Not long after the cultivators from Yin Luo Sect had departed, a sudden movement was observed within a nearby pavilion. The two of them glanced at the empty entrance, their faces growing serious as they whispered a few words in quiet transmission, then stepped out together. As soon as they stepped outside the marketplace, they split up. One of them held a small banner, gently waved it, and instantly vanished into a swirl of purple aura, pursuing the direction where Ge Tianhao and the others had gone. The other one took a separate path, transforming into a streak of light and speeding off toward the imperial capital. "As soon as the transmission began, Han Li had carefully scanned the surroundings, and found no abnormalities—thus, the calm response he now offered. Han Li's cautious actions had not gone unnoticed by the wealthy elder, who, instead of being annoyed, was deeply satisfied. 'In truth, there's not much to it. I received advance information that several cultivators from Yin Luo Sect were searching for someone at the exit of the Great Market. I suspect Master Han would not wish to meet them, so I took advantage of this transmission array to avoid them. Master Han, won't you find my actions rather unnecessary?' said the wealthy elder, his gaze flickering with a smile that was both warm and slightly amused. 'Yin Luo Sect? What does Master Han mean by that?' Han Li's expression tightened slightly, yet he maintained his composure and asked the question directly. 'Hehe, Master Han need not worry. If I truly intended to harm Master Han, I would have already arranged some contingency measures nearby.' Is your brother the cultivator who had a dispute with Ge Tianhao right before the Bao Guang Hall that day?" The wealthy elder smiled mysteriously and spoke slowly. "I didn't expect you to know all this. Yet, why did you step in to assist me? Surely, you wouldn't have been willing to offend the Yin Luo Sect—a major sect of the demonic path—merely because of our agreement from that day, would you? I find that hard to believe." Han Li remained silent for a moment, then acknowledged calmly. "What about the Yin Luo Sect? It seems your brother hasn't heard of my background yet. I am the Deputy Head of Enforcement at the Jiyou Sect. Our sect has long-standing tensions with the Yin Luo Sect, and having Ge Tianhao fall short is precisely what I've been hoping for. Of course, my assistance to you stems from a matter I have in mind." The wealthy elder spoke with ease and composure. "The Jiyou Sect? Indeed, I'm impressed. I've long heard of your sect's reputation. Yet, given your sect's strength, what exactly do you need from me?" "Heard that the other party is also a senior elder of the Ten Great Sects of the Magic Path, Han Li was instantly startled, his alertness rising. "This matter is personal, and I would not wish to rely on any of my sect's personnel. However, it's not urgent. We can wait until after we both attend the fair, then I'll personally explain everything in detail to my esteemed friend. Han brother, please rest assured—this matter will also bring certain benefits to your friend. Should you find it unsuitable, I won't insist." The elder with the surname Fu smiled warmly. "Then, I'll gladly accept this favor," Han Li replied, after a brief thought. He had already clashed with the Yin Luo Sect, and naturally didn't want to incur another conflict with a major sect of the Magic Path. Whether or not he would ultimately assist the other party, he would simply treat it as a courtesy for now. "I knew you'd be a straightforward man, Han brother," the elder with the surname Fu said, a pleased expression briefly lighting up his face, clearly satisfied with Han Li's response. The two then transformed into two streaks of brilliant light and swiftly flew off toward the distance. After speeding along for only a short while, the elder suddenly brought Han Li to a halt within a dark, rugged mountain range some three thousand li from the capital city. There, the two came to rest, the elder gracefully spiraling to a stop against what appeared to be an ordinary stone wall. Right before the entrance, two middle-aged cultivators dressed in green robes stood straight and still. Both were at the late Jie Dan stage of cultivation, and one of them was holding the legal disc previously carried by the wealthy elder. "Ah, it's Elder Fu who has arrived. This elder seems unfamiliar—may I ask your esteemed name?" The cultivator holding the disc bowed respectfully to the two, then glanced at Han Li before asking with composure and dignity. "This is Han, a guest from overseas. I've introduced him to you. As for his credentials, I can provide him with an identity disc. We're in a hurry to attend the exchange meeting," said Elder Fu, eyes narrowing with slight impatience. "Ah, since Elder Fu has introduced him, there's no issue at all. This one is an Yuan Ying-level identity disc. Not only will Elder Fu be able to use it to attend this current trading event, but also the next two underground trading sessions—free of charge." Certainly, if the senior official violates the rules of the trading assembly, this scroll will be reclaimed or invalidated. Moreover, according to the regulations, one must pay ten thousand spiritual stones to possess this scroll. After politely returning the round scroll he held to the wealthy elder, the green-robed cultivator then produced a similar scroll and explained it to Han Li. "Here you go, ten thousand spiritual stones." Hearing such a large amount, Han Li felt a bit pained, yet he paid with great ease on the surface. He simply tossed over a bag filled with ten thousand stones. "Here is the scroll, please keep it, senior." After briefly checking the number of stones in the bag, the elder in blue robes smiled warmly and presented the scroll inscribed with three hundred and forty-seven characters in both hands. Han Li glanced at it and slightly raised an eyebrow, expressing some doubt. "Three hundred and forty-seven? That seems like a large number—how many participants are there in this trading assembly?" "Of course not. Senior Han may not be aware, a portion of the elders have various reasons preventing them from attending this particular gathering." Based on past experience, there were probably only about two hundred attendees." Another young disciple in green robes explained. "Oh, that's quite a number." Han Li nodded, slightly surprised. "Well, the time has come. I'll go ahead and join the exchange meeting with my companion. I'll have a chance to convey my greetings to your master." Upon seeing Han Li with his magical platform, the elder named Fu immediately said this and then strode confidently toward the deeper part of the corridor. "These two disciples seem quite accomplished. From your tone, do you think they share the same master? Do you know which one of you?" Han Li followed behind, casually asking. "Their master is truly remarkable—have you heard of the Four Independent Practitioners of the Great Jin Dynasty?" the elder chuckled and asked in return. "Yes, of course—I've heard of them. Is one of them?" Han Li expressed growing curiosity. "Exactly. Their master is the most enigmatic of the Four Independent Practitioners, Easy Xiatian, who has already reached the late Yuan Yin stage for many years. I actually have the good fortune to have met him once. At that moment, having personally witnessed this person effortlessly slaying a beast of eighth rank, it was clear that his cultivation was truly profound and incalculable. It was said that among the two most promising candidates in the entire Great Jin dynasty to reach the Shén stage, this individual was one of them. The organizers of this trading fair have arranged for these two to guard the gate—likely also hoping to leverage the prestige of their respective masters. "I can't help but marvel at this, especially at the great potential of Master Yì Tiān Xǐ," the wealthy elder remarked, expressing his admiration while explaining to Han Li. "I believe your own cultivation is exceptionally deep, and once you surpass your current bottleneck, you'll surely reach the late Yuan婴 stage soon. Then, what could there be to envy? However, could you tell me who the other one is—this fellow who might also reach the Shén stage?" Han Li was intrigued and asked. "The other one is Master Biyue from the Buddhist Net-Fire Sect. This master achieved the late Yuan婴 stage merely in four hundred and forty years, a rare talent recognized throughout the immortal realm as one who emerges only once every ten thousand years." As for me, Fu Meng may be considered quite capable compared to ordinary cultivators, but that pales in comparison to the two above. I've been stuck at this stage for two or three centuries now, and have long since given up any hope of advancing further. On the other hand, I suspect my friend has only recently broken through the mid-stage—perhaps he'll be able to easily overcome the current bottleneck at that point?" Fu, the elder, chuckled with a wry smile. "Fu brother, you're truly joking. How could there be such good fortune in the world?" Han Li coughed a few times, smiled politely, and naturally didn't take the elder's words seriously. At this moment, under Fu's guidance, Han Li saw the area ahead shimmer with white light, and gradually a grand hall entrance began to take shape. The bustling sounds of activity reached him, and he felt a surge of renewed energy. …At another location, hundreds of li beyond the underground trading hub, in the midst of the sky, Ge Tianhao’s face was contorted, black qi swirling around him as he clutched tightly with one hand at the head of an unfamiliar cultivator, extracting memories from the other’s consciousness through a soul-searching secret technique—now at the crucial moment of the spell’s execution. The cultivator’s face twisted, his eyes rolled back, his body trembling incessantly, as though in unbearable agony. Lin Yinping and another black-robed cultivator in their fifties watched silently from the side, expressions impassive. Suddenly, the soul-searching cultivator convulsed violently, black blood gushing from both ears and nose, then collapsed completely unconscious. Ge Tianhao frowned slightly, then flames of deep black surged from his five fingers, instantly reducing the figure to ash. Closing his eyes gently, he began to absorb and process the extracted memories. “Any progress?” he asked, “Have you identified this person? Why has he been following us so cautiously?” When Lin Yinping opened her eyes for the second time, she immediately slightly opened her mouth and asked.