Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 547

Han Li flicked his wrist, and the blood-colored talisman transformed into light, absorbing into the dwarf puppet.

“Oh, much better! But you wouldn’t be using such a talisman on me without expecting something in return, would you?”

“No, Senior. Just think of it as gratitude for all your help so far.”

Han Li paused for a moment before answering calmly.

*Swish! Swish!*

The Great Evolution Divine Lord snorted and reached out towards the two pieces of the bamboo tube. At the same time, the pieces of the bamboo tube joined together around the dwarf, returning to their original shape and falling in front of Han Li.

However, Han Li paid no attention, focusing on melting the giant ice block. The purple ice block, which encased the humanoid puppet, was slowly melting away.

Han Li sat cross-legged and struck his head with one hand. A bright blue light spread out, and his bluish Nascent Soul [a nascent soul is a newly formed soul] appeared, flying towards the puppet.

Three months later, a blue beam of light shot into the sky from the small island where Han Li had been staying.

* * *

Bitter Bamboo Island was a small island in the Great Jin Sea, covered in a blue mist year-round.

The island’s owner, Old Man Bitter Bamboo, was completely unknown to inland cultivators, but some mid-Nascent Soul cultivators knew not to provoke him carelessly.

Even among the cultivators across the sea, Old Man Bitter Bamboo’s reputation was well-known. Although he was a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, he possessed 365 Cold Bamboo Flying Swords and the Celestial Mulberry Divine Tree of Bitter Bamboo Island, boasting a presence comparable to the Three Immortals of the Outer Seas.

Moreover, Bitter Bamboo Island had the Myriad Wood Grand Formation [a powerful formation based on wood element], which would significantly weaken even late-Nascent Soul cultivators who were caught in it.

* * *

One day, an uninvited guest flew to this island.

A flash of light appeared in the distance, and a long beam of light flew over the mist like lightning. When the light faded, a young cultivator appeared, dressed in the attire of a disciple. It was Han Li.

He carried the bamboo tube on his back and surveyed the mist.

Seeing nothing but white mist, Han Li raised his eyebrows, and a blue light flickered in his eyes.

“Bitter Bamboo Island is indeed as rumored. Even with the Bright Sight Spirit Eyes, I can’t completely see through the restrictions. The Myriad Wood Grand Formation’s reputation is not false.”

“Of course. But the Vermillion Bird’s feather on Bitter Bamboo Island will greatly enhance the power of the Three-Flame Fan. Besides, Old Man Bitter Bamboo is a suitable opponent to test the power of the newly crafted puppet.”

The Great Evolution Divine Lord’s weak voice came from inside the bamboo tube.

“I know. That’s why I came here as soon as the puppet refinement was complete. But how much longer can you hold on, Senior?”

“Thanks to your Soul Stabilizing Talisman, I can hold on long enough to see the puppet’s power.”

The Great Evolution Divine Lord chuckled quietly, and Han Li nodded, looking at the mist. Han Li’s hand brushed against his storage pouch, and a blue aura flowed out, transforming into a pale middle-aged cultivator of similar build to him.

The middle-aged man, with his yellow robe and jade-like skin, had the same face as the dwarf in whom the Great Evolution Divine Lord resided.

By refining it in the way the Great Evolution Divine Lord had taught him, the Spirit Refined Jade had truly transformed into something like human skin. The Spirit Refined Jade freely changed shape, and when Han Li injected his consciousness into the clone to control it, it was indistinguishable from a real person.

However, the problem was spirit stones. High-grade puppets needed high-grade spirit stones to unleash their full power, and high-grade spirit stones were extremely rare. Even though he had bought as many high-grade spirit stones as possible every time he visited a market since arriving in Great Jin, he had not been able to obtain many.

Perhaps, with one high-grade spirit stone, he could only attack at full power for about a quarter of an hour.

“Then, I’ll go.”

It was time to test its true power. The puppet raised both hands, and a blue aura condensed in its palms, forming a light sphere the size of a human head.

*Thud! Thud!*

The puppet flicked its wrists, and two beams of light shot out, cutting through the mist and disappearing.

*Boom! Bang!*

A moment later, an earth-shattering explosion was heard, and the mists surged as a pillar of wind appeared, stirring the mist. As it writhed like a dragon, scattering the mist, the green protective barrier covering the island began to appear. Then, a dozen or so lights appeared from within.

They were the island’s cultivators, startled by the previous attack. Han Li could tell at a glance that their cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment or Core Formation stage.

“Who are you two…?! Ah! Seniors, it’s you. What brings you to Bitter Bamboo Island?”

A late-Core Formation cultivator, who had been showing anger towards Han Li, immediately changed his tone to a respectful one after scanning him and the puppet with his spiritual sense.

“I’ve long admired the reputation of Bitter Bamboo, and I’ve come to visit now that I have the opportunity. Please inform Bitter Bamboo that I wish to meet him.”

“It’s unfortunate. My master entered seclusion a few years ago and is unable to receive guests… I’ve been managing Bitter Bamboo Island in the meantime, so please tell me what you need, and I’ll do my best to help.”

“It’s a pity he’s in seclusion. Then, I’ll get straight to the point. I heard that there’s an ancient spirit beast, a Vermillion Bird, on this island. Is that correct?”

“A Vermillion Bird? Why are you looking for a Vermillion Bird?”

“It’s nothing much. I’m refining a treasure, and I need three tail feathers from the Vermillion Bird. I’m willing to trade one seventh-grade demon core and three sixth-grade demon cores. Let me know if you accept the offer.”

Han Li immediately took out four jade boxes from his sleeve and floated them in the air. With a flick of his finger, the jade boxes opened simultaneously, revealing various demon cores.

“Trading for the Vermillion Bird’s feathers?”

“I heard that the Vermillion Bird here is a seventh-grade spirit beast. I’m offering so many demon cores to show my sincerity.”

“Although the Vermillion Bird is an ancient spirit beast, offering four demon cores is a worthwhile trade. However, it’s difficult for me to make this decision.”

The Core Formation elder hesitated and shook his head. The moment he said that, Han Li’s eyes turned cold, and seeing this, the elder’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly explained.

“Please don’t misunderstand, Senior. Our island’s Vermillion Bird is about to evolve, so it’s difficult to cause any harm to its cultivation.”

“I see. But I really need the Vermillion Bird’s feathers… How about this? I’ll give you one more seventh-grade demon core. Will that do?”

Han Li thought for a moment and took out another jade box. The Bitter Bamboo Island cultivators were taken aback by this.

“What? Is it still not enough?”

“No, it’s just that this matter is too important for me to decide. Please wait a moment. I’ll inform my master, even if I’m punished for it.”

The elder hesitated under Han Li’s cold gaze, then glanced at the humanoid puppet beside him and gritted his teeth.

“Very well. I can wait.”

Only then did Han Li’s expression soften.

The elder immediately took out a communication talisman and sent a message containing Han Li’s proposed trade conditions. He also made sure to explain that he had no choice but to do so because of the two cultivators with immense cultivation.

Not long after, an old man’s voice echoed from the island.

“Nascent Soul cultivators have arrived, and I haven’t even greeted them in person. Bring the two of them to the Spirit Peak Pavilion. I will come out of seclusion to meet them immediately.”

Old Man Bitter Bamboo asked for Han Li’s understanding and then ordered his disciples.

“Yes, sir! Seniors, please follow me. My master will be out soon.”

“I’ve always wanted to see Bitter Bamboo Island, as its reputation is well-known.”

Han Li glanced at the puppet beside him and replied. With a late-Nascent Soul puppet, he had nothing to fear from the Myriad Wood Grand Formation.

Suddenly, the green barrier split open, creating a passage down to the island, and Han Li flew inside. As soon as he entered, he could feel the abundant spiritual energy and saw the giant trees and lush foliage. The trees were so large that most of them were over three or four zhang [a zhang is about 3.3 meters] tall, and there was a mix of various trees rarely seen outside.

Among them, a dozen or so were noticeably larger and exuded a mysterious aura.

“Is that your island’s Celestial Mulberry Divine Tree? I heard there was only one, but there are over ten.”

Han Li frowned and asked the elder beside him.

The elder glanced at the puppet, worrying that this senior, who was silent and expressionless, might be an eccentric old monster.

“Ah, those Celestial Mulberry Divine Trees all grew from a single root. So, in the end, it’s just one tree.”

“So, this is what the Celestial Mulberry Divine Tree, one of the Three Great Divine Trees, looks like. I’ve broadened my horizons today.”

Han Li clicked his tongue in amazement. As he followed the elder deeper into the forest, the surrounding spiritual energy changed, and the scenery shifted.

A low mountain, hundreds of zhang high, appeared, with pavilions and other structures built in the center.

“You all go back to your duties. I will take care of the seniors.”

The elder waved his hand at the other cultivators there, and they immediately scattered and disappeared.

Han Li and the puppet followed the elder to the top of the mountain, where a large wooden hall stood.

Four cultivators in green armor stood guard in front of the hall, each holding a long spear.

Even when the elder led Han Li and the puppet to the front of the wooden hall, the four guards showed no change in expression.

The four guards were only at the Foundation Establishment stage, but the wood-attribute spiritual energy they possessed was extremely pure, and their armor and spears were all top-grade wood-attribute spiritual tools.

The elder took the initiative to explain to Han Li.

“These are the Wood Spirit Guards that my master personally cultivated. They have learned special techniques using the power of the Celestial Mulberry Divine Tree, so although their individual cultivation is not high, they are skilled in combined attacks.”

“I see. They certainly look different from ordinary cultivators.”

The structure of the wooden hall was not complex. Besides the main hall, there was only one side hall attached to it. So, as soon as Han Li and the others entered the main hall, they could see a very tall cultivator standing with his back to them.

He wore a green robe and had snow-white hair. As soon as the elder saw him, he immediately bowed deeply and stepped aside silently.

“Are you the cultivator, Old Man Bitter Bamboo?”

“Yes, I am Bitter Bamboo. Your faces are unfamiliar. Are you from the mainland? May I know your names?”

The cultivator in the green robe turned around with a smile.

In that instant, Han Li’s eyes narrowed. The other party was a teenager with a delicate face that did not match his white hair. Old Man Bitter Bamboo also seemed to have mastered a technique to maintain his youth.

Old Man Bitter Bamboo also turned around with a smile, but a look of surprise flashed across his face when he saw Han Li’s face.

“That’s right. We are not overseas cultivators. I am Han, and this is my senior brother, Cultivator Lyu. I hope our sudden visit hasn’t caused any trouble.”

Han Li replied politely.

“Trouble? It’s an honor to have cultivators like you visit. Especially Cultivator Lyu, whose cultivation seems extraordinary. I can’t even discern his exact level.”

Old Man Bitter Bamboo looked at Han Li and the puppet beside him. He seemed to believe that Han Li’s puppet was a Nascent Soul cultivator who had cultivated some kind of secret technique.

“You’re too modest. We’ve long admired the reputation of Cultivator Bitter Bamboo.”

“Haha, then please sit down and have a cup of our island’s unique Mulberry Tea.”

Old Man Bitter Bamboo led the two cultivators to a table. Immediately, several women entered the main hall with tea and served them green spirit tea before retreating.

“Mulberry Tea, is it tea related to the Celestial Mulberry Divine Tree?”

Han Li looked down at the green tea, which was full of wood-attribute spiritual energy.

“You have a good eye. It’s made by brewing the leaves of the Celestial Mulberry Divine Tree. It has the effect of clearing the mind and spirit. You can’t taste this tea anywhere else but on our island.”

“Then, I must try it.”