?Chapter 970: Volume 6 Spirit Treasures Chapter 967 Old Man Ku Zhu Chapter 970: Volume 6 Spirit Treasures Chapter 967 Old Man Ku Zhu “Senior may not know that all these Celestial Mulberry Divine Trees are born from the same root, and they are actually the same divine tree only,” the old man explained without any intention of concealing this fact.


    “So that’s how it is.


    I’ve long heard that the Celestial Mulberry Divine Tree is second only to the three great divine woods, and here it is in all its glory, truly an eye-opener for me,” Han Li remarked with astonishment.


    Following that, as Han Li and the cultivator moved toward an area that seemed to be just trees, the nearby spiritual energy suddenly fluttered.


    His vision blurred, and the scenery changed drastically.


    A mountain hundreds of feet tall appeared before him, and, centered on this mountain, numerous pavilions and platforms of varying sizes were built.


    Many cultivators were ceaselessly entering and exiting them.


    “You may disperse and attend to your own tasks.


    I’ll take the two seniors over myself,” the old man said, gesturing to the other cultivators.


    Upon hearing these words, the other cultivators quickly accepted the instructions and dispersed.


    Han Li and the puppet followed the old man directly to the top of the mountain peak, where there was a large hall constructed from giant trees.


    Outside the hall door, four cultivators clad in green armor stood, each holding an identical long spear.


    The old man led Han Li and his puppet and landed directly at the entrance of the wooden hall.


    The four cultivators stood motionless and expressionless, akin to puppets.


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    The corner of Han Li’s mouth lifted slightly, and he felt somewhat surprised.


    Although these four looked to be only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, the essence of the wood spiritual Qi in them was far beyond what cultivators of the same level could compare to.


    And Han Li noticed at a glance that both the armor and the spears were of the peak ninth layer wood attribute Spiritual Artifacts, which was somewhat peculiar indeed.


    Seeing Han Li’s astonishment, the old man smiled and took the initiative to explain,


    “These are the Wood Spirit Guards, personally trained by my master.


    They are cultivators who specifically practice a special cultivation technique by harnessing the power of the Celestial Mulberry Divine Tree.


    Although not high in cultivation, they specialize in coordinated attacks.


    If senior has a chance, perhaps you might offer some guidance.”


    “Yes, indeed, they are quite different from ordinary cultivators,” Han Li nodded.


    Seeing that Han Li was non-committal, the old man naturally did not say much else.


    The interior of the wooden hall was not complex.


    Apart from a main hall, there was only one side hall.


    Therefore, as soon as Han Li and others entered the main hall, they immediately saw a tall figure standing at the center facing away from them, dressed in a green robe with snow-white hair.


    Upon seeing this figure, the old man’s expression changed drastically, and he bowed deeply, then silently stood aside, hands clasped.


    “Could it be Elder Ku Zhu?” Han Li stared at the figure, without blinking.


    “Indeed, I am Ku Zhu.


    You two have unfamiliar faces; perhaps friends come from the inland?


    May I inquire about your esteemed names?” The person in the green robe laughed heartily before turning around.


    Han Li narrowed his eyes and saw that the figure had red lips and white teeth, with clear eyebrows and handsome features, appearing like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth, only his face covered with a faint green aura.


    Seeing the man’s appearance, Han Li naturally was taken aback.


    This Elder Ku Zhu, like him, had the ability to preserve his youthful appearance, which really surprised him.


    He had thought he would meet an old man covered in wrinkles.


    Though Elder Ku Zhu was smiling, as he got a clearer look at Han Li’s appearance, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.


    “We are indeed not cultivators from overseas.


    My surname is Han, and this is my senior brother, whose surname is Li.


    We apologize for the intrusion and hope that you won’t take it amiss,” Han Li courteously said.


    “Not at all!


    Both of you are no ordinary individuals.


    To have you visit our island is a welcome pleasure.


    Fellow Daoist Li’s cultivation seems profound and enigmatic; I can’t even discern his cultivation realm, which truly is an eye-opener for me,” Elder Ku Zhu, after sizing up Han Li and the humanoid puppet, suddenly laughed.


    Clearly, the island master mistook Han Li’s puppet for a Nascent Soul cultivator practicing some mysterious cultivation technique and was greatly surprised.


    “You are too modest.


    The name of Ku Zhu, my friend, has indeed thundered in our ears,” Han Li responded with a slight smile.


    “Hehe, please, both of you, take a seat and try our island’s unique Sang Mu Tea,” Elder Ku Zhu said with a gentle smile, inviting Han Li and the other to sit.


    Then, with a crisp clapping of hands twice, several young female cultivators carrying tea trays came into the hall.


    They served each of the three a pot of light green Spiritual Tea and then respectfully exited the wooden hall.


    “Sang Mu Tea, could this tea be related to the Celestial Mulberry Divine Tree?” Han Li looked down at the Spiritual Tea on the table, sensing the abundant wood spiritual Qi within, and asked thoughtfully.


    “You have good eyes, friend.


    Indeed, this is made with spiritual leaves from the Celestial Mulberry Divine Tree and has effects of improving vision and calming the spirit.


    I believe there is no second place outside this island that has this tea,” Elder Ku Zhu said with a hint of pride.


    “That being the case, I really must taste it.” Han Li, his eyes twinkling, carefully examined the Spiritual Tea in the cup with his spiritual sense to make sure there was nothing amiss before unhesitatingly picking up the tea cup and taking a small sip.


    “Fellow Daoist Li, do you not favor this tea?”


    The humanoid puppet sat in the chair, expressionlessly not moving the teacup on the table.


    Old Man Ku Zhu asked in surprise.


    “Since I began fasting, I never eat or drink anything outside my own cave dwelling,” the humanoid puppet said coldly, with not a hint of courtesy in his voice.


    “Is that so?


    That was somewhat thoughtless of me.” A flicker of displeasure passed through Old Man Ku Zhu’s eyes, but it vanished almost immediately, well concealed.


    A cultivator who dared to speak such words in front of their host must have something to rely on.


    Could it be that the person before him was indeed a late Nascent Soul cultivator?


    With this thought in mind, Old Man Ku Zhu grew even more wary of the humanoid puppet.


    “Fellow Daoist Ku Zhu, you must be aware of the purpose of our visit.


    May I know your thoughts on the trade that I have proposed?” Han Li had only taken a few sips of his tea before setting down the cup and slowly asked.


    “Not concealing anything from you two fellow Daoists, this trade presents quite a dilemma for me.


    The Crow Phoenix is at a critical stage of advancement, and no matter how many Demon Cores you offer, I am not willing to trade the feathers of the Crow Phoenix.


    Otherwise, the next breakthrough for this spiritual bird could be delayed indefinitely,” Old Man Ku Zhu said with a furrowed brow, his face showing his reluctance.


    “So, you do not agree to this matter,” Han Li remarked while pursing his lips, though his face showed no sign of surprise.


    “Hehe, if I were to outright refuse, I suppose you fellow Daoists wouldn’t want to leave empty-handed either.


    How about this?


    As cultivators, we respect the capable.


    I am willing to exchange some spells and divine skills with you two.


    If either of you can defeat me in a duel, I would consider agreeing to the trade.


    If not…”


    “If we can’t do it, Brother Li and I will leave immediately and never mention this matter again,” Han Li promptly replied.


    “Agreed, it’s a deal.


    It has been nearly a hundred years since I last sparred with anyone.


    Which of you two fellow Daoists would like to take the challenge?” Old Man Ku Zhu swept his gaze back and forth between Han Li and the puppet, his expression bearing a slight smile.


    “If Fellow Daoist doesn’t mind, how about sparring with Brother Li?” Han Li’s expression remained unchanged as the puppet beside him, under Han Li’s divided control, faintly began to speak.


    “Good, I am also curious about Brother Li’s cultivation technique.


    Let us spar above the mountain peak.


    Fellow Daoist, please!” Upon realizing that the opponent whose cultivation level he could not discern was taking action, Old Man Ku Zhu’s face involuntarily took on a solemn expression as he rose from his chair.


    Han Li and the humanoid puppet also stood up.


    An elderly man standing by, unable to contain his excitement, revealed an enthusiastic expression.


    A duel between Nascent Soul cultivators was not something just anyone could witness.


    Moments later, Han Li was already hovering tranquilly a hundred meters above the mountain peak.


    Opposite him, the humanoid puppet and Old Man Ku Zhu stood in the distance.


    Nearby, seven or eight Core Formation cultivators, who had heard the news and rushed over, were all staring intently at the scene in the sky with wide eyes.


    “Go.”


    Old Man Ku Zhu uttered a low shout, his hands forming incantations, and suddenly bright cold lights shot out from his body.


    Simultaneously, over a hundred streaks of green light burst forth.


    As soon as these lights appeared, they grew against the wind, and in the blink of an eye, over a hundred pale green flying swords spectacularly manifested.


    After a flurry of flashing sword light, all the flying swords automatically aligned into a bizarre formation, circling uncertainly above Old Man Ku Zhu’s head, harboring a hidden cold and lethal intent.


    Seeing this, Han Li’s originally indifferent expression momentarily stiffened.


    “Sword Array, Old Man Ku Zhu has cultivated so many flying swords, and indeed knows the divine skill of sword formations,” Han Li mused.


    Although he had some suspicions earlier, he was still somewhat taken aback to witness it personally.


    “Tsk tsk, Little Han, this old man seems to have some real skills.


    This should allow the puppet’s divine skills to be demonstrated a bit more.


    Let’s first test the puppet’s defensive capabilities,” Monarch Great Development’s voice transmitted excitedly, clearly very confident in the puppet’s capabilities.


    “Mhm!


    Understood.”


    Having invested so much precious material in this puppet, Han Li too had great expectations.


    With a thought, the humanoid puppet began to act.


    From afar, one could see the puppet open its mouth, and a palm-sized shield sprayed out, transforming into a massive silver shield in front of it with a flash of spiritual light.


    Then, the puppet squeezed its hands forming incantations, and suddenly multi-colored runes appeared on its face.


    Following that, a five-colored protective shield emerged around it, enveloping its entire body.


    “Eh!


    Could it be that Fellow Daoist hails from the Poison Holy Gate in the Southern Border?


    This technique looks similar to the famous Spirit Pattern Technique of the Poison Holy Gate,” Old Man Ku Zhu asked, pausing momentarily at the unusual appearance on the puppet’s face.


    “No,” Han Li responded without expressing any emotion, despite the thought that stirred in his heart upon hearing these words.


    “Oh, it seems I was mistaken then.


    Yet, Fellow Daoist’s divine skill does look very similar to the Spirit Pattern Technique,” Old Man Ku Zhu’s eyes flickered with a touch of otherness, his voice becoming lighter with his reply, evidently not quite believing the humanoid puppet’s response.


    Yet, he did not pursue the matter further.


    Seeing the puppet adopt a defensive stance without making any move to attack, he couldn’t help feeling slightly irritated, almost as if he was underestimated.


    Immediately, his expression darkened, and several low incantations emanated from his mouth.


    A buzzing sound resonated from the flying swords above, responding to his voice.


    Then, all the swords simultaneously trembled, and hundreds of meter-long sword energies burst from the sword array, transforming into a dense mass of sword shadows that shot toward the opposite side.


    Along the way, they merged into a terrifying chill light, dazzling and piercing to the eyes.


    (To be continued.


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