Breakthrough Again! The Center of Attention

Boom!

In a small town not far from Wutan City, one that had to be passed through on the way to Black Flame City, the Nalan Family group and Gu Han were staying at the town's largest inn. At that moment, the Heaven and Earth Energy outside suddenly stirred slightly, but no one noticed.

The source of the disturbance in the Heaven and Earth Energy was Room Three of the Heavenly Class at the inn, where Gu Han was sitting cross-legged on the bed, cultivating.

This was naturally only a phantom; his true body was in the Xuanwu Secret Realm.

He sat atop Primal Crystal Marrow, with Hundred Year Cold Jade resting on his lap.

"Break!"

After an unknown amount of time, Gu Han suddenly opened his eyes and uttered a single word.

It was not his cultivation that had broken through this time. Although the many Heavenly Material Earthly Treasures had visibly increased his cultivation every day, he had only broken through to Six-star three days ago. It was not yet time for another breakthrough.

Yet this breakthrough delighted Gu Han even more, because his Soul Realm had advanced to the Mortal Realm Mid-Stage.

Now, when he tried projecting his Soul Power outward, he could even vaguely sense the Heaven and Earth Energy outside.

Under normal circumstances, only upon reaching the Dou Wang level could a cultivator's Dou Qi resonate with the corresponding energy of heaven and earth, allowing them to try mobilizing a small amount of Heaven and Earth Energy for their own use. They could absorb energy directly through their bodies without conversion and draw upon a small amount of the power of heaven and earth to create energy Barriers.

In other words, with Soul Power at the Mortal Realm Mid-Stage, he already possessed the hallmark ability of a Dou Wang expert ahead of time.

If he reached the Mortal Realm Late-Stage, he would certainly be able to sense and mobilize even more external energy, enough to rival an ordinary Dou Emperor.

If he reached Mortal Realm Perfection, he might even be able to sense space itself, rivaling a High-level Dou Emperor or even a Dou Zong.

No wonder that despite having the same body, cultivation technique, Dou Techniques, and cultivation as Xiao Yan, Old Yao could unleash the strength of a Dou Emperor or even a Dou Zong.

One aspect was his own reserves and quality of Dou Qi, but the greater advantage was his ability to directly mobilize external Heaven and Earth Energy, the power of heaven and earth, and even the Power of Space in battle.

"Without a secret soul attack technique, my Mortal Realm Mid-Stage soul itself does not have much offensive power."

"But if I use it for support, the effect will be enormous."

"Unfortunately, I don't know any secret techniques for increasing strength."

"For now, this soul advancement can only speed up my cultivation."

Even with equivalent Soul Realms, Old Yao had been a Peak Dou Venerate at his prime. He was thoroughly familiar with using Soul Power to mobilize Heaven and Earth Energy in battle.

Gu Han was merely a Dou Zhe. He had not even experienced the Dou Qi Hua Sha of a Dou Master expert, let alone using it to assist in combat, unless he had a secret technique.

"I'll slowly experiment and figure it out. With my comprehension, it shouldn't be difficult."

Gu Han looked at his nose, his nose at his mouth, and his mouth at his heart, using Soul Power to draw Ice Attribute Heaven and Earth Energy around himself.

Combining the power of the Primal Crystal Marrow and Cold Jade, he circulated the Mysterious Ice Force, which had already reached the perfection level, and his cultivation rose rapidly.

He could even estimate the time of his next breakthrough. If nothing unexpected happened, it would come in seven days.

If something unexpected did happen, such as taking medicinal pills, it could be even sooner!

In the blink of an eye, more than half of the Midnight Hour had passed.

[Wutan City's Xiao Family Third Young Master Xiao Yan has a soul from another world and was born with powerful Soul Power. A remnant soul of a Dou Venerate, who was also an Eighth-grade Alchemist in life, resides within the Ring he wears. By absorbing Xiao Yan's cultivation, its soul strength has already recovered to Mortal Realm Perfection and can independently absorb Heaven and Earth Energy to recover.]

Gu Han: "..."

For the first time since awakening the memories of his past life, Gu Han nearly lost his composure.

He had long known the Opportunity information provided by the Black Tortoise Shell, and knew it even more clearly than this.

[Wutan City's Xiao Family Xiao Xun'er, whose true name is Gu Xun'er, comes from the Dou God Clan, the Ancient Clan. If you display your talent before her, there is a certain chance that you will gain the investment of either her or her personal female Guard, Ling Xiao.]

"Can you tell me something I don't already know?" Gu Han's face darkened.

It was truly a waste of two Opportunity foretelling chances. He should not have come to Wutan City at all.

As for displaying his talent and gaining the investment of Xun'er or her female Guard, Gu Han was not surprised in the slightest.

Although those Imperial Clans were arrogant, self-important, and looked down on everyone else, that did not stop them from investing in unaffiliated geniuses.

Xiao Xuan had set a textbook example. He had once invested in a Prodigy and had even generously offered up his self-created secret technique, the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations. That Prodigy later surpassed the disciples of many Dou God Clans, became a peak expert of the continent, and founded the Burning Flame Valley.

To give a simple example, for the current Gu Han, even a Mysterious Tier High Grade Technique was something he desperately desired but could not obtain.

But for Xun'er, even an Earth Tier Primary Grade Technique could be taken out with ease.

If she gave Gu Han a Mysterious Tier High Grade Technique, then once he matured in the future...

"Display my talent, huh."

Gu Han calmed his thoughts and began considering it seriously.

He did not think for long before immersing himself in cultivation once more.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Near noon, the Nalan Family's convoy appeared within Wutan City.

Banners fluttered in the wind, the two characters for Nalan swaying upon them and drawing countless gazes.

Within the Jia Ma Empire, aside from the Jia Ma Imperial Family and the Misty Cloud Sect, the most renowned powers were the three Dou Wang Families: the Mu Family, the Nalan Family, and the Mittel Family.

Not only did they have Dou Wangs overseeing them, they also had long histories and deep foundations. Their people could be found in every field and important position throughout the empire.

The Nalan Family's conspicuous appearance in Wutan City naturally attracted countless onlookers.

Inside the Mittel Auction House, Ya Fei pursed her red lips upon receiving the news and said, "I remember that Yan Ran has an engagement with the Xiao Family's Third Young Master. I'm afraid the Nalan Family has come for this matter."

As she spoke, an indescribable glint flashed through Ya Fei's eyes. "Keep a close watch on any news concerning this matter. I'm rather curious about the Nalan Family's intentions."

"Could they not be here for an engagement cancellation?" Master Guni asked doubtfully.

Everyone knew that after Nalan Yanran became Yun Yun's disciple, she could not possibly remain with the Waste Xiao Yan.

The corner of Ya Fei's lips twitched as she turned to look at him. "Uncle, does the Nalan Family have a grudge against the Xiao Family? Are they enemies to the death?"

"I heard that the Xiao Family once did the Nalan Family a favor?" Guni replied.

"Then there you have it." Ya Fei supported her forehead with one hand. "If they had come to cancel the engagement, would they make such a grand spectacle of it?"

Guni immediately understood. It was already humiliating enough for the woman's side to come and cancel an engagement. If they made such a public display of it, they would have to be intent on becoming mortal enemies.

If the Nalan Family did that, it would be repaying kindness with enmity and would earn the contempt of others.

Therefore, the Nalan Family was most likely not here to cancel the engagement.

"I'll have someone investigate immediately." Guni felt somewhat embarrassed.

Ya Fei had understood the situation at once, while he, the uncle, had failed to realize it even after being reminded.

Meanwhile, the Ao Ba Family and the Jia Lie Family also dispatched people to closely monitor the situation at once.

At that moment, inside the Xiao Family's reception hall.

Xiao Zhan smilingly invited Nalan Su to the seat of honor, and the two sides took their seats on the left and right.

The foremost seat to Xiao Zhan's left was empty, clearly reserved for the other party involved, Xiao Yan. Behind it sat the Xiao Family First Elder, the Second Elder, and the others. Behind those Elders were several Xiao Family higher-ups and direct-line juniors.

Several seats to Nalan Su's right were empty as well, evidently reserved for the Nalan Family's people.

After Nalan Su took his seat, three people became the center of attention.

One was an elderly man dressed lavishly, with a special badge on his chest indicating that he was a Dou Ling expert.

Another was a young girl wearing a veil. She had delicate features and a gentle temperament, with a One-star Dou Practitioner badge on her chest. She was the focus of all the young men present.

The last was naturally Gu Han. His face was as flawless as jade, his temperament cold and aloof, and his figure tall and straight, like a long sword that could leave its sheath at any moment.

Yet what drew the most attention was the badge on his chest, representing the strength of a Five-star Dou Practitioner.

Even Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Family Elders could not help watching him.

"So young, yet already a Five-star Dou Practitioner."

"Is this the strength of the Misty Cloud Sect!?"