Han Li strolled leisurely along a cobblestone path, admiring the surrounding scenery.
At first glance, the area seemed sparsely populated, but a glance upward revealed figures darting through the sky. The Feiling Clan was accustomed to soaring high, making these ground paths more decorative than practical.
Yet, recalling the formidable strength of the Feiling Clan gathered here, Han Li couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
The sheer power assembled—seventy-two branch leaders, along with dozens of council elders—far surpassed that of Tianyuan City. Under normal circumstances, Tianyuan City had only ten Core Formation elders stationed there. Even in wartime, it could muster barely a hundred from both the human and demon races combined. But that was the combined might of two races; neither humans nor demons alone could rival the Feiling Clan’s collective strength.
As for the number of Nascent Soul or Spirit Transformation cultivators, it was likely beyond comparison as well.
Given this, it was no wonder the human race had barely managed to survive in the Spirit Realm all these years, ranking among the weaker factions.
In contrast, while the Feiling Clan couldn’t compare to the legendary major powers of the Spirit Realm, they could still be considered a mid-tier race.
Lost in thought, Han Li rounded a bend and suddenly came upon a small pavilion, with several paths branching out around it.
Inside the pavilion, two young women in white robes sat on wooden chairs, chatting and laughing.
Their laughter ceased as they noticed Han Li’s approach, their gazes turning toward him.
One of them was the petite woman who had guided Han Li earlier, introducing herself as “Xiao Zhu.”
“Ah, Miss Xiao Zhu. Have you seen any of my companions pass by?” Han Li asked politely.
“You must mean Miss Lei Lan. Not long ago, I saw her heading toward the training grounds,” Xiao Zhu replied with a smile, rising to her feet.
“The training grounds? Alone?” Han Li’s expression darkened slightly.
“No, she was accompanied by Miss Hong Sha of the Chirong Clan,” Xiao Zhu answered, her eyes twinkling with hidden meaning.
“Thank you for the information.” Han Li’s face remained unreadable as he turned and strode down the path leading to the training grounds.
The two women exchanged glances, surprised by his calm demeanor.
For an esteemed Saint of the Tianpeng Clan to remain so composed upon hearing his companion had been led away by a rival clan was unusual.
Unbeknownst to them, beneath his calm exterior, Han Li was seething with anger.
That Tianpeng woman, Lei Lan, was far too reckless.
No matter how the Chirong Clan member had lured her to the training grounds, the ill intent was obvious. If she were “accidentally” injured during a spar, the Tianpeng Clan’s hopes of passing the trial would dwindle further.
And he couldn’t afford to ignore this.
After signing the Tianpeng Oath’s supplementary agreement with Jin Yue, failing to ensure the Tianpeng Clan produced a Saint would spell disaster for him.
The Tianpeng elders wouldn’t hesitate to vent their frustrations on him before their clan’s downfall.
Reflecting on the intricacies of the Earth Abyss trial, Han Li sighed inwardly.
While his time with the Tianpeng Clan had brought him great benefits, it had also entangled him in a web of trouble.
Even if he helped them overcome their crisis, extricating himself would require careful planning.
Resolved, Han Li maintained a steady pace, yet his movements were fluid—almost ethereal—as he traversed the path and vanished in a few blinks.
The training grounds were easy to find, much closer than expected.
After employing a spatial-shifting technique, Han Li arrived within moments, spotting a towering barrier shimmering in the distance, accompanied by the sounds of explosions and shouts.
His expression shifted slightly as he halted his technique and approached at a normal pace.
That Chirong Clan member, Chi Tian, had deliberately revealed Lei Lan’s whereabouts—likely targeting him.
As long as he remained unseen, the Chirong Clan wouldn’t act rashly. Even if they did, rushing now would be futile.
With a calm mind, Han Li’s eyes gleamed with blue light as he scrutinized the scene within the barrier.
Two figures clashed in midair—one wielding flames, the other spewing icy mist.
Fortunately, Lei Lan wasn’t among them, easing Han Li’s tension slightly.
But the flame-wielder was unmistakably Hong Sha, the Chirong Clan’s Saint.
Just as Han Li grew puzzled, he sensed a chilling gaze from the crowd—hostile and fleeting.
His sharp instincts kicked in, but the gaze vanished before he could pinpoint its source.
Frowning, he abandoned the search and quickened his pace, soon reaching the training grounds.
Before he could step forward, the battle above concluded abruptly.
A blue-winged man was forced back by surging flames, conceding defeat to Hong Sha.
“Lei Mei, I’ve dealt with my opponent. If you want that Thunderstar Stone, defeat me, and I’ll hand it over without hesitation,” Hong Sha declared with a coquettish smile, her charm stirring the hearts of many male onlookers.
Han Li’s heart sank. Before he could intervene, a streak of white light shot into the air—Lei Lan, her silver wings spread wide.
His expression darkened.
Hong Sha’s timing was no coincidence. The moment he arrived, she had challenged Lei Lan—clearly part of a scheme.
But after a few deep breaths, his composure returned. He stepped closer, standing casually at the edge of the grounds.
“You lured me here with the Thunderstar Stone just to fight me? Fine. If defeating you earns me the stone, I won’t hold back,” Lei Lan said coldly.
Her silver wings flared, arcs of lightning crackling across her body, transforming her into a being of pure electricity.
“Giggle! If you have the skill, the stone is yours,” Hong Sha replied, casting a sidelong glance at Han Li before laughing.
The spectators, aware of the feud between the Chirong and Tianpeng Clans, murmured excitedly, anticipating a thrilling duel.
Seeing Han Li standing with folded arms, showing no intention to interfere, Hong Sha grew anxious.
If he didn’t intervene, their planned tactics would fail. It seemed they’d have to resort to Plan B.
With a decisive motion, she formed a hand seal, her body erupting in crimson light. Countless fiery orbs materialized around her, illuminating half the sky.
The temperature soared, forcing weaker spectators to retreat.
Han Li’s brow twitched, but he remained still.
Lei Lan wasted no time. With a flap of her wings, she channeled her power.
A thunderous roar echoed as her lightning arcs thickened, coiling around her like silver serpents before lashing out as countless electrified threads.
Each thread pierced a fireball, detonating them in a dazzling display of sparks.
The crowd gasped at this display of lightning manipulation.
Even Hong Sha looked momentarily stunned before sneering and flicking her sleeve. A red mist swirled, gathering the scattered embers into a swirling inferno.
The flames condensed into a colossal fireball, hurtling toward Lei Lan with a deafening hum.
Lei Lan’s expression hardened. Raising her arm, silver lightning erupted, merging into a massive bolt that shot forth to meet the fireball head-on.
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