Chapter 1175: Return to Tiannan

**Volume 6: Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure**

In the blink of an eye, Han Li landed on an ordinary-looking platform on a small mountainside. In front of him was what appeared to be a plain mountain wall. With a flick of his sleeve, a wave of green mist swept forward.

With a soft "thump," the green mist struck the stone wall, immediately erupting into a burst of radiant light.

The stone wall then blurred like a phantom, revealing a massive stone gate several zhang tall. White spiritual light flickered incessantly on the gate, clearly indicating it was protected by a powerful restriction.

Han Li observed it for a few moments, then raised his hand and released a flash of fire, which vanished into the stone gate in an instant.

A moment later, a pleasant and surprised female voice transmitted from inside the stone gate:

"It seems Senior Han has arrived. Please wait a moment, my husband and I will come out to greet you right away."

As the voice faded, after a few breaths, the white light on the stone gate flickered wildly a few times before becoming ordinary. Then, with a rumbling sound, the stone gate slowly opened, and two women and one man emerged from within.

They were none other than Wen Siyue and her husband, along with the young girl named Tian Qiner.

Han Li's gaze swept over the young girl's face, and he was slightly taken aback.

This was because the young girl, who had originally been sallow-faced and extremely thin, had now transformed into a fair and delicate maiden. Her eyes and brows faintly resembled her mother's charming allure.

It seemed that after she had cleansed the toxins from her body and recuperated well, this was likely her true appearance.

"Greetings, Senior Han! We didn't expect you to arrive so quickly. Siyue apologizes for not coming out to greet you sooner, please forgive us!" As Wen Siyue was the most familiar with Han Li among them, the charming young woman stepped forward and curtsied to him, a captivating smile gracing her face.

"My journey went quite smoothly; I encountered no setbacks, so I naturally arrived earlier than planned." Han Li waved a hand, indicating that they didn't need to be so formal.

"Nevertheless, my husband and I have long awaited your arrival, Senior. Please, won't you come inside the cave dwelling and rest?" Wen Siyue smiled sweetly, then gracefully stepped aside and spoke.

"Hmm, very well. I also wish to test this girl soon, to see how well she has comprehended the formation scrolls I gave her. If she truly satisfies me, I will take her as my disciple." Han Li nodded, speaking calmly, then glanced at the young girl once more.

Tian Qiner, caught by Han Li's gaze, immediately blushed and lowered her head.

Wen Siyue and the middle-aged man surnamed Tian, hearing this, were overjoyed and eagerly led Han Li into the cave dwelling.

Han Li remained inside for a full day and night. During this time, Wen Siyue and her husband's four Foundation Establishment stage disciples also came to the cave dwelling to pay their respects to Han Li and the others. Among them, the elderly man brought a young man of about seven or eight years old. They also entered the cave dwelling but did not emerge immediately.

Another day later, a streak of clear light shot out from the small mountain. Within the escaping light, the faint outlines of a man and a woman could be seen. After a few flashes, the clear light vanished without a trace.

A month later, countless millions of li away from the Scattered Star Seas, in the interior of the continent, within the Tiannan Yue Kingdom, in a vast canyon on a desolate plain, several black-robed cultivators were flying on their artifacts at a low altitude. Although each of them moved gracefully, their flying speed was incredibly slow, indicating they were low-level cultivators with limited cultivation.

After flying for a while, these black-robed cultivators suddenly flew towards a side wall of the canyon and vanished into an exceptionally hidden cave.

After they had walked about ten zhang further inside, a stone gate flickering with spiritual light from a restriction appeared before their eyes.

A fierce-looking, black-robed large man, who appeared to be the leader, walked a few steps to the stone gate. He formed hand seals while muttering incantations. After a good while, he finally raised his hand, sending out a spell formation that vanished into the stone gate in a flash, causing a few wisps of spiritual light to ripple.

After the stone gate trembled slightly, it slowly rose.

"Which junior brother from our sect has arrived?" Before they could even step inside, a lazy voice drifted out. Immediately, a ball of black mist shot from the cave, flashing once before appearing in front of the large man. The dark aura then dissipated, revealing a pale-faced elder.

"Oh, I was wondering who it was. So, it's Junior Brother Meng. Are you the disciple on duty for this rotation, Junior Brother?" The elder's face had originally been somber, but upon seeing the large man, he was slightly startled, then immediately replaced his expression with a smile.

It was no wonder; the large man possessed a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, while the elder was merely an early-Foundation Establishment cultivator, so he naturally dared not be disrespectful.

"Indeed, Senior Brother Fan! I have been ordered to relieve you in guarding this spiritual mine. Is the entrance to the mineral vein inside the cave?" The large man spoke bluntly and emotionlessly, without any pretense of politeness.

"Haha, Junior Brother Meng, you truly are impatient. The entrance to the spiritual mine is indeed inside. However, did you only bring these few people? It seems a bit too few, doesn't it?" The elder eyed the sparse number of people behind the large man and grew somewhat puzzled.

"Our Ghost Spirit Sect is no longer what it used to be. Most disciples are now deployed to guard against the Spirit Control Sect and the Demonic Flame Sect. I had to go through great efforts just to get these few from the Deacon Hall. Fortunately, this place is considered our sect's heartland and only involves managing mortals, so they should be sufficient." The large man complained, seemingly greatly dissatisfied.

"That makes sense, but Junior Brother Meng, you'll have to work harder from now on." The elder, hearing the large man's words, could only nod helplessly.

"Alright, Senior Brother, please first take me to the mineral vein so I can understand the situation here." The large man glanced into the cave and spoke thus.

"Of course. Junior Brother, follow me." The elder nodded, immediately formed a hand seal, and closed the stone gate again. Then, he led the large man and his group deeper into the cave.

After turning left and right and walking a short distance inside the cave, a massive crack about several zhang wide appeared on the ground ahead. Faint white light flickered within it, seemingly leading directly underground.

At the entrance of the crack, two black-robed Qi Condensation stage cultivators were sitting cross-legged on either side. Upon seeing the elder and the large man approaching, they were startled and hurried over to bow.

The elder calmly waved a hand, then led the large man and his companions directly into the crack.

A quarter of an hour later, the elder had led the large man through most of the underground mineral vein passages. These passages were dense, complex, and intricate. Many hired robust mortal men were toiling away, digging for spirit stones. The elder, meanwhile, pointed out various features as he led the way, seemingly exceptionally familiar with every inch of the place.

It was hardly surprising! Anyone who had stayed here for over ten years would probably know all the passages even with their eyes closed.

The large man, however, listened with a gloomy expression throughout, not speaking readily.

After they made another turn, a new passage suddenly appeared ahead, slanting downwards, seemingly leading even deeper underground.

The black-robed elder, upon seeing this passage, frowned. After shaking his head, he showed no intention of leading the large man and his companions down it. Instead, he turned around, seemingly wanting to lead the group back.

"Senior Brother Fan, where does this passage lead? Why aren't you taking us to see it?" The large man glanced at the passage a few times, then stopped and asked, somewhat strangely.

"Many years ago, this place was a forbidden area. Our sect specifically sent disciples to guard it, but it has long since been abandoned. All those personnel were withdrawn." The elder replied casually.

"A forbidden area? What exactly is inside? And why was it abandoned?" Hearing this, the large man became even more interested.

"There's nothing much inside, just an ancient teleportation array. However, this array has clearly been abandoned for a long time and is completely unusable. As for why it was designated a forbidden area before and then revoked, I, your senior brother, am not entirely clear. But it seems to have some connection to Martial Uncle Wang Chan?" The elder hesitated for a moment, then, seemingly deeming it insignificant, told him the truth.

"Martial Uncle Wang, that's the one who was—" The large man was suddenly startled, but his words abruptly cut off, as if he greatly feared something.

"It's enough that Junior Brother knows. Martial Uncle Wang's affairs are not for you or me to discuss." The elder chuckled, speaking with significant meaning.

"In that case, Senior Brother, could you please take me to see it first? To be frank, Senior Brother Fan, I have been studying the Dao of formations these past few years, and I am very curious about ancient teleportation arrays." The large man fell silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke.

"Junior Brother is studying the Dao of formations? That place is quite far, and it would take a significant amount of time." The elder was startled to hear this, a peculiar expression appearing on his face.

"Senior Brother Fan, there's no need to be surprised. I also understand the principle of not biting off more than one can chew. However, I've encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation, and I can only try to stimulate myself in various ways. Perhaps by studying the Dao of formations, I might coincidentally achieve a breakthrough." The large man sighed as he spoke.

"Since that's the case, I, your senior brother, will lead the way for you, Junior Brother. However, if you truly intend to research this teleportation array, it would be best to find another time." The elder, hearing the large man's words, could only respond in this manner.

Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on the large man's face.

Thus, the group proceeded towards the passage ahead.

In the blink of an eye, they entered an even deeper underground passage.

After walking through winding paths for the duration of a meal, led by the elder, they entered a vast network of interlinked stalactite caves that stretched in all directions.

This place resembled a small maze, but by following some obvious marking symbols, they finally stopped in a stalactite cave of considerable size.

For in a corner of this cave lay an archaic hexagonal teleportation array.

"Junior Brother, this is it!" The elder pointed at the ancient teleportation array and said to the large man.

"Tsk, tsk, so this is an ancient teleportation array. I've only ever read rough descriptions of them in some ancient texts; I've never actually had the chance to see one in person, Senior Brother."

Upon seeing the teleportation array, the large man's eyes immediately lit up. He took a few steps forward, circled it several times, and then focused intently on observing it.

The elder stroked his beard, watching silently with a faint smile from the side.

As for the low-level Qi Condensation disciples, although they were somewhat curious, they naturally dared not stand shoulder to shoulder with the large man. They simply stood obediently at the entrance.

"I've heard that this teleportation array is actually intact. The only reason it cannot be activated is likely due to a problem with the array on the other side. Otherwise, I would truly like to know where this teleportation array leads. But there's plenty of time; you'll be guarding this place for over ten years, Junior Brother, so you'll have ample opportunity to study it. For now, let's head back." After the large man had observed for a good while, the elder felt it was time. After casually speaking a few words, he urged the large man to depart and return.

"Go back? I don't think that's necessary. This place is so secluded, Senior Brother, perhaps you should remain here forever." The large man, with his back to the elder, did not lift his head, yet eerie words came from his mouth.

Upon hearing this, the elder was startled, and a chill immediately ran through his heart. But before he could react, he suddenly felt a coolness at his neck.

A flash of sword light streaked past, and a head tumbled down.

The elder's headless body swayed, then toppled to the ground!