The entire luminous array shimmered with white light and silver glyphs, its stars twinkling within, as if transforming into a river of the Milky Way. At this sight, Jin Yue's eyes flickered, and her expression grew serious. Yet in the next instant, her demeanor suddenly shifted, and she roared, "Who is hiding there? Come out!" As soon as the words left her lips, a hand surged forth from within her sleeve without any prior sign, reaching out and grasping the space around her. A powerful, invisible force pressed down. "Boom!" The space beneath the force erupted into a burst of silver lightning. A flash of electricity followed, and a silver serpent shot forth, racing straight toward the array. The serpent moved with such speed—seeming to cover miles in an instant—that it was unaffected by the immense force. Jin Yue was momentarily stunned, still catching her breath, when the serpent had already plunged into the array. At nearly the same time, as a sharp, piercing cry erupted from the vast light array, a column of white light surged forth, flashing and instantly tearing through the void over a thousand zhang, vanishing into a dark, spontaneously appearing hole. The light array then gradually softened its cry, its luminous glow dimming and finally dissipating entirely. The white circular disc originally at the center of the array crumbled into fragments and was completely reduced to nothing. "Senior Elder, who was that person? It seemed to have traveled with Master Han!" Lei Lan, watching beside, was utterly stunned, murmuring these words only after a long pause. "This person's lightning technique is remarkably unique—he managed to escape my spiritual control. He is likely the thief the enforcement team has been searching for." Jin Yue's expression was equally displeased, yet she swiftly identified the identity of the electric serpent. "Wait—this very thief! He has broken through the boundary with the others. Won't there be any issues with that?" Lei Lan gasped, surprised. "Rest assured, Friend Han, my cultivation techniques and divine powers should not fall short of yours. Even if that person is transported alongside us, they will likely struggle to make much headway under your care. Nevertheless, this rogue has been quietly observing us from afar since several days ago—perhaps even since the massive crater we encountered. His ability to remain undetected, allowing us to remain unaware throughout, is truly extraordinary. It's no wonder so many enforcement squads have been dispatched yet still cannot manage to make an impact upon him! Still…" Jin Yue shook her head, but then a faint expression of doubt appeared on her face. "Still what?" Lei Lan asked, slightly puzzled. "Still, there's something peculiar about his aura—it seems to blend with the essence of a wild beast. It bears a resemblance to the thunder cloud eagles of the primeval world, yet it's not quite the same," Jin Yue said, narrowing her eyes and pondering for a while, her voice somewhat uncertain. "A wild beast's essence? Could it be that this person has been tending a spiritual creature?" Lei Lan mused, reflecting. "It's not quite like that. This aura has merged completely with his, as if he were no longer an independent entity. Well, regardless, our purpose has been fulfilled this time, and this matter should remain quiet. Now, let's leave immediately. We came here under the pretext of helping you refine your cultivation, so we can't simply skip the training at the Ice Devouring Realm. Moreover, the disturbance we caused when we broke through the space just now was quite noticeable—others are likely to come here soon. By leaving now, we avoid drawing suspicion from them." Jin Yue said calmly after a brief thought. "Your words are most insightful!" Jin Yue nodded in agreement. Thus, with a simple flick of her sleeve, Jin Yue gathered the lingering golden light and dispersed the residual ripples of the light array, and then took off with Lei Lan, transforming into two streaks of brilliant light. It seems the one who plundered the deep veins of the Earth's core is also someone you've been after," Han Li said, each word carefully articulated. Although, at the very instant before the transmission began, he had noticed the intruder's presence, the transmission had already commenced. To prevent disruption of the magical array, he had only been able to reluctantly allow the intruder to join him in arriving at this realm of Yin He River. Yet he had never expected that, upon seeing the intruder's face clearly, he would instantly recognize him. "Oh, from the tone of your words, it seems you know me well!" Standing dozens of zhang away across from him was a middle-aged man with a thin, weathered frame, dressed in a blue robe. He smiled gently at Han Li, appearing calm and composed. "How has your lightning beast been progressing lately?" Han Li asked with a subtle smile, a hint of coldness in his tone. "It's likely your ascension to the Saint Realm is closely tied to this creature." "But who exactly are you, and how do you know about the lightning beast?" The lean, thin man's gentle smile instantly transformed upon hearing the word "Thunder Beast," and he exclaimed in surprise and alarm. At the same time, a formidable aura of early consolidation radiated from him, pressing directly and unrelentingly upon Han Li. This man was precisely the fish-named merchant whom Han Li had met during his time in the heavenly Pigeon Clan's holy city. Back then, the man had used the Qing Luo Fruit as bait, asking Han Li and two other cultivators at the Transcendent Realm level to assist him in subduing the Thunder Beast. After successfully capturing it, he suddenly turned hostile and killed the other two. Han Li, relying on his superior cultivation techniques beyond his peers, managed to secure a single core of the Qing Luo Fruit and then parted ways with the man, each of them wary of the other. At that time, Han Li had already sensed that the man's identity was profoundly mysterious—far beyond a mere member of the heavenly Pigeon Clan. Now, after several centuries, the man had advanced to the early Saint Realm stage, further confirming this impression. Yet Han Li's aura had changed dramatically, and his appearance, shaped by the secret techniques he was employing, no longer reflected his true visage. Though he had managed to stabilize his cultivation at the late stage of the Transcendent Realm, it still bore little resemblance to how he appeared when they first met. It was no wonder the fish merchant could not immediately recognize him. Otherwise, once he learns of Han Li's true cultivation level, it's far from certain whether he would act as he has. Upon hearing the other's words, Han Li offered a slight smile, but in the very next moment, suddenly released all the internal energy he had been suppressing. A formidable spiritual pressure, far exceeding that of a typical Consolidated Stage cultivator, surged upward instantly. "Mid-stage Saint Rank cultivation! You must be from a noble lineage—anyone of Saint Rank mid-stage or above from the Fei Ling clan, I would certainly recognize. How is that possible?" The fish shop owner's face subtly paled, his eyes narrowing in surprise. Yet surprisingly, he remained remarkably composed, showing no signs of agitation. "Since you don't recognize me, there's no need for further words. Your recent raid on the underground mine's warehouse must have yielded substantial gains, I assume. I won't be overly demanding—just hand over these items, and I'll allow you to depart. These materials shall serve as my thanks for your having used my array to escape." Han Li spoke calmly, without immediately revealing his identity. "I wondered why my friend had gone on so at length with me—turns out, he was merely seeking those materials. This is quite straightforward. Indeed, it was thanks to your assistance that I managed to escape the pursuit. A modest compensation is quite appropriate. Please take it!" Upon hearing this, the man named Yu smiled gently, without a trace of annoyance. He then flipped his hand, and suddenly a blue circular ring appeared in his grasp. With a flick of his wrist, he threw it toward Han Li. When the two grids collided, the silver grid spun around and suddenly transformed into an odd lightning spell array. In an instant, the blue grid quietly faded, absorbed entirely by the array with no trace of its power remaining. The fish merchant was startled by this development. Yet Han Li merely lightly touched the array with a fingertip. Immediately, the array roared like thunder and then vanished into nothingness. "This time, I can forgive you, friend," Han Li said, a cold glint of determination flashing across his face. "I'll give you one more chance—hand over those rare minerals now, and you may still leave unharmed. Otherwise, heh…." He smiled coldly. Back then, the other had not been friendly toward him, even plotting to secretly undermine him. Now that he had been transported here together, it was likely he harbored no better intentions. If that were the case, Han Li would certainly not be lenient. If the other party truly proves tactful and surrenders what has been taken, then he will simply let them fade away on their own in this realm of the Underworld. Otherwise, he has no intention of sparing them—he will certainly put an end to them. With his own powers, though the other party appears to have some strength, he will not find it troubling at all. "It seems you truly know me well, Master. Then, if that's the case, I shall—" The fish merchant's face flickered between gloom and hope, and ultimately he opened his mouth, clearly ready to yield. Yet at that very moment, a cold breeze surged from behind Han Li, causing dozens of translucent, crystalline needles to emerge and swiftly transform into silver threads, which then shot toward Han Li's forehead. At the same time, a thunderclap erupted suddenly above Han Li's head! A brilliant flash of lightning appeared, with countless arcs leaping forth, each glowing in an eerie blend of gold, silver, and blue. Within this storm of light, a strange creature—half-human, half-bird—was faintly visible, and as it opened its mouth, a massive, tri-colored lightning arc surged downward, splitting the