Published: August 16, 2025
Chapter 128: Tainan Gathering
“Brother, which sect are you from?” The young boy excitedly asked after finishing observing the mist before them. He seemed to have remembered something and turned his head to ask.
Han Li already knew from their earlier conversation that besides the various immortal cultivation sects and immortal clans, there were quite a number of rogue cultivators in the immortal cultivation world.
These rogue cultivators mostly came from one of three backgrounds: descendants of fallen immortal clans, ordinary people like Han Li who had accidentally obtained certain cultivation techniques and entered the immortal cultivation world on their own, or heirs of minor sects whose lineages were about to die out. Most rogue cultivators had low cultivation bases, generally lingering around the qi refining stage. Because of this, they were often looked down upon by the immortal clans, much like how wealthy families in the secular world disdain impoverished ones.
“I’m not from any clan. I’ve always cultivated on my own!” Han Li thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth. After all, pretending to belong to a certain clan was too easy to be exposed.
“So you’re a rogue cultivator!” The boy was a little surprised, but there was no trace of discrimination on his face—in fact, he looked rather pleased.
He excitedly circled around Han Li, inspecting him as if looking at something rare.
“Little brother, didn’t you just say that immortal clans look down on rogue cultivators? Why are you so happy then?” Han Li asked in surprise.
“They’re one thing, but don’t lump us, the Wan family, together with other immortal clans. Our clan always gets along well with rogue cultivators!” The boy puckered his lips and proudly replied. He seemed very proud of his family’s attitude.
“Our ancestors, from the Wan family, were once rogue cultivators too. But by luck, they joined an immortal cultivation sect and became formal disciples of the Great Sword Sect. That’s how our family started. So our family rules have always had an ancestral decree forbidding discrimination against rogue cultivators,” the boy said with a smile.
“Actually, it’s not just our Wan family; some other families also had rogue cultivator ancestors. That’s why they don’t hold any ill feelings toward rogue cultivators. It’s just that these families make up too small a proportion among all immortal clans, and that’s how the notion of immortal clans despising rogue cultivators came about,” the boy said, shaking his head.
“I see. Looks like I’m quite lucky to meet a Wan family member like you on my first time,” Han Li said after understanding, his previous wariness about the boy’s attitude fading a bit after revealing his rogue cultivator status.
“But brother, you’ve asked so many questions about things well-known in the immortal cultivation world. Could it be that you’re also a newcomer just stepping out of seclusion?” The boy’s eyes twinkled as if suddenly becoming clever, and he said with some realization.
Han Li smiled faintly and patted the boy’s shoulder apologetically. “I’m not trying to deceive you. It’s just that I recently entered the immortal cultivation world and have some concerns.”
“No worries, I don’t mind. But big brother, you should tell me your name! And from now on, just call me Xiaoshan,” Wan Xiaoshan said, clearly the outgoing type, casually smiling.
“Hehe! I’m Han Li. I really just recently got involved in the immortal cultivation world, so I hope you, Brother Xiaoshan, can look out for me!” Han Li’s favor toward Wan Xiaoshan grew stronger, and his tone became more friendly.
“No problem! If you have any questions, just ask. Hehe! I never thought I’d have the chance to teach someone else,” Wan Xiaoshan said proudly.
“If I have any questions, I’ll definitely seek your guidance, Xiaoshan. But shouldn’t we get into the valley now?” Han Li pointed at the sky with a slight smile.