Chapter 593: Central Thirty-Six Counties

“Time is too tight.”

Fang Han shook his head slightly.

He was in a rush to get to the Imperial Capital for the Martial Arts Assembly. There wasn’t enough time to stop and explore a Secret Realm.

He would have to wait until after the Martial Arts Assembly to explore it on his way back.

‘Two maps mean I can bring two people into the Secret Realm, so I have one more spot…’

Fang Han’s gaze fell on Luo Yuntian. The idea of inviting him to the Secret Realm surfaced in his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

It wasn’t just a matter of trust; with Luo Yuntian’s current strength, his potential gains from the Secret Realm would be limited anyway.

‘Could I enter twice?’

A wild idea occurred to Fang Han.

‘What is the criteria for the “once per year” entry limit on Secret Realms?’

‘If I use different “keys” on separate occasions, could I enter the Secret Realm twice?’

‘If so, my gains would undoubtedly be far greater.’

‘And I wouldn’t have to give the “key” to someone else and risk exposing the Secret Realm’s existence.’

The White Tiger continued to gallop north along the official road. Inside the carriage, Fang Han and Luo Yuntian sat facing each other.

The scenery outside flew by. Rolling hills appeared and disappeared in the morning mist, and the silhouettes of a few distant villages could occasionally be seen, with smoke from kitchen chimneys curling into the air.

“Steward, where are we now?”

Luo Yuntian asked, looking up.

The Qingxuan Sect Steward turned his head, glanced at the terrain outside, and replied:

“True Inheritor Luo, we have reached the borders of Wangxi County.”

He paused for a moment before adding:

“Wangxi County is one of the five counties under the jurisdiction of the Celestial Essence Sect. This area is already within their sphere of influence.”

“The Celestial Essence Sect…”

Luo Yuntian repeated the name in a low voice, his gaze drifting toward the vast mountains and rivers outside, his tone tinged with emotion.

“Even as a top-level influence with a Grandmaster, the Qingxuan Sect has to share Qingyang County with six other sects. Yet the Celestial Essence Sect alone occupies five counties. The difference in power is immense.”

Fang Han nodded slightly and chimed in:

“The Celestial Essence Sect is an Overlord-level Influence with a Great Grandmaster presiding over it. Their strength is among the greatest in the entire Great Chu Dynasty, so it’s not surprising they can occupy five counties.”

Hearing this, the Qingxuan Sect Steward shook his head, his voice tinged with deliberation:

“The Celestial Essence Sect’s ability to occupy five counties is partly due to its own strength, but it’s also because the counties it holds are not part of the Central Thirty-Six Counties.”

“The Central Thirty-Six Counties?”

Fang Han’s brow twitched, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

“What’s so special about them?”

The Qingxuan Sect Steward organized his thoughts before speaking slowly:

“The Central Thirty-Six Counties are the thirty-six counties that surround Longjing County, where the Imperial Capital is located.”

He paused, his gaze drifting into the distance with a hint of longing in his voice.

“These thirty-six counties are uniquely blessed. The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi there is far richer than in ordinary counties, so it’s much easier for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to appear. They can even… produce Mid-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.”

Upon hearing this, both Fang Han and Luo Yuntian were stunned.

“Mid-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures?”

Luo Yuntian’s brow furrowed, his voice filled with disbelief.

“In Qingyang County, even the appearance of a Low-grade Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure is extremely rare. Any discovery would lead to a bloody battle between the various influences. To think that the Central Thirty-Six Counties can even produce Mid-grade ones.”

Although Fang Han didn’t speak, a similar flash of surprise appeared in his eyes.

He had once obtained a Mid-grade Wind Jade from the Secret Realm in Wangxi County. That Wind Jade had enhanced the clarity of his perception of the Wind Realm, greatly improving his comprehension of it.

The fact that he had mastered the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique to Perfection so quickly was largely thanks to that Wind Jade, which was a testament to the astounding effects of Mid-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

‘The Central Thirty-Six Counties’ ability to produce Mid-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures truly earns them the name of treasured lands.’

The Qingxuan Sect Steward said, “The Central Thirty-Six Counties, with their ability to produce Mid-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, are treasured lands far more important than any ordinary county.”

“For treasured lands like these, even an Overlord-level Influence like the Celestial Essence Sect doesn’t have the power to occupy several counties. At most… they might be able to hold a single one.”

“An influence like the Celestial Essence Sect can only occupy one county at most?”

Luo Yuntian’s brow furrowed even tighter, a look of deep scrutiny filling his calm eyes.

The Qingxuan Sect Steward nodded, his tone firm:

“That’s right. The competition in the Central Thirty-Six Counties is far more intense than in ordinary counties. Even for an Overlord-level Influence with a Great Grandmaster, expanding their territory there is extremely difficult.”

Fang Han asked:

“Since the competition in the Central Thirty-Six Counties is so fierce, I assume the number of powerful experts there must be astounding?”

Hearing this, a look of wistfulness appeared on the Qingxuan Sect Steward’s face.

“True Inheritor Fang is correct. The Central Thirty-Six Counties do indeed produce more experts than ordinary counties.”

He paused, his voice growing more serious:

“Furthermore, when experts from ordinary counties find that their own influence’s resources are no longer sufficient for them to advance, they often choose to enter the Central Thirty-Six Counties in search of an opportunity to break through to the Grandmaster realm.”

“With this influx of experts from other counties, the number of powerful individuals in the Central Thirty-Six Counties grows even larger.”

Fang Han was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice:

“Steward, your extensive knowledge is admirable.”

Luo Yuntian also nodded and said:

“Indeed. Listening to you today, Steward, has been truly eye-opening.”

The Qingxuan Sect Steward smiled and waved his hand, a look of modesty on his face.

“You two True Inheritors flatter me. I’m just a Steward who drives a carriage for the Sect. My strength is nothing special. I’ve just followed the Sect Leader to many places, heard a lot, and seen a lot, so I only know a thing or two.”

He gently shook the reins in his hand. The White Tiger let out a low growl and picked up its pace.

The carriage fell silent once more, leaving only the rumbling of the wheels, the sound of the tiger’s paws on the ground, and the whistling of the wind outside.

Fang Han leaned against the carriage wall, his gaze passing through the window toward the gradually widening skyline in the distance.

‘The Central Thirty-Six Counties, Mid-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, competition for resources, a gathering of experts…’

All this information intertwined in his mind, filling him with a deep sense of curiosity and anticipation for those treasured lands.

‘On this trip to the Imperial Capital, I’ll get to witness the splendor of the Central Thirty-Six Counties for myself.’

…

「Several more days passed in a flash.」

Inside the carriage, Fang Han sat cross-legged, slowly circulating the Cyan Profound Technique. A cyan-gold Inner Qi surged through his meridians, refining the Earth Spirit Pill he had just taken.

Since the carriage was the most suitable place to practice Inner Qi, he had spent most of his time cultivating his Sharp Qi.

His Inner Qi grew rapidly, and his Dicang Acupoint was already more than halfway filled with it.

Once the Dicang Acupoint was completely full, he could attempt to break through to the Late Stage of Second Grade.

Luo Yuntian sat across from him, also circulating his cultivation technique to cultivate his Inner Qi.

Outside the carriage, the wind howled, and the sound of the White Tiger’s hooves was steady and rhythmic.

Just then, the Qingxuan Sect Steward’s voice came through the carriage wall, carrying a serious tone:

“True Inheritors, we have now entered the territory of Central County.”

Fang Han slowly ceased his cultivation and opened his eyes.

Luo Yuntian also stopped cultivating, a hint of anticipation appearing on his face.

“The Central Thirty-Six Counties…”

Fang Han repeated the name in a low voice and reached out to lift the curtain of the carriage window.

The moment the scenery outside came into view, his gaze froze for an instant.

The vegetation on both sides of the official road was noticeably more lush than in the counties they had passed through before.

The trees along the road had wide canopies and dense foliage, even though it was only the second month of the year.

Their leaves were a full, vibrant green, as if enveloped in a faint, ethereal sheen.

The wild grass beneath the trees was also teeming with life, each blade standing tall, much higher than grass in ordinary places, and with a deeper, richer color.

“It really is different.”

Fang Han said in a low voice, his eyes sweeping over the plants.

Luo Yuntian also lifted the curtain on the other side and looked out. His gaze lingered on the rich greenery for a moment, and a flicker of astonishment crossed his calm eyes:

“If ordinary plants are like this, then the medicinal efficacy of herbs grown here must far surpass those from other places.”

“Indeed.”

The Qingxuan Sect Steward turned back, a look of emotion on his face.

“The Central Thirty-Six Counties’ reputation is well-deserved. The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi here is abundant, nourishing all living things. Even ordinary people who don’t practice cultivation could extend their lifespans if they lived in a place like this for a long time.”

Fang Han nodded slightly.

Though he was still a great distance from the Grandmaster realm and couldn’t perceive Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi directly, he could feel the difference between this place and an ordinary county just from the vitality of the plants.

Luo Yuntian gazed at the verdant scenery outside, silent for a moment, before speaking slowly:

“With such a uniquely blessed environment, it’s no wonder the Central Thirty-Six Counties have become a gathering place for experts.”

“Yes,” the Qingxuan Sect Steward nodded. “Any Martial Artist from an ordinary county with a bit of ambition will try to make their way to the Central Thirty-Six Counties once their cultivation hits a bottleneck.”

“There are more opportunities and more experts here, so the chances of a breakthrough are naturally much higher.”

Fang Han stared at the vibrant flora outside, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

‘Although I can’t directly absorb Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, if I were to cultivate in an environment like this for a long time, my body would be nourished by it, and my cultivation speed would surely increase.’

“THUD—”

The White Tiger strode forward, and the wheels made a dull sound as they rolled over the official road.

The scenery outside continued to fly by.

Fang Han watched the scenery for a while before slowly pulling his gaze back inside.

‘Time to get back to cultivating.’

He muttered to himself, about to close his eyes and circulate the Cyan Profound Technique again.

Just then—

“Hm?”

His brow twitched slightly.

For safety, he had kept his Netherworld Guide active to remain aware of his surroundings at all times.

And now, a strange scent had appeared within his range of perception.

It was a peculiar fragrance.

Extremely faint, mixed in with the wind, almost imperceptible.

If not for the incredibly keen sense of smell granted by his Netherworld Guide at Minor Achievement, he would have almost missed it.

‘This scent…?’

Fang Han’s gaze sharpened instantly.

He was no stranger to this fragrance—a clear aroma with a hint of sweetness, like a spiritual flower blooming in the mountains at dawn.

Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

This was definitely the unique fragrance emitted by a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure as it matured!

‘The Central Thirty-Six Counties really live up to their name. I’ve only just entered and I’ve already come across a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure.’

Fang Han was inwardly amazed.

In Qingyang County, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were extremely rare. To date, he had only encountered a single one in the wild.

But now, having just entered Central County, he had already discovered one. This proved that the production rate of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in Central County was indeed far higher than in ordinary counties.