Chapter 106

On Luoxian Mountain, Han Luo sat beneath the parasol tree, observing Mo Jiu through the ancient bronze mirror.

Watching the way Mo Jiu struggled confirmed that his methods were working. Sometimes, punishing someone didn’t require gruesome torture or severed limbs—though, admittedly, that had its own appeal. For now, Mo Jiu was locked up under tight surveillance. Any strange movement would be noticed instantly.

Initially, Han Luo had considered soul-searching as a way to extract information. It was quick and efficient, but also risky. The soul was an elusive thing. Mo Jiu, being the ninth son of the Demon Emperor—even if only a clone—warranted caution. If he had any traps planted in his soul or chose to self-destruct, it could hurt Han Luo and destroy vital clues.

So he chose the slow route instead.

Mental breakdowns could be just as effective. Once Mo Jiu’s mind was broken, he would spill everything Han Luo needed to know.

For now, he turned his attention to something else.

Pulling out his little notebook, Han Luo began to review his goals. It had been six years since he entered Luoxian Sect. According to his original ten-year plan, he was to master three skills: formations, alchemy, and talisman crafting.

Looking at his progress now, he had already achieved entry-level proficiency in all three.

Formations:
He could now lay down third-grade formations, whether offensive, defensive, or illusion-based. This was his strongest area by far.

Alchemy:
Although he didn’t have access to many pill recipes, he had already refined high-quality pills with no side effects. That, in his book, counted as mastery of the basics.

Talisman Crafting:
He had recently undergone a period of seclusion specifically to study talisman-making and could now carve various first-grade talismans, including four extremely rare Substitution Talismans, which he had crafted at great personal cost.

In conclusion, he had achieved all the foundational goals of his ten-year plan well ahead of schedule.

This led to a question—should he wait out the remaining four years before planning the next stage?

He shook his head.

No plan could keep up with real-world changes forever. A good plan should evolve naturally as circumstances shift. The original plan was just a framework; how to move, how to execute, and how to conserve effort were all flexible parts.

With that in mind, it was time to revise his objectives and write a new ten-year plan.

Step One:
Break through to the Foundation Establishment stage and work toward reaching the Qi Sea realm within the next decade.

In other words, by the time the next Luoxian Tournament rolled around, he would be among those preparing to serve on the Golden Battlefield.

Cultivation remained the foundation of everything. Whether formations, alchemy, or talisman crafting, each skill was deeply connected to one’s cultivation level. Especially now, as he intended to develop three additional skill paths:

Magical Artifacts.
Essential tools for any cultivator, a good artifact could mean the difference between life and death in combat. Look at Luoxian Sect—without the legendary Luoxian Twin Swords, it could never have claimed such a rich region.

Puppetry.
Technically a branch of magical artifact refinement, puppets were overlooked by most due to the difficulty of crafting them. But for Han Luo, they were more vital than any weapon or spell.

Mystic Arts and Techniques.
Mystic Arts referred to attack and defense skills—combat tools. Techniques, on the other hand, were foundational: healing, energy recovery, and cultivation boosts. These were just as crucial, forming the other "arm" of a cultivator’s strength.

Han Luo carefully jotted all this into his notebook.

There was no need to rush. Ten years would be more than enough. First, he would focus on breaking into Foundation Establishment, then hone his three new disciplines.

Having finalized the roadmap, he put the notebook away and returned to his quarters.

There, he gently woke up Shen Xian’er.

Today was the day that Senior Brother Du Ming and Senior Sister Lan Caicai would leave. As the last two remaining disciples of Wudao Peak, it was only right for them to see them off.

Luoxian Sect — Teleportation Plaza.

“Xiao Luo, I’m leaving Wudao Peak in your hands.”

Du Ming clapped Han Luo on the shoulder, looking as carefree as ever, as if he were heading off on a honeymoon with Lan Caicai rather than to the deadly Golden Battlefield.

But Han Luo knew better. That battlefield was also known as the “Reaper’s Playground,” where countless prodigies had been buried. Du Ming might be clever, but misfortune never needed an invitation.

“Don’t worry, senior brother. I’ll look after Wudao Peak. We’ll be waiting for your return.”

Han Luo spoke solemnly. In truth, this might be their final meeting.

They had barely grown close, and now Du Ming was already leaving. The feeling left Han Luo slightly unsettled.

“Good. When I return, let’s sit and talk about life again.”

As fellow men, both Du Ming and Han Luo showed the kind of calm detachment expected of cultivators. Meanwhile, Shen Xian’er and Lan Caicai were a mess, crying rivers.

Ever since Shen Xian’er joined the sect, she had lived with Lan Caicai. Their sisterly bond ran deep. In parting, Xian’er brought out her most treasured snacks and handed them to her senior sister. Worried she might go hungry along the way, she even added five storage pouches stuffed full of food.

Compared to Wudao Peak, the other peaks looked a bit more composed.

The most surprising was Piaomiao Peak. Being all women, one would expect emotional farewells, but instead the air was somber and disciplined—more so than even Qianren Peak.

In the end, parting was inevitable.

A generation stepped onto the teleportation array, waving goodbye to their sectmates and home. Once the formation activated, they would be sent to the imperial capital, where an intercontinental array would take them directly to the Golden Battlefield.

“Senior brother…”

Tears continued to flow from Shen Xian’er’s large eyes. The once cheerful girl now looked like a weeping doll. Not even Han Luo’s usual offering of snacks could lift her spirits.

“Don’t worry. With Du Ming’s smarts, he’ll be back. It’s just ten years—not that long.”

Han Luo genuinely believed in Du Ming. In all of Luoxian Sect, he was the only one Han Luo could never see through.

“Really?” Shen Xian’er wiped her tears with her sleeve, looking up hopefully at her senior brother.

“When have I ever lied to you?”

With a gentle smile, he gave her a reassuring pat on the head. It made her feel a little better.

“You’re right! Senior Brother Du Ming is super smart—he’ll definitely bring Senior Sister Caicai back with him!”

Nodding firmly, she grabbed a roasted pork knuckle and started happily munching on it.

“What a little glutton,” Han Luo chuckled, then turned and led her back to Luoxian Mountain.