“Exactly, that is my intention. Although you are qualified to join our Tianpeng Clan, given your human origins, even if you pass the trials and tests, you cannot become our Sacred Lord. However, Fellow Daoist Han can assist the two Sacred Sons as a Sacred Son candidate, helping them pass the trials. Of course, if you agree, I will not treat you unfairly. Not only will you be allowed to assimilate some Kunpeng True Blood, but there will also be additional generous rewards.” The young woman did not deny it and spoke unhurriedly.
Such a favorable offer would likely prompt most people to accept immediately in delight. However, Han Li’s eyes flickered, and he did not respond right away.
The young woman showed no urgency, merely sitting quietly in her chair and calmly observing Han Li.
After the time it took to finish a cup of tea, Han Li finally spoke again:
“Senior, for the sake of the Sacred Sons, you are even willing to let an outsider like me join your esteemed clan. This trial must be quite dangerous, no? Could you first explain it to me so I can make an informed decision?”
“The trial is indeed extremely perilous. Generally, the mortality rate among participating Sacred Sons from various clans is around sixty to seventy percent. Sacred Sons typically possess the cultivation level of a Flying Spirit General, equivalent to your human race’s Deity Transformation stage. This time, due to the unexpected demise of our Sacred Lord, the two Sacred Sons are only at the early-stage Flying Spirit General level and are not fully prepared. If they participate in the trial, there is a ninety percent chance they will fail. Although I do not know much about your abilities, Fellow Daoist, the fact that you traveled alone from the human race through most of the Wind Yuan Continent to reach here speaks volumes about your extraordinary strength. Even if the trial is dangerous, it should pose no problem for you.” Though her estimation was slightly off, the young woman’s final judgment was not mistaken.
“Only at the Flying Spirit General level?” Han Li’s eyes narrowed as he asked cautiously.
“Rest assured, Elder, I would not deceive you with false words.” The young woman smiled faintly.
“I need some time to consider.” After pondering for a while, Han Li finally made up his mind.
“Given the gravity of the matter, careful consideration is only natural. Very well, I will give you three days. After three days, I will await your reply here. During this time, you may move freely within the city, and no one will disturb you. Additionally, my name is Jinyue. You may remember it.” The young woman spoke calmly, as if Han Li’s response had been within her expectations.
Han Li naturally expressed his gratitude and then took his leave without further delay.
As Han Li stepped out of the door and vanished in a blur, Jinyue smiled slightly, picked up a cup of spiritual tea from the table, and took a sip.
“Great Elder, are you truly letting him leave just like that?” A gray light flashed on one of the stone walls, revealing two more Tianpeng clansmen—one tall and one short.
“What? How would you prefer I treat him?” Jinyue glanced at the red-bearded elder who had spoken and asked directly.
“Those wings fused with Kunpeng feathers—why must we let an outsider impersonate a Sacred Son? Wouldn’t it be better to seize the wings and select another clansman to inherit the True Blood?” The red-bearded elder, tall and imposing, rubbed his hands together as he spoke.
“If it were that simple, would I have gone to such lengths to negotiate with an outsider? I would have killed him on the spot and taken the wings.” The young woman curled her lips in a cold smile and replied bluntly.
“Then, Great Elder, your intention is…” The petite and beautiful woman, seeing the red-bearded elder about to speak again, discreetly tugged his sleeve and interjected respectfully.
“In terms of understanding the human race, I doubt there is anyone in the Tianpeng Clan who surpasses me. Humans are different from us Flying Spirit Clan members—their innate strength is ordinary, and much of their power lies in their cultivated treasures. Thus, they can refine certain treasures over long periods until they become extensions of themselves. Such treasures are not impossible to seize, but once taken, the original owner’s imprint is difficult to erase in a short time. Moreover, the treasure’s power diminishes significantly when it changes hands. I have carefully examined this man’s wing treasure—it is precisely such a treasure. And I have received news that the Sacred Sons’ trial in the Abyss is imminent. We simply do not have the time to seize his treasure and have another clansman refine it anew.” Jinyue paused before explaining further.
“I see. But in that case, won’t our clan’s Sacred Blood truly fall into the hands of an outsider? This is no small matter.” The red-bearded elder shook his head repeatedly.
“Elder Xu, have you lost your senses? If our clan fails to have a Sacred Son pass the trial this time, our entire branch will be swallowed by others. Compared to that, the matter of the Sacred Blood is trivial. Besides, there are ways to prevent such an outcome.” The young woman’s bright eyes flashed with a cold light.
“Haha, the Great Elder speaks wisely. Once this outsider helps us overcome this crisis, a mere Flying Spirit General-level existence—whether we kill him or keep him will be entirely up to us.” The middle-aged woman, after a moment of surprise, smiled and spoke.
“Killing him is out of the question. Even if he is an outsider, once he assimilates the Kunpeng True Blood, he will effectively become half a clansman, bound by the Tianpeng Oath. Moreover, if he helps our clan survive this calamity, he will be our benefactor. Unless absolutely necessary, we should not take his life. We can simply confine him and never allow him to leave the Sacred City again.” Jinyue cast a cold glance at the woman and spoke emotionlessly.
“That would work. Should we also notify the gate guards and have someone secretly follow this outsider? Just in case he tries to flee in these few days.” The red-bearded elder suddenly suggested.
“Elder Xu, there’s no need to worry. I’ve already placed a small mark on his wings. If he attempts to leave the city, I will know immediately.” Jinyue waved off the concern dismissively.
“It seems we were overthinking things. The Great Elder has always been thorough in her considerations.” The woman’s eyes sparkled as she smiled.
“Overthinking is not entirely unwarranted. Among the five Great Elders of our clan, only the three of us are present. This matter concerns the survival of our clan, so the three of us must reach a consensus before acting. Otherwise, I would not have summoned you two here midway. Elder Xu, do you have any other opinions?” The young woman stared at the two and spoke slowly.
“None. The Great Elder’s plan is already very sound.” This time, both the woman and the elder agreed in unison.
The young woman nodded in response.
From beginning to end, none of the three Tianpeng Elders even entertained the possibility that Han Li might refuse.
This was hardly surprising—whether in the eyes of the Great Elder or the other two, a mere Deity Transformation-level outsider would never dare refuse their demands.
Meanwhile, several hundred miles away from where the young woman and the others were, Han Li was flying at low altitude, his wings flapping gently.
Outwardly, he appeared calm, even somewhat interested in the architecture below. But inwardly, his thoughts churned as he contemplated his predicament.
This time, having unwittingly exposed his identity, his situation was far from ideal.
Given his vast experience, he knew full well that whether he succeeded in the young woman’s request or not, his fate would not be favorable.
Openly refusing was out of the question.
As for the idea of fleeing immediately, it had crossed his mind several times the moment he left the young woman’s residence.
But when his spiritual sense swept over the Wind Thunder Wings on his back, he could only sigh bitterly.
The Tianpeng Great Elder had brazenly placed a tracking mark on his wings, ensuring his movements were monitored within a certain range.
With his current cultivation, forcibly removing the mark was not impossible, but it would take several days—plenty of time for the Great Elder to intercept him countless times.
It seemed the only solution was to propose conditions that would make her hesitate to act rashly.
Otherwise, he would rather take the risk and escape than truly become some outsider’s Sacred Son.
As for what conditions to propose, he needed to first understand the general situation within the Tianpeng Clan before carefully considering his options.
Fortunately, having weathered countless dangers in his cultivation journey, he remained composed despite being trapped in this dilemma.
Han Li continued flying slowly, his mind racing through various possibilities.
Thus, in the following days, Han Li visited a tall stone building in the Sacred City that resembled a library.
There, he spent nearly a day and night poring over a significant portion of the books before leaving, his face weary.
Returning to his residence in the VIP quarters, Han Li remained secluded until the morning of the third day, when he calmly departed once more. This time, his destination was the trading hall he had originally intended to visit.
This time, he encountered no further obstacles along the way.
After flying for some time, Han Li finally arrived at the edge of the Sacred City, standing before a peculiar structure built against a mountain.
The building abutted a sheer cliff a thousand zhang high, with a massive rectangular plaza extending directly from the mountainside. At one end of the plaza, a towering arched stone gate stood a hundred zhang high, carved into the cliff face.
On either side of the gate stood over a dozen fully armed guards, while a steady stream of Tianpeng clansmen flowed in and out, creating a bustling scene.
Han Li observed from a distance for a moment before his wings stirred, enveloping him in a green light as he flew forward.
One of the guards at the entrance glanced at Han Li, his expression shifting abruptly as he bowed deeply.
Han Li gave a slight nod before confidently striding through the massive gate.
Inside, a vast space unfolded before him—a world unto itself.
Beyond the gate stretched a seemingly endless corridor flanked by towering, multi-layered structures resembling grand halls. Upon closer inspection, these buildings were divided into over a dozen levels, each thirty zhang high, with a ten-zhang-tall entrance every hundred zhang.
Countless Tianpeng clansmen flew in and out, up and down, indicating that these entrances led to their trading areas.
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