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

by Translator: Johnchen

  But one day, when a group of High Sun Palace disciples flew out from the Heavenpeak Mountain Range, an azure streak suddenly flashed from the top of an unknown mountain nearby. There was an azure-robed youth that stood on a huge boulder with his hands held behind his back. He was silently staring at the group of disciples from behind.

  Monarch Soul Divergence voice echoed through the youth’s mind, “Youngster Han, do you truly plan on acting against the High Sun Palace? The sect is amongst the top sects of the ten great righteous sects of the Jin Empire. It doesn’t seem wise to provoke them.”

  Han Li indifferently said, “I know, but we’ve already collected most the materials we need for the Triflame Fan. Now, we are only missing the Vast Yang Bird’s plume feather and the Scarlet Fire Flood Dragon’s scales. We already acquired information from the market city that many ferocious flood dragons have begun devouring cultivators on the eastern coast of the Jin Empire, and there seemed to be a red flood dragon amongst them. Even if it isn’t the Scarlet Flame Flood Dragon, we may as well try our luck and see if it is another fire-attribute flood dragon. As for the Vast Yang Bird, we’ve looked through all the markets in the south to find that only the High Sun Palace raised it. Where else would we get its plume feather? I have no choice but to risk provoking them.”

  “I’m not telling you that you shouldn’t steal the plume, but why don’t you deal with them out in the open instead? With your current mid-Nascent Soul cultivation and the rare treasures in your possession, they might be willing to sell it with consideration of your might.” Monarch Soul Divergence said with a chuckle.

  Han Li let out a cold laugh and said, “Stop joking, Senior. An exchange will require both sides to have nearly equivalent strength. I am only a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator and they have a late-Nascent Soul cultivator in their ranks. How could a Junior like me catch their attention? Furthermore, the High Sun Palace’s two Vast Yang Birds are considered a legacy of theirs. They wouldn’t allow me to pluck its feather and cause a great decrease in its cultivation. If I brought out lowly treasures, they wouldn’t be valuable enough to be worthy of their consideration, but if I brought out rare treasures instead, they would be tempted to kill me over it. Since I am a mere vagrant cultivator, they don’t need to give me much consideration given the scope of their power. I am not willing to risk my safety over their whims. If I were a late-Nascent Soul cultivator, I might be willing to give it a try.”

  Monarch Soul Divergence pondered in silence for a spell and said, “Your words are reasonable. However, you’ve been wandering around the edge of the mountain range for over ten days. Could it be you’re waiting for a Vast Yang Bird to fly out? But from your actions, it also seems like you’re looking for something. Just what are you planning?”

  Han Li’s eyes wavered and he smiled, saying, “It’s nothing. I’m only finding a suitable place to put down a trap.”

  “Set up a trap? Since you dared to act against the High Sun Palace, it is right to be stealthy. Tell me about your plans.”

  Han Li glanced at the heart of the mountain range and chuckled, “Wait until I find a suitable location and I’ll tell you about it in detail. They have a larger and a smaller Vast Yang Bird. I wonder which one is more suitable to trap.”

  Monarch Soul Divergence lazily asked, “What’s the point of talking about it? I hear the larger Vast Yang Bird is a grade-eight demon bird. Do you think you’ll be able to capture it in a short amount of time?”

  Han Li pondered for a moment and then nodded, “That’s right. The only reason why birds of antiquity would remain under the control of the High Sun Palace is because their intelligence is difficult to awaken and they are unable to take human form in the mortal realm. I hear the smaller of the two birds should be weaker by an entire grade so it should be easier to deal with.”

  With a regretful tone, Monarch Soul Divergence mentioned, “But if you use the plume of the grade-eight Vast Yang Bird to refine the Triflame Fan, its might would be even greater.”

  Han Li shook his head, “Forget it. Nothing in this world is perfect. It is simply too dangerous to deal with the grade-eight Vast Yang Bird. In the extra time it would take, I fear I would alarm many High Sun Palace disciples. I don’t want to repeat what happened in the Soaring Sky Plains.”

  Monarch Soul Divergence chuckled, “Yes, that sounds right. But regardless of their size, they will only occasionally fly out from the High Sun Palace. How do you plan on capturing one of the birds?”

  Han Li coldly smiled and said, “Don’t worry. I’ve already used the Dreamtear Technique on one of their disciples. Fearing that the birds would become difficult to control in prolonged confinement, the sect releases the birds every month to stretch their wings. This will be our opportunity to act.”

  “Since you already know this, there is no use for any of my advice. However, you mustn’t take too long and miss the trade fair at the Jin Empire’s capital city. It should have many materials that I’m missing for my grand puppet.” Monarch Soul Divergence warned.

  “The capital trade fair is one of the three great trade fairs in the Jin Empire and only occurs once every ten years. I wouldn’t want to miss it in any case. When this is done, I’ll hurry over to the empire capital and afterwards, we’ll have to find those flood dragons on the empire’s east shore.” Han Li said his future plans with a calm tone.

  “That will do. But nevertheless, your recent actions have earned my respect. I originally believed you would need at least four years in order to reach your current collection of materials. I didn’t think that you’d be able to effectively tackle the problem from two angles. With your hidden and open methods, you were able to gather most of the items you needed in only a single year. Tch tch, your decisiveness to act are beyond my expectations.” It was clear from Monarch Soul Divergence’s voice that he was greatly satisfied with Han Li’s methods.

  Han Li paused for a moment as his expression stirred. He then said, “I also wished to use a slower, more reliable method to look for materials, but time was limited. Although Senior’s primal soul has the support of the Soul Nurturing Wood, its effects are clearly too weak. If I wish to create your Nascent Soul-grade puppet, I’ll need to be as quick as possible.”

  After a wry chuckle, Monarch Soul Divergence helplessly said, “So you were being considerate. I knew I couldn’t hide it from you. I can only last three or four years at most. My primal soul is on the verge of scattering. But at the speed that you’re collecting materials, I have high hopes my puppet will be refined before I reincarnate.”

  After letting out a long sigh, Han Li said with a serious tone, “Ever since I’ve met Senior, you’ve helped me many times. I’m not a heartless person and I’ve committed these acts of kindness to memory. I will do my utmost to fulfill your dreams.”

  Deeply touched, Monarch Soul Divergence also let out a sigh and honestly said, “In truth, I was only helping you in self preservation. After all, if I were to fall into someone else’s hands, I feared that nothing good would come of it.”

  Han Li smiled and in a flash of azure light, his body disappeared in the wind.

  ...

  Two days later, Han Li discovered a small valley filled with peach trees. The valley was stained pink from the blooming peach blossoms that littered it.

  Han Li floated above the valley and observed it in its entirety, then releasing his spiritual sense to cover a fifty kilometer area.

  With an expression of satisfaction, he flew to the center of the peach tree forest and muttered, “Not bad, this place is quite remote and there are no High Sun Palace cultivators stationed nearby. This valley is ideal to place down a spell formation.”

  Then without another word, Han Li began to set himself to work.

  In a single breath, eight sets of various formation flags and plates were placed in the forest. Five of these formations were meant to conceal auras and isolate Qi from the outside while three of them meant to restrain the spell formation. Additionally, he plac
ed down an illusion formation, covering the true appearance of most of the forest.

  Monarch Soul Divergence viewed this with great curiosity, but barely managed to keep himself from asking any questions.

  With everything set up, Han Li went to the center of the peach tree forest and sat down cross-legged, entering a meditative state.

  Chapter 932: Vast Yang Bird

  Three days passed, and Han Li stirred awake from meditation.

  He raised his head toward the night sky and a moonlight stone appeared in his hand. He flung it into the air and sparkles of moonlight illuminated the nearby peach trees.

  Without the slightest noise, he then took out a meter chunk of red coral and tossed it down before planting Rainbow Skirt Grass on top of it.

  “This is the method that you’ve prepared?” Although he had seen Han Li feed the Gold Devouring Beetles with the grass to miraculous effect, he was very baffled to see it used now.

  When Han Li heard this question, he smiled and said, “In truth, this grass has another name — the Demonlure Grass. Senior should know what I plan on using it for."

  “Demonlure Grass? Could it be...” Monarch Soul Divergence suddenly dawned with realization.

  “That’s right. In six days, the smaller Vast Yang Bird will be released, and the grass will bloom as well, releasing its bewitching scent. When the time comes...” Han Li coldly snickered.

  ...

  Fang Chu was mid-Foundation Establishment High Sun Palace cultivator. There were nearly a thousand of his kind that could be found in the entirety of the sect. It was reasonable to say that he was an unremarkable character, but in truth, this was quite the opposite. Let alone other Foundation Establishment cultivators, even Core Formation-stage martial seniors had to treat him politely, and even when benefits arose in the palace, he would be the first Foundation Establishment disciple to be considered.

  Fang Chu’s unusually high standing in the High Sun Palace was something he was rather proud of, though this was all due to his duties as the caretaker for the sect’s smaller Vast Yang Bird.

  He possessed an innate special ability to communicate with birds, and were it not for this rare and irreplaceable talent, he wouldn’t have been assigned this task.

  After all, as the bird’s caretaker, he had a certain degree of control over it, something that was heavily valued by the sect.

  Although this was the weaker of the two sect’s Vast Yang Birds, it was still able to easily defeat late-Core Formation cultivators and directly pursue Nascent Soul cultivators. It was no wonder the bird was held with such reverence.

  Over the thirty years Fang Chu had cared for the bird, he would stay next to it at all times, even cut his cultivation time to follow after the spirit bird when it would liberate its wings, during which not a single problem arose. As this was only another routine flight, he didn’t feel the need to be worried. With the surrounding fifty thousand kilometers of the Heavenpeak Mountain Range were all under the control of the High Sun Palace, what could possibly happen?

  With those leisurely thoughts in mind, he distantly followed after the Vast Yang Bird on an early morning.

  The Vast Yang Bird was only about three meters long, but its long tail feathers made up over half of its length. From a distance, the bird appeared like a huge peacock, but there wasn’t one with such beautiful fire-red feathers.

  The bird was ecstatic. After it was released from the restrictions of the High Sun Palace, it flapped its fire-red wings and continuously flew circles in the sky to ensure no one was following it.

  With ordinary methods, Fang Chu wouldn’t have been able to conceal himself from the bird’s spiritual sense, but he was using a Qi Concealment Talisman that the sect had specially refined. As such, he was able to follow after the bird without any fear of being discovered in spite his shallow cultivation.

  When the bird let out a clear cry, Fang Chu wore a knowing smile. He had spent a long time with it and knew the Vast Yang Bird was extremely happy at the moment. After this trip, the bird would be docile for the next half month.

  As a result, the bird calmly circled the sky above the High Sun Palace for a long while before flying away.

  Fang Chu didn’t feel the slightest concern. As per its usual habits, the bird would fly a large circle around the sect before turning satisfied. As it was a leisurely flight, he could follow after it.

  But after fifteen kilometers, there was a sudden change in course.

  The Vast Yang Bird suddenly stopped in its delighted flight with a harsh shriek.

  Fang Chu was stunned when he heard this. Before he realized what had happened, he saw the bird quickly spreading out its wings and its body combusted, surrounding itself in a meter layer of scarlet flames. Several blurs later, it was already over a kilometer away.

  Fang Chu was shocked to the core when he saw this. By the time he recollected himself, he hastily took out a jade tile and poured all of his spiritual sense into it. It promptly released a strange birdsong in an attempt to call the bird back.

  The Vast Yang Bird heard it and hesitated for a moment, only to noisily caw before disappearing off into the horizon.

  When Fang Chu saw this, his face turned bloodlessly pale and he simply floated in the air, bewildered at what to do.

  But soon, he thought of something and took out a sound transmission talisman from his storage pouch before he hastily shouted something. Then, he flung the charm into the air and it streaked back in fiery light towards the direction of the High Sun Palace.

  He gritted his teeth and set off in the direction that the Vast Yang Bird disappeared in. Despite knowing that it was useless for him to pursue it, if he was waiting idly when his Martial Ancestor found him, he would be severely punished.

  As Fang Chu hurriedly gave chase, the other spirit beasts in the Heavenpeak Mountain Range let out an uproar.

  ...

  In the northern part of the mountain range, many low-grade High Sun Palace disciples were strenuously attempting to hold down the huge vultures they were riding. The riders had suddenly lost control of these low-grade spirit birds as they attempted to take off in a different direction and soon, all of them were drenched in their own sweat in their efforts to keep control of their mad steeds.

  ...

  In a hidden cave at the edge of the mountain range, there was a masked cultivator in yellow-green robes. He was holding down a black, foot-long spider with a large hand made of green light. He looked at the enraged, snarling spider with complete confusion.

  ...

  On South Heaven Peak, inside a concealed hall in the High Sun Palace, an old woman wearing purple robes was stroking the sect’s other Vast Yang Bird, an exact copy of the other bird apart from its larger size.

  It had suddenly grown restless without warning. Were it not for her excessive use of spell seals to pacify the bird, it would’ve flown out from the hall. She couldn’t help but wear an odd expression in response.

  ...

  Fang Chu used his magic power without reserve as he gave chase. The Vast Yang Bird had already disappeared without a trace, but the jade medallion in his hand was able to sense the bird’s location so long as it was within the Heavenpeak Mountain Range.

  But just after he gave pursuit, he discovered something incredibly shocking. He saw a few low-grade demon beasts emerge from well-hidden burrows and flew off in the same direction as the Vast Yang Bird with reckless abandon.

  In a short amount of time, it formed a wave of demon beasts, some of which were rarely ever seen. However, Feng Chu had nothing to fear as the sect’s high-grade cultivators had already eliminated all high-grade demon beasts from the mountain that could pose a threat to the Vast Yang Birds.

  Regardless, Fang Chu felt even more uneasy after seeing that the mountain beasts had also lost control.

  ...

  In a hidden valley, thousands of kilometers away, Han Li was sitting cross-legged on the ground. There was a chunk of coral in front of him along with Rainbow Sk
irt Grass wrapped in red light.

  At that moment, Han Li’s attention wasn’t focused on the grass, but the situation outside of the peach tree forest inside the valley.

  Several tens of low-grade spirit beasts had already gathered near the valley’s restrictions, attempting to break through with all their power for the six-leaved Rainbow Skirt Grass inside.

  Han Li was truly surprised by the number of low-grade spirit beasts in the Heavenpeak Mountain Range. However, he didn’t pay them much regard and instead closed his eyes, facing the direction of the High Sun Palace.

  He reckoned the potency of the Rainbow Skirt Grass would be enough to lure that grade seven bird over. Furthermore, its speed should be much faster than ordinary magic treasures. It shouldn’t be long before it arrives.

  Shortly after, Han Li’s calm expression stirred and he opened his eyes. With a hand gesture and a snort, he suddenly released several magic seals from his hands, activating the outermost illusion formation in the valley. A layer of white light promptly emerged from the ground and instantly concealed the forest from view.

  At that moment, the wild and savage roars could be heard along with the clear cry of a bird. A huge yellow ball of light and a scarlet fireball simultaneously arrived above the valley, clearly bewitched by the Rainbow Skirt Grass.

  When Han Li saw this, he let out a yelp and revealed an astonished expression.

  Chapter 933: Gathering Feathers

  Han Li found two overbearing presences appear in front of the valley.

  The fireball faintly contained the silhouette of a bird.

  As for the ball of yellow light, it appeared to be a demon beast rolled up in a ball. Its body was covered in a thick tough yellow hide. It was wrinkled and folded as if it were a layer of armor. And from within its fat body poked out a sharp rat’s head and a slender tail; it appeared to be a huge demon mouse variant.