Chapter 2192: A Mysterious Old Acquaintance

Upon seeing Han Li, Silvermoon first gave him a thorough once-over before a faint smile appeared on her face. She then congratulated him, saying,

“Congratulations, Brother Han, on successfully advancing to the Mahayana stage. From now on, you will be the third Mahayana ancestor of both the human and demon races. It seems I must now treat you with the respect due to an elder.”

“Silvermoon, are you teasing me? Given our friendship, even though I’ve reached the Mahayana stage, we should still interact as equals,” Han Li replied with a light smile, without hesitation.

Hearing this, Silvermoon was naturally overjoyed.

“Senior Han, is it really you? Have you truly become a Mahayana cultivator?” Xu Qianyu, standing behind Silvermoon, cautiously scrutinized Han Li for a while before finally asking with uncertainty.

Han Li was momentarily taken aback before sweeping his gaze over the newly arrived group. Spotting a familiar face among them, the corners of his lips curled slightly, revealing an enigmatic expression.

Meanwhile, the black-robed woman and the bearded burly man also regarded Han Li, the newly ascended Mahayana cultivator, with wary and uncertain eyes, their shock equally profound.

However, compared to the Cave-Heaven Rat King, the black-robed woman—the transformed Black Phoenix King—was even more astonished. Having once met Han Li in the past, she immediately recognized him, recalling that he had only been at the early Body Integration stage back then. Her surprise was beyond words.

“To think I would meet old acquaintances on the day of my Mahayana ascension—what a delightful coincidence. Fellow Daoist Xu, how is the Blood Soul of the Ice Soul Daoist doing?” Han Li finally spoke, addressing Xu Qianyu directly in a calm tone.

“It really is Senior Han! In reply to your question, the Blood Soul of my ancestor left the Xu family many years ago and has since disappeared without a trace,” Xu Qianyu answered respectfully, suppressing her disbelief and lowering her head.

“Disappeared again? That is rather unexpected. However, though she is merely a Blood Soul clone, given her experience and knowledge at the Body Integration stage, she should be fine,” Han Li remarked slowly, though somewhat surprised.

“May your words prove true, Senior. The Blood Soul of my ancestor is our Xu family’s only hope of recovering her true form. If anything were to happen to her, the true Ice Soul ancestor might never return to our family,” Xu Qianyu replied with a bitter smile.

Han Li nodded and said no more, shifting his gaze to the black-robed woman. With a faint smile, he asked, “I never expected to see Fellow Daoist Xiao here as well. After so many years, your beauty remains unchanged.”

“Fellow Daoist Black Phoenix, you know this senior?” the bearded man beside her couldn’t help but interject, casting a peculiar glance at the black-robed woman and whispering his question.

“Fellow Daoist Han—no, I should now address you as Senior Han. I never imagined that after our last parting, you would ascend to the Mahayana stage upon our reunion. This is truly a great blessing for both our races! Fellow Daoist Cave-Heaven, this is the very Han Li you’ve long heard of—the fastest-advancing cultivator among the humans,” the black-robed woman exhaled deeply, stepping forward to bow deeply to Han Li before turning to the bearded man with a meaningful look.

“What? He’s Han Li of the humans? No—the legendary Senior Han!” The bearded man’s face paled, his expression one of utter disbelief, his words even stumbling slightly.

“Cave-Heaven? Could you be the Cave-Heaven Rat King?”

Han Li’s eyes flickered as he scrutinized the bearded man. Though the latter’s cultivation was a level lower than the Black Phoenix King’s, his aura was dark and obscure, clearly indicating mastery of some formidable technique. Han Li’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Senior’s insight is unparalleled. This junior currently leads the Qiong Rat lineage. To witness Senior Han’s Mahayana ascension in person is an honor beyond measure,” the Cave-Heaven Rat King replied swiftly, his expression shifting rapidly before settling into a respectful smile.

Han Li listened to the bearded man’s deferential words, studying him for a long moment before suddenly uttering something that sent another jolt of shock through the Rat King’s heart.

“Have we met before, Fellow Daoist Cave-Heaven? There’s something familiar about your aura—it reminds me of an old acquaintance from long ago.”

“Senior must be jesting. This is my first time meeting you. Perhaps during the Myriad Treasures Convention, you encountered one of my avatars. That avatar was skilled in transformation arts and might have crossed paths with you unnoticed,” the bearded man explained hastily, his face slightly pale.

“Perhaps so. But as demon kings, why are the two of you here alone? Don’t tell me you knew in advance that I’d be breaking through the Mahayana bottleneck here and came specifically to observe,” Han Li chuckled, abruptly changing the subject without pressing further.

“Fellow Daoist Cave-Heaven and I came here on urgent business. The truth is—”

“Enough. I have little interest in your affairs and don’t wish to know more. However, having just ascended to the Mahayana stage, I need to remain here for a while to stabilize my realm. During this time, I’d prefer to keep my advancement a secret. You will stay as guests in my cave abode until the time comes for you to leave,” Han Li interrupted the black-robed woman with an imperious wave.

“Since Senior commands it, this junior naturally obeys,” the Black Phoenix King replied, inwardly dismayed but outwardly composed.

The bearded man hesitated briefly before nodding in compliance.

As for the Xu family cultivators led by Xu Qianyu, they naturally dared not object.

Han Li nodded in satisfaction before raising a hand toward the sky.

With a sharp whistle, three golden flower-like objects the size of wagon wheels descended from above, buzzing as they circled Han Li’s head.

The onlookers stared in shock, realizing they were three enormous golden beetles, their bodies covered in purple patterns, fearsome in appearance and exuding terrifying auras.

Without giving them time to examine further, Han Li flicked his sleeve, releasing a burst of azure light that swallowed the beetles in an instant. Then, under his lead, the group soared toward his temporary cave abode.

Two hours later, in the main hall of the cave, Xu Qianyu sat nervously on a wooden chair, recounting something cautiously. Seated at the head of the hall was Han Li, while Silvermoon occupied a chair beside him.

Both listened intently, their expressions growing increasingly solemn.

The other Xu family disciples, the Black Phoenix King, and the rest were nowhere to be seen, likely assigned separate quarters.

After some time, Xu Qianyu fell silent.

Han Li and Silvermoon exchanged glances.

After a long pause, Silvermoon frowned and asked Xu Qianyu carefully,

“According to your account, the Demon Realm separated from the Spirit Realm thirty years ago, and the demon armies withdrew. Yet, I just encountered a group of demons, including a Body Integration-stage ancient demon. How do you explain this?”

“Senior may not know this, but though the main demon forces retreated, some refused to leave and remained in the Spirit Realm. Though our allied races swiftly crushed these remnants, scattered demons still lurk in great numbers, including high-ranking ones like Demon Lords. Eradicating them all will take time. My mission here was to eliminate a group of low-ranking demons hiding nearby, but we fell into a trap instead. Had it not been for Senior Linglong’s intervention, we would have perished,” Xu Qianyu explained hurriedly, her face flashing with gratitude.

“I see. But when I was in seclusion, the demons had already occupied the Wood Tribe’s territory. For them to abandon it so decisively is unlike their usual tactics. What agreement did our races reach with the demons to compel such a concession?” Silvermoon nodded, still puzzled.

“That is beyond the knowledge of a mere Nascent Soul cultivator like me. However, our clan leader once mentioned that after some Mahayana existences representing our races signed a mysterious pact with the Three Demon Ancestors, the demons willingly withdrew,” Xu Qianyu replied after a moment’s thought.

“What kind of pact could make the Three Ancestors relinquish all their efforts in the Spirit Realm?” Han Li murmured thoughtfully, his eyes flickering.

“Brother Han, there’s no need to worry. With your current cultivation, you need only seek out either my ancestor or Senior Mo to learn the details. Regardless, the demons’ withdrawal is a great boon,” Silvermoon said with a smile.

“True enough. Silvermoon, arrange accommodations for Fairy Xu. I’ll go speak with another old friend,” Han Li said, rising abruptly with a smile.

“Another old friend? Are you referring to Fellow Daoist Xiao?” Silvermoon asked in surprise.

“No, the Cave-Heaven Rat King.”

With a single step, Han Li vanished into golden light, leaving only a faint echo in the hall.

“The Cave-Heaven Rat King? Since when is he an old friend? Didn’t they just meet?” Silvermoon muttered in bewilderment.

At the same time, in a secluded chamber, the Cave-Heaven Rat King sat uneasily on a meditation mat.

Suddenly, space rippled, and Han Li materialized in a flash of golden light.

“So, you’ve come after all,” the Rat King said, his initial unease fading as a wry smile crossed his face.

“It seems you’ve been expecting me. You’re quite perceptive—you knew your earlier excuses wouldn’t hold up,” Han Li replied casually, sitting cross-legged opposite the bearded man.