By the time Han returned to Black Cloud Town, the morning sun was already high in the sky.

  After bidding farewell to the Dragon Maiden, he made his way straight to the peach grove, his steps a little unsteady.

  That was terrifying—absolutely terrifying.

  Being around the Dragon Maiden always gave him the unsettling feeling that she was ready to devour him at any moment.

  "I'm back, Aunt Mo!"

  Han called out as he approached the pavilion. He was slightly disappointed—today, there were only peach blossoms, but no peaches in sight.

  Lu Qingmo stepped out of the loft, glanced at Han, and nodded subtly.

  However, when her gaze swept over Han’s neck, she paused briefly.

  "It seems you've gained quite a bit from the Water Element Gathering."

  "Just lucky—I managed to take first place."

  Another day of unparalleled humility.

  Han briefly recounted the events of the Water Element Gathering to Lu Qingmo, emphasizing, of course, his own heroic moments.

  "The Dragon Gate Trial is a fairly common test of water affinity. With your talent and potential, securing first place is only natural."

  Lu Qingmo inwardly praised him but maintained an indifferent expression.

  She was used to it by now.

  Han then took out the piece of Spirit Clay and handed it to Lu Qingmo.

  "Aunt Mo, I have a feeling this is some kind of treasure, but I can't figure out what it is."

  He had already examined the clay thoroughly on his way back.

  He had tried breaking it apart, squeezing it, kneading it—it even oozed water.

  But none of it seemed to match the description of the so-called Sacred Spirit Elixir.

  "A treasure?"

  Lu Qingmo accepted the Spirit Clay and carefully examined it, even using a magical tool to aid her assessment.

  Yet, she found nothing unusual.

  "I can't determine anything from it either, but if your intuition is reacting to it..."

  To all appearances, it was just an ordinary piece of Spirit Clay. But she trusted Han’s instincts.

  So, she refrained from making any hasty conclusions.

  "By the way, Aunt Mo, have you ever heard of the Sacred Spirit Elixir?" Han asked casually.

  "The Dragon Maiden mentioned it when talking about treasures of the Water Element. She said it’s an incredibly rare and precious substance."

  "Sacred Spirit Elixir?"

  Lu Qingmo pondered for a moment before shaking her head.

  "Never heard of it."

  "Looks like it might require some special method to extract..."

  Han made a mental note, storing away the Spirit Clay for now. He planned to look into the Sacred Spirit Elixir later when he had the opportunity.

  He then took out the Nether Spring Dew and handed it to Lu Qingmo.

  She looked at him, puzzled.

  "What are you giving this to me for?"

  "Aunt Mo, just hold onto it for a moment."

  Then, he reached out and took it back.

  See, Nianzi? I wasn’t lying.

  I did present the Nether Spring Dew to a respected elder.

  But she gave it back to me. And well, what was I supposed to do?

  When an elder bestows a gift, one simply cannot refuse.

  Han prided himself on being an honest man.

  Just then, Anliang emerged from the Ghost Abode.

  The moment she spotted the Nether Spring Dew, her eyes lit up with deep longing.

  "Young Master, I… I want it…"

  "Open your mouth."

  Anliang leaned in, parting her lips expectantly.

  With a flick of his finger, Han sent the amber-hued Nether Spring Dew soaring directly into her mouth.

  "This is a priceless treasure. I went through unimaginable hardship—risking my life—to obtain it," Han said seriously.

  "Don’t let me down. Work hard on your incense-making."

  "I will, Young Master! I’ll do my best!" Anliang clenched her fists, brimming with determination.

  "Ugh, it’s so fishy and bitter. It smelled so enticing for spirits, but the taste is so sharp and astringent."

  "My body feels hot… No, now it’s freezing… I’m so sleepy…"

  "Let her absorb the Nether Spring Dew's power," Lu Qingmo advised.

  Han returned Anliang to the Ghost Abode, where she would be able to refine it more efficiently.

  "This treasure is indeed extraordinary," Lu Qingmo remarked.

  "For a ghost of Anliang’s level, it will provide immense benefits. Once she fully absorbs its power and learns a few Daoist arts, she should be capable of fending off an ordinary Night Wanderer cultivator."

  "Moreover, since she isn't vulnerable to sunlight, she is now a ghost of considerable utility."

  Ghosts were unique in nature, and Anliang was especially talented. With the additional resources Han had obtained from Tree Bro, she was growing at a remarkable pace.

  The Ghost Abode’s recent upgrades had also played a crucial role.

  Being able to hold her own against a Night Wanderer meant she was no longer weak.

  While she still couldn’t assist Han in major battles, she would at least be able to handle lesser threats.

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  "Where can I find Daoist arts suited for ghosts and spirits?" Han asked.

  Most standard Daoist techniques could be used by ghosts, but they weren’t optimized for them. In a ghost’s hands, their effectiveness was rather lackluster.

  For instance, asking a ghost to cultivate the Righteous Grand Hand Seal would be downright ridiculous…

  "The County Ghost Division has them," Lu Qingmo replied.

  "You’ve accumulated another batch of merit from the Yinhuaxian incident. You can use it to exchange for ghost-related techniques at the Prefecture Ghost Division."

  "But you don’t need to worry about that right now. I have high hopes that Anliang will grasp the Power of the Nether Spring—an exceptionally potent offensive ability, highly effective against other ghosts and spirits."

  Beyond merely strengthening a ghost’s power, the Nether Spring Dew’s true value lay in its potential to awaken the Power of the Nether Spring.

  Many cultivators who raised ghosts prized this aspect even more.

  A ghost’s strength could be cultivated over time, but the opportunity to comprehend the Power of the Nether Spring was incredibly rare.

  "If she can achieve that, it’ll be a major breakthrough."

  "Aunt Mo, I think I’ll rest for a while."

  Lu Qingmo nodded, assuming Han was tired from the Water Element Gathering.

  As she watched him walk away, her gaze darkened slightly.

  "The mark on his neck…"

  It looked suspiciously like… a lip print?

  Her expression became unreadable.

  Han hadn’t told her everything.

  Inside his room, Han retrieved the Source of the Mystic Realm he had kept for himself.

  During his journey back, he had been contemplating what to do with it.

  Then, an idea struck him.

  Could the soul of the Overturning Sea Flood Dragon absorb the Source of the Mystic Realm?

  The Flood Dragon was undoubtedly of the water race—surely this should work.

  He decided to test it.

  If it didn’t work, he’d just stash it in his spatial pouch and let it gather dust until another opportunity arose.

  In the Soul Domain, a menacing flood dragon with pitch-black scales floated in the void.

  It surged forward and inhaled the Source of the Mystic Realm in one gulp.

  A wave of soothing warmth spread through it—then, suddenly, it turned scalding hot.

  Soul fused with flesh.

  Han’s eyes snapped open.

  His body was heating up. He focused inwardly.

  "It’s working!"

  A surge of excitement ran through him.

  This treasure could trigger a transformation in water-blooded beings.

  Although he was human, his soul was now that of a flood dragon.

  In a way, even a soul had its own lineage.

  A transformation was inevitable—it would affect both his soul and physical body.

  Without hesitation, Han rushed outside to an open space and began practicing the Overturning Sea Flood Dragon True Force.

  As the winds howled, Lu Qingmo was drawn by the commotion.

  She looked over and was momentarily stunned.

  Han’s skin had begun sprouting dense black scales.

  His pupils had turned golden and vertical—akin to dragon eyes.

  As his training progressed, a wild and oppressive aura spread outward—untamed and brutal.

  Lu Qingmo silently observed.

  "This secret martial art… its aura is truly terrifying and sinister…"

  Yet, she couldn’t deny—Han was growing stronger.

  Han’s cultivation soared to new heights after refining the Source of the Mystic Realm, which had been enriched by the blood and soul of the Abyssal Flood Dragon. This power surged through him, accelerating his progress immensely.

  Not only did his physical body strengthen, but his soul also underwent a significant transformation. Since the Source of the Mystic Realm was inherently formed from the absorbed soul of the Abyssal Flood Dragon, its greatest impact was naturally on the soul.

  Just two days ago, Han had barely broken through to the peak of the Meridian Stage and had begun striving toward perfection. Now, he had skipped half the arduous effort required—an advancement that could only be described as miraculous.

  For comparison, Zhang Yuantao had spent half a year refining his cultivation at the peak of the Meridian Stage before finally breaking through to the Viscera Stage. Of course, had he possessed these same resources back then, it wouldn’t have taken him nearly as long.

  Beyond his newfound strength, Han also noticed a subtle yet profound change in his blood—it felt more vibrant, more... alive.

  “You seem to have gained new insights,” Lu Qingmo remarked as she approached.

  “I was planning to rest, but as soon as I entered my room, inspiration struck,” Han replied with a chuckle. “And, well, here we are.”

  Such is the way of geniuses—epiphanies come when least expected.

  Lu Qingmo had nothing to say. What could she say?

  Nothing at all.

  “After my breakthrough, my body underwent some changes. Did you notice, Aunt Mo?” Han asked.

  “I did.”

  Lu Qingmo nodded. “You don’t need to worry. This is a natural phenomenon, a sign that your mastery of secret martial arts has reached an advanced level.”

  “But I feel like my body’s transformation was actually influenced by my soul,” Han hinted cautiously.

  He was undoubtedly human, yet for a moment, he had felt a subtle pull toward the form of the Abyssal Flood Dragon. The root of this transformation came from his soul, which was imbued with the pure essence of the Flood Dragon’s bloodline.

  This had never happened before. The Source of the Mystic Realm must have activated and invigorated the dormant bloodline within his soul.

  A troubling thought struck him—if he kept stimulating this bloodline and continued training with the Abyssal Flood Dragon’s soul, would he eventually transform into a full-fledged demon?

  “A secret martial art at the Meridian Stage can alter one’s soul?” Lu Qingmo mused. “This technique is more extraordinary than I thought.”

  Clearly, she had misunderstood.

  “I think I understand your concerns,” she continued.

  “The relationship between the soul and the body is complex—many aspects of it remain mysteries even today.”

  “There are two prevailing schools of thought. Some believe that the soul is the true essence, and the body is nothing more than a shell that can be discarded and replaced at will.”

  “Others argue that the body is eternal, while the soul is merely a transient inhabitant—when one soul departs, another takes its place.”

  “Despite their differences, both theories acknowledge one fundamental truth: the soul and the body can influence each other.”

  “A soul powerful enough can reshape any new body to mirror its original form, even reconstructing its bloodline and essence.”

  “Conversely, a body strong enough can regenerate a soul identical to the one it lost, guided by its own innate bloodline and essence.”

  Han listened intently, inwardly astonished by the implications.

  “In your case, your soul is influencing your body,” Lu Qingmo reassured him. “But you won’t actually transform into another species.”

  “What happened was a temporary shift caused by your deepened understanding of the secret martial arts. The nature of your soul was momentarily altered, which in turn affected your physical form. It won’t last.”

  “Project your soul outside your body.”

  Han obeyed, and his human-shaped soul floated into the air.

  “See? Your soul has already returned to normal. The influence of the secret martial art has dissipated.”

  Lu Qingmo’s expression was one of smug confirmation—she had figured it out.

  A person is a person; there’s no way he could turn into a dragon.

  “True transformation, where one’s soul and body completely change, requires an incredibly high cultivation level. Even then, any transformation would still be bound to your soul’s original essence.”

  “No matter what, your fundamental nature is human. There’s no need to worry.”

  “Unless, of course, your soul’s true origin is that of a dragon.”

  I may not be a dragon… but I can become one.

  Han fell into deep thought.

  If what Lu Qingmo said was true, then reaching that level of cultivation would grant him the ability to change form at will.

  Why did that sound… oddly familiar? Almost like a certain legendary monkey…

  “Aunt Mo, I believe both the soul and the body are equally important,” Han stated. “Training them together should yield far greater results than focusing on just one.”

  “That’s a good mindset,” Lu Qingmo acknowledged with a smile. “Every cultivator shares that belief. Even the staunchest supporters of either theory would choose to train both if they had the means.”

  “But there are limits to human capability.”

  Han understood.

  People weren’t foolish—they could clearly see the advantages of dual cultivation.

  But knowing something and being able to achieve it were two very different things.

  He had known in his past life that arms dealing was insanely profitable, but that didn’t mean he could just go out and do it.

  With the bloodline’s agitation subsiding, Han resumed practicing his secret martial arts. Without the influence of the Source of the Mystic Realm, that exhilarating sensation of his blood boiling gradually faded.

  Leaving the peach grove behind, Han returned to the martial hall, while Lu Qingmo remained, lost in thought.

  That lip mark… could it be from the Dragon Maiden?

  Back at the martial hall, Han found himself once again narrating his experiences at the Water Essence Grand Event. None of the others had attended, so they listened with a mix of awe and regret.

  Oh, how they longed for the chance to ascend like a dragon to the heavens!

  To make up for their absence, Han took out several treasures he had acquired from the trade market and handed them out.

  “Some gifts for everyone.”

  No one hesitated to accept them.

  “Well, at least you have a little conscience,” Bai Ruoyue huffed. The tension from their previous dispute was finally dissipating.

  “Hey, junior brother, what’s that on your neck?” Bai Ruoyue suddenly asked, pointing at him in surprise.

  “There’s a red mark.”

  “What do you mean, red mar—” Han reached up and touched the spot, his heart skipping a beat as he recalled his “ordeal” with the Dragon Maiden.

  Oh no… did she mark me?

  “Oh, you mean this?” Han’s expression remained neutral.

  “Got bitten by a small animal.”

  Bai Ruoyue squinted suspiciously. What kind of animal leaves a mark shaped like that?

  “Junior brother, there’s a rumor spreading that the Dragon Maiden has taken a liking to you. People are saying the Yunjiang Dragon Palace wants to take you as their son-in-law,” Shen Long teased.

  “They say she’s very fond of you.”

  Han was speechless. Who was out there spreading such nonsense?

  Did he look like the type to live off a woman’s wealth?

  Then again… people weren’t entirely wrong.

  The Dragon Maiden wasn’t just fond of him—she practically wanted to swallow him whole.