85: Chapter 85 Old Master Han

Trial Tower, 51st level.

The atmosphere in the space shifted abruptly, and an aura unique to a Fifth-Order beast began to permeate the area.

Five Early Stage Fifth-Order Thunder-Patterned Leopards slowly condensed and took shape, each exuding an aura equivalent to a 1-Star Martial Ancestor.

Five beasts at the 1-Star Martial Ancestor level.

The corners of Han Ming's mouth curled up slightly; it was finally getting interesting.

He did not use any True Intent, relying purely on his own strength combined with the Wind Shadow Step to stroll leisurely amidst the encirclement of the five Thunder-Patterned Leopards. With one palm strike each, he took care of them all.

[Ding, Trial-taker Han Ming has passed the 51st level. Reward: 100,000 points!]

52nd level, five beasts at the 2-Star Martial Ancestor level. Han Ming passed with equal ease, earning 200,000 points.

53rd level, five beasts at the 3-Star Martial Ancestor level. Passed, earning 300,000 points.

54th level, ten beasts at the 3-Star Martial Ancestor level. Passed, earning 400,000 points.

55th level, surprisingly, it was ten beasts at the 3-Star Martial Ancestor level, plus a beast leader at the Four-star Martial Ancestor level.

An average Six-star Martial Ancestor would have to retreat from such a force, but since Nangong Li and the others had already passed this level, it meant their strength was at least comparable to a Six-star Martial Ancestor.

And it was very likely not their limit either.

Han Ming finally became a bit more serious. With one step using the Cloud Treading Step, he appeared before the Four-star Martial Ancestor beast. Before it could even react, his Wind-Thunder Palm, containing three layers of True Intent, slammed into its body.

"Boom," after a flash of lightning, the massive beast transformed into points of light and vanished.

"Roar..."

Seeing their leader vanish, the other ten beasts, as if possessing intelligence, crazily swarmed toward Han Ming to kill him.

"Hmph, your speed is too slow."

A cold sneer appeared on the corners of Han Ming's mouth. With a cold snort, he executed the Perfection-stage Water Shadow Step. It was as if ten Water Shadow Clones appeared instantly, simultaneously striking out with a palm at the ten beasts.

With a loud "Boom," the ten beasts exploded simultaneously, turning into points of light and vanishing.

The ten Water Shadow Clones instantly merged back into one, and Han Ming's figure reappeared in the center. He slowly opened his eyes, a trace of joy flashing through them.

"So that's how it is. Water True Intent?"

He hadn't expected that after executing the Perfection-stage Water Shadow Step, he would actually comprehend a trace of Water True Intent. Although it was less than one layer, it was still a good start.

Truly worthy of an SS-Rank Talent with Heaven-defying Comprehension.

[Ding, Trial-taker Han Ming has passed the 55th level. Reward: 500,000 points!]

Han Ming looked up at the entrance leading to the 56th level and, without the slightest hesitation, stepped inside.

56th level.

Ten beasts at the Four-star Martial Ancestor level condensed in the space, a dark, oppressive mass, each exuding a fierce and malevolent aura.

Combining the trace of Water True Intent he had just comprehended with the Water Shadow Step, Han Ming instantly manifested ten Water Clones that appeared before the ten beasts.

He unleashed his Wind-Thunder Palm with three layers of True Intent.

"Boom!"

A flash of lightning passed, and the ten beasts died instantly.

"I didn't expect the Wind-Thunder Palm executed with three layers of True Intent to be this strong? A Four-star Martial Ancestor level beast can't even withstand a single palm."

Han Ming looked at his hands, unable to hide the excitement on his face.

Although the beasts in the Trial Tower were all created by Formations and there was still some gap between them and real beasts, it was enough to show that his combat power was quite formidable.

[Ding, Trial-taker Han Ming has passed the 56th level. Reward: 600,000 points!]

57th level.

Ten beasts at the Four-star Martial Ancestor level, along with two beast leaders at the Five-star Martial Ancestor level, condensed in the space.

A violent aura surged over like a tidal wave. If this were an ordinary 1-Star Martial Ancestor, this pressure alone would be enough to make them lose their ability to fight.

Han Ming took a deep breath and struck out with both palms simultaneously. Wind-Thunder Palm, at full power! Three layers of Wind and Thunder True Intent, unleashed at full force in the Trial Tower for the first time!

"Rumble!"

Lightning swallowed the entire space. All the Four-star Martial Ancestor level beasts were instantly killed in seconds.

The two Five-star Martial Ancestor level beasts only managed to hold on for a few more rounds before disappearing from the Trial Tower.

[Ding, Trial-taker Han Ming has passed the 57th level. Reward: 700,000 points!]

Feeling that not even one-tenth of his True Qi had been consumed, Han Ming revealed a satisfied smile. Having passed the 57th level, his combat power was comparable to an 8-Star Martial Ancestor.

And this was still not his limit. He glanced at the entrance leading to the 58th level but did not continue to ascend. This was enough for now.

His total points had reached 3,412,085, already surpassing many senior students.

However, although it looked like a lot, it couldn't even exchange for many Earth Rank Cultivation Techniques or Martial Skills.

"End the trial."

A white light flashed, and Han Ming was teleported out of the Trial Tower.

Outside the Trial Tower, all the freshmen watching the ranking screen were in an uproar.

On the nameplate screen, Han Ming's Trial Tower record had astonishingly updated to the 57th level!

"The 57th level? Han Ming actually passed the 57th level!"

"Nangong Li and the others only passed the 55th level, and Han Ming just surpassed them by two levels!"

"The difficulty of the 57th level is equivalent to a 7-Star Martial Ancestor, right? Han Ming is only a 1-Star Martial Ancestor!"

"Just how strong is this guy?"

"Who was it that said before that Han Ming wasn't as good as the top three? Stand up!"

The freshman area was in a frenzy.

In a corner of the plaza, a youth in white stood with his hands behind his back. Looking at the glaring name on the screen, a trace of gravity flashed across his face.

It was none other than the number one ranked freshman, Nangong Li.

Having passed the 55th level, he knew all too well the difficulty of the subsequent levels.

Although he had also been hiding some of his strength, he had no confidence that he could pass the 57th level.

"The 57th level, huh?"

Not far away, a trace of gloom flashed in Li Tianci's eyes. A bumpkin actually possessed such strength?

On the other side, Gu Lingxi stood with her hands hanging down, her water-blue dress fluttering gently in the wind.

She looked at Han Ming's name on the screen, her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly furrowed. Her previously calm and unruffled face now showed a hint of emotion.

Ye Yunfeng stood in the crowd, his fists tightly clenched, his knuckles turning white. He had thought that after breaking through to Martial Ancestor, he would be able to fight Han Ming, but what about now? The other party had already passed the 57th level, while he was struggling even with the 50th. The gap, instead of narrowing, had grown even larger.

Zhou Tianxing turned and left in silence, not saying a word.

...

Modu, Han Family.

Han Yongsheng returned from Jiangbei and went straight to his father, Han Tianlin's study.

"Father, Third Uncle has been found."

The teacup in Han Tianlin's hand trembled slightly, and boiling tea splashed onto his hand, but he was completely unaware. This head of the Han Family, a Middle Stage Martial Saint, had a voice that was actually trembling at this moment: "Your Third Uncle... is he still alive?"

"He is alive. Third Uncle took root in Jiangbei, married, and had children. He now has three sons, and a grandson named Han Ming. He is currently at Modu Martial Arts University, and he has a dual SS-Rank Talent, ranked fourth among the freshmen, even stronger than that girl Qingyue."

Han Yongsheng nodded and recounted the situation he had learned about.

Han Tianlin closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

It had been forty-two years. He had thought his third brother had died outside long ago; he hadn't expected that not only was he alive, but he had also left behind a Bloodline.

"You didn't invite him to come back?"

Han Tianlin opened his eyes, his gaze like a torch.

Han Yongsheng repeated Han Tianxiong's words exactly as they were.

Han Tianlin was silent for a long time, and finally sighed deeply: "He still has that same temper, hasn't changed a bit. Fine, if he won't come back, I, as his big brother, can go see him, right? Anyway, for me, going to Jiangbei only takes half a day."

Han Yongsheng nodded and added: "As for Grandfather..."

"I will go talk to him." Han Tianlin stood up. "The biggest worry in your grandfather's life has always been the third one. Now that he knows he is still alive, he will surely be very happy; he might even be able to take that final step."

In the backyard, in a quiet little building.

Martial God Han Qingcang sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. His hair was as white as snow, but his face looked like that of a middle-aged man; one could never tell he was an old monster who had lived for nearly two hundred years. With a cultivation base at the Peak Martial Saint level, he was only one step away from becoming a Martial God.

Han Tianlin pushed the door open and entered, bowing respectfully: "Father."

"What is it?" Martial God Han Qingcang opened his eyes, his gaze calm.

"Third brother has been found."

Martial God Han Qingcang's body stiffened abruptly. A terrifying aura spread out uncontrollably, and the entire little building trembled slightly. But for just an instant, the aura was reined back in.

"Tianxiong... is still alive?"

Martial God Han Qingcang's voice was hoarse, and his eyes were actually slightly reddened.

His most beloved youngest son. The youngest son who was cursed by everyone as trash, yet was more stubborn than anyone else. He had thought he had died long ago.

"He is alive." Han Tianlin recounted the news Han Yongsheng had brought back, including Han Ming's performance at Modu Martial Arts University. "Third brother said he wants to return with dignity and personally collect the debts from back then."

Martial God Han Qingcang was silent for a long time, then suddenly looked up and laughed loudly.

"Good! Good! Good!" The three "Good"s were louder than the last. "This is my son!"

He reined in his smile and looked at Han Tianlin: "Tianxiong's grandson, his name is Han Ming?"

"Yes. This child has extremely high talent, a dual SS-Rank Spirit Body, 1-Star Martial Ancestor, three layers of Wind and Thunder True Intent, and one layer of Ice True Intent. He is ranked fourth among the freshmen at Modu Martial Arts University, and his talent is even stronger than that girl Qingyue."

Han Tianlin explained more about Han Ming's situation to his father.

A trace of gratification flashed in Martial God Han Qingcang's eyes: "Tianxiong has raised a good grandson. Have Qingyue make contact with him. It would be best if he could acknowledge his ancestors and return to the family. With such strong talent, he might be the future of our Han Family."

Han Tianlin nodded: "This son understands."