However, Han Li dared not go directly over there. He could sense that an extremely dangerous aura was lurking in the swamp between the spiritual herb and himself.
The black dragon in the swamp was actually quite frustrated. When Lu Xuan first entered, a single glance from him had terrified it, causing it to cower in a corner, too afraid to move. Later, it gradually realized that the terrifying cultivator was only interested in that useless box. And so, it gradually regained its vitality.
Lu Xuan naturally noticed Han Li's arrival. Only then did he realize that he had unknowingly been here for several years; truly, time flies when cultivating immortality. This wasn't even a true seclusion, but merely a small moment of enlightenment. Thinking of how Han Li would later frequently go into seclusion for hundreds of years, Lu Xuan began to understand.
When Han Li entered, Lu Xuan concealed himself.
Afterwards, the people from the Hidden Moon Sect also entered the area. It can only be said that Han Li had by this time mastered the art of survival. With so many people, including Nangong Wan, they still failed to detect him.
The members of the Hidden Moon Sect began preparing the Yin-Yang Pulling Technique, intending to use this combined attack formation to kill the Ink Dragon in the swamp. However, at this moment, an unexpected change occurred.
Before they could prepare, the ink dragon in the swamp suddenly appeared and took the initiative to attack. In an instant, it entangled a disciple of the Hidden Moon Sect.
Lu Xuan wasn't surprised by this. Because he was nearing the end of his comprehension of the talisman armor, the black dragon, disturbed by Lu Xuan's movements, hadn't truly fallen asleep. It had developed some intelligence; although it vaguely sensed that Lu Xuan didn't intend to kill it, its beastly instincts remained, keeping it constantly on alert.
When Han Li entered earlier, it had planned to launch a sneak attack. However, it hadn't expected Han Li to hide in a corner. Then, a large group of people arrived. The black dragon immediately made a choice, acting on its biological instincts. It chose to attack the group that posed the greater threat to it.
A newly advanced second-tier demonic beast is naturally invincible against a group of Qi Refining stage cultivators. Nangong Wan was also taken aback, quickly dismissing the disciples behind her and stepping forward herself.
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Chapter 482 Discussing the Rites of the Way
At this moment, there was still one person wandering around the forbidden area.
That's right, he was just strolling around. Some of the magic arrays in this forbidden area would require Lu Xuan to be careful, but for this person, they seemed to be non-existent, and he wandered around at will.
What's even stranger is that this person showed no interest whatsoever in the face of the countless medicinal herbs and treasures scattered around. He didn't even glance at them, but instead focused his attention on looking around, as if searching for something else.
"No need to search anymore. Although this place was carved out by some kind of great supernatural power, it is exceptionally stable and has no cracks whatsoever."
"Why......"
The wanderer let out a long sigh. He turned to look at Lu Xuan behind him.
"Do you know who I am?"
"I don't need to know. Your cultivation is far superior to mine. But I am confident that even a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator could not give me this feeling. Therefore, there is only one possibility. You are a Nascent Soul cultivator. The spiritual energy in the mortal realm is declining day by day and can no longer support the cultivation of Nascent Soul cultivators. Therefore, you will only be looking for one thing: the path to the upper realm."
"...I know all the Nascent Soul stage cultivators in the Yue Kingdom, and you are not any of them. Moreover, your cultivation method... is very special. It doesn't feel like that of a cultivator from the Yue Kingdom!"
Xiang Zhili didn't respond to Lu Xuan's 'deduction', but instead directly pointed out the problem with Lu Xuan's cultivation technique. This was a basic rhetorical maneuver; both were trying to gain the upper hand in the conversation.
"There's nothing I can't say to anyone. I'm definitely not a cultivator from another continent. In fact, we come from another continent. We were just exploring some kind of ancient teleportation array when we were transported here."
"You guys?" Xiang Zhili noticed the hint that Lu Xuan had deliberately let slip.
"That's right, I am Lu Xuan, the sect leader of the Hidden Immortal Sect. I have only been in Yue Kingdom for a few years. I am accompanied by several disciples and my Daoist partner."
"The Hidden Immortal Sect! It seems to be an extraordinary sect. In the mortal realm today, there are truly few people who know about these secrets."
"These things aren't really secrets. The reason why not many people know about them is because they have no practical significance for most people."
“What you say makes a lot of sense. But it still doesn’t explain why you’re here.” Xiang Zhili suddenly changed the subject, turning his attention to Lu Xuan.
"My reason for coming here is simple. We are newcomers and need to understand the cultivation world of this country. This is the most important joint operation of the cultivation world in Yue Kingdom. So I came to observe it myself. And also to see if there are any juniors worth paying attention to."
"So, have you found it?"
"Hehe, senior, don't worry. I won't compete with the seven sects of Yue for disciples. Our Hidden Immortal Sect values inheritance, not sect reputation. Anyone we recognize, regardless of whether they are disciples of our sect, can learn our techniques."
"Such a sect actually exists in this world?" Xiang Zhili clearly didn't believe it. But these things were actually irrelevant to him. It only made him slightly excited. After all, every day he spent in the mortal realm was consuming his already limited lifespan. Therefore, apart from ascending to the Spirit Realm, he wasn't interested in most things in the world.
"Whether our seniors believe it or not, this is what we did."
Xiang Zhili pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke.
"That young man surnamed Han, is he someone you value?"
This time, Lu Xuan was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected Xiang Zhili to have already noticed Han Li's difference. A Nascent Soul cultivator was truly beyond his imagination.
"It's still under investigation. But I did give him a little something in return."
"I knew it, that kid's spells are really strange. They're clearly different from those of Huangfeng Valley, and even different from the style of the entire Yue Kingdom. But what I'm curious about is, with such poor talent, why did you value him? Although Huangfeng Valley isn't a particularly outstanding sect, it still has a few promising talents. Why did you specifically choose this kid surnamed Han?"
"Hehe, didn't you also pay attention to him, senior? I wonder, what were your reasons?"
"My reasons?" Xiang Zhili paused for a moment. He had indeed observed Han Li. He felt that Han Li was very similar to him, both possessing a composure that the other young disciples lacked, as well as a firm and unwavering heart toward the Dao.
Look at the younger generation of Yellow Maple Valley. They're all either scheming to please some female fellow cultivator or figuring out how to avoid sect duties. While a few have decent talent, they're obsessed with showing off and jealousy. They're truly not cut out for cultivation. Only Han, with his resolute character and ability to endure loneliness, is the most suitable for cultivation in terms of personality. The only pity is that his talent is far too lacking.
"That kid is not bad, but he lacks a bit of talent."
"Poor talent?" Lu Xuan feigned shock.
"A genius with four spiritual roots, and you call that poor talent?!"
"What do you mean, kid? Everyone knows that the fewer spiritual roots one has, the higher one's talent. On the contrary, too many spiritual roots will interfere with each other, and one can't achieve anything great." Xiang Zhili said while observing Lu Xuan's expression. After all, Lu Xuan was at least a Nascent Soul cultivator, and his magical power was profound, comparable to some late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. He was one of the few people in the world who could discuss the Dao with him. Therefore, he was quite patient. He just didn't expect Lu Xuan to say something as laughable as saying that having four spiritual roots meant one was a genius.
However, considering that the other party was a cultivator from another continent and also the leader of a sect, Xiang Zhili vaguely felt that he had overlooked something.
"You didn't know?" Lu Xuan asked in an incredulous tone.
"Even if lower-level cultivators don't know, your cultivation level is already determined by the mortal realm, how could you not know this?"
Xiang Zhili was even more puzzled.
"What exactly is going on? Could it be that there are different interpretations of the theory of spiritual roots on your side?"