“Whether it’s true or not, it’s best for us to return to our clan as soon as possible. Those Red Flame tribesmen have ambushed us once; it’s entirely possible they’ll do it again along the way. Given your immense power, we three might need to rely on your assistance for the rest of the journey!” Once confirming Han Li’s identity as a Skywing, Feng Xiao didn’t hide his intentions and openly requested Han Li’s help.
The other two also looked at Han Li with hopeful eyes.
Han Li’s earlier display of strength had been astonishing. With such a powerful clansman accompanying them, the rest of the journey would indeed be worry-free.
“Very well. Since I am most likely a Skywing, it’s only right that I contribute to our clan,” Han Li mused briefly before agreeing.
This was the perfect opportunity to infiltrate the Skywing Clan—how could he refuse?
“We are truly grateful, Brother Han! Upon our return, I will personally report your great service to the elders,” Feng Xiao exclaimed joyfully, repeatedly thanking him.
The other two also broke into smiles.
Han Li remained indifferent to talk of “merits” but glanced around at the blue silk net surrounding them and said with a faint smile, “This isn’t a place to linger. Let’s move on. I’ll take care of dismantling this Demon-Binding Net.”
With that, Han Li pointed a finger toward the distant net. The silver firebird circling nearby let out a melodious cry before transforming into a streak of silver flame that shot forward.
With a *puff*, the silver flame pierced a human-sized hole through the blue net upon contact. The flame then rapidly spread across the entire net.
In just a few breaths, the massive blue silk net was reduced to ashes under the rolling silver flames.
The so-called Demon-Binding Net was as fragile as paper before the Devouring Spirit Flame.
The three Skywings stared in stunned silence.
They realized they might have underestimated their newfound clansman’s abilities.
“Let’s go,” Han Li said, forming a hand seal. The distant silver flames coalesced back into the firebird, which flew back and vanished into his body.
The four of them then set off together, flying toward the distant horizon.
Perhaps because Han Li maintained his human form, the three Skywings also refrained from transforming into their avian forms, instead flying forward enveloped in silver light.
Han Li was deeply intrigued by the Flying Spirit Tribe’s shape-shifting abilities but refrained from asking directly. Instead, he used the excuse of having trained overseas since childhood to subtly inquire about other aspects of the Flying Spirit Tribe and the Skywing Clan.
These matters weren’t particularly secretive, so Feng Xiao and the others answered readily.
Through this, Han Li not only learned much about the Flying Spirit Tribe and the Skywing Clan but also discovered that the young Skywing pair were siblings—the brother named Bai Lei and the sister, Bai Ning.
Of course, the three Skywings also probed Han Li with questions, but he deftly deflected them by claiming he had been in secluded cultivation and had little contact with others.
Seeing that Han Li was reluctant to share personal details, Feng Xiao and the others tactfully dropped the subject.
For them, as long as Han Li was indeed a Skywing, that was enough.
Under Feng Xiao’s guidance, they traversed the hills, flew over vast grasslands and several forests, and finally arrived before an endless mountain range.
This journey took a full month.
During this time, they encountered no further ambushes from the Red Flame Tribe but did come across many low-ranking Skywings engaged in routine activities.
Unfortunately, none of these clansmen seemed aware of any recent events within the clan.
This simultaneously eased and deepened Feng Xiao’s anxiety.
Either the Red Flame Tribe’s claims were false, or the Skywing elders had successfully suppressed the news, preventing panic and maintaining order.
Once they entered the mountain range, the number of Skywings they encountered increased sharply.
Some flew in their avian forms, while others traveled leisurely in human form.
Han Li noticed that while the wings of the Skywings he encountered were similar in size and shape, their colors varied.
Most had green or white wings, followed by silver-winged individuals like Feng Xiao and his companions.
There were also those with gold or black wings, though these were exceedingly rare. Han Li saw only a handful of such individuals along the way.
While the first three colors elicited no particular reaction, Feng Xiao and the others behaved markedly differently toward the gold and black-winged Skywings.
Upon encountering a gold-winged Skywing—even one far weaker in cultivation—Feng Xiao and the others would approach respectfully and offer greetings. But when they passed two black-winged Skywings of comparable strength, they stiffened, ignoring them entirely as they flew by.
Han Li found this odd but, sensing it involved clan taboos, maintained a calm demeanor and refrained from asking.
After three days and nights of flight through the mountains, they finally encountered a Skywing patrol.
The patrol, numbering around thirty, flew toward them. Each member wore white bone armor and carried a gleaming silver spear. Judging by their auras, their cultivation levels ranged from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation.
For a patrol, this was an exceptionally elite force.
The middle-aged Skywing leading the group was overjoyed to see Feng Xiao and hurried forward to greet them.
“Greetings, Commander Feng and Commander Bai! The elders have ordered that you report to the Ten Thousand Peng Pavilion immediately upon your return. Hmm… and who might this be?” His gaze settled curiously on Han Li.
“This is Brother Han. He’s been cultivating overseas and is now returning to the clan. Brother Han, apologies, but it seems we must meet with the elders first. Please rest at the guesthouse on the Sacred Mountain. Given your abilities, the elders will surely summon you soon,” Feng Xiao said, his expression shifting slightly at the mention of the elders.
“No matter. This is my first time back, and I’d planned to explore on my own. You three go ahead,” Han Li replied casually.
“Our holy land is vast. It’ll take time to familiarize yourself. Here’s my token. Aside from restricted areas, you’re free to explore. Assign someone to escort Brother Han to the guesthouse,” Feng Xiao said, tossing Han Li a wooden plaque before turning sternly to the patrol leader.
“As you command,” the Core Formation-level captain replied deferentially.
“Much appreciated,” Han Li said with a smile.
“Not at all. I’ve been a poor host. Once matters are settled, I’ll personally guide you through the Sacred City,” Feng Xiao replied apologetically.
With that, he and the Bai siblings clasped their fists and transformed into three silver birds, darting away.
“Huayu, escort our guest to the guesthouse. Treat him with the utmost respect,” the middle-aged Skywing ordered, selecting a refined-looking youth from his ranks.
The young man bowed in acknowledgment.
After a few more instructions, the patrol leader saluted Han Li and led his team away.
Han Li followed Huayu deeper into the mountains.
The young Skywing was exceedingly deferential, speaking only when spoken to.
Given his mere Foundation Establishment-level cultivation, he knew little of importance. Han Li asked a few questions before lapsing into silence.
After several hours of flight, a row of uniformly sized hills blocked their path. Above them, dark clouds churned with thunder and lightning, making passage impossible.
Han Li narrowed his eyes.
With his expertise in formations, he immediately recognized the hills and clouds as illusions—part of an extremely powerful restriction.
Sure enough, Huayu flew to the base of one hill and flicked a white feather from his wings into the air before it.
With a muffled *thud*, the hill distorted like a mirage before dissolving entirely, revealing a vast white passage.
The youth flew in without hesitation.
Han Li arched a brow before following as a streak of azure light.
The passage stretched hundreds of feet. When he emerged, Han Li’s vision cleared to reveal an immense city stretching beyond sight.
Built against towering emerald mountains, its walls were constructed of white bricks, standing only about twenty zhang high.
The city had no gates. Instead, a thick white light barrier covered its sky, with dozens of towering, multicolored pillars lining the walls, emitting faint glows.
Countless Skywings flitted between these pillars, entering and exiting the city.
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