“This is the first time I’ve heard of such a thing,” Han Li said, his expression shifting slightly upon hearing this.
“It’s not surprising that Brother Han is unaware. Apart from those old monsters on the Holy Island, no more than a dozen people know of this matter, including the Three Emperors, myself, and that old freak Long,” the feathered-robed girl replied with a tinkling laugh.
“But why are you telling me this, Fairy?” Han Li pondered for a moment before asking.
“Nothing much. Since Brother Han has appeared here, I assume you’re already aware of the arrival of the three Demon Ancestors. Have you considered how to protect your disciples and clansmen in the event of a major defeat for our two races?” The girl’s eyes darted playfully as she spoke with a smile.
“Heh, apart from a few disciples, I haven’t established any sect or have any clansmen to worry about,” Han Li replied with a flicker in his eyes and a chuckle.
“But I’ve heard that one of your disciples seems to have taken in quite a few followers,” the girl asked, slightly surprised.
“Oh, that’s just a sect my disciple founded on his own. I’ve never interfered in the slightest. Whether they survive or perish depends on their own fortune,” Han Li said with a faint smile.
“I see. Then my earlier words were somewhat presumptuous,” the girl said after a brief pause, then laughed lightly again.
“Fairy Ye, do you truly have such little faith in our final battle against the demons? Although the Demon Ancestors are fearsome, with the combined strength of our races’ Great Ascension cultivators, we might still stand a chance. Moreover, while the three Demon Ancestors have formidable reputations, has anyone actually witnessed their power? Perhaps their abilities are exaggerated,” Han Li countered.
“It’s not that I have no faith at all. But the three Demon Ancestors are undoubtedly far more terrifying than ordinary Demon Saints,” the girl shook her head, her expression troubled.
“Oh? Since you speak with such certainty, you must know something,” Han Li felt a chill but kept his composure as he asked.
“To be honest, Brother Han once saved my family’s young lady, so you have some ties with the Ye Clan. In that case, I won’t hide this from you. How much do you know about our Ye Clan’s ancestors?” the girl said after a moment of contemplation, her expression turning solemn.
“I only know that the Ye Clan is one of the ancient True Spirit families. Beyond that, I’m not well-informed,” Han Li replied, stroking his chin.
“Our founding ancestor aside, other ancestors of the Ye Clan have also reached the Great Ascension stage. One ancestor, after attaining Great Ascension, pushed his spiritual bloodline to its limits. His power was immense, and he even secretly infiltrated the Demon Realm several times.”
Han Li narrowed his eyes thoughtfully but remained silent, listening intently.
After a brief pause, the girl continued without hesitation: “This ancestor’s prowess was unmatched. It’s said he engaged in secret battles with nearby Great Ascension beings of other races and never lost once. But in his pursuit of the final step, he ventured into the Demon Realm to seek rare spiritual medicines. The first few trips went smoothly, but on his last journey, he never returned. He likely encountered some peril and perished there. Before leaving, however, he left behind a secret manual documenting many things about the Demon Realm. One entry described how he personally witnessed one of the three Demon Ancestors battling a True Spirit. According to him, though he considered his power no weaker than any human Great Ascension cultivator, he wouldn’t last more than seven or eight moves against that Demon Ancestor. Even if he fled, his chances of survival were no more than fifty percent. As for Senior Ao Xiao and Lord Mo Jianli, their powers are profound, but they couldn’t be vastly superior to our ancestor. If they were to face a Demon Ancestor…”
Her voice trailed off, her implication clear: she held little hope for the outcome of a battle between their Great Ascension cultivators and the Demon Ancestors.
“Even if the Demon Ancestors are that formidable, we don’t necessarily have to confront them directly. As beings from another realm, their power would be suppressed in the Spirit Realm. This is our home ground. I’m sure the Holy Island and seniors like Mo Jianli have contingency plans. Otherwise, why would we even fight? We’d have fled the moment we heard of the Demon Ancestors’ arrival,” Han Li said slowly, his expression darkening as his thoughts raced.
“That’s what I think too, which is why I haven’t evacuated the Ye Clan yet. But if some of my clansmen could gain the Holy Island’s protection, even if our two races suffer a crushing defeat, the Ye bloodline wouldn’t be severed,” the girl said frankly.
“In that case, why not negotiate directly with the Holy Island? Why tell me all this?” Han Li was genuinely puzzled.
“It seems Brother Han doesn’t realize his own value to our race,” the girl said with a light laugh.
“What do you mean?” Han Li was taken aback.
“Even without this demonic calamity, how long do you think Mo Jianli and Senior Ao Xiao can protect our two races? One likely won’t survive the next Great Heavenly Tribulation, and the other, having been in Great Ascension for so long, won’t last much longer either. Beyond them, our races have no other Great Ascension cultivators. Among the remaining Body Integration cultivators, who else has hope of advancing? On the demon side, I’ve heard of no exceptionally talented Body Integration kings. On the human side, the Holy Emperor and Tyrant Emperor once had a sliver of hope, but compared to your heaven-defying aptitude, they pale. If I’m not mistaken, the moment our races show signs of defeat, the Holy Island’s first move will be to invite you to reside there. That way, even if we lose our current lands, as long as a Great Ascension cultivator emerges in the future, our races can rise again elsewhere,” the girl sighed.
“You overestimate me. But even so, what are you suggesting?” Han Li’s expression shifted before he asked, already sensing her intent.
“I have a few juniors who’ve inherited the purest Heavenly Phoenix bloodline of the Ye Clan. I’d like you to take them as disciples and, before the war, send them along with your other disciples to the Holy Island. If you agree, during our journey to the Demon Realm, I’ll follow your lead without question,” the girl said solemnly.
“Take them as disciples? Fairy Ye, you must be joking,” Han Li frowned, shaking his head instinctively.
“I’m entirely serious. These Ye Clan disciples are all prodigies far surpassing ordinary geniuses. With minimal guidance, they won’t burden you in the least,” the girl said earnestly.
“But I’ve no intention of taking more disciples. If you merely wish to send some Ye Clan members to the Holy Island, why go through such trouble? If you think my word carries weight there, I’d be willing to write a letter to the Holy Island elders, arranging for your clansmen and my disciples to seek refuge there before the war. Though I can’t guarantee success. As for following my lead, there’s no need. I trust Fairy Ye will make wise choices when the time comes,” Han Li said with a meaningful smile.
“Since you put it that way, I’ll defer to your suggestion. I was merely preparing for the worst. It seems my juniors lack the fortune to become your disciples. As for my earlier pledge, I’ll honor it. You needn’t worry. Truthfully, even without my request, I’d planned to follow your lead in the Demon Realm,” the girl said, a sly glint in her eyes.
“Oh? You trust me so much? I thought this expedition would be led by Fellow Daoist Long,” Han Li stroked his chin, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Humph! The Long Clan has schemed against the Ye Clan countless times. I’ve little trust in that old freak. Half of this is for my descendants, the other half to ally with you for survival in the Demon Realm. Who knows what plots Long and those Spirit Tribe members might hatch? I’ve no intention of being cannon fodder,” the girl snorted.
“I see. That’s understandable. Very well, I’ll prepare a missive jade slip for you. Have your clansmen bring it and a token of mine to my disciples in Sky Abyss City. Our trip to the Demon Realm could last years or even decades. By the time we return, the war may already be over,” Han Li said, producing a jade slip with a flash of light.
“Thank you, Brother Han,” the girl said, her face brightening with joy.
Han Li smiled faintly and said no more, channeling strands of spiritual sense into the jade slip as a green glow blossomed in his hand.
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