Regarding the conditions proposed by the two officials of Nanlong Commandery, given their attainments and status as initiators, it was entirely reasonable that they should receive a considerable amount of treasures—thus, everyone remained silent and readily agreed. To avoid any delays or unforeseen developments, the group immediately settled on a plan to depart within two days after the conclusion of the transaction. Only after each person had taken a solemn vow not to disclose the matter did they gradually leave the site. Nevertheless, Han Li observed the evident confidence displayed by the two officials of Nanlong Commandery, suggesting they were not overly concerned about potential behind-the-scenes maneuvers. Indeed, since both of them held the key information—namely, the location and the method of breaking the seal—along with their sharp political acumen and magical abilities, it was unlikely that others could devise any significant schemes. As for Han Li's own decision to undertake this journey, it stemmed from his own careful considerations. Since attaining the Yuanying stage, due to the lack of suitable pills to consume, the progress of his Qingyuan Sword Technique had been as slow as that of a snail. Han Li estimated that if he relied solely on his own rigorous cultivation within his dwelling, it would take him two or three As for whether they can eventually reach the mid-stage of Yuan Ying, it will all depend on fortune and destiny—talent is actually less crucial. After all, which Yuan Ying cultivator has not been exceptionally gifted to reach this stage? According to Han Li's original plan, once the trading fair concludes, he would enter seclusion to diligently refine his secret techniques and cultivation methods for over a hundred years, only leaving his abode once all the methods have reached a solid stage, and then journeying across the lands to seek out ancient cultivation sites and rare materials. Only in this way might he find a chance to advance into the next stage ahead of schedule. Now that he has the opportunity to obtain the renowned treasures from Zhui Mo Valley, how could he possibly pass it up? Perhaps this very moment is his fortune! As for the thoughts of the others, they likely don't fall far behind. These Yuan Ying elders, long trapped in the initial stage, have been stagnant for countless years, and certainly won't miss any opportunity to break through. The magus who perished in the descent into the Demon Valley, far from being an ordinary ancient cultivator, was said to be among the very elite among the ancient cultivators of his time. The techniques and elixirs left behind were naturally no ordinary matters. Simply by this alone, it was impossible for Han Li and his companions to remain unmoved. However, since the young master of the Gui Ling Sect was also joining them, if the opportunity arose during the journey to eliminate him, Han Li would certainly not hesitate to act—provided that he wasn’t immediately seized by Wang Tiangu, the master of the Gui Ling Sect. After all, the Demon Sect and Han Li’s current Celestial Dao Alliance had always been in open rivalry. While mentally plotting his intentions to strike, Han Li walked steadily along a cobblestone street toward his residence. Unaware of this, Wang Tiangu moved slowly and deliberately ahead along a narrow alley just a few streets away, with Wang Chan and Yan Ruoxian silently following close behind. "Once we return, please tell me in detail about your grievances and the affairs you’ve had with this mortal world." Looking at his expression, it seemed as though he still harbored resentment toward you. Henceforth, you and your wife should not stray too far from my side—should you wish to avoid any sudden attacks from him." Wang Tiangu slowly instructed. "Yes, Uncle Wang. I never expected that a single lapse in judgment back then would have made me establish such a formidable rival. To see him break through both the Jie Dan and Yuan Ying stages so swiftly is truly surprising!" Wang Chan replied respectfully. Yet, upon recalling that Han Li had already attained Yuan Ying stage, he felt a growing sense of frustration and disappointment. "Hmph! You needn't be so discouraged. With the unparalleled power of the Xue Ling Huo, even together, you and your wife may not necessarily be intimidated by this young man. Once the Xue Ling Huo surpasses its seventh layer, both you and Ru Yan will be able to form Yuan Ying bodies. Then, it's truly uncertain who will cause trouble for whom! Nevertheless, during your journey to Mulan Grassland, you must remain especially cautious. Even if I were to have urgent matters that require my departure, you two must not be left alone. "With the combined efforts, we should be able to hold our own," Wang Tiangu said with a cold smile. "Thank you, Uncle Er!" Hearing this, Wang Chan felt much more at ease and quickly expressed his gratitude. "Heh! Among you brothers, I've always had the most confidence in you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought you alone to the trading fair this time. Still, that young man was originally a cultivator from Huangfeng Valley, and I hear that Master Lingfu—the old ghost—has also come personally to attend this fair. Is it possible that he has some connection with that old master?" Wang Tiangu lowered his voice and murmured these words, clearly showing his deep apprehension toward the elder from Huangfeng Valley. Wang Chan and Yan Ruyan exchanged a look of surprise and concern. Lü Luo was astonished to hear that Han Li intended to leave promptly without waiting for the fair to conclude. Though he found no explanation from Han Li, he simply nodded and agreed without pressing for details. This strengthened Han Li's good impression of Lü, his senior brother. For the remaining day, Han Li stayed put in the pavilion, meditating and refining his qi throughout the entire day. At the appointed time, he left calmly and journeyed alone to a small mountain some thousand li south of Qian Tian City. When he arrived, Nan Long Marquis and the white-robed elder were already waiting there, without a single disciple in attendance. Especially the Nan Long Marquis, who had even changed from his purple robe and jade crown into a simple, pale yellow scholar's attire. Over the following few hours, others arrived one by one. Yet the trio from Gui Ling Sect—Wang Tian Gu and his companions—came together as a group at the very end. Upon seeing this, Han Li's expression subtly changed. At the word of Nanlong Hou, the nine travelers quietly departed from Qiantian City, heading south toward the Mulan Grasslands. ... The State of Yu, where Qiantian City is located, is not the one closest to the Mulan Grasslands. Among the nine allied states bordering the Mulan Grasslands, the territorial adjacency is not direct—there lies a vast stretch of loess wilderness extending nearly ten thousand li in between. This region is sparsely wooded, with yellow dust constantly swirling in the air and winds blowing ceaselessly. Naturally, it has become a battleground for frequent clashes between the nine allied states and the martial cultivators. Over the years, tens of thousands of cultivators have perished on this land. Even outside of formal battles, during ordinary times, this wilderness remains exceptionally perilous. Due to various reasons, many cultivators and martial practitioners from both sides regularly travel back and forth across this terrain—some to openly kill and seize treasures, others to break through their cultivation bottlenecks at the brink of life and death. Regardless of the reason, one thing remains consistent. These were the cultivators who dared to come here—naturally, they were confident in their own cultivation levels, surpassing ordinary peers of the same stage by a touch. Among them, the Foundation Stage cultivators were the most numerous, with occasional clashes among the Consolidated Dan Stage practitioners. Whenever Consolidated Dan Stage cultivators appeared, the lower-level ones immediately retreated, fearing they might be drawn into the fray. As for the ancient beings at the Yuan Yin Stage, they rarely showed up at such modest gatherings. Thus, when Nan Long Hou and Han Li, along with the others, entered this area, no one regarded it as anything special—everyone treated the barren land as if it were nothing. For Han Li and the other Yuan Yin Stage cultivators, a distance of ten thousand li required only half a day to traverse comfortably, so the group moved steadily, maintaining a normal pace. Nan Long Hou and the white-robed elder led the way, while Wang Tian Gu and the other two followed at the rear, with Han Li and the others flying in the middle, scattered throughout. Along the way, they also spotted several junior cultivators, whom they naturally ignored, silently gliding past without a sound. It seemed almost coincidental that, after flying nearly half an hour over the wilderness, the elder in white robes who had been leading them suddenly halted mid-motion. "Cloud brother, what's happened?" Nan Long Hou asked, startled. He and the elder had been taking turns to monitor the surroundings with their spiritual awareness, so this question was natural. "It seems a strong wind has picked up ahead—something's not right," said the elder named Cloud, narrowing his eyes and speaking with serious demeanor. "A strong wind? Isn't it unusual for there to be any wind here?" Nan Long Hou found this a bit strange, then himself extended his spiritual awareness to probe further. He knew the elder wouldn't have made such a remark without cause. The group behind, including Han Li and the elderly woman, had also heard the exchange between Nan Long Hou and the elder. After exchanging glances, they each took appropriate action. Although they haven't yet truly entered the Mulan Grassland, it's still wise to proceed with caution. All of them were individuals with exceptionally strong spiritual awareness; no matter how detailed others' descriptions were, nothing could compare to the reassurance gained through firsthand exploration. As soon as Han Li and the others extended their spiritual awareness toward the front, their faces each showed a touch of surprise and uncertainty. "The wind isn't just a bit unusual—it's clearly something amiss. It's definitely not a natural breeze!" the elderly woman said, after withdrawing her spiritual awareness, her expression grave.