Chapter 624: Trial Sword Competition

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume 5: Renowned Far and Wide

Hearing Kui Huan's words, Han Li smiled faintly and calmly said:

"The only connection between me and the two senior brothers is our shared interest in that demon fox. If it's not about that, what else could it be?"

Han Li's expression was extremely composed.

Kui Huan opened his mouth, appearing somewhat speechless upon hearing this.

It was Senior Brother Wang, standing nearby, who sighed and then spoke:

"Junior Brother Han is truly intelligent. Indeed, something went wrong with that Snow Cloud Fox. My fellow disciples and I wanted to sell this demon beast as soon as possible. So, after parting ways with you, Junior Brother, we went to the market. After walking a short distance, I felt uneasy, so I asked Junior Brother Kui to open the Jade Cloud Pouch and check. The result was..."

Senior Brother Wang paused here, a peculiar look appearing on his face.

"The demon fox, using some unknown trick, vanished without a trace from the Jade Cloud Pouch. It's truly uncanny!" Kui Huan interjected, annoyed.

"Completely gone?" Han Li slightly furrowed his brows and pondered, as if considering the true meaning of those words.

Seeing Han Li's expression, Senior Brother Wang inwardly groaned with bitterness.

He saw that although Han Li's cultivation wasn't high, he was proficient in talisman crafting and also possessed several miraculous magical artifacts. Because of this, he had long decided to form a good relationship with him.

However, he hadn't expected such an incredibly awkward situation to arise before he could formally establish a connection.

If he were wealthy, it would be fine; he could generously cover Han Li's share with his own spirit stones, leaving a good impression. But unfortunately, he and his fellow disciples were all short on spirit stones, their pockets empty. Even trying to win over Han Li now seemed difficult.

A look of dejection flashed across Senior Brother Wang's face as he thought of this, but he still forced himself to say:

"I know. It's hard to believe, but it truly happened. Regardless, you, Junior Brother, personally handed the spirit fox over to us, and now it's suddenly gone. I, Wang, owe you an explanation. Regarding the spirit stones you lent us, I've already had the other junior brothers sell the Solomon's Seal. We will send the spirit stones to you shortly. As for the share of spirit stones you were originally supposed to receive, we will immediately compensate you as soon as our finances improve."

The moment Senior Brother Wang finished speaking, Kui Huan's expression changed, and he said anxiously:

"Senior Brother! For us, that's a considerable amount. Even if all of us pool our resources, it would take at least two or three years. Without spirit stones to buy elixirs during that time, wouldn't our cultivation be delayed?"

Senior Brother Wang shook his head, looking as if he wanted to say something. But then, Han Li suddenly spoke.

"Why are you two senior brothers so distressed? I, Han, never said I didn't believe you. The Snow Cloud Fox is skilled in escape techniques. It's not surprising that it fled from a magical storage bag. I originally intended to warn Brother Kui, but then I thought it might be inconvenient to say, so I didn't. As for the matter of the spirit stones, let's not discuss it further. Just return the ones that were borrowed, and that will be sufficient. I haven't incurred any loss." Han Li said with a smile.

Hearing Han Li's words, Kui Huan immediately showed great delight, clapping his hands loudly and exclaiming:

"I knew Junior Brother was a generous person! Although this incident was our fault, we genuinely don't have many spirit stones. With Junior Brother's wealth, I'm sure you won't care much about these amounts. Junior Brother Han, you've definitely earned my friendship!"

Upon hearing he wouldn't have to contribute spirit stones, Kui Huan beamed with joy.

Senior Brother Wang, however, looked hesitant after hearing Han Li's words. After a long moment, he gave a helpless, wry smile and said:

"Junior Brother Han, since you are so magnanimous, I, Wang, on behalf of my fellow junior brothers, gratefully accept your kindness. In the future, if you ever need any help, please don't hesitate to ask us. As long as it's within our capabilities, I, Wang, will certainly not refuse."

Senior Brother Wang felt that while Han Li's words were polite, what he truly thought might be a different matter.

Therefore, he tried his best to phrase his words more tactfully and pleasantly, hoping to leave Han Li with a not-too-bad impression. After speaking, he also specifically observed Han Li's expression.

But Han Li's expression remained as usual, showing no signs of joy or anger. This caused Senior Brother Wang to frown inwardly.

For the next while, the three of them chatted leisurely outside the herb garden.

Not long after, the two stout young men flew over on their artifacts, bringing the spirit stones obtained from reselling the Solomon's Seal to the market.

Han Li took the bag of spirit stones, scanned it casually with his divine sense, and then put it away without changing his expression.

"Oh, by the way. I noticed Junior Brother Han's magical artifacts are quite remarkable. I wonder if you'll participate in the Sword Trial Assembly in half a year?" Senior Brother Wang, seeing Han Li put away the spirit stones, was about to take his leave but suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but ask.

"Sword Trial Assembly?" Han Li was taken aback by the question, his face showing surprise as he repeated it.

"What? Junior Brother Han doesn't know about this?"

Not only was Senior Brother Wang surprised, but Kui Huan and the other two also showed looks of disbelief.

Han Li muttered to himself inwardly but outwardly replied calmly:

"Is it so strange that I don't know about this?"

"Of course it's strange. Oh, right! Junior Brother Han only joined the sect a year ago and has been staying in the herb garden. It seems understandable that you wouldn't know about the Sword Trial Assembly." Kui Huan blinked, speaking with a sudden realization.

Hearing this, the others exchanged glances and nodded, agreeing that it made sense.

"It's quite surprising to us that Junior Brother Han doesn't know about the Sword Trial Assembly. After all, the date of the assembly is not far off. Currently, within the sect, both inner and outer disciples are talking about nothing else. Those who wish to distinguish themselves are already eager and preparing." Senior Brother Wang said with a slight sigh, a hint of a strange expression on his face.

"Speaking of which! Among us, only Senior Brother Wang has ever participated in the sect's selection competition. It's a shame that although he won among the outer disciples, he was defeated once he faced an inner disciple. Nevertheless, Senior Brother still received a mid-grade magical artifact as a reward." The stout young man glanced at Senior Brother Wang, a trace of admiration on his face.

"Oh, so there's a magical artifact reward even for losing in the sect's selection? This assembly seems quite extraordinary. Senior Brother Wang, could you perhaps explain a bit more about it?" Han Li asked, a hint of curiosity sparking in his heart upon hearing this.

"Of course. This Sword Trial Assembly is actually a grand event specifically prepared by our three sects of Mount Yunmeng for newly admitted disciples. Essentially, regardless of status, only new disciples under the age of thirty are allowed to participate. Junior Brother Han, you appear to be around twenty-five or twenty-six and are a newly admitted disciple. You perfectly fit the criteria." Senior Brother Wang said slowly, observing Han Li.

"Is that so? But in that case, it seems there wouldn't be too many disciples eligible to participate." Han Li stroked his chin, asking leisurely.

"Junior Brother has a point. The convening of this Sword Trial Assembly is actually greatly related to the Sacred Tree jointly managed by our three sects."

"Sacred Tree?" Han Li was momentarily startled upon hearing this, but then realized the other party was referring to the Spirit Eye Tree on Mount Yunmeng.

Instantly, his previously relaxed expression vanished, replaced by a serious one.

"What connection does the Sword Trial Assembly have with this spiritual entity?" Han Li asked in a deep voice.

"The Sword Trial Assembly is actually held in advance of the Sacred Tree's scheduled date for releasing its spiritual essence. It's also a method for our Falling Cloud Sect, the Ancient Sword Sect, and the Hundred Arts Pavilion to divide the spiritual liquid. Whichever sect dominates the other two at the Assembly can claim half of the essence for themselves, while the remaining two sects must equally share the other half. Therefore, although the Sword Trial Assembly is nominally a competition for new disciples, everyone within the three sects values it immensely. Those who achieve great merit at the assembly will naturally receive significant attention from their sect elders, and the benefits thereafter will be countless." Senior Brother Wang explained the origin of the Sword Trial Assembly in one breath. After a slight pause, he continued solemnly:

"Of course, even without mentioning future benefits, the final rewards for those who can overpower other disciples at the Sword Trial Assembly are exceptionally generous. Not only will the top few receive high-grade magical artifacts, but there will also be a Spirit Stabilization Pill as an additional prize for the champion. Although this pill isn't very useful to us low-level disciples, exchanging it casually with other Core Formation cultivators could easily fetch three or four high-grade magical artifacts. However, it seems the Ancient Sword Sect has consistently monopolized the championship since our sect moved to Mount Yunmeng. Our disciples and those of the Hundred Arts Pavilion have always been relegated to subordinate positions. But it's understandable! After all, the Ancient Sword Sect is a sword cultivation sect; their cultivation methods and sword artifacts are extremely formidable. For cultivators of the same rank, it's incredibly difficult to defeat a sword cultivator!"

Senior Brother Wang's final words, it was unclear whether they were a complaint or an expression of envy!