"Hmph! With our combined efforts, we can always retreat back into the Ghost Mists—after all, in direct combat, we're no match for Yuan Ying stage cultivators. But as for escape tactics, who else has such refined mastery of our Ghost Sect techniques?" The deep, resolute voice spoke with clear determination. "What do you know? There are at least three or four Yuan Ying cultivators here who possess specific artifacts or unique abilities that counter our Ghost Sect techniques. If you wish to meet your end, then don't burden me with it. Otherwise, don't expect me to keep my word—right now, I'll eliminate you. The young cultivator, naturally, is Master Xuan Gu. At this moment, his voice grew cold as he sharply rebuked. "Master Xuan, there's no need to be so angry! I shall remain silent. However, you promised to find a suitable physical body for me—don't break that promise! Otherwise, how could I have willingly entrusted you even a single essence fragment, or willingly accompanied you into the Ghost Mists?" This man, somewhat wary of Master Xuan's temper, still found himself unable to help but gently remind of the matter most dear to him. "Rest assured Since I need you to assist me in dealing with that rebellious yin-essence disciple, it naturally makes sense for me to act more conveniently once I have a physical body. Moreover, you and I are in similar situations—both of us have specialized in the ghost path midway through our cultivation. Will I not keep my word, then?" Xuan Gu said coldly. "Ah-hah! With your words, I feel much more at ease," said the guest, and then the deep, resonant voice faded from Xuan Gu's mind. This allowed Xuan Gu to take a deep, steady breath and then lean back against a small tree, settling into a light, resting sleep. Time passed slowly. More and more cultivators emerged from the ghost mist, growing increasingly weary and disheveled. Several of them appeared clearly drained of vital energy. It seemed unlikely that they could recover their former cultivation levels without several years of quiet, focused restoration. Yet even so, their faces radiated an unmistakable joy. After all, merely passing through the ghost mist would guarantee them access to rare, hard-to-find medicinal herbs from the outside world. As the number of cultivators gradually increased to sixty or seventy, the arrival of new ones began to slow down. For half a day, only a few emerged occasionally. Among them was the young cultivator who had initially accompanied the Zi Ling Lady. However, he was disheveled, pale, and looked as though he had suffered a significant setback. As soon as he entered the scene, he hurriedly searched for the Zi Ling Lady. Not seeing her anywhere, he grew increasingly anxious, his demeanor restless and uncertain. At the same time, both the Ji Yin Elder and the Xuan Gu Elder, who had not spotted Han Li, also grew uneasy. While the Xuan Gu Elder remained composed despite his growing restlessness, the Ji Yin Elder could hardly contain her agitation, frequently opening her eyes to scan the gloomy mist around, only to close them again with a sense of dissatisfaction. In truth, given this man's usually reserved and composed nature, he should not have appeared so unsteady. However, the very thing on Han Li's person was crucial to his mission, leaving him feeling caught between a rock and a hard place. Most people had not noticed this, but the elderly scholar in the nearby seated posture had observed it carefully, and thus lightly cleared his throat before asking, "Wu, your mind seems unsettled—does anyone among those who have not yet arrived still hold a personal concern for you?" After speaking, the elder fixed his gaze on Ji Yin, his expression filled with suspicion. "It's not exactly someone of great significance—just a young person he once met briefly, a rather interesting junior!" Upon hearing this, Ji Yin immediately regained his composure and replied calmly. "An interesting junior? Then, when the time comes, Wu, you will have to introduce him to me personally. I've always been fond of mentoring promising young talents." The scholar's eyes sparkled with subtle interest, though his smile remained somewhat forced. "Ah, what a clever old fox! His suspicions are truly quite sharp. The Jiyin Master heard this and silently cursed inwardly. Yet on his lips, he could only reluctantly agree. Han Li had still not appeared, and this only made him increasingly restless—so much so that he no longer cared about outmaneuvering the other. He simply closed his eyes again and forced himself into meditation. At the same time, within the mind of the Xuan Gu Shan person in a corner of the room, the deep, resonant voice rang out once more. "Xuan Gu, has your helper arrived yet? Hasn't he been swallowed by that fierce ghost? What good would such a helper be if he's so weak? It seems rather underwhelming." There was a clear tone of relief and even a touch of envy in his words. Xuan Gu sighed, knowing that, given the other's temperament, he would hardly let him go without speaking. He couldn't truly eliminate the other either—after all, the latter still held considerable value for him. To date, no one had cast him a strange glance. Thus, a few brief, casual exchanges should be sufficient to ensure no trouble arises. Thinking of this, Xuan Gu took a moment to say slowly: "This person is quite mysterious! Though he's young and only at the initial stage of Ji Dan cultivation, he absolutely won't fall victim to any fierce ghosts. Even if you encounter him, you'd either be driven to your very soul or flee in panic. Don't underestimate him." "Ji Dan initial stage? Xuan Gu, you're underestimating me! With just a single word from me, I could drain his essence and vital energy completely." The deep, resonant voice spoke with clear disbelief. "My Golden Thunder Bamboo arrow—the one you've suffered through, haven't you? How do you think you'll manage against another Golden Thunder Bamboo artifact?" Xuan Gu said with a chuckle. "Golden Thunder Bamboo sword? Are you serious? The only segment of Golden Thunder Bamboo wasn't already transformed into that very arrow? How could there be any other Golden Thunder Bamboo artifact?" Upon hearing this, the deep-voiced man fell silent, then asked with growing skepticism. "Haha!" As to whether it's true or not, you'll find out when the time comes. But don't think I didn't warn you! This person, besides his Golden Thunder Bamboo artifact, has several rather troublesome tactics. Otherwise, with my reputation as a Xuanyu Bone cultivator, why would I need to team up with a mere Jiedan cultivator? After saying this, Xuanyu Bone simply ceased to pay attention to the other, closing his eyes and meditating silently. The deep, resonant voice, meanwhile, wisely chose not to press further, perhaps still pondering the truth of what Xuanyu Bone had just said. After waiting several more hours, when Xuanyu Bone himself grew increasingly restless and began to suspect that Han Li had indeed encountered trouble, a surge of ghost mist rose up from one side. Then, the mist parted suddenly, revealing three figures stepping out side by side. They were Han Li and the Lady Zilin. The beautiful woman Yuan Yao remained in her black robe, her delicate face veiled, her floral charm concealed. Seeing so many people gathered, Han Li was momentarily startled, then pleasantly surprised. Yet upon a quick glance, he immediately strode off toward a quiet, unoccupied spot. Zi Ling and Yuan Yao exchanged a glance, their thoughts perfectly aligned—without hesitation, both resolved to follow. But at that moment, a figure flashed into view. A young, elegant man in a green robe stepped forward, urgently asking Zi Ling, "That's wonderful! Zi Ling, you're unharmed. I've been deeply worried about you the entire time!" As he spoke, he hurried another step closer, eager to carefully examine her for any injuries, his concern evident. "Li brother, I'm fine," Zi Ling replied, her steps momentarily halting upon seeing him. She managed a smile, but her expression remained uncertain and shifting. Yuan Yao, meanwhile, gave them a thoughtful glance before gracefully drifting away, following on her own. After finding a spot to stand alone, Han Li turned around only to see Yuan Yao approaching—surprised. Yet, he quickly furrowed his brows and said, "Ms. Yuan, we've already escaped the ghost mist. What brings you here now?" Although Han Li was deeply impressed by the young woman's beauty and felt a certain stirring of affection, he had no intention of moving alongside others at this moment. He immediately spoke out words that conveyed a clear distance. Before this woman's subdued gaze, Han Li remained as calm as ever, asking quietly, "Master Han, please go ahead and ask me anything—just as long as it doesn't involve something special, Yuan Yao will certainly ensure your satisfaction!" Seeing that Han Li showed no sign of being tender or protective, the woman grew quietly irritated beneath her composure. Yet, since she had indeed come with certain things to retrieve, she hesitated briefly before nodding and softly replied, "My questions are quite straightforward. What are Master Yuan's clear objectives for this journey? Which stage or gate does she intend to reach? Also, could you explain the hidden circumstances behind her startled appearance when we first met—what troubles or difficulties is she currently facing? I would rather not become entangled in any disputes." Han Li placed both hands behind his back, gazing steadily at her, his eyes never blinking as he asked slowly and deliberately.