“Although you have shown kindness by aiding Junior Disciple Ling, there are still necessary questions we must ask. Given these extraordinary times, I trust you can understand,” the sallow-faced cultivator said coolly, having finally turned his gaze from the direction where Ling Yuling had vanished. He examined Han Li with detached scrutiny.
“Ask whatever you need,” Han Li replied without hesitation, his expression unchanged.
“Good. First, your identity. I need to verify its authenticity,” the cultivator said with a slight nod, his tone indifferent.
A faint smile touched Han Li’s lips.
“I am an elder of the Mystic Sound Sect. This is my identity token, and this is the restriction token for my cave abode in the city. I believe you can verify their authenticity,” Han Li said calmly, reaching into his storage pouch and producing two different tokens, which he handed over without haste.
“Mystic Sound Sect? Check if they have an elder by this name,” the sallow-faced cultivator commanded bluntly, taking the tokens without so much as a backward glance.
The relatively fair-faced female cultivator standing behind him seemed momentarily taken aback but quickly assented. Rummaging through her own storage pouch, she eventually pulled out a jade slip, scanned it with her spiritual sense, then gave Han Li a few more scrutinizing looks before reporting respectfully, “Protector Zhao, the Mystic Sound Sect does indeed have an elder named Han. The portrait matches him perfectly.”
“Oh? And these tokens are genuine as well. It seems his identity checks out,” the sallow-faced cultivator remarked with an impassive nod.
“Very well. The rest of you, continue patrolling the area. I will take this fellow Daoist to complete the entry procedures,” he said, tossing the tokens back to Han Li.
“Yes!” the four behind him chorused.
Without another word, the sallow-faced cultivator gestured for Han Li to follow and shot toward Starfall City. Han Li transformed into a azure streak of light and followed closely behind.
Before long, they arrived near the high walls of Starfall City, hovering above one of its gates.
Though no one else approached them along the way, Han Li’s spiritual sense detected at least four or five hidden groups of cultivators lying in ambush. Most were Foundation Establishment cultivators, but two Core Formation experts were also concealed among them.
Though his expression remained neutral, Han Li felt a chill. After the attack on South Ming Island, security had indeed been tightened significantly. Without a referral and guide, infiltrating Starfall City would have been no easy task.
The gate appeared rather deserted, with only a dozen or so white-robed cultivators present and no one else entering or exiting. As they drew closer, Han Li noticed that the towering walls and gate were shimmering with a faint white glow, as if some restriction had been activated.
Upon landing, the sallow-faced cultivator immediately approached the only seated figure among the white-robed cultivators—an elderly man with a short goatee and a face full of wrinkles, reclining on a bamboo chair with his eyes closed, seemingly resting.
“Protector Yu! This is Elder Han of the Mystic Sound Sect. I’ve verified his identity and tokens; everything seems in order. I’ll leave it to you to brief him on the city entry procedures. I must return to patrol the outskirts and cannot stay longer,” he said, cupping his fists respectfully toward the elder.
Han Li’s gaze swept over the elder, and he grew three parts more cautious. This man was a mid Core Formation cultivator—no wonder the sallow-faced cultivator dared not offend him.
“Mystic Sound Sect?” The elder’s eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes, as if not fully awake.
“Yes. Moreover, this fellow Daoist righteously aided Junior Disciple Ling on the road,” the sallow-faced cultivator added reluctantly after a moment’s hesitation.
“Oh? How unusual. Understood. You may return, Fellow Daoist Zhao,” the elder said, a cold glint flashing briefly in his eyes before vanishing. His voice remained lethargic and weak.
The sallow-faced cultivator seemed unperturbed by the elder’s demeanor. After cupping his fists, he departed without another glance at Han Li.
Han Li stood calmly in place, watching the elder without hurry or anxiety.
“I’ve met that clever girl Violet Spirit from the Mystic Sound Sect a few times. As for you, an elder of the sect, I’ve heard her mention you once or twice but never had the chance to meet you. But judging by your youthful appearance, have you also cultivated some age-preserving technique like Fellow Daoist Ling? As far as I know, such techniques are extremely Yin in nature and offer no benefits to men who practice them,” the elder said slowly, narrowing his eyes at Han Li.
“So, Fellow Daoist Ling is male? I have not cultivated any age-preserving technique. I merely consumed a Beauty Retention Pill once,” Han Li replied calmly and without expression.
“Whether Fellow Daoist Ling is male or female, even within our Star Palace, few truly know. I certainly don’t. But it’s certain that he has cultivated an age-preserving technique. Heh, though it seems Fellow Daoist Han has been quite fortunate to have the chance to consume something as rare as a Beauty Retention Pill,” the elder chuckled lowly, speaking leisurely.
Han Li was slightly taken aback by this. But the elder continued, “Enough of that. Since someone has already verified your identity, I won’t trouble with further checks. However, given that circumstances are different from usual, the rules have also changed. Listen carefully—I will only say this once.”
Han Li raised an eyebrow slightly but remained silent.
“Now, you have two choices. First, you can temporarily join our Star Palace side and assist us in resisting the enemy. If you do, you may move freely within the city without restrictions. Moreover, after each mission, Star Palace will reward you handsomely—we will certainly not let our fellow Daoists exert effort in vain. Second, if you prefer not to participate in the great battle and simply wish to remain quietly in the city, that is also acceptable. Star Palace will not force you. However, aside from designated time periods, the city is under martial law. Leaving your residence arbitrarily is forbidden, and our enforcement teams within the city will show no mercy to violators. Now, Fellow Daoist Han, please tell me your decision.” The elder’s expression suddenly turned icy and severe.
A strange light flickered in Han Li’s eyes as he fell silent, deep in thought.
Seeing this, the elder showed no urge to hurry him. Instead, his slightly opened eyes narrowed again, and a faint, cunning smile crept onto his face.
“After entering the city, may I use the teleportation formation to travel to the Outer Star Seas?” Han Li asked after a moment of contemplation.
“Normally, you could simply pay the spirit stones. But now, it’s not possible. To go to the Outer Star Seas, you must first accomplish a task for Star Palace,” the elder replied without any surprise, as if he had anticipated the question.
“What task?” Han Li had a vague idea but frowned slightly as he asked.
“Simple. Either complete a mission for Star Palace in the upcoming great battle or kill a cultivator of equivalent rank from the Inverse Star Coalition,” the elder said lightly, a trace of mockery curling his lips.
Hearing these terms, Han Li inwardly sighed. It seemed Star Palace’s higher-ups intended to force those wishing to leave to shed blood for the cause—even if they couldn’t be recruited, they would still have to stain their hands with the blood of Inverse Star Coalition cultivators. This would both weaken the enemy and ensure these cultivators could never side with the Coalition in the future.
“On the way back with Fellow Daoist Ling, I already killed a cultivator of equivalent rank. Does that count?” Han Li asked solemnly.
“You killed one? You and Ling Yuling?” The elder showed a flicker of surprise.
“Indeed,” Han Li affirmed without hesitation.
“Unfortunately, that doesn’t count. The kill must occur after you submit your application and be witnessed publicly during the great battle. No matter how many you killed before, they are irrelevant,” the elder said slowly, finally showing a hint of interest.
“When do you estimate the great battle will begin?” Han Li stroked his chin, thoughtful.
“It should be soon—likely within the next few days. Since the Inverse Star Coalition forces are launching a sudden assault on our Starfall City without even having taken the inner islands, they probably aim for a quick resolution,” the elder replied, slightly taken aback by the question but quickly regaining his composure.
“I’ll enlist. After killing a cultivator of my rank, I wish to teleport to the Outer Star Seas,” Han Li stated coolly, without much deliberation.
“Good! Wear this new ring. It serves as proof that you are temporarily a member of Star Palace. When the great battle begins, this ring will allow you to undertake missions or enlist for combat,” the elder said, rummaging through his robes before producing a faintly yellow-glowing ring and handing it over impassively.
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