The first items that dropped, aside from the Tiger Strength Pill, which seemed fairly normal, were quite strange.

The Tiger Strength Pill, when consumed, boosts one's strength by a thousand jin, definitely a good item.

When Han first broke through to the Body Refining stage, his strength was only a thousand jin—this was already impressive, given his superiority over others at the same level.

Without further breakthroughs, gaining an additional thousand jin of strength is a sign of solid foundation, a vital resource that supports Han as he continues to fight above his level.

The "Treasure Buzz Stone" had a peculiar name, but it was actually easy to understand—a rare item for treasure hunting.

However, it was the "Incense Token Money" that caught Han’s attention.

"The Grand Immortal Tree really drops all kinds of things. It's like it’s taking over the business of the Heavenly Money Bank."

The Incense Token Money looked just like paper money, only thicker. Han had five pieces in his possession.

“Making deals with ghosts and gods? If this had come on the first day of my transmigration, I might’ve used it to bribe that ghost and avoid a bloody battle.”

The second strike of the axe fell.

[Spirit Brew: Battle Brew]

[Specially brewed to heal internal and external wounds, detoxify, and clear toxins. One sip is enough to sustain a full day without food or water. It can also open meridians, invigorate the spirit, cleanse the body, and enhance physical strength.]

[Low-grade Soul Plant: Forgetful Grass]

[A heavenly spiritual plant, consuming it can erase memories and cleanse the soul.]

This time, only two items dropped. Han glanced at the Forgetful Grass before putting it away.

Cleansing the soul might be helpful, but the ability to forget one’s past wasn’t something Han needed right now.

“The Battle Brew seems quite comprehensive; it even helps with meridians. I like this one.”

Han was satisfied with the brew, as it was exactly what he needed. The effects would be maximized when used during injuries.

However, Han didn’t lack healing items—he’d use them as needed.

[Magical Artifact: Water Avoidance Pearl (Fragment)]

[Material: Blaze Gold Essence (Soul)]

[Contains the fiery power of the soul, can be used as the main material for crafting magical artifacts.]

[Magic Symbol: Weapon Symbol]

[A Daoist symbol that can be attached to a weapon to temporarily enhance its power. A one-time use item.]

[Magic Symbol: Radiance Symbol]

The third strike dropped two magic symbols, including the familiar Radiance Symbol, and a piece of soul material—both would prove useful in the future.

The big surprise was the Water Avoidance Pearl fragment. Han was thrilled and immediately chose to fuse it.

[Magical Artifact: Water Avoidance Pearl (Fragment)]

[The fusion of three fragments has greatly enhanced its abilities. It now grants the ability to increase perception through water flow.]

“Still a fragment?” Han was confused. Three pieces still couldn’t form a complete Water Avoidance Pearl. How many fragments were there?

What level was the complete Water Avoidance Pearl? It was taking forever to assemble.

Could it really be the legendary Water Avoidance Pearl?

To Han’s surprise, the fourth strike only dropped one item.

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[Special Item: Level 1 Evil Punishment Order]

[Punishes evil, generates good karma, which can help with enlightenment, controlling demons, and enhancing luck. A one-time use item.]

[The targeted evil has been locked. The player may choose whether to go to the location. Purge the evil thoroughly, as good karma will have additional effects upon settlement.]

This item was unlike any previous drops.

Holding the Evil Punishment Order, Han felt some information emanating from the token.

The "locked evil" it referred to was actually the Tianshi Sect’s stronghold?

The only Tianshi Sect stronghold Han knew of was in Qinghua County.

What kind of locking mechanism was this? Did it mean there was no evil in Heiyun Town?

Could the Evil Punishment Order be locking based on Han’s experiences?

Holding the order, Han began to have some thoughts.

After sorting through his tree-cutting spoils, Han consumed the Tiger Strength Pill.

With a roar of a tiger in his ears, a steady stream of power flooded into him, and his strength began to grow. When the effect of the pill wore off, Han had gained an additional thousand jin of strength.

“I wonder if I could get a Dragon Strength Pill...” Han mused, then returned to reality and started sweating it out, using his talent to its fullest.

In addition to chopping trees, Han had another gain today.

Both of the Daoist seeds in his Soul Realm had matured!

In the morning, Han woke up An Lang once more.

"Young master, so early. What’s going on?" she asked sleepily.

"The sun’s already high, and you’re saying it’s early?" Han teased.

Looking at An Lang rubbing her eyes, Han could easily imagine what her life had been like in the Yin-Yang Stone Lamp for the past five years—observing the outside world, then sleeping, sleeping, and more sleeping...

"Young master, that’s not true. If the sun really burned my backside, I would’ve lost my soul by now," An Lang joked.

Han pulled out a stone and held it out to her.

"From now on, you’ll stay inside this stone."

Before Han could explain further, An Lang dove straight into the ghostly residence.

"Young master, it’s so comfortable inside! It’s spacious too!" An Lang’s cheerful voice echoed from inside the ghostly cave.

"...If you like it, then it’s fine." Han said, "This is my family’s treasure. Now it’s yours to live in, so you got a good deal."

"Remember to learn how to make incense quickly."

"I know, young master. Don’t worry about me; I’ll just sleep a bit longer!"

You lazy ghost.

Han brought the ghostly residence closer and inspected the ghost cave. He could vaguely see a figure in green clothes inside.

It’s only the size of my pinky finger. Is it really spacious?

Could it be that there’s more inside than meets the eye?

"Young master, why are you peeking at me sleeping?"

"Just sleep, will you?"

Han discovered that he could control the ghostly residence. As long as he didn’t want her to come out, An Lang couldn’t sense the outside world at all. This was incredibly convenient for Han.

Han went to the peach orchard and found Lu Qingmo had returned.

"Aunt Mo, I’ve signed a contract with An Lang," Han said, explaining her abilities.

"The Yin Energy domain... that must be a special effect from the Yin-Yang Stone. If I’m not mistaken, An Lang should be able to help you when you break through to the Sunwalk stage."

Han nodded thoughtfully. "Could she also have a Yang Energy domain?"

"Aunt Mo, you’ve heard about the Tianshi Sect’s stronghold in Qinghua County, right?"

Lu Qingmo nodded. "I’m thinking about how to handle it."

"Recently, there’s been so much happening in Heiyun Town, I can’t leave. The Ghost God Office and the Dingwu Office both have no one to spare."

"The Dingwu Office is the department responsible for martial artists in Da Qi, in contrast to the Ghost God Office."

"Don’t you want someone from Qinghua County to handle it?" Han asked cautiously.

"Qinghua County’s strength... is quite weak. I don’t trust them."

Lu Qingmo explained, "Don’t think just because Heiyun Town has disciples of the Three Great Martial Academies at the Organs Realm, that other counties are stronger."

"In other counties, reaching the third stage of cultivation is already a major achievement—extremely rare. Even second-stage cultivators can dominate."

She sighed. "And Qinghua County is one of the weakest among all the counties of Tian Yue."

"Heiyun Town may be called a town, but its overall strength is only slightly weaker than the prefecture city."

"With the abundant resources from Heishan and Yunjiang, Heiyun Town’s martial artists are much stronger. If not for some reasons, Heiyun would’ve been upgraded to a county by now."

Han realized that he had underestimated the place—it wasn’t just a newbie village, but potentially a hidden high-level area.

With the other counties weak, this could actually be his chance!

"Aunt Mo, since that’s the case, let me head over there."

Han was eager to visit Qinghua County, especially after seeing the Evil Punishment Order’s target locked onto the Tianshi Sect’s stronghold. He wanted to see what this so-called good karma really was.

"You..." Lu Qingmo hesitated before shaking her head. "It’s too risky for you to go."

"Aunt Mo, I’m confident. An Lang said that Liang Hai’s strength at that stronghold is among the top few."

With Han’s methods, he was confident he could retreat unscathed.

After much persuasion, Lu Qingmo finally agreed.

"Alright, you go investigate first. If something’s wrong, return immediately."

To assist Han, Lu Qingmo also provided him with a special identity.

Heiyun Town’s Ghost God Office and Dingwu Office Special Envoy.

He was authorized to handle all matters related to martial arts and Daoist magic during the mission and could request Qinghua County’s cooperation.

"Investigate first. Then decide whether to contact Qinghua County’s officials."

"Be cautious with Qinghua County’s officials."

Han’s mind stirred. Aunt Mo, are you hinting at something?

It seems there’s more to this than meets the eye.