"Xiuyuan, why have you suddenly returned home this time?"

Night fell upon the Han residence.

Han Ping and his grandson sat cross-legged, drinking tea as they chatted casually.

Han Xiuyuan showed an embarrassed expression upon hearing this question. "To tell the truth, Great-Uncle, I gained nothing in my years outside seeking the immortal path, and I even spent all my silver. I was expelled from the Daoist temple and had nowhere else to go, so I returned home."

"You did not write home all these years?" Han Ping asked with confusion.

"Great-Uncle, three years ago I joined a Daoist temple named Evergreen Temple. It was said that the temple master was a true cultivator, but to obtain immortal arts from him, one had to sever all worldly ties. So I…"

Han Xiuyuan's face showed deep shame as he spoke.

Over the past seven years, he had spent much of the family's money, joining four or five temples—some for as long as three years, some for only three months—and gained no real skill.

He had not even known that his family had faced disaster.

"Extend your hand."

Han Ping did not blame his only remaining junior.

Han Xiuyuan did not know why his great-uncle asked this, but he still extended his hand.

Han Ping placed two fingers on his pulse and spoke calmly. "Did you learn breathing exercises in that Evergreen Temple?"

Han Xiuyuan answered with embarrassment, "Great-Uncle, I learned the breathing technique, but I could never reach minor accomplishment. And because I did not want to practice martial arts, I never received Evergreen Temple's true method."

Han Ping said, "This breathing method is merely a technique for nurturing qi. If cultivated to perfection, it can indeed open the spirit, but it seems the master of Evergreen Temple is only a half-baked cultivator."

"Then… does that mean I am unfit for cultivation for the rest of my life?"

Han Xiuyuan's face filled with regret.

Han Ping smiled. "Quite the opposite. The fact that you were able to get started with that breathing method proves you have the talent for cultivation.

It is just that using this method to open the spirit would take at least several decades. But if we use a different method of spirit awakening, within three months you can succeed and officially step onto the path of cultivation."

Thump!

Han Xiuyuan was so overwhelmed upon hearing he could become a cultivator in this lifetime that he directly fell to his knees.

"Please teach me, Great-Uncle!"

"Stand up."

Han Ping helped him to his feet. "Starting tomorrow, I will naturally awaken your spirit for you. But before that, I must establish a family precept."

Delighted, Han Xiuyuan said, "Great-Uncle, I will prepare brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for you right away."

Han Ping stopped him. "No. Tomorrow you will have someone prepare a granite slab seven feet tall. I will carve the family precept onto that granite. Other than that, we must also search for your younger sister's whereabouts."

"Great-Uncle speaks the truth. Xiuyuan will arrange it immediately."

"Mm."

Han Ping nodded slightly and turned to leave.

Early the next morning, the servants of the Han residence were already busy.

Han Ping, meanwhile, walked around the entire compound, thinking about what kind of formation he should set up to protect the future generations of the Han family.

Though not skilled in formations, he had spent several years as a wandering cultivator and knew a bit of everything. After joining the Inquiry Dao Academy, he also studied some basic formation theory. Setting up a small formation posed no difficulty for him.

After roughly half an hour, Han Xiuyuan hurriedly found him.

"Great-Uncle, the Prefect and the influential families of Haozhou have come to pay a visit."

"Let them in."

Han Ping responded without even thinking.

"Yes."

Han Xiuyuan acknowledged and went out to receive the guests.

Han Ping, bringing Manduo with him, walked toward the main hall. When he arrived, the hall was already filled with people.

"We pay our respects to Immortal Han."

The Prefect and his group spoke in unison.

"Rise."

Han Ping asked calmly, "For what matter have you all come to visit me?"

Everyone present was momentarily stunned. Fortunately, the Prefect—accustomed to dealing with cultivators—quickly stepped forward. "We heard that Immortal Han has arrived, so we came specially to greet you and admire your immortal presence. We may be mere mortals, but we hold some influence in Haozhou. Whatever Immortal Han needs, we are willing to serve."

The other nobles immediately echoed, "Indeed, we are willing to offer our humble service to Immortal Han."

"Is that so?"

A subtle expression appeared on Han Ping's face.

"We would not dare hide anything from an immortal."

Everyone answered together.

Han Ping smiled. "Good. Xiuyuan, serve tea. I happen to have something I wish to ask all of you."

Hearing this, the nobles all revealed pleased expressions. They feared the immortal wouldn't ask for anything—not that he would.

In the hall, the crowd quietly drank their tea.

Han Ping suddenly spoke. "All of you—there is thick demon qi covering the sky above Haozhou. Who can tell me what is going on?"

The moment these words fell, the entire hall fell into utter silence. Even the sound of breathing became painfully clear.

Seeing no one speak, Han Ping smiled. "It seems all of you do know. Who will answer me?"

The nobles all turned their gazes toward the Prefect, while the Prefect looked toward an elderly man beside him with a pleading expression.

"Sigh…"

The old man let out a long sigh. "Senior, it is not that we cannot say it—it is that we do not dare say it. If we anger that one, the entire Haozhou City may become its food."

Han Ping took a slow sip of tea. "Haozhou is a major city of the Xu Kingdom, and it governs several counties. Has the current king truly become so muddle-headed that he no longer cares for even an entire region?"

The old man's face showed deep discomfort. "To tell the truth—that one was actually sent by the king himself to guard Haozhou."

"The king of Xu Kingdom consorts with a demon?"

Han Ping narrowed his eyes.

He could easily distinguish between the aura of a demon beast and that of a spirit beast. And the demon qi over Haozhou was heavy with blood—clearly, that creature had eaten many people.

"It is not a demon—it is a demon immortal."

The old man hurriedly explained.

"Heh."

Han Ping let out a cold laugh. "A creature that cultivates by eating humans also deserves to be called a demon immortal?"

Hearing this, the old man's face turned pale with fear. "Senior, please say no more. The one guarding Haozhou is a True Life existence. If we continue speaking, the words may reach its ears."

"In that case, it seems all of you intend to submit to demons. Then my Han family must leave and establish itself elsewhere."

As Han Ping spoke, his gaze swept across each person present.

Unwillingness, frustration, and tangled emotions appeared on every face.

The old man gritted his teeth. "Senior, it is not that we want to submit—but that we have no choice!"

The nobles echoed one after another. "Exactly. If it were not to survive, why would we send part of our younger generation to its mouth every year, while claiming externally that they were taken by mountain bandits?"

The moment this was said, Han Xiuyuan's expression changed drastically. He shouted loudly:

"What did you say? Say it again!"

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