“Fellow Daoist Han, the ten cultivators you challenged were actually temporary fighters hired at high prices by those wealthy families from the island’s guard team. Although each of them has a low cultivation level, because they often go out to sea to battle demonic beasts and spar with cultivators from other islands, their combat experience and techniques are far superior to those of ordinary cultivators. It’s not surprising that even ordinary cultivators two or three levels higher than them would lose! Let alone those with lower cultivation levels!” Wen Qiang said with an expression of amazement, clicking his tongue.
“It’s nothing, Han just got lucky!” Han Li smiled modestly. When it came to combat experience, he believed he had plenty himself!
“By the way, Fellow Daoist, are you here to handle some procedures at the Ascension Pavilion?” The young man glanced toward the green mountain and turned back with a smile.
“Fellow Daoist Wen guessed correctly. I indeed wish to complete the procedures for settling on the island and also find a place for cultivation.”
There was no need to hide these matters, so Han Li spoke frankly.
“Haha! I’ve been to the Ascension Pavilion several times. How about I show you the way? It’s on my route anyway! Otherwise, with Qingyun Mountain being so vast, it would be quite difficult to find.” Without hesitation, Wen Qiang made the suggestion after hearing Han Li’s words.
Seeing the other party so proactive and enthusiastic, Han Li was slightly taken aback but quickly expressed his thanks.
Thus, the two flew side by side toward the large mountain ahead.
“Qingyun Mountain on this island, besides the three giant peaks—Tianzhu Peak, Tianxiao Peak, and Tianmen Peak—also has 367 smaller peaks. There are countless caves and valleys of various sizes, so there are plenty of places suitable for cultivation.” As they flew forward, the young man enthusiastically introduced the mountain range to Han Li.
“Of course, although most of Qingyun Mountain lies on a decent spiritual vein, the density of spiritual energy varies. Generally, the higher the peak, the richer the spiritual energy. Thus, the 36 peaks with the densest spiritual energy become the targets of the spiritual land challenges held once every ten years on the island. Anyone who believes their cultivation is higher than the current owners of these peaks can challenge them. The victor takes ownership of the peak. The spiritual energy of the other peaks doesn’t differ much, and generally, any cultivator who reaches the Foundation Establishment stage can automatically claim one of them as their cultivation site. As for Qi Condensation stage cultivators, they can only settle for valleys or caves to practice.”
“Foundation Establishment stage cultivators can have an entire peak to themselves?” Han Li was greatly surprised.
“Yes, but the Foundation Establishment cultivators on the island have already claimed most of them. We Qi Condensation stage cultivators shouldn’t even dream of such good fortune.” The young man said self-deprecatingly.
“Oh!” Han Li’s mind raced with thoughts, and he felt somewhat excited.
“By the way, those three main peaks are so towering. Isn’t the spiritual energy up there even richer?” Han Li asked casually, as if a thought had just occurred to him.
“Of course. The tallest one, Tianzhu Peak, is the spiritual eye of the island—it’s Island Master Mulong Zhenren’s cultivation site, and no other cultivators are allowed to enter. I’ve heard that Island Master Mu is at the mid Core Formation stage, with incredibly powerful abilities. Tianmen Peak and Tianxiao Peak are the cave abodes of the two deputy island masters, Yuanjun Zhenren and Kanqin Zhenren. Although not as good as Tianzhu Peak, their spiritual energy is still several times richer than elsewhere.” As Wen Qiang spoke, a hint of envy appeared on his face.
“Fellow Daoist Wen, are the two deputy island masters also Core Formation stage seniors?” Han Li’s eyebrows rose slightly as he asked slowly.
“Not only are the two deputy island masters early Core Formation stage cultivators, but they are also a dual cultivation couple.” Wen Qiang said, shaking his head.
Hearing this, Han Li frowned slightly without realizing it. The fact that a place like Queixing Island had three Core Formation stage cultivators was beyond his expectations.
As Han Li was lost in thought, he and Wen Qiang had already entered Qingyun Mountain, occasionally passing a few other cultivators flying on their artifacts.
However, they only cast indifferent glances at the two before flying off on their own.
Half an hour later, under Wen Qiang’s guidance, Han Li finally flew into a relatively high peak.
At the summit stood a small two-story pavilion. It was impossible to tell how long it had been there—the exterior was not only dilapidated but also extremely old. A crooked sign hung on the door, missing a corner, with three sloppily written black characters: “Ascension Pavilion.”
Seeing this, Han Li was stunned.
“This is…” Although he saw the sign, Han Li still couldn’t believe it and turned to Wen Qiang with a questioning look.
“As much as I hate to admit it, this really is the Ascension Pavilion.” The young man said helplessly, spreading his hands.
“Alright! I’ll take my leave here. Also, the senior in charge of the Ascension Pavilion has a bit of a temper! Be careful, Fellow Daoist!” The young man waved goodbye to Han Li and whispered a warning before departing.
Han Li calmly watched the young man disappear, shook his head slightly, and then landed in front of the pavilion with a composed expression, walking slowly toward it.
But as soon as he reached the door, a somewhat sinister voice sounded in his ear: “Come in! The door is unlocked.” Hearing this, Han Li felt a chill but entered the pavilion without hesitation.
Once inside, Han Li was stunned.
The interior was the complete opposite of the pavilion’s exterior—it was extravagantly decorated! The floor was covered with bright, fiery-red silk, the walls were inlaid with gold and jade, and countless sparkling gems glittered on them. A few exotic flowers and plants, which Han Li couldn’t identify, were placed in the corners of the pavilion.
Opposite Han Li was a strange stone bed emitting a faint blue glow. Although he didn’t know what it was made of, it was clearly something rare and precious.
On the bed lay a pale, weary-looking middle-aged man dressed in a dazzling fiery-red fur coat. He was holding a large white pearl and gazing calmly at Han Li.
“Greetings, Senior. I am here to complete the procedures for settling on the island. May I ask if you are responsible for this matter?” Han Li suppressed his astonishment, bowed respectfully, and asked politely.
“Settling? Do you have a guarantor?” The middle-aged man coughed lightly and asked weakly.
“Yes!” Han Li immediately took out the document given by the Gu family and handed it to the other party after stepping forward. He didn’t dare underestimate this person because the spiritual energy fluctuations from him clearly indicated that he was a powerful cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage.
The middle-aged man took the document, glanced at it briefly, and set it aside. Then, a sharp light flashed in his eyes as he scrutinized Han Li.
“I heard that a new cultivator arrived on the island and defeated someone from the guard team with only a fifth-layer cultivation level. That wouldn’t be you, would it?” The middle-aged man stroked the pearl in his arms and asked casually.
Hearing this question, Han Li was slightly alarmed and quickly replied modestly, “This junior was just lucky! It’s not worth mentioning!”
“Hmph! Lucky…” The man snorted coldly.
Seeing the other’s expression, Han Li frowned inwardly, feeling puzzled: “That match happened just a few days ago. How does this person know?”
As if reading Han Li’s confusion, the middle-aged man tightened his fur coat and said impassively, “The guard team member you defeated happens to be my useless disciple! Losing to someone with a lower cultivation level—I’ve already sent him into seclusion as punishment.”
Hearing this, Han Li was first stunned, then smiled wryly. What a coincidence! Could it be that this senior wants to seek revenge for his disciple? Han Li grew somewhat uneasy.
“Don’t worry, this is a matter between you juniors. I won’t bully the weak. But in five years, I hope you will have a rematch with my useless disciple. Regardless of the outcome, I will not pursue this matter further.” The middle-aged man glanced sideways at Han Li and spoke coldly.
“Since Senior has made this request, this junior naturally will not refuse!” Han Li felt relieved and immediately agreed.
Seeing Han Li agree so readily, the middle-aged cultivator was first surprised but then showed a satisfied expression.
“Now, let me handle your settlement procedures.” A white light flashed in the middle-aged man’s hand, and the pearl suddenly vanished. He then sat up slowly.
The settlement procedure was quite simple. The middle-aged man took out a golden booklet, wrote Han Li’s name in it, and that was it. Of course, the green jade token Han Li had received when entering the port was taken back and replaced with a blue jade pendant.
The pendant shimmered with a blue light and was actually a low-grade magical artifact. According to the middle-aged man, it had a slight water-repelling effect, making it quite practical.
Next, the middle-aged man took out a silver booklet and tossed it to Han Li.
“The places marked with golden light are already occupied. The white areas are vacant and available for cultivation. Choose one yourself. Cough, cough…” The middle-aged man seemed unwell; after speaking a bit hurriedly, he started coughing lightly, appearing seriously ill.
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