A Name Shakes the World; The Falling Cloud Sect

Chapter 606: A Name Shakes the World; The Falling Cloud Sect

“Brother Han, what do you think of my suggestion? With Mei Ning’s beauty, she would be more than suitable as your concubine. This is a good thing falling right into your lap. You wouldn’t refuse, would you, Fellow Daoist?” Zi Ling pressed him with a sweet smile, seeing that Han Li had remained silent.

Han Li’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He looked at Mei Ning, this gentle and enchantingly beautiful woman.

Her head was bowed even lower, a faint blush creeping down her exposed, snowy neck. She was breathtakingly lovely.

It seemed she had indeed silently acquiesced to Zi Ling’s words.

“With Miss Mei’s looks and character, she would be a sought-after prize not just as my concubine, but even as a dual-cultivation partner for a high-level cultivator. But I am different from ordinary cultivators. I have long resolved to devote my life fully to the pursuit of immortality. I do not easily engage in matters of romance. Furthermore, I am used to walking alone, constantly embroiled in dangerous pursuits and deadly chases. How could I have the standing to take a concubine? Following me would not be a blessing for Fellow Daoist Mei. On the contrary, she would only suffer from the entanglements it brings!” Han Li said slowly, his expression calm.

Hearing Han Li’s words, Mei Ning’s body trembled slightly. The blush on her neck quickly receded. She slowly lifted her head, her face looking somewhat pale.

“Brother Han, that sounds like a refusal. With your mid-late Core Formation cultivation, there are few in this world who can threaten you except for those old monsters at the Nascent Soul stage. Besides, if you succeed in forming your Nascent Soul soon, you’ll be able to go anywhere in the world. Surely you could protect a weak woman like Mei Ning?” Zi Ling said with a hint of reproach in her voice, as if greatly dissatisfied that Han Li was turning away such a beautiful woman.

“Fellow Daoist Zi Ling knows well that although I consider my cultivation slightly superior to others at the same stage, the enemies I attract have always been formidable. Until I enter the Nascent Soul stage and truly possess enough power, I will not consider taking a concubine. Otherwise, if I cannot protect her, it would only lead to pointless heartache,” Han Li said coolly.

Zi Ling’s brow furrowed. She knew that what Han Li said was true. She also vaguely sensed that he was growing somewhat impatient. After a sigh, she dropped the topic.

“So Brother Han does not find my appearance contemptible. Then, if you do enter the Nascent Soul stage, would you be willing to take me in?” Mei Ning finally regained her composure. She bit her lower lip and looked at Han Li, asking unexpectedly.

“Nascent Soul stage? I have no confidence at all in reaching that realm. And even if I did, it would be many years from now. Are you really willing to wait that long, Miss Mei? Perhaps even after a hundred years, I still might not succeed in forming my Nascent Soul,” Han Li said flatly, sweeping his gaze over her.

“I…” Hearing this, Mei Ning’s expression flickered uncertainly, unable to continue the conversation.

With her Foundation Establishment stage lifespan, a hundred years was already an eternity, let alone twenty or thirty. He was indeed a good candidate for a dual-cultivation partner, but she could not truly waste such a long time waiting for an uncertain outcome.

After all, the world of immortal cultivation was inherently realistic and cruel. She had spent some time with Han Li and had developed a certain fondness for him. But to say she had fallen completely and irrevocably in love with him was, of course, impossible.

Seeing the hesitation on Mei Ning’s face, Han Li sighed inwardly. He reached into his bosom, pulled out two small bottles, and pushed them across the table to her.

“These contain some pills for advancing cultivation, refined from demon beast inner cores. Instead of relying on dual cultivation arts to boost your power, Miss Mei, you might do better to cultivate diligently. Perhaps, like Fellow Daoist Zi Ling, you could form your own golden core one day,” Han Li said unhurriedly.

These Foundation Establishment stage pills were useless to him now. But considering the fragrant favor she had done him by passing on the 'Spiritual Communion Qi' back then, he didn't mind giving them to her as a gesture of goodwill. This way, he felt he no longer owed her anything.

“Pills refined from demon beast inner cores?” Mei Ning’s expression shifted. She instinctively picked up a small bottle and opened the lid. A rich fragrance immediately filled the entire private room.

“These are top-grade pills!” She stared blankly at Han Li, clutching the jade bottle, momentarily at a loss for words.

He had clearly taken liberties with her in the Netherworld Domain, yet he had just refused to take her as a concubine. And now he was giving her such precious pills. She was confused.

“Hehe! Brother Han is quite generous. Since he’s said so, sister, just accept them. Perhaps after gathering some additional spiritual medicines, you really can enter the Core Formation stage on your own, just as Brother Han said. If that happens, we sisters can support each other and still live quite freely,” Zi Ling said with a smile, a flicker of surprise in her eyes at the sight of the pills.

A complex expression crossed Mei Ning’s face as she deeply gazed at Han Li. After quietly offering her thanks, she gently put the bottles away into her storage pouch.

Seeing her accept the pills, a faint smile appeared on Han Li’s face. He then turned his head slightly, looking out the window at the town street.

People were coming and going; it was bustling and lively.

This very familiar scene suddenly reminded Han Li of things long forgotten. His smile faded as he let out a soft sigh.

Seeing this expression on Han Li’s face, Zi Ling and Mei Ning exchanged a perplexed glance.

……

Nanzhou. The second largest of Xi Country’s seven provinces, located in the remote western part of the nation. The terrain was complex, riddled with countless hills and dense forests, and punctuated by frequent swamps and miasmas. Aside from a few scattered cities of varying sizes and some official roads, it was rare to see anyone traveling through the wilderness.

As for the more remote high mountains, they were entirely the domain of venomous snakes and fierce beasts. Ordinary people did not dare to venture deep into them.

Conversely, because of its unique environment and the abundance of rare medicinal herbs and spirit beasts, Nanzhou was a favorite destination for Xi Country’s cultivators.

More than half of Xi Country’s cultivation sects were concentrated in this single, small province. Several powerful sects had even monopolized areas with the most abundant spiritual energy.

Among these, Mount Yunmeng was a famous sacred vein of spiritual energy throughout the entire Tian Nan region.

Deep within this mountain range grew a legendary Spirit Eye Tree, the last of the cultivation world’s three divine trees. In the eyes of those in power among the cultivation sects, its value was far greater than that of the Divine Thunder Bamboo or the Soul Nourishing Wood.

Once every two hundred years, this Spirit Eye Tree would secrete a spiritual liquid called 'Concentrated Liquor' from its roots.

Although this liquid could not be consumed directly, it was an excellent ingredient for refining several types of spiritual medicines.

And a legendary sacred pill, the 'Settling Spirit Pill,' absolutely required this liquid as its primary catalyst.

The Settling Spirit Pill, also known as the Soul-Calming Pill, could not only boost a cultivator’s cultivation but also calm the mind and soul, reducing the intrusion of Inner Demons. If one took one in advance when condensing a Nascent Soul, it could make the process significantly easier.

Condensing a Nascent Soul was quite different from forming a Core. Besides needing sufficient cultivation and a certain amount of luck, one also had to endure interference from illusions and Inner Demons. The process of transforming the core into an infant was, after all, a terrifying trial that tempered one’s mind and resolve.

With such a heaven-defying treasure within Mount Yunmeng, coupled with its abundant spiritual energy far surpassing ordinary spirit veins, naturally every sect wanted a foothold there.

After a series of open and secret struggles, the mountain was now jointly occupied by three sects: the Ancient Sword Sect, the Falling Cloud Sect, and the Hundred Crafts Academy.

The original strength of these three sects was already at the pinnacle within Xi Country. With their alliance, the other sects could only give up on their desire to seize this spiritual mountain, glaring from afar with envy.

At the base of a peak in the Mount Yunmeng range, Han Li walked along a blue stone path. While pondering the information about Mount Yunmeng, he was also observing his surroundings.

Besides himself, there were a few other young men and women silently walking along this mountain path. Excitement was written on every face.

Seeing this, Han Li smiled faintly to himself.

It was no wonder. These few days were the period when the local major cultivation sect, the Falling Cloud Sect, was openly recruiting new disciples.

These young men and women at the Qi Condensation stage were naturally thrilled.

That Han Li had appeared here half a month later was for a reason.

He also planned to enter this sect, famous for its alchemy arts.

However, he would not be joining as a Core Formation cultivator. Instead, he intended to blend in as an ordinary Qi Condensation stage disciple.

Given his current cultivation and the miraculous nature of the nameless Qi Concealment Art, no one would be able to detect his true cultivation unless they were a Nascent Soul stage cultivator of the mid-stage or higher who carefully examined him. With this as his backing, he dared to make this plan.

But when he recalled the situation after parting ways with Zi Ling and Mei Ning, he could only smile wryly to himself.

According to his original plan, he would have found a place to open a cave dwelling, then take some pills to elevate his cultivation to the Great Perfection of the late Core Formation stage. Although the Spiritual Communion Qi had increased his cultivation, he was still a bit short of the 'False Infant' stage, the true beginning of Nascent Soul condensation.

However, an unexpected event had completely overturned his plan.

After taking one pill, he was stunned to find that the pills which could originally advance his cultivation had completely lost their effect. Whether they were refined from sixth-grade demon beast inner cores or seventh-grade ones, it was all the same. No effect whatsoever.

This left Han Li speechless.

(End of this chapter)