Han Li’s eyes flashed with a strange expression. He unconsciously turned his gaze towards Grandmaster Zenith Yin to discover that Grandmaster Zenith Yin was looking at him with an unknown intent. Greatly frightened, Han Li hastily turned his gaze way with great unrest in his heart.
It seemed that Grandmaster Zenith Yin wasn’t about to let him go!
In his gloom, Han Li bluntly stood up and walked forward.
When Grandmaster Zenith Yin saw Han Li’s actions, his mouth formed a strange sneer. This caused the nearby Wu Chou to break his silence, unable to restrain himself from asking, “Venerable Ancestor, you seemed to be greatly interested in that youngster. Is there something strange about him?”
Wu Chou felt truly curious.
“That person will prove extremely useful to me. I merely require a bit of his aid.” Grandmaster Zenith Yin shook his head and spoke indifferently as if he was unwilling to inform Wu Chou.
Wu Chou, who had always received Zenith Yin’s favor, felt quite puzzled.
At that moment, the Confucian-robed “Layman Qing Yi” lightly coughed and slowly said, “We should set off. There aren’t many people left in the hall.”
Zenith Yin paused for a moment before sweeping his gaze past the few cultivators left in the hall. He replied with a faint smile, “Naturally. If we don’t leave soon, the transportation formation will disappear. It will only reappear again a month from now.”
With that said, Zenith Yin turned into a black cloud and carried off Wu Chou with him.
When Layman Qing Yi and Man Huzi saw this, they leisurely flew off the jade pillar.
As for the beautiful woman, she had already jumped off. It appeared that she had no intention of mingling among their group.
……
Once Han Li entered the transportation formation, he immediately appeared above a small, barren hill. After looking around, he couldn’t help but be amazed. He only saw two men and woman not far away from him. There was no trace of any of the other cultivators.
When the female cultivator caught sight of Han Li, she revealed pleasant surprise.
Fairy Violet Spirit walked over to Han Li with a beaming smile. The male cultivator she was travelling with was transported to an unknown location. Han Li couldn’t help but bitterly laugh at his terrible luck for having trouble placed on him.
As for the other two, one was a grey-clothed old man while the other was a masked man covered in black robes.
The old man plainly stood by while a dark green mist spiralled around the black-robed man’s body. It appeared the masked man was a Devil Dao cultivator. The two stood apart as if they found each other unpleasant to the eye.
Fairy Violet Spirit was now walking towards Han Li. This naturally aroused the two’s attention and they couldn’t help but size up Han Li.
The old man’s gaze was friendly and he gave Han Li a kind smile. As for the black-robed man, his gaze was ice-cold and didn’t hold the slightest emotion.
Han Li calmly returned their gaze without the slightest change in expression.
At that moment, Fairy Violet Spirit had already arrived in front of Han Li. She said with a slight smile, “I didn’t expect to arrive together with Senior Han. It seems I will have to trouble Elder Han to watch over me for a bit. Otherwise, it would prove quite difficult for me to pass through this trial by myself.”
With that said, Fairy Violet Spirit closed her lips, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
Han Li frowned and didn’t immediately reply. After a moment of thought, he doubtfully asked, “Lady Violet Spirit’s cultivation has made great strides. Congratulations on reaching late Foundation Establishment. But why has Fellow Daoist Violet Spirit come to this place? This place is truly dangerous. After all, even Core Formation cultivators would find it difficult to survive in the Heavenvoid Hall.” Although Han Li had only an inkling of knowledge about the Heavenvoid Halls, he understood the severity of the dangers that lay within.
After hearing Han Li’s question, Fairy Violet Spirit’s beautiful face revealed a trace of bitterness. With a helpless tone, she said, “This woman also didn’t wish to come here. But as you see, I am currently in False Core Stage, and I want to attempt Core Formation as soon as possible. However, my own aptitude is poor. The supplementary medicine pills I was able to gather together are pathetically few. In fact, I had to pay a great price to purchase a Heavenvoid map fragment from someone else, so I could come here to test my luck. After all, I’ve heard that spiritual medicines are abundant in the Heavenvoid Hall. Perhaps the Heavens would watch over me and have me run across some spiritual medicines that hold great effects towards Core Formation. Besides, I’ve already made up my mind to only attempt this first trial! I will not attempt to go through with the second!”
Fairy Violent Spirit’s expression then grew dim, appearing to be in low spirits.
Han Li inwardly sighed and grew silent.
Had he not practiced the “Three Essence Revolutions Technique” and the “Great Development Technique” and possessed so many medicine pills that forcefully raised his odds of Core Formation, he suspected his own chances at Core Formation would’ve been even lower than Fairy Violet Spirit’s. With that thought, Han Li developed a feeling of empathy towards this fellow sufferer.
After some further thought, his Heaven Lightning Bamboo had come from her despite the conditions and her Exquisite Sound Sect does send him a certain amount of spirit stones every year. Although it wasn’t much, he does owe her a favor. It would be best to take advantage of this situation to repay it!
With that in mind, Han Li’s expression relaxed, and he said with an indifferent tone, “Since I can travel together with Fellow Daoist Violet Spirit, I can afford to offer some care. However, if I were to truly run into a helpless situation, Fairy Violet Spirit had best come up with her own plans for escape.”
“Many thanks to Elder Han. Violet Spirit naturally understands how things stand. I definitely won’t slow down Elder Han.” Upon seeing Han Li agree, Fairy Violet Spirit’s soft beauty flourished and her eyes became radiant, stunning Han Li.
Soon after, Han Li realized he had lost his self-control and hurriedly turned his head away. With a hot face, he didn’t dare to further look at her.
Plot, go!
Hey, our MC just chooses to ignore his emotions!
Chapter 437: Weeping Soul Beast
This woman wasn’t a peerless beauty, but that smile of hers was ravishingly beautiful and breathtaking to behold.
Han Li was shocked. Had his Great Development Technique reacted, Han Li would’ve written it off to a superior charming technique that she had used. But to great confusion, his uncharacteristic loss of control a moment ago had been entirely natural.
Han Li inwardly muttered to himself before taking another look at Fairy Violet Spirit. The young woman had already returned to her humble, charming appearance. Her previous dangerously enticing and breathtaking beauty had disappeared without a trace.
As Han Li felt doubt, the grey-clothed old man walked towards him.
“This one is Mount Heaven Island’s Ge Li. May I know the names of you Fellow Daoists?” The old man cupped his hand with great politeness and greeted the two.
Han Li threw his doubts to the back of his mind for the time being and replied with a smile, “I am Han Li. This woman is the Exquisite Sound Sect’s Fairy Violet Spirit.
The old man was calm upon hearing Han Li’s name. But once he heard the words, ‘Exquisite Sound Sect’ and ‘Violet Spirit’, he couldn’t help but be astonished.
“This old man has long heard of the great reputation of the Exquisite Sound Sect and Fairy Violet Spirit. I didn’t expect that I’d finally be able to see your true appearance. How fortuitous!” Although the old man said this, his eyes contained strong doubt. It was clear that the old man was surprised by how much her appearance differed from the reputation of her great beauty.
Fairy Violet Spirit also saw this and merely smiled in silence.
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bsp; However, the old man wasn’t an ordinary person. His expression quickly returned to normal, before speaking to Han Li with a smile, “Since we’ve arrived here together through the transportation formation, it could be considered fate. Would it not be better to travel together and combine our strength for this journey? After all, the Vengeful Ghost Haunt won’t be easy to traverse. I heard that many Core Formation cultivators have been devoured by the ghosts of this trial, leaving not even their bones behind.
When Ge Li said that last phrase, his expression unconsciously grew serious as if he knew much about the Heavenvoid Hall.
When Han Li heard him say “Vengeful Ghost Haunt”, he turned his gaze towards the distance.
About forty meters away from their small dirt cliff, he saw only an ocean of grey mist that appeared to be endless. There were gusts of evil winds blowing from the mists, faintly carrying ghostly wails and shrieks. Those that heard it felt their hearts unconsciously tremble.
The ghost fog was firmly blocked from approaching the hill by a layer of faint white light that was surrounding it. Were this not the case, Han Li and the others would be too busy dealing with the feral ghosts and lonely souls brought by the mist to have such a leisurely chat.
After seeing this, Han Li raised his head and looked upwards. The rolling fog seemed to conceal something, but Han Li felt some disbelief as it didn’t resemble the main hall in the least. It was more like a desolate countryside.
At that moment, Fairy Violet Spirit interjected herself into the conversation and spoke with deep worry, “I also heard that this first trial, the Vengeful Ghost Haunt, was originally not that difficult. But as an increasing number of cultivators fell to the ghost fog, it has become increasingly dangerous in turn. The heavy resentment carried by those fallen cultivators has transformed them into powerful malicious souls after death. They hold great envious hate towards us cultivators who challenge the halls. They are relentless and won’t stop their pursuit until their quarry is dead, resulting in many cultivators’ deaths in this trial whenever the Heavenvoid Hall opens. In addition, I heard that in the previous opening of the Heavenvoid Hall, a group of cultivators in the Vengeful Ghost Haunt spotted a fully sentient ghost king. As a result, the entire group perished save for one.”
“Ghost king?” Han Li stroked his chin and revealed slight surprise.
Although he didn’t fully understand the cultivation differences amongst ghosts, he knew that ghost king ranked malicious spirits were equivalent to late Core Formation cultivators. The addition of its intelligence only made this enemy even more troublesome.
Seeing that Han Li was still wearing a contemplative expression, Ge Li continued, “Although there isn’t a large chance of encountering this ghost king, it would be safer to travel together. I may be old, but I still do not wish to fall here and join the ghost fog as a malicious spirit.” This old man was quite blunt.
When Fairy Violet Spirit heard this, she stayed silent. As she was very intelligent, she understood that he did not raise the proposal of cooperation because she was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He was directing the offer to Han Li. As such, after her interjection, she obediently stood by Han Li’s side without another word.
Han Li smiled at the old man. He didn’t immediately answer him and instead turned his gaze towards the black robed man, calmly asking him, “Fellow Daoist Ge isn’t going to ask that brother? Is he not willing to cooperate?”
When Han Li mentioned the black-robed man, Ge Li’s face immediately became unsightly. But after a moment of hesitation, he resentfully snorted, “Humph! Don’t talk about that Devilish Daoist. When I finished my teleportation, I amiably raised the topic of cooperation with him only to be told to get lost! If this old man’s temperament wasn’t kindly, I definitely wouldn’t have left him be.” The old man revealed great anger after he said this.
Han Li remained silent and felt some interest towards this black-robed man.
He turned his head towards the Devil Dao cultivator and shouted, “Is Fellow Daoist interested in collaborating towards a common goal? If we join hands, we may stand a chance against the ghost king rank demon if we were to encounter it!” Han Li’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was heard with full clarity.
But after hearing him, he merely glanced at them with a cold expression before indifferently turning his head away, ignoring Han Li’s suggestion.
“Fellow Daoist Han, I didn’t speak wrongly. That person doesn’t know what’s good for him. Let us three set off!” The old man coldly snorted towards the black-robed man. It seemed he was quite insulted by the previous rejection and had taken it to heart.
Han Li faintly smiled, but before he could say something, Fairy Violet Spirit shouted out in surprise.
Han Li followed her gaze and saw the black-robed man step towards the ghost fog as if wanting the challenge the trial alone.
Han LI and the other two looked on in amazement. But soon after, Ge Li sneered disdainful, “This person truly wishes to bring about his own destruction! Daring to charge through the ghost fog will most likely be met with failure.”
Han Li paid no notice to the old man’s mocking ridicule and stared at the black-robed man’s every movement with narrowed eyes. He believed that the the man wasn’t suicidal, but that he held complete confidence in a particular method that he possessed.
The black-robed man walked to the boundary between the white light barrier and the ghost fog and calmly lifted his sleeve. A ray of green light shot out and landed in front of him. It was a delicate spirit beast that appeared similar to a monkey.
This small monkey was only about a foot tall with faintly glowing dark green fur. Most notably, its nose was bulging to an unusually large size as if it took up an entire half of its height. It appeared truly bizarre.
Han Li was astonished by its appearance, but he didn’t react. When the old man at his side saw this, he yelled with a greatly changed expression.
“It’s a Weeping Soul! He actually had such a spirit beast. No wonder he was so arrogant.” The old man revealed slight shock. Fairy Violet Spirit had a similar expression upon seeing the small monkey.
Han Li frowned and asked, “Weeping Soul Beast? What kind of strange beast is it? Why have I never heard of it before?”
Han Li’s words brought Fairy Violet Spirit back to her senses. She then hastily gave Han Li an explanation, “The Weeping Soul Beast isn’t a spirit beast that naturally comes into this world. It is a living being refined by a secret Devil Dao Sect from a spirit beast and a demonic soul. Although it normally doesn’t have much use, it has an innate ability to consume ghosts and souls. Regardless of whether they are demonic ghosts or malicious souls, they will be absorbed with a light sniff of its nose. After being contained for a short time, it will be be refined into nothingness. They are truly formidable.” Fairy Violet Spirit spoke with admiration.
“However...” Fairy Violet Spirit’s tone changed, and she softly sighed.
“What is it?” Han Li was annoyed by her sudden stop.
As Ge Li gazed at the black-robed man’s disappearing figure, he said with a complicated expression, “However, this beast’s refinement technique is possessed solely by that secret sect. This heaven disrupting evil art is bloody and has a high chance of failure. It is said that the beast appears only in times of great strife in the cultivation world.”
“Great strife in the cultivation world whenever it is seen?” Han Li couldn’t help but sneer. Han Li scoffed and said, “Even if the beast weren't seen, the Scattered Star Seas will experience chaos regardless. Do you really believe that this beast could bring about disaster?”
Chapter 438: Remains in the Ghost Fog
Although Han Li walked the path of Immortality, he didn’t hold the slightest belief in destiny or fate. In his view, Immortal cultivation was merely a method of pursuing eternal life. If any true immortals were to appear before him, he would show great reverence, but he wouldn’t become absolutely subservient to them.
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nbsp; Fairy Violet Spirit and Ge Li were stunned in response to Han Li’s blunt words, before revealing embarrassment.
To tell the truth, it wasn’t only Han Li who thought this. A majority of cultivators merely treated this “Weeping Soul Beast” as a rumor. Under these circumstances, who wouldn’t directly dismiss this like Han Li did? After all, topics relating to destiny and heavenly law only existed in their heart.
At that moment, the black-robed man had gone deeper into the ghost fog with the Weeping Soul Beast and had completely disappeared from sight.
After glancing into the ghost fog, Han Li formed a faint smile and said, “Let us go! Since there was someone willing to scout the path, we shouldn’t be so disrespectful.”
“What does Fellow Daoist Han mean?” The old man Ge Li didn’t seem to fully understand Han Li. Of course, he did understand what Han Li meant and would’ve also done this if Han Li hadn’t agreed to cooperate with him. However, he viewed the black-robed man with contempt. To now take advantage of his lead in front of the other two was truly quite a loss of face. As such, he could only assume an appearance of confusion and have Han Li take the initiative to mention it.
When Han Li heard the old man’s words, he gave him a mysterious smile. He then wordlessly look the lead and walked in the direction that the black robed man had disappeared in. Naturally, Fairy Violet Spirit closely followed after him without any hesitation.
Ge Li was initially stunned upon seeing then. But he soon followed after them with a red face.
Once the light grey ghost fog felt living people walk into it, it flared up as if it were alive and started rolling towards the three.
If common mortals were to be plagued by this grey mist, their blood essence would be immediately drained, turning them into dried up corpses. In addition, their souls would then become a part of the ghost fog and they would be unable to free themselves from their fates as ghosts. However, as Han Li and the other two were cultivators, they had no fear of this trifling ghost fog.
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