Chapter 645: I Roam Free and Unfettered

Hu San led Han Li and the other two through a series of twists and turns within Liuyun City, soon arriving before a vermilion restaurant. Hanging at its entrance was a huge plaque inscribed with three large characters: "Wei Restaurant."

The restaurant was quite large, with a full five stories. The first and second floors were main halls filled with large tables, while the third floor and above were VIP areas partitioned into private rooms.

Although it was not yet mealtime, the first and second floors were already packed, and the diners were all cultivators of no mean cultivation.

Outside the restaurant, there were even more cultivators queuing up like ordinary mortals in the mundane world, which secretly surprised Han Li and his companions.

Hu San seemed unfazed by all this. He strode straight into the restaurant, took out a token-like object, and flashed it at an approaching waiter.

So it's a distinguished guest. Please come to the VIP room upstairs." The waiter, upon seeing the token, immediately bowed and scraped as he led the four of them to a VIP room on the fifth floor.

Every table and chair in the VIP room was exquisitely crafted, luxurious yet not ostentatious. Even in the eyes of the four, it felt very comfortable.

Without bothering to consult the other three, Hu San called over the waiter and, with a torrent of words, ordered a table full of sumptuous delicacies and a large, foot-tall, entirely celadon wine flagon.

Threads of white mist rose from the flagon's mouth, diffusing into the air and slowly dissipating.

A singular aroma of wine spread out. Even Re Huo Xianzun and Shi Chuankong, upon smelling it, felt their spirits lift, and saliva involuntarily welled up in their mouths.

Truly fine wine!" Re Huo Xianzun's eyes lit up as he praised.

Of course! Most of the guests who come to this Wei Restaurant are here for this immortal wine." Hu San picked up the flagon and filled all four cups to the brim, then raised his own cup and drained it in one gulp, his face showing an expression of intoxication.

Han Li picked up his cup, took a sip, and his eyes also brightened.

The wine was amber in color, giving a sense of crystal clarity. Upon entering the mouth, an indescribably mellow flavor enveloped the tongue, then slowly permeated the entire body.

This wine's flavor was not singular; it was a fusion of hundreds of marvelous tastes, some he had experienced before, some he had not, and even some he had never imagined.

The many flavors interwove yet remained distinct, making it difficult to describe in words. It surpassed any immortal wine Han Li had ever tasted.

Truly an exceptional immortal wine! What is its name?" Re Huo Xianzun also took a sip and nodded in approval.

This wine is called 'Amber Immortal.' The reason this Wei Restaurant is so famous is largely due to this wine. Every time the Heavenly Court convenes the 'Assembly of Immortals,' they specifically order this 'Amber Immortal.'" Hu San said, then drained his cup of fine wine, his face showing satisfaction.

Assembly of Immortals?" Han Li's expression shifted as he set down his cup.

That's a grand gathering of the Heavenly Court. Every so often, the Heavenly Court summons the palace lords of the various immortal domains to the Heavenly Court to discuss important matters. It's considered the grandest event of the Heavenly Court." Hu San wagged his head as he spoke.

Han Li's eyes flickered with surprise upon hearing this, then he fell into contemplation, as if considering something.

Hu San paid no attention to Han Li and, on his own, began to eat and drink heartily.

Shi Chuankong also had a fondness for fine food and immediately set to grabbing meat.

Re Huo Xianzun seemed to greatly enjoy the Amber Immortal wine, drinking cup after cup with gusto.

Before long, the table full of delicacies and wine was completely cleared, leaving only a mess of empty plates and cups.

A full belly and fine wine—truly one of life's great pleasures! As the saying goes, 'After eons of bitter cultivation, one becomes an immortal; from then on, why are there two different realms? Others still suffer in their cultivation, while I roam free and unfettered between heaven and earth!'" Hu San patted his slightly bulging belly and said with a sigh.

Well said: 'roam free and unfettered between heaven and earth'! That calls for a hearty drink!" Re Huo Xianzun exclaimed in praise.

Shi Chuankong rubbed his belly, pursed his lips, and said nothing.

Since we've eaten and drunk our fill, shouldn't we discuss the serious matter of heading to the Black Earth Immortal Domain?" Han Li set down his cup and spoke.

At the same time, he made a hand seal and pointed, causing a layer of blue light to ripple out and spread into a blue light barrier that permeated every corner of the room.

Brother Li really doesn't give anyone a moment's rest." Hu San glanced at Han Li and said lazily.

Brother Li is right. We should discuss the serious matters. Liuyun City is an important city in the Black Mountain Immortal Domain, and the Heavenly Court places great importance on it. There are probably countless informants already deployed within the city. We should leave as soon as possible." Shi Chuankong said with a slightly solemn expression.

Indeed." Re Huo Xianzun also nodded.

Alright, alright. You guys are really something." Seeing that all three were of the same mind, Hu San shrugged and put away his playful demeanor.

Brother Shi is right. The Heavenly Court places great importance on this Liuyun City, especially the cross-domain teleportation array, which is strictly controlled. Anyone wishing to use the teleportation array must undergo rigorous scrutiny." Hu San paused and said seriously.

"Review? What aspects mainly?" Han Li immediately asked.

"Two aspects. One is identity review—to use a cross-domain teleportation array, you need a legitimate identity recognized by Black Mountain Immortal Palace. That's not hard; as long as you're willing to spend immortal jade stones, it's easy to get a legitimate identity. The troublesome part is the second, the Heaven Mirror review." Hu San frowned as he said this.

"Heaven Mirror review... what's that?" Reclining Flame Immortal Venerable asked curiously.

"It's a sensing array developed by the Heavenly Court, called the Heaven Mirror Array, extremely sensitive to aura detection. It has a memory function; it's said to store information on all fugitives currently wanted by the Heavenly Court, including appearance, cultivation techniques, immortal artifacts used, and so on. For fugitives like us wanted by the Heavenly Court, if even a shred of information leaks out, the Heaven Mirror Array will immediately sense it. I don't need to explain the consequences, do I?" Hu San said, clapping his hands together.

"It can actually record information on all fugitives wanted by the Heavenly Court—what a formidable sensing array!" Han Li said slowly.

"Although I dislike the Heavenly Court, it controls the entire Immortal Realm, commands countless capable individuals, and has accumulated vast knowledge. Only they could develop something like this. But setting up a Heaven Mirror Array is extremely complex and consumes incalculable resources. The Heavenly Court has only deployed this array in a few important places." Hu San added.

Han Li and the others nodded silently.

"Brother Shi and I caused a big stir in Jukun City; you're probably already on the Heavenly Court's 'Execution List.' As for Brother Reclining Flame, you've been pursued by the Heavenly Court all along. You two need to find a way to completely conceal your auras, not letting even a trace leak out." Hu San looked at Shi Chuankong and Reclining Flame Immortal Venerable, speaking solemnly.

Shi Chuankong and Reclining Flame Immortal Venerable nodded and fell into thought.

"As for Brother Li, I don't know if you're wanted by the Heavenly Court, but this Heaven Mirror Array was mainly designed to search for Reincarnation Hall members. You must be extremely careful. I can sense that your baleful aura is unusually dense. Although you've used some method to try to conceal it, it's not perfect and will definitely be detected by the Heaven Mirror Array." Hu San looked at Han Li, offering a meaningful reminder.

Han Li's expression shifted. He had been taking Void Origin Pills to conceal his baleful aura, yet Hu San had seen through it at a glance.

"I'm currently going through baleful decay, so my baleful aura is naturally dense. Anyone in this stage would be the same. Would the Heavenly Court arrest me just because of that, assuming I'm a Reincarnation Hall member?" Han Li asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Regardless of who it is, if the Heaven Mirror Array senses dense baleful aura in their body, the Heavenly Court will immediately arrest them. As for why, I'm not entirely sure either." Hu San nodded.

Hearing this, Han Li was momentarily startled, then seemed to think of something.

The Heavenly Court's actions were clearly not without reason. The Reincarnation Hall seemed to have some unknown connection with the Gray Immortals, and the most notable characteristic of Gray Immortals was baleful aura.

He then shook his head, putting the matter aside, and began pondering another, more important issue.

Previously, he had killed Xiao Jinhan in the Minghan Immortal Palace and was pursued by the Heavenly Court. Even if the Heavenly Court gathered all the information he had revealed in the Minghan Immortal Palace, he still had ways to evade them.

But the method of concealing his baleful aura, which mainly relied on pills like the Void Origin Pill, was by no means a long-term solution.

"If it's just about concealing baleful aura, I have a method." Hu San glanced at Han Li, hesitated briefly, then spoke again.

"Oh? What method? Please enlighten me, Brother Hu." Han Li was taken aback and cupped his hands.

Hu San flipped his hand, revealing a silver jade bottle in his palm, and tossed it to Han Li.

Han Li took the bottle, opened the stopper, and a thumb-sized, silver-gray pill rolled out.

Looking at the pill, his eyes flickered.

Although the color was different, the aura emitted by this silver-gray pill was very similar to the Void Origin Pill, but much denser.

"This is?" Han Li looked at Hu San expressionlessly and asked.

"This pill is called the Baleful Origin Pill. After taking it and refining it, it can conceal baleful aura, and the effect is excellent." Hu San said.

"If what Brother Hu says is true, this pill must be quite valuable. How can I accept it..." Han Li said hesitantly.

"Heh, I don't really care about such external possessions. Today I find you congenial, Brother Li; what harm is there in giving it to you to try?" Hu San waved his hand dismissively.

Han Li's eyes flickered again, then he carefully examined the silver-gray pill with his divine sense.

After a moment, he hesitated no more, tilted his head back, and swallowed the pill.

The pill entered his stomach and quickly dissolved, turning into a stream of cool energy that coursed through his body.

Wherever the cool energy passed, the baleful aura there immediately subsided, and even the baleful aura vortex within his immortal apertures nearly stopped spinning, becoming completely still.

Soon, the baleful aura within his body had mostly receded.

Feeling the changes in his body, Han Li's face showed surprise and delight.

The medicinal power of the Baleful Origin Pill had not yet been fully refined; once it was, it would surely conceal all the baleful aura within him.

And by his estimation, the medicinal power should last at least ten years or so.