“The Sacred Island! Why does Fellow Daoist ask this?” Han Li’s heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged as he countered.
“If Fellow Daoist Han doesn’t wish to speak of it, that’s fine. However, I have a matter I’d like to discuss with you. Would you be interested in gathering at the Hall of Ten Thousand Spirits this evening?” The Long Family Patriarch seemed to chuckle lightly before posing another question.
“The Hall of Ten Thousand Spirits!” Han Li’s brows furrowed slightly upon hearing this, his mind racing with thoughts.
This so-called Hall of Ten Thousand Spirits was a grand chamber carved into the cliffside of the canyon. Initially, the elders and family heads who arrived first had gathered there to discuss matters related to the grand ceremony. Now, the Long Family Patriarch was specifically inviting him there—clearly, the matter at hand was no trivial affair.
“Brother Long, could you first give me a hint about the topic of discussion? I’d like to consider it before deciding,” Han Li replied cautiously, not outright refusing.
“Though I can’t reveal too much now, I can tell you this concerns a major event after the outbreak of the demon calamity. It could bring immense benefits to you, Brother Han, and even relate to our chances of advancing to the Mahayana realm,” the Long Family Patriarch said calmly after a brief pause.
“The Mahayana realm!” Even Han Li, usually unshakably composed, couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of his eyes upon hearing this.
“Indeed. I’ve already invited several other fellow Daoists to join this endeavor. Given that you’ve cultivated a second avatar and possess a Dharma Form Golden Body, you naturally qualify to participate,” the Long Family Patriarch added.
“Very well. Since Brother Long has put it this way, I’ll meet you in the hall later,” Han Li replied after suppressing his astonishment and taking a moment to decide.
“Heh, Fellow Daoist has made a wise choice. The topic of our discussion will surely interest you greatly,” the Long Family Patriarch responded with apparent satisfaction before cutting off the communication.
The remainder of the True Spirit Ceremony proceeded uneventfully. After the family heads and elders finished disputing the division of resources and benefits, a routine ritual was held, marking the conclusion of the event.
Xiaofeng Xianzi even sought out a secluded spot to promptly hand over the promised texts on True Spirit Blood and other agreed-upon items.
The head of the Gu Family couldn’t resist extending another invitation to Han Li to join them, promising treatment equal to that of their Supreme Elder and a position second only to the family head. Han Li merely smiled and declined once more, leaving Xiaofeng Xianzi deeply disappointed. She then settled for inviting him to visit the Gu Family sometime, signaling their intent to foster goodwill with him. Han Li nodded in polite agreement.
Soon after, some families began departing the Valley of Ten Thousand Spirits, while others chose to stay longer to exchange resources and cultivation insights, ensuring their disciples hadn’t made the trip in vain.
The Gu Family also remained, settling temporarily in one of the valley’s structures. Han Li took up residence in a small pavilion but left quietly that night, heading toward the Hall of Ten Thousand Spirits on the opposite side of the valley.
As he approached the hall, he spotted a figure standing silently at the entrance, seemingly waiting for him. Recognizing the Long Family’s Elder Hui, Han Li’s gaze flickered slightly.
“Fellow Daoist Han is indeed a man of his word. Brother Long and the others have been waiting for some time,” the black-robed man said with a smile, his earlier hostility gone as he clasped his hands in greeting.
“So, Brother Long has invited others as well? Could it be…?” Han Li mused aloud.
“Haha, Fellow Daoist Han is sharp-witted. No need for me to explain further—please, come in,” Elder Hui chuckled, stepping aside with an inviting gesture.
“Then I’ll trouble you to lead the way,” Han Li replied calmly, following him inside.
The grand hall was eerily quiet, devoid of guards, who had evidently been dismissed beforehand. They proceeded to a secluded side chamber where three figures sat around a massive stone table. Their gazes snapped toward Han Li as he entered.
Han Li’s pupils contracted slightly. Alongside the expressionless Long Family Patriarch were the feather-robed maiden of the Ye Family and the silver-ringed, disheveled man from the Lin Family. With Han Li and Elder Hui, this gathering now included five cultivators, all at least at the mid-Nascent Soul stage—an astonishing assembly.
The feather-robed maiden grinned playfully at Han Li, while the disheveled man gave him a brief, indifferent glance. The Long Family Patriarch, however, offered a rare smile. “Fellow Daoist Han, please take a seat.”
Han Li nodded and sat calmly at the table, while Elder Hui took his place beside the patriarch.
“Old Monster Long, why have you gathered us here? Get to the point,” the Lin Family’s disheveled man said impatiently.
“Patience, Fellow Daoist Lin. There’s one more person to introduce before I explain everything,” the patriarch replied with a light laugh.
“Someone else? Don’t tell me it’s the Feng Brothers,” the feather-robed maiden teased.
“No, their joint techniques are too restrictive for this endeavor. The person I speak of is already here. Fellow Daoist Qianqiu, please show yourself,” the patriarch said, turning toward an empty corner of the chamber.
A faint aura emerged from the shadows, followed by a flash of yellow light as a bronze mirror materialized, transforming into a yellow-robed girl.
Han Li’s eyes narrowed.
“The Spirit Race’s Holy Maiden! Fellow Daoist Long, what is the meaning of this?” the disheveled man exclaimed, leaping to his feet in alarm.
This girl was none other than the artifact spirit Holy Maiden who had appeared at the Myriad Treasures Auction. The Lin Family elder, having attended the auction, recognized her instantly.
“Fellow Daoists, there’s no need for alarm. Holy Maiden Qianqiu is here to assist with our mission. Without her, this endeavor would be impossible,” the patriarch explained calmly.
Yet the others remained wary. Han Li’s gaze turned vigilant, the feather-robed maiden’s smile vanished, and the disheveled man glared coldly at the girl. Only Elder Hui remained unperturbed.
“Please don’t regard me as an outsider. Though I belong to the Artifact Spirit Race, my origins trace back to a treasure once wielded by your race’s Sage Cantian. I gained sentience long after his passing,” the Holy Maiden said with a graceful bow.
“Sage Cantian? The Mahayana expert who founded Sky Abyss City in ancient times?” the feather-robed maiden asked in surprise.
“Indeed. That’s why I was sent as an envoy to your race,” the Holy Maiden replied with a faint smile.
“Since when have our races formed an alliance? We’ve heard nothing of this,” the disheveled man questioned.
“This was agreed upon between your Sacred Island’s Tianyuan Sage Emperor, Xuanwu Overlord, and other late-stage Mahayana cultivators. Official announcement will come in about a year,” she explained.
“Even so, bringing her into the Valley of Ten Thousand Spirits is reckless. This is sacred ground for our True Spirit Families,” the feather-robed maiden said sternly.
“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Ye. She arrived after the ceremony and will depart tonight after our discussion,” the patriarch reassured.
“Very well. Then proceed with your explanation,” the maiden relented with a sigh.
The disheveled man, after a moment’s hesitation, sat back down.
The patriarch nodded, then dropped a bombshell: “What I propose is simple. After the demon calamity erupts and the Demon Realm merges with the Spirit Realm, we will venture into the Demon Realm.”
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