"Since the senior has already advanced to the Great Vehicle stage and noticed me right away, no matter how much I try to deceive myself, I know it's impossible to simply rely on a few words to pass your scrutiny." The bearded man smiled gently and said. "Heh, before meeting you, I never thought that the true form of the celestial Tianlan Sacred Beast, so renowned in the human realm, would actually be one of the Seven Great Demigods. Tianlan Daojun, your Tianlan avatar is indeed quite reserved—during your time in the human realm, not a single word about your presence ever leaked out." Han Li chuckled, his gaze somewhat unusual. This was indeed the true form of the celestial Tianlan Sacred Beast in the human realm. Such a development was utterly unexpected. "I never imagined that over a thousand years ago, a human cultivator whom I once considered utterly insignificant would now have grown into a Great Vehicle cultivator who even requires my admiration. Moreover, we have never had any grievances with each other, and in fact, your avatar has even developed a certain rapport with me." And now that I hold the position of elder, wouldn't you truly find it necessary to bother me, this junior? Said at the end, the bearded man's voice dipped slightly. "Indeed, your human-world avatar shares a certain kinship with me. Yet, when you first arrived, it nearly teamed up with others to claim my life. I'll settle the account with you, the original, and it seems quite reasonable, doesn't it?" Han Li smiled gently, effortlessly delivering words that left the mouse king speechless. "Back then, the matter in the human realm was entirely a misunderstanding. My avatar arrived through a borrowed body and initially possessed no spiritual awareness—merely exploited by others. Moreover, didn't you eventually transform from adversary to friend with that Tianlan Saint Maiden as well?" In a moment of urgency, the immortal mouse king quickly defended himself. "You're right in part, but it all depends on whether I'm willing to accept your explanation!" After a calm smile, Han Li spoke with deep intention. "Master Han, what exactly must I do to settle the matter from our past? Regardless of the conditions, as long as I can fulfill them, I will never hesitate." Under Han Li's steady gaze, the Tian-Tian Mouse King finally began to grasp the meaning, pondering for a moment before firmly declaring. Though Han Li's words had been somewhat blunt, before the overwhelming gap in their respective strengths, the Tian-Tian Mouse King could only sigh and accept his fate. "Very well. Since the Tian-Tian Daoist is willing to make some amends regarding the past, I won't press the matter any further. Then, simply inform me of the current whereabouts of my six-winged frost serpent—this shall settle the matter." Han Li yawned lazily, speaking lightly at first, but as the final two sentences reached the ears of the Tian-Tian Mouse King, they thundered like a storm, causing him to pale as if struck by lightning. "The Six-Winged Frost Centipede—Master Han, you're jesting. That creature didn't just wander off on its own; how could I possibly know where it ended up?" The Heavenly Mouse King, startled, immediately defended himself with a reflexive response. Yet as soon as the words left his mouth, his expression shifted, now showing clear regret. "Ah, when did I ever tell anyone that the Six-Winged Frost Centipede simply left on its own?" Master Han's expression was both amused and firm, and he asked the question without hesitation. "Very well. I must admit I do know some details about that Six-Winged Frost Centipede. But before I reveal where it is, I'd like to understand—how exactly did you learn that I had seen it? I've never mentioned this to anyone else." The bearded man's face grew somewhat embarrassed. After a moment's thought, he realized he could no longer conceal the truth and sighed, yet still pressed on with a lingering sense of reluctance. "This is simple! You should have been able to deduce it yourself, without me needing to explain." Han Li's face flashed with a subtle expression of surprise, and he smiled lightly in reply. "I should have been able to deduce that—the six-winged frost centipede was once the spirit companion entrusted to Master Han, so perhaps that's why..." The bearded man's eyes darted rapidly, finally settling into a look of dawning comprehension. "Indeed. Although the six-winged frost centipede severed its bond of blood covenant with me and broke free from my control, a faint, almost imperceptible connection of spirit still remained. Since you've shared time with it, you naturally absorbed a trace of its essence. Though after such a long interval, this trace has grown so subtle that it's nearly imperceptible, it still escapes my spiritual perception." Han Li offered no concealment, simply stating the matter openly. "Ah, now I understand! Yet, there must also be a significant contribution from Master Han's sudden surge in spiritual prowess—how could an ordinary person, relying solely on spiritual awareness, detect a trace from years ago? And just at this moment, I happened to encounter Master Han face to face!" "Heard this, the sturdy man with flowing beard had his face shifting between gloom and brightness for a while, before finally sighing with a touch of resignation. "Well, I've now told you everything you wanted to know. It's time for me to speak of that six-winged frost serpent. You're a discerning companion—surely you won't utter anything unreliable, shall you? Should I ever locate that spirit creature, I'll easily verify the truth." Han Li spoke with a calm, composed tone. "Indeed, this matter begins with the 'Reverse Spiritual Yin Method' I received back then. This technique is truly a celestial marvel—an inversion of the inner secret art of the Golden Hall and Jade Scroll. Back then, I once..." The Heavenly Mouse King could no longer withhold any further details, and began to recount everything from the beginning. Han Li sat quietly across from him, maintaining a composed expression, though his mind stirred with waves of emotion at various points. "Thus, since parting ways with the Six-Winged Frost Serpent back then, I have never received a single word from him. Had it not been for his very soul-plate, which I still hold, I would hardly be certain whether he has indeed survived throughout the wild, untamed world." After a deep sigh, the Heavenly Mouse King finally concluded his narration, and with graceful consideration, pressed his palm against his waist, producing a pale blue crystalline plate, which he then respectfully offered to Han Li in both hands. Han Li glanced lightly at the crystal plaque without immediately taking it, instead pondering and asked, "According to your account, the six-winged frost centipede has acquired your Inverse Spiritual True Yin, not only advancing to the Consolidated Stage but even possibly reaching the Great Perfection stage in the future. Does this sound a bit exaggerated?" "Master Han, it's not that my statement is overly ambitious. Indeed, the Inverse Spiritual True Yin possesses a truly miraculous effect—capable of turning the tide and even reshaping the very fabric of heaven and earth. If it weren't for my own race and inherent aptitude, which made me fundamentally unable to cultivate this method, I would never have readily passed it on to this spirit creature." The King of the Heavenly Mouse shook his head vigorously. "Hmm. It seems your account is indeed credible. Then, let us settle our past grievances." After a moment's further reflection, Han Li's expression softened, and with a single hand gesture, he smoothly seized the crystal plaque from the bearded man. Seeing this, the King of the Heavenly Mouse finally felt completely at ease. With their current attainments and standings, it would naturally be impossible for them to utter any more empty words about such trivial matters. Han Li swiftly scanned the crystal plaque with his divine awareness, nodded, and immediately rose to his feet, as if preparing to depart. The Heavenly Mouse King also hurried to rise and see him off. Han Li waved his hand, gently urging the young lady not to bother with formalities, yet directly stated, "I have come here merely to ask one question. I hope Xiao Xian can answer it truthfully." "After all, Master Han, please go ahead and ask. As long as I know anything, I will speak without reservation," the woman in black silk hesitated slightly before responding with a touch of caution. "Please don't worry. I'm not asking about any trivial matters. I simply wish to know how Dai'er is doing these days. Since the magical calamity began, I've lost contact with her. Has anything untoward happened to her?" Han Li sensed the thoughts swirling within the woman's mind, and spoke calmly. "Oh, Dai'er... Please rest assured. Among our Black Phoenix clan's younger generation, Dai'er's talent is truly outstanding. Therefore, as soon as the calamity began, I assigned her to retreat with several other clan disciples into our clan's secret sanctuary for closed cultivation. To this day, she has not yet emerged from her meditation." The black-dress woman was momentarily startled, yet with a sense of relief, said, "Well, as long as Dai'er is unharmed, I'm at ease. Xiao Xian, rest now." Han Li said nothing, merely nodded in satisfaction, and then, with a slight shift of his shoulders, vanished silently right before her eyes—his teleportation technique leaving her completely unaware of its subtlety. The Black Phoenix King stared at the spot where Han Li had disappeared,怔怔, and only after a long while sighed deeply, settling back onto the ground to continue his meditation. After another subtle shift of his form, Han Li appeared in his usual meditation chamber, calm and composed, sitting cross-legged without any urgency. This time, he had fortunately reached the stage of Great Enlightenment. Though the profound transformations in both his physical body and spiritual power required time to consolidate and adapt, only then could he truly manifest the full strength of a Great Enlightened being. Nevertheless, before that, there was still one matter to attend to. Han Li's expression remained unchanged, yet when he shook his sleeve slightly, a resonant hum immediately echoed through the air, and three clusters of golden flowers shot forth. As soon as they reached his head, they surged forward with the wind, rapidly expanding into massive forms several zhang in size.