’The Transformed Whale can only be maintained for a hundred breaths... and it also puts me in a weakened state.’

’It seems this Transformed Whale can only be activated in a life-or-death moment.’

Han Yuan fell into thought after reading the description of the Transformed Whale.

If this Transformed Whale technique were used in a desperate battle, its sudden burst of power could certainly catch an enemy off guard.

But the drawback was the weakened state that followed, so it had to be used with caution.

’Right now, I have the Black Whale Oversea Skill at Perfection, and I also possess the Transformed Whale Divine Power.’

’I wonder what my chances are against a True Qi Martial Artist...’

Han Yuan muttered to himself.

He stood up, feeling a wild power coursing through his muscles.

This was the effect of breaking through to the Perfection realm with the Black Whale Oversea Skill.

Ordinary Inner Breath Techniques all had different attributes.

Generally, these were things like Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.

More specialized ones included Wind, Lightning, and Poison.

But the Black Whale Oversea Skill was even more special. The Inner Qi cultivated from it had no attributes, only a single characteristic.

That was Qi Power.

After cultivating to Perfection, according to the Black Whale Oversea Skill’s own description, one would possess the power of a single whale.

’I wonder just how strong this so-called "power of a single whale" really is.’

Han Yuan couldn’t quite describe the strength within his own body.

He went to one of the Observatory’s training grounds.

There was various equipment there for training one’s Qi Power.

For instance, there were stone locks weighing five hundred jin, and even one thousand jin.

Han Yuan gave it a try. Lifting the one-thousand-jin stone lock with a single hand felt as light as a feather.

And that was already the heaviest thing he could find.

’If a punch like this landed on someone... I’m afraid it would shatter their bones to dust.’

Han Yuan chuckled to himself.

After the feeling of excitement subsided, Han Yuan began to think about his next step.

He had now brought the Black Whale Oversea Skill to Perfection; the next step was naturally to break through to the True Qi Realm.

This required a technique for condensing True Qi.

Generally speaking, a True Qi Technique needed to have an attribute compatible with the previous Inner Breath Technique.

But Han Yuan didn’t have this problem.

Because the Black Whale Sea-Covering Qi was pure Inner Qi without any attributes, he could cultivate any kind of technique.

Of course, he naturally wanted to exchange for the best technique—an Innate Martial Art.

However, according to Han Yuan’s understanding, an Innate Martial Art required at least five thousand Contribution Points.

And if it was an Innate True Qi Skill, the price would be even higher, reaching seven thousand Contribution Points.

His current Contribution Points balance was zero.

’Looks like I still have to work for the Observatory.’

Han Yuan shook his head.

He didn’t rush to the Dust Hall; instead, he first went to find Huang Xian’Er.

He was curious if there had been any results in the investigation of the Wangling Sect during his days in seclusion.

As it happened, Huang Xian’Er was in.

She hadn’t expected Han Yuan to show up so suddenly. She teased with a smile, "Han Yuan, if you hadn’t appeared soon, I would’ve thought you’d gone missing."

"I was in seclusion for a while."

"What happened with the Yellow Springs Saint Mother incident?"

Han Yuan asked directly.

"Come in and talk."

Huang Xian’Er didn’t hesitate, inviting Han Yuan into her courtyard.

Han Yuan took a seat at the stone table in the center of the courtyard.

Huang Xian’Er went into her room and came out with a pot of flower tea, pouring a cup for herself and Han Yuan.

"While you were in seclusion... Cangshui County has not been peaceful."

Huang Xian’Er said softly.

"What do you mean? Did the Wangling Sect cause trouble?"

Han Yuan said subconsciously.

"No... it wasn’t the Wangling Sect."

"Ever since we returned from Wushan County, the Wangling Sect seems to have realized something and quickly went into hiding."

"Even the Feiying Tribe has only found a few scattered strongholds, which haven’t been of much use."

"So, as for whether the Yellow Springs Saint Mother is an Evil Demon Seed... there’s still no definitive conclusion."

Huang Xian’Er was also very concerned about this matter and had been paying close attention.

"They turtled up that fast?"

"The Wangling Sect might as well change its name to the Turtle Spirit Sect."

Han Yuan took a sip of the flower tea. A unique fragrance blossomed in his throat, refreshing his spirit.

"Right... I didn’t expect it either."

"In any case, we can’t find anyone from the Wangling Sect now. At most, we’ve only caught a few insignificant followers."

Huang Xian’Er spoke softly, then added, "Oh, right. Speaking of which, your Daoist friend’s prescription was a great success. The plague throughout Cangshui County has almost disappeared."

"Then why did you say Cangshui County isn’t peaceful?"

Han Yuan asked, puzzled.

"That’s another matter."

"The top name on the Black List, the Black Cloud Spear King Zhang Bei, has gathered a following and started an uprising on Sheep Head Mountain."

"In a short time, many experts from the Black List have flocked to join him. It’s said his forces have already grown to several thousand."

Huang Xian’Er said gravely.

"Zhang Bei?"

"I didn’t expect him to make a comeback."

Han Yuan had heard of this man.

He was the son of a farmer. Later, his village was ransacked by mountain bandits, and his parents were both killed. Only Zhang Bei, hiding in a cellar, escaped death.

Any ordinary youth would have run for safety after the bandits left.

But Zhang Bei didn’t leave. He concealed his seething hatred, changed his name, and went to join that very group of bandits.

The bandits never suspected a mere youth could be so calculating, so they took him in.

Soon, with his ruthlessness and cruelty, Zhang Bei quickly won the bandit leader’s trust. The leader even taught Zhang Bei his own Spear Technique.

And Zhang Bei was highly talented. After a few years of practice, his Spear Technique reached Great Success.

Under the cover of darkness, with his spear in hand, he slaughtered the entire band of bandits.

After his revenge, Zhang Bei gathered his own men, claimed a mountain for himself, called his group the Wuyun Bandits, and became a chieftain for over a decade, his martial arts growing ever more proficient.

But as the Wuyun Bandits grew more and more powerful, the County Government Office could no longer tolerate them.

They immediately joined forces with the Observatory and the major Noble Families to send troops and suppress them.

With that, the Wuyun Bandits were annihilated. Only Zhang Bei alone escaped.

From then on, Zhang Bei became an enemy of the Government Office. With his spear, he ambushed and assassinated many officials.

He even killed more than a dozen of the Demon Exterminators sent to hunt him.

He fought his way to the number one spot on the Black List, his fearsome reputation shaking all of Cangshui County!

In the end, even Director Nie Jing was roused to action, personally taking a hand in hunting down Zhang Bei.

But this Zhang Bei was exceptionally fierce. Even with Nie Jing himself taking action, he wasn’t killed. It’s said he was gravely wounded and went into hiding to recuperate.

"Yes... Sheep Head Mountain is a major artery in Cangshui County, a strategic chokepoint connecting three counties."

"Now that it’s occupied by the Wuyun Bandits, the business of many merchant caravans has been greatly affected, forcing them to take the water routes."

Huang Xian’Er said softly.

"So the Government Office is just going to let Zhang Bei run rampant?"

Han Yuan asked.

"Of course not. I heard the Government Office is preparing to send troops to suppress him."

"But this time... it seems the Cui Family is a bit unwilling."

Huang Xian’Er said softly.

"Why?"

Han Yuan asked, confused.

"The Cui Family controls the pier businesses. With the road over Sheep Head Mountain impassable, they’re now making a fortune."

"So the Cui Family is currently lobbying the other families not to contribute troops."

Huang Xian’Er explained.

"That Cui Family... they’ve gone mad with greed."

Han Yuan couldn’t help but shake his head.