Han ended his cultivation session for the moment and carefully tested An Lang’s abilities. After a brief reflection, he began to understand more clearly.

“You create an area of yin energy around you, which is very conducive to the survival of spirits.”

“In this yin energy domain, spirits thrive, while any external forces that could disturb them are naturally excluded. Even the essence of heaven and earth has absorbed some of this yin energy, making it more easily absorbed by spirits.”

Han was astounded. Was this an ability An Lang developed after becoming a ghost, or was it a result of the five years spent within the Yin-Yang Stone Lantern?

He couldn't help but marvel. Truly, An Lang was extraordinary.

“Didn’t Liang Hai and the others mention something like this?” An Lang asked, confused.

Han glanced at the Yin-Yang Stone Lantern. “It’s likely that it blocked everything. After all, Liang Hai and the others didn’t even know of your existence.”

An Lang’s face lit up. “So, Master, does this mean I can be of help to you?”

“Of course!” Han replied without hesitation.

In An Lang’s yin energy domain, Han could focus better and cultivate faster. Moreover, An Lang’s ability could replace the protective incense, meaning Han no longer needed to light incense for his cultivation.

Now, Han was left with just one incense stick.

Putting that aside, An Lang’s presence had saved Han from a significant future expenditure on incense. If the immortal tree didn’t shed incense, Han would have to purchase it. Now, however, he could simply rely on An Lang’s superior “incense.”

At first, Han thought he would have to nurture An Lang further before she could be of any use, but this pleasant surprise came much sooner than expected.

“Can I have another stick of incense?” An Lang asked, her gaze full of longing.

The craving for incense had struck again.

“...” Han sighed. “You’re a ghost now, so you need to control your intake. Overeating is bad for your health and can lead to weight gain.”

“Lies, ghosts can’t gain weight,” An Lang pouted.

“Come a little closer. I’ll begin my cultivation now, and we can talk about the incense later.”

“No need to get that close…”

“If you stay too far, you’ll disappoint me, but if you come too close, you complain. Sigh, I’m just not meeting your expectations, Master.”

“…”

Han knew from the first meeting that a ghost like An Lang, who could feign crying and hide her true self while secretly observing him and Lu Qingmo, would not be the type of gentle and demure ghost one might expect.

Meanwhile, the spiritual energy that had been gathered by Han’s absorption power and not yet refined gradually began to enhance An Lang’s soul. The process was subtle but effective.

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The world around him blurred as Han continued to face the spiritual challenges. This time, however, instead of relying on his transformation powers to repel the energy demons, he chanted the Golden Light Incantation.

Golden light surged within him, wrapping around the energy demon. From a dimension beyond ordinary hearing, the demon let out a terrifying scream before its limbs broke off and it fled Han’s body, disappearing into the unknown.

The “flesh” the demon had left behind within Han’s body was gradually purified by the golden light, turning into pure spiritual energy, nourishing Han’s soul. The effect was even better than simply absorbing the essence of heaven and earth.

Energy demons were born from the very essence of energy, and from a certain perspective, they were pure spiritual essence.

Han had never imagined such a pleasant surprise. The Golden Light Incantation truly lived up to its reputation as one of the Eight Divine Spells of the Daoist School.

Had his cultivation been higher, those energy demons would never have escaped. But of course, the energy demons Han had attracted were not the most formidable of their kind.

Feeling the astonishing effect of the spiritual essence, Han sighed. After all, energy demons were both a trial and a treasure.

Once his soul reached its saturation point, Han stopped absorbing the spiritual energy. He turned to look at An Lang, who was engrossed in studying the incense-making technique.

Han nodded approvingly. She was a fast learner.

When Han’s soul returned to his body, An Lang noticed immediately.

“Master, are you done with your cultivation?”

“You’ve been at it for so long. Liang Hai and the others could never compare when they were at the Out-of-Body Stage.”

Han shook his head. Liang Hai and his group had nothing to compare with him.

“How’s the incense-making going?”

“It’s interesting. It’s all new to me,” An Lang nodded happily. “When I was still human, I loved reading. I even dreamed of becoming the top scholar one day, but...”

In Da Qi, there was a civil examination system. Han’s parents had once considered this path for him, but soon realized it wasn’t his calling.

“If you find it interesting, then focus on mastering these incense-making methods. I’ll buy the materials, and you can start making incense,” Han said. “Whether you get a full meal depends on these incense.”

For a skilled ghost tamer, it was essential to learn how to support oneself. And mastering a craft was vital for survival.

Han didn’t plan to learn incense-making himself, but teaching An Lang to do it was perfect. His role for her was always to assist him.

Not only incense-making, but in the future, if possible, she could learn artifact forging, alchemy, talismans, formations… The more skills she had, the better.

“I understand.” An Lang made a pouty face, resembling a little dumpling.

Han smirked. She was truly resourceful.

“You also need to keep up with your cultivation,” Han reminded her. “Strength is key.”

Ghosts were mysterious beings. Although their souls appeared similar to those of cultivators, they were fundamentally different.

An Lang, for instance, had been a mortal in life, but after death, her soul became a ghost, free from her physical body. Cultivators, on the other hand, had to leave their bodies through the Out-of-Body Stage to separate their souls.

Even ordinary cultivators’ souls dispersed upon death, but a rare few mortals could transform into ghosts. This select group of individuals was exceptionally gifted.

Moreover, ghosts were not afraid of moonlight. In fact, they could absorb it to strengthen themselves.

For cultivators, this was something only those at the Astral Projection Stage could do. But An Lang, as a ghost, could easily be controlled even by a cultivator at the Imaginary Realm.

Souls and ghosts were different, and in fact, ghosts could be considered a separate race.

Feeding on moonlight, incense, soul plants, and using treasures were all methods that could enhance a ghost’s power.

Among these, absorbing moonlight was the most popular method for strengthening a ghost, as it required no investment.

For Han, taking care of An Lang was effortless—she was easy to maintain.

When it was time to refresh his physical energy, Han discussed with An Lang, giving her the excuse of needing to sleep without clothes to send her back into the Stone Lantern, where he sealed her sensory abilities.

The great immortal tree, activate!

[Special Item: Incense Symbol Money (5)]

[Currency used between ghosts and spirits, condensed from pure incense smoke, can be used for trade or absorbed directly.]

[Rare Item: Treasure Buzzing Stone]

[A rare item that hums when it encounters treasure.]

[Item: Tiger Power Pill]

[Taking this will increase one’s strength to that of a thousand pounds.]

Han smiled. They were even paying him now!