"N-no, no problem at all," Shangguan Yun replied cautiously.
A shrewd woman, she understood that her position at Myriad Immortals Pavilion didn't guarantee respect or status. In this world, strength reigned supreme; status followed strength.
She recalled an incident where a shopkeeper, arrogant due to his position at the pavilion, had insulted and deliberately harassed visiting cultivators. That very night, the shopkeeper vanished without a trace. Though the pavilion investigated, nothing was ever uncovered.
With Myriad Immortals Pavilion's reputation, hundreds or even thousands of Foundation Establishment cultivators would line up to compete for a mere shopkeeper position. His death was inconsequential.
Of course, any cultivator who dared to cause trouble within the pavilion faced dire consequences. The pavilion boasted numerous Golden Core Honorary Elders, several True Monarchs behind the scenes, and even rumors of an Imperial Son as its patron. Any troublemaker would need to carefully consider whether they could escape the pavilion alive.
"Alright then, Manager Shangguan, could you help me appraise these?" Han Yi urged.
Shangguan Yun poured Han Yi a cup of Immortal's Drunkenness before replying.
"The Southern Dipper Divine Palace possesses a series of Magic Treasures named after the solar terms of the mortal realm."
"Among them is the Silver Frost Sword. Originally held by Daoist Lujie of the Southern Dipper Divine Palace, it seems your extraordinary skill, Fellow Daoist, has allowed you to acquire it."
Shangguan Yun deliberately emphasized the sword's origins, implying that Han Yi had obtained it through questionable means, whether by murder or theft. Her veiled implication of underhanded methods set the stage for negotiating a lower price.
Across from her, Han Yi's hand paused almost imperceptibly as he sipped his tea. He continued his sip and calmly set the cup down.
"Continue," Han Yi said, his expression placid.
"The Silver Frost Sword is a Low-Grade Magic Treasure, but it's significantly more potent than your previous Golden Light Shuttle. However, its provenance differs."
"We valued the Golden Light Shuttle at 530 High-Grade Spirit Stones. While this sword is of a higher grade, even the Myriad Immortals Pavilion would face difficulties selling it. We can only offer 680 High-Grade Spirit Stones."
Shangguan Yun feigned reluctance. However, Han Yi had thoroughly examined the sword artifact beforehand and knew it rivaled the Seven Stars Kunwu Sword bestowed by the Great Qian Emperor. He wouldn't have considered selling it if not for the potential complications it might bring.
"Manager Shangguan, this isn't very fair of you."
"I distinctly recall that the Myriad Immortals Pavilion never inquires about the origins of the goods it trades."
"This Silver Frost Sword is exceptional, even among Low-Grade Magic Treasures. Any other merchant guild would sell it for at least nine hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones."
Shangguan Yun's expression turned serious. "Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. The Silver Frost Sword can only unleash its full power in the hands of cultivators from the Southern Dipper Divine Palace. Without their Sword Manual, outsiders can only use a fraction of its true potential."
"Tell you what, the Myriad Immortals Pavilion will make another concession. We'll add fifty High-Grade Spirit Stones, bringing the total to seven hundred and thirty. This is our final offer."
Han Yi smiled. Bargaining was never that easy.
"Manager Shangguan, you've overlooked one crucial point. This sword artifact belongs to the Southern Dipper Divine Palace. The Nascent Soul and Golden Core sects of Great Qian hold the Palace in high regard. If word gets out that a Southern Dipper sword artifact is available, they'll flock here to buy it for research. This sword carries significant historical weight, making your price surprisingly low."
"Of course, the Myriad Immortals Pavilion needs to put in some effort to handle this transaction. Eight hundred and fifty High-Grade Spirit Stones is the absolute minimum I can accept."
Shangguan Yun's eyes flickered as she refilled Han Yi's teacup with Immortal Tea. She spoke slowly, "Fellow Daoist, you may not be aware..."
After some haggling, the Silver Frost Sword was finally sold for seven hundred and eighty High-Grade Spirit Stones, a price that met Han Yi's expectations.
Next, Han Yi went on a shopping spree, purchasing large quantities of Spirit Talismans and Spirit Pills, and even acquiring two additional Top-Grade Sword Artifacts. These were among the finest of their kind:
A fiery crimson sword known as the Phoenix Feather Sword. A jet-black sword called the Thunder Swamp Sword.
Han Yi bought two swords both as a precaution and because he now had plenty of Spirit Stones to spare.
He stocked up on various types of Spirit Talismans, including Teleportation Talismans, Blink Talismans, Annihilating Thunder Talismans, Golden Shield Talismans, and Shadow Split Void Escape Talismans.
Finally, gritting his teeth, Han Yi purchased a Third-Tier Spirit Talisman:
The Three Spirits Immortal Fall Talisman.
The Immortal Fall Talisman was a set of Third-Tier Spirit Talismans. The Three Spirits Immortal Fall Talisman was the Low-Grade Tier Three variant. Above it were the Mid-Grade Tier Three Six Spirits Immortal-Slaying Talisman and the High-Grade Tier Three Nine Spirits Immortal Fall Talisman.
During the Profound Pill Death Tribulation, the Shou Clan, a Golden Core family, deployed two Nine Spirits Immortal Fall Talismans to attack the Profound Pill Sect's Celestial Cycle Profound Astral Formation.
Two full hours passed before Han Yi finally emerged from the Myriad Immortals Pavilion, his face still pained by the expense. Without looking back, he soared into the sky on his sword. Only when he reached mid-air did he release his newly purchased Immortal Boat.
The Immortal Boat streaked across the sky at incredible speed, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
Inside the Myriad Immortals Pavilion, Shangguan Yun ascended to the third floor and stood respectfully before a Golden Core True Person, meticulously recounting every detail of Han Yi's actions.
"Based on your report, this cultivator is undoubtedly at the Foundation Establishment Stage," the True Person concluded. "To kill Lu Jie while at that stage, he must be at Peak Foundation Establishment or Half-Step Golden Core."
"While Lu Jie only reached Golden Core at the age of two hundred, making him relatively ordinary among Golden Core cultivators, a Golden Core is still a Golden Core. A cultivator capable of transcending cultivation realms to slay one warrants our utmost attention."
"By the way, has the Myriad Immortals Token been dispatched?"
Standing before Shangguan Yun was a middle-aged cultivator with a square face, clad in elegant pale-purple robes. His aura exuded composure and an innate air of authority.
This cultivator was Yan Tu, the overseer of the Myriad Immortals Pavilion's Shu Capital Branch Pavilion, and his cultivation had reached the late-stage Golden Core realm.
Shangguan Yun lowered her head and softly reported, "Pavilion Master, the Myriad Immortals Token has been delivered and accepted."
"Good, well done," Yan Tu nodded, then waved Shangguan Yun away.
Shangguan Yun acknowledged him and slowly withdrew.
Meanwhile, Han Yi piloted his newly acquired Immortal Boat out of Shu Capital's boat passage and accelerated. The control center was studded with forty-nine Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, unleashing a surge of Divine Sense that propelled the vessel fifty percent faster than his previous one.
Ten miles outside Shu Capital, beyond the radiating influence of Great Qian's national fortune, Han Yi once again consulted the Change Hexagram Art. Finding no further traces of bloodlight ahead, he felt a surge of relief.
From that moment on, he devoted himself entirely to his journey.
Over half a month later, after traversing Ancient Shu County, Gaoyuan County, Taihe County, and Ancient Creek County, Han Yi finally entered Nanyang County and breathed a sigh of relief.
Three days later, he arrived at the Profound Pill Sect and landed before the Azure Dragon Palace.
To the sect's elders, Han Yi had only been gone for a few months. But for Han Yi himself, nearly eight years had passed.
That was no short interval.
"Junior Brother Han, your cultivation realm has reached the pinnacle of the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage! You'll soon break through to Late Foundation Establishment—truly a cause for celebration!"
As Han Yi entered the Azure Dragon Palace, he encountered Shen Ping. The senior brother immediately discerned Han Yi's progress, and his eyes flickered with surprise.
"However, haste makes waste. While medicinal pills are beneficial, their toxins are difficult to eliminate and should only serve as supplementary aids. Don't sacrifice your promising Immortal Path for fleeting gains."
Shen Ping offered further words of caution, to which Han Yi nodded in agreement.
Han Yi understood that Shen Ping suspected him of relying on pills for rapid advancement. In reality, his progress was due to his years spent cultivating in the Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm, painstakingly reaching the peak of the Mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Shen. Junior Brother understands."
Shen Ping nodded, a thought striking him. He observed that Han Yi rarely participated in sect activities, preferring solitary cultivation—an unbalanced approach, in his view.
It was time to involve Han Yi more in sect governance, especially since he had caught the attention of Elder Yuan Shun himself.
With this in mind, Shen Ping added, "By the way, Junior Brother Han, the sect is establishing several garrison outposts. In a month, we'll be selecting elders to oversee them. Perhaps you'd consider participating?"
Han Yi paused to consider. "Junior Brother understands. If time permits, I'll certainly participate."
With that, he swiftly entered the Azure Dragon Palace.
He was already aware of the garrison elder initiative. Following Yuan Shun's recent ascension to the Nascent Soul Stage, the Profound Pill Sect had become the eighth Nascent Soul Sect in Great Qian—excluding the Three Great Sects, of course.
Following the precedent set by other Nascent Soul Sects, the Profound Pill Sect established Garrison Elders in various Immortal Cities throughout the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom. For instance, Zhou Su, formerly an elder at the Profound Immortal Pill Shop in Shu Capital, would be promoted to head the Shu Capital Garrison.
In short, the Profound Pill Sect's organizational structure had undergone a significant transformation.
Han Yi was aware of these developments, but he had no interest in becoming a Garrison Elder. While such a position offered preferential access to resources, he lacked nothing and saw no point in wasting his time.
Entering the secluded Meditation Chamber in the Azure Dragon Palace, he closed the door, activated the chamber's protective restrictions, and finally exhaled in relief. He had originally expected his recent journey to last only two or three months.
Instead, nearly eight years had passed.
During that time, his three forays into Shu Capital had left him with a lingering trauma. Unless absolutely necessary, he vowed never to set foot in Shu Capital again.
His first encounter had been an ambush by three Preaching Envoys from the Fragrant Teachings, including a Black-Robed Evil Witch and a Spirit-Body Dual Cultivator who proved troublesome. Though uninjured, he used the Change Hexagram Art to divine a bloodlight omen, forcing him to flee into Shu Capital.
Determined to avoid a repeat, he meticulously prepared for his second departure. He mastered the Disguise Technique, sold his Golden Light Shuttle, and purchased seven Second-Tier Spirit Talismans and a special Magic Artifact. After altering his appearance and concealing his aura, he ventured out of Shu Capital once more.
This time, Li Yuanyi ambushed Han Yi. After killing him, Han Yi triggered the descent of a Malevolent Entity. Only by unleashing the Seven Stars Kunwu Sword was he able to obliterate Li Yuanyi's body, severing the Entity's conduit and allowing him to escape back to Shu Capital severely injured.
The third time, after recovering from his wounds, Han Yi prepared to purchase an Immortal Boat from the Myriad Immortals Pavilion. However, Daoist Lujie of the Southern Dipper Divine Palace intercepted him. Han Yi had learned of the Southern Dipper Divine Palace and Daoist Lujie's name from Shangguan Yun at the Myriad Immortals Pavilion.
With Daoist Lujie relentlessly pursuing him, Han Yi had no choice but to lure him into the nearest Mirage Immortal Mountain, hoping for a stroke of luck. Unexpectedly, luck did arrive—in the form of the Black Token on his person. The Illusionary Realm activated, dragging both of them into the Mirage Immortal Realm.
Within this realm, the Token violently dragged Han Yi down through a specific layer of the Nine-Layered Realm, then violently yanked him back up to the Mirage Immortal Realm. This brutal cycle of descent and ascent shattered his Physical Body and Divine Soul.
!
An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator subjected to such torment would likely have perished instantly.
Only Han Yi's exceptionally strong foundation and First-Grade Immortal Foundation allowed him to endure this Extreme Tugging.
Even now, Han Yi remained shaken by the experience.
Preaching Envoy, Southern Border Evil Witch, Spirit-Body Dual Cultivator, Disguise Technique, Spirit Talisman, Li Yuanyi, Malevolent Entity, Severely Injured, Golden Core Pursuit, Mirage Immortal Mountain, Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm, Void Beast, Ninth Layer Void Domain, Void Domain Mark, Extreme Descent, Extreme Tugging, On the Verge of Death, Recovery, Escape, Selling the Magic Sword, Returning to the Sect...
Han Yi compiled a list of keywords from his eight years of wandering since leaving the mountain. This time, the list was longer and more complex than ever before. Some experiences remained shrouded in mystery, even to him.
Three main questions lingered in his mind:
What exactly was the malevolent entity that had possessed Li Yuanyi? How did Daoist Lujie discover his location and relentlessly pursue him? What was the connection between the Black Token and the Mirage Immortal Illusionary Realm, which had dragged him to a specific part of the Ninth Layer Void Domain, where he obtained the black pearl?
Unable to find answers, Han Yi decided to set these questions aside for now.
Following his usual practice, he emptied the contents of his Storage Ring:
Low-Grade Magic Treasure: Seven Stars Kunwu Sword. Top-Grade Magic Artifacts: Phoenix Feather Sword, Thunder Swamp Sword, Green Ripple Sword, Black Light Broken Sword (damaged), Fire Mist Sword, Five Thunder Pearls x2 (disposable special magic artifacts).
Third-Tier Low-Grade Spirit Talisman: Three Spirits Immortal Fall Talisman.
High-Grade Second-Tier Spirit Talismans: Shadow Split Void Escape Talisman x3.
Mid-Grade Second-Tier Spirit Talismans: Golden Shield Talisman x3.
Low-Grade Second-Tier Spirit Talismans: Annihilating Thunder Talisman x5, Teleportation Talisman x3.
High-Grade Spirit Stones: 920.
Mid-Grade Spirit Stones: Approximately 5,000.
Low-Grade Spirit Stones: Approximately 100,000.
Medicinal Pills: Several.
Other: A new Immortal Boat, two damaged Immortal Boats awaiting repair, one Foundation Establishment Pill, four Four Orders Patrol Envoy Tokens, a Black Token, a Myriad Immortals Token, and more.
At the Myriad Immortals Pavilion, the Third-Tier Three Spirits Immortal Fall Talisman alone cost Han Yi 260 High-Grade Spirit Stones. The two Five Thunder Pearls and the other spirit talismans cost him an additional 40 High-Grade Spirit Stones.
Han Yi wasn't reluctant to purchase higher-tier spirit talismans or disposable magic artifacts. The issue was that higher-tier items required a much greater mana reserve to activate. If he were to activate a Fourth-Tier spirit talisman in his current state, it would likely drain him dry before activation, killing him instantly.
Consequently, he only purchased a single Third-Tier Low-Grade Spirit Talisman.
As for the new Immortal Boat, Shangguan Yun had gifted it to him after Han Yi's persistent pleading. Though still classified as a Human Immortal-grade vessel, its forty-nine slots made it noticeably superior to his previous one.
The Myriad Immortals Token, issued by the Myriad Immortals Pavilion, was reserved for their most valued VIP clients, granting them priority service at any of their branches. Han Yi had qualified for this token by selling two Magic Treasures and purchasing Third-Tier Spirit Talismans along with numerous other items. His spending habits now rivaled those of a Golden Core cultivator, a prerequisite for receiving the Myriad Immortals Token.
With all his belongings secured, Han Yi focused his consciousness into his Sea of Consciousness Space. There, his Divine Soul had risen to its feet, gazing upward at the black pearl suspended near the grayish-white Primordial Chaos Qi at the space's zenith.
Since recovering in the Mirage Immortal Realm, Han Yi had been cautiously probing this black pearl that had entered his Sea of Consciousness Space.
There was no doubt that the black pearl originated from one of the layers within the Ninth Layer Void Domain. Han Yi could vaguely recall fragments from the first six layers, but after falling to the seventh, only his consciousness remained.
In other words, the black pearl likely came from the Seventh to Ninth Layers of the Void Domain.
However, during his recovery over the past few years, Han Yi had repeatedly attempted to probe the pearl, but it remained utterly unresponsive. Neither his Soul Techniques nor his Soul Swords could make the slightest impact.
Moreover, the more Han Yi observed the pearl, the more it resembled an eyeball—a completely pitch-black eyeball, perhaps belonging to some unknown species, though he couldn't be certain.
Helpless with this foreign object in his Sea of Consciousness Space, Han Yi's Divine Soul transformed into a Soul Tower, his strongest defensive form. Even if the black pearl stirred, the Soul Tower could withstand it.
After inspecting the black pearl, Han Yi turned his attention to his Spirit Sea. Ninety percent of the injuries had healed, but ten percent remained as stubborn, deep-seated wounds that seemed impossible to eradicate.
However, Han Yi had devised a method for complete recovery. By breaking through to the Late Foundation Establishment stage, his Spirit Sea would expand further during the advancement, unleashing a surge of revitalizing energy capable of eradicating even the most deeply entrenched afflictions.
Of course, this process required the assistance of specific spiritual objects. Fortunately, Han Yi possessed exactly what he needed: the Spirit Jade Gui, a treasure from the Jade Pavilion Precious Jade Grotto-Heaven, as he had deduced through careful deliberation over the past few days.
Three days later, having fully recovered and replenished his energy, Han Yi visited the Sect to exchange for three Flawless Quality Evil-Repelling Pills. Then, he began his breakthrough.
His cultivation realm had reached the peak of Mid-Foundation Establishment, making the transition to Late Foundation Establishment feel almost inevitable, like water flowing downhill.
In truth, advancing within the Foundation Establishment Stage was far simpler than the initial breakthrough from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment. The primary challenges lay in overcoming realm barriers, resisting Heavenly Demon interference, and subsequently stabilizing one's newly elevated state.
With his cultivation realm already at its peak and his accumulated power immense, Han Yi shattered the final barrier in less than half a day.
Next came the interference of the Heavenly Demons.
During a Foundation Establishment cultivator's breakthrough, a Great Heavenly Demon would typically appear. However, after enduring so many tribulations—including the descent of a Malevolent Entity and the horrors of the Ninth Layer Void Domain—Han Yi found the Great Heavenly Demon's temptations laughably easy to ignore.
He simply disregarded it, knowing that no matter what form the demon took, it couldn't shake his Dao Heart.
Yet the Great Heavenly Demon, capable of peering into hearts, conjured a grotesque illusion: Li Yuanyi possessed by a Strange Entity, hoping to ignite Han Yi's fear. But the moment the scene materialized, it shattered explosively, obliterating the Great Heavenly Demon itself. Whether it retreated beyond the realm or perished entirely remained unknown.
Han Yi's mind remained calm as he smoothly navigated the Heavenly Demon trial.
Then, he sensed simultaneous transformations within his body: his Divine Soul, Spirit Sea, Mana, and Physical Body all undergoing rapid changes.
His Spirit Sea expanded, his Divine Soul stabilized, his Mana surged, and his Physical Body grew stronger.
He immediately retrieved all the Spirit Jade Gui and swallowed them whole. Upon entering his stomach, the jade dissolved into multiple streams, dispersing into his Spirit Sea, Physical Body, and Sea of Consciousness.
It wasn't enough.
Han Yi continued his cultivation, consuming every last piece of Spirit Jade Gui until he barely managed to stabilize his Late Foundation Establishment realm.
Of course, he could have used Spirit Stones or other spiritual objects instead. However, relying solely on Spirit Stones would have taken at least three years.
That's why breakthroughs for cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage typically require periods of secluded cultivation. By using Spirit Jade Gui, Han Yi had significantly shortened this process.
Ten days later, Han Yi emerged from his seclusion.
His Late Foundation Establishment cultivation realm was now completely stable, and all lingering injuries had vanished.