Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Chapter 303: Chapter 300: Minor Achievement in Wind and Cloud Escape, Ambush

Fang Han completely immersed himself in the execution of his Body Technique. Past cultivation bottlenecks and subtle insights from combat flooded his mind.

Like scattered fragments, they began to assemble into a complete picture.

His Inner Qi surged along the complex pathways of the *Wind and Cloud Escape*, its flow becoming ever smoother and more harmonious.

At one point, as he moved at extreme speed through the courtyard, leaving a trail of afterimages, Fang Han’s body suddenly trembled. It was as if some invisible shackle within him had been silently shattered.

HUMMM...

A nearly imperceptible hum, like the whisper of the wind, emanated from within his body.

The next instant, his speed surged, multiplying several times over!

His figure completely dissolved into a distorted, shifting blur, its trajectory impossible for the naked eye to follow.

Strangely, despite the explosive increase in speed, the sound of wind and the disturbance in the air currents were even fainter than before.

The courtyard fell into a profound silence, broken only by the soft crackle of the lamp flame flaring up.

It was as if he had transcended the resistance of the air itself, merging with the world around him.

SWOOSH!

A flash of green, and Fang Han’s figure solidified. He came to a silent stop in the center of the courtyard without stirring a single speck of dust.

’*Wind and Cloud Escape*... Minor Achievement!’

He slowly relaxed his stance, the profound aura around him gradually receding. The corners of his mouth curled into a faint, involuntary smile, his eyes unable to conceal his delight.

As one of the Top Martial Arts, the *Wind and Cloud Escape* was incredibly difficult to cultivate. Reaching the Entry Level was a feat in itself, but the Minor Achievement Level represented a qualitative leap.

Now that he had achieved this breakthrough, his speed, agility, and stealth had all improved by leaps and bounds.

Although it didn’t directly enhance the power of his Sword Techniques, the massive improvement in his Body Technique meant that chasing, escaping, or maneuvering in battle would all be much easier.

His overall strength had undoubtedly reached a new level.

’I need to keep practicing.’

He didn’t slack off because of his breakthrough. After a brief moment of reflection, Fang Han began moving again, consolidating his mastery of the *Wind and Cloud Escape* at the Minor Achievement Level and familiarizing himself with his newfound speed and its subtler transformations.

...

「Under the same night sky, outside Qinghe City, on the glittering surface of a river.」

A seemingly ordinary black-canopied boat drifted gently with the waves. Its bow was unlit by any lantern, pitch-black and perfectly blended into the night.

Inside the cabin, a single oil lamp cast a dim, yellow light.

A figure sat cross-legged on a simple cot, his aura retracted, like a dormant beast of prey.

This was none other than Yin Huang, who had rushed to Qinghe City at top speed.

Traveling at full speed, he had quickly reached Qinghe City. However, he hadn’t entered the city, instead quietly taking up residence on a small boat on the Qinghe River.

TAP, TAP—

The faint sound of footsteps echoed, and a dark figure slipped into the cabin as silently as a cat, bringing a trace of the river’s damp air with him.

The newcomer was a young man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight with a plain face, the kind that would be lost in a crowd. He wore the typical garb of a Jianghu Traveler, with no markings identifying him as a member of the Netherworld Pavilion.

His name was Qiao Gao, a disciple of the Netherworld Pavilion who specialized in intelligence gathering and covert operations. Though his Cultivation was only at the Eighth Grade, he excelled at stealth, Tracking, and assassination.

Due to his efficiency and meticulous nature, Yin Huang had temporarily assigned him to this location.

"Senior Brother."

Qiao Gao bowed, his voice low and respectful.

Yin Huang slowly opened his eyes. A sharp glint flashed in their depths and was gone. "What’s the situation?" he asked coolly.

"Several days ago, Fang Han, along with five others from the Qingxuan Sect, raided the Chu Family in the city. He is currently stationed at the Chu Mansion, apparently waiting for the Qingxuan Sect to send someone to take over."

Qiao Gao’s speech was steady and clear.

Hearing this, Yin Huang asked with confusion.

"The Chu Family? You mean the family of Chu Feng, the one ranked ninety-fourth on the Celestial Pride List? What was the reason for the raid?"

"That’s correct."

Qiao Gao nodded.

"According to rumors in the city, Chu Feng was executed by the Qingxuan Sect for cultivating a Demon Skill and slaughtering a vassal force. The Chu Family was implicated, which is why they were raided."

"Heh. A Celestial Pride True Inheritance of the Qingxuan Sect, stooping to cultivate a Demon Skill for power?"

A cold, mocking smile touched Yin Huang’s lips.

"What an utter disgrace to the Seven Sects. It seems that apart from that Luo Yuntian, this generation of the Qingxuan Sect is nothing but a bunch of rejects."

"Has Fang Han shown any signs of leaving?"

Yin Huang pushed aside his stray thoughts and got to the point.

"Ever since he entered the Chu Mansion, Fang Han hasn’t been seen in public. His strength is considerable, so we didn’t dare to infiltrate the mansion to investigate. However, we can confirm that he has not left Qinghe City."

Qiao Gao said with certainty.

Yin Huang nodded slightly, his fingers tapping unconsciously on his knee.

"Qinghe City has too many eyes and ears; it’s not a good place to make a move. You and your men will continue to watch the Chu Mansion. The moment you see Fang Han leave alone, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Qiao Gao agreed. After a moment’s hesitation, he added.

"Senior Brother, since the Qingxuan Sect is handling the Chu Family raid, more of their people are bound to arrive. When they have more men, it will be even harder to make a move. Should we think of a way to lure Fang Han out?"

"I know what I’m doing. Remember, your only task is to watch him. Do not, under any circumstances, act rashly without my command. You’ll scare him off."

Yin Huang shot him a cold glance.

"I understand!"

A chill ran down Qiao Gao’s spine, and he quickly lowered his head.

"Go. Stay in touch."

Yin Huang waved his hand dismissively.

Qiao Gao said no more. His figure seemed to shrink as he exited the cabin like a phantom, melting into the thick darkness outside and vanishing from sight.

Silence returned to the cabin, leaving only the gentle lapping of the river against the hull.

Yin Huang leaned back slowly, closed his eyes, and continued to meditate.

’Fang Han’s file surfaced in his mind: Late-Stage Fifth Grade Cultivation, exceptional Swordsmanship, an uncanny Body Technique...’

’His strength isn’t weak, but unfortunately for him, he’s facing me, Yin Huang.’

Yin Huang sneered inwardly.

’He’d been at the Fourth Grade for a long time, his foundation was solid, and he was ranked eighty-second on the Celestial Pride List. His strength was absolutely beyond Fang Han’s.’

’Even if Fang Han had some hidden skills, in the face of an absolute gap in power, all struggles were futile.’

’He needed to wait for the perfect opportunity for a one-hit kill, then immediately flee, leaving the Qingxuan Sect with no clues to follow.’

’At this thought, Yin Huang’s resolve hardened. The circulation of his Inner Qi grew denser as he fine-tuned his condition to its absolute peak.’

’All he needed was the signal from Qiao Gao, and it would be time for Fang Han to die.’

...

「Two days later, in the early morning.」

The atmosphere in front of the Chu Mansion in Qinghe City was somber.

A solemn-faced, middle-aged man in a Qingxuan Sect Steward’s Robe, leading more than twenty sharp-eyed disciples with powerful auras, was completing the handover with Fang Han and his five companions.

"True Inheritor Fang, we will take care of everything from here. Thank you for your hard work."

The Steward said, clasping his hands in a salute. As his gaze swept over Fang Han, it carried a hint of imperceptible respect.

A Celestial Pride True Inheritance already held a transcendent status, to say nothing of one with as much limitless potential as Fang Han.

"Thank you for your trouble, Steward."

Fang Han nodded slightly, handing over the relevant files and inventories. The procedure was simple and efficient.

With the mission complete, he felt a great sense of relief.

After a moment’s thought, he turned to Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, and the others.

"I’m going to take this opportunity to travel for a while, hone my Swordsmanship, and broaden my horizons. I won’t be returning to the Sect with you all."

Yun Qianyue’s purple veil fluttered. Her bright eyes glanced at Fang Han as she said coolly, "Take care, Senior Brother Fang."

Li Feng cupped his fist and said succinctly, "Take care."

Huang Ling’er smiled charmingly. "Senior Brother Fang, if you run into any fun adventures on your travels, you have to tell us all about them when you get back!"

Fang Han returned their farewells one by one. Without another word, he turned and strode away. His green robe billowed slightly as he walked with steady steps toward the city gates.

His figure soon vanished at the end of the long street.

...

「Several miles outside Qinghe City, deep in a dense forest beside a desolate main road.」

A dark figure flitted over like a phantom and whispered, "Senior Brother Yin, Fang Han has left the city alone. He’s heading down this road and should arrive here in about the time it takes an incense stick to burn."

Seated cross-legged on a green boulder, Yin Huang slowly opened his eyes. A cold glint flashed within them and was gone.

"He’s finally here... Proceed as planned. Fall back three miles and keep watch. Do not approach without my command."

"Yes!"

The dark figure bowed, accepted the order, and silently melted into the forest shadows, disappearing from view.

With a single movement, Yin Huang floated like a falling leaf to the crown of an ancient pine tree dozens of feet tall. The branches swayed for a moment, and then he was perfectly concealed within them.

He retracted his aura until it was nearly nonexistent, becoming one with his surroundings. Only his cold eyes, peering through the gaps in the foliage, remained locked on the main road below.

The Spiritual Sense of a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist spread out like an invisible spiderweb, perceiving every rustle of leaf and blade of grass within a radius of several hundred yards.

Time trickled by. The main road remained deserted, with only the rustling of wind through the treetops.

Yin Huang’s patience was superb. Like the most seasoned hunter, he waited for his prey to walk into the trap.

Before long, a figure in a green robe appeared at the far end of the road, walking at an unhurried pace. It was Fang Han.

Because he cultivated the *Spirit Smelling Technique*, his sense of smell was enhanced. Even without actively using the technique, his olfactory senses were exceptionally sharp.

The scents of the surrounding area wafted into his nostrils.

The earthy tang of the soil, the musty odor of decaying leaves, the lingering musk of wild beasts... and an extremely faint but unnatural, chilling human scent!

The scent was hidden so deeply it was almost impossible to detect.

The source of the scent was, shockingly, the dense forest by the roadside up ahead.

’An ambush. Who’s trying to kill me?’

A cold light flashed in Fang Han’s eyes, but his pace didn’t falter in the slightest. He continued forward, quickly closing to within a few dozen yards of the forest.

His right hand quietly came to rest on his sword hilt.

CLANG!

The Flowing Wind Sword shot from its sheath with a clear, ringing cry like the sound of tearing silk.

The Inner Qi from his *Profound Wind Technique*, which was nearing the peak of the Late Stage of the Fifth Grade, erupted. He instantly activated his *Wind and Cloud Escape* at the Minor Achievement Level.

His body went from absolute stillness to explosive motion, transforming into a distorted, pale green afterimage that shot toward the dense forest by the road.

At the same time, the Flowing Wind Sword blazed with light. He pushed the intent of his Mastery Level *Nine Swords of Sky Splitting* to its absolute limit, madly gathering and compressing fifty percent of his Wind Momentum into the tip of his blade!

CHH—BOOM!!!

An incredibly condensed beam of green Sword Qi, several yards long and edged with faint spatial ripples, slashed toward the treetop where Yin Huang was hiding. It moved like a thunderclap tearing across the heavens, at a speed the naked eye could not possibly follow.

Before the Sword Qi even arrived, its incomparably sharp pressure had already flattened the leaves and branches of the trees below, and the air let out a piercing shriek.

"What?!"

In the treetop, the color drained from Yin Huang’s face.

He prided himself on his superb Stealth Technique and had never imagined that Fang Han could detect his presence first and launch a preemptive strike.

The Tearing Realm and immense power contained within that Sword Qi made even him, a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist, feel a grave threat!

In his haste, it was already too late to dodge.

He roared in fury. Black energy surged around him as the immense Inner Qi of an Early Stage of Fourth Grade cultivator erupted without reservation. He slammed his palms forward.

Nether Palm!

A black Palm Seal the size of a millstone, as solid as Profound Iron and wreathed in chilling Ghost Qi, instantly materialized.

Riding a bone-chilling gale, it smashed head-on into the green Sword Qi.