The days that followed were… surreal.

For Han Yu, the breakthrough itself had not been the most difficult part to process. The tribulation, the dual advancement, the transformation of both his Qi and Soul cultivation, all of that had followed a path he could understand. It had been dangerous, yes, but it had been something he had worked toward.

The promotion…

That was another matter entirely.

Even now, three days later, as he sat within the new Legacy Disciple courtyard assigned to him, Han Yu still found himself staring at nothing at times, his thoughts circling back to the same conclusion.

'This… is ridiculous.'

He exhaled slowly, looking down at the jade token in his hand.

A Legacy Disciple token.

He flipped it once.

Twice.

The material was different. Heavier. Denser. The engravings on it seemed to shift faintly when viewed from certain angles, as if the token itself carried a will of its own.

He had checked it several times.

It was real.

Painfully real.

And it was not just him who felt that way.

The entire sect had been shaken.

Never in its history had someone leaped directly from the Outer Court to the rank of Legacy Disciple. Even the most talented figures of the past had followed a path. Inner Court. Core Disciple. Years of observation. Trials. Achievements.

Ju Fan…

Had simply skipped all of it.

Straight to the top.

The reactions ranged from awe to confusion to outright disbelief.

Some disciples had even begun rumors that the Patriarch had lost his mind.

Those rumors…

Had been very short-lived.

Han Yu rubbed his forehead.

"Two ranks…" he muttered under his breath. "No… more than that…"

Personal disciple of the Second Kidney Peak.

Legacy Disciple of the sect.

And then…

It had escalated further.

He sighed.

The Second Kidney Peak Head had not wasted a single moment.

On the very next day, in front of a gathered audience of elders and disciples, he had declared with full authority—

"From this day onward, Ju Fan is not only my personal disciple…"

"He is my heir."

Han Yu had almost choked at that moment.

The announcement had spread like wildfire.

And somewhere, in another peak…

A certain individual had nearly imploded.

The first Kidney Peak head, Bing Yansu

…was suffering.

Deeply.

Profoundly.

And most importantly…

Silently.

Outwardly, he remained composed.

Calm.

Collected.

A dignified Peak Head with centuries of experience.

Inwardly…

He was screaming.

'MY PLAN!'

Years.

No.

Centuries.

Of careful planning.

Subtle manipulation.

Strategic positioning.

He had cultivated disciples, built influence, prepared contingencies, all with one goal in mind.

To eventually take control of the Second Kidney Peak.

To place his own chosen successor there.

To consolidate power.

To expand his influence.

To—

All of it…

Gone.

Vanished.

Erased.

In a single announcement.

'Heir.'

The word echoed in his mind like a hammer.

His junior brother had not merely countered him.

He had obliterated the entire board.

Bing Yansu sat at a banquet table, his expression serene, a faint smile on his face as he listened to the conversation around him.

Inside…

'YOU SCHEMING SNAKE!'

Across from him, the Second Kidney Peak Head raised a cup.

"Senior Brother," he said warmly, "you must try this wine. It is quite rare. I had it prepared especially for this occasion."

Bing Yansu smiled.

Of course he smiled.

He had to smile.

"Junior Brother is too thoughtful," he said calmly, lifting his cup.

Inside…

'I WILL THROW THIS AT YOUR FACE.'

He drank.

Gracefully.

Refined.

Dignified.

And then...

Another invitation.

And another.

And another.

For a week straight.

Banquets.

Celebrations.

Gatherings.

Each one hosted by the Second Kidney Peak.

Each one attended by Bing Yansu.

Each one…

A test of his patience.

"Senior Brother, do come again tomorrow."

"Senior Brother, you must hear about Ju Fan's latest insights."

"Senior Brother, your opinion would be invaluable."

Bing Yansu nodded.

Smiled.

Agreed.

Inside…

'I WOULD RATHER CULTIVATE IN A VOLCANO.'

At one point, he had genuinely considered feigning illness.

Unfortunately…

He was a Dao Treading realm expert. Feigning illness was not an option. It would only raise suspicion.

And worse…

It would make him look weak.

So he endured.

Every toast.

Every conversation.

Every mention of "Ju Fan."

Especially the mentions.

"Ah, Ju Fan this…"

"Ju Fan that…"

"Such talent…"

"Such fortune…"

Bing Yansu nodded along.

"Yes, quite remarkable."

Inside…

'I WILL REMARKABLY THROW MYSELF OFF A CLIFF.'

He even had to watch as his junior brother casually mentioned,

"The Patriarch himself acknowledged him."

That line alone nearly broke him. Because that was the final nail. The absolute end.

Han Yu now had the backing of the Patriarch.

Which meant…

He was untouchable.

Not completely.

But close enough.

Any harm.

Any interference.

Any unusual incident.

Would be noticed.

Investigated.

Punished.

Even a slight inconvenience would raise questions.

Bing Yansu imagined it.

'Ju Fan sneezes once…'

Report filed.

'Ju Fan coughs twice…'

Investigation launched.

'Ju Fan stubs his toe…'

Three elders arrive within minutes along with the entire healing hall's members.

He exhaled slowly.

Maintaining his composure.

His smile.

His dignity.

'…I cannot even glare at him properly.'

At one banquet, he accidentally stared at Han Yu for slightly longer than normal.

Within seconds, three elders glanced at him.

Bing Yansu immediately smiled.

Warmly.

Kindly.

As if he had just seen his favorite junior.

Inside…

'I WAS JUST LOOKING.'

He shifted his gaze away.

Carefully.

Subtly.

As if nothing had happened.

This was his life now.

Meanwhile…

Han Yu remained blissfully unaware of the full extent of Bing Yansu's suffering. All he knew was that the First Kidney Peak had been providing him with a lot of Eight Emotions Energy.

Right now he had his own problems.

Namely…

Resources.

Too many of them.

He looked at the storage ring in front of him.

Then another.

And another.

Then the stack of jade slips detailing his new allowances.

Endless Spirit Stones.

High-grade Blood Stones.

Top-tier pills.

Custom weapons.

Rare elixirs.

Formation materials.

Full access to restricted libraries.

Top tier private cultivation chambers.

He stared at it all.

"…This is excessive."

A servant disciple standing nearby immediately bowed.

"Legacy Disciple, this is only the initial allocation."

Han Yu blinked.

"…Initial?"

"Yes," the disciple said earnestly. "Additional resources will be delivered based on your cultivation needs."

Han Yu leaned back slowly.

He was rich.

Dangerously rich.

And more importantly…

Officially supported.

He rubbed his temples again.

"This still feels like a dream…"

And somewhere, across the sect…

Bing Yansu raised another cup of wine.

Smiled.

And silently screamed into his soul.

"FUCK MY CULTIVATION LIFE!"