Fortunately, this woman merely raised the question in passing and didn’t continue speaking.
Silvermoon knew that this wasn’t the time to talk to Han Li and stayed quiet in the presence of Mu Peiling.
As the two were about to draw closer to Dayspring Mountain, Mu Peiling’s expression stirred as she looked upward.
A moment later, a streak of green light flew down from the sky, blocking the woman’s path forward and causing them to stop.
“Junior Martial Sister Mu, I haven’t seen you in quite a while. Have you been busy recently? I’ve sent you quite a few sound transmission talismans but I haven’t received a single response.”
Han Li revealed a flabbergasted expression. The green light had faded away to reveal a sharp-eared, thin-faced cultivator in his thirties. This was the cultivator surnamed Yan who had blocked Han Li’s group when they were about to enter the sect.
When the cold woman saw this person, she revealed surprise but her expression soon grew sullen, “Yan, I am under orders of the Mountain Lord to assemble at the mountain. You dare to block me?”
“Hehe! Junior Martial Sister Mu’s words are quite heavy. How could I dare to block you? However, I merely wished to ask if you received the letters of my esteemed father? You see, the elders of our clans have already agreed to our wedding. We should discuss this in the coming days.” The cultivator surnamed Yan’s gaze wandered over the woman’s ample body with desire as he spoke. However, when he spotted Han Li, his expression grew sullen.
The woman surnamed Mu seemed to see through his wicked thoughts and a trace of hostility appeared in her eyes. She scolded him with an expression like ice, “What’s going through your mind? This is Martial Nephew Han who my master had given to me to instruct. There is nothing else between us. As for the matter of marriage, I naturally cannot oppose my clan’s seniors. However, I will always be in control of when we pair cultivate, if ever. Whenever your cultivation reaches my level, I might consider it. Otherwise, don’t even think about laying a finger on me.”
This woman loathed Yan to the extreme and couldn’t even put up a polite face.
When cultivator Yan heard her, his face went through a series of red and white flushes. But just as he thought to say something, the woman had ran out of patience. With a cold snort, she propelled her magic tool with the entirety of her spiritual power, causing them to flying over cultivator Yan in a large pulse of red light.
Cultivator Yan was greatly flustered and thought to chase them. But after some further thought, he stayed in place with a trace of resentment.
When Han Li turned around to glance at him, he saw an extremely bitter expression on Cultivator Yan’s face.
After a moment of hesitation, Han Li asked with an odd expression, “Martial Aunt Mu, you’re engaged to this man?”
Cultivator Yan was only an early Foundation Establishment cultivator, but Mu Peiling was already at mid Foundation Establishment. Also, their appearances were as different as day and night as well. Han Li felt completely puzzled as to why this woman’s clan had wed her to him.
Although Han Li felt somewhat curious, he originally wished to leave this matter alone. From the woman’s sulking expression, the subject seemed like something that should be ignored. But despite the possibility she would rebuke or ignore him, Han Li’s curiosity won over and he asked anyways.
“It is best of Martial Nephew asks little of my matters!” As soon as Han Li asked, she icily glared at him and replied without emotion.
Of course, Han Li responded by shutting his mouth and revealing an embarrassed expression. However, at that same moment, Han Li faintly heard Silvermoon giggling inside his head for a moment.
It was only a moment before they arrived at a large stage at the center of the mountain.
A large hall of antique design was erected on the stage. The words “Heart Cleansing Hall” were written on the building’s silver signboard.
At that moment, the huge black wooden doors were tightly shut, and the many disciples of Dayspring Mountain were chatting amongst themselves as they gathered outside.
There were about six hundred disciples already densely packed outside of Heart Cleansing Hall. They were all whispering to one another in small groups. However, these people were all Qi Condensation cultivators. None of them were at Foundation Establishment.
The cold woman circled once in the air before landing in front of the hall’s gates. When the nearby cultivators spotted her, they all respectfully saluted her.
The woman waved her hand and walked towards the hall without the slightest hesitation.
Through some unknown method, she gently slapped the door and it opened a sliver. Just after she entered, the door closed once more.
Han Li watched the woman disappear and shook his head, but when he thought to enter the crowd, the nearby cultivators gazed at him with strange looks. A few of the cultivators in the distance even began to point at him.
Chapter 621: Paying Audience
Han Li rubbed his chin and swept his spiritual sense past the crowd of murmuring Qi Condensation cultivators.
“Whose that?”
“What an unfamiliar face, is he a new disciple?”
“Why did he arrive with Martial Aunt Mu?”
“Is he a relative of Martial Aunt Mu? Why else would he arrive together with her?”
Han Li clearly heard many suspicious and envious words from the crowd and he inwardly sighed. Soon after, he stepped away from the hall’s entrance and entered the crowd. Even within the crowd, Han Li could still feel plenty of gazes examining him.
At that moment, Han Li heard a voice transmission with a straightforward tone, “Junior Martial Brother Han. I didn’t think I’d see you again so soon.”
Han Li turned his head in surprise and spotted a large man standing about ten meters behind him. He was Du Dong, the suspicious Qi Condensation cultivator that had entered Dayspring Mountain at the same time as him.
He was currently calling out to Han Li with a wide smile.
An odd expression flickered from Han Li’s eyes but he wore a smile and politely saluted him, “So it turned out to be Senior Martial Brother Du. Are you doing well with Martial Uncle Jiang?”
Martial Uncle Jiang was the white-haired old man that Dong Du was assigned to.
“Yes, I’m doing very well.” The large man chuckled. He appeared to be a rather simple and honest character.
Han Li inwardly sneered, but he maintained a polite exterior as they shared their experiences with each other from the past year.
He heard that the white-haired old man believed that Du Dong was rather talented in refining talismans and wished to heavily nurture him. With that said, Du Dong wore a smile full of excitement.
When Han Li heard him, he felt slight pity towards the white-haired old man. Du Dong wasn’t someone who should be nurtured. The old man would likely be implicated in whatever plans this shady individual may have.
Of course, Han Li had no intentions of warning Martial Uncle Jiang and continued to intermittently chat with the large man.
At that moment, the large man suddenly wore a mysterious expression and said, “Junior Martial Brother Han, did you know? Your mentor, Martial Aunt Mu, is the top beauty in Dayspring Mountain, and she is also among the top three beauties in the Drifting Cloud Sect. You may have caused quite the uproar by arriving with her.”
“May have? I already did!” Han Li bitterly laughed and glanced around with a trace of helplessness.
Du Dong then changed the subject and casually asked, “Since you two arrived together, did Martial Aunt say anything regarding what this meeting is about?”
“Oh! No, but it seems Senior Martial Brother Du heard something? Wouldn’t it be better for you to tell me?”
Han Li’s calm expression was replaced with a mysterious smile as he deeply looked at Dong Du.
Under Han Li’s penetrating gaze, the large man’s honest smile had frozen. Du Dong was left overwhelmed from a sen
sation of immense scrutiny as if his secrets were laid bare.
But soon Han Li turned his head and this feeling disappeared as if it were merely a misperception. Regardless, the man was left bewildered and he quickly bid his farewells before heading to meet with a group of acquainted Dayspring Mountain disciples, not daring to stay in Han Li’s company.
A slight sneer momentarily appeared on Han Li’s face when he saw him walking away. At that moment, Silvermoon spoke within his mind, “Brother Han, did you deliberately scare him? I fear that he will later hold suspicion towards you. Won’t he be a detriment?”
Han Li responded using his spiritual sense, “I might not clearly know his identity, but I am certain that nothing good will come of him so I made sure that he’d take the initiative to distance himself from me. If something major did happen, then I will avoid being implicated. As for any suspicion he might hold, how would that affect me? He would merely become more careful of me, and it’s not like he could succeed in attacking me. I merely wish not to be associated with him. I have no intention of interfering with his plans.”
Silvermoon didn’t reply, and it appeared that she recognized the reason in Han Li’s words. In the end, if Du Dong maliciously conspired against the sect, anybody close to him would certainly come under the suspicious notice of the sect’s upper echelon, something that Han Li would certainly wish to avoid.
In the following moments, Han Li examined the crowd of disciples in solitude.
There were disciples of both genders and of all ages. There were also those with cultivations that didn’t match their age, such as young cultivators already at the peak of Qi Condensation.
There were also a few gorgeous young woman, but all of them had a group of similarly aged men at their side. It seems young, beautiful female cultivators were pursued the same way in every sect.
Just as Han Li was lost in thought, the hall’s gate eventually opened and a dignified voice spoke out, leaving the Qi Condensation disciples in silenced awe.
“All Dayspring Mountain Disciples are to enter the hall!”
This faint man’s voice belonged to the Dayspring Mountain Lord, the mid Core Formation cultivator surnamed Xin that Han Li had met when he was assigned to the mountain.
When the disciples outside the hall heard him, they all lowered their heads and respectfully said, “We sincerely accept Martial Ancestor’s orders!” Afterwards, the crowd immediately walked into the hall in two orderly lines. Because Han Li was among the last to enter, he saw that Du Dong was also among the last to enter the Cleansing Heart Hall.
The area within the large hall was vast, spanning at least a kilometer wide with several tens of lofty pillars scattered throughout. Each of the pillars were embedded with smoothly carved moonlight stones, illuminating the hall with a faint white glow. The hall was entirely empty apart from the two thrones that were placed at the very front.
Within these two chairs sat a white-robed man with a scholarly appearance and a grey-clothed old man with fierce eyes and messy hair.
In front of the two thrones stood two rows of over ten Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The elegant beauty surnamed Mu and the youth surnamed Yu that had led Han Li into the sect were both standing in the second row. As for the youth surnamed Miao that had questioned him when he had entered the sect, he was standing in the first row, looking just as sickly and pale as before.
When the disciples entered the hall, they all simultaneously knelt and saluted the two sitting in the chairs, “Disciples pay their respects to Martial Ancestor Xin and Martial Ancestor Yu!”
“That’s enough, stand!” The middle aged man swept his arm with a smile and had the crowd of disciples stand.
The Qi Condensation disciples then split off into two rows and stood at each side of the hall. Han Li and Du Dong both happened to stand near the hall’s entrance.
Han Li swept his spiritual sense past the old man with the fierce expression and found that he was only an early Core Formation cultivator. He was the deputy mountain lord that he had heard of but haven’t seen, “Martial Uncle Yu”.
After Han Li inspected him, he recalled his spiritual sense from a lack of interest.
In the next moment, Mountain Lord Xin began to slowly speak, “I’m sure you disciples already know why I’ve summoned you all here. Yesterday, our sect received an official letter from the Ancient Sword Sect. The next Sword Trial Assembly will be held in a half year’s time. As we hosted the last competition, it is the Thousand Possibilities Sect’s turn to host it in the east of the Dreamcloud Mountains. In accordance to the usual practice, each of the three sects will send thirty disciples to participate in the Sword Trial Assembly. The final ten that remain in the competition will be heavily rewarded. As such, we must first select the best of our sect to participate.”
With that said, he paused for a moment before continuing, “Of course, each of the sect’s six mountain lords will be able nominate one person that will be able to participate in the Sword Trial Assembly without measuring their skill. As for the other twenty-four slots, they will be vied for by the disciples that meet the requirements. These victorious disciples will then be advised by sect elders in the time remaining before the Sword Trial Assembly. Yesterday, I had a meeting with the Sect Master and the other mountain lords where we decided that the sect’s Sword Trial Selection will take place in a month. But first, I must give an explanation of the two conditions required to participate for those that are unaware. Any participants must be less than thirty years old and possess a minimum cultivation at the tenth layer of Qi Condensation, else they will be barred from joining. That is all. Now, if you meet the minimum conditions and wish to vie for a position, you have until the incense burns away to decide. Oh yes, the disciple that I and Deputy Mountain Lord Yun selected to participate without trial is your Martial Aunt Mu. Jun’er, go ahead and light the incense.”
“As you bid, Master.” The youth surnamed Yu immediately stepped forward and swiftly took out a bronze cauldron from his storage pouch. He then set it at the center of the hall and placed a stick of incense in it.
With a flash of light from his hand, fragrant smoke began to spiral towards the sky.
Chapter 622: Preliminary Selection
While none dared to make a commotion, those who held the qualifications to participate became restless as they watched the incense stick burn.
When the incense stick burned halfway, Silvermoon saw that Han Li wore an aloof expression and couldn’t help but ask, “Will Brother Han be participating?”
“Why wouldn’t I? With the other disciples all stirring in excitement, it would draw quite a bit of attention if I didn’t.”
With that said, Silvermoon grew silent.
A short moment later, the incense stick had completely burned away and the mountain lord opened his eyes.
“Those that don’t meet the conditions or are unwilling to join may now leave.”
“As you bid, Martial Ancestor!” A majority of the present disciples then bowed and slowly left the hall.
Apart from the Foundation Establishment cultivators, there were only about forty young disciples left in the room.
When the middle-aged man examined the group, he nodded his head with satisfaction, “Good, all the disciples present fulfill the conditions. I am quite happy. Even if none of you are selected to participate, your horizons will be greatly widened as you fight against your Martial Brothers from the other mountains. It will provide great benefits to your future cultivation. Your Martial Uncle will now explain some important points about the competition. As for Martial Ancestor Yu and I, we have matters to attend to and will be departing first.”
With that said, Mountain Lord Xin and Deputy Mountain Lord Yun departed from the hall.
With a sickly appearance, the youth surnamed Miao coughed several times before calmly speaking to the Qi Condensation cultivators, “Since the Mountain Lord has handed over this matter to me, please listen carefully, Martial
Nephews. After all, this competition will be a test of skill against your fellow sect members and there are things that must be avoided.”
“First of all, vicious and deadly techniques and magic tools are disallowed in the contest. Otherwise, you will be expelled from the sect and will have your cultivation scattered. Also...”
A quarter hour later, Han Li and the rest of the disciples in the hall walked out. Most of them flew off with expressions of excitement.
Han Li glanced at their departing figures and shook his head before taking to the skies and flying back to his cave residence. The journey back was smooth and uneventful.
Inside his cave residence, he began his preparations for the sect contest. Since he couldn’t display too much power in his pursuit for one of the twenty-four positions, he had to make use of talismans and several magic tools that he hadn’t touched in countless years.
Top grade magic tools were more than plentiful. He had plundered tens of them from the Core Formation cultivators that he had personally slain. But in order to draw less attention to himself, he had to carefully select only a few of them. And since he didn’t intend on using these magic tools in the sect selection, he also began to refine large quantities of mid level elementary talismans. He planned on using these talismans to crush his low grade opponents in a single blow.
Of course, he wouldn’t be able to make it through on talismans alone. Han Li especially refreshed his knowledge on the “Flame Handling Arts” he had acquired all those years ago from an old Daoist in the prince’s mansion of the State of Yue [1]. Although it wouldn’t prove particularly useful to high grade cultivators, it will prove more than effective in duping Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators.
When Han Li had first acquired the Flame Handling Arts all those years ago, he had gained many insights from it. But with his current cultivation as a late Core Formation cultivator, it had little value to him. As a result of only a few days of effort, he grasped the entirety of the methods of transforming flames. He had even acquired subtle understandings that exceeded what had been recorded in the Flame Handling Arts.
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