Chapter 2010: An Unexpected Visitor

Upon hearing these words, the other Unity cultivators present showed no surprise, and most nodded in strong agreement.

Under the assistance of several Tianyuan City elders, the silver-haired elder quickly assigned tasks. The majority of the human and demon cultivators present were dispatched outside the city to continue suppressing the remnants of the demonic forces in the regions originally controlled by Tianyuan City.

Another group remained in the city, tasked with swiftly repairing all damaged formations and defensive barriers.

Of course, the most critical task was to immediately destroy the nearby “nodes” of the demonic realm’s spatial passages. This would prevent any further demonic reinforcements from arriving near Tianyuan City.

Since these matters were of utmost urgency, once the assignments were completed, everyone promptly took their leave to carry out their duties.

In the blink of an eye, only the silver-haired elder Jin and an old man named “Cui Weng” remained in the hall.

This elder was one of the envoys sent by the Sacred Island. After a long, secret discussion with the silver-haired elder in the grand hall, he departed gracefully.

After the discussion, the silver-haired elder appeared delighted, as if he had received good news from the old man.

Not long after, thanks to the efforts of the many Unity cultivators dispatched by Tianyuan City, another batch of lingering demonic remnants nearby were hunted down and exterminated.

However, the remaining demonic forces, led by several demonic Venerables, gradually withdrew from Tianyuan City’s territory and joined other demonic armies in adjacent regions.

Under these circumstances, Tianyuan City’s pursuers naturally dared not continue the chase. Instead, they set up numerous sentry posts along the border before returning to the city.

With this, the great battle of Tianyuan City truly came to an end.

In this grand battle, the human and demon alliance ultimately achieved a major victory. However, their defensive forces were reduced by more than a third, and several Unity-stage elders perished unexpectedly. Countless cultivators below the Void Refinement stage also fell.

Nevertheless, they had successfully repelled the demonic army and even killed a greater number of demons, marking the first major victory since the demonic calamity began. This was undoubtedly a decisive boost to the morale of both races.

Of course, Tianyuan City’s victory did not mean the two races had gained the upper hand in the demonic calamity. On the contrary, other strongholds in different regions were still under siege by demonic forces.

Whether these strongholds could turn the tide was anyone’s guess.

Meanwhile, after Tianyuan City’s great victory and the expulsion of the demonic forces from its controlled territory, many rogue cultivators and remnants of sects and noble families emerged, flocking to the city.

Even from adjacent regions under demonic control, numerous rogue cultivators and minor factions risked their lives to flee into Tianyuan City’s domain.

As a result, the city’s lost manpower was quickly replenished. Given time, even if the demonic army returned, Tianyuan City would be ready to fight again.

Thus, everything in Tianyuan City rapidly recovered, and all available forces were diligently gathered.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a year had passed.

On this day, a special guest arrived at the stone tower where Han Li resided. Upon hearing the news, Hai Da Shao and Qi Lingzi were startled and hurriedly welcomed the visitor into the top-floor hall.

As soon as the guest sat down, he bluntly addressed Qi Lingzi: “I’ve come to see your master on urgent business. Inform him at once.”

“Reporting to Senior, my master is in seclusion and has instructed not to receive guests,” Qi Lingzi replied nervously but honestly.

“No matter. Your master and I had an agreement long ago. Just inform him—he won’t blame you,” the visitor said indifferently.

“Since Senior insists, this junior will try,” Qi Lingzi hesitated briefly but, recognizing the visitor’s extraordinary status among Unity cultivators, reluctantly agreed.

He flipped his hand, producing a message talisman, whispered into it, and sent it flying.

Deep in the stone tower’s basement, Han Li, who had remained motionless since entering seclusion, suddenly opened his eyes as a golden light flickered across his body.

His eyes gleamed with vitality, indicating his recovery was nearly complete.

With a casual grab, a fiery streak shot through the air into his palm.

After scanning it with his divine sense, Han Li murmured, “So it’s him. I suppose I must meet him.”

Rising from his meditation mat, he blurred into a green streak and vanished through the chamber door.

Moments later, a green light condensed in the center of the tower’s top-floor hall, revealing Han Li’s figure.

“Greetings, Master!”

Qi Lingzi and Hai Da Shao bowed in delight.

“Rise,” Han Li waved them aside before turning to the visitor. “Brother Long, your timing is unexpected—much earlier than agreed. Aren’t you worried the demons might seize the opportunity to attack the Long Family’s stronghold?”

The guest, whose golden complexion and faintly astonished gaze marked him as the Long Family Ancestor, replied calmly, “I made arrangements before leaving. More importantly, I heard you’ve advanced to the late stage and even slain a demonic Sacred Ancestor’s avatar and a late-stage demonic Venerable in the recent battle. I was skeptical, but now I see it’s true. Your power has surged remarkably. I admit I’m no match for you now. This gives me greater confidence in our agreement. As for my early arrival, circumstances have changed.”

Han Li’s expression flickered briefly before he replied lightly, “I had some unique opportunities in recent years, which hastened my advancement. As for the Sacred Ancestor’s avatar, it wasn’t my doing alone—Fellow Daoist Gu and others contributed greatly.”

“Regardless, slaying a Sacred Ancestor’s avatar is a monumental feat among Unity cultivators. And you’ve only just advanced! Once your cultivation stabilizes, your powers will grow further. I concede I’m no match for you now,” the Long Family Ancestor sighed.

“You flatter me,” Han Li chuckled before shifting the topic. “Now, tell me what’s changed.”

The Long Family Ancestor glanced at Qi Lingzi and Hai Da Shao. “This matter is lengthy. Here…”

Understanding, Han Li dismissed his disciples. “Leave us. Return when summoned.”

“Yes, Master!”

Once they exited, Han Li flicked his sleeve, releasing a green mist that vanished instantly. A white glow enveloped the hall, sealing it off.

“Now, speak freely,” Han Li said, retracting his spell.

The Long Family Ancestor nodded. “Our original timeline must be moved up. I’ve learned that our two races will launch a counterattack against the demons in a few years. By then, the three Demon Realm Progenitors are expected to descend upon the Spirit Realm. Whether we win or lose, we’ll have no chance to infiltrate the Demon Realm afterward. To obtain those two spiritual treasures, we must enter before then.”

“The three Demon Realm Progenitors?!” Han Li’s face darkened.

“You’ve heard of them. These ancient demons are far beyond ordinary Sacred Ancestors. Several Spirit Realm Mahayana cultivators have fallen to them,” the Long Family Ancestor said grimly.

Han Li fell silent, deep in thought.

After a long pause, he asked, “The Progenitors never leave the Demon Realm. Those Mahayana cultivators died invading it. Are you certain of this news?”

“Do you doubt me?” the Long Family Ancestor countered.

“Given the gravity, I must be cautious,” Han Li replied evenly.

“Rest assured. This comes from Sacred Island, sourced from the words of the demonic race’s Ao Xiao. Would you question his credibility?”

“Ao Xiao is at Sacred Island?!” Han Li’s eyes sharpened in alarm.