Spirit Penetration

Time passed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, Han Li had spent three months in bitter cultivation within his cave dwelling.

During this period, Kui Huan and the others came by once more, somewhat apologetically informing him that they had mentioned his proficiency in talisman crafting to certain senior sect elders and hoped he would not take offense. Since he had long planned to use talisman crafting as a cover, Han Li naturally did not truly mind. After soothing them with kind words, he sent them on their way.

As for Tianquan Peak, because Han Li had unexpectedly been selected among the twenty-four disciples, the cold, attractive woman named Mu had even deigned to visit the medicine garden. She spent half a day explaining difficult points in the Profound Ice Art to him. This caught Han Li somewhat off guard, but he said nothing.

Apart from these two groups, no one else came to disturb Han Li’s cultivation.

One day, Han Li was bitterly cultivating the Azure Origin Sword Art in the quiet room of his cave dwelling when his brow suddenly furrowed. He ceased his technique and rose to his feet.

By the time he left the quiet room, passed through the cave’s main entrance, and entered the medicine garden, a fiery light—a transmission talisman—was recklessly battering against the garden’s restrictive mist. Seeing this, Han Li gently parted the restriction and beckoned. The talisman obediently transformed into a ball of flame and landed in his hand.

A moment later, his five fingers closed. The flame vanished without a trace.

“White Phoenix Peak… Ancestral Master Song! Isn’t she that Core Formation female cultivator known as the number one beauty of the Falling Cloud Sect? Could she be the one offering instruction? If so, these next few days shouldn’t be too difficult.” Han Li’s face was expressionless as he murmured to himself.

Then, without further hesitation, he raised his hand, released his flying sword artifact, and sped off in the direction of White Phoenix Peak.

…

White Phoenix Peak was located at the easternmost edge of the Falling Cloud Sect, quite far from the other five peaks. It carried an air of solitary pride, like a lone plum blossom braving the snow.

Though it was the smallest of the six major peaks, it was lush and verdant, covered in greenery. In terms of scenic beauty, it was unmatched among the peaks, far beyond what Tianquan Peak or the others could offer.

Soon, Han Li found himself near White Phoenix Peak.

Because this peak housed mostly female cultivators, it had an unwritten, peculiar rule: any male disciple from another peak who needed to conduct business here must first request permission from the disciples stationed at the mountain gate at the base. Only then could they ascend the mountain. Otherwise, if they fell prey to White Phoenix Peak’s restrictive formations, they would have only themselves to blame.

Han Li naturally had no intention of forcing his way through. He obediently landed his artifact at the foot of the mountain.

At the mountain gate, three Qi Condensation stage female cultivators were chatting and laughing. Seeing Han Li, an unfamiliar male cultivator, land nearby, they couldn’t help but cast curious looks his way.

“This humble one is Han Li of Tianquan Peak. I have come to receive guidance from Ancestral Master Song. I request that you senior sisters inform her of my arrival,” Han Li said, clasping his fists toward the female disciples.

“So you’re Han Li. The ancestral master has already informed us. Junior Han can go directly to the Phoenix Summoning Pavilion at the peak. The ancestral master is waiting for you there,” a young female cultivator with a few freckles on her face said with a light laugh after hearing Han Li’s words.

Han Li expressed his thanks, then immediately took his leave and flew up on his artifact.

However, no sooner had he flown a short distance away than the three female disciples, perhaps believing it impossible for Han Li to still hear them, began discussing him with some lack of restraint.

“This Junior Han is really one of the sect’s disciples for the Sword Trial Assembly? His cultivation doesn’t seem very high.”

“And his appearance is quite ordinary too. Not the least bit remarkable.”

“Hehe! You wouldn’t know this. I watched all of Junior Han’s matches. Let me tell you…”

Hearing this, Han Li revealed a faint, wry smile as he withdrew his spiritual sense. Shaking his head, he flew straight toward the peak.

White Phoenix Peak was not very tall. In the space of a few breaths, Han Li had reached the summit.

Here, there was a flat area a hundred zhang in circumference. White clouds drifted all around, and the spiritual energy was abundant, creating the illusion of a celestial paradise.

And in this paradise-like location, a single, solitary pavilion stood.

The pavilion was about twenty zhang tall and divided into three stories. It was built entirely from an unknown type of white wood, without any paint or color, giving it an air of elegant simplicity.

Han Li landed his artifact before the pavilion and, without hesitation, announced in a loud voice:

“Disciple Han Li pays respects to Ancestral Master Song!”

As soon as these words left his mouth, Han Li sensed a faint wisp of spiritual sense sweep over him.

Pretending not to notice, Han Li stood his ground, his expression unchanged.

After a long moment, a woman’s gentle and moving voice came from within the pavilion.

“Since you’re here, come directly up to the second floor. I am waiting for you here.”

“As you command!” Han Li did not say much. Taking a few steps forward, he gently pushed open the wooden door.

The pavilion’s door opened easily. The first floor was empty, save for a single magic formation that seemed intended for cultivation practice. There was nothing else.

After a quick sweep, Han Li went straight up to the second floor.

The second floor was decorated with the same cold simplicity. Besides a few wooden shelves piled high with magical tools and jade slips, the only furnishings were a few chairs and a low stone table.

As soon as his head emerged above the second floor, Han Li saw a woman in blue robes seated on a chair, her head bowed as she studied a pile of worn bamboo slips, seemingly absorbed in some research. Her cultivation was at the early Core Formation stage.

Han Li hesitated for a moment, about to speak, when the woman raised her head, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful countenance that could stir anyone’s heart.

“You are Han Li?” the stunning woman, who appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six, asked calmly.

“Yes, Ancestral Master,” Han Li replied, his hands at his sides.

“Mm. Since you have managed to get here, it can be considered your karma. I will naturally instruct you with full dedication. However, you may only remain in this Phoenix Summoning Pavilion for three days. When the three days are up, you must leave this pavilion and White Phoenix Peak. How much you comprehend during this period will depend entirely on your own fortune.” The woman fixed her unusually clear and bright eyes on Han Li as she spoke slowly.

For some reason, although this woman’s cultivation was not high, the moment her gaze fell upon him, Han Li felt a peculiar sensation of being completely seen through, both body and mind. He was inwardly alarmed.

Given the strength of his spiritual sense, the fact that he could experience such a feeling was far too bizarre.

It was clear that she had employed some technique to probe his heart and mind.

Without further thought, Han Li outwardly maintained a respectful expression and voiced his assent, while internally, the Great Derivative Art’s technique instantly circulated throughout his body, hurriedly guarding his heart and mind.

Just as Han Li was secretly on guard and bewildered, a strange light flickered in the blue-robed woman’s clear eyes. She closed them, a trace of weariness appearing on her face.

“Recite the technique manual you cultivate for me first. Then go down to the first floor and wait. Do not come up again without my instruction. After I have had some time to ponder it, I will summon you back to explain the parts you find difficult or obscure in detail. Begin now,” the woman said softly.

“Yes, Disciple cultivates the Profound Ice Art given to me by Uncle-Master Mu. This technique…” Han Li recited slowly, his expression unchanged.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Han Li finally finished his recitation.

The blue-robed woman nodded slightly and waved her hand, indicating that Han Li should descend for now.

Han Li offered a salute, then without another word, withdrew from the second floor.

The blue-robed woman watched Han Li’s retreating figure, her brow slightly furrowed as she sat motionless in her chair.

But after a moment, she raised an elegant eyebrow and slowly rose. With a wave of her hand, a blue soundproof barrier appeared around her.

She then pulled out a transmission talisman, muttered a few words in a composed tone, and tossed it out of the barrier. The talisman transformed into a streak of fire that flew directly out of a window and vanished from sight.

…

Halfway up the main peak of the Falling Cloud Sect, in the pavilion where the Core Formation cultivators had previously gathered, the white-bearded old man stood leisurely by a window, gazing into the distance.

Suddenly, a glint of sharp light flashed in his eyes. A streak of fire shot toward him from beyond the heavens.

Without a word, the old man raised his hand. A patch of white mist shot out from his palm, wrapping around the red light and drawing it into his hand, where it transformed into blazing flames.

The brief voice of the blue-robed woman emerged from the fire.

“Han Li is fine. Du Dong is suspicious!”

“Hmph. Suspicious. I knew something was off. Back then, the Du family had a close friendship with the Fu family, who held power in the Hundred Ingenious Hall. If he were truly a descendant of the Du family, he should have naturally enrolled in the Hundred Ingenious Hall. Why would he come running to our Falling Cloud Sect?” the white-bearded old man muttered coldly to himself, a hint of frost appearing on his face.

“Still, Uncle-Master Song’s ‘Spirit Penetration’ divine ability has grown more formidable. Besides the two Ancestral Masters, I wonder if I could even withstand it head-on.” The white-bearded old man seemed to think of something else, muttering with a hint of envy.

…

Over two months later, in a massive valley surrounded by mountains on all sides, the mountain gate of the Hundred Ingenious Sect was located in the western mountain range of Yunmeng Mountain.

Several thousand disciples of the Hundred Ingenious Sect, dressed in a variety of robes, had gathered in the square at the valley’s center. They were chattering excitedly, their noise and bustle unceasing.

Many were standing on tiptoe, gazing up at the sky, expressions of impatience on their faces, as if they were anxiously waiting for something.