"A fluke? This is no fluke!"
Chen Tianyuan looked at Fang Han, and the surprise in his gentle eyes grew even stronger.
He naturally knew that Fang Han was skilled at tracking.
When the North Mountain Herb Fields were robbed, he sent Fang Han to track down the Black Crow Bandits because Fang Han was quite skilled in tracking.
In subsequent missions, Fang Han's tracking skills proved invaluable.
But he never imagined that Fang Han's tracking skills had become so sophisticated.
The master's control over himself is far beyond that of ordinary martial artists.
Even without mastering advanced Breath Concealment Secret Technique, one can still suppress their aura to the extreme simply by having precise control over their blood, Internal Qi, and body pores.
Even First Grade martial artist would find it difficult to detect a grandmaster who has concealed their aura.
Fang Han, however, noticed it.
This means that Fang Han's mastery of Tracking Secret Technique is already considered to be the best in the Azure Profound Sect.
"Sect Master, with Fang Han's expertise in Tracking Secret Technique, perhaps... he can track down that escaped Grandmaster-level demon."
Chen Wanjun said.
" Fang Han."
Chen Tianyuan looked at Fang Han with obvious delight.
"What's the name of that Tracking Secret Technique you've been practicing?"
"Reporting to the Sect Master, it's called < Thousand-Mile Soul Lock >, a High Grade Tracking Secret Technique."
Fang Han cupped his hands in reply.
"What level of cultivation have you reached?"
" Greater Accomplishment."
Fang Han answered again.
"He's actually reached the Greater Accomplishment, no wonder..."
Chen Tianyuan raised an eyebrow slightly.
Tracking techniques, if practiced carelessly, can cause permanent physical damage, so there are not many martial artists willing to learn such techniques.
Fang Han has mastered a High Grade- Greater Accomplishment Tracking Secret Technique, which indeed surpasses that of other Elder in the sect who are skilled in tracking.
"You should practice this secret technique more in the near future. If you can make further progress and reach Perfection Realm, that would be the best outcome."
His voice was solemn, and his gentle eyes held a hint of expectation.
"To track down that Grandmaster-level demon, we might really need your help."
"Disciple understands. Disciple will devote all efforts to cultivating the Thousand-Mile Soul Lock Technique and strive to achieve Perfection Realm as soon as possible."
Fang Han's expression hardened, and he solemnly cupped his hands in greeting.
"Go, rest well, and let your injuries heal."
Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
"Yes."
Fang Han and Chen Wanjun stood up at the same time, bowed, and turned to leave the Sect Master's Hall.
The afternoon sun poured down from between the eaves and brackets, spreading a layer of warm gold on the bluestone ground.
In the distance, rolling hills rise and fall, and verdant trees sway gently in the wind. Occasionally, birdsong drifts from the woods, adding to the tranquility of the mountains.
The two walked down the bluestone steps, their footsteps echoing through the empty mountain path.
"Your injuries haven't fully healed yet, go back and rest well."
Reaching the fork in the road between the Elder Courtyard and the True Transmission Courtyard, Chen Wanjun stopped and turned to Fang Han, saying...
"Do not slacken your practice of the ' Thousand-Mile Soul Lock ' technique."
"Yes."
Fang Han cupped his hands in response.
Chen Wanjun nodded slightly, said no more, and turned to walk towards the direction of the Elder Courtyard.
The dark blue figure walked further and further away along the mountain path, soon disappearing into the shadows of the trees.
Fang Han watched him leave, then turned and stepped onto the bluestone path leading to the True Transmission Courtyard.
The gate to the No. 35 Annex was ajar, and the lantern hanging under the eaves swayed gently in the afternoon breeze.
Fang Han pushed open the door and entered. The Lin Qing and green, rustling in the breeze.
"Senior brother is back!"
Qui Lan was chatting with two Maid when she heard the door open and looked up.
A delighted smile immediately spread across his face, and he quickly stepped forward to greet her.
"Prepare some food for me."
Fang Han nodded slightly and gave the instructions.
"A lighter diet is fine."
"Yes."
Qui Lan responded and turned to give the orders.
"Etc."
Fang Han called out to Qui Lan and said.
"Send someone to the Rain Listening Hall to retrieve a complete map of the 108 prefectures of the Great Chu Dynasty, the most detailed one possible."
"Yes, senior brother, I'll have someone take care of it right away."
Qui Lan was slightly taken aback, but did not ask any further questions, and bowed.
She turned and walked away quickly, her footsteps soon disappearing at the end of the Corridor.
Fang Han walked through the courtyard and entered the Side Hall.
He sat down on the pear wood chair, closed his eyes, and exhaled a long breath.
The exhaustion from days of travel finally found an outlet, surging up from the depths of his body and enveloping him completely.
Before long, Qui Lan came in carrying a tray.
On the tray was a bowl of rice and several small dishes.
The dishes are light, but they are made with great care and use high-quality ingredients, which are said to have the effect of nourishing blood and qi.
"Senior brother, please enjoy your meal."
Qui Lan placed the tray on the table, bowed, and stepped aside.
Fang Han picked up his chopsticks and ate slowly but steadily, quickly finishing off a bowl of rice and several side dishes.
The hunger in my stomach finally dissipated, replaced by the comfort of being full.
He put down his chopsticks, Teacup teacup and took a small sip, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and enjoyed this rare moment of peace.
About half an hour later, hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.
The Servant who had been sent to the Rain Listening Hall to retrieve the map returned, carrying a long, rectangular object wrapped in oilcloth in both hands, and entered the Side Hall.
"Senior brother, the map has been retrieved."
The Servant bowed and presented the oilcloth wrapped in his hands.
Fang Han took the package and waved for the Servant to leave.
He untied the oilcloth, revealing a thick map, covered with tough animal hide, which, when unfolded, was about ten feet square.
On the map, the mountains, rivers, cities, and passes of the 108 prefectures of the Great Chu Dynasty were clearly marked, with densely packed, extremely neat handwriting.
Compared to modern maps of my previous life, which weren't particularly detailed, this world map was exceptionally detailed.
He rolled up the map, got up, and walked towards the Quiet Room.
The Quiet Room was filled with the Sandalwood Incense, and light filtered through the gaps in the window lattice, casting long, thin shadows on the floor.
He closed the door behind him, spread the map out completely on the blue brick floor, and covered the four corners with several books.
"I wonder if we'll be able to find it successfully?"
Sitting cross-legged in front of the map, Fang Han's mind stirred slightly, and he took out the jade box from his Storage Ring.
He opened the box, took out the neatly folded light brown animal hide, and carefully unfolded it beside him.
His gaze swept back and forth between the two maps, and he began to compare them one by one.
The terrain depicted on the Treasure Map is what it looked like long ago.
At that time, the Great Chu Dynasty did not yet exist.
As time goes by, rivers may change course, lakes may dry up, and mountains may sink.
Finding the corresponding location is not an easy task.
"Hopefully the terrain won't change much!"
Fang Han started from Northwind Prefecture in the far north and compared the counties one by one.
Northwind Prefecture, no.
Cold Mountain Prefecture, no, that's incorrect.
Cloud Central Prefecture, no, that's incorrect.
Vast Blue Prefecture, no, that's not right.
His gaze moved slowly across the map, his finger tracing the contours of the mountains and rivers on the Treasure Map, comparing them one by one with the terrain on the map of the Great Chu Dynasty.
The dense mountain ranges, winding rivers, and numerous lakes transformed into three-dimensional paintings in his mind, which he meticulously compared with the terrain on the Treasure Map.
Time slipped away silently.
One prefecture, two prefectures, three prefectures... thirty prefectures...
" Westview Prefecture?"
Fang Han's eyes were slightly sore, but his gaze remained focused.
The contours of those mountains and rivers were constantly being combined, disassembled, and compared in his mind, like a silent jigsaw puzzle.
Finally, when his gaze fell on a place called Westview Prefecture, his fingers paused slightly.
Westview Prefecture was located in the central-western part of the Great Chu Dynasty. Its territory consisted mostly of mountains and hills, with rugged terrain.
On the map of the Great Chu Dynasty, there is a continuous mountain range in the north of Westview Prefecture, running from northwest to southeast. Several rivers flow between the mountain ranges, with deep valleys and complex terrain.
His gaze was fixed on the contours of the mountain range, then he looked down at the lines on the Treasure Map that represented the mountain range.
He stretched out his finger and traced the mountain range on the Treasure Map, then drew the same path on the map of Westview Prefecture.
"It matches perfectly!"
The mountain range's orientation, its curves, and the angles of its branches—all match perfectly.
Fang Han's breathing became slightly rapid.
Continue comparing the rivers.
On the Treasure Map, two main rivers flow between the mountains. One flows from northwest to southeast, while the other runs from northeast to southwest. The two rivers meet at the southern foot of the mountains, forming a "Y"-shaped river mouth.
On the map of Westview Prefecture, there are also two rivers, with the same course and the same confluence.
"It still matches!"
Fang Han's finger continued to move downwards.
On the Treasure Map, after the two rivers converge, they flow south for about a hundred miles before joining a huge lake.
The lake is an irregularly shaped long strip, stretching for tens of miles from north to south and more than ten miles from east to west.
On the map of Westview Prefecture, that lake also exists, with the same shape, size, and location.
This is it.
Fang Han spoke in a low voice, which echoed softly in the quiet Quiet Room.
His gaze fell on a red dot not far from the north shore of the lake.
The location marked on the Treasure Map is very likely here.
"I wonder what this treasure holds!"
Fang Han folded the Treasure Map again, put it back into the jade box, and stored it in his Storage Ring.
He then rolled up the map of the entire Great Chu Dynasty, wrapped it again in oilcloth, and put it into his Storage Ring.
It is now almost certain that the location marked on the Treasure Map is in Westview Prefecture.
A strong desire arose in his heart to go to the place marked on the Treasure Map and see if there really was any treasure there.
"Now is not the time to go!"
Fang Han shook his head. Although he already knew the location of the Treasure Map, he did not plan to go there immediately.
Westview Prefecture is separated from Qingyang Prefecture by five counties, a distance of no less than ten thousand miles.
Such a long journey, who knows what dangers we might encounter along the way.
Monsters lurking in the deep mountains and dense forests, bandits in the remote wilderness, or even some martial artists with ulterior motives—any of these could make this journey full of uncertainties.
With his current cultivation level at the Third Grade Middle Stage, combined with the < Void-Sundering Sword Manual > at the Minor Success Stage completion stage and the < Wind God Step > at the Beginner stage, his combat power is sufficient to contend with Second Grade Late Stage martial artist, but he is outmatched when facing First Grade martial artist.
In the battle with Xue Yuanlang, if Xue hadn't been ambushed and seriously injured by Chen Wanjun, and then had his arm severed by him, he would have had no chance of winning.
While First Grade martial artists are few and far between among those top-tier forces, they are not entirely nonexistent.
If First Grade harbors ill intentions towards him on his way there or back, he has no chance of escaping unscathed.
One must possess strength comparable to First Grade martial artist to truly be considered safe.