Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 376

Lü Luo bowed to Nan Longhou as he disappeared, then immediately rushed over. If another Core Formation cultivator had acted this way, he might have been displeased, but Elder Lü, knowing his personality well, could only smile wryly.

Han Li also descended from the sky, light as a feather.

“Young Master, are you alright?” Mo Peiling, having regained her composure, asked Han Li with a flushed face as soon as she saw him. Her clear eyes held only Han Li.

Having witnessed firsthand Han Li’s power in dealing with Nan Longhou, her heart was stirred.

“I only used some mental energy, so I’m fine.”

He didn’t show it, but he noticed Mo Peiling’s sudden change in attitude, becoming much more affectionate.

“Junior Brother, to think you were hiding such strength. I was worried for nothing!” Lü Luo, who had been clicking his tongue beside them, said with a face full of joy. All the subtle distance he had kept before had completely vanished.

“Hiding? I simply didn’t reveal it since you didn’t ask. Shall we go now? The aura of the ritual storm must have attracted the attention of many cultivators.”

Han Li’s gentle words were met with Lü Luo’s immediate agreement.

“There’s no good in attracting the attention of other cultivators! Let’s hurry to All-Heaven City!”

“So, this is All-Heaven City.”

Han Li stood on the hillside, looking at the massive fortress a few miles away.

“How is it? This is probably your first time seeing such a large stone city. The Nine Nations Alliance has expanded it several times to reach its current size. It might not be the largest city in Tiannan, but it’s definitely in the top five. Besides, this is the only city built entirely with such massive rock stones.”

Lü Luo looked on with admiration, causing Han Li to chuckle at his words.

How could a giant city compare to the Heavenly Star City of the Chaotic Star Sea! That city was truly enormous. All-Heaven City was also large, spanning a hundred miles, but it was nothing compared to Heavenly Star City.

“Still, it’s frustrating that once you enter All-Heaven City, you have to walk everywhere!”

“The Nine Nations Alliance probably had no choice. With so many high-level cultivators gathered, it would be difficult to manage if everyone flew around. But these rules are just formalities for Core Formation cultivators like us. If we really wanted to fly, these restrictions wouldn’t stop us.”

“I didn’t know you were so magnanimous, Junior Brother. Let’s go! The sooner we get there, the more we can gain.”

Having witnessed Han Li’s ritual duel with Nan Longhou, Senior Brother Lü treated him much more comfortably and affectionately than before. Han Li smiled, aware of this change.

The three cultivators descended the hillside and walked towards the gates of All-Heaven City without hesitation. It was a spectacular sight, with cultivators from all directions descending and walking along the road near All-Heaven City.

Han Li and Lü Luo, not wanting to cause unnecessary commotion, had already concealed their true cultivation and acted at a Foundation Establishment level, similar to Mo Peiling.

Thus, the three of them walked through the city gate, which was about ten feet high.

Although the city gates were guarded by the Nine Nations Alliance law enforcement cultivators, they didn’t sense anything unusual from Han Li and Lü Luo.

Once inside All-Heaven City, rows of stone buildings stretched out. Stone paths were woven like spiderwebs between them, and there were quite a few cultivators passing by.

“Let’s find a place to stay first. We don’t need to stay at an inn like the other cultivators. There are VIP pavilions prepared for Core Formation cultivators.”

Lü Luo, having been to All-Heaven City once before, led the way. Han Li had no reason to object, so he followed the middle-aged cultivator with Mo Peiling.

The three cultivators passed through several streets before arriving at a white light barrier. Behind it, elegant pavilions stood, each with its own unique style and beauty.

Other cultivators passing by looked at the pavilions with envy and awe, but they didn’t dare linger and quickly moved away.

“This is it. Only cultivators above the Core Formation stage can open this restriction.” Lü Luo raised a finger and pointed at the light barrier, a blue light flickering at his fingertip.

*Tss*

The white light barrier seemed to be cut by his hand, and his figure flickered as Lü Luo entered.

Han Li also opened his mouth and emitted a blue light, creating an entrance about a foot in size when it met the white barrier. He grabbed Mo Peiling’s waist with one hand and entered.

Mo Peiling leaned on him, her face flushed.

Lü Luo’s eyes lit up at the sight of him easily breaking the restriction, but he quickly returned to his usual demeanor.

“Any pavilion can be occupied by a Core Formation cultivator and their disciples. However, if there’s a restriction outside the pavilion, it means someone is already staying there, so you have to choose another place. But not all Core Formation cultivators stay here. Some old monsters set up their own residences outside the city or even stay at inns.”

Lü Luo explained, pointing to several pavilions that were already glowing with restrictions.

“Junior Brother! Let’s choose two adjacent pavilions to stay in. That way, it’ll be easier to look out for each other if something happens.”

Lü Luo pointed to two pavilions about five or six feet away.

“As Senior Brother says.” Han Li examined the pavilions for a few seconds and then replied indifferently. Lü Luo seemed to have more to say, but the white protective barrier of a nearby pavilion suddenly split open, and a small figure walked out.

He looked at Han Li and the others, and then spoke with a puzzled expression.

“Oh? Isn’t that Brother Lü? I didn’t expect you to arrive so quickly.”

It was the Fire Dragon Child, who had a fair and soft complexion and looked like a young boy. He was someone they had seen at the sacred ground of the Three Factions of Yunmeng Mountain.

The child’s clear black eyes landed on Han Li and Mo Peiling, and he looked quite surprised.

According to the Fire Dragon Child’s exceptional memory, he had seen Han Li and Mo Peiling twenty years ago. He immediately recognized Han Li as one of the disciples who had ranked in the sword competition.

However, Han Li was now concealing his cultivation with a common concealment technique, so his Core Formation cultivation was fully revealed to a cultivator of the same level.

“Hahaha! So it’s Fellow Cultivator Nan. You were here before us, so why are you surprised? By the way, this is Elder Han, who recently joined our Falling Cloud Sect. Junior Brother Han, you must have met Fellow Cultivator Nan before.”

Lü Luo was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected appearance of the person, but he immediately smiled and introduced them to each other.

“So, Fellow Cultivator Han was the esteemed elder of your sect. I must have been blind back then not to recognize a cultivator.” The Fire Dragon Child smiled wryly at Lü Luo’s introduction, subtly bringing up the past.

“I was curious about the reputation of the Spirit Eye Technique [a technique to see through illusions], so I was rude back then. Please don’t take it too hard.” Han Li was not one to be swayed by the other’s words.

“Now that you’ve become an elder of the Falling Cloud Sect, there’s no point in pursuing the matter! But it’s good that we’ve met. I was just about to meet some cultivators I know. Why don’t you two come with me to the Dragon Pavilion and check out the exchange meeting? You might get lucky and find something good.”

The Fire Dragon Child, with his easygoing personality, waved his hand, dismissing the past.

“So the exchange meeting is starting so soon. Haha, we arrived at just the right time. Junior Brother Han, exchange meetings hosted by Core Formation cultivators aren’t that common, so you must go. You might miss out on some good items.” Lü Luo was overjoyed and carefully advised Han Li.

“I will do as Senior Brother Lü wishes.” Han Li replied gently without any change in expression.

Han Li and Lü Luo followed the Fire Dragon Child out of the white barrier, while Mo Peiling remained in the pavilion.

“The Dragon Pavilion belongs to a friend of mine in the Nine Nations Alliance. He’s very sociable and has connections with both righteous and demonic cultivators, as well as cultivators from our side. That’s why he’s hosting this exchange meeting. But to prevent any unpleasant incidents, we’ve decided to wear masks inside to conceal our identities.”

As the Fire Dragon Child explained the exchange meeting in a clear voice, Lü Luo was surprised and asked.

“The cultivator you’re talking about, Fellow Cultivator Nan, is it perhaps True Person Tian Jing [a title for a highly respected cultivator]? Otherwise, there’s no way he would set such conditions. I heard that True Person Tian Jing avoids getting involved in such matters, so why is he hosting this exchange meeting this time?”

“Hehe, I didn’t know that Fellow Cultivator Lü knew Tian Jing’s name. It’s true that he dislikes troublesome matters, but it seems he urgently needs something that’s hard to find, so he’s hosting this exchange meeting.”

“Oh, if that’s the case, I understand.”

Han Li, with a calm expression, only listened to their conversation. As they chatted, the three cultivators arrived in front of a jade-white pavilion.

The three-story pavilion was of moderate size, and a plaque with golden letters was hung in front of the antique door.

‘Dragon Pavilion!’

“Here it is. Let’s go in!” The Fire Dragon Child smiled at the other two cultivators and strode inside.

Just before entering the pavilion’s main door, Han Li, who had been about to casually look inside, paused.

The inside was filled with customers eating and drinking, as if it were an ordinary tavern. Several waiters were busily setting tables and clearing empty dishes. Moreover, there was a sign on one side of the door that said, ‘Full, do not enter.’

“That old man Tian Jing is playing tricks with illusions again! Sigh!” The Fire Dragon Child muttered, then continued walking as if he didn’t see this scene. Han Li, having heard his words, used his spiritual sense to examine the inside again and followed him without hesitation.

As all three cultivators fully entered, the numerous customers and waiters, the noisy sounds, and the smell of food that had been there just moments ago vanished like bubbles.

Even when Han Li examined it with his spiritual sense, it was completely empty, with only a faint gray mist drifting about. On the first floor of the pavilion, there was now only an old wooden table, a blue oil lamp, and a kind-faced Taoist wearing a gray robe. He was smiling at the three cultivators.

“It’s a pleasure to see Fellow Cultivator Nan, and to have even brought Fellow Cultivator Lü! But this one, this old man’s eyes are failing, I don’t think I’ve seen him before. Could he be a new Core Formation cultivator?” The Taoist in the gray robe greeted the three cultivators enthusiastically, and surprisingly, their wariness and distance quickly faded, replaced by a hint of goodwill.

“Fellow Cultivator Tian Jing, you wouldn’t turn us away just because I brought two uninvited guests, would you?”

“Of course not? This place welcomes everyone. Besides, I’ve known Fellow Cultivator Lü for a long time. But this one…”

While answering with a smile, the old Taoist’s gaze lingered on Han Li.

“I am Han Li of the Falling Cloud Sect. I haven’t been in the Core Formation stage for long, so I hope to learn much from True Person Tian Jing in the future.” Han Li stepped forward and clasped his fist in greeting.

“Ah, so you’re a fellow disciple of Fellow Cultivator Lü! Tsk tsk, you look so young, you have a bright future ahead of you.” The Taoist praised Han Li with a warm smile.

“That’s enough. The others should have mostly arrived, let’s go see them.” The Fire Dragon Child seemed to have a deep friendship with True Person Tian Jing. They spoke to each other without any hesitation.

“Sigh, Fellow Cultivator Nan, you’re so impatient. Most of the others have arrived. Maybe the impatient ones are already trading. Here are the masks. Do you want one, Fellow Cultivator Nan?” True Person Tian Jing spread his hands, and two white lights appeared, revealing two masks carved from ebony wood. Just by looking at the complex spells and patterns engraved on the masks, it was clear that they were not ordinary masks.

“Hmph! Who wouldn’t recognize this body? Who would be fooled by an illusion?” The Fire Dragon Child puffed out his cheeks and said gloomily.

“That’s true. Well then, the three of you can go in now. This old man will join you in a bit.” The drifting mist disappeared, and a staircase appeared, leading to the second floor. The Fire Dragon Child walked past the table and towards the stairs without hesitation.

Lü Luo and Han Li bowed to True Person Tian Jing and followed behind him.

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