Chapter 2415: Gathering of the Mighty

Apart from Ming Zun, there were three men and two women in the hall.

The three men included one who was burly, clad in black armor, with an exceptionally fierce appearance. Another was an elderly man with a face full of wrinkles, leaning on a golden dragon-headed cane.

The last man was a handsome young scholar, appearing no older than twenty, yet carrying an extremely peculiar green bamboo tube on his back.

The two women were strikingly different in appearance. One had a round, moon-like face, appeared to be in her thirties, and wore a yellow Daoist robe—she was a Daoist nun.

The other had slightly dark skin but was adorned with pearls and jade, dressed in a light-green palace gown, her eyes exceptionally lively.

“Yin Gangzi, you’re late this time. If I recall correctly, you love battles with powerful foes and are usually the first to arrive,” the armored giant laughed heartily, rubbing his bald head.

“*Heh heh*, I encountered some minor trouble on the way, delaying me a few days. Otherwise, I would have arrived even earlier than Brother Huaying,” Yin Gangzi replied casually, clearly familiar with the bald giant.

“Brother Yin, I’ve long heard of your *Creation Body*, yet in our several meetings, I’ve never had the chance to witness it. This time, our opponent is a true immortal from the Immortal Realm—surely you won’t miss the opportunity?” the palace-gowned woman chuckled.

“Lady Wu’s innate divine abilities are truly unparalleled in the Spirit Realm. My meager skills are nothing in comparison,” Yin Gangzi replied with forced deference, managing a stiff smile.

The other three did not speak to Yin Gangzi, but their gazes held faint amusement, indicating they were no strangers to him.

This was hardly surprising.

Each of them was a renowned powerhouse among the Mahayana cultivators, having lived for tens of thousands of years, and thus had crossed paths with one another at some point.

In contrast, they were far more intrigued by Han Li, a new face among them.

“Brother Ming, who is this fellow Daoist? I don’t believe we’ve met before,” the Daoist nun inquired after studying Han Li for a moment.

“This is Han Li of the human race. Though he has only recently advanced to Mahayana, I’m sure all of you have heard of his name,” Ming Zun replied with a smile.

“Han Li? The human Mahayana who slew the Mother of Soul Devourers in the Demon Realm?” the Daoist nun exclaimed in surprise.

“Killing that creature was not my achievement alone. The rumors have greatly exaggerated my role,” Han Li replied modestly.

The bald giant, the palace-gowned woman, and the others all showed varying degrees of astonishment.

Clearly, they were well aware of the fearsome reputation of the Mother of Soul Devourers.

“*Tsk tsk*, regardless, that creature was something even immortals couldn’t subdue. With your participation, our chances have just improved,” the bald giant remarked admiringly.

“Fellow Daoist Han, since you’ve only recently advanced to Mahayana, you may not be familiar with these esteemed individuals. Allow me to introduce them,” Ming Zun said, gesturing to the bald giant and the palace-gowned woman. “This is Huaying of the Giant Hand Clan, whose concealment techniques are unparalleled. This is Lady Wu of the Ancient Li Clan, whose innate *Zhurong Divine Flame* can boil seas and melt mountains…”

Though these figures were rarely known among ordinary cultivators, they were undoubtedly the true apex existences of the Spirit Realm.

“Brother Ming, we’re dealing with a true immortal this time. Surely we aren’t the only ones involved?” Yin Gangzi asked bluntly as he and Han Li took their seats.

“Of course not. Aside from those present, Fellow Daoist Leng of the Golden Stone Clan, the duo Yun Dan and Yue Shu of the Heavenly Cicada Clan, and Xuan Jiuling will also join us shortly,” Ming Zun replied without hesitation.

“Yun Dan and Yue Shu!”

“Xuan Jiuling!”

Yin Gangzi and the previously silent scholar exclaimed simultaneously.

Apart from Han Li, the others also showed subtle shifts in expression, clearly wary of these three.

“For those two troublemakers to agree to cooperate is truly rare. Brother Ming, how did you persuade them?” the scholar asked gravely.

“*Hmph*, Xuan Baling has renamed himself Xuan Jiuling? It seems he’s slain another True Spirit beyond the realm. That madman may be insane in his cultivation, but his powers grow ever more unfathomable. I, too, am curious how you convinced him,” Yin Gangzi added, his expression darkening.

“It was simple. For Yun Dan and Yue Shu, I merely promised the full support of our alliance in fulfilling three requests after this matter. Coincidentally, they recently sought our assistance with something important. As for Xuan Jiuling, I didn’t need to persuade him—I merely told him our target was a true immortal, and he agreed immediately. For him, the chance to battle an immortal is reward enough,” Ming Zun explained calmly.

“I see. Given his temperament, that makes perfect sense,” Yin Gangzi muttered.

The scholar’s expression flickered before he, too, fell silent.

“I originally invited a few others, but due to timing or other commitments, they couldn’t join us. Otherwise, our chances would have been slightly higher,” Ming Zun added regretfully.

“Is this immortal truly so fearsome? From your tone, even with our combined strength, victory isn’t assured. Yet according to ancient records, immortals who descended to our realm in the past, though stronger than True Spirits, were never capable of facing ten opponents at once,” the old man with the dragon-headed cane asked curiously after a light cough.

“I’m well aware of that. Against an ordinary immortal, our combined strength would suffice. But what if this immortal is among the strongest of their kind?” Ming Zun replied with a bitter smile.

“A top-tier immortal?” The old man frowned.

The others exchanged uneasy glances.

“Precisely. Based on this immortal’s actions in other continents, I’m certain they are no ordinary being like those of ancient times. They are akin to the difference between an average Mahayana cultivator and the likes of us—an apex existence among immortals. After all, they slaughtered over a dozen Mahayana in the Blood Sky Continent, including three on par with us, such as Bi Ying. We must not underestimate them,” Ming Zun warned gravely.

“I’ve heard of Bi Ying’s demise, as well as rumors of three True Spirits from the Thunder Continent joining forces against this immortal. But I also heard that when they appeared in the Wind Origin Continent, they were accompanied by a powerful servant. Do we know who this person is?” Lady Wu inquired sharply.

“Lady Wu is remarkably well-informed. Indeed, the immortal now has a follower. According to our intelligence, this servant is none other than the *Yang Deer*, one of the three True Spirits dispatched by the Horned Race,” Ming Zun replied after a brief hesitation.

“What? The Yang Deer? It wasn’t slain but instead subdued?” Everyone was visibly shaken.

Han Li stroked his chin, deep in thought.

“Indeed. Now you understand why I’ve been so cautious. In addition to all of you, I’ve also summoned four powerful True Spirits long revered by our alliance and prepared two *Profound Heavenly Treasures* to set up the *Twofold Annihilation Array*, ensuring the immortal cannot escape.”

“Four True Spirits and two Profound Heavenly Treasures? Your alliance is truly sparing no expense!” Yin Gangzi gasped.

The others were equally astonished.

“This is necessary. Our alliance exists to maintain the Spirit Realm’s stability. Even an immortal from the heavens cannot be allowed to disrupt its balance. Of course, given our contributions, if we succeed, our alliance will claim one-third of the immortal’s treasures, with the remainder divided among all participants. Any objections?” Ming Zun stated coolly.

Silence fell as the palace-gowned woman and the others exchanged uncertain glances.

Ming Zun waited patiently without pressing for an answer.

Han Li, however, was the first to break the silence with a light chuckle:

“Given your alliance’s efforts, claiming one-third is reasonable. But I have one condition: if any cultivation techniques or immortal secrets are found on the immortal, everyone must be allowed to copy them freely.”

“A fine suggestion! I concur,” Lady Wu immediately agreed.

“Indeed, I have no issue with the original terms, provided this addition is included,” the bald giant added.

The others quickly voiced their support.

Ming Zun’s expression flickered, but after a brief pause, he nodded. “Agreed.”

Satisfaction spread among the group, and the other Mahayana cultivators regarded Han Li with newfound goodwill.

After further discussions on strategy, the group dispersed hours later, each retiring to temporary lodgings within the Heavenly Expanse.

Han Li, declining company, chose a secluded spot on a massive boulder hundreds of feet wide, settling into a relatively intact pavilion-like structure.