These individuals were already of the Saint Race, yet they were even more aware of the vast difference between the Mahayana and Body Integration stages. Once one steps into the Mahayana path, the disparity in divine abilities between the two is incomparable to the minor gap between the Void Refinement and Body Integration stages.
Under normal circumstances, if several peak Void Refinement cultivators could join forces to contend with an early-stage Body Integration cultivator, then several peak Body Integration cultivators would only have the chance to flee in disarray before an early-stage Mahayana cultivator.
Upon reaching the Mahayana stage, one could be considered half a True Immortal, capable of comprehending some of the most formidable laws of heaven and earth during cultivation—something utterly beyond the resistance of Body Integration cultivators. As for the final Tribulation Transcendence stage, it is merely a nominal division. Aside from a qualitative transformation in cultivation and mana, divine abilities would not increase much compared to peak Mahayana.
Moreover, the Tribulation Transcendence stage itself has no specific early or late divisions. Most cultivators at this stage would not even walk the mortal world, instead focusing entirely on preparing for the True Immortal Heavenly Tribulation to achieve ascension.
Thus, the Mahayana stage was already the most powerful existence in the Spirit Realm, second only to the True Spirits of heaven and earth.
When the four elders realized that the small purple beast they had captured was actually a direct blood relative of a Mahayana-level Human-Faced Flood Dragon, it was impossible for them not to feel terror in their hearts.
However, they were currently within Cloud City, surrounded by so many high-ranking figures from various races. If the Human-Faced Flood Dragon truly sought trouble with them alone, even if it possessed True Immortal-level power, they wouldn’t truly care. The key issue was that the green-robed youth they all recognized, surnamed Fei, seemed acquainted with the Human-Faced Flood Dragon and had personally escorted it here. Rallying others to besiege the Human-Faced Flood Dragon was now an impossibility.
Under such circumstances, how could the four elders not be afraid?
If not for the green-robed youth stepping in earlier to block the Human-Faced Flood Dragon’s attack, they might have fled without a second thought.
“Fine, I’ll give Brother Fei face and spare their lives. But this man tormented my daughter on the way. While death may be pardoned, punishment cannot be avoided,” the silver-robed man said coldly after a moment of silence. His arm moved strangely again, his fingers closing together as he slashed toward the elder like lightning.
A flash of silver light—before the elder could react, one of his arms felt a chill before being severed mid-air, blood spraying out in a torrent.
The elder was shocked, but before he could even attempt to save himself, a figure flickered before him. The green-robed youth had mysteriously appeared at his side, pressing a palm lightly against the severed limb. A burst of green light later, the bleeding stopped instantly, and the wound began to heal visibly under the spiritual glow.
Before the pale-faced elder could speak, the green-robed youth waved a hand dismissively and said indifferently, “Since Brother Tu has already punished you, he won’t act against you further. But this matter cannot end so easily. I don’t care how you four manage it—whether by borrowing or stealing—each of you must immediately hand over 100 million spirit stones as compensation for Brother Tu’s daughter to soothe her fright. If you refuse, then each of you will sever another arm.”
Hearing this, the four elders actually sighed in relief.
If resolving such a major conflict only required 100 million spirit stones each, it was a bargain they couldn’t refuse. Otherwise, even if they escaped unscathed now, being targeted by a Mahayana cultivator meant they couldn’t hide in Cloud City forever.
As for the elder who lost an arm, while he had sacrificed some vital blood, at their level of cultivation, reattaching a severed limb was a trivial matter.
Without another word, the four elders pooled their resources and managed to gather four bags of spirit stones, which they respectfully handed to the green-robed youth.
The youth took the bags and turned with a smile.
“Though this amount cannot fully appease Brother Tu’s anger, since Fellow Daoist Lan and the others are visiting your Violet Sea for the first time, this can be considered a first offense. For my sake, let this matter end here.”
The silver-robed man, transformed from the Human-Faced Flood Dragon, had been watching coldly. Now, hearing the youth’s words, his expression remained dark, but after glancing at the elder’s severed arm and the youth’s smiling face, he reluctantly nodded.
“Fine, for Brother Fei’s sake, I’ll spare them this once. But from now on, they are forbidden from setting foot in the Violet Sea. If they are discovered there again, don’t blame me for disregarding our past friendship.” As he spoke, faint silver patterns emerged on his originally refined face, lending him a more sinister air.
“Naturally. If Fellow Daoist Lan and the others trespass into your sea again, they will automatically lose their status as Cloud City’s guest elders and be left to your mercy,” the green-robed youth replied without surprise, tossing the spirit stone bags over.
The four elders’ faces flickered between red and pale, sweat beading on their brows once more.
The silver-robed man caught the bags with a single hand, his expression easing slightly. The bags vanished in a flash of light, and he suddenly patted the small beast in his arms. A swirl of purple light later, the beast disappeared, replaced by a girl of about six or seven.
Her skin was snow-white, her eyes pitch-black, and her hair tied into several small purple braids, making her look utterly adorable.
Many who saw this scene were visibly shocked.
The beast had clearly been unable to shapeshift earlier, yet a single pat from the silver-robed man had transformed it into human form—proof of the Human-Faced Flood Dragon’s immense power.
Though now in human form, the girl still clung tightly to the man, pointing at the elders and babbling indignantly, her small fists clenched and her face full of grievance.
“Enough, they’ve been punished. Let this be a lesson to you too—this is what happens when you disobey. Once we return, you will focus on cultivation. You are not to leave the cave until you can shapeshift on your own,” the man said sternly, though his eyes were full of doting affection.
The girl pouted, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
The man sighed, shaking his head in exasperation before turning back to the youth.
“Brother Fei, I owe you for helping me recover my daughter. My wife and I will remember this kindness and repay it in the future. But my wife is waiting at home for news, so I must take my leave now.”
With a cupped fist salute, the Human-Faced Flood Dragon prepared to depart.
“Since you insist, I won’t keep you. Safe travels, Fellow Daoist,” the youth replied, relieved that the matter had been resolved without further bloodshed.
The four elders were Cloud City’s guest elders and Saint Race members—letting them be slaughtered outright was unthinkable. Yet, he had no desire to antagonize the Human-Faced Flood Dragon’s family, especially given its terrifying power and the thought of its wife, which sent a shiver down his spine.
The silver-robed man nodded, turning to leave in a flash of light. But just then, the girl in his arms tugged his sleeve, babbling urgently and pointing toward a specific direction in the crowd below.
“What? Such a thing?” The man’s glow dimmed as he exclaimed in surprise.
“Brother Tu, what did your daughter say to startle you so?” the youth asked, puzzled.
“Nothing much. Perhaps she sensed a mixed-blood relative of my wife’s,” the man replied, his gaze following the girl’s finger.
Intrigued, the youth also turned to look.
The crowd in that direction grew uneasy under the scrutiny of two Mahayana beings, even those certain it had nothing to do with them.
Han Li’s expression shifted subtly.
While others might not know, he was certain the girl was pointing at him—though why, he had no idea.
Ever since the Human-Faced Flood Dragon and the green-robed youth had arrived on the platform, some barrier had prevented the audience from hearing their conversation, though they could still see the events unfold.
In that brief moment, an overwhelming divine sense swept over the area, leaving many pale-faced.
As it passed over Han Li, he felt as though his entire being had been laid bare, as if an unstoppable primordial beast had locked onto him.
His heart sank as the silver-robed man’s gaze fixed on him from afar, singling him out from the crowd.
Then, the man took a step—and in the next instant, Han Li blinked to find him standing before his seat, the girl still in his arms.
She stared at him with curious black eyes.
“Greetings, Senior!” Han Li bowed deeply, maintaining composure despite his unease. Offending a Mahayana cultivator was unthinkable.
“Hmm, you do carry a faint trace of your mother’s lineage, though it’s negligible. As for you, little one, of all your mother’s great powers, you had to inherit this useless sensing ability. Since he’s no close relation, let’s go.”
Without waiting for the girl’s protest, silver light flared around him as he transformed into a streak of silver shooting toward the hall’s exit.
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