In the blink of an eye, several months had passed since the competition.
The Ghost Spirit Sect Cultivators who were previously imprisoned in the mine pit were all ransomed back by their Sect members.
They knew Li Feiyu intended to extort Spirit Stones from them, but on one hand, they needed to establish an image among their Sect's Disciples, and on the other hand, Li Feiyu was like a towering Peak pressing down on all forces in Heavenly South.
They dared not, nor were they willing, to offend Li Feiyu for such a small amount of Spirit Stones.
Within these few months, all the Cultivators of the Demonic Path Six Sects in Yue Country had withdrawn without the slightest reluctance.
Of the several hundred Cultivators Li Feiyu brought back, all but a few received orders to construct defensive fortifications and a grand hall at the mine pit.
Li Feiyu set up a large Spirit Gathering Formation in the surrounding area, which cost him no small price.
Afterward, he no longer managed affairs, leaving everything to Tianwuzi and Elder Liu, while Jin Yuan remained stationed there.
However, he spent every day studying Formations, both self-learning and consulting with those around him.
Among these more than five hundred individuals, there were several who had decent Formation attainments.
Whenever he needed any Materials, he would wave his hand, instructing his subordinates to procure them.
As for Spirit Stones, Li Feiyu placed a large quantity in the hands of Xue Yi and Blood Nine; for any legitimate use, they could directly apply to him for them.
Li Feiyu possessed a vast amount of Spirit Stones and would not be lacking for a short time.
After all, low-grade Spirit Stones were currently of little use to him, at most needed for setting up Formations.
The items required at his Realm were mostly exchanged through bartering, and even if they could be traded for Spirit Stones, generally only mid-grade or higher Spirit Stones were accepted.
In his quiet room, Li Feiyu spent four hours daily Cultivating his Cultivation Technique, then three hours Cultivating Divine Abilities, and the remaining time researching the Dao of Five Elements and the Great Five Elements True Understanding.
One could say he reached a state of forgetting to eat and sleep.
...
Heavenly Dao Alliance, Xi Country.
Cloud Dream Mountain Range, Falling Cloud Sect.
Han Li, in the guise of a Qi Refining Cultivator, lived quietly within, showing no flaws.
At this moment, he was preparing to participate in the Three Sects Sword Trial Assembly.
Once he obtained the Essence Stabilizing Pill and the root system of the Spirit Eye Tree, he planned to go into seclusion to refine the Nine Revolutions Spirit Ginseng Pill, and then Breakthrough to Nascent Soul.
During the competition, he was engaged in a back-and-forth battle with his opponent.
At this time, several Core Formation Cultivators supervising the competition on the high platform suddenly began to chat idly.
Under their precise control, their voices did not reach the arena, but they did not escape Han Li's powerful Divine Sense.
"Did you hear? Yue Country has been occupied by someone named Li Feiyu. It's said that he alone suppressed the three Great Cultivators of Heavenly South, forcefully subduing them."
"Indeed, the Demonic Path very straightforwardly relinquished all ownership of Yue Country and completely withdrew."
"I heard that it was because an Ancient Teleportation Array was discovered in Yue Country, leading to a vast sea area with countless Opportunities, which led to this incident."
"The four major forces finally united, but the result was like this, it's truly astonishing!"
"What's so surprising about that? What's even more surprising is that person named Li Feiyu, isn't it?"
"He is less than three hundred years old, at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivation, but his strength alone can suppress the three long-renowned Great Cultivators of Heavenly South."
"Do you know what this means?"
"What?"
"It's very likely that Li Feiyu is the first Cultivator in Heavenly South in several millennia who has hope of entering Deity Transformation."
"Tsk, everyone knows that if he doesn't have much hope, then others have even less chance!"
"I heard that Li Feiyu obtained a Heaven-Defying Opportunity in that sea area, which is why he advanced to Nascent Soul so quickly and possesses such strength."
"Unfortunately, the Ancient Teleportation Array is exclusively occupied by him; it's useless for us to even think about it!"
"Alas, indeed!"
"Even the four major forces combined couldn't do anything to him. If one offends him, he alone could probably overturn a force."
...
Han Li was utterly astonished when he heard the news about Li Feiyu, almost accidentally killing his opponent in a moment of distraction.
He quickly ended the battle, his mind somewhat unsettled.
"Nascent Soul Middle Stage, suppressing three Great Cultivators?"
A bitter expression appeared on his face, "Has Senior Brother Li already reached this point?"
"After the Nascent Soul Stage, every advancement in Realm is not simple; many even get stuck at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, growing old without making any progress. Although Senior Brother Li entered Nascent Soul nearly thirty years ago, he also has to consider Divine Abilities, Magic Treasures, and so on…"
"To be able to enter the Middle Stage in such a short time, it seems he has a Pill Formula for increasing Nascent Soul Cultivation and has successfully gathered the Materials."
"After entering Nascent Soul, I still need to find Senior Brother Li; otherwise, I will fall even further behind."
Han Li had already resigned himself to being taken advantage of by Li Feiyu in the future.
Returning to his Immortal Cave, a snow-white spirit fox darted out, then transformed into human form, appearing as a peerless beauty.
"Master, why are you so unsettled? Did something special happen in today's competition?"
"Was your identity discovered?"
Han Li rolled his eyes, "If it were discovered, would I still be appearing here safely?"
"I'm afraid the Nascent Soul Cultivators of this Falling Cloud Sect would have already made a move."
"Indeed, then what is it because of?"
Han Li sighed, "Today, I unexpectedly heard news of Li Feiyu."
"Is it that Senior Brother, the Heaven-Defying Prodigy, whom you often speak of, Master?"
"What happened to him?"
"I only just learned that he has already entered the Nascent Soul Middle Stage. Do you know he is only slightly older than me?"
"And I am still struggling in the late stage Core Formation."
A hint of surprise flashed in Silvermoon's autumn-water eyes, and she said in shock, "Reached Nascent Soul Middle Stage at just over two hundred years old?"
"Even in the Spirit Realm, such beings are probably few and far between; he truly deserves the title of Heaven-Defying Prodigy!"
"If it were just that, it would be fine, but what's even more astonishing is that Senior Brother Li, a few months ago, faced the four major forces of Heavenly South, suppressed three Great Cultivators with his power, and forcefully seized Yue Country, legitimately securing the Ancient Teleportation Array."
"He became famous in one battle, his name spreading throughout Heavenly South!"
"It truly makes one envious!"
Silvermoon also didn't know how to comment. If a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator obtained some ancient rare treasure or successfully Cultivated a powerful Divine Ability, it was indeed possible to contend with a Late Stage Great Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage without falling behind.
But to face three and leave them utterly helpless, how great an Opportunity must one have to create such a person?
This was not merely being invincible among peers, but a monstrous invincibility across Realms!
Silvermoon's eyes sparkled with a smile, "I'm quite interested in your Senior Brother Li. I wonder when I'll be able to meet him."
"There will be an Opportunity," Han Li said.
In the following days, Han Li easily won a spot in the top ten of the Three Sects Sword Trial and was then taken into the Three Sects Forbidden Land.
Here, Han Li still encountered the Demonic Paths trying to seize the Spirit Eye Tree, while he took advantage of the chaos to obtain the Essence Stabilizing Pill and the root system of the Spirit Eye Tree.
He planted the Spirit Eye Tree in his Immortal Cave and had Silvermoon carefully look after it.
As for himself, he began to go into seclusion to refine the Nine Revolutions Spirit Ginseng Pill, and after several attempts, he finally succeeded.
Before Han Li were three porcelain bottles, containing the Nine Revolutions Spirit Ginseng Pill, Advancement Nascent Pill, and Essence Stabilizing Pill, respectively.
His magic power Realm had long reached the Pseudo-Nascent Soul Realm, and now the Medicinal Pills he needed were also gathered; one could say everything was ready except for the last crucial step.
He was eager to catch up with Li Feiyu, but he forcefully restrained himself. Forming the Nascent Soul was of utmost importance, and no amount of caution was too much.
Han Li left his Immortal Cave, alone, and found a secluded, picturesque spot in the Cloud Dream Mountain Range, where he sat quietly, unmoving.
During this period, he began to look back at his past life, savoring it carefully from beginning to end.
From his childhood, enjoying family happiness with his parents, to later entering the Seven Mysteries Sect, meeting Doctor Mo, befriending Li Feiyu, Cultivating the Evergreen Arts, then truly stepping into the Cultivation world, entering Yellow Maple Valley...
Memories shifted from blurry to clear, and Han Li's expression changed from joy to anger, fluctuating constantly.
Looking back at the past, returning to his innocent Heart-Nature.
Two or three days later, Han Li's expression returned to calm, like an ancient well without ripples, wholeheartedly comprehending the Heavenly Dao of nature.
Another month passed. Returning to his Immortal Cave, he was now in an optimal state, both physically and mentally, with his magic power at its Peak. Especially in his spiritual training, he had ascended to a new level.
"Guard the entrance well. Do not disturb me, no matter how great the matter!"
With that, Han Li, in a green robe, floated into the quiet room.
Silvermoon smiled slightly at this, but then a complex expression, containing envy, longing, and unwillingness, appeared in her eyes.
To prevent any accidents during the Nascent Soul Formation, Han Li added several layers of Restrictions, which finally put his mind at ease.
Soon after, strange phenomena appeared in the sky.
Within a hundred-mile radius, various Spirit Lights and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi surged into Han Li's Immortal Cave.
The massive Nascent Soul Formation phenomena naturally could not be hidden from the two Nascent Soul Cultivators of the Falling Cloud Sect.
They were naturally surprised that someone was forming a Nascent Soul in the Falling Cloud Sect, but they chose to wait and see.
With Li Feiyu's Advancement Nascent Pill, Han Li's Nascent Soul Formation was even smoother. Upon successfully forming the Nascent Soul, a genuine look of joy appeared on his face.
"After more than two hundred years of Cultivating the Dao, I have finally reached this step!"
Han Li couldn't help but let out a long cry to the sky.
All around his Immortal Cave were Core Formation Cultivators from the Falling Cloud Sect, constantly observing every movement.
After an incense stick's time, two long rainbows flew across the sky and landed in front of the Immortal Cave, one white and one yellow, which were precisely the two Nascent Soul Cultivators of the Falling Cloud Sect.
After they dismissed the crowd, one of them said, "I am Cheng Tiankun of the Falling Cloud Sect. Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on successfully forming your Nascent Soul. May my Junior Brother and I enter your Immortal Cave for a chat?"
In Han Li's Immortal Cave, the two of them saw Han Li's Puppet and found it exquisite, asking Han Li if he was a Disciple of the Thousand Bamboo Sect from the Far West.
Han Li smiled, "The Puppet technique was learned from an ancient text; as for whether it's related to the Thousand Bamboo Sect, I do not know."
Speaking half-truths from the start, Han Li maintained his usual caution.
"Actually, I, Han, originate from Yue Country in Heavenly South, but because the Demonic Path Six Sects invaded at that time, I had no choice but to travel to another country."
The silver-haired old man, Lü Luo, observed Han Li for a long time, finally unable to resist asking, "Fellow Daoist Han, your face is so young; may I ask how long you have been Cultivating?"
"Ah, that's because I, Han, accidentally obtained a Face-Setting Pill in my youth, which allowed me to retain this appearance. If I calculate carefully, I, Han, have been Cultivating for over two hundred years."
The reason Han Li didn't just make up a random time was that some people possess special Divine Abilities that allow them to see through others' bone ages at a glance. There was no point in hiding such a thing.
Stating it could even make the two of them wary, thus preventing them from easily making a move against him.
Indeed, upon hearing Han Li's words, both of them exclaimed in surprise simultaneously.
"What? Two hundred years?"
"You really formed a Nascent Soul after only two hundred years of Cultivation?"
Han Li nodded, "I, Han, would not lie about such a matter. However, is there a problem with forming a Nascent Soul within this time frame?"
The two exchanged glances, and Cheng Tiankun said, "There's no problem, but we just find Fellow Daoist to be excessively young. Your future potential is limitless."
"Speaking of which, there have been several individuals in Heavenly South before who successfully formed Nascent Souls at your age. Later, all of them became Great Cultivators renowned throughout Heavenly South, and some even mysteriously disappeared after reaching Major Achievement in the Nascent Soul Late Stage, rumored to have Ascended to the Upper Realm."
"Perhaps, Fellow Daoist will also have such an Opportunity in the future."
Han Li smiled slightly, "Thank you for your kind words, Fellow Daoist. However, whether it's becoming a Great Cultivator or Ascending to the Upper Realm, both are too early to speak of for me, Han."
"I, Han, only hope to progress steadily, one step at a time."
Cheng Tiankun thought of his own predicament and couldn't help but sigh, "This steady progress, one step at a time, is precisely the most difficult thing for Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators."
"Without a significant Opportunity, one might be trapped in the Early Stage Realm for life."
Han Li frowned, looking at the two. Could it be that these two had been trapped in the Nascent Soul Early Stage for a long time?
Judging by their faces, it indeed seemed possible.
Lü Luo said, "It's a pity. If it weren't for him, Fellow Daoist Han might have been able to become someone who could suppress all of Heavenly South in the future."
Han Li fell silent. Lü Luo thought he was displeased and immediately explained, "Fellow Daoist Han has probably been in seclusion preparing for Nascent Soul Formation for some time, so you probably don't know about a shocking event that recently occurred in Heavenly South."
"Yue Country, which is the country you, Fellow Daoist Han, were in before, is no longer the Demonic Path's territory, but has been occupied by a Prodigy Cultivator named Li Feiyu. With his Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivation, incredible Divine Abilities, and terrifying Magic Treasures, he suppressed the three Great Cultivators of Heavenly South."
"He is now the number one Cultivator in Heavenly South!"
"And on that day, he established the Five Elements Sect, occupying the entire Yue Country."
"All the major forces in Heavenly South, including our Heavenly Dao Alliance, are thinking of preparing a generous gift, one to congratulate him, and two to express apologies and build closer relations."
"That Yue Country has an Ancient Teleportation Array leading to another region, rumored to contain Heaven-Defying Opportunities, which is what led to Li Feiyu's strength."
"Many people long to be teleported there to seek Opportunities."
Han Li chuckled inwardly. Heaven-Defying Opportunity?
He was well aware of Li Feiyu's general experiences in the Chaotic Star Sea; there was no Heaven-Defying Opportunity there. If there was, he was the one who took it.
Because he possessed the Chaotic Star Sea's most valuable treasure, the void heaven cauldron.
In the Mortal Realm, the void heaven cauldron could indeed be called a valuable treasure. Although it was referred to as a Sky-Connecting Spiritual Treasure, it was actually still far from being a true Sky-Connecting Spiritual Treasure.
After all, in the Spirit Realm, it was a mass-produced item.
Rather than calling it a Sky-Connecting Spiritual Treasure, it would be more accurate to call it a powerful Spirit Treasure, which is closer to the truth.
After a while, Cheng Tiankun said, "Fellow Daoist Han, do you have a place to go now? If you don't mind our Falling Cloud Sect, how about staying here and becoming a Grand Elder?"