Chapter 370: Protectors and Settlers

A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Wang Changqing gave a wry smile upon hearing Han Li's question.

"Immortal Master, you jest," Wang Changqing carefully explained to Han Li. "While some Immortal Masters possess storage bags, they treasure them immensely. How could they lend them to us mortals to carry mundane items? Besides, trade between the major islands involves vast quantities of goods, transported by entire ships. Though Immortal Masters' storage bags are incredibly wondrous, they can't hold much. And no Immortal Master would ever engage in such menial labor, which is beneath their dignity!"

Hearing this, Han Li nodded silently, his eyes half-closed as he sank into contemplation.

After a long pause, he said faintly:

"Regarding the matter Owner Gu wishes me to handle, I am afraid I am unable to assist. My cultivation level is simply not high enough; agreeing would only lead to humiliation. Please convey my regrets to Owner Gu and suggest he seek someone more capable. As for the cost of your ship bringing me to Kuixing Island, I will pay some spirit stones as compensation."

Han Li spoke slowly and clearly, but his voice was exceptionally cold.

Upon hearing his refusal, the old man's face instantly paled.

He then pleaded earnestly with Han Li:

"Immortal Master, please help my master!" the old man pleaded, his face full of earnestness. "You must understand, to secure this venture, Owner Gu has already spent a significant amount on the ship and its crew. Furthermore, he spent another large sum of spirit stones to qualify for the challenge. If he doesn't obtain the right to trade between the major islands, the Gu family will undoubtedly face ruin. We, his employees, will also lose our livelihoods and be forced to find other work."

"My cultivation is indeed inferior, and I certainly don't wish to stir up trouble immediately upon arriving at Kuixing Island," Han Li stated, shaking his head expressionlessly. His refusal was unequivocal.

Seeing that Han Li's mind was made up and his tone somewhat stern, Wang Changqing dared not offer further persuasion. He could only force himself to maintain his composure and chat with Han Li about local customs and other matters Han Li was keen to learn.

Half an hour later, noticing the old man's fatigue, Han Li suggested he return to rest and resume teaching him some local language the following day.

Wang Changqing had been feeling tired for a while. Seeing Han Li's consideration, he gratefully excused himself.

Watching the old man walk out and respectfully close the wooden door, Han Li let out a quiet sigh.

Although he possessed some spirit medicines that could invigorate and even subtly benefit a mortal's body, he had no intention of offering them to the old man.

In an unfamiliar place, it was always best to conceal one's wealth. To do otherwise could easily attract unnecessary trouble, or even lead to deadly consequences.

With these thoughts, Han Li sat cross-legged on the bed. He then took out a bottle of "Yellow Dragon Pills" from his robes, popped one into his mouth, and began cultivating his qi.

He had to restore his cultivation as soon as possible. After all, in any cultivation world, strength was paramount.

However, Han Li had only meditated for a short while when faint footsteps became audible from outside his door.

Though Han Li didn't open the door, his spiritual sense had already extended outwards, reflecting everything outside in his mind. It was indeed Wang Changqing, the old man, who had returned, accompanied by Owner Gu, both appearing heavily burdened.

Han Li's brow furrowed slightly.

It seemed trouble was brewing. Clearly, Owner Gu hadn't given up and intended to persist in bothering him.

If he were still in Tiannan, Han Li would have uttered a single, chilling word to deter them, not allowing either of them to step foot in his room again.

But now, having just arrived in an unfamiliar place, it was best not to appear overly unkind.

With this thought, Han Li didn't wait for them to knock. Instead, he calmly transmitted his voice:

"Please come in, both of you! The door isn't locked!"

Owner Gu and Wang Changqing were startled when Han Li's voice suddenly echoed in their ears. They quickly realized it was the Immortal Master inside inviting them in. Hurriedly adjusting their attire, they respectfully acknowledged him and gently pushed the door open to enter.

Han Li had already risen from the bed and was standing in the room with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Immortal Master," Wang Changqing began, "Owner Gu wishes to speak with you personally about that matter. Would you grant him an opportunity?" Having interacted with Han Li earlier, Wang Changqing knew this Immortal Master was not easily deceived, so he stated their purpose directly.

Hearing this, Han Li glanced at the old man, then offered a slight smile as he spoke:

"Of course," Han Li replied, a hint of nonchalance in his expression. "However, you should still advise Mr. Gu not to harbor too much hope."

Hearing Han Li's words, Wang Changqing looked a bit awkward but still relayed the message truthfully to the middle-aged man.

Upon hearing it, the middle-aged man's expression shifted. He then spoke a few solemn words to the old man, causing Wang Changqing to pause, a strange look on his face.

Han Li, meanwhile, observed coolly from the side, his expression completely neutral.

"Immortal Master!" Wang Changqing relayed. "Our master said that if you are willing to help, regardless of the outcome, the Gu family is prepared to offer a substantial sum of spirit stones as compensation. Furthermore, if you truly succeed in securing the major island trading rights for the Gu family, Owner Gu is even willing to act as a guarantor for you, an outsider, allowing you to settle permanently on Kuixing Island and become an official resident. Most importantly, whether you hold a position on Kuixing Island in the future or not, the Gu family is willing to dedicate thirty percent of their trade profits to you for the next three years."

Wang Changqing seemed somewhat dazed as he finished speaking, as if Owner Gu had promised Han Li something truly extraordinary.

Han Li paused, then stroked his chin, asking with a touch of curiosity:

"What? One needs a guarantor to settle on Kuixing Island? I don't recall you mentioning this earlier, sir!"

Though Han Li's tone was gentle, it caused Wang Changqing to break out in a cold sweat. He hastily began to explain:

"Immortal Master, you've misunderstood! There are generally two types of foreign Immortal Masters who stay on Kuixing Island. The first type simply resides here temporarily; they don't hold official positions and typically stay for a few years before deciding whether to leave based on their preferences. The second type, with an influential local family acting as a guarantor, can apply for permanent residency. These Immortal Masters not only pay significantly less in annual spirit stones but are also the only ones qualified to hold positions on the island and participate in the island's decennial Spirit Land Competition. Those who rank higher gain access to cultivation grounds with varying densities of spiritual energy. Since it's not easy for outsiders to find a guarantor on a large island like Kuixing, this old man was momentarily negligent and failed to mention this to you."

Fearing Han Li had misunderstood, Wang Changqing explained everything in one breath.

Han Li's expression turned grim upon hearing this.

"So, cultivators who don't permanently settle on Kuixing Island can't acquire cultivation grounds?" Han Li asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

"That's not entirely correct," the old man clarified. "Immortal Masters residing on the subsidiary islands can also participate in such competitions. However, they are only eligible to contend for cultivation grounds on their respective islands. Kuixing Island is designated as the main island because its spiritual veins are the finest in the surrounding waters, offering the densest spiritual energy. The spiritual veins on other islands are significantly inferior."

Having heard all this, Han Li's expression became unreadable.

These regulations were clearly a strategy to retain higher-cultivation cultivators on the main island. After all, what cultivator wouldn't desire a cultivation ground rich in spiritual energy?

Even for him, whether cultivating spirit herbs or simply practicing, a place with denser spiritual energy was always preferable.

Han Li's brow furrowed deeply. He lowered his head and paced a few steps within the room before looking up at the middle-aged man surnamed Gu, whose face was filled with anticipation.

Seeing the hopeful expression on Owner Gu's face, Han Li sighed and slowly said:

"Tell me," he began, "what are the cultivation levels of these Immortal Masters you're challenging? If they are indeed manageable, I will make an exception and assist you this once."

Han Li wore a slightly helpless expression, as if granting them immense favor.

Overjoyed, Wang Changqing quickly relayed the news to the middle-aged man, who likewise broke into an ecstatic grin.

After speaking, Han Li mused inwardly:

"If these Immortal Masters don't include any Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, then even with my current cultivation, relying on the potency of my puppets and magical artifacts, there shouldn't be any issues! This way, I can finally begin cultivating the Three Revolutions Heavy Yuan Art on Kuixing Island. And naturally, I must also continue practicing the External Incarnation and the Grand Evolution Arts; these will be crucial tools for my survival in the future."

Four days later, the massive ship finally arrived at Kuixing Island, greeted by cheers from those on board.

Han Li, guided by Owner Gu and Wang Changqing, excitedly proceeded to handle the necessary island entry procedures.

After all, any unfamiliar cultivator arriving at the island had to inform the port authorities; otherwise, they risked being treated as malicious intruders.

However, as Han Li silently observed everything in the port while following the two, he was struck by its sheer size.

Neither the number nor the sheer scale of the vessels could compare to the small docks of Tiannan.

Astoundingly, six or seven colossal ships, comparable to Owner Gu's unusually large vessel, were moored consecutively at this dock. As for smaller ships, they were innumerable.

Though Han Li didn't count precisely, the entire dock must have held around two to three hundred ships.

The crowds of people constantly coming and going, boarding and disembarking, were even more overwhelming.

It was the first time Han Li truly understood the meaning of "a tide of humanity."