The Bell Chime Mountain Range was where the spiritual vein of the continent was located, so the spiritual Qi of the world was extremely abundant. As a result, even though the weather here was rather cold, the vegetation was still flourishing and full of vitality. Countless spiritual beasts and immortal birds resided in the depths of the mountain range, as well as many spiritual herbs and medicines.
The entire mountain range stretched for tens of thousands of miles, almost crossing half of the Ancient Cloud Continent. Most of the mountains were majestic and towering, piercing through the sky. They were shrouded in a kind of green mist all year round, making the peaks faintly discernible, which made them even more mysterious.
This mountain range would produce one or two strange loud noises all year round, very similar to the sound of a bell, hence the name.
It was said that this strange sound was caused by the strange terrain under the mountain, and the earth's crust was shaking.
Although the Zhong Ming Mountain Range was famous, the Candle Dragon Sect that occupied this place was even more famous. They were well-known in the entire Beihan Celestial Realm.
Fire Dragon Taoism had a long history. It was one of the most ancient sects in the Northern Frost Immortal Realm. The founder of the sect was called Fire Dragon Hermit.
Ever since the establishment of the Torch Dragon Sect, it had always occupied the position of the number one sect in the Ancient Cloud Continent. Now, it had grown even stronger, and its influence spread across the entire Ancient Cloud Continent. There were countless outstanding disciples in the sect, and it was one of the top few super sects in the entire Northern Frost Immortal Realms.
In the middle of the Bell Chime Mountain Range, a giant peak stood near the edge of the mountain range.
This mountain peak was as tall as the clouds, and there was an extremely wide platform halfway up the mountain. It was built into a huge plaza made of white jade, and many tall buildings were located there. They were also mainly white, and they were shining brightly, and could be seen clearly from hundreds of miles away.
This was a foreign affairs mountain gate of Fire Dragon Path, which was usually used to receive some visitors.
There were dozens of such reception areas outside the Bell Chime Mountain Range. However, there was nothing that could be done about it. The Torch Dragon Taoist Sect was too famous, and there were too many visitors.
At this moment, a few white-robed disciples of the Fire Dragon Taoist Sect were standing in the guest pavilion on the square and chatting with each other.
None of these people were weak. They were all around the Soul Formation Stage, and all of their sleeves were embroidered with a strange dragon with a horn on its head and a pair of wings on its back.
"How many waves of visitors have come in the past few days?" A tall and thin Youth laughed.
"There are already 25 waves. We can't help it. Our Fire Dragon Taoist Sect is too famous." A chubby man beside him chuckled, his face full of pride.
"This job of welcoming guests is so boring. I really hope the shift will be over soon." Another beautiful purple-haired girl with a slim figure said with some dissatisfaction.
"Junior Martial Sister Yin's cultivation base has already reached the Peak of the Divine Transformation Realm. You're about to advance to the Void Refinement Realm, but it's really unfortunate that you're on duty at this critical juncture. May I know how you're doing with your preparations?" The tall and thin Youth chuckled and asked.
"I've prepared some things, but I'm only 30% confident," the purple-haired girl said with a frown.
"Junior Sister, you might not know this, but there are benefits to being a greeter. If you can meet a generous senior expert, as long as you serve them well, they might even give you some spirit stones. That is especially true for someone as beautiful as Junior Sister. The chances of you receiving a reward are much higher than us men," said the slightly plump man with a smile.
"Is that so?" The purple-haired girl's eyes lit up.
At that moment, a spot of white light appeared in the distant sky outside the Zhong Ming Mountain Range. It flew over at an extremely fast speed, but it was a streak of light.
In the blink of an eye, it arrived near the mountain range and a white jade shuttle appeared.
A man and a woman were standing on the jade shuttle. The man was a middle-aged man with sallow skin while the woman was a young girl. She was wearing a snow-white long dress and looked extremely beautiful.
These two people were none other than Han Li and Bai Suyuan. After spending several years, the two of them finally arrived at this place.
"So this is the Zhong Ming Mountain Range. The spiritual qi of heaven and earth is so rich here." Looking at the mountain range in front of him, Han Li nodded.
Bai Suyuan's eyes were filled with longing and she was a little excited.
She took a deep breath and quickly regained her composure.
Han Li did not descend immediately. Instead, he looked thoughtful.
Even though Bai Suyuan said that he could join the inner sect of the Fire Dragon Sect with the Fire Dragon Token, he still had to think carefully on how to use the token properly.
The best way was to get one or two people from the inner sect of the Fire Dragon Sect to help introduce him.
Even though Han Li was completely clueless about the Fire Dragon Sect, it was not a difficult thing to do. He just needed to spend some time planning.
"Senior Li, if you're thinking about how to make friends with the disciples of the Fire Dragon Sect, I can help you solve this matter." Bai Suyuan's eyes turned intelligent and said.
"What do you have?
Tell me about it. "Han Li looked at the woman and said.
He was not surprised that the woman had guessed his thoughts.
After traveling with her for so many years, he had a better understanding of Bai Suyuan. Even though this woman's cultivation base was not strong, she was meticulous and exceptionally intelligent. She had figured out many of his ideas from the few words he had exchanged with her.
As a result, he almost did not speak to this woman for the next two to three years.
"Actually, it's nothing. My Elder Ancestor had a good friend in the Fire Dragon Sect called Qi Liang. He was also an inner sect elder.
The Elder Ancestor had left a message saying that if someone from the Bai Clan joined the Fire Dragon Sect in the future, they could look for this person to protect them.
Even though time has passed and I don't know if Qi Liang is still reliable, it shouldn't be a problem to meet him. "Bai Suyuan said slowly.
"That's good. I'll have to trouble you with this matter." Han Li nodded and said.
"Senior Li, what are you talking about? Thank you for taking care of me along the way. I'll do my best in these small matters, but …" Bai Suyuan said with a smile and then stopped talking.
"But what?" Han Li asked.
"Please forgive me for talking too much. Your current appearance shouldn't be your true appearance, right?" Bai Suyuan hesitated for a moment and said.
"What do you mean by that, Fellow Bai?" Han Li asked without changing his expression.
"After getting along with Senior for so many years, I have some understanding of Senior's character. Senior is very cautious in other aspects, but you never deliberately hide your appearance. Naturally, you're not using your true appearance.
Moreover, I'm also a member of the Anicca Alliance, so I'm quite familiar with the style of people in the alliance. That mask is the best at changing one's appearance. "Bai Suyuan chuckled and said unhurriedly.
Han Li faintly smiled and said, "As expected, my little trick wasn't able to fool you. Fellow Daoist Bai is truly intelligent. I truly admire you."
"Senior, you flatter me. If I hadn't been by your side for so long, I wouldn't have been able to see this.
However, if I want to join the Fire Dragon Sect, I can't hide it like this.
Although the Anicca Alliance's mask is exquisite, it's said that the Fire Dragon Sect has 13 Golden Immortal Realm Dao Masters. The first Dao Master is said to be a Golden Immortal at the Peak Golden Immortal Realm. He's only one step away from the legendary Primordial Unity Jade Immortal Realm. Although the Anicca Alliance's illusion technique is exquisite, it may not be able to hide it from them.
Once they find out that it's fake, I'm afraid that I'll be treated as a spy of the enemy faction. "Bai Suyuan straightened her expression and said.
Han Li was silent for a moment. Then, he nodded and performed an incantation gesture. His body flashed and he returned to his original appearance.
Bai Suyuan's beautiful eyes looked at Han Li's ordinary dark face. The corner of her mouth twitched slightly and she immediately looked away.
Han Li stepped on the ground and the white flying shuttle continued to fly forward. Soon, it arrived in front of the giant peak and landed on the White Jade Square.
After Bai Suyuan landed, Han Li also put away the jade shuttle and stood side by side with the woman on the square.
"Welcome to the Fire Dragon Sect. May I know what's the matter?"
When the welcoming disciples saw them from afar, they had already stopped chatting and came forward to greet them.
These disciples looked at Han Li a few more times. Obviously, they could see that Han Li's cultivation was not low. However, all of them had a smile on their face and their demeanor was neither servile nor overbearing. They didn't have the slightest attitude of bowing to a senior expert.
"The two of us are here to pay a visit to your sect's Elder Qi Liang. May I know if he is in the sect?" Han Li said and his body revealed a trace of the aura of a True Immortal.
The few of them were shocked, but the next moment, this terrifying pressure disappeared without a trace.
"Please inform him." Han Li flicked his finger and several Soul Formation Stage treasured pills flew out and landed in front of the few of them.
These pills were randomly found by Han Li from some unlucky person's storage bracelet. They were naturally useless to him. Now, he was happy to be generous with others.
The few of them put away the pills. After scanning with their Divine Sense, they couldn't maintain their calm anymore and revealed a look of joy.
These pills were of no value to Han Li, but to these disciples, they were truly priceless treasures.
Not to mention a pill suitable for Soul Formation Stage, even a pill suitable for Nascent Soul Stage could be exchanged for spirit stones in the market place. It could support their cultivation for a long time.
"Senior, you are too polite. Elder Qi Liang is a deacon of the Heavenly Star Temple and is in the sect all year round.
May I know your name? Do you have any keepsake for us to pass on? "The tall and thin Youth was relatively more reserved. He cupped his hands and said respectfully.
"Li Feiyu, this is Bai Suyuan. As for the keepsake …" Han Li said and looked at Bai Suyuan.
"Senior Martial Brother, please pass this to Elder Qi Liang. He will know who we are." Bai Suyuan took out a red jade pendant in the shape of a half-moon and handed it to the tall and skinny young man.
"So it's Senior Li. I'll go and inform Elder Qi Liang right away. However, whether he wants to meet or not isn't something we can interfere with. Please forgive me, Senior," the tall and skinny young man said as he received the red jade pendant.
"Of course." Han Li nodded.
The tall and thin Youth excused himself and quickly walked toward a palace.
"Senior Li and Fellow Bai, please take a rest in the side palace," a slightly rotund man said in a respectful manner.
He led the way and led Han Li and Bai Suyuan to another building that was situated halfway up a mountain.
This place was hidden within a bamboo forest, and sunlight shone down through the gaps between the bamboo leaves, creating beautiful patterns on the walls of the building. The interior of the building was cool and clean, and the furnishings were simple and elegant. Even the tables and chairs were extremely exquisite, giving one a sense of comfort.
"Please take a seat here. Elder Qi Liang is an inner elder, so it might take him some time to get here," the rotund man said in an apologetic manner as he quickly offered two cups of spirit tea.
Han Li nodded and didn't touch the spirit tea. Bai Suyuan was quite interested in the tea ceremony, and she carefully tasted the tea.
The rotund man didn't leave. Instead, he waited on the side.
They waited for close to half a day.
Han Li sat in silence and didn't show any signs of impatience, but a series of thoughts were flashing through his mind.
During the past few years, he had been secretly sensing the Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords and Daoist Xie.
To his surprise, the closer he got to the Zhong Ming Mountain Ranges, the clearer his senses became.
It appeared that the Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords and Daoist Xie were most likely here.