Chapter 625: Ming and Qing Spirit Water

“So, Brother Wang, does this mean disciples at the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment stages will be competing together in this conference?” Han Li asked suddenly, his brow furrowed.

“That’s right. The Sword Trial Assembly indeed makes no distinction between Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment disciples; they compete together,” Brother Wang nodded and said.

“Wouldn’t that be a bit unfair to Qi Condensation disciples then?” Han Li looked somewhat disbelieving after a moment of surprise.

“The Sword Trial Assembly was originally intended to compare the cultivation levels of Foundation Establishment disciples from various sects; Qi Condensation disciples are merely an addition. However, to avoid dampening the enthusiasm of lower-stage disciples, there’s no rule prohibiting outer sect disciples or low-level disciples from participating. Although Qi Condensation disciples cannot win the championship, it’s not uncommon for them to defeat Foundation Establishment opponents and break into the top ten,” Brother Wang said with a meaningful smile, looking at Han Li.

“Qi Condensation disciples reaching the top ten? Does that mean their magic tools are incredibly powerful?” Han Li immediately understood part of it upon hearing this.

“Heh heh! Junior Brother is a smart person; you grasp the key without me even needing to explain it. Among the three sects, which Nascent Soul stage senior doesn’t have descendants or nephews? Sometimes, to help their close ones achieve a good ranking, they naturally bring out many incredibly powerful magic tools for them to use. This way, it’s not strange for some Foundation Establishment cultivators who lack suitable magic tools to be defeated when they encounter these individuals,” Kui Huan said, shaking his head.

Hearing this, Han Li’s expression grew even more perplexed.

“From what you two brothers say, does achieving a good ranking at the assembly offer other benefits? Otherwise, why would they go to all this trouble just for a magic tool?” Han Li asked after a moment of contemplation.

“Junior Brother speaks wisely. Even if you hadn’t asked, I was going to mention it. In truth, what attracts us most about the Sword Trial Assembly isn’t the inanimate rewards. It’s the opportunity to cleanse one’s eyes with spirit water after entering the top ten. It’s said that the legendary ‘Bright Clarity Spirit Water’ can be concocted using the very first drop of essence liquid flowing from the Sacred Tree, along with other precious materials. If one uses this water to wipe their eyes, although it won’t increase cultivation, it can grant their eyes the ability to see through mist and stone, possessing some unimaginable wondrous abilities. This is why they desperately want to enter the top ten. Without this benefit, mere top-tier magic tools hold little appeal for disciples from prominent families or those with elders caring for them within the sect. After all, while the Spirit Stabilizing Pill is valuable, there’s only one of them,” Brother Wang slowly revealed the greatest personal benefit of the Sword Trial Assembly.

“Bright Clarity Spirit Water!” Han Li murmured, his eyebrows raised.

Han Li had seen the name of this spirit water in numerous ancient texts, but he never imagined that the three sects of Cloud Dream Mountain would be able to concoct it.

This was truly beyond his expectations, and it stirred his interest considerably.

“However, even without mentioning the preciousness of the Sacred Tree’s first drop of essence liquid, the other ingredients required are all extremely rare. It’s said that several types of millennium-old spirit herbs alone are used. Unfortunately, this miraculous eye-cleansing effect is only beneficial to low-level cultivators at the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment stages. Otherwise, those above wouldn’t be willing to offer it as a reward,” Kui Huan interjected, full of envy.

Having heard this, Han Li now had a general understanding of the Sword Trial Assembly. He planned to personally investigate the more specific details.

After all, since this matter involved the Spirit Stabilizing Pill and the Bright Clarity Spirit Water, he certainly wouldn’t let it go easily.

Next, after Brother Wang and the others chatted a few more words with Han Li about the Sword Trial Assembly, they took their leave.

Han Li watched as they flew off on their artifacts, their figures shrinking into black specks. His expression grew serious. He didn’t immediately return to his cave abode but stood outside the medicinal garden, deep in thought.

“What’s wrong, Brother Han, are you tempted? I wonder if it’s the Spirit Stabilizing Pill or the Bright Clarity Spirit Water that caught your eye,” a soft voice suddenly came from his sleeve.

“What’s wrong with wanting both?” Han Li raised his head and said, without ceremony.

Then, with a shake of his sleeve, the small fox leaped out and quickly returned to its original size.

“Hehe! Fellow Daoist Han, you are quite greedy. But that’s good. Both the Spirit Stabilizing Pill and the spirit water are indeed very practical items. If you miss this opportunity, it might be truly difficult to obtain them,” the white fox said elegantly, raising its slender neck.

“You don’t need to tell me that; I’m well aware. For now, let’s return to my cave abode. Before considering the Sword Trial Assembly, let’s first finish your matter,” Han Li said, his voice somewhat cold.

He then turned and walked towards his cave abode.

Seeing this, the white fox’s eyes showed a slight smile, and it followed closely without a word.

Upon entering the cave abode within the stone mountain, Han Li immediately set about nurturing the artifact spirit.

With his Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords about to gain an artifact spirit, their power would naturally increase significantly. This made Han Li feel a subtle excitement.

Originally, the success rate for nurturing an artifact spirit into a magic treasure was pitifully low. However, that was due to the fierce resistance of the demonic beast’s soul. Now, with Yinyue, whose true form was a silver giant wolf, willing to actively reside in Han Li’s magic treasure, the difficulty would naturally not be great.

However, extracting the main soul from the jade ruyi was a tricky matter. Fortunately, the white fox seemed quite confident about it, claiming it could handle it by itself.

Hearing this, Han Li was naturally pleased to relax.

So, following the white fox’s instructions, he drew a strange spell formation in a quiet room, placed both the jade ruyi and the white fox within it, and then leisurely exited.

The quiet room was sealed with a sound-proof restriction. Han Li didn’t know how Yinyue would separate from the jade ruyi or what sounds might occur inside, nor did he intend to peek.

Because the other party should be well aware of the consequences if the main soul couldn't be extracted.

Meanwhile, Han Li wasn’t idle either.

He walked into the adjacent quiet room and began preparing other matters for nurturing the artifact spirit.

Half a day later, when all his preparations were complete and he felt the time was right, Han Li no longer hesitated and pushed open the stone door of the adjacent quiet room.

As he scanned the situation inside the room, Han Li’s expression shifted.

In the spell formation in the middle of the stone chamber, the jade ruyi and the white fox remained in place. However, the light on the ruyi was significantly dimmer, and the white fox beside it was wet and its fur appeared somewhat dirty and disheveled, as if it had been rolling on the ground. Its fox eyes were filled with an utterly exhausted expression.

Seeing Han Li enter, Yinyue didn’t move or speak, as if it had lost even the strength to talk.

“How was it? Was it smooth?” Han Li asked gently, his expression softening.

“Though it was agonizingly painful, I managed to endure it. Your preparations should be almost complete, right? Without a vessel, I cannot remain in this white fox’s body for too long. I must immediately merge with your magic treasure, or my soul will dissipate,” Yinyue said with extreme weakness, yet forcing itself to speak.

Hearing this, Han Li nodded, then without hesitation, he leaned down, gently scooped up the white fox with both hands, and carried it out of the quiet room into the adjacent one.

Upon entering the stone chamber, Han Li immediately lowered the stone door, and silence fell within. A red light, transformed from a sound transmission talisman, arrived.

This red light plunged into the thick mist and then vanished.

More than an hour later, a flash of green light appeared in the thick mist, revealing Han Li’s figure.

He looked up at the sky, stroked his chin, then raised a hand to release a flying sword. Immediately, he rode the artifact towards Tianquan Peak.

“Brother Han, judging by that sound transmission talisman, it seems all Tianquan Peak disciples have been summoned. Is it for the Sword Trial Assembly?” Yinyue’s clear voice suddenly echoed in Han Li’s mind.

“I’m not sure. However, even someone like me, who’s almost forgotten, received a sound transmission talisman personally sent by the Peak Master. It seems even if it’s not about the Sword Trial Assembly, it must be something else important,” Han Li replied calmly via spiritual sense.

“If Brother Han truly participates in such a junior competition, even without revealing your cultivation, winning the championship would certainly be effortless. However, doing so might arouse the suspicion of high-level cultivators. If things go wrong, even the Nascent Soul cultivators of the three sects might take notice. It could become a losing proposition then,” Yinyue gently reminded him.

“I’m naturally aware of this. When did I ever say I would definitely participate in this so-called assembly? Even if I do, I will absolutely not win the championship. You can rest assured. Before I form a Nascent Soul, I won’t let anyone notice me,” Han Li replied, his expression unchanged.

“It seems Yinyue has been meddlesome. With all the trials and tribulations Brother Han has experienced, such a small matter naturally doesn’t require this humble one’s reminder,” Yinyue said with a light chuckle. Although it was just a voice, the implied coquettishness still seeped through.

Hearing this, Han Li couldn’t help but sigh.

Although this one claimed to be of the Silvermoon Wolf clan, Han Li couldn’t help but feel that it seemed even more foxy and alluring than a true fox demon.

Moreover, ever since it became his artifact spirit, it seemed to know Han Li wouldn’t do anything drastic to it. When possessing the white fox, it would cultivate diligently. But once it transformed into an artifact spirit and hid within the flying sword, it would talk to him incessantly, as if all the loneliness it felt while inside the jade ruyi was being vented in these past few days.

This gave Han Li quite a headache. He used to think this female was more gentle and refined than even a proper young lady!

He wondered if her temperament would slowly revert.