"...If a fellow Daoist and this old monk together serve on the council, I believe we can certainly improve the situation for ascendant cultivators considerably." Golden Moon Chan Shi had spoken at length in persuasion, and his expression had grown increasingly solemn.
Han Li listened, his own face turning serious as well, but after his gaze flickered several times, he slowly shook his head: "Although Han is himself one of the ascendant cultivators and knows well the difficulties they face, this is not something one or two people can change. Even if I were willing to join the Elder Council, it would not be of much use. More likely, I would simply get entangled in various disputes. From the very beginning, when I set foot on the path of immortal cultivation, I resolved to walk the road of longevity and immortality. Although I have already advanced to the Spirit Severing stage, the distance to true ascension remains impossibly vast, and I simply cannot afford to divert my attention to other matters."
"So the fellow Daoist is a devoted cultivator. This poor monk is full of admiration! Since you have greater aspirations and your mind is already made up, this old monk will not try to persuade you further. But has the fellow Daoist come to Heavenly Abyss City for some pressing matter? Is there anything this poor monk can help with?" Golden Moon Chan Shi could see that Han Li had truly made up his mind. He let out a soft sigh and dropped the matter of the invitation.
"I appreciate the Chan Shi's kind offer. I came to the city merely to procure some materials and, at someone's request, handle a small matter." Han Li cupped his fists and replied politely.
"Heh heh, so that's how it is. But if the fellow Daoist truly needs any assistance, feel free to come to this old monk. In this Heavenly Abyss City, I daresay I can be of some help." Golden Moon Chan Shi nodded.
Han Li naturally thanked him profusely.
After that, Han Li and Golden Moon Chan Shi no longer discussed trivial matters, instead exchanging insights and experiences in cultivation.
This was something Spirit Severing cultivators who were on good terms would inevitably do whenever they met.
After all, at their level of cultivation, they had nearly reached the limit of what a cultivator could achieve through a lifetime of effort. As for the rumored Mahayana and Tribulation Transcendence stages, those were simply beyond reach — something one could dream of but never attain.
In some of the smaller races, an entire clan might not produce even one or two such cultivators across its entire history.
So without anyone to guide them, Spirit Severing cultivators had no choice but to resolve the difficult points of cultivation through exchanging insights with others.
This Golden Moon Chan Shi was already a mid-stage Spirit Severing cultivator, only a single step away from entering the late stage. His cultivation insights were far beyond those of Elder Qi, who was merely at the initial Spirit Severing stage.
And Han Li possessed several extraordinary divine abilities. His Holy Ancestor True Devil Art was a unique body-and-dharma dual cultivation technique that no one else had ever practiced, so his cultivation insights naturally had their own unique aspects.
After their exchange, both parties felt they had benefited greatly. Without realizing it, they had been talking for an entire day and night.
Early the next morning, Golden Moon Chan Shi took his leave in an obviously delighted state.
Han Li returned to the top floor of the pavilion and continued his seated meditation.
In the following days, no other Spirit Severing cultivators came to visit. It seemed they were either occupied with their own affairs, or had learned through Golden Moon Chan Shi that he had no intention of joining the Elder Council and saw no reason to bother.
Six days passed in this way. On the seventh day, the person he had been expecting finally arrived.
Han Li did not wait for the maids below to announce the visitor. He suddenly rose from his meditation cushion and drifted smoothly downstairs.
Several maids were chatting quietly on the ground floor out of boredom. At the sight of Han Li's figure, they were all startled and hurried forward to bow in greeting.
Han Li waved his hand and instructed calmly: "You may all step out. The person I have been expecting has arrived. Show her in, please."
Hearing Han Li's words, these Foundation Establishment female cultivators were taken aback, but immediately responded respectfully and made their way out of the pavilion.
Han Li then took his seat in the main chair.
Sure enough, moments later, under the guidance of one of the maids, a woman with features as flawless as jade walked in.
She was tall and slender, wearing a blue palace dress — none other than that "Fairy Xu" from years past.
Her cultivation had clearly already entered the Deity Transformation stage.
"It truly is Senior Han! Senior has indeed advanced to the Spirit Severing stage!"
Han Li's appearance was virtually identical to how it had been centuries ago. The woman recognized him at once and hurriedly offered a deep bow of respect.
Back in those days, Han Li had shown her considerable care, knowing she was a descendant of Ice Pith Fairy, and had occasionally offered her a few casual pointers in cultivation.
As a result, she had always felt not only deep respect toward Han Li, but also a strong sense of gratitude.
So the moment she had returned to the city and heard the words of that blue-robed guard and the short-bearded elder — that Han Li had once again appeared in Heavenly Abyss City and was looking for her — she had immediately come to the Gathering Immortal Pavilion.
Of course, when she heard that Han Li had advanced to the Spirit Severing stage, she had been equally shocked — no less startled than that Yue-surnamed elder.