Chapter 1225: Traveling Far Once More

Liu Yu felt a surge of excitement in her heart!

If Han Li truly advanced his cultivation once more, her status would undoubtedly rise even higher, bringing her untold benefits.

To be honest, having tasted the allure of power, it was unlikely she could ever return to a life of quiet cultivation. After all, the deference she now received—not just from fellow cultivators of her rank but even from ancient monsters at the Nascent Soul stage—was something she had grown quite accustomed to.

Moreover, she was well aware of her own limitations. After failing to break through to the Nascent Soul stage multiple times, she had completely abandoned any hope of forming a Nascent Soul and instead devoted herself wholeheartedly to assisting Lü Luo in managing the affairs of the Falling Cloud Sect.

Even if the Great Dao eluded her, she refused to fade away quietly into obscurity. Thus, the rapid expansion of the Falling Cloud Sect in recent years was, in no small part, the result of her tireless efforts.

This, in turn, earned her Lü Luo’s deep satisfaction, and he increasingly delegated more authority to her in daily affairs.

However, when the Falling Cloud Sect delegation arrived outside the Twin Peaks, they were blocked by a layer of restrictive barriers.

Watching as the spiritual clouds high above began to rotate, forming a massive funnel that slowly descended toward the Mother Peak, Liu Yu grew anxious and immediately sent a voice transmission through the barrier.

Moments later, the mist blocking their path churned and parted, revealing a passage. Without hesitation, the group transformed into streaks of light and flew inside.

As soon as they emerged from the mist, they saw Mu Peiling standing at the exit.

She held a yellow ritual flag in her hands, waiting calmly for their arrival.

“Greetings, Elders. Sister Nangong has been waiting nearby for some time. Please follow me,” Mu Peiling said politely, stowing the flag and gesturing toward a nearby subsidiary peak.

Hearing this, Lü Luo and the others naturally had no objections and immediately flew toward the indicated peak.

At the summit, Nangong Wan stood in pristine white robes, untouched by dust, like a celestial maiden from the moon palace. However, her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, and she merely nodded lightly at Lü Luo’s arrival before turning her gaze back to the massive, shifting spiritual clouds in the distance, her eyes flickering with emotion.

Beside her stood two other cultivators—a man and a woman—Tian Qin’er and the male disciple named Shi Jian.

Both had successfully formed their Golden Cores decades earlier. Tian Qin’er, in particular, had consumed a Beauty-Preserving Pill, locking her appearance at that of a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old maiden. Thus, despite the passage of time, she still looked as youthful as ever.

After paying their respects to the Song woman and Lü Luo, the two stepped back behind Nangong Wan, their expressions reverent.

“Elder Nangong, is Junior Brother Han attempting to break through to the Deity Transformation stage?” Lü Luo couldn’t help but ask, a trace of excitement flickering across his face.

“Only a breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage could produce such a grand phenomenon. However, this celestial sign has persisted for some time now, and it doesn’t seem to be going smoothly,” Nangong Wan replied softly, her eyes betraying her concern.

“Not going smoothly? But Junior Brother Han has already summoned such an astonishing celestial phenomenon!” Lü Luo exclaimed in surprise.

“If the spiritual clouds in the sky could descend and merge with my husband’s essence, the breakthrough would be halfway to success. But the clouds are struggling to descend—a sign that he hasn’t yet mastered control over the world’s spiritual energy. This suggests the breakthrough may not succeed,” Nangong Wan explained, her tone measured and analytical.

The others listened intently, then turned their gazes back to the sky. Indeed, the glowing spiritual clouds repeatedly attempted to descend onto the Mother Peak, only to be repelled by an invisible force each time, unable to fully merge.

Lü Luo’s heart sank, but he had no time for further questions. He could only stare unblinkingly at the distant spectacle.

Though the Song woman remained silent, the flickering light in her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. The other cultivators, too, harbored mixed emotions, but none dared speak freely in the presence of two Nascent Soul Elders.

Suddenly, the undulating spiritual clouds in the distance trembled violently, emitting an eerie hum. Then, with an earth-shaking boom, the massive cloud mass exploded, scattering multicolored spiritual light before vanishing without a trace.

Simultaneously, the clusters of spiritual energy that had been converging toward the Mother Peak dissipated into nothingness, accompanied by a faint, sorrowful sigh emanating from the peak.

In an instant, the Twin Peaks returned to their usual tranquility.

Nangong Wan’s face revealed a trace of regret. But then, the Song woman spoke first: “Clearly, Senior Brother Han was halfway through the gates of Deity Transformation, only to fall short at the last moment. But it’s no matter. Given his astonishing cultivation at his current age, it’s only a matter of time before he succeeds.”

“Indeed. For Junior Brother Han to produce such a phenomenon on his first attempt, breaking through to Deity Transformation is inevitable,” Lü Luo agreed, though his tone carried a hint of disappointment.

“While that may be true, my husband is exceedingly cautious. He wouldn’t attempt this breakthrough unless he had exhausted all avenues for further cultivation. Without some unforeseen opportunity, repeated attempts may prove futile,” Nangong Wan said after a moment of silence, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Lü Luo and the Song woman knew this well. Their earlier words had been mere comfort, and now they fell silent.

Just as Liu Yu was about to voice her own regrets, Han Li’s clear voice suddenly rang out from the Mother Peak. Though soft, it reached everyone as if he were standing right beside them.

“Wan’er, Elder Lü, Junior Sister Song—since you’ve arrived, please join me in my cave abode. My attempt at Deity Transformation has failed, and I may need to leave the South Sky for a time. There are matters I must discuss with you. Oh, and bring Liu Yu as well.”

“Elder Lü, Junior Sister Song, let us go together,” Nangong Wan said after a brief pause, her expression calm as she gestured toward the Mother Peak.

Lü Luo and the Song woman exchanged glances, then nodded. Along with Liu Yu, they transformed into streaks of light and shot toward the peak.

Tian Qin’er and Shi Jian, not summoned by Han Li, couldn’t hide their disappointment but had no choice but to remain behind with the other Golden Core cultivators, awaiting their return. Without orders from Nangong Wan or the other Elders, none dared leave. Only after the Song woman and the others had vanished into the Mother Peak did the Golden Core cultivators begin whispering among themselves.

A few who were acquainted with Shi Jian and Tian Qin’er approached them eagerly to chat.

Though both had reached the Golden Core stage, Han Li’s strict orders had kept them secluded on the Twin Peaks for most of their time, so they welcomed the chance to converse with others.

Nangong Wan and the others remained in Han Li’s cave abode for several hours, with no sign of their return.

The cultivators on the subsidiary peak grew restless, speculating about what major matters their Elders could be discussing…

Three months later, a streak of azure light shot out from the Falling Cloud Mountain Range, vanishing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Days later, news spread from the Falling Cloud Sect that Grand Elder Han had left the sect once more, embarking on another journey.

As for his destination or the duration of his travels, no one could say for certain.

Though the news surprised some, few were overly shocked. Rumors of Han Li’s failed attempt at Deity Transformation had already circulated half a month earlier, reaching nearly every major and minor sect in the South Sky.

For those sects that had secretly feared Han Li, this news brought a sigh of relief.

Though Han Li was already the foremost cultivator in the South Sky, achieving Deity Transformation would have extended his lifespan to over two thousand years—an unbearably long time for any ambitious sect to endure under his shadow.

With his breakthrough attempt having failed, Han Li’s departure seemed only natural. If secluded cultivation alone wouldn’t suffice, seeking external opportunities was the logical next step—though the chances of success were slim. Otherwise, none of the South Sky’s three great cultivators would have remained stuck at the late Nascent Soul stage for centuries.

The higher-ups of these sects weren’t particularly concerned.

That said, aside from Han Li, only two late Nascent Soul cultivators remained in the South Sky.

The Grand Elder of the Nine Nations Alliance, Wei Wuyi, had passed away over a century earlier. However, his death had been concealed by his sect, the Transformation Intent Sect, until recent years. This was one of the most shocking events in the South Sky in recent memory, causing significant upheaval within the Nine Nations Alliance and leading to a reshuffling of power among its sects.

When Han Li emerged from seclusion and heard the news, he sighed deeply.

Though Wei Wuyi had been but a step away from Deity Transformation, that single step had barred him from the Great Dao forever.

A truly lamentable fate!

Yet this only strengthened Han Li’s resolve toward immortality.

For him, without the art of eternal life, all his current power and achievements would be fleeting—no matter how earth-shaking his abilities, they would ultimately amount to nothing.

He refused to accept such an end.