"Whether true or not, the Hengrong clan has already managed to wipe out our party once—there's a strong possibility they might strike again on the way. With your great prowess, I believe we'll need your assistance for the remainder of the journey!" Once he confirmed that Han Li was indeed a member of the Tianpeng clan, Feng Xiao openly and sincerely requested his support. The other two also looked at Han Li with hopeful eyes. Han Li's display of strength had been truly remarkable; having such a powerful fellow from the same clan traveling with them would surely ensure a smooth journey ahead. "Very well. Since I'm almost certain to be a Tianpeng clan member, it would indeed be my duty to contribute to my family's cause." After a brief pause, Han Li readily agreed. This was precisely the ideal opportunity for him to blend into the Tianpeng clan—how could he possibly refuse? "Thank you so much, Han brother! Upon our return, I will personally inform the senior elders of your outstanding contribution." Hearing this, Feng Xiao was delighted and expressed his gratitude repeatedly. The other two companions naturally smiled as well. Hearing remarks like "requesting recognition," Han Li remained silent, but upon glancing around and observing the blue silk net present, he smiled and said, "We shouldn't stay here much longer. Let's go. I'll handle the magic net myself." With that, Han Li extended his hand toward the distant silk net and pointed into the air. Instantly, the silver phoenix near the swirling body emitted a clear, melodious cry and then surged forward as a burst of silver flame. "Pop!" The flame struck the blue net and immediately pierced through, creating a hole large enough for a person to pass through. Then, the flame rapidly spread along the net. Within just a few breaths, the massive blue net was completely consumed, turning to ash in the flowing waves of silver flame. This so-called magic net proved utterly fragile against the divine spirit fire—no more than paper in the face of it. The three Tianpeng people were left staring in wide-eyed amazement. They realized they had underestimated the new member's abilities. "All right," Han Li said, "Let's go." After Han Li finished speaking, he pressed two hand seals, and the silver flame from afar re-coalesced into a cluster, then transformed once more into a phoenix that soared back and disappeared into his body. Immediately, the four of them set off together, flying toward the distant horizon. Apparently due to Han Li maintaining his human form, the three Tianpeng people did not revert to their large bird forms, but instead flew forward, each encased in a shimmering sphere of silver light. Han Li was deeply interested in the transformation ability of the Feilin people, yet he did not immediately ask about it. Instead, citing his long-standing training abroad since childhood, he gently probed into various aspects of the Feilin and Tianpeng clans. These details were not particularly secret, and Feng Xiao and the others readily answered all his questions. As a result, Han Li gained a comprehensive understanding of both the Feilin and Tianpeng clans, and in the process, learned that the two young Tianpeng people were actually siblings—brother Bai Lei and sister Bai Ning. Of course, the three members of the Tianpeng Clan had occasionally asked questions of Han Li, but Han Li always brushed them off, citing that he had been deeply engaged in cultivation and had rarely interacted with others. Seeing that Han Li was unwilling to reveal more about himself, Feng Xiao and the others wisely chose not to press further. To them, as long as Han Li was indeed a member of the Tianpeng Clan, that was sufficient. It seems either the members of the Chirong clan are mistaken, or the senior leadership of the Tianpeng clan has deliberately kept the information sealed, thus preventing a major upheaval and maintaining the current orderly state. Once they entered the mountain range, they encountered more and more Tianpeng clan members along the way. Some were taking flight as great birds, while others traveled steadily in human form. Han Li took careful notice and observed that although the size and shape of the wings among the Tianpeng clan members were generally uniform, there were subtle differences in color. The most numerous were those with blue and white wings, followed by those with silver-feathered wings, similar to Feng Xiao and his companions. There were also those with golden and black wings, though these were exceptionally rare. Throughout his journey upward, Han Li had rarely seen Tianpeng clan members with these two types of wings. The first three color groups of winged Tianpeng clan members were unremarkable, but Feng Xiao and his companions displayed a notably different attitude toward those with golden and black wings. When they encountered a golden-winged Tianpeng, even though their own cultivation level was far behind, Feng Xiao and his companions showed extraordinary courtesy, stepping forward to pay their respects. However, when they met two black-winged Tianpeng, Feng Xiao and his companions grew stiff-faced, neither approaching nor making any greeting—they simply passed right by, as if they hadn't seen them at all. These two black-winged Tianpeng were themselves no less accomplished than Feng Xiao's group. Han Li observed this carefully and found it quite puzzling. Yet, knowing that this matter must involve certain taboos or traditions within the Tianpeng clan, he maintained a calm demeanor, making no inquiries. Eventually, after flying through the mountain range for three days and three nights, they finally came across a patrol unit of Tianpeng. This group approached them head-on, consisting of about thirty individuals. Each wore a white bone armor and held a long, gleaming silver spear in one hand. By their aura, their cultivation levels ranged from Foundation to Consolidation stage. But for their patrol duties, they were indeed an exceptionally elite team. The middle-aged Tianpeng elder, upon seeing Feng Xiao and the others, immediately expressed great joy and hurried forward to greet them. "We're here, Feng Ling and Bai Ling, the esteemed elders have instructed that once the three of you return, you should immediately proceed to the Wan Peng Pavilion. Oh, this esteemed one—?" As he finished speaking, his gaze settled on Han Li, and he found himself slightly puzzled. "This is Han brother—he has been cultivating overseas for a long time and is now returning to the clan for the first time. I'm sorry, but it seems we'll have to go see the elders first. You, then, may rest at the prestigious Guest Pavilion of the Sacred Mountain. With your remarkable abilities, the elders will surely summon you." Upon hearing that the Tianpeng elders intended to summon them, Feng Xiao's expression slightly changed, and he promptly turned to Han Li. "No problem. This is my first return to the clan, and I originally planned to explore on my own. You go ahead and attend to your duties." Han Li replied calmly and without hesitation. "The sacred realm of our clan is truly magnificent; Brother Han will surely need some time to become thoroughly familiar with it. Here is my token. With it, Brother Han may freely explore all areas except a few restricted sanctuaries, where entry will be denied. You send one of your people to personally escort Brother Han to his guest inn." After a brief thought, Feng Xiao reached into his robes, produced a wooden plaque, and handed it to Han Li. Then, turning around, he沉 his face and instructed the middle-aged Tianpeng man with firmness. "Understood." Feng Xiao clearly held a high position within the Tianpeng clan, and the patrol captain, a Jie Dan-level officer, replied with great respect. "Brother Feng, that's very thoughtful of you!" Han Li smiled in return. "Far from it. In truth, this is already a lack of hospitality on my part. Once these matters are settled, I will personally serve as your guide throughout the Sacred City." Feng Xiao replied with a touch of apology. Then, he and the Bai siblings bowed slightly to Han Li and, with hurried movements, transformed themselves into three large silver birds, taking off swiftly toward the front. "Huayu, take the senior to the hotel. Make certain to treat him well—do not show any negligence!" As the wind swept away, a middle-aged Tianpeng man stepped forward from among his subordinates and pointed to a young Tianpeng man of about ten years old, delivering his instructions in a firm tone. The neatly dressed young man immediately bowed and nodded in agreement. After adding a few more remarks, the middle-aged man bowed to Han Li and then took his team, continuing their patrol. Han Li, under the guidance of the young Tianpeng man, proceeded deeper into the mountain range. The young man showed Han Li the utmost courtesy, rarely speaking unless asked. Yet, as a mere Foundation Stage cultivator, he could hardly convey much about the important matters. Thus, Han Li asked only a few questions and then grew indolent, no longer seeking to speak. After flying for several more hours with this young attendant, a group of small hills of similar height suddenly appeared ahead, standing in a row and blocking their path. Above these small hills, dark clouds gathered thickly, lightning flashed incessantly, and the thunder roared continuously, making it nearly impossible to pass through. Seeing this scene, Han Li narrowed his eyes. With his exceptional mastery of spatial array techniques, he immediately recognized that both the small hills and the dark clouds above were clearly illusions—crafted by a particularly powerful spell. Indeed, after the guide, Hua Yu, led Han Li to the front of one of the hills and then spread his wings, a pale feather sprang forth from his body and swiftly vanished into the ethereal space before the hill. A deep "thud" echoed. Instantly, the entire small hill seemed to warp and blur like a phantom in water, shaking violently before suddenly dissolving into nothing, revealing a vast, hazy passageway stretching ahead. The young man promptly entered it without hesitation. Han Li raised a brow and then transformed into a streak of jade-green light, following closely behind. The pass stretches for hundreds of zhang in length. As the azure rainbow bursts forth from within, Han Li is suddenly struck by a brilliant flash of light. Before him looms a vast city that seems endless in sight. The city is built upon the mountains, surrounded by towering emerald peaks each reaching nearly ten thousand zhang in height. The city walls, composed of massive, pristine bricks, are not particularly tall—only about twenty zhang high. There are no city gates; instead, a thick, hazy luminous veil envelops the entire city. At several points along the walls, there stand dozens of tall, straight pillars of various colors, each radiating a gentle glow. Numerous Tianpeng people flap their wings and glide through the spaces between these pillars, entering and exiting the great city.