Mortal's Journey: Reborn as Xin Ruyin, she begins by possessing Qi Yun's body.

The surprise in his tone was genuine.

Han Li only learned about cultivation a few years ago from Mo Juren's will.

He has been cultivating alone for the past few years, living in seclusion within the Seven Mysteries Sect.

Naturally, he had never heard of the phrase "Ascension to Immortality Assembly".

These four words struck him like a thunderbolt, causing ripples to spread through his usually calm mind.

Qi Yunxiao took in Han Li's reaction and understood what was going on.

He deliberately feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow and asking in feigned confusion, "Fellow Daoist, weren't you going to Tai Nan Valley to participate in the Ascension Ceremony? You don't know about the Ascension Ceremony?"

He paused here, glancing at Han Li with a hint of realization in his voice.

"Fellow Daoist, you're a rogue cultivator, aren't you?"

Han Li felt a chill run down his spine, instantly realizing that he had lost his composure and revealed his true abilities.

He was always cautious and never easily revealed his identity as a rogue cultivator, for fear of attracting unnecessary trouble.

But upon hearing the words "Ascension to Immortality Ceremony," he panicked and lost his composure.

He quickly composed himself, suppressing the surprise and panic in his eyes, and his face returned to its usual ordinary expression.

However, his hand still gripped the wine glass tightly, his fingertips slightly white, clearly not yet fully recovered.

A moment later, Han Li slowly raised his eyes and looked at Qi Yunxiao.

His tone was much calmer, but still carried a hint of caution that was hard to detect. He said frankly, "I am indeed a rogue cultivator. I have always cultivated alone and have no fixed abode. I have only just arrived in Jiayuan City. Before this, I had never heard of the Ascension Ceremony."

He paused slightly at this point, his gaze fixed on Qi Yunxiao's eyes, a barely suppressed longing hidden in them.

He is now eager to learn more about the world of cultivation.

Now that it has been revealed that he is a newcomer to the cultivation world, there is no need to hide it anymore.

This identity is perfect for asking Qi Yunxiao questions.

At least for now, Qi Yunxiao doesn't seem to have any malicious intent.

This "Ascension Ceremony" sounds like no ordinary event, and perhaps it is his destiny.

He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately lowered his guard somewhat, his tone becoming more earnest: "Fellow Daoist, could you please explain in detail what this Ascension Ceremony is?"

Seeing the barely concealed urgency in Han Li's eyes, Qi Yunxiao felt secretly pleased, knowing that he had achieved his goal.

He wore a look of sympathy and waved his hand with a smile, saying in a cheerful tone, "Why not! We are both rogue cultivators, and the path of cultivation is lonely and arduous. It is only right that we help each other. Besides, this Ascension Assembly is an excellent opportunity for us rogue cultivators to defy fate."

After saying that, Qi Yunxiao picked up the spirit wine on the table, took a small sip, and moistened his throat.

His gaze became more serious as he slowly began to explain.

Every word clearly reached Han Li's ears: "Speaking of the Ascension Conference, one cannot help but mention the pill that drives all Qi Refining cultivators crazy—the Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Foundation Pill?"

Han Li repeated the three words in a low voice, his eyes becoming increasingly focused, and he even unconsciously softened his breathing.

Although he had never seen a Foundation Establishment Pill before, seeing how seriously Qi Yunxiao was taking it, he knew it must be something extraordinary.

"Indeed, it is the Foundation Establishment Pill."

Qi Yunxiao nodded emphatically, his tone resolute.

"The path of cultivation begins with Qi Refining and then Foundation Establishment. The Foundation Establishment Pill is the essential medicine that cultivators must take to advance from the Qi Refining stage to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Without the Foundation Establishment Pill, even if you have abundant spiritual energy and outstanding comprehension, it is as difficult as ascending to heaven to break through the Foundation Establishment stage. Most cultivators spend their entire lives trapped at the peak of the Qi Refining stage, and eventually their lifespan is exhausted, turning into a handful of yellow earth."

Han Li's heart sank suddenly, his fingertips trembled slightly, and the calm on his face vanished completely.

He then realized that the Foundation Establishment stage must be a realm after the Qi Refining stage.

He never expected that advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage would require taking Foundation Establishment Pills.

A burning glint flashed in his eyes.

Han Li's determination to cultivate immortality was already very strong, so he naturally longed for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

He was unwilling to be a rogue cultivator for the rest of his life, unwilling to be trapped in the Qi Refining stage. He wanted immortality and to reach a higher peak of immortality.

The Foundation Establishment Pill was his first hurdle.

Seeing the change in Han Li's expression, Qi Yunxiao understood and continued slowly, "To obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill, one must join one of the seven major sects of Yue Kingdom. The seven major sects have profound foundations and control a large amount of Foundation Establishment Pill resources. Only by becoming a disciple of the seven major sects can one have the opportunity to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill, receive systematic cultivation techniques and guidance, and escape the predicament of being a rogue cultivator."

"Then... do rogue cultivators have no chance?"

Han Li hurriedly pressed for an answer, his tone tinged with urgency. He was just an unknown rogue cultivator with no background, and joining the seven major sects was no easy task.

"Of course there is a chance."

Qi Yunxiao smiled slightly, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense. Seeing a glimmer of hope in Han Li's eyes, he continued, "The only way for rogue cultivators to join the seven major sects of Yue Kingdom is through the martial arts competition at the Ascension Conference."

"This Ascension Ceremony is a grand event held once every ten years in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom, bringing together independent cultivators and low-level cultivators from all over Yue Kingdom."

"As long as you can stand out in the arena, you will be noticed by the elders of the seven major sects, taken in as a disciple, and even have the opportunity to directly receive the Foundation Establishment Pill as a reward."

At this point, Qi Yunxiao paused, his gaze fixed on Han Li, and said, word by word, "Therefore, the Ascension Ceremony is the only hope for us rogue cultivators, an opportunity that countless Qi Refining stage cultivators dream of. Every time it is held, it attracts low-level cultivators from all over the Yue Kingdom to flock there. And the venue for this Ascension Ceremony is Tianwu Terrace near Tainan Valley."

Han Li sat there, his whole body trembling as if struck by lightning. His usual composure vanished from his face, replaced by shock and disbelief in his eyes. His lips trembled slightly, but he couldn't utter a single word.

He never imagined that there would be such a grand event, or that there would be such a path for rogue cultivators to defy fate.

The confusion and helplessness I felt just now have been completely replaced by ecstasy and hope.

Ascension Ceremony, Foundation Establishment Pill, Seven Major Sects!

He looked down at the wine glass in his hand, the spirit wine inside swirling slightly, reflecting the burning passion and determination in his eyes.

He had already made up his mind: no matter how difficult the arena battles of the Ascension Tournament were, no matter how strong his opponents were, he had to go, he had to stand out in the tournament, join the seven major sects, obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill, and embark on a higher path of cultivation!

Qi Yunxiao took in Han Li's shock and elation, a knowing smile appearing on his face. He secretly calculated: the favor had already been done.

Next, we'll see how young Han Laomo seizes this hard-won opportunity.

He himself could also use this relationship to have more interactions with Han Li, and perhaps in the future, he could use Han Li's opportunities to go further.