For nearly a month, Shen Han locked himself at home to Cultivate. Anyway, it would be the same at school, so it was more comfortable to Cultivate at home. This month was mainly for conventional Mental Energy and Dark Element Skill training. Now, the Dark Element also had Major Achievement level stealth techniques. Shen Han was quite satisfied with his progress this month.
The time to enter the Secret Realm was almost here. After packing his luggage and taking his Storage Pouch, Shen Han arrived at Principal Principal Wang Siyuan's office at the appointed time. Feeling the Aura emanating from Shen Han, Principal Wang Siyuan couldn't help but be moved; this kid's strength had improved again.
He saw Wen Tingting already waiting in the principal's office.
"How prepared are you?"
"Not bad. I've broken through to Martial Master Second Realm, which is enough to handle most threats from exotic beasts," Shen Han didn't intend to hide it.
"That's good, but still be careful. Sometimes exotic beasts aren't the most terrifying. You especially need to watch out for other people; they are your direct competitors," Principal Wang Siyuan reminded them. "You two remember to look out for each other. You're from the same school, don't embarrass us. These are positioning wristbands, one for each of you. In the Secret Realm, you can sense each other's location, and if danger arises, you can send a distress signal to the other person."
"Understood."
Secret Realm Entrance.
When Principal Wang Siyuan brought Shen Han and Wen Tingting to the Secret Realm entrance, the eight Geniuses from the other three schools had already arrived.
"Only you two are left," Principal Chen Mingyu of No. 1 High School nodded. "Remember, there are many exotic beasts and Spirit Stones in the Secret Realm, but you also need to act within your capabilities. Always prioritize your own life. Resources can be found again if lost, but if your life is gone, then everything is gone."
Shen Han and Wen Tingting exchanged glances and nodded, indicating they understood. Everyone here was aware of the allure and cruelty of the Secret Realm. Stepping in meant they would need to rely on their own strength and wisdom to compete for resources, and a moment of carelessness could lead to an accident.
"Since everyone is here, let's prepare to enter." Chen Mingyu took a deep breath and waved his hand.
With a command, a distorted spatial rift gradually appeared at the entrance of the Secret Realm, glowing faintly blue, as if connecting to an unknown world. They were absorbed into the rift, accompanied by a sensation of spatial dizziness. Not long after, they found themselves inside the Secret Realm. Towering ancient trees reached into the clouds, a faint Spiritual Qi glow emanated from their leaves, and the air was filled with dense Spiritual Qi. Clear spiritual springs flowed from between the rocks.
"As expected of a Secret Realm," Shen Han envied, "If I could Cultivate here for a long time, my cultivation would definitely improve rapidly. It's a pity this Secret Realm experience only lasts for one month."
"Bumpkin, you don't understand anything," Zhu Wenhan was very displeased with Shen Han, his face full of disdain. "The Secret Realm is only suitable for Cultivating at this time. Other times, exotic beasts run rampant. Only these one or two months each year are the best time for experience."
"I suggest we act separately, so we don't have to fight to the death over the same resource," Li Mingxuan suggested.
"Agreed."
Everyone headed in different directions.
"Let's also split up. If there's any danger, contact me with the wristband," Shen Han had many secrets, so he certainly didn't want to act with others.
"Okay."
With that, Shen Han also chose a direction and swept deeper into the Secret Realm.
"Sniff Skill, activate –" With the enhancement of the Sniff Skill, everything within 100 meters clearly came into view.
At another entrance to the Secret Realm,
"Ghost Hand, remember to catch him alive, just leave him a breath, don't kill him. Here's his portrait." This person was none other than Tang Yunfei.
"Understood." The person referred to as "Ghost Hand" had a low, cold voice, sounding nonchalant. He was entirely wrapped in a dark grey cloak, his face so pale it was almost bloodless.
"This person possesses an A-Rank Lightning Element Special Ability, and it's highly likely he also has an Ice Element Special Ability. Be careful not to be ambushed by him."
Ghost Hand had already leaped into the Secret Realm, and it was unclear if he had heard.
After searching for two days in the Secret Realm, Shen Han obtained many Spirit Stones of various elements. His Storage Pouch was already full. It was time to find a place to Cultivate for a while before going out to search again.
Shen Han found a towering ancient tree, hid among its leaves, and collected his thoughts to begin Cultivating the Dark Element Skill, Netherworld Pierce. This environment was most suitable for Dark Element Skill Cultivation. Holding a Dark Element Spirit Stone, he began to refine the Spiritual Qi within it.
Two hours passed, and the Spiritual Qi in several Dark Element Spirit Stones was completely consumed. The Dark Elements seemed to carry a bone-chchilling coldness. Each time they passed through a Meridian, it felt like a sharp blade cutting through his tendons, and the intense stinging pain almost made him roar out loud. However, having experienced the tempering of Lightning Element Spirit Stones, Shen Han was accustomed to this level of pain. He gritted his teeth, concentrating all his Mental Energy and willpower, forcefully suppressing his body's instinctive resistance.
"Charge for me—" Shen Han roared in his heart, condensing all the Dark Elements throughout his body. The Dark Elements surged within his Meridians like a deep abyss of black current. A faint black glow emanated from around Shen Han. Finally, driven by the Dark Elements, "Netherworld Pierce" broke through from the Minor Achievement Realm to the Major Achievement Realm in one go. He closed his eyes, feeling the profound Dark Element power quietly flowing. The fatigue throughout his body gradually faded under the nourishment of the Dark Elements, replaced by an unprecedented sense of power and stealth.
After a short rest, Shen Han did not dare to relax in the slightest. Suddenly, the Sniff Skill detected someone quietly sneaking within a 100-meter radius. If he hadn't activated the Sniff Skill, it would have been truly difficult to discover him. Shen Han immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Name: Ghost Hand
Mental Energy: Martial Master Seventh Realm
Special Ability Rank: Dark Element - A-Rank
Skills: Dark Element - Ghost Invisibility (Major Achievement), Netherworld Pierce (Major Achievement), Nightshade Dark Breath (Major Achievement)
"Is his target me?" Shen Han's expression remained unchanged. "Martial Master Seventh Realm, a full five Realms higher than me. A head-on fight likely won't make me his opponent."
This person's Skills are all Dark Element, so he probably intends to launch a sneak attack.
"This is a confrontation between old foxes. The good news is that he doesn't know I've already discovered him."
"Thunder Rending Sky--" Boom! A thick lightning pillar descended from the sky, catching Ghost Hand off guard and enveloping his head.
Ghost Hand was still searching for the best moment to ambush, contemplating how to capture Shen Han without killing him, but he never expected Shen Han to strike first.
"Damn it, how did he discover me?" There was no time to ponder the question.
"Nightshade Dark Breath," Ghost Hand directly activated this Skill. Wisps of dark Aura rapidly spread. Within the space enveloped by the dark Aura, all perception abilities would disappear, and the opponent would be unable to use any attacks other than Dark Element Skills. "I don't care if you have Lightning Element or Ice Element Special Abilities, they're all useless."
"Kid, blame it on offending someone. Someone paid to buy your life," Ghost Hand revealed a pair of grayish-purple eyes, cold and profound. "Don't struggle. Within the range of my Nightshade Dark Breath, you can't use any Skills. Accept your fate!"
Shen Han's face showed terror as he retreated step by step. Ghost Hand slowly advanced, step by step, closing in on Shen Han. He enjoyed seeing his opponent's desperate and helpless eyes.
"Netherworld Pierce--"
"Netherworld Pierce--"
Two low voices sounded almost simultaneously. Shen Han and Ghost Hand both unleashed Major Achievement Realm "Netherworld Pierce" in the darkness. The two figures intertwined like shadows, and Dark Element power condensed into sharp edges in the air. Ghost Hand's dagger accurately stabbed towards Shen Han's limbs, adhering to the instruction to "keep him alive," while Shen Han was incredibly calm, aiming his Netherworld Pierce directly at Ghost Hand's throat—a fatal blow, showing no mercy.
"You... you also know Dark Element Skills? Wh-why?" With unwillingness and many questions, Ghost Hand's life force gradually faded.
"Copy Skill, activate -; Devouring Skill, activate -" A subtle Dark Element power surged from Ghost Hand's body into Shen Han's. Dark Elements poured into his Meridians like a black current, rapidly enhancing the power of his Dark Element stars, but still not enough to upgrade to an S-Rank Special Ability. As for Skills, he gained a Nightshade Dark Breath, which was very practical. With the Dark Elements gained through Devouring, Nightshade Dark Breath was directly boosted to the Minor Achievement Realm.
Name: Shen Han
Mental Energy: 554 / 600 (Martial Master Second Realm)
Special Ability Rank: Chaos Element - SSS-Rank, Lightning Element - A-Rank, Ice Element - A-Rank, Dark Element - A-Rank, Fire Element - S-Rank
Skills: Chaos Element - Sniff (Level 2/10), Copy (Level 2/10), Devouring (Level 2/10), Replace (Level 2/10)
Lightning Element - Thunder Rending Sky (Major Achievement), Lightning Sky Curtain (Major Achievement), Lightning Teleport (Major Achievement)
Ice Element - Frost Condensing Thousand Blades (Minor Achievement)
Dark Element - Ghost Invisibility (Major Achievement), Netherworld Pierce (Major Achievement), Nightshade Dark Breath (Minor Achievement)
Fire Element - Flame Bomb (Beginner)