Mo Han walked with steady steps toward Elder Mei's courtyard. The evening light turned golden as it spilled across the Eternal Night Mansion, the yellow lanterns swaying in the breeze. His aura was heavier than it had been a week ago—his cultivation sharpened, his body steadier. Every disciple he passed instinctively moved aside, murmuring under their breath about the "pleasure healer" who had somehow turned into the most talked-about man in Red Silk City.

When he arrived, Elder Mei's personal disciple opened the door without hesitation, almost as if she had been waiting. "Elder Mei told me you would come. Go in."

Mo Han stepped into the spacious courtyard. Elder Mei was seated at a low wooden table in the center pavilion, her silver hair pinned high, her face calm but sharp, like a mountain that had stood through countless storms. She didn't look up immediately. Instead, she unrolled a long strip of cloth on the table.

"Mo Han," she said at last, her voice cool but not unfriendly. "You made me wait seven days."

Mo Han bowed respectfully. "I was cultivating, Elder. Forgive me."

Her eyes flicked to him, then down to the cloth she pushed forward. "Read this."

Mo Han stepped closer. The cloth wasn't ordinary fabric—it was a glowing advertisement, imbued with spirit ink so the words shimmered faintly with golden light.

Golden Crow Nation's Grand Competition.

Eligibility: Any cultivator under ninety years of age, elder rank or below.

Format: No-restriction battle. Life and death permitted.

Reward: Membership in the Golden Crow Syndicate, one of the three greatest trading powers in the continent. The winner will also be granted any elder rank treasure from the Golden Crow's vault.

Mo Han traced the glowing words with his eyes, his expression calm, but deep inside, calculations were already spinning.

Elder Mei's gaze was fixed on him. "This competition comes only once every decade. Golden Crow Nation's influence stretches across half this continent. The rewards are greater than what most sects could provide in a lifetime. Do you understand?"

Mo Han nodded once. "I understand."

Her lips curved faintly, though her tone remained serious. "Two weeks have already passed since the announcement. That means less than two months remain until the battles. If you plan to join, you will be competing against geniuses from every major sect. Some will already be elder rank. Some will come from clans that trained them since birth for this single event. The Golden Crow Syndicate has no mercy in their trials—if you step in, you must be prepared to kill or die."

Mo Han's eyes did not waver. "Then it is perfect."

Elder Mei raised an eyebrow. "Perfect?"

Mo Han straightened, his black robe fluttering faintly from the qi pressure he unconsciously released. "I came to Eternal Night Mansion not for fame or women, but for resources. A treasure from the Golden Crow's vault will give me the leverage I need to step into the elder realm and beyond without bottlenecks. As for the danger… I've lived with danger since the day I started cultivating. This is just another road to walk."

For a long moment, Elder Mei studied him in silence. Then she leaned back slightly. "You sound confident. But tell me truthfully, Mo Han—are you sure you can win?"

Mo Han's gaze sharpened, his words clear and steady. "I don't enter battles to lose."

The air between them grew heavier, the lanterns flickering as if reacting to his qi. Elder Mei's lips twitched, almost into a smile, but she pressed it down.

"You carry the arrogance of a sword master," she said softly. "Arrogance can kill, but it can also shake the heavens if backed by strength. Remember this—those who go to the Golden Crow competition and fail usually never return. Not because they die in battle, but because they lose their spirit. Once their pride shatters, their path ends forever."

Mo Han clasped his hands and bowed. "I will not be among them."

Elder Mei slid the cloth back toward him. "Keep it. Study the details. I will arrange for your name to be entered. From this moment, you are not merely a disciple of Eternal Night Mansion—you are my contender for the Golden Crow's prize."

Mo Han accepted the cloth with both hands. "Thank you, Elder."

"Don't thank me yet," Elder Mei replied, her voice turning cold again. "If you lose, I will not shield you from humiliation. If you win, you will raise the name of Eternal Night Mansion to heights it has never touched. This sect has never produced a victor in the Golden Crow competition. Do you understand the weight on your shoulders?"

Mo Han straightened, his expression unreadable. "Weight means nothing. If I carry it, it becomes mine."

For the first time, Elder Mei let out a soft laugh. "Very well. Then go. Sharpen your blade, temper your qi, and prepare. I will not hold your hand."

Mo Han bowed once more and turned to leave, the glowing cloth folded carefully in his sleeve.

Outside, the night breeze was cool, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the inner gardens. He looked up at the crescent moon, his eyes glinting with resolve.

"A no-restriction battle…" he murmured. "Then it will be the perfect place to show them all."

Back at his stone house, Fatty Lambu looked up nervously as Mo Han entered. "Brother Han, you look like you swallowed fire. What happened? Did Elder Mei scold you again?"

Mo Han dropped the glowing cloth on the table. Jia Kai and Chi Kai leaned in to read, their eyes widening as the golden words appeared before them.

"This… Golden Crow Nation's competition?" Jia Kai whispered.

Chi Kai's lips parted in disbelief. "Winner can take any elder rank treasure…?"

Fatty Lambu nearly choked on his bun. "Under ninety years of age? But that means every genius in the continent will go! Are you mad, Brother Han?!"

Mo Han looked at all three of them, his voice steady but carrying the weight of an oath. "I am going. And I will win."

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