Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 451

A dozen or so flying swords carved out a small cave in about fifteen minutes. Han Li placed a simple barrier outside and entered.

First, he summoned Silvermoon to train, then released the Heavenly Fiend Corpse. He chose a relatively secluded chamber to bury it again.

Then, using the jade slip he received from Great Yan Divine Monarch, he entered another chamber with a large quantity of materials to refine Core Formation stage puppets.

These puppets were significantly different from the Foundation Establishment stage giant ape puppets he had previously refined. Not only was their power different, but their types varied greatly, allowing the refiner to choose the desired type.

The giant tortoise-shaped puppet had a thick shell that could withstand several attacks from Nascent Soul cultivators. The fireballs containing lightning fire that it spewed from its mouth were comparable to the attacks of a mid-Core Formation cultivator. Its only drawback was its slow movement speed, making it vulnerable to close-range attacks.

However, the tiger demon beast puppet was the opposite. Its ranged attacks and defense were weaker, but its agile body and swift movement speed made it advantageous in close combat.

Without much deliberation, Han Li decided to refine both types. This would allow him to flexibly adapt to various situations he might encounter in the Chuma Valley.

For three days and nights, Han Li poured his consciousness into the jade slip, sitting expressionless.

On the fourth day, he withdrew his consciousness and retrieved the jade slip.

Then, his hand brushed against his storage pouch, and a white light poured out, scattering countless refining materials on the floor. Precious wood, iron ingots, various crystals, and large and small jade boxes…

After a moment, Han Li’s gaze fixed on a jet-black ironwood, and it quietly floated up at his gesture.

* * *

As Han Li remained inside the chamber for several months, Silvermoon, who was training outside, grew anxious that he might miss the optimal time to enter the Chuma Valley.

The miasma of the mountain range was gradually thinning, and the number of cultivators gathering near the Myriad Spirit Mountain Range was increasing day by day.

Cultivators who had received the Chuma Token from various sects were also arriving one after another, setting up temporary residences nearby, just like Han Li.

Many high-level cultivators discovered his location and came to greet him, but no matter how many voice transmission talismans they sent, there was no response.

It was clear that he had no intention of meeting with others.

The cultivators who had come specifically were offended, but no one dared to act rashly, not knowing who the owner of the cave was.

Han Li’s refusal to meet was an unusual attitude in the current Myriad Spirit Mountain Range.

Usually, even if they acted arrogantly, they would form groups to search for treasures together before entering the Chuma Valley, the most dangerous place in the Southern Heaven.

As the miasma showed signs of almost disappearing, the stone door of the chamber finally opened, and he walked out.

After spending several months focusing solely on refining in the chamber, he had managed to create over thirty puppets. This was possible because of the large number of high-level demon beast souls he had collected in the Chaotic Star Sea.

As a result, even the Great Yan Divine Monarch inside the Soul Nurturing Gourd exclaimed, ‘What a monster!’ every time he saw Han Li create a tortoise or tiger puppet.

As soon as he came out, Silvermoon immediately reported what had happened. Han Li nodded and went to check on the Heavenly Fiend Corpse he had buried in another chamber.

After confirming that the corpse was being cultivated smoothly, he retrieved Silvermoon and the Heavenly Fiend Corpse and left the cave. Instead of flying away immediately, he ascended a small nearby peak and spread his consciousness.

His powerful consciousness could ensnare even an early Nascent Soul old monster. Except for a few areas with strong restrictions, everything within a hundred miles fell within his range of awareness.

Opening his eyes again, he shook his head. He had not found what he was looking for.

After thinking for a moment, he transformed into a streak of blue light and took flight.

* * *

The Myriad Spirit Mountain Range market closest to Han Li’s cave was opened with funds from a cultivator family from the Eastern Yu Kingdom.

Inside an old medicine shop in the market, a male and female cultivator dressed in white were leaving the shop, beaming with joy after a successful transaction.

“We were really lucky this time. To think that Senior Sister found the Golden Spirit Seed she’s been searching for so long. Now we can refine the Breath Transformation Pill, right?”

“It’s all thanks to Senior Brother Bai lending me spirit stones that I didn’t miss this opportunity.”

The white-clad woman had an ordinary appearance, but her sparkling eyes made her look quite alluring.

“It’s only natural that I help with Senior Sister’s affairs.”

The white-clad youth was reluctant to lend the spirit stones, but he didn’t show it, trying to win the woman’s favor. Just as the woman was about to reply with a smile, something yellow suddenly enveloped them.

The man was startled and grabbed it, revealing a spirit token emitting a yellow light.

“Heavenly Extremity Token! Is it Senior Han?”

The youth shouted in surprise after confirming the spirit token, and a young man in a blue robe appeared with a calm expression.

The white-clad youth was Bai Shujun, a disciple of the Heavenly Extremity Sect who had been flirting with the woman. Han Li had sensed them as he entered the market and had flown over immediately.

By meeting them, he could contact his master, Luo Weiying of the Heavenly Extremity Sect.

“I have business with your master, so lead the way.”

“Yes, I will guide you right away.”

The youth hesitated slightly at Han Li’s cold tone, but after confirming the authenticity of the spirit token, he replied respectfully.

Guided by Bai Shujun, the three cultivators left the market and took flight. After flying east for about fifteen minutes, they stopped at a small peak deep within the Myriad Spirit Mountain Range.

It was indeed a very secluded place. The surrounding giant peaks formed a natural barrier, making it a hiding place that was not easily discovered.

Bai Shujun took out a voice transmission talisman from his pocket and threw it, and a streak of fire disappeared into the rocks.

“This is our master’s temporary residence. He has set up a small Sumeru Restriction [a type of spatial barrier]. Our master told us not to look for him unless it was important, so even Senior Sister Luo hasn’t seen him for a while.”

“Is she a descendant of the Luo cultivator?”

Han Li asked casually, looking at the woman beside him.

“Elder Luo is my granduncle. I have heard of Senior Han’s reputation.”

The woman smiled and said to Han Li. At that moment, a blue light flashed between the rocks, and a stone door about two meters wide appeared.

“Cultivator Han! You’ve finally arrived. I was just wondering if I should go look for you myself. Please come in.”

A familiar voice was heard along with a kind laugh, and Han Li stepped forward without a word. Bai Shujun and the woman hesitated, then tried to follow, but Luo Weiying’s voice came from the stone door.

“That’s enough for you two. Go take care of your business.”

At his words, the two cultivators watched Han Li disappear through the stone door and immediately took flight.

* * *

The temporary residence of Heavenly Extremity Sect Elder Luo Weiying was very crude.

After passing through a passage about twenty meters long, they arrived at the main hall of the cave, where an old man with white hair and a middle-aged man were waiting for Han Li.

“Cultivator Han, you’ve arrived.”

The white-haired old man greeted him with a smile.

“Brother Han, we’ve been waiting for you for so long that we sent our disciples to search the area for over a month. We were worried that you had changed your mind since we couldn’t even find a trace of you.”

Nan Longhou said with a wry smile, but his eyes showed a hint of joy.

“You two are hiding so secretly that it wasn’t easy for me to find you either.”

Han Li explained with a small sigh. He went to the table where they were sitting and took a seat without hesitation.

“Brother Han’s reputation is growing day by day. Not only did you make outstanding contributions during the war, but you even killed a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator from a demonic sect in Jin Kingdom. You must have been trying hard to hide your skills in front of us.”

As soon as Han Li sat down, Nan Longhou gave him a subtle look.

“Brother Nan Long has seen my skills firsthand, so you know what they are. The matter with the Mo Clan was just luck. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to appear before you two.”

Luo Elder and Nan Longhou exchanged glances at Han Li’s vague explanation, but they didn’t press further.

“You are indeed humble. The better Cultivator Han’s skills are, the more helpful you will be in the Chuma Valley, so it’s a good thing.”

Nan Longhou smiled and looked at him, then Luo Elder asked with a serious face.

“Have you considered our proposal? Will you help us deal with the ancient demon beast, Fire Silk, in the Chuma Valley?”

“I can’t miss such a good opportunity. But before that, I have a question. How do you plan to distribute the treasures if we find ancient ruins?”

Although he had a reason to enter the Chuma Valley, there was no need to reveal it beforehand.

“How about we divide the treasures equally among the three of us?”

As if he had expected it, the old man gave a prepared answer as soon as Han Li asked. Han Li didn’t answer immediately, but after thinking for a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.

“It’s good that we’ll divide the treasures equally. If you two don’t lead the way, I won’t even be able to reach the place where Fire Silk is, let alone find treasures. But I have one condition.”

“Tell us.”

“Can you leave the Fire Silk’s inner core to me? I have a use for it.”

Han Li asked for the Fire Silk’s inner core as if it were nothing.

“That’s not a problem! After all, Fire Silk can only be dealt with if Cultivator Han is there, so it’s only natural.”

Luo Elder immediately replied, relieved.

“Even if you hadn’t said it, I thought the inner core should go to Cultivator Han.”

Nan Longhou also said with a more relaxed face.

“Since you two have accepted my condition, I will go to the Chuma Valley with you.”

“If Cultivator Han goes with us, it will surely be smooth.”

“I’m counting on you, Brother Han!”

At Han Li’s confirmation, Nan Longhou and the old man were visibly excited and pleased.

“I’m just assisting you two in my cultivation. We all need to work together to get out safely.”

Han Li replied without wavering at the two cultivators’ praise.

“Since we asked for Cultivator Han’s help, we must work together. If the Yangyi Ring had fallen into the hands of those despicable Ghost Spirit Sect bastards, we would have killed them without a second thought.”

Nan Longhou almost gritted his teeth as he mentioned the Ghost Spirit Sect.

Han Li glanced at his complexion as he heard those words. His complexion was better than last time, but it was impossible to know how much his vitality had been damaged and how much he had recovered.

“Speaking of the Ghost Spirit Sect, I heard they also have a way to enter the Chuma Valley.”

Han Li turned the topic to the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Chuma Token.

“By preventing the Ghost Spirit Sect from monopolizing the treasures and entering the Chuma Valley with other cultivators, the risk is greatly reduced.”

Nan Longhou’s eyes showed a sneer.

“Did Brother Nan Long spread the news about the Ghost Spirit Sect?”

“Yes, I spread it. Even before leaving for the Mo Clan grasslands, I knew they were researching ways to enter the Chuma Valley. They provoked me first, so there’s no reason to let them off.”

Han Li nodded silently at Nan Longhou’s words. But Luo Elder frowned and said,

“But I didn’t expect the Ghost Spirit Sect to sell the Chuma Tokens to win the hearts of various sects and control the number of people entering. They’re probably trying to avoid the danger by using cultivators from other sects as sacrifices. Even if they can’t monopolize the treasures, the risk will be lower.”

“Nothing is perfect. Spreading the rumors about the Ghost Spirit Sect has benefited us, but the higher-ups of the Ghost Spirit Sect might be grinding their teeth in anger.”

Han Li stroked his chin and muttered.

“That’s right. We should slowly repay the grudges with the Ghost Spirit Sect after returning from the Chuma Valley.”

After that, the three cultivators talked about the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Chuma Valley for a long time.

# 453