Chapter 325: Ten Spirit Stones a Breath

At the center of the formation, the Crab Immortal emitted a three-colored light of ochre, gold, and purple. The three lights intermingled without any conflict, instead blending and permeating each other, giving a subtle sense of harmony like milk and water.

Countless three-colored spiritual patterns flowed across its surface like living things, sometimes coalescing into formations, only to scatter the next moment, appearing extremely profound.

A pressure belonging to the Golden Immortal level radiated from it, and this spiritual pressure was smooth and unimpeded, without the previous sluggishness and instability.

Han Li rejoiced inwardly, but his hands did not stop. He formed hand seals, and the four-colored light barrier in the room blazed brightly, suppressing the Golden Immortal spiritual pressure tightly, preventing it from leaking out.

The Crab Immortal stirred and opened its eyes.

Its pupils were filled with dazzling light, impossible to look at directly.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Two piercing beams shot out, easily penetrating the four-colored light barrier, leaving two large holes.

Then the two beams pierced through the inn's wall, soared into the sky, and vanished without a trace.

Fortunately, the beams angled upward and did not harm anyone.

Startled, Han Li quickly cast a spell.

The four-colored light barrier flashed repeatedly, and the punctured areas immediately healed.

The two beams reached midair over White Jade City and suddenly exploded.

The space above the city flickered wildly, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth churned violently. Three hurricanes—yellow, gold, and purple—emerged, emitting a terrifying spiritual pressure that made one's hair stand on end.

The three hurricanes roared and tore through the sky, producing rolling thunder wherever they passed, a truly astonishing spectacle.

Cultivators throughout White Jade City saw such an alarming phenomenon in the sky and their expressions changed drastically.

Such terrifying pressure! This cannot be released by a True Immortal!

Could it be that some Dao Lord has come to White Jade City?

For a moment, many people stopped in their tracks, discussing among themselves.

Han Li sensed the situation outside through his spiritual sense, and his expression changed slightly.

His hands moved like wheels as he formed hand seals, tightly sealing off the aura emitted by the Crab Daoist to prevent any further leakage.

At the same time, he spread out his spiritual sense, instantly covering an area of several thousand li centered on the inn, sensing the situation within the city to prepare for any contingencies.

The two beams of light that flew out from his location were inconspicuous, almost a fleeting flash. Today, as the Dao lecture assembly was about to begin, many people had likely already left White Jade City. There were not many cultivators in the city now, and it was uncertain whether anyone had actually detected the source. Moreover, given the fear of Golden Immortal cultivators, even if someone had noticed, they might not dare to come and confirm.

The three-colored hurricane in the sky roared and swirled for a while before quickly dissipating.

Although the three-colored hurricane was magnificent, it caused no harm. The people in the city discussed it for a while and then dispersed.

Seeing this, Han Li breathed a great sigh of relief.

At the center of the formation, the Crab Daoist stretched his body before standing up. The various colored lights on his body all disappeared, and the immense pressure he had emitted vanished as well.

"At long last, my cultivation is complete," the Crab Daoist said.

"Fellow Daoist Crab, didn't you say earlier that you could handle this on your own without me standing guard? If I hadn't lingered a bit longer, we might have attracted considerable trouble," Han Li said in a flat tone.

During these three days of guarding here, he had been unable to attend the various auctions and trade fairs in the city.

In such grand events, the best items usually appear later. If he could have participated in these three days, he might have already found one or two materials for the Dao Pill.

"I didn't expect this Thunder Soul Crystal to be so pure, containing power beyond my anticipation," the Crab Daoist explained, sensing Han Li's dissatisfaction.

"Forget it! That you succeeded in the fusion is a fortunate event. I haven't yet congratulated you on finally achieving your wish," Han Li said, changing the subject and offering a smile of congratulations.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Han, for finding this immortal puppet body for me and for standing guard these past few days. Without you, I would never have succeeded so smoothly. Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Han, I will remember this kindness," the Crab Daoist said, cupping his hands toward Han Li.

"Although the power you inadvertently released just now didn't expose our identities, it's still unwise to stay here. Besides, the Dao lecture assembly is about to begin. Let's leave first," Han Li said with a wave of his hand, speaking flatly.

The Crab Daoist nodded. With a flash of light, he transformed into a yellow beam and flew into the storage bracelet on Han Li's wrist.

Han Li waved his hand, sending out a yellow light to repair the two small holes in the wall, then pushed open the door and walked out.

He was about to turn and go downstairs when he suddenly stopped and looked toward the other end of the corridor.

When he had spread his spiritual sense earlier, he had already investigated the situation in this inn. That Gan Jiuzhen was no longer there.

A strange expression flickered across Han Li's face, but he quickly withdrew his gaze and turned to descend the stairs.

"By the way, you asked me earlier to sell those Crimson Cloud Fire Crystals, saying you'd tell me the reason once you fully fused with the puppet body. Why is that?" Remembering something, he communicated with the Crab Immortal through his divine sense.

"Fellow Daoist Han, what do you think powers this Golden Immortal puppet?" The Crab Immortal replied with a question instead of an answer.

Han Li was taken aback and did not respond.

"All immortal puppets are powered by immortal origin stones, and this one is no exception. Moreover, this puppet has reached the Golden Immortal realm, consuming immense energy when activated. The few immortal origin stones you had were far from sufficient." The Crab Immortal continued.

"How much does it consume when you activate this puppet?" Han Li asked after a moment of silence.

"When fully activated, this puppet likely consumes ten immortal origin stones per breath." The Crab Immortal said.

"What? Ten per breath!" Though Han Li had some mental preparation, he was still startled by this.

"That's not considered high. Immortal puppets require vast immortal spiritual power to sustain themselves. There are puppets that consume dozens or even hundreds of times this amount per breath." The Crab Immortal said.

"Have you, Fellow Daoist Crab, ever seen such a puppet?" Han Li took a light breath.

"No. During this fusion with the Thunder Soul Crystal, some more fragments from my sealed memories surfaced." The Crab Immortal said.

"Oh? Have you recalled anything about your previous master?" Han Li's eyes flickered as he asked immediately.

He was very interested in this person. Although the Crab Immortal had said his previous master had fallen, whether that was true remained to be seen.

"Just some very fragmented memories, mostly about immortal puppet data... As for the Crimson Cloud Fire Crystals you sold, they fetched over three thousand immortal origin stones, enough to support my actions several times." The Crab Immortal said.

"I understand. It's about time. Let's go." Han Li nodded and looked up toward White Jade Peak.

…

On White Jade Peak, the sun shone brightly, the sky was clear, and the air was crisp.

Against the azure, cloudless sky drifted clusters of white fluff. A seven-colored rainbow, like a giant arch bridge, spanned across the clouds.

High in the sky, hundreds of golden chariots pulled by winged dragon-horses carried rows of tall cultivators in golden armor holding silver halberds, patrolling back and forth across the sky within a thousand li.

A faint golden barrier of light enveloped the sky above White Jade Peak, restricting cultivators from flying freely.

The fluctuations emanating from it were not particularly strong; any cultivator above the True Immortal realm could fly in unaffected, but those at the Great Vehicle stage or below would be blocked and unable to enter.

Therefore, most disciples of the Candle Dragon Sect, after flying to the foot of White Jade Peak, had to ascend on foot to reach the square at the summit and participate in this grand assembly.

At this moment, on that white square, the scene was one of bustling noise and extraordinary liveliness.

Hundreds of thousands of Candle Dragon Sect disciples, along with many core elders from subordinate sects, densely filled the entire square. After all the meditation cushions were occupied, people continued to arrive, crowding shoulder to shoulder on the square.

Some, seeing that there was no room left even to stand on the peak, settled for the next best option, finding open spaces halfway up the mountain, where they sat cross-legged on their own, waiting for the assembly to begin.

At the foot of White Jade Peak, the scene was equally crowded, with noise and excitement no less than at the summit square.

However, the composition of the crowd here was more complex. Besides ordinary Candle Dragon Sect disciples, there were also many cultivators from other small and medium-sized forces in the Ancient Cloud Continent.

These people had set up small stalls in the forest clearings and along the paths at the foot of White Jade Peak, displaying a dazzling array of magical artifacts, pills, and spiritual materials, taking advantage of the fact that the assembly had not yet begun to engage in small-scale trade.

At intervals around the stalls, Candle Dragon Sect cultivators clad in golden armor stood guard, patrolling and maintaining order.

Unlike the exchange meetings Han Li had attended before, this one was primarily for cultivators below the Deity Transformation stage. In a way, it reminded him of the Tai Nan Minor Gathering he had participated in back in the human world.

At the center of the square atop White Jade Peak stood the lecture platform. In the middle of the platform was a wide purple table, unadorned with carvings, appearing not exquisite or ornate but rather simple and natural.

Behind the table stood a bronze tripod about ten feet tall, inside which were hundreds of bluish-purple sandalwood incense sticks. Their tips flickered with faint crimson sparks in the mountain breeze, emitting curling blue smoke.

On both sides of the tripod, nearly a hundred round, grayish-blue meditation cushions were arranged symmetrically.

At this moment, streaks of multicolored light flew in from the sky, revealing figures who found ordinary meditation cushions on the stone steps around the platform and sat down cross-legged.

Unlike the chaotic noise on the square, those who could secure a spot on the stone steps around the lecture platform were all inner and outer sect elders of the Candle Dragon Sect with True Immortal cultivation, as well as core disciples under various lineage masters. Each mindful of their status, under the gaze of the crowd, they naturally did not make a loud commotion.

Most of them sat with eyes closed, regulating their breathing, quietly waiting for the assembly to begin. Only a few greeted acquaintances nearby, whispering softly.

Just then, a streak of cyan light flew in from the distant southwestern sky and landed directly at the foot of the lecture platform. As the light converged, a tall young man in elder robes appeared—none other than Han Li.

He glanced upward and saw that the positions near the top of the platform were mostly occupied, but many empty spots remained on the lower steps.

Han Li ascended along the walkway left in the middle of the steps. After climbing about a hundred steps, he saw a familiar figure on the left waving at him.

That person was none other than Qi Liang.

Han Li smiled at him, walked over, and sat down on the empty meditation cushion beside him.