“Senior, we’ve arrived at the Xu Family. Let me notify the clan first so my father can welcome you.” After the flying chariot circled high above the nearby mountain range, Xu Qianyu softly requested from within the chariot.
“So this is the Xu Family. You’ve indeed found an excellent location. I’ll wait here for a while.” Han Li swept his divine sense across the mountains, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he nodded slowly.
Since the chariot was blatantly hovering in the air, it had naturally been spotted by the Xu Family’s vigilant cultivators below. Immediately, ripples of restriction fluctuations arose, and over a dozen streaks of light shot out from various peaks, their approach seeming somewhat hostile.
With Han Li’s permission, Xu Qianyu wasted no time. She transformed into a white streak of light and flew toward her clansmen. After a few flashes, the two groups converged.
Clearly, the Xu Family cultivators recognized their young mistress. As the light dissipated, they revealed themselves—some old, some young, men and women alike, all wearing expressions of pleasant surprise.
Fairy Qianyu exchanged a few quiet words with them, smiling, before leading the group down toward the mountains below.
Han Li remained calmly standing on the chariot, waiting without hurry.
A short while later, celestial music echoed through the mountains. Two groups of young women in red and white palace attire flew out from one of the peaks. Though their cultivation levels were merely at the Golden Core or Foundation Establishment stages, each was exceptionally beautiful and carried an air of reverence.
Behind these women, three more figures emerged. One was Xu Qianyu, who had just entered. The central figure was a scholarly-looking man in white robes, while the last was a towering, burly man with a thick beard and eyes like bronze bells.
The two groups of palace-attired women stopped gracefully about a hundred feet from the chariot. The three men, however, flew straight to Han Li before halting.
“Junior Xu Jiao pays respects to Senior Han. The Xu Family failed to welcome you properly at a distance. We beg your forgiveness.” The white-robed man, appearing to be in his thirties with an ordinary face but a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, bowed deeply with utmost respect.
“Junior Xu Lu also greets the senior,” the burly man, at the mid-stage Nascent Soul level, likewise performed a grand salute.
“Are you the one in charge of the Xu Family, Daoist Xu Jiao?” Han Li swept his gaze over the white-robed man and asked impassively.
“Yes, senior. This junior has held the position of Xu Family patriarch for nearly a thousand years,” the man replied honestly.
“Then, has Fairy Qianyu mentioned the purpose of my visit to you?” Han Li nodded and inquired.
“My daughter did mention a few things. That Senior has come regarding our ancestor’s affairs fills our Xu Family with immense gratitude. However, this is not the place for discussion. Senior, please accompany us to our clan for further conversation,” the white-robed man said respectfully.
“Very well. Lead the way,” Han Li agreed without hesitation, nodding.
Under the escort of the two groups of palace-attired women, Han Li stored his chariot and descended from the sky. The white-robed man and the burly giant flanked him closely, while Xu Qianyu followed half a step behind.
As they entered the mountain range’s airspace, Xu Jiao flipped his hand, producing an emerald-green token. With a light swipe through the air, a violent spatial fluctuation erupted across the low-altitude regions of the mountains.
The dozen or so peaks they had seen earlier twisted and warped like water reflections, and the scenery abruptly transformed. Though the peaks remained the same, their positions had shifted dramatically, now scattered across different parts of the mountain range, some even miles apart from their original locations.
If an enemy were to attack these peaks with great power, their strikes would likely miss entirely, leaving the structures unharmed.
Han Li narrowed his eyes and remarked, “The Mirage Illusion Realm! I never expected the Xu Family to possess such a legendary ancient restriction.”
“Senior flatters us. Ten thousand years ago, our Xu Family produced a supremely talented formation master. He devoted his entire life to restoring this ancient illusion array, managing only seventy to eighty percent of it. Alas, his cultivation was not high enough. Had he lived longer, he might have fully restored it,” Xu Jiao chuckled, clearly proud of their clan’s protective formation.
“Indeed, with such a formation guarding you, the Xu Family’s foundation is secure,” Han Li replied with a faint smile, saying no more.
Xu Jiao felt a twinge of disappointment. It was rare to have a Body Integration cultivator witness their clan’s protective formation, and he had hoped for more detailed feedback.
“Senior, do you think this formation could withstand an attack from a Body Integration cultivator, even briefly?” the seemingly brash giant asked in a booming voice.
“Body Integration? Heh…” Han Li glanced at the giant but didn’t answer directly, instead wearing an enigmatic smile.
“Senior means this formation would be ineffective against Body Integration experts, doesn’t he?” Xu Jiao ventured cautiously.
“I wouldn’t say ineffective. However, this formation has several weak points, likely due to its incomplete restoration. Against a Body Integration cultivator with mediocre formation knowledge, breaking it might take some effort. But for one well-versed in formations, this incomplete Mirage Illusion Realm would offer little protection.” Han Li paused before calmly pointing out several flaws in the formation enveloping the mountains.
“Senior can identify the flaws in our formation?” Xu Jiao was stunned.
Xu Qianyu and the giant exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.
“It’s nothing. I’ve come across records of this formation before, so spotting these issues isn’t remarkable,” Han Li replied casually, though he wasn’t being dismissive.
The Mirage Illusion Realm, though long lost among humans, was something Han Li had encountered in ancient texts during his travels across the Tian Yuan Continent. In a foreign market, he’d stumbled upon a collection of ancient human formation manuals written in archaic script. Since the locals had no interest in formation arts, the texts had been discarded in a junk shop, unnoticed.
Uncertain how these texts had left human lands or ended up there, Han Li had seized the opportunity, acquiring them for a pittance and studying them briefly on his journey. Such discoveries weren’t uncommon during his travels, so he hadn’t dwelled on it.
Now, seeing the Xu Family’s formation, he instantly recognized its gaps compared to the complete version in the texts.
Xu Jiao, unaware of this backstory, was shocked to learn Han Li might possess the complete Mirage Illusion Realm’s layout. If true, their clan’s proud formation would be transparent to him.
Given Han Li’s precise remarks about its flaws, Xu Jiao’s smile grew strained, though he maintained his composure.
Han Li, indifferent to their reactions, continued flying forward calmly.
Guided by the palace-attired women, the group eventually stopped before a grand hall at the mountain range’s center. There, two elderly men with similar features and graying hair awaited.
“Senior Han, allow me to introduce you. These two are my granduncles. They were in seclusion but emerged specially to welcome you,” Xu Jiao stepped forward to present the elders.
“Juniors Xu Huo and Xu Yan greet Senior Han!” The two elders, one at early Void Refinement and the other at mid-stage, bowed respectfully. Such cultivation levels were impressive for a typical cultivation family, where even a single Nascent Soul expert was often enough to secure a foothold.
It seemed Xu Qianyu’s claim about the Xu Family’s renown in the Tian Yuan Realm was an understatement.
“No need for formalities. I’m here merely as a favor to someone,” Han Li waved his hand, treating the elders amiably.
The two elders, murmuring deferentially, ushered Han Li into the grand hall. Once seated, Qi Condensation stage maids served spiritual tea.
Xu Jiao then spoke gravely, “Due to time constraints, my daughter only briefly mentioned your purpose. It’s said Senior Han has an item to deliver to our ancestor, Frost Li the Transcendent, or her direct descendants. Is this true?”
“Correct. I owe a significant debt, hence this errand. However, as Fairy Qianyu mentioned, Frost Li’s descendants aren’t limited to the Xu Family. Thus, I’ll need verification before handing over the item,” Han Li stated bluntly.
“Verification? How does Senior propose we do so? Our lineage from the ancestor is common knowledge among nearby families,” Elder Xu Huo coughed lightly, sounding troubled.
“It shouldn’t be difficult. For instance, Frost Li’s cultivation techniques, signature artifacts, or other relics could serve as proof,” Han Li replied calmly, his eyes glinting slightly.
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