Chapter 2031: Unexpected Visitor

A Mortal's Journey to Immortality, Volume 10: The War in the Demon Realm

The other Integration Stage cultivators were not surprised to hear this, and most of them nodded in strong agreement.

Consequently, with the assistance of several Tianyuan City elders, the silver-haired elder quickly assigned a series of tasks. More than half of the human and demon cultivators present were to be dispatched outside the city to continue the encirclement and annihilation of the remaining demon forces in the regions previously controlled by Tianyuan City.

Another group remained in Tianyuan City and was responsible for quickly repairing all damaged magic arrays and defensive restrictions.

Of course, the most important task was to immediately dispatch others to destroy the "nodes" of the Demon Realm passages in the vicinity. This would prevent the demons from being able to descend near Tianyuan City, even if they sent more reinforcements.

Since these matters were extremely urgent, as soon as the assignments were made, those present immediately took their leave and went about their respective duties.

In no time, only the silver-haired elder and the elder named "Cui Weng" remained in the main hall.

This elder was one of the envoys sent by the Holy Island. He secretly conversed with the silver-haired elder in the hall for a long time before gracefully departing.

The silver-haired elder, after their discussion, was beaming with joy, seemingly having received good news from the old man.

Not long after, thanks to the efforts of the many Integration Stage cultivators dispatched by Tianyuan City, another group of the remaining demon forces that had been lingering nearby was encircled, attacked, and annihilated.

However, the remaining demon forces, led by several Demon Venerables, slowly retreated from the Tianyuan City region and joined other demon armies in neighboring territories.

Under these circumstances, Tianyuan City's pursuing forces naturally dared not continue the chase. Instead, after setting up numerous outposts in the border areas, they returned to the city.

At this point, the great battle of Tianyuan City finally drew to a close.

Throughout the entire battle, the human and demon races ultimately achieved a great victory, but their defensive strength was depleted by as much as one-third. Even several Integration Stage elders unexpectedly perished in the fight, and as for those below the Void Refinement Stage, the casualties were countless.

Fortunately, however, they finally repelled the demon army and even killed a larger number of demons in comparison, marking their first major victory since the demonic calamity. This was believed to be a morale booster for both races and held decisive significance.

Of course, Tianyuan City's victory did not mean that the two races had truly gained the upper hand in the demonic calamity. On the contrary, at this time, other regional strongholds were also facing siege by demon armies.

As for whether these strongholds could also turn the tide, only heaven knew.

In contrast to this, Tianyuan City, having achieved a great victory and having driven the demon forces out of its controlled regions, immediately saw many rogue cultivators and remnant forces from various sects and aristocratic families emerge in the land, who eagerly joined Tianyuan City.

Even in the adjacent regions controlled by the demon forces, numerous rogue cultivators and small forces were willing to risk it all to flee towards Tianyuan City's territory.

In this way, Tianyuan City's lost personnel were easily replenished. It was believed that after some more time, even if the demon army returned, Tianyuan City would still have the power to fight again.

Thus, everything in Tianyuan City was rapidly recovering, and they were desperately accumulating all available strength.

Time flew by; a year passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, a special guest arrived at the stone dwelling where Han Li resided. Hai Dashao and Qi Lingzi were startled by the news and hurriedly ushered the guest into the hall on the top floor.

As soon as this person sat down in the hall, he immediately asked Qi Lingzi without ceremony:

"I have an important matter to discuss with your master on this visit. Please inform him of my arrival."

"Reporting to senior, my master is currently in secluded cultivation and has already instructed that he will not be seeing guests."

Although Qi Lingzi felt somewhat uneasy, he still replied honestly.

"It's fine. Your master and I made an appointment a long time ago. Just inform him. Fellow Daoist Han will not blame you," the person said indifferently, with a cold expression.

"Since senior has said so, then this junior will give it a try!" After a slight hesitation, Qi Lingzi, knowing that the person before him was truly extraordinary among Integration Stage cultivators, braced himself and agreed.

Then, with a flip of his hand, a sound transmission talisman appeared. After lowering his head and speaking a few words into the talisman, he released it with a flick.

In the secret chamber at the bottom of the stone tower, Han Li, who had not moved an inch since beginning his secluded cultivation, suddenly flashed with golden light, and his tightly shut eyes slowly opened.

His eyes sparkled with vitality, clearly indicating that most of his vital energy had recovered.

With a single hand, he grabbed at the empty air. After a "poof" sound, a streak of fiery light directly shot out from the void and instantly appeared in his palm.

After Han Li swept his divine sense over it, his gaze shifted, and he couldn't help but murmur:

"Well, look who it is. He's here," he said. "It seems I have no choice but to go out and meet him."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stood up from his meditation cushion. His figure blurred, and he transformed into a streak of green light, escaping directly from the secret chamber's entrance.

A moment later, the green light converged in the center of the main hall on the stone tower's top floor, and Han Li's figure appeared directly there.

"Greetings, Master!"

As soon as Qi Lingzi and Hai Dashao saw Han Li, they immediately bowed in delight. "You may rise," Han Li said, waving a hand at his two disciples, then turned to the visitor and said calmly, "Brother Long, your timing for this visit isn't quite right. It seems to be much earlier than our agreed time. Furthermore, now that you've come to Tianyuan City, aren't you worried that the demon forces might take the opportunity to flatten the Long family stronghold?"

The guest, who was currently scrutinizing Han Li, had a faint golden complexion, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He was none other than the Long Family Ancestor, who had made a secret agreement with Han Li back then.

"Since I dared to travel so far, I naturally made arrangements before my departure," the Long Family Ancestor replied, retracting his gaze, his expression calm but with a hint of shock undeniable in his eyes. "I heard that Fellow Daoist has advanced to the late-Integration Stage and even recently killed a Demon Saint Ancestor's avatar and a late-stage Demon Venerable in the great battle. I initially found this news hard to believe, but now it seems to be true. After advancing to the late-Integration Stage, Fellow Daoist Han's cultivation has unexpectedly skyrocketed to such an extent. I am truly ashamed of my own inferiority. However, with your current strength, I have even more confidence in the matter we agreed upon. As for the earlier timing, it's because there have been some changes."

A hint of surprise flashed across Han Li's face, but he did not rush to inquire further; instead, he calmly offered a brief explanation. "I encountered some unique opportunities in the past few years, which allowed me to advance to the late-Integration Stage so quickly," he said. "As for killing that Demon Saint Ancestor's avatar, it wasn't solely by my power. Fellow Daoist Gu and the others also contributed significantly."

"Regardless," the Long Family Ancestor sighed and said, "to be able to kill a Demon Saint Ancestor's avatar is a tremendous honor among Integration Stage cultivators. Moreover, Fellow Daoist has only just advanced to the late-Integration Stage. I imagine that once you cultivate your magic power to perfection, your divine abilities will improve even further. And I, Long, admit that I am no match for Fellow Daoist right now."

Han Li chuckled lightly, finally getting to the main point. "Hehe, Brother Long, you are being too modest. Alright, please elaborate on what changes have occurred regarding that matter."

"This is a long story. If we discuss it here..." The Long Family Ancestor's eyes flashed as he glanced at Qi Lingzi and Hai Dashao on the side, showing some hesitation.

Han Li naturally understood the other party's intention immediately. He immediately turned and, without hesitation, spoke to Qi Lingzi and his companion: "You two, go out for now. Come back in to see me when I call for you."

"Yes, Master!"

The two disciples naturally had no objections and respectfully agreed.

Then they silently withdrew from the main hall.

Han Li shook his sleeve, and a wave of green light swept out, but it vanished instantly.

The next moment, a buzzing sound resonated in the nearby void, and layers of white light emerged, completely shrouding the entire hall.

"Alright, now there is no one else here besides you and me," Han Li said with a slight smile to the Long Family Ancestor, discreetly retracting his spell. "Brother Long, you can speak freely now."

"Since Fellow Daoist Han has activated the restrictions, I am naturally at ease," the Long Family Ancestor said, his expression immediately becoming extremely solemn. "Here's the situation: The time we originally agreed upon to enter the Demon Realm will likely have to be moved up. I received news that our two races' counterattack against the demon forces will happen in a few years. And at that time, it seems the three great Progenitors of the Demon Realm will also descend upon our Spirit Realm. Regardless of whether that battle is a victory or a defeat, we likely won't have another chance to infiltrate the Demon Realm. If we want to obtain those two spiritual items, we must enter the Demon Realm beforehand."

"The three great Progenitors of the Demon Realm!" Han Li's expression changed upon hearing this.

"It seems Fellow Daoist Han has also heard of the three great Progenitors of the Demon Race," the Long Family Ancestor said, his pupils involuntarily contracting slightly. "These three old demons are the three most powerful beings among the original ancient demons of the Demon Realm; they are far beyond what ordinary Demon Saint Ancestors can compare to. I heard that several Grand Ascension Stage beings from other races in our Spirit Realm have perished at the hands of these three, each individually."

Han Li's expression immediately darkened, and he stood there, his eyes flickering as he pondered something.

The Long Family Ancestor did not say anything more but quietly waited for Han Li's reply.

After a good while, Han Li slowly spoke, "To my knowledge, the three great Progenitors of the Demon Race never leave the Demon Realm. Those Grand Ascension Stage beings from other races who perished at their hands back then also seemed to have died only after venturing into the Demon Realm. Brother Long, can you confirm if this information is accurate?"

"What, Brother Han, do you doubt what I've said?" The Long Family Ancestor was not surprised and countered with a question.

"It's not that I, Han, doubt you, Fellow Daoist," Han Li replied, his expression unchanged, "but what Brother Long just said is truly no small matter. I must be cautious."

"If that's the case, Fellow Daoist Han can rest assured," the Long Family Ancestor said, staring at Han Li's face and speaking each word distinctly. "This information came to me from the Holy Island. And the source of this news is none other than Senior Ao Xiao of the Demon Race. Do you think there's any chance his words are false?"

"Ancestor Ao Xiao? He went to the Holy Island?" Han Li was startled, his gaze sharpening as he hurriedly asked.