h an opportunity, the breakthrough was only a matter of course.

  Compared to the other benefits, the breakthrough itself felt like the least significant gain.

  “You mentioned this so-called ‘Hall of Ten Thousand Paths.’ I’ve never heard of it, nor do I know if the Xuandu Temple has any records of it,” Lu Qingmo said.

  “I’ll keep an eye out for any information, but don’t get your hopes up.”

  To her, this was little more than a hopeful thought.

  Countless years had passed—who knew if the Hall of Ten Thousand Paths still existed? Even if it did, would it still house its collection of martial arts and Daoist techniques? And even if the records remained intact, would Han’s token still hold any value?

  With so many uncertainties, that token might end up being nothing more than a relic of the past.

  Han understood this as well and took it lightly. Instead, he pulled out two stones—one black and one white—dropped by the defeated gatekeepers.

  Aside from the final rewards, these stones were his only tangible gains from the Hall of Ascension.

  “I recognize these. They’re called Primordial Soul Cores,” Lu Qingmo explained.

  “They serve as energy sources for formations and puppets. They’re also useful in alchemy and artifact forging. Their applications are vast.”

  “Can cultivators absorb them directly?”

  “No. The energy they contain is of a special nature that the human body cannot withstand,” Lu Qingmo replied.

  “Trying to force absorption would do more harm than good.”

  “Even though they can’t be directly used by cultivators, Primordial Soul Cores are quite valuable. With eight of them, you hold a small fortune.”

  She then recalled something else. “About those strange occurrences in the Abyssal Ruins…”

  “That place is filled with mysteries. No one can predict what lurks inside. As long as you stay away, you should be fine.”

  Even the head of the Xuandu Temple had been powerless against the Abyssal Ruins. Whatever existed within was beyond comprehension.

  Lu Qingmo warned, “If you don’t have the strength, avoid returning to the Abyssal Ruins in the future.”

  Han nodded but still felt a tinge of regret.

  “It’s a pity I couldn’t participate in the Heaven’s Chosen Trials or the Immortal Seed Trials. I would have liked to challenge truly exceptional opponents.”

  Bai Ruoyue had also triggered these trials, only to fail in activating them—just like Han.

  Information about these higher-level trials had already been shared with Yun Yun and the others while Han was still inside the Ascension Pool. It was a small way to repay the Yun family for their past kindness.

  “There will be chances in the future,” Lu Qingmo said with a smile. “The world is vast—you’ll find worthy opponents.”

  “If you couldn’t test yourself against the ancient prodigies of the Heaven’s Mandate Sect, then face the prodigies of today.”

  “The present… may not be lesser than the past.”

  “You’ve reached the peak of the Meridian Stage. Next, you must temper your viscera with true qi and integrate it with secret martial arts to advance to the Viscera Stage.”

  “I will now teach you the Primal Spirit Mandrill Codex to aid your future cultivation.”

  Bai Tian and his daughter stood beside Han, instructing him. Bai Ruoyue personally demonstrated the secret techniques of the Viscera Stage, guiding him step by step.

  During this period, Lu Qingmo tactfully stepped away.

  With Han’s innate talent and the cognitive boost provided by the dream, he learned the Primal Spirit Mandrill Codex at an astonishing pace.

  Secret martial arts were difficult to start but easy to progress in once the initial threshold was passed. As long as one avoided early pitfalls, later cultivation would proceed smoothly.

  This art, unlike the Demonic Bull and Flood Dragon techniques he had learned before, was less demonic and more spiritual, focusing on the viscera.

  Though distinct, all three techniques seemed subtly interconnected.

  However, as one advanced, secret martial arts became increasingly complex. Even with Han’s rapid learning speed, mastering it still took considerable time.

  “Advancing to the Viscera Stage is different from the previous breakthroughs. It’s not something that happens in an instant,” Bai Tian advised.

  “The transition from mortal flesh to the Skin and Flesh Stage requires generating a single strand of inner energy.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “The leap from Skin and Flesh to the Meridian Stage involves transforming part of that energy into true qi.”

  “But the Viscera Stage demands a comprehensive refinement of the internal organs before the breakthrough can occur naturally.”

  “This process is called Initial Tempering.”

  Han misheard for a moment. First Love? What first love?

  Bai Tian continued, “During this step, martial techniques and true qi will resonate with your viscera, granting you a unique opportunity to refine them fully before breaking through.”

  “Your talent, physique, and the dream’s enhancements make a perfect Initial Tempering possible. Take your time—it will be worth it.”

  Based on Han’s past performances, saving even dozens of days was already an impressive feat...

  "I have a few treasures in my possession that can assist me. Achieving a perfect initial refinement… won’t be a problem," Han declared.

  During the Water Essence Assembly, he selected three Water Essence Treasures, one of which was the Sacred Lifewater.

  Upon consumption, this rare elixir would suffuse his organs with immense vitality, forming a protective layer that shielded him from most harm.

  A true marvel for refining and tempering one's internal organs.

  Combined with the Pool of Life and other treasures, Han was confident that attaining a flawless initial refinement was well within his grasp.

  Han began his cultivation, focusing on the resonance of his internal organs, feeling the intricate structure of his own body.

  Delicate, yet wondrous.

  As a warrior at the peak of the Meridian Stage, Han’s internal organs were far stronger than those of an ordinary person.

  The previous two cultivation stages had already strengthened his physique as a whole, allowing his organs to endure the intense tempering of his true qi.

  Later on, he would even attempt a direct breakthrough to fully experience the process.

  In dreams, he could break through without affecting reality—he could experiment as much as he pleased.

  During the day, Bai Tian and his daughter took turns guiding Han, sharing their experiences and offering insights into his advancement.

  Three Days Later – Inside the Martial Hall

  From the outside, Han's torso radiated light—eleven distinct points shimmered with ethereal brilliance.

  The sound of surging true qi echoed, reverberating beyond the hall, stirring the hearts of all who heard it.

  Han moved with precision and power, executing profound techniques. His footwork was steady, his body as immovable as a mountain, without the slightest sign of instability.

  Each punch and kick sliced through the air, generating powerful gusts that caused the ground to tremble.

  Within the Soul Realm, Han’s spirit had already transformed into a Yuanhou, a mystical ape, guiding his physical body with an entirely unique approach to cultivation.

  Gazing inward, one would see Han’s internal organs enveloped in a delicate, shimmering blue light—radiating an intense life force.

  This was the power of the Sacred Lifewater.

  As Han continued practicing his secret martial technique, his internal organs underwent meticulous refinement, strengthening gradually with each passing moment.

  His once-surging true qi calmed, no longer turbulent, instead gathering near his organs, waiting...

  Motion… Stillness… Motion… Stillness…

  The Yuanhou, a creature brimming with spiritual wisdom, executed an array of strange and intricate movements, refining Han’s organs to their utmost potential.

  Han trained tirelessly, over and over again, until—at last—beyond the glow of the Sacred Lifewater, his organs themselves began to emit a faint luminescence.

  A kaleidoscope of colors—blue, yellow, green—flashed, dimmed, and then brightened again, gradually syncing into a singular, harmonious rhythm.

  This was organ resonance, the key to initial refinement.

  At that moment, the vast reservoir of true qi within Han’s body began to flow—not violently, nor erratically, but with measured calmness.

  It seeped into his organs, washing over them before retreating, cycling smoothly.

  Han furrowed his brows slightly, sensing a faint pain—but it was nothing he couldn’t endure.

  Even with his exceptional foundation, refining the organs still elicited a reaction, a testament to the difficulty and danger of this cultivation stage.

  Yet, Han did not halt his training. Instead, he accelerated, his movements growing more fluid and refined.

  Three days in reality—six days in dreams—he had already mastered this secret technique.

  By now, he was intimately familiar with every step of the organ refinement process.

  During these three days, he had attempted more than one breakthrough.

  Using both martial techniques and true qi, he meticulously refined every inch of his internal organs. Because he proceeded with great caution, progress was slow—but speed was not the priority here.

  Time passed.

  Those watching—Bai Tian and the others—were more anxious than Han himself.

  Finally, as the last strand of true qi coursed through his organs, the Sacred Lifewater fully integrated into his system, imparting its final surge of vitality.

  His internal organs radiated with an even stronger brilliance—so vivid that it could be seen from the outside.

  Bai Tian and the others, who had been holding their breath, finally relaxed.

  "Rumble—!"

  The previously tranquil true qi suddenly erupted, surging violently.

  The stored vital essence within Han’s body fused into his true qi, while the surrounding heaven and earth energy was devoured in massive quantities.

  His organs formed a powerful circulation system, absorbing and refining energy, feeding it back to Han.

  His body and true qi surged in strength, instantly ascending to a higher level.

  His physical form underwent rapid transformation, growing significantly stronger. A subtle aura radiated from him—one that could crush ordinary people under its sheer pressure, rendering them breathless or even unconscious.

  After a quarter of an hour, Han gradually withdrew his power, allowing the gentle glow around his organs to fade.

  He felt… completely different.

  His eyes gleamed with newfound clarity—his vision sharper, his sight extending farther than before.

  His ears had transformed as well, granting him heightened hearing, picking up even the faintest of sounds.

  His breath was deep and unbroken—so refined that even without a Water-Breathing Pearl, he could hold his breath underwater for an extended period.

  His sense of smell had also become astonishingly acute, allowing him to distinguish every scent in the air effortlessly.

  The fragrance of his senior sister, the scent of the trees in the corner of the hall...

  The human body was a complete system—no part existed in isolation.

  The organ refinement stage was one of quiet transformation, not an explosive display of power.

  If one's organs trembled violently during cultivation…

  That wouldn’t signify success—it would mean they were at death’s door.

  Han took a moment to immerse himself in his newfound power.

  He nodded in satisfaction—he felt stronger than ever.

  Stronger to the point where he could probably punch a...

  Hmm.

  No, he wouldn’t test it on a Divine Ox this time.

  Not even on his past self.

  This time…

  He felt like he could punch a dragon to death.