Over the past three years, Han Yi had strived to balance the cultivation of his various skills, but ultimately found it impossible to maintain equal progress across the board.
He first mastered the Spirit Void Finger, then added two auxiliary spells: the Aura Concealment Technique and the defensive Wind Wall Technique.
Han Yi's primary Spirit Root was Fire, and since fire begets wind, cultivating wind-attribute spells was naturally easier for him than mastering spells of metal or wood attributes. This was precisely why he chose the Wind Wall Technique.
Yet it wasn't until now, three years later, that he finally advanced his Sword Control Technique from Perfected Purity to its peak of mastery.
The sheer power unleashed by this breakthrough startled even him.
As skills progressed to higher levels, each incremental improvement became increasingly arduous, requiring immense effort. But upon breaking through, the resulting power surged exponentially.
In high spirits, Han Yi ventured out for the first time in six months.
Once again, his destination was Combat Peak.
Over the years, Combat Peak had undergone several expansions, transforming from a mere mountain peak into a specialized training ground within the Sect.
Outer Sect disciples, Inner Peak elites, and even Elders now gathered here.
When Han Yi arrived at Combat Peak this time, he immediately heard everyone discussing the same thing: the Cave Heaven Trial, which had been dormant for twelve years, was about to reopen.
The trial would once again offer one hundred slots, to be awarded in a month to the top one hundred Inner Sect disciples on the Earth Ranking.
In the preceding month, the Inner Sect disciples were driven to near madness, especially those hovering around the hundredth position.
Those already in the top hundred fought desperately to maintain their spots, while those outside the threshold waged relentless battles to secure enough victories and squeeze their way into the elite group.
This intense competition manifested on Combat Peak as a series of fiery, all-out clashes.
"A hundred slots," one disciple remarked. "Many who participated twelve years ago are likely to compete again. Yet the Sect hasn't prioritized past participants, allowing all Earth Ranking disciples to compete—truly fair."
"If I used even half my full strength, securing a spot would be effortless," another mused. "But frankly, cultivating at the Profound Pill Sect is better than going to the Jade Capital Mountain Holy Land."
Han Yi shook his head, showing no interest in joining the fray, despite his genuine curiosity about the Jade Capital Mountain Holy Land.
The Immortal Path is long, he reminded himself. We shouldn't obsess over momentary gains or losses.
Turning away, Han Yi headed toward Red Sun Market.
After many years, Han Yi returned to Red Sun Market.
This time, he intended to sell the low-grade magic artifacts and unidentified spirit medicines he had acquired from his storage pouch and purchase more spirit talismans.
In truth, Han Yi had considered learning talisman crafting himself. However, time was his most precious resource, and improving his talisman crafting skills, like mastering alchemy, required a prolonged investment he simply couldn't afford. Moreover, with ample spirit stones at his disposal, he decided it was more efficient to buy them outright.
"Fellow Daoist, it's been many years. Have you been in secluded cultivation?" He Fangwei's eyes lit up upon seeing Han Yi. Although Han Yi still wore the mask that concealed his aura, He Fangwei recognized him instantly.
Han Yi nodded briefly, offering no further explanation, and placed the magic artifacts on the counter. "Shopkeeper He, I'm here today to sell these artifacts and purchase spirit talismans."
He Fangwei's eyes shone even brighter at these words. Each time Han Yi sold artifacts and bought talismans, the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild profited handsomely. How could he not be delighted?
"Blood Soul Banner, Golden Cauldron Disc..."
Most of the artifacts Han Yi brought were leftovers—items he had no practical use for, such as banners, umbrellas, and cauldrons. The majority were low-grade magic artifacts, with only a few mid-grade pieces among them.
Han Yi kept any magic artifacts he might use, such as swords and blades, regardless of their grade. In a pinch, he could detonate them remotely using the Sword Control Technique to create a barrier against his enemies.
After taking inventory, He Fangwei made an offer, which Han Yi accepted.
Then...
He Fangwei stared expectantly at Han Yi, but Han Yi waved his hand. "That's all. There's nothing left."
"Nothing left? Really?" He Fangwei sounded skeptical. Although Han Yi had produced a large quantity of magic artifacts, most were of relatively low grade.
"Wait, I almost forgot—there are also these dozen storage pouches. Let's sell those too." Han Yi produced a dozen more storage pouches, mostly left behind by the robber cultivators outside Daofu City.
The glimmer of hope in He Fangwei's eyes faded once more.
Noticing his disappointment, Han Yi snapped irritably, "Fellow Daoist, I'm not a robber cultivator. You can't expect me to have high-grade magic artifacts to sell you every time."
He Fangwei shot Han Yi a sidelong glance and rolled his eyes.
Not a robber cultivator? More like a better one.
With so many magic artifacts and storage pouches hidden away, even robber cultivators would likely fall prey to his ambush. Little did He Fangwei know, he had hit the nail on the head.
After settling the account, Han Yi used some spirit stones to purchase spirit talismans. This time, he didn't buy in bulk but chose the ones best suited to his needs.
Escape Talisman, Body Protection Talisman, Yin Thunder Talisman.
Combined with the two Divine Annihilation Talismans he had previously obtained from opening a Storage Pouch, Han Yi felt adequately equipped.
"By the way, Fellow Daoist, do you offer Magic Artifact appraisal services here?" Han Yi suddenly remembered the silver mirror still in his Storage Pouch and retrieved it.
He Fangwei nodded, his eyes lighting up when he saw the mirror.
"The Silver Vanity Mirror?" "Correct, it appears to be the Silver Vanity Mirror."
After examining it, He Fangwei confirmed its name.
"Shopkeeper He, is this one of the Silver-grade magical artifacts you mentioned earlier?" Han Yi was most eager to confirm this.
He Fangwei nodded. "Exactly. It's a high-grade Silver Series Magic Artifact from the Southern Dipper Divine Palace."
"Fellow Daoist, did you perhaps infiltrate the Southern Dipper Divine Palace and make off with the entire Silver Series?"
Han Yi chuckled softly and shook his head, retracting the mirror. He had no intention of selling it; he merely wanted to confirm its identity.
He Fangwei's face showed disappointment. "The Silver Series... such exquisite high-grade magical artifacts. Fellow Daoist, if you ever decide to sell it, please consider the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild. I guarantee we'll only charge the transaction fee, without taking any extra profit from you. As for this appraisal, it's on the house."
Han Yi was naturally pleased to pay less and readily agreed. After so many transactions, their mutual trust was firmly established.
Just as Han Yi was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something. He reached into his Storage Pouch and retrieved a rapidly fragmenting black orb.
This was one of the orbs launched by the ferocious Robber Cultivator outside Daofu City. The black light that had nearly grazed him had almost capsized his plans.
"Shopkeeper He, could you appraise this damaged Magic Artifact again?"
He Fangwei took the orb fragments and examined them. His usually calm expression gradually turned grave.
"Fellow Daoist, where did you obtain this item?"
Han Yi raised an eyebrow. "Shopkeeper He, is there something special about it?"
"This old one has never seen such a Magic Artifact before. However, I recall reading about it in an ancient text. It's called the Mother-Child Divine Extinction Pearls—a single-use artifact."
"But this type of artifact belongs to heretical cultivators. Crafting Mother-Child Divine Extinction Pearls requires human sacrifices, which violates natural law. This is the first time I've ever encountered one."
He Fangwei shook his head, clearly uninterested in—even repulsed by—the artifact.
Han Yi stored the shattered orb away. A heretical cultivator's artifact that defied natural law? There was no way he would attempt to repair it.
After thanking He Fangwei, Han Yi left Red Sun Market and descended Red Sun Peak. As he began his ascent of Azure Dragon Peak, he paused slightly.
At the edge of Azure Dragon Cliff, a familiar figure glanced calmly at Han Yi as he looked up, then turned back to gaze at the sea of clouds.
Han Yi's heart skipped a beat, but he felt no apprehension as he approached respectfully.
Yuan Shun, Sect Leader of the Profound Pill Sect.
He still wore his customary white robes, devoid of any visible Magic Artifacts, appearing like an ordinary mortal. Yet within a ten-meter radius around him, the air was utterly still and cloudless, as if a separate, silent dimension had been carved out of reality.
"Han Yi pays his respects to the Sect Leader," he greeted formally, inwardly wondering what matter could have prompted Yuan Shun to seek him out personally.
This was their third encounter. The first had been when Han Yi uncovered an internal traitor within the Blood God Sect, and the second upon his return from the Myriad Demon Mountain Range. Both times, there had been clear signs beforehand.
This time, however, there had been no warning whatsoever.
"For the second Cave Heaven Trial, we originally allocated one hundred slots," Yuan Shun began. "But after the first trial, the Sect proposed an amendment: in addition to those hundred, each Supreme Elder may nominate one disciple who lacks sufficient current strength but possesses exceptional potential."
Yuan Shun wasted no time, cutting straight to the point. He sighed softly after speaking.
"The Sect is too vast to achieve true fairness and impartiality. I understand that."
"Originally, this spot was intended for You Wu. However, his progress has been remarkably rapid. He achieved Immortal Foundation Establishment several years ago, freeing up the slot."
Yuan Shun turned, his gaze settling on Han Yi.
"Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement—your cultivation realm is merely adequate. Still, your ability to kill so many cultivators from the Blood God Sect, even wielding multiple Silver-grade magical artifacts, suggests your strength rivals that of an ordinary Ninth Layer practitioner."
"This opportunity suits you. Experiencing such a gathering and witnessing legendary Qi Refining cultivators from across the land would be invaluable."
"Report to Combat Peak in one month."
Yuan Shun spoke calmly, leaving Han Yi no room for argument. With that, he turned and departed, this time not vanishing into the sea of clouds but heading toward Azure Dragon Palace, presumably with other matters to attend to.
Han Yi stood rooted to the spot, watching Yuan Shun's retreating figure, and bowed in gratitude.
When he straightened up, his expression was complex, a mixture of surprise and delight.
What startled Han Yi was that Yuan Shun knew about his transactions in the market, deducing that he had killed several Blood God Sect cultivators and estimating his cultivation realm to be around the advanced Qi Refining stage.
Yuan Shun's initial guess was correct, but he had no idea that even at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, Han Yi had been capable of overpowering and killing advanced Ninth Layer cultivators.
Now, having broken through to the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining and brought his skills to their peak, Han Yi was confident that, though untested, his abilities rivaled those of Peak Qi Refining experts. He even believed he could hold his own against legendary figures like Han Xuxiao.
This remained theoretical, however. Aside from observing Peak Qi Refining battles in the Combat Arena, Han Yi had never truly engaged in combat with a Peak Qi Refining cultivator or a legendary practitioner of that caliber.
Victory or defeat could only be determined in actual combat.
What delighted Han Yi was that he had secured a spot in the Cave Heaven Trial without participating in the ranking matches—it felt like a gift from the heavens.
It wasn't that Han Yi was opposed to the Cave Heaven Trial itself. After weighing the pros and cons, he had decided against it. Securing a spot required ranking within the top hundred of the Earth Ranking, a time-consuming endeavor that would also force him to reveal too much of his true strength.
The price was simply too high, leading him to abandon the pursuit.
Ever since discovering the Blood God Sect's internal traitor years ago, Han Yi had cautioned himself to keep a low profile within the Profound Pill Sect. "The tallest tree catches the wind," he reminded himself, and he had no desire to become that tree.
However, if he could secure a spot in the Cave Heaven Trial without needing to climb the Earth Ranking, he would gladly accept. It would be an unexpected windfall.
Besides, the Cave Heaven Trial didn't seem dangerous. Everyone who had participated had returned alive, so what was there to worry about?
Upon returning to his courtyard, Han Yi made no special preparations and resumed his cultivation.
His Spirit Void Finger, Sword Control Technique, and Light Body Technique had already reached peak mastery. He estimated that he wouldn't be able to advance these skills to the next major level anytime soon—perhaps not even before reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage.
This time, he focused on the Fire Shield Technique, a defensive Fire Attribute spell that had proven invaluable in countless battles, providing robust protection. Its importance rivaled even his peak-mastered skills.
While refining the Fire Shield Technique, Han Yi also devoted greater attention to advancing his cultivation realm.