Zhou Haizhe and the others couldn't fathom how Ye Changqing had become so powerful.
Ye Changqing's mother tried to contact her son but found it impossible.
Although Qin Hanchu was using Ye Changqing's body, he was not bound by Ye Changqing's background.
This act of assistance could be considered paying off the rent for borrowing the physical body.
In the underground world, there was a region called Black Wind Mountain, where the Tower Lord of the Black Tower and its strongest cultivators continuously went into seclusion for training.
Just as Qin Hanchu was attempting to break through to the Martial King realm, a woman arrived at the forbidden area of Black Wind Mountain in a warplane.
In a cave, the woman met the Tower Lord of the Black Tower.
The Tower Lord appeared to be around fifty years old. While not particularly robust, he exuded a daunting aura of pressure.
"Tower Lord, please look at this person's profile." The woman handed a document to the Tower Lord, which contained Ye Changqing's detailed information.
As the Tower Lord read the document, the woman said, "Ye Changqing was originally a very ordinary layman, but after an injury, he suddenly became a Grandmaster level martial artist. What was even more astonishing was that not long after arriving in the underground world, he became an Honorable Alchemist."
"Does he have powerful mentors?" the Tower Lord asked with a frown.
The woman shook her head. "His social circle is very simple; he only has one friend of the same age."
"No expert guidance, and he suddenly became a Grandmaster martial artist?" The Tower Lord mused, "Where did his martial arts come from? Did he inherit something from ancient times?"
"It's not clear yet, but this person must have a secret."
The Tower Lord pondered and then said, "You go and invite him over."
"Yes!"
...
In the apartment, Qin Hanchu was currently striving to reach the Martial King realm.
Once he reached the Martial King realm, his strength would ascend to a new level.
Time flowed by, and a week had passed in the blink of an eye.
Just as Qin Hanchu was at a critical juncture in his breakthrough, his doorbell rang.
Qin Hanchu ignored the doorbell, isolating external sounds to continue his cultivation.
Three days later, a powerful surge of energy erupted from Qin Hanchu's body.
With a crash, the items in Qin Hanchu's room were all knocked over by the impact of this energy.
The appearance of this energy surge was a manifestation of Qin Hanchu reaching the Martial King realm.
Qin Hanchu did not immediately cease his cultivation; he popped a Scarlet Flame Pill into his mouth.
The Scarlet Flame Pill was designed to help Martial King realm cultivators awaken their elemental power.
Qin Hanchu had originally awakened his elements in a cold pool, but now it only took a few pills to achieve the same.
Another three days passed in a flash. With the aid of the Scarlet Flame Pill, Qin Hanchu successfully awakened the fire element.
He opened his palm, and a ball of scarlet flame danced in his palm.
"I wonder if I can reach the World Tree this time."
After tidying up his room, Qin Hanchu, clad in his combat attire, opened the door.
As soon as he stepped out of the apartment, two men in black blocked his path.
"Alchemist Ye, Elder Xu wishes to meet you," one of the men in black said respectfully.
Qin Hanchu mused for a moment before nodding. "Lead the way."
Guided by the men in black, Qin Hanchu arrived at the headquarters of the Black Tower.
As he entered the meeting room, a beautiful woman walked in.
This beautiful woman was the one who had sought an audience with the Tower Lord earlier.
"Alchemist Ye, it's finally a pleasure to meet you," the beautiful woman said with a smile.
Qin Hanchu asked, "What business do you have with me, Elder Xu?"
"It's not me who wants to see you, but the Tower Lord," Elder Xu replied with a smile. "Follow me."
"The Tower Lord wants to see me? Am I that important?" Qin Hanchu inquired.
"The youngest Honorable Alchemist, isn't that enough to warrant an audience with the Tower Lord?"
"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way, Elder Xu."
Led by Elder Xu, the two arrived at the helipad.
"The Tower Lord is in seclusion outside, so we need to take a warplane," Elder Xu explained.
Qin Hanchu asked no further questions and followed her directly.
Now that he was in the Martial King realm, even if the Tower Lord was a Martial Venerable or a Martial Emperor, they wouldn't be able to harm Qin Hanchu.
After the warplane took off, Elder Xu looked at Qin Hanchu opposite her and asked, "Who is Alchemist Ye's master? He must also be very powerful to have taught such an outstanding disciple."
Qin Hanchu replied, "My master is indeed very strong, but he has forbidden me from speaking his name."
"Is he not part of our Black Tower?" Elder Xu continued to inquire.
"If he were part of the Martial Arts Administration, wouldn't that make me a spy?"
"Not exactly. Your master is your master, and you are you!"
Qin Hanchu smiled. "The Black Tower is more magnanimous than I imagined."
"It is precisely because of this that the Black Tower is supported by so many people," Elder Xu said with a smile. "By the way, what is your current cultivation realm?"
"Mid-stage Grandmaster!"
Qin Hanchu naturally would not tell the truth. With his abilities, it was very easy for him to conceal his strength, and even those stronger than him could not see through Qin Hanchu's true power.
"I admire that. I only reached this realm at the age of forty-five."
Qin Hanchu merely smiled, not engaging further.
Elder Xu stopped asking questions and said with her eyes closed, "Let's rest for a while. It will take three days of flying to reach our destination."
Qin Hanchu also closed his eyes, secretly practicing his combat techniques and cultivation methods.
During these three days, apart from eating, Qin Hanchu was cultivating.
Sensing the warplane beginning its descent, Qin Hanchu finally opened his eyes.
"Let's go, we've arrived!" Elder Xu stood up and walked towards the cabin door.
As Qin Hanchu reached the cabin door, he felt the warplane come to a halt.
With the cabin door opening, Qin Hanchu stepped out under Elder Xu's guidance.
This place had no castles or buildings, only various cave dwellings.
It was clear that the Tower Lord was not the only one here.
The true powerhouses of the Black Tower should all be in seclusion here.
Qin Hanchu asked no further questions and quietly followed behind Elder Xu.
Ten minutes later, Elder Xu led Qin Hanchu into the Tower Lord's cave dwelling.
The Tower Lord had already received notification from his subordinates. As Qin Hanchu and Elder Xu entered the cave dwelling, he walked out.
"Tower Lord, Alchemist Ye has arrived," Elder Xu said, cupping her fist towards the Tower Lord.
The moment he saw the Tower Lord, Qin Hanchu sensed elemental power.
This Tower Lord had reached the Martial Emperor realm!
"Greetings, Tower Lord," Qin Hanchu feigned a bow and asked, "May I know what business you have with me?"
"Whether in alchemy or martial arts, Alchemist Ye's performance is top-notch within the Black Tower."
"As the Tower Lord of the Black Tower, I naturally have to meet you."
"If you are willing, the Black Tower will spare no effort to cultivate you."
Qin Hanchu smiled upon hearing this. "Before that, I have to pass an assessment, right?"
"Of course, so I have some questions for Alchemist Ye to answer truthfully," the Tower Lord said sternly.
Qin Hanchu replied, "Please ask."
"Where did you learn your martial arts and alchemy from?" the Tower Lord asked with a deep voice. "You must tell me your name and not conceal anything!"