Chapter 1768: Encounter

Although the Horned-Chi Race had brought the war to the vicinity of Cloud City, the Sky-Cloud people still held control of the rear areas, as Cloud City itself had not yet been truly captured. Thus, the flying chariot journeyed towards the rear without encountering any unexpected incidents along the way.

More than half a month later, from inside the chariot, Han Li spotted another major city of the Sky-Cloud people in the distance: 'Flooding Dragon City.' Unlike Cloud City, which floated high in the sky, Flooding Dragon City was nestled within an endless mountain range. A significant part of its walls was constructed by connecting mountain peaks, and thousands of other peaks, varying in size, were enclosed within the city itself. Houses of varying sizes were built both on and between these peaks. Curved streets, dense and radiating outwards, wound around these mountains, presenting a unique sight.

Flooding Dragon City was clearly affected by the Horned-Chi Race army moving from Cloud City's direction. A tense atmosphere was palpable even dozens of miles away. Not only did waves of restrictive energy emanate from the city, but armored patrol units, ranging from a dozen to over a hundred individuals, constantly surveyed the vicinity. Even though the massive flying chariot carrying Han Li and his companions clearly bore the Sky-Cloud insignia, it was stopped and inspected multiple times by several consecutive teams of armored guards. Naturally, after carefully verifying the identity token presented by the black-faced man, the guards respectfully withdrew. The flying chariot then proceeded unimpeded directly to the city gate, where it finally landed.

‘Ah, Senior Ning, these must be the fellow cultivators who have returned from the Broad Cold Realm. The elders of Cloud City have given prior instructions for you all to report to the Nebula Pavilion immediately upon your arrival.’ The words came from a Void Refinement stage armored guard at the city gate, who recognized the black-faced man at a glance and spoke respectfully.

‘Alright, in that case, please proceed directly into the city. I have other matters to attend to and must return to Cloud City,’ the black-faced man replied, completely unsurprised. He nodded to the inquiring guard, then turned to address Fairy Yue and the others.

The others naturally had no objections. After respectfully thanking the black-faced man, they all disembarked from the flying chariot. With a low command from the black-faced man, the six spirit beasts immediately ascended, and the chariot once again shot into the sky, vanishing into the distance within moments.

Upon entering the city, Han Li and his companions immediately noticed that the streets were unusually bustling and lively, though most faces showed signs of underlying anxiety and worry. It made sense, considering the circumstances. As Flooding Dragon City was the closest major city to Cloud City, it was natural that most of the Sky-Cloud people who had evacuated from Cloud City had regrouped here, leading to the sudden increase in population density.

On the street, they casually hailed two snow-white beast carriages and gave the drivers the name ‘Nebula Pavilion.’ The beast carriages then sped directly towards a certain spiritual peak within the city. Han Li sat by the window of one of the beast carriages, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the buildings and pedestrians along the street. His face remained expressionless, his thoughts unknown.

Suddenly, his expression shifted, and his gaze fixed on a person by the side of the street. This person, dressed in a gray robe, with a head of mottled white hair and a slightly sickly complexion, was standing at the entrance of a materials shop, conversing quietly with another individual. The other person wore a yellow robe, had a pale purple face, and a rather fierce countenance.

Han Li's brows furrowed, and his expression flickered for a moment before he suddenly called out: ‘Stop the carriage. I have something I need to attend to. Fellow cultivators, please go to Nebula Pavilion first; I will follow later.’

The others in the same carriage were somewhat surprised by Han Li's sudden request, but naturally had no reason to object. The driver, taking the command, promptly stopped the beast carriage. Han Li lightly descended and walked back the way they had come.

The two individuals by the roadside were clearly in some kind of dispute, their voices growing slightly louder. ‘The spirit stones must be repaid within three days, or don't blame me for being ruthless,’ the purple-faced man stated coldly, his expression suddenly darkening.

‘Fellow Daoist Huang, you should be well aware of my circumstances. Three days are absolutely not enough time to gather such a large amount of spirit stones,’ the sickly-looking elder replied, shaking his head repeatedly, his face appearing rather grim.

‘I don't care about your situation; you know the consequences if the spirit stones aren't repaid. Three days from now, if there truly are no spirit stones, hehe...’ The purple-faced man sneered.

The elder's expression shifted slightly. Just as he was about to speak again, the purple-faced man opposite him suddenly froze, a hint of surprise and doubt appearing in his eyes. Immediately afterward, a faint male voice suddenly sounded from behind the elder: ‘How many spirit stones does Senior Brother Xiang owe you? I will repay them on his behalf.’

The elder was startled. The voice behind him seemed to be right at his side, yet at such a close proximity, he hadn't sensed anyone's presence at all. Deeply alarmed, he quickly turned around, only to see a green-robed figure standing a few feet behind him. The person was young, with an ordinary face and a subtle, unreadable expression. It was none other than Han Li.

‘Junior Brother Han?’ Upon seeing Han Li, the elder’s face instantly brightened with surprise and joy.

‘Senior Brother Xiang, I trust you are well!’ Han Li smiled faintly.

The elder was none other than Xiang Zhili, whom Han Li had met briefly in Cloud City years ago before they parted ways.

‘Junior Brother, you’ve also arrived in Flooding Dragon City. Before I left Cloud City, I specifically tried to find you, but your whereabouts seemed extremely secretive and impossible to ascertain,’ Xiang Zhili said with a wide smile.

‘My recent whereabouts have indeed been difficult to track, so I apologize for the trouble, Senior Brother. By the way, how many spirit stones does Senior Brother Xiang owe you?’ Han Li nodded to Xiang Zhili, then turned to the purple-faced man and asked again.

The purple-faced man, whose cultivation was only around the Core Formation stage, similar to Xiang Zhili's current level, had already turned pale when his spiritual sense completely failed to discern Han Li’s unfathomable cultivation. Upon hearing Han Li’s words, he immediately trembled, bowed deeply to Han Li, and respectfully said: ‘I wouldn’t dare! I was unaware that Fellow Daoist Xiang had such a deep connection with a senior. These few spirit stones are nothing. Please consider it a humble offering from a junior to a senior.’

‘Heh heh, do you take me for someone who casually accepts favors? How many spirit stones? State the amount!’ Han Li’s expression hardened, and his voice grew a few degrees colder.

The purple-faced man’s heart pounded, and he hastily stated a sum that was utterly negligible to Han Li. Han Li flipped his palm, and a leather pouch suddenly appeared. He casually tossed it over, instructing in a commanding tone: ‘Take these spirit stones, and you may leave.’

Bowing and scraping, the purple-faced man took the leather pouch and indeed left without daring to utter another word.

‘This is truly shameful, Junior Brother Han, for you to spend your resources and witness your elder brother in such a sorry state…’ Xiang Zhili waited until the purple-faced man’s figure had vanished into the distance before cupping his hands towards Han Li and saying with a bitter smile.

‘It’s nothing; these few spirit stones are insignificant. What truly surprises me is meeting you here, Senior Brother Xiang. However, I recall you mentioning that if I were to return to the Wind Yuan Continent, it would be best to meet you again, as there was something else you wished to tell me. May I ask what it is now, Senior Brother, if it’s convenient?’ Han Li raised a hand, and a hazy light barrier flickered and vanished. He then asked with a slight smile. Under the temporary restriction formed by the Magnetic Divine Light, Han Li had no need to fear their conversation being overheard by others nearby.

Although Xiang Zhili didn't know what kind of divine ability Han Li had employed, seeing Han Li's frankness, he naturally grasped some of its profundity. His eyes immediately lit up, and he asked with a hint of excitement: ‘Junior Brother, does your question imply that you can now return to the Wind Yuan Continent?’

‘Indeed. Not long ago, I performed some services for the Sky-Cloud people, and I have finally secured the opportunity to use their super teleportation array. I will be departing the Thunder Continent very soon,’ Han Li calmly stated.

‘That’s excellent! However, I have something I need to give you, Junior Brother, but I don’t have it with me right now. Furthermore, this isn’t the right place to discuss such matters. How about this: three days from now, meet me at Green Dragon Peak, over a hundred miles outside the city. We can meet there and have a proper discussion,’ Xiang Zhili said, delighted.

‘Green Dragon Peak? If Senior Brother Xiang says so, then it shall be so.’ After hearing this, an almost imperceptible glint flickered in Han Li’s eyes before he nodded casually.

‘Then it’s settled. By the way, Junior Brother Han, has your cultivation advanced significantly again? Although I cannot discern your current realm, the suppressive aura you exude is distinctly different from the last time we met!’ Xiang Zhili asked with a hint of awe after scrutinizing Han Li once more.

‘What significant advancement? I’ve merely gained some minor insights in my cultivation,’ Han Li replied with a faint smile, downplaying the matter.

After chatting with Xiang Zhili for a while longer, Han Li retracted the Magnetic Divine Light, hailed a beast carriage, and took his leave. The elder stood rooted to the spot, watching the beast carriage disappear into the distance. The corners of his mouth twitched subtly, forming an unnatural, eerie smile.

Although Flooding Dragon City was also massive, it was still slightly smaller compared to Cloud City. Han Li traveled by beast carriage, arriving at the foot of a mountain in just over half an hour. Here, a vast complex of pavilions and palaces rose, encompassing the entire mountain. Han Li followed the driver's directions up the mountain path. However, at the mountainside, numerous armored guards appeared, maintaining a strict watch. Fortunately, Liu Shuier and the others had clearly just passed through, so Han Li was able to easily clear the inspection after stating his identity.

A short while later, Han Li appeared before a large pavilion at the mountain peak. Above the main gate of the pavilion hung a golden plaque bearing three large characters, 'Nebula Pavilion,' written in ancient script. They shimmered with silver light, making them quite striking. On either side of the gate stood eight silver-clad figures, long swords strapped to their backs, their faces devoid of emotion. However, to Han Li's slight surprise, a plump, yellow-robed elder was also standing in front of the pavilion, his hands clasped behind his back. The moment he saw Han Li, the yellow-robed elder immediately approached him with a smile. This elder was none other than the 'Thousand Mechanism Elder' from the Myriad Ages Race.