Chapter 977: Bitter Bamboo Elder

Volume 4: The Wind Rises OverseasVolume 6: The Heavenly Spiritual Treasure

"Elder, you may not know, but these Heavenly Silkwood Trees are all born from the same root; in reality, they are one and the same." This wasn't a secret, so the elder explained without concealment.

"I see. I've long heard that the Heavenly Silkwood Tree is a spiritual tree second only to the three great divine woods. So this is what it looks like; it's truly an eye-opener for me, Han," Han Li exclaimed in wonder.

Following the cultivators, Han Li landed in an area that looked like a grove of trees. Suddenly, the spiritual energy nearby fluctuated, and his vision blurred. The scenery abruptly transformed.

A small mountain, hundreds of feet high, appeared before them. Centered around this mountain, numerous pavilions and terraces of varying sizes had been constructed, and some cultivators were constantly moving in and out.

"You may disperse and attend to your duties. I will personally escort the two elders," the elder commanded, gesturing to the other cultivators.

Upon hearing this, the other cultivators promptly acknowledged the order and departed.

Han Li and the puppet followed the elder directly towards the summit of the mountain. There, a large wooden hall, constructed from massive timbers, awaited them.

Outside the hall's entrance stood four cultivators in green armor, each holding an identical long halberd.

The elder led Han Li and the puppet directly to the entrance of the wooden hall. The four cultivators remained motionless, their faces expressionless, like puppets.

Han Li's lips curved slightly, feeling a touch of surprise.

Although these four individuals were only at the Foundation Establishment stage, the purity of the wood-element spiritual energy in their bodies far surpassed that of cultivators at the same level. Moreover, Han Li immediately saw that both their armor and halberds were top-grade wood-attribute spiritual artifacts, which was quite peculiar.

As if noticing Han Li's surprise, the elder smiled and offered an explanation:

"These are all Wood Spirit Guards personally trained by my master. They cultivate a special technique, drawing upon the power of the Heavenly Silkwood Tree. Although their cultivation level isn't high, they excel at combined attacks. If the elders have an opportunity, perhaps you could offer them some guidance."

"Indeed, they are quite different from ordinary cultivators," Han Li nodded.

Seeing Han Li's noncommittal expression, the elder, being tactful, said nothing further.

The wooden hall's structure was not complex. Besides a main hall, there was only one side hall. Therefore, when Han Li and the others entered the main hall, they immediately noticed a tall figure standing with his back to them, dressed in a green robe with hair as white as snow.

Upon seeing this figure, the elder's expression immediately changed, and he bowed deeply, then silently stood aside, hands clasped.

"Are you Daoist Bitter Bamboo?" Han Li stared at the figure's back without blinking.

"Precisely, this old man is Bitter Bamboo. Your faces are very unfamiliar; could you be Daoists from the interior? May I ask your esteemed names?" The green-robed figure laughed heartily before turning around.

Han Li narrowed his eyes. He saw that the white-haired person had red lips and white teeth, with clear eyes and delicate brows, resembling a sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth. However, a faint layer of green mist enveloped his face.

Seeing the other party's appearance, Han Li was naturally surprised.

This Daoist Bitter Bamboo, like himself, also possessed the art of maintaining a youthful appearance, which was beyond his expectation. He had expected to see an old man with a face full of wrinkles.

Although Daoist Bitter Bamboo wore a smile, a peculiar glint flashed in his eyes the moment he clearly saw Han Li's face.

"Indeed, my companion and I are not cultivators from overseas. My surname is Han, and this is my senior brother, surnamed Li. We apologize for our unannounced visit, and we hope you don't mind," Han Li said courteously.

"Not at all! Both Daoists are extraordinary individuals. It is an honor to have you on this island. Daoist Li's cultivation is especially profound and unfathomable; I cannot even determine his realm. This truly opens my eyes," Daoist Bitter Bamboo said with a smile after examining Han Li and the human-shaped puppet.

Clearly, the island master had mistaken Han Li's puppet for a Nascent Soul cultivator practicing some mysterious technique, and he was greatly surprised.

"Daoist, you are too modest. Your name, Daoist Bitter Bamboo, is also like thunder in our ears," Han Li smiled slightly.

"Hehe, please, both of you, sit down first and try our island's unique Mulberry Wood Tea," Daoist Bitter Bamboo chuckled softly, inviting Han Li and the puppet to sit.

Then, after two crisp claps, several young female cultivators immediately entered the hall, carrying tea trays. They poured a pot of pale green spiritual tea for each of the three, then respectfully withdrew from the wooden hall.

"Mulberry Wood Tea? Is this tea related to the Heavenly Silkwood Tree?" Han Li lowered his head to look at the spiritual tea on the table, sensing the abundant wood-element spiritual energy in the tea, and asked with a stir of emotion.

"Daoist has sharp eyes. This is indeed brewed from the spiritual leaves of the Heavenly Silkwood Tree and has the effect of brightening the eyes and calming the spirit. I believe there is no other place outside this island that has such tea," Daoist Bitter Bamboo said with a hint of pride.

"In that case, I truly must taste it." His gaze flickering, Han Li first carefully scanned the spiritual tea in the cup with his divine sense. After confirming there were no issues, he unceremoniously picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

"Daoist Li, do you dislike this tea?"

The human-shaped puppet sat in the chair, expressionless, not touching the teacup on the table. Daoist Bitter Bamboo asked, surprised.

"Since I achieved辟谷 (abstinence from grain), I have never eaten or drunk anything outside my own cave dwelling," the human-shaped puppet said coldly, without a trace of politeness in its words.

"Ah, I see. That was rather presumptuous of me..." A flicker of displeasure crossed Daoist Bitter Bamboo's eyes, but he concealed it well, immediately realizing.

A cultivator who dared to speak such words in the host's presence naturally had some backing. Could it be that this person was indeed a late Nascent Soul cultivator?

As this thought circulated in Daoist Bitter Bamboo's mind, his apprehension towards the human-shaped puppet only grew.

"Daoist Bitter Bamboo, you should know something of our purpose for coming here, shouldn't you? What do you think of the transaction Han proposes?" Han Li only took two or three sips before setting down his teacup and slowly asking.

"To be frank with both Daoists, this transaction makes this old man very difficult. That dark phoenix is at a critical stage of advancement. No matter how many demon cores you offer, I am unwilling to exchange its feathers. Otherwise, its next breakthrough could be far off in the distant future," Daoist Bitter Bamboo said with a frown, a troubled expression on his face.

"So, Daoist Bitter Bamboo, you disagree with this matter then?" Han Li pursed his lips, his face betraying no surprise.

"Hehe, if I truly said no, I'm afraid you two Daoists wouldn't be willing to leave empty-handed, would you? How about this: among cultivators, the capable are paramount. I can spar with both Daoists in spiritual techniques and divine abilities. If one of you can defeat me in combat, then this old man will agree to the transaction. If neither of you can accomplish this..."

"If we can't, my senior brother Li and I will turn and leave immediately, and we will never mention this matter again," Han Li said without hesitation.

"Good, it's a deal. This old man hasn't sparred with anyone in almost a hundred years. Which of you two Daoists intends to test your skills?" Daoist Bitter Bamboo swept his gaze back and forth between Han Li and the puppet, saying with a half-smile.

"If Daoist doesn't mind, how about sparring with me, Li?" Han Li's expression remained unchanged, and the puppet, under Han Li's mental control, spoke faintly.

"Good, I'm also very curious about Daoist Li's techniques. Let's spar above the mountain peak. Daoist, please!" Upon seeing that the one whose cultivation he could not discern was stepping forward, Daoist Bitter Bamboo couldn't help but reveal a serious expression as he stood up from his chair.

Han Li and the human-shaped puppet likewise rose.

The elder standing by, with hands clasped, also couldn't help but show an excited expression. A combat between Nascent Soul cultivators was not something everyone could witness.

A moment later, Han Li was already floating calmly and motionlessly about a hundred feet above the mountain peak. Dozens of feet in front of him, the human-shaped puppet and Daoist Bitter Bamboo stood facing each other.

In other nearby areas, seven or eight Core Formation cultivators who had heard the news gathered, their eyes wide, staring at the scene in the air.

"Go!"

Daoist Bitter Bamboo let out a low cry, forming a hand seal. Suddenly, dazzling cold light erupted from all over his body, and simultaneously, over a hundred green rays shot out. As soon as these green rays appeared, they expanded against the wind, and in an instant, over a hundred pale green flying swords materialized with astonishing momentum.

After a flash of sword light, all the flying swords automatically arranged themselves into a peculiar formation, circling above Daoist Bitter Bamboo's head, concealing a chilling killing intent.

Upon seeing this, Han Li's previously serene expression suddenly froze.

"Sword formation! This Daoist Bitter Bamboo cultivates so many flying swords, and as expected, he also understands the divine ability of a sword formation." Although Han Li had suspected it earlier, he was still secretly surprised to see it firsthand.

"Tsk, tsk, little Han, this one seems to have some real ability. This should allow the puppet to display more of its divine abilities. To start, let's test the puppet's defensive capabilities," Grand Expanse God Lord's voice came, sounding somewhat excited. It seemed he was truly confident in the puppet's divine abilities.

"Mm! Got it."

Having used so many rare materials on this puppet, Han Li was also greatly anticipating its performance. With a thought, the human-shaped puppet began to move.

From a distance, the puppet opened its mouth, and a palm-sized shield sprayed out. With a flash of spiritual light, it transformed into a massive silver shield, blocking its front. Subsequently, the puppet formed another hand seal, and colorful runes suddenly appeared on its face. Then, a layer of five-colored protective light emerged from these symbols, instantly enveloping its entire body.

"Oh! Daoist, could you be from the Poison Saint Sect of Southern Xinjiang? This technique seems to be the Poison Saint Sect's famous Spiritual Mark Art?" Daoist Bitter Bamboo asked, startled, upon seeing the strange markings on the puppet's face.

"No," Han Li replied, controlling the puppet with an expressionless face, though his heart stirred upon hearing the comment.

"Oh, it seems I was mistaken then. But Daoist's divine ability truly looks very similar to the Spiritual Mark Art," Daoist Bitter Bamboo's eyes flickered with a hint of peculiarity, and his voice became lighter as he replied, clearly not entirely believing the human-shaped puppet's words.

However, he did not press further. But upon seeing the puppet adopt a defensive stance and make no other moves, as if it had no intention of attacking, he couldn't help but feel annoyed, with a subtle sense of being underestimated. His face immediately darkened, and a few low incantations emanated from his mouth.

The numerous flying swords above his head buzzed in response. Then, all the flying swords trembled simultaneously, and over a hundred sword energies, each about ten feet long, shot out from the sword formation. They transformed into a dense, interwoven mass of sword shadows that flew towards the opposite side, merging into a chilling, dazzling light mid-flight. (To know what happens next, please log in to idia, where there are more chapters. Support the author and support genuine reading!) [Provided by First Chinese]

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