"What kind of fire is this?" Han quickly asked.

  Lu Qingmo looked at Han with a complex expression. The intuition was spot on.

  "This is a rare fire from the heavens, extremely beneficial for martial cultivation beyond the Body Refining stage, even usable by those at the Day Traveler rank."

  "In the Xuandu Temple, there is a pure-quality Yang Flame that has been cultivated for many years. It's very valuable, and only by paying a great price can one apply to use it."

  "However, this one is not as strong as the one in Xuandu Temple. Judging by its quality, it should only be effective for Bone Refining or Day Traveler cultivators."

  "An average Bone Refining martial artist could vastly improve their strength through the purification of this Yang Flame, surpassing most martial artists of the same rank."

  Han was delighted. Such power?

  As for the flame being weaker than the one at Xuandu Temple, Han wasn’t disappointed.

  "Does this fire have any special effect against demon-slaying?"

  Lu Qingmo glanced at Han. What a question.

  "Aside from a few harmless odd flames, all fire can be used in battle. The Pure-Quality Yang Flame can naturally be used against enemies."

  "But how could such a flame be born from the Yang Bone Beads?"

  Lu Qingmo frowned, confused.

  The Yang Bone Beads came from the Red Sun Beast, a savage creature.

  Yet, the Pure-Quality Yang Flame was a celestial phenomenon, not something a beast could create.

  "Could it be that the Red Sun Beast accidentally consumed the Pure-Quality Yang Flame?" Han suggested.

  "If it had consumed it, the flame would have burned the beast to ashes immediately. It wouldn't have been stored inside the bead," Lu Qingmo shook her head.

  "That Red Sun Beast is already dead, so what happened back then? No one will ever know."

  Han had a sudden realization. "Where did the Wanxing Merchant Association hunt for the Red Sun Beasts and collect the Yang Bone Beads?"

  "They should be from the Jiuyang Ruins in the neighboring Tianyang County."

  Jiuyang Ruins...

  Han memorized the name.

  "Mu Yi, how do we store this Pure-Quality Yang Flame?" he asked.

  "There’s a special artifact called a Fire Storage Jar, used to contain strange flames. It’s often used during pill crafting or forging weapons," Lu Qingmo explained.

  "You can store it in a Fire Storage Jar. When you reach the Day Traveler stage or refine your body in martial cultivation, you’ll be able to use it."

  A good item, but I don't have one.

  "You can find a Fire Storage Jar in the Ghostly Gods Department. I'll get one for you."

  "This isn't a gift for you. You discovered and eradicated the Tianmu Sect's base. That's an enormous contribution. One artifact is not enough to reward you."

  "Thank you for your trouble, Mu Yi," Han nodded.

  But just as he finished, Han suddenly felt something strange in his body.

  "Mu Yi, I... feel strangely... hot?" Han asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

  Hot was an understatement. Han felt a rising desire, especially with Lu Qingmo right in front of him—her curves more alluring than his senior sister’s, her mature presence making Han’s heart race.

  "Hot?" Lu Qingmo was stunned. Then, noticing the fiery look in Han’s eyes, she realized what was happening.

  "The Yang Bone Bead!" Han blurted out.

  "I... I’ll leave now!"

  Without another word, Han bolted out of the room, not even bothering to shut the door.

  Lu Qingmo stood there, a strange expression crossing her face. She understood exactly what had happened.

  This was the second time Han had reacted like this.

  Lu Qingmo, too, was a bit lost for words, not knowing how to handle it.

  Back in his room, Han quickly activated his Heart Calming Jade Pendant, which helped him regain composure.

  Han couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. What kind of situation was this?

  The first time was in the secret room, and now it was Lu Qingmo's chamber. Every time they were alone in a confined space, something unexpected happened.

  Han summoned An Lang, telling her that he had bought enough incense-making materials, so she would need to practice at night and work extra during the day.

  An Lang quickly caught on, "Does that mean I won’t get any sleep?"

  "Why sleep long before death when you can sleep forever after?" Han corrected her.

  "Technically, you’ve been sleeping forever," Han added.

  An Lang burst into tears again, covering her face with her hands but leaving a gap between her fingers.

  "Then you can sleep during the day," Han teased.

  An Lang dropped her hands and beamed with joy.

  "Just kidding," Han smirked.

  "Waah!" An Lang ran into the Ghostly Dwelling, covering her face.

  "Heh, ghost girl, your name should be 'Disguised.'"

  That evening, Lu Qingmo took Han to a banquet. It was just the two of them and the old man Ye Chong.

  Over dinner, Han learned a bit more about Lu Qingmo’s relationship with Ye Chong.

  Afterward, they walked back.

  "After leaving Yujing, I was first sent to Tianyue County to learn how to manage the Ghostly Gods Department and handle ghostly matters under Ye Chong’s tutelage," Lu Qingmo explained.

  "Once I became proficient, I was sent to Heiyun Town."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Due to their connection, despite Lu Qingmo’s higher status from Xuandu Temple, she showed deep respect for Ye Chong.

  "I’ve reported all the events from Heiyun to the higher-ups. We should be able to return there tomorrow," Lu Qingmo continued.

  "I’ve also given your Silver Essence and Tianqing Gold Liquid to the blacksmiths, but crafting weapons isn’t something that can be done in a day. It takes time."

  Lu Qingmo glanced at Han. "So, will you stay in the county until the weapons are forged, or will you come with me tomorrow?"

  Han hesitated. Should he go back or stay?

  Before he could respond, Lu Qingmo added, "If you choose to stay, I’ll come back for you when the weapons are ready."

  "If you choose to leave with me tomorrow, we can retrieve the weapons together then."

  "..."

  So your two options are just a tease?

  This was getting a bit playful, wasn’t it?

  Lu Qingmo, the playful one, huh?

  Since Lu Qingmo was willing to come back to the county again, Han naturally chose to leave with her tomorrow.

  Lu Qingmo smiled, then returned to her room, leaving Han with only one message.

  "Just focus on your cultivation. As for the Yuan Qi Demon, I’ll keep it hidden for you."

  That night, Han devoted himself entirely to cultivating his soul. Even at midnight, he didn’t enter the secret realm to cut trees.

  In someone else’s domain, and with Lu Qingmo nearby, it was better to be cautious.

  The heavenly essence was continuously refined into his soul, and the Illusion Realm had no effect on Han.

  Under the power of the Golden Light Spell, the Yuan Qi Demon became nourishment for his soul’s progress.

  Thanks to the Yuan Qi Demon’s essence, Han’s soul advanced rapidly towards the later stages of the Out-of-Body realm.

  Meanwhile, Lu Qingmo didn’t rest. Using her own power, she covered up any signs of Han’s cultivation, ensuring no one could see him.

  The fact that a Yuan Qi Demon could be attracted at the Out-of-Body stage was astonishing. If word got out, it would surely cause a stir.

  The night passed quietly. The next morning, Ye Chong appeared before Han and Lu Qingmo. He first handed a spatial pouch to Lu Qingmo, then turned to Han with a kind smile.

  "Indeed, heroes emerge young. When I was your age, I was still studying in a temple, but you’ve already eradicated a Tianmu Sect base."

  "Ye Chong is too kind," Han replied humbly.

  "Would you like to become a Ghostly Patrol?"

  "A Ghostly Patrol?" Han turned to Lu Qingmo.

  "A special rank in the Ghostly Gods Department," Lu Qingmo explained.

  "They don’t need to stay in the department. They can travel freely and are less constrained. It’s a much freer position than just having a name in the department."

  "The salary is much higher than a regular position, and they have real authority—they can command members below their rank."

  "The patrol is not bound to any specific region. They have the same authority wherever they go in the Daqi realm."

  "Their duty is to travel far and wide, inspecting and handling ghostly matters."

  "The best part is, no county’s government can force the Ghostly Patrol to obey their commands."

  Han was stunned. This position was too free—more so than just a nominal rank in the Ghostly Gods Department.

  If he became a Ghostly Patrol, even if Ye Chong assigned him a task, he could choose to ignore it.

  Han wondered, how did the Ghostly Gods Department come up with such a nearly uncontrollable position? Wasn't this essentially a "parasitic" role?

  Lu Qingmo spoke again, "Generally speaking, the position of Ghostly巡游 (Patrol) is only bestowed upon disciples of Xuandu Temple when they go out on field missions."

  "..."

  Han understood now. It was a position specifically for disciples of the Great Qi Kingdom's state religion.

  No wonder the role was so free and carried such authority. No wonder the Ghostly Gods Department in various counties couldn’t control them.

  Xuandu Temple, the state religion of Great Qi—what was wrong with the privileges its disciples enjoyed?

  Nothing at all.

  Damn, connections really do make you want to roll your eyes.

  But thankfully, I’m that connected person now.

  Han solemnly declared, "I am willing to become a Ghostly巡游 and dedicate my strength to the Great Qi!"

  He felt truly honored to take on this glorious and significant position!

  "Very well. From this day forward, your name will be recorded in the Ghostly Register, officially recognized as a Ghostly巡游 by Xuandu Temple."

  Lu Qingmo continued seriously:

  "Ghostly巡游 is ranked in nine tiers. As a newcomer, you would usually be assigned to the ninth tier."

  "However, because of your great achievement in wiping out the Tianmu Sect base, you are promoted directly to the eighth tier. You now have the authority to command members from the eighth, ninth, and even the lower ranks of the Ghostly Gods Department."

  In the Great Qi's government structure, positions ranged from the ninth rank with eighteen sub-tiers, and the Ghostly Gods Department was no different.

  But the Ghostly巡游 was unique. It had no subordinate ranks—only the main rank. A promotion here meant a significant leap compared to other officials.

  The position of an eighth-tier Ghostly巡游 was rare, and in most counties, Han would be one of the highest-ranking individuals.

  Han couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph. The ultimate end of the universe is status, and today, he had entered that universe's realm!

  Compared to others, this promotion was as if he had ascended to the heavens in one step.

  Lu Qingmo handed Han a token, one side engraved with the Yin-Yang Taiji symbol, the other with the words "Ghostly巡游." Along with it was a set of robes, signifying his new identity.

  "Mu Yi, don't we need to get approval from the higher-ups for this Ghostly巡游 appointment?" Han asked, feeling a little unsure.

  "You don’t need to worry about that. The Provincial Ghostly Gods Department has already given their approval," Lu Qingmo reassured him.

  "Besides your promotion, the destruction of the Tianmu Sect base and the discovery of their conspiracy has earned you further rewards," she added, glancing at Ye Chong.

  "You may go to the county's Ghostly Gods Department treasury and pick three treasures," Lu Qingmo continued.

  "What you can choose from, Ye Chong will guide you on."

  "Come with me, Patrol Han," Ye Chong chuckled.

  "Ye Chong, you flatter me," Han replied.

  Han followed Ye Chong out, and on the way, the two conversed.

  "Patrol Han, you must be highly regarded by Lu Duguan (Supervisor Lu)," Ye Chong remarked, his tone full of admiration.

  "She actually recommended and vouched for you to become a Ghostly巡游."

  "Let’s hope you don’t disappoint her, or Xuandu Temple may punish her," he warned.

  "I will not let Mu Yi down," Han replied seriously. He could understand what Ye Chong meant.

  "Once we reach the treasury, you can choose three treasures freely," Ye Chong explained further.

  "I won’t restrict you. The most valuable items in the treasury are at the Day Traveler level, such as Day Traveler-level Dao Techniques."

  "Thank you, Ye Chong."

  Han then asked Ye Chong if there were any specific categories of items he should focus on selecting.

  Ye Chong didn’t hesitate to offer straightforward advice, making it clear there was no need to hide anything.

  With Ye Chong’s guidance, Han easily entered the treasury and was left to choose on his own.

  The treasury was filled with a vast assortment of items: visual diagrams, magic tools, Dao techniques, spirit herbs, soul plants, elixirs, and various other strange and rare objects.

  Han first did a quick sweep to see if any treasures emitted a response from his Gemstone Detector, but unfortunately, nothing hummed.

  He immediately ruled out spirit herbs and elixirs—he wouldn’t choose those.

  These were the most common drops from the Great Thousand Immortal Tree.

  Han’s first choice was a Day Traveler-level Dao technique.

  "The Vast Hand Seal"

  The Way is vast and boundless; the heavens are clear and the earth is bright. With one hand, it can change the world and lift the heavens.

  This was also a Dao technique Ye Chong had recommended to him, one that was considered top-tier even among Day Traveler-level techniques.

  Han still remembered when he first saw Lu Qingmo use a similar technique. The might it radiated was immense, and Han had been deeply impressed.

  Moreover, this was a powerful offensive technique, something Han had been lacking in his cultivation.

  He couldn’t always rely on asking Lu Qingmo for techniques, nor could he act like a "vampire."

  Next, Han chose a technique for evasion: "Thousand Miles Shadow."

  A cultivator should not only be able to fight but also know how to flee when necessary.

  This was one of the finest evasion techniques in the region.

  With one attack and one escape technique, Han felt that was sufficient. As for defense, the Golden Light Spell would suffice.

  There were other equally powerful Dao techniques here, but Han chose these two because Ye Chong had specifically mentioned that both techniques had subsequent evolutions. These evolutions were incredibly rare and could only be obtained from the Provincial Ghostly Gods Department.

  In other words, by cultivating these two techniques, Han would have the opportunity to seamlessly integrate their future evolutions into his cultivation.

  For his third choice, Han didn’t hesitate either—he chose the Incense Making Technique.

  This technique recorded a wide variety of incense formulas, from those used for meditation to those suitable for Day Traveler cultivators.

  An Lang would be able to benefit from this.

  Han wasn’t far from entering the Soul Journey stage, and incense would play a crucial role in his cultivation in that realm. He needed to prepare in advance.

  It should be said that An Lang would need to prepare...

  In Han’s daily cultivation, incense might seem insignificant, but it truly played a crucial role.

  Typically, cultivators could only make incense once they reached the corresponding realm, and making incense above one’s rank was difficult.

  But An Lang, as a ghostly being, had her own unique advantages. She could directly tap into the power of the moon.

  So for her, there were no such restrictions—her innate talent made this process easier.

  After leaving the treasury, Ye Chong was slightly surprised when he saw Han’s selections.

  "I thought you’d go for spirit herbs or elixirs," he remarked.

  "I still lack techniques in the Dao field," Han replied.

  Then, with a serious expression, he added, "As for cultivation, I place more trust in the power gained through hard work."

  As for the Great Thousand Immortal Tree?

  That was his own innate talent!