Chapter 1292: An Unbelievable Identity

"Brother Han."

Just as Han Li stood silently, a barely perceptible voice suddenly reached his ears—it was Violet Spirit.

His heart stirred, and he shifted his stance slightly.

"Don't move... lest Shi Chuankong becomes suspicious." Violet Spirit's voice sounded again, somewhat urgent.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Han Li did not look at Violet Spirit, instead pretending to scan the surroundings warily as he replied via voice transmission.

"It's about the purpose of our trip to the Netherworld. Shi Chuankong won't allow me to speak of it, so I have to tell you secretly like this." Violet Spirit said.

"Oh, what purpose?" Han Li was also curious about why the two had come.

"We came to the Netherworld because there is a treasure here called the Six Cycles Reincarnation Disk. This object is a divine treasure of heaven and earth that can recall memories of past lives, thereby obtaining the cultivation experience of previous incarnations. After merging with oneself, it can greatly enhance one's cultivation." Violet Spirit said.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise that was hard to detect passed through Han Li's eyes, but he said nothing.

"I know this sounds incredible, but it is absolutely true. In the Demon Domain, someone once used this method to greatly increase their power. Senior Crab also said such a thing exists, so he arranged for me and Shi Chuankong to enter the Netherworld to try our luck. This matter is a secret of the Yeyang Dynasty's royal family, which is why Shi Chuankong didn't tell you. Brother Han, quietly follow behind me and Shi Chuankong; the Six Cycles Reincarnation Disk will surely be useful to you as well." Seeing the surprise in Han Li's eyes, Violet Spirit thought he didn't believe her and immediately transmitted her voice.

"Violet Spirit, you misunderstand. I don't disbelieve your words. I have already heard of the Six Cycles Reincarnation Disk, and we are also on our way there." Han Li replied via voice transmission.

This time it was Violet Spirit's turn to be surprised, but she quickly regained her composure.

"It's good that you know. I've heard many things about you in the Demon Domain. The Heavenly Court is now offering a great reward for your capture. This opportunity is rare; you... you must seize it." Violet Spirit urged.

A warmth spread through Han Li's heart. He hesitated for a long while, and though he had a thousand words to say, he finally replied, "I understand. Rest and recover first."

"Mm." Violet Spirit acknowledged, and her voice fell silent.

Han Li sighed inwardly, set aside these thoughts, and focused on guarding the group.

After about half an hour, Violet Spirit, Shi Chuankong, and the Gold Devouring Beetle opened their eyes one after another and stood up.

"Sorry to keep Fellow Daoist Han waiting." Shi Chuankong smiled apologetically.

"It's nothing. Since everyone has rested, let's set off. The three of us are heading toward the Yellow Spring Marsh. What about you?" Han Li asked with a smile.

"Yellow Spring Marsh..." Shi Chuankong was taken aback.

"We heard that there is a treasure called the Six Cycles Reincarnation Disk there, which can awaken memories of past lives and is said to be somewhat helpful for cultivation—quite miraculous. So we wanted to go and have a look." Han Li said lightly.

"...So you already knew about the Six Cycles Reincarnation Disk. If I had known, why would I have been so secretive? I and Violet Spirit are also going there. Let's travel together." Shi Chuankong hesitated for a moment, then gave a wry smile and said.

Upon hearing this, the Gold Devouring Beetle and the Soul-Devouring Beast showed surprise but said nothing, merely standing behind Han Li.

"What a coincidence. In that case, let's go together. With more people, we can look out for each other." Han Li nodded.

Then the group shot forward, flying toward the Yellow Spring Marsh.

...

At this moment, in a chaotic space, a vast city floated. Within the city, tall buildings stood in rows, and the streets were wide, clean, and spotless, no less impressive than great cities like Jiuyuan City or Liujin City.

Streaks of light flew about, and the streets were crowded with people, exceptionally bustling.

These crowds were of all kinds—humans, demons, beasts, even ghost clans and gray immortals—and they coexisted without conflict, in remarkable harmony.

If people from the True Immortal Realm saw this scene, many would be astonished.

At the center of the city stood a cluster of tall, dark-red castle buildings, towering above the surrounding structures, majestic in scale.

Within the castle, countless tall, ancient-style buildings rose, overwhelming to the eye.

The dark-red castle was surrounded by high walls, and outside cultivators did not approach, clearly indicating this was an important place.

A dark-red streak of light shot over from afar, flew straight into the castle, and landed before a great hall, revealing a woman in a red dress—Jiao San.

The hall's doors were open, and two yellow-robed guards stood on either side. Seeing Jiao San, they immediately bowed.

"Greetings, Deputy Envoy!"

Jiao San paid them no heed and walked straight into the hall.

The interior of the hall was quite dim, with only two rows of braziers hanging on the side walls, burning with orange-red flames that flickered, causing the light in the hall to undulate.

The hall was otherwise empty, except for a high platform at the far end, but no one sat on it at the moment.

In the center of the hall lay a piece of green jade as tall as a man, beside which stood a man in a green robe.

He was slightly stooped, holding a small knife, cutting and carving at the jade—he was sculpting.

The sculpture was about half finished; from the outline, it was clear the man was carving a woman.

"Greetings, Palace Master!" Jiao San looked at the man in green and immediately bowed.

"Rise. How are things arranged?" The Reincarnation Palace Master did not turn around, continuing his carving as he asked casually.

"In the Gold Origin Immortal Domain, the Jiuyuan Temple and the Heavenly Court are pressing their pursuit closely. I have withdrawn all personnel who were easily exposed from the Gold Origin Immortal Domain, leaving only the deepest-planted spies. No matter how thoroughly the Jiuyuan Temple and Heavenly Court search, they should not find them." Jiao San said.

"Even so, we must be fully prepared. Distribute Soul-Returning Pills to those people. If they are exposed and die in battle, immediately draw their souls into the Netherworld and arrange for reincarnation." The Reincarnation Palace Master continued in a calm tone.

"Yes." Jiao San acknowledged.

"Where is Han Li now? Have you found out?" The Reincarnation Palace Master continued.

"I have ordered people to search everywhere. After Han Li left the Jiuyuan Temple, he was last seen at Tihu Mountain in the Chu Yu Immortal Domain. After repelling the Heavenly Court pursuers, he vanished without a trace. No matter how we search, we cannot find him." Jiao San frowned.

"Oh? Perhaps he has found a place to go into seclusion?" The Reincarnation Palace Master's voice rose slightly.

"That is possible. I have intensified the search and hope to locate him soon." Jiao San said.

"No need. Put aside the matter of Han Li for now. Since he has already seen Rushuang, he will not hide forever. He will show himself soon." The Reincarnation Palace Master said.

"Palace Master, what is the relationship between that young lady Rushuang and Han Li? Han Li seems to care about her very much?" Jiao San hesitated slightly, then asked curiously.

"Rushuang was Han Li's Dao companion in the lower realm." The Reincarnation Palace Master stopped carving and said flatly.

"I see." Hearing this, Jiao San finally understood.

"You have worked hard during this time. Go and rest well." The Reincarnation Palace Master turned around and said.

His face was still hidden in darkness, indistinct, with only the outline of his features vaguely visible, but his expression seemed quite gentle at the moment.

"Palace Master, you said before that after the Jiuyuan Temple mission was completed, you would tell me about my origins. Now that the Jiuyuan Temple matter has come to an end, can you tell me who my parents are?" Jiao San did not withdraw as instructed but hesitated for a moment before speaking, her beautiful eyes filled with determination, fixed unblinkingly on the Reincarnation Palace Master.

The Reincarnation Palace Master looked at Jiao San and remained silent for a long time.

Under his gaze, Jiao San's eyes immediately began to waver, but she did not back down.

"It seems you truly want to know. Very well, I will tell you now who your mother is." The Reincarnation Palace Master sighed and said.

Upon hearing this, Jiao San's breath caught.

"I brought Rushuang to the Reincarnation Palace not only for Han Li's sake but also for yours. Do you understand what I mean?" The Reincarnation Palace Master looked at Jiao San, sighed, and said.

"You mean that Rushuang is my..." Jiao San's face showed shock, and she couldn't help but step back twice.

"...Yes, Rushuang is your mother." The Reincarnation Palace Master was silent for a long while before speaking slowly.

...

After who knows how long, Jiao San had left the hall, and the Reincarnation Palace Master continued his carving.

Stone chips fell in a shower, and the stone sculpture was soon completed—a woman in palace attire, but her face was smooth and featureless, without carved facial features.

Moreover, judging by the Reincarnation Palace Master's demeanor, he had no intention of continuing.

The Reincarnation Palace Master's carving skill was superb. Although the woman in palace attire was not fully finished, she still appeared lifelike, exuding a peculiar aura that blended gentleness and dominance.

He reached out and gently stroked the smooth cheek of the woman in palace attire, as if entranced.

...

The Netherworld.

Han Li and his group advanced swiftly. Since their trail had already been exposed earlier, they no longer hid and traveled at full speed.

Violet Spirit and Shi Chuankong were both quite powerful and did not slow down the group's pace.

Their direction was not straight; following the ghost shaman's guidance, Han Li constantly changed course, trying to avoid the dwelling places of various ghost clans to prevent unnecessary conflicts.

A few days later, the group arrived before a black forest.

The trees in this forest were exceptionally tall; giant trees hundreds or even thousands of feet high were everywhere, with dense foliage that blocked out nearly ninety percent of the sky.

Through the thick leaves, the forest appeared pitch black, almost invisible, exuding a very deep and profound aura.

The ghostly qi in the forest was also exceptionally dense. The wind blew through, making a wailing sound like a hundred ghosts crying at night, sending chills down one's spine.

"This is the Hundred Ghosts Forest, right? One of the famous dangerous places in the Netherworld. Are we going to cross through it?" Shi Chuankong looked at Han Li and asked.

"Once we cross the Hundred Ghosts Forest, the Yellow Spring Marsh is not far. The Yellow Spring Marsh is surrounded by the four major ghost clans of the Yanluo Domain. Those four clans are not like the previous groups; if we are discovered, it will be troublesome. Crossing the Hundred Ghosts Forest is more convenient." Han Li said.

Half of what he said came from what he had read in ancient texts, and the other half from what the ghost shaman had told him.

Ever since encountering Shi Chuankong and Violet Spirit, the ghost shaman had stopped speaking aloud and only communicated with Han Li through divine sense, seemingly not wanting Shi Chuankong and Violet Spirit to know of his existence.