Although the Five Friends of Mengshan were surprised by Han Li's decision, they also found his reasoning somewhat convincing. However, when the middle-aged woman asked about the true identities of the two representatives from the Black Shao Sect, she ran into a slight obstacle with Han Li. Han Li merely smiled calmly and said that everyone would naturally know by the time of the evening action. This left the middle-aged woman unable to press further, and she settled into a composed, indifferent expression. Soon after, Qin Ping brought Qin Yan's message and led the Five Friends of Mengshan to another courtyard nearby, where they were settled. As Han Li watched their retreating figures, a peculiar expression appeared in his eyes, and he suddenly murmured something—what he said, however, no one could clearly hear. After dinner that evening, the Five Friends of Mengshan gathered in the living room of Qing Yin Hall, preparing to begin their action at the time Han Li had mentioned. "Strange! How can I just not remember it now?" The young man in his thirties, the fourth brother, kept circling the hall, nodding and shaking his head, looking deeply puzzled. "Brother Four! Haven't you remembered yet?" The youngest woman, lounging lazily in her chair with a half-smiling, half-quirky expression, asked. "Brother Four, you've always said you've seen the senior Han before—definitely met him somewhere in the past. Yet you can't recall when or where. This makes me rather doubtful. Isn't it possible that you're simply imagining a connection with Senior Han, creating this sense of familiarity yourself?" It was clear that her tone carried a good deal of teasing. "Hmm, that's very likely. After all, Senior Han's appearance is quite ordinary, so it's quite natural that Brother Four finds him pleasant and familiar!" The taller, second brother added, sipping his fragrant tea while chuckling. Yet, his eyes never left the middle-aged woman by his side, constantly shifting between her still-adorable features and her abdomen, which appeared to be in good condition, radiating pure happiness. But this third middle-aged woman found herself increasingly restless under his gaze, frowning at him repeatedly, only to be met with his cheerful, somewhat dazed "he-he" smile—his usual sharp, composed demeanor having vanished entirely. "Hmph. Let them say what they like. I'm certain I've seen her myself. But it must have been some time ago—otherwise, I wouldn't have forgotten it so completely," the young man said, glaring sharply at the younger woman and the slim, tall man, with a touch of reluctance. "Some time ago? Four years ago, we were constantly practicing on Meng Mountain, never leaving the mountain. How could you have seen Master Han then? Surely not when you were still wearing your diapers?" the middle-aged woman replied, chuckling and teasing the young man. "Third sister, you—" The young man blushed, looking deeply embarrassed. "A few years ago, Fourth Brother wasn't always meditating in the mountains. Didn't you all remember that we once participated in a Celestial Ascension Festival? We had to travel for two or three months then, but unfortunately, we all came back empty-handed—though fortunately, none of us suffered serious injuries!" The elder with a dark face added these calmly. "Wait a minute! All of you actually attended the Celestial Ascension Festival?" Fifth Sister blinked, showing genuine curiosity. In contrast, Second Brother and the middle-aged woman exchanged weary smiles. "There's nothing to say about it—that was the first time we truly understood what it meant to be confined to our own well!" the middle-aged woman sighed. "Really? Brother Fourth, tell me about it—what happened then? Oh!" The young woman, with her growing curiosity, turned back and asked the young man to recount the details of the Ascension Festival. Yet what met her eyes was a face filled with astonishment. "Fourth brother, what's wrong with you?" Others also noticed the young man's unusual demeanor and asked in surprise. "Brother Er, do you remember that day when we parted ways from our eldest brother and sister at the Ascension Festival, when I, for a moment, got hungry and went to the Jiayuan City inn to secretly enjoy the wine and dishes?" The young man didn't address their immediate questions but suddenly recalled a past incident, which left the slender, tall man somewhat puzzled. "Of course I do. Though I managed to keep it hidden from you at the time, our eldest brother eventually found out and gave you a stern reprimand!" Brother Er replied, somewhat confused. "Then it all makes sense." When I came back, did I mention that I encountered a young disciple at the inn who seemed to be participating in the Ascension Gathering, though his cultivation level was only around the 7th or 8th stage of Qi Condensation? At the time, we thought he was utterly overestimating himself," the young man said with a苦笑. "The time has passed, and I can't recall exactly, but I think it must have happened," his second brother replied hesitantly. He had no idea why his fourth brother had suddenly brought up this matter. The others were equally puzzled by their conversation, finding it most unusual. "But that young disciple from back then—wasn't he precisely the esteemed Master Han we have here today?" The young man said this with a dry voice, a statement that left everyone present stunned. "Wait—Master Han was that very young disciple with such a modest cultivation level?" The tall, slender man leapt up from his chair, his face filled with disbelief. "Could you explain what happened? Tell me in detail!" After a moment of shock, the older man with a stern expression furrowed his brow and asked. "That's the situation, brother!" The slim, tall man hurriedly outlined the events from back then, leaving the others astonished. "Fourth Brother said that Master Han was only an eighth or ninth stage cultivator at the time?" The young woman swallowed hard, then realized her awkwardness and blushed slightly. Yet the others were all in awe, completely unaware of her small gesture. "Fourth Brother wouldn't have mistaken him, would he? After all, it's been over ten years since then—Master Han's appearance and age should have changed considerably!" the bearded elder stroked his chin, pondering. "No, it's definitely Master Han! He looks exactly as he did back then, only a bit older now!" The young man was initially surprised, then after a moment of reflection, spoke with confidence. Hearing him state it so firmly, the others exchanged puzzled glances. In just a decade or so, a cultivator of such a low level had unexpectedly risen to become a Juzhi-stage cultivator—this fact alone left the group feeling bitter. For a moment, no one dared to speak. Suddenly, a figure stepped out from a side chamber of Qingyin Pavilion. With careful attention, he gently closed the door, glanced around, and then moved silently through the small courtyard. Taking advantage of the dark night, he walked to a corner of the wall, his eyes flickering with hesitation before steadying into determination. He reached into his cloak, slightly nervous, to pull out a small box. Just as he was about to open it, a soft sigh echoed from behind—startling him so that he nearly dropped the box to the ground. The voice sounded unmistakably like Han Li's. "Why must you do this?" A voice he knew all too well responded almost simultaneously, filled with deep sorrow. As the sky brightened, several figures emerged from nearby, each carrying a moonstone. Under the soft white glow, they all looked utterly stunned. "What is the reason?" the bearded elder lamented, his voice full of regret. "What is it, and why? I simply came out to test my artifacts!" The man's complexion, which had originally been pale as paper, gradually returned to normal, and he spoke calmly as though nothing had happened. "Then, could you hand over the items you're currently holding so that I may examine them?" From the dark night sky, Han Li descended gently, his expression serene and composed. "That's strange—how could my artifacts be shown to a stranger? Of course not! Not unless it's Brother Si!" The person who had been quietly observing turned out to be the young woman among the Five Friends of Mengshan. Though she was making a conscious effort to maintain her usual composure, her hands were constantly clutching the small box tightly, refusing to let go even slightly. "Five sister, hand over the items you're holding to Senior Han!" the elder with a dark face said, his tone grave and cold.