Chapter 183: First Meeting with Han Li

"Master, the Three Sects Sword Trial Competition of our Yunmeng Mountain is in half a month. I wonder if Master could stay a while longer to watch and offer some guidance."

Song Yu, who had been receiving guidance from Yan Taibai for quite some time, showed a hint of hesitation on her beautiful face, but her bright eyes were filled with anticipation.

"Your Three Sects' sword trial competition—is there some problem with it?"

Seeing this, Yan Taibai raised an eyebrow and asked in pursuit.

He remembered that it was precisely during the Three Sects' sword trial competition that the Righteous and Demonic paths had caused the three sects to suffer heavy losses, and the Spirit Eye Tree had almost been snatched away.

However, now that because of him, the Heavenly Dao Alliance had become the number one power in the Tiannan Cultivation World, surely the Righteous Alliance of Fengdu Kingdom and the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects would not dare to make a move against the Yunmeng Three Sects to seize the Spirit Eye Tree and the Alcoholic Liquid, attempting to resurrect the Mysterious Heaven Immortal Vine.

And thinking of this Mysterious Heaven Immortal Vine, he was indeed somewhat interested.

"Reporting to Master, news has come from the sect that this time, the Righteous Alliance of Fengdu Kingdom and the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects are likely plotting against our three sects' holy tree, the Spirit Eye Tree, one of the three great divine trees."

Song Yu's expression was quite solemn yet still filled with anticipation.

"The Spirit Eye Tree—they really dare to think big. Since that is the case, I will stay and watch! It just so happens I can give them another lesson. However, I require one Dingling Pill and a section of the Spirit Eye Tree's root; this should not be a problem, right?"

Yan Taibai nodded slightly and put forward the conditions he wanted.

"Master, please rest assured, this is not a problem at all."

Hearing this, Song Yu bowed respectfully and, on behalf of their Yunmeng Three Sects, agreed directly.

After all, using one Dingling Pill and a section of the Spirit Eye Tree's root to exchange for the help of Yan Taibai, the number one person in the Tiannan Cultivation World, to deal with the Righteous Alliance of Fengdu Kingdom and the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects—

This transaction was one that the Nascent Soul cultivators of their Yunmeng Three Sects would certainly not refuse.

Compared to the three sects' holy tree, the Spirit Eye Tree, a mere Dingling Pill and a section of the Spirit Eye Tree's root were nothing at all.

"Good, when does your Three Sects Sword Trial Competition begin?"

Seeing Song Yu agree without hesitation, Yan Taibai, in a great mood, asked again.

"Reporting to Master, in half a year. During this period, we three sects still need to select the disciples who will participate. Therefore, we need some time."

Song Yu parted her cherry lips and answered truthfully.

"So that's how it is. Then get me an identity; I will sneak in and take a look. Perhaps I can find the people sent by the Righteous Alliance of Fengdu Kingdom and the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects. If I can resolve it ahead of time, I will do my best to help you solve it."

After hearing Song Yu's words, Yan Taibai thought for a moment and said something that took Song Yu by surprise.

"This..."

"Is this not somewhat inappropriate? This disciple is worried that there may be disciples in the sect who do not know Master's identity and offend you. At that time, it would not be good."

Song Yu was almost shocked out of her wits by Yan Taibai's request; she had never imagined that Yan Taibai would propose such an unbelievable request. "It is fine, I am not that petty. Besides, with you there, who would offend me, right?"

Yan Taibai chuckled and shook his head, not caring at all.

It was not that his playful heart had been stirred, but rather that he wanted to see if he could encounter Han Li.

After all, within Huangfeng Valley, after he had people investigate, a disciple named Han Li had indeed appeared.

It was just that, because of the invasion of the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects, he had gone missing.

Therefore, Yan Taibai wanted to see if he might be at the Luoyun Sect.

After all, in the Chaotic Star Sea, there had been no news found regarding "Han Li" to this day.

As for why he wanted to investigate Han Li, it was not that he wanted the Heavenly Sky Bottle, but rather that he wanted to meet him.

After all, so many years had passed, and he had never met "Han Li".

"Good, this matter, this disciple will resolve as soon as possible. Master, please rest assured."

After hearing Yan Taibai's words, Song Yu did not say anything more and agreed directly.

This was naturally a huge piece of good news for the Luoyun Sect, as well as the Baiqiao Academy and the Ancient Sword Sect.

"Fine, then I will wait here for your news."

Hearing this, Yan Taibai nodded with a satisfied expression and smiled.

"Yes! This disciple will go and ask right now if there are any plans to recruit disciples within the sect during this period."

Seeing this, Song Yu also smiled beautifully and agreed.

"This disciple takes her leave; Master, please wait a moment."

After respectfully bidding farewell to Yan Taibai, her master, Song Yu left her pavilion directly and activated the formation Restriction to prevent other female disciples of White Phoenix Peak from entering the pavilion and discovering Yan Taibai.

That would not be a good thing.

After Song Yu left, Yan Taibai sat down to the side, took out some spirit tea, and began to sip the tea by himself while waiting for Song Yu's news.

The largest mountain of the Luoyun Sect was the main peak of Six Wonders Peak, standing three to four thousand zhang tall. Situated among several peaks, it looked like stars surrounding the moon, overlooking the other five peaks of the Luoyun Sect.

Moreover, this main peak was shrouded in pale purple mountain mist from the waist up, hazy and filled with an indescribable mysterious color.

At this moment, after Song Yu entered the main hall of the main peak, she told the Luoyun Sect Master that she wanted to recruit some disciples to do some work. This time, there was no restriction on gender, so she asked the Luoyun Sect Master to release the news.

Among their Xi Country's Yunmeng Three Sects, the Ancient Sword Sect had the most powerful strength, but the requirements for the aptitude of the disciples they recruited were not only extremely high, but in most cases, they recruited from affiliated cultivation families. They only occasionally recruited disciples from the outside.

Furthermore, this Ancient Sword Sect was extremely skilled in sword control techniques; whether it was magic tools or Dharma Treasures, they were all various types of large and small swords. Their sect's ultimate technique, the "Tai Bai Sword Art," was even more famous throughout Xi Country and was extremely sharp.

That was why the requirements for disciple aptitude were so high.

At the same time, as long as Ancient Sword Sect disciples achieved success in their cultivation, relying on the super-strong offensive nature of sword cultivators, cultivators of the same rank were often no match for them. Therefore, it was the most powerful of the three sects and thus occupied the main mountain range of Yunmeng Mountain.

It was also one of the several important sects of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, second only to the Mingluan Sect and the Yanyue Sect.

Its status in the entire Tiannan Cultivation World was extraordinary.

As for the Baiqiao Academy, it basically only recruited disciples who had connections or were from affiliated cultivation families.

Unless a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, Golden Core Stage cultivator, or even a Nascent Soul cultivator of the Baiqiao Academy personally recruited disciples outside, otherwise, it was very difficult for a cultivator who was not from an affiliated cultivation family to join the Baiqiao Academy.

Especially since this sect was essentially controlled by a coalition of the five most powerful cultivator families, occupying a mountain range in the western part of Yunmeng Mountain.

As for the Luoyun Sect, its requirements for recruiting disciples from the outside could be considered the most lenient.

As long as the Spirit Root aptitude was decent and the potential was good, the Luoyun Sect, like other sects, was very happy to accept them.

Or, if they had a certain foundation in cultivation and had practiced basic cultivation methods to a relatively high level, even if their Spirit Root was poor, they would still be accepted. As for the reason, it was related to the Luoyun Sect's many miscellaneous studies, which required a large number of low-level disciples to drive them so that they could continue.

And this was the reason Yan Taibai wanted Song Yu to help arrange an identity.

After all, he felt that the Yunmeng Three Sects, especially the Luoyun Sect, certainly had more than just infiltrating Qi Refining Stage cultivators; there must be Golden Core Stage cultivators.

Therefore, it was not yet appropriate to directly reveal his identity to others in the Luoyun Sect, especially high-level cultivators above the Golden Core Stage.

In any case, he did not have much to do right now, and helping the Yunmeng Three Sects once was not a big deal for him. If the Spirit Eye Tree of the Yunmeng Three Sects were truly seized by the Righteous Alliance and the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects, it would be a significant loss for the entire Heavenly Dao Alliance.

Therefore, Yan Taibai could not bear to see that happen.

Inside the Luoyun Sect's deliberation hall.

"Junior Sister Song, how many disciples do you want to recruit?"

The Luoyun Sect Master was not very surprised after hearing Song Yu's request to recruit disciples.

After all, the Luoyun Sect would recruit some rogue cultivators from the outside every once in a while.

And most rogue cultivators in the Xi Country, especially those who had a certain foundation and whose aptitude was not too bad, hoped most of all to join the Luoyun Sect and gain a decent backer.

Although the overall strength of the Luoyun Sect was not as good as the Ancient Sword Sect and the Baiqiao Academy, by relying on numerous miscellaneous arts and the refining method of the Dingling Pill, it joined forces with the other two sects to occupy the entire Yunmeng Three Sects, a spiritual vein land that could be considered a cultivation holy land when looking at the entire Tiannan Cultivation World.

"More than ten! It would be best if their aptitude is better, not too poor," Song Yu thought for a moment and said.

"Good, then let's do it tomorrow! At that time, I will arrange for disciples to issue the recruitment notice to the entire Xi Country cultivation world."

Upon hearing this, the Luoyun Sect Master nodded and agreed.

"Then many thanks, Senior Brother."

Seeing this, Song Yu also breathed a sigh of relief; naturally, the sooner this matter was handled, the better.

"It's fine, anyway, there isn't much time left until the next recruitment of disciples, so we might as well do it together."

The Luoyun Sect Master explained with a smile.

"Good, since there is nothing else, this younger sister will take her leave and return. If there is anything, Senior Brother, just send a voice transmission."

Song Yu stood up, performed a curtsy, and said.

"Hmm! I know, Junior Sister, go back and cultivate! In the entire sect, you have the highest probability of forming a Nascent Soul in the future, so you must not delay your cultivation. If you have any needs, just speak up or send a disciple to come. There is no need to come in person."

The Luoyun Sect Master sighed with emotion.

"This younger sister understands, Senior Brother, please rest assured, this younger sister will definitely not delay cultivation time. This younger sister takes her leave."

Song Yu performed another slight bow and smiled beautifully.

There was indeed no problem with what the Luoyun Sect Master said; everyone in the Luoyun Sect, and even the Baiqiao Academy and the Ancient Sword Sect, knew it well.

After all, for a thousand years, Song Yu was the only Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator to form a Golden Core before the age of one hundred.

And in the entire Tiannan Cultivation World, as long as one did not fall prematurely, the probability of forming a Nascent Soul reached almost seventy or eighty percent.

One could imagine just how high the probability was. The remaining Golden Core Stage cultivators basically all met with misfortune and died prematurely.

Other than that, it was because they were seriously injured and left with some sequelae, making them unable to form a Nascent Soul.

After leaving the Luoyun Sect's main peak deliberation hall, Song Yu returned to her pavilion on White Phoenix Peak to report the situation to Yan Taibai.

For Song Yu, being able to join the sect under Yan Taibai, the number one person in the Tiannan Cultivation World, could be said to be a matter of extreme honor.

To put it bluntly, with her aptitude plus the Luoyun Sect's Dingling Pill, and Yan Taibai, the number one person in the Tiannan Cultivation World, the probability of forming a Nascent Soul and advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage was bound to be greater than most Golden Core Late Stage cultivators in the entire Tiannan.

Even if not one hundred percent, it was close.

Therefore, the joy in Song Yu's heart could be imagined. "Good, then I will wander around Nan Zhou in the Xi Country these few days to see the situation."

Yan Taibai could naturally guess a thing or two about the joy in Song Yu's heart.

And being able to take in such a stunningly beautiful female disciple like Song Yu was also an excellent thing; at the very least, it was pleasing to the eye for Yan Taibai.

"Will Master not stay here with this disciple for a few more days?"

Upon hearing this, Song Yu said with some surprise.

"That won't be necessary. This is also my first time coming to Nan Zhou in the Xi Country. I heard that there are many ancient ruins left behind by ancient sects in Nan Zhou. Since I have come, I naturally have to go and take a look; perhaps I might have some gains."

Yan Taibai shook his head, politely declined, and smiled.

"Then Master, please take care."

Seeing this, Song Yu did not continue to urge him to stay, performed a curtsy, and said respectfully.

"Good, that goes without saying, farewell."

Yan Taibai also left Song Yu's pavilion with a smile on his face.

And Song Yu naturally saw him off in person, and no one discovered it.

After leaving the Luoyun Sect, Yan Taibai headed straight for the nearest ancient sect ruin.

Ten thousand years ago, this sect had quite a reputation in the Xi Country and the entire Tiannan Cultivation World. Now it had become an ancient ruin, and the Dharma Treasures, magical tools, pills, materials, and other series of treasures within it had almost been completely scavenged.

However, occasionally there were still cultivators from the Xi Country who could find materials they needed, or top-tier magical tools, hundred-year-old spiritual herbs, and the like.

Most of these were within some restrictions, similar to the Void Heaven Palace, which would only weaken every once in a while, making it convenient for cultivators to enter.

As for high-level cultivators above the Golden Core Stage, they really had no great interest in these materials, hundred-year-old spiritual herbs, or magical tools, and rarely came.

Half a day later, just as Yan Taibai arrived and before he had landed at the ancient sect ruin in the Xi Country, he saw an unexpected person.

This person's complexion and skin were quite dark, and his appearance and figure were both plain and unremarkable; most importantly, he was actually a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator.

This made him not only suspicious of the other party's identity.

"May I ask, fellow Daoist, are you Junior Nephew Han Li of Huangfeng Valley?"

Yan Taibai's calm sentence, falling into Han Li's ears, was no less than a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

He did not understand; he had been keeping a low profile among the disciples of Huangfeng Valley, and only chose to leave Huangfeng Valley in the Yue Country because of the invasion of the Six Demon Sects, so how could anyone still remember him?

The other party addressed him as Junior Nephew, which meant that the other party was very likely a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom.

But among all the Nascent Soul cultivators in the Yue Country cultivation world, the only one he had met was Linghu Laoguai of Huangfeng Valley.

Other Nascent Soul cultivators were simply not people he was qualified to meet.

Following the sound, Han Li saw the person who had arrived, who was none other than Yan Taibai.

After seeing Yan Taibai's appearance and figure clearly, Han Li was so shocked that he could not speak.

After all, Yan Taibai's figure and appearance had long since spread throughout the entire Tiannan Cultivation World; let alone a Golden Core Stage Cultivator like him, even many Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators knew of him and had seen portraits of Yan Taibai.

(End of this chapter)