Han Li finished his contemplation and let out a light sigh of concern. With a flick of his finger, a wisp of green light shot out and vanished into the unconscious girl’s body.
The next moment, the girl’s eyelids fluttered, and she slowly awoke.
But as Zhu Guo’er sat up abruptly, recalling the events before she lost consciousness, her face turned extremely grim.
“You performed a soul search on me!” she spat, glaring at Han Li word by word.
“Without searching your soul, how could I learn what I wanted to know? But rest assured, I only sought what interested me and spared your mind unnecessary strain. My cultivation ensures no harm was done to your soul. However, I didn’t expect you to be from the Lesser Spirit Realm rather than the Spirit Realm itself,” Han Li replied indifferently.
Hearing him mention the “Lesser Spirit Realm,” Zhu Guo’er bit her lip and remained silent for a long while.
“I’ve placed a restriction within you. While in Phantom Night City, you’ll serve as my maid. If you please me, I may grant you freedom when I leave. For now, find a room downstairs to rest. Unless summoned, do not disturb me. And from now on, you will address me as ‘Master,'” Han Li instructed casually, ignoring her expression.
“Yes, Master. This servant takes her leave,” the yellow-robed girl replied helplessly, bowing before obediently descending the stairs.
Clearly, she understood that resisting a late-stage Body Integration demonic venerable would only bring suffering.
Yet her dispirited demeanor suggested she held little hope in Han Li’s promise.
Watching Zhu Guo’er disappear down the stairs, Han Li raised his head and stared blankly at the ceiling once more.
For three days, Han Li remained secluded in the top floor of the pavilion, meditating without stepping outside.
But on the fourth day, someone came seeking him.
“The Zhao family head sent an envoy?” Han Li asked, seated cross-legged on a cushion as he regarded the yellow-robed girl who had come to announce the visitor.
“Yes, Master. A Zhao elder personally delivered an invitation, insisting it be handed directly to you,” Zhu Guo’er replied calmly, holding a silver-gleaming missive.
“Let me see…”
Han Li narrowed his eyes and reached out. With a soft *whoosh*, the invitation flew into his grasp. As he unfolded it, a golden light burst forth, materializing into the illusory figure of an elegant middle-aged man.
The man bore faint black scales at the corners of his eyes, his pupils shimmering with golden light.
This must be the Zhao family head.
The figure clasped its hands toward Han Li and spoke with a smile, its tone exceedingly polite.
The message conveyed two matters: First, the Zhao family, having learned of Han Li’s arrival from the Wan Nu Tower’s Manager Huang, wished to establish friendly relations and assured him they bore no ill will over the matter of a mere slave girl. Second, in a month’s time, the Zhao family would hold their ancestral rites, and Han Li was invited as an honored guest to witness the ceremony.
After delivering the message, the figure bowed and dissipated with a *pop*, leaving only the silver invitation behind.
Han Li glanced at the intricate black demonic runes inscribed on its surface, centered around a radiant golden “Zhao” character.
Expressionless, he rubbed his hands together.
With a muffled sound, silver flames erupted from his palms, reducing the invitation to ashes.
“When the Zhao family returns for a reply, inform them I accept their invitation and will attend as promised in a month,” Han Li instructed the girl.
“As you command,” Zhu Guo’er replied with a bow before withdrawing.
Han Li closed his eyes and resumed meditation.
Unexpectedly, just a day later, the yellow-robed girl returned to announce another visitor—a woman surnamed Bai, who claimed to be an old acquaintance.
Han Li immediately guessed it was Bai Yunxin.
Word of his sudden ascension to demonic venerable must have reached the Bai family, prompting her swift return and urgent visit.
Though he pondered this, Han Li had no intention of refusing her. He instructed Zhu Guo’er to have the guest wait in the first-floor hall, then leisurely descended after a short while.
Upon entering the hall, Han Li spotted the beautiful young woman seated there—none other than the person he had expected. A faint smile curled his lips as he spoke:
“So it’s Fairy Bai. My apologies for the delay.”
As he spoke, he released the full aura of his Body Integration cultivation without restraint.
Bai Yunxin’s spiritual sense barely brushed him before her face paled. She leapt to her feet and hastily bowed.
“Forgive this junior’s earlier disrespect, Venerable! I was unaware of your true status!”
“To the unknowing, no blame is due. I suppressed my aura earlier to avoid unnecessary formality. There’s no need for apology,” Han Li chuckled, waving for her to sit while taking the host’s seat himself.
“Your mercy humbles me, Venerable. My conduct during our journey was inexcusable,” Bai Yunxin replied cautiously, still not daring to sit.
Seeing her wariness, Han Li didn’t press further. Instead, he asked pointedly:
“Fairy Bai, your swift visit surely isn’t solely for apologies?”
“Venerable is astute. I’ve reported your presence to Ancestor Furtian. By his command, I’ve come to invite you to our estate for discourse,” she answered succinctly.
“An invitation from Daoist Furtian? Then I must oblige. Lead the way,” Han Li agreed without hesitation.
Bai Yunxin brightened, nodding eagerly.
Leaving Zhu Guo’er behind, Han Li followed Bai Yunxin out.
Near the grand gatehouse, an enormous beast-drawn carriage awaited, pulled by eight horned horses. A purple banner atop bore the inky-black character “Bai,” marking it as the family’s transport for honored guests.
Flanking the carriage stood sixteen black-armored knights astride twin-headed wolves, their presence exuding a faint, ominous aura—each at the Nascent Soul stage.
Han Li’s gaze swept over them, his expression flickering slightly.
“These Tiger Fiend Guards are elite warriors of the Bai family, each tempered by a century in the wilds, slaying countless demonic beasts. Does Venerable find them satisfactory?” Bai Yunxin asked with a smile.
“Impressive. They rival the finest of any major city,” Han Li remarked before boarding the carriage and closing his eyes in silence.
Bai Yunxin dared not press further. Once aboard, she gave the order, and the massive carriage rumbled forward, the Tiger Fiend Guards keeping pace alongside.
Ordinary demons along the streets hastily made way, their faces a mix of awe and envy at the sight.
The carriage sped unimpeded for hours before halting before a fortress-like inner city.
Stepping down, Han Li scanned the structure with a trace of surprise.
This was the Bai family’s stronghold.
The seamless, jade-smooth walls, faintly green yet neither metal nor stone, defied his knowledge of materials. The faint, oppressive energy radiating from it hinted at layers of hidden restrictions.
Before the towering gates stood dozens of lifelike, obsidian-black demonic beast statues, lining a short avenue. Eight yellow-robed demonic guards stood vigil at the entrance.
Under Bai Yunxin’s guidance, Han Li strode past their curious stares into the fortress.
Soon, he found himself in a quaintly decorated hall, sipping from a fragrant silver teacup as four stunning demonic maids stood attentively nearby.
Bai Yunxin had vanished, leaving the hall in silence.
After a brief wait, light footsteps approached. A figure stepped inside, studying Han Li before chuckling softly.
“I am Furtian, the Bai family’s ancestor. It is an honor to host you, Fellow Daoist Han.”
Han Li’s lips twitched as he stared at the speaker, momentarily speechless.
“You… are Ancestor Furtian?” he finally managed, his expression one of stunned disbelief.
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