Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 234

Galip, watching the black-robed man’s back, echoed the woman’s words.

“The method of refining such a spirit beast is only passed down within secretive sects, and the process is incredibly bloody and difficult. It’s considered an evil technique that defies the natural order. I’ve heard that if this spirit beast appears in the world, it’s a sign that great chaos will surely engulf the cultivation world.”

At those words, Han Li couldn’t help but sneer.

“The cultivation world will fall into chaos if that spirit beast appears? In my opinion, the Chaotic Star Sea is already chaotic even without it. Do you two really believe such tales?”

Although Han Li walked the path of cultivation, he didn’t believe in fate or the will of heaven. To him, cultivation was simply a means to achieve eternal life.

Perhaps even if a true immortal descended before him, he would treat them politely, but whether he would truly admire and follow them was another matter. Fairy Ja-ryeong and Galip were slightly embarrassed by Han Li’s scoffing tone.

In fact, not only Han Li but most cultivators dismissed the idea that spirit beast refinement would bring chaos as just a story passed down. However, few would mention it so directly.

In any case, topics regarding the Mandate of Heaven or the Heavenly Dao [the natural order of the universe] were taboo. By this time, the black-robed man had already disappeared into the ghostly mist with the spirit beast leading the way.

The corners of Han Li’s lips curled up slightly.

“Let’s go too. Someone is paving the way for us, so there’s no reason to refuse.”

The old man asked, as if he didn’t understand.

“Then, what is Fellow Daoist Han’s intention?”

In fact, he understood Han Li’s words immediately. If Han Li had refused the offer to join forces, the old man would have taken the same action.

However, having just cursed the black-robed man, he was reluctant to rely on the other’s power to pass through the ghostly mist. He didn’t want to lose face in front of Han Li and Ja-ryeong, so he wanted Han Li to speak first.

Han Li, sensing the old man’s intention, smiled and began to follow the black-robed man. Fairy Ja-ryeong also followed without any hesitation.

Galip, his face slightly flushed, did the same. The grayish-white ghostly mist surged and swayed towards the three people as they passed through.

If a mortal had entered this place, they would probably have their blood sucked and their souls turned into ghostly mist, never to escape this place.

However, the three cultivators had no reason to fear the ghostly mist.

Galip raised his hand and unfolded a faint red umbrella, which soon floated a foot above him and began to rotate.

*Tsutsut.*

Afterward, a red protective barrier enveloped the old man, and the ghostly mist, upon approaching it, let out a ghostly cry and turned into blue smoke.

The ghostly mist, noticing this, only showed its power outside the umbrella and didn’t dare to approach, as if it were a sentient being.

Fairy Ja-ryeong also floated fist-sized beads in various places, creating a moving barrier about a foot in size. As a result, a white, transparent, square-shaped protective barrier was formed, pushing back the ghostly mist.

However, the most peculiar was what Han Li showed. A clear blue light emanated from his body, and the moment the ghostly mist touched it, lightning flashed and it scattered into smoke.

Galip and Ja-ryeong were amazed by the phenomenon that occurred without any magical artifacts or treasures, but they didn’t ask about it.

However, Fairy Ja-ryeong was reminded of the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo she had given him. Han Li pretended not to notice their reactions and simply led the way.

He wasn’t trying to play the hero by taking the lead; it was just that since the ghostly mist was everywhere, it was just as dangerous whether he went first or last.

Therefore, he thought it was better to take the lead and be the first to grasp any dangerous situations.

The occasional lightning that surrounded his body was proof that the sword energy of the Azure Bamboo Cloud Sword within him was protecting him.

Thanks to the Azure Origin Sword Technique, he could use a protective barrier using flying swords, so he could borrow some of its power without taking out other magical treasures.

Han Li had only recently realized this method.

Given the nature of the Golden Thunder Bamboo, dealing with this ghostly mist was as easy as pie. Of course, he was only showing a portion of its power because he was worried that others might recognize it.

Also, to prepare for any possible ambushes, he had been spreading his consciousness widely since arriving here. No matter how excellent a cultivator’s eyesight was, their vision was limited in a place filled with ghostly mist like this.

That was why the path the black-robed man had taken was more clearly visible. In the dense ghostly mist, only the path he had taken left a faint passage.

Han Li and the others only needed to follow it. It was unknown whether this result was due to his cultivation technique or the monkey spirit beast called the Soul-Weeping Beast.

Of course, it wasn’t a problem that Han Li needed to consider deeply. He just needed the Soul-Weeping Beast to be powerful enough to make the path easier for Han Li and the others to follow.

Right now, he was expressionlessly looking around and slowly moving forward on the uneven path. The path was bumpy and even felt damp, giving a sense of high humidity.

They walked for a long time without anything happening. They had been walking so deep into the ghostly mist that they couldn’t tell how far they had gone.

The color of the ghostly mist was gradually changing from the initial grayish-white to pitch black. Han Li’s face also darkened slightly, and he gradually narrowed his brow.

*Crack.*

At the sound of something breaking, he stopped walking and looked down at his feet. Fairy Ja-ryeong and the old man, who were following behind, also approached with curious eyes.

Han Li’s eyes narrowed, and he moved his foot that had been stepping on the ground to another spot. Under his foot was a skeleton, and judging by the blue shimmering clothes it was wearing, it didn’t seem to be an ordinary cultivator.

Next to it, fragments of a broken sword were scattered, and the transparent material still showed signs of spiritual energy. It seemed to be the remains of a cultivator who had entered the ghostly mist before.

Han Li’s eyes gleamed, but then he shook his head.

Even after being dead for so long, the fact that spiritual power still remained in the magical treasure showed that he was by no means a low-level cultivator.

Such a person had died here, and no one had come to collect his remains, making all the wealth and glory of his life meaningless.

The life of a cultivator was like walking on thin ice, and even a single misstep could lead to a miserable end. This cultivator’s soul had probably already become part of the ghostly mist and would become a powerful vengeful spirit, wandering the nine heavens [a poetic term for the highest realms of existence].

Han Li thought this as he looked at the other two people.

Fairy Ja-ryeong’s complexion was a little pale, but she forced a smile when she felt his gaze. Old Man Galip’s expression was a little strange.

He frowned and stared at the blue-tinged clothes for a long time before throwing a ball of fire. As a result, the ball of fire disappeared as soon as it touched the clothes.

Galip muttered with a dark face.

“Huh! It’s him after all.”

“Is he someone you know, Fellow Daoist Galip?” Han Li asked, and Ja-ryeong also listened, curious.

The old man sighed and replied.

“He is probably Jade True Person, whom I have met a few times. He was a cultivator who succeeded in Core Formation [a major breakthrough in cultivation] earlier than me. The clothes he is wearing are made of hundred-year Ice Silkworm Silk, so fire cannot harm them. It is quite a well-known treasure. I only heard that he was going on a distant journey and never returned. So, he died after all. It’s a pity that he couldn’t even pass the first gate.”

“What was Jade True Person’s cultivation and magical treasures like? Was he stronger than you?”

Galip, who had been in a daze for a moment, understood his intention and answered.

“Jade True Person was in the early stage of Core Formation like me now, but his magic power was such that he could reach the middle stage of Core Formation as soon as he broke through the bottleneck of cultivation. Of course, he was much stronger than me.

Moreover, he was born with a rare ice-attribute spiritual root and had mastered the same attribute cultivation technique, so he was incomparable to me. However, I have never seen him fight with others, so I don’t know about his magical treasures, but they wouldn’t have been weak.”

The more the old man spoke, the paler his face became. Then, Han Li’s expression also became serious.

“That means there is a terrifying being lurking in this vicinity. No matter how much the black-robed man clears the path, he couldn’t have eliminated all the vengeful spirits. I was wondering why we hadn’t encountered anything on the way.”

Fairy Ja-ryeong also understood Han Li’s words, and her complexion turned pale. The old man’s eyes were shaking as he looked at the skeleton, and it was impossible to know what he was thinking.

Han Li, looking around, spoke again.

“If a cultivator in the middle stage of Core Formation died here, there must be a terrifying vengeful spirit lurking. Even if it’s not a Ghost King, there will be an existence equivalent to it.

I want to ask if Fairy Ja-ryeong and Fellow Daoist Galip are prepared to take such a risk. If we turn back now, we can escape the danger. I intend to keep going forward regardless of your decisions.”

At Han Li’s calm words, the other two exchanged glances. After a long time, Fairy Ja-ryeong spoke first.

“Senior Han, if I can never achieve Core Formation, it would be no different for me than becoming a vengeful spirit and wandering the nine heavens. I will not turn back.”

She seemed to have made up her mind firmly. Han Li just smiled wryly and then turned to look at the old man. Galip’s eyes were still unstable.

Time passed again, and the old man, his momentum broken, replied.

“The reason I came to the Void Sky Garden this time was just to obtain some Origin Essence Fruits, not for any grand purpose. But since such a great danger lurks here, this old man should turn back. After all, it’s better to have a peaceful rest than to be trapped here forever as a vengeful spirit.”

Even as he spoke, the old man looked a little ashamed. He exchanged bows with the two of them and then disappeared into the ghostly mist without hesitation. Han Li stood still and watched him disappear.

Fairy Ja-ryeong looked slightly disappointed, as she had lost a Core Formation cultivator who had been traveling with her, which she judged to be a weakening of their forces.

She forced a smile as she looked at the ghostly mist that emitted an eerie aura.

“Elder Han, shouldn’t we be leaving now?”

She had made a firm resolution, but she didn’t know if this choice was the right one. Han Li nodded at her words and then lowered his head to look at the skeleton.

Suddenly, the Fire-Resistant Treasure Robe appeared in his hand, and he put it into his storage pouch.

Fairy Ja-ryeong flinched slightly and was about to say something but stopped. Then, Han Li’s actions further deviated from her expectations.

He flicked his finger and summoned a blue sword light, then dug deep into the ground. As he waved his sleeve and lifted his arm, the skeleton and the remains of his magical treasure floated into the pit.

Fairy Ja-ryeong, watching this, had a look of not knowing what was going on. Han Li suddenly turned his head and looked at her.

“You must think it’s strange what I’m doing.”

Ja-ryeong hesitated a little but still answered truthfully.

“A little, yes.”

“I buried him because, as a fellow cultivator, I could end up in a similar state at any time. Since he caught my eye, it would be good to collect his remains and save him from being left in such a miserable state in the wilderness, wouldn’t it?

However, I took his clothes because they are useless to the dead anyway. You could say I took them as a reward for collecting his remains.”

The surprised look on Fairy Ja-ryeong’s face gradually faded. Now, Han Li began to stride forward again.

“Hah!”

Fairy Ja-ryeong sighed as she looked at the newly created grave and quickly followed behind him.

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