“However, will Venerable Azure Dragon truly leave Tianyuan City? Even if he is willing, the council of elders would hardly let him go so easily. After all, a mid-stage Body Integration cultivator is a significant asset to Tianyuan City in its current state,” Frost Li still voiced her concerns.
“A significant asset? Someone who couldn’t even withstand three strikes from me—do you really think the council values him that highly? Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, under normal circumstances, the council might exert pressure to maintain their dignity and prevent this. But now, with the demon army at our gates, those old foxes are well aware of who holds greater importance for Tianyuan City—me or Azure Dragon. Most likely, they’ll send a few envoys to persuade him and then tacitly accept it,” Han Li replied with a faint, indifferent smile.
“Brother Han speaks the truth. Given the current dire situation, the council would certainly avoid offending you. However, Venerable Azure Dragon will undoubtedly harbor deep resentment toward you afterward. You should remain cautious, Brother Han. While you yourself need not fear him, it would be wise to warn your disciples,” Frost Li advised with a graceful smile after some thought.
“No need for such trouble. Azure Dragon will no longer pose any threat to me,” Han Li responded, his expression turning peculiar for a moment before he spoke.
“What? Brother Han, are you planning to—” Frost Li, sharp as she was, immediately grasped the implication and was startled.
“His heart is far too narrow. Since enmity has already been forged, it’s best not to leave Venerable Azure Dragon in this world. As the saying goes, one can guard against a thief for a thousand days, but not forever,” Han Li exhaled lightly, his voice turning cold.
“Though Brother Han intends to act decisively, this matter may not be easy to execute. At the very least, the council would never permit such an act within the city. Even if you succeed, no matter how discreetly you act, the elders would still suspect you,” Frost Li hesitated.
“I won’t act within the city, nor will I personally intervene. Someone else will handle it,” Han Li chuckled lightly in response.
“Brother Han has other allies? But you mustn’t underestimate him. Though Azure Dragon was no match for you, he is still a mid-stage Body Integration cultivator. Others would find it difficult to kill him,” Frost Li expressed surprise but quickly cautioned.
“Rest assured, Sister Feng. Since I’ve made this decision, I’ve already ensured it’s foolproof,” Han Li replied confidently. With a flick of his sleeve, a ball of yellow light shot out, swirling in the air before transforming into a girl no older than two or three.
The girl had fair, delicate skin and unusually dark eyes. She stood before them, staring unblinkingly at Han Li, looking utterly adorable.
“Go. Keep an eye on Venerable Azure Dragon. If I’m not mistaken, he might not wait the full three days before quietly leaving the city. Follow him discreetly outside and find a secluded place to end him,” Han Li instructed the girl.
“You make it sound easy. Tracking him won’t be a problem—with my current abilities, even a late-stage Body Integration cultivator would struggle to detect me once I conceal myself. But killing him might be beyond my reach. I’ve only recently taken human form, and while my strength may slightly surpass his, the gap isn’t vast,” the girl’s lips didn’t move, but a youthful voice, sounding no older than thirteen or fourteen, echoed through the hall.
“Venerable Azure Dragon is already injured. Even if he takes medicine immediately, he won’t recover fully in just a few days. Besides, I’ve tampered with him. In a fight, he’d be lucky to muster thirty percent of his power. You’ll have more than enough to finish him,” Han Li replied with a faint, knowing smile.
“Oh, if that’s the case, then there’s no issue. Just wait for my good news!” The girl blinked, flashing a cute smile before her body shimmered with golden light, vanishing into a faint shadow.
“Brother Han, who is this…?” Frost Li couldn’t help but ask.
“She’s my spirit beast, having only recently taken human form,” Han Li stroked his chin and explained.
“Your spirit beast! From your tone, has she also reached the Body Integration stage?” Frost Li asked, astonished.
“Indeed, she’s at the early-stage Body Integration level. But with her inherited bloodline of the Qilin, even mid-stage Body Integration cultivators may not be her match,” Han Li stated frankly.
Hearing this, Frost Li’s lips twitched slightly before she let out a wry smile.
“Now I understand why Brother Han holds the council in such disregard. With this spirit beast at your side, you’re undoubtedly Tianyuan City’s foremost cultivator.”
“Foremost cultivator? I dare not claim that title. Sister Feng, surely you don’t believe Tianyuan City has guarded the human and demon races for hundreds of thousands of years with only its surface strength. Who knows how many formidable figures lurk in the shadows?” Han Li shook his head solemnly.
“Oh? Does Brother Han know something I don’t?” Frost Li asked curiously.
“Not at all. These are merely my speculations. Regardless, there’s no need to dwell on it. Once the demon army attacks, all will become clear. But before that, I’ll need your assistance, Sister Feng,” Han Li said seriously.
“My assistance? Brother Han, are you planning to—” Frost Li paused, then seemed to recall something, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
“Indeed. Though my recent journey was fraught with danger, it also brought opportunities. I’m now ready to attempt a breakthrough to the late-stage Body Integration bottleneck. For this, I’ll require your Heavenly Phoenix Primordial Yin,” Han Li coughed lightly before speaking slowly.
“Had it not been for Brother Han’s intervention, I might have ended up as someone else’s spirit beast, let alone recovered my strength so swiftly or advanced to the Void Refinement stage. Assisting you in breaking through your bottleneck is only natural. But when do you plan to begin your secluded cultivation?” Frost Li’s blush faded as she asked earnestly.
“Had I been more confident in breaking through this bottleneck unaided, I wouldn’t have resorted to this. Regardless, if I succeed, the credit will largely be yours. As for timing, the sooner the better. Once the Leopard Qilin returns, I’ll begin immediately,” Han Li replied without hesitation.
Frost Li nodded in agreement, offering no objections.
After conversing a while longer in the hall, Frost Li rose to take her leave. Han Li didn’t press her to stay, escorting her to the door before returning to his cultivation chamber to meditate.
Meanwhile, in a small stone pagoda about a hundred zhang tall, Venerable Azure Dragon sat pale-faced on a wooden chair. Around him stood a dozen or so male and female cultivators of varying ages, their eyes gleaming with sharp light, each evidently possessing considerable strength.
Opposite him sat another beautiful female cultivator who appeared to be in her late twenties, a purple flower basket tied at her waist. This was Lin Luan, the only other remaining Body Integration cultivator from Yitian City.
Sensing Azure Dragon’s weakened aura, Lin Luan sighed softly. “Brother Azure Dragon, have you truly decided to leave Tianyuan City and seek refuge with the Sacred Emperor? With only the two of us left as the senior elders of the four great sects, my position here will grow even more isolated. This may not bode well for our disciples’ standing in the city.”
“I have no wish to leave, but under that man’s coercion, I’ve no choice. You know something of his power—even if we joined forces, we’d likely be no match for him. What use is my staying?” Azure Dragon’s lips twitched, his eyes flashing with venom.
“Brother Azure Dragon, had you known this would happen, why provoke Frost Li in the first place? I’ve always found it odd—while she is fair, surely she wasn’t worth such risk? Knowing you, you’re not one to act rashly for mere beauty. Was there another reason?” Lin Luan frowned slightly, her tone tinged with reproach.
“There were indeed circumstances I couldn’t disclose, but what’s the use in speaking of them now? To guard against that villain’s ruthlessness, I’ll depart tonight. Were it not for entrusting my disciples to you, I’d have left without a word to anyone,” Azure Dragon replied bitterly.
“Our four sects have always been intertwined. Even without your request, I’d have looked after the Nine Stars Sect’s disciples. Given that man’s status, he’s unlikely to target juniors. Perhaps your departure for Sacred Emperor City is for the best—we shouldn’t keep all our eggs in one basket. Should disaster strike one side, the other can ensure our sects’ survival,” Lin Luan mused before nodding in agreement.
“That was part of my reasoning as well. Enough talk—I must leave now. Aside from two disciples, I’ll take no one else. Listen well—in my absence, the Nine Stars Sect shall follow Elder Lin’s lead in all matters,” Azure Dragon declared resolutely, rising to address his disciples.
“We obey the elder’s command!” the disciples chorused, their voices unified and solemn.
Azure Dragon nodded, clasped his hands toward Lin Luan, and strode out of the hall. Two disciples followed without a word.
Watching Azure Dragon and his two disciples vanish beyond the hall’s entrance, Lin Luan shook her head slightly, a trace of regret crossing her face.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage