Chapter Seventy-Two: The Plains of Lost Souls

Lu Han and Lie Ruge had just arrived at the entrance when a female attendant suddenly stepped forward.

“This must be Young Master Lu? The Pavilion Master gave instructions long ago, saying you would be visiting in these few days. Please allow me to escort you to the second floor.”

The attendant was dressed in a crimson gown, her delicate and coy voice sending tingles down one’s spine.

“We can go up ourselves,” Lie Ruge suddenly said, her gaze wary as she looked at the voluptuous woman in red before her. Without hesitation, she clung to Lu Han’s arm.

The attendant covered her mouth and laughed softly. “Very well, please, go ahead. I’ll go summon the Pavilion Master.” With that, she departed.

Watching the attendant leave, Lie Ruge suddenly said, “You’re not allowed to look!”

“Uh…” Lu Han was taken aback.

As Lu Han ascended the stairs, Lie Ruge glanced down at herself and muttered, “Not small, either.” Immediately, a blush crept across her cheeks.

“What am I thinking…” she murmured.

Creak!

“Haha! I knew Nephew Lu would come in these days. Thanks to my friendship with your father, I’ll take the liberty and call you Nephew Lu.” Qian Santong entered, accompanied by the female attendant.

“You may leave. I don’t wish to see anyone else,” Qian Santong waved his hand.

“Yes, Pavilion Master.” The attendant promptly shut the door.

“Pavilion Master Qian, these are all high-tier yellow-grade martial arts and cultivation techniques.” With a rustle, several scrolls appeared on the table.

“A storage ring?” Qian Santong glanced over, surprised.

While storage rings were treasures to most, they meant little to Qian Santong, so Lu Han did not mind revealing it.

“It seems Nephew Lu has made quite a fortune,” Qian Santong said meaningfully. “But I suspect you haven’t come just to sell these techniques, have you?”

Lie Ruge, standing nearby, was equally astonished, but she remained silent, knowing Lu Han had more pressing matters.

“I’m sure Pavilion Master Qian is aware of my father’s situation. As for the Soul-Stealing Mink, I’ve never even heard of it, let alone know where to find one,” Lu Han said with a bitter smile.

Old Man Ling knew a little about the Soul-Stealing Mink, but not much. As for where to locate one, Lu Han was completely ignorant when it came to demon beasts.

For once, Qian Santong’s expression turned grave.

“Nephew Lu, very few know of the Soul-Stealing Mink. You’ve come to the right person. Although it’s only an innate realm demon beast, it is extremely difficult to capture, for its innate ability is to seize souls, casting people into illusions before killing them. I know you’re likely much stronger than others at your level, but I must warn you—not to go after it unless you’ve reached the innate realm yourself.”

“Pavilion Master Qian, I know my own limits,” Lu Han frowned, but soon relaxed as Old Man Ling had said, “Kid, all you need is to know where the Soul-Stealing Mink is. I have a way to catch it.”

“There is only one place in the entire Great Xia Empire where the Soul-Stealing Mink can be found. You should have heard of it, Nephew Lu—the Chaotic Soul Plains.”

“What! The Chaotic Soul Plains?” Lu Han leapt to his feet.

The Chaotic Soul Plains were well-known throughout the empire for their notoriety.

“I never expected the Soul-Stealing Mink to be in the Chaotic Soul Plains.”

The Chaotic Soul Plains had existed since the founding of the Great Xia Empire, renowned for their strangeness—a vast plain spanning hundreds of miles. The strangest thing was, anyone at or below the third level of the innate realm could enter without issue, but those above would have their cultivation forcibly suppressed to that level. Not even Earth Kings were exempt; no one understood why.

Many at the innate realm who had offended powerful experts would hide within the Chaotic Soul Plains, making it the most lawless place in the empire, home to all manner of people.

The plains were rich in resources, harboring demon beasts and rare herbs not found in mountain ranges. Major sects and noble families often formed teams to seek resources there.

“That’s why I said you must reach the innate realm before going. The most dangerous thing there isn’t the beasts—it’s the people!” Qian Santong cautioned.

Lu Han tapped the table lightly with his index finger, pondering for a long time.

“Pavilion Master Qian, how about I exchange these techniques for a map of the Chaotic Soul Plains?” Lu Han asked.

“Nephew Lu, you—”

“No need to say more, Pavilion Master. My mind is made up.”

“Very well.”

...

“Brother Lu Han, the Chaotic Soul Plains are too dangerous. Please reconsider,” Lie Ruge said worriedly as she clung to his arm on the bustling street.

It was said that only those who had reached the innate realm had any hope of surviving there.

Lu Han tightened his grip on the map. It wasn’t as if he didn’t want to reconsider, but breaking through to the innate realm was no easy feat. More importantly, time was running out for Lu Tianhong.

He had to go—and soon.

“I know what I’m doing. You’d best go back,” Lu Han said, patting Lie Ruge’s head.

Watching her walk away, Lu Han lowered his voice, “Master, what do you think?”

“Kid, I never expected your little Great Xia Empire to have such a peculiar place. I’d like to see it myself. It sounds somewhat like a secret realm, but then again, perhaps not…” Old Man Ling muttered.

“A secret realm?” Lu Han was puzzled; it was the first he’d heard of such a thing.

According to Old Man Ling, secret realms were possessed only by ancient sects or noble families, and required special means to open. They often had unique formations, allowing entry only to those of certain cultivation levels. The energy within was far denser than the outside world, greatly accelerating cultivation. Secret realms were the holy lands where powerful sects raised their disciples.

“From your description, the Chaotic Soul Plains seem akin to a secret realm. But if it truly were a relic from ancient times, the imperial family would surely have seized control by now. In short, the Chaotic Soul Plains are far from simple,” Old Man Ling analyzed.

“No matter what, I must go,” Lu Han said, clenching his fists.

Within the azure ring, Old Man Ling’s translucent spirit coiled, stroking his beard with satisfaction in his eyes.

“This state of mine won’t last much longer. Never thought, in my final days, the heavens would send me such a fine disciple. I thought the ‘Tenfold Nether Crow Finger’ might help me restore my soul, but it’s merely better than nothing. No matter what, I’ll help you through this trial, kid,” Old Man Ling thought to himself.

Lu Han, unaware of his master’s inner thoughts, returned to the city lord’s manor.

Lu Tianhong, Meng Wan’er, and Old Master Lu were already waiting in the hall.

Lu Han immediately explained his plan to go to the Chaotic Soul Plains, meeting fierce opposition from Lu Tianhong and Meng Wan’er.

“I would rather the poison return after a year than have you go to the Chaotic Soul Plains!”

Everyone in the empire knew that without reaching the innate realm, entering those plains meant certain death or becoming a slave to someone who had.

Only Old Master Lu sat silently in his chair, deep in thought.

“Tianhong, let him go,” Old Master Lu finally spoke.

“Father, you—” Lu Tianhong was at a loss.

“Han’er, go back to your room for now,” Old Master Lu said.

As Lu Han’s figure receded, Old Master Lu said, “Tianhong, do you not know your own son? Even if you disapprove, he’ll go anyway. From his tone just now, it’s clear he wasn’t asking for our opinion—he was simply informing us of his decision.”

“But—”

“No buts. Even if you force him to stay, do you think he could cultivate in peace? Or do you want him to live his whole life burdened by guilt?”