After leaving the Task Hall, Fang Han made a trip to the Pill Hall, where he purchased two bottles of Peiyuan Pills and a Healing Elixir worth ten Contribution Points before returning to the Sub-Branch.

Pushing open the wooden door of Room C-7, he bolted it shut from the inside and placed his Cyan Blade Sword by the table.

Too exhausted to even change out of his torn, blood-stained Disciple’s Robe, he simply collapsed onto the bed, fully clothed.

The long journey, the fierce battle, and the perilous chase with Shen You at the end had nearly drained all his mental and physical energy.

The dull ache from his internal injuries still lingered, and mental fatigue washed over him like a tidal wave.

After taking the Healing Elixir that had cost him a full ten Contribution Points, his head had barely touched the pillow before his consciousness sank into an endless darkness, and he fell into an extremely deep sleep.

He slept soundly, without dreams or disturbances.

When Fang Han finally woke up naturally, the sky outside was already bright. Radiant sunlight shone through the window paper, casting warm patches of light inside the room.

His Inner Qi was abundant, and the dull ache in his internal organs had eased considerably. Although his injuries hadn’t fully healed, he had recovered about seventy to eighty percent of his condition.

He got up and stretched his limbs. His joints let out a soft CRACKLE, and a sense of vigorous power flowed through his entire body.

After a quick wash and changing into a clean, cyan Disciple’s Robe, he pushed open the door and headed for the dining hall.

The intense hunger pangs in his stomach reminded him that he needed to replenish his energy.

Walking along the bluestone path, the disciples he passed still looked at him with complex gazes, full of distance and scrutiny.

Fang Han’s expression was calm, as if he hadn’t noticed.

After quietly finishing his breakfast in the dining hall and feeling the warmth and satisfaction from the food, he put down his bowl and chopsticks and walked straight toward the Inheritance Hall.

Today was the beginning of the month, the day when the Sect’s monthly benefits and ranking rewards were distributed.

Stepping into the main hall of the Inheritance Hall, he found it already bustling with people.

Fang Han found a seat near the front, lowered his gaze, and waited quietly.

He could feel many gazes, both obvious and hidden, fall upon him as he arrived, accompanied by low murmurs.

"Silence!"

Steward Wu Hao’s voice echoed clearly throughout the hall, silencing the quiet chatter.

His gaze swept across the crowd, and he began to call people forward according to the name register.

"First place, Yun Qianyue."

Yun Qianyue, her face covered by a purple veil and her figure graceful, slowly walked forward to receive the generous reward for the top rank, her expression as cold as ever.

"Second place, Li Feng."

Li Feng, cradling a long saber, had a stern gaze. After receiving his reward, he gave a slight nod and retreated.

"Third place, Fang Han."

When Steward Wu Hao called Fang Han’s name, countless gazes instantly focused on him, a mixture of envy, jealousy, and distance.

Under everyone’s watch, Fang Han stood up and walked steadily to the front of the hall.

"Fourth place last month, and already third this month. Very good. But you must still cultivate diligently, remain humble and patient."

Steward Wu Hao took Fang Han’s Identity Jade Token and swiped it over an inkstone-shaped device, which flashed with a faint light.

When he handed it back to Fang Han, his face held a gentleness that was more noticeable than before. A faint hint of admiration even flickered in the depths of his eyes as he offered his encouragement.

"Thank you for your guidance, Steward. This disciple will remember."

Fang Han accepted the Jade Token with both hands, bowed, and returned to his seat.

He circulated a bit of his Inner Qi and glanced at the number on his Jade Token. It had changed from "140"—what was left after buying the Healing Elixir—to "380."

This month’s basic benefit was 30 points, and the reward for third place was 210 points, for a total income of 240 points.

’That’s equivalent to forty-eight hundred taels of silver!’

Two hundred and forty Contribution Points, converted to silver, was a whopping forty-eight hundred taels!

And this was just the fixed monthly income for being ranked third.

Even without taking on any tasks, just based on this alone, accumulating the enormous wealth needed to unlock the Level 5 Talent Amplification was no longer a distant dream.

This gave Fang Han a sense of security.

"Hmm...?"

Suddenly, he felt a rather sharp gaze on him. He followed the line of sight and met a pair of large, bright, and stubborn eyes.

The owner of those eyes was none other than Huang Ling’er.

Huang Ling’er was wearing a goose-yellow dress today, making her look cute and charming. But at this moment, her cheeks were puffed out, and her big eyes were wide as she stared at him without blinking.

When she saw Fang Han look over, not only did she not avert her gaze, she even raised her delicate chin slightly.

Her pink lips moved silently a few times. Paired with her expression—which was trying to be fierce but looked more like a fluffed-up kitten with no menace at all—it was as if she were saying:

"Hmph, don’t get cocky! I’ll definitely take my rank back!"

Fang Han was slightly taken aback, then inwardly amused.

Huang Ling’er was a year younger than the other disciples in his batch. With her straightforward personality, she could be called their youngest junior sister.

Seeing Huang Ling’er’s competitive look, it was hard to dislike her.

He didn’t take this "challenge" to heart.

So far, no one he had surpassed had ever managed to catch up to him again.

After all, under the effect of Talent Amplification, his Talent was only getting stronger and stronger.

Soon, the rewards for all disciples had been distributed.

The routine lecture began. Elder Chen Xuan and the various Stewards took the stage one by one to explain difficulties in Cultivation and analyze the essentials of Martial Techniques.

Fang Han focused his mind and listened attentively, comparing their valuable experience with his own insights. Whenever he learned something, he would silently commit it to memory.

A few hours later, the lecture ended, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Fang Han followed the flow of people, preparing to leave the Inheritance Hall.

"Fang Han."

Just then, a calm voice called out to him.

Fang Han stopped, turned, and saw Elder Chen Xuan standing by the side door of the main hall, looking at him calmly.

"Elder." Fang Han hurriedly bowed.

"Follow me." Elder Chen Xuan nodded slightly, spoke concisely, then turned and led the way through the corridor behind the side door.

Fang Han’s heart stirred. Not daring to delay, he quickly followed.

One after the other, they passed through several quiet corridors and arrived at the door of a secluded Quiet Chamber.

Elder Chen Xuan pushed the door open and entered. Fang Han followed close behind, gently closing the door behind him.

The Quiet Chamber was not large and was simply furnished with only a table and two chairs. The windows were bright and the room was clean, with the faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air.

"Sit." Elder Chen Xuan sat down in one of the chairs first and gestured to the one opposite him.

"Thank you, Elder." Fang Han sat down as instructed, his posture straight and his gaze respectful as he looked at Chen Xuan.

Elder Chen Xuan didn’t speak immediately. Instead, he studied Fang Han for a few moments, his gaze lingering on his face before he slowly said,

"To be able to break through to the Eighth Grade under external pressure... not bad. You haven’t slacked off in your Cultivation because of outside disturbances."

His voice carried a hint of imperceptible approval.

"You praise me too much, Elder. This disciple is unworthy."

Fang Han replied respectfully.

Elder Chen Xuan nodded. After a moment of contemplation, he got to the point, his voice steady yet imbued with a reassuring strength.

"I called you here today to give you some advice."

He looked directly at Fang Han, his eyes profound.

"Regarding Chu Feng, you need not worry too much. Although he is now on the Celestial Pride List, he is far from being able to do whatever he wants within the Sect."

Fang Han’s heart trembled. He looked up at Elder Chen Xuan.

The Elder’s face was calm, but deep within his world-weary eyes was a hidden, imperceptible trace of determination and responsibility.

"The Sect has its own laws; it is not the private tool of any single person. As the Sub-Dean, it is my undeniable responsibility to ensure the disciples of this Sub-Branch receive fair treatment."

Elder Chen Xuan’s tone grew heavier, carrying an authority that could not be questioned.

"As long as you disciples abide by the Sect’s rules and cultivate diligently, the Sect will always have your back. As for a little external pressure, I will block it for you."

Hearing this, a warm current surged through Fang Han’s chest. He quickly stood up and performed a deep, formal bow, his voice tinged with a barely perceptible excitement.

"Disciple Fang Han thanks the Elder for his protection!"

The person Elder Chen Xuan was shielding him from wasn’t an ordinary True Disciple, but a newly risen True Inheritor who was in the limelight and ranked on the Celestial Pride List!

He knew in his heart that the pressure and potential consequences of this action would not be easy to bear, even for someone of Elder Chen Xuan’s esteemed position as Sub-Dean.

This was no small favor.

Elder Chen Xuan waved his hand, signaling for Fang Han to sit down. A faint, somewhat sentimental smile appeared on his face.

"There’s no need for such formalities. I am not playing favorites. I simply do not wish to see a good seedling get crushed by some pointless infighting."

His gaze fell on Fang Han, filled with scrutiny, but also with expectation.

"Though you joined the sect only a short time ago, the speed of your progress and the strength of your character are among the most outstanding I have seen in recent years. I hope you remain humble, focus on your Cultivation, and grow strong quickly."

He paused, his tone becoming profound.

"If you can one day ascend to the Celestial Pride List, that would be the best reward and thanks for my actions today."

Ascend to the Celestial Pride List!

Fang Han’s gaze sharpened, as if a fire had been lit in his heart.

He took a deep breath, met Elder Chen Xuan’s gaze, and said in a solemn voice, "This disciple will do everything in his power to not disappoint the Elder’s high hopes!"

"Good." Elder Chen Xuan nodded slightly, the smile on his face growing wider. He was clearly quite satisfied with Fang Han’s reaction.

Then, his tone shifted, and his expression grew more serious. "Also, there is one more thing I need to tell you."

Fang Han’s expression turned serious. "Please speak, Elder."

"For the foreseeable future, unless it is absolutely necessary, try not to accept any more missions that take you outside."

Elder Chen Xuan said slowly.

"It would be best to use all your time and energy on Cultivation and get yourself into peak condition."

"Why is that?" Fang Han wondered, unable to hold back his question.

A glint flashed in Elder Chen Xuan’s eyes. He didn’t answer directly, but said meaningfully,

"No need to ask further. Just remember my words. Soon, there will be a significant Creation."

He gave Fang Han a deep look. "I hope you can seize this opportunity."

’Creation?’

Fang Han’s mind raced. ’For Elder Chen Xuan to give such a solemn, advance warning, even telling me to stop taking missions to prepare, this so-called "Creation" must be anything but ordinary.’

He suppressed the curiosity and turmoil in his heart and bowed formally once more. "This disciple understands!"

"Mm, you may go." Elder Chen Xuan waved his hand and closed his eyes again, as if entering a meditative state.

Fang Han said no more. He respectfully exited the Quiet Chamber, gently pulling the door closed behind him.

Walking on the bluestone path back to his residence, Fang Han’s heart could not calm down for a long time.

Elder Chen Xuan’s protection and advice were like a warm current, dispelling the gloom and pressure that had been weighing on his mind for days due to Chu Feng’s ascent to the list.

And that word, "Creation," was like a giant boulder thrown into the center of a lake, stirring up huge waves in his heart and filling him with boundless anticipation.