Chapter 648: A Faction Elder

“Well, since Master asks directly, Silvermoon will speak freely. May I ask what your plans are for the future, Master? If you have no other arrangements, staying here at the Falling Cloud Sect would be a good choice. Both of them are early Nascent Soul cultivators, so you wouldn't be restrained by anyone if you stayed here. Moreover, the Falling Cloud Sect is a respectable sect, quite capable of offering you support. Of course, if you have other arrangements, that's perfectly fine. Even a rogue Nascent Soul cultivator is not someone any sect would dare provoke easily,” Silvermoon said calmly.

“I don't have any specific plans yet. I need to spend several years solidifying my Nascent Soul first. Additionally, I must visit the Far West at some point; I absolutely must acquire the last three layers of the Great Development Art. I'll also have to visit Yuanwu Nation eventually. I once promised someone I would destroy the Fu family in that country. I wonder if this family is related to the Fu family of the Hundred Arts Institute?” Han Li said lightly.

“In that case, Master, it might be best to stay at the Falling Cloud Sect for now. After all, being a rogue cultivator can be rather solitary, and having a Nascent Soul cultivator to guide you would be very beneficial for your cultivation,” Silvermoon pondered for a moment before offering this suggestion.

“Hmm, that makes some sense. I'm a bit tired now; you may leave.” Han Li didn't explicitly state whether he would adopt the suggestion. Instead, he changed the subject with his command, then rose and walked towards his bedroom.

The white fox tilted its head, watching Han Li's retreating figure. A thoughtful expression appeared in its eyes, then it, too, exited the hall.

Lying on the stone bed in his bedroom, Han Li gazed blankly at the ceiling of the bluestone chamber. His mind was restless, and sleep eluded him.

That day, when he formed his Nascent Soul, what seemed simple at the time carried immense risks, and recollecting it still filled Han Li with dread.

During the pill-shattering process, the violent twitching and reversal of all his meridians caused him such agony that he nearly wished for death. However, relying on his cultivation, which was far deeper than that of cultivators at the same stage, he managed to endure it. The miraculous medicinal power of the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng Pill undoubtedly played the most significant role; otherwise, Han Li strongly doubted he would have avoided fainting on the spot.

The pill-shattering process was extremely perilous, but compared to the subsequent spiritual demon backlash, it was merely a minor challenge.

He had initially thought that with several soul-calming and spirit-stabilizing treasures like the Soul-Nourishing Wood and the Bodhi Pearl protecting him, and with a Spirit-Stabilizing Pill specially prepared for this purpose, overcoming the spiritual demon trial, while not effortless, should still have been much easier than for other Nascent Soul cultivators.

But he never expected the spiritual demon to be far more powerful and cunning than rumored.

It first made Han Li experience a series of his deepest fears and terrors. Many things normally buried deep within his heart, things he wasn't even aware of, unfolded one after another in the illusions.

Whether it was his hometown village suddenly being raided by bandits, with his parents and younger sister meeting tragic ends; or losing all his cultivation and reverting to a mortal; or the secret of his small bottle being exposed, leading to him being hunted by cultivators across the entire cultivation world—such scenes, each one touching upon a weakness in Han Li's heart, appeared before him one by one. They were as real as a dream, seeming both true and illusory; once immersed, it was impossible to extricate oneself.

Even Han Li, with his usual resolute and steady disposition, almost succumbed to anger and fear within these illusions.

Fortunately, the Spirit-Stabilizing Pill and his other treasures were not mere boasts. They managed to maintain a flicker of clarity in his mind at the crucial moment. Only then was he able to break through the illusions and return to reality.

Even so, it left Han Li drenched in cold sweat.

Before his mind could fully settle, the spiritual demon's next wave of attack immediately followed.

In his dazed state, he fell into numerous wonderful and blissful illusions.

There were reunions with his parents and younger sister, returning to the happy life of his childhood. There was also the sudden alliance and marriage with Nangong Wan, sharing the dream of dual cultivation. And finally, scenes of multiple women, including the Mo sisters and Chen Qiaoqian, serving one husband appeared. However, Han Li only indulged in these for a moment before shaking off the infatuation in his heart.

Next, he saw himself achieving great cultivation, dominating the Heavenly South Cultivation World, and finally ascending to the Spirit Realm, then becoming an immortal in the Immortal World, and living as long as heaven and earth. These scenes appeared one after another.

He was lost in these illusions for an unknown number of years. It was as if after experiencing countless lifetimes of joy and sorrow, he suddenly awoke to some opportunity and finally broke free from the spiritual demon's deception, allowing his Nascent Soul to take shape.

Han Li lay on his bed, silently reminiscing, and couldn't help but recall the first time his Nascent Soul emerged from his body.

When his Nascent Soul had just formed and flew out from the top of his head, he clearly felt that the Nascent Soul was him, and he was the Nascent Soul. Yet, he couldn't control any of its actions, only watch as it played and frolicked above his head, as if he had returned to his carefree childhood.

At that moment, his heart was utterly peaceful and tranquil, and all worries and troubles were cast aside. It was as if he had entered the so-called "return to innocence" state.

Afterward, Han Li reflected for a moment and understood why this had happened: his Nascent Soul had only just formed and was not yet fully integrated with his mind. Once the Nascent Soul was fully solidified and his cultivation advanced, this phenomenon would naturally no longer occur.

Tossing and turning, utterly exhausted from the Nascent Soul formation, he drifted into a daze and fell asleep. During this time, he surprisingly had an exceptionally sweet dream, seeming to return to the mountain village, running freely and joyfully with his older brother and younger sister, then returning home to eat and chat with his parents.

What a wonderful dream! Subsequently, Han Li no longer hesitated and agreed to join the Falling Cloud Sect.

Upon hearing this, the two elders of the Falling Cloud Sect were naturally overjoyed.

They immediately proposed holding a grand sect assembly and inviting high-level cultivators from other sects to perform Han Li's initiation ceremony.

Upon hearing this, Han Li immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum, vehemently refusing. He suggested that everything should be kept simple, merely informing the other two sects of Cloud Dream Mountain. After all, he would eventually interact with the Nascent Soul elders of those two sects. Everything else should be low-key; Han Li didn't want to draw too much attention to himself.

Although the two silver-haired elders felt it was somewhat inappropriate, they fortunately understood Han Li's dislike for ostentation and agreed.

Subsequently, Han Li followed the two silver-haired elders to the main hall of Six Wonders Peak. There, he summoned the Core Formation disciples one by one.

A small portion of these Core Formation cultivators naturally recognized Han Li, their former "Qi Condensation" disciple.

They had already heard rumors in recent days that a newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator was joining their Falling Cloud Sect three days prior, and after analyzing Han Li's identity from several angles, they had more or less figured it out.

When they actually saw Han Li, although no one knew what they were truly thinking, each of them acted with utmost respect, showing no unusual expressions.

When Han Li saw his former "grand-masters," including the red-robed elder and the two peak masters of Sky Spring Peak, they continuously addressed him as "Uncle-Master Han." Though his expression remained natural, he found it somewhat amusing internally. With a wave of his hand, he allowed them to rise, showing no intention of making things difficult.

However, with a sweep of his spiritual sense, Han Li noticed that the woman named Song among them had a hint of complexity on her face and a slight hesitation in her voice when she addressed him as "Uncle-Master." He wondered if she was recalling the day she had attempted to use a mind-reading spell on him, only for it to fail.

With Han Li's current cultivation, he naturally wouldn't dwell on her thoughts.

After meeting with these Core Formation cultivators, the silver-haired elder immediately stated that within the entire eastern range of the Cloud Dream Mountains, Han Li could choose any spirit-rich mountain to establish his cave dwelling, rather than being confined to the sect's existing peaks.

Upon hearing this, Han Li did not stand on ceremony.

Over the next day, after some searching, he chose a medium-sized mountain peak to the east of the Falling Cloud Sect.

Although this peak wasn't particularly tall or treacherous, nor was it the most spirit-rich location, it was, however, a rare "mother-and-child" peak. Besides a main peak, it was surrounded by three smaller, lower peaks. This layout was ideal for setting up spell formations and restrictions, and Han Li was very pleased with it.

Establishing a cave dwelling was an extremely simple task for Han Li. Even though this would be the largest cave dwelling Han Li had ever constructed, it still only took him half a day.

Once the cave dwelling was complete, Han Li immediately set up potent temporary spell formations on each of the three surrounding peaks using his formation tools. Instantly, a thick mist enveloped an area spanning dozens of li, completely obscuring it.

Han Li, of course, was not entirely satisfied with these restrictions. He had long decided that once he had deciphered more powerful formation arts, he would set up new restrictions.

After completing all this, Han Li returned to the Falling Cloud Sect's original medicinal garden.

He intended to move some items from his old cave dwelling.

However, upon returning, he found a slender and alluring figure already waiting for him in the medicinal garden at the base of the stone mountain.

As soon as she saw Han Li, she immediately adjusted her robes and bowed deeply. At the same time, her cherry lips parted as she pleaded:

"Mu Peiling was blind and foolish, and I have offended Senior Han many times in the past. I hope Senior will not take offense. However, this junior has a request, hoping Senior can grant it. Senior Han, might you consider taking Peiling as your disciple? This humble one vows to serve Senior for life, never deviating even a bit." As soon as she finished speaking, this woman, usually so radiant and proud, stood with her hands clasped at her side, a hint of nervousness on her face, and expectation gleaming in her bright eyes.