Time flew by swiftly, and before he knew it, Quihuan and the others came again, expressing some regret. They mentioned that they had shared the news of Han Li's mastery in seal-making with several senior figures in his sect, and hoped Han Li would not mind. Since Han Li had already planned to use seal-making as a cover, he naturally didn't take the matter seriously. After offering kind reassurances, he sent them on their way. As for Tianqu Peak, Han Li had unexpectedly been selected among the twenty-four disciples, which prompted the reserved, beautiful woman of the Mu family to make a rare visit to the herb garden, spending half a day explaining various difficulties in the Xuan Bing Ju to Han Li. This surprised and left Han Li somewhat speechless. Aside from these two groups, no one else came to disturb Han Li's meditation. That day, while Han Li was deeply concentrating on refining the Qingyuan Sword Technique in his quiet chamber, he suddenly frowned, paused his practice, and stood up. As soon as he stepped out of the quiet pavilion and the mountain gate, entering the herb garden, he noticed a stream of fiery light, formed by a transmission scroll, darting hither and thither among the garden's incantation mist. Seeing this, Han Li gently separated the incantations and, with a simple gesture, the fiery scroll transformed into a blazing flame and settled neatly into his hands. After a moment, he closed his fingers, and the flame vanished completely, leaving no trace. "White Phoenix Peak, Master Song! Isn't that the celebrated condensed stage cultivator known as the first beauty of Luoyun Sect? Could it be that she's guiding me? If so, these past few days haven't been so difficult after all!" Han Li spoke calmly, his expression unchanged. Then, without further hesitation, he raised his hand and launched his flying sword artifact, heading straight toward White Phoenix Peak. ...White Phoenix Peak lies at the easternmost edge of Luoyun Sect, quite distant from the other five peaks, giving it a solitary, noble character akin to a lone plum blossom in winter snow. Though it is the shortest among the Six Marvel Peaks, it is lush and verdant, covered in flowers and trees. In Not long after, Han Li appeared near Bai Feng Peak. Since the peak was predominantly inhabited by female cultivators, there was an unwritten, somewhat odd rule: any male disciple from other peaks visiting had to be formally notified by a disciple at the mountain gate before being allowed entry. Otherwise, should they become trapped within the peak's defensive spells, it would be their own fault. Han Li, of course, had no intention of making a hard push. He simply settled his vehicle at the foot of the mountain. At the gate, three female cultivators of Qi stage were chatting quietly among themselves. Upon seeing the somewhat unfamiliar male cultivator alight, they all turned to gaze at him with curiosity. "My name is Han Li from Tian Quan Peak. I have come to receive guidance from Master Song on my cultivation. I would kindly ask the sisters to inform the peak authorities," Han Li bowed politely to the three female disciples. "Ah, you're Han Li—Master Song has already mentioned you. Han Li may go straight to the Chao Feng Pavilion at the peak's summit. Master Song is already waiting there for you!" "A young female cultivator with a few small spots on her face immediately smiled lightly upon hearing Han Li's words. After thanking him, Han Li promptly took his leave and ascended into the air on his vehicle. However, not long after he had taken off, the three female disciples, assuming that Han Li could no longer hear their conversation, began to chat freely and openly. "Is this really the disciple from our sect who has participated in the Sword-Fighting Tournament? His cultivation level seems rather modest!" "And his appearance is quite ordinary—nothing special at all." "Haha! You wouldn't believe this—have you heard? I've actually watched every match of Han Li's. Let me tell you..." Hearing this, Han Li couldn't help but offer a faint smile, drawing his awareness inward, then shook his head before heading straight for the peak. The White Phoenix Peak wasn't particularly tall, and within just a short while, Han Li reached the summit. There, a flat expanse of about a hundred paces lay spread out, surrounded by drifting clouds and rich with vibrant spiritual energy—exactly like a heavenly paradise on earth. And in this ethereal setting, there stood alone a pavilion, rising prominently in the midst. This pavilion was about twenty zhang high, divided into three stories, entirely constructed from a white wood of unknown origin, untouched by any paint or color, exuding a simple and ancient grace. Han Li, having set down his steed before the pavilion, spoke with unwavering confidence: "Disciple Han Li, bows to Master Song!" As soon as these words left his mouth, he sensed a faint awareness brushing over his body. Yet Han Li, feigning ignorance, remained standing, his expression unchanged. After a while, a gentle, warm voice emanated from within the pavilion. "Since you've arrived, simply go straight to the second floor—I'll be waiting for you." "Understood!" Han Li said without further words, taking a few steps forward and gently pushing open the wooden door. The door opened easily, revealing a spacious first floor, save for a seemingly functional magical array. Han Li surveyed the space and ascended to the second floor at once. The arrangement on the second floor was equally cool and simple, save for a few wooden shelves piled with some incantation scrolls and jade tablets. There were only a few chairs and a low stone table. As soon as Han Li stepped onto the second floor, he spotted a blue-robed woman seated on one of the chairs, intently studying a pile of worn bamboo scrolls on the table. Her cultivation level appeared to be at the early Jin Dan stage. Han Li hesitated, about to speak when the woman raised her head, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful countenance that instantly captured his attention. "Are you Han Li?" the woman, seemingly in her twenties or early thirties, asked calmly. "Yes, Master Elder," Han Li replied, bowing slightly. "Indeed. Your arrival here is a fortunate circumstance. I will do my best to guide you. However, in the Chao Feng Pavilion, you will only be able to stay for three days. After that, you must leave both the pavilion and White Phoenix Peak. What you achieve during these three days will entirely depend on your own fortune. "This young lady stared steadily at Han Li, her eyes exceptionally clear and bright, and spoke slowly. Unaccountably, despite her relatively modest cultivation level, Han Li suddenly felt as though her very being—mind and body—was being fully observed and penetrated by her gaze, which sent a sudden shock through him. After all, Han Li's current strength of awareness was extraordinary; such a sensation was truly unusual. Clearly, the young lady had employed some technique to probe his inner consciousness. Without further hesitation, Han Li maintained a respectful demeanor, nodding in agreement, while simultaneously activating the Great Derivation Technique within him, instantly circulating its energy to shield his mind. As he remained alert and puzzled, a subtle flash of light passed through the young lady's clear eyes, and with a faint sign of weariness, she closed her eyes. "Please recite the name of your cultivation technique and its key phrases to me first. Then, go to the first hall and wait there until I summon you. Do not come up unless I specifically instruct you. After I have studied and pondered it a bit, I will call you up to explain any unclear or difficult points. Begin now!" "The young lady spoke softly. "Yes, disciple has been practicing the Xuan Bing Ju, which Master Su imparted. This technique..." Han Li maintained a composed expression and slowly recited it. After a cup of tea's worth of time, Han Li finally finished. The blue-robed woman nodded slightly and gestured for Han Li to step aside. After a bow, Han Li immediately exited the second floor without further words. Watching Han Li's silhouette fade into the distance, the blue-robed woman furrowed her brows and remained seated motionless. But shortly thereafter, she raised her elegant brow, slowly rose, and waved her hand—causing a blue soundproof aura to float around her. Then, she produced a transmission scroll, spoke calmly and composedly for a few moments, and tossed it out of the aura, where it transformed into a streak of flame and flew directly out the window, vanishing without a trace. Suddenly, a flash of brilliant light sparked in his eyes, and a beam of fiery light shot directly toward him from beyond the heavens. The elder remained silent, raised his hand, and a sheet of white mist burst forth from his palm, instantly engulfing and absorbing the red glow, transforming it into a roaring flame. Within the flames, a brief voice from the blue-robed woman was heard. "Han Li is unharmed," she said, "Du Dong has a ghost!" "Hmph! There's definitely a ghost," the bearded elder murmured coldly, a hint of frost in his expression. "I always suspected something was off. The Fu family, who once held great influence at Du Family and Bai Qiao Academy, had close ties with Du Family. If Du Dong were truly a descendant of the Du lineage, he would naturally have been admitted under the guidance of Bai Qiao Academy. Yet here he is, coming to my Lu Yun Sect instead." "But," the elder continued, as though recalling something new, with a touch of admiration, "Song sister's 'Tongming Lingxi' ability is growing ever more powerful. With only my two senior uncles, I'm not sure I could hold my own against …More than two months later, in a vast valley surrounded by mountains in the western part of Yunmengshan, at the main monastery of Baiqiao Academy. Thousands of disciples of Baiqiao Academy, dressed in colorful robes, gathered on the central plaza of the valley, bustling and chatting excitedly, their voices rising in constant activity. Many others stood with their eyes fixed on the sky, expressions of impatience etched on their faces, as though eagerly awaiting something important.