"The three of you have come at the perfect time. I just received word that a contingent of martial cultivators has already breached the Heavenly Platform Valley defended by Bu Dao-yuan. Within the next half-day, the defeated cultivators from that valley will arrive here. They'll need your assistance to meet them." The bearded man didn't hesitate, briefly explaining the situation before making his request. "That's easy—nothing at all. I can handle it alone. Neither Han Dao-yuan nor Gu Duangpu need to join!" The horse-named elder spoke with complete confidence, fully accepting the task. This surprised Han Li and Gu Duangpu, who exchanged a glance. "There's no need to be surprised, gentlemen. It's not that I wish to show off, but recently I've acquired a rare treasure, and I'd like to test its power. I don't think we'll have any competition between us!" The elder stroked his beard, his expression full of mystery. "Heh! With such confidence, Gu Dao-yuan, I certainly won't be making any unnecessary efforts," Gu Duangpu replied with a light chuckle. Han Li stood by, merely smiling. "Very well. Then let Friend Han and Brother Gu take a rest. Thank you, Friend Ma. However, I'd like Brother Mo to accompany you as well. The two of them specialize in lightning-based techniques, which are quite powerful." The bearded man thought it over briefly and then nodded in agreement, arranging for the twin brothers to go together. The elder had no objections either, as it was only their first visit to this place, and having companions would surely make things easier. Thus, the elder of Hao Ran Pavilion and the two brothers immediately set off to assist the retreating cultivators from the Nine Kingdoms Alliance. Meanwhile, Han Li and Gu Shuangpu followed the young woman and Chong Xu Zi out of the hall, where they were given accommodations. On the way, Han Li parted from the elderly man with a round face. Under the young woman's guidance, he arrived at a quiet, elegant pavilion. "Senior Han, this place usually prohibits lower-level disciples from entering—it should be the finest spot for quiet cultivation." "Then, please rest in this pavilion." The graceful and petite female cultivator nodded toward the pavilion before stepping aside. "Indeed, it's quite suitable." Han Li nodded, a satisfied expression on his face. "Master, has Nei Ying truly recovered? It's been quite some time since I last saw Sister Nei." The woman did not immediately leave, but hesitated before asking. "By the way, aren't you quite familiar with Miss Nei?" Han Li was slightly surprised, carefully observing her with a composed tone. At this moment, Han Li realized that although it was their first meeting, there was a certain familiarity in her delicate brows and bright eyes, giving him a warm, pleasant impression. Han Li's steady gaze made the Li-named woman feel a bit uneasy; though she was internally annoyed, her cheeks flushed. "It's truly a privilege for me to be under the guidance of the Hua Dao Workshop. I owe much of my early career to Sister Nei's introduction. How could I not be familiar with her?" The petite cultivator lowered her head slightly, explaining with a gentle tone. "Ying Ning!" "Li Yingning?" Han Li wen listened carefully and couldn't help but display a look of surprise. "Have you heard of me before, Master?" Li Yingning sensed the unusual tone in Han Li's voice and raised her head again, slightly startled. "What is your mother's name? And what country was she from originally?" Han Li didn't answer directly; instead, he took a deep breath and asked these questions. "My mother's name is Mo Yu Zhu, from the Yue Kingdom. Master, why do you ask this?" After a moment of hesitation, the young woman felt there was nothing to conceal and, as if something suddenly came to mind, replied softly. "Is the spirit-communicating jade pendant still with you?" Han Li paused thoughtfully and then uttered these words, which caused a sudden flutter in the young woman's heart. "Yes, I've always kept it close to my body since childhood," she answered immediately, then turned slightly pink and stepped away, under Han Li's steady gaze. After feeling around her cloak, she produced a jade pendant that was slightly hazy and white, holding it gently in both hands before turning back. Han Li glanced at it, then extended his hand, and the pendant soared like it had wings, landing in his hands. With two fingers, he gently traced the smooth surface of the pendant, sighed deeply, and his face revealed a touch of wistfulness. Only after a while did he speak again: "I'm sure you must already know who I am. How did your mother describe me when she told you?" He studied the female cultivator once more, now more confident, and finally spotted a faint resemblance to the ink-jade pearls in her features. Though her beauty was slightly less radiant than her mother's at the time, upon closer inspection, she possessed a distinct, spirited grace and elegance. "My mother didn't say much—only that it was a gift from a close friend of hers, given to me on my arrival into the cultivation world. Beyond that, she didn't elaborate. Since entering the cultivation realm, I've had it identified several times." But no useful information was received. Unexpectedly, the jade pendant had actually been given by an elder from the Luoyun Sect, and that elder was none other than a Luoyun Sect cultivator." Li Yingning murmured, her face shifting between clouds of worry and uncertainty, as though a bit at a loss. "I joined the Luoyun Sect only in recent years, though I had previously trained elsewhere outside the Yue State as well. It's quite normal that you wouldn't have heard from me. Yet, how did you end up joining Hua Dao Wu? It makes sense that you'd appear at the Yuling Sect, though." Han Li rubbed his nose, offering a wry smile. "Why should it be surprising that I joined the Yuling Sect?" Li Yingning was momentarily taken aback by this. "Do you know nothing about my father's affairs?" Han Li paused, slightly surprised. "Regarding my father, I do know only a little. I remember only recently beginning to recall my early life—my entire family suffered a sudden tragedy, and both my maternal grandfather and father passed away early on." "Only my mother took me out of the Yue State and we drifted for a long time before finally settling in the alliance of nine states." The goddess looked somber, offering a weak smile. "Ah, I see! It must have been internal struggles within the magical arts circle that brought misfortune upon your parents. After all, the current rulers of Yue State are now from the Gui Ling Sect, not the Yu Ling Sect." Han Li nodded, as if he had finally grasped the situation. "Internal conflicts within the magical arts circle..." The woman across from him looked puzzled, clearly still uncertain. Seeing this, Han Li decided not to elaborate further. He returned the jade pendant to her and gave a slight, composed smile. "I've held onto this spirit-jade for so many years now—I certainly won't be taking it back. Back when I was still in the mundane world, before entering the immortal realm, I was essentially your mother's half-brother. From now on, you can simply call me Master Han." "Master Han!" Li Yingning hesitated slightly upon hearing this, her large eyes flickering several times before she finally spoke softly, her face slightly flushed. With the sudden arrival of an elder at the Yuan Ying stage, after a moment of embarrassment, she naturally became exceedingly delighted, even harboring a faint, almost imperceptible sense of quiet joy. "Since you've called me your senior, I can't simply offer nothing in return. Here are two pills—exactly beneficial for Dan stage cultivators overcoming their bottlenecks. Take them." Han Li smiled warmly, flipping his palm and revealing two jade vials in his palm, which he handed over to her with a gentle smile. For Han Li, helping a former friend in need was something he never hesitated to do. "Thank you, Senior." The woman accepted the vials, her face bright with genuine delight—the tone of her voice was sincere and clear. "What kind of divine artifact are you currently using? Is it precisely the flying blade you've been controlling? What material was it crafted from?" Han Li thought for a moment and asked further. "Yes, it is this very artifact." The flying dagger was forged from blazing iron combined with xuanying crystal, and its power was quite satisfactory. Li Yingning paused, slightly puzzled, and replied, "During ordinary times, this dagger would be quite sufficient. However, now that we're about to engage in combat with the fashi, relying solely on this artifact might prove risky." Han Li shook his head. "But currently, even if my senior master bestows upon me another artifact, I simply don't have the time to fully refine it." Li Yingning said helplessly. Upon hearing this, Han Li furrowed his brows, pondering deeply. After a moment, he tapped a spiritual beast bag at his waist, and a large number of three-colored gold-devouring insects surged forth, forming a cloud of insects several zhang in height that floated above Han Li's head, humming softly. Han Li's eyes flashed with brilliance. With a finger, he pointed at the insect cloud, and a small section detached, rising independently. Then, he raised his hand and cast a green spell upon it. A small cluster of golden insects shimmered and coalesced, instantly forming a round, three-colored orb the size of a clenched fist, radiant and gleaming, which gently settled into韩立's hands. "You shall keep this treasure," he said seriously, "it is a carefully nurtured spirit insect transformed into this form. Whenever you encounter a formidable foe, simply throw the orb— it should save your life." He tossed the orb to the young woman. "Thank you so much, Master Han! Your generosity truly moves me!" Li Yingning had been utterly awestruck all along. Now, hearing Han's words, she expressed her deep gratitude, repeatedly bowing and then took the three-colored orb. Her last lingering doubts vanished completely with this gift. Only now did she truly believe Han's earlier words to be genuine. Otherwise, how could someone with no connection offer such a precious gift? "Alright," Han said, as he carefully gathered the remaining insect clouds, "you may now go. I'll take a moment to meditate." After such a prolonged journey by night, his inner energy has indeed grown thin—he must recover now. "Uncle Han, please rest well. Should the army of the Daoist officers arrive, Yingning will inform you promptly." There's now a subtle, growing warmth in Li Yingning's tone.