"Master Miao He and Elder Huang Kun of Lidong Island? Didn't they both perish during a surprise attack by the beast creatures at Biling Island?" the old woman asked. "This is merely the official account. In reality, according to the members of our alliance who escaped from Biling Island, on the day the beast creatures launched their assault, neither Master Miao He nor Elder Huang Kun had returned to Biling Island at all. Indeed, several of our alliance members stationed at Leikong Island, where Master Miao He was located, had personally witnessed someone resembling Han Li appearing there. It was precisely on that day that both Master Miao He and Elder Huang Kun suddenly vanished, and the immortal spirit lamps left behind in the alliance also extinguished themselves. The beast creature attack on Biling Island, in fact, occurred only slightly later. Wan Tian smiled and slowly explained. "Even so, isn't it a bit premature to conclude that both Master Miao He and Elder Huang Kun were killed by the beast creatures?" the old woman paused, hesitating. "Indeed, our alliance has no definitive evidence confirming that it was their hands." But if the cultivator who just arrived recently is indeed Han Li, and possesses the divine abilities of a senior cultivator, then it's almost certainly true." Wan Tianming's eyes flashed with cold light, and his voice grew somber. "If this person has indeed reached the late stage of cultivation, and also holds the Xutian Ding in his hands—then, considering that you, Brother Wan, have only recently attained the rank of senior cultivator—what would that mean?" The elderly man with the隆 surname, upon hearing this, could not help but express concern. "Heh, I've known this person for some time, so how could I lack a strategy? Rest assured—should he not come, that's fine. Should he come, I'll handle him personally. I may not be certain of completely eliminating him, but I am confident in defeating him." Wan Tianming smiled lightly, speaking with complete composure. The elderly woman and the man with the隆 surname exchanged glances, both showing a moment of surprise, before finally settling into calm confidence. Given their understanding of Master Wan, once he spoke so firmly, it was clear that what he said was likely true. "With that, I feel at ease. The others shall be handled by me and my esteemed colleague, Long." The old woman also smiled faintly. "Routine disturbances—I'm certain you two can manage the core of the formation. I'm quite confident in that. But the other party has decided to fight to the last. They will surely send a large number of senior cultivators to attack the core. That's why I've specially invited reinforcements to assist you both in defending the core." Wan Tianming finally turned around and spoke, yet his face bore a slightly strange expression. "Reinforcements? What did you mean, Wan brother?" This statement came as a surprise to both the elder named Long and the old woman, who immediately asked in astonishment. This time, Wan Tianming did not immediately respond. Instead, he suddenly raised his hand, and a large fire ball shot forth from his sleeve, bursting into brilliant crimson flames in the air. The striking scene was clearly visible to the cultivators aboard the spiritual vessels gathered near the massive pillar, instantly causing a wave of excitement and commotion. Just when everyone was filled with astonishment, wondering what had happened above, a delicate voice suddenly rang out from a boat several dozen feet in size: "Brother, Wan Dao-you has summoned us! It seems our time has finally come. We've been hiding here for so long—this must have been quite tedious." "For us cultivators, time means little. Since Wan Brother has invited us to appear, it's clear that the great battle has truly begun. This won't be just a minor skirmish; it will be a decisive confrontation, one we can settle in one go." A deep, resonant voice came from within the boat. Immediately, two brilliant white streaks shot forth from the cabin, spiraling before converging and soaring upward toward the towering pillars. A moment later, a man and a woman appeared before Wan Tianming and his companions. The man was tall and broad-shouldered, with deep eyes and flowing hair, while the woman was delicate and fair, her gentle glances captivating and enchanting. "The Blue Twin Mystics?" The elder man from the Long family stared at these two, first stunned, then suddenly two names flashed into his mind, causing him to gasp in alarm, his face pale with shock. The once dignified old woman also looked slightly pale. "Oh! I never thought there would still be people in the Star Sea who recognized my siblings. We've been living in seclusion on the Demon's Isle for many years, never having left." The petite woman glanced at the Long family elder, smiled gracefully, and her figure swayed gently with the charm of her movement. "Didn't your two esteemed friends, the Heavenly Star Twin Saints, eliminate you years ago? How is it that you're here now?" The old woman hesitated slightly, then spoke with cautious vigilance. "Indeed, back then, those two eternal elders nearly drove me to the point of being stranded—without a path to heaven or to earth. Yet now, my siblings stand here in perfect health, clearly surviving great trials and destined for fortune. So, does this esteemed friend harbor any ill will toward us?" The bearded man coldly glanced at the elder and the elderly woman, his mouth slightly opening, yet his voice emanated from his abdomen, revealing a row of snow-white, gleaming teeth—like a man about to devour them. Upon seeing this, the elderly woman was startled, instinctively stepping back a pace, only to feel annoyed at her display of weakness and thus snorted coldly, stepping forward again. Seeing this, the bearded man's face briefly broke into a grim smile, a faint glow of blood rising on his cheeks, and a steady aura of martial intensity radiating from his body. "Well, my opponent has arrived," he said, his tone firm. "I've kept you both concealed until today—precisely for this confrontation. Hmph. The Star Palace has planted spies among our senior ranks. Do you really think I haven't noticed? Now, I wonder who will be the one to volunteer to fall." His voice, from Wan Tianming, deepened and grew colder. The elderly woman and the others were startled, quickly turning their attention toward the magical array. Indeed, within the distant emerald and crimson glow, the wind and flame forces surged into chaos, and a massive beast carriage drawn by four green serpents burst forth from the midst. Immediately thereafter, countless cultivators surged after it, quickly filling the skies around with a dense crowd, numbering well over a thousand. Meanwhile, the cultivators from the Inverse Star Alliance, stationed near the towering wind and flame pillars, had been patiently awaiting this moment. Upon seeing the enemy appear, they promptly ascended into the air on their own vehicles, resulting in a direct standoff centered around the great wind and flame pillar. The old woman and the elderly man named Long naturally paid little attention to the Lin siblings and immediately shifted their focus to the cultivators from the Star Palace, glancing several times at the four figures within the beast carriage. Upon recognizing one of them, the elder felt a sudden chill, pressing his slightly dry lips together. The person he recognized was none other than Han Li, who stood within the carriage, arms folded, calmly observing. At that moment, he didn't even glance at the elder, but after a few flashes of his gaze, immediately fixed his eyes on the great gate master, scrutinizing him from head to toe with narrowed eyes. "Blue Twin Evils!" The purple-robed man, upon recognizing the two cultivators, exclaimed with the same astonishment as the elder had earlier. Han Li showed no reaction at all. Both Ling Yuling and the elderly Zhao, however, were startled. "Master Ma, are you certain? Didn't our parents eliminate the Blue Twin Evils years ago, together?" Ling Yuling asked in surprise. "How could I possibly be mistaken. I personally accompanied the two senior palace masters in pursuing these two Evils for a long time—only after this battle did the two palace masters themselves advance to the late stage. It's strange. Even if they hadn't died back then, they should have passed their natural lifespans long ago. Yet here they are, still alive. Their cultivation levels, however, remain much the same—still at the mid-stage of Yuan Ying. The tall man in purple robes was startled, his eyes then revealing a touch of puzzlement. "This isn't at all unusual," he said. "As far as I know, there are several kinds of immortal herbs that can extend one's lifespan by two or three centuries. Perhaps they've simply been fortunate enough to have consumed one of them." Han Li, however, didn't care much about the "Blue Clan Twin Evils." Upon hearing the man's words, he merely replied casually. "That's the only possibility! Yet, these two magicians had already gained fame well before the two senior palace masters. At that time, their reputations were so formidable that even mere listeners would grow pale and alarmed. The male one was naturally inclined toward violence—he once slaughtered entire populations of two small islands in a single night, wiping out nearly a thousand cultivators and over ten thousand commoners in a bloody campaign. As for the female, she specialized in the renowned magical technique known as the 'Yin Woman's Subduing Yang Technique,' which involved capturing young male cultivators from various sects to extract their vital essence, only to then torment and ultimately kill them alive. Yet both of them had advanced to the mid Yuan-Ying stage, and as they always traveled together, their combined efforts gave them a solid defensive capability even against high-level cultivators. Back then, if it hadn't been for the two senior palace masters stepping in at great risk, these two likely would have remained undisturbed for years. Zhao, the elder with a serious expression, briefly explained this to Han Li. "Ah, now I understand! It seems the other side has been well-prepared. Even if I manage to hold off Wan Tianming, with these two present, you no longer have a sure victory." Han Li stroked his chin, speaking calmly. "Indeed, I've made every effort to bring several senior masters along, aiming to create a decisive advantage. But now that the blue twin demons have appeared, if these two truly possess the legendary strength, we may just manage to hold our ground without being defeated—this would already be a significant achievement," said Ling Yuling, her expression not very confident. Han Li gave a slight smile, but before he could speak, a figure slowly descended from the towering pillar across from them. In a flash of gaze, he suddenly closed his mouth, merely coldly staring at the other person. For it was none other than Wan Tianming! "Friend Han, it has been some time since our parting at the Xitian Pavilion—how fortunate that you have advanced so greatly, now becoming a true great cultivator. If I'm not mistaken, you are not from the Star Sea. Then, why have you become involved in the dispute between our alliance and the Star Palace? How about this: no matter how many benefits Miss Ling promises, I will offer double the value. And I need do nothing for you—only that you refrain from intervening in this battle." As Wan Tianming hovered in the middle, where the two parties of cultivators faced off, he paused and suddenly smiled warmly, proposing these terms. Han Li was taken aback upon hearing this. Meanwhile, Ling Tianling and the others' faces turned pale instantly. (Second update!)