Thus, Han Li could only rely on his own intelligence and mastery of formations, expending immense effort during his journey to gradually repair these lightning-based arrays. The sudden appearance of the lightning teleportation array earlier was one of the most important lightning arrays he had prioritized.
This formation could harness the power of lightning to create a short-distance teleportation array, enabling travel within a range of ten thousand miles.
If Thundercloud Master were to use this array, he could almost pinpoint the teleportation destination within a hundred zhang (about 300 meters) and complete the entire process in just a few breaths.
However, due to missing several critical incantations, even after Han Li’s meticulous revisions, the array could only teleport randomly within a ten-thousand-mile range, and the entire process—from casting to completion—took over ten times longer than Thundercloud Master’s version.
The teleportation earlier had been yet another attempt by Han Li to improve it, but the results remained unchanged.
This left him deeply resentful toward Thundercloud Master, and he couldn’t help but curse under his breath.
By now, it had taken him nearly a hundred years to traverse from the other side of the Wind Yuan Continent back to this place. So when he spotted the Confucian scholar and his companions, his heart swelled with joy.
Though he had some rough maps of the continent and knew he was approaching human territory, he couldn’t be certain.
Moreover, these were the first fellow humans he had encountered in many years. Confirming that he wasn’t too far from Tianyuan City filled him with excitement.
Having drifted abroad for so long, constantly dealing with foreign races and beasts, Han Li naturally felt a deep longing for home.
More importantly, he had been preoccupied with the matter of “Nangong Wan’s” ascension. He wondered whether his beloved wife had successfully ascended to the Spirit Realm and arrived in Tianyuan City.
Countless thoughts surged through Han Li’s mind, yet his expression remained unchanged. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a flying chariot shimmering with cyan light. It was about seventy to eighty zhang long, inscribed with numerous mysterious runes, and suspended in the air ahead of it were two massive winged wolf-like puppet beasts.
“Given your injuries, you won’t be able to travel long distances. Rest and recover in the chariot—just guide the way for me,” Han Li said calmly.
“Many thanks for your kindness, Senior!”
“We obey, Senior!”
The Confucian scholar and his companions were overjoyed and repeatedly expressed their gratitude.
Though Han Li hadn’t confirmed whether he was a Body Integration cultivator, they knew he was no ordinary Void Refinement-level existence. Otherwise, how could he have effortlessly slain a Void Refinement-level Stone Yuan Tortoise? Naturally, they dared not disobey his orders.
Moreover, given their severely depleted vitality, this arrangement was exactly what they needed.
What had once been a perilous journey back now seemed safe and secure with such a formidable figure accompanying them.
Thus, the four of them activated their flight techniques and boarded the chariot.
Han Li flicked his hand, sending two cyan incantations into the puppet beasts. The lifeless constructs let out low growls, suddenly coming to life as their wings flapped, propelling the chariot forward.
The runes on the cyan chariot swirled, forming a protective cyan barrier around them before the entire vehicle transformed into a streak of light, shooting toward the horizon.
“Which region’s cultivators are you? How long have you been away from Tianyuan City?” Han Li, seated cross-legged in the center of the chariot, asked.
“Senior, we hail from sects in the Xuanwu Region. We left Tianyuan City only half a year ago!” the Confucian scholar, clearly the leader of the group, replied respectfully.
“Half a year? Then you must be quite familiar with recent events in Tianyuan City,” Han Li remarked, raising an eyebrow.
“We stayed in the city for several years and do know a bit about its affairs. However, given our low cultivation, we’re unaware of more confidential matters,” the scholar replied cautiously, sensing Han Li’s intent.
“Don’t worry. I, too, once resided in Tianyuan City but was forced to leave unexpectedly. I merely wish to learn about recent developments among our people and the city. But since Tianyuan City remains intact, it seems the foreign races’ attack back then failed,” Han Li chuckled.
“Foreign attack? So you left during that time! Several nearby races allied to assault the city, but with the combined defense of humans and demons, both sides suffered heavy losses—even Body Integration-level beings perished. Yet, at the height of the battle, the foreign armies suddenly withdrew without warning, sparing Tianyuan City,” the scholar explained, surprised but honest.
“Withdrew?” Han Li stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“Indeed. The reasons vary—some say elite forces from our two races struck the invaders’ homelands, forcing their retreat. Others claim a new Profound Heavenly Treasure emerged, drawing the foreigners away,” the red-armored man added.
“What rumors surround this Profound Heavenly Treasure?” Han Li asked, inwardly startled but outwardly calm.
“At the time, the tales were wild! Some said it appeared among a foreign race, others that a Sacred Ancestor from another continent brought it here. There were even bizarre claims that an ascendant from the lower realms carried it into our lands,” the scholar said with a wry smile.
“An ascendant from the lower realms?” Han Li laughed, seemingly amused rather than shocked.
“Senior must also find it absurd. How could a mere lower-realm cultivator possess such a treasure? Who knows how such rumors spread,” one of the female cultivators chimed in with a smile.
“Indeed, hard to believe. Now, tell me of any major events in the Three Regions and Seven Lands over the past century or two,” Han Li said, nodding noncommittally.
“The last two centuries have seen many significant events. But recounting them all would take some time,” the scholar replied apologetically.
“No matter. The journey is long enough for you to elaborate,” Han Li said with a faint smile.
“Then we shall do our best to recount them in detail,” the scholar said respectfully, taking out a spirit stone to replenish his energy.
“Among the most notable events was the fall of the Heavenly Wonder Spirit Emperor decades ago—he failed to survive a Heavenly Tribulation, and a new Spirit Emperor must now be chosen. Then there’s the mysterious disappearance of the Southern Lihorn Flood Dragon King’s daughter, which caused an uproar in his domain…”
The scholar spoke at length, with the others occasionally adding details.
Han Li listened, his expression shifting from calm to grave as he learned of the upheavals that had occurred in his absence.
After several hours, the narration concluded, and Han Li fell into deep thought. The four waited respectfully for his response.
“Has a female ascendant named ‘Nangong Wan’ appeared in Tianyuan City?” Han Li suddenly asked.
“Nangong Wan? We’ve never heard the name. While we may not know every guard in the city, ascendants are rare—we’d surely recall one,” the scholar replied after a moment.
“Perhaps she changed her name. Have many female ascendants arrived in recent years?” Han Li pressed.
“Female ascendants are even rarer, but a few have come,” the scholar admitted hesitantly.
“Thank you for the information. Now, rest and recover,” Han Li said with a satisfied nod, closing his eyes.
The four bowed in gratitude and followed suit, meditating in silence.
Though Han Li appeared composed, his heart was in turmoil, filled with memories of Nangong Wan’s gentle voice and smile. The years of longing, now compounded by the possibility that she had failed to ascend, weighed heavily on him, a dull ache in his chest.
Under Han Li’s urging, the chariot moved even faster than the four could have flown themselves. A journey that should have taken over two months was completed in just one and a half.
When the chariot halted high above, Han Li gazed at the colossal walls of Tianyuan City in the distance, his expression complex. After so many years wandering beyond his homeland, he had finally returned.
“Senior, shall we teleport into the city now?” the scholar asked cautiously.
Ahead, near the city walls, stood a teleportation array guarded by a dozen armored guards. Figures emerged from the glowing formation, exchanged words with the guards, and then flew off—this was the sole entry point for those venturing into the wilds beyond.
For official missions, Tianyuan City’s guards used more secretive arrays.
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