Chapter 185: First Entry into Candragon Dao

The Bell Cry Mountain Range, situated on the continent's spiritual vein, was rich in heaven and earth spiritual energy. Although the climate here was already quite cold, vegetation flourished with vitality, and deep within the mountains dwelled countless spirit beasts and immortal birds, along with many spirit grasses and spirit medicines.

The entire mountain range stretched for countless thousands of miles, nearly spanning half of the Ancient Cloud Continent. The mountains were mostly majestic, towering high into the nine heavens, perpetually shrouded in a cyan mist that made the peaks appear and disappear, adding to their mystery.

Throughout the year, strange loud noises resembling bell sounds would emanate from various parts of the mountain range, hence its name.

According to legend, these strange sounds were caused by the peculiar terrain beneath the peaks and the vibrations of the earth's crust.

Although the Bell Cry Mountain Range was famous, the Candragon Dao lineage that occupied this place was even more renowned, being a prominent existence throughout the entire Northern Frost Immortal Domain.

The Candragon Dao lineage had a long history, being one of the oldest sects in the Northern Frost Immortal Domain. Its founding patriarch was known as Candragon True Immortal.

Since its establishment, Candragon Dao had always dominated as the number one sect on the Ancient Cloud Continent. Now it had grown even stronger, with influence spreading across the entire continent and countless outstanding disciples. It was also one of the top super sects in the entire Northern Frost Immortal Domain.

In the middle of the Bell Cry Mountain Range, near its edge, stood a giant peak.

This peak soared into the clouds, and halfway up was an extremely wide platform that had been built into a vast white jade square. Tall buildings stood on it, also predominantly white, gleaming and visible from over a hundred miles away.

This was an outer mountain gate of Candragon Dao, usually used to receive visitors.

There were dozens of such reception sites outside the Bell Cry Mountain Range, which was unavoidable given Candragon Dao's great fame and the multitude of visitors.

At this moment, several Candragon Dao disciples dressed in white robes stood in the welcome pavilion on the square, chatting among themselves.

These individuals were all quite powerful, around the Deity Transformation stage. On their sleeves was embroidered a strange dragon pattern with a single horn on its head and a pair of wings on its back.

"How many visitors have come these past few days?" asked a tall, thin young man with a smile.

"Twenty-five groups already. There's no help for it—our Candragon Dao is too famous," chuckled a slightly plump man beside him, his face full of pride.

"This reception duty is really boring. I wish the rotation period would pass quickly," complained a slender, pretty purple-haired girl with some dissatisfaction.

"Junior Sister Yin has already reached the peak of Deity Transformation and is about to break through to Void Refinement, yet she's assigned here at this critical time. That's indeed unfortunate. How are your preparations?" the tall, thin young man asked with a smile.

"I've prepared some things, but I only have about thirty percent confidence," the purple-haired girl said, frowning.

"Junior Sister may not know, but being a greeter has its benefits. If you encounter a generous senior, and if you serve them well, they might bestow some spirit stones. Especially for someone as beautiful as you, the chances of receiving gifts are much higher than for us men," the plump man said with a laugh.

"Is that so?" The purple-haired girl's eyes lit up.

Just then, beyond the Bell Cry Mountain Range, a white light appeared on the distant horizon, flying swiftly—a streak of light.

In the blink of an eye, it reached the vicinity of the mountains, revealing a white jade shuttle.

A man and a woman stood on the shuttle. The man was a middle-aged man with a sallow complexion, while the woman was a young girl in a snow-white dress, exceptionally beautiful.

These two were Han Li and Bai Suyuan. After several years of travel, they had finally arrived here.

"So this is the Bell Cry Mountain Range. Such rich heaven and earth spiritual energy," Han Li said, nodding as he looked at the mountains before him.

Bai Suyuan's eyes showed a look of longing, with a hint of excitement.

She took a deep breath and quickly calmed down.

Han Li did not descend immediately but stood there thoughtfully.

Although Bai Suyuan said that with the Candragon Token they could join the inner sect of Candragon Dao, how to use the token properly required careful consideration; they could not act rashly.

The best method would be to have one or two insiders from Candragon Dao to help introduce them.

Although Han Li knew nothing about Candragon Dao, this was not too difficult; it just required some time to plan.

"Senior Li, if you are wondering how to make connections with Candragon Dao disciples, I can help resolve that," Bai Suyuan said, her intelligent eyes turning.

"What method? Let's hear it," Han Li said, looking at her.

He was not surprised that she had guessed his thoughts.

During their years traveling together, he had come to know Bai Suyuan better. Although her cultivation was not strong, she was meticulous and exceptionally intelligent, often inferring many of his thoughts from their few exchanges.

In fact, in the last two or three years, he had barely spoken a word to her.

"It's nothing special. My Bai family's ancestor once had a friend named Qi Liang in Candragon Dao, who was also an inner sect elder. The ancestor left a message that if any Bai family member later joined Candragon Dao, they could seek his protection. Although times have changed and it's uncertain whether Qi Liang is still reliable, requesting a meeting should not be a problem," Bai Suyuan said slowly.

"That's good. I'll leave this matter to you," Han Li nodded.

"Senior Li, you flatter me. I have received much of your care along the way; it is only right that I attend to such small matters. However..." Bai Suyuan said with a smile, then hesitated.

"However, what?" Han Li asked.

"Please forgive my impertinence, but your current appearance is probably not your true face, is it?" Bai Suyuan said after some hesitation.

"What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Bai?" Han Li asked, his expression unchanged.

"After spending these years with you, I have come to understand your character somewhat. You are extremely cautious in other matters, but you never deliberately hide your appearance. Given that, the face you show must not be your real one. Moreover, I am also a member of the Wuchang Alliance and am familiar with the ways of its members. That mask is best at changing one's appearance," Bai Suyuan said with a light laugh, unhurriedly.

"It seems my little tricks cannot fool anyone. Fellow Daoist Bai is truly perceptive; I admire that," Han Li said with a slight smile.

"You flatter me. If I hadn't stayed by your side for so long, I would never have noticed. However, if you wish to join Candragon Dao, such concealment is absolutely unacceptable. Although the Wuchang Alliance mask is exquisite, it is said that Candragon Dao has thirteen Golden Immortal-level Dao Lords, and the First Dao Lord is said to be at the Great Perfection of Golden Immortal, only one step away from the legendary Taiyi Jade Immortal realm. The illusions of the Wuchang Alliance, though exquisite, may not fool them. If discovered, not only would you fail to enter, but you might be treated as a spy from a hostile faction," Bai Suyuan said seriously.

Han Li was silent for a moment, then nodded. He formed a hand seal, and a faint light flickered on his body as he reverted to his true appearance.

Bai Suyuan's beautiful eyes glanced over Han Li's ordinary, dark features, then she slightly curled her lips and quickly looked away.

Han Li stamped his foot, and the white shuttle flew forward again, soon arriving before the giant peak and landing on the white jade square.

After Bai Suyuan jumped down, Han Li also put away the shuttle and stood side by side with her on the square.

"Welcome to Candragon Dao. May I ask what brings you here?" The reception disciples had stopped chatting when they saw the arrivals and now came forward to greet them.

These disciples glanced a few extra times at Han Li, apparently noticing his high cultivation level, but all wore smiles and maintained a neither humble nor arrogant demeanor, without any servility toward a senior.

"We have come to pay a visit to your sect's Elder Qi Liang. Is he currently in the sect?" Han Li said, releasing a trace of True Immortal-level aura.

The few were greatly shaken, but the terrifying pressure vanished in the next moment.

"Please trouble you to announce us," Han Li said, flicking his fingers. Several rare Deity Transformation-stage pills flew out and landed before them.

These pills were casually collected by Han Li from some unlucky person's storage bracelet and were of no use to him, so he was happy to be generous with others' possessions.

The disciples put away the pills and, after a sweep of their divine sense, could no longer maintain their composure, showing great joy.

These pills, worthless to Han Li, were true priceless treasures to these disciples.

Not to mention a pill suitable for Deity Transformation stage, even a pill suitable for Nascent Soul stage, if taken to the market and exchanged for spirit stones, could support quite a few days of cultivation.

"Senior is too kind. Elder Qi Liang is an executive of the Heavenly Star Hall and is usually in the sect. May I ask your esteemed names? Do you have any token for us to deliver?" The tall, thin young man, relatively restrained, cupped his hands and said respectfully.

"Li Feiyu, and this is Bai Suyuan. As for the token..." Han Li said, looking at Bai Suyuan.

"Senior Brother, please deliver this to Elder Qi Liang, and he will know our identities," Bai Suyuan said, taking out a half-moon-shaped red jade pendant and handing it to the tall, thin young man.

"So it's Senior Li. I will go and inform Elder Qi Liang immediately. However, whether he will see you is beyond our control. Please understand," the tall, thin young man said, taking the red jade pendant.

"Of course," Han Li nodded.

The tall, thin young man apologized and quickly walked toward a palace.

"Senior Li and Fellow Daoist Bai, please rest in the side hall," another slightly plump man said respectfully.

He led the way, guiding Han Li and Bai Suyuan to another pavilion built halfway up the mountain.

This place was nestled in a bamboo grove, with dappled sunlight filtering through the bamboo leaves, casting beautiful patterns on the pavilion. Inside, it was cool and quiet, with elegant furnishings; every table and chair was meticulously arranged, pleasing to the eye.

"Please sit here for a while. Elder Qi Liang is an inner sect elder, so it may take some time for him to arrive," the plump man said apologetically, quickly serving two cups of spirit tea.

Han Li nodded but did not touch the spirit tea. Bai Suyuan, however, seemed interested in tea ceremony and savored it slowly.

The plump man did not leave but waited on them.

They waited for half a day.

Han Li sat quietly, showing no impatience, but his mind was churning with thoughts.

Over the years, while traveling, he had secretly cast spells to sense the Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords and the Crab Immortal.

To his delight, the closer he got to the Bell Cry Mountain Range, the clearer the sensation became.

It seemed that the Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords and the Crab Immortal were most likely within the Bell Cry Mountain Range.

To recover the two lost treasures, he would first have to enter Candragon Dao and then make plans.