With the donkeys and the captive in tow, Han and Yun Duo made their way to Black Cloud Town.

"Han, you're amazing! The other martial artists I've seen don't compare to you," Yun Duo said, her steps light and full of curiosity. "That was Daoism you just broke through—how did you do it?"

Han replied vaguely, "Maybe it’s because martial artists have a natural resistance to Daoists."

"Martial artists can resist Daoist magic?" Yun Duo asked, puzzled.

When it came to resisting Daoist magic, it was more about how the martial artist's vitality and energy clashed with a cultivator’s spirit. However, not all Daoist spells were of an yin nature.

"Yun Duo, have you ever heard of the Animal-Transformation Technique?" Han switched the topic.

"No, I haven't," Yun Duo shook her head.

"Looks like I’ll have to ask Aunt Mo when we get back."

Han had already interrogated the wandering Daoist thoroughly and learned some disturbing details. The Daoist, originally a cultivator at the perfect stage of visualization, had been approached by someone from a distant place who helped him break through to the Out-of-Body stage. They also taught him the Animal-Transformation Technique, instructing him to come to Black Cloud Town and find humans to transform.

The Animal-Transformation Technique was a complex and advanced method, but the Daoist couldn’t fully control it. To perform the spell, he relied on a wooden donkey statue. The procedure involved first using the blood of a living donkey to coat the statue, then trapping the donkey’s soul within it. Afterward, the Daoist could recite a spell to turn a person into a donkey.

Unfortunately, the Daoist didn’t know how to reverse the transformation.

In comparison, this Daoist’s methods were primitive. Even the previous figure, Huang Shiren, was more skilled—he could control ghosts and wield a soul sword. Being at the Out-of-Body stage didn’t help when your soul could be destroyed by the sun's rays.

As for who was behind him, Han couldn’t extract any useful information.

After handing over the donkeys and the wandering Daoist to the town guard, Han and Yun Duo made their way straight to the Peach Grove to discuss the Animal-Transformation Technique with Aunt Mo.

"A technique like that? The Animal-Transformation Technique isn’t something ordinary," Aunt Mo said, her eyes narrowing. "I didn’t expect to encounter it here in Black Cloud Town."

She closed her eyes and, after a few moments, reopened them with a deeper focus.

"Indeed, it's the true Animal-Transformation Technique. Though incomplete, it’s not a simple illusion spell or a charm designed to trick common folk."

"Aunt Mo, is there any way to undo it?" Han asked.

"It can be undone. Fortunately, this is not the complete version of the technique, or else it would’ve been impossible to reverse. If it had been fully completed, even gods and buddhas wouldn't have been able to help, and the person would be stuck as a donkey for life."

Aunt Mo continued, "If you encounter someone under such a spell again, you can give them plain water to drink."

"If it's just an illusion or charm meant to deceive, the water will dissolve it."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Han listened closely, grateful for the new knowledge.

"But the real Animal-Transformation Technique can’t be broken just by water…"

Aunt Mo went into the attic and returned moments later holding a yellow talisman. "Burn the talisman to ash, mix it with water, and then give it to the victim. It will return them to their original form."

"You need special water for that to work," she added.

"Aunt Mo, this Animal-Transformation Technique is terrifying, though. It can turn a person into a donkey!" Han’s voice held a note of disbelief.

"Changing one species into another—inside and out—is astonishing," Aunt Mo remarked. "But the full technique can do more than just turn people into donkeys. Pigs, sheep, and other livestock can be transformed as well."

She shook her head. "However, this spell is difficult to use on cultivators, so there’s no need to fear it too much."

"Aunt Mo, the Daoist must have someone behind him. If they find out we’ve captured him..." Han hesitated.

"The people pulling the strings want this chess piece caught," Aunt Mo said with a cold gleam in her eyes. "Anyone who can force someone to break through and teach them the Animal-Transformation Technique doesn’t need a wandering Daoist to collect humans and animals for them."

"You don’t need to worry about what comes next. Your efforts will be recognized. Yun Duo, take the talisman and deliver it. Han, stay behind."

Yun Duo nodded obediently and took the talisman, leaving. Han stayed behind, ready to discuss everything with Aunt Mo.

"Tell me everything that happened in detail," Aunt Mo instructed.

...

"Wait, you mean to say that you discovered the killer was a cultivator, and those donkeys were actually transformed from humans?" Aunt Mo interrupted Han at one point.

"Yes," Han confirmed.

"Does Yun Duo know the Spirit Vision Technique?" Aunt Mo asked, surprised.

"Huh?" Han frowned. "I didn’t know she knew that. She never mentioned it."

"She probably forgot about it," Aunt Mo said with a rare trace of helplessness in her voice. "For her, forgetting is just part of her nature."

...

So Yun Duo had actually forgotten about her own ability? Han was surprised—was she really that absent-minded?

"How did you figure it out?" Aunt Mo asked again, clearly intrigued.

"I have a special gift that lets me see Qi," Han replied, using the same explanation he had given Bai Ruoyue and the others.

Since Bai Ruoyue had said she could share some details with Aunt Mo, Han decided to reveal a bit more of his abilities to test Aunt Mo’s knowledge and depth.

"You awakened the Qi observation ability?" Aunt Mo asked, clearly astonished. "That’s quite rare!"

"Is it really that rare?" Han asked, a little surprised.

"It’s not about how rare it is, it’s about how special it is," Aunt Mo explained. "But the fact that you have awakened such an ability is a good sign. It proves how extraordinary your potential is."

Aunt Mo thought for a moment before asking, "You should have a few Daoist techniques by now, right?"

"I know Ghost Control, Dream Illusion, and Moon Absorption Techniques," Han replied.

All of these had been acquired from others.

The wandering Daoist had nothing but the wooden donkey statue. He didn’t even have the original Animal-Transformation Technique.

"Starting tomorrow, I’ll guide you in cultivating these three techniques," Aunt Mo said, causing Han’s heart to leap with excitement.

She had originally only agreed to teach him Daoist knowledge, not specific cultivation methods for these techniques. Now, Han would receive direct guidance.

Since Han had already learned the fundamentals, this was the perfect time to speed up his training. The opportunity to learn directly from someone was invaluable, and he couldn’t wait to begin.

Aunt Mo looked at Han, the admiration in her eyes growing. She never expected someone so talented to emerge from Black Cloud Town.

How had He Dehe managed to recruit such a genius as his disciple?

"This is incredible," she muttered to herself.

"From now on, you’ll spend an additional hour each day studying here," she added.

"But remember, don’t neglect your martial arts training."

...

"Smack! Smack!"

Bai Ruoyue finished her set of punches and glanced over at Han.

"Little Junior Brother, it’s been half the day and I haven’t seen you. Looks like you’ve been busy."

"Come here and let me have a look at you."

This time, it wasn’t a morning check-up—it was a midday one.

As Bai Ruoyue examined Han, he explained why he hadn’t been at the martial hall earlier that day.

She pulled her hands away and smiled.

"Very good, strong, just how I like it."

"Ah, so you’ve been out on an errand for Aunt Mo. That’s good for you," Bai Ruoyue remarked.

"Remember, whatever you do, always prioritize your own safety."

"On second thought, I’ll take you out to relax sometime soon."

"..."

Was this ‘relaxing’ invitation serious?