Promotion to the Qi Refining Stage

In the front mountain, the flowers quickly withered one after another. But then, as if reborn from the flames, they bloomed again, their colors more translucent and their petals flawless. Compared to before, they had practically transformed into princes among flowers.

The flowers vied for beauty, captivating the eyes; their dazzling splendor tugged at the heartstrings.

"Only the Meatball Grass is left."

With a thought from Zhang Han, patches of Meatball Grass on the Thunder Sun Tree's trunk shot toward the poultry and pet areas with a howl.

Seeds of Meatball Grass fell on the inner sides of each small area. In an instant, they took root. Two seconds later, sprouts broke through the soil, and five seconds after that, white buds the size of glass balls formed on the grass blades.

From a distance, they looked like enlarged ears of wheat.

Meatball Grass was a first-tier Spiritual Treasure. Its purpose was to serve as feed for poultry. It had the fresh fragrance of vegetables when eaten, felt like meat when bitten, and after chewing it twice and savoring it, its flavor was faintly reminiscent of braised pork.

That was also why Zhang Han had initially been curious enough to take a bite. However, he had only eaten one bite. After all, this thing was feed. Knowing what it tasted like was enough.

Once everything was finished, the Thunder Sun Tree's first transformation of the territory also came to an end.

However, half of the energy the Thunder Sun Tree could release in its first wave remained. Zhang Han naturally intended to use it to advance to the Qi Refining Stage.

"Open the meridians!"

Zhang Han kept his eyes tightly shut. His right hand left the Thunder Sun Tree's trunk, and he raised both hands high above his head.

At that moment, the Iron Clad Gold Earth Dog beside him looked at Zhang Han in confusion.

If it could speak, it would definitely say:

"What's this idiot doing?"

But its thoughts were ultimately not as advanced as a human's, so it could only stare at Zhang Han strangely.

However, the scene that followed made the Iron Clad Gold Earth Dog shudder all over in fright.

The Thunder Sun Tree suddenly emitted a faint, ghostly glow. Every leaf looked like jade at that moment, and wisps of gentle rosy light continuously gathered, ultimately forming a beam of light that shot into Zhang Han's body!

"Rumble!"

Zhang Han seemed to hear a thunderous roar. The Thunder Sun Tree's energy transformed into a sharp sword within his body, continuously breaking through one meridian after another.

Martial arts novels emphasized the Eight Extraordinary Meridians; opening all eight was enough to make one a prodigy.

But after Zhang Han opened the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, the remaining energy began continuously strengthening the body's Twelve Standard Meridians!

The Eight Extraordinary Meridians were not directly affiliated with the internal organs and had no exterior-interior pairings, which was why they were called extraordinary meridians. Their main function was to regulate the circulation of qi and blood in the Twelve Standard Meridians.

After the meridians were opened, wisps of energy from the Thunder Sun Tree gathered within them.

At first, the energy was violent, making Zhang Han feel as though his body was about to explode!

At this time, what Zhang Han needed to do was circulate the art and refine this energy, thereby forming his own Spiritual Power!

"Should I cultivate the Treasure Seeking Art this time as well?"

Zhang Han sank into thought.

In his previous life, he had possessed countless magic treasures and relied too heavily on them. When he later crossed the Heavenly Tribulation, he was unable to withstand the assault of the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder!

But now, he hesitated.

"Why not cultivate the Five Elements Art? Once I refine the Five Elements Saint Body, I should be able to safely cross the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, right?"

"Actually, the Azure Wood Emperor Art would work too. The Azure Wood Emperor Body's recovery is even more terrifying. It's known as an undying body, so it should definitely survive the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder."

"But... the Treasure Seeking Art complements my Treasure Sniffing Nose!"

Zhang Han was somewhat torn.

Cultivation arts were extremely important, as they were connected to the growth of one's strength. In the vast Cultivation World, cultivation arts were divided into various grades and ranks. The Treasure Seeking Art had been created by Zhang Han after he studied three hundred years of cultivation knowledge and suddenly achieved enlightenment.

The Treasure Seeking Art was immensely useful. It was the fundamental reason Zhang Han had been able to seize so many treasures.

For example, the Treasure Seeking Art could enhance the Invisibility Technique. After enhancement, it became the Divine Concealment Technique, which could make Zhang Han's body completely invisible. Even mighty experts in the Tribulation Crossing Stage could not detect him.

The Treasure Seeking Art could enhance the various arts he used while seeking treasures, such as speed, breaking formations, and concealment. However, its greatest effect was enhancing his Treasure Sniffing Nose. That was another reason Zhang Han was reluctant to abandon it.

"Forget it. I'll still cultivate the Treasure Seeking Art. This time, I'm starting over as well. At worst, I'll spend more resources to achieve sainthood through my physical body. Treasures are the foundation!"

After struggling for less than a minute, Zhang Han made up his mind.

Sitting cross-legged, he circulated the Treasure Seeking Art. The energy within his body was slowly refined and began circulating according to the Treasure Seeking Art's pathways.

At that very moment, a ray of morning sunlight slowly rose in the east. Beneath the Thunder Sun Tree, a man and a dog sat quietly together, creating a warm scene.

At Ziyan's home in Cloud Sound Garden.

"Ziyan, it's only seven o'clock. We have to go to work already?" Zhou Fei yawned.

She usually slept until eight o'clock.

"Let's go a little earlier today and choose the songs. Tomorrow, we'll accompany Mengmeng to Ocean Park for the whole day," Ziyan said flatly.

"I'll pass. Tomorrow, I'll work out the MV plans at the company based on the songs." Zhou Fei shook her head.

"You're not going?" Ziyan was slightly taken aback.

"Why would I go? To be a third wheel? You three go as a family. I'm not tagging along." Zhou Fei rolled her eyes.

"Who's going as a family of three?" Ziyan lightly spat.

"Tsk, Ziyan, it's not just me saying this. Look at you now. You call her 'Mengmeng' this and 'Mengmeng' that. That was a name that guy gave her. And yesterday, when that guy said he wanted to go to Ocean Park, you didn't even refuse. You looked just like a little wife who obeyed her husband in everything. You weren't like this during those years we were in North America." Zhou Fei pursed her lips.

"Stop making things up!" Ziyan glared at her.

Zhou Fei was unusually honest this time and did not say anything more.

They went downstairs and got into a black Mercedes-Benz S600L. The car had cost nearly three million yuan in total and was the one Ziyan used for work. Usually, Zhou Fei drove it.

Sitting in the back seat, Ziyan gazed out the window, slightly absent-minded.

The three of us going to Ocean Park as a family...

What exactly did she feel about Zhang Han?

At first, Ziyan had believed she regarded Zhang Han as nothing more than a stranger. However, that was not the truth!

Whenever she faced Zhang Han, her usually calm emotions seemed to be led around by him. His words and actions truly affected her somewhat.

"Maybe it's because of Mengmeng..."

Ziyan sighed inwardly.

That was the only explanation that could convince her. Since Zhang Han was Mengmeng's father, that was why she treated him differently.

"This definitely isn't love."

The love in Ziyan's mind was not supposed to look like this. Every woman had a flawless Prince Charming in her heart.

Her ideal Prince Charming leaned toward being talented in many fields, relaxed and refined, cultured and polite, virtuous and capable, with passable looks as well.

Not a fallen young master like Zhang Han, with his bad temper, who did not even acknowledge her acting career. What kind of nonsense was that?

'A mere celebrity on the screen is nothing more than an actor you can hire casually with money!'

What kind of thing was that to say? Ziyan grew angry whenever she thought about it. Especially when that guy had said during their argument, 'If you insist on staying in this chaotic entertainment industry, there's no way I'll be with you!'

Please, when did I ever say I wanted to be with you? Who would like an ill-tempered blockhead like you?

Zhang Han's figure drifted through Ziyan's mind. As she recalled those words, an inexplicable anger rose in her heart!

"Ziyan? Sis? Ziyan?"

Zhou Fei called several times before Ziyan finally came to her senses.

"Huh?" Ziyan was stunned for a moment.

"What are you thinking about? We're at the company!" Zhou Fei said helplessly.

"Oh. Then let's go up." Ziyan's heart!

I'm not going to think about that blockhead anymore. Time to work!

The sun gradually rose, and people began leaving their homes one after another to start their busy or leisurely day.

Zhang Han, however, sat beneath the Thunder Sun Tree for the entire day.

It was not until the sky gradually darkened that Zhang Han completely made the energy his own, becoming a weakling in the Qi Refining Stage.

Throughout that day, the Iron Clad Gold Earth Dog ran back and forth around the area, which was as vast as a plaza, making rounds of the various regions. It ate the freshly grown Meatball Grass, circled the doghouses several times, and wagged its tail excitedly without pause.

Beneath the Thunder Sun Tree, when Zhang Han opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashed through them.

He stood up, and the bones throughout his body crackled. At that moment, he had been reborn!

Although he was only in the Qi Refining Stage, Zhang Han possessed nearly a thousand jin of strength with the slightest movement. It was not something to be underestimated. Even when using Spiritual Power, his speed would be extremely fast, allowing him to instantly kill famous short- or long-distance runners.

Although he possessed such strength, Zhang Han would not show off. Ahem, he would keep a low profile. There was no pleasure in competing with these Ants!

"Woof, woof, woof..."

A burst of barking suddenly rang out.

Zhang Han's gaze sharpened, and he said in a deep voice:

"Which Ant is barking in front of this venerable one?"

He turned his head and saw the Iron Clad Gold Earth Dog that had tried to save him before barking behind him.

"Heh, so it's you." Zhang Han smiled faintly.

He already knew it was this dog. His words just now had merely been a joke to celebrate his "first step into cultivation."

"Woof."

The Iron Clad Gold Earth Dog came up to Zhang Han's feet, looking like it was currying favor.

Zhang Han looked at the dog, pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Forget it. You showed me kindness, and we're fated to meet. From now on, you'll be the little steward of my territory and guard the house and grounds for me!"

One sentence from Zhang Han had determined that this dog would become a great talent in the future.

"I didn't expect the Pure Yang Water to be used by you first, little fellow." Zhang Han shook his head and reached out to touch the Thunder Sun Tree. Suddenly, his eyes paused, and he laughed dumbly. "Your luck really is incredible!"

After a day, the Thunder Sun Tree was about to fall into silence. In other words, it would no longer be able to release energy. But "about to" meant it had not ended yet!

"Since you're guarding the house and grounds, I'll have to pay a proper price."

Zhang Han drew a deep breath and placed both hands on the Thunder Sun Tree. His Spiritual Power continuously gathered within it.

At once, strands of crystal-white water droplets floated out from the Thunder Sun Tree's trunk. Like a string of pearls, they drifted to the Iron Clad Gold Earth Dog's forehead, directly transforming into specks of starlight that sank into it.