"However, I also overestimated him." The cloaked figure mumbled again, turning to glance at the figure nearby. A rather simple teleportation array caught his eyes, which flickered with interest. Once he sensed that Han Li was only a few dozen li away, he suddenly rose and strode briskly toward the array. A moment later, the figure vanished in a flash of white light. Han Li too sensed the presence of the cloaked figure, having originally flown cautiously toward this location. But when he suddenly lost all traces of the figure's presence, he was taken aback. "Could it be that this person has employed a fleeing technique to conceal himself, intending to ambush me from the sidelines?" With this thought, Han Li stiffened and became notably more vigilant. "This is…" As he approached carefully and reached the summit of Tianzhu Mountain, observing the conspicuous small teleportation array, his expression changed abruptly. Then, upon glancing further, he noticed a newly erected stone plaque standing beside the array. Carved with a sharp blade were four small characters, each about an inch in size, clear and distinct. After softly reciting the four characters—"Over time, no more waiting"—Han Li's face grew somewhat grave, and he silently chided the other party for their cunning. Though, with his mastery of array construction, he had immediately recognized that such a simple transmission array could not possibly transport him to a distant location, he still found himself in peril. If simply sent to the place where the other party had laid their ambush, he would surely be caught in their net. Even worse, once he arrived, he had no assurance that the silver-haired elder and the others would still be able to locate him. From the message inscribed on the stone monument at the site, it was evident that the other party had no intention of meeting him now, nor did they offer him any room for negotiation. Should the situation drag on and the other party decide to simply walk away, that would indeed become a serious problem. He dared not gamble on whether they truly would do so. After all, he had personally eliminated the dual companions of the Yin Luo Sect's abbot. If the person arriving were indeed the master of the magmatic sect It seemed that there was no choice but to take a risk and try to find a way to lift the Soul-Sealing Spell. Han Li's face had been shifting between gloom and resolve for a while, until he finally made up his mind. First, he used his divine awareness to scan the surrounding area, confirming that no other magi were hiding among the troops. Then, he drew out a communication scroll, whispered a few words to himself, and with a gesture of his hand, sent the scroll gliding as a streak of red light toward the direction from which it had come. Next, without hesitation, he removed a spirit-beast pouch from his waist and raised it into the air. A swarm of three-colored gold-devouring insects surged forth, forming three-colored armor that enveloped Han Li. He then waved his sleeve, sending a blue shield flying out in front of him. With the other hand, he flicked it once, and a piece of silk-like cloth, glowing with a white light, appeared in his grasp. Han Li lowered his gaze to the cloth, his eyes flashing with a subtle expression of surprise. This very cloth had been the protective treasure gifted to him by Nan Gong Wan that very day. He gently traced the smooth surface with But after a brief moment, Han Li raised his hand and added several layers of protective shields to his body. With a subtle shift in stance, he stepped into the transmission array. After taking a deep breath, he waved his hand, and a spell struck the corner of the array. A brilliant white light erupted, and Han Li vanished completely within the array. At a lake located several thousand miles from Tianzhushan, on a small, unnamed island at the heart of the lake, a white glow suddenly appeared at a certain point on the island, and Han Li's form materialized there. Almost immediately upon emerging, despite the discomfort of the transmission, he instinctively urged forward the blue shield before him, causing it to expand rapidly and shielding most of his body. Yet he felt no attack at all, which gave him a sense of reassurance as he glanced around. "Do not worry," he said. "I do not intend to strike you, especially as you are only a Yuanjing初期 cultivator. Though I've heard you are no ordinary early-stage cultivator." A voice unfamiliar to him echoed from a distance not far from Han Li. Upon hearing it, Han Li felt a sudden spark of recognition. This could not be the voice of the Master of Yin Luo Sect—was it truly some other magical cultivator who had orchestrated this? A look of surprise flashed across Han Li's eyes as he turned toward the source of the sound. There, at a distance of thirty paces, stood a young man in a black robe, hands behind his back, calmly observing him. Though Han Li had never seen the true face of the Master of Yin Luo Sect, neither the figure's build nor his voice matched the black-robed cultivator who had fought against He Huahuan, the elder demon, during the battle at the border. It lies at the edge of a marshland, where mud puddles dot the ground and the air remains unusually damp. In the distance, a small grove of trees stands, and faintly, the sound of rippling lake water can be heard. Han Li furrowed his brows, then relaxed instantly. He sensed unusual fluctuations in the spiritual energy all around—clearly, some kind of seal had been established here. Although he expected it wouldn't be a particularly powerful array, the loss of ground advantage upon arriving here was significant. "Ha! Without resorting to such measures, Master Han would have come all this way so willingly. Though I possess a few minor abilities, I wouldn't dare to challenge your entire sect outright." The young man remained calm, speaking slowly and composed. "Are you not the abbot of Yin Luo Sect?" Han Li asked, suddenly shifting his tone. "How could I possibly resemble the abbot of your sect?" the black-robed youth chuckled, speaking with quiet ease. "Not at all. Yet you managed to infiltrate our Lu Yun Sect without much difficulty, and after causing harm, you left unscathed. I truly didn't expect someone of your caliber to be among the returning disciples. I wonder why you didn't appear during the great battle." Han Li seemed slightly puzzled, yet as if speaking to himself. "Though I would have liked to explain myself to you in detail, my purpose in bringing you here wasn't solely to recount my own journey. May I remind you that you've brought your Golden Thunder Bamboo artifact?" The young man smiled gently, his expression somewhat eerie. Upon hearing this, Han Li stared at him coldly, saying nothing. "Hmph! If you wish to delay matters, you'll be disappointed. The transmission array I've set up is a specially crafted one, capable of only two uses. Once both uses are exhausted, the array at the other end will automatically vanish. Without a single day's time, they won't be able to reach us here. I believe a single day will be sufficient to settle all matters between us." The young man in the black robe spoke with great confidence. "Hmph!" You want to know whether the Golden-Thunder Bamboo artifact is upon me—then first tell me the method for lifting the Seal of Soul. "Han Li's eyes flashed with cold light, yet his tone softened slightly. "The method for lifting the Seal of Soul is recorded within this jade scroll. However, first allow me to see the Golden-Thunder Bamboo artifact. I differ from the Abbot of our sect. I only desire the Golden-Thunder Bamboo. Your and his rivalry—your mutual destruction—has nothing to do with me. I have no interest in becoming involved in this matter." The young man's smile faded, and with a hand motion, a dark jade scroll appeared in his hands. Then he looked at Han Li with deliberate intent. "Of course. Though the Golden-Thunder Bamboo is of great importance, I hold greater value for my own companion." Han Li raised one eyebrow, speaking without hesitation. Then, he brought both hands together in front of his chest and gently parted them. A sound like a distant thunderclap resonated, followed by a subtle shimmer of golden arcs, and a small green arrow appeared in his hands. Han Li held the arrow between two fingers, glanced indifferently at the young man. Upon seeing this, the young man's gaze flashed with greed, then after a brief pause, suddenly shook his wrist. Instantly, the black jade scroll in his hand drifted slowly toward Han Li, moving with an astonishingly slow pace—as though pulled by an invisible thread. Han Li was momentarily startled, then understood the young man's intention. He said little, and likewise tossed his small arrow out, drifting toward the young man with the same slow, steady motion as a ox pulling a cart. Though both were maneuvering their objects, their eyes remained fixed on each other's faces, never blinking. When the two items passed through each other, Han Li and the young man both exhaled softly, their expressions slightly easing. They caught the objects almost simultaneously, and hurriedly examined them closely. After a careful inspection, both exchanged a wry,苦笑. "Is this your Golden Thunder Bamboo artifact?" The young man in black robes sneered, suddenly clenching and unclenching his hands—silver-white flames surged forth, instantly turning his slender green arrow into ash. "I've never heard of it myself," he said, his voice calm. "The five-element cultivation techniques, the very foundation of the immortal realm, being capable of dispelling a soul-sealing incantation." Han Lin remained expressionless, blue flames rising from his hands. The jade scroll instantly solidified into ice, then shattered into scattered, shimmering points, vanishing completely. "Hmph! It seems we both lack confidence in one another. Nevertheless, I shall ask my friend Han one final time—would you be willing to hand over your Golden Thunder Bamboo artifact? Should you do so, I shall simply turn and depart, immediately leaving behind a method to heal your companion. Should you refuse, I shall still find that artifact—after all, it's not an ancient relic; you will surely carry it with you at all times." The young man's expression darkened, a subtle aura of menace radiating from him, his face growing stern. "Coincidentally! Your thoughts are remarkably similar to mine." Since it is your Seal of the Soul, the method to dissolve it must already be etched in your mind. Once I have eliminated you, I will search your immortal spirit to retrieve the information I seek." Han Li exhaled softly, speaking with a cold, composed tone. "Search my spirit? You are the first in the past several centuries to dare speak to me like this. I will ensure you receive a full, undisturbed burial." The young man in black robes laughed bitterly, his anger rising, and raised his hand, sending several spells spiraling outward. A roar echoed nearby, and seven brilliant, radiant white pillars surged skyward. At the same time, a deep dragon's roar resonated. Upon each of the seven pillars, silver-white dragon forms emerged, their heads raised in unison, calling out in harmony. "Unfortunate! It's the Seven Dragon Pillars! Master, please move quickly!" Before Han Li could fully comprehend the nature of these seven pillars, the voice of Yin Yue sounded in alarm, trembling with fear.