Han Li was just about to speak when he suddenly heard the voice transmission from Qing Yi the Confucian Scholar.
“Han Li, I have never taken a disciple in my life, and I don’t have much time left before my great limit. If you are willing to become my disciple, all my legacy, magic treasures, and everything else will naturally be passed on to you. Such an opportunity is not something you can come across just anywhere.” Qing Yi’s voice was filled with temptation.
Even though Han Li knew full well that the other party’s words were likely exaggerated, he couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart. However, before he could give it much thought, a deep voice sounded in his other ear—this time from the Ancestor of Extreme Yin.
“Kid, I don’t care what conditions that old freak Qing has offered you, but I must remind you. That old freak is a rogue cultivator, always a lone wolf. Apart from occupying a desolate island, he has no external possessions to speak of. Even if he promises you everything, you won’t gain much in the end. My Extreme Yin Island, on the other hand, is different. Not only do we have numerous cultivators and a powerful influence, but as my personal disciple, your authority on the island would be beyond your imagination. Whether it’s beautiful female cultivators as maidservants or rare materials for alchemy and artifact refining, I can let you choose as you please. I’ve noticed you’ve been quite close to Zi Ling of the Mystic Sound Sect—do you have some interest in her? That’s easy to handle! If you become my disciple, I can capture her and bring her to Extreme Yin Island to serve as your dual cultivation furnace. Are you satisfied now?” The Ancestor of Extreme Yin was very direct, laying out numerous conditions that made Han Li swallow the words he was about to speak.
But that wasn’t all—Xuan Gu’s voice also chimed in.
“Han kid, if you become the disciple of my rebellious apprentice, we can then wait for the right opportunity to eliminate him. Don’t forget, I am the only one who knows the formula to refine the Ninecurl Spirit Ginseng into pills. You’d better do as I say, or else…” The threat in Xuan Gu’s words was unmistakable.
Hearing this, Han Li rolled his eyes inwardly. These three were all scheming with their own agendas, and if he wasn’t careful, he would be the one to suffer.
If he had to choose one to become a disciple under, his own inclination would be to choose the Confucian-robed elder. Although this elder had little to offer him, at the very least, there were no messy entanglements or complicated relationships. It would be a clean and simple arrangement, free from all these disputes.
As for the pills, beauties, and cultivation techniques promised by Extreme Yin, Han Li didn’t pay them much mind. The offer of Fairy Zi Ling left him utterly speechless.
But now, with Xuan Gu’s voice transmission, Han Li had to consider things carefully. Forming a Nascent Soul was his next goal on the path of immortality. Although it still seemed a long way off, he absolutely had to get his hands on that pill formula.
Thinking this, Han Li closed his mouth and lowered his head in contemplation, weighing the pros and cons.
After a moment, his expression shifted several times before he finally looked up and gave a reply that disappointed the Confucian-robed elder but greatly pleased the Ancestor of Extreme Yin.
“I have long heard of the great reputation of Extreme Yin Island. I would like to ask Senior Wu for guidance in the future.”
“Excellent, Han Li! For now, I will take you as a nominal disciple. Once we return to Extreme Yin Island, we will hold a formal ceremony. This Profound Yin Ring is one of a set of ancient treasures I obtained in my early years. Every one of my personal disciples carries one. It serves both as a token and a protective treasure. Keep it safe!” Knowing to strike while the iron was hot, the Ancestor of Extreme Yin immediately took off a black-gray ring from his finger and tossed it to Han Li.
Han Li caught it with some surprise and examined it carefully.
The ring was about the size of an ordinary ring, but it was covered in ancient patterns and engraved with mysterious runes. It faintly emitted a blue-green glow, clearly no ordinary object.
Han Li felt a surge of joy, but then he heard Xuan Gu’s mocking voice in his ear.
“Profound Yin Ring? That rebellious apprentice really knows how to erase all traces of my existence. This is clearly one of the Yin-Yang Rings, an ancient treasure I bestowed upon him back in the day. He’s even changed its name. Hmph! Don’t celebrate too soon. Although this Yin Ring does have protective and offensive capabilities, it is countered by a Yang Ring he carries. If you try to use it against him, you’ll only be seeking your own death.”
Hearing this, Han Li showed no outward reaction. On the surface, he respectfully thanked the Ancestor of Extreme Yin, but inwardly, he couldn’t help but sigh. Staying by the side of someone as cunning as the Ancestor of Extreme Yin required his utmost vigilance. Otherwise, with one misstep, he would surely face misfortune.
Now, he could only pin his hopes on Xuan Gu truly having a way to kill Extreme Yin. Otherwise, would he really have to join Extreme Yin Island and obediently become the old monster’s disciple?
Moreover, even if he genuinely wanted to be a good disciple, it was uncertain whether the Ancestor of Extreme Yin would sincerely accept him. Whether he would turn on him immediately afterward was still up in the air. Han Li didn’t dare to truly rely on this “thigh” for support.
For now, he could only take one step at a time and see how things unfolded. After all, his strength was inferior to theirs.
Although he had long been aware of the law of the jungle in the cultivation world, this feeling of powerlessness was something he hadn’t experienced since forming his Golden Core.
In the past, even when he found himself in extremely dangerous situations, he always had the strength to fight back. But now, if he were to confront any of the Nascent Soul cultivators in the Void Palace, he would undoubtedly be killed.
This made him wonder if he was truly fated to attract misfortune. Out of mere curiosity, he had followed Xuan Gu to investigate the secrets of the incomplete map, only to inexplicably find himself surrounded by Nascent Soul cultivators and targeted by them.
Han Li resentfully mulled over these thoughts, unable to vent his frustrations. Instead, he had to put on an excited and happy facade.
Seeing that Han Li had accepted the Profound Yin Ring and was treating him with respect, the Ancestor of Extreme Yin was extremely pleased. After discussing with the elder nearby, he instructed Han Li to follow him back.
Since almost an entire day had passed, if they didn’t hurry to the great canyon, they might miss the chance to enter the Path of Ice and Fire forever. Thus, after storing away the Bloodjade Spider, the group took to the skies and flew toward the horizon.
Along the way, the Ancestor of Extreme Yin spoke amiably with Han Li, proactively pointing out some mistakes in his cultivation. Han Li genuinely benefited from the advice and couldn’t help but sigh at the stark difference between having guidance and cultivating alone.
However, Wu Chou, who was nearby, couldn’t hide his displeasure at the scene. Though he tried to conceal it, Han Li caught a glimpse of intense hostility in his eyes.
Han Li understood but pretended not to notice, paying it no mind.
The four of them flew at an extremely fast pace. Within a few hours, they arrived before a massive mountain thousands of feet tall.
The mountain was towering and perilous, entirely composed of blue-black boulders. The peak was split cleanly down the middle as if by supernatural craftsmanship, the fissure extending all the way to the mountain’s base, forming a natural great canyon.
What was even more bizarre was that the split in the mountain was clearly demarcated by red and blue lights, each covering half of the mountain. From a distance, it looked utterly eerie!
At the entrance to the great canyon below the mountain, over thirty cultivators in various attires sat quietly, all with solemn expressions as if waiting for something.
Extreme Yin and his group slowly descended among the crowd.
With a quick sweep of his eyes, Han Li noticed the black-robed enchantress Yuan Yao was also among the crowd.
However, when she saw Han Li mingling with Nascent Soul-stage demonic cultivators like the Ancestor of Extreme Yin, she was visibly shocked. When Han Li glanced her way, she nervously turned her head away, avoiding his gaze.
Han Li was slightly taken aback but quickly understood something. Without a word, he averted his eyes and looked elsewhere.
He didn’t see Fairy Zi Ling or the young male cultivator among the others. It seemed they had chosen not to challenge the “Path of Ice and Fire” and had instead returned to their original location.
Although the cultivators sitting here wore serious expressions, each appeared calm and extraordinary. Most were also more advanced in cultivation than Han Li, with the majority at mid Core Formation stage, if not late Core Formation. Only six or seven, including Han Li and Yuan Yao, were at the early Core Formation stage, but even they seemed confident and unflustered.
After surveying the scene, Han Li frowned slightly. None of the other Nascent Soul cultivators were present—Extreme Yin’s group was the first to return. As he pondered this, the Ancestor of Extreme Yin found a favorable spot and sat down cross-legged. Wu Chou automatically took a seat beside him and began meditating.
“Han Li, rest here beside me for a while,” the Ancestor of Extreme Yin said to Han Li with a kindly masterly demeanor.
Although Han Li had no desire to be near the old monster, he had no choice but to comply under the other’s gaze. He stepped forward and sat down on the other side of the Ancestor of Extreme Yin.
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