He glanced at the token on the ground, then at the astonished looks of the other several attendants, and smiled wryly. "It's a message from the Senior Elder. From the way the Elder spoke, these materials are specifically for crafting items—seemingly quite rare. Brothers, it seems we'll have to set aside all other matters and focus entirely on fulfilling the Elder's instructions first." Upon hearing this, the other cultivators were all startled. "Since it's the Senior Elder's directive, this naturally takes precedence. Let's check the materials listed on the scroll. For those available within the temple, we'll draw them immediately from our reserves; for the rest, we'll promptly visit the Ancient Sword Gate and the Hundred Skills Institute. Especially the Hundred Skills Institute, which specializes in crafting—surely they can supply all the needed materials. Otherwise, the Elder wouldn't have given us only three days." One of the older gray-robed elders spoke decisively. The other cultivators, including the one in blue robes, nodded in unison. After some further discussion, these Foundation-stage administrators swiftly took their respective vehicles and flew off the pavilion, hurriedly beginning to allocate the materials recorded on the jade scrolls. Three days later, a blue-robed cultivator arrived at the outer gate of Zimu Peak with a bulging storage sack, only to be blocked by the peak's seal. The Foundation-stage disciple then released a transmission scroll and removed the sack, holding it gently in both hands while waiting respectfully. After a cup of tea's worth of time, the mist formed by the seal suddenly surged and then shot forth a shimmering wave of azure light, which instantly swept the storage sack from the blue-robed cultivator's hands. Startled, the cultivator bowed several times to the mist before respectfully ascending into the air on his vehicle. The scene before Zimu Peak instantly returned to calm, as if nothing had ever happened. Inside the mother peak's dwelling, Han Li, the human-shaped automaton now retrieved, calmly inspected the materials within the storage sack with his spiritual awareness. "Excellent—indeed, everything has been gathered." "It seems the stewards within the sect are quite capable," murmured Han Li, with a satisfied expression after a brief pause. "As the Grand Elder of Luoyun Sect, they dare not fail in their efforts. Yet I didn't expect them to send over not only the auxiliary materials for refining the fire spirit silk, but also the supporting supplies. You're not practicing a fire-based cultivation technique, after all." The young attendant reappeared on the tripod, now gazing at Han Li with a curious expression. "I fully understand this. However, I have a certain item at hand—though I may not possess much fire spirit energy myself, I can still command the spirit flames to refine the silk. This item is originally the very thing that gave birth to the fire spirit silk. Using it to refine the fire spirit silk itself is, indeed, the most fitting choice." With calm assurance, Han Li spoke, then lightly tapped his waist. Instantly, a small crimson tripod shot into the air and spiraled to hover before him. The attendant studied the fire tripod intently, said nothing, but nodded in agreement. Han Li smiled slightly and tipped his hand-held storage bag onto the ground. Instantly, a flash of white light illuminated the scene, and suddenly several dozen jade boxes and wooden chests appeared on the ground. Han Li then raised his hand and lightly touched the flame cauldron. The crimson lid of the cauldron rose silently, and as a deep rumble echoed within, a cluster of crimson flames burst forth, swiftly transforming into a dozen crimson fire phoenixes that circled and danced around the cauldron. The young boy, upon hearing Han Li's explanation, naturally ceased any further objections. He then clasped his hands in seals, and a spell struck the fire cauldron. Instantly, the cauldron spun rapidly, swelling in size until it had grown several times larger. Han Li then shook his sleeve, and the transparent object shot forth from the sleeve, vanishing into the cauldron. At that moment, the cauldron roared, and clusters of crimson flames emerged on its surface, soon blazing up within the cauldron itself. The gelatinous mass floated within the flames, seemingly ethereal, and was pursued by several fire cranes that carried it upward through the flames. Seeing this, Han Li's expression grew serious. With quick movements of his fingers, he launched a series of spells of varying colors, all striking the fire cranes. The cranes stirred, then directed their fiery jets continuously toward the transparent object. As if absorbing the flames, the object gradually turned red under the heat, and its form began to change. A jade box on the ground before Han Li-chong was grasped, and the lid shot out automatically, revealing a small, pale blue ointment inside. With a simple finger touch, the ointment flew into the cauldron, instantly transforming into a blue liquid upon contact with the flame, which was then fully absorbed by the transparent substance, leaving not a single drop behind. Seeing this, Han Li felt a surge of satisfaction. He paused his hand gestures, and from his fingertips, several strands of green silk shot out, fully submerging into the crimson flame. The flame immediately rose several feet higher, and a low humming sound began to emanate from within the cauldron, yet Han Li's expression remained solemn. Two months later, a streak of green light rushed straight toward the main peak of Luoyun Sect, only to vanish instantly, and then, at the entrance of the great hall at the foot of the mountain, the light faded to reveal Han Li's form. The dozen Luoyun Sect disciples guarding the hall gate gasped upon recognizing Han Li, and hurriedly paid him homage. Han Li merely waved his hand and lifted his leg, vanishing from his original spot—only to reappear mysteriously within the hall doorway These disciples naturally gasped, turning to look in the direction of the corridor. They saw that Han Li, though only seemed to have walked a few steps, had flickered several times before vanishing entirely into the hall. Amid their astonishment, their reverence for the senior elder within the hall grew even deeper. When Han Li appeared in the side hall of the main pavilion, Lu Luo—the one truly in charge of the Lu Yun Sect's affairs—was pacing back and forth, his face showing clear signs of anxiety. "Finally, Han brother has emerged," said Lu Luo, turning to see Han Li, her eyes brightening with relief, the anxiety on her face somewhat easing. Han Li smiled gently, flickered into place before a wooden chair, settled himself calmly, and then said, "The transmission scroll mentioned that Bai's nephew and others went missing in the Valley of the Fallen Demon. This is rather strange, and it involves both Pei Ling and my junior disciple, so I naturally came to investigate." "Indeed, this situation is quite puzzling." The Bai junior disciple and others have been in the Ruimagi Valley for nearly six months now—they should have returned to our sect by now. Yet according to the letters from the disciples sent to search for them, only cultivators have seen Bai and her two companions enter the valley, and no one has seen them leave. Some cultivators even encountered them outside the valley, only for them to mysteriously vanish shortly afterward within the Ruimagi Valley. I suspect that perhaps they have...” At this point, Lu Luo paused. “Perhaps they have even entered the inner valley and encountered some danger—or perhaps they’ve become trapped somewhere.” Han Li interjected calmly, his expression indifferent, revealing no clear thoughts. “Exactly. Though the inner valley of the Ruimagi Valley remains very perilous, my younger brother has now reached the level of a senior cultivator and has previously ventured into the inner valley. With just a little exploration, he should be able to find his way through without any major issues.” Lu Luo asked hesitantly. "Um, the spatial fissures within the Fumigong Valley haven't posed much harm to me. As long as I avoid the particularly dangerous areas, I'm quite safe. I've just finished my alchemical work, so I'll make a trip up there right away." Han Li spoke neatly and promptly, after a brief thought. Slightly puzzled, yet on the surface, Han Li remained remarkably composed. After chatting with Lü Luo for a while, he calmly bid farewell and departed. Two days later, after visiting Nan Gong Wan in the sanctuary, Han Li left Luoyun Sect alone and headed straight for Ju Mo Valley. A month and a half later, three swift streaks of light sped through the lands of Dong Yu State, Changle Prefecture. Suddenly, they circled above an unnamed small mountain before descending and revealing three sturdy men. Each was tall and broad-shouldered, each bearing two flying spears of different colors, and their faces bore a striking resemblance, as if they were brothers from the same family. Meanwhile, three cultivators had already been waiting at the summit of the mountain—one elder, one middle-aged scholar, and one young man with a gentle smile. "Ha ha! Brother Hou has been waiting all this time! I was delayed a bit on the way, so I hope you won't mind! Oh, by the way, are these two esteemed guests also disciples of your sect?" The eldest among the group was a robust man, who enthusiastically laughed at the elder, his face full of vigor. Yet, upon glancing at the young and middle-aged cultivators, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes. For he immediately noticed that both the elder and the middle-aged scholar stood quietly beside the young cultivator, their faces full of respectful demeanor. Even when the robust man greeted the elder, the elder only managed a hesitant smile, clearly unwilling to engage in conversation with the three of them. This naturally astonished the group of men. As their spiritual awareness swept toward the young cultivator, they were struck with growing awe. For the young man appeared as though veiled in mist—no discernible trace of cultivation power emerged upon their spiritual scan, revealing absolutely no indication of his internal strength. All three men now looked visibly startled! (Second update!)