Chapter 1226: A Fright but No Harm

Han Li and Chi Meng walked forward for some distance and soon arrived at a secluded spot.

After turning another corner, a wide-open valley appeared ahead, filled with golden maple trees that shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight without any vulgarity, possessing instead a natural beauty.

The golden maples covering the mountains and fields created an extraordinary spectacle, truly a rare and beautiful sight.

"These golden maple trees are called Radiant Gold Maples, a rare spiritual tree that only grows in places rich in metal-attribute spiritual energy. Besides their beauty, they emit a gentle metal aura that is quite beneficial for physical cultivation," Chi Meng said as she walked.

"Is that so? Fairy Chi Meng, you are not only knowledgeable but also deeply versed in physical cultivation. I admire that, Chang," Han Li said, his gaze seemingly entranced as he spoke admiringly.

As soon as he entered the maple forest, he had noticed the gentle metal aura permeating the void, which was beneficial for nurturing the body.

"I am merely talking on paper. Fellow Daoist Chang, your physical cultivation is nearly perfect. How can I compare to you? I wonder how you managed to cultivate your body to such a level? There must be some secret method involved, right?" Chi Meng asked, her beautiful eyes flickering.

"Everyone's constitution is different, and methods of physical cultivation vary. I have traveled extensively over the years and only managed to open some acupoints through sheer coincidence. Fairy Chi Meng, you flatter me too much," Han Li said vaguely, gazing at Chi Meng's silhouette.

"I see. It seems traveling abroad is indeed beneficial. Given the chance, I should also go out more. Unfortunately, I have little experience outside. Some time ago, I went to Liujin City and stirred up some trouble," Chi Meng said with a gentle smile, then sighed.

"Given Fairy Chi Meng's status, who would dare to provoke you?" Han Li's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his composure and asked with a slightly surprised expression.

"My last trip to Liujin City was on orders from the Heavenly Court to capture a wanted criminal. However, complications arose, and the person was rescued. Moreover, all my companions were killed," Chi Meng said, her expression suddenly turning cold.

"Oh? Someone dared to obstruct the Heavenly Court's business? Who could be so bold? Were they accomplices of the wanted criminal?" Han Li asked calmly.

"I don't know if they were accomplices, but that person had extremely powerful physical strength. Come to think of it, they are somewhat similar to Fellow Daoist Chang," Chi Meng said, staring intently at Han Li.

"Why is Fairy Chi Meng looking at me like that? You don't suspect me, do you? Our sect recalled me to the mountain gate in secret thousands of years ago for this competition for the Bodhi Token. I have been in seclusion cultivating within the sect all these years and have never left. If Fairy Chi Meng doesn't believe me, you are welcome to investigate at Xianshan Sect," Han Li said with a hearty laugh, his expression serious.

Though he laughed outwardly, inwardly he sighed. No matter how hard he tried to hide, Chi Meng had still seen through some clues.

This was not surprising. A Daluo stage cultivator's perception was extremely keen. Even if the Reincarnation Palace mask could perfectly conceal his aura, once he took action, it was inevitable that some flaws would be exposed.

However, judging by Chi Meng's demeanor, she was only suspicious.

"Is that so..." Chi Meng smiled slightly. With a flip of her right hand, a white orb appeared. The orb was inscribed with countless golden patterns, and inside it was a white vortex, looking very mysterious.

"Oh? What treasure is this?" Han Li's heart stirred as he asked.

"This is called the Celestial Orb, adept at sensing and probing laws. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Chang would dare let me test your laws to see if they match that person's?" Chi Meng stared at Han Li, her voice growing even gentler.

At the same time, several powerful auras emanated from all directions in the maple forest, locking onto him.

"This... Just because my physical body is strong, Fairy Chi Meng suspects I am a criminal of the Heavenly Court and wants to probe my laws? Isn't that a bit presumptuous?" Han Li said with a grim expression.

"I have no choice but to trouble you. Please forgive me. If it proves that Fellow Daoist Chang is not that person, I will toast to you as an apology," Chi Meng said, bowing slightly, her starry eyes fixed on Han Li without the slightest relaxation.

"Fairy Chi Meng holds a prominent position, being both an important figure in the Heavenly Court and the granddaughter of Dao Ancestor Chi Rong. I, Chang, am merely an elder of the humble Xianshan Sect. If you wish to investigate me, go ahead. But I must first ask what laws that person cultivates, so I don't suffer an undeserved injustice," Han Li said with a cold snort, his mind racing.

This was within the Nine Yuan Temple. Even if he refused to let Chi Meng investigate, it would only attract more attention, making things worse.

Now he could only hope that the black mask from the Reincarnation Palace was more sophisticated than Chi Meng's Celestial Orb.

As his thoughts turned, Han Li silently activated the Grand Five Elements Illusion World Art, hiding all the time laws deep within his body.

He also condensed and internalized the divine sense power in his mind.

At that moment, the condensed time laws within him suddenly collapsed inward, contracting toward a single point, forming a golden orb the size of an egg.

The golden orb was round and smooth, giving a sense of completeness. All the time laws were contained within, not a trace leaking out.

Sensing this, Han Li was momentarily startled.

"The secret techniques and cultivation methods that person practiced were somewhat mixed, but the main one was the time law, one of the three supreme laws. Thank you for your cooperation, Fellow Daoist Chang," Chi Meng said, ignoring Han Li's sarcasm. She smiled slightly and began to chant incantations.

The white orb in her hand spun rapidly, the golden patterns on its surface shining brightly, and the white vortex inside spun even faster.

An invisible wave emanated from the orb and entered Han Li's body.

The immortal spiritual power within Han Li immediately trembled, involuntarily revealing itself.

Black light appeared on his body surface, along with specks of golden lightning.

The black light was the law cultivated by Chang Qi, while the golden lightning was the lightning law of the Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords.

Han Li had recently re-refined the Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords, and the laws they contained were completely different from before, so there was no fear of recognition.

Han Li's time laws were hidden deep within his body, extremely stable, completely unaffected by the Celestial Orb.

Sensing this, he was overjoyed but did not show it, maintaining a cold and angry expression.

Seeing this, Chi Meng was momentarily stunned but refused to give up. She increased the activation of the Celestial Orb.

Han Li's immortal spiritual power trembled even more violently, and more black light and lightning laws emerged, but there were no other changes.

"Are you done?" Han Li asked coldly.

Chi Meng's beautiful eyes flickered. She made a hand seal and pointed at the white orb, and the light on the orb faded.

The immortal spiritual power in Han Li's body calmed down, and the law light around him disappeared in a flash.

"It seems I have misunderstood Fellow Daoist Chang. I apologize for that. Later, I will host a banquet at Kaiyuan Tower in Jiuyuan City to make amends," Chi Meng said apologetically to Han Li.

"No need for apologies. Does Fairy Chi Meng have any other business? If not, please excuse me," Han Li said with a cold snort. Without waiting for Chi Meng's reply, he turned and walked out of the golden maple forest.

Chi Meng watched Han Li's gradually receding figure, her brows still not fully relaxed.

Then, with a twist of her slender waist, her jade pendants jingling, her figure vanished from the golden maple forest. The other auras in the forest also faded away.

...

Han Li left the golden maple forest and soon returned to the Xianshan Villa.

"Fellow Daoist Han, did Chi Meng find you? Did she detect your identity?" Zhou Xianyang had been waiting there. As soon as Han Li returned, he immediately came to inquire.

"No. She just saw that my physical cultivation was quite strong and wanted to ask me about it," Han Li said, deciding not to tell Zhou Xianyang what had just happened, lest it cause Zhou Xianyang, as well as Jiao San and Wu Yang, to have other ideas.

He had already completed his task and did not want any complications that might affect his obtaining information about Gold Boy.

"That's good," Zhou Xianyang said, relieved, nodding.

"Speaking of which, Fellow Daoist Han, your physical cultivation has reached such a level. I envy you. Do you have any secrets? I am willing to exchange five million immortal crystals for them," Zhou Xianyang then changed his expression, a fervent gleam in his eyes as he asked.

"I have no secrets. My current physical achievements are merely due to coincidence," Han Li shook his head.

Zhou Xianyang looked disappointed upon hearing this.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I have fulfilled my part of the agreement and obtained a Bodhi Token for your Xianshan Sect. When will I receive what I asked for?" Han Li asked.

"Fellow Daoist Han, please be patient. Fellow Daoist Wu Yang has already learned of your three consecutive victories, and the item you requested has been delivered. However, I can only give it to you after I obtain the Bodhi Token," Zhou Xianyang said with an apologetic smile.

"One hand exchanges the goods, the other pays. That's reasonable. Very well, let's wait seven days then," Han Li said with a slight nod.

Zhou Xianyang did not stay long. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Han Li, he took his leave.

Han Li sat down cross-legged and began to cultivate with his eyes closed.

...

Seven days passed quickly. Han Li, along with the Xianshan Sect group, arrived once again at the mountain gate of the Nine Yuan Temple.

The Nine Yuan Temple had already sent people waiting there to lead the Xianshan Sect members deeper into the mountain gate.

As Han Li followed the crowd, he discreetly observed the interior of the Nine Yuan Temple.

He had already had Lan Yan describe the situation inside the Nine Yuan Temple in detail and had drawn a map of the temple.

The Nine Yuan Temple's mountain gate covered an extremely vast area, divided into an outer temple and an inner temple.

Unfortunately, Lan Yan and the others were of low status and had only moved within the outer temple area, visiting the inner temple only once or twice. The map only depicted the outer temple, with only a few locations marked in the inner temple.

However, the places before him were all on Lan Yan's map, which put Han Li somewhat at ease.