Chapter 2210: Closing the Door to Cultivation

A Work by Wang Yu

Synopsis: Volume Thirteen

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Volume Thirteen

Welcome.

Daoist Xie followed Han Li unhurriedly, not far behind him. Most of the other human cultivators were dejected, traveling in silence.

From far behind them, a dull rumble suddenly echoed faintly!

Following that, a terrifying wave of air surged from the same direction, causing the very ground to tremble slightly.

The other human cultivators immediately stirred, their expressions varied as they gazed back.

Clearly, such an astonishing phenomenon could only be caused by the Wood Tribe detonating the Wood Realm Grand Array.

To still feel such power from such a distance, the fate of the demons still inside the array was easily imaginable.

It was likely that, apart from the remaining avatars of the Demon Ancestors, all other demons would be buried with this grand array.

However, it was no wonder the Wood Tribe acted this way!

Considering the Wood Tribe’s current predicament was entirely due to the demon invasion, it was natural for the entire tribe to despise the demons.

Therefore, the Wood Tribe’s Elder Council didn't hesitate to sacrifice the entire grand array to exact fierce revenge on the demons, ensuring their elite forces were completely wiped out.

But having lost their Saint Lord and Grand Ascension Stage cultivators, the Wood Tribe could no longer maintain independence like the Human Race and other factions. In the future, they would either have to seek allegiance with another tribe or migrate to a remote and desolate area.

Naturally, the Human Race and other tribes could not fulfill their original alliance pact for a tribe that no longer held equal standing, nor continue to fight tooth and nail against the demons here.

Han Li silently pondered all this, then waved his hand high in the air, ordering the entire party to immediately speed up.

The demons had suffered a severe blow, and with no grand array to impede them, who knew if the Demon Ancestors would go mad and seek revenge on the retreating allied forces?

To be safe, it was best for them to return to Kapok City as soon as possible.

Seeing Han Li's command, the other human cultivators dared not delay, immediately boosting their magical power.

A loud whooshing sound filled the air as all the escaping lights shot towards the horizon with a 'hissing' sound.

Two months later, above a mountain near Kapok City, Han Li, Old Ancestor Ao Xiao, and Mo Jianli were conversing peacefully.

Behind him stood Daoist Xie and the young girl, Zhu Guo'er.

Behind Old Ancestor Ao Xiao, Yin Yue stood with her hands clasped.

However, at this moment, Yin Yue's expression was cold; she listened to the three men's conversation without any discernible emotion.

"We came to assist the Wood Tribe this time, but never expected such an outcome. The Wood Tribe has decided to divide their people: some will pledge allegiance to us and become our vassal tribes, while others will enter the desolate lands to find a hidden place and live in seclusion from now on," Mo Jianli said with a sigh.

"This approach is indeed a wise choice! If, within the next ten thousand years, the Wood Tribe can produce another Grand Ascension Stage cultivator, it's not impossible for them to recall their people and re-establish themselves in the Spirit Realm. But if their luck is poor and no Grand Ascension Stage members emerge, then in just a few tens of thousands of years, the Wood Tribe will likely truly vanish from the Spirit Realm," Old Ancestor Ao Xiao said calmly.

"It seems the decline of the Wood Tribe is inevitable in the short term. The loss of their power will likely significantly impact our multi-tribe alliance's strategy against the demons. Have you two seniors already devised a countermeasure?" Han Li slowly inquired.

"While the absence of the Wood Tribe significantly reduces the alliance's strength, the demons' current situation isn't much better. There isn't much time left until the two realms separate again. If we just hold on a little longer, we can win without fighting. Even if the demons manage to gain a foothold in the Spirit Realm using the Wood Tribe's territory, without continuous support, how could they possibly contend with the combined might of our tribes? What we need to do now is return to our respective tribes first, ascertain whether any of the three Demon Progenitors have truly descended upon the Spirit Realm, and only after addressing the immediate crisis can we discuss other matters," Old Ancestor Ao Xiao replied.

"Since you two seniors have a plan, I am relieved. After I return to my tribe this time, I will likely enter seclusion for cultivation and won't be able to offer much assistance to the tribe for a while," Han Li said with a nod, a hint of regret in his voice.

"Haha, if you can advance to the Grand Ascension Stage in the future, that alone will be the greatest help to our two tribes. Furthermore, given your age, you might be our greatest reliance for the next hundred thousand years or more. As for the current troubles, it's only natural that us two old fellows shoulder them first," Mo Jianli replied with a laugh.

Upon learning that Han Li and Daoist Xie had, in one go, slain over ten avatars of Demon Ancestors within the Wood Realm Grand Array, this human Grand Ascension Stage cultivator was overjoyed and became even more optimistic about Han Li's future advancements.

"So, you're not planning to return to Tianyuan City for your cultivation this time, but instead intend to find another hidden place?" Old Ancestor Ao Xiao seemed to recall something and suddenly asked.

"Although Tianyuan City has repelled the demon attack, it's still far from absolutely safe. This time, I am quite wary of external disturbances during my seclusion, so I plan to seek out a secluded place. Unless my cultivation significantly improves, I likely won't emerge easily," Han Li replied with a smile.

Han Li's confidence, naturally, stemmed from the large quantity of 'Exotic Demon Gold' he possessed.

The amount of Exotic Demon Gold was sufficient to propel his cultivation to the peak of the late Integration Stage.

"That's good. The demons have planted many spies among our human ranks. The fewer people who know about your secluded cultivation, the better. Neither of us will ask where you're going; we only hope your cultivation goes smoothly this time, Fellow Daoist Han," Mo Jianli said, readily agreeing.

"Linglong! Come here. As per our previous agreement, I'm entrusting her to you as well. I hope you cultivate the secret art soon so you can suppress the cultivation backlash she suffers," Old Ancestor Ao Xiao beckoned, having Yin Yue approach him, then spoke to Han Li with a pleasant expression.

"Please rest assured, Senior. During this seclusion, I will first cultivate the secret art to completion. I will not let Fellow Daoist Linglong's cultivation continue to be hindered," Han Li promised without hesitation.

"With that assurance, I am at ease. Linglong, for now, you are to obey Fellow Daoist Han's instructions. You must not leave his side easily without my explicit command. Otherwise, do not consider me your grandfather," Old Ancestor Ao Xiao turned and calmly instructed Yin Yue.

"Yes, Grandfather!" Yin Yue glanced towards Han Li and coldly assented.

"It's getting late, Fellow Daoist Han, you should set off now. In a few days, once we two have handled the Wood Tribe's affairs, we will also depart immediately and return to our tribes," Mo Jianli said solemnly.

"The time is indeed almost right. Then I shall return to my tribe first," Han Li looked up at the sky, nodded, then clasped his hands slightly towards the two Grand Ascension Stage cultivators in farewell.

Old Ancestor Ao Xiao and the other naturally returned the gesture with a smile.

Han Li flicked his sleeve, immediately releasing a shimmering azure jade flying boat, which hovered low in the air. With a flicker of his figure, he stood upon it.

Daoist Xie, Zhu Guo'er, and Yin Yue also quickly boarded the boat.

He cast a magic incantation!

The azure jade flying boat trembled slightly, then emitted a low hum as it shot through the air. After just a few flashes, it transformed into a ball of green light and vanished towards the horizon.

Five months later, in a continuous mountain range at the border of the Human and Demon tribal regions, an azure jade flying boat hovered above an inconspicuous peak.

Han Li stood perfectly straight on the flying boat, his eyes closed, while his immense spiritual sense slowly swept in all directions without reservation.

Yin Yue and the other two stood silently behind him.

"Good, there's no one else within tens of thousands of miles in every direction. We'll open a cave dwelling here," Han Li said, opening his eyes and revealing a trace of satisfaction.

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his large sleeve, and over a dozen spiritual lights flew out, transforming into a dozen colossal puppet apes. At his command, they all surged towards the mountain below.

With green light flashing from their ten fingers, these puppet apes treated the mountain rock as nothing. In just the time it takes to eat a meal, they excavated a massive cave dwelling within the mountain's core, complete with a medicine garden, alchemy room, and all other necessary structures, not a single one missing.

With flashes of green light, these puppet apes flew back one by one from the mountain's interior.

After a summons, Han Li led the group downwards. With a slight turn of his palm, numerous formation flags and arrays flew out consecutively, transforming into shimmering light and vanishing into the nearby void.

Han Li casually set up several powerful restrictions, completely enclosing and protecting the entire cave dwelling.

Upon reaching the main hall of the cave dwelling within the mountain, Han Li gave a few casual instructions to the others, then entered the deepest secret chamber of the dwelling, closing the stone door behind him to begin his seclusion.

After sitting cross-legged in the center of the secret chamber, Han Li first silently recited the incantation of the spiritual sense secret art that Old Ancestor Ao Xiao had imparted. After meticulously contemplating it for a while, he then formed a hand seal and began cultivating the incantation.

This time, he intended to cultivate this secret art to complete mastery in one go, so that Yin Yue would temporarily have no worries, and only then would he begin cultivating other martial arts.

A moment later, Han Li's eyes were tightly closed, and layers of five-colored crystal light flickered across his body, rapidly flowing and shifting.

He himself remained motionless, like a wooden statue.

A year and a half later, the five-colored aura, which had become as brilliant as a flame, suddenly receded. Han Li opened his eyes, a pensive expression flashing across his face.

"Besides slightly enhancing spiritual sense, this secret art surprisingly has remarkable effects on calming the mind and cultivating inner energy. Old Ancestor Ao Xiao is truly worthy of being the Demon Race's only Grand Ascension Stage cultivator in tens of thousands of years; his talent is indeed far beyond ordinary people, to be able to create such a Qi cultivation secret art," Han Li murmured to himself.

Han Li murmured to himself, then suddenly released his spiritual sense, sweeping through the entire cave dwelling.

A moment later, he discovered Yin Yue in another secret chamber not far from his own seclusion spot, currently meditating and cultivating.

Her expression was peaceful, and she showed no sign of having detected Han Li's spiritual sense.

Han Li quietly observed her for a moment, then, after a slight nod, silently withdrew his spiritual sense.

After thinking for another moment, he flipped his hand, and a strange black and white ore suddenly appeared in his palm.

Welcome.