Because Han and Lu Qingmo had left Black Cloud a bit late, night quickly fell, and the time for the cheat code refresh was drawing nearer.

  However, Han remained calm. After all, the passage of time in the natural world was beyond his control.

  "I know you're anxious, but just wait a bit."

  Now, Han faced a dilemma.

  He turned to Lu Qingmo and asked, "Mo Yi, is it okay for me to practice my soul cultivation here? The energy I’m emitting is quite intense. Is it appropriate to do this in the Ghost Division?"

  The last two times he visited the county city, he hadn’t yet acquired the Moon God Seal, so his cultivation could still be somewhat concealed. But now that he had the Moon God Seal, the intensity of his practice was much greater, and with so many powerful beings in the Ghost Division, it would be difficult to keep it hidden.

  The key concern was the potential presence of spies, making Han more cautious.

  "This is indeed a problem," Lu Qingmo said thoughtfully, then quickly came up with a solution. "You can practice in my room. If anyone asks, just say I’m the one cultivating Dao techniques."

  "Oh, right." Han nodded.

  As a disciple of the Xuandu Sect, wasn’t it perfectly normal for him to cultivate with great energy? Who would dare go into someone’s room and ask what Dao techniques they were practicing? That would be sheer audacity.

  Sure enough, as Han began cultivating, the moonlight grew so intense it seemed to be gathering into a powerful vortex. This immediately caught the attention of everyone in the Ghost Division.

  Souls began to fly toward the source of the light, but when they saw that the light was converging in Lu Qingmo’s room, they quickly stopped in their tracks.

  "I’m just cultivating. Apologies for disturbing everyone," Lu Qingmo’s voice echoed.

  The others, politely excusing themselves, left without suspicion. After all, if such a huge concentration of moonlight was drawn by Lu Qingmo, it made perfect sense.

  No one considered that this was the disturbance caused by Han practicing in the Dream Realm.

  The Dream Realm couldn’t possibly cause such an effect, they thought. That was simply impossible.

  Besides, they were unaware of Han’s true soul cultivation level.

  After Han finished his practice, Lu Qingmo brought up another matter.

  "I heard from Old Ye that the prefecture sent word recently. Someone from Yujing should be arriving soon."

  "Someone from Yujing?" Han was momentarily stunned.

  This was something Lu Qingmo had mentioned before, but he hadn’t expected news to come so soon.

  "Is it from Xuandu Sect or from the court?" Han asked.

  "It must be from the court," Lu Qingmo replied. "If it were from Xuandu Sect, I would have already received word."

  "Do we know any details about the messenger from Yujing?"

  Lu Qingmo said, "I heard he’s someone who’s very close to the emperor, someone who has been by his side since childhood."

  This description made Han pause. Could it be a eunuch?

  "Mo Yi, you’ve spent time in Yujing. Do you know who it might be?"

  Lu Qingmo shook her head. "I focused entirely on my cultivation back then, and didn’t pay much attention to matters like these."

  "And the emperor has many childhood companions. I’ve been in Black Cloud Town for fifteen years, and I don’t know who the emperor trusts or who he has exiled."

  Han felt a headache coming on. "If someone with such a status comes to Black Cloud Town, it’s hard to say whether it’s a blessing or a curse."

  "He’s got a rather special position," Lu Qingmo added. "Someone from Yujing doesn’t come just to visit; they must have their own task. With his position, even a small thought could have a significant impact."

  Han nodded. "If a special envoy from the Qi Dynasty shows any signs of selfishness or arrogance, the consequences could be serious."

  Lu Qingmo fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "Once the person from Yujing arrives in Black Cloud Town, try to be respectful, but also try to keep your distance."

  The court respected Xuandu Sect, but Xuandu Sect also had to give the court face. The relationship between the two had been complex for four hundred years, and while they were not exactly close, they had developed a sort of mutual understanding.

  "At times like this, being a disciple of Xuandu Sect doesn’t always help. In fact, it can even become a hindrance," Lu Qingmo continued. "The imperial power and the religious authority have developed a subtle balance."

  "Of course," she added, "with the Xuandu Sect’s leader here, we still have our confidence. But you must always remember, no matter who comes, your strength is the most important thing."

  "Although your cultivation has grown, it’s no longer possible to break through a small realm in just a few days like before. But don’t neglect your daily practice."

  "I won’t slack off," Han promised.

  He could feel the pace of his cultivation slowing.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  The last time, Han broke through to the small completion stage of the Meridian Realm at the end of the month. But now, as the months passed, and the "Dream Dao" month was about to end, he had just broken through to the Organs Realm.

  The further he advanced, the harder it became. Reaching the next realm in just a few days was no longer feasible. It required slow and steady accumulation.

  Even so, Han’s cultivation speed was still far beyond that of others who claimed to be geniuses.

  The reason he was able to progress so quickly was not just because of spirit herbs or soul herbs, but due to the divine items dropped during the rewards from Tree Brother’s sessions.

  This was the reason others, even if they didn’t lack for resources, couldn’t match his speed.

  As Han and Lu Qingmo continued their conversation, the day drew to a close.

  And then… it finally happened!

  [Cheat Code Refresh: Available]

  [Previous Month's Cheat Code: Dream Dao]

  [Refreshing…]

  [Refresh Complete]

  [This Month's Cheat Code: Drifting Wish Bottle]

  [Life Points: 6]

  The cheat code refreshed, and because Han had broken through to a new realm last month, his Life Points had increased to six.

  This month, the cheat code shifted from "Dream Dao" to the "Drifting Wish Bottle."

  Before Han could begin experimenting with his new cheat code, Lu Qingmo spoke up.

  "See if you can influence Yueyue and the others here."

  Since Han had been cultivating with such precision, doing his nightly ritual right after midnight, Lu Qingmo had become quite sensitive to the time.

  Every night when the clock neared that hour, she couldn’t help but prepare.

  It used to be an insignificant time for her, but now it had become a routine.

  Han wanted to tell her, I’m no longer the Dream Realm deity.

  But instead, he obediently lay down on the bed.

  "..."

  Lu Qingmo hesitated, unsure of what to say.

  "If you’re going to try it, don’t do it in your room. Why are you in my bed again?"

  She wisely kept her distance, cautious not to fall asleep near him, afraid it might interfere with his dreaming.

  But as she waited, Han never entered the dream.

  After some time, Han sat up, looking astonished.

  "Mo Yi, I can’t get in there anymore."

  "Can’t get in?" Lu Qingmo moved closer, checking his condition. "Everything seems normal. Why would it suddenly change?"

  "Try again," she urged.

  Han lay back down, and this time, Lu Qingmo didn’t leave but observed him closely.

  The result was clear.

  The Dream Realm was gone.

  "Mo Yi, what’s going on?" Han threw the question to her.

  Lu Qingmo shook her head. "I don’t know. Why would you suddenly be unable to dream?"

  She thought for a moment, then a possibility crossed her mind.

  "Could it be because you left Black Cloud Town? You were fine there, but now that you’re in the county city…"

  Perhaps the environment was affecting his ability.

  "Let’s wait until I get back to try again," Han said, more interested in experimenting with his new cheat code.

  "This can only be the way forward," said Lu Qingmo, nodding. "Even if you can't enter the dream realm again in the future, there's no need to be too upset."

  "This thing appeared suddenly, and it could disappear just as suddenly. It's quite normal."

  Han nodded in agreement. After saying a few more words, he returned to his room.

  "Drifting Wish Bottle..." Han muttered the name of this month's cheat code to himself. From the name, it sounded like some kind of object.

  Could this be the introduction of a physical cheat code?

  Suddenly, Han felt something appear within his Soul Realm. The sensation startled him.

  The Soul Realm was of utmost importance—it was the foundation of a cultivator’s being. The sudden appearance of a foreign object could be disastrous. If it was something bad, he would be in serious trouble.

  Upon looking inward, Han saw a purple, seemingly ethereal bottle floating in his Soul Realm. The bottle had a purple cork and a thin string tied around it, with a rolled-up piece of paper tucked inside.

  The bottle was small, roughly the size of one of those medicine vials that could hold dragon-eye-sized pills.

  A sudden flash of insight hit Han, and he understood the origin of the purple bottle.

  "This is the Drifting Wish Bottle?"

  Han’s soul reached out and grabbed the bottle. Instantly, information filled his mind, and he understood what the Drifting Wish Bottle truly was.

  All living beings in the world have wishes. Under the influence of the cheat code, the wishes of certain beings would be captured.

  The cheat code would continue to act on these wishes, turning them into Drifting Wish Bottles. These bottles would then drift through the world until they found their way into Han's Soul Realm, where he could retrieve them.

  This cheat code was different from the ones Han had previously obtained. It even involved the wishes of other living beings in the world.

  Of course, the other beings had no idea about the existence of the Drifting Wish Bottles.

  Even if their wishes were captured, they would remain oblivious to it. After all, this cheat code was Han's, not theirs.

  Capturing wishes and turning them into bottles was entirely the cheat code's doing. The beings wouldn't notice, nor could they stop it.

  Despite all the mystery surrounding the cheat code, Han couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu from the Drifting Wish Bottle.

  Han took the piece of paper tied to the first wish bottle.

  The paper contained the wish of the being to whom this bottle belonged.

  The text on the paper read:

  My name is Sui. I am a half-demon. My mother comes from the Ancient Divine Palace, and my father is from the Phoenix Clan. These two factions have a blood feud, yet they came together. This union was unacceptable to both sides, but they were both exceptional individuals, and so am I.

  But my excellence lasted only until I was six.

  Due to some reasons, I couldn’t see my mother and lived with my father. Though my half-demon identity made me disliked, it didn’t matter—I had my father.

  At the age of three, my father discovered that I carried the Nirvana Bone, something incredibly rare in the Phoenix Clan’s history. He was overjoyed and said that I was a natural-born immortal, destined to lead the Phoenix Clan and rule the world.

  At the time, I didn’t understand what the Nirvana Bone was, but seeing my father happy made me happy too.

  My father told an elder in the clan about it. This elder had been kind to him when he was young, and he was the person my father trusted the most.

  The elder was also thrilled but told my father to keep it a secret. He feared that others might harm me, and promised to provide for the resources I would need. My father agreed to this advice.

  I spent three happy years, until the age of six, when the elder gave my father a task and he left the clan, leaving me with him.

  The elder treated me well, and I became very close to him.

  But my father never returned.

  I lost my Nirvana Bone.

  The elder I had trusted, the one who had been so kind to me, took the Nirvana Bone from me and implanted it into his most talented descendant.

  I’ll never forget the cold look on his face or the words he spoke.

  "A half-demon, the most contemptible thing, and you think you deserve the Nirvana Bone?"

  It was then that I realized I was a half-demon—disgraced by the Phoenix Clan, seen as a stain on their bloodline. No one liked me except for my father, and perhaps my mother, whom I had never met.

  But my father was gone.

  I thought I was going to die, but somehow I survived. The elder didn’t kill me. Instead, he made me mute—unable to speak.

  I lived on within the Phoenix Clan as a servant.

  This was the fate of a half-demon, and no one cared. No one paid attention.

  But today, I think I may really be dying.

  I’m twelve now. Since the day they took my Nirvana Bone, my body has been deteriorating. Today, it seems I’ve reached my limit.

  The one who received my Nirvana Bone, the Phoenix prodigy, has now become the most esteemed of the Phoenix Clan's younger generation, hailed as their future.

  I’m happy to finally meet my father, and it seems my mother has arrived as well...

  The text ended here.

  One wish paper, representing one wish.

  This story, this life...

  Han furrowed his brow. The wish paper was now crumpled in his hands.

  The wish’s owner seemed to be on the verge of death.