"Since we can confirm that this person is a True Immortal who has descended into our world, do we know the purpose behind their arrival in the Spirit Realm? Our realm has long since lost contact with the Immortal Realm. For someone to forcibly descend in the body of an Immortal, they must not only endure the suppression imposed by the laws of our realm, but who knows what other price they had to pay to accomplish such a feat. If someone told me this Immortal simply stumbled into our realm by accident, I would have serious doubts about that." The old man drew a deep breath and spoke gravely.
"I'm afraid I don't have a clear answer to that either. I haven't received any such information from the Helian Commerce Alliance. Aside from those fellow cultivators who have already fallen and the living beings of various races who were sacrificed in the blood rituals, it seems no one has been able to make contact with this Immortal, let alone investigate the purpose of their descent." Han Li shook his head.
"If I were in charge of the Commerce Alliance, I would spare no effort to get to the bottom of this," Mo Jianli stroked his beard and chuckled darkly.
"Brother Mo makes an excellent point. Very well, I'll pass this suggestion on to Fellow Daoist Ming Zun right away and see if there's any way to carry it out. Though I suspect the chances of success aren't particularly high." Han Li nodded noncommittally.
"No matter how slim the chances, we have to try. Once we understand the purpose of this Immortal's descent, we'll most likely be able to identify their weaknesses. That knowledge would prove invaluable whether we end up fighting or negotiating." Mo Jianli spoke with great solemnity.
"Setting that matter aside, has Brother Mo thought of any other useful suggestions?" Han Li pressed the old man further.
"Just now, I heard you mention that two acquaintances of yours have made enemies of this Immortal and were chased all the way to the Thunderclap Continent before their whereabouts became unknown. Is that true as well?" Mo Jianli pondered for a moment before asking.
"Fellow Daoist Ming Zun told me this himself, so it's most likely accurate. These two old acquaintances of mine are not members of the human race. One is a close friend of mine, while the other… the relationship between us is harder to define." Han Li replied with a light laugh.
"In that case, Brother Han should try your best to establish contact with them. Although we don't know how they came to incur the wrath of this True Immortal, if we can keep track of their movements and whereabouts, our race will hold a certain degree of initiative." Mo Jianli said slowly.
"You mean that, if necessary, we should use them as bait?" Han Li's brow furrowed slightly.
"If this True Immortal really does chase them to Windyuan Continent, where could the two of them possibly hide? Whether to preserve their lives or to lure the Immortal to a specific location, they'll likely have no choice but to serve as bait. Fellow Daoist Ming Zun of the Helian Commerce Alliance most likely has the same idea, which is why he told you about this so openly." Mo Jianli let out a cold snort.
"Hmm. As bait, it seems the two of them have already served that role once on Blood Heaven Continent. Whether it would work again is anyone's guess. We can discuss this in detail when the time comes. But if they really do come to our human race seeking shelter, both out of principle and practical necessity, they would likely cooperate with our plans voluntarily. The problem is that reaching them is no easy task. Once I return, I'll instruct my subordinates to handle this." Han Li mulled it over for quite some time before finally nodding.
"If these two fellow cultivators are willing to cooperate, that would naturally be ideal. As for whether this True Immortal would fall for the trap again, Brother Han needn't worry. The sheer audacity this Immortal displayed in sacrificing over a hundred million living beings in blood rituals tells you everything about how brazenly they operate. Or rather, they simply don't place us cultivators of the lower realms in their eyes at all — even if they knew it was a trap, they would step right into it without a second thought. Let's hope this Immortal's purpose doesn't require them to set foot on Windyuan Continent. Otherwise, even if you all join forces and manage to prevail, the continent would be drenched in blood, and the various races would have no idea how great a price they'd have to pay. After all, this person is a bona fide Immortal!" Mo Jianli said with a bitter smile.
"With abilities as unfathomable as this True Immortal possesses, stratagems really don't amount to much. Let's hope it doesn't actually come to that." Han Li was silent for a moment before sighing in agreement.
"Hmm. Brother Han, joining forces was the right decision in principle. No single race on Windyuan Continent could stand against this True Immortal on its own. It's a pity that my strength among the Mahayana cultivators is merely average, so I can't be of much help. But don't worry — once you return, focus on your cultivation and try to squeeze out whatever additional power you can. In the meantime, I'll take care of everything else for the clan. I'll see to it as quickly as possible that the densely populated cities are temporarily evacuated, with the majority of their inhabitants relocated to more remote areas for shelter. That way, even if the conflict truly reaches our human race, we can minimize the losses. Furthermore, I'll set up some powerful protective formations in these cities as a precaution against the worst-case scenario." Mo Jianli first showed a trace of shame, then adopted a stern expression.
"Brother Mo speaks with true wisdom. Let's proceed exactly as you've outlined. I won't linger here any longer — I'll return to Azure Void Palace tomorrow." Han Li considered for a moment, then readily agreed.
The two continued conversing in the great hall for another half-hour or so before Mo Jianli finally rose to take his leave.
Han Li and Nangong Wan accompanied the human Mahayana cultivator all the way to the deck of the ship, watching as he once again transformed into a streak of white light and soared away across the sky.
"My love, are you truly going into seclusion again once we return?" Nangong Wan finally asked, turning toward Han Li after the white light had vanished completely from the horizon.
"That's my intention, yes. I came across several profound secret techniques during my travels this time. While it's impossible to fully comprehend all of them in a short period, even gaining partial insight into them could prove invaluable when the time comes." Han Li stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Mmm, that's the right way to think, dear husband. It's just that I truly didn't expect that the very moment we returned to our race, humanity would immediately face such a catastrophe. The path of cultivation truly never grows easy." Nangong Wan's gaze flickered, and a touch of melancholy settled onto her elegant features.
" Wan'er, you're overthinking things. We cultivators have always been those who defy the heavens. Encountering all manner of hardships is perfectly natural — what matters is cutting through them and pressing on. Heh, what's the fun in contending with other people? It's the contest with heaven itself that never grows dull." Han Li let out a hearty laugh, flicked his sleeve, and turned to walk back toward the ship's cabin.
Nangong Wan stared after him blankly for a moment, then seemed to recall something, a faint smile slowly curving her lips. Her footsteps grew a shade lighter as she followed him.
The next day, the massive black vessel that had been hovering above Heavenly Origin City shuddered once, then emitted a thunderous roar and pierced through the sky, vanishing into the distance.
……
Two months later, Boundless Sea, Yuanhe Island, before Azure Void Palace — the black giant ship descended slowly and came to rest.