"What's so funny? I was just showing mercy, not wanting to hurt anyone!" The Immortal Master opposite, seeing Han Li's unconcerned expression, grew annoyed and put on even more of an air of superiority.
"Not much! I just feel that this contest seems easier than I imagined!" Han Li tapped the solid ground with his toe, speaking nonchalantly.
"What? You dare underestimate me like this!" The middle-aged cultivator's face flushed red instantly. He raised his hand, and a shiny object appeared in it. But before he could release it, he suddenly felt the figure before him blur, followed by his vision going black. He collapsed softly to the ground, unconscious.
...
A moment later, Han Li emerged from the platform, holding the unconscious middle-aged cultivator by his collar, his expression unchanged.
The other cultivators in the hall were astonished when they saw this.
They could clearly see the disparity in cultivation levels between Han Li and his opponent. But Han Li was the one who won—it was truly unexpected.
However, not all cultivators were equally surprised. The old man who had been maintaining a stern expression all along showed a peculiar look.
He gave Han Li a meaningful glance. Though he said nothing, he seemed to have witnessed the entire exchange.
Han Li chuckled "heh heh," then placed two bamboo tokens before the old man without changing his expression. He laid the unconscious opponent on the ground and returned to the group of victorious cultivators.
The old man glanced at the still-unconscious middle-aged cultivator at his feet, shook his head slightly, and revealed a faint smile.
"Number eight!"
...
When the last winner emerged, the old man looked at the ten cultivators who hadn't yet participated. He cleared his throat lightly and spoke calmly:
"Next, we begin challenges in numerical order. If you feel your spiritual power is severely depleted, you may rest briefly before challenging. However, all challenges must be completed today, or they will be considered forfeits. Challengers are not allowed to challenge those who have already fought others. As for the extra number eleven, they may challenge once among the final ten winners."
"Alright, let's begin!"
When the old man finished speaking, the cultivator ranked number one eagerly selected an opponent who appeared to have the lowest cultivation from the ten, and they both entered the platform.
The challenged opponent was only at the sixth layer, while he was a seventh-layer cultivator. It seemed like he had a good chance of winning!
But after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the one who emerged first from the white light was the sixth-layer cultivator. The number-one cultivator came out shortly after, covered in wounds.
His face full of shame, he rushed out of the hall without a word.
Seeing this, the other challengers' expressions changed. The sixth-layer cultivator returned to the group of ten, looking unconcerned.
"Next!" the old man called out, showing no surprise. It was as if the cultivator's victory was perfectly natural.
"Senior, I haven't recovered my spiritual power yet. Could you wait a moment?" said the number-two cultivator, his face slightly flushed.
"Number three," the old man said, ignoring whether the person was truly lacking spiritual power or simply afraid to fight.
The next cultivator frowned slightly but also avoided the challenge.
The fourth cultivator, unable to save face, reluctantly picked an opponent and entered the platform.
The result was the same as before.
Watching the seriously injured number-four cultivator, the remaining challengers all showed expressions of shock.
Under these circumstances, the next two cultivators also delayed their challenges. In their view, it was wiser to let others try first.
"Number seven," the old man said slowly after a slight change in expression, reading out Han Li's number.
Han Li walked out silently, pointed his finger, and selected an opponent at the sixth layer.
That cultivator was a burly man. Seeing that Han Li hadn't retreated and had even chosen him, he grinned ferociously and strode toward the platform.
Han Li walked slowly, as if considering his strategy.
As the burly man and Han Li disappeared into the white light, everyone watched the platform intently.
The Foundation Establishment elder closed his eyes, appearing to meditate.
But after a moment, his face twitched slightly, then a look of surprise appeared. He opened his eyes in some astonishment.
Then, a figure emerged from the white light onto the platform.
The cultivators quickly focused their attention. When the white light faded, they saw it was Han Li. He was completely unharmed, but he was dragging his scorched and charred opponent behind him with one hand. He walked out leisurely, appearing extremely relaxed.
Seeing this scene, not only were the fellow challengers stunned, but the remaining opponents looked on in disbelief.
As for Wen Qiang behind the old man, his mouth hung wide open, unable to close for a moment.
Han Li placed the still-breathing opponent before the old man, then returned to his original position under various astonished gazes, looking utterly at ease.
The other challengers involuntarily made way for him, showing a hint of respect and awe.
Seeing this, Han Li sneered inwardly.
It seemed that no matter where you were, using strength to speak was always most effective.
Perhaps Han Li's unexpected victory gave the remaining challengers confidence to win. As a result, the next few didn't avoid challenges and directly selected opponents to battle.
But all of them ended up seriously injured.
Seeing this, the earlier challengers, thoroughly terrified, completely lost any desire to compete. After a brief discussion, they all forfeited one after another.
After all, they weren't so foolish as to persist when they knew they couldn't win!
Thus, the old man announced on the spot that only Han Li had secured the qualification for the Gu family to trade on the Great Island.
Then the old man handed a blue jade slip to Han Li, saying it could be given to the Gu family.
Next, the old man bluntly issued a dismissal order. All the cultivators were unceremoniously ushered out of the hall.
...
In the corridor, when Han Li handed the blue jade slip to Master Gu, his expression was truly remarkable.
First came disbelief, then surprise, and finally ecstasy!
"Immortal Master Han, Master Gu won't waste words on gratitude. Rest assured, the conditions the Gu family promised will definitely be fulfilled for the Immortal Master."
As he said this, Han Li, Master Gu, and Wang Changqing were already riding in a beast-drawn carriage on the way back to the Gu estate.
Although he spoke with a face full of gratitude, his hands clutched the jade slip tightly, as if afraid it would fly away. His appearance was quite comical.
"I trust that Master Gu would not do something so ungrateful as to destroy the bridge after crossing it! Especially to an Immortal Master," Han Li said with a slight smile, leaning against the carriage wall.
Hearing Han Li's seemingly veiled warning, both Master Gu and Wang Changqing turned pale and hurriedly expressed that they wouldn't dare.
Shortly after, Han Li returned to the wooden hut on the hill, where Qu Hun obediently stood guard.
Han Li only practiced qi in the hut for another three days before Wang Changqing came again.
This time, he was notifying Han Li that he could go to the Ascension Pavilion on the Immortal Mountain to obtain permanent residency on Kuixing Island. He would also help Han Li confirm a cultivation location.
After all, every cultivator on the island could possess their own cave dwelling.
Although the place he could get would definitely have thinner spiritual energy since he hadn't participated in the Spirit Land Contest, at least he would have a place to cultivate.
Han Li carried the signed guarantee from the Gu family and flew straight toward the center of Kuixing Island on his magic tool. Qu Hun naturally remained to guard the small house.
Along the way, Han Li flew past seven or eight cities and dozens of small towns before finally catching sight of the Immortal Mountain Wang Changqing had mentioned.
It was a massive green mountain, half of which soared into the clouds. Three towering peaks pierced the sky, looking truly majestic and imposing.
Below the giant peaks, there were countless smaller peaks, too many to count.
At a glance, Han Li couldn't tell how vast this mountain was.
Han Li stared blankly at the so-called "Immortal Mountain," somewhat dazed.
"Oh, isn't that Fellow Daoist Han?" Suddenly, a greeting came from behind him.
Han Li was slightly startled, thinking the voice sounded familiar. He quickly turned around.
There, not far behind him, was the frail-looking Wen Qiang, smiling broadly at him. He stood on a wheel-shaped flying artifact.
"So it's Fellow Daoist Wen. What a coincidence!" Han Li said with a laugh after a brief moment of surprise.
"Hehe! Yes, I didn't expect to meet you either! I'm truly impressed that you managed to defeat a cultivator from the Guardian Squad!"
"Guardian Squad?" Han Li was genuinely stunned when he heard this!