Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 990

Several hours later, the spirit beast carriage arrived at the foot of Mount Yunmeng.

Han Li tossed a spirit stone to the coachman and flew upwards. His dwelling was located on the mountainside, but the other alien cultivators residing on Mount Yunmeng were either holed up in their residences or wandering outside, so he rarely encountered anyone.

However, upon reaching the mountainside, Han Li found an unexpected guest waiting in front of his dwelling. One was an old man in a bright red robe, the same Old Devil Xu who had resolved the celestial phenomenon created by the Qilin Source [a mythical beast source] with an orange gourd. The other was a clear-looking boy who appeared to be about fourteen or fifteen years old.

As if sensing the return of the dwelling’s owner, Old Devil Xu opened his eyes and looked at him.

“Are you the Han Fellow Daoist who has been staying here recently?”

“That’s right. Fellow Daoist Xu, you’ve come all the way here to see me.”

Han Li asked politely. If he was someone the other alien races were wary of, he must possess considerable strength.

“Haha, that’s right. This child is my direct descendant. Hurry and greet Fellow Daoist Han.”

“Junior Xu Yunshang greets Senior Han.”

Contrary to expectations, Old Devil Xu burst into hearty laughter and introduced the boy beside him. The boy immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Scanning him with his spiritual sense, Han Li found that he possessed cultivation at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage of the human race. Considering the boy’s age, he could be said to have outstanding talent.

“I hope my sudden visit hasn’t been an imposition.”

“Not at all. It’s my honor that Fellow Daoist Xu has come to my humble abode. Shall we go inside and talk?”

Han Li was curious about the reason for his visit but didn’t show it. He released a blue aura, and the stone door opened silently, revealing a white passage paved with beautiful jade.

The moment he entered the dwelling, Han Li spread his spiritual sense and connected it with his second Nascent Soul’s [a second soul formed through cultivation] consciousness. Other than Old Devil Xu and his descendant arriving three days ago and waiting, there was nothing else of note.

Han Li and Old Devil Xu moved to the main hall and chatted for a while, while the boy stood quietly behind the old man.

“To be honest, I haven’t been out of secluded cultivation for long. I heard that Fellow Daoist Han was able to settle on this mountain with the help of Elder Tianjizi of the Manggu Clan. What is your relationship with him?”

“Haha, how could I, an outsider, have a deep relationship with Senior Tianjizi? I merely gave a small favor to another Manggu Clan cultivator a few years ago, and that’s how I got to know Senior Tianjizi.”

Han Li, his eyes gleaming at Old Devil Xu’s sudden question, answered calmly.

“I see! The Manggu Clan is quite powerful among the Thirteen Heavenly Clans, and since Senior Tianjizi is an elder of the Manggu Clan, you should be able to live in Yuncheng without worry.”

Old Devil Xu burst into laughter. However, Han Li only smiled and didn’t say anything more.

“The reason I came to see you this time is actually to ask you something. I hope you won’t be offended.”

At those words, Han Li became more vigilant but outwardly smiled calmly and replied,

“Please ask anything. I will answer truthfully to the best of my knowledge.”

“Since Fellow Daoist Han has said so, I won’t beat around the bush.”

Old Devil Xu smiled again and calmly stared at Han Li.

“A few days ago, there was a great commotion on the mountain, and a vast amount of energy gathered in the sky, creating a celestial phenomenon. Are you related to that?”

Old Devil Xu’s eyes flashed as he observed Han Li’s reaction. Han Li was slightly surprised but didn’t show it, lightly laughing as he asked back,

“Why do you think I’m involved?”

“The reason is simple. Although the celestial phenomenon that day was widespread, it wasn’t difficult to pinpoint the center of the explosion. Moreover, I happened to be taking a walk around because of something that bothered me, and I saw a golden light rising from your dwelling.”

“Since you’ve already seen it, I won’t hide it. What happened that day was indeed something I unintentionally caused. Since you, Fellow Daoist, neatly dealt with the heaven and earth energy for me, I should thank you.”

“So it was really you. That’s great. Is it possible for you to gather that much heaven and earth energy again?”

Old Devil Xu was overjoyed that Han Li didn’t deny it and hurriedly asked.

“Could you explain why you’re asking me that?”

“Of course, I should explain. Fellow Daoist Han, do you know which of the Thirteen Heavenly Clans I belong to?”

“I’m afraid my knowledge is too shallow to recognize it right away.”

Han Li narrowed his eyes and scanned the old man but couldn’t figure it out. The old man looked exactly like an ordinary human, with no characteristics of an alien race.

“It’s natural that you don’t recognize me. I am a member of the Yun Clan. Our clan is skilled in transformation and concealment, so even those with high cultivation often have difficulty distinguishing us. However, I have mastered a fire-attribute cultivation technique with extreme yang energy, so my transformation skills are lacking. Those who have stayed here for a long time would know this.”

“The Yun Clan… aren’t they one of the top three clans among the thirteen, despite their small population?”

Han Li was quite surprised, and his expression changed.

“It seems you know about the Yun Clan. Our Yun Clan, along with the Zheng Clan, has the smallest number among the thirteen clans, but our power is not weak.”

There was pride in Old Devil Xu’s words.

“I apologize for my rudeness. It’s my first time meeting a Yun Clan cultivator, so I didn’t recognize you.”

“It’s nothing. Although our clan has a small population, many of us are currently residing in Yuncheng. Most of us simply don’t reveal our identities. Perhaps there were Yun Clan cultivators among those you passed by, thinking they were from other clans.”

Old Devil Xu said meaningfully.

“However, what allows our Yun Clan to overwhelm other clans isn’t our transformation skills. It’s another innate divine ability.”

“The Natal Cloud Beast!?”

“That’s right. The Natal Cloud Beast is something between a spirit beast and an incarnation. Only by refining one’s own cloud beast can one truly be treated as a member of the Yun Clan.”

“I’ve heard rumors about the Natal Cloud Beast. Once you refine a cloud beast, it’s like having an external incarnation. In times of crisis, you can merge with the cloud beast and transform into a Cloud Beast Giant Spirit, explosively increasing your cultivation and unleashing powerful divine abilities. Is the reason you came to see me this time because of the Natal Cloud Beast?”

“You have great insight. However, it’s not about my cloud beast, but about this child’s Natal Cloud Beast.”

Old Devil Xu pointed to the boy standing behind him.

“Oh, I’d like to hear the details.”

Han Li carefully scanned the boy.

“I don’t have many descendants, so Yunshang is the only one I keep by my side. It may sound like I’m bragging, but the child is very talented and is recognized even in Yuncheng. I expect him to reach the Upper Clan realm within a hundred years.”

The old man looked at the boy with warm eyes. It was clear how much he cherished him.

“It’s just that my great-grandfather thinks highly of me.”

The boy waved his hands shyly.

“Haha, he’s reached his current level in just ten years. He’s better than I was in the past.”

Old Devil Xu laughed heartily.

“Indeed, Xu Fellow Daoist’s talent seems outstanding.”

At Han Li’s words, the boy blushed and didn’t say anything more.

“Originally, he was a child who would have surpassed me in the future, but unfortunately, things have become difficult.”

The old man wiped away his proud expression and hardened his face.

“Although his talent is outstanding, a problem has arisen in refining his Natal Cloud Beast! He always fails just before completing the refinement. From experience, the faster one refines their Natal Cloud Beast, the more it helps with future cultivation and strength. That’s why I came to ask you about the heaven and earth energy from that day.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I happened to discover that the heaven and earth energy you gathered last time is helpful in refining this child’s Natal Cloud Beast. However, I didn’t know that and used most of it up, so I came to ask for your help.”

“If you need heaven and earth energy, Fellow Daoist Xu, you must have a way to gather it. Why did you come to me?”

“I’ve already tried several times, but ordinary heaven and earth energy is useless. It seems that the heaven and earth energy you created was special. The special components contained within it are helpful to Yunshang.”

Old Devil Xu seemed anxious.

“Is that so?”

Han Li fell into thought. Although others didn’t know, he knew that it was something created by the melting of the True Spirit Source particles. It wasn’t strange that it had a special effect.

“If you could help me gather the same heaven and earth energy as last time, I will definitely repay you.”

“…It’s not that I don’t want to help, but things have become difficult.”

Han Li hesitated, looking at the expectant old man. The Qilin Source was such a precious substance. Even if he couldn’t refine it himself, he couldn’t waste it carelessly for the sake of his soul cultivation.

Even if there were many Qilin Source particles in his soul, who knew if he might lack just one or two later and be unable to reach a higher realm? He couldn’t harm his own spirit beast for the sake of an alien he didn’t know well.

“This concerns my descendant’s future. If you help me, I will give you as many spirit stones as you want.”

The old man quickly added, sensing that something was not right.

“This isn’t a problem that can be solved with spirit stones. The celestial phenomenon last time wasn’t created by a secret technique or cultivation method, but by using a consumable treasure. It’s difficult to say exactly what kind of treasure it was, but you can guess how precious it is just by looking at the scale of the celestial phenomenon. Moreover, I don’t have many of these treasures left, so I can’t use them carelessly.”

After much thought, Han Li explained the situation.

“A consumable treasure?”

“Also, it’s a treasure that is very useful to me, so no matter how many spirit stones you give me, I have no choice but to refuse.”

“If it’s something that requires a consumable treasure, then I won’t mention repaying you with spirit stones. But no matter how precious a treasure is, it must have a price, right? I have quite a few treasures myself, so I’d like to exchange them with you for something of similar value.”

Old Devil Xu didn’t give up easily, as if he had prepared for various situations before coming.

“Exchange?”

Han Li raised an eyebrow. If there was a suitable item, he wouldn’t mind. Seeing the change in his expression, Old Devil Xu realized that there was room for negotiation and immediately flicked his sleeve towards the table. Eight jade boxes appeared from within the red aura.

“These are precious items that I’ve kept for a long time. Some of them I obtained at the risk of my life. I will give you anything you like. If you help me with this matter, I will never forget your kindness.”

Old Devil Xu said straightforwardly.

Han Li smiled gently and scanned the jade boxes on the table. Old Devil Xu was an existence at the peak of the Void Refinement stage and a Yun Clan member with considerable strength. The items he boasted as precious could not be ordinary.

However, it was unknown if there would be anything that would catch his eye, as he possessed two treasures of the Heavenly Dao that even Composite Body cultivators yearned for.

“I’ll take a look, considering it an opportunity to broaden my horizons, thanks to you, Fellow Daoist.”

Han Li first pulled over a bright red jade box that emitted a faint scorching aura. He released a blue light and opened the lid, and a hot aura burst out, making the hall feel hot.