"Entering the Underworld?" Jin Yue replied. "Isn't it true that the Underworld is currently occupied by the Feilin Clan? Shouldn't it be a simple matter for you to send me there?" Han Li asked calmly. "Indeed, a hundred years ago, your statement would have been accurate—transporting people into the Underworld was no great feat. But now, it's quite a challenge." Jin Yue instinctively stroked the jade scroll in her hands twice before offering a wry smile. "Ah, what's the reason for this?" Han Li asked, surprised. "It's quite simple. A hundred years ago, someone by chance discovered a highly concealed and rare ore vein deep within the deepest layer of the Underworld. This ore vein is not only of immense importance to our various clans but also boasts an astonishing reserve." To prevent a certain clan from secretly mining the area, the entire underground realm is currently in a semi-closed state, especially the final layer where the ore veins lie—beyond the guards, even the elders of the various clans find it difficult to enter. Jin Yue hesitated slightly before explaining. "The deepest layer? When did I say I intended to visit this place? I only need to reach the third layer of the underground realm." Upon hearing this, Han Li relaxed slightly and smiled. "It's not necessary to go deeper, after all. However, if you truly wish to finalize this transaction, you must reveal your genuine reasons for coming here. After all, the underground realm lies deep within the heartland of the Fei Ling clan, and it still holds some secrets yet to be uncovered. You surely wouldn't think I'd simply bring an outsider here without any clear purpose, would you? Even if your cultivation technique is of great importance to the Tian Peng clan, I cannot afford to make such a foolish move." The woman stared steadily at Han Li, speaking each word with deliberate clarity. After listening to the other's words, Han Li's face showed a thoughtful expression, but after a moment, he lightly exhaled and said, "I understand what you're concerned about. However, please rest assured—Han Li's reason for going to the third layer of the Earth Deep is merely to fulfill an appointment with an elder. I need to use this coordinate to draw this elder into their secluded space, and it has absolutely no connection with the Fei Ling clan, nor any potential harm. As for more specific details, I regret I cannot go into greater depth." "Another space! Master Han has already reached the mid-stage of the Saint Realm. It's truly remarkable that someone of such stature could be called an elder. Surely—?" Jin Yue's expression changed dramatically. "Then it's sufficient that the Grand Elder knows this. This elder has a certain connection with our human race. I was able to escape the hands of the Four Great Beast Kings precisely thanks to their assistance. This time, my return to this place was specifically requested by this elder." Should the situation truly become such that we are unable to meet face to face, I suspect the elder would not be pleased—perhaps even grow resentful toward the noble house." Han Li's gaze flickered with meaning as he spoke. "You're threatening me!" Jin Yue's face grew somewhat stern. "Threatening? Absolutely not. This elder has likely retired for countless millennia. And indeed, my journey to meet him holds great significance. I'm certain Jin friend wouldn't want the Feilin clan to suddenly face such a formidable adversary." Han Li smiled slightly, with a hint of amusement. "Hmph. Even then, how can I know whether what I've said is true?" Jin Yue's expression remained uncertain, and finally, she coldly exhaled. "This is quite simple. If you personally escort me to the third layer of the Deep Earth, and allow me to witness my departure, I believe your doubts will vanish. Should you find anything amiss at that time, feel free to seize me. With your current late-stage mastery, arresting a mid-level cultivator like myself should be a mere matter of ease." Of course, if Master Jin still feels uneasy, he may bring along more companions. I shall not object at all," replied Han Li without hesitation. "Jin Daoyou, it would be best if you didn't entertain any other thoughts. As you surely know, since I have come here alone, I naturally won't be afraid of the noble family's potential intentions. I haven't even copied the latter half of the method into jade scrolls—I've merely memorized it within my divine awareness. Should you wish to obtain it through other means, all you need to do in your next thought is to completely destroy this method. Moreover, as for whether the noble family truly manages to retain me, that remains to be seen." Han Li suddenly chuckled heartily. "You've overthought this matter. After all, Daoyou once rendered great service to our clan, and how could I possibly harbor such intentions? Very well, since the method is merely to be delivered to the third layer of the Earth Deep, I will certainly find a way to ensure that. However, if we wish to make this matter truly successful, Daoyou will need to wait a little longer. Why don't you settle in the Sacred City now?" After pondering for a while, Jin Yue finally took a deep breath and agreed. "Excellent—Grand Elder, this is indeed a wise move." Nevertheless, I intend to make use of these few days of leisure to refine a secret technique, and thus shall not disturb you in the holy city any longer. I shall return to pay you a visit again in about fifteen days. I am certain by then, my esteemed friend, all your arrangements will be well in place." Upon seeing that the other had finally made up his mind, Han Li suddenly burst into laughter and rose to his feet. Though fully aware that the other was utterly unwilling to stay, Jin Yue could only sigh and offer a wry smile. "Since you have decided thus, I shall not detain you any longer. Yet, please wait a moment!" "Attendants! Bring the spiritual tea I have requested!" With a sudden outburst of inner power, she called out to the hall's outer area. A few moments later, a maid hurried in, bearing a delicate yellow leather pouch, which she placed before Han Li. "Then, I shall not hesitate to take my share!" Han Li did not hesitate, and with a simple flick of his sleeve, a golden glow swept past, and the pouch vanished instantly. After a brief bow to Jin Yue, he truly took his leave. Not long after, a streak of azure light burst forth from the holy city, flashing several times before suddenly vanishing at the far edge of the sky. Finally, Han Li alighted upon a plain, unremarkable hill some hundred thousand miles outside the holy city. Summoning his powers, he instantly carved out a secret chamber at the base of the hill and erected a subtle concealment spell at the entrance, then entered the chamber. Seated cross-legged, he looked thoughtful, pondering over his words and actions during his visit to the holy city, wondering if there had been any flaw. After a while, a deep breath eased his expression. This time, to impress the Tianpeng Clan, he had deliberately manifested himself as a Tianpeng. With the current refinement of his Jingze Decree's flame power, the Tianpeng form he assumed naturally radiated impressive might, far surpassing the innate transformations of the native Tianpeng people. However, the specific nuances of the difference were likely only perceptible to Jin Yue, which is why, upon their first meeting, she could not conceal her astonishment. Of course, the greatest reason why Han Li dared to act so boldly was his own cultivation now reaching the mid-Body-Unity stage, bolstered by numerous divine techniques that made him utterly unafraid of any reversal or coordinated assault from the senior elders of the Tian Peng Clan. Though his current magical power might not yet match that of Jin Yue and the others combined, he was absolutely capable of escaping unscathed. This very point was well understood by Jin Yue, the senior elder of the Tian Peng Clan, who had initially shown him such courtesy precisely because of the unusual nature of Han Li's Tian Peng transformation. As for the Dao Sect he later presented as a trade-off, it was a synthesis of his own refinement technique—derived from the Ling Xue cultivation method of the Gu Family—and the section on the Kung Peng transformation from the Jing Zhe Sect's Dao Sect. Indeed, it proved remarkably effective for the Tian Peng Clan, and otherwise, it would have been impossible to win their strong interest. Now that Jin Yue herself has expressed genuine willingness to pursue this transaction, Han Li's journey into the Earth's Deep Realm should be certain to succeed. Even though the Tianpeng clan was relatively weak among the Flying Spirit clans, Jin Yue was already a fully realized late-stage Saint Realm cultivator—this was nothing to write home about. If it weren't for that, he would have found it extremely difficult to enter the Earth's depths alone, let alone succeed easily. However, when he visited Jin Yue again half a month later, he would have to remain especially cautious, wary of the possibility that she might suddenly become passionate and take decisive action. Of course, with his subtle mention of Qingyuan Zi, a formidable late-stage Multiplicative Realm cultivator, such a possibility became quite unlikely. After carefully considering all this, convinced that everything was in order, Han Li gently withdrew his mind and settled into meditation, closing his eyes slowly. At the same time, within the grand hall of the Tianpeng Clan's Sacred City, the various elders had dispersed after a series of enigmatic discussions with Jin Yue, each of them displaying different expressions. The hall was now left with only Jin Yue seated in the main seat, her eyes flashing as she pondered deeply. Half a month had passed—time seemed to have flown by in an instant. That day, several streams of ethereal light departed the Sacred City, speeding directly toward the heart of the Fei Ling clan. Among these lights were Han Li in a green robe, Jin Yue in a flowing white robe, and a young woman whose body shimmered with subtle arcs of lightning. Her eyes were as clear as autumn water, and her silver bamboo attire untouched by dust—she was none other than Lei Lan, one of the two Sacred Masters of the Tian Peng clan.