Stirrings Beyond the Sea / The Immortal Ascension Pavilion

Chapter 376: Stirrings Beyond the Sea / The Immortal Ascension Pavilion

“Fellow Daoist Han, the ten cultivators you challenged were all temporary fighters hired at high prices by the big families from the island’s Guard Force. Although each of them wasn’t at a high cultivation level, they frequently go out to sea to battle demonic beasts and fight and spar with cultivators from other islands. Their combat experience and techniques are far superior to ordinary cultivators. It’s no surprise at all that someone weaker than them would lose—even if their cultivation was two or three layers higher!” Wen Qiang said, clicking his tongue in wonder.

“It’s nothing. I just got lucky!” Han Li laughed politely.

When it came to combat experience, Han Li felt he had plenty himself.

“By the way, Fellow Daoist, you came here to go to the Immortal Ascension Pavilion to handle some procedures, right?” The young man glanced toward the green mountain, then turned back with a smile.

“You guessed correctly. I want to handle the procedures for settling down on the island and pick a place to live and cultivate.”

There was nothing to hide about these matters, so Han Li answered with a calm expression.

“Hehe! I’ve been to the Immortal Ascension Pavilion a few times. How about I guide you? It’s on my way anyway! Otherwise, Green Cloud Mountain is so vast, it really wouldn’t be easy to find,” Wen Qiang suggested without hesitation after hearing Han Li’s words.

Seeing the other’s proactive enthusiasm, Han Li was slightly stunned, then quickly expressed his thanks.

Thus, the two of them flew side by side toward the great mountain ahead.

“On this island’s Green Cloud Mountain, aside from the three main peaks—Heavenly Pillar Peak, Heavenly Sky Peak, and Heavenly Gate Peak—there are also three hundred and sixty-seven smaller peaks, plus countless caves, grottos, and valleys. You could say there’s plenty of room for cultivation,” the young man chatted on, introducing the mountain range before them as they flew.

“Of course, although most of Green Cloud Mountain sits on a decent-sized spirit vein, the density of spiritual qi certainly differs from place to place. Generally speaking, the taller the peak, the more abundant its spiritual qi. As such, the thirty-six peaks with the densest qi become the targets for the island’s once-a-decade Spirit Land Challenge. Anyone who believes their cultivation is higher than the current master of one of these thirty-six peaks may challenge them. The victor takes control of that peak. As for the other peaks, their spiritual qi isn’t all that different. Generally, once a cultivator reaches Foundation Establishment, they automatically gain the right to claim one of these peaks as their cultivation site. As for Qi Condensation cultivators, they have to settle for finding some valley or cave to train in.”

“Foundation Establishment cultivators can each have their own mountain peak?” Han Li was genuinely surprised.

“Yes, but the Foundation Establishment cultivators on this island have already claimed most of them. Us Qi Condensation cultivators shouldn’t hope for such good fortune,” the young man said with a self-deprecating laugh.

“Oh…” Various thoughts churned in Han Li’s mind, stirring a hint of excitement.

“By the way, the three main peaks are so tall. The spiritual qi up there must be even richer, right?” Han Li suddenly asked, as if something had just occurred to him.

“Naturally. The tallest one, Heavenly Pillar Peak, is the island’s Spirit Eye. It’s the cultivation site of Island Lord Mu Long, a Core Formation True Man. No other cultivators are allowed in. I hear Lord Mu is at the mid Core Formation stage and possesses formidable magical powers. As for Heavenly Gate Peak and Heavenly Sky Peak, they are the cave dwellings of the two Vice Island Lords, True Man Yuan Jun and True Woman Kan Qin. Though they can’t compare to Heavenly Pillar Peak, their spiritual qi is still several times richer than anywhere else,” Wen Qiang said, a look of envy coloring his words as he spoke.

“Fellow Daoist Wen, are the two Vice Island Lords also Core Formation seniors?” Han Li raised an eyebrow and asked slowly.

“Not only are they both early Core Formation cultivators, they are also a dual cultivation Daoist couple,” Wen Qiang said, wagging his head.

Hearing this, Han Li frowned almost imperceptibly.

Having three Core Formation cultivators on a single island called Kui Xing was quite unexpected.

As Han Li was lost in thought, he and Wen Qiang had already entered Green Cloud Mountain. Occasionally, they encountered other cultivators flying on their artifacts.

But the others only cast a cold glance at the pair before flying off on their own business.

Half a quarter of an hour later, under Wen Qiang’s guidance, Han Li finally flew onto a relatively tall peak.

At the top of the peak stood a two-story pavilion. It was hard to tell how long ago it had been built. The exterior was dilapidated and worn, and above the door hung a chipped plaque bearing three crooked black characters: “Immortal Ascension Pavilion.”

Seeing this, Han Li was taken aback.

“This is…” Even with the sign in sight, Han Li couldn’t quite believe it. He turned his head to ask Wen Qiang.

“I hate to admit it, but this really is the Immortal Ascension Pavilion,” the young man said helplessly, spreading his hands.

“Alright, I’ll leave you here. Also, the senior in charge of the Immortal Ascension Pavilion has a bit of a strange temper. You should be careful!” the young man waved goodbye, imparting a final warning in a transmission of sound before he left.

Han Li watched the young man disappear with an indifferent expression. He shook his head lightly, then landed calmly in front of the pavilion and walked slowly toward it.

But just as he reached the door, a somewhat harsh voice sounded in his ear.

“Come in. The door is unlocked.”

Hearing this, Han Li’s heart tightened, but he stepped into the pavilion without the slightest hesitation.

The moment he entered, he was dumbfounded.

The interior was the complete opposite of the exterior—lavishly decorated beyond belief!

The floor was covered in brilliant, fiery red precious silk. The walls were inlaid with gold and jade, countless sparkling gems twinkling incessantly. In the corners of the pavilion stood several exotic, brilliantly colored plants that Han Li couldn’t identify.

Across from him was a strange stone bed glowing with a faint blue light. Although Han Li didn’t know what material it was made of, it was clearly something precious and rare.

On the bed half-reclined a middle-aged man with a haggard appearance. He wore a dazzling red fur coat, cradled a massive white pearl in both hands, and was gazing at Han Li with a mild expression.

“Greetings, Senior. I came to handle settlement procedures. Might I trouble you with this matter?” Han Li suppressed his surprise, bowed, and asked respectfully.

“Settlement? Do you have a guarantor?” the middle-aged man asked weakly, clearing his throat.

“I do.” Han Li immediately took out the document the Gu family had given him, stepped forward, and handed it over.

He didn’t dare to underestimate this man. The spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from the man clearly told him this was a powerful cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

The middle-aged man took the signed document from Han Li, gave it a quick glance, and set it aside. Then his eyes flickered sharply as he studied Han Li.

“I heard a new cultivator had arrived on the island who defeated a member of the Guard Force with only Layer 5 cultivation. That wouldn’t be you, would it?” he asked, casually stroking the pearl in his arms.

Hearing this question, Han Li was slightly startled but quickly replied modestly:

“It was merely luck! Nothing to take seriously!”

“Hmph. Luck…” The man snorted coldly.

Seeing this reaction, Han Li frowned inwardly with some confusion.

“This match only happened a few days ago. How does this man know about it?”

As if reading Han Li’s confusion, the middle-aged man tightened his fur coat and said impassively:

“That Guard Force member you defeated happens to be a worthless disciple of mine. To lose to an opponent of a lower cultivation level—I’ve already ordered him to face the wall as punishment.”

Hearing this, Han Li was first stunned, then forced a bitter smile.

What lousy luck! Was this man trying to get even on his disciple’s behalf?

Han Li grew a bit uneasy.

“Relax. This is merely a matter between you juniors. I won’t bully the weak. But five years from now, I hope you’ll spar with my worthless disciple once more. Win or lose, I won’t pursue the matter further,” the middle-aged man said coldly, glancing sideways at Han Li.

“Since Senior has made this request, this junior naturally won’t refuse!” Han Li’s heart relaxed, and he agreed without hesitation.

Seeing Han Li’s ready compliance, the Core Formation cultivator was momentarily surprised, then a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

“Now, let me handle your settlement matters.” With a flash of white light in his hand, the pearl vanished. The man sat up slowly and spoke.

The so-called settlement procedures were quite simple. The middle-aged man took out a golden book, inscribed Han Li’s name into it, and that was it. Naturally, the green jade token Han Li had received upon entering the harbor was collected and exchanged for a different blue jade pendant.

The blue jade pendant glowed with a faint blue light. It was actually a low-grade magic tool. According to the middle-aged man, it had a slight water-repelling effect, which was quite practical.

Next, the middle-aged man took out a silver illustrated booklet and tossed it to Han Li.

“Wherever there’s a golden mark on it, someone’s already living there. The white marks indicate unoccupied, suitable cultivation sites. Choose for yourself. Cough, cough…” The man seemed to be in poor health. His words were a little rushed, and he couldn’t stop coughing lightly, giving the appearance of someone gravely ill.