Chapter 2482

At an altitude of several thousand zhang, hundreds of "righteous and demonic" cultivators were also divided into two groups, fighting desperately.

One side was filled with killing intent, countless ghostly apparitions conjured forth, while the other side had set up several small spell formations, various magical artifacts and treasures, the thunderous roar of lightning and fire shaking the heavens.

Among these cultivators, the highest cultivation level was only two gold-core cultivators, while the rest were mostly at the foundation establishment stage.

"Indeed, the upheaval of the Great Jin is closely related to these sects getting involved. No matter which side ends up laughing last, the Great Jin imperial clan will likely have to change their surname." On a white cloud higher up, Han Li surveyed the battle below, yet sighed with some emotion.

Everything he had experienced in the Great Jin back then still felt as vivid as yesterday, though in reality, thousands of years had passed—let alone the old acquaintances of that time, even the once-familiar sects might have largely disappeared.

The so-called "righteous and demonic cultivators'" fighting methods down below were naturally not worth Han Li's glance now.

He merely lingered nearby for a moment, then silently made a hand seal and vanished without a sound or trace from the white cloud.

……

In a forbidden land in the southern borders of the Great Jin, layered with heavy restrictions, squads of cultivators dressed in various sect attire patrolled regularly at the foot of a towering, pitch-black mountain.

The entire forbidden zone had already been sealed with extremely powerful sky-blocking restrictions; aside from the Nascent Soul old ancestors, the top existences of the mortal realm, these guards need not worry about anyone directly entering the mountain from the air.

Although this mountain had once caused tremendous disturbances, even leading to the fall of many high-level cultivators, and thus was jointly sealed and guarded by several major sects, after thousands of years, any remaining treasures inside had long been dug out completely, so there would hardly be any high-level existence left with designs on this mountain.

Thus, while these sect cultivators appeared to be guarding strictly, in reality they were distracted, merely going through the motions.

Under these circumstances, a faint phantom flashed past, ignoring the heavy restrictions and the squads of guards, and vanished into the black mountain.

Half an hour later, at a height of over a hundred zhang above the mountain's peak, Han Li flickered into existence, sweeping his gaze downward over the mountain.

With his immense spiritual sense, even if the mountain still retained many remaining restrictions, they could not hinder him in the slightest as he instantly surveyed every corner of the mountain.

Upon seeing some places that were somewhat familiar yet not quite, Han Li's face showed a hint of complex emotion.

"Since Kunwu Mountain is now a place where things remain but people are gone, there's no need to stay here any longer—I'll send you back to oblivion."

After muttering these words, Han Li's figure suddenly flickered, transforming into a green streak that shot straight into the sky.

Shortly after, the mountain's peak violently trembled, and a gigantic green hand, a thousand zhang long, appeared out of nowhere, then fiercely slammed down upon the mountain below.

A thunderous roar like the earth shaking and mountains trembling echoed in the sky; instantly, countless restriction lights were triggered, and waves of intense spatial fluctuations rippled outward.

The entire mountain vanished as if it had never been there.

Only an incredibly deep, enormous pit remained in its original place.

This scene was naturally witnessed clearly by the patrolling sect cultivators nearby, who stared in disbelief, as if questioning whether they were dreaming.

Not long after, some Nascent Soul old monsters alarmed by this event hurried over.

But after searching the area, aside from discovering some residual traces of spatial power nearby, they could likewise find no trace of Kunwu Mountain's whereabouts, only able to leave in puzzled frustration.

Afterwards, this incident once became one of the Great Jin's ten most incredible legends, with matters concerning Kunwu Mountain once again being discussed by countless cultivators.

But as time passed, the related rumors gradually faded; after another ten thousand years, only scattered references to Kunwu Mountain could be found in some ancient texts.

……

On the giant island where the Sacred City of Tianxing in the Chaotic Star Sea is located, the place is now bustling with extraordinary liveliness, countless large and small ships swarming toward the island like ants.

Foundation establishment and core formation cultivators appearing in the city are innumerable; occasionally, one or two mounts of Nascent Soul old ancestors can be seen flashing through the city's upper air, heading straight for the Star Palace at the very top.

Today is the thousandth birthday of the Star Palace's master, "Ling Laozu"; powers big and small across the Star Sea have been preparing their grand gifts for over a decade, hoping to gain the favor of this Ling Laozu so their forces may continue to thrive under the Star Palace's protection.

By noon, in the Star Palace's main hall, dozens of Nascent Soul cultivators had gathered, all looking with respectful expressions at the white-robed, lovely young woman seated in the place of honor.

This woman's face is like white jade, her beauty exceptionally charming; yet a pair of beautiful eyes hides faint crystalline light, and wherever her gaze sweeps, the Nascent Soul old ancestors present all lower their heads in respect.

As the sole early-stage Soul Transformation cultivator in the Chaotic Star Sea, plus her status as Star Palace master, this Ling Palace Master indeed has the qualification to look down upon all cultivators.

"The time is about right; let the ceremony begin." After some maid-dressed female cultivators served spiritual fruit tea to each Nascent Soul cultivator, this "Ling Palace Master" spoke lightly.

Naturally, someone below immediately responded, preparing to relay the order.

But just then, a faint male voice came from outside the hall.

"Hehe, it seems Han Mou has arrived just in time. An old friend has come from afar; I suppose Ling Xianzi won't even offer a cup of water or wine?" As the words fell, a figure flickered outside the hall door—an ordinary-looking man in a green robe, smiling slightly, walked in.

Yet when the Nascent Soul cultivators in the hall scanned him with their spiritual sense, they found not the slightest trace of spiritual power on him—he seemed merely an ordinary mortal.

"You are…… impossible, how could you possibly still be in this realm?" The originally composed "Ling Palace Master," upon hearing the male voice, showed a hint of surprise on her face; when the green-robed man walked directly into the hall and she saw his face clearly, she suddenly jumped up in alarm, her voice even trembling slightly.

"It's nothing; I merely have some matters entangling me, so I had to come down for a trip. As for you, Xianzi, after not seeing each other for so many years, you've actually advanced to the Soul Transformation realm—truly a cause for celebration." The green-robed man naturally was Han Li; he smiled faintly and said to Ling Yuling.

"Everyone, withdraw; I wish to speak privately with this old friend." After Ling Yuling's expression shifted several times, she suddenly spoke coldly, issuing the order.

Although the Nascent Soul cultivators in the hall were mostly bewildered, unaware of Han Li's origins, upon hearing this they dared not defy, and all rose to take their leave.

In the blink of an eye, the entire hall was left with only Han Li and Ling Yuling.

"Daoist Han, you truly come from the Spirit Realm." After everyone had left, Ling Yuling immediately activated a certain restriction in the hall, completely isolating the interior from the outside world, then stepped down from her seat, asking with mixed surprise and joy.

"Indeed, I have come from the lower realm, but this matter involves a long story; we can discuss it slowly. After so many years away from the mortal realm, I likewise have some things I need to inquire of you, this Star Palace Master." Han Li smiled slightly, speaking calmly and without haste.

"Rest assured, Brother Han, although I haven't ventured out much in the Chaotic Star Sea these past years, I am equally well-informed about other places in the mortal realm. Brother Han, feel free to ask whatever you wish." Ling Yuling finally came to her senses from the shock, her expression turning complex as she spoke.

"If that is the case, then naturally it is best. This time I came down, seeking out the old acquaintances—besides you, Daoist Ling, I have not seen a single one of my former acquaintances. The things I wish to know are not many; they mostly concern people from the past." Han Li also revealed a hint of sentimental expression.

Thus, the Star Palace Master and Han Li remained in the hall for half a day.

When the restriction enveloping the hall dissipated with a muffled sound, a piercing green streak shot up from within, carrying a faint, lingering voice.

"Daoist Ling, I hope we may meet again in the Spirit Realm."

Following a flash of遁光, the green streak vanished completely into the void.

In the hall, Ling Yuling remained seated, but held a jade slip in her hand, her face faintly showing an expression of extreme excitement.

At the same time, Han Li had already departed far beyond ten thousand li from Tianxing City, silently pondering in the green light the things Ling Yuling had told him.

The island where he and Nan Nangong Wan had once left their mark in the Chaotic Star Sea had long since become a major base of a considerable force in the Star Sea, whose leaders were actually several descendants of his former disciple Tian Qiner, whose cultivation levels were roughly around late core formation to early Nascent Soul, which could barely be counted as his grand-disciple generation, and furthermore, one of them was among the Nascent Soul cultivators congratulating Ling Yuling.

Merely, upon learning that these nominal "grand-disciples" had developed exceptionally smoothly under Ling Yuling's deliberate care, encountering no problems, Han Li also lost the desire to meet them again.

As for Tian Qiner herself, she had, over two thousand years ago, attempted to break through to the Soul Transformation realm by forcefully enduring the tribulation, but failed and turned to ashes; fortunately, she had made some prior arrangements, so her soul should not have completely perished, and there should still be a chance for reincarnation.

As for Shi Jian, who inherited the position of sect leader of the Qianzhu Sect in the extreme western lands, another of his disciples, he perished in mutual destruction with a powerful enemy during the Nascent Soul stage; however, his disciples did not inherit the Dao lineage of the Dayan Shenjun, but rather, in recent years, have become even more flourishing.

As for the Huang Feng Valley and Luoyun Sect, these two sects, which had deep ties with him, after thousands of years, have developed into completely different situations.

Although the Yellow Maple Valley was barely holding on back then, over these thousands of years, fortune turned in its favor, and it consecutively accepted several "genius disciples," most of whom cultivated to the Nascent Soul stage, causing the Yellow Maple Valley to rise abruptly—not only surpassing its former prestige but also becoming a major sect in Tiannan.

Although the Falling Cloud Sect had a substantial foundation laid by Han Li, after his ascension, the subsequent Nascent Soul elders suffered the consecutive fall of geniuses, and with no Nascent Soul elders appearing for over a thousand years, it degenerated into a third-rate sect in the Yunmeng Mountain Range, long since expelled from the ranks of the three major sects.

Even the former great sects like the Ancient Sword Sect and the Hundred Skills Institute were largely replaced by newly emerged sects.

Upon hearing this news, Han Li, despite knowing that Ling Yuling would not deceive him in this regard, was genuinely stunned for a long time, and could only bitterly smile and accept it in the end.

(Hehe, Mortal is about to conclude soon, so everyone better prepare themselves mentally!)