A Manifest Saint-grade Marvelous Tree didn’t bother with Day Wanderer-tier materials anymore. Toss them in front of it, and it wouldn’t even twitch—its tastes had gotten picky. In all of Tianyue County, Manifest Saint-grade resources were rare as hen’s teeth, and Han had no reliable way to snag them. So, since its last upgrade, the tree had been starving. Yet today, out of nowhere, a new knob sprouted…


    Han mulled it over and landed on a guess. “Did it grow this from my lifespan?”


    Nothing else made sense. He hadn’t fed it crafting materials lately—just nurtured it with his life force.


    “Lifespan can push the Marvelous Tree to sprout another branch?” It sounded far-fetched, almost unreal. Life-nurturing was supposed to enhance potential, not mimic physical materials—boosting a Day Wanderer-forged artifact’s shot at reaching Manifest Saint status. Sure, Han’s natal artifact was already on that track, but this trick still beefed it up, deepened their bond, and turned it into a unique “life artifact.” Actually growing a branch, though? That was a curveball he hadn’t seen coming.


    He examined the new knob closely. It differed from the first branch at this stage—how exactly, he’d only know once it matured.


    “What a wild natal artifact,” he marveled. Crafted, yet evolving like a natural tree. Cheat-code gear lived up to its hype.


    Pulling out the Life-Reversing Pill recipe, Han pored over its techniques. It wasn’t a tough pill to craft—he’d be ready to try in a few days. Low difficulty aside, its obscurity meant some ingredients weren’t your garden-variety finds. Rifling through his stash, he had most covered—just missing two. For an offbeat recipe, nailing nearly everything spoke volumes about his stockpile. The gaps? Harmful Fruit—more poison than herb, shriveling muscles if eaten, rarely used, so he’d skipped it. And Red Heart Water—not a plant, but a treasure that torched your heart while jacking up your mind, pure torture. Not something he could’ve ripened last month with the cauldron.


    Swapping those with the Dragon Maiden was a no-go—the recipe came from her. Mentioning them would tip her off. He’d already put out feelers, though; by the time he started refining, they’d likely turn up. The pill’s materials weren’t ultra-rare—just tricky to gather. The real kicker was the lifeblood—twenty years of lifespan for one dose, worth more than any herb or trinket. For a prodigy like Han, twenty years could mean unthinkable heights, making the pill a dud for most.


    Time ticked by. Han figured Lu Qingmo wouldn’t sleep easy tonight, probably fixated on the Sky-Mending Vine. At dawn, Yun Yuannan showed up at the peach grove, his voice carrying in. Lu Qingmo welcomed him straight to the pavilion.


    “No beating around the bush,” Yun Yuannan said. “I relayed the Sky-Mending Vine thing to Black Mountain yesterday. Got a response this morning.”


    Han and Lu Qingmo leaned in, waiting.


    “They say it’s possible,” he continued. “After hearing about it yesterday, the ancestor did a quick divination. But they said this vine’s a divine oddity—self-concealing, slippery as hell, tough to pin down. It even shifts spots while growing, chasing better turf.”


    “Self-concealing divine relic…” Han had heard the term before, but this was his first brush with it.


    “Sky-Mending Vine—hiding the heavens’ secrets,” Lu Qingmo nodded. “It’d have cloaking chops for sure.”


    Seeing her get it, Yun Yuannan pressed on. “The ancestor tapped the divine domain’s power for a deeper read and pegged a few spots in Black Mountain where it might be. Still needs nailing down, though.”


    A healthy Mountain God could’ve mapped Black Mountain like the back of their hand—spotting anything was child’s play. Even a self-hiding vine wouldn’t faze them if they cared to look. Only peer-level or superior rarities could slip past. But now? The god’s domain was cracking, their divine seat splintering—old tricks were off the table. A faltering domain and a light probe yielded a shaky “maybe.” Flexing power or smiting foes was easier than treasure-hunting sometimes. Naturally, the Mountain God wouldn’t go all-in here—just a cautious nudge to keep their condition stable. Barely scratching the surface, this was still a decent haul given their state.


    Han knew it was his cue. “So, at month’s end, when the Mountain God blesses Black Cloud—if I catch their eye—could Aunt Mo check those spots?”


    Yun Yuannan chuckled, shaking his head. “Why wait? If you’re up for it, you can head into Black Mountain right now.”


    Han blinked. “Now?”


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    “Uncle Yun, you might not know—I’m Day Wanderer rank now. Breaks the entry rules.”


    The Cloud sisters knew his soul level and swore to keep it hush—unclear if they’d told Yun Yuannan.


    “Day Wanderer?” Yun Yuannan’s jaw dropped. Okay, the sisters hadn’t spilled—tight-lipped as promised, earning those treats he’d slipped them.


    “I figured your martial talent was jaw-dropping enough,” Yun Yuannan said, awed. “But your soul sorcery knack? Unreal. From mortal to Day Wanderer in no time—mind-blowing…”


    Not just Day Wanderer—mid-stage, capable of clowning Bone Refiners. No need to overshare that, though. Yun Yuannan’s gaze brimmed with admiration. Too bad Han was Bai Tian’s disciple and didn’t seem keen on tying the knot with the Cloud Clan. A shame—if this genius were theirs, the Mountain God would have a worthy heir.


    “Day Wanderer—great, fantastic,” Yun Yuannan said. “With that soul rank, I’m even less worried about you going in.”


    Han’s eyes lit up. “Can we bend the rules?”


    Bai Tian sidestepped, pivoting. “Guess why Zuo Tianzheng hit up the Cloud Clan yesterday?”


    Before they could answer, he dropped it. “To get into Black Mountain! He came post-quake to beg the ancestor’s permission—pulled out a Great Qi Emperor’s secret edict and stacked promises to swing it.”


    “Zuo Tianzheng wants in too…” Han clicked it together. “He’s hunting something!”


    “Did you say yes?” he asked Yun Yuannan.


    Yun Yuannan sighed. “With the emperor’s edict out, how could I not? You can snub Zuo the envoy—even square off against him—but ignoring the emperor? Different beast.”


    “He’d come before, asking the same, but I brushed him off—ancestor’s asleep, tough luck,” he added. “Night before last’s quake blew that excuse. After checking with the ancestor, I caved. His two Manifest Saint-Marrow Cleansing guards can’t tag along, though. So, if you’re game, you can head in now. I’ll give you those spots the ancestor flagged—go scout.”


    “Let’s wait—” Lu Qingmo started, but Han cut in.


    “I’m going!” he declared. “I’ll check those spots early—want answers sooner.”


    Lu Qingmo eyed him, dead serious. “This trip won’t stick to the outer or mid zones—dangerous stuff.”


    Han grinned, brimming with confidence. “With my strength, I can handle most risks. Don’t worry, Aunt Mo.”


    Add the [Ten Thousand Lifespan Dao Fruit]’s lifespan-burning edge—unless luck totally tanked, he’d be fine. He wasn’t that cursed. Worst case, he’d chug some luck and dodge the jinx.


    Lu Qingmo held her tongue.


    “Can I go anytime?” Han asked.


    Yun Yuannan pulled a token from his spatial ring—blank save for a single word: “Permit.”


    “Carry this in—it overrides Black Mountain’s rules,” he said. “Keep it on you entering; stash it in your pouch after. Besides you and Zuo Tianzheng, Suzhen Palace, Shenhua Sect, and others will send Day Wanderer-Bone Refiner folks in too. The ancestor figured, if the royals get a pass, might as well open it up. You might bump into others, but don’t sweat it—each faction’s capped at two. Zuo’s case might flex a bit.”


    Han nodded, unfazed—no backing down. He got the logic: fairness trumps scarcity. Day Wanderer-Bone Refiner bans held when universal; letting Zuo in via imperial edict while locking others out would stir gripes. We’re fine with nothing, but why’s he special? The Mountain God played it smart—lifted the ban, capped the numbers, kept Black Mountain’s locals mostly safe. Otherwise, Shenhua Sect could flood it with Bone Refiners, and the wildlife’d be toast.


    Yun Yuannan handed over a book-sized wooden slab. “The spots possibly holding the Sky-Mending Vine are marked here—follow the guide.”


    Han took it—definitely an artifact. Its smooth front lit up with dots when he nudged it: one green, several white, linked by black lines. A map.


    “White dots are your targets,” Yun Yuannan cautioned. “Watch out heading there—dangers won’t show on this. It looks like a straight shot, but you might hit impassable zones. Detour as needed.”


    “Got it—thanks for the heads-up, Uncle Yun.” Not the smartest GPS—no “Turn left in 500 meters, beware of beasts” alerts here.


    “What’s Zuo Tianzheng after?” Lu Qingmo asked.


    Yun Yuannan shook his head. “Didn’t say—just ‘emperor’s business.’ Couldn’t pry—digging’s poking at imperial secrets.”


    He smiled. “Even if those spots lack the vine, they’ll have decent treasures—it’s no scrub land. Grab what you can, no hesitation. Don’t take it, and it’ll end up in a beast’s gut or someone else’s haul. Better you than them.”


    Han thanked him sincerely—Yun Yuannan’s care was real. This trip wouldn’t leave him empty-handed; it was practically a Cloud Clan gift, just needing his pickup.


    Yun Yuannan paused, then pulled another token—different, with a cloud on one side, “Cloud” on the other.


    “What’s this?” Han asked.


    “Cloud Clan ID,” Yun Yuannan said. “If demons in Black Mountain come at you, check if they revere the ancestor. If yes, flash this—respect guaranteed, no hassle. If not, run. Showing it then’s asking for trouble.”


    Han got it—life insurance with a catch. “Are there demons in Black Mountain that don’t worship the Mountain God?”


    “Yeah,” Yun Yuannan nodded. “Black Mountain predates the ancestor’s ascension—had demons aplenty. Over centuries, some got won over, revering them; this token keeps them in line. Others stayed hostile, seeing the ancestor as a foe.”


    “Why not wipe them out?” Han asked.


    “With the ancestor’s power, it’d be a breeze,” Yun Yuannan said, shaking his head. “But they’re left for a reason—under control, no threat to the ancestor.”


    Han dropped it—prodding further hit Cloud Clan secrets. Yun Yuannan warned, “Don’t try commanding beasts with it.”


    Han and Lu Qingmo laughed. Beasts’ brains wouldn’t clock a token.


    “Prep and head in,” Yun Yuannan said. “I’ve got to bounce—those folks are probably hounding me for tokens already.”


    They escorted him out. Back inside, Han grinned at Lu Qingmo. “Aunt Mo, Black Mountain’s got that vine—I’d bet on it.”


    She nodded, buying it. Yun Yuannan said “maybe,” but the ancestor pinning spots screamed clues. No vine traces, no spots to guess. Self-hiding or not, it had to exist first. Hope was legit—unless a beast had chowed it down, leaving echoes. Worst-case wiggle room kept Yun Yuannan cautious.


    “I thought we’d wait for the Mountain God’s test to snag it,” Han said. “Didn’t expect this twist—early scouting’s a game-changer.”


    Pre-test vine intel plus a test reward? Jackpot.