11: storm

A month ago, in Changyang Mountain, the young man who was surrounded and killed by two Black Wind Stronghold bandits.

No wonder he felt somewhat familiar at first glance… Han Li lowered his head, looking at the portrait in his hand, lost in thought.

“This young man is the notorious bandit wanted by the government.”

“What on him is worth such a large-scale mobilization from the government?”

Staring at the portrait, Han Li’s brows furrowed tightly.

Secret Manual?

No way, although Divine Travel Eight Desolations is very powerful, it shouldn’t be to this extent.

But besides a Secret Manual, what else could it be?

Han Li recalled carefully; from this “notorious bandit,” he had collected a hundred taels of gold leaves, nine five-hundred-tael silver notes, and a Secret Manual for lightness skill.

Oh, and the Iron Plate!

A Secret Manual for lightness skill and the gold on him probably wouldn't cause such a huge commotion for the government.

The manpower and resources expended would not be a small sum.

But besides that… “Then it can only be that Iron Plate!”

Han Li snapped back to reality, looking at the portrait in his hand, his gaze then shifting to the house.

After pondering for a moment, Han Li immediately entered the house, went to his simple bedroom, and took out a wooden box from under the bed.

Opening the wooden box, a dull black Iron Plate appeared before his eyes.

This Iron Plate was precisely the one he had obtained back then.

The Iron Plate was not ordinary metal; it had an inherent cold attribute. Han Li had studied it, but he still hadn't figured out its Dao, so he had placed it in the wooden box.

With the government officials arriving today, Han Li thought it over and realized this Iron Plate was probably the “culprit.”

Picking up the Iron Plate from the wooden box, a cold sensation assailed him; even with his vigorous Qi and physique, he felt cold.

After being stored for so long, it seemed even colder than before.

Looking closely at the Iron Plate, there was only that mysterious symbol on it.

He had studied this symbol for so long, but he still hadn’t figured out what kind of symbol it was.

However, his intuition told him that this thing must be a treasure.

The government’s pursuit of this notorious bandit was probably for this Iron Plate.

Although he hadn’t figured out what effects the Iron Plate had, he felt he wouldn’t be wrong in his guess.

He had thoroughly searched everything on that notorious bandit, even turning out his underwear.

There was nothing left behind.

Gold, silver notes, a lightness skill Secret Manual, and the mysterious Iron Plate.

There were only these things, nothing else.

The government dispatched officials to search village by village; such a display was unprecedented.

“This thing must not be shown to anyone, otherwise, my life will be in peril.”

Looking at the Iron Plate, Han Li’s mind was made up, and he put the Iron Plate back into the wooden box.

The Iron Plate might be a treasure, or perhaps some kind of token; that possibility couldn't be ruled out.

Although he hadn't figured it out yet, this item absolutely couldn't be revealed.

Once shown to others, if it were to be leaked, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He, a mere Body Tempering Realm Martial Artist, facing the vast state machinery of the Wu Dynasty, was more insignificant than an ant.

Putting the wooden box back again, Han Li sat on the bed, looking outside, listening to the noisy sounds, and once again fell into deep thought.

“The Iron Plate cannot be shown to others, and this money, I probably can't spend it for now, in case I get targeted…”

A thought flashed through Han Li’s mind.

The gold leaves, silver notes, and silver he had obtained, he hadn't spent any of it.

This past month, he had basically been Cultivating Divine Travel Eight Desolations and hadn't had time to go out and spend money.

The Iron Plate cannot be shown to others, and the money! He couldn't spend it for now, at least not during this period.

Better safe than sorry.

Having lived two lives, his mind was no longer that of a child.

“Also, Changyang Mountain cannot be visited either.”

Han Li thought of another problem.

Changyang Mountain, for now, was off-limits.

He had heard the official’s words very clearly: this entire area might be under surveillance by government personnel.

Everything should be kept low-key.

It wouldn't be too late to go after this period of heightened scrutiny passed.

“If everything remains as usual, they won’t suspect me. Just maintain my normal routine.”

Exhaling a breath, Han Li’s mind relaxed slightly.

Whatever happens, happens.

Even if the bodies in Changyang Mountain were discovered, they wouldn't suspect him.

After all, he was just a child.

Those two Black Wind Stronghold bandits and the young man were all Martial Artists.

Who would think that an ordinary teenager could possess such strength?

Unless they had some kind of all-seeing eye.

As long as he didn’t court death, everything would be safe and sound.

Even the biggest storm would be swallowed by the passage of time.

“If the bodies are discovered, they might even suspect the Black Wind Stronghold. If they act with such intensity, I’m afraid the Black Wind Stronghold will also be razed by the government.”

Suddenly, Han Li thought of another possibility.

With two Black Wind Stronghold bandits and the young man dying together, the blame would definitely fall on the Black Wind Stronghold.

Don't let the Black Wind Stronghold’s formidable reputation, dominating the wilderness and occupying a territory, fool you.

Although the government had failed to eliminate the Black Wind Stronghold in several encirclement campaigns, allowing them to remain at large in the greenwood, once they got serious, it would be a different story.

The government was the ultimate overlord.

If they truly suspected, then with this kind of mobilization, they would definitely rather kill a thousand innocent people than let one guilty person escape.

“For this period, I will Cultivate peacefully at home.”

With his thoughts clear, Han Li immediately stood up, went into the courtyard, and continued to practice his Divine Travel Eight Desolations.

Next, he just needed to wait and see.

If the Black Wind Stronghold was destroyed, that would also be a good thing. Unintentionally, it would be considered a good deed for the folks of Changshan County… A month passed quickly.

The government’s storm had completely swept through the surrounding ten miles.

Han Li still Cultivated every day.

Fierce Tiger Fist, Divine Travel Eight Desolations!

Neither martial arts was neglected in the slightest.

Within a month, he had also made rapid progress!

“Swish—!”

In the courtyard, Han Li moved like lightning and a swift wind, with afterimages manifesting one after another.

His figure stopped, and after a few breaths, the afterimages completely disappeared.

Standing still, Han Li looked at the disappearing afterimages, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

In one month, his progress was immense.

Divine Travel Eight Desolations (Minor Achievement 57%)

Moving at full speed, he could unleash four illusions.

This was Divine Travel Eight Desolations Cultivated to the Minor Achievement Realm.

Adding one illusion meant a world of difference.

Divine Travel Eight Desolations not only contained unparalleled speed movement techniques but also other abilities.

Illusions!

During combat, with a burst of extreme speed, illusions could disorient the enemy’s vision.

According to the description in Divine Travel Eight Desolations, at Peak Cultivation, it could make the fake indistinguishable from the real.

This was another ability of Divine Travel Eight Desolations.

Using True Qi to execute Divine Travel Eight Desolations would yield even better results.

However, he didn't have any Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique, so for now, he could only do this.

But even so, Divine Travel Eight Desolations was extremely astonishing.

Four illusions, while not enough to make them indistinguishable from the real body, could effectively interfere with the enemy’s vision.

In combat, that was a huge advantage.

The more illusions, the stronger Divine Travel Eight Desolations became.

This, in the future, would absolutely be a great asset.

Even without True Qi to activate it, unable to perfectly unleash the power of Divine Travel Eight Desolations, it could still burst forth with astonishing speed.

Upon reaching Perfection, even without True Qi, it wouldn't be far off; of course, with True Qi activation, it would be even more terrifying… Arriving under the old elm tree, Han Li’s thought stirred, and his panel appeared before his eyes.

name: Han Li.

Realm: Body Tempering Fifth Layer!

martial arts: Fierce Tiger Fist (Major Achievement 98%), Divine Travel Eight Desolations (Minor Achievement 57%)

skill: Archery (Perfection)!

Heaven and Earth Demon Seed: (Level 1 50%)

“Just two percent more, and Fierce Tiger Fist will reach Perfection…”

Looking at the panel, a thought flashed through Han Li’s mind.

Perfection meant reaching the ultimate Peak.

Like Archery, it could no longer be improved.

“The feedback from a Perfection Fierce Tiger Fist will probably still be a bit short of advancing to Body Tempering Sixth Layer…”

“Let’s wait a bit longer. The storm hasn’t completely subsided yet, so there’s no rush.”

A thought flashed through his mind. Han Li’s resolve firmed. He took a sip of water, then immediately stood up and continued practicing Fierce Tiger Fist.