102: jade pendant innate

“Could this statue be of that Supreme Paragon?”

As Han Li looked at the statue, a thought surfaced in his mind.

He stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the four pillars on the high platform.

Each of the four pillars was engraved with the pattern of a mythical beast, lifelike, as if on the verge of resurrection.

The three of them looked at the pillars on the high platform. Yun Xi suddenly reached out and struck with her palm, a powerful True Qi instantly blasting towards a pillar.

“Bang!!”

The stone pillar shook, and the dust on it was dislodged.

However, it didn't seem to have changed at all.

The three exchanged glances. They continued to explore every corner of this Underground Palace, but ultimately found nothing special.

“It seems there’s nothing here. Let’s go to the next fork,” Zhou Yun said.

Han Li and Yun Xi nodded. Then, the three of them left this Underground Palace.

They returned the way they came, arriving back at the crossroads, and the three walked towards the right path.

The passage on the right was winding and convoluted.

After delving about a hundred meters, their vision suddenly cleared.

Here, just like the Underground Palace on the left, the space was equally vast, with a statue, a high platform, stone pillars, and a pond.

There was no change whatsoever; even the positions felt the same.

The three explored again but still found nothing, and had no choice but to return the way they came.

Stepping out of the Earth-Grade passage, at this moment, several figures also appeared at the Heaven-Grade passage entrance.

It was Elder Bai and the others.

“Did you find anything?” Elder Bai asked, looking at Yun Xi and the others.

“No,” the three shook their heads.

“Now there’s only one more Yellow-grade passage left,” Yun Xi said.

“This place has probably already been explored, so there’s likely nothing to gain,” Yuan Zong suddenly remarked.

“Let’s take a look. It’s the last one; we’ll leave after checking it out.”

Elder Bai said.

The few of them nodded and all headed towards the last Yellow-grade passage... After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the group emerged from the Yellow-grade passage.

They had found nothing at all.

Not even a single hair.

Their only gains were from the Mysterious-grade passage and the Heaven-Grade passage.

But that was normal.

After all, the Underground Palace Secret Realm was not opening for the first time; even if it opened once every three years, it had opened many times.

What needed to be explored had basically been explored.

To still have some gains was a comfort.

Stepping out of the ruins, the group once again arrived outside the stone mountain.

Looking at the stone mountain, Elder Bai’s gaze swept into the distance.

“There are a few more ruin locations; let's go check them out first.”

“Alright.”

The group nodded, and then, they vanished from their original spot... Five days later.

Within a sprawling mountain range in the Underground Palace Secret Realm, accompanied by a loud bang, several figures suddenly rushed out from within the mountain.

Dust flew, and the tremor spread for over ten miles.

Stepping out of the mountain, Han Li and the others appeared.

Each of them looked disheveled and dusty.

“Zhang Xuan, it’s your itchy hands again,” Zhou Yun fumed.

“How was I supposed to know that was a Restriction? It wasn’t on purpose,” Zhang Xuan said in an embarrassed, low voice.

“Enough, what’s done is done,” Elder Bai interjected.

Zhou Yun glared at Zhang Xuan, but didn't say anything more.

Han Li remained silent, patting the dust off his body.

In five days, they had explored a total of four ruin sites, but their gains were not significant.

Most of the ruins were empty.

“Elder Bai, the previous few ruins have been thoroughly explored. What about the remaining time…”

Yun Xi looked at Elder Bai.

Elder Bai pondered for a moment and said, “For the remaining time, you are free to act. Whether you gain anything depends on your individual Opportunity. Just remember to keep in contact at all times.”

“Alright.”

The few of them nodded.

Han Li also did not refuse.

There were still ten days left before the Underground Palace Secret Realm closed.

In these ten days, he also wanted to make a final push.

Soon, the group bid farewell and separated.

Han Li also left.

He headed towards the nearest dangerous area.

That place was also where the most traces of demons could be found.

Finding Heaven And Earth Treasure or obtaining some Supreme Legacy was not very likely; killing and accumulating blood essence was the Righteous Path.

He had already reached Vein Opening Realm Perfection, and breaking through to Innate also required a strong amount of energy.

His own improvement was the fundamental thing.

Everything else was an illusion… An hour later, Han Li arrived in a forest.

The Forest of Mist.

This was one of the dangerous areas in the Underground Palace Secret Realm.

Here, the number of demons was very high, which Han Li had learned about in recent days.

The Forest of Mist, as its name suggested, was shrouded in thick fog.

Looking from afar, the fog above the forest resembled a sea of clouds.

It stretched as far as the eye could see.

The Forest of Mist extended for a thousand li.

Besides the fog, there were also various poisonous miasmas, but they had little effect on him.

Stepping into the Forest of Mist, the forest was hazy with fog.

Han Li could sense the Demonic Qi permeating the forest.

It was very strong.

With the Zhan Ling Sword in hand, Han Li also became fully vigilant.

After walking a few miles, Han Li suddenly stopped and looked at the jungle ahead. Amidst the hazy fog, a wave of battle fluctuations spread.

“Something’s happening.”

Han Li’s eyes lit up, and his figure instantly vanished from his original spot.

The next moment, he saw two figures clashing in the jungle.

One demon, pig-like in form, was enormous.

The other was a Disciple of the Tianxuan Sect.

This demon was only at the Peak of the monstrous level. By the time Han Li saw clearly, this Tianxuan Sect Disciple had just slain the monstrous-level demon.

“Who’s there?”

The young man looked towards Han Li’s hiding spot, his gaze sharp.

Han Li emerged from behind the tree.

Their gazes met.

“It’s you!”

The young man recognized Han Li.

“Just passing by, you continue,” Han Li said, then turned and headed in another direction.

The young man watched Han Li's retreating figure, frowning, but said nothing more. He collected his spoils of war and then left.

— —

Time flowed on.

The day the Underground Palace Secret Realm would close was drawing near.

In the Forest of Mist.

A fierce battle fluctuation erupted, and sharp Sword Qi spread, shredding the surrounding trees.

“Whoosh—!”

A flash of spiritual light, and the next moment, the scent of fresh blood permeated the air. A massive creature crashed to the ground, and amidst the dust, Han Li's figure appeared.

Looking at the demon's corpse on the ground, he took out his Zhan Ling Sword, cut open the corpse, and extracted a demon core.

He didn't waste the corpse either, storing it in his cosmos ring.

“Buzz—!”

In his mind, the purple Devil Seed pulsed, emitting a tremor.

With a thought, Han Li quickly suppressed the throbbing Devil Seed.

The Devil Seed returned to calm, and Han Li looked at the panel that appeared before him.

name: Han Li.

Realm: Vein Opening Realm Peak!

martial arts: Divine Travel Eight Desolations Profound-Grade Medium Grade (Perfection), Qing Yuan Skill Earth Rank High Grade (Initial Mastery 95%), Life-奪ing Spear Technique Earth-Grade Low Grade (Perfection), Ben Lei Fist Profound-Grade High Grade (Perfection), Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art Heaven-Grade Low Grade (Accomplished 2%), Dragon Elephant Divine Fist Heaven-Grade Low Grade (Minor Achievement 1%), Taiqing Shadowless Swordplay Earth Rank High Grade (Major Achievement 37%).

skills: Archery (Perfection), Alchemy (36%).

Heaven and Earth Demon Seed: (Level 5 1%).

Divine Abilities: Winds Arise, Clouds Surge (Third Stage 85%), Thunder Gods Wrath (Second Stage 40%), Peerless Might of Heaven and Earth (First Stage 15%).

Demonic Origin: 0.

“Level 5 Devil Seed…”

Looking at the panel data, Han Li exhaled a turbid breath.

For several days, he had basically been hunting demons in the Forest of Mist.

He had killed over a hundred monstrous-level demons and several Innate Elementary demon kings.

His harvest was quite abundant.

The accumulated blood essence was also beyond imagination.

“With this wave of blood essence accumulation, plus the blood essence feedback from the Level 5 Devil Seed, I should have hope of opening the Ren and Du meridians.”

Han Li’s eyes sparkled.

Innate!

It was within reach!

He hadn't absorbed the blood essence accumulated these past few days.

This wave of blood essence was mainly for breaking through his own limits.

Breaking through to Innate, this step would bring earth-shattering changes.

Taking this step would also mean entering a crucial transformation for a Martial Artist.

Innate Realm!

True Qi transformation, Physical Body soaring.

“I have to leave tomorrow, it’s about time. I can go now.”

Han Li snapped out of his thoughts, scanned his surroundings, and with a movement of his body, quickly vanished from his original spot... Stepping out of the Forest of Mist, Han Li found a random spot outside to Cultivate.

The waiting time passed quickly.

When the dawn of the second day rose.

With a loud “rumble,” the sky shook. Han Li looked up, gazing at the heavens.

A huge spatial rift appeared in the sky, and an irresistible force surged forth.

The next moment, Han Li’s figure vanished from his original spot, plunging into the spatial rift.

At the same time, this situation was occurring in various parts of the Underground Palace Secret Realm.

After a dizzying sensation, Han Li only felt his body falling rapidly. He quickly reacted, flashed, and flipped, landing steadily.

At the same time, not far away, a dozen figures appeared.

Looking at their surroundings, it was the environment they had been in before entering the Underground Palace Secret Realm.

After a month's time, they were automatically expelled by the rules of the Underground Palace Secret Realm.

All eighteen members of the three sects had appeared.

A few were injured, but largely, there was nothing major.

Only some minor injuries.

Han Li and Elder Bai's group reunited.

The other two sects also gathered together.

“Elder Yue, until next time,” Elder Bai said, cupping his hands.

“Mm.” Elder Yue nodded lightly. Then, the Elders of the three sects each displayed their Spiritual Artifacts. Han Li and the others stepped onto the flying ship. With True Qi activated, the flying ship soared into the sky and quickly disappeared.

On the flying ship, everyone was chatting, discussing their respective gains.

After separating from the ruins, everyone's luck had also been good, and they had obtained some rare Heaven And Earth Treasure.

Han Li also obtained some Heaven And Earth Treasure.

However, his greatest gain was his own improvement.

His Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art had reached the fifteenth Dragon Elephant.

If it weren’t for the need for blood essence to break through to Innate, he could have improved even more.

Breaking through to Innate was of paramount importance.

Han Li hadn't expected this trip to the Underground Palace to yield such immense gains.

If possible, he would have liked to remain in the Underground Palace Secret Realm to continue improving.

But time did not allow it.

The opening time of the Underground Palace Secret Realm was limited.

However, to have achieved the current level of improvement was already astonishing.

If he were to break through to Innate, it would likely cause a stir within the Qingyuan Sect.

“Junior Brother Han, your gains must also be considerable, right?” Yun Xi asked with a smile, looking at him.

“It's alright, I've had some minor gains,” Han Li nodded.

“Then, what are your plans after returning?” Yun Xi asked.

“After returning, I might have to go into secluded cultivation, preparing to attempt a Breakthrough to Innate,” Han Li replied.

“?!!!”

As soon as he spoke, the gaze of five people, including Elder Bai, fell on him.

Breaking through to Innate?

If he remembered correctly, Han Li was only at the Late Stage of Vein Opening Realm during the Mountain and River Tournament.

Even if he had broken through to the Tōngmài Realm Peak before setting off, it had only been a month in the Underground Palace Secret Realm, and he was already going to attempt to break through to Innate?!

Wasn't he talking in his sleep?

Even with extraordinary talent, it was impossible to improve so quickly.

Cultivation required time; no matter how strong one's talent, it was impossible to go directly from the Late Stage of Vein Opening Realm to the point of being able to attempt to break through to Innate within a few months.

"Junior Brother Han, you... aren't you joking?" Zhou Yun asked in astonishment.

"Just an attempt, it's not certain to succeed," Han Li smiled.

"Just an attempt..."

Without a certain degree of confidence, would he attempt to break through to Innate?

To try it, for a Genius like him, it was basically a sure thing.

"Breaking through to Innate is no small matter, Han Li. You need to be cautious; otherwise, if the Breakthrough fails, it will cause harm to your body."

Elder Bai spoke.

"I understand, thank you, Elder Bai, for the reminder," Han Li nodded.

The others also gradually recovered their senses.

Zhang Xuan looked at Han Li, his expression flickering between light and dark.

During the exploration of the ruins, he had already witnessed Han Li's strength.

If this guy cultivated to Innate, he probably wouldn't be his opponent.

"Then I'll congratulate you in advance," Yun Xi smiled.

"It's too early to say; it's not certain to succeed," Han Li said.

"You'll definitely be fine," Yun Xi nodded... Two hours later, the group returned to the Qingyuan Sect.

In front of the mountain gate, Han Li bid farewell to the others and headed directly towards Yuhua Peak.

Upon returning to Yuhua Peak, Han Li saw a figure.

A young man in a black robe.

His back looked somewhat familiar.

"Senior Brother Yan!"

Han Li called out.

The black-robed youth turned around, revealing a face; it was none other than Third Senior Brother, Yan Qingfeng.

Han Li stepped forward and came before Yan Qingfeng.

Yan Qingfeng looked at him, sizing him up: "Junior Brother Han, not bad. Your vital Qi and blood are already so abundant, no less than a Xiantian martial artist. It's only been a short while, but your improvement is truly astonishing."

"Senior Brother Yan, you flatter me," Han Li smiled.

"I've heard a bit about your matters, winning first place in the Mountain and River Tournament. Very good, you've brought honor to our Yuhua Peak," Yan Qingfeng said with a smile.

"Senior Brother Yan, when did you return?" Han Li asked.

"I just returned not long ago, just arrived at Yuhua Peak. I wanted to pay respects to Revered Master."

Yan Qingfeng said.

"I heard you went to the Underground Palace Secret Realm. Could it be that you just returned as well?" Yan Qingfeng asked, looking at Han Li.

Han Li nodded: "Yes, I just returned."

"Senior Brother Yan, let me take you to see Revered Master's spiritual tomb," Han Li said.

"Alright," Yan Qingfeng nodded.

Immediately, the two entered Yuhua Hall, passed through the main hall's backyard, and soon arrived before the spiritual stele on the cliff behind the mountain.

Looking at the spiritual stele, Yan Qingfeng knelt down and kowtowed heavily.

"Master, this Disciple is unfilial, unable to see you one last time," Yan Qingfeng's eyes reddened. He spread his hand and took out a pot of wine.

He poured three cups in front of the spiritual stele.

Han Li stood by, silent, watching quietly.

After kowtowing and drinking, Yan Qingfeng took out a jade pendant.

"Revered Master, rest assured, this Disciple will never forget Revered Master's instructions and will Cultivate diligently."

Holding the jade pendant, Yan Qingfeng drank another cup of wine.

But Han Li, standing by, was stunned.

His gaze was fixed on the jade pendant in Yan Qingfeng's hand.

Shock, astonishment, disbelief!

At this moment, Han Li felt as if his head was exploding, buzzing.

This... how could this be possible!

Han Li's body trembled, and he whispered softly.

Though his words were light, Yan Qingfeng still heard them. He looked up at Han Li, who had a dazed expression, and was startled.

Could it be that Junior Brother was affected by the emotions?

"Junior Brother Han, you should also have a drink with Master," Yan Qingfeng said.

Han Li regained his senses, looking at the jade pendant in Yan Qingfeng's right hand.

In his pupils, shock still permeated.

He picked up the wine cup and took a sip; a spicy sensation rushed into his lungs.

Putting down the wine cup, his gaze remained on the jade pendant in Yan Qingfeng's hand.

"Junior Brother Han, what's wrong?" Yan Qingfeng asked, seeing Han Li staring at his right hand.

"Senior Brother Yan, this jade pendant is...?" Han Li couldn't help but ask.

"This was bestowed by Revered Master. He gave it to me when I broke through to Innate. All the Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters have one. Revered Master bestows it when one breaks through to Innate."

Yan Qingfeng said.

"Boom—!"

Hearing this, Han Li was struck by lightning, as if petrified.

In his mind, he involuntarily recalled the scene he had once seen in Changyang Mountain.

The jade pendant bestowed by Revered Master... that means this jade pendant is related to Revered Master!

Could it be that the mysterious white-clothed man back then was Master?

But how could this be possible? Revered Master clearly died in the Heavenly Tribulation back then.

His Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, and his Physical Body was completely destroyed.

If the Heavenly Tribulation failed, it was destined that no one could survive under the Heavenly Tribulation.

This was also common knowledge.

There were only two outcomes when undergoing a Heavenly Tribulation.

Either life or death!

Anyone with some common sense would basically understand this point.

That white-clothed man was Master?

Wasn't this too absurd?

"All the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters have one. Is it possible that it belongs to one of the Senior Brothers or Senior Sisters?"

Another thought emerged in Han Li's mind.

Thinking about it, it seemed to be a possibility.

It was more likely than it being Revered Master.

"Junior Brother?"

Yan Qingfeng's voice came from his ear, interrupting Han Li's thoughts.

Han Li instantly came back to his senses.

"Junior Brother, are you alright?"

Yan Qingfeng asked, frowning, looking at Han Li.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Han Li shook his head.

Now it was just a possibility, not yet confirmed, and he dared not jump to conclusions.

Of course, there was a way to verify it.

Contacting his other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters to verify the situation.

Using the process of elimination to verify.

If several Senior Brothers had it, then it meant the white-clothed man he met in Changyang Mountain back then must have been his Revered Master.

Although it felt very absurd, it wasn't impossible.

Only when he got a definite answer would he know for sure.

Now, it was just a guess... After paying respects to Revered Master, Han Li and Yan Qingfeng returned to Yuhua Hall.

The two Senior Brothers chatted.

An hour later, Han Li watched Yan Qingfeng leave Yuhua Peak, and he returned to the main hall.

"Next time, when I see the other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, I'll ask, and then it will be clear..."

Han Li muttered to himself.

Immediately, he turned and entered the room in the backyard.

During the month in the Underground Palace Secret Realm, his nerves had been constantly taut. Now, he could finally relax.

Breaking through to Innate also required the best possible state to succeed.

There was no rushing it... After sorting out his gains, Han Li left Yuhua Peak again and headed to Qingyuan Market.

The Demon King's demonic core was the biggest part.

Han Li sold all more than ten demonic cores, plus other Materials, for a total of two million taels of silver.

He exchanged all of it for merit points in one go.

Returning to Yuhua Peak again, Han Li began to adjust his state.

—

The next day.

Han Li's figure appeared in the cultivation room.

Sitting cross-legged on the futon, Han Li took out a Medicinal Pill, which was a Xiantian Pill.

Looking at the Xiantian Pill in his hand, Han Li swallowed it directly in one breath.

At the same time, he circulated the Qing Yuan Skill, rapidly absorbing the medicinal power of the Xiantian Pill.

In his Dantian, a green cloud of True Qi condensed. As the medicinal power of the Xiantian Pill spread, the True Qi in his body also began to boil.

A faint layer of light enveloped his entire body.

Han Li concentrated fully, using the medicinal power of the Xiantian Pill to begin his first attempt at a Breakthrough.

"Boom—"

A rumbling sound came from within his body.

Under his control, the True Qi surged like ocean waves, impacting wave after wave.

The rumbling sound echoed in the quiet cultivation room.

Han Li's Aura also became erratic... An hour passed, and more than half of the Xiantian Pill's medicinal power had been consumed.

Han Li's face was pale, and several attempts had given his body an overloaded feeling.

However, Han Li did not stop. Breaking through to Innate required a single, continuous effort. Once the momentum weakened, it would be a complete failure.

Green light covered his body, and Han Li mobilized his True Qi to once again impact the Ren and Du meridians.

Rumbling sounds continued to echo.

With each impact, his face grew paler... Two hours passed, and the medicinal power of the Xiantian Pill was completely exhausted. At this very moment, Han Li's thought moved, and he instantly released the blood Qi sealed by the Demon Seed.

The accumulated blood Qi erupted at this instant, like a torrential flood, with continuous rolling waves.

His pale face instantly regained its rosy complexion.

The Qing Yuan Skill circulated vigorously, and blood Qi poured into his body, instantly restoring Han Li's Aura.

"Boom—!"

A sound like a war drum beating echoed, and rumbles of thunder came forth.

With the support of the majestic blood Qi as his backing, Han Li completely plunged into a reckless assault.

The barriers of the Ren and Du meridians also showed cracks, continuously spreading.

"Boom!!!"

Another thunderous roar, under the support of the overwhelming blood Qi, Han Li finally broke through the barriers of the Ren and Du meridians.

His Aura instantly soared.

In his Dantian, the green True Qi also underwent a reversal.

The gaseous True Qi, under the circulation of the Qing Yuan Skill, cultivated and transformed into liquid form.

The Breakthrough to Innate was successful!

An invisible Aura rushed out of the cultivation room, sweeping through Yuhua Hall.

The air seemed to be frozen under the Aura.

An invisible pressure enveloped Yuhua Hall.

Immediately after, an invisible shockwave swept across the entire Yuhua Peak.

The air vibrated.

It lasted for a moment before completely dissipating... Inside the cultivation room, Han Li opened his eyes, his face beaming with health.

The Breakthrough to Innate was successful, but the True Qi in his body still needed some time to fully transform into Innate True Qi.

Han Li's thought moved, and a huge blood-colored crystal appeared.

blood essence stone.

Circulating the Qing Yuan Skill, Han Li began to absorb the essence power of the blood essence stone.

To accelerate the stabilization of his Realm.

Twelve thousand, thank you for the reward and support from fellow reader Fan Xin!