When the rays of dawn split apart, a young girl clad in a five-colored feathered robe suddenly appeared atop the mountain.
Her skin was snow-white, and her features were delicate—she was none other than the combined-cultivation female cultivator from the Ye family.
“So it really is Fairy Ye. But since you’ve only just arrived, does that mean you weren’t staying in Phantom Night City before?” The Long Family Patriarch revealed a faint smile as he inquired.
“I only arrived here half a month ago. Since I don’t cultivate demonic techniques, even with a pseudo-demon pearl to conceal my aura, I didn’t dare enter the city lightly. I wanted to observe for a few more days before considering entering. However, judging by Brother Long and Fellow Daoist Hui’s demeanor, it seems you’ve also just arrived. And Fellow Daoist Hui’s condition doesn’t look too good!” The feathered-robed girl blinked her eyes, glancing at the black-robed man with a hint of puzzlement.
“To my shame, I encountered many obstacles on the road and only arrived here yesterday—later than you, Fairy. Fellow Daoist Han, however, seems to have been here for quite some time. As for Brother Hui, he happened to encounter the ant queen while breaking through the ant swarm and carelessly fell victim to her poison. Fortunately, he took an antidote pill, and I helped him refine its effects along the way, which delayed us further. Thankfully, Brother Hui is now out of danger.” The Long Family Patriarch sighed in response.
“Poisoned by the ant queen? No wonder Brother Hui looks like this. As for my late arrival, I mistakenly wandered into a perilous area in the wasteland and was trapped for several months before barely managing to escape.” The feathered-robed girl first showed a flicker of realization before explaining her own predicament with lingering fear.
“I didn’t encounter much trouble on my journey and arrived in Phantom Night City months ago, staying within the city. However, aside from the three of you, neither the Spirit Tribe nor Fellow Daoist Lin have shown up yet! Could something have happened to delay them?” Han Li frowned as he spoke.
“That shouldn’t be the case. Fellow Daoist Lin is also a combined-cultivation cultivator and is skilled in several top-tier escape techniques. Even if he encountered a powerful enemy, fleeing wouldn’t be an issue. And the Spirit Tribe members are traveling together—it’s even less likely anything could happen to them.” The Long Family Patriarch’s expression darkened slightly before he spoke after a moment of thought.
“That’s hard to say. I originally thought the same, but the wastelands of the demon world are clearly far more dangerous than the untamed lands of our spirit realm. Even I was trapped in one place for months—it’s entirely possible they encountered something beyond mortal resistance in the wastelands.” The feathered-robed girl straightened her expression, disagreeing.
“Enough. There’s no use speculating now. Since the agreed-upon time hasn’t yet passed, we’ll simply continue waiting. By the way, Fellow Daoist Han, since you arrived so early, you must already be familiar with the city. Could you share some insights with us? Perhaps we can secure the eight-legged demon lizards first.” After a brief silence, the Long Family Patriarch turned to Han Li with this suggestion.
“Of course, no problem!” Han Li agreed without hesitation.
“Phantom Night City is currently controlled by the four great families and factions like the Tower of Ten Thousand Slaves. However, only the four great families possess the eight-legged demon lizards. If we want to obtain them, we’ll have to approach these families. But these lizards are crucial to the four families—they’re tied to their foothold in the city—so acquiring them through ordinary means is impossible. I was fortunate enough to establish a connection with the Bai family upon arrival and helped them resolve a troublesome matter, earning two of their demon lizards in return. However, obtaining more from them is unlikely. But the three of you could try your luck with the other families—perhaps you can trade rare treasures for a few. From what I’ve gathered, the Ning and Fang families seem…”
Han Li withheld nothing, recounting all the intelligence he had gathered. It took him nearly the length of a meal to outline the city’situation and the major factions involved.
Upon hearing that Han Li had already secured two demon lizards, the Long Family Patriarch and the others perked up with delight. But as they listened further to the city’s complexities, their expressions grew contemplative.
When Han Li finally fell silent, the Long Family Patriarch mused, “Congratulations, Brother Han, for resolving the lizard issue ahead of us. But from what I gather, these lizards are the foundation of the four families’ presence here. Could you elaborate on why that is? And roughly how many lizards does each family possess?”
“From what I know, each family only has a few dozen. These lizards are prized because they can freely traverse the Phantom Howl Desert. Only with them can the demon clans of Phantom Night City venture deep into the desert to locate rare material deposits and transport them back. Considering the immense profits involved, these families would only feel they have too few of these beasts—why would they willingly part with them for outsiders?” Han Li explained calmly.
The Long Family Patriarch and the other two grew visibly somber, realizing the difficulty of the situation.
After a long pause, the feathered-robed girl softly asked Han Li, “What kind of favor did you do for the Bai family to earn two lizards at once?”
“Nothing major—I was simply invited to help them eliminate a desert beast. But such opportunities are rare and unlikely to be repeated.” Han Li smiled faintly.
“It seems your luck is truly exceptional!” the girl remarked with envy.
“Just a stroke of fortune.” Han Li chuckled dismissively.
“Here’s what we’ll do. I once cultivated demonic techniques, so with a pseudo-demon pearl, I shouldn’t fear detection in the city. I’ll enter with Fellow Daoist Han shortly. For caution’s sake, Brother Hui and Fairy Ye should remain outside, finding a place to settle while staying in contact. While waiting for the others, Fellow Daoist Han and I will see if we can secure more lizards. If all else fails, we may have to infiltrate one of the families—whether by force or theft—to obtain them. But that’s a last resort, as it risks provoking powerful enemies.” The Long Family Patriarch deliberated before making his decision.
“Agreed. Unlike Blood Crow City, Phantom Night City has many demonic venerables. If someone with special detection techniques sees through my disguise, I’d be uneasy. I’ll stay outside with Fellow Daoist Hui. The lizard matter will be left to you two.” The feathered-robed girl nodded in agreement.
The black-robed man also gave a slight nod of assent.
In the time that followed, the group discussed detailed plans, accounting for contingencies until they were satisfied. Eventually, the four departed the mountain peak on their respective lights.
Han Li did not travel with the Long Family Patriarch, entering the city separately.
By midday, a late-stage Void Refinement middle-aged man appeared in the city’s Sacred Spirit Pavilion—none other than the suppressed Long Family Patriarch.
Not only had he concealed his combined-cultivation strength, but he also rented a pavilion far from Han Li’s residence, ensuring no one could link the two.
Days passed quietly. Han Li remained reclusive, occasionally exchanging messages with the others via artifacts while focusing on his research into demon crystal puppetry.
Meanwhile, the Long Family Patriarch thoroughly explored the city, attempting to trade rare treasures for lizards with the families—all to no avail.
Undeterred, he reasoned that nothing in the spirit or demon world was truly unattainable—it was merely a matter of price.
Instead of giving up, he befriended a high-ranking disciple of the Zhao family, quickly establishing frequent contact.
Han Li, kept informed, observed without interference, waiting to see if the patriarch’s methods would bear fruit.
Before any results emerged, however, word arrived that the Spirit Tribe had finally reached the city’s outskirts.
Overjoyed, the Long Family Patriarch and Han Li left the city to meet them, reuniting with the likes of Sageess Qianqiu.
Though delayed, all the Spirit Tribe members were present and unharmed.
Yet during the meeting, Han Li couldn’t help but scrutinize the pale-faced sage known as “Zhishui.”
Whether it was an illusion or not, he sensed an even deeper chilling aura emanating from the Tool-Spirit Sage—one that unsettled the mind upon getting closer.
His divine sense probed repeatedly, but upon contact, it vanished as if swallowed by mud, leaving him frowning inwardly.
Despite this, discussions proceeded smoothly. Only Sageess Qianqiu and the elder “Cangxing” disguised themselves to enter the city, while the rest remained outside with the feathered-robed girl.
With two more allies, the Long Family Patriarch intensified his efforts, zeroing in on the Zhao family—raising trade offers while probing their lizard enclosures and defensive formations.
Clearly, they were preparing for the worst: a forceful seizure if negotiations failed.
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