A Name That Shakes the World – Spirit Candle Fruit and the Genesis Pill

Chapter 761: A Name That Shakes the World – Spirit Candle Fruit and the Genesis Pill

The lovely woman who appeared before Han Li was none other than Mei Ning, who had traveled with him to the Heavenly South. Her beauty had only grown more captivating compared to the years before.

“If I have reached my current cultivation level, it is entirely thanks to the Senior’s gift of that pill back then,” Mei Ning said. A flicker of a melancholy expression flashed across her face before it was replaced by a look of proper reverence.

Now that Han Li was at the Nascent Soul stage, his status was incomparably greater than it had been back then.

“Sister Mei! Is Fellow Daoist Zi Ling also inside?” The Song woman stepped out from behind Han Li, calling out with great warmth.

This caused Han Li to cast a somewhat surprised glance at her.

“Senior Song! Sister Zi Ling is cultivating inside her room right now, but she will be emerging shortly. Please, both of you, come into my humble dwelling and sit down first,” Mei Ning said, not daring to be negligent, a hint of apology in her voice.

Han Li did not mind. His spiritual sense had already swept past the other stone room and confirmed that someone was indeed seated there in meditation, the spiritual energy around them churning. They were, indeed, just finishing their cultivation session.

Thus, with Mei Ning’s polite gestures, Han Li and the Song woman entered the stone room and took their seats.

Mei Ning dutifully brewed them each a cup of spiritual tea.

“Miss Mei, where have you and Miss Zi Ling been cultivating all these years? Have you not joined a sect?” Han Li took a sip of the spiritual tea in his cup and asked in a calm tone.

“Sister Zi and I discussed it and decided to first observe the various major sects of the Heavenly South and let our own cultivation bases stabilize a bit more before considering joining one. So, for the past few years, we have been traveling and seeing the sights. After all, the situation in the Heavenly South seems even more chaotic than where we came from,” Mei Ning replied in a soft voice, standing with her hands clasped respectfully at Han Li’s side.

Seeing that Mei Ning made no attempt to hide that she was a cultivator from outside the region in front of the Song woman, Han Li was slightly startled before understanding. This ‘Song Shizhi’ of his probably already knew something about the Chaotic Star Sea.

It seemed this woman was indeed on rather good terms with Zi Ling.

However, seeing Mei Ning so gentle and honest, Han Li touched his nose and found it a bit difficult to continue questioning her. Instead, he turned his head to look at the Song woman, who was standing on the other side, and said with a smile:

“This time, you went through the trouble of finding me on Zi Ling’s behalf. It couldn’t just be to catch up with an old friend, could it? Otherwise, you could have just delivered a letter. There was no need to be so secretive and hesitant.”

“Uncle-Master, I…” the Song woman’s face flushed slightly, and she began to stammer.

Mei Ning’s expression also showed a trace of awkwardness. Just as she was about to say something, a woman’s light laughter suddenly came from outside the room.

“Brother Han, why must you trouble those two sisters? To be honest, the idea of inviting you here was mostly my own.”

As the words fell, a white-clothed woman of heavenly beauty appeared in the doorway.

Her radiance was dazzling, her limpid eyes full of expression. Every gesture and movement she made was intoxicating.

“I suppose I should now address you as Senior, Brother Han. But I feel that calling you ‘Brother Han’ is more fitting. After all, you, Brother Han, might not necessarily be older than me. You wouldn’t mind, would you, Brother Han?” Zi Ling said with a light laugh as she gracefully walked into the room.

Having experienced many things together with Han Li, such as the Void Heaven Palace and the Netherworld Domain, and having spent time together on the Boundless Sea, she did not feel particularly estranged from him. Now, she even seemed to regard herself as his close confidante.

Han Li examined her for a few moments.

Even with his current Nascent Soul stage state of mind, seeing Zi Ling in her true appearance still made his heart waver, and he felt an irresistible attraction. This must be what the ancient texts meant by a ‘beauty who could topple a kingdom.’

In terms of pure appearance, even Nangong Wan, who held an irreplaceable place in his heart, was slightly inferior to this woman.

Of course, Nangong Wan’s cool, aloof temperament and this woman’s enchanting, seductive grace were two different types of allure. They were equally matched, each with their own merits.

“What you call me doesn’t matter. But if you, Miss Zi Ling, were to walk out of this valley in your true form, it would likely cause a sensation in the Heavenly South. Be careful you don’t catch the eye of some old monster who decides to take you by force,” Han Li said, teasing this old acquaintance from the Chaotic Star Sea, a rare occurrence.

Zi Ling’s face remained wreathed in smiles, and she showed no sign of anger. She gave Han Li a sidelong glance before addressing the Song woman:

“I really must thank Sister Song for this. Mei Ning and I really couldn’t be seen entering Heavenly Star City.”

“It’s nothing! I am a part of this matter too, so it’s only right that I do my share,” the woman said with a slight look of surprise on her face.

Although she already knew that Zi Ling and Han Li were old acquaintances, seeing them interact so casually and at ease still greatly surprised her. However, it gave her more confidence in the success of their mission.

At this moment, Zi Ling flashed a brilliant smile at Han Li and spoke in a soft voice:

“Almost every time we meet, Brother Han’s cultivation base has grown at a pace that leaves me utterly astonished. I truly have no idea how you cultivate. And now, with such a renowned reputation, it’s left both Mei Ning and me completely flabbergasted. The outside world is full of rumors that Brother Han’s abilities are even greater than those of a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator. I wonder if that is true or false?”

As she asked this, Zi Ling stared at Han Li with a half-smile, but a faint glimmer of anticipation could be seen in her sparkling eyes.

Han Li’s heart stirred, but after a moment’s thought, he did not directly answer. Instead, he looked at the beauty before him and asked:

“Miss Zi Ling, asking about my abilities the moment we meet. Isn’t that a bit too impatient? Could you first tell me what your purpose is in seeking me out? I would prefer to fully understand the situation before discussing anything else.”

Han Li’s demeanor was one of unhurried composure.

Hearing this, Zi Ling’s beautiful eyes flickered, and she said with a hint of embarrassment:

“I really am a bit too eager. But it’s understandable. This matter is of the utmost importance; only someone with mid-Nascent Soul stage abilities or higher could possibly succeed. I was a bit anxious.”

“Of utmost importance? What exactly is this matter that requires my aid? Feel free to speak plainly,” Han Li said, his smile fading as he asked calmly.

“It seems I don’t need to say it; Brother Han has already guessed a part of it. We are, indeed, seeking your cooperation, Fellow Daoist Han. But before that, I’d like to ask: did you, Brother Han, recently go to the Moulan Plains with some Nascent Soul old monsters and obtain the legacy of the Cang Kun Ascendant?” Zi Ling’s expression turned serious as well.

“How do you know about that? There shouldn’t be many people who know about that matter!” Han Li’s face changed slightly as he said in surprise.

“We heard of it from a Ghost Spirit Sect cultivator. That man is a direct descendant of a powerful elder in the Ghost Spirit Sect. He happened to see Sister Zi Ling’s true appearance and was immediately smitten, losing his head. Is there anything he wouldn’t spill?” Mei Ning suddenly said with a light laugh.

“Wretched girl, what nonsense are you spouting!” Upon hearing this, Zi Ling spat lightly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

It seemed the two had become quite close over the years.

“If it came from the Ghost Spirit Sect, it’s not strange that they would know of this matter,” Han Li said, nodding. Most of the suspicion drained from his face.

“I didn’t think that even after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, Brother Han would still be just as cautious as before,” Zi Ling said, her eyes shimmering as she cast a glance at Han Li.

“I’ve only just formed my Nascent Soul; I’m not an immortal being. It’s only natural to be cautious where caution is due. But what does the treasure hunt I went on in the Moulan Plains have to do with your coming to find me? Did you uncover some other secret from that Ghost Spirit Sect member?” Han Li asked thoughtfully.

“Uncle-Master’s perception is as sharp as ever. This matter actually involves a treasure within the Fallen Devil Valley. That Ghost Spirit Sect disciple inadvertently let it slip in front of the three of us, which is how we came to know of it,” the Song woman, who had been somewhat awkward around Han Li, spoke up, having felt a bit more at ease seeing Han Li’s consistently friendly demeanor with Zi Ling and the other woman.

“The Fallen Devil Valley. I recall that only the Cang Kun Ascendant has ever come out of there alive. How would the Ghost Spirit Sect know what is inside it? You couldn’t have been deceived, could you?” Han Li was taken aback at first, then a peculiar expression crossed his face.

“It shouldn’t be a lie. The three of us, acting out of curiosity, used some illusion techniques together. Not only did we get the name of the treasure out of him, but we also managed to worm out its approximate location. As for how the Ghost Spirit Sect knew of it… he didn’t know either, so I’m not clear on that. But there’s a ninety percent chance this matter is genuine,” Zi Ling said, her eyes shining brightly.

“Even if it’s true, what is this treasure that has you so excited? It can’t be an ordinary ancient treasure, can it?” Han Li frowned and finally asked what it was.

“Uncle-Master Han, have you ever heard of a thing called the ‘Spirit Candle Fruit’?” The three women exchanged glances before the Song woman spoke gravely.

“What? The Spirit Candle Fruit! Are you sure you’re not mistaken? That thing went extinct in this realm long ago. No, wait... the Fallen Devil Valley has been sealed since the Primordial Era. If such a fruit were to exist anywhere, it would be in there,” Han Li, who had been calm and composed until now, finally showed surprise. One could even say he was a little excited.

“It seems Brother Han knows quite a bit about this spirit fruit. Then you must also know of the ‘Genesis Pill’ that is refined from the Spirit Candle Fruit. According to legend, although a cultivator can only take the Genesis Pill once in their lifetime, and it is only effective for cultivators below the Deity Transformation stage, the effect of this ancient spirit pill in helping cultivators break through bottlenecks is obvious. It is said that after taking this pill, a cultivator’s divine sense will be catalyzed by the pill’s power for a period of time, allowing them to experience the incredible changes of the next level in advance. Although these sensations cannot be put into words, and everyone’s experience is different, it is a documented fact that most cultivators have, after the experience, broken through a cultivation bottleneck that had been plaguing them for a long time. Many ancient texts record this. Unfortunately, the main ingredient for this pill, the ‘Spirit Candle Fruit,’ was a rare and elusive spiritual herb even during the Primordial Era. Although the recipe has survived, no one has been able to refine it since the Ancient Era,” Zi Ling said, trying her best to remain calm.

Although the Song woman and Mei Ning were already aware of this, their eyes still couldn’t help but flash with excitement when it was mentioned again.

For Mei Ning in particular, if she could obtain a single Genesis Pill, her chances of forming a core would increase dramatically.

By this time, however, the excitement on Han Li’s face was gradually fading, replaced by a pensive expression.

After thinking it over carefully for a while, Han Li finally asked calmly:

“If the Fallen Devil Valley does indeed contain this fruit, then it makes sense why the Ghost Spirit Sect went to such great lengths in the Moulan Plains to pull in other treasure hunters and tried to assassinate the Nan Long Hou to seize the Cang Kun Ascendant’s legacy. However, I still have a few points I need clarified before I commit. Otherwise, no matter how tempting the fruit is, I will not risk my life for it.”