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Life Cheat Code: Unlocking New Powers Monthly
Chapter 31: Look Within for the Answer

Chapter 31: Look Within for the Answer

Lu Qingmo's gaze shifted from the vibrant peach blossoms to Han.

“Hm?”

Her bright eyes flickered, noticing something unusual.

“Did you break through in martial arts?”

“By chance, I made a breakthrough last night,” Han replied modestly.

“You’ve only been practicing for seven days, haven’t you?”

Lu Qingmo gave him a deep look. Martial arts progression relied on persistence and effort—breakthroughs weren’t a matter of mere luck.

In a place like Black Cloud Town, with meager resources and barely any low-grade spiritual plants, achieving a breakthrough to the Minor Completion stage of the Flesh Realm in just seven days was shocking.

Lu Qingmo had never seen such raw talent, except in legendary figures whose feats in their youth became the stuff of myth.

Could it be that this Han was truly such an extraordinary anomaly?

This level of talent was something that the great martial sects of the world desperately sought after.

“Indeed, it’s been about seven days.”

Seven days—a breakthrough didn’t seem so impossible.

Sometimes, one had to reflect on their own effort. After all these years, had progress in cultivation stagnated because of genuine limitations, or because they hadn’t taken practice seriously enough?

“No wonder Bai Tian was willing to personally approach me on your behalf. Your talent in martial arts is exceptional. Even in the broader martial world, you’d stand out,” Lu Qingmo remarked. “However, since your aptitude for martial arts is outstanding, you should prioritize it and treat Soul Path cultivation as supplementary.”

Though Han’s abilities surprised her, Lu Qingmo didn’t suggest abandoning the Soul Path entirely.

If there was talent to be developed, it shouldn’t go to waste. Dual cultivation was always better than single cultivation—as long as it was balanced.

“Follow me,” she instructed, turning away. Han quickly followed, the faint fragrance emanating from him catching Lu Qingmo’s attention.

She sniffed instinctively, then glanced at him.

“What’s wrong, Senior Lu?” Han asked curiously.

“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head, though she found it odd.

How does a man have… a natural fragrance?

Lu Qingmo didn’t bring Han into her study but opted for an outdoor lesson.

“Soul cultivation is unlike physical cultivation. It is mysterious and often dangerous. You may face calamities such as losing your way, soul separation, damage from the sun and moon, or even demonic invasion.”

“Once you walk this path, you must be prepared. It requires not only immense courage but also extraordinary perseverance to overcome these trials.”

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“In the early stages, practitioners often struggle against...”

Lu Qingmo started her lesson by bluntly listing the dangers and weaknesses of the Soul Path, pouring cold water on any overconfidence Han might have had.

However, Han wasn’t deterred. He listened intently to every word his “teacher” said.

Dangerous? Lacking combat ability in the early stages? That’s no problem for me.

A real man faces every obstacle head-on!

I’ve never backed down from a challenge!

Lu Qingmo was pleased with his reaction.

“How long did it take you to sense the Soul Realm?” she asked.

Han hesitated for a moment. From her tone, it seemed Bai Tian hadn’t shared all the details with her. That was rather considerate of him, keeping some of Han’s privacy intact.

Still, Han couldn’t help but wonder about Bai Tian’s relationship with Lu Qingmo. He could ask her for resources but seemed unwilling to explain their connection. Were they close? Or not? The ambiguity was odd.

“A few breaths, maybe,” Han answered truthfully.

“...What?”

Lu Qingmo frowned. “A few breaths?”

“Yes. Seven days ago, after being haunted by a ghost for six days, I felt drained and almost died. But in that moment of mental relaxation after the ghost’s destruction, I sensed the Soul Realm.”

Lu Qingmo fell silent. His talent in martial arts was already extraordinary—could it be that he was also a genius in the Soul Path?

“Your soul is naturally strong, at least on par with a practitioner in the sensing stage,” she commented. “But if a ghost haunted you, it must have harmed your soul, right?”

“Yes, I was incredibly weak. I thought I wouldn’t make it,” Han admitted honestly.

“To sense the Soul Realm after such damage and begin cultivation without harm to your essence…” Lu Qingmo trailed off, unsure of what to say. She was both impressed and regretful.

She had initially dismissed Bai Tian’s new disciple as ordinary, thinking he’d be no different from her previous students. She hadn’t even been particularly fond of Bai Tian himself.

Bai Ruoyue had called Han a genius, but what kind of genius could exist in a remote place like Black Cloud Town?

Yet now, after interacting with Han, Lu Qingmo realized she had underestimated him.

A dragon hidden among commoners?

Someone like Han shouldn’t be confined to Black Cloud Town. He belonged in the great martial sects or even among the legendary schools of cultivation!

This young man would one day surpass her—it was inevitable.

Meanwhile, Han felt a little awkward. Why did Lu Qingmo’s words sound so familiar...?

His potential? It was something they couldn’t even imagine.

“Han, even if your aptitude in the Soul Path is not as strong as your martial talent, you’re still a rare genius in this field,” Lu Qingmo said. “Don’t waste your gifts.”

“And one more thing—don’t call me ‘Senior’ anymore.”

“Ah? Then what should I call you?”

“The same as Ruoyue does.”

“Alright, Aunt Mo!”

Han then asked, “Aunt Mo, that night, we found Neng Wu’s body at the mountain temple. His soul had already fled. Without his body, can his soul survive?”

“At the Spirit Roaming stage, a soul must rely on a physical body. If it flees, it will likely attempt to possess a mortal,” Lu Qingmo explained.

Han was startled. Soul possession? He had heard of it before—soul cultivation was indeed stranger than physical cultivation.

“In the Visualization stage, a practitioner’s death means total annihilation. At the Soul Leaving stage, the soul can exist briefly without the body. However, possessing another body is difficult unless prepared beforehand.”

“At the Spirit Roaming stage, it’s different. So, when fighting cultivators, never leave their souls unchecked.”

After imparting more advice, Lu Qingmo handed Han some books and formally began his instruction. Her attitude had shifted subtly, now treating him with genuine respect.

Han absorbed everything eagerly, gaining new insights into soul cultivation. As the lesson continued, Lu Qingmo occasionally expanded on advanced theories, offering knowledge beyond the basics.

The half-hour lesson passed quickly. As it ended, she handed him the materials.

“With your talent, you’ll reach perfection in the Visualization stage soon. Be wary of losing your way,” she warned.

Han nodded. His speed in visualization was remarkable—the great celestial tree in his Soul Realm was already vivid and lifelike.

This was a reflection of his extraordinary talent.

Returning to the martial hall, Han went straight to Bai Ruoyue.

“Senior Sister, take a look at me!”

Bai Ruoyue glanced at him, already guessing his intent.

“You’ve improved again, haven’t you? I’m not even surprised anymore,” she teased.

Still, she examined him. As she did, she suddenly frowned.

“Huh? Little Junior Brother, why do you smell so good? What did you—”

Before she could finish, she gasped.

“You broke through?!”

Han gasped, too.

“Senior Sister, be gentle! You’ll break my arm!”