After the two water creatures from the Yunlong Guard left, they immediately reported the events to their superiors.

  Yunjiang Long Jun has many heirs, but the only one still by his side is Ao Xuanwei.

  The other descendants have already been dispatched to oversee different parts of the water domain.

  So, when it came to the matter of the Dragon Maiden's token, it naturally found its way to her.

  Although the description of the token didn’t match her appearance exactly, the Dragon Maiden immediately recognized it—it was Han.

  "Is he here to find me?"

  The Dragon Maiden tidied herself up and set off for Yunlong City to meet Han.

  However, upon seeing Bai Ruoyue standing by his side, she couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

  "Looks like he’s not here for me."

  Han greeted the Dragon Maiden, and Bai Ruoyue was polite as always.

  "You came all the way here, but you didn’t come looking for me?" The Dragon Maiden said with a smile. "Could it be that I don’t appeal to you?"

  Han sighed. "I’m just here to handle some matters. I’ll be leaving soon, so I didn’t want to disturb you."

  "Have you finished your business?" she asked.

  "Yes, it’s done."

  The Dragon Maiden nodded, then added, "Don’t worry about today’s affairs. I’ll take care of it and give you a satisfactory answer."

  "When you handle things, I have no worries," Han replied with a smile. He and Bai Ruoyue had lost nothing, and whatever happened next would be handled by the water creatures.

  "Are you planning to leave now?" she asked.

  "We’re about to head out."

  "Why not come with me to the pavilion by the lake?" The Dragon Maiden invited warmly. "It’s been a while since we last met. Since you’re here, I can’t just let you leave without properly hosting you."

  Han hesitated for a moment, but just as he was about to decline, Bai Ruoyue spoke up.

  "Since the princess has invited us, we might as well stay a little longer. What do you think, Junior Brother?"

  "Since you’ve already said so, what can I say?" Han thought.

  They followed the Dragon Maiden to the pavilion by the lake, and the path was quiet—no one else was around.

  "Everyone knows that I have close ties with Tai Bai Han. If others saw me with you, they might start making assumptions," the Dragon Maiden explained with a smile. "You’ve disguised yourselves, probably so no one would recognize you. That’s why I had the area cleared."

  "Impressive, your consideration is thorough," Han thought.

  "Junior Brother, the princess has thought of everything for you. You should keep this in mind and repay her well in the future," Bai Ruoyue remarked.

  "…" Han remained silent, not sure how to respond. How exactly would he repay her?

  …

  By the afternoon, Han and Bai Ruoyue left Yunlong City, with the Dragon Maiden seeing them off.

  She had been very generous, offering them numerous fine gifts, and had even invited them to visit the Yunjiang Dragon Palace, though they politely declined.

  "The Dragon Maiden is quite nice, very friendly," Bai Ruoyue said. "I used to think that someone like the princess of a Dragon Palace would be hard to approach."

  Han didn’t respond, thinking: Senior Sister, don’t let her sweet words fool you.

  It had only been a few hours, and you already have this opinion?

  "But now that I think about it, what does the Dragon Maiden see in you, Junior Brother?" Bai Ruoyue asked, puzzled. "It seems like she really values you."

  "Well, who wouldn’t value someone as outstanding as me?" Han replied with a smirk.

  "Shameless."

  Once they returned to the martial arts academy, Han immediately took out the mysterious bone of the Xuantian Peng.

  "Senior Sister, take a look at this bone."

  "You traded it at the Black and White Pavilion?" Bai Ruoyue asked, grabbing the bone. Her expression immediately changed. "It feels similar to that Yulong Stone."

  "This is a Xuantian Peng’s bone," Han explained.

  "Take me to my father!" Bai Ruoyue demanded.

  Her father carefully examined the bone and said, "This is a secret weapon from the Bone Refining Realm, called the Xuantian Peng Devil Secret Technique. Since it’s able to trigger a reaction from you, it’s very likely related to the Xuantian Peng."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Han’s expression remained calm, but he thought to himself: Just as I suspected.

  "This bone looks to be from someone in the early stages of Bone Refining. The Black and White Pavilion likely sells it as material for weapon forging," Bai Ruoyue continued.

  Han nodded. "Yes, the Black and White Pavilion’s records say it can be used to forge weapons."

  "When you reach the peak of your internal organs and begin refining your bones, you might gain insights from this bone," her father added.

  Just like the Yulong Stone, Bai Ruoyue had gained a great deal from it, as if she had seen the internal organs of a Yulong and gained a deeper understanding of the Spirit-Driving Yulong Manual.

  "Father, when you obtained the secret technique, did you discover anything else?" Bai Ruoyue asked.

  He shook his head. "No, nothing else. There were only a few murals, and nothing more."

  "Murals?" Han asked.

  "Yes, a few paintings of demons and monsters, corresponding to the secret techniques. I suspect each mural represents the original form of a secret technique," her father explained.

  Han tucked the bone away thoughtfully.

  This bone could not have come from the demons and monsters depicted in those murals.

  Could the Xuantian Peng Demon and the Xuantian Peng be of the same lineage, or perhaps one is a descendant of the other?

  That evening, Han shared his thoughts with Lu Qingmo.

  "The Xuantian Peng? I think I’ve heard of that name," Lu Qingmo said, looking thoughtful. "It’s a demon clan."

  "What do you know about it, Aunt Mo?" Han asked quickly.

  Lu Qingmo shook her head. "I don’t know much, but I’ve heard my master mention it. A long time ago, the Sect Master visited the demon clan’s territory and encountered a group that called themselves the Xuantian Peng clan."

  "It’s a type of Peng bird, but apparently, one of their ancestors was a remarkable figure. To distinguish themselves, they took on the name Xuantian Peng."

  This kind of thing is common among demon clans—when a powerful figure is born, their bloodline is elevated, and if they hold a title, the entire clan might adopt it as part of their name.

  "A remarkable Peng clan figure…" Han murmured, deep in thought.

  "Do demons have their own territories?" Han asked.

  "Of course," Lu Qingmo replied. "There are demons all over the world, and to the far east of the Eastern Zhou, that’s where many demons gather."

  "Many demon clans thought to be extinct actually still exist there."

  Lu Qingmo continued, "The Eastern Zhou royal family is closely tied to that place, which is why the people living near the border of the demon territories have been able to avoid demon invasions."

  "Perhaps the secret techniques you have resonate with this Xuantian Peng bone because a powerful figure from history created them using the Xuantian Peng as their model."

  "Maybe," Han replied, still pondering.

  “Surely, you didn’t just exchange a bone during your trip to Yunlong City, did you?” Lu Qingmo glanced at Han, then immediately thought better of it. Han wasn’t someone who would act so recklessly.

  “Of course not,” Han replied confidently, pulling out the other four items he had obtained.

  “This is a Spirit Fruit, a rare treasure that’s beneficial for both the soul and the body.” He began to explain each item in turn.

  “This is a scale from the Sea Serpent Dragon. It’s a rare material for forging. If integrated into my Seaheart Armor, it could significantly enhance its defensive capabilities.”

  “This is Jade Water, known for being the perfect material to forge with Silver Essence and Golden Night, which would strengthen the Taibai Sword.”

  Lu Qingmo nodded thoughtfully. “Not bad. These will definitely be useful.”

  “Of course. My judgment is always spot-on,” Han said proudly.

  In combat, it was all about offense and defense. Han had always placed great importance on his inner armor, as it had been incredibly helpful since he began his training. Being able to improve it further was an opportunity he wouldn’t miss.

  The Seaheart Armor was already made of materials from the ocean; with a skilled blacksmith, embedding the Sea Serpent Dragon scales would make it even more extraordinary.

  As for the Taibai Sword, it was already a top-tier weapon. Seeing that Jade Water and Silver Essence were the best match for it, Han had immediately decided to make the exchange.

  Lu Qingmo gave Han an amused glance and picked up a book that had been included in the exchange.

  “Well, if your judgment is so good, what about this?” she asked, flipping through the pages. “Does this do anything for you?”

  Han scratched his head and chuckled. “Who knows? Maybe it’ll help me understand the true essence of the Grand Qi Palm.”

  Lu Qingmo looked at him skeptically. “You think you can grasp the Grand Qi just from a book?”

  The last item Han had exchanged for wasn’t a martial arts manual; it was just a normal book full of various principles and teachings. However, this book was special—it had been handwritten by someone with the Grand Qi.

  The book itself wasn’t just a random item. If a common family had such a book in their home, it would ward off evil spirits and prevent malicious forces from intruding. It also helped calm the mind, suppressing anger and irritation—very useful for maintaining inner peace.

  For cultivators, having this book nearby during their training could also help to focus and calm the spirit, making it a valuable aid to their cultivation. Among the many items available for exchange in the Black Cloud Tower, this book was considered a decent choice.

  But to Lu Qingmo, this book held little value for Han. Most of its benefits could be replaced by better alternatives he already possessed.

  “Still, now that you’ve got it, reading it regularly can still do you good,” Lu Qingmo said with a slight smile. “It can help you cultivate a calm and composed mind.”

  The Grand Qi, when cultivated, could purify the heart and mind. Those who cultivated it were often renowned sages. Constant immersion in this energy would lead the wicked toward goodness, quelling anger and resentment.

  Lu Qingmo thought for a moment. Perhaps it would help Han refine his mindset, which might actually be more useful than directly improving his cultivation. After all, Han had been advancing rapidly, and though she didn’t voice her concerns, she was still worried about certain aspects.

  As for whether Han could really unlock the Grand Qi through this book…

  Did she seem like the type of person who would be easily fooled?

  “I know you’re eager to unleash the full power of the Grand Qi Palm, but don’t rush things,” Lu Qingmo said, her voice calm. “Sometimes, too much haste can hinder progress.”

  The Grand Qi Palm technique was powerful in itself, but with the addition of Grand Qi, it became even more extraordinary, practically unmatched. Lu Qingmo understood Han’s impatient desire to tap into that power.

  “I’ll give it a try,” Han smiled, unbothered by her warnings.

  Later that evening, after finishing his soul cultivation practice, Han picked up the book and began to study it. The contents of this book were different from what he had encountered in his previous life—he could tell right away.

  He pondered for a while, then began reciting the book’s teachings aloud.

  “Up…”

  Lu Qingmo glanced at Han but didn’t say anything, retreating into the pavilion. It was probably good for him to calm his mind; after all, he was always pestering her to teach him the Thunder Palm or to try some other unconventional techniques.

  “Benefit…”

  After a while, however, Lu Qingmo noticed that Han’s voice grew louder. She couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Why was he shouting while reciting? Wasn't this supposed to be a quiet process?

  But as she listened more closely, something felt strange. The resonance of Han’s voice lingered in the air, pulling at her emotions in a way she couldn’t explain.

  Curious, she walked outside and immediately froze in surprise.

  As Han recited, a swirling white mist surrounded him, and within that mist, words seemed to float and shift. The aura of the Grand Qi was palpable, giving off a majestic and overwhelming presence.

  Has time already passed? Could I be dreaming?