The door to Han Li’s secluded chamber remained closed for several months, while Silvermoon kept watch over the situation outside the cave abode to ensure Han Li didn’t miss the opportunity to enter the Fallen Demon Valley.
As the miasma in the mountain range gradually thinned, the number of cultivators near the Ten-Thousand Ridge Mountains suddenly surged, with most gathering in the area facing Yehuacheng. Entering the mountains from this direction cut the journey to the Fallen Demon Valley by more than half compared to other routes.
Cultivators from various sects who had obtained Fallen Demon Tokens arrived one after another, and many, like Han Li, established temporary cave abodes nearby to stay for the time being.
The formation Han Li had set up outside his cave wasn’t a top-tier restriction, so many high-level cultivators detected his presence. Some even attempted to visit, but no matter what kind of message talismans they sent into the formation, there was never any response from within. These cultivators soon realized that the cave’s owner had no intention of receiving guests. Though some were displeased, without knowing the owner’s identity, none dared to barge in recklessly, lest they provoke a formidable enemy.
However, Han Li’s refusal to meet guests was an exception. Most cultivators who arrived here, no matter how arrogant they usually were, acted with extreme caution under the infamy of the most perilous place in the South Sky. Many began forming alliances before entering the Fallen Demon Valley—some in small groups, others gathering friends and relatives, creating various-sized factions.
While numbers didn’t necessarily guarantee an advantage in treasure hunting, having more people did increase the chances of survival in dangerous situations. Even those who typically acted alone began actively seeking companions during this time.
As the miasma in the mountains continued to weaken, Silvermoon, who was guarding the cave, was considering whether to summon Han Li from his chamber when the door finally opened, and Han Li emerged unhurriedly.
After months of secluded refinement, Han Li had successfully crafted over thirty puppets—half in the form of turtles and the other half resembling tiger demons. Fortunately, he had collected a large number of high-level demon souls during his time in the Chaotic Star Sea, which made the process smooth. Otherwise, even with all the materials, such powerful demon souls would have been impossible to find.
Even the Great Divination Sage, who had been wholly absorbed in studying puppet techniques in the “Cave of Heavenly Fortune,” couldn’t help but exclaim “Little Monster” in astonishment when he saw Han Li produce one high-level demon soul after another before falling silent again.
Though there were still materials left to craft a few more puppets, Han Li estimated that time was running short. Producing three or four additional puppets wouldn’t make much difference, so he decided to leave the chamber.
Silvermoon reported some incidents that had occurred near the cave during Han Li’s puppet-making. Han Li listened carefully but only nodded faintly without further comment.
He then went to another chamber to inspect the Heavenly Devil Corpse. Finding it in perfect condition, he stored it away with satisfaction before also tucking Silvermoon’s fox form into his sleeve and leaving the cave.
Instead of immediately departing, Han Li sat cross-legged atop the mountain where his cave was located, releasing his spiritual sense to scan the nearby gathering spots and temporary cave abodes of other cultivators. With his formidable spiritual power, even early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators wouldn’t detect his probing unless they were particularly vigilant. As a result, within a radius of a hundred miles, everything—save for a few exceptionally powerful auras or areas with restrictions—was under Han Li’s surveillance.
However, after a moment, Han Li opened his eyes, frowned, and shook his head. He hadn’t found the person he was looking for. After a brief consideration, he rose in a flash of green light, transforming into a green rainbow as he headed toward the nearby market. Given the current circumstances, he should be able to find what he needed there.
The market closest to Han Li’s cave was established by a prominent cultivation clan from the Eastern Yu Kingdom. This family had been in the business for a long time, so even after hearing the news about the Fallen Demon Valley’s treasures, they remained indifferent and continued their operations as usual. As a result, with the influx of high-level cultivators to the Ten-Thousand Ridge Mountains, their business flourished. Even ordinary cultivators who had no intention of entering the valley took advantage of the thinning miasma to gather resources in the outer regions of the mountains.
In a simple herb shop within the market, a pair of white-robed male and female cultivators were pointing at a particular spiritual herb, negotiating with the shopkeeper. After a short while, they seemed to reach an agreement, and the two joyfully handed over a pile of spirit stones before leaving with the herb.
“Junior Sister Yuan, we’re truly lucky. Shortly after arriving at this market, we managed to buy this Golden Spirit Seed—something you’ve been searching for a long time. Now we can start refining that batch of Breath-Transforming Pills,” the man, an elegant-looking young man, said with a smile as they walked along the market’s only street.
“I owe it all to Senior Brother Bai for lending me the spirit stones. Otherwise, I would’ve missed this opportunity,” the white-robed woman replied. Though her features were plain, her peach-blossom eyes shimmered with a hint of allure.
“Your matters are my matters. A few spirit stones are nothing,” the young man said, though inwardly he winced at the expense. Still, he maintained a carefree demeanor to please the woman.
Just as the woman was about to respond, a figure approached them from the opposite direction. With a flick of his hand, a streak of yellow light shot toward them. Startled, the male cultivator instinctively reached out, catching the object mid-air—a gleaming golden token.
“The Tianji Token? You’re Senior Han?” The young man’s eyes widened in shock as he recognized the token. Raising his head, he saw a green-robed man standing before him—Han Li, who had appeared silently in the market.
The young man was Bai Shujun, the Tianji Sect disciple who had once set his sights on Mu Peiling. Han Li had detected him with his spiritual sense upon arriving at the market and was pleased. With Bai Shujun’s help, he could contact his master, Lu Weiying of the Tianji Sect. However, Han Li had no favorable impression of Bai Shujun, so his expression remained cold.
“I need to see your master. Lead the way,” Han Li said bluntly, his tone brooking no argument.
“Senior wishes to see my master? This… Very well, I’ll take you there immediately.” Bai Shujun hesitated briefly before examining the token again and quickly agreeing with deference.
The Han Li before him was no longer a newly advanced early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator but a formidable figure second only to the Three Great Cultivators. Bai Shujun had long regretted his past audacity and hoped to improve Han Li’s impression of him by complying now.
The female cultivator beside him, however, studied Han Li with a flicker of surprise in her eyes but remained silent.
Under Bai Shujun’s guidance, the three left the market, transforming into streaks of light as they flew eastward. After about a quarter of an hour, Bai Shujun led Han Li into the Ten-Thousand Ridge Mountains, stopping before a small hill after traveling dozens of miles inward.
Han Li scanned the area. The location was indeed well-hidden—a small hill surrounded by towering peaks, making it difficult to detect. A faint blue glimmer flashed in his pupils as he focused on an ordinary-looking stretch of stone wall, his expression thoughtful.
Bai Shujun took out a message talisman and tossed it into the air. The talisman transformed into a streak of fire that shot toward the stone wall, disappearing into it like ripples on water.
Turning to Han Li, Bai Shujun explained obsequiously, “This is my master’s temporary residence, concealed by the Minor Sumeru Restriction. He instructed us disciples not to disturb him unless it was urgent. Even Junior Sister Lu hasn’t been able to see him much lately. But since Senior Han has come, my master surely won’t blame me.”
The Tianji Sect woman snorted at the mention of this, her displeasure evident, but she refrained from speaking out in front of Han Li. She had already guessed his identity and, despite being Lu Weiying’s direct descendant, dared not show any disrespect.
“Oh, this fellow Daoist also shares the surname Lu? Is she related to Daoist Lu?” Han Li glanced at the woman and asked casually.
“Elder Lu is my granduncle. I’ve long admired Senior’s reputation,” the woman replied with a charming smile.
Han Li gave a faint smile but didn’t respond further, as the stone wall suddenly shimmered with green light, revealing a two-zhang-tall stone door. A leisurely voice echoed from within:
“Ha! Fellow Daoist Han, you’ve finally come. If you hadn’t shown up soon, I would’ve had to search for you myself. Please, come in. I’ll be waiting in the main hall.”
Han Li chuckled and strode through the door without hesitation. As Bai Shujun and the Lu woman hesitated, Lu Weiying’s voice sounded again:
“You two need not enter. I have private matters to discuss with Fellow Daoist Han. Attend to your own affairs.”
The Tianji Sect elder dismissed his disciple and descendant without ceremony. Though surprised, the two dared not disobey. Bowing respectfully, they took their leave and flew away.
Once Han Li stepped through the door, the green light flickered, and the stone wall reappeared, covered in moss as if nothing had happened. Han Li’s figure had vanished without a trace.
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