Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 392 Pressure

"Senior sister, can I now cultivate to the fourth level, and what about the resources Master promised last time?" Han Yi quickly asked.

“Nine-Bend Palm, fourth level…the fourth level of cultivation…” Zhong Han repeated the words unconsciously before realizing that Han Yi was asking her a question.

“Yes, yes…” she replied quickly.

Han Yi has only been a beginner for less than two years, yet he has already overcome the obstacles that others have struggled to cross for many years.

All told, she herself spent at least a year on the third floor.

In terms of cultivation progress, Han Yi's aptitude seems to be no less than her own...

However, if we add another thing... Han Yi had previously lost his power.

Dispersing one's internal energy can damage one's foundation and the amount of innate vital energy, thereby reducing a person's qi and blood, physical constitution, and innate talent...

If we really speculate like this, if he hadn't lost his power, wouldn't his true talent be far superior to hers?!

Thinking of this, she was somewhat surprised, astonished that Han Yi's talent was actually higher than she had imagined.

Or rather, it's another possibility... She recalled a speculation she had made last time.

Martial artists have all sorts of physiques. Some are good at fists and feet, some are good at comprehension, and some are particularly suited to a certain martial art.

She suspected that Han Yi was the third possibility.

Han Yi's physique might be quite special, extremely well-suited to the cultivation of the Cold Yin Nine-Bend Palm, hence his rapid progress, no less than hers. This situation is not an isolated case. Just like Fang Chengqi, whose bloodline mutated, his physique was extremely well-suited to the cultivation of true techniques, allowing him to progress by leaps and bounds, reaching the third level of mastery in just a few months.

But unfortunately...

Zhong Han felt a little regretful, as Han Yi had overdone his efforts.

If he hadn't lost his internal energy and had entered Jingtian Manor from the beginning, cultivating genuine skills, he might now be a genius no less than Fang Chengqi.

If that's the case, then regarding the personnel arrangements for the boxing ring... I must tell my mother right away!

"Let's go, you and I will go find Master together." Although she was filled with emotion, Zhong Han did not show it on the surface, still maintaining the imposing demeanor of the senior sister.

Of course, she was suppressing her emotions, afraid that Han Yi would see through her inner changes.

After all, she had already lost control of her emotions several times in just a short while. "Okay," Han Yi nodded.

......

......

Inside Jiuquyuan.

In a small courtyard, inside the main house, Zhong Yunxiu, the head of the household, was sitting at a yellow desk, with a pile of documents beside her, reviewing various files.

However, her face was expressionless, and her usual gentleness and kindness had completely disappeared.

It was midday, and the sun was shining brightly outside the window, but a chill filled her heart.

Even if a person doesn't express their inner emotions, they will often show on their outward appearance.

For example, people who are often sentimental will have more wrinkles on their foreheads than others.

For example, people who are easily angered and prone to losing their temper will have a white tongue coating, indicating a stronger internal heat compared to others.

Zhong Yunxiu was in the same boat. Recently, a series of headaches had been piling up, leaving her feeling frustrated and annoyed, with no one to confide in.

When night falls, the thought of losing the fistfight, and what would happen if Jiuquyuan lost... even if she manages to fall asleep, she has nightmares and wakes up in a cold sweat.

So, due to all these things, plus the lack of rest during this period, a few strands of white hair have quietly crept into her temples, even though she used to have a youthful appearance.

She knew that Fang He was the one who orchestrated all of this.

Although she had no evidence, everything was obvious, designed to force her to make a choice: give up her daughter and accept the marriage proposal from the Sanshan Party to Zhong Han.

On one side is the future of Jiuquyuan, and on the other side is the future of their daughter, Zhong Han.

If they lose this duel, according to the rules, the Nine-Bend Academy will receive only a very small fraction of the resources allocated to them. At that point, even the most basic cultivation resources will be unavailable, the fields of Qionghua fish meat needed for cultivation will be confiscated and handed over, causing widespread panic and disciples to scatter…

Without resources, naturally no new disciples will be willing to join. If all the disciples leave, then her title as head of the academy will be meaningless. Without disciples, there is no head of the academy.

Is Jiuquyuan still Jiuquyuan?

Doesn't that amount to a disguised dissolution?

Such things have happened before in the history of Jingtianzhuang.

There was a time when a brothel had a bad reputation and couldn't recruit new disciples for years. It didn't even have the most basic gatekeepers or patrollers. In the end, it was forced to disband and rebuild.

But the Nine-Bend Courtyard... is the only legacy that Brother Tian left her...

She vowed to protect Jiuquyuan, preserve its heritage, find a suitable successor, and make Jiuquyuan strong and prosperous again.

However, in order to save Jiuquyuan, they must win a place in this boxing match.

She carefully considered it in her mind.

Her daughters are Zhong Han and Xiao Zhong.

Shen Qiuling, Guo An, Zhan Xiuying, Fang Chengqi, Yang Wei, Han Yi.

According to the original plan, with Zhong Han and Xiao Zhong in charge of the competition inside the arena, the outcome should have been even. However, with Shen Qiuling, Fang Chengqi, and six others in the outer arena, they should have gained a significant advantage.

Fang Chengqi, in particular, was someone she had high hopes for.

This child has exceptional talent and great potential. If he can improve even further before the official start of the sparring match, then securing a ranking in this match will undoubtedly be a piece of cake.

Fang Chengqi, though not a very good person, did indeed have that potential. And that's why she was full of anticipation and hope.

But now... this serious injury has affected more than just Fang Chengqi's body.

Along with her hopes, they shattered like bubbles.

The thought of this caused Zhong Yunxiu a sharp pain in her heart.

Fang He really went all out... he just had to bully those two orphans and widows...

But what could she do?

She knew in her heart that Fang He was the one who did it, but without evidence, what could she do to him? Even if she had evidence, could she fight against Fang He, who held a high position and great power?

Fang He served as the deputy head of the manor for over a decade, and his inner circle was extensive, encompassing the heads of various academies, the Fang family of Huayang City…

He was deeply entrenched in Jingtian Manor; how could she, an ordinary head of the courtyard, possibly shake him?

For this reason, she didn't tell anyone about these things or these speculations, not even her daughter, Zhong Han.

As a mother, I believe adults should handle their own affairs, and children should be allowed to grow up happily.

Moreover, even if the manor lord Zhao Ziyang were to judge this matter, he might not necessarily think that Fang He was wrong.

After all, in the eyes of these high-ranking members who prioritize the interests of their sects, wouldn't it be a tremendous good thing to exchange the daughter of a mere head of the academy and form an alliance with the Three Mountains Sect?