While carefully observing Han Li, the other cultivators noticed that the original half of the spiritual spring water had been significantly reduced—just from the disturbance caused by Han Li's simple movement. Now, only a thin, meager layer of water remained in the pool. Seeing this, the three elder figures felt deeply distressed, yet, facing Han Li, whose cultivation was beyond comprehension, they managed to maintain a composed smile, deliberately ignoring the disappointment, in order not to offend this senior master and bring disaster upon their family. At the very moment Han Li evaporated the moisture from his body, he also detected a distinct, unusual fragrance emanating from the spring. After his thoughtful expression faded, he instinctively turned back to gaze at the pool behind him. This seemingly casual glance, however, sent the three elders into a state of unease that lasted for quite some time. For decades, they had diligently protected this spring—now, with Han Li showing such clear interest, they knew they would have to offer it willingly, with no possibility of refusal.
Han Li merely glanced at the water pool, showing no sign of eager interest, and instead turned back to the three elders, speaking calmly:
"I haven't been active in the world for a long time, so I'm somewhat unfamiliar with recent events in the southern sky. Could the three of you kindly share some of the major developments over the past few years?"
"Of course, Master. If you don't mind, let us escort you to our Yellow Family's hall. I'll serve you tea and hospitality—how could there be any question? I will certainly share everything I know without reservation." Seeing that Han Li showed no enthusiasm for their spiritual spring, Huang Yuanming felt reassured and promptly spoke with respectful courtesy.
The other two elders also breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Very well. I actually have quite a few questions. I'll surely be a bother to you three." Han Li looked toward the younger disciples from the three families, thought for a moment, and then nodded in agreement.
"By all means! To host a master of your stature is truly a privilege for our Yellow Family."
Huang Yuanning was beaming with joy and said so. Then he gave a few instructions to several disciples, urging them to quickly take flight back to make preparations, so as not to overlook any details and fail to attend to Han Li properly. Only after that did he personally lead Han Li away from the place, heading toward a pavilion located in the midst of the mountain range. The other two elders also issued instructions to a few members of their clans and hurried after them, maintaining a respectful and close distance.
"Three families living together in one place—this is rather uncommon," Han Li remarked as they walked, asking a few questions about the location and the general situation of the three elders, expressing some surprise.
"Your honor is mistaken," Huang Yuanning replied with a wry smile. "We simply have no choice but to remain here, as we are unable to establish ourselves elsewhere."
"I notice your younger disciples seem to have quite promising potential. Why haven't you sent them to the great immortal sects?"
Even though their qualifications might not be sufficient to become direct disciples, becoming external affairs disciples is certainly possible," Han Li expressed interest, his expression turning slightly puzzled. "I didn't know this. Although our Dong Yu state has many cultivation sects, most of them are already supplied with stable cultivation families that send their offspring into the sects. Some even operate as jointly controlled by these families. As for our smaller, less prominent sects, we simply don't have the standing to be noticed by these major sects. Even if a few particularly outstanding disciples emerge occasionally within our ranks, we hesitate to send them off to join other sects—our families still need them to maintain a certain level of prestige." Among the two elders, one with a round, plump face carefully explained this to Han Li, his expression conveying a touch of resignation. These family elders, if they had chosen to join major sects during their youth, might have achieved even greater cultivation levels today. But in order to ensure the continuity of their families, they had to remain behind quietly. This was precisely the dilemma faced by smaller families.
Han Li's eyes flickered several times, and he gave a gentle nod, then stopped asking further questions.
Ahead, not far away, a cluster of pavilions and terraces rose prominently.
The elder led Han Li directly toward the tallest of these pavilions.
A short while later, they arrived at the entrance of the pavilion, where two rows of young female disciples were already waiting there, respectfully in attendance.
"Please enter, Master," said Huang Yuanming, as he invited Han Li into the pavilion's main hall. "Our Linglin Mountain does not grow many rare herbs or fruits, though we do have a particularly fine kind of spiritual tea—please feel free to drink several cups."
Han Li didn't hesitate, and stepped confidently into the pavilion.
Though the hall was not large—only about twenty to thirty zhang in area—it was more than sufficient for a small family.
With the three elders watching him with respectful attention, Han Li settled calmly into the upper seat, while the elders stood quietly in front of him, not daring to sit beside him.
Their levels of cultivation and status were vastly different, and Han Li made no effort to appear humble.
At that moment, a young disciple with eyes as beautiful as a painting approached, carried a tea tray, and immediately served a fragrant cup of tea to Han Li before retreating with care. Han Li took a sip of the tea, first finding it slightly bitter, but after a moment, a refreshing aroma filled his mouth, becoming remarkably fragrant. "Indeed, this is a rare spiritual tea," Han Li murmured, a gentle smile forming at the corner of his lips. "Your cultivation is beyond measure, yet your face seems unfamiliar. Might I ask—aren't you from Dong Yu?" the round-faced, stout elder inquired. "I am not a cultivator from Dong Yu," Han Li replied, glancing at the elder with a composed, slightly amused expression. "You needn't worry. Once I've clarified a few matters, I will immediately depart and return to my home—there will be no delay."
To meet the senior face-to-face is already a great fortune. How could we possibly have any disrespect by asking you to leave? Huang Yueming was startled, quickly changing his expression and speaking earnestly. "Enough! I myself began my journey as a junior cultivator. I understand well what you may be concerned about or hoping for. As long as your answers satisfy me, I am not unwilling to offer you some benefits. After all, your very presence here is a sign of shared fortune between us." Seeing the round-faced elder still eager to explain, Han Li waved his hand and spoke calmly. "Please ask me anything you'd like to know. Though our family is not particularly large, we remain well-informed of various developments. I am certain we will meet your expectations!" Hearing this, Huang Yueming felt deeply pleased and became even more respectful. Han Li smiled gently. Though he would not offer any substantial benefits, he was certain these people wouldn't deceive him with empty words. But with a few tangible rewards, they would surely respond with greater sincerity.
Some things that are either speakable or not, will naturally be mentioned. "Last time the Valley of Demonic Plunging was opened, and many cultivators entered the valley to search for treasures—given that you're so close to Changzhou, you should have heard of this. Could you briefly recount the events to me?" Han Li glanced at the three of them and said calmly. "The Valley of Demonic Plunging? This matter is well known to me." Upon hearing Han Li ask about it, Huang Yuanming was slightly surprised, yet immediately responded without hesitation. Then, after briefly organizing his thoughts, he continued: "A large number of cultivators entered the Valley of Demonic Plunging to search for treasures, an event that occurred over twenty years ago. Thanks to the Ghost and Spirit Sect discovering a reliable method of entry, hundreds of cultivators at the level of Condensed Dan or above ventured into the valley to seek the relics of ancient cultivators. However, the Valley of Demonic Plunging is indeed extremely perilous. Despite the large number of high-level cultivators entering, most only wandered within the outer valley, while many others perished due to the outer valley's restrictions and spatial fissures.
Few of the cultivators who had entered the valley survived, falling short of half the original number. Worse still, upon entering the inner valley, the delegation from Gui Ling Sect inadvertently released two ancient demonic beasts capable of devouring Yuan婴 (spirit essences). The sect's master and other senior figures perished instantly. These two demons proved exceptionally formidable—reports say that the Yuan婴 cultivators who entered the valley joined forces to battle them, with even senior figures such as Wei, the elder of the three, and Mu Lan’s spiritual master stepping in to fight and eliminate the demons. Though they finally succeeded in destroying one, the other demon escaped unharmed into the Valley of Fallen Demons. Among the cultivators who participated in the assault, many were killed or wounded, and several renowned elders met their end in this engagement. Yet, the Valley of Fallen Demons truly lives up to its reputation as an ancient resting place for cultivators. It is said that those who ultimately survived and exited the valley all gained some form of benefit. Indeed, several elders discovered elixirs and cultivation techniques capable of extending their lives and advancing their stages of cultivation within the valley—news that sent ripples across the entire southern celestial realm of cultivation.
As a result, many cultivators grew increasingly envious and, disregarding the growing instability of the spatial fissures within the valley, once again relied on the Ghost-Ling Sect's transmission array to enter the Fumigating Valley. Yet, after this group of nearly a hundred cultivators entered, not a single one emerged—this news finally startled the other cultivators who had been eager to venture in. Thus, the Fumigating Valley once again became a forbidden zone, with no one daring to enter.
When this demon first escaped, some senior figures had previously remarked that such a demonic being was incapable of enduring long in our human realm and would eventually return to its original realm. Thus, initially, no one gave it much attention. Yet unexpectedly, the demon continued to launch relentless attacks on senior cultivators, devouring their immortal embryos to restore its own energy. Within just a few years, six or seven immortal embryo cultivators had fallen victim to its assaults—one after another—yet it showed no signs of returning. Only then did other cultivators realize that this demon had employed some unknown method to enable itself to remain in this realm for an extended period. Consequently, the three senior cultivators jointly stepped forward and assembled a dedicated task force, gathering over a dozen mid-stage immortal embryo elders to form a specialized expedition to eradicate the demon. However, the demon proved exceptionally cunning, refusing to engage in direct combat with the task force. Instead, it deliberately targeted isolated cultivators and even launched attacks against the Mulan people. As a result, the Mulan people dispatched a contingent of senior masters to join the expedition.
Thereafter, the demon could no longer escape the joint assaults of cultivators and magicians, being forced to flee constantly and appear increasingly disheveled. Yet this outcome only fueled its madness further. In the end, it began attacking not only senior cultivators but also frequently launching frenzied attacks on junior ones. It is said that over the final months, it wiped out no less than several dozen cultivation families and multiple small sects. These families and sects had no one capable of standing against it. However, precisely because of this, it was ultimately struck by a secret technique employed by a senior monk of a nearly collapsing magian lineage, who was on the verge of death. The demon was then tracked down and surrounded at Luohun Mountain in Fengdu Kingdom by the anti-demon forces. It is reported that upon fully recovering its vital energy, the demon had attained a cultivation level nearly equivalent to that of a Shen-level cultivator. Two senior cultivators and one Mu Lan master jointly engaged it in battle. The clash was so intense that the sky grew dark and the earth trembled—other cultivators were unable to intervene. The main peak of Luohun Mountain was entirely leveled during the battle. As he spoke, Huang Yueming paused, his