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

by Translator: Johnchen

  After Han Li said this, he paused and said, “Of course, the most important point of the Copulative Essence Arts is a woman who is willing. Unless I were to offer a heavy price, ordinary female Core Formation cultivators would be unwilling to abandon their long-held cultivation art for an unknown one. And since I’ve helped Mu Peiling cultivate through Foundation Establishment and form a core, she definitely won’t be unwilling, especially since I’m offering her an opportunity to condense a Nascent Soul. As she said, it is possible that would’ve remained a Foundation Establishment cultivator throughout her lifetime if it weren’t for my assistance. Therefore, there is no shame if I wish to make use of her, especially after all the resources I’ve invested in her.” With that said, Han Li sighed and the jade slip disappeared from his hand in a flash of light.

  Silvermoon tilted her head and sweetly smiled. “So it was like that. It seems I hadn’t thought it over much.”

  “And in the future, you won’t be idle either.” Han Li mysteriously smiled at Silvermoon. “Now that I’ve reached mid Nascent Soul stage, I must prepare to seclude myself for several days and refine the Celestial Ice Flames to its very last sliver. Afterwards, I’ll try to comprehend the method to open the Heavenvoid Cauldron. During this time, I’ll be leaving affairs in the cave residence to you.”

  After Silvermoon heard this, she beamed with joy. “It is truly worthy of celebration that Han Li has finally reached the last stage in refining the Celestial Ice Flames.”

  “Ah yes, it can also be considered the first step in opening the Heavenvoid Cauldron, but I don’t have a clue what other requirements there are. But enough of that for now, I’ve grown tired.” Han Li then stood up and walked to his bedroom.

  Silvermoon watched Han Li as he left and remained in the hall, pondering for a moment before leaving as well.

  An uneventful night passed. Just as Han Li woke up the next day, Silvermoon arrived before him to report that Senior Martial Brother Cheng and Lu Luo had arrived. Han Li promptly readied himself and had Silvermoon open the restriction before heading to the gate to welcome them.

  Afterwards, the two men waiting outside were welcome inside by a smiling Han Li.

  The three sat down inside the cave residences hall. Then Senior Martial Brother Cheng apologetically said, “We originally didn’t intend to bother Junior Martial Brother Han on his day of rest, but the matter is rather urgent so we had no choice but to rush over.”

  “There is no need for senior martial brothers to be overly polite!” Han Li smiled and said with a casual tone, “Cultivators only need a moment’s rest before recovering. It is no trouble at all.”

  “If that’s the case, we’re relieved. To put matters bluntly, the Ancient Sword Sect and the Hundred Possibilities Pavilion [1] have received reports that Han Li had returned to the sect and they sent a joint invitation asking for us to meet them. Although Junior Martial Brother Han has been part of our Drifting Cloud Sect for some time, they have yet to see you. This is a good opportunity to introduce you to them as our three sects share a mutual bond of prosperity. And relating to this is the invitation for tomorrow’s master recognition ceremony for a magic treasure. The Hundred Possibilities Sect had invited us and the elders of the Ancient Sword Sect to witness it.”

  “A master recognition ceremony?” Han Li interestedly said, “I recall that the Hundred Possibilities Pavilion was renown for their treasure refinement. If they wish for us to attend it, this magic treasure must be quite unordinary.”

  “The invitation didn’t reveal it. However, the master of this treasure is to be a young disciple of the Hundred Possibilities Sect. I heard their aptitude was quite exceptional, having formed a golden core in less than a hundred years. The elders of the Hundred Possibilities Sect are holding high hopes for this disciple.” As Lu Luo spoke, he flipped his hand and handed over a letter written in gold words to Han Li.

  Han Li smiled and took a look at the letter. “They must be truly exceptional to form a golden core in less than a hundred years. Alright, tomorrow I will head out with your two. I am also quite curious.”

  Senior Martial Brother Cheng chuckled and said, “It is great that you’re going. I heard the Ancient Sword Sect Grand Elder Jin Wuhuan had also emerged from seclusion. If I remembered correctly, he had spent entered seclusion eighty years ago at mid Nascent Soul stage. It is unknown how much he had accomplished.

  “The Ancient Sword Sect’s grand elder!” Han Li said with surprise and felt that there was no harm in meeting him. Afterwards, he examined Senior Martial Brother Cheng and tensely frowned.

  “Senior Martial Brother Cheng, I just swept my spiritual sense past your body. Did you not find any life-prolonging medicine pills in Devilfall Valley?” Han Li worriedly asked.

  When the old man heard Han Li, he wore a bitter smile. “I also know what will happen. At most, I only gave another dozen years to live before I perish. And while I did find a few treasures in Devilfall Valley, none of them were life-prolonging medicine pills, sealing my fate. Cultivators that cannot complete the great Dao will eventually perish from age and be reincarnated. There is nothing to be sorry about. When that happens, I will be entrusting the sect to you two junior martial brothers.”

  With that said, the old man’s expression grew calm. He was clearly prepared for his end to come.

  [1] The Ancient Sword Sect and the Hundred Possibilities Pavilion are allies and neighboring sects of the Drifting Cloud Sect. They share the Dreamcloud Mountains.

  Chapter 865: Flying Sword and Puppets

  Han Li inwardly sighed. Although he acquired many spirit medicines from the ruins of the Spirit Ether Garden, none of them were capable of prolonging lifespan. All he could do was console him. “There is no need for Senior Martial Brother Cheng to be so dejected. Perhaps you’ll come across some luck in a few years!”

  The old man shook his head with an indifferent expression. As it seemed he had already come to terms with his eventual death, Han Li dropped the topic and instead summoned a white jade slip into his hand.

  “Senior martial brothers, I’ve remembered something,” Han Li handed over the jade slip over to Senior Martial Brother Cheng and casually said, “I need the sect disciples to go out and gather materials. Because there are many different materials, I’ll take whatever amount they can acquire. They need only try their hardest. And so long as the cost of the material isn’t outrageous, I’m willing to pay the cost. Have the sect disciples come back to me for compensation.”

  “Let me take a look!” Lu Luo took the jade slip with interest and immersed his jade slip into it, his face revealing an odd expression.

  “No wonder you said they need only try their hardest,” Lu Luo said with a shock. “Most of the materials will be difficult to find and there are even a few items that exist only in legend. I reckon most of them can’t be found in the Heavenly South.”

  “Oh? Let me take a look at what you’re trying to find!” When Senior Martial Brother Cheng heard this, he grew curious and reached out for the jade talisman. He then withdrew his spiritual sense from it with an expression of shock and said, “These are truly rare materials. Could it be that Junior Martial Brother is trying to refine a magic treasure?”

  Han Li smiled and said, “A magic treasure? That’s about right.”

  When he heard Han Li’s vague answer, he dropped the topic and agreed to the matter, immediately arranging for the sect disciples to gather materials from the various areas of the Heavenly South.

  With that finished, Senior Martial Brother Cheng and Lu Luo glanced at one another and Lu Luo handed over a bulging storage pouch over to Han Li.

  “What’s this?” Surprised, Han Li unconsciously reached out from the storage pouch and gave the two a puzzling glance.

  “Junior Martial Brother Han, could it be that you’ve forgotten that you once already had the sect disciples gather Auric Essence and other rare materials for you? In the past few years, we were only able to gather a small piece of auric e
ssence, but we did manage to gather all the other materials. I originally thought to give you a pleasant surprise, but I didn’t expect that you would need to gather even more materials. It seems you’ve acquired significant skills in tool refinement.” Lu Luo said with a smile.

  “You managed to find a piece of Auric Essence?” When Han Li heard this, he rejoiced and he hastily took a look at the pouch. There was an assortment of materials with a walnut-sized piece of Auric Essence within it.

  As for the other materials, they were the materials he was lacking to refine the ancient Nascent Soul grade puppets. He would’ve made a few to take inside Devilfall Valley if he had the materials at the time.

  “I do need these items. Many thanks for your troubles. Their value is quite considerable and I suppose you must’ve used quite a few spirit stones to acquire them, I...”

  Just as Han Li was about to mention the cost, Senior Martial Brother Cheng chuckled and waved his hand. “These items might’ve cost a few spirit stones, but Junior Martial Brother Han had fought on behalf of the sect two times during the Moulan invasion. It is only natural to compensate you for your troubles. Please don’t hesitate to take the items.”

  “In that case, I won’t be polite.” Han Li quickly smiled and put away the spirit pouch without further hesitation.

  Senior Martial Brother Cheng appeared pleased that Han Li didn’t refuse his offer.

  “Ah yes, Senior Martial Brother Cheng, when I was dragged into the spatial tear, there were two flying swords that were left behind. Have you see them?” The matter had just come to Han Li’s mind. Since the old man was present when this had happened, he should have an idea where it was.

  Having anticipated this, the old man said with an apologetic tone, “I would’ve mentioned it to Junior Martial Brother Han regardless. In the past, those two swords you left behind were seized by that Elder Devil. When the campaign against the devil was ongoing, there was no sighting of the magic swords. It seemed that the devil wasn’t able to use them because they were your own bonded magic treasure. But now there is another problem as the whereabouts of the devil are unclear. I fear those flying swords will be difficult to find.”

  “It’s with the Elder Devil?” Han Li’s expression changed for a brief moment, “That will be troublesome, but it is no matter. They are only worldly possessions. I can make more.”

  “I imagined as such.” Senior Martial Brother Cheng’s expression relaxed and he said, “Junior Martial Brother Han possess many flying swords. Losing two shouldn’t amount to much. It isn’t worthy of the danger of seeking out the Elder Devil.”

  Senior Martial Brother Cheng was even more fearful of the Elder Devil than Han Li. Naturally, he also didn’t wish for anything to happen to Han Li as he was crucial to the Drifting Cloud Sect’s rise in the cultivation world.

  Afterwards, they chatted a bit more about sect matters before Senior Martial Brother Cheng and Lu Luo took their leave. Han Li escorted them outside his cave residence before returning inside.

  When Han Li returned, Silvermoon appeared in a flash of light and beamingly smiled. “Master, you’ve acquired another piece of Auric Essence. Will you be able to temper another two swords and create the Aureate Sword Formation once more?”

  When Silvermoon mentioned the matter, her expression turned sullen, “How could it be so simple? The Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords were refined as sets of magic treasures and there isn’t enough Auric Essence to refine another set. Even if I were to refine another two flying swords to replace those that were missing, I wouldn’t be able to easily control them and they wouldn’t be able to form the Aureate Sword Formation either. I will have to recover the swords that were lost.”

  Silvermoon worriedly said, “Although Master’s cultivation has risen, the Elder Devil still isn’t an opponent that you can fight.”

  Han Li’s eyes flickered and he sat down once more. He solemnly said, “I know perfectly well. Unless I am completely certain of victory, I will not act blindly. I will only seek out the devil after I open the Heavenvoid Cauldron or refine the Sevenflame Fan.”

  “Youngster Han, don’t forget my great puppet.” Monarch Soul Divergence’s voice suddenly appeared in his mind, “Although the Elder Devil may be formidable, if you can gather enough materials to refine my puppet, it should be more than enough to defend you.” He seemed displeased that Han Li made no note of his puppets.

  Han Li faintly smiled when he heard this.

  “Since Senior spent so much effort on designing this puppet, I will trust it to be exceptional, especially given the rare materials needed to refine them. However, Senior never mentioned the puppet refinement process. How can I rely on it?”

  Monarch Soul Divergence snorted and proudly said, “Don’t goad me. Before you gather together the materials for my puppet, I won’t reveal even a sliver of information about it to you. However, I will say that the puppet will be just as formidable as I was in my prime. Keep that in mind.”

  “No less powerful than you in your prime?” Han Li felt shocked by his words and an expression of disbelief appeared on his face.

  “What? You don’t believe me?” Monarch Soul Divergence’s voice turned cold as if annoyed.

  “Let alone believe, I fear even Senior is only guessing their level of power since you’ve only developed the puppet in theory.”

  As expected of his temperamental nature, Monarch Soul Divergence instantly let out a laugh and said, “Those words are reasonable, but with my knowledge, how could I mistaken the power of the puppet that I’ve designed? You don’t need to worry on this point.”

  Han Li paid him no further attention and walked towards his secluded room.

  Although he would be attending the ceremony the next day, he wanted as much of the final strands of Celestial Ice Flames as soon as possible. Afterwards, he would need even more time to refine his newly acquired materials so that he could later refine two of his Nascent Soul stage puppets.

  During his time in Devilfall Valley, he had seen the malevolent ghost puppets that Daoist Heavencrystal had controlled. While they weren’t able to last long against the Elder Devil, their true strength was on par with a common early Nascent Soul cultivator, an admirable display. With that thought, Han Li entered the secluded room as he grabbed onto his newly acquired storage pouch.

  ...

  On the morning of the next day, Han Li and his senior martial brothers joined together and made their way towards the Hundred Possibilities Pavilion.

  Because three sects all used the same mountain range, it didn’t take long before the three arrived at the Hundred Possibilities Pavilion on the other side of the Dreamcloud Mountains. On the way, Han Li recalled that he had previously gone there once before when he was still assuming the identity of a low-level disciple and participated in the three sects’ Sword Trial Assembly [1]. He found the memory to be quite funny.

  Just as the three flew out from the Drifting Cloud Sect’s grand formation, they were met by three Core Formation cultivators that were respectfully standing by. When they saw the three appear, they flew towards them.

  “We pay our respects, Seniors. We were awaiting your arrival under orders of our Martial Uncles.” The one who spoke was the old man who stood at the three’s front. He saluted them, followed by the two other middle-aged cultivators at his side.

  Senior Martial Brother Cheng smiled and calmly said, “There is no need for Martial Nephews to be so polite. Go ahead and lead the way.”

  Han Li looked at the old man and offered a mysterious smile.

  Just as it so happened, the old man was Old Man Fu who presided over the Sword Trial Assembly. Since cultivators had sharp memories, it was guaranteed that he recognized Han Li, but he didn’t reveal this in the slightest.

  He may only be a Core Formation cultivator, but his wits were quite keen.

  Chapter 866: The Yin Yang Pagoda

  Under the guidance of Old Man Fu, Han Li and the others tread past the Hundred Possibilities Pavilion’s
grand formation and entered the sect. Unlike last time where they descended to a plaza surrounded by mountains for the Sword Trial Assembly, they instead arrived at the large platform built on the side of the mountain.

  At the center of this platform was a five story stone pagoda about three hundred meters tall. The mountain behind the pagoda reached up beyond the eye could see and was densely filled with holes. Occasionally, Hundred Possibilities Pavilion disciples would dart in and out of them like bees.

  Old Man Fu didn’t lead them to the pagoda. Instead, he brought them to the top of the mountain.

  As they flew past the mountain, Senior Martial Brother Cheng gave Han Li an introduction, “The mountain depths is a top grade reservoir of Earth Lung Fire. Not only is it far more efficient for tool refinement, but it is also incredibly beneficial for cultivators with fire-attribute techniques. As a result, many of their high-grade disciples actually construct cave residences deep inside it.”

  Han Li felt his heart stir when he heard this and his face revealed a pensive expression.

  In the blink of an eye, they flew over three thousand meters high and eventually arrived at a huge isolated cave. It clearly wasn’t somewhere a low-grade cultivator could travel. Apart from two old men, there were no other cultivators waiting to receive them.

  When the three landed at the cave’s entrance, a red-haired dark-skinned old man called out to them, “Brother Cheng! Fellow Daoist Lu! I’ve been waiting for quite a while. I hope you two haven’t taken offense that I haven’t personally gone out to welcome you. And this must be Fellow Daoist Han! He is as young as expected. His future prospects are boundless.” After a brief look at Han Li, he shouted out with alarm, “Yi! Fellow Daoist Han has already entered mid-Nascent Soul stage?” The shriveled old man with a stern face also revealed an expression of shock.