Chapter Ninety-Two: An Unexpected Breakthrough

The man pushed aside the gold card in Lu Han’s hand and said, “I am not after gold. If you can agree to one condition, I will tell you where to find the Soul-Seizing Mink.”

“As everyone knows, the Soul-Seizing Mink’s blood can cure strange poisons; even the Wen clan’s tiger-toad venom can be undone by it. You are hunting it only for its blood, aren’t you? In that case, how about this: you and I join forces to seize it, and when the time comes, we split the blood fifty-fifty.” The man went on.

Lu Han found it rather strange. Why would the man before him choose to cooperate with him?

Seeing his hesitation, the man explained, “Do not misunderstand me. The cultivation art I practice is focused on strength, so I am somewhat lacking in speed. On top of that, the Soul-Seizing Mink’s innate skill is an illusion-based attack, and I have no way to deal with it. From the looks of it, you seem to have a method for capturing it, which is why I made this proposal.” The man analyzed.

According to Qian Santong of the Treasure Pavilion in Mapleleaf City, the Soul-Seizing Mink was indeed difficult to catch. Its strength was not especially formidable, but its innate skill could forcibly drag people into an illusion, and those trapped within it would not even realize what had happened. That was why capturing a Soul-Seizing Mink generally required a team of five or more to improve the odds.

Lu Han understood this as well. Though he himself had no special method, inside the azure ring nestled in his bosom was a master. That old fellow Ling had thumped his chest and sworn that as long as the Soul-Seizing Mink could be found, the rest would be left to him.

“Since I came to buy the news of the Soul-Seizing Mink, of course I have a way to catch it. I hope you can tell me where it is. As for the cooperation you mentioned, that is naturally no problem,” Lu Han said with a clasped-fist salute.

Lu Han did not mind working together. All he needed was a little blood to cure the tiger-toad venom afflicting his father, Lu Tianhong.

“Good. There are too many eyes and ears here. We meet tomorrow morning at the main gate of Gulin,” the man said, then turned and left.

Since Lu Han had obtained what he wanted, there was no need to remain in the underground market. He too departed at once.

It was worth mentioning that the exits from the underground market were different from one another; no one left through the entrance they had used to come in. This was likely to protect the customers and prevent anyone from tailing them.

“No wonder they dare to say no customer information ever leaks. It isn’t just empty boasting,” Lu Han muttered, stepping out from a small, unmarked tent and rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Another reason he had agreed to the man was that the man’s aura seemed to be only at the peak of the first level of the Innate Realm. Lu Han felt that if he went all out, he could even contend with a second-level Innate expert. So he was not too worried about the two of them going to capture the Soul-Seizing Mink together. Just then, however, his expression suddenly changed.

For the past several days, Lu Han had felt signs of a breakthrough. He had already been stuck at the peak of the eighth level of the Acquired Realm for quite some time. After traveling from the outer reaches of the Soul-Disorder Plains to the Gulin Basin, he had encountered all kinds of beasts and fought in one battle after another, big and small. His internal energy had become even more refined, and he was already half a step into the ninth level of the Acquired Realm.

“Master was right. Only through constant battle can one keep breaking through. And I’ve only just reached the eighth level not long ago,” Lu Han exclaimed.

Unfortunately, this was not the time for sentiment. The breakthrough had come at the worst possible moment; he could not possibly advance on a street crowded with people coming and going. Lu Han forcibly suppressed the turbulent energy raging within him and hurried at full speed toward the tent where he was staying.

By the time he arrived, his face was flushed red. He nearly failed to hold back the surging internal energy and hurried inside.

Inside the tent, Lu Han sat cross-legged on the ground, his hands resting on his knees and his fingers pointed skyward. Before long, a veil of white cold mist began to rise around him. His complexion slowly returned to normal, and the temperature inside the tent dropped rapidly as the Heavenly Frost Qi began to circulate at full speed.

After a long while, the chill around him gradually faded. When the last trace of cold mist returned to his body, Lu Han’s eyes snapped open, bright as stars.

He clenched a fist and murmured, “So this is the power of the ninth level of the Acquired Realm? It is several times stronger than before. If I were to meet the chief of the Soul-Claiming Bandits again, I could defeat him on my own.”

This breakthrough filled Lu Han with even greater confidence in the hunt for the Soul-Seizing Mink.

The ninth level of the Acquired Realm was only one step away from the Innate Realm, yet that single step defeated the majority of people. Most would remain stuck there until death, never advancing even half a pace beyond it.

“Kid Han, after the ninth level of the Acquired Realm, the acquired internal energy within your body will gradually transform into innate qi. When all your internal energy has fully transformed, that is when you will break into the Innate Realm. For now, keep familiarizing yourself with the power of the ninth level,” Old Ling’s voice came from the azure ring in Lu Han’s bosom.

Inside the ring, Old Ling looked at Lu Han, who was cultivating with his eyes shut, and a trace of fatherly affection appeared in his gaze. He picked up a newly made scroll beside him and murmured, “Kid Han, Heaven has not treated me unfairly. I somehow ended up taking you in as my disciple. To be honest, I am very pleased with how you have performed in every respect. It’s just that I fear I may not live to witness your growth. At this rate, I doubt I can last even ten more days before I completely disperse. I have recorded my origins and certain matters in this scroll. By then, you will understand. I believe that even without a master in the future, you will still be able to soar through the nine heavens and become one of the strongest experts beneath the Firmament Continent.”

Old Ling muttered for a long while.

He knew his own condition well. His soul power diminished day by day, and there would eventually come a time when it was exhausted. Aside from heaven-defying elixirs and rare heavenly treasures, there were also the soul cultivation arts practiced by people in ancient times. But not even his own sect possessed such things, let alone a barren place like Northern Yue. As for soul cultivation techniques, with the passage of the Ancient and Early Modern eras, they had vanished into the river of history. Even if someone happened to obtain one, they would never bring it out to share.

Old Ling had also been afraid that Lu Han would worry too much, which was why he had kept silent until now.

The night passed without incident.

After a full night of sorting through his gains, Lu Han had also grown gradually accustomed to the power of the ninth level of the Acquired Realm. He opened his eyes, formed a hand seal, and the white frost aura around his body slowly dissipated. Picking up the Azurefall Sword from the ground, he slung it across his back, stepped out of the tent, and walked toward the outside.

Not long after he had left, a burst of shouting came from behind him.

“Get out of the way, all of you, get the hell out of my way!”

“The young sect master of the Flying Serpent Sect is out and about. Are you still standing there? Do you want to die?”

Surrounded by several men, a young man was being escorted forward.

He wore a black robe embroidered with a long white serpent that looked especially ferocious.

The youth looked at the people dodging aside on both sides, a trace of pride on his face.

The Flying Serpent Sect was one of the three great sects of the Great Xia Empire, standing in the same league as the Heavenly Dipper Sect and the Blood Spider Hall. And now their young sect master had actually appeared in the Gulin Basin.

But these were not matters ordinary people like them could concern themselves with. It was better to obediently make way. If they offended the Flying Serpent Sect, then unless they planned to hide in the Gulin Basin for the rest of their lives, stepping outside would mean certain death.

Lu Han naturally had no desire to provoke any trouble. He watched the members of the Flying Serpent Sect recede into the distance.

“Flying Serpent Sect... so overbearing,” he murmured.

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