Chapter 1449: Heavenly Peng Saint Son

After an unknown period, the effeminate young man awoke with a start, his head throbbing intensely.

The moment he opened his eyes, he sprang up cautiously. Beside him, the black-armored man and Han Li seemed to have also just woken up.

"What happened! I remember now, that old thief Yu didn't give us the treasure in the end. Instead, he used the Thunder-Attracting Pearl to ambush us!" The young man quickly recalled the events before losing consciousness, his face filling with shock and anger.

The black-armored man shook his still-groggy head, then immediately sat cross-legged, carefully examining his internal condition with his spiritual sense.

A moment later, he let out a long breath. "Thankfully, only some vital energy was shaken; there's no serious harm."

Han Li, however, remained silent, his head lowered, but his eyes flickered, seemingly contemplating the current situation.

"Do either of you know what happened afterward?" the effeminate young man asked, glancing at Han Li and the big man in turn.

"Not clear," the big man chuckled. "The moment that five-colored lightning struck me, it shook my primordial spirit, and I lost consciousness."

"Brother Han," the young man suddenly turned to Han Li, "I recall you seemed to have spotted Old Man Yu's trap and didn't fall for it by taking the Thunder-Attracting Pearl."

"How could a mere Flying Spirit General like myself truly escape unharmed!" Han Li sighed. "Although I dodged the five-colored heavenly lightning, I was then ambushed by the Thunder Beast with its lightning power. I passed out just like you two."

"Ambushed by the Thunder Beast? That makes sense. That beast has a crystal core implanted in it by Old Man Yu, so he can indeed temporarily control its physical body." Hearing this, the effeminate young man felt a slight relief.

"It's a bit strange. Since that old thief turned hostile, why would he leave us here unharmed?" The big man began to ponder the peculiarity of the situation.

"What's strange about it? Most likely, as soon as that old thief saw his plan succeed, he suddenly couldn't bear to part with the things he promised us. I found it odd at the time that he'd exchange such rare items just to subdue a spirit beast. It seems he intended to renege on his word all along. And to think his Myriad Thunder Workshop is so renowned in the Holy City!" The effeminate young man cursed, his expression changing.

"If he merely couldn't bear to part with those treasures, there's indeed no need to kill us. But during the time we were unconscious, he must have already fled," Han Li said, nodding.

Hearing Han Li's words, the big man looked thoughtful, apparently accepting this explanation.

"We can't let that old thief truly escape like this. Let's go to his residence now. Even if he's really gone, we might still find some clues," the young man said unwillingly, a cold glint in his eyes.

The black-armored man hesitated briefly, then agreed. Han Li, however, his eyes glinting, shook his head:

"My cultivation is low. Being able to keep my life this time is already fortunate. I don't wish to pursue this matter further. I shall take my leave of you two seniors here."

Hearing Han Li's words, both the big man and the young man were startled, exchanging glances.

"Brother Han, how can you truly tolerate Old Man Yu making a fool of us like this? I see that your lightning abilities are extraordinary, Brother Han; you must be someone of significant background. Even if that old thief's cultivation is far superior to ours, he was clearly greatly weakened when he cast the spell to extract the Thunder Beast's essence. If we join forces, he's nothing to fear. If worst comes to worst, the three of us can even appeal to the elders. Even if he has some cultivation, would he dare defy the clan elders?" the young man urged, gritting his teeth.

"The clan elders... There's no need to disturb them. We should handle this matter ourselves," the black-armored man said, his expression darkening slightly.

"Forget it. I have other important matters to attend to in the Holy City, and my presence here was merely coincidental. Since things have taken an unexpected turn, it's inconvenient for me to be too distracted by this matter. Seniors, I'll take my leave now." Han Li calmly shook his head, clasped his fists at the two of them, then flapped the wings on his back. He abruptly ascended into the air, turning into a streak of green light and vanishing into the distance.

"He doesn't know what's good for him. As long as we find Old Man Yu, the two of us together will be enough to handle him." The effeminate young man watched Han Li's departing escape light, his face clouding over, then turned to the big man and said.

"Heh heh, a mere Flying Spirit General; one more or one less makes no difference. But Old Man Yu dared to go back on his word; he probably has some contingencies in place. Our chances aren't very good," the black-armored man said, growing somewhat worried.

"How will we know we truly can't corner that old thief if we don't investigate ourselves?" the effeminate young man repeatedly shook his head.

"There's some truth to that. Let's go," the black-armored man grunted.

Ignoring Han Li's departure, the two immediately headed towards the shop owner's residence.

Meanwhile, Han Li leisurely returned to the VIP guesthouse, appearing as if he had completely dismissed the matter from his mind.

For the remaining days, Han Li stayed in the VIP building, meditating and continuously consuming pills to consolidate his late-Nascent Soul stage cultivation. At the same time, he diligently pondered the 'Heavenly Peng Transformation' incantation of the Awakening Thunder Arts, aiming to truly master this transformative divine ability and apply it in combat as soon as possible. Time passed, and two months flew by in the blink of an eye.

On this day, as Han Li sat cross-legged on his bed, with faint green mists swirling around him, his expression suddenly stirred, and he opened his eyes.

Almost simultaneously, a clear voice drifted in from outside.

"I am Bai Bi. By the order of the Grand Elder, I have come to escort you, Senior, to your appointment."

Han Li's eyes narrowed slightly, then immediately returned to normal.

With a slight movement, he ghostly descended from his bed to the floor. Ever since cultivating the 'Concealing Transformation Art' of the Awakening Thunder Arts, he felt his body grow lighter and more agile, his movement technique a step above what it was before.

Pushing open the door, Han Li exited the bedroom and headed straight for the main hall.

Indeed, when he appeared in the hall, a young man in yellow robes was standing there, hands clasped behind his back. The young man didn't appear overly handsome, but his features were clear and bright. Upon seeing Han Li emerge, he amiably asked, "Are you Senior Han? I am here by the Grand Elder's order to escort Brother Han." Although the young man was only in the early-Nascent Soul stage, his every move was exceptionally graceful, and his few words gave off a feeling as refreshing as a spring breeze.

"Bai Bi? Judging by your distinguished bearing, you must be one of the two Holy Sons, correct?" Han Li observed the young man, then chuckled softly.

"This junior is ashamed to have received such favor from the elders; I am indeed one of the current Holy Sons of the clan. Regarding Brother Han's matter, I actually heard a little about it from two of my family elders. I haven't yet properly thanked Brother Han for his assistance; otherwise, my closest elders would truly have been in mortal danger," Bai Bi said, smiling and clasping his fists.

"Elders? You mean..." Han Li showed a look of surprise.

"My uncle Bai Lei, and my aunt Bai Ning," the young man smiled.

"You are Brother Bai Lei's nephew." Han Li's gaze swept over the golden, shimmering wings on the young man's back, a hint of surprise appearing on his face.

"Senior Han need not find it strange. This junior only activated the Kunpeng True Saint bloodline within me after reaching adulthood, which is why my wings look this way," Bai Bi explained with a smile, seeming to have noticed Han Li's confusion.

"I see, it seems you've had quite a fortuitous encounter as well," Han Li said with a faint smile.

He then followed the Heavenly Peng Clan's Holy Son, leaving the residence.

Several hours later, Han Li found himself in a grand, majestic hall constructed from ancient white stone. The hall was solemn and austere. In the very center stood a white stone table, resembling an altar, with five stone chairs arranged along the sides.

At this moment, besides Jin Yue, the red-bearded old man, and the beautiful woman, there was also a tall, cloaked man in black robes seated on one of the stone chairs. The man emitted a faint black aura, his face obscured, but a pair of raven-black, shimmering wings protruded from his back. On the stone table lay a fiery red box, crisscrossed with several emerald, peculiar leaves that glowed with a green light distinctly different from the box's color.

Han Li was already standing before the four individuals, while Bai Bi had moved to stand to one side. The atmosphere in the hall was unusually solemn, but all of them remained silent, as if awaiting someone. The newly appeared black-robed man meticulously scrutinized Han Li, appearing quite interested.

After a short while, footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the hall. A woman in a silver gown with white wings on her back, radiating an ethereal aura, entered. Her skin was as fair as jade, her eyes clear as autumn water, and her body was spotless.

"Lei Lan, you seem to be late," Jin Yue asked, her delicate brows furrowing as she looked at the woman.

"Reporting to the Grand Elder, I was temporarily comprehending some spell techniques and suddenly had an epiphany, which caused the delay. I hope the elders will forgive me." The woman bowed slightly to Jin Yue and the others, her voice a little hoarse.

"Since it was due to a breakthrough in comprehending incantations, then it's fine," Jin Yue said, her expression softening upon hearing the woman's explanation.

The woman thanked them and then stood to one side.

"The reason I summoned you all here, I believe you already know. This Abyss Trial concerns the very survival of our clan, so no matter what, one of you two must pass the trial and inherit the position of Holy Lord of our clan. However, we have received intelligence that the Red-Scale and other hostile branches, who do not wish for our clan to escape this calamity, will likely arrange for participants in the trial to secretly act against you. Both of you have only recently become Holy Sons, and with Holy Sons from other clans obstructing you, this trial would surely be a one-way trip. For this reason, I have invited Fellow Daoist Han to join our Heavenly Peng Clan, temporarily serving as our clan's third Holy Son, so that he may assist you when the time comes," Jin Yue slowly said, looking at Han Li and the two Holy Sons. Her pleasant voice gently echoed through the hall.

Bai Bi and the woman who had just entered the hall both raised their heads and glanced at Han Li upon hearing this. The young man's gaze was gentle and amiable, while the silver-robed woman's eyes were as clear as water.

Han Li simply smiled faintly.