Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, Han Li had been bitterly cultivating inside his cave dwelling for three months.
During this period, Kui Huan and the others came by once more, apologising sheepishly that they had informed some of the sect elders about Han Li's proficiency in talisman crafting, hoping he wouldn't take offence.
Since Han Li had already planned to use talisman crafting as a cover, he naturally didn't truly care about the matter. After offering a few reassuring words, he sent them on their way.
As for Celestial Spring Peak — because Han Li had unexpectedly been selected as one of the twenty-four disciples, the cold and beautiful woman surnamed Mu had actually made the rare trip to the herb garden, spending half a day explaining the difficult points of the Mysterious Ice Art to Han Li. This left him somewhat surprised and somewhat at a loss for words.
Aside from these two groups, no one else came to disturb Han Li's cultivation.
One day, while Han Li was bitterly cultivating the Qingyuan Sword Art in the quiet room of his cave dwelling, he suddenly furrowed his brow, withdrew his technique, and rose to his feet.
By the time he walked out of the quiet room, passed through the cave dwelling's entrance, and stepped into the herb garden, a streak of fire — the manifestation of a voice transmission talisman — was crashing about erratically within the warding mist of the garden's restrictions.
Seeing this, Han Li gently parted the restrictions with a wave of his hand. The talisman immediately transformed into a ball of flame and obediently landed in his palm.
A moment later, he closed his five fingers together, and the fire vanished without a trace.
"White Phoenix Peak, Ancestor Song! Isn't she the Core Formation female cultivator renowned as the foremost beauty of the Luoyun Sect? Could it be that she herself will be guiding me? If so, these few days won't be too hard to endure!" Han Li's face remained expressionless as he murmured these words to himself.
Without further hesitation, he summoned his flying sword and set off straight toward White Phoenix Peak.
……
White Phoenix Peak was situated at the easternmost edge of the Luoyun Sect, quite far removed from the other five peaks, carrying an air of a lone plum blossom braving the snow.
Though it was the shortest and smallest of the Six Wondrous Peaks, it was lush and verdant, blanketed in dense forest. In terms of scenic beauty, it stood unchallenged as the crown of all the peaks, far surpassing Celestial Spring Peak and the others.
Before long, Han Li appeared near White Phoenix Peak.
Because the peak was home predominantly to female cultivators, it had an unofficial and rather peculiar rule: any male disciple from another peak who wished to conduct business there had to first be announced by the disciples at the mountain gate at the foot of the peak before being permitted to enter.
Otherwise, should one become trapped within the restrictions of White Phoenix Peak, one would have only oneself to blame.
Han Li naturally had no intention of forcing his way in. He obediently landed at the base of the mountain on his flying sword.
At the mountain gate, three female cultivators at the Qi Condensation stage were chatting and laughing amongst themselves.
Upon spotting this somewhat unfamiliar male cultivator land nearby, they couldn't help but look over with curiosity.
"I am Han Li of Celestial Spring Peak, here to receive Ancestor Song's guidance in cultivation. I would be grateful if you sisters could relay my arrival." Han Li clasped his fists toward the three female disciples and spoke.
"So you're Han Li! Ancestor Song has already given instructions. Junior Brother Han may proceed directly to Chaofeng Pavilion at the summit — Ancestor Song is waiting for you there!" A young female cultivator with a scattering of light freckles across her face broke into a soft laugh as soon as she heard Han Li's words.
After thanking her, Han Li immediately took his leave and soared into the air on his flying tool.
However, he had barely flown a short distance before the three female disciples — probably assuming Han Li could no longer hear their conversation — began gossiping without the slightest restraint.
"Is this Junior Brother Han really a disciple from our sect participating in the Sword Trial Assembly? His cultivation doesn't seem all that high!"
"And his appearance is rather plain too — completely unremarkable."
"Hehe! That's something you wouldn't know. I watched all of Junior Brother Han's matches, let me tell you..."
Upon hearing this, Han Li let out a faint bitter smile, withdrew his spiritual sense, shook his head, and flew straight toward the summit.
White Phoenix Peak was not particularly tall. In a matter of moments, Han Li arrived at the peak.
There was a stretch of flat ground roughly a hundred zhang across, surrounded by drifting white clouds and brimming with spiritual energy — a scene resembling a mortal paradise.
And in this paradise-like setting, there stood a solitary pavilion, standing alone.
The pavilion rose approximately twenty zhang high and was divided into three stories. It was constructed entirely from an unknown white wood, left unpainted and unadorned, giving it an air of refined simplicity.
Han Li descended before the pavilion on his flying tool and called out without hesitation: "Disciple Han Li pays respects to Grandmaster Song!"
The moment these words left his lips, Han Li felt a faint wisp of spiritual sense sweep over his body.
Han Li pretended not to notice, standing in place with an unchanged expression.