After several sleepless nights of torment, Han Li gradually leaned toward the latter choice—risking it all for a chance at Foundation Establishment rather than playing it safe and forever losing his path to immortality. After all, he could never resign himself to a mediocre, uneventful life.
However, being cautious by nature, he made one final trip to the Yue Lu Hall before making his decision. There, he confirmed once again with the greedy old man that no natural spiritual medicines grew outside the forbidden land and that the Bloody Trial was as brutal as the rumors suggested. This completely shattered any last shred of hope he had for a lucky escape.
Understanding there was no way back, Han Li steeled his resolve, determined to participate in the Bloody Trial and gamble everything. Either he would find the spiritual medicines needed to achieve Foundation Establishment, or he would perish in the struggle within the forbidden land.
With this life-or-death goal clear in his mind, Han Li began preparing for the journey into the forbidden land six months later. He needed to use this short time to elevate his strength and improve his chances of survival.
Reaching the 11th layer of the Eternal Spring Art without medicinal pills was impossible. To enhance his power, his only options were to learn a few new spells and acquire some powerful talismans and magical instruments.
Learning new spells wasn’t too difficult—Senior Brother Wu surely wouldn’t refuse to teach him. But given his mediocre aptitude, in six months he could at most master two low-tier elementary spells or barely grasp one mid-tier elementary spell. High-tier spells were completely out of the question. Therefore, the fastest way to boost his strength was through talismans and magical instruments.
Speaking of magical instruments, Han Li did have a few. However, aside from the ring and small banner given by Uncle Ye, only two items seized from the yellow-robed cultivators who had once ambushed him were truly useful: a long blade that could transform into a rope and a gourd that spat out orbs capable of automatic attacks.
As for the Blazing Sun Sword and Frost Moon Blade he received upon joining the sect, these were merely the lowest-grade magical instruments with minimal flame and frost effects—utterly inadequate for serious combat.
In terms of talismans, Han Li was originally lacking. Fortunately, despite withholding quantities, Uncle Ye hadn’t cheated him on quality. He had given over a dozen mid-tier elementary talismans and two rare high-tier ones, which considerably bolstered Han Li’s confidence.
There was also that talisman with a small sword design, which Han Li still hadn’t figured out. The yellow-robed cultivator he killed had exclaimed in shock that it was a “talisman treasure,” suggesting it was something extraordinary. But as illicit loot, Han Li dared not show it to anyone. He kept the term “talisman treasure” in mind, planning to inquire discreetly about its meaning when the opportunity arose.
Of course, facing the extremely perilous Bloody Trial, these preparations were far from sufficient. So Han Li planned to leave the mountain and visit the sect’s market nearby to acquire more top-grade magical instruments and talismans.
However, without a substantial amount of spirit stones to back him up, this shopping trip would hardly be satisfactory.
Although Han Li could barely scrape together the spirit stones, he was reluctant to part with them, as they would be crucial for survival and prolonged battles in the forbidden land.
After careful consideration, Han Li decided to cultivate a few rare herbs over a thousand years old within a short time, to exchange for spirit stones or barter directly.
Actually, brewing the Beauty Preservation Pill would have been a better choice—it might even be more valuable. But the ingredients required were too numerous, and there wasn’t enough time to gather them all. Thus, trading the herbs directly was his only option.
To avoid drawing attention from others within the sect, Han Li resolved to sell the cultivated herbs only to external cultivators, never trading directly with fellow sect members to prevent arousing suspicion.
With his plan set, Han Li got busy.
First, from Wu Feng, he selected the most practical of the elementary spells: “Qi Restraining Art.” This was a mid-tier auxiliary spell that could completely counter the Heaven’s Eye Technique. As long as he wasn’t seen with the naked eye while using it, he could conceal his spiritual energy and hide effectively.
Of course, this spell would be useless against Foundation Establishment cultivators or above—it was solely a means of countering high-level Qi Condensation stage cultivators, making it far more practical than the basic Stealth Technique.
Han Li’s decision to forgo offensive or defensive spells was based on his limited combat experience. His only battle with other cultivators had shown him that there was rarely an opportunity to formally chant incantations for mid-tier spells during fights. Most relied on low-tier spells with short casting times, magical instruments, and talismans for quick attacks or defense. Thus, using talismans was more practical for employing mid-tier or higher spells in combat—unless, of course, one had companions to buy time for casting.
After obtaining the incantation for the Qi Restraining Art and learning its key techniques from Wu Feng, Han Li devoted himself to practicing it. However, as a mid-tier spell, it was entirely different from auxiliary spells like “Wind Riding Technique” or “Stealth Technique.” It was extremely difficult and awkward to learn, posing a significant challenge to master within six months.
Thus, Han Li spent his days diligently practicing the Qi Restraining Art and his nights collecting green liquid to cultivate several common spiritual herbs. To avoid detection by Uncle Ma, he timed his cultivation to avoid the elder’s herb collection visits and transplanted the herbs to remote corners of the medicine garden. After all, thousand-year herbs emitted a distinct aroma that was hard to miss.
Fortunately, Uncle Ma was always punctual—never early, never late. Each time, he came and went in a hurry, seemingly always busy. What he was so occupied with, Han Li had no interest in knowing. For Han Li, it was best if Uncle Ma remained busy, leaving him free to carry out his herb cultivation plan.
By the time Han Li had initially mastered the Qi Restraining Art, more than four months had passed.
He had successfully cultivated two thousand-year spiritual herbs. In today’s cultivation world, where even hundred-year herbs were rare, these were sure to cause a stir at the Yellow Maple Valley market.
Han Li obtained an exit token from the familiar steward at the Hundred Duties Hall and left the mountain gate.
Disciples of Yellow Maple Valley were allowed one exit per year, but as cultivators, few wasted time leaving the mountain. Thus, very few actually applied for the token.
After flying out of the mountain’s restrictive formation, Han Li headed northeast toward the market.
The Yellow Maple Valley market was quite famous, more prosperous than those of other sects. This was because Jian Zhou, where the Tai Yue Mountains were located, bordered Yuan Wu Country to the north. Since the cultivation worlds of Yuan Wu and Yue weren’t hostile, cultivators from Yuan Wu often came to trade at Yellow Maple Valley’s market, bringing many unique items not found in Yue. This unexpected boon attracted many rogue cultivators and members of cultivation families.
The market was situated at the northeastern edge of the Tai Yue Mountains. After flying for most of the day, Han Li reached his destination.
Landing nearby, he didn’t proceed immediately. Instead, he changed into a plain gray robe and concealed any items that identified him as a Yellow Maple Valley disciple, appearing as an ordinary cultivator before walking toward the market.
According to cultivation world conventions, flying was prohibited within five miles of the market. As Han Li walked, he passed many hurried pedestrians, some dressed so peculiarly that he suspected they were from Yuan Wu Country. Clearly, the market was quite popular.
As Han Li mused to himself, he arrived at the market’s entrance.
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