Chapter 872: Flying Sword and Puppet

A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality: Volume 6, Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasures

Han Li sighed inwardly. Although he had acquired many spirit herbs from the ruins of Spirit Glimpse Garden, none of them could prolong life. He was helpless about this.

“Brother Cheng, there’s no need to be so disheartened. Perhaps you’ll encounter another opportunity in the coming years!” Han Li could only offer words of comfort.

Cheng nodded, his expression serene. It seemed he had truly come to terms with life and death.

Han Li naturally did not bring up the matter again. Instead, he flipped his hand, revealing a white jade slip in his palm.

“Now that both of you are here, something has come to mind. I need some materials that require disciples from our sect to collect from various market cities. Since there are many types needed, just gather as much as you can. Simply do your best. No matter the cost in spirit stones, as long as it’s not too outrageous, have the disciples purchase them. They can come to me later to claim the reimbursement.” Han Li handed over the jade slip, speaking casually.

“Let me see!” Lu Luo seemed interested. He took the jade slip and scanned it with his divine sense, a peculiar expression gradually appearing on his face.

“Junior Brother, no wonder you said to just do our best. Most of these items are incredibly difficult to find. Several of them seem to be legendary, and it’s likely impossible for them to exist in our Heavenly South region,” Lu Luo said, stunned.

“Oh, what kind of materials are they? Let me have a look too!” Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Cheng showed curiosity. He reached out, took the jade slip, and also read through it, subsequently looking quite surprised.

“Indeed, these are all hard-to-find items. Are you trying to refine some kind of magic treasure again, Junior Brother?”

“Magic treasure? Well, you could say that!” Han Li smiled faintly, without intending to explain in detail.

Seeing this, Senior Brother Cheng didn’t press further. He readily agreed to the task, stating that he would immediately arrange for his disciples to go to various places in the Heavenly South to collect these materials.

At this point, Cheng and Lu Luo exchanged glances. Lu Luo suddenly unfastened a bulging storage pouch from his waist and handed it to Han Li.

“What is this?” Han Li was somewhat surprised. He subconsciously took the item, looking at the two with a hint of confusion.

“Junior Brother, have you forgotten? Back then, you asked sect disciples to help you collect some unusual materials and Geng Essence. Over the years, apart from only receiving a small piece of Geng Essence, all other items have been collected. I originally wanted to give you a surprise, Junior Brother. I didn’t expect you to need even more materials. It seems your mastery in artifact refining is truly extraordinary,” Lu Luo said with a smile.

“Another piece of Geng Essence has been found?” Han Li’s heart leaped with joy upon hearing this. He eagerly opened the storage pouch and took a look.

Amidst various miscellaneous materials, there was indeed a small, walnut-sized piece of golden-yellow Geng Essence lying within.

As for the other materials, they were precisely the few materials he lacked for refining the ancient Nascent Soul puppets. Otherwise, he would have already refined Nascent Soul-level puppets before entering the Devilfall Valley.

“These are exactly what I need. Thank you, Senior Brothers, for your trouble. These items are quite valuable, and I’m afraid they cost a lot of spirit stones. I…” Han Li’s face showed a hint of joy, but when he mentioned the cost, Cheng laughed heartily and waved him off.

“Junior Brother, what are you saying? Although these items are worth some spirit stones, you bravely fought two battles on behalf of our sect during the Mulan invasion. It’s only right for the sect to cover these spirit stones for you. Please just take them and use them without formality.” Han Li was stunned by these words. However, after thinking for a moment, he smiled and casually put away the storage pouch.

Cheng saw that Han Li did not decline further, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

“Oh, Senior Brother Cheng. When I was sucked into the spatial rift that day, I didn’t manage to retrieve two of my flying swords. Did you happen to see them that day?” Han Li suddenly recalled another matter and asked without hesitation.

He had been sucked into the spatial rift that day and didn’t know the whereabouts of his swords. Cheng had remained outside and should know where they ended up.

“Regarding that matter, even if you hadn’t mentioned it, Junior Brother, I intended to tell you. Those two flying swords you left outside, I didn’t have time to retrieve them for you. That demon caught up and snatched them, so they fell into its hands. However, during the later encirclement of that demon, I heard that it was never seen using those flying swords in battle. It seems that it couldn't demonize and use your natal magic treasures. The only trouble is that the demon's whereabouts are currently unknown, so those flying swords might be difficult to recover,” Cheng said with some apology, as if he had already anticipated this.

“With the Ancient Devil? That is a bit troublesome. But it’s fine, they are merely external possessions. I can just refine two more.” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly, but then he quickly regained his composure.

“I thought so too. Junior Brother has many natal flying swords, so losing two isn't a big deal. There’s no need to take unnecessary risks to find that demon whose life or death is unknown,” Cheng said, his expression relaxing, sounding relieved.

Speaking of fear of that demon, Senior Brother Cheng was even more fearful than Han Li. Naturally, he didn't want Han Li, an elder of the Falling Cloud Sect, to encounter any more accidents. Han Li was the key to whether the Falling Cloud Sect could flourish in the cultivation world in the future.

Afterward, Senior Brother Cheng and Lu Luo conversed with Han Li for a while longer, discussing some sect matters, before excusing themselves and leaving together.

Han Li rose and escorted them outside the restriction array before calmly returning to his cave abode.

“Master, now that you’ve obtained another piece of Geng Essence, aren’t you able to refine two more flying swords and rearrange the Grand Geng Sword Array?” As soon as Han Li entered the main hall, the silver light on the wall flickered, and Silvermoon silently emerged, speaking with a smile.

“It’s not that easy. The Azure Bamboo Cloud Swarm Swords are a complete set of magic treasures. This piece of Geng Essence isn’t enough to refine an entire new set of flying swords. Even if I used other flying swords to fill in for the missing two, I wouldn’t be able to control them as I wish. And forcefully activating the Grand Geng Sword Array wouldn’t be able to trap an opponent. Those two lost flying swords must be recovered.” Han Li’s expression suddenly darkened when Silvermoon mentioned this.

“But those two flying swords fell into the Ancient Devil’s hands. Although your cultivation has greatly advanced, if the Ancient Devil isn’t dead, you might still not be its match,” Silvermoon said with some concern.

“You don’t need to tell me that; I know. I won’t act rashly without absolute certainty. I’ll only go looking for that demon after I've opened the Void Heaven Cauldron or refined the replica Seven Flame Fan,” Han Li’s eyes flickered a few times. He sat back down in the main seat and said solemnly.

“Han kid, why have you forgotten the puppet I developed? Although that Ancient Devil is formidable, if you can gather the materials to refine this puppet, while I can’t say it guarantees victory against that devil, it will certainly be more than enough for self-preservation.” The voice of Grand Expanse God Monarch suddenly resonated in Han Li’s divine consciousness, as if he was slightly indignant that Han Li hadn’t mentioned his puppet.

Han Li’s lips curled slightly, revealing a faint smile.

“Senior has invested so much effort into this puppet; naturally, I believe it will be extraordinary. Moreover, the rarity of the refining materials alone indicates that this puppet must be exceptionally powerful. However, Senior has always kept silent about the puppet’s refining method and its effects. How can I have too much confidence?”

“Hmph! You don’t need to use such goading tactics. Until you’ve gathered all the materials, I won’t reveal a single detail about the puppet. I can only tell you that if this puppet is refined, its power might even surpass my own in my prime. You should have a good idea now, shouldn’t you?” Grand Expanse God Monarch said proudly.

“Surpass Senior’s prime?” This time, Han Li was genuinely startled, an expression of disbelief flashing across his face.

“What, you don’t believe me?” Grand Expanse God Monarch’s voice suddenly turned cold, as if he was displeased.

“It’s not about believing or not! This kind of puppet was just recently developed by Senior. What its true power will be after refinement, I’m afraid even Senior himself is only speculating,” Han Li’s expression returned to calm as he said faintly.

“Haha! There’s some truth to that. But how could my wisdom misjudge the power of a puppet I developed? You can rest assured on that point!” Grand Expanse God Monarch was truly unpredictable, breaking into laughter again in an instant.

Han Li smiled faintly, no longer paying attention to him, and rose to walk out of the secret chamber.

Although he was to attend the so-called viewing ceremony tomorrow, it was best to refine that last wisp of Azure Blue Ice Flame as soon as possible. However, after refining the Azure Blue Ice Flame, it seemed he would also need to spend some time refining two Nascent Soul-level ancient puppets from the newly acquired materials first.

Thinking of this, he touched the new storage pouch at his waist.

Earlier, in the Devilfall Valley, he had seen the Malevolent Ghost Puppet wielded by True Human Heavenly Crystal. Although it couldn't last long against the Ancient Devil, its power was indeed considerable, no less than that of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.

The next morning, Han Li and Senior Brother Cheng met up and headed straight for Hundred Skill Institute.

Since the three sects shared a mountain range, it didn't take long to reach the other end of the Cloud Dream Mountain Range, where the Hundred Skill Institute’s sect was located.

Speaking of which, Han Li had once attended the Three Sects’ Sword Trial Assembly here as a low-level disciple, which now seemed quite amusing to recall.

As Han Li and the others approached the Falling Cloud Sect’s restriction array, three Core Formation stage cultivators were already waiting there for a long time.

Upon seeing Han Li and the two senior brothers flying towards them, the three immediately transformed into three streaks of light and flew forward to greet them.

“Greetings, three seniors. We have been instructed by our martial uncles to respectfully welcome you here.” The leading old man, whose light faded, immediately appeared before Han Li and the two senior brothers and bowed deeply. The other two middle-aged cultivators behind him also bowed in greeting.

“There’s no need to be so polite, junior brothers. Just lead the way,” Senior Brother Cheng said with a gentle smile.

Han Li’s gaze, however, lingered on the old man’s face, a half-smile appearing on his own.

Coincidentally, this old man was precisely the elderly cultivator surnamed Fu who had presided over the Sword Trial Assembly that day. With the extraordinary memory of a cultivator, it was impossible for him not to recognize Han Li now, yet not a single unusual expression showed on his face.

It seemed that despite his lower cultivation, his cunning was unusually deep.

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