Chapter 1279: Return to the Island

A Mortal's Journey to Immortality - VIP Section

Over the past few decades, Han Li consistently consumed Dragon Scale Fruits, which he had stored in his spatial pouch. His current strength has far exceeded the limits attainable by cultivators in the Human Realm.

After he transplanted the Dragon Scale Fruit to the Fallen Devil Valley, the spirit medicines that the humanoid puppet began sending to the Mustard Seed Space included these very fruits.

However, Han Li didn't consume a fruit daily; instead, he took one every half-month. While the fruit's medicinal properties were subtle, if he didn't fully absorb and refine them each time, the cumulative effect over time would have been too much for his body to bear, even though he had cultivated the *Ming King Art* to its third layer.

The Golden Flood Dragon King's recommendation for daily consumption, on the other hand, was naturally due to the Flood Dragon race's formidable physique, which far exceeds that of ordinary demonic beasts.

During his seclusion, Han Li spent little time refining these fruits because he was focused on breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage. Therefore, he consumed them for just over a decade before stopping, dedicating all his efforts to cultivating the *Clear Stream Sword Art*.

Before his current journey to the Five Dragon Sea, he had specifically filled an entire spatial pouch with ripened Dragon Scale Fruits.

Therefore, over these years, while traveling throughout the Human Realm, he consumed the fruits and simultaneously cultivated the *Bone Tempering Art*, which he had acquired by chance, to refine their medicinal properties.

To Han Li's surprise, he discovered that the *Bone Tempering Art*, when combined with the Dragon Scale Fruit, yielded astonishingly good results. The cultivation technique, which had initially seemed difficult, progressed at an incredible speed, and he mastered several layers within just a few decades.

Upon internal inspection, his bones were not only significantly thicker but also displayed a faint golden hue, strikingly similar to the color of his skin when he activated the *Ming King Art*.

Regarding his strength, he could now effortlessly lift a massive ten-thousand-jin boulder with a single hand, without using any spiritual energy, and remain completely composed.

To Han Li's even greater surprise, he discovered that the Dragon Scale Fruit also had a remarkable effect on the cultivation of the *Ming King Art*. As a result, while cultivating the *Bone Tempering Art*, he unknowingly advanced the *Ming King Art* to its fourth layer.

While marveling at this, he secretly speculated that the *Bone Tempering Art* might be related to the *Mortal Saint True Scroll*, or perhaps it was a cultivation technique specifically created based on the *Ming King Art*.

Otherwise, this technique wouldn't appear to complement the *Ming King Art* so perfectly.

With the *Ming King Art* now at the fourth layer, he could cultivate several Buddhist sect secret arts associated with it.

These secret arts, when combined with the *Ming King Art*, possessed astonishing power, immediately advancing his divine abilities significantly.

When Han Li consumed the Dragon Scale Fruit, he naturally concealed the Void Heaven Cauldron to prevent the boy from discovering his secret.

Otherwise, if he kept producing Dragon Scale Fruits every other day, it would be strange if the boy didn't become suspicious.

"Speaking of which, it's quite strange that the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light turned gray after reaching mastery. I originally thought this divine ability would manifest in five colors. After achieving mastery, its power greatly increased, so there's no need to cultivate anything else specifically. This is a very rare divine ability."

"Even cultivators one realm higher than you would find it difficult to counter this cultivation technique," the boy said, suddenly changing the topic to the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light.

"I also didn't expect the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light to become so inconspicuous," Han Li said, stroking his chin, equally perplexed. "When I cultivated it before, the divine light indeed emitted the five elemental colors; this anomaly only occurred after mastery."

He had been somewhat puzzled by this matter for years, keeping it to himself. Now that the boy brought it up, he couldn't help but ponder over it.

"Haha, this cultivation technique was originally created by cultivators of this realm, so any anomaly is not surprising," the boy said with a chuckle.

"That makes sense. As long as the divine light's power isn't diminished, what does it matter if its color has changed a bit?" Han Li said, his mouth twitching slightly, before he too smiled casually.

"Hehe, it's best if you think that way, Fellow Daoist. It seems Brother Han truly intends to ascend to the Spirit Realm soon. In that case, I will no longer accompany you back to the Five Dragon Sea; let's part ways here." No sooner had the boy finished speaking than a ball of green light rapidly shot out from Han Li's sleeve, swirling before hovering in mid-air. It was precisely the small Void Heaven Cauldron.

After a clear chime from the cauldron, its lid opened on its own, revealing a crack from which a wisp of gray energy flew out, transforming into the several-foot-tall boy.

"You can leave the Void Heaven Cauldron now? I recall there was still a bit of time left before your full liberation, wasn't there?" Han Li asked, his expression showing a slight surprise, looking quite astonished.

"Over these years, I haven't been idle in the cauldron. This last bit of confinement can no longer bind me," the boy said, his lips curling into a smile, with an ancient air.

"So that's it. Do you intend to stay here, Fellow Daoist? Why not return to the Heavenly Abyss Grassland, or stay somewhere else? This Heavenly Fiend Continent, though called a continent, is merely an exceptionally large island; it simply cannot compare to other fundamental cultivation grounds," Han Li asked slowly, his expression quickly returning to normal.

"I am merely a contingency plan of my Spirit Realm true form, and I am not in a hurry to achieve mastery in cultivation. The amount of resources holds no meaning for me right now. I chose to stay on this Heavenly Sand Continent because I recently detected the aura of one of my kind; though their bloodline doesn't seem entirely pure, I intend to meet them," the boy said calmly, with a light chuckle.

"One of your kind? Then congratulations, Fellow Daoist Heavenly Abyss," Han Li said, startled for a moment, but then a smile appeared on his face.

"Haha, I didn't expect to encounter one of my kind in the Human Realm either. In that case, I will no longer accompany you, Fellow Daoist; I shall take my leave here." After cupping his fist, the boy's figure flickered, transforming into a stream of grayish-white demonic energy that surged towards the distant horizon.

A moment later, the demonic energy vanished at the edge of the sky.

That demon showed not even a trace of hesitation! Han Li's eyes flickered a few times as he watched the direction where the demonic energy disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.

"With such a demon existing in this realm, it likely won't be too peaceful in the future. But what does that have to do with me?" Han Li mumbled to himself after an unknown period, then transformed into a streak of green rainbow light and departed.

Two years later, in the Misty Black Lands of the Five Dragon Sea, a streak of green rainbow light shot forth from the horizon, flashing once before disappearing into the sea mist.

When Han Li's prolonged roar resonated above the small island, figures emerged one after another, revealing over a dozen cultivators.

Han Li was startled, a glint appearing in his eyes, but upon seeing a graceful, familiar figure among them, his expression immediately softened, revealing a heartfelt trace of joy.

"My husband, you've finally returned." In a blink of an eye, the figure's owner flew before Han Li, her enchanting smile causing her beautiful face to outshine all flowers.

"Yes, I'm back. But, Wan'er! Why are you on the island? I was planning to return to the Chaotic Star Seas sometime later myself."

This person was none other than his companion, Nangong Wan.

"I wasn't quite at ease about the spatial node matter, so I naturally came to check it out. Besides, I've been on the island for decades already!" Nangong Wan said with a charming smile, a hint of playful reproach in her tone.

"Decades ago? Wasn't that shortly after I left this island?" Han Li couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

"Indeed. As soon as you left, my dear husband, I followed right behind. I even met Fellow Daoist Feng," Nangong Wan said with a suppressed laugh.

"You've met that Ice Phoenix?" Han Li blurted out.

"Of course, I have. And Fellow Daoist Feng and I became fast friends; we've been close companions all these years," Nangong Wan said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, chuckling.

Upon hearing this, Han Li was somewhat speechless.

"Alright, let's discuss everything else once we're on the island." Nangong Wan glanced around and then said this.

Han Li naturally didn't object. He nodded and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the beauty before him, then flew down to the island's pavilion, surrounded by the cultivators.

No sooner had the two sat down in the chairs in the main hall than Nangong Wan, with a wave of her jade hand, dismissed the other cultivators, leaving only Tian Qin'er standing respectfully by her side.

"Qin'er! How is your Dragon Roar Physique progressing?" Han Li asked, a glint of surprise in his eyes as he looked at his female disciple.

"Thank you for your guidance back then, Master. The Dragon Roar Physique on this disciple has been completely dispelled by Senior Feng, who bestowed cold essence upon me. I am now planning to attempt condensing my Nascent Soul," Tian Qin'er replied with gratitude upon hearing Han Li's question.

"That's good. It's your fortune to have such an opportunity. My efforts weren't in vain after all." Han Li couldn't help but smile.

"Qin'er, please invite Fellow Daoist Feng here and tell her that your master has returned and has important matters to discuss!" Nangong Wan gently instructed at this moment.

"Understood!" Tian Qin'er immediately replied, then backed out of the main hall.

Han Li's surprise flickered. Although he said nothing, as soon as Tian Qin'er left, he cast an inquiring look at Nangong Wan.

"I heard, my husband, that you went out this time to search for methods to resist the various dangers within spatial nodes. Have you found anything?" Nangong Wan asked suddenly, her eyes sparkling.

"While I can't say I found nothing, what I did find is indeed a bit disappointing," Han Li said, shaking his head, his expression clouding slightly.

"Then it seems, my husband, you must join forces with Fellow Daoist Feng to enter the node; only then will the chances of success be greater. Furthermore, you needn't worry too much about treasures. You possess two Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures and have mastered the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light, so you are simply incomparable to ordinary cultivators. Additionally, I just so happen to have a defensive heavy treasure in my possession. You should take it and refine it as well," Nangong Wan said gravely, her delicate brows furrowing immediately. "A heavy treasure? What kind of treasure?" Han Li asked, a bit curious.

Nangong Wan smiled slightly, and just as she was about to say more, she suddenly closed her lips, her expression changing. Moments later, footsteps could be heard from outside the hall.

A silver-clad woman entered silently. It was the Ice Phoenix! "Fellow Daoist Feng, please have a seat. My husband and I were just discussing how to join forces with you to enter the node," Nangong Wan said with a light chuckle, rising to greet her as soon as she saw the woman.