Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 422

“I thought only Merchant Changgon escaped from Chuma Valley unscathed, so how could the Guiryeong Sect know about it? Are you trying to deceive me?”

Han Li was interested in the mention of a treasure, but he soon asked with a hint of doubt.

“It’s probably not false information. We combined our illusion techniques out of curiosity, but they only seemed to know the name and location of the treasure. The disciple didn’t know how the Guiryeong Sect obtained the information.”

Jaryeong replied.

“If you’re this eager, it must be no ordinary treasure.”

“Cultivator Han, have you ever heard of the ‘Spirit Candle Fruit’?”

Lady Song asked in response to Han Li’s question.

“What, the Spirit Candle Fruit? Isn’t that something that has already disappeared from the world? But Chuma Valley was sealed during the Ancient Desolate Era [a very old period in the story’s history] and hasn’t been opened since, so it’s not entirely impossible.”

Han Li, who had been relaxed all along, was slightly surprised this time.

“Since you know about it, Brother Han, you must have heard of the Creation Pill, which is refined using the Spirit Candle Fruit. Legend says that although it can only be taken once in a lifetime and only by cultivators below the Transformation Stage [a high level of cultivation], it has a special effect that helps one overcome cultivation bottlenecks.

It’s also said that its effects reach the consciousness, allowing one to experience the next realm. Although the experiences vary, most have seen real results. Unfortunately, the main ingredient, the Spirit Candle Fruit, is a spiritual herb that could only be found during the Ancient Desolate Era, so there are no records of it after the ancient times.”

Jaryeong explained calmly.

Lady Song and Mae Eung already knew the story, but their hearts pounded at the mention of the Creation Pill. Especially Mae Eung, as one pill could greatly increase her chances of reaching the Core Formation stage [a significant step in cultivation].

Han Li, who had been thinking for a moment, regained his composure and asked,

“If there really is such a treasure in Chuma Valley, then it makes sense that the Guiryeong Sect spent a fortune in the Peony Plains to recruit other cultivators and even killed Nam Ronghu to obtain Merchant Changgon’s relics. But I have a few questions.”

“Please tell us what they are. Perhaps we missed something.”

Jaryeong was inwardly impressed by Han Li’s calm demeanor even after hearing about the Spirit Candle Fruit and the Creation Pill.

“It’s true that I went to the Peony Plains, but why did you come to me? Nam Ronghu is more likely to know how to enter Chuma Valley. Or do you know another way to enter Chuma Valley?”

Han Li stroked his chin.

“We know that Nam Ronghu knows a lot about Chuma Valley. But how could he dare to reveal such a secret to an unknown cultivator? Neither Mae Eung nor I were worried about you, Brother Han. We know what kind of person you are. And we heard from a Guiryeong Sect disciple that the Guiryeong Sect is researching ways to enter Chuma Valley. We haven’t found out any specific information yet, but when the spatial rifts in Chuma Valley stabilize, the Guiryeong Sect will definitely move.

We can find a way to enter then. However, the place where the Spirit Candle Fruit is located is extremely dangerous, and only a strong cultivator can get close. If you think your cultivation is not enough, Brother Han, then we should forget about it. Entering Chuma Valley is too risky.”

Jaryeong’s expression darkened as she spoke.

“This is the first time I’ve heard that the Guiryeong Sect also knows how to enter Chuma Valley. But anyway, it’s just vague information, and they don’t know the specifics. Let’s do this. It will still be a few years before the spatial rifts in Chuma Valley stabilize, so let’s confirm everything then. If there really is a Spirit Candle Fruit inside and we can obtain the Creation Pill, then I’m willing to take the risk. And if I can’t do it, then even if a Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator [a very high level of cultivation] goes in, there will be no hope, so don’t worry.”

This was the conclusion Han Li reached after careful consideration.

Han Li did not mention anything about Nam Ronghu. Chuma Valley was known as the most dangerous place in the Tiannan Continent, so even though he was drawn to the Spirit Candle Fruit, he couldn’t help but hesitate. If the method researched by the Guiryeong Sect was safer, there was no need to tell the three women about Nam Ronghu’s affair.

Jaryeong was more pleased than disappointed by Han Li’s words.

Considering his cautious nature, his words were almost an acceptance. Moreover, he had stated that his cultivation was high, so the rumors were true.

“Actually, we were worried that everything would be in vain if we couldn’t find a strong enough helper. But now that we have your promise, Brother Han, I feel much more at ease. We will definitely find out specific information, even if it means risking our lives.”

“Are you saying that the three of you will also enter Chuma Valley?”

Han Li asked in surprise at those words.

“Did you think we would just wait outside? It would be nice if we could, but we can’t. Most ancient texts only mention the miraculous effects of the Spirit Candle Fruit, but they omit the fact that it cannot be preserved once it’s picked. It must be refined within half a day, and its effects will be greatly reduced if it exceeds that time.

Moreover, its effects disappear after three days. To make matters worse, the Creation Pill refined from the Spirit Candle Fruit also has a limited consumption period. So, although Chuma Valley is like a death trap for us, we are willing to take the risk. Without the Creation Pill, we won’t be able to make any progress in our cultivation for hundreds of years.”

Jaryeong gave a wry smile.

“I don’t remember reading about such limitations on the Spirit Candle Fruit in any scriptures.”

Han Li frowned, and unexpectedly, Lady Song stepped forward.

“Cultivator Han, this is a book that has been secretly passed down in our family, and I have made a copy. You will understand if you take a look.”

Lady Song took out a jade slip from her storage pouch and handed it over respectfully.

Han Li took it with a puzzled look and examined its contents.

It was an ancient book about spiritual pills and herbs from the ancient times, and surprisingly, it was full of rare information that he had never heard of. It even mentioned the pills listed in the pill recipes he had obtained from the Nine-Crooked Spirit Ginseng and the Mysterious Bone Old Demon, which made his heart pound.

With his strong consciousness, he found the part about the Spirit Candle Fruit among the numerous pieces of information. It clearly stated the limitations that Jaryeong had mentioned.

He withdrew his consciousness and stroked the jade slip without speaking.

“I heard from Cultivator Jaryeong that you are an expert in pill refinement, Cultivator Han. This book is precious to the Song family, but it’s also like a burden.

It describes ancient pills, but there’s no way to find the ingredients. If you don’t mind, please make good use of it. You can think of it as compensation for coming all this way to fulfill my request!”

Lady Song said very respectfully. Han Li looked at her meaningfully and then curled up the corners of his mouth.

“I’ve never received such a gift without paying a price in my life. If there is a Spirit Candle Fruit in Chuma Valley, it will also benefit me, so why compensation? But this book will be helpful to me, so let’s exchange it for a bottle of pills that will be helpful to you.”

After speaking, he brushed his storage pouch and threw a small green bottle to Lady Song. The woman caught it unconsciously and was bewildered, but Jaryeong smiled beside her.

“Take it since he gave it to you. Brother Han’s pill refinement skills are amazing, so it’s probably a precious spiritual pill refined with high-grade medicinal ingredients. It will definitely be of great help to your cultivation, Sister.”

Jaryeong cleverly discerned the identity of the pill bottle. At her words, Lady Song was surprised and thanked Han Li before carefully putting the pill bottle away.

“Let’s gather the auxiliary ingredients needed for refining the Creation Pill first, and decide the rest later. It’s still a long way off, and it will be impossible if Tiannan is defeated by the Peony people.”

“What, do you see the situation of this war as unfavorable, Senior Han?”

Everyone was surprised by his words, and Mae Eung couldn’t help but ask.

“On the surface, it seems that our Tiannan forces are united and fighting in their own territory, so we have the advantage, but an unknown external force has intervened in the war with the Peony people. If something goes wrong, it will be a problem.”

“Then the outcome of this war is fifty-fifty.”

Jaryeong’s face also darkened.

“You could see it that way, but rather….”

The expressions of the three women changed at Han Li’s muttering.

“That’s enough about this. The war hasn’t even started yet, and there’s nothing clear even if we worry about it in advance. Let’s just prepare for the Chuma Valley matter without any setbacks. Everything depends on fate.”

Han Li roughly finished the discussion about Chuma Valley and asked the two women how they had been doing. Surrounded by beautiful women, time flew by as they chatted.

As the sky darkened, Han Li got up from his seat, and Lady Song followed him. Jaryeong and Mae Eung also came out to see him off at the entrance of the valley, but Mae Eung hesitated and couldn’t say something she wanted to say.

However, seeing Jaryeong laughing beside her, she didn’t linger and transformed into a streak of light and flew away.

Han Li and Lady Song were silent on the way. But as Cheonil Fortress began to appear in the distance, the woman suddenly opened her mouth.

“Cultivator Han, even Nascent Soul cultivators have never returned alive from Chuma Valley. Will we be able to survive if we go in?”

Han Li looked at the woman at the unexpected question. He was silent for a moment before speaking calmly.

“In terms of cultivation, you are definitely far inferior to other cultivators. If you are in danger, your chances of survival are low. But the reason why cultivators haven’t returned alive from Chuma Valley is most likely due to greed. Otherwise, there’s no way that not a single one of those many Nascent Soul cultivators would have survived. Most of them must have been tempted by the treasures and tried to get just one more, and then one more, and eventually failed to come out. It’s hard not to be tempted by spiritual herbs and elixirs that extend life and enhance cultivation.”

“Then are you saying that we are as good as dead?”

Lady Song’s face was clouded with worry.

“I wouldn’t have considered an expedition to Chuma Valley if I didn’t know that there was a relatively safe way to enter and that Merchant Changgon had escaped from there unscathed. Otherwise, it would be the same as going to die, not to find treasures. So, if you don’t give in to greed and focus on finding the specific location of the Spirit Candle Fruit, you will have a chance.

Of course, thorough preparation is essential before entering Chuma Valley. If the Spirit Candle Fruit was in a place that was easy to take, the Guiryeong Sect wouldn’t have remained still until now. They probably took the risk because they heard that Nam Ronghu was trying to find a way to enter Chuma Valley and were afraid that he would take the treasure first. So, the method they know might not be as safe as they think.”

Han Li hesitated before sharing his thoughts.

“If the method the Guiryeong Sect knows is not safe, then why….”

“Are you asking why I didn’t talk about it in front of Jaryeong and Mae Eung? Do you think I have other thoughts?”

“No, how could I doubt you, Senior Uncle?”

Lady Song hurriedly made excuses as Han Li curled up the corners of his mouth and asked.

“Don’t worry. It’s natural for you to be suspicious. The reason I didn’t say this in advance is not out of malice, but because it’s useless to tell them. The Creation Pill is a precious treasure, but it might be a waste for someone who has already made a decision. Mae Eung is likely to enter the Core Formation stage if she takes the pill, so it’s worth risking her life.

Once you enter the Core Formation stage, your lifespan will increase by hundreds of years. But for you and Jaryeong, who are already in the early Core Formation stage and have excellent talent, it will only shorten your cultivation time by about a hundred years to reach the mid-Core Formation stage. Since you can reach the mid-Core Formation stage anyway, it’s up to each of you to decide whether to risk your life to shorten your cultivation time by a hundred years. But Jaryeong is likely to choose to risk her life anyway. She has no intention of remaining a Core Formation cultivator for the rest of her life.”

Han Li finished speaking and looked at her meaningfully.

“Are you saying that no matter how dangerous it is, Cultivator Jaryeong will definitely enter Chuma Valley?”

“Yes. Jaryeong’s life is different from yours. She has been oppressed by powerful enemies several times, and even the sect her mother left behind was taken away by other forces. Although she has never talked about it, it’s obvious how strong her desire to become stronger is.”