"Han brother, you're being most overly formal. Yao'er is my adopted daughter, and Li'er is my direct disciple. If either of them wishes to leave this place, they can do so at any time. However, based on my recommendation, they would do well to stay here a bit longer before returning to your human realm." After a moment's thought, Qingyuan Zi said. "Oh, may I ask what do you mean?" Han Li was somewhat surprised, glancing at Yuan Yao's graceful appearance. The two women exchanged a glance and both smiled gently with a touch of wryness. "This matter shall be best explained by Yao'er herself, so that I don't overstep my bounds and cause any misunderstanding for our guest. Should they wish to leave now, I will have no objections at all." Qingyuan Zi said seriously. "Han brother, we truly cannot return to our families right away. We'll need to stay with my father for at least two or three hundred more years." As for the reason behind it, if you carefully observe my sister's current physical form, you'll understand immediately." When Yuan Yao saw Han Li's gaze fixed upon her, she gently exhaled and said. "Physical form?" Han Li was slightly puzzled, and immediately sent out an invisible divine awareness, enveloping Yuan Yao's graceful body. After a short while, however, his expression subtly changed. "I see—your physical forms have been somewhat unstable. Does that mean there are lingering consequences from the initial reversal?" "Han brother, your insight is truly remarkable! Although our master prepared several special pills to reverse our physical states, we have maintained our half-human, half-god condition for an unusually long time. As a result, we still need to continuously nourish ourselves with two unique spiritual substances native to the Minghe realm in order to finally stabilize and solidify our forms. Should we leave now, we might very well lose all our progress." The beautiful woman explained in detail. "Ah, now I understand." "If that's the case, then it would indeed be inappropriate to send you two away now." Han Li nodded, looking somewhat puzzled. "Master Qingyuan, please rest assured. Both Yao'er and Li'er have made significant contributions during this celestial calamity. I had originally planned to pass on several true great techniques to them after the calamity has passed. If they stay here for a hundred years or so, they will surely reap immense benefits—indeed, it's entirely possible for them to eventually reach your and my level of attainment." Qingyuan smiled warmly. "Father, do you truly believe that I and my sister have a real chance of reaching the Great Perfection stage?" Yuan Yao looked visibly delighted upon hearing this. Even the graceful young lady beside her felt a stirring of excitement. "Ha ha, while I can't speak for others, I'm certain you two have a good chance. Even without my constant guidance, simply because of your deep connection with Han Daojun, the opportunity you possess is far beyond that of ordinary cultivators. Han Daojun, wouldn't you agree?" "Master Qing revealed a touch of cunning in his expression, saying, "I see you've been eyeing me all along. However, should the two immortal maidens, Yuan Yao, truly aspire to attain the Great Perfection stage in the future, I will certainly do my utmost to support them." Han Li smiled slightly at this. "Could it truly be the Golden-Insect Sovereign? You've actually cultivated it yourself... Indeed, only such a Sovereign could slay a great cultivator as easily as dispatching a dog. Its renown indeed matches no falsehood—how, then, did you achieve this feat?" Though Qing Yuan had already anticipated a few things, he still couldn't help but gasp, his face changing several times. "I managed to cultivate the Sovereign through sheer luck. To replicate the same process and methods once more would likely be impossible. I must also extend my heartfelt gratitude to Qing Daojun for your earlier guidance—without it, I would have had absolutely no chance at all." Han Li smiled slightly and bowed slightly in thanks to Qing Yuan. "When I first mentioned this back then, it was merely a casual remark. I never expected you to actually cultivate such a miraculous, celestial insect. Indeed, you truly possess great fortune. With this Sovereign by your side, you shall be able to command the entire spiritual realm with ease. By the way, Han Daojun, could you summon it and allow me to see it in person?" Qing Yuan smiled bitterly, with no concealment of his admiration. "You're being too modest, Friend Qing! The Spirit Realm is so vast, with so many clans and sects—how many great masters remain hidden within. Even if this insect king is formidable, how could he truly serve as a reliable asset? As for this insect king, I sent him out earlier and will have him return to meet you personally." Han Li shook his head, expressing his disbelief. "You're truly too humble, Friend Han." Hearing this, Qing Yuan was delighted. "Rest assured, Friend Han. By the way, do you know of the He Lian Merchant Alliance?" Han Li casually asked another question. "The He Lian Merchant Alliance—indeed, a powerful force spanning several continents. I have some knowledge of them, though not extensive. Is there any particular connection between you and them?" Qing Yuan was slightly surprised. "We haven't had any direct conflicts, but perhaps we'll need to interact with them in the future. That's why I hope to learn more about them from you in advance." "Han Li smiled lightly. "This is quite simple. I will prepare all relevant materials into jade scrolls and personally deliver them to Daoist Friend Han upon my return." Qingyuan solemnly agreed. "Then I am most grateful, Master." Han Li naturally felt very pleased. After exchanging a few more insights on passing the Great Transformation, the group settled in at Qingyuan's abode. The next morning, as Han Li stepped out of the stone pavilion where he had been staying, a young woman in white robes, looking like a celestial being, stood quietly outside. Upon seeing him emerge, she smiled gracefully and said, "Han brother, shall I accompany you for the entire day today?" The massive black vessel that had previously hovered at a low altitude suddenly emitted a hum and gradually flew toward the dark fissure. After a few flashes, it vanished into the crack. A short while later, the sky trembled, and the dark fissure slowly healed itself, returning to its original state. "I've been secretly observing Brother Han several times, but my purpose is quite different from yours, Sister. I'm merely curious—Brother Han appears unimpressive at first glance, yet how has he achieved such extraordinary progress, advancing so swiftly to become someone on par with Master, who is now in his later years?" The beautiful woman spoke with complete indifference. "Hmph! Who knows if you're not saying one thing and thinking another!" "Laughing! Then shall I pull out my heart and show it to you first? But once you've seen it, Sister, you'll have to remain fully committed to me from now on." The two sisters engaged in a lively, close-fitting bout of playful banter. Yet, the Hérong Mountain Range is renowned for producing a wide variety of high-quality fire-element spiritual stones and mineral materials, as well as some rare, intensely yang-natured medicinal herbs seldom seen outside. Though the region is often hazardous due to unpredictable volcanic eruptions, it still attracts large numbers of visitors each year. On this day, near the edge of the mountain range, at a small volcano that had just erupted, a diverse group of foreign ethnic peoples took advantage of the moment the volcano had ceased activity, flooding into the nearby low-lying areas, gathering in small groups to kneel and search for various fire-element spiritual stones and materials. Whenever the volcano erupts, certain lower-tier materials are naturally scattered across the surrounding region by the ash. These ethnic groups generally possess only modest spiritual attainments—most no higher than the Qi Condensation stage, with only a few reaching the very beginning of the Foundation stage. Given their relatively low levels, it is no surprise that they are only willing to seek out lower-tier spiritual items at the periphery of the Hérong Mountains, and dare not venture much deeper into the range. Suddenly, a stranger with four ears and yellowish skin felt a sudden shift in his demeanor, perceiving the surrounding sunlight as dimmed significantly. He immediately lifted his head toward the sky, only to have his face turn pale as a sheet, emitting a piercing, incomprehensible cry. Upon hearing this sound, the other nearby strangers instinctively paused their actions and turned their gaze upward as well. Instantly, all of them became utterly stunned. High above them, at a distance of over ten thousand paces, a black giant vessel—over a thousand paces long—had appeared without any prior notice, silently floating like a massive island. On the vessel, numerous tall, humanoid figures in armor moved about, densely packed and seemingly endless, making it impossible to count them at first glance, creating an impressive and awe-inspiring presence. These foreign beings, even among their own people, were merely the lowest-ranked cultivators—never before had they seen such a massive flying vehicle or so many of them, and each one now stared in awe, their hearts filled with growing fear and astonishment.