Chapter 1205: 府中

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality (Updated to Volume 7: Roaming the Human Realm, Chapter 1143: Yin Evil Blood Corpse)

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from within the white seal. Amidst intense trembling, a pitch-black, several-zhang-long giant sword pierced through the seal. With a single slash, it ripped open a gaping hole over ten zhang long in the seal.

A mass of dark light shot out from the opening.

Han Li's heart turned cold!

A mass of dark light shot out from the opening.

Chapter 1184: Capturing the Nascent Soul

"Form the array!" Cang Huan and the woman, who had been observing the seal, immediately ordered in unison upon seeing the situation.

Thirty-six disciples of the Falling Cloud Sect simultaneously threw their formation flags and plates into the sky above the seal.

Instantly, these array-forming tools glowed brilliantly. Layers of five-colored light mist materialized in the air and swept downwards.

The mass of dark light, caught off guard, saw a flash of five-colored spiritual light and was instantly enveloped and trapped within the mist.

The dark light, naturally, was the Second Nascent Soul.

When it was enveloped by the flames from the Three Flame Fan, it subconsciously unleashed all the demonic energy that had been infused into its body to save itself. As a result, although the demonic energy was consumed by the flames and even most of its demonic body was refined away, this accidental turn of events dispelled the Nascent Soul's demonic transformation, and it instantly regained its sentience.

As expected of something possessing Han Li's previous memories, at the brink of life and death, it decisively first self-destructed the demonic artifact, the Scarlet Blood Sword, to break through the three-colored flames. Then, fearing Han Li would pursue it with his Wind-Lightning Wings, it gritted its teeth and also self-destructed the repaired Luo Banner.

The self-destruction of these two treasures was indeed extraordinary. Han Li, caught off guard, truly allowed it a sliver of hope, enabling it to escape right under his nose.

However, it was well aware that such methods could not hinder Han Li for long. It had already decided that once it escaped the Demonic Abyss, it would immediately use the Nascent Soul's teleportation technique to flee to one of the Seven Spirit Islands.

To be safe, it had already set up a hiding place in a secret location on the island. For this purpose, it had even used several special treasures and deployed a highly sophisticated formation to conceal its aura, believing it could absolutely evade Han Li's spiritual sense scan and gain a respite.

But what the Second Nascent Soul never expected was that Han Li, who usually preferred to act alone, had this time gathered so many low-level cultivators outside the seal and set up a powerful restrictive formation beforehand to block the seal's exit, just waiting for it to fall into the trap!

Now, the Second Nascent Soul, trapped in the light mist, was naturally enraged and astonished.

Its tiny hands frantically swung at the surrounding light mist, resulting in streaks of dark sword energy wildly slashing all around.

However, this five-colored light mist was quite wondrous. Although most of it was cleaved open by the sword energy, it instantly recovered with a flash of light, leaving no chance for the Second Nascent Soul to escape. Seeing this, the Second Nascent Soul's small face changed dramatically. It suddenly rubbed its hands together and then flung them outwards simultaneously.

Immediately, two black beams of light shot out, then instantly transformed into two giant swords, about a zhang long each, and fiercely cleaved downwards in the same direction.

The cultivators desperately manipulating the formation flags and plates around them could no longer hold on.

After two thunderous roars, the five-colored light mist was torn open, revealing a hole several feet wide. Although spiritual light flickered around the edges, the hole was too large, and the cultivators operating the formation flags and plates temporarily lacked the spiritual power to mend it, so it did not immediately close.

The Second Nascent Soul was overjoyed at this sight. Its figure flickered, and it disappeared from the light mist, having used its teleportation technique.

Then, with a flash of black light, the black-green Nascent Soul appeared outside the five-colored light mist. It glared fiercely at the surrounding cultivators, then formed a hand seal with both hands, about to use consecutive teleports to flee the area.

But just then, a gentle breeze suddenly blew in front of it, and a figure materialized with the wind.

"Oh no!" The Second Nascent Soul moved without thinking, disappearing from its spot a step ahead.

The figure that appeared with the wind was, of course, Han Li, who had just pursued it using his Wind-Lightning Wings.

Seeing the Second Nascent Soul teleport away without even glancing at him, Han Li's face darkened, and he let out a cold snort.

A thin bloody crack suddenly appeared between his brows. A mass of black qi rapidly emerged from it, then condensed and transformed into a pitch-black eyeball, which eerily stared into the distance.

A black streak, fleeting as a flash, shot out and struck a void about twenty zhang away, then burst open. With a bright black flash, the Second Nascent Soul stumbled into view, its small face lifted, filled with an expression of shock and disbelief.

Han Li sneered, opened his mouth, and spat out a small green cauldron. He grabbed it, then with a shake of the green-white feathered wings on his back, he silently merged with the wind and disappeared.

The Second Nascent Soul looked back and saw this scene, shouting "Not good!" in its heart. It immediately moved its body, turning into a black light to shoot away and escape.

But at this moment, a puff of green threads suddenly spurted out from the void. They spread out like a net waiting for a rabbit, firmly coiling around the Nascent Soul, binding it securely.

Although greatly startled, the Second Nascent Soul simultaneously shot out countless streaks of dark sword energy from its body, trying to break free.

But after a series of explosions and flashes of dark light, the green threads remained completely unharmed.

The black-green Nascent Soul truly became frightened. Just as it was about to use another secret technique to escape, a green electric arc flashed, and Han Li eerily materialized nearby, holding the small cauldron in one hand.

Seeing the Second Nascent Soul still struggling, a cold light flashed in Han Li's eyes, and he lightly flicked his finger at the small cauldron.

With a soft "clang," the cauldron lid automatically opened, and a stream of green light soared skyward. The green threads binding the Nascent Soul then shone with a corresponding brilliance. The Second Nascent Soul felt its body tighten, and the spiritual energy within it suddenly became sluggish and unresponsive.

Then, with a flash of green light, it was pulled backward by the green threads, and in an instant, it was swept into the small cauldron without any resistance. Han Li pointed at the floating cauldron lid, and the lid immediately transformed into a green light, falling back down and resealing the Void Heaven Cauldron.

The small cauldron's light receded, and it became tightly sealed once more.

Han Li felt a weight lift from his heart, and a faint smile finally appeared on his face.

Trapped within the Void Heaven Cauldron, even a late Nascent Soul stage grand cultivator would have no way to escape.

"Congratulations, Senior Uncle Han, on your great success!"

Cang Huan and the woman, leading a group of Foundation Establishment disciples, stepped forward to respectfully offer their congratulations. A hint of flattery was discernible on their faces.

"Hehe, you've all contributed significantly this time. These two bottles contain some pills that will be slightly beneficial for your cultivation. Take them and share them. Also, this Demonic Abyss must have more personnel assigned to it for strict supervision, to prevent other demon cultivators from sneaking in." Han Li smiled faintly, touched his storage pouch with one hand, and two white jade bottles appeared in his hand, which he tossed to Cang Huan, while also giving instructions. "Yes, disciple will definitely discuss this with the other sects and assign more personnel from now on. Senior Uncle, why don't you first return to Spirit Turtle Island to rest for two days before returning to the sect?" Cang Huan replied delightedly after receiving the jade bottles.

"No need. This place isn't too far from the sect, and I have other important matters to attend to, so I won't linger here." Han Li waved his hand, shook his head, and then, putting away the small cauldron in his hand, transformed into a clear rainbow and pierced through the air, departing.

Cang Huan and the woman naturally bowed, watching Han Li depart. It was only after a long while that they finally raised their heads again. "Fellow Daoist Cang, what kind of pills did Senior Han leave you? Given Senior Han's status, those pills must be extraordinary, right?" The red-robed cultivator, standing further away, also approached with his disciples, looking at the two jade bottles in Cang Huan's hand with envy. "I don't know either, but I imagine they won't be too bad. Let's quickly reinforce and restore the seal." Cang Huan let out a few dry laughs. With a flash of white light from his hand, the two medicine bottles were put away. He seemed reluctant to discuss the matter further, instead instructing his disciples.

Although the seal had closed the large opening again, the spiritual light flickering on its surface was noticeably dimmer.

Immediately, the cultivators of the Falling Cloud Sect flew towards the surrounding stone pillars, preparing to reinforce the seal once more.

Although the red-robed cultivator was eager to know what pills were in the bottles, seeing this scene, it was inconvenient to press further. He chuckled and immediately ordered his disciples to join in the effort to strengthen the seal.

Then, with a hum from over a dozen stone pillars, a layer of milky white spiritual light appeared on the seal's surface, and the seal gradually condensed and thickened. Over ten days later, Han Li returned to Cloud Dream Mountain.

However, he did not return to the Falling Cloud Sect but went directly to Mother-Son Peak.

But when he parted the restriction and had just landed in front of the cave dwelling on Mother Peak, a woman was waiting there.

"It's you!" Han Li gazed at the white-robed woman before him, slightly startled.

"Greetings, Master!"

The beautiful female cultivator bowed respectfully to Han Li, her expression solemn. It was indeed his registered disciple, Liu Yu.

"Have you been waiting here all this time?" Han Li frowned, then asked indifferently.

"Not just me, Senior Sister Mu and Senior Sister Song have also arrived here. The three of us were somewhat worried, so we took turns waiting here for Master's return. However, they are currently having a small gathering in Junior Sister's cave dwelling." Liu Yu replied obediently after discreetly glancing at Han Li.

"Hehe, with my current cultivation, what is there to worry about in capturing my own Second Nascent Soul? By the way, you've all met Qin'er." Han Li asked, seemingly casually.

"Yes, disciple has indeed met Junior Sister. Junior Sister Tian is truly obedient and clever; no wonder Master personally accepted her as a disciple." Liu Yu smiled charmingly.

"Qin'er is a bit different from you all. She possesses the Dragon Chant Physique, which likely means she has no opportunities in the Grand Dao. I accepted her for other reasons. You don't need to try to probe anything." Han Li's eyebrow twitched, and he spoke dismissively.

"Master, you jest. How would a disciple dare to probe you!" Liu Yu felt a surge of joy upon hearing this, but an awkward expression appeared on her face. "Alright, since you're all here. Go call all three of them over. I happen to have something to say to you all." Han Li stroked his chin, then suddenly instructed in a deep voice.

"Yes, disciple respectfully obeys Master's command." Liu Yu's heart tensed, and she immediately agreed.

Han Li nodded, then with a flick of his sleeve towards the tightly closed cave dwelling door, a stream of clear light swept out.

With a rumbling sound, the stone door slowly rose, and Han Li, robes fluttering, walked inside.

Liu Yu, meanwhile, transformed into a white light and headed directly for Tian Qin'er's cave dwelling.

Volume 7: Roaming the Human Realm

After a meal, Han Li sat in the main hall of his cave dwelling. To his sides stood three older and one younger beautiful women, all with respectful expressions, barely daring to breathe.

After Mu Peiling and the other two women returned to the cave dwelling, they learned that Han Li had not only advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage but had also suppressed the other three grand cultivators, becoming the foremost cultivator in Tiannan. Such astonishing news naturally filled the three women with even greater awe and reverence for Han Li.

"Regarding the Second Nascent Soul, you needn't worry. It has been captured. In a few days, I will erase its independent consciousness and re-refine it into my Second Nascent Soul. However, you three are truly daring, to boldly enter the inner valley of the Demonfall Valley. Don't you know that even Nascent Soul cultivators often cannot safely exit once they enter?" Han Li's face was cold as he reprimanded the three women in a displeased tone.

"Reporting to Senior Uncle, the Illusionary Spirit Grass was simply too important to us. That's why we had no choice but to risk exploring the inner valley. This disciple will certainly never be so reckless again in the future." The woman surnamed Song stood with her hands clasped, explaining. "Illusionary Spirit Grass... do you intend to refine the Illusory Demise Pill to break through bottlenecks?" Seeing the woman surnamed Song interject, Han Li, being an old acquaintance of hers from before he formed his Nascent Soul, found it difficult to continue his reprimand but asked with a frown.

"Master is discerning. We indeed intended to refine this pill." This time, Liu Yu honestly replied.

"If it's this pill, then you don't need to search for Illusionary Spirit Grass anymore. I happen to have a bottle right here. This type of pill should not be taken in excess when breaking through bottlenecks. Two pills per person for the three of you should be enough." Han Li patted his waist with one hand, and a small jade-green bottle appeared in his palm, which he casually tossed to Liu Yu.

This bottle of pills was likely refined by some old Nascent Soul monster who had died by his hand. They were useless to him now, but he took them out as a convenient favor.

The woman subconsciously reached out to catch it. Only then did she fully understand Han Li's words, and she immediately thanked him, both surprised and delighted.

The woman surnamed Song and Mu Peiling were also overjoyed and stepped forward to express their gratitude.

"Never mind, it's just a mere bottle of pills. I called you here this time because I have a few other things to instruct you on." Han Li waved his hand, speaking indifferently.

"Whatever Senior Uncle commands, we shall obey." The woman surnamed Song replied respectfully.

The other two women also became solemn, seeing that Han Li had something to say.

"As you should know, I've always disliked interfering in sect matters. However, now that I am a Grand Elder of the sect, it wouldn't be proper for me to completely ignore things and leave all mundane affairs to your Senior Uncle Lu. Therefore, I need a disciple who can assist Senior Uncle Lu in managing the sect while I am in secluded cultivation. Liu Yu, are you willing to represent me and handle some sect affairs? Of course, I won't let you waste your time. I will impart a few secret cultivation techniques to you and grant you several treasures, enough to make you rarely have an opponent among cultivators of the same rank. Hehe, although you were forced to become my registered disciple back then. If you agree to this, I can officially accept you as my direct disciple." Han Li spoke to Liu Yu with deep meaning. "Master, is that true!" Liu Yu's bright eyes lit up, and she blurted out.

"Given my current status, would I speak falsely to you?" Han Li smiled faintly.

"If that's the case, disciple respectfully obeys Master's command!" Liu Yu agreed almost without hesitation.

It was unclear what truly moved her: the prospect of gaining significant power within the Falling Cloud Sect, or the chance to become Han Li's official disciple, or perhaps both swayed her.

Han Li nodded in satisfaction. With a flick of his sleeve, a white jade slip appeared in his hand. He then took out a pair of green rings, a fire ruler, and a dazzling golden flying sword from his storage pouch and handed them to the woman.

Liu Yu received the jade slip and treasures with both hands, bowing repeatedly with light steps, unable to conceal the excitement on her face.

Although she didn't know what powerful mystical arts were recorded in the jade slip, just these few ancient treasures were things she normally wouldn't even dare to dream of, enough to make her completely satisfied.

"You should go meet Senior Brother Lu first. I will immediately send a sound transmission talisman to inform him of this matter." Han Li instructed the woman.

Liu Yu obeyed, respectfully agreed, and then bowed out.

As soon as the woman left the cave dwelling, Han Li flipped his palm, and a sound transmission talisman appeared in his hand.

After muttering a few words to the talisman, he waved his single hand, and the talisman transformed into a streak of fire, shooting out and vanishing in a flash. Everyone else quietly watched Han Li's actions, no one daring to disturb him.

"Junior Niece Song, I also have something I want you to do." Han Li turned his head and said, his voice softening from when he spoke to Liu Yu.

"Senior Uncle, please just speak your mind." The woman surnamed Song said without thinking.

"Actually, it's not a big deal. I just hope that when you recruit new disciples for the sect in the coming years, you can find me a disciple with an exceptionally strong innate spiritual sense. I want to personally take them as my disciple and train them separately." Han Li mused for a moment, then said.

"An exceptionally strong innate spiritual sense? Such a disciple is one in a century. Junior Niece cannot guarantee it, but I will do my best to find one." The woman surnamed Song was startled by Han Li's words and hesitated slightly.

"It's alright. I didn't say you had to find one immediately. Just keep an eye out, Junior Niece Song. I see that you've cultivated to the peak of the mid-Core Formation stage. Relying solely on the Illusory Demise Pill might not give you a very high chance of breakthrough. I still have a bottle of 'Yin Origin Pills' here. Although they aren't widely known, they are very beneficial for female cultivators who possess a 'virgin' body. Junior Niece, you might consider taking a few pills when attempting to break through."

As Han Li spoke, he raised one hand, and a dark small bottle appeared in his palm amidst a flash of green light, then silently flew towards the woman surnamed Song.

Although the woman had never truly heard of the 'Yin Origin Pills', Han Li's words, spoken as a grand cultivator, naturally meant they were absolutely genuine.

With a look of joy, she thanked him and took the jade bottle.

After exchanging a few more words with the woman surnamed Song, Han Li dismissed her from the cave dwelling, then his gaze fell upon Mu Peiling.

Mu Peiling's body involuntarily tensed. Her previously raised delicate face unconsciously lowered again, and a faint blush appeared on her jade-like earlobes.

"You've been my concubine for about a hundred years now, haven't you?" Han Li asked gently, a complex flicker in his eyes.

"Yes, Young Master. When you accepted me all those years ago, you had just successfully formed your Nascent Soul. Now you are already a grand cultivator of the late stage." Mu Peiling finally raised her head and replied softly.

"I originally took you in to use your virginal body to cultivate the 'Fallen Phoenix Yuan Cultivation Art,' so you could assist me when I broke through to the Nascent Soul realm. But I never expected that plans wouldn't keep up with changes; my mid-Nascent Soul and late-Nascent Soul realms unexpectedly advanced through other methods. And the 'Fallen Phoenix Yuan Cultivation Art' is only effective for breakthroughs in the Nascent Soul realm." "Young Master, do you mean to send Peiling away from Mother-Son Peak?" Mu Peiling's beautiful face changed dramatically, instantly turning pale as a sheet.

"Send you away? Of course not. But when you became my concubine, it was mostly due to your family's coercion. Now that you are a Core Formation cultivator, no one is coercing you anymore. And I no longer wish to keep you by my side in such an ambiguous way. On one hand, it might truly hinder your prime years. On the other hand, Wan'er will soon be free, and I need to give her an explanation." Han Li paused his words here.

"How does Young Master intend to arrange Peiling's future?" Mu Peiling asked, biting her red lips with her pearly teeth.

"It's simple. Just like before, I'll give you two choices now, and you can pick one. One path: I'll give you some benefits, considering it compensation for your years of cultivating the 'Fallen Phoenix Yuan Cultivation Art.' Then I'll let you leave Mother-Son Peak, restore your free status, and allow you to marry freely. From now on, we'll have nothing to do with each other!" "With Young Master's current reputation, even if you personally cleared my name and restored my reputation, which cultivator in Tiannan would dare to marry me?" Mu Peiling said, murmuring with a bitter smile.

Han Li frowned upon hearing this but didn't interject, continuing to speak:

"The second path is also not complicated. If you are truly dedicated to the path of immortal cultivation and willing to devote your life to it, I can continue to keep you on Mother-Son Peak. Outwardly, you would still be my concubine, but in reality, I can treat you as a disciple and give you some guidance on cultivation. Of course, your cultivation aptitude is also not bad, and I can even let Wan'er truly accept you as her disciple. After all, Wan'er's cultivation techniques are originally suitable for female cultivators, and cultivating with her might be more appropriate than my guidance. Of course, doing this might still lead to some gossip, but it would minimize the unfavorable rumors about you." Han Li said calmly, gazing at her beautiful face.

After hearing Han Li's choices, Mu Peiling fell silent.

Han Li didn't press her either, seemingly in no hurry for her to make a decision.

"Can I choose neither path?" The woman suddenly said.

"What do you mean by that?" Han Li frowned slightly.

"I want to be Young Master's true concubine! To stay by Young Master's side for my entire life!" Mu Peiling said resolutely after another moment of silence.

"Truly be my concubine? That won't work." Han Li's expression shifted, but he shook his head.

"Why? Does Young Master think Peiling's cultivation is too low, or her appearance too unsightly, making her unworthy of being by your side?" Mu Peiling's face turned extremely pale.

"That's not it. You're already at the mid-Core Formation stage, so your cultivation is certainly not low. And as for appearance, among all the female cultivators I've seen, you're easily in the top ten." Han Li sighed.

"Then why did Young Master refuse so quickly? Is it because you're afraid Elder Nangong won't agree?" Mu Peiling asked.

"Wan'er's situation is only one aspect. But the main reason is that I am wholeheartedly dedicated to the Dao. I will often go into secluded cultivation for decades at a time. If you can form your Nascent Soul, that would be fine, as your lifespan would reach a thousand years. But if you cannot enter the Nascent Soul stage, then if I go into secluded cultivation just a few more times, I'm afraid you won't even have many chances to see me. Staying with me would just be wasting this life. I also don't want to cause futile heartache." Han Li mused for a moment, replying somewhat helplessly.