Half a year later, when the massive black vessel appeared in the skies above Heavenly Abyss City, both the human and monster races within the city were thrown into an uproar.
All of the elders from both races rushed respectfully out of their residences to board the vessel and pay their respects, and they also swiftly sent word to Mo Jianli, who happened to be reclusive cultivating in the vicinity of Heavenly Abyss City.
After briefly receiving a few Body Integration cultivators and letting the human cultivators aboard the vessel choose whether to remain or depart, Han Li brought the willing human cultivators from Small Spirit Sky and waited aboard the Sacred Vessel for Mo Jianli's arrival.
One day later, when a hearty peal of laughter drifted over from the distant void, Han Li, who had been conversing with Nangong Wan in the ship's cabin, immediately rose to his feet and said with a smile: "Brother Mo has arrived. Wan'er, come with me to greet him."
"That would be Daoist Mo Jianli? I've been looking forward to seeing him," Nangong Wan said with a charming smile. Over these past days, she had naturally heard Han Li speak of this Mahayana cultivator of the human race on many occasions.
Han Li laughed heartily and flicked his sleeve. A sheet of azure light swept out, enveloping himself and the person beside him, and they immediately transformed into a ball of azure light that shot off at tremendous speed.
Moments later, a flash of light appeared on the deck at the bow of the massive vessel, and Han Li and Nangong Wan stood side by side, gazing into the distance.
They saw that the laughter had not yet faded when a streak of white radiance materialized and shot toward them at inconceivable speed. With just a few flickers, it blurred and materialized above the vessel.
"Brother Han, it's been a while. How have you been?"
The white radiance above spiraled once, the light retracted, and a spirited elderly man appeared. His gaze swept down to Han Li below, and he spoke with a warm smile.
"I appreciate Brother Mo's concern. Though my trip was not long this time, I've finally fulfilled a long-held wish and found my dual cultivation partner from the mortal realm. Wan'er, come pay your respects to Brother Mo." Han Li cupped his fists toward the sky and made the introductions with a smile.
"What? This fairy is your wife?" Mo Jianli was visibly surprised upon hearing this.
"Nangong Wan pays her respects to Elder Mo Jianli. Though I was trapped in the Small Spirit Sky, I've heard my husband speak of your deeds many times. The human race has been sustained largely by your efforts alone. I hold you in the deepest admiration." Nangong Wan stepped forward and performed a graceful curtsey, speaking with great respect.
"Immortal Nangong is too kind. Please, rise. I am close friends with Daoist Han, so there is absolutely no need for such formalities. From now on, we need only address each other as equals. If you don't mind, simply call me 'Brother Mo.'" Mo Jianli looked Nangong Wan up and down, his face beaming with smiles.
Nangong Wan smiled gracefully. Knowing that his friendship with Han Li was indeed deep, she did not stand on ceremony and called him "Brother Mo."
Mo Jianli's face lit up with delight. After a moment's thought, he produced a pale silver jade box from within his robes and said in a casual tone: "Since you've called me 'Brother Mo,' as an elder brother meeting you for the first time, I naturally cannot come empty-handed. I just happened to acquire a set of the Mystic Woman Yin-Shattering Needles — one hundred and eight in total, quite wondrous, and worthy of being considered a rare top-grade treasure. Consider it a gift for you."
Nangong Wan was a woman of broad experience. The moment she heard the old man's words, she knew this set of Mystic Woman Yin-Shattering Needles was no ordinary treasure. After expressing her thanks, she stepped forward and received the silver box with both hands, then opened the lid right then and there to take a look.
Inside the box lay over a hundred pitch-black needles, each several inches long. Though they appeared slender, their surfaces glittered with a crystal sheen, and wisps of chilling cold seeped outward from them. The moment one's spiritual sense brushed against them, it felt as though it would be frozen through.
Nangong Wan was startled. She realized the rarity of this treasure far exceeded her expectations, and after thanking him several more times in great delight, she carefully stowed the silver box away.
Han Li stood to the side watching all of this with a smile, showing not the slightest inclination to have Nangong Wan refuse Mo Jianli's gift.
"Brother Mo, why don't we go inside to talk in detail? This time, I traveled to the Blood Sky Continent and witnessed quite a number of things. I also have one piece of good news and one piece of bad news to share with you." After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Mo Jianli, Han Li's expression finally turned serious.
"Oh? One good piece of news and one bad? Then I shall have to listen carefully indeed." Mo Jianli's heart tightened slightly, though his expression betrayed little change as he nodded in agreement.
"Brother Mo, please."
Han Li stepped aside, and with Nangong Wan, led Mo Jianli back to the cabin hall they had been in earlier.
The three had barely taken their seats when Mo Jianli asked directly: "Now then, Brother Han, do tell — what is this good news and bad news?"
"Of course. But would you prefer to hear the good news first, or the bad?" Han Li smiled faintly and turned the question back to him.