Chapter 2343: True Immortal Descends Ao Xiao's Fall

"What? My grandfather is going to face his tribulation in seven days? How can it be so soon? Shouldn't there be more time?" Yin Yue cried out in shock and anger to a cultivator from Tianyuan City standing before her.

They were currently in the teleportation hall of Tianyuan City, facing a duty-bound elder of the city. Han Li and the others had just learned this astonishing news from the elder, who was at the Body Integration stage.

"Fairy Linglong, it seems Senior Ao Xiao had some mishap during his seclusion, which is why he must face his tribulation ahead of schedule. Not even a single day more can be delayed. For this reason, Holy Island specifically requested some treasures and magical artifacts from our city; otherwise, we wouldn't have known about this," the unfamiliar-faced demon elder said with a bitter smile to Yin Yue. However, his gaze towards Mo Jianli and Han Li was naturally filled with extreme respect.

"Seven days? Even if we use teleportation arrays as much as possible along the way, it will likely be too late. There's no way to deliver the Thunderbolt Talisman to him within seven days. But if Brother Ao can hold out for a few more days under the heavenly tribulation, we might still have a chance," Mo Jianli said after his expression changed several times.

"In that case, what are we waiting for? Let's rush back to Holy Island immediately. I hope we can make it in time. Teleport us to the city closest to Holy Island at once!" Han Li commanded the demon cultivator before him without hesitation, his expression grim.

"Yes, junior will arrange it immediately." The demon elder's heart tightened as he gleaned some meaning from the conversation between Han Li and the others. He immediately bowed and agreed. He promptly instructed some guards in the teleportation hall to begin lifting the restrictions on a teleportation array and quickly place some spirit stones on it.

As soon as this was done, Yin Yue, with a flash, immediately rushed into the array. Han Li and the others naturally followed close behind.

A flash of spiritual light! Han Li and his group instantly vanished without a trace from the teleportation array.

Nine days later, a tearing sound echoed from the horizon near the Holy Island of the two races. A colossal, ink-black boat appeared with a flash, whistling as it sped directly towards Holy Island. Seeing this, some Holy Island guards patrolling in that direction swiftly flew over. However, when they clearly saw the large, ancient character inscribed on the front of the giant boat, they were immediately startled and stopped in their tracks, bowing respectfully towards the boat.

"Is Ao Xiao undergoing his tribulation on the island now?" Before the giant boat even reached them, a sharp shout first emerged from within. Then, a figure flickered at the front of the boat, and an old man appeared with a sway. It was none other than Mo Jianli, the Human Grand Ascension cultivator.

"Greetings, Senior Mo! Lord Ao Xiao is not on Holy Island at the moment. He is undergoing his tribulation in Red Cloud Valley, a hundred thousand li away from Holy Island. All the elders on the island have gone there to protect Lord Ao," a Void Refinement stage guard quickly stepped forward and replied.

"Red Cloud Valley!" Mo Jianli murmured, slightly stunned. Almost simultaneously, the black giant boat suddenly trembled, then flashed past the guards at an incredible speed, speeding off in another direction. Upon seeing this, the Holy Island guards exchanged glances.

More than half an hour later, the black giant boat was still soaring through the sky at an altitude of ten thousand zhang. But at the front of the giant boat now, besides Mo Jianli, Han Li, Yin Yue, and the others had all appeared. Everyone's expression was incredibly solemn as they looked ahead, and Yin Yue's face was etched with extreme anxiety.

During his trip to the Spirit Race, Han Li had obtained two Thunderbolt Talismans. When he first returned and saw her, he had explicitly stated his willingness to give one to Patriarch Ao Xiao, so he could have a better chance of passing his tribulation. This had naturally delighted her immensely. However, she never expected that as soon as she returned to her clan, she would hear the news that Patriarch Ao Xiao would suddenly face his tribulation early, which naturally made Yin Yue extremely uneasy.

With a "bang"! A dull thud suddenly came from Yin Yue's embrace, as if something had burst open within her body. Yin Yue's face instantly went pale, completely drained of color.

"Yue'er, what's wrong?" Han Li immediately noticed Yin Yue's abnormality. His heart sank, and an ominous premonition arose within him.

Yin Yue's eyes reddened. Instead of answering Han Li's question, she opened her mouth and spat out a vivid red, crystalline jade token. This jade token was only palm-sized, but its surface bore the vivid image of a man's back. After a quick glance, Han Li immediately found the man's back strangely familiar; it was clearly a portrait of Patriarch Ao Xiao. However, at this moment, the image on the jade token was covered in dense cracks that were rapidly increasing at a visible rate. Within a few breaths, the entire jade token crumbled into dust and scattered from her fingers.

Yin Yue stared blankly at this scene, standing motionless where she was. By this point, Han Li knew what had happened. After a sigh, he stood by her side in silent companionship, not saying anything further. Mo Jianli, upon seeing this, had his eyelids twitch a few times, then lifted his head to stare at the sky without uttering a word. Zhu Guo'er, Fossil Old Ancestor, and the others exchanged glances, not daring to even breathe loudly.

The Ink-Spirit Giant Boat continued to speed forward at its astonishing pace. Nearly half an hour later, a flash of spiritual light appeared ahead, and suddenly, over a dozen streaks of light shot towards them. Seeing this, Han Li frowned, then lightly tapped the giant boat with his foot. With a hum, the flying boat instantly stopped high in the sky.

At this moment, after a few flashes, the streaks of light ahead appeared near the giant boat. As their radiance receded, their figures became visible. It was precisely the Holy Island elders!

"Greetings, Senior Han, Senior Mo!" The cultivators of both races first showed joy upon seeing Han Li and Mo Jianli on the giant boat, but then immediately bowed with sorrowful expressions.

"Ao Xiao, did he not survive the heavenly tribulation?" Mo Jianli asked, his face grim.

"Reporting to Senior, Lord Ao just perished under the heavenly tribulation. He only left behind two incomplete protective treasures and a spirit core," the leading elder respectfully replied.

"Whose hand holds my grandfather's spirit core? Give it to me," Yin Yue suddenly spoke coldly.

"So, Fellow Daoist Linglong is here too. According to Senior Ao Xiao's last wishes, his spirit core was indeed meant to be given to the Fairy," the elder replied with a solemn expression upon seeing Yin Yue speak. He then flicked his sleeve, took out a pale yellow wooden box, and ascended to the giant boat, holding it with both hands, placing it into Yin Yue's grasp.

Yin Yue's body trembled slightly, but gritting her teeth, she still opened the wooden box in front of everyone. Inside the box lay a fist-sized, pale white crystalline core, emitting a familiar aura. Beside the crystalline core, there was also a half-broken, pale white small sword and a yellow small bell with half of it missing.

Yin Yue gently stroked the crystalline core with her finger, then looked up at Han Li and said calmly: "I want to be alone for a while. Please don't let anyone disturb me during this time." As soon as her words fell, Yin Yue ignored everyone, turned, and floated into the cabin.

Han Li silently watched Yin Yue's retreating figure, not saying anything to stop her. After a long while, he turned back to the Holy Island elders and instructed: "You all may board the sacred boat. Please recount the process of Fellow Daoist Ao Xiao's tribulation to me and Fellow Daoist Mo in detail. Do not miss any particulars."

"Yes, we will certainly tell everything truthfully to both sirs," the elder replied, his expression solemn, bowing without hesitation. Han Li nodded, allowing these Holy Island elders to board the giant boat as well.

Half a year later, at the summit of a small spiritual mountain on Holy Island, Han Li stood with his hands clasped behind his back under a verdant spiritual pine. He silently gazed at a small valley in the distance, shrouded in a thin white mist, his face expressionless as he pondered something.

Suddenly, a ripple appeared behind him, and a pale yellow figure silently emerged. After bowing to Han Li, the figure respectfully stood to the side with hands clasped.

"Yuetian, is there any progress on the new cave dwelling?" After a long moment, Han Li asked without turning his head. This figure was precisely Hai Dashao, one of Han Li's direct disciples.

"Reporting to Master, I personally surveyed most of the territories of both races as you requested, and I've finally found a place that perfectly meets the requirements. We disciples can move there at any time," Hai Dashao respectfully stated.

"Oh, where is the location of the new cave dwelling?" Han Li's expression shifted, and he finally turned around.

"Reporting to Master, the new cave dwelling is on an island in the Boundless Sea. Although this sea is in a remote area between the two races, its spiritual energy is extremely pure. Moreover, naturally, most of its waters are covered by a Yin-Yang magnetic force, which, with a slight modification, can be used as an extremely powerful defensive formation for the dwelling," Hai Dashao honestly replied.

"Since it has so many advantages, let's choose this place then. Go back and pack up; we will leave Holy Island in a few days," Han Li nodded and said.

"Yes, Master. But is Senior Aunt Yin Yue alright? Has she still not emerged from her seclusion?" Hai Dashao asked after a moment of hesitation.

"Although Yin Yue hasn't come out of seclusion yet, I have a premonition that she should emerge within the next few days," Han Li said, his expression unchanged, as he looked back at the distant valley.

"I see. Then I will immediately go and urge the disciples to begin preparing for the relocation of the cave dwelling." Hai Dashao, naturally having absolute faith in Han Li's words, bowed respectfully again, then retreated a few steps and flew away from the small mountain.

Han Li continued to stand quietly under the spiritual pine, gazing at the distant location. After an unknown amount of time, the mist in the valley ahead suddenly swirled, and a white rainbow shot out. After a few flashes, it appeared above Han Li.

"Brother Han, I'm fine now. Let's leave this place together," a beautiful woman in silver robes suddenly appeared and said with a faint smile to Han Li.

"Good, let's go. I've found a good place for a cave dwelling. We can settle down peacefully for a while there," Han Li replied with a gentle smile.

"Our own cave dwelling? That's wonderful! I really want to see it with my own eyes soon!" Yin Yue said, her eyes brightening.