Chapter 730: Linghu's Invitation

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“While Fellow Daoist Han’s words are highly probable, they are still mere speculation,” Lady Qi said after some thought, offering her own suggestion. “Therefore, aside from our fellow Nascent Soul cultivators, everyone else should temporarily keep today’s discussions confidential to avoid unnecessary confusion. However, if the Mulan people are truly determined to wage a full-scale war against us, their highest-level Divine Masters will certainly be mobilized. These late-Nascent Soul spellcasters are not something we can handle. I will notify Elder Wei Wuya of our alliance to see if we can gather the Three Great Cultivators to address this matter.”

“What Lady Qi said is reasonable; there’s no time to lose. After we return, we should immediately send word back to our respective sects,” a gaunt old man with a worried expression nodded in agreement.

The other cultivators, aware of the gravity of the situation, also unanimously agreed without objection.

Next, the group discussed some related details and decided to first dispatch a contingent of reinforcements to delay the Mulan people’s advance, allowing the major powers of Tiannan to gather their forces.

After that, the hall meeting concluded, and everyone hastily began to depart.

Han Li walked side by side with Cultivator Lu and the Fire Dragon Child. However, just as they exited the main hall, Han Li’s expression subtly shifted, and he frowned slightly.

“What is it, Junior Martial Brother? Is something wrong?” Cultivator Lu turned his head, seeing Han Li’s expression, and asked with a hint of surprise.

“It’s nothing. An old acquaintance wishes to see me; I’m afraid I’ll have to attend to them. Senior Martial Brother and Brother Lan should go on ahead. I’ll be back shortly!” Han Li raised his eyebrows, but immediately spoke as if nothing was amiss.

“Very well. Junior Martial Brother Han, handle it as you see fit. I’ll first inform our fellow Daoists in the Heavenly Dao Alliance about today’s discussions and then relay the news back to Senior Martial Brother. We’ll see how our various factions in the Heavenly Dao Alliance decide to handle this matter,” Cultivator Lu nodded, smiling as he spoke.

The Fire Dragon Child, however, curled the corner of his mouth, a mischievous grin appearing on his face.

Seeing this, Han Li cupped his hands in a salute and then slowly walked off in another direction, seeming to move slowly yet covering ground with surprising speed as he gradually vanished into the distance.

After Cultivator Lu exited the main hall, he took a few steps and then glanced back in the direction where Han Li had disappeared.

“What is it, Brother Lu? Are you somewhat worried?” The Fire Dragon Child, standing nearby, observed this and asked with a half-smile.

“Worried? What is there to be worried about?” Cultivator Lu’s heart stirred, but he countered with an impassive expression.

“I don’t need to say it; Brother Lu should already have guessed. This Fellow Daoist Han used to be from Huangfeng Valley. And Old Monster Linghu, it seems, is like your Senior Martial Brother—both are nearing the end of their lifespans. Currently, apart from Old Monster Linghu, Huangfeng Valley has no other Nascent Soul cultivators, so Old Monster Linghu must be burning with anxiety. After all, if it were a small sect, it wouldn’t matter much. But for a large sect like Huangfeng Valley, without a Nascent Soul cultivator to oversee it, it would not only suffer a permanent decline but also face the distinct possibility of extermination. And just now, someone clearly sent a voice message to Fellow Daoist Han; if it wasn’t Old Monster Linghu, that would be truly strange,” the Fire Dragon Child said with a shrug.

“How does Brother Lan know about Junior Martial Brother Han’s past origins? I don’t recall mentioning this to you,” Cultivator Lu did not answer directly; instead, he pondered for a moment before retorting.

“Why would I need Brother Lu to tell me? When such a young, newly advanced elder suddenly appeared in your sect, our Ancient Sword Sect naturally had to investigate. It’s not some great secret; one look was enough to know,” the Child said frankly, without any intention of hiding anything.

Hearing the Fire Dragon Child’s words, Cultivator Lu found himself with little to say. However, after some consideration, he shook his head and replied:

“It’s not strange for Junior Martial Brother Han to meet old acquaintances. If he had wanted to return to Huangfeng Valley back then, he naturally would have gone back long ago. Why would he have waited until today?”

“That’s true in theory. But Old Monster Linghu is exceptionally cunning; since he’s willing to invite Fellow Daoist Han, he must have some confidence in swaying him,” the Fire Dragon Child said, clearly unconvinced.

Cultivator Lu fell silent. After a long moment, a hint of worry finally appeared on his face, and he let out a long sigh.

“Let nature take its course. If Junior Martial Brother Han truly wishes to return to Huangfeng Valley, can my Senior Martial Brother and I really bind him and prevent him from going back?” he said with a bitter smile.

Meanwhile, on a secluded street, Han Li kept glancing left and right as if searching for something. Suddenly, his figure paused, his gaze falling upon a two-story pavilion.

The pavilion wasn't very tall, only about six or seven zhang. In front of its entrance hung a small banner with a large character for "tea" written on it.

It turned out to be a tea house.

Standing outside the pavilion were two male cultivators in yellow robes, both at the Foundation Establishment stage, looking towards Han Li.

Han Li smiled faintly and walked over.

“Greetings, Senior Han! Our Grand-patriarch is respectfully waiting for you inside!” The two immediately clasped their hands in salute, speaking respectfully as soon Li approached.

“Understood!” Han Li nodded and walked in without changing his expression.

The entire pavilion was quiet, seemingly empty.

After a slight hesitation, Han Li ascended to the second floor.

Upon reaching the top, he saw that the second floor was also eerily deserted, except for one person.

The sole person seated was Old Ancestor Linghu, whom Han Li had just parted ways with in the main hall. He wore a yellow robe and had a sallow complexion.

He was currently seated at an Eight Immortals table in the center of the second floor, slowly savoring a cup of clear tea.

Han Li’s gaze flickered a few times, and without hesitation, he walked over. In a few steps, he reached the table opposite Old Ancestor Linghu and steadily sat down silently. Before him, a blue teacup had already been prepared.

Old Ancestor Linghu said nothing. With a single hand gesture, a prepared teapot resting on the table lightly floated up. Its spout lowered, and it steadily poured half a cup of tea into the teacup in front of Han Li.

Then, the teapot floated back down onto the table on its own.

“The spirit tea brewed by this tea house isn’t bad at all. Why don’t you try a sip or two first?” Old Ancestor Linghu said slowly, his eyes slightly narrowed, after glancing at Han Li.

Han Li smiled. Without objecting, he picked up the teacup before him and briefly admired the emerald-green, clear tea.

“It is indeed good; truly a cut above ordinary spirit tea,” Han Li said, his expression unchanged, after taking a sip.

“Haha! It seems Fellow Daoist Han also enjoys tea. I chose the right place to invite you for a gathering,” Old Ancestor Linghu gently set down his teacup and said leisurely.

“You invited me here not just to sample this spirit tea, did you? If you have something to say, please speak directly,” Han Li said calmly, showing no intention of beating around the bush.

This Old Ancestor Linghu had clearly recognized him long ago, and Han Li also vaguely guessed the other party’s intentions in inviting him.

“Since Fellow Daoist is so impatient, I won’t beat around the bush either. Fellow Daoist Han, are you willing to return to Huangfeng Valley to serve as an elder?” Old Ancestor Linghu said unhurriedly, as if discussing a trivial matter.

“Return to Huangfeng Valley?” Han Li’s expression remained impassive. He simply lowered his head, looking at the teacup in his hands, and said nothing.

“Regardless of the rights and wrongs of past events, this old man doesn’t wish to dwell on them. I simply want to inform Fellow Daoist Han that my lifespan is nearing its end. At most, in another twenty years, this old man will pass away. As long as you are willing to return, Huangfeng Valley will essentially be yours. You wouldn’t still hold a grudge over a small matter from back then, would you?” Old Ancestor Linghu’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint as he said slowly.

“I stopped caring about past events long ago. If I were in your position, Fellow Daoist, I might have acted similarly. However, I have now joined the Falling Cloud Sect and have no intention of switching allegiance to your valley. Old Ancestor Linghu, you should look for other cultivators instead,” Han Li said, shaking his head, as he lifted his gaze and stared at Old Ancestor Linghu.

“This old man naturally knows that you are currently in the Falling Cloud Sect. But the Falling Cloud Sect already has two other elders. Wouldn’t you be restricted everywhere there? How could that compare to the satisfaction of wielding sole power?” Old Ancestor Linghu sneered.

“I think you have misunderstood something, Fellow Daoist. I didn’t join any sect to wield power. I merely wanted to find a suitable place. I have no interest in holding great power within any sect,” Han Li pursed his lips, a subtle hint of mockery appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Old Ancestor Linghu frowned upon hearing this, but then his expression returned to normal.

“Fellow Daoist Han, you probably still don’t understand how immense the benefits of controlling a sect’s power are. Not only would you not have to bother searching for rare spirit herbs and materials, but your status in the cultivation world would also be entirely different. Moreover, even if you truly have no interest whatsoever, don’t you feel any sentiment for your former sect? You should know that there are many of your former fellow disciples still in Huangfeng Valley. If there is no Nascent Soul cultivator to oversee it, our valley could very likely be jointly destroyed by other sects overnight. Their fate would be obvious,” Old Ancestor Linghu began to appeal to his emotions.

“Spirit herbs, materials—as an elder in the Falling Cloud Sect, I also have no lack of these things. As for empty reputations like status in the cultivation world, I care even less about them. As for the rise and fall of sects, that is a very common occurrence. Even those long-standing sects, haven’t most of them had their lineages severed and simply disappeared? As for my former fellow disciples, each has their own destiny; I will not interfere,” Han Li said with an indifferent smile, showing not the slightest sign of being swayed.