Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 487

Han Li’s power, which had subdued him with immense cold, was truly remarkable. However, he had heard that his natal magic treasure was a flying sword and that his main cultivation method was not of the ice attribute, so he had never imagined that he would possess such a variety of secret techniques.

“My guidance wasn’t wasted on you. To control the Azure Glacial Flames so meticulously… it’s a shame you didn’t focus on ice-attribute cultivation methods,” the Great Yan Divine Lord chuckled in Han Li’s mind.

“Please don’t say that. Although the power of the Azure Glacial Flames is strong, it doesn’t align with my main cultivation method,” he replied through a voice transmission. He retracted the silver wings on his back and turned into a streak of blue light, flying towards the giant ice block.

He casually flicked his sleeve, and the blue light flew in, causing the dark blue ice to contract and return to its lotus shape. The lotus soon seeped into Han Li’s forehead and disappeared.

The three flying swords regained their freedom and howled before flying back to Old Man Geum. However, having been sealed in the dark blue ice for some time, they had inevitably lost some of their spiritual essence.

As Old Man Geum opened his mouth with a regretful expression to retrieve the flying swords, Han Li was already descending towards the mountain peak.

The old monsters, who had watched him win in an instant with various secret techniques, were disappointed that they hadn’t seen a fierce battle, but their awe for Han Li had only grown.

As Han Li landed on the peak, they hurriedly approached him.

“Fellow Cultivator Han’s skills are truly as renowned!”

“Congratulations to the Falling Cloud Sect for rising to become the number one sect of Yunmeng Mountain!”

The old monsters of the Hundred Transformations Sect offered their congratulations. Although this meant they would become the third-ranked sect, they didn’t seem to mind much.

The middle-aged man from the Ancient Sword Sect didn’t look pleased, but he gave Han Li a polite smile before ultimately remaining silent. Ming Xing also quickly regained his composure after the shock had subsided.

Elder Zheng and Lü Luo were overjoyed and exchanged glances, sharing their happiness. After this battle, the Falling Cloud Sect would dominate the other two sects for a thousand years.

As everyone crowded around, asking about the divine powers he had just displayed, Han Li humbly responded and brushed it off. The others didn’t dare to ask further.

After a while, Old Man Geum, who had landed on the ground, looked calm. This made Han Li think even more highly of him.

And now, it was time to divide the interests within Yunmeng Mountain among the three sects and exchange valuable treasures.

Although no items that caught Han Li’s eye had appeared at this small exchange meeting, the discussions on cultivation insights were very helpful.

After half a day, having finished the exchange, Han Li resolved to participate in discussions about cultivation experiences and insights more often in the future.

After that, Han Li first expressed his desire to see the Hundred Transformations Sect’s Fire Paper, and although Old Man Lie Huo was a little surprised, he immediately agreed.

After confirming the underground fire pond, Han Li bid farewell and left the Hundred Transformations Sect after another half a day.

On the way back to the Falling Cloud Sect, Lü Luo excitedly talked to Elder Zheng about the spirit stone mines and rare material production areas they would acquire. What had originally belonged to the Ancient Sword Sect and the Hundred Transformations Sect now belonged to the Falling Cloud Sect.

Elder Zheng was not as excited as Lü Luo, but he looked pleased. Han Li smiled at their behavior.

However, before entering the Falling Cloud Sect, the old man unexpectedly brought up a topic.

“Everything is thanks to Fellow Cultivator Han. It has been our Falling Cloud Sect’s long-cherished wish for generations to become the number one sect in the State of Ji. For you to have accomplished such a great feat… I’ve discussed it with Fellow Cultivator Lü, and when I pass away, I would like to pass the position of Grand Elder of the sect to you. What are your thoughts?”

“The position of Grand Elder to me?” Han Li was momentarily stunned by the words.

“To be honest, at first, I wanted Fellow Cultivator Lü to take the position of Grand Elder and for you to assist him in managing the Falling Cloud Sect. But now, you have become a Nascent Soul [a stage of cultivation]中期 cultivator and have made great contributions to our sect. In any case, the Grand Elder is usually the cultivator with the most outstanding divine powers, isn’t it?” Elder Zheng smiled.

“…I am truly grateful for your kindness, Elder. However, I’m afraid I cannot accept the position of Grand Elder,” Han Li said after a moment of silence, unexpectedly rejecting his offer outright.

“Fellow Cultivator, don’t refuse. It’s more justifiable and beneficial for you to take the position of Grand Elder of the number one sect in the State of Ji than for me, a Nascent Soul初期 cultivator, to take it,” Lü Luo said with a wry smile, trying to persuade him.

“I’m not just refusing out of courtesy. I truly have no interest in the position of Grand Elder. As you both know, I am a cultivator who is solely focused on cultivation. Moreover, if I go into secluded cultivation for a long time in the future, it will be difficult to manage the sect. How can I promote the development of the Falling Cloud Sect?

Most importantly, I joined the sect later, so I am not familiar with the low-level disciples, let alone the Core Formation cultivators. In this situation, how can I perform the duties of the Grand Elder? I am content with being just an elder, so please let Fellow Cultivator Lü take the position of Grand Elder.”

“But Fellow Cultivator…” Elder Zheng frowned, about to say something.

“If you bring this matter up again, it will be the same as forcing me to leave the Falling Cloud Sect,” Han Li declared sternly.

“…I understand. If you put it that way, let’s discuss this matter again later,” Elder Zheng exchanged a look with Lü Luo and was convinced that Han Li was not just refusing out of courtesy but truly did not want the position of Grand Elder.

“Although I have refused the position of Grand Elder, I am still an elder of the Falling Cloud Sect. Unless there is a major upheaval, I will do my best to help the sect prosper for a thousand years,” Han Li said, his expression softening. Elder Zheng forced a smile and did not bring it up again. He then changed the subject and asked about Merchant Jiyang’s visit.

Since there was nothing to hide, Han Li calmly explained the situation.

“Judging from Merchant Jiyang’s tone, it seems to be related to the Seven Spirit Islands and the vortex. This place is not far from the State of Ji, have you heard any related news?”

“There hasn’t been any particular news. It happened in the hidden area of Yunmeng Mountain, so we sent disciples to investigate, but there were only seven islands with spirit veins and a vortex, just like the rumors said. Our sect did not participate in the competition to determine the ownership of the islands.”

“Then we will have to wait until the appointed time to know the reason. As Merchant Jiyang said, I hope we only need to lend the power of the Evil-Slaying Divine Lightning and that no dangerous situations arise.”

“In any case, we must be careful. For three great cultivators to be involved, and even for all the Nascent Soul中期 cultivators of Tiannan to be summoned, it must not be a trivial matter,” Lü Luo worried.

“I will be careful. They won’t ask for anything unreasonable,” Han Li said.

“That’s right! With your skills at your age, they wouldn’t dare to act recklessly,” Han Li and Lü Luo smiled at the same time.

After returning to the Falling Cloud Sect, Elder Zheng and Lü Luo immediately parted ways with Han Li and headed to the Elder Council Hall. They needed to inform the core disciples that the sect had become the number one sect in Yunmeng Mountain and discuss future matters.

And Han Li went straight to the forbidden area where Nangong Wan was sealed, and only after several hours did he leave the place with a tired expression and return to his residence.

He carried both joy and worry as he returned after checking on Nangong Wan.

The good news was that the Fire Silk Elixir was effective, and the curse on Nangong Wan had weakened slightly.

However, the worrying thing was that the Fire Silk Elixir was less effective than expected. At this rate, it was uncertain whether the curse would ever be lifted.

Still, it was fortunate that it could delay the onset of the curse and reduce its power, so the trip to the Chuma Bone Mountain was not in vain.

* * *

Han Li sat in the secret chamber with his eyes closed.

Now was the time to forget about Nangong Wan’s matter. Otherwise, his mind would be disturbed, and a demonic heart might arise.

He had entered the secret chamber and had been meditating to calm his mind.

He opened his mouth and spat out a ball of golden threads, and then he cast a blue magic seal towards it as it spun.

*Kuurung!*

A thunderous sound was heard, and the golden ball of threads transformed into thin lightning bolts, scattering, and a small, bean-sized dark blue fireball appeared within.

Before the fireball could react, Han Li opened his mouth again and spat out a flame of the same color, enveloping it. The fireball, now the size of an egg, returned and disappeared into Han Li’s stomach.

He formed a strange hand seal and immediately closed his eyes. He had begun refining the last Azure Glacial Flame he had obtained from the Void Sky Cauldron.

* * *

Fifteen days later, Han Li opened his eyes and raised a finger.

*Pshh.*

A dark blue flame appeared at his fingertip, and he stared at it silently before flicking his hand. The flame instantly transformed into a thin dark blue snake, coiling around his fingertip.

“Go,” he said. At the same time, wings sprouted from the snake’s body, and it surprisingly flew around the secret chamber as if it were alive. Han Li watched the snake’s movements for a while before extending another finger.

*Bang.*

The snake exploded in mid-air, raining down like a shower before disappearing into Han Li’s body. Only then did Han Li smile and mutter,

“My refining of the Azure Glacial Flames is improving. At first, it took a year to refine just one strand, but now I can do the same amount in fifteen days.”

Then, as if he had thought of something, he brushed past his storage pouch and took out a small cauldron. The ancient cauldron, only a few inches in size, was exquisitely crafted.

It was the Void Sky Cauldron that Han Li had been carefully preserving. He tossed the Void Sky Cauldron lightly, and the cauldron spun and slowly floated into the air.

Han Li released a dark blue flame from between his palms and shot a fist-sized fireball, hitting the dark blue fireball. The fireball trembled and quickly expanded.

After a while, a huge fireball the size of a human head floated in front of his chest. Dark blue flames were burning inside, but it was a strange fireball that did not emit any heat.

Han Li pointed at the cauldron, and the fireball transformed into light and flew away.

And then a strange thing happened. The cauldron did not fly away from the flame’s attack. Instead, water and fire merged together. The glacial flames burned fiercely in the cauldron, and the cauldron slowly began to rotate within the flames.

Han Li stared intently at it and released his consciousness to explore if anything had changed.

As time passed, his face contorted. The cauldron, surrounded by the Azure Glacial Flames, had not changed at all.

He thought for a moment, then raised his head and focused his spiritual power to activate his Spirit Eye [a technique to see spiritual energy], looking at the Void Sky Cauldron.

Not long after activating his Spirit Eye, his expression finally changed.

He raised his hand and pointed at the cauldron, and a sharp blue light flashed, extending a thin thread of spiritual energy.

The Void Sky Cauldron’s dark blue light intensified, and it grew from its original few inches in size to about a foot. The surface, which was engraved with all things—flowers, birds, insects, fish, mountains, water, and trees—became even clearer.

Han Li slowly stood up and gestured, and the Void Sky Cauldron descended in front of him.

After examining it closely, he suddenly reached out and placed his palm on the cauldron through the dark blue flames. Then, a strange thing happened.

The fiercely burning dark blue flames swirled and transformed into a foot-long dark blue flood dragon, which flew up. The flood dragon trembled from head to tail before slamming its head into the cauldron and disappearing.

At the same time, the surface of the cauldron, which had been faintly blue, turned dark blue, and the animals, birds, and insects engraved on the surface flowed and moved along the surface.