"The records?"
"If you need to look anything up, Junior Brother Han, just ask. I can find it faster that way." Lu Li assumed Han Yi was searching for specific information.
Han Yi shook his head. "I'm just browsing, Senior Brother, curious about the sect's affairs over the past few years."
Lu Li's expression brightened in understanding. Ah, I see. He's planning to move into management. Is the Sect Leader preparing to delegate authority?
Lu Li had no reason to object. As the second-in-command of Azure Dragon Peak, subordinate only to Chief Elder Shen Ping, he'd gladly relinquish administrative duties. The past few years had been overwhelming, and his Late Foundation Establishment cultivation progress had slowed to a crawl.
"Junior Brother Han, come on, Senior Brother will make room for you."
"With your help, I might finally catch my breath."
Lu Li's sudden enthusiasm took Han Yi by surprise.
"Senior Brother Lu, I'm just looking around. There's no need to make room for me."
Lu Li gave him a knowing look, which only deepened Han Yi's confusion.
Still, puzzled or not, Han Yi began reviewing the sect's records from recent years.
After spending two full days scrutinizing the sect's records, Han Yi found no fundamental problems. The apparent chaos stemmed primarily from the sect's transition from a Golden Core Sect to a Nascent Soul Sect, compounded by the continuous influx of resources from the Profound Blood Branch Sect.
However, this disorganization wasn't due to negligence or malice; it was an inevitable consequence of growth.
On the third day, Han Yi set aside the ledgers and rubbed his temples.
Someone with a keener eye for data analysis and management might have discerned hidden patterns within these chaotic accounts. But no matter how hard Han Yi looked, he couldn't make sense of them.
To each their own expertise, he thought.
He finally accepted that he simply wasn't suited for administrative roles. He lacked the aptitude and would be better off focusing solely on cultivation.
Moments later, after bidding farewell to Lu Li, Han Yi ascended the tower once more to meet with Zhuge Wuyou. He agreed to travel to the Great Qian Immortal Capital, but with one condition: he wanted to bring several Inner Sect Disciples with him.
Zhuge Wuyou readily granted his request with a dismissive wave of his hand. To him, a few Inner Sect Disciples were insignificant.
The next day, the Elders' Council convened in the Profound Pill Hall.
Numerous Supreme Elders and Foundation Establishment Elders who were not in secluded cultivation attended the meeting.
There was only one item on the agenda: the confirmation of ten Garrison Elders.
These appointments included elders stationed at the Great Qian Immortal Capital, Shu Capital, and eight other major Great Qian Immortal Cities—three in Shu Prefecture and five in Qian Prefecture.
Of the ten appointed elders, nine were Foundation Establishment Elders, and one was a Golden Core Supreme Elder.
The sole Golden Core Garrison Elder was Qin Wuxian, permanently stationed at the Great Qian Immortal Capital. However, Han Yi's name was also listed after Qin Wuxian's, designated as his deputy, overseeing the Profound Immortal Pavilion.
After the list was finalized, all eyes turned to Han Yi. The veterans understood the implications immediately, while the newcomers looked puzzled. Nevertheless, since the list had been approved by numerous Supreme Elders, even the newly promoted Foundation Establishment Elders, though curious, merely used their Divine Sense to consult familiar Senior Brothers. Once they understood the reasoning behind his appointment, their faces lit up with the same dawning realization.
Seated in the front row, the high-ranking members of the Profound Pill Sect also observed Han Yi, their gazes varied.
Yuan Shun's eyes flickered as he looked at Han Yi.
Late Foundation Establishment.
Even he could never have imagined Han Yi reaching the Late Foundation Establishment Stage in such a short time.
For most cultivators, the higher their cultivation level, the slower their progress became.
Han Yi, however, was an exception. His cultivation speed only accelerated with each breakthrough: slow during the Mid-Stage Qi Refining, faster in the Late-Stage Qi Refining, and even faster during the Foundation Establishment Stage. At this rate, wouldn't the sect soon have another Golden Core cultivator?
Yuan Shun's heart surged with joy.
Qin Wuxian, on the other hand, wasn't surprised at all.
Han Yi had gained the favor of the Great Qian Emperor in the Jade Pavilion Precious Jade Grotto-Heaven, leading to his appointment as a Patrol Envoy. This clearly demonstrated the emperor's belief in Han Yi's potential and his willingness to invest in him.
Such an investment implied that Han Yi possessed at least a faint hope of ascending to become a Divine Transformation Great Power.
That's why Qin Wuxian had proposed during a private discussion with several Supreme Elders that Han Yi accompany him to the Great Qian Immortal Capital.
Exactly.
Zhuge Wuyou had subtly manipulated the situation. Qin Wuxian hadn't suggested appointing Han Yi as a Garrison Elder because that role would require him to spend too much time on administrative duties. A Heaven's Chosen like Han Yi should focus solely on cultivation.
The most suitable course of action was to bring Han Yi to the Great Qian Immortal Capital.
Qin Wuxian had realized a fundamental truth:
The waters of the Profound Pill Sect were too shallow.
Such waters could never nurture a True Dragon, and even raising a Flood Dragon would be a challenge.
It was only by sheer chance that Yuan Shun had obtained his Immortal Opportunity, potentially allowing him to advance to the Nascent Soul stage. Later, during Han Yi's breakthrough, he grasped the crucial importance of the Divine Soul Barrier, using this insight to finally reach the Nascent Soul stage himself.
In Qin Wuxian's view, apart from Yuan Shun, the Profound Pill Sect could never nurture another True Monarch. Only in the clash of sparks within a massive Immortal City would Han Yi have the chance to progress further—to the Golden Core stage, and even the Nascent Soul stage.
This was the plan Qin Wuxian and Yuan Shun had devised together.
Subsequently, they approached Zhuge Wuyou, employing subtle tactics to lure Han Yi into their scheme. If they had directly proposed, "Qin Wuxian will take you to the Great Qian Immortal Capital to compete with the Great Qian's Foundation Establishment Heaven's Chosen and forge your path to the Golden Core," Han Yi's cautious nature might have led him to decline.
However, if they instead offered him the position of Garrison Elder, overseeing the affairs of the Profound Immortal Pill Shop in an Immortal City, Han Yi would undoubtedly refuse outright. But then, they would present a second option: "Elder Qin will accompany you, allowing you to focus on cultivation without interruption. You'll merely oversee matters and only need to intervene in critical situations."
This approach might make Han Yi more inclined to accept.
They had perfectly anticipated Han Yi's psychological shifts.
Outside the Council Hall, numerous elders congratulated Han Yi, including Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators, chief elders from several Inner Peaks, and newly promoted Foundation Establishment elders who had just advanced from the Qi Refining Realm.
Among the congratulatory crowd were Cui Xingchen of Pill Sword Peak and Feng Jingyu of Golden Court Peak, familiar faces who had fought alongside Han Yi in the past.
Han Yi greeted each of them personally, showing no arrogance despite his recent advancement to the Late Foundation Establishment stage. His demeanor remained unchanged, just as it had always been.
As the crowd dispersed, Han Yi soared into the sky on his sword, bursting out of Profound Pill Peak. He summoned his Immortal Boat, and with a surge of power, it sped toward East Cauldron Immortal City.
East Cauldron Immortal City was one of the five Immortal Cities closest to the Profound Pill Sect. Beyond the sect's boundaries lay five Immortal Cities of varying sizes: Du Ping City, East Cauldron City, Li Kang City, Tongbao City, and Red Phoenix City.
Three hundred miles south of these five cities stood North Garrison City, the third-largest Immortal City in Shu Prefecture. Within Shu Prefecture, only Shu Capital and Southern Dipper Immortal City surpassed it in size.
Shu Capital served as the political and economic heart of the prefecture, its importance self-evident.
Southern Dipper Immortal City, located in the southwest of Shu Prefecture, was a thousand miles north of the Southern Border. Nearby rose the Southern Dipper Mountain Range, atop which perched the Southern Dipper Divine Palace, one of the Three Great Sects of Great Qian.
The Southern Dipper Divine Palace bore the dual responsibility of guarding the Southern Border and suppressing the machinations of Evil Witches.
Han Yi's decision to travel to East Cauldron Immortal City stemmed from his deliberate investigation into Yan Ru's whereabouts the previous day. He had discovered that she was there on a mission.
In less than an hour, Han Yi arrived at East Cauldron City. After landing, he followed the directions from the mission he had seen earlier, heading straight for the Profound Fire Pill Shop in search of Yan Ru.
More than an hour later...
Han Yi soared from East Cauldron City, hovering in mid-air on his sword, his brow furrowed in frustration.
"She's not here?"
He had rushed to the Profound Fire Pill Shop, only to learn that Yan Ru had left ten days prior, her mission unfinished. The shopkeeper added that she had appeared to be in a great hurry when she departed.
When Han Yi inquired about her destination, the shopkeeper had no information.
Frustrated, Han Yi swept East Cauldron City with his Divine Sense, meticulously scanning every corner and alleyway. In his urgency, he disregarded the potential trouble such a broad scan might cause with other Foundation Establishment cultivators. Having advanced to the Late Foundation Establishment stage, he was confident he could easily subdue any Foundation Establishment cultivator he encountered.
As his Divine Sense frantically scoured the city, four Foundation Establishment cultivators indeed sensed its intrusion. Before they could investigate, however, Han Yi's aura erupted with overwhelming force, crushing their own auras and silencing their intent.
It was a stark warning, ruthlessly delivered.
Han Yi rarely resorted to such blatant displays of power. But when it came to someone he cared for deeply—someone who might even become his Dao Companion—no measure of assertiveness felt excessive.
After a fruitless search, he finally entered the City Lord's Mansion, bearing the Four-Command Patrol Envoy badge. He requested an audience with the City Lord of East Cauldron Immortal City, stating his urgent need to find a prominent Inner Sect Disciple from the Profound Pill Sect.
The City Lord of East Cauldron Immortal City, whose cultivation had only reached the Late Foundation Establishment stage, dared not neglect the matter. He ordered the three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Six Ministries to assist in the search. They spent a full hour turning the city upside down, but found nothing.
Only then did Han Yi finally accept that Yan Ru had truly left the Immortal City.
After leaving East Cauldron Immortal City, Han Yi flew several kilometers further to completely escape the influence of the Immortal Kingdom's Fortune radiating from the city. He then cast a divination using the Yi Yao Secret Technique to determine Yan Ru's whereabouts. However, the divination was vague, the Heavenly Secrets obscured.
Han Yi suddenly felt lost.
He had come to find Yan Ru with the intention of bringing her to the Great Qian Immortal Capital. He had even specifically requested extra entry slots from Zhuge Wuyou for this purpose. Of course, he wouldn't force her if she refused.
However, this was a significant opportunity for Yan Ru, one that would greatly benefit her future allocation of Foundation Establishment resources.
As Han Yi progressed on his cultivation journey, his circle of fellow Daoists had dwindled. He naturally wanted to support this familiar comrade, if possible, to prevent another tragedy like what had happened to Zheng Hai.
But without finding Yan Ru first, none of that mattered.
After lingering in the sky above East Cauldron City for two full hours, Han Yi finally turned and returned to his sect.
Upon returning to the Sect, Han Yi sought out Lu Li and asked him a favor: if Yan Ru ever returned, Lu Li was to relay the message through official Sect channels so Han Yi could rush back from the Great Qian Immortal Capital.
At the Azure Dragon Palace, Shen Ping held the position of Chief Elder. However, Shen Ping was preparing to enter seclusion to break through to the Golden Core Stage, and the responsibilities of Azure Dragon Peak were gradually shifting to Lu Li, the Deputy Chief Elder.
Lu Li readily agreed. It was a simple favor that would earn him a small favor from Han Yi—a win-win situation.
"It's a pity Junior Sister Lin perished at the hands of Heavenly Soul Sect cultivators," Lu Li remarked regretfully. "Otherwise, Junior Brother Han, you could have approached her directly. That would have been much more suitable."
The Junior Sister Lin he spoke of, originally named Lin Nian, had been Yan Ru's Master. Four years prior, she had been slain by a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Heavenly Soul Sect.
Han Yi had never met Lin Nian; she had already passed away before he achieved his Foundation Establishment Advancement.
In truth, Han Yi had originally intended to ask Bai Wanqing for this favor, as they had a relatively close relationship. However, Bai Wanqing had recently accepted the role of Garrison Elder, requiring her to oversee a major Immortal City in Great Qian. This made it inappropriate for her to assist.
Three days later...
Han Yi returned to East Cauldron City and then traveled even further to Red Deer City, an Immortal City that was the ancestral seat of Yan Ru's clan. To his disappointment, he found no trace of her in either place.
Seven days later, an Immortal Boat departed from the Profound Pill Sect, carrying dozens of cultivators. Qin Wuxian led the group, which included six Foundation Establishment cultivators and several dozen Inner and Outer Sect disciples.
Among the six Foundation Establishment cultivators were Han Yi and Bai Wanqing from Azure Dragon Peak. Bai Wanqing was headed to Jade Capital Immortal City, another major hub in Great Qian.
In fact, six branches of the Profound Immortal Pavilion had been established across Qian Prefecture: the Great Qian Immortal Capital, Jade Capital Immortal City, Ten Thousand Stars Immortal City, Great Void Immortal City, Crimson Cloud Immortal City, and Jinyun Immortal City, located in the far north of Qian Prefecture. Jinyun Immortal City maintained the closest trade ties with the Great Qin Immortal Kingdom, the Jade Balance Realm's most dominant power.
The initial stages were always the most challenging, and the Foundation Establishment cultivators were mentally prepared for the task ahead.
"Junior Brother Han," Bai Wanqing cautioned, "cultivation requires a solid foundation. Remember not to rely excessively on medicinal pills. Pill toxins are difficult to eliminate and have long-term effects on the physical body, making it harder to condense the Golden Core within your Spirit Sea."
On the Immortal Boat, Bai Wanqing observed Han Yi and said, "Your rapid cultivation progress, like Shen Ping's, likely stems from excessive reliance on Medicinal Pills."
The Profound Pill Sect, founded on Pill Refinement, was acutely aware of the dangers of pill toxins. This understanding made them extremely cautious in their use of pills, especially when advancing through cultivation realms, resorting to them only when absolutely necessary.
Han Yi smiled. "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister Bai. I understand."
Bai Wanqing nodded and fell silent, knowing she had made her point. There was no need to dwell on the matter.
Han Yi gazed out at the Sea of Clouds and the majestic rivers and mountains below. Each time he beheld this panorama, his heart stirred with different emotions.
This journey to the Great Qian Immortal Capital wasn't unwelcome. After all, cultivation was cultivation, regardless of location.
Yet the inability to find Yan Ru weighed heavily on his mind.
He had already informed Qin Wuxian that he would return to the Sect if any urgent matters arose, and Qin Wuxian had readily agreed.
Over a month later, a colossal Immortal Boat hovered ten li from the Great Qian Immortal Capital.
All the cultivators on the Immortal Boat, including Qin Wuxian and Han Yi, stared in awe at the colossal Great Qian Immortal City, a majestic structure so vast it seemed to contain an entire world. For a moment, even their breathing stilled.
Though Han Yi had seen the Great Qian Immortal City before, the shock this time was no less profound, perhaps even more intense. Compared to Shu Capital, Qian Capital was larger, more magnificent, and radiated a denser, invisible aura of Luck.
After being inspected by cultivators from the Six Ministries of Great Qian, Qin Wuxian handled the formalities. The Immortal Boat was granted passage, entering Qian Capital through a side gate via the Immortal Ship Passage.
"Our initial plan is to establish ourselves in Qian Capital," Qin Wuxian announced. "Then, we'll expand our operations to the other five Immortal Cities."
"We'll close the Profound Immortal Pill Shop in the Ninth Layer Immortal Court and relocate to the Eighth Immortal Court. There, we'll establish the Profound Immortal Pavilion to rival the Myriad Immortals Pavilion."
"However, don't feel too pressured. All beginnings are difficult. Let's take things one step at a time."
The Immortal Boat headed straight for the Profound Immortal Pill Shop in the Ninth Layer Immortal Court.
One month later, Qin Wuxian led the group in relocating the Profound Immortal Pill Shop to the Eighth Layer Immortal Court.
Three months later...
The grand opening of the Profound Immortal Pavilion drew cultivators from across Qian Capital—cultivation clans, sect disciples, rogue cultivators, and even members of other Great Sects were lured by its generous discounts on Medicinal Pills.
Six months later, with the Profound Immortal Pavilion's business firmly established, the five Foundation Establishment cultivators boarded Immortal Boats and departed for their designated Immortal Cities to establish branch pavilions.
During this period, Han Yi remained largely uninvolved in the pavilion's day-to-day management, enjoying a relatively leisurely existence. However, every month when exchanging information with his sect, he would have someone inquire about Lu Li's whereabouts. Sadly, the response was always the same: "No news of Yan Ru."
Time flew by, and a year had passed.
Qian Capital, Eighth Heaven Immortal Court, Great Ying Road, Phoenix Pu District, Jiang Gao Street, South Liang Ward.
In the heart of South Liang Ward's most bustling area stood a three-thousand-square-meter pavilion, a landmark for a year now. Above its main entrance hung a plaque inscribed with the three ancient characters: "Profound Immortal Pavilion."
Modeled after the Myriad Immortals Pavilion, this four-story structure only opened its lower three floors, catering to the needs of Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core cultivators respectively.
It was noon, and the Profound Immortal Pavilion buzzed with activity as people came and went.
Behind the pavilion lay a courtyard ten times its size, divided into multiple sections and staffed by hundreds of mortals who served as maids and groundskeepers.
This was the official headquarters of the Profound Pill Sect in the Great Qian Immortal Capital.
Within one of the more secluded buildings in the complex, a young cultivator sat cross-legged in a cultivation chamber. He wore a black magic robe and had a black longsword resting before him—the Thunder Swamp Sword.
A meter in front of the youth, a formation plate glowed, emitting a light that coalesced into a three-meter-wide luminous barrier enveloping him. Sixty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones were neatly stacked on the formation plate.
This device was called the Spirit Gathering Disk, and the formation it activated was the Second-Tier Spirit Gathering Formation. It drew Spirit Qi from the stones, creating a three-meter sphere of Spirit Energy comparable to that of a Third-Tier Spirit Vein.
The Spirit Gathering Formation Plate was incredibly effective, but its exorbitant spirit stone consumption made it a luxury even for ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The young man, of course, was Han Yi.
Having resided in South Liang Ward for nearly a year, Han Yi had ventured out only a handful of times, spending most of his days in secluded cultivation.
The Spirit Gathering Formation Plate was standard equipment for the sect's Garrison Elders. Although Han Yi didn't officially hold that title, he still received all the corresponding benefits.
Suddenly, the Message Stone in his meditation chamber lit up. Han Yi opened his eyes, put away the Formation Plate and spirit stones, and picked up the stone. Channeling a wisp of mana into it, a voice rang out:
"Junior Brother Han, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion has sent an invitation card for you to attend the Heavenly Secrets Grand Feast at Star River Garden."
The voice belonged to Liu Ruyan, the former manager of the Qian Capital Profound Immortal Pill Shop and a Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator. The message, however, raised Han Yi's eyebrow.
"No," he replied without hesitation.
The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion was one of the eight Nascent Soul Sects in Great Qian, second only to the six major powers—the One Nation, Two Sages, and Three Great Sects.
In terms of status, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion theoretically rivaled the Profound Pill Sect. However, both sects practiced mysterious and esoteric cultivation techniques, similar to those of the Heaven's Will Sect.
Yet, Heaven's Will remained elusive, while Heavenly Secrets could be stolen.
Great Qian cultivators frequently utilized Heavenly Secrets. The magic artifacts produced by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, such as the Heavenly Secrets Diagram used by the Profound Pill Sect's Elders' Council, were widely praised.
However, due to the Heaven's Will Sect's past follies, other sects generally avoided them with a mix of aversion and caution.
Han Yi was still known as a disciple of True Monarch Heavenly Heart of the Heaven's Will Sect. Going there would only invite trouble.
"Junior Brother Han," Liu Ruyan's voice carried a hint of resignation, "Uncle-Master Qin specifically arranged this. He wants you to make an appearance and endorse the Profound Immortal Pavilion to boost its reputation."
"You really should come."
After a moment's thought, Han Yi gathered his belongings and stepped out of his room. Having been confined indoors for so long, he found the sunlight inexplicably beautiful.
With a swift movement, he headed toward the Profound Immortal Pavilion, which was connected to the Profound Pill Sect's courtyard where he resided.