Although the young master of the Ghost Spirit Sect was full of terror, he managed to keep a calm exterior in the presence of Wang Tiangu. Regardless, he still felt immense trepidation at what Han Li’s eyes seemed to suggest.
In the past, their cultivation were a match, but his current jump to Nascent Soul stage was much cause of resentment and alarm. As of Yan Ruyan, she glanced at Han Li with bright eyes. It was unknown what she was thinking.
Once Han Li saw this, he sneered before paying them no further heed.
As the group’s leader, Marquis Nanlong stood at their center and spoke with a deep tone, “There are Fellow Daoists that are from the Righteous Dao, Devilish Dao, and there are even a few vagrant cultivators among you. However, you are all similar in which your spiritual senses are exceptionally vast. It is for that reason that I’ve asked all you Fellow Daoists to come here today.
A portion of you should already have a general idea of the matter, but a majority should be ignorant of the matter. I will be giving a thorough briefing on the matter before everyone can decide to participate in the matter. If you are unwilling, I will not force you.”
When Han Li heard this, his spirits were roused. The heart of the matter has finally arrived.
A stern-faced cultivator sitting across from the black-robed man suddenly said, “Hehe! I don’t care about the others, but why are those two Ghost Spirit Sect Juniors here? Don’t tell me that their spiritual senses are a match with ours.” At that same moment, he gave a hostile glance at Wang Tiangu as if they were enemies.
The Marquis predicted this would happen and spoke as if he already had an answer, “Fellow Daoist Long, you will have to overlook it. Although their cultivation isn’t very high, they are proficient in secret techniques. When they later join their spiritual senses with ours, they will provide a significant boost. You should know that it is difficult to find cultivators with spiritual senses as powerful as ours, regardless of how their spiritual sense became so strong.”
The stern-faced cultivator expressionlessly replied, “Since that’s the case, pretend I never said anything!”
The other cultivators had no complaints and glanced at Marquis Nanlong, waiting for him to start.
Marquis slowly swept his eyes past everyone present and slowly said, “The reason I’ve gathered everyone here is for the purpose of traveling to the Moulan Plains.”
“The Moulan Plains?” Marquis Nanlong’s words came as a large surprise to most of those present, Han Li included.
Chapter 687: Cang Kun’s Buried Treasure
“Brother Nanlong, did you speak correctly? The Moulan Plains?” The stern-faced cultivator frowned, speaking as if he couldn’t believe what he had heard.
The other cultivators didn’t fare much better. But since all of them were old eccentrics that had faced countless hardships, they were able to preserve their calm in spite of their turbulent emotions as they waited for Marquis Nanlong’s reply.
Marquis Nanlong calmly explained, “Fellow Daoist misunderstands. I didn’t mean that we would head deep into the Moulan Plains, merely fifty kilometers within its borders.”
The stern-face cultivator shook his head as if greatly fearful of the idea, “That is still extremely dangerous. The Moulan Tribes have been honing their strength for many years already, and have become restless. The edge of the Moulan Plains has already become a danger zone. I fear that many Nascent Soul level spell warriors will be gathered there. Although only a few of those spell warriors possessed a magic treasure, their cultivation is still on par with ours. Additionally, their spirit techniques are not only vastly powerful, but they are extremely adaptable as well. If we were discovered, it would be difficult to escape unharmed.”
Marquis Nanlong sullenly said, “Of course I know how difficult they are. In the past, I fought against a Nascent Soul spell warrior for three entire days. Although his cultivation was on par with mine and his magic treasure was greatly inferior, the battle had ended in stalemate.”
“Since that’s the case, there must be an important reason why Fellow Daoist intends to go there. Why else would Brother Nanlong brave such danger?”
“Hehe, Brother Wang truly understands me. Have any of you Fellow Daoists of the name of Master Cang Kun?”
A bright glint flickered form the eyes of the old woman that had yet to speak, “Master Cang Kun! Wasn’t that the mad cultivator that suppressed both the Righteous and Devilish Dao five thousand years ago?”
With an odd expression, the Marquis said with a strange voice, “Lady Tai is correct. It was that madman that wreaked havoc against both the Righteous and Devilish Dao in the past. Although no one had officially concede this, the daring mad cultivator was definitely the greatest vagrant cultivator during that time. He had profound abilities swept past many fearsome opponents in the Heavenly South. Even the great elder of the Harmonious Bond Sect and the Righteous Dao Alliance Leader, the number one figures of both sides at the time, didn’t dare to say that they could prevail against the mad cultivator.”
Wang Tiangu asked with an odd expression, “So Fellow Daoist Nanlong means to say that this matter is related to the mad cultivator?”
The Marquis heavily said, “Hehe! It is as Brother Wang says. We will be heading to where Master Cang Kun died. It is a meticulously hidden cave residence.”
The old woman strongly shook her head in disbelief, “Impossible! Wasn’t that madman killed after being surrounded by many of his enemies?”
Marquis Nanlong simply smiled and was give an explanation when the other mid Nascent Soul cultivator, the white-clothed old man, suddenly said, “Master Cang Kun wasn’t killed by the attack. Rather he was forced to self detonate two of his puppet incarnations to create the opportunity to escape. The cultivators who surrounded him were none the wiser and had believed that one of the incarnations was his true body. However, the battle had greatly injured Master Cang Kun’s vitality and it was extremely difficult for him to restore his abilities.
“As a result, he spent several years there in recover, and his original cave residence disappeared alongside any messages. It was only when Fellow Daoist Nanlong and I recently discovered his place of death that we came across this knowledge from a remnant message. Once Master Cang Kun disappeared, he braved Devilfall Valley and was the very first person to make it out alive.”
The old woman sharply yelled with an expression of excitement, “He returned from Devilfall Valley alive? How is that possible?!”
All of those that heard the story felt their breathes turn cold. For a moment, they were both shocked by this information and were pondering the validity of these claims. For a time, they couldn’t help but glance at each other in dismay.
The tanned cultivator pondered for a moment before asking with a sneer, “Even if this matter was true, what does it have to do with the Moulan Plains? Don’t tell me that Master Cang Kun buried the treasures he acquired from Devilfall Valley inside this hidden cave residence?”
Marquis Nanlong twirled his beard and expressionlessly said, “Fellow Daoist Bing’s words are mostly correct. According to what was left behind at Master Qian Kun’s place of death, he stayed at Devilfall Valley for several years, but not long after, he met death in meditation. He possibly relapsed from his old injuries or acquired new injuries from Devilfall Valley, but either way, he should’ve brought many treasures out from Devilfall Valley. Treasures that caught the fancy of the greatest vagrant cultivator of that era is no small matter. Furthermore, from his capabilities to suppress crowds of cultivators as a vagrant cultivator, he must’ve possessed extraordinary secret arts and magic treasures. Are you still be unwilling to head into the Moulan Plains?”
The white-clothed old man calmly added, “As a group of many Nascent Soul cultivators, common spell warriors will not be able to block us. Moreover, if the worst occurs, we will simply break through their enclosures separately. If you are unwilling to risk this amount of danger, please do not force yourselves to join. We will find oth
ers to go instead.”
Once that was said, the other cultivators began to wear expressions of hesitations. Han Li suddenly said, “There is something that puzzles me. Since you two know where the treasure is, why have you sought us out in particular, those with particularly strong spiritual senses? Could it be related to how well hidden the cave residence is?”
Marquis Nanlong revealed a helpless expression and said, “I was just about to explain that in a moment. If we could acquire the treasure by ourselves, we’d be able to monopolize the treasure. However, we were able to find the cave residence after much searching when the two of us snuck off to the Moulan Plains. Unfortunately, the cave residence is surrounded by a marvelous ancient spell formation. Despite our best efforts we were unable to break through it. Of course, we didn’t dare to linger too long as we were still in the Moulan Plains. We committed the spell formation’s characteristics to memory and returned to the Heavenly South. After searching through various records on spell formations, we eventually discovered the ancient spell formation was the ‘Wondrous Soul Restriction’ which was thought to be lost with time.”
Wang Tiangu revealed amazement, “Wondrous Soul Restriction! Is that not one of the ten great ancient restrictions? How could it be there?”
A majority of cultivators hadn’t heard of the spell formation before, but their hearts trembled upon hearing the Ghost Spirit Sect Master. Anything from the ten great ancient restrictions would absolutely be difficult to dissolve.
A trace of astonishment flickered from Han Li’s eyes, but it soon disappeared.
The Marquis was somewhat surprised that Wang Tiangu knew of this. After exchanging a glance with the white-clothed old man, he smiled and offered a word of praise, “I had already heard of Brother Wang’s grand reputation as a master of formation spells. To know of such an obscure ancient formation, I see that his reputation was well deserved.”
Wang Tiangu seemed to realize something and politely declined to speak, “Brother Nanlong, please continue. I’ve only heard of its name and know nothing of how to dissolve it. The matter is completely unfamiliar to me.”
When the white-clothed old man saw this, he gave a rare smile and he directly said, “We spent several years after our discovery researching the method of breaking through the restriction. We either had to whittle it away with brute force or find eight cultivators with powerful spiritual sense capable of manifested spiritual sense to dissolve the restriction.
Forcefully breaking through the restriction definitely wouldn’t do. Ancient restrictions were extraordinarily profound. Even if we were to violently attack the formation without end for several months, it may not be enough to break it. Of course, there would be no way we would so boldly display such actions inside the Moulan Plains! If we were to dissolve it with manifested spiritual sense, it would only take a day to breakthrough so long as all of your abilities are sufficiently powerful.”
The cultivators in the hall now understood why they were all called together.
Perhaps other mid Nascent Soul cultivators would possess stronger spiritual sense and be more suitable for breaking the restrictions, but the two clearly didn’t wish for other powerful cultivators to join them in fear that they would be betrayed. After all, while two mid Nascent Soul cultivators might not be able to win against the early Nascent Soul cultivators, they would be able to force a stalemate, if just barely.
Regardless, all of the cultivators present in the hall each felt rather excited at the thoughts of treasures from Devilfall Valley.
Although it would be dangerous to enter the edge of the Moulan Plains, the danger was insignificant in comparison to what there was to be gained. This was an opportunity that was seldom seen but often sought.
Marquis Nanlong confirmed their participation and revealed a genuine smile upon seeing that no one had backed down.
“There is still something I must make clear to you all. If we are successful and are able to truly enter the cave residence, Brother Yun and I will have first pick. Then we will split the remaining treasures evenly. Any objections?”
Chapter 688: Danger in the Wildlands
The others didn’t find it strange for Marquis Nanlong and the white-clothed old man surnamed Yun to have first pick. Since they were both the founders of this expedition and had the deepest cultivation, it was natural for them to have a larger share of the treasure.
In order to prevent any unexpected matters from occurring, the group immediately agreed to the plan. The group would set off in two days, before the end of the trade fair. After taking a heart demon oath to not divulge this information, the meeting was concluded.
Han Li noticed that the Marquis and the old man surnamed Yun appeared rather confident as if they weren’t fearful that the early Nascent Soul cultivators would perform any petty tricks. Considering the location and method to break the spell restrictions were only known to them in addition to their shrewdness and abilities, it was likely that the others wouldn’t think of any dirty schemes.
Of course, Han Li also agreed with this reasoning.
Ever since Han Li reached Nascent Soul stage, his cultivation for the Azure Essence Sword Arts was excruciatingly slow due to a lack of suitable medicine pills. Han Li reckoned that if if he were to bitterly cultivate for three hundred years, he still wouldn’t reach the peak of early Nascent Soul stage.
As for whether or not he would be able to reach mid Nascent Soul stage, that would simply be a matter of luck, not aptitude. Nascent Soul cultivators that managed to reach this far were all people with exceptional aptitude.
According to Han Li’s original plans, he would’ve diligently cultivated for over a hundred years once the trade fair concluded. Once he made some progress with his cultivation art, he would immediately leave his cave residence and find a few ancient cultivator ruins or some land rich with natural treasures. It was only like this he would find an opportunity to progress to the next stage of cultivation. But now that Han Li had heard of the treasures of the renowned Devilfall Valley, Han Li couldn’t possibly let them go. This was perhaps the opportunity he needed.
The others likely shared the same thoughts.
These old Nascent Soul eccentrics were stuck at early Nascent Soul stage for countless years. There was no possibility they would renounce such an opportune breakthrough. The techniques and medicine pills were certain to be significant.
Of course, since the Ghost Spirit Sect’s young master was travelling with them, if there was an opportunity to kill him on the way, Han Li wouldn’t hold himself back. Even if Wang Tiangu witnessed it, what would change? The Devil Dao and the Heavenly Dao Alliance were already enemies.
As killing intent filled Han Li’s mind, he walked down the azure stone road back to his own residence.
But unbeknownst to him, Wang Tiangu was calmly walking down an alley several streets away with Wang Chan and Yan Ruyan silently following after him.
“Once we return, clearly explain any grudges that are held between the two of you. It seems this person has yet to release his hatred towards you. In the future, you both must not stray too far from my side in order to prevent any ambushes.”
Wang Chan respectfully replied, “Yes, Second Uncle. I didn’t think that from an ill considered action from the past, this nephew would create such a large enemy for you. In such a short amount of time, he was able to breakthrough the bottlenecks of both Core Formation and Nascent Soul stage. It was far beyond what I could’ve predicted.” He seemed to grow depressed at the thought of Han Li having already condensed a Nascent Soul.
Wang Tiangu coldly smiled, “Humph! These is no need for you to be so discouraged. With the Blood Spirit Arts’ supreme might, there is no need to fear that youngster when the two of you join hands. So long as you breakthrough to the seventh layer of the cultivation art, you and Ruyan will be able to condense a Nascent Soul together. It will be hard to say who will be troubled then! However, you two had best be careful on this trip to the Moulan Plains. Even if I
am truly busy and cannot stay by your side, you two must stay together. With your combined strength, you will definitely be able to defend yourselves.”
“Many thanks for Second Uncle’s advice!” Wang Chan was greatly relieved by his uncle’s words and felt much more at ease.
“Hehe! Of your brothers, I think highest of you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought you to this trade fair alone. However, that cultivator was originally a Yellow Maple Valley cultivator. The old ghost Linghu also personally made a trip to this trade fair. Could they have a connection with each other?” Wang Tiangu muttered to himself. His voice lowered as if he felt trepidation towards the Yellow Maple Valley Ancestor.
Wang Chan and Yan Ruyan looked at each other in bewilderment.
When Han Li returned to his residence, he slept for the night and spent the entirety of the next day hurriedly purchasing the materials he required. Afterwards, he repeatedly warned Mu Peiling to be careful and particularly requested Lu Luo to accompany her.
When Lu Luo heard that Han Li was about to hastily leave before the end of the trade fair, he felt amazed. However, he didn’t ask for a detailed explanation. He agreed in a single breath, leaving Han Li with a rather favorable impression towards him.
For the remainder of the day, Han Li spent his time at his residence in meditation.
It was only when the appointed time had drew near that Han Li departed from the pavilion and set off to a small mountain five hundred kilometers south of Soaring Heavens City.
Six hours later, he and the others had all arrived. The three from the Ghost Spirit Sect were the last to arrive.
When Han Li saw this, he felt his heart stir.
As soon as Marquis Nanlong said, “We go!”, the group of nine silently departed south towards the Moulan Plains.
The State of Yu was the country of the Nine Nations Union closest to the Moulan Plains, but there wasn’t truly a border between them. There was five thousand kilometers of desert wilderness separating the two. This area had very little vegetation and clouds of yellow sand eternally blowing through the air. It was the battlefield where the Nine Nations Union and the Moulan spell warriors fought. It was unknown how many cultivators had died in this barren wasteland.
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