Chapter 283: The Bai Family Ancestor

A moment later, Han Li and the other two flew above a circular island and descended toward it.

The round island was not large, only a few hundred li in circumference. Aside from a few low hills and a small lake, there was little vegetation, making it appear somewhat barren.

On the low hills and by the lake, a few sparsely distributed vermilion buildings could be seen.

The ground in the central area of the island looked uneven, with numerous grooves about a zhang wide crisscrossing and connecting into a complete pattern. At the very center stood a white round tower, about a hundred zhang tall, its exterior densely engraved with runic symbols.

The white-bearded old man led Han Li and the other two to the round tower.

Around the tower, about a hundred cultivators were divided into three teams, patrolling and standing guard in rotation. When they saw the white-bearded old man, they stopped and saluted him.

At the entrance of the round tower, a translucent light screen glowed, also protected by a restriction. Only after the white-bearded old man took out a Sacred Puppet Sect token and a white light flew out from it did the restriction withdraw, allowing the three to enter.

Once inside the round tower, Han Li realized that the space inside was larger than it appeared from outside.

The interior of the tower was hollow. On the surrounding walls were engraved over a dozen huge water-drop-shaped runic patterns, each with a blue, sparkling crystal embedded at its center, all of high grade or above.

All the lines on the walls connected downward to a half-man-high square stone platform in the center of the floor, engraved with the control array's formation plate, which glowed with a soft white light.

Around the stone platform, against the walls, were eight low stone platforms, each with a Mahayana-stage cultivator sitting cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation, completely indifferent to the three entering.

Beside the stone platform stood a young man dressed like a woodcutter, apparently a Mahayana-stage cultivator, frowning intently at the formation plate, looking somewhat distracted. Sensing Han Li and the others entering the tower, he came to his senses and asked:

Elder Chu, aren't you in charge of guarding the rear mountain forbidden area? Why have you come here?

Elder Qi, these two fellow daoists are helpers invited by the vice sect master. They will guard this place with you. I was ordered to bring them here,” the white-bearded old man replied.

Understood,” the woodcutter-like man nodded and said.

The white-bearded old man then took his leave and departed.

I am Qi Heng. May I ask how you two seniors should be addressed?” Elder Qi bowed to Han Li and the other and asked.

Lin Jiu,” Lin Jiu said, pointing to the center of his mask.

Jiao Fifteen,” Han Li replied flatly.

His gaze had actually been examining the woodcutter-like Elder Qi for a while, feeling a faint sense of familiarity, but it was not clear, and he couldn't recall whether he had seen him before.

After some polite exchanges, none of the three felt like chatting, so Qi Heng said:

Two seniors, there are temporary cave dwellings by the lake on the island. You may rest there as you wish. During your stay here, your movements on the island will not be restricted, but please be careful not to trigger any restrictions. I need to keep an eye on things here, so I won't escort you there.

Han Li and the other acknowledged, took their leave, exited the round tower, and went together to the lake.

For their own reasons, they chose cave dwellings far apart—one on the west side of the lake, the other on the east.

On the east side, the trees were slightly denser, and a three-courtyard compound with vermilion walls and black tiles stood there. Han Li arrived at the gate and saw runic patterns engraved on the door, clearly indicating a restriction.

But recalling that Qi Heng had said there would be no restrictions, he stepped directly onto the stairs and pressed his palm against the door.

Sure enough, the door glowed with light and creaked open inward.

Entering the courtyard, Han Li saw that the furnishings were not much different from the mundane world, but in subtle places, small formation runes could always be found.

For instance, beneath the stone table in the center of the courtyard was a small dust-clearing formation that would activate periodically, absorbing and cleaning away fallen leaves, dirt, and dust.

In the main hall stood two attendants, a man and a woman, both looking young with delicate skin and rosy lips, quite pleasing to the eye, but Han Li could tell at a glance that they were puppets, not living people.

In terms of quality, these two puppets serving as attendants were naturally not high-grade, but their craftsmanship had some unique merits, and after observing them, Han Li couldn't help but applaud the ingenuity.

Han Li already had considerable skill in puppet arts, but all he had learned was in the Spirit Realm. Puppets in the Immortal Realm differed greatly in materials and techniques, so he could take this opportunity to learn more.

After all, to restore the Crab Daoist to his original state, relying solely on his previous puppet arts would likely be insufficient.

…

Time passed, and over two years went by.

During this period, the Sacred Puppet Sect remained calm, with no enemy appearing, but the entire sect still seemed on high alert, with no reduction in defensive posture. However, the mood among the Wuchang Alliance members had changed somewhat.

By the lake on the island, Han Li and Lin Jiu walked side by side along the lakeside path toward the low hills.

Brother Jiao Fifteen, it's been over two years with no movement at all. Maybe this mission will end up being surprisingly easy,” Lin Jiu said with a relaxed smile.

If we can pass the remaining time peacefully like this, that would be best,” Han Li looked up at the azure sky and replied with a smile.

Over the past two years, he had explored every corner of the island, secretly locating every hidden formation and puppet, and examined them several times.

Later, he occasionally went to the round tower to observe the runes inside and out, gradually becoming more familiar with Qi Heng, and they sometimes discussed puppet techniques.

Although Qi Heng's cultivation was not high, he had considerable insight into puppet arts, and he enjoyed talking with Han Li. However, he was tight-lipped about the sect's secret techniques and matters, revealing nothing.

Meanwhile, in a secret chamber on the main island of the Sacred Puppet Sect.

The vice sect master, dressed in a water-blue palace gown, sat by a stone chair. Her face, now without the veil, was exquisite and beautiful, with a hint of gentleness in her eyes.

Sitting before her was Bai Suyuan, who was not wearing her rabbit mask but showed her true face.

Suyuan, it's not that I'm heartless and don't care about the clan's fate, but I have unavoidable difficulties. After leaving the Candle Dragon Sect and leaving Guyun Continent back then, I cut off all ties with that place and have never set foot there in all these years,” the palace-gowned woman said with a hint of apology in her tone.

Since you cut off all ties, why did you send someone to find me?” Bai Suyuan asked coldly, expressionless.

Although she knew that the woman before her was her ancestor Bai Fengyi, she couldn't feel close to her. Thinking of how her grandfather had died at the hands of a heavenly demon to save her, she could never let it go.

If the person before her hadn't disappeared back then, or had returned to look after the clan, perhaps those tragedies wouldn't have happened, and her grandfather wouldn't have died.

Actually, this matter is not Fengyi's fault. What happened back then was a mess, and as her master, I should bear the main responsibility,” said Lin San, who had been standing aside with his back to them, turning around with a sigh.

His face was also not covered by the red fox mask, revealing features like a painting, with a hint of charm in his brows and seduction in his eyes—it was none other than Yun Ni, one of the thirteen Golden Immortal Dao Masters of the Candle Dragon Sect.

Master…”

Master…”

Bai Fengyi and Bai Suyuan both spoke at the same time.

Foolish disciple, you thought that by leaving, you could help both of us, but you didn't know that that fellow is not only a heartbreaker but also a coward. This time I wanted him to come and help you, but he said he didn't know how to face you and dared not see you,” Yun Ni said with a bitter smile.

That does seem like his style…” Bai Fengyi chuckled softly and murmured.

Master, who are you talking about?” Bai Suyuan couldn't help asking.

Once a handsome immortal in white, now… just a slovenly old drunkard. Let's not talk about him; it only makes me angry,” Yun Ni said with a barely noticeable smile in her eyes, cursing.

Clearly angry at his deeds, yet still can't help smiling when thinking of him. Master is still the same, hasn't changed at all,” Bai Fengyi sighed inwardly.

Speaking of which, over two years have passed, and there's been no movement from that side. Could something have changed?” Yun Ni sighed lightly and changed the subject.

The news we got two years ago was very reliable and not false. The longer the enemy lies dormant, the fiercer their attack will likely be,” Bai Fengyi said with a slight frown.

If they happen to attack a year from now, even through the Wuchang Alliance, we might not be able to gather so many True Immortal cultivators. What will you do then?” Yun Ni asked again.

By then, the sect master should be able to return. With his cultivation and that immortal puppet, even without the Wuchang Alliance's help, we should be able to handle this crisis,” Bai Fengyi said.

Yun Ni nodded slightly and was about to say something when her expression suddenly changed.

Immediately after, a thunderous explosion roared, and the entire secret chamber began to shake violently.

Yun Ni and Bai Fengyi exchanged a glance, raised their palms to cover their faces, and the red fox mask reappeared. Seeing this, Bai Suyuan quickly took out her mask and put it on, and the three rushed out of the secret chamber together.