Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 231

Han Li’s mind was in turmoil, unable to grasp the situation. Seeing this, Merchant Hyun-gul was also momentarily stunned before falling into thought.

At that moment, the middle-aged man noticed the old man and the cold-faced woman, whom he presumed to be Nascent Soul cultivators. He withdrew his cold gaze and put on a smile.

“I didn’t realize that Fellow Qing from South Crane Island and Madam On from White Wall Mountain were here. I apologize for my rudeness!”

The old man put away the book he was holding and forced a smile.

“There’s no need for apologies. It’s fortunate to meet Fellow Oh, who is doing great work in the Extreme Yin Sect. After all, this is a once-in-300-year opportunity. I heard that Manhoja is also coming, having found a map someone offered. It seems we’ll be gathering once again.”

The middle-aged man’s expression changed slightly.

“Manhoja is coming too?”

“Indeed. Rumor has it that he doesn’t have much time left, so he’s planning to find the Longevity Fruit in the Illusionary Sky Hall to make a Longevity Pill. He’s trying to live another 50 or 60 years that way.”

The old man’s words seemed to mock Manhoja. However, the cold-faced woman remained silent, still caressing her sword, not engaging with the two men.

Unknowingly, Han Li inhaled sharply as he listened to their conversation. Although it was a short exchange, it contained a lot of information.

The middle-aged man was indeed the Extreme Yin Patriarch who had possessed Oh Chuk’s body, and according to their conversation, it seemed another Nascent Soul cultivator would be arriving.

He was apparently coming to the Illusionary Sky Hall to find a longevity-enhancing spirit herb called the Longevity Fruit. If that was the case, it was no wonder the Nascent Soul cultivators were rushing here with such fervor.

Combining the information he had just heard, Han Li pondered whether he should jump into this muddy water or find an opportunity to escape.

He didn’t know what would happen in the bizarre palace floating in the air, but as time passed, the Blood Gold Trial he had experienced in the Yue Kingdom came to mind. This place was definitely a space created by an ancient cultivator.

There would be many treasures inside, but also dangers.

Moreover, the unexpected joy the Extreme Yin Patriarch had shown made him shudder. He couldn’t even guess what the other party was planning. It might be best to escape immediately.

However, hearing the old monsters talk, it seemed the Illusionary Sky Hall only opened once every 300 years, so if he missed this opportunity, he might never have another chance. This made Han Li hesitate.

While he was still undecided, Merchant Hyun-gul’s voice was transmitted to him again.

“Boy, do you have something that the Extreme Yin fellow would covet? Judging by his expression earlier, you’re definitely in big trouble. Heh heh.”

Merchant Hyun-gul’s voice was very calm, but it was clearly mocking his situation.

“If the Extreme Yin Sect Leader knew that Senior was here, wouldn’t he be even happier than meeting me? Why don’t you two old friends catch up?”

At those words, Merchant Hyun-gul shouted in a sinister voice.

“How dare you threaten me?”

“Of course not. With Senior’s status and position, how could I dare threaten you? I’m just saying that this isn’t the time to watch from the sidelines. Even a junior like me might inadvertently let a few words slip if my life is in danger.”

Merchant Hyun-gul was silent for a long time. Han Li thought the other party was angry and wouldn’t talk to him. Then, his voice echoed in his ear again.

“Don’t you want to reach the Nascent Soul stage?”

At those words, Han Li’s heart stirred greatly, but he didn’t show it and asked coldly.

“What do you mean?”

“Hehe, what do I mean? I mean that I know of a spirit herb that can increase your chances of successfully forming a Nascent Soul several times over. It only exists within the Illusionary Sky Hall. If you join forces with me to get rid of the Extreme Yin, I’ll tell you where it is and how to obtain it.

If it weren’t for me, who has mastered a special technique related to demons, how would you have such an opportunity? Besides, even if you don’t join forces with me, it won’t be long before the Extreme Yin finds you. When that time comes, you’ll… Heh heh!”

Hyun-gul simultaneously tempted and threatened him, revealing his deep-seated murderous intent towards the Extreme Yin. Han Li didn’t answer immediately and remained silent for a moment. The slight narrowing of his brow clearly showed his contemplation.

The boyish form of Merchant Hyun-gul was very calm and didn’t seem impatient at all.

He knew that the probability of a Core Formation cultivator rejecting such a temptation was very low.

At this time, the Extreme Yin Patriarch and Oh Chuk flew up to an empty pillar next to the scholar and began to converse with him. They also occasionally spoke a few words to the cold-faced woman.

However, after putting away her sword, the woman immediately closed her eyes and began to meditate. It seemed she really didn’t want to deal with them.

Even with this cold treatment, the Extreme Yin maintained his smile without any sign of embarrassment. Han Li, who was watching the situation, became even more wary of him.

He was not only deeply cultivated but also had an extraordinary mind. If that weren’t the case, Hyun-gul wouldn’t have been defeated by him and become a wandering ghost.

However, the grudge between the Extreme Yin and Hyun-gul had nothing to do with him. What was important was that the Extreme Yin was targeting him.

It was truly unfortunate.

Although he couldn’t say he had no chance of escaping from a Nascent Soul cultivator, the possibility of winning in a head-on battle was too low.

After all, the difference in cultivation between him, who was in the early Core Formation stage, and a Nascent Soul cultivator was too great. No matter how powerful his magic treasures were or how many Gold Devouring Beetles he had, he couldn’t defeat the Extreme Yin.

After considering various circumstances, Han Li finally asked Hyun-gul.

“I can’t just fight a Nascent Soul cultivator based on your words alone. Please explain in more detail.”

A look of joy appeared on Merchant Hyun-gul’s face as he quietly replied.

“Of course. If you agree to cooperate, I would have told you even if you didn’t ask.”

Without another word, Han Li closed his eyes and pretended to meditate. Then, Hyun-gul’s voice echoed in his ears again.

“The Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng is a spirit herb formed from the harmony of heaven and earth’s spiritual energy. Its main body is a type of spirit herb, but its spiritual nature is so great that it can transform into various animals or insects from the moment it’s born and live freely. A long time ago, when I first saw it in the Illusionary Sky Hall, my cultivation was too low, and I didn’t have the right magic treasures, so I missed it. The second time I saw it, I had already reached the Nascent Soul stage, so there was no reason to put in the effort. As a result, you’re the one who will benefit.”

Unknowingly, Han Li gasped.

‘Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng?’

The name was so famous that he had heard it countless times over the years. It was a legendary immortal herb, and many spirit herb scriptures mentioned it, but he never believed such a thing truly existed in the world.

But was there really a Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng in the Illusionary Sky Hall?

However, on second thought, it wasn’t strange for such an incredible spirit herb to exist in the ancient ruins left by ancient immortals.

However, it was the first time he had heard that the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng could help in forming a Nascent Soul. Even the scriptures only had vague explanations without any specific uses.

Han Li wondered if the demon was trying to deceive him to lure him in. As if reading Han Li’s doubts, he continued.

“Don’t worry! When we pass through the gates later, I’ll help you find it at the second gate. After dealing with the rebels, I’ll give you the recipe to use it.

You must follow that recipe to increase your chances of reaching the Nascent Soul stage. There’s something I must obtain in the Illusionary Sky Hall as well, so you’ll have to help me then. This way, we can increase our chances of winning against the Extreme Yin fellow.”

The boyish Hyun-gul offered conditions that matched the reward, resolving Han Li’s doubts.

“Then, let’s do that. If you can really kill the Extreme Yin, helping you isn’t that difficult.”

In the end, a temporary alliance was formed. However, this bond was so weak that no one knew how long it would last.

Perhaps it would naturally break after the Extreme Yin Patriarch was destroyed. Still, Han Li felt somewhat relieved.

Judging from the tone of the demon Hyun-gul, it seemed he had been to the Illusionary Sky Hall before. Having an ally who knew the way was like seeing a light in a dark place.

He not only knew the basic information about the Illusionary Sky Hall but was also a somewhat reliable opponent to deal with the Extreme Yin Patriarch.

Han Li began to gather information about this place from him. After talking with the demon for half a day, his expression changed. Where there was opportunity, there was danger. There were many gates to pass through here.

A sigh escaped him. Afterward, he truly began to meditate to calm his body and mind.

There was no need to worry about ambushes inside this main hall. If one used magic that required spiritual power, other than very basic techniques like levitation, the spiritual power would leak out. Even the magic treasures within their bodies were completely still, as if they were dead objects.

It was truly a miraculous restriction.

Afterward, the number of cultivators in the main hall increased, reaching almost a hundred. The jade pillars were already occupied by all the cultivators.

Those who came later had no choice but to find a corner and rest on the floor.

After five or six days, the number of new cultivators entering was decreasing. Not a single person had entered by noon today.

However, the Extreme Yin Patriarch and the scholar-like old man occasionally glanced at the entrance, as if waiting for someone. Recalling their conversation, Han Li thought of a certain name.

‘Are they waiting for Manhoja?’

In the afternoon, footsteps finally echoed at the entrance, and a blue light rippled as two people entered one after another.

One was a ruddy-faced old Taoist, and the other was a thin, dark old man dressed like a farmer.

The cultivators who saw them became momentarily agitated and showed signs of fear. It seemed they were famous figures.

Only the Extreme Yin Patriarch and the scholar-like old man looked at them with malice.

The two new cultivators also showed hostility as soon as they saw the Extreme Yin and the others. The old Taoist sneered and opened his mouth.

“Extreme Yin old demon, you’re here early! It seems you demonic cultivators have high expectations for this trip to the Illusionary Sky Hall.”

“Taoist Cheon-oh! It’s not that this patriarch came early, but that you hypocrites came too late. I was going to let you off since I heard the map you obtained was fake, but you still managed to find it in the end. Consider yourselves lucky.”

Before the old Taoist could retaliate, a booming voice echoed.

“Extreme Yin! Who did you let off? Does that include me?”

The expressions of the Extreme Yin and the scholar-like old man changed drastically, and the usually silent Madam Mi suddenly raised her head and said coldly.

“Man Cheon-myeong, you’ve come too!”

“Since Madam Won is here, is it strange that I’ve come?”

As the voice was transmitted, a middle-aged man wearing a purple robe and a jade belt entered. The middle-aged man with thick eyebrows showed his white teeth and looked at Madam Mi before scanning the Extreme Yin and the others. His aura was overwhelming.

The Extreme Yin also kept his mouth shut and refrained from speaking despite the arrogant expression of the other party. Han Li carefully observed the newly arrived middle-aged man.

‘If the Extreme Yin, who is in the early Nascent Soul stage, is wary of him, does that mean he’s a cultivator in the mid-Nascent Soul stage?’

Han Li soon realized that the three new arrivals were cultivators from the Chaotic Star Sea and were enemies of the demonic cultivators like the Extreme Yin.

The commotion in the main hall subsided as the middle-aged man entered, and the whispers among them revealed that he was the sect leader of the Myriad Laws Sect.

It was clear that the middle-aged man’s reputation was higher than the previous two. At that moment, Madam Won stepped forward and questioned him bluntly.

“Man Cheon-myeong, is it true that a maid under my command was injured by your disciple?”

“There was no injury. I believe my disciple only gave her some guidance. Surely you’re not going to hold me responsible for such a trivial matter?”

“Guidance? You must have just bullied a maid who was only in the early Qi Condensation stage. Or should I take it as an insult to me?”

The middle-aged man calmly replied, not caring much.

Kukukung!

At that moment, a loud noise shook the main hall.

All the cultivators except the Nascent Soul old monsters were startled.

The Extreme Yin and the scholar-like student exchanged glances, revealing a subtle joy, but the Extreme Yin Patriarch had a slightly bitter expression.

And a chill ran through Man Cheon-myeong’s eyes, and a faint murderous intent flashed past. The old Taoist and the farmer old man also realized who had come and looked a little worried.

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