Without further ado, Wang Zhan waved his hand and instantly retracted a half-piece of a deep blue finger back into his body.

Indeed, it was an ingenious application of the *Volume on Transforming Illusion into Reality*.

For Wang Zhan, as his mental energy continued to improve, this mental energy cultivation method was proving to be infinitely useful.

A personal warning detector!

If he hadn't been extra vigilant just now, leaving a small "eye" beneath this peculiar plant, he might have actually been fooled.

This rat had evidently wanted to kill him to silence him and seize the peculiar plant for itself, but then, for some unknown reason, it had chosen to give up.

Hmm, it said it wasn't suitable for consumption. Maybe it was trying to warn me that this thing isn't suitable for the Human Race?

Of course, as Yu Huan had said, even a hint of suspicion was enough.

Without a doubt, Wang Zhan was also stalled at this step.

Even if it truly attracted the attention of a Martial Emperor, he was uncertain if there were other hidden plots involved—for example, a trap set by the Beast Clan targeting the Human Race.

After all, he didn't possess the ability to distinguish good from ill fortune, nor could he discern the item's properties or whether it was beneficial or harmful.

However, due to the rat's clumsy acting, Wang Zhan immediately directed his suspicion towards Yu Huan.

There's definitely that fellow's handiwork in this… Heh heh heh, it seems he wanted to deliver this thing into my hands, and in such a way that I couldn't consume it immediately…

Wang Zhan mused, Could it be because of that little wolf cub? There are indeed too many strange elements here; the little wolf cub is a strong possibility.

Of course, if one were to follow this line of reasoning, the rat's words were largely true. As for the personal agenda it had woven in, no one knew except the rat itself.

Therefore, for Wang Zhan, only one option remained: place the item in his Storage Bangle and prevent it from meeting the little wolf cub, to avert any unforeseen incidents.

But on second thought, Wang Zhan chuckled, somewhat self-deprecatingly.

If I hadn't had such a bizarre encounter, perhaps no one would believe that I'm actually treating a fruit as a conscious, living being…

Forget it. Since I don't dare to eat it, I'll just leave it like this for now.

With that, he began to meticulously inspect the rest of the cave for any other anomalies, hoping for more discoveries.

However, despite his thorough examination, carefully searching and even digging three feet deep multiple times, he found nothing else. This was simply an unremarkable hiding spot beneath the swamp land, its most notable feature being a mud-repelling layer overhead.

Just then, Wang Zhan looked at the peculiar plant again.

Beneath the fruit, only the final leaf remained unopened; it was on the verge of ripening.

Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind.

Wait! The absence of problems is the biggest problem itself! Where did this fruit come from?

Having found a direction, Wang Zhan finally understood his previous blind spot and burst into silent laughter.

His mental energy, now several times more potent than before his advancement, surged into the earth like successive, crashing tidal waves.

At this moment, Wang Zhan felt unprecedentedly powerful. Naturally, he also perceived an unprecedented sight.

Just then! Wang Zhan stared, dumbfounded and wide-eyed, at the scene beneath the soil.

"Good heavens! This time… I've really hit the jackpot!" he exclaimed in amazement.

「At that moment.」

Wang Zhan's clone, as if following a map, directly located Lin Hao.

Lin Hao was currently hiding in a tree hole.

Beside him lay a pangolin, lifelike yet devoid of any life aura, at least a Half-Step Martial King. It appeared to be merely in a deep slumber.

However, the instant Wang Zhan's clone entered, Lin Hao shot to his feet.

It wasn't because of Wang Zhan's clone or its appearance, nor any potential threat it posed, but rather the immense aura of power that Lin Hao could clearly perceive.

He looked at Wang Zhan and said gravely, "Your mental energy bonus—has its total already surpassed one hundred thousand?"

He was very familiar with most of Wang Zhan's previously revealed trump cards.

The primary reason, naturally, was Wei Daoming's recounting and entrustments from behind the scenes.

Although Wei Daoming hadn't elaborated on the relationship between Wang Zhan and the Qín Family, he knew that Wang Zhan was cultivating an exceedingly strange and rapidly advancing mental energy cultivation method.

Logically, such progress should be a cause for joy.

But as a Martial Emperor, Lin Hao knew better: there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Where there are gains, there must be losses; what is borrowed must eventually be repaid.

Especially such an overwhelmingly potent mental energy cultivation method—it was like a ticking mental bomb!

Wang Zhan was momentarily stunned.

Although he knew that with a prominent figure like the Martial Emperor, Wei Daoming wouldn't spill everything, it seemed he truly had no secrets left from this man.

Moreover, Lin Hao's assessment was remarkably accurate, not far off from the attributes displayed on Wang Zhan's System Panel.

Well, it's only off by about twenty to thirty thousand, then.

However, Wang Zhan didn't press the issue, merely nodding lightly.

"Yes. I found that place. A serene fragrance caused the Essence Energy in my body to surge uncontrollably, so I broke through directly."

No wonder! Lin Hao had a sudden realization.

As for what kind of scent could cause someone to break through just by smelling it—while incredible, it wasn't entirely beyond comprehension.

Nevertheless, he felt compelled to remind Wang Zhan, "Don't get complacent just because your mental energy has surged, pushing you directly to your current realm."

"I can tell you unequivocally that this mental energy cultivation method definitely has huge flaws—flaws that could make you pay a terrible price!"

In fact, Wang Zhan was already aware of this even without Lin Hao's warning.

After all, back in the Small World, that beautiful young woman, He Miaomiao, had also warned him not to advance his realm too quickly.

Otherwise, without a sufficient foundation, some Qín Family members could be drained to husks by this mental energy cultivation method in an instant!

This was no longer just a mental energy cultivation method; it was a veritable walking exploit, one that violated the natural, gradual order of Heaven and Earth.

Wang Zhan even felt that if one were to incur heavenly retribution for this, it would be well-deserved! Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey—not that I'm referring to myself, of course.

However, faced with Lin Hao's warning, Wang Zhan could only nod.

"I know. But I truly had no choice. Although that fragrance was elusive, appearing and disappearing without a trace, once I smelled it, the Essence Energy in my body surged like an opened floodgate—it was unstoppable. I could only let it run its course step by step."

Lin Hao fell silent.

Sigh, who would have thought Wang Zhan was the type to encounter fortuitous opportunities just by stepping outside.

It truly is a case of 'heaven's gifts, if not accepted, will incur blame'!

He had no choice but to continue asking, "Have you dealt with matters over there? I can already sense numerous powerful auras converging in this direction. If a major battle erupts, even I might find it difficult to protect you. It's best to finish up as quickly as possible."

Wang Zhan's heart tightened.

For a Martial Emperor-level existence to say such a thing, one could only imagine how terrifying the upcoming scene would be.

But the question was, why hadn't Wang Zhan sensed any threat at all? Was it purely because his realm was insufficient?

Impossible!

Seeing Wang Zhan's expression suddenly turn grim, Lin Hao's face also fell.

"What did you think of?"

Wang Zhan looked up at Lin Hao, appearing hesitant to speak.

Seeing Wang Zhan's demeanor, how could Lin Hao not understand his meaning? It likely involved a Martial Artist's secrets.

After all, Martial Artists are not tools, nor are they some fictional constructs; they are powerful individuals, one and all. The secrets hidden by each Martial Artist are the foundations upon which their survival depends.

He immediately said in a solemn voice, "If it's your secret, I suggest you wait until you return to the Earth Federation to find a solution. What you need to do now is minimize the risks of this trip! Don't forget, I'm only helping you as an obligation; it's all because of the person backing you. If we encounter true danger, even if I choose to leave, you can't blame me for not looking out for you."

Wang Zhan knew.

Lin Hao's presence was likely a form of care extended to him by Wei Daoming, especially since he was just a newcomer to the Star War Battlefield. Moreover, he had never heard of any novice on the Star War Battlefield being protected by a Martial Emperor.

The treatment he was receiving was already so good it was almost heavenly.

Therefore, Wang Zhan immediately said respectfully, "Understood! Actually, I was already prepared. However, there's a new development now, so I need your help. I wonder if Senior would be willing to take this risk with me if I were to offer compensation?"

A glint flashed in Lin Hao's eyes, and he said with deep meaning, "Oh? Tell me, what do you need my help with? As for remuneration, don't bother; I doubt you have anything good anyway. If I really wanted to set you up, given this clone of yours, what reaction do you think Tao Zhu would have?"

Seeing Lin Hao's gloating expression, Wang Zhan gave a wry smile.

That incident wasn't my fault; it was purely Tao Zhu's misunderstanding. I only played along out of good intentions, alright?

But if I were to say now that it was just a misunderstanding, I wonder… would anyone still believe me?

So, Wang Zhan directly changed the subject, saying tactfully, "Well, it's mainly about a protective shield at that location. I can't get through it, nor can I break it, so I need Senior's help. As for the reward, if Senior finds it unsatisfactory later, then just consider it a favor I owe you."

"Or, I could use this as collateral. When I have the money to redeem it, I'll come find Senior then…"

Immediately after, Lin Hao's gaze fell upon the small shield Wang Zhan held. It was adorned with various wave-like patterns, exuding an aura that felt out of place in this era and this world.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he murmured to himself, Is Daoming planning to choose a successor? He actually passed on this Spirit Shield?

He knew what a great price Wei Daoming, the Dean of the Federal Martial Arts Academy, had paid to obtain this item.

Under normal circumstances, how could he bear to part with it?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.