Chapter 2308: Insights into the Laws

A few days later, when Han Li opened his eyes again in the secret chamber, he had completely refined the Black Tortoise True Blood.

Han Li calmly reviewed the transformation incantation once more, formed a hand seal with one hand, and immediately his body radiated a myriad of dazzling lights, transforming into a massive, pitch-black tortoise.

The tortoise stood nearly fifty to sixty feet tall, almost filling the entire chamber. Its dark, cracked shell was covered with countless shimmering runes that seemed to flow spontaneously, forming a layer of glowing mist that enveloped it, giving it an incredibly mysterious appearance.

“Not bad, not bad! While the Black Tortoise transformation may not match the overall abilities of the giant ape or some other transformations, its defensive prowess is undoubtedly unparalleled.”

After briefly inspecting the Black Tortoise form, Han Li quickly reached this conclusion.

He wasn’t particularly surprised.

After all, the Black Tortoise, among the many ancient True Spirits, had always been renowned for its thick hide and formidable resilience.

With another flash of light, the giant tortoise vanished from the chamber, and Han Li reappeared in his human form.

After calming the fluctuations in his spiritual energy caused by the transformation, he flicked his sleeve and made a grasping motion in the air.

The orb that had been pushed to a corner of the chamber instantly flew back into his hand.

The pearl emitted waves of spatial energy, its surface shimmering with five-colored radiance—it was none other than the Mountain and Sea Pearl.

Han Li glanced at this spatial treasure, recited an incantation without hesitation, and with a slight sway of his shoulders, vanished from the chamber.

The next moment, inside the Mountain and Sea Pearl’s pocket dimension, Han Li’s figure blurred into existence, hovering above the massive island.

He swept his gaze around but saw no one. Without delay, he released his spiritual sense, swiftly scanning the entire island.

His brows furrowed slightly.

Not a single member of the Skyfish Clan was present.

“Could they have…?”

Han Li’s eyes flickered as he murmured to himself. But then, he tapped his forehead with a finger, and his spiritual sense surged several times stronger.

Expanding his immense spiritual power, he immediately enveloped the other smaller islands.

This time, his expression shifted as he finally detected something. Without hesitation, he summoned a streak of azure light and shot into the sky.

In mere moments, space rippled above another small island, and Han Li appeared as if teleported. Glancing downward, a faint smile appeared on his face.

The once-barren island was now dotted with brand-new triangular structures of varying heights. Among them moved figures that were half-human, half-fish—members of the Skyfish Clan.

The moment Han Li appeared, some of the more powerful Skyfish below noticed his presence. With startled cries, they immediately knelt in reverence.

Soon, the rest of the clan followed suit, all gathering beneath Han Li and standing respectfully with their hands clasped.

“Master, you have finally returned to this realm!” The Skyfish Clan leader flew up into the air, stopping slightly below Han Li and speaking with delight.

“What, am I unwelcome?” Han Li chuckled.

“Master, you jest. How could we dare think such a thing?” The clan leader paled slightly and hurriedly forced a smile.

“Haha, don’t take it seriously—I was indeed joking. But tell me, why have you all gathered on this island when there’s a larger one and several others available?” Han Li asked curiously.

“Since the Mountain and Sea Pearl has been refined by you, Master, it is naturally your private possession. Our clan is already immensely fortunate to be allowed entry into this space. We dare not act recklessly, lest we disrupt the realm and incur your wrath,” the clan leader replied respectfully.

“Don’t worry too much. If this pocket dimension were so easily damaged, it wouldn’t be considered a treasure. Here’s what I’ll allow: aside from the largest island, which I’ll reserve for other purposes, you may freely inhabit the remaining smaller islands,” Han Li said casually.

“Thank you for your generosity, Master. In return, our clan has some expertise in cultivating spiritual herbs. Would you permit us to prepare a few medicinal fields for you within this realm?” the clan leader asked cautiously, his face brightening.

“Medicinal fields… Very well, start with one for now and we’ll see how it goes. By the way, last time you mentioned your granddaughter is skilled in alchemy? Which one is she?” Han Li nodded noncommittally before suddenly recalling something.

“Lan Yao, come forth and greet our master!” the clan leader called out without hesitation.

“Lan Yao pays her respects to the master.”

A delicate-looking young woman among the Skyfish Clan blinked in surprise but quickly ascended, bowing deeply to Han Li.

“So you’re Lan Yao? Your grandfather claims you have a talent for alchemy. Is that true?” Han Li studied her for a moment before asking.

“Grandfather’s words are too generous. I merely have an interest in alchemy and dare not claim any innate talent,” the girl replied shyly, seemingly unused to speaking with strangers.

“No need for such modesty. I’ve seen your cauldron and some of the ingredients you use. Only someone with considerable skill could handle them. Tell me, how much can you answer about these alchemical questions?” Han Li said calmly.

“I will do my best,” Lan Yao replied obediently.

Han Li nodded and dismissed the other Skyfish before proceeding to question her.

Given Han Li’s near-mastery of alchemy, his questions, though not overly complex, were highly specialized—far beyond what an ordinary alchemist could answer.

Yet, after careful thought, Lan Yao managed to respond to most of them.

Within half an hour, Han Li was thoroughly impressed by her insight into alchemy and couldn’t hide his satisfaction.

“Good, very good… With your aptitude, as long as your cultivation keeps pace, you may even surpass me in alchemy one day. Tell me, would you be willing to become my disciple? Aside from supporting your general cultivation, I can provide specialized guidance to help you become a true alchemy master,” Han Li said after a brief pause, stunning both the elder and the girl.

“What? Master is willing to take Yao’er as a disciple? This is an incredible blessing! Yao’er, quickly bow to your master!” the clan leader exclaimed, overjoyed.

“Yao’er pays her respects to Master!” Lan Yao immediately prostrated herself before Han Li.

“Rise. Since you’ve become my disciple, a gift is in order. Here are some pills and cultivation insights. Study them and raise your cultivation to the Void Refinement stage. Once you reach it, I’ll begin instructing you in alchemy.” Han Li smiled, summoning several pill bottles and two jade slips with a wave of his hand, all of which flew toward Lan Yao.

“Thank you, Master. Your disciple will strive diligently,” Lan Yao said gratefully as she caught the items.

“Good. Focus on your cultivation here for now. Once I return to the clan, I’ll bring you out to meet your senior brothers and sisters. For now, I must take my leave.” Han Li nodded at the elder before forming a seal, preparing to exit the pocket dimension.

“Master, wait! This humble servant has one more thing to offer.”

Just then, the Skyfish Clan leader seemed to remember something and stepped forward hastily.

“Another offering? What is it?” Han Li asked curiously.

“Please take a look, Master.” The elder hesitated briefly before producing a dark box from his sleeve and presenting it with both hands.

Han Li’s eyes flickered as his sleeve stretched unnaturally, snatching the box from several feet away. A tap of his finger caused the lid to open, revealing an assortment of objects—stone tablets, jade slips, scrolls, and more.

“And these are…?” Han Li didn’t immediately take them, instead fixing the elder with a questioning gaze.

“Master, these are the insights into spatial laws left behind by our clan’s past great cultivators. Originally, only successive clan leaders were permitted to study them. But given my lowly cultivation, they are of no use to me. Thus, I offer them to you, hoping they may prove beneficial,” the elder explained respectfully.

“Oh? You sensed my spatial abilities?” Han Li chuckled lightly, glancing between the elder and the box.

“As the leader of the Skyfish Clan, my sensitivity to spatial power exceeds that of ordinary members. Though your spatial energy is not overwhelmingly strong, Master, I could still detect traces of it,” the elder replied calmly.

“Since you’ve offered them sincerely, and they may indeed be useful, I’ll accept them. Now, I truly must depart.” Han Li nodded meaningfully, storing the box before stepping forward.

With a ripple in space, he vanished completely.

“Let’s go. Yao’er, you’ve been granted an immense opportunity. The hopes of our entire clan may now rest on you. From now on, all our resources will be at your disposal to help you advance swiftly,” the clan leader said with a sigh of relief once Han Li had truly left.

Several months later, after an uneventful journey, the Ink Spirit Ark finally returned Han Li and the others to the human race.

And the moment they arrived, they were met with shocking news.