Chapter 2397: Shocking the Human Race

Before long, news spread that the three strongest warriors of the Green Spirit Tribe had been slain by a single human Great Ascension cultivator.

Upon hearing this, the neighboring tribes adjacent to the Green Spirit Tribe were greatly alarmed and immediately dispatched scouts to verify the truth of the matter.

After some time, the entire Minor Spirit Realm was thoroughly shaken by this event.

By then, the Ink Spirit Ark had long since flown out of the Green Spirit Tribe’s territory, heading straight toward the human settlement on the opposite side of the Minor Spirit Realm.

Several days later, within the human domain, atop a towering peak nearly ten thousand zhang high, several human powerhouses gathered around a stone table in an ancient-looking stone hall, engaged in serious discussion.

These humans—three men and one woman—all possessed cultivation levels at or above the Body Integration stage, their expressions grave as they spoke.

“Has the news been confirmed? Was it truly a human Great Ascension cultivator who annihilated those three Green Spirit elders along with their Ancient Tree Ancestral Spirits?” asked a dark-skinned middle-aged man in a booming voice.

“Although our spies couldn’t enter the Green Sea, judging by the reactions of the other tribes, the report is likely accurate. Otherwise, the Green Spirit Tribe wouldn’t have withdrawn all their forces back into the Green Sea within just a few days, sealing off their territory completely,” replied an elderly man with white hair, stroking his beard.

“But we all know that in the Minor Spirit Realm, our human race has never produced a Great Ascension cultivator—not in the past, and likely not in the future,” countered a beautiful woman in a blue robe, frowning slightly.

“That might have been true before, but have you forgotten about Fairy Yue? Given her astonishing talent, advancing from Void Refinement to the peak of Body Integration in such a short time, she might just break the legend of the Minor Spirit Realm’s lack of Great Ascension cultivators,” interjected a cold-faced man sharply.

“Fairy Yue’s talent is undeniable. In just two thousand years, she became the strongest among us, even capable of holding her own against the Green Spirit Tribe’s Ancient Tree Ancestral Spirits. But for her to break through to Great Ascension in the Minor Spirit Realm, where spiritual energy is insufficient, remains highly unlikely,” the blue-robed woman responded, her expression flickering slightly at the mention of Fairy Yue before shaking her head.

“Unlikely, but not impossible. With her monstrous talent, there’s still a sliver of hope,” the cold-faced man retorted bluntly.

“If Fairy Yue could indeed reach Great Ascension, it would be a blessing for us humans in the Minor Spirit Realm. But given her current state, she would need at least several more centuries of accumulation before attempting to break through. By the way, she’s currently cultivating an important secret technique—will she be able to attend this gathering?” the white-haired elder asked calmly.

“Rest assured, Elder Tie. Though Fairy Yue cannot leave seclusion now, I’ve already sent the relevant information directly to her retreat. I believe she will soon relay her response to us,” a gaunt man who had remained silent until now spoke up faintly.

“Good. Without Fairy Yue’s participation in such a critical discussion, I would feel uneasy. Now, where do you think this newly emerged human Great Ascension cultivator came from?” the white-haired elder nodded in satisfaction before posing another question.

“Where else? Most likely, he’s a Great Ascension cultivator from the outside world who managed to break into the Minor Spirit Realm,” the blue-robed woman said, raising an eyebrow.

“That is indeed the most plausible explanation. But if he is a human Great Ascension cultivator, he must have come from the Spirit Realm. And if he found a way in, he must also have the means to leave through the same passage. For us, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reach the Spirit Realm,” the dark-skinned man agreed.

“Only in the Spirit Realm would we have even a sliver of hope to advance to Great Ascension. Although other tribes have discovered exits from this realm before, none could withstand the terrifying force of the dimensional passage. If this human Great Ascension cultivator truly came from the outside, it would indeed be a great opportunity for us,” the cold-faced man mused, his eyes gleaming with fervor.

“However, we know little about the Spirit Realm. Whether this Great Ascension cultivator is truly from there or even a human remains uncertain. But one thing is clear—he will likely visit the human settlements here. We must prepare accordingly. If he harbors ill intent rather than kinship, we cannot afford to be defenseless,” the white-haired elder cautioned wisely.

“Elder Bai speaks sense. But given that this man single-handedly annihilated the three Ancient Tree Ancestral Spirits the Green Spirit Tribe relied upon, his power is unimaginable. If it comes to confrontation, only Fairy Yue would stand a chance against him, as she is the only one among us whose strength approaches that of a true Great Ascension cultivator,” the cold-faced man said, a sharp glint in his eyes.

“As for Fairy Yue emerging from seclusion soon—that may not be so easy. She is currently…” the gaunt man frowned, about to say more.

Just then, a clear chime sounded outside the hall, and a streak of silver light shot in. After a few flashes, it hovered above the group before transforming into a small silver sword that landed on the stone table.

Embedded in the silver sword was a pale white jade slip.

The group’s expressions shifted at the sight.

After a brief pause, the white-haired elder reached out and plucked the jade slip from the sword.

The sword trembled before transforming back into a silver streak and vanishing through the hall’s entrance in a flash.

The others’ gazes instantly locked onto the jade slip in the elder’s hand.

The elder pressed the slip to his forehead, closed his eyes slightly, and probed it with his spiritual sense.

Moments later, his expression shifted, and he opened his eyes with a hint of joy.

“It’s indeed a message from Fairy Yue via flying sword. She has promised that once this Great Ascension cultivator enters human territory, she will join us in meeting him.”

“Excellent! With Fairy Yue accompanying us, we can rest much easier,” the gaunt man exclaimed in delight.

The others also visibly relaxed.

After further discussion, the group dispersed from the stone hall to make preparations.

Meanwhile, in a secluded valley, within an ice-sealed chamber, a slender young woman in white robes sat cross-legged atop a radiant silver disc resembling the moon, deep in meditation.

Her form was as still as a statue, yet exuded an indescribable grace. Her delicate, jade-like face was veiled in a faint silver glow, obscuring her true features.

…

Over half a month later, above a mountain range bordering the human settlement, a thunderous roar echoed as a massive black ark, resembling a small mountain, streaked across the sky. After a few flashes, it shot deep into human territory.

Low and mid-tier cultivators in the mountains below gaped in astonishment.

Having lived in the Minor Spirit Realm for so long, they had never seen such a colossal flying treasure.

However, some sharp-eyed individuals immediately relayed news of the black ark’s arrival using specialized artifacts.

Thus, despite the striking appearance of the Ink Spirit Ark, no one dared intercept or question it as it sped through human airspace.

Two days later, after crossing a vast lake, the black ark came to a stop above several verdant hills.

“Senior Han, that’s where my mother’s cave abode is. Besides her and me, a few other relatives live in the surrounding peaks,” a voice brimming with joy rang out from the ark.

A silver streak flashed as Zhu Guo’er excitedly descended from the ark, darting toward one of the hills.

“It seems this girl truly missed home, rushing off without even a word of farewell,” a man’s amused voice remarked from the ark.

“Master Han, Guo’er has never been away from home for so long. Now that she’s finally back with her family, it’s only natural for her emotions to overflow,” another voice, filled with reverence, replied.

As the words faded, a faint cyan light shimmered in the air as Han Li and Hua Shi Lao Zu appeared before the ark, surveying the hills below.

Zhu Guo’er vanished into a stone wall halfway up one of the hills.

Han Li smiled faintly and waited quietly in the sky.

His senses easily detected observers from the other hills, cautiously watching him and the ark with specialized artifacts, too wary to show themselves.

After the time it takes to finish a meal, the stone wall where Zhu Guo’er had disappeared suddenly glowed, and an elegantly dressed woman emerged, accompanied by the tearful Zhu Guo’er.

“Junior Shi Xianyun pays respects to Senior! Guo’er told me how you saved her life outside. I am endlessly grateful,” the woman said, bowing deeply toward Han Li and Hua Shi Lao Zu in the sky.

“So you are Zhu Guo’er’s mother. Your cultivation is indeed impressive. Rise. I’ve come not only to return your daughter but also to ask a few questions,” Han Li said calmly, noting the woman’s Void Refinement cultivation.

“Of course, Senior. Please come to my humble abode. Though I lack fine tea or wine, I have a few rare spirit fruits I hope you’ll enjoy,” the woman replied respectfully.

“Very well. Since you offer, I won’t decline. Hua Shi, remain outside,” Han Li nodded before instructing Hua Shi Lao Zu.