"You want to seize power!" Han Li said calmly, his expression unchanged.
"That's right. How can we, as cultivators, be treated like those mortals—summoned at will and dismissed without ceremony by the so-called elders? We should be the village elders. A respectable cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, driven by mortals for so long, I've long since lost patience. Previously, there were too few of us cultivators to act rashly, but with two more joining, this matter can certainly be accomplished." Another elder with a red face also said, a strange glint flickering in his eyes.
"Not interested. Fellow Daoists, please leave. Just pretend you never said any of this to me." Han Li swept his gaze over the three of them and said expressionlessly, words that made their faces change dramatically.
"What, Fellow Daoist, are you truly content to remain beneath others? As long as we seize the elder positions in the village, the few of us will jointly rule this village, without hierarchy. That way, even if the environment here is harsh, we can live freely." The long-bearded elder forced a smile before continuing to persuade him.
"I think, Fellow Daoists, you have misunderstood something. The two of us never said we intended to stay in this village. We will be leaving in a couple of days. So no matter how beautifully you paint the picture, Miss Mei and I won't be getting involved." Han Li rubbed his chin and said calmly.
"Leave? Are you two dissatisfied with this village and wish to go to another one? Fellow Daoist, you may not know, but our village is already among the very largest of all human settlements. The situations in other villages are much worse than ours." The long-bearded elder was taken aback and blurted out.
Hearing this, Han Li gave a faint smile, then lightly shook his head and said nothing.
"Could it be... that you two Fellow Daoists intend to climb that Storm Mountain?" The hunchbacked elder saw Han Li's expression, a thought flashed through his mind, and his face filled with astonishment.
"What's wrong? Is it so strange that the two of us don't wish to linger here and want to leave?" Han Li's smile vanished, and he said noncommittally.
"It's not a matter of it being strange or not. It's whether the two of you truly know what that Storm Mountain is, and how great the danger is?" The red-faced elder stroked his white beard and asked with a peculiar expression.
"Although I don't know too much, I did hear the Grand Elder mention the general situation." Han Li glanced at the man and replied, betraying no emotion.
"Hmph! How much does that fellow truly know about the horrors of Storm Mountain? It's all hearsay. The real terror of Storm Mountain, Fellow Daoist Yun and I experienced it firsthand. It's simply impassable for us, with our magical power sealed. Setting aside anything else, the strongest Yin Beasts of the Underworld of Yin and Darkness lurk at its base. If we accidentally disturb them, we'll die without a proper burial. Even if we somehow passed the Yin Beast stage, the Yin Wind and Illusory Mist on Storm Mountain would still kill without a trace. There's absolutely no chance of reaching the summit. And the idea that we could burst out of this place through the rift when it opens from the mountain's peak is just a legend; no one has ever truly attempted it. Perhaps it's simply impossible." The hunchbacked elder's expression shifted several times before he spoke, his face filled with lingering fear.
"You two Fellow Daoists have attempted to climb Storm Mountain? Could you tell me about it?" Han Li's expression shifted slightly, and he looked at the two of them with considerable interest.
"There's no secret about it. Even if Fellow Daoist Han hadn't asked, we would have told you, to crush any foolish hopes. When Fellow Daoist Jin and I first arrived here not long ago, we also refused to waste our lives away. So, after preparing for over half a year, we joined up with three Fellow Daoists from other villages and headed for Storm Mountain together. But before we even got close, one of them was discovered by the Yin Beasts nearby and perished at the mountain's foot. By the time we finally reached the mountain, the remaining two hadn't even climbed a quarter of the way up before they were frozen to death on the slopes by the Yin Wind. Fellow Daoist Jin and I, because we still had some fire stones, were just barely able to keep going. But the higher we climbed, the stronger the Yin Wind became. It was so fierce we could barely stand. In the end, we didn't even reach the Illusory Mist at the mountain's waist before we were blown off the cliffs by the gale several times. Although we survived by sheer luck, we didn't dare go any further and had to return in defeat. Once we got back to the village, we fell gravely ill from the Yin Wind penetrating our bones and were bedridden for several months before we could move around again. From that day on, we completely abandoned the thought of leaving through Storm Mountain." The red-faced elder said slowly, a look of horror in his eyes.
"It does sound terrifying!" Han Li rubbed his chin and murmured thoughtfully.
"Terrifying doesn't even begin to describe it. You two, give up on this idea; don't even try. The outside world may be better, but you need your lives to enjoy it. Stay and join us in a great endeavor. You are both still young. Once we reach the end of our lifespans, everything in this village will belong to the two of you." The long-bearded elder opened his mouth to entice them, sounding very sincere.
"Fellow Daoists, there's no need to persuade me. Unless I try it myself, Han will not give up my resolve. Of course, if I truly cannot reach the summit of Storm Mountain, I will naturally consider your suggestions." Han Li was unwilling to make powerful enemies of the three so easily, so he softened his tone and replied more tactfully.
Hearing Han Li say this, the three were somewhat displeased and continued to offer a few more words of persuasion.
But Han Li seemed to have made up his mind and showed not the slightest intention of turning back.
Left with no choice, the three turned their target to Mei Ning. But this woman simply said one calm sentence—"I will advance and retreat together with Brother Han"—which left the three of them equally dumbfounded.
Fortunately, Han Li hadn't rejected them outright. If climbing the mountain proved impossible and they survived, they still had a chance.