A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality (Chapter 801-Chapter 1000)

“Does Senior recognize this disciple?” The middle-aged cultivator asked in surprise.

Han Li quickly regained his composure and faintly smiled, saying, “It’s nothing, just that this Fellow Daoist looks similar to an old friend of mine. But after a closer look, I found myself to be mistaken.”

The middle-aged cultivator didn’t believe him, but he didn’t dare to question him. He simply chuckled and said, “So that’s the case... Martial Nephew Li, come with me. This Senior will be staying here. You won’t be needed.”

“Yes, I...”

Han Li smiled and then he took a deep look at the old man. “There is no need. Since this Fellow Daoist Li understands much about the records in this building, I may have use of him. Let’s have him accompany me over the next few days.”

Although the middle-aged man appeared puzzled, he was somewhat envious that this Martial Nephew Li was able to stay together with this Nascent Soul cultivator over the next few days. With hardly any effort, Han Li could provide vast benefits to any low-grade cultivator. He sighed and said, “Since that is what Senior wants, I will naturally comply. Martial Nephew Li, you have quite a bit of luck. You must follow Senior’s orders.”

However, Han Li word’s clearly stated that he wouldn’t be staying here for long. After giving the old man a few orders, the middle-aged cultivator took his leave.

Han Li watched him depart from the building and then looked at the old man with a deep smile.





Chapter 962: Rumors of Deity Transformation


After Han Li carefully examined the old man, his expression shifted and said, “Would you prefer me to address you as Senior Martial Brother Xiang, or Senior Martial Brother Li?”

The old man blinked and his previously odd look had completely disappeared. Then with a smile, he said, “I don’t quite understand what Senior Han is saying. Could it be that I resemble an old acquaintance of yours?”

Han Li frowned and narrowed his eyes. “There is no point in trying to conceal yourself. As you well know, cultivators have vast and accurate memories. In the Trial of Fire and Blood, we were among the few Yellow Maple Valley disciples that managed to survive. How could I have forgotten you after so many years?”

During the time of the Trial by Blood and Fire, this was the old man who had proposed to form a group with Han Li. At the time, he was named Xiang Zhili and possessed cultivation at the tenth layer of Qi Condensation. It had been greatly surprising that he managed to emerge alive, but Han Li’s amazing accomplishments had caused the others to overlook him.

His survival in the trial and careful nature faintly gave Han Li an impression that he was hiding a secret.

After Han Li achieved Foundation Establishment, he became a disciple of Li Huayuan, a Core Formation elder of Yellow Maple Valley. With no further contact with Old Man Xiang, Han Li gradually ceased to think about him, and after the Devil Dao’s invasion of the State of Yue, the old man’s survival was unknown.

In the past, he was already old and despite the hundreds of years that had passed, he was still a Qi Condensation cultivator and appeared completely the same. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would’ve long perished from age. It was completely unthinkable that he would rediscover him so many years later at a small sect in a foreign country.

At the very least, during the Trial of Blood and Fire, he was certain to be a character of hidden power. It was unknown what his intentions had been at the time.

Han Li stared at the old man as various thoughts flashed through his mind.

The old man spoke with a steady tone, “There are countless mysteries in this world, and it appears that there is someone who looks exactly like me. But I can assure you, my surname is Li, not Xiang. If I truly was this person, why would I deny it?”

A trace of astonishment appeared as Han Li’s face sank.

After a moment of silence, his expression relaxed, “Perhaps I am mistaken, so let’s leave it be then. How about Fellow Daoist point me to a few records on talisman refinement?”

The old man chuckled and said, “As per our namesake, we do have quite a few records on hand. However, the more profound accounts are on the second story. Please follow me, Senior.” He then led Han Li to the second story as expected of an ordinary low-grade disciple.

The first two stories were similarly arranged and filled with many shelves.

As Han Li glanced around, the old man had already begun to quickly move through the halls with a swiftness that was unexpected of his age.

A short moment later, he picked out a pile of jade slips with great skill and panted as he held them in his hands. With a fawning tone, he said, “Senior, here are the floor’s talisman refinement records. There are a few on the third floor as well. I’ll go ahead and save you the trouble of finding them.”

Han Li stroked his chin and wore a friendly smile. “There is no need, these jade slips are already enough to last me two days. I’ll personally look for those records should I have the time. You may go ahead and attend to your duties.”

“Then I won’t further bother your studies. If Senior has any commands, please call out to me. I will be staying downstairs.” The old man widely smiled and then placed the jade slips on a nearby table before carefully walking down the stairs.

After Han Li watched him descend, his smile slowly faded away to a heavy expression.

“Is Senior Soul Divergence able to see through his cultivation? I already swept my spiritual sense past his body, and although I was able to break through a layer of his illusions, I still wasn’t able to determine his true cultivation. It was as if his entire body is composed of illusions.”

“It is the same with me. Even with my superior spiritual sense, I couldn’t see past him, ” Monarch Soul Divergence replied.

“...Could it be this person’s spiritual sense is far beyond that of both mine and Senior’s?” Han Li said with some disturbance.

“Very unlikely, even if a cultivator were to possess spiritual sense stronger than ours, it wouldn’t be by such a great amount that they would be able to completely evade our detection. Under these circumstances, this person either cultivated an extraordinary secret technique, possesses a grand treasure, or even...” Monarch Soul Divergence then trailed off.

“Even what?” Han Li asked.

Monarch Soul Divergence hesitantly said, “There is one other possibility. This person has already entered Deity Transformation stage. He would be able to scatter the entirety of his spiritual power from his meridians into his physical body, and would also be able to phase away his Nascent Soul for a short while so that no one would be able to detect it.”

Despite Han Li’s steady disposition, he couldn’t help but betray shock. “ Senior must be joking. A Deity Transformation cultivator?”

Monarch Soul Divergence calmly said, “Although I wasn’t able to enter Deity Transformation stage, I have done a bit of research on the topic. These are the most basic abilities that they can perform.”

Han Li let out a deep breath and said, “I didn’t question their abilities, but whether they’d stay in this world.Shouldn’t Deity Transformation cultivators be capable of ascending to the spiritual realm?”

With a perplexed tone, Monarch Soul Divergence answered, “While I had roamed the world in the past and have yet to discover one, I’m certain they still lingered in this world, and in no small number either. The ability to ascend to the Spirit Realm and whether they have the power to are two different things. I’m not too sure of the details, but after they enter Deity Transformation stage, they can’t often show themselves like ordinary cultivators or disaster will afflict them.”