Bab 6: 121
"Chirp~"
A familiar chirping sound echoed, and Han Zhao opened the window, gazing at the sky.
A brightly colored little bird, about the size of a palm, flew straight towards him. It was Yu Niang.
Han Zhao reached out, and when Yu Niang landed on his sleeve, he untied the paper note attached to her foot and began to read it.
Currently, he hadn't completely put Shen Guan Yun Fei at ease, so his freedom was restricted, and he could only stay temporarily on Anger Dragon Island.
However, for Han Zhao, having such a place where he could practice peacefully and not worry about cultivation resources was a blessing.
To prevent Xu Ling and the others from worrying, he sent messages through Yu Niang every ten days or so, asking her to fly back to the capital to deliver them.
"Yu Niang, you've worked hard," Han Zhao reached out to caress Yu Niang's feathers, but she flapped her wings and dodged.
"Well, I know you've been through a lot during this time," Han Zhao said with a hint of irritation, taking out a porcelain bottle from his spatial bag and pouring out several pills.
However, Yu Niang tilted her head and looked at him with disdain.
"Hmm," Han Zhao's smile froze as he checked Yu Niang's attributes on the panel.
- Name: Yu Niang (Ice Language Bird · Demi-beast)
- Martial Art: Life Nurturing Technique (Third Layer: Perfection 100%)
"It's been a while, and Yu Niang's martial art has improved so quickly?" Han Zhao was surprised. No wonder she looked down on these low-tier blood-boosting pills.
"After many simulations, Yu Niang always appears at critical moments. I should focus on cultivating her," Han Zhao decided to teach Yu Niang an improved version of the Life Nurturing Technique, the fourth layer.
He hadn't taught her earlier because he was barely managing his own cultivation, and he couldn't fully support Yu Niang's practice at that time.
But now, with the resources provided by the Anger Dragon Sect, adding another Yu Niang wouldn't make much of a difference.
"Well! Shouldn't you like this one?" Han Zhao put away the blood-boosting pills and took out another bottle, pouring out a recently refined vital energy pill.
Five round pills rolled into his palm, one of them was a deep red color and emitted a fragrant aroma.
"This one is high-quality."
"I want this one!"
Just as Han Zhao was about to put away the high-quality vital energy pill, he suddenly heard Yu Niang's excited voice. Her tone and demeanor seemed different from before, even carrying a hint of command.
Seeing Yu Niang flying towards his palm, Han Zhao quickly grabbed the pills in his hand and held Yu Niang in the other. He brought her close to his face.
"Is this the way to ask for something? Come on, tell me! Are you a monster in disguise, and where is my gentle Yu Niang?!" Han Zhao questioned.
"..." Yu Xuanji fell silent instantly, wondering if this guy had discovered her dual-soul situation.
She quickly urged Yu Niang, "Yu Niang, speak quickly."
"I'm sorry, Big Brother Han," Yu Niang said timidly.
"That's better," Han Zhao opened his palm and gently stroked her feathers. "Here you go."
Since the Anger Dragon Sect provided the raw materials, he could refine as many pills as he wanted, so giving her a few was no problem. However, her attitude just now wasn't acceptable.
At this moment, Yu Niang flew into his palm and swallowed all five vital energy pills.
Soon, a faint blood-red glow began to emanate from her body.
"Are you about to break through?" Han Zhao's eyes widened, sensing the surging flow of vital energy within Yu Niang. He closed all doors and windows, then placed Yu Niang on the bed and said, "Wait here, I'll teach you the fourth layer of the Life Nurturing Technique."
"Okay," Yu Niang's soft voice replied.
"Remember the flow of true energy," Han Zhao infused her body with life-nurturing true energy and used mental communication to guide her in understanding the flow of vital energy and true energy.
"Next is the mantra: 'The unrestrained spirit springs naturally, the breath of true energy remains steady, upon touch...'"
Han Zhao recited it word by word with a clear and resonant voice.
"Have you memorized it?"
"Yes, I have."
"Good, now prepare to break through. I'll be your protector," Han Zhao said seriously before leaving the room. Yu Niang needed to transform into human form for her breakthrough.
He stood at the door, quietly waiting.
About half an hour later, Yu Niang was still in the process of breaking through.
At this moment, a petite and charming maid, who appeared to be around thirteen or fourteen years old, approached. When she saw Han Zhao standing at the door, she bowed respectfully and said, "Young Master."
"Xizhu, what's the matter?" Han Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, asking calmly.
Xizhu was sent by Shui Jingfeng to take care of him. Originally, there were four maidservants attending to his daily life, along with two courtesans to keep him warm. However, Han Zhao had sent them all away, leaving only Xizhu. It was to assure Shui Jingfeng and maintain a minimal presence.
But Han Zhao had also made it clear that unless there was something important, or with his permission, Xizhu was not allowed to approach casually.
"Young Master, Master Yan said that the time for learning alchemy today has passed, so he asked me to come and check on you," Xizhu said softly.
"Alright, I'll go now," Han Zhao nodded casually and then waved his hand, "I haven't eaten yet. Come with me and prepare some snacks."
"Yes, Young Master," Xizhu's face lit up with joy, obediently following behind Han Zhao.
As the two of them left the courtyard and headed for Yan Jing's alchemy studio, an hour or so passed.
Suddenly, a pale blue light blossomed in the room.
Crack!
At this moment, in Han Zhao's bedroom, a silver-clad woman in her late twenties lay diagonally on the bed with her eyes closed.
She had an elegant appearance, with skin as fair as snow, and half of her thin blanket exposed her slender, jade-like legs.
Threads of icy energy quickly spread from her as the center, creating a faint layer of frost on the bedsheets and bedframe, spreading to the floor.
However, when the silver-clad woman opened her eyes, the coldness swiftly retracted into her body, and the frost on the ground and bed disappeared.
"This guy's technique is so amazing! After breaking through, my cultivation has at least recovered by half. If I continue practicing, I might even complete my rebirth ahead of schedule!"
Yu Xuanji frowned slightly.
"But this guy has quite a few problems. He's entangled with that girl from the Ji family, and he's also cultivating the martial arts of the Heaven Saint Sect. Once he reaches the Martial Saint realm, those old guys will start paying attention to him."
"What should we do?" Yu
Niang expressed her concern.
"Don't worry. When I finish my rebirth, I'll go back, kill that bastard Yu Sheng, reclaim the Hundred Spirits Sect, and protect this guy," Yu Xuanji said with a hint of killing intent.
"The only trouble on him is a Yuan Soul Pearl, but until the Reincarnation Hall opens, this thing is useless. Those old monsters won't intervene."
"Wait until the Reincarnation Hall opens, and I'll be able to undergo rebirth again. By then, I won't need to snatch their Yuan Soul Pearls. If I spare them, it'll be a favor to these holy places."
"That's good." Yu Niang breathed a sigh of relief.
"Don't worry, if you like this guy, I'll take him with us when the time comes. But he has too many women around him. We'll have to find a way to get rid of them!" Yu Xuanji said with a faint smile, but her words were filled with killing intent.
"No, we can't," Yu Niang's voice was soft, but her determination was firm.
"Fine! We won't kill them for now. We'll see how the rebirth goes. If it fails, you'll understand that only immortality is true, and everything else is fleeting."
Yu Xuanji's voice became increasingly faint, and her expression gradually became indifferent. In the pale blue light, she transformed from a cold and stunning beauty into a delicate and fragile appearance.
On the main peak of Anger Dragon Island, inside the alchemy studio.
Han Zhao was currently refining vital energy pills.
Suddenly, the system panel in the corner of his vision changed.
- Name: Yu Niang (Ice Language Bird · Spirit Beast)
- Martial Art: Life Nurturing Technique (Fourth Layer: Novice 2%)
"Her attributes changed? Spirit Beast!" Han Zhao looked at Yu Niang's attributes, surprised. No wonder she disdained these low-grade blood-boosting pills.
"I practiced alchemy in my room at night. However, I failed every time," Han Zhao admitted with a sheepish smile.
"Starting today, you can bring back more medicinal ingredients to practice," Yan Jing said after some contemplation. Learning alchemy primarily depended on talent, and Han Zhao had already reached the introductory stage. Yan Jing could only guide him in refining some of the lower-tier pills.
Towards the end, it would mostly be self-exploration. With Han Zhao's current conditions and the permission from the sect leader, he wouldn't hesitate to provide more resources.
With this pace, it would only take one or two years at most before Han Zhao reached a stage where Yan Jing had nothing more to teach him. Refining pills in the alchemy studio and practicing in his room would yield similar results.
"Thank you, Master Yan," Han Zhao's eyes brightened.
"Try a few more times, and I'll step out for a moment," Yan Jing instructed.
"Understood."
Yan Jing left the alchemy studio, allowing Han Zhao to practice the refinement of the Vital Energy Pill by himself.
In a short while, he arrived at the Anger Dragon Hall halfway up the mountain and found Shui Jingfeng, who was currently handling the affairs of the sect in place of the sect leader.
"Greetings, Water Master," Yan Jing respectfully bowed.
"Master Yan, there's no need for formalities. Are you here for medicinal herbs?" Shui Jingfeng asked as he stood up.
"Recently, Han Zhao's progress in alchemy has improved significantly. He has already begun to grasp the basics of refining the Vital Energy Pill. My previous expectations were too conservative. If we spare no effort, he could surpass me in alchemy within two years and meet the sect leader's requirements within three years!" Yan Jing said seriously.
"That's great!" Shui Jingfeng was overjoyed.
"What Han Zhao needs most now is a high-quality alchemy furnace. After all, every alchemist has their own habits, and I've been using my furnace for decades. It might not be suitable for him. The Dragon Blood Pill is of great importance, and the quality of the furnace is also related to the success rate. We cannot be careless."
"You don't have to worry about that. I will report to the sect leader, and he will surely provide full support!" Shui Jingfeng assured.
"That's good." Yan Jing nodded and, after some contemplation, added, "This kid is indeed a rare alchemical talent. If his alchemy continues to improve, and he can genuinely contribute to the sect, in the next few decades, the number of Grandmaster-level experts in the sect may double!"
Yan Jing also vaguely sensed some clues. After all, the sect leader had chosen an 'outsider' with little attachment to the Anger Dragon Sect to learn alchemy from him. At the same time, they had spared no effort to support Han Zhao. It seemed that there might be other plans.
However, he couldn't directly say such things. He could only hint at it subtly during his guidance to Han Zhao and encourage him to get closer to Shui Jingfeng and Mu Shishi, as well as their hints.
He sincerely hoped that Han Zhao would be willing to serve the Anger Dragon Sect and didn't want to waste such a talent.
"I will handle this matter as soon as possible," Shui Jingfeng assured seriously.
"Thank you, Water Master. I won't disturb you further with sect matters," Yan Jing bowed.
"Master Yan, please take your leave," Shui Jingfeng saw him to the door and then hurried towards the main hall.
Early the next morning, Han Zhao received a message from Xizhu that the Water Master had come.
"Greetings, Water Master," Han Zhao respectfully bowed.
"No need for such formalities, Young Master. Are you here for the medicinal herbs?" Shui Jingfeng asked with a smile.
"Young Master?" Han Zhao was momentarily surprised.
"The sect leader has decided to appoint you as the Deputy Leader of the Anger Dragon Sect. He has asked me to bring you to meet him. Please follow me," Shui Jingfeng said in a low voice.
"Water Master, please lead the way," Han Zhao nodded and followed Shui Jingfeng.
Shui Jingfeng took Han Zhao to the main hall of the Anger Dragon Hall. There, in front of the golden chair reserved for the sect leader, beneath the ink-drawn dragon carving, a square hole with a side length of over two meters appeared on the ground. A dark underground passage appeared in front of Han Zhao.
"Young Master, please enter," Shui Jingfeng said with a smile.
"Alright," Han Zhao nodded and walked into the underground passage. After passing through a narrow and cramped corridor, he arrived in an underground chamber resembling a secret room.
Several oil lamps hung on the walls, emitting a dim yellow light. Han Zhao felt the flow of air in the space and heard the faint sound of waves, directing his gaze to the center of the chamber.
At this moment, Anger Dragon Sect's sect leader, Shang Guanyunfei, was sitting cross-legged on a cushion in the middle of the chamber. He had five hearts arranged in a star shape, and his eyes were slightly closed. When he heard movement, he slowly opened his eyes.
"You've come."
"Greetings, Sect Leader."
"You should call me Master now," Shang Guanyunfei said with a faint smile. "Although our initial meeting may not have been pleasant, I genuinely hope that someone like you can join the Anger Dragon Sect. Your progress in alchemy is very satisfying to me, so I am fulfilling my promise. I formally accept you as my disciple and will teach you the supreme technique of the Shang Guan family, the 'Rage Dragon True Art!'"
With that, Shang Guanyunfei didn't wait for Han Zhao's response. He reached into his bosom and took out a scroll, tossing it to Han Zhao.
Han Zhao caught the scroll and opened it. On it was a drawing of a fierce and sinister ink dragon.
"This is the fundamental drawing of the Rage Dragon True Art. Only the sect leader and his successors can view it. Since I have no offspring, my direct disciple will be the next sect leader. Therefore, I am passing on this first volume of the fundamental drawing to you.
The Rage Dragon True Art is the foundation of my Shang Guan family's existence, and it is also the pinnacle martial art that leads directly to the realm of the Seven Killers Martial Saint. You must promise me that it will not be passed on to outsiders. Only then can I teach you the first-level incantation."
"Yes, Master. Your disciple will remember." Han Zhao replied seriously. He didn't feel any burden addressing him as 'Master' since he was receiving benefits. Shang Guanyunfei was so straightforward in teaching him the family's supreme martial art; he probably had ulterior motives.
"Please remember, Yun follows the dragon, and Wind follows the tiger. In ancient times, Emperor Yao slew Gun on Feather Mountain."
After confirming that Han Zhao had memorized the incantation, Shang Guanyunfei demonstrated the Water God Finger once again. He patiently explained and acted as a caring mentor.
"Master, what's wrong with you?" Han Zhao noticed that Shang Guanyunfei looked fatigued and was silent. He couldn't help but ask.
"I've suffered some injuries and need to rest for a moment. You can go now. When you master the refinement of five intermediate-grade pills and become an intermediate alchemist, I have a great opportunity to share with you." Shang Guanyunfei said cryptically.
"Yes."
"By the way, I cannot reveal myself at the moment. Some small fries in the sect might cause trouble, so you should get closer to the Water Master and Wood Master. Let them assist you, and you can proceed as you see fit."
"Yes, Master."
"Of course, your priority should be advancing in alchemy. When you thoroughly comprehend the first fundamental drawing, you must return it to me. Only when you ascend to the position of sect leader in the future will this drawing truly belong to you."
"Yes, Master. Your disciple takes his leave." Han Zhao bowed and exited the room.
Watching Han Zhao's departing figure, Shang Guanyunfei's eyes, which had been black, suddenly turned into a peculiar golden color with vertical pupils. Horn-like scales appeared on his face.
"This Thunder Dragon Blood and the attributes of the Rage Dragon True Art conflict far beyond my imagination. I must accelerate the process."
Shang Guanyunfei sighed inwardly.
If possible, he didn't want to rely on other forces. After all, seeking a high-level alchemist to refine the Dragon Blood Pill would inevitably arouse suspicion from other major forces. Once news of the Anger Dragon Sect obtaining the Dragon Blood from the Jiao Dragon was exposed, with his and his father's current conditions, it would likely lead to their destruction.
As long as they remained hidden, other major forces wouldn't dare to act. At most, they would make some tentative moves.
However, they couldn't delay too long. Three to five years would be the limit.
If possible, he didn't want to take the final step.
"Please don't disappoint me. Otherwise, I will make you understand."
Shang Guanyunfei's voice grew fainter and finally fell silent.
Han Zhao left the secret chamber and returned to his room. Yu Niang had already left.
He sat cross-legged on the bed, opened the fundamental drawing of the Rage Dragon True Art, and began to study it. When he had been in the secret chamber earlier, he hadn't had time to examine it closely, but now he could see its extraordinary details.
[Rage Dragon True Art Fundamental Drawing—To unleash the power of the art, rely on your imagination while looking at the image, expand your thoughts, emphasize internal over external, and focus on intent over form!]
As Han Zhao's emotions gradually calmed down, he looked at the fundamental drawing in front of him, and it seemed as though he could hear the roaring waves and crashing tides.
In the boundless depths of the ocean, a colossal black dragon, about a hundred meters long, burst out from underwater. Suddenly, it swung its tail like a divine dragon, creating surging waves.
"Roar~!"
Here is the translation of the text you provided:
A deafening roar of a dragon echoed in his heart, and Han Zhao suddenly shivered.
When he focused his mind again, the playful water dragon image he had seen earlier suddenly changed. The clear blue sky was replaced by a dark, heavy, and oppressive mass of black clouds, making the space feel as if it had frozen.
"Roar~!" The ink dragon raised its head high, its deep blue vertical pupils gazing at the sky, once again emitting a deafening roar.
Han Zhao could sense anger and determination in the roar.
"Boom~!"
At this moment, flashes of lightning flickered within the dark clouds, accompanied by the sound of thunder, as if the heavens themselves had sensed the challenge of the ink dragon and unleashed their wrath.
Boom, boom, boom!
Bolts of platinum-colored lightning, each with a diameter as thick as a water barrel, fell with earth-shattering thunder, shaking Han Zhao's mind.
The once mighty ink dragon, covered in scales and claws, was now covered in wounds, especially a charred wound on its abdomen, where one could faintly see the beating of its heart.
"Roar!"
Even though the ink dragon's vitality was fading, it let out an indomitable roar, as if nothing in the world could make it bow its proud head.
"Boom, boom, boom~"
The dark clouds that had been shrouding the ink dragon rapidly expanded tenfold.
This time, nine thunderbolts with a diameter exceeding five meters each simultaneously struck down.
"Ah!" Han Zhao exclaimed as if the thunder had struck him.
Recalling the thunderous strikes from earlier, he still felt a lingering fear.
But he was quickly drawn to a new technique in his martial arts column.
Dragon Blood Sac (First Layer, Entry Level 2%):
[Humans have limits; once their vital energy reaches the physical and racial capacity, they can't improve further without breaking through. So, you chose not to be human anymore! You've gained insights from the 'Rage Dragon True Art' fundamental drawing, allowing you to simulate a dragon's blood sac within your body, forming a second heart-like blood sac, doubling your vital energy capacity.]
"I truly am a genius!" Han Zhao's eyes sparkled.
Vital energy could be converted into strength and true energy. No matter how talented a martial artist was, no matter how well they practiced their martial arts, or how many resources they had, the human body had its limits.
"No wonder martial arts have been declining."
Han Zhao suddenly sighed.
He now understood why martial arts had been on the decline. High-level martial arts like these required such complex forms of transmission that they inevitably led to difficulties in passing them down.
Moreover, it seemed that the descendants of spirit beast bloodlines had chosen not to remain human.
"Now that I have the resources of the Anger Dragon Sect, I must make the most of it."
Han Zhao thought to himself, realizing that the situation with the Anger Dragon Sect had brought him a strong sense of crisis.
Seven more months passed.
Intermediate Alchemy (Complete, 1%):
['Alchemy Saint Reincarnation' proficiency increased! Quality improved!]
['Alchemy Saint Reincarnation (Purple)' → 'Alchemy Saint Reincarnation (Orange)']
Alchemy Saint Reincarnation: Orange grade attribute; fifteen-fold increase in alchemy aptitude; success rate of refining low-grade and intermediate-grade pills increased by 70% and 50% respectively; after fully mastering the refining of a low-grade or intermediate-grade pill, there is a 15% and 3% chance to refine a top-grade or super-grade pill (limit is the red grade attribute).
After Han Zhao uncovered the fragrant-smelling pill furnace, the system informed him that his proficiency in the 'Alchemy Saint Reincarnation' attribute had increased.
"Eight pills in one furnace, five intermediate-grade and three top-grade. If I tell this to others, who would believe it?" Han Zhao sighed as he looked at the white pills inside the furnace.
In the past six months, he had pretended to slowly learn the process of refining Vital Energy Pills, then requested to learn the 'Five Elements Pills.'
These Five Elements Pills were made from five different spirit herbs, each containing the essence of one of the five elements. They could significantly speed up a martial artist's cultivation of their internal energy.
However, because martial artists had to absorb the essence of each element in sequence, using these intermediate-grade pills would result in some waste. Only a Grandmaster of the Five Elements would have a certain demand for them.
Han Zhao's purpose in refining the Five Elements Pills was to accelerate his breakthrough to the Grandmaster of the Five Elements.
With the attribute 'Five Elements Unified,' he could absorb all five elements at once, making the use of these pills much more efficient.
His success rate in refining the Five Elements Pills was already as high as 80%, although he had shown a success rate of less than 10%.
Han Zhao was able to refine pills with high success rates thanks to his expertise in the Alchemy Saint Reincarnation attribute, which was not apparent to others.
Mountain-Crushing Fist (Fifth Layer, Minor Completion 16%):
Yin and Yang Palm (Fifth Layer, Minor Completion 12%):
Riding the Wind Kick (Fifth Layer, Minor Completion 10%):
Blood Spirit Tactics (Fourth Layer, Minor Completion 87%):
Milky Way Rain Sword Art (Fifth Layer, Major Completion 5%):
"With these advancements, it won't be long before I can break through to the Grandmaster of Qi phase using the Milky Way Rain Sword Art. With my current progress and the help of the system, I can gain these abilities in just ten days!" Han Zhao's eyes gleamed.
After that, he could take another year to systematically advance several more martial arts to the Grandmaster level and then attempt to refine the Dragon Blood Pill. He still had at least two more opportunities for simulations to see the results of his actions.
Dadadada!
Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the courtyard.
Han Zhao quickly stored the pill furnace and pills.
"Master," Silk and Bamboo's voice came.
"What is it?" Han Zhao asked calmly.
"Lord Aquamancer requests your presence in the side hall."
"I see."
"And, he said it would be best to bring the Wandering Noble with you."
"Hmm?" Han Zhao furrowed his brows as he opened the door and saw Silk and Bamboo looking uneasy. He asked, "What happened?"
"I'm not sure, but I saw Vice Leader entering the side hall with a fierce-looking man, and then there was an argument inside. Lord Aquamancer and Lord Wood followed them. They're asking for you now."
"Alright, let me change clothes first," Han Zhao said, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, before returning to his room.
He removed the medicinal scent from the room, changed into a black suit, and then brought the Wandering Noble with him to the side hall.
"Master, don't!" Han Zhao had just reached the door when he heard laughter from the side hall.
Then, there was a rough male voice, and the next moment, a miserable scream.
Han Zhao entered the side hall, and what he saw made his pupils contract.
A middle-aged man with a naked upper body, covered in black hair, sat at a round table. In his arms was a scantily dressed beauty. The man's hand withdrew from the woman's chest, pulling out her still-beating heart, and blood spilled onto the floor.
Aquamancer Shui Feng and Wood Twin Ridge stood to the side, silent but filled with anger.
Qian Luo Shan, on the other hand, sat calmly opposite the old man.
"Oh my, this must be the Young Leader of the Anger Dragon Sect, right? Sorry, your women weren't very obedient, so I couldn't resist. You won't mind, will you?" The middle-aged man saw Han Zhao and smiled, looking at him with bloodshot eyes.
Han Zhao felt his scalp tingling and his body going cold, as if he were on the brink of life and death.
[Demonic creature, Level 5 Pattern Confinement, formidable strength, body covered in potent venom, holds malevolence towards you.]
A demonic creature? Han Zhao's heart skipped a beat. Level 5 Pattern Confinement was equivalent to a Martial Artist's Three Qi Grandmaster realm. However, this demonic creature felt even stronger than the injured Shang Guan Yun Fei he had encountered earlier.
"Don't worry, your Old Leader and Leader are friends with our Lord. I won't use you as a sacrifice." The middle-aged man seemed to view Han Zhao as food.
The Wandering Noble stepped forward, standing by Han Zhao's side. If the demonic creature made a move, he would have to merge with Han Zhao to fight for their lives.
"Don't be nervous; your Old Leader and Leader have a good relationship with our Lord," the middle-aged man said with a grin. He then reached out his blood-soaked hand, patted Han Zhao's shoulder, and wiped away the bloodstains on his chest.
Han Zhao endured his anger and remained silent.
"I'll go check on my meal in the kitchen!" The middle-aged man chuckled and walked out of the hall.
"Humph!" Qian Luo Shan followed closely behind, and as he passed by Han Zhao, he sneered.
Han Zhao took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.
The appearance of the Nine Hells Mansion made him realize that he needed to act in advance.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone