A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality: Wang Yu’s Rebirth as the Reincarnation Dao Ancestor - Chapter 185

Chapter 181 The Barbarian’s Invitation: Seeking Cooperation

The safe space was like a garden in a traditional Chinese ink painting.

Numerous unknown exotic flowers and plants grew within it for people to admire.

Even after three hundred years of neglect, they thrived, their living space untouched by weeds.

Around the garden were eight exquisitely carved white jade pavilions, each containing ten tables and thirty to forty stone benches.

At this moment, a scattered group of forty cultivators sat in several pavilions.

Most of these cultivators were pale, or covered in blood, looking as if they had endured a fierce battle.

Because Han Li had disguised himself to save them, and those he saved were all rogue cultivators, he wasn’t recognized by them.

Just as many people were quietly resting with their eyes closed, a deep voice transmitted to Han Li’s ear:

“How should I address you, fellow Daoist?”

Looking in the direction of the transmission, unsurprisingly, it was Barbarian Beard.

“Brother Man, it’s been six hundred years. You’ve already reached the mid-Nascent Soul stage. It’s a pity you don’t break through soon, your lifespan is running out,”

Han Li replied calmly via telepathy.

During the Soul Search, he had specifically inquired about their relationship.

Over six hundred years ago, Xiao Cha had already been in the Nascent Soul stage for over a hundred years when, by chance, he met Man Hu Zi, a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator. He had also helped Man Hu Zi escape danger, so he was considered to have done him a favor.

The two were birds of a feather, and although they were of the demonic path, they often liked to do righteous things.

Their relationship had always been very good.

Even their initial styles of dealing with people were identical.

Until Xiao Cha’s accident, betrayed and killed by Ji Yin Xuan, Man Hu Zi learned from the mistake and immediately changed his kind attitude towards his disciples.

Initially, Man Da Han treated his first few disciples like his own sons and daughters.

Later, those disciples passed away one after another, and he began to train several new Core Formation stage disciples.

He treated the newly trained male disciples as employees and was very wary of them.

As for female disciples, they were treated as bedchamber maids.

In short,

the one who reacted the most and whose behavior changed the most after Xiao Cha was betrayed by his disciple was Barbarian Beard.

He also felt that there was nothing in this world that could be trusted.

He hid all the good things, and even though he was about to die, he had no intention of leaving those riches to his disciples.

“Who are you?”

Barbarian Beard’s face remained calm.

But in his heart, a storm was raging.

He felt that this address was too i*imate, too familiar, and yet too distant.

Could this person be…

“Brother Barbarian, do you still remember more than six hundred years ago when I invited you to discuss the Dao with me on Xuan Yin Island?”

Han Li looked up, his eyes deep.

His eyes seemed to speak:

“Back then, how spirited we were! But now, one of us is about to die, and the other has become a stray dog…”

This sigh really hit Barbarian Beard’s sore spot.

Barbarian Beard, who was already a thousand years old, was about to die. He entered the Void Heaven Palace this time because he was unwilling to accept his fate and wanted to fight against the heavens. His main goal was to obtain one or two Longevity Fruits to refine an elixir that could extend his lifespan by fifty or sixty years.

On the other hand, he wanted to try his luck and see if the Void Heaven Cauldron could be opened.

If it could, he would compete for the treasures within the Void Heaven Cauldron, the number one secret treasure of the Chaotic Star Sea. For

example, the “rumored” Heaven-Mending Pill, which could increase lifespan.

His lifespan was running out. Even if

he had another hundred years, he might not be able to break through his cultivation level.

But if he had several hundred more years, he might be able to advance further.

“Brother Xiao, is it really you?”

Barbarian Beard still harbored some doubts about his old friend’s identity. “Barbarian Beard

, how many people know about our friendship? Besides, who in the Chaotic Star Sea would need to impersonate me?”

Han Li’s two direct and pointed questions, coupled with his familiar address, instantly dispelled Barbarian Beard’s suspicions.

He cured Barbarian Beard’s acquired paranoia.

“Brother Xiao, did you come here for Ji Yin?”

“Not only for him, but also for the things within the Void Heaven Cauldron,”

Han Li said bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Barbarian Beard’s heart tightened.

If Xiao Cha also wanted to seize the Void Heaven Cauldron, things would become complicated.

Just as he hesitated, Han Li’s telepathic message reached his ears again:

“Don’t worry, I once obtained a Heaven-Mending Pill, but it’s of little use to me now. It’s perfect for you, though.”

“Really?”

“Heh.”

This nonchalant chuckle was like heavenly music to Barbarian Beard!

After all, his main purpose in coming here was the Heaven-Mending Pill.

If Xiao Cha’s goal wasn’t the Heaven-Mending Pill, wouldn’t that be in his best interest?

Of course.

The premise was that they, a few Nascent Soul cultivators, could pry open the Void Heaven Cauldron.

If they couldn’t, everything was just empty talk.

“Brother Xiao, what has caught your eye in the cauldron? Could it be one of those top-tier ancient treasures? And judging from your confident demeanor, you seem quite certain you can open the Void Heaven Cauldron?”

“Without the aid of top-tier ancient treasures, relying solely on my knowledge of the extreme Yin weakness, I might not be able to eliminate that traitor! It’s still somewhat risky!”

Han Li’s tone was long and calm, yet it revealed a deep-seated hatred.

The barbarian was even more reassured.

“As for how to open the Void Heaven Cauldron? Brother Man, do you know of the Blood Jade Spider?”

“What? The Blood Jade Spider? Brother Xiao, do you possess such a strange insect?”

The barbarian almost lost control of his expression.

His eyes widened.

Realizing his loss of composure, he immediately regained his composure.

“Indeed, through years of investigation, I have found the burial place of that traitor Ji Xuan and obtained a level four Blood Jade Spider he left behind before his death. It’s just a pity that the other one was accidentally killed by Ji Yin back then, leaving me without an ally. Otherwise, with the help of two level four Blood Jade Spiders, it would be much easier to open the cauldron. However, that traitor Ji Yin has obtained a rare Fire Python. If it can work with my Blood Jade Spider, it should be barely enough to pry open the Void Heaven Cauldron.”

“Good, good, good…”

Barbarian Beard was overjoyed.

“Brother Xiao, our interests are not in conflict, so how about we cooperate?”

Without any hesitation, Barbarian Beard readily offered his invitation.

With a Blood Jade Spider and an extremely Yin-type fire python, opening the cauldron is a sure thing.

And with an additional Nascent Soul stage helper, the chances of success are undoubtedly even greater. In fact

, it could be said that it’s equally certain.

Excellent, excellent.

Therefore

, at this moment, his eyes were extremely eager, desperately wanting to hear a positive reply from his old friend.

Han Li was waiting for the Barbarian Beard to take the initiative to invite cooperation.

If he were to ask, it would sound somewhat like he was begging for a favor. If he

asked for too much later, it would seem like he was taking advantage and being naive. If he asked for too little, it would be too much of a loss and not worthwhile.

But if the Barbarian Beard were to invite him, the nature of the situation would be different.

“Brother Man, you only want the Heaven-Mending Pill inside the cauldron to prolong your life?”

“That’s right.”

“Are you sure you only need the Heaven-Mending Pill?”

“Of course.”

“Alright, we can cooperate. I, Xiao, will help you snatch a Heaven-Mending Pill from a group of Nascent Soul cultivators, but you need to help me snatch a top-tier ancient treasure. Afterwards, you also need to help me eliminate that treacherous disciple, Ji Yin

, who betrayed his master and ancestors! How about it?” He wanted the Wolf-Headed Jade Ruyi.

With the Wolf-Headed Jade Ruyi, housed by the spirit of the Silver Moon, even a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn’t be able to harm him in a short time.

“Is that all?”

Man Hu felt he had gotten a great deal.

He felt a little guilty.

Compared to the precious Heaven-Mending Pill, a top-tier ancient treasure and helping to eliminate Ji Yin—a two-on-one situation—seemed insignificant.

“If you can get your hands on a lot of Longevity Fruits, you can give me some. Also, before entering the inner hall, come with me to eliminate some uncertain dangers, lest someone ruin our plans at a crucial moment.”

“Brother Xiao, what do you need Longevity Fruits for?”

Barbarian Beard looked at Yuan Yao and Yan Li meaningfully, puzzled.

“You’ve already experienced what happened back then, yet you’re still so concerned about your disciples and concubines?”

“Their Daoist partners, the original owners of this body I’ve possessed, have somewhat special identities. After I completed the possession, I need to use this identity to do some things. Besides, these two women are still very loyal to me. Alas, I still can’t bring myself to mistreat those around me.”

Han Li sighed softly.

“Indeed, it’s possession…”

And most likely, he’s become a ghost cultivator!

Otherwise, his primordial spirit should have dissipated long ago!

Barbarian Beard pondered secretly.

No matter what Xiao Cha wanted to do with the Longevity Fruits, he only needed one finished Longevity Pill.

More than that, even if taken twice, would be useless.

“Okay. But, on the condition that I get a lot of Longevity Fruits.”

“Of course. Nobody complains about having too much lifespan.”

The cooperation agreement was reached.

As for whether there will be any changes later?

We’ll have to see.

“By the way, Brother Xiao, what did Qing Yi say?”

“Has he ever used Longevity Pills before?”

“Never heard of it.”

“Then let’s promise one Longevity Pill. You take the lead, he takes the second, and mine can be left for last. Any extras can be given to me. Also, if we take out a lot of ancient treasures from the Void Heaven Cauldron, we can give him one. Of course, he has to choose between the Longevity Pill and the ancient treasure. If he wants both, then we need him to help us deal with the three righteous people, Wan Tianming and his companion.”

Four against three, the advantage is in my hands.

After that, three against one.

The advantage is still in my hands.

“Don’t tell Qing Yi my identity for now.”

“Understood. So that we can give that brat Ji Yin a surprise, right?”

“Brother Man, you really understand me.”

“Hehehe…”

“Happy cooperation.”

“It must be happy.”

Even Wan Tianming couldn’t intercept their telepathic communication, let alone the others.

Soon, Qingyi Jushi also unconsciously glanced up in their direction.

Their eyes met, and everything was understood without words.

…

Joining forces with Barbarian Beard was a change in his plan made after much deliberation.

Originally, his plan to enter the Void Heaven Palace was to secretly follow and wait for the Nascent Soul cultivators from both the righteous and demonic paths to leave the fifth level before going up to pick up the scraps.

This plan, seemingly perfect, actually had many problems.

One was that the Nascent Soul cultivators from both the righteous and demonic paths wouldn’t give him a chance to time things.

Those old monsters weren’t stupid.

If they noticed a lone Core Formation cultivator going up to the third level or even entering the fourth level, they would realize his true cultivation level.

At that time, he would become the target of everyone ‘s

attacks, an outsider targeted by all six Nascent Soul cultivators from both the righteous and demonic paths.

Therefore,

rather than passively adapting at that time, it was better to join forces with Barbarian Beard earlier, and also bring Qingyi Jushi along.

And this was enough for him, as he had focused on reviewing the parts about Barbarian Beard in Xuan Gu’s memories.

Following the original trajectory, if Xuan Gu Shangren Xiao Cha could persuade the barbarian to join forces, why couldn’t he do the same here?

This time, the trial proved effective

, and quite effective .

…

Time quickly passed to the third day of the Void Heaven Palace.

At this moment, in the center of the garden’s eight white jade pavilions, in the most open area of the courtyard, a blinding white light suddenly shone on a bare stone slab.

“It’s here.”

This scene attracted everyone’s attention.

After the white light faded, a teleportation array appeared on the ground, identical in design to the one they had entered through.

The two elders of the Star Palace stepped forward again to inspect it:

“This teleportation array is the only path to the next level, the [Ice and Fire Path]. After you complete the teleportation, you will have some time to collect spiritual herbs and medicines as a reward for passing the first level…”

“If you feel the next level is too dangerous, you can teleport back here and wait for the Void Heaven Palace secret realm to end before returning together…”

(End of Chapter)