Heaven-Defying Comprehension, Much Obliged for Your Support

"Spirit Awakening Pill!"

Gu Han's eyes grew even brighter.

This was a Third-Grade Pill. Its effect was to heighten one's sensitivity to the Heaven and Earth Energy in the outside world while cultivating, while also moderately increasing the speed of energy absorption.

Liu Ling would become a Fourth-Grade Alchemist in three years and was apprenticed to Pill King Gu He, so it was hardly surprising that he could refine Third-Grade Pills now.

It was just that Nalan Yanran had actually thrown away such a pill without knowing what it was.

The Young Sect Master did not lack pills like this. Rather than letting a flying Magical Beast benefit from it, it was better to let him have it.

But the second piece of information was even more delightful.

"A time-limited special location suitable for Ice Attribute Dou Qi Cultivators to cultivate, and it's still within the Misty Cloud Sect. I can't miss it."

Gu Han stopped cultivating and took a scroll recording the cultivation method for the Mysterious Tier Low Grade Dou Technique, Mysterious Yin Finger, from his Storage Ring.

Before heading to the mountain peak where Mysterious Yin Wind descended, he would first commit the cultivation method of Mysterious Yin Finger to memory. It would be best if he could gain an initial grasp of it.

[Mysterious Yin Finger, Mysterious Tier Low Grade Dou Technique, created by the Dou Wang expert Mysterious Yin Elder. Once mastered, it can freeze a person's blood and Meridians from a distance. High Grade Dou Zhes can pierce through a Dou Master's gauze robe, High Grade Dou Masters can affect a Da Dou Shi's Dou Qi armor. When infused with ice Dou Qi, it can disrupt the circulation of Dou Qi and comes with the effect of striking acupoints and freezing the body.]

"What a sinister... damn fine Dou Technique."

After memorizing the cultivation method, Gu Han sighed inwardly.

Once he cultivated it to mastery, using this Dou Technique well would allow him to ambush opponents above his level.

If he infused it with ice Dou Qi, he could freeze someone even in a head-on clash. Moreover, this Dou Technique actually recorded quite a few human acupoints useful for ambushing people.

"It suits someone as steady and prudent as me."

Gu Han studied it earnestly and, following the scroll's records, attempted to execute it by circulating his Dou Qi along a special path and method while forming hand seals.

Once a Dou Technique could be cultivated to mastery, there would be no need to use hand seals to execute it.

Bang!

Near the Outer Sect Training Hall, inside a small residence built between two enormous boulders, Gu Han left an inch-deep mark on the door of his secret chamber with one finger, its surface covered in frost.

With the enhancement of Mysterious Ice Force, the effects of Mysterious Yin Finger were unexpectedly powerful.

"Could it be that I'm a genius?"

In three hours, studying alone, he had actually successfully gained an initial grasp of a Mysterious Tier Low Grade Dou Technique—first level.

If he cultivated beneath the Yin Wind, it probably would not take long for him to reach minor mastery—third level, proficiency—fifth level, mastery—seventh level, expert mastery—ninth level, or even perfection.

Retracting his hand, Gu Han pushed open the door and decided to use Merit Points to exchange for some pills and daily necessities.

It was worth mentioning that one Merit Point was equivalent to ten Gold Coins. However, Merit Points could be exchanged for Gold Coins, while Gold Coins could not be exchanged for Merit Points.

Some people in the sect specifically ran businesses buying Merit Points with money. One Merit Point could be exchanged for fifteen Gold Coins.

Unfortunately, Gu Han did not know anyone like that, so he could only spend his Merit Points directly.

Still, he did not care much. With his extraordinary comprehension and the Xuanwu Secret Realm, he had no need to hire a Teacher or visit the Cultivation Hall. There were basically no other places where he needed to spend Merit Points.

"Give me one Purple Cloud Steak and one serving of Sand Zhen Rice."

After purchasing ten Bigu Pills and some daily necessities at the Affairs Hall, Gu Han arrived at the Outer Disciple dining hall.

Here, one could buy First-Grade Magical Beast meat reserved for Outer Disciples, as well as delicious spirit rice containing a trace of Heaven and Earth Energy.

"Eh, are you Gu Han, Junior Brother Gu?"

While waiting for a disciple to bring his food and rice, an ordinary-looking young man in Outer Disciple robes examined Gu Han with a surprised expression.

"You are?" Gu Han looked puzzled.

"My name is Mo Feng." The young man smiled amicably. "You probably haven't heard of me. I'm Mo Qing's cousin."

Although he was called a cousin, Mo Feng and Mo Qing had long since passed beyond the fifth degree of kinship. He belonged to a collateral branch that had been sent to other towns to establish itself. In private, they all referred to themselves as "subordinates." They were slightly better off than household-born servants, in that they were not slaves.

"Is there something you need, Senior Brother?" Upon hearing Mo Qing's name, Gu Han's expression did not change in the slightest.

Mo Feng observed him secretly. Seeing that he did not seem hostile toward Mo Qing, he continued, "I heard that my cousin warned you not to win before the Preliminary Disciple Tournament. After learning of it, I already gave him a severe reprimand."

"He was spoiled while growing up in the family, so he can be a little hot-tempered. But he is not a bad person. Junior Brother Gu, please do not take it to heart."

"You worry too much, Senior Brother." Gu Han's tone held no displeasure whatsoever. "I won the tournament. Junior Brother Mo Qing did nothing, and we are all fellow disciples. I won't take it to heart."

Hearing his sincere words, a trace of contempt flashed through Mo Feng's eyes. He smiled and said, "Junior Brother, you are magnanimous, but as your Senior Brother, I cannot offer nothing in return."

As he spoke, he called toward the serving window, "Han Qing, add three dishes: Pine Deer Meat, Green Flame Bear Paw, and Desert City Cloud Pigeon Soup."

These dishes were worth nearly several dozen Gold Coins. For a single meal, that was a lavish expense even for a Dou Zhe.

Gu Han declined repeatedly, but he could not outargue Mo Feng and could only accept reluctantly.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Mo Feng said with a smile, "Junior Brother, this can be considered friendship born from a clash. I admire you very much. From now on, we are friends."

"If you encounter any difficulties in the outer sect, feel free to seek out your Senior Brother. Even if I cannot handle it, the Mo Family stands behind me."

There was more than a hint of showing off his strength in those words.

Gu Han's expression remained unchanged, but his tone suddenly turned serious. "Thank you, Senior Brother. This Junior Brother does have something he wishes to ask."

Mo Feng: "..."

This fellow really did not stand on ceremony.

But it was better for him to make demands than not to make any.

Being able to control this genius with a few minor favors was an excellent outcome.

"Junior Brother, feel free to speak." Mo Feng acted calm and composed.

"I want to exchange Merit Points for Gold Coins," Gu Han answered.

"Oh?" Mo Feng's eyes lit up.

How was this trouble? It was practically Gu Han bringing him money.

The Mo Family did not lack Gold Coins, but they lacked Merit Points that could circulate directly within the sect. With a little maneuvering, he could profit from the difference in price.

"I heard that one Merit Point can be exchanged for up to twenty Gold Coins." Trust entered Gu Han's voice. "Senior Brother comes from the Mo Family. Your family is wealthy and powerful, so you surely do not lack such things. Please help me."

Mo Feng:?

Exchanging one Merit Point for twenty Gold Coins was a price only reached occasionally, when the sect released High Grade cultivation methods or pills refined by Pill King Gu He and some people were in urgent need.

If he agreed, he would be the fool taking the loss.

But looking at Gu Han's trusting gaze, he found himself unable to refuse for the moment.

He could not boast about the Mo Family and promise everything one second, only to be unable to handle such a trivial matter the next.

Besides, Gu Han was only a newly promoted Outer Disciple. He probably did not have many Merit Points to exchange, so agreeing would not cost him much.

With that thought, Mo Feng readily agreed. "No problem. How many do you want to exchange?"

"One thousand eight hundred," Gu Han answered.

He had originally saved up fifteen hundred Merit Points, but he had spent one hundred at the Cultivation Hall.

However, after becoming an Outer Disciple, his monthly treatment as a genius was five hundred Merit Points.

He would keep one hundred for emergencies and exchange all the rest for money.

"So it's only one thous... how much?"

Mo Feng's pupils contracted as an incredulous expression appeared on his face.

This was going to bleed him dry.