The main gate of Han Li's sealed chamber remained closed for several months, while Yin Yue continuously monitored conditions outside the estate. As the mists in the mountains gradually thinned, more and more cultivators gathered in the vicinity of Wanling Mountain, especially those facing Yehua City. This was because entering the mountains from this direction saved nearly half the journey to ZuiMo Valley compared to other routes. Cultivators who had received the ZuiMo Mandate arrived in this region in succession, many of them establishing temporary abodes nearby, just like Han Li himself. The magical array Han Li had set up outside his estate was not of the highest rank. Indeed, several accomplished cultivators had discovered his estate, and some even came specifically to visit. Yet, regardless of the transmission scrolls sent into the outer array, no response reached the inner chamber at all. These cultivators thus realized that the estate's master wished to remain private and avoid external visitors—though some of them found this rather disappointing. Yet, without first understanding who the master was, one would not dare to rush straight into this place, lest one inadvertently create formidable enemies. However, the situation of Han Li, who had been closed off to visitors, was clearly an exception. Regardless of how lofty their original aspirations, all the cultivators who had arrived had grown exceptionally cautious under the reputation of this southernmost perilous and unforgiving locale. By the time they reached the Valley of the Fallen Demon, most had begun forming alliances—either in small groups of three or five, or by broadening their networks of friends and relatives—thus establishing numerous, varying-sized clusters. Although it wasn't necessarily true that a larger group would gain an advantage in treasure-hunting, the survival chances of a group facing danger were indeed significantly greater than those of a single individual. With this in mind, even those cultivators who had always preferred to travel alone began actively forging new friendships during this period. At this very moment, as the mountain's mists gradually receded, and while Silver Moon, overseeing the pavilion, was considering whether to summon Han Li from the inner chamber, the chamber's door finally opened. Han Li stepped out calmly and steadily. After months of secluded refinement, Han Li successively crafted over thirty puppets, with half in turtle form and half in tiger spirit form. Fortunately, during his time in the Chaotic Star Sea, he had gathered a large number of high-tier spirit essences from elite beasts, which enabled the process to unfold smoothly. Otherwise, even with all the materials at hand, these powerful spirit essences would have been difficult to locate. As a result, even the Great Derivative Divine Sovereign, who had devoted himself entirely to researching puppetry at the "Dongfu Tian," was astonished upon seeing Han Li unspool one after another of these high-tier spirit essences—first exclaiming, "Little monster!" and then falling silent. Though some additional puppets could still be crafted from the remaining materials, Han Li judged that time was running out. Crafting just a few more would not make much difference, so he stepped out of the chamber. Yin Yue reported several incidents that had occurred near the dwelling during the puppet-making process. Han Li listened attentively and only gave a brief, casual nod, saying little. Then he proceeded to another inner chamber to examine the Tianmo Sha corpse. The corpse was in perfect condition, and satisfied with this, Han Li stored it away, also placing the silver moon fox body into his sleeve, before leaving the pavilion. Han Li did not immediately take flight from the scene. Instead, he settled cross-legged atop the mountain where the pavilion stood, once again extending his divine awareness to slowly scan the gathering points of various cultivators and the various temporary pavilions in the vicinity. With Han Li's powerful awareness, even a Yuan婴-level elder who was not particularly attentive would have been unable to detect his probing. As a result, except for a few particularly potent cultivators and certain locations with established seals, all activities within a hundred li radius were immediately within Han Li's grasp. Yet after a brief moment, Han Li opened his eyes, furrowed his brows, and shook his head. He had not found the person he was seeking. After a moment's thought, he gathered a radiant glow around himself, transforming into a streak of jade-green light, and headed toward the nearby market town. Given the current situation, there should surely be something to gain. ...The market town located closest to Han Li's dwelling, nestled within the Wanling Mountain Range, was established by a prominent immortal family from Dongyu Kingdom. This family has been engaged in this venture for a long time. Thus, even upon hearing of the treasure-hunting opportunities in the Fallen Demon Valley, they remained unmoved, going about their business as if the news had never reached them. As a result, the number of high-level cultivators arriving at the Wanling Mountain Range has surged, leading to a thriving business. Even some ordinary cultivators who had initially shown no interest in entering the Fallen Demon Valley have now begun to reap benefits, taking advantage of the gradually thinning mist and gathering treasures along the outer periphery of the mountains. Currently, in a modest herb shop within the market, a pair of young cultivators dressed in white are pointing to a particular medicinal plant and conversing with the shopkeeper. After a brief exchange, it appears they have reached an agreement. The two young cultivators pay a stack of spiritual stones and, beaming with satisfaction, carry the herb out of the shop. "Uyan, this time our luck truly seems excellent." Soon after arriving at this bustling marketplace, I managed to purchase the "Jin Ling Zi." This rare herb medicine has been a long search for my sister-in-charge. Now, I can finally begin preparing the "Hua Xi Dan." The male cultivator was startled, his hands flashing with white light, instinctively reaching out and grasping the ethereal yellow glow as if it were a physical object—only to find it had become a bright yellow seal. "Ah, the Heavens' Extremity Seal? Are you Master Han?" The young man, upon recognizing the seal, was amazed. He looked up again, studying the figure closely, and gasped in astonishment. The man before him wore a deep green robe, calm and composed—having appeared silently within the marketplace, precisely the Master Han who had been known to arrive there. This young man, Bai Shujun, was one of the Heavens' Extremity Sect's disciples who had once caught the attention of Mu Peilin. As soon as Han Li arrived at the marketplace, he immediately sensed Bai Shujun's presence through his spiritual awareness, and felt a surge of satisfaction. With this person, he could now reach out to his master, Lu Weiying of the Heavens' Extremity Sect. Yet, he had no particularly strong impression of the man, so he met him with a cold, reserved demeanor. "I have matters to discuss with my master," "I'll show the senior right away," the young man said, initially stunned upon hearing Han Li's words. But after carefully checking the token in his hand, he promptly responded with respectful agreement. The Han Li before him was no longer the newly attained Yuanjing初期 cultivator of old—he had now become one of the most formidable figures, second only to the three senior cultivators. Bai Shuju had long regretted his hasty actions back then. With the token now confirmed, he immediately agreed, hoping to improve his standing in Han Li's eyes. Han Li glanced around and found that the location was indeed secluded, though the hill itself was modest, it was nestled among several towering mountain ranges, making it easily overlooked. After a faint blue glow flashed briefly in his pupils, his gaze settled on the seemingly ordinary green stone cliff before him, and he expressed a thoughtful expression. At that moment, Bai Shujun pulled out a communication scroll from his sleeve, tossed it into the air, and it instantly transformed into a beam of fire that shot toward the stone wall. Upon impact, the beam rippled like waves before vanishing completely into the wall. Upon hearing the young man mention the matter, the female disciple from Tianji Manor emitted a slight sniff, her expression showing some displeasure. Yet, in front of Han Li, she remained silent, saying nothing to Bai Shujun. She had already guessed Han Li's identity. Though she was a direct descendant of Lu Weiying, she dared not show any disrespect before Han Li. "Oh, this fellow also bears the surname Lu—is he a descendant of Lu's?" Han Li glanced casually at the woman beside him and asked casually. "Lu Elder is my maternal uncle, though I have long admired your reputation, Master." The woman smiled gracefully, speaking softly and elegantly to Han Li. Han Li merely offered a composed smile, saying nothing further. For at that moment, the stone wall began to glow with a soft light, suddenly revealing a stone gate two zhang high, and a gentle voice echoed from within. "Ah, Han Master! You've finally arrived. Should you not appear now, I might very well have to personally journey forth and seek you out. Please, enter." "I shall wait here in the hall for my friend to arrive," said Han Li, then without a word, strode briskly toward the stone gate. As Bai Shuju and the Lu-named woman hesitated, a voice from within the gate announced Lu Weiying's instructions to them. "You two do not enter. I wish to speak privately with Han Li about several matters. Go about your own business." The senior disciple of Tianji Gate was not at all courteous in sending off his subordinates and his own relatives. Though surprised, the two bowed respectfully and nodded in agreement, then swiftly took flight through the air. Once Han Li had stepped inside the gate, a flash of green light revealed the stone gate gone, replaced instead by a moss-covered stone wall. Han Li's presence vanished completely.