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

by Translator: Johnchen

  “What!” Han Li paused for a moment with an expression of surprise on his face.

  “Siyue, what nonsense are you saying?” When Lady Fan heard her, she was unable to stay sitting as furious surprise appeared on her face.

  The other cultivators also appeared shocked. But soon after, a majority of the cultivators revealed entertained expressions. A few of them even bantered and couldn’t help but chuckle.

  When Yun Tianxiao heard this, his expression grew sullen, and his complexion became ashen.

  Yun Tianxiao slapped his palms against the table and stared at his hands. With a cold voice, he expressionlessly said, “I didn’t clearly hear what you wanted from Fellow Daoist Li. Let me hear that again.”

  Wen Siyue’s body trembled several times while in Han Li’s embrace, and her face became bloodlessly pale. But when her bright eyes fell onto Han Li’s calm expression, she regained a trace of courage, and she shouted with all the strength in her body, “I... I want Senior Li to take me as his concubine and take me away from the Exquisite Sound Sect!” Afterwards, she lowered her head, no longer daring to look up.

  Puff. Yun Tianxiao’s hands were instantly covered in grey flames that were half a foot high. The flames were wild and untamed. Strange grey light shone onto his face, making for a frightening sight.

  “Hollow Bone Yin Flames!” Someone uttered. Suddenly, the original laughter and smiles in the room had disappeared, all replaced with solemn expressions.

  “Fellow Daoist Li! It seems that girl’s cultivation has gone awry, and her mind became addled. I hope Fellow Daoist doesn’t take her drivel to heart. Servants, restrict Wen Siyue’s magic power and place her in seclusion for half a month.” Yun Tianxiao coldly ordered without the slightest emotion.

  Just as those orders were spoken, two azure-robed, late Foundation Establishment cultivators walked in and headed straight towards Han Li.

  With an ashen complexion, Wen Siyue looked into Han Li’s eyes with a pleading expression and a delicate, heart-wrenching gaze.

  Han Li couldn’t help but frown, “Wait!”

  Without waiting for Yun Tianxiao to speak, Lady Fan perturbedly said, “What? Does Fellow Daoist Li plan on taking in the woman?”

  Without faltering, Han Li indifferently said, “Perhaps. However, I rather want to know the information on the demon beast. I hope Brother Yun and Madam won’t be impatient. How about you wait until after hearing my response?”

  When Yun Tianxiao heard this, his expression fluctuated as he muttered to himself for a short moment. He then waved his hands and extinguished the flames.

  As Yun Tianxiao emotionlessly stared at Han Li, he uttered, “Servants, step down. I will listen to what he has to say.”

  He decided to give Han Li face as he was a fellow Core Formation cultivator. After all, there would soon be a great event where he would require the power of all the Core Formation cultivators present. Thus, he was unwilling to casually offend anybody.

  “Fellow Daoist Wen took the initiative to willingly become my concubine, but I don’t care about that in the slightest. However, I am quite determined to win over her information on the demon beast. Wouldn’t it be better if I were to exchange these materials for this woman’s freedom? What do you think Brother Yun?” Han Li pushed out the pile of precious materials towards Yun Tianxiao and unblinkingly gazed at him with a mysterious smile.

  “You will use these to exchange for her?” Yun Tianxiao spoke with an ice-cold tone, but his eyes revealed a trace of confusion. The pile before him contained precious materials from grade six and seven demon beasts. It was worth several tens of thousands of spirit stones at the very least, and he was more than willing to accept it in exchange for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even if the woman was an enchanting beauty, it was quite an astonishing affair. Could it be that the information of a grade eight demon beast was that important to him? Should he use this opportunity to settle the situation, or should he use force to further pressure him?

  After some further thought, Yun Tianxiao quickly came to a conclusion and his expression relaxed. Just as he thought to say something, Lady Fan leaned her seductive body against him and whispered something into his ear. In an instant, Yun Tianxiao’s expression changed to reveal hesitation.

  After a moment of silence, he righteously said, “Fellow Daoist Li, I cannot let you take this girl away, no matter how much you pay. Otherwise, it would set a precedent that will allow the sect’s female cultivators to be easily taken away by anyone who fancies them. This would greatly tarnish our reputation.”

  These words startled the other cultivators and caused them to look at each other. It was reasonable to say that the pile of precious materials was worth far more than a Foundation Establishment woman, no matter how beautiful she may be. Hence, there was definitely something amiss with Yun Tianxiao’s rejection. With Han Li’s unwillingness to release the woman, the others watched the scene with a sneer. They felt the following exchange would prove to be quite entertaining.

  “Exquisite Sound Sect?” Han Li pursed his lips and a strange expression flickered through his eyes.

  “What? Fellow Daoist Li doesn’t know that this secret room was opened by the sect? I happen to be an elder of the Exquisite Sound Sect. I am assisting Sect Elder Fan in managing it,” Yun Tianxiao coldly said. His face was faintly covered in a layer of strange grey Qi, undoubtedly in a display of superior might.

  Yun Tianxiao’s display was but a minor effort at intimidation.

  ‘Since he is only an early Core Formation cultivator and he is currently in my territory, he will have to submit after thinking about what there is to gain and lose. It is only a pity about those materials.’ Yun Tianxiao thought with slight regret. There wasn’t a trace of worry in his mind.

  But at that moment, Han Li suddenly sneered and uttered, “Fine.”

  Much like Yun Tianxiao, Han Li raised his hand, summoning a white light that abruptly flashed before him.

  Yun Tianxiao was greatly startled and unconsciously circulated his cultivation art, enveloping his body in countless grey flames.

  At that moment, the white light ruthlessly struck the flames. It underwent a series of blurs and suddenly revealed twelve inch-long swords that all bore into the flames.

  “AH!” Yun Tianxiao was stricken with terror and hastily unleashed his magic treasure.

  However, the flames weren’t able to block the twelve flying swords for even an instant. The flames faded away as a dozen bloody holes appeared on Yun Tianxiao’s body.

  By the time Yun Tianxiao had released his small grey pitchfork, he had already fallen to the ground with a miserable scream.

  When the other cultivators saw this, they became dumbstruck and their mouths were gaping open. They were unable to recollect themselves for quite some time.

  Chapter 539: Provoking Awe

  Han Li indifferently waved his hand and the twelve small swords converged back into one. It then disappeared into his sleeve with a flash of white light.

  Han Li lowered his hand and wore a tranquil expression, saying, “Now, let’s have a chat!”

  Having been struck down just a moment ago without the slightest resistance or contest, Yun Tianxiao had lost the will to fight.

  After a short moment, Yun Tianxiao managed to stand up with his blood-covered body. He glanced at Han Li with a gaze full of fright.

  With a pale face, Yun Tianxiao said, “Well, since I cannot stop you, feel free to take Wen Siyue away. However, let’s get the unpleasant matters out of the way first. She already caught the eye of a Senior and was being prepared as a cultivation vessel. After you take her away, don’t be afraid of any calamities you attract.” Soon after, he took out several talismans and slapped them onto his body. With a flashes of green light, his wounds healed at a visible rate.

  ‘Cultivation vessel?’ Han Li suddenly realized why Wen Siyue desired to depart.

  However, Han Li’s expression suddenly grew cold from the implicit meaning of Y
un Tianxiao’s words.

  Han Li said with an unchanged expression, “There is someone else that fancies her? That’s no problem. I’ll take her anyways. Though, it would be better if Fellow Daoist kept his threats to a minimum. Otherwise, blood will be shed if my mood takes a turn for the worse.” He then casually swept his gaze across the room.

  Han Li’s threats weren’t entirely plausible. If it weren’t for the fact that so many Core Formation cultivators were present, Han Li would’ve clearly killed the lot of them to tie up all the loose ends. However, he wasn’t completely confident in being able to kill them all. As such, he could only use his heavy words to intimidate those that were present.

  If his previous attack had left the others bewildered, then his current tone had aroused suspicion that Han Li was a Nascent Soul cultivator. The cultivators present became anxious and they quickly lowered their heads. None dared to meet Han Li’s gaze.

  Yun Tianxiao naturally also thought of this possibility. He appeared to be an early Core Formation cultivator, but had nearly taken his life with a single strike. Additionally, he wanted to find the nest of a grade eight demon beast. When he made the connection, he suddenly began to inwardly curse without end.

  Wen Siyue, still in Han Li’s embrace, suddenly widened her beautiful eyes and her body jolted straight.

  She would rather die than become someone else’s cultivation vessel. As a result, she had decided to risk her life in that previous display. However, she completely hadn’t expected this cultivator surnamed Li to possess such a frightening cultivation. He was able to suppress all the cultivators present by himself and in a single terrifying move, he gravely injured Yun Tianxiao and left Lady Fan with a faceful of terror. This was all such a delightful surprise, it felt like something that would come out of a dream.

  Han Li glanced at the others’ careful and meek mannerisms and coldly smiled.

  He then raised his hand and summoned the dark skinned cultivator’s copper plate to his hand. Han Li began to examine it without a trace of politeness.

  The dark-skinned cultivator’s expression faintly changed. However, his mouth trembled several times, only to remain silent. He didn’t dare to say any words of dissatisfaction. Since Han Li was able to nearly deal Yun Tianxiao a killing blow in a single strike, he naturally knew that he didn’t pose a chance and turned his expression away.

  Han Li put down the copper plate and indifferently spoke to its owner, “I want this item. How many spirit stones for it?”

  The dark-skinned cultivator was slightly surprised and instinctively responded, “Seven... No, five thousand spirit stones!”

  Han Li then took out a grade five demon core and promptly dropped it in front of the other person.

  “I’ll use the demon core to trade for it”, Han Li then turned to Lady Fan and said, “Moreover, don’t say that I robbed you of this woman. The materials on the table can be considered payment for her.” Han Li patted the shoulder of Wen Siyue and let go of her. He then stood up and unhurriedly walked towards the exit.

  Wen Siyue finally woke up a short moment later and hurried after him in a somewhat flustered manner.

  Lady Fan’s expression stirred and she suddenly yelled, “Senior Li, please slow down!”

  Han Li halted his steps, and he turned around with an odd expression on his face.

  Han Li found it quite interesting that the woman was actually courageous enough to call out to him. Wen Siyue grew nervous at this and unconsciously drew closer to Han Li.

  Han Li narrowed his eyes and indifferently asked, “What is it?”

  “Does Senior wish to return to the Inner Star Seas? Our Exquisite Sound Sect will have a method of returning everyone to the Inner Star Seas in the near future.” Lady Fan sweetly smiled, speaking with an obviously respectful tone. As it was very likely the she was speaking to a Nascent Soul cultivator, she didn’t dare to be negligent.

  Han Li frowned and asked, “What do you mean by that?” He wasn’t interested in hearing elusive words.

  Seeing that Han Li was still patient, she didn’t dare to put up any pretenses and hastily said, “Our Exquisite Sound Sect is currently preparing a transportation formation to return to the Inner Star Seas. We are currently lacking a few crucial materials. As the formation cannot be completed without them, we hosted this trade meeting in the hopes of acquiring everyone’s assistance. So long as you assist in the creation of the transportation formation, our Exquisite Sound Sect will send you back to the Inner Star Seas free of charge.”

  Lady Fan’s words caused the other Core Formation cultivators to become restless. A majority of them revealed pleasant surprise. The Outer Star Seas had already become the dominion of demon beasts. They couldn’t stay here for much longer. As such, they had naturally thought of returning. However, there were no transportation formations, and it would take more than six hundred years to return at the speed of their flight, not to mention the many dangers they would encounter along the way. They remained here only out of an inability to leave.

  The white-haired old woman’s expression stirred and she coldly asked, “Even with the transportation formation, won’t we need displacement talismans? Don’t tell us that the Exquisite Sound Sect has already grasped how to refine them?”

  “Senior, please don’t be worried. Although our Exquisite Sound Sect cannot refine these talismans, we acquired quite a few of them before the Beast Torrent. We currently have more than enough to send everyone back to the Scattered Star Seas. The most important material for the formation is Phantasm Stone. It is truly rare. Although we’ve found a deposit of this stone during our search for it over these past few years, it happens to be located near the resting area of a group of high grade demon beasts. A majority of them are at grade five and six, and they are great in number. It isn’t something that can be done with a small number of cultivators. Moreover, if any of them are allowed to escape, they will alert higher grade demon beasts, resulting in disaster. Thus, our sect requires everyone’s strength!” Lady Fan spoke with a righteous expression.

  After hearing this, the others wore a pensive expression. Cleanly exterminating a group of demon beasts wasn’t something that could be easily agreed to. They had to carefully think about it.

  The dark-skinned cultivator muttered to himself for a moment before slowly asking, “Why didn’t you ask a Nascent Soul cultivator for assistance instead of Core Formation cultivators? The certainty of success would’ve been higher.”

  “Do you Fellow Daoists think that I didn’t try? However, most of those venerable Seniors had completely vanished after the Beast Torrent. I was only able to get into contact with Senior Swift Crane. With that person joining us, we would’ve been able to deal with the grade seven demon beasts. He was the one who fancied Siyue to be his cultivation vessel.” Lady Fan bitterly smiled and glanced in Han Li’s direction.

  When the other cultivators heard this, they looked at each other in dismay.

  When Han Li heard this, he rubbed his chin and muttered to himself for a moment. He then promptly said, “I have no interest in this endeavor. Deal with it yourselves.” With that said, he ignored them and headed out.

  Wen Siyue didn’t dare to fall behind and quickly followed after him.

  Nobody dared to block Han Li. They could only gaze after him as he left.

  Lady Fan wore an expression of unconcealed disappointment.

  As for Yun Tianxiao, he finally began to speak once more, “Since Fellow Daoist Li is unwilling to assist us, we won’t force any of you either. We will now introduce some information on the demon beasts nearby the Phantasm Stone. Please come to your own decisions after the details have been explained. Here...” As if he hadn’t been heavily injured, Yun Tianxiao began to ceaselessly speak.

  …

  “Senior, do you truly not wish to return to the Inner Star Seas?” Wen Siyue muttered from behind Han Li.

  Without turning his head around, Han Li aloofly replied, “Why? Do you want to return?”
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  “I also don’t wish to, it’s just...” Wen Siyue’s voice grew soft until she ceased speaking.

  At that moment, Han Li had already brought her past the stone wall. Since his objective had already been accomplished, he naturally had no interest in staying here any longer.

  Han Li brought Wen Siyue outside of the concealed city, much to the astonishment of the old gatekeeper. He then wrapped the woman in his light and took off into the skies.

  Wen Siyue was silent as they flew, and didn’t ask him any questions about their destination. It seemed she was leaving everything entirely up to Han Li.

  Han Li also hadn’t thought to give her any further explanation and continued to fly in stifled silence.

  Two days later, Han Li eventually found a desolate island with meager spiritual Qi and descended.

  Chapter 540: Concubine

  The island had several mountains that rose above three hundred meters, and were lush with verdant forestry and filled with many trees.

  Han Li circled around the mountains before descending onto one of them with Wen Siyue in tow.

  Under the woman’s astonished gaze, Han Li released his flying swords and carved a small cave residence into the mountain after a few hours. Although the cave residence was less than half the size of his cave residence in the misty island and was far more crude, it still had a bedroom, and seclusion room, along with a tool refinement room, medicinal garden and so on.

  Han Li appeared quite satisfied and placed down several formation spells around it before bringing Wen Siyue inside.

  Han Li brought Wen Siyue into the bedroom and sat on a hurriedly carved stone chair. After examining the woman, he leisurely said, “You will be living here from now on. I will tell you the incantations for the spell formations. This place is quite secluded. If you diligently cultivate, there is a chance you’ll enter Core Formation.”

  “Many thanks, Senior Li!” Wen Siyue blushed underneath Han Li’s gaze, appearing to be at a complete loss about what to do.

  Han Li smiled, “Senior Li?”