A shimmering blue light screen burst with radiant energy. Han Li glanced at it calmly before transforming into a streak of emerald light and vanishing into the screen. After a few fluctuations, he appeared within the sealed area. The light screen trembled once more, and the passage disappeared. "Master Han, you've finally arrived," said Ling Yuling, dressed in feminine attire, her lips slightly parted, a warm smile spreading across her face as Han Li's emerald streak flashed briefly on the city gate. "Master Ling has summoned me with the Ten-Thousand-Mile Scroll; how could I possibly fail to keep my word?" Han Li replied with a gentle smile. "I am deeply grateful for your generous assistance, Master Han. With you here, I believe the minor players of the Inverse Star Alliance will pose no real threat. However, this isn't the ideal place for conversation. Would you please follow me to the Sacred Mountain? Brother Sun, please gather all the elders who are not on duty and assemble them at the Temple Hall—I have matters to discuss with them." Ling Yuling spoke warmly while turning to address the yellow-robed cultivator beside her. "Of course, Your Majesty!" The yellow-robed cultivator, who had just reached the initial stage of Yuan婴, was constantly observing韩立 as soon as he manifested. After his divine awareness swept over him, however, he found that the power within him was profoundly deep, beyond his ability to penetrate—thus, he was deeply startled, his face expressing clear reverence. Upon hearing Ling Yuling's instruction, he immediately bowed and nodded, then produced a stack of transmission scrolls from his robes, beginning to send them to the various Star Palace elders. At that moment, Han Li turned his gaze to the white-haired elder and gently said, "It's truly wonderful to see that after so many years, not only has Zhao Brother maintained his distinguished demeanor, but also made remarkable progress in cultivation—what a joyous development!" This elder was precisely the Zhao from the Silver Shark Island who had once proposed the dual cultivation arrangement to him. Though only a century and a few decades had passed, this elder had now reached the mid-Yuan婴 stage, just like Ling Yuling. "Hehe, as for me, I never thought I could advance to such a level—my progress is all due to the generous assistance of the two senior abbesses." Hearing this, the elderly Zhao nodded with a wry smile, as though there was something more beneath the surface. "Ah, now I understand!" said Han Li, his eyes flashing with thought, a look of contemplation settling on his face. "It's good to see that both Zhao and Han have known each other for a while. Then, let us first go to the Temple and have a more detailed chat later." Ling Yuling smiled gently and said. Han Li naturally agreed and nodded in response. Then, the group rode the stream of light directly toward the Sacred Mountain at the heart of Tianxing City. Under Ling Yuling's guidance, Han Li flew straight to the highest level of the mountain and landed their light at the foot of a seemingly ordinary stone hall. Han Li examined the hall carefully, his expression revealing a touch of surprise. "Is it not impressive, Han brother? Do you find our Temple rather plain?" Ling Yuling turned to look at Han Li, her face brightening with a warm smile. "It's far beyond what I expected!" Han Li didn't hesitate to admit it openly. "This hall may seem ordinary, but it's where our founding master once lived and practiced, so it has been preserved as a key location of our palace. Originally, outsiders were not supposed to enter freely. However, your journey from afar to offer assistance this time is certainly an exception." Ling Yuling smiled and added a few more words. "Though this hall appears unremarkable, its spiritual energy is exceptionally dense—indeed, an excellent place for cultivation. I daresay there aren't many islands throughout the Inner Stellar Sea that offer such a favorable setting." Han Li nodded slightly, showing his understanding. Upon hearing this, Ling Yuling's smile grew even more delighted, and she immediately led Han Li toward the stone hall's main gate. The group of over a dozen star palace disciples stationed outside hurried to bow respectfully to them, their eyes lingering on Han Li after giving him a respectful glance, each expressing a touch of curiosity. Ling Yuling naturally didn’t feel the need to explain anything to the guards, simply leading Han Li through the hall doors, past a short corridor, and into a simple yet elegant hall. The group settled into seats, with host and guest positions clearly established. "During your journey here, I’m sure you’ve already become aware of my current situation," Ling Yuling said promptly, opening up right after seating herself. "Of course—I’ve heard quite a bit! Your current situation isn’t exactly promising!" Han Li replied calmly. "Indeed, that’s precisely what I’ve been telling you. Initially, I held a strong advantage. The sudden shift in our fortunes came only after Wan Tianming advanced to the late Yuan婴 stage, becoming a true grand cultivator. As a result, the Xisheng Alliance has gradually eroded our outer territories, until we’re now besieged even within the Star City. If Han Li can keep this man engaged, I remain confident we can once again defeat the Xisheng Alliance." Ling Yuling said, her expression growing serious, a subtle aura of determination and intensity radiating from her brow. "Lord Ling wishes me to oppose that great gate master?" Han Li's gaze flickered, and he asked calmly. "Indeed, is there anything displeasing to you, Brother Han?" Ling Yuling was momentarily startled, hesitating to respond. "Not displeasing at all—rather, it seems Miss Ling has misunderstood something?" Han Li's brow lifted, speaking with directness. "Misunderstood? Then surely you did not come to assist me this time?" Ling Yuling's face grew slightly concerned. "Of course not—but..." Just as Han Li was about to speak, his voice suddenly paused, and he turned to gaze toward the entrance of the hall. Ling Yuling, noticing this, followed his gaze. Moments later, three cultivators entered gracefully from the hall's outer door—one at the mid-Stage of Yuan Ying, and two at the initial Stage of Yuan Ying. The mid-Stage Yuan Ying cultivator was a broad-shouldered man in a purple robe, with a full face of freckles. As he entered the hall, he did not immediately pay courtesy to Ling Yuling, but instead cast a critical glance toward Han Li, giving the impression of being proud and unyielding. But as soon as this elder's spiritual awareness passed merely once over Han Li, his pupils constricted instantly, and his face grew unusually grave. At that moment, Ling Yuling smiled and spoke: "Master Ma, you've come so swiftly. Please sit down. Once the other elders arrive, I'll introduce you to a distinguished guest from the Star Palace." "Indeed, this Daoist has an incomparable cultivation depth, and it's most appropriate that the Palace Master treats him so formally," the Han said, his expression returning to calm. He offered Han Li a weak smile and then settled into a chair by the side, his previously proud demeanor now significantly subdued. The other two elders from the Star Palace, naturally, had also failed to discern Han Li's true cultivation level. Seeing the dignified Han sit so composed, they exchanged startled glances and then bowed respectfully to Ling Yuling before taking their seats. Ling Yuling, observing this, raised her pale wrist, gently curling her slender fingers to tuck a lock of dark hair behind her shoulder, her eyes flashing a subtle coldness. Han Li sat by, observing all this with a half-smiling, half-ambiguous expression. It was clearly evident that the elder Ma was not entirely impressed with the newly appointed master of the Star Palace, and that Ling Yuling had been skillfully leveraging her position to lend her authority—like a fox borrowing the strength of the tiger. This made Han Li feel both a bit puzzled and amused. Yet, since Ling Yuling was an old acquaintance of his, he didn't mind this at all. After all, she could do as she pleased, and he wouldn't lose a single hair in the process. With the arrival of the three elders from the Ma family, the other Star Palace elders began to arrive at the temple one after another. Upon seeing Han Li, this unfamiliar senior cultivator, they were all taken aback. However, none of these Yuan婴-period elders were anything short of seasoned and shrewd. Though their spiritual senses could not yet perceive Han Li's true cultivation level, they noticed how the elder Ma had arrived with such humble demeanor, and thus, all of them immediately adopted a notably courteous and respectful tone. Within a short time, twenty-some star-garden elders had gathered in the hall. Among them, only Zhao, the purple-robed man, and Ling Yuling herself were at the mid-cavern stage of cultivation; the rest were all at the initial stage. "Since most of you have arrived, I'd like to introduce you to a distinguished guest," Ling Yuling said, rising slowly as she saw that nearly all the elders were present. With a gentle smile, she lightly pointed her jade finger toward Han Li and introduced, "This is Han Li, a guest scholar personally designated by the late palace master—Han, my esteemed friend!" Where is the other Daoist who once presided over the opening of the Xutian Pavilion? Han Li's voice was somewhat somber. As for that white-robed elder, his face had already turned pale. This man was precisely the Star Palace enforcement elder who, within the inner hall of the Xutian Pavilion, had nearly pierced him through with a single sword thrust. When he first entered the hall, he had found the figure somewhat familiar, but hadn't immediately recognized him. However, Han Li's sudden exclamation had instantly awakened memories from the Xutian Pavilion, allowing him to immediately identify the elder. "How is it, Han brother, you recognize Ximen Elder?" Ling Yuling naturally perceived the coldness on Han Li's face, and with a sense of growing concern, had to ask. "It's nothing. Back then, when I had not yet condensed my Yuanjing, I had some minor disputes with Ximen Daoist." Han Li's expression had shifted several times before suddenly clearing, as if he had finally come to a realization, and he spoke calmly. "Ah, I see. Should Ximen Elder have indeed done anything to offend you, I hope Han brother will be generous and not hold it against him." "Shall we continue discussing the matter concerning Wan Tianming?" Hearing Han Li's calm and matter-of-fact tone, Ling Yuling felt a weight lift from her heart, smiled gently, and swiftly shifted back to the topic of the earlier events. After all, the Inverse Star Alliance was still the pressing concern for the Star Palace. The white-robed elder, upon hearing Han Li's words, felt a measure of reassurance, though a lingering sense of apprehension still surfaced on his face, preventing him from fully calming down. "I don't know exactly how the two Saints explained the matter to Lady Yuling back then. However, when I first agreed to assist, I made it clear that I would only step in when either my own life was in danger or when my capabilities allowed. I never promised to fight a peer-level cultivator to the very end in order to ensure the very existence of your Star Palace," Han Li said slowly. The moment he finished speaking, the entire stone hall fell into an immediate silence.