"What's the matter? Go on, tell me about it!" Han Li looked completely unconcerned. "Since you've asked, of course we'll be honest. But may I ask your honorable name, Elder?" The elder bowed respectfully and asked carefully. The elder hesitated, thinking to himself. "I have never interfered in the affairs of this sect, nor do I care whether you tell the truth or not. As long as you answer my questions clearly, I will not unnecessarily trouble you. Now, please recount what has happened recently. What major events have taken place?" Han Li's smile faded slightly as he spoke. "How could I deceive the elder? Every word I have said before is true. Here is what happened." The elder beamed with sincerity, nearly swearing on his word. But upon seeing Han Li's gaze grow cold, he quickly resumed his narration. "A while ago, a rumor suddenly spread across the Land of Chaos and Stars, claiming that the Twin Saints of Tianxing—Master Yuanmagnetic and Master Sheng—had achieved full mastery of their divine light and were about to break through their current barriers. The Star Palace intended to use this opportunity to eliminate certain uncooperative or uncontrollable factions. Most people originally thought this was merely another rumor. Yet, within just a few days of its emergence, the Star Palace actually issued the 'Heavenly Star Edict' to various regional and major powers." "All sect leaders and island rulers must personally visit the Twin Saints of Tianxing City upon receiving the Heavenly Star Mandate; otherwise, they will be eliminated under the charge of disrespecting the Star Palace." The elder explained carefully. "Requiring various factions to pay homage to the Twin Saints of Tianxing? Isn't that likely to provoke strong resistance? The Star Palace would surely issue such a clearly counterintuitive command!" Han Li narrowed his eyes, expressing doubt. "Yes. When the Heavenly Star Mandate was first distributed to all factions, most of them were completely taken aback! If the Star Palace had been at its peak strength, such a command would have been entirely understandable. But now, with both the righteous and the demonic powers no longer behind it, this move truly makes little sense," the elder added, with a touch of苦笑. "Then the cultivators I've encountered along my journey—have they all gone to pay homage to the Twin Saints of Tianxing?" Han Li glanced at the group again, furrowing his brows. "That's hard to say!" the elder replied, hesitating slightly, his words somewhat vague. "Hard to say? What does that mean?" Han Li's face flashed with a look of surprise, and he asked with some curiosity. "Master, I still have a few things to say. Not long after the Star Palace issued the Heavenly Star Mandate, the Zhengdao and Magedo unexpectedly announced their alliance to establish an organization called the 'Reverse Star Alliance,' claiming to break the Star Palace's dominance over the Chaotic Star Sea and completely end its rule. The Grand Protector of the Zhengdao, Wan San Gu, and the current leading figure of the Magido, the 'Six Paths Supreme Saint,' jointly serve as the two chief leaders of the Reverse Star Alliance. As soon as the alliance was formed, numerous sects and organizations belonging to either the Zhengdao or Magido joined. Many other powers also responded enthusiastically, and over a dozen independent cultivators at the Yuan Ying stage joined as senior elders. Remarkably, the Reverse Star Alliance has adopted the same practice as the Star Palace—issuing a special 'Reverse Star Mandate' scroll, known as a ghost scroll. They claim that any power that pays homage to the Heavenly Star Dual Saints will automatically become an enemy of the alliance and will not be spared." Moreover, they claimed that they would soon launch an attack on the Star City, allowing other factions to freely observe and express their positions. The elder looked utterly helpless. Upon hearing this, Han Li remained composed on the surface, yet his mind was stunned. Such a significant development had occurred during his brief imprisonment in the Xitian Pavilion—something entirely unexpected! For a moment, Han Li felt utterly disoriented. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He glanced at the elder calmly and asked, "What does the Reverse-Star Seal look like? Do you have this seal with you?" "Our sect has received one such seal, though it is currently held by the Sect Master. However, I have copied the appearance of the seal onto a jade scroll. Would the elder like to see it?" The elder paused slightly, then added politely. "Yes, show it to me!" Han Li nodded coldly. The elder immediately flipped open his storage bag and produced a yellow jade scroll, then respectfully held it out to Han Li with both hands. Han Li, without hesitation, took it and quickly extended his divine awareness into the scroll to scan it. His face slightly changed in expression! Indeed, the pattern of the ghost-faced plaque exactly matched the one presented by the Sixth Hall elder to Wu Chou the day before. Though the shape had slightly changed, it was clearly from the same origin. It seemed that the forces of righteousness and evil had long been secretly collaborating, carefully sending spies to infiltrate other factions years ago. Han Li was deeply surprised, yet he maintained a composed expression and returned the scroll to the elder. "So, you went to the area near Tianxing City to observe the impending great battle between the Star Palace and the Reverse Star Alliance, and then made your decision?" Han Li casually asked. Upon hearing Han Li's words, the elder looked slightly embarrassed. "Yes, Master. We indeed were sent by the abbot to investigate the situation there beforehand." After all, our San Xian Sect isn't exactly a major or prestigious academy—we can only adapt as circumstances demand. However, in the past few weeks, the Nixing Alliance has launched attacks on the extraterrestrial isles of Tianxing City and has gained the upper hand. Several isles have even officially switched their allegiance to the Alliance. Now, it's likely that the inland isles will be next. Meanwhile, some individuals with ulterior motives have taken advantage of the situation to stir up trouble. Numerous independent practitioners and smaller sects have been affected—some have been left abandoned in the wilderness, others completely wiped out. The elder expressed some concern, noting why the traveling cultivators seemed so cautious. "Ah, now I understand. Very well. Since the situation has been clarified, you may now proceed." Han Li was satisfied with the elder's response and merely waved his hand, speaking calmly. "Then I shall bid you good day." Hearing Han Li's words, the elder was greatly relieved and promptly bowed to depart. Though he didn't appear to be in a furious or hostile mood toward Han Li, being accompanied by a stranger of Jie Dan stage made him feel somewhat startled and nervous, so he promptly arranged to take off immediately with no delay. Han Li, on the other hand, remained standing in place, silently pondering. It was impossible for the Star Palace to allow other cultivators free entry into the city at this very moment. With this thought, Han Li sighed inwardly. Over the following several days, he intercepted several waves of lower-tier cultivators, each asking them the same questions—almost identical in content. Now, Han Li had finally confirmed the authenticity of the information, yet found himself in a dilemma. After pondering for a long time, Han Li finally bit his lip and opened the bottle, carefully pouring a few drops of transparent, viscous liquid into his mouth. Then he closed the small bottle again, donned the crimson cloak, and instantly transformed into a blazing streak of bloodlight, vanishing completely from his original spot. For the following半个月, whenever his inner qi reserves were sufficiently depleted, he simply added a few drops of spiritual milk and continued journeying with the crimson cloak as his ancient artifact. As a result, Han Li naturally shortened his travel distance significantly, achieving a speed nearly equivalent to that of ordinary Yuanqi-stage cultivators. Along the way, several Jin Dan-stage cultivators who happened to encounter him by chance mistakenly regarded the bloodlight figure as a senior Yuanqi-stage master, respectfully stepping aside and never daring to obstruct him for even a moment. No cultivator dared harbor any ill intentions toward this esteemed Yuanqi-stage master.