Chapter 1245: Encounter

"Senior Brother, have you forgotten the demonic calamity at Kunwu Mountain and the beast uprising at Minor Extreme Palace over two hundred years ago? If I'm not mistaken, Daoist Han personally participated in both of these sensational events back then, and played a significant role in them," Yan Zhu said calmly.

"Kunwu Mountain? Minor Extreme Palace? Is this the person that the Yin Luo Sect and Minor Extreme Palace have been searching for all this time?" The silver-robed monk was startled upon hearing this, and re-examined Han Li with a peculiar glint in his eyes.

"So many years have passed. Someone still remembers my past deeds. What, do you fellow Daoists intend to apprehend me and hand me over to those two sects?" Han Li remained unusually calm, appearing as if he had long anticipated Yan Zhu's identification.

"Haha, Brother Han, don't joke. Although the Yin Luo Sect and Minor Extreme Palace wield considerable power, what do they have to do with our Heavenly Secret Pavilion? Why would our pavilion undertake such a thankless task? However, Brother Han's great name has been widely known to me for a long time. I heard that Old Devil Qian of the Yin Luo Sect and Venerable Han Li of Minor Extreme Palace both perished by your hand. Is this true?" Upon hearing Han Li's frank admission, the stout old man's heart immediately sank, and his smile became somewhat forced.

"There were other reasons for the events back then. As for Old Devil Qian and Venerable Han Li, even if I denied it now, I doubt any of you fellow Daoists would believe me," Han Li replied with a cold smile playing on his lips.

"I heard that Brother Han's cultivation was only at the Nascent Soul mid-stage back then. If the rumors are true, that you could slay two Grand Cultivators at such a realm, then having advanced to the late-stage now, your divine abilities must be even more astonishing. This monk would be most grateful for an opportunity to spar with you, fellow Daoist." The silver-robed monk's expression changed several times before he spoke with solemnity.

"Master Yuanzhi, there's no need for that! Since Brother Han genuinely wishes to purchase the method for refining mustard seed space, our pavilion can certainly discuss it with you." Upon hearing the monk's words, Can Ku was startled and hastily tried to dissuade him.

It seemed that as soon as the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master realized Han Li was the mysterious cultivator who had caused a stir in Great Jin for quite some time, his thoughts immediately shifted. He no longer wanted his honored elder guest to engage Han Li in combat.

"Fellow Daoist Can Ku, there's no need to dissuade this old monk further. Even without the matter of the mustard seed space, I must spar with Daoist Han to exchange divine abilities. After all, I've been at the late Nascent Soul stage for a long time, and I'm eager to exchange insights with fellow Daoists of the same realm to see if I can gain any epiphanies. If Daoist Han is truly as formidable as the rumors claim, this old monk will certainly not miss this excellent opportunity." The silver-robed monk stared at Han Li and spoke these words.

Upon hearing the silver-robed monk's words, Can Ku's face immediately fell. He turned his head and repeatedly cast meaningful glances at Yan Zhu, who was standing nearby.

"Benefactor Can, there's no need to worry! If it's merely a sparring match of divine abilities, Senior Brother Yuanzhi and Daoist Han won't encounter any accidents; a little exchange would be good. To be honest, this monk also wishes to witness some of the great divine techniques from Tiannan." The young monk said with a smile.

The stout old man was rendered speechless by these words.

"You know my origins!" Han Li's heart tightened upon hearing Yan Zhu mention Tiannan, and his expression darkened.

"Brother Han, there's no need to be surprised. Although your origins are naturally extremely mysterious in the eyes of ordinary cultivators, it's not difficult for us, the Ten Great Sects of both righteous and demonic paths, to investigate. Do you truly believe that the Yin Luo Sect and Minor Extreme Palace couldn't discover your background? They are merely feigning ignorance because they fear your divine abilities. After all, back then, besides losing one Grand Cultivator, several other Nascent Soul elders from both sects also perished. Now, they are busy dealing with other forces coveting their territories and have no time to provoke trouble with you. Otherwise, you wouldn't have lived so peacefully in Tiannan all these years." Yan Zhu seemed to know Han Li's thoughts and spoke unhurriedly.

"That's true. I don't know about other sects, but the Yin Luo Sect most likely knows my origins. However, since this isn't about the mustard seed space, I have no interest in casually sparring with fellow cultivators of the same realm. Unless, that is, Fellow Daoist Can Ku promises that if I happen to defeat Master Yuanzhi, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion will be willing to offer the refining method for trade." Han Li's expression softened.

The silver-robed monk was startled by these words and couldn't help but glance at the stout old man.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master's expression became uncertain, but after a moment, he seemed to have understood something and replied with a smile:

"Since Daoist Han is so confident, why would I procrastinate further? As long as Brother Han truly gains the upper hand in a spar with Master Yuanzhi, what impediment would there be to handing over the secret refining technique for the mustard seed space to you?"

He readily agreed.

"Fellow Daoist Can Ku's word is enough. In that case, I shall experience Master Yuanzhi's divine abilities. To be honest, I am quite curious about Buddhist secret techniques myself, and I hope the Master will not disappoint me." Han Li chuckled, immediately stood up, and spoke without hesitation.

As soon as these words were spoken, all the Core Formation cultivators standing on both sides stirred, with some unable to hide the excitement on their faces.

Monk Yan Zhu, meanwhile, stood by, smiling silently, looking profound and inscrutable.

The silver-robed monk raised his eyebrows, let out a cold snort, and a hint of ferocity appeared on his elegant face.

"Given the divine abilities of you two fellow Daoists, a spar within this Heavenly Secret Hall would naturally be somewhat restrictive. How about we spar outside? For you two, a mere flight restriction would naturally not pose a challenge." Can Ku surveyed the surroundings and suggested.

"Naturally, that's fine; this monk has no objections!" The silver-robed monk slowly nodded.

"Then it shall be as Pavilion Master Can says." Han Li also appeared indifferent.

Thus, the group immediately exited the grand hall and arrived at the hall's entrance once more.

The others remained standing on the ground, while Han Li, his body flickering with green light, transformed into a green rainbow and shot into the sky. The silver-robed monk, meanwhile, had white lotus flowers sprout beneath his feet, gently supporting him as he slowly ascended into the air.

Moments later, the two stood facing each other dozens of feet above the Heavenly Secret Hall.

The silver-robed monk gazed at Han Li for a moment, then suddenly uttered a Buddhist chant, and a faint golden light abruptly appeared on his face.

Seeing this, Han Li's previously languid expression tightened, and he suddenly asked with a frown:

"I've long heard that Master Yuanzhi is a Vajra Guardian of Buddhism. Are you perhaps cultivating the rumored Ming Wang Jue?"

"Oh, I didn't expect fellow Daoist to be quite knowledgeable about our Buddhist cultivation techniques. This old monk is indeed cultivating that very art; I hope Daoist Han can offer some guidance." The silver-robed monk was initially startled that Han Li could name the cultivation art he was performing, but then he spoke proudly.

He brought his hands together, and Sanskrit chants emanated from his lips. One by one, faint silver runes floated directly from his silver robe. At the same time, not just his face, but his entire body's skin began to turn a pale golden color, as if a golden Arhat had descended into the world.

Han Li's expression remained unchanged, but his heart grew solemn.

This display clearly indicated that the opponent had cultivated the Ming Wang Jue to its fourth layer. This meant their body was as hard as an ordinary magic treasure; if a common flying sword were to strike, the opponent could likely block it bare-handed.

However, if the opponent's abilities were limited to this extent, they naturally wouldn't be his match.

Without a word, he immediately flicked his sleeve, and with a series of clear ringing sounds, dozens of golden flying swords swarmed out from his sleeve, transforming into streams of sword light about a foot long, circling erratically in front of him.

Immediately after, Han Li also uttered an incantation and lightly pointed towards the sky.

All the sword lights trembled, releasing a brilliant golden glow, and instantly multiplied from one to seven, transforming into hundreds of identical sword lights. With a slight flutter, the golden sword energy nearly covered half the sky, like dazzling golden waves, with an astonishing momentum.

Below, Can Ku and the other Core Formation cultivators watching the battle couldn't help but have their expressions change drastically upon seeing this scene.

There was no need for Grand Cultivator Han to unleash any more divine abilities; merely the sheer number of sword lights surging forth together would likely be utterly irresistible for an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.

The silver-robed monk opposite, however, remained unmoved by this sight. He simply raised both hands, and simultaneously, red and green spiritual lights flickered in his grasp. A crimson monk's staff several feet long appeared in one hand, and a string of emerald-green Buddhist beads in the other.

Just then, Han Li, across from him, formed a hand seal with both hands. Hundreds of humming sword lights transformed into a golden mist, sweeping rapidly towards him.

"Excellent!"

The silver-robed monk let out a loud shout, abruptly raised his hand, and the crimson monk's staff instantly transformed into a crimson flood dragon, directly charging towards the opponent. The emerald-green Buddhist beads in his other hand were also cast out; after flickering with green light, they formed a layer of green light barrier, protecting him within.

Immediately afterward, this great Buddhist cultivator lowered his eyes and continuously changed his hand seals, seemingly preparing to unleash some extremely profound divine ability.

The crimson flood dragon, however, shook its head and wagged its tail, then plunged headfirst into the golden mist formed by the Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords.

It was unknown what material the monk's staff was made of, but even though the flood dragon was instantly struck by hundreds of sword lights simultaneously, with golden and crimson light intertwined, it was not sliced into fragments by the swords imbued with Geng Jing. Instead, the crimson dragon, unwilling to be outdone, bared its fangs and claws, fiercely biting and thrashing within the golden mist, showing no signs of falling behind.

"Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Coral!" Han Li murmured upon seeing this, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Although flying swords imbued with Geng Jing were incredibly sharp, there were naturally a few materials in the human realm that could completely resist them. Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Coral was one such material.

However, the rarity of this material was probably even greater than that of Geng Jing, making it harder to find. It seemed Master Yuanzhi's monk's staff was refined from this material, and the proportion appeared to be quite high. Otherwise, it would have been absolutely impossible for it to withstand so many flying swords attacking simultaneously and remain unharmed.

Han Li was surprised, but his Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords didn't rely solely on sharpness to win. He immediately urged his spiritual sense, causing a small portion of the sword lights to continue entangling the red flood dragon, while the majority circled once, swept past from one side, and transformed into streaks of golden light, shooting directly towards the monk.