As for the other two old men, they gave the commands to their clansmen and they hastily set off to the pavilion.
“Your three clans all reside here? How rare.” On the way there, Han Li asked a few questions about the general circumstances of the three old men and was quite surprised.
“Senior must be joking. We are all here because there are no other places to establish ourselves; we’re trapped.” Huang Yuanming replied with a bitter smile.
“I see that the young disciples of your clans possess quite a bit of aptitude. Why haven’t you brought them to the great sects of the cultivation world?” Han Li asked with a curious expression. “While they might not be able to become succeeding disciples, an external affairs disciple is certainly possible.”
“Senior might not know this, but despite the many cultivation sects in the State of Dongyu, a majority of them regularly receive disciples from cultivator clans or simply exercise control over a few clans. As we are still only minor clans, we aren’t qualified to catch their attention.”
“Even if our clan has a few particularly outstanding disciples, I don’t dare to have them enter a sect. They need to remain in the clan to raise our prestige.” Huang Yuanming offered Han Li an explanation with a helpless expression.
These clan elders would certainly be a level above their current cultivation if they joined a large sect, but that would mean abandoning their clans and leaving them helpless.
Han Li blinked and nodded. He spoke no further of the matter as they were soon approaching a group of buildings.
Huang Yuanming led Han Li to the tallest of the buildings.
A short moment later, they arrived at the pavilion’s entrance where there were two rows of young female disciples respectfully waiting upon them.
As the three clan elders led Han Li into the pavilion, Huang Yuanming said, “Senior, please enter! While our Spirit Scales Mountains don’t produce any spirit medicines or fruits, we do have some decent tea. We have enough for a few cups.”
Han Li followed them inside. The hall wasn’t large and was only about a hundred meters wide, but it was more than enough considering that it belonged to a small clan.
Under they respectful gaze, Han Li calmly took a seat while the three old men remained standing. They didn’t dare to place themselves on the same level as Han Li. Since their cultivations were so vastly inferior, Han Li didn’t bother to refuse out of politeness.
At that moment, a beautiful female disciple brought over a tray with tea and placed a cup in front of Han Li before carefully withdrawing.
Han Li casually held the cup in his hand and took a sip. The tea was bitter at first but a strange fragrance soon spread through his mouth. “Not bad. It is truly rare tea.” Han Li’s mouth formed a strange smile and he offered a word of praise.
“Senior’s cultivation is deep and immeasurable, but your face is unfamiliar. Is Senior not a cultivator of the State of Dongyu?” The plump old man said.
“No, I am not from here. There is no need for you to worry. After I ask you a few questions, I will immediately depart. I won’t stay here and make things difficult.”
Han Li had no intention of stating his name. He simply glanced at the plump old man and gave a mysterious smile.
With alarm, Huang Yuanming hastily spoke with a changed expression, “Senior is being too considerate. We are immensely fortunate to have met Senior, we don’t dare to disrespectfully rush you away.”
Han Li glanced at Huang Yuanming and waved his hand. “It’s fine! I already know the fear and anticipation you low level cultivators hold towards me. So long as you answer my questions to my satisfaction, I don’t mind giving you a few benefits. After all, it can be considered fate that we met.”
When Huang Yuanming heard this, he was delighted and spoke with an even deeper tone of respect, “If Senior has anything on his mind, please go ahead and ask. Although our clan isn’t large, we do receive news quite quickly. Our answers will be to Senior’s satisfaction.”
Han Li smiled. Although he reckoned they wouldn’t lie even if he didn’t offer any rewards, they will most certainly answer to the best of their ability if he did. They will most likely take the initiative to give more precise details.
Han Li glanced at the three and calmly said, “Since you’re so close to the Chang Province, you should know a bit about the cultivators who entered Devilfall Valley the last time it opened. Can you tell me about what happened?”
“Devilfall Valley? Yes, we do know of it.” When Huang Yuanming heard Han Li, he was a bit puzzled but immediately answered nonetheless.
He then recalled the appropriate information and reported, “Over twenty years ago, a large number of cultivators entered Devilfall Valley in search of treasure. Because the Ghost Spirit Sect found a safe method to enter the valley, several hundreds of Core Formation cultivators and tens of Nascent Soul cultivators entered in search for ancient cultivator treasures.
However, Devilfall Valley was truly dangerous. A majority of the cultivators that entered the valley remained on its outskirts and perished to the restrictions and spatial tears that were present. Less than half of these cultivators were able to return alive. And even more terrible was how the party of Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators had managed to release two devils from antiquity that were capable of consuming Nascent Souls, resulting in the death of the Ghost Spirit Sect Master. These two devils were incredibly formidable. According to those present, the Nascent Soul cultivators that entered the valley depths united against the devils in a huge battle. Even with Senior Wei Wuya and the Moulan Divine Sage fighting against it, they were only able to slay one of them. The other devil still managed to escape.
“There were many cultivators that died in the battle, including many famous seniors. However, Devilfall Valley is worthy of its name as an ancient cultivator cemetery. I heard that those that made it out alive came out with quite a harvest. There were even those that found medicine pills that extended their lifespan or broke through their bottlenecks, stirring up much excitement in the cultivation world at the time. Afterwards, many cultivators grew envious and used the Ghost Spirit Sect’s transportation formation to enter Devilfall Valley despite the fact that the spatial tears were now unstable again. None of these cultivators have yet emerged, preventing any other cultivators from trying in fear. Now, Devilfall Valley is a forbidden area once more that none dares to enter.”
“You said there was a devil that escaped Devilfall Valley. What happened to it?” Han Li’s heart grew heavy and his expression turned gloomy.
“I would’ve told you about the devil even if you hadn’t ask. The devil itself is a calamity that has plagued the Heavenly South cultivation world.” Huang Yuanming’s expression turned sullen.
Han Li frowned and remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
“Originally when the devil escaped, a few seniors said that the devil couldn’t exist for long in our human realm and that it would return where it came from after some time. As a result, none had taken it very seriously, but none would’ve expected that the devil would ambush high grade cultivators without fear and consume their Nascent Souls to restore its strength. In a short few years, seven Nascent Soul cultivators have fallen to him and the devil has yet to return to its realm. It was then the cultivators knew that the devil used some unknown method to prolong its stay in this realm. When this happened, the three Great Heavenly South Cultivators and a dozen specially picked mid Nascent Soul seniors organized a party to hunt down the devil. However, the devil was extremely cunning and didn’t meet the hunting party head on. Rather, he picked off the cultivators one by one.
“The devil even attacked the Moulan, provoking them to send a party of sages to join the hunt. From then on, the devil was no longer able to escape the united hunt of the cultivators and the Moulan. However, this only drove the devil to be even more frantic. Not only did it attacked several high grade cultivators at the end, but it even went after many low grade cultivators. In its fin
al month, it went on a massacre, destroying a dozen cultivation clans and several small sects as they weren’t able to resist it. But a dying devilish sect elder was able to use a secret technique that allowed the hunting party to track the devil down and surround it in the State of Fengdou. I heard that the devil’s strength was completely restored, and its cultivation had nearly reached the Deity Transformation stage. Two Great Heavenly South Cultivators and one Moulan Divine Sage simultaneously took the devil on in a battle that lasted an entire day and turned Soulfall Mountain into a flat plain. No other cultivators were capable of taking part in the battle.” Once that was said, Huang Yuanming paused and he couldn’t help but reveal shock.
Chapter 860: Whirlpool
When Han Li heard this, he was completely shocked. The combined forces of three late Nascent Soul cultivators weren’t able to prevail over the Elder Devil in a short amount of time. It seemed the Elder Devil’s restored power was similar to a cultivator at the Deity Transformation stage.
“Was the devil killed in the battle?” Han Li calmly asked.
“This is unclear to us. There are those that said that the devil had used some inconceivable technique to escape the cultivators that besieged it, but since this Junior’s clan is limited in power, we weren’t able to find the truth of the matter. But either way, ever since that battle, no trace of the devil has been found in the Heavenly South. Perhaps it has perished in both body and soul.”
“Perished in body and soul?” Han Li stroked his chin, but after some thought, he felt doubtful of this.
If they had truly killed the devil, these grand cultivators definitely wouldn’t have concealed it. It was most likely something strange happened and they were trying to conceal the truth. However, given how odd the information was, it could be that the devil suffered heavy injuries in the battle and was forced to escape and recover, or that he escaped from the Heavenly South entirely.
After some thought, Han Li felt that this was possible. For the time being, since he wasn’t able to make a judgment on this matter now, he flung the matter to the back of his mind.
“Fellow Daoist Huang, has anything else happened since Devilfall Valley?”
With some thought, Huang Yuanming said, “There are a few things that have happened in the past few years, and while they can’t be compared to the matter of Devilfall Valley and the freed devil, they are all worthy of attention. Not long after the devil disappeared, a strange whirlpool appeared in the Endless Sea that borders the State of Xi. The whirlpool released a large quantity of spiritual Qi and began to purify the nearby water. Additionally, seven small islands have emerged around the whirlpool. Each of these islands emits an astonishing spiritual Qi as a result of all of them possessing a rare top grade spirit vein. The Three Great Heavenly South Cultivators even conducted a meeting over the ownership of the island which involved many sects. Eventually, the small islands were divided amongst seven large sects. The whirlpool was reported to be unmeasurably deep. There were many cultivators that thought to investigate it, but they found the pressure of the whirlpool to be too strong. I heard that Master Sunreach of the Three Great Heavenly South Cultivators attempted to investigate it as well, but after sinking ten kilometers deep, he wasn’t able to further endure the pressure and had to return.”
“A great whirlpool? Something like that appeared?” Han Li revealed surprise and spoke with astonishment.
“How could this Junior dare to deceive you? News of this spread several years ago. If Senior were to ask any others, I’m sure he’ll know it to be true.” Huang Yuanming replied with a smile.
Han Li nodded and felt that the matter was quite interesting. He then asked him about other matters, particularly with regard to the movements of the Moulan Tribes and the Righteous and Devilish Daos. Huang Yuanming answered to the best of his ability with the other two old men occasionally interrupting him with additional details.
Not long after, Han Li listened to what had happened over the past years and felt at ease.
Apart from the whirlpool and Elder Devil, the other ‘significant’ events were the appearance of spirit medicines and treasures or a war against cultivation sects. This news meant little to Han Li, but he continued to listen to the three regardless.
As for anything to do with the Drifting Cloud Sect, Han Li hadn’t bothered to ask. After all, this place was too far away from the State of Xi. This small clan wouldn’t know very specific details about it. If he wanted to know what was truly happening with the Drifting Cloud Sect, he would have to go to a market city or return to the State of Xi itself.
Han Li was satisfied with the three old men’s report and swept his sleeve across the table in front of him, summoning a pair of sparkling golden short spears in a flash of azure light. “Thank you for telling me this. I don’t have anything amazing, but I will be giving you three these Broken Gold Spears.”
“Many thanks for Senior’s gift. These... these are high grade magic tools?” Huang Yuanming examined the golden spears for a moment before hastily saluting Han Li with joy.
With their power, it wasn’t as if they didn’t have any high grade magic tools. But since they only had a sparse few, they valued each of them greatly. Naturally, they were quite happy to acquire something so valuable after simply answering Han Li’s questions.
“Although these Broken Gold Spears are only high grade magic tools, if they are used jointly, they can rival even top grade magic tools. I had acquired them in the past because I found them interesting and they've remained in my possession ever since. Now, I hand them over to you. Don’t underestimate them. Hehe. Since I’ve given you your reward, I will be taking my leave. Perhaps if fate will have it, this one named Han will see you again in the future.” Han Li’s body then glowed with light and he flew out of the hall in an azure streak. In flashes of light that crossed the sky, he disappeared from sight.
The three old men were stunned. Not expecting that Han Li would take off unceremoniously, they swallowed their words of thanks and looked at the pair of golden spears on the table.
“How generous of him to easily give us a pair of high grade magic tools.” The plump old man said as he looked at the golden spears.
“It depends who is looking at them. High grade magic tools might be very valuable to us, but to that Senior, they might not be worth much.” The taciturn white-robed old man said, wearing an odd expression.
“Brother Wang, what do you mean? Could it be you recognize that Senior?” Huang Yuanming’s heart stirred. The plump old man also glanced at the white-robed old man with shock.
“Brothers, you are both wise but now you are dim. He’s closely asked about Devilfall Valley and the devil, and possesses high cultivation at such a young age, not to mention he named himself as Han. Could it be you don’t realize who he is? Don’t forget that when the two devils appeared in Devilfall Valley, there was one particularly famous cultivator that went missing in the fight.” The white-robed old man spoke with a wry smile.
“You mean to say that person was Senior Han?” Huang Yuanming cried out with an alarmed expression. The plump old man also appeared shocked.
The white-robed old man continued, “You brothers should now know what I mean. This Senior is an existence on part with the Three Great Heavenly South Cultivators. It is natural for him to be generous.”
After a moment of silence, Huang Yuanming sighed and said, “Brother Wang’s words are reasonable. However, it makes no difference to us whether or not he is truly Senior Han. Even if we wish to make a connection with him, cultivators on our level can’t hope to catch his interest. It is already a pleasant surprise that he gave us two high grade magic tools. Perhaps he was compensating us for damaging the spirit spring. Let’s first talk about what we’ll do with these spears before we continue.”
Although this was an opportunity that was hard to come by, an existence on Han Li’s level would hardly pay them any attention, so there was no point to feeling any regret over the matter.
&n
bsp; When the two old men heard Huang Yuanming, they postponed further discussion of Han Li’s identity and looked at the golden spears. The spears were quite valuable after all and were right in front of them. The three then began their discussions on what to do with them.
As the three clan elders began their discussion, Han Li was already over fifty kilometers away.
He had only barely managed to emerge from the spatial tear, and it was quite fortunate that he emerged within the State of Dongyu as spatial tears were fickle and continuously wandered. It wouldn’t be a surprise even if he arrived at an area countless leagues away.
Monarch Soul Divergence spoke from Han Li’s mind, “Youngster, where will you head to now? Will you be returning to the Drifting Cloud Sect? I am still lacking a few of the puppet materials that I required. I will need to gather them.”
Han Li frowned and helplessly said, “I already know this, but the materials you want are all rarely seen in this world. I doubt they all exist in the Heavenly South, and it will certainly take a long time to gather regardless.”
Monarch Soul Divergence snorted and annoyedly said, “Do you believe I can wait another eighty years? If you can’t find them in the Heavenly South, then make a trip to the Jin Empire. Over there, you’ll be able to find any rare materials so long as you have enough spirit stones! I’ve already told you that if I cannot refine my grand puppet, I would rather destroy the refinement process than to hand it over to you!”
“Be at ease.” Han Li sighed and said with a gloomy tone, “I’ve been wanting to make a trip to the Jin Empire regardless. Didn’t you say that the baleful Qi on my body was too heavy? That if I were to use the Blood Devil Sword two or three more times my body would slowly erode? Not forgetting that I wouldn’t be able to make any progress past mid Nascent Soul stage either.”
“It’s fine if you know.” Monarch Soul Divergence said with a suddenly happy tone, “At first I did find it odd how you were infected with so much baleful Qi at a young age. I was a harsh character during my time in the world, but I didn’t possess even a tenth of your baleful Qi. Tch tch, how strange indeed. Wouldn’t it be better to change your cultivation art so that you may use the baleful Qi to advance your cultivation? Of course, this would cause you to ascend to the Elder Devil Realm rather than the Spirit Realm when you reach Deity Transformation stage.”
A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality c1-2248 Page 464