“Which sect or family do you belong to, brother?” After the youth excitedly finished observing the mist before him, he seemed to recall something and turned to ask Han Li.
From their earlier casual conversation, Han Li had learned that in the cultivation world, aside from various sects and cultivation families, there were also many rogue cultivators.
Most of these so-called rogue cultivators were either descendants of fallen cultivation families, ordinary people like Han Li who had accidentally obtained cultivation techniques and entered the world of cultivation on their own, or inheritors of nearly extinct minor sects. Their cultivation levels were generally not high, mostly lingering at the Qi Refining stage. As a result, rogue cultivators were often looked down upon by cultivation families, much like wealthy households in the mortal world disdaining the impoverished and destitute.
“I don’t belong to any family; I’ve been cultivating on my own all along!” After a moment’s thought, Han Li decided to tell the truth. After all, pretending to be from another family would be too easily exposed.
“So you’re a rogue cultivator!” The youth was somewhat surprised but showed no trace of disdain on his face. Instead, he seemed pleasantly surprised.
He excitedly circled Han Li, examining him as if he were a rare curiosity.
“Didn’t you just say that cultivation families look down on rogue cultivators? Why are you so happy about it?” Han Li asked, somewhat puzzled.
“They are them. Don’t lump our Wan Family together with other cultivation families! Our family has always been on good terms with rogue cultivators!” The youth pouted and replied proudly, clearly taking great pride in his family’s practices.
“Our Wan Family’s ancestor was originally a rogue cultivator. Later, by chance, he joined a cultivation sect and became a formal disciple of the Giant Sword Sect. That’s how our Wan Family came to be. So, in our family rules, there has always been a ancestral decree forbidding discrimination against rogue cultivators,” the youth said with a smile.
“Actually, it’s not just our Wan Family. There are other families whose ancestors were also rogue cultivators, so they hold no ill will toward them either. It’s just that these families make up a very small proportion of all cultivation families, which is why the notion that cultivation families discriminate against rogue cultivators persists,” the youth explained, shaking his head.
“I see! It seems I’m quite lucky to have met someone from the Wan Family like you right from the start.” After understanding the youth’s words, Han Li felt somewhat less guarded about revealing his status as a rogue cultivator.
“But, brother, you’ve asked so many questions about things that are common knowledge in the cultivation world. Are you also a newcomer who just started out?” The youth’s eyes lit up as if he had suddenly become clever and realized something.
Hearing this, Han Li smiled slightly, patted the youth on the shoulder, and said apologetically, “I didn’t mean to deceive you, little brother. It’s just that I’ve only recently entered the cultivation world and have some reservations.”
“No problem, I don’t mind! But, big brother, you should tell me your name now! And from now on, just call me Xiao Shan.” Wan Xiao Shan was clearly the type to easily make friends, speaking with a carefree expression.
“Hehe! I’m Han Li. I’ve indeed just entered the cultivation world recently. I hope Brother Xiao Shan can look out for me!” Han Li felt even more fond of Wan Xiao Shan, and his tone became much more relaxed.
“No problem, Brother Han! Feel free to ask me anything you don’t understand. Hehe! I never thought I’d have the chance to teach someone else!” Wan Xiao Shan said with a spirited expression.
“I’ll definitely seek your advice if I have any questions. But shouldn’t we head into the valley now?” Han Li pointed at the sky and smiled faintly.
“Ah! I almost forgot the main task.” Wan Xiao Shan followed Han Li’s finger and glanced at the sky before immediately flustering and exclaiming loudly.
After fumbling around for a while, the youth finally pulled out a talisman from his chest.
He gestured with it a few times in his hand, muttered something under his breath, and then tossed the talisman into the air. It transformed into a streak of firelight that shot into the mist and disappeared.
“Brother Han, wait a moment. This Sound Transmission Talisman will soon reach the valley, and the people inside will open the formation to let us in.” Seeing Han Li staring intently at the direction where the firelight had vanished, the youth explained.
“Oh!” Han Li nodded to show his understanding.
“Brother Han, you must have brought quite a few items for exchange on this trip to Tai Nan Valley, right? Can you tell me what you have? Don’t be shy! I’ll go first and list my things!”
“I brought a dozen low-grade blank talisman papers, two low-grade Invisibility Talismans, two low-grade Earth Escape Talismans, one mid-grade Chain Lightning Talisman, a dozen low-grade Ice Bullet Talismans, a piece of refined iron, a bottle of low-grade cinnabar, a bundle of whiskers from a three-tailed cat demon beast, some medicinal herbs…” Wan Xiao Shan didn’t seem to notice Han Li’s stunned expression and rattled off a long list of items while counting on his fingers.
“Alright! Now it’s your turn, Brother Han. Huh? Why do you look so pale, brother…” The youth blinked, looking at Han Li with confusion.
“Is it necessary to bring items to enter Tai Nan Valley?” Han Li’s expression was grim.
“There’s no such rule!” Wan Xiao Shan replied straightforwardly.
Hearing this, Han Li’s expression immediately improved.
“But since you’ve come to Tai Nan Valley at this time, you must be here for the Tai Nan Gathering. Who wouldn’t bring items? This is a trading event held once every five years specifically for us juniors in Lan Province! Especially with the Ascension Assembly taking place in Lan Province a month from now, even more people have come to attend the Tai Nan Gathering. Don’t tell me you’re not here for the Tai Nan Gathering?” The youth exclaimed in surprise, looking at Han Li with disbelief.
Han Li smiled wryly.
“Brother Xiao Shan, I truly had no idea about this Tai Nan Gathering. I just accidentally learned that there were other cultivators living here and wanted to make some connections. How could I have specially prepared any items?” Han Li spread his hands helplessly.
“So that’s how it is! What a pity, Brother Han. You’ll have to miss out on this great opportunity. Chances to obtain the materials and items you lack don’t come often.” Wan Xiao Shan wore a look of regret, sighing repeatedly for Han Li.
“Still, it’s not like I have absolutely nothing to exchange. At the very least, I still have those two talismans,” Han Li thought to himself self-deprecatingly.
At that moment, the thick mist before them suddenly began to churn. Then, as if split by a knife, it parted to reveal a path wide enough for two people to walk side by side. The other end of the path was not visible, seeming very distant.
“Alright, let’s go!” The youth happily made a funny face at Han Li and eagerly rushed in first, disappearing down the path. Han Li, however, coldly observed the path for a moment before stepping onto it steadily and unhurriedly.
The path seemed long, but after walking for only a short while, they reached its end.
As Han Li stepped out of the path, his eyes suddenly brightened. A green valley filled with exotic flowers and rare herbs appeared before him. The valley was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the only exit being the mist-covered slope Han Li had entered from.
The area was vast, covering over a hundred acres. At its center stood a large complex of palaces and pavilions adorned with carved railings and jade inlays. People dressed in strange attire were coming and going from them.
In the open square in front of the buildings, there was a spacious bluestone plaza where many people had set up small stalls along its edges, much like street vendors. In front of these stalls, one or two people would occasionally squeeze forward to take a look or ask a few questions in low voices, but Han Li didn’t see many transactions being completed on the spot.
Seeing this scene, Han Li couldn’t help but take a deep breath. This was the cultivation world. The people here were all cultivators. The sight of so many cultivators gathered in one place left Han Li feeling somewhat dazed.
Han Li shook his head slightly to clear his mind. He reminded himself repeatedly that he was about to enter a world beyond his previous imagination, a place where anyone could easily overpower him. He needed to be cautious and keep a low profile.
With this in mind, Han Li glanced back at the path that had completely vanished behind him and strode toward the plaza.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage