“If fellow Daoists and this humble monk work together, we can certainly improve the situation for many ascended cultivators.” Monk Jinyue spoke many words of persuasion, his expression growing solemn.
Han Li listened, his face also turning serious. After a moment of contemplation, however, he slowly shook his head. “Although I am one of the ascended cultivators and understand their plight, this matter cannot be changed by just one or two people. Even if I were to join the Elder Council, it would not make much difference. Instead, I would likely be dragged into disputes. From the moment I set foot on the path of cultivation, I vowed to pursue immortality. Though I have now reached the Body Integration stage, ascending to true immortality remains a distant dream. I cannot afford to divert my attention elsewhere.”
“You are truly a dedicated cultivator. This humble monk admires your resolve! Since you have such lofty aspirations and your mind is made up, I shall not press further. Fellow Daoist, have you come to Tianyuan City for any urgent matters? Is there anything this monk can assist with?” Seeing Han Li’s unwavering determination, Monk Jinyue sighed lightly and dropped the invitation.
“Thank you for your kindness, Venerable. I have only come to the city to procure some materials and handle a minor task entrusted to me by someone else,” Han Li replied politely, cupping his hands.
“I see. But if you ever need assistance, do not hesitate to seek me out. In Tianyuan City, this monk can still be of some help,” Monk Jinyue said with a nod.
Han Li expressed his gratitude once more.
The two then shifted their conversation to cultivation insights, a common practice among Body Integration cultivators who shared a good rapport.
At their level of cultivation, reaching the Body Integration stage was already the pinnacle of what most cultivators could achieve in their lifetimes. The legendary Great Ascension and Tribulation Transcendence cultivators were nearly mythical, with only one or two appearing in entire smaller races.
Without guidance from higher realms, Body Integration cultivators could only rely on exchanging insights with peers to overcome bottlenecks in their cultivation.
Monk Jinyue was already at the mid-Body Integration stage, just a step away from the late stage. His cultivation insights far surpassed those of Elder Qi, who had only recently entered the early stage.
Han Li, on the other hand, possessed several extraordinary divine abilities and cultivated the unprecedented dual-body and magic technique, the “True Devilish Sage Art,” giving him unique perspectives.
Their exchange proved immensely fruitful, lasting an entire day and night.
The next morning, Monk Jinyue departed in high spirits, while Han Li returned to the top floor of the pavilion to resume his meditation.
Over the next few days, no other Body Integration cultivators visited. Either they were preoccupied or had learned through Monk Jinyue that Han Li had no intention of joining the Elder Council, sparing them the trouble.
Six days passed. On the seventh day, the person Han Li had been waiting for finally arrived.
Without waiting for the maidservants to announce the visitor, Han Li rose from his meditation cushion and descended gracefully.
Several maidservants, chatting idly on the first floor, were startled by his sudden appearance and hurriedly bowed.
Han Li waved his hand dismissively and instructed calmly, “Leave for now. The person I’ve been expecting has arrived. Escort her in.”
The Foundation Establishment female cultivators were momentarily taken aback but quickly complied, exiting the pavilion.
Han Li took a seat in the main position.
Moments later, led by a maidservant, a woman with jade-like skin entered. Tall and clad in a blue palace robe, she was none other than the “Fairy Xu” from years past. Her cultivation had now reached the Nascent Soul stage.
“So it truly is Senior Han! You’ve really advanced to Body Integration!” Recognizing Han Li, whose appearance had barely changed over the centuries, she hastily performed a respectful bow.
Back then, Han Li had shown her favor due to her lineage as a descendant of Fairy Bingpo, occasionally offering cultivation guidance.
Fairy Xu had always held deep gratitude toward him.
Upon returning to the city and hearing from the Azure Guard and the short-bearded elder that Han Li had reappeared in Tianyuan City and sought her, she had immediately come to the Gathering Immortals Pavilion.
The news of Han Li’s advancement to Body Integration had shocked her as much as it had Elder Yue.
Yet, finding it hard to believe without seeing it firsthand, she had remained skeptical until now.
Sensing Han Li’s overwhelming aura, all her doubts vanished, replaced by awe and joy as she bowed deeply.
“No need for formalities, Fellow Daoist. You and I are old acquaintances. Please, take a seat,” Han Li said with a smile.
“Then this junior will presume upon your kindness,” Fairy Xu replied hesitantly before sitting respectfully beside him.
A maidservant brought in two cups of fragrant spirit tea.
“All of you may leave. Do not allow anyone to enter without my permission,” Han Li instructed.
The maidservant bowed and withdrew.
Han Li flicked his sleeve toward the door, which closed with a flash of white light.
Simultaneously, blue light shimmered across the walls as the pavilion’s innate restrictions activated, sealing off the entire hall.
Fairy Xu tensed, her expression growing solemn. Such precautions could only mean the discussion was of great secrecy.
“Fairy Xu, I sought you out to clarify one matter. Is Fairy Bingpo truly your ancestor?” Han Li asked seriously.
“Fairy Bingpo is indeed my ancestor. I would never dare deceive you,” she replied without hesitation.
“Good. In that case, do you know Fairy Bingpo’s current whereabouts? I have a matter that requires meeting her in person,” Han Li said slowly.
“Meet my ancestor?” The question stunned her, despite her many conjectures.
“Do you not know her whereabouts?” Han Li frowned.
“Though I carry her bloodline, she disappeared tens of thousands of years before my birth. According to family elders, she had just reached Body Integration and even received an invitation from Tianyuan City. But she declined, citing other urgent matters. After leaving once, she was never seen again,” Fairy Xu explained with a bitter smile.
“I see. Then there’s no other way. Aside from you, does Fairy Bingpo have any other descendants?” Han Li pressed.
“To be honest, after so many years, her lineage has branched into over a dozen factions. Some even founded minor sects using her legacy techniques. But in terms of bloodline purity, our Xu family remains her most direct descendants, even retaining her surname,” she answered frankly, sensing Han Li’s connection to her ancestor.
“Who currently leads the Xu family? Is it you?” Han Li asked with a faint smile.
“You jest, Senior. Our Xu family, though not a True Spirit lineage, holds some renown in the Tianyuan Realm. The current patriarch is my father, with several granduncles also in the clan,” she replied after a brief hesitation.
Han Li’s eyes flickered as he stroked his chin. “In that case, I’d like to pay a visit to your father. Do you have any objections?”
“Your visit would bring great honor to our family. But… might Senior disclose the reason?” she asked cautiously after a long pause.
“Worry not. I’ve been entrusted to deliver an item to Fairy Bingpo or her direct descendants. Since your family is her closest lineage, I must hand it to the patriarch personally,” Han Li stated plainly.
“Such a thing! Could you tell me who entrusted you? Do I know them?” she asked, astonished.
“Heh, it’s unlikely you’d know this person. Whether others in your family do, I cannot say,” Han Li replied with a shake of his head.
“Then I shall accompany you to the Xu family myself. I’ve just returned from patrol duty and have half a year of rest. Our family resides in the Tianyuan Realm. Using the city’s teleportation array, we can make the round trip easily,” she said after some deliberation.
“Having you as my guide would be ideal,” Han Li said, smiling slightly.
“I’ll return to my residence to prepare. Shall we depart in two days?” Fairy Xu rose and bowed.
“I’ve no preparations to make and can leave anytime. Two days it is,” Han Li agreed after a brief consideration.
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