Chapter 2344: Blood Crane City

“I wonder how much your alliance knows about the ancient altars scattered across the various continents?” Han Li finally spoke up.

“How much? What do you mean, fellow Daoist?” The monk seemed somewhat surprised.

“I mean, how many of these altars’ locations can your alliance roughly identify?” Han Li pressed further.

“As for other continents, this old man isn’t too sure. But for the Blood Sky Continent, our alliance has long since gathered information on many of these ancient altars—likely around seventy to eighty percent of the total. Why? Is Brother Han interested in such altars?” The monk asked curiously.

This was understandable. These ancient altars were mostly defunct relics, hardly worth the attention of beings at their level of cultivation.

“As for joining your alliance, I still need some time to consider. I can’t just agree so easily based on your words alone. However, I can agree to participate in the Battle of the Strong. But aside from the previously mentioned rewards, I have one additional condition,” Han Li stated.

“What condition?” The monk’s expression grew slightly solemn.

“During my time on the Blood Sky Continent, I hope to utilize some of your alliance’s information channels to obtain the intelligence I need in a timely manner. As for the data on the ancient altars, I want a detailed distribution map right now,” Han Li replied impassively.

“That’s simple enough. This old man agrees. As for the information on the ancient altars, I’ll have someone deliver it to you immediately after you leave,” the monk said, his expression relaxing as he readily agreed.

“Good. As long as your alliance keeps its word, I will definitely participate in the Battle of the Strong three years from now,” Han Li said with a faint smile.

“Given your status, Brother Han, your word is more than enough to reassure me. Here is a token—please keep it safe. When the Battle of the Strong is about to begin, it will notify you. At that time, you need only find any branch of our alliance, and they will arrange for your passage to the entrance of the minor world,” the monk said, producing a talisman disk.

“I’ll take this, then. We’ll regroup when the time comes,” Han Li said without hesitation, storing the disk in his bracelet with a wave of his hand.

The monk then spent some time detailing the precautions for the Battle of the Strong and provided Han Li with a more detailed map of the Blood Sky Continent before using a spell to send him out of the spatial pocket.

Outside the scroll, the coldly beautiful woman and the others saw a flash of light as Han Li reappeared before them, enveloped in a crimson glow.

“Master Han!”

“Senior!”

They exclaimed in surprise, some startled, others delighted, as they hurried forward to greet him.

“Rise. You needn’t worry,” Han Li said with a faint smile, gesturing for them to stand.

At this point, the coldly beautiful woman, seemingly having received instructions from Bi Ying, stepped forward and said respectfully, “Senior Han, the information you requested has already been sent for. It should arrive shortly. Please wait a little longer.”

“Having stayed this long, a little more time won’t matter,” Han Li replied calmly.

The woman dared not say more. After bowing, she retrieved the Eight Ghosts Devouring Buddha Scroll and retreated to the side to wait.

The round-faced youth, who had remained silent and deferential since Han Li’s return, stood quietly nearby.

After more than an hour, a streak of spiritual light appeared on the horizon—a crimson rainbow shooting toward them at an incredible speed. In just a few flashes, it hovered above them, circling in the air.

The coldly beautiful woman made a hand seal and beckoned upward. The crimson rainbow transformed into a red flying sword that descended, carrying a pale yellow jade slip.

“Senior, the information on the ancient altars has arrived,” she said, quickly handing the slip to Han Li.

Han Li took the jade slip and scanned it with his spiritual sense. After a moment, a satisfied expression crossed his face.

“Indeed, it’s quite detailed. I appreciate your alliance’s efforts. It’s getting late—time to set off.”

Without further ado, he stored the jade slip and flicked his wrist, sending out a black streak. With a thunderous roar, a fierce wind arose, and a massive black ship, as large as a small mountain, materialized in the sky.

It was the Ink Spirit Sacred Vessel.

The round-faced youth and the coldly beautiful woman gasped at the sight of the colossal ship, but Han Li had already boarded with Xue Po, Hua Shi, and the others. Moments later, the ship emitted a resonant hum and shot into the distance as a streak of black light.

In the blink of an eye, only the round-faced youth and the coldly beautiful woman remained.

But as the ship vanished into the horizon, the woman suddenly turned and bowed deeply to the youth, saying with utmost respect, “Lord Bi Ying, it seems Senior Han has agreed to assist. Congratulations—with his participation, our alliance’s chances in the Battle of the Strong have improved.”

“Heh, while this Han Li possesses extraordinary abilities, against the likes of the Ten Kings of the Underworld, the odds are still fifty-fifty at best. Still, given the circumstances, our alliance couldn’t find a more suitable external ally. Let’s just hope our opponents aren’t all figures like the Ten Kings,” the round-faced youth chuckled. His body suddenly expanded, and his features blurred, transforming into a gaunt, yellow-faced elder with cloudy eyes, clad in green robes.

The round-faced youth was none other than Lord Bi Ying himself in disguise.

It was unclear what concealment technique he had used to alter his appearance and suppress his cultivation to the Body Integration stage—or whether Han Li had truly been fooled.

…

“Senior, what urgent matter did the Merchant Alliance have for you? Will it affect our current mission?” Xue Po asked with some concern at the ship’s bow.

“Rest assured, fellow Daoist. The Helian Merchant Alliance merely sought a small favor. It won’t interfere with our original plans,” Han Li replied with a smile.

“In that case, this junior can relax,” Xue Po said, visibly relieved.

Han Li smiled faintly, then suddenly flicked his wrist and said, “Fairy Tian, you may show yourself now. The conversation I had with Fellow Daoist Bi Ying was rather confidential. I hope you’ll keep it to yourself and not disclose it to others.”

“Giggle, don’t worry, Brother Han. I’m not one to gossip. Besides, a mere minor world isn’t something our clan would covet. If we wanted one, we could acquire as many as we please at any time. I swear on my inner demons not to reveal this to anyone,” a melodious voice chimed in.

A graceful figure materialized before them—a stunning beauty in a light green robe, with snow-white skin, lustrous black hair, and delicate features, exuding an aura of spiritual energy. The only unusual feature was a pair of emerald-green horns peeking through her hair.

It was Tian Fei’er, restored to her true form.

Xue Po, Hua Shi, and the others were startled, but Han Li’s earlier words reassured them that she wasn’t an enemy, so they refrained from any hostile reactions.

“Given your clan’s wealth, I doubt you’d risk violating a heart demon oath. I’ll say no more,” Han Li nodded, seemingly at ease with her promise.

“Thanks to Brother Han’s help, I was able to escape safely. When the Dao Fruit Assembly comes, I’ll repay this kindness in full. For now, I won’t linger—I’ll be returning to my clan,” Tian Fei’er said cheerfully before bidding a crisp farewell.

Han Li naturally didn’t press her to stay. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she transformed into a streak of green light and sped off into the distance.

As for how she planned to leave the Spirit Realm, Han Li paid it no mind.

“Let’s go. I’ve obtained the general locations of the ancient altars. There seems to be one nearby. We’ll head there first,” Han Li ordered once Tian Fei’er was gone.

Hua Shi immediately complied, adjusting the ship’s course slightly and increasing its speed.

“Fellow Daoist Xue Po, come with me to the main hall. I have something to discuss,” Han Li added.

Xue Po, unsurprised, followed obediently.

Soon, the two were alone in the hall, one seated, the other standing.

“Now that you’ve set foot on the Blood Sky Continent, what are your plans? Our original agreement only stipulated that I’d protect you if you faced formidable enemies. As for recovering your original body, that’s still up to you,” Han Li said calmly.

“Senior, I’ve already given it thought. I plan to return to Blood Crane City, where I first found a clue. Though I discovered a mark left by my original body there, I was forced to flee due to pursuers and couldn’t investigate further. Given enough time, I’m certain I can uncover more leads,” Xue Po replied without hesitation.

“Blood Crane City… Wait, let me check its location,” Han Li murmured, retrieving the jade slip and scanning it again.

“It’s quite far. Without teleportation arrays, it would take half a year just to fly there. Fortunately, there are many ancient altars along the way, so it won’t interfere with my own tasks. Very well, we’ll head to Blood Crane City. But I’ll need to inspect every ancient altar we pass, which may slow us down somewhat,” Han Li declared after reviewing the map.

“Of course, I wouldn’t dare delay your important business, Senior. However, Blood Crane City is within the territory of the blood-path sect I’ve antagonized. We should proceed with caution,” Xue Po said, bowing deeply in gratitude.