With a soft “pop,” the bead flashed brightly and transformed into a multicolored mist about ten feet in diameter, swiftly descending and disappearing into the stone mountain. Simultaneously, the surrounding storm, rain, thunder, and lightning vanished instantly, and everything returned to normal.
The nearby cultivators exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what to do next.
At that moment, a dragon-like roar erupted from the stone mountain, soaring into the heavens. The sky and earth seemed to tremble in response as a towering humanoid figure, about a hundred feet tall and shimmering with four-colored spiritual light, materialized above the mountain.
The figure’s limbs were massive, and its face was obscured by the intense radiance, making it impossible for anyone to discern its true appearance. The sheer majesty of the figure made it impossible for anyone to dare look directly at it. To the cultivators’ horror, the figure slightly nodded, and two piercing beams of light swept over them, causing everyone to hold their breath involuntarily.
Thudding sounds followed as some cultivators felt an immense pressure, forcing them to their knees as if crushed by a mountain, unable to rise. A few with higher cultivation managed to remain standing, but their knees trembled, and veins bulged on their foreheads, clearly struggling.
Just as the cultivators were trembling in fear and silently lamenting their plight, the colossal figure seemed to smile before dissolving into a shower of starlight, vanishing without a trace.
This spectacle left everyone dumbfounded.
Inside a quiet chamber, Han Li sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. Above his head, a miniature infant, about an inch tall and glowing with cyan light, crawled playfully atop his hair bun.
The infant, plump and fair, bore an uncanny resemblance to Han Li, though its face was filled with excitement and joy—a stark contrast to Han Li’s usual reserved demeanor.
Below, Han Li’s physical body appeared serene, his complexion rosy, as if in deep slumber.
After a while, the infant seemed to tire from its play. It yawned, and with a flash of cyan light, it vanished back into Han Li’s body through the crown of his head. Han Li stirred slightly, his eyelids fluttering before he finally opened his eyes, revealing a pair of clear, introspective pupils.
Upon waking, Han Li did not immediately rise. Instead, his face displayed a complex mix of astonishment and elation. He lifted a hand, examining it repeatedly, then reached up to touch the top of his head, his expression one of utter disbelief.
Only after the time it took to drink a cup of tea did Han Li’s excitement gradually fade, and his demeanor returned to normal.
He surveyed the chamber, stretched lazily, and finally stood up. With a flick of his finger, a beam of cyan light struck the stone door, causing it to glow and rise silently.
“Congratulations, Master, on forming your Nascent Soul!” Silvermoon, now transformed into a stunning young woman, stood guard outside the chamber. Upon seeing Han Li emerge, she bowed respectfully, her tone and address far more deferential than Han Li had expected.
“Master? It seems you’ve only now truly acknowledged me, Fellow Daoist Silvermoon. But that’s understandable. Your original cultivation was no less than mine. Had I failed to form my Nascent Soul, you’d never have submitted to me sincerely,” Han Li remarked casually, stroking his chin.
“Master speaks truly. Now that you’ve formed your Nascent Soul, you’ve joined the ranks of this world’s top cultivators, with a lifespan extending over a thousand years. Given that you’re barely two hundred years old, with a bit more fortune, I believe reaching the Deity Transformation stage is not beyond hope,” Silvermoon said solemnly, her beautiful face earnest.
“Discussing the Deity Transformation stage is far too premature for me now. Countless Nascent Soul cultivators remain stuck at the early stages, unable to progress. Don’t set your expectations too high,” Han Li replied, shaking his head impassively.
“I have great confidence in you, Master,” Silvermoon said with a charming smile, her lips curving seductively. Han Li merely gave her a skeptical look.
By now, over a thousand people had gathered around the mountain, hovering mid-air on their magical tools, whispering among themselves. Given their limited knowledge and experience, they could only speculate wildly about the celestial phenomenon they had just witnessed. Nevertheless, the event had stirred a palpable excitement among them.
Many had also noticed the herb garden Han Li was responsible for, and some had even bypassed the restrictions to inspect it. However, aside from ordinary herbs, the garden was empty, with no trace of anyone.
Among the crowd was the Mu-clan woman, who had witnessed everything with a troubled expression. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the celestial phenomenon was somehow connected to Han Li.
Just then, several streaks of light in various colors arrived swiftly. As the radiance faded, five or six Core Formation cultivators appeared, their expressions grave. Leading them was the late Core Formation elder, Feng, his face dark as water. Beside him stood the red-robed elder, the stunning Song-clan woman, and a few unfamiliar faces.
“All disciples, listen carefully. Within a ten-mile radius of this mountain is now a restricted zone. Anyone lingering nearby will be severely punished for violating sect rules,” Elder Feng declared coldly, his brows furrowing at the sight of so many low-ranking disciples.
Though filled with questions, the low-ranking disciples of the Falling Cloud Sect could only obey and disperse, leaving the area deserted.
“Disciple Mu, stay behind,” a plain-faced Core Formation cultivator suddenly transmitted a message to Elder Feng, gesturing toward the herb garden below. With a nod, Elder Feng called out to the Mu-clan woman, who had been preparing to leave.
“Disciple obeys the Elder’s command!” The Mu-clan woman turned back hastily and flew to the group of Core Formation cultivators, her face respectful.
“Disciple Mu, I hear this herb garden is under your supervision,” Elder Feng asked, his tone softening slightly.
“Yes. It’s managed by a Qi Condensation disciple named Han Li,” the woman replied honestly.
“Qi Condensation? Where is this disciple now?”
“I… I don’t know. Some senior brothers already checked the garden, but he wasn’t there,” the Mu-clan woman hesitated before answering.
“Han Li? Could it be that outer disciple who made it into the top ten at the Sword Trial Conference over twenty years ago?” the red-robed elder asked, surprised.
“Elder Duan is correct. It’s the same disciple,” the woman replied, unsurprised since the elder had led the delegation to the conference.
“An outer disciple making the top ten is indeed unusual. Could the Nascent Soul phenomenon just now really be connected to him?” Elder Feng murmured, his expression complex as he gazed at the mountain. The other Core Formation cultivators also wore solemn expressions.
The Song-clan woman’s eyes flickered, but she remained silent. A Nascent Soul phenomenon—had someone truly formed a Nascent Soul just now?
While the others were merely shocked, the Mu-clan woman could hardly believe her ears, her face a mask of stunned disbelief.
“Elder Feng, given the earlier spectacle, that person has successfully formed a Nascent Soul and is now a Nascent Soul cultivator. How should we handle this?” the red-robed elder asked slowly.
“Even as a newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator, this is beyond our authority. I expect the two sect elders will handle it shortly. For now, we must avoid provoking him. Ah! The elders have arrived,” Elder Feng said, his expression relaxing as he spoke.
Relieved, the group looked up to see two streaks of light—one white, one yellow—streaking toward them from the distance.
Elder Feng and the others immediately stepped aside, their faces filled with reverence.
“Leave this matter to us. You may all return to your duties,” the silver-haired elder and the Lu-clan Nascent Soul cultivator said indifferently as they appeared before the group.
Elder Feng and the others bowed and quickly departed.
The Mu-clan woman, not daring to linger, bowed deeply to the two elders before flying away. Yet, before leaving, she couldn’t resist glancing back at the herb garden.
“Could it really be that Han Li formed a Nascent Soul?” The thought left her mind in turmoil, her beautiful face blank with confusion.
Just as Silvermoon, now in her alluring form, was about to speak again, a deep, aged voice echoed from outside:
“I am Cheng Tiankun of the Falling Cloud Sect. Congratulations on forming your Nascent Soul, Fellow Daoist. Might my junior brother and I enter for a discussion?”
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