Before the imperial palace of the Spirit Kingdom's capital, a dense crowd had gathered—a most unusual sight. The palace was the sovereign's residence, and such commotion would normally be swiftly dispersed by guards. Yet on this day, no one intervened, for it was the final day of registration for the Spirit Kingdom's Young Generation Tournament, with the contest set to begin on the morrow.
As time wore on, the crowd gradually dispersed, those departing murmuring among themselves in excited tones.
"Say, have you heard? Someone extraordinary is joining the tournament this time!"
"As if I'm as ignorant as you! The whole kingdom is talking about it."
"Precisely! I had no intention of competing at first, but I traveled all this way just to catch a glimpse of him."
"I thought I was the only one in the know. Turns out everyone's aware."
"Hmph! Who hasn't heard that Jian Qingtian, the Third Young Master of the Jian clan—the so-called number one aristocratic family of the Spirit Kingdom—is joining the fray?"
"The stakes have never been higher. They say Jian Qingtian is a prodigy without equal, the third most talented scion of his clan. At just eighteen, he has already reached the third layer of the True Essence realm, his prowess no less formidable than his elder brother Jian Jingtian. If he were born a few years earlier, the Jian clan would claim two spots on the Southern Cang Region's Top Four Young Masters ranking."
"Who is the second most talented of the Jian clan?"
"They say it's Jian Chitian, the Second Young Master. But he is utterly obsessed with martial arts. Three years ago, upon breaking through to the fourth layer of True Essence, he vanished without a trace—rumor has it he ventured deep into the Cang Domain to seek enlightenment."
The crowd gasped in awe. "Truly worthy of being the number one clan! The First Young Master tops the Southern Cang Region's rankings, the Third Young Master is a third-layer True Essence expert at eighteen, and the Second has left the region to pursue greater heights."
"A clan of three heroes—none can compare!"
As the crowd sang praises of the Jian clan, a cold snore rang out, heavy as a hammer striking against their chests. "It seems my Duan clan has remained secluded for too long. The world believes we have no worthy warriors left."
"The Duan clan?!"
Two simple words encapsulated the shock of every bystander. The Duan clan was the most mysterious of the six great aristocratic families, its seclusion so complete that many had forgotten of its existence. Yet at this reminder, the crowd chilled as if doused in icy water, their spirits sinking.
The Duan clan lay in the remote southern reaches of the Spirit Kingdom. Many had traveled to pay homage, yet none could find its dwelling. It took a Spirit Fusion expert half a year to locate it, and upon returning, he spoke nothing of its exact location save that it resided within a valley. Thus it came to be known as the Southern Valley Duan clan.
Though reclusive, none of the great clans dared underestimate the Duan clan's power. It was the oldest aristocratic family in the realm, predating the Lu clan's rise to the imperial throne. Its true strength remained a mystery, yet it was universally acknowledged as an eight-star power—on par with every other major force in the Spirit Kingdom.
The four great sects also lay within the Spirit Kingdom's borders, yet none dared claim them as subjects of the realm. Since ancient times, sects of equal rank had always wielded greater power than aristocratic clans. Common folk knew not why, but even the nobles themselves accepted this unspoken truth, and dared not question it.
In stark contrast to the Duan clan's mystery, the Jian clan stood prominently in the public eye. It occupied a mountain range in the western part of the kingdom, with branches in every city—including the imperial capital. Its main stronghold rested upon a peak whose shape resembled a towering sword, earning it the name of the Western Sword Jian clan.
And so the six great clans were distributed across the realm: the imperial Lu clan, the military Zheng clan, the scholarly Situ clan, the warrior Gu clan, the strategic Hu clan, the Southern Valley Duan clan, and the Western Sword Jian clan.
"For you to name the Jian clan the greatest in the Spirit Kingdom is a death sentence in itself."
The speaker was a strikingly handsome young man, adorned with a purple jade crown, a blue silk robe, a purple jade belt, and black boots. His face was fair as jade, his lips crimson, his brows sharp and eyes bright—the very picture of a youthful noble. Yet his handsome features were twisted with arrogance.
One of the onlookers stepped forward timidly. "Your Excellency—are you of the Duan clan?"
"Indeed. I am Duan Qianchou of the Duan clan." The youth spoke with haughty disdain, gazing down upon the crowd as a sovereign might upon his subjects.
"Duan Qianchou?"
Silence fell across the square. The Duan clan had been secluded for so long that none knew the names of its current members. They knew only of Duan Kongya, the clan's leader a century prior—not even whether the title had passed to a new heir.
Duan Qianchou had announced his name with the expectation of awe-struck reactions, yet was met only with blank stares. Enraged, he snarled, "Fools! With me, Duan Qianchou, in this tournament, none shall claim first place—not even this Jian Qingtian you speak of!"
He stormed over to register, then shot the crowd a venomous glare before departing. Each person who met his gaze felt as though a mountain had pressed down upon their chest.
"The Duan clan has emerged! This tournament will be unforgettable!"
"Why would they leave seclusion after a hundred years? What shift in the realm will their return bring?"
"The kingdom is already in turmoil. With the Western Sword clan abstaining from politics, a fragile peace remains. Should the Duan clan ally with any faction, bloodshed will sweep the land."
The sun sank toward the horizon, its afterglow painting the imperial road in crimson. The official in charge of registration stretched lazily. "No more applicants today, I should think. With both the Western Sword clan and Southern Valley clan joining, the Spirit Kingdom's fate is about to change."
"Cousin, who do you suppose the Duan clan will align with?"
Zheng Kong and Situ Jian lingered among the last of the crowd, both preparing to enter the tournament. Zheng Kong's cultivation had astonishingly reached the True Essence realm—achieved in the past month alone. He had stagnated at Qi Condensation for over a year, his ambition listless until he witnessed Gao Han's meteoric rise. Driven by fierce resolve, he had broken through to True Essence merely three days prior.
"I have no idea," Situ Jian replied helplessly. "Where is Brother Han? Registration is nearly over!"
"I know! If he doesn't hurry, the Gu clan will show him no mercy."
As the two fretted, a lone figure emerged from the sunset glow, drawing near step by step. Clad in a white robe with a white belt, white hairband and white boots, he wore two swords at his waist—an ethereal figure swathed in pure white. It was none other than Gao Han.
After forging his soul with frost, Gao Han had lost all track of time. He knew not how many days had passed, only that his soul had ceased absorbing true essence, and the spirit stone that should have sustained him for half a year was now a hollow, translucent husk.
"How long until the Spirit Kingdom's Young Generation Tournament begins?" he had asked a servant upon leaving his chamber.
"Young sir, today is the final day of registration. The tournament starts tomorrow!"
Unfamiliar with the capital's layout, Gao Han had wandered the streets from morning until dusk, directionless. Only upon hearing Duan Qianchou's roar had he finally found the right path.
"Brother Han! What took you so long?" Zheng Kong rushed forward.
Gao Han replied flatly, "Guess whether I know the way around here."
Zheng Kong and Situ Jian fell speechless.
"Hah! A fool who dares join the tournament? Have the standards sunk so low that idiots may compete?"
Among the remaining crowd, a youth stepped forward to block Gao Han's path.
"Who is he?"
"He's one of the disciples representing the Qianling Sect in the contest."
"Qianling Sect? Their top-tier Mortal-Rank palm arts are legendary!"
"Indeed! A warrior of equal cultivation stands no chance against a single palm strike from them."
"He's as good as dead."
Murmurs rippled through the onlookers.
The youth wore a green robe embroidered with a white mountain on the cuffs—the emblem of the Qianling Sect. He had been stationed there to observe the other competitors.
"To be fair, you're quite handsome," Zheng Kong remarked.
The youth laughed loudly. "At least the Zheng clan has sense. But your friend is a complete imbecile."
Zheng Kong nodded. "Quite right. I have excellent taste. You must be the handsomest dog in the pack."
"You—!"
Furious, the youth unleashed a blast of true essence toward Zheng Kong. Before it could land, Gao Han moved like a beam of light, appearing before him in an instant. A casual sweep of his palm dissipated the attack entirely.
"Not bad speed," the Qianling Sect disciple commented in mild surprise, before sneering. "But speed means nothing without strength. You will never be my match."
Gao Han frowned. "Qianling Sect?"
"Indeed! Bow before your elder of the Qianling Sect!"
Though Zheng and Situ clansmen stood nearby, the youth cared little—his sect was an eight-star power, equal to any aristocratic family.
"Be gone, fool, before I kill you. This is no place for idiots like you." He waved a hand as if shooing a fly.
Gao Han's expression darkened. "What did you say?"
"I said I'll cripple your hands if you don't run!" The youth poked Gao Han's forehead with his finger.
"I am here to register. Step aside, unless you court death."
A wintry glint flashed in Gao Han's eyes, and the youth suddenly felt as though he had been plunged into a glacial abyss, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Humiliated at being cowed by a sixteen-year-old boy, the youth roared, "Die!"
He unleashed the Qianling Sect's signature art, the Qianwei Palm, his palm glowing with the vivid blue of a clear sky.
Gao Han smiled faintly. "Second-layer True Essence."
He countered with Earth-Shaking Might, channeling the Cold Mountain Palm.
Palms clashed with a thunderous crash. The Qianling Sect disciple was sent flying three meters, blood trickling from his lips. His palm was shattered, his arm frozen stiff and immobile.
The crowd stared in stunned disbelief. How could a first-layer True Essence cultivator defeat a second-layer expert with a single palm strike?
"He's a prodigy! He must be a disciple of a major power!"
"Only the greatest clans' talents can defeat higher-level warriors as if it were trivial."
"Just like Li Batian, the core disciple of Fire Cloud Manor—they say he defeats ninth-layer True Essence experts with ease at the eighth layer."
Ever since forging his soul with frost, every one of Gao Han's attacks carried an icy edge, even his gaze exuding frigid killing intent.
As he walked past the crippled youth, he paused briefly. "Keep your eyes open from now on. Your wounds have taught you your place in this world. Offend me again, and I will destroy your cultivation entirely."
He shook his head, musing silently, "Are all Qianling Sect disciples this worthless?"
He stepped forward to the registration table.
"Greetings. I wish to register."
The official had witnessed the entire exchange, his eyes wide with shock. He only snapped to attention when Gao Han spoke for the third time.
"Y-yes. Your name?"
"Gao Han."
"Your affiliation?"
"The Misty Sect."
A murmur of surprise rose from the crowd. A youth in blue stepped forward, his cuffs embroidered with a white cloud and silver threads, symbolizing an inner disciple of the Misty Sect. Blue robes with cloud motifs marked inner disciples; two clouds signified elite disciples, three core disciples.
"Greetings. I am Li Yan, an inner disciple of the Drifting Wind Peak of the Misty Sect. Which peak do you belong to?"
The Misty Sect differed from other sects. Divided into five peaks, each with its own master, it maintained separate inner, true and elite disciples for each peak. Outer disciples were too lowly to be assigned to a peak, while core disciples stood above the five peaks, their status second only to the peak lords themselves, commanding respect even from inner elders.
Becoming a core disciple was an arduous task: one must reach the ninth layer of True Essence by the age of thirty-five, and only ten core disciples existed at any time. Aspirants had to defeat a sitting core member to claim their spot, making competition brutal.
Though the five peaks were rivals, they stood united against external threats, alongside the core disciples.
"I am an outer disciple of the Misty Sect," Gao Han said calmly.
"Impossible! Your prowess easily earns you inner disciple status! You cannot be an outer disciple." Li Yan refused to believe him.
Gao Han sighed and showed his outer disciple token.
"It cannot be… this is indeed an outer disciple token. How is this possible?"
"I have been away from the sect for a long time. I only broke through recently and have not returned to update my status," Gao Han explained with a faint smile.
Li Yan nodded in understanding. As a fellow disciple of the Drifting Wind Peak, he asked after Gao Han's younger sister and his old rival. From Li Yan, Gao Han learned that Gao Yang had reached the third layer of Qi Condensation—an astonishing pace, thanks to her status as a true disciple and her rare fire-attribute physique, which had led the sect to lavish her with panaceas.
As for Zheng Yunfeng, he was on the verge of breaking through to the third layer of True Essence, and was likewise a prodigy capable of defeating higher-level warriors. Normally, a fourth-layer True Essence cultivator qualified as a true disciple, but Zheng Yunfeng had earned the rank at the third layer.
Gao Han's lips curled into a cold smile. Defeating higher-level experts? Was that supposed to be impressive? In three months' time, the man would meet his end. He only hoped Zheng Yunfeng would not be too disappointed.
Careful not to reveal whether Li Yan was acquainted with Zheng Yunfeng, Gao Han thanked him and declined his invitation to stay at the sect's residence in the capital. He turned to leave with Zheng Kong and Situ Jian, his heart filled with anticipation for the morrow.