With his free hand, he reached to his waist, and after a flip, a small banner several inches long appeared in his grasp.
The banner was entirely crimson, emanating waves of blood-colored light, and faint sounds of ghostly wailing could be heard emanating from it.
But Han Li had no intention of offering any explanation. Instead, he muttered an incantation under his breath and tossed the small banner above his head.
With a flash of light, the small banner's size surged dramatically, transforming in the blink of an eye into a colossal banner roughly ten feet across. Its surface shimmered with blood-colored light, as though it had been daubed with thick, fresh blood.
Han Li pointed a finger at the artifact!
Instantly the great banner unfurled, mist materialized, and it coalesced into a mass of blood-red clouds that hurtled toward the nearby Primordial Magnetic Mountain.
However, the cloud came to a halt just above the mountain's peak.
Then the blood cloud churned and spread in all directions, shrouding more than half of the cavern's ceiling while releasing a thick, pungent scent of blood, as though forged entirely from crimson essence.
Ling Yuling swept her spiritual sense across the cloud, and upon sensing the unfathomable yin soul power within it, she hastily retracted her probe with a start, inwardly growing apprehensive.
At that moment, Han Li strode up to the small Primordial Magnetic Mountain and beckoned toward the glowing sphere suspended in the air.
The light sphere flashed and shot toward the mountain, vanishing instantly within.
Han Li then raised one hand and made a grasping motion toward the mountain before him.
A shimmer of five-colored spiritual light flickered across the mountain's surface, and then it swayed several times, rumbling sounds rolling from within. Finally, it rose into the air, drifting slowly upward toward the blood cloud.
Under Ling Yuling's stunned gaze, the entire mountain plunged directly into the blood cloud and vanished without a trace.
Han Li then raised his hand and released a stream of incantation seals.
The blood cloud churned overhead, eventually contracting and transforming back into a small crimson banner several inches in size, which flashed and settled into Han Li's hand in an instant.
The cavern was now completely empty, the Primordial Magnetic Mountain having vanished as though it had never existed.
"Spatial treasure!"
Ling Yuling finally recovered from her shock, her face still bearing a look of astonishment.
"This treasure does possess some spatial abilities — Fellow Daoist Ling, please forgive the spectacle." Han Li said with a smile. He then swept his spiritual sense into the Crimson Soul Banner and nodded with satisfaction.
"A treasure with spatial abilities capable of containing the Primordial Magnetic Mountain — I'd imagine there are very few such items in the entire human world. Brother Han, it's quite remarkable that you managed to find one." Ling Yuling's face was filled with genuine amazement, though inwardly she could only manage a bitter smile.
The Twin Star Sovereigns had once left behind a method for her to keep Han Li under control, but it required him to remain at the
The woman sighed inwardly and finally abandoned all hope of keeping Han Li at the Star Palace.
A flash of blood light crossed his hand, and the small banner vanished without a trace. Then, after a brief moment of contemplation, Han Li smiled and addressed her:
"I can stay at your esteemed palace for a time, exchange cultivation insights with you, and take a look at whatever issue has arisen in your cultivation. During that period, however, there is one matter on which I would appreciate the palace's assistance."
"Brother Han has rendered this palace an immense kindness. Whatever you need, you have only to ask. There is no need to be so formal with me." Despite being momentarily taken aback, Ling Yuling quickly responded with a light laugh.
"Actually, it's a small matter. I would like to learn the recent whereabouts of the Golden Flood Dragon King of the Outer Seas. If you could pinpoint his exact location, that would be even better."
Han Li spoke in a calm, even tone, as though discussing something utterly trivial. Yet upon hearing this, Ling Yuling's heart lurched, and an unusual glint flickered through her eyes.
"Brother Han wishes to find that old monster's whereabouts... could it be that you intend to..." The woman hesitated, her words trailing off.
"I have my reasons for seeking out the Golden Flood Dragon King. Fellow Daoist Ling, there's no need to read too much into it — I only need his location, and I will not involve the Star Palace. Or does this prove too troublesome for you?" Han Li glanced at her, one eyebrow raised slightly.
"Brother Han has done this palace a great service. No matter how difficult the request, I would never refuse. However, in recent years we have withdrawn nearly all of our personnel from the Outer Seas. Moreover, the Golden Flood Dragon King is a fully matured level-ten demon cultivator. Tracking his movements will likely take considerable time." Ling Yuling shook her head, her expression growing somewhat solemn.
"Time is no concern. Even if it takes several years, I can afford to wait." Han Li merely offered a faint smile, his expression one of complete nonchalance.
"If Brother Han puts it that way, then I will begin making arrangements immediately. You need only wait for news." Seeing this, Ling Yuling wasted no further time in hesitation.