Yi Hong Dao Ren really wanted to accelerate further, but doing so would require burning even more spiritual power, perhaps even their soul. After some thought, Yi Hong Dao Ren decided against it and maintained their current speed.
Yi Hong Dao Ren had originally planned to fly at sixty percent speed, which would have taken about eight hours to reach Yu Tong Celestial Immortal's dojo. However, by reaching full speed, their velocity had increased, and the travel time decreased. Approximately five hours later, the two arrived at the foot of a large mountain. It was already afternoon, but being summer, the sun had not yet set.
The dojo of Yu Tong Celestial Immortal was located atop this mountain. At its base, a town had sprung up due to the dojo's presence. The sect's entrance was halfway up the mountain, and the town dared not expand further up. Thus, the path from the mountain's base to the midpoint consisted of ordinary forest and a long flight of stairs.
Su Han and Yi Hong Dao Ren flew directly over the town. Within, people with low cultivation levels watched them with envious gazes as they soared overhead.
"The two people flying overhead are at the Nascent Soul stage. Nascent Soul cultivation, how wonderful it must be."
"When will I ever cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage!"
"You must be outsiders! To be so surprised by two Nascent Soul cultivators. Celestial cultivators of great power frequently fly overhead. Not only can we see Nascent Soul cultivators, but also Tribulation Crossing cultivators. Sometimes, we even see Earth Immortal level cultivation. If you're very lucky, you might even see Yu Tong Celestial Immortal herself fly past!"
"Oh, Yu Tong Celestial Immortal. I wonder when I'll be able to cultivate to the Celestial Immortal stage."
"Hahaha, you haven't even reached the Nascent Soul stage yet, and you dream of reaching the Celestial Immortal stage."
"..."
Su Han and Yi Hong Dao Ren naturally paid no mind to the discussions in the small town below. They flew directly to the mountain gate of Yu Tong Celestial Immortal's dojo, stopped, and landed on the ground.
On this Yong Nian planet, one could not simply fly directly into the dojos of Celestial Immortals. To show respect, one had to ascend the mountain from the main gate.
Of course, if one's strength was sufficiently great, they could fly directly before Yu Tong Celestial Immortal. Su Han possessed such strength, but he chose to conceal it.
After Su Han and Yi Hong Dao Ren landed, the attendant guarding the mountain gate approached and asked, "Are you two here for a visit or something else?"
Yi Hong Dao Ren replied, "We are here to join the secret realm exploration team!"
The gate attendant said, "You two wish to join the Bai He Yu Comet secret realm exploration team. Once you ascend the mountain, you will find directional signs."
Su Han and Yi Hong Dao Ren ran quickly, taking only a dozen seconds to reach the dojo. First, there was a plaza with a sign indicating the registration for those wishing to join the exploration team: "Cultivators applying to join the exploration team, please register here!"
Following the sign, the two proceeded to the registration area.
At the registration desk, a Tribulation Crossing cultivator sat behind a table, appearing bored as no one was there to register.
When Su Han and Yi Hong Dao Ren arrived, the Tribulation Crossing cultivator smiled.
"You two are here to join the exploration team? You are most welcome to join. Our benefits are extremely generous. In addition to the one top-grade spirit stone announced, we will give you two more top-grade spirit stones! And there are various other benefits as well."
Before Su Han and Yi Hong Dao Ren could speak, the recruiter had already said so much.
Yi Hong Dao Ren glanced back at Su Han, their eyes showing a hint of inquiry, as if asking if they should consider another place.
Su Han demonstrated his intention through action.
Su Han approached the recruitment Tribulation Crossing cultivator and said, "That's right, we are here to join the exploration team."
"Excellent, joining our Yu Tong Celestial Immortal's exploration team is a wise choice. What are your names, fellow daoists? Where are you from? I need to register."
Su Han replied, "Su Han Dao Ren. From Chu Yun Planet."
Yi Hong Dao Ren also stated, "Yi Hong Dao Ren, from an unspecified planet."
The Tribulation Crossing cultivator recorded their names and originating planets in a book and noted their Nascent Soul cultivation level.
After filling out the details, the Tribulation Crossing cultivator produced two jade slips and handed them to Su Han and Yi Hong Dao Ren.
"These are the communication tokens specifically for our Bai He Yu Comet secret realm exploration team. Now, I will inform you of the important matters. The passage to the Bai He Yu Comet secret realm will open in three days, so tomorrow is the last day for registration. The day after tomorrow, we will depart for the passage to the Bai He Yu Comet secret realm. For these two days, you two daoists may stay here. You are free to roam any area except the summit; that area is restricted. These communication tokens will identify you."
Yi Hong Dao Ren asked, "We cannot go to the summit? What is up there?"
The Tribulation Crossing cultivator explained, "The summit is where cultivators of Earth Immortal or higher realm reside. It would be problematic if you were to offend any Earth Immortals there."
Yi Hong Dao Ren nodded repeatedly, "Indeed, indeed. It would be quite troublesome if we were to offend any Earth Immortals there."
The Tribulation Crossing cultivator called out, "Someone, escort these two daoists to a courtyard to reside."
A disciple stepped forward and led Su Han and Yi Hong Dao Ren to a courtyard to stay.
The spiritual energy within this dojo was still quite dense.
Su Han and Yi Hong Dao Ren toured the accessible areas, taking in the scenery, but found no further interest. After all, there were no significant cultivation treasures or rare resources to be found. For the next two days, Su Han remained in his quarters, cultivating.
The two days passed quickly.
Su Han and Yi Hong Dao Ren arrived at the plaza. Besides them, there were eighteen other Nascent Soul rogue cultivators who had joined the exploration team. There were no Tribulation Crossing rogue cultivators.
A total of twenty people had joined the exploration team under Yu Tong Celestial Immortal.
Yi Hong Dao Ren observed their surroundings and remarked, "So few people have joined the exploration team under Yu Tong Celestial Immortal."
Just then, the registering Tribulation Crossing cultivator announced, "Everyone, please pay attention. Yu Tong Celestial Immortal and the Earth Immortals will be arriving."
A flying boat artifact descended from the mountain summit.
The flying boat had structures on it.
It flew directly over the plaza and hovered.
An Earth Immortal standing on the flying boat's deck called out, "Members of the exploration team, please come aboard."