Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 484

The three of them chatted about various matters within the sect for a while, and then Elder Jung and Ryo Rak got up first. Han Li saw them off outside the restriction and returned to his residence.

“Master, now that you’ve obtained another essence core, you can refine two more and deploy the Great Geng Sword Formation,” Eunwol said, appearing silently with a grin.

“Do you think things will go that easily? The Azure Bamboo Cloud Swords are a set of magical treasures. With this amount of essence core, I can’t even refine another twelve flying swords. Even if I force the Great Geng Sword Formation, it will be difficult to trap and kill enemies. I must retrieve the lost flying swords.”

Han Li’s face darkened, unlike before.

“But the flying swords are in Gu Mo’s possession. Although your cultivation has greatly increased, you are still no match for Gu Mo.”

“I know that without you telling me. I won’t act rashly before I’m sure. Once I open the Void Sky Cauldron or finish refining the Seven Flame Fans, I’ll look for Gu Mo again.”

“Why are you leaving out the puppet I’m researching? Gu Mo may be formidable, but if you gather the materials and complete this puppet, it will be of great help,” Great Yan Divine Lord’s voice suddenly interjected. It seemed he was upset that Han Li hadn’t mentioned the puppet. Han Li’s lips curled up.

“Of course, it’s a puppet that Senior has put his heart and soul into refining. Moreover, the necessary materials are all extremely rare. However, you keep silent about the refining method and the power of the completed puppet, so how can I have great expectations?”

“I won’t tell you anything until all the materials are gathered, so don’t try to trick me. All I can tell you is that if the puppet refining is successful, it will be comparable to my prime.”

“Senior’s prime…”

“Don’t you believe me?”

Great Yan Divine Lord’s voice suddenly turned cold, revealing his displeasure.

“It’s not that, but isn’t the power of the puppet, which hasn’t been refined yet, just Senior’s speculation?” Han Li replied calmly.

“Hahaha, that’s right. But how could my brilliance lead to a wrong guess? Rest assured.”

Han Li smiled and stopped talking to Great Yan Divine Lord, walking into the secret chamber.

He had to visit Baekgyowon tomorrow due to an invitation, but it was better to refine the last remaining strand of the Azure Glacial Flame as soon as possible. After that, he planned to start refining a new Nascent Soul-level ancient puppet.

Han Li stroked the newly acquired storage pouch on his waist and entered the secret chamber.

The next morning, Han Li met with Senior Brother Jung and Ryo Rak and headed to Baekgyowon.

Since it was located in the same mountain range, they arrived at the Baekgyowon sect not long after departing from Nagunsan.

It was truly amusing to think that Han Li had participated in the sword competition here as a low-level disciple. As they arrived near the restriction, three Core Formation cultivators who had been waiting flew over.

“Greetings, Seniors. We have been ordered by our granduncle to guide you.”

The old man at the front bowed, and the other two followed suit.

“That’s enough with the formalities, please guide us,” Senior Brother Jung said calmly with a gentle smile.

Han Li felt a strange sensation looking at the face of the old man who had come to greet them. Coincidentally, he was Elder Bu, who had previously presided over the sword competition. With a cultivator’s excellent memory, he must have recognized Han Li, but he didn’t show any strange reaction.

Guided by the three Core Formation cultivators, Han Li’s group entered Baekgyowon. This time, it wasn’t the plaza but a huge space on the mountainside. In the middle of it was a hundred-zhang-high [approximately 330 meters] pavilion that looked like a stone pagoda at first glance.

And behind it, the cliff was densely filled with small holes, where Baekgyowon disciples were going in and out. They looked like bees working in a hive.

The three cultivators led him not to the pavilion but to the highest point on the cliff.

“There’s a top-grade fire pond called Jipae Fire Pond under this mountain. It’s a place where you can achieve great results with little effort when refining magical artifacts, and it’s very good for cultivators who practice fire-attribute techniques. That’s why there are many refining rooms, and many high-level disciples have their residences here,” Senior Brother Jung said, introducing Baekgyowon to Han Li as they flew. Han Li showed interest and pondered for a moment.

In an instant, they ascended over a thousand zhang [approximately 3300 meters] and arrived at the entrance of a huge cave. It was clear at a glance that low-level disciples were prohibited from entering.

“Brother Jung! Cultivator Ryo! I’ve been waiting for a long time. This must be Cultivator Han. Indeed, at such a young age, your capabilities… Huh? Cultivator Han, you’ve already reached the mid-Nascent Soul stage?”

As soon as the three of them landed in the cave, an old man with red hair and dark skin appeared and greeted them. Then, he scanned Han Li and exclaimed in surprise.

The old man with a fierce impression standing next to him was equally surprised.

“Junior Brother Han has only recently reached the mid-stage, so I hope Brother Pung will guide him well in the future,” Senior Brother Jung said with a smile, narrowing his eyes.

“Guide him? Brother Jung, you’re quite the joker,” the two Baekgyowon elders regained their composure and exchanged wry smiles.

“I may have reached the mid-stage a little early, but my cultivation is still unstable. I will ask for your help if I encounter difficulties in my future training,” Han Li said politely, clasping his hands in greeting.

The two Nascent Soul elders were quite impressed by his demeanor.

They were soon guided inside, and Elder Bu and the other Core Formation cultivators bowed and retreated.

“Senior Brother Yeolhwa also wanted to come out to greet you, but he was too busy with various preparations,” the wrinkled old man said.

“Cultivator Ryo and I have known Brother Jung and the others for hundreds of years. There’s no need to be so formal. But I’m curious, what kind of magical treasure is it that you’re hosting such a grand ceremony for?” Ryo Rak asked as they entered.

“It’s nothing special. Our senior brothers have spent three months refining another Qiankun Pagoda magical treasure.”

“The Qiankun Pagoda? Isn’t that one of Baekgyowon’s three great treasures? I thought there hadn’t been any news of a new magical treasure being refined for nearly a thousand years,” Senior Brother Jung’s expression changed from a smile.

“That’s why we invited many cultivators this time. But even though the Qiankun Pagoda is a treasure to us in Baekgyowon, it might not be much to the other two sects.

It’s a given for the Ancient Sword Sect, and I heard that Brother Jung found rare treasures in Chuma Bone. And Cultivator Han also reached the mid-stage so quickly. Did you perhaps obtain some kind of fortuitous encounter in Chuma Bone?” Elder Pung said with a smile, subtly observing their reactions.

“Treasures? I think you’re mistaken, Brother Pung. I don’t know the details about Cultivator Han, but I did find two treasures in Chuma Bone, but they only have very ordinary power. How can they compare to a treasure like the Qiankun Pagoda?” The silver-haired old man shook his head.

“I didn’t even find any ancient treasures, and I lost quite a few treasures in Chuma Bone. If I hadn’t made progress in my cultivation thanks to luck, it would have been a wasted trip.”

“If I could make progress in my cultivation like Cultivator Han, I would give up all my treasures,” Elder Pung said with a wry smile.

After passing through a garden full of blooming flowers, they were guided into an unusually large main hall. It was at least a hundred zhang wide, and the four sides were studded with unknown crystals that shone with golden light, illuminating the hall.

“Now, please have a seat, everyone. Senior Brother Yeolhwa will be here as soon as he finishes his work. The cultivators from the Ancient Sword Sect will also arrive soon,” Elder Pung said politely, offering seats to everyone.

“I heard that the Ancient Sword Sect’s Geum Old Monster has completed his life-and-death seclusion and will be participating in this ceremony. Is that true?” Ryo Rak asked as soon as he sat down.

“That is correct. Cultivator Geum sent a voice transmission talisman directly to Senior Brother Yeolhwa. But…”

“But what?” Ryo Rak and the silver-haired old man focused their attention on his words, but Han Li looked around the main hall, not paying much attention.

“But the reason Cultivator Geum is coming is probably to see Cultivator Han. Cultivator Han is now one of the top figures after the three great cultivators. In battle, he is second to none in the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Moreover, he has now reached the mid-Nascent Soul stage,” Elder Jung said secretly, looking at Han Li.

“Are you saying that Geum Old Monster intends to test Cultivator Han’s skills? Even after such a long seclusion, his temper remains the same,” Elder Jung frowned, showing some displeasure.

“We can’t be sure, but with Cultivator Han’s abilities, what is there to fear? Besides, it’s true that our senior brothers are also curious about Cultivator Han’s divine powers,” the Baekgyowon Elder revealed his thoughts without hiding them.

“This meeting might change the ranking of Unmong Mountain,” Ryo Rak said, his eyes gleaming as he tapped the table with his finger.

“You might think so, but Baekgyowon is full of old men like us, so I don’t know if it will affect the ranking. However, the fact that the Ancient Sword Sect’s Cultivator Geum is coming is likely to assess Cultivator Han’s skills. Otherwise, why would the Great Elder of the number one sect in the Gye State come in person?” Elder Pung smiled.

“It’s disappointing that you didn’t mention such circumstances in the invitation,” Senior Brother Jung frowned and was about to say something, but Ryo Rak spoke coldly first.

“Cultivator Ryo, you misunderstand… The conversation we just had was all speculation. This meeting was created to promote harmony among the three sects. After all, it’s been over a hundred years since the last meeting, hasn’t it? Cultivator Han has newly joined the Falling Cloud Sect, and Cultivator Myeonghyeong is in the Ancient Sword Sect, so it would be good to get to know each other,” Elder Pung said, waving his hand to ease the atmosphere. Meanwhile, Han Li simply maintained a calm smile throughout.

At that moment, a voice transmission talisman flew in from outside the entrance, glowing red, and landed in Elder Pung’s hand. With everyone’s attention focused on him, Elder Pung quickly got up.

“Please wait here for a moment, and I will go and bring the cultivators from the Ancient Sword Sect. Brother Jung, please take care of this place,” Elder Pung said apologetically and hurried out. In response, Senior Brother Jung and Ryo Rak exchanged glances, their expressions becoming serious.

After a while, footsteps were heard at the entrance of the main hall, and Elder Pung entered with three cultivators. Two men and one woman.

The one leading was a sturdy old man with curly hair. His hair was white, but his complexion was good, and his eyes were sharp, giving him the feeling of a beast.

What drew even more attention were his huge hands, which were twice the size of ordinary people, hanging down on either side.

Behind the old man, a plain-looking middle-aged cultivator and a woman with a neat appearance were walking.

Han Li immediately recognized that the old man with the fierce eyes was Geum Old Monster. That old man alone possessed mid-Nascent Soul cultivation and was almost at the peak of it.
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