Chapter 2232: Du Yu

This young man was none other than Han Li, who had traveled non-stop for nearly half a year to finally return to Tianyuan City.

Just then, two women and one man emerged from the jade boat's cabin—they were Yin Yue, Daoist Crab, and others.

After Yin Yue swept her gaze over the people on the city wall, a hint of surprise also flashed in her eyes.

“Ah, so Brother Han has returned! This is truly a grand occasion for our city. We are here for other matters and were unaware that Fellow Daoist Han would be returning today. Otherwise, we would have gone out to welcome you from afar.” The silver-haired elder finally recovered from his surprise, secretly feeling distressed, but with a smile on his face, he cupped his fist towards Han Li and spoke.

As the elder spoke, he couldn't help but sweep his spiritual sense over Han Li. However, he found that he couldn't discern Han Li's cultivation level at all, only feeling that his aura was even more unfathomable than before. His heart couldn't help but tremble inwardly.

Although he didn't know the outcome of Han Li's attempt to break through to the Grand Ascension stage, it was clear that Han Li's cultivation had significantly increased again.

It wasn't just Elder Gu; other Integration-stage elders, upon recognizing Han Li, also subconsciously tried to probe his cultivation.

But with the strength of their spiritual senses, and Han Li not directly releasing his Grand Ascension stage spiritual pressure, how could they possibly discern anything?

As a result, when none of them could ascertain Han Li's current realm, their expressions naturally varied, with some barely managing to force out a faint smile.

Han Li saw the strange reactions of the people below, and his heart stirred, but with a faint smile, he said:

“Haha, so you all have other important matters to attend to. For Fellow Daoist Gu and others to come out together and wait here, it seems Tianyuan City must be expecting extremely important guests. Could it be one of the two esteemed seniors, Mo Jianli or Ao Xiao?”

“No, it's not that. The two seniors have been out of contact for some time…” The silver-haired elder's smile faded slightly, and he spoke slowly with some hesitation.

Even with his extensive experience, he felt greatly hesitant at this moment, unsure whether he should directly reveal the arrival of the Holy Island's envoys.

Fortunately, the silver-haired elder didn't need to trouble himself further with this matter!

Just then, a spiritual light flashed in the sky from another direction. A sheet of five-colored light rolled towards them. It appeared to drift slowly, but its actual speed was incredibly fast; in just a few flashes, it was already above the city wall.

After the auspicious light receded, another giant vessel, pure white like jade, immediately appeared beside Han Li's jade flying boat. It was at least four or five times larger.

Han Li was startled at first upon seeing this, but then his gaze shifted and swept over the white giant vessel.

He saw over a dozen figures standing prominently on the deck. Three of them stood at the very front, their presence and spiritual pressure far surpassing those behind them.

Among these three, on the left was a burly man with a full head of yellow hair, deep emerald green eyes, appearing to be in his thirties or forties. In the middle was a handsome youth in flowing white robes, a figure of graceful demeanor. On the right was an ugly matron with bare, naturally large feet and dark skin.

All three of them exuded an extraordinary and astonishing aura!

When Han Li focused his spiritual sense on the three figures, he immediately discovered that the man and woman on either side were both at the mid-Integration stage. The white-robed youth in the middle, however, possessed a terrifying cultivation at the peak late-Integration stage and appeared ready to attempt a breakthrough to the Grand Ascension stage at any moment.

However, these three were not what Han Li cared about most. After his gaze swept past them, it landed on the large character “聖” (Holy) inscribed on the white giant vessel.

“Holy Island.”

Han Li instantly recognized what the symbol represented. His eyes narrowed involuntarily, and a realization dawned on him.

No wonder nearly half of Tianyuan City's Elder Council had turned out. It turned out that the Holy Island had suddenly sent envoys in person.

But what happened in Tianyuan City to make the Holy Island send envoys personally? And the expressions of these Tianyuan City elders when he suddenly appeared were indeed somewhat suspicious.

Could it be that the Holy Island's delegation had something to do with him?

The moment Han Li recognized the identities of the three arrivals from the Holy Island, he instantly guessed seventy or eighty percent of the truth.

Although he was deep in thought, his expression showed no change, and he simply watched the group before him in silence.

Meanwhile, when the silver-haired elder, Zen Master Jin Yue, and the others saw the Holy Island envoys appear at this very moment, they exchanged glances and saw a wry smile on each other's faces.

This was convenient; there was no need for them to conceal anything with words anymore. The two parties that had been a headache for the Elder Council all this time had actually met directly in front of them.

What surprised the silver-haired elder even more was that, apart from the white-robed young man in the middle, the other two envoys possessed great divine abilities and were renowned figures even among the many envoys of the Holy Island.

Although he had never seen the handsome youth before, the youth gave him an even stronger feeling of insurmountable power.

But this made the elder even more uneasy!

“Brother Gu, this is good. Let Fellow Daoist Han personally negotiate with the Holy Island envoys regarding his disciple's matter. Even if something unpleasant happens, we won't be blamed.” While the silver-haired elder was feeling unsettled, a man's low voice suddenly resonated in his ear through a sound transmission.

It was the black-robed man behind him who had sent the sudden transmission.

The silver-haired elder's expression changed upon hearing this. He subconsciously glanced at Han Li, only to see Han Li looking back at him with a faint, unreadable smile. His heart immediately pounded. He did not send a sound transmission back, merely giving a seemingly casual nod.

At this moment, Zen Master Jin Yue, after chanting a Buddhist name, bowed slightly to the three Integration-stage cultivators on the giant vessel and greeted them in a deep voice:

“Are you the three envoys from the Holy Island? This humble monk Jin Yue greets you.”

“Ah, it's the renowned Zen Master Jin Yue. I am Du Yu. It's an honor to meet you, Master.” The white-robed youth's gaze swept over the old monk and the others, then he suddenly spoke with a smile.

The other two envoys on either side remained expressionless and silent, clearly deferring to the white-robed youth as their leader.

“Du Yu! Are you Fellow Daoist Du, who recently emerged from seclusion on Holy Island and intends to break through to the Grand Ascension stage?” Upon hearing the white-robed youth's words, the silver-haired elder's expression changed, and he almost gasped aloud.

Zen Master Jin Yue and the others beside him also had a change in expression.

“You must be Fellow Daoist Gu, correct? This humble one has indeed just emerged from seclusion on Holy Island, and intends to attempt a breakthrough to the Grand Ascension stage soon. However, for me to succeed, I might need some assistance from your esteemed city.” The white-robed youth spoke with a humble expression.

Upon hearing this, the elder surnamed Gu's mouth twitched involuntarily. His gaze subconsciously swept towards Han Li. After his thoughts raced for several moments, he finally made up his mind and replied:

“Since it is a command from Holy Island, our city will naturally do its utmost to assist, as long as it is within our capabilities. However, this is not the place for discussion, Brother Du, Fellow Daoist Xiong, Fellow Daoist Li, and also Brother Han. Let us properly converse within the city instead.”

“Brother Han? Could this Fellow Daoist be...” When the white-robed youth heard the elder's words, his expression subtly changed. He immediately looked intently towards Han Li, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes.

In fact, Du Yu had already noticed Han Li's presence earlier and felt a very uncomfortable sense of suppression from him. Moreover, his spiritual sense couldn't penetrate Han Li's cultivation realm either. He was naturally secretly surprised long ago and harbored a faint sense of apprehension.

Now, suddenly knowing Han Li's true identity, even though he always held himself in extremely high regard, his heart was greatly shaken.

Various rumors about Han Li had been widely heard since he emerged from seclusion. Furthermore, after learning that one of Han Li's disciples could help him withstand some of the power of the True Thunder Tribulation, he naturally paid even more attention to Han Li and conducted an investigation several times more detailed.

Han Li had advanced from a Deity Transformation cultivator to the Integration stage in a short period, then from the Integration stage to the late-Integration stage at an astonishing speed. In just over a thousand years, he had achieved one victory after another, winning against stronger opponents.

There were even rumors that this newly advanced late-Integration stage human cultivator had not only slain an astonishing number of Demon Reverends during the demonic tribulation, but also seemed to have recently infiltrated deep into the Demon Realm and returned safely.

If all of this was true, then this 'Fellow Daoist Han' was simply too terrifying.

Even though Du Yu always believed his talent was no less than any of the historically renowned geniuses of the human race, when compared to Han Li's terrifying achievements, he couldn't help but question if he could possibly achieve the same.

But wasn't this 'Han Li' rumored to have left Tianyuan City long ago to seclude himself and prepare for a breakthrough to the Grand Ascension stage? Why had he reappeared here?

His purpose for coming this time was originally for Han Li's disciple. Had Han Li received some information?

If that were truly the case, the trouble would be immense, and his mission might not proceed as smoothly as desired!

While Du Yu was secretly astonished and a strong sense of apprehension arose in his heart, he respectfully cupped his fist towards Han Li and said:

“So it truly is Brother Han! Your esteemed name has been well-known to me for a long time. Since Brother Han is also here, we should naturally discuss this matter together.”

“Discuss? It seems Brother Gu indeed had something he didn't get to tell me earlier. Since that's the case, I'll join in the fun.” Han Li's eyes narrowed slightly as he replied casually.

“Ahem, of course. Let us all enter the city.” After Zen Master Jin Yue let out a light cough, he spoke with a slightly odd expression.

In a vast hall, like a grand palace, on the top floor of the immense stone tower, the silver-haired elder led Han Li's group and the white-robed youth's entourage into the hall, and they took their respective seats.

At the elder's command, a line of maidservants immediately brought forth cups of spiritual tea, some spiritual fruits, and spiritual wine, placing them on the tables before each person.

“Brother Gu, what exactly happened in the city that would cause the Holy Island to send Fellow Daoist Du and two others here in person? Surely you can tell me a thing or two now. Could it be that this matter actually has something to do with me?” Han Li took a sip of the spiritual tea in his hand, then unhurriedly set the teacup on the table and directly asked Elder Gu.