“Senior Brother, have you forgotten the Kunwu Mountain demon calamity and the Small Extreme Palace beast rebellion over two hundred years ago? If I’m not mistaken, Han Daoyou personally participated in both of these major events that shook the world at the time and played significant roles,” Yan Zhu said calmly.
“Kunwu Mountain, Small Extreme Palace? Could this person be the one the Yin Luo Sect and Small Extreme Palace have been investigating?” The silver-robed monk was startled upon hearing this and immediately scrutinized Han Li with a peculiar gleam in his eyes.
“After so many years, someone still remembers my past deeds. What, do you gentlemen intend to capture me and hand me over to those two factions?” Han Li remained exceptionally composed, as if he had anticipated Yan Zhu’s accusations.
“Haha, Brother Han must be joking. Although the Yin Luo Sect and Small Extreme Palace are powerful, what does that have to do with our Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion? Why would we do something so thankless? However, Brother Han’s reputation has long been thunderous in my ears. It’s said that the Yin Luo Sect’s Elder Qian and Small Extreme Palace’s Frost Li the Transcendent both perished at your hands. Is this true?” The plump elder’s smile stiffened slightly as Han Li openly admitted to his past.
“There were other reasons behind those events. As for Elder Qian and Frost Li, even if I denied it now, I doubt you’d believe me,” Han Li replied with a faint sneer.
“I heard Brother Han was only at mid-Nascent Soul stage back then. If the rumors are true, you managed to slay two great cultivators at that level. Now that you’ve advanced to late stage, your abilities must be even more earth-shattering. This humble monk would very much like to exchange pointers with you,” the silver-robed monk said gravely after several changes in expression.
“Master Yuanzhi, there’s no need for this! Since Brother Han sincerely wishes to purchase the method for refining pocket dimensions, our pavilion isn’t entirely unwilling to negotiate,” Can Ku hurriedly interjected, appearing alarmed by the monk’s words.
It seemed that upon learning Han Li was the mysterious cultivator who had once shaken the Great Jin for an extended period, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s leader had a change of heart and no longer wished for his guest elder to engage with Han Li.
“Brother Can Ku need not dissuade me. Even without the matter of pocket dimensions, I must exchange techniques with Brother Han. Having lingered at late-Nascent Soul stage for so long, I wish to spar with fellow cultivators to see if I might gain new insights. If Brother Han is truly as formidable as the rumors suggest, I certainly won’t miss this opportunity,” the silver-robed monk declared, fixing his gaze on Han Li.
Hearing this, Can Ku’s face fell, and he immediately began signaling Yan Zhu with his eyes.
“Patron Can need not worry! If it’s merely an exchange of techniques, nothing untoward will befall Master Yuanzhi or Brother Han. In truth, this humble monk is also curious to witness the great divine abilities from the South Heaven,” the young monk said with a smile.
The plump elder could only sigh in resignation.
“You know of my origins?” Han Li’s expression darkened upon hearing Yan Zhu mention the South Heaven.
“Brother Han needn’t be surprised. While your background may seem mysterious to ordinary cultivators, it’s hardly difficult for the top ten orthodox and demonic sects to trace. Did you truly believe the Yin Luo Sect and Small Extreme Palace couldn’t discover your roots? They merely feign ignorance out of fear of your power. After losing a great cultivator and several Nascent Soul elders, they’re too busy fending off other covetous factions to trouble you further. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have enjoyed such peace in the South Heaven these years,” Yan Zhu explained leisurely, as if reading Han Li’s thoughts.
“That may be so. While I can’t speak for other sects, the Yin Luo Sect likely knows my origins. However, unless this concerns the pocket dimension method, I’ve no interest in casual sparring with fellow late-stage cultivators—unless Brother Can Ku promises that if I happen to best Master Yuanzhi, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion will trade the refining method,” Han Li said, his expression easing slightly.
The silver-robed monk glanced at the plump elder in surprise.
After a moment of internal struggle, the pavilion master’s face cleared, and he replied with a smile, “Since Brother Han is so confident, how could I refuse? If you truly gain the upper hand against Master Yuanzhi, there’s no harm in sharing our pocket dimension refinement secrets.”
He agreed without hesitation.
“With Brother Can Ku’s word, I’ll gladly experience Master Yuanzhi’s divine abilities. Truthfully, I’ve long been curious about Buddhist esoteric techniques. I hope the master won’t disappoint,” Han Li said with a chuckle, rising to his feet decisively.
At this, the Golden Core cultivators lining the hall stirred with excitement, some unable to conceal their anticipation. Yan Zhu stood silently with an inscrutable smile, while the silver-robed monk’s refined features took on a fierce edge.
“Given your abilities, this hall is too confined for proper sparring. Why not move outside? The flight restrictions surely won’t hinder either of you,” Can Ku suggested, glancing around.
“Agreed,” the monk nodded.
“As you wish,” Han Li replied indifferently.
The group exited the hall, returning to the entrance. While the others remained grounded, Han Li’s body shimmered with azure light as he transformed into a green streak shooting skyward. Simultaneously, white lotuses bloomed beneath the monk’s feet, lifting him gracefully into the air.
Soon, the two hovered dozens of yards apart above the Heavenly Mechanism Hall.
After studying Han Li, the monk suddenly chanted a Buddhist invocation, his face glowing faintly gold.
Observing this, Han Li’s lazy demeanor vanished. “Rumors name Master Yuanzhi as a Vajra Protector of Buddhism. Could you be practicing the legendary King of Brightness Mantra?”
“You’re surprisingly knowledgeable about Buddhist arts. Indeed, this is the technique I cultivate. I look forward to your guidance,” the monk replied proudly after a moment of surprise.
Clasping his hands, he began chanting Sanskrit syllables as silver sigils floated from his robes. His skin turned golden, resembling an incarnated arhat.
Though Han Li’s expression remained neutral, inwardly he was alert. These signs indicated the monk had reached the fourth layer of the King of Brightness Mantra, granting him a body rivaling magical treasures in durability. Ordinary flying swords would likely shatter against his bare hands.
However, if this was the extent of his opponent’s power, victory was assured.
Without a word, Han Li flicked his sleeve, releasing dozens of golden flying swords that transformed into foot-long streaks of light swirling before him. With a spell incantation and a finger point, the sword rays trembled and multiplied sevenfold, becoming hundreds of identical blades. Their golden radiance filled half the sky like dazzling waves, an awe-inspiring spectacle.
The spectators below, including Can Ku, paled at the sight. The sheer number of sword lights alone would overwhelm most Nascent Soul cultivators.
Unfazed, the monk raised both hands, revealing a crimson staff and emerald prayer beads that materialized in flashes of red and green light.
As Han Li formed a hand seal, the golden sword rain surged forward like a tidal wave.
“Excellent!” the monk roared, hurling his staff which transformed into a crimson flood dragon that charged into the golden tempest. His prayer beads expanded into a green protective canopy around him. Then, with closed eyes and rapidly shifting hand seals, he began preparing an esoteric technique.
The crimson flood dragon thrashed violently within the golden storm. Remarkably, despite being struck by hundreds of sword lights simultaneously, the staff-turned-beast held firm, its red glow clashing fiercely with the golden radiance.
“Ten-thousand-year Fire Coral,” Han Li murmured in recognition. While his swords, enhanced with Essence of Gold, were peerlessly sharp, a few materials in the mortal realm could withstand them—this being one. Rarer than Essence of Gold itself, the monk’s staff must contain a substantial amount to resist such an assault.
Undeterred, Han Li directed most sword lights to bypass the flood dragon, streaking toward the monk while a smaller contingent kept the crimson beast occupied.
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