Chapter 1812: Wan Gu Zhenren

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume Ten: Battle of the Demon Realm by Wang Yu

“As for True Man Wan Gu, I’ve heard a few things. I heard that this fellow Daoist was originally a rogue cultivator, but ten thousand years ago, he founded the White Bone Sect, becoming its patriarch. His ambitions seem considerable,” Han Li said after a slight pause.

“Speaking of which, the White Bone Sect is a considerable power within our Black Tortoise territory, capable of ranking among the top ten sects. To achieve this in such a short time demonstrates Senior Wan Gu’s formidable abilities. Oh, and Senior Wan Gu currently resides on the highest floor of the Immortal Welcome Palace. If you have a preference for which floor you’d like to stay on, you can simply inform the manager of the Immortal Welcome Palace then,” the large man respectfully replied.

As they spoke, the four Thunder Guards had already led Han Li to the entrance of the white jade palace, where several armored guards in green stood sentinel.

The leading large man quickly dismounted his giant wolf, walked up to one of the guards, pointed at Han Li, and then whispered a few words.

The green-armored guard, initially somewhat indifferent, had a change of expression. After carefully observing Han Li, he immediately bowed to him and then quickly turned and entered through the large gate.

The large man then returned to Han Li’s side and said:

“Senior Han, we juniors still have important patrol duties, so we cannot stay here long. In a moment, the manager of the Immortal Palace will personally come out to greet you, Senior. The four of us will take our leave first.”

With that, the four large men slightly bowed to Han Li and bid him farewell.

Han Li naturally didn’t stop them; he simply waved his hand, allowing the four Thunder Guards to depart.

Almost at the very moment the large man and his companions’ giant wolves ascended into the sky and departed, two individuals emerged from within the palace gate.

One was the green-armored guard who had just rushed inside, while the other was a white-faced old man in a gray robe. His eyes were slightly green, with subtle, piercing glints, revealing him to be a cultivator at the mid-Void Refinement stage.

“This must be Senior Han Li. I apologize for not coming out to greet you earlier, Senior; please forgive this junior, Zong Mian,” the old man said, stepping forward a few paces and bowing respectfully from a distance to Han Li.

“There’s no need to be so polite, Fellow Daoist Zong. I’m a bit tired from my long journey here. Please arrange my accommodations as soon as possible,” Han Li said calmly after glancing at the old man.

“Please don’t worry, Senior. Everything has long been prepared at the Immortal Welcome Palace, and you can move in immediately. Aside from the top floor, which Senior Wan Gu occupies, and the first floor being uninhabitable, the other eight floors are currently vacant. You may choose whichever you prefer,” Zong Mian said with a smile.

“Then the fifth floor it is. It’s neither too high nor too low, which suits me perfectly,” Han Li said after a moment’s thought.

“Yes, I’ll take you there to have a look first, Senior. If anything is unsatisfactory, this junior will immediately help you switch,” the old man said with a somewhat obliging tone.

Han Li nodded impassively and, guided by the old man, entered the main hall on the first floor of the Immortal Welcome Palace.

The entire hall was several hundred zhang wide. Its walls and floor shimmered, inlaid with fist-sized white luminous pearls that made the hall sparkle with crystalline light, resembling an immortal realm like a dragon palace.

Around the hall, some tables and chairs made of white jade were sparsely placed in the corners, not in great number.

In the center of the hall, however, was a light silver teleportation array, about seven or eight zhang in size.

The old man walked directly to the array and stepped in first, leading the way.

Han Li, expressionless, also stepped inside.

Hai Dashao and Qi Lingzi exchanged a look and naturally followed closely behind, not missing a step.

Although it was their first time using a teleportation array, neither of them showed any fear.

Then, the old man cast a spell on the teleportation array, and the entire array buzzed with a burst of light.

At this moment, Zong Mian flipped his hand, and an exquisite silver token appeared in his grasp.

Han Li glanced at it, seeing one side of the token inscribed with complex runes, and the other with a light golden character “five.”

The old man gently shook the token, and a silver light shot out, disappearing into the array below.

The next moment, the entire array shimmered with silver light, and the figures of all four vanished simultaneously.

Although Hai Dashao and Qi Lingzi had closed their eyes, they still felt a momentary sensation of lightheadedness.

When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves on an open-air platform.

Around the platform, on one side, was a garden area with several winding paths, lined with numerous exotic flowers and spiritual herbs whose names were unknown, leading to various unknown places. On the other side was a verdant pond, several mu in size, where five-colored spiritual fish, about a chi long, swam aimlessly.

Just then, a breeze blew, bringing with it a vibrant surge of spiritual energy that washed over them.

Hai Dashao was somewhat stunned. Suddenly remembering something, he looked up.

Above, the sky was azure, with a few white clouds gently drifting.

However, the several suns that should have been there were nowhere to be found. Instead, a massive milky-white orb of light floated high in the sky, emitting a soft white glow.

Hai Dashao was dumbfounded by the sight.

Qi Lingzi, standing nearby, was no better; his mouth hung wide open, seemingly unable to close.

“Don’t stare. Everything above is merely an illusion created by a restriction. With your cultivation levels, you won’t discern any profound secrets,” Han Li’s voice suddenly echoed in both their ears simultaneously.

Startled, the two snapped out of their daze, only to find that Han Li had, at some unknown point, stepped out of the array and was standing a dozen zhang away, smiling faintly as he watched them.

The old man named Zong Mian, standing a bit further away, was also smiling benignly as he watched the two.

Hai Dashao and Qi Lingzi’s faces flushed slightly, and they quickly, somewhat awkwardly, stepped out of the array.

Yet, the two were still barely containing their excitement. Following behind Han Li, they constantly looked around.

Walking along a small path, a light green palace appeared before their eyes. While not particularly grand in size, it excelled in its exquisite beauty; almost every pattern was meticulously etched upon it.

On both sides of the main hall were separate courtyards and a slightly smaller side hall.

These buildings were clearly intended for the disciples and followers of the cultivators visiting here.

These structures were enveloped by lush green bamboo, with pavilions vaguely visible amidst them.

What a captivating sight.

Who would have thought that this ethereal, wonderland-like place was merely one floor of a colossal palace?

“Is every floor of the Immortal Welcome Palace arranged like this?” Han Li asked the old man, seemingly casually, as he stood not far from the hall, looking around.

“Heh heh, of course not. Each floor of the Immortal Welcome Palace has a different layout, just in case a senior isn’t satisfied and wishes to switch. If Senior Han finds this unsuitable, this junior can immediately arrange another floor for you,” Zong Mian replied without hesitation.

“That won’t be necessary. This floor is quite good; I’m rather satisfied with it. I’ll stay here,” Han Li said dismissively, waving his hand.

“Since you find it acceptable, Senior, please keep this restriction token safe. As the restrictions on each floor are different, and only one token is crafted for each floor, we kindly request you return this item after the assembly concludes,” the old man said, a smile appearing on his face, as he handed over the silver token with both hands.