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

by Translator: Johnchen

  The old man didn’t pay any mind to what Han Li said and impatiently waved his hand. Han Li then tactfully went up to the platform with his opponent.

  After a flash of white light, Han Li and his opponent appeared in a world of white mist. The area spanned about a hundred meters and was covered by the white mist in every direction.

  The middle-aged cultivator spoke to Han Li with confidence, “Your cultivation is lower than mine by two whole layers. There is no need to fight. Fellow Daoist should forfeit. Else, I might accidentally give you a heavy injury!”

  Seeing that this “expert” was only a seventh layer Qi Condensation cultivator and hadn’t released a protective barrier like he had, Han Li faintly smiled.

  Chapter 370: Challenge (2)

  “What’s so funny? I only wished to not injure you out of kindness!” When this cultivator saw that Han Li didn’t seem to care, he couldn’t help but become angry and increasingly flaunt his status as a ‘superior’.

  Han Li tapped the floor with the tip of his foot, indifferently saying, “It’s nothing! I only feel that this competition is going to be easier than I had imagined.”

  “What? You dare to look down on me?!” The middle aged cultivator’s face completely reddened. He raised his hand and revealed many glistening items. But before he could act, he suddenly saw the person in front of him blur. His vision then blackened, and he fell to the floor not knowing what had happened.

  ……

  A short moment later, Han Li carried the unconscious middle-aged man off the stage with an indifferent expression.

  When the other cultivators saw this, they were stunned.

  There was a clear difference in their cultivation, but the victor was Han Li. This was far beyond their expectations.

  Even the old man, who had appeared moody from the very beginning, revealed an odd expression.

  He took a deep look at Han Li. Although he didn’t say anything, he seemed to know how Han Li had taken action.

  Han Li chuckled and calmly handed the two bamboo sticks to the old man. He then dropped his unconscious opponent to the floor and went over to the group of victorious cultivators.

  The old man saw that the middle-aged cultivator was still unconscious and lightly shook his head, revealing a mysterious smile.

  “Number eight!”

  ……

  When the final victor was decided, the old man looked at the ten cultivators that hadn’t gone on the platform and lightly coughed. He then spoke with an indifferent tone, “We will now start the challenges in order of number. If you feel that your magic power is severely exhausted, you may take a moment to rest before facing your next challenge. However, these challenges must finish by today; it will count as a forfeit otherwise. Also, challengers are forbidden from challenging those who have already fought. As for the extra eleventh challenger, they will be allowed to challenge any one of the winning incumbents after the ten winners have been decided.”

  “Now, let’s start!”

  The first challenger selected the incumbent with the lowest cultivation and entered the stage with him.

  As his opponent’s cultivation was only of the sixth layer and his cultivation was of the seventh, it appeared that he had high odds of winning.

  But after the time it took to make a cup of tea, the sixth layer cultivator left the stage first. As for the first challenger, he reappeared in a miserable state.

  He was ashamed and quickly left the hall without a word.

  The remaining challengers revealed changed expressions. As for the victor, he returned to the other ten without the slightest of care.

  “Next!” The old man shouted. He didn’t reveal the slightest surprise as if he had expected that cultivator to win!

  “Senior, my magic power is deficient. I wish to rest for a moment!” The second chosen cultivator spoke with a slight blush.

  “Number three!” The old man didn’t care whether his magic power truly hadn’t recovered and shouted the next number.

  The following cultivator lightly creased his brow and also avoided the next fight.

  As for the fourth challenger, he appeared to be unwilling to lose face and summoned the courage to choose an opponent, entering the stage.

  In the end, the same result occurred. The fourth challenger was heavily injured, causing the remaining challengers to all be shaken.

  Having seen this, the following two challengers took the opportunity to delay their fights. They thought that they would be able to make a better choice after seeing how it ended up for the others.

  The old man’s face stirred for a moment, before slowly calling out Han Li’s number, “Number Seven!”

  Han Li silently walked forward and pointed to an opponent with a sixth layer cultivation.

  The opponent was a burly man. Having seen Han Li fearlessly select him, he suddenly revealed a malicious smile and walked toward the stage in large strides.

  In contrast, Han Li walked forward with slow steps as if he was deliberating about the coming match.

  Soon, Han Li and the burly man disappeared into the white light. Everyone looked in the direction of the stage with interest.

  The old man then closed his eyes as if he had extended his spiritual sense.

  But after a short moment, his cheeks slightly moved. He then opened his eyes and revealed a trace of astonishment.

  With a flash of white light, a person appeared on the platform.

  The many cultivators hurriedly turned their gaze. The light faded away to reveal Han Li. He didn’t have the slightest injury, but he was dragging his opponent who had his entire body scorched. He leisurely walked off the platform as if he hadn’t spent the slightest effort.

  Not only were the challengers stupefied, even the incumbent opponents also had looks of disbelief on their faces.

  As for Wen Qiang who stood behind the old man, his mouth was gaping. He didn’t close it until some time later.

  Han Li dragged his still-breathing opponent towards the old man and left him there, before returning to his original position with a leisurely stride.

  When the other challengers saw this, they couldn’t help but turn their gaze and reveal a trace of reverence.

  Han Li coldly smiled in his heart.

  It seemed that regardless of where he went, strength was the most effective method of speech.

  Perhaps it was because Han Li’s unexpected triumph inspired confidence in the remaining challengers, the following challengers didn’t avoid their fight and immediately chose an opponent.

  However, this only resulted in defeat and heavy injuries.

  The challengers who had delayed their fights were appalled. With their competitive spirits completely extinguished, each one of them had eventually decided to forfeit.

  After all, they knew that they were no match. Only an idiot would decide to fight regardless!

  As such, the old man declared that only Han Li, on behalf of the Gu Clan, had acquired the qualifications for main island trade.

  Afterwards, the old man handed a blue jade slip to Han Li and told him it would be settled once he gave that to the Gu Clan.

  The old man then unceremoniously dismissed the cultivators, chasing them out of the hall with his voice.

  ……

  Han Li handed the blue jade slip to Master Gu in the corridor.

  His expressions were quite marvelous. He appeared incredulous, astonished, and finally ecstatic with joy.

  “Immortal Han, I am grateful beyond words. Please feel at ease, the Gu Clan will definitely fulfill their promise with you.”

  By the time he said these words, Han Li, Master Gu, and Wang Changqing were already sitting in the carriage and were on their way back to the Gu Clan Estate.

  As he was speaking these grateful words, his hands were tightly grasping the jade slip as if he was afraid that it would fly away. It made for quite a funny scene.

  Leaning against the back of the carriage, Han Li said with a slight smile, “I believ
e Mister Gu isn’t someone who would abandon their benefactor upon achieving their goals, especially when the benefactor in question is a cultivator.”

  With the warning laced in Han Li’s words, Master Gu and Wang Changqing paled and repeatedly said that they didn’t dare.

  Not long after that, Han Li returned to his wooden house on the hill. Crooked Soul was still obediently on guard.

  Han Li only managed to refine Qi for three days before Wang Changqing went to find him.

  He had come to inform Han Li that Han Li could now go the Immortal Mountain’s Immortal Records Pavilion and acquire permanent residence at Stalwart Star Island. They would also provide him with a cultivation area.

  After all, the cultivators of the island all had their own Immortal’s cave.

  Since he hadn’t participated in the Great Spirit Land Contest, his area was certain to have thinner Spiritual Qi, but it would still have enough to be considered an area of cultivation.

  Han Li pocketed the guarantor’s document that the Gu Clan had given him and flew towards the center of Stalwart Star Island. Crooked Soul was naturally left behind to guard his small house.

  On his way, Han Li flew past seven cities and several tens of small towns before finally catching view of the Immortal Mountain that Wang Changqing had mentioned.

  It was a huge, azure, tri-peaked mountain that penetrated through the clouds. The sight was truly majestic and beyond lofty.

  Innumerable smaller peaks surrounded the huge mountain.

  Han Li was unable to tell how expansive the mountain was from a glance.

  He blankly stared at this “Immortal Mountain” while lost in thought.

  “Hm? Aren’t you Fellow Daoist Han?” Han Li suddenly heard someone call out to him from behind.

  Han Li was slightly alarmed and hastily turned around. The voice sounded familiar.

  Not far behind him, the gentle and frail Wen Qiang was looking at him with a smile, flying on his wheel magic tool.

  After staring blankly for a moment, Han Li responded with a chuckle, “So it was Fellow Daoist Wen! What a coincidence!”

  “Hehe! I didn’t expect to see you! Fellow Daoist Han was actually able to defeat a cultivator from the protector squad. I really admire you!”

  “Protector squad?” Han Li was startled to hear this!

  Chapter 371: Immortal Records Pavilion

  “Fellow Daoist Han, the ten cultivators to be challenged were hired at great expense by the great clans from the island’s protector squad. Although their cultivation isn’t high, their experience and techniques are superior to that of common cultivators as they have fought demonic beasts at sea and sparred with the cultivators from other islands. Not to mention opponents at the same layer, it wouldn’t be odd for them to defeat common cultivators with a cultivation of three layers above them.” Wen Qiang clicked his tongue with an expression of praise.

  Han Li smiled and spoke modestly, “It was nothing. I was merely lucky.” Han Li had quite a bit of experience with regards to battle.

  The youth looked in the direction of the azure mountain before turning his head around and asking with a smile, “Ah, yes. Fellow Daoist Han came here to handle some formalities at the Immortal Records Pavilion?”

  As this wasn’t a matter worth concealing, Han Li calmly answered, “Fellow Daoist Wen guessed correctly. I wish to handle the formalities for settling down on this island and choose a cultivator’s residence.”

  Having heard Han Li’s destination, Wen Qiang immediately offered a suggestion, “Hehe! I’ve been to the Immortal Ascension Pavilion several times already. How about I bring Fellow Daoist Han there along the way? It would be hard to look for it alone, considering the size of the Azurecloud Mountains.”

  Han Li was slightly surprised to see him act so enthusiastically, but he still expressed his thanks and agreed.

  As such, the two flew side by side towards the large mountain.

  While the youth was leading the way, he gave Han Li a garrulous explanation of the mountain range, “On our island’s Azurecloud Mountains, in addition to the three great peaks: the Heavenly Pillar, the Heavenly Night, and the Heavenly Gate, there are also three hundred sixty seven smaller mountain peaks. The amount of caves among these mountains are countless, and it is said that many of them are capable of being a cultivation area.”

  “Naturally, although the majority of the Azurecloud Mountains have large spirit veins, the density of Spiritual Qi varies. It is generally said that the taller the mountain’s peak, the denser the Spiritual Qi. As for the thirty-six mountain peaks with the densest Spiritual Qi, they are the prizes of the island’s decennial Great Spirit Land Contest. Those who feel that their cultivation is greater than the lords of these thirty-six mountain peaks may challenge them at will. The victor shall become the master of the peak. The differences between the peaks aren’t very significant. It is said that as long as a cultivator managed to enter Foundation Establishment, they would be able to acquire one of these mountain peaks as a cultivation area. As for Qi Condensation cultivators, they can only obediently find a valley or cave to use as a cultivation area.”

  “Foundation Establishment cultivators are able to claim an entire mountain peak for themselves?” Han Li was greatly surprised.

  The youth said with a self-mocking tone, “That’s right. However, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the island have already occupied most of them. Us Qi Condensation cultivators shouldn’t think of such hopeful matters.”

  “Oh!” Thoughts churned through Han Li’s mind, causing him to grow somewhat excited.

  Han Li suddenly thought of something and casually asked, “Ah, then the three tallest mountains should have the greatest Spiritual Qi, yes?”

  “Of course. The tallest peak, the Heavenly Pillar, is the cultivation area of our island’s master, Master Mu Long. It is forbidden from entry. It is said that our island’s lord is at mid Core Formation stage, and his divine abilities are devastating. As for the Heavenly Gate and the Heavenly Night mountain peaks, they are respectively occupied by Master Yuan Jun and Master Kan Qin. Although the Spiritual Qi is somewhat lacking in comparison to the Heavenly Pillar, it is still several times denser than in other areas.” Wen Qiang stated with a somewhat envious expression.

  Han Li slowly asked with raised eyebrows, “Fellow Daoist Wen, are those two Core Formation Seniors as well?”

  Wen Qiang nodded with a pleased expression, “Not only are they early Core Formation cultivators, they are also Dao companions.”

  Han Li unconsciously frowned. Stalwart Star Island unexpectedly had three Core Formation cultivators. This was truly beyond his expectations.

  While Han Li was lost in thought, he arrived at the center of the Azurecloud mountains with Wen Qiang.

  They occasionally ran into other cultivators on the way there, but after giving the two of them an indifferent glance, they all flew away, minding their own business.

  A few minutes later, Han Li and Wen Qiang finally arrived at a relatively tall mountain peak.

  The peak had a small, two-story pavilion of unknown age. Not only was its exterior thoroughly worn out and of an outdated design, it also hung a sign on its gate that was missing a corner. The words “Immortal Records Pavilion” were crookedly written on the sign.

  Han Li blankly stared. Although he saw the sign, Han Li could not bring himself to believe it. He couldn’t help but turn towards Wen Qiang and ask, “This is...”

  “Although I don’t want to admit it, this really is the Immortal Records Pavilion.” The youth spread out his arms with an appearance of helplessness.

  The youth waved his hand and gave Han Li a warning just before he took his leave, “Alright, I’m going to leave now. However, Fellow Daoist Han should take note that the senior in charge of the Immortal Records Pavilion has a strange temperament!”

  Han Li indifferently gazed at the youth as he disappeared. After mindlessly shaking his head, he landed in front of the pavilion and walke
d in with a calm face.

  Just as he approached the gate, he heard a somewhat gloomy voice, “Come in! The gate isn’t locked.” Han Li was shocked by the sudden announcement, but he couldn’t help but walk toward the pavilion hesitantly.

  After entering the pavilion, Han Li was left stupefied.

  The interior sharply contrasted with the outer appearance of the pavilion. It was magnificently decorated. The floor was covered in sparkling fire-red silk, and the walls were made of gold and jade while countless amounts of sparkling gems glittered on the ceiling. Corners of the building were decorated with many species of gorgeous plants that Han Li had never seen before.

  There was also an odd stone bed across from him, sparkling with a strange blue light. Although he didn’t recognize what it was made out of, they were certain to be some sort of precious materials.

  A haggard, middle-aged man was currently reclining on it. His clothes were made of dazzling, fire-red demon fur. He was embracing a huge, white pearl as he indifferently glanced at Han Li.

  Han Li suppressed his amazement and bowed. He then asked with a respectful tone, “Hello Senior. This one wishes to handle the formalities for taking up residence. May I ask if Senior is in charge of this matter?”

  The middle-aged man lightly sighed before spiritedly asking, “Taking up residence? Do you have a guarantor?”

  “I do!” Han Li immediately took out the document that the Gu Clan member had given him and stepped forward to give it to the man. Han Li didn’t dare to belittle him as his spiritual power fluctuations clearly revealed his status as a powerful late Foundation Establishment cultivator.

  The middle-aged man took the signed document from Han Li and swept through it. His eyes then flashed with bright light, sizing Han Li up.

  Caressing the pearl in his embrace, the middle-aged man indifferently asked, “I have heard that there was a new cultivator on the island that was able to defeat a member of the protector squad while at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation. Could that have been you?”