"Han, why are you so cold? After all, we've met several times—there's certainly some acquaintance between us. However, this time, I've indeed had a specific reason to stop you. I'd like to make a trade with you—would you be interested?" said Bao Hua with a warm smile. Bao Hua lightly tapped the void around her with a single finger, and instantly several strands of fine silk flashed out, then vanished almost immediately into the emptiness. At once, ripples spread throughout the entire dune, and an invisible seal instantly enveloped the entire expanse of space. Bao Hua moved gracefully to take her seat across from Han Li, smiling warmly. The wine was as clear as water, and the purple fruit crisp and sweet, like pears. As soon as Han Li set down his wine cup, Bao Hua straightened her expression and spoke proactively: "In fact, the transaction I'd like to make with you this time is quite simple—I merely wish to ask you, at a specific time not far off, to intervene and temporarily hold someone in place, so that I may have the time to carry out a plan I've been preparing for a long time." "Holding someone in place! Shouldn't you be a bit more specific about it? Someone who even makes me deeply uneasy—how could that possibly be an ordinary person?" Han Li smiled calmly, as if entirely unsurprised. "You are quite right. This person is indeed someone I would rather not face directly, even in person. All I ask is that you hold them for a while—no need for you to engage in a life-or-death battle with them. I believe this should not be too difficult for you." If Master Han truly manages to accomplish this, then even though I shall owe you a great favor, whenever you need anything in the future, as long as I am able, I will never hesitate to assist. What do you think of this arrangement? Bo Hua gazed steadily at Master Han's face, calm and composed. "For me to owe you such a promise—this cost is certainly not small. Yet, which one exactly do you intend for me to handle? I would like to know his name first." Master Han replied, his eyes flashing with intent. "This person, Master Han, is someone you should already be familiar with—he is..." Bo Hua's face bloomed with delight, but after a slight pause, she directly transmitted her words through inner speech. "Is that him? Master Han, are you jesting with me? I am only a newly attained stage of Great Transcendence, barely established—how could I possibly hold onto someone like this? Bo Hua, you should seek someone else." After listening carefully, Master Han slightly furrowed his brows and promptly declined. "Master Han, please don't dismiss this too soon—I still have one more thing to show you before I make my final decision." "Bao Hua smiled slightly and raised her hand. A beam of white light shot out, flashing briefly and then arriving at Han Li's side. It was a translucent jade bottle no larger than a palm. Han Li moved his arm and caught the bottle in his hand, glanced at it carefully, and then his eyes slightly narrowed. "What is your intention, Dao Friend Bao?" Han Li did not immediately open the bottle, but asked coldly. "I have offered a promise, together with this item, in exchange for one act of assistance from you," Bao Hua replied without hesitation. Han Li hummed, said nothing further, and then directly struck the bottle open with his hand, scanning it with his divine awareness. "Divine Glue Pill," he murmured, his face suddenly changing, almost gasping. "I didn't expect you, Dao Friend Han, to be so well-versed—your immediate recognition of this pill is truly impressive." Upon seeing this, Bao Hua's face briefly revealed a touch of surprise. "This pill is one of the few rare elixirs that also nourish the essence of the Mahayana path, especially beneficial for those who have only recently attained Mahayana cultivation. However, the method of preparing this pill has long since been lost. Where did your esteemed friend obtain it from?" Han Li held the bottle of medicine, his face shifting between expressions of concern and uncertainty. "I once obtained this pill during my early years from the dwelling of an ancient cultivator. At that time, I collected seven pills, but after so many years, I now possess only this single one. I hope, Han Daojun, you can appreciate the sincerity of my offering." Bao Hua spoke gently. "It seems you have indeed placed your trust in me. Do you truly believe I can keep that person engaged? Are you not afraid that, should my abilities fall short, I might inadvertently delay your important matter?" Han Li said after a light exhalation. "To be honest, before this gathering, I had originally intended to seek someone else—someone other than Brother Han. While this friend possesses admirable abilities, I still feel confident only in about half of my chances of successfully engaging that person." Han Daoyou is quite different! Before you attained the Mahayana stage, you already possessed powers capable of directly challenging Mahayana practitioners. Now, after your attainment, your strength has surged dramatically—perhaps even several times over. Should we take it seriously, I daresay you might even surpass me. This mission is of utmost importance to me, and since I need an ally, I naturally seek someone I can fully trust. Even if it means making some sacrifices, I am more than willing. "Bao Hua smiled lightly, a hint of grace subtly appearing in her dark brows. "Given that Bao Hua holds such high regard for me, if I were to refuse now, it would seem rather ungrateful. Very well, I will lend my support once. However, besides this pill and a promise, there is one additional condition. Should you also agree, I can guarantee to keep that person occupied for a full day and night, giving you ample time to carry out your plans." Han Li's eyes flashed several times before he suddenly smiled and said. "Ah, please share your condition with me, Han Daoyou!" "Buah's smile faded slightly, carrying a tone of seriousness. "Should you take charge of the Demon Realm once more, I demand that throughout your lifetime, the Demon race shall never again invade the Spiritual Realm during the periods when the two realms converge!" Han Li stared at Buah, speaking each word with deliberate clarity. "This is absolutely impossible! Han, you surely find this condition excessive. After all, you're only asking me to assist you once—how bold of you to set such a condition!" Buah's face darkened, her tone somewhat impatient. "Though I may not be fully aware of the specifics of your plans, I am certain that by tying Han to that person, this very moment presents the most opportune chance for your strategy. Moreover, I believe no one in the current Demon Realm, aside from myself, could offer you the same level of support. Are you truly considering going directly to that old bronze-raven elder? I wonder if he's willing to take the risk at all. Even if he is, the price he demands will likely be several times higher than what I'm prepared to pay. After all, few would willingly establish a major adversary simply for such costs." Han Li replied calmly. "Hmph, don't you fear offending that person at all?" Bo Hua's expression darkened as she raised an eyebrow in query. "Bo Hua, why ask me this again? I already offended that person back then. To offend him once more now would surely be nothing out of the ordinary." Han Li smiled calmly and replied with little concern. "That does sound reasonable. Yet, I cannot possibly cancel the sacred ritual marking the convergence of the two realms. However, should I regain control of the Sacred Realm, I can certainly ensure that my people refrain from entering your human realm even a single step during the ritual period." Bo Hua's expression shifted several times before she finally responded slowly. "It's not enough just to restrict the humans. What about the elven race as well? Humans and elves have always moved in tandem in the spiritual realm. If the demonic race invades the elven domain, we humans cannot simply remain indifferent." After a moment of thoughtful reflection, Han Li decisively stated. "Agreed. If the restriction applies only to the human and elven races, then I will accept this condition." "This time, Bao Hua merely thought it over and immediately agreed. "Very well, I'll take this pill first. We'll each make a vow to our heart demons, and then discuss the specific details of our actions," Han Li said with a smile. Bao Hua naturally agreed without hesitation. Three months later, above a desolate valley in the realm of the demons, shimmering hues of dawn flashed and thunderous drumbeats resonated throughout the skies. Dense ranks of demon soldiers filled the entire valley, their numbers reaching into the hundreds of thousands—some riding on their vehicles, others floating effortlessly upon the waves of magical aura.