Chapter 2153: Conversation

After hearing this, Han Li fell into a brief silence.

“Seven-Star Moon Body!”

Crab Daoist suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.

“Brother Crab, you’ve heard of this constitution as well?” Ao Xiao the Venerable was slightly taken aback and couldn’t help but ask in return.

“I once heard my former master mention it. This constitution is quite unique and even rare in the True Immortal Realm,” Crab Daoist replied indifferently, quickly regaining his usual wooden demeanor.

“To be able to craft pseudo-immortal puppets, your former master must have been a mighty figure in the Immortal Realm. Naturally, his words hold weight. In the Spirit Realm, while few know of the Seven-Star Moon Body, it isn’t something kept secret among the powerful. Precisely because of this, I hold Linglong in such high regard. With this constitution, even without entering the Spirit Cleansing Pool or consuming the Pure Spirit Lotus, she still has a sliver of a chance to advance to the Mahayana stage,” Ao Xiao the Venerable sighed deeply.

“Indeed, possessing the Seven-Star Moon Body does grant a slightly higher possibility of advancing to the Mahayana stage compared to ordinary cultivators,” Crab Daoist added expressionlessly before falling silent again.

At this moment, Han Li finally snapped out of his contemplation and turned to Ao Xiao the Venerable, asking, “According to Senior Ao Xiao, even you have no solution for Linglong’s current predicament. Yet, your tone suggests otherwise. Might there be something I can do to help?”

“Good! I knew Fellow Daoist Han was not one to forget past bonds. After realizing that the Heartless Art was unsuitable for Ling’er, I racked my brains and did come up with a method to minimize its effects—perhaps even nullify them entirely. However, this would require Fellow Daoist Han’s utmost dedication,” Ao Xiao the Venerable replied with visible delight.

“Please instruct me, Senior. As long as it’s within my power, I will not refuse,” Han Li said firmly, taking a deep breath as memories of his time with Silvermoon in the human realm flashed through his mind.

“Brother Crab, I need to discuss something privately with Fellow Daoist Han. Would you mind stepping aside for a moment?” Ao Xiao the Venerable didn’t immediately voice his request to Han Li but instead turned apologetically to Crab Daoist.

Hearing this, Crab Daoist’s wooden face twitched slightly, and his gaze swept indifferently over Han Li.

Though their contract didn’t stipulate that Crab Daoist had to obey Han Li’s every command, given that Han Li provided him with a drop of the mysterious green liquid every few days, the pseudo-immortal puppet subconsciously deferred to Han Li’s wishes.

“Brother Crab, it might be best if you step away for now,” Han Li nodded after a moment’s thought.

If Ao Xiao the Venerable’s words involved Silvermoon’s secrets, Han Li didn’t want an extra pair of ears—even if those ears belonged to a sentient puppet.

Crab Daoist gave a slight nod and wordlessly rose from his chair, gliding silently out of the hall.

As soon as he stepped outside, the hall’s doors shimmered with a faint white light and closed on their own.

After walking a few more steps under the watchful eyes of the armored puppet guards, Crab Daoist arrived beside Zhu Guo’er, who had been waiting outside.

Hearing footsteps, Zhu Guo’er turned and, recognizing Crab Daoist, her face lit up with joy.

Several hours later, the hall doors finally reopened with another flash of white light.

A figure emerged—Han Li, his brow slightly furrowed as if weighed down by thoughts.

“Let’s go. Senior Ao Xiao has arranged a quiet chamber for us. We’ll take this ship directly back to the allied forces’ camp,” Han Li said calmly, his expression neutral as he glanced at Crab Daoist and Zhu Guo’er.

With that, he turned and headed toward the staircase leading to the lower deck.

Crab Daoist naturally followed without objection.

Zhu Guo’er blinked her bright eyes, curiosity burning about the private discussion between Han Li and Ao Xiao the Venerable, but she dared not ask. Swallowing her questions, she trailed behind.

Later that day, in an empty chamber on the ship’s second deck, Han Li sat cross-legged on a cushion, his hands forming a seal. Strands of golden light flickered around him as he meditated.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, the golden light dissipating as he withdrew from his cultivation. Slowly, he spoke, “Fellow Daoist Linglong, since you’ve already arrived at the door, please come in.”

“It’s only been a little over a thousand years, yet Brother Han has grown so distant. I’d prefer if you still called me ‘Silvermoon,’” a soft sigh echoed from outside, followed by a melodious voice.

“If Silvermoon still cherishes our past bond, I naturally won’t object,” Han Li replied, his expression unreadable. With a flick of his sleeve, the door’s restrictions vanished, and it swung open.

On the steps outside stood a graceful figure—Silvermoon.

But unlike her cold demeanor in the hall earlier, her eyes now sparkled, her jade-like face tinged with a faint blush. Paired with her waist-length silver hair, her beauty was so striking that even Han Li felt a momentary daze.

Seeing the door open, Silvermoon stepped inside, stopping just a few feet from Han Li. After studying him for a moment, she smiled and said, “Earlier, due to the Heartless Art, my behavior toward Brother Han was rather rude. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

With a wave of her hand, she summoned another cushion and sat cross-legged opposite him.

Han Li observed the woman before him, who seemed like a completely different person. Smiling gently, he said, “Not at all. Knowing it was the art’s influence, how could I mind? But you’ve just shaken off its effects—shouldn’t you be resting?”

“No need. Once a certain time passes, the Heartless Art’s hold on me weakens significantly. Besides, I feared if I delayed, I might revert to that wooden state before getting a chance to speak with you properly,” Silvermoon replied with a radiant smile.

“After all these years, your straightforward nature hasn’t changed,” Han Li chuckled wryly.

“Hmph, Brother Han dares to say that? This ‘nature’ of mine was forced upon me back when you enslaved me. Had you, my former ‘master,’ doubted me, this little ‘spirit beast’ would’ve been wiped out without a second thought,” Silvermoon retorted playfully, covering her mouth with a delicate hand.

“Ahem… That’s all in the past. No need to dwell on it. Back then, I didn’t know your true identity—I thought you were just a fox spirit,” Han Li coughed awkwardly.

“Really? For the first few years, perhaps. But later, you must’ve suspected something. Yet you never stopped ordering me around!” Silvermoon arched an eyebrow, her lips quirking.

“At the time, my cultivation was weak, and I faced constant dangers. It was only with your help that I survived those tribulations. Without you, I’d never have ascended to the Spirit Realm or reached where I am today,” Han Li said earnestly.

“I didn’t come here to settle scores, Brother Han. Truthfully, when my friend secretly relayed your message, I was shocked. I never imagined you’d actually make it to the Spirit Realm. Given the human realm’s sparse spiritual energy, reaching the Nascent Soul stage was already a miracle, let alone ascending,” Silvermoon replied, her expression turning serious.

“I was merely fortunate. But speaking of that, I must thank you. Without your tip about the spatial node, I’d never have found it and ascended successfully,” Han Li said, gazing at her.

“I’d just merged my souls and was about to return to the Spirit Realm. It was the least I could do. Compared to your life-saving grace, it was nothing,” Silvermoon replied lightly, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of emotion.

“You’re too modest,” Han Li shook his head.

“By the way, after escaping Kunwu Mountain, did your enemies pursue you? How did you advance to the Deity Transformation stage? Could you tell me?” Silvermoon’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Ah, that’s a long story. After fleeing with your Star Plate, I ended up on a place called ‘North Nether Island’ in the Great Jin…” Han Li began recounting his past.

He spoke for nearly an hour, detailing his experiences post-Kunwu Mountain and even touching on his adventures in the Spirit Realm.

Compared to ordinary cultivators, Han Li’s journey was nothing short of thrilling and extraordinary.

Silvermoon listened raptly, occasionally gasping in amazement.

When Han Li finished, Silvermoon naturally shared her own story—her time trapped in the human realm and her training under Ao Xiao the Venerable after returning to the Spirit Realm.

To Han Li’s surprise, she spoke openly about her marriage to the Heavenly Wolf King and her later cultivation of the Heartless Art due to inner demons, holding nothing back.

Watching Silvermoon laugh and chat so freely, Han Li felt a pang of nostalgia.