Chapter 2233: True Immortals Descend Turning Hostile (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)

Volume 3: Demonic Invasion

Han Li, now a Grand Ascension stage cultivator, believed there was almost no problem he couldn't solve among humans. Thus, his recent question was genuinely casual, showing no concern whatsoever.

"Brother Han, since you are already here, I, Gu, will naturally explain everything clearly. Fellow Daoist Du, since Fellow Daoist Han has returned to the city, I will brief him on the relevant matters. You won't have any objections, will you? After all, this matter concerns his disciple," the silver-haired elder said solemnly, coughing lightly as he addressed Han Li and the white-robed young man separately.

"My disciple?"

"Of course, no problem!"

Han Li was surprised by the remark.

Du Yu's thoughts raced, but he readily agreed.

"Indeed, this matter does involve your disciple, Fellow Daoist Han. Brother Han, do you have a disciple who is said to possess the legendary Hidden Lightning Root?" the silver-haired elder asked Han Li frankly, no longer hesitating.

"You're referring to my disciple, Hai Yuetian. Yes, he does have the Hidden Lightning Root. However, I have never revealed this to outsiders. How did you all come to know about it?" Han Li's expression subtly shifted as he asked in return.

"Well... it seems your disciple, Brother Han, unintentionally revealed it himself while intoxicated during a gathering," Zen Master Jinyue, standing nearby, interjected with a slight cough before the elder could respond.

"I see. My disciple has always been rather careless, so it's not surprising for something like this to happen. Brother Gu, please continue," Han Li sighed, speaking with a hint of helplessness.

The silver-haired elder let out a dry laugh, then forced himself to continue:

"Regarding the unique characteristics of a Hidden Lightning Root cultivator, I believe Fellow Daoist Han knows more than we do. Several elders on Sacred Island learned of this, and a few days ago, they specifically sent an invitation to our city, hoping to invite your disciple, Brother Han, to Sacred Island. They wish to utilize the power of his Hidden Lightning Root. As for the specific details involved, it's not appropriate for me to elaborate further; Fellow Daoist Du Yu can explain it instead."

The silver-haired elder spoke only half of the matter before deferring to the white-robed young man.

Silverlight Immortal and the other Sky Abyss City elders secretly thought, "Clever."

If the silver-haired elder had explained everything, the Sacred Island representatives, while perhaps saying nothing at the time, would likely be quite displeased later.

By now giving Du Yu the right to narrate the rest, even if it didn't change the outcome, it at least "sold a favor" to the Sacred Island group, making it difficult for them to vent their anger on the elders later.

Upon hearing this, Du Yu's gaze flickered slightly, as if instantly seeing through Elder Gu's intention to curry favor. He immediately nodded and said:

"Since Brother Gu has said so much, I will explain the rest. Brother Han, your disciple's Hidden Lightning Root is indeed exceptionally important to our entire race at this moment. Among the Grand Ascension stage seniors of our human and demon races, apart from Lords Mo Jianli and Ao Xiao, there is no third Grand Ascension cultivator. Furthermore, the lifespans of these two lords are already limited; they cannot remain the pillars of our two races for many more years."

At this point, Du Yu paused briefly.

Upon hearing this, the cultivators present all grew solemn.

"And once there are no Grand Ascension stage cultivators, the status of the human and demon races in the Spirit Realm is easily imaginable. Therefore, for some time now, Sacred Island, in addition to focusing on recovering the losses suffered by both races due to the demonic calamity, has been primarily striving to cultivate another Grand Ascension stage cultivator for the two races. Whether human or demon, if one more Grand Ascension cultivator emerges, while our two races still cannot compare to other major races, the safety of our races for tens of thousands of years to come would be assured. Thus, after much discussion, the elders of Sacred Island decided this time to simultaneously concentrate all resources to allow several cultivators from both races, who have already reached the late-stage integration realm, to attempt to break through to the Grand Ascension stage. Therefore, the conscription of Fellow Daoist Han's disciple is a last resort. I, Du, still hope that Fellow Daoist Han can prioritize the greater good and allow this disciple to make a trip to our Sacred Island."

Du Yu clearly understood that the biggest obstacle to their current mission had become Han Li. Therefore, in his speech, he made no mention of the Sky Abyss City elders or anyone else, focusing entirely on persuading Han Li.

"So, Sacred Island sent the three of you, Fellow Daoists, just for one of my humble disciples?" Han Li's face darkened, and he asked in a cold voice.

Anyone could sense his displeasure!

"I can guarantee that your disciple will absolutely not be in danger of losing his life on Sacred Island. And after the matter is concluded, our Sacred Island will certainly bestow generous rewards without hesitation," Du Yu's heart tightened, but he slowly spoke without showing any concession on his face.

"Guarantee no danger to his life! This disciple of mine hasn't followed me for long, and his cultivation isn't particularly high. If he's to use his Hidden Lightning Root to help others withstand the true lightning tribulation of the Grand Ascension stage, his cultivation level would likely need to increase by at least one major realm to be truly effective. As far as I know, there are at least six or seven methods for forcibly stimulating a realm advancement, but every single one requires overdrafting potential and lifespan. And if his entire major realm is elevated at once, I fear that even if my disciple is fortunate enough not to die on the spot, he might not live long enough to enjoy Sacred Island's generous rewards afterward." Han Li's voice sank, and his words became unusually cold.

Anyone could hear the sarcasm in his words.

"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Han's disciple might suffer some long-term consequences from this trip. However, this matter concerns the future prosperity and decline of our two races. Fellow Daoist Han should be able to clearly distinguish between the importance of one person's safety and that of the entire race; we shouldn't need to say more," the yellow-haired, green-eyed man next to Du Yu finally couldn't hold back and interjected.

"Of course, I understand the relative importance. But I'd like to ask, if my disciple acts, will Sacred Island definitely gain another Grand Ascension cultivator? If the three of you dare to swear a Blood Oath of Inner Demons to me, then why would I mind letting my disciple go with you? If there's no certainty, why should I allow my disciple to make this sacrifice in vain? Do you think I, Han, am easily bullied?" Han Li said coldly, no longer showing any politeness.

Hearing Han Li's words, the faces of Du Yu and the other two Sacred Island envoys all turned somewhat grim.

Meanwhile, Elder Gu and the other Sky Abyss City elders exchanged glances, then all fell silent, not saying a word.

It seemed these elders were unwilling to get further involved, each planning to protect themselves.

"Brother Han, I, Du, believe that as long as it increases the slightest chance for our two races to produce a Grand Ascension cultivator, your disciple's sacrifice won't be in vain. Surely, Fellow Daoist Han isn't truly planning to disregard Sacred Island's command and the entire race, are you? If that's truly the case, the three of us will have no way to explain ourselves to the elders on the island," the barefoot, ugly woman said with a sneer, a hint of threat in her words.

"What, are you planning to threaten me now? The three of you keep invoking 'Sacred Island' and 'the race' relentlessly, but surely you don't truly believe that the three of you can represent our two races, do you? Although I, Han, haven't cultivated for an exceptionally long time, it's absolutely impossible to make me hand over my disciple with mere empty words. Otherwise, how would others view me, a master who cannot even protect his own disciple?" Han Li rolled his eyes, speaking in a chilling tone.

The ugly woman's face changed drastically; she was furious and opened her mouth to say more, but Han Li waved his hand, directly cutting her off, and coldly continued:

"I, Han, can tell the three of you plainly right now: unless Sacred Island can be absolutely 100% certain that sacrificing my disciple will lead to the emergence of a Grand Ascension cultivator for our two races, I will not let him go with you."

"One hundred percent certainty? Fellow Daoist Han, what do you take breaking through to the Grand Ascension stage for? If Grand Ascension cultivators were so easy to produce, Sacred Island wouldn't have painstakingly planned for so many years before allowing a few carefully cultivated candidates to attempt this breakthrough. Brother Han, you are deliberately making things difficult," Du Yu's face had already turned exceptionally grim. After a long exhale, his tone also became somewhat unfriendly.

"You want to sacrifice my disciple in vain, yet you say nothing about making things difficult. I see that Fellow Daoist Du's magic power is not weak; you are one of the candidates Sacred Island has chosen to attempt the late-stage breakthrough this time, aren't you?" Han Li's expression remained unchanged as he sneered and asked the white-robed young man.

"Indeed, I, Du, have been honored by some elders on the island and am one of the candidates for this Grand Ascension breakthrough. Does Fellow Daoist Han perhaps think I am unworthy?" A trace of coldness flashed in Du Yu's eyes, and he spoke with a dark frown.

"Whether you are worthy or not is not for me to decide. However, since Fellow Daoist Du speaks so selflessly, are you willing to give all the elixirs and treasures you've prepared to me when I attempt to break through to the Grand Ascension stage, so that I might have one or two more chances of success? If you can genuinely do this, then I, Han, will have nothing more to say," Han Li said impassively.

"This... I'm afraid I cannot agree to that, Fellow Daoist Han. All the elixirs and treasures I've prepared for breaking through the bottleneck were allocated by Sacred Island; I don't have the authority to make such a promise."

Du Yu clearly hadn't expected Han Li to say such a thing. He was stunned for a moment before replying with some embarrassment.

"That's truly a shame. Since Fellow Daoist Du himself admits he cannot do this, don't expect me, Han, to sacrifice my disciple to benefit others. If the three of you have no other business in this city, you may return to Sacred Island to report," Han Li said with a wave of his hand, a hint of sarcasm playing on his lips.

Hearing this, the faces of Du Yu and the other two grew even uglier.

"Brother Gu, Master Jinyue, your friendship with Fellow Daoist Han is not shallow; please try to persuade him. If I cannot take Fellow Daoist Han's disciple this time, I will be unable to report back to Sacred Island. Your city will also find it difficult to explain this to Sacred Island, won't it?" After his expression shifted for a moment, Du Yu suddenly turned to the silent silver-haired elder and the others, speaking with significant meaning.

"Well... we also find it difficult to interject in this matter. How about Fellow Daoist Han and the three of you each take a step back?" The silver-haired elder cursed inwardly, but after hesitating for a long moment, he said with a wry smile.