“Well, why is this?” Zhang Guangyou asked, confused about which realm Zhang Han was in.
“The disparity between the Elixir Realm and the Yuan Ying Realm was as big as a natural chasm. That was Zhang Han’s words. But how could he kill people at the Yuan Ying Realm Early-Stage so effortlessly?
“What he said is different from what he did!
“What on earth is going on? Has he been fooling me?”
“Let’s put it this way.”
Zhang Han adjusted his breathing for a few seconds and then answered with a smile, “For example, with 10 percent of my strength, I can make my supernatural power fully effective. But 10 percent of their strength could only exercise one percent of their supernatural power. Their conversion rate was much lower than mine, so their energy quickly ran out.”
As soon as he said that, Zhang Guangyou was enlightened.
“So that’s how it is.”
In Zhang Guangyou’s eyes, Zhang Han’s comprehension of supernatural power and secret skills had reached the peak of perfection. His attainment had way surpassed others’. Thus, the method he used in casting those powers was much clever.
Truthfully, performing all those supernatural powers had also consumed a lot of Zhang Han’s energy. At this time, he also took out an energy-restoring pellet and swallowed it.
“I suppose that middle-aged man had obtained a high-level martial legacy not long ago. The supernatural powers he displayed were quite good. Unfortunately, he had just begun to comprehend them.”
Zhang Han said somewhat emotionally. This was also the first real talent he had killed since his rebirth.
If the middle-aged man was not so greedy and acted with more caution, he might really grow into a great Tribulation Stage master in the future.
“I felt some of his power as well. The big tripod he conjured up looked heavy and weathered, as though it were an antique from thousands of years ago. That might not be correct. But I found it very strange anyway,” Zhang Guangyou remarked. He tried to recall the fight but found that he couldn’t remember the appearance of the big tripod that he had seen before.
“The world is so big that there is no lacking of strange things.” Deep Flame sighed.
“…”
Everyone sighed with emotion and voiced their view. Zhang Han did not respond to their comments.
Instead, he went straight to Mengmeng and Zi Yan, and said with a smile, “See? As long as I decide to fight, it means I will definitely win. Otherwise, I would have taken you on a flee. Thus, next time, don’t worry about me. Nothing can happen to me.”
While speaking, Zhang Han caressed Mengmeng’s head.
“Okay. Daddy is the strongest,” Mengmeng looked up and answered seriously.
“Uncle Zhang is indeed amazing,” Nina echoed.
“Hee-hee, of course. Don’t you know whose father he is?” Mengmeng immediately became cocky.
“Don’t be so smug.” Zi Yan gently pinched Mengmeng’s tender face.
“Ouch, you pinched my face red.”
Mengmeng quickly turned her face to the other side and gently rubbed it. “Mummy, why are you always so violent?”
Zi Yan was bereft of speech.
“Are you kidding me, girl?”
“All right.”
Zhang Han laughed and said, “There are no more interesting things here. Let’s go to the swamp.”
As he spoke, he looked at Zi Yan, indicating that she should communicate with Tiny Tot through her mind force and let everyone ride it to the depths of the swamp.
“Coo.”
Tiny Tot, who was sleeping soundly in the schoolbag, finally woke up when it heard Zi Yan’s and Mengmeng’s calling. It climbed out of the schoolbag and revealed its real form.
Under Zhang Han’s leadership, everyone went to stand on Tiny Tot’s back. Riding on the roc, they floated toward the swamp.
When they approached the area covered by withered grass, many ghosts could be seen floating about. As they went deeper and deeper into the swamp, the surface of water paddles appeared. Yin Spirits were scattered around this place. They were much fewer in number than ghosts.
As Tiny Tot was already full, it had lost interest in hunting those Yin Spirits. Seeing that the Yin Spirits were getting closer toward it, it cast several streaks of black radiance, which swirled around its body. At the sight of the black radiance, the Yin Spirits instantly fled and stayed at least a kilometer away.
“This swamp seems to be very large.”
Dong Chen looked around for a while and said, “The surroundings are quite foggy. We can’t see anything in the distance, nor can we sense anything with our soul sense. Han, if we were not with you, should we back away in this situation?”
“Yes.”
Zhang Han nodded. “When there is a place you can’t see through or understand, don’t explore it recklessly. You can only go in there when you’re prepared. Of course, sometimes, you have to take risks. In that case, you should have more defensive treasures at ready. After all, one can never have enough ways to escape.”
“Alas.”
Dong Chen sighed heavily and said, “After taking this journey, I finally realized the world is so big that anything is possible. I feel I’m too ignorant.”
“Don’t say that.” Deep Flame shook his head repeatedly. “I have the same feeling, too. I thought I could overcome that negative feeling. But after hearing your words, I really find it just heart-wrenching.”
“Yeah.” Zhang Mu looked at Zhang Han and laughed. “I never thought that my grandson would be so excellent that I had to look up to him one day. I’m very gratified. Ignorance is not the worst. The worst part is to keep being ignorant. Although we haven’t been in the Cultivation World for a long time, we’re all learning and making steady progress. Besides, with Han being our teacher, we can familiarize ourselves with it very fast.”
Everyone present could roughly tell that the reason Zhang Han led them to “tour” this secret realm was that he wanted them to gain experience and broaden their horizons. Whenever there was something they couldn’t understand, he would give them a detailed explanation.
Even Wu Ming was a little emotional. Except for him and the group who followed Zhang Han, the rest of the people who came here probably could only learn about the Sea Dragon Star Area at a very slow pace. Those people could not even take a good rest. However, he and the others could have fine food and sleep at night without worries.
“Well, as long as we follow Boss’ leadership, life is all good and there’s nothing to worry about.”
Then, the others put away their sixth-tier treasures. Only Instructor Liu carried his mace on his shoulder and slammed it hard with his right hand now and then.
With a whack, Instructor Liu proudly said, “It feels so good to be with Boss. Hahaha, as our sixth-tier treasures are so sought-after here, I’ll carry mine on my shoulder to make others jealous when we get out.”
“Liu!”
Jiang Yanlan’s face darkened considerably. Her eyes were full of murderous intent.
With the look in her eyes, she seemed to be saying, “What in the world are you showing off for?”
“Umm, hahaha.”
Instructor Liu gave a hollow laugh and put away the mace “for the time being”. Anyway, there were no outsiders here now. Nobody could see his treasure, so he decided to wait until they were out.
“Instructor, your way of conduct as a husband is still to be improved. Your status in your family seems too low. Look at me. I call all the shots in my family,” Ah Hu said casually, “When I tell Liu Jiaran to go west. she absolutely doesn’t dare to go east. She always does whatever I tell her. Hmph.”
“Really?”
Zhao Feng waved his mobile phone from the side and said, “Although there is no network here, I have recorded a video of your speech. I will show it to my sister-in-law when I get back.”
Ah Hu was startled.
He immediately caved in and begged, “Don’t do that. Brother Feng, I’ve been friends with you for so many years. Since when do you start to trick me?”
“All Uncle Hu can do is brag.”
Mengmeng said disdainfully, “I saw it last time. Uncle Hu, you upset Aunt Jiaran. Then, at the gate, you knelt down and grabbed her leg, begging her for mercy.”
“Pfft!”
Hearing Mengmeng’s words, Zi Yan couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Hey, you’re really a good example. Is this the kind of family status you talked about?” Instructor Liu scoffed at him, “Bravo. Even Boss’ achievement in this regard is less than one-third of yours.”
Wham!
“Who are you talking about?”
Jiang Yanlan kicked Instructor Liu right in the butt.
Instructor Liu laughed dryly.
Everyone then turned to look at Zhang Han.
“Why look at me?” Zhang Han swallowed and said with seeming nonchalance.
“Yeah, why are you all staring at my husband? My husband has the highest status in our family. I listen to everything he says. Isn’t it so, honey?” Zi Yan held Zhang Han’s arm and blinked at him mischievously.
“Yes.” Zhang Han nodded immediately.
After thinking for two seconds, he said, “Under normal circumstances, I call the shots of important matters, while she handles the trivial ones.”
Zi Yan smiled and said, “As the saying goes, when the husband and wife are of the same mind, they have the power to cut the hardest metal.”
“So…” Zhang Han also smiled and added, “there has never been any important matter since we married.”
Zi Yan’s face suddenly froze. Her right hand furtively reached for Zhang Han’s waist.
At the sight of this, Nina looked a little baffled.
“They are so free and easy around one other.
“How could the subordinates joke about their superior?
“Wouldn’t Uncle Zhang get angry? Don’t forget that he is a Yuan Ying Realm master.
“This is odd. But Mr. Zhang is so handsome when he smiles.”
Although Nina had only spent a few days with Zhang Han, this Seventh Princess of the Elemental Elf Clan was already somewhat fascinated by Zhang Han’s charming personality.
To put it bluntly, Zhang Han always gained more attention because of the remarkably strong strength he displayed. When people started to pay more attention to him, they would soon discover the charm hidden beneath his cool appearance.
He was very easygoing with his own people. Everyone could be casual, relaxed, and really be themselves around him. But in the face of an enemy, Zhang Han’s dignified attitude also held them in awe.
Most importantly, Nina had sensed that Uncle Zhang doted on Mengmeng and his wife very much.
“How could there be such a perfect man in the world?”
Nina was a little puzzled. In their Elf Clan, she had never seen any man like him. Although the elves were all very graceful and courteous, most men elves had the biggest say at home. They rarely asked for their spouse’s opinions on what they should do.
But after she saw how Zhang Han and Instructor Liu behaved, Nina put herself in their spouse’s shoes and found that she actually liked to be pampered like that.
“Nina, Nina? What are you thinking so hard?”
Mengmeng’s calling dragged Nina back to reality.
“Well, what’s wrong, Mengmeng?” Nina asked.
“Look ahead. There’s a mass of black fog.”
Nina looked at the front. In the area covered in white mist, there was a place shrouded by black fog that was several hundred meters wide. Waves of some evil spirit were surging about there, as though a certain kind of monster was behind it.
“What’s that?”
Zi Yan subconsciously lowered her voice and pointed to the front.
“It’s actually a Black Evil Source!” Zhang Han sounded a little surprised.
“What’s the Black Evil Source?” Dong Chen asked.
The others also stopped talking and pricked up their ears, waiting for the lecture.
“The Black Evil Source is a domain formed by the evil spirit that has been condensed to a certain extent,” Zhang Han replied. “It took at least 300 years for this the Black Evil Source in front of us to take shape. But its function is different from that of dark cultivation methods. It can speed up a cultivator’s understanding of secret skills, supernatural powers, the cultivational realm, and his or her own body.”
“How important a role does comprehension play in cultivation?” Zhang Guangyou asked, “I’ve noticed that those Yuan Ying Realm cultivators all have some supernatural powers, don’t they? Is it that the further we get in cultivation, the more important comprehension is?”
“Your idea is pretty accurate,” Zhang Han said with a smile. “One’s comprehension can also change with the change of the realm one is in. If one has a thorough comprehension, one can enter the higher realm just with some resources. But without comprehension, one can’t access the next real regardless of how many resources one uses. If one tries to force one’s way to the next realm, one may possibly implode and die. In short, the right way is to make progress step by step.”
“So, are you saying the Black Evil Source lying ahead is actually a good place?” Zhang Guangyou caught on fast.
“It should be the best treasure in this secret realm.” Zhang Han turned to look at Zhang Mu and said, “Grandpa, you are now at the peak of the Elixir Realm, and your foundation is relatively solid. You can go to the Black Evil Source to gain some enlightenment. When we get back, after a period of closed-door cultivation, you will be able to advance to the Yuan Ying Realm.”
“Advance… Advance to the Yuan Ying Realm?” Zhang Mu was in a trance.
There was a time that he felt that the Yuan Ying Realm cultivators were all high and mighty existences.
In the Kunlun Immortal World, those Yuan Ying Realm cultivators were referred to as Grand Masters. But now, only a short time after he joined Zhang Han’s league, he was also about to enter the Yuan Ying Realm.
It felt like a dream.
He subconsciously glanced at Deep Flame.
Deep Flame jumped with fright. “Brother Mu, don’t even think about it, or I really can’t continue to follow you guys. Go, this is your opportunity.”
“Dad, don’t stand on ceremony.” Zhang Guangyou laughed and said, “This is a place my son found for you. What are you hesitating for?”
Seeing Zhang Guangyou’s smugness, Zhang Mu couldn’t help but correct him, “What do you have to do with this? It’s a gift from my grandson.”
Zhang Guangyou didn’t know what to say.
“Okay, I shouldn’t have said that.
“But, Dad, when have you become so impish?
“Who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl.
“I gotta remember to remind you not to hang out with Dong Chen all the time. He is a bad influence.” Zhang Guangyou deliberated.
“It looks a little scary. Can I really go there? How should I go there?” Zhang Mu asked with an excited look before he flew over to the black fog.
“Just step in there. With me protecting you from here, there won’t be a problem,” Zhang Han said with a smile.
“Hahaha, good!”
Zhang Mu laughed out loud and floated toward the Black Evil Source.
Watching his long gown fluttering in the wind, Dong Chen sighed with emotion.
“Immortal King Zhang is so natural and unrestrained. It’s so cool! The Zhang Clan has raised many talents. Every generation, no, every other generation are all pretty mighty.”
Zhang Guangyou was totally speechless.
“Dong Chen, what’s wrong with you?”
After Zhang Mu entered the Black Evil Source, the others also began to chat.
Mengmeng held Nina’s hand and went to the side. The two girls were talking animatedly. The atmosphere on the scene was getting more and more lively.
It was like they were going sightseeing.
At the same time, in the canyon outside the secret realm, the atmosphere was completely different. It was getting more and more depressing.
Hu Zhiqiang was completely silent. He was floating in the air surrounded by his mechanical troops. His eyes were devoid of emotion.
Li Mu and Yi Hou were on the periphery of the mechanical troops. It seemed that they didn’t intend to get involved in this matter. They just wanted to be onlookers.
Zhong An from the Silver-winged Hall and his group of people were also standing across from Li Mu’s party.
The other forces were basically all watching this from afar.
Who would get the sixth-tier treasures?
This was all that they cared about.
Deep down, they even had a desire for something bad to happen to the two parties.
“Could it be that both of the parties will wear each other out and give us the opportunity to profit from this?
“I do hope so.”
Doane and the other Yuan Ying Realm masters were standing beside Hu Zhiqiang. They were the most powerful people on the scene.
On the other side stood the 15 Yuan Ying Realm masters who prepared to enter the secret realm.
They had been divided into three teams. Two teams were still waiting for the first team to come out. The four hours that could pass in the blink of an eye in daily times felt like eternity now.
Some on the second team checked the time now and then.
“Time is going really slow!”
As time ticked away at a snail’s pace, finally…
“Two hours have passed, but they haven’t come out yet!”
One of the 10 Yuan Ying Realm masters said, “Now, according to the rules, they should hand over their treasures when they come out.”
“Have they gotten into trouble?” someone asked.
“Hahaha.”
This remark immediately incurred many ridicules.
“How can those people inside get them in trouble? If a Yuan Ying Realm cultivator goes in alone, he or she should have no problem coming out by now as long as he or she is a punctual person, not to mention that the five of them went in together.”
“That’s right. How horrible can the secret realm on the west side of the river be anyway? There are only some spirit beasts at the Yuan Ying Realm Early-Stage inside. They can’t have been in any danger.”
“I say they are still looking for those people to get more treasures.”
“There is no excuse for that. Those who don’t follow the rules are our enemies. The second team, go in.”
After some discussion, five minutes later, the second team entered the secret realm.
Hu Zhiqiang just looked on coldly from the side, not caring about what they did at all.
As the saying goes, when a mantis is trying to catch a cicada, a canary is behind it to make it the prey.
Hu Zhiqiang firmly believed that he was that canary.
If anyone dared to dissent from that, the fleet he brought here would teach them a good lesson.
Hu Zhiqiang’s eyes swiveled to the sky.
“As the news has been passed on, the fleet stationed on the Dal Star must have taken action. It only takes two hours to travel from the Dal Star here. Maybe they will arrive soon.”
As the second team of five entered the secret realm, the last five people on the third team became kind of restless.
Half an hour later.
“Elder Nu and the others haven’t come out yet, have they? What the heck are they doing?”
“Are they being too greedy?”
“Should we go in now as well?”
“No rush,” The oldest old man among them suddenly said, “If we go in, we’ll break the rules, and all we can get is some leftovers.”
“Fair point. Let’s just wait.”
They decided to keep waiting.
Finally, another one hours and a half passed.
“Why hasn’t the second team come out either?”
The five of them looked at one another with doubts and astonishment.
“Could it be that… the ten of them are in cahoots with one another?”
“No matter what, the 15 of us made the rules together. So many people here have witnessed it. Thus, whoever breaks the rules must be punished.”
“Come on, it’s our turn to go in.”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The five quickly rushed into the secret realm.
Seeing this, the hundreds of people around started a hot discussion.
“None of those who went in has come back. Looks like all of the masters are determined to get the sixth-tier treasures.”
“To get the treasures is just the first step. The second step is to face Hu Zhiqiang’s extortion. Only after passing this second step can those treasures really belong to them.”
“There will definitely be a big fighter here. Fifteen Yuan Ying Realm cultivators have united. They are even larger in number than Hu Zhiqiang’s party.”
“…”
Everyone had their own ideas.
The large forces present were also pondering over the situation.
Li Mu’s men were inside an energy cover that blocked out the soul sense. Thus, they could express their views more freely.
“Yi Hou, the three teams have all gone in there. By far, none of them has come out. Do you think it’s possible that something has happened to them?” Li Mu said with a grave face. “I saw Zhang Hanyang before. His momentum and temperament are quite mysterious. He is an inscrutable master. I can’t see through him. Could those people be no match for him?”
“I don’t think so.” Yi Hou frowned slightly. “In the entire Sea Dragon Star Area, all the sect leaders are at the Yuan Ying Realm Last-Stage. The old monsters at the Peak-Stage rarely show up. Moreover, the big shots in high-end Star Areas seldom come to our remote Sea Dragon Star Area. Thus, as to that Zhang Hanyang… Well, forget it. I can’t rule that possibility out. If he were really a big shot, there would be a farce to watch.”
“I’m also worried about that kind of possibility.” Li Mu took a deep breath and said, “He killed Hu Bin. I was really scared at that time. I could tell that if Zhang Hanyang wanted, he could easily kill me and all the others on the scene as well.”
“The key issue is that you haven’t seen through his strength.” Yi Hou shook his head and said, “If you can’t see through him, it means that he may be more powerful than you think. Let’s wait and see. After all, not everyone can own six-tier treasures.”
