Chapter 8

"This is for the slave who takes care of my horses, his name is Fang Han. He is quite reliable and has never deducted any horse feed. However, last time because he delayed my hunting, I gave him ten lashes and then rewarded him with five taels of silver." Fang Qingwei said casually.

"Is that so?" Fang Qingsnow pondered for a moment, no one knew what this proud lady was thinking: "This time, I am taking you all to the Feathered Immortal Mountain. Although it is a fairyland, it is not as convenient as a big city, so it is necessary to bring some servants for care. Since Fang Han is reliable, let's take him along. If he can take good care of the horses, he can also raise spirit beasts in the future. Alright, let's go."

With a command, hundreds of Fang family's servants and dozens of carriages set off in a grand procession.

"Indeed, Master Baihai was right. As long as I am among people, Miss Fang Qingsnow can immediately see my extraordinary qualities. But if she discovers that I have taken the Nine Apertures Golden Pill, she might kill me immediately. Can I hide it?"

Although Fang Han did not hear the conversation between Miss Fang Qingsnow and Fang Qingwei, he knew in his heart that Fang Qingsnow had noticed him.

While leading Qianli Snow, he moved with the group, constantly thinking.

Another night fell.

The Fang family's group arrived at a county town on the edge of Longyuan Province. Hundreds of people rested, preparing to continue the journey the next day. In the middle of the night, Fang Han ground soy milk, boiled it, and fed it to the horses, along with eggs and meat powder, making sure Qianli Snow was well-fed before settling the horse down. He then sneaked out to a deserted field, set up his stance, and practiced boxing.

This time, he was not practicing the "Seven Stars Fist," but the "Pine Crane Longevity Fist" he had secretly learned.

"Crane Claw Prints on Sand"! "Ice Crane Guards Plum" "Immortal Crane Shakes Feathers" "Crane Dances in the Sky" "Pine Crane Extends Life"!

He performed each of the five moves, moving like a crane, still like a pine.

The "Pine Crane Longevity Fist," like the "Seven Stars Fist," is an extremely advanced body-strengthening technique. However, the "Seven Stars Fist" is fierce and powerful, as evident from moves like "Stepping on the Seven Stars" and "Kicking the Dipper."

Generally, only emperors and true dragon sons are born with seven stars under their feet.

The "Pine Crane Longevity Fist," on the other hand, is serene and natural, imitating the carefree and long-lived cranes and pines.

The styles of the Feathered Immortal Sect and the Star Sect can be seen from this. Fang Han carefully compared them in his mind. Since he had the Nine Apertures Golden Pill in his heart, he had become stronger, his mind exceptionally sharp, his intelligence developed, his reactions quick, and his thinking flexible. Learning martial arts was also greatly enhanced.

He practiced the "Pine Crane Longevity Fist" repeatedly, while thinking about the "Seven Stars Fist." In a daze, Fang Han felt that the two styles, one internal and one external, like water and fire, were blending together in his body. His muscles were constantly bursting with energy, his heart pumping blood, driving the Nine Apertures Golden Pill to spin rapidly, sending powerful medicinal effects throughout his body.

Boom!

The fierce style of the "Seven Stars Fist" and the carefree style of the "Pine Crane Longevity Fist" were forcibly fused by the Nine Apertures Golden Pill.

In an instant, his blood circulated nine times throughout his body.

His heart rate slowed, becoming half as fast as before, but much stronger, like a solid hammer, firm and powerful.

"I have actually reached the fifth level, the Divine Strength realm!"

Fang Han knew that the changes in his body indicated that he had entered a new realm, the fifth level of the Divine Strength realm, characterized by a slower heart rate, continuous vitality, and immense power.

"Hmm!"

Before he could fully appreciate the benefits of the Divine Strength realm, Fang Han suddenly felt a movement in his chest. The Nine Apertures Golden Pill, which had been sewn into his chest, suddenly drilled inward, stopping at the center of his heart, becoming even more hidden.

Previously, the Nine Apertures Golden Pill was sewn into his chest, but now, with his heart suddenly slowing, it was sucked into the depths of his heart by the blood pressure.

This made it even harder for others to discover.

"Crane Claw Prints on Sand!"

Suddenly, he grabbed a large tree with his fingers like a crane's claw, tearing off a large piece of bark and wood.

If this claw had grabbed a person, it would have torn off a large piece of flesh.

The power had increased again!

Fang Han continuously exerted his Divine Strength, dodging, jumping, and running. With a sprint, he moved over ten feet, then pulled back, his body moving freely but fiercely and swiftly, like a tiger or a leopard.

In fact, reaching the Divine Strength realm, one's strength is like a galloping horse, agility like a monkey, and claws like a tiger or leopard, making one a human weapon. Some core disciples of the Fang family had not reached this level.

"You have practiced the 'Pine Crane Longevity Fist' quite well. You must have been secretly learning it for a long time."

At that moment, a voice suddenly came from behind Fang Han.

"Indeed, she has come!" Fang Han's heart trembled. Although he had anticipated this, he still felt uneasy.

Turning around, he saw a beautiful woman in white standing under the moonlight not far behind him. It was Fang Qingsnow.

"Ah, Miss!"

Fang Han immediately appeared flustered, like a thief caught in the act, wanting to run but hesitating.

This was a reaction he had rehearsed many times in his mind, now performed vividly.

After a few breaths, thud! Fang Han sank to his knees and knelt before Fang Qingsnow, wailing: "Miss, spare me! Miss, spare me! I only occasionally saw it and couldn't resist practicing. Miss, forgive me."

"That's not bad." Fang Qingsnow's eyes flickered slightly at Fang Han's reaction. She said calmly, "You still know to fear punishment. If you had run away just now, your fate would have been like that rock over there."

As she spoke, Fang Qingsnow flicked her finger, and a bright purple lightning blade flashed, slicing a man-sized boulder into two pieces a thousand steps away.

"Is this the Feathered Immortal Sect's Purple Lightning Yin Thunder Blade? Master Baihai died to this power, truly invincible against thousands of troops!"

Feeling the powerful electric current in the air, Fang Han was truly terrified. It was the first time he had seen the power of a Secret Realm expert.

If one were at the Body Realm, even a Divine Transformation expert would die under the attack of thousands of troops, as the strength of the body is limited.

But Secret Realm experts, who can control qi, electricity, and fire, and are covered in protective energy, can fly and transform. Ordinary people cannot harm them. He finally understood why Secret Realm experts are transcendent and different from ordinary people.

He lowered his head even more, as if scared stiff, muttering, "Miss, spare me..."

"When can I reach the Secret Realm... and be on equal footing with Miss... Master Baihai told me to kill her, but how can I kill her?" Fang Han's thoughts raced.

"Get up."

Fang Qingsnow's calm voice conveyed the message. This peerless beauty and Secret Realm expert always spoke in the same tone, without any emotional fluctuations, as if she had already transcended joy and sorrow, pursuing immortality and the Dao with a calm and composed demeanor.

"I've passed a small test!"

Hearing this, Fang Han's heart relaxed, but he did not get up, continuing to kneel and loyally saying, "I have committed a great sin and should continue to kneel and atone. Miss, please instruct and punish me." This was a show of loyalty.

"Logically, you should not have reached the Divine Strength realm. Have you taken any miraculous elixirs?" Fang Qingsnow's tone softened slightly, seemingly moved by Fang Han's "show of loyalty."

"Yes, five years ago, I was washing a horse in the Longyuan River when suddenly there was lightning and thunder. A long-horned snake emerged from the river, scaring me. But then the snake was struck dead by lightning. Out of curiosity, I fished it out and cooked it, eating it for many days. I also ate the snake's gallbladder, which was red and hard like a stone. I cooked it for half a day to soften it. Since then, my body has become better, and I developed the idea of secretly learning martial arts. I deserve death for my sins."

Fang Han bowed again.

This story was not fabricated but told to him by Master Baihai.

"Unicorn Viper?" Fang Qingsnow listened and said, "A hundred years ago, my ancestor killed a Unicorn Viper in the Longyuan River. I didn't expect there to be a male and female pair."

Her eyes glanced at Fang Han's heart, and he felt his heart constrict, the Nine Apertures Golden Pill seemingly stopping.

Fortunately, Fang Qingsnow did not look closely, and it was also fortunate that Fang Han had just reached the Divine Strength realm, his heart rate suddenly slowing, sucking the Nine Apertures Golden Pill to the deepest core. It was also fortunate that Fang Qingsnow was distracted by Fang Han's story, otherwise, the secret of the Nine Apertures Golden Pill might have been discovered.

"The gallbladder of a Unicorn Viper is a natural elixir that strengthens the body. After consuming it, one becomes immensely strong. You have secretly practiced for five years and reached the Divine Strength realm, which is quite impressive." Fang Qingsnow said, "Many core disciples of our Fang family do not have your luck. It seems you are a fortunate person. However, the gallbladder of a Unicorn Viper has already pushed you to the limit of the Divine Strength realm. To continue practicing, you will need a substantial material foundation. Follow me to the Feathered Immortal Mountain and help me raise spirit beasts."

As she spoke, Fang Qingsnow's body floated away.

"I've finally passed the test!"

Fang Han confirmed that Fang Qingsnow had left, then stood up, catching his breath. The conversation had been a matter of life and death.