The blue barrier of light blazed brilliantly, then eerily opened a circular passage roughly ten feet wide at its center.
Han Li glanced at it casually before transforming into a streak of azure light that shot through. After a few flickers, he materialized inside the barrier.
The barrier trembled once more, and the passage vanished.
"Fellow Daoist Han, you've finally arrived." The azure light flickered over the city gate, and after Han Li's figure appeared with uncanny abruptness, Ling Yuling — dressed in feminine attire — pressed her crimson lips together, a hint of delighted smile gracing her face.
"Since Fairy Ling extended an invitation through the Myriad Mile Talisman, how could I break my word and not come?" Han Li replied with a smile.
"I thank Brother Han for his generous assistance. With you here, those buffoons of the Anti-Star Alliance should pose no threat. However, this is no place to talk — please follow me to the Sacred Mountain. Elder Sun, gather all Elders who aren't currently on rotation at the Sacred Hall. I have important matters to discuss." Ling Yuling extended her invitation while turning to address the yellow-robed cultivator beside her.
"Yes, Sect Master!"
The yellow-robed cultivator possessed an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivation. From the moment Han Li had appeared, he had been sizing him up ceaselessly. But when his spiritual sense swept over, he found Han Li's Magical Power to be unfathomably deep — unable to discern his cultivation level at all. This realization sent a jolt of shock through him, and a look of reverence appeared on his face. Upon hearing Ling Yuling's command, he cupped his fists in acknowledgment, then pulled out a stack of sound transmission talismans and began sending them to the Star Palace Elders.
At this point, Han Li shifted his gaze to the white-haired elder and spoke to him in a measured tone:
"I didn't expect that after so many years, Fellow Daoist Zhao would not only retain his distinguished bearing but have made such remarkable progress in cultivation — truly a cause for celebration!"
The elder was none other than the Zhao-surnamed old man who had once proposed dual cultivation to him on Silver Shark Island. After barely over a hundred years of separation, this old man — just like Ling Yuling — had advanced to the mid-stage Nascent Soul.
"Heh heh, how could I possess such talent to reach this level? It was only through the generous assistance of the two former Sect Masters that this old man's cultivation was able to advance further." Elder Zhao responded with a bitter smile, as though there were some hidden story behind it.
"Oh, so that's how it is!" Han Li's eyes flickered several times, a contemplative look crossing his face.
"So Elder Zhao and Brother Han are already acquainted — how wonderful. Let's proceed to the Sacred Hall first, and we can chat at length there." Ling Yuling pressed her lips together and smiled gently.
Han Li naturally had no objections and nodded in agreement.
The group then summoned their streaks of light and flew straight toward the Sacred Mountain at the center of Celestial Star City.
Under Ling Yuling's guidance, Han Li flew directly to the highest tier of the Sacred Mountain and descended before what appeared to be an unremarkable grand hall of bluestone.
Han Li studied the stone hall for a moment, a hint of surprise crossing his face.
"What is it, Brother Han? You find our Sacred Hall too ordinary?" Ling Yuling turned her head to glance at him, flashing a radiant smile.
"It far exceeds what I expected!" Han Li made no effort to conceal his surprise, admitting it frankly.
"This hall is indeed somewhat plain, but it was the place where our sect's founding ancestor once resided and cultivated, so it has always been preserved and designated as a vital site of our palace. Outsiders are normally not permitted to enter. But since Brother Han came all this way to offer his aid, you are naturally the exception." Ling Yuling explained with a smile.
"While the hall may appear unremarkable, the spiritual energy here is remarkably dense — truly an exceptional sacred ground for cultivation. I doubt there are many islands in the entire Inner Star Sea that offer such an ideal place for cultivation." Han Li nodded slightly to show his understanding.
Hearing this, Ling Yuling's smile grew even more radiant, and she immediately led Han Li toward the hall's main entrance.
The dozen or so Star Palace disciples standing guard outside the entrance hurriedly bowed to the group, and after sweeping their gazes over Han Li, all showed a trace of curiosity.
Ling Yuling naturally offered no explanation to the guards, leading Han Li through the entrance, along a short corridor, and into an elegantly archaic hall.
The group took their seats according to host and guest.
"On your way here, Brother Han, you must already be aware of our current situation?" Ling Yuling wasted no time — the moment she was seated, she got straight to the point.
"I am indeed somewhat aware! Your palace's situation is rather dire!" Han Li replied in an unruffled manner.
"Then Brother Han must also know that our palace originally held a decisive advantage. The reason the situation took such a sudden turn for the worse is entirely because Wan Tianming suddenly advanced to late-stage Nascent Soul, becoming a peak cultivator. That allowed the Anti-Star Alliance to gradually gnaw away at our palace's outer forces, until even Star City was besieged. As long as Brother Han can keep that man occupied, our palace still has the confidence to destroy the Anti-Star Alliance once more." Ling Yuling's expression turned solemn, a faint trace of killing intent flickering between her brows.
"Fellow Daoist Ling wishes for me to oppose that Sect Master Wan?" Han Li's eyes flickered, and he posed the question calmly.
"That's right. Does Brother Han have any objections?" Ling Yuling was taken aback, asking hesitantly.
"It's not an objection — rather, Fairy Ling has surely gotten one thing wrong?" Han Li's brow twitched as he said bluntly.