"Hah!"
Gu Han opened his eyes, a flash of white light passing through their depths.
As his Dou Qi flowed within him, it actually formed an extremely condensed blue-white gauze armor around his body.
However, this wasn't Dou Master Gauze Armor. In terms of cultivation realm, Gu Han was still only at the peak of the Dou Fighter stage, ready to advance to Dou Master at any time.
The ability to condense Dou Qi Gauze came from the resonance formed between the Ice Soul in his Dantian and heart, with the enhanced Dou Qi surging out of his body.
It was worth mentioning that he had already reached the peak of the nine-star Dou Fighter stage a month ago, but instead of attempting to break through to Dou Master, he began condensing a second Ice Soul in his heart.
To do good work, one must first sharpen one's tools. If he could possess two Ice Souls, it would be equivalent to mastering the Ice Soul Mystic Classic. After becoming proficient, he could achieve perfection, with cultivation speed being thirty percent faster than at the great accomplishment stage.
Moreover, the two Ice Souls resonated with each other, autonomously storing and devouring the accumulated Heaven and Earth Energy within his body, converting it into Dou Qi. Combined, they were equivalent to a second Dou Fighter Qi Cyclone, meaning his Dou Qi reserves were twice that of other nine-star Dou Fighters at the same realm cultivating Profound Rank high-grade methods.
No wonder the Black Tortoise Shell's predicted opportunities all recognized the "Ice Soul Mystic Classic" as a Near Earth-rank cultivation method—it truly had its merits.
Beyond the accelerated cultivation speed and doubled Dou Qi reserves, the Ice Souls could also be detonated at critical moments, transforming into Dou Qi that surged into his Dantian to temporarily boost his power without any side effects.
If one had to name a drawback, it would be the need to spend some time or resources to recondense the Ice Souls.
But after the first Ice Soul formed, subsequent condensations would proceed much faster.
"With two Ice Souls enhancing my Qi Cyclone, my current Dou Qi quantity is no less than that of a one-star Dou Master with liquefied Dou Qi, and the quality is enough to rival a Dou Grand Master who has condensed a Dou Crystal. It's worth it!"
Gu Han slowly rose to his feet, circulating his cultivation method to mobilize the Dou Qi within his body. His hands quickly formed seals before he raised his palm toward the front.
Ice-attribute Dou Qi surged out wildly, instantly transforming into a zhang-sized Icy Handprint that descended upon the slumbering Violet Nether Flame Serpent.
The handprint struck the Violet Nether Flame Serpent, leaving a layer of white frost marks as the serpent's several-zhang-long body was frozen by the chilling energy.
However, before too long, the ice was worn away by the flames within the Violet Nether Flame Serpent's body.
"Being able to affect an unprepared fifth-rank Magical Beast means it should have some effect when striking a human Dou King as well." Gu Han revealed a satisfied expression, a layer of purple light suddenly appearing in his pitch-black eyes.
The condition and fortune of the Violet Nether Flame Serpent were laid bare before him, still under the Kui Wood Seal.
"With only ten days left until the outer sect competition, I can't keep training behind closed doors. It's time to go out for a walk."
Gu Han left the Black Tortoise Mystic Realm and emerged into the outside world, stepping out of his small courtyard in the outer sect and heading toward the Punishment Hall.
Perhaps due to the limited opportunities and information available around Cloud Mist Mountain, the opportunities he obtained were heavily homogenized—mostly spiritual herbs and Magical Beasts, with occasional good medicinal plants available at low prices.
Whether for resources or to gain combat experience, he planned to travel for a few days.
"Senior Brother Gu!"
Just as he arrived before the Punishment Hall, a surprised voice called out from nearby.
"Junior Sister Xiao." Gu Han nodded to Xiao Mei.
The young maiden had been enrolled in Cloud Mist Sect for two months now, becoming the closed-door disciple of a Dou King Elder. Her temperament had already undergone significant changes.
A purple glint flashed in Gu Han's eyes as he noticed the young woman had already broken through to the eighth stage of Dou Disciple. He estimated it wouldn't be long before she reached the ninth stage.
Given Elder Yun Shang's considerable wealth, obtaining a Qi Gathering Powder wouldn't be a problem. The young woman would likely soon advance to the Dou Fighter level.
"Senior Brother Gu, are you here to see the head disciple or our master?" Xiao Mei asked with curved eyebrows as she looked at Gu Han.
"I need to see Elder Yun Shang. I'll be leaving the sect for some time and need to report to her," Gu Han replied as he walked toward the Punishment Hall.
"The teacher happens to be in the hall right now," Xiao Mei said, swinging her long ponytail as she followed him.
Walking one after another, they proceeded unimpeded to the inner hall.
Seated in the main position of the inner hall was a mature woman who wasn't exceptionally beautiful but possessed remarkable vigor and a unique charm.
This was Elder Yun Shang of the Punishment Hall. She had previously been Yun Yun's senior apprentice sister and would privately address her as such.
Though she appeared to be around thirty years old, she was actually in her early forties.
"Gu Han, what brings you here?"
Yun Shang set down the book in her hands, her sharp gaze softening when it fell upon Gu Han.
"Reporting to Elder Yun Shang, this disciple wishes to leave the sect for a period and has come specially to inform you," Gu Han answered with a cupped fist salute.
"Leaving now?" Yun Shang seemed surprised. "The Outer Sect Competition will begin in ten days."
"I will return before the competition starts," Gu Han responded.
"Very well." Yun Shang didn't inquire about Gu Han's purpose for leaving and readily agreed. Then she asked, "Should Chu Chen accompany you?"
"There's no need for that trouble," Gu Han gently shook his head. "As you know, Elder, I possess the Flight Fighting Skill. If I encounter danger, I can escape. Unless a Dou King makes a move, even if Senior Brother accompanied me, it would be useless."
Yun Shang considered this and realized it was indeed true, so she said nothing more and lowered her head to continue reading her book.
"You have the Sect Leader Token, so you may leave on your own. I am already aware."
"Yes." Gu Han bowed and took his leave.
Seeing this, Xiao Mei wanted to follow him, but Yun Shang's voice suddenly sounded from behind: "Mei'er, come here. Let me check your progress."
"Goodbye, Senior Brother Gu." Xiao Mei waved to Gu Han and obediently walked over to Yun Shang.
After Gu Han left the hall, Yun Shang looked up again and said, "Mei'er, I understand that a young girl's heart may flutter with spring feelings."
"But to pursue your own happiness, you need sufficient strength. Otherwise, you will eventually become strangers on different paths."
After leaving the Punishment Hall, Gu Han immediately descended the mountain.
When he reached a nearby high mountain, he employed his Flight Fighting Skill and Aura Concealment Secret Technique. After determining his direction, he flew continuously southeast.
More than two hours later, as dusk began to fall, he took advantage of the night's cover to fly directly into a small town. There, he found and checked into a merchant association post station belonging to the Miteer family.
When midnight had passed, he focused his mind with anticipation on the Black Tortoise Shell to obtain today's information.
[In the southeast of Qinghe Town's western area, there is a courtyard planted with willow trees. A deep well in the courtyard connects to a secret chamber containing the remains of a Dou Spirit expert from the Chu Yun Empire. His storage ring holds his lifelong accumulations, but the chamber is filled with poison sufficient to kill a Dou Spirit and injure a Dou King.]
Qinghe Town was precisely where Gu Han currently found himself.
"A Dou Spirit from the Chu Yun Empire—either here to cause trouble in the Jia Ma Empire or to gather intelligence."
"So the secret chamber is filled with poisonous mist."
Gu Han's handsome eyebrows furrowed slightly.
With his current strength, he likely couldn't obtain the inheritance of the Dou Spirit in this secret chamber.
According to his understanding, the Black Tortoise Shell would only provide him with opportunities he was capable of obtaining. This time, something felt off.
"Wait, I actually have a way to obtain it."
Gu Han thought about his identity—he could completely return to the Cloud Mist Sect and request a Dou King Elder to intervene or ask for a special antidote pill capable of resisting fourth-level poisons.
He could even seek help from Ling Ying, who was secretly protecting him.
In theory, he did have a way to obtain this opportunity.
But he obviously couldn't do that.
Gu Han turned his attention to the second opportunity.
[Living in the room next to yours is a Snake-Race traitor, whose strength has reached the peak of Dou Grand Master. She practices a unique cultivation method and will sneak into your room in a quarter of an hour. Attracted by your appearance and demeanor, she decides to engage in dual cultivation with you, asking you to help her break through to the Dou Spirit level. You can experience Xu Xian's joy and achieve a breakthrough in your cultivation.]
Gu Han: ???
Is this considered an opportunity?!
This is clearly a romantic encounter.