The azure rainbow transformed by Han Li was already thousands of miles away from the group of Feiling people, yet his face bore a contemplative expression.
From the words of those Feiling people, he had learned about some major changes that had occurred in the Feiling Clan in recent years. However, most of these matters had nothing to do with him, so naturally, he paid them no mind.
Only two things truly concerned Han Li.
The first was that the four great demon kings of the Abyss, who had ventured with him into the Netherworld River region, seemed to have never escaped and returned to the Abyss. As a result, the Abyss was eventually occupied by the united forces of the Feiling clans, and all the demonic creatures within were exterminated.
The second was that Bai Bi and Lei Lan, who had safely returned from the trial back then, had both attained the status of Holy Masters of the Tianpeng Clan, allowing the Tianpeng Clan to escape the brink of extinction.
As for the first matter, it was no surprise that the four demon kings were trapped in the Netherworld River region, given that Qing Yuanzi was stationed there, along with the involvement of the Ephemera Clan and other hidden, significant secrets.
However, this meant that if Han Li wanted to enter the Netherworld River region again, it would be somewhat troublesome.
The coordinates Qing Yuanzi had agreed upon with him were located deep within the Abyss. Without reaching that location, even with the Reverse Star Plate given to him, he would be unable to breach the boundary and enter the Netherworld River region.
After all, even the combined efforts of the four demon kings back then had required immense effort and external assistance to open the passage to the Netherworld River.
Although Han Li now believed his abilities were no less than those of late-stage cultivators, he still lacked the true power to shatter the void.
As for the second matter, he had once impersonated a Holy Son of the Tianpeng Clan and used their resources to master the “Jingzhe Jue.” However, he had also been forced by their Grand Elder into the Abyss, where he fell into the hands of the four demon kings. Thus, the grievances between him and the Tianpeng Clan were not easily resolved.
Still, if he wanted to infiltrate the Abyss again, he might have to rely on their assistance once more.
Han Li pondered this for a long while before suddenly flipping his hand, revealing a blue jade slip and a white, misty disk in each palm.
He pressed the jade slip to his forehead, scanning its contents with narrowed eyes, then removed it and examined the white disk carefully.
After his expression flickered uncertainly for a while, he seemed to reach a decision. Storing both items away, the azure rainbow emitted a low hum, trembled, and then accelerated dramatically, tearing through the sky.
Five months later, a dazzling azure light streaked across the sky like a meteor, approaching the Holy City of the Tianpeng Clan from over a hundred miles away. Before it even drew near, a clear cry rang out from within.
The sound was initially faint but grew increasingly resonant, soon filling the sky like roaring waves, echoing over the entire Holy City.
Such a spectacle naturally alarmed the high-ranking figures within the city. Several figures shot out from towering structures, transforming into arcs of lightning or vanishing in a blur.
The next moment, these figures appeared in the void outside the Holy City, all staring in shock at the approaching azure light.
Though still some distance away, the light exuded an overwhelming, primordial aura, as if it could swallow the heavens and earth.
This aura was unmistakably familiar—it was the divine presence of the Tianpeng, revered by their clan. Yet, such purity of Tianpeng aura could only belong to one person: the Grand Elder in her Tianpeng transformation.
At this thought, the others turned their gazes toward a white-robed maiden with golden wings standing gracefully in the air. However, even she wore a trace of doubt in her eyes as she observed the azure light.
This was none other than Jin Yue, the Grand Elder of the Tianpeng Clan!
Though she had reached the pinnacle of the Body Integration stage and was unafraid, she wasted no time in forming a hand seal. Her pupils shimmered with golden light as she activated an unknown spirit-eye technique.
Instantly, the blinding azure light became crystal clear in her vision.
“This is…”
Jin Yue’s expression shifted slightly, revealing a flicker of astonishment.
“Grand Elder, what do you see?” asked an early-stage Body Integration elder with crimson whiskers.
“Elder Xu, you will know soon enough,” Jin Yue replied cryptically, shaking her head after a brief silence.
Elder Xu refrained from pressing further, and the other elders wisely remained silent, turning their attention back to the azure light.
In that brief moment, the azure mass surged forward like a tempest, stopping before them. The light dissipated, revealing a massive, azure-feathered bird.
The creature was ten zhang long, its feathers like steel, its talons like hooks—an exact replica of the legendary Kunpeng, a divine beast.
Though they had suspected as much, the sight of the colossal Tianpeng still stunned Elder Xu and the others.
Before they could speak, the great bird flapped its wings, silencing its cry. Then, azure runes swirled across its body, and its form expanded wildly.
In a few flashes, the Tianpeng grew to the size of a small mountain, its golden eyes crackling with lightning. A single wingbeat summoned gales and thunder, its overwhelming aura forcing the early-stage Body Integration elders back several steps.
Though Jin Yue stood firm, her expression shifted, and a glint of ecstasy flashed in her eyes.
“Who are you?” she asked slowly, her voice slightly hoarse but commanding. “Since you possess the Tianpeng transformation and have cultivated it to such a degree, you must be one of our Tianpeng clansmen. Why not reveal your true form?”
The great Tianpeng lowered its head, glancing at Jin Yue before speaking in a human voice that, though not loud, reverberated in the elders’ ears.
“It has been centuries, Fellow Daoist Jin, yet you remain as radiant as ever. Truly a cause for celebration.”
Jin Yue’s brows twitched, and her face betrayed disbelief.
“You… could it be…?”
The Tianpeng chuckled. “It seems you remember me, Senior.”
With a roll, the massive bird dissolved into azure light, revealing a green-robed man with wings, smiling at Jin Yue.
“You!”
“Impossible!”
Before Jin Yue could respond, Elder Xu and another elder, a beautiful woman, exclaimed in unison.
“Ah, Elders Xu and Lan are here as well. Greetings,” the green-robed man—Han Li—said with a slight bow.
“Elder Xu, do you know this man? Is he one of our Tianpeng clansmen? If so, why have we never heard of someone with such power?” another elder asked in confusion.
Elder Xu and the woman exchanged glances, their faces filled with shock.
The other elders had been stationed elsewhere when Han Li had last appeared in the Holy City, so it was no surprise they didn’t recognize this “Holy Son” of foreign origin. But by all accounts, Han Li should have perished in the Abyss at the hands of the demonic creatures.
Yet here he stood, displaying an astonishing Tianpeng transformation and seemingly having advanced to the Saint stage.
“So it really is you, Fellow Daoist Han,” Jin Yue said calmly, her voice unexpectedly composed. “You survived the Abyss and even reached the Saint stage. It seems you found great fortune there.”
“I did encounter some opportunities in the Abyss, though they had little to do with my current advancement,” Han Li replied with a sigh. “In truth, I nearly died several times at the hands of the four demon kings.”
“Regardless of how you progressed, reaching the Saint stage is a joyous occasion,” Jin Yue said with a faint smile. “And I have yet to thank you for your past deeds. But this is no place for conversation. Come with me to the city. I doubt you made such a grand entrance just to reminisce.”
Han Li smiled. “You see through me, Grand Elder. I do have matters to discuss.”
“Then please, Fellow Daoist Han.” Jin Yue gestured gracefully.
Though the other elders were filled with questions, none dared oppose Jin Yue, whose authority in the Tianpeng Clan was unmatched.
With a nod, Han Li followed the white-robed maiden toward the Holy City without hesitation. The other elders trailed behind, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wariness.
Han Li’s earlier cry and transformation had drawn the attention of countless mid- to high-ranking Tianpeng clansmen in the city. However, seeing their elders emerge, none dared approach, watching instead from the city walls.
From afar, they saw the azure Tianpeng transform into a young man, converse briefly with the elders, and then proceed into the city. Utterly baffled, they could only disperse and return to their duties.
Under the watchful eyes of the Tianpeng clansmen, Han Li strode confidently into the Holy City. The crowd eventually dispersed, still none the wiser.
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