As the Immortal Boat descended, Han Yi surveyed the Star River Garden, forming an initial impression.
The Star River Garden didn't resemble a typical sect compound; it blended seamlessly with the surrounding neighborhoods of Qian Capital. At its heart stood the Heavenly Secrets Tower, piercing the sky. Han Yi couldn't see its summit, but he estimated the tower's base to cover less than ten thousand square meters.
This was the core structure of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, unrivaled in its importance. Legend held that the sect's two True Monarchs resided at the tower's summit, peering into the Heavenly Secrets to divine fortune and misfortune. For the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, deciphering these celestial patterns was cultivation itself—a sect that reveled in defying fate, finding endless joy in the struggle.
In stark contrast, the Heaven's Will Sect, another major sect in Great Qian, believed in sensing and harmonizing with Heaven's Will, a diametrically opposed cultivation philosophy.
After disembarking in the Star River Garden, Han Yi found an unoccupied spot. With a flicker of motion, he reverted to his original appearance, his aura normalizing.
Nearby, Dou Yu, a Foundation Establishment cultivator engaged in hushed discussion with several others, noticed Han Yi passing by. His eyebrows arched sharply as he recognized the sword slung across Han Yi's back—the same blade carried by the arrogant cultivator who had boasted of possessing a Heavenly Secrets Invitation earlier.
"Something's not right," Dou Yu muttered, his brow furrowed. "This cultivator is concealing his aura, but he's at the Late Foundation Establishment stage. Could he really have received a Heavenly Secrets Invitation?"
"He's too unfamiliar, and he's traveling alone. He doesn't seem like a disciple from any Great Sect. Besides, he doesn't even know about the Qian Dragon followers. He couldn't possibly be on the Qian Dragon List."
Dou Yu shook his head slightly, but the memory of Han Yi's calm demeanor on the Immortal Boat suddenly flashed through his mind, causing him to waver in his certainty.
Meanwhile, after entering the Star River Garden, Han Yi unexpectedly encountered a familiar face: Zuo Lie of the White Jade Tower.
"Fellow Daoist Zuo!" Han Yi called out, his figure blurring as he instantly closed the distance to Zuo Lie.
Years had passed since their last meeting, but Zuo Lie remained strikingly handsome, with his jade-like complexion, tall crown, and neatly tied hair. His silver sword had been replaced by a blue longsword. As he walked, an aura of dignified elegance and otherworldly refinement naturally emanated from him.
Hearing his name, Zuo Lie turned and smiled upon seeing Han Yi. "Ah, Fellow Daoist Han! Long time no see! How have you been?"
"Hmm? Wait... you... you've reached the Late Foundation Establishment stage?"
Zuo Lie's face wore a composed smile as he spoke the first two sentences, maintaining an air of graceful ease. However, his expression shifted to shock with the third sentence, his eyes nearly bulging from their sockets.
"Just luck," Han Yi replied modestly.
"No, no... are you truly at the Late Foundation Establishment stage? Did I misread your aura?"
Zuo Lie had cultivated an Aura Observation Technique. Unlike most such techniques, his eyes showed no visible change when he activated it, making it impossible to detect when he was using it. Out of habit, he had casually examined Han Yi's aura and discovered that his cultivation realm had actually reached the Late Foundation Establishment stage.
He nearly dismissed it as a mistake, but Han Yi's humble acknowledgment confirmed the impossible truth.
Stunned, Zuo Lie felt compelled to double-check. After all, it had been barely sixteen years since Han Yi was merely at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement within the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven.
Sixteen years to leap from the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement to the Late Foundation Establishment stage?
Who would believe such a thing?
Han Yi's expression turned serious, and he nodded. "It's true. I reached the Late Foundation Establishment stage a little over a year ago."
Zuo Lie calmed himself, regaining his scholarly composure.
"Very well," he said. "Even in the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven, I knew you were no ordinary cultivator. How else would you dare snatch a Legendary Qi Refining practitioner's Grand Void Token while only at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement?"
"There's no comparison, truly no comparison," Zuo Lie said, shaking his head.
"Still, I've done well these past few years. Through my own efforts, I've cultivated to the Early Foundation Establishment Stage and even received this sword as a reward from the Tower."
He proudly raised his sword artifact, showing it off. "See this? The Blue Rainbow Sword—a top-tier, top-grade magic artifact. It amplifies my power by a full 120%."
Han Yi smiled and offered a few polite compliments.
"By the way, you're here for the Heavenly Secrets Grand Assembly, right?" Zuo Lie asked.
"The Heavenly Secrets Grand Assembly only happens once a century, when the True Person List is updated. The Qian Dragon List, which is updated every ten years, doesn't warrant such a grand event."
"My Martial Uncle, True Person Jade Heart, received an invitation this time and should definitely make the list. It would be a great honor—for her and for the White Jade Tower."
As he spoke, Zuo Lie's face glowed with pride, the same sect loyalty Han Yi had seen on the faces of He Fengdi and Gu Yu.
"Fellow Daoist Han, are you attending the assembly with a True Person from your sect?"
"Oh, and congratulations on the Profound Pill Sect's promotion to a Nascent Soul Sect. I almost forgot to congratulate you."
Meeting an acquaintance, Zuo Lie became quite talkative.
"I also received an invitation to attend this assembly," Han Yi replied calmly.
"Yes, all the Great Sects came because they received invitations. You too... hmm, you also received an invitation?"
Zuo Lie stopped in his tracks, slowly turning around, his smile faltering as he looked at Han Yi.
Han Yi grinned and produced his invitation card, handing it over, eager to witness Zuo Lie's complicated expression.
Zuo Lie accepted the invitation and examined it thoroughly, flipping it over three times. His face twisted with conflicting emotions, and he sighed wistfully.
Comparing oneself to others only invites misery.
His smile crumbled, abandoning all pretense of composure.
"So, you must have made it onto the Qian Dragon List."
"Wait, the Heaven's Will Sect? Han Yi, weren't you from the Profound Pill Sect? How did you end up there?"
"Oh, I see now. The Emperor Monarch's list of rewards included a Han Yi from the Heaven's Will Sect. At first, I assumed it was just a coincidence—a common name. I was even a little surprised, but it really is you!"
Zuo Lie's gaze flickered across Han Yi, shifting between disbelief and realization before finally settling on comprehension.
"Let me guess..."
"I heard the Profound Pill Sect was nearly annihilated by two other Shu Prefecture sects. You must have fled during that chaos and joined the Heaven's Will Sect."
"You rascal! Why didn't you come to Qian Prefecture? I could have introduced you to the White Jade Tower. The Tower Master would have been thrilled to have you!"
"Still, it's not too late," Zuo Lie insisted.
"Let me tell you, the Heaven's Will Sect is bad—really bad. Something's off about that place. Fellow Daoist Han, you should leave while you still can. Don't worry, I'll talk to my Martial Uncle later and introduce you to the White Jade Tower. Even if you can't become an Elder, you could at least be an Honorary Elder. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Seeing Zuo Lie's increasingly outlandish claims and wild imagination, Han Yi quickly interrupted.
"Wait."
"It's not as complicated as you think."
Han Yi briefly recounted being pursued by enemies, his encounter with Daoist Tianxin, and how he ended up participating in the Great Qian Emperor's birthday celebration as a Heaven's Will Sect cultivator.
Though his account was concise and omitted many details, Zuo Lie listened with growing apprehension.
After a moment, Zuo Lie sighed heavily. "No wonder... No wonder you got an invitation card while I had to piggyback on my Martial Uncle's."
"Forget it. I give up. I'm not competing with you anymore."
Zuo Lie's mood shifted swiftly. From crestfallen moments before, he now wore his signature detached smile once more.
"Fellow Daoist Han, this Heavenly Secrets Grand Assembly is a once-in-a-century event. The True Person List will be unveiled, and True Persons will engage in friendly sparring matches—strictly touch-and-go, of course. Now that you've advanced to the late Foundation Establishment stage, you'll likely face Core Formation soon, so this should prove beneficial to you."
"There will also be sparring matches for Foundation Establishment cultivators—a perfect opportunity to make a name for yourself. Fellow Daoist Han, you should seize this chance. I've heard the Profound Pill Sect opened a Profound Immortal Pavilion in the Eighth Heaven Immortal Court. By bringing glory to your sect, you'd undoubtedly boost the pavilion's business, and the effect should be substantial."
Suddenly, a glint flashed in Zuo Lie's eyes. He abruptly changed the subject. "By the way, Junior Brother Han, would you be interested in becoming an Honorary Elder at White Jade Tower?"
"Rest assured, Honorary Elders at White Jade Tower aren't involved in sect management. It's merely an honorary title. You'd only be summoned when your expertise is needed. The monthly stipend is quite generous."
"Moreover, being a cultivator from another sect wouldn't be an issue. We already have a Golden Core Honorary Elder from Jade Capital Mountain. There's no conflict."
Han Yi shook his head. He rarely intervened even within the Profound Immortal Pavilion these days, so how could he possibly find the time to become an Honorary Elder for another sect?
Zuo Lie continued to tout the advantages, but Han Yi's resolve remained unshaken. He harbored no desire for such trivial gains. As the Four-Command Patrol Envoy, he reasoned that if he were to work outside the pavilion, serving the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom would be far more appealing than becoming an Honorary Elder for the White Jade Tower.
After a brief pause, the two arrived at a reception point within the Star River Garden.
Zuo Lie introduced Han Yi to his Martial Uncle, True Person Jade Heart, the recipient of the invitation card. True Person Jade Heart's true name was Yu Yan, a female cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core stage.
In the Cultivation World, a True Person's Daoist Title could take two forms. The first was simply using their given name, like True Person Lu Jie of the Southern Dipper Divine Palace, who had pursued Han Yi. Such True Persons were typically in the early stages of the Golden Core realm.
The second type involved unique titles related to their cultivation techniques, personal conduct, significant past deeds, inherited legacies, or acquired through magic artifacts.
Examples of Daoist Titles included True Person Jade Heart of the White Jade Tower, True Monarch Heaven's Will and True Monarch Heavenly Heart of the Heaven's Will Sect, True Monarch Earth Spirit of the Spirit Battle Sect, and Yuan Shun, who, after his breakthrough, inherited the title of Sect Leader of the Profound Pill Sect and became known as Profound Pill True Monarch. Another example was Fu Canghai, who was initially known as Nine Dragons True Person due to his magic treasure, the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Canopy.
During his year in the Great Qian, Han Yi had devoted much of his time, aside from cultivation, to learning about the cultivation world, its sects, cultivators, spiritual objects, and magic treasures. Naturally, he had become familiar with True Person Jade Heart of the White Jade Tower.
True Person Jade Heart was a Peak Golden Core cultivator, just one step away from breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage and becoming a True Monarch, comparable to Yuan Shun before his breakthrough. Her true name was Yu Yan, but she was called True Person Jade Heart rather than True Person Yu Yan due to reasons related to her unique cultivation path. The specifics of this remained a secret to outsiders, including Han Yi.
"Junior Han Yi of the Profound Pill Sect pays respects to Senior Jade Heart," Han Yi said, bowing deeply in formal greeting.
"Martial Uncle, Han Yi is an Elder of the Profound Pill Sect and also received an invitation from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. I had the pleasure of meeting him once at the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven on Jade Capital Mountain," Zuo Lie introduced.
True Person Jade Heart possessed the most flawless beauty Han Yi had ever witnessed, without comparison.
The cultivators of White Jade Tower were renowned even within the Cultivation World for their exceptional qualities. Han Yi had previously believed Zuo Lie to be the epitome of male beauty, but after seeing True Person Jade Heart, his belief solidified into absolute certainty.
In terms of appearance, True Person Jade Heart truly resembled an immortal banished from the Immortal Realm, utterly flawless.
"Little Friend Han, since you've received an invitation from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, I trust you'll make the True Person List this time," True Person Jade Heart said, her voice as melodious as celestial music. However, Han Yi's Dao Heart remained steadfast, untouched by any romantic thoughts.
"If I manage to make the list, it would be purely by luck," Han Yi replied humbly. "I still have many shortcomings and much to learn from seniors like yourself."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, True Person Jade Heart mentioned Qin Wuxian, remarking that she hadn't seen him in many years. It was then that Han Yi learned of Qin Wuxian's acquaintance with True Person Jade Heart.
Shortly after, True Person Jade Heart departed with Zuo Lie and the other White Jade Tower cultivators.
Han Yi registered at the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and was assigned accommodation.
There was a minor incident during registration.
Han Yi's invitation card identified him as a cultivator from the Heaven's Will Sect, but he requested the registration staff to change his sect affiliation to the Profound Pill Sect. The steward, an early Foundation Establishment cultivator, didn't dare make the decision himself and summoned a Golden Core True Person from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. After thorough verification, they reluctantly approved the change.
Having received his identity token for the assembly, Han Yi hadn't yet entered the courtyard where accommodations were being assigned when he sensed a sharp gaze fixed on him. He stopped and followed the piercing stare. Two hundred meters behind and to his right stood a cultivator bearing a blood-stained sword, his eyes cold and fierce as he glared at Han Yi.
"Fu You," Han Yi said calmly, meeting his gaze.
Two hundred meters away, Fu You felt a surge of murderous intent rise within him, but he suppressed it. His eyes burned with blood-red fire as he stared at Han Yi, the humiliation of being thwarted and suppressed in both the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven and the Jade Pavilion Precious Jade Grotto-Heaven still fresh in his mind.
But then, in an instant, astonishment flashed across Fu You's face.
"Late Foundation Establishment... how is that possible?"
Fu You's entire body trembled. Sensing his master's turbulent emotions, the Blood Sword behind him hummed softly, straining to break free and soar into the air. But in an instant, it regained its composure.
Fu You fixed Han Yi with a deep stare, his eyes filled with shock, suspicion, and undeniable killing intent. Then, he averted his gaze, dismissing Han Yi from his thoughts.
Two years ago, Fu You had obtained the Spirit Jade Gui and used it to advance to Mid-Foundation Establishment. Now, after two years spent solidifying his cultivation, he couldn't believe Han Yi had already reached Late Foundation Establishment.
This terrifying rate of advancement filled Fu You with inner dread. As he looked away, a resolute determination to eliminate Han Yi took root within him. He resolved that even if it meant enlisting his senior brother, a Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator from their sect, he would crush Han Yi before he could reach his full potential.
Two hundred meters away, Han Yi also withdrew his gaze.
Come to think of it...
The conflict between him and Fu You wasn't rooted in genuine hatred, but rather a competition for Immortal Opportunity. Whether in the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven or the Jade Pavilion Precious Jade Grotto-Heaven, their clashes had always been over seizing these chances within the Cave Heaven Worlds.
In the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven, Han Yi had obtained the Jade Capital Grand Void Token at the cost of detonating his dagger, a testament to his decisiveness and strength. In the Jade Pavilion Precious Jade Grotto-Heaven, he had exploited Fu You's engagement in a Divine Soul Battle, secretly striking him with his sword and sending him crashing into the forest, disqualifying him from competing for the massive Spirit Jade Gui. This, too, could be seen as a competition for Immortal Opportunity; Fu You's skills were inferior, and his defeat should be accepted without resentment.
However, this was merely Han Yi's wishful thinking. In Fu You's heart, Han Yi had twice snatched away his Immortal Opportunity, a grievance so profound it could be considered an irreconcilable enmity.
Turning his back, Han Yi couldn't see the murderous intent in Fu You's eyes, but the quivering Blood Sword radiated its killing intent with unmistakable clarity.
Yet Han Yi remained unconcerned. In his eyes, Fu You was worth no more than a single sword strike, just like Han Xuxiao before him.
As time passed, he would leave more and more cultivators of his level far behind.
Entering the courtyard specially arranged for the Profound Pill Sect cultivators by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, Han Yi set up the Seven Stars Profound Origin Formation. Then, he began experimenting with fusing two defensive spells.
Through repeated trials, the integration of the wind formation and fire mist grew increasingly stable.
Three days later...
The fusion spell finally stabilized briefly for three breaths before erupting again. This time, with his considerable experience, Han Yi Xin effortlessly redirected the shockwave into the ground with a casual wave of his hand. The courtyard trembled slightly, but he remained completely unaffected.
Seven days later...
The fusion spell could now endure for ten breaths, filling Han Yi Xin with delight.
Ten breaths was sufficient for cultivators at the Foundation Establishment or even Golden Core stages to conclude a battle. This could already be considered a mature spell.
However, Han Yi Xin didn't halt his experiments.
Ten days later...
The fusion spell had completely stabilized, lasting for the duration of a cup of tea. It remained perfectly stable until Han Yi Xin deliberately dispelled it.
By this point, the spell had become Han Yi Xin's first new skill, forged from the fusion of skills at the "Return to Simplicity" level.
Han Yi Xin named the black shield formed by this fusion skill the "Windfire Shield."
However, the proficiency panel before him remained unchanged. The panel only recorded skills he had cultivated; the Windfire Shield wasn't a single spell but a fusion of two, so its proficiency wasn't tracked.
"Next, I need to practice casting the Wind Wall Technique and Fire Shield Technique simultaneously, directly forming a black Windfire Shield instead of gradually fusing them together."
"This isn't particularly difficult; it just requires time and repetition to develop an instinctive habit during spellcasting."
"No rush. I'll take it slow."
Han Yi Xin felt a surge of joy.
The thrill of creation captivated him.
Five days later, Han Yi packed up his Formation Arts, left his courtyard, and followed the directions of a Heavenly Secrets Pavilion cultivator to Star River Plaza.
Located at the foot of the Heavenly Secrets Tower, Star River Plaza was only about a kilometer away.
This was the venue for the True Person List, held every century, and the True Monarch Ranking, unveiled once every thousand years.
When Han Yi arrived, the plaza was ringed with cultivators three layers deep.
At the center, numerous seats were reserved for official representatives from the Great Qian Immortal Kingdom, the Two Great Holy Lands, the Three Great Sects, Nascent Soul Sects, and select powerful Golden Core Sects.
Han Yi walked to the seats designated for the Profound Pill Sect and sat down.
This time, he was the sole representative of his sect, as Qin Wuxian had not attended. Han Yi felt a slight pressure, but remained composed.
The surrounding noise grew increasingly clamorous, so Han Yi simply closed his eyes.
An hour later, a cultivator descended from the top of the Heavenly Secrets Tower.
He held a blank golden stele in one hand, its surface completely bare and devoid of any information.
Han Yi opened his eyes and looked over just as the descending cultivator spoke in a loud, resonant voice that echoed across the plaza:
"Harmonize with Heavenly Secrets to glimpse the Dao from your seat! The Immortal Path is vast and uncertain—strive to cross and return!"
"Fellow cultivators, the Heavenly Secrets Grand Assembly begins now!"
"Behold the rankings!"