“If the Star Palace were truly destroyed, do you think I could remain unharmed? Moreover, I don’t intend for Brother Han to risk his life against Wan Tianming. I merely hope that when we take action, you can keep him occupied. Surely, this is within Brother Han’s capabilities?” Ling Yuling frowned slightly and spoke slowly.
“If it’s just keeping him occupied, that’s not impossible. However, the key issue is that he is also a Great Cultivator. Once a fight breaks out, whether it escalates to a life-or-death struggle is beyond my control. If Fellow Daoist Ling agrees in advance that I may withdraw should he unleash a lethal attack, then I might consider intervening once. Besides, the fall of the Star Palace and your personal safety are two entirely separate matters. Even if the Star Palace ceases to exist, I can still ensure your survival as a personal favor. This would fulfill my promise to your father. Otherwise, the terms exchanged between the Twin Saints and me back then alone wouldn’t justify taking such a risk.” Han Li spoke calmly, succinctly pinpointing the crux of the matter.
Ling Yuling’s expression shifted slightly.
“Fellow Daoist Han, from your tone, it seems you’re not entirely unwilling to act—just that you require sufficient compensation. Am I mistaken?” The elderly Zhao, who had remained silent until now, discerned something from Han Li’s words. Frowning, he stroked his beard and asked.
“Of course. Everything in this world comes at a price. If the Star Palace’s offer is truly enticing, I might be willing to take this extraordinary risk.” Han Li smiled faintly, making no attempt to conceal his stance.
“Oh? What does Fellow Daoist Han desire?” Elder Ma’s eyes flashed with curiosity as he spoke.
“It’s not about what I want, but rather what the Star Palace is willing to offer to sway me.” Han Li remained expressionless.
The Star Palace elders exchanged varied looks, some even whispering among themselves via sound transmission within the hall.
Han Li’s earlier refusal didn’t anger these centuries-old veterans. None of them would foolishly risk their lives against a peer without substantial gain, let alone in a battle between top-tier Great Cultivators, where the stakes were far higher.
Yet, persuading Han Li seemed no easy task. Ordinary treasures, materials, or even cultivation manuals were unlikely to catch the eye of a Great Cultivator.
Seated at the head of the hall, Ling Yuling watched the murmuring elders with a fluctuating expression. After a moment, she suddenly spoke, her red lips parting: “Brother Han makes a valid point. Ordinary items surely hold no appeal for you. How about this—the Star Palace offers the Magnetic Divine Light cultivation method and the Magnetic Divine Mountain as exchange terms? Given the profound mysteries of this technique, only a prodigy like Brother Han would be worthy of mastering it.”
Her words struck Han Li’s core objective, leaving him momentarily stunned. He scrutinized Ling Yuling for a moment, then narrowed his eyes in contemplation.
The other Star Palace elders were equally surprised, exchanging odd glances, yet none voiced opposition.
Though the Magnetic Divine Light was renowned—a legacy of the Twin Saints—its notorious difficulty and drawbacks made it nearly useless to ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators. Trading it and the Magnetic Mountain for Han Li’s assistance seemed a fair deal. Their only concern was whether Han Li would accept.
Contrary to their expectations, Han Li didn’t deliberate long. With a meaningful nod, he said, “It seems Fairy Yuling already knew what I desired. I’m not a greedy man—this exchange suffices. When the time comes, I’ll help you restrain Wan Tianming. I can’t guarantee his death, but I won’t let him interfere with your plans easily.”
“Excellent. The Star Palace trusts Brother Han’s word. We’ll send the Magnetic Divine Light cultivation method shortly, and once the battle concludes, the Magnetic Mountain will be delivered to you.” Ling Yuling’s jade-like face brightened with a smile.
“Then I’ll await your news, Fellow Daoist Ling. The journey here has wearied me, so I’ll take my leave to rest.” With the matter settled, Han Li rose to depart.
“Of course! Elder Zhao, please arrange a quiet chamber for Fellow Daoist Han to rest for a few days. And since Brother Han is our honored guest, I’ll trouble you to accompany him during his stay.” Ling Yuling nodded graciously, turning to the elderly Zhao with a gentle command.
The white-haired elder bowed slightly in acknowledgment before guiding Han Li out.
Before leaving, Han Li paused, his gaze sweeping over the elders until it settled deeply on Elder Ximen. A faint blue glint flickered in his pupils before he calmly exited.
Elder Ximen shuddered under that gaze, a chill creeping down his spine as his divine sense prickled with pain, nearly making him leap from his seat. Yet, the sensation vanished the moment Han Li turned away, as if it had never occurred.
Panicked, Elder Ximen meticulously inspected his body and divine sense but found nothing amiss. Relieved yet unsettled, he scoffed at his own paranoia.
Even a Great Cultivator wouldn’t dare attack him within the Star Palace’s stronghold. Still, he resolved to retreat to a hidden refuge post-meeting, emerging only for the battle to avoid Han Li entirely.
Regret gnawed at him. Had he known Han Li would rise to such heights, he’d have either avoided provoking him or ensured his utter annihilation.
Once Han Li and Elder Zhao vanished from the hall, the purple-robed elder voiced his doubts: “Palace Master, can this Han Li truly restrain Wan Tianming? What’s his background? Could he betray us mid-battle, even siding with the Inverse Star Alliance? Wouldn’t it be safer to rely on our defenses?”
“Rest assured, Elder Ma. I knew Han Li before my father’s agreement with him. While not close, his past conflicts with the Inverse Star Alliance’s old monsters over the Void Cauldron rule out any collusion. As for restraining Wan Tianming—Han Li advanced earlier and wields the Void Cauldron, giving him the edge. Besides, do we have alternatives? Our city’s grand formation won’t hold indefinitely against their relentless assaults. This battle will decide our fate—either the Inverse Star Alliance falls, or the Star Palace perishes.” Ling Yuling’s tone brooked no argument.
Seeing even the most defiant elder concede, she smiled faintly. “Now, let’s discuss the battle’s timing and strategy to breach their formation…”
—
In a secluded chamber, Han Li sat cross-legged, hands forming an esoteric seal, eyes closed.
After an indeterminate time, his expression shifted, and he slowly opened his eyes.
“So, Fellow Daoist Han has decided to act?” A child’s playful voice echoed in his ears—the Heavenly Spirit Beast’s avatar.
“You knew what I was planning?” Han Li’s voice turned grave, though his face remained impassive.
“Though I couldn’t identify the technique, that glance you gave him before leaving marked him with your divine sense. Given your prowess, none in that hall could detect it. Surely you didn’t mark him for a friendly chat?” The child chuckled.
“Since you’ve seen through it, I’ll be frank. That man nearly killed me once. While I’m not petty, such grudges aren’t easily forgiven. In the Star Palace’s sanctum, direct action was unwise. Now that he’s left, it’s time.” Han Li smirked, summoning his silver humanoid puppet with a tap to his storage bag. The puppet phased through the wall and vanished.
Han Li then rose, exiting the chamber to find Elder Zhao sipping tea in an adjacent hall.
“Fellow Daoist Zhao, your cultivation follows the wood attribute, correct? If you’re willing, let’s exchange insights.” Han Li offered a faint smile.
—
Half a day later, a soul lamp in the Star Palace’s restricted area flickered and extinguished, sending its guardian into a panic. The alarm spread swiftly.
Within hours, elders stormed Elder Ximen’s cave, breaching a sealed chamber where disciples had last seen him.
The room stood empty. No corpse, no trace.
Elder Ximen had perished mysteriously, his remains nowhere to be found.
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