Chapter 637: Laying Low

With this thought, Han Li raised his hand and summoned, softly uttering the word "Go."

With a whoosh!

A flash of fiery red light suddenly flickered, and a fire-attribute immortal sword shot out, circling the secret chamber like a fire dragon before hurtling back toward him.

At the same time, Han Li patted the bottom of the Profound Heavenly Gourd. The emerald gourd immediately spun with a whir, its mouth facing the fire sword, and spewed a beam of green light that swept toward it.

As soon as the flame immortal sword was entangled by the green light, it halted instantly, and the flames on its surface rapidly dissipated.

Seeing this, Han Li was slightly startled, as this scene seemed no different from before.

After a moment's deliberation, he formed another sword seal and attempted to control the flying sword to break free from the green light's grip.

As a result, just as flames began to rise on the sword body, a dark green ray shot out from the gourd with a crack, shattering it into pieces.

The broken sword fragments, wrapped in blazing hot flames, exploded under the impact of that destructive ray. Before all their power could be released, they were caught by another green light and pulled entirely into the gourd.

This change happened so quickly that even Han Li was stunned for a moment before reacting. He quickly released his spiritual sense into the gourd to inspect.

In the second layer of the Profound Heavenly Gourd's space, he found traces of the fire-attribute immortal sword's fragments.

These fragments were being adsorbed within the fluctuations around the green sphere, slowly rotating, with sparkling crystalline light scattering from them.

This was the spiritual power contained within them being stripped away bit by bit, absorbed into the inner wall, and fed back to the Profound Heavenly Gourd.

What surprised Han Li even more was that in the void outside the green sphere, a tiny red light point the size of a spark was floating leisurely, faintly emitting fluctuations of fire-attribute law power.

Clearly, the law power contained in the fire-attribute immortal sword had not been absorbed by the gourd but was stored in this way.

This increased Han Li's doubts even further, and he wanted to try again to see what changes had occurred in the Profound Heavenly Gourd's divine ability.

But at that moment, his brow suddenly twitched. He withdrew his mind from the gourd, turned his gaze toward the door of the secret chamber, and softly said, "Awake?"

With that, he waved his hand to put away the Profound Heavenly Gourd, rose, and left the secret chamber, heading to the side room where Mo Guang had previously lived.

Upon entering, Han Li saw Yu Ziqing half-propping himself up, trying to force himself to rise, but his whole body seemed weak, and he couldn't manage to sit up.

“Fellow Daoist Yu, don't rush. Your sea of consciousness is severely damaged, and your soul is unsettled. You must feel dizzy and disoriented; how could you possibly get up?” Han Li walked over, pressed his shoulder, and made him lie back down.

“It was Fellow Daoist Li who saved me, right? Earlier, my soul had settled a bit, and I could vaguely sense you, but I couldn't wake up or thank you.” Yu Ziqing spoke quite fluently, but his eyes lacked luster, appearing somewhat unfocused, unable to fix accurately on Han Li's face.

“No need for thanks. Do you remember who attacked you?” Han Li waved his hand and asked solemnly.

“I've been trying to recall since I regained consciousness, but I have no answer. I only vaguely remember that the person was trying to force information about someone in the valley, but I can't remember who they were asking about either…” Yu Ziqing's expression showed no obvious change, as if he couldn't even remember the cruel treatment he had suffered. He just slowly shook his head and said.

Han Li listened, frowned slightly, and even speculated that the person Yu Ziqing was being questioned about might be himself.

After all, he was not only on the天庭's "Immortal Execution List" but also a member of the Reincarnation Hall, and he had cultivated the Soul Refining Art. Any one of these would make the天庭 eager to eliminate him.

Previously, he had left the Northern Frost Immortal Domain incognito, not entangled too deeply with the Reincarnation Hall, and had used various means to conceal his aura and baleful qi, hiding in this Carefree Cloud Mountain to live in seclusion, thus enjoying a few hundred years of peaceful days.

But given the current situation, who knew if he could continue to hide?

“How long has it been since I was attacked?” Yu Ziqing asked after calming down.

“Not long, just over five years.” Han Li put away his thoughts and replied.

“So I've been unconscious for five years… I really owe Fellow Daoist Li a debt of gratitude for saving and caring for me. I don't know how I can ever repay it…” Yu Ziqing was silent for a while, then said with emotion.

“I dare not take sole credit for this kindness. In fact, the first to discover and rescue you five years ago was Fairy Mo. Without her, you wouldn't have lasted until I came to treat you. And over these five years, she has often come to visit you.” Han Li curled his lips and said.

“Wuxue… she really?” Yu Ziqing's expression finally changed, somewhat flustered.

“Would I lie to you?” Han Li retorted.

“Of course not, of course not… but…” Yu Ziqing murmured, his voice trailing off.

“You can let go of the great path of cultivation, so why hesitate over the small path of love? What, do you want Fairy Mo to confess her feelings to you first and pursue you instead?” Han Li couldn't stand it and said bluntly.

“Of course not…” Yu Ziqing quickly said. How could he dare think that?

“Think about it: if we hadn't been able to save you this time, would you regret it regarding Fairy Mo?” Han Li asked again.

Although he didn't have much experience in matters of the heart, he knew that as a man, one should be braver and more fearless. If one had a wish in their heart, they should pursue it vigorously.

Wasn't that how it was with him and Nan Gong Wan back then?

Yu Ziqing was silent again for a long time, then finally uttered sincerely: “Fellow Daoist Li's words have awakened me from a dream. I am grateful for your advice…”

Seeing that Yu Ziqing had come to his senses, Han Li stopped at that point and said no more.

After giving him a pill beneficial to the soul and instructing him to rest well, he left.

Yu Ziqing's knot was untied, but Han Li became increasingly worried.

A month later, Yu Ziqing decided to return to his own cave for recuperation, and Han Li began preparations to leave Carefree Cloud Mountain, and even the Black Earth Immortal Domain.

In the blink of an eye, several more years passed.

The attacks and disappearances of cultivators in Carefree Cloud Mountain intensified, and the former peace and tranquility were no more. Gradually, some reclusive cultivators began to move away.

By now, Han Li had already packed up everything in his cave, including all the array tools arranged in various places.

He had long intended to leave, but only to avoid attracting attention.

But now that many people had started to move away from Carefree Cloud Mountain, his departure at this time would probably not draw special notice.

Of course, if anyone followed him, he wouldn't mind finding a secluded spot and using the most primitive method to ensure they never spoke again.

After meditating for a while in the secret chamber, Han Li left the cave and headed toward a small pavilion by a stream where he often gathered with Heatwave Immortal Venerable and others.

To his surprise, Heatwave Immortal Venerable and Jingyang Superior were already gathered in the pavilion, seemingly discussing something, both looking quite grim.

Yu Ziqing was also there, his face still somewhat pale, while Mo Wuxue stood beside him, the two speaking in low voices.

Seeing Han Li approach, they stopped talking.

“Fellow Daoist Li, you've come just in time. We were about to look for you.” Jingyang Superior beckoned and said.

“Oh, what are you fellow daoists discussing?” Han Li nodded slightly to them in greeting and stepped into the pavilion.

“The situation in the valley is becoming increasingly unclear. Just last month, three fellow daoists were attacked, and one of them even fell.” Duan Yuzai said gravely.

Han Li frowned upon hearing this.

To avoid being noticed, he had stayed in his cave all these years, not venturing out or trying to investigate the cause of the turmoil in Carefree Cloud Mountain.

Now it seemed that the situation in Carefree Cloud Mountain was even more chaotic than he had heard.

“Yes, Carefree Cloud Mountain is no longer what it used to be. We were discussing how to avoid this storm.” Heatwave Immortal Venerable sighed and chimed in.

“What plans does Fellow Daoist Heatwave have?” Han Li glanced at Heatwave Immortal Venerable and asked.

“What plans could I have? Seeking leisure only brings more trouble. I intend to return to my sect first; it should be relatively safe there.” Heatwave Immortal Venerable smiled bitterly and said.

“I also plan to leave temporarily and go to Jiayun City. I have a few acquainted fellow daoists there where I can stay for a while.” Duan Yuzai also sighed and said.

“What about you, Fellow Daoist Li?” Jingyang Superior looked at Han Li.

“Though I'm reluctant to leave Wild Crane Valley, as the saying goes, a wise man does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. Like you all, I intend to leave.” Han Li said with some reluctance.

“Do you have a place to go, Fellow Daoist Li? If not, why not come to Hundred Creations Mountain? I can absolutely guarantee your safety there. If you have any other requests, feel free to mention them, and I will do my best to satisfy them.” Jingyang Superior said, once again trying to recruit Han Li.

Jingyang Superior's identity had been revealed to Heatwave Immortal Venerable and the others over the years, so they were not worried about his safety.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Jingyang, but I already have a place in mind and do not plan to visit your sect for now.” Han Li understood Jingyang Superior's intentions and declined.

“Very well. If you change your mind in the future, you are always welcome to come to Hundred Creations Mountain to find me.” Jingyang Superior said regretfully.

“What about you two, Fellow Daoist Yu and Fairy Mo?” Heatwave Immortal Venerable asked.

Mo Wuxue quietly gazed at the surrounding Wild Crane Valley and did not answer.

Yu Ziqing looked at Mo Wuxue's elegant profile, hesitating to speak.

“Fellow Daoist Yu and Fairy Mo, if you have no place to go for now, you can also come to Hundred Creations Mountain first. I can recommend a position there that is not dangerous and not too busy.” Jingyang Superior looked at Mo Wuxue and then at Yu Ziqing, smiling.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Jingyang, but I have no intention of leaving this place for now.” Mo Wuxue shook her head and said.

Hearing this, everyone showed surprise, except Yu Ziqing, whose expression remained unchanged, as if he had known it all along.