Upon hearing Lu Luo’s words, Han Li’s mind immediately conjured the scene of his first meeting with Mu Peiling and Nangong Wan, and he muttered to himself inwardly. However, he naturally offered a few more words of thanks.
«Junior Brother, what are your plans going forward? Originally, according to our agreement, after you intervened once, you wouldn’t need to participate in the subsequent battles. However, a few days ago, when we met with the higher-ups of the Righteous and Demonic Paths and the Nine Nations Alliance to discuss countermeasures, someone mentioned you. They said that since you could instantly kill a black-robed mage, your techniques must be particularly effective against those black-robed individuals. Therefore, they hope you will still participate in the upcoming great battle. Our Heavenly Dao Alliance representatives also feel that you are a major combat force; if you don’t take the field, it would be somewhat unjustifiable. So...» Lu Luo looked hesitant and spoke with some reluctance.
«Rejoining the fight is certainly possible. If the Tiannan region really ends up occupied by the Motian people, our Falling Cloud Sect won’t fare any better. However, regarding the previous promise, how does the Alliance plan to handle it? They aren’t going to just wave their words and let it go, are they?» To Lu Luo’s surprise, Han Li didn’t show any anger. Instead, he let out a cold laugh and asked calmly.
«Of course not. Moreover, given your merit in exposing a spy from the Spirit Beast Sect and killing a black-robed mage, the Alliance promises that as long as you’re willing to continue fighting, you can name any conditions you wish. Within their power, they will do their best to satisfy you as compensation.» Lu Luo said with a bitter smile.
«Willing to compensate? That makes things easier. I’d prefer to discuss the specific conditions face-to-face with the person in charge.» Han Li’s expression flickered slightly, and he said without showing any emotion.
«That’s fine too. I’ll take you to see a few of the rotating presiding elders of our Heavenly Dao Alliance right now. As long as your conditions aren’t too excessive, they should have the authority to agree.» Lu Luo smiled faintly, but his words carried a hint of something left unsaid.
«Rest assured, Senior Brother Lu. I won’t make outrageous demands that would put you in a difficult position.» Han Li chuckled lightly and said slowly.
«Junior Brother jests. Don’t worry about saving face for me. It’s rare for those old fellows to be generous for once; take what you can get.» Seeing that Han Li understood his meaning and had a sense of proportion, Lu Luo felt relieved, but his spoken words were naturally different.
Hearing this, Han Li’s face was filled with an ambiguous smile, but he said nothing more.
Following this, Lu Luo immediately led Han Li out of the Falling Cloud Sect’s quarters and headed straight for the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s main council hall.
«The Heavenly Dao Alliance is currently presided over by an Elder Council composed of cultivators from a dozen major sects. A few of them rotate out every ten years. Of course, the three founding sects—the ‘Cuanming Sect,’ ‘Ancient Sword Gate,’ and ‘Ni Hang Monastery’—do not need to be replaced. In reality, most of the Alliance’s affairs are decided by these three sects. However, compared to the others, the Cuanming Sect’s strength is slightly superior to both the Ancient Sword Gate and Ni Hang Monastery. The presiding individuals in Tianyi City are Daoists Long Han and Feng Bing of the Cuanming Sect. As you probably know, they are a dual-cultivation couple who can join forces to battle a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Our Alliance’s ability to contend with other forces relies entirely on them. However, the one appearing in public now is only Daoist Long Han. Elder Feng Bing went into secluded cultivation as soon as she arrived in Tianyi City, seemingly at a critical juncture in training some secret technique. As long as Junior Brother Han reaches an agreement with these few presiding elders in Tianyi City first, it will be equivalent to passing the Elder Council. Besides Elder Long Han presiding over the council hall, elders from the other two major sects are also permanently stationed there.» Lu Luo explained the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s situation to Han Li as they walked side by side.
Some of this information Han Li had known long ago, while other parts he was hearing for the first time. He didn’t comment, merely nodding silently.
The council hall was located in the center of the western district. After walking at an unhurried pace for a while, the two arrived at their destination.
A grand complex of imposing towers and pavilions surrounded a main hall of bluish-gray stone, which appeared before them.
«Greetings, Senior Lu. Have you come to see the elders? And this senior is...?» The Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding the main gate obviously recognized Lu Luo, the elder of the Falling Cloud Sect. After one of them bowed respectfully, he asked very politely. However, when his gaze fell upon the unfamiliar cultivator, Han Li, his expression became slightly hesitant.
«This is Elder Han of our sect. We are here to see Elder Long and the others today.» Lu Luo’s expression didn’t change as he said calmly.
«Ah, so it’s Senior Han. Please wait a moment, seniors. The elders are currently in a side hall discussing matters. I will announce your arrival right away.» The cultivator was startled, stared at Han Li with surprise for a moment, then his respectful demeanor increased by several degrees, clearly knowing who Han Li was.
The cultivator casually produced a voice transmission talisman, whispered a few words into it, then tossed it out.
A streak of red light shot inside.
A moment later, three clear, resonant chimes suddenly rang out from within the main hall. Hearing the sound, the guard immediately stepped to the side and bowed.
«Please enter, seniors. The elders are aware of your arrival.»
Lu Luo nodded and strode into the hall with an air of importance.
Han Li followed behind him with his usual calm expression, unhurried in his manner.
After passing through several corridors, Lu Luo led Han Li into a side hall on another side.
Once inside, five or six Nascent Soul stage cultivators were seen seated within.
The moment the two entered, all of them looked over.
However, their gazes only swept past Lu Luo before lingering on Han Li, all showing expressions of interest.
These individuals all possessed remarkable cultivation, but under the flicker of Han Li’s gaze, his attention settled on a middle-aged man seated in the central position. This man wore a gray robe, had an extraordinary and imposing appearance with a broad bone structure, and his cultivation was even significantly stronger than an ordinary mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. He seemed to be at the very peak of mid-stage, just one step away from entering late-stage.
Han Li’s heart tightened slightly. He instantly knew this must be Long Han of the Cuanming Sect.
With such profound cultivation, it was no wonder he could join forces with his dual-cultivation partner to battle a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
He had previously thought the rumors were somewhat exaggerated, but it seemed they had actually understated this person’s cultivation.