Chapter 995: Farewell, Take Care

"That crisis was actually nothing much. Although Shi Kongyu was powerful, he was also suppressed within the Jilin Void Realm and couldn't exert much of his strength. Moreover, his main goal was merely to interrupt Fellow Daoist Shi Kongjie's advancement. After succeeding in one strike, he immediately retreated and did not pursue us to the death. As for outside help, we were imprisoned here and couldn't leave easily, having almost no contact with other forces in the Holy Domain. Shi Kongyu dominates the Holy Domain with an iron fist; other forces avoid us as much as possible. Why would they come to our aid?" The white crab Daoist smiled and said calmly.

"I see." Han Li was silent for a moment, then nodded and smiled.

"I still have matters to attend to. Fellow Daoist Han, please make yourself at home." The white crab Daoist nodded slightly, turned, and left.

Han Li watched the receding figure of the white crab Daoist, his brow slightly furrowed.

He wondered whether the crab Daoist and those two severed corpse puppets knew the truth of what happened back then. But judging by the white crab Daoist's demeanor, even if he knew, he wouldn't easily tell others. Asking the crab Daoist would probably yield no answers either.

To learn the truth of that year, he would have to investigate slowly from other sources.

After a brief deliberation, Han Li quickly walked out and entered the main hall.

Many people stood in the main hall. Besides the crab Daoist, there were over twenty others: Zi Ling, Sha Xin, Madame Liuhua, Shi Chuankong, Zhuo Ge, Xuan Yuan Xing, and even the siblings Zhu Ziyuan and Zhu Ziqing.

On the open space at the other side of the hall, a white stone platform had been set up.

Atop the platform was a circular formation several zhang in size, emitting a golden-white light.

A strong spatial energy fluctuation radiated from the formation, causing the void above it to ripple like water, forming a spatial vortex several zhang in size.

"Fellow Daoist Han, you've arrived." The crab Daoist stood up to greet him.

Sha Xin and the others also warmly greeted Han Li.

Zi Ling stood behind Sha Xin, her starry eyes looking over. Sensing that Han Li's aura was even more vigorous and grand, and his temperament more mature and steady, her beautiful eyes brightened slightly.

"I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting for me alone." Han Li cupped his hands and said.

"Not at all. Sha Xin and the others just arrived. This teleportation formation leads to the outside. I will open it shortly. If you have any matters to attend to, please handle them now." The crab Daoist glanced at Zi Ling and said meaningfully.

Han Li was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.

After saying this, the crab Daoist pointed a finger, and a golden light shot into Han Li's body, restoring the circulation of his immortal spiritual power.

Having done this, the crab Daoist stood up and walked over to the formation.

Sha Xin immediately went over, and the two spoke in low voices, apparently discussing the teleportation arrangements.

Han Li was somewhat puzzled by the crab Daoist's action, but having his immortal spiritual power restored was a good thing.

He steadied himself, walked over to Zi Ling, raised his hand to set up a soundproof barrier, and was about to speak when Zi Ling raised a hand to stop him.

"I came here just to see you off. Don't overthink it." Zi Ling smiled radiantly and said.

"You plan to stay here?" Han Li's eyes showed a flicker of surprise, then he glanced at the crab Daoist with some understanding.

So the crab Daoist had known that Zi Ling would stay, which was why he had spoken that way and restored Han Li's immortal spiritual power.

"I've studied the 'Heavenly Execution Prison Suppression Art' you taught me over the years and find it truly exquisite. The Jilin Void Realm is rich in star power, making it an excellent place to cultivate this body-tempering technique. I want to improve my strength a bit more here before heading to the Demon Domain." Zi Ling nodded and said.

"That's fine. The Demon Domain isn't entirely safe right now, while the Jilin Void Realm is relatively better. Cultivate well here." Han Li stared at the stunning woman before him, and after a long while, he spoke, his voice remarkably calm.

"Also, I've started cultivating the 'Refining Spirit Art' you taught me." Zi Ling's beautiful eyes were full of determination as she added.

"I knew you would cultivate this technique." Han Li sighed after a brief silence.

"I have considerable talent in spiritual cultivation, and I think I'm no worse than you, Brother Han. Since you can cultivate the 'Refining Spirit Art,' I can too." Zi Ling blinked playfully.

"Since you've decided to cultivate this technique, I'll go along with it. But if any problems arise during cultivation, be sure to contact me immediately." Han Li cautioned.

"Alright." Zi Ling nodded with a smile.

Han Li took Zi Ling aside, removed some special items from the Star Ring, and added a few things.

"This bone ring may look a bit ugly, but it's a storage ring usable within the Jilin Void Realm, very practical. Since you've chosen to stay, I'll give it to you." Han Li then took off the Star Ring, lifted Zi Ling's left hand, and put it on for her.

"This is too precious; I can't accept it. You should keep it for yourself." Zi Ling was startled and tried to take off the ring.

"No need. I'm about to leave this place, and once outside, I won't need this ring at all." Han Li raised his hand to stop Zi Ling and transmitted his voice with a smile.

"That's true. I almost forgot." Zi Ling paused, then laughed.

"Inside the ring are the last nine layers of the 'Heavenly Execution Prison Suppression Art' and a Reincarnation Palace mask. You can use it to contact me if anything comes up. There are also other things you'll find useful now." Han Li continued.

A faint glimmer of moisture appeared in Zi Ling's eyes, and she nodded gently.

"Since I won't be by your side, if you encounter any insurmountable difficulties, don't bear them alone. Remember to seek help from Fellow Daoist Crab." Han Li urged again.

The two talked privately for a while before returning.

Han Li turned his gaze to Shi Chuankong.

Seeing this, Shi Chuankong walked over.

"Fellow Daoist Han, since entering the Jilin Void Realm, I owe much to your assistance. I am deeply grateful. I came here, like Fellow Daoist Zi Ling, just to bid you farewell. I don't plan to leave the Jilin Void Realm for now." Shi Chuankong nodded to Zi Ling in a familiar manner, then said to Han Li.

"Fellow Daoist Shi isn't leaving either?" Han Li was slightly taken aback and couldn't help touching his nose.

"Third Brother is no longer trustworthy, and my strength is still weak. Rather than returning to Yeyang Dynasty now and being bullied by others, it's better to stay here and cultivate. Besides, thanks to your connection, Fellow Daoist Han, I live quite comfortably here." Shi Chuankong smiled.

"Very well. Then I'll entrust Zi Ling to your care." Han Li nodded.

The crab Daoist was now opposed to the Demon Lord. Whether Shi Chuankong stayed here voluntarily or under coercion was unclear.

Although he and Shi Chuankong were friends, his relationship with the crab Daoist ran deeper, and now that they were allied, it was better not to inquire into such matters.

"Fellow Daoist Zi Ling is now a big shot in Puppet City; she hardly needs my care. Over the years, I've been the one relying on her kindness." Shi Chuankong laughed heartily.

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist Shi. You are Brother Han's friend, and thus mine as well. Moreover, you are the Thirteenth Prince of Yeyang Dynasty. Once we leave the Jilin Void Realm, there may be many matters where I'll need your assistance." Zi Ling smiled.

"Of course." Shi Chuankong patted his chest and said.

Seeing this, Han Li felt somewhat reassured.

This way, whether Zi Ling stayed in the Jilin Void Realm or later went to the Demon Domain, she would have someone to look after her.

"After I leave, take good care of yourself." Han Li's lips moved slightly as he transmitted his voice to Zi Ling.

"Take care." Zi Ling replied via voice transmission.

"Fellow Daoist Han, I heard from Fellow Daoist Zi Ling that after leaving the Jilin Void Realm, you'll soon return to the Immortal Domain. I'll be staying here and won't be able to assist you. To be honest, I've hardly fulfilled any of the rewards I promised you back then. I'm truly ashamed." Shi Chuankong sighed and said.

"You're too kind, Fellow Daoist Shi. Helping me find Zi Ling is more than enough. I'll figure out the rest on my own." Han Li waved his hand and said.

Hearing this, Shi Chuankong's expression improved slightly.

"By the way, besides you two, are all the others here planning to teleport back to the Holy Domain?" Han Li glanced at the others and asked via voice transmission.

"Yes. It seems Fellow Daoist Crab has some plans." Zi Ling said.

Han Li nodded slowly upon hearing this.

The three chatted for a while, and the crab Daoist seemed to have finished preparations, beckoning Han Li over.

Han Li, Sha Xin, and the others soon boarded the teleportation formation.

The crab Daoist did not step on, but chanted incantations and pointed a finger.

The teleportation formation blazed with dazzling golden-white light, and the spatial vortex above spun faster, soon revealing a pitch-black spatial passage.

A tremendous spatial suction force emanated from the spatial passage, enveloping Han Li and the others.

Han Li looked up at Zi Ling, and their eyes met.

The next moment, with a "whoosh," Han Li and the others were sucked into the spatial passage and vanished without a trace.

Zi Ling's body trembled slightly, her beautiful eyes staring blankly at the spot where the figure had disappeared, as if she were rooted to the spot.

...

Above a desolate forest in the Demon Domain, a dazzling white light suddenly appeared out of nowhere and rapidly expanded, forming a white sphere several dozen zhang in size.

The space inside the sphere churned violently, and after a few breaths, with a tearing sound, a pitch-black spatial door split open.

The next moment, over twenty figures flew out of the spatial door one by one. After an initial moment of panic, everyone quickly steadied themselves. They were Han Li, Sha Xin, and the others.

Han Li felt the surrounding spiritual energy and the vanished spatial pressure, a look of relief and joy appearing on his face. The others felt the same.

Han Li took a deep breath and quickly calmed down, extending his divine sense to survey the surrounding terrain and confirm their location.

After a few breaths, his brow twitched slightly, as if he had discovered something.

"Fellow Daoist Han, I have some tasks entrusted by my master and must take my leave. Until we meet again." Sha Xin cupped her hands to Han Li, and without waiting for his reply, led the others away in one direction, appearing hurried.

Seeing this, a flicker of light passed through Han Li's eyes.

He did not linger either, transforming into a cyan rainbow that shot into the distance, disappearing in the blink of an eye.