"But will Qinglong truly leave Tianyuan City? Even if he is willing, won't the senior monks and elders be unwilling to let him go? After all, a mid-stage Consolidated Stage cultivator is a major strength for Tianyuan City today." Ice Phoenix still expressed her concerns. "A major strength? A man who couldn't withstand even three of my attacks—do you really think the senior monks hold him in such high regard? Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, during ordinary times, they might exert pressure on me to maintain their own dignity and prevent this from happening. But now, with the demonic army pressing right up to the city gates, how could they not clearly understand the relative importance of me and Qinglong to the current situation of Tianyuan City? I suspect they'll send a few messengers to persuade him, and eventually, he'll simply accept it." Han Li smiled calmly and spoke with little concern. "What you've said is true. Under the current dire circumstances, the senior monks certainly won't do anything to offend Brother Han. However, Qinglong will surely harbor deep resentment toward you. You will need to be more cautious in the future." Han, personally, need not fear this man, but he still wishes to remind his disciples a few things." Ice Phoenix thought for a moment, then smiled gently and offered a few reminders. "No need to go to such lengths. Qinglong will never pose any further trouble to me." Hearing this, Han's face took on a slightly puzzled expression, and only after a pause did he say, "What? Does Han intend to—?" Ice Phoenix, so sharp and perceptive, immediately grasped the meaning behind Han's words and was startled. "His heart is so narrow! Once a feud has been established, he will surely see no reason to keep Qinglong alive. In the world, how often does one find a thousand days of thievery, yet only a thousand days of vigilance?" Han exhaled softly, his tone growing colder. "Though Han has the intention to act with decisive force, this task may not be easy. At the very least, the city's senior monks would never allow Han to proceed so boldly. Even if your efforts succeed and remain well-concealed, the elders will inevitably suspect Han himself." "Ice Phoenix hesitated and said, 'I will not act within the city myself, nor will I personally appear—others will take care of it.' Upon hearing this, Han Li smiled lightly. 'Master Han, do you have other allies? Yet absolutely never let your guard down. Though the Azure Dragon appears helpless before you, he is still a mid-stage Consolidated Stage cultivator. Others may find it difficult to defeat him.' Ice Phoenix looked surprised but quickly replied with caution, 'Master Phoenix, please rest assured. Having made this decision, I have already carefully planned for every contingency to ensure success.' With confidence, Han Li responded. Then, he waved his sleeve, and a beam of yellow light shot forth, spiraling before transforming into a young girl about two or three years old. The child had fair, delicate skin and unusually dark eyes, standing before the two of them, gazing steadily at Han Li with an endearing charm. 'Go now! Keep a close watch on the Azure Dragon. If my guess is correct, he may not wait until the three days are up—he might quietly depart the city before then.' "You've followed him quietly to the outskirts of the city and found a quiet spot to learn about him," Han Li instructed the young girl like this. "But you're speaking too easily. I can certainly keep watch on him—my current abilities allow me to vanish completely, and even a late-stage Consolidation-stage cultivator would find it hard to detect me. However, to actually defeat him, I'm not sure I have the strength. After all, I've only recently taken my form, and though my power is slightly superior, the gap isn't substantial." The girl didn't move her lips, yet suddenly a young voice—no older than thirteen or fourteen—resounded in the hall. "Master Qinglong has already been injured. Even if he returns immediately to take medicine, he won't be able to recover fully within just a few days. Moreover, I've already made changes to his body. Once we engage in combat, he'll only be able to draw out three-tenths of his full power. You will have no difficulty defeating him at all," Han Li said, with a half-smiling, half-serious tone. "Oh, then everything will be fine." "You just need to wait for my good news!" The young girl blinked her eyes, smiled gently, and as her body shimmered with a golden glow, she faded into a faint, translucent silhouette, vanishing right where she stood. "As for the first cultivator, I truly don't think I'm worthy. The Jade Phoenix might not believe that Tianyuan City, with only its current visible strength, has been able to protect both human and spirit races for tens of thousands of years—when in truth, there are countless powerful cultivators hidden deep within the city, unknown even to its own leadership." Han Li said, his tone serious and firm. "Oh, so you've heard something?" Ice Phoenix asked, slightly surprised. "Not exactly—these are merely my own speculations. Then, we needn't dwell on these matters any longer. Once the demonic forces officially launch their assault on the city, everything will become clear. In the meantime, however, I would like the Jade Phoenix to lend me a hand." Han Li spoke with solemn determination. "A hand? Does Brother Han mean to—?" Ice Phoenix was momentarily stunned, but then recalled something, her cheeks flushing gently. "Indeed. Though my journey outside has come with its share of dangers, I've also encountered several fortunate opportunities. Now, I am confident I can break through the final barrier to reach the late Consolidation stage." "At this point, I may have to rely on my friend's Tianfeng Yuan Yin for a while," Han Li coughed lightly before speaking. "Back then, if it weren't for Brother Han's timely rescue, I would have had no idea which immortal beast had claimed me as its own, nor would I have been able to recover my spiritual power so swiftly, let alone advance to the Lianxi stage. Now, helping Brother Han break through his current bottleneck is entirely natural. But I wonder, when exactly would Brother Han begin his seclusion for cultivation?" The ice phoenix's cheeks flushed, then gradually faded, as she asked the question with seriousness. "If I didn't have absolute confidence in successfully breaking through my late-stage bottleneck, I wouldn't necessarily have felt compelled to do so. Regardless, should I succeed in this breakthrough, the仙子 will undoubtedly take the lead in this achievement. As for the timing—early or late—I will begin my seclusion immediately upon the return of the Bao Lin beast." Han Li replied without hesitation. Upon hearing this, the ice phoenix nodded naturally, showing no reservations. After a while of further conversation in the hall, the lady rose and gracefully excused herself. Han Li said nothing to detain him; after seeing him out the hall door, he returned to his meditation chamber to rest. At the same time, in another smaller stone tower about a hundred zhang high, Longqing the Elder sat pale on a wooden chair, with about a dozen male and female cultivators of varying ages standing scattered around him, all with bright, focused eyes, as if each of them possessed strong cultivation prowess. Sitting on another chair not far from Longqing’s, facing him, was a beautiful cultivator in her early twenties, wearing a purple floral basket tied at her waist—none other than Lin Luan, the other surviving Conjunction-level cultivator of Yitian City. Sensing the noticeably weakened aura emanating from Longqing, she sighed gently and said, “Master Longqing, you truly intend to leave Yitian City and seek the Holy Emperor’s service. After all, among the Four Great Sects, only you and I remain as Senior Elders. Should you depart now, I shall indeed be utterly alone in this city.” It might not be conducive to our disciples' standing in Tianyuan City. I myself would have preferred to stay, but under that person's pressure, I have no choice but to depart. You know something of his powers—though even together, we likely wouldn't stand a chance against him. What good would it do me to remain? Master Qinglong's lips twitched slightly, and a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes. Master Qinglong, had I known this would be the case, why did you originally have to provoke that Ice Phoenix Immortal? I've always found it strange—though she may possess certain grace, it hardly warrants such a significant risk on your part. Given my understanding of you, you are not typically someone so eager or impetuous. Surely, there must be another reason? Lin Luan frowned slightly, speaking with a touch of mild reproach. Indeed, I have some things to say, though it may now be too late to make a difference. To prevent this rogue from eliminating everyone, I shall leave immediately tonight. Should it not be for my intention to entrust my disciples to you, I had originally planned to keep this entirely secret. The Qinglong Monastery master smiled gently and said, "Our four great sects have always been closely connected, sharing the same roots. Even if my friend doesn't mention it, I would personally take good care of the Nine-Star Sect's disciples. Given that person's status, I believe he wouldn't deliberately trouble these younger members. Nevertheless, as Qing-brother heads to the Sacred Emperor's City, we don't need to put all our eggs in one basket. Should any unforeseen circumstances arise there, our other sects will still be able to ensure the continuation of our traditions." After a moment's thoughtful pause, Lin Luan nodded in agreement. "My decision also stems from such considerations. Then, let's not delay. I shall now depart. Besides two disciples, I'm taking no one else with me. Listen carefully—whenever I am no longer in Tianyuan City, all matters of the Nine-Star Sect shall be under the guidance of Lin Senior." The Qinglong master proved to be remarkably decisive. As he spoke, he immediately rose and issued clear instructions to his disciples. "We shall strictly follow the Elder's words!" The dozen or so disciples, hearing this, were struck with awe and unanimously agreed. The Qinglong Master nodded, bowed to Lin Luan, and then strode out of the hall. Two disciples stepped forward without a word, following closely behind. As the Qinglong Master and the two disciples vanished swiftly at the hall's entrance, Lin Luan slightly shook her head, a touch of regret evident on her face.