"Although your lord has previously rendered assistance to Ling Zhi, this is a particularly critical time now—surely you can understand and appreciate that, right?" Huang, gazing straight at the direction where Ling Yuling had vanished in flight, remained motionless for a long while before finally regaining his composure. He glanced at Han Li with a calm, neutral tone. "Please, ask me anything you'd like." Han Li responded with steady composure, without hesitation. "That's good. Let me first verify your identity—just to ensure it's accurate." Huang nodded slightly, speaking with composed ease. Seeing this, Han Li smiled gently. "My name is Master Miao Yin, and here is my official credential. This one is the seal token of the city's residence complex. I believe you should be able to distinguish its authenticity." Han Li reached into his storage pouch, producing the two distinct tokens with ease and handed them over to Huang. "Miao Yin Sect? Let me check—does a senior master by that name exist in the Miao Yin Sect?" Huang took the tokens without ceremony, turned only slightly, and issued the command without looking back. The female cultivator standing behind, whose appearance was still rather neat, was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but quickly responded. Then she fumbled through her storage bag, finally producing a jade scroll which she examined with her spiritual awareness. After glancing at Han Li several times, she respectfully said, "Zhao Pu, indeed, the Miao Yin Sect has a senior named Han, and from the portrait, the person appears to be exactly the same." "Ah! These two seals are genuine as well. Then, it seems our credentials are confirmed!" The yellow-faced cultivator nodded without much expression. "Alright, you all continue patrolling around the area. I'll take this guest to complete the formalities for entering the city." He returned the seals to Han Li and instructed. "Understood!" the four others replied. Then, without further words, the yellow-faced cultivator gestured to Han Li and took off first, flying swiftly toward the Star City. Han Li transformed into a streak of azure light and followed closely behind. Not long after, the yellow-faced cultivator led Han Li to the vicinity of the high walls of Tianxing City and hovered above one of the city gates. Though no one had approached to question them along the way, Han Li, upon extending his awareness, discovered at least four or five concealed cultivators who had not yet made their appearance—mostly at the Foundation Stage, though two were at the Consolidation Stage, remaining hidden. Though his face remained calm, Han Li could not help but feel a sudden sense of alertness. It seemed that after the attack on Nanming Island, vigilance had indeed become more stringent. Without someone introducing him and guiding him, he would have found it quite difficult to blend into Tianxing City. The gate area appeared rather quiet. Aside from a group of about a dozen white-robed cultivators, few people were entering or exiting. Closer inspection revealed that the towering walls and the gate itself now shimmered with a soft, pale glow, as though certain restrictions had been activated. The yellow-faced cultivator, upon landing, immediately strode straight toward the elderly figure seated among the white-robed cultivators. The elder had a short sheepish beard and deep wrinkles, lying peacefully on a bamboo chair with his eyes closed. "Yu Puja! This is Han Elder from Miao Yin Sect. I've verified his identity and seal—everything checks out. Now, I'd kindly ask Yu Puja to explain the procedures for entering the city. I must continue my patrol at the outer perimeter and won't be able to stay much longer," he said, bowing respectfully to the elder, as though showing great regard. Han Li's gaze shifted to the elder, and his mind immediately grew more alert. This man was clearly a mid-Ji Dan stage cultivator—no wonder the yellow-faced cultivator had treated him with such deference. "Miao Yin Sect?" The elder's eyelids fluttered slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes, still appearing somewhat drowsy. "Yes. In fact, this esteemed friend once rendered valuable assistance to Ling Sheng on the road." After a moment's hesitation, the yellow-faced cultivator said one more sentence with some difficulty. "Oh, that's quite unusual. I understand now. Zhao, you may return now." The elder's eyes flashed with a cold gleam, a subtle spark briefly emerging before vanishing without a trace; his voice remained weak and languid, unusually relaxed. The yellow-faced cultivator paid no attention to this demeanor, bowed slightly, and then took his departure without further regard to Han Li's flight. Han Li stood still, calm and composed, watching the elder silently, without any urgency or impatience. "I've met the purple spirit maiden of Miao Yin Sect a few times. Indeed, she is a truly well-rounded person—someone with a mind as clear and refined as a jade vessel. I've heard her mentioned twice by the elder of Miao Yin Sect, though I've never had the chance to meet her personally. Nevertheless, given your youthful appearance, perhaps you've also mastered a technique that preserves one's youthful beauty, just as Li did? As far as I know, such techniques are all of the most delicate, Yin-natured type. Men who practice them usually gain little benefit from them." The elder narrowed his eyes, fixing them steadily on Han Li and spoke slowly. "So, then, Ling Daojun is a man? I haven't practiced any facial youth-preserving techniques myself, though I once consumed a single Pill of Facial Stability." Han Li remained utterly composed, asking with quiet calm. "As for whether Ling Daojun is male or female—even among our Star Palace, few truly know. I myself have no idea. But if he has indeed studied a facial youth-preserving technique, that is certain. Heh, quite fortunate for you, Han Daojun, to have had the chance to ingest such a rare pill as the Pill of Facial Stability." The elder chuckled softly, his voice deep and measured. Upon hearing this, Han Li was momentarily taken aback. Yet the elder continued: "Well, let's put that aside. Since someone has already verified your identity, I see no need to elaborate further. However, as things are now different from the usual, the rules naturally must also differ. Please listen carefully—what I have to say, I shall repeat only once." Han Li raised both eyebrows, his lips tightly closed, saying nothing. "Currently, your esteemed friend has two options. The first is to join our Star Palace side temporarily and assist us in defending against the enemy. Under this arrangement, you may move freely within the city without any restrictions. After each mission, our Star Palace will provide exceptionally generous compensation—ensuring that no one contributes effort in vain. The second option is to remain uninvolved in the great battle, simply staying quietly within the city. In this case, we will not impose any pressure upon you. However, except during specified periods, the city is currently under full alert, and residents are not permitted to leave their homes at will. Our Star Palace's enforcement teams will execute anyone who violates these rules without exception. Now, Han Li, I would like to know your decision." The elder's expression suddenly darkened, his tone cold and composed as a mere mortal. Han Li's eyes flashed with surprise, and he remained silent for a moment, clearly deep in thought. Seeing this, the elder did not urge Han Li to make a decision. Yet his originally slightly opened eyes narrowed further, and a subtle hint of cunning appeared on his face. "After entering the city, may I use the teleportation array to reach the Outer Stellar Sea?" After a moment's pause, Han Li finally asked in a steady voice. "Originally, all one needed was to pay a certain number of spiritual stones. But now that is no longer the case. To reach the Outer Stellar Sea, one must first accomplish a task for our Star Palace." The elder showed no surprise at all, as though Han Li's question had been fully anticipated. "What kind of task?" Han Li had a vague sense of what might be coming, yet he furrowed his brows slightly as he asked. "It's quite simple. During the great battle that is about to begin, either complete a task assigned by our Star Palace, or defeat a peer-level invader from the Reverse Star Alliance." The elder smiled gently, speaking with calm ease, a faint trace of mockery curling at the corner of his lips. Upon hearing this condition, Han Li could only shake his head with a quiet sense of苦笑. It seems the senior management of the Star Palace intends to force these cultivators who wish to leave, compelling them even to spill the blood of the Inverse Star Alliance cultivators, no matter how unwilling they are. This would not only weaken the Inverse Star Alliance's strength but also sever their future ties to it. "During my journey back with Ling Daojun, I have already defeated a peer-level cultivator. Does this count?" Han Li exhaled gently and asked with a serious expression. "Only one? You and Ling Yuling?" The elder was visibly moved. "Correct," Han Li nodded without hesitation. "Unfortunately, that doesn't suffice. You must defeat a peer-level cultivator in the midst of a grand battle, publicly, after submitting your application. Even if you had previously eliminated several, it would still be of no avail," the elder said slowly, finally showing a touch of interest. "Daojun, do you estimate when the grand battle will break out?" Han Li stroked his chin, pondering. "It should be quite soon. Likely within just a few days. "Indeed, these members of the Inverse Star Alliance have not captured our Inner Island, yet they have launched a sudden, determined assault on our Tianxing City. I suspect they intend to achieve a swift victory!" The elder was momentarily taken aback by this, glanced at Han Li again, then quickly regained composure and said, "I'll volunteer. After defeating one fellow cultivator of my own stage, I shall need to transmit myself to the Outer Star Sea." Han Li spoke calmly and without hesitation. "Very well! Wear this new ring. With it as proof, you shall be considered a member of our Star Palace for the time being. At the onset of the great battle, you may carry out tasks or register for combat based on this ring." After a moment's search, the elder produced a yellow-glowing ring and handed it over with quiet assurance.