"Regarding this point, my good friend, please rest assured—unless encountering a senior master of the noble lineage at the peak stage, the investigation of my secret techniques will prove of little use to me," said Han with confidence. How indeed he could say this! Truly, within him flowed genuine Tianpeng spiritual blood, and his Wind-Thunder Wings had long been refined to resonate with his mind and spirit. Thus, to feign himself as a Tianpeng guard was a seamless performance. "Indeed, such confidence on your part is most reassuring. Master Lan, when we reach the Deep Abyss, I shall surely need your assistance," said Jin Yue, nodding and then turning to the silver-robed woman beside her. "Rest assured, Master," replied the silver-robed woman respectfully to Jin Yue. "Lan indeed possesses a secret technique that requires the refinement of Ice-Sundering Qi. Back in the past few decades, she herself has already visited the Deep Abyss once for this very reason. I believe the guards will have no suspicion at all." Yet, as her gaze shifted to Han, a subtle spark of astonishment still lingered on her composed features. Although she had already known, prior to departure, that Han Li—whom they had once relied upon during their early days—had returned to the Holy City as a mid-stage Holy Rank existence, she was still utterly astounded upon seeing him face to face. She had indeed recognized Han Li's extraordinary abilities during their time in the Deep Earth, far surpassing those of peers, but to see him advance to mid-Holy Rank within just a few centuries—this was truly astonishing! Nevertheless, as the current Holy Master, she naturally maintained composure, merely expressing her gratitude for his past assistance during their time in the Deep Earth with the proper junior respect, and silently concealing all her questions. As for the other Holy Master of the Tian Peng Clan, Bai Bi, it was said that she was currently in seclusion, deep in meditation on a specific cultivation technique, thus unable to emerge and meet Han Li. Upon hearing Lei Lan's explanation, Jin Yue smiled slightly, nodded, and said nothing further. Thus, the group of figures transformed into streaks of light, moving with astonishing speed, and in moments, the holy city had vanished completely from sight. …Several months later, Han Li and his companions finally caught sight again of the great city guarding the Deep Earth and the row of armored figures stationed along its walls. Jin Yue narrowed her eyes slightly and immediately took Han Li and Lei Lan, flying directly toward a specific city gate beneath the walls. At the jade-colored gate, several dozen earth-bound guards, each bearing wings of different colors, were raising their heads with alert gazes, observing them. As the streak of light faded, the three of them materialized right before these guards. Han Li had subtly altered his appearance and instantly reduced his inner qi to the level of a Lingxu stage cultivator. "Senior, are you from the Tianpeng Clan? I wonder what brings you here? It's not yet the time for the clans to rotate their guard shifts!" said the leading guard, a Lingxu中期 cultivator, who, after a respectful bow to Jin Yue, spoke with both dignity and composure. Although he couldn't discern the precise cultivation level of Jin Yue with his current attainment, he was certain that she was undoubtedly a Saint-stage being. As for Han Li and Lei Lan, however, it seemed as though they had been entirely overlooked by this person. It was no surprise, then, that he held such a demeanor. The guards stationed here, having fought continuously against territorial beasts over the years, possessed genuine strength and abilities far surpassing those of peers from other clans—thus, they naturally did not perceive any special significance in the presence of representatives from other clans. Seeing this, Jin Yue remained composed, offered a gentle smile, and then raised her hand. Instantly, a blue jade plaque flew out and, after a brief flash, settled into the hands of the leading guard. The guard, slightly puzzled, accepted the plaque, studied it carefully, and then his face changed, before he returned it with both hands, bowing respectfully and saying, "Apologies, I had indeed been remiss. I didn't realize you were the Senior Elder of the Tianpeng Clan, Jin Senior. According to the agreement signed among the clans years ago, our Senior Elders are entitled to enter and exit this location at any time. I believe you now have no further Jin Yue folded the jade plaque and spoke calmly. "Of course, how could I possibly obstruct the way?" The guard replied without hesitation, then waved his hand, and the other guards who had been blocking the city gate immediately moved to either side, clearing a path for entry and exit. Jin Yue didn't hesitate either—after a nod, she promptly led Han Li and the other two figures steadily through the city gate. On the other side of the gate, the scene remained much as it had been when Han Li had first arrived hundreds of years ago: a dense array of cylindrical pavilions, each rising about thirty to forty paces high, filling half the cityscape. Yet the number of people moving about within the city was sparse, with only a few squads of guards visible in the distance, patrolling the vast city. "Let's go—we won't need to stay overnight!" Jin Yue suddenly whispered into Han Li and Lei Lan's ears, then ascended once more, flying directly toward the far end of the great city. Han Li and Lei Lan followed silently. An hour later, the three of them arrived before another massive wall of a jade-green hue. On the face of this wall facing the city, there was clearly inscribed a magnificent, shimmering array of silver light. At the entrance to this array, a group of guards in various armor styles stood vigilant. However, something unusual was that, besides these straight-backed guards, there stood a middle-aged man in green armor, seated cross-legged on a mat, his eyes closed. Upon seeing this man, Han Li felt a sudden sense of alertness. Jin Yue's eyes also narrowed sharply. This man was none other than Jin Feng, the commander of the guards Han Li had once encountered—another formidable presence who had reached the peak of the Saint Realm. How had he come to appear here, personally guarding the entrance to the Deep Realm? Jin Yue's thoughts raced through her mind, yet she showed no outward surprise, merely offering a gentle smile and speaking: "It's truly a surprise to see Commander Jin here." "It has been hundreds of years since we last parted. How have you been these past years?" Upon hearing Jin Yue's voice, the man with green armor furrowed his brow and slowly opened his eyes. "I thought it was someone else—I hadn't expected to see the Jin Xianzi of the Tianpeng Clan here. You've left the Tianpeng Clan to pursue your cultivation, yet you've come to this place. How so?" The man asked directly. "That question seems more suited to my younger sister, doesn't it? When did the need arise for the Jin Commander to personally guard the entrance to this deep earth realm?" Jin Yue asked with a gentle smile. "Indeed, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't personally intervene. But now, with this matter at hand, I simply cannot remain idle." Jin Feng spoke calmly. "A matter of great significance?" Jin Yue was momentarily surprised. "About a month ago, I received word that a bandit had attacked the warehouse deep within the earth realm, seizing all the rare minerals extracted over several years, and killing half of the guards stationed there. This thief's abilities are truly extraordinary." I've already dispatched a large number of law-enforcement officers into the Deep Earth. This is the only access point to and from the Deep Earth, and now the city is somewhat depleted—ordinary guards may not be able to stop this man. I'll have to take personal charge!" Jin Feng chuckled. "Indeed, something like this has happened! As far as I remember, Qin Elder has been personally stationed at the mining veins of the Deep Earth, hasn't he? Can it be that even with Qin Elder's修为, he's unable to hold this rogue?" Jin Yue was astonished, finding it hard to believe. "This rogue is exceptionally cunning—he struck suddenly during the half-day when Qin Elder was temporarily away from the mining veins. When Qin Elder received the message and returned, the man had already succeeded in escaping. Now, Jin Xianzi, may I ask you to explain your purpose for arriving here? Although the Grand Elder has the right to enter and exit the Deep Earth, he must have a legitimate reason." After taking a deep breath, the man in green armor suddenly flashed a bright gaze at Jin Yue, fixing his eyes on her. "It's not that I have urgent matters to attend to in the Underworld; rather, our clan's Lord of Lightning, Lei Lan, needs to draw upon the Qi of Ice and Death to refine his cultivation, and thus must enter the Underworld once again." Jin Yue indicated Lei Lan with a nod and smiled gracefully in reply. "Jin Yue remained calm, responding with composure. "With Jin Xianzi accompanying us, what further guards would we need? I believe he need not enter the Underworld at all. After all, the current situation down there is rather complicated—fewer people entering would be better." The man in green armor narrowed his eyes and glanced at Han Li, then suddenly said this. Upon hearing this, Lei Lan's expression slightly changed, and Han Li's demeanor also shifted. Jin Yue, however, showed no sign of agitation. Instead, she shook her head and said, "This won't do! Though Han Xianzi is merely a guard, his connection to the Sovereign is quite close, and his presence is crucial to Lei Sovereign's current cultivation journey. If that were not the case, why would I have traveled all this way to bring him along?" "Jin Xianzi must be jesting! How could a mere guard be so closely tied to Lei Sovereign's cultivation?" The man in green armor was momentarily stunned, then smiled faintly, clearly unconvinced. Jin Yue smiled slightly at this, then gently moved her lips—without making a single sound—and directly transmitted her words to the man. A moment later, the green-armored man first looked slightly puzzled, then a look of dawning comprehension appeared on his face, and he chuckled lightly, drawing a slight smile at the corner of his mouth. "Ah, now I understand. With that, I have little else to say. Then let us all go in together." Speaking thus, the Jin Commander glanced back and forth between Han Li and Lei Lan with a strangely attentive gaze. Though neither Han Li nor Lei Lan showed any outward reaction, they both felt deeply confused internally. Yet, since the man had finally agreed, they both expressed their gratitude in turn.