Under the guidance of the three surnamed Fu elders, Han Li and the others passed through the restriction array and arrived above the Hundred Crafts Academy. This time, they did not land in the central square surrounded by mountains but were instead led directly to a massive platform built against the mountain wall.
At the center of this platform stood a pavilion about a hundred zhang tall, with five floors in total. At first glance, it did not resemble a typical building but rather a colossal stone tower. Behind the pavilion, the seemingly endless mountain wall was dotted with countless holes of varying sizes, through which disciples of the Hundred Crafts Academy frequently came and went, resembling a beehive.
The Fu elder did not lead the three to the pavilion but instead took them straight to the uppermost part of the mountain wall.
“Deep beneath this mountain lies a top-tier underground fire pool. Not only does it greatly aid in artifact forging, but it also provides numerous benefits for cultivators practicing fire-attribute techniques. Thus, the Hundred Crafts Academy has not only built many forging chambers along this mountain wall but also houses the cave abodes of many high-ranking disciples within the mountain itself,” Senior Brother Cheng, clearly very familiar with the Hundred Crafts Academy, casually explained to Han Li as they flew.
Though spoken casually, Han Li took note of this information, his mind stirring slightly as a thoughtful expression crossed his face.
After ascending another thousand zhang, they finally stopped before a solitary, massive cave entrance. This was clearly not a place for low-ranking disciples, as it lacked the bustling activity seen below. Aside from two elders standing there to greet them, no other cultivators were present.
“Brother Cheng, Fellow Daoist Lü! I’ve been awaiting your arrival for quite some time. Apologies for not coming out further to welcome you. And this must be Fellow Daoist Han. Truly young and promising. Hmm! Fellow Daoist Han has already advanced to mid-Nascent Soul stage?” As soon as the three landed at the cave entrance, a red-haired, dark-skinned elder greeted Senior Brother Cheng and Lü Luo with a smile, then glanced at Han Li, his expression abruptly changing in shock. Beside him, another elder with withered skin and a sinister demeanor also wore a look of astonishment.
“Brother Feng, you flatter me. Junior Brother Han has only recently advanced to mid-Nascent Soul stage. We’ll need your guidance in the future,” Senior Brother Cheng chuckled, smiling warmly.
“Our guidance? Brother Cheng, you jest,” the two Hundred Crafts Academy elders exchanged glances and forced a bitter laugh. The Feng elder could only shake his head helplessly.
“Fellow Daoists need not be modest. Though I’ve progressed slightly faster, my foundation remains unstable. If there are any issues in my cultivation, I’ll truly need your advice,” Han Li clasped his hands politely, showing no trace of arrogance.
The two Nascent Soul cultivators before him quickly expressed their humility, their impression of Han Li improving significantly. They then invited the three inside, while the Fu elders and others excused themselves and left.
“Originally, Senior Brother Liehuo was also supposed to welcome you, but he’s currently preparing for the final steps of attuning a newly forged treasure and couldn’t come. Please don’t take offense,” the other elder explained.
“Brother Ding, there’s no need for such formalities between us. Fellow Daoist Lü and I have known you for centuries. But what treasure is so important that it requires such a grand attunement ceremony? Could you give us a hint?” Lü Luo asked curiously as they walked.
“Heh, it’s nothing extraordinary. My senior brother and I merely spent three months forging another Qiankun Tower,” Elder Ding said nonchalantly, though a hint of pride flickered in his eyes.
“Qiankun Tower? One of the three great treasures of the Hundred Crafts Academy? I recall no one in your academy has forged a new treasure of this caliber in nearly a millennium,” Senior Brother Cheng’s smile froze as he exclaimed in surprise.
“Hence, we’ve invited fellow Daoists to witness the attunement ceremony. Though the Qiankun Tower is a treasure to our academy, it likely pales in comparison to what your sects possess. Ancient Sword Sect aside, I’ve heard Brother Cheng obtained rare treasures in the Devilfall Valley. And Fellow Daoist Han’s rapid advancement to mid-stage must also be due to some fortuitous encounter there,” Elder Feng probed with a smile.
“Rare treasures? Brother Feng must have heard rumors. As for Junior Brother Han, I’m not certain, but during my last trip to Devilfall Valley, I only acquired two ancient treasures of mediocre power—nothing comparable to the Qiankun Tower,” the silver-haired elder shook his head vigorously.
“I didn’t obtain any formidable ancient treasures either. In fact, I lost several in Devilfall Valley. If not for a stroke of luck that allowed my cultivation to advance, the trip would’ve been a waste,” Han Li replied vaguely, avoiding any mention of the Ethereal Spirit Garden.
“Advancing in cultivation is worth more than any treasure. If I could advance another stage, I’d gladly trade all my treasures for it,” Elder Feng sighed with a mix of self-deprecation and envy. Han Li smiled faintly but said nothing more.
Passing through a vast garden blooming with flowers, they were led into an astonishingly large hall.
The hall spanned over a hundred zhang, its walls embedded with fist-sized golden crystals that radiated brilliance, giving the space a luxurious and resplendent ambiance.
“Please take a seat, fellow Daoists. Senior Brother Liehuo will join us once he’s finished. The guests from Ancient Sword Sect should also arrive shortly,” Elder Feng gestured for them to sit.
“I heard the Ancient Sword Sect’s Elder Jin has ended his life-and-death seclusion and will attend. Is this true?” Lü Luo asked as soon as he sat down.
“Indeed. Elder Jin even sent a transmission talisman to Senior Brother Liehuo, confirming his attendance. However…” Elder Feng paused.
“However what?” Lü Luo frowned. The silver-haired elder also turned his head curiously, while Han Li appeared indifferent, his gaze wandering the hall.
“However, Elder Jin’s primary reason for coming might be to meet Fellow Daoist Han. Given Han’s reputation as one of the top cultivators beneath the three great sovereigns, and now with his advancement to mid-Nascent Soul stage, he’s arguably the strongest in our Heavenly Dao Alliance. Elder Jin likely wishes to test Han’s abilities,” Elder Ding remarked with a cryptic smile.
“So, that old monster Jin wants to challenge Junior Brother Han? After all these years in seclusion, his temperament hasn’t changed at all?” Senior Brother Cheng frowned in displeasure.
“Brother Feng and I aren’t certain. But given Fellow Daoist Han’s prowess, he likely fears no one. To be honest, we’d also like to witness Han’s abilities,” Elder Ding admitted frankly.
“In that case, this gathering might serve to reassess the rankings within the Dreamcloud Mountains,” Lü Luo tapped the table thoughtfully.
“If you see it that way, you’re not wrong. But as for rankings, our Hundred Crafts Academy remains unchanged—we’ll undoubtedly be at the bottom and won’t compete with your sects. However, if Elder Jin is coming personally, he likely intends to test Fellow Daoist Han. Otherwise, he wouldn’t willingly relinquish the title of the top sect in the State of Xi,” Elder Feng added with a smile.
“You knew about this yet didn’t mention it in the invitation. That’s hardly fair,” Lü Luo’s expression darkened, his voice turning cold.
“Don’t misunderstand, Fellow Daoist Lü. These are merely our speculations. Elder Jin never explicitly stated he’d challenge Fellow Daoist Han. For our academy, this gathering is primarily about cooperation and exchange among the three sects. After all, it’s been over a century since our last meeting. With new faces like Fellow Daoist Han and Ancient Sword Sect’s Mingxin, it’s beneficial for everyone to meet,” Elder Feng waved his hand, unperturbed.
Lü Luo’s expression softened slightly at this explanation. Han Li remained composed, his faint smile unwavering, further deepening the two Hundred Crafts Academy elders’ impression of his inscrutability.
Senior Brother Cheng, having regained his composure, was about to inquire further about Ancient Sword Sect when a red streak—a transmission talisman—flew into the hall and landed in Elder Feng’s hand.
All eyes turned to him as he quickly scanned the message and stood up.
“What a coincidence. Fellow Daoists, please wait here momentarily. The guests from Ancient Sword Sect have arrived right after you. I’ll go greet them. Brother Ding will keep you company,” Elder Feng apologized before hurrying out.
Senior Brother Cheng and Lü Luo exchanged solemn glances. Han Li remained calm, recalling Lü Luo’s earlier remark that aside from Fire Dragon Child, most Ancient Sword Sect elders had strained relations with Fallen Cloud Sect.
Moments later, footsteps echoed at the hall’s entrance as Elder Feng returned with three cultivators—two men and a woman.
Leading them was a burly elder with wild, gray-white hair, a ruddy complexion, and piercing eyes that exuded a beastly ferocity. Most striking were his enormous hands, nearly twice the size of an average person’s.
Behind him walked a plain-looking middle-aged man and an elegant, dignified young woman.
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