"Dealing with a peer of equal standing is no simple matter—this requires careful consideration on my part." The San-quan Daoist frowned deeply, only after a moment did he reply with a serious expression. "That is certainly expected. How about this: I shall wait here for my friend for several days. Should you be willing to join me and lend a hand within three days, we shall set out together. Should you not be willing, then I shall seek out Qiu-Yuan Daoist of Xue-Yuan Gorge. He specializes in the technique of absorbing marrow, which has proven exceptionally effective against peers of equal strength." Huang Yuanzi spoke calmly and without change in expression. "Agreed—I shall provide you with a response in three days' time." The San-quan Daoist nodded subtly, then, with a single hand gesture, his form blurred and vanished from the sky above the grassland. Huang Yuanzi chuckled, shook his great sleeve, and a object flew forth from within. A tremendous roar echoed. Golden light surged across the grassland, and suddenly, a magnificent golden palace appeared out of nowhere. A graceful, palace-dressed woman with a blooming beauty stepped out from the hall doors, immediately bowing deeply to Huang Yuanzi and repeatedly calling him "Master." Huang Yuanzi smiled gently and strolled in with a relaxed, self-assured air. ...On the images near the Feilin clan, a massive black vessel was speeding through the sky. On the fore and aft decks of the vessel, several dozen powerful magical crystal automaton soldiers stood at attention. Whenever an unruly sea creature leapt out of the water, several of the automaton arms would instantly move, launching dense streams of light columns. The sea creatures that obstructed the path were instantly pierced and reduced to nothing but vapor. At the very top of the vessel, in a beautifully appointed hall, Han Li sat on a slender silver chair, his eyes closed, deeply contemplating. Flower Shi and Zhu Guo'er stood respectfully behind the chair. Although the Mo Ling Holy Vessel was at their disposal and Han Li was not entering the wilderness world for the first time, it had already been over two years since they departed from Wuyi Island. Sitting on another chair nearby, a cold woman in white robes was present, her eyes slightly reddened, with a peculiar crimson symbol subtly glowing faintly across her brows and forehead. "Blood-Pulse Brother, we're approaching the territory of the Fei Ling Clan shortly. The Wind-Yuan Continent is so vast, I'm sure you've never been here before," Han Li said, smiling warmly at the woman seated on the chair. This white-robed woman was precisely the Blood-Pulse Embodiment of the Ice-Pulse Immortal. After Han Li left Wuyi Sea two years ago, he did not immediately proceed to the wilderness world, but instead visited the Xu family and brought this woman along. Upon hearing Han Li's question, the woman immediately bowed slightly, responding with a respectful tone: "Master Han, indeed, I have never had any contact with the Fei Ling Clan." However, it seems that this clan possesses several divine spiritual techniques linked to the ancient true spirits, and thus holds a distinguished reputation. "The Fei Ling clan was one of the places I visited during my travels. I have a close friend who has been residing and practicing here, so whenever I pass through this region, I naturally make it a point to visit him. As for the matter you mentioned regarding the intercontinental teleportation slots—do you truly believe that this is reliable? Wouldn't we arrive only to find ourselves empty-handed and disappointed?" Han Li casually explained, then suddenly changed his tone and asked. "Rest assured, Master. The He Lan Commercial Alliance is one of the few secret powers in the spiritual realm that spans three continents. Even compared to the great clans such as Jiao Chi, it is hardly inferior in strength, which is why it is capable of maintaining intercontinental teleportation arrays. Due to certain special circumstances, the alliance auctions off intercontinental teleportation slots periodically. Had it not been for my own fortunate status as a guest of honor within the alliance—granting me access to the auction—I would never have known of this arrangement." This year marks the time when such an auction is being held again. Should it occur once more, it might have to wait several decades—perhaps even two or three centuries. Therefore, the number of strong representatives from various races attending this auction will surely be substantial." Blood Soul explained in detail. "As for the He Lan Trading Alliance, I now have some knowledge of it. However, when I returned from Leiming Continent years ago, I might not have needed to go through all these complications if I had known such an auction existed back then. Still, considering my status at the time, I doubt I would have even had the opportunity to meet the He Lan Trading Alliance." Han Li smiled lightly. "Indeed. An auction offering intercontinental transportation slots is no small matter even for the He Lan Trading Alliance itself. For outsiders wishing to attend, not only do they need an introduction, but they must also be individuals of notable standing within their respective races—or already possess a Consolidated Stage or higher cultivation level—thus qualifying them to join the auction directly without any conditions. "With a senior figure like Master Han, if he were to attend, it would surely be a great privilege for the person in charge of the auction," Blood Pō said with a bright smile. "I hope everything proceeds smoothly. Moreover, I must now be honest with you. Although our initial agreement arranged for this journey, once we arrive on Leiming Continent, we won't be able to immediately transfer again—instead, we'll need to stay here for a while, seeking something specific. I hope Master Blood Pō will kindly bear with us a little during this time." After nodding, Han added, his eyes flashing with a subtle expression. "I have already waited so long. How much longer can it possibly be? Master, please go ahead and attend to your matters—my side will have no issues at all." Blood Pō replied without hesitation. "If Master Blood Pō feels this way, then I am truly at ease. Rest assured, however, the thing I am seeking is not particularly difficult to find, and I won't waste much time on Leiming Continent." Han Li smiled with a touch of satisfaction. ...Given the immense size of the Mo Ling Great Vessel, its arrival within the Fei Ling clan's territory naturally drew the attention of numerous Fei Ling masters. Yet, upon any Fei Ling master's divine awareness making contact with the formidable, stage-advanced aura emanating from the vessel, they all gasped in astonishment and stepped back in alarm. Throughout the vessel's passage, the senior Fei Ling officials remained silent and dared not intervene in the slightest. It wasn't until the fifth day, when the black vessel had already penetrated deep into the Fei Ling clan's territory and was gliding overhead a vast lake, that a hoarse, elderly voice suddenly echoed from ahead: "I wonder which of your fellow disciples has arrived at our Fei Ling clan. My name is Yue Long. I would be honored if you would step forth and meet with me." As the words fell, dark clouds rolled across the sky, and a fierce gust of wind swept through—then, a nine-headed, thousand-li-long strange bird emerged into view. This strange bird possessed nine fierce and grim heads, yet its plumage shimmered with vibrant, resplendent hues, exceptionally beautiful. The terrifying spiritual pressure radiating from its body nearly enveloped half the sky ahead, comparable to the great cultivation aura emanating from the black giant vessel. The rolling voice came directly from one of the nine massive heads. "Ah, it's Master Yue Long! I am Han Li, a human cultivator. I came to visit an old acquaintance in this noble realm, with no other intention. Master need not worry." A green-clad figure on the foredeck of the black giant vessel flickered and materialized directly before the towering creature, speaking calmly. "Han Li? Is that the human cultivator who, a few years ago, was said to have slain the mother of the Míngchóng insects?" The nine-headed bird was startled, its voice now more urgent. "If there were no other Han Li among the human cultivators, then the person you're referring to must indeed be me. But I wonder, how did you come to know of my modest reputation?" Han Li's eyes flickered slightly, yet he calmly asked, "Ah, truly a renowned guest, Master Han! Your arrival at our clan is a great honor—absolutely, you must take the time to visit my abode. I have a friend who once went to the demonic realm to confront the mother of the blight-beast. Since returning, he has repeatedly spoken of your life-saving grace and your extraordinary skill in slaying the blight-beast's mother." Upon hearing Han Li's words, the nine-headed strange bird was overjoyed. A surge of black wind rippled over its body, and it transformed into an elderly, somewhat unattractive figure standing two zhang tall. Dressed in a colorful feathered robe and holding a seemingly ordinary yellow wooden cane in one hand, the figure gazed in wonder at Han Li on the great vessel. "Ah, so it is. Might I ask, which clan is this friend of yours from? Perhaps I have heard of him as well?" Han Li's expression brightened as he inquired further. "My friend is Yuan Fei, a guest from the Long-Shen clan. Has Master Han heard of him?" Yue Long replied without hesitation. "The Elongated-Figure Clan—Yuan Fei... With your words, I suddenly recall clearly. Indeed, you must be one of the friends who were initially trapped in the Starting Demon Realm." Han Li tilted his head, then seemed to suddenly remember. "Hehe. The Elongated-Figure Clan is our close neighbor, the Fei Ling Clan. Yuan Fei and I have always maintained a close relationship, and he possesses great abilities. However, after being trapped in the Demon Realm for an extended period, he did suffer some significant losses in his vital energy. He is currently in a crucial phase of closing his quarters for intensive cultivation and restoration. Otherwise, upon hearing of your arrival, he would surely have personally come out to meet you. Nevertheless, since my residence isn't far from here, I truly believe you must make the trip to visit." Yue Long added a few brief explanations before warmly extending his invitation once again. "Given your generous hospitality, I shall have to accept and make the visit," Han Li said after a moment's thoughtful pause on the deck. He felt it would be difficult to directly decline. "That's wonderful! Please follow me." "Yue Long was delighted, stepping on the void with one foot and instantly transforming into a powerful gale that surged forward, vanishing into the distance. "You just wait here for me a moment," said Han Li, turning to the newly appeared Hua Shi Xue Po and others behind him. As his body shimmered with a flash of azure light, he streaked into the sky like a rainbow, racing off at breakneck speed. The elder Hua Shi and the others naturally bowed and responded in unison. With Han Li's and Yue Long's great cultivation levels, their speed of travel was truly beyond imagination. Though neither had exerted their full strength, after more than an hour, they had already covered a distance of several hundred thousand li, arriving in the sky above a broad, lush basin surrounded by green mountain ranges. At the very center of the basin stood a colossal stone tower, over a thousand zhang tall, with more than a hundred stories. Numerous other buildings of varying heights and styles surrounded the basin, yet all remained well over ten li away from the towering structure, clearly hesitant and unwilling to approach.