WHOOSH—!

Fang Han’s eyes were ice-cold. He shifted his Step Technique, easily dodging the desperate blow.

The only reason the two had managed to last more than ten exchanges with him was because they had teamed up, forcing him to fight one against two.

With only one left, it was almost too easy for him given his current strength.

His Flowing Wind Sword swept back with the momentum.

SHLICK!

The grim Martial Artist’s head flew into the air with a spray of blood. His headless body staggered a few steps before crashing heavily to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, both Sixth Grade Martial Artists had been slain!

The only one left was Song Xiang, who had collapsed to the ground, trembling like a leaf.

The reason he had become Chu Feng’s most trusted confidant wasn’t because of his strength, but because he was shrewd, obedient, and skilled at currying favor with his master.

In terms of actual strength, he was merely an Eighth Grade Martial Artist.

He watched in terror as Fang Han approached step by step. The gaze from beneath Fang Han’s mask was so cold it made his very soul tremble.

"Y-You’re using the Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword! And that Body Technique... it’s the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step!"

As if he had uncovered a heaven-shattering secret, Song Xiang shrieked, "You’re Fang—"

Before the "Han" could leave his lips, a flash of sword light streaked across Song Xiang’s throat.

Song Xiang’s cry was cut short. He clutched his throat with both hands as blood gushed from between his fingers.

His eyes bulged, filled with utter terror and regret, before he finally succumbed to death.

’Just as I thought. It’s easy to be identified by my Martial Techniques.’

Fang Han sheathed his sword, his expression completely unfazed.

As a disciple of the Qingxuan Sect, Song Xiang’s death would inevitably trigger an investigation from the Sect.

But there was no other choice. Song Xiang had already identified him through his Martial Techniques. If he hadn’t killed Song Xiang, his identity would have been exposed.

Once his Martial Techniques were recognized, Song Xiang had to die.

He quickly searched the four corpses, stuffing the silver notes, Pill Bottles, and other valuables he found into his robes without taking the time for a closer look.

Then, he channeled his Inner Qi and used his Flowing Wind Sword on several key areas of the four bodies.

He paid special attention to the wounds caused by the two Sixth Grade Martial Artists’ weapons and the gash on Song Xiang’s throat, adding a few more cuts to destroy the original sword marks.

This was to prevent experienced Martial Artists from identifying the Martial Technique used based on the injuries.

After finishing, he didn’t linger. He executed the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step at full power, his figure vanishing like a wisp of smoke into the vast mountain forest, leaving no trace behind.

SWOOSH!

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn after Fang Han’s departure, a furious figure swept in like a hurricane. It was Chu Feng, who had gone and now returned.

His face was ashen, and he was in a foul mood.

After chasing for some distance without finding any trace of the thief, a strong sense of unease had risen in his heart.

He immediately realized it might have been a ploy to lure the tiger from the mountain and rushed back at full speed.

His bad premonition had come true.

The sight that greeted him was four corpses strewn across the ground, their blood staining the earth red.

Luo Yan’s neck was broken, his eyes wide open.

One of the Sixth Grade Martial Artists had been pierced through the heart, the other decapitated.

Song Xiang’s throat had been slit, a ghastly sight.

’Just as I feared... I fell for it!’

Seeing the scene before him, Chu Feng froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

In the silent mountain forest, the only sounds were the whistling wind and his own ragged breathing, which was as heavy as a broken bellows.

"AHHH—!!!"

The next moment, an indescribable rage erupted from him like a volcano.

Chu Feng threw his head back and let out a furious roar, a sound filled with endless killing intent and madness.

CLANG!

He violently drew the longsword from his waist. Its blade was as red as blood and radiated a searing heatwave.

Like a man possessed, he began to madly swing his sword, hacking at the surrounding trees and rocks!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Fierce Sword Qi shot out in all directions. Ancient trees that would take several people to encircle were sliced in half at the trunk, and massive boulders were shattered to pieces.

Wood splinters and stone dust filled the air as if he wanted to completely destroy the forest to vent the monstrous hatred in his heart.

"I don’t care who you are! I, Chu Feng, swear to the heavens that I will hunt you down, tear you to pieces, and annihilate your entire clan! AHHH—!"

His crazed roars echoed through the mountain forest, startling countless birds into flight.

With his hair disheveled, Chu Feng looked like a madman. The defeat and losses he had suffered today were far heavier than any before.

This was no longer just a slap in the face; it was his dignity being dragged through the mud and stomped on repeatedly.

...

After shaking off Chu Feng, Fang Han didn’t return directly to the Sect. Instead, he headed for his next target’s city—Panshi City, six hundred li to the northwest.

According to his intelligence, the force in Panshi City allied with Chu Feng was the Zhendong Escort Agency, which controlled several important trade routes in the area.

The Chief of the Escort, Feng Yuan, known as "Golden Saber," was a genuine Early-Sixth Grade Martial Artist. He had made quite a name for himself in the escort business with his formidable Golden Saber Technique.

Traveling at full speed, Fang Han arrived at Panshi City that same afternoon.

After paying the city entrance tax, he followed the crowd into the city.

As one of the major powers in Panshi City, the headquarters of the Zhendong Escort Agency was not hard to find.

It was located in the most prosperous area of the city’s eastern district, covering a vast expanse of land. Two imposing stone lions stood guard at the entrance, with banners fluttering in the wind, presenting an impressive sight.

Fang Han didn’t act rashly. He found an inn near the escort agency’s headquarters and booked a superior room facing the street.

He stood by the window, observing the Zhendong Escort Agency’s situation from a distance.

Indeed, having learned from the successive thefts at the other factions, the Zhendong Escort Agency’s security had been tightened to an unprecedented level.

Shadowy figures could be faintly seen moving atop the high walls—hidden sentries.

At the main gate, there were as many as eight guards, each with a formidable aura and sharp eyes.

Inside the agency, organized patrol teams walked by from time to time with steady steps, clearly all skilled experts.

After all, it was a faction with a Sixth Grade Martial Artist in charge. Its defenses were noticeably stricter than the previous targets.

’The security is tight, as expected... but not tight enough to stop me.’

Fang Han sneered inwardly.

Previously, it would have been extremely difficult for him to silently infiltrate a faction that was on high alert and guarded by a Sixth Grade Martial Artist.

But now, his Cultivation had reached the Late Stage of Sixth Grade, and both his Body Technique and Breath Concealment Technique were at the Great Success level. His strength had undergone a world-shaking transformation, so infiltration was no longer a difficult task.

However, to be on the safe side, he decided to make his move at night.

「Nightfall.」

Panshi City fell into a deep slumber, with only the occasional sound of the Night Watchman’s clapper breaking the silence.

Fang Han changed into Night Travel Clothes and put on his mask. He silently activated the Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique, and his entire being seemed to merge into a shadow in the dark night.

He pushed open the window and slipped out as silently as a falling leaf, melting into the night.

Avoiding the few patrolling Soldiers on the streets, Fang Han soon arrived outside the high walls of the Zhendong Escort Agency.

He didn’t choose to infiltrate from the front, instead circling around to a relatively secluded corner at the side and rear of the agency.

The wall was nearly three zhang high and lined with iron caltrops to prevent climbing.

But for Fang Han, these were useless obstacles.

With a light tap of his toes, his figure shot up, soaring over the wall as if weightless and landing without stirring a speck of dust.

Inside the agency, visible sentries and hidden checkpoints were everywhere, and patrol teams crisscrossed the grounds, leaving almost no blind spots.

Fang Han pushed his Ten Thousand Transformations Concealing Breath Technique and Flowing Wind Shadowless Step to their limits. His figure flickered rapidly through the shadows of the buildings like a true phantom.

He often crossed several zhang in the brief instant the patrols’ lines of sight intersected, perfectly avoiding detection.

He made a beeline for a separate courtyard deep within the agency—the residence of Feng Yuan, according to his intelligence.

The courtyard was quite spacious, paved with hard bluestone slabs, clearly a place for daily martial practice.

The main house was still lit, and the silhouette of a seated figure was projected on the window paper, seemingly meditating and regulating their breath.

Fang Han held his breath and focused, creeping closer to the window to confirm that Feng Yuan was the only person inside.

He channeled Inner Qi to his fingertips and gently vibrated the window latch open, his body slipping into the room like a wisp of smoke.

The very instant Fang Han entered the room, Feng Yuan, who was meditating on the couch, snapped his eyes open, a terrifying glint shooting from them.

As a Leader of the Escort who lived on the edge, his alertness was extremely high.

’Not good!’

The Golden Saber resting on Feng Yuan’s lap was already half-drawn, and a sharp Saber Momentum instantly locked onto Fang Han.

However, Fang Han was faster!

The moment Feng Yuan opened his eyes, Fang Han had already moved!

The Flowing Wind Shadowless Step allowed him to close the distance to Feng Yuan as if he had teleported.

His Flowing Wind Sword remained sheathed. He used the cloth-wrapped hilt as a weapon, imbuing it with the vast Inner Qi of his Late Stage of Sixth Grade Cultivation, and struck at Feng Yuan’s head.

THUD!

Feng Yuan’s body stiffened. His vision went black, and he lost consciousness completely, slumping limply onto the couch.

From Fang Han entering the room to subduing Feng Yuan, the entire process happened in a flash. It was clean and efficient, without making a single sound that could alert anyone outside.

Fang Han glanced at the unconscious Feng Yuan, gaining a clearer understanding of his own strength.

An Early-Sixth Grade Martial Artist had little to no power to resist him.

He wasted no more time and immediately began searching the room.

Martial practitioners, especially the Leader of an Escort Agency, usually kept their most important valuables within easy reach.

Soon, Fang Han discovered a hidden compartment beneath the bed, containing several heavy boxes.

He opened them to find gold ingots and a few pieces of expensive jewelry.

But this clearly wasn’t everything.

Fang Han continued to search the room carefully.

Soon, behind a painting of a fierce tiger descending a mountain, he found an even more concealed mechanism.

He pressed the mechanism, and a section of the wall slid open, revealing a small secret room.

Inside the secret room, more than twenty boxes of various sizes were neatly stacked.

The boxes were unlocked. He casually opened a few to find gleaming gold ingots, glittering silver ingots, and all sorts of Pearl Agate, their dazzling light revealing a quantity far greater than what he had found at the previous factions.

’As expected of an Escort Agency that controls trade routes. Their accumulated wealth is truly impressive!’

Fang Han felt a flicker of joy and didn’t hesitate, immediately beginning to "recharge."

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! ...

The boxes vanished one after another, and the wealth value on his panel began to jump wildly!

[Wealth: 8,555,000 silver]

[Wealth: 8,955,000 silver]

[Wealth: 9,355,000 silver]

...

Finally, after all the boxes had disappeared, the number slowly settled—

[Wealth: 10,962,000 silver]

’Over 2.4 million taels!’

He had gained over 2.4 million taels in a single operation!

This brought Fang Han’s total wealth past the ten-million mark, reaching 10,962,000 taels.

He could now unlock the Level 7 Amplification at any time.

The massive haul exhilarated him. He had finally gathered enough wealth to unlock the Level 7 Talent Amplification.

He suppressed the urge to upgrade immediately and quickly exited the secret room.

Then, just as he had arrived, he silently departed from the heavily guarded Zhendong Escort Agency, melting into the deep night.