Rebirth of a Reincarnated Immortal Cultivator

"I'm not entirely sure about the specific origins of these two cultivators. I only know that the supernatural abilities and techniques they used are somewhat similar to those of the Heshan Sect."

"Heshan Sect?" Han Li was taken aback.

"The Heshan Sect is a small sect that emerged more than a hundred years ago. Most of its members are cultivators in the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages, and it is quite well-known in the Heshan area. However, its reputation has soared since Old Ghost Heshan broke through to the Core Formation stage more than ten years ago, and it has become a formidable rival to the Qishan Sect."

"The Heshan Sect mainly cultivates ghost-path techniques. These ghost-path techniques are different from ordinary supernatural arts. The power of the techniques and supernatural abilities they use is closely related to the number of souls they summon. The more souls there are, the greater the power of the techniques and supernatural abilities. I'm sure you already know this from our previous battle."

"The magic weapons crafted by the Heshan Sect are mainly banners. These magic weapons are used to collect the souls of cultivators or mortals who have been killed, and when used in combat, their power is astonishing. Fortunately, that person did not have a Soul Refining Banner, otherwise we would both be in grave danger!" Ni Xuxin said, a hint of lingering fear showing on her face.

If that person had been a little stronger, with the dozen or so souls he summoned, Han Li might not have been a match for him.

This ghostly cultivation technique is truly quite sinister.

It is unknown whether the ghost's storage bag contains this supernatural power.

"However, just now, seeing you in such a hurry, could it be that you are also heading to Wuling City to participate in the Ascension Conference?" Seeing Han Li accept the spirit stones and pills, Ni Xuxin breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile.

"Isn't the Ascension Ceremony held every May?"

Han Li was taken aback, and then said something that shocked Ni Xuxin.

"The Ascension Ceremony has always started in February. Could it be that you've misremembered, fellow Daoist?"

"Well...maybe!" Han Li scratched his head awkwardly.

"This Ascension Ceremony is a grand event held only once every five years. At that time, all the Qi Refining stage cultivators from the entire Southern Sea Continent will gather here, with about a thousand participants each time. Despite the large number of people, there are actually not many contestants."

"You must understand, battles between cultivators are extremely dangerous. If you can't control your spells, death or injury is common. What's more, most of the participating cultivators are in the late stage of Qi Refining or have basic cultivation techniques at level ten or above. For cultivators like us in the early or middle stages, going up there is simply suicide."

"However, if one can glean some insights from the battles between these cultivators, it will undoubtedly be of great benefit to one's own cultivation progress or understanding of techniques and supernatural abilities. Moreover, the top three in the Ascension Tournament will receive incredibly generous rewards. In addition to Foundation Establishment Pills, if the winner is a rogue cultivator, regardless of their talent, they will be granted special admission to one of the five major sects."

As Ni Xuxin spoke, a hint of envy appeared in her eyes.

Han Li nodded upon hearing this.

If it starts in February, then a trip to Wuling City would be worthwhile. After all, there are super teleportation arrays connecting major cities, so he could directly use the teleportation array in Jialing City to travel to Wuling City, saving him one or two months compared to going directly there.

“Indeed, that’s exactly what I was thinking too.” Han Li nodded.

"That's wonderful, Brother Han. We can travel together then."

Upon hearing this, Ni Xuxin was very pleased and changed his address from Fellow Daoist Han to Brother Han.

"I am new to the world of cultivation and there are many things I don't understand. I hope Brother Ni will be kind enough to teach me," Han Li said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

And so, Han Li and Ni Xuxin, two early-stage Qi Refining cultivators, finally arrived in Jialing City after traversing mountains and valleys for ten days.

From this fellow Daoist Ni, Han Li learned a lot of anecdotes about the cultivation world.

During this time, Han Li examined the ghost's storage bag. Inside were several herbs and spirit stones, as well as a dilapidated alchemy furnace and a worn-out protective robe. From this miscellaneous collection, Han Li actually obtained some valuable items. At this moment, Han Li was holding several yellowed, ancient books in his hands.

These were the cultivation techniques and supernatural abilities practiced by that ghost: the Heshan Scripture, the Ghost-Eating Technique, and the Fierce Ghost Sky-Piercing Hand.

This Heshan Scripture is one of the basic supernatural abilities of Heshan. It can nurture a soul seed within the body, which is then activated during combat. Only with the existence of a soul seed can one use the later ghostly cultivation techniques. According to Han Li's understanding, once the number of these soul seeds reaches a certain level, they will form star soul power within the body, completely transforming into a ghost cultivator's body. At that point, the chance of reincarnation will be completely lost.

Originally, Han Li didn't want to cultivate this technique in his ninth reincarnation, but considering this was his ninth life, he wasn't so hesitant. Besides, a single copy of the He Shan Scripture wasn't enough to turn him into a ghost cultivator. To some extent, this technique was considered exceptionally profound for the Qi Refining stage.

The Ghost-Eating Technique, similar to a soul-summoning spell, can summon wandering spirits from the surrounding area, temporarily enhancing the power of supernatural abilities and spells. This technique's power increases in the most dangerous and bloody places; it might even become a life-saving ability someday. With the summoned spirits and the Fierce Ghost Probing Hand, its power should not be underestimated.

To truly unleash the power of this divine ability, we must wait until we have the Soul Refining Banner.

With this Soul Refining Banner, one can store the souls that are summoned within it. The higher the level of the Soul Refining Banner, the more souls it can hold. In addition, with some defensive magic treasures by one's side to protect the banner, and with the blessing of the "souls" within it, ordinary cultivators are no match for it.

However, the method for refining the Soul Refining Banner was not recorded in the book, which made Han Li feel regretful.

After much deliberation, Han Li decided to cultivate these three techniques. As the saying goes, it's never a bad thing to have many skills; who knows, some supernatural power he might learn could save his life someday. However, he should try to keep his cultivation of these ghostly arts a secret from others. After all, the righteous path reigns supreme in the Southern Sea Continent. If he were merely a ghost cultivator in the Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment stage, that would be one thing, but if he were a Core Formation or Nascent Soul stage ghost cultivator, even the Nascent Soul patriarchs of the five major sects would likely be uneasy.

Heshan Sect, it seems I'll have to visit this small sect I've never been to before when I get the chance...

As Han Li was thinking, a huge city covering several miles appeared before him without him noticing.

Outside the city walls, a three-meter-wide moat flowed, and soldiers clad in golden armor stood in neat rows, with patrols everywhere. Because the Zhao royal family resided in Jialing City, and because of the Jialing River, a major waterway, transportation was greatly facilitated.

The city of Jialing was bustling with activity. The buildings, constructed of red clay bricks and tiles, stood tall, exuding an air of extreme opulence. Furthermore, on the north street of Jialing, the royal palace of the Zhao state was located, its size comparable to the entire city. Due to its proximity to the palace, a vast amount of rare treasures flowed into the city, attracting numerous merchants.

Having grown up in his family, Ni Xuxin was seeing such a scene for the first time. He thoroughly enjoyed the warmth and vibrancy of human life. He then took Han Li for a stroll around Jialing City.

Originally, Han Li thought the other party was taking him to the teleportation array, but this Brother Ni was only interested in playing and seemed to have completely forgotten about the Ascension Conference, which left Han Li speechless.

"This is the first time I've ever seen anything like this, Brother Han, you flatter me!" Perhaps noticing Han Li's unusual expression, Ni Xuxin explained.

"Brother Ni, as a cultivator from the Ni family in Wuling City, you should see this kind of situation often. But just now, the way you were having fun didn't seem fake..." Han Li looked at Ni Xuxin, who seemed a little embarrassed, with some doubt, as if he was implying something.

"Brother Han, you don't know, I've hardly ever left home in my entire life. Whenever I wanted to go out and travel when I was a child, my father would drag me back. He would say things like that the people outside are too dangerous, that my cultivation level is too low, and that I can't travel yet. He insisted that I have to break through to the Qi Refining stage before I can go out."

"Alright! Then I'll work hard at cultivation, and finally I entered the Qi Refining stage at the age of fifteen. But then, my father changed his tune again, saying that he would let me go out after I broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage will take at least ten or twenty years. Isn't that torture?"

"So...hehe, I found an opportunity to sneak out. But the outer world isn't as dangerous as Father said. At least it's not all bad people! There are also helpful cultivators like Brother Han!" Ni Xuxin laughed.

Through their time together, Han Li had gained a general understanding of Brother Ni's character. In truth, Brother Ni wasn't a bad person at heart; he was just a bit playful and had an overwhelming sense of justice. Whenever he encountered injustice, he always had to intervene.

For example, the two cultivators from the Heshan Sect who fought to the death last time did so because they used the name of the Ni family to swindle and sell inferior magic treasures to those rogue cultivators, which led to the events that followed.

If Han Li hadn't happened to be passing by, Brother Ni would probably have been torn to pieces by those people long ago.

“Brother Ni, your father is right. The cultivation world is a mixed bag, so it’s best to be cautious at all times.”

"What's there to be afraid of? I have my dad backing me up. Even if he doesn't help me, I still have all my aunts and uncles. If all else fails, there's always you, Brother Han, right? I don't believe that if the two of us join forces, as long as we don't run into a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, we should be able to escape without any problem!"

Upon hearing this, Han Li's face darkened.

What? You're telling me there's still me? If we really encounter any danger, I'll definitely be the first one to run away, okay?

The last time I was forced to take action was just an accident, so don't overthink it.

Han Li was still somewhat displeased when he thought about how he had inexplicably fought a deadly battle with a cultivator a dozen days ago, but he didn't show any signs of it on the surface.

"Brother Han, look! There are people performing a lion dance over there. Let's go take a look."

At this moment, Ni Xuxin seemed to have discovered a new continent. Pointing to the crowded people not far away, she looked at the golden lion dance with excitement in her eyes.

"Brother Ni, I have some matters to attend to, so I will not keep you company any longer. This is my communication jade talisman. When you travel to Wuling City via the teleportation array, you can simply use this talisman to contact me."

As Han Li spoke, he exchanged communication jade talismans with Ni Xuxin.

"Is there something urgent? Do you need my help?" Ni Xuxin asked.

"It's nothing serious, so don't trouble yourself, Brother Ni."

Han Li shook his head, indicating that it wasn't necessary. He didn't want any third cultivator besides himself to know about his parents' and family's affairs.

After exchanging the communication jade talismans, Han Li clasped his hands in a fist salute and then walked out of Jialing City.

After leaving Jialing City, Han Li headed west and, after some searching, finally found the so-called Calabash Mountain.

Through the dense forest in the mountains, I could see my parents, my younger sister, and my older brothers in the distance.

It was nearing evening, and the family was happily sitting together, chatting and laughing as they enjoyed their dinner.

Because of Han Li and Hao Le, every now and then, people from the Xuanjian Sect would send them a few taels of silver. Although the amount of silver wasn't much, it was more than enough to support their family.

Especially with the introduction of the Xuanjian Sect, Han Zhu successfully joined a blacksmith shop in Jialing City and started his own blacksmith business. His other older brothers also found their own livelihoods, and their lives improved day by day.

Han Li breathed a sigh of relief after learning this news.

This place is, after all, near Jialing City. No matter how powerful the Haiya Gang is, they wouldn't dare to act recklessly in front of the royal family. Furthermore, considering the Xuanjian Sect and his relationship with Hao Le, he can leave with peace of mind.

As night fell completely, Han Li emerged from the woods and stood before a small table in the courtyard, staring blankly at the scene before him, lost in thought.

Han Li didn't know how to face his parents, his beloved younger sister, and his brothers. He feared that if he met them, his unwavering commitment to cultivating immortality would waver.

Perhaps it's better to cherish the memory than to meet again; that's probably the best outcome for everyone.

As he thought about it, tears welled up in Han Li's eyes and streamed down his face.

The path to immortality is fraught with peril; one wrong step can lead to utter ruin. Along the way, he gained and lost. These experiences, in turn, formed an unforgettable journey, further solidifying his resolve to pursue the Dao.

He stood quietly in the courtyard, listening to his parents' and younger sister's voices, feeling the atmosphere of family reunion. The candlelight shone through the window screen into Han Li's hazy eyes. At this moment, his heart was more peaceful than ever before, as if he had returned to his childhood, to the image of his parents snoring away mosquitoes as he slept soundly, everything so peaceful.

Until the next day, just as dawn was breaking.

When Han's mother got up, she found the pills on the table outside, as well as a letter written by Han Li himself. A tear rolled down her cheek.

......

After bidding farewell to his parents and family, Han Li bought some clothes in Jialing City and put on the tattered robe he had previously acquired. Since he had always worn the Xuanjian Sect's clothing, it was somewhat inconvenient, and moreover, he was no longer a member of the Xuanjian Sect, so there was no need for him to continue wearing their clothes.

At this moment, Han Li, led by Ni Xuxin, arrived at the center of Jialing City, in front of a pavilion called "Wanbaolou".

Wanbaolou is a famous antique dealer in Jialing City, but in reality, it's a place where cultivators buy cultivation techniques and magical treasures. Wanbaolou is divided into an inner building and an outer building. The outer building caters to ordinary people, while the inner building serves the vast majority of cultivators. Wanbaolou's business scope is also extremely large, covering almost the entire Southern Sea Continent.

The teleportation array they were to use was jointly built by Wanbaolou and the five major sects. It could directly reach towns and cities in various regions, making it extremely efficient.

In addition, with the Ascension Ceremony approaching, cultivators from all over the country gathered here, which led to the Wanbaolou being overcrowded, a stark contrast to its usual quiet appearance.