What do you do when your hands itch for a fight?

  Lu Qingmo carefully examined Han’s physique, her expression tinged with surprise.

  “This breakthrough of yours… the enhancement to your body’s vitality is immense. It doesn’t seem like the usual improvement from a minor advancement.”

  “Moreover, within your blood and qi, I sense a peculiar force—one that bears a resemblance to dragon power.”

  Lu Qingmo was astonished. First, he had an innate affinity for water, and now, dragon might? Could he be connected to some ancient Dragon Sovereign?

  “Aunt Mo, you know me. This is just how I am—gaining a little extra with each breakthrough is completely normal.”

  “As for this so-called special power… I have no idea. I was just cultivating like usual.”

  “…”

  Normal?

  Well, for him, perhaps it was. Lu Qingmo had already grown accustomed to Han’s absurd progress.

  No matter what miracles he pulled off, she no longer found it shocking. He was simply someone who constantly defied expectations.

  “Progressing with such vigor is a good thing—just be sure your body can handle it.”

  Young people were meant to be bold and relentless, though Han was certainly taking it to an extreme.

  Lu Qingmo had examined his body multiple times—completely healthy.

  His rapid growth wasn’t a reckless trade of future potential for immediate gains.

  On the contrary, it was stable, solid.

  “Your soul cultivation is advancing at an incredible pace, yet your martial path isn’t falling behind,” she mused.

  “With both advancing in tandem, they aren’t hindering each other; instead, they’re reinforcing one another, accelerating your growth.”

  Han continued to astound her throughout the day.

  “After just one night, your comprehension of various Dao techniques has improved significantly.”

  “I had a moment of enlightenment while breaking through last night,” Han admitted.

  Of course. Another enlightenment. An irrefutable excuse—genius was simply this unruly.

  “Don’t forget, the Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet is today,” Lu Qingmo reminded him.

  “I remember,” Han nodded. “I’ll go with Senior Sister and the others.”

  After days of anticipation, the banquet would finally begin that evening.

  As she watched Han leave, Lu Qingmo found herself deep in thought.

  There was something she hadn’t mentioned—something too embarrassing to say.

  For some reason, today’s Han felt… closer. More connected to everything. His presence exuded a warmth that made people instinctively want to be near him.

  She couldn’t understand it.

  How could this change happen in a single night?

  Yet, she couldn’t just ask Han about it. What was she supposed to say?

  "Han, I suddenly want to get closer to you?"

  What on earth was going on?

  Han immediately sought out Bai Ruoyue, who was practicing her martial arts.

  As soon as she finished, he walked up to her and waved a hand in front of her face.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Touch it. Come on, just touch it,” Han said with a smile.

  “What do you mean, ‘touch it’? I’ve been checking every day. It’s only been one night.”

  Bai Ruoyue raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you broke through agai—”

  The moment her hand touched Han’s shoulder, she fell silent.

  Her eyes widened.

  …He really did break through again?

  Seeing her stunned expression, Han felt utterly satisfied.

  Yes. This was the reaction he wanted.

  Senior Sister always delivered.

  “Junior Brother… what’s going on? It’s only been a little over ten days since you reached the Meridian Stage.”

  “I just had some insight. Pure luck.”

  Finally, Han got to say it.

  “Luck? You sure have a lot of that,” Bai Ruoyue muttered before dashing off.

  Moments later, she returned—with a crowd.

  Han was instantly surrounded.

  Then came the inevitable gasps of disbelief—contributing to the warming of the already dark clouds.

  “It’s over. He’s completely surpassed me.”

  Shen Yu’s expression turned melancholic.

  Last time, Han had surpassed her in raw strength, but at least they had still been in the same realm.

  But now, after just one night’s sleep, he had completely left her behind.

  She had worked hard, but no amount of effort seemed enough to catch up.

  Su Changan and He Feng, though happy for Han, couldn’t ignore the looming sense of urgency.

  Han was now in the same realm as them.

  “Impressive. Very impressive.”

  Bai Tian praised Han. He had finally experienced firsthand just how absurd Han’s growth was.

  He had traveled across the land, encountering countless martial artists. He had seen all kinds of prodigies.

  But this?

  This was a first.

  Beyond compliments, he had no idea what else to say.

  Guidance?

  He didn’t feel qualified to give any.

  If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  And soon, Bai Tian found himself sharing the same realization as Lu Qingmo.

  How was Han’s understanding of martial arts also improving at such a ridiculous pace?

  It had only been one night—how could he achieve so much?

  He asked, and Han gave the same answer.

  “Just a moment of enlightenment. Nothing much.”

  Later that day, Han retrieved the remaining resources mentioned by the Shrimp and Crab Soldiers.

  This time, he didn’t find the remains of any powerful figures—only spiritual plants.

  But every single one was a rare treasure.

  If those two sea creatures had bothered to remember them, they couldn’t be ordinary.

  In the afternoon, six fine steeds burst out of Black Cloud Town, galloping along the Cloud River.

  Riding them were the seven disciples of Taibai.

  Shen Yu and Bai Ruoyue shared a horse, Shen Yu in front, Bai Ruoyue behind.

  The sight of them riding through the splashing waves filled Han with envy.

  He wanted that too…

  The dominant forces of Black Cloud Town all had fixed invitations to the Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet, thanks to the blessings of the Mountain God.

  Each faction could send up to ten people.

  The Yun Clan, however, was an exception—no one knew exactly how many invitations they had.

  As for Taibai, with only seven disciples, they still had empty spots to spare.

  Had Han taken the conventional route, he wouldn’t even have gotten a spot.

  Other sects and families had too many disciples.

  For them, an invitation to the banquet was something worth fighting for—sometimes even to the death.

  Some spots were reserved for the well-connected. Others went to the most talented.

  The remaining one or two?

  Those had to be earned through competition.

  Only the strongest got the chance to attend.

  And that was still better than those who never even had a chance.

  Some sects’ quotas were filled the moment they were announced—by people with neither talent nor strength but simply the right lineage.

  Being born into the right family was worth more than most fortunes.

  Good thing I’m with Taibai.

  No need to fight. No need to struggle.

  While other sects were tearing each other apart over invitations, Taibai’s disciples simply watched in amusement.

  "Invitations to the Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet? We have more than we can use."

  After riding for over three hundred miles, the sky darkened.

  Ahead, a lively gathering came into view.

  A vast lake stretched before them, where the Cloud River split, forming a tranquil expanse of water. At its center lay a sizable island, adorned with grand pavilions and ornate buildings, exuding a sense of opulence.

  The lakeshore bustled with activity—stalls lined the streets, towering shops stood tall, and countless cultivators moved about, trading, buying, and selling.

  “This is Cloud Dragon Market, the very place where the Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet is held,” Bai Ruoyue explained as the seven dismounted.

  “Years ago, the banquet was a frequent event, drawing cultivators from far and wide hoping to test their luck. Over time, this gathering evolved into a permanent market—a place where people exchange rare goods and information.”

  “Cultivators from Tianyue Prefecture and even neighboring regions are active here.”

  “However, this place is a melting pot of all kinds—righteous and wicked, human and demon alike. The laws of Great Qi don’t extend here, so we must remain vigilant.”

  Unlike the well-regulated trade guilds and markets of the prefectural city, Cloud Dragon Market thrived in the wilderness, operating in the shadows of legality. Some preferred it that way.

  For figures like Lu Qingmo and Bai Tian, if they needed something, they would go through major trading channels like the Wanxing Merchant Guild. They rarely set foot in places like this.

  Han and the others nodded in understanding. However, their arrival together did not go unnoticed.

  “Is that… the disciples of Taibai Martial Hall from Black Cloud Town? What are they doing here in Cloud Dragon Market?”

  “This place has been unusually lively these past few days. Even the disciples of major forces have shown up.”

  “They say the Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet is being held again after a ten-year hiatus. I bet they’re here for that.”

  “The Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet… even just attending and sipping a cup of wine is an opportunity of a lifetime.”

  “Do you think I have a chance to get an invitation this year?”

  “You? At the Flesh and Skin Stage? No chance. Stop dreaming.”

  “Oh? And what great stage have you reached?”

  “I’m at the Flesh and Skin Stage too, which is how I know you don’t stand a chance.”

  “…”

  Despite the attention, Han and his companions had no trouble settling in.

  No one tried to rob them, nor did anyone cause trouble.

  Truly, the folk of Cloud Dragon Market were honest and kind.

  Once they were settled, Bai Ruoyue eagerly grabbed Han and dragged him off.

  “Junior Brother, treasure-hunting mode! Time to unleash your skills!”

  Han sighed helplessly. His senior sister had an addiction to searching for hidden treasures. Sure, he had gotten lucky twice before, but rare finds weren’t just lying around waiting to be picked up.

  The rest of the Taibai disciples split into groups, wandering through the market.

  With their strength—ranging from the Viscera Refining Stage to the Meridian Stage—they weren’t considered weak here and had little to fear.

  As Han roamed the market, he widened his horizons.

  Strange and exotic creatures were everywhere—humanoid beasts, beast-headed humans, eerie cultivators exuding a chilling aura, and even ghosts openly drifting through the streets.

  There were stiff-moving paper effigies with red-painted faces, tree spirits covered in leaves, and all manner of bizarre entities.

  If someone strolled through a prefectural city with a ghost companion, panic would erupt.

  Here? No one even spared them a second glance.

  Beyond the borders of civilization, the world was truly a strange and chaotic place.

  “Senior Sister, with so many demons and ghosts around, doesn’t Great Qi do anything about it?” Han asked through a voice transmission.

  Bai Ruoyue shook her head. “How could they?”

  “The world is vast, filled with demons and spirits beyond count. The empire can’t possibly control them all. Some beings are so terrifying that even the imperial court avoids provoking them—instead, they choose to show respect.”

  “As long as there’s general stability, that’s enough.”

  Han fell silent.

  This was the reality of a world where the extraordinary existed.

  A single individual could command enough power to make a kingdom wary.

  Strength could allow one to break through social hierarchy with ease, yet it also created the ultimate hierarchy.

  Han had nothing to complain about.

  Strictly speaking, he was a beneficiary of this system.

  If this were just an ordinary feudal world without supernatural powers, there was no way he could live as freely as he did now.

  After circling the entire market, Bai Ruoyue was visibly disappointed.

  The “intuition” she relied on from Han hadn’t kicked in.

  It wasn’t that there were no treasures—there were plenty.

  For instance, someone was auctioning a vial of spiritual water capable of enhancing specific Dao techniques or healing soul injuries. Many cultivators were bidding fiercely for it.

  But as for hidden bargains? None.

  At least, not tonight.

  The people here had sharper eyes than those in the markets of the prefectural city. If they weren’t sure about an item’s worth, they wouldn’t even put it up for sale.

  Without genuine expertise, one wouldn’t dare to do business in Cloud Dragon Market.

  During their stroll, Han also encountered several young cultivators with an air of distinction—likely members of prominent sects, also here for the Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet.

  The banquet’s return after a decade, especially at such a critical time, had naturally drawn widespread attention.

  What was the true state of the Cloud River Dragon Sovereign?

  Was he as powerful as ever, hosting the banquet to showcase his might?

  Or was he weakened, using this event to maintain appearances and hide his vulnerabilities?

  In the market, now and then, aquatic creatures from the river would stop cultivators for a brief conversation.

  The chosen individuals would soon break into barely contained joy.

  Once the aquatic beings left, shouts of excitement would echo through the market.

  “I got in! I got invited!”

  It was an invitation to the Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet.

  The Dragon Sovereign was generous—he didn’t just invite powerful factions but also extended opportunities to unaffiliated cultivators.

  As night deepened, the seven Taibai disciples regrouped. Judging by the looks on some of their faces, a few had made worthwhile discoveries.

  “The banquet is about to begin. Let’s go.”

  At a secluded lakeside, small boats awaited. No stalls, no buildings—only aquatic demons serving as ferrymen.

  Some had human forms, while others remained in their natural, bizarre appearances.

  People boarded the boats one after another, heading toward the island at the lake’s center.

  “Honored guests of Taibai Martial Hall, this way, please.”

  A massive fish greeted Han’s group.

  Watching the creature row the boat despite lacking hands, Han found it… amusing.

  Upon reaching the island, they found the pavilions already filling with guests. Beings of all kinds engaged in lively conversation, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

  “Senior Sister, where do we sit?” Han asked.

  Bai Ruoyue pointed to a grand three-story building in the island’s center.

  “Temporary invitees sit in the outer pavilions. As for us, we’ll be seated on the first floor of Cloud Dragon Pavilion.”

  “The second floor is reserved for the Cloud River Dragon Palace—it’s essentially their family banquet.”

  With that, Bai Ruoyue strode forward, presenting an invitation to the welcoming clam maiden at the entrance.

  Many in the outer pavilion looked on with envy.

  Being seated in Cloud Dragon Pavilion was a mark of status, a sign of either distinguished background or extraordinary talent.

  As Han stepped forward, however, he was suddenly stopped.

  The crowd immediately perked up.

  A spectacle?

  Was he an imposter? Had he offended the Cloud River Dragon Clan?

  Some recognized Han and secretly hoped he’d be thrown out—or better yet, executed on the spot.

  Bai Ruoyue turned back, frowning.

  “Pardon me,” the clam maiden spoke gently. “Are you Han of Taibai?”

  “I am,” Han replied.

  “The esteemed Dragon Princess has personally instructed us—Master Han is an honored guest of the Cloud River Dragon Palace. Please surrender your invitation, and we will escort you to the second floor.”

  “Your fellow disciples are welcome to join you as well.”

  Bai Ruoyue halted mid-step.

  A hush fell over the crowd.

  The second floor?

  And the Dragon Princess?

  A pretty boy living off a woman’s favor?

  Tch! Envy. No—disdain.

  Somewhere in the back of his mind, Han chuckled.

  So… I’ve become a live-in son-in-law of the Dragon Clan?