Today, as Han walked through Black Cloud Town, he could clearly sense a heightened excitement in the air.

  Every household was adorned with festive decorations, and people were busy preparing various offerings.

  After listening carefully to the chatter around him, Han realized that the townspeople were making preparations for the Dragon King Festival.

  This event was of immense significance to the people of Black Cloud Town—not just for commoners, but for martial artists and cultivators as well.

  For the native-born residents, certain beliefs were deeply ingrained, unlikely to change unless one day they grew powerful enough to call the Cloud River Dragon Lord a mere "little dragon."

  As for the outsiders who temporarily resided in town, some might secretly scoff at these traditions, but none dared voice their opinions aloud.

  When Han arrived at the martial arts hall, he noticed that two red lanterns had been hung at the entrance, each bearing the image of a dragon.

  "Junior Brother, you’re too late! We've already finished all the preparations," Bai Ruoyue huffed, rolling her eyes at him.

  Lazybones!

  "I've already submitted your name to the Town Guardian's Office," Bai Tian said as he walked out.

  "When the Dragon King Festival begins, just make sure to attend."

  "Got it."

  "Dress properly when the time comes."

  "No problem."

  With his enchanted robe, Han didn’t have to worry about defensive capabilities, but at the very least, he could alter its appearance into any formal attire he needed.

  By noon, An Liang had returned from the Ghost Division. She needed to cultivate Yang energy.

  "How did it go?"

  "Not bad." An Liang lifted her chin proudly, clearly pleased with herself.

  "I personally took action—every last specter and demon was obliterated!"

  "I handled two cases for the Ghost Division today, and everyone was praising my exceptional skills."

  "Honestly, most of these cases involve weak opponents. They're pretty easy to deal with."

  Han nodded. "Naturally. If a case involved a Day-Walker level entity, they wouldn’t assign it to you."

  The Ghost Division’s regular members only handled cases below the Day-Walker level, which comprised the majority of their work.

  Incidents like the Ironstone Village mine case were already considered quite dangerous and were rare occurrences.

  For more serious matters, it required the intervention of high-ranking officials—or even Lu Qingmo herself, which was an even rarer event.

  Lu Qingmo wasn’t just leisurely watering peach blossoms every day; she had responsibilities to handle. However, she worked efficiently, which was why Han could still see her every night when he returned.

  "You can handle two cases a day—that’s sixty a month, seven hundred and twenty a year."

  Han did a quick calculation, looking extremely satisfied.

  Excellent. At this rate, he wouldn't have to wait long before getting promoted.

  Forget a mere Seventh-Rank Ghost Patrol Officer—he could rise even higher!

  An Liang’s mouth opened slightly, but she ultimately said nothing.

  Squeezing every last drop out of even ghosts!

  Her expression turned bleak as she walked under the sun to begin her cultivation.

  Moments later, a fiery determination reignited in her heart.

  Cultivate, strive, ascend to immortality!

  Someday, she would make sure that her lord knew exactly who truly ran this household!

  In a Dream…

  Han sat in meditative posture, his fingers forming intricate gestures as he chanted an ancient and profound incantation. Within his soul, mysterious pathways connected, allowing secret energies to flow through him.

  At a certain moment, everything aligned in perfect resonance, reaching a state of completion.

  "Hoo!"

  A pale gray flame, ominous and eerie, suddenly ignited in Han’s palm.

  It was small—just a tiny flicker—but its presence was imposing, as if it could drag souls into the underworld, a fire that would never be extinguished.

  Han opened his eyes, gazing at the little flame with excitement.

  "Aunt Mo, I did it!"

  Lu Qingmo nodded approvingly. "Indeed, this is the true origin flame of the Yin Earth Fire Seal. Well done. You managed to reach the entry stage in just a few days—your talent remains as exceptional as ever."

  "Even at its most basic level, very few Night-Walkers could endure this flame. As your mastery of the Yin Earth Fire Seal deepens, its power will become even more terrifying."

  "From now on, focus on refining this Yin Earth Fire Seal, strengthening your own Yin Flame. Also, keep an eye out for spirit materials with Yin fire properties—or even legendary earthly and heavenly flames."

  Han nodded, skillfully manipulating the flame, making it change forms at will.

  This was a technique with an exceptionally high floor—but an even higher ceiling.

  Right now, the flame in his palm was the Origin Yin Fire.

  In battle, he could summon it directly or imprint the Yin Earth Fire Seal, causing flames to engulf the battlefield, burning even souls themselves.

  The Yin Earth Fire Seal was both a daily cultivation method and a combat art.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Of course, he had only mastered it in his dream. Once he awoke, he would have to cultivate it properly in reality to truly grasp its power.

  But with a successful experience in the dream realm, he knew he would encounter no obstacles in the real world.

  After some time familiarizing himself with the flame, Han retracted it and turned to ask Lu Qingmo a question.

  "Aunt Mo, the Dragon King Festival is coming up. Given the current state of Black Cloud Town, do you think someone will try to cause trouble?"

  Based on his "experience," events like this usually attracted unexpected incidents.

  Then he’d have to step in, eliminate the villains, defeat the mastermind, and restore peace to Black Cloud Town.

  "No." Lu Qingmo shook her head. "If it were a festival for the Mountain God, then perhaps."

  "True. The Dragon Lord is still very much active." Han nodded, feeling slightly disappointed—but why?

  Three Days Later, at Night…

  Han and An Liang stood by the Cloud River, watching as a cultivator’s soul was being consumed by Yin Fire.

  The pale moonlight around the soul did not shine brightly but instead took on a restrained, flawless quality—signifying the completion of the Night-Walker stage.

  Yet even with such cultivation, the unfortunate soul could only scream and struggle helplessly against Han’s Yin Fire, utterly powerless to resist.

  The spirit tried to sink into the earth, dive into the river—anything to extinguish the fire. But all was in vain. The flames burned fiercer by the second.

  Neither soil nor water could put it out, nor could the wind blow it away.

  "Stop! Stop! I confess!"

  The cultivator finally screamed, unable to endure the torment any longer.

  Han didn’t extinguish the fire immediately. He let it burn a little longer before finally recalling the flames.

  The spirit, now charred and barely intact, trembled weakly.

  "An Liang, take him."

  "Yes, my lord!"

  The power of the Yellow Springs surged forth, tightly binding the spirit.

  "My lord, that fire is incredible."

  An Liang leaned in, staring at the lingering embers in Han’s palm, feeling an eerie chill rather than heat.

  Han suddenly brought his hand close to her, and she instinctively floated backward, her face filled with grievance.

  "My lord is bullying ghosts! Boo hoo!"

  "Enough nonsense. Let’s go back."

  Over the past three days, An Liang had been tirelessly hunting down criminals.

  Tonight’s opponent was too strong for her alone—so she had specifically called Han to step in.

  Han wasted no time upon learning the situation. Without hesitation, he unleashed a blast of Yin Fire on the man, reducing him to his current miserable state.

  Yet, despite the agony he inflicted, Han felt not a shred of remorse.

  Because the man deserved it.

  Using his formidable cultivation, he had abducted multiple infants to fuel his sinister practices in dark arts. For such heinous deeds, this level of suffering was far too lenient.

  Among all the people Han despised, human traffickers ranked at the top.

  In his dream, Han posed a question to Lu Qingmo.

  "Aunt Mo, is it possible for someone to suddenly master a Dao technique they've never learned before?"

  "There are cases like that," Lu Qingmo nodded. "Some individuals are born with extraordinary gifts, possessing an innate Dao technique from birth. These abilities, such as certain divine eye techniques, can be immensely powerful."

  "What if someone just goes to sleep and wakes up having mastered a completely unfamiliar Dao technique?"

  Lu Qingmo gave Han a sharp look. There was clearly more to his question than he let on.

  "Legends speak of such occurrences—like an enlightened master transmitting knowledge through dreams. But that’s different from your kind of dream."

  "What are you really trying to say?"

  "Aunt Mo, I think... I might have suddenly learned a new Dao technique."

  "…"

  I knew it.

  Lu Qingmo took a deep breath. "What kind of technique?"

  "It’s called 'Feeding on Mist and Essence.' It aids in cultivation."

  Indeed, this was the very Dao technique Han had received on the last day from Brother Tree.

  Now that he had spoken of it, the implication was obvious—he intended to pass it on to Lu Qingmo.

  Given their current relationship, awakening another Dao technique was hardly surprising.

  They had already embraced, shared a kiss, and he had even gifted her an unparalleled inheritance with only one chance of transmission. If all that wasn’t enough to trust her, what was?

  Of course, Han would never mention his "cheat code." It wasn’t about trust; it was simply beyond normal comprehension.

  "Is it more effective than 'Lunar Spirit Refinement'?"

  Han thought for a moment before replying, "It’s not about being better or worse. It’s different—hard to describe."

  "It can be used simultaneously with 'Lunar Spirit Refinement.' Even at higher cultivation levels, it will remain effective."

  "Used simultaneously?" Lu Qingmo was intrigued. "You mean that while meditating on 'Lunar Spirit Refinement,' this technique can still function?"

  "Yes."

  Lu Qingmo fell silent.

  Great. The reincarnation of a supreme being has started regaining his past life’s Dao techniques. Makes perfect sense.

  Despite her astonishment, she also felt a sense of warmth.

  Han was willing to share these secrets with her. That trust meant everything.

  I was right about him.

  And he was right about me.

  "It’s an extraordinary technique," Lu Qingmo acknowledged. "It will help you grow faster."

  Then, with a firm tone, she warned, "But you must keep it a secret. No one else should know."

  "I won’t tell anyone else," Han assured her.

  "Aunt Mo, I’d like to pass this technique on to you. It might aid in your cultivation."

  Lu Qingmo hesitated, her gaze softening as she looked at Han.

  Han’s expression, however, grew slightly conflicted. "The transmission method is… a bit special."

  Lu Qingmo: "…"

  You're not about to say it requires the same method as the Heaven and Earth Thunderfire Seal, are you?

  Don’t think I don’t know what you’re scheming!

  Han looked at Lu Qingmo, his face filled with sincerity.

  He had directly absorbed the Dao Seed to learn 'Feeding on Mist and Essence,' meaning there was no manual to pass on. Ever since Lu Qingmo had given him the 'Earth Fire Scripture,' he had been organizing the new technique, seeing if he could impart it to others.

  And the answer was yes.

  "For certain reasons, this cultivation secret art wouldn’t be of much use to me," Lu Qingmo shook her head. "You should pass it to An Lang instead."

  As Han’s Ghost Companion, An Lang was both trustworthy and bound to him—betrayal was impossible.

  Han froze. Seeing his expression, Lu Qingmo smiled gently.

  "I’m not lying to you. This technique is remarkable, but I genuinely don’t need it."

  So it’s true.

  Han felt a tinge of disappointment. Damn it. He couldn’t… No, wait, he meant he couldn’t repay Aunt Mo’s kindness by gifting it to her.

  Summoning An Lang, Han casually pressed a finger to her forehead, transferring the cultivation method along with some of his insights, before dismissing her.

  Seeing Lu Qingmo watching him closely, Han straightened up and said with righteous conviction, "See? That was the special transmission method I was talking about. Aunt Mo, did you overthink it?"

  Lu Qingmo simply smiled and let it slide.

  "Tomorrow is the Dragon King Festival. You should prepare."

  "Don’t worry. Are you attending, Aunt Mo?"

  "A deputy governor from the Ghost Division will go. I won’t be attending, nor will the governor of the Martial Division."

  Their positions represented different forces, making it inappropriate for them to participate.

  The next day, Black Cloud Town was bustling. Drums thundered, voices rose in celebration, and every household came out to join the festivities, their faces brimming with joy.

  At the auspicious hour, a massive crowd gathered by the Yun River, where offerings had been meticulously arranged.

  Pigs were slaughtered, chickens prepared, ducks released, and dragons drawn.

  Drums roared to the heavens, firecrackers burst in the air.

  An altar stood tall, where local elders and representatives from various factions had assembled, clad in ceremonial attire, their expressions solemn.

  At the forefront, the lead priest chanted prayers, performing the rites with unwavering devotion.

  "We, the humble people of Black Cloud, offer our sincerest reverence, presenting these sacred offerings to our mighty Dragon King…"

  Below the altar, many knelt in reverence, paying their respects.

  No one dared disrupt the ritual. Everything proceeded in perfect order.

  Suddenly, Han felt a gaze upon him. Probing with his spirit, he discovered its source—Dragon Maiden.

  His heart tightened. He truly feared her; something about her presence unsettled him deeply.

  Standing in the shadows, the Dragon Maiden smiled at him.

  Then, the Yun River erupted.

  A colossal dragon, formed entirely of water, soared into the sky.

  "The Dragon King has manifested! The Dragon King has manifested!"

  The lead priest immediately fell to his knees, and the crowd followed suit, bowing in unison.

  The water dragon opened its maw, releasing a floating silk scroll covered in text.

  No, it didn’t say "The rise of Great Chu, King Chen Sheng."

  Instead, the scroll drifted toward the altar—landing directly in Han’s hands.

  The characters shimmered in midair, visible to all.

  The message? It expressed gratitude for the town’s devotion, promising three years of favorable weather.

  And then, it showered Han with praise.

  Black Cloud prospers—Han reigns supreme!

  The townsfolk, upon reading the divine decree, bowed repeatedly, thanking the Dragon King while chanting Han’s name.

  At that moment, Han, holding the sacred scroll, became the center of attention.

  Han was stunned.

  Someone had indeed caused trouble.

  But the troublemaker was the Dragon King’s daughter.

  And he couldn’t do a damn thing about it.