He glanced at the token on the ground, then at the doubtful looks of the other stewards, and let out a bitter laugh. “It’s a voice transmission talisman from the Grand Elder, ordering us to gather all the materials listed in the jade slip within three days. From the tone, these materials are for artifact forging and seem quite rare. Fellow brothers, it seems we’ll have to set aside other matters and focus on fulfilling the Grand Elder’s request first.”
The other cultivators were visibly shocked upon hearing this.
“If it’s the Grand Elder’s order, then this takes precedence. Let’s check the materials in the jade slip. If the sect has them in stock, retrieve them immediately. For those we lack, head to the Ancient Sword Sect and the Hundred Artificers Hall—especially the latter, as they specialize in artifact forging. They should have everything we need. Otherwise, the Grand Elder wouldn’t have given us only three days,” an older gray-robed elder decisively said.
The others, including the blue-robed cultivator, nodded repeatedly.
After a brief discussion, the Foundation Establishment stewards each mounted their artifacts and flew off in haste to gather the materials.
Three days later, the blue-robed cultivator arrived outside the Twin Peaks with a bulging storage pouch, only to be blocked by the peaks’ restrictive formations. After sending out a voice transmission talisman, he reverently held the pouch with both hands and waited.
A short while later, the mist-like barrier churned, and a streak of azure light shot out, snatching the pouch from his hands. The blue-robed cultivator shuddered, bowed deeply toward the mist, then respectfully flew away.
The Twin Peaks returned to tranquility as if nothing had happened.
Inside the cave dwelling on the Mother Peak, Han Li retracted his humanoid puppet and calmly inspected the materials in the storage pouch with his spiritual sense. “Good, they’ve gathered everything. It seems these stewards are quite capable,” he murmured with satisfaction.
“As the Grand Elder of the Falling Cloud Sect, how could they dare not give their all? Though I didn’t expect you to have them send the auxiliary materials for refining Fire Spirit Threads as well. You don’t cultivate a fire-attribute technique,” the child-like figure reappeared atop the cauldron, eyeing Han Li curiously.
“I’m well aware. But with this item, even without much fire-attribute spiritual power, I can still manipulate spiritual flames to refine the threads. This is the very treasure that originally birthed the Fire Spirit Threads—using it to refine them is most fitting,” Han Li replied coolly. With a pat to his waist, a small crimson cauldron flew out and hovered before him.
The child narrowed his eyes at the cauldron but said nothing, merely nodding.
Han Li smiled faintly and emptied the storage pouch onto the ground. A flash of white light later, over a dozen jade boxes and wooden cases of varying sizes appeared. He then pointed at the crimson cauldron, and its lid silently lifted. A rumbling sound echoed as clusters of crimson flames surged forth, swiftly transforming into over a dozen fire crows that circled the cauldron.
“Flame Manifestation! This treasure’s power is average, but its fire-attribute purity is exceptional—perfect for refining Fire Spirit Threads. However, since these crows are born from the cauldron and not your own magic power, controlling them will be cumbersome. Refining the threads this way will demand immense focus. One misstep, and all efforts could be wasted,” the child warned.
“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Tianlan. Patience is one thing I have in abundance,” Han Li chuckled dismissively.
Seeing Han Li’s resolve, the child offered no further objections.
Han Li formed hand seals and cast a spell onto the cauldron, causing it to spin rapidly and expand several times in size. With a flick of his sleeve, the translucent material shot into the cauldron and vanished. Instantly, crimson flames erupted across the cauldron’s surface, and the interior blazed with fire. The gelatinous substance flickered amidst the flames, chased by several fire crows until it was lifted above the blaze.
Han Li’s expression turned solemn as his fingers danced, sending a dozen spells of varying colors into the crows. The crows flapped wildly, spewing flames at the translucent material, which seemed to absorb the fire, gradually reddening and altering its shape.
Han Li grabbed a jade box from the ground, its lid flying open to reveal a small lump of pale-blue paste. With a flick of his finger, the paste flew into the cauldron, melting into blue liquid upon contact with the flames, entirely absorbed by the translucent material.
Pleased, Han Li ceased his spells and instead shot green threads from his fingertips into the crimson flames. The fire surged several feet higher, and a faint hum emanated from the cauldron as Han Li’s expression grew grave.
—
Two months later, a streak of azure light shot toward the Falling Cloud Sect’s main peak, vanishing at the entrance of the grand hall at the mountain’s base, where Han Li materialized.
The dozen or so sect disciples guarding the entrance gasped and hurriedly bowed upon recognizing him. Han Li waved them off and stepped forward, vanishing from sight only to reappear inside the hall moments later. The disciples, startled, watched as he took a few steps and vanished down the corridor, leaving them in awe of their Grand Elder.
In a side hall, Lu Luo, the sect’s de facto leader, paced anxiously. “Junior Brother Han, you’ve finally emerged. I assume you received my voice transmission talisman?” he said, relief washing over his face as he spotted Han Li.
Han Li smiled and seated himself calmly. “The message mentioned that Nephew Bai and the others went missing in the Fallen Devil Valley. Given the strangeness of the matter and its connection to Pei Ling and my nominal disciple, I had to come and investigate.”
“The situation is indeed peculiar. Nephew Bai and the others have been in the valley for half a year—they should have returned by now. But according to reports, while some saw them enter, none witnessed their exit. Others encountered them in the outer valley, but they vanished shortly after. I fear they may have…” Lu Luo trailed off.
“Entered the inner valley and encountered danger or become trapped?” Han Li finished, his expression unreadable.
“Precisely. Though the inner valley remains perilous, you’ve advanced to Great Cultivator status and have explored it before. A brief search shouldn’t pose much risk,” Lu Luo ventured cautiously.
“The spatial rifts in the inner valley are no threat to me now, as long as I avoid the most hazardous areas. Since I’ve finished refining my artifact, I’ll make the trip,” Han Li replied decisively.
“Excellent! Though as the sect’s Grand Elder, your safety is paramount to our sect’s future,” Lu Luo added earnestly.
“Rest assured, Senior Brother Lu. Few in the South Sky can harm me now, and I won’t take unnecessary risks,” Han Li said lightly, though his mind drifted to the Heavenfiend Corpse lost in the valley years ago. Could its presence be linked to the disappearances? The thought surfaced unbidden.
Masking his unease, Han Li chatted a while longer before taking his leave.
Two days later, after visiting the restricted area to check on Nangong Wan, Han Li departed the sect alone for the Fallen Devil Valley.
—
Over a month later, three streaks of light sped across Changzhou in Dongyu Country, circling a nameless hill before descending to reveal three burly men. Each carried twin flying forks on their backs and bore a striking resemblance—likely brothers.
At the hill’s summit, three figures awaited: an elder, a middle-aged scholar, and a smiling youth.
“Brother Hou, our apologies for the delay! We were held up on the road. Ah, are these two fellow Daoists also from your sect?” the eldest brother boomed heartily, though his eyes flickered with unease upon noticing the elder and scholar standing deferentially beside the youth.
His spiritual sense swept over the youth, only to recoil in shock—the figure was like mist, his cultivation level utterly unfathomable.
The three brothers paled.
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