After hearing the little old man’s lengthy explanation, Han Li could only stare with his mouth open. When he finally regained consciousness, he only felt a bad taste in his stomach!
It couldn’t be! He had already cultivated to the fourth layer of the sword art! According to what the little old man said, if in the future he wanted to continued cultivating the Azure Essence Sword Art, a tenth of the magic power he cultivated would dissipate for no reason. In addition, the deeper the layers, the more the loss of magic power would accumulate!
How could he continue to cultivate like this?
However, since everything had become very clear, no matter what he would not behave foolishly and continue to cultivate. Cultivation of the Azure Essence Sword Art would end here.
Han Li had not made this decision for long before the little old man’s next words moved Han Li’s heart again, and he felt that there was something off!
“Although the Azure Essence Sword Art has such a great drawback, it still has its own unique characteristics. Otherwise, it would not have become the signature technique of a sect back then,” the little old man suddenly remarked with some regret as he pressed his lips together.
“I once heard someone say that although cultivating this sword art is extremely slow, every time one successfully cultivates a layer, one may enlarge their meridians and have profound, wonderful effects on the Dantian. This causes the magic power of cultivators that have cultivated this sword art to be somewhat more profound than that of a cultivator of the same level.”
“But exactly how much more profound can it be? This depends on how many layers of the sword art one has cultivated.”
“But based on records from before, the only disciple that cultivated this Azure Essence Sword Art to the sixth layer, when he reached the Foundation Establishment stage, had magic power roughly a third greater than that of other cultivators in his level. This extra magic power was exactly the same amount as the magic power that he had lost while cultivating the Azure Essence Sword Art. This kind of coincidence must be mentioned; this sword art is truly somewhat profound!”
The little old man had seemingly studied this Azure Essence Sword Art quite a bit, and the more he spoke, the more his spirits were lifted up. Afterwards, spittle was even flying from his mouth, and he was very animated! This caused Han Li to hurriedly bring up some other matters, forcibly changing the subject from the Azure Essence Sword Art. Only then did Senior Martial Brother Ma return to normal.
To Han Li, even if this sword art had any other marvelous characteristic, he still would not cultivate it.
His aptitude originally was already not good; there must be something wrong with his brain if he intentionally cultivated this extremely slow, incomplete magic technique unless he did not want to reach Core Formation!
Even with those common cultivation techniques, Han Li reckoned that if he were to discover a few medicinal recipes, there was still somewhat of a possibility of him reaching Core Formation!
Han Li chatted with the little old man for a while longer before taking his leave.
Now that he had reached Foundation Establishment, he naturally could no longer watch over the medicine garden for the other person; thus, he returned to the cottage that he normally lived in. After a little bit of cleaning up, he swiftly headed towards it.
At the time, the sky was very bright, making it the perfect opportunity for him to go to the official hall and take care of business.
The excitement in Han Li’s heart had yet to retreat completely, since he had just reached the Foundation Establishment stage. His only thought was that he would take care of his business, then immediately open up a cave for himself!
Han Li had looked forward to this for a long time! After all, once he had his own patch of ground, he wouldn’t need to be stealthy anymore no matter what he did, and he could do whatever he wanted in his own area.
The more Han Li thought about it, the more excited got; in no time, he had unconsciously arrived at the council hall.
The two young disciples guarding the big door obviously didn’t recognize Han Li; however, they had clearly seen with a glance Han Li’s identity as a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Thus, they naturally did not dare to delay Han Li just because he was young!
The two people stepped forwards simultaneously and immediately bowed to Han Li, showing their respect:
“This Martial Uncle, is there something that you need us to help you with?”
“Martial Uncle?”
When Han Li heard this, he thought it was somewhat funny. If he had met these two people a year ago, perhaps he would even have to call them Senior Martial Brother! Today, his status had greatly increased because he had reached Foundation Establishment, and he immediately became their senior! Han Li felt that he was not used to it.
However, seeing these people, whose ages were similar to his, greet him with such respect, he felt pretty good!
“Is Sect Master Zhong here? I have something I need to discuss with him!” Han Li said arrogantly.
These two Qi Condensation disciples couldn’t help but glance at each other after hearing Han Li say this. The person on the right then replied, “Sect Master has gone to the Hundred Opportunities Hall to take care of business, but he should be back quickly! How about Martial Uncle wait for a moment in the pavilion hall?
Han Li slightly knitted his eyebrows, but immediately returned to normal and said carelessly:
“Okay! Since it’s like this, I will just wait for a bit!”
“Great! Martial Uncle, this way, please!”
The other person was also very clever, and he took two steps backwards, then led Han Li there.
Following this person, Han Li passed through the large lobby and was brought to a slightly larger room in the hall. Not only was this room extremely clean and tidy, a few pen and ink drawings were hung on the four walls, creating an elegant, scholarly atmosphere.
“Martial Uncle can wait first here for a moment; when the Sect Master returns, this disciple will immediately report to him!” The youth skillfully poured a pot of fragrant tea for Han Li, then retreated.
Han Li nodded his head as he watched the youth’s retreating figure, but then shook his head!
He first nodded because he felt that whether it was this youth’s eyes or his bearing, both caused
Han Li to feel great satisfaction; it was as if he had no flaws, and that he had undergone a special training to get this kind of a face!
But when he shook his head, it was because he felt grieved for these low-level disciples!
For a cultivator to be forced to behave like a common servant instead of undergoing closed-door cultivation, taking turns watching the door and pouring tea, it truly was highly regretful!
Thinking about it now, if he hadn’t used a Foundation Establishment Pill to buy out Elder Ye, perhaps his circumstances would not be much better than this person. He would similarly be required to bow and serve them cups of tea; perhaps he would be even more restricted!
Just as Han Li was sitting in the room, tasting the fragrant tea as many thoughts raced in his heart, Sect Master Zhong returned after a brief period.
When he heard from his manservant disciple that a young Foundation Establishment cultivator was looking for him, he couldn’t help but feel astonished. This was because he could not remember this person based on the description given to him by manservant disciple; out of the hundreds of Foundation Establishment disciples, he had not found a person similar to this.
“Twenty-five or twenty-six years old with somewhat dark skin and a plain appearance...who could this be?” Zhong Lingdao was thirty percent surprised and twenty percent curious, so he hurriedly walked towards the guest lobby where Han Li was at.
When he entered the room, he saw a youth with an average appearance wearing a Yellow Maple Valley uniform, gazing at a flowery painting on a wall with his back towards the Sect Master. He was currently staring at it with great interest!
Howe
ver, apparently the movements Sect Master Zhong made when he entered the room had been heard by the other person. Thus, this person immediately turned around, and greeted him with a bow:
“Senior Martial Brother Sect Master! Junior Martial Brother Han Li has come to see Sect Master!”
“Han Li?”
When Sect Master Zhong heard this name, he felt that it was somewhat familiar, as if he had heard it before! But when he carefully looked at the other person, apart from having a somewhat familiar face, he did not remember exactly who this person was. This caused him to feel somewhat ashamed in his heart, and a trace of awkwardness was revealed on his face.
“Han...... Junior Martial Brother Han, please sit; no need to be polite! Senior Martial Brother, as the Sect Master, has been busy with business and arrived a little late. Junior Martial Brother, please don’t take offense!”
Zhong Lingdao was a sly old fox who had seen many big winds and waves; with a few careless, ambiguous sentences, he had easily dissolved the awkward mood that he created by not recognizing the other individual.
(TL: “winds and waves” - a lot of hard experiences)
Han Li was not actually shocked that Sect Master Zhong could not recognize him!
One had to know that the last time Han Li had seen this person was five years ago. At that time, he was only a low-quality and low-aptitude Qi Condensation disciple. Thus, Sect Master Zhong naturally would not put him in his heart, let alone have any kind of deep impression of him.
If the other person was actually able to recognize him on sight, Han Li would feel greatly shocked!
Chapter 219: Discussions
“Senior Martial Brother Sect Master, Junior Martial Brother was able to cultivate to Foundation Establishment by a fluke, thus he has come to Sect Master to inform him of this matter. I hope Sect Master could award me the privilege of establishing an Immortal's cave.” Han Li was not long winded, directly stating his purpose in coming.
“You’ve just cultivated to Foundation Establishment?” Zhong Lingdao first stared blankly before soon coming to realization.
To receive a Foundation Establishment Pill then waiting until the most opportune moment before consuming and succeeding in Foundation Establishment was not a rare matter! This Sect Master Zhong considered Han Li to be one of those cases.
“Hehe, congratulations to Junior Martial Brother Han on entering Foundation Establishment! The sect’s high-level disciples has increased by one. This is truly a matter worth celebrating!” Zhong Lingdao said with a faint smile as he twirled his long whiskers.
“This one was only lucky. This was thanks to the Foundation Establishment Pill bestowed by the sect!” Han Li replied, gleaming with radiance.
After Zhong Lingdao heard Han Li’s courteous words, he carefully sized up Han Li. At this moment, he felt Han Li was becoming more and more familiar. He must’ve seen him before. But after a moment of thought, he could not remember when or where.
As such, Zhong Lingdao could not help but nod his head and muttered to himself, bitterly entering deep thought.
As Han Li saw this, he found this very funny and did not bother him. Minding his own business, he raised the teacup and slowly tasted the tea within.
After a short moment, with a flash of realization, Zhong Lingdao actually thought of the matter of the Writ of Immortal Ascension. He could not help but connect the youngster who originally stood in the main hall to the calm Junior Martial Brother before him.
Zhong Lingdao, having recalled Han Li’s circumstances, could not help but sharply raise his head. He cried out with a face full of surprise, “It's you, the disciple who entered the sect with the Writ of Immortal Ascension! You actually succeeded in Foundation Establishment?”
“Senior Martial Brother Sect Master actually remembers me! My matter of being able to enter the sect was truly thanks to Sect Master’s assistance!” When Han Li saw that the sect master had remembered him, he did not panic and instead lightly smiled toward Zhong Lingdao, expressing his thanks.
Having heard the words ‘Senior Martial Brother Sect Master’, Zhong Lingdao realized this was no longer the rogue cultivator who originally entered the sect but a Foundation Establishment Cultivator such as himself! Thus, after a brief expression of astonishment, he resumed his calm expression and mildly remarked, “It was nothing. This sect master has handled affairs in accordance to the rules for many years! However, Junior Martial Brother Han was actually able to cultivation to Foundation Establishment with false spiritual roots. It is inconceivable! It this were to spread, Junior Martial Brother would be immediately known throughout the cultivation world!”
Although Zhong Qingdao external appearance seemed to have returned to normal, his words revealed the astonishment in his heart.
This was no surprise, as Sect Master Zhong clearly understood Han Li’s original circumstances. A person with four attribute spiritual roots being able to attain Foundation Establishment was truly hard for him to accept.
Han Li saw this and smiled. With a half-joking tone, he said, “This one did not expect when he took the Foundation Establishment Pill, he would actually reach Foundation Establishment. The only explanation is that I was assisted by the Heavens, which saw a fool like me and gave me outrageous luck!”
When Han Li said this, he actually made the other party laugh!
“But Junior Martial Brother Han, wasn’t your Foundation Establishment Pill given to Junior Martial Disciple Ye’s grandnephew? How did you obtain another Foundation Establishment Pill?” Right after Sect Master Zhong chuckled, he had seconds thoughts on something he didn’t understand and asked.
“Hehe! Senior Martial Brother Sect Master, didn’t you give me a Foundation Establishment Pill?” Laughing in his heard, Han Li responded to this with chuckle.
“Me?” Zhong Lingdao responded, puzzled. How could he possibly not have any memory of this?
“Could it be that Sect Master has already forgotten? Among the several people who returned alive from the forbidden area, there were three who were awarded a Foundation Establishment Pill. I was one of those people!” Han Li eventually said after putting away his smile.
“You are the in-name disciple accepted by Martial Ancestor Li?” Zhong Lingdao grew excited, longer able to keep his calm appearance,
“That’s right. I am the disciple that Master Li Huayuan accepted on the trip from the forbidden area!” Han Li did not deny, directly acknowledging this.
“So it was like that. So that was why the name ‘Han Li’ sounded so familiar. So it turned out that two years ago, the name of the disciple that everyone was bubbling about belonged to Junior Martial Brother!” Zhong Lingdao’s eyes expressed even more astonishment as he spoke with a slightly more genial tone.
Zhong Lingdao’s intentions were clear. Since Han Li had already reached Foundation Establishment, becoming Martial Ancestor Li’s official disciple was practically already determined. He naturally did not want to arouse any contempt from Han LI. He inwardly thought to himself, ‘Since it was like this, this Junior Martial Brother Han must’ve reached Foundation Establishment by a complete fluke. Otherwise with his aptitude, Foundation Establishment absolutely wouldn’t be possible even out of a hundred times!”
Although Zhong Lingdao truly felt uneasy, he naturally spoke to Han Li with a few courteous words. Then he had Han Li wait a short moment before going to fetch a register.
Han Li naturally agreed and waited for his return.
After the time it took to make a cup of tea, Zhong Lingdao walked out with a white jade slip. Then in front of Han Li, he used a golden brush to write Han Li’s name at the very bottom of the densely written list of names. He was finally put into the record!
When Han Li saw this, he grew delighted. He knew that he could now properly have his own Immortal’s cave.
Zhong Lingdao regularly conducted various matters for new Foundation Establishment disciples. When he saw Han Li’s smiling face, he could somewhat guess what Han Li was thinking
. Thus after a faint smile, he took out three mid-grade spirit stones and five small and thin flags that were shrouded in white mist, handing them over to Han Li.
“What is this?”
Han Li could somewhat understand being given mid-grade spirit stones. This was the award for the sect’s Foundation Establishment disciples! But whatever were these five palm-sized flags? There seemed to have Spiritual Qi and felt strange to the touch. It seemed as if they weren’t ordinary magic tools, how strange!
Without waiting for Han Li to ask, Zhong Lingdao held out his hand, handing over a jade slip to Han Li. He then explained, “These spirit stones are a one time reward that is given to all new Foundation Establishment disciples. Every year from now on, you will receive a mid-grade spirit stone without having to do any menial labor!”
“As for these several trace bewildering flags, they are an essential item for establishing your Immortal’s cave. Although they are used to arrange a trace bewildering magic formation, it is the most simple of small scale formation spells. However, it is enough to prevent mortal people and animals from trespassing. Naturally, if Junior Martial Brother is proficient in formation spells, he will not need to use these small flags. Furthermore, the jade slip contains formation establishing arts and controlling techniques. Naturally, a few other matters a Foundation Establishment disciple should be aware of are included within. After Junior Martial Brother leaves, please take a look at them.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Senior Martial Brother Sect Master!” Han Li accepted the jade slip with both hands and expressed his thanks continuously.
These items were what Han Li currently required the most, hence he was unable to contain his joy!
After these matters were finished, Han Li chatted with Sect Master Zhong for the time it took an incense stick to burn before taking his leave and departing from the main hall.
A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality c1-2248 Page 113