Such a force in the North Region would be in the top ranks, and a mere martial artist in the first layer of the Element Gathering Tier like you didn’t even care about them… what exactly was going on?
‘No, wait… This guy’s presence…!?’
Ao Yang Ming opened his eyes suddenly and said, “How’s it possible, you’re already in the first layer of the Gushing Spring Tier?” At the Winter Moon Sect, he had contacted too many martial artists with their cultivation in the Gushing Spring Tier, so while he couldn’t sense the aura belonging to higher cultivation Tiers, it was still no problem for him if it was merely Gushing Spring Tier.
Several days ago, this guy was only at the first layer of the Element Gathering Tier, but he was now in the first layer of the Gushing Spring Tier… what was going on?
Other people’s cultivation progress was from one to nine, then a large tier breakthrough. Could it be this guy only needed to take one step?
Ling Han sighed, and said, “Your last words are truly strange. Whatever, I don’t care. You can die now!”
“No, don’t kill me! Don’t kill me!” Ao Yang Ming waved his hands hurriedly. “I can be of use to you!”
“So useless, what would I want you for?” Ling Han offhandedly sent out a palm. Hong , a flame swept by, instantly burning Ao Yang Ming to ashes.
Inside the Black Tower, he was a tyrant with abilities beyond that of Heaven Tier.
He looked outside through the Black Tower. Uncle Fu and the others already left, probably thinking that they escaped in some way, and were now searching for them like a headless fly. He called Liu Yu Tong and Hu Niu, and said, “Let’s go out.”
With a thought, he already brought the two girls outside.
Hu Niu already played like this a few times, so with her young age, she only thought it was fun; however, Liu Yu Tong turned pale from shock—this scene completely surpassed her understanding.
They appeared at the location where the tent used to be, but the tent was already gone. There was a hole in the ground—probably because uncle Fu thought they dug an underground tunnel to escape.
Could they dig an underground tunnel in such a short amount of time? It was obviously impossible.
As a Spiritual Ocean Tier cultivator, Uncle Fu did such a thing. He was obviously so panicked that he tried everything in this desperate situation.
“Ling Han, how come we’re here? And where were we just now?” Liu Yu Tong said, still somewhat shocked.
Ling Han laughed and said, “I obtained a treasure and we were inside it just now.”
Liu Yu Tong was even more shocked. The place they had been in was ridiculously large, so how could it be carried by him? Moreover, they clearly appeared at the same location, which meant that they were always here. It was such a large space, so how could Uncle Fu and the others miss it?
Ling Han didn’t explain further, because the Black Tower’s existence was a big secret. Those who did not gain his complete trust would never be able to enter the Black Tower—unless never to come out.
“Let’s go into the depths of the mystery realm,” he said in high spirits.
The Black Tower was equivalent to a complete safety guarantee, and Ling Han had great assurance in delving into the depths of the mystery realm to discover its secrets.
Liu Yu Tong and Hu Niu naturally didn’t oppose, so the three shuttled through the dense forest, venturing deeper.
One day later, they walked out of the dense forest, and saw in front of them a small mountain full of ups and downs.
“From here onwards, we’re entering the Devil Sky Mystery Realm’s danger zone. The beasts here are extremely terrifying, but spirit grasses here are more abundant,” Liu Yu Tong said. “Someone once ate a mysterious fruit here, and instantly rose from the Element Gathering Tier to the Spiritual Ocean Tier.”
This was certainly shocking, but mystery realms were associated with Shattering Void Tier, so it wasn’t strange that a spirit fruit like that actually existed.
“However, further down lies a large river that my family has strictly forbid everyone from crossing.” Liu Yu Tong paused, and then explained, “No one has ever returned alive from the other side of the river.”
Chapter 235
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Kurisu
Ling Han nodded. From the logbook, it could be understood that behind the large river, formations were set up, and if one wanted to cross, one either needed a profound understanding of formations, or a high tier’s strength that could crush them.
If he wanted to understand this mystery realm, he had to venture into its deepest parts.
If he were in the Element Gathering Tier, Ling Han definitely would not overestimate his abilities and act accordingly; there was no need to throw away his life because of curiosity. However, he had complete confidence now. Even if he couldn’t find out the mystery realm’s secret, at least he would be able to retreat safely.
“Let’s see if I can find some spirit grass,” he said.
The Black Tower’s first layer had the ability to cultivate spirit grasses. He was the alchemy emperor—if he didn’t make use of this, then he would be truly foolish.
The three circled round the mountain. This area was very dangerous, and large enough that people were rarely seen; all that could be seen were the mottled forests. The trees, grasses, and flowers differed greatly in color, resulting in a complex visual effect.
Unexpectedly, Hu Niu once more showed off her capability.
The little girl began to sniff, and she surprisingly brought Ling Han to a ‘Blue Star Grass’. This was a fourth level spirit grass which could be refined into a fourth level Anger Qi Pill. After Spiritual Ocean Tier experts took it, their power could increase by twenty percent or so, a very practical pill.
“Eh, Hu Niu, how did you find it?” Ling Han asked out of curiosity.
“Niu is a foodie!” Hu Niu said, very pleased with herself.
Ling Han couldn’t help but burst into laughter. He wasn’t too surprised by this either, because Hu Niu’s Spirit Base was too surprising—she naturally couldn’t be normal; having a few abilities different from normal people was rather expectedly normal.
Liu Yu Tong was very gloomy. In ‘rivaling for affection’, her performance was actually completely dominated by a five or six year old little girl; she somewhat blushed with shame.
Ling Han carefully dug out the Blue Star Grass. The more mature the Blue Star Grass was, the better the effects of the refined Anger Qi Pill would be. At most, it could even raise one’s power tenfold, though the medicinal effect definitely wasn’t something just anyone could endure—it wasn’t impossible that one’s body would burst open from the violent medicinal effect.
He planted the Blue Star Grass inside the Black Tower; one year could equal a thousand!
Normally speaking, the Blue Star Grass aged fifty years was already good enough. Now, the Blue Star Grass was about thirty years, so it only needed one day to reach fifty years in maturity inside the tower.
Hu Niu swiftly made a further contribution, very quickly finding a Seven String Wood.
Seven String Tree, also known as Cloudy Tree, was a great support item for those who cultivated ice arts. It didn’t need to be made into a pill, but simply refined like a Strange Fire. Seven String Tree’s price differed with maturity, the more mature the better. But normally, it was hard to find one older than one thousand years.
This Seven String Tree was only a little over a hundred years, but it didn’t matter; ‘living’ within the Black Tower for a few months would make it reach a thousand years of age.
However, luck wasn’t always with them. In the following two days, they had no gains, though Hu Niu found another spirit tree; unfortunately, the fruits on it had already been plucked. But Ling Han didn’t care about it, simply transplanting it into the Black Tower.
“There’s someone nearby!” Ling Han suddenly halted.
“Yes! Yes!” Hu Niu, too, nodded in a serious manner.
“Huh?” Ling Han’s glance swept by, revealing a hint of surprise.
“Ling Han!” a girl within the group called out first and waved at him, walking over quickly.
It was Li Si Chan.
Before, she didn’t make it to the center hall, but they unexpectedly met here.
Seeing Li Si Chan walk over, those youngsters followed. Each and every one had their nostrils pointed to the sky, appearing very haughty.
“Oh, you’re that Ling Han?” a young man in embroidered clothing said indifferently. His tone was calm, but it carried a sense of superiority, as if of someone of high status looking down on someone normal.
“Are there many Ling Hans?” Ling Han said casually.
Shua , a youngster butted in and said, “I heard you can fend against Feng Yan, but I don’t believe it anyways!”
“What kind of thing are you, and what does it have to do with me whether you believe it or not?” Ling Han said indifferently.
The youngster was enraged, and yelled out, “I am Huang family’s Huang Wei Ze. You dare insult me by calling me a thing!?”
“Oh, then I misspoke. So you’re not a thing.” Ling Han nodded, readily changing his words.
“You…” Huang Wei Ze’s eyes opened wide with anger, revealing a murderous aura.
Hu Niu immediately bared her teeth, and her small hands already involuntarily danced around while she revealed her sharp fangs.
“Wei Ze!” The young man in embroidered clothing stopped him, then said with a laugh, “How can you forget your manners in front of two flowers?”
“Brother Cheng Hu is right!” Huang Wei Ze hurriedly retracted his angry expression. He couldn’t lose his manners in front of these two stunning beauties.
“Sister Yu Tong!” The young man in embroidered clothing greeted Liu Yu Tong; the two obviously knew each other.
This guy didn’t give face to Ling Han, so Liu Yu Tong naturally wouldn’t give him face, either. She just turned her delicate face away slightly, pretending not to hear.
Seeing this, these youngsters were in an extremely bad mood. What sort of status and ability did Ling Han have that could make a talented beauty so unswerving! Moreover, if it was only Liu Yu Tong then it wouldn’t matter, but now even Li Si Chan seemed to have already became his. How could the youngsters in the Imperial City accept this?
“I am Li Cheng Hu!” The young man embroidered clothing tried to maintain his bearings and said to Ling Han, “Brother Ling Han’s name has been known to me for a long time. Could we spar for a bit?”
“Li Cheng Hu? Why aren’t you called Li Cheng Long 1 , aren’t your aspirations too low?” Ling Han laughed.
Li Cheng Hu couldn’t help but reveal an indignant expression. The dragon was the Imperial Family’s totem, and if he were called “Cheng Long,” then that would offend the Imperial Family. Several thousand years ago, when Rain Country was first established, it wouldn’t matter much. That was when the nine large families’ forces were about the same, but now, the Qi family had an old monster in the Flower Blossom Tier behind them. With the power of one family, they could firmly suppress the eight large noble families; the latter had to reluctantly take a step back.
“Such a sharp tongue, but what of your ability?” he said coldly.
“Li Cheng Hu, you’re too shameless. Ling Han is only in the first layer of the Element Gathering Tier, and you’re already in the third layer of the Gushing Spring Tier! You have the nerve to ask for a spar?” Li Si Chan immediately yelled out.
“First layer of the Element Gathering Tier?” Li Hu Cheng and the others had a strange expression, because the presence Ling Han gave off was that of someone in the first layer of the Gushing Spring.
The third layer against the first layer was certainly a bit unfair, but both were early stage Gushing Spring Tier, which was in an acceptable range.
Ling Han sighed; why did there always had to be someone who wanted to be owned? He flicked his finger, and said, “I don’t have time to waste on you dregs. Come at me together, otherwise someone might come out unconvinced after I beat one of you. If you lose, then get lost!”
“Impudence!” These youngsters were getting riled up—to think he dared to look down on them like that!
Chapter 236
Translator: Reverie_ Editor: Kurisu
“Ling Han, you’re too arrogant!” Li Cheng Hu and the others scolded him one after another.
Ling Han smiled faintly, and said, “Not that I’m looking down on you guys, I’m just telling the truth. Each of you certainly is trash!
“Bullsh*t!” Li Cheng Hu and Huang Wei Ze couldn’t endure it and attacked him simultaneously.
In actuality, they were certainly the only ones who were qualified, because the rest were just in the Element Gathering Tier. Faced with someone in the first layer of the Gushing Spring Tier, they could only watch. However, Li and Huang were both members of noble families whom their families were focusing on, so the two of them certainly were stronger than average.
They both used swords and unleashed arts and skills right away, each out of the ordinary.
Li Cheng Hu struck with his sword, and ten spirals of flame appeared out of thin air, condensing into flaming flowers and floating rapidly towards Ling Han. Meanwhile, when Huang Wei Ze brandished his sword, the ground trembled lightly as if it were dancing.
Steady like a mountain, Ling Han didn’t move, and his expression was relaxed.
“Arrogant!” Li and Huang both snorted. They already unleashed their ultimate moves, but Ling Han was still so haughty. ‘He’s really asking for trouble! Let’s injure him heavily, and make him remember this lesson.’
They heard vaguely about Ling Han from their elders, and were warned strictly not to provoke him. However, they were both in the prime of youth, and it concerned Liu Yu Tong and Li Si Chan, the two unrivalled beauties—how could they hold it in?
Thus, they definitely didn’t dare to kill, but still wanted to teach Ling Han a lesson, and let this brat know that the two beauties of the Imperial City were known as such because they belonged to the Imperial City, and definitely weren’t someone a countryside toad could covet.
Shua , both attacks came hurling toward Ling Han.
Ling Han finally moved, very offhandedly striking out two palms.
These two palms were extremely casual, and everyone could clearly see that there was nothing special about them at all. Yet, they easily broke through Li and Huang’s attacks, striking them both on their chests.
Peng, peng , with two smothered sounds, Li and Huang were both sent flying; they spat out blood in midair and made a parabolic arc through the air, landing on the ground at about the same time.
Hiss!
Everyone was shocked. Li Cheng Hu was a martial artist in the third layer of the Gushing Spring Tier, while Huang Wei Ze was a layer weaker; yet, the two together were unexpectedly defeated by Ling Han in one move.
The key was that Ling Han was only in the first layer of the Gushing Spring Tier! And he did so effortlessly, as if even should these two be ten times stronger, they would still easily defeated by him.
As they understood that, Li and Huang found themselves completely at a loss, their confidence lost. In that moment, they completely abandoned the idea of teaching him a lesson.
For Ling Han, as long he didn’t face someone with a higher tier, then based on his experience as someone who used to be in the Heaven Tier, wasn’t taking care of a few small Gushing Spring Tier opponents an easy and relaxing thing?
“Get lost!” he shouted lightly, giving no quarters.
If these people stayed polite, then he would also be polite when he asked them to leave, but they wanted to embarrass him, so why would he give them face?
He would never let outsiders found out about the Black Tower, so he naturally wouldn’t wi
sh others to tag along.
Li and Huang weren’t heavily injured and soon got up, giving Ling Han a fierce look and turning to leave. As they left, the others naturally followed in hurry.
“Li Si Chan, why don’t you go with them?” Liu Yu Tong asked sourly.
“I met them on the way, so we formed a party. Besides, I’m only a small alchemist, and not a member of the eight noble families. Speaking of which, you’re the one who should join them!” Li Si Chan returned a tit-for-tat reply.
“Hmph!” The two of them glared at each other, neither giving in to the other.
“Snicker!” Hu Niu dove into Ling Han’s embrace, her small face full of smiles—the two ugly people were foolishly arguing, but Ling Han belonged to Niu!
The two girls quickly ended their confrontation, and said worriedly, “But, Ling Han, now you’ve offended almost the entire younger generation of the eight noble families. When you return to the Imperial City, you might be in a seriously difficult situation!”
Ling Han smiled confidently. He now crossed into the Gushing Spring Tier, finally catching up in tier with the mainstream younger generation. As long as figures from the older generation didn’t come out, whom did he need to fear?
“Counter pawns with the king, and water with an earth weir,” he said.
Both girls thought so as well—worrying now was useless. Moreover, if Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion sent Ling Han a high level Black Grade badge, then even the heads of the eight noble families would have to be polite and call him Young Master Ling when they saw Ling Han. No matter how many juniors united, what use would it be?
Half a day later, they arrived in front of a large river.
Further ahead was the vast unknown region of the mystery realm, but this river… wasn’t easy to cross!
Ling Han looked closely—as the river surged, there were actually flashes of lightning; looking just twice was enough to make his soul begin to throb.
This was a thunder river. If one crossed the river hastily, then one definitely would be torn into pieces by the power of thunder. Let alone Gushing Spring Tier—or Spiritual Ocean Tier—even a Heaven Tier cultivator would frown upon seeing it.
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 133