“Although Fellow Daoist Han’s words are highly plausible, they remain speculative. Therefore, except for our fellow Nascent Soul cultivators, everyone should keep today’s discussions confidential for now to avoid unnecessary chaos. However, if the Mulan people are truly determined to wage a full-scale war against us, their highest-ranking Divine Masters will undoubtedly mobilize. These late-stage Nascent Soul spellcasters are beyond our capabilities to handle. I will notify Elder Wei Wuyan of our alliance to see if we can gather the Three Great Cultivators to address this matter.” After some deliberation, Lady Qi also offered her suggestion.
“Lady Qi speaks wisely. There’s no time to waste. After we return, we should immediately send word to our respective sects,” said a gaunt, sorrowful-looking elder, nodding in agreement.
The other cultivators, aware of the gravity of the situation, unanimously agreed without objection.
Next, the group discussed further details and decided to dispatch a batch of reinforcements to delay the Mulan people’s advance, buying time for the major forces of the Southern Sky to mobilize their forces. With that, the assembly concluded, and everyone hurriedly departed.
Han Li walked alongside the Lü surnamed cultivator and the Fire Dragon Child, but as soon as they stepped out of the hall, his expression flickered, and his brows furrowed slightly.
“What is it, Junior Brother? Is something the matter?” The Lü surnamed cultivator turned his head, noticing Han Li’s expression, and asked with some surprise.
“It’s nothing. An old acquaintance wishes to see me, so I must attend to them. Senior Brother Lü and Brother Lan, please go ahead. I’ll catch up shortly!” Han Li’s eyebrows arched slightly, but he quickly replied nonchalantly.
“Very well. Junior Brother Han, do as you see fit. I’ll return first to inform our fellow Daoists in the Heavenly Dao Alliance about today’s discussions and relay the message to our senior brother to determine how our alliance should handle this matter.” The Lü surnamed cultivator nodded with a faint smile.
The Fire Dragon Child, however, curled his lips and wore a mischievous grin.
Han Li clasped his hands in a brief salute and strode leisurely in another direction, his steps deceptively slow yet covering ground swiftly.
After exiting the hall, the Lü surnamed cultivator glanced in the direction Han Li had disappeared after walking only a few steps.
“What’s the matter, Brother Lü? Are you concerned?” The Fire Dragon Child beside him asked with a knowing smirk.
“Concerned? Why should I be?” The Lü surnamed cultivator’s heart stirred, but his expression remained unreadable as he countered.
“Even if I don’t say it, Brother Lü must have guessed. This Fellow Daoist Han was once a disciple of the Yellow Maple Valley, and that old fox Linghu is in the same predicament as your senior brother—both nearing the end of their lifespans. Currently, apart from Linghu, Yellow Maple Valley has no other Nascent Soul cultivators. I imagine Linghu is already frantic. After all, for a minor sect, it might not matter, but for a major faction like Yellow Maple Valley, the absence of a Nascent Soul cultivator could lead not only to decline but even to annihilation. And just now, someone clearly sent a voice transmission to Fellow Daoist Han. If it wasn’t Linghu, I’d be very surprised.” The Fire Dragon Child smirked.
“How did Brother Lan learn about Junior Brother Han’s past affiliation? I don’t recall mentioning it to you,” the Lü surnamed cultivator deflected, his tone thoughtful.
“Why would I need Brother Lü to tell me? When your sect suddenly gained such a young new elder, our Ancient Sword Sect naturally investigated. It’s hardly a secret—just a simple inquiry.” The child replied candidly, without concealment.
Hearing this, the Lü surnamed cultivator could say little in response. After a moment’s contemplation, he shook his head. “Junior Brother Han meeting an old acquaintance isn’t strange. If he had wanted to return to Yellow Maple Valley, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until now?”
“That may be true, but Linghu is cunning. If he invited Fellow Daoist Han, he must have some leverage to persuade him,” the Fire Dragon Child retorted dismissively.
The Lü surnamed cultivator fell silent. After a long pause, a trace of worry finally surfaced on his face, and he sighed deeply. “Let fate decide. If Junior Brother Han truly wishes to return to Yellow Maple Valley, can my senior brother and I really bind him and stop him?” He smiled bitterly.
…
Han Li stood on a quiet side street, scanning his surroundings. Suddenly, his gaze settled on a two-story pavilion. The structure wasn’t particularly tall, standing only about twenty feet high, with a small banner at its entrance bearing the character for “tea.” Outside, two Foundation Establishment-stage cultivators in yellow robes stood, watching Han Li.
Han Li smiled faintly and approached.
“Greetings, Senior Han! Our grandmaster awaits you inside,” the two said respectfully, clasping their hands in salute.
“Understood.” Han Li nodded and stepped inside without further ado.
The teahouse was eerily silent, seemingly empty. After a brief hesitation, Han Li ascended to the second floor. There, he found the space equally deserted, save for a single figure seated at a central table—a yellow-robed man with a sallow complexion, none other than Linghu the Elder, whom he had just parted with in the great hall.
Linghu sat calmly, sipping from a cup of tea.
Han Li’s eyes flickered, but he strode forward without hesitation, taking a seat opposite Linghu. Before him lay a prepared green teacup.
Without a word, Linghu gestured, and a teapot on the table floated up, tilting to pour half a cup for Han Li before settling back down.
“The spirit tea here is quite good. Please, try it,” Linghu said mildly, his eyes half-lidded as he regarded Han Li.
Han Li smiled, picked up the cup, and examined the clear, emerald-green liquid.
“Indeed, it surpasses ordinary spirit tea,” he remarked after a sip, his expression unchanged.
“Heh. It seems Fellow Daoist Han also appreciates fine tea. My choice of venue was apt,” Linghu said leisurely, setting down his cup.
“You didn’t summon me here just to sample tea, did you? Speak plainly,” Han Li said calmly, cutting to the chase.
It was clear Linghu had recognized him, and Han Li had an inkling of his intentions.
“Since Fellow Daoist is direct, I shall be as well. Would you consider returning to Yellow Maple Valley as an elder?” Linghu asked casually, as if discussing a trivial matter.
“Return to Yellow Maple Valley?” Han Li’s face betrayed no emotion as he stared at his teacup, silent.
“I won’t dwell on the rights and wrongs of the past. I merely wish to inform you that my lifespan is nearly exhausted—I have at most twenty years left. If you return, Yellow Maple Valley will effectively be yours. Surely you wouldn’t hold a grudge over such a minor past incident?” Linghu’s eyes gleamed as he spoke slowly.
“I bear no resentment over the past. Had I been in your position, I might have done the same. However, I am now a member of Falling Cloud Sect and have no intention of switching allegiances. Fellow Daoist Linghu should seek another cultivator,” Han Li replied, meeting Linghu’s gaze and shaking his head.
“I know you’re with Falling Cloud Sect now. But they already have two elders—wouldn’t you chafe under their authority? Wouldn’t sole control be more satisfying?” Linghu countered with a cold laugh.
“You misunderstand. I didn’t join a sect for power. I sought a suitable place for cultivation. Wielding sect authority holds no interest for me,” Han Li said, his lips curling slightly in faint derision.
Linghu frowned briefly but quickly smoothed his expression.
“Fellow Daoist Han may not yet realize the benefits of leading a sect. Rare spirit herbs and materials would come to you effortlessly, and your status in the cultivation world would rise dramatically. Moreover, even if you lack interest, surely you feel some loyalty to your former sect? Without a Nascent Soul cultivator, Yellow Maple Valley could be wiped out overnight by rival sects. What then of your former fellow disciples?” Linghu appealed to sentiment.
“Spirit herbs and materials are no concern in Falling Cloud Sect either. As for status and reputation, I care even less. The rise and fall of sects is natural—even long-standing ones eventually fade. As for my former peers, each has their own fate. I won’t interfere,” Han Li replied indifferently, unmoved.
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