After listening to the careful words of the woman named Song, Han Li nodded. "It would be well if both Song's disciple and Mei lady did not go. The current Wanying Mountain is a mixed place, with many different factions. Even if I enter the Valley of Fallen Magic, I'm not certain I can emerge unscathed. Does Lady Zilin still intend to enter the Valley of Fallen Magic?" Han Li said to Zi Ling with a light, composed tone. "As long as Master Han is willing to enter the valley, I am ready to take the risk. I have full confidence in you, Master." Zi Ling smiled gracefully and spoke with composure. "Then, I shall not urge you further. However, before entering the valley, there are a few matters I would like to clarify and make clear." Han Li looked steadily at Zi Ling, not blinking. "Of course, Master Han may ask any questions you wish." Zi Ling replied without surprise. "First, regarding the Ling Zhu Fruit—I would like to verify its authenticity once more." I certainly don't want to rush into the Fallen Demon Valley with high hopes only to find it all for nothing. Can Miss Zi Ling confirm this? Han Li's expression grew serious. "The story of the Ling Zhu fruit is indeed authentic. It was personally recounted by a Yuan-ling elder from the Gui Ling Sect who survived the ordeal and escaped the Fallen Demon Valley. Otherwise, the Yuan-ling elders of Gui Ling Sect wouldn't have devoted so much effort to the matter of the Fallen Demon Valley. I also have a jade scroll here. It records the elder's firsthand description of the exact location of the Ling Zhu fruit. This should serve as solid proof of the truth or falsity of the matter." Zili had anticipated this question from Han Li and immediately produced a jade scroll of emerald green from her storage pouch, offering it to him. Han Li took the scroll, immersed his consciousness within it, and silently studied it for a while. After a moment, he withdrew his awareness, returned the scroll to her with an expression of calm composure. "According to the account on the scroll, the Ling Zhu fruit truly exists." However, the described location is quite deep within the Valley of the Fallen Wraiths, and the details are somewhat vague. Based solely on these descriptions, it's not certain whether we can locate the Ling Zhu Fruit. "The senior monk from the Ghost Spirit Sect happened upon the Ling Zhu Fruit by chance after his Yuan Ying stage had reached the state of transcending the body. Therefore, his memory of the location is naturally somewhat blurry—this is quite normal. Nevertheless, the scroll also mentions several distinct and prominent features. With these, finding the Ling Zhu Fruit should not be too difficult," explained Zilin, seemingly eager to reassure Han Li and prevent him from hesitating. Han Li pondered over the contents of the jade scroll, clearly weighing the pros and cons. "Even if we succeed in locating this fruit, we will still need to prepare and consume the Chang Fa Dan within the valley itself, otherwise the fruit's effectiveness will significantly diminish. Have you prepared the necessary auxiliary materials for the elixir-making, Miss Zilin?" After a moment, Han Li raised his head and asked calmly and clearly. Zi Ling beamed with joy upon hearing this, immediately suppressing her excitement and said with a radiant expression, "The auxiliary materials for the Changkao Pill are not easy to find. However, over the past few years, we have accumulated over a dozen sets. As long as we have Ling Zhu Guo, and provided our luck isn't exceptionally poor, we can certainly succeed in crafting the Changkao Pill without any issue." "Since this matter isn't particularly troublesome, I shall certainly make my way into Zui Mo Valley. Nevertheless, Zi Ling, the dangers within the valley don't need me to elaborate further. Once I enter, within the limits of my ability, I will certainly protect you. However, should you encounter a peril even beyond my capacity to withstand, you must also be prepared to safeguard yourself." Han Li's expression suddenly grew firm, and he spoke calmly. "Of course. Should such an event truly occur, it would be my own insufficient fortune, and I would never blame Brother Han. Moreover, I am fairly confident in my ability to ensure my own safety." Zi Ling replied without hesitation, her previously delicate demeanor completely gone, now subtly radiating a sense of firmness and resilience. Han Li was momentarily stunned, then found himself thoroughly satisfied with Zilin's words, and her expression softened: "Have the three of you inquired about how the Gui Ling Sect entered the valley? When I arrived, I did hear that the Gui Ling Sect had issued the 'Fallen Spirit Mandate' to limit the number of visitors. That seems rather unusual. Given the current situation, whether a hundred or a thousand cultivators enter the valley makes little difference. It appears there must be some restrictions on entry. Otherwise, each token would cost tens of thousands of spiritual stones. Such an opportunity—how could the Gui Ling Sect not make a substantial profit from it?" "Indeed, Brother Han is truly exceptional—your assessment is quite accurate," Zilin's face briefly showed surprise before she smiled gracefully. "Although, due to the incident involving the leak of information, I and my sister Mei Ning have not made further efforts to obtain the specific entry procedures, we have nonetheless gathered some indirect information from one of the disciples. It seems this year's entry process will require the active assistance of many Gui Ling Sect disciples and will entail substantial expenditures of spiritual stones, enabling cultivators to enter the valley at designated times." As for the number of people entering the valley, it's indeed now limited due to this situation." "No matter what method the Gui Ling Sect employs to send people into the valley, we Luoyun Sect have been allocated three Falls-of-Madness Mandates this time. I also received one upon returning to our sect. Entering the outer valley is certainly no problem. However, the inner valley presents significant challenges—few can confidently claim to pass through safely. I believe most cultivators will only stay in the outer valley to explore its treasures. Those who dare venture into the inner valley are likely to be Yuan-Ying cultivators. Of course, some Jin-Dan cultivators who are willing to take a chance will also go, though they won't be many. While in the outer valley, Zǐ Líng Dao-friend remains relatively safe and can handle things on her own. But once we enter the inner valley...” Han Li's eyes flashed, and suddenly his lips moved slightly, yet he spoke without a sound—having silently activated the inner transmission technique. Song, the woman of the Song surname, and Mei Ning saw this and felt no resentment. After all, the journey is extremely perilous, and it's entirely reasonable for others to After listening carefully, Zi Ling paused slightly before immediately agreeing. "Then, Master Han shall see you again in the Valley of the Fallen Demon. By the way, Master Song—have you heard that Brother Cheng has also arrived here? Do you know where he is now?" Han Li turned his gaze to the woman of the surname Song, inquiring about the silver-haired elder. "As for this matter, I am not aware of it. Brother Cheng arrived with several close friends, and since then, he has never contacted me." The woman blinked, then quickly replied. "Ah, so it seems Brother Cheng intends to make a final effort within the valley before his fate is sealed." Han Li murmured softly, as though pondering something deeply. "I've heard that this journey to the Valley of the Fallen Demon might also involve Master Mu Lan. Is this true? Do you have any information on this matter?" After a brief silence, Han Li furrowed his brows and asked again. "Indeed, we three have also heard this news." Yet the matter remains unclear, and all three of us are equally uncertain about its truth. Zi Ling seemed deeply troubled, her expression one of resignation. Han Li stroked his chin, silent for a while. But after a moment, his expression changed suddenly, and he rose abruptly, saying a few words of farewell before drifting away. Only the three female cultivators remaining in the room stared at each other, puzzled. "What's going on? Why did Han brother leave so hastily?" Zi Ling's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I don't know. Perhaps Master Han has other matters to attend to." Mei Ning frowned, her expression slightly disappointed. The woman with the surname Song gazed toward the doorway, her thoughts deepening. ... "Old ghost! What are you doing? Do you want to have your spirit scattered and vanish?" At this moment, Han Li walked steadily along a quiet street, his steps composed and calm. Yet in his mind, he was furiously exclaiming at someone, full of frustration. "Heh-heh!" "I merely took a liking to that young lady named Zilin—she's truly stunning. It's quite natural to feel this way." An elderly voice responded calmly within Han Li's mind. "Hmph! Did you not know that when you first employed the 'Seven Emotions Decree,' you linked your emotions—your joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness—to my second immortal embryo? It's understandable if you grow passionate, but don't burden me with it. After all, my second embryo is as closely connected to me as I am to my own spirit. Besides, Zilin isn't particularly striking in appearance these days. How, then, did you discern her true beauty? You claim you once had a multitude of consorts, having admired every breathtaking woman in the world! A female cultivator, and yet you've treated her so poorly. Your past words, will they not deceive me?" Han Li remained furious, asking coldly. "Indeed, I originally invoked the 'Seven Emotions Decree' to counteract your primary immortal spirit. Yet who could have foreseen that so many mere cultivators at the initial stage of immortal embryo development had already cultivated a second embryo, thereby blocking this very disaster? Otherwise, how could I have Although the Seven Emotions Decree could not control the cultivators' consciousness, if emotions such as joy, anger, and sorrow were manipulated, it would still leave the opponent unable to live or die. As for the young woman—though she had employed a secret technique to conceal her true appearance—how could she possibly hide from my consciousness? The elder's voice paused, still harboring some resentment. "Even if your Seven Emotions Decree is exceptionally powerful, if it targets the wrong person, it will be in vain. The second Yuan婴 does indeed have some resonance with me, but being affected by the Decree is merely a minor inconvenience. It is you, however, that I never expected—never thought possible—that the founder of the Qianzhu Sect, the creator of the Daxian Decree, once known as the 'Daxian Divine Sovereign,' would have been embodied within a puppet and remain alive to this day. Were it not for your truly astonishing consciousness and your profound mastery of the Daxian Decree, I would have doubted the very occurrence of this event. Nevertheless, should you continue to randomly stir up my emotions or provoke my inner state with any female cultivator, do not be surprised if I am not gentle with "Han Xi, you can't possibly not know this. Even with the beads made from my spirit-wood that I've prepared, my refined essence will eventually fade away after only several decades. If it weren't for the fact that my final type of puppet has already been completed to a great extent, I'd much rather have gone reincarnated long ago. Having lived as a lifeless puppet for ten thousand years—without a single sensation—I'd have been completely satisfied by now. You, who haven't seen a woman in ten thousand years, are even more of a case!" The elder sneezed several times, showing clear disdain. Upon hearing this, Han Li rubbed his nose, deeply troubled. The ancient being, whose true form was concealed within the bamboo scroll, proved to be truly formidable. Had it not been for the elder's promise to reveal his final three layers of the Dàyǎn Sect's technique, and his willingness to also impart several powerful, previously unpublicized puppet-making methods, Han Li would have already employed numerous strategies to eliminate him. Even more frustrating was the elder's astonishingly strong spiritual awareness. Even when applied to the ancient monster currently powerless to resist, the soul-siphoning technique proved entirely ineffective. In fact, it nearly allowed the opponent to manipulate its consciousness, leaving Han Li so frightened that he never dared use it again. Facing the "Great Yanshi Sovereign"—an ancient being who had lived for over ten thousand years—Han Li felt utterly at a loss.