Chapter 419: Pearl Diagram

Volume 4: Winds Rise Overseas, Chapter 415: Inside the Pearl

Two months later, Han Li finally emerged from his secret chamber.

Although his face was somewhat haggard, his heart was filled with excitement.

Just thinking about the seventy-two "Azure Bamboo Cloudswords" that had been absorbed into his body, Han Li couldn't help but curve his lips, revealing an uncontrollable delight.

He had spent over twenty years perfecting this set of Natal Magic Treasures, and they had finally been successfully refined without any mishaps.

Although he hadn't yet tested their power, he was certain that after a period of cultivation, even a single flying sword's power would far exceed that of ordinary magic treasures like the Green Brilliance Sword.

As he basked in self-satisfaction, his spiritual sense received news from Qu Hun: the Gold Devouring Beetles had laid eggs.

This added to his joy!

Han Li returned to his living quarters for a brief rest, then headed to the insect chamber.

The insect chamber was a vast expanse of white, filled with countless snow-white Gold Devouring Beetle eggs.

Without hesitation, Han Li immediately opened up another insect chamber nearby, making it identical to the original. Then, on the floor of the new chamber, he etched a large Spirit Control Array and dripped in a substantial amount of his essence blood.

Subsequently, he transferred most of the insect eggs to the array in the new chamber and performed the master-recognition spirit control ritual.

In the original insect chamber, he left nearly a thousand of the most vibrant eggs.

Only after completing all of this did Han Li truly relax. He began visiting the nearby caves to call on a few cultivators he had previously befriended, allowing him to return to his normal cultivation routine.

During Han Li's time in seclusion, a series of major events had unsettled the entire Cultivation World of the Scattered Star Seas.

The most significant impact came from seven or eight forces, including the "Six-Chamber Hall," which suddenly experienced rebellions among their subordinates or disciples overnight. Their leaders and sect masters were overthrown and replaced by previously unknown individuals.

Meanwhile, some inconspicuous minor sects were completely wiped out, and their most valuable treasures stolen.

For a time, everyone among the various forces in the Scattered Star Seas felt insecure. They almost simultaneously withdrew their personnel and grew suspicious of one another.

But the worst part was that, at some unknown point, a rumor began circulating in the cultivation world that the "Heavenly Star Twin Sages" had long ago suffered qi deviation and lost all their cultivation.

It was also said that they were now figureheads, stripped of power by some subordinates, and completely unable to control Star Palace.

As soon as this news broke, it caused an uproar.

Almost everyone concerned watched for Star Palace's reaction to the rumor.

However, to everyone's astonishment, Star Palace showed no reaction at all. They neither refuted the rumor nor admitted it.

This left the entire Scattered Star Seas in even greater turmoil.

Likewise, some ambitious and long-dormant forces began to stir.

Some secretly plotted, while others started forming illicit offensive and defensive alliances.

Yet, outwardly, shortly after the rumor spread, all chaos suddenly vanished without a trace, as if everything had returned to normal.

But those with discerning minds understood that this was merely a deceptive calm before the storm.

Therefore, when he met these befriended cultivators and discussed the matter with them, all of them expressed some worry.

Han Li, however, wasn't overly concerned.

To him, whether Star Palace continued to dominate the Scattered Star Seas or other forces rose to replace them, it was irrelevant.

After all, he was a solitary individual. As long as he was careful when the time came and avoided getting involved without reason, he would be fine.

According to Han Li's own plan, he intended to dedicate the next few years entirely to cultivating his flying swords and refining several sets of powerful array implements.

After that, he would head out to sea to hunt sixth-tier demonic beasts.

After all, for Core Formation cultivators, only elixirs refined from sixth-tier demonic beast inner cores had a noticeable effect on improving cultivation.

So, in the days that followed, Han Li spent his days refining artifacts and studying array formations, while at night he sat cross-legged in meditation, slowly tempering the seventy-two "Azure Bamboo Cloudswords" within his dantian with the fire of his core.

Soon after, the Gold Devouring Beetle eggs finally hatched.

Han Li joyfully used several high-level spirit beast bags to store all the master-recognized Gold Devouring Beetles. During his free time, he slowly trained and commanded them, to better utilize them in future battles.

At heart, Han Li was quite satisfied with this stable cultivation life.

Having successfully formed his core, he naturally began to set his sights on the Nascent Soul stage, wondering if he could ever reach that level of cultivation.

But one day, as Han Li was cultivating his flying swords within his cave dwelling, his expression suddenly shifted. He stood up abruptly and slowly walked outside.

Outside the cave dwelling stood a middle-aged man in his forties. He had fair skin, narrow eyes, and long eyebrows, giving him a refined and elegant appearance.

"Fellow Daoist Han, I apologize for the intrusion!" The middle-aged man immediately greeted Han Li warmly when he saw him emerge.

"Brother Jin! What brings you to my humble abode? Please, come in quickly!" Han Li dared not neglect him. He hastily returned the greeting and invited the middle-aged man inside for a chat.

This man's full name was Jin Qing. He was a Core Formation cultivator who lived near Han Li. He was a respectable individual and had even offered Han Li some guidance when he first formed his core, making him one of Han Li's closest acquaintances.

The last time Han Li had visited him, he found Jin Qing absent from his cave dwelling. Upon inquiring, he learned that this Fellow Daoist Jin had been traveling for several years and had not returned.

Now, seeing him, Han Li naturally felt a little pleased.

"No need. I can speak here, as I have other matters to attend to shortly," Jin Qing said with a slight wave of his hand and a faint smile.

"Brother Jin, please speak your mind. Han listens attentively," Han Li said, half-jokingly.

Hearing this, Jin Qing smiled slightly and slowly began to speak:

"I haven't been back long, but I've already heard from other fellow Daoists nearby that Fellow Daoist Han has been diligently studying the path of array formations these past few years, and has already achieved considerable success. This is truly commendable! It so happens that I encountered a difficult situation during my recent travels, which requires breaking an array restriction. Therefore, I came here hoping to leverage your mastery of array formations, and I hope Fellow Daoist Han will not decline."

"A restriction? Where is it located?" Han Li paused, then asked with a normal expression.

"Fellow Daoist, please look at this item!"

Jin Qing didn't answer him. Instead, he took something from his storage bag and handed it to Han Li.

Han Li took it and saw that it was a white pearl the size of a thumb.

"This is?" Han Li looked at Jin Qing with a surprised expression.

"Fellow Daoist, just infuse some spiritual power into this item, and you'll know," Jin Qing chuckled softly, speaking with a mysterious air.

Han Li frowned and reluctantly channeled some spiritual power into it.

Dazzling white light burst forth from the pearl the instant Han Li's spiritual power was infused.

These lights might require ordinary mortals to avert their eyes to avoid injury. But Han Li was a Core Formation cultivator. Upon realizing these were just ordinary white lights, he focused his gaze on the pearl and observed it closely.

As a result, a subtle change appeared in Han Li's expression.

Because something seemed to appear within the pearl.

This time, Han Li didn't wait for Jin Qing's reminder. He proactively extended his spiritual sense into it, and as time passed, his expression grew serious.

"An ancient cultivator's ruins?" As soon as Han Li retracted his spiritual sense, he took a deep breath and asked the middle-aged cultivator this question.

"I'm not entirely sure. However, only ancient cultivators would preserve a map using such an old method," Jin Qing said somewhat urgently, a hint of excitement rising on his face.

Han Li nodded after hearing this.

Storing important information in pearls and shells was indeed a common practice among ancient cultivators in the Scattered Star Seas.

And within this pearl, there was half of what appeared to be a map.

At this point, Jin Qing continued from the side:

"There are two such pearls in total. Together, they form a complete map. A fellow Daoist and I discovered them together in a small shop. At the time, they were strung on a necklace with other ordinary pearls. My companion and I each took one, and we decided to search for the location on the map together."

"So, you've already found the location on the map!" Han Li stroked his chin, asking thoughtfully.

"Yes, we spent five or six years in total, and finally, not long ago, we found the place on the map. Unfortunately, the area is completely enveloped by a large array. Neither of us knows anything about array formations, so we had to return disappointed."

"However, my companion and I agreed. After returning, each of us would invite a skilled array master and then come back to break the array. As Fellow Daoist Han knows, among us rogue cultivators, those who cultivate the path of array formations are extremely rare. Even if there are two or three, I'm not familiar with them. After returning, I was at a loss. Unexpectedly, I heard about Fellow Daoist's achievements, so I shamelessly came to ask for your help. Fellow Daoist Han, rest assured! As long as we can break the great array, whatever appears in the ancient cultivator's ruins will be considered to be a share for you." Seeing Han Li hesitate, Jin Qing quickly explained in detail and made a promise.