The Southern Lesser Assembly

Chapter 128: The Southern Lesser Assembly

“Which sect’s disciple are you, brother?” the youth asked after he finished excitedly reading the strange energy before him. He seemed to remember something and turned his head.

From their casual conversation, Han Li had learned that, besides orthodox cultivation sects and cultivation aristocratic families, there were many scattered cultivators in the cultivation world.

These so-called scattered cultivators were mostly either the descendants of fallen cultivation families, ordinary people like Han Li who had stumbled into the cultivation world by acquiring a cultivation manual, or the last disciples of nearly extinct minor sects. Most of these scattered cultivators were not very powerful, generally stuck at the Qi Condensation stage. As a result, they were often looked down upon by members of cultivation families, who viewed them with a certain disdain, much like how the wealthy in the mortal world looked down on the destitute.

“I’m not from any family. I’ve always cultivated on my own!” Han Li said after a moment’s thought, deciding to tell the truth. Pretending to be from another family would be far too easy to expose.

“So you’re a scattered cultivator!” the youth said, a little surprised. However, there was no hint of discrimination on his face; in fact, he looked somewhat delighted.

He excitedly circled around Han Li, scrutinizing him as if he were a rare specimen.

“Didn’t you just say that cultivation families look down on scattered cultivators? Why are you so happy to meet one?” Han Li asked, a bit taken aback.

“That’s them! Don’t lump my family, the Wan family, in with other cultivation families. Our people have always gotten along well with scattered cultivators!” the youth retorted, puffing out his chest with pride. He seemed very proud of his family’s way of doing things.

“Our ancestor was originally a scattered cultivator himself. He got lucky and joined a cultivation sect, becoming a formal disciple of the Giant Sword Sect. That’s how our family started. So one of our family rules is a direct ancestral decree forbidding discrimination against scattered cultivators,” the youth said with a grin.

“In fact, it’s not just my family. Other families whose ancestors were also scattered cultivators don’t have any ill will towards them either. But these families make up too small a part of all cultivation families, which is where the rumor of them discriminating against scattered cultivators comes from,” the youth added, shaking his head.

“I see! It seems I’m pretty lucky, bumping into someone from your Wan family on my first try.” Some of the wariness Han Li had felt towards the youth after revealing his identity as a scattered cultivator dissipated.

“But brother, you’ve asked me about all sorts of things that every cultivator knows. Are you a newcomer who just left the mountain?” The youth’s eyes flickered. He seemed to have a sudden flash of insight and spoke with a tone of dawning realization.

Hearing this, Han Li smiled faintly, patted the youth’s shoulder, and said apologetically, “I didn’t mean to deceive you, little brother. I’ve only recently entered the cultivation world and had some concerns.”

“It’s fine! I don’t care! But big brother, you should at least tell me your name! And just call me Xiao Shan from now on,” Wan Xiao Shan said, clearly the type to get familiar quickly, waving his hand dismissively.

“Heh heh. My name is Han Li. I really am new to the cultivation world, so I’ll have to rely on you, brother Xiao Shan, to look out for me!” Han Li felt even more favorable towards Wan Xiao Shan, and his tone became much more relaxed.

“No problem! Feel free to ask me anything you don’t understand, Han Ge. Hehe! I never thought I’d have the chance to teach someone!” Wan Xiao Shan declared proudly.

“I surely will ask for your advice, Xiao Shan. But, shouldn’t we be entering the valley now?” Han Li pointed at the sky and smiled faintly.

“Ah! I almost forgot the important stuff!” Following Han Li’s finger, Wan Xiao Shan looked up at the sky and immediately started fussing and shouting.

He fumbled around on himself for a while before finally pulling a talisman paper from his bosom.

He held it in his hand, made a few gestures, muttered a few phrases under his breath, then tossed the talisman into the air. It transformed into a streak of fire that shot into the thick fog and vanished.

“Wait a moment, Han Ge. That Transmission Talisman of mine will reach the people inside the valley soon. They will release the formation to let us in,” the youth explained, seeing Han Li staring thoughtfully at the spot where the fire streak had disappeared.

“Oh!” Han Li nodded in understanding.

“So, Han Ge, did you bring a lot of things to trade for this trip to Tai Nan Valley? Can you let your little brother hear? Don’t be shy! I’ll go first and tell you about my stuff.”

“I brought a dozen sheets of low-rank blank talisman paper, two low-rank Invisibility Talismans, two Earth Evasion Talismans, one mid-rank Chain Lightning Talisman, a dozen low-rank Ice Bullet Talismans, a block of Mysterious Iron, a bottle of low-grade cinnabar, a bundle of Three-Tailed Cat whiskers, some spirit herbs…” Wan Xiao Shan, completely unaware of Han Li’s dumbfounded expression, rattled off a long list of items while counting on his fingers.

“Alright! Your turn, Han Ge! Hey, why is your face so pale? You…” the youth blinked, not quite understanding, and looked at Han Li.

“Is it necessary to prepare things to enter Tai Nan Valley?” Han Li’s expression was grim.

“There’s no rule like that!” Wan Xiao Shan answered simply.

Hearing this, Han Li’s expression improved considerably.

“But since you’re coming to Tai Nan Valley at this time, you must be here for the Southern Lesser Assembly. Who would come empty-handed? This is a trading fair held once every five years, specifically for us juniors of Lan Province! Especially since the Ascension Assembly is also being held in our Lan Province a month from now, so even more people are showing up for the Southern Lesser Assembly on the side. Don’t tell me you didn’t come here for the renowned Southern Lesser Assembly?” The youth spoke with astonishment, looking at Han Li with disbelief.

Han Li smiled bitterly.

“Brother Xiao Shan, I honestly didn’t know there was any ‘Lesser Assembly’ being held here. I just heard that other cultivators lived in this area and wanted to come make some acquaintances. How could I have prepared anything specifically?” Han Li spread his hands helplessly.

“So that’s how it is! What a pity! You’ve missed a golden opportunity, Han Ge. You know, chances to get materials and items you lack don’t come around often.” Wan Xiao Shan’s face was full of regret as he sighed for Han Li.

“Well, it’s not like I have absolutely nothing to trade. I at least have those two talismans,” Han Li thought to himself with a touch of self-deprecating humor.

At that moment, the thick fog before them suddenly began to churn. Then, as if cut by a blade, it parted to create a path wide enough for two people to walk side by side. The other end of the path stretched out of sight, seeming very distant.

“Alright, let’s go!” the youth said happily, making a funny face at Han Li before dashing eagerly onto the path and disappearing.

Han Li, however, calmly studied the path for a moment before stepping onto it, walking steadily and without haste.

The path looked very long, but after just a few steps, they reached its end.

As Han Li stepped out of the passage, his eyes were momentarily dazzled. A green valley filled with strange and exotic plants appeared before him. The valley was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the only entrance being the fog-covered slope he had just come through.

The entire area was very large, covering over a hundred acres. In the center stood a large complex of ornate, palace-like pavilions, where people in strange and unusual clothing were coming and going.

In the open space in front of these pavilions was a very wide, blue-brick square. Many people were setting up small stalls around the perimeter of the square, just like street vendors. One or two people would occasionally crowd in front of these stalls, take a glance, or ask a quiet question, but Han Li didn’t see many instant transactions taking place.

Seeing this, Han Li couldn’t help but take a deep breath. So this was the cultivation world. All the people here should be cultivators. Being able to see so many cultivators at once was still a bit disorienting for him.

Han Li lightly shook his head to clear it. He constantly reminded himself that the world he was about to enter was one he could never have imagined before. Here, almost anyone could easily destroy him. He had to be cautious and keep a low profile.

Thinking this, he turned to look back at the path, which had now completely vanished. Then, he lifted his leg and walked into the square.