The screen was a map that was six meters tall and over thirty meters wide. Silver specks of light lit up on it, along with a few numbers on occasion. There was also an azure-robed middle-aged man that was standing in front of it with a smile.
Han Li swept his spiritual sense past it and discovered that the cultivators standing in the hall were all at Nascent Soul-stage. As for the azure-robed man, he was a Deity Transformation-stage cultivator.
Suddenly, a skinny old man walked up to the azure-robed man and bowed before handing over an iron plate shining in black light and a storage bracelet.
The middle-aged man took a glance at the iron plate and the storage pouch and flipped his hand with a nod. The storage pouch disappeared and he handed the iron plate back to the old man.
The old man’s spirits immediately trembled. He grabbed the plate and approached the huge math and lightly waved it. Suddenly, a black line shined from its surface and it wrote “2” on one of the silver specks. The speck of light blurred and the number suddenly changed to “3”.
Afterwards, the old man immediately withdrew.
After the time it took to finish a cup of tea, over a dozen people approached the azure-robed man and gave him either an item or some spirit stones. Most of the time, the middle-aged man nodded and gave them a sign on the mark, but there were a few times where he would shake his head and the rejected person would only withdraw dejectedly.
Han Li soon discovered that the huge map displayed the various spirit veins in Deep Heaven City. The deeper the azure light in an area and the greater the number that appeared, more contested the claim of the land. There was even an azure light near some green parts of the map that had an astonishing number of twelve.
When Han Li saw this, he stroked his chin and he remembered what Zhao Wugui said.
It appeared he would have to vie with others for a suitable cave residence.
Suddenly, a clear voice spoke from behind Han Li, “Senior, are you looking for a suitable spirit land to establish your cave residence?”
Han Li slowly turned around with a calm expression.
He saw a slender beautiful woman that was politely standing to the side. Her cultivation was only at Foundation Establishment stage, but it was to be expected given her maid attire.
“That's right, but I’m still looking for a good place. I’m not very satisfied with the spirit mountains here.” Han Li calmly replied.
“Senior must be a Deity Transformation-stage cultivator. The first floor is only for black-armored guards. Senior should head to the second floor,” the girl said with a smile.
“How did you know I was a Deity Transformation-stage cultivator. You shouldn’t be able to tell with your cultivation.” Han Li’s heart trembled and a cold glint lit up from his eye.
“There is no need for Senior to be surprised.” The girl immediately lifted her hand and revealed a palm-sized plate with silver rune characters flashing from it, “Although this Junior’s cultivation is low, I possess a spirit pressure plate. Unless there is a Senior hiding their aura, I can see their cultivation."
Han Li looked at the plate and felt a bit of a headache.
It was unknown if those human elders have acquired imperial records relating to tool refinement or if their comprehension in this field had reached a stage where they can utilize these understandings in the city.
Either way, this seemed to smash his initial understanding of common conventions. He would have to pay more attention.
If he was caught unaware during a crucial time, some problems would occur.
Of course, none of these thoughts were betrayed by his face. He simply nodded at the girl and had her lead the way upstairs.
There were far fewer people on the second floor, but it appeared far more decorated. Although many areas were set up on the screen, there were simply five people calmly having a seat as they closely examined the map on the screen.
To the side of the screen, there was a large purple-robed man lazily sitting there.
Han Li swept his spiritual sense past the large man and his expression changed. He was an early Spatial Tempering cultivator. As for the people that were studying the map, there were Deity Transformation-stage cultivators like himself. Each of them had a fair maid dressed in similar robes. All of them were exceptionally beautiful and at Foundation Establishment-stage.
Han Li took a deep breath and saluted the large purple-robed man in the distance. Then he followed one of the maids to one of the chairs.
Like the others, the girl stood behind Han Li in a deferential manner.
Han Li glanced at the others and saw they were looking at the green areas on the map.
It appeared they were the mountain ranges in Deep Heaven City. But there were far fewer silver characters on the map than downstairs. Most of them only said 1 or 2. At most, there were several that said 4, but that was only for one location.
Han Li muttered to himself for a moment, and he waved to the maid behind him. He said, “I’m not too familiar with the spirit lands near here. Can you give me an introduction?”
“Yes, Senior. This map contains the three mountain ranges in the city. The central mountain range, the Jade Rapid Mountains have the most abundant spiritual Qi. This is where most Deity Transformation-stage seniors live. Furthermore, they also have many particular spirit medicines that grow there. This time, there are two Deity Transformation-stage Seniors that hadn’t survived their tribulation, and there is one that also reached the end of this lifespan. According to the rules, their residences have been made available. Many fight for them. The other area is the Heavenly Sound Mountains. Many Deity Transformation-stage cultivators live there as well but the spiritual Qi isn’t as abundant as in Jade Rapid Mountain. As for the Jade Sound Mountain, it is a place that was originally meant for Nascent Soul cultivators. It has recently been opened for use to Deity Transformation-stage Seniors, but I fear it may not be very suitable for you. However, there are very few cave residences placed on the mountain. If Senior wishes to have a large stretch of land exclusive to himself, that may be the better choice.”
“So it was like that!” Han Li slowly nodded and he took another look at the screen.
The maid tactfully stood back behind Han Li and couldn't help but take another glance at Han Li.
Han Li only appeared to be in his twenties, but he was already a Deity Transformation-stage cultivator. Although she had seen many Deity Transformation cultivators during her time in the Jade Fault Pavilion, seeing one so young had piqued her curiosity.
Suddenly, a wealthily dressed fat man boldly stood a few steps forward and raised an embroidered box and an azure jade pendant. He respectfully brought it up to the large azure-robed man and said, “This Junior recently acquired a talk of Silver Immortal Grass at four thousand years of maturity. Can Senior decide if I have the qualifications to choose a spirit land?”
“Even with one of four thousand years, it will be difficult. Let me take a look.” The large purple-robed man spoke casually and raised his hand to take the pendant and the box.
When he opened the box, he found a sparkling silver light that released a refreshing medicinal scent.
Even as someone well versed in medicinal plants, when Han Li smelled it, he couldn't help but concede its quality.
The large purple-robed man narrowed his eyes and examined the medicinal plant for a long while before reluctantly saying, “Four thousand years? It seems to be lacking a few hundred, but I’ll let it go. It’ll qualify.”
Chapter 1320: Fight for the Spirit Land
The fat man let out an inward sigh of relief and thanked the purple-robed man with a smile. He used the jade pendant on a speck of light that said ‘4’.
The number that said ‘4’ was touched by the pendant’s azure light and it blurred to a ‘5’.
This was a location in the Jade Rapid Mountains, the place with the densest spiritual Qi.
When the other sitting cultivators saw this, their expressions vastly
changed. A few of the others had a similar idea to him and now had no choice but to take a change of plans.
Because the fat man was a late Deity Transformation-stage cultivator, his cultivation and words seemed to weigh down on the other cultivators.
Now that the fat man had chosen, he returned to his own seat and wanted to see what the others would pick.
Because of his choice, the remaining cultivators eventually stood up to make their choice, both taking an area at Heavenly Sound Mountain, one without any people and one with.
Once those two made their selection, they immediately headed down.
The remaining cultivators each frowned as if unable to come to a decision.
At that moment, Han Li suddenly stood up and walked to the purple-robed man.
The other cultivators were faintly startled.
After all, Han Li had only recently arrived, so it was unexpected for him to quickly come to a decision.
Han Li stroked his storage bracelet and took out a white jade box into his hand. Then with a smile, he handed them to the large purple-robed man with his own jade pendant.
The purple-robed man didn’t immediately take the jade box. Instead, he glanced at Han Li and said, “I heard there was a newly ascended cultivator that arrived in the city. Are you that fellow surnamed Han?”
“Senior is well informed. That is me.” Han Li’s heart trembled, but he showed none of his shock on his face.
“In that case, this should be the first time you’ve picked a cave residence. You won’t need to pay a price and can choose a spirit land.”
“Many thanks, Senior!” Han Li’s face blanked and he quickly withdrew the jade box with a smile.
When the cultivators heard that Han Li was a newly ascended, they glanced at him with an odd expression.
It seemed newly ascended cultivators were a special existence in the city.
The large man quickly examined Han Li’s pendant and gave it back to him with a nod.
Han Li didn’t hesitate and waved his pendant over an uninhabited area.
The azure light passed through it and marked the area with ‘1’.
An uproar was raised when they saw the area Han Li chose.
The area Han Li picked was an area on Jade Rapid Mountain with the most inferior spiritual Qi.
It wasn’t strange for a Deity Transformation-stage cultivator to choose that mountain range, but there were other areas on the mountain range with no one as well. Han Li instead choose the most unremarkable area with the least spiritual Qi. This left them bewildered.
The spirit land’s sole benefit was that to make up for the land’s deficient spiritual Qi, they gave a larger plot of land to make up for it. The land spanned thousands of kilometers, several times in size compared to the other spirit lands on the mountain range.
But everyone knew that the quality of the land was directly related to the amount of spiritual Qi on the land. No matter how wide the land may be, the medicine and ores would certainly be lacking. It is even worse for the cultivator in question.
In the purple-robed man’s surprise, he glanced at the man for a long while and frowned, “You truly chose that as your cave residence. You should know this selection can’t be changed for a hundred years.”
Han Li calmly answered, “I’ve only arrived in the spirit realm. I want to place to stay for the time being, I don’t wish to fight over space with other Fellow Daoists. Although the area is lacking, there is no one else there.”
The purple-robed man then glanced at Han Li with an odd expression and waved his hand. With his originally lazy voice, he said, “If those are your thoughts, then so be it. In any case, after you mark it, no one else will be able to change it.”
Han Li saluted him without further concern and returned to his seat, planning on staying a while longer.
Then, another cultivator stood up and selected the same area as the large purple-robed man.
But then, footsteps clapped and someone entered the second floor unattended by a maid.
When the cultivators on the second floor saw this person, their expressions all changed. The fat man with the largest cultivation, on the other hand, looked at him with bright eyes and he called out, “So it was Fellow Daoist Weng! I didn’t know you were interested in contesting spirit lands!”
The person who entered was a blue-robed man with a headband. He had sharp slanted eyebrows, giving him a menacing impression.
He glanced at the fat man and smiled, “Hehe, If Brother Jin has come to change his cave residence, then so can I.”
This person was a mid-Deity Transformation stage cultivator, but he spoke to the late-stage fat man with a friendly tone. This caused Han Li’s heart to stir and take another look at the blue-robed man.
After all, at this stage of cultivation, every difference in grade signified a vast disparity in power. Of course, those like him that possessed spirit treasures, created heavenly flames from devouring spirits, and practiced heaven-defying abilities like Divine Essensefused Light were the exception.
Since the blue-robed man acted so familiarly with the late-stage cultivator, he should belong in this category.
“Little Brother Weng must be joking. You hold a top grade spirit land. What would you exchange it for.” The fat man stroked his chin and wore a trace of confusion.
“Hehe, I’ve been recently cultivating a secret technique that doesn’t need too much spiritual Qi. I require a larger area, or it will be difficult to cultivate. I'm going to change it for the time being.” The blue-robed man replied with a shock.
“So it was like that,” the fat man said with understanding, but it was unknown if he truly believed him.
When Han Li heard the two talk, he frowned for a brief moment.
The blue-robed man took several steps to the purple-robed man and saluted him, “I pay my respects to Martial Uncle Jiao. My master sends his regards.”
“From that old eccentric’s rotten character, why would he say that? Nevertheless, you master hide from six greater tribulations already. I fear he won’t be able to hide from the seventh, the large man said with a cold laugh.
When the blue-robed man heard the purple-robed man’s reply, he wore an embarrassed expression, but he soon answered, “My master has been secluded for two hundred years. He is preparing to forge a spirit treasure that can withstand the next calamity.”
“A spirit treasure? It seems your master’s luck is quite good. Last time, he had his spirit treasures destroyed to withstand the tribulation and he managed to gather enough materials for another. In that case, your master does have a chance at surviving the next one. Alright, enough of that. I am on duty. Quickly make your choice.” The purple-robed man’s expression sank and he said no further.
“As you wish. The blue-robed man quickly swept his gaze past the man, and looked at several areas with a number and his expression sank.
“Someone actually chose such a remote area on Jade Rapid Mountains.” Not daring to ask the purple-robed man any questions, he turned to the fat man and pointed at an area on the map, “Brother Jin, you’ve been here a while. Do you know who chose that place?”
When the fat man saw where he pointed, an odd expression appeared on his face and he unconsciously glanced in Han Li’s direction.
The blue-robed man quickly understood what the fat man’s face meant. He promptly turned around and closely examined Han Li.
When he saw Han Li’s cultivation was only at early-stage, he wore an arrogant expression and he coldly said, “so you’re the one who chose the spirit land!”
After a moment of silence, Han Li replied, “And you also want it.”
The blue-robed man snorted and eerily said, “My secret technique can only be cultivated in a suitable place. If you’re smart, you’ll renounce your claim. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless in our fight.” His threat was clear to see.
Han Li remained silent.
In order to avoid a fight, he intentionally picked an area
with sparse spiritual Qi. He wanted to avoid provoking any problems as he only had interests in cultivating. He didn’t want to make any enemies that would disturb him.
He completely didn’t expect this plan to backfire and have someone come knocking on his door. Han Li found this matter to be truly laughable.
With blue light shining from his eyes, he took a quick glance at the others.
The large purple-robed man still lazily sat in his seat and had yet to raise his eyes. It appeared he didn’t really care. As for the other cultivators, they looked at him with schadenfreude.
“Senior, if I renounce my choice, will I be able to pick another area.” Han Li calmly asked the purple-robed man.
“You cannot. There are only so many spirit lands. Everyone will only have one opportunity to fight for it. If you lose, you’ll have to contest an empty land in another hundred years.” He replied expressionlessly.
When Han Li heard this, he sighed.
To delay the maturation of his spirit medicines and creation of spirit pills for a hundred years was something he found intolerable.
To the side, the blue-robed man sneered and said, “Even if you have to wait a hundred years, you’ll be able to pick another area. But if you don’t listen to me, hehe...’
When Han Li heard him, he raised his brow and smiled.
“I will not agree to your request. From the way I see it, it’d be best for you to look for a different area to cultivate. I don’t wish to injure you. If I were to make a mistake...”
Han Li spoke casually, and although he only finished half his sentence, his blunt words were extremely obvious.
The spectators were stunned.
Chapter 1321: Unexpected Trouble
Han Li was only at the early-Deity Transformation Stage, and he had been feigning weakness this entire time, so his words naturally came as quite a surprise to everyone.
Even the perpetually expressionless purple-robed man turned to Han Li with a hint of surprise on his face.
A cold light flashed through the eyes of the man with the sharp eyebrows.
A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality c1-2248 Page 735