The Seven Mysteries Sect, the forbidden grounds behind the mountain, Cold Pool Cave.
This was one of the few places in the sect where spiritual energy was exceptionally pure and abundant. Ordinary disciples could not enter at all. In recognition of Han Li's merits in the matter of Mo Juren, and because he possessed a dark spiritual root, the sect master had specially permitted him to cultivate here in seclusion, both to reassure him and to nurture his talent.
A piercing chill filled the cave. At its center, a fathomless cold pool gave off wisps of white vapor, with several shade-loving spirit herbs growing along its banks. Han Li sat cross-legged on a smooth blue stone, his eyes half closed and his aura drawn inward, as though he had become one with the cold pool and secluded cave.
More than half a year had passed since he repelled the Shadow Killer Sect's assassins.
During those six months, Han Li had kept to himself, scarcely ever leaving Cold Pool Cave. He devoted all his energy to consolidating his cultivation and refining his foundations. The slight instability left by his rapid advancement amid repeated battles had been thoroughly tempered away.
Within his dantian, his liquid dark attribute spiritual power had grown deeper and more condensed, thick as mercury, with the faint sound of tides accompanying its slow circulation. Tempered by the cold pool's frigid yin energy, his spiritual sense had also become more resilient and sensitive. Though its range had not increased greatly, its precision had improved considerably. After countless cautious attempts and patient nurturing, the wisp of pseudo core flame he had managed to condense by chance remained weak, but no longer flickered on the verge of extinction as it once had. He could barely control it now, using it to help refine certain yin-attribute materials or practice particular spells.
He had also repeatedly studied and practiced the many secret techniques in the Foundation Establishment section of the Profound Fiend Asura Art, such as Profound Yin Binding, Shadow Step, and Soul-Eroding Finger, growing increasingly proficient. Profound Yin Binding, in particular, proved highly effective at restraining enemies and had become one of his trump cards in combat. As for the Shadow Blade he had obtained from Venerable Xuan Gu's cave abode, it suited his cultivation art exceptionally well. He refined and wielded it with ease, and its elusive appearances made it all but impossible to guard against.
He was in no hurry to break through to the Foundation Establishment middle stage. His blood feud hung over him like a sword, urging him to grow stronger, but he understood even better that haste could leave him short of his destination. Every minor realm within Foundation Establishment affected his future path, and each had to be consolidated to the utmost. He spent most of his time refining his spiritual power, contemplating his cultivation art, and honing his spells. Though his cultivation had not advanced, his actual combat strength was no longer comparable to what it had been six months earlier.
One day, Han Li was practicing a set of movements that combined Shadow Step with Soul-Eroding Finger. His figure flickered in and out of sight within the cave, the sharp gusts from his fingers carrying a bone-eroding chill. Suddenly, he sensed something, stopped moving, and looked toward the entrance.
A moment later, a faint disturbance rippled through the restrictions outside the cave. A Sound Transmission Talisman flew inside and hovered before him. When he activated it with spiritual power, the sect master's calm voice emerged, tinged with gravity:
"Han Li, has your secluded cultivation been going smoothly? If you have time, come to the Sect Master's Hall. There are matters concerning the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land that I need to discuss with you."
The Blood-Colored Forbidden Land!
A sharp gleam flashed in Han Li's eyes. He had not shut his ears to the world during his six months of secluded cultivation. Through occasional conversations with the steward who delivered supplies, he knew that rumors about the forbidden land's opening were gathering momentum both within and outside the sect. By his reckoning, less than two and a half years remained before it opened.
"So it's finally coming..." he murmured. Straightening his robes, he stepped out of Cold Pool Cave.
After six months without seeing daylight, the sunlight outside was rather harsh. Han Li narrowed his eyes slightly and let them adjust, then became a barely discernible blue shadow, heading toward the Sect Master's Main Hall on the main peak.
Along the way, every disciple he encountered, whether from the inner or outer sect, bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity. Word of Han Li's dark spiritual root and his successive victories over powerful foes had long since spread throughout the sect. Now, after six months in seclusion, his aura had become even deeper and harder to fathom, making others still less willing to underestimate him.
Inside the Sect Master's Main Hall, Nangong Wan was also seated alongside the sect master, Elder Li, and Elder Wang. As Han Li entered, all their gazes settled on him.
The sect master stroked his beard and nodded, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. "Good. Your aura is steady and condensed, and your foundations are solid. You haven't wasted these past six months."
Han Li bowed. "Thank you for your praise, Sect Master. I wouldn't dare slacken."
"Mm." The sect master's expression grew serious. "I summoned you today because of the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land. Its opening draws closer by the day, and the major sects and clans of the Heavenly South have already begun selecting their participants. Our Seven Mysteries Sect has five places this time."
Five places! Han Li's thoughts stirred. Though the Seven Mysteries Sect was not among the Heavenly South's greatest sects, it was still a regional power. That it had only five places showed how fierce the competition would be.
"The selection will take place during the sect tournament a year from now," the sect master continued. "In principle, all disciples below Foundation Establishment may participate. The final top five will qualify."
Elder Li added, "Han Li, though your talent is exceptional, your cultivation is still at the Foundation Establishment early stage. There are several outstanding disciples in the sect at the peak of Qi Refining and even the Foundation Establishment early stage. You must not be careless."
Elder Wang gave a cold snort, his tone as critical as ever. "The Blood-Colored Forbidden Land is no trivial matter. Deadly dangers lurk on every side, and geniuses from every sect gather there. It's nothing like sparring within the sect. Without sufficient strength and decisiveness, going there is simply throwing your life away."
Han Li remained calm and cupped his hands. "I understand. I will cultivate diligently and strive to secure a place, so as not to disappoint the sect."
Nangong Wan's cool gaze settled on Han Li, and she spoke evenly. "Within the forbidden land, opportunity and danger coexist. Besides dealing with other cultivators, you must be wary of the land itself, the restrictions left from ancient times, and demonic beasts. Cultivation arts, magical artifacts, pills, and talismans-you cannot afford to lack any of them. Have you prepared thoroughly?"
Han Li looked at Nangong Wan. This aloof, immortal-like martial aunt seemed to mean more than she said. He answered steadily, "Martial Aunt Nangong, I have recently begun making preparations. But some of the rare materials I need are scarce even in the sect's stores."
Nangong Wan nodded slightly and said no more.
Finally, the sect master said, "Very well. It is enough that you know of this. Over the coming year, the sect will direct more resources toward disciples like you who have a chance of securing a place. I hope you make good use of them. Do not squander this opportunity, and... do not lose your life there." His final words carried a note of warning.
"I will keep that in mind." Han Li bowed again.
After leaving the Sect Master's Hall, Han Li had already settled on his course. I must secure a place in the sect tournament a year from now! This was not merely for the opportunities within the forbidden land, but also a crucial step toward taking revenge on the Black Fiend Cult. Only by swiftly increasing his strength there could he gain the means to wipe out the cult!
Rather than returning directly to Cold Pool Cave, he headed toward the sect's Hundred Mechanisms Hall. If he was going to prepare, he needed to aim at a clear target. He needed to exchange for materials to craft special talismans, pills to counter poisonous miasma, and more detailed information about the environment within the Blood-Colored Forbidden Land. Though the sect master would not provide much information, he could surely find useful threads and traces among the records the sect had accumulated.
While Han Li busied himself preparing for his journey into the forbidden land, thousands of miles from the Seven Mysteries Sect, deep within a sprawling mountain range shrouded year-round in gray-black baleful energy, stood a sinister great hall built entirely of enormous black stones.
"Useless fools! You couldn't even deal with a junior at the Foundation Establishment early stage, and you lost Shadow Fiend into the bargain!" An icy, furious voice echoed through the hall, making the stone walls hum.
Below the throne, several black-robed cultivators with fierce auras stood silent as cicadas in winter. The one at their head steeled himself and said, "Please calm your anger, Cult Master! According to Blood Fiend, who escaped and returned, Han Li's cultivation art is bizarre. He can actually condense a rudimentary pseudo core flame. We truly didn't expect that. And... the Seven Mysteries Sect seems to value him highly. They've placed him in their core area, making it difficult for our people to approach."
"Pseudo core flame?" The figure on the throne was enveloped in dense black baleful energy, his features impossible to make out. Only a pair of crimson eyes glinted with bloodlust. "A dark spiritual root... it does have its tricks. But he dared kill our cult's steward and destroy our branch. This debt of vengeance will be paid!"
He paused, his voice turning colder still. "The Blood-Colored Forbidden Land will open soon. The Seven Mysteries Sect will surely send him there. That will be his burial ground! Pass down my orders. Have Elders Wang and Liang prepare. When the forbidden land opens this time, they will have only one task-bring back Han Li's head, whatever the cost!"
"Yes, Cult Master!" everyone below the throne answered in unison, murderous intent surging around them.
"Also," the cult master's voice took on a sinister note, "keep in contact with the Shadow Killer Sect. Tell them I can double the price, but they must ensure that nothing goes wrong!"
"Understood!"
The Black Fiend Cult's murderous designs spread once more toward the Seven Mysteries Sect like an invisible net, silently closing around the young man striving forward for vengeance and the path to immortality.
Before the mountain storm arrived, wind filled the tower. Han Li's journey into the forbidden land was destined to be anything but peaceful. And all of this was merely the prelude to the coming tempest. The true trial of life and death still awaited him within the mysterious and merciless Blood-Colored Forbidden Land.
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