Chapter 1023: Jiang Han

Thoughts surged endlessly.

The gray-clad man grew more convinced the plan was feasible.

Without further hesitation, he stepped forward before all eyes and walked into the barrier.

He gazed at the black-haired youth beside Jiang Yan and said gravely: "Moonlight Empire, Changqing Hall, Mo Changxu!"

"I hereby seek to test your superior skills!"

"Please grant me your instruction!"

No sooner had he spoken than the prodigies of the Great Jin and Chiyan Empires recalled his deeds.

"Mo Changxu? The one who rose to fame in recent years and ranks seventh on our Eastern Region Prodigy List?"

"Yes, that's him—I saw him once two years ago."

"Hmm, oddly enough, Changqing Hall is merely a newly risen Tianren-tier force of a few decades, yet it produced a prodigy like Mo Changxu..."

"Even stranger: before Changqing Hall's rise, no one had ever heard of Mo Changxu. Some investigated, but found nothing—his past was utterly blank, as if he had appeared out of thin air."

"It's said Mo Changxu recently broke through to Sunwheel Realm Sixth Layer. The man he's challenging isn't one of the Eight Great Prodigies of Cangwu—he stands a good chance of winning."

"Indeed, barring unforeseen circumstances, this battle should end in Mo Changxu's victory."

The crowd watched Mo Changxu's back and whispered among themselves.

And across from them,

the Jiang family's gazes all settled on Jiang Han.

So far, apart from the clan chief, only the Elder Council, Jiang Chen, and Jiang Shan knew his secret identity.

Jiang Chen stared at Jiang Han, his face tinged with worry, and whispered via spiritual sense: "Since our clan relocated to Cangwu, you've roamed the outside world, leaving a trail of bloodshed—enemies spread across all eight nations."

"You've deliberately concealed your identity, refusing to reveal any ties to the family, choosing instead to aid our growth in secret—your efforts have been immense."

"Now that you've temporarily set aside your affairs and finally returned, all you need do is watch. Don't risk exposing your identity—let me handle this man..."

Jiang Han's icy expression softened into a faint smile: "Brother Chen, don't forget—I may be the demon tyrant reviled by the outside world, but I am also a member of this family."

"Others fight to defend our clan's honor and proclaim our name—how could I choose to avoid battle?"

Jiang Chen's brow still furrowed with concern: "But you've gone to great lengths to conceal your identity—now if you fight, won't all that effort be wasted?"

Jiang Han shook his head, his demeanor carefree: "I understand the logic, but who says fighting must expose me?"

He slowly turned his gaze to Mo Changxu nearby.

"The Demon Lord is the Demon Lord; Jiang Han is Jiang Han. Today, the man he challenges is merely Jiang Han—the Ninth Prodigy of Cangwu. What does that have to do with me as the Demon Lord?"

Jiang Han's heart was calm, not a trace of worry.

After breaking through the Ten Thousand Forms Realm, he had mastered a divine technique to alter his form and appearance, thanks to his Huang Quan Demon Body.

Coupled with his status as master of the Huang Quan Demon Map, he could conceal the demonic anomalies of his body and his own aura.

As long as he didn't reveal himself, not even Primordial Spirit Tianren could detect it.

Even the clan chief himself would be unable to peer into his cultivation base, physical constitution, or true appearance.

And to avoid exposure due to his unique cultivation art,

he had deliberately trained in numerous body-refining methods and martial techniques, enabling him to defeat opponents using only Jiang Han's identity—without invoking Huang Quan primordial energy at all!

It was precisely because of these thorough preparations that he remained composed upon hearing Mo Changxu's challenge.

Seeing Jiang Han ready, Jiang Chen realized his worry was needless.

He fell silent, withdrew his gaze, and waited patiently for the duel to begin.

At this moment, Jiang Han stepped forth from the crowd, making his first official appearance before the world under his true identity!

As he walked forward, he drew murmurs and speculation from prodigies across the three empires.

Even the Jiang clan members felt puzzled.

For among them, many had never seen Jiang Han's face and found him utterly unfamiliar!

"Who is he?"

"He's walking behind Brother Chen—he must be well-known in the clan, his face widely recognized. But why does he look so strange to me?"

"Is that him?!"

"Oh? So you recognize him?"

"Yes, though his aura has changed greatly in over a year, his face hasn't altered much—I'm certain it's him!"

"He's from our Tianji branch—his name: Jiang Han!"

"Jiang Han? Strange—I've never heard that name on the Cangwu forums or any of the major chat groups."

"Haha, no surprise. When my younger brother first came to Cangwu Mountain, he left soon after, wandering the world and rarely returning home. His name never spread—only those of us from Quantong City would know him."

"Wait—I remember now! Don't you recall when Pei Qingfeng brought his adopted children to cause trouble here? After they died, the clan chief ordered Jiang Han to clean up the mess..."

"Whoa—now that you mention it, I do recall something."

As these words spread, the crowd's expressions cleared with sudden recognition.

Only now did they realize: there was a Jiang Han among them.

They turned to look at Jiang Han.

Watching his back, curiosity stirred within them.

The fact that the clan chief had noticed him a year ago meant Jiang Han must possess some hidden marvel.

But what was his current strength? Could he stand alongside the Eight Great Prodigies of Cangwu?