Chapter 2176: Retreat into Solitude

The Crab Daoist followed leisurely not far behind Han Li, while the other human cultivators, mostly dejected, moved forward in silence.

From the far distance behind them, a muffled, thunderous roar suddenly echoed faintly!

Following that, a terrifying shockwave rolled in from the same direction, causing the earth to tremble slightly.

The other human cultivators immediately stirred, their expressions varying as they all turned to look behind them.

Clearly, such a tremendous disturbance could only be caused by the Wood Tribe’s self-destruction of their Wood Realm Grand Formation.

Even at such a great distance, the sheer power of the explosion could still be felt. The fate of the demonic beings still trapped within the formation was unimaginable.

Likely, apart from the remaining avatars of the Demon Saint Ancestors, all other demons would perish alongside the formation.

Yet it was no surprise the Wood Tribe would resort to such measures!

After all, the Wood Tribe’s current plight was entirely due to the demonic invasion, and every member of the tribe harbored deep hatred for the demons.

Thus, the Wood Tribe’s elders were willing to sacrifice their entire grand formation to exact brutal revenge on the demons, ensuring their elite forces were utterly annihilated.

However, without their Sacred Tree and their Great Ascension cultivators, the Wood Tribe could no longer maintain independence like the human and other races. In the future, they would either have to submit to another race or relocate their people to remote and desolate lands.

Naturally, the human and other allied races would not honor their former pact with a tribe that no longer held equal status, continuing to fight desperately against the demons here.

Han Li silently contemplated all this as he waved his hand high in the sky, ordering the entire group to accelerate immediately.

With the demons suffering such a heavy blow and the grand formation no longer obstructing them, who knew if the Demon Saint Ancestors might go mad with vengeance against the retreating allied forces?

To be safe, it was best for them to return to Cottonwood City as soon as possible.

Seeing Han Li’s command, the other human cultivators dared not delay and immediately channeled their spiritual power.

The sound of tearing air erupted as all the escaping lights shot toward the horizon with a sharp hissing sound.

Two months later, above a mountain near Cottonwood City, Han Li conversed calmly with Ao Xiao the Revered and Mo Jianli.

Behind him stood the Crab Daoist and the young girl, Zhu Guo’er.

Behind Ao Xiao stood Silvermoon, her hands clasped respectfully, though her expression was cold and indifferent as she listened to the three men’s discussion.

“Our aid to the Wood Tribe has led to such an outcome. The Wood Tribe has decided to split their people into several groups—some will submit to us as vassals, while others will venture into the wilderness to find a secluded place and live in seclusion,” Mo Jianli sighed.

“A wise choice. If within the next ten thousand years, the Wood Tribe produces another Great Ascension cultivator, they may recall their people and reestablish themselves in the Spirit Realm. But if luck is not on their side and no such figure emerges, the Wood Tribe may truly vanish from the Spirit Realm in time,” Ao Xiao remarked coolly.

“It seems the Wood Tribe’s decline is inevitable in the short term. Losing their strength will significantly impact our alliance’s strategy against the demons. Have the two elders devised a countermeasure?” Han Li asked slowly.

“Though the alliance is weakened without the Wood Tribe, the demons are not faring well either. The separation of the two realms is imminent. If we hold out a little longer, we can achieve victory without further conflict. Even if the demons manage to gain a foothold in the Spirit Realm through the Wood Tribe’s lands, without reinforcements, they cannot stand against our united forces. For now, we must return to our clans and ascertain whether the Three Demon Ancestors have truly descended into the Spirit Realm. Only after addressing this immediate threat can we consider other matters,” Ao Xiao replied.

“Since the two elders have a plan, this junior is relieved. Upon my return, I will likely enter seclusion and may not be able to assist the clan for some time,” Han Li nodded, expressing some regret.

“Haha, if you can advance to the Great Ascension stage in the future, that will be the greatest aid to our two races. Moreover, given your youth, you may well become our greatest reliance for the next hundred thousand years. For now, these troubles can be left to us old fellows,” Mo Jianli laughed heartily.

Having learned that Han Li and the Crab Daoist had slain over a dozen Demon Saint avatars within the Wood Realm Grand Formation, Mo Jianli was overjoyed and held even higher hopes for Han Li’s future advancement.

“Fellow Daoist, you truly intend to find a secluded place for cultivation instead of returning to Sky Abyss City?” Ao Xiao suddenly asked, as if recalling something.

“Though Sky Abyss City has repelled the demonic attack, it is hardly a place of absolute safety. This junior’s seclusion requires minimal disturbance, so I seek a quieter location. Unless I make significant progress in my cultivation, I will not emerge easily,” Han Li replied with a smile.

Han Li’s confidence stemmed from the large quantity of “Alien Demon Gold” in his possession, enough to push his cultivation to the peak of the late Body Integration stage.

“That may be for the best. The demons have planted many spies among us. The fewer who know of your seclusion, the better. We will not inquire about your whereabouts, only wish you success in your cultivation,” Mo Jianli agreed readily.

“Linglong! Come here. As agreed, I entrust her to you now. I hope you master the secret technique soon to suppress the backlash from her cultivation,” Ao Xiao beckoned Silvermoon forward and spoke kindly to Han Li.

“Rest assured, elder. This junior will prioritize mastering the technique during seclusion to ensure Fellow Daoist Linglong’s cultivation proceeds unhindered,” Han Li pledged without hesitation.

“With your word, I am at ease. Linglong, from now on, you must follow Fellow Daoist Han’s instructions. Without my explicit order, you are not to leave his side. Otherwise, do not consider me your grandfather,” Ao Xiao instructed Silvermoon sternly.

“Yes, Grandfather,” Silvermoon replied coolly, her gaze briefly sweeping over Han Li.

“The hour grows late. Fellow Daoist Han, you should depart now. In a few days, once we settle matters with the Wood Tribe, we will also return to our clans,” Mo Jianli said solemnly.

“Indeed, it is time. This junior will take his leave now.” Han Li glanced at the sky, nodded, and bowed slightly to the two Great Ascension cultivators before departing.

Ao Xiao and Mo Jianli returned the gesture with smiles.

Han Li flicked his sleeve, releasing a cyan jade flying boat that hovered at low altitude. With a swift movement, he boarded it.

The Crab Daoist, Zhu Guo’er, and Silvermoon followed suit.

A spell incantation later, the jade boat trembled slightly, emitted a low hum, and shot into the sky. After a few flashes, it vanished into the horizon as a streak of cyan light.

Five months later, above an inconspicuous peak in the mountain range bordering the human and demon territories, the jade flying boat hovered silently.

Han Li stood straight on the boat, his eyes closed as his vast spiritual sense swept slowly in all directions.

Behind him, Silvermoon and the other two stood quietly, saying nothing.

“Good. There is no one within tens of thousands of miles. We shall establish our cave abode here,” Han Li opened his eyes, a trace of satisfaction in his expression.

With a wave of his sleeve, over a dozen glowing orbs flew out, transforming into giant ape puppets. At his command, they descended upon the mountain below.

Their fingers shimmered with green light as they carved through the rock like it was nothing. Within the time it took to finish a meal, they had hollowed out a massive cave abode in the mountain’s belly, complete with medicinal gardens, alchemy chambers, and all necessary facilities.

As the ape puppets returned one by one, Han Li led the group downward. With a flip of his hand, arrays of flags and disks flew out, dissolving into streaks of light that vanished into the surrounding void.

Han Li had casually set up several powerful restrictions, shielding the entire cave abode.

Upon entering the main hall of the cave, Han Li gave a few brief instructions before retreating to the deepest chamber. The stone door closed behind him as he began his seclusion.

Sitting cross-legged in the center of the chamber, Han Li first silently recited the divine sense technique passed down by Ao Xiao, pondering it carefully before beginning his cultivation.

This time, he aimed to master the technique completely, ensuring Silvermoon’s safety before moving on to other practices.

Soon, Han Li’s body became still as a statue, his skin shimmering with layers of five-colored crystalline light that flowed rapidly across his form.

A year and a half later, the radiant five-colored glow suddenly receded as Han Li opened his eyes, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

“Aside from slightly enhancing divine sense, this technique is remarkably effective in calming the mind and nurturing qi. Ao Xiao the Revered, the only Great Ascension cultivator among the demons in tens of thousands of years, truly possesses extraordinary talent to create such a technique,” Han Li murmured to himself.

He released his divine sense, sweeping it across the entire cave abode. Moments later, he detected Silvermoon meditating in a nearby chamber, her expression serene, oblivious to his observation.

After silently watching her for a while, Han Li nodded slightly and withdrew his divine sense.

After a moment’s thought, he flipped his hand, producing a peculiar black-and-white ore.