Chapter 1808: Withered Eye Magic and Qi Observing Technique

Han Li and the three Integration Stage cultivators genuinely discussed their cultivation insights and techniques for a full half-day. They then departed, having gained considerable benefit.

Standing at the edge of the beast-drawn carriage, the Tianyuan Sacred Emperor watched as the green rainbow, into which Han Li had transformed, vanished into the distant sky. He then issued a command. The convoy, which had halted in the air, immediately resumed its forward journey.

As soon as the Tianyuan Sacred Emperor took his seat at the head of the carriage, he asked a somewhat abrupt question: "Fellow Daoist Huang, Master Tianchan, what do you think?"

"Very young!""Very good!"

After exchanging glances, the emaciated old man and the monk spoke in unison, their expressions grave.

"Heh heh, Fellow Daoist Huang's Withered Eye Great Divine Technique can discern a person's true bone age. 'Very young' is easy to understand. As for 'very good,' I'd like to hear Master Tianchan's more detailed comments. Fellow Daoist Tianchan's aura-observing technique ranks among the top three within our human race, so I trust it won't disappoint me," the Tianyuan Sacred Emperor said with a slight smile.

"Although this person conceals his aura very well, my aura-observing technique does not rely on spiritual sense to judge the strength of cultivation. In my opinion, it is true that his cultivation is at the early Integration Stage, but the profundity of his spiritual power far surpasses that of ordinary early Integration Stage cultivators. If we were to compare specifically, it should be almost twice as profound as a typical early Integration Stage cultivator. This means that even though Fellow Daoist Han is only at the early Integration Stage, the density of his spiritual power is no less than that of a mid-stage cultivator like myself." Master Tianchan pondered for a moment before speaking slowly and deliberately.

"It seems this fellow Daoist cultivates a technique with a special divine ability that amplifies spiritual power; otherwise, it wouldn't be like this. However, generally in such cases, other divine abilities tend to be somewhat weaker," the Tianyuan Sacred Emperor remarked, a flicker of understanding in his eyes, as he nodded.

"Sacred Emperor, if you think so, you might be mistaken. Besides his exceptionally profound spiritual power, I also observed the aura of several great divine abilities on him. In addition to his primary cultivation technique, this person possesses at least three or four extremely powerful divine abilities. Each of them, I fear, is no less potent than my own Jade Spirit Secret Art." The monk shook his head, his expression exceedingly grave.

"Such a thing!" Before the Tianyuan Sacred Emperor could react, the emaciated old man blurted out in astonishment.

"Although Fellow Daoist Han's strength is somewhat unexpected, there's no need for Fellow Daoist Huang to be so surprised, is there? Did you make any other discoveries?" the Tianyuan Sacred Emperor asked calmly, glancing at the old man.

"Sacred Emperor, you should know that my Withered Eye Great Divine Technique can not only directly discern a person's bone age but also reveal certain aspects of their physical body," Fellow Daoist Huang said with a bitter smile.

"Could it be that Fellow Daoist Han's physical body also has something special about it?" This time, Master Tianchan couldn't help but ask in return.

"Nothing special, just exceptionally powerful," Fellow Daoist Huang said, his expression turning a little strange as if recalling something.

"Exceptionally powerful? Stronger than the Sacred Emperor's physical body?" The monk chuckled lightly upon hearing this.

"Even if it's not superior, I imagine it wouldn't be much inferior," the old man said, his facial muscles twitching, uttering words that caused the monk's expression to change dramatically.

"Is that true?" The Tianyuan Sacred Emperor's eyes flickered, and he too revealed a surprised expression.

"Impossible! Fellow Daoist Huang, are you joking? Although His Majesty the Sacred Emperor now primarily cultivates Confucian techniques, he was originally a top-tier body refiner. Furthermore, after so many years of deliberate tempering, the strength of his physical body is probably no less than that of those demon kings. Even if Fellow Daoist Han has achieved something in body refining, how could he possibly compare to the Sacred Emperor?" Master Tianchan shook his head like a rattle-drum.

"Even if my Withered Eye Great Divine Technique somehow erred, the strength of this person's physical body is absolutely the second strongest I have ever seen among humans, after only His Majesty the Sacred Emperor," the emaciated old man stated with great certainty after a slight hesitation.

"But this..."

"Master Tianchan, there's no need to doubt. Fellow Daoist Huang's Withered Eye Great Divine Technique has never been wrong. Heh heh, profound spiritual power far exceeding his peers, possessing several great divine abilities, a physical body as formidable as an ordinary demon king, and so young. If he can survive the upcoming demonic calamity, he might indeed become an existence no less than myself in the future." The Tianyuan Sacred Emperor waved his hand, cutting off the monk's words of doubt, and narrowed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Upon hearing this, the emaciated old man and the monk exchanged glances, a thoughtful expression appearing on their faces.

At the same time, Han Li, in his transformed state, was already tens of thousands of miles away, flying directly towards a strikingly verdant mountain range ahead. This mountain range, faintly featuring nine towering, sword-like peaks, was naturally the Nine Immortals Mountain, where the Myriad Treasures Convention was soon to be held.

However, the area within a thousand miles from the mountain range's edge was now a restricted zone. Before the convention, anyone entering the depths of this mountain range, apart from certain "important figures" with special statuses, would either be expelled if the offense was minor, or executed without mercy if severe. Therefore, most of the human and demon races who had traveled from afar to attend the convention were temporarily settled in the vicinity of Nine Immortals Mountain or on other surrounding peaks. The Yuehua Fairy, being merely a Core Formation Stage cultivator, was naturally among them.

When Han Li had left Hai Dashao and the others, he had casually planted a spiritual tracking mark inside Hai Dashao, so he wasn't worried about not being able to find them. Therefore, as Han Li's escape light was about to approach the Nine Immortals Mountain range, its direction suddenly changed, veering diagonally towards another part of the sky.

After the time it takes to eat a meal, the green rainbow shot down onto a hill in a hilly region. As the green light receded, Han Li appeared in a small, dense forest. He raised his head, surveyed the lush forest before him, a faint smile on his face, and lightly flicked his sleeve towards the trees. Immediately, a wave of azure light swept through. The forest suddenly blurred and distorted. A moment later, with a muffled sound, it shattered into specks of spiritual light. The former forest vanished without a trace, revealing instead a somewhat desolate, towering rock face. On the stone wall, a white stone door several zhang high stood conspicuously.

Without a word, Han Li raised a hand, and a streak of red light shot out, instantly disappearing into the stone door. He then stood calmly in place, making no further moves. A moment later, the stone door flickered with spiritual light and slowly began to rise. A procession of people emerged from within. Yuehua Fairy, Bai Huaji, and even Hai Dashao and Qi Lingzi were all inside. Furthermore, an old man with a dragon-head staff, white hair, and a face full of wrinkles walked at the very front; he was a Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator.

This slightly surprised Han Li.

As soon as the old man saw Han Li, his eyes flashed with keenness as he scrutinized him, then he immediately stepped forward two paces and bowed deeply and respectfully to Han Li. "Junior Tian Qingye, with my humble disciple, pays respects to Senior Han!"

Yuehua Fairy, seeing the old man's actions, hastily curtsied in turn. As for the middle-aged man and Hai Dashao, they also bowed with great deference, though a subtle strangeness lingered on their faces.

"You may rise. If you have anything to say, let's discuss it inside," Han Li said indifferently.

"Yes, this junior has already prepared spirit tea, and hopes Senior won't find it too humble!" the old man replied, daring to rise only after affirming.

Han Li nodded, said nothing more, and stepped inside the door. The others naturally followed respectfully behind.

A moment later, Han Li sat down in a clean stone pavilion, accompanied by the old man. Yuehua Fairy and the others stood respectfully to the sides, while Hai Dashao and Qi Lingzi seemed somewhat incredulous that "Brother Han" had suddenly become "Senior Han," and they kept stealing glances at Han Li.

Han Li, however, seemed to pay no mind to the two, merely asking the old man questions in a calm manner. In just a few words, he understood the background of the old man and his disciple. It turned out that the old man himself came from a medium-sized sect called Jingguang Sect within the Xuanwu territory, and was one of its two elders. Yuehua Fairy was his closed-door disciple, possessing excellent aptitude and usually highly regarded by the old man. Bai Guo'er was the young woman's granddaughter, and her only living blood relative. This was why Bai Huaji and his daughter were able to attend the Myriad Treasures Convention with the old man.

However, unexpectedly, when the middle-aged man tried to sell a blood ginseng passed down from his ancestors to exchange for other spiritual medicines to concoct a remedy for Bai Guo'er's internal cold poison, he accidentally fell into the trap of the Three Evils of Nanshan. If they hadn't coincidentally met Han Li and his companions, the lives of the father and daughter might truly not have been saved. Therefore, when the old man reached this point, he hurriedly had Yuehua Fairy and Bai Huaji step forward to thank Han Li once again for saving their lives. Han Li naturally waved his hand, indicating it wasn't necessary.

"Although this junior rarely leaves the sect, I have heard that a new human senior who has advanced to the Integration Stage has appeared in the Tianyuan Territory, and their name is identical to yours. Might I ask if you are Senior Han?" the old man finally asked cautiously.

Evidently, the reputation of Integration Stage cultivators was truly immense, so much so that the old man still couldn't be entirely certain of Han Li's identity.

"Heh heh, I didn't expect my reputation to spread so quickly, even cultivators in the Xuanwu Territory know of my existence," Han Li said with a faint smile, a noncommittal expression on his face.

"So it truly is Senior Han who has graced us with your presence. It makes sense, of course; only an Integration Stage senior of equal standing could be invited by the Sacred Emperor." Upon hearing this, the old man's face lit up with great joy. As a mere Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator, she would normally have no opportunity to interact with an Integration Stage cultivator. If she could establish some connection with Han Li now, it would naturally bring immeasurable benefits to both her sect and herself. Consequently, the old man became even more exceptionally respectful.

However, after Han Li's gaze swept around, he suddenly spoke words that greatly surprised everyone present. "Why isn't that little girl named Guo'er here? Call her out, I want to take another look at her."

Upon hearing Han Li's words, the old man and the others exchanged bewildered glances, and Yuehua Fairy, with a jolt in her heart, cautiously asked: "Senior Han, Guo'er's cold poison suddenly flared up after we returned, so she is currently resting in the back. Could Senior please wait for a moment or two? In a little while, this junior will bring her out to pay her respects to Senior."

"I see. There's no need to wait, just take me directly to see her. The main reason I came here this time was actually for this little girl," Han Li said with a slight smile, then stood up.

(Author's Note: I accidentally dozed off last night, so the morning update was a bit late. My apologies!)