"Fellow Daoist Han, those ten cultivators you challenged were actually temporary fighters hired at premium prices by those wealthy families from the island's patrol guard. Although none of them had particularly impressive cultivation, they regularly venture out to sea to battle demon beasts and spar with cultivators from other islands. So when it comes to combat experience and tricks, they're far superior to ordinary cultivators. Forget about those with lower cultivation — even ordinary cultivators two or three levels above them wouldn't find it strange to lose at their hands!" Wen Qiang said with a look of amazement, clicking his tongue in admiration.
"It's nothing — I was merely lucky!" Han Li smiled and replied modestly.
When it came to combat experience, he considered himself no slouch either!
"By the way, you must be heading to the Ascension Pavilion to take care of some formalities?" The young man glanced toward the mountains and turned back with a smile.
"Fellow Daoist Wen guesses correctly. I do wish to register for permanent residency on the island and perhaps find a suitable place to cultivate."
There was nothing to hide about these matters, so Han Li stated them frankly.
"Ha! I've been to the Ascension Pavilion several times. Why don't I lead the way — it's on my route anyway! Otherwise, Azure Cloud Mountain is so vast that it's really not easy to find." Wen Qiang suggested without a moment's hesitation upon hearing Han Li's words.
Seeing the other party so enthusiastic and eager, Han Li was briefly taken aback before expressing his gratitude repeatedly.
And so, the two flew side by side toward the great mountain ahead.
"This Azure Cloud Mountain on our island, aside from the three great peaks — Sky Pillar Peak, Sky Night Peak, and Sky Gate Peak — also boasts three hundred and sixty-seven smaller peaks, and the various caves and valleys are too numerous to count. You could say there are plenty of places to cultivate." As they flew onward, the young man talked nonstop, introducing the mountain range before them to Han Li.
"Of course, although most of Azure Cloud Mountain sits atop a rather significant spiritual vein, the density of spiritual energy varies from place to place. Generally, the higher the peak, the more abundant the spiritual energy. As a result, the thirty-six peaks with the densest spiritual energy become targets for the island's once-a-decade spirit site challenge. Anyone who believes their cultivation surpasses that of the current master of any of these thirty-six peaks may freely challenge them, and the victor takes over that peak. As for the remaining peaks, the spiritual energy difference between them is relatively minor. Generally, any cultivator who reaches Foundation Establishment automatically receives one of these peaks as a cultivation site. As for cultivators in the Qi Refinement stage, they can only meekly find some valley or cave to cultivate in."
"Foundation Establishment cultivators can have an entire peak to themselves?" Han Li was quite surprised.
"Yes, but Foundation Establishment cultivators on this island have already claimed just about all of them. As Qi Refinement cultivators like us, we shouldn't dream of such good fortune." The young man said with self-deprecation.
"Oh!" Various thoughts spun through Han Li's mind, and he grew somewhat excited.
"By the way, those three main peaks are so towering — wouldn't the spiritual energy up there be even more abundant?" Han Li asked casually, as though something had just occurred to him.
"That goes without saying. The tallest peak, Sky Pillar Peak, is the island's spiritual nexus — the cultivation site of Island Master Daoist Mulong, and no other cultivators are permitted to enter. I've heard that Island Master Mulong is at the mid-stage of Core Formation, and his magical powers are truly formidable. As for Sky Gate Peak and Sky Night Peak, they serve as the cave abodes of the two Vice Island Masters, Daoist Yuanjun and Daoist Kanqin. Although they fall slightly short of Sky Pillar Peak, the spiritual energy there is still several times greater than elsewhere." As Wen Qiang spoke, a hint of envy crept into his expression.
"Fellow Daoist Wen, are both Vice Island Masters also Core Formation seniors?" Han Li raised an eyebrow slightly and asked in a measured tone.
"The two Vice Island Masters are not only early-stage Core Formation cultivators, but also a pair of dual-cultivation partners." Wen Qiang said with a knowing nod.
Hearing this, Han Li furrowed his brow almost imperceptibly.
The fact that a single Kui Star Island had three Core Formation cultivators was truly beyond his expectations.
While Han Li was quietly pondering, he and Wen Qiang had already entered the depths of Azure Cloud Mountain, occasionally encountering a few cultivators also flying on their magical tools. But they merely gave the two a cold glance before flying off on their own business.
Half a quarter-hour later, under Wen Qiang's guidance, Han Li finally flew to one of the taller peaks.
Atop the peak stood a small two-story pavilion. It was impossible to tell how long it had been there — the exterior was not only dilapidated but thoroughly weathered. Hanging above the entrance was a signboard with one corner broken off, upon which were written three crooked black characters: "Ascension Pavilion."
Seeing this, Han Li was stunned.
"This is it...?" Despite having seen the signboard, Han Li still couldn't believe it and couldn't help turning to Wen Qiang.
"As much as I hate to admit it, this really is the Ascension Pavilion." The young man spread his hands with a helpless look.
"Well then, I'll see you off here. Also, the senior in charge of the Ascension Pavilion has something of a temper! Do be careful, Fellow Daoist!" The young man waved goodbye to Han Li, transmitting a final word of caution as they parted.
Han Li watched the young man disappear with an indifferent expression, shook his head almost unconsciously, then landed before the pavilion with his usual composure and walked slowly toward it.
But just as he reached the door, a somewhat sinister voice reached his ears.