Chapter 807: Chen Qiaotian

A Mortal's Journey to Immortality - Volume 6: Heavenly Spiritual Treasures

After spending a night in the forest, Han Li put away the Heavenly Fiend Devil Corpse the next day and headed straight for Mount Wanling.

The previous day, before finding Zi Ling and the others, he hadn't seen any trace of Tianji Sect disciples in the city. Thus, even though he held the token given by the Tianji Sect elder, he couldn't use it for the time being, let alone find Marquis Nanlong.

It seemed either the Tianji Sect cultivators had other residences, or members of that sect had not yet arrived.

Han Li wasn't in a hurry about this. He planned to find a place near Mount Wanling to temporarily settle down and, while he was there, refine some Core Formation stage puppets.

With the Two-Element Ring in his hand, even if he didn't seek out Marquis Nanlong, it was likely Marquis Nanlong would seek him out.

By now, Han Li vaguely understood that the "Profound Polar Light" the other party spoke of was definitely not at the outer valley entrance, but most likely appeared in the passage leading into the inner valley.

Otherwise, even if the Ghost Spirit Sect possessed immense power, they wouldn't be able to allow hundreds of cultivators to simultaneously avoid the Profound Polar Light and enter the valley.

Han Li pondered as he transformed into a streak of green light and proceeded unhurriedly.

At Han Li's escape speed, he swiftly left the distant Yehuacheng city behind, disappearing tens of miles away in moments.

At his current escape speed, flying to Mount Wanling would only take a short half day.

He heard that several markets near Mount Wanling had already opened, anticipating the influx of people. Han Li decided to visit these markets first to acquire some materials for refining puppets. During the Boundary War's betting battles and by using the ancient Mulan heritage lamp, Han Li had obtained rare materials equivalent to the entire accumulated reserves of a medium-sized sect. These materials, worth nearly ten million spirit stones, were enough for Han Li to refine a large number of high-grade, awe-inspiring puppets.

Therefore, what he went to the markets to acquire were actually some common materials frequently used in puppet refinement.

As for the ancient Nascent Soul stage puppet he was determined to refine, although he had found two or three missing materials at the Thousand Bamboo Sect in the far west, he still hadn't gathered all of them. There was also a material called "Blood Phoenix Wood," which he had yet to collect.

This material was a rare, top-tier artifact refining material. Although not as difficult to obtain as Geng Essence, it was still something that had a price but no market. When he would be able to collect it could only depend on luck.

Fortunately, Han Li had already instructed the disciples of Falling Cloud Sect to keep an eye out for it. As soon as there was news of this material, they were to secure it immediately or simply notify him. Gathering this item was only a matter of time, but it was impossible to collect it in time before entering the Devilfall Valley.

Suddenly, Han Li's expression changed. His escape light paused, and his speed immediately slowed down considerably.

Not far ahead, spiritual energy was surging and lights flashed; cultivators were engaged in a fierce battle.

Han Li frowned slightly but didn't pay it much mind.

At present, this area was a mixed bag of people with no one overseeing the general situation. It was quite normal for enemies to encounter each other and engage in a fight.

With Han Li's cultivation, he approached within hundreds of feet of them in the blink of an eye. These cultivators were still battling on, completely unaware of his presence.

Four men and one woman were divided into two opposing sides.

Han Li's gaze swept over them, and he saw that they were all Core Formation stage cultivators, most appearing to be at the early to mid Core Formation stage. However, both sides seemed to bear significant grudges; not only were magic treasures flying everywhere, but various talismans in their hands were constantly exploding when fired.

However, one side, consisting of two men and one woman, was completely suppressed by the two opposing cultivators. This was not because the opposing cultivators had deeper magical power, but rather because the two cultivators, one tall and one short, were actually commanding hundreds of huge moths which had surrounded the two men and one woman.

These terrifying, palm-sized giant moths, as their wings flapped, would spray out colorful poisonous powder, raining down on their opponents. The three individuals on the opposing side had to spend most of their energy casting spells to protect themselves completely. Coupled with the pincer attack from the two male cultivators' magic treasures, the three men and woman were overwhelmed and naturally couldn't withstand them.

However, from Han Li's perspective, although the three men and woman were at a disadvantage, a true victory or defeat wouldn't be determined in a short while.

Moreover, given these cultivators' cultivation levels, apart from the poisonous moths and the silver giant brush and golden scroll magic treasures unleashed by a brocade-robed scholar—which piqued Han Li's interest enough for a second glance—the combat of the other cultivators naturally didn't impress Han Li.

Although he didn't know which sect these cultivators belonged to, Han Li had no interest in meddling. Just as he was about to flash past without a care, his gaze shifted, and he suddenly noticed a yellow maple leaf insignia embroidered on the scholar's sleeve.

"Yellow Maple Valley?" Han Li was momentarily stunned, feeling somewhat surprised. He then glanced at the scholar's face, and his expression changed.

But in that brief delay, the two cultivators who held the upper hand in the battle finally noticed Han Li's escape light, which was already within a hundred zhang of them.

The two cultivators commanding the poisonous moths were startled. They hastily swept with their spiritual sense, and as a result, their expressions changed drastically at the same time.

"Which senior has graced this place with their presence? Your juniors, disciples of the Spirit Control Sect, greet you." The tall and short cultivators hurriedly put away their magic treasures. Leaving only the poisonous moths still entangled with the three men and woman, they flew far to the side and respectfully bowed to Han Li.

"Spirit Control Sect! Are you two cultivators of the Demonic Sect?" Upon hearing this, Han Li simply flew directly above them, stopped his escape light, and revealed his true form.

"You are Senior Han of Falling Cloud Sect!" The taller cultivator among them, as soon as he saw Han Li's true face clearly, immediately blurted out in surprise, having recognized Han Li.

"You recognize me?" Han Li glanced at the man and said indifferently.

"This junior once participated in the Boundary War and witnessed Senior Han's great display of divine abilities." The Spirit Control Sect cultivator was greatly uneasy inwardly, but on the surface, he replied with even greater reverence.

"It's good that you recognize me," Han Li said plainly, a glint flashing in his eyes. "Although I don't wish to interfere in the affairs of you juniors, I have some past connections with Yellow Maple Valley. Put away those spirit insects, and today's conflict ends here."

Upon hearing Han Li's words, the two exchanged glances and couldn't help but look at each other in dismay.

"What's wrong? Do you two fellow Daoists find this difficult?" Han Li's expression darkened, and his tone became somewhat unfriendly.

"Since it is Senior's command, this junior naturally obeys," the tall cultivator replied. He was quite quick-witted; as soon as he saw Han Li's expression, his heart immediately skipped a beat, and he secretly scolded himself for being foolish. Since this senior had intervened, they had no room for hesitation and immediately agreed.

He then gave a meaningful look to the other cultivator. Both formed hand seals and hastily cast out streams of magic formulas, simultaneously summoning two spirit beast pouches into mid-air.

Instantly, the poisonous moths that had been relentlessly pestering the three men and woman scattered and flew upwards, swarming into the spirit beast pouches in the air.

The three men and woman cultivators had naturally seen Han Li long ago, but they had been under attack from the poisonous moths' powder and hadn't clearly heard the conversation between Han Li and his opponents. But now, having inexplicably escaped their predicament, they naturally knew it must be related to Han Li, the newcomer.

Greatly delighted, the three immediately exchanged glances and then hastily flew towards Han Li.

But at this moment, the two Spirit Control Sect demonic cultivators, whether out of fear of Han Li or unwillingness to remain with the three men and woman, carefully spoke to Han Li:

"Does Senior have any other instructions for this junior? This junior will certainly do their utmost."

"No more matters. You two may leave," Han Li said indifferently, seemingly having guessed their thoughts as he waved his hand.

"Then this junior will take their leave." As soon as these two heard this, it was as if they had been granted a great amnesty. After hastily bowing to Han Li, they immediately transformed into two streaks of green light and fled rapidly into the distance.

Meanwhile, the brocade-robed scholar and his two companions had just flown over.

Seeing the Spirit Control Sect cultivators flee, the three naturally exchanged surprised glances. Then the leading middle-aged scholar stepped forward, bowed, and said with a respectful expression:

"Many thanks to Senior for stepping in to save us. We, three siblings, are eternally grateful. May we know Senior's esteemed name?" When the scholar saw how young Han Li was, he was inwardly surprised, yet found Han Li's face somewhat familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

"Are you a cultivator of Yellow Maple Valley?" Han Li did not answer him, but instead asked emotionlessly.

"This junior is Chen Qiaotian of Yellow Maple Valley," the scholar said cautiously. "These are my sworn siblings; they are disciples of Blade Transformation Villa. Does Senior happen to know Patriarch Linghu?" He saw that Han Li was not one of the renowned experts of the Six Sects that he recognized, yet he had intervened to help. He naturally assumed this Nascent Soul stage senior must have some connection with Patriarch Linghu to offer assistance.

"Chen Qiaotian! Are you from the Chen family?" A strange look appeared on Han Li's face.

"Does Senior also know my family?" The scholar was greatly surprised, looking astonished.

Han Li fell silent, merely re-examining the scholar for a few moments. This made the three individuals opposite him somewhat uneasy.

"The Chen family is one of the three great cultivation families of Yellow Maple Valley; how could I not know?" Han Li exhaled lightly, then slowly asked, "What is your relationship with Chen Qiaoqian?"

"Senior knows my younger sister?" The scholar was stunned and said in surprise.

"Chen Qiaoqian is your younger sister?" Although Han Li had somewhat guessed, hearing the other party say so still made him reveal a surprised look.

The scholar was even more baffled, unsure what relationship this esteemed individual had with his younger sister.

"Is Chen Qiaoqian well?" Han Li's expression remained uncertain for a long time, but he eventually asked slowly.

"My younger sister was not a Core Formation cultivator," Chen Qiaotian replied with a strange look on his face. "She contracted a strange illness over a hundred years ago and passed away."

"Passed away!"

Hearing this, Han Li mumbled in a voice too low to be heard, and Chen Qiaoqian's beautiful, flower-like face couldn't help but surface in his mind. He recalled the last time he toured the mountains with her, where she expressed her true feelings. He couldn't help but freeze on the spot, looking somewhat dazed.

"Senior knows my younger sister?" Chen Qiaotian saw Han Li's strange expression and, after a long moment, still couldn't help but ask.

"Of course I do!" Han Li said calmly, reluctantly suppressing the faint sorrow in his heart. "The last time I saw your sister, back then, I heard she was about to get married. But then the Demonic Dao invaded, and I don't know if her wedding took place as planned."