The disk swelled rapidly under the brilliance of the starlight, expanding into a luminous wheel several dozen feet in diameter, spinning smoothly with sparkling golden glimmers on its surface. Suddenly, it quivered violently, and a massive golden beam—thick as a water cistern—erupted from its center and plunged into the layered yellow clouds above. A thunderous roar echoed through the sky, followed by a surge of swirling mist and vapor around the beam, causing the entire ninth layer of space to tremble. Where the golden beam vanished, the sky became brilliantly transparent, and several sharp cracks of the barrier shattered, instantly forming dark fissures at the center. These cracks multiplied rapidly, spreading into a dense, intricate network. After a magnificent celestial melody, a vast archway materialized, with golden light columns precisely submerging into it. Countless floating orbs, each as large as a clenched fist, drifted and swirled around, glowing in vibrant, varied hues. At that moment, a circular disc, only a few feet in diameter, emerged directly along the golden light column from within the archway and gently halted at the entrance, its light pulsing continuously—exactly resembling the disc that Linglong had previously released. Could this be the true Inverse Star Disc? Han Li observed the archway and disc forming in the sky with a composed expression, yet his inner mind stirred with quiet astonishment. At this moment, the silvery glow on Linglong’s body began to fade and recede, revealing her true form. She slightly raised her delicate chin, gazing upward at the archway, her jade-like face now tinged with a few traces of melancholy. Suddenly, her figure shifted and stood upon the luminous wheel at the apex, then slowly ascended into the sky. Her destination: the immense archway high above. As the young woman and the light wheel drew nearer, the vast channel seemed to sense something, its luminous orbs emitting a clear, resonant hum. The true Inverse Star Disk also gently trembled and began to rotate, appearing joyful and lively as if excited by the approach of the light wheel. Observing this lively response, Linglong smiled faintly, then turned her gaze deeply toward Han Li below. After a brief hesitation, she suddenly raised her hand, sending forth three beams of yellow, crimson, and white light that swiftly vanished and materialized before Han Li. Han Li was momentarily startled, yet perceived no ill intent in her demeanor, and instinctively brushed her sleeve. A wave of azure light swept past, gathering the three beams into her hands. Upon closer inspection, she found a white jade scroll, a crimson blade, and the final Break-Bound Seal. Han Li felt a surge of emotion in his heart, yet before he could ask anything, the silver-haired woman sighed softly: "These are materials concerning the Inverse Star Passage and the spatial nodes—more detailed than what I provided to the two others. Perhaps you'll find them useful later. The Break-Bound Seal and the Blood Blade will no longer be of use in the Spiritual Realm; I'm giving them both to you. Also, transporting your spiritual treasures out of this mountain will likely not be easy—I'll lend you a final helping hand!" Han Li was momentarily stunned by these words, still uncertain about the meaning of the phrase "a final helping hand," when Linglong gently extended a slender jade finger and lightly touched the Inverse Star Disk visible in the passage. At once, the disk emitted a clear chime, gently rotating, and its center aligned itself precisely with Han Li. A golden beam of light burst forth, shimmering as though capable of instantaneous teleportation—by the next moment, it had mysteriously appeared before him. As the light dispersed, it seamlessly enveloped both Han Li and the humanoid automaton behind him. Yet with scarcely any reaction time, Han Li and the puppet vanished completely, leaving no trace—unaware of having been transported by the Inverse Star Disk to some unknown location. Immediately after this, Linglong stepped into the passage without hesitation. A myriad of shimmering hues surged forth within the passage, swiftly enveloping Linglong and the Inverse Star Disk. A deep rumbling sound echoed, and as the passage trembled violently, the figure disappeared entirely within it. The entrance to the passage then began to crack and shatter, its brilliant light flashing sharply before finally collapsing and dissolving completely. A short while later, the ninth layer of space resumed its original state—silent and empty, as if nothing had ever happened. At that moment, Xiang Zhilin, the Ever-Young Corpse Bear, and Lin Yinping had just stepped out of the deep gully of the镇魔 Tower. As Han Li vanished from the ninth layer, Xiang Zhilin glanced upward in surprise, his face expressing a moment of puzzlement. "What's up, Master Xiang? Have you discovered anything?" Although Master Xiang's cultivation level was far behind that of Xiang Zhi-li, the ancient尸bear had survived since the time of the great ancient wars and still had a powerful backing behind him. While he wasn't bold enough to offend Master Xiang directly, he wasn't afraid of being suddenly turned against once Master Xiang stepped forward. "Xiang Zhi-li suddenly paused, his expression sharpening, and asked, 'All the other members of the Ye family have already been killed by that creature. As for the head elder of the Ye family, I didn't see him when I entered the ninth layer. He must have perished at the hands of the creature.' Shi Xiong was momentarily stunned but quickly offered a dry smile. 'That doesn't matter. Whether or not he actually died, the Ye family no longer has any reason to exist after this catastrophe. Once we return, the first noble family of Da Jin should be replaced. Do you have any objections, you folks from Wan Yao Valley?' Xiang Zhi-li coldly snorted, his eyes flashing with frost. At this moment, the polished demeanor on his face had completely vanished, revealing the true nature of a fully evolved cultivator. The ancient corpse bear felt a sudden leap in his heart, yet immediately replied without hesitation, 'Of course. Though the Ye family has had some ties with our valley, such a grave mistake truly warrants their removal and replacement by a new family in the mortal realm.' 'That's exactly what I hoped for, Dao-friend! By the way, Lin Dao-friend.' After you return to Tianlan, you should immediately go back as well. You've been staying in our Great Jin for quite some time now, but this place is not the Tianlan Grassland. Henceforth, please send fewer representatives to Great Jin!" Xiang Zhi-li, having shifted his tone, coldly addressed Lin Yinping, who had remained silent throughout. "I shall comply. After this trip, I will return to the grassland at once." Upon meeting Xiang Zhi-li's expressionless gaze, Lin Yinping felt a chill run through her, and dared not utter a single "no." Moreover, she still bore Han Li's seal within her. Regardless of whether Han Li could survive in that magical atmosphere, it would be wise not to meet him again, lest she be constrained by him. She also hoped to return to the Temple, gather her fellow Yuan-Ying cultivators, and see if they could break through this seal. Seeing Lin Yinping bow respectfully and agree without hesitation, Xiang Zhi-li's frosty demeanor slightly softened. As he prepared to speak further to her, suddenly a streak of white light flashed from the endless sky, cutting through the air, and in an instant, arrived directly above the three of them. Shi Xiong was startled, a flash of spiritual light rippling across his body as he prepared to defend himself. Yet suddenly, the air around him grew thick and solid, making his form feel as heavy as a thousand pounds. At the same time, a calm voice from beside him spoke. "Master need not be alarmed! This is a message sent by Hu Daojun to our old friend via the flying sword of the Tianmo Sect." With a simple gesture, Xiong raised his hand and beckoned to the white light. Instantly, the light spiraled and settled into his hand—revealing a slender, pale white sword. The immense force pressing upon Shi Xiong vanished completely. Though only startled, the beast had also perspired coldly in the sudden commotion. Xiong clasped the small sword between his palms, remained silent for a moment, then raised his hand and gently sent it back into the air, where it shimmered once as a beam of white light and disappeared. "Let us go. Hu Daojun has already entered the mountain. We will join him, and then immediately summon the major and minor sects from the Nanjiang region to reseal this mountain." Li Xiang gazed at the spot where the white light had faded, speaking calmly. Shi Xiong and Lin Yinping naturally had no objections; it seemed as though all of them had completely forgotten Linglong and Han Li. "Where exactly are we?" The cyan-clad figure steadied himself, scanned the surroundings, and immediately fixed his gaze on the group, asking without hesitation. Though his voice was calm and even, it was clear that his tone carried an unmistakable sense of firmness. He was precisely the one transported here by the Inverse Star Disc—Han Li. The several lower-tier cultivators had just now awakened, sending their consciousnesses toward Han Li, only to find themselves stunned—unable to discern any hint of his cultivation level at all. Han Li's expression stirred, and he nodded. The Zhong Lou prefecture is directly adjacent to the Pu Yun prefecture, where the seal is located—so it seems he hasn't gone too far. (First chapter!