Chapter 2236: True Immortals Descend Reunion

Han Li saw this, waved his hand, and said casually, "I didn't have a chance to inform the clan about this matter beforehand, so how can I blame it on any of you fellow Daoists? There's no need for such formality; please rise."

"Thank you, Senior Han, for forgiving our transgression!" Elder Gu and the others felt a sense of relief, apologized, and rose to their feet.

Although the burly man with yellow hair and the unsightly woman also stood up with the others, their faces were completely devoid of color, bearing expressions of extreme terror.

The two Holy Island envoys, realizing they had offended a newly advanced Mahayana cultivator who might also be the sole support for both the human and demon races for tens of thousands of years to come, were naturally filled with extreme apprehension.

At this moment, the purple-gold hand within the light screen silently dissipated at some unknown point.

Du Yu, who had been restrained by the immense force for a while, lay limply on the high platform, seemingly without the strength to utter a single word.

After glancing at the platform, Han Li calmly instructed the burly man with yellow hair and his companion, "You two, take Fellow Daoist Du away and deliver a message to the elders on Holy Island. Tell them that my disciples cultivate with great difficulty and are not to be sacrificed for others. However, if there are other matters within the clan that truly require effort, I will not hesitate to assist."

"Yes, we juniors will certainly relay your words, Senior. We will take our leave now." The burly man with yellow hair swallowed hard, then hastily bowed, not daring to offer any other opinion. The unsightly woman also repeatedly affirmed his words beside him.

Han Li nodded and waved his hand at the two.

Only then did the two dare to use their magic to fly onto the stone platform, lift Du Yu, and after apologizing, they frantically left the arena hall.

As for Han Li taking away the white-robed youth's two treasures, they dared not mention it in the slightest.

After watching the Holy Island delegation disappear through the hall entrance, Han Li turned to the silver-haired elder and the others with a smile and said, "Please excuse me, fellow Daoists! If there's anything, let's discuss it at my residence tomorrow. I've been away for a long time, so I'll first go back and see my clumsy disciples, and then we can have a good chat."

"Of course. Senior Han has traveled a long distance. It's only right that you rest first; we will formally visit you in a few days." "Indeed. We hope Senior Han won't fault us for disturbing you then."

The silver-haired elder and Zen Master Jinyue exchanged glances, then both replied respectfully.

Han Li smiled, said nothing further, gave a slight bow, and then left the grand hall with Yin Yue and the others.

Immortal Maiden Yingguang stared blankly at the hall entrance for a long while before murmuring in a barely audible voice, "He actually advanced to the Mahayana stage. It seems Sister Yin Yue truly found the right person this time!"

Amidst her joy, there was a subtle hint of wistfulness on her face.

As for the black-robed man and the other elders who had originally advocated handing Young Master Hai over to Holy Island, their hearts were filled with dread from the moment they learned Han Li was a Mahayana cultivator. They were extremely worried and feared that this newly advanced Mahayana would learn of their actions during the elders' council and seek retribution. If that were the case, their future days would certainly be far from pleasant.

At the same time, as Yin Yue followed Han Li out of the hall entrance, she suddenly asked with a smile, "Brother Han, are you really just letting those Holy Island envoys go like that? Aren't you afraid they might hold a grudge and do something unfavorable to you in the future?"

"Given my current status, they should be grateful I'm not seeking trouble from them; how would they dare harbor any ill will towards me? With such a vast difference in power, they wouldn't have the audacity," Han Li replied indifferently.

"But that fellow named Du Yu could directly conjure the image of a saint, indicating he's no ordinary late-stage Body Integration cultivator. Aren't you afraid he might successfully advance to the Mahayana stage in the future?" Yin Yue added with a light chuckle.

"Whether he can truly advance to the Mahayana stage successfully is one thing, but even if he does become a Mahayana cultivator, it's nothing significant. For me, at most, it would just be a minor nuisance in the future," Han Li replied with a confident smile.

Even in the late Body Integration stage, he could protect himself against Mahayana existences without issue. Now that he had advanced to the Mahayana stage, his divine abilities had increased severalfold, and he no longer considered ordinary Mahayana cultivators a threat.

"That's true. But most importantly, given your current status, Brother Han, it truly wouldn't be appropriate to deal with them harshly. Otherwise, it would somewhat undermine your reputation as a Mahayana Senior," Yin Yue said with a radiant smile.

"Hehe. Perhaps that's one reason," Han Li chuckled in response, though he was perfectly clear in his mind. If there truly were matters concerning his life, he wouldn't care about his "Senior" status; he would directly eliminate the source of danger completely.

Several hours later, Han Li appeared inside the tall tower of his residence and took the main seat in a hall on the top floor.

Young Master Hai and Qi Lingzi, along with more than ten of their direct disciples, offered a grand and excited salute.

"Rise," Han Li said, flicking his sleeve, allowing everyone to stand and speak. "After all these years, neither of you has been lazy; your cultivation has both advanced."

"Congratulations, Master, on advancing to the Mahayana stage! This is not only a great celebration for us disciples but also a momentous occasion that the entire human race should be proud of," Qi Lingzi replied respectfully to Han Li after rising.

They had originally been apprehensive in the tower because of the Holy Island envoys. However, the envoys never appeared, and instead, their Master suddenly returned to the tower and directly informed them of his successful advancement to the Mahayana stage.

Given such a drastic contrast, Qi Lingzi and Young Master Hai were understandably ecstatic.

After not seeing each other for several centuries, Qi Lingzi, Han Li's disciple, had now impressively advanced to the late Spirit Transformation stage, just one step away from the Void Refinement stage.

Young Master Hai, on the other hand, appeared to have just advanced to the Spirit Transformation stage.

The reason both of them could advance several stages in just a few centuries, besides their exceptional cultivation talent, was undoubtedly due to the large quantity of pills Han Li had left behind when he departed.

With Han Li's resources, not only had he left behind a sufficient number of daily cultivation pills for them when he left, but he had also prepared all the auxiliary pills they would need for their advancements well in advance.

Otherwise, even if all his disciples were extraordinary, they wouldn't have been able to advance so smoothly to their current levels.

Han Li listened to Qi Lingzi, smiled slightly, and said, "My advancement to the Mahayana stage was nearly half due to fortuitous opportunities, allowing me to barely break through the bottleneck. If it weren't for the custom of holding Mahayana celebrations whenever a Mahayana existence appears in any race, I wouldn't have wanted such a grand spectacle. Before this matter is officially announced, you don't need to do much; just send people to inform the major forces within the clan about the celebration time, to prevent some fellow Daoists from being unable to attend in time. The celebration will be set for one year from now, right here in Tianyuan City."

"Yes, we will respectfully obey your command," Qi Lingzi and Young Master Hai replied, bowing in unison and almost in sync.

"By the way, where are your Aunt Ice Phoenix and that girl Bai Guo'er? Why aren't they here?" Han Li suddenly asked after casually sweeping his gaze across the hall.

"Reporting to Master, Junior Sister Bai Guo'er returned to the sect after the demonic tribulation, but several years ago, she went on a journey with friends as per an agreement, though letters are often sent back. As for Aunt Ice Phoenix, she ventured into the Barbarian World alone decades ago, and no news has come back from her since. However, Master, rest assured, Aunt Ice Phoenix left a Soul Lamp before she departed, and it remains safe and sound to this day," Qi Lingzi replied respectfully.

"The Barbarian World is vast beyond measure; it's not uncommon to stay there for centuries. Since your Aunt Ice Phoenix decided to undertake this journey, she must have her own profound reasons, so there's no need to worry excessively. However, that girl Bai Guo'er, venturing out with such limited cultivation is a bit reckless. Your junior sister's 'Ice Marrow Physique' true essence has already matured; if it falls into the hands of villains who also cultivate Yin-cold attributes, it's no less than a great tonic for increasing their cultivation. Quickly send a message and have your junior sister return as soon as possible," Han Li said, frowning and giving the order without hesitation.

"Yes, disciple was inconsiderate. I will attend to this matter immediately," Qi Lingzi was startled and promptly agreed.

He then immediately gave an instruction to a direct disciple behind him. That disciple bowed to Han Li, then respectfully backed out of the hall.

"Yuetian, tell me everything that has happened during this period. Especially, give me a detailed account of how the Yin Thunder Root was leaked," Han Li suddenly said with a half-smile, glancing at Young Master Hai.

"Master, your disciple knows his mistake... surely we don't need to go into detail about that again!" Young Master Hai's face immediately showed a hint of embarrassment upon hearing Han Li's question, and he spoke hesitantly.

"Hmph, how many times have I instructed you? The matter of the Concealed Thunder Root is no small thing; it concerns your very life. I told you to be extremely careful not to leak this. And what did you do? You managed to blurt it out yourself while drunk. Heh, if I hadn't returned in time, wouldn't you have brought great calamity upon yourself, perhaps even directly implicating your senior brother and his entire family?" Han Li's face darkened, and his voice turned cold as he spoke.

"Disciple knows his mistake, and I absolutely will not make it again," Young Master Hai replied, startled, as he hastily knelt down once more.

"With my Mahayana status, I easily sent away the Holy Island visitors this time. But your Concealed Thunder Root is one of the few means to weaken heavenly tribulations. What if next time, it's powerful Mahayana cultivators from other foreign races who come to demand you? How would you have me respond?" Han Li's voice remained cold as he stared at Young Master Hai, speaking each word distinctly.

"Disciple truly knows his mistake. If that day truly comes, Master can simply hand Yuetian over. This is all the result of your disciple reaping what he sowed!" Young Master Hai's face paled somewhat, but he still replied without daring to raise his head.

"Hand you over? Don't even think about it! If I handed you over, where would my dignity as your Master go? How about this: after this Mahayana celebration, you'll temporarily leave my side and live anonymously for a period. Once this matter gradually calms down and no one mentions it anymore, then you can return to my side," Han Li said slowly, his eyes flickering after a moment of contemplation.