Though in a foreign land, Han did not slack off in his cultivation.
His martial arts and spiritual training advanced steadily, without disruption.
In the evening, Wang Hao and his companion visited again, inviting Han to dinner in an attempt to gather more intelligence about the base. Han agreed, seeing the opportunity to learn more.
“Brother Wang, although I tend to avoid worldly matters and focus solely on my training, I understand that your actions here are likely to be disapproved of by the Great Qi,” Han said, looking at Wang Hao intently. “But within Qinghua County, it seems the Great Qi has no intention of interfering with you?”
“Brother Jia, had you asked this question before you devoted yourself to the Divine Maiden, I would not have answered,” Wang Hao chuckled, his tone smug.
“But now that we are brothers, part of the same family, it’s no trouble to share,” he continued. “Our success is thanks to careful planning and building connections with all sides.”
“But there’s more to it, Brother Jia. Don’t ask now, you will understand in time.”
Han fell silent for a moment, then sighed, “Truly, your influence knows no bounds.”
“Of course,” Wang Hao replied. “The Divine Maiden is all-powerful.”
After the meal, the two men took Han to pray to the Divine Maiden. After the prayer, their smiles grew wider, and they seemed to view Han more favorably.
Hidden in the shadows, Peng Liuming observed with satisfaction.
They had gathered many cultivators at this base, but those who were purely dedicated to martial arts were the best to win over.
There were many cultivators desperate for breakthroughs but powerless to achieve them—these people were easy to manipulate.
Han returned to his quarters, and the night had fallen with the moon high in the sky.
He released An Lang, allowing her to absorb the moonlight to improve herself and enjoy her domain of Yin energy.
Han also took time to teach An Lang some knowledge of Taoist arts.
Within the Yin energy domain, Han tirelessly refined the elemental energy of heaven and earth, and absorbed the essence of the energy from the Spirit Demons, making rapid progress in his soul cultivation.
His soul had just exited the body, still in the early stages of the Out-of-Body state.
Once it reached a certain strength, Han could face heaven and earth directly without the aid of a protective incense. That would be the middle stage of Out-of-Body.
When his soul naturally desired the sensation of being bathed in moonlight, he would have entered the later stages of Out-of-Body.
At this stage, continued cultivation would cause the moonlight to draw the soul more powerfully. Once the desire for moonlight became irresistible, he could prepare for the next step—spiritual transcendence.
The elemental energy, moonlight, and sunlight were not just pure energy; they could cause a fundamental transformation in the soul. The greater the desire, the closer the soul was to undergoing its transformation.
Han had reached the middle stage of Out-of-Body, but even at this level, it would still be better to use a protective incense if he could, as it would assist the process.
Stolen story; please report.
However, if he was out of resources, there was nothing to be done.
An Lang’s Yin energy domain was even more useful than a protective incense.
After some time, An Lang started to complain of hunger. Han took out the last incense stick.
“This is the last meal. If you don’t learn to make incense, you’ll be hungry from now on.”
An Lang pouted, “But you promised to feed me, and now... you’re tricking me! Wuwuwu.”
Han gave her a playful punch.
“Are you eating or not?”
“Of course, I’m eating!”
An Lang floated to a corner, clutching the incense stick, inhaling it with delight. She glanced at Han before turning her back with a hum.
“You can’t look!”
After midnight, Han sent An Lang back to her ghostly abode to rest, then immediately entered the secret realm.
Time to chop down some trees!
With four powerful swings, light orbs fell like rain.
Han checked the loot from the harvest: three spiritual plants that could strengthen the body and enhance internal breath.
One soul plant that could enhance the soul and clear the mind.
【Item: Explosive Power Pill】
【A type of explosive pill that temporarily boosts strength. No side effects for the user, but causes weakness in others for three days.】
【Item: Blood Essence Pill】
【Enhances blood and strength, consolidates vitality, and nurtures the foundation.】
【Item: Pulse Protection Pill】
【Protects the meridians, preventing damage.】
In addition to the spiritual and soul plants, three useful pills had dropped, all fitting Han’s needs perfectly.
【Talisman: Gale Talisman】
【A Taoist talisman containing a wind spell that can scatter souls.】
【Talisman: Thousand-Mile Talisman】
【Allows the user to travel a thousand miles in one day.】
【Talisman: Truth and Falsehood Talisman】
【Allows the user to distinguish truth from lies. Three uses.】
Three talismans—one offensive, two auxiliary. However, Han was curious about who could benefit from the Thousand-Mile Talisman.
【Weapon: Snake Fang Club】
【A weapon forged from the fangs of a thousand snakes, filled with deadly venom. Due to a mishap during its creation, its rank was lowered.】
This was a weapon resembling a wolf-toothed club, but covered with numerous snake fangs. For someone with a fear of clusters, it would be enough to make their scalp crawl.
Although Han preferred swords, this snake fang club wasn’t without value. In fact, compared to swords, blunt weapons like clubs were easier to use and could be wielded right away.
【Curious Object: Moonstone】
【A stone formed by moonlight falling onto the earth, containing ample and gentle lunar energy.】
【Curious Object: Sophora Heart】
【The heart of a ghost tree that grows in places filled with Yin energy. After devouring hundreds of ghosts, it strengthens the ghost’s origin and solidifies their essence.】
The last two items were curious objects.
The Sophora Heart was something for ghosts to use, and since Han only had An Lang as his ghost, it was obviously for her.
As for the Moonstone, it could also be useful to An Lang, but Han didn’t plan to give it to her.
This stone was valuable to him as well. When he reached the stage of spiritual transcendence, the Moonstone would be instrumental.
Han didn’t mind sharing resources with An Lang, as their bond was inseparable, but some treasures had to be prioritized for him. Anything he couldn’t use would go to An Lang.
After collecting everything, Han consumed the spiritual plants and began his night practice.
The thrill of watching his strength grow was incomparable.
The next morning, Wang Hao came to find Han again, taking him to pray.
The rule here was that followers prayed to the Divine Maiden three times a day.
After completing his third prayer, Peng Liuming appeared once more, and Han sensed a shift in his attitude.
It felt like Peng Liuming had truly accepted Han.
It seemed that after three prayers to the Divine Maiden, as long as there were no major missteps, the recognition from the Divine Maiden was assured.
Han thought to himself.
“Brother Jia, since you are sincere, we cannot let you feel unappreciated,” Peng Liuming said. “From now on, you can come here daily to receive guidance from the martial artists at the Meridian Realm.”
Guidance from Meridian Realm martial artists...
Sounds like a waste of time.
“Once you prove your worth, the Divine Maiden’s divine power will be at your disposal,” Peng Liuming added, continuing to talk to Han with a newfound respect.
Just then, Li Zhi arrived, out of breath.
“Messenger, those two have returned.”
Peng Liuming’s expression darkened, and he immediately went to the hall. Wang Hao led Han away.
Han’s instincts kicked in, and he watched Peng Liuming’s meeting with the two newcomers—one with a full beard and the other, concealed, with their face hidden.
“Brother Wang, those two aren’t followers of the Divine Maiden, are they?”
Wang Hao shook his head. “No, they’re important figures in Qinghua County.”
“When the Divine Maiden’s assembly takes place, the messenger will introduce you to them.”
“The officials from Qinghua will attend the Divine Maiden’s assembly?”
Wang Hao smiled. “Of course. They know how to enjoy life much better than we do.”
“We’re just playing with the leftovers,” he added, chuckling.