Chapter 698 - 676: Return to the Southern Heaven Continent
Chapter 698: Chapter 676: Return to the Southern Heaven Continent
Shen Han was not someone who couldn’t endure pain; on the contrary, he had a strong ability to bear pain.
When he was learning "Unceasing Skill," he endured the piercing pain all over his body through sheer willpower.
But the pain brought by this Spiritual Liquid was completely different from the piercing pain of practicing "Unceasing Skill."
The piercing pain of "Unceasing Skill" was very distinct, like rolling in thorns with a bare body.
The pain from the Spiritual Liquid felt as if the body was about to be shattered by a hammer.
Even his consciousness became blurred under the pain, as if his mind was detached from his body.
And yet, he only drank one drop of Spiritual Liquid!
When he awoke again, Shen Han didn’t know how many days had passed.
His clothes clung to his body.
It might be that, while in pain, he had sweated profusely.
Dried sweat clinging to the clothes had made them stick.
Slowly, he crawled up from the ground.
The pain brought by the Spiritual Liquid was almost unbearable even for him.
After all, he was a Third Grade Immortal Realm cultivator, and he still had "Unceasing Skill" accompanying him...
Yet, the intense pain was indeed difficult to withstand.
No matter how strong his will seemed, it wouldn’t help, after all, the pain was so intense that his mind was almost shaken away.
He got up and ate something.
Shen Han could clearly feel that he was only one step away from the Second Grade Immortal Realm.
In the new cultivation system, the Second Grade Immortal Realm is the Rainbow-Devouring Realm.
Even in the Southern Heaven Continent, this vast region, the strength of the Rainbow-Devouring Realm was already not to be underestimated.
In Southern Heaven Continent, apart from the exceptionally outstanding younger generation, the Rainbow-Devouring Realm was almost an insurmountable peak for young people.
Before the age of thirty-five, it was still challenging to step into the Rainbow-Devouring Realm by practicing this new system.
Even those who could reach the Rainbow-Devouring Realm at the age of thirty-five are considered to be absolute elites.
Of course, compared to the old method, it was still much faster.
For those who practiced the old method, wanting to step into the Second Grade Immortal Realm required at least a hundred years.
So far, there hasn’t been a single Second Grade Immortal Realm expert under a hundred years old.
But Shen Han would break this.
Thinking of this, Shen Han took out another drop of Spiritual Liquid.
Without any hesitation, he drank it down.
...
When he woke up again, it was raining.
His body had already been drenched by the rain.
Compared to the last time he woke up, this time his mind was clear.
Looking at the scenery and objects around him, everything seemed much clearer to his eyes.
Second Grade Immortal Realm, achieved!
The Second Grade Realm is the path towards enlightenment.
Unity with the Dao is the sublimation of the Dao, it’s about carving out one’s own path.
Understanding the Dao from heaven, no longer under others’ suppression.
For those who cultivate the new system, they cultivate by harnessing Heaven and Earth’s Creation, using Heaven and Earth’s Momentum for their own benefit.
Entering the Rainbow-Devouring Realm still involves devouring Heaven and Earth’s Creation, but it’s a step of enhancement rather than a qualitative change.
In contrast, practitioners of the old method achieving Second Grade undergo a qualitative change in one step.
Moreover, after achieving the Second Grade, having forged one’s path, one would no longer be easily suppressed by Heaven and Earth’s Momentum.
It is precisely because of this that Luo Changping, who is at the Second Grade Immortal Realm, could escape with his life when facing You Wanying from the Tiger Peak Manor.
If confronted with a First Grade Immortal from the old method, Luo Changping would undoubtedly perish!
Having reached the Second Grade Immortal Realm, Shen Han understood his own strength.
Below the elder rank of Tiger Peak Manor, he feared no one.
It was time for him to return.
With this thought, Shen Han found a small stream and cleansed himself.
He changed into a clean set of clothes.
Approaching the Teleportation Array, he looked back at this land.
This experience had taught him many lessons.
Arrogance is the one emotion that must be avoided.
Towards enemies, one must be ruthless, not leaving threats for oneself.
Collecting his thoughts, Shen Han stepped into the Teleportation Array.
He was back in the Southern Heaven Continent.
He still found himself in that dilapidated courtyard.
The entire courtyard remained as it was when he left.
Such a secret place was indeed hard for others to discover.
After returning, Shen Han destroyed the Teleportation Array again.
In Southern Heaven Continent, if someone of medium strength were to come, they could easily stir up a storm there.
Shen Han had gained some benefits there, and he didn’t want to harm the people of that land.
After a brief rest, Shen Han began contemplating his next steps.
The people from Tiger Peak Manor had been continuously searching throughout Great Wei.
Although Madam Yun and the others had hidden well, this kind of carpet search, combined with random hunts.
Really raised some concerns.
The feeling was akin to the kind of worries a doctor expresses during treatment.
It’s likely not a problem, but there’s a slight chance of side effects.
This worry hanging in one’s heart could make one perpetually uneasy.
Always tugging at one’s sense, a lingering debt.
Thinking of this, Shen Han began to devise a strategy.
His primary goal now was to shift Tiger Peak Manor’s attention onto himself.
Tiger Peak Manor was not a large sect, with fewer disciples.
If he stirs up trouble in the Southern Heaven Continent, their current plans might be hard to maintain.
With these thoughts, Shen Han began to plan his actions.
The people from Tiger Peak Manor had been putting pressure on him.
Making him anxious, worried about impending crises.
Why couldn’t he use the same tactics against them?
Tiger Peak Manor, relying on their small yet elite numbers, had always maintained a strong stance in the Southern Heaven Continent.
Many major sects restrained themselves in dealings with Tiger Peak Manor, worried about their madness.
But this time, Shen Han was prepared to let them taste their own medicine.
In the Southern Heaven Continent, Tiger Peak Manor was notorious for protecting their own.
Sometimes, the guards of Tiger Peak Manor were more arrogant than some sect disciples.
It was always known that Tiger Peak Manor was formidable; even if one of their guards was injured, there would be a fierce retaliation.
But this time, Shen Han prepared to specifically target their guards to see how they would respond.
Aren’t they protective?
He had already slain their core disciple, and now he was going after their guards. Let’s see how they will protect their own.
Without hesitation, Shen Han headed to the passage between the Southern Heaven Continent and Great Wei.
Tiger Peak Manor had sent many people to Great Wei.
However, it’s impossible for those people not to return to Tiger Peak Manor at least once.
There were probably rotations or other rules in place.
Furthermore, Tiger Peak Manor had completely taken over the passage.
Without approval from Tiger Peak Manor, people from Great Wei were not allowed to come to the Southern Heaven Continent.
Therefore, as long as people came from that direction, they were surely connected to Tiger Peak Manor.
By waiting around the passage, it wouldn’t take long before he achieved something.
After all, Tiger Peak Manor’s roots were in the Southern Heaven Continent; he didn’t believe they wouldn’t return.
The Southern Heaven Continent was indeed quite large.
It would take at least half a month to reach from this courtyard.
During the journey, Shen Han communicated with Shi Yuezhu through sound transmission.
He also mentioned to Shi Yuezhu that he had reached the Second Grade of the Immortal Realm.
Upon hearing this news, Shi Yuezhu was not just surprised, but more accurately, she was shocked.
Stepping from Junior Fourth Grade to the Immortal Realm was already incredibly difficult.
Not to mention the difficulty of moving from Third Grade even further up.
In Great Wei, Xiaoyao Peak’s strength among the sects was definitely considered top-notch.
Yet even Xiaoyao Peak only had two strong individuals at the Second Grade of the Immortal Realm.
One was Master Xingchuan, the other was Cen Yunzi.
If the Second Grade of the Immortal Realm were easy, Xiaoyao Peak wouldn’t have just two Second Grade experts.
"Was the journey tiring?"
The voice from the sound transmission magical artifact seemed to sense something, and Shi Yuezhu couldn’t help but ask.
"Actually, it’s not too bad, not that tiring.
But drinking that body refining spiritual liquid was somewhat painful, but I managed to get through it."
Shen Han spoke lightly, even though he had fainted from the pain twice, he still said it like this.
"Be careful, we’re all doing fine.
The master’s health is recovering as well; even if we face a big problem, we should be able to hold out for a while."
They didn’t say anything unnecessary, yet they both understood each other’s feelings.
After nearly twenty days, Shen Han finally reached the area of the passage.
At this moment, it was very quiet all around.
It was already winter, no snow was falling, but the differences from other seasons were clear.
Since Tiger Peak Manor blocked the entrance from Great Wei, hardly anyone came anymore.
The shops in the nearby city that previously relied on deceiving outsiders had all closed down.
Some were returned to the locals, restoring the former order.
In fact, it was better than the first time Shen Han came to these places.
Shen Han concealed himself near the passage.
He built a temporary shelter, adding the term "hidden".
Thus, hiding here made it difficult for anyone to notice him.
Moreover, being a Second Grade of the Immortal Realm now, ordinary people from Tiger Peak Manor no longer had the strength to oppose him.
In recent months, You Wanying from Tiger Peak Manor had been keeping a low profile.
She still felt some guilt over Yu Yan’s death.
But above the guilt, there was even more hatred.
For the first time in so many years, Tiger Peak Manor lost a core disciple, and previously even their sect guards had never been attacked and killed.
As feared, if this hatred wasn’t avenged, Tiger Peak Manor would encounter more troubles.
Outside the courtyard, the Manor Master of Tiger Peak Manor came to visit today.
"Elder Wanying, please don’t grieve excessively."
Grief could affect one’s heart and even interfere with cultivation.
"Thanks for your concern, Manor Master, but my body won’t collapse before avenging my disciple."
You Wanying spoke with resentment.
Even when speaking to the Tiger Peak Manor Master, there was some emotion.
"I’ve thought it through, perhaps I’ll go there myself in a few days.
The more people searching, the faster we’ll find him.
What does the Manor Master think?"
Upon hearing these words, the Tiger Peak Manor Master felt somewhat helpless.
He had come today to encourage You Wanying to let go a bit, but now it seemed it was inappropriate.
"Elder Wanying, you don’t need to overburden yourself...
"If Tiger Peak Manor can’t capture the culprit for a long time, every sect in the Southern Heaven Continent will laugh at us.
Their fear of us will disappear too."
Is what You Wanying said reasonable?
Well, it indeed made some sense.
But the Tiger Peak Manor Master felt it was a bit like worrying needlessly.
"Elder Wanying, you worry too much. You must understand, our Tiger Peak Manor is known for using poison.
Even the guards can use some poison skills.
In the Southern Heaven Continent, most sects fear us, not only because we’re protective but mainly because of our reputation for poison skills."
The Tiger Peak Manor Master said softly, getting to the core of the matter.
The guards of Tiger Peak Manor might not have great abilities, but they carried poison skills.
Even the powerful dared not provoke them.
If they got infected with some deadly poison, it would be a big problem.
Even if one killed a guard, getting poisoned would be a significant loss.
This was the main reason why very few dared to mess with Tiger Peak Manor.
You Wanying naturally understood, and she knew this truth.
But it was her disciple who died.
"Manor Master, are you saying you don’t support me avenging Yu Yan?"
"That’s not what I mean...
Ah, never mind, I won’t say more, lest it becomes more confusing.
I only hope that Elder Wanying won’t worry too much. That person may be hiding in some dark place now.
Finding him might be somewhat difficult, but he’s probably not living well either."
After speaking, the Manor Master of Tiger Peak Manor left without even sitting in the courtyard.