The shrimp soldier and crab general no longer bothered to question Han about how his cultivation had advanced so rapidly.

  So what if someone breaks through faster?

  The young master of the Meng family recognizes him as an older brother—it makes perfect sense.

  “To express our gratitude to Young Master Zhou,” the shrimp soldier said, “we will share the locations of seven more places where spiritual plants grow.”

  “Please, Young Master Zhou, continue to keep an eye out for us in the future.”

  “Of course,” Han agreed without hesitation.

  Just like that, the number of resource points expanded from three to seven. The power of the second generation truly was terrifying.

  After that, the shrimp soldier and crab general took the bloodthirsty pearls and the beast carcass and left.

  “That was quite impressive,” Han said, smiling at Meng Hao.

  “The impressive one is my father,” Meng Hao responded modestly, “I’m just riding his coattails…”

  You were about to say ‘riding on the back of power,’ weren’t you?

  Meng Hao seemed a bit embarrassed, but he quickly changed the subject to Han.

  “With your talent, Brother Qing, you won’t need anyone’s help in the future. You’ll be able to command the world, and no one will dare to take you lightly.”

  Relying on the heavens or the earth is nothing compared to relying on yourself.

  Because of that, Meng Hao couldn’t help but admire Han in his heart.

  The demeanor of a true powerhouse!

  Han felt a twinge of emotion. There was indeed a huge difference between the second generations.

  Just look at Meng Hao, then compare it to the Huang family members he met in the county city.

  It was like comparing the heavens to the earth.

  “Brother Qing, I plan to leave soon.”

  “Aren’t you going to stay a little longer?”

  “I’ve been in Black Cloud Town for almost a month. My mother’s been nagging at me,” Meng Hao said. “I’m going to visit Zixiao City, and then I’ll travel around a bit more.”

  “In the future, you must come to Zixiao City, and I’ll give you a proper reception.”

  Saying this, Meng Hao took a wooden plaque engraved with the words ‘Zixiao’ from his space ring. “When you have this, you can come directly to my home.”

  Han didn’t refuse. “Don’t worry, if the opportunity arises, I’ll definitely visit Zixiao City.”

  He wanted to see the ‘Mountains and Rivers Rankings’ for himself.

  “Then I’ll be waiting for you,” Meng Hao smiled. “I have an older sister. I’ll introduce her to you when you come.”

  “That’s not necessary,” Han said quickly.

  You’re just being polite, right? Please do introduce her to me.

  “It’s fine. My sister loves to challenge talented people. I’m sure she’ll be very interested in you.”

  “…Really, it’s not necessary.”

  I wasn’t being polite! Please don’t misunderstand. I really don’t want to meet her.

  Please keep your sister away from me.

  Since the Water Avoiding Pearl had entered its cooldown state today, the resource points mentioned by the shrimp soldier and crab general would have to wait for another time to explore.

  Back at the martial arts hall, Meng Hao once again gifted some spiritual plants—so generous.

  Before leaving, Meng Hao deliberately spoke to Han alone.

  “Brother Qing, when you travel in the future, be careful of the Li family of Yujing and the Dong family of Jiangnan, especially the latter.”

  Meng Hao said solemnly, “Be sure to keep your relationship with Uncle Bai hidden, until you’ve fully grown.”

  “But don’t worry. The average person won’t figure out who Uncle Bai is.”

  Han’s mind stirred as he recalled what his master had said when he was learning the secret martial arts techniques.

  “Does my master have a grudge with these two families?”

  “The situation with Uncle Bai and the Li family is more complicated, but with the Dong family, it’s purely a grudge with no previous favor. So be careful.”

  “These two families are prestigious, and their clans have many powerful members.”

  “As for the specifics, Uncle Bai hasn’t explained everything to you, and there are his reasons. I won’t overstep my bounds.”

  Han silently nodded and watched as Meng Hao left.

  The Li family of Yujing, the Dong family of Jiangnan—world-renowned clans. Master, what on earth did you do out there?

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  “Junior Brother, what did Meng Hao say to you?” Bai Ruoyue asked as she approached.

  “He said he wanted to introduce me to his sister.”

  Bai Ruoyue raised an eyebrow. “That’s the daughter of Zixiao Tianjun.”

  “So what? His son is also my friend,” Han replied. “When I make it onto the Mountains and Rivers Rankings, you’ll be my Senior Sister, Han Tianjun’s Senior Sister!”

  “Hmph, don’t get ahead of yourself. I plan to be the woman of a Tianjun myself.”

  “Alright, I’ll fulfill your wish in the future.”

  Han nodded. Becoming a Tianjun is tough, but making you the Tianjun’s woman? That’s easy enough. I just need to become Zhou Tianjun first.

  “Really? You can help me become a Tianjun?”

  “Sleep early tonight, so you can have a better chance at dreaming.”

  “?”

  Bai Ruoyue glared at Han, punched him lightly, then turned and walked off.

  Han smiled and, as he turned, saw Bai Tian watching from a distance.

  “…”

  Master, let me explain.

  That night, Han returned home and took out the Evil Punishment Token. It showed that he had 499 good deeds.

  The token sent him a message—if he settled now, with his current evil deeds, he would receive a 99% bonus?

  A 100% bonus was the maximum, and there would be an extra reward for a perfect settlement.

  Han was puzzled. What about the last 1%?

  After some thought, Han had a guess.

  Was it because he didn’t finish off Su Tian’s true form?

  No, that couldn’t be it. If it involved someone as important as Su Tian, it wouldn’t only be worth 1%.

  Could it be because the officials who neglected their duties in Qinghua County still hadn’t been punished?

  Their neglect was certainly part of the evil.

  If they hadn’t been punished yet, that would explain why the bonus wasn’t perfect.

  Han scratched his head. Either give me a 90% bonus and stop making me hope for extra rewards, or just give me a perfect bonus—why leave this last bit?

  This is driving my perfectionism crazy!

  Putting away the Evil Punishment Token, he grumbled and then decided to take action.

  In the secret realm, Han stared fiercely at the immortal tree.

  The culprit, prepare to die!

  But first, Han checked his stats panel—still only four points of stamina. His breakthrough to the late stage of the Out-of-Body realm didn’t increase it.

  “I guess I’ll only get more stamina once I reach the perfect Out-of-Body stage.”

  It was the same as when he visualized in the past.

  “Boom!”

  [Martial Arts Seed: Tiger Subduing Palm]

  [Strengthen courage and awaken the mind, the palm holds great power, subduing the divine tiger.]

  "Connecting Heaven and Earth, ten thousand golden yuan, forging the self, legs like diamonds."

  "Personal Elixir: Essence Pills"

  "Ancient royal alchemists gather rare herbs and mix them with the essence of blood and origin, spending twenty years to refine each batch—each pill is a priceless treasure."

  "Personal Elixir: True Qi Pills"

  "Ancient royal..."

  Looking at the four items that dropped with the first point of stamina, Han fell into silence.

  Two martial seeds—no problem there, everything’s fine.

  In addition to various weapons and martial arts, Han now also possessed skills in finger techniques, palm techniques, and leg techniques.

  The more skills, the better, as Han had already accepted the fact that his sword seed wouldn't drop.

  Learning more martial arts wasn't a bad thing—after all, the fruits automatically helped him start, and they didn't take up his energy.

  But these Essence Pills and True Qi Pills... are you serious?

  Essence Pills, refined by ancient royal alchemists. Now, this?

  Alright, alright. You want to be cheeky, huh?

  I wonder if there are even more powerful Essence Pills from the primordial or mythological royal alchemists.

  Now that I think about it, these giant pills are even bigger than regular ones—truly massive.

  "Magical Artifact: Water-Repelling Pearl (Fragment)"

  The second stamina point dropped a familiar item, along with a spirit plant and a soul plant.

  This was the fourth fragment of the Water-Repelling Pearl. Han wasn’t hopeful about merging the fragments into a complete Water-Repelling Pearl.

  "Magical Artifact: Water-Repelling Pearl (Fragment)"

  "With four fragments merged, the artifact's abilities have greatly increased. It can now control common water and resist certain mystical and spiritual waters."

  As expected, the Water-Repelling Pearl was still in fragment form, but with the four fragments merged, its capabilities had reached a new level.

  It went from only affecting common water to now being able to resist mystical and spiritual waters—a true transformation.

  The next two cuts dropped eight items.

  Two spirit plants and two soul plants.

  "Rare Item: Soul-Nourishing Jade"

  "Can nourish souls and spirits, increasing their vitality and spiritual energy."

  This item worked for both souls and spirits, so Han immediately used it on himself.

  Once the Soul-Nourishing Jade became ineffective for him, he planned to pass it to An Lang.

  Han also had other reusable rare items, which he could lend to friends once they were no longer useful to him.

  As for selling them—Han didn’t have that idea.

  Selling such items, which can permanently enhance souls or bodies and can be used multiple times, would be easy to do, but buying them? That’s another story.

  "Rare Item: Illusory Leaf"

  "Placing this leaf on your waist can transform your appearance into that of a tree. It’s purely illusionary, not possessing the true essence of a tree. Those in the Daylight Realm may occasionally see through the illusion, while those in the Divine Radiance Realm will always detect it."

  An interesting item, which might prove useful in the right circumstances.

  "Personal Elixir: Soul-Ascension Pill"

  "Increases soul power, strengthens the soul, and has the added effect of refining it."

  "Weapon Fragment: Eagle's Beak Spear (Fragment)"

  The final drop caught Han off guard. The spear shaft, which had been quite helpful to him early on, had been discarded for a long time. Now, the spearhead had dropped.

  With that, the weapon was now complete.

  Looks like Han would have to find another weapon in Yunjiang tomorrow...

  After using up his four stamina points, Han exited the secret realm and let An Lang begin her cultivation.

  The Soul-Ascension Pill, soul plants, and Earth Core Soul Milk—Han used them all.

  The heavenly and earthly vital energies continuously gathered, and the Vitality Demon generously left some essence behind to assist Han in his cultivation.

  With all these treasures supporting him, Han’s soul rapidly improved, and a faint wave spread out.

  This time, Han’s cultivation caused a bit of a disturbance, affecting even An Lang. She stopped drawing the moonlight and instead came closer to Han.

  The Earth Core Soul Milk was indeed an excellent treasure, packed with significant soul power. Combined with soul plants and elixirs, Han had a premonition.

  At a certain moment, Han’s soul edge suddenly darkened. The gathered energies stopped flowing into his body.

  At the same time, the moonlight that couldn’t reach Han seemed to warp, as though something was drawing it in.

  "This is..." An Lang said, surprised.

  "Whoosh!"

  Han’s soul opened its eyes and exhaled softly. The vital energies of heaven and earth began to ripple.

  "Out of Body Completion!"

  Han exclaimed in joy. He had reached the peak of the Out of Body Realm.

  When Han focused on the moonlight, he felt an intense pull, as though he wanted to rush toward the moonlight and experience it fully.

  But Han immediately brought his soul back into his body, and the impulse faded away.

  "Congratulations, Young Master, congratulations. You’ve made another breakthrough, getting closer to transcending into immortality," An Lang said, repeatedly offering her congratulations.

  Transcending into immortality—every cultivator’s ultimate goal.

  And for martial artists, their aim is the immortality of their physical body, to live forever.

  "Good, good, good. You’re quite the smooth talker. You’ll get a heavy reward."

  "I’ll reward you tonight by making some fresh Moonlight Incense," Han said, handing An Lang a large handful of incense materials.

  An Lang’s face dropped. She knew she was being teased.

  Han then tossed his remaining Earth Core Soul Milk to An Lang. Even spirits could use it.

  An Lang’s face lit up with joy. "Young Master is truly kind—what a quick change of face."

  This ghost truly had a talent for it!