"You and Senior Brother Lü didn't leave here as agreed. How could I not come back?" Han Li sighed helplessly. But after glancing at Mu Peiling a few more times, he chuckled, "However, I didn't expect that you would break through the bottleneck and reach the late Foundation Establishment stage during this period. Truly a cause for celebration!"
"I was fortunate to break through just half a month ago. I owe it all to the elixirs provided by the Young Master. Without them, I wouldn't have achieved this breakthrough in such a short time," Mu Peiling said, her face flushed with excitement, looking even more radiant and charming.
Han Li's heart wavered for a moment, but after touching his nose, his mind calmed.
"Did you and Senior Brother Lü stay here because of the Mulan invasion?" Han Li casually asked, indifferent.
"Young Master has guessed correctly. Senior Gu and I were originally planning to leave after the trade fair. But unexpectedly, news of the invasion came just as the fair was ending. As Senior Gu is the Nascent Soul cultivator of the Heavenly Dao Alliance stationed in Tiantian City, he had to stay and discuss countermeasures with other forces. I stayed behind as well," Mu Peiling explained carefully, biting her lip.
"In that case, you can't be blamed. But what about Senior Brother Gu?" Han Li was about to continue asking when he suddenly paused, showing a look of surprise.
Mu Peiling was puzzled, not understanding Han Li's intent, when suddenly a young man's shout came from outside the loft's restrictions.
"Daoist Mu, are you there? This is Bai Shujun. Please come out to meet me."
"Who is this person? Someone you've recently met?" Han Li's spiritual sense swept outside and saw a refined young man at the Core Formation stage standing calmly outside the restrictions. He asked thoughtfully.
The moment Mu Peiling heard the man's voice, her face turned pale. She quickly explained to Han Li, "Young Master, don't misunderstand. This person is a disciple of an elder from the Heavenly Extreme Gate. He saw me a few days ago and has been pestering me since. I've already told him I'm your concubine, but he refuses to give up. I'll drive him away right now."
"Is there such a thing? Does Senior Brother Lü know about this?" Han Li raised an eyebrow, his tone indifferent.
"I've told Senior Lü, but he seems to know the elder from the Heavenly Extreme Gate and is somewhat apprehensive. He told me to deal with it temporarily and wait for you to return," Mu Peiling replied, relieved that Han Li wasn't angry.
"Oh, the Heavenly Extreme Gate. Isn't that one of the four major sects of the Righteous Alliance? No wonder Senior Brother Lü is cautious. But for a mere Core Formation stage cultivator to be so brazen, he seems overly bold. Let's go down and see what this youngster is up to," Han Li said coldly after a moment of silence.
"Yes, Young Master," Mu Peiling responded respectfully, though momentarily stunned.
Han Li silently exited the room and headed downstairs, with Mu Peiling gracefully following close behind.
"Daoist Mu, you finally... Oh! And who is this senior...?" The young man, Bai Shujun, initially thought it was Mu Peiling coming out but was startled upon seeing Han Li. Noticing Han Li's unfathomable cultivation, he immediately changed his demeanor and greeted respectfully.
At this time, Mu Peiling also emerged, standing closely by Han Li's side.
Seeing this, Bai Shujun's expression changed several times, seemingly realizing something.
"You are a disciple of the Heavenly Extreme Gate?" Han Li's face darkened as he asked sternly.
"Yes, Senior. I am a disciple under Elder Lu of the Heavenly Extreme Gate. Might you be Senior Han?" Despite facing Han Li, a Nascent Soul cultivator, Bai Shujun only showed a brief flash of fear before returning to a courteous demeanor.
"Speak, what is your intention? Why do you keep pestering my concubine? Surely there's another purpose behind such brainless actions," Han Li said coldly.
Mu Peiling looked astonished upon hearing this.
"Senior sees through everything! Actually, my master wishes to meet you. Seeing no sign of you, he instructed me to act this way. But I also genuinely like Daoist Mu. If Senior could grant me this favor, I would be deeply grateful," Bai Shujun said with a refined smile.
"Grateful? What use do I have for your gratitude? Stop daydreaming. My concubines are not for giving away. Now, why does your sect want to see me? We have had no prior dealings," Han Li said, glancing at an empty spot nearby and smiling strangely while releasing a terrifying spiritual pressure.
Bai Shujun's face changed dramatically, and he staggered back several steps. His shoulders felt an immense pressure, almost forcing him to his knees. He struggled to resist but eventually started to kneel.
Just as he was about to kneel, a white figure suddenly appeared and swiftly moved to Bai Shujun's side, gently placing a hand on his shoulder, relieving the pressure and helping him stand.
The newcomer was an elderly man with gray hair and a kind face, wearing a white robe. As Han Li looked at him, the elder smiled and said, "Daoist Han, please don't be angry. It was I who instructed my disciple to do this, as it was the only way I could meet you."
"What is your name, and why do you seek me? If I recall correctly, this is our first encounter," Han Li asked, his spiritual pressure dissipating instantly, and his expression returning to normal as if nothing had happened.
"Haha! I am Lu Weiying, an elder of the Heavenly Extreme Gate. As for the reason, it's inconvenient to explain here. If you wish to know, please meet me tonight at this location. All will be revealed then," Elder Lu said, tossing a green jade slip towards Han Li.
Han Li flicked his sleeve, and a beam of blue light caught the slip, which he briefly scanned with his spiritual sense. It contained an address.
Before Han Li could say anything, Elder Lu and Bai Shujun bowed and swiftly departed.
Han Li frowned, pondering. The other party seemed to know something but also misunderstood, thinking he had been hiding in Tiantian City.
He stroked his chin, unable to figure it out for now, and decided not to pursue it further. After a moment's thought, he led Mu Peiling back into the loft.
"Where is Senior Brother Gu now?" Han Li asked calmly, seemingly forgetting the recent incident.
"I heard the battlefront is tense again, and Senior Gu has gone to discuss strategies with others," Mu Peiling replied.
"Discussing strategies? Where?" Han Li asked with interest.
"At the conference hall in Tiantian City. Any Nascent Soul cultivator from major forces can attend. Do you plan to go, Young Master?" Mu Peiling asked softly.
"The conference hall?" Han Li murmured, recalling the large hall in the city's center surrounded by heavy restrictions.
"Yes, I want to understand the Mulan situation. I'll go there first. Stay here and don't go out," Han Li instructed before leaving the loft.
The so-called "conference hall" was a grand structure in the city's center, rarely used except for matters of life and death concerning the Nine Nations Alliance. Since the Mulan invasion, it had been reopened for discussions with other forces.
Upon arriving, Han Li was granted entry after the guards verified his identity. He was led into the hall, where he saw around ten Nascent Soul cultivators, fewer than expected.
Senior Brother Lü was seated on the left, smiling at Han Li. Next to him was the Fire Dragon Child, whom Han Li also recognized.
Among the others, only an old man in a yellow robe was familiar—none other than the former ancestor of Yellow Maple Valley, Linghu.
