With Han Li and the miraculous speed of the Wind-riding Vehicle, in just a short while, Han Li simultaneously activated his crimson cloak, surging forward in a blaze of bloodlight, while his consciousness swept backward. A look of mild astonishment crossed his face. He had already drawn out the cloak's full power, yet not only had he failed to shake off the strange vehicle, but had actually been caught up by it, covering half the distance. It was no wonder that even the Cloud elder, at the mid-stage of his Yuan-Infant stage, grew visibly alarmed upon seeing the vehicle approach. This Wind-riding Vehicle truly was a top-tier flying artifact—unless he employed Lightning or Blood-Shadow Transcendence techniques, he would find himself unable to escape. Yet since attaining his Yuan-Infant stage, Han Li had never faced off against a peer of equal rank. Though he was confident in his own abilities and treasures, he still lacked a clear sense of his standing among Yuan-Infant cultivators. After all, Yuan-Infant cultivators rarely engaged in formal combat or duels. During the years he has been part of the Luoyun Sect, those two senior monks have only shared with him various cultivation techniques—they have never actually challenged him in a direct duel. In Tianshan City, Nanlong Marquis has likewise only exchanged a few moments of cultivation insights through his spiritual awareness, failing to truly gauge his own level. Currently, the legal officer aboard the Yufeng Car appears to be a solid opponent capable of assessing his true cultivation level. Moreover, he is particularly interested in the officer's spiritual techniques. If he can successfully repel or even eliminate the opponent, that would be ideal. Should that prove impossible, he can easily escape using his Wind-Thunder Wings. The encounter itself should not be prolonged, as delays might lead to unforeseen complications. Especially now, with them deep within the Mulan Grasslands, they cannot afford to linger in battle. With a cool gaze at the white light closing in, Han Li swept his robe outward, and dozens of jade-green sword beams surged forth from the folds of his sleeve. After a low hum, they formed a layered, scales-like array of jade-green swords before him, commanding a striking presence. Naturally, in his first encounter against himself and other Yuan-Infusion cultivators, Han Li would not be careless. Besides drawing forth all seventy-two jade bamboo cloud swords, he also extended his hand and raised his spiritual beast bag at his waist into the air. A vast cloud of three-colored gold-eating insects materialized above. However, as Han Li recited his incantations, the insects spiraled and then surged downward in a single, powerful rush. His eyes flashed with brilliance as he raised both hands, and two jade-green spells struck directly into the insect cloud. Instantly, the cloud enveloped Han Li completely in a shimmering green glow. Yet shortly thereafter, the three-colored insect exoskeletons emerged upon his body, ancient and translucent, glowing with a soft, gentle green light. To his surprise, upon his brief stay, the wind-carriages that had been pursuing him instantly closed the gap and arrived at his side, with the mage aboard just in time to witness the remarkable transformation of the insect armor. The carriages, which had previously been carefree and swift, suddenly slowed down considerably and came to a complete halt at a distance of over a hundred paces from Han Li. Han Li remained expressionless, paying no attention, and instead took advantage of the moment to flip his hands—first producing a floral basket in one palm, then a small bell appearing in the other. Without further words, he threw the bell toward the opposite side. As it sailed through the air, it shimmered with silver light, expanded rapidly, and instantly grew into a massive object several zhang in size, charging boldly toward the other side. At the same time, with a mere thought, Han Li caused the seventy-two phantom swords before him to shimmer and ripple, transforming into over two hundred beams of jade-green light. Then, he simply roared, "Go!" A clear and resonant chime surged forth, and as the swordlight flashed, the figures aligned themselves, forming a vast wave of jade-green light stretching over a hundred paces, rolling steadily toward the opposite side—seeming determined to swiftly crush the Wind-riding carriage into fragments. Just as he escaped the reach of the sound waves, a brilliant white light erupted from the vehicle, and suddenly, a figure emerged from the glow, floating upon the flying carriage. At that moment, the trailing green-hued rainbow had also surged forward, crashing headlong into the scene. The figure on the carriage remained calm, raising a single hand. A surge of blue light instantly formed, creating a deep blue luminous barrier several zhang above his head. As the green rainbow struck the barrier, a sharp explosion erupted. Though the barrier shimmered and trembled continuously, it remained undamaged for the time being. Han Li, standing at a distance with his eyes half-lidded, frowned slightly. At that moment, the sorcerer began reciting incantations, then opened his mouth, and a slender blue thread shot out, swiftly transforming into a massive blue serpent that burst forth from the barrier, charging directly toward Han Li's green-hued sword light. The blue and green radiance intertwined, producing a continuous series of thunderous impacts. Only then, as the sorcerer raised his hand, did a spell strike the wind-guided carriage beneath. The flying carriage swiftly transformed and shrank down to the size of a palm, then automatically shot toward Fa Shi's hands, who calmly received it into his storage bag. He then raised his head to look at Han Li, revealing a stern and lean face. Han Li's gaze narrowed slightly. This was a man in his sixties, with unusual green tattoos on either side of his cheeks, wearing a uniquely styled blue silk robe. What struck him most, however, was the remarkable flow of spiritual energy emanating from the man—clearly a late-stage Yuan Ying stage cultivator, on the cusp of advancing into the mid-stage, which explained why he had so easily deflected Han Li's two successive attacks. Han Li now realized that the blue energy shield was not conjured out of thin air, but rather emitted from a spherical orb in his hand, roughly the size of a clenched fist. As for the blue serpentine creature, upon a mere glance with his spiritual awareness, Han Li found no manifested host artifact—indeed, it was entirely composed of pure spiritual force. This only deepened his sense of caution. After His face turned cold, the floral basket in the other hand of the elder began to glow with white light, preparing to be summoned. "Stop! Though your abilities are impressive, you're rather hasty. I haven't even spoken yet, and you've already launched your attack without a word." The elder, observing Han Li's actions, spoke firmly, his voice slightly stiff. "What need is there between a cultivator and a mage?" Han Li frowned, his tone cold. Nevertheless, he pointed once at the silver bell, causing the ancient artifact to halt its attack and float motionless in the air. The floral basket in his hand likewise dimmed its luminous glow. He hoped to hear what the mage had to say. "That is true. Yet, at our level of cultivation, sometimes one does not need to fight to the death. As long as your response satisfies Mu, I may allow you to pass without further action." The elder chuckled lightly, speaking with ease. "Response?" I don’t have much to tell your lordship. On the contrary, I do have several questions I’d like to ask you.” Han Li stared intently at the elder, a hint of scorn playing at the corners of his mouth. He didn’t need to think much to guess what the elder would ask—such a cultivator of the diversified Infant Stage appearing here at once would surely raise questions in anyone’s mind. “It seems, then, that you have declined my good intentions!” Upon hearing Han Li’s words, the elder’s face darkened immediately. Han Li emitted a cold sigh and then suddenly lightly pointed at the high space ahead. The previously tangled and indecisive blue swordlight instantly coalesced into a vast mass, forming a massive sword of about twenty to thirty zhang in length, appearing out of nowhere. With swift, lightning-fast strikes, the blue serpent was severed into several pieces. Then, the great sword moved with unwavering resolve, cutting down with such force that it seemed poised to split both the light curtain and the elder into fine ash. At this sight, an elderly man named Mu flashed a look of fierce determination, then, without further words, raised his hand. With a single motion, the large jade orb in his fist was launched into the air. He then opened his mouth and expelled a stream of refined qi directly onto the surface of the orb. The jade orb shimmered with blue light, spinning rapidly in midair, and fine blue filaments sprang out from its surface. Within moments, a vast blue net, stretching one zhang in width, materialized beneath the luminous screen. At the same time, the elder continued muttering to himself, then pressed his palms together in a series of gestures. A surge of blue spiritual light erupted from his body, rising straight upward to form a large, floating blue luminous sphere hovering above his head. The great sword had already descended and collided fiercely with the screen. As expected, the screen could hardly withstand the impact of the great sword forged from over two hundred concentrated beams of swordlight. A sharp crack echoed through the air. The screen was nearly undisturbed, splitting almost in two. Then, the great sword plunged straight through and severed the massive blue net beneath.