After one day and one night, Han Li stepped out of the stone chamber, emerged from the mountain's core, and journeyed toward Jing City—the foremost city in the mortal world—located there. As it was still early morning, Han Li wished to avoid drawing attention, so he merely used the ordinary speed of a Jiandan-stage cultivator, proceeding steadily eastward without haste. Soon after, he smoothly exited Longzhou and entered the neighboring prefecture. Only then did he withdraw the Wind-riding Car, unleashing his full speed and transforming into a brilliant white light, breaking through the air and vanishing into the distance. With the faint aura of a Yuan婴-stage cultivator subtly radiating from him, even the lower-level cultivators he encountered along the way respectfully maintained a safe distance, bowing and stepping aside. Yuan婴-stage cultivators were, in the great Jin Dynasty, figures of ordinary reverence, and thus no one dared to show any disrespect. About a month later, when Han Li entered Jinjiang Prefecture near Jing City, he finally withdrew the Wind-riding Car, slowed his pace, and refined his aura down to the level of a Jiandan-stage cultivator, moving steadily and calmly. After all, in the heartland of the Great Jin Dynasty, there would surely be many high-level cultivators, and he didn't want to draw too much attention. A few days later, beyond a hundred miles from the capital, an old yellow-hued horse pulled a worn-out two-wheeled cart, moving steadily along the official road. Seated in front of the cart was a young scholar in a green robe—ordinary in appearance, none other than Han Li. At this moment, he sat with his body slightly unsteady, his eyes half-closed, appearing half-asleep. In reality, he was quietly refining the snow-soul pills he had taken several days prior. Since emerging from the spatial rift, Han Li had consumed no fewer than several dozen pills that enhanced his cold and icy power. Indeed, these ancient elixirs were no ordinary medicine—Han Li clearly felt that the previously refined dry-blue flame and the cold energy from the six-winged frost serpent had grown increasingly pure. Moreover, the trace impurities from the purple lotus fire that had previously resisted refinement were gradually blending and vanishing, significantly enhancing the potency of his cold energy. The only difficulty was that these elixirs were hard to refine and required nearly three or four months between doses. This left Han Li somewhat helpless. Otherwise, if he took one elixir every month, the Purple Lotus Heavenly Fire would eventually become extremely formidable—perhaps even capable of reaching the legendary state of freezing a thousand miles over. Yet, even as it stands, the Purple Lotus Heavenly Fire does not fall short of any of the highest-level techniques of the Zheng and Mo sects, and has even been genuinely countered by other cultivation methods. As for why Han Li had come here in such a horse-drawn carriage, it was due to a customary, though unwritten, rule in the realm of the Great Jin: in the capital city of Jinjing, where ordinary people reside, no combat or flight is permitted within a thousand li of the city, a gesture of respect toward the immortal cultivators and the imperial administration. In the Great Jin, cultivators and ordinary people are, to some extent, mutually dependent. However, this regulation only applied to lower-level cultivators. Many Yuan-Ying and even Ji-Dan stage cultivators, who possessed excellent self-sustaining flight techniques, completely ignored it. After all, the scattered cultivators hired by the official administration to patrol the outskirts of the capital generally had modest cultivation levels. As long as they remained undetected or simply flew at low altitudes upon entering the capital, they would be safe. Han Li himself also did not regard it as significant. Yet, due to ample time available and his desire to fully absorb the snow-essence pill during the journey, he chose to descend from his flight at a town hundreds of miles away. He purchased an old horse in a small town and began his journey leisurely. Along the way, Han Li encountered several lower-level cultivators who were riding horses or traveling by carriage. However, he deliberately withdrew his inner cultivation energy, making himself appear ordinary. These lower-level cultivators could not detect any difference and no one approached him to disturb him. Since Han Li's carriage was not particularly swift, there had already been seven or eight groups of travelers and merchant caravans passing this official road ahead of him. Han Li remained composed, quietly proceeding as usual. At the moment, he was feeling the subtle medicinal energy spreading slowly from his dantian, gradually diffusing through his meridians, and finding himself utterly calm. Suddenly, his brows furrowed, and then a sudden gust of wind and thunderous hooves erupted on the main road behind his carriage. Han Li's expression remained unchanged, though his eyes opened wide. He casually pulled on the reins, and the old horse promptly moved to the side, allowing the carriage to shift to the roadside. Han Li then lazily turned his head back. There, a yellow dragon of movement surged forward along the official road, banners fluttering proudly, as though an entire army of thousands was charging toward him. Han Li's face revealed a touch of surprise. The yellow dragon soon approached his carriage, and gradually, through the dust and mist, the silhouettes of a group of riders in silver helmets and armor, carrying bows and swords, became clearly visible. These knights were all robust and strong. At the forefront stood a middle-aged man dressed in crimson robes, riding a black stallion. He carried a long sword at his waist, and a banner behind him bore a large, bold character: "King." Among the knights, several jade vehicles drawn by swift horses moved swiftly alongside the column, undisturbed despite the intense pace. These vehicles emitted a faint luminous glow, and though they were rushing forward at high speed, they remained perfectly steady, as if nothing were affecting them at all. These knights each carried a strong aura of martial vigor, clearly seasoned warriors—far beyond ordinary garrison soldiers. They bore the unmistakable air of frontier troops accustomed to constant combat. Indeed, he had heard of such things: although the Jin Dynasty was vast and powerful, its southeastern and western frontier regions, bordering on remote outlands, frequently saw large-scale conflicts between its people and the native inhabitants. Only in such turbulent areas could true iron-clad soldiers be forged. As he pondered, a jade-colored carriage passed by, and a glance slipped through the window, just catching sight of Han Li standing beside it. A soft "Ah!" of recognition echoed within the carriage. Han Li himself seemed to sense something, and instinctively raised his head. A pair of familiar, bright eyes briefly passed over him. A slight surprise stirred within him, though he hadn't yet recalled who it was when the knightly procession had already moved out of sight. He watched them go, mulling over the scene for a while, before finally shaking his head and abandoning the idea of delving deeper into the carriage with his awareness. It wasn't that Han Li was unwilling to do so, but the several jade chariots were actually equipped with simple isolation spells. To investigate further would inevitably draw the attention of those inside. The people within the chariots were only Jin Qi stage cultivators, and Han Li certainly didn't want to get involved in any unnecessary matters due to such lower-level cultivators. After calmly watching the silver-armored knights recede into the distance, Han Li resumed driving the chariot forward. After merely traveling十余 miles, a three-way intersection where several official roads converged appeared ahead, with a lush forest stretching along the roadside. A few modest tea pavilions, connected together, were situated at the edge of the forest, and numerous carriages and horses were parked outside, their owners entering the simple pavilions to drink tea and have meals. After all, this was nearly the only resting point along this route toward the capital, and most travelers would naturally pause here. Han Li's glance swept casually over the scene, and he immediately spotted the silver-armored knights dismounting to rest beside the forest. Yet several jade chariots remained in place, one of which was now half-open, its interior empty. The middle-aged man in silk robes was also not among the knights. Han Li furrowed his brow, glanced instinctively at the several tea pavilions, then calmly urged his chariots forward, preparing to pass through the intersection and continue on his way. But at that moment, one of the knights—a soldier—saw Han Li’s chariot and suddenly stepped forward, blocking his path. Han Li was momentarily taken aback. "Sir, do you happen to be of the Han surname?" the knight bowed slightly, speaking with composure and dignity. "Indeed, I am of the Han surname. May I ask what is your request?" Han Li’s expression brightened as he replied slowly. "Since you are truly of the Han family, then I have not mistaken you. My lady has invited you to meet at the tea pavilion." "Your lady? Ah, well, then—I shall go and see her." Han Li's expression stirred as he recalled the pair of bright eyes he had seen earlier in the carriage. After a brief pause, he finally nodded and said, "Please, sir. My lady has already reserved a small tea pavilion on that side. Just follow me." The soldier spoke in a steady tone and gestured toward the edge of the forest. Immediately, two other soldiers came forward to assist Han Li in guiding the carriage. Han Li then followed the soldier toward one of the tea pavilions. A short while later, Han Li appeared before the two women and one man seated inside the pavilion. The man, naturally, was the middle-aged official in a fine silk robe, with a long beard and fine eyes, always calm and commanding without needing to speak. The other two women were both in their prime years and were cultivators—though one was at the seventh stage of Qi cultivation, the other at the fifth. "Brother Han, it's been several years since we last met, and I never expected to find you here. Your guidance to my younger sister back then remains deeply cherished in my heart, even to this day." The man remained seated motionless, while the other two women rose promptly upon seeing Han Li enter. The one with slightly lower cultivation level, in particular, gently bit her full lower lip, her delicate features subtly glowing with delight. "It's really a pleasant coincidence. I didn't know you were here, Master Gan. Back then, you left without a word—please don't mind me." Han was momentarily surprised, then smiled in return.