These colossal entities included palace-like grand halls, hill-sized honeycomb-shaped islands, and even a massive cloud formation directly manifested from a hazy green glow.
These enormous structures were also laden with allied forces from various races. After a brief pause in the sky, they departed the airspace above Kapok City in dense formations, accompanied by flying chariots and warships, rumbling as they flew into the distance.
The departing alliance took with them nearly half of Kapok City’s elite forces, including all three Mahayana cultivators. They would later rendezvous with reinforcements from other cities at the demonic border, ultimately forming a force capable of standing against the demonic army.
Han Li did not leave with this contingent. As Mo Jianli and the others led their troops away, he merely stood atop a pavilion, gazing into the distance for a while before calmly returning to his residence to continue his cultivation.
Five days later, the previously quiet Kapok City stirred once more as another allied force, primarily composed of the Wood Race’s own warriors, gathered and prepared to depart.
At this time, Han Li, who had been meditating with closed eyes on the top floor of the pavilion, stirred slightly before halting his cultivation and opening his eyes.
Moments later, footsteps echoed from the staircase as Zhu Guo’er ascended and respectfully addressed Han Li:
“Senior Han, the Wood Race has sent someone to request your presence.”
“I understand. Your cultivation is still too weak for this battle, so you will remain in Kapok City. Once the war concludes, I will return to take you back to your clan,” Han Li instructed in a tone that brooked no argument.
“Yes, Guo’er will heed your words,” Zhu Guo’er replied after a brief pause, bowing her head in compliance.
Han Li nodded slightly and rose unhurriedly, descending the pavilion stairs.
When he reached the main hall on the first floor, he found Crab Daoist sitting cross-legged in a corner, utterly expressionless. In the center of the hall stood a nervous-looking Wood Race youth with emerald-green skin.
With a single glance, Han Li discerned that this youth had only recently reached the Nascent Soul stage.
“Greetings, Senior Han. This junior has been sent by the Grand Elder to request your departure,” the Wood Race youth hastily stepped forward and bowed deeply upon seeing Han Li.
“Grand Elder? Isn’t your Grand Elder currently recuperating within the Sacred Tree?” Han Li narrowed his eyes and asked slowly.
“Reporting to Senior, our Grand Elder position is temporarily held by Elder Zihan,” the youth explained with lowered head.
“I see. Lead the way. Brother Crab, come with us,” Han Li replied impassively before calling out to Crab Daoist.
Without a word, Crab Daoist blurred momentarily before silently appearing behind Han Li.
The Wood Race youth was visibly startled but dared not question it under Han Li’s gaze, quickly leading the way outside.
Following the youth, Han Li and Crab Daoist exited the pavilion. Glancing upward, Han Li spotted over a dozen massive green clouds, each spanning a thousand acres, hovering silently in the sky.
Upon these clouds, faint outlines of pavilions and towers could be seen, with numerous guards from various races bustling about, seemingly transporting goods from Kapok City onto the clouds.
After a brief glance, Han Li summoned his escape light and followed the youth toward the largest of the green clouds, with Crab Daoist trailing closely behind.
Moments later, Han Li’s light dissipated as he landed on a platform constructed from pale yellow wood. At one end of the platform stood an emerald-green hall over a hundred zhang tall, its entrance guarded by a dozen fully armed Wood Race warriors.
“Senior Han, the acting Grand Elder awaits inside with the other seniors,” the youth explained cautiously.
Han Li examined the hall briefly, sweeping it with his spiritual sense. Detecting several powerful auras within, he smirked slightly and motioned for the youth to continue leading.
The guards clearly recognized the youth and made no move to stop them. However, upon sensing Han Li’s unfathomable spiritual pressure, their expressions shifted, their gazes tinged with fear.
As Han Li passed between them, the guards instinctively bowed their heads. Despite their racial differences, their reverence for true power was no less than what they would show their own kind.
At that moment, Han Li suddenly transmitted a few words to Crab Daoist behind him.
Crab Daoist’s eyes flickered briefly before he halted and stepped aside near the hall entrance.
The guards exchanged puzzled glances but remained silent.
Meanwhile, Han Li followed the youth through a corridor into the main hall, sweeping his gaze across the interior.
The vast hall, spanning dozens of zhang, held only three individuals.
Seated in the host’s position was a withered, purple-haired Wood Race elder in late-Spirit Severing stage, clad in a green robe with a half-silver, half-gold belt.
To his left and right sat a silver-armored Wood Race giant and a tall, black-clad young woman, both at mid-Spirit Severing stage.
The giant was exceptionally burly, nearly twice the height of an average Wood Race member, with deep forehead wrinkles and listless eyes.
The young woman appeared seventeen or eighteen, with short black horns and a strikingly beautiful yet icy demeanor.
As Han Li entered, the trio ceased their conversation and turned their gazes toward him.
“Brother Han, I’ve long heard from Senior Mo of your formidable abilities. Having your aid in this battle is truly our race’s fortune!” the Wood Race elder exclaimed with a smile, rising to clasp his fists.
“Brother Han, Cao Ji pays his respects!”
“So you’re Han Li. Your cultivation indeed surpasses mine and Brother Cao’s. I am Fei Xiaoxi of the Yaksha Race,” the young woman added coolly.
“Apologies for my tardiness, keeping you all waiting,” Han Li replied evenly, returning their greetings.
“Please, Brother Han, take a seat. We were just discussing the protection of the formation’s core. Brother Cao and Fairy Fei will join you in guarding one of the key nodes,” the elder said warmly, gesturing for Han Li to sit.
The Wood Race youth, at a signal from the elder, bowed and retreated from the hall.
“With Brother Cao and Fairy Fei’s assistance, our chances of securing the node improve greatly,” Han Li remarked casually, implicitly positioning himself as the leader of their trio.
Given his superior cultivation, he saw no need for false modesty—hesitation now would only hinder them later.
Cao Ji’s eyes flickered briefly, but his expression remained neutral. The young woman, however, snorted faintly, her face darkening slightly.
“Haha, with your combined strength, I’ve no doubt that node will be impregnable. However, beyond defending it from demonic attacks, you’ll have an additional responsibility,” the elder continued solemnly.
“Another task? My clan’s Grand Elder never mentioned this. Was this added by your race?” the young woman frowned, displeased.
“Not at all. This task primarily falls to Brother Cao. Brother Han and Fairy Fei need only focus on guarding the node,” the elder clarified.
“Oh? What exactly will Brother Cao be doing? Might Elder Zihan elaborate?” Han Li inquired with interest.
“It’s nothing major. The Wood Realm Grand Formation has intricate variations that may require coordination from three nodes. We’ve already taught the necessary techniques to Cao Ji and two others. While they activate the node’s power, the rest of you need only ensure their safety,” the elder explained.
“I see. That’s no issue. The Wood Realm Grand Formation is your race’s treasure—naturally, your people should control its nodes,” Han Li nodded agreeably.
“I have no objections either. Brother Cao may handle the node,” the young woman conceded after brief consideration.
“Excellent! I knew you’d support us. Once the formation is set, Node Two will be entirely in your hands,” the elder said joyfully, rising to bow once more.
“Elder Zihan, rest assured.”
“We’ll do our utmost.”
Han Li and the others returned the courtesy.
The elder then detailed further precautions and handed each of them a jade slip containing information on the formation’s restrictions, urging them to memorize it thoroughly.
Should enemies breach their node, these restrictions could aid their defense.
With matters settled, the elder summoned three Wood Race members to escort Han Li’s group to temporary quarters elsewhere on the massive cloud.
The journey from Kapok City to the formation site was long, and they would need to conserve their strength.
By midday, thunderous rumbles filled the sky as the giant clouds, flanked by thousands of chariots and warships, departed Kapok City, speeding toward the demon-occupied territories.
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