Chapter 237: Chapter 236: Flowing Wind Shadowless Step, Great Success

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH—

As Fang Han’s mind completely immersed itself in comprehending the Step Technique, the Inner Qi in his body flowed naturally, and his steps gradually became fluid and effortless.

His figure flickered erratically across the courtyard’s open space. At times, he was like a willow catkin drifting on the wind, gentle and silent.

At others, he was like a flash of lightning, as swift as thunder.

The footwork was unpredictable, seeming to align with some rhythm of the world itself, blending perfectly with the surrounding airflow.

His understanding of "Transforming Solid into Void, Melting into the Wind" deepened at an unprecedented rate.

Before he knew it, the sun had set and the moon had risen over the willow trees.

Suddenly, Fang Han’s figure paused, then violently accelerated!

BUZZ—

A faint hum, as if it had merged with the wind, emanated from within his body.

In an instant, the airflow around him seemed to come alive, coiling around his legs. His speed suddenly surged dramatically!

As he moved, the afterimages he left behind became more solid and difficult to distinguish, dazzling the eye.

His presence was reduced to a minimum as his aura blended almost perfectly with the surroundings.

"The Flowing Wind Shadowless Step is at Great Success!"

Fang Han slowly came to a stop, standing in the middle of the courtyard, his eyes shining with a brilliant light.

He felt an unprecedented lightness and explosive power in his legs, along with the profound realm of melting into the world and leaving no trace as he moved. His mood soared.

At the Great Success Level, the speed, agility, and stealth of the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step had taken a qualitative leap compared to the Mastery level.

His ability to survive and his mobility in actual combat had once again been greatly enhanced.

...

「Several hundred miles away, at the Gong Family Manor.」

The bedroom was thick with the smell of medicine.

Gong Biao was propped up in bed, his severed arm wrapped in thick gauze. His face was sallow from excessive blood loss.

He stared anxiously at the doorway, his heart filled with both anticipation and unease.

’Xing’er went to the Fang Family. By now, he should have already taken Fang Han’s head and flattened the Fang Family, right?’

Just then, the door was thrown open, and a figure stumbled inside.

"Xing’er!"

Gong Biao looked up in delight, but when he saw the person’s appearance, the joy on his face instantly froze, replaced by horror.

He saw that the robes on Gong Xing’s chest were soaked in blood, revealing a gruesome wound with flesh torn and rolled back.

His face was as pale as paper, his aura weak and chaotic. Where was the majestic presence of a True Inheritor of the Netherworld Pavilion?

"Xing’er! You... what happened to you?"

Gong Biao struggled to sit up, his voice sharp and distorted with terror.

"Could it be that Fang Han..."

"I lost..."

Gong Xing’s voice was hoarse and weak, tinged with unspeakable humiliation and resentment. He leaned against the doorframe, breathing with difficulty.

"I lost to Fang Han!"

"What?! That’s impossible!"

Gong Biao looked as if he had been struck by lightning. He shook his head violently, his face etched with disbelief.

"How could you lose? You’re a veteran True Inheritor, and that Fang Han is just a newly promoted one..."

"That brat’s strength is nothing like that of an ordinary new True Inheritor!"

Gong Xing let out a fierce growl, which pulled at his wound. He began to cough violently, spitting up flecks of blood.

Gong Biao choked back the words on the tip of his tongue. The color drained from his face; he had never seen his son in such a wretched state.

Gong Xing took a deep breath, suppressing his injuries and anger, and said coldly, "Fang Han’s strength is far beyond your imagination! For now, let this matter rest. You... just focus on recovering."

"And the Gong Family... everyone had better keep a low profile for a while. Don’t go looking for trouble for no reason, especially not with tough nuts like the Fang Family!"

His words were ice-cold, carrying an undeniable tone of command. It was clear he was extremely dissatisfied that the Gong Family had provoked a powerful enemy like Fang Han.

Gong Biao opened his mouth, looked at his son’s miserable state and cold eyes, and ultimately all his words turned to silent bitterness.

He slumped back against the headboard and said in a low voice,

"I understand."

Gong Xing briefly treated the horrifying wound on his chest and swallowed a few precious Elixirs. The color in his face returned slightly.

"Fang Han might come after me. I can’t stay here long; I need to return to the Sect immediately to heal."

"But don’t you worry. As long as I’m not dead, Fang Han won’t dare to make a move against the Gong Family, unless he wants to see us both destroyed."

After speaking, he forced himself to muster a breath of Inner Qi, turned, and left, quickly disappearing into the night.

Gong Biao lay alone in bed, staring at the empty doorway, then at his own severed right arm.

When he thought of his dead son, Gong Bao, and the many experts of his clan who had fallen, a huge wave of regret washed over him.

Ever since his son Gong Xing became a True Inheritor of the Netherworld Pavilion, he had grown arrogant, always believing that with Gong Xing around, he could handle anything.

But the truth was, even though Gong Xing was a True Inheritor of the Netherworld Pavilion, there was always someone stronger. His son couldn’t solve every problem.

The night was deep and dark. The Gong Family Manor was deathly silent, with only Gong Biao lying awake, consumed by regret.

...

「In the ink-black night, inside Tingyu Pavilion at the Fang Mansion in Liangshui City.」

All was silent, save for the rustling of bamboo leaves as the evening wind passed through, adding to the tranquility.

In the bedroom, Fang Han sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes slightly closed and his mind focused.

The Heart Method of the Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique slowly circulated in his mind. His Inner Qi followed a complex and exquisite path, and the aura around him retracted until it was as still as a deep, waveless pool.

More than two months had passed since his Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique had entered the Mastery Realm.

Despite the terrifying boost from his sixty-four-fold Secret Technique Talent, compared to the Cultivation, Swordsmanship, and Body Technique he practiced diligently every day, he had invested very little energy into the Breath Concealment Secret Technique, only practicing it in his spare moments.

After all, a person’s energy was limited, and he needed to focus his main efforts on aspects that could directly increase his immediate combat power.

Therefore, his progress in this Secret Technique seemed somewhat slow compared to the other three.

However, a sixty-four-fold boost was ultimately no small matter.

Even with only occasional practice, the slow and steady effort had accumulated. The barrier to the Great Success Realm was already as thin as a cicada’s wing, almost within reach.

As his Inner Qi shuttled through those subtle meridians, his control over his aura became increasingly refined and masterful.

A profound realm of "Transforming Solid into Void, Merging with All Things" gradually became clearer.

An unknown amount of time passed. It was close to midnight, when the moonlight was at its brightest—

The aura around Fang Han, already extremely restrained, suddenly underwent a qualitative change.

It didn’t vanish completely, but rather seemed to merge entirely with the surrounding environment.

It achieved a strange harmony and unity with the bed beneath him, the air flowing in the room, and even the faint moonlight seeping in through the window.

He sat there, yet it was as if he had become a part of the room—a stubborn rock, a piece of dead wood—without the slightest trace of a living human aura leaking out.

A feeling of perfect, unobstructed control, of mastery from the heart, welled up within him.

Fang Han slowly opened his eyes. They were calm and placid, but deep within his pupils, an imperceptible dark light flashed and vanished.

"The Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique is at Great Success!"

Fang Han muttered to himself, his voice calm but tinged with a hint of subtle joy.

At the Great Success Level, the Breath Concealment Effect of the Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique had taken a qualitative leap compared to the Mastery level.

Now, if he concealed himself with all his might, it would likely be extremely difficult for even a Fifth Grade master to find him, even if they were to probe carefully with their Spiritual Sense.

This was of great significance for hiding his tracks, sneaking up for ambushes, and even saving his life at critical moments.

’I heard that not only has Li Qinghong returned to the Sect, but the other two True Inheritors, Zhao Wuji and Sun Mo, have also returned...’

With both his strength and his Breath Concealment Ability improved, a thought stirred in Fang Han’s mind, and he recalled the news he had heard earlier.

Not only had Li Qinghong, who lost her True Inheritor position, returned, but the other two True Inheritors invited by Chu Feng—Zhao Wuji and Sun Mo—had also apparently come back to the Sect after a fruitless search.

This meant that the trap Chu Feng had set was no longer active.

An idea, like a weed, began to sprout and spread in his heart—to strike at Chu Feng’s subordinate forces once again!

His return to his family this time to deal with the Gong Family’s trouble provided him with the perfect cover, preventing any unusual attention that might arise from being away from the Sect for a long time.

’I’ll do just that!’

A cold glint flashed through Fang Han’s eyes.

Even though he was now a True Inheritor and Chu Feng’s overt suppression tactics were no longer effective, how could he just let go of everything Chu Feng had done before?

He had never forgotten their past grievances.

The recent incident where Li Qinghong was instigated to challenge him was still fresh in his mind.

If he had a chance to make Chu Feng frantic and suffer heavy losses, he would not hesitate.

Most importantly, this was the only way to quickly accumulate wealth and unlock even higher multiplier boosts.

His mind made up, his killing intent was contained within him, like a frozen lake—calm on the surface, but with turbulent currents raging below.

...

「The next morning.」

Fang Han bid farewell to his parents and younger sister.

Although his parents’ eyes held worry, they were filled more with trust and support.

His younger sister, Fang Ying, grabbed Fang Han’s hand and asked clingingly,

"Brother, when will you be back?"

"I’ll be back for the New Year."

Fang Han ruffled his younger sister’s hair, a gentle smile on his face as he nodded.

He wasn’t worried that the Gong Family would retaliate after he left.

Gong Xing had been severely wounded and had fled in defeat. As long as he, Fang Han, was alive, Gong Xing would never dare to touch the Fang Family, unless he wanted to gamble with the entire Gong Family’s existence.

This deterrence stemmed from the absolute strength he had displayed.

After leaving Liangshui City, Fang Han did not head directly back toward the Qingxuan Sect.

Instead, he found a secluded spot and took out a detailed map of Qingyang County that he had prepared earlier. He traced his finger over it carefully, finally stopping on the mark for a city called "Wangyue City."

According to the intelligence he had previously purchased from the Rain Pavilion, there was a gang in Wangyue City called the "Iron Fist Gang" that was affiliated with Chu Feng.

This gang had several Seventh Grade Martial Artists in its ranks, and its Gang Leader, "Earth-Splitting Hand" Shi Jian, was at the Late-Stage Seventh Grade Cultivation.

’Iron Fist Gang, it’ll be you.’

Fang Han put away the map and determined his direction. He channeled his Inner Qi into his legs according to the pathway of his Body Technique, and a current of air naturally gathered beneath his feet.

SWOOSH—

His figure transformed into a faint, barely perceptible green shadow, speeding along the main road toward Wangyue City.

After his Flowing Wind Shadowless Step reached Great Success, both his speed and endurance had improved significantly, making his travel much more efficient.

Just after noon, as the sun began to dip westward, the silhouette of a city came into view in the distance.

The walls were high and thick, the city’s outline sprawling. It was indeed Wangyue City.

Fang Han slowed down, paid the city entrance tax, and followed the flow of people into the city.

Wangyue City was even more prosperous than Liangshui City. The streets were wide, lined with shops, and teeming with people.

He didn’t linger. After making a few inquiries, he learned that the Iron Fist Gang’s headquarters was located in the western district of the city.