Chapter 623: The Lake-Center Islet

Han Li gazed at the light door before him, his eyes narrowing slightly. Then, following Jingyang Daoist, he stepped into the door.

As soon as he entered the light door, Han Li felt a sudden flash of brightness before his eyes, and the next moment, his figure appeared above a vast expanse of misty waters. A fresh breeze greeted him.

He took a deep breath and immediately felt refreshed.

Then, steadying himself, he swept his gaze around and found that the water below spanned dozens of li in width, equivalent to a small lake.

Further into the distance, a thick mist shrouded everything, obscuring where it led, or perhaps marking the end of this space.

At the center of the lake lay a round islet, covered with lush trees and filled with the chirping of birds. In its midst stood an exquisite courtyard with white walls and black tiles.

Han Li and his companion floated above the water surface. Looking down, they saw ripples spreading across the water, where plump golden carp swam, occasionally blowing a stream of fine bubbles from the depths, appearing utterly joyful.

“I never expected the spiritual energy in this cave heaven to be so abundant…” Han Li couldn’t help but admire.

“Indeed, it’s no less than some blessed lands of sect abodes in the Immortal Domain. Look at this lake—there should be at least two spiritual springs. The third-generation mountain master truly lived up to his legendary reputation, unlike a mediocre talent like me. How shameful, how shameful!” Jingyang Shangren couldn’t resist taking off his wine flask, taking a big gulp, then letting out a long breath as he spoke.

“Daoist Jingyang, why do you always speak of legends? May I ask which generation of mountain master currently governs your sect?” Han Li asked while admiring the refreshing scenery around him.

“Hehe, the third-generation mountain master has indeed become a legend of the past. Now, the fifth-generation mountain master governs the sect. Time flies, and things have changed.” Jingyang Shangren sighed.

As they spoke, the two skimmed across the water surface and soon arrived at the lake-center islet.

Stepping onto the islet, the sounds of birds and fragrance of flowers came from the woods. Han Li and his companion followed the stone path through the dense forest and soon reached the courtyard gate.

To the left front of the courtyard, a small spiritual field was opened, surrounded by a faint purple light barrier. Inside grew various immortal herbs and spiritual plants, each with a unique form and abundant spiritual energy.

Jingyang Shangren’s eyes lit up. He walked over, waved his hand a few times, and easily opened the restriction that had not been repaired or maintained for who knows how many years.

“Daoist Li, you are an alchemist. You should recognize everything here, right?” Jingyang Shangren swept his gaze around and turned back to Han Li.

Han Li entered the garden and carefully examined the not-too-large spiritual field, his heart stirring slightly.

“I don’t know how long this ‘Fish Branch’ jade bone has been sealed, but the spiritual herbs in this field have nearly a hundred thousand years of medicinal age. Especially these few nine-leaf dogwood and that patch of ink-fragrant grass—their medicinal properties have almost reached perfection. Truly rare.” Han Li pointed at the medicinal field.

“Daoist Li has excellent eyesight. As agreed, you can first choose a third of these spiritual herbs. If you think it’s not enough, I can sell the rest to you in exchange for immortal essence stones, as an advance payment for what I owe you.” Jingyang Shangren laughed heartily.

“Daoist Jingyang, when you borrowed money from me, did you already plan to use the treasures in this cave heaven as compensation? As a businessman from a sect like the Hundred Creations Mountain, your strategic planning truly impresses me.” Han Li gave a thumbs-up in praise.

“Daoist Li, you are mistaken. In truth, the reason I spared no expense to buy this ‘Fish Branch’ jade bone was more due to its connection with my sect’s origins. As for what might be inside, it’s like gambling on rough stones in the mortal world—all a matter of luck. After all, I can’t know if it passed through others’ hands.” Jingyang Shangren waved his hand.

“Hehe, I can’t let you repay this debt of gratitude so easily. As agreed, I’ll only take a third of the spiritual herbs. As for the immortal essence stones you owe me, you can repay them slowly.” Han Li smiled.

With that, he began selecting among the spiritual herbs, taking a third of them into his storage.

On the other side, Jingyang Shangren had already opened the restriction on the courtyard gate, but he did not enter alone. Instead, he stood outside, drinking wine and admiring the scenery, showing no hurry.

Only after Han Li finished collecting the herbs and returned did the two cross the threshold together and enter the courtyard.

Unlike the typical immortal residences, the layout of this courtyard was closer to that of ordinary mortal homes.

A dozen steps inside the gate stood a white screen wall, painted with a black and a red carp, head to tail, forming a double-fish ring. A faint, translucent white light rippled on its surface.

A blue light flickered deep in Han Li’s eyes, and he saw a barely perceptible white mist rising beneath the screen wall. Rich spiritual energy gathered and dispersed there, suggesting this was the key to the entire cave heaven treasure’s operation.

Rounding the screen wall, the two entered the first courtyard. Looking around, they saw scattered puppets with depleted spirit cores lying haphazardly on the corridors on both sides.

Jingyang Shangren walked over, bent down to examine them for a moment, then shook his head in disappointment.

“Daoist Jingyang, what’s wrong?” Han Li asked, puzzled.

“These puppets are not the work of the third-generation mountain master. I wonder who left them. Though the craftsmanship is quite exquisite, they are now just a pile of scrap metal, useless.” Jingyang Shangren said.

“As you said earlier, this ‘Fish Branch’ has been passed down for who knows how many years, possibly changing owners more than once. How could everything remain as it was?” Han Li glanced at the puppets and smiled.

“That is true.” Jingyang Shangren nodded and stopped dwelling on it.

The two proceeded inward through the courtyard layout, inspecting every room in the three sections. They found that the original owner of this cave heaven treasure had an interesting hobby—he was very fond of collecting famous mortal paintings.

Among them were representative works of painters renowned for millennia in the mortal world, as well as calligraphy masterpieces by famous calligraphers.

In the main hall hung a scroll titled “Lament for the Deceased,” a funeral eulogy written by a calligraphy master from a small mortal kingdom in the Golden Origin Immortal Domain over a hundred thousand years ago to honor his ancestors.

The brushstrokes varied in speed and pressure, the ink alternated between dry and wet, and the characters were unconventional, like a ink dragon swimming, exuding utmost elegance—almost possessing the charm of immortal talismans.

Though Han Li was not skilled in this art, he greatly appreciated the original owner’s taste.

Fortunately, besides these mortal items, the cave heaven treasure also contained a secret chamber for storing treasures, which held a number of immortal artifacts, elixirs, and spiritual materials.

After a brief inspection, Han Li found that the quality of these treasures was quite high, most suitable for Taiyi realm cultivators. Among them, the most precious were a red-feather fire fan containing fire-attribute law power and a wooden ruler containing time-attribute law power.

The former seemed to be made from the fire feathers of some spiritual bird, its fire-attribute law power extremely intense. With a slight activation, a blurry flame shadow would shoot out, easily melting ordinary Golden Immortal artifacts into liquid.

The latter was entirely verdant, its surface smooth as jade, densely engraved with measurement marks. At the end, small golden seal characters read “An inch of time is an inch of gold.” Without refinement, its function could not be tested.

“Daoist Li, weren’t you particularly fond of artifacts containing time-attribute law power at the auction? Between these two treasures, I think the wooden ruler suits you better. Leave this red-feather fire fan to me. Though I’m usually lazy, I am still an artifact refiner, and this fire fan will be a great help when I forge artifacts.” Jingyang Shangren’s eyes fell on the feather fan, filled with undisguised fondness.

“Daoist Jingyang, I only spent a large sum on that Time-Breaking Pot because of its special function. Though this wooden ruler is of higher grade, it’s of no use to me. On the other hand, this red-feather fire fan would be equally handy when I refine elixirs.” Han Li frowned, looking reluctant.

Hearing this, Jingyang Shangren seemed caught in a dilemma. After hesitating for a long while, he spoke:

“Daoist Li, if you don’t choose this fire fan, after you take your one-third share, you may pick three more items from the remaining. What do you think?”

“This… well, since you put it that way, I won’t force my preference. I’ll agree to your proposal.” Han Li showed hesitation, pondered for a moment, then slowly said.

“Thank you, Daoist Li, for your understanding.” Jingyang Shangren revealed a hint of joy and quickly said.

Afterward, Han Li first put the green wooden ruler into his storage bracelet, then collected his entire share.

Once this was done, Jingyang Shangren reopened the light door of the cave heaven treasure, and the two walked out one after another.

Back in the secret chamber, Jingyang Shangren looked Han Li up and down with a full smile and suddenly said, “Daoist Li, it’s rare that we get along so well. I have an impertinent request. May I speak?”

“Daoist Jingyang, are you going to bring up the matter of me becoming an executive elder at your Hundred Creations Mountain again?” Han Li asked with a smile.

“Haha… exactly, this is a formal invitation. Daoist Li, your skill in alchemy is profound. Joining our Hundred Creations Mountain would allow you to realize your ambitions. And our sect would be fortunate to have you as a member.” Jingyang Shangren said seriously.

“Daoist, have you forgotten? I am still plagued by the calamity of decay from fiendish energy, and my future is fraught with danger. What ambitions can I realize?” Han Li gave a bitter smile.

“You have obtained the Xuanzhi crystal this time. Once you refine the elixir, I believe you can dispel the fiendish energy. Then these troubles will be gone…” Jingyang Shangren said.

“I hope your words come true… In the coming period, I will be in seclusion to refine elixirs, and there is much preparation to do. I won’t impose on you any longer.” Han Li smiled.

“Very well. There are also some remaining matters from the auction that I need to handle. Forgive me for not seeing you off. On the day you succeed in refining the elixir and dispel the fiendish energy, I will open a jar of green fermented wine to celebrate.” Jingyang Shangren clasped his hands slightly.

“Farewell.” Han Li returned the gesture.

After parting, Han Li left the villa and found that the disturbance from the earlier commotion in the inner city of Jukun had completely subsided. The city remained bustling as ever.

Without lingering, he went straight out of Jukun City and returned to the Wild Crane Valley of the Idle Cloud Mountain.