A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality c1-2248

by Translator: Johnchen

  When Wu Xuan saw Han Li respond to his gaze, his face contorted with surprise. He immediately shifted his gaze with a guilty appearance.

  When Han Li saw this, he was filled with suspicion! However, his expression maintained his usual patient and calm expression. Seeing him instinctively maintain his calm, the red-clothed woman inwardly continued to nod her head!

  “It will be this child. I feel like he is very suitable. I will first return with Xuan Er and will calmly wait for good news from Martial Disciple!” the red-clothed woman suddenly said as she nodded her head.

  “Senior Martial Sister, be at ease. I will surely make the proper arrangements.”

  Li Huayuan saw that the woman wanted to leave, so he hastily consented and saw them both out. As Han Li regained his senses, Martial Senior Hong Fu had already left with that young woman.

  When Li Huayuan and his wife brought Han Li and the others to the main hall, they were beaming with happiness, both smiling without saying a word.

  The two returned to their seats and sized up Han Li without end. It was unknown what intention they had.

  “Han Li, as your Master, I must first congratulate you!” Li Huayuan happily looked at Han Li for a moment before suddenly saying such senseless words. This caused Han Li’s heart to beat harder and be even more uneasy.

  “Disciple truly doesn’t know what to be happy about. Master, please enlighten me!” Han Li respectfully said with a dark foreboding dwelling in his heart.

  “Xixi! This is an extraordinary matter. When your Martial Senior Hong Fu saw you, she was interested in having you and that disciple of hers to form a bond as dual cultivation companions!” The young woman did not wait for Li Huayuan to reply and was the first to unravel the riddle, causing Han Li to become dumbstruck.

  “Become dual cultivation companions?” Han Li muttered and became despondent. This was far too surprising!

  “What is this? This is a fine thing that others dream of having but can’t obtain! You should know that female cultivation disciples are originally few in number. Those capable of cultivating to Foundation Establishment are pathetically fewer. Also, dual cultivation a mutually beneficial method to enormously advance the cultivation of both sides. Others will not be able to find such a boon even with a lantern!” Li Huayuan said with a happy expression.

  With what he said, to be able to form a relationship with Martial Ancestor Hong Fu who possessed profound magic power was greatly advantageous. Who didn’t know that this Female Immortal Hong Fu stood near the top of ratings in the State of Yue for Core Formation Cultivators! In Yellow Maple Valley, her magic power was only second to the great ancestor.

  After thinking about the benefits of forming a close relationship between disciples, Li Huayuan had a dignified, old-fashioned bearing and chuckled continuously.

  “This disciple had never thought of dual cultivation before. This is truly unexpected! Moreover, there are so many male cultivators with appearances and aptitudes far greater than this disciple; how could she come to find me?” With his wits returned, Han Li could only bravely reply to his question. However, this caused him to remain greatly perplexed.

  “Hehe! This is disciple’s good luck! Your Martial Ancestor Hong Fu previously had an emotional wound when she was young and came to completely loathe frivolous, handsome men. Thus, she came to select a companion for her disciple. Naturally, males she finds unpleasant to the eye were beneath her consideration. As such, finding a disciple with a similar age and looks that do not disgust her could not be found with the several hundreds of Foundation Establishment disciples inside Yellow Maple Valley. Your Martial Senior Hong Fu has visited several Immortal’s caves similar to your master’s, and you were the first one she saw that she was completely satisfied with,” Li Huayuan said with satisfaction.

  “As for aptitude, your Martial Senior isn’t particularly picky. The disciple of your Martial Senior, that young woman who stood at her side today, although her aptitude isn’t nearly as ridiculous as your own, she is also mediocre and isn’t exceptional in any way. I heard that she had to take three Foundation Establishment Pills and many precious medicines in order to barely reach Foundation Establishment. If it weren’t for the fact that she was a close descendant of your Martial Ancestor, there absolutely wouldn’t be much reason to spend such a large amount attention on that girl, but because of their relationship, the girl received much favor!” Li Huayuan explained to Han Li.

  He then nodded for a moment and sighed, continuing, “Actually in the start, I hadn’t thought to recommend you but instead call forth your Seventh Senior Martial Brother. After all, whether it's appearance or aptitude, your Senior Martial Brother Wu Xuan exceeds you by no small amount! Although I knew that your Martial Senior Hong Fu has some prejudice against handsome men, I held a slight hope to try for a fluke. You should know what resulted. Your Senior Martial Brother Wu was unable to pass by your Martial Senior and was denied, though I did see that Dong girl greatly approve.”

  After Li Huayuan said this, he looked at Wu Xuan, causing his face to become very red and be at a complete loss.

  Han Li suddenly realized why his Senior Martial Brother was hostile and cold towards him; it was because he had been eliminated as a candidate. It seemed he and the young woman had taken a liking to each other! However, Li Huayuan words “Dong girl” caused Han Li to recall of the matter of “Senior Martial Brother Lu” whom he had previously killed.

  On the night of “Senior Martial Brother Lu” brutal display, he seemed to have mentioned the name of that Dong girl and Martial Ancestor Hong Fu. Could it be that this girl had been on good terms with that wretched ingrate?

  With that thought, Han Li felt uncomfortable from head to toe. His impression of Martial Senior Hong Fu’s disciple immediately dropped down without the slightest good opinion towards her. After he heard Li Huayuan’s analysis, he felt that he had to thoroughly extinguish this matter.

  In truth, Han Li wasn’t particularly opposed to dual cultivation, let alone if the other party was a disciple of a Core Formation cultivator. Becoming a Dao companion with such a figure would bring endless benefits. He didn’t immediately agree with apprehension as the secrets he held were too many. He truly couldn’t allow for anyone to stick close to him.

  As of current, Han Li couldn’t agree to such an absurd matter. He had no interest in picking up a companion! Furthermore, that Dong girl should have a favorable impression toward young confident and handsome men. She simply wouldn’t fancy him.

  With this thought, Han Li hesitated for a moment and said somewhat unnaturally, “Disciple feels that this is somewhat inappropriate. On one hand, this is somewhat too unexpected. Disciple hadn’t prepared himself in the slightest! On the other hand, Disciple saw that Martial Senior Hong Fu’s disciple wasn’t satisfied toward this disciple. Although Senior Hong Fu may be strongly pressuring her, creating a good chance for Disciple, in the end a strongly wrung melon isn’t sweet! Master, please look for another disciple and give him a try. Perhaps there would be a more appropriate candidate than this disciple!”

  When those words left Han Li’s mouth, the intent of rejection in those words was undoubtable, slightly surprising Li Huayuan and his wife.

  The young woman seemed to have thought of something but didn’t speak. His master wrinkled his brow and seemed somewhat irritated.

  “You hear this out. Your master has already patted his chest, agreeing to this matter with your Martial Senior Hong Fu. How could I go back on it? Even if there were more appropriate candidates, your master would not go back on his word. As for your worries that the girl isn’t willing, that is a matter not worth fussing about! Of us cultivators, how many Dao companions are there that immediately have affinity for one another? Even if they spent a long time with each other, they naturally wouldn’t all be completely harmonious!” Li Huayuan had a somewhat strict tone. His words faintly carried a trace of rebuke.

  When Han Li heard this, he inwardly complained without end,
but when he immediately searched for an excuse, he was unable to find one! But at this moment, the young woman suddenly said a few words that startled Li Huayuan, finally breaking the siege on Han Li.

  “Han Li, you and that Dong girl entered the sect around the same time, and your time to enter Foundation Establishment wasn’t too far from her’s as well. During this time, have you heard the rumors flowing around?”

  “Rumors?” The young woman’s words stunned Li Huayuan. He couldn’t help but ask this with surprise. When he saw Han Li’s silent tacit agreement, he felt even more surprised.

  “This was something that several close friends and I chatted about a few times. I heard a few bits of rumors, but they most certainly couldn’t be true!” The young woman faintly bit her lips, as if she were embarrassed to have said this.

  “You two, leave for a bit. Han Li by himself will be enough!” When Li Huayuan saw his wife act as such, he muttered to himself for a moment. Then he waved his hand, gesturing for Song Meng and Wu Xuan to leave the guest room. Han Li was now the only disciple inside.

  Song Meng was indifferent. When he heard the order, he saluted and asked to be excused. Although that Wu Xuan didn’t dare to disobey his master and closely followed behind Song Meng, there was a trace of unwillingness on his face. He looked at Han Li with a rather peculiar gaze. After Han Li noticed this, he sunk into deep thought.

  Chapter 245: A Long Journey and Mishaps

  “Now there are no outsiders here anymore; why doesn’t Madame speak the truth! That way, I can determine what appropriate action to take, lest there be anything that I didn’t consider appropriately,” Li Huayuan said, his expression respectful.

  When the young wife heard this, she glanced at Han Li, who was scratching his head and smiling bitterly, then finally opened her mouth and said:

  “In the past two years, I unintentionally heard a few pieces of information concerning this matter, but whether they’re true or not, I don’t know. From hearsay, this Martial Senior Hong Fu’s female disciple is not restrained at all in the matters between males and females; when she was in the Qi Condensation stage, she had unclear relationships with numerous males. People have even privately fought for her, almost leading to disciples from the same sect killing each other. In the end, Martial Senior Hong Fu flew into a rage when she found out, grounding her to the confines of her cave and increasing supervision until she established her Foundation, at which point she was released again. But not too long after, word spread that she had gotten into a relationship with the young master of the Feng Clan and seemingly intended to cultivate as a pair with him. However, Martial Senior Hong Fu hates people from the Feng Clan the most, so she naturally would not agree to this matter and locked her up again. In the past two years, no such news has spread. Because there was no solid evidence to support these claims, I never paid any attention to them. Thus, when Martial Senior Hong Fu took her disciple along to visit, I didn’t think about this matter. Now, seeing Han Li’s extremely unhappy appearance, I felt that it was somewhat strange and suddenly remembered the rumors.”

  The young woman’s somewhat apologetic remarks caused both Han Li and Li Huayuan to become slightly dazed upon hearing them.

  Li Huayuan had never expected that the young woman surnamed Dong would actually have such a sloppy reputation, yet he had so hastily agreed to Martial Senior Hong Fu’s requests; how could this be a good thing! Likewise, Han Li naturally did not expect that this young woman not only had an unclear relationship with Senior Martial Brother Lu, but she actually had such a long string of lovers that! Even Han Li did not know how extensive it was. This rendered him to speechless once again.

  “Wife, are you speaking the truth? Is Martial Senior Hong Fu’s disciple’s reputation really so poor?” Li Huayuan asked in disbelief. He could restrain himself no longer and stood up, then began to pace anxiously around the room continuously.

  This was no longer simply a question of whether or not Han Li was willing to pair cultivate anymore. If he really allowed his own disciple to accept such a woman, his own reputation would definitely not improve.

  “I don’t know. Because this matter was somewhat carelessly mentioned by someone else, perhaps even the person who told me this doesn’t know whether it’s true or not!” The young woman sighed helplessly.

  Upon hearing these words, Han Li rolled his eyes and cried out loudly in his heart: “What do you mean, you don’t know if it’s real or not? At least this little girl definitely had an unclear relationship with ‘Senior Martial Brother Lu’, otherwise how could he so easily try to kill his former female companion?”

  Of course, Han Li wouldn’t say these words out loud; instead, he stood awkwardly in the same spot, acting as if he were saying “as long as you know about this matter, I’ll be okay, Madame”. This caused Li Huayuan to immediately feel a headache coming on upon seeing him.

  Now that he knew about what had happened, Li Huayuan naturally would not force Han Li to agree to this matter; even he had intentions of reneging. However, this Martial Senior Hong Fu was not a person to carelessly slander. In addition, his reason for reneging was not appropriate to talk about plainly. How could he not feel incredibly vexed?

  After Li Huayuan paced around the room a number of times, he still couldn’t think of any strategies. After his eyes slanted, he discovered that Han Li was still standing to the side, eagerly awaiting for his reply as his master; he couldn’t help but feel even more dispirited in his heart and said with no happiness:

  “You can return first; when your master’s wife and I have discussed this matter, we will let you know how we are going to deal with this matter, alright?”

  Anxiously standing to the side, Han Li was also worried that the other person wouldn’t care about the facts of the situation, forcing him to agree to this matter of pair cultivation. But now, upon hearing Li Huayuan’s instructions, his heart relaxed, knowing that this matter would most likely not go through.

  Thus, he agreed extremely happily and slipped out.

  Then, Han Li hurriedly flew away from the cave under the watchful gazes of Song Meng and Wu Xuan, who were standing guard outside the large lobby.

  Han Li finally received Li Huayuan’s voice transmission talisman after three uneasy days. In the end, upon hearing the results of the negotiations between his master and Martial Senior Hong Fu, Han Li couldn’t help but look up at the sky and let out a huge sigh!

  ……

  Half a month later, in front of Green Ripple Cave’s waterfall, Li Huayuan and his wife, as well as Female Immortal Hong Fu, were all there to send two people off. These two people were about to undertake a long journey but wore somewhat stiff expressions, only submissively answering incessantly. They did not possess any of the excitement that people who were about to take a long journey would normally have.

  This male and female pair was Han Li and Female Immortal Hong Fu’s disciple Dong Xuan’er.

  “Han Li, on this trip you two must be careful and help each other out! I heard that the cultivation world hasn’t been so peaceful lately, and cultivators will often disappear. At first, it was just Qi Condensation disciples, but recently even Foundation Establishment cultivators have been involved in accidents!” Although Li Huayuan had only exhorted Han Li simply with a few sentences before the two of them left, Han Li still felt quite moved in his heart.

  However, Martial Senior Hong Fu’s words to the young woman were a big eye-opener to Han Li.

  “During this entire trip, you have to listen to your Senior Martial Brother Han’s words and behave yourself. If anything happens this time, don’t blame me on not speaking my feelings as your master.” Martial Senior Hong Fu’s extremely blunt words caused the young woman’s face to turn deathly pale, and she repeatedly nodded her head, wearing an extremely pitiful appearance.

  Han Li and Dong Xuan’er both flew into the air on their magic tools, then flew towards the south, disappearing along the horizon.

  As Li Huayuan watched th
e dots of light from these two people slowly disappear, he suddenly and somewhat anxiously said to Female Immortal Hong Fu:

  “Does Martial Senior really have the faith to allow those two people represent you and me at the Yan Clan’s Treasure Seizing Assembly? You surely know that those two have only just established their Foundations not too long ago. They don’t even stand a chance!”

  “What, does Martial Junior Li fear that not sending competent disciples will damage your reputation, or are you regretful about the “Yin Yang Tower” treasure talisman that the Yan Clan is taking out this time?” Female Immortal Hong Fu rebuked, glancing sideways at Li Huayuan; this caused him to laugh bitterly.

  “Of course my husband does not have this intention. But I wonder, why didn’t Martial Senior Hong Fu send out her strongest disciples? Han Li and young lady Dong, when compared to those true Foundation Establishment experts, definitely won’t withstand even a single blow. Does Martial Senior want to use this opportunity to pair the two together?” the young woman gently explained for Li Huayuan after gently laughing once.

  “Junior Martial Brother Li, your wife really is a good wife! It’s not like I didn’t have this kind of intention. Of course it would be best if she could develop a relationship with your disciple along the way! However, this was not my original intention; my main purpose is still for Xuan’er to experience some setbacks during this trip to the Yan Clan and kill off some of her arrogance. I heard that the Yan Clan has a young woman with heavenly spiritual roots who will also be attending this Treasure Seizing Assembly. In this way, Xuan’er will be able to realize the difference between her and true geniuses instead of believing that she is extraordinary among female Foundation Establishment cultivators and not knowing how things really stand.”

  “Because she was the only descendant of my deceased elder brother, I’ve pampered her too much! She actually dared to do such indecent things, creating such scandals by mixing with a few male disciples? She completely corrupted her clean reputation as a woman! If I hadn’t examined her body many times to ensure that she had preserved her virginity, I would’ve exterminated her with one palm, lest others think that our Dong Clan produced such a dishonest woman.”