Chapter 20: Chapter 20 — Immortal Fishing for Sharks

Chapter 20 — Immortal Fishing for Sharks

“You seem quite dissatisfied? You’re only at the seventh layer of the Physical Body Realm—Internal Strength. That might be rare in the outside world, but in Yuhua Sect it’s nothing special. Since you’re unhappy, I’ll see exactly what you’re unhappy about.”

Seeing Fang Han grit his teeth and spit out the words _“What did you say?”_, the displeasure was obvious to anyone with eyes. One of the young imperial princes narrowed his gaze and suddenly stood up.

A cold, majestic aura burst forth.

Everyone nearby instantly felt overwhelming pressure, like a mountain pressing down on them.

Fang Han felt it most clearly—like the wrath of an emperor, with blood flowing across the land.

“So domineering. I showed the slightest displeasure, and he wants to put me in my place? Hmph!”

Before Fang Han could finish his thought, a violent tearing sound ripped through the air. A palm appeared out of nowhere before his eyes, like a demonic hand tearing through the void. The palm wind made his brows ache with pain.

The prince had already struck.

His movement was like an eagle diving from the sky, a shark tearing prey apart, a python constricting, a tiger hunting sheep.

“Prince Bao!”

Liu Kang’s expression changed as he shouted, but it was already too late.

“That’s the Nine Tyrant Dragon Fist—be careful!”
Princess Hongyi warned.

“Dragon Roams, Tiger Pounces!”

In a split second, Fang Han used a movement from Dragon-Form Flying Tiger Steps, sliding sideways to let the strike graze past his shoulder. Even so, the palm wind scraped his face painfully.

Normally, his strongest move was _Stepping the Seven Stars_, but using Star Sect martial arts inside Yuhua Sect was clearly unwise.

“Quick reflexes—but you’re wasting Dragon-Form Flying Tiger Steps.”

Prince Bao appeared where Fang Han had been standing just moments before, sneering coldly. Without pause, his body swayed like a tree battered by wind, branches shaking, his wrists cracking with thunderous force.

“Wind-Thunder Slash—watch out!”
Hongyi shouted.

“This man’s cultivation is at least the Divine Bravery Realm!”

Fang Han barely dodged as Prince Bao’s strike cleaved down with wind and thunder, threatening to split him apart.

Prince Bao was too fast.

His footwork was too refined.

His realm was clearly higher.

Dodging wouldn’t work.

Only a head-on clash remained.

My advantage is my physique—my bones and recovery are far beyond ordinary cultivators!

Fang Han made his decision instantly. He stopped retreating and struck out with Cotton Palm Soft Fist from _Flying Spirit Soft-Bone Body_. His palm softened on contact—then rebounded violently.

Softness and hardness layered together.

Bang!

The collision sent a brutal shock through Fang Han’s arm. His wrist felt as if struck by lightning, instantly numb.

Prince Bao was forced back two steps, surprise flashing in his eyes. He could tell—Fang Han’s bones were unnaturally strong.

Fang Han shook his wrist twice. Blood and qi flowed smoothly again. Without hesitation, his arm coiled like a dragon or serpent.

Dragon Emerges from the Sea!

His long fist shot straight for Prince Bao’s throat.

“Counterattacking?”

Prince Bao snorted in contempt. His body bent like a massive fishing rod. His hands transformed—sharklike, crocodilian, jaws snapping shut with terrifying speed.

Crack!

A sound like steel snapping rang out.

Fang Han felt himself yanked violently, like a giant fish hooked and flung into the air, completely losing balance.

Prince Bao seized the moment and thrust out a palm.

Pop!

Fang Han felt heat explode in his chest as he was blasted backward, crashing onto the ground.

“Immortal Fishing for Sharks!”

Princess Hongyi flashed forward, landing beside Fang Han as he hit the ground. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine!”

Blood trickled from the corner of Fang Han’s mouth. His internal organs had been injured—if they weren’t already iron-strong, they would have ruptured completely.

Prince Bao stood tall, hands clasped behind his back, looking down coldly.

“That technique—_Immortal Fishing for Sharks_—is from Returning Immortal Island, isn’t it?”
Hongyi said. “May I ask how Prince Bao learned it? I’ve heard Returning Immortal Island disciples train by standing on reefs, fishing for sharks. When a calf-sized shark bites, a single flick sends it flying ashore. The power-control method is incredibly profound.”

“Our Great Virtue Dynasty lacks no martial arts,”
Prince Bao said proudly. “Even Returning Immortal Island techniques are within reach.”

He looked at Fang Han.

“Your physique is impressive—you must’ve consumed some rare spirit medicine. But your combat experience is lacking, your adaptability poor. Still, you’re not worthless. You have some value.”

“You may join us this time.”

“Let’s go. When the sect announces the trial mission, come find us.”

With that, another imperial youth—clearly the leader—stood up. The group departed.

After they left, Liu Kang snorted coldly. “Fang Han, are you really okay?”

“I’ll head back first.”

Fang Han patted himself down and walked out of Jade Dining Hall. The scuffle had drawn little attention—minor conflicts were routine among hundreds of thousands of outer disciples.

Back in his room, Fang Han silently reviewed his defeat.

First: His combat experience was insufficient.
He’d fought a few household stewards and one life-or-death battle with the Strength Puppet. That was nothing compared to someone like Prince Bao, honed by countless kills.

Second: His cultivation was lower. Prince Bao’s realm was clearly higher.

Third: Prince Bao’s techniques were far more profound.

“If Prince Bao can use Returning Immortal Island techniques, then I have nothing to fear using Star Sect martial arts.”

Returning Immortal Island—one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects—stood upon the sea.

Train.

Train a thousand times harder.

Anyone who strikes me—I will repay them.

Fang Han made a ruthless vow. He had once been trampled underfoot. Now that he walked the Immortal Path, no one would ever step on him again.

Creak.

The courtyard gate opened. Princess Hongyi entered.

“Fang Han, Prince Bao has fused countless martial arts into one. He’s terrifyingly strong. Losing a move to him today isn’t unjust. Even I might not be his match.”

“I don’t think it’s unjust,”
Fang Han replied calmly. “As long as I’m alive, it’s not injustice. Death—that’s true injustice.”

He pressed a hand to his chest.

“Princess Hongyi, I want you to help me train.”

“How?”

“Try to kill me with your sword. Fight me—real combat. I need experience, lots of it. Don’t hold back. Try to kill me.”

“… What?”

Hongyi hesitated—then saw the ferocity in Fang Han’s eyes, as if he wanted to devour someone whole.

She drew her sword.

“I won’t hold back. Though I’m a princess of Great Li, I once trained under a secret identity—as a gold-rank assassin of Crimson Thought Pavilion. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, have died under my blade.”

_Autumn rain stretches endlessly—
one sword, one life, severed souls. _

Her sword flashed.

An icy killing intent burst forth, chilling Fang Han to the bone. Sword light streaked toward his brow, eyes, ears, throat, wrists.

Fang Han barely dodged.

Slash!

A long gash split his forehead. Blood streamed down, bone visible beneath.

A sword versus bare hands—the difference was terrifying.

Wiping blood from his face, Fang Han continued. He dodged, countered, endured. Soon, fresh wounds crisscrossed his body.

Yet he didn’t care.

His energy surged endlessly. He avoided death by inches, searching for counterattacks.

One incense stick.

Half an hour.

One full hour.

By the end, Fang Han was covered in blood, looking as though he’d been flayed alive.

“Stop!”
Hongyi finally said. “You’ve lost too much blood—do you need bandaging?”

“Good. Tomorrow again.”

He returned to his room.

The next day, Hongyi saw that all his wounds had healed, leaving only faint marks. She silently marveled at his recovery.

They fought again.

Again, Fang Han ended the day drenched in blood.

At night, he focused on his heart, forcing the Nine-Aperture Golden Core to release more power. He felt it dissolving faster, healing him relentlessly.

He trained without rest.

To the brink of death.

Day three.

Day four.

Day five.

By day, he was carved apart by blades.

By night, he trained with inhuman endurance, exhausting himself completely, forcing every last drop of the Golden Core’s power into his body.

Even Hongyi grew awed by his will. Enduring daily flaying was beyond normal human limits.

Ten days passed.

Fifteen.

Twenty.

Finally—one night—

Boom!

The Nine-Aperture Golden Core completely shattered under the pressure of his blood, transforming into vast heat that surged through his body, then condensed into golden radiance, sinking into his bone marrow—merging with it.

His skin shed in layers, like a dragon molting. New skin formed—tougher, denser, with a thick protective membrane beneath.

His body brimmed with explosive power.

“I’ve completely refined the Nine-Aperture Golden Core. My foundation is unshakable. From now on—everything depends on me!”

On the morning of the twentieth day as an outer disciple, Fang Han completed his transformation.

Just then, a paper crane made of talismans flew into his courtyard, ignited midair, and formed blazing words:

“Outer Disciples—Gather at Immortal Assembly Court!”

“The trial mission!”

Fang Han’s eyes blazed.

“Prince Bao—today I’ll beat you half to death!”

Throwing on his robe, he strode out of the courtyard.