As the sudden voice spoke, Han Li’s figure appeared at the entrance of the hall, walking in with a calm expression.
“Junior Brother Han, you’ve finally emerged from seclusion! This is truly wonderful!” While the other cultivators bowed in greeting to Han Li, Lü Luo rose with a beaming smile to welcome him.
“I haven’t fully completed my cultivation. I originally intended to continue seclusion, but I was somewhat concerned about the Mulan people, so I decided to come out and take a look first. It seems my timing was just right.” Han Li chuckled lightly.
“Haha! It seems you overheard the discussions of our junior disciples earlier. However, many have been eager to meet you recently. Others can wait, but tomorrow’s high-level gathering, personally hosted by the Three Great Venerables, is something you must attend. After all, our Falling Cloud Sect has mobilized most of its strength this time, and I don’t want our disciples to suffer heavy losses. It would be good for you to hear how the leaders plan to arrange this battle, so I can have some peace of mind,” Lü Luo said with a grave expression.
“Mm, now that I know about it, I’ll definitely attend tomorrow. I’ve long admired the Three Great Venerables and look forward to the gathering,” Han Li readily agreed.
His response pleased Lü Luo, who then proceeded to update Han Li on recent events over the past two months.
“The Mulan spellcasters have begun sending forces to attack several boundary formations!” Hearing this, Han Li frowned slightly.
“Indeed, this only started three or four days ago. Though there have been no casualties yet, it’s a clear sign that the Mulan people are nearly ready,” Lü Luo replied, his smile fading as his tone turned serious.
“If the Mulan are almost prepared, how about our own forces? They should be nearly ready too, right?” Han Li’s eyes flickered as he asked slowly.
“Our situation is different from the Mulan. Though their spellcasters are composed of various tribes, making them somewhat disorganized, they’re nothing compared to the sheer number of sects in the South Sky. Grouping our forces based on cultivation techniques, magical treasures, or even cultivation levels is far more complicated. Moreover, the Mulan have been preparing for this invasion for a long time, while we’ve only just begun organizing. Fortunately, the four major factions are united this time, and we’re about seventy to eighty percent ready. Even if war breaks out immediately, we’re not without the strength to fight,” Lü Luo explained.
“So, it seems war is truly imminent,” Han Li mused, rubbing his nose with a somber expression.
“Most likely. Otherwise, the Three Great Venerables wouldn’t have gathered so quickly or hastily arranged tomorrow’s meeting. After all, mid-Nascent Soul cultivators are the pinnacle of power in the South Sky,” Lü Luo sighed helplessly.
Listening to the discussion between Han Li and Lü Luo, the other cultivators in the hall couldn’t help but adopt solemn expressions. However, Han Li suddenly shifted the topic, inquiring about the recent arrangements for the Falling Cloud Sect’s disciples. Lü Luo and the others answered him in detail.
Upon hearing that most of the Falling Cloud Sect’s disciples had been dispersed into several teams and were training daily in group combat tactics, Han Li nodded without comment. Such arrangements were normal—this wasn’t a battle of individual cultivators. Even the most formidable cultivator, if simultaneously attacked by thousands of well-trained spellcasters, would meet a bitter end. Of course, high-level cultivators usually avoided such perilous situations. As long as they weren’t trapped by organized forces, they could unleash large-scale spells to wipe out lower-level cultivators en masse. Thus, countering the enemy’s high-level cultivators was equally crucial.
The upcoming battle between cultivators and spellcasters would likely follow a similar dynamic.
If either side’s high-level cultivators or Mulan High Priests failed to counterbalance the other, they would already be at a severe disadvantage before the fighting even began. So while Han Li inquired about the Falling Cloud Sect, his mind was already pondering the true intentions behind the Three Great Venerables summoning mid-Nascent Soul cultivators.
This meeting would likely not only discuss troop movements but also strategize against the Mulan High Priests.
Thinking this, Han Li inwardly smirked. Over the past two months, he had not only completely purified the green flames from his Emerald Swarm Sword but had also used Divine Annihilation Lightning to refine seven or eight thunder pearls from the flames infused with Azure Essence Sword Qi. The rest had failed and dissipated, leaving Han Li somewhat amused—this was an excellent method to eliminate those troublesome green flames.
After chatting a while longer, Han Li excused himself and left the hall, returning to the pavilion prepared for him to rest and recuperate. The past two months of tirelessly purifying the sword flames and immediately refining thunder pearls had left him thoroughly exhausted.
The next morning, Han Li set out from his residence and leisurely made his way toward the central district. Before long, the outline of a massive stone hall came into view.
Since the entire Tianyi City had been hastily constructed, even the grand hall reserved for the four major factions was plain and somewhat crude. Aside from being slightly larger than the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s meeting hall, it was nearly identical. However, the guards at the entrance were several Core Formation cultivators.
Upon spotting Han Li’s approach, they scanned him with their spiritual sense and immediately stepped forward. One of them bowed respectfully and said, “Esteemed Senior, today’s meeting is restricted to mid-Nascent Soul cultivators and above. May I ask if you—”
“Here.” Before the man could finish, Han Li flicked his wrist and tossed over a white jade slip—the invitation he had received the previous day.
“Ah, Senior Han! My apologies for the oversight. Please enter!” The guard quickly scanned the slip with his spiritual sense and stepped aside with an apologetic expression.
Han Li smiled faintly and took two steps forward, but suddenly paused and turned his head. From a nearby street, two figures were approaching—one in front, one behind, a man and a woman.
The man appeared to be in his early twenties, dressed in luxurious brocade robes, with fair, almost translucent skin and strikingly handsome features. His every movement exuded charm and grace. Yet upon closer inspection, one could detect a trace of weariness in his eyes, and faint crow’s feet at the corners that belied his youthful appearance, adding at least a decade to his perceived age.
Strangely, the first impression this man gave was an indescribable aura of feminine softness, as if he were a woman disguised as a man—an utterly bizarre sight.
The moment Han Li saw him, his heart tightened, and his expression turned solemn. This was a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, undoubtedly here for the meeting. Given his eerie demeanor, he was likely a demonic path cultivator—but from which sect?
Han Li’s thoughts raced as his gaze shifted slightly to the woman half a step behind the man. “Huh?” He couldn’t help but let out a soft exclamation of surprise.
The woman was young and beautiful, clad in a dazzling red dress. With each graceful step, her curvaceous figure swayed enticingly, exuding an alluring charm. But when Han Li clearly saw her face, his expression first turned peculiar, then settled into a faint, bitter smile.
Dong Xuanyu! It was actually her!
Now, without needing to guess, Han Li knew the youthful-looking old monster in front of her was undoubtedly a cultivator from the Joyous Union Sect, the foremost demonic sect. After all these years, Dong Xuanyu had reached mid-Core Formation—surprising, given her mediocre spiritual roots.
Han Li’s motionless stare at the entrance naturally drew the attention of the guards, who also turned to look. Upon seeing the man, most of them paled. One muttered uneasily, “I never expected the Ancient Devil of the Joyous Union Sect to come as well.”
“Ancient Devil?” Hearing this, Han Li immediately recalled a certain figure. Aside from the late-Nascent Soul Patriarch of the Joyous Union Sect, there was another infamous old monster surnamed Gu. Born with a unique constitution—both yin and yang—he cultivated the Joyous Union Sect’s most formidable demonic arts, specializing in dual cultivation. He called himself “Cloud Dew True Person,” while others referred to him as “Cloud Dew Devil.”
Whether due to his cultivation techniques or his innate nature, this old devil was notorious for his insatiable lust, frequently abducting men and women for his pleasure. Few escaped his notice if they caught his eye, earning him the enmity of many sects. Yet his profound cultivation, reclusive habits, and backing from the Joyous Union Sect made him untouchable. Moreover, he wasn’t particularly bloodthirsty—after “using” his captives, he usually released them. Their sects and elders, forced to save face, often suppressed the truth and grudgingly accepted the humiliation. Thus, his reputation in the South Sky’s cultivation world was one of dread. Young cultivators would flee at the mere mention of his name, and those who couldn’t escape would tremble in fear, praying not to attract his attention.
Could this young-looking man be that old monster? Though Han Li wasn’t afraid of him, he still felt uneasy.
Coincidentally, the handsome man also noticed Han Li standing at the entrance. Narrowing his eyes, he studied Han Li from afar before suddenly flashing a smile—one that carried a hint of coquettish charm.
A chill ran down Han Li’s spine. Forcing a polite smile in return, he ignored Dong Xuanyu’s startled expression upon recognizing him and strode into the grand hall without looking back. He had no desire to interact with such an old monster.
“What’s wrong? Do you know that man? Your heartbeat just quickened noticeably,” the young-looking man asked indifferently as he leisurely approached the hall, his smile vanishing the moment Han Li disappeared from view.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage