The arrival of Xia Changsheng did not attract much attention.
Most people merely glanced casually. Seeing that the newcomer was Xia Changsheng rather than the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Xia Estate, they lost interest.
As for the Xia Estate, these people had only learned of it not long ago.
They only knew that the Foundation Establishment Cultivator was a concubine of this man, climbing up by relying on a woman. Most cultivators held him in contempt, their eyes flashing with disdain.
Moreover, rumor had it that the man was obsessed with female beauty; though he possessed a fine appearance, he was otherwise mediocre.
Seeing this, Xia Changsheng thought it was just as well. He was not familiar with any of these people, and having to exchange polite pleasantries with each one would be exhausting. Better to find a place to close his eyes and rest his mind for a while, quietly waiting for the main guest of honor to arrive.
He casually picked a secluded corner and was just about to seat himself.
"Brother Xia, long time no see."
Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice came over. Not addressing him as a fellow Daoist, the speaker was clearly an acquaintance.
"Brother Han?"
Xia Changsheng looked toward the source of the voice. The newcomer was a red-haired middle-aged man, burly and clad in a bright red robe, walking with the bold, vigorous stride of a tiger.
He had already recognized the man's identity. This person was Han Li, a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator and the only son of the old family head of the southern Han Estate.
The Han Estate was a mere hundred feet away from the Xia Estate.
It was likewise a Foundation Establishment Clan in Liucheng. It was said that the old family head, Han Shixun, was advanced in years and rarely went out, presiding over the household day-to-day, while Han Li had been managing family affairs in recent years.
When Xia Changsheng had taken Zhang Yuwei as a concubine, he had invited many clans in the vicinity of the Xia Estate, and Han Li had been among them.
Thus, they had met once before.
If not for his extraordinary memory, he probably wouldn't have recalled him right away.
Of course, the most prominent features were Han Li's striking red hair and... his daughter.
"I've been busy with family mundane affairs outside for the past few years. It was only upon returning to the city this time that I learned Brother Xia has taken a Great Foundation Establishment Cultivator as a concubine. Truly enviable."
A trace of envy flashed in Han Li's eyes. Being both Qi Condensation cultivators with not much difference in age, the two of them presented an utterly stark contrast in appearance.Xia Changsheng looked to be in his early twenties, possessing a striking and elegant appearance like a jade tree facing the wind. Draped in purple brocade robes and wearing a pendant of purple jade at his waist, he cut a refined and dashing figure.
"Hmph~ He's just a tender-looking pretty boy."
Hearing this, some of the cultivators who had noticed the commotion could not help feeling a pang of jealousy.
Even a few Great Foundation Establishment Cultivator were no exception. After all, Foundation Establishment Cultivators were one in ten thousand, far beyond the reach of ordinary Qi Condensation Cultivators. Among the wives and concubines of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators present, most were only at the Qi Condensation or Xiantian stage.
Yet a mere junior in the Qi Condensation stage had managed to marry a female Foundation Establishment Cultivator who was even willing to be a concubine—how could that possibly sit well with them?
Still, they were all figures of status and prestige, so naturally, they did not show their envy outwardly.
"Miss Chuchu possesses an eighth-grade aptitude. In time, she is bound to inherit the mantle of the veteran Patriarch Han. That is truly something to be deeply envied," Xia Changsheng said with a smile.
Han Chuchu was Han Li's only daughter and the apple of his eye, inheriting her father's distinctive red hair. Xia Changsheng had caught a glimpse of her from afar during the wedding—that unyielding, wild spirit was enough to instantly arouse a boundless desire for conquest in anyone who looked at her.
Furthermore, her talent was exceptional, far surpassing her father's. From a young age, she had stayed by veteran Patriarch Han's side, receiving his personal tutelage and guidance, and was practically being groomed as the future head of the clan. At just over twenty years of age, she had already stepped into the ranks of true Qi Condensation practitioners.
She was no less impressive than his own wife, Liu Qingyue.
Of course, the Liu Qingyue of today was no longer what she used to be.
"You flatter me, you flatter me."
Han Li's expression stiffened slightly before he let out a hearty laugh to mask his inner awkwardness. He was well aware of his daughter's true temperament. Though she was the notoriously fiery spitfire of Liucheng, suitors had nearly broken down the threshold of the Han Estate trying to propose. Her eighth-grade Spiritual Root aptitude alone was enough to set many hearts racing.Xia Changsheng was known for his fondness for women. In just a few short years, he had taken four wives and concubines, and one of them was even a Great Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Han Li certainly did not want his precious daughter caught in the sights of such a man.
With that thought, Han Li abruptly changed the subject, lowering his voice and adopting a mysterious tone: "Brother Xia, have you ever heard of the Dahuang Mountain secret realm?"
The Dahuang Mountain secret realm?
Xia Changsheng was slightly taken aback. He certainly knew Dahuang Mountain and was very familiar with it. Having lived on Taixuan Mountain for a full twenty years, he had gone to the outer regions of Dahuang Mountain for training and assessments almost every year. However, this was the first time he had ever heard of a secret realm there.
"I have not. I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me."
Seeing that Xia Changsheng looked entirely serious and not at all feigned, Han Li patiently began to explain...
Before long, through Han Li's account, Xia Changsheng came to understand this so-called Dahuang Mountain secret realm.
Dahuang Mountain was vast, stretching across the expanse between Liucheng and Taixuan Mountain.
On the side facing Liucheng, there was a secret realm that opened once every five years. It had been passed down for over a thousand years, and its exact origins were long lost to history. After countless years of openings, few precious treasures remained inside, leaving basically only scraps hidden in the deepest corners. Yet even the smallest morsel of meat was still meat; while Golden Core factions might sneer at it, Foundation Establishment Clans still found it quite tempting.
During the last opening of the secret realm five years ago, the Li Clan had reaped the greatest reward, managing to acquire a bottle of Longevity Pills.
Longevity Pills.
They were extremely precious, found only among truly major powers.
Taking a single pill could extend one's life by ten years. Elderly immortals whose lifespans were running out desired them immensely, and even if they had no immediate need for them, keeping some on hand for emergencies was always wise.
At the time, the discovery had caused quite a stir, and even several Golden Core families within Liucheng had grown restless. Fortunately, the ancestor of the Li Clan was smooth and tactful in his dealings, proactively dividing the obtained Longevity Pills into several portions and offering them as tribute, which finally calmed the situation down.
"After all these years of exploration, although good things are scarce inside the secret realm, when luck strikes, one can still occasionally pick up something decent," Han Li continued, speaking with fluent confidence. "However, the spiritual Qi within the secret realm has been severely depleted. During the past few entries, only Qi Condensation Cultivators have been permitted to enter. If a Foundation Establishment Cultivator steps inside, they will be expelled immediately."
"Brother Han, you mean..."
Hearing this, Xia Changsheng already vaguely guessed the other man's intentions.
"Li Yuancheng, the head of the Li Estate, has an eighth-grade spiritual root. Five years ago, he already reached Qi Condensation Perfection. Over the years, he has continuously suppressed his cultivation without making a breakthrough, presumably for this trip to the secret realm. Furthermore, this man is exceptionally formidable. With him around, if we were to act alone, it would likely be very difficult to acquire anything good."
Han Li did not hesitate and stated his purpose directly: "Brother Xia is a rising star in Liucheng, and you surely won't want to miss this opportunity. Would you be interested in joining forces with me? If we make any gains, we will split the proceeds equally."
Presently, the Han Estate was withered in talent, relying solely on a single Foundation Establishment ancestor to hold things together. If any accident were to befall the ancestor midway, the Han Estate would struggle to endure. Han Li himself possessed only a ninth-grade spiritual root with little prospect for the future, so securing the foundation of the Han Estate meant that his daughter Han Chuchu was his sole remaining hope.
Yet growth always required time, and during that period, it was crucially important for the ancestor to live until Han Chuchu grew up.
The secret realm opening five years ago was also attended by Han Li, but unfortunately, he lacked a bit of luck, causing him to miss out on the Longevity Pills, which the head of the Li Clan seized first.
Entering the secret realm once more, the best outcome would naturally be to obtain a Longevity Pill. Even if a large portion had to be shared, keeping a few pellets would be enough to sustain the ancestor until Han Chuchu matured.
Of course, Longevity Pills were matters of serendipity rather than certainty, but discovering other good things along the way was entirely possible.
Faced with Han Li's warm and earnest invitation, Xia Changsheng did not agree immediately, instead falling into deep thought.