"This is Mr. Han, isn't it?" The young woman studied Han carefully. Just moments ago, she had witnessed him effortlessly dispel her spiritual pressure—something she had clearly noticed. Now, upon learning that the very same person who could heal the young girl was also Mr. Han, her heart suddenly tightened with concern. Though she sensed he was only a Foundation Stage cultivator, there was an undeniable, unspoken aura emanating from him—so powerful that she felt as though a single move from him might completely extinguish her. "How could something like this be possible?" she murmured silently, circulating her inner qi and then using her spiritual awareness to scan Han once more. This time, however, that aura vanished entirely—disappearing as if it had never existed. Her thoughts raced, her growing astonishment deepening. Yet, for the sake of the girl, Bai Guo'er, she managed to smile warmly at Han and the two others. "My name is Yue Hua. I am deeply grateful to all three of you for your assistance to my husband and to Guo'er!" If you don't mind, the three of you would care to take a brief rest at my temporary dwelling? Then, Yue Hua will surely offer you heartfelt thanks for your life-saving kindness! "...Hmm." Facing a Ji Dan cultivator, even though Hai Dashi and Qi Lingzi were used to being casual and relaxed, they couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy, and instinctively glanced toward Han Li. Han Li, however, hadn't thought of this at all. After a quick glance at the young girl named Guo'er, he calmly nodded. "Since Yue Daojun has kindly invited us, then we shall be honored to visit for a while." "Ah, how could that be! It is truly a great honor for me that you, a peer, have come to visit my humble abode!" Upon hearing Han Li address her as a peer, the young wife was momentarily startled, but instead of showing any annoyance, she brightened noticeably. Clearly, Yue Hua had sensed something in the air. The middle-aged man beside her, however, stood with his mouth slightly open, his gaze upon Han Li filled with genuine astonishment. Others might not know, but he was well aware of just how high and proud It was truly astonishing that someone at the Foundation Stage of cultivation should treat him with such courtesy. In contrast, Hai the Young Lord and the Spirit of the Artifact had never felt any discomfort when first meeting a Condensed Stage cultivator. Upon hearing that Yue Hua, the Immortal Lady, intended to offer them a heartfelt thank-you, both of them beamed with delight. Just as Han Li raised his hand to release the flying chariot and the group prepared to set off, a melodious celestial sound gradually emerged from a certain direction. The tone was exquisite and enchanting, so captivating that one could easily be enchanted for three days after hearing it. Han Li and the others were momentarily stunned, turning their gaze toward the source of the sound. There, in the distant sky, swirling hues of five colors revealed two rows of armored soldiers, each clad in black armor and riding strange beasts with the bodies of tigers and the heads of oxen. These soldiers, composed of impassive expressions, held long spears, halberds, and other magical implements, steadily advancing on their strange mounts. Upon scanning their aura with her spiritual awareness, Yue Hua gasped in surprise. These knights were all at the Yuan Ying stage, numbering well over a hundred. As they flew past in orderly ranks, five-colored light streaks gave way to a series of sleek, dark war chariots. Each chariot was exquisitely crafted, with three armored soldiers stationed upon it, and a fierce, winged creature pulling the chariot ahead. After the thirty-six identical chariots passed by, a pair of cultivators emerged one after another—differing in attire, some old, some young, some male, some female—all with an aura of extraordinary presence, their eyes veiled in calm radiance. Though only eighteen in number, each was a cultivator of late Liang Xu stage. Following them, a deep resonance echoed through the light streaks, and gradually, a two-story pavilion-like structure emerged—though it should more accurately be described as a colossal, pavilion-shaped beast-chariot. The chariot stood several dozen zhang tall, majestic and splendid, with eight snow-white peacocks, each ten zhang in height, pulling it from the front. On the first level of the beast-chariot, a group of women in colorful court robes sat gracefully. Each one was radiant and graceful, holding a pipa or a long flute and other musical instruments. That day, the melodies of music flowed gently from the hands of these women. Yet Han Li's gaze was not fixed upon them at all; instead, it was directed toward the upper level of the beast-carriage, where three figures sat around a jade table of emerald green, engaged in animated conversation. The table was laden with spiritual fruits and beverages, and the three were clearly exchanging words and toasts. However, Han Li's eyes briefly shifted again, settling upon a magnificent banner at the apex of the giant flying carriage. The banner, adorned with dragon and phoenix motifs, emitted steady pulses of magical energy, and at its very center stood a large, ancient character—“Sheng”—the word for “Sage.” “This is the banner of the Heavenly Yuan Sage Emperor! This is the imperial vehicle of the Sage Emperor!” exclaimed Yue Hua, the fairy maiden, upon recognizing the banner on the distant beast-carriage. Han Li's expression slightly changed, his gaze sharpening as he finally focused on the three figures engaged in conversation at the upper level. These three were remarkably unusual in appearance. The central figure wore a white scholar's robe, with a refined demeanor, yet possessed unusually long ears and a gentle, serene smile. Beside him stood an elder in a gray robe, his face as dry and yellow as aged wood, yet his eyes softly glowed with a jade-like luminescence. The third was a plump, white-browed monk dressed in purple monastic robes, in his late forties or early fifties, with a round, well-fed face and a kindly expression. Remarkably, all three were cultivators at the Consolidated Stage! The elder was quite ordinary—just a Consolidated Stage Initial cultivator—while the monk was actually a Consolidated Stage Mid-level cultivator. As for the one in the white scholar's robe, under his spiritual sight, a pale, luminous halo seemed to encircle his body, requiring considerable effort to discern that he was in fact a formidable Consolidated Stage Final cultivator. Clearly, this white-robed scholar was indeed the Tianyuan Sacred Emperor among the Three Emperors. The middle-aged man, along with the vessel spirit, Hai Dashi, and the others, had already been staring in open amazement. Upon hearing that the convoy in the distance was indeed the imperial carriage of the Heavenly Yuan Emperor, even the most courageous among them could no longer help feel a sense of trembling excitement, though their gazes were tinged with a palpable sense of eager anticipation. After all, such a being was a fully merged stage cultivator—there were only a few dozen such individuals in the entire human race, and the Three Emperors represented the very pinnacle of human cultivation. It was truly rare for cultivators to have the opportunity to witness the true form of the Emperors firsthand. To see the Imperial Carriage of the Heavenly Yuan Emperor here was no small blessing. However, as Han Li carefully observed the white-robed scholar within the animal-drawn carriage, the Heavenly Yuan Emperor—currently engaged in cheerful conversation with the monk across from him—suddenly stiffened, then rose to his feet, taking a few steps to the edge of the second level, and fixed his golden-gleaming pupils upon Han Li. "Does any of our esteemed companions happen to be here? If you don't mind, would you care to join us for a cup of spiritual wine?" The voice of the Heavenly Yuan Saint was not particularly loud, yet somehow it resonated clearly throughout half the sky, reaching the ears of the people below with remarkable clarity. Aside from Han Li, even the young lady Yue Hua and the others from the Sea Clan could not help but exchange puzzled glances. "Senior Saint, are you speaking directly to us?" It wasn't until several moments later that Hai the Young swallowed a lump in his throat and murmured hesitantly. "It's impossible. Only peers of the same rank would be addressed in such a manner. How could it be us?" Bai Hua shook her head repeatedly, clearly convinced it couldn't be true. "Yet, it seems that there aren't many others around us." The Spirit-Resonant Master blinked, adding softly. Indeed, this was true. The Three Evils of Nan Shan, aiming to facilitate their attacks on the white-haired elder and his daughter, deliberately led them to this remote location, where no other cultivators were visible within a hundred li. The others were utterly puzzled, and Han Li naturally knew that the Tianyuan Sacred Emperor was specifically targeting himself. With a furrowed brow, he suddenly turned to Hai and the others, and said calmly, "Hai, you two go ahead and take a seat at Yue Hua's abode. I'll attend to the Tianyuan Sacred Emperor first. Then, I'll catch up with you shortly." Upon hearing Han Li's words, Hai, his spirit-essence disciple, Yue Hua the Immortal Lady, and the middle-aged man all stared in astonishment. "Han brother, what did you just say?" Hai stammered. Yet Han Li merely shook his head, saying nothing further. Instead, a shimmer of green light flashed across his body, and he instantly transformed into a streak of jade-green light, racing toward the distant carriage. Within just a few flashes, he had already vanished over a thousand paces away. Originally, only a group of people stood speechless, while the young girl named Bai Guo'er blinked at the others, as if beginning to understand, her expression full of endearing confusion. "I had always suspected that Mr. Han was a senior cultivator in the Consolidated Stage—how could anyone else possibly have managed to overcome the cold toxin within Bao Guo'er's body!" The young woman murmured to herself at first, then her face suddenly lit up with joyful realization. "Mr. Hai, you two must also be—?" Bai Hua Ji stared intently at Hai, the young noble and the Spirit of the Artifact, hesitating slightly as if trying to find the right words. "No, no—we are truly ordinary cultivators. I myself have only achieved the Foundation Stage—there's no exaggeration. We only met Mr. Han—Mr. Han, the senior—on the way, and we had absolutely no idea he was a Consolidated cultivator!" The Spirit of the Artifact suddenly regained her composure, quickly shaking her head vigorously as if turning it like a windmill. "I... we've actually traveled with a fused cultivator for nearly a month, and... and even shared tea and wine, calling each other peers. Qi Lingzi, did I just dream this all up?" said Hai, his voice drifting like a dream. At the same time, the jade-green aura formed by Han Li had already reached the vicinity of the vehicle. The infantry soldiers, having heard the earlier words of Tianyuan Sacred Emperor, naturally did not step forward to obstruct. Han Li withdrew his light and instantly appeared on the second level of the massive beast-carriage, where he bowed respectfully to the three fused cultivators inside and smiled, saying, "My name is Han Li. It's a pleasure to meet you all." "Hmm, Han Li? Is it really the Han cultivator who recently attained the Tianyuan Realm? I've heard of him! I am Huang Dan, honored to meet you." The thin, elderly man nodded and returned the bow with a brightened expression. "Haha, yes, I've only just attained the realm for a few years!" Han Li lifted a corner of his mouth and chuckled lightly in reply.