Chapter 635: Another Incident

"The only thing we can infer is that this matter is inseparable from those newcomers who joined in the past two hundred years. After all, the valley has been peaceful for so many years," Duan Yuzai said, his gaze darkening.

"Since you suspect this, hasn't anyone looked into their identities and origins?" Han Li frowned slightly and asked.

"On the surface, these people seem normal, and due to the valley's rules, no one questioned them at first. But as time went on, the matter became more and more confusing, and naturally, some began to investigate secretly. However, the more they investigated, the more chaotic it became, to the point where many strange rumors started circulating," Yu Ziqi sighed and said.

"Oh, what rumors?" Han Li asked curiously.

"Some say a man-eating demon clan has infiltrated the valley, some say a bloodthirsty evil cultivator is causing trouble, some say the Immortal Palace sent spies to disrupt the valley's peace in order to eliminate this force, and even some say it's related to the 'Silver Fox Case' that occurred in Jukun City—that the怪盗 (strange thief) couldn't escape the Black Mountain Immortal Domain and hid in the Xianyun Mountains..." Yu Ziqi said.

"In short, opinions vary, and everyone is panicked," Duan Yuzai shook his head and said.

"In my opinion, these damn claims have no basis at all; rather, they seem like a maze deliberately set up by someone to confuse people," the Rehua Immortal Venerable said slowly after drinking a cup of wine.

Han Li's mind turned over these words.

If these strange incidents were related to the 'Silver Fox Case,' then it was indeed possible that people from the Black Mountain Immortal Palace were infiltrating the Xianyun Mountains, and it would only become more unsettled here in the future.

"The Xianyun Mountains have always been a place without strong sects or Immortal Palace rule, almost like a lawless land where a large number of scattered cultivators gather. Previously, it was only due to the lingering prestige of that extraordinary scattered cultivator predecessor that it could continue like a paradise. But now that chaos has arisen and there is no one to suppress it, I'm afraid..." Mo Wuxue sighed and said.

She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone understood the underlying worry, and for a moment, they all fell silent.

The scene became deathly quiet, with only the sound of cups clinking against the table, the atmosphere somewhat oppressive.

"Even if the sky falls, there will be those with higher cultivation to hold it up. What's there to worry about? The world is vast; it's not just the Xianyun Mountains and the Wild Crane Valley. If we want to live a leisurely life, where can't we go?" At this moment, the Rehua Immortal Venerable suddenly set down his cup heavily and said loudly.

"Fellow Daoist Rehua, you're mistaken. We can indeed roam freely across the world, but as the Grand Elder of the Fire Leaf Sect, you're probably not as carefree as you say, right?" Han Li smiled and teased.

"Hey, seeing through it but not exposing it—that's a principle Fellow Daoist Li needs to learn well..." The Rehua Immortal Venerable gave Han Li a reproachful look and said helplessly.

Seeing this, the others couldn't help but show a hint of a smile, and the oppressive atmosphere eased slightly.

After finishing the fine wine, they chatted idly for half a day before taking their leave.

Naturally, Han Li did not bring up the disappearances in the valley again, but he could see that although these carefree cultivators had regained their calm demeanor on the surface, seemingly no longer concerned about what had been discussed, their inner worries had not diminished much.

Han Li left together with the Rehua Immortal Venerable. At parting, the latter advised him once again to try not to act under the identity of an outer elder of the Fire Leaf Sect, as it might bring additional trouble recently.

As for the specific reason, he still didn't elaborate, and Han Li didn't press further.

Returning to his cave dwelling, Han Li opened the "Flower Branch" cave heaven, checked on the condition of the spirit medicines and Dao soldiers, and then went into seclusion in the secret chamber, continuing to comprehend and cultivate the True Word Wheel Sutra and several other time-related techniques.

However, only a little over half a year had passed when something happened in Wild Crane Valley as well.

One morning, Han Li was planning to visit the spirit medicine garden to water the Dao soldiers with green liquid when he found that Duan Yuzai had suddenly arrived and was already outside the cave dwelling.

He had to make some preparations, opened the cave dwelling gate, and came out to greet his guest.

But when he saw the expression on Duan Yuzai's face, all pleasantries were swallowed back down, and he quickly asked:

"What's wrong? Why do you look so anxious? Has something happened?"

"Yu Ziqi was attacked, severely injured and near death. Fellow Daoist Li, please save him quickly," Duan Yuzai said rapidly, his brows tightly furrowed, without any superfluous words.

"Where is he?" Han Li frowned and asked hastily.

"Qingfeng Cliff," Duan Yuzai immediately replied.

Hearing this, a flash of azure light flickered around Han Li, and his figure instantly vanished from the spot.

Duan Yuzai was slightly startled at the sight, then his figure also transformed into a streak of light and flew away.

In just a few breaths, a flash of azure light appeared on Qingfeng Cliff, and Han Li's figure emerged from it.

He swept his gaze around and saw that at the edge of the cliff, a large patch of snow was stained with crimson blood, frozen into a somewhat murky blood-red ice crystal.

In the center of the ice crystal lay a young man, his white robe soaked through with blood, his face deathly pale, his eyes wide open but devoid of any light. It was none other than Yu Ziqi.

Beside him, Mo Wuxue, whose face was equally pale, was half-kneeling, with silver light surging from her hands, forming a silver light curtain that enveloped his body, continuously infusing him with immortal spiritual power.

"Fellow Daoist Li..." Seeing Han Li arrive, Mo Wuxue's pale face showed a glimmer of hope, and she spoke.

Han Li nodded to her, quickly stepped forward, and reached one hand into the silver light curtain to grasp Yu Ziqi's wrist. At the same time, a purple light flashed in his eyes, and his pupils instantly turned into amethyst crystals as he examined Yu Ziqi's condition.

Under this examination, the state of Yu Ziqi's entire body appeared clearly before his eyes.

After a moment, his brows tightly knitted, and his expression grew increasingly grave. Finally, a hint of anger even flashed in his eyes.

Seeing his expression, Mo Wuxue knew something was wrong, and her face turned even paler.

"Don't worry, he can still be saved," Han Li said without looking at her.

Just this one sentence made Mo Wuxue's heart leap, and then the corners of her eyes moistened. When she looked at Yu Ziqi, her feelings were no longer concealed.

Duan Yuzai, who had already returned, had been standing a little farther away, and only after hearing these words did he quickly come over.

Han Li withdrew his Nine Nether Demon Eyes, still frowning, and turned his wrist to produce a jade-like elixir. He pinched Yu Ziqi's chin to open his mouth and placed it inside.

Yu Ziqi showed no reaction and couldn't swallow the elixir, so Han Li tapped his throat and guided the elixir down his esophagus into his abdomen.

Then, a faint white light began to glow from his lower abdomen and spread through his limbs and meridians.

Mo Wuxue heard a series of faint "cracking" sounds coming from various parts of Yu Ziqi's body, and a trace of doubt appeared in her eyes as she looked at Han Li.

"That's the sound of broken bones reconnecting and cracks being mended. As you can see, his bones and tendons are almost completely severed, and his soul has been damaged by forced soul-searching, leaving his entire body like a leaky, dilapidated house that cannot withstand any strong disturbance," Han Li explained solemnly.

"That's why we didn't dare move him to your cave dwelling and instead asked you to come," Duan Yuzai nodded.

"The elixir I gave him is just a True Immortal-level Duanxu Dan, which only helps to reconnect his bones and tendons and patch up the leaks and damages. Only then can we further regulate his injuries. As it stands now, his life is saved," Han Li sighed and continued.

Hearing Han Li's words, both Mo Wuxue and Duan Yuzai breathed a slight sigh of relief, though the worry on their brows did not diminish much.

After all the "cracking" sounds ceased, Han Li turned his wrist again, and a white porcelain bottle appeared in his palm, containing half a bottle of light purple liquid.

This liquid was a soul-nourishing concoction he had prepared using Danhun Flower Liquid. When he had refined the Earth Deity incarnation years ago, he discovered that this substance had a significant effect on repairing soul damage, so he later managed to refine some more.

However, after his cultivation was fully restored, his soul had grown stronger due to the Soul Refining Art, and he never had the chance to use it. Today, it finally came in handy.

He removed the stopper and poured every drop into Yu Ziqi's mouth, releasing a peculiar, fragrant aroma.

Then, Han Li gently brushed his palm over Yu Ziqi's eyes, closing his eyelids.

"Who did this? What grudge did they have against him to beat him so severely?" Mo Wuxue's gaze swept over Yu Ziqi's pale cheeks, and she spoke, having regained her usual composure.

"It may not be a grudge; perhaps... they wanted to get some information from him," Han Li shook his head and said.

"It seems they succeeded," Duan Yuzai looked down at Yu Ziqi, sighed heavily, and said.

"Judging from the damage to Fellow Daoist Yu's soul, it's likely that when the other party forcibly searched his soul, he triggered some soul prohibition and self-destructed his sea of consciousness. That person probably didn't get what they wanted. However, that's why they became furious and used a blunt instrument to break every bone in Fellow Daoist Yu's body inch by inch, leaving him here on Qingfeng Cliff to die," Han Li analyzed with a grave expression.

Mo Wuxue's gaze trembled slightly, and the veins on her slender hands bulged as she clenched them tightly.

Han Li suddenly remembered something, quickly bent down, and pressed his palm against Yu Ziqi's brow. Ripples of invisible waves emanated from his palm as he examined carefully again.

"Just as I thought..." Han Li withdrew his hand and said slowly.

"What is it, Fellow Daoist Li?" Mo Wuxue quickly asked.

"This person's intentions are truly malicious. He placed a restriction on Fellow Daoist Yu's Nascent Soul, preventing it from escaping the body. Once his physical body's life force is completely severed and his soul completely dissipates, the Nascent Soul will also dissolve on its own, leaving no chance for escape or possession. However, fortunately, you sealed his sea of consciousness in time and continuously infused him with immortal spiritual power, protecting his physical body, which gave me a chance to save him," Han Li said, looking at Mo Wuxue.

Mo Wuxue showed a puzzled expression and said, "Sealed his sea of consciousness? I only knew to infuse him with immortal spiritual power; I had no idea about sealing his sea of consciousness."

Han Li listened, turned his gaze, and looked at Duan Yuzai with a questioning expression.