Urban Super Almighty Student

Chapter 163 - Troublesome

“I can't fathom why that old woman is intent on killing those young girls, but one thing I'm certain of is that she's delving into some sinister martial arts,” Xiao Ming said gravely. “If you don't put a stop to her, there's no telling how many lives she'll claim.”

“What are you getting at?” Ye Hao asked with a hint of frustration. “Aren't the Three Sects and Six Factions of the Way of Nature concerned with this issue?”

“The Three Sects and Six Factions have their own agendas,” Xiao Ming replied earnestly, locking eyes with Ye Hao. “If that old woman masters the evil martial art, her combat abilities will escalate to a new level. We'd be wise to eliminate her swiftly.”

Ye Hao paused briefly before responding, “Give me three days.”

“Do your injuries require three days to heal?”

“No, I need three days for a breakthrough,” Ye Hao clarified, shaking his head.

A shadow fell over Xiao Ming's face. He was already outmatched by Ye Hao, who continued to make strides in his cultivation.

“I'm heading back,” Ye Hao announced, turning on his heel to sprint towards his villa. His cultivation level allowed him to move faster than the speed of sound, so it wasn't long before he arrived back at his residence.

Once there, Ye Hao sat down cross-legged to restore his Divine Sense. When he felt rejuvenated, he set his sights on breaking through the first layer of Soul Refining. Thanks to his spirit root, Ye Hao had found his previous breakthroughs relatively easy, breezing through the bottlenecks of each realm.

Post-breakthrough, Ye Hao remained seated, silently reinforcing his newly acquired second-layer Soul Refining cultivation.

After three days, having bid farewell to Tang Pianpian, Ye Hao made his way to the Supernatural Bureau.

“You've achieved a breakthrough?” Xiao Ming asked, his eyes brightening.

“Yes,” confirmed Ye Hao with a nod.

“But now I'm facing a dilemma,” Xiao Ming admitted, looking sheepish.

“What's the problem?”

“My Pursuit Charm became ineffective yesterday.”

“Can't you be more dependable?” Ye Hao's expression grew tense.

The old woman had reached the third layer of Soul Refining. Even with Ye Hao's own cultivation at the second layer, he wasn't completely confident he could defeat her.

Therefore, if she sought revenge, no one would be able to endure it.

“Isn't the Keepers of Forbidden Lore's tracking technique quite formidable?” Ye Hao mused before inquiring.

“If I were to reach the Soul Refining Realm, she wouldn't be able to escape,” Xiao Ming replied with a tinge of bitterness.

The Keepers of Forbidden Lore's tracking technique wasn't ineffective; it was just that Xiao Ming's level of cultivation was not high enough.

It was like a child wielding a powerful sword, yet unable to exhibit the strength of an adult.

“So, what do we do now?” Ye Hao asked.

“Skynet is actively searching for the old woman around the clock.”

Ye Hao gently shook his head.

Xiao Ming also doubted that Skynet would manage to locate the old woman.

“Do you know where I can purchase a Spirit Sword?” Tang Pianpian had mastered the Moonstone Blade, so she couldn't be without a Spirit Sword.

“Don't you already have a middle-grade Spirit Sword?”

“I'm planning to gift Pianpian a Spirit Sword.”

“I'll help you find a Spirit Sword,” Xiao Ming offered after a moment's thought.

“Thanks.” Ye Hao was aware that even within the sect, spirit treasures were scarce.

Xiao Ming casually remarked, “I'm off to patrol.”

“I recall the Keepers of Forbidden Lore have Ghost Children,” Ye Hao said quietly. “Why not seek out a few Ghost Children for assistance?”

“The criteria to become a Ghost Child are quite stringent,” Xiao Ming explained with a sense of resignation. “In fact, I've been secretly searching for Ghost Children for years.”

“Okay then.” Ye Hao promptly took his leave, ready to make his way to the Immortals Retreat.

One month later, Ye Hao intended to auction off panaceas.

En route, the sound of a car horn echoed behind him.

Ye Hao turned to find Leng Xue behind the wheel.

“Where are you headed, beautiful?” he asked.

Leng Xue shot Ye Hao a glare and retorted, “Who taught you to flirt with your teacher?”

“I merely called you beautiful,” Ye Hao responded with a smile, sliding into the passenger seat.

“Do you have some free time?”

“Yes.”

“If you're free, why not join me at the Immortals Retreat?”

“What's your business at the Immortals Retreat?”

“They're auctioning panaceas there,” Leng Xue explained softly.

“Panaceas?” Despite already being aware of the auction, Ye Hao feigned astonishment as he asked.

“Is the person pulling the strings at Immortals Retreat a cultivator?”

“A cultivator? That's absurd.”

“You shouldn't spread rumors about such matters.” Leng Xue spoke with a grave tone. “The Leng family only discovered this after becoming Golden Card Members at Immortals Retreat.”

“What's your relationship with the Leng family?”

“I can't truly sever ties with the Leng family,” Leng Xue sighed in response.

“At least you're not being naive anymore.”

“You're such a killjoy,” Leng Xue retorted with a glare at Ye Hao.

“In reality, you have the opportunity to take control of your destiny,” Ye Hao said, reclining in his seat and speaking in a hushed tone.

“Do you have a solution?”

“I do.”

“What is it?”

“You could align yourself with the shadowy figure behind Immortals Retreat,” Ye Hao suggested with a grin. “Then, the Leng family wouldn't dare to coerce you.”

“Why would such esteemed family elites take an interest in someone as ordinary as me?”

“You're actually quite attractive.”

“Your opinion doesn't matter, though.”

“Of course, my opinion matters a great deal.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Because I'm the one behind Immortals Retreat.”

Leng Xue pursed her lips and said, “Say what you will now, but later, you must watch your words.”

Ye Hao just smiled and refrained from further comment, choosing instead to delve into the black dragon's memories within his consciousness sea.

Ye Hao realized he needed to master a tracking technique.

Doubting Xiao Ming's reliability, Ye Hao resolved to learn the technique himself.

Upon their arrival at Immortals Retreat, Leng Xue roused Ye Hao.

“Did you fall asleep?”

“Mhm.”

“Are you still with the National Security Bureau?”

“Not anymore.”

“Did the Faang family pressure you to leave?”

“No, they didn't.”

“You know, you could consider Liao Sheng's offer to join the General Administration of Sport,” Leng Xue whispered. “Once you shatter world records across various disciplines, you'll reap both fame and wealth. Then, even the Faang family would have to weigh the consequences before targeting you.”

“The Faang family wouldn't dare lay a hand on me,” Ye Hao said, shaking his head gently.

“You're being too obstinate,” Leng Xue retorted with a hint of irritation upon hearing Ye Hao's response.

Just then, an excited voice called out from behind Leng Xue.

“Hao!”

Ye Hao turned to see the fair and lovely Lin Rou'er, and a warm smile spread across his face. “Rou'er.”

As Lin Rou'er moved to approach, a middle-aged man extended his hand to block her.

“Rou'er, you shouldn't get too close to him,” said the man, who bore a resemblance to Lin Rou'er.

“Indeed, Rou'er. Associating with Ye Hao right now is like playing with fire,” another middle-aged man chimed in, agreeing.