In the attic, Lu Qingmo sat motionless on the Han, saying nothing.
She, too, wanted some peace and quiet.
"You sensed the Soul Land ten days ago, and last night you reached perfect visualization. When did you enter the Visualization Realm?"
"If we start from last night, then I successfully visualized seven days ago and entered the Visualization Realm," Han answered honestly.
"Seven days... to achieve perfect visualization..."
Lu Qingmo couldn't help but rub her temples, about to say something, but unsure of what to say.
While it's common for soul cultivation to be faster than martial arts cultivation, that's typically in comparison to martial arts breakthroughs that require several years of effort. Soul breakthroughs might only take a year or even six months, so it's fast relative to that.
But seven days? What's going on here?
This wasn’t just "fast"—it was something entirely different, something indescribable.
Lu Qingmo was sure that the Tai Bai Martial Arts Academy could provide Han with resources like spiritual plants, but there was nothing to aid in soul cultivation.
This meant that this young man had relied purely on his natural talent to achieve such a breakthrough in just seven days...
"I know you have great talent, but I had no idea it was to this extent."
This was comparable to the legendary reincarnation of a grandmaster!
Are you even human?
"Han, how did you cultivate?" Lu Qingmo couldn't help but ask.
"Just normal visualization," Han said, as though it was no big deal.
Perfect—what a perfect answer. In this world of geniuses, it's not something I can comprehend.
"Your cultivation speed is incredibly fast," Lu Qingmo commented.
"Well, it's not that surprising. I broke through a small martial arts realm in seven days, and soul cultivation is faster than martial arts. That's normal, right?"
Ah, of course.
If I wasn’t like you before I awakened, and still the same after awakening, wouldn’t that be a waste?
"…"
Lu Qingmo fell silent. Does the word 'normal' mean something different to you?
Your nonchalant attitude is making me feel out of touch, almost as if I'm the one lacking experience.
She couldn’t continue this conversation—Han felt like he wasn’t even on the same plane of existence.
She used to be considered a genius, filled with pride when she was growing. But now...
Lu Qingmo almost felt thankful that she was born ten years earlier.
"Anyway, now that you've passed the Illusionary Tribulation and perfected your visualization, you're ready to attempt the soul's departure," she said.
In truth, Han wasn't sure if he’d truly experienced the Illusionary Tribulation.
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There was that one time when he felt like he had become the Great Thousand Immortal Tree, but he clearly remembered being Han at that moment. It didn’t feel like the Illusionary Tribulation at all.
Han believed he hadn’t actually gone through the Illusionary Tribulation—after all, he hadn’t lost himself.
But according to Lu Qingmo, even the most advanced visualization techniques would face a moment of Illusionary Tribulation.
If Han truly hadn’t encountered it during his visualization, then that was a concerning thought…
He quietly buried this in his heart, deciding not to bring it up to anyone. Some things are better left unsaid—just let the success speak for itself.
The visualization technique is a treasure, after all.
"How you depart from your body depends on the visualization technique you've cultivated. If your visualization is a door, then using the power of your soul to push open that door will lead to the soul's departure," Lu Qingmo explained.
"Remember, it’s your soul that departs, not your spiritual energy. This step essentially allows your soul to emerge, to manifest in the world. The visualization object is the symbol of your soul."
"Your soul…"
Lu Qingmo carefully imparted the knowledge and experience of soul departure to Han.
"You can try breaking through here. I'll protect you."
Han nodded in agreement. This was exactly what he had planned; this was the perfect place for his breakthrough.
Having achieved perfect visualization and a flawless foundation, there was no need to delay. It was time to break through to the next level.
Lu Qingmo led Han to a secluded chamber in the attic, closed the door, and extinguished the light.
The room fell into darkness.
Uh…
Powerful "teacher," handsome "disciple," and a dark chamber.
All the elements were in place.
"The soul is very fragile when it first departs, so you must create a safe environment for it," Lu Qingmo said, lighting a protective incense.
"Begin."
Lu Qingmo didn’t mention anything about changing Han's visualization technique.
Seven days for the soul's departure—it was clear that Han's talent was extraordinary. But Lu Qingmo understood that Han’s visualization technique was no ordinary one either.
As the incense scent filled the air, Han sat cross-legged, turning his attention inward to the Soul Land.
The Great Thousand Immortal Tree appeared vibrant and full of divine intent.
The visualization object was a representation of his soul’s power, and Han had a clear plan for how to depart.
He would make the Great Thousand Immortal Tree grow "beyond the sky."
If the Soul Land was considered a world, then the external realm would be the "higher heavens."
The Great Thousand Immortal Tree's true form resided within the secret realm.
The Immortal Tree and "immortal tree," the secret realm and Soul Land, the dark space and external heavens—all were remarkably similar.
The Great Thousand Immortal Tree had not grown beyond the secret realm's boundaries, but Han’s Immortal Tree would take the first step.
Guided by Han’s will, the Great Thousand Immortal Tree slowly ascended, approaching the "sky wall" of the Soul Land.
As it neared, resistance arose naturally, but with Han’s soul strength and foundation, the resistance was negligible.
Before long, the Great Thousand Immortal Tree made contact with the sky wall. Han’s heart remained calm, undisturbed, and free of distractions.
In soul cultivation, maintaining tranquility is crucial—once the mind becomes chaotic, spiritual disarray follows closely.
At a certain moment, Han felt as though he was about to break through a membrane.
Boom!
The world seemed to shake, cracking apart the chaos.
A shadow of light shot from Han’s head, soaring above the chamber.
The world below him was still the same world, yet it felt different.
Han felt himself floating upwards, weightless, free from any burden.
He looked down and saw his still body below.
Raising his hand, it was no longer flesh and bone but an ethereal soul!
The second stage of soul cultivation—soul departure—complete!
As Han departed, he felt an inexplicable chill and unease, but the faint warmth of the protective incense brought him comfort.
He knew this was the normal reaction to soul departure—without the protection of the body, the soul was vulnerable. The incense soothed his soul, and in time, he would grow accustomed to the process.
Besides the incense’s warmth, Han sensed a soft, warm energy filling the space, slowly entering his soul, making him feel extraordinarily comfortable.
"Well done. You succeeded," Lu Qingmo’s voice echoed.
She wasn’t surprised at all. With this kind of talent, there was no way Han wouldn't succeed in soul departure.
"Soul departure means your soul truly manifests, but you must avoid straying too far from your body. Keep away from bright light, storms, or cold winds when you depart."
"As long as your visualization technique is good enough, some harm won’t be fatal, but it could affect your soul. Avoid it when you can."
"Return to your body now. The first time your soul departs, it shouldn’t remain out too long."
Han’s soul nodded and began drifting downward, re-entering his physical form.
The safety his body provided was incomparable to any incense’s protection.
In this world of suffering, the body is the vessel that carries the soul through life’s trials.
A fragile soul, separated from this vessel, must face the endless suffering of the sea of life. The comfort of security is a rare thing.