Little Spirit Void Peak, Little Spirit Void Pavilion.
Zheng Hai took a sip of spirit wine, deliberately feigning resentment. "Now that you're an Inner Sect Disciple, why are you even stingier than before? Treating me to drinks at Little Spirit Void Pavilion hardly befits your exalted status."
"At the very least, you should have taken me to the Ascension Pavilion on Azure Dragon Peak, or even the Drunken Immortal Pavilion on Little Golden Crow Peak."
Han Yi glared at Zheng Hai, exasperated. "Get lost."
Zheng Hai's feigned resentment vanished, replaced by a wide grin. "Still, this isn't bad. At least you haven't forgotten your old friend and are willing to treat me here on Little Spirit Void Peak."
Han Yi set down his spirit wine and sighed heavily. "Damn it all, how did I get chosen for the first batch? My luck couldn't be any worse."
Zheng Hai stared at him impassively. "Come on, Han Yi, who do you think you're fooling with that act? Don't tell me you're not secretly thrilled."
"Every time you return from an assignment, your progress skyrockets. The first time you were sent on an Outpost Assignment, your Alchemy Technique advanced by leaps and bounds."
"The second time, you fought on the front lines. After a period of secluded cultivation, you broke through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining."
"At first, I refused to believe it. But now I realize you're just a freak of nature. There's no competing with you."
Zheng Hai's heart was filled with complex emotions.
He had once envied Han Yi, even volunteering for an Outpost Assignment, only to waste over a year and bitterly regret it. He felt as if his intestines would turn green with remorse.
After returning to the mountain, he finally learned from his mistakes, realizing he couldn't compare himself to Han Yi. He calmed his mind and focused on his own cultivation.
Over the years, he had broken through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, regaining some of his lost confidence.
"Your well wishes are accepted, I suppose," Han Yi said tersely, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
In recent years, Han Yi had mostly stayed on Azure Dragon Peak, occasionally visiting Little Spirit Void Peak. Each time he did, Zheng Hai happened to be in closed-door cultivation. Before this trip, Han Yi had deliberately sought out Zheng Hai, and finding him available, invited him for a drink.
He hadn't suggested the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, fearing Zheng Hai might have ulterior motives. It seemed better to stay at Little Spirit Void Pavilion and catch up in a more relaxed setting.
"By the way, I went to Vermilion Bird Peak yesterday and ran into Senior Brother Guan at the Management Hall while he was handling some affairs. He mentioned he's also on the first batch list of Inner Sect Disciples. Han Yi, why don't you consider teaming up with him?" Zheng Hai asked halfway through their drinks.
Han Yi's eyes flickered momentarily before he gently shook his head.
He had already reviewed the list when it was released. It included not only Guan Di from Overturning Sea Peak, but also Chu Jinmo, who had moved from Little Sea-Viewing Peak to White Tiger Peak years ago.
Besides his close companions, Han Yi had maintained occasional contact with other fellow sect members, though their ties weren't particularly strong.
However, after a moment's consideration, Han Yi dismissed the idea of forming a team with them. Over the years, he had grown particularly close to Luo Yunzhou and Yan Ru, primarily because they all resided on Azure Dragon Peak. He had essentially lost touch with fellow sect members from other Inner Peaks.
The Immortal Path stretched endlessly onward, and some connections were destined to fade with time. Why force what wasn't meant to be?
As for Zheng Hai, Han Yi's feelings were more complex. This fellow sect member had been the first to show him genuine concern after his transmigration, making him a true friend.
Yet he knew that as their cultivation levels diverged, their paths would inevitably drift apart. His occasional drinking sessions with Zheng Hai were simply an effort to preserve their precious bond from fracturing too quickly.
"No, thanks," Han Yi replied, offering no further explanation.
Zheng Hai fell silent, continuing to drink without pressing the matter. The spirit wine flowed freely, and after they finished, they parted ways.
The next day, Han Yi ascended White Tiger Peak. As he approached White Tiger Market, he noticed several hundred disciples scattered across a small plaza outside the market.
Three Transcending Calamity Immortal Ships were docked in the center of the plaza. These medium-sized transport vessels were classified as top-grade magic artifacts, a tier below the magic treasure-grade Soaring Divine Warships. Still, they were more than adequate for transporting them to the Myriad Demon Mountain Range.
In truth, the Profound Pill Sect hadn't issued any travel recommendations. Instead, they had enacted a new policy, and the three major markets of Inner Peak, sensing a business opportunity, had independently organized these Immortal Ships.
A one-way trip to the Myriad Demon Mountain Range cost one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones—a hefty price. Yet most Inner Sect Disciples opted for this mode of transport, as it spared them considerable trouble.
Traveling from the Profound Pill Sect to the Myriad Demon Mountain Range on foot required crossing the vast territories of Nanyang, Luofeng, and Huaibei Counties—three prefectures of immense scale. Even at the speed of a Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivator, rushing day and night, the journey would take at least half a month.
Beyond the waste of precious time, the greatest concern was the danger. Along the way, travelers might encounter hostile cultivators from rival sects like the Blood God Sect, or even face robber cultivators or demonic practitioners. Any such encounter could prove disastrous.
It was entirely possible to meet one's demise before even reaching the battlefield.
"咦, Junior Brother Han."
Suddenly, a clear, gentle voice rang out beside him.
Han Yi turned to see Chu Jinmo approaching. Her graceful figure was draped in a flowing robe, and a warm smile graced her face. A silver longsword hung at her back.
"Senior Sister Chu," Han Yi replied with a smile.
It had been many years since their last encounter, a chance meeting just before the outbreak of the Great Immortal-Demon War. Yet, despite the passage of time, Chu Jinmo remained remarkably unchanged. Her eyes shone with the same gentle light, her demeanor as warm and graceful as ever.
Only her attire had changed slightly. Previously, Chu Jinmo had never displayed any Magic Artifacts. Now, she carried a longsword strapped to her back. Han Yi couldn't help but steal a quick glance at the exposed silver hilt before quickly averting his gaze.
Noticing his glance, Chu Jinmo offered no explanation. Instead, she said softly, "I saw Junior Brother Han's name on the roster earlier and learned you had already advanced to the Late-Stage Qi Refining and joined the Inner Peak. Congratulations, Junior Brother."
Han Yi clasped his hands in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Senior Sister."
"Junior Brother Han, are you traveling alone on this trip?" Chu Jinmo asked, her voice tinged with surprise as she noted the absence of companions beside him.
Every disciple knew that venturing into the Myriad Demon Mountain Range was fraught with peril. Traveling in groups had become the norm. Those who ventured alone were either supremely confident in their abilities or had failed to find companions, forced to strike out on their own.
Chu Jinmo still remembered Han Yi as the Outer Sect Disciple who had returned from an Outpost Assignment, renowned for his exceptional Pill Refinement skills.
Furthermore, Han Yi had been completely absent from all the sect's major events, including the Cave Heaven Trial, the Inner and Outer Peak Great Competition, and the Joint Grand Competition with the Primal Beast Sect.
In Chu Jinmo's eyes, Han Yi was a junior brother known for his exceptional Pill Refinement skills, a habit of secluded cultivation, and likely unremarkable combat prowess.
This was her overall impression of him.
"Why don't you join us, Junior Brother Han? There are several senior brothers from White Tiger Peak over there who can lead the way. While this journey will still be dangerous, it would undoubtedly be safer than traveling alone."
Chu Jinmo gestured toward five young men standing about thirty meters away, all dressed in the navy-blue robes of Inner Sect disciples.
Her inner motive was to repay a favor. Years ago, she had invited Han Yi to Little Sea-Viewing Peak to sell Medicinal Pills to her junior sisters, and he hadn't refused. This was her chance to reciprocate.
Noticing Chu Jinmo and Han Yi's attention, the five young men exchanged glances before turning to acknowledge them with nods.
Han Yi returned their greetings but shook his head at Chu Jinmo. "Thank you for your kind offer, Senior Sister Chu, but I..."
"Hmm..."
"Alright then, thank you for the invitation, Senior Sister Chu. I'll gladly join you on this trip."
Han Yi had initially intended to decline, wanting to maintain a low profile and confident that his strength was sufficient to handle even a Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement cultivator alone. He had believed solo travel would be best.
The words caught in his throat for a moment, then he abruptly agreed.
Han Yi had suddenly realized that as a Seventh Layer Qi Refinement cultivator among Eighth and Ninth Layer experts, he would be the least conspicuous.
Moreover, if danger arose, enemies would naturally target those with higher cultivation realms first, leaving weaker cultivators like him for later, giving him more time to react.
Why not take advantage of this?
Wasn't this the very essence of his lifelong pursuit of low-key survival?
At that moment, his perspective shifted slightly.
If all went smoothly, he could let the Eighth and Ninth Layer Senior Brothers take the lead while he hunted a Seventh-Rank Demon Beast—an effortless path to success.
Perfect.
He admitted that his earlier mindset had been too narrow.
Of course, this was also a gamble.
He wasn't sure if the Senior Brothers would even accept him into their group.
After all, based on his cultivation realm alone, he was merely a Seventh Layer Qi Refinement cultivator, while the five individuals Chu Jinmo referred to as "Senior Brothers" were undoubtedly stronger.
Why burden themselves with dead weight?
If he were in their position, he wouldn't want such a liability either.
But there was no harm in trying.
Han Yi's sudden change of heart surprised even Chu Jinmo. She could tell he had initially intended to refuse, but then, for reasons unknown, agreed.