Chapter 347: Withdrawal

Arriving in the rear hall, the old man stood there with his hands clasped behind his back.

Seeing Han Li and several dozen other cultivators enter, his expression remained unchanged as he said, “I’ve just assessed all of you. Either your aptitudes are exceptional, or your cultivation techniques are unique. Therefore, you will be the seeds of our sect’s resurgence. You now have half a day to return and gather your belongings. Disciple Huang will lead you to depart immediately.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, and someone asked in disbelief, “Ancestor, didn’t you say the demonic path still needs two days to breach our defenses? Why the rush?”

“Hmph! It will indeed take two more days to break through the front lines, but do you think they’ll just stand by and watch us escape? They’ve already sent forces to bypass the defenses and launch long-range assaults on various sects. Their mission likely isn’t to annihilate us but to prevent an orderly retreat. We must sacrifice those outside to buy time for your withdrawal. However, if any of you dare leak this information while gathering your belongings, causing chaos during the retreat, I will personally purge the traitors.” The brocade-robed elder’s voice was icy, sending chills down the spines of all present.

“Yes…”

Naturally, Han Li and the others dared not object. They all responded respectfully before dispersing to gather their belongings.

On the way back, Han Li and the little old man parted ways midway, both lost in thought.

Since Han Li’s cave dwelling was quite distant, he immediately pushed his Divine Wind Boat to full speed after parting ways, hoping to reach it sooner.

At this moment, Han Li’s emotions were in turmoil.

If he followed Ancestor Linghu’s plan to retreat to another country, his life would be secure. With manpower scarce, he might even gain favor from higher-ups. However, as one of the few remaining Foundation Establishment cultivators, he would inevitably be bogged down by mundane affairs—rebuilding the Yellow Maple Valley and securing a foothold in a new nation. This would leave him little time for cultivation!

By the time everything settled and the six sects reestablished themselves, he would have long missed his chance to advance to the Core Formation stage—an outcome Han Li absolutely refused to accept.

Yet if he fled now, he had no idea whether that old monster was still monitoring him with his spiritual sense. The slightest suspicious move might be detected, and as a deserter, he would surely meet a gruesome end.

Regret washed over Han Li. Had he known things would deteriorate this badly, he would have fled to another country long ago instead of returning.

Helpless, Han Li returned to his cave dwelling.

Upon entering, he first retrieved the storage bags filled with talismans from under his bed and tucked them into his robe. Next, he went to the storeroom and collected the remaining rare medicinal herbs.

Finally, he headed to the secret chamber housing the Spirit Spring, destroying the entire room and concealing the spring. Since he couldn’t relocate this spiritual treasure now, he didn’t want it falling into the hands of the demonic path.

After completing these tasks, Han Li thoroughly inspected the cave once more. Satisfied that nothing was overlooked, he exited and retrieved the flags and disks of the first set of the “Five Elements Reversal Formation,” carefully storing them in a storage bag.

As the formation vanished, revealing the cave entrance once more, Han Li raised an eyebrow and unleashed two beams of black light. Within the time it takes to eat a meal, he reduced the entire small peak to rubble, burying the cave beneath collapsed rocks.

After circling overhead once, Han Li flew away.

When Han Li returned to the assembly hall, most of the others had already arrived. To his surprise, besides their group of several dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators, there were also hundreds of Qi Condensation disciples inside.

“Are these people also evacuating?” Han Li wondered, puzzled.

Then his eyes lit up as he spotted the little old man and Xiao Cui’er standing together, speaking in low, serious tones.

Without hesitation, Han Li walked over to them.

“Uncle Han!” Xiao Cui’er greeted him respectfully upon his approach.

Han Li nodded with a smile and turned to the little old man. “What’s going on? Are these Qi Condensation disciples coming with us?” he asked quietly to avoid drawing attention.

“Yes. These are either exceptionally talented disciples or those with special status—we can’t easily abandon them. My disciple here is among the most gifted!” the little old man replied calmly, though a hint of pride surfaced when mentioning Xiao Cui’er, which Han Li found somewhat amusing.

After a while, Ancestor Linghu and a robust middle-aged man finally appeared.

“Word just arrived—demonic path cultivators have been spotted nearby. Depart immediately! From now on, follow Disciple Huang’s arrangements without question. I will have the remaining sect members draw the enemy’s attention,” Ancestor Linghu declared grimly.

His words sent a shock through Han Li and the others. The demonic path had arrived far too quickly!

The middle-aged man beside Ancestor Linghu spoke coldly: “Time is short, so I’ll be brief. With so many following me in this retreat, I have only one demand: absolute obedience to my orders. Those who disobey will be treated as traitors and dealt with accordingly. Now, move out!” True to his words, he offered a deep bow to the elder beside him and strode out of the hall without delay.

After a moment’s hesitation, the others swarmed out after him.

Thus, a massive procession of several hundred people ascended into the sky before the stone hall and sped rapidly toward the northeast.

…

After most of the day, the entire group exited the Tai Yue Mountain Range and picked up even greater speed.

Han Li flew near the front of the formation aboard his Divine Wind Boat. Noting that the boat could carry passengers, the little old man unceremoniously brought Xiao Cui’er aboard with him. Han Li could only offer a dry laugh, unable to object.

However, shortly after the group had traveled a hundred li beyond the Tai Yue Mountains, a piercing white light suddenly shot from behind, soaring over the cultivators and landing in the hand of Uncle Huang at the front. It was a gleaming white small sword with a jade slip attached.

The middle-aged man’s expression darkened. With a wave of his hand, he halted the entire group. He removed the jade slip and tossed the small sword into the air, where it transformed back into white light and returned the way it came.

Uncle Huang immersed his spiritual sense into the jade slip to read it carefully. Moments later, he withdrew with a grim expression and fell into deep thought, clearly troubled by its contents.

“All Foundation Establishment cultivators, step forward. The situation has changed; I need to reassign tasks,” the middle-aged man announced sternly, turning back to address them.

His words took Han Li and the others by surprise. After exchanging glances, they obediently advanced on their artifacts, while Xiao Cui’er promptly jumped off the Divine Wind Boat.

“Uncle, what happened?” More than a few had noticed the messenger sword he received.

“Ancestor sends word: the demonic path arrived right after we left. They seem aware of our retreat plans and have split into two forces—one besieging Yellow Maple Valley, the other pursuing us. To ensure the main group’s escape, I need a team to come with me and divert them. Those I name will join me in holding off the enemy; the rest will continue fleeing Yue Country under designated leadership.” Uncle Huang’s tone was icy.

His words sent chills through the group. They were no fools—this diversion mission was clearly a suicide assignment.

Though most avoided eye contact, Uncle Huang unhesitatingly pointed out over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Unfortunately, Han Li was among them, while the little old man escaped selection.

Those chosen turned pale, yet none voiced refusal.

With a wave of Uncle Huang’s arm, the rest of the group sped away, leaving Han Li and the others isolated.

“Time is short. I know most of you doubt this mission’s success, but I’m not asking for a head-on fight. Your task is to ambush the pursuers, draw their attention, and cover the main group’s retreat—nothing more,” the middle-aged man said, his tone slightly softening. He then produced over twenty green jade slips.

“Memorize the maps inside these slips and destroy them. If we get separated, regroup at the location marked on the map.” As he spoke, he sent the slips flying—one landing before each cultivator.

Hearing this, the others relaxed slightly. Since they weren’t expected to confront the demonic path directly, their survival odds seemed higher. They eagerly grabbed the slips and began memorizing the maps.

Though Han Li took his slip, he only skimmed it briefly, not committing it to memory.

For him, being left behind to stall the enemy was a rare chance to break free. To pursue Core Formation, he had no intention of staying tied to Yellow Maple Valley indefinitely.