“There’s no helping it. That Zhang fellow said one of the new recruits is a rare cultivation prodigy, having already reached the third layer of the Vajra Art at such a young age. He insisted I come take a look,” the old man coughed lightly, his wrinkled face trembling as he spoke.
“The third layer of the Vajra Art! This person?” The green-robed girl was startled, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Xiang’er, don’t be rude. Quickly invite the Daoist and Elder Fu inside,” the blue-robed girl said after a momentary flicker in her gaze.
“Oh, my apologies, Xiang’er was being impolite,” Xiang’er quickly realized her mistake upon the blue-robed girl’s reminder and stepped aside to let the two outside enter.
The Daoist named Nan Qizi smiled faintly and entered without hesitation. Elder Fu, however, sighed before leisurely shuffling into the carriage.
Outside, the sky had already darkened, yet the convoy continued to move forward swiftly, showing no signs of stopping.
“This must be the person Captain Zhang mentioned,” the Daoist said without preamble, his gaze sweeping briefly before settling on Han Li.
“Indeed, it is me. Brother Zhang must have invited you here, but I’m afraid my condition is beyond your help. A few months of quiet meditation should suffice for my recovery,” Han Li replied calmly.
“Heh, since you’ve already reached the third layer of the Vajra Art, your abilities are likely no less than mine. However, cultivators and body refiners like you differ in some ways. Perhaps I can be of assistance, sparing you those months of bedrest,” Nan Qizi said lightly, unperturbed by Han Li’s words.
A flicker of surprise crossed Han Li’s face.
Though his divine sense couldn’t extend beyond his body to accurately gauge the other’s cultivation, through close proximity, he could vaguely discern that this Daoist was at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Back in the human realm, any cultivator who stepped into the path of immortality tended to regard mortals as ants. Even Qi Condensation cultivators would disdain interacting with mortals. Yet here in the Spirit Realm, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was speaking so politely to a mortal. This felt strange and unfamiliar to Han Li.
It seemed, as the avatar of the Tianlan Sacred Beast had said, mortals in the Spirit Realm held significant power, to the extent that even cultivators dared not slight them.
With these thoughts in mind, Han Li nodded with a smile and said courteously, “Since you put it that way, I’ll trouble you then, Daoist.”
Seeing Han Li’s agreement, Nan Qizi smiled slightly and raised his hand, revealing a faint cyan ring on his wrist. With his other hand, he touched the ring, and a yellow bronze mirror appeared in his palm.
Han Li’s heart stirred at the sight.
This seemed to be a storage artifact, but clearly far superior to storage pouches. If even a Qi Condensation cultivator possessed such an item, it must be commonplace among Spirit Realm cultivators.
Storage pouches were likely obsolete here.
When he had dispersed his Nascent Soul, aside from the two Immortal-Slaying Thunderbolts he had hidden on his person, all his other treasures had been placed in his storage pouch, along with several spirit beast pouches, and buried deep underground.
To be cautious, he had left the spirit beast pouches open, commanding the Gold Devouring Beetles, the Six-Winged Frost Centipedes, and the Soul-Crying Beast to guard the storage pouch diligently.
As for the Earth Armor Dragon, he hadn’t brought it to the Spirit Realm at all, leaving it with Nangong Wan in the lower realm.
Currently, Han Li carried nothing but a formless Spirit Transformation Talisman and the Destruction Dharma Eye, which couldn’t be detected by others. Even the Void Heaven Cauldron and the seventy-two Emerald Swarm Swords remained in the desert.
With no spiritual power, he couldn’t wield these treasures, and carrying them would only invite disaster. Once his power was restored, he could retrieve them. The desert was desolate, and with the spirit insects guarding the treasures, there shouldn’t be any issues.
As for the mysterious green vial, after much deliberation, he couldn’t bear to leave it behind and had brought it with him.
The vial appeared ordinary; even if discovered, it would likely be dismissed as a common object.
While Han Li’s thoughts raced, Nan Qizi remained oblivious to his musings, unaware that the seemingly young man before him was actually a high-level cultivator at the Deity Transformation stage. The Daoist simply asked a few casual questions before waving the mirror toward Han Li.
A beam of cyan light shot from the mirror, enveloping most of Han Li’s body.
Nan Qizi closed his eyes, seemingly sensing something through the artifact.
After a moment, the Foundation Establishment cultivator’s face showed astonishment. After a while longer, he opened his eyes and gave Han Li a strange look.
“Well, Daoist, have you discerned anything?” Han Li asked impassively.
“You should take better care of yourself, Benefactor Han. A significant portion of your meridians are ruptured, likely due to insufficient spiritual energy during your Vajra Art cultivation or a lack of supplementary elixirs. Unlike demon beasts with their naturally robust bodies, even minor missteps in body refinement can cause our human bodies to collapse. Fortunately, you realized this early, and the damage isn’t severe—your meridians are already repairing themselves. However, such injuries are difficult to treat. I lack the appropriate elixirs, but I can write a few Calming Heart Talismans to alleviate your pain,” Nan Qizi said with a sigh and a wry smile.
“Then I’ll trouble you,” Han Li replied with a slight smile.
“Heh! Since Immortal Master Nan Qizi has already examined him, my input is likely unnecessary. But since I’m here, I might as well go through the motions. Otherwise, I won’t have anything to report back to that Zhang fellow,” the white-robed elder said indifferently.
“Benefactor Fu, you’re too modest. The Fu family’s Nine Dragons Golden Needle Technique has saved countless lives, even benefiting many fellow cultivators. I’ve long heard of its renown,” the Daoist said respectfully, bowing slightly to the elder.
“I’m just a disgraced member of the Fu family, hardly versed in the Profound Heaven Golden Needle Technique. You overestimate me, Daoist,” the white-robed elder shook his head repeatedly.
Nan Qizi chuckled lightly and stepped aside.
The white-robed elder approached Han Li, grasping one of his wrists while flicking his other hand. With a series of soft sounds, several golden threads shot out.
“Pfft, pfft”—golden needles appeared on Han Li’s body, only their tips visible, the rest embedded deep within.
Han Li, who had been unable to move at all, suddenly sat up with a jolt, though his body remained stiff as wood.
“Liu’er, fetch something to prop up his back so he can sit properly,” the elder said calmly to the blue-robed girl.
“Understood, Elder Fu! Xiang’er, bring a set of our bedding for Young Master Han,” the blue-robed girl replied obediently, turning to issue the order.
The green-robed girl named Xiang’er hesitated briefly but complied, exiting the carriage.
Seizing the opportunity, the white-robed elder sat beside Han Li, taking his pulse while swaying his head with half-closed eyes.
Han Li watched the elder silently.
He sensed a faint current of energy flitting through his body, so delicate it was almost imperceptible.
Had his divine sense not been exceptionally powerful and his awareness of his own body acute, he might not have noticed it at all.
The elder seemed to sense Han Li’s gaze and glanced over, catching the faintly amused expression on his face. The elder was momentarily taken aback.
By then, Xiang’er had returned with a silk quilt, which she promptly arranged behind Han Li without waiting for instructions.
Leaning back against the quilt, Han Li caught a whiff of its fragrant scent and thanked the girl.
Xiang’er responded with a tepid acknowledgment, her demeanor indifferent.
Unfazed, Han Li continued observing the elder’s actions.
The elder waved his hand, and another, slightly longer golden needle appeared between his fingers.
With practiced ease, he pinched the needle and began moving his arm rapidly, like a spinning wheel. Countless golden streaks enveloped Han Li’s body in an instant.
Han Li felt a slight chill at numerous acupoints as the needles pricked him simultaneously.
A tingling numbness spread through his limbs, and his fingers twitched slightly before his arms slowly rose.
Gasps of astonishment filled the carriage. The four girls looked on with admiration, while even Nan Qizi’s eyes flickered with surprise.
“Remarkable! Elder Fu’s needle technique is truly wondrous,” the Daoist said with a light laugh.
“It’s nothing, just a minor skill. I’ve merely restored some mobility to his limbs. But he mustn’t exert any force, or his meridians may rupture further,” the elder cautioned Han Li solemnly.
“My thanks, Elder Fu!”
Han Li flexed his fingers, both startled and delighted.
He had studied acupuncture in the human realm and considered himself proficient, but compared to Elder Fu’s skill, his own was like dirt to clouds. That mere needles could achieve such miraculous effects was astounding.
However, the elder’s subsequent words sobered him.
Seeing Han Li move without issue, the elder patted his body once more.
Golden light flashed as the needles shot out from Han Li’s body, only to vanish into the elder’s sleeve.
Han Li tested his legs, carefully stepping down from the bench and taking a few cautious steps.
“This is all I can do. The rest depends on your own recovery. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now,” the elder said abruptly.
Nan Qizi nodded and produced several talismans, which he sent flying toward Han Li in flashes of cyan light, vanishing into his body.
The Foundation Establishment cultivator also bid farewell and stood to leave.
The four girls escorted them out before closing the carriage door again.
Han Li sat on the chair, eyes slightly lowered as if assessing the effects of the talismans.
“Brother Han, have you truly reached the third layer of the Vajra Art?” the blue-robed girl named Liu’er asked suddenly, exchanging glances with the others.
“I was merely fortunate,” Han Li replied noncommittally, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
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