“Could the Old Freak Zang be deliberately deceiving us with false words? The human cultivator who killed Venerable Li happens to be in Yitian City—what a coincidence! He wouldn’t be trying to lure us here to use our strength to capture the city, would he? I’ve heard this city is unlike the other human strongholds we’ve destroyed; it’s said to be extremely difficult to take!” The beautiful woman in pink robes voiced her concerns to her companion.
“Don’t worry. Although Old Freak Zang is only a borrowed Venerable and quite unruly, he wouldn’t dare falsify something like this. After all, this matter was personally assigned by Lord Xueguang. How could he risk angering him? Besides, as long as his target is confirmed to be correct, what harm is there in lending him our strength once?” The middle-aged man in silver-threaded robes shook his head in response.
“That’s true. Although we quickly found the site where Venerable Li and the other two fell, most traces there had already been cleaned up, and with so much time having passed, we couldn’t gather much useful information. Now that Old Freak Zang has provided accurate intelligence, it’s a stroke of luck. At least we can finally report something to Lord Xueguang.” The beautiful woman sighed lightly, her tone tinged with resignation.
“Exactly. Otherwise, we wouldn’t dare return until we’ve recovered what our lord lost. But now that we have a lead—and one that’s almost certainly correct—all that’s left is to prepare for a fierce battle. The human cultivators who killed Venerable Li and the others must be formidable. Even with the treasures temporarily lent to us by the Sacred Ancestor, we must proceed with caution. Moreover, since they’re hiding in Yitian City, forcing them out will likely require additional effort.” The middle-aged man’s eyes flashed coldly.
“Hmph, if Old Freak Zang wants to use our strength to deal with Yitian City, then let him handle it. If he can’t even accomplish that much, what right does he have to ally with us? Our task is simply to corner and eliminate the human cultivators who killed Venerable Li.” The beautiful woman spoke with arrogance.
“Don’t underestimate Old Freak Zang and his group. Zang himself is already at the peak of the late Body Integration stage, just one step away from becoming a Sacred Ancestor. As for Leng Ren, though young, he’s a direct descendant of Sacred Ancestor Xuetian and is said to possess ice-based divine abilities even praised by Lord Xuetian himself. And that girl Yu carries the bloodline of Sacred Ancestor Mingluo, so she must have some formidable survival techniques. The weakest among them is probably only Venerable Yan from Huoyuan City.” The middle-aged man spoke calmly, his words revealing a thorough understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the Venerables attacking Yitian City.
“That’s true. They want to use our strength, but we can also make use of theirs. Senior Brother, let’s hurry over. At this distance, Old Freak Zang and the others must already know we’ve arrived.” The beautiful woman chuckled.
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, the dark demonic clouds above the distant valley churned violently, followed by the sound of drums. Rows of black-armored knights emerged from the clouds.
At the forefront stood an old man in black armor, his lips curled in a faint smirk.
Behind him stood Leng Ren, the petite woman, and other demonic Venerables. The petite woman squinted her eyes, smiling, while the cold-faced youth remained expressionless.
“Fellow Daoists, you’ve worked hard. Arriving so early is truly beyond my expectations,” Old Freak Zang laughed heartily, clasping his fists from afar.
“We wouldn’t dare delay. Upon receiving your message, we rushed here immediately. It seems we haven’t inconvenienced you,” the beautiful woman replied with a charming smile.
“Haha, you flatter me. But the day to attack Yitian City is indeed approaching. Let’s discuss the details further in the valley.” Old Freak Zang smiled faintly, gesturing in invitation.
“Very well. We’d also like to hear why you’re so certain the person we seek is in Yitian City,” the middle-aged man said, eyeing the black-armored elder before suddenly smiling.
With that, his black war chariot, pulled by two massive demonic birds, swiftly descended.
Old Freak Zang chuckled softly and led the others down as well.
For the better part of the day, Old Freak Zang, the Yin-Yang Twin Fiends, and other top-tier demonic beings deliberated inside a grand hall in the valley.
When they finally emerged, all wore expressions of deep satisfaction.
—
Days passed in a flash.
One day, while Han Li was meditating in his residence, he suddenly heard a series of alarmed shouts from outside.
His heart stirred, and he immediately rose, walking toward the window.
With a flick of his sleeve, a streak of azure light swept out, and the window, previously veiled by a faint golden glow, creaked open on its own.
Han Li glanced outside, and his expression changed abruptly. In an instant, he transformed into a streak of azure light, shooting out of the room. After a few flashes, he appeared hundreds of feet in the air, gazing upward.
In the sky, one of the seven suns, which should have been high at noon, was now surrounded by eerie gray patches that slowly spread toward its center, as if someone were gradually blotting out its light.
Below, whether young or old, cultivator or mortal, all wore expressions of terror at the sight.
Though the upper echelons of Yitian City had tried to suppress news of the “Five Suns Eclipse” and the subsequent weakening of the city’s defenses, rumors had inevitably spread, sowing panic.
Later, the two remaining Great Ascension cultivators of the four major sects had personally stepped forward, offering reassurances that temporarily stabilized morale. Yet now, with the celestial omen manifesting, fear resurfaced.
Fortunately, almost simultaneously, bells tolled across Yitian City. High-ranking cultivators from the four sects emerged from their residences, while squads of armed cultivators and human warriors flooded the streets from hidden locations.
Patrolling the skies and ground, they swiftly restored order. The sight of them calmed the populace, who obediently returned to their homes under their direction.
In no time, the city was cleared of loiterers, falling into an eerie silence.
Han Li ignored the commotion, his eyes fixed on the celestial phenomenon. Only when the sun had turned completely gray did his expression darken. He transformed into an azure streak, flying toward a grand hall in the city.
Though Yitian City was vast, his residence wasn’t far from the meeting hall. Within an hour, he arrived at its gates.
“Brother Han, you’re a bit late!” A light laugh rang out as a graceful figure emerged from the hall—a silver-masked woman.
It was Silverlight Fairy.
“Ah, Fellow Daoist Silverlight. I was observing the city’s situation outside. It seems Fairy Lin and Venerable Azure Dragon have handled things well, avoiding major unrest,” Han Li replied calmly.
“Of course. Sister Lin and Venerable Azure Dragon are seasoned Body Integration cultivators and elders of the four sects. Managing such matters is trivial for them. But with the Five Suns Eclipse beginning, the demonic army will soon attack. In the coming battle, Brother Han will likely be our greatest combatant. Please take care.” Silverlight Fairy’s smile faded, replaced by solemnity.
“Thank you for your concern, but calling me the greatest combatant is an exaggeration. Fairy Lin and Venerable Azure Dragon’s power is no less than mine.” Han Li detected sincerity in her words and smiled faintly in response.
“If Sister Lin and Venerable Azure Dragon knew your true strength—”
“Fellow Daoists, please enter the hall to discuss urgent matters. I’ve just received word—the demonic army has mobilized and will soon reach the city!” Venerable Azure Dragon’s anxious voice interrupted from inside, cutting Silverlight Fairy short.
“Let’s go in, Fellow Daoist Silverlight. We shouldn’t keep them waiting,” Han Li said, eager to drop the subject.
“Very well.” Silverlight Fairy nodded.
They entered side by side.
Inside, over a hundred Nascent Soul and higher-stage cultivators crowded the hall, flanked by hundreds of armored guards standing motionless.
At one end stood four chairs—two slightly elevated, the other two beside them. In the center of the hall floated a massive illusory screen, depicting a familiar city surrounded by creeping black mist.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage