"Hmph! That girl took not only the young master's cultivation texts, but also the entire collection. Once I break through this array, I'll be relying on you all for support." The elder's face flashed with anger, but soon settled into a composed expression as he spoke. "Don't worry. Even if she has six arms and three heads, she'll be unable to escape this time." The skeleton chuckled, his tone carefree and unconcerned. Upon hearing this, the elder felt reassured and promptly ceased hesitating. With a sudden, vigorous motion of his hands, a brilliant yellow glow surged forth from his palms. "Break!" he roared, and the yellow glow transformed into a streak of dazzling light, shooting straight toward the surface of the stone mountain. A deep, resonant rumble echoed through the air. The stone mountain seemed as though a massive stone had been dropped into a still pond—its previously still and motionless scene now rippled with white light. The landscape instantly transformed, revealing a lush, verdant mountain, exuding vibrant energy and natural beauty. "What in the world?" the skeleton and the warrior exclaimed, their mouths agape, utterly stunned by the sudden change. "Hehe, this is our secret array—the 'Jū Líng Array.' It's one of the few array techniques in the world capable of concealing spiritual energy. The young demoness hasn't reached the required level, so she can only partially mask her energy. If our founding master were to set up this array himself, even a single trace of energy would escape—such a feat would be effortless." The elder with the Ding surname glanced at the two of them with a touch of pride. Han Li was equally astonished. Upon hearing the elder's explanation, a subtle spark of recognition stirred within him. If he could master the method of setting up the Jū Líng Array, his future dwelling would be significantly safer. As the current vision faded, a stone gate radiating a soft, emerald glow appeared midway up the mountain—clearly the location of Yuan Yao's dwelling. "Then let us begin," the elder declared, his expression sharpening with determination. The skeleton nodded and then exhaled, projecting a strange black blade that resembled both a sword and a knife, quite unusual in appearance. Yet, the evil Han roared, and from his hands a great axe of cold, piercing light suddenly shot forth, startling Han Li beside him. It was truly rare to find someone using such a massive weapon as a divine artifact. "Why have you done this..." the elder exhaled, spitting out a stream of white flying swords, but seeing that Han Li remained motionless, he grew puzzled. As Han Li smiled slightly, preparing to casually explain and pass it off, the stone gate suddenly opened on its own, and a green glow emerged from within. Without further hesitation, the elder immediately turned to the others, all of them swiftly glancing in the direction of the light. The green glow spiraled once before gently settling, and at a short distance from the gate, the radiance faded to reveal a stunning young woman in black robes and black dress, with porcelain skin. Her smile was graceful, her eyes like flowing autumn waters, and every subtle expression carried an exquisite charm. She was none other than Yuan Yao, whom Han Li had parted ways with at the Hall of Empty Heaven. This woman, not having seen her in years, has not only retained her youthful beauty but has even gained an added grace that stirs the soul. However, upon glancing at the gathering, her gaze settled on the elder from Qingyang Sect, her delicate features instantly transformed, a layer of coldness spreading over her face, turning her as frosty as ice. "Have the esteemed friends come to my residence with matters to discuss or to offer criticism?" It seemed she had realized that her charm would prove ineffective against this cultivator. With a cold, displeased tone, she spoke, deliberately ignoring the elder. Upon seeing this, the elder with the Ding surname was deeply incensed. Yet, being a man of quiet, calculating nature, he kept his anger concealed, instead offering a sly, composed smile. "You, young witch! By now, even if you pretend ignorance, it will be of no avail. You've secretly undermined our young master and taken our precious treasures—do you truly believe you can escape today?" Without speaking, Yuan Yao merely shifted her gaze, her eyes bright and attentive, carefully assessing each of the visitors' cultivation levels. Upon doing so, her heart sank, and a deep sense of unease settled within her. The elder and the fierce man were settled. Yet among those with cultivation levels comparable to hers, the black-robed figure, resembling a skeleton, and the ordinary-looking green-robed companion—one at the early stage of Jin Dan, the other at the mid-to-late stage—were no easy opponents for her to handle. Should these four unite, despite her several powerful artifacts and a few refined secret techniques she has mastered over the years, she would still face overwhelming odds. At this moment, the skeleton and the fierce man were clearly struck by Yuan Yao's breathtaking beauty, but soon exchanged glances filled with regret. If this young woman had offended the San Yang Old Demon of Qing Yang Sect, she would have been an absolutely ideal partner for a dual cultivation journey—what a pity! Amidst her peril, Yuan Yao remained remarkably composed. With a cold laugh, she flicked her hand, and a white array disc appeared between her jade hands. As she gently stroked it, a radiant glow spread outward. A vast expanse of dense, emerald and yellow mist surged forth immediately, swiftly engulfing the entire small hill. The elder exhaled a low cry, and his flying sword flashed, swiftly rushing toward Yuan Yao to strike her. Yet Yuan Yao smiled lightly, without a word, and with a simple movement of her body, stepped back into the thick mist. "Hmph! A mere illusion array—dare to display it so proudly!" The elder frowned slightly, but with a disdainful expression, pressed his palms together in a series of hand seals, then pointed at the sword. The sword emitted a clear chime, spiraling through the air, and within moments transformed into a massive, luminous wheel several dozen feet in diameter, rolling with great dignity straight into the mist. As it passed, the mist dissolved completely. In a short while, the thick mist before the gate was entirely cleared away by the elder's swordlight, revealing the stone gate once more. Seeing this, the burly man no longer hesitated, pointing at his own artifact—the mountain-splitting mace—which instantly swelled several times in size, then crashed powerfully against the stone gate. Yellow and green glimmers intertwined, bursting with continuous thunderous cracks. Just as the skeleton beside Han Li was about to command his own strange blades to attack, it suddenly emitted a surprised light exclamation. "Unfortunate! The demon maiden has fled from the rear hills. Hurry and pursue her!" He hurried to say, then instantly transformed into a streak of black light, racing straight toward the rear hills. Han Li listened, his eyes flashing with a subtle expression of surprise, yet he remained calm and motionless in place. The burly man, clearly convinced by the skeleton's words, immediately ceased his assault on the stone gate and swiftly took off to pursue the fleeing figure. The elder, however, expressed a mixture of doubt and hesitation, and only after a moment of pause asked Han Li with some uncertainty: "Brother, is what you've just said truly accurate? I've noticed absolutely nothing of the sort." Among the group, Han Li was the most accomplished in cultivation, so the elder naturally regarded his words as the most credible. Yet when Han Li heard this question, his face remained unchanged, though a strange, odd expression flickered across his eyes. "The elder mentioned correctly—the woman indeed fled through the exit at the back of the mountain. However, she is now being held by the two of you, engaged in fierce combat." Han Li folded his hands behind his back, glanced toward the back of the mountain, and spoke calmly. "That's excellent. If we proceed to assist, we are certain to capture the female demon." Upon hearing this, the elder immediately expressed great delight. "Indeed, if we advance, she will surely fall into our hands. However, before we proceed, I would like to borrow one item from you." Han Li turned to face the elder, who stood several zhang away, and regarded him with an odd expression, speaking slowly. "What would you like to lend me?" The elder was momentarily startled, instinctively asking with mild surprise. "Just lend me your head," Han Li said, rubbing his nose, a hint of irony playing at the corner of his lips. Before the elder could react, he opened his mouth and expelled a brilliant green glow that instantly spiraled around his head, causing it to roll off of its own accord. Han Li then extended his hand and sent a sheet of emerald light flying, which instantly caught the head and pulled it back to his grasp, leaving not a single drop of blood. He then narrowed his eyes and glanced at the head, now enclosed in the glowing light. The face still bore expressions of astonishment and bewilderment, due to the swift nature of the attack. "Don't blame me," Han Li sighed lightly, murmuring, "since I was already visible at the teleportation array, you simply had bad luck." The disciples from Qingyang Sect, along with Kou Yu standing on the opposite side, were left stunned, rushing to summon their vehicles in panic to escape. But they were instantly struck down by two casually cast sword beams from Han Li, their bodies pierced through. After securing the elder's storage bag, Han Li raised his head and glanced toward the rear mountains, his expression now tinged with something unusual. "Hmph!" "It's amazing how much Yuan Yao has grown in her cultivation!" Han Li exclaimed in wonder, then grasped his head with one hand and vanished into a streak of jade-green light. "Comrade, act swiftly. If we three attack together, we will surely capture this girl. But what about Ding Comrade from Qingyang Sect? How is it that he's still hesitating, dragging his feet on the matters within his sect?" "Neither of you need to wait any longer. Ding Comrade is right here!" Upon hearing this, Han Lin raised his hand expressionlessly and, with a single motion, flung the head he had been concealing behind him straight at the villain.