Chapter 1180: Falling Demon Mutation

**Book Six: Heavenly Spiritual Treasures**

Upon hearing Lu Luo's words, Han Li felt a sense of relief. It seemed his predictions were correct; Nanguo Wan would be fine even if he hadn't personally retrieved the seal-breaking method. However, since the spell-breaking method was already in hand, it shouldn't be wasted. It would be best to cast it on Nanguo Wan again, just in case there were any unknown lingering issues. Han Li made up his mind in an instant.

Amidst their casual conversation, the three arrived at the protective formation of the Falling Cloud Sect. As Lu Luo had sent a voice transmission talisman en route, the moment they flew over, the mist enveloping the entire formation began to churn, then gradually dispersed and vanished. The entire mountain-guarding formation was being dismantled.

Han Li was surprised by this sight. Before he could speak, hundreds of Foundation Establishment cultivators, led by over a dozen Core Formation cultivators, flew out from the mountain gate. They then arranged themselves into two rows in the air and collectively shouted: "Disciples of Falling Cloud Sect respectfully welcome Elder Han, who has achieved Nascent Soul perfection, back to the sect!"

After proclaiming these words, all the cultivators, faces alight with excitement, bowed deeply to Han Li. Clearly, Lu Luo had informed the disciples about Han Li becoming a late-stage Grand Cultivator via the voice transmission talisman. This was why the disciples had arranged such a grand reception for Elder Han. After all, the disciples of Falling Cloud Sect were perfectly clear on what it meant for their sect to have a Grand Cultivator. Not only would the sect soon become one of the top super-sects in Tiannan, but the cultivation resources it could command would also be incomparable to before. As members of Falling Cloud Sect, they were naturally overjoyed.

Han Li gave a wry smile to Lu Luo beside him. "Senior Martial Brother Lu, I'm not an outsider. This grand display seems unnecessary, doesn't it?"

"Haha, what are you saying, Junior Martial Brother Han? With your advancement to Grand Cultivator, it's only natural for our sect's disciples to offer a grand welcome. In a while, our sect will also hold a special ceremony to celebrate this event, inviting elders from other sects to observe. How else could it befit your current status?" Lu Luo said with a hearty laugh.

"As you wish, Senior Martial Brother. However, I won't concern myself with these matters. At most, I'll show my face when the time comes." Han Li could only say helplessly. According to Tiannan's customs, if a cultivator advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage, a truly grand ceremony was indeed held to announce it to all of Tiannan. This was to allow other sects to confirm the matter and solidify the super-sect status of the Grand Cultivator's sect.

Han Li found it inconvenient to openly object. Thus, surrounded by so many disciples, Han Li entered the Falling Cloud Sect and proceeded directly into one of its main halls. Han Li sat in the central seat of the hall. Although Lu Luo sat with him, his seat was slightly to the side, to signify that Han Li would be the primary authority from now on.

Han Li saw this and said nothing. If a sect had a late Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator and still didn't make him the primary authority, the sect would likely face major problems. Aside from anything else, the disciples would become uneasy, not to mention the suspicion from other sects. Chaos would ensue sooner or later. Therefore, Han Li did not decline and tacitly accepted the arrangement. However, he sat silently in the center of the hall. After all, he hadn't returned to the sect for so many years and had never managed sect affairs before, so it was naturally best to leave everything to Senior Martial Brother Lu.

Indeed, although Lu Luo's cultivation wasn't outstanding among Nascent Soul cultivators, he handled sect affairs in an orderly manner. He first had the newly Core Formation disciples who had registered with the sect pay their respects to Han Li one by one. Then, he formally announced the news of Han Li's advancement to the late Nascent Soul stage. Following this, under the excited gazes of the disciples, he assigned tasks and immediately began preparations for the grand ceremony several months later.

Han Li sat calmly in his chair, his gaze casually sweeping over the disciples. Most of those qualified to stand there were Core Formation disciples, with a few Foundation Establishment cultivators mixed in who were important deacons specifically responsible for secular matters within the sect. No matter which disciple his gaze fell upon, they all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes, showing their respect for Han Li. However, after a few glances, Han Li suddenly realized that his registered disciple, Liu Yu, and the woman named Song from White Phoenix Peak were not among them. He paused, feeling a little strange.

After Lu Luo had finished giving all his instructions, the disciples respectfully accepted their orders and exited the main hall, beginning preparations for the grand ceremony several months later.

"Senior Martial Brother Lu, I don't seem to see Martial Niece Song. Did she go out on urgent business?" Han Li asked casually.

Lu Luo chuckled upon hearing this. "Hehe, Junior Martial Brother Han, you might not know, but Martial Niece Song went to the Demon Fall Valley. It seems she wants to refine a spiritual elixir but lacks a rare spiritual herb. This herb has long been extinct in the outside world, but someone once brought it out from the Demon Fall Valley."

"Entering the Demon Fall Valley?" Han Li's expression changed upon hearing this.

"Don't worry, Junior Martial Brother. That spiritual herb can be found in the outer perimeter of the Demon Fall Valley. And for some unknown reason, ever since you entered it that one time, while the inner valley remains extremely dangerous, the outer valley's restrictions have been weakening year by year. Most of the spatial rifts there have also disappeared. In the outer perimeter, aside from a few specific areas and hidden demonic beasts in the valley, there isn't much danger. Many cultivators have gained significant benefits from the outer valley over the past few decades. Oh, by the way, Martial Niece Liu and your concubine also went with them. All three of them are Core Formation cultivators and brought some excellent treasures, so they should be fine," Lu Luo hastily explained.

"The Demon Fall Valley has changed like that, and Liu Yu and Mu Peiling went too?" Han Li was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, I don't know what miraculous elixirs you left, Junior Martial Brother, but your concubine advanced to the mid-Core Formation stage within a century. Her cultivation speed is truly astonishing. She might even be able to advance to Nascent Soul," Lu Luo said, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"The elixirs I left were secondary; Peiling's innate aptitude was already good," Han Li said, though after stroking his chin, he quietly thought to himself that he had originally expected to return from Dajin within a decade or so, which was why he hadn't left too many cultivation-enhancing elixirs. Otherwise, with continuous consumption of spiritual elixirs, it would have been highly possible for her to advance to the late Core Formation stage within a century. However, he had now independently broken through to the late Nascent Soul stage, and the Phoenix Nirvana Cultivation Art was only effective for Nascent Soul cultivators. His original plans were thus rendered useless, and he needed to carefully consider how to handle this woman. After all, everyone knew she was his concubine. Even if he were to let her go now, no male cultivator would be bold enough to risk offending a Grand Cultivator by getting entangled with her.

As Han Li pondered these thoughts, and after chatting with Lu Luo for a while longer, he suddenly stood up to take his leave, stating he wanted to see Nanguo Wan first. Lu Luo naturally wouldn't stop him in the slightest. So, Han Li temporarily left Tian Qin'er in the main hall and set off directly for the sect's former restricted area.

A short while later, Han Li appeared before the stone chamber in the restricted area. His heart somewhat stirred, he deactivated the restriction on the door and gently pushed open the stone slab. The stone chamber remained exceptionally tidy; everything was exactly as it had been when he left. The sparkling ice wall still stood opposite the stone entrance. The only difference was that Nanguo Wan, who had been in the form of a young girl within the ice wall, had now regained her original peerless beauty. However, her bright eyes were currently closed, as if she were still in a deep slumber.

Han Li's figure lightly flickered, and he instantly appeared before the ice wall as if teleporting. He gazed fixedly at the woman in the wall, his expression momentarily becoming unusually complex. Just then, the beauty within the ice wall's long eyelashes fluttered. She slowly opened her eyes, and her gaze met Han Li's. For a moment, they gazed at each other in silence!

"You're back. You've truly gone through a lot this time!" After a long while, the woman suddenly smiled faintly and spoke softly.

Deep within the inner valley of Demon Fall Valley, at the halfway point of an unknown mountain, an earth-shattering roar suddenly echoed. A thick cloud of black energy billowed out from an unknown cave. With a swift movement, the black energy surged and roiled, instantly spreading for hundreds of feet, almost completely obscuring half the sky. It was as if a colossal demon god had descended, its presence astonishingly powerful.

"Hehe, by utilizing the remnant demonic energy of that ancient demon, I've advanced to the mid-Nascent Soul stage in just over a century. Even this Profound Yin Demonic Qi has been cultivated to its final two layers. Taking such a huge risk to come to this Demon Fall Valley was indeed the correct decision. Next, I'll search the valley for a few more suitable treasures. From now on, even if that person comes looking for me, I won't have to fear him too much. After that, I'll find a way to infiltrate the Myriad Demon Abyss and, with the infusion of its immense demonic energy into this demonic corpse body, it probably won't be impossible to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage. Haha, other demonic cultivators fear demonic energy exploding their bodies, but I myself am a demonic corpse body, so what is there to fear? When I achieve late-stage mastery, killing that person and devouring his Nascent Soul will be as easy as flipping a hand. Then I will be him, and he will be me. There can only be one Han Li in this world." A hoarse voice rumbled from the black energy, and then the person burst into maniacal laughter. The black energy then violently surged, rolling off rapidly in a certain direction. In the blink of an eye, it vanished without a trace.

In a bamboo forest on the outer perimeter of Demon Fall Valley, a ball of red light shot out from the bamboo, circled once, then fled with lightning speed. However, after a soft shout, three streaks of sword light of different colors burst out from the bamboo forest with even more astonishing speed. After a few flashes, they caught up with the red light. As the three sword lights circled around it, a strange croaking cry immediately came from the red light, and an enormous monstrous bird, over ten feet long, plunged straight down from the fiery glow. A white rainbow then shot out from the bamboo forest, and after a flash, it arrived beside the falling monstrous bird, revealing a beautiful woman in white robes. The woman raised her hand and made a grabbing motion in the air. Immediately, a purple spiritual herb flew out from the monstrous bird's remains and was caught by her.