“What? My grandfather is going to undergo his tribulation in seven days? How could it come so soon! Wasn’t there supposed to be more time?” Silvermoon exclaimed in shock and fury at the Tianyuan City cultivator before her.
At that moment, they were already inside the teleportation hall of Tianyuan City, facing a currently on-duty elder of the city.
Han Li and the others had just learned this shocking news from this Body Integration stage elder.
“Fairy Linglong, it seems Senior Aoxiao encountered some mishap during his seclusion, forcing him to undergo his tribulation early. He couldn’t delay even a single day longer. For this reason, the Sacred Island specially requisitioned some treasures and magical artifacts from our city—otherwise, we wouldn’t have known about this either,” the unfamiliar-looking demon elder said with a bitter smile to Silvermoon.
However, his gaze toward Mo Jianli and Han Li was filled with utmost respect.
“Seven days… Even if we use teleportation arrays as much as possible along the way, it’s likely too late. There’s no way to deliver the Thunderbolt Talisman to him within seven days. But if Brother Aoxiao can hold out for a few more days under the tribulation, we might still have a chance,” Mo Jianli said after his expression changed several times.
“In that case, what are we waiting for? Let’s return to the Sacred Island immediately. I hope we can make it in time. Teleport us to the nearest major city to the Sacred Island right away!” Han Li’s expression was dark as he gave the order to the demon cultivator without hesitation.
“Yes, I’ll arrange it immediately,” the demon elder replied with a bow, sensing something from their conversation and feeling a chill in his heart.
He immediately instructed some guards in the teleportation hall to lift the restrictions on a teleportation array and quickly installed some spirit stones.
As soon as this was done, Silvermoon flashed into the array.
Han Li and the others naturally followed closely behind.
A flash of light!
Han Li and the others vanished without a trace from the teleportation array.
Nine days later, near the horizon of the Sacred Island of the two races, a piercing sound rang out as an ink-black giant ship appeared in a flash and sped toward the Sacred Island with a hissing sound.
Some Sacred Island guards patrolling in that direction hurriedly flew over.
However, when they saw the large ancient character inscribed on the bow of the ship, they stopped in shock and bowed respectfully toward the ship.
“Is Aoxiao undergoing his tribulation on the island now?” Before the ship even reached them, a stern shout came from within.
Then, a figure appeared at the bow of the ship—an old man.
It was none other than Mo Jianli, the Great Ascension cultivator of the human race.
“Greetings, Senior Mo! Lord Aoxiao is not on the Sacred Island but is undergoing his tribulation in Red Cloud Valley, a hundred thousand miles away. All the elders on the island have gone there to protect him,” a Void Refinement stage guard quickly stepped forward to reply.
“Red Cloud Valley!” Mo Jianli muttered to himself in slight surprise.
At almost the same moment, the black giant ship trembled and flashed past the guards at an incredible speed, heading in another direction.
The Sacred Island guards exchanged bewildered glances.
About half an hour later, the black giant ship was still speeding through the sky at an altitude of ten thousand zhang.
But now, besides Mo Jianli, Han Li, Silvermoon, and the others had all gathered at the bow.
Everyone’s expressions were grave as they looked ahead, with Silvermoon’s face filled with extreme anxiety.
During his trip to the Spirit Race, Han Li had obtained two Thunderbolt Talismans. Upon returning, he had immediately expressed his willingness to give one to Patriarch Aoxiao to increase his chances of surviving the tribulation.
This had naturally delighted Silvermoon.
But never had she expected that upon returning to their race, she would hear the news that Patriarch Aoxiao’s tribulation had been suddenly moved forward, filling her heart with unease.
*Thud!*
A low, muffled sound suddenly came from Silvermoon’s chest, as if something inside her had shattered.
Silvermoon’s face turned deathly pale in an instant.
“Yue’er, what’s wrong?” Han Li immediately noticed Silvermoon’s unusual state, his heart sinking as a sense of foreboding rose within him.
Silvermoon’s eyes reddened. Instead of answering Han Li, she opened her mouth and spat out a bright red crystalline jade token.
The token was no larger than a palm, with the lifelike silhouette of a man on its surface.
At a glance, Han Li recognized the familiar silhouette—it was unmistakably Patriarch Aoxiao.
But now, the silhouette on the token was covered in dense cracks, multiplying at a visible rate.
Within a few breaths, the entire token crumbled into powder, slipping through her fingers.
Silvermoon stared blankly at this scene, standing motionless.
By now, Han Li understood what had happened. He sighed and stood silently by her side, saying nothing more.
Mo Jianli, however, twitched at the corners of his eyes before raising his head to look at the sky, also silent.
Zhu Guo’er, Hua Shi the Elder, and the others exchanged glances, not daring to breathe loudly.
The black giant ship continued at its astonishing speed. After nearly another half-hour, a flash of light appeared ahead as over a dozen streaks of light shot toward them.
Han Li frowned and lightly tapped the ship with his foot.
With a hum, the ship halted in midair.
The streaks of light flickered several times before appearing near the ship, their radiance fading to reveal figures.
They were the Sacred Island elders!
“Greetings, Senior Han, Senior Mo!”
Upon seeing Han Li and Mo Jianli on the ship, the cultivators of both races first showed joy, but their expressions quickly turned sorrowful as they bowed deeply.
“Did Aoxiao fail to overcome the tribulation?” Mo Jianli asked with a dark expression.
“Reporting to Senior, Lord Aoxiao has just perished in the tribulation. Only two damaged protective treasures and a spirit core remain,” the leading elder replied respectfully.
“Who has my grandfather’s spirit core? Give it to me,” Silvermoon suddenly spoke coldly.
“So Fairy Linglong is here as well. According to Senior Aoxiao’s will, his spirit core was to be handed over to you,” the elder said solemnly upon seeing Silvermoon.
He then flicked his sleeve, producing a pale yellow wooden box, which he presented with both hands as he flew onto the ship and handed it to Silvermoon.
Silvermoon’s body trembled slightly, but she gritted her teeth and opened the box in front of everyone.
Inside lay a fist-sized pale white spirit core, exuding a familiar aura.
Beside the core were a broken pale white short sword and a yellow small bell missing half its body.
Silvermoon gently touched the spirit core with her fingers before looking up at Han Li and saying calmly:
“I need some time alone. Don’t let anyone disturb me.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned and floated toward the cabin, ignoring everyone else.
Han Li silently watched her figure, not stopping her. After a long while, he turned to the Sacred Island elders and ordered, “Board the ship. Tell me and Brother Mo everything about Aoxiao’s tribulation—leave no detail out.”
“Yes, we will report everything truthfully to both Seniors,” the elder replied without hesitation, bowing deeply.
Han Li nodded and allowed the elders to board the ship.
Half a year later, atop a small spiritual mountain on the Sacred Island, Han Li stood with his hands behind his back under an emerald-green spiritual pine, silently gazing at a small valley shrouded in thin white mist, his expression unreadable.
Suddenly, a faint yellow figure appeared silently behind him, bowing respectfully before standing at attention.
“Yue Tian, have you made progress on the new cave abode?” Han Li asked without turning his head after a while.
The figure was none other than Hai Dashao, one of his personal disciples.
“Reporting to Master, following your instructions, I personally surveyed most of the territories of both races and finally found a place that meets all requirements. We can relocate at any time,” Hai Dashao replied respectfully.
“Oh? Where is the new cave abode located?” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly as he finally turned around.
“Master, the new cave abode is on an island in the Boundless Sea. Though the sea lies in a remote area between the two races, its spiritual energy is exceptionally pure. Moreover, most of the sea is naturally covered by the forces of yin and yang magnetism. With slight modifications, it can serve as a powerful protective barrier for the abode,” Hai Dashao answered honestly.
“With so many advantages, let’s choose this place then. Go back and prepare. We’ll leave the Sacred Island in a few days,” Han Li said with a nod.
“Yes, Master. But… is Aunt Silvermoon alright? She still hasn’t emerged from seclusion?” Hai Dashao hesitated before asking.
“Silvermoon hasn’t come out yet, but I have a feeling she will within the next few days,” Han Li replied calmly, glancing again at the distant valley.
“I see. Then I’ll go and oversee the preparations for the relocation immediately,” Hai Dashao said, bowing once more before retreating and flying off the mountain.
Han Li remained standing quietly under the pine tree, gazing into the distance.
After an unknown amount of time, the mist in the valley ahead suddenly churned, and a white streak shot out, flickering several times before appearing above Han Li.
“Brother Han, I’m fine now. Let’s leave this place together,” a graceful silver-robed woman appeared suddenly, smiling at Han Li.
“Good, let’s go. I’ve found a suitable place for our cave abode. We can settle down for a while,” Han Li replied with a gentle smile.
“Our own cave abode? Wonderful! I can’t wait to see it!”
Silvermoon’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
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