“How could I dare to have such thoughts? Senior’s attempt to break through the bottleneck of Body Integration is of utmost importance, and it’s only natural to be cautious,” the young woman said with a charming smile.
“When I was breaking through the Body Integration bottleneck, I also sought out an extremely secluded place. It seems Fellow Daoist Han and I share similar thoughts,” the green-robed elder chuckled.
Han Li naturally responded with a smile.
Afterward, the three of them steered clear of the topic and casually chatted about other matters.
Han Li’s rich experiences from wandering alone across two continents spoke volumes about his extensive knowledge.
Meanwhile, the elder and the young woman—one the head of a True Spirit Family and the other a long-time Body Integration cultivator—were also exceptionally well-informed.
Their conversation flowed smoothly, and both the elder and the young woman felt their horizons broadened.
“Fellow Daoist Han, from your words earlier, it seems you know a great deal about foreign races—many things not even recorded in human texts, and even matters from other continents. Could it be that you’ve traveled to other continents?” The elder could no longer suppress his curiosity and finally asked.
“Fellow Daoist Qi has keen insight! Indeed, I have just returned from the wilderness, and by chance, I also visited another continent,” Han Li replied frankly, without any intention to conceal.
The green-robed elder and the young woman couldn’t help but gasp in astonishment.
After a moment of silence, the young woman, Xiaofeng Xianzi, hesitantly spoke:
“No wonder, with Senior’s cultivation and abilities, I had never heard of you before. It turns out you were cultivating abroad and only recently returned to our race. However, according to Elder Yun, you once mentioned the Ye and Long Families, both True Spirit Families. This reminds me of something, though I’m not sure if I should bring it up.”
“Oh? What matter? Please speak freely,” Han Li replied, his expression unchanged.
“Since Senior permits, I’ll be direct. To be honest, after Elder Gu Yun informed me about you, I became quite interested and dispatched some people to investigate individuals with the same name. Though the time was short and not much was found, I did uncover some basic information. Among them, a ‘Han Li’ who served as a Qingming Guard in Tianyuan City centuries ago—could that be you?” Xiaofeng Xianzi spoke softly and deliberately.
The green-robed elder was visibly surprised.
Whether it was Han Li’s past affiliation with Tianyuan City or the fact that a mere Qingming Guard had advanced to Body Integration in just a few centuries, both revelations left the elder, a Tianyuan City elder himself, deeply astonished.
“Haha, the reputation of True Spirit Families is indeed extraordinary. In just over a year, you’ve traced my origins. It’s true that I was once a Tianyuan Guard, but after completing a certain mission, I regained my freedom and left Tianyuan City,” Han Li replied, his expression flickering briefly before returning to normal.
“In that case, the person sought by both the Long and Ye Families was also Senior Han,” the young woman said, her expression turning peculiar.
“The Ye and Long Families? They were looking for me?” Han Li narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening slightly.
“The Ye Family searched for you for over a century before giving up. However, the Long Family, hailed as the foremost True Spirit Family, has yet to officially rescind their order. Over the years, the Ye and Long Families have had numerous conflicts—though not outright battles, friction has been frequent. Coincidentally, this began around the time they started searching for you,” the young woman said meaningfully.
Han Li frowned but did not immediately respond, instead falling into thought.
“You were once a Qingming Guard in Tianyuan City? That is unexpected. But this works out well—I’ll speak plainly. Fellow Daoist Han must have guessed some of my true purpose for visiting,” the green-robed elder said, clearing his throat.
“Hmm, Fellow Daoist Qi, are you referring to inviting me to rejoin Tianyuan City?” Han Li raised an eyebrow and replied calmly.
“Indeed. I am here on behalf of the Elder Council to formally invite you to join our city. With your Body Integration cultivation, you would immediately become a member of the council. As for benefits, since you’ve been in Tianyuan City before, I need not elaborate,” Qi Xubing said solemnly.
“This…” Han Li wore a thoughtful expression, neither accepting nor refusing outright.
Seeing this, the young woman’s eyes flickered before she spoke softly: “Since Senior Qi has made his offer, as the head of the Gu Family, my purpose is similar—I wish to invite Senior to join our family as an Honorary Elder. Apart from generous compensation, we would never impose any restrictions on you unless it concerned the family’s survival.”
Her conditions were even more enticing.
The green-robed elder’s expression darkened, but he could say nothing against her. Despite her only being at the Void Refinement stage, as the head of a True Spirit Family, even Body Integration cultivators dared not underestimate her.
After a moment of contemplation, the elder spoke again:
“Body Integration cultivators are exceedingly rare among humans and demons. Apart from Tianyuan City, no other place under the Three Emperors and Seven Lands hosts so many at once. Members of our Elder Council frequently exchange insights on cultivation. Joining us would greatly benefit your progress. Moreover, we often venture into the wilderness to hunt powerful ancient beasts—an opportunity unmatched elsewhere. Fellow Daoist Han, please consider carefully. My invitation is sincere.”
Han Li seemed genuinely tempted.
“Though our Gu Family only has one Body Integration Elder, as a True Spirit Family, we possess unique techniques for refining and controlling True Spirit Blood. I heard that during your breakthrough, you manifested the Dharma Form of the Mountain Giant Ape. Yet, to my knowledge, no human True Spirit Family inherits this bloodline. It seems you obtained it from outside our race. If you join us, I will share our techniques for refining and wielding True Spirit Blood. Moreover, if in ten thousand years you wish to establish your own True Spirit Family, we will not hinder you and will offer full support,” the young woman revealed her strongest bargaining chip.
The green-robed elder was stunned upon learning Han Li possessed True Spirit Blood, and his expression shifted drastically at her offer.
“A new True Spirit Family?” Han Li’s eyes flashed with surprise.
“Indeed. With your power and inherited bloodline, how could we confine you to a mere honorary title? If you serve as our Honorary Elder for ten thousand years, we will help you establish your own family afterward. Otherwise, though you could attempt it alone, the resistance would be significant. The existing families have divided interests, and adding another would dilute their shares—something they would oppose,” the young woman said with a smile.
Han Li stroked his chin and fell silent.
Elder Qi wore a bitter smile. Though Han Li had yet to respond, it was clear that if he were to join any faction, it wouldn’t be Tianyuan City.
The young woman, though outwardly composed, was inwardly anxious, unsure if her generous terms would sway him.
After all, many high-level cultivators had no interest in founding families or factions. Some ascetics focused solely on cultivation, avoiding any ties or obligations.
Otherwise, Tianyuan City wouldn’t struggle so much to replenish its ranks after losing Body Integration cultivators.
“I’ve heard that one of the Three Emperors, the Heavenly Miraculous Spirit Emperor, recently perished, and a new Spirit Emperor will be selected within a century. Is this true?” Han Li suddenly asked, startling both Qi Xubing and Xiaofeng Xianzi.
“It is true. The new Spirit Emperor will be chosen from among Body Integration cultivators in a competition held a century from now. Fellow Daoist Han, are you interested in the position?” the elder asked after a pause, his expression odd.
“Why, am I unqualified to participate?” Han Li replied lightly.
“Any human Body Integration cultivator is eligible. However, historically, the Three Emperors have almost always been late-stage Body Integration experts. The rare exceptions were mid-stage cultivators with extraordinary abilities. To my knowledge, no early-stage cultivator has ever held the title since humans settled in the Spirit Realm,” the elder said with a wry smile.
“Senior Han possesses True Spirit Blood, so your abilities are extraordinary. But aiming for the Spirit Emperor position might be premature. A century is barely enough to stabilize your new realm—competing with mid- or late-stage experts would be difficult,” the young woman added tactfully.
“Haha, I’m not so arrogant as to think I could claim the title so soon. The competition will gather many peers, and I merely wish to meet and exchange insights with them. As for your kind invitations, I’ve never been one to stay long in one place or entangle myself in too many karmic ties. I must respectfully decline. However, I am indeed interested in the True Spirit Blood techniques. If Fellow Daoist Xiaofeng is willing, I’d gladly exchange other treasures or methods for them. What do you think?” Han Li’s eyes gleamed as he made this unexpected proposal.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage