Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 326

The fish was about four yards long, covered in blue scale armor, with sharp teeth and excessively large eyes, making it look quite ferocious. Additionally, the curved spines on its face were eye-catching.

Han Li, who had been observing it with a slight bend, swung his sword light, cutting the fish in half. Then, with a gesture, something black popped out from inside and landed in his hand. Upon smelling it, a unique, pungent odor stung his nose.

“It’s indeed a ‘Fragrant Tooth Beast’.”

Han Li muttered, throwing away what he held in his hand. Ziling and Maeung exchanged glances at his words.

“Fragrant Tooth Beast?”

It was a name they had never heard before. Seeing the women’s puzzled faces, Han Li smiled faintly.

“It’s a unique deep-sea creature specific to this place, not found in the Chaotic Star Sea, so it’s natural you haven’t heard of it.”

Ziling narrowed her brows and asked with a somber expression.

“Judging by Brother Han’s tone, this place is no longer the Chaotic Star Sea.”

“This probably isn’t the Chaotic Star Sea. Although I haven’t been here myself, if my guess is correct, this would be the Boundless Sea.”

“The Boundless Sea…?”

This was also a place name they had never heard before. However, after thinking for a moment, Ziling opened her mouth with a gentle expression.

“Brother Han seems to know something about this place. Could you explain it to us, sisters?”

Han Li, who had been deep in thought, raised his head at her voice.

“The Boundless Sea is what people in Tiannan usually call it. Perhaps there are very few who know much about this place…”

Han Li explained what he knew about the Boundless Sea, neither too fast nor too slow.

“The Boundless Sea is the northernmost end of the so-called Tiannan region, meaning there are hardly any fish and no islands.”

Han Li calmly replied to Ziling’s puzzled face.

“What’s even more troublesome is that because there are no islands, we can’t pinpoint our exact location. We don’t even know how far we are from the Tiannan Continent.”

The two women sighed at his words, but Han Li had already decided what to do next.

“Still, we have enough spirit stones [currency used by cultivators] to last for a while, so let’s fly south as best we can. We can only hope the continent isn’t too far away.”

“That’s what we must do. We can only hope for the heavens’ help.”

Maeung had no reason to object, so the three cultivators began to fly south without any particular destination.

* * *

Several days later, Maeung and Ziling admitted that Han Li’s explanation was not an exaggeration at all.

Not only could they not find any islands along the way, but the sea surface was also as still as death. Except for a few ferocious fish, not even a single demon beast appeared. The two women, who were experiencing such a place for the first time, were simply amazed and bewildered.

As they lived and died together, overcoming hardships, the three cultivators naturally grew closer. A very harmonious atmosphere was formed, and Han Li found his heart racing without realizing it amidst the beautiful women.

However, since coming to the Boundless Sea, there was another woman with a frosty face who wouldn’t leave his mind.

‘Nangong Wan!’

Whenever he thought of her, unknown emotions surged, and he couldn’t tell if it was lingering attachment, affection, or just frustration.

Each with their own complex thoughts, the three cultivators flew for nearly four months, finally seeing land covered in greenery. They had flown with hope, but always with a sense of unease. Now, they were greatly delighted and increased their speed towards the continent.

* * *

The Xi Kingdom was a country located on the edge of the Tiannan region, only about two-thirds the size of the Yue Kingdom where Han Li was born.

Among them, Minzhou was the largest of the seven states of the Xi Kingdom and was closest to the Boundless Sea. Fengri City was the largest city here.

They quietly arrived on the island and went to a tavern in a nearby small city to talk. Ziling playfully grumbled.

“Brother Han, you speak the local language so fluently, so you must be from the Tiannan region. You’ve been hiding it from us for so long, that’s not fair.”

They had already revealed their approximate origins to the two women, and they were all shocked for a while. They hadn’t doubted him when they saw that he knew about the Boundless Sea, but they couldn’t help but be surprised when they heard it directly.

“Well, it wasn’t really something I needed to mention. When I went to the Chaotic Star Sea by chance, I didn’t know I would be able to return to Tiannan so quickly.”

His smile seemed to indicate that he was in a rather good mood.

“When I was chased away to the Chaotic Star Sea, I lost contact with my sect, so it’s hard to say I’m from here. This is a book on the language and writing of the Tiannan region, specially made for you two. You should learn it. It will probably be difficult to return to the Chaotic Star Sea anytime soon, so it would be better to do so.”

Ziling and Maeung, who were momentarily stunned by the unexpected gift, accepted the book.

“Haha! We will accept it gratefully.”

“Thank you!”

Han Li, who had been watching them for a moment, took a sip of clear tea.

“What are your plans for the future? I plan to find out how the situation in the Tiannan region has changed over the past hundred years and then immediately go into secluded training. It seems I’m at the final stage of the late Core Formation realm, so I need to prepare for the Nascent Soul [a higher cultivation stage].”

He paused for a moment, waiting for the two women’s reactions. Then, Ziling looked at Han Li and Maeung with shining eyes.

“Actually, I’ve just reached the Core Formation stage, so my cultivation is not very stable. I should find a suitable place and train for a while as well. What about you, Sister Maeung?”

“I… I’m not sure yet. Although I’m in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, if we only consider talent, the possibility of reaching Core Formation is low. Unless I obtain an unimaginable spirit pill or a fortuitous encounter, the only way is to become a concubine of a high-level cultivator and train with them.”

Han Li and Ziling were quite surprised by Maeung’s hesitant mutterings. Ziling immediately shook her head.

“A concubine? You should value yourself.”

However, Han Li simply narrowed his brows and said nothing. Ziling continued.

“It’s nice to say concubine, but in reality, it could be a life no different from a slave. If you meet a high-level cultivator with a strange personality, you might end up being exploited and never be able to cultivate.”

Despite her persuasion, Maeung could only move her red lips, unable to find the words to say. Ziling, who was worried about her, suddenly had an idea and smiled.

“If you’re really looking for a partner to cultivate with, it would be right to choose someone you know well. For example, someone like Brother Han would be someone you wouldn’t have to worry about.”

Han Li paused for a moment at the unexpected turn of the conversation, but soon scratched his nose as if nothing had happened.

“…”

“Ah…”

Maeung’s face only turned red, and she couldn’t raise her head, but she didn’t seem to object to Ziling’s words.

In fact, Han Li was already a high-level cultivator in the late Core Formation stage, and he was about to prepare to form his Nascent Soul. Moreover, based on their experiences together in the Yin-Yang Land, he was an exceptionally good man.

The crisis in the private room had subtly changed with Ziling’s one sentence.

Ziling smiled as she looked at the silent Han Li.

“What do you think of Maeung, Brother Han? Surely you wouldn’t refuse such a beautiful woman.”

Han Li’s gaze turned to the lovely Maeung. She was still looking down, but her flushed cheeks were tacitly acknowledging Ziling’s words.

He calmly stated his intentions.

“With Miss Mae’s beauty, she is certainly qualified to be a concubine, and even a partner for a high-level cultivator. However, I have long ago decided to dedicate my life solely to the path of cultivation and not be swayed by the affections between men and women.

Moreover, I am currently being pursued, so what qualifications do I have to take a concubine? If Miss Mae were to be with me, she would only be in danger.”

Upon hearing those words, Maeung trembled, and her red cheeks instantly turned pale. Ziling was the first to express her dissatisfaction with Han Li for rejecting such a beauty.

“What is there to fear for a late Core Formation cultivator like Brother Han, except for Nascent Soul old monsters? Besides, once you form your Nascent Soul, who in the world would dare to harm the woman by your side?”

“You misunderstand, Fellow Daoist Ziling. It is true that Han is more skilled than other cultivators of the same level, but I have consistently formed grudges with powerful individuals. Moreover, I have not yet succeeded in forming my Nascent Soul, so I have no intention of forming a relationship with anyone until I have reached a sufficient level of cultivation.”

Although she wasn’t completely convinced, Ziling knew that Han Li’s words were not entirely false, and she simply sighed because he showed a slightly displeased expression. Finally, as if regaining her composure, Maeung raised her head and looked directly at Han Li.

“Then, if you become a Nascent Soul cultivator, would you accept Maeung?”

“It’s not certain whether I can even reach the Nascent Soul stage, but more importantly, I don’t know how long it will take. No matter how long Miss Mae is willing to wait, I might not succeed even after a hundred years.”

“That’s…”

Maeung’s expression darkened at Han Li’s resolute words.

With her lifespan as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was difficult to wait even twenty or thirty years, let alone a hundred. No matter how good a partner the other person was, she couldn’t waste her life waiting for an uncertain outcome.

Although she had developed some affection for Han Li while they were together, it was not to the point of deep love or complete infatuation, so she couldn’t help but think about the practical issues.

Han Li, seeing Maeung at a loss, sighed and took out two small bottles from his pocket and handed them over.

“Inside are pills refined using demon cores, which are helpful for enhancing cultivation. If Miss Mae is so determined to cultivate, it would be good to take them and focus on training. I hope that one day you will be able to form your own Core, like Fellow Daoist Ziling.”

Pills that would be helpful for a Foundation Establishment cultivator were of little use to Han Li now. Moreover, there was also the connection where the woman had given him the spirit of the Tong Ling through a kiss, so he gave her the pills out of consideration for that relationship.

“Pills refined with demon cores?”

Maeung immediately reacted and opened one of the bottles. The clear energy of the fragrant pills filled the private room.

“Aren’t these top-grade pills…?”

Holding the two small jade bottles tightly, she looked at Han Li, unable to speak.

Maeung thought that the other party had clearly shown interest in her in the Yin-Yang Land, but he refused to take her as a concubine and yet gave her such precious pills, so she didn’t know how to accept it.

Ziling looked at the pills with a slightly surprised expression, but soon burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, Brother Han, you are indeed generous. Since the Fellow Daoist has said so, it would be good to accept them. If we really achieve Core Formation through cultivation, our sisters can rely on each other and live freely.”

Only then did Maeung, with a complex heart, express her gratitude to Han Li and slowly put the pill bottles into her storage pouch. Han Li, who had been watching her, turned his head and looked down at the street outside the window.

Although it was a small town, there were quite a few people coming and going.

At the very familiar scenery, things he had long forgotten came to mind, and the smile disappeared from his face. Ziling and Maeung exchanged glances at his changed expression.

# 328