Chapter 1083: Cultivating the Core

Volume 6: Heavenly Spiritual Treasures [Full Version]

The burly man’s heart sank upon hearing this, but he dared not show any anger. Instead, he forced a smile and explained, "Senior, our Li family settled on Snowpeak Mountain with Senior Long's personal permission. If Senior wishes to take it, you certainly may, but may I first notify Senior Long?"

"Senior Long? Are you trying to use him to pressure me? No matter who it is, if they are displeased, let them come find me. But after half a day, if anyone remains on this mountain, then don't blame this old man for being ruthless." Han Li's eyes flashed, and he said with a grim expression.

The burly man's face changed drastically. As he was about to say more, Han Li, unwilling to listen further, flicked his sleeve. Immediately, a surge of hazy green wind burst forth from it.

Startled, the burly man's protective spiritual light flickered, but he only felt an immense spiritual pressure envelop him. The words he was about to utter were forcefully pushed back by a mighty power.

Meanwhile, the two elders, who had ascended using their magic tools, didn't even have time to activate their defenses. They were spun helplessly in the air by the wind, unable to stabilize themselves.

In their fright, both naturally tried to cast spells to protect themselves. However, while caught in the wind, most of their spiritual power was strangely suppressed, as if they had been directly sealed.

At that moment, the two elders were truly terrified!

Fortunately, the wind dissipated and vanished from the vicinity in an instant. When the two elders regained their composure and looked forward, pale-faced, they found the distance empty. Han Li had disappeared without a trace.

"Ancestor, when did this person..." A black-robed elder, still trembling with fear, tried to ask the grey-robed burly man something.

"Order everyone in the clan to pack immediately. They must leave this place within two hours," the burly man said, his face extremely grim, as he took a deep breath.

He, too, had not noticed when Han Li had left.

Immediately, the three of them flew downwards, disappearing into the mountain in a flash.

About the time it takes to eat a meal, the mountain became completely restless. Figures either ran swiftly on the ground or flew through the air on their tools, weaving erratically between the various pavilions, cave dwellings, and mountain paths. Everyone wore expressions of panic, but their actions were generally orderly, preventing major chaos.

Over an hour later, two groups of cultivators began a grand withdrawal from the mountain, splitting into airborne and ground contingents. There were two to three hundred individuals, though most were Qi Condensation stage cultivators. Only about twenty people were able to fly using tools. The speed of the entire group was not slow; in the blink of an eye, they had moved far from the mountain and were heading out of the mountain range. Such a large-scale movement naturally attracted the attention of other cultivation forces in the vicinity, who, surprised, sent people to inquire about the news. The Li family members, having no reservations, directly told them the truth.

When these cultivators heard that Snowpeak Mountain had been occupied by a Nascent Soul cultivator, they were all greatly shocked and hastily returned to discuss countermeasures. Such a high-level senior expert suddenly appearing in this area was truly an unpredictable matter of fortune or misfortune for them. However, considering the forceful occupation of Snowpeak, it was likely to be more of the latter.

While several cultivation forces in the vicinity were trembling with fear and thrown into disarray, Han Li had silently appeared atop a giant boulder on Snowpeak Mountain. He was extending his spiritual sense to carefully check if any cultivators were still hidden on the mountain. A moment later, he reopened his eyes, a satisfied expression on his face. Without speaking, he flipped his hand, and a stack of formation flags appeared. Then, his figure blurred into a green rainbow, swiftly encircling the mountain. A short while later, when he returned to the mountaintop, the formation flags and plates in his hand were gone.

And at this moment, countless wisps of hazy white mist suddenly rose around him, quickly engulfing the entire spiritual mountain in a blanket of white.

Han Li nodded, observing the barrier formed by the spell formation before him. This set of formation tools, taken from Old Demon Qian's storage pouch, was considered high-grade. While it was nothing against a Nascent Soul cultivator, a Core Formation stage cultivator who accidentally entered would have considerable difficulty escaping.

Moreover, he did not stop there. He reached down and took a spirit beast pouch from his waist, casually tossing it into the air. With both hands, he formed a hand seal and pointed at the air. Immediately, the pouch opened wide, and a surge of icy cold air gushed out, mixed with more than ten crystal-white, winged centipedes – the Six-Winged Frost Scorpions.

As soon as these centipedes flew out of the pouch, they circled above Han Li's head, chirping softly and appearing unusually joyful. Han Li smiled faintly, seeing that the cold weather of this place seemed to greatly excite these spirit insects. Immediately, with a thought from his divine sense, the twelve Six-Winged Frost Scorpions shot into the surrounding mist, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

With this illusion array and the twelve Six-Winged Frost Scorpions, comparable to Core Formation cultivators, lurking within the formation, even an early Nascent Soul cultivator would likely find it difficult to easily invade this mountain. Once truly at ease, Han Li no longer delayed. He immediately used his spiritual sight ability to locate the point of densest spiritual energy within the mountain's core. Then, using earth-escape art, he entered it, opening up a certain space. He released the Heavenly Artifice Manor, which lightly floated into this cave dwelling. After Han Li arranged his spirit insects and beasts, he promptly entered the secluded cultivation chamber, sat cross-legged, slowly closed his eyes, and began meditating.

This meditation lasted a full day. When Han Li reopened his eyes, his expression was calm and composed, his mind undisturbed.

With one hand, he pressed his storage pouch at his waist. A cinnabar red gourd appeared in his hand. From its side, a thumb-sized pill rolled out, glistening emerald green and exuding a rich fragrance.

It was precisely the "Infant Nurturing Pill," the main objective of Han Li's previous journey.

According to the elder surnamed Fu from the Nine Nether Sect, refining this pill would take at least half a year. Han Li naturally wouldn't delay any further. Refining this pill sooner would greatly benefit his future cultivation and combat abilities. He opened his mouth and swallowed the green pill. Han Li immediately felt as if he had swallowed something cool and lukewarm, but then threads of warmth began to emanate from it.

Han Li dared not delay; he put away the gourd, closed his eyes, and simultaneously formed hand seals, resuming his meditation.

At this moment, if another cultivator were to use their inner vision to observe Han Li's internal state, they would find that Han Li's two-inch-tall Nascent Soul had opened its eyes within him, and from its mouth, wisps of azure Nascent Fire were spewing forth, enveloping the emerald green pill, slowly refining it.

The entire chamber was utterly silent, as if no one was there.

Days passed, and unknowingly, more than half a year went by. The secret chamber remained utterly quiet. However, outside Snowpeak Mountain, several waves of people arrived during this period. These included Core Formation cultivators from nearby forces, as well as high-level rogue cultivators who had traveled from other places, drawn by reputation. Moreover, a silver-robed elder once came alone to visit. This individual was the only early Nascent Soul cultivator among the visitors. But no matter who it was, upon seeing the boundless hazy white mist and calling out a few times without success, they could only return helplessly.

The silver-robed elder, feeling somewhat unconvinced, had once attempted to breach the white mist. However, after only a short time, he was forced to retreat amidst a flurry of piercing insect chirps. One of his arms had turned translucent and appeared sealed by a layer of frost. Although seemingly unharmed, the silver-robed elder dared not easily trespass on this barrier again and could only sigh and return empty-handed. He understood clearly that the presence of such formidable spirit insects within the formation indicated the occupant's clear unwillingness to receive outsiders. Furthermore, the insects' power alone proved that the occupant was indeed a Nascent Soul cultivator far more powerful than himself, so he naturally wouldn't do anything foolish to anger them.

Before long, all cultivation forces, great and small, within a hundred thousand *li* radius centered on Snowpeak Mountain, learned that a powerful senior expert had arrived at Snowpeak. Even "Senior Long," who had dominated the area for centuries as a Void Refining stage cultivator, seemed unwilling to provoke this new arrival. Consequently, all forces turned their attention to Snowpeak.

The area within a thousand *li* of Snowpeak Mountain automatically became a restricted zone. All cultivators passing through would detour widely around it, fearing they might disturb the high-level expert's secluded cultivation and thus invite great trouble upon themselves.

Fortunately, over half a year had passed, and Snowpeak Mountain remained as quiet as it was initially. The high-level expert seemed to have no intention of interfering with local affairs. This brought a slight sigh of relief to the other uneasy forces. However, on this very day, unknown to anyone, Han Li, who was in seclusion in the secret chamber, finally finished refining the Infant Nurturing Pill and opened his eyes.

His face glowed brightly, indicating a significant increase in his cultivation.