“Since we can confirm that the other party is an immortal descending to this realm, do we know their purpose for coming to the Spirit Realm? You must understand that our realm has long lost contact with the Immortal Realm. For an immortal to forcibly descend here, they would not only have to endure the suppression of the realm’s laws but also pay an unimaginable price to accomplish such a feat. I find it hard to believe they simply fell into our realm by accident,” the old man said, taking a deep breath.
“I truly don’t know much about this. I haven’t received any similar information from the Helian Trade Alliance either. Apart from the fallen fellow cultivators and the countless beings sacrificed in the blood ritual, it seems no one has been able to make contact with this immortal, let alone uncover their purpose for descending,” Han Li replied, shaking his head.
“If I were in charge of the Trade Alliance, I would spare no effort to investigate this matter,” Mo Jianli stroked his beard and chuckled.
“Brother Mo makes an excellent point. Very well, I will immediately relay this suggestion to Venerable Ming and see if there’s a way to accomplish this. However, I doubt the chances are high,” Han Li nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
“No matter how slim the chance, we must strive for it. If we can uncover the immortal’s purpose for descending, we may very well grasp their weakness. Whether in battle or negotiation, this would be invaluable,” Mo Jianli said gravely.
“Aside from this, does Brother Mo have any other useful suggestions?” Han Li pressed the old man further.
“Earlier, I heard you mention that two of your acquaintances have incurred this immortal’s enmity and were pursued all the way to the Thunder Continent before their whereabouts became unknown. Is this true?” Mo Jianli asked after a moment of thought.
“Venerable Ming personally confirmed this, so it’s likely accurate. These two old acquaintances of mine are not of the human race—one is a close friend, while the other’s allegiance remains uncertain,” Han Li replied with a light laugh.
“In that case, Brother Han, you should try to establish contact with them. Though we don’t know how they provoked this true immortal, if we can track their movements, our race may gain some initiative,” Mo Jianli said slowly.
“Brother Mo, are you suggesting we use them as bait if necessary?” Han Li frowned.
“If that true immortal truly follows them to the Wind Origin Continent, where else could they hide? Whether to save their lives or to lure the immortal to a specific location, they may have no choice but to serve as bait. Venerable Ming of the Helian Trade Alliance likely shares this thought, which is why he explicitly informed you of this matter,” Mo Jianli said with a cold laugh.
“Hmm, as bait, they’ve already played that role once in the Blood Sky. Whether it will work again is uncertain. We’ll discuss this in detail later. However, if they truly seek refuge with our human race, they would likely cooperate willingly, both out of reason and sentiment. But contacting them now won’t be easy. Once I return, I’ll instruct my subordinates to handle this,” Han Li said after a long pause, nodding.
“If these two fellow cultivators are willing to cooperate, that would be ideal. As for whether the true immortal will take the bait, Brother Han, you needn’t worry. Given their audacity in sacrificing countless lives, their arrogance is evident. They likely don’t even regard us lower-realm cultivators as worthy of attention—even if they recognize a trap, they’d step into it without hesitation. Let’s hope this immortal’s purpose doesn’t bring them to the Wind Origin Continent. Otherwise, even if you all unite to defeat them, the continent will likely be bathed in blood, and the races will pay a heavy price. After all, this is a genuine immortal!” Mo Jianli said with a bitter smile.
“Given this immortal’s unfathomable power, schemes and tactics may indeed be of little use. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Han Li sighed in agreement after a moment of silence.
“Indeed, Brother Han, your decision to join forces was fundamentally correct. No single race on the Wind Origin Continent could stand against this immortal alone. Unfortunately, my strength is mediocre among the Mahayana cultivators, so I can’t offer much help. But rest assured, upon my return, I’ll focus on cultivation to improve my strength as much as possible. During this time, I’ll handle all clan affairs. I’ll expedite the temporary evacuation of densely populated cities, relocating most people to remote areas for safety. This way, even if our human race is affected, we can minimize losses. Additionally, I’ll reinforce these cities with powerful restrictions to prepare for the worst,” Mo Jianli said, first with a hint of shame, then with resolve.
“Brother Mo’s words are wise. Let’s proceed as you’ve suggested. I won’t linger here any longer and will return to the Green Origin Palace tomorrow,” Han Li agreed readily after a moment’s thought.
After conversing in the hall for over an hour, Mo Jianli finally rose to take his leave. Han Li and Nangong Wan escorted this human Mahayana cultivator to the deck, watching as he transformed into a white streak of light and vanished into the distance.
“Husband, do you truly plan to go into seclusion again upon your return?” Nangong Wan asked, turning to Han Li once the streak of light had disappeared.
“That is indeed my intention. During this journey, I’ve acquired several profound secret techniques. While mastering them all in a short time is unlikely, every bit of understanding could prove invaluable later,” Han Li mused, stroking his chin.
“Your reasoning is sound. I just never imagined that upon returning to our clan, the entire human race would face such a calamity. For us cultivators, the path forward is never easy,” Nangong Wan said, her eyes flickering with a trace of melancholy.
“Wan’er, you’re overthinking it. We cultivators defy the heavens—trials and tribulations are part of the journey. We simply break through them. Hah, battling others is trivial; the true joy lies in challenging the heavens themselves!” Han Li laughed heartily before turning and striding back into the cabin.
Nangong Wan was momentarily taken aback by his demeanor but soon recalled something, a faint smile gracing her lips as she followed him with lightened steps.
The next day, the colossal black ship hovering above Tianyuan City trembled before roaring into the sky and departing.
…
Two months later, the black ship descended slowly onto the plaza before the Green Origin Palace on Yuanhe Island in the Boundless Sea.
Below, the massive plaza echoed with thunderous cheers. Tens of thousands of human and demon cultivators knelt on the stone ground, welcoming the return of their patriarch, Han Li.
A figure flashed on the deck as Han Li and Nangong Wan stepped down side by side, followed by Hua Shi, Zhu Guo’er, and others.
“Welcome back, Patriarch!” The voices of over ten thousand roared across the plaza, each face filled with reverence.
Han Li nodded without a word and strode toward the palace gates. Nangong Wan, though outwardly composed, was inwardly astonished. Though Han Li had mentioned establishing a foundation among the human race, she never imagined it would be on such a grand scale with so many disciples. After all, her husband had only recently ascended to Mahayana—even with the clan’s full support, she assumed it was still in its early stages.
At the palace entrance, Hai Dashao, Han Li’s personal disciple, stood respectfully with hands clasped. As Han Li approached, he stepped forward and bowed. “Disciple pays respects to Master, congratulating Master on his return to the palace.”
“Mm. This is your mistress, Nangong Wan. Pay your respects,” Han Li said impassively, gesturing to the white-robed woman beside him.
“Yue Tian pays respects to Mistress. Master has finally brought you home,” Hai Dashao exclaimed, overjoyed as he bowed deeply to Nangong Wan.
“Rise. So you are Gu Yuetian. I’ve heard much about you from your master. You truly cut a fine figure,” Nangong Wan said with a light laugh, appraising him.
“Many thanks for Mistress’s praise!” Hai Dashao beamed.
“Hmph, he’s all looks. If he put even a third of the effort into cultivation that Qilingzi does, his cultivation wouldn’t be so lacking,” Han Li said sternly.
“Disciple has been cultivating diligently, but how can I compare to Senior Brother’s obsession with training?” Hai Dashao muttered under his breath, though his voice was barely audible.
Nangong Wan couldn’t help but chuckle at this. Han Li heard it but ignored it, shooting his disciple a glare before leading the others into the palace.
The disciples in the plaza then rose under the guidance of their leaders and withdrew in orderly fashion, though they couldn’t help but gossip about the new mistress of the Green Origin Palace.
Once seated on the throne in the palace hall, Han Li had the Little Spirit Realm cultivators escorted away before turning to Hai Dashao. “Where is your Aunt Silvermoon? Why hasn’t she come to greet me?”
“Reporting to Master, Aunt Silvermoon entered seclusion shortly after your departure. She must be at a critical stage in her cultivation and thus unable to emerge immediately,” Hai Dashao replied, stealing a glance at Nangong Wan with a peculiar expression.
“Oh, Sister Silvermoon is still in seclusion? What a pity. I was hoping to reunite with her and reminisce about our days in the Mortal Realm. But since she’s still in the palace, there will be time for that later. Yue Tian, notify me the moment she emerges,” Nangong Wan said with a smile.
“Yes, Mistress. Disciple will remember!” Hai Dashao replied solemnly, though his darting eyes betrayed his thoughts.
Han Li rolled his eyes at his disciple’s antics before waving him off.
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