[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality":3,"chapter-a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-954":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Mortal's Journey to Immortality",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2335880,4565,"Chapter 954","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-954",954,"\u003Cp>“That’s true. Even the Ye family, a cultivation clan, managed to forge a replica of a Heaven-Piercing Artifact. It’s entirely plausible that other major sects, with their long histories, still possess one as well.” After some thought, Han Li could only reluctantly admit this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be too disheartened. Even replicas require materials far from ordinary—most of which have vanished from this realm entirely. What remains today are fragments painstakingly gathered over countless years, barely enough to assemble a single set. Besides, aren’t you still holding a genuine Xu Tian Ding? If you can fully master this treasure, no one in this realm will be able to challenge you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fully master the Xu Tian Ding? That’s no easy feat. Without Soul Transformation cultivation, it’s merely a fantasy. But even without the Xu Tian Ding, once I attain Soul Transformation powers, I can roam the mortal realm unchallenged.” Han Li let out a bitter laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the Great Expansion Spirit Lord chuckled softly and said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the entire hall fell silent except for the figure of Bai Xia still explaining the Ping Shan Yin. Everyone else remained mute, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bai Xia figure presiding over the exchange naturally knew the momentum had been built sufficiently. He cleared his throat lightly and finally began explaining the bidding procedure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems no further explanation is needed—everyone already understands the value of this treasure. The Ye family has prepared a list of materials. Whoever provides the greatest total value of items on this list will receive the artifact. However, if the highest offer is clearly too low, it will be deemed invalid. Afterward, we will hold a second auction using spirit stones, with a starting price of three million.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the price of three million, even the seasoned cultivators present stirred uneasily, yet none voiced opposition. Though this sum equaled nearly half the spirit stone reserves of a mid-sized sect, it was still reasonable compared to the artifact’s true worth. In actual bidding, the price could easily rise several times over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Han Li heard this price, his heart chilled. A strange thought suddenly surfaced: if he were to auction off his Demon Marrow Drills, how much could he fetch? Probably not little at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the two were hardly comparable. He had researched the so-called demonic treasure, Demon Dragon Blade, and knew it had been forged only once in ancient times. Legend claimed its wielder had slain a Soul Transformation cultivator with it—its power seemingly on par with a Heaven-Piercing Artifact. But the Demon Dragon Blade was a true magic treasure, still brimming with untapped potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet two or three Demon Marrow Drills were nowhere near enough to forge such a blade. Used merely as spiritual pills to absorb their refined demonic essence, their value dropped drastically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Han Li pondered these scattered thoughts, the old man with the black crown pulled out a jade slip and began reading aloud the materials listed upon it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s voice was quiet, yet every cultivator in the hall heard him clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All cultivators listened intently. Han Li, however, paid only half attention, showing no intention to compete for the artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t because he wasn’t tempted—it was simply because he knew his limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an outsider, no matter how wealthy he was, he could never outbid the established sects of Da Jin. Treasures capable of shifting the balance of power among major sects were no longer within the reach of individuals or minor factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, how could the Ye family, the foremost clan in the realm, willingly put the Ping Shan Yin up for auction?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They likely did so under pressure from other powerful factions, sacrificing wealth to avoid disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening to several materials, Han Li became even more certain of this conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man wasn’t listing rare items like Five Element Jade or Geng Essence—things nearly impossible to find. Instead, he named materials that, while valuable, were standard stockpiles held by every major sect. Clearly, the Ye family, unwilling to lose entirely, hoped to force every sect into a costly outlay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, Han Li briefly considered, then rose abruptly and walked toward the hall’s exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an action naturally drew immediate attention. Many cultivators who had noticed his two Demon Marrow Drills earlier turned to stare, surprised and puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li ignored them all, walking calmly toward the entrance. Just as he was about to step into the faintly glowing barrier, a voice suddenly whispered into his ear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Han, why leave so soon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiar voice belonged to the Fu elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li paused slightly, then whispered back with barely moving lips:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve become the target of everyone here. If I don’t leave now, I’ll invite serious trouble. I haven’t forgotten your matter, Master Fu. If it’s not urgent, perhaps in a few years, after I’ve forged a certain treasure, we can discuss it further?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My matter isn’t urgent. But Master Han, you’ve kept me in the dark. You possess the ultimate treasure, Demon Marrow Drills, yet revealed not a word. No wonder the Yin Luo Sect chased you so relentlessly. Very well—four years from now, meet me in Chao Yun Prefecture, Southern Frontier. I’ll also invite several other cultivators to meet us at Shuang Xie Mountain. I guarantee: though I’ll need your help, it will greatly benefit you as well.” The Fu elder spoke without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three years? That’s soon enough. I’ll be there. For now, farewell.” Han Li finished speaking, then stepped into the barrier without another glance back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of white light—and Han Li vanished completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, Han Li shot out from the underground exchange’s entrance as a green streak, circled once above the ravine, then shot eastward without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments after Han Li’s departure, several cultivators quietly rose from their seats and hurriedly left the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most others, torn between their desire for the Ping Shan Yin and the risks of pursuing Han Li, weighed their options and chose to remain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, while Han Li’s Five Element Jade and other treasures were rare, they were already being watched. Chasing them now would only invite conflict with other cultivators—not worth the risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flying a thousand li without pause, as his light passed near a mountain peak, a dragon-like sword cry suddenly rang from within Han Li’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li’s face darkened instantly—he halted his flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew a deep breath, his gaze slicing through the air like a blade. With a flick of his sleeve, dozens of golden swords surged forth, swirling densely above his head, radiating terrifying energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your presence is revealed. Why hide? Show yourself.” Han Li’s eyes glowed blue, fixed on an empty space beside him, his voice cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh! No wonder you slew my main soul—you’re unusually sharp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of black light appeared where Han Li stared—and a young man with a face nearly identical to Han Li’s materialized. He wore the same green robe, his features ordinary, yet his pupils shimmered with strange black-and-purple light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him, Han Li’s heart sank, though he’d expected this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s really you. How did you find me?” Han Li said gravely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you know who I am. Your swords are remarkably sentient—they warned you instinctively. As for finding you so quickly, I didn’t expect it either. Seems my luck still holds.” The youth studied Han Li for a moment, then spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My two swords are on you. If I still didn’t know who you are, I’d be an idiot.” Han Li’s expression remained blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct. Your swords are here.” The Ancient Demon’s fragment spoke indifferently, raising his hand. In his palm, two tiny golden swords trembled violently, straining to fly toward Han Li—but were bound tightly by layers of black threads, unable to move an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your swords were forged from Golden Thunder Bamboo—so were the others, I assume. To have so much Golden Thunder Bamboo is unbelievable. No wonder my main soul couldn’t subdue you and ended up dead. His death at your hands may have spared me from being consumed… yet also doomed me to never regain my full power from the Demon Realm. Tell me—should I thank you… or kill you?” The Ancient Demon’s fragment wore a half-smile, speaking with chilling calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t sneak here just to chat with me.” Han Li fell silent for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether I came to chat depends on your attitude. If you tell me how you acquired so much Golden Thunder Bamboo, I might spare you. Otherwise, I’ll extract your Nascent Soul and search your memories myself.” The Ancient Demon’s fragment glanced at the two swords in his hand, speaking lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li’s expression didn’t change, but his lips twitched slightly. He exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wanting to kill me and being able to kill me are two different things. I have no interest in chatting or revealing secrets. I’d rather test your power against my memory of your main soul’s. If I recall correctly, last time in Tiannan, you were severely wounded. I don’t believe you’ve fully recovered in such a short time.” Han Li narrowed his eyes, his tone icy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would never consider revealing the secret of the small vial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was going to let you speak a few last words. Since you refuse to cooperate, there’s no need.” The Ancient Demon’s fragment’s killing intent surged. His face twisted with ferocity, his black-and-purple eyes blazing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li’s heart tightened. Instantly, the golden swords above him formed a shimmering golden shield before him. His other hand flipped—and the spirit beast pouch containing the Golden Insect Swarm appeared in his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Net\u003C\u002Fp>",1622,"2026-06-20T21:12:49.722Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3760770c8265d9ad4a6b2c1f244b888d6c2174a848ea9c40a5d7643ac925a329","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-955","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-953",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-cover.jpg"]