Han Debiao

The next morning, after breakfast, Han Changming left the Spirit Talisman Pavilion. He bought a pot of Green Plum Spirit Wine and some food, then arrived at a three-story cyan pavilion.

Hundred Refinements Pavilion, this was the weapon shop opened by the Han Clan.

The shop was clean and bright. Over a dozen cultivators were busy selecting weapons, and the shelves were stocked with a wide variety of armaments, ranging from blades and spears to staves and clubs.

Come to think of it, this weapon shop had been in business for over five hundred years.

"Eighth Uncle, Tenth Uncle."

Han Changming greeted his clansmen with a wide, warm smile on his face.

"Changming! You've been in the market for so long, and only now do you think to come see us?"

Han Changming gave a sheepish smile and explained, "Nephew wasn't familiar with the market, and I've been busy crafting talismans. I had some free time today, so I came to pay my respects to my uncles. By the way, is Fifth Uncle here?"

"Fifth Brother is on the third floor. Go find him!"

Upon reaching the third floor, a burly, dark-faced man was lying on a grand armchair. A red gourd was tied to his waist, and he reeked of alcohol. Beside him sat a small table with two side dishes laid out.

The dark-faced man's eyes were closed, and he was snoring, seemingly fast asleep.

Han Changming smiled slightly, took out a wine jar, and pried off the lid. An alluring aroma immediately wafted out.

The dark-faced man suddenly opened his eyes, turned his head to look at Han Changming, and teased, "Changming, it's you, kid. I was just talking about you with Eighth and Tenth yesterday! We thought you'd forgotten about us, not coming to see us after being in the market for so long."

"How could that be! Fifth Uncle, we are family. I wasn't familiar with the market before and had to focus on crafting talismans. I had some free time today, so I immediately bought a pot of good wine to see you. I know you like braised beef, so I bought two pounds."

Han Changming smiled slightly and placed the food on the wooden table.

The dark-faced man was Han Debiao, a Qi Refining eighth-layer body cultivator and the leader of the Three Heroes of the Han Clan.

Han Debiao was a key talent being cultivated by the Han Clan; once he reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining, he would be able to attempt the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"It's Green Plum Spirit Wine from the Hundred Spirits Market. Not bad, you still remember my taste."

Han Changming smiled and poured a cup of spirit wine for Han Debiao, saying, "Nephew wouldn't forget anyone, let alone Fifth Uncle! It was you who brought me back to HLD all those years ago."

Back then, Han Debiao had gone to the islands inhabited by mortals to test children over five years old for spiritual roots. Han Changming was lucky enough to be found with spiritual roots and was brought back to HLD by Han Debiao to cultivate and become a cultivator.

"You were only five back then. In the blink of an eye, you've reached the fifth layer of Qi Refining. Time flies! Sit down and have a few drinks with your Fifth Uncle."

Han Changming sat down beside Han Debiao, drinking and chatting with him.

After three rounds of drinks, Han Debiao brought up the real business: "Seventh Sister told me about the incident at Red Shrimp Island. You did well, kid, but don't do it again next time. Reckless bravery is not advisable; one must know how to assess the situation. Do you understand?"

"Nephew understands, I will be careful in the future." Han Changming promised honestly.

Every elder who learned of the Red Shrimp Island incident praised Han Changming's spirit in protecting clan property, while also criticizing his lack of situational awareness.

"A rogue cultivator sold us information that a Green Pear Fruit Tree was discovered on a deserted island. However, it is guarded by two first-tier high-grade Demon Apes. The rogue couldn't handle them, so he sold the information to us. I plan to take some people to wipe them out. If you have nothing else to do, come along! It will be a chance to gain some combat experience."

The Han Clan had always valued the practice of elders guiding the young. Whether it was combat, business, exploration, or other matters, older clansmen would bring along younger ones to broaden their horizons.

"Two Demon Apes? When are we leaving?" Han Changming was immediately interested.

Han Changming also wanted to use this opportunity to gain combat experience. His previous success in killing that Demon Python was pure luck; if the python had been of a higher rank, he might not have been a match for it.

"The day after tomorrow at the hour of the dragon. We'll resolve this quickly and return early to avoid complications. Go back and prepare."

"Yes, Fifth Uncle."

Han Debiao asked about Han Changming's cultivation, and Han Changming answered truthfully.

Han Debiao urged Han Changming to cultivate diligently and not be lazy, to which Han Changming readily agreed.

Returning to his residence, Han Changming purchased five first-tier high-grade talismans at the Spirit Talisman Pavilion. Han Clan members enjoyed a discount when purchasing goods from their own shops.

Back in his room, Han Changming took out his talisman-making tools and began crafting.

His storage bag contained over a hundred first-tier low-grade talismans and a dozen first-tier mid-grade talismans. With the five first-tier high-grade talismans, it should be enough.

During breakfast the next day, Han Changming mentioned the matter. Han Dehai took out a pale red orb and handed it to Han Changming, instructing, "This is a first-tier mid-grade self-detonating magic tool, the Fire Cloud Bead. Its power is even greater than a first-tier high-grade talisman. You have very little experience hunting demon beasts, so keep this Fire Cloud Bead for self-defense!"

"Ninth Brother, take this Flying Talisman for protection. You don't have much combat experience, so listen more and learn more. Don't act on your own, and follow Fifth Uncle's commands in everything." Han Changjiong advised earnestly, handing Han Changming a Flying Talisman.

Han Changming thanked them and accepted the Fire Cloud Bead and the Flying Talisman, secretly keeping his clansmen's kindness in mind.

This was the clan. If he were a lone rogue cultivator, he would have to prepare everything for hunting demon beasts himself.

Han Dehai explained the techniques and precautions for dealing with demon beasts to Han Changming. Every clansman who worked in the market had hunted demon beasts before.

The cultivation world was a world of the jungle, and every member of the Han Clan had hunted demon beasts.

After breakfast, Han Changming returned to his room to craft talismans.

A day passed by in the blink of an eye.

The next day, after breakfast, Han Changming arrived at the Hundred Refinements Pavilion.

There were seven people in total for this trip to hunt demon beasts. Besides Han Debiao and Han Changming, there were three other clansmen at the fifth layer of Qi Refining and two at the seventh layer.

After leaving the market, Han Debiao released a Yellow Gourd, which expanded instantly. He jumped on first, and Han Changming and the others followed closely behind.

"Let's go."

Han Debiao cast a spell onto the Yellow Gourd, and a pale yellow light screen appeared out of thin air, enveloping the seven of them. The Yellow Gourd shone brightly and flew toward the southeast.

Half a month later, the Yellow Gourd stopped above a long, narrow island. The center of the island was a dense forest with thin spiritual energy. If not for the rogue cultivator selling the information, no one would have believed there were demon beasts here.

Han Debiao maneuvered the Yellow Gourd, slowly descending outside a valley overgrown with weeds.

"Everyone be careful. There might still be other demonic beasts on the island, so don't underestimate the enemy," Han Debiao cautioned, casting a protective barrier on himself before striding toward the valley.

Han Changming and the other five each cast a protective barrier on themselves and followed toward the valley.

The sides of the valley were covered in weeds, and Han Changming could sense that there was spiritual energy here; it wasn't exactly abundant, likely just a first-tier mid-grade spiritual vein.

There are tens of thousands of islands in the Red Algae Sea, and some are located in such remote areas that even though they possess spiritual veins, no one lives there.

Some readers are right; the Spirit Gathering Stone can at most be considered a stroke of luck, not a cheat code. I should probably give him a real cheat! How about a gourd? No time acceleration, so this power-up isn't too broken.