"The situation is now quite special. You've all seen the state of Yun City. The matter is simple—the entire clan has fallen into the trap laid by Jiao Chi. Their frontline forces have been transferred to a vulnerable position and are now temporarily encircled. Meanwhile, the Jiao Chi army has swiftly captured thirteen cities and has now advanced all the way to Yun City. Furthermore, our city's core sealing array has been stolen, leaving us unable to rely on its grand defensive formation to resist the enemy's main force. Therefore, Yun City will soon have to abandon its defenses. You should now leave immediately and proceed to the nearest city, Fu Jiao." The young man of the Wang family spoke calmly. This time, if I don't step in, neither of them will either. Otherwise, the consequences—there's no need for me to elaborate. While I may not be able to match either of them individually at the same stage, together they still wouldn't have a solid chance of defeating me. That's precisely why they're hesitating, like mice avoiding a cat. Weng's young man explained. "Nevertheless, there are no fewer than several dozen Saint-stage beings gathered in our city. Should these friends step forward, they would certainly be able to turn the tide. Yet, as we've journeyed here, we've not seen a single Saint-stage being from our own clan. Is it possible they...?" Ning's middle-aged man drew in a deep breath, unable to help himself. "Rest assured. They're unharmed, but currently engaged in other duties outside the city. I'm sure you've also noticed that among the attackers who have entered the city, there are no Saint-stage beings either. That's their contribution. However, this situation won't last long. I expect the Jiaochi people will soon realize and dispatch their own Saint-stage beings directly into the fray." With this city surely falling if I cannot intervene, that is precisely the reason I have ordered its abandonment. You all should immediately follow Daojun Bing under his leadership and depart right away," the young man commanded with a single gesture. Moon Xian and the middle-aged man exchanged glances, hesitated, and promptly agreed. The others also bowed and accepted the instruction. Only Han Li frowned, his expression showing a hint of hesitation. "By the way, Daojun Han, could you stay a moment? I have something I'd like to speak with you about personally," the young man with the surname Wang suddenly said, glancing at Han Li. Han Li felt a sudden sense of alertness, yet could not refuse and nodded in agreement. The others, observing this, felt a subtle suspicion, though they showed no outward signs of concern. Under the guidance of the broad-shouldered man, they all stepped out of the hall. Only then did the young man with the surname Wang turn to Han Li with a look that was both amused and slightly reserved. "I wonder, Master, if you have any instructions for me. Should you need anything from my part, please do not hesitate to let me know." "Facing a large cultivation-stage being who seemed to have other intentions, Han Li naturally felt a bit uneasy, yet he spoke politely and inquired respectfully. "Indeed, I have kept you here for a purpose—I have several matters to entrust to you," the young elder said, immediately posing a question that startled Han Li. "Master Han, you are from the Human race of Fengyuan Continent, aren't you?" "How did the elder recognize my origin? Has the elder also visited the Fengyuan Continent?" Han Li's heart raced several times before he could no longer maintain composure and asked this question. "Ah, how could I have only visited the Fengyuan Continent! Back then, I once had several exchanges with Human cultivators—though we didn't always get along at first, we eventually became quite familiar. While the Human race as a whole isn't particularly powerful, certain innate divine arts passed down through generations are truly impressive and powerful. However, these techniques are quite demanding to master, and most ordinary Humans simply cannot achieve them," the young elder said, chuckling gently. "With that said, I have no need to conceal anything further." "Indeed, I am a human from the Fengyuan Continent who has come to this realm by chance." Han Li could only honestly admit it. "Hehe, good! Now that you've confirmed it—what is your relationship with the Ice Spirit Princess? How is it that you possess the Immortal Spirit Cauldron of the Ice Spirit?" The young man named Wang asked another question that left Han Li astonished. "The Immortal Spirit Cauldron! Is that precisely the one you're referring to?" Han Li blinked, genuinely surprised, yet as soon as he opened his mouth, a beam of green light erupted. Inside, a small cauldron shimmered faintly—none other than the Xutian Cauldron! "Indeed, it is this very cauldron. Though I haven't seen it in many years, its aura remains remarkably unchanged from when I first encountered it." The young man narrowed his eyes, gazing intently at the cauldron, and spoke slowly. "As for the Ice Spirit Princess, I do know her somewhat. However, this cauldron is not the Immortal Spirit Cauldron—it is actually the Xutian Cauldron!" Han Li replied with a wry smile. "Xut The small tripod originally under his control suddenly severed its connection, flashing into the young man's hands with an oddity. Han Li's face slightly tightened, but quickly settled back to its usual composure. The elderly young man then gently supported the tripod with one hand, intently examining it. "Upon closer inspection, it indeed differs from the Xuling Tripod. The crafting technique is somewhat rougher, yet it's not a replica—it appears to be an early prototype crafted before the Xuling Tripod itself," the young man said, his eyes flashing with a cold gleam before frowning slightly. "An early prototype!" Han Li, hearing this, found himself pondering thoughtfully. "Besides, though we've mistaken the artifact, this tripod also originates from Ice-Pulse Daoist. I suspect you must have some connection with her. That's why I've asked you to stay—so that, upon your return to the human realm, you can locate Ice-Pulse Maiden and deliver both a gift and a letter," the young man said, releasing the tripod with a casual smile, as if it were nothing. "Not to be rude, but I merely happened to come across this treasure by accident. I don't actually know the Ice-Purity Immortal Maiden, nor do I know whether this esteemed elder is still alive and well." Han Li quickly stored the Xutian Ding within himself and hurried to explain. Although he only learned of the Ice-Purity Immortal Maiden during his time on the Human Realm, if she truly had ascended to the Immortal Realm and remained alive until now, she would surely be as extraordinary as the young man of the Wang surname. He certainly didn't want to unexpectedly bring such a major complication upon himself. "It doesn't matter if you don't know her. With the name of the Ice-Purity Immortal Maiden, you'll surely be able to trace her whereabouts back among the Human Clan. Should it turn out that the Ice-Purity Immortal has passed away, simply hand over the items to her descendants will suffice." The young man of the Wang surname spoke with complete indifference, then flipped his hand once, producing a jade box and a pale blue jade scroll. With a simple flick of his wrist, both items were thrown directly toward Han Li. Han Li, seeing that there was no way to avoid it, only sighed quietly, grasped the two items firmly in his hands, and bravely glanced at them. He noticed that each was sealed with a golden, shimmering scroll, tightly encasing them. "These two scrolls were specially crafted by me. Only the bloodline of Ice-Purity Lady or her descendants can unseal them. Should anyone else attempt to tear them off, they will instantly burst into fragments. Please remember this, friend. I won't let you waste your efforts in vain. I have some rare materials unique to the Thundering Continent to offer you as compensation. Additionally, although all of the others—especially Qianji Zi—had promised you the grand teleportation array, due to the sudden shift in the war situation, all teleportation arrays in the surrounding cities have now been sealed. The grand array itself is located within the secret hall of Fuzhao City and has also been sealed. I will arrange for you to use it once. However, before that, you will need to make a solemn vow to your heart-madness, promising to uphold your word." "Then I shall issue the command," the young man with the surname Wang said calmly. "Having heard such words from the elders, how could I possibly refuse?" Han Li's face had been clouded with uncertainty for a moment before he finally managed a wry smile, then raised one hand to chant a solemn oath to his own inner demons before placing the two items into his storage bracelet. Such oaths were not particularly effective in the human realm. But since entering the spiritual realm and achieving the Lingxu stage, these oaths had become so powerful that the inner demons themselves had become one of the most formidable obstacles during each breakthrough phase. Thus, for higher-level beings, such a vow carried considerable weight. Han Li quickly and without hesitation solemnly vowed to his inner demons, promising he would personally deliver the two items to either the Ice Spirit Maiden or her descendants. Seeing this, the young man with the surname Wang nodded in satisfaction and immediately produced three jade boxes from his person, each containing the materials he had mentioned, and tossed them over. This time, Han Li merely shook his sleeve, and as a streak of azure light flashed past, he silently took in the jade boxes without so much as a glance. "Then you may now leave," the young man said, his face stern and expressionless. Relieved, Han Li bowed politely and turned to exit the hall. The elderly young man watched Han Li's silhouette fade at the door, his eyes flickering with a subtle expression of thoughtful contemplation. ...When Han Li stepped out of the Hall of Spiritual Emanations, he was unexpectedly greeted by a large, silvery flying carriage, steadily parked at the entrance. The carriage was over twenty zhang long, rectangular in shape, with intricate patterns adorning its surface, and six massive, mantis-like creatures serving as its magical pullers. The Moon Immortal, Liu Shui'er, and others had already gathered on board, while the bearded man stood quietly at the carriage's front. Upon seeing Han Li emerge, their eyes all immediately turned toward him, each displaying a range of expressions—seeming as though they had been waiting for him all along. "Friend Han, come on up. We're about to depart right away." The broad-shouldered man with a serious face smiled warmly and gestured. "Thank you, elder!" Han's expression remained calm and composed. He bowed his thanks, then stepped gracefully onto the flying vehicle, immediately moving to a corner and settling into a meditative posture without a word.