"What's so funny? I'm merely acting with compassion, wishing to spare no one!" Seeing Han Li's indifferent expression, the senior immortal on the other side grew increasingly annoyed, drawing even more distance between himself and the younger man. "Nothing at all! I simply find that the match seems easier than I expected!" Han Li casually tapped the ground with the tip of his foot as he spoke. "What? You dare to treat me so lightly!" The middle-aged cultivator blushed deeply, raising his hand to reveal a sparkling object. But before he could summon it, the figure in front of him seemed to shimmer and then fade—his vision went black, and he collapsed softly to the ground, unconscious. … After a brief moment, Han Li emerged from the hall, still composed, carrying the unconscious middle-aged cultivator upright. The other cultivators present were stunned. They had clearly seen the difference in cultivation level between Han Li and his opponent. Yet Han Li had emerged victorious—this was truly unexpected. Yet not all the cultivators were utterly astonished. The elder who had maintained a stern expression throughout now displayed a most peculiar look. He gazed at Han Li with deep intent, though he said nothing—yet it seemed clear that he now understood the course of Han Li's actions. Han Li chuckled softly, calmly placing two bamboo stakes before the elder, then setting the unconscious opponent down on the ground, and thus returned to the ranks of the victorious cultivators. The elder glanced at the middle-aged cultivator still unconscious at his feet, shook his head slightly, and offered a half-smiling, half-ambiguous expression. "Number eight..." When the final victor appeared, the elder turned to the other ten cultivators who had remained on the sidelines, cleared his throat gently, and spoke in a calm tone: "We shall now begin challenges in numerical order. Those who feel their inner energy significantly depleted may rest briefly and challenge later. However, all challenges must be completed within today—otherwise, they shall be deemed withdrawn." Moreover, challengers were not allowed to challenge those who had already fought against others. As for the eleventh contestant, he would challenge once among the final ten winners. "Alright, let's begin!" Once the elder finished speaking, the first-ranked cultivator eagerly selected a seemingly less experienced opponent from among the ten and stepped onto the platform together with him. The opponent had only the sixth level of cultivation, while the challenger himself was at the seventh level—indeed, the odds seemed quite favorable for the sixth-level cultivator! However, after a cup of tea's time, it was the sixth-level cultivator who emerged first from the white light, while the first-ranked cultivator came out later, battered and injured. The former bowed in deep embarrassment and immediately rushed out of the hall without a word. Witnessing this, the other challengers' expressions turned serious. Yet the sixth-level cultivator calmly returned to the group of ten. "Next!" the elder called out without the slightest surprise—seeming entirely certain that the victory was a matter of course. "Senior, my magical power hasn't fully recovered yet, so I'll wait a moment!" The second-ranked cultivator, with a slightly flushed face, said. The third-ranked elder paid no attention to whether the man's lack of power was genuine or merely due to hesitation, and simply called the next name. The next cultivator slightly furrowed his brow before also choosing to retreat. The fourth-ranked cultivator, however, finally couldn't bear the pressure and bravely stepped up, facing an opponent. Yet, the same scene unfolded once again. Watching the fourth cultivator, now with noticeable injuries, the remaining challengers all expressed astonishment. As a result, the two behind also delayed their challenge, believing it wiser to let others go first. The seventh-ranked elder hesitated slightly before slowly calling out Han Li's name. Han Li stepped forward silently, then pointed to a cultivator of the sixth level as his opponent. The cultivator was a sturdy man. Seeing that Han Li had neither retreated nor chosen him, he grinned fiercely and strode confidently toward the platform. In contrast, Han Li moved slowly, as though carefully weighing his options. As the figures of the sturdy man and Han Li faded into the white light, everyone turned their attention to the platform. The foundation-stage elder closed his eyes, appearing to rest. Yet a moment later, his facial expression subtly shifted, and a look of surprise emerged before his eyes opened in astonishment. Then, a figure materialized in the white light on the platform. The cultivators quickly focused their attention, only to find that upon the light dissipating, it was Han Li himself. He bore no injuries at all, yet he carried his opponent—whose body was scorched and blackened—by one arm, walking out with a relaxed, composed air. Witnessing this scene, not only the other challengers but also the remaining challengers were left utterly stunned. As for the scholar standing behind the elder, his mouth hung open in astonishment, unable to close it. Han Li placed this still-breathing opponent right in front of the elder and, while receiving a series of amazed glances, calmly returned to his original position. The other challengers, seeing this, instinctively stepped back, displaying a touch of reverence. Observing this scene, Han Li inwardly chuckled. It seemed that no matter where one went, strength always spoke the loudest. Perhaps Han Li's unexpected victory had instilled confidence in the remaining contestants, so that the ones behind did not shy away but instead directly selected their opponents to engage in fierce battles. Yet none of these later challengers suffered a serious injury. Witnessing this, the earlier challengers, once stunned, completely lost their desire to triumph. After careful consideration, they all decided to withdraw. After all, knowing they were no match, they still chose to fight—how could they be considered mad? Thus, it went. The elder announced on the spot that only Han Li had secured the trading qualification for the Gu family on the large island. Then he handed Han Li a blue jade scroll, saying that he could simply deliver it to the Gu family members. Next, he issued an uncompromising dismissal—every cultivator was abruptly escorted out of the hall. ... On the corridor, when Han Li handed the blue jade scroll to Gu Dongzhushu, his expression was nothing short of dramatic. First, he expressed disbelief; then astonishment; and finally, overwhelming joy! "Master Han, Gu shall not hesitate to express our gratitude. Rest assured, all the conditions promised by our family will be fulfilled," said Gu Dongzhushu. At that moment, Han Li, Gu Dongzhushu, and Wang Changqing were already seated in the beast-carriages, returning toward the Gu family estate. Though Gu Dongzhushu spoke with heartfelt appreciation, his hands remained tightly clasped around the scroll, as if afraid it would vanish. The scene was truly comical. "I believe Mr. Gu won't do something so treacherous as crossing the river and then tearing down the bridge—especially not for a cultivator." Han Li leaned against the wall of the beast-carriage and smiled slightly. Upon hearing Han Li's words, which seemed to carry a subtle warning, Gu and Wang Changqing both turned pale and repeatedly assured him they would not. Soon afterward, Han Li returned to his wooden cottage atop the hill, where Qu Hun remained quietly. Han Li practiced his qi for three more days inside the cottage, after which Wang Chang青 came again. This time, he came to inform Han Li that he could proceed to the Dengxian Pavilion on the immortal mountain to secure permanent residency rights on Qiuxing Island, as well as to designate a specific place for Han Li to cultivate. After all, every cultivator on the island was entitled to their own dwelling. Though, since Han Li had not participated in the Spirit Land Competition, the available location would naturally have less refined qi, it still provided him with a place to cultivate. Han Li carried the officially sealed guarantee document from Gu's family, and with his vehicle, flew directly toward the central region of Qiuxing Island, while Qu Hun remained at the cottage. Along the way, Han Li passed through seven or eight cities and dozens of small towns, until finally he caught sight of the immortal mountain described by Wang Changqing. It was a massive, emerald-colored mountain rising like a towering cloud, with three lofty peaks piercing the sky—majestic and imposing. Countless smaller peaks stood beneath the main mountain, so numerous they seemed endless. At first glance, Han Li had no idea just how broad and expansive the mountain truly was. He stood there, gazing at what was supposed to be the "immortal mountain," utterly stunned. "Huh—Isn't that Han Master over there?" a voice suddenly called out behind him. Han Li was startled, feeling as though he had heard this before, and quickly turned around. There, not far behind, Wen Qiang—once so delicate and frail—was smiling warmly at him, his feet resting on a wheeled flying artifact. "Ah, it's Master Wen! What a pleasant coincidence!" Han Li exclaimed, slightly taken aback. "Hi-hi! Yes, I didn't expect to meet someone like you here!" "How admirable it is that you have managed to defeat the guards' cultivators!" "Guards' cultivators?" Han Li was genuinely taken aback upon hearing this!