Chapter 1860: Night Discussion

A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality

"Holy Isle! Why do you ask such a question, fellow Daoist?" Han Li's heart stirred, but he showed no change in expression as he countered.

"If Fellow Daoist Han doesn't wish to speak about it, then so be it. However, there is something I'd like to discuss with you. Are you perhaps interested in meeting at the Myriad Spirit Hall tonight?" Old Ancestor Long seemed to chuckle softly and posed another question.

"Myriad Spirit Hall!" Hearing this, Han Li's brows furrowed slightly, and various thoughts raced through his mind. This so-called Myriad Spirit Hall was a grand hall carved into the cliff face of the valley. Initially, the elders and family heads of various clans who arrived first in the valley had gathered in this hall to discuss matters concerning the grand ceremony. Now, Old Ancestor Long was specifically inviting him to meet there, which suggested the topic of discussion was certainly not trivial.

"Brother Long, could you perhaps disclose a little of what you wish to discuss first? Then I, Han, can make my decision." Han Li did not flat-out refuse but replied cautiously.

"While I cannot reveal too much now, I can tell you, Fellow Daoist, that it concerns a major event after the demonic catastrophe erupts, and it could bring immense benefits to Brother Han, perhaps even influencing whether we have a chance to advance to the Grand Ascension realm." Old Ancestor Long spoke calmly after a moment of contemplation.

"Grand Ascension realm!" Even though Han Li was always exceptionally composed, hearing these words made his eyelids twitch rapidly a few times.

"Indeed. I have already invited several other fellow Daoists to undertake this matter together," Old Ancestor Long added. "Since Fellow Daoist Han has cultivated a second avatar and possesses a Golden Dharma Body, you naturally have the qualifications to participate."

"Very well. Since Brother Long has put it this way, let us meet in the hall later." Han Li suppressed the surprise in his heart and, after a good while, finally replied with a decision.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist's decision is absolutely wise. The content of our discussion will certainly pique your great interest." Old Ancestor Long seemed very satisfied with Han Li's reply, and after a soft chuckle, no more spiritual messages came through.

The subsequent True Spirit Grand Ceremony was extremely simple.

After the family heads and elders finished disputing the division of resources and benefits, and a routine ceremony was held, the entire grand ceremony concluded.

Fairy Xiaofeng even found a secluded spot and promptly handed over the ancient texts regarding the True Spirit Blood, along with other items she had promised, right then and there.

Moreover, this head of the Gu family couldn't help but invite Han Li to join their family again, stating that if Han Li agreed, not only would all his benefits and stipends be provided according to the standard of the Gu family's Grand Elder, but Han Li would also truly be second only to one person and above ten thousand others within the Gu family.

Hearing this, Han Li smiled and declined again.

This greatly disappointed Fairy Xiaofeng, who could only settle for inviting Han Li to visit the Gu family when he had time, strongly implying that the Gu family wished to establish a complete friendship with Han Li from then on.

To this, Han Li naturally nodded with a smile and agreed.

Subsequently, some aristocratic families began leaving Myriad Spirit Valley, returning the way they came.

More families, however, prepared to stay a few more days in Myriad Spirit Valley to exchange resources and cultivation insights with each other, ensuring that the ordinary cultivators from spiritual families hadn't made the trip in vain.

The Gu family also did not leave immediately but temporarily settled in a cluster of buildings within the valley.

Han Li occupied a single pavilion. He also remained.

That same night, however, he quietly left his pavilion and flew towards the Myriad Spirit Hall on the other side of the valley. As soon as he approached the hall, he found someone already standing quietly at the entrance, as if specifically waiting for him.

Han Li clearly saw the other person's face. His eyes involuntarily flickered.

It was none other than Elder Hui of the Long family.

"Fellow Daoist Han is indeed a trustworthy person. Brother Long and several other fellow Daoists have been waiting for a long time," the black-robed man said, no longer showing his previous unfriendly demeanor. Instead, he cupped his fist towards Han Li and spoke with a full smile.

"Oh? Brother Long has invited others as well? Could it be...?" Han Li's heart stirred, and he asked thoughtfully.

"Haha, Brother Han is a smart man; I needn't say more now. Please!" The black-robed man chuckled and gestured invitingly with a turn of his body.

"Then I'll trouble Fellow Daoist to lead the way!" Han Li nodded, saying nothing further with any change in expression. Elder Hui, however, showed no concern for Han Li's somewhat cool demeanor. The two then entered the main hall, one following the other.

The entire main hall was unusually desolate. There were no guards, who should have been present. Clearly, they had been dismissed beforehand.

Led by the black-robed man, Han Li entered a secluded side chamber off the main hall.

There, three individuals were seated around a large stone table.

As soon as Han Li and the other man entered, all eyes swept towards them.

As Han Li took them in, his pupils involuntarily contracted slightly.

Of the three, aside from the expressionless Old Ancestor Long, the other two were none other than the Feathered Robe Maiden from the Ye family and the long-haired man wearing a silver circlet from the Lin family.

Including Han Li and the cultivator surnamed Hui, there were now five cultivators, all with strength at or above the Mid-Integration stage, gathered in this place, which was truly astonishing.

Upon seeing Han Li, the Feathered Robe Maiden's bright eyes twinkled, and she gave him a playful smile.

The long-haired man, however, merely glanced at him indifferently before immediately retracting his gaze, making it impossible to discern his attitude towards Han Li.

Old Ancestor Long, on the other hand, displayed a rare hint of a smile upon Han Li's arrival. He then greeted him with a call:

"Fellow Daoist Han has arrived too. Please, have a seat..."

Han Li heard this, smiled faintly, and unhurriedly walked to one side of the table, calmly taking a seat. The cultivator surnamed Hui calmly sat down directly beside Old Ancestor Long.

"Old Monster Long. Why have you summoned so many of us here this time? Just get straight to the point!" The long-haired man from the Lin family spoke, sounding somewhat impatient.

"Hehe, don't be so impatient, Fellow Daoist Lin. I will introduce one more person to you all, and then I shall explain everything," Old Ancestor Long chuckled softly and said indifferently.

"What? Is someone else still missing? Brother Long, how many people did you invite this time? It wouldn't be the Feng family brothers, would it...?" The Feathered Robe Maiden blinked her eyes and asked with a smile.

"While the Feng family brothers' combined magical abilities are no less than those of mid-stage cultivators, their combined techniques are too restricted, and this matter doesn't require too many people, so I did not invite them here. As for the person I wish to introduce, she has already arrived. Fellow Daoist Qianqiu, please show yourself and meet everyone." Old Ancestor Long shook his head, then suddenly turned and spoke to a seemingly empty corner of the side chamber.

These words naturally startled Han Li and the others, and they all instantly looked over.

In the somewhat dim corner of the side chamber, a faint trace of aura suddenly emanated, followed by a flash of yellow light, and a yellow bronze mirror appeared out of thin air.

The mirror then blurred and transformed slightly, unbelievably turning into a yellow-robed maiden.

Upon seeing this woman, Han Li's pupils involuntarily contracted slightly.

"The Spirit Race Saintess! Fellow Daoist Long, what is the meaning of this?" The long-haired man's expression changed dramatically upon seeing the maiden. He abruptly stood up from his seat, his face full of caution.

This yellow-robed maiden was none other than the Spirit Artifact Race's Saintess who had appeared once at the Myriad Treasures Auction.

And this Grand Elder of the Lin family had clearly participated in that auction, which was how he could recognize Saintess Qianqiu at a glance.

"Fellow Daoists, there's no need to be surprised. Saintess Qianqiu is here precisely for this important matter of ours. Without the Saintess's help, this matter cannot proceed at all," Old Ancestor Long said with a calm expression.

However, the expressions of the others in the hall did not change because of these words. Not only did Han Li's eyes show wariness, but the Feathered Robe Maiden's smile also vanished. The long-haired man even snorted coldly, his gaze towards the yellow-robed maiden decidedly unfriendly.

Only the cultivator surnamed Hui, who already knew about this, showed no change in expression.

"Gentlemen, there's no need to be too distant with me. Although I am a member of the Spirit Artifact Race, my origin traces back to a treasured item carried by your esteemed clan's Venerable Santian in ancient times. It was only many years after the Venerable One's demise that I fortunately gained sentience independently and became a member of the Spirit Artifact Race." The yellow-robed maiden, however, curtsied gracefully towards Han Li and the others, speaking with exquisite poise.

"Venerable Santian? Could it be the Grand Ascension cultivator from ancient times who founded Abyssal City!?" The Feathered Robe Maiden was startled, but then immediately showed a hint of surprise as she spoke.

"Indeed, it is that esteemed one. Otherwise, how could Qianqiu serve as an envoy for the Spirit Race Alliance and be sent to your esteemed clans?" Saintess Qianqiu smiled faintly.

"When did our Human Race begin to ally with your esteemed race? Why are we completely unaware of any news about it?" The long-haired man also became somewhat bewildered.

"This matter was jointly decided and signed upon by me on your esteemed race's Holy Isle, along with your esteemed race's Sacred Emperor Tianyuan, Overlord Xuanwu, and several other late-stage Grand Ascension cultivators. However, due to other reasons, the official announcement is estimated to be about a year away. By then, Fellow Daoists will naturally know that what I say is true..." Saintess Qianqiu explained with a smile.

"Since you could appear at the Myriad Treasures Convention, an alliance with the Spirit Race is also inevitable. However, Brother Long, bringing the Saintess into Myriad Spirit Valley still seems a bit too reckless, doesn't it? After all, this is where our True Spirit aristocratic families hold their grand ceremony!" The Feathered Robe Maiden still spoke with a slightly grave expression.

"Rest assured, Fairy Ye! Fellow Daoist Qianqiu only entered Myriad Spirit Valley after the grand ceremony concluded. And once she has finished discussing this important matter with us tonight, she will depart immediately. There will absolutely be no issues..." Old Ancestor Long said calmly, as if he had long anticipated this question.

"Alright, since Brother Long has said so, I have no further questions. Please, Fellow Daoist, explain the important matter you wish to discuss in detail to us few." The Feathered Robe Maiden furrowed her delicate brows, then sighed and spoke.

After his gaze flickered a few times, the long-haired man also sat back down, his expression slightly eased. He seemed to have accepted the explanation given earlier.

Seeing this, Old Ancestor Long nodded, but the moment he spoke, he uttered words that almost made the long-haired man leap up from his seat again.

"Actually, the matter is not complicated at all! I invited all of you fellow Daoists here because, once the demonic catastrophe erupts and the Ancient Demon Realm merges with the Spirit Realm, I want us to venture deep into the Demon Realm!"