Upon hearing Ling Yuling’s words, Han Li swept his spiritual sense over the beast-drawn carriage once more before nodding silently without further comment.
The group below had already boarded the vehicle, which was driven by a towering, bald giant standing two zhang tall. Though only at the Foundation Establishment stage, his bare upper body revealed arms with muscles like forged steel, exuding an intimidating aura.
With a crack of the white whip in his hand, a sharp screech pierced the air. The previously lethargic green flood dragons lying before the stone hall immediately sprang to life, shaking their heads and tails. The carriage then shot into the sky with a roar, transforming into a streak of white light—its speed rivaling that of an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
A quarter of an hour later, Han Li and the others arrived at one of Heavenly Star City’s gates.
Above the massive island, the forces of wind and fire continuously battered the pale blue barrier from all directions. Even within the protective shield, the relentless rumble of thunder sent chills down the spines of the city’s mortal inhabitants and low-level rogue cultivators.
After all, everyone knew that while the barrier still appeared thick and resilient, it was only a matter of time before the relentless assault from the grand formation outside would breach it.
Standing in a secluded corner of the city gate, Han Li gazed outward. The scene beyond the barrier was unremarkable—nothing but the same mix of azure and crimson hues he had seen upon entering. Even with his formidable abilities, he couldn’t see far into the chaotic storm.
His eyes then drifted downward, where nearly two thousand low-level cultivators had gathered in a concealed area near the gate. Some sat cross-legged in meditation, others polished their magical tools or organized talismans—all making final preparations.
Elder Zhao and the purple-robed burly man had also stepped out of the carriage, engaged in a grave discussion with several other elders.
“Brother Han, I have a request to make of you. I wonder if you’d be willing to oblige?” A melodious voice reached Han Li before he could turn around to see the approaching footsteps.
“What is it?” Han Li turned, his expression unreadable.
Behind him stood Ling Yuling, clad in a light green palace gown. Her delicate face flickered between emotions, her brows tightly knit as if she had mustered great resolve before speaking.
“The upcoming battle will determine the fate of our Star Palace. To be frank, the Anti-Star Alliance has recruited many reclusive ascetics over the years. Even with your help, our chances of victory are no better than fifty-fifty. If we win, all will be well, and I won’t trouble you further. But if we suffer a crushing defeat, I hope you can take these individuals recorded in this jade slip and escort them away from the Star Sea, offering them some protection.” She bit her lip lightly before producing a pale blue jade slip, her eyes pleading.
“What do you mean by this?” Han Li frowned slightly.
“Nothing more than this—these people are my closest kin. Though I’m confident few know of their connection to me, if we truly lose, the Anti-Star Alliance may seek to eliminate all traces of us. It would be safer if you could take them away. Since you’re not a native of the Star Sea, you’d surely find a way.” Her tone carried the weight of entrusting an orphan’s fate.
Han Li stared at her, momentarily speechless.
His silence seemed to be misinterpreted, as she continued with a light laugh, “Of course, I wouldn’t ask this of you without compensation. I recall my father once struck a deal with you for three favors. Assisting me against Wan Tianming already counts as one. If you agree to this, regardless of the battle’s outcome or whether you actually need to act, I’ll consider it as fulfilling another favor. How does that sound?”
“Fellow Daoist Ling, have you truly thought this through? I promised your father to save your life three times in moments of peril. Wasting one so casually hardly aligns with the Twin Saints’ intentions,” Han Li said after a pause, his gaze flickering strangely.
“I’m well aware. But as the current master of Star Palace, if we lose this battle, our ten-thousand-year legacy will be severed. What use would the remaining two favors be? It’s better to ensure my kin’s safety. As for me, with my mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, I can generally protect myself.” She sighed softly.
Han Li studied her vulnerable expression for a long moment before replying impassively, “Very well. Since you’ve put it this way, I accept this trade. If you are defeated, I’ll take them away from the Star Sea.”
“With your word, I’m free of worries. Given your status as a Great Cultivator, even if the battle turns against us, you’d have no trouble withdrawing unscathed.” Ling Yuling’s face brightened with a radiant smile.
Han Li merely chuckled faintly before turning back to gaze beyond the city.
Having secured his promise, Ling Yuling tactfully withdrew without further disturbance.
Several hours later, after confirming via transmission talismans that all were ready, the gates of Heavenly Star City swung open simultaneously. Tens of thousands of cultivators surged forth, swiftly passing through the blue barrier and vanishing into the storm of wind and fire.
Such a massive mobilization by Star Palace was instantly detected by the Anti-Star Alliance forces guarding the Windfire Heavenly Annihilation Formation.
The Alliance immediately dispatched a large contingent to intercept while the remaining defenders activated the formation at full power. Though the formation had little effect on Core Formation cultivators and above, it posed a lethal threat to those at the Foundation Establishment stage.
As the towering windfire pillars roared to life, the previously drifting azure-crimson mist churned violently, condensing into glowing orbs that exploded incessantly. The formation became a sea of flashing lights and deafening detonations.
An unprepared Foundation Establishment cultivator would be instantly consumed by the windfire onslaught. However, Star Palace had meticulously prepared for this battle. Nearly every cultivator was shielded by a protective barrier, neutralizing the formation’s assault and minimizing casualties.
Meanwhile, Anti-Star Alliance forces clashed head-on with Star Palace’s troops near the pillars, igniting fierce battles across the formation.
At the same time, atop a three-hundred-zhang-tall windfire pillar at the formation’s edge stood several cultivators surveying the distant chaos.
Leading them was a middle-aged man in purple robes and a jade belt, his square face framed by thick brows—none other than Wan Tianming, whom Han Li had encountered multiple times in the Virtual Heaven Palace. Now, however, his demeanor was far more composed.
Behind him stood a sallow-faced elder and an old woman clad in garish red and green attire, both watching the battlefield with grim expressions.
“It seems Star Palace has truly committed everything this time. Impressive that they’d expend so many mid-grade talismans at once—enough to bankrupt an ordinary sect,” the sallow-faced elder muttered. This was none other than the Long Surnamed cultivator who had fled in panic when Han Li breached the formation.
“They’re desperate, likely due to that intruder who entered Star City,” Wan Tianming remarked calmly.
“More like a cornered beast lashing out! But Fellow Daoist Long, was that cultivator who killed Fellow Daoist Hua truly so formidable? The two of you joined forces, yet he slew one of you instantly?” The old woman’s eyes gleamed with a greenish light as she addressed the elder. She was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
At the mention of Han Li, Long’s face darkened further. He rubbed his newly reattached arm, cultivated through secret arts, before replying bitterly, “‘Formidable’ doesn’t begin to describe him. Fellow Daoist Hua was no weakling, yet he lasted mere moments against that man. Had I not fled with a secret technique, I wouldn’t be standing here either. That man is no mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator—he’s undoubtedly a late-stage Great Cultivator.”
“A late-stage Great Cultivator? Nonsense! Aside from Fellow Daoist Wan, there are no such figures in the Inner Sea. Otherwise, Star Palace would’ve sought their aid long ago instead of being slowly eroded by our Alliance,” the old woman scoffed derisively.
Long’s expression soured further.
“Not necessarily. After reviewing the replicated image Long provided, I found the man familiar. Upon reflection, I believe I’ve identified him—someone Fellow Daoist Qiu should recognize,” Wan Tianming interjected with a faint smile.
“Oh? Please elaborate, Brother Wan,” the old woman said, intrigued.
“Do you recall the rumors of the Virtual Heaven Cauldron’s emergence centuries ago? Or our Alliance’s bounty on a cultivator named Han Li?” Wan Tianming mused.
“The Virtual Heaven Cauldron? Han Li? You’re saying the intruder is him? Hmm, they do resemble each other. But that’s impossible—he was merely a Core Formation cultivator back then!” The old woman quickly connected the dots but shook her head in disbelief.
“Don’t be too surprised. Over a century ago, before the Heavenly Star Twin Saints fell, I received intelligence that this Han Li had reappeared as a Nascent Soul cultivator near the Yellow Sand Sect. Later, he used Star Palace’s teleportation formation to visit the Outer Sea. During that time, the Twin Saints apparently tried—and failed—to recruit him. I also suspect his involvement in the mysterious disappearances of our Alliance’s elders, such as Miao He.” Wan Tianming continued gazing at the battlefield, his tone unhurried.
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