[{"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-965":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},2335891,4565,"Chapter 965","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-965",965,"\u003Cp>A flash of spiritual light in the distant sky, followed by a green rainbow two zhang long, shot swiftly across the hundred-li expanse of misty sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light vanished, revealing a young cultivator in a Confucian robe—Han Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carried a bamboo tube on his back, staring intently down at the sea mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet everything within his gaze was a blinding white haze, utterly obscuring any detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li raised his eyebrows; blue light flickered in his pupils. Moments later, his expression darkened sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Kuizhu Island truly has its secrets—even with Mingqing Spirit Eyes, I cannot fully pierce the seals below. The Ten Thousand Trees Array lives up to its reputation.” Han Li murmured to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally. But the Black Wind Feather from this island will enhance the power of your Seven Flame Fan another notch—this trip was unavoidable. Moreover, the Old Man of Kuizhu seems the perfect opponent to test your golem’s strength. A two-fold advantage.” A faint voice emerged from the bamboo tube, weaker than when the Spirit Lord first split his soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know. That’s why I came here the moment the golem was finished. But how long can you hold on?” Han Li asked, concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. With your Soul-Stilling Talisman aiding me, I won’t reincarnate until I’ve seen the golem’s true power.” The Great Expansion Spirit Lord chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li nodded, glanced down at the sea mist below, then suddenly narrowed his eyes and slapped a storage bag at his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of green light erupted, figures shifted, and a middle-aged cultivator, tall and pale-faced like Han Li, appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultivator wore a yellow robe, his skin like jade. Upon closer inspection, his face was identical to the miniature golem housing the Great Expansion Spirit Lord—but his eyes glowed with cold light, his expression icy, devoid of any smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had seen it many times before, Han Li still couldn’t help glancing at the golem the moment it appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chilin Soft Jade was truly wondrous; originally gray and dull, after being refined with the method taught by the Great Expansion Spirit Lord, its color instantly matched human skin, and once fully fused onto the golem’s outer shell—forged primarily from gang silver—a lifelike human took shape before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And due to Chilin Soft Jade’s ability to reshape freely, combined with a fragment of his own soul-spirit embedded within, the golem could now speak, change expressions, and move indistinguishably from a real person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the only drawback was spirit stone consumption. Such a high-grade golem could not be powered by ordinary mid-grade spirit stones—its full attacks drained them in mere strikes. Only high-grade spirit stones could sustain its maximum power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rarity of high-grade spirit stones needed no explanation. Since arriving in Da Jin, even after meticulously searching every marketplace, Han Li had gathered no more than a few pieces. If he unleashed the golem’s full power, each high-grade stone would last barely a quarter-hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Begin.” Han Li spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, now that the golem was complete, it had to be tested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golem raised both hands without hesitation, fingers slightly spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, pale green spiritual light gathered rapidly in his palms, forming two massive orbs the size of human heads—blindingly bright, radiating terrifying power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puff! Puff!” The golem’s wrists trembled slightly; the orbs shot downward as twin beams of light, vanishing instantly into the sea mist like stones swallowed by the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li watched the mist silently, expression unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, a deafening explosion erupted. The once-calm mist sea churned violently, then two wind columns, over a zhang thick, surged upward from within the mist, spinning wildly. The surrounding mist instantly cleared for a hundred zhang, as if a ferocious dragon had burst from the sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost as the wind columns appeared, a series of sharp, uneven shrieks rang out from below—filled with shock and fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li’s gaze swept downward through the mist. A massive island emerged faintly through the thinning mist, its surface covered by a pale green light barrier that nearly enveloped the entire landmass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, over a dozen beams of colored light shot from within the barrier, hurtling straight toward Han Li’s position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, his attack had alerted the island’s cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li instantly assessed them: their cultivation bases varied, some Foundation Establishment, others Core Formation—but their leader was a Core Formation late-stage cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you two? Why…? Wait—you’re both Senior Elders? What brings you to our island?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group had arrived before Han Li with hostile intent, but the leader’s spiritual sense swept over him and recognized Han Li as a Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator, equal to the Old Man of Kuizhu. Seeing the golem’s unidentifiable realm, his heart sank—he immediately softened his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve long heard of Elder Kuizhu’s name. I’ve come to pay a visit. Could you please inform him?” Han Li smiled without blinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How unfortunate. My master entered seclusion several years ago and no longer receives guests. If you have urgent business, perhaps you may tell me first—I can make some decisions on behalf of Kuizhu Island.” The leader blinked, then quickly bowed with a forced smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your master has entered seclusion? A pity. But if you can speak for the island, that will do. I’ve heard your island raises an ancient spiritual bird—the Black Phoenix. Is this true?” Han Li blinked, his expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Black Phoenix? What do you mean by that?” The leader’s heart tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing. I’m crafting a treasure and require three tail feathers from the Black Phoenix. I’m willing to trade three sixth-grade beast cores and one seventh-grade beast core for them.” Han Li spoke calmly, then swept his sleeve—four jade boxes floated out and hovered before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a casual flick of his fingers, the lids opened, revealing four beast cores of varying colors—one slightly larger, three smaller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feathers of the Black Phoenix?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li’s demand took the leader completely off guard—he stared, bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Your Black Phoenix is a seventh-grade spiritual bird. The number of beast cores I offer proves my sincerity in this trade.” Han Li’s smile vanished, replaced by solemnity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though the Black Phoenix is an ancient spiritual bird, these beast cores are more than sufficient for such a trade. But I’m afraid I cannot agree.” The old man’s face flickered between doubt and resolve, then he hesitantly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the reply, Han Li’s gaze turned icy. He stared at the man without speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Han Li’s hostile expression, the old man’s heart sank. He hurried to explain:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Elder, please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I refuse your face—it’s that our Black Phoenix is on the verge of breakthrough. Any loss of cultivation now would be catastrophic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see. But I must have those feathers. Very well—I’ll add another seventh-grade beast core. That should compensate your island’s loss.” Han Li paused, then frowned and flipped his palm—another jade box appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Kuizhu Island cultivators exchanged stunned glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So even this isn’t enough?” Han Li’s tone turned sinister, his icy gaze locking onto the group before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This matter is too grave. I cannot decide alone. Let me risk my master’s wrath—I’ll send a message to his seclusion chamber and see his response.” The leader shuddered under Han Li’s stare, glanced at the golem beside him, then finally gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his mismanagement drew a powerful enemy upon Kuizhu Island, he’d face severe punishment himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. I’ll wait.” Han Li nodded, his expression easing slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man indeed released a message talisman, clearly detailing the situation and Han Li’s offer—emphasizing Han Li’s and the golem’s terrifying cultivation levels, making his actions seem unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li didn’t wait long. As he stood with arms folded, studying the island’s aerial seals, a slow, ancient voice suddenly echoed from within the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So a Nascent Soul cultivator has come to visit. I’m sorry I couldn’t greet you in person. Please, both of you, proceed to the Welcome Phoenix Pavilion. I’ll emerge from seclusion shortly.” The voice was unmistakably the Old Man of Kuizhu—the first half addressed Han Li, the latter two directed at his disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master!” The old man bowed deeply toward the sky, then turned to Han Li with a beaming smile. “Senior Elders, please follow me. My master intends to meet you personally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Han Mou has long heard of your island’s fame and wished to see it for myself.” Han Li glanced once at the golem beside him, then nodded calmly. He and the golem descended with the cultivators into the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a golem rivaling Nascent Soul late-stage power, Han Li was certain—even if they activated the Ten Thousand Trees Array, they could never trap him. He had no fear of them turning hostile using terrain advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the group flew through a rift that split open in the light barrier and entered the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Han Li stepped inside, a rush of spiritual energy struck his face. Below him stretched a forest of towering, lush green trees—each easily thirty to forty zhang tall, diverse in species, rare beyond the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, a dozen trees towered far above the rest—strange purple-hued mulberry trees, scattered throughout the forest, arranged in patterns concealing the mysteries of heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are these the Heavenly Mulberry Trees of your island? I heard you had only one. Yet there are over a dozen!” Han Li frowned, suddenly turning to the old man beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man, meanwhile, had been sneaking glances at the golem, silently wondering why this “Senior Elder” remained silent and expressionless—was he just eccentric?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Web\u003C\u002Fp>",1606,"2026-06-20T21:12:49.722Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","65f1055875ecceba098b0aa6f25972d8b9c7d3bd6b6fe5b8eaf6d1b290a3ca9c","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-966","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-964",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-cover.jpg"]