Within these two streaks of radiant light, the astonishing spiritual pressure characteristic of Body Unity stage cultivators descended menacingly upon the two Demon Race Venerables—one an early-stage and the other a mid-stage cultivator.
The burly Demon Venerable’s expression darkened slightly as he glanced at the distant streaks of light. With a grim tone, he uttered a single word to the icy youth: “Go.”
As soon as the word left his lips, he flicked his wrist, releasing a pitch-black war chariot several zhang in length. In a flash, he stood atop it.
The cold-faced youth showed no emotion, but his figure blurred before vanishing without a trace.
In the next moment, a phantom-like image of the white-robed youth appeared several hundred zhang away. With a single step, his figure disappeared once more, as if dissolving into nothingness.
This demon seemed to have transformed into an intangible entity, traversing the horizon in just a few steps.
As for the burly Demon Venerable, with a loud laugh, his black war chariot crackled with thunder, transforming into a streak of black lightning that shot into the distance. After a few flashes, it shrank into a tiny black dot before vanishing into the sky alongside the youth.
Witnessing this, Han Li’s eyes flickered, but he made no move to pursue.
Beside him, the Silverlight Fairy, shocked by the Demon Venerable’s formidable abilities, remained rooted in place with a grim expression.
The strength of the leader commanding these elite Demon Venerables had exceeded her expectations. Moreover, it was likely that there were other Demon Venerables among these forces.
If that were truly the case, even with the combined aid of herself and Han Li, the four major sects of Yitian City would struggle to hold the city.
Han Li’s expression quickly returned to normal as he scrutinized the two approaching streaks of light. A faint smile curled at the corners of his lips.
The radiance dissipated as the streaks from Yitian City halted nearby, revealing two figures—a man and a woman.
The man appeared to be in his forties, with a dignified and imposing countenance. Clad in a yellow Confucian robe, he held a thick white jade book in his hands, while two large brushes—one gold and one silver—were crossed behind his back.
The woman, in her late twenties, had an oval face and striking beauty. Dressed in dark green palace robes, she carried a purple flower basket in one hand.
“Sister Lin, are you alright? I’ve been sent to reinforce your sect,” the Silverlight Fairy exclaimed with delight upon seeing the woman in dark green.
“Silverlight, it’s truly wonderful that you’ve come to aid our city! It seems your city received our plea for help. But this fellow Daoist is unfamiliar—may I ask who he is?” The woman, upon recognizing the Silverlight Fairy, initially showed joy but then hesitated when her gaze fell upon Han Li.
“Haha, this is Fellow Daoist Han Li. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times at Nine Immortals Mountain,” the yellow-robed scholar interjected with a smile before the Silverlight Fairy could introduce him.
It seemed he recognized Han Li.
“So it’s the Azure Dragon Venerable from the Nine Stars Sect. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Han,” Han Li replied with a light clasp of his hands. He had found the scholar’s face vaguely familiar and now recalled their brief encounters during the Nine Immortals Mountain exchange.
“Last we met, Fellow Daoist Han was still in the early stage. To think you’ve advanced to mid-stage in just a few centuries—truly commendable!” The scholar’s expression shifted to astonishment as he sensed Han Li’s current cultivation level.
“I merely stumbled upon some fortuitous opportunities. But I never expected to meet Fellow Daoist Lin again after all these years. And this Fairy must be the Lin Luan you mentioned, Silverlight?” Han Li deftly deflected the topic of his rapid advancement, shifting the focus to the palace-robed woman.
“So you’re the renowned Han Li. Indeed, I am Lin Luan. We are deeply grateful for your and Silverlight’s assistance. Without reinforcements, Yitian City might not have lasted another two months,” the woman, a Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Emperor Sect, replied in a melodious voice, her tone brimming with gratitude.
“Sister Lin, what do you mean? Earlier, Han and I witnessed the demon siege. Though the Myriad Phantoms Cavalry seemed troublesome, your city held its ground,” the Silverlight Fairy pressed, her expression grave.
“You two don’t know—the forces you saw were but a fraction of the demon army. The true host is camped ten thousand li away in the Central Sword Mountain Range. These elites have held back because they await a specific day,” Lin Luan explained with a bitter smile.
“A specific day?” The Silverlight Fairy frowned.
“Fairy Lin speaks true. But this is no place for discussion. Let us return to the city before the demons regroup,” the Azure Dragon Venerable interjected cautiously.
“Four Demon Venerables? Very well, let’s proceed,” the Silverlight Fairy agreed without hesitation.
Han Li offered no objection.
The four then soared toward Yitian City.
In moments, they reached the towering walls, where human cultivators and bronze puppets still lingered. Han Li observed them closely.
The high-ranking cultivators appeared exhausted, some even pallid, as if drained of vitality. The bronze puppets bore cracks and missing limbs, their condition dire.
Han Li’s expression remained neutral, but inwardly, he frowned. Yitian City’s plight was worse than he’d imagined.
The Silverlight Fairy’s face darkened at the sight.
Lin Luan and the Azure Dragon Venerable could only sigh in resignation.
Meanwhile, a new group of cultivators in five-colored robes ascended the walls, repairing damage and inscribing intricate formations. Squads of fresh warriors replaced the weary defenders, their spirits still high.
This sight eased Han Li’s concerns slightly.
Guided by the two, Han Li and the Silverlight Fairy passed through the city’s defenses and entered a grand hall in a secluded corner.
Several Void Refinement stage cultivators awaited them inside, greeting the newcomers with enthusiasm.
“These fellow Daoists oversee the city’s defenses. They can provide further details,” the Azure Dragon Venerable explained, noting Han Li and Silverlight’s curiosity.
Han Li nodded and took a seat.
“Sister Lin, Fellow Daoist Azure Dragon, please elaborate on Yitian City’s situation. We’d also like to know more about the two fallen fellow Daoists, so we might guard against similar fates,” the Silverlight Fairy requested as she settled gracefully into her chair.
At the mention of the deceased, the hall’s atmosphere grew tense.
The Azure Dragon Venerable’s expression soured further.
Lin Luan sighed. “There’s little more to say beyond what was in our missive. The demons lured our comrades out with a feigned weak force, then ambushed them with four Venerables. They perished instantly, their Nascent Souls unable to escape.”
“Such treachery explains their tragic end,” the Silverlight Fairy murmured thoughtfully.
“Indeed, we must exercise caution. If possible, could you share the four Demon Venerables’ abilities?” Han Li asked, his gaze shifting between Lin Luan and the Azure Dragon Venerable.
“Of course. The city’s survival depends on you both. We’ll prepare detailed records for you,” the Azure Dragon Venerable assured.
“Excellent. Now, about this ‘specific day’—what does it signify?” Han Li pressed.
The Silverlight Fairy leaned forward intently.
“It refers to the Day of Five Suns Eclipse in two months—when our city’s guardian formation will fail,” Lin Luan revealed, her face shadowed with resignation.
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