"Although Fellow Daoist Han's words are highly plausible, they remain speculation. Therefore, apart from cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, everyone here should keep today's discussion confidential for the time being to avoid unnecessary panic. However, if the Milanesians truly intend to wage all-out war against us, their highest-ranking Spirit Masters will certainly take the field as well. Those late-stage Nascent Soul law masters are not opponents we can handle. I will inform our alliance's Elder Wei Wuya and see if we can bring the Three Great Cultivators together to deal with this matter." After some deliberation, Madam Qi voiced her suggestion.
"Madam Qi speaks wisely. There is no time to lose. Once we return, we should immediately send word back to our respective sects." A gaunt old man with a careworn expression nodded in agreement.
The other cultivators, well aware of the gravity of the situation, raised no objections and readily assented.
The group then discussed a number of related details and decided to dispatch a vanguard force to slow the Milanesians' advance, buying the major powers of the Tian Nan region time to muster their strength.
With that, the assembly concluded, and everyone hurried on their way.
Han Li walked alongside Cultivator Lu and the Fire Dragon Child. But the moment he stepped through the palace gates, his expression shifted and his brows furrowed slightly.
"What is it, Junior Brother? Something on your mind?" Cultivator Lu turned his head, noticed Han Li's look, and asked in some surprise.
"It's nothing. An old acquaintance wishes to see me. I'm afraid I'll need to deal with it. Brother Lu and Brother Lan, go ahead without me. I'll be along shortly." Han Li raised an eyebrow but quickly composed his features and spoke as though nothing were amiss.
"Very well. Junior Brother Han, do as you see fit. I'll go back and brief our fellow cultivators in the Heavenly Dao Alliance on today's discussion, then relay the news to Senior Brother. We need to figure out how our alliance's various sects should handle this." Cultivator Lu nodded and gave a small smile.
The Fire Dragon Child, however, quirked the corner of his mouth into a grin.
Han Li cupped his fists in a brief salute, then strolled off in another direction, his pace unhurried yet covering distance with startling speed as he gradually disappeared from view.
After stepping through the palace gate, Cultivator Lu had walked only a few paces before he cast a glance back toward the direction Han Li had vanished.
"What, Brother Lu? Worried about something?" The Fire Dragon Child beside him noticed the look and asked with a half-smile.
"Worried? What would I be worried about?" Cultivator Lu's heart stirred, but his face betrayed nothing as he countered.
"No need for me to spell it out — you should be able to figure it out yourself. This Fellow Daoist Han originally came from Yellow Maple Valley. And that old fox Linghu, much like your Senior Brother, is a man whose lifespan is nearly at its end. Right now, Yellow Maple Valley has no other Nascent Soul cultivator besides Linghu. The old fox must be burning with anxiety. For a small sect it wouldn't matter much. But for a faction as large as Yellow Maple Valley, the loss of a Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't just mean a steep decline — it could very well lead to total annihilation. And just now, someone clearly sent a voice transmission to Fellow Daoist Han. If it wasn't Linghu, that would be the strange thing." The Fire Dragon Child curled his lip as he spoke.
"How does Brother Lan know about Junior Brother Han's background? I don't recall ever mentioning it to you." Cultivator Lu did not answer directly. Instead, he paused for a moment and turned the question back.
"Did I really need you to tell me? When a young new Elder suddenly appears in your sect, our Ancient Sword Gate naturally conducts a thorough investigation. It's not exactly a secret — one inquiry is all it takes." The child made no attempt to hide the fact and answered frankly.
Hearing this, Cultivator Lu found it difficult to say anything further. After a moment's thought, he shook his head nonetheless.
"Junior Brother Han going to meet an old acquaintance is nothing unusual. If he had wanted to return to Yellow Maple Valley, he could have done so long ago. Why wait until today?"
"That may be true. But Linghu is a wily old fox. If he's willing to invite Fellow Daoist Han, he must have some measure of confidence in swaying him." The Fire Dragon Child remained unconvinced.
Cultivator Lu fell silent. After a long pause, a trace of worry finally appeared on his face, and he let out a long sigh.
"Everything will follow its own course. If Junior Brother Han truly wishes to return to Yellow Maple Valley, could Senior Brother and I really tie him down and prevent him?" He said with a bitter smile.
…
At that moment, Han Li was walking down a rather secluded side street, glancing left and right as if searching for something. Suddenly, he halted, his gaze settling on a two-story pavilion.
The pavilion was not tall — only about six or seven zhang high. A small banner hung before the entrance, bearing the single large character "Tea."
It was a teahouse.
Standing outside were two male cultivators in yellow robes, both at the Foundation Establishment stage, their eyes fixed on Han Li.