.

Feeling like he was encompassed in warmth, as if he was submerged in hot spring water, spiritual qi slowly gathered and got absorbed into his body as it revolved in Han's meridians pathways and blood vessel, nourishing them as spiritual qi passed by them. He had truly immersed himself in his cultivation.

His body's previously depleted potential, which was used during the bloodline awakening and the elevation of his cultivation realm, was slowly accumulating within his body again as he rehearsed each and every movement.

The accumulation of potential was not as important to Han compared to the other cultivators that belonged to the Xuanyu world. The system that he possessed allowed him to constantly raise his cultivation without any drawbacks. For the standard cultivators, there was a need for them to build up their potential for them to breakthrough, by using the accumulation would they prevent the exhaustion of their body's latent potential. If they disregard the accumulation of potential and recklessly waste their body's latent potential, their future achievements will be severely limited.

It was like an egg and a hen, the potential being the egg and the body's latent potential being the hen. With each breakthrough, cultivators would use up the egg, but they would not have to worry as the hen would lay eggs as time goes by. But if they disregard the use of eggs and went for the hen instead, they would only be momentarily full and by the time they got hungry again, there would neither be eggs nor hen. Thus starving to death would be their only option. In a literal sense, the death would signify the end of their cultivation career.

But for Han, the accumulation of potential was more like a temporary boost which increases his rate of improvement.

As he completed the last set of his sword stance, Han noticed Yang Chi Huan approaching him.

-Senior brother Yang.

Han cupped his fists before promptly greeting Yang Chi Huan.

Yang, who was approaching Han, flashed him a genial smile before replying.

-Junior brother Han, it has been a long time since we have last saw each other. It seems that you've made improvements in your cultivation again.

-Mmm, it is not worthy of senior brother Yang's praise.

Yang took no offence in the lackadaisical reply and smiled.

Both of them started to walk towards a terrace under Yang Chi Huan's lead, where it was more suitable for a conversation.

...

Under a shelter situated in the terrace.

-Junior brother Han, regarding your mission that was located at the Tianya mountain range, I've heard that you managed to subdue a whole pack of dead harvesting wolves and a moonshadow panther! I can only sigh at the rate of your improvement, to think that you were in need of my help just a few weeks ago... Yang Chi Huan lamented as he thought of the past.

-That was just pure luck, nothing to do with my personal strength at all, nothing noteworthy.

Han remained nonchalant as he answered.

Yang broke out of his reverie and got pulled back towards the conversation. He broke into a smile and was about to say something before halting suddenly, seemingly reminded of something, his usual benign expression slowly turned solemn and said.

-Speaking of the Tianya mountain range, it was recently said that a demon had appeared in its vicinity, a never seen before species at that. Did junior brother Han came across it during your travel this time towards the mountain range?

Han's eyebrow twitched. Did he came across the demon? Of course he did, he was the supposed demon himself, but he could not find it within him to expose himself, thus only shaking his head as a response to Yang.

Yang who saw Han shaking his head, let out a sigh of relief.

-Its good that you've not come across it during your trip, else you would have been brought in by the higher ups to be interrogated, it seems like the elders and genius disciples are banding together to form a hunting expedition for this demon. It was rumored that this demon has cultivated its human form and could be prowling about in society, alerting the nearby sects to take action and start a hunting party for it.

Han's eyebrow which had just stopped twitching, started to scrunch up and his eyelid began jumping instead.

Even the Yin Yang Sword Sect has gotten themselves into this hotpot. What a mess.

-That's not all, it seems that the one who spearheaded this hunting fiasco was none other than Ning Qing Xue from the Heavenly Sword Sect who came across this demon in the mountains, along with her fellow disciples. I've heard that Chu Tiannan, the top 20th male disciple in her sect had been rallying members to hunt it...

As Yang Chi Huan spoke, his face expression started to turn weird before continuing

-It was also said that Chu Tiannan was claiming that the demon was sneaky and had no morals, as if he had a personal feud with it, something must have happened to him for him to harbor such animosity towards this demon.

Chu Tiannan? Han racked his brains thoroughly before a blurry male figure appeared in his head, in his vision, the male was prancing about in front of him when he was in a struggle to control himself, so he had just knocked out the bloke in a blow. Was it the same guy? His expression, too, turned weird.

As the atmosphere between the two slowly got awry, Yang seamlessly changed topics and continued with the conversation. Han mentally noted down the slickness of the man and commented internally, this guy must have seduced so many ladies just with that mouth of his!

-Anyways, disregarding all that. Junior brother Han, did you know that the martial competition hosted by the major sects of the LongHu Empire is coming up in a few weeks?

As the words martial competition resounded out from Yang, Han's ear immediately perked and he nodded his head. He then spoke out his very first sentence for the conversation.

- Yes and I've heard that the notable genius of the major sects would be coming down to the competition to participate and seek pointers from each other.

Yang nodded excitedly and commented.

- Of course the geniuses would take part in the competition, just the rewards alone are enough to entice any elders of the major sects, let alone disciples. But the amount of people who are participating in this competition is still too much. Alas, there isn't any chance for people like us, let alone participating, it would be of great honor for us to even spectate dealings between such geniuses!

Speaking up till this point, Yang shook his head regretfully.

'Martial Competition.'

Han's eyes lit up like stars blinking in the night sky.

I wonder how strong all of you geniuses are!