Chapter 1790: Xu Family

"If a fellow Daoist and I were to jointly maintain this, I believe the situation of many ascended cultivators could be greatly improved." Master Jinyue offered many persuasive words, his expression growing serious.

Han Li's face also became somewhat solemn after listening, but after his gaze flickered a few times, he slowly shook his head.

"Although I am one of the ascended cultivators and am aware of their plight, this matter cannot be changed by just one or two people like us. Even if I were to join the Elder Council, it wouldn't be very useful; instead, I would likely get entangled in disputes. From the moment I embarked on the path of cultivation, I resolved to pursue the path of eternal life and immortality. Although I have already reached the Integration Stage, true ascension to an Immortal is still far off. It's impossible for me to be distracted by other matters."

"So, Fellow Daoist is a diligent ascetic. This monk admires you! Since you have another grand ambition and your decision is made, I will not try to persuade you further. Did you come to Tianyuan City this time for an urgent matter? Do you need any assistance from this monk?" Master Jinyue saw that Han Li's mind was truly made up, and after a light sigh, he no longer brought up the invitation.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Master. I came to the city this time simply to procure some materials and to handle a few minor tasks entrusted to me by others." Han Li cupped his hands and replied courteously.

"Haha, I see. However, if you truly need any help, feel free to come to me. In Tianyuan City, this monk believes he can offer some assistance." Master Jinyue nodded.

Han Li, of course, expressed his profuse thanks.

For the remainder of the time, Han Li and Master Jinyue no longer discussed trivial matters but instead exchanged insights on cultivation.

Such exchanges were almost a mandatory activity for Integration Stage cultivators who had a good relationship, practically every time they met. After all, reaching their current cultivation realm was almost the pinnacle a cultivator could achieve in a lifetime. As for the legendary Mahayana and Tribulation Passage cultivators, they were simply beyond reach. Among smaller races, perhaps only one or two individuals could reach such a stage within an entire clan. Therefore, without any guidance, Integration Stage cultivators could only rely on exchanges with others to resolve difficulties in their cultivation.

Master Jinyue was already an Integration Stage cultivator in the mid-phase, just a step away from entering the late-phase. His cultivation insights were far superior to those of Elder Qi, who was only in the early Integration Stage. Han Li, possessing several formidable divine abilities and cultivating the Dual Cultivation of Spirit and Body — the Brahma-Saint True Devil Arts, which no one had ever practiced before — naturally had his unique insights in cultivation. After their exchange, both felt they had benefited immensely, and they conversed for an entire day and night without realizing how much time had passed.

Early the next morning, Master Jinyue, somewhat pleased, bid farewell and departed.

Han Li, meanwhile, returned to the top floor of the pavilion and continued his meditative cultivation. In the following days, no other Integration Stage cultivators came to visit. It seemed they were either busy or had learned through Master Jinyue that Han Li was unlikely to join the Elder Council, thus making further visits unnecessary.

Six days passed consecutively, and on the seventh day, the person he was waiting for finally arrived.

Han Li didn't wait for the maidservants below to announce the arrival; he suddenly rose from his meditation cushion and drifted gracefully downwards. Several maidservants on the first floor were idly whispering to each other. Upon seeing Han Li appear, they were startled and hurried forward to bow in greeting.

Han Li waved his hand and calmly instructed:

"You may go out first. The person I am waiting for has arrived. Please invite her in."

Upon hearing Han Li's words, the Foundation Establishment female cultivators paused for a moment but immediately agreed respectfully and walked out of the pavilion. Han Li then took a seat at the main position.

Indeed, after a short while, led by a maidservant, a woman with a jade-like complexion entered. Tall and slender, dressed in a blue palace gown, she was none other than the "Fairy Xu" from years past. Her cultivation had evidently reached the Deity Transformation Stage.

"It truly is Senior Han. Senior has really advanced to the Integration Stage!"

Han Li's appearance was almost identical to how it had been centuries ago, and the woman recognized him at a glance, hastily curtsying to him. Back then, Han Li had taken good care of her, considering her status as a descendant of Fairy Ice-Soul, sometimes offering a few pointers on cultivation. This woman had always harbored deep gratitude for Han Li, alongside her respect. Therefore, as soon as she returned to the city and heard from the Qingming Guard man and the short-bearded elder that Han Li had reappeared in Tianyuan City and wished to speak with her, she immediately came to Juxian Pavilion.

Naturally, upon hearing about Han Li's advancement to the Integration Stage, the woman was equally astonished, no less surprised than the elder named Yue. However, this fact seemed truly incredible, and until she saw it with her own eyes, she remained half-skeptical on her way. Now, seeing Han Li and sensing the powerful aura emanating from him, she naturally had no more doubts. She was immediately both surprised and delighted as she hastily paid her respects to Han Li.

"No need for such formality, Fellow Daoist. Fairy Xu and I are old acquaintances; please, sit down and let's talk." Han Li said with a smile to the descendant of Fairy Ice-Soul.

"Then this junior will presume to do so," Fairy Xu said with a slight hesitation, then respectfully complied. The woman then sat down in a chair beside Han Li. At this moment, a maidservant entered, carrying a small tea table and serving two cups of fragrant spiritual tea.

"You may all withdraw. Do not let anyone enter without my instructions." Han Li commanded the maidservant.

"Yes!" The maidservant replied, then respectfully retreated backwards out of the room. Only then did Han Li lightly flick his sleeve towards the main entrance. Immediately, a white glow flashed around the pavilion's door, and it slowly closed on its own. At the same time, a layer of blue light shimmered on the surrounding walls. The restrictions inherent to the pavilion were suddenly activated, isolating the entire hall on the first floor.

Seeing this, the woman in blue felt a jolt in her heart, and her expression couldn't help but turn serious. If the matter they were about to discuss wasn't quite sensitive, no one would naturally bother with such an extra step.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, I came to find you this time to inquire about something. Your ancestor is indeed Fairy Ice-Soul, correct?" Han Li asked with a serious expression.

"Fairy Ice-Soul is indeed my ancestor; this junior would never dare to deceive you," Fairy Xu replied without hesitation, though she was momentarily surprised.

"Good, in that case. Do you know the whereabouts of Senior Fairy Ice-Soul? I have something important and may need to meet with her personally," Han Li said, letting out a soft breath.

"Ah, meet my ancestor?" Even though the woman had numerous conjectures beforehand, she couldn't help but be stunned.

"What, you don't know your ancestor's whereabouts either?" Han Li frowned.

"Although this junior inherited my ancestor's bloodline, by the time I was born, my ancestor had already been missing for tens of thousands of years. However, according to other elders in my family, my ancestor had just advanced to the Integration Stage at that time and even received an invitation from Tianyuan City. But it seems she had other urgent matters, so she declined the invitation from Tianyuan City, and after going out once, her whereabouts became unknown." Fairy Xu said with a bitter smile.

"I see. In that case, there's no other way. Besides Fellow Daoist Xu, are there any other descendants of Senior Fairy Ice-Soul's lineage?" Han Li pondered for a moment before asking again.

"To be frank, Senior, after all these years, the original lineage of my ancestor, Fairy Ice-Soul, has now split into over a dozen branches of various sizes. Some have even established two small sects by relying on the cultivation methods left by our ancestor. However, in terms of direct bloodline, our Xu family is absolutely the most direct line of descendants. Even our family name has been directly inherited from our ancestor to this day." Knowing that Han Li seemed to have some connection with Fairy Ice-Soul, the woman had no reservations and, after thinking for a moment, spoke frankly. "Then, who is the current head of your Xu family? Is it you, Fellow Daoist?" Han Li asked with a sudden smile.

"Senior is joking, of course not. Although our Xu family is not one of the rumored True Spirit families, we do have some reputation in the Heavenly Origin Realm. The current patriarch is my father, and there are also several grand-uncles in the family." Fairy Xu hesitated slightly before speaking.

Han Li's eyes flickered a few times. After stroking his chin, he chuckled softly:

"In that case, I intend to visit your esteemed father. Do you have any objections, Fellow Daoist?"

"It would naturally be an honor for our Xu family if Senior is willing to visit. However," the woman paused for a while, then hesitantly asked, "could Senior Han perhaps reveal a bit of the reason?"

"Haha, you needn't worry. I am simply entrusted by someone to deliver an item to Fellow Daoist Fairy Ice-Soul, or to her direct bloodline descendants. Since your Xu family is now Fairy Ice-Soul's closest lineage, this item must be personally handed to the Xu family patriarch." Han Li replied openly, with no intention of concealing anything.

"Such a thing! Could Senior tell me who entrusted this item, and whether this junior might know them?" Han Li's answer clearly surprised the woman greatly, and she asked with some astonishment.

"Hehe, it's highly unlikely that Fellow Daoist Xu would know this person! As for whether anyone else in the Xu family knows them, that's beyond my knowledge," Han Li said, shaking his head.

"In that case, this junior will personally accompany Senior back to the Xu family. I've just completed an outer patrol mission and can rest for half a year. Our Xu family is in the Heavenly Origin Realm; using the city's teleportation array would be sufficient for a round trip." Upon hearing this, the woman's expression flickered for a while before she finally made up her mind and spoke.

"Haha, it's naturally even better if Fellow Daoist Xu is willing to accompany me personally," Han Li said with a slight smile, not appearing surprised.

"Then this junior will return to my cultivation abode to prepare. How about we depart with Senior in two days?" Fairy Xu was quite decisive. After standing up from her chair, she respectfully asked Han Li.

"I have nothing to prepare and can leave at any time. Since Fellow Daoist Xu suggested two days, then two days it shall be." Han Li pondered briefly, then nodded in agreement.