engagement. That would have been impossible—even a hundred billion pills wouldn't suffice.
Arranging a meeting, however, was trivial.
What a fool, she thought inwardly. Such terrifying cultivation, yet trapped in a love tribulation—paying a hundred million pills just for a meeting.
"Coincidentally," she added, "Fairy Yan Shuiyi has recently been purchasing information from our alliance. We can arrange this."
"What? She's buying information?" Fang Han exclaimed, feigning urgency. He flicked out another crystal card. "How much? I'll pay first!"
Peach Blossom Immortal nearly jumped.
"Another hundred million?! No, no—her request isn't worth that much. Ten million at most. She's already paid in full."
"What information is she seeking?" Fang Han asked quickly.
"It's nothing confidential. Many have asked about it lately. She's inquiring about someone from the Feathered Immortal Sect."
"A man named… Fang Han."
Fang Han's expression didn't change.
"Who is this Fang Han? Why is everyone asking about him?"
"He's the most prominent figure of late," Peach Blossom Immortal explained. "At Linglong Immortal's birthday banquet, he defeated the fourth, fifth, and sixth-ranked candidates on the Longevity Reserve List. His cultivation is unfathomable—and he possesses a demonic supreme treasure. An absolute-grade Dao Artifact."
"An absolute-grade Dao Artifact?" Fang Han exclaimed in disbelief. "Even ancient giants struggle to wield those!"
"True absolute-grade artifacts require multiple ancient giants working together," Peach Blossom Immortal said. "But his artifact is incomplete."
"Then why is Fairy Yan Shuiyi investigating him?" Fang Han asked casually. "Admiration? Interest? Or… his treasure? Though with her temperament, she wouldn't covet another's possessions."
"That I cannot say," Peach Blossom Immortal replied. "Perhaps you can ask her yourself."
At that moment, the jade bracelet on her wrist lit up. She sent her divine sense into it, watching silently for a long time before lifting her head.
"Prince Wula, please come with me. Fairy Yan Shuiyi has just arrived at our main Six Paths Alliance headquarters in Xuanhuang City."
She smiled faintly.
"We'll arrange a discreet meeting. You must make it appear accidental. Understood?"
Fang Han grinned broadly.
"Perfectly."