“Just by looking with my eyes.”

These words left Lu Qingmo in silence.

Was he implying that I’m blind?

“That’s really how it happened.” Han explained, “Aunt Mo, when I first saw the lamp, I immediately spotted something off with it.”

Lu Qingmo stared deeply into Han's eyes. After a moment, she recalled their earlier encounters, realizing that his eyes were now far more piercing and brighter than before.

Han didn’t shy away, meeting her gaze directly. Under the intense focus, a faint light flickered in his eyes.

Lu Qingmo subtly shifted her gaze away.

“Your mortal eyes can see through the death bronze and into the Yin-Yang Stone?”

“Could it be that you've awakened some sort of eye talent?”

Lu Qingmo’s thoughts flashed to several possible types of eye abilities.

I can't believe this.

Han remained silent, letting her ponder.

The talent was his, but what kind of ability it was, and how it had been awakened—these were questions that Lu Qingmo would have to explore. Much like his master had done earlier that day.

“Qi-seeing talent, eye talents...” Lu Qingmo thought, her mind clouded.

While none of these seemed overly powerful, any special ability was undoubtedly a sign of a rare talent.

And this talent had surfaced in a young man from a remote region.

“Aunt Mo, is it possible to wake up the spirit inside the lamp?”

“She’s always been awake,” Lu Qingmo replied, looking at the Yin-Yang Stone lamp.

“If she doesn’t appear now, I’ll pull her out myself.”

“Don’t! Don’t!” A voice suddenly called from within the lamp. A ghostly figure shot out.

It was a female ghost dressed in a green gown, with an oval face, graceful temperament, and beautiful, painted features—her appearance was striking.

“Please don’t kill me! I’ve never harmed anyone! I’m a good person—no, I’m a good ghost!”

The green-dressed ghost pleaded frantically, terrified of being struck down.

Han raised an eyebrow. “Can she see what’s going on outside the lamp?”

Before Lu Qingmo could respond, the ghost spoke again.

“Yes, I can see.”

“But they never noticed me before.”

“Who are you?”

The ghost introduced herself without hesitation.

“I’m An Lang, I lived in Tianyang County, Cangyuan District. Five years ago, I drowned while traveling and became like this.”

She continued without pause, recounting her tragic backstory.

“After I returned home, I took residence inside this lamp. Then, Liang Hai and his men came, seeking treasure. They killed my entire family.”

“They then dragged me here and ended up in your hands... and helped me avenge my family.”

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

“Wuwuwu.”

The ghost started crying, but the fingers covering her eyes revealed cracks, secretly watching Han and Lu Qingmo.

Han couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Did she really think we couldn’t see that?

He studied her carefully, still skeptical about her story.

“What’s your name?”

“An Lang.”

Han’s eyes widened in shock.

“What? You’re from the other realm?”

“You’re sure your name is An Lang?” Han asked again.

“Yes.”

“Which characters?”

“An as in ‘safety,’ and Lang as in ‘a treasure trove,’” the ghost answered, confused.

Han breathed a sigh of relief. “So, it's not 'The Pinnacle of Immortality.'”

“Correct. My name is An Lang, not ‘The Pinnacle of Immortality.’”

Han felt a weight lift off his chest. Looks like the other realm hasn’t made its move yet.

“You should return to the lamp now,” Lu Qingmo ordered.

“Wait! I still have important information to share!” An Lang cried out desperately.

“It wasn’t by chance that Liang Hai and his men heard about the earthquake. Someone tipped them off!”

“They joined the Tianmu Sect, and it was through them that they got the news.”

Lu Qingmo’s expression tightened. “The Tianmu Sect? Are you sure?”

“I saw it with my own eyes.” An Lang pointed to her eyes. “I saw it clearly.”

With that, An Lang quickly retreated into the lamp.

Lu Qingmo’s mental energy surged, leaving a seal on the Yin-Yang Stone lamp, preventing the ghost from seeing or hearing anything outside.

“Aunt Mo, what’s the Tianmu Sect?” Han asked.

“They’re no good,” Lu Qingmo replied coldly. “They've been wreaking havoc everywhere, causing disasters, and have been wanted by the Great Qi for years.”

“What should we do with this An Lang then?” Han asked.

“Those who turn into spirits after death are usually individuals with extraordinary talent,” Lu Qingmo explained.

“Her taking residence in the Yin-Yang Stone was also a stroke of luck.”

“But the stone’s nature is strange—it can’t protect her forever. In a few years, the Yin-Yang Stone will consume her soul, causing it to vanish.”

“You might want to talk to her, see if you can figure something out.”

Han’s mind stirred. So, that was her suggestion…

“You’ll decide. You should focus on your martial arts now.”

Han nodded. Just as he stepped into the peach forest, he heard Lu Qingmo’s voice from behind.

“Also… don’t laugh like that. It’s creepy.”

“…?”

Han paused, then fled in embarrassment.

Lu Qingmo smiled but still couldn’t help but marvel at what she had witnessed that day.

A cultivator in the Out-of-Body realm had swiftly and decisively taken down two cultivators in the Spirit Journey realm.

Especially that punch infused with intense sunlight—it was something she couldn’t even see through.

What kind of power was that?

Could it be another talent?

How many talents does he even have?

Lu Qingmo felt like all her life’s confusion had been wrapped up in Han.

She couldn’t read him, couldn’t understand him. It was like trying to grasp water with her hands.

Han, outside the peach forest, was deeply conflicted. He had a feeling that Lu Qingmo had probably seen what happened at the Great Thunderstorm Temple.

Just the thought of it made Han’s face burn.

He had treated Yun Duo like a little girl and hadn’t cared much about her.

But if Lu Qingmo had been there...

It would’ve been the end. Pure social death.

Han arrived at the martial arts hall and saw several young people leaving from the Taibai school. One of them was someone he recognized—his senior brother Long Yun from the Tenglong school.

Han frowned. What were Tenglong’s people here for?

Entering the martial arts hall, he found his fellow disciples all present, their expressions not good.

“What’s going on?”

Seeing Han, their faces softened a bit. Shen Yu snorted.

“It’s those Tenglong school people. They want us to prepare, saying they’ll be coming to ‘teach’ us tomorrow. And they’ve been making some sarcastic comments.”

“Sarcastic comments?”

“After yesterday’s earthquake, most of the remaining martial artists in Black Mountain retreated,” Bai Ruoyue spoke up.

“Some martial artists brought back word that they saw my father and the others enter the deepest part of Black Mountain, and they haven’t come out since.”

“And the deepest part of Black Mountain is where the earthquake originated.”

Han fell silent, already guessing what Tenglong’s people would say.

“Master’s fine. I’m sure of it.” Han said firmly.

“A bunch of clowns. Don’t mind them,” Zhang Yuantao snorted. “When Master returns, all their noise will disappear.”

“Since they’re coming tomorrow to ‘teach,’ let’s make sure they learn a lesson.”

In the martial arts world, it was a tradition in Heiyun Town for disciples from different schools to visit each other for ‘teaching.’

Han spent the rest of the day practicing martial arts, tirelessly going through secret techniques that made his body more and more powerful.

Han could feel that another breakthrough was not far off.

In the evening, Han returned home and, after checking his Soul Realm, noticed that it had expanded significantly.

The benefits from the Soul-Crafting Banner had been substantial—saving Han a lot of time.

He focused on refining his Qi, conjuring illusions, and battling the Qi demons, all while using his strategy to break through their ranks.

At midnight, Han began his most important task of the day.

I’m chopping!

Four light orbs dropped, marking a great start!

[Good Luck Elixir: Vajra Blissful Butter]

[A secret elixir made through alchemy, when applied to the body during martial training, the essence seeps into the skin, strengthening it, making the skin as tough as fine steel.]