Han wasn’t particularly interested in corpse refining.

  If he needed a ghostly entity to help out, there were always options like An Lang, who could at least give him a leg massage, or in the summer, a human-shaped air conditioner.

  But refining a corpse? Aside from battle, there wasn’t much else to offer.

  The thought of having a corpse like Dai Liu’s—an ugly, repulsive thing—give him a leg massage made Han shudder.

  He didn’t believe a refined corpse’s growth would ever match his own.

  “This type of ghost corpse is rather special,” Lu Qingmo continued.

  “Usually, zombies don’t have souls, but some corpse-refining practitioners invented a technique that combines the soul and the zombie into one. This is what we call a ghost corpse.”

  “It’s a cruel technique, really—forcing the soul to suffer eternally, never finding peace.”

  “Handle these three corpses however you like.” Lu Qingmo handed Han the corpse-raising bags.

  “You can either burn them or sell them to the Wansheng Merchant Guild. Your choice.”

  Han took them and asked, “Can I control them?”

  “Not the ghost corpse. That’s Dai Liu’s personal corpse. The other two green zombies can be controlled,” Lu Qingmo explained.

  “I can help by removing the corpse-controlling seals inside them. Once that’s done, they’ll be corpses without a master. You can control them with a proper artifact.”

  “Can the corpse poison be removed, and can the corpse aura be masked?” Han asked.

  “What are you planning to do?” Lu Qingmo raised an eyebrow. “Everything you’ve asked is possible.”

  “I have my own uses for them,” Han said with a mysterious smile.

  Lu Qingmo didn’t press further. She trusted that Han wouldn’t do anything reckless.

  She probed into Dai Liu’s spatial bag with her spiritual energy, then paused.

  “Have you checked this spatial bag before?” she asked.

  “No.”

  “Mostly it’s filled with items for corpse refining, so not much use to you. There are some incense offerings, a few corpse-refining techniques, and if you're interested, you can take a look.”

  She retrieved two jade bottles and three manuals.

  “These are corpse-raising pills. They can heal the injuries of a corpse. This ‘spirit zombie liquid’ strengthens the flesh and might be useful to you,” she explained.

  “The ‘Peaceful Corpse’ technique can soothe an uncontrolled zombie, calming its rage. It could help you control them later.”

  “This one, ‘Corpse Search Technique,’ allows you to sense the presence of corpse-type creatures easily once you practice it.”

  “Finally, ‘True Corpse Fire.’ This is a technique that works wonders against undead creatures.”

  “The first two are for daily practice, while the last one is a higher-level technique. You can try practicing them to strengthen yourself. It will help you later when you roam the world. There are other corpse-refining methods in the spatial bag as well—do as you see fit.”

  Lu Qingmo’s choice of techniques was meant to give Han a well-rounded arsenal.

  Controlling, sensing, and exterminating corpses—these three techniques formed the perfect set for dealing with undead and corpse practitioners.

  With Dreamland Enlightenment, he could master them in no time. Entering these techniques wouldn’t be too difficult.

  After receiving the spatial bag, Han briefly glanced inside. It also contained some items for the Yun sisters, who had insisted they hadn’t done much and didn’t need a share. But Han decided to give them one anyway.

  After all, it wouldn’t hurt to share and have duplicates of the techniques.

  Once Han left the peach grove, he examined Dai Liu’s spatial bag, and his face instantly grew strange.

  No wonder Aunt Mo had asked if he had checked it beforehand...

  Most of the items were normal, except for a corner of the bag where a collection of bottles and jars sat, each with a label.

  “Golden Strength Pills, Sensitivity Powder, Dragon Surge Pills, Heavenly Desires Powder...”

  All of them were substances used during intimate activities, for both men and women.

  Han’s face darkened. No wonder Dai Liu looked like a walking corpse.

  It turned out he was a perverted creature.

  Han first stopped by the Yun family’s house to distribute some of the spoils before returning to the martial arts hall, where he pulled out Dai Liu’s corpse-controlling artifact—the Corpse-Banishing Pearl—and began the process of refining it.

  Without having practiced corpse-refining techniques, Han needed this artifact to control the two green zombies, though it had its limits.

  When Han released the two green zombies, their corpse aura immediately stirred up the courtyard.

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

  By the time others arrived in the backyard, this was the scene they encountered:

  “Attention! Stand straight! March... Go!”

  The two green zombies, tightly wrapped in cloth, moved as directed by Han.

  These weren’t the stiff, immobile zombies Han was used to—they could walk, run, and follow orders.

  “Junior Brother, what are you doing?” Bai Ruoyue’s voice rang out.

  “I picked up two zombies that are as strong as those in the Organ Stage,” Han replied, taking out two talismans and affixing them to the zombies’ foreheads.

  The strong corpse aura immediately receded, becoming difficult to detect.

  “You’re keeping these zombies?” Bai Ruoyue’s face twisted with disgust.

  “Why are you bringing such things home?”

  Compared to An Lang, these zombies were downright hideous.

  “They have their uses,” Han smiled.

  “I’ve decided to keep them in the hall as sparring partners for everyone.”

  Zombies didn’t fear pain or fatigue. They could be beaten senseless without issue. Plus, Lu Qingmo had neutralized their corpse poison.

  They could work twelve-hour shifts every day, never needing food, unlike An Lang.

  Every morning, Han would let them out; every night, he’d return them to the corpse-raising bag. There was no risk of them going out of control.

  Their strength was also ideal for beginners in the Organ Stage. From Shen Long to He Feng, all four of them could benefit from this.

  Perfect sparring partners.

  After Han explained his plan, Shen Long’s eyes lit up.

  “Brilliant!”

  As a warrior, zombies were his “dream rivals.”

  “It’s a good idea,” Bai Tian nodded, agreeing with Han’s plan.

  “There are many large sects and families that use similar methods to train their disciples.”

  “I’ve already fed them pills. Once their injuries heal, they’ll be ready for sparring,” Han said, looking forward to it.

  Shen Long, who couldn’t compete with the senior sister or junior brother, was now hoping for an edge in practice.

  “By the way, in a few days, the annual Dragon King Festival will take place. Does anyone want to join?” Bai Tian suddenly brought up a new topic.

  “Dragon King Festival?” Han thought for a moment before recalling some information about it.

  It was an old tradition in Black Cloud Town, the origins of which were unknown. It had been happening every year for as long as anyone could remember.

  The people of Black Cloud Town would hold a grand ceremony on a lucky day to honor the Dragon King, praying for a year of good weather, no droughts, and plentiful harvests.

  It was an event that happened annually without fail.

  For as long as Han could remember, Black Cloud Town had always had favorable weather, with no droughts ever.

  The people firmly believed it was thanks to their worship of the Dragon King, and the tradition had become a major town event.

  Han wasn’t unfamiliar with this tradition, as he had heard of it in his past life.

  In an era dependent on the heavens for survival, such customs often arose.

  However, unlike some rituals that called for sacrifices of young boys or girls, the Black Cloud Dragon King Festival never had such dark practices.

  There was a legend that it used to be a tradition, but after angering the Dragon King once, it was immediately abolished.

  Now, Han, having embarked on the cultivation path and having experienced strange things, understood that the “Dragon King” was actually the Yunjiang Dragon Lord.

  Every year, Black Cloud Town enjoys a year of favorable weather, and naturally, the Dragon Lord plays a part in this.

  But offering young boys and girls from the hometowns of the Dragon Lord's closest friends as sacrifices? That would surely disgust the Dragon Lord.

  During the annual Dragon King’s Festival, various factions in Black Cloud send their representatives to the altar, participating in the ceremony to show their respect for the Dragon Lord, who is also known as the Dragon King.

  The Dragon Lord might not care about such displays, nor would he remember the factions that attend the festival.

  However, if he does take notice, he will definitely remember who didn't show up.

  In the eyes of ordinary people in Black Cloud, being able to stand on the altar is a huge honor.

  As Bai Tian raised the question, everyone turned their attention to Han.

  “Uh, why is everyone looking at me?” Han said with a slight grin.

  Shen Yu, smiling with her eyes squinted into slits, said, "Ever since I joined the martial arts school, I’ve been the one to represent us at the Dragon King’s Festival every year."

  "Now, you’re the little junior brother," Bai Tian added.

  “Before Little Fish arrived, it was me,” He Feng quietly added.

  “...”

  So it’s bullying the newbie now?

  “Taibai Martial Arts School, I’ll leave if this continues!” Han muttered under his breath.

  “Isn’t it said that you, Little Junior Brother, are the Dragon Lord’s son-in-law from the Yunjiang Dragon Palace?” Shen Long laughed. “This time, if you participate, maybe the Dragon Lord will be more inclined to bless Black Cloud Town.”

  Bai Tian chimed in, “It won’t take up much of your time. You just need to show up on the day of the ceremony, and don’t worry about the rest.”

  “Well, I guess I’ll do it,” Han didn’t refuse.

  For the people of Black Cloud, it was also a matter of honor.

  Later that evening, after Han had finished his soul cultivation, Lu Qingmo came to him holding a talisman.

  “What’s this?”

  “It’s an item used to locate the remains of the dead, which I call the ‘Soul Seeking Talisman.’”

  Han blinked. The name... Lu Qingmo might need some improvement in that department.

  Lu Qingmo explained, “It contains a technique I carved into the talisman. I also went to the iron mine during the day and absorbed the earth energy there, refining it into the talisman.”

  “It should be able to sense the presence of any undead, but its effectiveness isn’t certain.”

  She handed Han a few Soul Seeking Talismans and continued, “If it does sense any of the undead, the talisman will burn to ashes, and I’ll be able to detect it immediately.”

  “You can carry one with you, and you can also give one to your senior brothers. But don't make a big deal about it, and don’t go specifically looking for undead.”

  “I’ll also equip each of the Demon Hunter Division and the Wu Division with one. When they go out, it will be like they’re always searching for the undead.”

  Han understood Lu Qingmo’s intent—it was a precautionary measure.

  After midnight, Han began his dream journey.

  The daily timing had started to feel like a routine, and it even reminded him of the days spent with Shuge. Unfortunately, Shuge was no longer around.

  Han kept this routine because he discovered another useful ability of the dream world cheat code. It could help restore his spirit and eliminate fatigue.

  Training for twenty-four hours in the dream world left him feeling refreshed and invigorated upon waking.

  Sleep? Who needs it?

  Only those who lack ambition in martial arts would sleep.

  A famous scholar once said, “There’s no such thing as a genius. I just spent the time others used to sleep on training instead.”

  Han had been pushing himself relentlessly, leaving others at Taibai Martial Arts School far behind. They were motivated to catch up, and now that they had the chance, they were more than willing.

  In the dream world, everyone greeted Han before going off to train on their own.

  Bai Ruoyue embarked on her bloodletting journey, which really paid off—after returning to reality, she could now refine her organs quickly and without injury.

  "You’ll never know how much I’ve sacrificed to achieve such rapid progress," she thought to herself.

  Han, on the other hand, had many areas he needed to improve, including his martial arts techniques and Taoist skills.

  Compared to his physical and spiritual strength, his combat techniques and Taoist arts were lagging behind.

  After a few hours of training, Han felt a bit weary.

  He retreated to a corner, transforming the space around him to resemble the Gao family estate. He then pulled Gao Yuan into the dream world.

  With a swift motion, his sword cut through the air, and Gao Yuan’s head fell to the ground.

  Back in the Gao family estate, Gao Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, touching his head in relief.

  “My head is still here…”

  “Han…” Gao Yuan gritted his teeth. He couldn’t believe it—the dream had been so vivid, and so real. He cursed in frustration, “I will kill you!”

  He went back to sleep, convincing himself it was just a nightmare brought on by his hatred of Han.

  Meanwhile, Han remained relaxed on his end, feeling quite relieved. He resumed his training, satisfied with the mental release.

  Not only could he train in the dream world, but he also enjoyed the occasional dream-kill.