As the silvery great vessel entered just a hundred li of the vast city, it was immediately spotted by guards stationed atop the city walls. A commotion erupted along a stretch of the wall, and instantly, a group of immortal cultivators from the demonic race rose into the air, flying toward the vessel. "Welcome back, Elder!" Each of them wore armor of various colors, with cultivation levels ranging from Jin Dan to Yuan Ying. Even at a distance of several li, they halted their flight, bowing deeply and with profound humility. Clearly, these demonic beings were deeply familiar with Elder Ao Xiao's vessel, which accounted for their respectful demeanor. "Rise now," came Elder Ao Xiao's calm voice from within the vessel, carrying an undeniable authority that made resistance impossible. "Yes, respectfully obeying the Elder's command!" For over ten thousand years, Elder Ao Xiao had been a divine figure in the eyes of ordinary demonic beings, and thus, none of the bowing cultivators dared to hesitate or dissent. At once, the eldritch clans parted to either side, standing firmly at the flanks. The silver pavilion emitted a low hum and then surged forward, transforming into a radiant beam of silver light, rushing toward Muxian City. A short while later, shimmering light displays danced across the void ahead, and successive layers of protective seals automatically retreated, allowing the pavilion to soar directly into the uppermost tier of the great city, where it gently settled above a vigilant plaza. "You've been gone for quite some time now. If you don't return soon, I'm going to start wondering whether your old bones have settled in the demonic realm." The white-haired elder paused mid-step, then burst out with a hearty laugh. "Hmph. A few mere demonic youngsters really expect to hold me back? But if I truly don't return, I'm certain you'll be jumping up and shouting in frustration." With a cold snort, the elder from the floating pavilion replied calmly. Then, the pavilion suddenly glowed with a brilliant silver light and swiftly shrunk in size. When the light faded, the pavilion vanished, leaving behind several figures in its place. Leading them was a handsome man with a composed and serene demeanor—none other than the Elder Ao Xiao. Behind him stood two men and two women, who were Han Li, Yin Yue, and the others. The white-haired elder was slightly taken aback upon seeing so many people gathered before him, yet his face betrayed no change at all. Instead, he smiled warmly at Ao Xiao and said, "Brother Ao, the human and spirit clans have always stood together—side by side—through thick and thin. Should we truly lack your presence as the elder of the spirit clan now, I would be at a complete loss indeed." Although Master Ao Xiao did not mention the fate of the white-haired elder, the Mo family member, who was also a Great Transcendence stage cultivator, naturally had to be Master Mo Jian. "Han Li, isn't it the cultivator from our human race who achieved the Consolidated Stage after over a thousand years? I've heard you and a few others from Long family have already entered the demonic realm. Now you've suddenly appeared here—could it be that you just returned from the demonic realm?" Upon hearing Han Li's words, Master Mo Jian was momentarily stunned, then immediately brightened, clearly revealing Han Li's whereabouts over the past few years in just a few brief remarks. It was evident that this senior human cultivator had long taken notice of this rising star from the human race. Han Li was momentarily at a loss, then smiled wistfully and replied, "Master Mo, your insight truly is exceptional. Indeed, I have just returned from the demonic realm, which is why I have now arrived at this wooden race's territory and happened to meet Master Ao Xiao here." "Haha! To have remained undetected within the demonic realm for so many years and still return safely—indeed, you are no ordinary talent, a true "Mo Jianli chuckled warmly and praised with enthusiasm. 'Mo Old Ghost, you're already so delighted now! Look at the Daoist beside you—who is he?' Yet, Ao Xiao Old Master shook his head slightly and added, 'The one beside me... Hmm, his aura seems familiar. I've seen him somewhere before.' Mo Jianli glanced at Crab Daoist and his face briefly brightened with surprise. 'Heh, Mo Old Ghost, take a closer look,' Ao Xiao Old Master chuckled. 'Ah, Ao Xiao brother, you must have something in mind. It's strange—how he isn't a flesh-and-blood being. Isn't he that sacred crab from the Demon Realm?' Upon hearing this, Mo Jianli's curiosity surged instantly. His pupils flashed a gentle golden light, but then, in the very next moment, he gasped sharply, his voice rising in astonishment. 'I recognize you! Years ago, when you and several immortals from the Spirit Realm came to the Demon Source Sea, aiming to enter Kuling Island—yet you failed to cross the Thunder Sea's barrier and were severely wounded, retreating in defeat.' The Xie Dao人 suddenly spoke with a composed expression, and surprisingly recognized Mo Jianli. "Indeed, you are Xie brother! How did you transform into a human form and depart from the Magic Source Sea, and how did your cultivation level suddenly drop to the Consolidation stage?" Upon hearing this, Mo Jianli first showed a slight sense of embarrassment, but quickly shifted focus and asked further questions. "Mo Old Ghost, you didn't know? Xie brother and Han Dao friend got along well right away and have signed a pact, agreeing to stay with him for a while." The old master Ao Xiao spoke up promptly, with a look that conveyed deep meaning. "Such a matter indeed—Han... Han Dao friend, is this truly so?" Mo Jianli was filled with surprise and excitement, subtly changing his tone to address Han with a peerly formality. "Though there are other reasons involved, this event is genuine. Xie brother's sudden drop in cultivation level was due to a special technique he employed earlier; with some time passing, it will fully recover." Han Li smiled gently, maintaining his humble demeanor. "Excellent. Very good." Master Crab has resided in the Demon Realm for countless tens of thousands of years. Many powerful beings from various realms have long sought to secure his allegiance, yet none of the senior cultivators at the Master level have succeeded—until Master Han finally achieved it. It seems our human and spirit-creature lineages truly have promising successors. Hearing Master Han confirm this himself, Mo Jianli burst into joyful excitement. "Old Master Mo, if you hear of another matter, I'm certain you'll be even more delighted—perhaps even overwhelmed with joy. However, this isn't the ideal place for conversation. Let's go to your abode instead." Seeing this, Elder Ao Xiao rolled his eyes and said. "Indeed, there must be more good news—then I shall truly listen with great interest. Come, I have two bottles of 'Immortal Leaf Wine' offered by the Wood Clan, stored in my temporary dwelling. I'd be delighted to have each of you try them." Mo Jianli's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and he spoke without hesitation. The others, naturally, had no objections, and the group immediately proceeded toward the teleportation array on the plaza. Half an hour later, in a grand hall entirely constructed of deep purple spiritual wood, Mo Jianli sat in the main seat, while Ao Xiao, the Elder, and Han Li, along with Xie Dao-ren, sat to one side. Yin Yue and Zhu Guo'er stood quietly behind them. However, Yin Yue had regained her previously calm demeanor, while Zhu Guo'er radiated excitement. At that moment, Han Li was drinking a cup of spiritual wine that shimmered like a lake, thick and rich. As soon as the wine touched his throat, it instantly transformed into a pure stream of energy flowing throughout his body, spreading warmth through his limbs and leaving him feeling exceptionally comfortable and at ease. "Excellent wine!" Han Li's face briefly revealed surprise, and he murmured the praise. "This wine, known as the Immortal Leaf Wine, is brewed from the sap of the Sacred Tree of the Wood Clan. The entire Wood Clan only produces a hundred bottles over a century. Unless it's for the sake of honoring Han Dao-ren and Xie Brother, I would never have been willing to serve it out." After drinking his share, Mo Jianli smiled and said. "Unfortunately, the Sacred Tree of the Wood Clan was originally planted within the Wood Clan's sacred sanctuary. However, after the Magistrate Clan launched a large-scale invasion and the sanctuary had to be abandoned, the tree's trunk was transplanted to the city of Muxian. This relocation caused significant damage to its essence." Old Master Ao Xiao explained calmly from the side. "Moreover, the Grand Elder of the Wood Clan is currently resting and meditating within the tree, hoping to regain his Great Stage cultivation through the tree's spiritual energy. However, as I see it, this is extremely difficult—should there be any hope at all, it will likely take many years, and thus, they will be unable to contribute significantly during our current campaign against the Magistrate Clan." Mo Jianli sighed and said softly. "Currently, the Wood Clan's top-tier combat forces have been severely depleted in the ongoing conflict with the Magistrate Clan. We are solely able to maintain the present situation thanks to the support of our several clans. We cannot reasonably expect much more from them." Old Master Ao Xiao added, with a cold smile. "The Wood Clan has now fallen into such a state that it's far from certain whether they will still be able to remain an independent lineage within the Spiritual Realm in the future. However, even if that should happen, it would be a matter following the departure of the Magic Clan—something that has little to do with us now. As for the other good news you mentioned, Master Ao Xiao, could you please elaborate on what exactly it is?" After a deep breath, Mo Jianli shifted the topic and asked.