Cultivation through Skin Making

Scenes of memories flashed through Song Yan's mind swiftly.

The sudden disappearance of the Fox Wolf duo, the sudden upheaval of the Evil Land, Wang Susu's sudden disappearance, the torn pages on the important book in the Puppet Sect's secret room, the Soul Drowning Grass with a thousand-year history that could be tried after eight hundred years, the false appearance of the total annihilation of Evil Land Ghost Cultivators, the second destruction of the Ancient Teleportation Array, and even the urgency brought by the sect's undercover agents colluding with demons...

All seemingly scattered beads were strung together, forming an entire scheme.

A scheme strategically set up, pushing along, and exploiting opportunities.

This scheme was designed to bring him to the core of the Evil Land.

Obviously, the Purple Mansion Realm, at least the early stage of the Purple Mansion Realm, holds high regard for "possessing the Profound Heart," so Zhang Han was willing to spend enormous effort to set up the layout waiting for him, rather than budging an inch.

As for why he could be so patient.

Song Yan took a deep breath and suddenly asked, "Was it you who destroyed the Ancient Teleportation Array?"

From the sky, Zhang Han's laughter floated from all directions: "Don't forget, I still have some subordinates; the Real Person of Scarlet Cloud is fast, and she can go to the South. Although the teleportation array was destroyed once, it wasn't enough, so I had Scarlet Cloud slice it two more times."

Song Yan continued, "Did you summon Wang Susu back?"

Zhang Han laughed, "Skin making is complicated, and I always need some Skin Masters. She is a very rule-abiding woman, yet she is the only living person who entered the core of the Evil Land and successfully became a Ghost Cultivator.

I knew that if you returned to understand the situation in the Evil Land, you would definitely figure it out from her. And even if she joined me to deceive you, her disappearance would still be preferable."

Song Yan sighed and said, "So, you are still Zhang Han."

Zhang Han laughed, "Indeed, I am still Zhang Han, the one who dominated the Three Kingdoms two hundred years ago. In those years, I sought a breakthrough method to the Crimson Palace Realm arduously, and after obtaining the method, I fervently sought the Profound Heart of the Three Kingdoms Profound Vein.

Don't think the Profound Vein center of Paperman Peak or Misty Sea is the Profound Heart; it isn't worthy.

In such a vast place as the Three Kingdoms, the true Profound Heart exists only in one place, which is where I am sitting now.

But then, I distressingly discovered that this Profound Heart is in the Evil Land, and to come here, one must become a Ghost Cultivator."

Song Yan said, "So you used a method, and this method turned you into a Ghost Cultivator, and afterward, you also used this method on the disciples of Shadow Puppet Peak, but only two succeeded."

Zhang Han laughed, "A mere Soul-Binding Array, not worth mentioning, all this is recorded in the inherited book of the Puppet Sect, including the understanding of the Profound Heart.

Once the cards were revealed, it was simple. But if not discovered, see, didn't you just come?

Though, this is also where I doubt; if you are a strong Ghost Cultivator who has taken possession, how could you not know the true Profound Heart?

When I ordered the book pages to be torn, I didn't see your just-used magic, Paper House, nor did I see your substantial wealth, so I made such an arrangement.

Fortunately, I didn't see it; otherwise... I would have changed my approach, which would have made you notice something was wrong.

But... why didn't you know?"

Song Yan said in a very normal tone: "Taking possession and reviving will always blur some memories; I chose to remember some, so I must forget some, nothing strange about it."

He earnestly narrated the story he had just concocted, his expression unchanged, and conveniently changed the subject, asking: "The eight-hundred-year-old Soul Drowning Grass was also arranged by you?"

Zhang Han seemed to accept his explanation, then said: "Indeed, to make you come, and to make you not suspect. Eight hundred years, just right."

Song Yan continued, "There's no need to mention the Grandmother Fox incident."

Zhang Han said: "Since there is a successor, whether Stone Seat Elder lives or dies doesn't matter. At that time, I was still consolidating my realm and didn't want to expose my true power for him. I also needed an excuse to retreat behind the scenes.

However, after the second batch of Fox Wolves arrived at the Puppet Sect, I was still discovered."

Song Yanqi asked, "Could they detect your realm?"

Zhang Han said, "You wouldn't think there are no secretly controlled Purple Mansion avatars among them, would you?

Your 'Divine Face Hundred Defenses' can divide the soul; do you think the Purple Mansion cannot?

Perhaps... they discovered long ago, which is why they deliberately reserved this piece of land from invasion, precisely because of my existence."

Song Yan said, "I now have one last question."

Zhang Han, very patient and polite, said: "What question?"

The victor, the one who thinks they have the odds in their favor, isn't always very graceful, very polite?

The truly terrifying vicious person relies on the viciousness of the mind, the viciousness of methods, the viciousness of power, not... the viciousness of expression, the viciousness of words.

Song Yan said, "Since we are both human, since the Soul Threshold has an Evil Treasure, why can't you and I go there together, instead of handing me over to the Mountain and Sea Great Demon?"

Zhang Han said, "Because I am not a rival, not even close, so I must follow their orders and hand you over to them."

Song Yan sighed and said, "It seems I can only break through."

Zhang Han said mildly, "You have not yet broken through the Purple Mansion Realm, while I am sitting at the Profound Heart."

Then he added, "If you've forgotten the power of the Purple Mansion Realm, I can help remind you, senior."

...

...

Song Yan forcefully calmed his mind, then looked up at the blood-colored mottled firmament where Slaughter Liquid flowed.

Even now, he hadn't figured out where Zhang Han was.

Even though his Divine Sense had already spread completely, he still hadn't seen Zhang Han.

Within the same great realm, challenging across realms was still possible.

But between different great realms, it was as if a country with differing levels of civilization clashing, wielding stone hammers... how does one fight against a sniper? How does a space fleet fight against water droplets? How does one even fight against a two-dimensional foil?

However, he must try.

He had to try.

His life was still relatively secure for now. Whether it was the earlier Zhunaolao, the two demon Fox Wolves later, or even now, Zhang Han only wanted to "capture him alive."

But if he truly fell into the hands of the Great Sea Demons, went to the Soul Threshold for them, and acquired that so-called Evil Treasure, he would undoubtedly die.

The faster he acquired it, the quicker he'd die.

He might even die trying due to the bizarre and lethal nature of the Soul Threshold, especially since he had no idea what the "Soul Threshold" was.

Information about the Purple Mansion Realm flashed rapidly through Song Yan's mind.

Thoughts are the key to the Secret Realm, and they can also be used for long-distance communication—this was known from Ling Madam.

And "Soul Opening Eyes," "Sea of Suffering," and the line "Profound Heart diligent cultivation, Divine Soul first integrates with Heaven and Earth" were known from the deceitful Nanwu Sword Sect.

Undoubtedly, the Purple Mansion Realm relates to "thoughts" and "Divine Soul."

The logic of "Profound Heart diligent cultivation, Divine Soul first integrates with Heaven and Earth" should be "the type of body corresponds to the type of Divine Soul."

The Refining Profound Realm is to explore the limits of the human body.

The Crimson Palace Realm is to break the limits of the human body.

But even so, a person is still a person, and the strength of the body cannot make the Divine Soul transcend. At this point, one must "borrow."

"Profound Heart" is undoubtedly the core area of a Three Kingdoms Profound Vein, almost like a heart. By sitting in the Profound Heart to cultivate diligently, one can be said to become integrated with this heart, possessing a more powerful body to practice the cultivation method, nurturing a stronger Divine Soul. This explains why "Zhang Han is Earth Bound, preferring to plan rather than change location."

A powerful body allows Zhang Han to fully control the "Profound Heart" to a certain extent, which is also the cause of the "Earth Demon upheaval."

A powerful Divine Soul, is it Divine Soul attack?

No wonder everyone covets "Changwang Tiger Blood," and no wonder the Changwang Tiger Race was exterminated. This thing indeed benefits the later realms.

So, if he breaks out from this paper house, would he face the "Earth Demon upheaval" and an unknown "Divine Soul attack"?

Song Yan closed his eyes and thought for a moment, suddenly raising his hand to throw.

A white shadow flew out, quickly transforming into a burly man with a crew cut within the paper house.

The burly man's muscles were knotted, extremely powerful, full of masculine vigor.

This was his Yang Paperman, made from a whole sheet of paper infused with the blood of a Crimson Palace Realm expert.

Song Yan stood in the courtyard, but his paperman had already shot outward.

In an instant, the paperman confronted the outside slaughter liquid.

Yet, focused solely on escaping, it quickly fled despite receiving several heavy blows.

However, Zhang Han did not take action.

As long as Song Yan doesn't try to escape, why should he act?

Song Yan reluctantly recalled the paperman.

Since he intended to act, he needed to probe as much as possible first.

For if he were Zhang Han, he certainly wouldn't kill this captive, but would seize the opportunity to injure him severely to stop his constant scheming.

So, he must either not act or go all out.

Because his opportunity only comes once.

Thinking of this, Song Yan suddenly said, "Fine, I won't run! But I want to eat something. If Junior Sister Susu is still alive, could you have her make some food for me, please?"

Zhang Han's voice floated over, "Wang Susu is indeed still alive, and of course... will not come to see you."

Song Yan goaded, "Ha, are you so afraid of your secrets being discovered by me?"

Zhang Han replied, "Yes."

After speaking, he mocked, "Does such a clumsy rhetoric from Your Excellency serve any purpose?"

Song Yan continued, "But if you don't show some means, how can I be at ease to stay?"

This time, Zhang Han no longer responded.

But Song Yan assured himself that if he acted rashly, left the paper house, he would surely be attacked.

And before attacking him, this old monster would never reveal any glimpse of power.

Song Yan found it exceedingly challenging to trick such an old monster.

He would never be misled or careless. Once he laid bare the situation and made it clear there was no escape, not another word would be wasted.

A lion uses full strength even to catch a rabbit. Song Yan had always held himself to this standard.

And now... he had become the rabbit.

Song Yan took a deep breath, deliberately sighing, "All right, I'll conserve my energy and make plans again in the Mountain and Sea Demon Country.

Only, Zhang Han, if you use this moment to deplete my power, don't blame me for being unruly!"

This time, Zhang Han responded.

Two simple, direct words.

"Very well."

...

PS: Asking for some monthly votes at the beginning of the month, thank you, thank you!