Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 193

Mun Jang chattered with a strange look on his face.

“The ten cultivators that Cultivator Han challenged were actually high-ranking members of the island’s guard, invited from wealthy families. Although their individual cultivation levels aren’t that high, they are constantly fighting against the demonic beasts of the sea and frequently engage in duels with other cultivators, so their practical combat skills are exceptional. They can easily gain the upper hand even when fighting cultivators of the same level, or even those two or three levels higher.”

“You flatter me, I was just lucky,” Han Li said with a smile, being polite. In truth, Han Li was confident that he wouldn’t be second to anyone when it came to practical combat experience.

The young man looked towards the Immortal Mountain and asked with a smile, “Then, did you come this time to register at the Ascension Pavilion?”

“That’s right. I plan to go through the formal residency procedures and find a suitable place to live.”

“Haha! I’ve been to the Ascension Pavilion several times, so I’ll guide you. Besides, I was heading that way anyway, and Mount Qingyun is so large that it’s difficult to find your way around.”

Since the other party offered his kindness first, Han Li thanked him and accepted the offer. As they flew side by side, the young man began to introduce the mountain range.

“Mount Qingyun on this island has 367 small peaks in addition to the three main peaks: Heavenly Pillar Peak, Heavenly Soaring Peak, and Heavenly Gate Peak. Each of these peaks has countless caves and valleys of varying sizes. It’s not difficult to find a place to cultivate.

Of course, most of Mount Qingyun is located in areas where spiritual veins flow [underground channels of concentrated spiritual energy], but some places have denser spiritual energy than others. Generally, the higher the mountain peak, the more abundant the spiritual energy. Every ten years, a competition is held for the 36 peaks with the densest spiritual energy. Those who live on the 36 peaks are challenged by those who think they can win, and the winner takes their residence.

The peak with the most concentrated spiritual energy is freely chosen by cultivators who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage [a significant milestone in cultivation], and they use the entire peak as their residence. Qi Refining stage cultivators [the initial stage of cultivation], on the other hand, must find caves or valleys to set up their residences.”

“So, Foundation Establishment stage cultivators can monopolize the peaks?”

“Yes, that’s right. Most of the good spots on this island are already occupied by Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.”

Han Li pondered for a moment and then asked with a bit of excitement, “Then, the three main peaks must have incredibly abundant spiritual energy, given how high they are.”

“Of course. The highest Heavenly Pillar Peak is where the island’s spiritual eye [the source of spiritual energy] is located, and it’s where Island Lord, Wood Dragon True Person, cultivates, so no one else is allowed to enter. I’ve heard that he has already reached the mid-stage of the Core Formation stage [a higher cultivation realm] and possesses great power.

Heavenly Gate Peak and Heavenly Soaring Peak are the residences of Deputy Island Lords, Yuan Jun True Person and Gan Jin True Person. Although they don’t compare to Heavenly Pillar Peak, the spiritual energy there is said to be several times denser than in other areas.”

Mun Jang looked envious as he spoke, and Han Li also wore a strange expression.

“Cultivator Mun, are the Deputy Island Lords also Core Formation stage seniors?”

“Yes, the two of them are early Core Formation stage cultivators and are also cultivation partners.”

Han Li’s brow furrowed slightly at that.

The fact that there were three Core Formation stage cultivators on the Howling Island was beyond his expectations.

Lost in thought, he reached the middle of Mount Qingyun with Mun Jang, occasionally encountering other cultivators flying by on their magical artifacts. However, they paid no attention to each other and went their own ways.

After a while, guided by Mun Jang, they finally reached a certain mountain peak.

There was a two-story building there, which was so old and shabby that it was in a terrible state. In front of the gate, there was a tattered plaque hanging on one side, with the words ‘Ascension Pavilion’ written in a strange script.

Unable to believe it even after seeing the words, Han Li involuntarily looked at Mun Jang.

“This place is…”

“It’s hard to believe, but this is the Ascension Pavilion.”

He clapped his hands with a regretful look.

“Then, I’ll be on my way. The senior in charge of registration at the Ascension Pavilion has a rather eccentric personality, so be careful!”

He took care of Han Li until he left. Han Li, who had seen him off calmly, quietly shook his head. Then, with a composed face, he walked towards the two-story building.

As he reached the door, a dark voice echoed in his ear.

“Come in. The door is open!”

Startled, he immediately entered the building. Once inside, Han Li couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

Contrary to its exterior, the interior was splendid and luxurious.

The floor was covered with red silk, the walls were studded with jade and all sorts of jewels that sparkled, and unfamiliar, colorful flowers decorated every corner of the building.

In front of him, there was a strange stone bed that emitted a navy blue aura, which was clearly a rare treasure.

And on the bed, a haggard-faced middle-aged man in a flamboyant red leather outfit was leaning back. He was holding a huge white pearl and looking at Han Li.

Han Li was a little flustered, but he bowed and spoke politely.

“Senior, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m here to go through the formal residency procedures on this island. Are you perhaps in charge of that?”

“Formal residency? Do you have a guarantor?”

“Yes, I do.”

He immediately took out the high-value guarantee document and handed it to the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man was not someone to be trifled with. Judging by the fluctuations of his spiritual power, he was clearly a strong cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage. He scanned the guarantee document and his eyes lit up.

“I heard that a new cultivator on this island defeated a guard member with only a five-star cultivation level. Is that you?”

The middle-aged man stroked the huge pearl in his arms. Surprised by the question, Han Li quickly expressed his humility.

“It was just luck.”

“Hmph! Luck, my foot…”

The middle-aged man sneered coldly. Han Li couldn’t help but question his attitude.

How could news of something that happened just a few days ago have spread so quickly?

“The guard who lost to you happens to be my incompetent disciple! He came back defeated by a cultivator who was not even at his level, and now he’s being punished with solitary meditation.”

Han Li could only smile wryly at that.

It was a coincidence that he was related to him. He became a little uneasy, wondering if the man was angry on behalf of his disciple. The middle-aged man, who had been watching him quietly, spoke.

“Don’t worry. I’m not so idle that I would interfere in the affairs of juniors. However, I would like to see you fight my incompetent disciple again in five years. Regardless of the outcome, I won’t hold you responsible.”

Relieved, Han Li immediately responded.

“I can’t refuse when a senior asks me to do so.”

“Then, let’s take care of the formal residency matters!”

The middle-aged man made the pearl disappear with a bright light from his hand and slowly got up. The procedure was very simple, and it ended with him adding Han Li’s name to a book he had taken out.

Of course, he returned the green spirit badge he had temporarily received at the port and was officially issued a navy blue jade badge.

The navy blue jade badge was a low-grade magical artifact that emitted a faint light. According to the middle-aged man, it was waterproof and highly practical. Then, he took out another book and threw it to Han Li.

“The places marked in gold already have owners, so choose a suitable place from the ones marked in white. Ahem, cough…”

The middle-aged man seemed to be unwell, as he couldn’t even say a few words without coughing. He looked like he was suffering from a serious illness.

Han Li opened the book and saw the entire map of Howling Island, shimmering with a mixture of gold and white light. However, the shimmering areas were concentrated in the blue area, which was the center of the map.

Only then did he realize that the scale of Mount Qingyun was beyond his expectations. Surprisingly, it accounted for a quarter of the entire island.

Han Li fell into contemplation as he looked at the map. There were more places emitting white light than gold, but the intensity of the light was considerably lower.

“The peaks of each mountain are not for Qi Refining stage cultivators to reside in, so look at other locations.”

It was just as Mun Jang had explained.

The remaining areas, whether caves or valleys, had much weaker light. Han Li raised his head and asked the middle-aged man.

“I have a question. Is there no limit to how large a residence I can set up at the location I choose?”

The middle-aged man seemed surprised by the question, but he soon sneered and replied.

“Within a radius of ten miles from your residence, that’s your personal space. If you have the ability, you can set up a large residence or even install formations.”

“Then, since this place also has white light, does that mean a spiritual vein flows there?”

He pointed to a spot on the map.

“This place!”

The middle-aged man’s expression changed as he checked the map.

The place he had pointed to was unexpectedly outside of Howling Island, and a very faint white light was shimmering there.

“This is Small Ring Island, which is only about sixty or seventy miles in area, and there is indeed a faint spiritual vein flowing for a few miles. A small defensive formation has already been set up there, and a small village of several hundred people has formed.”

His expression was strange as he explained. Han Li waited without interrupting him. He expected that there would be an explanation for the strange look on his face.

“This island can be seen as a white elephant [something that is troublesome to maintain] even from Howling Island’s perspective. It’s a waste to just abandon it because a spiritual vein flows there, but the range and density of the spiritual energy are too insufficient.

If you really choose this place, you won’t be disturbed by other cultivators, but you’ll have to cultivate in spiritual energy that is only one-third as dense as the residences on Mount Qingyun. This will significantly reduce your cultivation efficiency.

In the past, some cultivators who monopolized this place and cultivated there couldn’t last more than a few years and returned here. Even after paying a large amount of spirit stones and being reassigned a residence, they said they couldn’t endure it on that island anymore. After all, the most important thing for a cultivator’s cultivation is spiritual energy.

Moreover, according to the regulations, a cultivator who chooses this island as their residence is obligated to protect it and must supply the spirit stones needed for the formation installed there. Of course, you can solve some of it with the spirit stones you receive from the residents, and you don’t need to make separate offerings to the main island.

However, you must keep in mind that the spirit stones the residents pay are not enough to cover the spirit stones consumed by the defensive formation.”

“If I set up a residence there, I would effectively become the lord of Small Ring Island.”

The old man laughed at Han Li’s words.

“Hehe, you could see it that way.”

Even though he had explained the disadvantages of Small Ring Island in detail, it didn’t matter if he still wanted it.

The middle-aged man looked at Han Li with interest and then sneered. If he really chose that island, he would probably be surprised by the massive consumption of spirit stones and return immediately.

He was sure that he would see Han Li again within a year or two at most.

If it were really possible to become the lord of Small Ring Island, cultivate well, and gain practical benefits, someone would have already taken that position, and it wouldn’t have been left vacant until now.

Han Li, who had been thinking for a bit longer, spoke decisively without hesitation.

“Then, I’ll take Small Ring Island.”

The middle-aged man didn’t say anything more at Han Li’s clear answer. He simply took out a golden brush from his pocket, marked a spot on the map, and the place Han Li had chosen instantly turned gold.

Afterwards, the middle-aged man took out a jade book from his pocket, wrote something with the golden brush, and gave it to Han Li. Han Li bowed his head to check, and it was his name written in the local language.

The middle-aged man explained calmly.

“That is proof that Small Ring Island is your cultivation residence and a list of the island’s residents, so take good care of it.”

He put the map book in his pocket, lay back down on the bed, and waved his hand.

It was a very clear dismissal. Han Li immediately bowed and tactfully withdrew.

Having left the Ascension Pavilion, Han Li had no intention of looking around Mount Qingyun or making acquaintances with other cultivators, so he immediately returned to his residence near the port.

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