Chapter 316: Qi Liang's Invitation

In a certain area at the center of the Bell Tone Mountain Range, ice and snow had melted for hundreds of thousands of li in radius. Everywhere one looked, lush greenery abounded.

The sky had cleared, like a piece of azure jade. Clusters of auspicious clouds floated among the mountains, and rainbow-hued rays spread from one cloud to another, emitting brilliant five-colored light. Countless cranes flew through the clouds, leaving behind crisp cries, as if in a fairyland.

At the center of this fairyland stood a majestic white mountain, its surface smooth with few rugged protrusions. At first glance, it resembled a giant white jade pillar.

The white mountain was broken off at mid-slope, the fracture so smooth it looked as if someone had sliced it in two with a single blade, forming a massive square atop the break.

Though only half a mountain, the white square still towered at the zenith of the sky.

At the center of the square stood a colossal white jade platform, nearly a thousand zhang high, its surface inscribed with countless runes, emitting a faint white glow.

Steps slanted down from the top of the platform to the ground.

On the steps were placed round meditation cushions, densely packed, numbering in the thousands.

Around the platform, the ground was covered with even more cushions, stretching to the edge of the square, countless in number.

This was the place where the First Principal would preach—the White Jade Peak Lecture Terrace.

Now, before the assembly had begun, not a single figure was on the square atop White Jade Peak, and it was very quiet.

In a huge mountain valley just a few hundred li from White Jade Peak, amidst dense clouds and mist, countless ornate towers and pavilions appeared and disappeared, connected in a continuous chain, vaguely forming a city stretching thousands of li.

Unlike the scene on White Jade Peak, this city was bustling with noise. Though it was daytime, various lights flashed everywhere in the city, shooting into the sky, appearing extremely lively.

From time to time, people mounted flying lights and sped off in all directions, while more flying lights arrived in groups of three or five from all around, landing in the valley city.

Just then, a beam of green light shot over from afar, flickered twice, and arrived nearby, revealing Han Li's figure.

He glanced toward White Jade Peak in the distance, then quickly withdrew his gaze and descended toward the city below.

The entire city was covered by a huge green restriction, with many Candlestick Dragon Sect disciples stationed at various points.

Seeing Han Li fly over, a young Candlestick Dragon Sect disciple hurriedly approached.

"Disciple greets Elder. According to sect rules, anyone entering White Jade City must first have their identity checked. Please forgive me," the young disciple said, bowing deeply, looking apologetic as he noted Han Li's elder robes.

"No matter." Han Li took out his elder identity token.

The young disciple produced a white jade talisman and shook it slightly toward Han Li's token.

The token emitted a layer of white light, and the jade talisman shone brightly, coalescing into a small white light screen that displayed Han Li's image and information.

"So it's Elder Li. Disciple was rude. Please wait a moment, Elder, and I will open the restriction," the young disciple said after glancing at the light screen, then apologized and took out a green token.

With a flick, a beam of green light shot from the token and merged into the light screen behind him.

The light screen trembled, and a passage one person high appeared.

Han Li put away his elder token, flew in, and soon landed in the city.

He walked along a street toward the city center, occasionally looking around with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

From outside, through the light screen, it hadn't seemed so, but now inside, he found the city filled with tall, magnificent buildings, exquisite and luxurious shops lining the streets, and wide roads spreading like a spider web—extremely prosperous, no less than any great city he had seen before.

In recent years, during breaks from cultivation, he had often traveled around the Bell Tone Mountain Range, but he had never known there was such a place here.

The shops along the street sold all kinds of goods—materials, pills, and treasures—all of good quality, no less than those in the Candlestick Dragon Sect's market, and some items were rarely seen even there.

Many shop owners were clearly not Candlestick Dragon Sect disciples but members of affiliated forces, taking advantage of the assembly to sell local specialties.

After walking for a while, Han Li stopped in front of a shop.

It was a material shop. From the entrance, he could see dozens of shelves inside, each stocked with many materials, all fine treasures, and many novel items.

The shop was crowded with people, doing good business.

After a moment's hesitation, Han Li stepped inside.

As soon as he entered, a young attendant in a red feathered robe immediately approached and said, "Senior, are you looking for materials? Our Yidong Tower has a complete collection of spiritual materials at fair prices..."

"Xiao San, you attend to other guests. I will receive this honored guest," an old man in a feathered robe, who looked like the shopkeeper, said quickly, walking over before the attendant could finish.

The young attendant was startled and tactfully withdrew.

"Esteemed elder, the young man is inexperienced. Please do not take offense. What materials do you require? I am from the Yi family of the far western lands. Our family has dealt in spiritual materials for generations and has a good reputation. I assure you, you will not be disappointed," the old man in the feathered robe said respectfully.

Han Li said nothing more. He simply flipped his hand and produced a jade slip, which he handed over. Inside the jade slip were the remaining materials needed for the Dao Pill and the two other main ingredients for the Ten Thousand Revolutions Pill.

"Esteemed elder, the materials you need are too precious. Our humble shop simply does not have them," the old man said apologetically after pressing the jade slip to his forehead.

"Then do you know where I can purchase these materials?" Han Li asked calmly.

"I have only seen these materials in ancient texts. I have never heard of them appearing anywhere," the old man in the feathered robe said, shaking his head.

Han Li nodded calmly, retrieved the jade slip, turned, and walked out. The old man hurriedly saw him off.

Leaving the shop, he continued forward.

After a moment, Han Li stopped before another sizable material shop and entered.

Before long, he came out again, still empty-handed.

His expression remained unchanged as he continued deeper into the city.

…

Half a day later, a young man emerged from a very large material shop in the central area of the city. It was Han Li.

His face showed no emotion, but inwardly he was quite frustrated.

Over the past half day, he had visited most of the material shops in the city. Not only had he failed to buy a single material, but he had not even heard any news about them.

Although there were still a few places he had not visited, since even the largest shops had none, the remaining shops offered little hope.

Han Li shook his head and was about to step forward.

"Hey, Brother Li!" Just then, a voice came from behind him.

Han Li turned around and saw a square-faced man in white robes approaching with a smile. It was Qi Liang.

"Brother Qi, long time no see," Han Li said with a smile.

In recent years, he had spent most of his time in seclusion, and the rest on various missions outside. He had little contact with the sect's elders. In fact, it had been nearly three hundred years since he last saw Qi Liang.

As for the matter of Qi Liang embezzling some of his immortal spirit stones when he first joined the sect, Han Li had never taken it to heart.

Qi Liang laughed heartily and was about to say something more when his eyes suddenly widened and his voice caught. After a long pause, he stammered, "Brother Li, the aura on you... Could it be that you have opened the twelfth immortal aperture and advanced to the mid-stage of the True Immortal realm?"

"I have had some fortuitous encounters over the years and have been cultivating in seclusion. Only recently did I manage to open the twelfth immortal aperture," Han Li said with a faint smile, glossing over the details.

"Brother Li, your deep fortune is truly enviable," Qi Liang said, having regained his composure. Seeing that Han Li did not wish to elaborate, he did not press further.

"By the way, Brother Qi, when did you arrive?" Han Li naturally wanted to change the subject, so he shifted the topic.

"I've been here for five or six days, just wandering around. I haven't seen you these past few days. Did you just arrive? Why didn't you come earlier? It's been lively here for a while," Qi Liang said with a smile.

"It seems Brother Qi has had quite a haul. Unfortunately, I was delayed by some matters and arrived late," Han Li said with a chuckle.

"Actually, nothing good appeared in the first few days. The real treasures are usually saved for last. By the way, I was just about to head to a trading meet. All attendees are fellow cultivators of the same rank. Brother Li, are you interested in coming along?" Qi Liang waved his hand and invited.

"A trading meet? Naturally, I am interested," Han Li said, his eyes lighting up as he nodded.

"I knew Brother Li wouldn't miss such a good opportunity. The venue is just ahead. Let's go now and talk on the way," Qi Liang said with a laugh, leading the way forward.

"Brother Qi, I never expected the sect to have a city that rivals the sect's market. Why have I never heard anyone mention it before?" Han Li asked.

"Brother Li, you may be mistaken. You haven't been in the sect long, so you might not know. This place is usually not open to the public. It is only accessible during grand events like the current lecture assembly. White Jade Peak and White Jade City serve as venues for such gatherings in our Candle Dragon Sect," Qi Liang explained.

"I see," Han Li nodded.

The two walked and talked, following the street for a while before turning onto a wide avenue.

The buildings lining this street were taller and more exquisite, with varied eaves and intricately carved beams and painted rafters. Many were also shrouded in colorful禁制 light.

Han Li noticed that the cultivators passing by looked at these buildings with a measure of reverence.

"Here we are," Qi Liang said, stopping before a three-story pavilion.

This building was also covered by a white禁制, making it impossible to see inside from the outside, giving it an air of mystery.