"With the assistance of Uncle Qi and my third brother, we now have two senior cultivators supporting our treasure-gathering mission. Combined with the internal cultivators gathered here and the externally recruited elders we've specifically invited, this journey to the southern region looks highly promising," said the square-faced cultivator, beaming with excitement. In a secret chamber within a manor somewhere in the imperial city, a thick, dark magical aura filled the entire room. Within it, a massive two-headed demon with four eyes flickered, its black and purple gleams flashing vividly, appearing terrifyingly grotesque. After an indeterminate length of time, the demon suddenly emitted a low cry. The magical aura surged and then, like a thousand streams converging into one, was entirely drawn into its body. At the same time, the demon pressed seals with both hands, and as its form erupted in a burst of light, it transformed into a ordinary young man, whose appearance bore a striking resemblance to Han Li. This was the ancient demon who had been secretly stationed within the Ye family. "Indeed, my injuries have healed to about eighty percent. As long as I don't encounter those old fellows, no one from the Great Jin Dynasty will be able to harm me. The Ye family members—after all, they can't ignore my evident familiarity with the ancient era. They'll surely have to involve me now. Once we reach there, heh... " The demon murmured these words, his face gradually lighting up with growing contempt. As the ancient demons finished healing, in a secret pavilion of the Yin Luo Sect outside Jinjing City, Ge Tianhao was speaking with the celestial Lan Saint. "I've just received word that Fu Cheng of the Jiuyou Sect has appeared in Nanjiang. That young man named Han was there at the same time, attending the underground trade fair. Had it not been for our early intelligence, we might still be unaware. Since Fu Cheng has arrived there, it's likely that the young man named Han is also nearby. Our Grand Elder is currently handling matters in Nanjiang and has already gone there. Should he happen to spot this person, he will personally dispatch a team to deal with him. Would you be interested in joining us to take a look?" "Fu Cheng's appearance there doesn't necessarily mean that the young man named Han will also be in Nanjiang. I've heard that the grasslands are now under the leadership of Xu, the Great Master, who has sent a contingent of palace protectors into the Jin Dynasty. They will arrive in Jinjing shortly to meet with me. I intend to remain here for a while." After a while, if I still haven't heard any definite news from that person, I'll definitely make a trip down to the southern frontier. Lin Yinping shook her head. "Xu, you're coming too! This truly feels like a fortunate meeting. The Grand Elder will surely be delighted to hear of it. Then I'll join you and wait alongside you as well. After all, the Grand Elder specifically instructed that I should always accompany you." Ge Tianhao was first surprised, then expressed his delight. Lin Yinping smiled slightly and nodded. "By the way, hasn't the Han family member appeared again along the coastal regions? Didn't he even become a guest senior elder at three small sects? These sects have been sending people to monitor him continuously—yet no news has come in so far, has there?" Lin Yinping furrowed her brows and asked again. "No. He's exceptionally clever. After initially stepping forward to represent those three sects once, he hasn't shown up again since." Moreover, the connection between this person and Tianfu Sect has now been clarified—they are merely casual acquaintances. Even if we were to eliminate all three families, the other party would hardly blink an eye. "That makes sense," Guo Tianhao said, with a sigh. "After all, this person is a cultivator from the southern region, so it's natural he wouldn't care much about the survival of these sects. However, when I set out for the Great Jin Dynasty, I already dispatched agents to investigate his true background in the south. After all this time, we should have received updates by now. When Xu Shenshi arrives, we might as well inquire thoroughly. That way, when we face him next, we'll be better prepared." Lin Yinpeng raised her brows with a cool tone. "Ah, if we can obtain detailed information about this person—especially his cultivation technique—then dealing with him will be much easier. I'm just wondering if Xu Shenshi and his team have a confirmed arrival date yet." Guo Tianhao perked up, showing renewed energy. "Let me calculate—no more than two or three months, I'd say. If Master Xu can this time join forces with the senior abbot of your temple, I simply don't believe that man can escape." The celestial maiden of Tianlan, upon reflecting on the incident involving the sacred beast being captured, spoke with growing resentment. Geng Tianhao, hearing this, felt a sudden spark of insight. Though the maiden constantly emphasized that she insisted on finding and eliminating that man because he had slain so many of her temple's disciples, the man himself possessed powers nearing the late Yuan婴 stage. If it were merely a matter of vengeance, why would the celestial maiden of the grasslands pursue him so relentlessly, even at the cost of significant resources? After all, once a person had died, that was the end of it. To continue provoking such a formidable presence would indeed be unwise. There must surely be some other, unknown reason that has kept him in place for so many years—indeed, one that has even prompted the dispatch of reinforcements from the Tianlan grasslands to ensure his complete elimination. Clearly, he would have to uncover the secret behind this. Ge Tianhao appeared calm on the surface, yet had quietly resolved within himself. Lin Yinping was far from as composed as it seemed. As the time the celestial beast's avatar remained restrained grew longer, she grew increasingly uncertain about how much longer she could conceal the matter. Over the years, she had even dared to make no active contact with the upper realm at all. Fortunately, the avatar of Tianlan had only been restrained, not yet extinguished. Thus, the main body of the celestial realm remained unaware of the situation—though it was clear that the delay could not last much longer. She must now act swiftly to rescue the avatar, and in doing so, she had to ensure that the Tianlan cultivators did not suffer excessive losses. It seemed only possible to make the most of the Yinluo Sect's cultivators. This young woman had likewise made her determination. Near the border between Nanshan and a certain province, an elderly man with a cheerful demeanor was briskly moving through the landscape, using light body techniques, while engaging in animated conversation with several cultivators at the Qi stage. His words captivated each of the young travelers, who listened with rapt attention and growing enthusiasm. If Han Li were here, he would surely be startled upon seeing the elder with that smooth, polished expression. This man is precisely the one Han Li had suspected to be a Huashen-period cultivator—Xiang ZhiLi. Indeed, since the day Han Li left Tianfu Gate, before the senior officials of the gate even had the chance to seek out this lower-ranked disciple for any inquiries, Xiang ZhiLi simply vanished from Tianfu Gate without any apparent reason. This sudden disappearance had left the Tianfu Gate cultivators quite surprised. They naturally suspected Han Li had orchestrated something behind the scenes and promptly suppressed the matter, refusing to allow any mention of Xiang ZhiLi within the gate. Yet now, after several years have passed, this elder has unexpectedly reappeared here—his reappearance is truly mysterious. Not only these individuals, but many of the major powers across the Dajin cultivation realm have also sensed the rising currents beneath the surface of the seemingly tranquil cultivation world. Some powerful sects have even begun to suspect the imperial Ye family of the Great Jin dynasty, though these suspicions remain unconfirmed and lack solid evidence. Their senior officials are now meeting and discussing frequently, seemingly plotting something behind the scenes as well. The entire Great Jin dynasty appears to be on the brink of upheaval. Not long after, when the floating light appeared in the sky above a vast plateau, the cultivator observed a deep yellow toxic mist spreading out, reaching several thousand feet high. Suddenly, the light descended toward the edge of the mist. "Friend Han, you've come a bit late. Friends Bai and Yuan have already been here for several days. Now only you remain." As the light faded and Han Li stepped beside the several cultivators who were meditating on the ground, an elder had already risen, smiling warmly. This elder was indeed a member of the Fu family, and the other three seated nearby were precisely the same individuals who had gathered half a year ago—Bai Yao Yi and the Yuan-family man were among them. "I've been refining a piece of divine artifact, which I only just completed a few days ago. Thus, I came a little later, and I hope you'll forgive me." Han Li bowed respectfully. "It's no matter. The season when the wind weakens lasts for three full months. We don't mind a few extra days." Yet, since Master Han had just finished refining his artifacts and came so hurriedly, should they not rest for another two days and recover their inner qi first? White Yao Yi observed Master Han carefully and said this with thoughtful care. "Yes, Master White is right. If we are to descend into the Yin-Yang Caverns, we must first ensure our qi is fully replenished." The elder with the Fu surname agreed. Although the Yuan-named Han and the Chang-named beautiful woman did not speak, their expressions clearly indicated their agreement. "Very well. Then I shall not be unduly polite. We shall enter the valley again in two days." Master Han nodded, then turned his gaze toward the yellow toxic mist some hundred paces away, where a dark valley entrance was faintly visible within it. With a simple gesture of his hand, he produced two additional mid-level spiritual stones, glowing greenly, and immediately sat cross-legged on the ground, closing his eyes. Though the others had ample inner qi, they too closed their eyes and focused, striving to achieve the optimal state of both body and mind. The two days passed swiftly. When Han Li calmly opened his eyes again, the wealthy elder immediately spoke without hesitation, "Set out." The others rose in turn, their bodies glowing with various luminous shields that enveloped them from head to toe. "With my antidote如意, the Wàn Dú Valley is quite manageable. However, be cautious of several small toxic insects floating within the mist—do not easily remove your protective aura. If it weren't for the fact that this Wàn Dú Valley is an ancient site preserved under a mysterious aetheric seal, with unknown spatial and atmospheric restrictions, we would have flown directly from above straight into the valley entrance, which would have been the most straightforward route." The Yuan surname man said calmly, lifting his hand and producing a silver-gleaming jade如意, then stepped forward into the mist. Han Li and the others followed. Suddenly, at the edge of the toxic mist where Dahan stood close to the jade如意, he pointed upward at the jade如意 and uttered a few incantations. Instantly, one after another waves of silver energy surged forth from the如意, pushing back the toxic mist and thinning it significantly as the waves passed. Dahan then performed a light-step technique, took a leap, and swiftly drifted toward the valley entrance. The others likewise activated their respective techniques and followed closely behind.