Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 406

“A necessary item to enter the Chuma Bone Valley! Are you talking about the black ring?”

Han Li immediately thought of something and calmly asked.

“Indeed, the Yin-Yang Ring was in Fellow Daoist’s hands!”

Nan Longhou’s mind cleared, and a slight blush returned to his pale face.

“Yin-Yang Ring.”

Han Li racked his brain; the name sounded familiar. Then, a thought suddenly struck him.

“Are you talking about the Yin-Yang Ring that Elder Hyunhwang refined with meteoric iron from beyond the heavens? The treasure that is usually useless but can control the Northern Polar Light, making it a ‘chicken rib’ [something of little value] of the cultivation world?”

“Fellow Daoist Han’s knowledge is truly impressive. That’s exactly it. The Yin-Yang Ring is originally two rings representing yin and yang. If you carry the Yin Ring, which contains yin energy, you can be safe from the Northern Polar Light. If you have the Yang Ring, which contains yang energy, you can control the Northern Polar Light to annihilate enemies.

And what Fellow Daoist possesses is probably the Yin Ring. The Changkun Merchant used its power to overcome the Northern Polar Light in the Chuma Bone Valley and escape. As far as I know, there are other ways to avoid the Northern Polar Light, but they require many cultivators to deploy large-scale barriers or other treasures, and those treasures have already disappeared.”

“So, what Brother Nanlong is saying is…”

Han Li looked at the two cultivators, inwardly pondering.

“It’s simple. Fellow Daoist Xianji and I want to enter the Chuma Bone Valley with Fellow Daoist Han to retrieve the treasures. If we can greatly increase our cultivation through these treasures, we will have nothing to fear in the future.”

Nan Longhou’s eyes gleamed, but his expression remained calm. Han Li did not answer immediately, looking at the two cultivators.

Upon hearing that the black ring was the Yin Ring of the legendary Yin-Yang Ring, Han Li immediately thought of the other black ring he had received from Senior Sister Nangong Wan.

If his guess was correct, that would be the Yang Ring. He had unexpectedly come to possess both rings of the Yin-Yang Ring and even knew their uses. Han Li was inwardly dumbfounded, but outwardly, his expression remained unchanged as he spoke.

“I understand Fellow Daoist Nanlong’s intentions, but even with the Yin-Yang Ring and the map, what are the chances of safely retrieving the treasures? The Chuma Bone Valley is known as the most dangerous place in Tiannan, not a place to be taken lightly. I have no desire to enter such a place recklessly and die.”

At his words, Nan Longhou and Xianji exchanged glances, and then Nan Longhou spoke in a low voice.

“Since Fellow Daoist Han has asked so frankly, I must answer. According to the Changkun Merchant’s records, the Chuma Bone Valley is extremely dangerous. A single mistake could lead to falling into unpredictable spatial rifts or being trapped by vicious ancient restrictions [magical barriers].

Frankly, entering and exiting is not the problem, but if we are to find treasures, the chances of returning safely are hard to determine. The more dangerous a place is, the greater the possibility of finding great treasures.

What might happen inside is unknown not only to us but also to the Changkun Merchant himself. The Changkun Merchant was severely injured at the time and only explored the outskirts of the Chuma Bone Valley, never reaching the center. But that is why the true treasures are still preserved within.”

He spoke of the dangers while subtly enticing him.

“Of course, if Fellow Daoist does not want to take such risks, selling us the Yin-Yang Ring would also be appreciated. The two of us can certainly provide enough spirit stones [currency in the cultivation world]. But wouldn’t it be a shame to miss out on the incredible pills possessed by ancient cultivators?

If we find such things, we could reach the mid-Nascent Soul stage [a high level of cultivation] before long. And if we find books containing the secrets of the Transformation stage, that would be even better! There is a legend that the Transformation stage allows one to enter the Spirit Realm through ascension. The knowledge of this has been lost in Tiannan, so we must seek it elsewhere.”

Xianji, who was beside him, also supported Nan Longhou. Han Li’s gaze became unsteady.

“If I’m not mistaken… you two desperately want me to go to the Chuma Bone Valley with you. May I know why? There aren’t many Nascent Soul cultivators, but it doesn’t have to be me.”

At the unexpected question, both Nan Longhou and Xianji looked troubled. Nan Longhou began to speak with a helpless expression.

“We were about to explain that. Besides the restrictions and spatial rifts, the Chuma Bone Valley is also home to ancient demonic beasts, including an ancient demonic beast called the Fire Toad, which has already become extinct in Tiannan. Although the Fire Toad is not very intelligent, it has lived for at least ten thousand years and is covered in flames called Heavenly Scale Demonic Fire, making it incredibly powerful.

According to the Changkun Merchant’s records, these flames are several times more powerful than a Nascent Soul cultivator’s nascent fire. And recently, after seeing Fellow Daoist freeze a Nascent Soul cultivator with your azure ice flames, we hoped that it might be the Fire Toad’s natural counter.”

“Are you saying that this ancient demonic beast, the Fire Toad, lives at the entrance to the Chuma Bone Valley?”

“Not exactly. It is related to the remains of an ancient cultivator. These remains are in a relatively safe place, free from ancient restrictions and spatial rifts. However, the problem is that the Fire Toad’s habitat is nearby.

The Changkun Merchant tried to explore this place but fled after fighting the Fire Toad. Not only was he no match for it, but he was also poisoned by the fire while escaping and nearly lost his life, according to his records.”

Xianji also recovered his kind expression and explained.

“So, you two want me to deal with the Fire Toad while you retrieve the treasures.”

Han Li chuckled wryly, and Nan Longhou continued, seemingly a bit excited.

“The Fire Toad is much safer than the restrictions or spatial rifts. You just need to distract it for a while so we can retrieve the treasures. Your ice-attribute techniques should be enough. And if we get the ancient cultivator’s remains, we will divide them among the three of us.”

“Do you two plan to only retrieve the ancient cultivator’s remains and not touch anything else once you enter the Chuma Bone Valley?”

“If we succeed in just that, it will be enough. There’s no need to take unnecessary risks.”

Nan Longhou nodded firmly.

“Even so, you two could enter the Chuma Bone Valley with the power of the Heavenly Pole Sect. Why do you insist on going with the three of us? It’s not like there aren’t any cultivators who practice ice-attribute techniques in the Heavenly Pole Sect.”

“That’s because Fellow Daoist doesn’t know how terrifying the Northern Polar Light is. The number of people who can be protected by the Yin-Yang Ring is limited to three at most. Even one more person would make things difficult.

Besides, relying on the power of the Heavenly Pole Sect? After being severely harmed by the Guiling Sect, how can we hope for luck again? Fellow Daoist Han did not target us in the Peony Grassland and even helped us greatly before leaving, so we decided to go with you.”

Nan Longhou’s eyes turned cold as he mentioned the Guiling Sect.

“It’s an honor that Brother Nanlong trusts me enough to tell me all this.”

“Fellow Daoist Han, we have told you everything. Now, please give us your answer.”

Xianji said with a sigh, looking at Han Li.

“When are you planning to enter the Chuma Bone Valley?”

“Not immediately. The spatial rifts inside the Chuma Bone Valley are always dangerous, but there is a stable period of one year every 50 years. I checked before entering the Peony Grassland, and it seems that the stable period will arrive in at least three or four years. So, we have plenty of time to prepare.”

Nan Longhou answered without hesitation.

“Since it’s still far in the future, I will also take some time to consider it carefully. I will give you a definite answer one year before the spatial rifts stabilize. If I decide not to join the Chuma Bone Valley journey, I will lend you the Yin-Yang Ring.”

Han Li stroked his chin, lost in thought, and then made a decision.

It was a vague answer, so Nan Longhou and Xianji were not very pleased, but for Han Li, it was a matter of life and death, so he could not make a decision carelessly.

In any case, his situation was completely different from that of the two cultivators. It was clear that Nan Longhou and Xianji were running out of lifespan, and the Chuma Bone Valley was their last chance, but Han Li was still young, so it was too early for him to take such risks.

The world changed quickly, so it was not too late to think about it then. And since Han Li had said he would lend them the Yin-Yang Ring first, the two cultivators could not force him any further.

Han Li talked a bit more about the Chuma Bone Valley and then said he would leave first. Then, Xianji handed Han Li a spirit token, saying that with this token, he could contact him through any Heavenly Pole Sect disciple.

Han Li took the spirit token and returned to the shop, where he was seen off by the shopkeeper with great courtesy, and then he returned to his residence.

When he arrived at the pavilion, he saw Senior Brother Lye and Fire Dragon Child sitting in the main hall on the first floor, with Mo Pailing sitting beside them, acting as the hostess and welcoming the guests.

Seeing Han Li enter, the woman immediately stood up and asked,

“Young Master, Senior Lye and Senior Nam have been waiting for a long time. Did something happen?”

“No, I will talk with them. You can go upstairs and rest.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Mo Pailing bowed politely and immediately headed to the second floor. Han Li watched her back, pleased with her intelligence, and then suddenly thought of Nangong Wan and sighed.

“Why are you sighing? Do you want to follow her upstairs?”

Lye Rak, amused by Han Li’s rare display of emotion, asked teasingly.

“Senior Brother Lye and Fellow Daoist Nam are waiting because they have something to discuss about today’s meeting, right?”

Han Li smiled and took a seat beside them.

“That’s right. The two of us have already sent messages separately, and we have also notified the other Heavenly Dao Alliance cultivators in the city. Everyone knows the principle that if the nest is destroyed, no eggs will be safe. Everyone has decided to join the vanguard to help the National Salvation Alliance and stop the Peony people before each faction sends reinforcements.

Of course, if Nascent Soul cultivators step forward, the spirit stones given as compensation will be considerable. Although it is a war between the Peony people and the cultivators, the National Salvation Alliance will be the first to be attacked anyway. The National Salvation Alliance will not be stingy with spirit stones.”

Lye Rak slowly laid out his words.

“Then there is nothing to discuss. Although I have not been a member of the National Salvation Alliance for long, I will help as much as I can.”

Han Li spoke as he had already decided, but he thought something was strange.

“Actually… someone from the Righteous and Demonic Alliance contacted us, and I think what they said makes sense, so we need to prepare for it. That’s why we gathered here.”

Fire Dragon Child spoke seriously, though his lips were pursed.

“What did they say? Surely they didn’t say that the National Salvation Alliance is trying to weaken the three major powers using this opportunity?”

Han Li’s eyes gleamed as he chuckled. Lye Rak was surprised that Han Li had guessed it so quickly and gave a wry smile.

“Ha! Junior Brother Han is indeed very sharp. But even if this is true, the National Salvation Alliance wouldn’t try to plot against the three major powers at the same time. They are probably secretly joining hands with one or two of the three major powers to target the rest.

The Heavenly Dao Alliance cannot sit idly by while this happens! Even if we defeat the Dharma Masters, the Tiannan cultivation world will become even more unstable. The balance between the Tiannan forces must be maintained.”

“So, what do you two intend to do…”

“Our cultivators from the three major powers will temporarily follow the National Salvation Alliance’s assignments, but we must never give up our power because of this. We have discussed the specifics with the cultivators from the Six Demonic Sects and the Righteous Sects, and we will present our opinions at tomorrow’s Grand Assembly.

We must ensure that the National Salvation Alliance operates transparently without hiding anything. When the time comes, will Junior Brother Han also support this opinion along with the other cultivators?”

Fire Dragon Child asked calmly.

“No problem. I don’t want to be backstabbed while fighting the Dharma Masters either.”

“Then that’s settled. We have already contacted the other cultivators, so when the time comes, the Banyan Leaf Sect and the Flower Clothes Sect will not be able to oppose us. We must prevent the Tiannan cultivators from being greatly reduced by ending this war quickly!”

Lye Rak sighed deeply.

# 408