Chapter 353: Return to Wumeng Island

"Brother Liu, rest assured, I will not tell anyone about what happened here today, not even my father." Lu Yuqing seemed to perceive the slight unease in Han Li's heart and said solemnly.

"Thank you. As a mere rogue cultivator, I truly do not wish to become entangled in the conflict between your Black Wind Island and Qingyu Island." Han Li was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.

"Brother Liu saved my life; if anyone should give thanks, it should be me." Lu Yuqing chuckled lightly and said.

Han Li smiled faintly and said nothing.

He had just thought it over carefully; in truth, even if his whereabouts were exposed, it would not matter much.

At most, the other party would know of a rogue cultivator named Liu Shi. When he had boarded Black Wind Island back then, he had altered his appearance; it was not certain they could trace him back to Liu Shi of Wumeng Island. After all, there were too many cultivators in the Black Wind Sea, and it was not uncommon to have the same name.

With this thought, he felt somewhat more at ease.

"However, the conflict between our Black Wind Island and Qingyu Island will likely continue to expand in scope, and sooner or later it will drag everyone in the Black Wind Sea into it. It will not be easy to stay out of it. Brother Liu has saved me twice, and I am deeply grateful. My father also held you in high regard back then. If Brother Liu... if you would be willing to come to Black Wind Island, you would surely be given an important position. Black Wind Island treats its elders very well." Lu Yuqing chose her words carefully and spoke slowly.

Han Li's expression did not change, and he gave a faint, noncommittal smile.

Seeing this, a trace of disappointment flickered in Lu Yuqing's beautiful eyes. She then took out a black token and handed it over, saying, "Since Brother Liu has made up his mind, I will say no more. This is my personal token. If Brother Liu ever wishes to go to Black Wind Island, you may use this token to come and go freely."

Han Li took the token, glanced at it, and then put it away with a flip of his hand.

"I still have important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now. Fellow Daoist Lu, you should also return to Black Wind Island quickly; this place is not safe." With these words, his form transformed into a streak of cyan light and shot into the distance, disappearing in an instant.

Lu Yuqing watched Han Li leave, a look of wistfulness on her face.

She did not linger there long and soon turned to fly back toward Black Wind Island.

Han Li flew forward for a distance, his eyes flickering slightly, then suddenly changed direction and flew off in another direction.

After another half day of flying, he finally left the battle zone between Black Wind Island and Qingyu Island.

Han Li immediately increased his flying speed, transforming into a cyan rainbow that shot forward like a cyan lightning bolt streaking across the sky.

He flew on like this for over ten days, gradually reaching a very remote area of the Black Wind Sea, where even islands were rarely seen.

Han Li halted his flight, swept his gaze around, and then released his divine sense.

The next moment, his form suddenly dove downward, and with a "plop," he plunged into the sea.

After traveling underwater for a while, a deep sea trench appeared ahead.

Han Li did not slow down and soon reached the bottom.

He found a flat spot, took out a stack of blue array flags and plates, and set them up one by one.

This formation was quite complex, and it took Han Li over an hour to complete it.

He began to chant incantations, and a blue light shield emerged, instantly covering an area several dozen zhang in radius.

However, the color of this blue light shield was very dim, making it hard to discern in the seawater. Even at close range, it was difficult to see if one was not paying attention, and it emitted no fluctuations of spiritual power.

After a brief inspection, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Han Li's eyes. He then waved his hand, and over a dozen golden Lightning Restraint Wood rods appeared.

Each rod was engraved with formation runes; they were his long-distance teleportation lightning formation.

Although Lu Yuqing had promised not to reveal his whereabouts, he did not dare to be careless in the slightest.

After a full day and night, he finally finished setting up the lightning formation.

Han Li waved his hand and sent out a spell seal. A surge of golden lightning immediately appeared within the teleportation formation, crackling and popping. The formation hummed as it activated, and even the void trembled.

However, all these lightning tremors were completely isolated by the blue barrier outside and did not leak out at all.

Seeing this, Han Li quickly stopped his spellcasting and nodded.

In the following time, he made another inspection. After confirming that there were no problems, he did not linger there and quietly left this sea area.

One month later.

A red sun gradually emerged from the eastern horizon where water and sky met, revealing half its body. The entire Wumeng Island was still shrouded in a hazy mist.

As gusts of sea breeze blew, the mist began to slowly dissipate. The leaves on the island's mountains and forests swayed gently, making a rustling sound. In the mortal towns scattered across the island, wisps of cooking smoke began to rise, presenting a peaceful scene everywhere.

The void above a certain part of the island rippled slightly, and Han Li's figure materialized.

He had once again employed his invisibility technique, his entire body shrouded in a faint layer of watery light, like a hazy shadow that could merge into the void at any moment.

Feeling the tranquility and peace here, Han Li's expression seemed to relax slightly.

In the current Black Wind Sea, only on a remote island like Wumeng Island could one still enjoy a bit of idyllic tranquility.

He looked down, and his expression suddenly froze slightly.

The rest of the island had changed little, except that the original village-like buildings of the Luo Clan had vanished without a trace, replaced by a magnificent palace complex. Jade towers and terraces abounded, and lotus flowers bloomed in jade pools, while immortal cranes and spirit birds circled and danced above—a scene of celestial splendor.

Streams of遁光 (escape lights) darted busily back and forth across the palace grounds, all of them Luo Clan disciples.

These Luo Clan disciples were far more numerous than before, and their cultivation levels were generally much higher as well. It seemed that the Wumeng Island had thrived and multiplied smoothly over the years. The mortal cities scattered across the island were also flourishing, with a greatly increased population.

Han Li revealed a hint of satisfaction on his face. His figure flickered and vanished from midair, then reappeared before one of the palaces below.

Inside the palace stood a massive altar, atop which was a statue of a deity—none other than Han Li's earth deity statue.

At that moment, two figures were bowing in worship before the altar, murmuring something under their breath.

Both were at the Mahayana stage. Waves of powerful faith energy emanated from them, converging upon the statue.

After a moment, they ceased their worship and raised their heads.

One of them was Luo Feng, whose cultivation had improved considerably compared to before.

The other, dressed in Luo Clan attire, was a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and large eyes.

Han Li had some recollection of this man as well—he was a former Integration stage elder of the Luo Clan, who must have advanced to Mahayana over the past few centuries.

Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the hall, and a young man approached, also wearing Luo Clan robes.

He did not enter the hall but bowed respectfully outside and said in a deferential tone, “Reporting to the Clan Leader and Grand Elder, the preparations for the sacrificial ceremony are complete.”

“Good. Have the island lords all arrived?” Luo Feng stood up and asked.

“Lord Tieyan and Lord Chenzhong have sent word that they are already en route. Lord Lingyun said there are some important matters to handle on Muyun Island and will depart a little later, but he assured he will not delay tomorrow’s grand ceremony,” the young man replied respectfully.

Hearing this, Han Li’s eyes showed a trace of surprise.

Tieyan and Chenzhong were two rogue immortals who had submitted to him after he subdued Hanqiu and the Crane Woman; he had assigned them to oversee the islands of the Blue Crystal and other two races.

Muyun Island was an island near Wumeng Island. From the young man’s words, it seemed it had also submitted to Wumeng Island.

At this thought, Han Li nodded.

It appeared that Luo Feng and the others had managed things well. Wumeng Island’s influence was growing, and it should now be a considerable power in this remote sea region.

As for that ritual, Wumeng Island indeed has this custom, which seems to be held once every fifty years.

"Very well, you may go. The ritual must proceed according to the agenda without the slightest negligence." Luo Feng said with a wave of his hand.

"Yes." The young man bowed and withdrew.

"Patriarch, will Lord Liushi attend this ritual?" After the young man left, Luo Ming, who was nearby, asked.

"Lord Liushi is busy with cultivation and probably won't attend." Luo Feng said after a moment's hesitation.

"Lord hasn't appeared in public for centuries. Could something have gone wrong with his cultivation?" Luo Ming said hesitantly.

"Nonsense! Lord's cultivation is profound and unfathomable. How could anything go wrong? Moreover, at his level of cultivation, secluding oneself for centuries or even millennia is nothing unusual. Never say such things again!" Luo Feng's face darkened as he scolded.

"I naturally wouldn't believe such nonsense. But after the disappearance of Ancestor Luomeng, although the island has been peaceful these years, many people are still unsettled, fearing another disappearance of an ancestor. Now that the Black Wind Sea is plagued by constant warfare, many clan members are quite anxious. Lord Liushi hasn't appeared for centuries, and some have already started whispering such remarks privately. Moreover, although Tieyan, Lingyun, and others appear submissive and respectful, if Lord Liushi remains out of sight for too long, it's hard to guarantee they won't develop second thoughts." Luo Ming said.

Upon hearing this, Luo Feng's brow furrowed.

"Patriarch, why not go and request Lord Liushi to attend this ritual, even if it's just for a brief appearance?" Luo Ming suggested.

"Alright, I'll go speak with Lord later." Luo Feng nodded.

The two then continued discussing the specifics of the ceremony, but Han Li did not listen further and quietly left.

He had come this time to see if Luo Feng had been acting according to his instructions over the years. Seeing that Luo Feng had not overstepped, he felt reassured.

After leaving Wumeng Island, Han Li arrived at the nearby sea area.

A huge whirlpool appeared on the sea surface, slowly rotating with a gurgling sound.

Han Li's figure flickered, and he flew into the seawater, quickly reaching the seabed.

A hemispherical blue light curtain about an acre in size covered the seabed, with layers of blue light waves flickering on it.

Seawater flowed in and out of the blue light curtain without any hindrance.

Han Li waved his hand and cast a spell, causing an opening to appear in the light curtain, and his figure shot out.

His Earthly Deity incarnation was sitting cross-legged on the seabed, with a blue light thread suspended above its head—the Water Law Thread, much thicker than before, with countless tiny runes flickering within it.

The incarnation was wrapped in a thick layer of blue light, with countless water ripples undulating on it, and the surrounding seawater churned violently around it.

A powerful spiritual pressure emanated from the Earthly Deity incarnation, which had clearly reached the mid-stage True Immortal realm, and seemed to be touching the peak of the mid-stage, not far from the late stage.