“I have no other choice. If I can’t refine the metal and wood attribute Extreme Yuan Crystals within a year, I’m afraid I’ll lose the opportunity forever. Right now, Brother Han is my best hope for success.” Yuelong’s face was full of bitter resignation.
“Lose the opportunity? What do you mean?” Han Li was somewhat surprised.
“Brother Han may not know, but channeling the power of heaven and earth is no simple matter. It requires not only finding a special spiritual site but also accurately predicting the timing and calculating the celestial changes to successfully draw down the required elemental forces. My previous success in refining the earlier Extreme Yuan Crystals came at a great cost—I had to enlist a diviner from my clan who expended much of his lifespan to precisely predict the celestial changes and draw down the necessary forces. According to his predictions, the celestial alignments for metal and wood attributes are extremely rare. If I don’t seize this window, the next opportunity could be decades or even centuries away. I simply don’t have the luxury of waiting. I must refine the crystals within the remaining year. If I hadn’t met you today, I would have had to risk seeking help from a notorious old monster. With Brother Han here, you’re naturally the better choice. After all, you were willing to brave the Demon Realm to slay the Mother of Silkworms and rescue so many Spirit Realm comrades—your integrity is far more trustworthy.” Yuelong spoke in one breath, revealing much.
Han Li listened without changing his expression, though his mind raced with calculations. After a long pause, he exhaled lightly and said, “Though I don’t know you well, your answers satisfy me, and I see no reason for you to deceive me. Very well, if helping you won’t take too long, I can agree. But aside from these three materials, I’ll also require one of each of the newly refined metal and wood attribute Extreme Yuan Crystals as payment. Moreover, these three materials must be given to me now as an advance.”
“No problem, rest assured. The spiritual site for channeling the celestial forces is nearby, and we can begin at any time. As for these three Extreme Yuan Crystals, they’re yours now.” Yuelong was overjoyed and didn’t even attempt to bargain.
“Since you’re so forthright, I won’t delay either. If you think it necessary, we can set off for the spiritual site immediately.” Han Li smiled in satisfaction, flicking his sleeve to release a streak of light that swept up the three crystals from the silver plates, storing them away.
“Excellent! I didn’t expect Brother Han to be so decisive. However, to draw down the metal and wood celestial forces, I still need to make some preparations. How about this: stay here for the night, and we’ll head to the site tomorrow?” Yuelong was delighted but, after a brief hesitation, made this suggestion.
“Tomorrow it is, then. I’ll impose on your hospitality for the night.” Han Li agreed after a moment’s thought.
Yuelong was visibly pleased and immediately gave orders. Teams of Feiling Clan maidservants entered the hall, bringing more spirit fruits and wine.
For the rest of the time, the Feiling Clan’s Venerable chatted amiably with Han Li, toasting and exchanging pleasantries.
“By the way, I’d like to ask you about someone. Do you know of them?” Han Li suddenly remembered something and turned to Yuelong.
“Oh? If it’s someone I know, I’ll certainly tell you.” Yuelong was puzzled but answered without hesitation.
“This person is also from the Feiling Clan, likely of the Wuguang branch. Their mastery of the Five-Colored Divine Light is quite formidable. As a fellow Venerable of the Feiling Clan, you must know of them.” Han Li fixed his gaze on Yuelong as he spoke slowly.
“Wuguang Clan! What’s their name? Where did you meet them?” Yuelong’s expression changed dramatically as he urgently pressed for details.
“I believe it was I who asked you first?” Han Li sighed with a faint smile.
“Ah, my apologies. It’s just that your question took me by surprise. Though our Feiling Clan isn’t a major power on the Fengyuan Continent, we’ve never had fewer than three Venerables at any time. However, the Wuguang Clan has only produced one Venerable in the last million years. But that person left the clan immediately after reaching the Venerable realm and never returned. We assumed he had perished. Hearing news of him from you now is… unexpected. Do you know anything more about this clansman of ours?” Yuelong quickly regained his composure and apologized.
“That explains it. Unfortunately, I only met this person once in a remote part of the wilderness years ago. Aside from knowing his surname is Yi and witnessing his Five-Colored Peacock transformation, we didn’t speak. It was only upon meeting you today that I recalled the encounter.” Han Li replied calmly.
“Yi? Then it must indeed be that Wuguang clansman. So he hasn’t perished after all—just wandering abroad for reasons unknown. This is wonderful news. I hope Venerable Yi returns to the clan soon.” Yuelong exhaled deeply, his face brightening with a smile.
Yet Han Li detected a hint of stiffness in that smile, suggesting the relationship between Yuelong and this Wuguang Venerable was far from simple.
Understanding dawned on Han Li, and with a faint smile, he casually shifted the topic to cultivation, revealing nothing of Yi’s true fate.
For reasons of his own, Yuelong didn’t press further either. After composing himself, he began earnestly exchanging cultivation insights with Han Li.
Just as their conversation grew lively, a figure appeared at the hall’s entrance—a Feiling maidservant who bowed respectfully to Yuelong and said, “Esteemed Ancestor, the Tianpeng Clan’s Elder Jin requests an audience. Will you receive them?”
“No! I’m entertaining an honored guest—how dare they interrupt without regard for propriety!” Yuelong’s face darkened as he rebuked without hesitation.
“Forgive me, Ancestor!” The maidservant paled in fear, kowtowing and preparing to withdraw.
“Wait. Elder Jin—would that be the Tianpeng Clan’s Grand Elder Jin Yue?” Han Li’s eyes flickered as he stopped the maid.
“Oh? Do you know Elder Jin Yue?” Yuelong was taken aback.
“We’ve met a few times in the past. An old acquaintance, you could say. Let her in.” Han Li replied noncommittally.
“If Elder Jin is a friend of Brother Han, that changes everything. Bring her in.” Yuelong’s surprise flashed briefly, but he issued the order without hesitation.
“Yes, Ancestor!” The maidservant obeyed and withdrew.
Moments later, a Feiling woman with golden wings and a white robe entered, escorted by the maid. Though her features were plain, she carried an air of nobility—none other than Jin Yue, the Tianpeng Grand Elder who had once struck a deal with Han Li.
“Greetings, Venerable Yuelong!” Jin Yue’s gaze immediately settled on Yuelong as she stepped forward and bowed deeply, not daring to glance around.
Yet in that instant, her peripheral vision caught Han Li. Though he seemed vaguely familiar, she couldn’t place him, feeling only a faint unease.
“Someone seated as Yuelong’s equal must be another Venerable. Have I met this one before?” Jin Yue couldn’t help but wonder.
Han Li’s current aura and demeanor were worlds apart from his days as the Tianpeng “Holy Son,” leaving her momentarily unable to connect the dots.
“Rise. Jin Yue, why have you come here instead of managing Tianpeng affairs? You know the rules—without my summons, each clan’s envoy may only see me once per century.” Yuelong waved for her to stand as he spoke indifferently.
“Esteemed Ancestor, I had no choice but to seek your intervention. Six months ago, the Chiron Clan suddenly invaded, seizing over a dozen of our spirit veins and several cities, abducting all Tianpeng clansmen in the area despite my warnings. When I confronted their elders, they injured me, forcing me to recuperate for half a year before I could bring this grievance to you.” Jin Yue lifted her head, her face etched with indignation.
“*Sigh*, this Chiron-Tianpeng feud again. You should know I’ve already heard their side.” Yuelong sighed wearily.
“What? Could it be—” Jin Yue’s heart sank as realization struck.
“Indeed. Three months ago, the Chiron Grand Elder came to me with his own tale, claiming your clan provoked them first a year ago, making this retaliation justified.” Yuelong said slowly.
“Ancestor, please discern the truth! That’s pure slander from the Chirons! A year ago, they were the ones who—” Jin Yue’s face whitened as she urgently tried to explain.
“Enough! I’m preoccupied with preparations for the next great calamity. These petty squabbles are beneath my concern. Unless it’s a matter of clan survival, don’t waste my time. You may leave.” Yuelong’s voice turned icy as he cut her off with a dismissive wave.
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