The old man’s eyes flickered a few times before he flipped his hand, and a white jade slip appeared in a flash of white light.
The red-haired elder muttered an incantation and pointed a finger at the jade slip.
Immediately, a halo bloomed on the surface of the jade slip, and lifelike portraits rapidly cycled through it.
The red-haired elder watched the shifting images coldly, standing completely still.
Suddenly, the halo trembled, and the portraits froze.
The image of a man in a green robe, standing with his hands behind his back, was unmistakably Han Li.
“So it is this newly ascended Grand Ascension cultivator from the human race. His strength is extraordinary, far surpassing that of ordinary Grand Ascension cultivators. It seems we must treat him with the highest protocol,” the red-haired elder murmured thoughtfully, clapping his hands lightly with a “pa” sound.
A ripple appeared on one of the hall’s walls, and a woman in purple palace attire, her face veiled with a light gauze, appeared before the elder in a flash.
“Greetings, Chief Steward. Do you have any orders?”
“Feiyun, arrange for someone to receive this Daoist Han Li shortly. Treat him according to the alliance’s highest-tier guest protocol. Ensure he is thoroughly satisfied with our service,” the red-haired elder said slowly.
“Highest protocol? Understood. I will personally oversee his reception and ensure he has no complaints,” the purple-robed woman replied respectfully, though inwardly startled.
“Good. I trust your competence. Make haste with the arrangements. He has already entered the Profound Heaven Gate. Here is his dossier—study it carefully to avoid any missteps.”
The red-haired elder nodded, tapped the jade slip again, and produced another one, tossing it to her with a flick of his wrist, clearly placing great trust in her. The purple-robed woman caught it gracefully, bowed, and then vanished like a phantom from the hall.
The red-haired elder then waved his sleeve, and the halo dissipated into mist.
At the same time, a middle-aged man in scholarly robes shimmered into view on the stone wall, clasping his fists toward the elder before speaking.
“Chief Steward, the final batch of auction items has safely arrived and been stored.”
“Excellent. These items are exceptionally precious—some were even personally requested by our alliance’s elder stewards. Ensure their absolute security. Also, immediately prepare the security forces for the auction. All restriction arrays must be inspected at least three times…” the red-haired elder began issuing detailed orders.
—
As soon as Han Li stepped through the massive light gate, a flash of white light enveloped him, and he found himself standing atop a stone platform dozens of feet high.
Blood Spirit, Zhu Guo’er, and the others followed closely behind, their feet landing on a teleportation array several yards in diameter.
Han Li swept his gaze around, his expression shifting slightly.
All around, towering ancient trees encircled the platform densely, leaving only a winding gravel path leading into the distance.
He looked up at the sky, where thousands of feet above, a vast expanse of gray-white stone stretched, studded with conical stalactites, extending beyond sight.
They were in an underground world.
Embedded in the stone ceiling at regular intervals were light sources the size of human heads, glowing softly like stars, illuminating the underground realm as brightly as day.
With a sweep of his divine sense, Han Li detected seven or eight identical stone platforms in the dense forest, each with faint signs of activity nearby.
Evidently, the teleportation arrays leading to this underground world were not limited to the Black Scorched Peak’s light gate.
When Han Li extended his divine sense further, it rebounded slightly upon encountering an invisible barrier about a dozen miles away.
Smiling faintly, he descended the platform and strode along the gravel path.
Blood Spirit, Zhu Guo’er, and Hua Shi followed closely, their eyes darting around curiously.
After walking three or four miles, the path curved, revealing a crossroads.
Beside it stood a large shed woven entirely from green branches, inside which dozens of foreigners in varied attire sat.
These individuals were clustered in seven or eight groups, some whispering among themselves, others meditating at tables, seemingly waiting for something.
Among them, three child attendants—no older than eleven or twelve, with braided hair and bright lips—wore identical short robes, darting between tables to serve cups of spiritual tea and plates of spirit fruits.
Han Li narrowed his eyes but continued forward unabashedly with his entourage.
As the newcomers approached, many in the shed turned their gazes toward Han Li.
Most recoiled in shock upon failing to discern his cultivation level, their expressions shifting to awe and reverence.
Blood Spirit, after surveying the crowd, spoke up.
“Senior Han, this must be the alliance’s reception area. All outsiders attending the auction must wait here for an escort. Without one, even with an invitation token, they cannot enter.”
“I see. The Helian Alliance is quite cautious,” Han Li remarked with a smile.
By now, he had reached the shed and noted that aside from a few at the Body Integration stage, most of the foreigners were only at the Void Refinement level.
One of the child attendants hurried out, bowing deeply to Han Li with a respectful expression, about to speak—
When suddenly, a melodious celestial chime echoed above the shed. Countless white runes surged forth, swirling into a massive white jade disc.
A light array shimmered into existence on the disc, and a graceful purple figure emerged.
“The reception envoy!”
Someone gasped, and the shed erupted into murmurs as all eyes turned upward.
The figure on the disc was an elegant woman in purple palace robes, her face veiled, yet exuding an aura that stirred hearts at first glance.
Her gaze swept the crowd before settling on Han Li.
“Might this senior be the human race’s Patriarch Han? This junior, Feiyun, has been sent to escort you to the Celestial-tier VIP Pavilion,” she said, performing a graceful bow.
“So it’s Fairy Feiyun. Indeed, I am Han Li of the human race. Sent to receive me, you say? On whose orders?” Han Li asked, studying her with mild interest.
“This junior acts under the command of Ming Zun, the overseer here. The Chief Steward decreed that Senior Han’s status is extraordinary and warrants the highest-tier accommodations,” the purple-robed woman replied without hesitation.
“Highest-tier treatment… Heavens, a Grand Ascension Patriarch has arrived!”
“And likely no ordinary one…”
The foreigners in the shed buzzed with excitement.
“Ming Zun… I’ve heard of Daoist Ming. I hadn’t realized he was part of your Helian Alliance. Very well, lead the way,” Han Li said with a nod.
“Of course, Senior. Please.” Feiyun stepped aside, gesturing to the edge of the jade disc.
Han Li and his group ascended the disc in a series of flashes.
Feiyun formed a hand seal, and the disc spun once more, the light array reappearing.
With a ripple of spatial energy, the entire group vanished.
When Han Li reappeared, his expression unchanged, he stood in a resplendent golden hall spanning several acres.
At its center lay several identical giant jade discs.
“Greetings, Senior!”
Twelve young maidens in palace attire knelt in the hall, bowing deeply the moment Han Li appeared.
Han Li’s eyes flickered with surprise.
The maidens, no older than sixteen or seventeen, hailed from different races—some with horns, others with faintly green skin—yet all were stunningly beautiful, holding incense burners, ruyi scepters, whisks, and other ceremonial items.
More notably, despite their youth, each possessed cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage.
“This is…?” Han Li narrowed his eyes.
“Senior, these are our alliance’s specially cultivated Fragrance Maidens. Raised on nectar of a hundred flowers, their bodies exude floral scents, and their primal Yin remains pure, untouched. Taken as cauldrons, they offer immense benefits. Per alliance custom, top-tier guests receive such attendants during auctions. Come, greet your new master,” Feiyun explained smoothly, addressing the maidens.
“Greetings, Master!”
The twelve maidens remained kneeling but altered their address promptly.
“Fragrance Maidens? Heh, your alliance spares no expense. Very well, I won’t decline. Rise for now. Guo’er, they’re under your care temporarily,” Han Li chuckled, accepting the lavish gift without hesitation.
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