“What major event? I just emerged from seclusion a few days ago, do tell me!” Han Li said with an indifferent expression.
“If the senior asks, of course, this junior will tell the truth. But may I ask for the senior’s esteemed name?” the old man asked cautiously, hands at his sides.
Hearing this question, Han Li was slightly surprised. After tilting his head in thought for a moment, he replied with a half-smile, “Seems you’re quite cautious. I am a guest elder of the Miaoyin Sect, surnamed Han. Have you heard of me?”
“So it’s Elder Han of the Miaoyin Sect! Then we are certainly not outsiders. Our sect’s Snow Flute Fairy and your sect leader, Violet Spirit Fairy, are close friends! Our two sects have always been on good terms.” Upon hearing Han Li introduce himself, the old man breathed a sigh of relief and spoke with a beaming smile.
Seeing the other party display such an expression of camaraderie, Han Li was momentarily taken aback before chuckling softly.
His laughter caused the old man’s expression to stiffen, making him somewhat uneasy. “Did I say something wrong?” the old man wondered suspiciously.
“I never involve myself in sect affairs, and I don’t care whether what you say is true or false. Just answer my questions properly, and I won’t trouble you without reason. Now, tell me what’s been happening lately. What major event has occurred?” Han Li’s smile faded as he spoke.
“How would I dare deceive you, Senior? What I said earlier was absolutely true… It happened like this.” The old man forced a smile, nearly swearing an oath. But under Han Li’s cold gaze, he quickly began his account.
“Some time ago, a rumor suddenly spread through the Chaotic Star Seas that the Twin Saints of Heavenly Star had mastered the Divine Essence Absorption Light and were about to emerge from seclusion. The Star Palace intended to use this opportunity to purge some disobedient or uncontrollable forces. Initially, most people thought it was just another baseless rumor. However, not long after the rumor began circulating, the Star Palace actually issued Heavenly Star Orders to all major and minor factions. The orders demanded that all sect leaders and island masters present themselves at Heavenly Star City to pay homage to the Twin Saints upon receiving the order. Failure to comply would result in extermination under the charge of disrespect toward the Star Palace.” The old man explained in detail.
“Ordering all factions to pay homage to the Twin Saints? That can’t be right! Would the Star Palace issue such an obviously provocative command?” Han Li narrowed his eyes, sounding skeptical.
“Exactly! When the Heavenly Star Orders reached all the factions, most people were stunned! If the Star Palace were at the peak of its power, such an order might make sense. But now, with both the righteous and demonic paths rivaling its strength, this move is perplexing.” The old man also wore a bitter smile as he spoke.
“Then all the cultivators I encountered along the way are heading to pay homage to the Twin Saints?” Han Li scrutinized the group again, frowning slightly.
“That’s hard to say!” The old man hesitated, his reply vague.
“Hard to say? What do you mean?” A flicker of surprise crossed Han Li’s face as he asked curiously.
“Senior, there’s more to the story. Not long after the Star Palace issued the Heavenly Star Orders, the righteous and demonic paths suddenly announced their alliance, forming an organization called the ‘Reverse Star Alliance.’ They declared their intention to break the Star Palace’s hegemony over the Chaotic Star Seas and put an end to its rule. Wan Sangu, the chief protector of the righteous Ten Thousand Laws Sect, and the current top figure of the demonic path, the ‘Six Paths Extreme Saint,’ jointly lead the Reverse Star Alliance as its two chiefs. As soon as the alliance was formed, numerous sects and organizations affiliated with the righteous and demonic paths rushed to join. Many other factions also responded, and dozens of rogue Nascent Soul cultivators joined as well, taking up positions as elders. The Reverse Star Alliance, following the Star Palace’s example, issued tokens of their own called Reverse Star Orders. They declared that any faction responding to the Twin Saints’ summons would automatically become enemies of the alliance and would not be spared. Moreover, they announced plans to attack Star City soon and invited other factions to observe the battle to declare their stance.” The old man wore a helpless expression.
By this point, although Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, he was inwardly stunned. Such a major event had occurred during the short time he was trapped in the Void Heaven Hall—it was entirely unexpected!
For a moment, Han Li’s thoughts were in turmoil.
Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he looked at the old man calmly. “What do these Reverse Star Orders look like? Do you have one with you?”
“Our sect received one, but it’s with our sect leader. However, I’ve copied the token’s appearance onto a jade slip. Would you like to see it, Senior?” The old man was momentarily taken aback but then offered ingratiatingly.
“Mm, let me see.” Han Li nodded coldly.
Hearing this, the old man immediately rummaged through his storage pouch, retrieved a yellow jade slip, and respectfully handed it to Han Li with both hands.
Without ceremony, Han Li took it and quickly scanned it with his spiritual sense. His expression shifted slightly.
It was indeed identical to the ghost-faced pattern the Six United Halls elder had shown to Wuchou that day. Although the shape had been slightly altered, it undoubtedly originated from the same source. It seemed the righteous and demonic paths had long been colluding in secret, carefully planting spies in other factions for many years.
Though inwardly shocked, Han Li maintained a neutral expression as he returned the jade slip to the old man.
“So, you’re heading near Heavenly Star City to observe the impending battle between the Star Palace and the Reverse Star Alliance before deciding which side to take,” Han Li remarked casually.
Hearing this, the old man looked somewhat embarrassed.
“Yes, Senior. The few of us are indeed under our sect leader’s orders to assess the situation. After all, our Three Immortals Sect isn’t a major power, so we can only adapt to circumstances. However, during this time, the Reverse Star Alliance has already launched attacks on the outer islands of Heavenly Star City and gained the upper hand. Some islands have even openly defected to the alliance. The next phase will likely involve seizing the inner islands. Meanwhile, some ill-intentioned individuals are taking advantage of the chaos to cause trouble. Many rogue cultivators and minor sects have met with disaster—either found dead in the wilderness or completely wiped out.” The old man added worriedly, explaining why traveling cultivators were so cautious.
“So that’s how it is. Very well, since the matter is now clear, you may go.”
Satisfied with the old man’s answers, Han Li waved his hand lightly and spoke indifferently.
“Then this junior will take his leave.” Overjoyed by Han Li’s words, the old man hastily bowed and prepared to depart.
Although Han Li didn’t seem particularly vicious, being near an unfamiliar Core Formation cultivator still made him nervous. Without delay, he led his group away swiftly.
Han Li remained standing in place, lost in thought.
The outbreak of war between the Star Palace and the righteous-demonic alliance was a mixed blessing for him. On the positive side, the conflict would undoubtedly consume most of the attention of those old monsters. Since they were all affiliated with either the righteous or demonic paths, they would inevitably be drawn into the fray. This meant they wouldn’t be able to focus fully on investigating the Void Heaven Cauldron or him, increasing his safety.
On the negative side, the war would complicate his return to Heavenly Star City. At the very least, inspections of entering cultivators would become much stricter, especially for Core Formation cultivators like him. Moreover, if the war erupted before he could return to Heavenly Star City, his chances of entering would likely be ruined. The Star Palace wouldn’t allow random cultivators to enter the city under such circumstances.
Thinking of this, Han Li sighed inwardly.
Over the next few days, he intercepted several groups of low-level cultivators, but their accounts were largely similar.
Now, Han Li hovered above the sea, gazing into the distance with a hesitant expression.
He looked up at the azure sky, then suddenly flipped his palm, revealing a small green vial—the one containing the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk.
Looking at the vial, Han Li wore a resigned expression. Using this treasure so soon felt like a terrible waste! But if he didn’t, the Reverse Star Alliance might launch their offensive before he could reach Heavenly Star City, making it impossible to enter or use the teleportation array to escape to the outer seas.
After pondering for a long while, Han Li gritted his teeth, opened the vial, and carefully poured a few drops of the transparent, viscous liquid into his mouth.
He then stored the vial away, donned the blood-red cloak, and instantly transformed into a streak of blood light, vanishing without a trace.
Over the next half-month, whenever his magic power dwindled, Han Li would directly consume a few drops of spirit milk and continue traveling without rest using the blood cloak ancient treasure. This method significantly shortened his original travel time, allowing him to move almost as fast as an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.
As a result, some Core Formation cultivators who occasionally crossed paths with him mistook the blood light-enveloped Han Li for a Nascent Soul senior and quickly made way, not daring to obstruct him for even a moment.
Naturally, no one dared to entertain any ill intentions toward this “Nascent Soul expert.”
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