"Well then, regardless of its origin, since a presence from the Mahayana period has now appeared, it seems the matter can no longer be concealed. Why not fully release the news and leverage their strength to take a calculated risk? That's certainly better than missing the opening moment and coming away empty-handed." After a few flickers of determination in his gaze, the masked figure finally made up his mind. With a swift motion of his sleeve, he twisted his body and vanished directly into the void. Then Han Li informed the two of his sudden progress in a secret technique, and thus decided to postpone the matter of the ancient altar. He must first retreat to meditate for some time, during which he asked both of them to stay well within the premises, not to leave easily. Hearing this, the old master Huashish and Zhu Guo'er naturally agreed. For the ensuing lunar month, none of the three left their residence a single step, each diligently practicing within. Only a few with higher cultivation levels who promptly released protective treasures to shield themselves managed to rush out of the fluctuating range, their surprise and agitation evident as they hurried to gaze upward. Huashishao and Zhu Guo'er were among them. Though the skyward banishment spell prevented everyone from ascending to view the scene directly, the clear view of what unfolded above was perfectly attainable from their current distance. There, precisely where the brilliant sun had previously burst, two figures floated in the air, facing each other. One was a young man dressed in a Taoist robe, the other a elderly woman with white hair and deeply etched wrinkles, both radiating powerful and distinct energies. Clearly, the commotion had been caused by these two. "It's a Senior Master of the Great Perfection Stage—indeed, a Great Perfection Master. Otherwise, the skyward restriction spell of Xuehe City would be so formidable that even a combined-stage being could not rise high enough." Someone immediately exclaimed. The survivors, who had been filled with shock and fury, could hardly catch their breath upon seeing this. They exchanged glances and then, without a backward glance, scattered in all directions. After all, if two Grand Masters were so generously intervening, wouldn't they be setting themselves up for certain death? As for seeking explanations or redress—well, that was a thought they could scarcely entertain. Yet the sudden appearance of two Grand Masters within Blood Crane City alone was enough to send ripples of excitement throughout the entire city. Master Huashish and Zhu Guo'er, though slightly surprised not to see Han Li, remained calm and undisturbed, neither alarmed nor moving from their posts. At that moment, a cold, composed voice suddenly echoed from the heavens: "Your techniques are truly impressive. Yet, are you truly indifferent to the Blood Bone Sect?" A gentle ripple of energy rippled through the air. Suddenly, between the young Daoist and Old Ou, a flash of white light illuminated the space, and there, without a sound, a man wearing a white mask materialized. The mask was unusually pale, inscribed with several delicate silver spiritual patterns. Beyond revealing a pair of dark eyes, it concealed the rest of its wearer's features entirely. "Xiao Ming, you've finally made your appearance. I didn't know who had been hiding from us all this time. Hmph! If you don't show yourself soon, believe me, I'll tear this entire city down to the ground." The elder woman sneezed and said with a sudden roll of her eyes. "Xiao, please don't hold it against us. We were forced into this course of action. Fortunately, we had previously carefully controlled the scope of our influence, so the damage to your city has been minimal," the young Daoist replied with a touch of apology, radiating a warm and composed demeanor. "Minimal damage? There are nearly a thousand residents in this district, yet only a few dozen managed to escape in time. More importantly, since Xiao has been stationed here, the city has never seen a single incident of any official taking action within its walls—never in over three centuries." "If you two don't give me a clear explanation today, I won't let this matter pass so easily," the masked man replied coldly. "Master Xiao, what do you expect from me? Hundreds, even thousands of lower-tier beings have perished—what's so extraordinary about that? Or perhaps Master Xiao has another intention, wishing to test my wife's capabilities a bit." The old woman's eyes flashed with a hint of danger as she spoke. Thus, Xiao could finally settle accounts with others. Oh, I nearly forgot to mention something else. You two aren't the first great cultivators to arrive at Xue He City—there have been others who came even earlier than you." After nodding, the masked figure uttered a remark that startled the old woman. "There have been cultivators who reached Xiao earlier than us—how is it that such a timely and well-informed visit from such a person?" The young Daoist also frowned, exhaled, and asked, "You've been waiting here for quite some time—why don't you come out and meet us?" The masked figure paid no attention to the young Daoist's words, but turned instead to the empty space on the other side and said something. "Hm, your insight is truly remarkable—you've managed to perceive my concealed techniques. Then, I shall also step out and meet you all." A soft exclamation of surprise arose suddenly from that direction, followed by a gentle flash of pale green light. Instantly, a plain-looking man in a green robe materialized, gazing at the three of them with a half-smiling expression. "Indeed, it is you. To perceive your hidden techniques is no great feat; the wards throughout the entire city were all laid out by me personally. Anyone wishing to display similar feats before me would find their efforts significantly diminished." After gazing at Han Li for a moment, Xiao Ming smiled lightly. "So, you are indeed a master of array arts—this explains everything. Yet, why did Master Xiao call me out specifically?" Han Li nodded, his expression slightly altered. "I deeply admire your composure! Knowing that the time for the object's activation was drawing near, you chose not to seek me out even after entering Xuehe City, and instead remained here quietly for such a long time, never stepping beyond the city gates. If neither Wan Hua nor Qingping had come, I suspect you would have continued waiting. Yet I hadn't expected that the very location where Qingping and their companions acted should have coincided precisely with the street where you were stationed—does that not seem rather fortuitous?" Xiao Ming chuckled, saying so. "Master and Wan Hua, we were unaware that there lived another fellow cultivator on this street. We merely used our divine awareness to briefly scan the area and noticed that the population here was notably sparse, which is why we chose to act now. This cultivator indeed possesses exceptional skill—managing to suppress their cultivation level to mid-to-lower stage, so subtle that even I failed to detect any anomaly beforehand. However, your face is quite unfamiliar. Might I ask your name?" The young cultivator examined Han Li carefully, exchanged a glance with the old woman, and then smiled politely before asking. Xiao Ming was momentarily stunned, but after glancing again at Qingping Daoren and the two of them, he smiled gently, a look of anticipation in his eyes. Qingping Daoren furrowed his brows, glanced at Han Li for a moment as if checking whether his earlier words had truly come from the heart, then said with a composed smile: "So, Brother Han, you are one of the Daoist friends from the other continents. Indeed, our initial actions were rather hasty. But if you wish, shall we follow Brother Xiao's example and have me defend against three attacks?" "No need for three. Just let you and Wanhua Daoist each take one attack." Han Li spoke calmly and evenly. "One attack! Excellent. We accept. I'd like to see just how powerful the islands from other continents truly are—how bold they are in making such a claim." The elderly woman seemed quite fiery. Upon hearing Han Li's words, she immediately frowned and then promptly agreed. Qingping Dao-ren smiled gently upon hearing this, yet asked韩Li one more question: "Has your esteemed friend truly come merely by chance to this city, and not specifically in pursuit of the famed object mentioned in the tales?" "As I myself am entirely unaware of what this 'famed object' refers to, how could I possibly have come for it? Please rest assured, my fellow Daoists—my own affairs are pressing. Unless anything directly involves me, I shall not impose any hindrance upon any of you." It seemed that Han Li had intuitively grasped the inner thoughts of Qingping Dao-ren, and spoke calmly. Upon hearing this, Qingping Dao-ren was greatly relieved. Wanhua Lady's expression also softened slightly. Xiao Ming, standing by, briefly flashed a glance, but quickly regained composure and said: "Regardless of whether or not your esteemed friend has come specifically for this matter, as the eastern lord of this city, I shall naturally treat each of you with the utmost hospitality. After the sparring match at the arena, I kindly invite all of you to my abode—please take the time to gather and stay for a while."