Han Li was now a name known to every cultivator in the Heavenly South, and the gathered cultivators quickly showed expressions of awe and reverence upon realizing his identity.
“If it’s Senior Han, then naturally there’s no need for an announcement. Senior Zhiyang has already instructed that you be granted immediate passage upon arrival. This junior will escort you to Spirit Turtle Island at once,” the palace-robed woman said respectfully, not daring to show the slightest negligence.
Han Li nodded without expression and said nothing further. The palace-robed woman issued a few commands to the cultivators behind her before guiding Han Li away in flight.
In the distance, a black dot gradually grew larger, revealing itself to be a small island spanning roughly twenty to thirty square kilometers.
“Senior Han, this is Spirit Phoenix Island, occupied by our Harmony Sect. The Spirit Turtle Island, where the Tai Zhen Sect resides, lies adjacent to it,” the woman explained carefully, knowing it was Han Li’s first visit.
Han Li glanced in the direction she indicated but saw no sign of another island, likely due to the distance. However, in another direction, the immense spiritual source was unmistakable—its overwhelming spiritual fluctuations unmistakably marked the legendary vortex that spewed vast amounts of spiritual energy.
Lost in thought, Han Li followed the palace-robed woman onward. It took another hour before they finally reached Spirit Turtle Island.
This island was slightly larger than Spirit Phoenix Island, and from above, its outline vaguely resembled a turtle.
Before approaching, the palace-robed woman had already sent a message talisman. Thus, as soon as they neared the island, a streak of white light flew out to meet them.
“Is that Fellow Daoist Zhiyang? It is too much honor for you to personally greet me,” Han Li called out, recognizing the familiar light and halting mid-flight.
“Haha, Fellow Daoist Han is a man of his word. It is only right that I welcome you in person,” Zhiyang the Transcendent replied cheerfully, his voice carrying clearly. The white light stopped ten zhang away, dissipating to reveal a Daoist priest.
Han Li smiled faintly and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Come, let us first gather at my cave abode. I have already informed Fellow Daoist Wei Wuyan. As for that old monster from the Harmony Sect, he is currently occupied with urgent matters and cannot join us,” Zhiyang said, dismissing the palace-robed woman before turning back to Han Li with a smile.
“Very well, as you say,” Han Li agreed without objection, and the two immediately flew toward the island.
Along the way, Han Li swept the island with his spiritual sense and frowned slightly. The island indeed housed an excellent minor spiritual vein, spanning about ten li. Surprisingly, there were no low-level cultivators present—only a handful of high-ranking ones. This puzzled Han Li.
Before long, under the Daoist’s guidance, Han Li entered a newly established cave abode nestled within an unremarkable stone mountain. The cave was spacious and well-kept.
After settling in a grand hall, two attendants served spiritual tea. Han Li took a sip before engaging in light conversation with Zhiyang.
The old Daoist, one of the three great cultivators, seemed reluctant to discuss the reason for Han Li’s summons. Instead, he leisurely described the surrounding sea and the sects occupying the Seven Spirit Islands, as if deliberately avoiding the main topic. Clearly, he intended to withhold any information until Wei Wuyan arrived.
Though inwardly displeased, Han Li maintained a composed demeanor and continued the casual exchange.
Within the time it took to finish a meal, Wei Wuyan arrived outside the cave. After being welcomed by the Daoist, he soon appeared in the hall.
Upon meeting Han Li, the usual pleasantries were exchanged. Outwardly, Wei Wuyan appeared radiant, his skin glowing with vitality—a stark contrast to his depleted state after the battle in the Fallen Devil Valley.
Han Li marveled inwardly. Given the severe depletion of Wei Wuyan’s true essence during that battle, his full recovery in such a short time suggested he had consumed no small number of precious elixirs.
Wei Wuyan wasted no time. As soon as he took his seat, he asked, “Brother Zhiyang, have you already briefed Fellow Daoist Han on the situation?”
“Not yet. Such matters are best discussed with at least two of us present. Since you are here, Brother Wei, why don’t you explain it to Fellow Daoist Han? I will supplement as needed,” Zhiyang replied calmly.
“Very well, I shall speak then. This matter can no longer be delayed—the consequences would be dire,” Wei Wuyan agreed after a brief consideration.
“Dire consequences?” Han Li’s interest was piqued. This was clearly no trivial matter.
“Fellow Daoist Han, I shall be brief. This matter is related to that ancient demon,” Wei Wuyan declared, startling Han Li.
“But wasn’t that demon severely wounded and forced to flee?” Han Li asked, puzzled.
“That is true. However, don’t you find the timing of the great vortex’s appearance suspicious? It emerged almost immediately after we drove the demon away. Moreover, we have found concrete evidence near the vortex. You may recall that during its final days, the demon slaughtered several cultivation families and minor sects. We later discovered that these groups either possessed or were rumored to possess demonic artifacts. Three such artifacts were indeed taken by the demon. Near the vortex, we found remnants of one of these artifacts—utterly destroyed by some immense force. Thus, we suspect the demon tampered with something here in the Endless Sea before being cornered and severely wounded elsewhere.”
“Is there something inherently wrong with this vortex? Otherwise, even if the demon interfered, the three of you wouldn’t be so gravely concerned,” Han Li ventured after a moment’s thought.
“Precisely. If the vortex merely spewed spiritual energy and revealed seven islands, we wouldn’t care. The issue is that this vortex is actually the eye of an ancient sealing formation of unimaginable scale. These seven islands are merely part of the formation. You can grasp the severity now,” Zhiyang interjected with a bitter smile.
“A sealing formation? What could require such a massive array?” Han Li’s expression shifted dramatically. Even without knowing the exact size, the sheer distance between the islands hinted at its enormity.
“That is what we wish to know. The sealed entity is undoubtedly tied to the ancient demon realm and the demon itself. Brother Zhiyang should elaborate, as he was the first to descend into the vortex’s depths,” Wei Wuyan said.
“What is there to say? You both saw it afterward. The vortex’s depths are filled with unfathomable demonic energy, suppressed only by the vast spiritual energy within the vortex. Should this energy fail, the demonic miasma would erupt, altering the spiritual essence of the entire Heavenly South. I suspect the Endless Sea’s current state may even be linked to these submerged demonic forces,” the Daoist said calmly.
“Yet, as you can see, the formation’s eye is already damaged. The spiritual energy within the vortex is gradually leaking. Eventually, it will no longer suppress the demonic energy below. When that happens, at least half of the Heavenly South will be affected, becoming unsuitable for cultivation. Your Falling Cloud Sect, bordering the Endless Sea, would suffer greatly,” Wei Wuyan added grimly.
Han Li fell silent.
“Since the three of you have summoned me, you must have a solution. Otherwise, if even you are powerless, what hope do I have?” Han Li said coolly, raising an eyebrow.
Though the demonic eruption would devastate his sect, the Devil Dao and Righteous Alliance would fare no better. While the Nine Nations Union might seem safe due to distance, the loss of spiritual lands would inevitably spark wars over resources. Thus, Han Li remained composed.
“Upon discovering this calamity, we scoured records for a solution. Surprisingly, we found information linking this sealing formation to the Great Jin cultivation world,” Wei Wuyan said, casting a peculiar glance at Zhiyang.
“Great Jin?” Han Li was genuinely taken aback.
“Do you know where we found these records?” Zhiyang asked with a wry smile.
“Could it be…?” Han Li guessed, his expression shifting.
“Indeed. The records were buried in an ancient, forgotten text within our sect. We also uncovered our Tai Zhen Sect’s origins—we were once a branch of the Great Jin’s ‘True Extremity Sect,’ relocated here to guard this ancient sealing formation,” the Daoist admitted with a mix of amusement and resignation.
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