Chapter 20: The Huan Dan Period

Inside the villa, feeling the sword’s proximity, Fang Can could only feel helpless.

“Who doesn’t know that even those with extraordinary talent need at least five days of cultivation to enter the Tuifanqu realm, let alone you, nearing the threshold of Tuifanyizhong —no one, not even the Great Expansion Divine Lord reborn, could achieve such talent.”

Jiang Ningan gently drew her sword closer, leaving a fine cut on Fang Can’s neck: “You falsified your entry time—what are you trying to hide?”

Even with his current calmness, Fang Can wanted to sigh deeply; in this era, no one believes the truth.

“Is there a possibility?” Fang Can countered: “Of course, I’m only saying it as a possibility—that I’m a peerless genius, even surpassing the Great Expansion Divine Lord.”

Jiang Ningan said nothing, but her gaze made it clear: you?

Fang Can was utterly helpless; if the weak complain about their environment, fine, but why complain about the strong?

Your world’s people have poor talent, fine—but I reached this level in seven days, and now you blame me? A bunch of unworldly fools, do you even understand what it means to cheat the system?

“Alright, yeah, yeah, I actually arrived in Da Yan a month ago, and after a month of hard training, I gained this strength.”

Fang Can looked helplessly at the foolish woman before him, with not a trace of anger:

“After staying in Da Yan for a while, I returned here, and you probably came over around the same time.”

“If things continue like this, in a few days you’ll return to Da Yan again, cycling endlessly between the two worlds.”

Though lacking evidence, Jiang Ningan sighed in relief after Fang Can’s explanation—at least there was still hope of returning.

Relaxed now, Jiang Ningan sheathed her sword, gazing at the boy before her, hesitating, wanting to speak but finding it hard to begin.

Fang Can, however, sensed her thoughts and spoke first: “You’re injured, right? If you want to stay, just say so—but remember to pay rent.”

“Rent!” Jiang Ningan widened her eyes slightly, then hesitated: “I… I don’t have your currency.”

As a virtuous sect’s top disciple, she could never default on payment; after thinking, she offered: “But I can teach you Wu Gong to repay you—you haven’t entered the Huan Dan period yet, have you?”

Hearing the term “Huan Dan period,” Fang Can felt a chill run down his spine: “Huan… Huan Dan period? What Huan Dan period?”

“Then you haven’t entered the Huan Dan period yet,” Jiang Ningan explained:

“Huan Dan period is a term used by male martial cultivators. My master mentioned it: those in the Tuifanqu realm must replace old blood with new blood, but male genitalia are hard to alter through cultivation, making them a vulnerable point in combat.”

“So some martialists proposed removing the organ entirely while still in the Tuifanqu realm; once the tissue is completely gone, they save at least two layers of hardship during cultivation.”

“After passing this stage, they only need a few months to regrow it, without affecting… intercourse.”

As she spoke the last part, Jiang Ningan’s cheeks flushed slightly, while Fang Can felt profound revulsion.

‘Why does martial cultivation also demand ‘if you want to master divine arts, first castrate yourself’? I don’t want this!’

Seeing Fang Can’s expression, Jiang Ningan suggested:

“Actually, for a boy your age, entering the Huan Dan period is already too late—if you wait until new and old blood fully mix before cutting, your foundation may be severely damaged. I advise you undergo the procedure within these few days.”

“I refuse!” Fang Can crossed his arms, making a “no” gesture: “If all you can teach me is Huan Dan, please leave this villa now.”

At this point, Fang Can felt this woman was utterly treacherous—he only wanted her martial arts, yet she wanted to take his testicles.

On the other side, Jiang Ningan felt wronged; ordinary martialists spend lifetimes struggling to reach the Tuifanqu realm, and here was a method to skip two stages—and he refused it?

Her kindness rejected, Jiang Ningan was annoyed, yet still said:

“If you refuse Huan Dan, fine—but the martial path relies entirely on inner resolve; I can’t help you much, only guide you in technique. Deeper transmissions are beyond my ability to teach.”

“Transmissions?” Fang Can asked.

“Yes,” Jiang Ningan patiently explained to the newcomer:

“Transmissions refer to the martial arts and techniques cultivated after the Tuifanqu realm, each passed down and refined generation by generation within their sects.”

“For example, the Celestial Mechanism Tower’s [Words Become Law] evolved gradually from the original [Golden Tongue Jade Speech Technique] through centuries of refinement by successive tower masters.”

Fang Can carefully memorized everything Jiang Ningan said, then asked: “Have you heard of the [Acting Method]?”

“The Acting Method!” Jiang Ningan turned sharply to look at him: “You haven’t joined some evil sect, have you? I strongly advise you not to practice it—it risks harming both yourself and others.”

“Why?” Fang Can asked.

“Isn’t the Acting Method supposed to accelerate cultivation? It seems no different from Huan Dan—why do you urge me to do Huan Dan but forbid the Acting Method?”

“Because the Acting Method offers only minor, superficial evil enhancements early on. The difference between orthodox and evil paths lies in whether the technique damages your future martial path.”

“The Acting Method doesn’t help at critical thresholds—it actually blocks progress, especially between major realms, unless you plan to remain stuck in the Tuifanqu realm forever.”

At this, Jiang Ningan spoke with righteous fervor: “We cultivators must face hardship head-on, strengthen our will, unify knowledge and action, remain unmoved by setbacks, and dare to lead the world. If you constantly pretend to be someone else, your soul will grow dim.”

Fang Can nodded knowingly—he sensed she belonged to a prestigious orthodox sect.

If so, he resolved to bury his dark past of joining the Tiger Fiend Sect, lest she react violently upon learning it.

“I am Fang Can. May I ask your name, young lady?” Fang Can gazed at the girl before him.

The lamplight illuminated her flawless face, making her radiant beyond compare.

Without any concealment, the girl declared: “Jian Shan, Jiang Ningan!”

Fang Can silently noted the sect’s name, planning to research it later; then he gave an embarrassed smile: “Er… Miss Jiang, does Jian Shan still accept disciples?”

“You wish to become my disciple?” Jiang Ningan’s lips curved into a strange smile: “Too bad—you’ve already entered the martial path. Before ascending the Heavenly Road, you can no longer learn other techniques.”

“Why?” Fang Can couldn’t help asking—her answer shattered his plans.

(End of Chapter)