Chapter 966

“Senior, you don’t know—these Tian Sang divine trees all grew from the same root; they are essentially one single divine tree.” This was no secret, and the elder explained without concealment.

“So that’s how it is. I’ve long heard the Tian Sang divine tree ranks just below the Three Divine Trees, but I never imagined it looked like this—it truly opens my eyes.” Han Li exclaimed in wonder.

As Han Li followed the cultivator down toward a patch that appeared to be trees, the spiritual energy around them suddenly rippled, his vision blurred, and the scenery changed drastically.

Before his eyes appeared a small mountain hundreds of zhang tall, and around it, numerous pavilions and jade terraces of varying sizes had been built, with cultivators constantly coming and going.

“You may all disperse and attend to your duties. I’ll escort these two seniors myself.” At this, the elder waved his hand toward the other cultivators and gave orders.

Upon hearing this, the other cultivators immediately bowed and departed.

Han Li and the golem followed the elder straight toward the mountain’s peak, where a wooden hall, built from massive logs and of considerable size, stood.

Outside the hall’s entrance stood four cultivators clad in green armor, each holding an identical long halberd.

The elder landed directly at the entrance of the wooden hall with Han Li and the golem. The four guards remained expressionless and motionless, like puppets.

Han Li’s lips curled slightly; he felt a flicker of surprise.

Although these four individuals had only Foundation Establishment cultivation, their wood spiritual energy was far purer than that of ordinary cultivators of the same level. Moreover, Han Li instantly recognized that both their armor and halberds were top-grade wood-element magic treasures—truly peculiar.

As if sensing Han Li’s astonishment, the elder smiled and volunteered an explanation:

“These are my master’s personally trained Wood Spirit Guards, cultivators who specialize in a unique cultivation method empowered by the Tian Sang divine tree. Though their cultivation levels are low, they excel in coordinated attacks. If you have the chance, Senior, perhaps you might offer some guidance.”

“Hmm, indeed vastly different from ordinary cultivators.” Han Li nodded.

Seeing Han Li’s indifferent expression, the elder naturally chose not to press further.

The wooden hall’s structure was simple: besides a main hall, there was only one side chamber. Thus, as soon as Han Li and the others entered the main hall, they spotted a tall figure standing with his back to them, clad in a green robe, his hair as white as snow.

The moment the elder saw this figure, his expression changed drastically—he bowed deeply, then silently stepped aside, standing with hands clasped.

“Are you the Old Man of Bitter Bamboo?” Han Li stared unblinkingly at the figure’s back.

“Correct. I am Ku Zhu. Your faces are unfamiliar—are you cultivators from the inland? May I ask your names?” The green-robed man let out a long laugh, then turned around.

Han Li narrowed his eyes: the white-haired man had rosy lips, white teeth, clear brows, and delicate features—like a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old boy, save for a faint green aura hovering over his face.

Seeing this, Han Li was naturally startled.

This Old Man of Bitter Bamboo, like himself, could preserve his youthful appearance—something Han Li had never expected. He had assumed he’d meet a wrinkled old man.

Though the Old Man of Bitter Bamboo smiled, his eyes flickered with a hint of surprise the moment he saw Han Li’s face.

“We are not from the seas. I am Han, and this is my senior brother, Li. We’ve come uninvited; I hope you won’t take offense.” Han Li spoke politely.

“Not at all! You two are no ordinary cultivators—your arrival is a great honor. This Master Li’s cultivation is profoundly mysterious—I cannot even discern his realm! Truly, this opens my eyes.” The island master glanced between Han Li and the golem, then suddenly smiled.

Clearly, the island master mistook Han Li’s golem for a Nascent Soul cultivator practicing some mysterious technique, and was deeply astonished.

“You are too modest. Your name, Old Man of Bitter Bamboo, is well known to us.” Han Li smiled faintly.

“Heh, please, sit and try our island’s unique Sangwood tea first.” The Old Man of Bitter Bamboo smiled gently and invited Han Li and the golem to sit.

Immediately after two crisp claps, several young female cultivators entered the hall carrying tea trays, pouring each of the three a pot of pale green spiritual tea, then bowed respectfully and withdrew.

“Sangwood tea—is this tea made from the Tian Sang divine tree?” Han Li glanced at the tea on the table, sensing its abundant wood spiritual energy, and asked with interest.

“Sharp-eyed as ever, Senior. This tea is indeed brewed from the spiritual leaves of the Tian Sang divine tree—it clears the eyes and calms the spirit. Outside this island, there is surely no other place that produces it.” The Old Man of Bitter Bamboo spoke with a touch of pride.

“Then I must truly taste it.” Han Li’s eyes flickered as he carefully scanned the tea with his spiritual sense, confirmed it held no hidden dangers, then picked up the cup and took a small sip.

“Master Li, don’t you like this tea?”

The golem sat motionless, not touching the tea cup at all. The Old Man of Bitter Bamboo asked in surprise.

“Since I began Grain Grain Bigu, I never consume anything outside my own cultivation chamber.” The golem replied coldly, with not a hint of courtesy.

“I see. My apologies for the oversight.” The Old Man of Bitter Bamboo’s eyes flickered with displeasure, but he concealed it well—it vanished instantly.

A cultivator bold enough to speak so bluntly before his host must have some strong backing. Could this man truly be a Nascent Soul cultivator of late stage?

With this thought, the Old Man of Bitter Bamboo grew even more wary of the golem.

“Our purpose—you likely already know something of it. What is your opinion of the deal I proposed?” Han Li set down his cup after only two or three sips and asked calmly.

“To be honest, this deal puts me in a difficult position. That black phoenix is at a critical stage of advancement. Even if you offered me more demon core pills, I still wouldn’t trade the feather. Otherwise, when this spiritual bird next breaks through its bottleneck, it might be decades or centuries away.”

“So you refuse this deal.” Han Li pursed his lips, yet showed no sign of surprise.

“Heh, if I outright refused, I suspect you two wouldn’t leave empty-handed. Here’s an idea: among cultivators, strength decides all. I’ll challenge you both to a martial exchange. If one of you can defeat me in combat, I’ll agree to your deal. If you fail…”

“If we fail, my brother Li and I will leave immediately and never mention this again.” Han Li replied without hesitation.

“Good. It’s been nearly a century since I last sparred with anyone. Which of you will step forward?” The Old Man of Bitter Bamboo glanced between Han Li and the golem, a half-smile on his face.

“If you don’t mind, let me spar with Master Li.” Han Li’s expression remained unchanged; the golem, under Han Li’s mental control, spoke calmly.

“Very well. I’m curious about Master Li’s cultivation method. Let’s move to the sky above the peak. After you.” Seeing the one he couldn’t read was stepping forward, the Old Man of Bitter Bamboo’s face grew serious. He rose from his chair.

Han Li and the golem rose as well.

The elder, who had been standing silently beside them, now couldn’t help but show an excited expression. The battle of Nascent Soul cultivators was not something anyone could witness often.

Moments later, Han Li hovered calmly over a hundred zhang above the peak. Before him, dozens of zhang away, stood the golem and the Old Man of Bitter Bamboo.

Nearby, seven or eight Core Formation cultivators had arrived, drawn by the commotion, their eyes wide as they stared at the aerial scene.

“Go!”

The Old Man of Bitter Bamboo uttered a low command, his hands formed a seal, and suddenly, a hundred dazzling green rays shot out from every part of his body. As soon as they appeared, they grew rapidly with the wind—within moments, over a hundred pale green flying swords materialized, radiating terrifying momentum.

After a flash of swordlight, all the swords arranged themselves into a strange formation, circling above the Old Man of Bitter Bamboo’s head, concealing a chilling lethal intent.

Seeing this, Han Li’s calm expression froze.

“A sword array—this Old Man of Bitter Bamboo cultivates so many flying swords, and indeed understands sword array techniques.” Han Li had suspected as much, but seeing it firsthand still startled him.

“Heh, Han kid, this fellow seems to have real skill. This should let the golem reveal more of its abilities. First, let’s test its defensive capacity.” The Great Expansion Divine Lord’s voice came, excited—clearly, he had full confidence in the golem’s powers.

“Understood.”

Han Li, having invested so many rare materials into this golem, also had high expectations. With a thought, the golem moved.

From afar, the golem opened its mouth and spat out a palm-sized shield. With a flash of spiritual light, it expanded into a massive silver shield blocking its front. Then, the golem formed a seal with both hands—five-colored runes suddenly appeared on its face, followed by a five-colored barrier emerging from the runes, fully encasing its body.

“Huh! Are you from the Poison Saint Sect of the Southern Frontier? This technique resembles their famed Spirit Mark Art?” The Old Man of Bitter Bamboo stared at the golem’s face, startled.

“No.” Though Han Li’s heart stirred at this, he had the golem reply expressionlessly.

“Oh? Then I misjudged. But your technique looks remarkably like Spirit Mark Art.” The Old Man of Bitter Bamboo’s eyes flickered with suspicion; his tone grew cooler, clearly doubting the golem’s answer.

He did not press further, but seeing the golem assume a defensive stance without any offensive move, he felt a pang of irritation—almost as if he’d been underestimated. His face darkened, and he muttered a few low incantations.

The flying swords above him responded with a resonant hum. All at once, they trembled, and over a hundred sword qi, each several zhang long, erupted from the array, transforming into a dense, interwoven storm of blade shadows that surged toward the opponent, merging into a single blinding, icy glare.

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