Early the next morning, Elder Huashi appeared respectfully in the hall on the first floor of the pavilion, reporting to Han Li the messages conveyed by Frost Li the Transcendent during their recent encounter.
“So, Frost Li was indeed abducted by that Six-Winged Frost Centipede, and it seems he harbors quite a grudge against me,” Han Li mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“Frost Li confirmed this. The reason the Six-Winged Frost Centipede agreed so readily to act as bait was because Venerable Ming promised to persuade you, Master Han, not to trouble him for a thousand years,” Elder Huashi replied truthfully.
“I see. By the way, did you deliver those protective treasures I asked you to take to Frost Li?” Han Li asked impassively.
“This disciple has already delivered them.”
“Good. You may leave now. When the battle comes, stay as far away as possible,” Han Li nodded in satisfaction.
Elder Huashi bowed obediently and withdrew from the pavilion.
In the following days, Han Li remained quietly in the pavilion, meditating and conserving his energy, showing no intention of venturing out.
During this time, not only did other Great Ascension cultivators arrive at the Celestial Expanse one after another, but members of the Commerce Alliance also began setting up the Twofold Dust Annihilation Array in the Howling Abyss.
The two Profound Heavenly Treasures serving as the array’s cores were heavily fortified with layers of restrictions. Apart from Venerable Ming and a few Alliance elders, no one was permitted to approach.
However, the true spirits Venerable Ming had mentioned remained conspicuously absent. It was unclear whether they were hiding or would only be summoned on the day of the battle.
Over half a month later, as Han Li sat meditating in the pavilion, a crimson fireball suddenly materialized before him, exploding into sparks. A faint voice echoed through the room:
“Fellow Daoist Han, the target is nearing the Howling Abyss. It’s time for us to act. Come quickly to the hall where we last convened.”
Hearing this, Han Li’s expression turned serious. With a single hand seal, he transformed into a streak of azure light and shot through the roof, vanishing in a flash.
Within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, streaks of light converged from all directions onto the hall where they had previously gathered. By the time Han Li’s light dissipated and he appeared inside, over a dozen Great Ascension cultivators had already assembled. Among them were familiar faces like Madame Wu and Silver Armor, but also several unfamiliar ones.
A pair of male and female cultivators with strikingly similar features immediately caught Han Li’s attention.
Both appeared to be in their twenties—the man handsome and aloof, the woman beautiful and alluring. Yet, their bodies emitted a purplish-red aura, and the space around them within several feet occasionally twisted and blurred, giving them an eerie presence.
Even Silver Armor and the others seemed wary of this pair.
Venerable Ming sat at the head of the hall, listening to a report from a middle-aged man.
“Fellow Daoists Six-Winged have lured the demon to the edge of the Howling Abyss as agreed. At its current speed, it will enter the Twofold Dust Annihilation Array’s control zone within two or three hours at most. All Alliance disciples and elders have already taken their positions. The spirit-summoning ritual is also fully prepared and can commence at any time…”
“Good. Begin the summoning ritual in half an hour. As for the Twofold Dust Annihilation Array, no one is to activate it without my orders. Proceed with the rest as planned. I will soon join the others at the ambush site, and everything will be left to me,” Venerable Ming commanded with satisfaction.
The middle-aged man nodded and departed in a streak of light.
“As you’ve heard, the Alliance is fully prepared. With your combined efforts, we will surely suppress this true immortal. But let me be clear—if anyone hesitates or schemes otherwise, do not blame me for severing ties,” Venerable Ming declared sternly.
“Rest assured, Brother Ming. At this point, who would dare retreat?”
“Indeed. Should anyone jeopardize this, we will join forces to eliminate them.”
Some of the Great Ascension cultivators responded dismissively, while others voiced agreement.
“Fellow Daoist Ming, my sister and I have arrived, yet we still haven’t seen Xuan Jiuling. Has he changed his mind and decided not to involve himself?” the male of the newly arrived pair asked coldly.
Silver Armor and the others stirred at this.
“Fellow Daoist Yundan, rest assured. Xuan Jiuling arrived two days ago but has been refining a powerful secret technique and preparing for a separate task, hence his absence,” Venerable Ming replied politely.
This pair was none other than “Yundan and Yueshu.”
“I see. My sister and I have long heard of Xuan Jiuling’s reputation for slaying true spirits single-handedly and have been eager to meet him,” Yueshu said with a light laugh, though there was a hint of hostility in her tone.
Venerable Ming could only smile wryly, choosing not to engage further. Fortunately, the siblings did not press the matter and soon fell into silent conversation among themselves.
Relieved, Venerable Ming proceeded to brief the group on further details.
At that moment, Han Li heard Venerable Ming’s voice transmitting directly into his ear. After a few sentences, a flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly nodded in agreement.
Venerable Ming’s expression brightened slightly.
Soon after, the Great Ascension cultivators departed in streaks of light, heading for their designated ambush positions. In moments, only Venerable Ming, Han Li, and the Yundan-Yueshu siblings remained in the hall.
The pair eyed Han Li curiously before the man addressed Venerable Ming coolly:
“Fellow Daoist Ming, are you truly entrusting us with guarding the Profound Heavenly Treasures in the array? This is no small responsibility. Should anything go wrong, my sister and I would bear the blame.”
“You underestimate yourselves. If you two are not suited for this task, no one is. The Twofold Dust Annihilation Array is pivotal to our victory. As long as the Profound Heavenly Treasures remain secure, the array’s cores will hold, and the formation will operate flawlessly,” Venerable Ming replied earnestly.
“My sister and I always act together. We can only guard one core. I assume the other is entrusted to this fellow Daoist. Can he truly handle such a responsibility?” the man asked bluntly, gesturing at Han Li.
Han Li merely smiled, unperturbed.
“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Han is immensely capable. I would not entrust this to him otherwise,” Venerable Ming said vaguely, stifling a yawn.
“If you vouch for him, we have no objections. We will follow your arrangements,” Yueshu said with a sudden smile after studying Han Li again.
“Excellent. I will have someone escort you to your post,” Venerable Ming said cheerfully, clapping his hands lightly.
A Commerce Alliance guard entered and led the siblings away.
“Fellow Daoist Han, I leave the other array core to you. Any concerns?” Venerable Ming asked solemnly.
“You honor me, Brother Ming. I will do my utmost,” Han Li replied after a brief pause.
“To the capable, more is entrusted. With you and the Yundan-Yueshu siblings guarding the cores, the array is secure,” Venerable Ming laughed.
Han Li smiled faintly but said no more.
Another guard entered and escorted Han Li out. Once he was gone, Venerable Ming’s smile vanished, replaced by a frown.
“Are you certain this true immortal can bypass the realm’s laws and temporarily regain his full power? Otherwise, your plans are futile,” a strange male voice spoke from behind Venerable Ming as a shadowy figure emerged from his own shadow.
Unfazed, Venerable Ming replied calmly, “The battle records from Blood Sky, though fragmented, clearly show him transforming into a golden deity—proof he regained his true immortal strength. Otherwise, figures like Shadow Green wouldn’t have fallen so easily. The battle’s outcome hinges on whether your strike lands. Otherwise, we’ll share Shadow Green’s fate.”
“If he truly regains his immortal form, how could he withstand the Nine Tribulations Immortal-Slaying Art unprepared? This technique, passed down from our ancestors, is designed to break immortal bodies. Having refined nine true spirit souls for this single strike, it’s more than enough for a descended immortal,” the shadowy figure declared confidently.
“Indeed. Even at his peak, the immortal will be weakened by our preparations, unlikely to evade your strike. Once his immortal body is broken, his power will barely exceed that of a true spirit,” Venerable Ming agreed.
“But the others don’t know your plans. How many will survive is uncertain. Those four true spirits are likely cannon fodder,” the shadowy figure sneered.
“Necessary sacrifices. To defeat a full-powered immortal, we must pay a price. Besides, I’ve repeatedly warned them of the danger,” Venerable Ming replied indifferently.
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