In the cultivation world of the Yue Kingdom, located in the central region of Tiannan, conflicts have been frequent over the past few centuries, with few prolonged periods of peace.
Initially, the six major sects of Yue were defeated by the demonic path, followed by infighting among the demonic sects vying for control of Yue, ultimately won by the Ghost Spirit Sect. However, a century ago, the Beast Taming Sect took advantage of the Ghost Spirit Sect’s weakened state after the battle at the Fallen Demon Valley, suddenly allying with several other sects to force the Ghost Spirit Sect out of Yue.
Today, Yue is divided among several sects led by the Beast Taming Sect, which naturally claims nearly half of the kingdom’s spiritual veins and mines. Among them is a spirit stone mine hidden deep within a great canyon, now under the Beast Taming Sect’s control.
Originally rich in spirit stones, the mine has been exhausted after centuries of relentless excavation by the six Yue sects, the Ghost Spirit Sect, and the Beast Taming Sect, leaving it in a semi-abandoned state.
Now, the Beast Taming Sect only stations two low-level Qi Condensation disciples to guard the mine, with no other cultivators present.
That day, the two disciples were casually discussing sect matters at the mine entrance when, unnoticed by them, a figure in green silently infiltrated the underground using earth escape techniques, emerging in a hidden cavern deep within the mine.
From start to finish, the two disciples remained completely unaware.
A flash of yellow light revealed the figure—a plain-faced young man. Glancing at an empty corner of the cavern, he allowed a faint smile to curl his lips.
This was none other than Han Li, who had traveled all the way from the Xi Kingdom.
A month prior, upon emerging from seclusion, he had not seen Nangong Wan, whom he had missed. Unlike Han Li, she had ventured out multiple times during her century-long seclusion to temper her mind through travels across Tiannan.
By the time Han Li emerged, Nangong Wan had already re-entered seclusion years earlier to continue her cultivation. Though disappointed, Han Li refrained from disturbing her, merely sending a message talisman to inform her of his impending journey before meeting with Lü Luo and Liu Yu of the Falling Cloud Sect.
The two were overjoyed to see him. Over the years, under their leadership, the Falling Cloud Sect had flourished, becoming one of Tiannan’s major sects. Moreover, the woman from White Phoenix Peak, surnamed Song, had successfully formed her Nascent Soul, becoming the sect’s fourth Nascent Soul cultivator.
Han Li was pleased but surprised to learn that, after years of searching, Song had found a disciple with naturally powerful spiritual sense a decade prior. Due to Han Li’s seclusion, the disciple had been training independently within the sect. Reportedly, the youth possessed dual spiritual roots and excellent aptitude.
Intrigued, Han Li summoned the disciple—a slender, delicate-looking teenager of sixteen or seventeen. Testing the boy’s spiritual sense confirmed its extraordinary strength, nearly double that of his peers. More importantly, the youth, named Shi Jian, displayed a steady and honest temperament, greatly satisfying Han Li.
Without preamble, Han Li asked if Shi Jian would accept him as a master. Recognizing Han Li’s status as Tiannan’s foremost cultivator, the boy eagerly kowtowed in acceptance.
Han Li laughed heartily, taking Shi Jian to the Mother-Child Peaks, where he established a cave for the youth on a subsidiary peak and gifted him a copy of the Great Development Treasure Scripture. While insisting Shi Jian master the Great Development Art, Han Li allowed him to choose other techniques from the scripture at his discretion.
He also left ample elixirs for the Qi Condensation disciple and assigned Tian Qin’er, another disciple under his tutelage, to guide Shi Jian’s training.
Despite her Dragon Chant Physique and intermittent cultivation, Tian Qin’er had reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage over the past century, thanks to the elixirs provided by Han Li’s humanoid puppets. It seemed she might yet achieve Core Formation, as Han Li had predicted.
With Shi Jian’s acceptance, Han Li fulfilled a promise made long ago to the Great Development Sage—to find a successor for his legacy. Once Shi Jian reached Core Formation, Han Li planned to equip him with powerful treasures and send him to the Far West to claim leadership of the Thousand Bamboo Sect, inheriting the sage’s mantle.
Meanwhile, Mu Peiling, residing on another subsidiary peak, had advanced to late-Core Formation after mastering the Moon Veiling Sect’s secret techniques under Nangong Wan’s guidance. Though diligently cultivating to attempt Nascent Soul formation, Han Li held little hope for her success, as such breakthroughs often required unique opportunities beyond mere effort.
After settling sect affairs and his cave’s arrangements, Han Li departed the Cloud Dream Mountains for Yue without delay.
News from Ling Yuling suggested the Star Palace was struggling against the Inverse Star Alliance, prompting her urgent plea for aid via a long-range talisman. Han Li had no intention of arriving too late to help.
Now, he stood once more in the underground cavern housing the ancient teleportation formation. Though he had destroyed it upon his last return, he had memorized its exact layout. Reconstructing it in its original position would allow him to return to the Chaotic Star Sea.
With only two Qi Condensation disciples guarding the mine, a simple concealment spell sufficed to evade their notice.
Han Li retrieved his storage pouch, releasing a white mist that deposited a pile of materials—mostly rare stones and spirit jade—onto the ground. Next, he summoned formation flags and disks, which he dispersed around the cavern with a wave of his sleeve.
White fog soon filled the cavern, masking Han Li’s activities. To any outsider, the cavern would appear empty.
Within two days, a pristine ancient teleportation formation stood in the corner. After verifying its functionality with a test activation, Han Li stepped onto the formation.
Before departure, he hesitated, then released twelve four-winged frost centipedes from a spirit beast pouch. Chanting an incantation, he shrank them to palm size, whereupon they encased themselves in ice.
Twelve crystalline ice spheres formed, which Han Li embedded underground with threads of green light. These centipedes, equivalent to seventh-grade demon beasts, would guard the formation against even Nascent Soul cultivators.
Satisfied, Han Li activated the teleportation formation, vanishing in a flash of white light.
——
Dizzy and disoriented, Han Li materialized on a distant island, its secrecy intact since his last visit.
Exiting the formation, he slashed backward without turning, severing the formation with a golden blade strike.
Expressionless, he strode from the stone chamber. Moments later, a green streak shot into the sky from the island, vanishing into the horizon.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage