At the Taibai Martial Arts School, Bai Ruoyue immediately approached Han upon his return.

After a few moments of examination, she gave him a knowing look.

"I wasn’t wrong. With your cultivation speed, your body will soon reach its limit, and you won’t need much longer," she said.

Han sighed, shaking his head. "I often feel troubled by my rapid breakthroughs."

Bai Ruoyue pretended to scold him playfully, a mischievous gleam in her eye.

"Junior Brother, I need to go to Qinghua County..." Han explained the situation to Bai Ruoyue.

"Qinghua County? I’ve been there once," Bai Ruoyue thought for a moment before continuing. "With your strength, there’s no one in Qinghua County who could harm you."

She paused, then asked, "Do you want me or someone else to accompany you?"

Han shook his head in refusal. "Senior Sister, you are the strongest in the school now, with important duties."

Bai Ruoyue nodded in agreement. "That's true."

"However, since you're going to another county, let me give you something."

She hurried off, soon returning with a small cloth bag, handing it to Han.

"Take this Taibai Bag with you. It will be convenient for the journey."

"But isn’t this something that requires reaching the Zangfu realm to use...?" Han hesitated.

"Ah, no problem. Just borrow it for now, and return it when you come back," Bai Ruoyue replied, waving her hand. "All the other disciples going out are given one as well."

Han accepted the Taibai Bag, recognizing how much easier traveling with a space bag would be.

"Damn it, the Grand Immortal Tree really doesn’t know how to appreciate kindness. It's been days, and it still hasn’t given me any spatial equipment," he grumbled inwardly.

"However, you’ll be gone for a while, right?" Bai Ruoyue continued thoughtfully. "In that case, let me teach you the true strength of the Sea-Fury Demon’s Energy, in case you reach your physical limits while in Qinghua County."

Ordinarily, it would be impossible for anyone to progress that quickly, but Han... might just be capable.

Han readily agreed. He didn’t mind learning new martial arts, especially since it wouldn’t take much time.

As he packed his things, Bai Ruoyue circled around him, a hint of envy in her voice.

"Junior Brother, off to become a hero, huh? A young knight of the martial world?"

Han smiled. "It’s not that dramatic."

From the incident at Shanshui Temple, he had noticed that Senior Sister Bai was very passionate about justice and adventure. But the Taibai Martial Arts School was always her top priority.

After Bai Ruoyue sent him off with her gaze, Han left the school.

Bai Ruoyue watched him go, but then suddenly realized something.

"Has Junior Brother been getting closer to Aunt Mo recently?"

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"They’ve only known each other for a few days, but he’s been entrusted with so many tasks. Aunt Mo and I don’t even talk as much..." she muttered, feeling a bit sulky.

"I was here first!"

With the Taibai Bag slung over his shoulder, Han went to the Peach Grove and collected several items from Lu Qingmo, who had prepared them for him.

"Aunt Mo, what if the people in Qinghua County try to stop me, or even collude with the Heavenly Mother Sect?" Han asked.

"Kill them."

"..." That’s a bit too domineering.

"Could it cause trouble?"

Lu Qingmo glanced at him and replied, "Collusion with the Heavenly Mother Sect is a capital offense. No one can protect them."

"Whatever you do in Qinghua County, I’ll take responsibility for the consequences. Don’t worry about it."

"...But won't it affect you, Aunt Mo?"

Lu Qingmo smiled. "Do you know how the local Ghost and Spirit offices are appointed?"

"I don’t."

"From the Xuandu Sect in Yujing, disciples are sent to various prefectures to establish Ghost and Spirit Offices and oversee the local Taoist temples. They select talented individuals from the Taoist temples to serve as officials in the Ghost and Spirit offices."

"The county officials come from the prefecture-level offices."

"Go ahead, do what you must. I’ll be behind you."

Han’s heart stirred. So that’s how it works!

With newfound confidence, Han immediately set off for Qinghua County.

"Still asleep!" Han called out to the Ghost Residence. "How can you sleep at your age?"

"I’m not sleeping, I’m practicing incense technique," came the voice of An Lang.

"This stone is amazing. I’m not hungry at all, and it’s so comfortable here."

"Of course, it’s a family heirloom. Remember my kindness and work harder in the future."

"Where are we going, Young Master?"

"Qinghua County. Please guide me."

"...I don’t remember the way."

"Useless ghost. Good thing I brought a map."

"Tell me more about the Heavenly Mother Sect’s strongholds."

"Yes, Young Master!"

"Not many actual members of the Heavenly Mother Sect are at the stronghold..." An Lang began, revealing some details.

Qinghua County wasn’t far from Heiyun Town, and with the horse Han rode being no ordinary steed, he reached Qinghua County quickly.

Upon entering the city, Han noticed the guards at the gate were just ordinary, strong men who hadn’t trained in martial arts.

He didn’t rush to the local Ghost and Spirit office but first found a place to stable his horse, then wandered through the city.

From An Lang, Han had learned some things, and now he wanted to see it for himself.

In the northern part of the city, the area was run-down with shabby houses and beggars in corners. The air was thick with unpleasant odors.

Han used his spiritual power to make his robe appear worn and tattered as he entered this underdeveloped district.

As he passed by a house, he faintly heard the sounds of prayer coming from within.

Using his spiritual power to probe, Han quickly understood the situation.

"The world is a sea of suffering, the goddess has descended, to deliver us from our misery, bringing peace, longevity, and wealth..."

Inside, a family of three knelt before an image of a goddess, repeatedly bowing in prayer. The goddess depicted was adorned in elaborate robes, her face compassionate.

Han moved on and saw similar scenes in several other homes.

"The Goddess... the Heavenly Mother..." Han murmured.

The "goddess" they worshipped was an aspect of the Heavenly Mother Sect. They didn’t openly worship the Heavenly Mother but instead revered this goddess figure, probably called "Tian Nu" (Heavenly Maiden) in secret. The Heavenly Maiden was a representative of the Heavenly Mother.

Han had learned this from An Lang.

In the northern district alone, the number of people worshipping the Heavenly Maiden in recent years was staggering.

Were the people of Qinghua County unaware of this?

Han moved from the northern part of the city to the eastern district, where wealthier families lived. Yet, he still found people venerating the Heavenly Maiden.

A whole city, supposedly under official control, had fallen into such decay.

Han pondered how he could gather more information about the Heavenly Mother Sect’s strongholds.

After some time, Han started to notice two men in gray robes frequently interacting with the families who worshipped the Heavenly Maiden.

After they knocked on a door, Han naturally approached.

"The Goddess has truly manifested! After drinking the holy water yesterday, I wasn’t hungry the whole day!" a middle-aged man said excitedly to the two gray-robed men. Upon seeing Han approach, he immediately fell silent, looking wary.

Han glanced at the three of them and sneered.

"Fools. There’s no such thing as deities. How can you be so easily deceived?"

"If there really were gods, would I just need to pray to them to have all my wishes come true?"

"Ridiculous. You two are martial artists, and yet you're so ignorant."

"Do you dare blaspheme the Goddess?" The middle-aged man was enraged, but the two gray-robed men held him back.

Han gave them a contemptuous look and simply walked past them.

Before long, he noticed the two gray-robed men following him. Perfect.