A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality: Wang Yu’s Rebirth as the Reincarnation Dao Ancestor - Chapter 124

Chapter 122 Making a Choice, Returning to the City, Heading to Little Huan Island

Was he really going to refuse the White Water Sword Sect and join the seemingly more powerful Clear Rain Sect?

Without much thought, Han Li decisively gave an unexpected answer:

“I’m sorry, seniors, although I also yearn for the Clear Rain Sect, I once promised an old friend that if I were to join a sect, it had to be the White Water Sword Sect.”

“An old friend?”

The three from the Clear Rain Sect frowned.

The middle-aged leader was particularly displeased.

Had the credit that was almost within his grasp just slipped away like that?

The other cultivators were extremely curious.

The pale-faced youth from the White Water Sword Sect felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders, even experiencing a sense of relief and a glimmer of hope. When he looked at Han Li again, his eyes were full of admiration, with a touch of gratitude.

“Yes, it’s because of an old friend.”

Han Li nodded solemnly, a flash of reminiscence in his eyes:

“More than ten years ago, when that old friend was at sea with her family, they were attacked by a demonic beast. Her parents were both killed, and she herself was in grave danger. However, just as she was about to perish, a senior expert from the White Water Sword Sect happened to pass by and chivalrously intervened, saving her life…”

At this point, a hint of sadness appeared in Han Li’s eyes

. “Unfortunately, she escaped the demonic beast’s attack, but she couldn’t escape the wickedness of human nature. After her near-death experience a few years ago, her ambition became my ambition. I hope the seniors will understand.”

The entire story was fabricated.

It was utter nonsense.

But that didn’t matter.

Even if others looked at him with pity or as if he were an idiot, he didn’t care much.

What truly mattered was that he had unhesitatingly chosen the White Water Sword Sect, not the seemingly more promising Qingyu Sect.

Others laughed at him for being foolish; he laughed at them for being truly idiotic.

Just then, a hearty laugh echoed from high above:

“Good, good, well said! Loyal, righteous, and keeping his promises, this lad, I’ll accept him. He’ll be a disciple for now, but once he reaches Foundation Establishment, he’ll be a direct disciple of my lineage. Elder brother, Senior Brother Zhao, you two shouldn’t compete with me for him.”

The speaker was a middle-aged man in a Daoist robe.

Beside him were two others.

One had white eyebrows and a white beard, exuding an air of otherworldly grace

. The other was burly and robust, like an iron tower.

“Don’t worry, I won’t compete with you,”

the white-browed, white-bearded elder shook his head and chuckled.

When the Foundation Establishment youth of the White Water Sword Sect saw the three descending gently from the sky, he immediately bowed:

“Greetings, Sect Leader Uncle, greetings, Senior Uncle Lu, Senior Uncle Zhao…”

The other Qi Refining disciples of the White Water Sword Sect also bowed deeply upon seeing the newcomers:

“Greetings, Sect Leader, greetings, Grandmaster Lu, Grandmaster Zhao…!”

“Hmm.”

The three newcomers nodded slightly.

These three were three of the five Core Formation experts of the current generation of the White Water Sword Sect:

one sect leader and two elders.

The next moment, a powerful Core Formation aura emanated from them, directly impacting the three Qingyu Sect members in mid-air.

Facing the three Core Formation pressures, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Qingyu Sect all staggered, nearly falling from their flying swords. In an instant, fine beads of sweat appeared on their foreheads. Their previous arrogant posture vanished, replaced by a servile bow:

“Greetings, three seniors!”

The Foundation Establishment cultivators, who had previously been so high and mighty in front of Qi Refining cultivators, could only tremble in fear, secretly praying that the three Core Formation experts wouldn’t harm them, these three ants.

“Go back and tell that guy surnamed Zhu, we will be at White Smoke Island in a month. Hmph, get lost,”

the burly man waved his hand and coldly shouted.

To the others, the voice wasn’t loud. But to the three from the Qingyu Sect, it was deafening.

That single cold shout sent shivers down their spines, filling them with fear.

“Thank you, senior. We will certainly convey your message to our master…”

Without daring to linger, the three flew away on their swords.

The outsiders were gone.

After the three trials were over, the three Core Formation cultivators immediately led Han Li and the other twenty new disciples up the mountain, returning to the White Water Sword Sect’s gate.

With the two sects gone, the remaining rogue cultivators erupted in chaos.

“He actually got accepted as a disciple by a Core Formation stage expert? That fellow Daoist’s luck is just too good!”

“A meteoric rise, a meteoric rise indeed! Why can’t I have such good fortune?”

“Speaking of which, faced with the temptation of the Qingyu Sect, that fellow Daoist remained unmoved, instead resolutely following the legacy of his deceased friend and joining the Baishui Sword Sect? Such a character, I can’t wait for him. I admire his good fortune.”

“Yes, the Qingyu Sect’s offer was certainly tempting, but he refused…”

“I didn’t expect the Baishui Sword Sect to have such a story and such charm?” “

I’ll have to brag about it to my friends when I get back…”

“…”

The reputation of the Baishui Sword Sect was not tarnished by Han Li’s actions; on the contrary, it reached new heights.

This was something the higher-ups of the Baishui Sword Sect hadn’t anticipated.

As for why Han Li was talking nonsense and

why he changed his mind,

it was simply because the sensing talisman on his chest suddenly burned three times in a row.

This meant that three Core Formation cultivators were keeping an eye on him.

If he chose the Qingyu Sect, there was a significant chance he’d be ambushed before leaving Changli Island.

If he chose neither, it would only arouse more suspicion.

After weighing the options,

he decided it was better to join the Baishui Sword Sect.

The people there were pleasant to talk to, and the treatment they gave him was excellent.

Most importantly, when the Star Palace faced a major calamity and was on the verge of destruction, the Baishui Sword Sect didn’t stand idly by but sent a reinforcement led by three Core Formation cultivators.

The higher-ups were willing to go to the battlefield and perish with the Star Palace rather than play the ostrich.

Regardless of the disciples below, at least the Core Formation cultivators in the sect knew how to be grateful.

In short:

the sensing talisman still worked.

The Baishui Sword Sect wasn’t too bad.

Furthermore, even if the Qingyu Sect were truly going to war with the Baishui Sword Sect, it would definitely not be the Baishui Sword Sect that would be defeated. Otherwise, why would they have waited over four hundred years for the sect to face annihilation?

Perhaps these minor skirmishes were all tests given by Ling Xiaofeng to those branch sects from back then?

Moreover,

things have come to this point.

Since he has already inadvertently been drawn into the vortex between the two sects and can no longer keep a low profile, he should strive for the greatest benefit for himself.

After considering all these factors…

the choice is not difficult.

When he was accepted as a disciple by a newly promoted Core Formation cultivator of the Baishui Sword Sect, he was somewhat bewildered, truly not knowing whether to laugh or cry. After a moment of bewilderment, he breathed a sigh of relief: he

had barely escaped danger.

…

During the Qi Refining stage, he joined the only Star Palace branch he knew of: the Baishui Sword Sect.

Once he forms his Core, he will be a true member of the Star Palace.

At that time, the many channels controlled by the Star Palace behemoth will be opened to him to a certain extent.

For example, there are some resources that the Star Palace only consumes internally.

Another example is the intelligence on the outer seas, which he is most concerned about, especially the maps of the explored areas.

This is very important.

If it weren’t for Biling Island, he wouldn’t have taken this risk.

Wouldn’t it be better to reach the Core Formation stage while lying in Tianxing City?

However, as a rogue Core Formation cultivator joining the Star Palace, how could he possibly enjoy the same advantages as a Core Formation cultivator within the Star Palace?

The former is constantly under suspicion, while

the latter has impeccable lineage.

The choice and the difference are a matter of opinion.

…

Han Li and twenty newly initiated disciples were taken by three Core Formation cultivators to the center of Changli Island, into the misty White Sword Mountain shrouded by array

formations. Surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, with pavilions and towers

everywhere, it possessed an aura of immortality comparable to major sects.

Yet, it didn’t resemble a declining sect on the verge of collapse.

Of course, Han Li was still a little nervous along the way.

He feared that the Core Formation cultivators would interrogate him thoroughly, conducting a meticulous investigation.

In that case,

he would have no choice but to resort to desperate measures to force his way out.

Fortunately, the Core Formation experts’ time was precious. The cultivator surnamed Lu who had accepted him as a disciple briefly checked his magical power, confirmed his cultivation level was fine, and was then surprised by his unusually good physical condition. He immediately assigned him to two Foundation Establishment cultivators who were responsible for other tests.

After recording “all his information,” he was successfully accepted into the sect.

The process wasn’t complicated.

After entering, he wasn’t mistreated and enjoyed all the benefits of a Core Formation disciple:

for example, two spirit stones per month,

a bottle of low-grade pills per year, a high-grade magic

weapon (one for offense and one for defense),

and two sets of sect disciple clothing.

As a disciple of a Core Formation expert, he didn’t have to squeeze into the rows of stone huts in the servants’ quarters with over a thousand ordinary Qi Refining disciples. Instead, he had a simple cave dwelling backed by a spiritual vein, just like the hundred or so Foundation Establishment stewards.

This was comparable to his treatment when he first joined Red Tassel Mountain.

Before he could even catch his breath, the eldest Core Formation disciple surnamed Lu, who was also the only direct disciple and biological son, delivered five jade slips.

Each of the five jade slips recorded a high-level wood-attribute cultivation technique.

He could choose one to cultivate. He

could also seek guidance from this early Foundation Establishment senior brother on any cultivation problems he encountered.

“Thank you for your care, Senior Brother,”

Han Li said, clasping his hands in thanks outside the cave dwelling.

“If you encounter any danger in the future, just mention my name or my father’s name. I think no one will bother you in the vast sea area of Changli Island,” the young man

from the Lu family said confidently.

Han Li nodded gratefully upon hearing this.

He had a very good impression of this Senior Brother Lu Changfeng.

“By the way, take these two Foundation Establishment Pills.”

The eldest disciple patted his storage bag and took out a pill bottle containing two snow-white Chaotic Star Sea Foundation Establishment Pills.

“This…no, no, this is too much. It’s our first meeting, how can I accept such a valuable item?”

Han Li waved his hands repeatedly in refusal.

“Take them. One is a reward from the sect, and the other is my father’s appreciation. You did well this time, not only avoiding bringing shame or damage to the sect’s reputation, but also gaining a good name for our White Water Sword Sect. I hope you will continue to uphold the sect’s reputation and interests in the future. By the way, once you’ve established your foundation and improved your cultivation further, I have an important matter to entrust to you, so please don’t refuse.”

The eldest disciple handed the pill bottle to Han Li,

his words carrying a deeper meaning.

“I will, I definitely will.”

Looking at the heavy pill bottle in his hand, Han Li was both amused and exasperated. This treatment was far too good;

it felt unreal.

Even though Foundation Establishment Pills weren’t worth many spirit stones in the Chaotic Star Sea, they still gave him a completely unreal feeling.

“No, this is a tactic to win people’s hearts, this is like spending a fortune to buy a horse’s bones…”

The other disciples in the sect would be envious and jealous, but they would also be more devoted to him.

“Well done, White Water Sword Sect.”

After seeing off Senior Brother Lu, he decisively went into seclusion.

Because he was in seclusion to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he couldn’t be bothered with anything else at the moment.

…

In the main hall of the sect,

several Core Formation stage cultivators sat facing each other.

“Sect Leader, are we really going to have a battle with Senior Brother Zhu?”

a burly man asked worriedly.

“Of course we have to have a battle. Otherwise, how can we demonstrate the chaos in this sea? And how can we lower the guard of certain powerful forces in the Star Sea against our two families?”

an old man with white eyebrows and a white beard stroked his beard and spoke.

“As you all know, in recent years, many Nascent Soul stage forces in the Inner Star Sea have become increasingly restless, especially the Myriad Laws Sect and the Holy Demon Island, who are now irreconcilably opposed to our Holy Palace.”

“If the two Palace Masters hadn’t gone into seclusion to cultivate their divine arts, neither the Holy Demon Island nor the Myriad Laws Sect would be a threat…”

In their view, with the Heavenly Star Twin Saints joining forces and their techniques enhanced, there was no invincible force in the Inner Star Sea.

“But those two Palace Masters have been in seclusion for hundreds of years, and during that time there has been no news of them achieving mastery of their cultivation techniques or breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. This has further led to the current undercurrents between the various major powers and our Holy Palace.”

“The Holy Palace’s leaders are already overwhelmed by the probing of the various powers and cannot take care of us now. Therefore, we can only find a way to protect ourselves.”

“My senior brother Zhu and I discussed it and came up with the idea of breaking the deadlock through confrontation.”

The White Water Sword Sect and the Clear Rain Sect will clash.

“As long as our two sects clash and stage a major battle, creating some enmity, the other major powers will instinctively think that at least one of us is not an affiliated branch of the Holy Palace! They will think we are a truly neutral small to medium-sized sect! At that time, we will avoid a lot of trouble.”

“Perhaps even major powers will come to contact us and invite one of our two sects to join them?” “

And when that happens, I can also send messages to the leaders of the Star Palace and secretly provide clues.”

As the old man spoke, the others nodded repeatedly.

That makes sense:

after all, what kind of logic is there for a branch of the Star Palace to fight another branch of the Star Palace?

“Senior Brother Zhu’s idea is that if any major forces from either the righteous or demonic paths contact him, his Qingyu Sect will take the opportunity to join them as inside agents, gathering intelligence and knowing their enemy. We, on the other hand, will continue to fight them to the death, playing our part well so they don’t get exposed.”

“If necessary, we can even expose the origins of the Holy Palace branch to avoid suspicion for Senior Brother Zhu and the others…” At

their level, how could they not know that fierce battles between major forces could easily benefit smaller forces?

This is why major forces often clear out the battlefield before a major conflict,

either recruiting or eliminating neutral smaller forces.

And to reassure those Nascent Soul level major forces, these smaller forces cannot be too peaceful. It’s best if they also fall into a standoff, chaos, and attrition. If conditions are right, they can apply to join or accept recruitment.

In short, as branches, they should help the Holy Palace solve its problems.

The two disputes, both within a controllable range, served as excellent smokescreens.

…

“By the way, Junior Brother Lu, your nominal disciple…”

The burly man suddenly mentioned Han Li, as if remembering something.

Lu Yu pondered for a moment before smiling:

“His bone age is over fifty, he has four pseudo-spiritual roots, and he’s at the twelfth level of Qi Refining. His potential is limited. However, his physique is quite special. His dantian is quite deep, and the width of his meridians is unusual. Once he reaches Foundation Establishment, his magical power and true essence will probably be more than twice that of cultivators of the same level. He must have had some kind of fortuitous encounter before. In addition, there are no traces of any restrictions left on his body, and he has a naturally strong divine sense; his physique is also exceptionally strong, and he has a foundation for cultivating mortal martial arts. He is a rare and promising candidate for body refining.”

The effects of the Great Evolution Technique and the Azure Origin Sword Art are too miraculous, belonging to the highest level of advanced techniques. None of the top Core Formation stage cultivators in the White Water Sword Sect have them; only the higher-ups of the Star Palace might have access to them.

Furthermore, the traces of his cultivation technique were subtle and gradual adjustments, the kind of subtle adjustments that Core Formation cultivators couldn’t see through. Otherwise, these Core Formation cultivators could create their own techniques.

Therefore, Han Li’s situation was spontaneously judged by this cheap master as having a naturally strong divine sense and a special innate physique.

“Is he a spy sent by those major forces in the outer sects?”

“Probably not.”

The sect leader shook his head at this time:

“Even if those major forces can’t act openly, if they wanted to send a spy to infiltrate our White Water Sword Sect, they would at least send someone with dual spiritual roots, right? Otherwise, how could they infiltrate the power structure to gather intelligence? How could they control the sect’s lifeline? And how could they cause that internal strife and division?”

They understood the relevant tactics all too well.

Sending in a pseudo-spiritual root as a spy? It would be meaningless.

“Brother is right. Just from his physical condition, we can tell that my disciple is definitely a rogue cultivator who has had a fortuitous encounter. He may not reach the Core Formation stage in the future, but among the Foundation Establishment cultivators, he is definitely a top-notch fighter.”

He’s a good henchman.

“Moreover, Senior Brother Zhao, don’t forget the path of the cultivation techniques we passed down. As long as he cultivates the techniques I passed down, if he wants to improve further, wouldn’t he be wholeheartedly serving the sect and the Holy Palace?”

“That’s true…”

…

A month later.

The duel on White Smoke Island escalated into a fierce battle between the two sides.

In the end, the Clear Rain Sect emerged victorious, and White Smoke Island changed hands.

As a result, the two sides began to experience more and more friction.

None of this had anything to do with Han Li, who was focused on seclusion.

Spring passed and autumn came.

A year passed in the blink of an eye.

After taking a Foundation Establishment Pill, he returned to the Foundation Establishment stage several months ago.

After becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he officially came into the sights of the higher-ups of the White Water Sword Sect.

He personally paid his respects to his new master, Lu Yu.

“Good lad, you’ve reached Foundation Establishment so quickly?”

“This disciple is fortunate.”

Han Li, who didn’t have any bottlenecks in Foundation Establishment at all, said modestly.

“Not bad, not bad.”

Master Lu, who had only been in the Core Formation stage for a little over twenty years, was very satisfied with this second disciple. He hadn’t expected Han Li to achieve Foundation Establishment so quickly, nor that he’d succeeded with just two Foundation Establishment Pills.

After scrutinizing him up and down several times, his expression suddenly changed:

“Eh? Your cultivation technique…”

The technique was naturally still the Azure Origin Sword Art.

How could he possibly choose one of the five ordinary methods provided by this person?

Han Li had a plan in mind:

“The technique I’ve been cultivating for the past few years is a legacy from an old friend, the Azure Origin Sword Art.”

As he spoke, he produced an abridged version of the Azure Origin Sword Manual.

The complete Azure Origin Sword Manual has thirteen levels and can be cultivated to the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage. This abridged version has ten levels and can be cultivated to the early Nascent Soul stage.

Meanwhile, the several wood-attribute cultivation techniques that Master Lu Yu had presented could only be cultivated to the early Core Formation stage.

A comparison would reveal the problem, and this cheap master would likely understand it himself.

“You’re quite lucky,”

Master Lu Yu could only sigh after a long silence.

He too had his own difficulties.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to pass on better and more complete techniques, but the rules of the Holy Palace stipulated that only the earlier parts could be taught first. Once the cultivation level was reached, one could return to the Holy Palace to receive the complete inheritance.

As everyone knows, changing cultivation techniques is very time-consuming and laborious.

The Holy Palace’s intention in doing so was self-evident.

“Since you possess a more complete method, I wouldn’t want to hinder your path. However, the method you cultivate is unfamiliar to me, and I’m afraid I can’t offer much guidance. From now on, you’ll have to rely entirely on yourself. Therefore, don’t slack off in your cultivation,”

Master Lu said with mixed feelings.

As a master, the gift he bestowed was less valuable than what his disciple already possessed—

how could he not feel conflicted?

“Thank you for your kindness, Master.”

“Alright, besides paying your respects to your master, is there anything else you wish to do here?”

“This disciple intends to travel to Tianxing City!”

Changli Island is located in the northeastern part of the Inner Star Sea.

Kuixing Island is in the southwestern corner of the Inner Star Sea.

Tianxing City is in the middle, so we’ll be passing by.

It’ll be a good opportunity to return to my cave on the forty-eighth level of the Holy Mountain to see if the spirit insects have hatched.

“Traveling is indeed necessary. A visit to Tianxing City would be beneficial.” Letting this lad witness the grandeur of the Holy City and experience the magnificence of the Holy Palace will make it easier to persuade him and gain his acceptance when revealing his identity later.

Go, go.

“However, things haven’t been peaceful outside lately, so be careful on your journey. Take these two top-tier magic artifacts as a token of our congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment.”

Sects typically bestow a top-tier magic artifact upon newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, the quality depends on their strength and status; they may receive a fine, rare, or even top-grade artifact.

For example, a direct disciple of the sect leader usually receives a minor top-tier artifact,

while a direct disciple of an elder receives a rare artifact .

“Thank you, Master.”

Han Li’s face was full of joy,

but his heart remained calm.

Rare top-tier magic artifacts weren’t as rare as they were in the sparsely populated and monster-filled Chaotic Star Sea as they were in the Southern Heaven. However, these items were still extremely valuable to newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivators. For other newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivators, obtaining such a treasure would greatly increase their strength. But for him, such a magic artifact would only gather dust in the corner of his storage bag.

Of course, while the equipment was mediocre, he genuinely appreciated the kindness and sincerity.

Master Lu was a good person.

The White Water Sword Sect was quite decent.

…

Foundation Establishment Pills and top-tier magic weapons were given away like cabbages?

In Tiannan, such a thing would be unthinkable. It was

simply outrageous.

Extremely outrageous.

But in the Chaotic Star Sea, the situation was different. Here, demon beast resources were in severe surplus. As long as a mid-level sect had a Core Formation cultivator in charge, there was no story of them being overwhelmed by Foundation Establishment Pills and top-tier magic weapons. The fact that several Foundation Establishment female cultivators from the Myriad Sounds Sect could produce magic treasure-level items, and not just ordinary magic treasures at that, showed how much this place defied common sense.

Of course, small sects without Core Formation cultivators in charge were a different story.

For example, the small sect where Yuan Yaoyanli belonged was struggling to survive, let alone have sect benefits.

…

The journey back to Tianxing City was uneventful.

After all, Changli Island was located within the twelve star islands of the Inner Star Sea.

This area was not currently considered too dangerous.

Currently, the righteous and demonic paths have only infiltrated and absorbed the outer twenty-four star islands. Forces like Holy Demon Island, Myriad Laws Sect, Extreme Yin Island, and Night Dragon Island are still very restrained.

This is one of the reasons why Han Li dared to venture out.

If, decades later, the righteous and demonic paths’ infiltration were to reach the ten-thousand-mile sea area of Tianxing City, and they were so cautious that even small sects like the Myriad Sound Sect were being targeted, then, without the Core Formation stage cultivation, he would have obediently stayed in a corner and gone nowhere.

Now, things are alright.

After circling around several times, confirming with the sensing talisman that no one was following him, he finally entered his cave.

The feeling of returning home washed over him, followed by a sense of relief from his guard. After

a pleasant bath and a nap, he went to the insect chamber.

More than a year had passed, and in the two small spirit-gathering arrays within the two insect chambers, the more than twenty golden-backed demon mantis larvae and blood jade spider larvae had still not hatched.

“It seems that while the Spirit Gathering Array can gather spiritual energy to aid in the hatching of spirit beast eggs, its effectiveness is far inferior to the Spirit Eye Spring.”

Although Han Li was disappointed, he didn’t dwell on it too much. Let

it hatch later if

it’s delayed. Calculating the time, there’s still plenty of time.

So, he cultivated diligently for several more years until he was almost sixty-one.

“Theoretically, the Devouring Gold Insects will be born in a few years, but going more than four years in advance might not be a bad idea…” If he really obtained the Devouring Gold Insects four years   　earlier

, he would have another powerful trump card.

In the sea area of Kui Xing Island, on Xiao Huan Island, his Fiend Core clone led him directly there.   (End of Chapter)