"I must indeed have sustained serious injuries. At that moment, the situation was chaotic, and both the others and the attackers were eager to proceed to the next level—only then did I manage to escape unharmed." Bai Yao Yi said, her voice filled with lingering apprehension. Han Li said with little concern. "After parting ways with Fu Dao-yi and Han brother, I went to search a hidden pavilion within Kunwu Mountain and managed to gather some valuable gains—enough to make me content, so I had originally intended to withdraw. Yet I never expected such a remarkable celestial phenomenon to suddenly emerge at the Town of Demonic Exorcism Tower. It was our own greed that led us, almost unconsciously, to come here and join the festivities. Along the way, I encountered many cultivators rushing toward the Tower—some familiar faces from Yin Luo Sect, others who had just awakened their seals, and also the silver-winged yakshas and several independent cultivators. Seeing so many masterful cultivators gathered, I had already begun to regret our decision and wished to retreat. But then, people approached us without warning and launched attacks, drawing us into the commotion. I was even relentlessly pursued, eventually forced to flee all the way here. Fu Dao-yi, however, vanished from sight during the journey. It seems he found an opportunity to escape the chaos." "White Yaoyi skillfully summarized her own experiences for Han Li, while occasionally glancing at the plain-looking woman beside her, her expression growing increasingly uneasy. Clearly, she sensed the presence of Gui Ling's divine beast form and the formidable aura emanating from her. "White friend, there's no need to worry—Gui Ling has already agreed to join forces with me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to come here alone," Han Li remarked, recognizing the woman's hesitation and offering a warm smile. Gui Ling managed to force a smile in return. "Then it makes sense—I had no idea how Han brother, so wise and capable, could be so oblivious as we both are!" Although White Yaoyi didn't fully believe that the relationship between the plain woman and Han Li was as straightforward as it seemed, she felt a sense of relief. "However, on my way here, I already witnessed the remains of the wealthy friend—he has already perished," Han Li said, his tone becoming serious as he revealed the news of the wealthy elder's death. "The wealthy friend has passed away?" White Yaoyi was startled, her eyes flashing with astonishment. "It was I who personally attended to his body. He hadn't even managed to escape his Yuan婴 stage. By the way, while you were in the ice, did you sense anyone else passing through this area?" Han Li suddenly recalled the figure holding the blood-bladed sword, his eyes flashing with cold light as he asked. I am quite interested in this precious treasure. Bai Yao Yi hesitated, but Han Li showed no surprise, and simply spoke his parting words. "Since Brother Han has such confidence, then I shall not urge further. Take care!" Bai Yao Yi smiled faintly upon hearing Han Li's words. "Please take care, Brother Han!" Han Li bowed both hands and strode swiftly toward the distant entrance. Gui Ling followed silently behind. Bai Yao Yi glanced at the two figures retreating into the distance, sighed softly, then withdrew a vial from her storage bag, poured out a crimson pill, and swallowed it. Having already walked over twenty paces, Han Li suddenly turned his head, asking distantly, "Brother Bai, I have long heard of the reputation of the Bei Ye Xiao Ji Palace. Might I have the privilege of visiting there sometime in the future?" "Brother Han is being too kind," Bai Yao Yi blinked, then smiled gracefully in reply. "That would be most welcome indeed." "Then I shall feel at ease with that." Han Li gave a slight smile, then truly turned and walked away without looking back. Bai Yao Yi watched as Han Li's figure disappeared at the entrance, and gradually her smile faded, her delicate features settling into a thoughtful expression. Though she had readily agreed, she naturally found herself deeply puzzled—she could not understand why Han Li had suddenly mentioned Xiao Ji Palace. The seventh floor, where the ancient demons and others had once fought the ghost warriors, was completely empty, with not a single figure in sight. Han Li and Gui Ling easily located the small stone chamber leading to the eighth floor, and both the black-and-white small teleportation arrays were still there. Staring at the arrays before him, Han Li stroked his chin, his eyes reflecting deep contemplation. "Yin Yue, do you have any sense of this? These are both short-range teleportation arrays—should be leading down to the next level. Isn't there something calling for you? Can you sense anything at all?" Han Li silently asked Yin Yue through his consciousness. "Strange. There seems to be something familiar within both arrays—something I recognize." "But the white one seems stronger." Yin Yue replied slowly. "That's enough. Then we'll go through the shifting teleportation array. The black one feels slightly eerie—there's a strange energy about it that makes me uneasy." After a moment of silence, Han Li spoke calmly to Yin Yue. Without further hesitation, he stepped into the white teleportation array, and Gui Ling, seeing his action, followed without asking any questions. A spell was cast at the edge of the array, and the surrounding light flickered. In a moment of bright white flashes, they vanished. Almost as soon as their forms appeared on the eighth level, Han Li and Gui Ling immediately took action—Han Li raised his Yuan Gang Shield, while Gui Ling instantly manifested a crimson battle armor. After all, who knew whether someone else might still be waiting in the array? With their experience, they naturally wouldn't overlook such a possibility. The anticipated assault did not materialize, yet a series of booming sounds surged forth like waves of tumult. As soon as the slight discomfort from the teleportation faded, Han Li quickly glanced around and was instantly taken aback. The scene before him was utterly chaotic. Flying swords and magical artifacts danced through the sky and the ground, with bursts of luminous energy and streaks of swift light radiating everywhere. In a hurried sweep, Han Li spotted over a dozen figures—among them, the two silver-winged yin and yang demons, the Xu-family cultivator, the Tianlan Saint Maiden, and two female disciples from the Hua Xian Sect—along with several unfamiliar cultivators, who appeared to be the so-called Ye-family disciples. Yet the traces of Ge Tianhao and the others were completely absent, either eliminated en route or never having arrived at this location. At present, these cultivators were not attacking one another, but rather scattered around a grand palace. Nearby, there stood a massive array and dozens of altars, each housing a towering white stone figure several zhang in height. These stone figures, clad in golden armor and holding massive golden blades in their hands, had all come to life. Working in harmony with the great array's incantations, they sliced out streaks of golden light several zhang long, engaging the other cultivators in fierce combat—seeming utterly unphased. Yet the eyes of the nearby cultivators were not entirely fixed on these stone automata; many of them, while attacking, frequently glanced upward toward the palace's sky. Among these lotus blossoms, eight spectral forms of divine beasts of varying sizes appear and fade, gazing upward at this measuring rod and emitting clear, resonant calls—as though paying homage to it. "Shuangan beast, Eight Qi deer, Golden-scale dragon..." After a brief identification, Han Li involuntarily drew in a deep breath of spiritual energy. These spectral beasts were none other than the famed ancient immortals of the past! "Eight Divine Rods! I didn't expect the Three Elders of Kunwu to have brought this divine artifact back to the spiritual realm!" Before Han Li could react, Gui Ling exclaimed in surprise. "Eight Divine Rods?" Han Li's expression brightened. "The Eight Divine Rods are one of the transcendental divine treasures, though they were not used as frequently in ancient times, so their fame has remained modest. Yet, since they have attained the status of transcendental treasures, their power must surely be extraordinary." Silver Moon said calmly. "Wait—have you been alright?" Han Li frowned, noticing the unusual tone in Silver Moon's voice. "I don't know. It's quite strange." This celestial and divine treasure—I didn’t recognize it at all before. Yet just now, vivid details of it suddenly came to mind. Moreover, it seemed as though something within the palace was calling me. Not something inanimate, but a close companion. No—my other half was calling me from within. Silver Moon seemed her awareness wavering, her words becoming somewhat disordered. As Han Li furrowed his brows, preparing to listen carefully to what she had to say, the Xu-family youth and the silver-winged night-fighter, along with the various beasts and spirits, all noticed his arrival. Instantly, a dozen pairs of eyes filled with hostility or surprise turned toward him. With a sudden sense of alertness, Han Li naturally could no longer pause to ask Silver Moon any further questions. Instead, a flash of brilliance in his eyes, he stepped briskly out of the teleportation array, and then his form rose into the air.