Chapter 136: BONUS CHAPTER

First, Magistrate Qingfeng truly presented an opportunity for Jiu Li’er. To enter the Imperial Capital for further study was a qualitative leap for cultivators who relied on secondary paths—like array masters, alchemists, or puppet refiners.
If not for the fact that the waters in the Imperial Capital were treacherous and unpredictable—where one rogue wave could drown you—Han Luo himself would’ve long since rushed there for training.

Second, his own progress in the Dao of arrays had reached a bottleneck.
Though not an urgent one, it was a wall he had to prepare to break through.
Once Jiu Li’er entered the Imperial Capital and studied advanced array techniques, they could later exchange insights—after all, one must temper themselves continually to improve.
By sharpening himself, he would benefit not only Li’er, but also himself.
A win-win—why not do it?

"Senior brother, I understand your intentions. I will work twice as hard," Jiu Li’er replied confidently.

"That’s good. Soon, you’ll be helping reconstruct the forest and mining arrays. No one else in Luoxian Sect can handle that. And if anyone asks whether you were the one behind moving Changshou Sect’s four forest veins—just nod and let them assume so," Han Luo instructed.

"But senior brother, that was your achievement. I didn’t do anything—taking credit feels wrong."
Jiu Li’er was hesitant. This was a major accomplishment that would surely be recorded in sect history. She didn’t dare claim it falsely.

"You understand me." Han Luo flicked his fishing rod. "I’m a man of leisure—not fond of fame or trouble. But for you, having such a victory under your name will serve you well in the Imperial Capital. With real achievements, others will respect you and you won’t be bullied. Think of it as a gift from me."

Of course, he didn’t mention that claiming the credit himself would only draw deadly attention.
While Jiu Li’er wasn’t highly valued within her clan, she was still part of the Jiu Li lineage—Changshou Ghost wouldn’t dare touch her.
But if Han Luo had stood out too much, it would’ve painted a target on his back.
Besides, he genuinely wanted to help Jiu Li’er avoid being bullied.

Jiu Li’er was clever. She understood that Han Luo had left some things unsaid—and she wasn’t entitled to all his secrets.
But she was grateful just to meet him today, and having gained so much already, she felt truly blessed.

"Thank you, senior brother. Once I return from studying arrays in the Imperial Capital, I hope to discuss what I’ve learned with you."

Seeing her so sensible, Han Luo nodded in satisfaction.
Not a wasted chapter of effort laying this groundwork.

"Oh, and one more small gift."
He took out a pendant from his bronze ring and handed it to her.

"It’s beautiful!"
Her eyes lit up as she held it.

"It holds a top-grade tier-three defensive array—Guardian Spirit Array, one of my signature works. Keep it for protection."

"Thank you, senior brother!"
Without hesitation, she put it on and admired it happily.

After chatting a while longer, Jiu Li’er left for the forests and mines to begin setting up defensive arrays.

Once she was gone, Han Luo’s figure slowly faded and disappeared into the night.
The lakeside returned to its tranquil state, as if nothing had happened.

High atop Luoxian Mountain, Han Luo opened his eyes.
The projection feature of the Mirror World had worked perfectly—Li’er never realized she’d been speaking to a projection.
Otherwise, how could someone like him have failed to catch a single fish?

Stretching, he loosened his muscles and turned to the twelve figures before him.

The Twelve Divine Generals stood straight as arrows.
Though each held only twenty percent of his strength, they were currently his most valuable allies.

"Your tasks continue. From today, split into four teams. One team will harass the two remaining spirit iron veins of Changshou Sect using guerrilla tactics. The other three will head to Green Willow Sect to gather intelligence. Since they’ve chosen a side, we’ll make sure they regret it."

He hadn’t forgotten those who had harmed Luoxian Sect—or himself.
Green Willow Sect’s strength matched Changshou Sect’s.
They’d surely be on high alert after the recent events, so for now, intelligence-gathering came first—planning would follow.

There was no such thing as an uncrackable egg.
And even if there were, I’ll smash it and scramble it for good measure.

The Twelve Generals received their orders and swiftly departed.

With external matters in motion, Han Luo could finally relax and focus inward.
He entered the Mirror World.

Inside, thanks to its self-sustaining spiritual energy, the Mirror World was gradually expanding—slowly, but surely.
Once it reached a certain threshold, his bronze mirror might evolve into a true innate spiritual treasure.

"You’re the master of that mute puppet!"
Hei Feng squawked, looking scruffy as ever, perched in Han Luo’s favorite rocking chair while munching tomatoes.

Han Luo ignored him, floating toward the Myriad-Year Underworld Tree.

He had orchestrated the entire Dry Relocation Plan largely to obtain this tree.
Though Hei Feng had drained it to a mere Thousand-Year level, the wood itself still retained its ancient properties.

Drawing a tier-two dagger, he stabbed at the tree.

Clang!
The dagger cracked—its spiritual essence gone.

The Underworld Tree wasn’t just hard; it also corrupted tools, making it an ideal material for refining top-tier puppets.

"Hey kid, why won’t you answer me? You look down on me or something?"
Hei Feng flapped irritably.

Still, Han Luo ignored him, focusing on the tree.

"Hey kid, you’ve got something I want—give me a taste!"
Suddenly, Hei Feng shot toward him.

Han Luo calmly raised a hand—clang!—and summoned the Sky-Confining Chain, binding the bird midair.

"Behave. I’ll deal with you later."

Leaving the sulking chicken squirming, Han Luo moved to the center of the four forest veins.

Transplanting spirit trees was notoriously difficult because they required highly specific environments.
The better the tree, the stricter the conditions.

This Underworld Tree had originally grown in a sunless valley—surrounded by mountains, perpetually steeped in yin energy.
Over time, the area had become a haven for such dark-aligned growth.

To relocate it now, he would need another naturally yin-rich site—ideally a mass grave of a million corpses.

For most, this would be an impossible challenge.
But for Han Luo... it was just another project.