"Boom!"
In the largest inn of a small town located along the necessary route from Wu Tan City to Black Flame City, where the Nalan Family entourage and Gu Han were staying, a slight disturbance suddenly occurred in the external world's energy, though no one noticed.
The source of this energy disturbance was Room Three of the inn's premium section, where Gu Han sat cross-legged on the bed in cultivation.
Naturally, this was merely an illusionary projection; his true body was inside the Black Tortoise Mystic Realm.
Seated upon the Essence Crystal Jade Marrow with Century Cold Jade resting on his lap.
"Break!"
After an unknown period of time, Gu Han suddenly opened his eyes and uttered a single word.
This breakthrough wasn't in his cultivation level. Although aided by numerous rare treasures that visibly enhanced his cultivation daily, having just broken through to Six-Star three days prior, further advancement wasn't imminent yet.
But this particular breakthrough delighted Gu Han even more—it was an elevation in his soul realm, reaching the Mortal Realm Middle Stage.
Now when he attempted to project his soul force outward, he could even vaguely sense the external world's energy.
Under normal circumstances, only when cultivators reach the Dou King level can their Dou Qi resonate with corresponding energies between heaven and earth, allowing them to attempt mobilizing small amounts of external energy for personal use. They can directly absorb energy without conversion and deploy minor amounts of celestial power to establish Energy Barriers.
This meant that with a Mortal Realm Middle Stage soul force, he had prematurely acquired the signature capability exclusive to Dou King experts.
If he reached the Mortal Realm Late Stage, the amount of external energy he could sense and mobilize would certainly increase, sufficient to rival ordinary Dou Emperors.
Should he achieve Mortal Realm Perfection, he might even sense spatial energies, comparable to high-level Dou Emperors or even Battle Ancestors.
No wonder, using the same body of Xiao Yan, with identical cultivation techniques, Dou Skills, and cultivation level, when Yao Lao took control, he could unleash power equivalent to Dou Emperor or even Battle Ancestor strength.
While personal Dou Qi reserves and quality played a part, the greater advantage lay in directly mobilizing external celestial energy, cosmic forces, and even spatial power for combat.
"Without soul attack secret techniques, my Mortal Realm Middle Stage soul itself doesn't possess significant offensive power."
"But if used for assistance, the effects would be substantial."
"Unfortunately, I don't know any secret methods to enhance combat power."
"For now, soul advancement can only accelerate my cultivation speed."
Even with equivalent soul realms, Yao Lao at his peak was a pinnacle Dou Venerable, thoroughly adept at using soul force to mobilize celestial energy in battle.
He was merely a Dou Fighter, who hadn't even experienced a Dou Master's Dou Qi Gauze, let alone utilizing it to assist in combat—unless he possessed secret techniques.
"I'll gradually experiment and explore. With my comprehension, it shouldn't be difficult."
Gu Han focused his awareness inward, using his soul force to gather ice-attribute celestial energy around himself.
Combining the power of Essence Crystal Jade Marrow and Ice Jade, he circulated the Mystic Ice Force which had reached perfection, rapidly advancing his cultivation.
He could even estimate the timing of his next breakthrough—barring unforeseen circumstances, it would be in seven days.
If unexpected events occurred, such as consuming elixirs, it could happen even sooner!
In the blink of an eye, time reached midnight.
[Xiao Yan, the third young master of Wu Tan City's Xiao Family, possesses a soul originating from another world with inherently powerful soul force. The ring he wears hosts the remnant soul of a Dou Venerable, who was also an eighth-grade alchemist in life. By absorbing Xiao Yan's cultivation, this soul's power has recovered to Mortal Realm Perfection and can autonomously absorb celestial energy for restoration.]
Gu Han: "..."
For the first time since awakening his past life memories, Gu Han nearly lost his composure.
The opportunity information provided by the Black Tortoise Shell was something he already knew, and in even greater detail.
[Xiao Xun'er of the Xiao Family in Wu Tan City, originally named Gu Xun'er, hails from the ancient Dou God Family, the Gu Clan. If you display your talent in front of her, there is a certain possibility of receiving investment from either her or her personal female guard, Ling Xiao.]
"Can you tell me something I don't already know?" Gu Han felt exasperated.
He had truly wasted two opportunities for foresight into chances; he shouldn't have come to Wu Tan City at all.
As for displaying talent to potentially gain investment from Xun'er or her female guard, Gu Han wasn't the least bit surprised.
Although those Dou God families were arrogant, self-important, and held themselves in high regard, it didn't stop them from investing in untamed geniuses.
Xiao Xuan had set a textbook example by once investing in a prodigy, even generously sharing his self-created secret technique, the Three Mystic Transformations of Heavenly Flame. That prodigy later surpassed numerous descendants of Dou God families, becoming a peak powerhouse on the continent and founding the Flame Valley.
To put it simply, for Gu Han at his current stage, even a Profound Rank high-level technique was something he desperately sought but couldn't obtain.
Yet for Xun'er, even an Earth Rank elementary technique could be easily produced.
If she were to give Gu Han a Profound Rank high-level technique, and he were to grow stronger in the future...
"Displaying talent, huh."
Gu Han collected his thoughts and began pondering seriously.
He didn't dwell on it for too long before immersing himself back into cultivation.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Approaching noon, the Nalan Family's carriage procession appeared within Wu Tan City.
Banners fluttered in the wind, the characters "Nalan" swaying with the breeze, attracting countless onlookers.
In the Jia Ma Empire, aside from the Jia Ma royal family and the Cloud Mist Sect, the most renowned were the three Dou King families: the Mu Family, the Nalan Family, and the Miteer Family.
Not only did they have Dou Kings overseeing them, but they also had long histories, profound foundations, and members in various fields and key positions throughout the empire.
The Nalan Family's high-profile appearance in Wu Tan City naturally drew widespread attention.
Inside the Miteer Auction House, Ya Fei, upon hearing the news, pursed her red lips and said, "I recall that Yanran and the third young master of the Xiao Family are engaged. I suspect the Nalan Family has come for this matter."
As she spoke, a flicker of intrigue passed through Ya Fei's eyes. "Keep a close watch on the developments of this matter. I'm quite curious about the Nalan Family's intentions."
"Aren't they here to break off the engagement?" Master Gu Ni asked, puzzled.
Any sensible person knew that since Nalan Yanran had become Yun Yun's disciple, it was impossible for her to be with the good-for-nothing Xiao Yan.
Ya Fei's lips twitched slightly as she turned to him. "Uncle, does the Nalan Family have a grudge against the Xiao Family? Or are they seeking a fight to the death?"
"I've heard that the Xiao Family once did the Nalan Family a favor?" Gu Ni replied.
"Exactly," Ya Fei said, resting her forehead in her hand. "If they were here to break off the engagement, would they make such a grand spectacle?"
Gu Ni immediately understood. For the woman to personally visit and break off the engagement would already bring the man extreme humiliation. If they made a big show of it, it would only be if they intended to become mortal enemies.
If the Nalan Family did this, it would be repaying kindness with enmity, something despised by all.
Thus, it was highly unlikely that the Nalan Family had come to break off the engagement.
"I'll send someone to investigate right away," Gu Ni said, somewhat embarrassed.
Ya Fei saw through it instantly—her uncle hadn't even grasped the situation after being reminded.
Meanwhile, the Oba Family and the Jia Lie Family also dispatched people to closely monitor the situation without delay.
At that moment, in the reception hall of the Xiao Family.
Xiao Zhan smiled warmly as he invited Nalan Su to the main seat, with both parties taking their positions on the left and right sides.
The first seat on Xiao Zhan's left remained empty, clearly reserved for the other party involved, Xiao Yan. Behind it sat the Xiao Family's Great Elder, Second Elder, and others in order, with some high-ranking members and direct lineage juniors seated further back.
On Nalan Su's right, several seats were left vacant, evidently prepared for members of the Nalan Family.
Once Nalan Su was seated, three individuals became the center of attention.
One was an elderly man dressed in luxurious attire, wearing a special emblem on his chest indicating he was a Dou Spirit expert.
Another was a veiled young woman with delicate features and a gentle demeanor, wearing a one-star Dou Fighter emblem on her chest, drawing the gaze of all the young men present.
The last, of course, was Gu Han—his face as refined as jade, his demeanor cool and aloof, his posture upright like a sword ready to be drawn at any moment.
But what drew the most attention was the five-star Dou Fighter emblem on his chest, signifying his strength.
Even Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Family elders were watching intently.
"So young, yet already a five-star Dou Fighter."
"Is this the power of the Cloud Mist Sect!?"