Published: August 27, 2025
Chapter 371: Ascension Pavilion
“Han Daoist, the ten cultivators you challenged were actually temporary hired hands that the powerful families paid a high price to recruit from this island’s guard squad. Although their cultivation bases aren’t very high, they frequently go out to sea to battle demonic beasts and spar with cultivators from other islands. So in terms of combat experience and tactics, they are far stronger than ordinary cultivators. It’s not surprising at all that even cultivators two or three levels higher than them could be defeated!” Wen Qiang said with a face full of admiration, clicking his tongue.
“No big deal, I was just fortunate!” Han Li smiled politely.
When it came to fighting experience, he could confidently say he had plenty himself.
“By the way, Daoist, you came here to the Ascension Pavilion to handle some formalities, right?” The young man glanced towards the green mountains, then turned back and smiled as he asked.
“Wen Daoist guessed right. I do want to complete the procedures for settling on the island, and also pick out a place to cultivate and live.”
There was no reason to hide these things, so Han Li said it plainly.
“Heh! I’ve been to the Ascension Pavilion several times. Let me show you the way—it’s on the route anyway! Qingyun Mountain is so vast that it’s really hard to find places without some guidance,” Wen Qiang suggested without hesitation.
Seeing his enthusiasm, Han Li was a little surprised and thanked him repeatedly.
So the two of them flew side by side toward the towering mountains ahead.
“This Qingyun Mountain on this island has, besides the three great peaks—Pillar of Heaven Peak, Heavenly Night Peak, and Heaven’s Gate Peak—there are 367 smaller peaks. There are countless caves and valleys as well. You could say there are many places suitable for cultivation,” the young man talked nonstop as they flew forward, introducing the mountain range before Han Li.
“Of course, although most of Qingyun Mountain lies on a fairly large spiritual vein, the concentration of spiritual energy varies. Generally, the higher the peak, the richer the spiritual energy there. The 36 peaks with the densest spiritual energy become the targets for the island’s decennial spirit land challenge. Anyone who believes their cultivation base surpasses that of the mountain’s current master may challenge them freely. If victorious, they can take over the mountain peak as their own.
“As for the other peaks, their spiritual energy doesn’t differ too much. Usually, once a cultivator reaches foundation establishment stage, they can claim one peak as their cultivation base automatically. As for qi refining stage cultivators, they must humbly find places such as valleys or caves to cultivate,” Wen Qiang explained.
“You can own a whole mountain peak at foundation establishment stage?” Han Li was greatly surprised.
“Yes, but most foundation establishment stage cultivators on this island have already taken their spots. For cultivators like us at qi refining stage, don’t even dream of such good fortune,” the young man said self-mockingly.
“Oh!” Han Li’s mind raced with various thoughts, feeling somewhat excited.
“By the way, those three major peaks are so tall; the spiritual energy there must be even richer!” Han Li asked casually as a sudden thought struck him.
“Of course. The tallest, Pillar of Heaven Peak, is the spiritual eye of the island and the personal cultivation ground of the island lord, True Immortal Mu Long. No other cultivators are allowed to enter. I heard the island lord has reached mid core formation stage and his magical abilities are formidable. Heaven’s Gate Peak and Heavenly Night Peak are the secluded mansions of the two deputy island lords, True Immortal Yuan Jun and Kanqin Zhenren. Although not as powerful as Pillar of Heaven Peak, their spiritual energy is still many times stronger than elsewhere,” Wen Qiang said, revealing a hint of envy.