Under the guidance of the three elderly Fu family members, Han Li and the others passed through the magical array. This time, instead of landing on the central plaza surrounded by mountains on all sides, they were directly led to a massive platform built against the mountain face. At the heart of the platform stood a pavilion approximately a hundred zhang high, with five stories in height—so tall and imposing that it initially appeared more like a colossal stone tower than a traditional building. Against the mountain wall behind the pavilion, stretching as far as the eye could see, were countless dense clusters of holes, through which disciples from the Bai Qiao Academy moved in and out continuously, resembling a honeycomb structure. The Fu family elders did not take them to the pavilion, but instead led them straight up to the highest point of the mountain wall. "Deep within the mountain's bedrock lies a premier earth-lung fire reservoir. Not only does it greatly enhance the efficiency of crafting artifacts, but it also offers numerous benefits to practitioners of fire-based cultivation techniques. For this reason, the Bai Qiao Academy has established numerous workshop rooms along this mountain wall, and many of its senior disciples have also constructed their residences deep within the mountain's interior." Cheng senior clearly knows the Hundred-Qiao Hall well, casually introducing it to Han Li as they fly. He speaks with intent while listening without focus. Han Li, hearing this, felt a spark of insight and his face revealed a thoughtful expression. After a short while, as they soared upward over a thousand zhang, they finally came to a solitary, vast cavern entrance. Clearly not a place accessible to lower-level disciples—unlike the bustling activity below—only two elders stood there to welcome them, with no other cultivators in sight. "Cheng brother, Lü friend! I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival. I didn't go far to greet you, so please don't mind. This is Han friend. Indeed, he's quite young—full of promise! Wait—Han friend has already reached the mid Yuan-Ying stage?" As soon as the three landed at the entrance, an elder with fiery red hair and dark skin warmly greeted Cheng senior and Lü Luo. And with a glance at Han Li, he suddenly gasped, his face turning pale. The other elder beside him, with dry skin and sharp, severe features, likewise looked utterly astonished. "Please forgive Feng brother's interruption. Han brother has just reached the mid Yuan-Infant stage as well. In the future, I shall truly appreciate your guidance on many matters, both of you." Cheng brother smiled warmly and said pleasantly. "We'll certainly guide you, Cheng brother—don't be so formal!" The two hundred-year-old elders finally recovered from their shock, exchanged glances, and exchanged a weary smile. The Feng-named elder simply remained speechless. "You needn't be so humble, both of you. While I have progressed slightly faster in my cultivation, my foundation remains somewhat unstable. Indeed, I shall greatly benefit from your insights and clarifications on any issues I may encounter in the future." Han Li bowed respectfully, speaking politely without the slightest hint of arrogance. The two Yuan-Infant cultivators on the other side, deeply impressed, could only nod in agreement, and then invited the three of them inside to continue the conversation. The elder named Fu and others then stepped aside. "Originally, Brother Liehuo was also going to come out to welcome the three of you. However, he is currently finalizing the ritual to establish the bond between the newly crafted artifact and its master. He will have to stay behind for now. Please don't mind that, the three of you." Another elder said thus. "What could be more natural than that! I've known both you and Brother Lu for several hundred years now, so why should we be so formal? It's rather unusual that such a significant ceremony is being held to formally establish the bond between the artifact and its master. Could you not have shared a little of this with us earlier?" On the way, Lu Luo asked curiously. "Heh, it's not exactly a grand treasure. In fact, my brother and I have spent three months crafting a new Qi-Tian Tower." While speaking casually, the elder named Ding's eyes subtly revealed a touch of pride. "A Qi-Tian Tower? Indeed, that's the one! It's one of the Three Foundational Treasures of Baiqiao Academy. I recall that no new Foundational Treasure has been created in your academy in over a thousand years." Cheng Xiang's originally smiling face suddenly froze, and he exclaimed in surprise. "Therefore, this time, upon establishing the bond with this treasure, we have invited all of you to witness the event. However, for our Bai Qiao Academy, the Qiantu Tower is a true cornerstone treasure; for your two academies, it may not hold quite the same significance. As for Gu Jian Men, I've heard that Cheng Xiang has returned with some rare treasures from the Falls of the Demon. And as for Han, who has advanced so swiftly to the mid-stage, perhaps he too has encountered special opportunities within the Falls of the Demon." The elder with the surname Feng smiled gently and asked tentatively. "Some rare treasures? Then perhaps Feng Xiang has only heard secondhand accounts. As for Han, I'm not entirely certain. During my last visit to the Falls of the Demon, although I obtained two ancient artifacts, their power was quite ordinary—how could they compare to the Qiantu Tower?" The silver-haired elder shook his head vigorously, as if it were a drum being struck. "Han hasn't acquired any particularly remarkable ancient treasures either. In fact, he has destroyed numerous valuable items within the Falls of the Demon. Had it not "Han Li naturally didn't go into any great detail about LingMiao Garden—just briefly touched on it, blending truth with fiction." "The elder named Feng smiled bitterly, adding a touch of self-mockery and three parts admiration. "With your cultivation now reaching one more level, what further treasures do you need? If only my own cultivation could advance one more step, I'd be willing to exchange all my treasures with you." Han Li listened quietly, offering no immediate response. After passing through a vast garden bursting with blooming flowers, they were ushered into an unusually spacious hall. The hall was over a hundred zhang in width, its walls adorned with shimmering, unidentified crystalline blocks, each the size of a clenched fist. Not only did the hall avoid any sense of gloom, but it instead exuded a magnificent, opulent atmosphere. "Please take your seats, esteemed friends," said the elder Feng warmly and politely. "Liehuo Brother will come shortly after his task is completed, and the guests from Gujian Sect should arrive not long after." "Heard that the venerable Jin from Gujian Sect has successfully passed his life-and-death trial and will be coming as well." "Is this truly accurate?" Lu Luo asked as soon as he sat down. "Yes, it is true. Jin Daojun personally sent a transmission scroll to Lei Huo Brother, informing him that he would be attending the ceremony. Nevertheless…" The elder with the surname Feng paused slightly. "What exactly?" Lu Luo was now curious. The silver-haired elder turned his head, showing interest. Yet Han Li merely glanced around the hall, as if completely unconcerned. "Nevertheless, I suspect that Jin Daojun's arrival here may still be driven by a desire to meet Brother Han personally. After all, Han Brother has gained such a distinguished reputation—now surely one of the top figures among the three great cultivators. When it comes to single combat, he is truly the first among us in the Tian Dao Alliance. And now, having advanced to the mid Yuan Yin stage…" The elder with the surname Ding glanced at Han Li, a touch of mystery appearing on his lips. "Is it possible that Jin the Elder simply wishes to test Han Brother's abilities?" "Has this old master, after all these years of seclusion, not changed a bit in temperament?" Cheng Sheng frowned slightly, speaking with some impatience. "As for this, I'm not entirely sure. However, given the extraordinary abilities of Han Dao, I'm certain he won't be intimidated by anyone. In truth, we brothers also look forward to witnessing Han's powers firsthand." The elder with the surname Ding spoke openly, without hesitation. "Then it seems this gathering marks a real reordering of the rankings among Yunmeng Mountain's sects." Lu Luo's eyes flashed, and he tapped the table several times with his finger before speaking slowly. "If both of you see it that way, then that makes sense. Yet when it comes to reordering the rankings, while we old fellows from Baiqiao Academy remain unchanged—naturally, we'll end up at the bottom this time and won't compete with either of your two sects. But since Jin Dao from Gu Jian Men has personally come over, I'd expect him to put Han Dao to the test. Otherwise, how could he willingly give up the prestigious title of the foremost sect in Xixu State?" On the other side, the elder named Feng smiled and said, "Both of you are aware of this matter, yet you've made no mention of it in your invitation letters. That does seem a bit inconsistent." Cheng's brows furrowed slightly, and he hadn't spoken yet, but Lu Luo's expression grew more serious, and his voice grew colder. "Please don't misunderstand, all of this is merely our speculation. Master Jin hasn't explicitly stated that he must meet Master Han. For our Bai Qiao Academy, this gathering is primarily focused on cooperation and exchange among the three sects. After all, our last such gathering was over a hundred years ago. With new faces joining—Master Han, as well as Ming Xin from the Ancient Sword Sect—everyone meeting each other will surely benefit." Feng waved his hand, remaining calm and composed. Upon hearing this explanation, Lu Luo's expression softened slightly. Han, however, remained unchanged throughout, only offering a gentle, steady smile. This, in turn, deepened the sense of profound mystery the two senior elders of Bai Qiao Academy had always held about Han. After listening to the explanation, Cheng Sheng quickly returned to his usual composure. Just as he was about to ask a few more questions regarding the Ancient Sword Sect, a red glow formed from a transmission scroll suddenly shot in from outside the door, spiraling before landing in the hands of the elderly man with the surname Feng. A moment later, footsteps were heard at the entrance of the hall, and an elder named Feng entered with three cultivators—two men and one woman. Leading the way was a sturdy elder with thick, wild hair. Though his hair had turned white, his complexion was rosy and his skin radiant, with his bright, luminous eyes giving off a fierce, wild vitality reminiscent of a beast. What stood out most was the pair of unusually large hands hanging naturally at his sides—each nearly half the size of an ordinary person's. Following him came a middle-aged cultivator of ordinary appearance and a composed, graceful young woman.