"Indeed—Brother Wu has proposed an excellent idea!" The elder surnamed Ye brightened at once, excitement animating his features.
He turned to Zhong Lingdao with an eager expression. "Sect Master, might I be permitted to meet the bearer of the Ascension Token? I wish to propose a trade—specifically, to persuade him to relinquish the Foundation Establishment Pill voluntarily."
Zhong Lingdao considered for a moment before nodding in agreement. However, he admonished the elder once more against employing coercive measures in the transaction, then dispatched Junior Brother Wang to escort him to meet the uninvited guest.
Upon leaving the great hall, the elder and Junior Brother Wang immediately mounted their leaf-shaped magical treasures and soared into the air, heading toward the Yellow Maple Valley's guest pavilion.
Meanwhile, within a chamber of the guest pavilion, a young man lay upon his bed, gazing blankly at the ceiling. This was Han Li, who had arrived at Yellow Maple Valley alongside the other champions of the Ascension Assembly.
After eliminating the two cultivators who had ambushed him, Han Li had traveled without further incident to a concealed mountain range in Lan Prefecture. There, he had participated in the Ascension Assembly convened shortly afterward, personally witnessing the arena battles—far more brutal than Hu Pinggua had described.
Following a series of life-and-death duels, each arena had produced its final victors. At last, the guides from the seven great sects made their appearance, and Yellow Maple Valley's guide was none other than Junior Brother Wang.
Upon meeting this guide from Yellow Maple Valley, Han Li had deliberated carefully before deciding to take the risk. He presented the Ascension Token for inspection, causing considerable astonishment.
The guide had immediately declared that Han Li could be brought into the sect, though the precise handling of his case and the Token would require the Sect Master's decision—the last Ascension Token had been recovered four or five hundred years prior.
Han Li naturally raised no objection; finding Yellow Maple Valley's gate on his own would have proved arduous indeed.
And so, under the astonished gazes of the other cultivators, Han Li boarded an enormous boat-shaped magical treasure alongside ten other champions. Junior Brother Wang transported them all back to Yellow Maple Valley, arranging accommodation for Han Li here while awaiting a formal response. The other ten had been separated from him and taken elsewhere.
Han Li had now waited three or four days without venturing beyond his chamber. Apart from a young servant of eleven or twelve who delivered meals punctually each day, he had seen no one.
This was not born of obedience on Han Li's part. Rather, the guide surnamed Wang had explicitly informed him—after arranging his lodging and testing his spiritual root attributes—that, lacking formal membership in Yellow Maple Valley, certain restrictions had been placed upon the chamber. Attempting to leave would trigger these restrictions and result in confinement.
Having received such a warning, Han Li naturally saw no purpose in courting trouble. Moreover, learning that he possessed the "false spiritual root" of four attributes had left his spirits considerably dampened.
Though Han Li had long recognized his inferior aptitude for cultivation, hearing it confirmed still cast him into despondency for an entire day. It seemed that if he wished to achieve anything on the path of immortality, he would have to rely on external aids such as pills.
Yet after advancing his Changchun Technique to the ninth layer, he had noticed that the efficacy of "Yellow Dragon Pills" and "Golden Marrow Pills" had diminished substantially. They no longer aided him as before. He would need to find new herbal formulas—medicines truly suited to cultivators—lest his progress stagnate.
Han Li was lost in these thoughts when footsteps suddenly sounded beyond the door. Not a single set, but several. His spirit lifted at once—after days of patient waiting, the news he sought had finally arrived.
"Young friend—have you been comfortable here?"
The chamber door swung open gently, and Junior Brother Wang's voice preceded him into the room. He was followed by a ruddy-faced elder.
"Immortal Master Wang—greetings!" Han Li sprang from the bed at once, performing a respectful salute. He understood well that courtesy cost nothing, and adopting a humble posture would serve only to his advantage.
"And this is...?" Han Li glanced at the elder with a trace of puzzlement.
"This is my senior brother. His surname is Ye." Junior Brother Wang offered a slight smile and a brief explanation.
Ye? Han Li startled. Could his killing of Golden Light Master and seizing of the token have been discovered? Had the Ye family come seeking retribution? But though the elder's complexion appeared somewhat stern, there was no evidence of the teeth-gritting fury of vengeance. It seemed some other matter was afoot. Han Li mused privately while betraying nothing outwardly, promptly offering a respectful greeting:
"So it is Immortal Master Ye!"
The elder had already surveyed Han Li from head to toe, finding him thoroughly ordinary in every respect—devoid of anything remarkable. This observation only strengthened his confidence in the purpose of his visit.
Upon hearing Han Li's greeting, he assumed a genial expression and said with a smile: "No need for such formality, Young Friend Han! Since you have brought the Ascension Token to our Yellow Maple Valley, you are now a disciple of our sect. Simply call me Uncle-Master Ye—no need to stand on ceremony."
These words lifted a weight from Han Li's mind, though they also planted seeds of doubt. The elder's courtesy was effusive—almost excessively so. What did he mean by "no outsider"? Han Li found himself at a loss.
"Young Friend Han—what Senior Brother Ye says is correct! Our Sect Master has already agreed to admit you as a disciple of the valley, and has allocated one Foundation Establishment Pill for you!" Junior Brother Wang confirmed with a soft laugh.
"Truly?" Even Han Li, habitually composed and measured, could not contain his excitement at this news. He nearly leaped with joy, barely restraining himself from dancing in elation.
Observing Han Li's reaction, Junior Brother Wang smiled without surprise—as though the young man's response had been entirely anticipated.
"Junior Brother Wang—I would like to speak with Nephew Han privately. Would you excuse us?" The elder, growing impatient, finally voiced what he had wished to say from the moment he entered.
"Certainly. I shall return to the Sect Master then. When you have finished your conversation, perhaps both of you should come along as well." Junior Brother Wang sighed inwardly, cast a glance at Han Li, and departed the chamber.
Now only the elder surnamed Ye and Han Li remained.
Han Li stared in bewilderment at what had just transpired. Why had Junior Brother Wang left so abruptly, leaving him alone with this self-proclaimed "Uncle-Master"? Though uncertain of the elder's intentions, Han Li felt a vague premonition of trouble.
The elder had noticed Han Li's unease but paid it no mind. He was confident that what he could offer would dazzle this young man of limited experience, ensuring the transaction's smooth completion.
"Nephew Han—your uncle is a straightforward man, so I shall dispense with circumlocution. The matter I wish to discuss concerns the Foundation Establishment Pill allocated to you. I propose to purchase it from you. What say you?" The elder cut directly to the point.
*He actually wants to buy my Foundation Establishment Pill? Have I heard correctly? Who would ever surrender such a thing?*
Han Li was momentarily stunned, then his expression darkened visibly.
"Nephew Han—rest assured, I have no intention of demanding the pill for nothing. Seven or eight mid-grade spirit stones, several talismans of intermediate to advanced rank, and a few fine magical treasures—these are well within my means. Should those prove insufficient, I also possess pills for enhancing magical power. Though they cannot compare to the Foundation Establishment Pill, they are rare spiritual medicines within the sect. Should you agree, all of these may be offered in exchange." The elder had readily perceived the shift in Han Li's expression and hastened to clarify.
Upon hearing this, Han Li's countenance improved. He sensed the sincerity in the elder's words—this Uncle-Master harbored no designs on outright plunder. He genuinely intended to purchase the Foundation Establishment Pill.