Han Li stood atop a small hill, gazing out toward a distant range of mountains. "This is indeed the place you mentioned. It doesn't look very impressive." Turning his gaze back, he asked the slender figure beside him. "That's precisely why it chose this location. Brother Yue, the journey below no longer requires your guidance. You may rest here for a while. I and Master Han will be gone—no less than half a day, and possibly three or four days—before we return. Should we fail to return by then, dear friend, simply go on without waiting for us." The slender figure smiled warmly at Yue Zong. "Since Miss Xian has said so, I shall indeed take it easy," Yue Zong agreed immediately, then bowed and took flight toward another nearby small mountain. He vanished into the mountain peak with a single flash. "Master Han, let's go," Xian inhaled deeply, her expression now serious. Han Li nodded and, without further words, activated his light trail, heading toward the mountain range ahead. As soon as they entered the mountain range, the magical smoke bird that had been perched on the crystalline woman's shoulder immediately flapped its wings and soared upward, circling once in the air before darting off in a specific direction. Han Li and his companion quietly followed behind. Before him stood a seemingly ordinary cliff, hundreds of feet high, gray and smooth, with only a few patches of black mist drifting nearby—nothing extraordinary at first glance. Yet, as Han Li's eyes flashed with a subtle blue glow, his expression grew deeply attentive, as though he had sensed something significant. At that moment, Xianxian softly murmured, and the magical smoke bird, which had been circling above, suddenly plunged downward, shooting like an arrow straight toward the cliff. Her mind had already settled upon the magical smoke bird, and now she merely needed to guide it to investigate the interior. Han Li stood by, his gaze flickering, as though pondering something. After a full meal's worth of time, the bird burst forth from the black mist with a cry, then spiraled gracefully to alight upon Xian Xian's shoulders. At that moment, Xian Xian opened her eyes. "Good news—the Sacred Realm dragon beast remains asleep within. This is indeed the perfect moment to act. I've sent the smoke bird ahead to guide the elders directly to the beast. However, the magical energy inside is exceptionally fierce; even with Han Elder's magical prowess, it would not last long. It would be best not to awaken the beast, and instead to strike it down decisively with a sudden, powerful assault!" Xian Xian said seriously, then pointed her finger toward the sky. The black bird instantly responded, soaring back into the mist. "Xian Lady need not worry," Han Li replied. "I know exactly how to proceed." The fairy has no magical power to protect her—she shall just wait here for me to emerge." After gazing at the woman before him for a while, Han Li nodded silently, then clasped his hands in a series of gestures. Suddenly, a brilliant golden glow emanated from his body, and a thin layer of scales began to shimmer upon his form. With a swift movement, he transformed into a golden streak of light and vanished into the black mist. As soon as Han Li truly disappeared into the mist, the woman's smile faded, and her expression turned thoughtful. "It's about time. We should move now," said a sudden burst of green light that shot forth from the crystal族 woman, swiftly morphing into a virtual form of a qilin the size of a clenched fist, which then turned around to address her. "Wait a moment. No matter whether he can actually defeat that holy-tier beast, the moment he engages in combat, that will be the perfect time for us to enter the True Spirit Chamber." The slender woman shook her head. "I see you're quite cautious about him," chuckled the qilin form. "Throughout this journey, how great his abilities have been—you haven't seen it within me? Even the nine-stage beast from the upper clan cannot withstand him for even a moment. Should we truly engage in battle with him, I'd have absolutely no chance of victory. As for that holy-stage beast—I'm certain it's still asleep, yet it will surely take preventive measures at its dwelling. It will be quite difficult to approach it unnoticed. We can only succeed in opening the True Spirit Cleft when they are engaged in combat." The slender figure spoke calmly. "You're quite right. Then let's just wait a little longer." The qi of the qilin figure tilted its head, pondered, and then nodded. At the same time, outside the mountain range, within a newly excavated cave on a mountain peak, Yue's sect was seated in meditation. Suddenly, he sensed something, his face instantly changing, and he flipped his hand. The box containing the strange insect appeared instantly in his grasp. A strange creature resembling a silkworm immediately went mad, shaking its head wildly and roaring as soon as the cover was lifted. Yue Zong drew a sharp breath, leaping without hesitation, transforming into a streak of white light and rushing out of the cavern. But as soon as his body appeared outside, his face grew pale. Before him floated a man clad in silver armor, expression lifeless. It was precisely the foreign noble from the attic who had previously clashed with them. "I see, esteemed elder, I thought another beast had appeared here. What would you like from me?" Yue Zong's heart sank, yet he managed a composed smile. The silver-clad man stared at him coldly, remaining silent for a while before finally asking, emotionlessly, "Where are the others?" "What others? There's only me here," Yue Zong replied calmly. "Indeed. Then you may proceed. The man of the Gui surname flushed with blood, his face blazing with fury. Yue Zong's expression changed suddenly—he hurled the box in his hands toward the opposite side, then with a flash of light from his sleeve, dozens of scrolls of varying colors burst forth, followed by a white jade plaque shot out from his mouth. The strange creature leapt from the box, expanding to the size of a spear, coiling like a serpent around the man of the Gui surname. The scrolls instantly exploded into radiant orbs of light, while the jade plaque, upon impact, burst into a dense white mist, spreading to cover the man of the Gui surname. Meanwhile, Yue Zong himself flashed with a white glow, materializing a pair of wheels at his feet, then vanished in a single motion, appearing ten or more zhang beyond the mist. As his light began to fade, he prepared to surge forward as a streak of white light. The man of the Gui surname laughed coldly, then suddenly struck his own forehead—his form briefly blurred, and instantly manifested three identical duplicates of himself. One of the duplicates raised both arms, and suddenly they transformed into a pair of blood-colored spectral hands, each fingertip sharp, wrapped in black mist. In a single motion, they seized the giant insect charging forward, pinning its hands with a firm grip. With a sudden exertion of force, the ten fingers, like blades, tore the creature into several segments. Yue Zong's face was pale, yet he by no means remained passive. As a surge of sound roared from within his body, two white bone swords shot forth. The swords shimmered with electric light, appearing remarkably impressive. They crossed and struck, intercepting the dragon's two massive claws. Then the silver dragon spiraled and shot back, while the other two duplicates also rose into the air, advancing toward him. As the shadows flickered, the three duplicates instantly merged into one, reforming into the man whose surname was Gui. Yet his expression was gloomy, his gaze shifting thoughtfully. "These people have appeared here—perhaps they too are after something. But the item should be known only to those like myself. Unless... unless they are also of the same kind. Hmph! Regardless of their origin, that item belongs solely to the master. Whoever stands in my way, I shall absorb them." The man murmured these words, his eyes blazing with determination. But suddenly, he turned sharply and shouted fiercely in the direction of one spot: "Who is there? Come out!" Yet beside him, the scene remained still and silent—no figures emerged. The man's fierce expression flickered briefly, and then, with a sudden motion, he raised his hand, launching a silver-bladed dagger straight into the air. To everyone's sight, a flash of silver light revealed a blade's shadow instantly enveloping the entire void below.