Chapter 1314: Traveling the World

"Isn't that the case for all of us cultivators?" Zi Ling frowned.

"That's why very few advance to the late Great Vehicle stage. Besides the difficulty of cultivation, the inability to sever the good corpse is also a major reason." Han Li spread his hands.

"Then what can we do?" Zi Ling realized the gravity of the problem, her pretty face turning solemn.

"At present, whether in cultivation realm or law cultivation, I've reached the peak of the mid-Great Vehicle stage. Continued seclusion is meaningless. It's better to go out and travel around; perhaps I can find a breakthrough." Han Li pondered for a moment, then said.

"I once heard Senior Crab say that sometimes the bottleneck of high-level immortals lies not in cultivation or laws themselves, but in the state of mind—the state of mind that perceives the truest essence of the world. Speaking of which, I've never been to the True Immortal Realm. Even in the Demon Domain, I was always busy with various matters... Brother Han, you must take me to see this place properly." A hint of joy flashed in Zi Ling's eyes, and she smiled.

"The True Immortal Realm is vast, far surpassing the Demon Domain, with many unique places. It will surely not disappoint you. Come to think of it, I've been focused on cultivation all these years and haven't had a good look at the True Immortal Realm. Let's take this opportunity to look around." Influenced by Zi Ling's mood, Han Li's inner bitterness dissipated.

He waved his hand, took Zi Ling's hand, and flew out of the Flower Branch Space.

...

The Northern Day Immortal Domain was a small immortal domain on the border of the True Immortal Realm. The celestial energy was not particularly rich, but it was famous for the magnificent auroras that often appeared in its sky.

Of course, this reputation was only for immortals above the Tai Yi stage. Those below the Golden Immortal stage might never leave their birth immortal domain in their lifetime, and those of even lower cultivation might never leave their own continent, let alone roam freely among the major immortal domains.

In fact, the vast majority of high-level cultivators, except for a very few, rarely gave up secluded cultivation to travel around. After all, even after becoming high-level immortals, they would never give up any opportunity to improve their cultivation.

In the far north of the Northern Day Immortal Domain, on a continent frozen year-round, there was a mountain range called Heavenly Waterfall. The peaks were covered with accumulated snow, towering into the clouds.

When the snow melted, water gathered into waterfalls. Due to the peculiar terrain, the entire mountain range formed thousands of waterfalls of various sizes, a magnificent sight.

Whenever the aurora appeared, the waterfalls reflected the celestial light, and the entire mountain range was bathed in a dreamlike beauty, intoxicating all who saw it.

At this moment, on a mountain peak, a man and a woman stood side by side. They were Han Li and Zi Ling, their appearances altered, enjoying the surreal beauty around them.

...

The Nest Lake of the Jade Lake Immortal Domain was rich in high-grade spiritual jade. The lake was perpetually shrouded in rolling mist, which changed with the seasons—sometimes white, sometimes purple, sometimes pink.

These ever-changing mists, combined with the high-grade spiritual jade, made the Nest Lake widely renowned.

A small boat glided gently across the lake. Han Li and Zi Ling drifted on the water, their expressions serene, playing a game of Go.

...

The Fire Bird Mountain Range in the Heavenly Fire Immortal Domain was named for its many peaks shaped like birds.

Underground magma churned here, and earthly fires often erupted from the tops of these bird-shaped peaks, looking like countless giant birds spewing heavenly flames.

On an extinct volcano, Han Li and Zi Ling stood shoulder to shoulder, admiring the spectacle of ten thousand fires erupting.

...

The mysterious Green Mud Swamp of the Flowing Ripple Immortal Domain, the Red Sun Ocean of the Canghai Immortal Domain, the Storm Mountain Range of the Xuanfeng Immortal Domain...

Han Li and Zi Ling visited all these unique immortal domains of the True Immortal Realm one by one.

With Han Li's current cultivation, his flying speed was extremely fast, and crossing an immortal domain did not take long.

In just over two hundred years, the two had passed through twenty or thirty immortal domains, witnessing countless unique landscapes and exotic customs.

However, the True Immortal Realm was truly vast. The places they had visited were still but a tiny corner of the entire realm.

Wary of the forces of the Heavenly Court and the Reincarnation Hall, they only visited medium and small immortal domains, constantly changing their appearances. The journey went smoothly, and they were not recognized.

In the western part of the Flying Wing Immortal Domain, there was a continuous mountain range covered with a kind of blood-red bamboo. Seen from high above, the scenery was extremely spectacular.

Whenever the wind blew, the blood bamboo forest swayed, and the rustling sound was like rolling waves, earning it the reputation of a bamboo sea.

Near the Blood Bamboo Mountain Range was a small city called Jade Mountain City. On the top floor of a three-story tavern in the city, Han Li and Zi Ling sat by the window.

They were drinking a bright red wine that emitted a strange fragrance of bamboo leaves. It was brewed from the roots of the blood bamboo.

"The Blood Bamboo Sea truly lives up to its reputation. And this blood bamboo wine, though a mortal drink, tastes excellent. This trip was worthwhile." Zi Ling took a sip of the wine, a hint of intoxication on her face.

Han Li downed the wine in his cup and nodded slightly.

His appreciation of fine wine was that of a connoisseur. Though the blood bamboo wine was a mortal thing, its flavor carried a sense of vicissitude, quite rare.

Han Li put down his cup and looked downward.

The city was bustling with people coming and going.

During the two hundred thousand years in the Flower Branch Space, while comprehending the good corpse, he had also made rapid progress in the last two layers of the Spirit Refining Art.

Now he had cultivated the sixth layer of the Spirit Refining Art, and his divine sense had greatly improved again.

At this moment, without even spreading his divine sense, Han Li could see everything in Jade Mountain City clearly.

Jade Mountain City was a mortal city, gathering people of all kinds: officials, scholars, merchants, warriors, farmers, and many beggars.

All kinds of sounds, filled with countless complex emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, grief, as well as obsession, greed, hatred, etc.—rushed toward him.

Han Li suddenly sighed softly, poured a cup of wine, and drank it all.

"What's wrong?" Zi Ling looked over.

"Nothing. I'm just a bit emotional about the myriad states of the mortal world. Whether mortals or cultivators, none can escape being caught up in it; no one can transcend." Han Li said lightly.

"Though we immortals have long lifespans, nearly immortal, we cannot escape entanglements of love, hate, and worldly affairs." Zi Ling also put down her cup and sighed.

Han Li looked into the distance, silent.

"Brother Han, is there still no progress in sensing the good corpse?" Zi Ling asked.

Han Li shook his head silently, a trace of worry appearing on his brow.

"You've accompanied me for over two hundred years and visited many places. I am very content. How about starting tomorrow, you focus on seclusion again? Perhaps with the insights from these years, you might gain something." Zi Ling was silent for a moment, then said softly.

"Severing the corpse is different from other cultivation. It's not something that can be achieved by spending time. Otherwise, why would so many in the True Immortal Realm be stuck at this point? I have a feeling that the key to advancing to the late Great Vehicle stage lies in this mortal world. Let's continue traveling and seek opportunities." Han Li shook his head and said.

Zi Ling smiled upon hearing this and nodded.

Han Li picked up the wine pot, filled both cups, and they drank together.

"...That old immortal Lingyun raised a flying sword. The white light stretched for ten thousand zhang, outshining the sun and moon. The evil dragon was so terrified it lost its wits and turned to flee, but how could it escape? With a flash of the sword light, one of the dragon's front claws was severed. Bright red dragon blood poured down like rain, instantly dyeing the pool red." A voice came from an old man telling a story at the tavern—a tale of a sword immortal ridding the people of a scourge.

The Flying Wing Immortal Domain placed great importance on the distinction between immortals and mortals. Cultivators were strictly forbidden from appearing in mortal areas. Thus, for ordinary people, immortals were ethereal and mysterious, making for the best conversation topics.

The old man was eloquent, and the story was exciting, attracting many drinkers around him.

Hearing this, the nearby drinkers all exclaimed 'oh' and stared intently at the old storyteller, waiting for what came next.

But the old storyteller did not speak immediately. He calmly cleared his throat, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

At the same time, a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl in a green dress walked out gracefully, holding a copper tray, smiling as she bowed to the crowd.

This was a request for money. The storyteller was indeed good, and the girl was pretty and charming. Many drinkers generously threw coins onto the tray. The storyteller smiled and cupped his hands in thanks to the guests.

Han Li smiled at this scene.

He had grown up in a mountain village and never had the chance to hear such storytelling. At most, he listened to those who could leave the village talk about the outside world.

Back then, he was much like these drinkers, full of longing for the unknown world and the bizarre tales passed down as myths among mortals.

The girl in green bent down to pick up the coins. Her skin was already fair, and now a section of her tender white neck was exposed, enhancing her appearance. A few rogue guests loudly teased her, saying she was beautiful and so on.

The girl blushed deeply, but she did not stop picking up coins. She just kept using the copper tray to cover her face. This half-hidden, shy demeanor only made those rogues more covetous.

The girl seemed to sense their ill intentions, quickly gathered the coins, and retreated.

Among those rogues, a young man in luxurious clothes with a lecherous look suddenly let out a strange laugh, reached out, and grabbed the girl's wrist.

The girl in green let out a scream of surprise.

The young man in fine clothes, reeking of alcohol, seemed drunk and disoriented. He reached out to touch the girl's chin and teased, "Little lady, you're so beautiful. Where are you from? Don't tell stories here. Let big brother take you to eat something nice..."

The girl in green was panicked and cried out for help.

The old storyteller panicked and rushed over to save the girl, but the young man pushed him away.

The young man seemed to have martial arts skills and considerable strength. The old man crashed through a railing, spat out a mouthful of blood, and collapsed weakly.

"Grandfather!" the girl in green cried out, struggling desperately but unable to break free.

Seeing the commotion, some of the timid drinkers on the upper floor quickly left their seats.

Han Li frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure in his eyes, but he remained seated and did not move.

Such harassment of innocent women was common in the mortal world, happening almost every moment. It was not a big deal. However, the earlier storytelling had stirred something in his heart.