"Two more Water Spirit Herbs—perfect!"
After completing his exploration of Yunjiang today, Han was hauling his spoils back to shore when the ground suddenly began to shake. The river water splashed violently, and fish leaped frantically out of the water.
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Han could feel the tremors and quickly moved away from the riverbank.
"An earthquake?"
Han scanned his surroundings. Although the tremors were noticeable on his side of the river, they didn't cause much actual damage. However, across the river, in the direction of Black Mountain, the shaking was far more intense.
The ground near Black Mountain cracked open, with the cracks growing larger the closer one got to the mountain. In the distance, Black Mountain itself seemed to be swaying, as if it might break apart, but after a few moments, it stabilized.
Once the shaking subsided, Han hurriedly dragged the carcasses of the beasts he had hunted to the martial arts academy.
Today, he was the only one who had gone to Yunjiang.
In Black Cloud Town, chaos had erupted. People were startled by the earthquake, and some buildings had collapsed, causing injuries. The streets were filled with crying and panicked people.
Natural disasters were merciless.
If Black Cloud Town had been on the other side of Yunjiang, the magnitude of the quake could have split the earth beneath the town, destroying it completely.
As it was, the damage to Black Cloud Town was minimal—barely a scratch, in fact. A stroke of luck amidst the disaster.
At the martial arts academy, the apprentices gathered together, discussing the earthquake while He Feng worked to maintain order.
Han headed straight to the backyard, where Bai Ruoyue and the others were also talking about the tremors.
"How could there be an earthquake all of a sudden? Black Cloud Town hasn't had one of these in years."
"No one in Black Cloud Town has ever experienced an earthquake like this before!"
"I suspect it’s something to do with Black Mountain," Han quickly shared what he had seen by Yunjiang.
"Black Mountain is in chaos, and now the earthquake seems to have originated from there... What exactly is happening in Black Mountain?" Bai Ruoyue murmured, a deep worry in her eyes.
Her father was still in Black Mountain!
Counting the days, he had entered the mountain six days ago without any word since. Given his cultivation level, it shouldn't have taken long for him to travel in and out of Black Mountain. Six days without news meant he had likely gone deep into the mountain.
The continued instability of Black Mountain only added to the anxiety.
"Third Junior Brother, go check the nearby area for damage. Help wherever you can," Bai Ruoyue said to Zhang Yuantao.
Zhang Yuantao agreed and left with several other disciples, leaving only Han and Bai Ruoyue.
Han had something to say to Bai Ruoyue.
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"Senior Sister, but there’s a Mountain God in Black Mountain. This shouldn’t be happening."
"Most of the seismic force didn’t reach Yunjiang. It’s probably still under the protection of the Dragon King."
Others might think of the Mountain God and Dragon King as myths, but both Han and Bai Ruoyue knew these figures were real.
The Mountain God resided in Black Mountain, and yet such an event was still occurring. The thought of it was unsettling.
Bai Ruoyue paced back and forth, then suddenly stopped. "No, I need to go find Aunt Mo. Little Junior Brother, stay at the academy."
She hurried off.
"Black Mountain, suddenly so chaotic... this earthquake, and the situation with those foreign cultivators Aunt Mo mentioned... something feels off," Han thought, his sense of unease growing.
He hoped Bai Ruoyue’s father would return safely. Han truly didn’t want to see his master come to any harm.
Bai Ruoyue returned as quickly as she had left.
"How did it go?"
"Aunt Mo said my father and the others will be fine," Bai Ruoyue said, her expression easing slightly.
"As for the earthquake, the local government will handle the disaster relief, but the cause... still needs to be investigated."
"Aunt Mo also said we must avoid entering Black Mountain for now."
Given the current state of things, no one in their right mind would venture into Black Mountain. The earlier group of martial artists there had likely suffered heavy casualties.
With that settled, Han and Bai Ruoyue didn’t waste time. They went out to assist the victims of the earthquake.
While the local government was responsible for official relief, the people near the academy had suffered too, and the disciples of Taibai Academy weren’t the type to stand idly by.
By nightfall, the situation had calmed, and the majority of the work was done.
Back home, Han wasted no time and turned his attention to his Soul Realm.
Sure enough, after today’s energy absorption session, his Soul Realm had expanded further.
Absorbing Yuan Qi wasn’t just about strengthening his soul—it was about triggering a transformation, unlocking new possibilities.
To Han’s delight, there was another change in his Soul Realm.
The Golden Light Charm seed, which had been dormant, had suddenly sprouted, now growing to the height of a child’s calf. There was a golden bud forming atop it, poised to bloom.
At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before the flower bloomed. Han estimated that by tomorrow—or at the latest, the day after—he would be able to learn the Golden Light Charm!
How wonderful.
He was already looking forward to the majestic golden aura that would surround him once he mastered it.
Entering the Immortal Tree’s Secret Realm, Han summoned the data panel, and as expected, changes appeared.
【…】
【Soul Realm: Out-of-Body Stage】
【Physical Realm: Flesh Realm (Minor Success)】
【Stamina: 1/4】
【Items: …】
His stamina had increased slightly due to his breakthrough into the Out-of-Body stage!
Today, he had felled three trees, and now he could chop one more, with his increased strength also raising the quality cap for the items that would drop.
By midnight, he could chop four more.
One swing, two light orbs fell.
【Dao Seed: Cleansing Heaven and Earth Charm】
【A seed containing the Cleansing Heaven and Earth Charm. It can be planted in the Soul Realm, watered with spiritual energy, and once it blooms, consuming the fruit will grant insight into the Dao of Cleansing Heaven and Earth.】
【A Daoist spell, on par with the Golden Light Charm.】
【Semi-Magic Tool: Shaking Iron Rope】
【A semi-magical tool with binding and restraining properties. It was intended to be a magic tool, but due to impurities in the forging process, it fell short of its potential.】
Both of these drops were highly valuable to Han.
The Cleansing Heaven and Earth Charm—he hadn’t heard of it in his previous life, but since it was on par with the Golden Light Charm, it was obviously not something ordinary. He looked forward to the day it bore fruit.
The semi-magic tool, Shaking Iron Rope, was far superior to a fragment of a magic tool.
Han also realized that these semi-magic tools were originally meant to be full-fledged magic tools. They were simply flawed due to issues in the forging process. If those issues could be resolved, the semi-magic tool could ascend to full magic tool status.
The semi-magic tools Han had received came from the Immortal Tree’s power and bypassed the forging process, but there was still a chance for them to evolve into real magic tools.
After chopping down the trees, Han immediately started his soul cultivation.
He lit an incense stick for protection and began visualizing, refining the Yuan Qi from the world.
Han also considered finding a cultivation technique to assist in his training.
His rate of refining Yuan Qi was already quite fast, but if he could speed it up, that would be even better.
As he visualized, illusions once again surrounded Han, but this time, they had no effect on him.
Even though beautiful figures appeared, Han saw through the illusions without hesitation, unaffected in the slightest.
After the events in the secret room this morning, Han felt as though he had transcended earthly desires, truly embodying a sage.