"Although Mr. Han's suggestion is quite plausible, we should still keep today's discussions confidential, especially from those at the Yuan Ying stage, to avoid unnecessary disruptions. However, if the Mulu people truly intend to engage us in a full-scale battle, their highest-ranking Shen Shi will certainly be summoned. Our Yuan Ying-level Fashis are beyond our current capabilities—these individuals cannot be easily handled by us. I will inform Elder Wei Wuyacha of our alliance and see if we can gather the three senior cultivators to address this matter." After some thought, Lady Qi also proposed. "Lady Qi's suggestion is sound—time is of the essence. We will immediately send a message back to our inner sect." A somewhat worried, thin elder nodded in agreement. The other cultivators, recognizing the gravity of the situation, readily concurred without hesitation. Subsequently, the group discussed several related details and decided to dispatch a contingent of reinforcements to slow down the Mulu forces' advance, thereby providing the major southern factions with sufficient time to prepare their forces. Then, after concluding the council meeting, everyone hurriedly began to depart. Han Li walked side by side with the Lu-named cultivator and the Fire Dragon Child. However, as soon as they stepped out of the hall doors, Han Li's expression changed slightly, and his brows furrowed. "Something wrong, brother?" the Lu-named cultivator turned to see Han Li's demeanor, somewhat surprised. "Nothing at all. An old friend wishes to see me—perhaps I'll have to attend to that matter. Brother and Blue Brother, please go ahead. I'll be back shortly!" Han Li raised his eyebrows slightly, then composed himself and continued calmly. "Very well. Han brother, go at your own pace. I'll return to inform the fellow cultivators of the Tian Dao Alliance about today's discussions, and then relay the news back to my brother. I'll see how each branch of our alliance is handling this matter." The Lu-named cultivator nodded and smiled. The Fire Dragon Child, however, gave a slight upward curve to his lips, his face bright with a cheerful expression. Seeing this, Han Li bowed slightly and then walked slowly in the opposite direction, gradually fading into the distance, as if moving After stepping out of the grand hall, the Li-family cultivator glanced toward the direction where Han Li had disappeared after walking only a few steps. "Is it that Li brother is a bit concerned?" the fire dragon child beside him asked, with a half-smiling, half-quirky tone. "Concerned? What could possibly be concerning?" the Li-family cultivator thought for a moment, but remained composed and countered with a question. "Without me mentioning it, Li brother should have already guessed. This Han cultivator previously hailed from Huangfeng Valley. And Master Lingfu, much like your senior, is also nearing the end of his lifespan. Now, aside from Master Lingfu, Huangfeng Valley has no other Yuan-Infant cultivator—so it's likely Master Lingfu has been anxious for some time. After all, for a small sect, this might not matter much. But for a large sect like Huangfeng Valley, the loss of a Yuan-Infant cultivator would not only cause a major decline, but could even lead to a complete collapse or even a total disaster. And just now, clearly someone conveyed a message to Han cultivator—otherwise, it would indeed be strange if it weren't Master Ling "How does Brother Lan know of Master Han's former background? I don't think I've mentioned this to you before," said the Li surname cultivator, who didn't immediately respond but instead paused and asked a question. "Why should Li Brother have to inform us? The sudden appearance of such a young new senior elder within your sect naturally calls for investigation on our part. It's not a secret matter—once we look into it, everything becomes clear," replied the young attendant without hesitation. Upon hearing this from the Fire Dragon Attendant, the Li surname cultivator found himself unable to object immediately, yet after a moment's thought, he shook his head and said, "It's no unusual matter for Master Han to visit his old acquaintances. If he had intended to return to Huangfeng Valley, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until today?" "That's true," acknowledged the Fire Dragon Attendant. "But Master Lü is quite shrewd and experienced. If he has invited Master Han at all, there must surely be some compelling reason that convinced him." Lv family cultivator fell silent, and after a while, a look of concern finally appeared on his face, as he sighed deeply. "Everything will unfold as it may. If Fraternal Brother Han truly wishes to return to Huangfeng Valley, can we really hold him there, prevent him from going?" he said with a wry smile. The entire attic was quiet, as if empty. Han Li hesitated a moment before ascending to the second floor. To his surprise, upon stepping out, he found the second floor equally sparse—only one person present. That person wore a yellow robe, with a yellowish complexion, none other than the old master Ling Fu, who had just parted from him in the main hall. Now seated at the center of the second floor, beside an octagonal table, Ling Fu held a cup of clear tea, sipping it slowly. Han Li's eyes flickered several times before he moved forward, stepping steadily to Ling Fu's opposite side and sitting down silently, placing a pre-prepared green tea cup before him. Ling Fu said nothing, but with a single hand gesture, the teapot resting on the table floated gently into the air. Lowering its spout slightly, it poured a steady half-cup of tea into Han Li's cup before drifting back down to rest on the table. "The specially brewed spiritual tea from this tea house is quite excellent," Ling Fu remarked, "Why not try a few sips first?" Lingfu the Elder gently narrowed his eyes, glanced at Han Li, and then spoke slowly. Han Li smiled, without hesitation, picked up the teacup before him, and took a moment to gaze at the clear, jade-green tea water. "Indeed, it's quite excellent—better than ordinary spiritual tea," Han Li said, sipping it calmly. "Heh! It seems Han friend truly enjoys tea. I've invited you to gather here often—perhaps I've chosen the right place after all." Lingfu the Elder gently set the cup down and said with a serene tone. "You've come here, Master, not merely to sample the spiritual tea, have you? Then, please, state your matter plainly." Han Li, not wishing to waste time, spoke with quiet composure. Clearly, Lingfu the Elder had already recognized him, and Han Li himself had a strong sense of the purpose behind the invitation. "Since you're so eager, I won't delay further. Would Master be willing to return to Huangfeng Valley and resume your position as a senior elder?" "Master Lingfu spoke calmly, as though recounting something utterly trivial. 'Returning to Huangfeng Valley?' Master Han's face showed no surprise at all. He merely looked down at the teacup in his hands, saying nothing expressionistically. 'Regardless of whether the matter was right or wrong back then, I have no desire to speak further. All I wish to tell you is that my lifespan is drawing to a close—I shall likely achieve transcendence within the next twenty years. Should you choose to return to Huangfeng Valley, it will effectively become your own. Will you still harbor resentment over that minor incident from years ago?' Master Lingfu's eyes flashed with brilliance as he spoke slowly. 'As for matters of the past, I have long since set them aside. If I were in your position, I might have done the same. However, I have now joined Luoyun Sect, and I have no intention of transferring to your valley. Master Lingfu, I believe you should seek other disciples.' Master Han raised his head, gazing steadily at Master Lingfu, shaking his head as he spoke. 'I fully understand that you are currently stationed at Luoyun Sect.' "But currently, the Luoyun Sect still has two senior elders. If you remain there, won't you always be constrained in every aspect, never truly wielding independent authority?" Lingfu Elder sneered, saying. "I believe you have misunderstood one matter. I did not join any sect with the intention of consolidating power. Han Li merely seeks a suitable place for cultivation. I have no interest in holding any position of authority within a sect." Han Li pressed his lips slightly, a faint, subtle scorn playing at the corners of his mouth. Upon hearing this, Lingfu Elder furrowed his brows slightly, but soon returned to his usual composure. "I suspect you may not yet fully grasp the significant benefits a senior position brings to one's cultivation. Not only will you no longer need to personally seek out rare herbs and materials, but your standing within the immortal realm will also be entirely transformed. Moreover, even if you have no interest in such authority, wouldn't you at least cherish a bit of your former ties to the sect? After all, there are still many of your former peers in Huangfeng Valley." Should there be no Yuan-Ying stage cultivator stationed here, our valley would likely be wiped out overnight by a coalition of other sects—its fate would then be clear. Master Lingfu began to appeal to emotion. "As a senior official at Luoyun Sect, I am well-supplied with medicinal herbs and materials. As for the prestige and titles within the immortal realm, I shall hardly care about them. The rise and fall of a sect is, after all, a matter of ordinary occurrence. Even the most ancient sects have seen the majority of their lineages fade and vanish. As for my former colleagues, each has their own destiny—how could I possibly intervene in their individual paths?" Master Han smiled calmly, showing no sign of being persuaded.