Han Li took the scroll and slowly unfolded it, only to find it was a completed map of Kuaixing Island, with golden and white lights interwoven. However, the glowing areas were all concentrated in a large expanse of green at the center of the map. At this moment, Han Li realized just how vast the area occupied by Qingyun Mountain was—far beyond his expectations. The central green region alone covered more than a quarter of the entire island. Han Li gazed at the sparkling white spots, half-closing his eyes and focusing closely. Compared to the golden light, there were clearly many more white lights. Yet, the brightness of these white lights varied significantly—some were brilliantly luminous, while others emitted only a faint glow. The spots marked as mountain peaks were especially bright and conspicuous, but Han Li paid them no attention. As the mid-aged cultivator added, "Various mountain peaks are beyond the qualification of Qi Condensation stage cultivators to select; elsewhere, there's no such restriction—anywhere showing white light is eligible!" This was exactly what the young cultivator named Wen had mentioned earlier. However, the remaining areas were natural valleys and caverns, displaying much dimmer white light. "I would like to ask, sir," Han Li said, after glancing at the illustrated scroll, raising his head and speaking firmly to the elder, "how large a dwelling can I establish in these places? Are there any limitations?" Then, with a gentle tap of his finger on a certain spot on the map, the pale light there instantly turned yellow. Han Li returned the scroll to the other party. "Here!" The middle-aged cultivator's gaze briefly swept over the spot Han Li indicated, his pale face now expressing clear surprise. The spot Han Li pointed to was outside the Quixing Island, where a faint white glow indeed shimmered. "This is Xiao Huan Island," the middle-aged cultivator said, with a half-smiling, slightly mocking tone. "The island is only about sixty to seventy li long, yet it does host a small spiritual vein stretching several li in length. We've established a modest protective array here and built a small town on it—perhaps several hundred people in total." Han Li remained silent, knowing that the other party's reaction clearly indicated this island was far from simple. "To us, Quixing Island, this island is essentially a mere sideline—valuable for its spiritual vein, but not particularly significant enough to warrant much investment." However, the concentration of spiritual energy is significantly lower than that of other islands, and the island is still too small. "If we truly choose this location, while there will be no disturbance from other cultivators above, the concentration of spiritual energy here is at least one-third thinner than what we offer on Qingyun Mountain. That means your cultivation progress will be noticeably slower compared to others. "Previously, several cultivators, just like you, who preferred to dedicate themselves to solitary, intensive practice, also selected this island. Yet, within just a few years, they all returned, willingly paying substantial amounts of spiritual stones to relocate to better sites. After all, for cultivators, spiritual energy remains the most essential factor. "Moreover, the regulations stipulate that any cultivator choosing this island must also assume the responsibility of protecting it. This means that the spiritual stones required to maintain the island's protective spell arrays must be covered by you personally. Of course, you may charge the island's residents a certain amount of spiritual stones as compensation, and once that is done, you will no longer need to pay annual spiritual stone tributes to the main island. However, I'd like to remind you of something. The amount of spiritual stones submitted by the island's residents is simply insufficient to cover the daily wear and tear of the protective array. Currently, the entire stone consumption of this island is directly borne by Kuixing Island, which has allowed it to remain stable thus far. "So, can we say that, once I arrive here, I effectively become the master of this island?" After listening to the elder's explanation, Han Li pondered for a while before softly asking. "Heh, yes, that's quite accurate," the middle-aged cultivator replied, somewhat surprised. He had clearly outlined the island's drawbacks, and yet this young man still chose to settle here—then, he might as well leave it at that. At this moment, the middle-aged cultivator studied Han Li more closely, a quiet chuckle forming in his mind. When the time came for the substantial stone consumption, he was certain this man would soon find himself in trouble. He believed it would only be a matter of one or two years. This young disciple would surely return, looking weary and pale, to choose a new place for cultivation. Otherwise, by now, a truly established island master would have long been claimed by other cultivators, and there would be no room for him to remain! "Very well, I have decided—I shall take this island!" Han Li paused slightly, then spoke with firm determination. Hearing Han Li's confident declaration, the middle-aged cultivator showed no hesitation. He drew out a golden brush from his sleeve and lightly touched the island on the scroll, instantly transforming the white light into gold. Then, he produced a jade scroll from his person, inscribed a few characters with the golden brush, and tossed it to Han Li. Han Li took the scroll and glanced at it. On it were two golden symbols, somewhat familiar—written in the local script, they appeared to be his name. "This jade scroll serves as proof that Small Huan Island is your place of cultivation. It also contains the register of island residents. Keep it well!" the middle-aged cultivator said calmly. Then he folded the album, reclined half upon the bed, and gave a wave to Han Li, clearly signaling his intention to part ways. Han Li bowed slightly and gracefully stepped out. After leaving the Dengxian Pavilion, Han Li had no intention of lingering to admire the scenery or meeting other disciples on Qingyun Mountain. Instead, he immediately summoned his vehicle and flew directly back to Gu Family Village. The next morning, he left a letter addressed to Gu Master on the wooden table inside the room, and then took Qu Hun to the nearest town. There, after purchasing a map of Kuixing Island and its surrounding waters, he headed straight for the port. As Wang Changqing had mentioned, in the western part of Kuixing Island lay the island's largest city, "Kuixing City," which featured a street known as "Tiandu Street," dedicated exclusively to the buying and selling of goods among immortals. Han Li had long wished to visit there and observe firsthand what kinds of items overseas cultivators traded and which cultivation techniques they practiced. Yet his current cultivation level was truly pitiful. When he went to these gathering places of numerous cultivators, he felt uneasy and restless, his heart far from at ease, and thus had to suppress his concerns and simply carry on. "It seems my strength has dwindled, and my courage has grown much more timid," Han Li murmured to himself as he flew toward the port. Han Li broke free from the vast seal that had enveloped the entire Kuixing Island and, following the description on the map, flew directly toward the "Xiao Huan Island." Though the island appeared only adjacent to Kuixing Island on the map, Han Li spent a full day and night aboard the Shenfeng boat before finally spotting it from the sky. After circling the island once, Han Li finally spotted a small wharf, which he believed to be the entrance to the array. He then descended gently to the wharf. The wharf was sparsely populated, with only about a dozen fishermen seated on small boats along the shore, resting. Upon seeing Han Li and Qu Hun descend from the sky, they quickly stepped down from their boats and approached him. "Allow me to introduce myself—Black Gui. Respectfully, I greet the Immortal Master!" As they approached, each one bowed respectfully, and one particularly sturdy, dark-faced man, who seemed to be the leader among them, offered a courteous greeting. "Is this indeed the Xiao Huan Island?" Although Han Li felt he wouldn't have made a mistake, he still carefully asked, "Yes, Master Immortal! Master has come to replace the spiritual stones, haven't you? But we just replaced them not long ago!" Black Gui asked with a look of curiosity.