Chapter 1188: A Polite Refusal

At the summit of the Eight Desolates Mountain, a flash of light appeared, and several figures instantly materialized.

The Asura Blood Gate, which had stood for over a hundred years, finally flickered once and vanished into nothingness.

On the mountaintop square, the dark red prohibition had long been removed, and it was now fully bathed in the morning light, as if coated in a layer of golden radiance, shimmering brightly.

Han Li took a deep breath of fresh air and squinted at the distant morning sun.

Suddenly, he sensed a ripple in the space beside him and quickly turned his head.

There, figures flickered, and Bai Ze and Yue Mian appeared.

“Fellow Daoist Han, your physical cultivation has advanced greatly, nearly reaching perfection. Truly a cause for celebration,” Bai Ze said, looking Han Li up and down with bright eyes.

Yue Mian also looked at Han Li, his eyes burning with interest.

Han Li felt somewhat uncomfortable under Yue Mian’s gaze. Sensing this person’s aura slightly, a trace of shock flashed in his eyes.

This person’s aura was as deep as the ocean, with no discernible limit, in no way inferior to Bai Ze’s.

“Could this person also be a Dao Ancestor? By the way, earlier the summoning array of the Roc Clan blazed with light. Could this be the True Spirit King, the Heavenly Roc?”

Thoughts raced through Han Li’s mind, but he quickly composed himself, straightened his expression, bowed to Bai Ze, and said:

“I must thank Senior Bai Ze for your nurturing grace; otherwise, I don’t know how many years it would have taken me to reach my current realm.”

“It’s merely a small matter; Fellow Daoist Han speaks too highly,” Bai Ze said with a faint smile.

“To you, Senior, it may be a trivial matter, but to me, it is a great kindness. In the future, if you have any tasks, please feel free to command me,” Han Li said solemnly.

Bai Ze allowing him to enter the Asura Blood Gate and cultivate his physical body to its current state was a grace no less significant than the guidance of Patriarch Mi Luo.

“Hehe, since Fellow Daoist Han says so, I will make a request. If the Barbarian Realm ever faces trouble, I hope Fellow Daoist Han can lend a hand within your power,” Bai Ze said with a smile.

Han Li was taken aback. Was Bai Ze overestimating him? The Barbarian Realm now had two True Spirit Kings, and Liu Le’er and Xiao Bai had inherited the True Spirit King bloodline, with boundless prospects. Together with Liu Qing and other Taiyi cultivators, their strength was immense.

With such power, if the Barbarian Realm still encountered great calamity, how formidable would the enemy be? What could he do?

“If that day truly comes, though I may not be able to help much, I will still do my utmost to assist,” Han Li said after a moment of silence, nodding solemnly.

Bai Ze nodded, then turned to Yue Mian and introduced him to Han Li: “I’ve been so caught up in talking. Fellow Daoist Han, let me introduce you. This is another True Spirit King of our Barbarian Realm, the Heavenly Roc Yue Mian. He is very interested in you.”

“I am Han Li. Greetings, Senior Yue Mian,” Han Li said, confirming his suspicions, and cupped his fist in salute.

The others had also noticed Yue Mian’s presence, but none had met him before. Hearing Bai Ze’s words, they all stepped forward to pay their respects.

“Alright, I’m not Bai Ze; I don’t like these empty formalities. Kid, where did you get that technique for refining and merging bloodlines?” Yue Mian waved his hand and stared at Han Li with piercing eyes.

“It was obtained by this junior from the relic left by a deceased Kunpeng clan senior in the lower realm,” Han Li said, suddenly feeling a wave of weakness and discomfort, as if he could not control himself, blurting out the words.

“A technique from the lower realm?” Yue Mian looked surprised, then nodded and shifted his gaze away from Han Li.

The weakness in Han Li’s body slowly receded, and control returned to him. While shocked and angry, he also felt utterly powerless.

Though his strength had greatly increased recently, he was still defenseless against beings at the Dao Ancestor level, at their mercy.

But then Han Li thought of Liu Tianhao, a Taiyi pinnacle cultivator who had been helpless against Bai Ze. What was his current strength compared to that?

With this thought, the slight resentment in his heart dissipated completely.

“Yue Mian, Fellow Daoist Han is not from the Barbarian Realm. If you have questions for him, ask properly. How can you casually manipulate him? That’s very rude. It’s because all the barbarian tribes act as recklessly as you that we are called a savage race,” Bai Ze said with a frown.

Hearing this, Yue Mian glanced at Han Li, frowned slightly, and seemed about to speak but stopped.

“It’s fine. Senior Yue Mian is a straightforward person, and he didn’t do anything else just now—only asked a question. Why would I hold a grudge?” Han Li said with a smile.

“Hear that? Fellow Daoist Han has no complaints, yet you have to nag,” Yue Mian said with a laugh to Bai Ze, but inwardly he gained a favorable impression of this perceptive human junior.

Bai Ze shook his head helplessly and said nothing more.

"Young friend Han, you possess the Kun Peng bloodline, your strength is considerable, and your temperament suits my taste. Are you interested in becoming my Dao Ancestor envoy?" Yue Mian turned and said to Han Li with a smile.

"Dao Ancestor envoy?" Han Li was taken aback; this was a term he had never heard before.

The nearby crowd stirred upon hearing this. Most were as bewildered as Han Li, but a few, such as Liu Qing, Qing Dian, and the young master of the Zouwu clan, changed expression and looked at Han Li with envious eyes.

Noticing the gazes of those around him, Han Li's eyes flickered.

"Fellow Daoist Han, your cultivation has not yet reached the Da Luo realm, so there is much about Dao Ancestors you do not know. My father, Senior Yue Mian, and other Dao Ancestors often go into seclusion and rarely appear. If not for the constant pressure from the Heavenly Court, my father would not have emerged. Thus, Dao Ancestors select individuals of exceptional talent and strength to serve as their envoys, conveying their will to the outside world and handling certain affairs. Becoming a Dao Ancestor envoy brings immense benefits. First, your status immediately rises; with a Dao Ancestor as a powerful backer, few dare to provoke you. Second, in cultivation, the Dao Ancestor may bestow powerful immortal artifacts, teach great divine abilities, or guide your cultivation—countless advantages. It is rare for Senior Yue Mian to favor you. This is a precious opportunity you must not miss!" Li Qima's voice sounded in Han Li's mind.

Hearing this, Han Li's expression shifted repeatedly, but he did not immediately agree; instead, he appeared contemplative.

Seeing this, Bai Ze merely smiled faintly, and Yue Mian did not urge him.

"Thank you, Senior Yue Mian, for your regard. However, I have many personal matters to attend to recently and lack the time. I must respectfully decline your generous offer," Han Li said after a brief pause, slightly bowing.

He harbored too many secrets and could not afford to be too close to any formidable figure, let alone stay by a Dao Ancestor's side.

Moreover, he did not know Yue Mian well, so naturally, he would not attach himself to him so readily.

The onlookers were shocked, and Liu Qing and others looked at Han Li with disbelief.

"This Han Li has lost his mind; he refuses to be a Dao Ancestor envoy," Qing Dian thought, surprised but secretly pleased.

"Fool," the young master of the Zouwu clan sneered inwardly.

Seeing that Han Li had refused him, Yue Mian's eyes flickered, but he did not grow angry. He merely nodded indifferently, turned to look elsewhere, and ignored Han Li.

Han Li breathed a sigh of relief, his tense nerves slowly relaxing.

Bai Ze gave Han Li a deep look, then turned to the others and said, "Alright, the Blood Sacrifice Conference is now fully concluded. Return to your respective clan territories. The True Immortal Realm is on the verge of upheaval; you must all build up your strength to face the coming changes."

"Yes!" Everyone present answered in unison and then took their leave.

Qing Dian and the young master of the Zouwu clan cast cold glances at Han Li before turning and departing.

Han Li noticed their looks and frowned slightly.

These two seemed to bear him deep resentment. He did not care about their current strength, but now that they had inherited the True Spirit King bloodline, their power would surely increase greatly, and they might even attain the Dao Ancestor realm.

According to his usual style, he would eliminate such enemies early, but with Bai Ze and Yue Mian present, how could he act?

"Brother, I have just inherited the Holy Ancestor bloodline. Although I cultivated hard for a hundred years in the Shura Blood Gate, I have not yet fully integrated it with my body. I need to return to the Tianhu clan to continue cultivation. Brother, you won't stay long in the Wildlands either, but you must come back to see me someday," Liu Le'er flew up to Han Li, her eyes glistening with tears, as if about to cry.

"I will," Han Li said with a smile, patting Liu Le'er on the head.

Liu Le'er's face immediately lit up with a smile. She nodded firmly, then turned and returned to the Tianhu clan.

Liu Qing, Hu San, and others also bid farewell to Han Li, and then the Tianhu clan slowly departed, flying into the distance.

In an instant, only Han Li, Xiao Bai, Bai Ze, Yue Mian, and Li Qima remained in the square.

"Senior Bai Ze, Senior Yue Mian, thank you for your hospitality these past days. I have some trivial matters to attend to, so I will take my leave as well," Han Li stepped forward, bowed to Bai Ze and Yue Mian, and then departed.

He had already spent over a hundred years in the Wildlands. He needed to find out how Jin Tong was doing and whether the Reincarnation Palace had already made a move against the Nine Elements Temple. He had to leave the Wildlands immediately to investigate.

"Since Young Friend Han has matters to attend to, I will not detain you," Bai Ze said with a slight nod.

"Xiao Bai, although you have broken through to the Da Luo realm, your bloodline power is not yet fully stabilized. It is best for you to stay here at the Eight Desolates Mountain to cultivate," Bai Ze then said to Xiao Bai.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, but I wish to follow my master," Xiao Bai shook his head.

Hearing this, Bai Ze's expression darkened.

"Xiao Bai, I did not know your identity before and jokingly took you as a spirit beast. Now that you have inherited the true spirit bloodline of Senior Mo Yan Pixiu, your status is noble. There is no need to mention the term 'master'; just call me fellow Daoist," Han Li glanced at Bai Ze and quickly said.

In private, Xiao Bai could call him anything, but with Bai Ze and Yue Mian present, he did not want to offend these two Dao Ancestors.

"Whether 'master' or 'fellow Daoist,' it's just a title. I'm used to calling you master, so no need to change," Xiao Bai waved his hand and said.