OBS Chapter 1395 Winning them over?
Chapter 1395 Winning them over?
Chapter 1395 Winning them over?
Deep within the cave, the newly born nascent soul, resembling a miniature version of Qin Hao, was crystal clear and warm, perched atop the dantian, greedily devouring the primordial energy of heaven and earth transported by the massive vortex of spiritual energy.
With each breath, the outline of the nascent soul solidified a little more, with boundless life force and vast magical power surging and settling within it.
However, the strange phenomenon that covered almost the entire Holy Mountain area above the cave did not dissipate; instead, it intensified.
A colossal vortex of spiritual energy slowly rotated, like a giant eye opening in the sky, tearing and gathering spiritual energy from all directions. At the center of the vortex, five-colored rays of light intertwined and flowed with misty purple energy, dyeing the entire sky into a magnificent and breathtakingly beautiful painting. An invisible pressure heavily enveloped Tianxing City, causing all the low-level cultivators to feel terrified and find it difficult to breathe.
Inside the cave, Yuan Yao and Yan Li stood side by side, nervously observing the outside world through the spying array on the stone wall.
Yuan Yao's newly formed golden core trembled slightly within her dantian, keenly sensing the unparalleled nourishing effect of the spiritual energy vortex on her nascent soul. Her face turned deathly pale, and she cried out in alarm, "Oh no! They're trying to steal the spiritual energy vortex!"
In the Chaotic Star Sea, Nascent Soul cultivators are extremely rare, and each formation of the Nascent Soul is a momentous event. This final infusion of spiritual energy is a crucial step for the Nascent Soul to solidify its foundation and refine its magical power, much like the first pure milk a newborn baby drinks. If this infusion is forcibly interrupted, the Nascent Soul will be like a child born with deficiencies, its foundation damaged and its vital energy depleted, making it difficult to compensate even if one searches through all the divine medicines and elixirs in the myriad realms!
For the Golden Core cultivators below, who were eyeing the area with predatory intent, every wisp of pure and incomparably refined essence emanating from this vortex of spiritual energy was a coveted "tonic." If they could refine and absorb even a trace of it, it would be of immeasurable benefit to breaking through bottlenecks, refining their Golden Cores, and even to their future attempts to reach the Nascent Soul realm.
If there were a sect protecting them, the formation would already be heavily guarded, with high-level cultivators surrounding them. Anyone who dared to covet it would be an enemy of the entire sect, a fight to the death!
But Qin Hao was utterly alone. At least, in the eyes of those greedy individuals, he had no foundation whatsoever. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was enough to make even the most cautious Golden Core cultivators take the risk!
"These shameless bastards!" Yanli trembled with rage, her magical power surging, ready to rush out regardless of everything.
"Sister, you mustn't!" Yuan Yao grabbed her arm, her voice trembling with determination. "You can't stop them! I'll go! I'll risk my life to buy them a moment!"
At this moment——
"Buzz!"
A deep, resounding tremor, seemingly from the ancient wilderness, pierced through the cave's restrictions without warning, echoing in the deepest recesses of the hearts of every living being above the sacred mountain!
At the summit of the sacred mountain, beneath the vast vortex of spiritual energy, space suddenly twisted and collapsed! Endless light and shadow converged and solidified wildly!
A colossal, towering phantom, tens of meters high, materialized in an instant! Clad in radiant light, its face blurred, it exuded an indifferent and majestic aura that surveyed all living beings. Even its mere outline radiated a boundless divine power that eclipsed the heavens and earth, like a god or demon who had created the world and returned to the mortal realm!
That illusory image was the manifestation of Qin Hao's will resonating with the primordial energy of heaven and earth!
Its tightly closed eyes suddenly opened!
There was no earth-shattering burst of light, only a silent yet overwhelmingly terrifying pressure, like billions of hectares of seawater crashing back, instantly covering the entire majestic sacred mountain! The air froze, the wind stopped flowing, and time seemed to be forcibly frozen at this moment.
"Ugh—!"
"Plop! Plop! Plop!"
Those dark figures who were urging their escape lights and magical treasures to greedily rush towards the edge of the spiritual energy vortex were as if their souls and consciousness had been smashed by an invisible giant hammer! The shrill screams stopped abruptly, the escape lights dissipated instantly, and the spiritual light of the magical treasures dimmed and fell.
A dozen or so figures plummeted from mid-air like dumplings being dropped into a pot, falling without any resistance and crashing heavily onto the hard rock below with a dull thud. Debris flew everywhere, and dust billowed up.
Golden Core cultivators have strong physical bodies. Although they were not smashed to pieces, they were all covered in dust and dirt, and many had broken bones and tendons.
Dead silence! The entire sacred mountain fell into a deathly silence. The many Golden Core cultivators who had been restless and harboring ulterior motives just moments before now felt a chill run from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads, as if their blood was about to freeze. They kept their heads bowed, completely losing the courage not even to lift their eyelids to look at the phantom of the god and demon, their bodies trembling uncontrollably, sweat pouring down their backs.
"Damn it! Divine sense... How could his divine sense be so terrifying?!" A Golden Core cultivator, bruised and battered from the fall, struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with boundless fear and regret.
"Go! Go now! I'm afraid I can't stay in Tianxing City any longer!" He dared not linger for even a moment, and dared not even ride his escape light. He scrambled down the mountain and fled for his life, fearing that if he was even a step too slow, the gaze of that phantom would crush him into dust.
"What the hell... This isn't a newly formed Nascent Soul cultivator! It's clearly an ancient monster!" Another cultivator, who could barely control the dim flying sword, didn't dare to look back and transformed into a crooked streak of light, fleeing in panic.
In the quiet room next to the cave on the thirty-first level of the Holy Mountain, the Core Formation cultivator surnamed Zhao was ashen-faced. His legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground, barely managing to stand by holding onto the cold stone wall.
He swallowed hard, his saliva tasting of rust, his back already soaked with cold sweat: "What...what a close call! A single thought, a single thought! I...I actually had a fleeting, foolish thought..."
A profound sense of lingering fear gripped his heart like an icy hand, almost suffocating him. He gazed out the window at the towering, illusory figures of gods and demons, his eyes filled only with the deepest awe and relief.
The second level of the sacred mountain is the Star Palace, a crucial location within the Star Palace.
Inside the vast and majestic hall, you could hear a pin drop. A dozen or so figures sat or stood, their auras as deep and unfathomable as the sea; these were the core strength of the Star Palace—a dozen or so elders at the Nascent Soul stage.
The powerful figures who could shake the starry sea with a stomp of their feet were all solemn at this moment, their gazes frequently sweeping towards the terrifyingly huge phantom and vortex of spiritual energy above the sacred mountain outside the hall. The atmosphere was as oppressive as the deathly silence before a storm.
Finally, deep within the main hall, beside the main seat, a middle-aged cultivator wearing a dark gold mask, revealing only a pair of sharp, hawk-like eyes, broke the silence. His voice, though not loud, carried a metallic, resonant quality, clearly reaching the ears of every elder: "Speak, all of you. This boy has formed his Nascent Soul atop my Star Palace Sacred Mountain, causing such a tremendous commotion and stirring up a storm throughout the city. If my Star Palace remains silent, and word gets out, won't those covetous villains of the outer seas be even more convinced that my Star Palace is weak and incapable of even intimidating a newly advanced early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?"
As he finished speaking, an old woman dressed in dark green palace attire with a gentle and feminine demeanor slowly opened her mouth on the left. Her voice was like a cold spring in a secluded valley: "Elder Jin Kui, in my opinion, the best strategy is to win him over with a gentle approach. Please look at that Dharma image! This child has only just formed his Nascent Soul, yet he can already communicate with such a vast amount of heaven and earth energy. This is something that no ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator could do! The solidity of his foundation and the strength of his divine sense are probably far beyond our expectations."
Elder Yin Kui paused, then emphasized, "These are turbulent times. That old ghost from Ji Yin Island is making frequent moves, and the 'Reverse Star Alliance' under the Six Paths Supreme Saint is also stirring up trouble, eyeing our Star Palace with covetous intent. At this critical moment when we need manpower, if we can obtain such strong support, it will be entirely beneficial to our Star Palace."
"Hmph! Elder Yin Kui is mistaken!" A burly old man with fiery red hair slammed his hand on the jade table beside him, his voice booming like a bell.
"Appeasement? Winning him over? Do you even know this kid's background?!" His hair and beard bristled as he glared at Yin Kui. "I've already sent men to investigate! This man calls himself 'Zhang Tie,' his origins are a mystery, as if he sprang from a crack in a rock! He's only been in my Tianxing City for a few decades, yet he's risen like a comet, advancing rapidly from the early Core Formation stage all the way to the Nascent Soul stage! Such progress is unheard of! What's even more suspicious is that he chose to grandly achieve Nascent Soul formation on the sacred mountain in the heart of my Star Palace, attracting the attention of the entire city! What is the meaning of this? Is he demonstrating against my Star Palace? Moreover, what if he's a pawn carefully planted by the Six Paths Demon, intending to sow the seeds of disaster in the heart of my Star Palace? How can we not guard against such risks?!"
"Liyang! Stop making baseless accusations! How can you conclude that someone is a spy based on mere conjecture?" Elder Yin Kui's face darkened, and a chilling aura emanated from his body.
"I am merely stating the facts! How can such a significant hidden danger be let off lightly simply because you say 'deeply rooted'?" Elder Lieyang retorted without backing down, his crimson flames rising around him, causing the temperature inside the hall to suddenly increase.
"Enough!" A white-robed cultivator with a gaunt face and an ancient sword on his back shouted coldly. His sword aura was faintly visible. He was Elder Yuheng, who was in charge of supervising the Star Palace.
"Investigate! Of course we must investigate! But we must be careful with our methods! Elder Jin Kui sent people to test us precisely to find out the truth. Making rash judgments before we have solid evidence will only cause confusion!"
"Test him? If he were truly the old demon's pawn, would he easily reveal his true colors? Why not strike first and 'invite' him into the 'Star Prison' before interrogating him slowly!" Another elder with a sinister face and a high-pitched voice interjected in a sinister tone.
"Nonsense! Imprisoning a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator without cause? Do you want the entire Chaotic Star Sea to laugh at my Star Palace? To make those hesitant forces completely side with the Reverse Star Alliance?" Elder Yin Kui retorted sharply.
"you……"
"Shut up, all of you!" Seeing that the hot-tempered elders were becoming increasingly agitated, their magical energy clashing and almost threatening to erupt into a fight within the Cardinal Hall, Elder Jin Kui's eyes flashed with golden light, and a powerful pressure descended, temporarily quelling the situation. His gaze, cold and unyielding, swept over the crowd from behind his mask, carrying an undeniable authority: "What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket!"
Just as the atmosphere inside the hall was tense and ready to draw swords.
A calm, deep voice, seemingly carrying the rhythm of the stars, resounded without warning from the deepest part of the hall. This voice, though not loud, clearly drowned out all the arguments, directly imprinting itself on the very soul of every elder:
"Stop arguing."
Just five words, like a stabilizing force, instantly calmed all the restless magic and emotions. The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and even breathing was deliberately suppressed.
The voice continued, carrying an air of absolute indifference: "Once this person's nascent soul is completely stable and the strange phenomena of heaven and earth subside... Jin Kui."
"Your subordinate is here." Elder Jin Kui's expression turned solemn, and he immediately bowed, facing the area at the deepest part of the hall that was shrouded in starlight.
"Then you shall go and investigate personally. Whether they are friend or foe, we can decide after we have found out."
Upon hearing this, all the Nascent Soul elders, regardless of their previous opinions, now wore solemn expressions, bowed in unison, and their voices were filled with heartfelt reverence.
"I will obey the Palace Master's decree!"
One of the two Saints of the Star Palace, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and an unparalleled being who has ruled the Star Palace for hundreds of years—Ling Xiaofeng! His will is the final decision of the Star Palace.
……
The spectacular natural phenomenon that had lasted for three whole months above the sacred mountain finally faded away, leaving behind its last magnificent afterglow.
The massive vortex of spiritual energy completely dissipated, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth that had been swallowed up began to slowly flow and replenish itself.
The illusory image of a god or demon, which stood like a nightmare atop the sacred mountain and terrified countless cultivators, also vanished silently into the world like a bubble.
"call……"
"Finally... it's over..."
At this moment, countless cultivators on different levels of the sacred mountain, regardless of their cultivation level, all breathed a long sigh of relief, as if a huge boulder had been lifted from their hearts.
Although they knew that as long as they didn't provoke the newly ascended Nascent Soul ancestor, their lives would be safe, the omnipresent, soul-piercing, invisible pressure emanating from that divine magical form was undeniably real.
For three whole months, it was like living at the bottom of the deep sea. For cultivators with slightly weaker mental fortitude, even maintaining daily meditation was difficult, let alone breaking through bottlenecks. Many people's cultivation stagnated.
Of course, a very small number of cultivators with unwavering resolve, under this high-pressure environment, which was like a millstone, actually honed their Dao hearts, saw through their illusions, and broke through the bottlenecks that had plagued them for years. At this moment, their gazes toward the thirty-first level of the cave were filled with complex awe and an indescribable gratitude.
Tianxing City, Inner City Teleportation Hall.
The light swirled, and the spatial fluctuations gradually subsided. A figure dressed in a green robe with an ordinary face stepped out—it was Han Li, who had just returned from hunting demons in the outer sea.
A hint of weariness lingered between his brows, but his eyes remained calm and sharp. The trip had been quite fruitful; his storage bag was overflowing with level-five demon cores and some rare materials. The only drawback was that he hadn't yet forged his natal magic weapon, the "Azure Bamboo Bee Cloud Sword," which meant his hunting efficiency was still somewhat lacking.
He had just stepped out of the teleportation array and was preparing to summon his unassuming cyan flying boat to return to his cave to rest when the intermittent chatter of several cultivators waiting to be teleported reached his ears.
"Hey, have you heard? Over at the Holy Mountain, a senior has successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul stage! The commotion was incredible; my god, the spiritual energy of the entire Tianxing City was almost drained!"
"Tch, that's all ancient history! Latest news: the Star Palace seems to be making a big move, preparing to send someone to contact and recruit this newly promoted Nascent Soul Ancestor! It's said that the conditions they're offering are quite tempting!"
Han Li paused slightly, his heart leaping in his throat. A Nascent Soul cultivator! That was a true pinnacle of existence in this realm!
Back in Tiannan, Core Formation cultivators were figures he looked up to. But after enduring hardships and finally reaching the Core Formation realm himself, he realized even more deeply how unattainable the Nascent Soul stage truly was. To roam freely through heaven and earth, to live forever? Without Nascent Soul cultivation, it's all just a mirage.
"Hey, if you ask me, if that senior really gets recruited by the Star Palace, wouldn't his cave dwelling on the thirty-first floor of the Holy Mountain be empty?"
"So what if the cave is empty? Do you think a dignified Nascent Soul Ancestor would leave you some earth-shattering treasure in the cave? Keep dreaming!" someone immediately scoffed and retorted.
"Fellow Daoist, you are unaware of this!" The man lowered his voice, speaking with an air of mystery. "I heard rumors circulating within the Heavenly Star Pavilion that Senior Zhang's cave dwelling is an absolute treasure! Just think, he himself progressed rapidly from the late Foundation Establishment stage, leaping through several realms, and finally achieved Nascent Soul formation here! And that's not all; even his two concubines, who were originally of average cultivation, after moving in, one successfully reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, and the other even formed a Golden Core within a few decades! Isn't that amazing?"
He took a breath and lowered his voice: "The Heavenly Star Pavilion is already making preparations in secret. They'll start the auction as soon as that senior moves out of the cave! The well-informed Core Formation stage seniors are all eyeing this auspicious location! The price... hehe, it'll definitely be an astronomical figure!"
Han Li was struck dumb, frozen in place! "Surname Zhang? Thirty-one levels of the Holy Mountain? A concubine who has reached the Core Formation stage?"
These keywords exploded in his mind like a thunderbolt!
"Could it be such a coincidence?! Could it be... Senior Brother Zhang?"
Once this thought arose, it spread like wildfire and could not be contained! He no longer cared about resting, or even summoning his flying boat. His internal magic power surged, and a flash of azure light appeared around him. He transformed into a streak of azure light that was difficult to see with the naked eye, and shot towards the Holy Mountain at top speed, like an arrow released from a bow! His speed was so fast that he left a faint afterimage in place, causing the surrounding cultivators to turn their heads and exclaim in surprise.
Outside the thirty-first level of the sacred mountain cave, the heavy, dark blue stone door remained tightly closed, isolating the inside from the outside.
Han Li activated his escape technique and landed on the platform in front of the cave. He took a deep breath, suppressing his turbulent emotions, and was about to take out a communication talisman from his storage bag.
At this moment——
An invisible pressure, majestic as a towering mountain, suddenly descended! This pressure was not directed at the physical body, but rather acted directly on the depths of the soul, carrying the natural suppression of a superior being over a subordinate!
Han Li felt his breath catch in his throat, his hair stood on end, and his golden core seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand, its circulation momentarily slowed! A fear stemming from his very life force instantly seized him, almost causing him to uncontrollably kneel down.
The pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator! And it was a far more terrifying pressure than any Core Formation cultivator he had ever encountered!
A deep, resonant voice, like muffled thunder, echoed clearly above the platform outside the cave, reaching Han Li's ears and penetrating the cave's protective barriers:
"Jin Kui of Xinggong has come to congratulate Fellow Daoist Zhang on achieving the Nascent Soul stage! I wonder if Fellow Daoist Zhang's Nascent Soul is stable? Would it be convenient for you to show yourself for a chat?"
The sound was like a tangible sound wave, causing dust to fall from the platform. Han Li steadied himself and looked up with difficulty, only to see a figure that had silently appeared in mid-air.
The man wore a dark gold robe embroidered with star patterns, and his face was covered by a half-dark gold mask. He stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an aura of profound composure.
Simply by standing there, the aura emanating from him seemed to connect with the entire world, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to resonate in a deep resonance. It was none other than the Grand Elder of the Star Palace, True Man Jin Kui!
There was a moment of silence inside the cave.
Immediately, a voice that Han Li knew all too well calmly pierced through the stone door, responding clearly:
"So it is Elder Jin Kui of the Star Palace who has come in person! I, Zhang, have failed to greet you properly. My apologies! My cave dwelling is simple and humble, please forgive me."
As the words fell, the heavy, dark blue stone door slowly slid open to both sides. Light streamed in, illuminating a tall, imposing figure.
The green robe remained the same, the face unchanged—still the ordinary face belonging to "Zhang Tie." But at this moment, the aura emanating from beneath the green robe, the majesty contained in those deep, calm eyes, had undergone a tremendous transformation! It was a leap in the level of life, a transcendence that allowed one to take control of one's own destiny and look down upon all living beings!
It was Qin Hao!
He stood behind the open stone gate, his gaze calmly meeting that of Elder Jin Kui in mid-air.
Standing at the entrance of the cave, Han Li looked at the familiar yet utterly unfamiliar figure before him and felt the vast, ocean-like aura of the Nascent Soul emanating from the other person. His mind went completely blank, and he stood frozen on the spot like a clay sculpture. His lips parted slightly, but he couldn't utter a single word. Only boundless shock surged wildly deep within his pupils.
"Senior...Senior Brother...you...you actually..." A hoarse, strained voice finally escaped Han Li's throat, trembling with disbelief. The scene before him completely overturned his previous understanding.
Qin Hao's gaze swept over the stunned Han Li, and a gentle, calm smile appeared on his face: "Junior Brother Han, it's been many years. How have you been?"
His voice was calm, yet it naturally carried a reassuring power: "Please come in and sit for a moment. Let me first receive a fellow Daoist."
Elder Jin Kui's sharp, hawk-like gaze remained fixed on Qin Hao the entire time, only lingering on Han Li for a fleeting moment. His gaze was like sweeping over roadside dust, carrying the natural indifference of a Nascent Soul cultivator towards a Core Formation cultivator. In that brief exchange of words, the two had already engaged in an invisible yet extremely dangerous test of their spiritual awareness.
The result caused a huge uproar in the heart of this knowledgeable elder of the Star Palace! The young man who called himself "Zhang Tie" possessed a spiritual sense that far exceeded all his previous estimates of this newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator!
This made him strongly question some of his previous judgments—such a brilliant and talented person, would that old demon Six Paths Supreme Saint really be willing to use him as a pawn and plant him in the Star Palace as a spy? Wasn't he afraid that if the Palace Master discovered it, he would be directly killed by the enraged Star Palace Twin Saints?
Jin Kui's mind raced, but his face remained calm, like a deep well: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, you are too kind. It is my honor to be able to visit your cave."
As soon as he finished speaking, his body swayed slightly, and he landed lightly on the stone steps at the entrance of the cave, like a weightless feather, standing side by side with Qin Hao. Their invisible auras intertwined yet remained distinct.
The two entered the outer hall of the cave.
As soon as Jin Kuifu stepped inside, a hint of undisguised surprise flashed in his eyes. From the outside, the cave was nothing special, but once inside, one could immediately feel that the spiritual energy flowing in the air was not only rich and pure, but also carried an indescribable vitality and vigor. With each breath, it was as if a clear spring was washing over one's lungs, leaving one feeling completely comfortable.
His gaze swept across the faintly visible array patterns on the walls and floor of the cave, and he exclaimed in admiration, "Fellow Daoist Zhang's mastery of array formations is truly extraordinary! This is an effect that no ordinary spirit-gathering array could achieve. Such profoundness is something I have never seen before in my life. I am truly impressed!"
Qin Hao led Jin Kui to sit on the main stone chair. Upon hearing this, he simply smiled and waved to Yanli, who was standing to the side, to serve some spiritual tea: "It's just a little trick, a trivial skill. I'm sorry to have made Fellow Daoist Jin laugh at me. Please have some tea. This is the newly picked 'Mist-Hidden Spirit Hair,' which is quite pleasant."
Yanli carried a jade tray with two cups of steaming, emerald-green spirit tea on it, and carefully placed them on the stone table in front of Qin Hao and Jin Kui.
She sensed the unfathomable aura emanating from Jin Kui, and dared not even breathe. After putting down her teacup, she quickly lowered her head and retreated to the side, then quietly slipped into the inner hall.
The inner and outer halls were separated only by a beaded curtain. Han Li was currently sitting on a stone bench in the inner hall, still deeply shaken and appearing somewhat absent-minded.
Yuan Yao sat quietly opposite him, her aura deep and composed, with a faint, harmonious radiance of a golden core flowing around her. When she saw Han Li enter, she nodded slightly in greeting but said nothing more.
Han Li's gaze fell upon Yuan Yao, sensing the magical energy fluctuations emanating from her, which also belonged to the Core Formation stage. His heart was filled with mixed emotions, his thoughts churning like a tangled mess. This Miss Yuan, when he first met her, was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, and now she's actually… Could this cave dwelling of his senior brother truly be a legendary blessed land? Compared to this, his own decades of arduous cultivation were like a snail's crawl…
In the outer hall, the delicate fragrance of spirit tea filled the air. Jin Kui picked up the jade teacup, his fingertips gently tracing the smooth surface of the cup.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang is exceptionally talented, with remarkable achievements in both array formations and talismanic arts. He is truly a rare genius, unparalleled in the Chaotic Star Sea for a thousand years. I dare to ask, Fellow Daoist Zhang... have you ever joined any other sects? Or perhaps, do you have any connection with certain... reclusive lineages?"
Qin Hao picked up his teacup and gently blew away a few tender green tea leaves floating on the tea soup. His movements were unhurried, and his smile remained gentle and calm: "Thank you for asking, Fellow Daoist Jin. Previously, due to some trivial matters, I, Zhang, had received offerings from the Miaoyin Sect and was given the empty title of Guest Elder. It can be considered that we had some incense offerings."
"The Myriad Sounds Sect?" Jin Kui's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, then relaxed, his tone carrying a condescending casualness as he waved his hand lightly: "Heh, the titles of mere guest elders are nothing more than favors and courtesy, not true affiliation. As for the Myriad Sounds Sect... under the jurisdiction of my Star Palace, it's nothing more than an insignificant little force."
He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze fixed on Qin Hao: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, let's not beat around the bush. I've come here on behalf of the entire Star Palace to sincerely invite you to join us! With your Nascent Soul cultivation, once you enter our Star Palace, you will be a highly respected elder, sharing in the joys and sorrows of the Star Palace and the supreme glory of this Chaotic Star Sea!"
Qin Hao put down his teacup, tapped his fingers lightly twice on the smooth stone table, making a soft tapping sound, and showed a perfectly appropriate look of difficulty on his face: "Fellow Daoist Jin's kindness is deeply appreciated. However... I have already promised Fairy Ziling of the Miaoyin Sect that I would serve as a guest elder in her sect. A gentleman values his promise, and a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. If I were to break my promise because of the power of the Star Palace, wouldn't I be ridiculed by all my fellow Daoists, who would say that I am a sycophant? This matter... may be difficult."
"Haha!" Jin Kui burst into a deep laugh upon hearing this. "Fellow Daoist Zhang is overthinking it! I can handle the matter of the Myriad Sounds Sect. To be honest, although the Myriad Sounds Sect operates independently, its past sect leaders have all had deep ties with my Star Palace. Many of its offerings and resources also rely on the support of the Star Palace. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it is a small force extending from the Star Palace. As long as Fellow Daoist Zhang agrees to join the Star Palace, I will personally negotiate with the Myriad Sounds Sect. Fairy Zi Ling is a sensible person and would not have any complaints against you or the Star Palace because of this!"
Qin Hao remained silent for a moment, as if carefully weighing his options. The cave was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; the air seemed to freeze. Han Li and Yuan Yao in the inner hall also held their breath, nervously watching the commotion in the outer hall.
Finally, Qin Hao raised his head, meeting Jin Kui's gaze, which seemed to pierce through one's soul, and slowly spoke: "Fellow Daoist Jin, the Star Palace has dominated the Chaotic Star Sea for thousands of years, with profound foundations, numerous elders, and countless powerful figures. My presence or absence makes little difference. I am but a wandering cultivator from the mountains, accustomed to a life of leisure and unrestrained freedom. My only desire in this life is to advance on the path of cultivation and live a carefree life. Sect affairs involve many complexities, and the rigid rules and regulations are not what I desire. I appreciate the Star Palace's kindness. As for joining the Star Palace... let's discuss that another day."
Jin Kui's smile froze instantly, and after a few breaths, the icy aura slowly subsided. The sharpness in Jin Kui's eyes did not diminish; instead, it deepened. He slowly stood up: "Fellow Daoist Zhang has made up his mind. Everyone has their own ambitions, and we cannot force them. In that case... I will not disturb you any longer. Farewell."
"Fellow Daoist Jin, please take care. I won't see you off any further." Qin Hao also stood up.
Jin Kui said no more, turned around and strode towards the stone gate of the cave. In a flash, he transformed into a dark golden stream of light, broke through the air and disappeared into the clouds and mist of the sacred mountain.
Only after Jin Kui's aura completely disappeared from his senses did Qin Hao slowly turn around and calmly walk towards the inner hall.
The beaded curtain rustled softly. When Qin Hao appeared at the entrance to the inner hall, Han Li seemed to snap out of his shock. He abruptly stood up, his mouth agape, his face a mixture of shock, bewilderment, and disbelief, finally settling into a bitter laugh filled with complex emotions, his voice hoarse: "I...I never imagined...that after only twenty years of hunting demons...Senior Brother...Senior Brother, you have already...stepped onto the Nascent Soul stage! Such...such progress...it's simply...inconceivable..."
Qin Hao sat down opposite Han Li, a gentle smile on his face. That smile dispelled the tension he'd felt during his confrontation with Jin Kui, making him appear much more sincere: "Haha, Junior Brother Han, there's no need for that. Opportunities are mysterious and unpredictable; they can't be forced. Everyone has their own destiny. Junior Brother, you have profound blessings, a solid foundation, and a resolute character far surpassing ordinary people. With your abilities, achieving the Nascent Soul stage is merely a natural progression; it's just that the right opportunity hasn't arrived yet. Why belittle yourself?"
Despite his senior brother's words of comfort, Han Li's bitterness did not completely disappear. He shook his head and said in a low voice, "Senior brother is kind. But... the Nascent Soul realm is elusive and hard to find... I hope... it is as senior brother says."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Qin Hao's smile faded, and his expression became serious: "Junior brother, there's no need for formalities between us. There's something right now that concerns our future paths, and it's of utmost importance."
"There are only about twenty years left until the opening of the 'Void Heaven Palace'. How are those two 'Blood Jade Spiders' that are crucial to our ability to penetrate the inner palace and retrieve the treasures? Have they reached our expectations?"
Mentioning the Blood Jade Spider, Han Li's spirits lifted, and he immediately cast aside all distractions, a confident glint flashing in his eyes. Without hesitation, he patted the spirit beast pouch at his waist.
"Fizz!"
Two soft hissing sounds rang out, and two streaks of crimson light shot out, landing on the smooth stone floor of the inner hall. They were the two Blood Jade Spiders! They were several times larger than they had been decades ago, their bodies carved from the finest blood jade, crystal clear, shimmering with an eerie crimson light.
Eight compound eyes gleamed with a cold and ferocious light, and a faint, foul stench emanated from their opening and closing mouthparts. Most strikingly, the spiral patterns on their carapaces had become exceptionally clear and deep, radiating a powerful life force and a dense aura of bloodlust—clearly reaching the level of a peak fourth-level demonic beast! They were only one final step away from transforming into a fifth-level demonic beast!
Qin Hao's divine sense swept over the two giant spiders like invisible ripples, his eyes revealing undisguised approval: "Excellent! Peak Level 4! Stable aura. It seems that over the past twenty years, Junior Brother has devoted countless efforts to them without the slightest slackening. Very good!"
“However,” Han Li frowned slightly and continued, “this final step, breaking through from the peak of level four to level five, requires far more accumulation and opportunity than before. I have tried many methods, even… using some secret techniques to stimulate them. The power within them has accumulated to its peak, but it seems that a sufficiently strong ‘trigger’ is still lacking, and I still cannot break through that crucial barrier.”
Qin Hao nodded knowingly, then flipped his wrist: "These level six demon beast inner cores, Junior Brother, could be used as the main ingredient to refine a batch of 'Spirit Feeding Pills,' which might have miraculous effects."
A flicker of shock crossed Han Li's eyes. A level six demon core was a rare treasure, almost impossible to find even in the outer star sea!
"Thank you so much for your generous gift, Senior Brother! I will do my utmost to refine the Spirit-Nourishing Pills as soon as possible to help them break through! I will never fail you!"
"Then I'll leave it to you, junior brother."