Chapter 1371: Tian Guang Hall

Although, after a typical tribal war, each race usually needs sixty to one hundred thousand years to regain the ability to launch another major conflict, it’s not impossible for a major upheaval to prompt them to initiate a war much sooner, even at the cost of significant internal vitality. The Hundred Races War five hundred thousand years ago is a prime example: within a mere hundred thousand years, we were jointly attacked five times in rotation by several foreign races. This nearly exhausted the vitality of our two races, almost leading to our extermination. It took another hundred thousand years for us to truly recover and prosper again.

“Of course, those foreign races didn’t fare well either; two of them were directly wiped out during that war.” Daoist Ma’s expression grew solemn.

“The Hundred Races War? Are you joking, fellow Daoist! A conflict that sweeps across half the Spirit Realm doesn’t just break out, and it’s highly unlikely that we would happen to encounter it.” The green-eyed man gasped, his eyes widening.

“Daoist Ma, what you’re saying is truly alarming. If we were to face a war on the scale of the Hundred Races War, even with ten more lives, it would be difficult for us to survive. I heard that in that war, mortals fared somewhat better, but nearly ninety percent of cultivators perished.”

Fairy Xu also drew a sharp breath.

“Indeed, indeed, how could such a thing be possible…”

Hearing the words “Hundred Races War,” the others’ faces turned pale. It seemed Daoist Ma had mentioned something utterly terrifying, making it difficult for them to maintain their usual composure.

“Calm down. It’s just that there have been a few more foreign scouts recently. Why would that lead to talk of a Hundred Races War? Not only is the possibility of such an event extremely remote, but even if it did happen, it’s not for the likes of you and me to manage. Our priority is to complete our current patrol mission. Other matters will naturally be handled by the Elders’ Council.” Han Li, however, remained as calm as ever. He spoke plainly, then moved his body, flying off first in a certain direction.

Seeing this, Daoist Ma and the others naturally stopped their discussion. They all activated their escape lights and followed him.

In a flash, the group vanished towards the horizon.

A few days later, Han Li and his companions returned to the giant tower in Tianyuan City aboard the Golden Court Boat. The others remained in the hall to rest, while he alone left the team’s quarters, ascending the steps directly towards the top of the stone tower.

After climbing more than ten levels and passing through several heavily guarded doors, Han Li arrived in what appeared to be an ordinary hall.

Around the hall, various spiritual lights from restrictions flickered constantly on the walls, indicating countless layers of powerful enchantments had been laid down.

In the center of the hall, there was only a stone table and a white-robed middle-aged man sitting cross-legged beside it.

As Han Li stepped into the hall, the middle-aged man, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them. Upon seeing Han Li, he showed no surprise, instead merely saying:

“So it’s you, Esteemed Nephew Han. You’ve had another successful patrol. Did you bring back a live captive or a corpse this time? And which race does it belong to?”

The middle-aged man seemed quite familiar with Han Li.

“Reporting, Senior Wen, this junior has captured a Shadow Race scout this time.” Han Li dared not show the slightest disrespect to the middle-aged man in front of him. After respectfully cupping his fist, he flipped his hand, took out a jade box, and placed it on the stone table with both hands.

“A Shadow Race member! Tsk, tsk, this is a foreign scout rarely captured alive. Let me have a look.” The white-robed middle-aged man’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing Han Li’s words, finally showing some interest.

He then made a hand seal with one hand and suddenly slapped the stone table in front of him.

The seemingly ordinary stone table suddenly erupted with white light, revealing a small, ten-foot-wide magic array. The jade box was positioned precisely in its center.

A layer of silver restriction enveloped it.

However, the white-robed middle-aged man’s actions seemed entirely unaffected by this light shield. He gently flicked his sleeve towards the jade box, and the lid opened on its own, revealing a green orb inside, faintly shimmering with spiritual light.

“A Green Shadow! This is a high-level Shadow Race member, rarely encountered, and captured alive at that. Nephew, you’ve rendered no small service this time!” The white-robed middle-aged man recognized the orb’s origin at a glance, finally showing some emotion. “Senior, you flatter me!” Han Li replied modestly, then suddenly asked, “I heard that in half a month, Elder Xing, from the Heavenly Spirit Mirror, will be lecturing on the Dao of Talismans at the Heavenly Vast Hall. Is that true?”

“Indeed, it has been decided that Elder Xing will be lecturing at the Heavenly Vast Hall this time. Although it’s not confirmed if it will specifically be on the Dao of Talismans, Elder Xing is renowned across the Three Realms for his talisman techniques, so it will most likely be related. Why, are you interested in this, Esteemed Nephew Han?” the white-robed middle-aged man asked with some surprise.

“This junior has recently been studying talisman techniques and has indeed gained some insights. I was hoping to seek guidance from someone,” Han Li replied candidly, without any intention of concealing his interest.

“If one thoroughly masters the Dao of Talismans, its applications in combat are indeed endless. However, this method is ultimately an auxiliary art and doesn’t offer significant help in advancing cultivation. Esteemed Nephew Han, since your ascension, you’ve progressed to the mid-stage of the Deity Transformation Realm in such a short time; your rapid advancement is rare among ascendant cultivators like us, showing your exceptional talent. However, I advise you not to be distracted by other pursuits, as it might hinder your progress on the Great Dao,” the middle-aged man said, frowning slightly and slowing his voice as he offered his advice.

From his tone, it seemed he was also an ascendant cultivator from the lower realms.

“Thank you for your kindness, Senior Wen. This junior will bear it in mind. However, I truly do not wish to miss Elder Xing’s lecture this time. May I ask if the merits I have accumulated so far are sufficient for me to attend the lecture in the hall?” Han Li sincerely thanked him, but still showed no intention of giving up.

“Since Esteemed Nephew insists, I won’t say more. With the merits you’ve accumulated from previous missions, plus the capture of this Green Shadow, you have more than enough to enter the Heavenly Vast Hall. Heh heh, you never seem to miss the elder lectures, which happen once every ten years. That’s quite admirable. All right, I’ll record your merits now. You can then take this to the Merit Assessment Pavilion to claim your preaching token.” The white-robed man no longer tried to dissuade him. Instead, he pulled out a jade tablet from his robe with one hand, inscribed a mark into it, and then handed it to Han Li.

Han Li was delighted as he received the jade tablet. He bowed slightly to the middle-aged man, then excused himself and left the hall.

As soon as Han Li exited the hall, the middle-aged man first shook his head, then nodded, and after closing the jade box on the table, he formed a hand seal with both hands and pointed at the jade table in front of him.

Instantly, the magic array on the table shone dazzlingly, and the jade box vanished without a trace amidst the flashing white light.

While the white-robed man was sending the green orb, which was the Green Shadow, to its place of confinement, Han Li had already flown away from the stone tower, heading directly towards the Tian Ce Jian Market.

Several hours later, Han Li’s escape light descended in front of the Grand Profound Hall, located in the middle of the market.

He casually paid a sum of spirit stones, received a light-obscuring pendant, and then confidently entered the hall.

Passing through a long corridor, Han Li emerged into a massive hall bathed in silver radiance, filled with both human and demon cultivators seeking to exchange items.

Amidst the flashing silver light and dark aura, there were easily two to three hundred individuals.

Dozens of stalls were set up around the hall.

Han Li’s gaze swept around the hall before narrowing and settling near a stone pillar in the center.

There, a demon cultivator shrouded in a dark aura stood quietly, unmoving.

Han Li took a deep breath and strode towards her.

“Fellow Daoist, you’re finally here. After our last transaction, I thought you would immediately go into secluded cultivation, and we wouldn’t see each other for at least several years.” Before Han Li could reach her, a soft, pleasant chuckle, full of evident joy, suddenly sounded in his ear.

“I only came this time to try my luck. I didn’t expect Fellow Daoist Yan to actually be here. It seems you’ve also sensed that something is amiss recently and wish to complete our transaction as soon as possible.” Han Li feigned a smile and transmitted his voice in return, already standing before the black aura.

“What’s amiss?” The woman in the black aura paused, and her voice suddenly turned cold.

“Why pretend not to know, Fellow Daoist? Just look at how many more people from our two races are present in the hall now compared to before—several times more. Doesn’t that indicate something?” Han Li calmly replied, completely unfazed by the change in her tone.

“Are you saying this because you’ve heard some news?” the woman asked, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

“I don’t know about other things, but high-level cultivators are moving frequently, and in the area we’re responsible for, the number of foreign scouts appearing is nearly five or six times what it used to be. How about your side?” Han Li calmly retorted.

“It’s much the same! Those old fellows are also showing up more frequently, and there are new faces in the city. All of them seem quite powerful, as if they are new recruits transferred from the Seven Lands,” the woman replied honestly after a moment of hesitation.

“I understand. It seems it’s not just our imagination. Something is truly about to happen. What do you think is the probability of a foreign invasion of the city?” Han Li surprisingly asked.

“At least a thirty percent chance. Otherwise, such astonishing changes wouldn’t be occurring in the city,” the woman replied gloomily.

“Thirty percent, that’s already quite high,” Han Li exhaled slowly, muttering to himself.

“Indeed. That’s why after this last transaction with you, I won’t appear here again. If you wish to preserve your life, it would be best to find a way to leave this city quickly. Otherwise, if the foreign races truly launch an attack, beings of our rank will almost certainly not escape the calamity,” the woman said plainly.

“It’s easy for you to say, Fellow Daoist. As a cultivator of this city, it’s not so simple to just leave. Besides, I still need to annually…” Han Li gave a bitter smile, and after saying a couple of sentences, he suddenly remembered something, cutting off his words abruptly.

“Heh heh, it is indeed very difficult to leave now. Our two races are different, so I am powerless to help you. Fortunately, even if a major war breaks out, there will still be at least several years, so you have time to plan for this. All right, we’ve exchanged enough information. You can begin the transaction now,” the woman said with a soft chuckle, her voice then becoming serious.