The young girl naturally couldn’t answer the woman’s doubts, but after taking a deep breath, she countered, “Even if it truly was the Wuluo Clan who attacked the other two clans, with Mother now having advanced to the Upper Clan rank and my assistance, surely we can handle them?”
“If it were ordinary Wuluo people, I’d have some confidence after consuming the Refined Immortal Fruit. The key issue is, from the traces of their attacks, it seems there are Wuluo Royal Clan members among them,” the woman shook her head.
“Wuluo Royal Clan? Impossible! Back then, several of our Wa Clan’s Celestial Priests used forbidden divination techniques to confirm all Wuluo Royal bloodlines were completely eradicated!” The girl exclaimed in disbelief.
“Since even the supposedly extinct Wuluo have reappeared, it’s not impossible that one or two Royal Clan members escaped detection. Moreover, their Royal Clan members are almost naturally able to suppress our Wa Clan. Except for the Wa Imperial Clan, other Wa members can’t even use 10% of their powers against Wuluo Royals. Plus, their cultivation speed rivals even the upper echelons of the major clans on the Thunder Continent. For them to dare openly attack our three clans now suggests they’ve achieved great cultivation,” the woman said with persistent worry.
Hearing this, the girl fell silent momentarily. But soon, her bright eyes flickered as she suddenly said, “Still, Mother needn’t worry too much. If these Wuluo were truly so fearsome, why would they give our Huoyang Clan such a long respite? They likely suffered losses during the previous attacks on the other two clans. We’re not without fighting chances.”
“That would be ideal. But don’t forget the male clansmen taken from the other two clans.”
“Mother means they’re…” The girl paled as realization struck.
“Yes. This was precisely why they were our Wa Clan’s mortal enemies. They’ll probably come for us after finishing with them. After all, our Huoyang Clan is the strongest of the three, and our island’s defenses far surpass the others’. It’s only natural they’d prepare thoroughly before attacking us. If that Mr. Han possesses the cultivation I suspect, our clan’s survival may truly depend on him,” the woman said, her eyes glinting.
“He’s that powerful? From what I heard earlier, he’s severely injured—likely useless when the time comes,” the girl frowned, puzzled.
“I’ve decided to retrieve the Blazing Sun Divine Pill and give it to him,” the woman stated calmly.
“What? Mother would give our sacred medicine to him? Absolutely not! Even after taking the Refined Immortal Pill, consuming the Blazing Sun Pill could restore some of your lifespan. Giving it to him leaves no room for recovery!” The girl pulled away from her mother’s embrace, vehemently opposing.
“My earlier hesitation was precisely because of this. If he’s of similar cultivation to Zhu’er’s master, giving him the pill would be worthwhile. But if he’s only slightly stronger than me, with his true cultivation concealed by treasures, it’d be a waste,” the woman sighed.
“How can he compare to my master? My master has reached the fifth tier of the Upper Clan! Among all Upper Clan cultivators in nearby waters, he ranks in the top five!” The girl scoffed, her anxiety easing slightly.
“Though I can’t discern his exact cultivation, he’s undoubtedly higher-tiered than me. Even injured, I sense he could easily kill me with a single move. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have begged so earnestly for him to stay. But if he can truly help our clan survive this calamity, one Blazing Sun Pill is a small price,” the woman said cautiously.
“From what I heard, he’s never displayed any abilities before others. Giving him the Blazing Sun Pill so rashly is unwise. If we must, we should test him first,” the girl insisted, brow furrowed.
“Test him? His mana is depleted—how?” The woman pondered, somewhat persuaded.
“Even injured, a high-tier Upper Clan member’s spiritual sense would remain formidable. If you permit it, let me accompany you when delivering the pill. I’ll assess him then. If he’s truly powerful, for Huoyang’s future, we’ll give him the pill. But if he’s a paper tiger, such an important medicine shouldn’t go to an outsider,” the girl declared resolutely.
“This…” The woman hesitated.
The Blazing Sun Pill could restore over half her lifespan—she truly didn’t want to part with it lightly.
“Very well, Zhu’er, you may test him. But don’t overstep—we mustn’t offend him,” the woman finally agreed.
“Don’t worry, Mother, I’ll be discreet,” the girl smiled sweetly.
“In three days, I’ll retrieve the pill from the earthfire. You’ll accompany me then. If he’s truly a mighty cultivator, he likely won’t begrudge a junior’s probing. Also, the Wuluo likely won’t delay their attack much longer. Our allied clans probably won’t aid us. Meanwhile, I’ll consult our elders and double our defenses,” the woman concluded.
The girl nodded repeatedly as they discussed defensive details against the Wuluo. Unnoticed, the day passed.
Meanwhile, at a mountain foot a hundred miles away, Han Li—seated cross-legged—opened his eyes as the golden light around him faded. His previously dull eyes now gleamed faintly.
Expressionless, he examined his hand, flexed his fingers oddly, then slowly clenched a fist with a sigh.
Though he’d recovered some mana, his expended essence blood and spiritual sense were severely depleted. Even with ample spirit pills, full recovery might take three to four years.
Yet he’d agreed to stay among these foreigners with confidence in his self-preservation.
With a flick of his sleeve, a black ring shot out, releasing a dark and golden streak that materialized into a small black monkey and a leopard-like beast—Tihun and the Leopard-Qilin Beast!
One creature’s limits even Han Li couldn’t fathom; the other rivaled a Deity Transformation cultivator. Summoning them had required resting to recover some mana and spiritual sense—impossible when he first awoke.
Tihun instantly appeared on Han Li’s shoulder, while the Leopard-Qilin Beast nuzzled into his lap, affectionately licking his hand with a warm, tingling tongue.
Han Li patted both beasts, then weakly directed them via spiritual sense. Tihun transformed into an identical “Han Li” who sat meditating nearby, while the Leopard-Qilin Beast vanished into hidden shadows.
Next, Han Li produced multicolored array flags from his storage bracelet, embedding them into the walls. A faint white light enveloped his wooden house.
Finally secure, Han Li examined a faint yellow mark on his arm—the vanished Profound Heaven Fruit that had somehow fused with him during unconsciousness. Channeling his meager mana made the mark clearer, but further investigation exceeded his current capacity.
Uneasy, Han Li recalled how wielding the fruit’s sword-form had nearly cost him his life. Regardless of its power, such self-destructive potential made him wary.
Resolving to expel the artifact once recovered, Han Li set aside uncertainties about whether its presence boded well or ill.
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