Leaving

"Water, Fire, and Earth Three-Attribute Spiritual Root talent? Ran Min actually possessed the talent of a cultivator? No wonder his aptitude was so formidable and his comprehension so astonishing. He could learn nearly every martial skill and every military treatise with just one glance. Could it be that an Immortal Master had truly descended upon the Yan Kingdom of the Heavenly Azure Realm in the past, and that the Ran family's ancestors had been among them?"

Thinking of Jingyuan and Ran Min's formidable aptitudes, Gu Han secretly speculated, while also feeling delighted by his own stroke of luck.

For this random draw, he had not held much hope to begin with. He had merely thought that he should not waste such an opportunity—there was no harm in using it.

After all, with his current strength, there was scarcely anything within tens of thousands of li around the Yan Kingdom of the Heavenly Azure Realm that could greatly tempt him.

Of course, that had been before he obtained Ran Min's talents.

"Heavenly Divine Strength," "Eidetic Memory," "Peerless Level Martial Arts Comprehensive Talent," and "Water, Fire, and Earth Three-Attribute Spiritual Root"—these were the four most outstanding talents Ran Min possessed.

There were also lesser talents, such as strong sinews and bones, tough meridians, and extraordinary comprehension, which had not been listed here. But listed or not, they had all truly been added to Gu Han.

If all these talents, great and small, were exchanged from the system's list, they would likely require tens of thousands of Simulation Points to obtain.

With such an enormous number of Simulation Points, let alone Gu Han's current achievements in the Yan Kingdom, even if he entered again and turned the entire Yan Kingdom upside down, earning an Overgod evaluation, he likely still would not receive such a colossal amount.

Moreover, talents exchanged through the simulator came with restrictions. In each world, a talent could only be used once, after which it would be consumed. They were merely experience cards. But what Gu Han possessed now was permanent!

He just did not know...

"Simulator, can talents obtained in the real world be reflected onto the avatar in a simulated world for use?"

A thought stirred in Gu Han's mind, and he quickly asked the question.

"Answering the host: all things obtained through the simulator may be used in each simulated life. Since Ran Min's talents were drawn by the system this time,

in the host's next simulated life, these talents may stack with the avatar's talents in the simulated world, producing a stronger effect. However, the host's own talents in the main world cannot be stacked."

Upon hearing Gu Han's question, the simulator's mechanical voice immediately answered.

"They can stack!"

Upon receiving this news, a smile appeared on Gu Han's face once more.

Only after obtaining Ran Min's talents did he truly understand what it felt like to be a genius.

In the past, whenever Gu Han absorbed the spiritual qi of heaven and earth or comprehended various martial skills, he had always felt as if everything were obscure and difficult to grasp. It was like viewing flowers through mist—clearly right before his eyes, yet never quite visible.

But at this very moment, the spiritual qi of heaven and earth around him seemed to have become a thousand times more active. It pulsed as though it had come alive, each strand scrambling to burrow into his body, no longer as reluctant as before.

As for the various martial skills in his mind, all confusion had vanished. They were as clear as a fire seen through a cave; not only could he easily see through them and master them, but with only a little time, he seemed able to carry out Deduction and optimization upon them.

With such terrifying aptitude, it was no wonder Ran Min's cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds in the past. Only when he broke through to Inner Qi had his steps been slightly hindered.

If Gu Han had possessed such talents when he first entered the Yan Kingdom, he would likely have become invincible beneath the heavens long ago. How could there have been any matter of the Barbarian King destroying the mountain? Perhaps he alone could have slapped every leader of the barbarian army to death with a few palms.

"But it is still good that I obtained them now. Whether in the real world, the next life, or the life after that, I finally have a foundation to stand upon!"

Gu Han thought to himself.

Though he did not know much about the Cultivation World, he understood that an aptitude like a Three-Attribute Spiritual Root was not considered high there, but it was certainly not especially low either.

Take the Immortal Masters of the Yan Kingdom, for instance. Though Gu Han did not know them particularly well, he knew that their Spiritual Root aptitudes could not be very high.

Otherwise, they would not have cultivated for decades only to muddle along within this tiny patch of the Yue Kingdom, lording over this weak nation, bullying mortal martial artists, yet unable to venture into a broader world.

Gu Han recalled the memories in his mind.

The Yue Kingdom was actually an exceedingly weak nation in this world. Aside from the neighboring Yan Kingdom and Zhou Kingdom, which were roughly comparable to it, there was scarcely any country on this vast land weaker than it.

Not to mention farther places—just the Zhou Kingdom fifty thousand li away was vastly stronger than the Yue Kingdom. There, ordinary Innate Masters held some status, but not particularly high status. They were only equivalent to second-rate martial artists in the Yue Kingdom.

There, even some weaker Immortal Masters had to show respect to the King of Zhou. Unlike in the Yue Kingdom, where nearly any Immortal Master could speak with the King of Yue on equal footing, or even from a higher position.

"Forget it. Immortal Masters and such are still too far away for me right now. Even though I now possess Spiritual Root talent, without a cultivation technique, it is still useless. The most important thing now is to escape the Suicide Squad. Only then can I avoid living in danger at every moment, terrified that one careless step will cost me my life."

Shaking his head, Gu Han cast aside the jumble of thoughts in his mind. Then he closed his eyes to rest, quietly waiting for the arrival of the next day.

"Woooo..."

To the east, the sun had only just risen and the sky was barely bright, yet the horns of war had already spread across the land, jolting the soldiers awake.

"Food's ready! Food's ready!"

After the horn calls ended, rough, booming male voices rang out beyond the military tents, accompanied by the clanging of gongs and drums.

Upon hearing those voices, the men of the Suicide Squad, their eyes dazed, carried their weapons and their stench toward the army's cook camp. Not one of them paid any attention to Gu Han, much less noticed his changes.

That was simply how the Suicide Squad was. Everyone lived on the edge of life and death every day. They had long since lost their will and cared nothing for the Outside World. They could only live one day at a time. Rather than people, they were more like—

the living dead!

"Pat, pat..."

Following the footsteps of the condemned prisoners of the Suicide Squad, Gu Han carried a spear, completely concealing his qi, blood, and Inner Qi. His body swayed as he stepped across the damp earth toward the cook camp.

"Ding Jia Battalion Number One, this is yours!"

"Ding Yi Battalion Number Nine, that one is yours!"

"Ding Mao Battalion Number Eighteen, take yours and get out!"

Under the disgusted gazes of the cook-camp soldiers, who pinched their noses, Gu Han finally received his breakfast.

It consisted of two pitch-black, unidentifiable objects. He did not know what they were made from. They looked somewhat like black steamed buns, but their taste was far worse. They were not only exceptionally hard, but also scraped against the throat when swallowed, as though one were gulping down wood shavings. It was extremely unpleasant.

Crunch, crunch!

As Gu Han bit down, grinding sounds rang out in his mouth. Bitter flavors spread through his mouth, making him extremely uncomfortable after having lived in luxury for decades in this foreign world.

But discomfort was discomfort. Gu Han did not reveal anything unusual on his face. He was no naïve newcomer who had just crossed over, so after observing the expressions of the other suicide troops, he quickly copied their manner and began eating slowly.

From time to time, he took a few sips of water, pretending that nothing was wrong.

Very soon, an officer clad in Black Armor arrived.

"Alright, all done eating? If you are, follow me to the battlefield! Today, the suicide troops of your Xinzi Battalion will lead the charge. Everyone whose unit begins with Xinzi, step out! Remember, do not try to be sly or muddle through. Otherwise, you will suffer worse than death!"

The Black Armored General spoke viciously while drawing the sword at his waist and waving it repeatedly in threat. The expressions of the suicide troops, who had seemed like walking corpses, all changed.

"No! I will not lead the charge! I do not want to die! My godfather promised he would come save me after some time. I cannot go to the front!"

As soon as the Black Armored General finished speaking, a suicide trooper in the Xinzi Battalion—just over twenty, quite handsome, and with eyes that were not as dim and dead as the others'—shook his head wildly in terror.

At the same time, he continuously used his Lightness Skill, erupting with Inner Qi as he sped away, attempting to flee the army.

"Seeking death!"

Seeing such audacity from the suicide trooper, the Black Armored General flew into a rage. His tiger eyes widened, and a powerful aura erupted.

Then he pointed his sword from afar. A red sword light instantly shot from its tip, catching up to the fleeing suicide trooper as though it had teleported, and in an instant cleaved him in half at the waist. Only two severed portions of his body and countless sprays of blood remained.

"Those who attempt to flee without fighting shall die!"

Only after seeing the suicide trooper die did the Black Armored General turn stern and shout at the others. Then he took the lead, directing the ordinary soldiers to escort the entire Xinzi Battalion's suicide troops toward the front line.

"General, aside from one suicide trooper from the Xinzi Battalion who attempted to flee and was slain by this subordinate, all the rest have been brought here. Please give your orders for what comes next!"

Upon reaching the front line, the Black Armored General first respectfully saluted the Golden Armored General at the head of the army, who rode atop a Red Mane Lion more than two zhang long and radiating a powerful aura. Then he spoke.

"Mm. Since they have been brought here, drive them to the front of the army."

The Golden Armored General nodded at this and casually glanced at the suicide troops before quickly withdrawing his gaze, clearly unconcerned.

Yet he did not know how great an impact that single glance had on Gu Han.

"A master! A great master! He is absolutely a great master above the Innate realm!"

When the Golden Armored General's gaze swept over him, alarm surged through Gu Han's heart. It felt as though he had been targeted by a fierce tiger in his childhood, making him desperately want to get away. He did not even dare breathe too loudly.

At present, this Golden Armored General was one of the strongest masters Gu Han had ever seen in both his past and current lives.

Other than the few Gu Family Innate elders whose figures lingered vaguely in the deepest memories of this body's original owner, no one else could compare to him.

Fortunately, that man had merely swept his peripheral gaze over Gu Han. If he had lingered even a moment longer, then no matter how confident Gu Han was in his method of concealing his Inner Qi and blood, he would not dare guarantee that the man would fail to see through him.

"This Suicide Squad truly cannot be stayed in. It is dangerous enough already, and there is always the risk of exposure. Today I was lucky. If my luck is poor next time and an Innate Master truly notices me, then I fear my death will not be far off."

Gu Han thought silently, his desire to leave growing even stronger.

Although that immortal had said that as long as Gu Family children under twelve were sent into the Suicide Squad or among the official courtesans, he would no longer pursue their responsibility, who knew whether those words were true or false?

If that immortal did not keep his promise and insisted on acting, who could do anything to him?

And even taking ten thousand steps back, even if what he said was true, who could guarantee that those below would not deliberately target Gu Han in order to curry favor with an Immortal Master?

After all, a twelve-year-old Second-rate Master was truly terrifying. Even Innate Masters could not possibly have attained such achievements in their youth. Perhaps only the descendants of immortals, born lofty above all others, could surpass him with ease.

"Entire army, kill!"

Just as Gu Han was lost in wild thoughts, a voice like thunder suddenly rang beside his ear.

It turned out that as he pondered while following the main force onward, he had unknowingly already reached the front of the army. At this moment, he was being swept along by the army as it charged forward to kill!

"Charge! Kill!"

"Kill these Yan Kingdom dogs!"

Wave after wave of charging cries rose around Gu Han, accompanied by thunderous drums that stirred the blood.

On the muddy yellow earth, Gu Han fought desperately against the enemy soldiers. Blood drenched his entire body, and his figure swayed as if about to collapse. Whenever he appeared to have reached his limit, he somehow managed to avoid his vital points, receiving only "slashes" to his skin and flesh before beheading an enemy with one stroke!

Only after more than two hours did the "blood-drenched," "tottering" Gu Han finally reach the edge of the battlefield.

Then he suddenly erupted!

He killed on the spot several ordinary soldiers who had pursued and surrounded him, their faces full of bewilderment.

Finally, his height abruptly increased by more than ten centimeters, and he swiftly put on a Human Skin Mask of a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth before departing.

From then on, the vast sea was free for fish to leap, and the high sky free for birds to fly!