I, Thanks To My Unlimited Investment, Am Admired By All Races

“Six Path Heaven Tyrant Fist?” Li Xun’s expression turned a bit peculiar.

Why wasn’t it Six Path Reincarnation Fist?

The two techniques differed by just a couple of words, yet the gap in quality was immediately apparent.

Still…

He did lack a close-range offensive technique. While the Six Path Heaven Tyrant Fist was only Mid-grade Earth, it was enough to address his current shortcomings.

Besides, Ye Han’s aura was glowing blue. Li Xun couldn’t expect too much.

“Junior Brother Ye,” Li Xun said with a light chuckle, “I’ve already examined the technique within this stone.”

“Is Senior Brother satisfied?” Ye Han asked hopefully.

Over the past few months, Senior Brother Li Xun had shown him great care and guidance. Ye Han had always wanted to repay this kindness, but he hadn’t found the opportunity.

After all, he couldn’t keep relying on his master’s techniques to settle his debts of gratitude.

This black stone was the only thing of value he could currently offer.

Li Xun shook his head slightly.

Seeing this, Ye Han’s heart sank.

Was the secret technique in the stone disappointing?

“As you said, Junior Brother, the black stone does indeed contain a secret technique. However, it isn’t particularly useful for me right now—it’s much more suitable for you.” Li Xun smiled as he explained.

“Ah… this…”

Ye Han’s expression shifted, a hint of bitterness welling up in his heart.

“Don’t be discouraged, Junior Brother. The road ahead is long. Perhaps one day, I might need your assistance. Just promise me that when that time comes, you won’t refuse,” Li Xun said, his tone comforting.

Hearing this, Ye Han’s spirits immediately lifted. With firm resolve, he replied, “Rest assured, Senior Brother. Should you ever need anything, I will follow your orders without hesitation—even if it means climbing mountains of blades or diving into seas of fire.”

“With those words, I can rest assured,” Li Xun said with a satisfied nod.

His earlier efforts had not been in vain.

At the very least, Ye Han was now firmly aligned with him. Once Ye Han grew stronger, anyone daring to oppose Li Xun would undoubtedly face Ye Han’s wrath, likely being crushed on the spot.

Having a protagonist as a subordinate was an exciting prospect.

“This stone is now returned to its rightful owner. When you go back, Junior Brother, focus on your cultivation. Perhaps tomorrow on the competition stage, you’ll be able to shine brightly,” Li Xun said as he handed the black stone back to Ye Han.

The secret technique contained within the stone wasn’t a one-time use. As long as the stone remained intact, the technique within it would persist.

“Senior Brother, this… doesn’t feel right,” Ye Han stammered, looking embarrassed. He had just gifted the stone to Li Xun, but now it was being returned to him.

It felt like his attempt at repaying his debt had amounted to nothing.

“What’s inappropriate about it?”

Li Xun raised an eyebrow, his tone growing firm. “You already gave me this stone, which means it’s mine now.

“Now, as your Senior Brother, I am gifting it back to you as a token of my goodwill. Are you refusing my gift?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Ye Han shook his head, wanting to explain further. But Li Xun didn’t give him the chance.

“As long as that’s not what you mean. It’s getting late, Junior Brother Ye. You should return and start practicing this secret technique.”

“On tomorrow’s stage, the disciples from the other sects won’t go easy on you.”

“Especially the Beast Taming Sect disciples!”

When he mentioned the Beast Taming Sect, Li Xun’s tone grew solemn, with a hint of warning.

While he wasn’t afraid of Ning Cheng and the others, he knew Ye Han and the rest couldn’t afford to be careless. Facing the Beast Taming Sect without preparation could lead to a devastating loss.

“I understand, Senior Brother,” Ye Han replied, nodding reluctantly as he looked at the stone in his hands.

With a bow, he said, “I will take my leave now.”

“Understood.” Li Xun nodded.

Before Ye Han left, Li Xun added, “Remember to pass on my words to the others, so they won’t suffer losses on the competition stage.”

“I will remember, Senior Brother!” Ye Han replied with a nod.

After stepping out of the room, Ye Han took a deep breath. Gazing at the black stone in his hand, his emotions were mixed.

“In this world, only my master and Senior Brother Li Xun have treated me this way,” he thought to himself.

“Li Xun is indeed a rare gem in this world,” an aged voice resonated in Ye Han’s mind, carrying a hint of admiration.

The voice belonged to Ye Han’s mentor, a powerful figure during his lifetime who had encountered countless individuals. Yet, having witnessed the intrigues of the world, encountering someone as sincere and genuine as Li Xun filled him with heartfelt emotion.

“If only I had a friend like him back then,” the voice mused, “perhaps I wouldn’t have ended up in my current state.”

“Senior Brother Li not only shielded me from the pressure of the Beast Taming Sect today, but he also recognized my need for this secret technique and returned it to me without hesitation,” Ye Han thought, his determination firming. “No matter what, I must find a way to help him in return!”

“Li Xun is already at the mid-stage of the Profound Elixir Realm,” the aged voice remarked slowly, implying the vast difference in their strength.

The underlying message was clear: with Ye Han’s current late-stage Qi Condensation Realm cultivation, helping a mid-stage Profound Elixir expert was nearly impossible.

Li Xun wasn’t even in trouble at the moment. Even if he were, there was little Ye Han could do to assist him.

“Master, if I’m not mistaken, the Great Zhou Empire will award a High-grade Earth technique to the first-place winner of the competition before the opening of the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm, correct?” Ye Han asked, his excitement building as an idea formed in his mind.

“Correct,” the aged voice replied.

The elder had been about to remind Ye Han that his primary goal was simply to secure a spot in the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm. Striving for first place was unrealistic.

After all, Ye Han was merely at the late-stage Qi Condensation Realm. Even gaining entry to the secret realm was already a stroke of fortune.

Competing for first place among a group of Spirit Meridian Realm experts was nearly impossible. Even with the elder’s guidance, Ye Han’s chances were slim.

The difference of an entire major realm was too vast. Facing a single opponent might still be manageable, but the issue was far more complex.

The competition wasn’t just against one person. The Profound Sun Sect alone had sent thirty Spirit Meridian Realm disciples. When combined with disciples from over a dozen sects, there were hundreds of Spirit Meridian Realm competitors.

For Ye Han to stand out among such numbers was akin to ascending to the heavens.

But in the next moment, the elder extended his spiritual senses, scanning the black stone in Ye Han’s hand. After a brief pause, he spoke again.

“Perhaps… it’s not entirely impossible for you to claim first place.”

Moments earlier, the elder hadn’t understood why Li Xun had returned the black stone to Ye Han. Now, the reason was clear.

With the secret technique contained within this stone, Ye Han indeed had a glimmer of hope to triumph over the other Spirit Meridian Realm experts.