Five delicate streams of spiritual energy slowly surged from the spiritual stone, cool and dense, as if five small serpents darting straight into Han Li's palm. Han Li was caught off guard, jumping in surprise. His fingers trembled slightly, yet even so, once the five serpents reached his arm meridians, they instantly dissolved. Immediately, a vibrant surge of spiritual energy spread throughout his body, quickly filling every part of him. Han Li felt an enveloping sense of coolness, which then warmed into a soothing, radiant warmth, leaving him profoundly relaxed—so much so that he experienced an extraordinary, almost weightless sensation of floating. Indeed, this was the finest spiritual stone—its spiritual energy was far superior to that of high-tier stones. Han Li quickly absorbed the energy, delighted. In just this single breath, he saved himself half a month of meditation and cultivation. If he could fully absorb the entire stone, wouldn't that save him ten years of dedicated cultivation? Han Li couldn't help but feel eager and greedy. Of course, the idea of ruthlessly extracting the essence of nature from the land was merely something he could imagine—such abundant, refined spiritual energy from a single stone would naturally only be used at the critical moment of breaking through his current limitations. Han Li flipped his palm, and a jade-like case appeared in his hand. With care, he placed the premium spiritual stones inside, then removed several符箓 of varying colors and affixed them to the surface of the wooden case. Only then did he seal the wooden case into his storage bag. Han Li let out a long, exhilarated roar, his figure flashing into a brilliant streak of jade light before vanishing toward the distance. Several months later, Han Li returned uneventfully to the vicinity of the Silver Shark Island. Yet, as soon as he entered the surrounding waters, he noticed something unusual—along his journey, until he neared the island, he had encountered not a single cultivator. That was indeed rather uncommon. When Han Li, somewhat astonished, finally spotted the Silver Shark Island at a distance, he paused, stunned. Suddenly, a thick, blue luminous veil rose above Silver Shark Island, and the island's defensive wards surged intensely, as if the entire protective array had been activated. With a divine awareness scan, the surrounding sea surface appeared empty—seeming as though all the cultivators had retreated into the island's wards. Han Li's face darkened, and a sudden surge of azure light erupted from his body, forcefully rebounding his divine awareness with no hesitation, and then delivering a follow-up strike. Instantly, a deep gasp echoed from behind the light, causing the owner of the divine awareness to suffer a minor setback. "Hmph! My name has also been casually asked by you youngsters. Release the seal at once—I have urgent matters to attend to on the island," Han Li coldly sniffed, speaking with quiet firmness. "Ah, it's a senior cultivator at the Yuan Ying stage who has arrived—please forgive my rudeness. Under normal circumstances, I would have acted immediately. However, recently, a large number of demonic beasts have appeared on the surrounding sea surface, attacking our island just a few days ago. As per my orders, all cultivators returning to the island over the past few days must verify their identities before being allowed entry." The cultivator, struggling against the pain of the divine awareness being reversed, hurriedly explained. "Indeed? How would you like me to verify your identity?" Han Li's mind instantly flashed back to the scene of the demonic beasts' surprise assault on Bi Ling Island. After a brief pause, his "Could the senior kindly reveal their name and origin, or perhaps present any token of identification?" The cultivator smiled politely, speaking with careful caution. "Then, let us examine this token!" Han Li furrowed his brows, then raised his hand, and a golden glow shot into the luminous screen, vanishing without a trace. It was precisely the guest's credential bestowed by Tianxing Shuangsheng. "Ah, Master Han, I apologize for the oversight. I shall now allow you to enter." A man's voice came from behind the screen, surprised. Hearing this, Han Li felt a flicker of interest in his heart, his eyes briefly narrowing with suspicion, before he composed himself and remained still. In mere moments, the blue screen before him trembled, flashed with light, and then split open slightly. Han Li shifted his form, transforming into a streak of brilliant light, and swiftly entered through the opening. The crack then gradually closed, resonating softly, and seamlessly restored itself to its original state. As soon as he stepped out of the light curtain, Han Li suddenly brightened, and ahead appeared over a dozen star-guild cultivators dressed in white robes, standing in two rows. Qinghong spiraled once, and Han Li materialized right in front of them. "To attend to Master Han?" A middle-aged cultivator quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Han Li. The voice matched the one he had just spoken with—this cultivator was at the mid-jingdan stage, though his complexion was slightly pale, indicating he had not yet fully recovered from the earlier shock of his spiritual awareness being overwhelmed. Han Li raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Most of the other star-guild cultivators were only at the foundation stage, making the garrison seem rather thin. "Due to the intense attack by the beast creatures a few days ago, the other colleagues have already returned to the island's towns to rest. Now, only the disciples remain on duty, rotating shifts. But Master Han, please rest assured—there's a town just over a hundred miles away, housing more than a hundred of our disciples, who can provide immediate support here." "The man explained. "You call me Master Han, how do you know me?" Han's face darkened, and suddenly a remarkable spiritual pressure surged from him, forcing the man to step back several paces with a startled expression. "Master Han, the palace has already informed all of us stationed on the island of your appearance and identity several months ago, and requested that we remain ready to receive your instructions at any time," the man said, steadying himself and speaking with growing astonishment. "Indeed! I didn't realize the two palace masters have been so attentive to me!" Han's eyes flashed several times, then softened as he smiled, and his towering spiritual pressure instantly vanished. Only then did the man feel relieved, offering a polite, slightly apologetic smile. At that moment, Han raised his head and glanced toward the island's interior. After a brief pause, he asked gently, "Have you informed the others?" "Yes, as soon as the disciple receives any news from an elder, he will immediately notify the island's senior monks to come and welcome the elder," the man said honestly. "Very well!" Han Li's face remained expressionless, showing neither joy nor sorrow. The man, however, felt a sudden jolt, his heart now fluttering with uncertainty. At that moment, a flash of white light appeared in the distant sky, followed by a sound of rushing air. A white streak of light shot toward them. Han Li glanced upward, his eyes slightly narrowing. "Ah, it's Elder Zhao personally coming to welcome Senior Han," the man said, speaking with a touch of politeness. Han Li merely nodded once, his expression unchanged, his arms crossed, motionless. The man was struck by Han Li's calm and straightforward demeanor, feeling quietly astonished. He didn't know that Han Li was a post-Immortal Elixir cultivator—just a brief rebound of his spiritual awareness had caused him to hesitate, unable to gaze at Han Li again, and thus he assumed Han Li must be one of the newly recruited initial-stage cultivators from the Star Palace. A flash of light revealed a streak of white light slanting downward, and upon the light subsiding, an elderly man with white hair emerged. Dressed in a rich brocade robe, adorned with a jade sash, his long, slender eyebrows gave off an air of solemnity and dignity. This man was a cultivator at the initial stage of Yuan婴 (Immortal Body)! He has already gone out to investigate the reasons behind these demonic beasts' assault on the island. I came here specifically to await Brother Han's arrival." The elderly man with the Zhao surname smiled and said. "Awaiting me?" Han Li's expression shifted, and he finally showed a touch of surprise. "Indeed, this was personally instructed by our two Supreme Sovereigns. They requested that you, upon returning to the inner sea, must meet with them. Not to mention, I have been waiting for you here on the island for several months already." The elder smiled warmly. "Ah, then what is it exactly? How could you have taken such trouble?" Han Li frowned, sensing that the matter might not be as simple as it seemed. "Heh, this requires a more detailed explanation. This place isn't quite suitable for our conversation. Shall we go to a quieter, more secluded spot nearby?" The elder offered with a mysterious smile. "Yes, that sounds good. Let's go to that small mountain over there and talk in detail." Han Li paused slightly, glanced around, and then pointed at an unnamed small mountain some十余 li away. "Very well, I'll follow your suggestion!" The elderly man with the surname Zhao merely glanced at the mountain and immediately agreed. Han Li nodded, and then the elder instructed the male disciples of the Star Palace a few words before transforming into two streams of light and shooting straight toward the small mountain. Given the short distance, they arrived on the mountain peak in mere moments. "Zhao Brother, what message would you like to convey to your master at the palace? Please just state it plainly," Han Li asked calmly as soon as he landed. "Ha ha! Han Brother, there's no need to be so cautious—this time, a truly wonderful opportunity has just come knocking." The elder stroked a few strands of his beard and smiled without speaking. "A truly wonderful opportunity? How so?" Han Li was momentarily stunned. "Han Brother, isn't your lifespan still under a hundred?" the elder inquired with a gentle smile. "Indeed, so what?" Han Li felt a subtle, inexplicable strangeness, yet remained composed, gazing steadily at the other without denying it. (Second update!