Chapter 1678: The Guanghan Instrument

Although Han Li was greatly surprised that this Mahayana existence bestowed him with a rare treasure upon their first meeting, he naturally wouldn’t refuse it. After storing the treasure, he secretly pondered the reason behind the other party’s action.

Qian Jizi and the others were also taken aback by this scene, exchanging glances in astonishment.

They had expected the young man surnamed Weng to say something more to Han Li, but instead, the youth leaned back and fell silent.

Qian Jizi was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, smiling at Han Li and saying, “Fellow Daoist Han, to receive a treasure from Venerable Weng is truly a stroke of immense fortune. With this treasure protecting you, you should be safe in the Guanghan Realm. However, time is running short. Let me first introduce you to your companions for this journey.”

“Then I shall trouble Venerable Qian,” Han Li replied respectfully.

“First, let me introduce Fairy Yue. Like you, she is also one who has activated a Guanghan Order and will lead another team into the realm. Although the chances of your teams being teleported to the same area are slim, should you encounter each other inside, you must support one another,” Qian Jizi said, pointing to a woman nearby dressed in blue palace attire with an unusually pale complexion.

“So it’s Fairy Yue!” Han Li turned to examine her but couldn’t immediately discern her race. He smiled and clasped his hands in greeting.

Fairy Yue gave Han Li a faint nod in return, saying nothing.

“This is Shi Kun of the Stone Cocoon Tribe, whose defensive abilities are among the best in your group. Next to him are Feng Xiao and Yun Teng, twin brothers from the Green Tribe, skilled in joint combat…” Qian Jizi proceeded to introduce each of the standing peak Void Refinement cultivators one by one.

Qian Jizi didn’t delve into detailed introductions, offering only a few brief words about each person, so the entire process was completed swiftly.

Among these individuals, some remained expressionless toward Han Li, a seventh-tier cultivator, while others appeared indifferent. Only a handful responded with smiles.

This was hardly surprising. They were all ninth-tier upper tribesmen, most of whom were on the verge of breaking through to the Saint Tier. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been selected for this mission. Why would they pay much attention to a foreigner two tiers below them? Even if this person had been personally praised by the young man surnamed Weng.

They likely assumed it was merely due to some unique cultivation technique Han Li possessed. Many of those standing there seemed to think so.

Noticing this, Qian Jizi frowned slightly.

While others might not know, he was aware that Han Li had once single-handedly slain several cultivators of the same tier. Although he couldn’t guarantee Han Li’s techniques surpassed everyone else’s, his strength should rank within the top three of this group.

Han Li, however, appeared unperturbed, nodding politely to each of them.

Among the group were the disciples of Cai Liuying and Duan Tianren.

Shi Kun of the Stone Cocoon Tribe was Duan Tianren’s disciple, while the cloaked woman, as Han Li had just learned, was named “Liu Shui’er.”

“Originally, a single Guanghan Order could only transport thirteen people into the Guanghan Realm via the teleportation array. However, after improvements by several array masters from our race and the Crystal Tribe, it can now accommodate fifteen. Thus, all thirty of you present can enter. Now that introductions are done, I’ll divide you into teams. Those whose names I call will follow Fairy Yue, while the rest will accompany Fellow Daoist Han. Mo Sha, Feng Xiao…” Without further ado, Qian Jizi began calling out names.

In moments, the group was split into two, each standing behind Han Li or the blue-robed woman.

Though Han Li appeared calm, he couldn’t help but wonder inwardly.

He wasn’t sure what methods Cai Liuying and Duan Tianren had used to persuade Qian Jizi, but Liu Shui’er and Shi Kun had indeed been assigned to his team. Yet the two remained composed, as if meeting Han Li for the first time.

It seemed he would truly have to venture into the forbidden ruins of the Guanghan Realm.

Once the teams were finalized, at Qian Jizi’s signal, another unfamiliar Saint Tribe elder stood up and began briefing Han Li and the others on the taboos and cautions within the Guanghan Realm.

Although Han Li and the rest had heard this information multiple times through other channels, they still listened attentively, not daring to let their minds wander.

After the elder finished, Qian Jizi waved his sleeve, releasing a shimmering white radiance that materialized fifty to sixty treasures of varying sizes in the air before them.

These treasures included rings, golden bowls, small banners, staffs, and more—a dazzling array of items exuding potent auras. Notably absent were the more common flying swords and daggers.

Everyone stared at the floating treasures, their eyes wide with astonishment and suspicion.

Some turned to Qian Jizi, lips moving as if to ask questions. But before they could speak, Qian Jizi laughed and said, “What are you waiting for? These treasures were retrieved from the city’s secret vaults and are bestowed upon you to ensure your success. Each can be used without refinement, but you may only take one. The rest will be reclaimed by me.”

Hearing this, the group was momentarily stunned before erupting into joy.

Many immediately began reciting incantations or reaching out to claim their desired treasures.

Several of the most powerful auras attracted multiple contenders. For a time, the treasures shimmered with multicolored lights, swaying uncertainly in the air as their eventual owners were determined by sheer force.

In moments, nearly half the treasures had been claimed, though a few individuals still hesitated, scrutinizing the remaining items.

For them, while powerful auras indicated formidable treasures, weaker auras didn’t necessarily mean inferior utility. Sometimes, a treasure that complemented one’s cultivation technique could amplify its effects exponentially.

Han Li was among those who hadn’t yet claimed a treasure, but he didn’t wait long. With a flash of blue light in his eyes, he reached out toward the air.

Above one treasure, a cyan glow appeared as a large hand materialized and grabbed downward, transforming into a stream of cyan light that rolled toward Han Li.

As the light dissipated in his grasp, it revealed a shimmering blue jade fan, its surface engraved with a picturesque mountain. A strange coldness emanated from it—a treasure of icy attributes.

Han Li smiled faintly in satisfaction, but then, sensing something, he calmly looked up to see Fairy Yue gazing at him, her eyes fixed on the blue jade fan in his hand.

Noticing his gaze, she averted her eyes back to the remaining treasures. She, too, had yet to claim one.

Han Li’s lips curled slightly, his eyes flickering with thought.

Eventually, Fairy Yue selected a ruler-like treasure, white and misty, also exuding a cold aura.

Once the last person had claimed their treasure, Qian Jizi waved his sleeve, and the remaining items vanished into his robe in streaks of light.

“Time is almost up. Go and prepare yourselves,” Qian Jizi instructed after consulting with the young man surnamed Weng.

With that, the hall erupted into motion as everyone began filing out.

Standing in the plaza outside the hall, Han Li glanced up at the sky, where the sun blazed brightly overhead—it was noon.

His gaze then shifted to the two massive arrays nearby, where over a hundred armored guards stood ready with array disks and flags. The densely packed spirit stones embedded in the arrays had begun emitting faint glows.

Everything was in place, awaiting the final moment.

But Han Li’s eyes narrowed as he focused on a spot above the center of one array.

There, floating in the air, was a head-sized orb of light, its surface shimmering with five-colored radiance. Within it, something seemed to stir.

Han Li’s expression shifted slightly. With a brief mental probe, he recognized it as the Guanghan Order he had inadvertently activated. However, the five-colored orb appeared to be suppressing it, rendering him unable to control it for now.

At that moment, Qian Jizi and the others emerged from the hall, pausing at the entrance to gaze at the sun overhead, their eyes gleaming.

“The timing must be precise. Bring out the Guanghan Instrument,” Qian Jizi commanded the nearby guards.

“Yes!”

Several guards immediately transformed into streaks of silver light, darting back into the hall.

Moments later, they returned, straining to carry an enormous object—a massive green bell over thirty feet tall, its surface adorned with over a dozen lifelike dragon-head statues, lending it an air of profound mystery.

With a thunderous crash, the “Guanghan Instrument” was placed heavily in the center of the plaza, shaking the ground.

Qian Jizi raised an eyebrow and formed a hand seal, sending a white incantation flying into the bell, where it vanished.

The bell’s surface erupted with radiant light as countless green runes emerged. The dragon-head statues writhed as if coming to life before settling back into stillness, leaving only the mysterious runes flickering intermittently.

Everyone, including Han Li, studied the instrument intently, though none could decipher its secrets.

Qian Jizi and the other elders paid it no further mind, conversing among themselves. Strangely, the young man surnamed Weng had not exited the hall.