Chapter 1006: Parting for Years

"Master, is she alright?" Ti Hun walked back to Han Li's side and asked softly.

"She's fine. She just overconsumed her demonic power, causing her foundation to loosen a bit. I've already smoothed over the hidden dangers in her body, and she'll be fine once her demonic power recovers. But I didn't expect you to take such a liking to this Ye Susu; I've never seen you treat anyone else so well." Han Li said with some curiosity.

"I don't know either... Maybe it's because her soul's aura is very pure, like a mountain spring, clear and distant, making me feel very comfortable." Ti Hun lowered her head slightly, somewhat embarrassed.

"The aura of the soul... You can sense that?" Han Li's face showed surprise.

"During this coma, I suffered severe damage to my vitality, but my law cultivation advanced a step further. Now I can perceive each person's soul aura, thereby judging their character and nature. With this ability, no one can hide their true nature from me!" Ti Hun said somewhat proudly.

Hearing this, Han Li's face showed astonishment.

If Ti Hun's ability was truly as she described, it was indeed remarkable. As the saying goes, you know a person's face but not their heart. No matter how high one's cultivation or how strong one's divine sense, judging a person's character could only rely on experience and insight, and could never be completely accurate.

"Then tell me, what does my soul aura look like?" Han Li asked curiously at this thought.

"Master's soul aura is too vast; I can't sense it clearly. But overall, Master's soul aura is still upright and open." Ti Hun glanced at Han Li and murmured.

"I can't bear the words 'upright and open.' It's good enough to have no shame in my heart." Han Li shook his head upon hearing this.

"In truth, the path of cultivation is extremely perilous. Those who are soft-hearted cannot go far. Sometimes, not being decisive enough harms oneself, or even the ones you cherish. Although Master seems somewhat cold to outsiders, you have your own principles in daily conduct and never easily break them. In this regard, I'm afraid few in the vast Immortal Realm can do the same." Ti Hun shook her head and said seriously.

"I didn't expect that after being unconscious for so long, you see things more clearly than I do." Han Li smiled freely, noncommittally.

After speaking, he shifted his gaze and waved his hand, sending out a beam of green light that swept up the storage magic tools from the five members of the Golden Horse Sect.

He naturally looked down on the immortal artifacts and wealth on the five True Immortals, but each of them carried some texts and materials, including some that described the various conditions of the Gold Source Mountain Range and the distribution of nearby powers—things he needed.

Han Li took out these texts and carefully perused them.

Seeing this, Ti Hun quietly waited aside without disturbing him.

Over an hour passed quickly. Ye Susu stood up, looking radiant and energetic, not only fully recovered but with her aura noticeably increased.

"Senior not only saved my life but also expended your vitality to clear my cultivation bottlenecks. I will never forget such kindness. If Senior has any orders, just command me." Ye Susu said with firm determination.

"It's just a small matter; don't dwell on it." Han Li waved his hand and said lightly.

"If the two seniors don't mind, would you stay a few days at the Azure Fox City where my Azure Fox clan resides? Let me fulfill my duties as host and express my gratitude." Ye Susu looked at Han Li and the other with a hint of hope in her eyes.

Ti Hun said nothing, looking at Han Li.

Seeing this, Ye Susu also turned her gaze to Han Li.

"Alright. We two are traveling in the Gold Source Mountain Range without a specific destination, so we'll accept your hospitality." Han Li readily agreed.

"That's wonderful! Please follow me, seniors." Ye Susu was delighted. She spat out a ball of green flame, incinerating the corpses of the five Golden Horse Sect members, then sacrificed a flying boat magic tool.

Han Li nodded inwardly at Ye Susu's meticulous conduct.

The three boarded the flying boat and flew toward the depths of the mountain range.

"By the way, may I ask the names of the two seniors?" Ye Susu asked as she操控 the flying boat forward.

"My surname is Han, given name Li. She is Ti Hun. Miss Ye, don't call us seniors; just address us by our names." Han Li's eyes flickered, and he no longer used a false name.

In recent years, he had grown somewhat weary of using false names when his cultivation was weak.

Now that his true identity was no longer a secret, there was no need to deliberately conceal it.

"So you are Senior Han and Senior Ti Hun. Senior saved my life, a kindness as great as rebirth. I must not be careless with titles. Although our Azure Fox clan is a demon clan, we know propriety." Ye Susu quickly said solemnly.

Han Li smiled lightly and did not dwell on it.

"Hehe, it was Master who saved you; I didn't lift a finger. Miss Ye, don't call me senior; just call me Ti Hun." Ti Hun giggled, stepping forward to take Ye Susu's hand.

"This..." Ye Susu cautiously glanced at Han Li. Seeing no displeasure on his face, she inwardly relaxed and began chatting with Ti Hun.

The two women seemed naturally fated to get along. Ye Susu was quite talkative, and Ti Hun, new to the Immortal Realm and somewhat childlike, asked questions about everything. Soon they became familiar, occasionally letting out tinkling laughter.

Before long, the flying boat arrived at a huge mountain hollow.

This mountain hollow covered a vast area, several thousand li in size, and within it was built a massive city.

The city was constructed almost entirely of golden materials, its walls towering and not much shorter than the surrounding peaks. Moreover, the city did not stand upright but sloped inward from all sides toward the center, though it did not close completely.

Around the city stood dozens of enormous golden stone pillars, each topped with a giant golden sphere hundreds of zhang in diameter, their purpose unknown.

At that moment, several streaks of light flew over from ahead and landed in front of the flying carriage, revealing several figures in blue robes, all members of the Azure Fox Clan.

"Young master, you've returned!"

The leading man, tall and thin, greeted her with surprise, but upon noticing Han Li and Ti Hun beside her, he frowned and asked warily:

"Who are you?"

"They are honored guests I invited back; they saved my life. You must not be rude." Ye Susu said with some displeasure.

The tall, thin man was startled at this. He opened his mouth as if to ask about the danger Ye Susu had encountered, but then stopped himself.

"So they are benefactors of our clan. I was just now discourteous." The tall, thin man clasped his fists and apologized to Han Li and Ti Hun.

Ti Hun shook her head and smiled faintly, indicating she didn't mind.

Han Li paid no attention to the tall, thin man and his companions, instead casually surveying the valley and city below.

Beneath this valley lay a fairly large wood-attribute spirit vein, with abundant wood-attribute spiritual energy, and the valley was lush with verdant vegetation.

The place was filled with rich metal and wood attribute energies; the Azure Fox Clan had indeed found a good place to settle.

Although the city below was built of golden materials, they were very different from the golden rocks elsewhere in the Gold Source Mountains. Their surfaces bore faint black patterns like tree rings, emitting a cold, yin aura distinct from the Gold Source Mountains.

"That is Gold Crow Stone, mined deep in the Gold Source Mountains. It can block the stealth of those metal beasts. Cities within the Gold Source Mountains are mostly built with this material; otherwise, given the terrifying stealth abilities of those metal beasts, it would be impossible to live in peace." Ye Susu, noticing Han Li's gaze, quickly explained.

Han Li had also seen records of Gold Crow Stone in the texts from the Jinma Sect cultivators, so he nodded slightly.

The tall, thin man, seeing Ye Susu's respect for Han Li, probed their cultivation levels and immediately changed expression.

"So it is two seniors who have come. Please follow me." The man apologized again, then respectfully led the way, guiding the three down toward the city.

"Ye Ping, how is Mother?" Ye Susu flew to the tall, thin man's side and transmitted her voice.

"The clan leader is still the same, recuperating at Bibo Pond. Elder Qiu is attending to her; her condition hasn't worsened." Ye Ping replied via transmission.

"That's good. This time I've gathered all the materials for the Blood Transformation Array; I will definitely cure Mother!" Ye Susu relaxed at this, then said with firm determination.

Ye Ping showed no joy at these words; instead, a complex glimmer flashed in his eyes.

Han Li glanced at the two; though they communicated by voice transmission, it could not escape his ears.

They soon landed at the city gate, which bore the words "Azure Fox City" in large characters.

Guards were stationed near the gate, but with Ye Susu present, they passed through without hindrance and quickly entered the city.

The streets inside were wide, paved with blue bricks, and lined with rows of buildings, most of which appeared to be shops.

These buildings were constructed of wood, their architectural style quite different from ordinary cities. Some houses were even built directly from unpolished raw timber, yet there was no sense of disorder; instead, they exuded a natural charm that was refreshing.

Tall trees were planted in many places within the city, adding to its appeal.

"Though our Azure Fox City is not large, its scenery has some character; it should be worth a look." Ye Susu smiled.

"Indeed, it is quite nice." Han Li nodded and glanced at Ti Hun.

Ti Hun also seemed to like it here, occasionally looking around with a curious expression.

Seeing Ti Hun's demeanor, Han Li felt a surge of joy for some reason, but also a trace of melancholy.

Since awakening, Ti Hun had become much more lively and cheerful, quite similar to an ordinary human girl, reminding him of Jin Tong, who had left him.

Years had passed since their parting; he wondered where Jin Tong and Xiao Bai had gone, whether they had encountered any danger, and whether they had found what they were seeking.