“Sect Leader Senior Brother, I was fortunate enough to successfully achieve Foundation Establishment a few days ago, so I have come specifically to report this matter to you. I hope the Sect Leader can grant me the right to open a cave abode.” Han Li did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.
“Just achieved Foundation Establishment?” Zhong Lingdao was initially taken aback but soon understood.
There were quite a few precedents of disciples receiving Foundation Establishment Pills but not taking them immediately, instead waiting until they deemed the time ripe to consume the pill and succeed in Foundation Establishment. This Sect Leader Zhong regarded Han Li as one of them.
“Hehe, congratulations, Junior Brother Han, on entering the Foundation Establishment stage! The number of high-level disciples in our sect has increased by one—truly a cause for celebration!” Zhong Lingdao stroked his long beard and said with a smile.
“I was merely fortunate, and it was all thanks to the Foundation Establishment Pill bestowed by the sect!” Han Li replied with a beaming face.
Upon hearing Han Li’s modest words, Zhong Lingdao smiled faintly and scrutinized Han Li once more. The more he looked at him, the more familiar Han Li seemed—he was absolutely certain they had met before, but he simply couldn’t recall when or where.
Thus, Zhong Lingdao nodded and fell into deep thought, racking his brains.
Seeing this, Han Li found it amusing but did not disturb him. Instead, he picked up his teacup and slowly savored the tea.
A moment later, a flash of insight struck Zhong Lingdao, and he actually remembered the matter of the Ascension Immortal Token. The young man who had stood in the assembly hall back then overlapped with the composed junior brother before him!
Recalling Han Li’s background, Zhong Lingdao suddenly looked up, his face full of astonishment, and exclaimed, “It’s you! The disciple who entered the valley with the Ascension Immortal Token back then! You actually succeeded in Foundation Establishment?”
“Sect Leader Senior Brother still remembers me! I must truly thank you for your kindness in allowing me to join the Yellow Maple Valley back then!” Seeing that the other had recognized him, Han Li showed no panic and lightly expressed his gratitude.
Hearing Han Li repeatedly address him as “Sect Leader Senior Brother,” Zhong Lingdao realized that this was no longer the rogue cultivator who had come to join the sect back then but a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the same generation as himself! Thus, the surprise on his face faded quickly, and he resumed his composed demeanor, saying gently, “It was nothing. I was merely following the rules years ago! What is truly astonishing is that Junior Brother Han, with his Pseudo Spiritual Root资质, actually succeeded in Foundation Establishment! If this were to spread, Junior Brother would likely become famous throughout the cultivation world overnight!”
Even though Zhong Lingdao appeared to have returned to his usual composure, his words still betrayed the astonishment in his heart!
This was hardly surprising. Zhong Lingdao knew Han Li’s circumstances all too well back then. For someone with a four-attribute False Spiritual Root to succeed in Foundation Establishment was truly difficult for him to accept.
Seeing this, Han Li smiled and said in a half-joking tone, “I didn’t expect it either. After taking one Foundation Establishment Pill, I actually succeeded. I can only say it was heaven’s help. It seems I, Han Li, am a fool with fool’s luck!”
Han Li’s words genuinely amused the other.
“However, Junior Brother Han! Didn’t you give your Foundation Establishment Pill to Junior Brother Ye’s grandnephew back then? Where did you get a new Foundation Establishment Pill?” After laughing twice, Sect Leader Zhong thought of this puzzling point and asked.
“Hehe! Sect Leader Senior Brother, speaking of this Foundation Establishment Pill, it was actually you who gave it to me!” Han Li said cheerfully, a smile on his face.
“Me?” This time, Zhong Lingdao was baffled. How could he have no memory of this?
“Has the Sect Leader forgotten? Among those who survived the forbidden area, three were rewarded with Foundation Establishment Pills, and I was one of them!” Han Li finally stopped smiling and said seriously.
“You are the nominal disciple taken in by Elder Li?” Zhong Lingdao could no longer maintain his calm demeanor and was visibly moved.
“Indeed, I am the disciple Elder Ancestor Li took in during that trip to the forbidden area!” Han Li did not deny it and admitted outright.
“So that’s how it is! No wonder the name Han Li sounded so familiar! So Junior Brother is the disciple who caused quite a stir in the valley a couple of years ago!” The astonishment in Zhong Lingdao’s eyes grew even stronger, but his tone became even more amiable.
Zhong Lingdao’s meaning was clear. Since Han Li had already achieved Foundation Establishment, it was almost certain that he would become Elder Li’s formal disciple in the future. Naturally, Zhong Lingdao had no desire to make an enemy of Han Li. Moreover, he thought to himself, “It seems this Junior Brother Han was extremely lucky to succeed in Foundation Establishment. With his aptitude, the chances of success were absolutely less than one in a hundred!”
Though Zhong Lingdao was inwardly muttering, on the surface, he naturally exchanged a few polite words with Han Li before asking him to wait a moment while he fetched the register.
Han Li naturally agreed readily and waited quietly for the other’s return.
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhong Lingdao finally returned, holding a white jade ledger. In front of Han Li, he used a golden lacquer brush to write Han Li’s name at the very bottom of the densely packed list of names, finally officially registering him!
Seeing this, Han Li was overjoyed, knowing that he could now rightfully claim a cave abode.
Zhong Lingdao often handled such miscellaneous tasks for newly Foundation Establishment disciples. Seeing the smile on Han Li’s face, he naturally guessed what Han Li was thinking. With a slight smile, he took out three mid-grade spirit stones and five small flags shrouded in faint white mist from his storage bag and handed them to Han Li.
“What are these?” Han Li could somewhat understand the mid-grade spirit stones—they were likely a reward from the sect for Foundation Establishment disciples. But what were these five palm-sized flags for? Judging by their peculiar appearance and spiritual energy, they didn’t seem like ordinary magical instruments—they were quite strange!
Before Han Li could ask, Zhong Lingdao flipped his hand and handed a jade slip to Han Li, explaining, “These spirit stones are a one-time reward for every newly Foundation Establishment disciple. From now on, you will also receive one mid-grade spirit stone every year without having to perform any miscellaneous duties!”
As for these Mist Trapping Flags, they are essential for opening a cave abode. Although the mist-trapping array they form is only the simplest small-scale formation, it is enough to ward off mortals or wild beasts! Of course, if Junior Brother is already well-versed in formations, you naturally won’t need these flags. Additionally, this jade slip contains the formation secrets and manipulation techniques. Of course, I’ve also copied some matters that should be noted after Foundation Establishment inside. Junior Brother can peruse it carefully after returning.
“Thank you for your trouble, Sect Leader Senior Brother!” Han Li received them with both hands, repeatedly expressing his gratitude. These were indeed exactly what Han Li needed most at the moment, filling him with irrepressible joy!
After all matters were settled, Han Li chatted with Sect Leader Zhong for another incense stick’s worth of time before taking his leave and departing the assembly hall.
After leaving the stone hall, Han Li originally intended to immediately fly out of Yellow Maple Valley to personally search for a location to open his cave abode.
However, on the way, after glancing through the jade slip given by Zhong Lingdao, Han Li immediately changed his mind. Steering his magic tool, he turned and flew toward another place.
The name “Kylin Pavilion” was imposing and very resounding. It was also one of the most important places in Yellow Maple Valley because it was specifically dedicated to raising and taming spirit beasts within the valley.
“Spirit beasts” were essentially demon beasts. Once tamed by cultivators, demon beasts naturally became so-called spirit beasts!
Most of the spirit beasts in the Kylin Pavilion were only first-level spirit beasts. Even if there were a few second-level demon spirit beasts, they were placed here by others and could not be casually commanded.
However, even if they were only first-level spirit beasts, they provided many convenient services for the disciples in the valley. For example, carrying people, guarding doors, searching for spirit medicines, assisting in attacks, etc. And Han Li had come specifically for a type of demon beast here called the “Dual-Pupiled Mouse.”
This spirit beast, which resembled an ordinary mouse but had naturally divine eyes, was precisely what Zhong Lingdao had recommended to Han Li in the jade slip. It was the best helper for searching for cave abode locations!
This first-level mid-grade demon beast had dual pupils that could easily see through obstacles like mist, rivers, and trees that blocked ordinary cultivators’ sight. Moreover, by nature, it liked to burrow and make nests in places with the densest spiritual energy.
Thus, after a bit of training, the Dual-Pupiled Mouse became the best scout for finding spiritual eye locations! It was highly popular among the disciples in the valley!
This was not Han Li’s first time at the Kylin Pavilion. He had passed by its door a few times in the past while handling matters, so he was not entirely unfamiliar with the place.
When he descended from the sky and landed on the welcome platform of the Strange Beast Mountain, where the entire emerald green hill belonged to the Kylin Pavilion, a low-level female disciple immediately approached and greeted Han Li, saying, “Esteemed Uncle-Master, have you come to rent a spirit beast?” After speaking these clear words, this young disciple of only sixteen or seventeen couldn’t help but show an expectant expression.
Seeing this, Han Li smiled faintly and said, “Is there an available Dual-Pupiled Mouse on the mountain now? I want to rent one for two days!”
“Yes, of course! I will bring one for you right away, Uncle-Master!” Upon hearing this, the female disciple’s face lit up with joy, and she happily replied.
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