"This... when my memories were still not fully unsealed, I mistakenly regarded the Xutian Ding as the actual key. But I can assure you, if this key truly fails to allow entry into the Tian Ding Palace, I would never have asked the senior to force their way in. However, once we succeed in entering, I am certain the treasures within will surely satisfy the senior." Blood Po spoke with a touch of embarrassment. "Thank you so much, Master Han, for your great kindness. Once my true form emerges, I will certainly..." "Enough with the thanks—let us save our gratitude until we actually rescue Ice-Pulse Brother. Moreover, since the Tian Ding Palace has more than one set of keys, Ice-Pulse Brother and the others once employed the Golden Hall and Jade Book Secret Technique to forge numerous replicas. When the time comes, there will surely be many strong contenders gathering in this mountain range. I suspect the two Lady Wan Hua I met in Xue He City were also seeking out the Supreme Elder of the Xue Gu Men precisely for this matter." Han said, reflecting. "Wait—Master Han has already met with the senior cultivator of the Xue Gu Men who guards Xue He City. I recall now: among those who entered the Tian Ding Palace with the main party, there were indeed members from the Xue Gu Men. It's no surprise that they still hold a few keys. Should the Xue Gu Men launch a large-scale advance into Wan Yue Mountain Range, that would certainly become a significant challenge." Upon hearing this, Blood-Pulse's expression changed instantly. "I don't think the Senior Monarch of Xuehe City would typically invite so many of his peers, otherwise outsiders with great cultivation would have come to visit. He might very well have concealed the information about Tianding Palace and the keys—others who possess the keys likely share the same thought. Thus, apart from those who hold the keys, the rest of the people entering the Wan Yue Mountain Range are mostly those who have only recently heard rumors. Even if there are many such individuals, they won't be able to gain entry into the palace, and therefore won't pose a significant threat to us." Han Li shook his head in reply. "But then, others may not be content to see those with the keys enter Tianding Palace so easily." Zhu Guo'er interjected, unable to hold back. "There will certainly be a battle before they reach Tianding Palace, but with me here, I'm not worried about that. However, there might be some risks inside the palace itself. Huashi, you and Guo'er stay here and wait for me and my companion from the Blood Spirit Sect. Be cautious—don't let anyone notice you." "Those who dare enter the Wanyue Mountain range at this time are no ordinary people," Han Li said calmly. Upon hearing this, Zhu Guo'er and Flower Shi the Elder were both struck with awe and promptly nodded in agreement. "Blood-Pulse Brother, as you mentioned, the Tianding Palace should have just recently activated, and when it truly emerges, the Xitian Ding will sense it and guide us to the exact location. Is that correct?" Han Li turned to ask Blood-Pulse. "Indeed, as the elder said. The reason others are also vying to claim the replica key lies precisely in this effectiveness," Blood-Pulse replied with full confidence. "That's good. Now all we need to do is nurture our strength and remain patient, waiting for the Tianding Palace to make its appearance," Han Li nodded, speaking softly. Blood-Pulse naturally had no objections, and continuously agreed with a series of nods. Thus, Han Li and his companions settled in the pavilion to reside there temporarily. Day after day passed, and though the mountain range had originally been home to only a modest number of cultivators, it gradually became increasingly lively. The news of Tianding Palace's imminent emergence had truly spread throughout Xuehe City. Some accomplished cultivators from the surrounding regions promptly responded, gathering en masse toward this mountain range. However, since Xuehe City was the closest to the mountains, the early arrivals among the Zhongao cultivators were overwhelmingly composed of residents from the city itself. Students from Xuegu Men also occupied a significant proportion. Over time, however, cultivators from other regions began to appear near the mountains, and their numbers steadily increased each day. Yet, as Wan Yue is one of the most prominent and expansive mountain ranges in the region, even with such a growing influx, newcomers seemed to vanish without a trace—like a stone dropped into deep water. Nevertheless, some cultivators who held themselves in high regard or were naturally temperamental began to launch killings against those they suspected of holding the key. Though these intense battles were often futile, when one day, after a moderate conflict ended, a victor successfully recovered a small tripod from the fallen opponent's body, a much grander wave of slaughter erupted across the mountain ranges. Meanwhile, even farther from the mountains, more Blood Immortals who had heard the news were en route to the Wanyue Mountain Range. Yet these travelers were too late. Just one and a half months later, a previously unknown pond deep within the Wanyue Mountain Range suddenly burst forth with a mysterious beam of five-colored light, which then vanished into the void, transforming into countless characters. At the same moment, Han Li, who had been meditating in a secluded chamber deep within the mountain, suddenly stirred. With a movement of his sleeve, a small tripod glowing with brilliant azure light shot out from his robes. "Blood Spirit, prepare yourselves—the time has come," Han Li said, gazing at the strange characters that had newly appeared on the surface of the jade tripod, and then transmitted his words without hesitation. The blood spirit, who was meditating in another room within the cave sanctuary, immediately rose to her feet, her face filled with astonishment. A few moments later, a streak of jade-green light several dozen paces long surged forth from within the mountain's body and shot directly toward a specific location in the Wanyue Mountain Range. The same phenomenon unfolded at thirty-some other hidden spots across the range. At these locations, powerful bursts of space-breaking sounds erupted—sometimes one, sometimes several, and at times dozens or even hundreds of light trails simultaneously burst into motion, all racing in the same direction. These unmasked actions naturally alerted numerous hidden blood-heaven cultivators throughout the mountains, who promptly followed without hesitation. Some of the faster travelers even caught up with the initial group, engaging in fierce and intense battles. Since Han Li had found the blood spirit's speed to be too slow, he had earlier dispersed his own light trail and incorporated hers into it, merging their paths and continuing forward together. Because of how swiftly it vanished, even if someone nearby noticed the streak of azure light, it would have been nearly impossible to catch up. Most people merely perceived a flash of azure light—then, before their eyes, the shimmering rainbow arc had already traveled from one end of the horizon to the other, fading into nothingness with only the lingering echo of the rushing wind still drifting through the sky. Everyone who witnessed this phenomenon was left utterly astonished, instantly setting aside any other thoughts and quickly turning to pursue new targets. Yet, given the bold and self-assured nature of the Blood Sky Continent, it was never uncommon for individuals to be both daring and supremely confident. As the rainbow arc passed just above a vast, wide canyon, a sudden deep rumbling sound erupted beneath it, and countless Sanskrit characters surged forth, rapidly forming a remarkably intricate and luminous array. "Please hold on," a resonant, thunderous voice emerged from within the array, "I have something I would like to discuss with you." Though his words were courteous, his earlier actions showed no pause. As the light array spun smoothly, an astonishing suction force surged forth and immediately snatched the azure ribbon, drawing it toward itself with sudden vigor. Han Li, witnessing this, was incensed and said nothing in reply. Instead, he extended one hand from his sleeve and lightly tapped the lower gully, releasing a force ten times stronger than the suction, which then surged downward in a mighty wave. A thunderous roar echoed through the heavens. Not only did the suction force and the light array dissipate instantly, but an entire stretch of the gully—several miles long—collapsed abruptly beneath the pressure. The powerful cultivator who had previously concealed himself within, far surpassing his peers in strength, was unable to evade the impact and was crushed into a swirling mass of blood mist, his immortal embryo also destroyed in the explosive collapse. The azure ribbon, however, made no pause and simply flashed past the gully, vanishing into the distant sky. A moment later, several streaks of blood light suddenly burst forth from a small hill near the collapsed canyon, spiraling upward before all converging above the canyon, each revealing a series of translucent figures. To everyone's surprise, it was a group of people dressed in diverse attire—men, women, young and old—numbering no less than seven or eight. Yet each of them radiated an extraordinary aura. Now, they all gazed downward at the spot stained with blood, their expressions clearly troubled. "Given the circumstances, what should we do now? If we don't go after them to avenge Master Ya's honor," said a young girl dressed in emerald robes, suddenly asking. "Serious business, not a jest. Master Ya has mistaken his opponent—choosing a Senior Master of the Great Perfection Stage—and that's no surprise to anyone," replied a man with long, flowing hair, without hesitation. "Indeed, Master Ya's cultivation level is no less than ours. Under such circumstances, he should only be able to hold his ground for a brief moment against a Great Perfection Stage elder." The other party could single-handedly eliminate Ya Dao, suggesting they are among the very elite among the Senior Stage Elders—certainly no effort at all would be required to deal with us. Should Leaf Lady wish to avenge him, she need only go alone; my brothers will absolutely not interfere. Another elderly man, whose appearance was unattractive, nodded vigorously with visible muscle tremors. "I merely mentioned it casually. With such a formidable opponent, none of you would dare to engage—how could I possibly make a scene? However, now that things have taken this turn, we can no longer simply wait and see. We must also hasten to the location of the Tian Ding Palace and see if we can still find an opportunity to strike a successful move." The young lady smiled faintly, then replied. Thus, after a brief discussion, all of them simultaneously activated their flight spells and sped off in the same direction. ...A loud, resonant thud. A towering giant, several zhang tall, standing in front, was struck by a single finger of Han Li's flight spell. His head and the Yuan婴 within it burst open with a resonant "hum." The headless body immediately swayed and plummeted from the sky. As the vivid azure streak shimmered once more, it pierced through the bodies of several towering figures behind, splitting them in two instantly, and then faded into the empty space behind.