"This vessel is indeed quite noticeable. Once we enter the territory controlled by the Xuegu Men, we'll store it away. After reaching Xuehe City, you'll temporarily separate to investigate the traces of the original entity. At that time, I'll send you two fused puppets for protection—provided you don't encounter a cultivator at the stage of Great Transcendence, you'll be safe." After thinking for a moment, Han Li nodded. "Thank you, senior. I will make every effort to locate the relevant clues as soon as possible." Blood Po was delighted to hear this. "I've always felt a strong connection with my companion. This small favor means little to me." Han Li waved his hand, indicating he was not overly concerned. …… A month and a half later, Han Li and his companions finally entered the area under the control of Xuegu Men. After storing the Mo Ling flying vessel, they immediately switched to an unobtrusive black flying carriage, pulled by several flying wolf puppets, and continued on their journey. The journey ahead went smoothly without any incidents. Two months later, Han Li and his party finally arrived before a massive crimson city. This city is exceptionally well-built and quite unique. Not only does it feature two pale-blue lakes on either side of the city, but the section of the city wall facing the gate where Han Li and the others are located projects outward significantly, forming a distinct, town-like bulwark or enclosed courtyard. On the walls, a few guards clad in blood-red armor are casually patrolling back and forth. Near the city gate, various blood-touched ethnic groups, each with different appearances, steadily descend from their flight spells, handing over some spiritual stones to the guards at the gate before entering. "Master Han, Blood Crane City is one of the more significant strongholds within the Blood Bone Sect. It boasts several valuable specialties beneficial to mid-to-high level cultivators. As a result, it has consistently maintained a strong, elite garrison from the Blood Bone Sect, and even hosts a senior master in the Great Transcendence stage who resides here year-round. Generally, ordinary visitors dare not cause disturbances here—this place is remarkably tranquil." However, the various expenses in this city are significantly higher than those of ordinary settlements. If one intends to reside here long-term, an additional amount of spiritual stones must be paid. On the flying carriage, Xue Po was respectfully introducing the magnificent city to Han Li. "Along the way, I've also encountered several disciples from the Xuegu Sect. Their cultivation levels are impressive, but more importantly, each disciple exudes a distinct aura of ferocity and calamity—clearly a powerful and unyielding cultivation style. It's no wonder the sect ranks among the top blood-path sects of the Xuetian region and has managed to construct such an expansive city. Moreover, this Xuehe City lies nestled between several vast mountain ranges, making it a key transportation route. It's likely that the city hosts a considerable number of outsiders." Han Li had already mentally surveyed the surrounding terrain of Xuehe City and said this with confidence. "Your assessment is accurate. Unless there are significant changes, this city is indeed primarily composed of external cultivators." However, most of the large enterprises in the city belong to the Xuegu Gate, and other capable individuals establishing businesses here are generally backed by powerful forces. The city also frequently hosts individuals with unusual backgrounds, who remain hidden within the city for long periods. "I've thought about this, and I'll respond," said Xuepo. "Indeed, this city is quite a mix of both dragons and serpents. Does the Xuegu Gate simply ignore these people with obscure origins?" Han Li smiled and asked. "Xuehe City is relatively free among the Xuetian major cities. Unless someone makes a significant impact within the city, affecting others, the Xuegu Gate generally only collects its due spiritual stones on time and pays no further attention. Perhaps precisely because of this, the city has remained prosperous for so many years. Additionally, there are several large arenas within the city. Individuals with disputes or those wishing to settle scores can directly engage in combat or even life-or-death battles there." Xuepo chuckled slightly as he spoke. "Ah, now I understand what the Blood Crane City is like. Blood Brother, shall we proceed together into the city?" After nodding thoughtfully, Han Li suddenly asked. "No, I shall not enter! According to the mark left by the original body, she should have entered the adjacent Wan Yue Mountain Range. I intend to go directly there to seek out the clues she left behind." Blood Pupil bowed slightly, speaking with solemnity. "Since you have made this plan, go ahead and proceed alone. During this time, I will remain nearby, searching for the other two ancient altars. Hold onto this transmission scroll. Should you make any discoveries or encounter any difficulties, simply ignite it. I will sense your signal immediately and come to you." Han Li flipped his hand, suddenly revealing a pale golden scroll, and tossed it over. "Thank you, Senior. With this scroll, I feel completely at ease." The blood-soul eyes lit up, quickly grasping the scroll with gratitude and saying so. Then, the woman bowed respectfully to Han Li before transforming into a streak of light and vanishing from the flying carriage. Han Li remained inside the carriage, watching until the streak of light disappeared, then lightly pointed his foot to propel the carriage forward toward the distant great city. At the city gates, already several to eight blood-heaven ethnic figures were in line, paying spiritual stones to enter the city. However, during this time, the guards asked each of them a few simple questions about their origins and their intended duration of stay in the Blood Crane City. The blood-heaven people answered these questions patiently and honestly, though whether their answers were truly accurate remained a mystery. The blood-bone gate guards, however, merely noted down the information briefly and issued each person an iron plaque before allowing them to enter. When it came to Han Li's turn, Hua Shi the Elder calmly stepped forward, slightly releasing a portion of his Consolidation Stage aura, then raised his hand to throw a mid-stage spiritual stone toward them, while coldly stating, "Three people—there's no need to search for the remaining stones." The dozen or so blood-armored guards at the gate, even the most accomplished among them no higher than the Yuan Ying Stage, were instantly pressed by Hua Shi's spiritual pressure, their breaths tightening as they were forced to retreat several steps, their faces now filled with astonishment. The leading guard, upon receiving the mid-stage spiritual stone, had no further words to ask, quickly producing three iron plaques and handing them over to Han Li and his companions before respectfully retreating to the side. Han Li and his two companions entered the city gate with dignified composure. "Such strong aura—clearly a Consolidation Stage elder. Strange, counting this one, there have already been over thirty Consolidation Stage figures entering the city this month." Only after the guards, Han Li, and the other two had walked some distance did he exhale deeply, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "It does seem odd—these Consolidated Stage强者 seem to be entering but not leaving. Could there be some major event happening in the city recently?" One of the nearby figures interjected with a look of doubt. "Perhaps. Haven't you noticed that over the past few months, we've seen quite a few new faces from above? These people are so confident and assertive, as if each one has a distinguished background—quite unlike our internal gate disciples." Someone else murmured quietly. "Enough. Let's not dwell on this any longer. No matter what happens in the city, it won't greatly affect us, the mid- and lower-level external gate disciples. Our task is simply to guard this city gate well. Haven't we forgotten how strict our sect's regulations are?" Upon hearing this, the leading guard stiffened, and his voice suddenly grew sharp. Upon hearing the word "regulations," several others instantly stiffened, quickly closed their mouths, and straightened themselves once more in their seats, no longer daring to speak. At that moment, Han Li and the others had already entered the outer ward behind the city gate. Beyond a long street lined with numerous simple stalls, there were no other buildings. Many newcomers who had just arrived were lingering before these stalls, either carefully examining items displayed there or haggling with the stall owners over prices. As Han Li scanned the stalls with his divine awareness, he observed that although the variety of goods on display was abundant, the quality was generally low—so much so that even for a senior cultivator like Hua Shi, the elder, these items held little value. Consequently, he naturally did not linger at all, but soon stepped out past the end of the street and exited the outer ward area. His eyes brightened instantly! A vast, well-connected plaza suddenly appeared before them, spanning over ten thousand mu, with numerous shops of varying sizes scattered around its perimeter. The signs hanging outside the shops clearly indicated that the range of goods—materials, spiritual beasts, magical artifacts, and more—was complete and comprehensive. Upon seeing this, both the Fossil Elder and Zhu Guo'er were instantly impressed. "Stay free to explore for the next few days," said Han Li with a calm, composed smile. "Come back here and reunite with us three days later." Over the past half-year, they had been constantly on the move, traveling and searching for ancient altars, and had never entered other towns. Now, being on a different continent, it was natural that the shops here would carry some rare materials or treasures not commonly found on their original continent. It was essential that they take advantage of this opportunity to trade and acquire such items. "Yes, Master Han," said the Fossil Elder and Zhu Guo'er, both delighted. They promptly bowed to Han Li and hurried off toward the shops along the plaza's edges. Within three days, although it wasn't possible for them to visit every shop, they had managed to see most of what was on offer. At this moment, Han Li suddenly felt as though something had caught his attention, and instinctively raised his head to gaze upward. But at this moment, Han Li did not turn his gaze toward the already somewhat unusual, crimson-waning crescent moon, but instead calmly stared at a seemingly empty expanse in the sky above the plaza. After a moment, he expressionlessly lowered his head and proceeded directly toward a street connected to the plaza. "A Great Transcendence being has finally stirred this rank of entity. Yet, who is this person below? His face is so unfamiliar. It seems he has also noticed me already." A masked man, completely vanished into the void where Han Li had been gazing, furrowed his brows and murmured softly.