The closest city to Chang Prefecture was a large city called Yehua.
Though the city lay a full ten thousand li from the Myriad Ridge Mountains, many cultivators unwilling to sleep rough in the wilderness had taken up lodgings within its walls. A minor cultivation sect that had once operated covertly in the city had already scared all its disciples back into the mountain gates, feigning deaf and blind toward everything happening there.
Though quite a few cultivators had gathered in Yehua, the abundance of inns meant there was no trouble finding shelter for these sparse visitors.
One inn among them, called Hongfu Inn, was an utterly ordinary establishment among the lot.
Two groups of cultivators had taken rooms inside, each occupying one of the two independent courtyard suites behind the main building.
In one room within one of those suites, three people sat around a wooden table, gathered in consultation.
All three were young and beautiful female cultivators — none other than Zi Ling and Mei Ning, who had parted ways with Han Li in Heavenly One City, along with a third woman surnamed Song who was close friends with them.
Zi Ling at this time appeared dignified and elegant, but she had clearly used a secret art to conceal her incomparably alluring true appearance. She looked like merely an ordinary female cultivator of moderate beauty.
The three women wore solemn expressions and spoke in hushed voices.
Around the walls, faint white light flickered — a restriction had been laid to prevent anyone from eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Sister Song, still no word from Brother Han? There isn't much time left before the miasma dissipates. If Brother Han doesn't appear soon, he may miss the best opportunity to enter the Fallen Demon Valley." Zi Ling's delicate brows were knit together, her voice tinged with worry.
The person she addressed could only be Miss Song, who sat across from her in a white dress.
"Little Sister Zi Ling, it's not as if you don't know. More than two years ago, Grand Elder Cheng publicly announced that Martial Uncle Han had gone into seclusion for healing. But I learned privately that he had actually traveled to the Far West. I don't know what business took Martial Uncle Han to such a place, but the round trip alone would take over a year. There's no use rushing. Besides, we still have several months. I left precise contact information within the sect, so the moment Martial Uncle Han returns, he can find us immediately. And if he wishes to make it back in time — what cultivator in the Far West could possibly detain the current Martial Uncle Han?" Miss Song smiled faintly, her expression composed.
"It's hard to say. Even if Fellow Daoist Han's cultivation reaches the heavens, there are some things that can't be solved by cultivation alone." Zi Ling sighed, involuntarily recalling their experience in the Underworld of Yin. But her gaze shifted and she quickly continued: "Sister Song, you keep saying 'Martial Uncle Han' this and 'Martial Uncle Han' that — you seem to have become exceptionally respectful toward Brother Han all of a sudden. When you used to talk about this Martial Uncle Han of yours before, you certainly didn't wear that expression."
As she spoke, a faint, teasing smile appeared on Zi Ling's lovely face.
Miss Song blushed slightly, but her expression quickly returned to calm.
"If you, Little Sister Zi Ling, could also slay a peak mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, I would be just as deferential toward you. Martial Uncle Han is now the foremost cultivator in Tiannan after the Three Great Cultivators. As his junior, what's so strange about showing a bit of respect?"
"Hee hee! Of course it's not strange. Even I was startled when I heard of these exploits of Fellow Daoist Han. Ten years ago, Brother Han was still a Core Formation cultivator just like me, yet now he possesses such astonishing abilities that we can only look up at him. It's truly hard to believe. If I'd known this sooner, I would have forced Little Sister Mei to marry him as a concubine back then. Mei Ning's future cultivation path would certainly have been smooth sailing."
Mei Ning, who had been listening at the side, felt her cheeks flush crimson. She gave a soft snort but didn't say anything. Yet deep in her clear eyes, there was indeed a trace of melancholy.
Back then, Han Li had actually given her a choice. Unfortunately, a moment's hesitation had cost her the opportunity.
Now that Han Li had gained such renown, naturally she could no longer bring herself to mention such things.
"Little Sister Mei Ning nearly became Martial Uncle Han's concubine! This is the first I've ever heard of it. I always assumed there might be something between Martial Uncle Han and Little Sister Zi Ling. After all, with your peerless beauty, I'd believe there's no man alive who could resist it." Miss Song was startled at first, but then lightly teased Zi Ling with a laugh.
"Hmph! Back then I didn't know Fellow Daoist Han would turn out to be so formidable. If I had, I might have offered myself to him long ago. Being Dual Cultivation partners with Fellow Daoist Han would certainly be far better than grinding through cultivation on my own." Zi Ling pursed her lips, half-smiling, making it impossible to tell whether she was serious or joking.
This left the somewhat reserved Miss Song momentarily stunned, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
"However, with Brother Han's abilities having grown so great, if he truly agrees to help, then the Spirit Candle Fruit is very much within reach. Sister Song, have you really decided not to enter the Fallen Demon Valley? You should know that the reason Little Sister Mei Ning doesn't want to go is that the number of cultivators entering the valley has suddenly surged. With her level of cultivation, it would be far too dangerous." Zi Ling hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly.
"I've thought it over repeatedly. I'm different from you two. Although I'm only at early Core Formation, I'm already near the peak of the early stage — it would only take twenty or thirty years of hard work to reach that level. It's not worth taking such an enormous risk for this. As for the other treasures in the valley, those must be bought with one's life. I still have some self-awareness." After a moment's thought, Mei Ning replied earnestly.
"Since Sister Mei has made up her mind, I won't press further. In truth, even if Fellow Daoist Han doesn't show up, I wouldn't dare enter the valley alone. With so many high-level cultivators entering now, the danger has increased immensely. Incidents of killing for treasure will certainly be numerous. A lone early Core Formation cultivator walking in would be like a sheep entering a tiger's den. I'm not that foolish." Zi Ling gave a bitter smile, her voice heavy with frustration.