Chapter 1013: Unspoken Difficulty

Qimozi paid no heed to the flaming face's words. After pondering for a moment, he reached into the brazier and made a seemingly casual grab, pulling out the flaming face along with a mass of fire shadow.

As it left the brazier, its form gradually solidified, transforming into a fire-haired person with broad hands and feet, whose appearance was identical to Qimozi standing nearby.

With a flash of firelight in Qimozi's palm, the aura of the fire-formed Qimozi beside him suddenly surged, becoming almost equal to his own.

"This time I'll go myself. You guard the Immortal Prison in my stead," Qimozi withdrew his hand and instructed.

"If someone..."

Before the fire-formed doppelganger could finish speaking, Qimozi interrupted:

"This is the Immortal Prison; no one will be gossiping. I'll only take one person on this trip and will return as soon as possible."

"You're not even taking me. Who are you taking?" the doppelganger asked, somewhat puzzled.

"An acquaintance of his." The corner of Chimoz's mouth lifted slightly as he said indifferently.

With that, he strode out of the hall, his aura suddenly receding. A vast surge of flames wrapped around him, and he transformed into a ball of fire, flying off toward a golden space adjacent to the blood clouds in the distance.

...

Time flew like an arrow, and in a blink, sixty years had passed.

Qinghu City.

Within the city, outside a secluded courtyard, there was a cleanly swept bluestone path.

The morning sunlight filtered through the branches of tall trees beside the path, casting dappled shadows, creating an air of tranquility.

Several young children, with hair tied in tufts, held pinwheels made of colored paper in their hands, running back and forth along the path. The colorful wheels spun with particular joy.

The laughter and playful shouts of the children drifted over the low courtyard wall, spilling into the neighboring yard.

Inside the courtyard, flower beds stood opposite green bamboo. In the center of a spacious open area, a set of stone table and stools was placed. A slender girl in black clothes sat on one of the stone stools, her cheek resting on one hand, listening intently to the sounds outside.

This girl was none other than Ti Hun.

Ever since she had awakened and gained the ability to see into people's hearts, she had grown increasingly fond of listening to children's laughter. The pure and simple joy contained within it was what brought her the most happiness.

Just as she was smiling to herself, her mind stirred, and she turned her head to look behind her.

There, at the entrance of the main hall, Han Li emerged, dressed in a brand-new green robe, his face full of smiles.

"Master, you've come out of seclusion so soon. Could it be that you've already broken through?" Ti Hun raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

"It really didn't take much effort. Now that many mysterious acupoints have been opened, cultivating the Grand Five Elements Illusory World Technique yields twice the result with half the effort. So it only took a little over a hundred years, which was within my expectations," Han Li said with a smile.

What he did not say was that if he were willing to continue in seclusion, breaking through to the late Taiyi stage was only a matter of time.

"Congratulations, Master!" Ti Hun's face also lit up with joy as she spoke.

"You've worked hard guarding me during this time... How is it? Any anomalies on the Qinghu Clan's side?" Han Li paused, then continued.

"No anomalies. After their chieftain fully recovered, the entire Qinghu Clan's morale has greatly improved, like an army gaining a commander—their spirits soared. Even the Golden Horse Sect has stopped stirring up trouble and quieted down. I was originally worried that the commotion from your breakthrough might attract attention, but I didn't even notice it myself." Ti Hun shook his head and said.

"This breakthrough didn't have many obstacles; it was a natural progression. Besides, I was in seclusion within the Flower Branch Cave Heaven, and I sealed its entrance with a grand concealment array to mask any aura, so no disturbance was caused. However, when I break through to the late Taiyi stage, I can't stay in the Flower Branch Cave Heaven, and the commotion won't be so minor. I'll need to find another place then." Han Li said with a smile.

While Han Li and Ti Hun, master and servant, were chatting cheerfully, the Qinghu Clan's council hall on the other side was in a heated uproar.

"Chieftain, I found that man suspicious the day he came to our clan. Now that the Immortal Palace's news can't be wrong, right? He is a perpetrator who slaughters mortals to practice evil arts. By all reason and sentiment, we absolutely cannot keep such a person in the clan!" Elder Qiu stood in the hall, his face full of anxiety, speaking urgently.

"Yes! What Elder Qiu says is not impossible. There are plenty of humans with ulterior motives; we... we must be on guard..." Another elder chimed in.

Behind him, several others, though silent, had solemn expressions and nodded in agreement.

"There must be some misunderstanding. Senior Han's demeanor is calm and composed; where is there any trace of a deranged evil cultivator? He certainly cannot be the person on the wanted list. Moreover, if he were that villain, he wouldn't have first saved me and then saved my mother." Ye Susu, dressed in green, her face flushed, argued.

After all, Han Li had shown them kindness by saving lives, and the Qinghu Clan members couldn't help but show signs of hesitation.

"The young master is still young and does not yet know the cunning and treachery of humans. No one knows what he truly intends. If his ambitions are great, would he not first bestow favors and then strike with a deadly hand? To say nothing of the fact that even if he has no ill intentions, his coming to our Azure Fox Clan is still a disaster. How can we bear the consequences of harboring a fugitive wanted by the Immortal Palace?" Elder Qiu sighed and shook his head as he spoke.

"Indeed, if the Immortal Palace investigates here, how could our Azure Fox Clan bear the responsibility? Even the entire Azure Fox City might be destroyed in an instant," another elder sighed and said.

"Yes, we cannot do this..."

"We cannot risk the lives of tens of thousands of our clan for an outsider..."

"Clan leader, please reconsider!"

Within the great hall, discussions buzzed and lamentations arose on all sides.

"Uncles and elders, Senior Han has shown us kindness. Could it be that we, the Azure Fox Clan, would also commit acts of ingratitude and repay kindness with enmity?" Ye Susu cried out loudly, seeing that most were in agreement.

After this shout, the hall finally fell silent, and a look of guilt appeared on everyone's faces.

"I have understood everyone's opinions," a gentle voice suddenly rang out at this moment.

Hearing this, everyone turned to look at the dignified woman seated in the large chair.

She was none other than Ye Susu's mother, Ye Luo, the clan leader of the Azure Fox Clan.

"Regardless of whether the matters on the Immortal Palace's wanted list are true or false, Senior Han has shown kindness to our Azure Fox Clan. We cannot repay kindness with enmity," Ye Luo said in a calm tone.

"Mother, you see clearly..." Ye Susu nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

"However, since Senior Han has been targeted by the Immortal Palace, naturally we cannot continue to keep him in the clan. Otherwise, it would be a disaster for both us and him," Ye Luo raised her hand to interrupt Ye Susu and continued.

Ye Susu's expression darkened upon hearing this.

Although she was grateful for Han Li's life-saving grace, being as intelligent as she was, she knew in her heart that her mother was not wrong. She had simply been unwilling to admit it before. Now that her mother had spoken, she had no choice but to remain silent.

The others nodded in agreement upon hearing this, and many felt a great sense of relief.

"Susu, Senior Han was brought to the clan by you. This matter can only be handled by you in discussion with him," the Azure Fox Clan leader said, lowering her eyes to look at her daughter.

Ye Susu opened her mouth upon hearing this, but in the end said nothing, merely nodding silently.

"That person's identity is unclear. I'm uneasy about letting the young master negotiate in person. I should handle this matter." Elder Qiu's face darkened as he spoke hastily.

"Elder Qiu, Senior Han is ultimately a benefactor of our Green Fox Clan, and there is also this bond of friendship with Susu. Since it began with her, let it end with her as well." The Green Fox Clan leader shook his head and said.

"Rest assured, Elder Qiu. Let Susu settle this matter." Ye Susu also bowed slightly and said.

"Well... very well. I'll go with you then." Elder Qiu sighed and said.

About half a quarter of an hour later, two streaks of light arrived together and landed outside a secluded small courtyard. Children on the path beside the courtyard called out "Sister, sister" and gathered around.

Today, Ye Susu had no time to play with them. She told them to amuse themselves, then went with Elder Qiu to the courtyard gate, raised her hand, and knocked on the wooden door.

As soon as the "tap tap" sound arose, a gentle male voice came from inside the courtyard: "Please, come in, both of you."

Ye Susu and Elder Qiu pushed open the door and entered, only to see Han Li sitting opposite Ti Hun at a stone table in the courtyard, holding a cup of clear tea, smiling as he looked at them.

"Senior Han..."

Ye Susu greeted Han Li, but then remembered the purpose of her visit, felt even more guilty, and unconsciously lowered her head.

Elder Qiu stepped half a pace ahead of Ye Susu, shielding her behind him. His eyes quickly swept around before finally settling on Han Li, his face full of wariness.

"Since Miss Ye and Elder Qiu have come together, it must not be a private matter, and it likely concerns me. Please speak frankly." Han Li, not minding Elder Qiu, glanced at Ye Susu and said unhurriedly.

Elder Qiu's gaze darkened at this, and he was about to speak when Ye Susu raised her hand to stop him.

"Senior Han, please forgive Susu's impertinence. It's like this..." Ye Susu stepped forward half a pace and roughly explained the Immortal Palace's wanted notice to Han Li, but did not mention asking him to leave Green Fox City immediately.

Han Li listened seriously, then couldn't help but smile after hearing it all. He said, "Since when does the Immortal Palace act so sneakily? If they want to cause trouble for me, they have to fabricate such a baseless charge."

Ti Hun also smiled wordlessly upon hearing this.

"I knew Senior Han wouldn't be that kind of cruel person." Ye Susu secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, a smile appearing on her face as she said.