Hai Daxiao listened intently, his eyes shining with understanding—finally grasping the true uniqueness of his own spiritual root within his body, and couldn’t help but ask: “Master mentioned that hidden roots are rare and difficult to cultivate. Yet why are only certain types, such as the hidden lightning root, given special recognition? Is there something more behind this?” “You’re quite perceptive—right away you caught the most crucial point. As for the hidden dark root, it’s even rarer than your hidden lightning root; records indicate only one such individual has ever been documented. Your hidden lightning root, though, while still requiring several times more effort to cultivate than ordinary cultivators during the formation of spiritual power, is among the few who, after mastering the art of lightning, can assist others in withstanding thunderstorms during their celestial trials.” Han Li said slowly. “Assisting others in withstanding thunderstorms? Hai Daxiao had yet to achieve anything of the sort, yet the spirit of the artifact was visibly astonished. As a cultivator, he naturally understood the weight of Han Li’s words far better than Hai Daxiao, who was still a physical cultivator. “Indeed!” Therefore, although it's difficult to cultivate hidden thunderous spirit roots, most ordinary immortal cultivation sects will make every effort to nurture such individuals as long as there's even a chance of reaching a high stage. However, if someone shows absolutely no potential for achieving high-level mastery, even rarer hidden subtle spirit roots will likewise be overlooked—no one will undertake such a pointless endeavor. As for me, I've accepted you for two reasons. First, your body constitution and spirit root are particularly well-suited to inherit my dual-path cultivation method—combining spiritual and physical cultivation. Even during periods when your spirit root fades, you can still practice some physical cultivation techniques, ensuring your training time is not wasted. Second, I myself possess some knowledge of the principles of thunder and lightning, which I can also pass on to you. Should you eventually achieve mastery, you could lend a hand during my celestial crisis. Even if you can only alleviate a fraction of the burden, it might well determine the success or failure of my journey through the celestial ordeal! Han Li did not conceal his intention of taking on a disciple, and openly shared it with sincerity. "As long as the Moon True eventually achieves great cultivation, she will absolutely give her full support to assist my master through that celestial trial," Hai Dan said, bowing respectfully to Han Li with a serious and solemn demeanor. Moreover, since it was reported that representatives from foreign clans might be attending this auction, it would be worthwhile to observe closely—seeing which clan would make such a journey all the way to this place. Han Li’s smile faded, and he spoke seriously. "Yes, master!" Hai and Da Shao quickly replied. After nodding, Han Li led the two out of the hall. As soon as they stepped through the teleportation array and emerged from Yingxian Palace, they could faintly see shimmering lights in the distance, with squads of soldiers patrolling at low altitudes. Further away, figures were visible, but as soon as they approached within ten li of Yingxian Palace, they were stopped by guards stationed nearby. Clearly, the previously closed mountain, once accessible only to outsiders, had now opened its gates to the outside world. Han Li said nothing, merely shook his sleeve, and a sheet of emerald light shot out, swiftly enveloping Hai and Da Shao, lifting them into the air. Although the Nine Immortal Mountains had issued a decree to seal the skies, it naturally amounted to little for a cultivator of Han Li's stage—fully consolidated. The sentries patrolling the skies, upon seeing Han Li emerge from the gate of Yingxian Palace, simply ignored him, as though he had never appeared. Han Li and his companions surged forward like a streak of azure light, racing toward the peak of Feixian Mountain. From their vantage point in the flowing light, they could clearly observe the once-quiet mountain range now completely submerged beneath the vast human and divine sea. While it might not yet be said that the human crowds were driven solely by enthusiasm, the sight of the mountain slopes was now dominated by swaying figures. Especially in front of the various pavilions and structures designated for the grand assembly, the crowds were densely packed. Near the nine mountain peaks, the human tide was even more intense. The two young men from the Sea Clan watched the scene with growing interest, while Han Li, who had long since attended such gatherings countless times, showed no particular excitement. After a brief glance at the scene below, he simply swept past without paying any further attention. Half an hour later, a mountain towering several ten thousand zhang high came into view—none other than the Flying Immortal Peak, the highest peak in the Nine Immortals Mountain. Guards patrolling nearby not only numbered more than in other areas, but some Lightning Guards riding blue flying wolves also began appearing in the sky. When Han Li's light-form had just cleared the mountain peak by no more than seven or eight li, several Lightning Guards urged their mounts and finally intercepted him. "Esteemed sir," said a tall, elderly man leading the group, who remained seated on his giant wolf, "we have urgent duties that require us to examine your invitation." Han Li glanced at the group and, without speaking, merely shook his sleeve, sending a golden beam shooting out toward the opposite side. The elder raised his hand on the wolf and caught the beam with ease—none other than the golden invitation proving Han Li's identity. Though he was merely a Body-Refining cultivator, he couldn't help but wonder how the elder could discern the hidden information on the golden plaque, merely by gently touching it. "It's Master Han, isn't it? I've just been a bit rude. Master is here to attend the auction gala, correct? Then I'll personally escort Master to the Hall of Ten Thousand Treasures!" "Very well," Master Han nodded lightly. The elder immediately agreed, then waved to the others beside him, asking them to continue their patrols and move on, while he himself summoned the giant wolf to soar upward toward the summit of the mountain. By name, the Flying Immortal Peak is renowned for its straight, sheer profile—there is no path from base to summit, making it exceptionally perilous. For ordinary mortals, climbing such a peak and even finding a firm footing would be a great challenge, let alone constructing buildings atop it. Yet for cultivators, such matters were utterly trivial. It was surely some great master who employed his skill, gathering vast expanses of cloud sea at both the mid-slope and the summit of the mountain, linking them directly through several arch bridges stretching over a hundred zhang in length, which spanned steep cliff faces, making the two areas appear as one unified whole. The Great Hall of a Hundred Treasures stood within the expansive cloud sea atop the mountain peak. From afar, Han Li observed a sea of white mist, where one after another pavilions and halls rose and fell, their emerald hues subtly appearing and disappearing, accompanied by gentle streams and birdsong drifting through the air—like a paradise on earth. Though he had long heard tales of the marvels of Feixian Peak, seeing it firsthand left him genuinely awed. Hai Dashi and Qi Lingzi were equally enchanted, utterly delighted. At this moment, besides Han Li and his companions, it was clearly evident that other cultivators had also gathered from all directions. However, these individuals could not freely manipulate their flight light like Han Li to come directly flying over, but instead mostly arrived at the foot of the mountain, then were transported by a series of flying vessels to the summit, and finally entered the sea of clouds via one or more massive arch bridges. Among the cultivators who came personally—like Han Li—only a few were occasionally visible, and even then, they swiftly vanished into the sea of clouds. Han Li was directly guided by one of the cultivators to the sky above a certain palace, where he landed at a quiet entrance. At the entrance, several guards and a few attendants were stationed, with a middle-aged man dressed in a fine robe smiling warmly beside a black-dress woman, engaged in conversation. Though only seeing the woman's back, she appeared tall and carried an indescribable air of dignity, suggesting someone who had long held significant authority. Standing behind the young woman was another lady dressed in purple, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a delicate oval face, exuding a serene and refined grace. While her beauty might not be considered exceptionally striking, there was an indescribable aura of purity and clarity about her—something truly rare and deeply moving. Even the guards and attendants, aware of her noble status, could not help but frequently cast glances her way. Yet, the purple-clad lady remained calm and composed, smiling gently as she listened to the conversation between the man in brocade and the woman in black, showing no sign of discomfort or distraction. When Han Li glanced at her, his gaze lingered slightly on the purple-clad lady before swiftly moving on to the man in brocade and the woman in black, briefly revealing a moment of surprise. But then, a flash of green light passed through, and he instantly transported himself and the two young men to a spot near the entrance. Such close proximity, the attendants and the two engaged in conversation naturally noticed and turned their gaze toward them. At this moment, Han Li finally caught a clear view of the woman in black dress. Her eyebrows like dark jade, eyes like phoenix feathers, delicate nose, and a sweet mouth—she bore the distinguished grace of a truly outstanding noblewoman. Yet, upon seeing Han Li’s face, she was momentarily startled, then involuntarily glanced toward the woman in purple robes, her expression now filled with an unusual look of surprise and bewilderment. As for the woman in purple, her face briefly lit up with a flash of surprise upon seeing Han Li, and a subtle glow of unusual radiance shimmered in her eyes—only to fade instantly and vanish. "Hehe, I am Peng Jue, Deputy City Master of Xuanwu City, and one of the officials in charge of the human faction for this gathering. It's truly a joyous occasion that the human faction now has a senior cultivator of Consolidated Stage, Friend Han!" The middle-aged man in a rich brocade robe said with great courtesy.