Most methods of controlling spirits share common principles, with only the specifics of contracts and their quantity differing.

The real challenge in spirit control lies not in simply commanding them, but in how one nurtures and sustains them after they are bound.

Han wasted no time and began inscribing the necessary symbols and preparing for his contract with An Lang. He also had a divine oath talisman, which he could use in this situation.

There are generally two approaches to controlling spirits. The first involves forcibly enslaving them, torturing them like raising poison insects, feeding them blood and sustenance. This is clearly a malevolent path.

The second method is to sign a contract with the spirit, binding it to serve and follow the summoner's commands. Once bound, the spirit is sustained by the summoner's power.

Han’s role here was to ensure the spirit received sustenance.

At the very least, the spirit must not go hungry. In simpler terms, it just needed food and shelter…

A spirit contract is typically led by the cultivator, and those who understand the intricacies of this process know exactly what it entails.

For a spirit like An Lang, who didn’t wish to fade away into oblivion, she had few choices. Even if she were to be sent to the official court of the Great Qi Dynasty, she would most likely end up bound by a contract with the court's cultivators.

The Great Qi Dynasty promises to provide these spirits with a space to exist, as long as they stay under the supervision of the officials until their souls naturally dissipate. But for the cultivators of the court, the primary goal is to bind and control spirits, and with their vast power, how could one refuse?

Being bound by the official cultivators would be a worse fate than following Han, who at least avenged her family.

"Through the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars, with spirits and ghosts bearing witness... Let the contract between man and spirit be sealed!" Han chanted the incantation, and the drawn talismans spontaneously ignited without wind, rising in a cloud of smoke that seemed to carry messages to an unknown entity.

He also used the divine oath talisman he had obtained from the Thousand Worlds Tree at this moment. Two contracts appeared and merged together, forming a bond between Han and An Lang, allowing Han’s will to reach her without speaking a word.

"Is this what a contract feels like?" An Lang asked, feeling a subtle change, a sense of curiosity and faint happiness.

Han nodded. "Yes, the contract is made. Now we are bound as one. From now on, there will be things you'll need to help with."

"Of course, it's my duty," An Lang replied, nodding, before adding, "Will you ever send me to my death, my lord?"

"Of course not!"

"Will you make me work endlessly, day and night?"

"Of course not!"

"Will you at least feed me?"

"Of course not!"

"...Huh?"

"..." Han muttered, embarrassed. That was not what he intended to say.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"Tell me, what’s the story behind this lamp and... Liang Hai and his people?" Han asked, trying to redirect the conversation.

"This lamp is a family heirloom, but my family always thought of it as an ordinary relic," An Lang explained. "It wasn’t until I became a spirit that I realized its true power."

"Liang Hai and his group are from Yuanfeng County in Tianyang Prefecture. About five years ago, there was a terrible drought that led to famine. The county magistrate, in his greed, embezzled disaster relief funds, making the situation worse."

"During their escape, Liang Hai's wife and eight-year-old son were taken by bandits and then..."

An Lang’s face turned pale as she couldn’t finish the sentence. Han remained silent, his thoughts already grasping the unspoken horrors.

"Afterward, Liang Hai met an old cultivator and learned the ways of cultivation. He became a man of great evil, and because he was wanted in Tianyang Prefecture, he came to Qinghua County in Tianyue Prefecture to hide out."

"They then joined the Tianmu Sect."

Han nodded, understanding that even the most detestable people often have tragic pasts.

"Tell me more about the Tianmu Sect."

"I don’t know much," An Lang replied with a shake of her head. "There’s a branch of the Tianmu Sect in Qinghua County. Liang Hai and his group hold high positions there."

"Just two nights ago, the sect’s leader contacted Liang Hai, telling him that the earth tremors in Heiyun Town were a sign. They immediately came to collect souls."

"Collecting souls... for ritual sacrifices?" Han asked, his expression darkening. Such practices would indeed increase one's power.

"Qinghua County…" Han mused, noting that it was right next to Heiyun Town.

"Also, Liang Hai mentioned that the drought five years ago was not a natural disaster, but rather caused by human hands," An Lang added. "That's why he seeks revenge."

"Revenge against the Great Qi government?" Han asked, his tone skeptical. After all, the corruption and mismanagement that led to the famine didn’t surprise him. Even in a world of cultivation, human vices remained the same.

"The Great Qi government was involved, but there's also another group called...,” An Lang paused for a moment before continuing, “Ah, it’s called the Path of Transmigration."

The Path of Transmigration...

Han mentally noted the name.

He had no intention of avenging Liang Hai. While his tragic past was clear, Liang Hai’s actions had earned him a cruel fate. However, if the Path of Transmigration had truly played a role in the drought, Han would need to be cautious if they ever crossed paths.

The Tianmu Sect was another group to watch out for.

Now bound by contract, An Lang could no longer hide anything from Han.

Han then retrieved a protective incense stick and said to An Lang, “When I’m cultivating, you’ll stay nearby and watch over me. If nothing happens, you can read this book.”

He handed her a manual on incense making, considering her as free labor.

"I will take care of everything," An Lang replied, nodding seriously, before casting a sad glance at him. "But my lord, could you let me have a meal first?"

"..."

"So forward with it," Han muttered, eyeing her with a bemused smile.

"You’ve spent five years in the Yin-Yang Stone Lamp without needing food. How did you manage?"

"In there, I didn’t feel hunger, but now that I’ve come out a few times... I’m starving," An Lang replied, her voice almost pitiful.

"You glutton."

Han took out a leftover calming incense and lit it. At his current level, he no longer needed it.

An Lang floated above the incense stick, her body swaying as she inhaled the fragrant smoke, clearly enjoying it.

The smoke was a form of sustenance for spirits.

The sight was oddly familiar to Han.

A smoke-eater, huh?

The incense burned down quickly, and An Lang rubbed her stomach, clearly content.

"Ah, so this is what eating feels like for a ghost..."

"Enough, you’ve eaten. Time to work," Han said, casting a stern look at her before lighting the protective incense.

An Lang, now curious, floated around the protective smoke, but did not absorb it.

Han, preparing to focus on his meditation, suddenly felt a strange sensation.

He felt an overwhelming sense of peace, as though he were in the perfect environment for his soul to thrive. This sensation was unlike anything he had felt while using the protective incense before.

He glanced at An Lang, who was floating nearby, and a realization struck him.

Could it be…

Han extinguished the incense, but the feeling persisted.

When An Lang floated closer, the sensation grew stronger. As she moved further away, it faded.

"An Lang, come closer."

"Huh? Oh, okay." An Lang obediently floated closer to Han.

This was so soothing. Han realized that the change was indeed caused by An Lang.

When he tried to meditate again, the spiritual energy of the world flooded into his body at an accelerated rate, and there was a strange, yin-like energy in the air, even more attuned to spirits like An Lang.

Han was taken aback. Could An Lang possess such abilities?

She was truly a treasure.