The Lightning Element A-Rank energy I Replaced from Tang Haoran merged into the Lightning Element star in my Sea of Consciousness. If I Copy or Replace another Lightning Element A-Rank, I will be able to get an S-Rank Lightning Element Special Ability.
However, Shen Han did not plan to upgrade his Lightning Element Special Ability before the National Higher Education Entrance Examination. The A-Rank Lightning Element Special Ability had already been reported, and if it were upgraded to S-Rank, it would inevitably arouse suspicion from those with ulterior motives. It was always right to be careful.
After dealing with the threat from the Tang Family and others, Shen Han spent another half a month Cultivating in the forest. Compared to before, this time he ventured deeper into the Shadowed Forest, fighting against Late Stage second-tier and even Early Stage third-tier Yao Beasts. By the time he was ready to return, his Storage Pouch was already full to the brim.
Upon returning home, he encountered Li Muhua, who had come to visit.
"Han-ge, I haven't seen you in a long time. What Realm have you Cultivated to?" Li Muhua was always curious about Shen Han's cultivation.
"I just reached the Martial Spirit Realm," Shen Han replied, feeling there was no need to hide it from Li Muhua.
"Holy cow, that fast? I just Breakthrough to Martial Master. That's a whole major Realm difference! Are you even letting people live?" Li Muhua exclaimed. "By the way, have you decided which university you're applying to for the National Higher Education Entrance Examination? With Han-ge's Aptitude, you should be able to get into any university in the country."
"I haven't decided yet. Isn't it the same to consider it after the National Higher Education Entrance Examination results come out?" As he spoke, Shen Han pulled out two Wind Element Beast Cores from his Storage Pouch. "Huazi, keep these. Work hard and strive to Breakthrough to Late Stage Martial Master before the National Higher Education Entrance Examination. Maybe we'll be able to attend university in the same city someday."
"This... thank you, Han-ge. I will definitely work harder and not let you down!" Li Muhua did not stand on ceremony.
Yang City Tang Family
Tang Haoran, the Tang Family Patriarch, and his eldest son, Tang Yunfei, had been missing for nearly a month. They were still in a state where no one saw them alive or dead. At first, it caused a huge uproar, and the Tang Family also reported a missing persons case, but nothing was ever found. It was only known that a month ago, Tang Yunfei took a group of core Tang Family disciples out to handle some business and never returned.
The Tang Family, one of the Three Great Families of Yang City, thus disintegrated. Without a Late Stage Martial King to guard it, the various businesses it was responsible for were constantly devoured by other Families. Gradually, people also forgot that Yang City once had such a Family.
And the grudge between Shen Han and the Tang Family, besides the Assassin Hall, no one knew about it. The news everyone knew was that an Ice Element Martial Artist killed the Tang Family's youngest son, and the Tang Family went for revenge but never returned.
Assassin Hall
"Do you think that kid did it?" Shadow Nine asked curiously.
"He just entered the Martial Spirit Realm. I can barely believe he could kill so many core Tang Family disciples in a siege, but killing Tang Haoran is a bit of a stretch," Shadow Six analyzed.
"This matter is truly strange. Our employer is gone, so should our assassination mission continue?"
"Let's wait for instructions from above. Elder Shadow has been busy with other matters recently and hasn't had time to deal with this."
One day, Shen Han, who was Cultivating his Mental Energy at home, suddenly received a call from Li Muhua.
"Han-ge, have you heard? Someone discovered a heaven marrow fruit tree in the Shadowed Forest, bearing five heaven marrow fruits, and they're about to ripen! The news has spread like wildfire. Many Martial Artists from cities around our Yang City, and even from the provincial capital, are rushing to the Shadowed Forest, all wanting to snatch this heaven marrow fruit," Li Muhua's voice was filled with excitement.
"heaven marrow fruit? What does it do?" Shen Han couldn't recall at the moment.
"You're kidding, right? heaven marrow fruit is an absolutely rare spirit fruit! A heaven marrow fruit tree only bears fruit once every 20 years, with only three to five fruits ripening each time. heaven marrow fruit can help Martial Artists raise their Special Ability Rank. Don't you think that's precious? Consuming one heaven marrow fruit can raise a Special Ability Rank by one level, from A-Rank to S-Rank, from S-Rank to SS-Rank. It's simply a priceless Treasure Trove."
Shen Han finally understood the preciousness of this heaven marrow fruit. This was almost the only Opportunity for many Martial Artists to cross the Dragon Gate. It was not hard to imagine that many people would participate in the snatch this time.
"Han-ge, should we go take a look?" Li Muhua was eager to try.
After a long silence, Shen Han replied, "Not for now. This struggle will definitely be very fierce, and many people will probably lose their lives because of it." The more precious the Treasure Trove, the more desperate people there would be.
Shen Han himself really wanted to participate and see the world. The heaven marrow fruit that enhances Special Ability Rank might be of great use to others, but it was like a chicken rib to him. However, if he could meet Geniuses from other places, he might be able to Copy one or two powerful Special Abilities. It would also be good to get to know the top Geniuses of this world in advance.
But he understood Li Muhua's strength and didn't want him to go to such a dangerous place. If an accident happened, it would be too late for tears.
Deep in the Shadowed Forest
Shen Han repacked his belongings and set off again. The usually quiet forest was now bustling with activity. Along the way, he constantly saw Martial Artists gathering from all directions, all heading towards the same destination. He activated his Sniff skill, and conversations within a kilometer radius were all heard. The Martial Artists mostly talked about the news of the heaven marrow fruit's appearance.
Even the edges of the Shadowed Forest were now crowded with people. Previously, Shen Han would hunt first and second-tier strange beasts at the edges, but with so many Martial Artists arriving this time, all the strange beasts had retreated to the central area.
Shen Han walked deeper and deeper. After about ten kilometers, an ancient, vibrant tree finally appeared before his eyes. Among its leaves, five greenish fruits were faintly visible hanging from the branches, emitting a strange Spiritual Qi fluctuation.
"Is that the heaven marrow fruit?" Shen Han's heart stirred slightly. However, suddenly, the colorful star of his Chaos Element Special Ability in his Sea of Consciousness vibrated violently, as if wanting to break free from its restraints, leap out of his Sea of Consciousness, and rush directly towards the fruit tree.
"What's going on?" Shen Han was extremely surprised. The Chaos Element star actually had such a strong desire to devour the heaven marrow fruit. He couldn't help but wonder if the Chaos Element star could advance by devouring the heaven marrow fruit? SSS-Rank was already the limit for Martial Artists. If it could go a step further, what Realm would it reach? He dared not easily imagine such a Heaven-Defying Special Ability beyond SSS-Rank, nor could he predict if it would activate new Heaven-Defying skills.
"I must obtain a heaven marrow fruit. The Martial Dao is about striving and seizing. If I don't even dare to fight for this, then what's the point of Cultivating the Martial Dao?" Shen Han's gaze was firm, and he had made up his mind. The path of Martial Dao is full of struggles and Opportunities. If one doesn't even dare to seize this Opportunity, then one is not qualified to continue Cultivating.
There should still be a few days until the heaven marrow fruit ripens. I can go back and prepare. I must not participate in the snatching with my true face. If I succeed and then get recognized, it will definitely lead to endless trouble. At this stage, it's better to develop discreetly.