Meanwhile, Hai Daoshao listened with shining eyes, finally understanding the true peculiarity of his spiritual root within his body. Unable to contain himself, he asked, “Master, I now grasp a bit of what you said about the rarity and difficulty of cultivating a Hidden Spiritual Root. But why are only certain types, like the Hidden Thunder Spiritual Root, valued so highly? Is there something else special about them?”
“You’re quite sharp to pick up on the most crucial point,” Han Li replied slowly. “Leaving aside the Hidden Dark Spiritual Root—which is even rarer than your Hidden Thunder Spiritual Root, with only one recorded case—your Hidden Thunder Spiritual Root, though it makes cultivating spiritual power several times harder than for ordinary cultivators, grants you a unique ability. Those with this root, once they master the Way of Thunder, become one of the few in the world capable of assisting others in resisting heavenly tribulation.”
“Assisting others in resisting heavenly tribulation?” Before Hai Daoshao could react, Qilingzi gasped in astonishment. As a cultivator, he understood the weight of Han Li’s words far better than Hai Daoshao, who was primarily a body-refiner.
“Indeed. That’s why, even though Hidden Thunder Spiritual Root cultivators are difficult to nurture, as long as there’s even a sliver of potential for them to reach high-tier cultivation, most sects will spare no effort to cultivate them. However, if one lacks the potential to reach high-tier mastery, even a rarer Hidden Dark Spiritual Root holder would be deemed unworthy of investment. As for why I took you in, first, your physique and spiritual root make you suitable for my dual cultivation method of body and spirit. Even during periods when your spiritual root is inactive, you can still train in body-refining techniques, ensuring no time is wasted. Second, I myself have some knowledge of the Way of Thunder and can impart it to you. Should you ever achieve mastery, you could assist me during my tribulation. Even a slight reduction in the burden could determine my success or failure in overcoming it.” Han Li spoke frankly, not concealing part of his motive for taking Hai Daoshao as a disciple.
“If Yue Tian ever achieves mastery, I will spare no effort to assist Master in overcoming the heavenly tribulation!” Hai Daoshao immediately bowed deeply to Han Li, his tone solemn and resolute.
Han Li chuckled lightly. “No need to take it too seriously. I’m merely hedging my bets. By the time you could assist me, who knows how many years will have passed? Such unpredictable matters cannot be forced. The main reason I took you both as disciples is because your temperaments align with mine, and I believe fate destined us to have this master-disciple bond. Though, back when you two kept calling me ‘Brother Han’ all the way here, I certainly suffered quite a loss.” He nodded, then suddenly relaxed and laughed.
At this, Hai Daoshao and Qilingzi could only exchange awkward, sheepish grins.
“Alright, it’s time to set off. I’m quite curious about the other fellow cultivators of my rank whom I haven’t met yet. Moreover, I’ve heard that some non-human races might appear at this auction. If that’s the case, I’d like to see for myself which race would travel so far to come here.” Han Li’s smile faded as he spoke in a serious tone.
“Yes, Master!” the two replied promptly.
With a nod, Han Li led them out of the hall.
Once they exited the Welcome Immortal Palace via the teleportation array, faint spiritual lights could be seen flickering in the distance. Squads of armored guards patrolled the low skies, while farther away, shadowy figures moved about. However, anyone who approached within ten miles of the palace was promptly intercepted by the guards.
Clearly, the previously restricted Nine Immortals Mountain had now been opened to outsiders.
Without a word, Han Li flicked his sleeve, releasing a burst of azure light that enveloped Hai Daoshao and Qilingzi before lifting them into the air.
Though Nine Immortals Mountain had a no-fly restriction, it was meaningless to a Body Integration cultivator like Han Li.
The patrolling guards, seeing that Han Li had emerged from the Welcome Immortal Palace, paid him no mind, as if he were invisible.
Han Li and his companions transformed into a streak of azure light, shooting toward the direction of Feixian Peak.
From their elevated vantage point, they could clearly see the once-serene mountain range now teeming with humans and demons. Though not quite shoulder-to-shoulder, the slopes were densely packed with moving figures.
Particularly around the structures designated for the grand event, crowds of both races had gathered. The areas near the nine peaks were even more densely packed.
While Hai Daoshao and Qilingzi watched with fascination, Han Li, having attended countless such gatherings, felt no excitement. After a brief glance at the scene below, he soared past without a second thought.
Within half an hour, a towering peak tens of thousands of feet high came into view—Feixian Peak, the tallest of the Nine Immortals Mountain.
The patrols here were far more numerous than elsewhere, and some rode blue-furred flying wolves, marking them as elite Thunder Guards.
When Han Li’s azure light was still about seven or eight miles from the peak, several Thunder Guards intercepted him.
“Esteemed senior, we are under orders to inspect your invitation,” said the leader, a tall elder who remained seated on his giant wolf but clasped his hands respectfully.
Han Li swept his gaze over them and, without a word, flicked his sleeve, sending a golden streak toward the elder. The elder caught it—a golden invitation verifying Han Li’s identity.
Despite being a body-refiner, the elder somehow deciphered the hidden information on the invitation with a mere touch. “Ah, Senior Han! My apologies for the earlier offense. Are you here for the auction? If so, allow me to personally escort you to the Ten Thousand Treasures Hall.”
“Very well. Lead the way,” Han Li replied indifferently.
The elder acknowledged, gestured for the others to continue their patrol, and guided Han Li toward the summit on his giant wolf.
True to its name, Feixian Peak was extraordinarily steep, with no discernible path from base to summit—an impossible climb for mortals. Yet for cultivators, such obstacles were trivial.
Some mighty figure had conjured vast seas of clouds at the mountainside and summit, connected by rainbow-hued bridges spanning hundreds of feet, seamlessly merging the two realms.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Hall lay within the summit’s sea of clouds.
From afar, Han Li could see majestic pavilions and towers rising amidst the mist, with verdant greenery peeking through. The sound of flowing water and birdsong lent an air of ethereal beauty, as if stepping into a celestial paradise.
Though Han Li had heard tales of Feixian Peak’s wonders, witnessing it firsthand still stirred awe in him. Hai Daoshao and Qilingzi were utterly enchanted.
Other cultivators were also converging from all directions, though most couldn’t fly freely like Han Li. Instead, they gathered at the mountain’s base, boarding flying boats that ferried them to the summit, where they entered the sea of clouds via the grand bridges.
Body Integration cultivators like Han Li, arriving independently, were rare—only a handful could be glimpsed before vanishing into the clouds.
Han Li was guided by the elder to a secluded entrance above one of the palaces, where a dozen guards and several attendants stood watch. Ahead of them, a middle-aged man in brocade robes was conversing amiably with a black-robed woman.
Though only her back was visible, the woman’s tall stature and commanding presence suggested someone accustomed to wielding great authority. Behind her stood a young woman in purple, about seventeen or eighteen, with an oval face and an air of serene elegance.
While not stunningly beautiful, her ethereal grace was mesmerizing, drawing involuntary glances from the guards and attendants despite her evident status.
The purple-robed girl, unfazed by the attention, listened with a gentle smile as the brocade-robed man and the black-robed woman spoke.
Han Li’s gaze briefly lingered on the girl before shifting to the other two, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
With a flash of azure light, he descended near the entrance with Hai Daoshao and Qilingzi.
At such close proximity, the attendants, guards, and the conversing pair immediately noticed and turned.
Now, Han Li could see the black-robed woman’s face clearly—arched brows, phoenix eyes, a delicate nose, and cherry lips, the very image of a noble beauty.
Yet upon recognizing Han Li, she froze, then cast an odd glance at the purple-robed girl, her expression turning peculiar.
The girl, upon seeing Han Li, briefly lit up with joy, her eyes shimmering with an unreadable emotion before she quickly composed herself.
“Oh? This fellow Daoist seems unfamiliar. Might you be the recently ascended Han Li?” the brocade-robed man inquired after a quick sweep with his spiritual sense, his tone polite.
“And you are…?” Han Li clasped his hands, cautious but curious.
“I am Peng Jue, deputy city lord of Xuanwu City and overseer of this event for the human race. It’s an honor to welcome another Body Integration cultivator to our ranks!” the man replied warmly.
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