A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Immortal Realm
Chapter 1225: Chi Meng's Invitation

Chapter 1225: Chi Meng's Invitation

Even though Han Li had been swallowed up by the black hole, Sikong Jian didn't dare to let down his guard, and he chanted an incantation while sweeping his Wood King Ruler through the air.

The trees in his spirit domain converged, instantly forming another pair of tree cocoons that shot forth through the air.

The Wood King Ruler began flashing with spiritual light as two balls of red and green light shot out from within, then fused into the pair of tree cocoons.

The tree cocoons erupted into flames, transforming into two more Divine Wood Flame Orbs that plunged into the black hole.

A resounding boom rang out as the black hole warped and trembled violently before swelling to around twice its original size, almost encompassing half of the entire platform.

The restrictions around the platform began to waver once again, much to the alarm and apprehension of the nearby spectators.

At this moment, Sikong Jian's complexion was looking rather pale, and much of the green light around his body had faded away, clearly indicating that unleashing three Divine Wood Flame Orbs in such rapid succession had taken a severe toll on him.

Right as he was about to take a pill and catch his breath, an extremely high-pitched screeching sound suddenly began to ring out within the black hole, following which a Divine Wood Flame Orb shot out from within, flying back at Sikong Jian like a fiery shooting star.

A look of alarm and astonishment appeared on Sikong Jian's face upon seeing this. He had no idea how his attack had suddenly fallen under the control of his opponent, and he hurriedly shot back in retreat, while the trees in his spirit domain came to his aid at his behest.

However, right at this moment, a cold harrumph rang out in his ears, and he felt as if a red-hot dagger had just been plunged into his consciousness, causing him to stop involuntarily in his tracks as he let loose an agonized cry.

At the same time, the oncoming Divine Wood Flame Orb tore through the trees in front of him before crashing into his body with tremendous might.

The orb exploded upon contact, sending red and green light erupting in all directions to shatter the entire surrounding space.

Sikong Jian was naturally well aware of the power of his own Divine Wood Flame Orbs, and he gritted his teeth against the excruciating pain in his consciousness as his Wood King Ruler released a green light barrier around his body.

The green light barrier had only just taken shape when the wave of green and red light descended upon him, sending him flying back through the air.

Fortunately for him, the green light barrier was extremely resilient, and even though it was flashing erratically, it managed to hold itself intact.

However, some of the power from the Divine Wood Flame Orb's explosion was still able to penetrate through the green light barrier to strike Sikong Jian, shattering all of the bones in close to half of his body.

Blood came gushing out of his mouth, and to compound his woes even further, Han Li shot out of the black hole up ahead before crashing into him like a cannonball.

The two of them crashed heavily into the restrictions around the platform, even though Han Li had turned the tables to seize the upper hand, he was looking rather worse for wear himself.

Beneath his True Extreme Film, his clothes were in tatters, and his body was riddled with bleeding wounds and charred burns.

Sikong Jian threw up another mouthful of blood upon colliding against the light barrier on the edge of the platform, but Han Li refused to relent.

He pressed Sikong Jian against the light barrier with his left hand, and his right fist was glowing with blinding, golden light as he slammed it viciously into Sikong Jian's chest.

The light barrier around the platform was already struggling to hold itself intact, and it was instantly shattered upon impact, sending Sikong Jian slamming into the ground outside the platform like a broken rucksack.

The officiating elder had been taking shelter far away, and he hurriedly flew onto the platform to declare Han Li's victory.

It seemed like only an instant ago when Sikong Jian had been in a dominant position, and this sudden turnaround left all of the spectators in a stunned silence.

Only after hearing the outcome announced by the officiating elder did Zhou Xianyang snap out of his stunned stupor, and he sprang to his feet as he raised a fist to the heavens and let loose a thunderous roar of exaltation.

Zhao Yuanlai could only give a disgruntled harrumph, while Daoist Chun Jun and the others were all looking on with surprised expressions.

Given Han Li's physical prowess, it was no surprise that he had managed to smash through the restrictions around the platform, but none of them had been able to see how Han Li had managed to redirect Sikong Jian's own Divine Wood Flame Orb back at him.

"It looks like we all underestimated him! Aside from his physical prowess, he has some other tricks hidden up his sleeve as well. It's quite remarkable that a small sect like the Prominent Mountain Sect is home to such an impressive talent," Lu Chuanfeng remarked with a faint smile.

Daoist Master Chun Jun and the others were also all looking at Han Li with intrigued expressions.

Han Li took a pill to aid in his recovery while channeling his black mask with all his might to conceal his own aura.

Daoist Master Chun Jun and the others observed Han Li for a moment longer, then turned their attention to the other ongoing battles.

Chi Meng also did the same, but for some reason, her peripheral vision continued to linger on Han Li, and there was a perplexed look in her eyes.

Han Li heaved an internal sigh of relief as he felt Daoist Master Chun Jun and the others cast their eyes elsewhere, and he made his way down from the platform.

Sikong Jian had already been helped to his feet by some cultivators of the Lone Sun Peak, and he had regained his mobility after some emergency treatment.

He stepped directly into Han Li's path, glowering intently at him as he asked through tightly gritted teeth, "How did you take my Divine Wood Flame Orb?"

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out," Han Li replied in an indifferent manner before walking away.

As a mid-Great Encompassment cultivator, Sikong Jian was too formidable an adversary for Han Li to defeat even with all of his profound acupoints revealed. Hence, after being cast into that black hole, he had taken a risk and summoned his Profound Heavenly Gourd, using it to seize control of Sikong Jian's Divine Wood Flame Orb and turn the tables.

Sikong Jian looked on with a venomous expression as Han Li departed.

With one final, resentful glare, he turned and stormed away toward the entrance of the Nine Origins Temple, while all of the other Lone Sun Peak cultivators hurriedly followed along.

Meanwhile, Han Li was greeted by all of the exultant Prominent Mountain Sect cultivators, led by Zhou Xianyang, who was brimming with excitement as he grabbed tightly onto Han Li's hand.

"Thank you, Junior Martial Brother Chang."

"There's no need to thank me, I've only done what's expected of me," Han Li replied with a faint smile, then sat down to continue his recovery.

Despite the complexities involved, the battle between Han Li and Sikong Jian was actually the first one to conclude, while all of the other battles were still ongoing.

However, within the span of the next two hours, all of the remaining battles were decided as well.

Before long, Han Li and the other eleven victorious contestants were standing on the same platform, looking down at the countless spectators below.

Luo Yuanshan of the Azure Remorse Forest, Wen Changtian of the Skyloom Sect, and Celestial Maiden Ziluo of the Serene Celestial Lake had all emerged victorious as well.

"After three days of fierce competition, the final twelve victors have arisen, and each one will be taking a Bodhi Token back to their sect," Daoist Master Chun Jun declared with a smile.

The leaders of the twelve victorious sects rose to their feet before cupping their fists in a salute toward the surrounding cultivators.

"Bodhi Tokens are prized treasures that are not to be given out lightly, so please come to the Nine Origins Pavilion in seven days for the token presentation ceremony," Daoist Master Chun Jun continued, and everyone on the platform gave a collective, affirmative response.

Daoist Master Chun Jun quickly announced the results of the third round of battles, following which everyone promptly departed.

Han Li made his way down the mountain with the Prominent Mountain Sect cultivators, but along the way, they were suddenly stopped in their tracks by Chi Meng.

"Zhou Xianyang of the Prominent Mountain Sect pays his respects to Celestial Maiden Chi Meng," Zhou Xianyang hurriedly said as he extended a respectful salute toward Chi Meng, and the other Prominent Mountain Sect cultivators quickly followed suit.

Chi Meng paid no heed to Zhou Xianyang as she cast her gaze directly toward Han Li.

A hint of foreboding welled up in Zhou Xianyang's heart as he noticed the subject of Chi Meng's attention, but he kept up a nonchalant facade as he asked, "To what do we owe this honor, Celestial Maiden Chi Meng?"

"I was very impressed with the incredible prowess displayed by Fellow Daoist Chang Qi during the battle just now, and I'd like to acquaint myself with him. Would that be possible?" Chi Meng asked as she cast her gaze toward Han Li with an alluring smile.

"Of course! It would be my honor to become acquainted with a breathtaking celestial maiden like yourself," Han Li replied in a composed manner.

"I'm flattered, Fellow Daoist Chang," Chi Meng said as her smile widened a little further.

"You can go back with everyone else for now, Senior Martial Brother Zhou, I'll be with you shortly," Han Li said.

Zhou Xianyang hesitated momentarily, then nodded in response, and he promptly departed with the other Prominent Mountain Sect cultivators, leaving Han Li alone with Chi Meng.

"The renowned Golden Maple Forest of the Nine Origins Temple is just up ahead, would you care to join me on a little stroll there, Fellow Daoist Chang?" Chi Meng offered with a bright smile.

Han Li faltered slightly upon hearing this. Back when he was still in the mortal realm, there had been another woman who had extended a similar invitation to him, namely Chen Qiaoqian of the Yellow Maple Valley.

Unfortunately, the heavens had different fates in store for everyone. Han Li had ascended to the True Immortal Realm and even reached the staggering heights of the Great Encompassment Stage, whereas Chen Qiaoqian was already long dead.

Han Li couldn't help but wonder if she had already reincarnated, and if so, where she had reincarnated to.

Han Li quickly composed himself, then smiled as he said, "Who am I to turn down a scenic stroll with a stunning beauty such as yourself? Please lead the way, Celestial Maiden Chi Meng."

Given his cautious nature, there was no way that he would've accepted this invitation, but Chang Qi was a very outgoing womanizer, so Han Li had no choice but to mimic the same personality.