The beautiful woman standing before Han Li was none other than Mei Ning, who had traveled with him to Tiannan. Compared to several years ago, her appearance had grown even more captivating.
“My current cultivation level is entirely thanks to the elixir you bestowed upon me back then, Senior.” Mei Ning’s fleeting expression of melancholy quickly gave way to reverence. Now that Han Li had reached the Nascent Soul stage, his status was incomparably higher than before.
“Sister Mei! Is Fellow Daoist Ziling inside as well?” The woman surnamed Song stepped out from behind Han Li, calling out warmly, which earned her a surprised glance from Han Li.
“Senior Song! Sister Ziling is currently meditating inside, but she’ll finish soon. Please, both of you, come sit in my quarters first.” Mei Ning replied apologetically, not daring to be negligent.
Han Li didn’t mind, as his spiritual sense had already detected someone sitting cross-legged in another stone house, their spiritual energy fluctuating as they concluded their cultivation. Following Mei Ning’s polite gesture, Han Li and Song entered the stone house and took their seats. Mei Ning then gracefully served them both a cup of spiritual tea.
“Miss Mei, where have you and Ziling been cultivating these past years? Have you not joined any sect?” Han Li took a sip of tea and asked calmly.
“Sister Ziling and I discussed it and decided to observe the major sects in Tiannan first. We wanted to stabilize our cultivation further before considering joining any sect. So, we’ve been traveling around these past few years. After all, Tiannan seems even more chaotic than our homeland.” Mei Ning stood respectfully beside Han Li, answering in a soft voice.
Noticing that Mei Ning didn’t hide her outsider status in front of Song, Han Li realized that his junior Song likely knew about the Scattered Star Seas. It seemed she was indeed close to Ziling.
Seeing Mei Ning’s gentle and honest demeanor, Han Li rubbed his nose and decided not to press further. Instead, he turned to Song with a smile and asked, “You suddenly sought me out on Ziling’s behalf—was it just for a reunion? Otherwise, why would you be so secretive and hesitant when delivering the message?”
“Uncle, I…” Song blushed slightly, stammering.
Mei Ning also looked somewhat embarrassed and was about to speak when a light, melodious voice came from outside:
“Brother Han, why trouble these two sisters? It was mostly my idea to invite you here.” As the words fell, a stunningly beautiful woman in white appeared at the doorway, her radiance captivating and her every movement enchanting.
“Actually, I should address you as ‘Senior’ now, but I still prefer calling you ‘Brother Han.’ After all, you might not even be older than me. You don’t mind, do you?” Ziling smiled as she entered gracefully. Having experienced the Virtual Sky Palace, the Yin Netherlands, and other trials with Han Li, and even spending time together on the Boundless Sea, she no longer felt distant from him. In fact, she now seemed to regard herself as his confidante.
Han Li studied her for a moment. Even with his Nascent Soul-level mental fortitude, seeing Ziling’s true appearance still left him slightly dazed, unable to resist her allure. She was the kind of beauty that could “topple cities and ruin kingdoms,” as the saying went. Even Nangong Wan, the irreplaceable woman in his heart, paled slightly in comparison—though their charms were of entirely different types, one cold and aloof, the other bewitching and radiant.
“Call me whatever you like. But if you walk out of this valley showing your true face, you’ll surely cause a stir in Tiannan. Be careful not to catch the eye of some old monsters who might try to kidnap you.” Seeing an old acquaintance from the Scattered Star Seas, Han Li couldn’t resist teasing her.
Ziling remained unperturbed, merely rolling her eyes at him before turning to Song. “Thank you for your help, Sister Song. Mei Ning and I couldn’t enter Tianyi City ourselves.”
“It’s nothing. I’m involved in this matter too, so it’s only right that I contribute.” Song replied, though she couldn’t hide her surprise at how casually Han Li and Ziling interacted. It bolstered her confidence in their plan.
Ziling then smiled at Han Li and said softly, “Every time we meet, Brother Han’s rapid progress astonishes me. I can’t fathom how you cultivate so quickly. And now, your reputation is so great that even Mei Ning and I are stunned. Rumors say your power rivals even mid-Nascent Soul cultivators. Is that true?” Her eyes sparkled with a hint of expectation as she gazed at him.
Han Li’s mind stirred, but after a moment’s thought, he avoided answering directly. Instead, he asked, “Miss Ziling, asking about my strength the moment we meet—isn’t that a bit hasty? Why not first explain why you sought me out? I’d prefer to understand the situation before discussing anything else.” His tone remained unhurried.
Ziling blinked, looking slightly abashed. “I suppose I was too eager. But this matter is of great importance—it requires at least mid-Nascent Soul-level power to succeed. I couldn’t help but be anxious.”
“Of great importance? What exactly is it? If you need my help, speak plainly.” Han Li’s expression grew serious as he asked.
“It seems you’ve already guessed part of it. We did come to propose a collaboration. But before that, I must ask—did you recently join a group of Nascent Soul elders to explore the Mulan Grasslands and obtain the relics of the late Sage Cang Kun?” Ziling’s expression turned solemn as well.
“How do you know about that? Very few should be aware!” Han Li’s face darkened in surprise.
“We learned it from a Ghost Spirit Sect disciple. He was the direct descendant of one of their high-ranking elders. After glimpsing Sister Ziling’s true appearance, he became utterly infatuated and spilled everything he knew.” Mei Ning chimed in with a light laugh.
“You little minx, stop talking nonsense!” Ziling’s cheeks flushed as she scolded Mei Ning playfully, revealing their close bond.
“If it’s the Ghost Spirit Sect, then it makes sense they’d know.” Han Li nodded, his suspicion fading.
“Even after advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, Brother Han remains as cautious as ever.” Ziling’s eyes gleamed as she glanced at him.
“I’ve only just formed my Nascent Soul—I’m far from invincible. Caution is still necessary. But what does my trip to the Mulan Grasslands have to do with your request? Did you uncover some secret from the Ghost Spirit Sect?” Han Li mused.
“Uncle’s insight is sharp. This matter involves a treasure in the Fallen Devil Valley. That Ghost Spirit Sect disciple accidentally let slip the information in front of us.” Song, who had been uneasy around Han Li, finally spoke up, emboldened by his amiable demeanor toward Ziling and Mei Ning.
“The Fallen Devil Valley? As far as I know, only Sage Cang Kun ever emerged from it alive. How would the Ghost Spirit Sect know what’s inside? Are you sure you weren’t deceived?” Han Li frowned skeptically.
“I doubt it. Out of curiosity, the three of us used illusions to extract not only the treasure’s name but also its approximate location. As for how the Ghost Spirit Sect knows about it—even that disciple didn’t know. But I’m almost certain the information is genuine.” Ziling’s eyes shone with excitement.
“Assuming it’s true, what treasure could be so enticing? Surely not just some ordinary ancient treasure.” Han Li pressed.
“Uncle Han, have you heard of the Spirit Candle Fruit?” After exchanging glances with the others, Song asked gravely.
“What? The Spirit Candle Fruit? That’s been extinct in this realm for ages! Wait—the Fallen Devil Valley has been sealed since the primordial era. If it exists anywhere, it might be there.” Han Li’s composure finally cracked, replaced by astonishment and even excitement.
“It seems you’re familiar with this fruit. Then you must also know of the Creation Pill refined from it. Legends say that while a cultivator can only take this pill once in their lifetime, and only below the Deity Transformation stage, its effects in breaking through bottlenecks are undeniable. After consuming it, the user’s consciousness is catalyzed by the pill’s power, allowing them to briefly experience the next realm’s mysteries. Though the insights gained are indescribable and vary from person to person, most cultivators who take it eventually break through their stagnant bottlenecks. Ancient texts are filled with such accounts, which is why this pill’s fame has endured. Unfortunately, the Spirit Candle Fruit, its main ingredient, was exceedingly rare even in primordial times. Though the recipe survives, no one has refined it since antiquity.” Ziling explained, struggling to maintain her calm.
Song and Mei Ning, though already aware, couldn’t suppress their excitement at the mention of the pill. Mei Ning, in particular, knew that with a Creation Pill, her chances of forming a Golden Core would soar.
Yet Han Li’s initial excitement gradually faded as he fell into deep thought.
After a long silence, he finally spoke calmly:
“If the Fallen Devil Valley truly holds this fruit, then the Ghost Spirit Sect’s actions in the Mulan Grasslands—recruiting other treasure hunters at great cost and attempting to kill Marquis Nanlong for Sage Cang Kun’s relics—make sense. However, I still have some doubts that need clarifying. No matter how tempting the fruit is, I won’t risk my life without full understanding.”
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