The Lin race had always been notably sparse compared to neighboring groups such as the Human-Monster hybrids. Furthermore, with Han Li and others deliberately choosing unusually remote and winding routes aboard their flying vessels, encounters with Lin族 members naturally became even rarer. The Lin people harbored no doubt about the transformed Mò Líng Sacred Vessel or the magical automata standing outside it. In fact, several members of the Craft-Spirit lineage even specifically greeted and inquired after these accomplished "fellow kin." Under Han Li's guidance, these humanoid automata effortlessly managed to pass off these visitors as genuine members of their own race. Two months later, the vessel finally arrived at the largest city of the central Lin region—the "Cuiyuan City." At a distance of over ten thousand miles beyond this city lay the entire Lin race's sacred sanctuary—the "Fú Líng Mountain," where resided the Lin race's most revered figure, the "Ling King," as well as several holy guards who had vowed never to leave the mountain. According to the Lin Clan's regulations, the area within three million li of this mountain has been designated a restricted zone, and Lin Clan members below the Combined Form are strictly prohibited from approaching it. Even for those at or above the Combined Form, without direct instruction from the Lin King, entry into the upper half of Fuling Mountain is forbidden—only brief stays in the lower midsection are permitted. In recent years, the Lin King, who previously regularly summoned new Saint Spirits to the sacred mountain, suddenly announced his intention to retreat and meditate on a mysterious cultivation technique. He then entrusted the management of clan affairs to several trusted Saint Spirits and completely sealed off the entire sacred site, no longer receiving any visitors. This was the first time in the history of the Lin Clan that such a mountain closure had occurred, naturally causing widespread excitement. Though these several Saint Spirits were highly respected and, under their joint efforts, managed to prevent major disruptions, rumors circulated steadily in the background. Ever since, an undercurrent of unusual tension and unease has permeated the Lin Clan. On the way here, Han Li and Mo Jianli had already gathered a clear understanding of the relevant developments... Although they were surprised by the unexpected changes within the Ling Clan, they did not alter their intention to meet the Ling King. After all, since the Ling King had recently engaged in a major transaction with a foreign cultivator for the Lei Xiao Seal, he could not truly be in seclusion for cultivation—he must be quietly plotting something else. Nevertheless, regardless of whatever secret plans the senior Ling cultivator might have, Han Li and Mo Jianli, who were determined to obtain the Lei Xiao Seal, would not waver in their resolve. After discussing the matter, they anchored the Mo Ling Sacred Vessel near Cuiyuan City, leaving Yin Yue and the other magical crystal puppets behind. Han Li and Mo Jianli then set off together toward Fuling Mountain. With this arrangement, should any unforeseen circumstances arise during their meeting with the Ling King, their senior cultivator status would ensure they could easily secure their own safety without any hindrance. Half a day later, Han Li and Mo Jian arrived silently, without anyone noticing, near the sacred mountain of the Ling Clan. Han Li raised his head and looked upward. Before him, a series of vibrant, multicolored rainbows stretched across the sky, and beneath each rainbow, a towering green mountain—over ten thousand zhang high—glimmered with faint, crystalline radiance. Even though Han Li had used a secret technique to make his body invisible, his pupils subtly narrowed. With his current strength, how could he fail to perceive the immense, intangible spiritual pressure emanating from this famed Ling Clan "sacred mountain," which seemed not merely a majestic peak, but a powerful, extraordinary treasure, far surpassing the might of his own several towering mountains. "This is quite impressive," remarked Mo Jian, who had also transformed his body into a transparent state, "The Ling King has gone to great lengths to reveal the mountain's true power and yet has completely sealed off this location. There must be something going on here." Clearly, this human cultivator also immediately perceived some profound subtleties of the mountain. "Mao brother, it seems the Ling Wang has indeed set up an exceptionally powerful array of restrictions here. Should we then actively proceed upward?" Han Li asked calmly. "Why not? Though this mountain may be remarkable, how could it truly withstand us two working together? Moreover, if we don't first demonstrate our capabilities, the Ling Wang might not even be willing to personally meet us. Won't Han Daojun suddenly change his mind at the last moment?" Mao Jianli chuckled warmly. "Since Mao brother is confident, how could I possibly hesitate? I will certainly stay with you until the end." Han Li found this perfectly natural and laughed heartily. Thus, after further discussion, they decided to proceed separately. Mao Jianli raised one hand and chanted incantations. Suddenly, an odd scene unfolded! The translucent body of this human cultivator, seemingly composed of pure essence, began to glow with a milky hue as the incantations resonated. Then, it gradually softened and collapsed, eventually dissolving into an ordinary, transparent liquid mass. As soon as it moved, it mysteriously sank into the ground, vanishing without a trace. This seal, crafted through a secret technique from the immortal realm, has gradually grown in potency with every increment of Han Li's cultivation. However, the several rare materials required for its creation are exceedingly scarce; the earlier seals he forged have long since been consumed. Even after Han Li's significant advancement in cultivation, he has only recently managed to produce a few new ones, which he typically reserves for rare occasions. Indeed, given Han Li's current capabilities, opportunities to compel him to conceal his form and move are not frequent. Now, as he seeks to enter Fuling Mountain and secretly meet the enigmatic spiritual king—whose allegiance remains uncertain—he has found a most fitting moment to deploy this seal. Upon transforming his body into an ethereal form, Han Li merely shifted his feet, and with a gentle drift, he floated toward a nearby mountain peak. As soon as his ethereal form entered Fuling Mountain, he immediately sensed several unusual fluctuations sweeping over him—only to pass through again, as if he had never existed at all. Han Li smiled slightly. He clearly sensed that these fluctuations were far beyond ordinary seals, yet he had not detected any trace of their presence—demonstrating how, after his advancement to the Great Perfection stage, the Taiyi Hua Qing Symbol had grown increasingly miraculous. With no further hesitation, Han Li soared directly upward. Throughout his journey, through a subtle connection of awareness, he clearly sensed that Mo Jianli had also employed some means to enter the mountain, silently weaving through the surrounding stones at a distance, moving smoothly and unimpeded. The two—one ascending, one descending—progressed in a perfectly coordinated manner toward the higher elevations. Along the way, groups of spiritual race guards periodically appeared, patrolling in formation. They wore armor of various colors, some radiating unusual glimmers, others appearing strangely humanoid or even monstrous. Yet each of them exuded strong vitality, most having attained the stage of Huashen or Lianxu. Such a level of cultivation was considered elite within the spiritual race, yet here, they were merely ordinary guards. Indeed, compared to ordinary mountains, this holy peak appears remarkably well-defended, utterly secure. Yet it might even prove capable of blocking the presence of towering figures like Han Li and Mo Jian, who have reached the stage of Great Perfection. Han Li, without hesitation, flew steadily along a mountain path, and soon reached the mid-slope, where he spotted a massive, deep-purple pavilion standing prominently. On either side of the pavilion, two middle-aged white-robed men sat cross-legged. One had a completely shaved head, yet his face was refined and scholarly; the other bore a rugged, uneven appearance, strikingly unattractive, yet his head glowed with a steady red light, as if a cluster of crimson flames surged within, resembling a fiery mane. However, what truly captured Han Li's attention was not their appearances, but the fact that upon a mere sweep of his spiritual awareness, he immediately recognized both as beings of the Consolidated Stage—one at the mid-phase, the other at the late-phase. Could these two be the very two holy spirits mentioned in the outside reports, responsible for overseeing all affairs of the holy peak? After a subtle thought, Han Li naturally arrived at this realization, yet his body remained motionless—just as he drifted, he flashed past the archway and appeared dozens of zhang away at the back. The two Li ethnic beings, in a state of stillness with their combined bodies closed and eyes shut, showed no sign of awareness. A smile played on Han Li’s lips as he prepared to simply proceed without further attention—when suddenly, the archway burst forth with a brilliant purple glow and resonated with a deep, booming hum. "Brave souls!" "Who has been hiding beneath here, spying silently!" At once, the two seemingly lifeless Li ethnic figures opened their eyes simultaneously, each issuing a sharp cry, and then moved forward and backward in unison. The bald Li ethnic man’s radiant aura flashed behind him, revealing a four-armed Buddha statue standing one zhang tall, shimmering with crystal clarity, both hands clasped together, holding a seven-colored seal. With a sudden motion, he swung the seal downward. A sharp "pffft" sound followed, and a column of seven-colored light erupted, piercing straight through the ground. Another Lin clan male, upon a sudden "thud," saw his head blaze with crimson flame, which instantly coagulated into a red silk net. This net then surged downward, enveloping a spiraling column of seven-colored light. The seven-colored column merely flickered and reached depths of several hundred zhang below the ground. One transparent shadow, unexpectedly swept aside, suddenly revealed its true human form—Mojianli, a human cultivator of the Great Stage. Before Mojianli could register his astonishment, the red silk net had already reached his head, spanning over a hundred zhang, and then erupted with a thunderous "boom," rolling down as a surge of roaring flame. Mojianli's expression darkened; with a cold exhalation, he suddenly flung his sleeve upward, and a surge of white vapor instantly erupted. Upon contact with the flame, the flames were swiftly drawn into the vapor, as if sinking without a trace, unable to approach him even an inch. A flicker of cold disdain still lingered on Mo Jianli's face. "Crack!" A crimson seal suddenly shot forth from the flames, then shimmered and dispersed into countless crimson threads. At the next instant, without any visible sign on his body, a sudden flash of red light appeared—immediately forming a solid crimson chain that materialized on his surface. After a single coil, it tightly bound him.