“Are you Han?”

  “You look so small and frail—how could someone like you have such talent?”

  Hearing this, Han immediately shot a glare at the speaker before quickly looking away. It turned out the person who had spoken was a muscular man, his calves as thick as someone else's waist.

  “Besides that impressive physique, I don’t see any other qualities,” the man remarked.

  How does he manage to have such good yet terrible judgment?

  Bai Ruoyue quickly walked over to Han’s side, pulling him inside.

  “Senior Sister, what’s going on?” Han asked quietly, “Are these people here to cause trouble for the dojo?”

  Bai Ruoyue glanced at Han with a helpless expression. “You could say that, but you could also say they’re not.”

  “Because, to be precise, they’re here to cause trouble for you.”

  “To cause trouble for me?” Han was taken aback.

  He considered himself kind-hearted, friendly, humble, and approachable—never once had he offended anyone. If anything, people had often come to him with hostility.

  Why would anyone be after him?

  “Your reputation has spread.”

  Han’s face froze. Did my secrets get exposed?

  “Now, everyone in Black Cloud Town knows that you, Han, are the unparalleled talent recently recruited by the Taibai Dojo,” Bai Ruoyue said with a hint of joy. “So many people want to learn from you.”

  “Now, more people are coming to the Taibai Dojo to sign up for martial arts than ever before.”

  It’s booming, it seems.

  Han let out a sigh of relief, glancing at the martial artists outside who were eyeing him. After a moment of thought, he understood what had happened.

  “Did Tenglong Dojo spread the news?”

  “It’s them,” Bai Ruoyue confirmed.

  “Han! I am Qian Feng from the Mad Blade Dojo, at the peak of the Flesh Realm! I seek your guidance!”

  “And I, Gao Lu from the Gao Family, also at the peak of the Flesh Realm. Do you dare to fight me?”

  “Lin Fan from the Lin Family! Han, face me in combat!”

  One after another, warriors challenged Han, all claiming to be at the peak of the Flesh Realm.

  When the news spread from Tenglong Dojo that Han had trained for only a few days and already reached the minor peak of the Flesh Realm with the battle power of the major peak, Black Cloud Town was shaken.

  Everyone’s first reaction was disbelief.

  Minor peak of the Flesh Realm in just a dozen days?

  Is this some kind of martial arts story?

  Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Even Bai Ruoyue’s progress in a year and a half to reach the major peak was hard to accept.

  Now this ridiculous news is out there? It’s simply absurd!

  When the news spread, many martial artists came to challenge Han. Unfortunately, Han had already left for Qinghua County, and they returned empty-handed.

  Afterward, more martial artists came every day, hoping to see if Han had returned. Today, they finally got their chance.

  The gazes of the martial artists on Han ranged from combative to proud, cold to disdainful.

  It’s been the same throughout history—scholars look down on each other, and martial artists are no different.

  Looking at them, Han’s thoughts stirred.

  Perhaps they weren’t just here to challenge him—they might be testing Taibai as well.

  After all, Bai Ruoyue had been gone for a while, which must have raised some suspicions.

  “Senior Sister, have these people caused any trouble at the dojo in the past few days?” Han asked.

  Bai Ruoyue shook her head. “No, you're the only disciple at the Flesh Realm in the dojo. There's no one to fight. They usually just wait for you and then leave.”

  Taibai has seven disciples, and the rest are apprentices. These challengers weren’t going to waste their time fighting with apprentices.

  “That’s fine then. There’s no need for any conflict,” Han said, shaking his head. He then addressed the challengers: “I’m the Han you’re looking for, but you should go home. I don’t want to fight.”

  “You’re not my match.”

  “…”

  Little junior brother is still the same sweet talker. You call this avoiding conflict?

  Sure enough, as soon as Han said this, the martial artists were displeased.

  What do you mean we’re not your match?

  “Maybe you’re talented, but you’re still just a young man when it comes to martial arts,” Gao Lu from the Gao family sneered.

  “Young people shouldn’t be too arrogant.”

  “How old are you?” Han asked.

  “Seventeen!”

  Han nodded. “Seventeen and still only at the peak of the Flesh Realm? No wonder you’re not arrogant.”

  Some martial artists might start training later due to family circumstances, but those from prominent families usually begin at twelve. Five years and still stuck at the Flesh Realm? Compared to Shen Yu, you’re way behind.

  Shen Yu is only sixteen and already at the Meridian Realm.

  “Arrogant!” Gao Lu roared. “Fight me! I don’t believe you’re as strong as the trash from Tenglong Dojo say!”

  “The last time someone from Tenglong Dojo asked me to make a move, they had to pay three spirit herbs.” Han glanced at the group.

  “If you really want me to show you a thing or two, I’ll give you a discount—just pay one spirit herb each.”

  How could someone expect to receive guidance from a Meridian Realm expert without paying some price?

  “You’re scared, aren’t you?” Gao Lu taunted.

  Chicken feed technique?

  Useless!

  “Say whatever you want, but the fee of one spirit herb for guidance is non-negotiable,” Han said indifferently.

  Without paying anything, they think they can just come here and fight him? Does he look like he’s free?

  “Brother Zhou seems confident, so you must be extraordinary, just as the rumors say,” Lin Fan from the Lin family spoke up.

  “If that’s the case, I won’t interfere.”

  Lin Fan thought to himself: “One spirit herb just to fight you? Whether I win or lose, I’ll still lose one spirit herb. Who’s dumb enough to agree to such terms?”

  “Fine, I’ll give you a spirit herb!”

  Gao Lu tossed a spirit herb to Han.

  Lin Fan was stunned. There really are people foolish enough to agree?

  Does Gao Lu not know that fighting me is a loss either way?

  Han took the spirit herb, surprised but also appreciative of Gao Lu.

  He liked this kind of passionate young man.

  He glanced at Gao Lu’s spatial pouch and figured his status in the Gao family must be significant.

  Han then turned his attention to the others, who all shook their heads, unwilling to pay for the spirit herb.

  Only Qian Feng from Mad Blade Dojo hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying:

  “I’ll give you a spirit herb as well. If the rumors are true, I want to experience firsthand how strong you are and how much of a gap there is between us!”

  “This person’s personality is a bit like your second senior brother,” Bai Ruoyue whispered to Han.

  Han nodded, understanding as soon as she mentioned second senior brother.

  However, Qian Feng didn’t have a spirit herb or a spatial pouch. Instead, he wrote an IOU.

  Borrowing Shen Yu’s Hundred Refinements Sword for a fair fight? That would be taking advantage.

  “You all can come at me together.”

  “Whoosh!”

  The clash of swords and blades was deafening. With the speed of the peak of the Flesh Realm, they were upon Han in an instant, creating a sonic boom.

  “A mediocre body and slightly lacking technique.”

  Han commented as he swung a simple sword strike.

  “Bang!”

  The sword and blade collided with explosive force, sending Qian Feng and Gao Lu flying at high speed, crashing into the ground, their weapons flying from their hands.

  Han sheathed his sword, turned, and calmly walked away.

  “Please leave.”